Chapter 6

The Boy on the Road

Ravina's 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.

- - - - -

Chapter 6.1

The return journey to Cherrygrove bore little resemblance to the leisurely stroll Ravina had taken that morning. No pauses for Apricorn admiration, no exchanges with passing trainers, no gentle interruptions when Cinder discovered a fascinating bug beneath a leaf. Only the urgent rhythm of Ravina's footsteps against the woodland path.

The Mystery Egg was carefully wrapped in a spare shirt and nestled inside her satchel, cushioned against her side to minimize jostling. Her hand remained protectively over the bag as she hurried, Cinder racing silently beside her.

For twenty minutes he matched her pace without complaint, but soon his strides shortened. "Cinder." No response. "Cinder!" The Cyndaquil stubbornly pushed forward.

Ravina stopped abruptly. He made three more paces before realizing her absence.

Cinder turned, orange-red eyes questioning. "No."

His ears drooped. "We're not running you into the ground."

A protesting chirp. "I know Professor Elm said hurry."

Another chirp, softer this time. "And I know you want to get home."

She crouched, arms open. "But you've been walking all day."

Cinder's gaze shifted between her and the road. Ravina raised an eyebrow. "Don't make me come over there."

He surrendered with a slump, padding back to allow Ravina to scoop him against her chest. "There."

He grumbled against her shirt. "You can complain all you like."

Another irritated sound, but Ravina smiled despite the urgency. "Very intimidating."

His head settled against her shoulder, and within minutes, his breathing evened into sleep.

- - - - -

Chapter 6.2

Cherrygrove materialized through the trees. The afternoon city buzzed louder than Ravina remembered, fishing boats returned to harbor, vendors called from open shop fronts, cyclists threaded between pedestrians as Wingull circled noisily overhead.

Ordinary life. But the normality felt 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 bought bread, argued over fish prices, laughed 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 briefly, but dismissed it. Cinder had fought that morning and traveled most of the day, but he seemed merely tired, not injured. The sooner they reached New Bark, the sooner she could find out what had happened.

She crossed Cherrygrove's western edge, buildings becoming houses, houses becoming fields, then the road narrowed between the trees.

Cinder stirred, head lifting. His nose twitched, then his body went tense. Ravina slowed as she saw someone 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 as something 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. "It's Cinder."

"Whatever," he muttered dismissively as Ravina stared at him. He was definitely the same person. Same sharp eyes, same miserable expression, same attitude suggesting 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.

"Do you know anything about that?" Ravina noticed.

"No," he replied, a little too quickly.

Ravina's eyes narrowed. "You sure?"

"I said no," he 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 made her stomach tighten. "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 with 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 looked directly at Ravina. "The strongest trainer in the world."

Complete conviction behind it, a stark 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.

Something about that, 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, 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."

- - - - -

Chapter 6.3

They moved into an open stretch of grass. Cinder positioned himself before Ravina as the red-haired boy rolled the Poké Ball between his fingers.

"You'll regret this."

"Mmhm."

"I mean it."

"Whenever you're ready."

His eyebrow twitched. "Go!" The ball opened, white light spilling across the clearing. A small blue Pokémon landed heavily, large jaws, red crest, bright eyes.

"Totodile!"

Ravina and Cinder froze simultaneously. The Totodile's excited gaze swept the clearing before landing on Ravina. For a moment, his expression shifted with recognition.

She remembered those same teeth snapping happily in Professor Elm's laboratory, nearly toppling the chair before Mrs. Elm caught it. 'You're trouble, aren't you?'

Her gaze lifted slowly. "You stole him."

The boy's expression remained unchanged. "He was doing nothing in that lab."

"You broke in."

"He needed a strong trainer."

"You stole him."

"I took what I needed."

Cinder's back ignited as that strange coldness returned. The red-haired boy smiled faintly. "See?" His eyes moved between them. "Even your Pokémon understands."

Ravina looked down. Cinder wasn't watching Totodile, he was glaring at the boy.

"I don't think he agrees with you."

"Doesn't matter."

The boy pointed forward, his gesture sharp and decisive. "Totodile. Scratch!"

The blue Pokémon launched across the grass, jaws snapping with fierce intent.

"Cinder, move!" Ravina's command came barely a heartbeat before claws sliced through empty air. Cinder's small body twisted aside, but Totodile recovered instantly, spinning with surprising agility. Far faster than the playful creature from the lab this morning.

"Again!" the boy commanded. Totodile lunged once more. Cinder evaded the first swipe, but the second caught his shoulder, sending him tumbling through the grass.

"Cinder!" The Fire-type scrambled upright, shaking his head clear. Across the clearing, the boy smiled faintly.

"That's the difference between us," he said, his voice carrying an unnerving calm. "You hesitate."

Another command. "Scratch!" Totodile charged again. Ravina forced herself to focus on the battle, not the trainer. Joey's match had taught her something crucial, the real conflict was between the Pokémon, not their handlers.

Totodile was aggressive and powerful, but his movements followed a direct, predictable pattern.

"Cinder!" His head tilted slightly toward her voice. "Smokescreen!"

A thick cloud of black smoke erupted across the clearing, swallowing the Water-type whole.

"Cheap trick," the boy scoffed.

"Still counts."

"Totodile! Keep going!"

Ravina blinked at the reckless command. Totodile obeyed blindly, bursting through the smoke in the wrong direction. From the opposite side, Cinder emerged silently.

"Circle around!" the boy ordered, but Cinder was already moving. Totodile turned too late.

"Tackle!" Cinder struck him broadside, sending the Water-type stumbling, but not down. He swung around immediately, claws slicing air as Cinder ducked beneath and retreated.

The red-haired boy's expression tightened. "Again!"

As Totodile pursued, Ravina saw the pattern now. The boy commanded and Totodile obeyed, no adjustment, no encouragement, no communication beyond orders.

"Scratch!" The boy commanded again.

"Wait," Ravina called. Cinder remained perfectly still, trusting her judgment.

Ravina's heart hammered against her ribs as Totodile charged closer, closer...

"Now!"

Cinder leaped sideways as claws raked empty air.

"Tackle!" Cinder struck from behind, driving Totodile into the grass.

The Water-type rose again, slower this time. The boy's jaw clenched.

"Get up," he commanded sharply. Totodile shook himself. "Again."

Ravina frowned as she saw it, the briefest hesitation before Totodile pushed forward.

Both Pokémon were breathing hard now, the battle reaching its breaking point. One clean hit would decide everything.

The boy pointed forward. "Finish it!"

Totodile charged. Ravina waited.

Cinder glanced back at her. For half a second, their eyes met, and an understanding passed between them. "Smokescreen."

The boy's eyes widened as the clearing disappeared into darkness once more. Totodile plunged straight into the smoke.

"Don't stop!" the boy yelled.

Ravina smiled. There it was, the mistake.

"Cinder, listen for him." Cinder lowered himself, ears swiveling. Inside the smoke, footsteps pounded closer. Then...

"Left!"

Cinder moved as Totodile burst through, claws slicing empty air.

"Tackle!"

Cinder drove directly into Totodile's side. The Water-type rolled twice before landing flat in the grass. Silence fell.

As the smoke slowly drifted away, Totodile tried to push himself upright. One arm trembled beneath him, then gave out completely.

- - - - -

Chapter 6.4

Ravina raised her hand. "That's enough."

The boy's expression hardened as he ignored her, focusing on his fallen Pokémon. "Get up." Totodile couldn't, his legs trembled but refused to obey.

"Totodile," Ravina stepped forward cautiously, extending one hand slowly. "Hey." The Water-type's eyes shifted toward her, recognition flickering in his gaze. "Professor Elm's waiting for you back home."

For just a moment, she thought he might move toward her. Instead, Totodile dragged himself upright, positioning himself between her and the boy, legs shaking badly but jaws opening in warning.

"...Totodile?" A weak growl answered her. Cinder immediately moved to Ravina's side, flames flickering defensively. But Ravina understood, it didn't matter how he'd been obtained. Totodile had made his choice.

The boy was his trainer.

Ravina bit her lip, frustrated. She could order Cinder forward, Totodile could barely stand, so one clean hit would end the fight. Maybe then she could carry him home. But the thought twisted unpleasantly in her stomach. She would have to hurt him because he refused to abandon his trainer. Possibly badly.

Ravina slowly lowered her hand. "Okay. I'm not going to make you." His posture eased only slightly as she looked past him toward 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.

Silence settled, broken only by Cinder's panting. Ravina crouched immediately. "You alright?" He chirped, tired but proud. "You were brilliant," she whispered, scratching beneath his chin. His eyes closed briefly in contentment.

Then Ravina stood and looked toward the other trainer. He stared 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, forcing her 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 dropped, honeyed and dangerous. The anger remained, but beneath it surfaced something darkly playful, sharper, predatory.

His eyes narrowed. “What?”

Ravina smiled, a slow curl of her lips. “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 closer, invading his space, and he went silent.

Interesting. Ravina had expected another insult. Instead he seemed suddenly very conscious of the distance, or lack thereof, between them. 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 dark jacket, then slowly back upward. The effect was immediate, a faint flush crept up his neck and colored 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, her voice a whisper. “Because you’re cute when you’re losing.”

His face went scarlet. “I am not...”

Ravina cut him off with a laugh that slipped out before she could stop it. “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 surprise, found that very entertaining.

“You know…” Her voice dropped further. “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. A darker little thrill curled pleasantly through Ravina, she knew that feeling, that impulse to poke, to push, to see exactly where someone’s confidence broke.

Usually Ravina preferred being on the other side of games like this. 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.

As Silver turned to leave, something slipped from his jacket pocket—a plastic card fluttered into the grass. Both their eyes followed its descent before locking onto each other's.

His widened. "Don't."

Ravina moved first, snatching it before he could react.

"Give me that."

"Just a moment."

"I said give it back!"

She stepped away, holding the card out of reach as her eyes scanned the details. Trainer identification, registration information, and a name that made her pause.

"Silver?"

He froze, giving her precious seconds to examine the card before looking up at him.

"...Your name is Silver?"

"Give it back."

"That's spectacularly dramatic."

"Give." He stepped closer. "It." Closer still. "Back."

Ravina pressed 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. A beat passed as Silver realized what he'd just said. Her grin widened. "Oh."

"Don't."

"You can't steal someone's property, Silver?"

"Shut up."

"Interesting philosophy."

"Give it back!"

Ravina laughed, finally extending the card. Silver lunged for it, but she didn't pull away immediately. His fingers closed over the edge while hers remained on the opposite side. Their hands nearly touched.

She looked up as Silver met her gaze.

"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 smile returning. "I was starting to enjoy myself."

His face flushed again as she scooped up Cinder. "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 waved without turning. "See you next time~"

"There won't be a next time!"

She laughed all the way around the next bend.

- - - - -

Chapter 6.5

Cinder's gaze fixed on her. After thirty seconds, Ravina sighed.

"What?"

His stare remained unwavering as she shifted his weight against her hip.

"He deserved it."

A soft chirp answered.

"He definitely did."

Ravina's eyes narrowed as another chirp sounded.

"Are you judging me?"

Cinder's head turned slowly away.

"Oh, don't you start."

His tiny shoulders began to shake. Ravina stared, disbelieving.

"...Are you laughing at me?"

Cinder suddenly found the road ahead utterly fascinating.

"Traitor."

She scratched beneath his chin anyway, his warmth a brief comfort against her side.

The humor vanished as quickly as it had arrived. Silver had Totodile. Silver had been near Elm's laboratory that morning. Silver had practically admitted he believed taking the Pokémon was justified. Ravina glanced back. The road behind them stretched empty.

"...We need to tell Professor Elm." Cinder's expression grew solemn. "Everything."

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

- - - - -

Chapter 6.6

Behind them, Silver stood motionless beside the road. His Trainer Card felt stiff in his clenched fist, his cheeks still burning.

He hated everything about her—that infuriating smile, the way her eyes had dissected him, her Cyndaquil's defiant stance, and most of all, losing to someone so utterly beneath him.

The Poké Ball at his belt shifted, drawing his gaze downward.

"Don't."

It wobbled again.

"She got lucky."

Another slight tremor. Silver's jaw tightened.

"It was just one battle."

The ball went still for exactly three seconds, then wobbled once more. With a sharp gesture, Silver jammed it deep into his pocket.

"Shut up."

- - - - -

Chapter 6.7

By the time Ravina reached New Bark, the sun had begun sinking toward the horizon, painting the coastal town in hues of orange and violet. The tranquility she'd known that morning was shattered, a police vehicle with flashing lights stood outside Professor Elm's laboratory.

Two officers spoke in low, urgent tones beside the gate as several locals clustered farther down the road, their whispers carrying on the evening breeze.

The laboratory door stood ajar as she approached. Ravina slowed, her steps faltering. Cinder stiffened in her arms, his flames flickering with agitation. Through the doorway, Mrs. Elm was visible, her face pale. Behind her, Professor Elm paced like a caged Pokémon. Standing near the entrance, arms folded with an expression unreadable, was Nostus.

Her eyes immediately found Ravina as she stopped at the gate. For a heartbeat, neither mother nor daughter spoke, then Nostus's shoulders loosened. Only slightly, but enough. It was then Ravina understood just how worried she'd been.

“Mum.” she started as Nostus crossed the distance quickly, her hands settling first on Ravina's shoulders, checking her over with one sweep of her eyes.

“You're alright?”

“I'm fine.”

“Cinder?”

A chirp.

“The Egg?”

Ravina patted the satchel. “Safe.”

Nostus exhaled. “Good.” Then her expression sharpened. “What happened?”

Ravina looked toward Professor Elm, toward the police, then back toward her mother.

“I know who stole Totodile.” Everyone within earshot went silent and Professor Elm stopped pacing.

One of the police officers turned, Nostus's eyebrows rose and Ravina tightened her hold around Cinder.

“His name is Silver...”

And somewhere inside Professor Elm's laboratory, on a tray that should have held two remaining Poké Balls, only empty spaces waited.