Aspen's Journal

[Dear Diary,

I know I said these things are stupid and I'd never use one, but I saw something so cool tonight! It looked like a yellow star thing with big blue eyes and red ear things! It looked like one of those dumb Pokemon things every other kid wants to have. I just don't get what's so great about stupid dumb dumb stupid Pokemon anyways? It's just all about going outside and maybe getting eaten by a Majicorp or whatever.

But if it is a Pokemon, then maybe I should give them a chance? I can meet the star thing again maybe]

[Dear Diary,

Today I got my first Pokemon. None of them were cool or neat or anything - Who wants some sort of stupid fire lizard thing, or that weird plant frog, or that stupid squirrel turtle? Stupid starter program. When I walked back home though I came across this... Thing. Some sort of fox like Pokemon. All red with only three tails. At first I thought it was some stupid stray and I ditched it, but when I got home, I found it in my room.

Mom was not happy that the window was melted. I started my journey today too! Mostly because I don't want to be grounded again...]

[Dear Diary,

The fox keeps following me everywhere, which is good I guess. It protected me from some sort of weird bee thing with spikes for arms. The other kids wanted to go out and deal with THIS every day!? Are they stupid!?]

Many pages further into the book...

[I made a new friend today. Says his name is Ezekiel. Friendly little guy, surprised he did not run away when I came up. Abra are jumpy, after all. Treated him to a little meal in Violet City after I finished looking at the ruins. I still think I am missing something there though... It just seems... Off, somehow. The letters are all weird.]

[Woo hoo! Ezekiel agreed to join my team! Well, provided I promised to take his friend Victor with us. Victor is... pretty stubborn. Not to mention how high maitainence Eevee are. Ugh, but hey, my new friend is coming along, so that helps to make up for it.]

[Today we are on the trail of the legend Suicune! Ezekiel says that Victor says he can track anything, so maybe...? I am doubting it, but hey, it is the only lead I have.

In other news, Flare has been getting silent lately. She has been all funny ever since eating that fire stone and evolving. Looks at me then looks away as if embarassed. Oh well, I am sure she will tell me through Ezekiel in time.]

More pages...

[Ezekiel and Flare make quite a powerful team. The two saved my butt from an angry Feraligatr today - Turns out Ezekiel knows Thunderpunch and that paralyzing the beast made Flare's Hex much more potent. Victor, meanwhile, spent his time at my side, helping out with Wishes and Subs. Quite a strong Umbreon - I do not think there is another Eon like him in the world - If there was, they would have to be fairly dense as well HAHAH!

Sorry for the ink there future me, Ezekiel read out loud over my shoulder and Victor batted me with his paw. Hurt like hell, ouch. Anyways, I am finishing up my entry now, promised the group a nice dinner. Not sure what I would do without these three...]

Many more entries fill the spaces, talking about this man's strong bond with his Ninetales, Kadabra, and Umbreon. Odd, as he's always told Sandra it was only him and Flare, never anybody else.

Another entry soon comes up. Tears stain the pages, as does some blood.

[Oh god I'm... I'm going to be sick. That Rocket FUCK! I have NEVER killed a man before, and I hope never to again. Just... Victor. He was innocent, he never deserved a fate like that! He only fought those Scyther to defend me. He didn't deserve to get cut up into ribbons. Not him. At least he died fast...]

[Ezekiel hit me today and left. He said I was a coward, that I did not deserve to see Victini those years ago. That I am nothing but a scumbag human. I... I'm sorry Ezekiel.]

[Sorry about the long wait between entries, it is just that I was not ready to write yet after... That fight. Still grieving, actually. I finally spread his ashes at the Ruins of Alph, where I first met him. I did not deserve them. Never did. I... I should have called him back. I should have let the Scyther cut into me. I did not write the full story last time. Truth is... I was scared. I had ample time to call them back. I could have taken the fatal blows for them - They were weak to bug, while a human, well, is not. I... I failed them. Ezekiel was right. I am a coward]

Even more time passes by. The entries often make reference to Ezekiel and Victor, and some are one sided conversations to them. The man seems to struggle a fair bit with the loss of the two, never forgetting about them. It's clear that there is guilt there, about how he couldn't save Victor and how Ezekiel hated him. It is after the entries about them parting his party, in fact, that entries about saving other Pokemon and people start to pop up.

[I have met an unusual Pokemon today. He reminds me of Victor. Did not know an Eevee could tie knots or make such traps. My suit is still stained with, well, soot.

...Ezekiel, Victor, I will make it up to you. This Pokemon will be my charge, and I will help him exceed his expectation of living in a gutter. Estavan Emmerson Vee, I promise you, you have an amazing life ahead of you.]