Hasty Nature: A SoulSilver Nuzlocke
Prologue
Volunteer
Going up to the fence had always been strictly prohibited. Slipping in-between the aging posts would have caused any of the meganium in the meadow to faint. I couldn't help myself though; that wooden square covered in black designs intrigued me past the point of reason. I shook paint chippings from my coat while backing up to get a better view. If only someone could have taught me to understand the silent human language, then I would have finally been able to stop staring at the sign.
Of course, I knew very well the overall message of it. We all did. Mothers passed it down with the stories of our colony history. We're protected. Humans have to leave us alone as long as we are inside the meadow.
Some mothers left it at that, but mine made certain that we knew of the sacrifice. "Not reciting the pact creates a complacent colony and does nothing to honor those who left." Once every litter cycle, when the previous year's chikoritas were near the edge of evolution, a human would come for one of us. Always a chikorita. "We needn't fear him. He is a well-respected human, one that is titled professor. He is not a novice trainer who will lead us into foolhardy battle to result in death." The man had not visited our home in many cycles though. Bayleef grew who had never set eyes upon him. Mother worried that our colony would become thankless towards the professor. She was right.
It was because I was outside the fence, fixating on the unknown scribbles, that I was the first to see him. He was just as mother described, tall with a soft middle, trailing behind one of those strange unattached skins that humans had. A long white one. I watched it catch the air with every sure step he took in my direction. He saw me before he reached the fence. Afraid I would anger him and revoke our protection, I fled.
All gathered around the glittering pond when the human called Elm knelt beside it. By the time he reached the center of our home, the entire colony had heard my spouting about the human coming at last. Everything became very busied, meganium and bayleef gathering those who had not yet listened to my news. Mother never even asked how I saw him first.
The human cupped water between his front paws and splashed it up to his face several times. If the dozens of pokémon surrounding him made him nervous, he did not show it. Many meganium kept their chikoritas between their strong legs, fenced within a fence. Elm gingerly rotated to face us and lowered his body into a fully seated position. The posts protecting children tightened as he moved. "So many of you have evolved; I'm impressed! Although, I suppose I haven't visited in a while." Despite his easy beam and gentle voice, the colony in general tensed further. Even mother allowed her breathing to hitch.
The human spoke for a long time, often in confusing rambles. He sounded like I did when I would think out loud to the sign. Mostly he talked about his children, particularly focusing on the youngest. I could understand his words. I just could not find much interest in them. In my daydreams, I pictured humans to be fascinating creatures with magic at their disposal. Instead, he was as dull as the elders. I wanted to go play with the chikoritas that had been freed into the wild grass. Mother made me be respectful though and pretend to listen.
"So, as it be, I am in need of three starter pokémon this year. The kids are really great, all older, so I'm sure you'll get to go out adventuring quite soon. I've got a great feeling about it." An edged silence sliced through the already quiet meadow. "Would any of the chikoritas wish to be my grass type?" He stared expectantly, still wearing a grin. "I know I haven't been by recently, but surely you haven't forgotten me! I'm Elm. My lab maintains this land's non-catch zone rights. I can take one of you to be paired up with a studious trainer. You'll have a grand journey with rewarding friendships!" Not one of us moved. Even my friends running about in the grass stilled their pouncing. "No volunteers? Hmm, I suppose I can always just have two cyndaquils." He slowly moved to his feet, allowing his voice to become a contemplative murmur.
He did not sound upset, yet my mother's eyes widened and her jaw grew taut as if he'd snarled threats. Her head snapped back and forth, connecting eyes with the other meganium who did the same. Each parent and elder fought with panic, and still, no one acted.
Everything in my vision slowed as the human began to walk the beaten grass down to the fence. My stomach felt like a rock.
Elm got further.
Mother silently pleaded to another parent who begged yet another.
I told my legs to run. I lurched forward an inch before my paws became roots.
The man grew small among tall flowers and sparse trees.
Arguments rumbled low.
"Just come on!" I inwardly yelled at myself.
No more double skinned human.
Harsh words.
I pried a paw free.
Mother shouted for calm.
I urged my unstuck leg forward and it uprooted the rest. Before I could realize I was running, I was already too far away to look back and see Mother clearly.
"I will earn our safety," I pledged between gulps of air. Chest on fire, I repeated my words again. And then again. Until they had no interruptions of harsh gasps. Until they had strength. Until they reached the ears of the human climbing over the fence.
Surprised by my squeaky voice playing tough, he looked down and cheerfully greeted, "Hello there little one! Seeing me off?" I waited until both of his legs were planted on the opposite side before slipping through after him. "What you want to come with me?" The corners of his mouth flicked down for a moment. "You look awfully young. I think you should go back home to your family." I jumped backwards when he started to reach for me, but not nearly far enough. With ease, he was able to grab underneath my body with his strange paws. The feeling of being pulled from the ground nearly made me vomit. The large distance of a fall that could come stared at me. Instead of being smart and staying still, I squirmed every which way I could. "Hold on there, I'm just putting you back."
Once again, I watched the human walk away for a while. This time, though, I sat with choice. Being plucked up was not something I wished to rush into again. With persistence, he might find me old enough to be chosen. Did I really want to leave my home and family? Sitting and thinking over options was not one of my strong suits.
I looked back at the meadow. Sunlight gilded the grassy expanses. If not for the bushy flowers and dry weeds that towered over my head, I probably would have been able to see the moving small dots that were my colony. The land was flat enough. Mother might not have been with the group anymore, most likely already searching for me. I didn't want to worry her.
My family needed the meadow though. Eggs holding the new generation were already piled. One was my mother's. The best thing I could do for her would be to save our land. With that thought rooted in my mind, I once again crossed past the fence, determined to follow the human until he accepted me.
Author's Note: I know most people put these at the beginning of their story, but I think that is a little distracting. If I ever need to include a note, it'll be down here at the bottom. Anyways, I started to play a nuzlocke after reading so many cute comics. I can't draw, but I do enjoy writing. This is the story I'm coming up with so that it is not just a retelling of the game. It takes place twenty years after the events of the actual game. I may change the trainers for the battles, but I'll keep the pokémon the same. If you'd like for me to include my party and their levels at the end of the coming chapters, let me know and I will.
Also, I stopped watching the show after they changed out Misty or Brock (whichever they did first). So any of the human characters I use will be what I know of them from the game. If they are completely different from the television show, I apologize.