One year today! 

[[Good morning Johto! Today on the feed, you'll be being greeted by the sight of one Emmy Altava, standing with her index finger raised in the air, a smile on her face and Goldenrod city in the background. It's the 17th of December; exactly a year since she arrived in Johto, and Emmy is feeling rather buzzed about it all. It's like an anniversary of sorts!]] 

That's how long I've been here; exactly one year. Time certainly does fly when you're having fun, doesn't it? I mean, I still miss London, but I feel there's so much more to explore in this world even after being here as long as I have. I've made some wonderful friends, both human and not! 

[[With a flourish, she whips out her trusty notebook, pen poised over a blank page.]]

 So, everyone! For those of you that have been here a year or longer, tell me your favourite things about Johto! Do you still enjoy it here? Have you explored all there is to explore? What secrets or mysteries or puzzles have you uncovered? That question also goes to those of you who are newer, by the way! The Professor- [[-for a moment, Emmy's bright smile fades, before she quickly forces it back on her face; the Professor wouldn't want to see her sad, after all-]] -may not be here any more but that doesn't mean I can slack off as his assistant! 

[[Pausing for a moment, Emmy chuckles to herself.]] 

One year in Johto for assistant number 1! How terribly fitting.

[[It's been an exciting day for one Emmy Altava here in Goldenrod!

Not only did she wake up to find her scooter parked neatly outside her apartment building, but it's full of fuel and working perfectly! So of course, the first thing she does (after breakfast, obviously!) is leap on top of it and start riding it around town in a manner that....might not be considered following the road rules. But she has a license! It's a license from back home but it's....still a license, right?

Oh well!

After a while, she started to feel bad that her Pokemon were being left out. It wasn't fair that they should have to sit in their Pokeballs while she had fun all over the city!

But then Emmy had a brainwave.

So if you happen to be in the streets of Goldenrod, you might see....well.

A Machamp riding a scooter.

A Machamp riding a scooter wearing a pink helmet with an excited girl on her shoulders.

A Machamp riding a scooter wearing a pink helmet with an excited girl on her shoulders TAKING ALL THE PICTURES]]

This was a fantastic idea, Machi! Go a little faster, I want to take more shots!

[[Completely oblivious to the fact that she could fall and crack her skull open, Emmy is having a marvelous time, while Machi is kind of holding on to her trainer and the scooter for dear life. Having four arms is great, sometimes.

Just wave the Emmymobile down if you want to speak to her; just expect a picture or two!]]

VIDEO

[[The feed opens to Emmy's smiling face, shaking slightly as she adjusts the camera. She appears to be in a square of sorts, sitting on a bench under a tree.]]

Does anyone out there have any advice for when it comes to visiting the Goldenrod gym for a battle? I've heard the leader is a bit childish, and it sometimes causes problems for challengers. Any hints would be appreciated!

~~~

ACTION

[[Her message completed, Emmy places her Pokegear in her pocket and awaits responses. Nearby, her Machamp and her Pignite are sparring. Occasionally she'll give them a word of praise or a correction, but it's clear her mind is elsewhere.

When replies come in, she turns to the side to answer them, displaying a certain reluctance to show her Pokemon on the Pokegear, focusing the camera only on herself as they spar off to the side.

Emmy isn't usually this disconnected from her Pokemon when they're training, but her thoughts have been heavy for the past couple of days, ever since she engaged in communication with an anonymous Team Rocket member. Whoever the person was, they'd unnerved her with their knowledge of her team and their current statuses. For this reason, she's not broadcasting her training session to the network at all.

It bothers her somewhat, as she hates feeling like this. She shouldn't have to hide her Pokemon; she wants to show them off! But if she's going to have any sort of advantage over this Team Rocket member, she has to keep her team a secret. Especially since they mentioned they'd be targeting her specifically. But why?]]

This is all so horribly creepy....

[[She's zapped back to reality as her Pignite goes rolling past her, the victim of a sneaky throw from her Machamp. Pushing her insecurities to the side, she decides to look forward, smiling as said Pignite manages to jump straight back into the battle. After all, isn't that what she should be doing?]]

[[As soon as she set foot in Violet City, Emmy immediately sought out the Gym for a battle! However, if you've got your Pokegear on or you're near the Pokemon Centre, you'll see her and her Machop emerging, looking...rather defeated.]]

Well, that certainly could've gone better.

[[Almost in unison, the pair sigh and seat themselves on a bench outside the centre.]]

That Falkner fellow had some horribly powerful Pokemon! That creepy owl....gosh, I had no idea what to do! Perhaps we shouldn't have rushed in there so soon. I'm sorry, Machi.

[[The Machop frantically waves her arms and points to herself, before sighing and slapping her palm against her forehead.]]

It wasn't your fault!

[[Emmy smiles, and puts a friendly arm around her Pokemon's shoulders.]]

Don't worry, Machi. The Professor wouldn't give up and neither will we! We just have to train harder so that next time, we're ready! We're not going to lose to the likes of him!

You know the drill!