Professor Fennel's House, Striaton City

19:00

Dear Diary,

Gee, Fennel's precise, isn't she? We had a delicious argaine al-fourne, which is a sort of pasta bake. The way Dad makes it is absolutely heavenly, but the prof didn't do too bad a job. She just overcooked it. The top was totally crunchy and the sides and bottom were all black, just like how Nana makes it. (Nana's my Dad's Mum and she ALWAYS overcooks things. Nuking the veggies so there's no flavour and they're soggy as, and burning EVERYTHING. If she didn't live with my Uncle, the house would have burnt down long ago.)

Professor Fennel said that Professor Juniper called ahead to let her know we were coming. Prof. Juniper told Prof. Fennel about my Maltese heritage and how I was sucked into the game and all that so Fennel asked Juniper about easy and delicious Maltese recipes. Easy, not so much. Dad normally takes at least six hours to make argaine, but that is mainly taken up by the sauce and the layering of the pasta, making sure it all sticks together with egg and pepper and grated Parmesan cheese. I'm making myself hungry again! Man, I'm missing my own world more than I can say now. Oops, sorry about the tears that are falling. I can't stop.

Oh yeah, I nearly forgot! On Route 1, Cheren, Bianca and I had a Pokémon catching competition. Unfortunately, there were only two kinds in the grass: cutie-pie Lillipup and weird-looking Patrat. Oh, and here are the Pokédex entries for my three:

"Snivy: The Grass Snake Pokémon. It is very intelligent and calm. Being exposed to lots of sunlight makes its movements swifter. They photosynthesise by bathing their tails in sunlight. When they are not feeling well, their tails droop. It uses vines more adeptly than its hands."

"Lillipup: The Puppy Pokémon. It faces strong opponents with great courage. But, when at a disadvantage in a fight, this intelligent Pokémon flees. The long hair around its face provides an amazing radar that lets it sense subtle changes in its surroundings. Though it is a very brave Pokémon, it's also smart enough to check its foe's strength and avoid battle."

"Patrat: The Scout Pokémon. Using food stored in cheek pouches, they can keep watch for days. They use their tails to communicate with others. They feel insecure without a lookout. Extremely cautious, they take shifts so one of them will always maintain a constant watch of their nest, but it won't notice a foe coming from behind."

I caught two each of Patrat and Lillipup, boy and girl, and, needless to say, I won that contest.

There's something else that I just remembered. That weird Team Plasma speech that Ghetsis said. I recorded it. And here it is.

"My name is Ghetsis. I am here representing Team Plasma. Today, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to talk to you about Pokémon liberation.

"I'm sure most of you believe that we humans and Pokémon are partners that have come to live together because we want and need each other. However... Is that really the truth? Have you ever considered that perhaps we humans... only assume that this is the truth?

"Pokémon are subject to the selfish commands of Trainers... They get pushed around when they are our "partners" at work... Can anyone say with confidence that there is no truth in what I'm saying?

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, Pokémon are different from humans. They are living beings that contain unknown potential. They are living beings from whom we humans have much to learn. Tell me, what is our responsibility toward these wonderful beings called Pokémon?

"That's right! We must liberate the Pokémon! Then, and only then, will humans and Pokémon truly be equals. Everyone, I end my words here today by imploring you to consider the relationship between people and Pokémon... and the correct way to proceed. We sincerely appreciate your attention."

Then Team Plasma left. And N came over. He is so handsome, especially the way his hair fluttered in the wind… ARGH! There I go again! OK, I WILL try not to go into crazy lovey-dovey stuff about N. If I do, though, please forgive me. OK?

As I was saying before I admonished myself, N came over after Ghetsis and Team Plasma left. The wonderful elevator-to-Heaven music of Accumula Town was interrupted by a very strange sound — the main instrument was like bells, or the highest notes on a piano or xylophone, with a stringed instrument plucking its way underneath the bells. It sounded sad and lonely.

Then came the strangest words in the history of Pokémon. Yes, even stranger than Cyrus's weird rants and raves about his new world and all that. And that is actually saying something.

"Your Pokémon… Just now, it was saying…" he said after walking over. Snivy was, of course, on my shoulder. It was using its Vine Whip to stay on.

"Wait, what's this about Pokémon… talking?" asked Cheren.

"Yes, they're talking. Oh. Then, you two can't hear it, either…" he sighed. "How sad. My name is N."

"Nice to meet you, N. My name is Hilda," I said, holding my hand out for him to shake, which he did so… reluctantly. "This is my friend, Cheren."

"Hi," Cheren said awkwardly, holding his hand out as well. His Pokédex fell out of his pocket and he muttered an apology as he bent down to get it.

"The Pokédex, eh?" N sounded truly disappointed and disgusted. "So… you're going to confine many, many Pokémon in Poké Balls for that, then. I'm a Trainer, too, but I can't help wondering… Are Pokémon really happy that way?"

"I… I don't know, N… we could battle to find out…"

"Well, Hilda, is it? Let me hear your Pokémon's voice again!"

"OK!"

N sent out a little Purrloin. It was so cute! But its only move was Scratch. Snivy did great. I must admit, N made a formidable opponent. Must be his ability to hear the voices of Pokémon. Purrloin was so cute until it Scratched my face. Snivy immediately became the greater as she used her Leer attack to lower Purrloin's defences to nil. In the end, after about twenty minutes, Purrloin lost all of its PP so one Struggle and it was all over.

"I never expected to hear Pokémon say such things…" he whispered, bending down and picking up his Pokémon in his arms. "Purrloin, you did a great job for me. Take a good, long rest." He returned Purrloin to her Poké Ball. "As long as Pokémon are confined in Poké Balls… Pokémon will never become perfect beings. I have to change the world for Pokémon, because they're my friends. I'll see you around, Malteser." With that he left.

"'Malteser'?" Cheren asked. "What did he mean by that?"

"N!" I cried running through the town. "N, come back!"

"He's gone, Hilda. What did he mean by that?"

"You remember what I told you yesterday, right?"

"Of course. And your family's from Malta — at least, your Dad's side is."

"Well, I was bullied pretty badly during Primary School and this one kid, Brayden Butlin, was the worst. He left at the end of Grade Four to go to this prestigious all-boys school called St Patrick's. He called me all sorts of names, but there was one I actually did like. When he wasn't eating it in front of me. He called me "Malteser" and I actually liked it. I haven't heard it in five years."

It's true. For some reason I like that name. I guess it truly sums up my heritage. But he always mixed it up with the chocolate. Cheren, Bianca and I left Accumula Town separately, but we all ended up at Fennel's house. I also told Bianca what had happened. She couldn't believe it.

Now I'm REALLY getting homesick. I sure hope this world is like Narnia — you go back to your own world on the same second, minute, hour, day, month and year you left. I'll just cry my eyes out before I get you wet. You're my only record of what happens, Diary, so I need you dry. Goodnight.

20:34

Enjoying the story so far? This truly is based on myself. I was bullied during Primary School, pretty badly, too, but I've gotten over it.

I would actually like to be called "Malteser" because my Dad's family is from Malta. My friends call me "Vinegar", though, because I like salt and vinegar chips/crisps. I don't like that nickname but you get used to it. Enjoy the rest!