Guest Submission: Baton Pass It On

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Today we bring you an article by our very own RocketClauncher. It was his submission for the PJM Writing Contest and the rules stated that everyone who didn’t win could get a second chance. So here it is!

Baton Pass It On

Pokémon is timeless. Who knew back in the 90’s that this whole thing would take off? What started as some fancy animals that could change forms and learn different fighting moves is now a complex system of monsters that vary in endless ways. We started out with Scratches, Mega Punches, Double Kicks, and Bites. Nowadays, we have Parting Shots, Dazzling Gleams, Oblivion Wings, and more. We have gone from brown colored rats to aerodynamic blue frogs that sport their tongues as scarfs. No matter how much the series has changed and will continue to change, there is one thing that is certain: we aren’t gonna play these games forever. Now stick with me, I know that may sound a tad depressing, but it’s the truth. Some of us will get that big job, move far away, and start a family. Others will stay where they are and go on with their normal lives. Some will stay in their mother’s basements (won’t mention any names). Nonetheless, we will eventually part our ways with the series, giving up Pokémon. I know that may sound unfathomable, but trust me, I was obsessed with toy trains when I was younger, but you don’t see me playing with them anymore do you? Okay maybe a little from time to time but you get my point. Eventually we will take a broad look at our journeys as Pokémon masters, admiring all the fun times we had with our friends. It seems like a sad ending, but in reality it will be filled with bliss. The only thing better than playing the series is getting to see the next generation play it. We will have left our mark, and will pass it on.

NO WAY! I’M NEVER GONNA STOP PLAYING! POKEMON FOR LIFE!

Here, here. The first stage, denial, is the hardest. We’ll get through it together though. I’m not saying Pokémon will be something that’s locked away in the depths of your memory. Nostalgia, despite fueling “genwunners”, is a beautiful thing. Imagine a situation, years from now, where something as simple as hearing a Pokémon song, or starting up that Gameboy Color again, could give you chills. It strikes a nerve in you like a crisp harp string, sending a sweet melody throughout your soul. How about that, huh? Who knew giving up Pokémon could promote such imagery? It’s not all bad. Imagine telling your children about all the adventures you went on, all the people you met. No matter how you think about it, you will always be remembered as a Pokémon master. You’re in the Hall of Fame.

Okay…I guess I’ll accept that I will retire from Pokémon…

Good, I’ve convinced you. I’m sure you are wondering what’s next. Is there a retirement ceremony? Do I have to sign up? Is Sudowoodo really a Rock Type? Take it slow now, no need to rush your fate. If I were you, I would stick it out as much as you want. I gave up Pokémon after Ruby and Sapphire, but here I am, writing an article about it. You never know what will happen. I’m sure one day; I’ll truly have that moment. I will look back at everything, appreciate all that I was able to do, and let it go. It won’t be a long thought out process, it won’t be sad or painful, so don’t worry. One day I will happen to walk into the store, having not really paid attention to Pokémon as much as I used to. I will walk up to the gaming section and spot the latest Pokémon game or spinoff. I’ll pause for about half a second, and then come to peace. I don’t really need that. I think I’ve enjoyed it all so much; it’s time to let someone else experience everything I did. I’ll see a little kid walk up with his mom, grab the game, and purchase it. I’ll take a few seconds to look over and smile. All of the great things I have felt from a Pokémon game…this kid gets to feel for the very first time. If that’s not reassurance, I don’t know what is. I’m expecting my retirement to go something like that. But, maybe not.

So here’s my story, the story of my retirement from Pokémon:

It was the middle of March, 2013. I had just recently found out that there would be a new Pokémon game: Pokémon X and Y. I had been disappointed by Diamond and Pearl, so really didn’t play Black and White until shortly before the release of X and Y. However, Black and White really got me pretty pumped up. I loved them. For the first time in a while, I was excited about a new Pokémon game. There was a brief moment where I thought to myself, maybe I should stop now? I wanted to end on a good note. After a little thought, I decided to get a new Pikachu 3DS XL, and that I would maybe get the new Pokémon games when they came out. So off I went, to the store.

I walked over to the gaming aisle, and saw one of the Pikachu 3DS XL systems left. Just as I walked to the counter, I overheard a kid asking his mom if they had any Pikachu ones left. I turned and immediately realized the right thing to do. I bent down and told the little guy that he could have mine. I thought this way my glorious moment. I had passed on the wonderful gift of Pokémon. He was ecstatic. I smiled and he told his mom that he wanted to pick a game. As I started walking away I saw what game he had picked.

Digimon.

Who am I kidding? We can’t ever retire. These little punks will never appreciate Pokémon like we do.
-RocketClauncher

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1,479 thoughts on “Guest Submission: Baton Pass It On”

  1. The article is called “Baton Pass It On”.
    This raises so many questions!
    Who is baton passing to who?
    What stats did if boost?
    What moves did it use to raise its stats?
    Does it have Speed Boost or Moody?
    Did a noob use Baton Pass to switch out?
    Did a smart person use baton pass to switch out stupidly?

    Reply

          • Fix yoself. She is no longer your best friend for a reason. You are better than she is.

          • But then I formed the PAD (people against her name) and she figured it out and she got really pissed even though it was a joke and now she’s friends with crack heads and and and

          • Well, she can’t take a joke and is making bad decisions. That’s all on her. She would just be a bad influence. You’re going to high school next year, right? You’ll make some awesome new friends

          • If she thinks that drugs is the way to go. Her life is f’d and there is nothing you can do about that. People have choices in life.

            Also, not everyone in high school does drugs. I’m in my Junior year of high school. I have never drank or smoked or done any drugs and don’t plan on doing so.

  4. When I saw the close up statues of Reshiram and Zekrom in the most recent episode, I was freaking out in happiness. Sorry for the Spoilers.

    Reply

  9. Sorry, I had a moment.
    And I was trying to figure out the future o Regular Show.
    CJ and Mordecai are going to be about to kiss, then Margaret comes it.
    It’s gonna happen.

    Reply

  13. I keep seeing Digimon commercials and I’m like:
    “Are you serious like who the heck is going to buy that.”
    I mean really, like what you like, but who is going to by figures with at least 20 interchangeable parts that are amall and could be lost easily.
    I’ll stick to Legos and pokemon being separate.

    Reply

  17. Yes! Xatu is now here. (Most other people aren’t on as I post this…) Anyways, this is my 1,000 comment….. So yay!… I don’t know what to say except thanks for accepting me into the PJ family. So, uh, yeah. Yay!

    Reply

    • Silence is only golden in a library. And museum. And a classroom. Ok, you get what I mean. Anyways, I just want ya’ll to know that I’ve been on since I posted 3 hours ago. I just really wanted to wait ’til Xatu got home to post my 1,000th comment (Highest commenter is a big respectable role, man. Plus you’re a good guy.). So now I have a lot to say.

      Reply

      • Ah, man… ;D
        I love how much respect the people at PokeJungle have for each other, and the fact that I am somehow a part of that 😀 My real life is full of faux friendships compared to this XD

        Reply

        • Yeah. You were the first comment I saw on here and felt a sense of respect. But like I said above, “People are idiot.” (Most on here aren’t idiots.)

          Reply

          • Ha yep. —-> I missed the whole Spongebill/Bills Cypher thing earlier. I got the just, but still…

          • Well yes the occasional trolls such as spingebill. But sometimes there are things that people merely say for attention. SOMETIMES. I usually believe and trust what people here say.

          • Same. Hope that pays off. :/ Yeah. Also, I love what you said to Licki earlier. Very true.

          • Thanks. I get that from my mom’s boyfriend. He gives better advice than my own dad.

          • Much like N. He was misunderstood and blinded by team Plasmas good motives that he didn’t realize Ghetsis’ evil agenda.

          • I hate manipulation. That there are people like that out there in the world. Good analogy though 😀

  20. Geez it’s so quiet on here.
    Only Xatu, Goomy, Pokemaster and I .-.

    It’s like Dae went on a banning spree xD

    Guess i should do some homework now >.>

    Reply

  21. Ok. Here goes the most of it. Goomy, no one hates you. 😀 Licki, you can quote me on this. “People are idiots.” It’s true. If everyone does do drugs like you say, then you’re being the better person by saying NO and shunning them. Respect.

    Reply

          • Maybe…maybe not. I danced to Gangnam Style – okay, I’m now breaching the informational barrier XD

          • What is darkness? Is the absence of color able to be seen by blind people, as there are no receptors? Is “black” seen differently by each person? Are black and white in direct correlation with each other? These are questions…obviously. XD

          • I’ve been told black and white are shades. Of what?! If you shade black a lot it’ll turn white (maybe…) and if you shade white a lot it’ll turn black!

          • If you really think about it, space is giant spheres of rocky and watery terrains or concentrated gases floating in a finite amount of space. It’s like dust in a dark room. That’s what I think…space can be explained.

          • Space is infinite though. There are more galaxies and (Distortion) Worlds. And then what is time, may I ask? (I love these smart conversations.)

          • Infinity is not a number in itself, it’s simply an infinitely long list of numbers that you can choose from to determine…well, anything. 6 is part of infinity, and so is 237,684,349,393.915. However, nothing is truly infinite, because without a limit things cannot be measured. People live for approximately 70 to 100 years on average with natural conditions, that is a finite fact. The sun will explode in 2 billion years, that is a finite amount of time. If the sun is in the universe, and it’s time can expire, than the universe itself can expire…we just haven’t been able to measure its lifetime yet. Give it approximately 100 years and great advancements will be made.

            As for time…well, time is a measure of length, in a way. The space between two given points in history, whether they be significant or insignificant, not considering physical distance, but mental lag time to get there. Whew, someone give me a Nobel Prize plz.

          • Hmph. Well, “Most people think time is a strict progression of cause to effect. But actually, from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint, it’s more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey… Stuff.”

          • I’ve been to a Bat and Bar Mitzvah. One had a truck full of TV’s to play video games on. Four hours beating everyone at Halo 4. The other had a dance party thing. Both pretty cool.

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