Prologue
We see a five-year-old girl walking down a neighborhood street. She has short black hair that reaches just above her shoulders. Her eyes are a sparkling blue. Suddenly a boy her age jumps down from a tree in front of her.
The girl jumps back, startled. "Gary!" she exclaims.
The boy grins. "Hey Rose! Wanna play?"
Rose nods. She takes off running with Gary. They reach a hill. They both go tumbling down, laughing. Gary smiles at Rose. "Let me show you something," he says. He grabs her hand and leads her back out onto the street.
They arrive at a huge white building. Gary knocks on the door. Professor Oak answers the door. He beams down at the children. "Why, hello Garry, Rose. What can I do for you?"
"Can we see the fire Pokemon?" Gary asks. Rose gasps and looks at him.
Professor Oak studies them carefully. "Very well. Just be careful. Follow me." The kids follow him around the lab. There is a huge field with hundreds of different Pokemon. Professor Oak points to an area with several Growlithe and Charmanders and their evolved forms.
Rose grins. She runs over to the Pokemon with Gary. They stop at a good distance. Rose looks up in awe as a Charizard flies over her head. She looks at Gary. "Thank you!" She embraces him.
Gary is startled at first, but smiles and returns the hug. "It was nothing. You're my best friend."
Rose smiles at him, her eyes glowing. "You're my best friend too."
"To show we'll always be friends, I got you something," Gary says. He pulls something out of his pocket. It is a small flame pendent on a chain. Rose gasps. Gary smiles as he puts it around her neck. She looks it over admiringly. "You're gonna be a great fire Pokemon trainer one day."
"Thank you," Rose says softly. Gary smiles. She hugs him again. "I love you, Gary."
"I love you too, Rose."