True Fire

Rod and Forrest had decimated their first two opponents with an air of simplicity, power and skill; aspects the S.S. Tidal crowd seemed to enjoy. Punching the air for the second time of the day, Rod's Shinx powered a Discharge attack into a helpless Shellder below, the Bivalve Pokemon's tough shell being completely ignited by the super-effective electrical attack. More applause and clapping as children began to jump around in joy at the high level of battling being seen as the tournament began to reach its final stages. Only two rounds remained, Semi-Final and the Final itself, and they would be battled that night and the day after. The winner would earn a battle against Elite Four member Phoebe, and this information only spurred Rod further knowing a chance to take on such a powerful trainer was rare. Late afternoon swept over the ship as it steadily made its way through the Hoenn Seas, Rustboro City completely disappeared behind them with no land in sight now, but Dewford Island would appear within the next 34 hours or so.

Stretching, Rod began his usual night time ritual of cleaning his Pokeballs as Forrest read this Hoenn Guide Book once again. The lights of the cabin continued to flicker slightly as the sun set outside their small circular window. Watching it melt steadily into horizon below, its pink and orange rays inflaming the sky, they both awaited the news of who their Semi-Final opponents would be this evening. Forrest glanced over at him and spoke, his voice slightly confused, "Hey Rod, do you feel like we are being followed at all?"

Looking back at his close friend, Rod's facial expression turning into one of caution as he glanced around the room before responding, "I really have no idea what you mean? Who would want to follow us?"

"I just have a feeling we are being tracked down or something."

"Thieves Guild? Team Rocket?" Rod gasped as he stood up and opened the cabin door to the empty corridor outside, and feeling the cool sea breeze hit his face. "If they are on the ship, wouldn't they have done something by now?"

"Maybe, but we should be a bit careful."

Agreeing, Rod sat back down in silence for a few seconds until the P.A system rang above causing they both to jump. 'The Semi-Final battles of the S.S. Tidal Battling Tournament will now be announced. Rod, from Viridian City, will take on Emma of Rustboro City. Forrest, from Pewter City, will battle the ship captain Lukas!"

The battles would commence within the hour, and locking the cabin doors behind them, they made their way back to the battlefield to prepare. Rod was happy they had avoided each other in the Semi-Finals, but to meet in the Final they would have to both win against tough opposition. The name Emma seemed vaguely familiar to him, like a trainer he might have battled before, but there would be plenty of girls with the same name throughout Hoenn. Forrest had the harder ordeal against the ship captain who had won most of the battle tournaments hosted on here. Leaving the chambers behind them, weaving through the crowd finishing their dinner on deck, the battlefield reappeared in their view. Knowing which Pokemon he was going to use already, the thought of battle would always send adrenaline pumping through his body.

Forrest touched his arm and gestured to someone walking in the crowd across from them. A girl with long blond hair floated in and out of view, her face was familiar, but Rod couldn't put his mind on it. "Rod, that girl! She has been following us, I know it!"

"Why would she follow us? I don't even know who she is!" Rod smiled, shaking his head in disbelief, whether she was just a normal person appearing out of coincidence or even a Team Rocket spy, she obviously wasn't keeping out of sight.

"You battled her in the Devon Corporation building, remember? When Ivysaur evolved!"

Looking closer, Forrest spoke the truth, and Rod finally understood why she was familiar. But if she worked at Devon Corporation why was she on a cruise ship to Dewford Island? They would battle once again very shortly, but if she was not only travelling and following them, there had to be a reason. The P.A rang above them once again announcing the beginning of the first battle as Rod stepped down onto the field with rapturous applause once again, many of the same passengers watching him battle earlier in the afternoon. Referee appearing below with Phoebe once again, her face still blank and quite expressionless. In fact, Rod hadn't heard her speak a word on the ship so far yet, her isolation in the cabins had kept most of the crew and travellers away from her. Even an Elite Four member being on the S.S. Tidal was mysterious, and Rod was beginning to feel uneasy.

Frowning, the blond hair of Emma appeared in front of him on the field as she looked at the ground nervous, the beaming floodlights above revealing the freckles on her nose. Rod raised a hand in greeting, but got nothing in response as his arm awkwardly fell down to his side. Trying again, he called, "Emma, it's good to battle you again! May the best trainer win."

Hearing her name, she visibly shivered on the spot before looking up and smiling weakly, goosebumps all over her arms, "Let's battle. I don't want to lose...again."

They both released Pokemon from their hands, with Rod's Fletchling appearing first, the Tiny Robin flying high above and spiralling back to the ground to land gracefully on the field. Emma noticed his opponents choice and revealed her Torchic, another Hoenn Starter to be seen in the tournament. The Chick Pokemon dropped to the ground, its orange fur glistening in the lights as it coughed fire from its mouth. Rod hadn't battled many Fire Types before, and this would be a challenge for sure, but his memory of their last battle was very bleak with his focus on other things at the time such as Ivysaur's evolution and the Stone Badge.

The Referee glanced at both trainers, announcing that the winner would reach the final, and gave Emma the first move. Gulping down loudly in nervousness, Emma shook her head and forced her mind to focus. She wanted to avoid battling Rod at all costs, even looking at him made her feel different, but this would be the best chance to talk to him. Raising her arm, she called, "Torchic! Flamethrower!"

"Fletchling, use Whirlwind and push it back!"

Rod wanted to battle more directly instead of using his Pokemon's obvious advantage of flying, but Emma's Torchic overpowered the Flying Type attack. Fletchling's flailing wings were undone by the onslaught of fire as Rod changed battle plan. The Tiny Robin Pokemon took off high into the air, parts of its body still smouldering from the Fire attack. Emma continued by ordering another Flamethrower, a jet of fire rocketing into the sky that Fletchling avoided by mere millimetres. Applause from the crowd appeared, but they weren't for Rod this time, he was being forced to defend rather than attack, but how could he attack if going up close was not an option?

Adjusting his headband, and feeling himself sweat slightly, Rod gazed at the battlefield and the grounded Torchic, knowing what he had to do: improvise. "Fletchling! Use Steel Wing, full power!"

The attack landed successfully, spiralling Torchic backwards from the powerful physical move as Fletchling returned back into the night air, the crowd cheering it on. Emma seemed completely calm despite the attack, but still no smile appeared on her face, but instead an expression of stress and fear. Puzzled, Rod looked over at her and failed to catch her eye, she seemed distracted but also as if a ghost was about to jump out of nothing. In her hesitation, Rod cried once again, "Fletchling! Use Quick Attack and finish this battle!"

Emma then responded, snapping back into reality as her eyes focussed slightly, she bellowed, her hair flailing around, "Torchic, use Flamethrower again! Hit it straight on!"

A scorching jet of fire rocketed out of the small orange coloured Pokemon, its beak burning slightly as it made perfect contact with the onrushing Tiny Robin Pokemon. Screeching in pain, the resulting smoke from contact flooded the battlefield as Rod called desperately for it to reappear. Forcing his eyes open in the smoke, heat began to radiate towards him at an increasing temperature and rate as he took a step backwards. A small child in the audience gasped as more people began pointing and yelling with Forrest's eyes widening further. Following their line of sight, Rod gazed at a small orange light hovering in midair as the smoke cleared. Emma gazed with awe as the orb shook violently, unleashing continuous bouts of heat in all directions with Torchic forced to take a step back. A white light exploded from within as a larger Pokemon appeared, its black wings unleashing into the world before the rest of its body. Engulfed in flames the Pokemon screeched loudly, its cry echoing around as even Phoebe stood up gazing at its beauty.

Slightly nervous, Rod took his Pokedex out as it spluttered into life, 'Fletchinder, the Ember Pokemon, is the evolved form of Fletchling. It has the ability to expel flame from its body, however takes time to warm up.'

Fletchling had evolved. Applause shattered the seconds of dead silence as everyone looked onwards, and Rod scanned his Pokedex further before Fletchinder exploded from the orb of fire in front of him. It looked stronger, faster and much more determined than its previous evolutionary state. Emma looked shocked, knowing this was the second Pokemon that had evolved in a battle against Rod and this time much more spectacular than his Ivysaur. The referee called for the battle to continue as Emma cried, "Don't let it scare you, Torchic! Flamethrower!"

"Fletchinder, let's show them your new power! Flame Charge!"

The remaining embers began to raise back into the air as Fletchinder screeched and burst into flames once again before firing through the sky. It's speed had improved immensely and Rod could feel the heat on his skin, almost burning him, but then something went wrong. Torchic's Flamethrower made contact, but bounced off into the sky before it jumped away to dodge the attack, but Fletchinder never made it. The Ember Pokemon completely fell from height and hit the ground with its flames burning out immediately as if extinguishing its own self. Dropping to his knees in shock, Rod gasped, "Oh no...Fletchinder? Fletchinder, are you okay?"

It's flames had vanished completely as Rod approached, noticing its heavy breaths, but it lay unconscious in his arms. Emma looked across, shocked as Torchic jumped towards her with guilt appearing on both their faces. Forrest ran onto the battlefield as the referee granted the former Devon Corporation employee the win as the crowd began to clap with awkward looks towards Rod. Something looked away laughing, a trainer that couldn't control their Pokemon even when it evolved was always a humorous sight. However, Rod wasn't smiling as he quickly pushed his way through the crowd with Fletchinder in arms and Forrest at his side. Medical staff appeared quickly to his aid as the crowd dispersed, leaving Emma alone on the field with a tear in her eye. What had she done now, and was that the last chance she had to talk to Rod?

…

Forrest had won his battle with sickening ease once again with the S.S. Tidal Captain defeated without landing a single attack on his Geodude. He would battle Emma in the final the next morning, but Rod had chosen to stay with his injured Fletchinder in their cabin. Medical staff had stated it was just tired and overworked, and explained that evolution can sometimes cause a Pokemon to act confused, especially in Fletchinder's case. It's body had suddenly gained the ability to store heat, and it would take time to get used to it before battling again at a high level. The Ember Pokemon was a Fire and Flying hybrid, different from its previous form, but Rod should had known it would be difficult. Calling for a Flame Charge attack was the wrong call, and now he sat in the rocking boat watching his Pokemon shake and quiver slightly as it slept.

Rod muttered, leaning on the bed next to it, "I'm sorry Fletchinder...I acted to quickly and you got hurt. We'll take things slower from now on, please forgive me."

It snored slightly as Rod left it to relax on his bed before he heard the applause of the audience on the deck above. Forrest would have just finished, certifying his position in the final of competition, a place Rod had wanted to be with the chance to take on Phoebe of the Elite Four. He glanced at the darkness of the ocean, still no land in sight, as the streak of pink ending the long day. They would arrive at Dewford Island the next night and the S.S. Tidal would remain there for a week before moving on to Slateport City. However, with the events of seeing Fletchinder suffer in battle, Rod wanted to spend longer preparing for his next battle. What if his other Pokemon were being pushed too hard? Did he know enough about them to make sure they wouldn't get hurt? Rod didn't want these circumstances to happen again, adjusting his headband, he promised to be more careful from now on.

A soft knock on the cabin door snapped him out of his thoughts as he turned towards the door. Forrest wouldn't have returned from the battle yet and so who would this be? Rod placed his hand on the knob and turned it as the cool breeze from outside entered the cabin. It was the blond hair that told Rod who she was first, and her nervous looking face appeared next. Opening the door fully, Emma spoke, "Can we talk, please?"

"Of course," Rod muttered back, surprised she was here but also curious why she left Rustboro City, "Come on in."

Minutes later they were both sitting on each bed looking across as Fletchinder shivered to one side, its feathers floating around the room. Emma looked at the ground, her arms crossed slightly in her dark jacket, her voice was slightly weak, "You are one of the best Trainers I have ever seen, Rod."

"You won that battle and you deserved it. I made a mistake, and I hugely regret it."

"Anyone would have made the mistake," She still looked at the floor, almost upset at something as Rod tried to understand, "So where are you headed to?"

Looking confused and perplexed, Rod gestured for her to continue but what did she really want? It seemed all very confusing from Forrest saying they were being followed, to seeing Emma appear on a ship out of nowhere. Rod couldn't put the pieces of the puzzle together, and he replied briefly, "We'll be at Dewford Island for awhile and then moving onto Slateport City, how about yourself?"

"I really am lost at the moment, but that is why I followed you on board."

"Followed? I thought you worked at Devon Corporation?"

"I don't any more, and I want to travel. There are many places I haven't been to before, and seeing you battle and treat your Pokemon is inspiring. I want to learn from you."

Every word she said made her shudder in nervousness as she looked everywhere but Rod's face as he looked on confused. This seemed to be coming out of nowhere, but he sensed sincerity and also a bit of desperation. Travelling as a three would make things easier and also more interesting, however he would have to discuss it with Forrest first. She could be a Team Rocket spy tasked to follow and lead them into a trap, and Rod didn't want to risk it. Even thinking those thoughts made him angry, Emma looked so innocent and slightly scared, plus if she was a spy he doubted she would have waited this long to make a move. Adjusting his headband as Fletchinder shivered in the bed again, Rod replied, "I'll have to talk to Forrest, but I'd be happy to have you along with us."

"Are...you sure?"

"If you want to travel, and feel I can help, then sure you can come along!"

Her mouth opened to respond, Rod finally seeing a bit of happiness in the girl whilst remaining rather surprised in how she wanted to come along, but the door opened once more as they whirled around. Fletchinder woke up as a gust of wind entered the room, jumping onto Rod's shoulder as he brushed its ruffled feathers. Forrest entered the room, immediately noticing Emma and muttered, "Oh hello, seems like you found our room."

Rod looked at her before gazing back at his friend and explained briefly, "Emma wants to travel with us Forrest, she wants to see the world."

Taking a seat at the table, the S.S. Tidal heaving to one side in the Hoenn Sea surrounding them, Forrest placed his bag down along with a Pokeball before looking up and responding, "I've done a bit of reading and yesterdays paper had something you, Emma, in it."

Grabbing a single paper from the news and throwing it across, it sprawled on the bed next to Rod as an image of Emma herself appeared. She gasped in shock, and Rod skimmed through it with Fletchinder still balancing on his shoulder. Emma did not simply leave Devon Corporation, but she broke out by attacking her own Father and escaping in the confusion. A fugitive for the company, they had now began their search for her throughout Hoenn with a large search team. She wasn't just an employee, her Father was Devon himself. Rod looked up, Emma now frightened and nervous, before glancing over at Forrest and immediately understanding each others thoughts. They were both targets as well, in their own right, with Team Rocket and the Thieves Guild tracking them down steadily. Emma looked close to tears now as she stood up and blurted out, "Fine...I am running away. You both have no idea what it is like working at Devon, they treat you like test subjects all the time. Once you start there, you dedicate your life. You have no choice!"

Rod returned Fletchinder to its Pokeball before standing up and moving in front of the door so the girl could not leave. Forrest did the same as she tried to push them aside to leave the cabin door. Smiling weakly, Forrest spoke softly, "If there is any place you should be, Emma, it is with us."

…

Phoebe had been listening, but not from outside the cabin, instead from within as her Ghost Pokemon had been tracing all three of them since they arrived. Her destiny had always been drawn by mere thoughts and feelings and that matched her battling prowess and ability. She never liked to speak if she could communicate telepathically and hear the minds of all those around and read the future. All skills that she learnt from a young age and harnessed, but the future always seemed to change with individuals nowadays. Their destinies changing sporadically at every step and thought, but with Rod things were very different.

Laying in bed with the sea breeze blowing in steadily she sensed her Haunter floating in their cabin towards the other end of the ship. His sight and mind worked parallel to hers and she could see and hear the conversations and even communicate if she wanted to. Emma had been warned of their progressive danger surrounding, but why had she decided to travel with them? What drew her to these two, and Phoebe wondered why she wasn't able to read their minds. They possessed something she hadn't seen before, but it was something positive and it would lead to a better world and place. Opening her eyes with Haunter appearing back in the room, looking sleepy and exhausted from listening as Phoebe asked it to sleep and rest for the night. Keeping her eyes closed, she smiled gently as positivity struck her body for the first time in what seemed years. Rod was special, but in a lot of danger and Phoebe could not read what it was. Images flashed through her dreams, but not one of Kanto or Hoenn, as a different land appeared so far away with darkness lifting from the ground.

Nightmare struck for a second before she lay still, her breaths deep and heavy before her eyes opened slowly into the darkness of the cabin. Haunter floated steadily around the room, snoring every now and then, as Phoebe lifted herself from the bed and approached the small circular window. Everything was peaceful outside and her body felt comfortable and light even with the darkness in the future. The Elite Four member muttered briefly, her voice echoing around the room, "Danger is appearing in Kalos, Haunter. We can't do anything about it but wait. Nobody can stop it."

Haunter moaned to its trainer's voice before drifting into a deep sleep once more with the S.S. Tidal rocking steadily in the ocean water...