Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, I do not have any rights to Pokémon and I do not make any money from writing these stories/poems.
Written for the Pokémon Writing Diversity Challenge, the Leap Year Calendar Challenge, If You Dare Continued Challenge, the As Much As You Can Challenge, the Indigo Pokémon League Challenge.
Prompt: Write a memoir fic, Write a new entry for a challenge you have been neglecting, Shipwreck, have over 3 chapters, have a word minimum of 5,000 words, must have more than one POV, thought, said, do NOT use the word cry, must show a progression of time (must be able to tell it happens over a certain amount of time), the theme confusion must be used somewhere.
Memoir of a Photograph
I remember the day I first found out about photographs and taking photographs as well, it was as if my whole world had opened up and I was seeing things in a whole new light. Every little action that the wild Pokémon did as I stared out of my bedroom window with my new camera was a new experience.
I remember how I first thought that the world was dark and plain, but now that has all changed. For that I am forever grateful towards my parents for buying me the camera that I still have at my side and use today. I still hold that special birthday present close to my heart. I remember when my parents said to me that it was time I had a hobby, a purpose in life only to gift me with my now most trusted and faithful item. My camera.
Back then I would of never of thought that the camera my parents gave me would have just a large impact in my life and on my future, nor did my parents. Through it is okay, I am more than happy that it did have just a big impact on me.
"What do you mean mum?" five year old Todd asked in confusion as he tried to understand his mother's words. "I am happy, I am-"
"Son, do not think that we have not seen you having those moments when you suddenly get down in the dumps when no one else is around," Thomas, Todd's father, said as he gave his son a pointed look. "Most kids your age has already decided to become Pokémon trainers or masters or take part in Pokémon contests or just get a good job and find a good Pokémon companion."
"What your father is try to say is that we are worried about you dear," Mary, Todd's mother, said softly as she gave her son a worried look. "You confused us so badly these past few months, and well this is our only way to put an end to your sadness and to the confusion."
"So you gave me a box?" Todd asked as he tried his best to understand his parents words, which with every passing moment he was failing to do. "I do not get it, I am happy and even though I have not picked what I want to do yet...how will an empty box help me?"
"Well...we have seen how you like to look at photographs of wild Pokémon and Pokémon with their trainers," Thomas replied as he gave his young son a nervous look, he shared a quick worried look with his wife before continuing to speak. "What you have in your hands is not an empty box but a good strong camera for a beginner such as yourself, the sales man said that if you treat it well it should last you for several years. If you take to it we can even see about buying some additional items for your camera, like extra lenses and such."
"Just make sure to keep in mind what your aunt Martha taught you last summer about taking photographs," Mary said seriously as she gave her young son a pointed look that gave Todd no room for objections or complaints. "If we hear one single bad thing about you and that camera we will take it off of you!"
"Alright..." Todd answered slowly, feeling a bit confused at the surprise that his parents had sprung on him suddenly.
"We are serious son," Thomas said as he gave Todd a serious look. "For someone as young as you we are giving you a big chance. Please do not prove to us that our trust in you is ill placed."
"I promise I will not," Todd answered as he carefully began to open the box. "I cannot believe that you are trusting me with something so expensive and breakable."
"We trust you dear," Mary said with a soft smile, Todd could feel her tender gaze on him as he pulled out the camera and gave it a quick look. "I hope it is alright, your father and I only want what's best for you Todd...and even if it means having to make decisions like this for you then so be it."
"I am not quite sure of what you think is going on and I am not upset but thank you for the camera," Todd said softly as he gave his parents a smile before a thoughtful expression appeared on his face. "Can I take a photo of some Pokémon? I do not have a Pokémon of my own though..."
"Well that is something we can easily fix, birthday boy," Mary said happily, Todd found his attention to quickly shift and lock onto his mother. A strange set of emotions swelled up inside of him, which Todd was unable to properly identify. "I can ask my dear Jigglypuff if she does not mind having her picture taken."
"While that is a good idea dear, please make sure that she knows that it is not time to sing," Thomas said as Todd watched him give Mary a pointed look. Much to Todd's confusion his mother let out a sheepish laugh. "We do not want to happen what happened that time during my mother's visit."
"My dear Jigglypuff only wanted to say hello to your mother," Mary said innocently, as Thomas groaned much to Todd's confusion grew. "Now then, let's see if my little singing sensation wants her photograph being taken."
Todd watched as his mother reached for Jigglypuff's Pokeball, which said safely on a specially designed belt around her waist. Just as his mother's hand touched the Pokeball his father's hand suddenly shot out and grabbed Mary's wrist, not hurting her but just preventing her from getting to Jigglypuff's Pokeball.
"On second thoughts dear, maybe we should let my Abra have his photograph taken instead?" Thomas suggested as he gave his wife a pointed look. "After all this is our son's first ever photograph and we do not want anything to go wrong, right?"
Todd watched his parents, his hands tightened around the camera as his fingers ran over the different buttons. Personally he did not care which, who, what Pokémon or who the Pokémon belonged to, Todd just wanted to try out his new camera.
"Fine, I understand what you are trying to suggest," Mary said causing Thomas to sigh in relief and let go of her arm. Without missing a beat Mary took her Jigglypuff's Pokeball and enlarged it. "You do not want there to be any problems between our Pokémon about who got to have their photograph taken first by our son so we are going to let Todd take a photograph of your Abra and my Jigglypuff together instead!"
"What! When did I say that?" Thomas asked, Todd watched as confusion and surprise appeared on his face as he waved his arms about madly. "That is not what I meant! I just did not want your Jigglypuff singing causing all of us to go to sleep making Todd drop his new camera!"
"Come on our Jigglypuff! It's time to get your photograph taken!"
"NNOOOOOO!"
I still find myself laughing at the memory that soon followed, the soft soothing voice, the felt tip pen markings on our face, the look my dad and his Abra gave mum and her Jigglypuff. Even though I was confused and a bit lost as to what was going through my parents minds when they decided to buy me my camera I am glad they did.
Now I cannot seem to stop myself from taking photographs of Jigglypuff's and Abra's that I come across. Thanks to my loving parents I have developed a weakness for these two Pokémon and their evolutionary chains. I especially adore taking a photograph of them together.
If it was not for my camera I do not know where I would be right now. I do know one thing though, I would be in a very dark place.
End of Section.
Each chapter will be like a part of a story/book that someone has written about because the challenge is to write in the memors style. I hope I do alright.