Pokémon - The Journey

Epilogue



Well everyone, here I am, Matt Tenks, making possibly the longest entry in my journal. Yeah, I'm aware that I haven't written in this as often as I would have liked to, but at least all of the important events that have taken place in my Pokémon journey will always remain intact. Well, important stuff like all the badges I've gotten, all of the trainers I've fought, oh, and of course the Pokémon I've captured.

Yeah, some people might say that it's all cheesy and stupid to keep a journal of everything that happens, but like my mom always said, "the worst thing you could ever lose in your lifetime are your memories," and I kept it with me all the time. Well, I didn't start writing into this thing until the tournament fiasco on the outskirts of Vermillion City. God, it's been so long that I can't even remember the name of that village. Geez, not a good time to forget. Dellesse or whatever.

Well, like I've said, I've come to make some write-up on some important events. Everybody knows about the battle with that Ny...zing Bird or however the hell that crack Giovanni pronounced it. Everybody's been giving me so much praise for it, when really, it isn't fair. Lizzie was the one who took advantage of it twice with that large glowing ball of death shooting out of its mouth. Twice! First with the Articuno, second when it fired its own attack at Giovanni. As far as I know, I didn't do a thing in that battle; it was always Lizzie.

Oh, I finally figured out who it was that gave me that water stone. It was Jess. Apparently it was a belated birthday gift; she just stuffed it into my pocket and didn't even tell me. Obviously I wasn't wearing those specific jeans at the time, but I find it strange that I never even noticed it there. Note to self: check pockets often.

I got to talk to all of my friends. Arrmun was there, Rachel was there, and even Ace was there, all in Pallet Town. However, I'm going to have to keep this entry short, because now I have to speak to Professor Oak.

Here I am again...several years later. I was reading back at the paragraphs I had just written and I had just realized that right before I was to meet Professor Oak, I had just slid my journal away into one of my bookcases at home, and never even thought of opening it up again until just now.

Heh, isn't this typical. I said that I would keep track of all my important events, yet once again I just slipped this book away without even realizing it.

Well, before I update this sucker again, I am now twenty-three years old. I've been working as an assistant to Professor Oak for quite some time. Heck, I've even passed around a petition so they could open up a Pokémon gym here. There were so many signatures. Not just within the town, but on the world wide web as well! I've notified League Office and they said they were requiring some funding. It wasn't much, so I paid for most of it with the salary I've been earning from Professor Oak (trust me, I get a big paycheque). Also, the townspeople were gracious and supporting enough to select me as a gym leader. Problem is...well, with my record and all, I wasn't sure they'd let me do it.

Oh wait, you're still wondering about that, aren't you? I suppose I should say what happened. Geez, I can clearly remember what happened that day....

I had just finished tying up my shoes. I was informed to bring all of my Pokémon and Pokédex with me along with all of my badges and other stuff. I wasn't exactly sure why I had to bring them; heck I even gave the Professor a hard time about it, but he wouldn't give me a straight answer, so, I went anyway.

It was possibly the scariest thing ever, almost as scary as my cheating death. There was Officer Jenny, standing with a very disappointed Professor. They had mentioned and figured out that it was as a matter of fact me the one responsible who had killed the leader of Black Rocket. The autopsy identified the Pokémon and its trainer ID.

I knew this would eventually get me into trouble, so I explained everything. I tried to convince her that it was all self-defense; I mean, they were stalking me, and kept trying to kill me. Even though I had completely explained myself, Jenny said that my actions were still irresponsible, blah blah blah, all that kind of crap. Apparently any trainer which forces a Pokémon to kill is to be fined and stripped of their trainer's license. This was what was supposed to happen with me, but keeping in mind that I did as a matter of fact help rid the world of the Ny...zing Bird she only made the offer to hand over my badges and refuse registration at any other Pokémon League. No more battling in Indigo, Johto, Orange Islands or Fenyuu, which would be a killer. Either that, or I had to give up the Pokémon which caused all the damage.

I had asked what was to be done to Onix, and Jenny told me that it would have to be confiscated, and if it becomes too wild to tame, it would have to be destroyed. I thought that was just ludicrious, because Onix never disobeyed me or acted out of the question. It did everything I said. Not only that, this Pokémon was a gift from Lizzie. I wasn't just going to part with it. However, I realized that I had it do too much damage, so I handed it over. I had Jenny promise me that if the 'wild' results turn out negative that it would be set free. Lizzie would understand. Fortunately, Jenny promised, and without surprise, Onix was all right, and set into the wild. Onix was huge for me (no pun intended), but I thought this was for the best. Now, it can live in the wild, until possibly another trainer comes along. I hope that if anyone did capture it that they're taking good care of it.

Yeah, so that was the little problem there. I now have a criminal record; isn't that nice? But still, the townspeople want me to become the gym leader. I'm sure I'd be a bit rusty, because I haven't had a Pokémon battle for quite a while. I'm still thinking about it.

Hmm, perhaps you're still wondering what happened after the whole Ny...zing (damn it, I'll just look it up) Bird experience. So, Jenny took away my Onix, and Professor Oak said that once a few things have been cleared up, I could go back to Fenyuu if I wanted. Of course, the idea sounded great; I really enjoyed my experience with Fenyuu, and I hoped to continue from where I left off. I tried to get in contact with Lizzie, who was back in Cerulian at the time, but I never received an answer. I tried phoning, e-mail, snail mail, everything; she just never wrote back to me. I thought it would be tough to go on my own, but I managed anyway.

I must have lost my concentration, because I didn't win a single gym match there. I did all right with the trainers, but when the gym battles came along, I didn't do as well as I thought I did. Blastoise (or Zenigame) as always was great for me in those battles. He was a real clutch performer for me. He either started off the battle on a high note or ended it on a high note. I had a lot of reassurance that the battles in the latter quadrants were supposedly harder, but I don't like excuses.

Unfortunately, I didn't quality for the finals. It was too bad, because a lot of money and effort had been spent getting into that league. All that was required of me was just six badges from each of the four quadrants, and all I had in total was four. Did I also mention I only had captured a few more Pokémon there? I managed to find a Bellossom, Cloyster and Diglett, but didn't even bother to try any of them during battle. I just stuck to my main ones: Blastoise, Pikachu, Charmeleon, and Zubat. I tried going back to Pidgey and Spearow a few times to see how they did, but because they haven't battled in so long, I thought it would be pointless to keep them. I just set them off into the wild. I even tried out Ekans and Venonat a few times, but even they didn't do that well for me. Hell, I still have my Gyarados lying around that was a gift, and I hadn't used him ever since I was in the maze.

Right after I had left Fenyuu, the Indigo League was having another Pokémon Tournament. Of course I had entered, but I lost in my second match. I kept returning year after year to see if I would do any better. I got a little bit better as the years went by; two years ago I even finished third. I didn't bother to participate last year, and I'm not sure if I will again this year. I just might, and watch what happens. I've still been sticking it out with my main guns, but it would be nice if I could find just two other Pokémon to place in my top six. Well, we'll see how this gym leader thing turns out. If I decide to become a gym leader, I won't be able to participate in the tournaments anymore.

But still, I don't think I'll ever do as well in the Pokémon League as I did in the first year. Wow, I was such a cocky kid. But then again, I guess having Lizzie's support and friendship really pushed me to my limits. I guess I relied too much on her, because it certainly showed in my last few outings.

Hmm, now that I think about it, perhaps I shouldn't become the gym leader here. Professor Oak's grandson has been back and forth from Pallet; perhaps he'd be a better candidate for the job. I've battled him a few times, and he is VERY talented. Interestingly enough, he kept rambling about this other kid Ash Ketchum, who I have yet to meet. With all the good things he's said about him, I certainly wouldn't mind having a match with him or two.

Ah, my friends? Okay, let's see. Well, without a surprise, Arrmun and Ace are now working harder to prevent any follow-up organizations to jump up. You know, like a spin-off of Team Rocket or anything like that. There have been rumours everywhere about a new gang starting up, but people just like to screw around with other people's minds.

Jess moved out a while ago. She met some guy here, I don't know who he is, and she moved to Celadon City with him to get married. I don't even think he's all that great, but I don't know him that well in order to judge him. She seems to be happy, and that's all that matters. They're expecting a child in May, so, I'll be rooting for her.

Jordan and I still talk. He's trying to get the other Elite Four into getting me to challenge them, but really, the last Pokémon Tournaments I've had haven't been that great. Even the ones who've finished first mostly bowed out to them. Well, last year this one girl managed to beat two of them. I keep forgetting her name, though.

Rachel and I are still here. We've actually gone out a few times. I've actually started to like her a little bit. Problem is, she keeps asking me such annoying questions like: "Have you and Lizzie ever dated?" and: "was it serious?" and: "you're thinking of her aren't you?" which makes me all confused as to why I'm still dating her. These are all the questions she asks me, I swear to God.

But yeah, I never knew what happened to Lizzie. I haven't seen her since a few days after the battle with that whachamacallit bird. I've stopped writing her for about a year now, but I still think about her. Yes, I do admit that I did like her in THAT way, but...I don't know where she is. I do have to keep in mind that she has no current relatives alive, but I remember well her last words. Something like, "Looks like I'll be going home now. See ya." Now that I think about it, she sounded rather sad. I should send her another e-mail.

Whoop, I just left the journal lying around again, didn't I? Sorry about that, but I've actually gotten an interesting parcel in the mail. It said a fan of mine wants to meet me behind Professor Oak's laboratory. It sounds rather peculiar to me, because last time I checked, I didn't have any fans. Perhaps...hmm, it could be her; she did say to come alone.

Before I go see, I would just like to mention what a great time I've had on my Pokémon journeys. It's been great traveling from one city to another and one league to another without worrying about Team Rocket or Black Rocket behind my back ready to attack. Yeah, of course it was my dream to become a Pokémon master. What kind of Pokémon trainer would go out into the world without this dream? I don't think I'll ever become one, but I honestly can say that I do enjoy going out on journeys still.

Geez, if I enjoy it so much, perhaps I should go out on another one. Johto seems great, and it seems like a lot of trainers are entering there every day. Well, before I decide, I should meet this 'fan' of mine.

Holy fricking crap, I actually don't believe it. I had suspected it was Lizzie, but I never actually thought it was her. There she was right behind Professor Oak's laboratory, with a big smile on her face. Of course we greeted each other with a hug; we haven't spoken to each other in seven years! We told each other stories of how we've been and all that. I told her about Fenyuu, and she smiled. Then I asked her where the heck she's been all this time, and she just said 'around'. It's almost as if she was hiding something from me.

She managed to find a job, and was working full-time so she could buy a small house in Cerulean City. She still lives there, but for some reason she put it up for lease. A couple on vacation needed a place to stay, so as soon as everything was settled there, she wanted to meet me.

I kept bugging her as to why she never responded to any of my letters. Get this, she said she didn't want to lead me on. Of course I didn't particularly like that response, but she also said she did some traveling, without having to worry about Team Rocket or Black Rocket or whatever. The idea that Lizzie was free from everything just gives me a mushy, warm feeling. I'm sure some of you have had that feeling. Maybe not.

I told Professor Oak that perhaps there would be others in the town who wouldn't mind becoming the gym leader. He understood; he always has.

Well, as I look around, I see my old leather backpack on my bed with all of the dust removed. I still have some Pokémon medicines in there which hopefully haven't expired. They could be useful on my next journey.

Yup, that's right. I've done enough sitting around here in my apartment, I've decided to go on another journey. Myself and Lizzie, just how it's always been. We may stop at Johto first, maybe the Orange Islands, and who knows, maybe even more than that. Right now, the sky's the limit.

Time to dust off my Pokéballs and change the batteries in my Pokédex. I've never been this excited to going on a journey since the very first day I had left.

Advice? Well, if I've learned anything from my travels, you must never, EVER give up. Regardless of the situation, regardless of how hopeless everything seems, giving up sends a negative message to yourself, and your Pokémon. Battle with heart, grit and emotion, and most important of all, battle with pride. Not pride for yourself, but who you're fighting for. Perhaps somebody special? Maybe your parents, maybe your siblings, maybe even your friends or for your Pokémon. You need a reason to fight. If you have no reason to fight at all, then you should not be a Pokémon trainer.

Battle hard, keep your chin up, and always look optimistic. Fighting to win and fighting not to lose are two different things. Never lose your focus, and never, EVER lose sight of your goals. This not only applies to Pokémon training, but these are lessons in life as well. As much of a broken record this sounds like, it's all true. They wouldn't keep mentioning it if it wasn't true, now would they?

Well, I'm all packed and ready to go. I'm about to make a whole new set of memories. And if anybody out there manages to get their hands on this journal, perhaps we'll cross paths on the road. I wouldn't love anything more than challenging you to a Pokémon battle.

I am looking forward it.

~~ Matt.





**T H E * E N D**