March 24, 20—
Dear George,
I was actually going to study some of the Pokemon working in the mines of Oreburgh for a few days! I'll be happy to come watch your battle. Will Mrs. Rousseau be there? I would love to meet her and talk about the work that she does with Pokemon. I admire her dedication to the orphaned Pokemon of trainers and breeders, and I would love to talk with her about them. I haven't caught too many Pokemon, myself—I get so caught up in field work that I don't always remember to catch one, and I always regret it later. Maybe that's something I can talk with her about? I don't know how often you adopt out Pokemon, or if…Clements, right? If Clements Orphanage is more of a sanctuary than an adoption center.
I'm looking forward to your battle! See you then,
Dawn Laurent
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March 24, 20—
My wayward son George,
Oh, my nerves, how they palpitated and groaned when I heard you were actually going to take on the gym leader! I can't believe you're going to attempt this madness, George! For the sake of Vance, do not participate in that blood sport! There is a risk of death! I do not want the blood of innocents on your hands, my dear son. You are too young! Please, come home. I worry about you day in and day out.
George, I once pursued what I thought to be the carefree life of Pokemon training, only to have my precious Buizel slaughtered before my eyes during a battle with an irresponsible gym leader. They say these things happen for a reason, but this is something I will not encourage in you, George! The cruelty in these battles is shocking; I do not want your mind broken by these images!
Please come home! My nerves, George! Please, my dear baby!
Ever your worrying mother,
Granny Rousseau.
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March 25, 20—
George Rousseau,
This is your confirmation notice that you have scheduled a battle with Gym Leader Roark Babineaux for March 26, 20—. You have twelve hours from this letter to cancel your battle, at the end of which you will be fined 500.00 for any late cancellations.
~Oreburgh Gym
March 26, 20—
Dear George,
I'm sorry I couldn't be at your battle, I caught a nasty virus down the mines that…well, it wasn't pleasant to be around me, how about we leave it at that. BUT I watched it on Pokemon Trainer Network—apparently it was a big deal that you only went in with a Monferno. George, you're famous now! I'm so proud of you, you were amazing with that Monferno, the way Vance moved was a work of art, I'm so sad that I wasn't able to be there.
Are you going to continue the League Challenge? You're a natural! Let me know if you do, I want to be there for at least one of your battles!
Take care,
Dawn Laurent.
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March 27, 20—
Dear Granny,
I know you've probably seen it all over the news by now, so you know that I did it. I DID IT, Granny! No, let me rephrase—WE did it! Me and Vance! It was amazing and awesome and killer! I don't know if you watched it on the news or not since you hate watching battles, so let me tell you how it went.
So, the gym looks kinda like a mine, with rock walls and some glittery fake gems scattered around the place, it's really nifty I gotta say. I walked in by myself, I would've had Vance by my side so we could strike an awesome pose when I challenged Roark, but the League rules don't allow it. So I walked in, and I did the POINT, Granny, like that one lawyer on TV, and I said, "ROARK, I CHALLENGE YOU TO A BATTLE." And then he looked at me weird, I think he thought I was overeager or something and just said, "Okay, kid, I, Roark Babineaux, accept your challenge. Let's rock!"
The arena lit up dramatically, and I could hear people cheering—I think there were about fifty people watching me, like the stands weren't full and all, Granny. But that's okay, I still felt like a superstar.
The first Pokemon Roark sent out was a Geodude, and I let Vance out of his Pokeball. The battle was SO on, and Vance was crouched low as he sized up the Geodude. It didn't take me long to decide what move to use. I yelled out, "Vance, Rock Smash!"
Vance grabbed the Geodude by the arms. The Geodude tried to float up and away, but Vance used the momentum to smash the Geodude into the floor. Boom. KO. I have to admit, my jaw dropped; my little baby Chimchar was now a BEAST to behold!
Roark sent out Onix next. It was…HUGE. Like a Gyarados made out of boulders. I mean, I've seen them in books, Granny, but nothing prepares you for the size of it. Vance wasn't scared, though; if anything, he was PUMPED for the next round.
"Okay, Vance, use Rock Smash again!" I yelled, pointing at the Onix. Vance took a running jump at it as Roark bellowed "Rock Throw, Onix! Don't let him get on you!"
My Monferno was smacked in the chest by a large rock. Granny, my stomach fell when he was hurt. Vance had fought a lot of things, but he was rarely hurt like that. I saw blood come down from his chest, and it hurt me too. But I had an idea from what Roark said: "Don't let him get on you." Huh. So I did that, Granny. I yelled at Vance, "Climb him and use Rock Smash!"
The Onix threw another rock at Vance, but my Monferno climbed up its back like all the trees before and brought both of his fists into the Onix's head. It roared and fell to the ground as Vance jumped off it—I was so proud! I know I keep saying that, Granny, but I am.
Anyway, last Pokemon of Roark's. The crowd was cheering for me now, and I was just pounding all over from the thrill. The Pokemon was a Cranidos, one of those fossils that they learned to revive. I've seen bones in the Museum, so I knew the basic shape, but the little thing still looked like it was all rock and no head.
"Cranidos, Headbutt!"
"Vance, Mach Punch!"
That's how it went. Vance swung back with his fist as the Cranidos charged and BAM. STRAIGHT IN THE FOREHEAD! The Cranidos skidded back in a stupor, and I won. I WON! Confetti came down on me and Roark came down and shook my hand and gave me a badge. It was so surreal…I won. It's still weird to say.
Anyway, all these reporters came down afterwards and were interviewing me and stuff. I told them all about Clements, Granny, so I hope we get a lot of publicity and donations from this. It's going to be a blast. I'm still on a victory high from it!
I'll talk to you soon, Granny! Miss you!
George "McAwesome Trainer" Rousseau
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March 27, 20—
My dear son George,
I watched your battle on the television. I do not support the League, nor the trainers, nor the battling, nor the breeders. But what you did, George, was truly inspiring. My son, a celebrity. The reporters have been banging down my door all day—I had to get the lady next door to serve as my secretary for a bit. And the donations, my boy! They have spiked! Spiked, I say! I am so proud of you, my son.
George, I was a trainer once. I know the thrills you seek in life, and the friends you want to make. However, I do not support the catching of wild Pokemon when there are so many homeless Pokemon in this world. I am sending you a special package through the PC system, it should be available for pickup shortly.
My boy…continue as long as you can! I'll be expecting your monetary transfers with each day.
Your loving mother,
Granny Rousseau.
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March 28, 20—
Hi Dawn!
I hope you're feeling better. I received Granny's package and letter, and I had to tell you about it. I know she said that she supports me and all, but I think she's trying to get her revenge on me for leaving without telling her.
The package had a box of her homemade cookies, which I ADORE and I would have shared some with you if I didn't already eat them all—there were only a dozen, I'm sorry. And there were two Pokemon. This is where I think she hates me.
One of the Pokeballs had a Ralts that I'd never seen before, but she's a female. Kinda sickly, though, I need to be careful with her. She peeps and mewls a lot, and the name on her Pokeball is Linden. Vance has been taking care of her, he won't let Linden out of his sight. The other Pokeball was a Pikachu from the orphanage. Named Audrey.
Audrey never liked me—in fact, she HATES me. Whenever I tried to pet her, she shocked me! And bites. This hasn't changed, even though she's now licensed with my trainer code. She won't listen to me! We were training on wild Pokemon, and I told her to use Quick Attack against a Budew. What did she do? We were by a small pond, and Audrey used Surf! How does a Pikachu know Surf?! It just knocked me and the Budew over and got me all wet. The rest of the time she ignores me, bites my fingers when I feed her, and poops in my shoes. I hate that Pikachu. So. Much. Granny seems to have had the last word in this…oh boy.
I'm heading off to Floaroma Town for rest and relaxation on the way to Eterna City. Wish me luck!
Sincerely,
George Rousseau
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(Like I said previously, this is an egglocke, meaning I can only use Pokemon I got in trade as eggs/babies/some NFE. The Ralts came out of an egg-the surfing Pikachu was already hatched and named.)