Chapter 3

The walk toward Viridian City was uneventful for Cinder while he was led by his trainer through Route 1. Firing off a few Embers scared away any Rattata that threatened to attack them. However, once they neared Viridian City, Red took a turn west to Route 22. It was a route Cinder knew had Pokemon that were stronger than the ones closer to the city.

Upon venturing further into the route, the Charmander began feeling uneasy as the grassland of the area gave way to a mountainous area. They walked up a large, tree filled slope with a craggy rock surface to the side, the Lizard Pokemon frightfully aware of the height. Cinder looked up to find three Pokemon that he recognized as the dangerous Mankey jumping from one branch to another. He cringed in fear.

Everyone feared Mankey when I lived with them in the mountains not far from here. Cinder thought. It wasn't just that they were strong as much as they were unreasonably overprotective.

"Why are we here?" the Fire-type asked.

"We need to catch Pokemon that have an advantage over the Rock-type user that is Brock," Red explained. "You're a Fire-type so I'll need to rely on others for type advantage, something this route can provide."

The two stopped dead in their tracks as one of the Pokemon jumped from the trees to drop in front of them. The ape-like Pokemon he recognized as a young male glared at them. Cinder staggered back, knowing these kind were territorial and quick to anger.

"Ember, now!" Red said.

"But that might hurt him," he said. "Red...you're acting out of character."

The Mankey posed to charge at him.

"I gave you an order," his trainer said with uncharacteristic anger. "Now follow it! We have to weaken the Pokemon before catching it or else it could break out!"

Just as the Fighting-type Pokemon jumped at him, the Charmander opened his mouth to fire several golf balls sized fires at the attacking creature. To his chagrin, much of the Mankey's cream colored fur along his chest blackened. The Pokemon fell and rolled over screaming in pain before Cinder saw a Pokeball sail overhead.

"Come on, catch it!" Red said after he threw the device.

The Pokeball opened upon hitting the Pokemon on its head before swallowing it in a flash of light. The spherical device rolled back and forth while the button in the middle blinked before going still when a satisfying click could be heard. Cinder sighed in relief at the successful capture of the Mankey before Red walked over and picked it up.

He then pressed the Pokeball's button twice to open it, the injured Pokemon appearing in a flash of light. While the Pokemon's eyes were shut as he ground his teeth to keep himself from screaming. However, the pain was too disorienting and the Fighting-type fell over groaning in agony while guilt flooded Cinder's heart.

After minimizing the Mankey's Pokeball and putting it against his waist, Red quickly took out a potion from his backpack. He kneeled over the Mankey and sprayed the bottle of medicine over the burnt portion of the Pokemon's body. Cinder felt relief when the Fighting-type's burn immediately scabbed over and his fur returned to its original color. However, after being healed the Mankey stood up and jumped at Red to attack.

However, the miniaturized Pokeball at his side opened and swallowed him in a bright light. After the Mankey disappeared, Red then took the Pokeball and pressed it twice to enlarge it before doing so a third time, causing it to open. The Mankey looked up at him with a perplexed expression.

"What-what happened?" he asked.

He then looked down at himself.

"What...did...I can't believe what I'm hearing," he said. "I'm talking like a human!"

"I know," Red said. "Once a Pokemon is caught, the Pokeball transfers knowledge of known language into the caught Pokemon. Also, if the caught Pokemon tries to attack the trainer while within the ball's range, it withdraws them. In other words, you're stuck with me."

The Mankey quickly began tearing up.

"No," he said. "To be made submissive to a weak human...that's the highest disgrace to us Mankey. We're lithe and vicious warriors, not servants to creatures too weak to fight for themselves!"

"Well you're just going to have to get used to it," Red said. "Either fight for me or never leave your Pokeball. It's your choice."

The Mankey's limbs went limp with disappointment, staring at the grass at his feet in disappointment. Cinder sighed, knowing the Pokemon's pride was broken. However, growing up wild had its advantages and if there was one thing he'd learned being around Fighting-types in the mountains, it was that they valued getting stronger above all else. Cinder looked up at Red before nodded.

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"Let me handle this," he said.

The Lizard Pokemon walked up to the Mankey to find its expression still angry.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"What's your name?" Cinder asked.

"Klecer," he answered.

"Klecer," Cinder nodded. "That means...mighty smasher in Mankey...doesn't it?"

"Mighty destroyer," he answered. "What does it matter to you?"

"Let me ask you," Cinder said. "What do you think a trainer does with their Pokemon?"

He shrugged.

"I don't know much about humans," Klecer admitted. "I know they use Pokemon to fight because they're too weak to do so themselves."

"Well," the Charmander said. "I've been told and have seen quite enough evidence to suggest that caught Pokemon often become stronger than wilds."

The Mankey raised an eyebrow.

"No," he said. "Only on your own can you become truly powerful."

"Well," he said. "What happens is that trainers who are serious about battling will deliberately do nothing but battle and strengthen their Pokemon for months on end...sometimes years."

He could tell he had Klecer's attention now.

"Imagine a life where someone is providing you with all your needs," Cinder said. "Food, shelter and medicine to heal your wounds so after each and every battle you can jump in immediately. You could attain far more strength with us than alone."

"You really think that's possible?" Klecer asked.

"What do you have to lose?" Cinder asked.

It was night when Klecer led them to the watering hole that he usually drank from. They walked down the slope to near the edge of the pond. Cinder's tail flame provided the light that showed the way.

"So you say they come out at this time?" Red asked.

"Regularly," the Mankey said.

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Upon getting close, Cinder could see creatures emerging from the water and walking onto the bank. They were a Pokemon he only vaguely recognized, a Pokemon that's entire body was nothing but a blue round oval with a black spiral on its white chest that was below its pink mouth. Their legs were waddling awkwardly onto the ground, their finned tails wagging behind.

"Attack!" Red ordered.

Klecer ran forward and swept a targeted Poliwag's legs beneath it with its leg. After the Water-type tripped from the Mankey's Low Kick, he then chopped the Pokemon's stomach with the side of its hand. While the injured Pokemon squealed in pain, the other Poliwag fled back into the water. Red then ran forward and threw the Pokeball at the Pokemon Klecer had chosen to attack. After swallowing the Pokemon in a flash of light the ball rolled a few times before clicking. The trainer picked the ball and smiled, obviously satisfied.

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The Charmander jumped out of the way as the purple, rabbit-like Pokemon attempted to stab it with the horn atop its head. Just as the Nidoran turned around, Cinder faced the wild Pokemon and fired off a few fireballs. The Ember caused the Poison-type Pokemon, staggering on its four legs before falling over. Red threw a Pokeball at it, the capsule bouncing off its back and swallowing it before clicking. After picking up the ball he examined the Pokemon through the transparent red top, the smooth surface glistening under the morning sun. As he examined it, Cinder could help but feel guilt for taking the freedom of the Pokemon away.

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That same day they traveled to Route 2. Bug-types crawled through the grassland under the high noon sun, the yellow and green worms wriggling between the blades of grass. Upon entering the field, Red pointed to one of the green worm-like Pokemon.

"Catch me a Caterpie," he said. "Use your Scratch attack so you won't kill it."

"But Bug-types are weak against Rock-types," Cinder said. "How will it help us against Brock?"

"It won't," Red answered. "But Butterfree can be a potent force in the right hands since it has access to so many different status conditions. So go get me one."

Cinder sighed before rushing forward. The Caterpie didn't notice him until it was too late. It looked to the side before letting out an odd cry when the Charmander's claws raked its side to draw green blood. It wriggled in the ground before Red tossed a Pokeball forward, catching the Bug-type.

After letting all his Pokemon out of their Pokeballs, Red healed his three new catches with a potion. While Klecer looked unfazed, the Poliwag, Nidoran and Caterpie looked up at him with fear in their eyes. They didn't even try to run away.

"Alright," the trainer said. "Listen up. Your lives roaming the wilderness and scrounging for food are over. Whether you think it's a good thing or not, you will now live and possibly die for me. Food will be provided to you but that will be the only certainty. Any questions?"

"I want to go home!" the Poliwag said which Cinder recognized as female by their voice. "I miss my siblings! My mother said I'm supposed to protect them since I'm the strongest!"

"I-I don't like this," the male Nidoran said. "It sounds dangerous…besides you humans took my father away from me! You left me alone with my mother who died saving me! I don't want to serve such an evil species!"

"I'll do anything you say," the Caterpie, another female, said. "Just don't hurt me again. My kind is fragile even before we evolve."

Cinder looked down at the grass, unable to look at those he helped capture. This was nothing less than a kidnapping of sentient beings that he'd participated in. How could he allow his trainer to do such a thing?

When the professor found me I was lucky. He said. He knew the wild Charmander population was dwindling and caught me before I would spend my life as a slave. With these guys...I can't justify what I've done. What Red's done.

Red hardened his expression at the Poliwag and Nidoran.

"You will obey me," he said. "Or you will receive no food. And don't think of running away. I can recall you to your Pokeballs any time."

The Nidoran looked angry but eventually lowered his head in shame. The Poliwag's expression, on the other hand, saddened. She began to cry.

"Please," she said. "They need me. They've just recently hatched out. I-I-I need to go back."

Red shook his head.

"If all that stood in the way of death and your siblings was you," he said. "There was no hope for them."

The Water-type burst into tears. The scene caused Cinder's eyes to water. He turned away so that no one had to see him crying.

"Alright," Red said. "What to prepare for. We're going to spend the next three months doing nothing but training. We'll spend time fighting Pokemon both in the wild and any trainers we can find. Once I'm done with you all, your strength will have increased to the point you won't recognize yourselves. Then we'll face the Pewter City gym leader."

Cinder couldn't believe what he was hearing.

You've changed. He thought. Whenever it comes to gaining honor for yourself as a trainer and fulfilling your father's legacy you become a completely different person. Otherwise, you care more than nearly anyone else about others. Do you value those who chastised you in Pallet Town so much you're willing to step on others to inflate your ego? Why Red? Why?