Chapter 6

The Boy on the Road

Travel Journal — Day 2

Professor Elm called. Someone broke into the laboratory, he sounded frightened.
Cinder noticed before I even told him.

We’re going home.

The journey back toward Cherrygrove felt nothing like the one Ravina had taken that morning. There were no stops to inspect Apricorn trees, No conversations with passing trainers. No pausing because Cinder had discovered another fascinating bug hiding beneath a leaf.

Ravina had to keep moving.

The Mystery Egg had been carefully wrapped in a spare shirt and secured inside her satchel, cushioned against her side so it wouldn’t be jostled more than necessary. One hand remained protectively over the bag as she hurried down the woodland path as Cinder ran beside her.

For the first twenty minutes he had tried matching Ravina’s pace without complaint. Eventually she noticed his steps beginning to shorten.

“Cinder.” He ignored her.

“Cinder!” The Cyndaquil stubbornly continued.

So Ravina stopped, He made it another three paces before realizing she was no longer beside him.

Cinder turned. “No.”

His ears lowered. “We’re not running you into the ground.”

A protesting chirp. “I know Professor Elm said hurry.”

Another chirp. “And I know you want to get home.”

She crouched and opened her arms. “But you’ve been walking all day.”

Cinder stared at her, then at the road, then back at her. Ravina raised an eyebrow. “Don’t make me come over there.”

He surrendered with a slump before he padded back and allowed Ravina to scoop him up against her chest. “There.”

He grumbled against her. “You can complain all you like.”

Another irritated sound, but Ravina smiled despite herself. “Very intimidating.”

His head settled against her shoulder and within minutes, he was asleep.

 

Cherrygrove appeared through the trees sometime later. The afternoon city was louder than Ravina remembered, fishing boats returned toward the harbor, vendors called from open shop fronts, Cyclists rolled between pedestrians while Wingull circled noisily overhead.

Ordinary life. But Ravina found the normality strangely unsettling. Professor Elm’s laboratory had been broken into, Someone had frightened him badly enough that his voice had shaken over the phone.

Yet here people were buying bread, arguing over fish prices, laughing outside cafés, the world hadn’t noticed.

Ravina adjusted Cinder in her arms and continued through the city, she considered stopping at the Pokémon Center, but only briefly.

Cinder had fought that morning and travelled most of the day, but he didn’t seem injured, merely tired. The sooner they reached New Bark, the sooner she could find out what had happened.

She crossed the western edge of Cherrygrove, buildings became houses, houses became fields, then the road narrowed between the trees.

Cinder stirred and his head lifted.

“What?” His nose twitched and then his body went tense. Ravina slowed as she saw someone was standing ahead.

A lone figure leaned against the wooden rail bordering the road, hands buried in the pockets of a dark high-collared jacket, Bright red hair caught the afternoon sun.

Ravina stopped. “…Oh.”

The boy from outside Elm’s laboratory looked toward her. His expression immediately soured.

“Again.”

Ravina stared at him, something uncomfortable clicked into place.

Red hair, The laboratory, The break-in. She lowered Cinder to the ground. “You.”

His eyes briefly moved to Cinder. “So you really took that one.”

Ravina frowned. “Took?”

“The Cyndaquil.”

Cinder lowered his stance defensively. 

“He has a name.” Ravina retorted. 

The boy shrugged. “Doesn’t matter.”

That irritated her considerably more than it should have. “Its Cinder.”

“Whatever.” he muttered dismissively as Ravina stared at him, He was definitely the same person. Same sharp eyes, same miserable expression, same attitude that suggested the entire world had personally inconvenienced him by existing.

She stepped forward. “You were outside Professor Elm’s laboratory this morning.”

“So?”

“So someone broke into Professor Elm’s laboratory.”

That got the smallest reaction.

His gaze hardened at the accusation in her statement, and Ravina noticed. “Do you know anything about that?”

“No.” he replied, a little too quickly.

Ravina’s eyes narrowed. “You sure?”

“I said no.” replied as he pushed himself away from the railing. As he moved, Ravina noticed something clipped at his belt. A Poké Ball.

That hadn’t been there this morning and the sight of it made her stomach tightened. “Where did you get that?”

His hand moved instinctively toward it. “None of your business.”

“It became my business about an hour ago!”

“You think I care?” He stepped closer As Ravina held her ground. “You’re wasting my time.”

“Oh, I’m wasting your time?”

His gaze dropped to Cinder again. “You shouldn't even have that Pokémon.”

Cinder growled and Ravina blinked. “…Excuse me?”

“He’s wasted on you.” The boy continued as though Ravina hadn’t spoken with a casual contempt. “Professor Elm hands Pokémon to anyone who smiles nicely and suddenly they think they’re trainers.”

Ravina’s irritation sharpened. “I never said I was a trainer.”

“That’s obvious.”

“…You are spectacularly unpleasant.”

He scoffed. “The weak don’t matter.”

Ravina went still as Cinder looked up at her. The red-haired boy either didn’t notice the change or didn’t care. “Pokémon are tools for becoming stronger. That’s all that matters.”

His fingers closed around the Poké Ball. “I’ll become stronger than anyone.” He monolouged as he looked directly at Ravina. “The strongest trainer in the world.”

There was complete conviction behind it.a start difference from Joey proudly declaring that Rattata would become incredible someday.

His words were harder, colder. Strength wasn’t something this boy wanted. It was something he seemed to believe entitled him to everything else.

And something about that, Something about the certainty with which he looked down on her, touched a very particular nerve.

Ravina’s expression slowly softened. Not because she was calming down. Quite the opposite. Cinder had seen Ravina angry, He hadn’t yet seen her smile like that. “So?” she asked

The boy frowned. “What?”

Ravina nodded toward the Poké Ball. “You’re strong?”

His eyes narrowed. “Yes.”

“Stronger than me?”

“Obviously.”

Ravina smiled. “Prove it.”

A moment passed and then he smirked.

Finally, something he understood. “Fine.” He replied as he pulled the Poké Ball free. “I’ll show you what a real trainer looks like.”

Ravina sighed. “You really do make it difficult not to dislike you.”

 

They moved off the road into an open stretch of grass. Cinder stood in front of Ravina as the red-haired boy rolled the Poké Ball once between his fingers.

“You’ll regret this.”

“Mmhm.”

“I mean it.”

“Whenever you’re ready.”

His eyebrow twitched. “Go!” The ball opened and a White light spilled across the clearing, a small blue Pokémon landed heavily in the grass, large jaws, red crest and bright eyes.

“Totodile!”

Ravina froze, Cinder froze too. The Totodile looked around excitedly and then his eyes found Ravina. For a moment his expression changed, recognition.

Ravina remembered those same teeth snapping happily in Professor Elm’s laboratory. The chair nearly fell over. Mrs. Elm caught it.

You’re trouble, aren’t you?

Her gaze slowly lifted. “You stole him.”

The boy’s expression didn’t change. “He was sitting in that laboratory doing nothing.”

“You broke in.”

“He needed a strong trainer.”

“You stole him.”

“I took what I needed.”

Ravina felt that strange coldness return as Cinder’s back ignited. The red-haired boy smiled faintly. “See?” His eyes moved between Cinder and Ravina.

“Even your Pokémon understands.”

Ravina looked down, Cinder wasn’t looking at Totodile, He was glaring at the boy.

“I don’t think he agrees with you.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

The boy pointed forward. “Totodile. Scratch!” Totodile launched himself across the grass towards the fire mouse.

“Cinder, move!” Cinder jumped aside as claws sliced through empty air, then Totodile immediately spun. Fast. Far quicker than Ravina expected from the hyperactive little Pokémon she had met that morning.

“Again!” Totodile lunged, Cinder dodged the first swipe but the second caught his shoulder and he tumbled through the grass.

“Cinder!” The Fire-type rolled and scrambled upright and The other boy smiled.

“That’s the difference between us.” Ravina glanced toward him. “You hesitate.”

Another command. “Scratch!” Totodile charged again, Ravina had to force herself to look away from the trainer and watch the Pokémon. Joey’s battle had taught her something.

The trainer wasn’t the target, the battle was happening between the Pokémon.

Totodile charged directly, aggressive, powerful, but predictable.

“Cinder!” His head turned slightly in recognition. “Smokescreen!” Almost instantly a thick cloud of black smoke erupted across the clearing and Totodile disappeared inside it.

The boy scoffed. “Cheap trick.”

“Still counts.”

“Totodile! Keep going!”

Ravina blinked. Keep going? Totodile did, a blue shape burst blindly through the smoke. Wrong direction, Ravina saw Cinder emerge from the opposite side.

“Circle around!” the boy ordered as Cinder moved. Totodile turned at the sound but it was too late.

“Tackle!” Cinder hit him broadside and Totodile stumbled. Not down. Definitely not down as he swung almost immediately. Cinder ducked under the claws and retreated.

The red-haired boy’s expression tightened. “Again!”

Totodile pursued. Ravina watched. Totodile was stronger than Rattata had been, probably stronger than Cinder. But there was something wrong with the way the battle felt.

The boy commanded and Totodile obeyed. That was it. No adjustment, no encouragement. No communication beyond instructions.

“Scratch!” The boy continued to order and Totodile charged.

“Wait.” Ravina called, Cinder stayed put trusting his partner.

Ravina’s heart hammered, Closer, Closer, “Now!”

Cinder jumped sideways causing Totodile to miss.

“Tackle!” Cinder struck him from behind and Totodile crashed into the grass. 

He rose again, Slower. The boy’s jaw clenched.

“Get up.” Totodile shook himself. “Again.”

Ravina frowned as The Water-type hesitated. 

“Totodile!” He pushed himself forward.

Cinder was breathing hard too, Ravina could feel the battle reaching its end. One clean hit either way.

The boy pointed. “Finish it!”

Totodile charged and Ravina waited.

Cinder looked back at her, For half a second, their eyes met and Ravina understood. “Smokescreen.”

The boy’s eyes widened, again the clearing disappeared into black. Totodile plunged straight into it.

“Don’t stop!”

Ravina smiled, there, that was the mistake.

“Cinder, listen for him.” Cinder lowered himself, Inside the smoke came pounding footsteps. Then. “Left!” Cinder moved as Totodile burst through and Missed.

“Tackle!” Cinder drove directly into Totodile’s side. The Water-type rolled twice and landed flat in the grass and then silence.

The smoke slowly drifted away.

Totodile tried to push himself upright, one arm trembled beneath him, then gave out.

Ravina raised her hand. “That’s enough.”

The boy’s expression hardened. “Get up.” Totodile didn’t, he couldn’t

“Totodile.” Ravina stepped forward. “Hey.” The Water-type’s eyes shifted toward her, there was a recognition there as Ravina crouched and slowly extended one hand. “Come here.”

The boy looked sharply at her. “What are you doing?”

Ravina ignored him. “You remember me, don’t you?”

Totodile stared. “Professor Elm’s waiting for you back home.” For just a moment, Ravina thought he might move, and then Totodile dragged himself upright. But not toward her. To put himself between her and the boy

Ravina stopped. She could see that Totodile’s legs were shaking badly, but his jaws opened in warning. “...Totodile?”

A weak growl answered her. Cinder immediately moved to Ravina’s side, flames flickering again. But Ravina understood. It didn’t matter where the boy had gotten him. Somewhere between New Bark and this road, Totodile had decided something for himself.

the boy was his trainer.

Ravina ravina bit her lip in frustration, she could order Cinder forward. Totodile could barely stand, so one more clean hit would probably put him down completely.

Maybe then she could carry him home. But the thought made something twist unpleasantly in her stomach. She would have to hurt him because he refused to abandon his trainer.

Possibly badly.

And judging by the way Totodile planted himself between them despite trembling legs, he wasn’t going to stop simply because he was losing.

Ravina slowly lowered her hand. “Okay.”

Totodile remained where he was. “I’m not going to make you.” His posture eased only slightly as Ravina looked past him and towards the boy.

“But if you’re going to call yourself his trainer...” Her expression hardened. “Then start acting like one.”

The red-haired boy’s face twisted into a mask of Frustration as he recalled Totodile in a flash of red light.

For several seconds nobody spoke. Cinder stood panting in the grass and Ravina crouched immediately.

“You alright?” He chirped, tired, but proud. Ravina scratched gently beneath his chin. “You were brilliant.” causing His eyes to close briefly.

Then Ravina stood and looked toward the other trainer. He was staring at the Poké Ball in his hand. “…Impossible.”

Ravina smiled. “Oh?”

His eyes snapped toward her.

“You were saying something about weak trainers?”

“Shut up.”

“No, no.”

She started toward him. “I distinctly remember a speech.”

His expression darkened. “You got lucky.”

“Probably.” Another step.

“It won't happen again.”

“Maybe.” Another.

“I’m stronger than you.”

Ravina stopped directly in front of him, He was considerably taller that she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze, Ordinarily she might have found that annoying.

Right now, she liked it. Because he wasn’t moving.

“So strong.” Her voice had changed. Not dramatically, but it was just enough, the anger was still there. But beneath it was something darkly playful, sharper, predatory.

His eyes narrowed. “What?”

Ravina smiled. “You've spent the last ten minutes telling me how strength is all that matters.”

“It is.”

“And the stronger person gets to do what they want?”

“That’s not what I—”

“Oh?” She stepped slightly closer and he stopped speaking.

Interesting.Ravina had expected another insult. Instead he seemed suddenly very conscious of the distance between them. Or lack of it as Her smile widened. “Something wrong?”

“No.”

“You went quiet.”

“I’m deciding whether you're an idiot.”

“Mm.” Ravina’s eyes travelled deliberately from his face, down the front of his jacket, then slowly back upward. The effect was immediate as a faint flush appeared across his cheeks.

Ravina almost laughed. Oh. There was something underneath all that arrogance after all. He noticed her noticing his discomfort and his expression became murderous.

“What are you looking at?”

“You.”

“Why?”

Ravina leaned just slightly nearer. “Because you're cute when you're losing.”

His face went scarlet. “I am not—”

Ravina cut him off with a laugh, It slipped out before she could stop herself. “Oh, that's adorable.”

“Shut up!” There it was, the same anger, but now she understood something about it that she hadn’t before.

He wasn’t merely angry, she had embarrassed him.

And Ravina, to her own slight surprise, found that very entertaining.

“You know…” Her voice dropped. “If you really believe strength gives someone the right to take whatever they want…”

His glare sharpened as Ravina maintained the small distance between them without touching him.

“…you should be much more careful about saying things like that to someone who just beat you.”

For the first time since she'd met him, the boy had absolutely nothing to say. Ravina felt a darker little thrill curl pleasantly through her, she knew that feeling, that impulse to poke. Push. See exactly where someone’s confidence broke.

Usually Ravina preferred being on the other side of games like that. But apparently this boy brought out something different. 

She tilted her head. “Come on.”

His jaw tightened.

“You’re the strongest, remember?” Ravina continued as her smile sharpened. “Don't let little old me make you nervous.”

“I’m not nervous.”

“Then why are you blushing?”

“I’m angry!”

“Could've fooled me.”

He stepped forward, not retreating, good.

Their eyes met and for a moment neither moved, there was genuine hostility there. But also something Ravina couldn't quite name yet. Something hot beneath it, like a challenge answering a challenge.

His voice lowered. “You’re going to regret laughing at me.”

Ravina’s eyebrows lifted, that was better. “There you are.”

“What?”

“For a moment I thought I'd scared you.”

His eyes burned. “You couldn't.”

Ravina smiled sweetly. “Then next time…” She let the sentence hang. “…try and stop me doing what I want.”

That finally broke him. “Who the hell do you think you are?” He snapped as he moved past her sharply.

Ravina turned, and something slipped from his jacket pocket. A plastic card landed in the grass causing both of them to look down. Then at each other.

His eyes widened. “Don't.”

But Ravina moved first as she snatched it up.

“Give me that.”

“One second.”

“I said give it back!”

Ravina stepped away, holding the card out of reach as she read. Trainer identification, Photograph, Registration details. And… “Silver?”

He froze, letting Ravina a little more time to look over the card, then at him.

“…Your name is Silver?”

“Give it back.”

“That is spectacularly dramatic.”

“Give.” He stepped closer. “It.” Closer. “Back.”

Ravina held the card against her chest. “Ask nicely.”

Silver looked as though the concept had personally offended him. “No.”

“Then I suppose it's mine.”

“You can't steal someone's Trainer Card!”

Ravina raised an eyebrow, there was a beat as Silver realized what he had just said and Ravina’s grin grew wider still. “Oh.”

“Don't.”

“You can't steal someone's property, Silver?”

“Shut up.”

“Interesting philosophy.”

“Give it back!”

Ravina laughed and finally held it toward him, letting Silver grab for it.

She didn't pull away, but she also didn't release immediately. His fingers closed over the edge of the card. Ravina’s remained on the other side. Their hands almost touched.

She looked up as Silver met her eyes.

“Next time you decide I'm weak…” She released the card. “…beat me first.”

Silver snatched it away. “There won't be a next time.”

Ravina turned back toward Cinder. “That's disappointing.”

“What?”

She glanced over her shoulder, a mischievous little smile returned. “I was starting to enjoy myself.”

His face flushed again as Ravina picked Cinder up. “Bye, Silver.”

“I hate you.” he stated as she began walking toward New Bark.

“That was fast. We only just learned each other's names.”

“Get lost!”

Ravina raised one hand. “See you next time~”

“There won't be a next time!”

She laughed all the way around the next bend.

 

Cinder stared at her, Ravina noticed after perhaps thirty seconds and sighed

“What?”

Cinder continued staring as she adjusted him against her hip.

“He deserved it.”

A small chirp.

“He did.”

Another as Ravina narrowed her eyes.

“Are you judging me?”

Cinder slowly looked away.

“Oh, don't start.”

His tiny shoulders moved and Ravina could only stare.

“…Are you laughing at me?”

Cinder suddenly became very interested in the road.

“Traitor.”

She scratched beneath his chin anyway.

The humor faded as quickly as it had come, because Silver had Totodile, Silver had been outside Elm's laboratory that morning, Silver had all but admitted he believed taking the Pokémon was justified, Ravina looked back and saw the road behind them was empty.

“…We need to tell Professor Elm.” Cinder's expression grew serious. “We need to tell him everything.”

Ravina’s hand settled protectively over the satchel containing the Egg. Then she continued toward New Bark.

 

Far behind them, Silver stood alone beside the road. His Trainer Card remained clutched in one hand and his face was still warm.

He hated that, he hated her smug little smile, he hated the way she had looked at him, he hated that Cyndaquil and he especially hated losing.

Totodile's Poké Ball shifted faintly against his belt causing Silver to look down.

“Don't.”

The Poké Ball moved again.

“She got lucky.”

A small wobble and Silver's eyebrow twitched.

“It was one battle.”

The ball remained still for precisely three seconds, then it wobbled again. At that, Silver shoved it into his pocket.

“Shut up.”