Ariana led Li Yuan into the biological laboratory.
Rows of glass cylinders lined the room, resembling nutrient tanks. Inside, various mutated Pokémon floated, hooked up to tubes.
According to Ariana, these were failures of the Mewtwo Project. They couldn't adapt to the rejection reaction of Mew's cells and mutated uncontrollably. They could only survive in the tanks.
The only one that could exist outside was the special Eevee. Eevee's unstable DNA made it prone to mutation from any energy, giving it a strong "mutation resistance."
Normally, Eevee mutated once—evolution. Afterward, its genes stabilized.
But the Rocket Eevee was special. Even after evolving, its genes remained unstable. If exposed to energy exceeding its stability threshold, it would mutate again.
Meaning: if it evolved into Flareon, exposure to Water energy could turn it into Vaporeon.
While normal Eevees chose one path, Rocket Eevee could switch between all forms freely.
Even without achieving the stats of Mewtwo, this ability alone was god-tier.
"Eevee is in this Luxury Ball. But its mental state is extremely unstable due to Mew's cells. Be careful," Ariana handed Li Yuan a black-and-gold ball.
She valued this Eevee enough to use a Luxury Ball.
It was said the Luxury Ball felt like a presidential suite; Pokémon inside never wanted to leave.
Unfortunately, Li Yuan hadn't grabbed any limited-edition balls. Otherwise, he would have given one to every wife.
"Come out, Eevee." Li Yuan released the Pokémon immediately.
A red light shot out, materializing into a fluffy, cute little fox in his arms.
Eevee was voted the most suitable Pokémon for a pet. Its cuteness and docility were legendary.
However, this Eevee defied expectations. Feeling itself in someone's arms, its sleepy eyes opened, instantly turning fierce.
Realizing it was being controlled, its fur stood on end. It bared its teeth and growled at Li Yuan.
As a test subject, Eevee had suffered endless torture: injections, electric shocks, vivisections. The scientists tried everything, ignoring its pain. Combined with the rejection from Mew's cells, it was nearly insane.
Facing a hateful human, Eevee had no good will. If it could win, it would bite his throat out.
"Little Eevee, don't be afraid. I'm here to pick you up. You won't suffer here anymore," Li Yuan stroked the little fox's fur gently. Aura and Viridian Force activated simultaneously, healing its internal injuries and soothing its chaotic aura.
Li Yuan sensed a strange energy inside Eevee, clashing with its body—Mew's cells. Being far stronger than Eevee, the cells rampaged, causing pain.
But with Li Yuan's Aura intervention, the energy found a home and quieted down.
Li Yuan guided Eevee's aura to synchronize with the cells, tricking the cells into thinking they were back in Mew's body.
Plus, Mew had a special connection to Aura. The "Hero of Aura" was chosen by Mew. Assimilating Mew's cells with Aura was easy.
From Eevee's perspective... the boy touched it gently, and the agony racking its body vanished.
The intense pain receded visibly, replaced by a soothing green energy that repaired its body, making it feel relaxed and comfortable.
How long has it been since I felt this relaxed?
Since birth? After that, it was years of torture in the dark.
It had longed to run in the sun, longed for a warm embrace. This comfort was everything it wanted.
"Eievui..."
Eevee's tense body relaxed under Li Yuan's touch. Its growling ceased. It snuggled comfortably into his arms, reluctant to leave.
Compared to the cold operating table, this embrace was too gentle.
"This..."
Ariana was dumbfounded. She worried Li Yuan was being too reckless holding Eevee directly. Even she needed Arbok's protection when approaching it.
How did it become docile instantly in Li Yuan's arms?
Even for a cheater, isn't this too much?
Does he have an 'Eevee Magnet' constitution?
"Little Eevee, I plan to take you away. From now on, you are my Pokémon. Will you come with me?" Li Yuan rubbed its head softly.
"Eievui?" Eevee looked up warily. The boy felt good, but it had been hurt too many times. It distrusted humans.
It worried about abuse.
But if it didn't go, it would lose this comfort and return to the table.
For the sake of leaving, it had to choose him.
After hesitating, Eevee nodded.
Leave the dark basement first. If he's bad, I'll run later.
At least right now, it feels very comfortable. It rubbed against his chest again, looking like his starter Pokémon.
Li Yuan was satisfied. Aura + Viridian Force was convenient. Humans or Pokémon, max affinity at first sight. Easy capture.
Since Eevee was now his, he had to apply the Silver Crest.
With this, Eevee would be obsessed with him forever~.
Ariana watched with complex emotions. She was the first person Eevee saw after hatching. It should have been closest to her.
But years of allowing torture exhausted Eevee's goodwill.
Back then, she thought a failed Eevee was just a normal Eevee—replaceable. She didn't cherish it.
Now that it showed special traits, she tried to make up for it with a Luxury Ball. But it was too late. Eevee hated her. Following someone else carried no psychological burden.
Isn't this... a form of NTR?