Eevee ran and ran after Jolteon relentlessly, all the while using "quick attack" to give chase, but without much apparent results to the eye.
The mud plus the weights making it a completly imposible task to the little fox-like pokemon to have an oportunity against it´s evolved form.
Typically, an average Eevee in the wild measures 0.5 meters/1.6 feet, weighing 7 kilograms/15 pounds. Horthy´s Eevee weighs and measures a little more due to the training and the good healthcare at the Pokémon Center, so she is naturally more developed, plus the fact that she is still young and in on the moment of her most growth rate.
But even so, the extra weight with which Eevee was forced in the last moments is excessive.
Not only because of the weights themselves, but the mud makes Eevee have to force herself much more than usual for each jump or step she makes. Even if Eevee is a Pokemon and has extraordinary abilities as such, she has a limit.
Pokemon movements, on certain occasions, enhance the user's body, as is "quick attack" by making the body stronger and being able to assimilate speeds much higher than what sometimes the simple human eye can catch. And other movements like let´s say, "iron tail" exchange energy for pure power.
On this occasion, Eevee spent three-quarters of her energy supporting the weight, and the other quarter using pokemon moves from her arsenal.
Jolteon simply had to wait for Eevee to approach and then jump a few times while surrounded by electricity. For every 20 jumps Eevee took, Jolteon only had to make 5 to get back to the same distance as he did at the beginning.
Different strategies were tried, attacking from afar with "Swift" and then trying to closing distance. Or "digging" and trying to catch the electric type off guard, not letting it know where Eevee would come from... but since Jolteon basically levitates, it makes it an impossible task.
After about 2 hours of futile effort, Eevee dropped into the mud totally exhausted. Jolteon deactivated it´s movement and fell to the side of the arena gracefully, the tiny electricity sparks in the air dissipated and stoped making sound as if they were tiny fireworks.
Horthy hurried to his beloved Eevee's side, soon pulling a small towel from her backpack to wipe the mud from her soft fur.
"Eevee, are you okay?" Horthy bent down and grabbed Eevee by the armpits, seeing exhaustion on her little face. "Okay... You gave it your all, it was a very good training."
He also took out a berry from the backpack and offered it to the little one to gather some strengh back.
Eevee closed her eyes and gave a tired answer as she leaned over to brush her little head against the towel. Her body ended up all stressed and tense, Horthy even felt small static touches when he came into contact with his pokemon, which made him doubt if she ended up slightly paralyzed to a certain point...
"What am I doing wrong? What's the trick to this training? Clearly Eevee would never be able to catch Jolteon."
He sighed and pushed those thoughts aside, he would now listen to the real professional and hear his professional advise, so he started walking after Jolteon, who walked away from the room without much interest and with bored expression.
After a small walk with Eeve in arms, Horthy reached the main training arena and found Surge far in the other corner, aparently giving advice to other trainers that were sitting on the stands, each one with a book in hand.
When he arrived to Surge's side who was with hands behind him and standing straight, he heard what he was talking about, which was something of importance and that could be of use to him.
"And remember, Article 6.8, mental training is just as important, if not more so, than physical training. Not only on the part of the pokemon, but also on the part of it´s trainer. Without effort on both sides, the bond will remain weak and there will never be real potential."
The pokemon trainers nodded their heads and soon reached for such article after changing pages repeatedly. Surge turned around and found Horthy on his face, poor exhausted Eevee and traces of mud on her fur between Horthy´s arms.
"And? Were you able to catch Jolteon?" The man folded his arms and smiled mockingly, clearly knowing that Horthy would not have been able to make it.
"N-no, it was impossible." Horthy muttered somewhat frustrated as he caressed Eevee. "I have no idea how to achieve it sir."
Surge scoffed, looked down at Eevee, and shook his head to the sides.
"I'll ask you a question kid, do you appreciate your Eevee?"
"With my soul sir." Horthy was soon quick to reply. "I wouldn't change Eevee for anything in the world." Doubtful, Horthy frowned and asked curious. "Why the question, Lieutenant?"
"Because it doesn't look like it." Horthy flinched as he heard de comment. "You let your pokemon try to catch up to an Elite-level Jolteon on its own?" Surge clicked his tongue and turned around, approached the stands and from a box he took out a book identical to those read by the other trainers also seated.
"You heard what I said to them, right?" Horthy nodded. "Well, I tell you the same thing. The training is also done by the owner of the pokemon, so now it's your turn. Read the first two articles, you can keep this book until you finish the course... When you read those articles, you will understand perfectly why I made you read it."
After handing the book to Horthy, he pointed angrily at the adjustable weights on Eevee's hind legs. "Those weights were meant for your use... Did you really let your Pokemon push its limits and suffer on its own?"
Realizing what Surge implied, Horthy blushed in embarrassment and immediately felt really stupid. So he was quick to apologize, bowing. "I'm sorry... I am really ignorant."
Surge just turned around and began to head to another part of the gym in which he addressed Horthy a few last words. "Don't ask me for forgiveness, but to Eevee... and do something to make up for it."
Before he finished walking away, Surge turned to look over his shoulder at Horthy with dismissing gaze. "And you'll probably want to take your pokemon to the gymnasium infirmary. It won't be as professional as the Pokemon Center but... at least Eevee will pull itself together."
Surge finished leaving and left Horthy alone with his thoughts for a long time, the only thing that could be heard being lightning from time to time. It wasn't until he felt a small tongue lick his palm to comfort him.
Horthy came back to reality and clicked his tongue. "Sorry Eevee, I was a fool for not thinking about it." After sighing one last time, she finally took the weights out of her paws and took a seat on one of the steps, opened the book and began to read while letting Eevee eat other berries he had equipped.
...
This one chapter took me several times ro correct it, even like that it sure still has some gap or mistake. I hope you guys like the new chaptee!