A strange chill crept through Sean's skin as he stared at the moon in the clear black sky, suspended like a bright ball in an endless velvet curtain. It has been just a mere three days since he had set off on his journey to become a Pokémon master, and he loved every minute of it. He smiled lightly as his thoughts drifted to how he had obtained his first Pokémon, a Typhlosion from the local professor. He named her Hailey, after one of his dear friends that had passed away years before.

They had already won many battles with novice trainers, and were on their way to Pewter City to get their first badge. The thought of victory made Sean smile wider; giving him a feeling he had never felt before. He was free out to explore the world on his own with his thoughts and Pokémon as his only companions. And oh, how he loved it! Every breath he took was like that first breath you take as a newborn babe: fresh, clear, and full of energy.

Now, Sean wasn't a bad-looking individual. He stood at a height of 6'1 at 16, with long brown hair covering one eye and deep, dark brown eyes with a sliver of black lining their edges. He was lanky, but was pure muscle, making him look far weaker than he really was. In fact, he had stood his own against an Ursaring not too long ago.

The wind whistled through his hair as he heard someone approaching. "Hailey?" he called, "Are you alright?"

Hailey, his Typhlosion, walked up and sat beside him on the grass, looking out at the horizon. "I'm fine," she replied, smiling slightly. "I just needed a place to sit for a while." I forgot to mention, he had been born with the ability to communicate with and understand Pokémon.

Hailey wasn't like other Pokémon. She hated being confined to her poke ball, preferring the open air. So, her trainer had refrained from using the ball, vowing to use it only in the direst of circumstances. He was happy when she was happy, and he was grateful for the company.

They sat there for a while, the only sounds were those of wild Pidgey, and the soft flame crackling around Hailey's neck. She normally didn't have her flame ignited, but the night was chilly, and she thought her master would be cold. That being the true reason she sat next to him. She thought of it as a small form of repayment for how he had saved her life, the day they met not so long ago…

-Flashback-

The sun was hidden in a deep fog, covering the route where Hailey and the professor were panting for breath.

"Come, Typhlosion," he said between gasps of shallow breath. "We can hide here. Hurry, before they come back."

He started to run farther into the mist, leaving the poor Pokémon to try and catch up. Her breath was fading by the second, and she eventually lost sight of the professor. Lost, scared and exhausted, she collapsed on the dirt road, waiting for her pursuers to find her.

A group of four Mightyena slowly stalked out of the fog, the leader of them uttering a low growl from his throat as he approached. She tried to get up, tried to run away, but she was stuck in place. The pack let out a triumphant howl as they circled her, leaving no escape route, slowly circling in.

Suddenly, a boy flung himself over her, holding what looked like a metal rod in his hands. He shouted, and swung his weapon toward the leader of the pack. The Mightyena roared, but the boy stood his ground and swung again, yelling even louder. The wild Pokémon tried to come at the boy with a Quick Attack, but the boy sidestepped and pushed the mongrel on his side, sending him through the air with unexpected strength.

The dazed mutt finally decided that his prey wasn't worth the fight, and decided to leave with what dignity he had left. The pack left, leaving the Typhlosion with her savior. But something was wrong. He started to tremble slightly, and he clasped his right side as his shirt seemed to grow dark red around a certain point.

He collapsed, dropping the rod with a sharp tang as it hit the ground. The Typhlosion ran to his side, seeing his face for the first time. The angled features were obscured by a slight grimace he wore, the type one wears when they are in great pain. She looked down and found his side caked in fresh blood as it started to flow through his fingers.

She carefully picked him up, and started carrying him towards town. He had saved her life, and it was the least she could do in return. It was only a few long minutes later that they entered the small town, his breathing even more ragged than before.

She quickly carried him to the professor's laboratory, ignoring her own fatigue as she ran through the double-doors. The professor had already arrived, and was pacing the room waiting for her return. When he saw her, he smiled and cried out, "Typhlosion! I'm so glad you're alri-. "

He stopped cold as he saw the young boy in her arms. "Oh my, what happened here?" he asked her. She just looked at the boy with apparent sadness and pity as the professor took him from her arms.

"It looks like he got nicked by one of those Mightyena's claws…" the professor observed. "It's not life threatening, but he needs to rest for a while. Help me carry him to my room, if you would please." Hearing that he wasn't in any real danger, the young Typhlosion brightened slightly and helped to carry the boy to the room behind the main desk.

After a couple of days, the boy finally awoke to find the Typhlosion asleep at his side. After the proper introductions, he told them he had been camping nearby, hoping for the fog to clear when he heard the pack of Mightyena. He had grabbed a tent pole and quickly ran to the commotion.

He eventually said that he had been travelling to the town to see the local professor in order to receive his first Pokémon for his journey, even if he was a few years too old. The professor agreed, and took him and the Typhlosion to a small counter with three poke balls set next to each other, labeled Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander. He started to make his decision, when the Typhlosion tugged at his arm.

"Hm?" he looked over to the fire Pokémon, a light blush covering her face.

The professor merely chuckled and said, "It seems my Typhlosion here would like to join you as your Pokémon. Is that right?" the Typhlosion nodded vigorously and nuzzled the young boy, blushing brighter.

The boy smile and said, "Very well then, I choose you." He gave her a quick scratch behind the ears and laughed as she tackled him in a bear hug.

"What would you like to name her?" asked the professor, smiling at their new friendship.

The boy looked at his new companion, and said, "Hailey, if she would like it."

-End flashback-

That seemed so long ago, and they had never left each other's sides since. The flame on her neck grew brighter as she recalled her memories of that day, becoming lost in what seemed like the distant past.