Episode 2: "A Fiery Fight"

The next morning the light shone through Matt Cordia's window. The second it reached his eyes, he jumped up and out of bed, eager to begin his journey. Since he was 10, Matt had his trainer outfit planned out. A red pair of pants with white stripes on the sides was combined with white sneakers. A red jacket lay over a black t-shirt, something important for Sinnoh's cold weather. Matt dawned a belt with six spots for Pokéballs. At the moment, only one was filled: Matt's Torchic. He was determined to fill them all. The final touch was the hat Matt's father gave him: a simple red hat with a blue Pokéball design on it: the only different color in Matt's outfit. He looked in the mirror and nodded. His journey was just about to begin. And he couldn't wait any more.

Tyler has slept the night at Matt's house, and as soon as Matt got downstairs, Tyler was ready to go to. "You should know, Matt, I'm an early riser," Tyler laughed. "Let's head out, shall we?"

"I don't even know where to go first…There's a gym right here in town, but I want to grow strong first!"

"You're right about that, Matt. Let's see…" Tyler said, pulling out a map of Sinnoh. We could head up north through Jubilife up to Eterna City and you could face the gym there first."

"That's a great idea. Let's go!"

"Wait, Matt!" Matt's mom called from another room. She and Alex entered, Alex carrying a bag.

"Here!" Alex said, excitedly. "This is for you for your journey, I got it for you!" Alex handed Matt a bag. He opened it up. Spots for empty Pokéballs, potions, TMs, and so many other spots were all around the bag.

Matt smiled. "Thanks, bro. It's awesome!" Alex beamed.

"Be safe on your journey, Matt. I know you'll do great." Matt's mom said.

Matt and Tyler left Matt's house towards Jubilife City, their first destination, as they waved goodbye to a jealous Alex. "Beat all the gyms, Matt! You can do it!" he called.

The new trainer laughed. "So, Tyler, which Pokémon did you bring? I'm curious to see!"

Tyler took a Pokéball from his belt. "Come on out, Luxray!" A black and blue electric lion popped out. "LLLLUXRAY!" Tyler looked at his Pokémon with pride. "Luxray was the first Pokémon I caught. We've been through a lot together. He's the only one I'm bringing."

Matt looked at Tyler's Luxray in awe. "Maybe Torchic will be that big someday…" He looked down at Torchic's Pokéball.

"He'll become strong someday. Hey, maybe we'll find a trainer on the way there so you can battle!"

Matt nodded, and they walked for a bit until they decided to rest for a while. "We're about halfway to Jubilife," Matt noted on the map. "Let's have some lunch, shall we?"

"Sounds good to me," Tyler said, taking out a few sandwiches. "Let Torchic out, I have some food for him."

Matt released his Torchic onto the grass. It looked at him happily. "Time to eat, Torchic!" The chick cried happily as Tyler placed a small bowl of Pokémon food in front of it. It chowed down excitedly.

Twenty minutes later, Matt and Tyler were ready to go. They didn't make it twenty steps when out of nowhere, Matt head his name being called.

"Matt! Look over here!" Matt turned to his left and saw Ricky, running towards him. "Hey, man, let's battle!"

"What, right now?" Matt didn't really think of doing a battle right now…but he actually hadn't had a battle yet.

Ricky sent out his Charmander. "Come on, Matt, this should be fun!"

Matt nodded. "Torchic, let's battle!" He threw out his Torchic, who faced Charmander ready for battle.

Tyler stepped in between them. "I'll referee, if you two don't mind."

Ricky smiled. "Let's do this. Charmander, use Scratch!" Charmander leapt at Torchic, scratching it with its claws. Torchic let out a small cry, but stood ready to fight.

"Torchic! Use Growl!" Torchic growled at Charmander. Charmander's expression turned a bit fearful.

"Charmander, Scratch again!" Ricky shouted, and Charmander followed suit. Torchic seemed to take less damage.

"Torchic, Scratch!" Torchic scratched Charmander with its talons. He seemed to take a little more damage. "Great job! Use it again!"

"Dodge it Charmander and use Scratch!" Charmander leapt into the air, causing Torchic to stumble. Charmander landed on Torchic's back and scratched it before leaping off. Torchic squealed.

"Torchic, use Scratch again!" If only Torchic knew another move…

Torchic scratched Charmander's back as the lizard pushed Torchic away, both of them facing each other, each with a serious expression on their face. Suddenly, both Pokémon began to glow red. Matt, Ricky, and Tyler stared at them in awe, as the two simultaneously shot a small stream of fire at each other. "Whoa! They both learned Ember!" Tyler said.

"Way to go, Torchic! Use Ember again!" Torchic quickly spit a small fireball at Charmander, hitting it head on. Charmander didn't look very good.

"Charmander, you do it, too! Ember!" Charmander spit fire at Torchic.

"Torchic, hit Charmander's Ember with yours!" Torchic shot a fireball at Charmander's, causing it to burst into smoke. Everyone's view was blocked.

Matt smiled. "Alright, Torchic, use Scratch!"

Charmander looked around nervously, awaiting the Torchic's attack. The smoke cleared just enough for Charmander to see the fire-chick coming at it, but it was too late. Torchic slammed into Charmander, knocking it over. The smoke cleared, and Charmander was down.

"Charmander is unable to battle, Torchic wins! Which means: the battle goes to Matt!" Tyler said.

"Alright, Torchic! We did it!" Torchic ran towards Matt excitedly. "Torch! Torchic!"

Ricky picked up his Charmander in his arms. "We'll get him next time, girl. Get a good rest." He returned Charmander to its Pokéball and stood up. "Great battle, Matt!"

Matt shook his hand. "Indeed it was. I can't wait to face you again!"

"Ha. Don't expect to win so easily next time." Ricky's eyes gleamed with competition. Matt's did the same.

And so, Matt's first battle ended with a win, as he and Ricky's rivalry began with fiery spirit. And with Jubilife right on the horizon, Matt's journey has truly begun. Where will Matt and Tyler travel to? Who else will they see? Stay tuned to Pokémon Dimensions for more!

Meanwhile, in Sunnyshore City…

"Sir, your device is almost complete." An older scientist approached a large white chair.

"Is it done now?" The man in the chair said lowly.

"Uh, no Sir, but-"

"Do not come to me unless it is finished! I need none of your insolence!" The man stood up, a hunched back and large cape.

"M-My apologies, sir." The scarred scientist began to leave.

"Wait…"

The scientist stopped. "Y-Yes sir?"

The man in the chair threw the scientist a key. "Use the secret ingredient."

The shocked scientist caught the key. "B-But sir, we don't even know i-"

"Use it!" The man shouted, the scientist scurrying out of the room. The caped man sat back down. "If these men knew what they were creating…they probably wouldn't listen to me. But thankfully they don't." He chuckled. "If only they knew…"