Chapter 2 Authors note:

Special thanks to Last Warrior 7. Please review afterwards. Feel free to participate in a poll on my page. Thank you to all my readers.

Sweat drizzled down my neck and soaked my shirt. As I entered our drive-way, I hastily set my bike aside and stumbled through the door. "I did it!" I managed to say before collapsing into a chair. "You did? Oh! good for you Al Ketchum! I always knew you could!" My mom praised as she handed me a bottle of water. I drank in huge gulps, savoring the feeling of the liquid rolling down my throat. "Here," I explained, handing her the package of gear. Before she could open it and remove the contents, I heard footsteps approaching from the hall. My Mom quickly stuffed the package into a cupboard. My dad entered the room. "Heya, Ashy! How was your nap?" My mom exclaimed, using her pet name for my dad. Not even bothering to answer, he turned to me, held his arms out, and cried, "Surprise!" I rushed into his arms (just so he wouldn't be disappointed) and said "Heya dad!" When I finally withdrew from his embrace, he held out a Pokéball. "Here, I thought you might like this!" I took the container from his hand a launched the Pokémon from its chambers. It landed in a heep of brown, and for a moment I saw the Eevee from the lab, but then the Hoot Hoot stood up to its full height, and...Hooted! Bet you didn't see that coming.

In whose hands this journal will eventually fall into, I'm not sure. But if indeed you are reading this, whether it be covered in dirt or not, finish the story. As I sit here, filling these pages with junk, I wonder whether or not I'll live to see the sunrise. I could hear my parents in the kitchen, arguing over something, an argument that wouldn't be settled until the wee hours of the morning. The Hoot Hoot was perched on the post of my bed, watching the door and windows for any sign of movement. I was grateful for its presence, I was alone in this world.

But I'm Al Ketchum. I'll catch'em all!