"Alright, lets go again, Houndoom use Flamethrower! Totodile use Water Gun!" Ash called out, his two Pokemon opposing each other for some endurance training.
"Are they still going at that?" Molly asked, returning with some supplies for their lunch.
"You have to give him credit, Totodile is keeping up quite well all things considered." Casey said. "But how about Cyndaquil?"
"What about Cyndaquil, he's not training." Molly said a bit confused.
"I'm just saying Chikorita evolved a while ago, and Totodile has been getting stronger with all of Ash's training, so I'm sure he's getting close to evolving." Casey said. "Meanwhile you've had Cyndaquil for a while, and you haven't shown much interest in training them outside of your exploration work."
"So what if I don't share the same passion, my Pokemon are happy as they are." Molly pointed out.
"You're telling me you don't want to at least try and make Cyndaquil or the others stronger?" Casey asked.
"Fine, just to get you off of my back, I'll train Cyndaquil, meanwhile you can finish cooking lunch." Molly said, walking over to Ash. "Hey Ash, how about a training partner?"
"Seriously?" Ash asked in surprise.
"Is that a problem, I mean if it is I can wait." Molly said, unsure suddenly.
"No, it's fine, come on. Who were you hoping to train?" Ash asked.
"Cyndaquil, is that alright?" Molly asked.
"Sure, Eevee, you're up." Ash said, getting the normal types attention.
"Vui!" Eevee exclaimed, running up.
"Right, Cyndaquil use Ember!"
"Eevee use Tackle!"
Eevee rushed forward, ignoring the flames coming at them, slamming into Cyndaquil, sending the fire type flying back.
"Ash!" Molly exclaimed.
"I said Tackle, would you have preferred Double Edge?!" Ash said, still not used to Eevee's raw physical power.
"We need to find Cyndaquil!" Molly said in a panic.
"Right, Houndoom! Can you track Cyndaquil's scent?" Ash asked
"Doom!" Houndoom barked sniffing Cyndaquil's Pokeball before running off.
"We'll be back soon Casey!" Molly called out, chasing after Ash and Houndoom.
A ways off, Molly and Ash found an older man near a wood cabin, cutting some logs. Nearby him were Cyndaquil, and another Pokemon.
"Who's that Pokemon?" Ash asked pulling out his Pokedex.
'Magcargo, the Lava Pokemon. A fire and Rock type. The shell on its back is just skin that has cooled and hardened. It breaks easily with a slight touch.' The Pokedex said.
"Well hello there." The man said, noticing the two. "How can I help you?"
"Umm we were looking for my Cyndaquil." Molly admitted.
"Ahh so this little one is yours." The man said. "Mighty strange to see a flying Cyndaquil."
"I, had wanted to train and it went poorly." Molly admitted.
"I see, who was your opponent that Houndoom?" The man asked.
"No sir, it was my Eevee, we're still finding out its true strength." Ash said.
"I see." The man said, now looking at Houndoom. "I'll tell you what I'll let you take Cyndaquil with you when you go, but I'm going to put your fire types to the test."
"What kind of test?" Ash asked.
"Well I should introduce myself first, my name is Singe, I'm a fire type expert, and I want to make sure you two are taking proper care of your fire types especially since this one was sent flying by an Eevee." Singe said. "Now let's get to work!"
Out back near large piles of leaves
"Houndoom use Flamethrower!"
"Cyndaquil use Ember!"
"Come on! You two can do better than that! You boy use less heat, you're not impressing anyone! And girly toughen up and give it your all!" Singe commanded.
"Ash, can't you and Houndour take out that guys Magcargo?" Molly asked.
"Just do the training and stop complaining." Ash said. "Houndour use Flamethrower!"
Houndour focused his stream of flames, shooting it straight out at a pile of leaves.
"No, focus the heat, do not use all of your own and absorb all that you can." Singe scolded. "As an element fire is the only one that needs fuel to attack, meaning it also has a limit on how long it can burn, and in longer fights if you keep like this, you will not succeed!"
"Houndoom use Flamethrower again!" Ash called out.
Houndoom focused the heat around him, sending out a thin but powerful stream, shooting right through the leaves, creating a hole right through them.
"Very good." Singe said. "Now you again!" Singe said, looking at Molly and Cyndaquil.
"Cyndaquil use Ember!"
Cyndaquil fired off embers, breaking up leaves in a pile.
"More, put your back into it! Fire is a strong element, you cannot fear it when trying to wield it! If you truly are Cundaquil's partner, you must be allowed to show them you are not afraid either!"
"Okay. Cyndaquil use Ember again!" Molly called out, trying to have no fear.
The flames on Cyndaquil's back ignited, surrounding them before rushing forward, bursting through the leaves, ashes flying around.
"Very good, you two have shown quick progress." Singe said.
"Progress, all we did was clean up your yard!" Molly said angrily.
"Prove it, show me your flames! Show me your new moves!" Singe commanded.
"New moves, what do you mean?" Molly asked.
"I wonder." Ash said, looking at his Pokedex. "Houndoom use Solar Beam!"
Houndoom fired the small stream once again, striking Singe's Magcargo, knocking it back a few feet before recovering.
"The Pokedex, huh?" Molly asked, looking at her own dex. "Cyndaquil use Flame Wheel!"
Cyndaquil engulfed themself in flames, rushing at Magcargo, the rock type rolling back towards Cyndaquil, before the small Pokémon's flames grew stronger, knocking back Magcargo with great force before dissipating, showing a larger Pokemon in Cyndaquil's place.
'Quilava, the Volcano Pokemon, a fire type and the evolved form of Cyndaquil. The Pokemon is fully covered by nonflammable fur. It can withstand any kind of fire attack.' Molly's Pokedex said.
"Cyndaquil evolved." Molly said in surprise.
"Very good, as much as I would like to continue the training of the two of you, I feel you have a long journey ahead of you." Singe said calmly. "I wish you both the best of luck in your future travels, wherever they may take you."
"Thank you Singe, your help will not be forgotten." Ash said.
"Come on Ash, we should get back to Casey, she's probably already finished lunch by now though." Molly pointed out.
Ash's Current Team and their Moves
Pikachu: Thunderbolt - Quick Attack - Thunder Punch - Agility
Houndoom: Flamethrower - Crunch - Solar Beam - Headbutt
Totodile: Water Gun - Bite - Ice Punch - Slash
Scyther: Fury Cutter - Wing Attack - Double Team - Pursuit
Sudowoodo: Flail - Mimic - Rock Throw - Low Kick
Eevee: Double Edge - Tackle
Molly's Current Team and their Moves
Quilava: Flame Wheel - Tackle - Smokescreen - Cut
Flaaffy: Tackle - Thunder Wave - Flash - Thunder Shock
Teddiursa: Strength