Chapter 7: Firestone's Flame and Rival Sparks

I jolted awake, half-dreaming, half-dozing until my mom's voice sliced through the air. 

"Will, get up or you'll be late!" 

I groaned, staring at the ceiling. 

My eyes traced the familiar cracks above my bed, the same ones I'd been staring at for the last ten years. 

It wasn't like today was any different from the others. 

I was always up early, even if I didn't want to be. 

"I'm getting up, Mom," I muttered, my voice barely louder than a breath. 

"After getting ready, come downstairs," she replied, her voice fading as her footsteps descended the stairs.

I kicked off the covers and blinked the sleep from my eyes. 

Next to me, Growlithe was curled up, snoring softly. 

I smiled, patting his fur. 

"Hey, buddy," I whispered, running a hand through his warm coat. "Shower time."

That was all it took. 

His eyes shot open, ears pinned back in terror. 

Without hesitation, Growlithe leapt off the bed, dashed through the half-open door, and bolted downstairs like he'd seen a Gengar. 

I stared after him, dumbfounded. "Really?" I muttered to myself. "Every time…"

Shaking my head, I dragged myself to the bathroom. 

Cold water splashed over my face, shocking me fully awake. 

The bristles of my toothbrush scraped against my teeth, the minty taste lingering as I rinsed and spat. 

Shower was quick. 

Towel dried, I stood in front of the mirror, my chestnut hair dripping water down my face. 

I brushed my hand through it, not that it ever did any good. 

It stuck out in all directions, as usual. 

Good enough, I thought, tossing the towel aside.

I dressed in my usual hoodie and shorts, feeling the worn fabric of the hoodie press against me like armor. 

My backpack lay slumped on my desk, waiting. 

I picked it up and opened it, sliding my hand across the familiar leather cover of my diary before tucking it inside. 

As I did, a familiar twinge of curiosity tugged at my mind.

*How many points now?* I thought, knowing the answer was coming.

["Seven points,"] Ariana's voice whispered in my head. 

Her voice was cool, matter-of-fact. 

Today was day seven. 

A week gone by, and still not enough to do anything serious.

*Brock left a few days ago for his Pokémon breeder journey,* I mused. 

I wondered where he was now, out there on some new path, probably knee-deep in Pokémon eggs and complicated diets. 

He made it seem easy, but I knew better.

["Yes, Master,"] Ariana confirmed.

*Tell me the difference between episode info and brief info.*

Ariana's response was immediate, like flipping a switch in my brain. ["Episode info is like a full memory download. You'll see it, hear it, live it—everything the characters experience, down to the smallest details. Brief info, though, is more like a summary, what you'd find on the internet back on Earth. Less immersive, but quicker."]

I nodded absentmindedly, slumping into my chair. *Give me season 1, episode 1, brief info.*

Pain lashed through my skull, sharp and hot. 

I winced, gripping the desk as flashes of memory came flooding in. 

Conversations, faces, voices—like someone had crammed a whole day into a few seconds. 

My head spun, but when it cleared, the info was there, neatly tucked away.

["We now have six points remaining, Master,"] Ariana informed me, her voice calm as ever.

*At least I know the protagonist a little bit,* I thought, shaking off the remnants of the memory flood.

"Will!" Mom's voice echoed from downstairs, more urgent this time.

"I'm coming!" I yelled back, grabbing my bag. 

The last thing I needed was her storming up here. 

I shouldered my pack and started down the stairs, thoughts still whirling.

*What types of healing do we have?* I asked Ariana.

["Minor injury heal: one point. Major injury heal: two points. Unconscious heal: five points. If the injury is fatal, it will require an instant heal, which costs thirty points,"] she rattled off like a checklist.

*Thirty points for a life or death situation.* I nodded to myself, filing that info away as I hit the last step. 

It felt like I was always one step away from needing a heal. *But how close am I to ever getting thirty points?*

---

I sat there, staring at my breakfast sandwich as if it held all the answers. 

The dining chair creaked beneath me.

 Across the table, Dad was hidden behind his newspaper, the pages rustling with each flip. 

Mom, apron tied like a warrior's sash, set a plate down in front of me.

The smell of bacon, egg, and cheese hit my nose, and my stomach growled louder than a Gyarados.

"Mike," she said, breaking the silence, as if she were about to say something monumental.

Dad lowered his paper, his sharp brown eyes peeking over the edge. "After breakfast, we'll evolve Growlithe in the backyard."

I swallowed my bite, nodding, my throat tight. 

The idea of evolving Growlithe had been tossed around for days now, and today… today it was happening. 

At my feet, Growlithe happily devoured his Pokémon food, tail wagging like this was just another normal morning. 

For him, it probably was. 

For me, it felt like standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to jump.

Mom settled into the chair beside me. 

She studied me, her hazel eyes searching, as if I were some puzzle she couldn't quite figure out. "Are you serious about this, Will?"

I set down my sandwich, wiping my hands on my shorts. "Mom, we already talked about this. I'm leaving today."

Her lips tightened into a line. 

Dad took a bite of his own breakfast, like this was no big deal. 

Like I wasn't about to take my first step out of Pewter City, out of the life I'd always known.

"Don't push yourself too hard out there, Will. It's not good for your health," Dad added, his voice calm, but there was a warning in it. 

He'd been through it all before—he knew what was coming. 

I didn't.

"I know, Dad."

Mom, though—Mom was behaving like a kid, eyes wide, lips pursed. 

I blinked, glancing at Dad, who looked as dumbfounded as I felt. 

We ate in silence for a moment, the tension thick as Snorlax after a feast. 

"So," Mom finally spoke again, her tone lighter but still strained, "you packed everything?"

I nodded. "Yes, Mom."

Her checklist spilled out in rapid-fire. "Boulder Badge, Pokéballs, Pokédex, credit card?"

"Yes, Mom."

"Tent? Flashlight? Sleeping bag? Pokémon food? Food for you? Ingredients?"

I groaned, throwing my head back. "Mom…"

She sulked, her shoulders drooping like a deflated Jigglypuff. 

I didn't even know what to say. 

She'd gone from worried to playful, back and forth like a yo-yo.

The rest of breakfast was a blur. 

By the time we were done, I couldn't taste anything. 

My mind was too tangled in knots.

Outside, the backyard looked smaller than usual. 

The familiar stretch of grass where I'd trained with Dad, where Growlithe had chased his tail as a pup—it all felt too ordinary for something this big. 

Dad stood beside me, hands on his hips. 

His voice was steady, like he wasn't about to watch his son take a massive leap into the unknown.

"You ready, kid?"

I nodded, the lump in my throat growing heavier. "I'm ready, Dad."

Mom kissed the top of my head, then ducked behind Dad like she couldn't handle watching. 

"Mom," I muttered, dumbfounded. "Why are you acting like this?"

She smiled, but it was wobbly. "Just… just hurry up, okay?"

Growlithe padded over, his amber eyes watching me with that same loyal look. 

I knelt and gave his head a soft tap. 

He barked, his tail swishing, and moved a few steps away, standing in the middle of the yard. 

Dad disappeared into the house and returned with the Fire Stone, glowing with a fiery light that seemed alive in my hand.

It was heavier than I thought, almost like it carried the weight of what was about to happen. 

I stared down at it, feeling my heart beat so loud I was sure even Mom could hear it from behind Dad's back.

"Alright, buddy," I said, my voice trembling but firm. "You ready?"

Growlithe looked up, eyes blazing with that fierce loyalty. 

His sharp bark echoed in the quiet, his stance solid. 

No fear. 

He was telling me: Do it.

I clenched my jaw, took a deep breath, and pressed the Fire Stone against his fur.

For a heartbeat, nothing. 

Then a blinding flash of flame erupted from Growlithe's body, the heat slamming into my face. 

I shielded my eyes, my breath catching as his small frame twisted, grew larger, more powerful. 

The ground trembled beneath us as the light exploded into an inferno. 

When I lowered my arm, he wasn't Growlithe anymore. 

Arcanine stood before me, his mane burning with power, his massive form towering above. 

He let out a deep growl, his eyes locked on mine, and for a moment, we just stared at each other, both of us catching our breath.

"We did it," I whispered, feeling the sweat drip down my face. "We actually did it."

Dad clapped me on the shoulder. "Congratulations, kid."

Mom peeked out from behind him, her smile real this time. "Congratulations, sweetheart."

I could barely speak, still too stunned by the sight of Arcanine. "Thanks, Mom." 

Arcanine lowered his head, nuzzling against my chest. 

The bond we shared before had been strong, but now? Now it was something different, something unbreakable. 

Tempered by flame, by trust, by this moment.

I hopped onto Arcanine's back, feeling the warmth radiating through his fur. 

It wasn't burning hot, but comforting, like I belonged there.

"I'm going now," I said, my heart pounding again, but this time it wasn't fear. 

It was excitement.

Dad waved. "Call if you need anything, or even if you don't."

I nodded, motioning for Arcanine to start running.

"And call when you reach any city!" Mom shouted, her voice almost desperate. "Or I'll be angry!"

I couldn't help but grin as I glanced back. "Sure, Mom."

With that, we shot out of the backyard, the wind whipping through my hair, Arcanine's powerful strides carrying us toward the open road.

---

The heat from the midday sun scorched my back as I slid off Arcanine's broad, muscular frame. 

We'd reached the base of Mt. Moon, where the hiking trail began winding into the rocky wilderness. 

I patted his fiery fur and stretched, feeling the weight of the journey ahead sink into my bones.

"Let's rest a while," I said, making my way to the shade of a nearby tree. 

My voice sounded distant in the oppressive heat, almost swallowed by the quiet that surrounded us.

Arcanine, ever loyal, followed me and flopped down with a huff, his massive form stirring up a cloud of dust. 

I dropped onto the grass and lay back, my eyes closing against the blinding sunlight. 

A cool breeze whispered through the trees, and for a moment, it was just me, the earth, and the quiet pulse of nature. 

That was until Ariana's voice cut through my thoughts like a sharp blade. [Master, there is a mission.]

I groaned inwardly. 

What now? I asked, though I knew better than to expect anything simple from her.

[In the depths of Mt. Moon, there lies an underground lake. Hidden within its depths are Pokémon fossils. For every fossil you bring me, you'll receive 200 points.]

My eyes snapped open, the mission sending a rush of adrenaline through me. *What kind of fossils?*

[Kabuto, or any other fossil Pokémon. At least one to complete the mission. Submit one, and you will get 200 points. Two, 500. Three? 800.]

I sat up, the world around me sharpening as I considered her words. *Points,* I thought, turning the idea over in my mind. *What's the catch?*

[No catch,] she replied, her voice cool. [But the path will not be easy.]

I exhaled, a slight grin tugging at my lips. 

Of course, nothing was easy. 

I stood quickly, Arcanine lifting his head with a confused grunt.

"We're going," I said, already walking toward the trail without waiting for a response. 

He scrambled to his feet, following me with a low growl of anticipation.

The hike started smoothly enough. 

The trail wound upward, jagged rocks and dry brush flanking us on either side. 

But the sun—gods, the sun—hung overhead like a merciless overseer, each step making me feel like I was walking through a furnace.

Just as I was about to take a swig of water, a sharp voice cut through the stillness. "Chase, why are you doing this?"

I froze, instincts kicking in. 

Arcanine's ears perked up as we both turned toward the sound. 

Two trainers stood further up the path, their voices thick with tension. 

One of them, a girl with an Eevee perched on her head, sat on the ground while the other—a boy, probably her brother—stood with a Pikachu on his shoulder. 

The girl's face was flushed with frustration, her hands clenched into fists. 

Chase, the boy, snapped back. "Elaine, why can't you just walk? Ash and the others are already ahead!"

I approached slowly, taking in the situation. 

Their clothes matched, though each had their own style, clearly a sibling duo in the middle of some argument. 

"Everything okay, friend?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light as I stepped forward. 

Elaine looked up, her eyes full of exasperation. "No, it's not," she muttered. 

Chase groaned, turning away from me as if my presence was an inconvenience. "We're getting behind because of her."

I blinked, then realized who they were. *Are they… the main characters?* I asked, a weird feeling settling in my chest.

[No,] Ariana said dryly. [Protagonists of a video game.]

I shook my head, trying to process it all. *What?*

[You can get 50 points if you defeat each of their Pokémon.]

Now that caught my attention. 

A battle was exactly what I needed. "Let's have a battle," I said, a grin spreading across my face.

Elaine stood quickly, her expression a mix of surprise and irritation. "Are you serious? Why?"

"We're Pokémon trainers," I replied, my voice steady. "We battle each other and learn." 

Chase, already fed up, shook his head. "We don't have time for this," he snapped, moving past me.

I stepped in front of Elaine, blocking their path. "You'll have to defeat me, or I'll take your sister with me."

The words spilled out before I could stop them. 

For a split second, everyone froze—Chase, Elaine, Arcanine. 

Hell, even I was dumbfounded by what I'd said.

Elaine's face turned crimson, and as she moved to walk away, I grabbed her hand. "Please, Elaine, don't."

Her cheeks flushed a deeper red, and Chase exploded. "Don't touch my sister!" He shoved me hard, sending me sprawling to the ground.

His Pikachu leaped from his shoulder, sparks dancing along its cheeks, ready to fight. 

Elaine's Eevee jumped down too, its fur bristling, ready to defend its trainer. 

Arcanine was at my side in an instant, growling low, eyes locked on Chase and his Pikachu. 

I scrambled to my feet, hands raised in surrender. "Listen! I didn't mean any harm. I just want a battle! I won't let you leave without it."

Chase's eyes narrowed. "You think I'm going to let you get away with that?"

I straightened, brushing the dirt from my hoodie. "How many Pokémon do you have?"

Chase crossed his arms. "Enough to beat you, that's for sure. You don't get to touch my sister and walk away." He threw out his arm, sending Pikachu forward. "I'll handle this on my own."

I nodded, the weight of the moment settling in. "Fine. Let's settle this." 

Arcanine stood tall beside me, his hot breath puffing into the air. "You ready, buddy?" 

He growled in affirmation, muscles tensing as he stared down the small yellow mouse that sparked with electricity. 

The battle was about to begin, and I could feel the tension in the air tighten, ready to snap at any moment.