[AJA000] - Prolouge / Recap

What follows is a story about Joey and AJ. Who are Joey and AJ, you may ask?

Who is Joey?

Many people call him “Youngster Joey”. He’s a young kid, probably younger than a lot of trainers. His very first pokemon was a Ratatta, whom he named “Ace”. It was his only pokemon for a long time, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. His Ratatta was his best friend.

Mainly because all the other kids teased Joey for it. No one ever spoke to him, they only ever teased him and his lousy Ratatta. Joey turned away from them, and left for Route 30 to train his Ratatta.

Who is AJ?

AJ Downs is a boy from Littleroot Town. He was one day possessed by thousands of voices, whom he saw as Unown, and was told by them to go on a journey to defeat the Elder God Helix. His first pokemon, a Totodile that gained the name LazorGator from its uncanny ability to fire lazers out of its eyes, was chosen as the one to defeat Lord Helix.

Along the way, many pokemon were picked up and brought along to defeat the god. Of note, Burrito the Espeon, Brian the Pidgeot, Katie the Dragonite, and Solid Snake the Steelix. Along the way, The Admiral (a Sentret), Prince Omelette the Togepi, Colonel N the Drowzee, and Woopie Goldberg the Wooper were released.

After beating all the gyms in both Johto and Kanto, AJ made his way to Mount Silver, where he found Red, the trainer of Lord Helix. After defeating him, it was revealed that "Lord Helix" was just another pokemon, and not a God like the voices that possessed AJ said. But the voices left AJ anyway, and AJ was left the best trainer in the region.

How does Joey know AJ?

AJ came across Joey very early on in his adventure, while LazorGator was still a Totodile. Joey was the first Pokemon trainer AJ fought, and AJ was the first person who accepted Joey's number. Excited to have someone to talk to, especially someone who would listen to him talk about his Ratatta without making fun of him, Joey called AJ all the time. And AJ was very grateful to Joey for the calls, as his calls would momentarily interrupt the voices that were demanding AJ to do their bidding.

They became fast friends, and stayed friends through rough times. While AJ was off at the Indego Plaetau, Joey wanted to show his appreciation to AJ for being his friend. He sent his prized Ratatta, now a Ratacate, to AJ through the PC. And AJ kept Ace in his party through the Elite Four and Kanto, not knowing it was Joey's Ratatta.

When he did find out, the voices forced AJ to box Ace, and AJ defeated Red and his Lord Helix without him. AJ returned to Joey shortly after Red's defeat, and AJ gave Ace back to Joey. Joey was angry at first that AJ boxed Ace, but he made up very shortly after, because he didn't want to lose his only friend.

But AJ wanted more for his friend: he encouraged Joey to adventure to become the best trainer as well.

AJ: "It's time to go face greater challenges, Joey. You're never going to be the best unless you take the risk to get there. And maybe soon enough, it'll be your face hanging up next to your Raticate in the Hall of Fame instead of mine."

Joey looked at AJ, mix of emotions on his face: fear of the things to come, hope at the chance to win, love for what AJ was doing, excitement for the possibilities ahead, and sadness for one reason...

Joey: "...when will I ever see you again?"

AJ: throwing his bag onto his back "Pfft, I'm coming with you. You think I'd miss this??"