It has been a month since the end of the Indigo tournament. I didn’t watch any matches after my final one. Because Matariel left the battlefield by teleporting through the shielding, Nagoya was awarded the victory. Investigations were ongoing for weeks and ultimately ended in neither of us garnering any serious punishment. I was not liable for Morton’s death, and Arbok’s actions were deemed accidental. I doubt I’ll ever see Blue Wolf again. I’d kill t…I’d love to take him down once and for all. The PRI has undoubtedly spirited him back to Johto.

Matariel was under intensive research by an unknown branch of the government, but word is getting around that it escaped a while ago. I half expect it to look for me—I’m the only trainer that has satiated its need for carnage. I want it to come back. If I never see it again, Raze died for only a few weeks with a new Pokemon. I miss my Venusaur more everyday. I’m going to visit its grave as soon as I get a chance…

Heather has been in the hospital since the battle. She underwent six emergency surgeries and regained consciousness three days later. I’ve been at her bedside nearly every waking moment, except when the police took me away. The government hasn’t taken any real action against me. They never recovered Articuno. It…vanished before they could secure it. I let them take Matariel and they’ve kept away from me. I expect an interrogation to begin soon, but I’m not worried. ‘Operation: Arctic Chill’ violated three separate international treaties against government sponsorship in capturing legendary Pokemon, so the just wants to keep me quiet. If anything should happen, Jack will release the journal I gave him and it’s the Pentagon Papers all over again.

I didn’t just leave the journal with my old friend…he took Apollyon for me. Jack promised not to tell me where he’s going, but my Articuno is waiting in the cliffs and snowy peaks of Silver Mountain. I’ll go back for it soon. I still have Leviathan and Behemoth, and am expecting Matariel soon. I’ll have my team back together at last, then I can train anew. Thinking about my strategies helps keep me collected, but brings my mind back to lying down with Heather beneath the stars. Now I’m walking back to the hospital on a cloudy, chilly day. The September weather is starting to set in, and the trees are losing all their leaves. The path before me is gravelly, with puddles everywhere. Red leaves cascade down from the ashen trees while a cloud of tiny brown Pidgey beat their wings and rise into the air. The cold sun is trying to break through the clouds, and a breeze blows through my hair.

I’ll continue my journeys someday. The world is calling to me, and I have to keep going. I have to fight on for Heather, for Jack, for Hunter, for Raze. For myself. I’ve just walked into Heather’s hospital room. She’s asleep, so I’ll sit down next to her bed. I take her warm hand in mine and sigh. Closing my eyes, I see Articuno perched on an icy summit, soft light gleaming off its sharp crests and its blue, waxy wings. Mountain air ruffles its mane of white feathers as it seems to look straight at me with its piercing eyes. I open my eyes again and see Heather, finally sleeping peacefully, her soft touch making life worthwhile. It's the only life I have to live. I’ll continue my journeys someday, but for now I’m right here…where I belong.

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