This just came to me one day. This one is very personal to me, as my own parents are separated and not living together anymore.

I don't own Pokemon.

A long, long, time ago

I can still remember how

That music used to make me smile

Inside a bar just north of Mauville City, called Custer's Last Stand, a man in his mid-40s was sitting at the counter. There was quite a lot on his mind, as the song "American Pie" by Don McLean was playing in the background.

A bartender named Mills was serving beer to this man. Mills said to him, "this is your third one today, what seems to be troubling you?"

The man said, "well, time makes fools of us all. I'm 46, going on 47. My marriage has been falling apart the last few years and me and my wife are on the verge of separation."

Mills said, "that's too bad, my cousin Bryan over in America had his wife murdered and was framed for it, but he was cleared. This coming after he was kidnapped several years before, which came a few years after his daughter was kidnapped."

The man said, "that's not all. My son Vito is challenging the Hoenn champion. My daughter Vivi left on her Pokemon journey, she's with some boy from Petalburg who is the son of the Gym Leader, a yellow-haired girl from Kalos with a Dedenne, and a trainer who specializes in Pokemon with high Special Attack. My mother Vicky died 2 years ago."

Mills said, "say aren't you Victor Winstrate of the Winstrate family?"

The man said, "yes, now it seems everyone is going their separate ways. We're all worlds apart. Except Vicky, who as I mentioned is dead. She went peacefully I might mention."

Mills found this story very intriguing while Victor downed another pint of beer.

Victor asked for a shot of Jack Daniels next, and Mills gave him one. "Now that's something different, Victor."

Victor said, "Victoria and me started experiencing problems after Vivi left the household. With no daughter to raise, the spark in our marriage was fading. Come to think of it, that boy from Petalburg came to our house years before, with his sister and two friends. One had black hair."

Mills said, "sounds interesting, tell me more."

Victor said, "they challenged us to a 4-on-4 battle. We lost. Then some really bad people with a Meowth tried to steal the black-haired boy's Pikachu. From what I hear, those people have been trying to do it for years. Thankfully Vito showed up and saved the day."

Mills said, "that was shocking that some people have been following a boy since his early Pokemon journey trying to steal his Pikachu."

Victor said, "I know. Pokemon theft is just so wrong. And as far as I know, the girl in his group is a coordinator and has hooked up with a fellow coordinator. From what I've seen in the news, he has green hair, and a Roserade. Seems like a nice man."

Mills said, "so Victor, what are you going to do about your marriage?"

Victor said, "it's all but over, I have to accept that. Maybe I'll find another woman, maybe I won't. It's the circle of life. It moves us all. Through despair and hope, faith and love."

Mills said, "you hang in there Victor, you'll right your ship eventually."

Victor spent another 2 hours at Custer's Last Stand, having some drinks. He knew that it was over between him and Victoria.

But he also knew that wherever life would take him, he would be ready to take it on, especially given he was so close to turning 50 years old. Life is a highway, and he was going to ride it all night long.

Well, this was very interesting. There's a couple song references, see if you can figure them out.