Hello, everyone, and welcome to the sixth story overall! This story will also be concurrent with Hoenn: A Trio of Fates. As with the other main stories, there will be a Hall of Fame for those who write at least three reviews either in the chapters or through PMs. Without further ado, enjoy the prologue for Hoenn Nuzlocke: The Gemstone in the Rough! :)

P.S.- Additional content, such as the preview chapter; future interviews with the protagonist, Pokémon, and author; discussions; and predictions will be posted on the story's forum at myforums/flblaziken/7774231/.

Hall of Fame:

Prologue

A serious meeting was taking place at the Kanto Pokémon League Association headquarters, with representatives from eight main regions. A new battling format had begun to sweep the world: one that all started with a comic book. It was the Nuzlocke challenge, a variation of the traditional Trainer journey that tests the bonds as well as the strength of a Trainer and their Pokémon. Now, Trainers were clamoring for the PLA to implement this new format for the regional leagues.

"So, what's the consensus on this 'Nuzlocke' battle format?" the Kanto representative, a man in a dark gray suit, asked.

The Johto representative, a disheveled man in a dark shirt, slammed his fist on the oak table. "I don't know why we have to bend our whims to such whiny Trainers!" he argued. "What's wrong with our current battle formats? They haven't changed in the last one hundred years!"

The Kanto representative sighed. "I see your point. However, we've been having trouble keeping Trainers over the age of 15. Surveys say they want their League challenges to be more difficult, even if they start over in every region."

As the Johto representative disappointedly growled, the Hoenn representative, a woman in a white blouse and blue skirt, offered, "Why don't we have a test run with a new Trainer? I can talk to the Gym Leaders and the Elite Four about this. After all, the comic is based on our region, so it makes sense for us to test it."

The other members murmured. Then, the Kanto representative spoke, "All right. Let's choose someone within the Hoenn Region to participate."

The Johto representative, still cross about the decision, suggested with a smirk, "I know of someone: a male teenager who's relocating in the Hoenn Region. Let's just say...he'll be eager to do it. Especially after what happened back then..."

A blue-eyed teenage boy with a dark grey T-shirt, dark blue vest, and ragged jeans angrily sat in a moving truck on his way to Rustboro City Juvenile Hall in the Hoenn Region. Lapis frustratingly brushed his short straw blonde hair backwards and tied a dark green bandana over it. He thought, Why do I have to sit in the truck?! There's plenty of room in the car!

Instead of continuing his internal tirade, he stared at the dark roof and closed his eyes. A woman's scolding echoed in his mind. You need to respect people and the natural environment, Lapis! Your Trainer's license was postponed because you almost started a fire in the National Park! Not only that, you also got expelled from school with that incident three months ago! Juvie should help you better understand the consequences.

He rubbed his head. How could I remember those words, but not the person who said them? I can't believe this! I should've stayed in that coma. Well, at least I should be there soon. I bet that juvie's boring and easy to break out of!

Suddenly, the truck made an abrupt halt, causing the boy to fall forward and groan in pain. The moving door opened and, instead of a dense city, it was a small town with lush grass surrounded by trees. The summer sun warmed his pale, cold skin.

"What the hell?!" he muttered. "This ain't Rustboro City..."

He stepped out of the vehicle and immediately regretted it. As the humid weather dampened his skin, a man in a blue postal uniform walked over to him.

"Hello, sir," the postman greeted. "Are you Lapis Eurig?"

"Yeah," the teen curtly replied. "Who the hell are you? And what is this place?!"

The man ignored the teenager's rude remarks and gave him a white envelope. "This letter requires an immediate response from the Pokémon League Association. Take care, and welcome to Littleroot Town!"

As the postman walked towards another row of houses, Lapis stared at the symbol on the back of the envelope. Pokémon League Association...? But I'm not a licensed Trainer. And how did they know where I was? Oh well...

He ripped it open and found a letter, a form, and a voucher for a free stay at the Littleroot Town Lodge by the edge of Route 101. Lapis skimmed through the letter.

Dear Mr. Lapis Eurig,

You are invited to join in a new Trainer experiment: the Nuzlocke challenge. This challenge involves a set of rules: three are mandatory and up to seven optional choices. Should you choose to participate, a starter Pokémon will be provided, along with a Nuzlocke Trainer starter kit. You will have special benefits, such as foregoing the Hoenn League Tournament and earning prize money from defeating Trainers. Your previous offences will also be removed and be dissolved if you complete the challenge. Be forewarned, the challenge is intended to test your limits, physically and emotionally, and should not be attempted if you plan to give up easily. If so, dire consequences will occur. Enclosed are a participation form and a waiver form that details the Pokémon League Association is not responsible for any emotional trauma. Please send this form in the envelope also enclosed. We hope you accept this offer and wait at the Littleroot Town Lodge for the next steps. We look forward to hearing your response.

Sincerely,

Kyushi Hōfu

The Pokémon League Association: Hoenn Region Representative

"The Nuzlocke challenge? Like that guy with the Sceptile and the girl with the Infernape?" He smirked. "Looks like this here's my ticket outta juvie..."

Lapis filled out the form without much thought, went into the inn specified in the letter, and gave the envelope to the concierge. Then he went into a quaint room to await their response.