Albert sat cross-legged on the polished floor of his study, a notebook spread across his lap, the pages already half-filled with tidy notes and diagrams.
Eevee, curled in a warm nest of cushions nearby, yawned widely and flicked her ears.
"Alright, Eevee," Albert said softly, "if you're going to grow strong, we need to start with the basics: health, food, grooming, and training."
Rotom hovered above, sparks dancing across its plasma body, projecting a glowing display in midair.
ROTO-SCAN ACTIVATED!
Subject: Eevee
Current Status: Underweight by 10%.
Coat quality: Dry.
Energy index: Slight deficiency in protein absorption.
Albert leaned closer, eyes scanning every line. "See? We can't just rely on Center rations. Her growth ceiling is better than average—if we want her to reach it, her nutrition has to match."
Porygon's voice chimed in, calm and synthetic.
"Calculating optimal macronutrient ratio: 40% protein, 30% carbohydrates, 20% fats. Micronutrients required: high calcium, balanced iron. Recommendation: berry blend with Oran and Sitrus as base, supplement with ground kelpsy root and powdered bone meal. Moomoo Milk for added multivitamins and minerals."
Albert scribbled the numbers down in perfect columns. He always liked numbers—the clearer the data, the better the plan. "So—delicate customized food. Got it."
Eevee blinked at him, tilting her head as if half-understanding.
"I'm thankful Porygon has all my data; I can put all my focus only on you."
When Albert reached to scratch her chin, she gave a soft chirp of approval.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Later that afternoon, Albert set up a small grooming station.
He remembered how coat quality reflected more than vanity—it was linked to a Pokémon's skin health, energy circulation, and even emotional state.
He slipped on gloves, Rotom hovering nearby, ready to project readings.
"Okay, Eevee. Let's get this fur cleaned up."
At first, Eevee wriggled and resisted, tail flicking. Albert kept his touch even, methodical—pressure, rhythm, careful strokes.
He hummed a low, steady tune under his breath, the same calming pattern he'd used during meditation to steady his own psychic flow, sending out calming thoughts and emotions.
Rotom: "Coat moisture rising. Static resistance: down by 8%. Bonding rate between subject and handler: measurable increase."
Albert allowed himself a small smile. "Bonding rate, huh?" He adjusted the brush's angle and worked slowly down the fox's flank. "Even if it's still weird, it means we're doing good."
Porygon added:
"Note: grooming rituals also improve psychological resilience. Lower anxiety correlates with increased energy retention."
Albert nodded. "I do remember. Thanks for reminding me." He worked until Eevee's coat gleamed faintly.
The little fox, who had been skittish on day one, now leaned into the massage, ears relaxing.
He chuckled. "Wait a week, you'll be like brand new under my care."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Once Eevee was fed and brushed, Albert turned to training.
He flipped to a clean page in his notebook and outlined a measured program—foundation before spectacle.
He projected his plan via Rotom:
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Breakfast
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Endurance walks, simple fetch, obstacle weaving.
10:30 AM – 12:00 AM: Reflex training with moving targets (light balls).
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Energy channeling exercises.
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Grooming focus.
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Dinner
7:00 PM onwards: Recreational Activities and Rest
Albert's voice was calm but firm. "Since rookies need gradual adaptation, we will condition the body and teach controlled aura projection—nothing too much that strains joints."
Rotom supplied metrics in real time, Porygon modeled expected physiological improvements, and Albert adjusted as his data suggested.
He set small rewards: a berry after each successful run, a quiet praise in voice and mind.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
That evening Albert tested the first drill. He set up a line of cones in the garden, urging Eevee to weave through them. At first, the fox stumbled, tripping over her own paws. Albert crouched close, offering a quiet correction, demonstrating posture and movement with his hands and a gentle telepathic nudge to guide focus.
With each run, she improved. Rotom called out data:
"Speed up by 3%! Coordination: improving. Confidence levels: rising!"
On the fifth run, Eevee bounded through the cones with surprising agility, landing at Albert's feet. He crouched and ruffled her ears, feeling the first clear resonant pulse of pride through their psychic link.
That faint shimmer—the way her aura responded to training—was all the encouragement Albert needed. He made a note in his book: first coordinated run: +6% motor confidence.
From across the porch, Steven watched with quiet curiosity. Albert glanced up, eyes softening. "The plan works," he said simply.
Steven walked over and gave a small clap. "As if I'd expect anything less," he said with admiration. "You have always been correct."
Albert only smiled in reply and returned to recording the data.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Albert took the feeding regimen seriously. He measured out proteins, ground kelpsy root into fine powder, and balanced berries to ensure the correct glycemic load.
Not to mention making sure Eevee was maintaining her proper consumption amount of Moomoo Milk.
He kept careful logs—weight, stool quality, coat sheen, energy spikes, and sleep quality.
After a week of carefully monitored meals, Rotom ran another scan.
ROTO-SCAN: WEEK ONE
"Weight: +4%. Coat quality improved. Protein absorption index: normalized. Energy index: steady. Potential unchanged (Light Indigo), growth metrics showing very minimal upward trend."
Albert allowed himself the faintest of smiles.
Numbers confirmed what he'd felt—the fox was stronger, calmer, more willing. He documented everything with clinical precision and, underneath the figures, a single human line: Trust increases biochemical stability.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
At night, Albert sat at his desk, notes stacked in ordered piles. He read over the day's results—the grooming metrics, the feeding tables, the agility times.
Rotom floated beside him, displaying charts. Porygon projected alternative training activities for comparison.
Eevee slept curled in a ball beside the rug, breathing softly.
Albert watched her for a long time, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with research or data.
It was personal. Protective.
"Don't worry," he murmured to the sleeping animal. "We'll get this right. You're not a subject—you're my partner."