Looks like I'm starting with the journals!
PokeJournal 1 - Magus
I started off with Chikorita, and that's been going pretty well. Although this does mean a little more prep before getting to Falkner because of the grass type. To take of this I got a Geodude that I got up to about lvl 10 or so....until I found out that there was someone that would give you an Onix for a Bellsprout, which coincidentally was spawning right outside of Violet City.
Onix is insane. I was helping him build up XP by doing the ol' switcheroo and fighting in Sprout Tower. I had a Pidgey to knock out all the Bellsprouts, and Onix was getting boosted XP from being a traded Pokemon so double win!
I got the TM for Flash and I think I'm gonna do a little more grinding/exploring in Dark Cave. Hopefully some cool stuff spawns and I get some nice items.