Coronet: A Nuzlocke

Chapter Two: Deeper into the Mess

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon or the Nuzlocke Challenge.

As soon as Dawn's retreating form faded into the tall grass, Barry began to giggle. Not a normal laugh or anything, but a full-on giggle. Like a little girl.

It was a bit disconcerting.

"Barry, what are you doing?" I questioned disapprovingly.

Barry paused for a moment to catch his breath. "Do you know what this means, Luke?"

"Not...really," I answered, hoping that my fears wouldn't come to pass.

"It means we have to battle, dumbass! It's totally tradition."

Of course. The one thing I didn't want to do. I wish I could just return the Pokémon to Rowan, go home, and forget this ever happened.

"Here's the deal," he continued. "If I win, I'll stop calling you Luke. If you win...well, you won't, so we don't have to worry about that!"

I started to argue, but thought better of it before the words left my mouth. This just means I can't lose. And I won't. Not to Barry.

With a flourish, he threw his pristine Poké Ball to the ground. "Come on out, Turtwig!"

The Pokémon materialized immediately, and, with a motion from Barry, seemed to understand it was meant to battle.

I took a deep breath, and threw my own Poké Ball. "Go, Soren!"

The Piplup burst out of the ball, seemingly glad to hear its new name.

I wanted to take a moment to simply appreciate the beauty of these creatures, but Barry, of course, had no time for that.

"We're fighting until first blood!" Barry shouted. Was he serious?

"Are you sure this is a good idea? We just got these Pokémon and you want to hurt them?"

"Come on, Luke, don't be like that. They won't really get hurt, anyway. It's just a friendly battle, nothing to it."

Friendly my ass. It was on, and Barry knew it.

"Turtwig, Withdraw. Then Tackle him!"

"Soren, Growl! Then use Scratch!"

I frantically picked my brain to try and remember strategies learned from League matches on TV, but I couldn't come up with anything applicable. I never thought I'd be in a Pokémon battle, so I had watched more for enjoyment than education.

Every time Turtwig used Withdraw, its Defense rose, making it harder for Soren to pierce its tough hide. I was anxious for the battle to be over; I didn't want to harm Rowan's Pokémon.

Finally, Soren ripped a gash in Turtwig's shell with an especially powerful Scratch attack.

"That's it, Soren!" I read somewhere that Pokémon responded well to positive feedback. Hopefully, I was getting it right.

"It's over," I called to Barry. "Recall your Pokémon."

My opponent wiped the sweat from his eyes and reluctantly sucked Turtwig back into his Ball, as I recalled Soren. "Good work, Turtwig. We won't lose to him next time."

"Well, I guess we should probably get moving to Sandgem, now that we have these Pokémon." Barry proposed.

"The delivery isn't going to wait forever." I pointed out.

With an expected "Race you!", Barry took off through the tall grass to the east. After a moment, I followed, trying not to look at the sticky red substance streaking the ground upon which Turtwig had stood a moment before.

I knew my luck wouldn't hold out forever.

Soren and I made it through two patches of tall grass with nary a glance from wild Pokémon; we were within sight of Sandgem Town for Arceus' sake. But that was before a Bidoof thought it would be a great idea to try and take a bite out of my leg.

That's how I ended up cowering behind my (not mine, Rowan's) Piplup as it bit and Scratched the wild creature.

"Come on, Soren! Scratch it one more time!" I called. He glanced at me as if to say calm down, I know what I'm doing. "Fine then." I huffed. I turned just in time to miss Soren cleave through the Bidoof's skin, exposing the raw redness underneath. "You don't have to kill it, Soren! Return!"

The red light sucked the Piplup inside the Poké Ball, but it was already too late. The Bidoof wasn't moving.

I nearly gagged. I'd never seen a corpse before.

Not going to lie, I booked it out of there.

Moments later, I had left the tall grass behind. "Let's clear this up now, before it gets bad." I whispered to myself. I unhooked Soren's Ball from my belt and released him from the enclosure.

After discerning that there was no fight to be had, the Pokémon glanced at me questioningly. I knelt down and spoke. "Soren, I know you were just trying to protect me. And I appreciate that. But you didn't have to kill that Bidoof, just persuade it to leave us alone. I would like to avoid bloodshed, Arceus knows I wasn't made for it. How does that sound?"

Soren cooed and seemed to nod. How intelligent are these creatures, really?

I rubbed his head affectionately. "Atta boy. Now, let's go get you back to Rowan."

Sandgem Town was at least twice as large as Twinleaf, and twice as busy. People were bustling to and fro on the streets, back and forth between houses and offices. I could see the exit to Route 202 in the distance.

I also found out why they call it Sandgem. Route 219 met the town in a beautiful marriage of earth and sea, resulting in a lengthy strip of beach currently occupied by both people and Pokémon. The smell of salt was everywhere, though I couldn't complain; it was a welcome change from the rough soil smell I was used to.

A large white building caught my eye. Shamelessly emblazoned on the wall, facing the street, stood the words Pokémon Labs: Serving Sinnoh for 65 Years.

I jogged over, hoping it was indeed Rowan's lab. A familiar young girl standing abreast of the structure confirmed my suspicions.

"Hey, Dawn."

The veteran Trainer whirled around. "Oh. Hello." she began. "Lucas, was it?"

"Yep, that's me. Is this Rowan's lab? I'm here to give him back his Pokémon."

Dawn's hand rose to her mouth. "You can't return a gift, Lucas. But to answer your question, this is indeed Professor Rowan's laboratory. He's inside; I believe your friend Barry was here a while ago."

"A gift?"

"Yes. When you chose that Piplup, he became yours. Bonded for life, as they say. The Professor intended for you to become a Trainer. He sees potential in you. I don't, but I respect his decisions."

I tried to ignore the not-subtle-at-all jab to my pride. "A Trainer? I don't think I signed up for that."

Dawn rolled her eyes. "Of course you don't. But you did, and now it's up to you to decide if it's an opportunity or a curse."

I paused for a moment. There was something bitter behind that harsh tone. "And what is it to you?"

"You're more perceptive than I thought." she conceded. "A bit of both; you wouldn't understand. Yet, at least. I don't mean to keep you; I'm sure the Professor is waiting." With that, she turned on her heel and strode away.

I sighed. Girls are complicated.

The laboratory was bigger on the inside, home to machines and computers of all kinds. Three men in lab coats were huddled around a tank of some kind in the corner. Another sat observing a Silcoon (or was it Cascoon?) breaking out of its shell, diligently taking down notes. In the back stood a man I knew: Rowan.

He was fiddling with a handheld device I didn't recognize. I approached slowly, not wanting to disturb his work.

"Uh… Professor?"

Startled out of his concentration, he turned. "Ah! It's you! Luke, was it?"

"Lucas, actually. I'm here to return your Pokémon."

Rowan laughed. "Lucas, Lucas, you don't understand. He's yours. You are his master. From the moment you chose Soren's Poké Ball, you were locked into a partnership rarely seen in nature! The bond between man and Pokémon is great, and you're just the person to show Soren what life is like in the real world."

"But, Professor! I barely even know what life is like in the real world! Hell, this is the first time I've been outside of Twinleaf!"

The old man winked. "Now that's just the point, isn't it? You'll learn much more by traveling together than you ever could alone. Safer, too."

I sighed. This was getting nowhere. "Look, all I want to do is collect the shipment of seedlings for Barry and then go home. I never signed up for a jaunt across the countryside with an animal."

Rowan laughed heartily, the laugh of a man who was amused at the foolishness of the younger generation. "But the shipment hasn't come in yet, now have it?"

"What?!"

"I think you've been had," the Professor chuckled.

"Barry lied," I whispered to myself. "Of course he lied, he didn't want to get in trouble alone. I seriously hate him sometimes. I have to go find him; we have to get back before boss kills us. Not to mention our parents. Do you know where he went?"

"I asked him to do a bit of research for me while he was around. It was a bit too simple for Dawn to concern herself with, but your friend took it on like it was the greatest challenge in the world."

"Okay, but where did he go?"

"I'll tell you if you do something for me as well." said Rowan with a raised eyebrow.

I clenched my teeth. "Fine. What do you want?"

The Professor smiled. "Glad you asked! I have here in my hand what's called a Pokédex. It records data about Pokémon you've seen or captured. It's an experimental device, the first of its kind in the Sinnoh region, and I need you to help me field test it." He handed me the vaguely rectangular shaped device he was tinkering with. It was about the size of a large potato, bright red, with the Pokémon Labs logo on the back.

"Field test? You want me to go point this thing at some wild Pokémon?"

"Yes, exactly. Although, it would be fantastic if you could catch a few; it gives more detailed data, you see. Barry's already out on Route 202, but I'm sure you could catch up to him if you tried. I've got a reward for you two if you can catch four Pokémon between you."

"Professor, I've never thrown a Poké Ball in my life." I lamented.

"Dawn will show you how it's done. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my work. Good luck!" Rowan began to walk over to the group of lab-coat wearing technicians, eager to see if they had made any progress.

I stood still for a few seconds, processing all the information that the Professor had imparted. "I guess there's no way out now." I sighed. "Maybe it will all turn out for the best."

"Don't bet on it." said Dawn. My confusion must have shown on my face, because she cracked a smile. For the first time in years, probably. "Don't look so surprised to see me, either. I've been in here this whole time. It's getting late, we'll have to move fast if we want to catch you a Pokémon before dark."

Yup. Definitely no way out.