A/N: Hey guys! Not much to say here other than... surprise! I promise the double update isn't going to be a thing. This is just the last chapter of the 'prologue' portion of the story. With an 8000+ doozy next week. Please enjoy!

Warning: Alcohol consumption

Chapter 3

A Memoir of the End (Surface Deep)

12/10/20XX

Dear Diary,

Surprise! I'm writing again only a day later. I know what you might be thinking, but yesterday was long enough to count as a week of it's own. And Steven says that I should write anytime I need to and the weekly entries are just a good habit to have. So, where to begin... Maybe with my current state?

It's mid-morning and I've been up for a couple of hours, but I still feel like I slept in tumble dryer all night. My head is pounding, bones are sore, and like a dummy I managed to catch a cold. Doc says that I need to be more careful. Something about being from another world and not having the proper immune system to deal with the potentially alien diseases. I, unwisely, told her that she was an alien disease...

I know, I know. It's just... I thought it might upset her enough that she wouldn't give me any cold medicine. Diary, let me tell you something, that woman is inhuman. She pinned me down and forced the disgusting liquid down my throat. I can almost taste it still. Ugh. To make it worse, apparently there are miracle hangover cures and I might have one... if I didn't call the woman an old hag while sputtering on the horrendous after taste. Sweet Arceus... my head is pounding. Ugh... anyway Diary, remind me not to try out drinking Volkner again. Bedhead has an insane tolerance.

Right, lets start from the beginning shall we. After we left off yesterday, I went on to ace my exam, got a Pokemon egg, verbally sparred with a full of herself French woman, and engaged in a courtship with Cynthia. That sounds so dumb. Engaged in a courtship. It feels more accurate than to say we're just dating.

I can't begin to express how... I've been staring at the paper for five minutes trying to actually express the thing that I said I can't express. I'm going to have to settle with unsatisfactory descriptors I suppose.

Cynthia is amazing. She's so kind and understanding and respectful. If I'm honest, I was starting to worry that she might be putting on a show or something to earn my trust. Like, no one could actually be that amazing right? Well, apparently they can. I'm sorry to say that I snapped a bit last night and lashed out at her unfairly. I had put myself in a corner and started lashing out like an animal. I'm not proud of that, but Cynthia, bless her heart, didn't just let me walk over her.

She wasn't afraid to snap back and remind me that I was in fact getting out of hand. I couldn't blame her if she had gotten properly sick of me after that, but even angry she was more respectful than she had any right to be. In my last ditch effort to push her away, somehow we ended up closer than when we began. I'm not going to put the details here, they belong only to me and her, but I just needed to write this down... makes it feel more real. I'm in a romantic relationship with Cynthia Shirona. What even is my life at this point.

-/-

Okay, I'm back. It's now... noon. Lucario had come by to collect the girls, apparently me being sick is not a good enough reason for them to skip training. I had them take the egg too. I remember learning somewhere that Pokemon can observe the world outside of their egg. It seemed like a good idea to let them see what they'll be getting into and spend time with the girls. Shaymin started a war between herself and Petite when she insisted that she'd be the best sister. I guess we're that kind of family now.

After they left, Doc stopped back in to check my condition. I'm proud to say that I was able to apologize for my poor behavior, despite my awful mood. I don't deal well when I'm sick. I stay in a perpetually awful mood. She accepted my apology on the condition that I didn't make her force the next dose of medicine down my throat. Tricksy woman, I agreed and she immediately pulled a bottle out of her pocket. I managed to get through without complaint and she finally took mercy on me with that hangover cure. It really did work like a miracle.

After the Doc stepped out Cynthia took her lunch break in my room. I spent most of Cynthia's visit looking pitiful and listening to her talk about work. Apparently, things are heating up a bit with the target. Her sources are saying that the only other notable groups are expected to fold in another month or so. At roughly the same time as the League Season starts, probably a little later. It's a smart move. Waiting until everyone is distracted with the League will make the game all the easier.

Speaking on the League end of things, everyone is starting to get fired up. A couple of the Elite Four, namely Flint and Lucian, have already challenged Cynthia to public exhibition battles. Apparently, they do this every year. They'll turn the battles into televised events and sell tickets to help fund raise for the new season. Most of the money goes back into the League, but the care of Champion tier Pokemon isn't exactly cheap either. As long as they're part of the Elite Four though, costs are covered by the League. The costs of living are also doubled and sent to the members of the Elite Four every month as well as another large stipend for their own work.

Cynthia hasn't given any numbers, but I expect that she's made enough to live comfortably for a long time. Anyway, Diary, I'm exhausted. It's taken me far too long to put these rambling thoughts to paper as it is. I think if the Doc comes to check on me again and I'm not sleeping, she might just knock me out herself. Til next time!

/-/

12/15/20XX

Dear Diary,

Ugh, Diary... end my suffering please. I thought I'd be up and at 'em already. But noooo... Apparently, what we thought was a small cold actually turned out to be a case of pneumonia. I went downhill pretty quickly and developed a bad cough, started getting nauseous, and even making a trip to the bathroom had become exhausting. I've spent a good chunk of the week in and out of a feverish sleep. Thankfully, my condition was officially declared on the mend a couple of days ago.

It seems that I'm going to be forced to endure a round of vaccinations, once I get back to full health. After the week I've had, you won't hear me complaining. Shoot, I'd gladly take all the medicine the Doc wants to give me, if it gets me out of this bed. I woke up a couple hours ago feeling really good so I'm optimistic that I can get back to my life soon. I think the worst part is that all of the weeks I spent training with Lucario are basically wasted at this point. Stupid muscles atrophying from disuse.

-/-

I'm back again. It's been an hour or so since I quit writing. The Doc came through for a quick checkup. Looks like my fever has mostly gone down along with my cough. I'm still sore and tired, but if this trend continues. She'll be letting me out of bed tomorrow. I'll even get to do some light exercise with the girls. I can't wait. Speaking of the girls, they finished with practice just a few minutes ago and are spending some time with me. Shaymin wants me to say hi. Petite is busy shedding her little leaves. I've got a nice stock for tea making. Gingersnap was even kind enough to gift me a quality thermos for the road. It uses vacuum insulation. He was far too excitable about it. What a strange dude... but he's pretty cool too.

The egg is doing well by the way. The little one inside has been getting antsy and reacting to outside stimuli. They'll move a lot when they're watching the mock battles that Lucario has been sitting up with between my girls and his own hatchlings. I was quite shocked to hear about that. Apparently Cynthia's private home is located near a clan of, I hesitate to say wild, Lucario. He discovered them some years back and has since lived with them whenever he's not working with Cynthia. A couple of his kids were starting to became trouble makers in the clan so he's decided that getting smacked around by the girls would be and I quote, 'beneficial to their growth, not just physically, but mentally.' Or as I like to put it, it wouldn't be fair if he knocked them around himself. He refuses to confirm or deny.

Anyway, about the egg, we suspect that it should be hatching within the next week or so. The average incubation period is twenty five days and we aren't sure how long it's been since it was laid. But this kind of activity only occurs near the last few days. As I write this, Shaymin and Petite are talking to the egg while it sits on my nightstand. I'm watching it shift excitedly. Someone is an eager beaver.

-/-

Last time I'll be writing today. It's currently- ten pm on the dot. How lucky is that? I have to be careful right now though. Cynthia's curled up with her head in my lap and peacefully asleep. She joined me a couple of hours ago to cuddle and watch some old tournament videos from Johto and Hoenn. Right now, Ash's final fight with Tyson is on. It's playing out about the same way as the anime. It's... a strange experience. Seeing such big anime moments but in real life...

It's been a month now. A month since I fell through Ultra Space. I still don't have any kind of answers. I don't know why it was me, I don't know why my eyes are different, I don't know why I've ended up where and when I am. I'm trying to make peace with the fact that I might never have those answers. I had a video call with Rowan earlier today. There were some interesting results from tests that I let him run with equipment borrowed from the Aether Foundation. He played it off as tests that he wanted to run on Pokemon in the vicinity of the Ultra Wormhole that I fell through. I'm grateful for that. The last thing I want is to be on the Aether's radar.

Apparently, I'm a carrier of frankly concerning amounts of Ultra Space energy. More than I'm comfortable with thinking about. His hypothesis is either; I fell for a very long time... or something else changed me. The strangest thing is that unless the energy readers are within a few feet of my person, there's no reading. That explains why the Aether Foundation hasn't come knocking on our door already. I haven't talked with Cynthia about this quite yet. I will tomorrow, she has a day off and she wants to spend it together.

On a lighter note, I have a print out of an article that started making its rounds on the net early this week. Cynthia brought it to me after Stringbean showed it to her. It has a picture of Cindy and I at the park from behind. She's sitting next to me with an arm draped over my shoulder and I'm snuggled against her side. Next to it is a screenshot from a video posted by a patron of the cafe that filmed the altercation between Fantina and I. It shows me leaned over the table, my cheeks and nose red. Shaymin is even caught in the frame, obviously prepared to throw down. While, Fantina is recoiling from my claim that she's jealous.

The absolute best part has to be the article's title.

The Champion's new friend? or is it something more?

Sparks fly between Hearthome City's own Fabulous Fantina and Cynthia's mysterious new acquaintance.

The article goes on to paint a rather fanciful rendition of the truth. With theories about me ranging from being a childhood friend, all the way to a secret lover from a distant region. It occurs to me now, that I should come up with some kind of cover story soon. Can't very well go around announcing that I'm from another world. That's a problem for another time it seems. Cynthia's woken up and demands that I put away the journal and cuddle with her. She's so cute when she's sleepy and her hair is all mes-

/-/

12/21/20XX

Dear Diary,

Not much to say at the moment, I'm only writing because my phone finally came back from the Poketch Co. Along with my phone came a new charger as well as an interesting letter that I'm going to staple on the next page.

It seems that repairs took so long because the technology was so different, in the President's own words, 'almost alien from anything we've ever seen.' The quote is from the letter itself, handwritten by the Poketch Company President Clyde Miyake. He expresses gratitude for giving them the chance to work on the technology even if what they learned is technically unusable due to the extremely strict NDA they are under. He goes on to ask if I would be open to a meeting with himself at his company headquarters in Jubilife City. He hints, not-so-subtly, that he'd like to make a form of business arrangement. He sent his personal number and requests that I contact him as soon as I'm available to do so.

Cynthia is understandably nervous about introducing technology from my world to this one. I have to agree, but also... I think it may be worth at least exploring the possibility. Maybe if I can get the Silph and Devon Companies involved, we can get some idea of the effects that introducing the technology might have on the world stage. I'll talk with Cindy and if we can figure out something we both are comfortable with, then I'll explore this further. Until then though, I'm thinking about seeing if Cynthia is interested in my rom of Pokemon Crystal. It was the last one I'd been playing in a personal goal of playing every game. I'm only hesitating because I know that she's already struggling with certain things that I won't be mentioning in this diary.

Since I started, might as well talk about what's happening. I'm currently enjoying a relaxing moment in the lounge after my daily power walk through the garden. Since I was released from bed on the 16th, I've been working my way back to the regular regime that Lucario had me on. So far, I'm able to relatively comfortably complete the same laps at a brisk walk that I was able to jog before. Thank Arceus that there doesn't seem to be any real long term damage done by the pneumonia.

Here comes Gingersnap and Bedhead. I know Volkner hates it when I call him that but until he finally says something, I'm going to keep doing it. Looks like they want to chat. I'll see you later Diary.

/-/

12/24/20XX – [Droplet stains cover the page]

Dear Diary,

Where to begin... I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment, but... No, I can't do this right now.

-/-

Alright... I've gone and had a major breakdown and I think I'm ready. Come on Sasha just write something in the stupid book! You can do it. You're okay. I'm okay. Its all okay... Who am I kidding, nothing is okay. I'll try again later...

-/-

Why won't she talk to me?! I can't stand this.

-/-

I'm currently on a ferry to Sunyshore City. I needed to get out of the Castle. I've got my bag and supplies. I've got my phone, my clothes and the girls and their brother. Oh, I haven't had a chance to mention that yet have I? The egg hatched into a little Starly on the 19th. He's a rambunctious little one, and highly protective of his sisters. He's healthy and even bigger than usual. Rowan, that old fart, was around when he hatched and gave him a clean bill of health. He thinks that given the chance, Starly could be contender for one of the best of his kind. Guess he rolled solid EV's eh? He's taken to the name Atlas, after the Titan who held the stars.

I can't believe that I'm running away again... It's pathetic... I'll pick this up later. Going to see if Bedhead was in on this... I'm stopping before I write something that I'm going to regret. See ya later Diary.

/-/

I bang on the metal door of the Sunyshore Tower and lift my aviators to glare into the security camera. "Bedhead, open this door. Right now."

I wait for a moment until his voice comes through an intercom by the door, "Sasha, is that you? What are you doing here?"

"Let me in and tell me where you are. If you knew about their plan, I'm going to beat you black and blue."

"Sasha I promise that I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm on the top floor," The door in front of me slides open. "Elevator's just around the left corner. I'll see you shortly."

"Bring alcohol," I reply before walking in and making my way to the elevator.

I hit the button for the top floor and lean against the wall. The wall across from the door is one big window, giving a gorgeous view of the port city. I wish that I could be in a good enough mood to enjoy the sight. The warring emotions in my chest are too distracting.

As the elevator finally comes to a stop, I turn around and step out to see the blonde man leaning in a doorway. His Raichu is standing in front of him and watching me with a wary expression. I stare from behind my glasses and into his blue eyes. It's difficult to find words.

"Sasha, you don't seem okay. What's going on? You and Cynthia were supposed to be in town tomorrow right?" I take a shaky breath and pull off my glasses with trembling hands.

"Look me in the eyes and tell me that you had no idea. Volkner, for the love of Arceus, please tell me that you didn't know." It takes monumental effort for me to hook the glasses on the front of my shirt instead of crushing them.

He holds my eyes with a steady if somewhat confused expression. "I swear that I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about." I believe him. "I can't believe you actually used my name... I'm starting to worry."

I release a long heavy breath that shakes my entire body. "Cynthia, Rowan and the Elite Four..." I can't help the snarl that pulls at my lips as I start pacing between the window and elevator door. "They decided for some reason that it would be best that I remain on League grounds this year."

"Wait what?!" Volkner exclaims actually losing the bored tone for the first time in his life. That's not fair, he didn't do anything to me. Don't lash out at innocent people. Thank you, Steven. "Flint had a hand in this? Did they even ask you? Why haven't I heard about this?"

"Yes, No and I'm from another world and no one is supposed to know except Cynthia and Rowan... in that order." I pause in my pacing and flex my fingers over and over. I can see his brain slowly fitting pieces together. "Can... Can I come in? I think I need to sit down before I blow my lid."

"Uh, yeah..." He still seems to be reeling from the shock as he wanders back into the room.

As I walk up I pause next to Raichu and kneel down to look into his wary eyes to say, "I'm sorry for threatening Volkner. I promise that I won't hurt him."

Raichu thinks for a second before nodding and holding out his paw. "Rai. Raichu."

I shake his hand gently and reply, "Thanks for understanding."

Raichu follows me through the door which closes behind us. The room is a well furnished but minimalist lounge area with a mini bar against one wall. A couple of nice black couches sit on opposite sides of a glass coffee table and two matching chairs sit across from the window. Volkner is standing at the minibar. He takes a bottle of whiskey and a couple of crystal glasses. I make myself comfortable on the couch closest to the door and sit my bag to the side. Raichu hops up on the chair closer to me.

I stare out the window as I listen to Volkner fill the glasses. The sun'll be setting in an hour or two. Volkner presses a glass into my hand before taking a seat on the opposite couch. I let the silence carry until he's ready to talk. A sip of the alcohol burns nicely down my throat.

"Want to talk about what happened?" Volkner finally asks, followed by a sip of his drink.

"I mean... there's not much to tell. I was just finishing with my daily workout, finally back up to making the same jog that I was before I got sick by the way." I lift my glass with a sarcastic smile his way. "Cheers to that huh?" I take a long sip and work the glass between my fingers. "Okay... So... Sweet Arceus, I'm so mad."

"Its cool if you aren't ready to talk dude."

"No I.. I need to..." I clear my throat and my voice comes out more steadily "So, I went inside to the lounge for my usual post workout snack. But instead of being empty as usual, there they all are. Rowan, Flint, Bertha, Aaron, Lucian, and... and Cynthia. She couldn't even look me in the eye Volkner. Do you have any idea how... how much that hurt?" I bite my tongue until I can taste copper. He stays silent at the obviously rhetorical question. "I asked what was going on. Rowan said that they had all decided it would be safest and best for me if I stayed at the Castle this year."

"I... I was shocked and Cynthia kept avoiding me and I told them in no uncertain terms that I would not be doing any such thing. I must have railed and raved for thirty minutes. 'Back me up here Cynthia,' I said. 'Tell them that they're being unreasonable.' I... She didn't say an Arceus cursed word." I gulp down the rest of the glass before continuing, the sharp burn of the alcohol in my wound barely registering, "Bertha informed me that I was considered a flight risk and a guard would be posted on me at all times until things were more sorted. I... I flipped my lid. I told them exactly where they could shove their stupid decision. Got sent to my room like a child. I had mental breakdown, broke some furniture."

"Dang dude..." Volkner mutters as I take a moment to catch my breath. "How did you manage to get out of there then?"

"Climbed out the window," I reply with a shrug. "Don't know if they've realized I'm gone yet. The ferryman certainly didn't know I wasn't supposed to leave."

"You're room was on the third floor!" Somehow I'm not surprised that he latched on to that piece out of everything. "You climbed out? Simple as that? That's impressive dude."

"Thanks bro. Once I got shipped off to boarding school, I had to learn how to be creative with my escape attempts." I reply with a long sigh. "That's the worst part of all of this Volkner... having my freedom, my choice, stripped away. I... I can't live like that. I can't be trapped again. I'll go insane."

"I can understand, in my own way. I don't know what you've gone through, but I know that I wouldn't cope well. I've been in some dark places during my quest to clean up this city. That's why there are windows everywhere. Can't do the enclosed spaces anymore." The ice in his glass tinkles as he swirls the liquid. "Flint should be able to understand that. I don't know why he would agree to this. I'm... I'm pretty livid with him right now."

"Don't be upset with your boyfriend on my behalf, Volkner. You guys have been together forever. I just randomly showed up a month ago." I set my glass on the table. "It's not worth the trouble."

"Hey Sasha?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut your trap." He snarls and my eyes widen as I look at his red face. "You're my friend, our friend. I have a duty to get mad for you. Just like Flint and Cynthia." His knuckles are white as he slams a fist against the wooden top of the couch. "They shouldn't have done this to you."

I sniffle and wipe at the tears that threaten to spill out. "Thanks Bedhead, it... it means a lot to hear you say that." I break down into sobs. Raichu hops over and lets me wrap my arms around him while I cry into his fur. "She wouldn't even look at me!"

"Well, I'll have some words for Cynthia the next time I see her too," Volkner growls and then I hear him moving. I glance up to see him take a seat in Raichu's chair. He reaches out and places a hand on my shoulder. "Did you have a plan?"

I lift a shaking hand and make a so-so gesture. I bury my fingers in Raichu's soft fur and nuzzle against the top of his head. "I... I wanted to know if I could stay here for tonight. Then I plan to go use the teleportation services available at the Poke Center. I want to start my journey on the opposite side of Sinnoh. Hit up Sandgem for that big festival they have going on. Then I have some business with the President of Poketch in Jubilife. From there I was thinking of taking on Roark."

"Okay, that sounds pretty solid except... going to the Center is a bad idea. As soon as they notice you're gone, they'll have word sent out to keep you detained. Trust me, the police can be there in a flash." Volkner stands up and starts pacing. I watch him as he stares into the distance with his chin in his hand. "Hmm... maybe... They do owe me... It's the best bet."

Having some sort of plan in place helps me calm down some. If there's one skill I have mastered, its hyper focusing on what needs to be done. "What're you thinking Bedhead?"

He pauses and meets my cool gaze. "I have some old friends who owe me a favor, and more importantly, know the value of discretion. But we'll need to get you out of here sooner, rather than later." He taps his chin with his index finger. "What preparations were you missing? I can make a quick shopping trip to the city for you."

"Okay, yeah. I'll write you a list?" I suggest and he nods. I pull my pen and take a piece of paper from a spare notebook that I'd gotten at from Cynthia at some point. I push away the stab of pain that comes with the thought of her and fill out the list. Quality hiking boots, warm pants, a new winter jacket, some t-shirts, and some camping food. Luckily I already have a solid supply of food for my Pokemon stored away. I've been working hard to prepare for my journey. "Here, I've gotten the sizes written down too. I don't care if it looks good as long as it works. This isn't my first rodeo."

"Alright. So here's the plan. I'll go hit up the town, I'll be back in an hour. I'm leaving Raichu here and under absolutely no circumstances do you open these doors. Kick back and take a nap, you look exhausted. Once I get back, we'll wait until nightfall. I'll make sure my guy knows to expect us. He'll get you to Sandgem town in a jiff. From there you'll be on your own." I stand up and wipe dry my tear stained cheeks. "Are you positive this is what you want?"

"Beyond positive," I reply and hold out my hand. He clasps my arm tightly with a fire burning in his blue eyes.

"Then I'll have your back. That's what friends do."

"If you ever need anything. I'll be there Volkner. I do mean anything." Unlike Rowan... I'll keep that promise.

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12/25/20XX

It's just barely past midnight. I'm currently in my tent, and about to hit the sack. It's been a long day. Volkner didn't know what was going on. I think he would've warned me if he did. I keep thinking about what happened and it doesn't make sense. After getting some time and distance, I... struggle to believe that Cynthia would just turn on me like that. I can't even say that I think Rowan would. He'd already done so much to help... it just doesn't make since. I think there's something more going on.

Shaymin is curled up beside me and says that she agrees. She's adamant that Cynthia wouldn't betray us like this. I'm left with no other recourse than to make contact with Rowan. I know his lab is in Sandgem. It's where he spends most of his time during the League season. I expect that I'll either find him there, or at the very least get a message to him. It might be stupid, but my gut says that I should.

Petite is sleeping outside near the small fire pit that we have set up. Atlas is perched in the tree that we're camping under. We spent a couple hours scouting about a quarter mile radius of the campsite only to find no recent signs of life. Still, it's better safe than sorry. The Pokemon are going to be taking shifts keeping watch tonight. We were teleported to an ancient safe house that Volkner's contact used back before he turned from the criminal life. I figured it would be best to put some distance between us and the building. Just in case they manage to squeeze some information out of Volkner or that old fellow. So we're currently about three hours east of Sandgem, deep in the heart of the forest.

It's getting late, and we're in for a hard week. I'm going to sleep and pick up this entry again in the morning.

-/-

A/N: Not everything is going to be sunshine and rainbows in life. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day.