March 3
Dear Diary,
It's been a long time since I've written in one of these. I'm so used to jotting down a few sporadic words in letters that it feels kinda weird to fill all your blank pages, but I'll adapt. I always have, ever since that night in Vermillion…. But I'm not going there. This is about the present, the future: my hopes, my dreams, my goals. This diary isn't about the past. This isn't about the sad, but rather about the promise of tomorrow. Or whatever pops into my mind while I'm writing. You know, which-ever. ^_^ I just need a place where I can vent and just be myself. Oh! And it will certainly come in handy if I ever have another Orange Island incident and forget a few months of my life… I still don't know how I got all of those badges…
So… Where to start… Well, today I finally started working on my house. I bought this land north of Floaroma Town back when the entire area was disgusting and polluted. The last owner practically gave it to me for free because the house was overrun by Muk! I'm sure you can understand how surprised I was when I came back to this place and discovered it was covered with beautiful flowers and greenery. The biggest shock was when the Muk who had previously invaded the house were replaced by a cute clan of Budew. The house and barn are both still a mess, but the beauty of nature inspired me to fix it back up. Right now I'm going to focus on making the interior livable… Quite a task (to say the least). But I'm not worried about it. I found two rich old people who are helping me finance the remodeling project. I challenge them to battles whenever I run out of money. It's cute how they think they can win against my Iggy even though they've lost the last 286 battles in a row. I feel bad about it sometimes, but then I just remember the snobby girls from the Orange Islands that financed the land purchase. I wonder if they are related…. It would make sense… I'll have to add that to the conspiracy page.
Today Iggy and I had a scare with a nasty group of Kecleon. They used their color-changing abilities to steal my tools and then they tried to take Iggy! I managed to catch them, but I think Iggy is traumatized. I don't think I'll let them out of their pokeballs anytime soon…
Well, Iggy is being needy, so I'll stop for now. I promise to write more tomorrow.
March 4
Dear Diary,
Torterra, Pidgeotto, Iggy, and I are going to buy new flooring in Oreburgh City. Roark and I have been exchanging letters for a few weeks and I think he finally found something I can use in the mines. I hope I understood his meaning right… What else could "It's Foresight! It's Here Goes!" possibly mean? After that, I'm going to Sunyshore City. You never know what the open air market has up for sale. I got my book shelves there a few weeks ago; they were a real bargain. Busy day ahead of me!
March 5
Dear Diary,
Yesterday was crazy. The trip to Oreburgh City was uneventful and Roark was at the mine working when I found him. It turns out that he didn't have any flooring ready for me, but he did find a rock that kinda looked like an Igglybuff if you held it towards a light at the right angle. I was very disappointed, but happily brought the rock home with me. I think I'll put it on the display shelf next to the old piece of cake I found in that abandoned mansion. They complement each other well in an odd way…
My trip to Sunyshore City went much better. On my way to the open air market, I saw Volkner. I've had a crush on him ever since I first saw him because he looks and acts like a rock star… He was taking to the local Nurse Joy, so I just walked into the nearest house. Unfortunately, Iggy didn't follow me. Unfortunately, I didn't notice that until it was too late. Unfortunately, I was alerted to Iggy's activities by the sound of screams and the slaps… and Iggy's high pitched battle cry… I was inside of the hotel at the time and rushed out, and it was not a pretty sight. I saw Nurse Joy running away from Iggy and Volkner's Raichu trying to electrocute Iggy. Looking back, it was a pretty funny sight. At the time, I was mortified.
I dashed towards Iggy and managed to grab him on my first try. Unfortunately, Volkner yelled out for his Raichu to use charge beam just before I grabbed Iggy and I didn't notice the attack until it was too late. I blacked out after that. Volkner told me that after I went down, Iggy freaked out but wasn't able to hurt anybody because he was trapped under my weight. Volkner told me that he and his Octillery carried me and Iggy to his house because Nurse Joy didn't want Iggy anywhere near the Pokémon center. Trust me, that is a good thing on so many different levels… Anyways, I was unconscious for a few hours before I came to. Volkner seemed happy that I was awake, but I was totally out of it. He told me what happened and I tried to leave, but he wouldn't let me. He said I needed to rest and I wasn't going to argue. I ended up staying on his couch for the night.
I'll tell you the rest tomorrow. I still have a killer headache…
March 6
Dear Diary,
Okay, I'll finish my thoughts from yesterday and then move on to more pressing matters. As soon as I woke up, Iggy clobbered me with a big hug. Volkner came in a few minutes over and seemed happy that I was alive. He apologized for telling his Pokémon to shock me and I apologized for everything Iggy did. It was a bit weird, but he did smile and held my hand at one point. It was the highlight of my day…
Part of me wanted to tell Volkner why Iggy attacked the nurse, but it wouldn't end well if I did. I just told him that there was some ugliness and that we could never go back. He didn't ask any more questions and said that I should stay with him for the night. It was already sunset and he didn't want me flying home after being unconscious for so long. I agreed and spent the night in Sunyshore City.
That was pretty much all the excitement for that day. I cuddled Iggy for a few hours, tried to write in you, and then went to sleep. I woke up just before sunrise and woke Iggy up. We gathered our things together and cleaned up the room we were staying in. Volkner walked in on us as we were almost ready to go and asked why we were in such a hurry to leave. I told him that a good guest never over-stays their welcome. He smiled and said that I would never over-stay my welcome, but that Iggy did after five minutes. Iggy didn't think it was funny, but I did.
Volkner talked us into staying for breakfast. While we ate he asked if I had any badges. I showed him all the ones I had collected over the years. I had every badge from the Indigo, Orange, Johto, and Hoenn Leagues. He was impressed and said he couldn't wait for my challenge. Although I knew a few gym leaders and had spent some time wondering around Sinnoh, I hadn't yet gotten around to getting the badges. I just don't think I want them anymore. For a while I thought the badges were a good goal, but I don't think I'll ever challenge the Elite 4 again… I don't know… I think that I have talent as a trainer, but I'm not sure that I want to be a trainer anymore. Maybe I want to be like my grandmother and just live a quiet life in the countryside…
That's neither here nor there. Breakfast was nice and I think that Volkner is even nicer than he looks. You'd think he's an aloof or arrogant like most gym leaders, but he was actually a nice guy. Although I couldn't help but get a weird vibe from him… Not a creepy vibe, but the kind of vibe you get when you think that somebody wants to say something but they don't say it. Or maybe I'm just over-thinking the entire meal… Either way, after we finished eating Iggy and I left. Volkner gave me a hug and then I went to the market to see if there was anything worth buying. I found a few interesting artifacts before I flew home on Pidgeotto.
I've spent pretty much the entire time between then and now recuperating from that Raichu's shock. My curly brown hair is still overly frizzy because of it… I tried to wash it, but that only made it worse. Hermit won't stop making fun of the way I look. I know that he means well, but it would be nice if he used more tact.
Now for the more pressing matter! The rock Roark gave me looks great next to the old cake, but I don't know if I'll be able to find something to compliment both of them. The shelf will be utterly empty if it's only the two of them alone...
March 7, Morning
Dear Diary,
I think I'll take a break from working on the house and concentrate on the land. I have a long list of things to do… I think I'll start with putting up a fence around the property. Then I'll make a berry garden next to the house. Or maybe I'll work on the garden first… I am running low on berries, and without berries I can't make any medicine for my Pokémon. Yeah, I think I'll start that right now.
March 7, Evening
I managed to prep eight berry plots, but I need to run into town to get some mulch. I'll do that tomorrow after I visit Roark. I might have a new idea for flooring. It's simple; we take some spears from the underground and break them. I think my Machamp will be able to obliterate them well enough. Then we take the pieces and spread them all over the floor. Then, we heat them to a high temperature so that they melt into a new, hard floor. I think it's just crazy enough to work, but I'm going to Oreburgh City to see what he thinks. I'm not even sure if spears can be crushed or melted…
March 8
Dear Diary,
I'm staying in Oreburgh City for a few days. Roark and I tested my idea. My Machamp couldn't break the spears, but his Rampardos could break them with ease. Then my charmeleon (lovingly named Leon) was able to melt them into a translucent sheet. The sheet of melted spear stuff was very hard and Leon couldn't even scratch it. I think it'll be perfect for the house, but we'll need hundreds of orbs before we can even think about doing an entire room. So guess who is going digging in the underground? Yeppers, it is me. I like being in the underground so far. It is quiet and peaceful in its own way. Roark and his grandfather showed me the basics of how to navigate and dig for treasure. Besides getting spears for the house, I've found some old bones (perfect for my Growlithe) and an everstone. I almost found some revive medicine, but the wall collapsed before I could finish digging it out. Roark said that I could find many rare things in the underground, including rare plates! I hope that I can find a complete set. I haven't had real flatware in such a long time…
I also made my very own secret base. You just need to drill into the rock and then poof! There is a big room that you can fill with things. Someday, I'm going to fill mine with pokedolls. Right now, it is pretty barren. All I have is a computer, some flags, and a table… It's nothing like Roark's. He has these beautiful crystals in his secret base that are much bigger than the two of us combined! It was so beautiful how he angled the lights to hit them so they made the walls shimmer and dance with colors.
Iggy hates it when Roark and I are in the underground. He's used to having me with him all the time. I feel very conflicted. It's nice to get away and be on my own sometimes, but I have a responsibility to take care of Iggy too. His wellbeing means the world to me. So does the wellbeing of all my Pokémon… I suppose life is all about give and take. Roark was nice enough to let Iggy spend time with his Geodude while we were in the underground, but Iggy still cried when we left the gym to go underground… Hopefully he won't do that again tomorrow. I don't think I can take the guilt. That little igglybuff has a way of tugging at my heart strings like nothing else…
Oh, and I almost forgot. The first thing that Roark did when we met was comment on my hair being frizzier than usual. I glared at him and said I didn't want to talk about it. He teased me about it off and on for most of the day, but he stopped after I told him to ask Volkner why my hair was a mess the next time he was in Sunyshore City. He didn't tease me after that… I wonder if I hit a nerve? I didn't mean to, I just don't want to say that an electric rat knocked me out for twelve hours. It really is embarrassing, even if it is was a high level rat… I'm an accomplished trainer! I have dozens of badges! This type of thing shouldn't have happened to me…
March 9, Morning
Dear Diary,
Iggy freaked out when I tried going into the underground (he knocked out the Geodude… I was so embarrassed!) so we ended up going home. We have enough orbs to do the kitchen and Roark promised that he would give me all the spare orbs he finds during his free time. Then he gave me a pokedoll for my secret base! It's an adorable little Skitty. It's kinda funny, but Roark blushed when I gave him a thank-you hug. I wonder if he likes me… I don't know how I'd feel if he did. He is the first friend I made when I got to Sinnoh… Back in Kanto I remember this one guy going crazy over me when we first met, but the people he was traveling with said that he acted the same way around every girl. It was very weird… I don't remember their names either… Oh well, I shouldn't dwell in the past. Given the choice, I'd like to forget most of my life in Kanto.
Right now Iggy and I are riding on Torterra. We're slowly making our way back to the farm. I like writing in you! To be honest I didn't write much back when my grandma gave me my first diary. It's nice to know that I've changed since then. I have that old diary around here somewhere… I can never find anything in my bag. Once the majority of the remodeling is done then I can empty it out and sort through everything. I'll finally have the space to dump all of the things I don't use on a daily basis.
March 9, Evening
My house is destroyed! I was able to recover all of my important things (with the help of my Pokémon), but the house is destroyed! I don't know what happened or what to do now… Things were shaking and then Hermit looked at me and then we were outside and then it was like the house imploded in slow motion! It was… I am so upset I can't even write…
I even found the old cake (the rock is currently MIA) and all my books. I'll write more when I've figured out what to do…
March 10
Dear Diary,
Well, the house is as destroyed now as it was last night, but I did have some time to digest it and to make some plans. I decided to take some time to travel around Sinnoh before I start rebuilding my house. After looking through everything, I think that some Diglett tunneled into and under the foundation. There isn't much else that could have caused it to collapse the way it did. I should be happy that I had Hermit with me when the house imploded, but I'm just so sad about having lost my home. Silver lining! None of my Pokémon were hurt either. Iggy, Ned, Hermit, Leon, Claudene… Everybody who was in the house with me got out without incident. All of the others live in the barn or in other places on this plot of land. I think that I will leave somebody in charge while I travel. Maybe the cranidos… For now, I'm just going to ride around on my bike with Iggy until I can clear my head and decide where we are going next.
March 18
Dear Diary,
I'm sorry that I haven't written in so long! Not much has really happened. I've spent about a week in the resort area and it's really helped me clear my head. I don't know anybody around here, but some say they were from Kanto like me. I lied when they asked where I was from. It's just easier that way…
During my time at the resort area, I got entrance into the Ribbon Syndicate building. It is absolutely fabulous. They give massages to us every day and they even let me buy some new ribbons for Iggy. Iggy is the reason we could get in. He has ribbons from beating the Elite 4 and competing in beauty contests from several regions along with other miscellaneous ribbons we've gotten while traveling. One particularly weird man gave us a foot ribbon… Anyways, I digress. Most of the people in that area are kinda snobby, but they all think Iggy is the most adorable igglybuff they've ever seen. I contribute that to the amount of time he cuddles with me and other Pokémon. He really is the cutest little guy! Overall, it has been very relaxing. I can safely say that I am over the shock and stress of having an imploded house.
I think I'll go check out some of the other islands. The ones I've seen so far have been very nice, but I doubt they all have a resort area like this one. I went to Iron Island once, but I didn't stay for very long. Iggy got sea sick on the ride there so I had to turn back and ended up spending time in Canalave City. I love that place! I remember visiting my aunt there when I was little… I think we'll make our way there next.
March 19
On my way to Canalave City I decided to take a side-trip to Mt. Coronet. There is supposed to be a full moon tonight and there's no better place to watch one than the ruins at the very top of the mountain. Iggy and I found it when we first started wondering around Sinnoh. We were lost, but sometimes you find the best things when you are lost. Iggy and I got here a few hours ago and it really is beautiful. The moon has never seemed brighter or beautiful than it does now… I wish I could have my farm up here. I love Floaroma Town. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, but sometimes it feels like I was never meant to be there. I've never had that feeling up here on the mountain.
To be honest, I never really felt like I belonged. Back in Vermilion City was the worst. My grandmother loved me very much. In fact, the first ten years of my life were spent living with her just outside of the city. We would collect berries and herbs in the forest. She taught me how to tend to Pokémon and how to create medicine. I was so happy with her! But I also had to visit my mom in the city, and she made me feel like I couldn't do anything right. If it wasn't my glasses it was my hair. If it wasn't my hair, it was my choice of Pokémon. She wanted me to be just like her and her sisters, her cousins... I shouldn't go there. When I started writing this, I said it was about the future and not the past. I'm going to do my best to keep that promise. I'll write more tomorrow. Tonight we sleep under the stars.
March 20, Morning
Dear Diary,
I'm on my way to Iron Island! I rode Pidgeotto to Canalave City. I was low on pokeballs, so I went into the pokemart. I met the Canalave Gym leader, Byron, while I was checking out. I didn't have time to chat because the boat was going to leave with or without me, but it was nice to meet another gym leader. Now I think I've met them all! I heard that his gym is very hard to navigate because it has a weird floor puzzle. I don't look forward to challenging him. I like something straight-forward like Roark has at his gym. You can battle the gym assistants or go straight to the leader; you don't have to solve some arbitrary puzzle along the way.
Come to think of it, Byron acted funny around me. He was nice but seemed… I don't know how to explain it… He seemed surprised to see me. I'll write more later on today. I don't know where Iggy and I are staying tonight, but at the very least I can write by the light on my Charmeleon's tail.
March 20, Evening
This island is boring. I helped this guy named Riley find his way out of the cave and he gave me an egg. Can you believe that is the most exciting thing that happened to me today? Is that boring or what! I think I'll explore a bit more tomorrow and then go back to my farm to start cleaning up the rubble that was once my house…
March 21
Dear Diary,
Oh my God, I couldn't wait to write in you today. So much has happened today and I don't know where to start.
Well, it turns out that Roark is Byron's son. Not only that, but Roark went to visit me after a few of his letters to me didn't get delivered. He saw that my house had collapsed and thought I was trapped inside! He contacted his father and they used their Pokémon to sort through the rubble. After a few days and a lack of dead bodies, Byron went back to Canalave City and Roark started looking for me. He asked everybody around Floaroma Town if they had seen me or Iggy and even asked some of his friends in Jubilife City to keep an eye out for me. When Roark finally returned home to Oreburgh City, Byron had left a message for him. Apparently he described me as "that brown-haired girl with the annoying little Igglybuff" and said that I was heading to Iron Island. Roark left to Canalave straight away and they both went to Iron Island looking for me. (And, for the record, those were his words and not mine. Iggy is not annoying; he's just curious… Byron shouldn't have such spiky hair unless he is prepared for igglybuffs to be curious and touch it.) That's what Roark told me, at least.
I was sleeping quite peacefully with my Torterra and Leon standing guard when Byron and Roark found us. I'm not entirely clear on what happened, but I woke up to Iggy and Roark running around while on fire with Byron laughing hysterically at the entrance to the cave we made camp in. Each one has a different story on exactly what happened and I don't think I'll take sides… I'm just happy that I had the right berries to cure their burns. Anyways, I put Leon and Torterra back into their pokeballs and made my way out of the cave with Roark and Byron. Byron had a small house between the cave and the port and we spent the rest of the night there. They were very nice and let Iggy and I have the bed while they slept in sleeping bags on the floor. I said that we would be fine in our sleeping bag, but they insisted. How could I say no? It isn't polite to put down their hospitality. At least that is what my grandmother always told me.
Now, on our way out of the cave I explained how the house was destroyed when I came back from Oreburgh City. I apologized for not telling him before I went to the resort. I'm just not used to having people care. Roark is the first person I've let get close to me in a long, long time. I don't think anybody noticed when I left Kanto. I know for a fact that nobody cared when I made my journeys through Johto and Hoenn. I usually just kept people at arm's length and did my best not to get noticed. I don't know what happened when I met Roark. It was a day just like any other day. I was catching Pokémon in the wild and training the Pokémon on my team when we just found each other. Or, as he puts it, I just fell out of the sky. We hit it off and kept in touch when I went exploring through Sinnoh. I suppose it never clicked until tonight that we are friends and that he cares about me. I feel so thick for not realizing how he felts..
Ouch! My hand is cramping, so I'll write more tomorrow. I haven't even gotten to the best part!
March 22
Dear Diary,
Roark, Iggy, and I few back to Oreburgh City on Pidgeotto. We're going to stay with Roark while we make plans for the new house. Roark has some experience with blueprints and I have a fairly good idea of what I want, so hopefully it won't take too long for us to draw up a plan. Then we can prep the land and hire a contractor to do all the real work. I could hang drywall and fix the many electrical problems my old house had with the help of my Pokémon, but there is no way I'll be able to build and entire house on my own. I'm so lucky to have Roark helping me. His technical skills are a godsend. I can see why he is in charge of safety at the mines. He's worked hard to get where he is and I respect that greatly. Roark has done something with his life; he has done something that makes a difference.
In many ways I wish I'd done more with my life. I'm a moderately accomplished trainer, but what does that really count for in life? Would anybody remember my name in ten years if I died tomorrow? Sometimes I wonder what things would be like if I had gone into the family business… I would make a difference in the lives of people and their Pokémon, but would anybody really remember me? I know the answer is no. I would just be another face in the crowd, just another person on their journey. Hopefully I can make a difference in somebody's life when I get my farm up and running. Hopefully I can be remembered as me and not just another drone.
I think Iggy is warming up to Roark. Usually he doesn't like anybody but me, but he doesn't seem to mind Roark. I was afraid that Iggy would feel jealous towards Roark like he did a few weeks ago when we went mining together. It's very refreshing to have Iggy act this way. Maybe we can branch out and be more social now… Nah. Baby steps. I'm not going to push my luck with Iggy. At least now right now…
March 23
I went into the underground today. I would have taken Iggy, but the underground is no place for a baby Pokémon. He could get lost in all the winding tunnels or somebody might claim him as treasure. I didn't risk it; Iggy stayed above ground with Leon and Hermit. Iggy has been moderately scared of Leon ever since the burning incident a few days ago, so he didn't act out like he did with Roark's geodude. While in the underground I managed to find a fossil. It's really pretty and I think it will look nice next to the old piece of cake. It makes me sad that I wasn't able to find the rock Roark gave me in the rubble of my house. This fossil is not as nice as that rock but it is nice enough to have on display. Roark said it was a Helix fossil and that the scientists at the mining museum could use the DNA inside of it to bring an omanyte back to life. I thought about going to the museum, but I think I'd rather let the poor guy rest in peace. And I think he would look great next to that old piece of cake... I'll go with the first one if anybody asks, but deep down inside I know the real reason why it will stay a fossil...
I met Ian today. He's one of the Oreburgh Gym assistants as well as a referee for most of the battles at the gym. He's really nice, but he makes me a bit uneasy. He thought I looked familiar, but I managed to deflect it and leave before he could make the connection. I hate it so much when people notice me. My glasses and hair are so different from the rest of them! Most people can't tell unless we're standing side-by-side. But I make sure that never happens. I make sure they never see me. If they see me, then I could be recognized and my life would change for the worse. I'm not about to let that happen. I have a goal now and I'm not going to let them ruin it!
March 24
Dear Diary,
I'm in the mountains right now. It's really beautiful up here. I've spent most of the day thus far training with Iggy and my vaporeon, Ned, around the mine. Ned needs the experience in such rocky terrain and I think he learned a great deal from this excursion. Maybe I'll use Ned to challenge Roark someday. He'd have a great type advantage against Roark's team… Hmm… Maybe him and a venusaur…
I just noticed that I didn't write everything that happened on the 21st. I wish I had done it a few days ago when it was fresh in my head... I feel like a total dolt for not writing about it sooner. At least I can do it in a place where I know I'm alone. It's always easier to write when I don't have to worry about people reading my diary. Yay for silver lining! Anyways, Roark, Byron, Iggy, and I spent the night in the little house Byron owned on Iron Island. Iggy woke the three of us up by bouncing from one person to another. Roark laughed at it, but Byron look pretty mad. He grabbed Iggy mid-bounce and threw him at me. Iggy looked so cute that I couldn't get mad at him, but I did apologize to the guys for Iggy's nonconventional way of waking people up. I offered to make breakfast to make up for it and they gladly accepted. I'm a pretty good cook. I'm not the best, but my grandmother taught a few tricks in the kitchen. They said it was delicious, but I'm not sure if they meant it or were just being polite. I think Roark was being sincere, but it's hard to read Byron. He reminds me of Lt. Surge in more ways than one...
Byron left the island on the first ferry, but Roark and I stayed behind because Iggy ran back into the cave. Naturally, I refused to leave without him. Roark and I talked about how he found me while we searched for Iggy. He said that he was worried when I didn't answer his letters and how that led to him and his father finding me in the cave. I told him about what I had done after my house was destroyed and how sorry I was about not telling him. It didn't even cross my mind that somebody would care about where I was or what I was doing. He said that he understood but that I should just tell him next time. He said I was one of his best friends and that he cared about me. I blushed a bit and gave him a hug. It was so easy to talk to Roark. I wish everybody was like him.
We ended up searching the cave for about an hour before we found Iggy. It turns out that he was chasing a Geodude that was carrying a rare berry. I used a Shuppet I attained through a trade to steal the berry from him, but that made the Geodude very angry. Luckily, Roark didn't miss a beat and used his Rampardos to knock him out before it could hurt my Shuppet. After I scolded Iggy for walking off, Roark said he knew a shorter way out of the cave than just backtracking, so Iggy and I followed him. Once we were at a dead end, Roark sent out his Onix to move several boulders. Once Onix was done another path was revealed. It was small, but all of us were able to squeeze through. At the end, there was a small ledge that overlooked the sea. Roark said that we could stay there until the next ferry came.
It was so beautiful in that place. The turbulent sea was below us and the clear sky was above. It wasn't long before Iggy fell asleep at my feet. Roark and I spent hours just laying in the grass and talking. Roark told me that he found this when he was a kid and went there often to clear his head. I told him about Mt. Coronet and how Iggy and I would always go there when we needed some time away from everything. Roark also told me about how he was tired of his dad still treating him like a kid even though he's proven himself as a gym leader. I always felt the opposite way with my mom. She never gave me a chance to be a kid and always had unrealistic expectations for me. It told him that he was lucky to be close to his family even if they still saw him as a kid. He smiled and stroked my cheek. It was a perfect moment… I don't think it could have been any better.
I wanted to tell him about Happini, but I don't think he would understand. She was my first Pokémon, but things just didn't work out… Roark has had his Rampardos since he was a kid. He'd probably think less of me if he knew what happened to my first Pokémon… But then again there is Iggy. I've had Iggy since he was a little egg. I was there when he hatched and we've been inseparable ever since. I think he can see the bond that Iggy and I share. Iggy is the only real family I've had since my grandmother died… He means the world to me. He is an extraordinary Pokémon in so many ways… Sometimes I wonder if things would have been different if my mother had understood that…
Now we're on our way back to civilization. By the time we reach Canalave City, Pidgeotto should be rested enough to give both of us a ride back to Oreburgh City. Roark said that I can stay with him until my housing situation is taken care of. He's a good friend.
March 25
DD,
I twisted my ankle. I think I stepped into the opening of a Sandshrew's burrow and twisted it when I didn't have any footing. Iggy got slightly squished when I fell, so we're both doing our best to recover. Roark should be back in an hour and hopefully he won't insist I got to a hospital. I wrapped my ankle and it's feeling fine. Well, as long as I don't put any weight on it. Walking is highly over-rated, and if you ask m–
Later
DD,
Roark got back a bit earlier than expected. He said he's carrying me to the hospital if my ankle isn't better by tomorrow. Roark also cooked dinner, and let's just say his skills as a chef are lacking. But he did make up for that by getting me a book about the history of Oreburgh City. He said they have them at the mining museum. Maybe I'll go there tomorrow and see what's inside...
March 26
DD,
My ankle is doing better today. I can put some weight on it but I do this weird little hobble/shuffle/limp when I walk. I have enough mobility to take care of myself, but I think I'll wait until tomorrow before I venture outside again. I'm going through my bag and making a list of the things I need to buy at the pokemart. It amazes me how much I can fit in my one little bag.
Roark and I have been working on the blueprints every chance we get. In fact, they're almost done. It's going to be two levels tall and have an attic and basement. The second floor is where all the "living" stuff is going to be and the bottom floor is all business. I really liked some of the ideas Roark came up with. This house is going to rock! As soon as we're done with the blueprints I can get them to the contractor in Floaroma Town and have my Machamp start prepping the land. Part of me doesn't want the blueprints to be finished so soon, to be honest with you. I like it in Oreburgh City; I like spending so much time with Roark. He's… I don't know... He's… Roark.
March 27
I was at the pokemart today and some kid walked up to me and asked if I was Roark's girlfriend. I was mortified. I just didn't know what to do or say. Is that what people think of me and Roark? I mean, we're friends. Great friends. And I'm a girl. But it isn't like we're making out in the middle of the street! I'm still pretty tense from it all and I'm still freaking out. My mind is racing about it all. Why did he say that? Did I say the right thing in return? I mean, it just sort of came out of my mouth. "What do you think?" and he just looked at me for a minute and then said yeah and I said "Well then, there you go." I left after that, I didn't even get the pokeballs I needed at the pokemart!
I don't even know if I'm ready for a relationship right now. I've never even had a boyfriend before! At least not a proper one. It's complicated, OKAY! And what does Roark think of all this? I'm not going there. I'm not even going to ask him because what if he says he's interested in me as more than friends? And what would I do if he isn't? Or even worse, if he is! I'm not ready for this. And that isn't even considering the most mortifying part of what that kid said. "If you two had a kid he's probably wear glasses just like the two of you." Kids? KIDS? When did kids get thrown into the mix? I don't even know if I want kids, let alone other people thinking that I'll have kids with a guy that I don't even know if I like or if he likes me! Urgh!
That's it, I'm leaving tomorrow whether the blueprints are done or not. Oreburgh City is suffocating me.
March 28
DD,
I couldn't wait until tomorrow to leave. I didn't even grab the blueprints. I just left. I flew on Pidgeotto to Sunyshore City. I left Roark a note, so hopefully he won't come looking for me… It's so nice to get away from the stifling environment of Oreburgh City. It's nice to be able to breathe again. I think I'll buy some new clothes in Veilstone City tomorrow. I would go today, but Iggy has had enough flying for one day. I don't want to hurt the little guy just because I need to buy new clothes. I did manage to buy some seals at the open air market and that made Iggy happy. He's been popping in and out of his pokeball for an hour because he likes the sparkles when he comes out. I think it is the cutest thing!
Right now I'm watching the sun set on the beach. The sea is so beautiful right now. I remember spending a lot of time looking into the sea after my grandmother died. Sometimes it was the only way to escape my mother's barrage of criticisms. Iggy and I would just climb onto the roof and watch the sun set over the ocean. Sometimes we even fell asleep up there! I also remember writing in my diary while we were perched up there. I wish I knew where that diary went. I'm sure it got eaten by my bag… So many things I put in there mysteriously disappear. It would be fun to see what I wrote in it back then. I got that diary from my grandmother on my tenth birthday. It was one of the last ones she celebrated with me… I wish she could have been there when Iggy hatched. It was such an amazing moment and I think she would have understood how it changed me. I love baby Pokémon and Iggy was always a special one. From the day I found his egg I knew that we were a team.
Looking at the waves reminds me of how close my past is. This water is the same water that flows in the port at Vermillion City. People in Kanto could be here… Maybe I should just face them. Maybe I should just accept everything…
March 29
Dear Diary,
Iggy is sick, so I'm staying in Sunyshore until he gets better. It always worries me when he isn't at 100%. Usually he is very happy and bouncy, but when he's under the weather then he just flops down on my shoulder and gets all droopy. I've been cuddling him all day and feeding him medicine, so hopefully he'll be back to normal soon. I wonder if his illness has to do with his game of going into and out of his pokeball… I doubt the seals did anything, but maybe moving in and out too much drained all his energy…
March 29, Later
I can't stop laughing. I shouldn't be laughing, but somehow I find this so funny. Volkner was renovating his gym, but there was an accident and he brought down the entire energy grid for Sunyshore City. There isn't going to be power here for days because of it! I'm sure he feels horrible about it, but somehow I'm not surprised that it happened. When I saw him earlier today he told me that he was only changing a light bulb. I'd hate to see how he changes one...
Light bulb indeed.
March 30
Dear Diary,
We finally made our way to Veilstone City! I wish I had a house here; this is my type of town. They have everything from an awesome mall to legalized gambling. I played the slots and managed to make enough money to buy four technical machines! Iggy likes playing the slots with me too. Luckily, they didn't notice him when I walked in and started gaming. Most places don't like it when you bring Pokémon in, at least Pokémon that are outside of their pokeball. I hid him under my new cloak just to be safe. The mall is just as awesome. I got a new cloak and a new formal dress that matches Iggy. Hopefully that will give us an edge next time we compete in a beauty contest. I also bought more technical machines for my Pokémon. Sometimes they just need that extra little bit of help and I want to be prepared to give them the help they need.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do next. I want to get the ball rolling on my house, but that would involve going back to Oreburgh City and facing Roark. The very thought of that terrifies me. He'll probably be mad that I left without even saying good-bye to his face. Maybe he got mad and destroyed the blueprints in a fit of rage. He could be plotting to get back at me for being so incredibly rude! I just can't go back there yet. I'm not prepared for what could happen. I know Roark seems to be level-headed and nice, but I think that he is more like his father than he lets on. I heard that Byron is a very unpredictable man. I'm willing to bet a lot of money that he is scary when he gets mad. I'm also willing to bet that behind that docile nature and easy-going attitude Roark has a temper that once unleashed could end in a murderous rampage! I enjoy living. Most of the time, at least. But even when I don't enjoy it I don't want it to come to any sort of end. So I'm staying away from Oreburgh City. Far away. I may never go back…
March 31
DD,
Iggy and I are going to Mt. Coronet. We plan on going moon-stone hunting with Shuppet and Caterpie. Don't let the name fool you, Caterpie is actually a Butterfree. He just evolved after I named him, but I didn't change his name. I believe that you stick with the name you are born with, even if some people find that name weird. I know that it adds character to my Pokémon. Pidgeotto loves her name even though she hasn't been a Pidgeotto for years. I also think it's less confusing for the Pokémon. With constant name-changes some Pokémon probably have identity crises. I feel sorry for trainers who constantly change the name of their Pokémon…
I don't know how I got on that tangent. Oh well, it isn't like anybody like me is going to read this. I'd just die if anybody read my precious diary…