February 18th.

First time I've wrote in this.

I don't really know what to say. I've never had a diary in my life.

I guess now would be a good time to start one, though. I'm Darrell, I'm 17 and right now I'm on some crazy-ass journey with Pokémon. I've got a Charmander, a Pikachu, and a Gyarados. Flame, Ace, and Storm. I'm with a new friend, Dave. He's a great guy. Now you know who I am and who I'm with. I could go on for ages - my favourite music, and stuff like that, but none of that shit is relevant to what's happening now.

Today's been real eventful and it's almost dinnertime. I started this journey today. Got punched in the face by Gary Fucking Oak, and ate the best egg I've ever ate in my life at a Pokémon Center. After that was when I met Dave - and Storm, who we battled with to the death until he evolved. We beat Brock, the Gym Leader of Pewter City, and I have my first badge. Then the day started to get kind of bad. We went through Mount Moon, which was alright, until we bumped into Team Rocket - and we rescued my best friend ever, Joel. He didn't seem to be shaken at all, or even affected, but I couldn't calm down for ages. Damn me.

So we're outside now, in Cerulean City, and we're about to go to a restaurant for dinner, and then maybe either challenge Misty or go to Vermilion. I've been up since early morning but it doesn't feel that way. I've been to Cerulean City before but it feels so new. I've never really left home before, not like this. It's strange. I haven't even thought about my family much. I miss my mother's baking and I miss Eddie and Zack. I owe Zack a dragon, if I can ever find one. Dave is leaning over my shoulder and says we can get them in Fuchsia City so yeah, until then.

But it's only now I've realised how huge this world is - and so much for us to do, so much for us to explore. There are countless trainers out there all for the same goal: become the Champion. I think it's shallow. I want to do something different, something people will remember me, Darrell Redford, for. I want to do something different. I want to cast a shadow.

After a delightfully delicious dinner at a restaurant, we three musketeers were warm, full and happy. Being February, and about to hit 5PM, the sun was beginning to set already. We wasted no time watching the sunset - instead, we headed on up towards Route 25, with Joel in tow: he wanted to see what battling was like.

"You should catch something," Dave suggested. "And you can come with us!"

"I'd get so bored of walking around! Take a goddamn bus! I'm a very strange person when it comes to Pokémon, and I am a strange person overall. I may catch one someday and join you on your little escapades."

With that, he was Joel again.

"Well, you don't have to battle," Dave shrugged. "You could be a breeder. Raise the best Pokémon and bring out their inner strength. Or you could just collect Pokémon of a particular type. Like, you could be a fucking awesome Dragon trainer. But not like the uptight assholes you see on TV!"

"Aha! I saw those guys! So funny, oh man, did you see the one where-"

And they were off. It made me pretty damn happy for them to get on so well.

"-but yeah, dude, Dragon Pokémon are something-fucking-else. Or how about you catch a Caterpie? And never let it evolve! Then you'll defeat the Elite Four with, like, a level 100 Caterpie. I bet no one's done that!" Dave exclaimed, and we all burst out laughing. It warmed my heart to feel alright again after the massive explosion of anger I'd felt before. I had to stop worrying about it. It meant nothing. Not anymore.

I found a spare Poké Ball and placed it into Joel's hand. "Level 100 Caterpie, here we come!" And they all exploded into laughter again.

We headed onwards past Nugget Bridge and took some time to admire the crystal clear water, even more beautiful thanks to the famous Cerulean sunset. I looked at my reflection. Seeing myself was so strange, like I'd forgotten what I looked like. Long, curly hair. Iron Maiden T-shirt. Nothing new - except three red Poké Balls attached to my belt.

"Aha!"

There was Joel, moving through the grass cautiously, like some kind of ninja, exaggerating his movements. But he had all reason to be quiet. There in front of him was an Abra. I'd seen them before. They were Psychic Pokémon and often teleported away before anyone could catch them. A trainer with an Abra had obviously worked hard. Joel pressed the button on the ball and dove onto the Pokémon, and Dave and I watched as it was sucked in, the ball closed and began to rock dangerously.

"Don't let it escape, man!" I cried out.

After a few moments, the ball stopped moving, and Joel had his first Pokémon.

"Well, it appears I am now Champion material," Joel grinned, standing up and holding the ball in his hands. "I have just captured an Abra."

"Hell yeah! Psychic Pokémon are great," Dave hit him a high five, and then Joel gave me one. "I've got a Haunter. I think they can learn some Psychic moves."

"Well, dude, if you're ever up against a Fighting Pokémon, that little dude will win, no questions asked!" I smiled.

It seemed Joel had initiated the Pokémon catching spree. I was now in the mood to add another warrior to my team, but I was picky. They would have to be just right. Dave wasn't resting until he caught a Machop, and part of me hoped that now Joel had a Pokémon, he would join us. Most of me knew that he wouldn't. It was the harsh truth. But now that was the lesson I had to learn.

Half an hour had passed and I'd found jack shit.

"Aren't there any good Grass Pokémon?" I cried out. Dave looked up from another large patch of grass. I'd found endless Spearow and Pidgey, all of which Ace had threatened - I didn't want to hurt them. A check with my Pokédex showed me that Storm was at level 21, Flame at level 15 and Ace at level 18. Flame was going to evolve soon - he was still very aggressive and his tail burned bright. Maybe a few battles would provoke an evolution.

"Chaaar!" he growled, as I released him. He seemed happy to be outside - happy in the sense that he wanted to beat the living shit out of any poor sucker unlucky enough to approach him.

Atta boy.

He was becoming more independent. He strode on over to an odd-looking pile of leaves sticking out from the ground, much darker than the grass, and yanked on them. A loud screech erupted from the leaves and I almost fell over. What the hell? Flame just stared at me, as if I was some magical god that could provide the answer.

"You're becoming very feminine, Darrell. That scream was something else, my boy!"

"Shut up, Joel!"

I went over to examine the leaves, but before I could investigate further, the leaves came to life and a tiny Pokémon jumped up from where they had been. I recognised it as an Oddish, a fairly uncommon Grass Pokémon. It just looked at me, confused and curious, appearing to have no recollection or caring of my lizard yanking its leaves.

It was mine.

I pulled out a Poké Ball and tossed it towards the Oddish, where it was sucked in and I pressed my hands down on it to prevent escape. It seemed as if it didn't even bother fighting. But that didn't matter to me. I now had four Pokémon, and instantly, the Oddish meant a lot to me. Like I could conquer anything that came my way.

"Did you catch anything yet?" I shouted to Dave.

"Not a thing!"

Pride was my friend.