Journal Entry, June 12th, 2007

Chimchar and I didn't actually make it to Jubilife City before nightfall came. Oh well, at least those camping trips my parents took me and Taylor an as kids came in handy.

I set up camp just three hours before it got dark. After we were still on Route 202 by 6:45, I know there was no way we would make it to Jubilife until tomorrow. Oh well.

I scrubbed the egg for a little bit. After taking it out of the container, it felt warm in my hands. I could swear that it was moving, but I feel like that was just wishful thinking on my part.

After that, I played with Chimchar a little bit. We played hide & seek and tag; even played red light, green light. Chimchar has so much energy; not surprising for a fire- type. She played with some of the wild pokémon in the area and climbed all the nearby trees. She got along really well with almost every pokémon she met. Very sociable versus my shy nature.

Chimchar even seemed to talk them into helping us with our training. She had mock battles with the Starly in the area, the Bidoof we met; even battle a very helpful and strong Swablu. Swablu also didn't seem to mind when I pulled out my pokédex which was an added bonus.

Swablu- the Cotton Bird Pokémon. It can't relax if it or its surroundings are not clean. It wipes off dirt with its wings.

Also, Swablu helped Chimchar and I set up camp. Extra point.

I gave berries to all the pokémon who took part in the mock battles with Chimchar. They seemed to really enjoy them.

I also met a fellow pokémon trainer. He was a boy with purple hair. I saw him catch and then release some of the pokémon in the area after he would scan them with his pokédex. It was really weird and really wasteful if you ask me.

As soon as he noticed me, he challenged me to a battle. Me and Chimchar were so psyched; this would be our first battle with a trainer. He suggested a three on three battle. That was when I had to tell him that I only had Chimchar. Things went downhill from there.

He called me weak and pathetic. I tried to explain that I was just beginning my journey but I couldn't get a word in as he continued to call me names. I would have already left had I not just set up camp.

As soon as he was about to leave, Swablu blocked his way and then flew in front of me. It seemed to want to act as my second pokémon. Rude boy seemed somewhat appeased when I suggested a two on two battle.

The first battle wasn't long at all. I sent Swablu against his newly caught Starly. I immediately ordered Swablu to use Sing on it. Instant success. After a few attacks, it was over. Me, Swablu and Chimchar were so happy we did a little dance. The other trainer just returned his fainted pokémon.

It was horrible. He began insulting it and threatened it "deal with" his Starly later for losing. I didn't like the sound of that. I'm ashamed to say that I didn't confront the guy about it.

We continued. I send out my Chimchar while he sent out Elekid. I pulled out my pokédex.

Elekid- the Electric Pokémon. A weak electric current flows between its horns. Sticking a hand there shocks the unwary.

We would have to be cautious of its horns then.

This battle proved a lot more difficult than the first one. It was like the after trainer wouldn't let up the pressure. I told Chimchar to try to get close to use Ember but the electric attacks were doing a very good job keeping her at a distance.

Chimchar was very agile; she did a good job of dodging the electric attacks, but she eventually wore herself down. I could only watch as Chimchar got hit by that last Thundershock that did her in.

Elekid and its trainer won this round, making it a draw between us. He returned Elekid to its pokéball, berating it for not winning the match quick enough. I swear having the draw with that guy left a really bad taste in my mouth, I was only happy that he didn't seem to like it either. I ran to check on my poor Chimchar. She moaned but didn't seemed to be badly hurt. The trainer left without any last word to me, muttering under his breath. Thank God.

I quickly pulled out a potion to heal Chimchar's wounds. She hadn't gotten up but she seemed to be peacefully resting. Swablu began cleaning the dirt on Chimchar's fur. I thanked it and offered it an Oran berry. It took it and made itself comfortable on my sleeping bag. That was fine. I did one last check on the pokémon egg and then doused the fire. It was getting late and I was exhausted. I got Chimchar and myself into my sleeping bag without disturbing Swablu too much.

Today was extremely difficult, but tomorrow was a new day. Time to rest now.

-Kori

June 13th, 2007

Kori woke up from her slumber. She got up and saw Swablu still sleeping on top of her legs, but Chimchar wasn't there at all. Kori got up after apologizing to Swablu for waking it, wondering where her starter would be. Kori searched through the camp, calling for Chimchar but got no response. Swablu got up from its sleep and, once Kori explained the situation, helped to look for Chimchar. Swablu flew into the air and came back to Kori shortly afterward.

"Swablu." The flying- type pokémon was pointing somewhere with one of its fluffy wings. It obviously wanted her to follow it.

"Lead the way." Kori followed the flying Swablu to one of the trees. On one of the higher branches, Chimchar was sitting. Her shoulders were slumped and shaking as if she were crying to herself. It broke Kori's heart seeing Chimchar like this. It's so unlike Chimchar's usually playful nature.

Swablu landed on the branch right next Chimchar. It was probably trying to offer comfort. Kori needed to do the same. That is why she climbed up the same tree and sat next to Chimchar.

Poor Chimchar, Kori thought. She was a mess. Her eyes were downcast and filled with tears. Chimchar lost its first actual battle and that was without causing so much damage to the opponent. How could she be able to help her trainer defeat gym leaders and battle in the League if she was so weak? She needed to be strong. "Char...," she whispered. It was then that she felt an arm wrap around her. Chimchar looked up and saw her trainer smiling down on her.

"Hey Chimchar," Kori greeted. Chimchar looked down, feeling even more regret about last night. Her trainer depended on her and she just let her down.

"Chim."

"Chimchar don't feel so down and don't beat yourself up about last night," Kori said. Chimchar looked up at Kori. "It was our first battle with a trainer." Kori held Chimchar and they, along with Swablu, watched the rising sun. "You did the best that you could at the time. If anyone's to blame for that, it was me."

"Chim?" Chimchar asked, both surprised and confused. "It's my fault. I was supposed to give you directions that would help you and I froze up. I couldn't think of a way to help and I'm really sorry."

Chimchar and Swablu immediately called their disagreements. "Blu blu Swablu!" "CHIMCHAR! CHAR!" That was not Kori's fault; no one blamed her.

Kori smiled a little sadly. "I hate that that battle ended in a draw," Kori whispered quietly. Her voice became stronger as she continued. "But lets get stronger so that next time, we'll always win against someone like that jerk!" "Swablu!" "Chimchar!" All three of them, feeling a lot better after that battle, sat together and watched peacefully as the sun continued to rise.

Eventually, all three packed everything up to be ready to continue on with their journey. Chimchar and Kori turned to Swablu.

"Thank you for all your help Swablu." Kori smiled sadly. "It's time for us to go but I hope that we meet each other again." "Chim chim." Kori and Chimchar both waved and turned to leave.

"Swab!" Swablu flew in front of them, effectively blocking their way. "Swablu swab blu swablu."

Kori and Chimchar were confused. "Is something wrong?"

"Swablu." The flying- type pointed a cotton wing to the strap of Kori's bag where Kori's pokéballs could be seen hanging from. Kori's eyes widened in understanding. "Do you want to come with us Swablu?"

"Swablu," it answered while nodding. Kori smiled. A new friend was joining us. She unhooked an empty pokéball from the strap, ready to make the catch.

"Chimchar!" At that moment, Swablu dodged at the last minute to avoid being hit by an Ember attack. Kori and Swablu glared at the direction it came from.

"What was that for Chimchar?"

Chimchar just smiled, determined. "Char Chimchar!"

Kori raised an eyebrow. "You want to battle Swablu before I catch it?" Chimchar nodded. Kori thought about it. It sounded reasonable. Battling is how you ultimately catch a pokémon like Swablu and this may also help Chimchar as well. Kori looked back at Swablu. "Is it okay if we battle first?"

"Swablu."

"Great, thanks."

"Chim!" Chimchar immediately jumped into position. Swablu began the battle when its wings began to glow bright white at it rushed towards Chimchar.

That definitely looked like Steel Wing, Kori thought to herself. "Chimchar jump over Swablu and use Ember!"

Chimchar successfullly dodged the attack by jumping over Swablu flew to attack. Chimchar opened her mouth and sprayed Swablu with Ember from above. Swablu fell to the ground as Chimchar flipped through the air and perfectly landed to face the fallen Swablu.

Kori held her empty pokéball and pressed the button making it grow in size. She was about to throw it when Swablu managed to pull itself off the ground and flew into the air again. Kori could tell Swablu definitely took a good amount of damage from that Ember and wondered exactly what would happen next.

Swablu flew over to Chimchar faster than Kori could catch and she watched as Swablu was drilling Chimchar with what looked like multiple pecks.

"That must be Fury Attack," Kori whispered. "Chimchar drive Swablu back by using Ember again. Chimchar used Ember again, managing to do a little more damage to Swablu before it backed away, not too much damage though. Swablu was still about to fly up in the air, out of Chimchar's reach.

Chimchar only got hit by one attack and it looked completely worn out. This last move has to clinch it. "Chmchar climb on the tree." Chimchar quickly ran up on the tree and waited on a branch for the next command. "Now jump on top of Swablu's back!" Chimchar launched itself off the branch on top of the startled Swablu. "Now use Scratch!" Chimchar scratched the Swablu's back, only getting off when Swablu started falling out of the air and managed to land in the tree branch again. Kori threw the pokéball, hitting Swablu before it it hit ground. The capsule gave a 'ding' as it landed on the ground. The pokéball moved twice before giving a final 'ding'; Swablu's capture was done.

Kori recovered the pokéball and smiled. Chimchar jumped unto her shoulder to look at it. "We have a new friend Chimchar," she whispered in awe; Swablu was the first pokémon she ever caught after all.

"Chimchar!" Chimchar was grinning from ear to ear as Kori released the very tired Swablu. After healing her tired pokémon, they finally left and continued on to Jubilife City.

NOTE: All pokemon in this story will be able to learn five moves at a time. I always thought that four was a little limited, but five does seem good enough for right now.

Kori's Pokemon:

1. CHIMCHAR (female): (EMBER, SCRATCH)

2. EGG: (NO MOVES TO SPEAK OF)

3. SWABLU (male): (SING, FURY ATTACK, STEEL WING)