Legendary #1: Arctic Chill

I'm one of this year's five trainers from Pallet Town. Instead of starting my Pokemon journey when I was ten, as almost everyone does, I finished school first and studied Pokemon constantly. I became an expert in nearly every field of Pokemon study and specialized in battle tactics. You could say that I was well prepared for battling my way to the leagues. So, I started out this year with Professor Oak as my contact from Pallet. I'm originally from Cinnabar Island, but moved near Pallet when we heard that research on the island was growing too dangerous. Seems that we made the right choice...half the island was destroyed. I started out with my Bulbasaur, Raze.

That first day, three other trainers and I arrived early at Professor Oak's lab. That Ketchum kid never showed up. I guess he made it later. Anyways, Oak gave the timely four of us information about an advanced capture device called a Master Ball. It's supposedly 100% effective in catching a Pokemon...ANY Pokemon, but only a few exist. I got mine from the President of Silph, Co., who happens to be good friends with Oak. I went through Saffron City before Team Rocket infiltrated the company, so I didn't have any problems getting it.

It's been about half a year since I started out from Pallet, and I've made quite a name for myself since I left. So have other trainers like Gary Oak, the professor's grandson, who's known for his skills and inflated ego. Ash Ketchum is always in the news for thwarting that rather sad Team Rocket and winning random competitions. My reputation hasn't come only from victories, because it's...less than perfect. I convinced the professor to tell Ash and the others that I've dropped out of competition. That was about the time I became involved with the government...and needed to drop out of sight. The Pallet trainers will have a big surprise waiting for them at the Indigo League this year--me.

I travel with a team of three of my best Pokemon now. The first is Leviathan, my Gyarados. Next is Behemoth, my Snorlax. Damn, he's tough. Finally, there's my Gengar, Matariel. These guys are all above-average, tough-as-nails Pokemon who keep me winning. They all have...less than sterling pasts, but I'm hesitant to talk about it now. Maybe later.

Well, that brings us up to the morning of the last day on the Seafoam Islands. I was sleeping...the term used loosely...uncomfortably against a boulder at the opening of that final cavern when Tech and Hunter woke me up. "Neil, wake up! C'mon, man. You've had enough beauty sleep! We've got to check out this last cave before nightfall," Hunter said pointedly to me. Okay, I'll admit it. I had fallen back asleep, as hard as that is to believe, after doing some last-minute research with my Pokedex on the beach. But now, NOW it was time to work.

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