Emanuel's Diary

     Woke up in camp today. Unfortunately, this still isn't a dream. The others seemed pleasant this morning. It was sort of refreshing to see people moving around a camp again. Reminded me of the old days with James. Boston was back to normal, or his new normal. We set out for Altir Cavern as soon as we were up and ready to go. I keep finding myself near the back of the group when we walk. Taking in the sights that are familiar and yet different at the same time. It's a strange feeling.

     Once to Altir Cavern we took the roped off path deeper into the tunnels. I don't remember there being this expansive cavern system on this route. Nevertheless, we trekked in. On the way we found an Armor Fossil that Boston kept. We also stumbled into a hidden room through a narrow tunnel. There I met a Larvitar that was badly injured. I nursed him back to health and noticed he had been clutching a stone. Seemed like he was looking for a Mega Stone when he'd gotten attacked. I agreed to help him look for it, in return he seemed interested in joining me once the item was secure. While I was distracted, Boston caught a shiny Binacle .

     Traveling back out we managed to avoid getting swarmed by a flock of Zubats, but in the midst of them all, Eerie caught sight of a different kind of bat Pokemon. Darbat. I'd never seen anything like it. The Pokedex stated that it was the combination of a Gobat and a Gust Stone. It spotted us and traveled deeper into a cave. There was a voice that mentioned 'Sneaking out the back'. I'm not sure why, but my instincts kicked in to investigate. Perhaps our last adventure still left me with the urge to stick my nose into everyone's business, or I spent too much time with James. Maybe both. 

     Heading in, we found a room, but no one was in it. There was a table in the room with Documents as well as 2 Fossils, a Ying Yang Pendulum, a strange stone, and the Mega Stone! With the Mega Stone the Larvitar seemed happy and joined my team. I had been thinking of the name Dante for him because he was able to endure hardships to obtain his goal. The documents on the table seemed to detail notes on the Gust Stone, which was the strange rock, and how it can be utilized to evolve the Zubat and Rhyhorn in this cave. I also learned that the pendulum was an amplifier for non-damaging psychic moves. Seems whoever was conducting research was trying to find a way to apply it to damaging moves as well. I noticed a watermark on all of the sketches. Seemed the artist was a fan of Grimer. It was brought to my attention that there was a Sandia mark on the back of the pendulum. That was concerning to me. Perhaps I am being biased. Just because Sandia was doing some sketchy activity 95 years ago, doesn't mean they would still be doing it... right?

     As we were investigating a group of Pokemon suddenly came in and attacked. It seemed like a Purloin and Poochyena gathered a group of Zubats, a Ryhon, and an Onix. In the midst of the fight the Poochyena stuck me down. It was terrifying. I haven't felt this weak in a long time. Boston had gone down right before me from the Rhyhorn. I was bought back up. For a moment I thought it was James, but it was Eerie. I am really grateful for that. I was able to resuscitate Boston as well. I fear we are very vulnerable here. Our Pokemon seem to be the only things keeping us safe. Before I could take a few Zen Headbutts from Deoxys before crumbling, but now a Tackle from a Poochyena was enough for me to black out. 

     Once everything settled I made out with a Zubat. So did Eerie and Boston. The Zubay here seemed to have feather-like patterns on their wings. Toni got the Rhyhorn that seemed to spark with electricity. Prof. Pecan seemed to make friends with the Onix. Sadly, the Purloin escaped back to their trainer. While sweeping the last of the room Boston made a discovery of a bug type Voltorb. They were in the lanterns in the room. There was also an elevator that was controlled by a G-Max Kingler with a metal coat. Unfortunately, we were unable to get it down to pursue the individual, and eventually the elevator moved all the way down out of reach. Before we left we realized that the Poochyena had passed. At the time I figured it was the battle. That was normal.

     We headed out of the cave. Eerie gave me the Sail Fossil from the room. On the way out Toni also found a Arrowhead Fossil and a Cover Fossil. On the way back to Gosseb, somehow it was brought up that Grunts seem to have dark types. It was made apparent that over half my team at this time was comprised of Pokemon that evolved into dark types. Eerie and Toni began to make fun of me for being a grunt. I'll never tell them, but it was kind of nice. It reminded me of traveling with Boston and James again and how they'd poke fun at me. Of course I don't like being made fun of, who does, but these memories keep coming back. I think I just miss the old team. It's strange not having him around. 

     Once to Gosseb we visited the Professor and handed over our fossils to be revived. While we waited I tried to bond with Bella, the Zubat, but she didn't seem interested. Seems that catching downed Pokemon is a bit rattling for them. That makes sense. I hadn't ever thought of that before. Professor Locust came back to give us the eggs as well as Jr. Archeologist certificates. We learned some information on the divide between Duri and Razzabuians. Seemed to stem from Sumara. 

     In the midst of everything I learned from Void that he'd eaten the Poochyena. I told him to be careful when he does that. He seemed content, but understood. He had been hungry. Weird, I'd never heard this issue before, but then again I hadn't been adventuring since he'd been back. Maybe it's a growth spurt, or something. 

     We ended up setting up camp on the outskirts of Goseb. I was able to gain Bella's trust with some of the curry we helped Toni make. I learned a bit about my group as well around the fire. Eerie is here for contests and grooming Pokemon. Toni is here to find herself. Honestly, Voronis is a wonderful place to do that. Seems like Boston is looking for Raven and Lifeline. I figured he'd look for Lifeline, however, I hadn't thought of tracking down Raven too. Sadly, Hubert had gone to sleep already. 

     I decided to stay up and take watch with Eerie again. That was my mistake. She had apparently seen Void go to the Poochyena before it passed. I assured her that he was safe, but he said she wasn't worried about him but me. Void spilled that it would be my choice who lived and died. Where was that rule when he ate the dog in the first place? Regardless, I promised Eerie she was safe with me. I don't know if it took, or what she is thinking, but I'm a bit nervous now. She keeps catching the worst parts of me, or well my secrets more or less. I wonder if I should come clean to her. I'll have to talk to Boston.