DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything. Pokémon is owned by Game Freak.

Dreams of Fire

Chapter One

The Switch

Carla came downstairs to breakfast and almost immediately heard her father arguing with Glennis. She sighed, wondering if she should give them space or whether she could risk going into the kitchen to eat.

"You can't be serious, Dad!" Glennis protested.

"I'm completely serious! Glennis, this is a good opportunity for you. There's still one Pokémon left at the lab; do you know how many people would love to have one of those?"

"Well, I'm not one of them! I don't want to be a trainer, full stop."

Carla leaned against the bannister, fiddling with her dirty-blonde hair. I can't picture her as a trainer; if Dad wants to get her a Pokémon, why doesn't he just buy a Pokéball, take Nadine, Kelvin or Tyson out into the woods and catch one? Or buy one from a breeder?

She got her answer a moment later.

"You can't just lounge around the house forever, Glen! You haven't lifted a finger to find a job - in fact, you don't seem to want to do anything!"

"I don't want to go to that stupid lab and get a..."

"Tough," Dad said sharply. "You're expected there at two this afternoon."

Whoa. Expected there?

"What?" Glennis screeched. "No way!"

"They know you're coming; if you don't turn up, they're going to call me, and believe me, I won't be happy if they do."

"How the hell am I even going to get there without a Pokémon?"

"You can take Nadine or Kelvin with you; they'll keep wild Pokémon away from you." There was a pause before Dad spoke again. His voice was softer this time. "You're getting a pretty rare Pokémon from this. You're even getting a Pokédex. Not many people get that chance."

The kitchen door opened and he emerged, wearing his smart black trousers and a navy shirt. He smiled at Carla as he passed her, then headed up the stairs. Carla shook her head back and went into the kitchen.

She found her sister sitting at the table, eating a bowl of cereal. Glennis' hair was rumpled, and she was wearing her purple dressing-gown. "Hey, Carly," she said, without looking up.

"Hey." Carla took a nanab berry out of the cupboard and began to peel it.

"You overheard that, didn't you?"

Carla nodded. "I did, yeah." She sat down next to her sister and took a bite out of the berry. "What are you going to do? Are you going to go?" she asked with her mouth full.

Glennis huffed angrily. "Derek and I made plans to meet at two."

"Oh." Carla fought back a grimace. She had a less than flattering opinion of her sister's boyfriend.

"And now Dad's forcing me to get a Pokémon and go on a journey. Why can't he just leave me alone? He's so controlling, he's even..."

That was when the idea entered Carla's mind. She didn't have anything she needed to do today; Derek may have been arrogant and rude, but Glennis did enjoy spending time with him.

Besides, Carla thought she could do with some exercise, and a walk to Littleroot Town might be fun.

"Why don't I go and get the Pokémon for you?"

Glennis paused mid-rant. "What?"

"I'm serious. I could go instead of you."

"Yeah, but it's me they're expecting."

"They've never met you. They're not going to know the difference between us. That way you can meet up with Derek, and meet your new Pokémon when you get home. But we'd better make sure we get home before Dad does."

Glennis smiled in relief. "Thanks, Carly!"

"Hey, what are sisters for?"

… … …

What the hell was I thinking?

Carla stared apprehensively at the laboratory doors in front of her. They were made of a thick opaque glass; Carla wondered if they would feel like ice if she touched them.

Nadine, Dad's Mightyena, growled softly and nudged her arm in an impatient manner.

"All right, all right. I'm going in." Carla fondled the Mightyena between her ears and took a deep breath before stepping through the automatic doors.

The walk to Littleroot Town had been relatively quiet, without too many wild Pokémon encounters. Fortunately, Carla was aware of the moves Nadine knew. It was only as they were walking that Carla began to feel a little nervous about what she was going to do.

Too late now.

"Can I help you?"

A young woman wearing a long white coat stood in front of her. She had dark hair tied back in a ponytail and wore smart glasses.

Carla cleared her throat. "Yes, I'm here to receive a Pokémon. I was told to get here at two." She was glad her voice didn't sound at all shaky.

"You're Simon Delarue's daughter?"

"That's me!" Carla said, grinning and crossing her fingers behind her back.

The lab aide frowned slightly, tilting her head to one side.

"Everything OK...Suzanne?" asked Carla, squinting at the badge on the front of the aide's coat.

"Yes. Sorry, it's just that I was expecting someone a little older. If you follow me, I'll get you the papers and..."

"Wait, papers?"

Suzanne looked at Carla as if she was an idiot. "Every trainer needs a licence and an ID. That's the law."

Oh. Crap. This is bad.

"Um...do they have to be filled out here? I mean, can I get the papers, go home and come back with them filled out? It's just that there's something I really need to sort out at home."

"Well, there's no reason why you can't do that." Fortunately, Suzanne didn't seem to think there was anything suspicious about Carla's request. "But you're going to have to come back before seven pm; that's when the lab closes."

Carla sighed with relief. "Not a problem."

"Good. Oh, and if you've got a small passport-sized photo of yourself, you can bring it with you if you life. We do take photos for IDs here, of course, if you don't have any."

Carla knew her sister did have a few photos of that size. "OK."

"The Mightyena can wait here, if you'd like."

Nadine nodded her head once in reply before going and sitting next to the wall.

"I'll be back soon," Carla promised her.

"Now, if you'll follow me, I'll give you your Pokédex and introduce you to your new partner." Suzanne started walking down the hallway. Carla followed her, silently praying that Suzanne wouldn't be working when Glennis showed up with the signed papers and small photo. The two sisters didn't look remotely similar to each other. As well as their hair colour being completely different, Carla had light grey eyes and Glennis had hazel eyes. Carla was three years younger than Glennis, and knew she looked it.

"We've only got one Pokémon available, I'm afraid."

"I already knew that. It's OK, I'm not picky about what I start with."

"That makes a nice change. Some beginner trainers take ages to choose what they want."

"What happens if more than one person wants the same starter?"

Suzanne chuckled at that. "You'd be surprised how little fuss there is! Sometimes one of the trainers decides to wait until the starter of their choice is sent to the lab again. Other times, the trainers just can't wait to get going, so they pick another Pokémon instead. Ah, here we are!"

They had reached a table, on which lay a small red machine and a single Pokéball. Suzanne picked up the Pokéball, pressed the button to enlargen it and tossed it casually into the air. A bundle of orange feathers emerged and landed lightly on the lab floor. Two bright little eyes like living jet stones stared up at Carla.

One look at the tiny creature and Carla felt her heart melt. "Hi," she said, kneeling down in front of it. "You are such a cutie!"

"Ah, you think she's cute now. All the starters are cute, but they evolve into some pretty tough fighters. Even a Meganium can be a powerhouse if it's in the hands of a competent trainer, and they're as gentle as a Deerling. Well, most of the time, anyway." Suzanne folded her arms. "She's already been trained respond to commands, but she'll answer to you more easily if you give her a name."

Carla suddenly remembered what she was doing at the lab. She bit her bottom lip, trying in vain to fight an unwelcome wave of jealousy towards her sister.

I can't give this Torchic a name. She isn't my Pokémon.

"I'll think of one later. I'm not good at making things up on the spot."

Suzanne handed Carla the Pokédex and gave her instructions on how to use it. She didn't seem to notice Carla was only vaguely taking them in.

"I think that's everything," Suzanne announced. "If I don't see you later today, good luck with your journey!"

… … …

Carla looked at her watch anxiously. It was half past four and Glennis still wasn't back.

Hurry up, Glen. Dad'll be home at five.

She was sitting on the sofa in the living-room, aimlessly watching a cartoon. Her gaze kept falling on the Pokéball on the table in front of her. It was like a magnet.

It occurred to her that maybe the Torchic was hungry. Kelvin and Nadine had been fed at midday; Carla had no idea when the Torchic had last eaten. She picked up the Pokéball and called the small bird out.

"Are you hungry?" Carla asked her. The Torchic cheeped loudly in response, making Carla smile.

"Come on and have a snack."

She walked through to the pantry, chose a can of Pokémon food and opened it. She turned around to find a spare feeding bowl - and nearly fell over the Torchic, who was standing dangerously near to her ankle.

"Don't stand so close!" Carla scolded. "I almost tripped over you."

The Torchic let out a soft peep, her black eyes full of apology.

Much to Carla's frustration, the spare feeding bowl was nowhere to be found. Carla reached into the can, picked out a few pieces of food and knelt in front of the Torchic.

"Here you go," she said, holding out the food. After a moment of hesitation, the bird hopped forwards and ate the small brown tablets out of Carla's hand. When she had finished eating, Carla walked back through to the living-room. She glanced down and smiled to see the Torchic following close behind her.

With a sigh, she sat back down on the sofa. The Torchic hopped up next to her and snuggled into her side.

"You're so soft," Carla murmured, stroking the downy head. The Torchic made a small throaty sound and nestled a little closer.

It's like having a feathery hot water bottle. Carla watched as the beady black eyes closed; before long, the little bird was asleep.

Twenty minutes later, Carla heard the front door open. She tensed, but then exhaled in relief when her sister's voice called: "Hello! Anyone home?"

"I'm in here!"

Glennis bounced into the room, a broad grin on her face. "Hi, Carly! I'm back." The grin quickly faded when she saw the Torchic. "Is that my new Pokémon?"

Carla nodded. A horrible feeling of unease was beginning to stir in her gut.

"Glennis, I think we've got a problem."

… … …

"Dad, please can I explain what happened?" Carla fiddled with the hem of her navy T-shirt, only just meeting her father's eyes. They were a light grey, the exact shade Carla's were.

"Go on." His voice was quiet and flat.

"I went in Glennis' place to get the Pokémon from the lab. I didn't sign the paperwork for the licence or anything, it's all back here. I was going to give the Torchic to Glennis when she got home, I really was, but..." Carla swallowed hard. "Dad, she thinks I'm her trainer."

Her father raised both eyebrows. Desperately hoping that was a good sign, Carla continued speaking.

"I'm sorry this has happened, Dad. I swear I didn't mean for it to go this way." She hated the way the words came out of her mouth; they sounded like pathetic excuses - in other words, pretty much what they were.

"It does seem to like you," Glennis remarked suddenly.

Carla had nearly forgotten her sister was even in the room. She looked down to see the Torchic standing by her feet again. "Yeah, I think she does." She smiled as the bird cheeped loudly.

"This wasn't supposed to be your chance, Carla. This was meant for your sister," Dad said. He didn't sound angry, and Carla felt a surge of relief. When Simon Delarue was angry with his daughters, he made sure that they knew it.

"If I thought you planned this, you would be in so much trouble."

"I know. I'm sorry I went behind your back."

"What are you going to name your Torchic?" Dad asked, leaning against the kitchen sideboard. The fact that he changed the subject was the only sign Carla had that the previous conversation was over, and it wasn't to be brought up again. It was also Dad's way of saying the apologies had been accepted.

"My Torchic? She isn't my Pokémon."

"Oh, yes she is. She's definitely yours now."

"Come on, Dad." Glennis flipped a strand of her brown hair out of her face. "You know there's no way I'd want it. I told you that. Besides, you said the lab closes at seven, so you'd better hurry up and get going."

Carla's head was whirling. The truth was that she hadn't planned on becoming a trainer any more than her sister had. But then, it was pretty likely their dad would have made her become a trainer at some point.

I got myself into this, she reminded herself. Now I just have to deal with it.

She picked the Torchic up in her arms. I should call her something simple; a long name might sound silly in battle.

"What do you think of 'Kess' for a name?"

"Chic!"

"Kess it is."

"Don't think you're getting out of this, missy." Dad pointed at Glennis. "You may not have a lab starter, but you're still going to become a trainer."

"What?"

Ignoring her outraged cry, Dad continued: "And what's more, Carla is going to catch you a Pokémon - aren't you, Carla?"

Carla nodded in reply. She couldn't think of anything else to do.

"Good. That's settled, then." With that Dad walked out of the kitchen, leaving his older daughter spluttering in rage and the younger staring after him.

Carla was the first to break the silence. "Want me to catch anything specific?" she asked feebly.

"Specific?"

"Might as well be something you choose and not the first thing I come across."

"All right." Glennis put her hands on her hips and glared at her sister. "Get me a Bug-type - but not a lame one like a Wurmple. Catch something really rare, and it had better be awesome." She whirled around and stormed out of the kitchen.

Carla was alone with Kess. She sighed and buried her face in the Torchic's neck. "Well, that could have gone worse," she mumbled, her voice muffled by the soft orange feathers.

Kess chirruped once and nipped at Carla's ear.

… … …

Carla bit back a groan as she felt the first few spots of rain on her head. Great. She untied her hoodie from around her waist and pulled it on, yanking the hood up.

She looked at her (thankfully waterproof) watch. It was half-past eight in the evening.

When people talk about what wonderful experiences they had as trainers, they don't talk about being alone in the woods when it's dark and when it's raining. I don't even know how far ahead Petalburg is.

Carla looked around her, trying in vain to spot anything resembling a sign. Even if she had seen one, she wouldn't have been able to see it. The trees were blending slowly into the murky darkness; reading from a sign would have been impossible.

She couldn't even see any wild Pokémon.

They've probably been sensible and gone to find shelter.

Carla carried on walking, making sure she stayed on the path. She didn't fancy tripping over any exposed tree roots. Fortunately it wasn't raining that heavily...yet.

Hang on... Carla stopped and stared right ahead of her. Is that what I think it is?

There was a light between the trees: a warm yellow glow that reminded Carla of a fireside. She quickened her pace; before long she found herself in a clearing with a small wooden house in the centre. The light was coming from one of the windows, making the building look inviting.

Carla had once heard it wasn't unusual for trainers to take refuge in empty buildings, but this one didn't look like it was empty. She'd also been told that sometimes complete strangers would let trainers stay in their homes - only for a short time, of course.

She had no idea how far she was from Petalburg. It was dark and raining, and Carla's feet ached from all the walking she had done. This was probably the closest thing to a shelter she was going to find at this hour, and there was no way she was going to let Kess out in the rain. Carla began walking towards the little house, trying to ignore the fact that her hoodie and jeans were steadily growing damper.

Her plan was to knock and ask if she could stay the night. But just when she was about to rap on the wooden door, it occurred to her that maybe nobody was actually in. Sometimes her dad would leave lights on in the house to give the illusion that somebody was in.

She edged around to the lit window and peered cautiously through the glass.

A square wooden table was positioned close to the window. The man sitting at the table was leaning his elbows on the hard surface, resting his chin on his hands. His hair and beard were black with grey flecks; he wore a black T-shirt and had what looked like numerous bracelets on his wrists. He glanced briefly towards the far left corner of the room, then back down at the table.

Carla looked in the direction the stranger had. She saw a young woman sitting in a chair facing the wall. Her hands were restrained behind the back of the chair, and ropes held both her upper arms and her ankles. She turned her head slightly, revealing the gag tied over her mouth.

What the hell?

Just then, the man at the table moved. Carla dropped to her knees, one hand clapped over her mouth.

This isn't happening. This can't be happening!

To be continued…