Chapter 7

A Choice Made Twice

Ravina's Travel Journal — Day 2

Yesterday I left New Bark to deliver one parcel.

I came home with a Pokédex, a mysterious Egg, a police statement, a new enemy and several questions about my own personality that I’m choosing not to examine yet.

Cinder is asleep beside me.
That part, at least, I’m certain about.

- - - - -

- - - - -

Chapter 7.1

By the time the police finished with Ravina, New Bark Town had surrendered to darkness.

What she anticipated as a simple statement spiraled into three accounts, two repetitions, and an increasingly detailed reconstruction of events between Cherrygrove and home.

She described the boy from outside Professor Elm's laboratory, his red hair, dark high-collared jacket, his dismissive demeanor. The newly acquired Poké Ball, the stolen Totodile, their battle, and finally the Trainer Card that had fluttered from his pocket.

"Silver," the officer repeated, pen scratching across her report.

Ravina nodded. "That's what the card said."

"You're certain?"

"I held it."

The officer's gaze lifted from her notebook.

"Briefly," Ravina amended.

Nostus, leaning against the nearby desk, raised an eyebrow as Ravina deliberately avoided her mother's eyes.

"...He dropped it."

"I didn't say anything," Nostus replied evenly.

"You were going to."

"I was considering several things," Nostus answered as the officer concealed what might have been a smile before continuing.

Professor Elm's composure fractured when Ravina described the battle with Totodile and her failed attempt to convince the Pokémon to return.

Elm dragged both hands over his face, then slowly nodded.

“You made the right decision.”

Ravina blinked. “I did?”

“Yes.” Sadness tempered Elm's expression, but no accusation followed. “If Totodile has already accepted that boy as his trainer, dragging him back by force wouldn’t solve anything.”

“But Silver stole him.”

“He did.” Professor Elm’s voice hardened in a way Ravina hadn’t heard before. “And the police will deal with that.”

His expression softened again. “But Totodile isn’t evidence.” Ravina looked at him questioningly. “He’s a Pokémon.”

That answer settled something inside her, not completely. She still hated leaving Totodile with Silver. But at least she no longer felt like she had failed him.

Daphne stepped quietly beside her husband, placing one hand against his shoulder. Professor Elm covered it with his own.

Ravina watched them for a moment before one of the officers cleared her throat. “There is one additional problem.”

Everyone looked toward her as the officer gestured toward the adjoining room. “The second Pokémon.”

Professor Elm closed his eyes. “…Chikorita.”

Ravina frowned. “What about her?”

Daphne answered this time. “She’s gone too.”

Ravina stared for a moment, processing the words. “What?”

“When we found the damaged window,” Daphne explained, “both remaining Poké Balls were missing.”

Ravina looked toward Elm, then Nostus. “But Silver only had Totodile.”

The officer’s pen stopped. “You’re certain?”

“Yes.”

“How certain?”

“I spent a good amount of time staring at him.” Nostus coughed, and Ravina’s ears twitched. “During the battle.”

“Of course.”

“Mum.”

“I said nothing.”

Ravina turned back toward the officer. “He only had one Poké Ball. Totodile.”

Professor Elm frowned. “So someone else took Chikorita?”

Nobody had an answer. The police exchanged glances, but whatever had initially looked like one simple theft had suddenly become much stranger.

- - - - -

Chapter 7.2

Amidst the chaos of police reports and anxious questions, the Mystery Egg lay tucked away in Ravina's satchel, almost forgotten, yet never entirely out of mind.

Once the officers departed with their notes and promises of investigation, Ravina carefully retrieved the cream-colored Egg, its red and blue triangular markings seeming to pulse with life. Professor Elm's exhaustion evaporated like morning mist.

"You have it?" His voice held a tremor of excitement that hadn't been there moments before.

"Safe and uncracked," Ravina confirmed, transferring the Egg into his waiting hands.

Elm's fingers traced the unique patterns with reverence. "This is extraordinary... Mr. Pokémon said it's been stable for months, yet it's unquestionably alive."

Daphne leaned closer, her palm hovering near the shell. "It's warm."

"That's what Mr. Pokémon mentioned too," Ravina added.

Nostus watched Elm lose himself in scientific contemplation, his eyes already calculating research possibilities. After precisely five seconds of this academic bliss, she intervened.

"Professor."

Elm didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the Egg's unusual markings.

"Professor!" Nostus's voice carried more authority this time.

"Hm?" Elm blinked, looking up as if emerging from another dimension.

"The police are still here."

"Oh." Elm glanced around the laboratory, where two officers were completing their final paperwork. "...Right."

Daphne's soft laughter filled the room. Despite the burglary, the missing Pokémon, and the lingering tension, Ravina found herself smiling. Some things, like a scientist's distraction and a family's gentle teasing, apparently survived even the most unsettling of days.

- - - - -

Chapter 7.3

The officers finally departed, taking with them Silver's name, physical description, and registration details. They promised a region-wide alert would be issued immediately. Professor Elm assured them he'd contact them instantly if any information surfaced about the missing Chikorita.

Gradually, New Bark settled into an uneasy quiet. For the first time since her Pokégear had buzzed hours earlier, Ravina had no pressing demands on her time.

She perched on a laboratory stool with Cinder curled against her thighs. He'd battled twice, walked for hours, then sprinted back toward New Bark. Yet somehow, the moment she'd sat, he'd climbed onto her lap as if it were his rightful throne.

Her fingers traced slow circles behind his ears. Professor Elm noticed.

"So."

Ravina glanced up. He stood beside the starter room, the empty tray visible behind him. The sight struck her with more sadness than she'd anticipated.

Elm's gaze fell to Cinder. "Your original errand is complete."

Ravina's hand stilled. "Yeah."

"And Oak recruited you."

"He ambushed me with employment."

"That sounds exactly like Professor Oak." A faint smile touched Elm's lips before vanishing. "There's still something we haven't settled."

Ravina knew instantly. She looked down to find Cinder had opened one eye.

Elm continued. "When you left yesterday, you were borrowing one of my Pokémon."

Ravina swallowed. "Right."

"But I told you then..." He crouched before them. "These weren't raised here to remain laboratory specimens. They were waiting for partners."

Cinder's head lifted as Elm's gaze softened toward him. "And I believe Cinder has already made his preference quite clear."

Ravina's laugh came out as a soft exhale. "He's nothing if not direct."

"Extremely," Elm agreed with a fond smile.

Cinder pressed closer against her thigh, and Ravina's fingers found the sensitive spot beneath his chin without thought. The idea of returning him had barely crossed her mind since their first walk through Cherrygrove. That realization surprised her.

Yesterday morning, she'd departed this laboratory carrying Professor Elm's Cyndaquil. But somewhere along the road, perhaps when he'd stood between her and the wild Rattata, maybe while he slept against her chest, or after their first battle, he had simply become Cinder.

Her Cinder. And somewhere in those hours, she had apparently become his Ravina just as quickly. Still...

She looked down at him. "Hey."

Cinder's eyes lifted, and Ravina suddenly felt ridiculous under the weight of everyone's attention. Professor Elm, Daphne, Nostus—three pairs of eyes fixed on their quiet exchange.

So naturally, she grew more awkward. "You know you don't have to stay with me."

Cinder tilted his head.

"I mean it," she insisted, shifting him slightly so she could meet his gaze directly. "You lived here before me."

His nose twitched.

"And if you wanted to stay with Professor Elm, that would be alright."

Cinder stared as she continued carefully. "But..." A smile touched her lips. "I'd really like you to come with me."

The Cyndaquil watched her for another heartbeat, then scrambled directly up her chest, tucking his nose beneath her chin before settling there like he belonged.

Ravina froze. Daphne made a small delighted sound. Nostus's laugh filled the quiet laboratory, and Professor Elm's smile widened.

Ravina wrapped both arms around the warm body pressed against hers. "...I'll take that as a yes."

A happy chirrup answered as something warm tightened behind Ravina's ribs. It was strange, she had been expecting a decision, but this felt more like acknowledging something that had already happened between them, something as natural as breathing.

Elm rose from his crouch. "Then I suppose I should transfer his registration."

Nostus immediately straightened. "Properly."

Professor Elm visibly wilted. "Yes, Nostus."

"Current forms."

"Yes."

"Not whatever you found in that cabinet from eight years ago."

"I said yes."

Daphne hid her smile behind one hand as Ravina buried her face in Cinder's fur.

- - - - -

Chapter 7.4

The evening had grown late, exhaustion weighing heavy on everyone, yet they lingered. Near the laboratory entrance, Nostus caught Ravina's arm.

"So." Her mother's smile held too many secrets.

Ravina eyed her warily. "So?"

"You're keeping him." Nostus gestured toward Cinder, now curled contentedly in Ravina's arms.

"Yes."

"Good."

Ravina waited as Nostus's smile widened. "...What?"

"Nothing."

"Mum."

"I'm happy for you."

"That smile means something else."

"It usually does." Nostus leaned against the doorway, studying her daughter. "You seemed to enjoy yourself today."

"I got interrogated by the police."

"Before that."

"I battled a red-haired thief."

"Before that."

Ravina paused, thinking back. Joey, the road, Mr. Pokémon, Oak, Cinder exploring the woods, their battle. She looked away. "...Maybe."

Nostus's expression softened. "You know, there's an entire region outside New Bark."

"I noticed."

"Gyms."

Ravina's gaze snapped back. "No."

"I haven't suggested anything yet."

"You're going to."

"Probably."

Ravina groaned as Nostus continued. "You have a Pokémon now."

"Yes."

"You've already battled trainers."

"Two."

"And won both."

Cinder chirped proudly. Ravina pointed a finger at him. "You stay out of this."

Nostus pressed on. "Professor Oak has asked you to gather field observations."

Ravina's expression shifted. "That's true."

"And you came to Johto because I didn't want you sitting inside for months while I worked."

Ravina folded her arms. "So your solution is to send me across an entire region?"

"My solution is to suggest you look around." Nostus nodded toward the western road. "Violet City has the closest League Gym."

Ravina stared. "You've researched this."

"I'm thorough."

"You planned this."

"I hoped."

"That's worse."

Nostus grinned. Ravina looked down at Cinder, who was watching her with attentive eyes. He always seemed to watch when something involved her.

The idea was ridiculous, she'd been a Pokémon trainer for approximately two days, if that. She didn't know how half the equipment worked, she knew exactly one battle strategy and it was mostly "fill the battlefield with smoke." She had never even intended to become a trainer when she arrived.

But Cherrygrove was beautiful, Route 30 was interesting, the people were strange and Professor Oak had given her a reason to observe Pokémon rather than simply walk past them.

And battling Silver... Ravina's mouth curled slightly. That had been fun. Annoyingly fun.

Nostus noticed. "What?"

"Nothing."

"That smile means something."

Ravina glared. "Don't use my lines against me."

Nostus laughed as Ravina gave Cinder a scritch. "I'm not saying I want to become Champion."

"Of course not."

"I mean it."

"Naturally."

"I don't even know if I'll like Gym battles."

"Perfectly reasonable." Ravina's eyes narrowed as Nostus maintained an innocent expression. "...But."

There it was. Ravina sighed. "I suppose Violet City isn't that far."

Nostus's grin became enormous.

"Mum."

"I said nothing."

"You're doing it with your face."

"Can't help that."

Ravina rolled her eyes. "Fine." She looked at Cinder. "What do you think?"

Cinder immediately chirped and Ravina stared. "You could at least pretend to consider it." Another chirp.

Nostus laughed. "Two votes to one."

"That isn't how this works."

"It could be."

Ravina looked out toward the road then back down at Cinder.

A Gym Challenge, the words still felt too large. But Violet City? That felt manageable.

One city, one Gym. Then she could decide what came after.

Ravina smiled. "Alright." Cinder perked up. "We'll try."

His flames flickered happily. "One Gym."

Nostus said nothing as Ravina looked sharply at her. "Do not."

"I'm being supportive."

"You're imagining me collecting all eight badges."

"Sixteen, technically."

"MUM."