The Exploits of Matthew Blake

Matt emerged from the outdoor clothing store, feeling rejuvenated as he gets a feel for his new threads; a denim jacket with its inner part fur lined for warmth and also a detachable hood, a breathable shirt with a print of an Alolan tiki statue, and cargo pants that have removable sleeves below the knee, making them able to become shorts.

Matt passed by a store window and caught his reflection, stopping in his tracks to fix his hair. "Gotta look presentable in case they ask for a picture..." Matt thought to himself, planning how to talk to his parents. They most likely don't know about what's happening in Sinnoh, how Azure has fallen and how the region is now under attack by Team Galactic. The adventurer wanders to a much more peaceful part of town and he racks his head on what to tell them. If he told the truth, they would no doubt charge into Sinnoh, guns blazing. "No... I shouldn't drag them into this..." He quickly thought. With a heavy sigh, Matt took out his Pokenav.

A familiar voice of a lady came from the other side of the Nav, making Matt's throat form a lump and his eyes glaze with tears; yet smiling as he know who he is talking to.

Matt's ears are then greeted with a loud squeal of happiness from his mother, causing him to wince out of his emotional moment and back into reality. "Matty baby!!! Oh my god, how are you?? It's been so long!!" His mother interrogated excitedly. "It's been fine..!" Matt replied, deciding not to tell her about the actual situation. "I graduated, now I can freely roam Sinnoh." Matt paused to consider what to do. "You know... I think I might go for the league...".

His mom gasped. "Oh my...!" The then called out away from the Nav. "Honey..! Our young man graduated from Azure!! Oh, he's going for the League as well!!!" She let out another excited squeal at how her son has grown, making Matt feel warm and giddy inside with pride. He then heard footsteps from the other line and only assumed who he was going to talk to next.

A soft, deep voice of an older male speaks up. "Son...?" Matt's expression softens as he recognizes the voice instantly. "Hi dad..."

"Hi son...!" His dad replied, more reserved than Matthew's mother yet his excitement was clear in his voice. "How are you and Baek? You got yourself a team, yet?" "Yeah..! I did! They're really good pokemon and they're also pretty strong! Baek's evolved into a Combusken as well..! Maybe once we meet again, we could fight you and Lei, huh dad?" Matt responded, smirking a bit at his challenge.

His dad paused at what just happened, only to utter out. "Really? You serious..?" To which he replies "You bet!" "Yeah... Yeah, that would be fun to see..!" His dad answers back, still in disbelief on how his son is now challenging him to battle. "Oh before I forget! Your mom and I will be sending you a graduation gift! It's a pair of weather resistant goggles. It'll block out EVERYTHING from your sight. Sand, fog, water, you name it! Think you could make it to the post office in Jubilife in a few days to get it?" "Goggles?" Matt answered back, blinking a bit. He considers refusing the gift out of personal pride, but then reconsiders given the features it has. "Sure...! I'll be there!"

"That's great, son..! Your mother and I would give it to you ourselves, but we're spending time here in Unova, Undella town specifically." His dad explains to which his mom chimes in. "Oh, you should come here when it's not summer! It's so serene and peaceful...." "That sounds like a blast!" Matt answers, smiling at how much his mom is enjoying the town. "Hey mom, dad. I gotta go and rest for the day."

"Alright...! You take care now, Matty babyyy! Come visit us soon!!" His mom calls out, blowing a kiss through the Nav. "Stay safe Matt, you're on your own now... God, it was like yesterday when you'd always tag along whenever your mom and I have an outing, now look at you..." His dad remarks, still in awe. "I'm so proud of you, son. Keep on the good work, Goodbye, Matthew."

""Bye dad..." Matt managed to utter out, choking as his father's words catch him off guard. Once the call ends, Matt put down his Nav as covered his mouth as he begins to choke and sob, tears pouring out. Having kept his emotions bottled up for so long since the Woods, Matt fell to his knees and began to cry. Having been suddenly thrust into a region on the verge of being taken over by Team Galactic, the adventurer felt scared and alone, longing for the embrace of his parents that he hasn't seen in such a long time.