The wind carried the sharp scent of pine and embers as Philip Clark stepped off the main trail, veering away from the well-worn path toward Viridian City. Most trainers hurried to their first Gym challenge or the Pokémon Center. Not Philip. He moved with purpose, guided not by maps, but by instinct—and aura.
Riolu padded quietly beside him, ears twitching at every sound. Froakie perched on a branch overhead, his golden eyes sharp. Despite the stillness of the forest, something in the air tugged at Philip's senses—something warm, flickering, and… sad.
They emerged into a small clearing. The trees thinned around the edge of an old campsite, long abandoned. Soot marked the stones of a long-dead campfire, and torn cloth from a sleeping bag fluttered in the breeze.
At first glance, it seemed empty.
But then Riolu froze.
Philip's system chimed in his mind.
[Aura Signature Detected]
[Status: Distressed – Emotional Instability Present]
[Species: Fire-type – Unidentified]
Philip moved forward quietly, brushing aside a curtain of vines—and there, huddled against a gnarled root, was a lone Charmander.
The Fire-type trembled, curled tightly into itself. Its tail flame burned weakly, sputtering with each gust of wind. Dirt and soot clung to its scales, and a jagged scar crossed its back.
Philip's eyes narrowed. He didn't need the system to tell him what had happened.
Abandoned.
His hands clenched at his sides. This world, like his own, had its cruel corners. People who gave up on others when it no longer suited them.
Riolu's gaze hardened. He could feel the aura clearly—pain, betrayal, loneliness.
Charmander stirred, opening one frightened eye. When it saw Philip and the others, it bared its teeth with a low growl, small embers flickering from its mouth.
[Warning: High Alert – Trauma Response Active. Approach with Caution.]
Philip slowly knelt down, keeping his gaze soft and non-threatening. "I'm not here to fight you. I'm just here to help."
Charmander snarled again, but its voice cracked. Its tail flame dimmed, faltering under the strain.
Philip reached into his bag and pulled out a high-grade Fire-type recovery cube—something designed by his mother's company for elite training. He placed it gently on the ground between them and backed away.
Charmander hesitated.
Then, hunger and instinct won out. It crawled forward, sniffed, and devoured the cube. Immediately, its posture relaxed slightly—just enough.
Riolu stepped forward and knelt beside the Charmander, offering silent companionship.
Philip didn't speak for a while. He sat cross-legged in the grass, letting the silence do its work.
"You've been hurt," he finally said. "But you're still standing. That says a lot more than you think."
Charmander didn't answer, but its gaze shifted. Curious. Less afraid.
Philip reached into his bag again and placed an empty Poké Ball on the ground, not tossing it, not commanding it—just offering it.
"This is your choice. If you want to walk away, I won't stop you. But if you want strength, if you want to fight alongside someone who won't give up on you—then come with me."
There was a long pause.
Then, slowly, Charmander reached out and tapped the Poké Ball.
Click.
Shake.
Lock.
[Charmander Joined Your Team]
[Level 10 – Potential: Diamond]
[Status: Emotionally Fragile – Bond Level: Forming]
Philip picked up the Poké Ball with care. "Welcome to the team."
That evening, Philip didn't make camp in the forest. Instead, he found a quiet stream and set up a fire near the water's edge. The stars glittered overhead, and the trees rustled gently in the wind.
He released Charmander again, who sat silently beside the flames. Riolu and Froakie were nearby, giving their new teammate space. It was awkward, but peaceful.
Philip watched the little Fire-type stare into the fire. "I won't ask you what happened. You'll tell me when you're ready. Or maybe you never will. That's okay, too."
Charmander didn't answer, but this time, it didn't flinch when Riolu offered it a place closer to the warmth.
Philip leaned back, staring at the stars. "It's strange. I used to look up at the night sky on Earth and wonder if a place like this existed. Now I'm here… and it's even more dangerous and beautiful than I imagined."
He didn't know what the future held—whether it would be filled with Gym battles, friendships, or dangers that even his powerful lineage couldn't protect him from. But for now, the fire burned brighter. A fragile, flickering bond had begun.
And from small embers… a flame could rise.