Cinder and the Fire Stone ONE There was nothing for it - I'd have to get a Fire Stone. The little Pokémart in Cerulean didn't stock them, and I didn't have time to order one. The closest place to find Evolution Stones was Evolution Mountain, several days' walk to the south. It would be a difficult journey. But that wasn't what worried me. The Cinder I knew and loved was a cute little puppy, full of fun and loved by my friends and family. How would my parents react to an enormous, fire-breathing Arcanine? Would they even let me keep him? How much would he cost to feed? Most of all, I was worried an evolved Cinder would no longer obey me. My Ratatta, Ricky, had been a sweet and loving Pokémon until he evolved into Raticate after a long, tough battle with a Beedrill. Now he still did what I told him, but I got the impression he only obeyed because he felt like it. And those teeth - I certainly didn't fall asleep cuddling Ricky anymore. I was also wary of Bouncer, my Raichu. My parents gave me a Thunder Stone for Christmas and I used it on the Pikachu straight away; now when she leapt into my arms she knocked me over, and her playful Thundershock was no joke. My journey began next morning. I blessed my parents for being so understanding. "Darling, we knew when you got Cinder that we'd have to deal with an Arcanine some day," my mum had said. "And if you're worried he won't look up to you anymore, why not try for more badges? You've had your Cascadebadge for months now." I nodded sadly. Cinder had won that badge for me, beating the gym leader Misty's Staryu and Starmie. A Fire Pokémon defeating two Water types in a row - I'd never been so proud. "One more thing," said my dad. "You can't come from Cerulean and not have any water Pokémon - what would people think we were coming to? This was going to be your eleventh birthday present, but you can have it now." He tossed a Pokéball to me. I fumbled the catch and it dropped to the floor, bursting open with a red flash. "Seel! Seel-seel!" barked the little white animal, clapping its fins together. "Oh!" was all I could say. "This is Ripple. I know you'll take good care of her," said my mum, smiling. "Thank you thank you thank you!" I stammered. Lots of trainers were out enjoying the sunshine. As I had decided to go for the Thunder and Rainbow badges on my way, I challenged everyone I met to a battle to keep my Pokémon in training. Ricky loved battling, but it made him very excited and liable to nip me accidentally or attack one of my other Pokémon, so I used him sparingly. Bouncer was a good solid puncher who could deal with almost anything except a Rock Pokémon, her particular weakness. Fighting against a little boy and his two Caterpies, I decided to let Cinder have a go - he seemed to know that I was going to help him evolve and his spirits had recovered dramatically. He leaped into battle and I ordered him to Bite. But as he ran towards his target it glowed white. It had evolved! Cinder sank his teeth into what was now a hard-shelled Metapod. "GRRRRROOOOOWL!" "Oh Cinder! That must have hurt!" I prepared to recall him, but suddenly he breathed a Flamethrower that left Metapod scorched and smoking. Its trainer sent out his second Caterpie, and Cinder batted it playfully about until the little boy called it back. Cinder's tail was waving proudly. He repeated his new trick as often as I used him, and pranced along beside me happily. Ripple, the Seel, did well too as I gently trained her. It was nice to be out on my own, with only my Pokémon for company. Most children travelled alone to gyms or just headed out into the world to capture new Pokémon, but I never seemed to be able to spare the time what with schoolwork, swimming lessons and just messing about with my friends. This was why the only gym badge I had claimed was the one from my hometown.

I was thankful to reach the end of the underground path before nightfall. Though Bouncer and Cinder provided light, it was a long and spooky journey and I was relieved when we emerged. A swarm of Zubat had attacked at one point, but a Thundershock from Bouncer got rid of them and after that nothing bothered us. We were all tired, though. Ripple and Ricky, who weren't very good at walking on land and had travelled in their Pokéballs, were in better shape than the other two. I fed them, treated the scratches and bruises of battle, and we settled down for the night. Cinder, whom I had left outside on guard, crept into my tent before too long and snuggled into my arms. "Oh, my darling," I whispered, hugging him tightly. He sighed and fell asleep. Stroking his head, I remembered capturing him. The first toy I ever had was a stuffed Growlithe, and I had wanted a real one desperately. Soon after I got my trainer's licence my parents had taken me to Cinnabar Island specially, and I hunted for hours while they relaxed on the beach until I tracked a Growlithe down. I often relived that battle, one of the toughest I had had. Ricky had been knocked out and it had taken Bouncer's Agility to win the day. Still a little Pikachu then, she had leaped high and Thundershocked the Growlithe while it was dazzled by the sun. I remembered the agony of watching the Pokéball jerk about after the capture; I had been so afraid my prize would break free. When I released the Pokémon it had changed from a raging wild thing to a sweet puppy which ran up to me for a pat. Would Cinder let me pat him when he was an Arcanine? I thought of how we played on the floor, wrestling and fighting each other. Would he still like having his ears pulled? He certainly wouldn't fit on my lap anymore. Since the journey home from Cinnabar, when I sat cuddling him on the deck of the ferry, he had spent an awful lot of time in my lap. I was thinking about his first battle, and how my friends had gasped when I called him out, as I dozed off.