Chapter 1:
The Mysterious Journal
There I was, laying on my bed reading the journal for the hundredth time. Oh no, not the one I'm writing the words right here. I'm talking about the journal that fell from the sky. The one belonging to the one, the only, Hilbert Whittaker. Yes, the Champion that disappeared suddenly two years ago. It happened a few days before Hilbert went missing. It recounts his adventures! I kept it secret from everyone.
"Rosa!" Mum shouted. "Stop reading that book and get down here!"
Well, okay not everyone. I may have told Mum but keeping secrets from your Parents (that aren't Birthday or Christmas related presents) is not a good idea. I want to turn it over to the Police, but I'm afraid of becoming a laughingstock.
"Coming!" I said as I ran down the stairs.
My name is Rosa Wright, and I live in Aspertia City in south western Unova. It has a School (which also doubles as a Gym!) and even a Pokémon Center. I want to go on a journey one day. What will I do? Easy. Find Hilbert and return his journal to him!
"Rosa dear, I really hope you're not becoming obsessed. You've been like this for two years. How about we call Officer Jenny? Your holding vital evidence."
Mum reached for the phone, and I grabbed her arm. "Mum, no. I'm returning it myself. Put this in the safe." I handed Mum the Journal. "Okay. I'm going to meet Hugh."
Location: Aspertia City
Waiting outside in his red jumper with his black spiky hair was my best friend Hugh. He, has a story to say the least. He was waiting outside with his partner, Tepig.
"Rosa!" he shouted as we hugged. The pink blossom danced in the wind above us. "Looks like a good day to meet that special guest of ours. Race you there!"
I'm a faster runner than Hugh, but Hugh is a better climber. Since we were meeting this person on a lookout point, let's just say I won the race to the stairs. Hugh was the overall winner. The prize? Well, he got to see the amazing view of the Unova region first. In the far distance we could see Twist Mountain.
Another thing I should explain; Unova. It's a region that is the business centre of the Pokemon world. Many big organisations and trade routes are situated in the Unova region.
Waiting at the top of the stairs was a blonde girl with glasses, a green beret and an orange puffer jacket.
"Hello!" she said. "My name is Bianca. Are you two the ones?"
We got out our letters. "Yes!" I said. I didn't know why we were called, she just said to meet us here.
Bianca went into her bag and got out a glass tube. She opened the tube to reveal three Pokéballs.
"Now since Hugh already has a Pokémon on him, I would like to offer you a Pokémon Rosa! Just like myself and our Gym Leader, I received my first partner like this."
I had decided what my first Pokémon was a long time ago. You see, Hilbert's first Pokemon was Oshawott, a Water Type. I didn't just lean that from the Journal; he's practically a celebrity. Anyone who's anyone knows that. And what is strong against Water? That's right; Electric! Well, yes that. But also Grass! So, my first Pokémon was Snivy!
"Interesting way of doing things," Hugh said. "Especially considering that my Tepig is strong against your Snivy. So. Are we gonna battle or what?"
Bianca clapped with excitement. "Oh wow! You know guys, my first battle was against a Pokémon at a disadvantage, but both your Pokémon only know Normal Type moves! So, it should be even!"
"At least we're not battling inside!" I laughed. Everyone gave me an awkward look, particularly Bianca. I instantly shut up, concerned that I had let out my secret.
We had our Pokéballs at the ready. "Let's do this!" I shouted with Hugh.
Rosa vs. Hugh
"Tepig, go!" Hugh shouted.
"And I choose Snivy!" I yelled.
Bianca was jumping on the spot. "I can't take it! Do it guys!"
"Snivy, Tackle!" Snivy ran along the metal pole of the stairs and hit Tepig. Tepig fell down a couple of steps.
"Counter with a Tackle!" Tepig jumped up two steps, then rammed into Snivy. Snivy quickly recovered.
"Leer it!" Snivy stared at Tepig, lowering Defense.
"Use Tackle!" Tepig charged into Snivy, but it missed.
"Another Tackle!" Snivy once again charged into Tepig. This was a Critical Hit! Tepig was donezo.
"Nice!" Hugh said. He recalled Tepig quickly. "Rosa, this might just be the start of something big!"
"This takes me back!" Bianca said. "My first Pokémon was a Tepig to. And Mr. Cheren? He started with a Snivy! It's like day one all over again."
Hugh picked up Tepig. "Tepig, I promise. No matter what, we will always stick together." He looked down at his house and clenched his fist. "I promise."
"Before you go…" Bianca said, going into her bag again. She took out two devices. One was red and one was pink.
"Shut up!" I yelled. "We're getting Pokédexs?"
Bianca handed one each to us. I got pink and Hugh got red. "This will give you all the information you need for your first day on the journey."
So I decided to test it out.
Snivy (ツタージャ)
001
Grass Type
Grass Snake Pokémon
2'00" (0.6 m)
17.9 lbs (8.1 kg)
Being exposed sunlight makes its movements swifter. It uses vines more adeptly than its hands.
Tepig (ポカブ)
004
Fire Type
Fire Pig Pokémon
1'08" (0.5 m)
21.8 lbs (9.9 kg)
It loves to eat roasted berries, but sometimes it gets too excited and burns them to a crisp.
"Can we scan Oshawott to?" I asked.
"Gladly!" Bianca said, taking a Pokéball and throwing it revealing the Water Type.
Oshawott (ミジュマル)
007
Water Type
Sea Otter Pokémon
1'08" (0.5 m)
13 lbs (5.9 kg)
The scalchop on its stomach isn't just used for battle—it can be used to break open hard berries as well.
"The Pokédex has been upgraded by Professor Juniper herself in the last two years," Bianca said. "The original model only had Pokémon from the Unova region in it. But model 2.0 has Pokémon found in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh AND Unova! Well, the ones native to Unova of course. You're in for a treat this journey I tell ya!"
Wait, journey? Yeah, this was quite shocking. I knew I would one day, but today?
"This is amazing!" I told Hugh.
"I'm going to go heal Tepig at the Pokémon Center," Hugh said. He seemed to be a lot more, serious about it than me. He walked down the stairs.
"Thanks. Rosa, I need a talk with you," Bianca said, as Oshawott played on her leg. "I know about the Journal.".
"WHAT?!" I yelled. "How? I mean, what Journal? I mean, have you been spying on me?"
Bianca shook her head. "Nah. You're Mum told me."
Well, some promise she kept. "It's mine! I mean, no. It's Hilbert's."
Bianca giggled. "It's fine! Me and Professor Juniper were the only ones she told. If anything, we shouldn't tell the police. It's yours to use as a guide. And I'll be more than happy to offer assistance!"
I smiled. "Thanks. But, where do I start?"
I looked at the end of the Journal where it cuts off very suddenly. It talked about a flying ship.
"Why not work from the beginning?" she said. "Nuvema Town!"
Wait, how did she? Was she... THAT Bianca?!
"That other Trainer? Wait, you're THAT Bianca? And is Cheren…"
"Yes!" Bianca said. "I travelled around with him! Cheren as well!"
"Have you spoken to him?" I asked. There was so much I wanted to ask.
Bianca shook her head. "No. Not for two years. We didn't have a falling out. He just, disappeared into thin air one day. At the height of his career. I think about him everyday."
I looked through the journal. "Well, if he was Champion then obviously he took on the Gyms. And the closest Gym to here that he took on was… Castelia City. That's quite far. But I can make it! In fact, I'll take on the Gyms to! I need to get stronger for this journey!" I went to the edge of the lookout point. "Look out Unova! I'm coming for you!"
Today was the first day of my journey. My road to finding Hilbert begins. That also means taking on the Gyms. It will be a long and dangerous road, but that's what gets me excited! Also, Mum gave me approval! I will find Hilbert. I will return this journal to him. And whilst I'm at it, I will have a battle with him!
Penguinja presents:
Pokemon The Journey: BW2