NOTE: This is a project meant to be an adaptation story on my own challenge run, born out of my sheer love and enthusiasm for this game and series. Was originally a private project, any alterations from ingame events were done for narrative purposes. Credits to Marriland for the wedlocke concept. I don't own the Pokémon property nor do I own anything I reference later down the line.
The Brightest Night - A Pokémon Sword Wedlocke
Rules and Prologue
Nuzlocke rules
1 - If a Pokémon faints in battle it is considered dead and is to be deposited in a death box to never be used again.
2 - As soon as Pokéballs are obtained, only the first Pokémon that spawns or is encountered per area is to be caught. (Exceptions apply to mandatory captures)
3 - All usable encounters are to be nicknamed so as to develop even more of a bond.
Wedlocke rules
1 - Pokémon are to be paired in duos of male and female. Each duo can only switch into each other in battle and if one dies the other must finish the fight alone (except in double battles for obvious reasons).
2 - The catching system is reliant on the duo mechanic for the first six obtainable Pokémon. The encounter has to be the opposite gender of the most recent unpaired Pokémon to be considered eligible to catch.
3 - Due to the unaltered wedlocke rules depending on gendered Pokémon pairs, genderless Pokémon encounters are not to be caught or used. (Exceptions apply to mandatory captures)
4 - It is forbidden to use the PC to switch an alive Pokémon out for another or to tamper with pairings. Pokémon in the party are meant to stay in the party and cannot be substituted.
Additional rules
1 - Dupes clause is active, meaning encounters of a Pokémon that were already caught do not count and can be tried again. A caught Pokémon counts for its entire evolutionary line.
2 - Any Max Raid Battle other than mandatory ones have not occurred ingame.
3 - Gift clause is active, meaning Pokémon that are given instead of caught in battle do not count as the area's encounter and can still be used. Basically freebies.
Prologue
Author's POV
It was another championship battle at Wyndon Stadium. The procedure followed suit the way it did every other year. The chairman would deliver a rousing speech to rile the crowd up before the announcer introduced the champion and his opponent. As always, several Rotom drones hovered around the massive Wyndon Stadium to broadcast this match to all the audiences watching from home.
The cameras focused their attention on Champion Leon, who didn't seem fazed at all the eyes centered on him. The sheer confidence that his presence held stayed constant throughout this yearly routine. Even despite his undefeated reputation, it didn't seem like that title made him feel any pressure. At least, not while everyone was looking. The audience roared as the champion put on a signature smile and sent out his signature Charizard. At the same time, his opponent on the other side of the field sent out his Duraludon.
The drones made sure to pick up the banter from both trainers on the battlefield.
"Your pristine record ends today, Leon!"
"You know I don't lose battles, Raihan!"
Both trainers immediately stood back as their Pokémon underwent Gigantamaxing at the same time. The crowd cheered in awe as both Pokémon changed form and grew to massive size, taking up the space of the huge stadium. The Rotom drones made sure to keep a far distance to make room for the titans' size and to keep safe from any potential debris.
"Charizard, G-Max Wildfire!"
As soon as the massive fire beast let loose its attack, the telly's screen flickered off. The old man holding the remote fondly chuckled at the display. He knew this match would turn out the same as it did last time. And the time before that. And so on.
He found himself smiling. "Leon has come a long way since then," he muttered to himself. "It's always nice to see how much my pupils have grown. Though it appears the time has come once again."
The old man got up from his couch and made his way out of the building. As he admired the stars in the night sky overlooking the vast landscape before him, he felt something tug at his pant leg.
He looked down at the Kubfu clinging to him. "Don't worry, little one. I'm just going for a walk."
The reassurance was enough for the little Pokémon to let him go. The old man continued his trek into the night through open green fields until he reached a tree near the shore. He noted a tall figure of interest, bearing a feature-obscuring hoodie and a dark-coloured hat casting shade over his face. He approached the man.
"The stars seem to be shining quite vibrantly tonight." The old man gazed up, standing next to him. "It seems Galar has completed another year of the Gym Challenge. You know what that means."
The man continued looking ahead, his eyes seemingly focused on something way across the ocean. "Another Gym challenge for all the up and coming trainers." His voice was heavy.
"Indeed." The old man smiled, carrying an eager smile. "Seeing another new generation is always exciting." His enthusiasm was insistent, but it refused to spread.
The stiff figure still had weight in his voice. "It feels like things will be… different this time."
"Oho!" The old man nodded, holding his hands behind his hunched posture. "Do you suppose she will join this time?"
The man nodded, eyes still hidden under the shade of his hat. "I have a hunch."
The old man clapped his hands in delight. "If that is really the case, I'm pleased as cheese to hear that. Can you see yourself heading back to Galar this time?"
"Hmm." The man procured a Pokéball from inside his pockets. "I might end up having to. Just in case. I may end up being able to go home, but my mission could go horribly, horribly wrong."
The air was still. Yet, feeling satisfied with that answer, the old man turned around and walked away. Just a few steps later, he glanced back at where the man was, but he was gone.
And yet, the old man seemed pleased with himself. "It is as I said," he muttered. "It's always nice to see how much my pupils have grown."
