The Pantheon

Cinnabar Island

From the moment the Professor released him from his Poké Ball, Charmander knew. This was it. This human—wild, grinning, and brimming with energy—was his human. He didn't need much time to figure it out; he could feel it in the way she looked at him, in the way her voice softened as she crouched down to meet his gaze. When she reached out her hand, something clicked inside him, like a puzzle piece sliding into place.

And when she chose him, when she grinned and said they were going to be a team, that was it. No doubts. No hesitation. He was delighted. It was like she'd felt it too—that spark, that connection. And that wasn't something you ignored.

From then on, the fun started immediately.

No sooner had they left the lab than Ashley took off running, her sneakers kicking up little clouds of dirt as they sped through Pallet Town. Charmander, for his part, didn't need any convincing. His legs pumped furiously to keep up, his tail flame blazing in excitement as he dashed beside her. She was wild, unpredictable, and just a little bit reckless. He loved it.

"Come on, Charmander!" she shouted, laughing as she weaved around an old man walking a Growlithe. "We've got a ferry to catch! No time to slow down now!"

Charmander barked out a cheerful "Char!" in response, his claws scrabbling against the cobblestones as he matched her pace. His chest swelled with pride every time she glanced down at him, her grin wide and full of encouragement. This, he thought, is exactly what I've been waiting for.

The town passed by in a blur of colors and sounds—the rustling of wind through trees, the distant calls of Pidgey, and the occasional "Hey, watch it!" from someone Ashley almost barreled into. Charmander soaked it all in, his sharp eyes darting everywhere as they raced toward the docks.

By the time they reached the ferry, both of them were panting, their breaths coming out in short gasps. Ashley flashed their ticket, and with a quick thank-you to the deckhand, they sprinted up the gangplank just as the boat's horn sounded. They'd made it.

Charmander let out a triumphant "Char-char!" his tail swishing wildly as they stepped onto the deck. Ashley bent over, hands on her knees as she caught her breath, but her grin never faded. It was then that Charmander earned his name, Mars.

He loved it!

They wandered over to the edge of the ferry, where the ocean stretched out before them, vast and shimmering under the midday sun. Mars froze again, his jaw dropping slightly as he took in the sight. The water was so big. So blue. It glittered like the scales of a Gyarados, and it seemed to go on forever.

"Pretty amazing, huh?" Ashley said, leaning her elbows on the railing. She glanced down at Mars, whose wide eyes were locked on the endless expanse of water. His tail swished back and forth, the flames flickering like they were caught in the rhythm of the waves.

Mars let out a soft, awed "Char..." He stepped closer, his claws clinking against the metal railing as he propped himself up for a better look. The salty breeze tousled his tail flame, making it dance even higher. For a moment, he was completely still, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of it all.

Ashley smiled, watching him take it in. "First time seeing the ocean, huh?" she said softly. Mars nodded, his gaze never leaving the water. He was mesmerized. This was nothing like the little ponds and controlled habitats he'd known back at the facility. This was wild, untamed, and full of possibilities.

She reached out and gave his back a light pat. "Get used to it, buddy. We're gonna be seeing a lot of new things from here on out. This is just the beginning."

Mars turned to look at her, his eyes shining with excitement. "Char-char!" he chirped, hopping down from the railing to stand beside her. He puffed out his chest again, his tail flame blazing brighter than ever.