Author's Note: Hey guys, my White Nuzlocke and the MLP Valentine's Day story kinda kept me from working on this! But, after a long wait, here's Chapter 7! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.


Back at Kurt's house, I was still upset over Lamar's death. To try and cheer me up, Kurt's granddaughter Maisy made me a cup of tea with a deliciously sweet taste.

"Mmm, this is delicious!" I declared, "What's in it?"

"I just used one of Grandpa's leftover pink Apricorns, and blended it," Maisy explained. "I hoped it would cheer you right up!"

"Well, I do feel a little better, so thank you, Maisy."

"You're welcome! After all, you helped my Slowpoke, Billy, so it's the least I could do!"

"Ritsu, are you feeling well enough to leave?" Kurt asked.

"Yes, I think I'll be okay," I answered.

"Splendid! As a present, I made you a Friend Ball for the road!"

"Thanks, Kurt!"

"If you ever want me to make more Pokéballs for you, then register me in your Pokégear!"

Once Kurt was officially registered, I left his house for the Azalea Town Pokémon Center. When I got there, I got a call from Professor Elm.

"Hello, Ritsu," Elm said.

"Hi, Professor," I responded, "Oh! I just remembered, my Togepi egg finally hatched!"

"Ah! So it was a Togepi egg!" Elm exclaimed, "Well, Ritsu, I knew you'd be trustworthy enough to take care of that egg!"

"Thanks, Professor."

"Tell you what, because you've succeeded in hatching the Egg, I'll let you keep it!"

"Wow, really?!" I beamed, "Thanks!"

"Anytime, Ritsu."

After Professor Elm hung up, I went to the Poké Mart to buy stuff for my second Gym battle. Once the supplies were obtained, I hurried into the Azalea Gym. I spent about twenty minutes pulling levers and riding metal bug sliders before I finally reached Bugsy.

"Before we begin the battle, I must warn you; my Bug-types are not to be underestimated!" Bugsy said, sending out his Metapod.

"Well, let's just see about that," I thought. "Braxton, take the stage!"

As expected, Braxton quickly took down the Metapod with a few Rock Throws. When Bugsy sent out his Kakuna, Braxton did the same thing as before, and the Kakuna was defeated.

"Just because the same tactic worked the first two times," Bugsy said as he sent out his Scyther as his last Pokémon, "Doesn't mean it's going to work a third time."

"Braxton, use Magnitude!" I cried.

The ground began to shake violently, but much to my shock, Scyther managed to avoid the attack by leaping into the air.

"You see? It's not about types, it's about speed," Bugsy remarked, "Scyther, use Quick Attack!"

In the blink of an eye, Braxton was critically struck with an attack from Scyther. Braxton collapsed onto the ground, but I could tell he was still breathing.

"Scyther, finish with U-Turn!" Bugsy commanded.

"Blaze, come out and protect Braxton with Quick Attack!" I cried, tossing Blaze's Pokéball.

As soon as Blaze came out of her Pokéball, she rammed herself onto Scyther. To finish the battle, she defeated Scyther with her Ember attack.

"How's that for speed?" I asked smugly.

"Pretty impressive, ma'am," Bugsy said. "As a reward for defeating me, I present you with the Hive Badge."

"Alright!" I cheered holding up the Hive Badge, "Two down, Six to go!"

"Hey Ritsu," Braxton coughed, "I'd hate to interrupt your happy moment, but I'm still a little injured."

"Oh right," I said, spraying Braxton with a Potion, "Sorry, Brax."

"It's cool, brah," Braxton said.

After I returned Braxton to his Pokéball, I hurried out of the Gym to find the next city. Just as I was about to enter the corridor, I was suddenly approached by Nico.

"N-Nico!" I squeaked, "What a surprise, although not a very pleasant one..." I was sure to say that last part quietly.

"...Tell me," Nico demanded as he angrily grabbed the collar of my shirt, "Has Team Rocket really returned?!"

"Yeah, they have," I told him, "I just defeated a Rocket guy named Proton for murdering my Bellsprout."

"Ha! Don't make me laugh, Plumber-Breath. There's no way in hell a weak little girl like you could have taken down a Rocket member. But, if you somehow defeat me, then maybe, just maybe, I'll take your word for it."

"You'd better count on getting beat!" I gloated, sending out Yui.

Once Nico sent out his Zubat, I had Yui used Fury Swipes on her opponent. By the time Yui was finished with her attack, Zubat looked worn out, but Nico didn't seem to care at all.

"You'd better get up and fight, you stupid weakling!" Nico snapped.

"But, sir..." Zubat said, "That Fury-Swipes attack was really critical."

"Like I care! Either you fight, or you're out of here!" Nico shouted.

Seeing no way to spare the Zubat, I told Yui to use her Quick Attack, and the Zubat fainted. Nico angrily sent out his Croconaw, and I sent Blaze out despite the disadvantage.

"So we meet again, eh Lizard-lips?" Blaze taunted.

"Aye, lassie," Croconaw answered, "So we do."

"Croconaw, use Water Gun!" Nico commanded.

Blaze was soon doused in a blast of water. Slightly shivering from the attack, she quickly shook herself dry and her flames reignited.

"Blaze, attack with SmokeScreen!" I exclaimed.

Blaze released a large cloud of smoke from her mouth, making it nearly impossible to see anything.

"Alright, now finish with Quick Attack!" I coughed.

Croconaw was then knocked out of the smoke, and landed on the ground unconscious. The cold look in Nico's gray eyes didn't seem to disappear as he sent Croconaw back to its Pokéball.

"Ready to give up, Nico?" I asked.

"Get real! There's no way I'm ever gonna lose to a weakling like you! Gastly, finish the job!" Nico cried.

"Hermia, come on out!" I called tossing Hermia's Pokéball.

"Gastly," Nico said, smirking evilly, "Use Mean Look!"

Gastly then gave Hermia a menacing glare as its eyes glowed read. Hermia tried to fly away from the fight, but was blocked by some strange barrier.

"Not good, not good," I thought panicking.

"Now Gastly, use Lick!" Nico ordered.

Gastly proceeded to creepily lick Hermia's face, causing slight paralysis. Hermia tried to use Comet Punch, but due to the type of move it was, it left no effect.

"Heh, now finish with Curse!" Nico exclaimed.

A ghostly nail appeared to hammer itself into Gastly, leaving it a little bit weaker. But, when the same nail hammered into Hermia, a great amount of blood was squirting out of her neck area. I rushed over to Hermia's unmoving side, but it was too late; she was already dead.

"Hermia," I sniffed. "Blaze, finish the battle!"

Angry over our teammate's death, Blaze quickly KO'd the already-weak Gastly with a Flame Wheel attack.

"You're an even bigger weakling than I thought," Nico scoffed. "Why waste your time bawling over a weak little Ledyba?"

"Will you shut up..." I angrily hissed under my breath.

"I mean, it's not like you're the reason it's dead, it's its own fault for being so damn weak."

"I said SHUT UP!" I hollered as I tearfully punched Nico in the mouth. "Don't ever taunt or abuse a Pokémon because you think it's 'weak'! You'll never get far if you keep thinking that! Now why don't you do me a favor and just get away from me!"

Shocked at my outburst, Nico spat out a bloody tooth and stormed off in a huff.

"Hmm," Nico thought as he looked at the tooth in his palm slightly impressed, "You may be a weak moron, girly, but man, you're brutal!"

"That prick is so going to get it!" Blaze hissed as she began to charge after Nico.

"Just forget it, Blaze," I sighed, "Nico's always going to be nothing more than a bitter jerkass, and he'll never be worth arguing with. Let's just forget about him, and keep going."

When we arrived at a place called the Ilex Forest, I buried Hermia in front of a nearby tree with a heavy heart. Before walking further, I said a few words about Hermia on how although we hadn't spent much time together, she still meant a lot to me.


Pokémon obtained: None.

Deaths: Hermia the Ledyba, Lvl. 6-17

Boxed/Unboxed: None.


Author's Note: (And to think Hermia was but one level away from evolving into Ledian...) Guys, I'm kind of wondering: Is anyone even reading this story (I know it's less popular than my White Nuzlocke, but sheesh...)? I mean, I'm still gonna keep writing this story, but the person who's been leaving reviews seemed to have stopped coming... So, stay tuned for Chapter 8!