Chapter 3: The Love that Blinds me
I was awoken by the sound of Starly chirping in the trees around me. I could feel the rhythmic heartbeats of Sandy and Napoleon, half confused at first thinking that everything was just a dream. The fact that I even had a dream last night meant Arceus really was a god. And a powerful one at that.
I squeeze my hands together. Everything is still real. It's almost too good to be true. A smile crosses my lips, but I realize with pained agony that everything might come to a close if I don't protect my Pokémon. I shake the little ones awake. Napoleon is kind of huffy, but Sandy is almost gloating, pleased to be awoken by the glorious sun.
As we walk I begin talking animatedly to my little family. Telling them about my family back in the real world—my family away from my new non-human family. Their eyes light up in wonder, making pleasant noises as I tell them about my younger sister Charlotte and my elder brother Matheo (muh-tay-oh).
Matheo is planning to be a doctor and Charlotte is planning to be an RN. My dad is a landscaper and my mother runs a small cafeteria not far from the campus. I was, before the accident, planning to become an interior designer. I like things to be organized. That's just how I am.
Sandy, Napoleon, and I get in a lot of training as we make our way back to Route 204, to cross to the Ravaged Path. We're informed that there are boulders inside that have to be smashed in order to get through it, but I inform the man that my only interest in the cave at this time is to catch another Pokémon.
Of one thing I am sure, Bidoof are not found in the Ravaged Path. I really don't have anything against Sandy and Sassy, but I'd rather not have a team centered around them. Setting foot in the cave, we encounter our next teammate: a male Psyduck that I name Caspian. Luck must be with us, because in the fight against Sandy, he didn't kill her. He cut her up pretty bad though with his claws.
Caspian is Docile, but likes to thrash about. He is constantly flailing his limbs as he waddles, kind of like a windmill. Most of the time though, he's smacking his hands against his head to focus. To my knowledge, Psyduck suffer from headaches of varying degrees.
"Alright guys, let's get back to training." I grin. I now have four out of six Pokémon. This means that I have two more captures before I understand the little guys. I also have an even ratio of guys and girls, with the exception that Sassy is in the PC.
"Lup." Napoleon folds his flippers and leans against my backpack. He doesn't think he needs any training. At the rate he's going I don't think he needs anymore training either. We haven't had a single casualty and I consider myself proud.
"Bi Bidoof." Sandy preens.
We train for hours. I lose track of our starting time. Caspian and Sandy duke it out with wild Pokémon in an effort to come somewhere close to the level of Napoleon. Napoleon watches fondly as his teammates grow and our family expands in strength. I know, just looking at how hard they are focusing, how strong they are trying to be, that Napoleon has informed them of their would be fate.
I feel like a hen mothering my "children". Our wonderful, yet small family is growing. Caspian and Sandy show all the gratitude of the world in being part of our family. Caspian's like the little brother everyone looks out for. Yet he's nearly as strong as Sandy and she's still in training.
We take on the last trainer on Route 204, a young lady named Samantha. She has a small, yet powerful Budew. I have to spray Sandy with a Potion as we take her on. I'm afraid if I put Napoleon or Caspian in the battle they would die. Absorb is deadly on water types. Another Potion later and we're still engaged in a heated battle.
"You really like that Absorb attack don't you?" I call to Samantha.
"Well, it is an offensive move." She laughs.
"It's a good thing Sandy isn't a water type yet." I grumble and she shrugs her shoulders.
I throw out my third Potion as Budew spams some more Absorb attacks. Finally luck pays off in our favor, Sandy crits in a Tackle and the poor bud faints.
"Great job. You're so strong. I was no match for you." Samantha blinks her eyes and I realize that she's flirting with me.
"Um... thanks." I blush as I turn back down the path. Sandy is now level 8 and Caspian is level 7. I decide that level 10 is where they both need to be before we get anywhere close to Oreburgh.
"Listen guys," I say as we make it to Route 203 yet again. "We need to pick up with the training a little bit. I want you all to be level 10 or higher before we even think about proceeding on to Oreburgh. I hear gym leaders are much stronger than our everyday average trainers."
"Lup." It's apparent that Napoleon can imagine how strong gym trainers are, but he thinks they are no match for him. Because Sandy is vain, she seems to share the same belief. However, given what I've learned so far about Pokémon and battles, I can see that in her young state she would be no match at all for a gym leader.
I suddenly blanch as I realize something. Pokémon trainers train different types of Pokémon.
"Guys, we really need to get a non water type Pokémon." I whisper.
All three Pokémon roll their eyes as if to say "you think?".
"I'm serious. I don't want to lose any of you." I place my hands on my hips. "So we need to find a new teammate and soon."
Napoleon points further east along Route 203 and I realize he's pointing at the Oreburgh Gate according to my Town Map.
"The wild Pokémon in there are Zubat, Psyduck, and Geodude. Well, let's pray it's not another Psyduck. No offense to you Caspian, but I think I'll consider myself the most unlucky trainer alive if I get another Pokémon I already have."
"Duck." Caspian shakes his head, acknowledging that he doesn't mind.
We head toward the gate, which is actually a cave, battling wild Pokémon along the way. The minute we step foot into the cave, a Zubat swoops down and grins at me. I sigh relieved. She's not a water type. In fact she's a Flying/Poison type.
Sandy aids me in capturing Sibella, the female Zubat and fifth member of our family. She's so tiny and dainty I can't help but feel the need to protect her. Her nature is Relaxed and she loves to eat. I stroke her small wings and she squeaks in content.
Sibella clings to my shoulder as we trek back to Route 203 for more training. I reach into my bag and pull out the TM Return. I think it will be the perfect move for Sibella. So I put the disc into the machine and place it around Sibella's neck. She squeaks, nodding in approval as she feels the attack being taught to her.
We continue training to our heart's content. Working hard to knock out several Pokémon that crowd the route, and being spited by several Abra utilizing Teleport. Though on one such occasion, Caspian takes one out with a critical hit Scratch attack. Sandy scores quite a few critical hits on Starly.
My blood is pounding in my veins and I am laughing to my heart's content. My team works so well together. My family is strong because we all have strong hearts. In no time at all, Sandy and Caspian are level 10 leaving room for our youngest member, Sibella, to grow by switching out in battle when things get rough for her.
For whatever reason, my confidence is singing throughout my body. I feel like I cannot be defeated. Like this whole thing is just a conspiracy and that, I too, am like the other trainers in which my Pokémon cannot die. I feel there is nothing that we cannot do.
"Arceus!" I shout to the heavens. "Thank you so much for giving me this wonderful life. I appreciate all you've done for me thus far. You truly are a wonderful god."
Every single Pokémon in my family turns their eyes toward me, suspicion suddenly clouding over them. I even feel like I can feel Sassy's eyes boring into me from within the confines of the PC.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I ask.
"Piplup. Lup." Napoleon shakes his head, and then arches it in confusion. I notice that he is looking at the sky.
"Arceus lives up there, doesn't he? You know why I'm on this journey? I was given a chance at retribution. A chance to be reborn in some sense. In the world that I live in there are no Pokémon. In the world that I live in I am laying on an uncomfortable bed dying. Yet look, I'm alive here in your world. I am alive."
Their eyes widen and they begin engaging in small talk amongst themselves. I cannot understand, nor am I sure I want to understand. All I know is I am happy. I tell them how I cannot wait to hear them speak, how once we get one more team member, their voices will be as clear to me as I'm sure my voice is to them. The language barrier will be broken.
A smile breaks across their faces. Each of them seem to be enthralled by this possibility. I collapse to the ground, suddenly exhausted from running so much in my "new" body. Napoleon rushes over, squawking like crazy and it takes me several minutes to calm him down.
"Whoa there Napoleon. It's alright. I just need to catch my breath. I'm a little dizzy from all the excitement of the day." I run an arm across my brow which is ever so slightly damp with sweat.
"Piplup, lup. Pip Piplup."
"Zubat Zu Zu Zubat." Sibella chimes in, given that she is blind and suddenly felt me drop to the ground I'm sure I scared her half to death.
"I'm not dying now. I promise guys. Look at me I'm fine."
"You're exhausted." A voice I've never heard chimes and I'm shocked to see a girl around my age with flowing lavender hair and electric blue eyes.
"Y-Yeah I guess." I'm startled, I never heard her footsteps.
"Please excuse me, I'll be right back." The girl rushes off and I stare at the space where she left. Either that girl is a vampire, or something is extremely wrong with this picture. I am almost positive that nobody can run that fast.
It's scary how accurate my description is when she comes back carrying two bottles of water, her feet barely touching the ground as she rushes over to me. A strong wind tussles my hair as she skids up to me, her hair unmoved by the actions.
"You look thirsty." She offers me the drink and I'm surprised when she flops down beside me, raising her bottle of water to her lips.
"Thanks a lot." I say as I let the cool water rush across my lips and down my throat. "This is great! Who knew water could taste so good?"
"It is pretty good isn't it?" The girl is smiling.
"If I may ask, what is your name?" I tilt my head to the side, wondering if this marvelous creature has a heartbeat.
"Oh I'm so sorry." She gets to her feet and curtsies, her hands coming to rest on her pale white dress that is flawless, not a speck of dirt anywhere. "My name is Alma."
"It's very nice to meet you Alma. My name is Darius. Are you a Pokémon trainer too?" I ask.
"Oh no, I am not a trainer. I used to be several years ago," She says and I can't help but wonder what that's supposed to mean.
I'm surprised when Napoleon begins tugging on my sleeve, one of his small eyebrows raised in confusion.
"What's wrong Napoleon?" I ask as I glance between him and Alma. He suddenly seems indifferent, as though he's caught my attention for no reason and I shrug.
Something strange is brewing and I don't know what or why.
"How would you like to travel with us?" I ask Alma and she shakes her dainty head, her hair bouncing up and down on her back.
"I couldn't bother to trouble you with that. Besides, I have places to go and people to help." She curtsies again and I feel my cheeks flushing. Part of me wants to tell her that she can help me any time, but the rest of me feels that that is wrong and sounds like something a perverted old man would say.
"Are you sure you can't stay for a while?" I ask. She shakes her head.
"I'll see you again when your Pokémon have grown a little." There's a strange tone in her voice and I sigh as she suddenly darts off, becoming nothing more than a shadow in the distance.
My heart is pounding too loudly in my chest and I know in my heart that somehow, for some reason, I am falling for that girl. She was, quite honestly, a love at first sight. A gift from the heavens.
"Pip." I glance down at Napoleon to see him shaking his head. "Lup Piplup."
"Oh come on, she's beautiful." I whisper.
Napoleon rolls his eyes. I don't have the slightest clue what he tells the other Pokémon, but all of them are wide eyed as they gaze up at me. Caspian has his hands clapped over his bill in amusement.
"Oh for Pete's sake." I get to my feet. "Let's just carry on down the road guys."
I find my thoughts drifting to Alma as we make our way down the route, battling several trainers along the way.
"Is she a vampire guys?" I ask. My Pokémon stare at me like I'm brain dead. "Is that a yes?" They all shake their heads. "That's a relief." I clutch my heart.
"Fate sure is a funny thing." I whisper as I feel Sibella clutch my shoulder tighter. Suddenly her mouth is around my throat, sucking at my neck. I groan as I feel her teeth gnash me. I wonder if she's blood thirsty. I have heard from Dexter that Zubat like blood.
I stare at the bat in confusion, as the other Pokémon begin rolling around in laughter. Sibella squeaks and hides her face in her wings, I catch the smallest bit of blood trickling from her mouth. I remove one wing to see a blush covering her cheeks. Now it's my turn for confusion.
"Why are you guys laughing at Sibella?" I ask. Napoleon, through his laughter, points his flippers between me and Sibella.
"I'm afraid I don't understand." I frown.
Caspian saves the day by placing his webbed fingers together in an awkward heart. Napoleon begins waving his flippers faster between the two of us and Sibella gets redder.
"Wait, you have a crush on me Sibella?" I ask as the Pokémon bows her head sheepishly. I touch the small "love bite" on my neck and put two and two together. "Well now this is just awkward."
"Pip Pip Pip Lup Lup Piplup." Napoleon is roaring with laughter. Even Sandy is making obnoxious noises in a laughing tone.
"Wait, how do you even have a crush on me. You can't see me." I frown at the small bat.
She climbs around me to the front of my shirt and, gripping me with her elongated fingers on one wing, she points to my heart with her wing.
"You can feel my heartbeat?" I ask as she nods her head, the blush still there. "I don't understand. I'm sorry."
She squeaks a small sigh and flutters up to my shoulder, keeping her balance by letting out a shrill shriek.
I awkwardly rub my head as we proceed down the route. I wonder if I'm just a Casanova for vampire chicks. I laugh inwardly. Something is strange in the atmosphere, then again, my Pokémon said that Alma isn't a vampire. At least that's a little reassuring.
As we carry on down the route, we pass by various trainers that engage us in battles. All of my Pokémon are level 10 or higher by the time we reach Oreburgh City. We locate the gym, find the leader has run off to the Oreburgh Mine, and proceed to said mine to convince him to come back to the gym so that we can battle him.
-_ –
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Me: And thus concludes chapter three of Scales of Fate. In case you are wondering, the chapter title of the first chapter doesn't really seem to fit it, given that retribution is a punishment, but if you recall that this is a Nuzlocke, what Arceus is doing is in some sense retribution. Also, as the chapters progress, the retribution becomes more clear until it reaches its close at the would be end of the story. As stated before in the other chapters, the end of this is in your hands. There are two possible endings. You'll understand when we're almost to the "last" chapter.
In the next chapter Darius and the team find themselves in the Oreburgh Mine—home to their sixth Pokémon? I guess we'll just have to find out and see, given that these chapters are pretty much in sync with my Nuzlocke on Platinum.
Also, to leave this up for speculation, what are your thoughts on Alma? She'll play a pretty important role based on the ending of this story. Although, depending on how many people vote for which ending once we get to that point, she will play more or less of a role. I'm half tempted to give two epilogues for the story based on how many votes each ending gets. One epilogue for one ending and the other for the other.
So yeah, read, review, and spread the news. Join us again for our next chapter.
~Tiny Ginger Heather