Author's Notes: Yay, a new character and a new Pokémon! And remember Gino from all the way back in, like, chapter one? He's back too.

Chapter Thirteen: Vs Charmander!

"Krystal Gold, Ren Mason, Jack Red…"

Ren and several other trainers hurried up to the Pokémon Center's front counter to get their Pokémon. A blue-haired girl took a single Pokéball from the attendant, while a dark-haired boy retrieved five. Moments later, Petro hopped over the counter, once again attempting to balance Ren's Pokéballs on his head.

Anxiously, Ren took her Pokéballs from Petro, who was still grinning. The attendant smiled and nodded as the three trainers then turned from the counter. Sighing, Ren headed towards the door, and Petro quickly followed after her.

As Ren slid open the glass door, she suddenly remembered Misty mentioning the cape. She grinned and looked down at Petro as they left the building.

"Hey, Petro. There's this place I, uh, wanna check out… Let's go…?"

"Chu?" Petro cocked his head, frowning.

"Misty told me about it earlier," Ren explained.

"Pika," Petro sighed, but then he nodded.

"Okay!"

Grinning, Ren took a north turn from the Pokémon Center, trying to remember Misty's directions. Fortunately the path was pretty straight from there, and eventually Ren and Petro arrived at another bridge that marked Cerulean's northern border. This one was much longer than the one near Mt. Moon, and the river segment it went over was much wider.

Ren slowly crossed the bridge, but Petro scampered on ahead. The blonde managed to catch up to Petro in a few seconds, and smiled when she stepped off the bridge. Petro then looked ahead of himself again, and his ears twitched.

"Pi… ka?"

Instead of Cerulean City's healthy grass and plants, the area they'd just entered was rocky and had few plants. Somehow, the place also seemed drier, even though they'd just crossed a river.

"But Misty said there was a nice view…" Ren mumbled. "Maybe it gets better soon?"

Ren reluctantly took a few steps forward, and Petro rolled his eyes as he followed her. Soon, they arrived near a turn on the dirt path, but before they could take it, a voice cried out.

"Char!"

A small, orange lizard-like Pokémon stumbled out onto the road near Ren and Petro. It took a few deep breaths, and then tottered forward. Oddly, it almost looked like it had been trying to run from something.

"Mander…" it panted.

"Chu?" Petro blinked.

"Charmander, I—"

Moments later, a tall, skinny boy swaggered around the corner, his long-fingered, red-sleeved hand resting on his hip. His black eyes glared out from under his mess of shaggy black hair, and his other hand tugged at the chain hanging off his red pants. He frowned, and the Fire-Type weakly narrowed its eyes. Ren gasped as Charmander suddenly blasted an Ember at the boy, but he calmly ducked away from the small flame.

"As I was saying," he went on. "I'm getting sick of playing tag with you. Do you follow my drift?"

Charmander gritted its teeth, its tail flame flaring. It obviously disagreed with its trainer, but was too weak to try to attack again.

"Um, uh, please… don't fight…" Ren interrupted timidly, her voice admittedly fading with each word.

"And what do we have here?" the boy asked disinterestedly, giving Ren a brief glance. "Are you saying I'm doing something wrong here?"

"M-maybe," Ren stammered, getting a bit more nervous.

"Pika!"

Petro's cheeks sparked angrily, but the boy merely laughed. He rolled his eyes and took a few more steps towards Charmander, towering over it. However, he looked over his shoulder, surprised, as another voice rang out from behind him.

"Ardeo, don't be lame."

A shorter boy with messy hair rounded the corner, folding him his arms across his black polo shirt. He smirked at Ren, and she gasped.

"G-Gino?"

"Hey, Gino, you know this kid?" Ardeo snorted.

"…Yeah," Gino admitted. "In a way. She lives down my street. But more importantly, why would you be such a loser when there's a much easier way to get rid of Charmander?"

Charmander's eyes widened in protest. Ardeo grinned, though, as he looked at Gino. The brunette simply shrugged, giving a sideways glance to Ren.

"Give it to her."

"What?" Ren blinked.

"You sure you'rejust neighbors? And why would I hand off my Pokémon to some random little girl?"

"You said it." Gino shrugged once again. "The thing doesn't listen to a thing you say, and it's a wimp. You've got three much stronger ones, anyway."

"Charm…" Charmander growled weakly.

"Whatever. He makes a good point. Get back in your ball, Charmander."

Ardeo pulled a black Pokéball off of his belt, recalling Charmander. He somewhat carelessly tossed the ball to Ren, and she gulped as she caught it. The black-haired boy shrugged, turning towards the bride leading back to Cerulean.

"Hmph. Don't get me wrong, girlie. I could've handled that thing if I wanted to. I just know a losing situation when I see one. Don't blame me if this doesn't work out."

Sauntering towards the bridge, Ardeo slouched as he walked away. Rolling his eyes, Gino turned towards Ren, looking a bit exasperated.

"Um, Gino? That was really… n-nice of you," Ren tried.

"Nice?" Gino repeated, snorting. "If I wanted to be nice, I would've had him give you one of his good ones. Besides, getting a wimpy Pokémon kinda suits you."

"G-Gino…"

Ren sniffled as she looked down at Charmander's Pokéball. Petro's cheeks sparked again, and Gino blinked.

"Hey, now! Don't take me too seriously. I gotta hurry along. Hey, maybe if you visit Bill, you'll actually get better, you know? I'm outta here."

The brunette indeed hurried as he started over the bridge as well, slight embarrassment lacing his mostly disgusted voice. Ren sighed, still holding onto Charmander's Pokéball quite tightly. Cocking his head, Petro poked Ren's knee.

"Pika..."

As Ren looked down at the Pikachu, she smiled. "You know, maybe Gino's right. We should go visit Bill! Maybe he could help me. Misty did say he was an expert. And do you think Sol is a good nickname for Charmander?"

"Chu," Petro confirmed, looking relieved. However, he then grinned impishly and lightly shocked Ren's legs before darting ahead of her.

"Petro! Come—ow—back!"

Ren stumbled after the Electric-Type as he dashed around the turn in the path, hoping that they'd arrive at Bill's house soon.