Sunday 4th September 2005
To Ash,
My mum gave you to me as a going away present to take you on my journey through Kanto. She says its for me to look back on one day to see how far I have grown as a Pokémon Trainer.
I'm not to sure that is her full truth. I think she also wants to know what I get up to so when I become a champion and come back home for my visit, she can take it from my bag and have a good nose into what I write.
If that's the case mum, I know that you are reading this but that's okay. I think she has a good point about writing down my thoughts and feelings so when I am really old like 30, I can read this and feel proud of myself.
I hope that would be the case anyway because I was never the brightest person in pokemon school.
When you start high school, you can join a summer group that continues on every year until you are 16. It's a very important group to attend because when you complete it, you get your trainers card.
With that trainers card, you are qualified to get your first pokémon and head out on your pokémon journey.
I managed to pass but like I said, I was never the brightest.
The brightest was probably Gary Oak. Professor Oak's grandson. I can't stand him! He is the most pompous arrogant git I have ever met. It will be my pleasure to beat him one day in a pokémon battle.
He is always correcting me, always reminding me how behind I am, always antagonising me and the worst thing is; He is my next door neighbour!
Cassie was also a very clever student. She was okay but I would never want to get on her bad side. I feel things at home may not be the best and that's why I think she is who she is. She is okay with me but now and then she will give me the odd reminder that I was as thick as Muk crap.
Kegan to, did well. He was a little like me, a loner. The difference between me and him was he didn't let his mouth run away with him. He was quiet and kept to himself. I feel he will do really well as a Pokémon Trainer.
I know I said I was a loner Ash but I do have friends. Only problem is, they live in Johto and are a year younger than me so they won't get their trainers card until this time next year. Laura and Kyle are their names.
I'm thinking and hoping, when they get their trainers card I will be able to journey over to Johto and congratulate them myself.
Then of course there is you now. I picked your name out of a show I watched on TV. A boy my age which is who you are named after, would travel the world releasing these things called "Animals" back into the wild. He had a very cute mouse he kept as a pet that I liked to. I found it rather thrilling to watch because these "Animals" reminded me of pokémon only they didn't have special techniques but some were rather cute, some huge and powerful, some were very tiny. They were all very intelligent in their own way.
So there you are, you're Ash.
Tomorrow is the day I get my very first pokémon. I have no clue who I will pick. I have 3 choices; Bulbasaur, that is a grass pokémon. Then there is Charmander; a fire pokémon and Squirtle, a water pokémon. It's so hard to choose but I need to make my mind up. I can't have all three right?
Whoever I choose, I hope they will like me. There is nothing worse than a pokemon that diobey the trainer.
Anyway, I better get to bed. I don't know how I will drop off to sleep though. I am way too excited and on edge but I have no hope in sleeping if I write on your pages all night and I need to keep the many pages you have for my travels.
So I will be off. Thank you Ash. Thank you for entering my life and coming along with me.
Yours Mark.