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That night, I slept soundly. The warmth that radiated and seeped through my skin was enough to keep me happy. The August air had no effect on me- at least not with Cyndaquil nearby. He may've been young, and unable to light his fire, but he was still a fire-type, and a warm one at that.

I held him close, and the little pokemon snuggled warmly into my side. It was one of the best sleeps I'd gotten in a long time.

Early the next morning, I awoke feeling completely refreshed.

Cyndaquil was yawned in fatigue as I accidentally had jostled him awake as I stirred. His eyes never opened, so it was kind of hard to tell when he was awake and asleep, but judging on his breathing pattern, I could usually tell.

I fumbled through my belongings next to me, trying to get my Pokenav. Finally, I located the small device, and opened it up. Somehow, it always had the correct time; probably due to Goldenrod's Radio Tower.

The time read 8:46, and the sun was peeking through the fabric of the tent, illuminating eveyone's faces. Lyra and her Chikorita were curled up cutely, and seemed to be locked in a deep slumber.

Helgi, on the other hand, was kneeling, grooming his Eevee. We'd both volunteered over the summer with Professor Elm, and while I was the one conducting research and learning about the Pokemon because I have no clue, Helgi was the one who was constantly surrounded by the pokemon at the lab.

No matter what was going on, you would find him playing with some Pokemon. Teaching and playing with them came naturally to him- it probably had to do a lot with his mother being a gym leader. Training ran through his blood. He always knew the right thing, and always made the move that suited the battle best. It was pure instinct for him.

I had a ton of respect for him, and how good he was. Now, I was even more excited for our first battles, because I'd finally get the chance to see his instincts in action.

So seeing him already grooming his Eevee wasn't a huge surprise.

Noticing me awake, he stopped grooming, and set the brush down.

"Kyle?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Nothing... I think the entire town knows we're leaving today." My eyes, which had been filled with sleep, shot open and locked with his instantly. I had no idea we were leaving today.

"Y-you're leaving? Already?" Silently, he nodded. His Eevee just watched us talk, facinated by the conversation. I made sure to keep my voice down, as to not wake Lyra.

"We have to move eventually. I wanna get going. And you should too." Helgi said, his rational making total sense. I couldn't wait around here, trying to toughen up. No matter what it came down to, the longer I procrastinated and held off moving, the harder it would be to really become successful.

"...I guess you're right... I'm just a bit shocked 's all."

"We should probably get our gear ready... and be prepared for the crowd's." Helgi said, a small smile on his face. Crowds?

"What do you... mean by 'crowds'?" Helgi barely suppressed a laugh. I scowled, feeling like I was left out of a joke.

"If everyone knows we're leaving, they're gonna come out to support us and see us off." He explained, and I felt dumb. That was so simple, and I had no idea of it earlier.

"Ah." I said shortly, trying to contain my remarks toward myself.

He nodded, and climbed out of his blue sleeping bag. Eevee hopped out, a smile on its face. It seemed to be pretty happy with everything. Rolling up the bag, Helgi also gathered whatever belongings he had with him. Nodding at me, he sat down, his stuff in a heap- all ready to go.

"So... who's gonna wake up Lyra?"

Half an hour later (and a painful kick in the nuts) we were all saying goodbye so we could all pack. I saw Lyra turn down the street to get to her house. There were about 15 houses here, and two dirt roads. Luckily, or unluckily, my house was located on the same street as Helgi's and Professor Elm's.

As Helgi and Lyra went into theirs, happy and excited for their oncoming journey, I peered into mine. My instincts told me not to go in; that it would be dangerous.

"Cynda?" My small partner coo'ed to me, trying to either counsel me, or warn me. I was desperately hoping for the first one.

"Wanna wait here lil' buddy?" I asked Cyndaquil, not wanting to recall him to his Pokeball. After all, he seemed a lot more content now, and needed to be exposed to the world.

Stunningly, Cyndaquil shook his head, and instead took a step forward and notioned toward the door. Taking a breath, I opened the door as silently as I could. The living room and kitchen were both dark and seemed to be in a standing condition. The glass though, still hadn't been cleaned, and I picked up Cyndaquil as to avoid him getting hurt. He wasn't a Geodude; he could get really hurt.

I stealthily snuck past my mom's room- who's door was still shut- and got up the stairs. Only, my door was closed. And it wasn't when I left.

Cursing, I sighed. There was no way out of this. Whatever was waiting in there wasn't going to go away by me cowering out. I was going to be a Pokemon Master, I needed to have courage. I set down Cyndaquil, and kept thinking.

As I talked myself into it, Cyndaquil seemed to also be getting over it's cowardice. It bared its teeth and assumed a defensive pose. If it was only a little bit older, the flames on its back would've lit.

Gently taking the metal door handle, I turned it. The wooden door was quick to open, showing me the contents of... my room.

Nothing was in there. Well, no one. It was the same as I'd left it, and nobody had snuck in to surprise me.

Releasing a breath I didn't know I'd taken, I walked in and shut the door. Immediately, Cyndaquil was upon my bed, curling up on my pillow. He yawned, and got into a tight ball, falling back to sleep in an instant. I rolled my eyes at his laziness, but couldn't help laughing a little bit.

I decided I'd let Cyndaquil sleep while I gathered supplies. Rummaging through my closet, I failed to located a backpack that could hold what I'd need. Sighing, I dropped to the floor. This was already hard.

Without a supportive parent, this was a lot harder. I knew Helgi's dad would be helping him. Hell, his younger brother may've been too. As for Lyra... well, there was no doubt both her dad and mom were working with her, trying to get the supplies together. Families were supposed to stick together- especially on these journeys.

I contemplated going to ask my mom for support and help, but I knew what it would come to. A big 'N-O'. Lastly, I didn't need to leave in a huff, completely angered by the lack of discipline by her. Understandably, her husband died. My father. But it wasn't okay to dwell upon it for all this time.

There was a time where you had to move on... otherwise, you were going to hurt those close to you. Well, she hadn't moved on. And she was hurting me.

Realizing that perhaps there was some stuff locked away in the small cellar-like basement, I made my way (carefully) downstairs. My shoes protected me from the glass still, and I walked to the closet that led to the small cellar.

I opened the door, and slowly made my way down the set of stairs. It was dark, and a musty, dusty smell covered the walls and handrails. I knew I hadn't been down here in awhile, but I figured perhaps my mom had. She used to constantly lock herself away here.

I reached the base of the stairs, and began to look around the small cubic room. A few boxes were marked specifically, meaning to go through some would be worthless. Searching for a backpack in the "Christmas" box would be useless.

Peering into a few unmarked ones came to no avail, and I began to get frustrated. I was sure there would be at least one box containing some of my dad's old stuff- if he went on a journey. I mean, if he didn't, then I'd suppose there wouldn't be anything.

Noticing a cardboard box behind a plastic tub, I frowned and tilted my head to try and get a better look. Unable to see, I move the big bin, and stretched to grab the hidden box. It wasn't too heavy, but it was mildly dusty. In fact, a unique little aspect of it was that there was a part of it undusted... in the shape of fingers.

Pulling off the top, my eyes widened at its contents. Inside, was small pokeball. Unlike the normal ones, being red and white, this one was black and gold. Running through my memories, I pinpointed it as an Ultra Ball, one of the best pokeballs sold. They were highly expensive, selling at 1200 dollars.

I picked up the ball, and pressed the button. Enlarging, then opening it, I was rather disappointed to find it empty. I minimized the ball, and set it on the top of the box. Then, I continued to look. A few documents, all nearly illegible and pretaining mostly to my mother and his love and such, I removed those, and placed them also on the cover. However, I was stunned to see a photo.

Carefully taking it out, I brushed the thin layer of dust off its cover and stared at it. There, in the black-and-white photo, stood a man who looked like an older version of me. His brown hair ended just above his eyes, spiking in random positions. A huge grin crossed his face, and it was shared by the Pokemon behind him.

There, behind him, stood a Machamp, Tryanitar, Tentacruel, Camerupt (a non-Johto native Pokemon) Venasaur, and Dragonite. All the Pokemon looked powerful and ready to rumble. To me, the Camerupt was a stand-out, not being a Pokemon you'd find around Johto. It may've been possible, but I sure didn't know of a location finding any Camerupt. Even any Numel- its pre-evolved form.

Then, in the middle of the pack, I noticed a small gleaming trophy. A pokeball was hoisted by two wave-like structures and it had something engraved on it. However, I couldn't read it. But I knew that trophy anywhere. That was the Johto Silver Conference Champions Trophy.

"No way..." I mumbled, completely amazed by the trophy. And learning that my dad not only went on a journey, but he was a Champion!

Slowly setting the picture down, I continued to look through the box. And although there was no backpack, there was a small medallion and even some more notes. But the most fascinating thing in there was a piece of paper, containing my name.

Journal Entry 99

After all this time, I'm finally back in New Bark Town. It's been quite some time. Rachel went into birth while I was away... it's hard knowing I was absent for my own son's birth. I understand the meaning 'Chase your dreams' but that... that's unacceptable. I probably won't ever live this down.

Our son, Kyle Flint Helm is completely healthy- and to the demise of his mother- a chip off the ole' block. I got back to seeing him already 3 months old. I felt really sad- it was as if I'd already missed a part of his life...

The rest of the letter was smeared out, completely illegible. However, there was one stapled onto it, and that one was just as interesting.

Journal Entry 132

I decided I'd pay a visit to New Bark. I heard Rachel went to Cherrygrove for the day, giving me the chance to see my son. Kyle. Since coming back [See 99] I haven't been allowed to see him. None of the townspeople think that's right, but it's not their decision. It's hers. I wish Kyle wouldn't have to grow up in the hands of... her.

I know I loved her, but things change. Since I left, she has become cold, and heartless. The once-loving, and always caring woman I fell in love with has been replaced. Kyle is going to have a difficult home life, that much is for sure. Arceus forbid he attempt to begin his own journey.

I completely my mission though. I saw him, and even though he didn't recognize me, I got to see him. He really is a splitting image of me. Red eyes- a shocker to everyone-, brown hair, moderate height, and natural woman sense. Yep. He's already getting familiar with the women around. I saw him playing with the young girl Lyra. The two are going to grow up to get married, I can tell. Hopefully, she doesn't turn on him as well...

I wish... for one moment... to be able to go back, and stop myself from giving in so early. If there is one thing I want; it's to be able to play and grow with my boy. He deserves it. No child should go without a parent- it's not fair. But life... life is not fair...

So he did love me... and he was a trainer...

My brain felt overloaded. I took the Ultra Ball, and the letters I'd read, and took everything else and put it back into the box. Setting it back into its corner, I only hoped my mother didn't think someone had gone through it. She wouldn't notice a missing ball and 2 letters... right?

I clamered up the stairs, stumbling about. My legs felt weak. I could barely remain standing. As I neared the top of the steps, I felt myself begin to fall. In a quick act of desperation, I got over the doorline, but fell right into a pile of glass. It pierced my skin and I wanted to yell. But I sucked in my breath, and got up, hearing the glass crunch under my skin. The floor was dampened by my blood; no doubt.

I stumbled up the stairs, and got into my room, falling into a heap. The blood was coming out more steadily, and the pain was causing throbbing in my hands. Both had chunks of glass in the skin, and would require attention. But for now, I merely covered them with a cloth, and thought to get out.

I needed somewhere to rest; my head was still spinning.

I walked over to Cyndaquil, and nudged him. He slowly stirred, slightly irritated by my interrupting of his sleep. But nonetheless, he rose. Upon seeing his new master in pain and having blood, he awoke, and whimpered softly. He licked at a dab of blood, but winced at the taste.

"Go... find Lyra..."

Cyndaquil cocked its head worriedly, probably not knowing who Lyra was yet.

"Chikorita..." I mumbled, and immediately, Cyndaquil pushed my window open. The fire type looked at me, before jumping out of the fricken window. I mean, jumped. Wow... if I wasn't so hurt, that would've been awesome.

But I felt so weak and tired. Falling to my knees, I felt my eyes shut against my will.