- - - - -

Nostus Belongs to @forgottenjade over at: https://bsky.app/profile/softsheepewe.bsky.social

- - - - -

Chapter 2.6

Elm outlined the route with quick gestures on a map spread across his desk. "From here to Cherrygrove City first, then north. Mr. Pokémon lives just outside the city proper."

"Keep a reasonable pace," he added, "and you'll reach him well before evening."

"And if I don't?" Ravina asked, already calculating the distance.

"Stay in Cherrygrove," Mrs. Elm interjected immediately. "There are inns near the Pokémon Center."

Professor Elm nodded. "Don't try unfamiliar roads after dark."

Ravina glanced down at Cinder, who had settled beside her foot. "You really think it's that dangerous?"

"Not usually." Elm's gaze softened as it landed on the small Fire-type. "But a partner Pokémon isn't just for battling other trainers." Cinder perked up at his name. "They watch things you don't. Hear things first."

Ravina's fingers brushed Cinder's back. "And if something decides I'm lunch?"

Professor Elm's smile was faint. "Then hopefully Cinder convinces it otherwise." The little Cyndaquil puffed his chest out proudly, tiny flames flickering along his back.

"Look at you," Ravina laughed, scratching behind his ears. Cinder practically preened.

Professor Elm handed her a small parcel wrapped in brown paper. "This is for Mr. Pokémon."

Ravina turned it over. "What's inside?"

"Research notes," Elm paused. "Mostly."

Nostus's eyes narrowed. "Mostly?"

"Nothing dangerous."

"Professor."

"Nothing dangerous."

Nostus continued staring until Elm sighed. "I'll give you the inventory sheet."

"Thank you."

Ravina watched the exchange, concern growing. "Do I want to know?"

"No." Both answered at once.

- - - - -

Chapter 2.7

No Poké Balls rattled in her bag, no trainer kit, stack of potions or empty badge case. Ravina wasn't beginning a Gym Challenge. Not yet.

For now she carried water, food, the parcel, emergency supplies, her Pokégear… and one Cyndaquil.

That was enough.

At the laboratory door, Nostus stopped her. "Ravina."

She looked back as her mother's teasing expression had softened. "Check in when you reach Cherrygrove."

"I will."

"And don't rush."

"I know."

"If Cinder gets tired, stop."

Ravina glanced down. Cinder was already pawing impatiently at the ground, tiny flames flickering along his back. "He seems fine."

"For now." Nostus smiled. "Several hours is different from several minutes."

Ravina nodded. "I'll look after him."

Nostus's gaze shifted toward Cinder. "And you." The little Pokémon looked up at her. "Look after my daughter."

Cinder stared for a moment, then gave one determined little chirp.

Ravina's eyebrows rose. "Traitor."

Nostus laughed. "Good boy."

- - - - -

Chapter 2.8

Outside New Bark's neat streets, the road unwound westward, stretching toward rolling green fields that dissolved into hazy woodland. Ravina shifted her pack higher on her shoulder, the leather creaking softly in the quiet morning. At her side, Cinder stood perfectly still, his small body radiating warmth against her leg.

For a suspended moment, neither moved. This wasn't some grand adventure—she was just delivering a parcel. Yet the morning light caught dust motes dancing in the air, and the horizon seemed to pulse with possibility.

Ravina glanced down at the Fire-type whose tiny flames now flickered along his back. "You ready?"

Cinder met her gaze for a heartbeat, then took a decisive step forward, his determined stride carrying them both forward.

Ravina laughed, the sound bright in the still air. "Apparently." She fell into step beside him, their shadows stretching long before them as they left New Bark behind.

- - - - -

Chapter 2.9

From the laboratory window, Nostus watched Ravina and Cinder disappear toward the town's edge as Mrs. Elm joined her. "You don't seem worried."

Nostus folded her arms, gaze unwavering. "Oh, I'm worried."

"Then why send her?"

"Because she's eighteen." Nostus watched as Ravina paused, noticing Cinder's distraction near the roadside. Instead of hurrying him along, Ravina simply waited, allowing him to explore before he hurried to catch up. "And because if I'm standing beside her every time something happens… she won't find out what she can do without me."

Mrs. Elm nodded thoughtfully. "That's difficult."

"Extremely." The silence stretched for a moment before Mrs. Elm glanced sideways at her. "You know, for someone who's spent the morning threatening my husband's filing cabinets..."

Nostus looked over.

"...you're surprisingly sentimental."

"Don't tell anyone."

Mrs. Elm laughed, the sound warm and knowing.

- - - - -

Chapter 2.10

Ten minutes from New Bark's edge, Cinder's attention snagged on the tall grass bordering the road, wild, untamed, and clearly fascinating to a creature who'd never seen it. His nose twitched, sampling the scents carried on the breeze, while Ravina watched his growing curiosity with amusement.

Then came the rustle, not wind, not leaves, but something alive moving within the dense undergrowth. Cinder froze, every muscle tensing as his body went rigid against Ravina's leg.

"What is it?" Ravina whispered, her own senses sharpening.

Before she could finish, a Rattata burst from the grass, a flash of purple fur and chattering teeth as it scrambled to a halt, equally surprised by their sudden encounter. For a heartbeat, both sides stared, the silence stretching with uncertainty.

Cinder moved. Not with aggression, but with deliberate purpose, stepping directly between Ravina and the wild Pokémon. His back ignited, not in a raging inferno, but in a sudden, brilliant flare that painted the road in dancing orange light.

The flames weren't enormous, but they were immediate. The Rattata recoiled, ears flattening against its skull as Cinder emitted a sharp warning cry, high-pitched, determined, and utterly clear.

One look at the small fire-type defending its territory, and the wild creature made its decision. With a panicked squeak, it dove back into the grass, vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.

Silence returned, broken only by the soft crackle of Cinder's flames and Ravina's exhale. Cinder remained planted firmly before her, a tiny guardian with glowing embers along his back.

Ravina stared at his protective stance before slowly crouching behind him. "Cinder?"

He glanced back, and at the sound of her voice, the flames immediately shrank, receding to mere embers.

"Were you... protecting me?"

At her question, Cinder's posture straightened slightly, his chest puffing with pride. As the last flames disappeared, Ravina reached down, her fingers finding the sensitive spot behind one ear nub.

"Good boy."

Cinder leaned into her touch, his warmth seeping into her fingertips. Something deeper settled in Ravina's chest, not the residual heat from his flames, but an unexpected warmth spreading through her. Less than an hour together, and already he'd instinctively placed himself between her and something he perceived as a threat.

Ravina scooped him up, and Cinder immediately melted against her, nose finding the familiar hollow of her collarbones. "Alright," she murmured, resuming her walk. "You can ride for a bit."

Cinder made absolutely no objection, his contented sigh vibrating against her skin.

- - - - -

Chapter 2.11

The red-haired boy lingered across from the laboratory, his gaze fixed on the building where the girl had disappeared with her chosen Pokémon. Inside, Professor Elm's assistant bustled through paperwork, while the professor himself remained buried in research. The boy's eyes narrowed on the window, where two Poké Balls rested in their tray. His attention snagged on the one containing the energetic Totodile, a predator's glint in his eyes. With one final glance around, he melted into the shadows along the laboratory's side wall, disappearing from view.

Ravina never saw him.

She was already well beyond New Bark Town...

Walking toward Cherrygrove with Cinder asleep against her chest...

Completely unaware that by the time she returned, everything at Professor Elm's laboratory would have changed.