Hey everybody! It's Friday, and just like I promised, here I am with a new chapter. I hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon, obviously. If I did, would I be here?


Pokémon Ember Saga Ch 2: The Journey Begins

Ember stands on with her Pokémon on the outskirts of Lavender Town. She is wearing a black shirt, a jacket with a flame pattern, and blue jeans. A pack filled with various healing items is strapped around her waist. She bites her lip nervously as she stares at the mountain range before her. She clutches a piece of paper in one hand. A bag is lying near her feet.

"What do you two think?" Ember asks her Pokémon. "About what the doctor said, I mean."

FLASHBACK

Ember is standing in the lobby of the Pokémon Center, her two Pokémon beside her. Ember is glaring, arms folded across her chest, at the doctor in front of her, who is stubbornly blocking her way. Nagi and Nami are both in attacking positions, growling. The people in the lobby murmur nervously.

"You're making a big mistake, Ember," the doctor says.

"How do you know that?" Ember demands.

"What if he doesn't have the money to help you?" the doctor says. "And, even if he does, what if he doesn't want to help?"

"He's my father!" Ember exclaims. "Why wouldn't he want to help?"

"He left your mother," the doctor says. "He left you."

"You don't know anything about my father," Ember says sharply.

"Everyone knows about it," the doctor says. "It was just you and your mother when you moved here. What else could have happened?"

"You know, for a smart guy, there's a lot you don't know," Ember snaps. "Now move or you might end up in your own burn ward."

Flames crackle at the corners of Nami and Nagi's mouths. Nervously, the doctor moves out of Ember's path. Without looking back, Ember walks to the door.

"I'm telling you," the doctor shouts, "you're making a big mistake!"

"We'll see about that," Ember says, and she walks out the door.

END FLASHBACK

"I know what he said makes sense," Ember says, "but I believe Mom."

FLASHBACK

A six-year-old Ember is lying on the floor of the family living room. She puts the finishing touches on a picture of the Three Legendary Birds – Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres – takes a moment to admire her work, and then moves on to a picture of a soaring Dragonite. Her mother is on the couch nearby, sewing. Younger versions of Nagi and Nami are curled up beside Ember. Suddenly, Ember stops coloring. She looks up at her mother.

"Momma?" Ember asks.

"Yes, sweetheart?" her mother replies, looking up from the pair of pants she is patching.

"Why isn't Daddy here with us?" Ember asks. "Where did he go?"

"Oh honey," Ember's mother says. She sets her sewing aside. "Come up and sit by me."

Ember drops her crayons and scrambles up onto the couch. Nagi and Name notice her absence and move so that they are sitting near Ember's dangling feet.

"Ember," her mother says. "Your father is a very important man. He is one of the world's top Pokémon researchers. He's off doing very important work."

"That's not what Mr. George said," Ember says.

"Mr. George? The berry stand owner?" Ember's mother says. "What did he say, sweetie?"

"He said that Daddy's a good-for-nothing lowlife who probably abandoned his family for a younger woman," Ember says.

"Why that slimy bas…," Ember's mother snarls, but catches herself. "He said that to you?"

"No," Ember says, shaking her head. "I heard him talking to Ms. Litle. They didn't know I was there."

"Listen to me, honey," Ember's mother says. "Nothing that Mr. George said about your father is true. Not. One. Word.

"Your father's work is important, but it's also dangerous. He works far away from us, so there's no way we can be in any kind of danger. Your father is a good man, a kind man. He loves the two of us very much."

"Is it sad for you?" Ember asks. "Not being able to see him?"

"In a way, I do see him," Ember's mother says, smiling. "I see him every day."

"How?" Ember asks.

"I see him in you."

END FLASHBACK

"Mom believes in him," Ember says, "so I will too. You know, we moved to Lavender Town just a year before that. I can't remember where we lived before."

"Vulpix vul!" Nami says encouragingly.

"Growl growlithe!" Nagi echoes.

Ember gives the two Fire Pokémon warm smiles. Them, she gives the paper in her hand a closer look. It's an old envelope. The postmark is Cerulean City.

"He probably isn't there anymore," Ember says, "but it's the last place we know he was. It'll be the best place to pick up his trail."

Ember bends down and picks up the bag, which is full of long sticks, each with one end wrapped in rags.

"All right," Ember says. "Let's go."

Ember sets off down the road, Nagi and Nami by her side. They haven't gone very far when Nagi suddenly stops in his tracks, his head tilted to one side.

"What is it, Nagi?" Ember asks.

But then Ember hears a voice coming from her right.

"Help! Someone help me!"

Ember and her Pokémon take off in the direction of the plea. A short time later, they come upon an older man wearing a long white coat and dark pants. He is on his knees, face covered, being attacked by dozens of Zubat and Golbat.

"Help!" the man cries again.

"We're coming!" Ember yells, running forward. "Nagi, Nami, use Ember!"

Chunks of fire fly out of the two Pokémon's mouths. The fire slams into the various Zubat and Golbat, who flee with angry shrieks.

"Thank you so much young lady," the man says, climbing to his feet and dusting his pants off. "I don't know what got into those Bat Pokémon… is something wrong?"

Ember's eyes are bulging and her mouth is hanging open.

"I know who you are!" Ember exclaims, pointing. "You're Professor Oak!"

"I am," Professor Oak says.

"This is amazing!" Ember squeals. She grabs the Professor's hand and shakes it vigorously. "I have always wanted to meet you! What brings you to our area? Are you doing research?"

"I'll answer all of your questions," Professor Oak says, "if you stop crushing my hand."

"Opps," Ember says, dropping the Professor's hand. "Sorry about that. I forget how strong I am sometimes."

"It's quite all right," Professor Oak says. "What's your name?"

"I'm Ember," Ember says, "and these are my companions, Nagi and Nami."

"Well, it's nice to meet all of you," Professor Oak says, smiling. "To answer your questions, I was doing research on the Magikarp on Route 12. I was going to go through Saffron City to get home, but…"

"The guar wouldn't let you in," Ember finishes. "They turned me back too. Now I have to go through freakin' Rock Tunnel to get to Cerulean."

"Are you going on a journey?" Professor Oak asks.

"Of sorts," Ember says. She explains her situation to the Professor.

"I'm sorry," Professor Oak says. "No child should have to go through such stressful times."

"I can handle it," Ember replies.

"You know, it's very dark in Rock Tunnel," Professor Oak says. "Do you have a Pokémon that knows Flash?"

"I don't," Ember says. "Nagi and Nami are my only two."

"How are you planning on getting through the Tunnel?" Professor Oak asks.

Wordlessly, Ember pulls one of the sticks out of her bag. When the Professor gives Ember a questioning look, she looks down and Nami and nods. The small Fox Pokémon breathes a thin stream of flames and lights the rags at the end of the stick.

"A torch?" Professor Oak says. "Dipped in the sap of a Nomel berry tree?"

"Well known for its ability to sustain a flame," Ember says, nodding.

"Well, I have a Pokémon that can use Flash," Professor Oak says. "Why don't we travel together? It'll probably be safer for the both of us."

"Sure," Ember says. "I'd like that."


And that's it for chapter two. I know it's kinda slow, but it'll pick up in the next chapter, I promise. Sorry the update's a little late, but I was reading "The Lost Symbol." I highly recommend it. I'll post the next chapter next Friday, cross my heart. Dewa kore de!