It's short and it's depressing- I'm sorry. Things with my own father are kind of rocky right now, so this was strangely cathartic to write. I wanted to do something for Pokemon, and this is the first thing that came to me. Probably because I've been spending way too much time on the internet.

Proud

Father, it's me. I've finally done it. I'm Pokemon League Champion. It's been the longest road I've ever traveled, but I managed through with the help of my friends. I only wanted to show you. I remember how you would give me Ponyta rides while telling me about the League… Ponyta was actually one of my final team members. Well, it was Rapidash by that point, but oh well.

I battled a lot of strong people on the way, and even made a few new friends. There's Brock, from Pewter Gym. Joey keeps calling to bother me about his Rattata. And Cerulean's Gym Leader- we're actually meeting up later this week to visit the zoo in Fuchsia. Didn't you say that's where you met Mom, when she was working there? I was going to ask her, but… She still cries whenever people talk about you. I don't want to make her cry any more than she does.

What did I see that you did, too? The stories that you never told me, did I live them for myself? Could I live up to your expectations, to your legacy? Were you as scared as I was when I took the steps up Victory Road, as fearful as I was when I emerged from the cave? I'll never know now…

I asked everyone I met about you. Occasionally I would meet someone that had heard of you, and I would get nothing but praise and admiration from them, but even they had no idea where you are now. For the most part I just got blank stares. Not even the Elite Four knew, but Lance talked about sparring with you like you were brothers. Did you really put out a fire in Vermilion with just your partner Squirtle? Lt. Surge said that he remembers it most out of anyone in town because his family's house caught the brunt of the fire. That's why he joined the army, to find you and thank you himself. He says that you were a merciless commander, but an amazing teacher.

I actually received a Squirtle from Professor Oak myself. She's the only one of my Pokemon with a nickname. I call her Tidal. She's kind of moody at times, but there's no one I trust more. You didn't like using your Pokemon much at home, so I didn't get to see much of the bond between you and yours. Was it because of that time I almost drowned when Squirtle was spraying me a little too hard? That wasn't his fault, but I could always tell that you felt guilty about it.

It's been six years to the day now since you… Since I've seen you. Soon I'll have to take over my duties as Champion. I didn't want to leave Mom alone again, but we're a little tight with money right now, and what I've earned so far in my journey won't last very long.

Are you proud of me? That's all I ever wanted, the reason I went on my journey in the first place. I've done what you'd always dreamt for me. I don't know where you are, or even if you are, but I wish that you could tell me in person.

Red held up his finished letter for a cursory scan, but reading it over twice was too much for him. He folded it up and tucked it away into his pocket. The Squirtle at his shoulder, seeing his sadness, nudged him caringly. "Ah, Tidal… Thanks," Red said quietly, acknowledging the Pokemon with a light pat. "Come on. I need to… Let's got visit Lavender Town."