AN: Okay, this is the first story I've ever written that wasn't for Grade Nine English class, and the first story I've ever posted online. Be gentle.
Also, this is my first Nuzlocke challenge.
The rules of my Nuzlocke is as follows:
-If a pokemon faints, it is dead and permaboxed into a box named Heaven.
-Only catch the first pokemon on each route. Gift pokemon and Shinies are the only exceptions to this rule, however shinies are not to be used unless they're a first encounter.
-Dupe Clause: First pokemon on each route that isn't a living pokemon I have.
-Battle Style is "Set".
-All Pokemon are nicknamed.
"Well… this is it. My journey starts now."
Stella Varley stared at a scuff on her favourite white boots, whispering quietly to herself. She always imagined saying this while standing on a hilltop, the breeze rolling soothingly, whipping around her small frame and causing her long caramel hair to flutter behind her as it sat under her signature white stocking cap with the little star charm on the top. She could see herself on the hill, looking down on her hometown with fond memories and an ever loyal Pokémon partner by her side… Or that's how she would write her autobiography anyways, after becoming a super famous Pokémon league champion.
She never imagined her adventure to begin in the back of a moving van, surrounded by big cardboard boxes, huddled in the corner out of fear that they would topple over and on top of her, leaving her squished.
The van lurched and squealed to a sudden halt, causing Stella to gasp in fear as the boxes loomed toward her, promising to seal her doom. Luckily, the boxes did no such thing and the doors opened, Machoke climbing in to unpack the vehicle.
Stella stumbled out of the van, shielding her eyes from the bright sunlight, and examined her new surroundings.
Littleroot was… quaint. It was a quiet and cute little town with a relaxing and carefree atmosphere. It reminded her a bit of her home back in New Bark Town, though it lacked the constant chilling breeze that was her home's speciality. Still though, she felt almost at home here. Almost.
"Hey honey!" Mrs. Varley smiled brightly at her daughter, who in response, stared bleakly up at her. "Isn't Littleroot just so cute? Ooh, I know you'll love it here!"
Stella pointed over at the house, her much too long purple striped sleeve almost covering her entire hand. "I assume we will be living here?" She seemed pissy, but hey, you'd be pissy too if your mom stuck you in the back of a moving van for 9 hours.
Mrs. Varley, however, was very peppy. She clapped her hands together enthusiastically. "Yes! That's our new home!"
House. She silently corrected her as she walked inside. Not quite home. Critically examining the interior of their new household, she was pleased to find that there was nothing she completely hated about it.
"Your bedroom is upstairs on the left" Her mother nodded, "but not everything is unpacked yet so, why don't you go meet some people? The neighbours have a son around your age"
Stella felt a lump rise in her throat. Son? She was shy as is, but throw boys in the mix… "I-I can't!" she stammered out, her cheeks flushing pink.
Mrs. Varley just sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. "Stella, you are never going to get over this chronic shyness if you don't go out and meet people!" and with that her mother thrust her out the front door.
With a great harrumph, young Stella Varley marched over to the front door of their new neighbour's house and knocked upon their door. I'll show her!
"Oh, you must be the new neighbour's daughter!" A motherly sounding woman greeted her at the door and Stella immediately regretted this decision. Social awkwardness soon set in.
"I'm Stella Varley" she nodded, keeping her head down.
The woman ushered her inside her home, a warm smile permanently etched onto her slightly aged features. "I'm Mrs. Birch, m'dear, come inside. My son Brendan is upstairs, have a seat love, I'll go fetch him so you can meet him too." Mrs. Birch then went upstairs, leaving the poor flustered teen a moment to breathe.
Her son came down the stairs with his bag slung over his shoulder and a black bandana pushing his white-blonde hair out of his eyes. Coolness seemed to radiate off him in waves, intimidating the young woman. He extended his hand. "Brendan Birch"
She shook his hand, biting her cheek "Stella Varley", she mumbled.
Brendan's eyes widened "Norman Varley's kid?" he seemed in awe.
Stella looked around the room uneasily. 'Norman Varley's kid' was a big name to live up to. She smiled sheepishly and nodded as a response.
"Way cool!" He grinned, "I'll bet you have some awesome Pokémon!"
"Um…actually…" she found herself tripping over her own words, becoming more nervous with each passing minute. "I don't have any Pokémon."
A frown stole the boy's face "Really? That blows. Mum, Dad still has those Pokémon on him, right?" Mrs. Birch nodded. "Awesome. You could be a worthy opponent, Stella, I'm gonna keep my eye on you." He gave a big grin and left.
Stella stood their awkwardly, not quiet knowing exactly what to do now. Mrs. Birch glanced over at her, a knowing glint in her eyes. "You can find his father just north of here, love."
"Ooh, thank you, Mrs. Birch!" she squealed with delight and ran out the door, looking for her ticket for adventure.
She paused for a moment, enjoying the soothing atmosphere of Littleroot once more, before heading north. A young boy of about 6 ran up to her, looking kind of worried.
"Ooh, Miss, I hear someone yelling for help out there… but I'm not allowed to leave Littleroot… could you help him, please?" His big brown eyes stared up at her and she couldn't help but say yes. Why not, she might as well run over to see what's wrong then come back to get help if needed, right?
"HELP ME!"
Stella gasped, seeing the scene in front of her. A man, likely in his thirties, was being chased by a poochyena who was snapping at his legs. It seemed she got him a few times, the calves of his legs were scratched and some blood was around the canine's mouth.
"You there! Miss!" He called out to her. "There are pokéballs in the bag! Help me out, please!"
Stella glanced down at the bag near her feet. How did she miss that? Pushing the trivial question from her mind, she reached into the bag and tossed a pokéball into the air. After a brief flash of red light, a small green lizard stood, glaring at the poochyena adjacent from him. Stella felt a rush of excitement flow through her bones as she realized that this is her first Pokémon battle. A major milestone in any trainer's life!
The black dog diverted her attention from the man to the Treecko, and lunged toward him, sinking her fangs into his tails.
"Gahh! Lady, commands?" The treecko grunted, glaring at Stella. "Or do I just um, go for it?"
"Sorry! Um, pound!" She called out to him. He nodded, and punched the poochyena, causing her to yelp and let go. "Good! Ha, um… Keep pounding!"
The treecko chuckled to himself as he whipped his heavy tails around, smashing her sensitive muzzle and causing small scarlet droplets to scatter through the air. A pitiful whimper escaped the canine's mouth before she collapsed on the ground, knocked unconscious.
"Oh, wow" He seemed exhilarated, and held a hand over his quickly beating heart.
The man looked in astonishment at Stella. "My, you're Stella, aren't you? Norman's daughter?"
She nodded, grinning ear to ear. "Yes I am."
"I'm Professor Birch, a friend of his… Come back to my lab with me, would you?" He started packing up the stuff that spilled out his bag. Stella flushed pink, realizing she was still holding his treecko's ball. The treecko in question was sitting cross legged on the ground, pulling pieces of grass out of the dirt.
"C'mon treecko, we're going back to the lab" the Professor smiled brightly at the green Pokémon. Treecko followed behind the two humans as they walked back to his laboratory.
When they got inside, Professor Birch treated his Poochyena wounds, and Stella discovered this wasn't the first time he was some Pokémon's chew toy. He had a large assortment of scars. "Well, Stella, since you pulled your first battle off with aplomb, I want you to keep that treecko. He's also a rookie, like you, but both of you did spectacularly for your first times!"
Both treecko and Stella felt their cheeks get warmer at the praise.
"So… I think you should go up north of here to Route 103 to see Brendan. He'll teach you all about being a Pokémon trainer."
"Brendan, 103, gotcha." Stella nodded eagerly, picking up her new partner and walking out of the lab. "What do I call you?" she looked down at him, smiling.
"Xyler is my name, Lady." He gave her a small smile. "I think we'll make great partners… now let's find this Brendan one?"
Xyler hopped down from Stella's grip and walked aside her as they left Littleroot, together.
AN: Hopefully that wasn't too bad^^;