Lapis and Zuli completed Professor Birch's request to his niece, Jade, studying on Route 103. Disapproving of the Nuzlocker's antagonistic attitude towards Pokémon, the girl challenged him to a battle. Though it was a simple battle, Lapis' better trained Mudkip was able to defeat Jade's Treecko. With Poké Balls now in hand, the teen caught a Poochyena on Route 101 and a Zigzagoon on Western Route 103, signifying the real start to his Nuzlocke adventure. After arriving in Petalburg City, Lapis is forced to sit in on a Gym Leader helping his young mentee. Who is this mentee, and will this experience help the teen understand the dangers of his challenge?
Lapis' Pokémon:
Zuli (Lvl. 9 Mudkip, male): Impish Nature, Torrent Ability, moves: Tackle, Growl, Mud Slap
Onyx (Lvl. 5 Poochyena, female): Mild Nature, Run Away Ability, moves: Tackle, Howl
Tiger Eyes (Lvl. 5 Zigzagoon, male): Quiet Nature, Pickup Ability, moves: Tackle, Tail Whip
Chapter 3: Between a Rock and a Ralts
Lapis and Tiger Eyes spent the next morning training on Western Route 103.
The teen looked at his tablet, frustrated. "Damn it, Tiger Eyes, you only gained one level and learned one move. Guess we gotta get goin' to the next route."
The Zigzagoon was disappointed. "I'm sorry, Lapis."
"Hey, it ain't your fault. Your species is known to be weak."
"Um...okay..."
Lapis, ignoring Tiger Eyes' hurt feelings, mused, "Besides, we need other Trainers."
The Normal type tilted his head to the left. "Trainers? Like actual competition? But how would that work?"
"Easy. I just needa let 'em know I'm doing this dumb challenge before the battle."
"I wonder why. Is it because of emotional repercussions?"
"Emotional repercussion? Pfft...I doubt I'd feel any of that. Besides, you guys won't actually die, you'll just get sent away."
Tiger Eyes shuddered. "I really don't want to think about that…"
"Come on then. Let's get goin' to the new route."
Lapis returned Tiger Eyes, healed him up, and bought some supplies from the PokéMart. The shopkeeper who gave him the unneeded tour was there, happy as always. The teen was tempted to do something bad to him, but he resisted his vengeful thoughts.
Once back outside, he ran into the nerd from yesterday, who was huddled by the sign pointing to Route 102.
"No, no, no! How could this be?! I was so sure it was something like a Machamp, or even a Slaking!"
Lapis smirked and crossed his arms. "So! What Pokémon was it that you just had to run me over to identify?"
The nerd glared at the taunter, then muttered, "My stupid footprints. I wore different shoes yesterday, so I forgot what imprints they make…"
This made Lapis laugh, causing Zuli to pop out.
"That wasn't very nice, Loud Lapis!" the Water type scolded. "He really thought he found something!"
"Then maybe he shoulda thought about that when he almost ran me over. No thanks to that idiot Scorcher."
Once the two stepped onto the path, a Poochyena popped out of a patch of tall grass.
Damn it! I thought it'd be something I hadn't caught yet! "Zuli, Tackle!"
The Poochyena fell to the ground after Zuli slammed into her body. Lapis tossed the Poké Ball at the weakened Dark type, and she was quickly captured.
So, level 4, Rash Nature, and also Run Away. Should I even use her? Nah, I already have a stronger Poochyena. I'll just nickname her and send her to the PC.
After he typed in her name, Tourmaline, he put the Poké Ball on the tablet, and the orb vanished in a white light.
Zuli was stunned. "Wh-What just happened?!"
"I sent Tourmaline to this fancy piece of junk called a PC. I can store Pokémon I ain't using now and send the fainted Pokémon to the PLA there."
"So...she won't get a gemstone then?"
He crossed his arms. "She will if she joins the team officially."
"Hey, you there!" a young brown-eyed boy with a Poochyena called, pointing his right index finger at Lapis. His yellow T-shirt, blue jeans, and blue cap meant he was a member of the Youngster Trainer class. "Our eyes made contact, so we have to battle!"
"But I didn't… Oh, whatever, I'm a Nuzlocke Trainer."
"Of course I know who you are! I'm Youngster Calvin, and I'll make sure I get one of your Pokémon to faint!"
Lapis growled. "Why, you little-!" He threw a Poké Ball into the air. "Onyx, Howl!"
The Nuzlocker's Poochyena lifted her head to the sky and howled. Following the pack mentality, Youngster Calvin's Poochyena did the same.
"Great move, Poochyena!" Youngster Calvin shouted.
This kid's pissin' me off! "Onyx, Tackle!"
"Poochyena, Tackle right back!"
The Dark types butted heads and retreated. Youngster Calvin's Poochyena, however, appeared to take less damage.
Seeing this damage difference on his tablet fueled his rage. "Onyx, Tackle!"
She charged at her opponent again, knocking him onto the grass.
"Poochyena, are you okay?" Youngster Calvin asked. After his Pokémon nodded, he commanded, "Use Howl!"
Lapis roared, "That wimpy growl ain't gonna do a damn thing! Onyx, Tackle!"
Onyx rolled her eyes, but she obeyed her Trainer's command and tackled her fellow species to the ground. Youngster Calvin's Poochyena tried to stand, but he fell back, motionless.
"No, Poochyena!" the boy cried. He ran over to his partner and inspected his injuries.
The teenager smirked. "Looks like you lost, kid. Now fork it over."
Youngster Calvin sighed as he took out his brown wallet. "Here. Thanks for the battle."
As he happily counted eighty Pokédollars, Lapis replied, "Thanks for not being a waste of time."
Youngster Calvin then scooped up his Pokémon and ran to Oldale Town.
Onyx frowned at her Trainer. "That wasn't very nice, Lapis."
"Hey," he retorted. "Being nice's stupid and pointless. Look what happened with that kid. You gotta be mean in order to survive."
"Is that really your philosophy?" she argued.
"What's wrong with it? We won, right? Besides, you agreed to this, remember?"
She sighed, acknowledging the verbal contract.
Confident that he regained her loyalty, he scanned the road. "Now then, who's next?"
A few hours later…
Lapis stumbled into Petalburg City, west of Route 102. Man, those Trainers are relentless! Whenever I said I was a Nuzlocke Trainer, they battled twice as hard! At least Tiger Eyes and Onyx leveled up, and Tiger Eyes got in a few critical hits. When that Youngster Allen's Poochyena fell in slow motion, man that was great.
After a quick trip to the Pokémon Center, Lapis noticed a large building near two ponds. That's the Petalburg City Gym. Based on that dumb brochure, I think Norman is the Gym Leader there. I should go check it out.
He went inside, ignoring the sign on the door, and saw a man with slick short black hair wearing a red jacket with black trim and navy pants inspecting the lobby. The man turned to the unwanted visitor and frowned. "Hey, we're closed right now! Didn't you see the sign?!"
Lapis glanced back and shrugged. "I don't care. Just wanna see if I can battle you."
"Only if you have four badges."
The Nuzlocker was taken aback. He's the first Gym Leader I come across, and he's not the easiest one?! But he bit his lip. "Guess I ain't destroying you yet."
The Gym Leader raised an eyebrow. "You don't happen to be Lapis Eurig, are you?"
"What's it to you, old man?"
The teen expected the usual retort to his lack of respect, but the man smirked. "I expected you to act like this. You really don't know what this 'Nuzlocke challenge' is supposed to teach you?"
"Eh. Somethin' along the lines of 'empathy' and 'teamwork' and blah, blah, blah. Whatever, I'd rather be anywhere but juvie."
The door opened, and a teenager about the age of thirteen entered. He had spiky white, almost translucent hair, pale skin, and dark brown eyes. The white shirt and thin light brown pants attempted to hide his sickly frame.
"Ah," the man said. "Quartz, you made it just in time."
Quartz smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Norman, sir," he replied in a weak tone. "I am honored to have you as my Gym Leader partner."
Quartz then noticed the stranger, and he shrieked. "Y-YOU?! H-HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?!" He then began to hyperventilate.
Norman was alarmed. "Quartz, are you okay?"
Lapis, on the other hand, stood motionless. What the hell?
Seeing he got no negative reaction from the Nuzlocke Trainer, the sickly boy took out an inhaler and squirted bursts of oxygen into his mouth.
Once his breathing returned to normal, Quartz replied, "I-I'm fine, sir. It's nothing." He weakly smiled at the other boy. "H-Hi. I'm Quartz."
"Eh. Name's Lapis."
The Gym Leader curiously looked at Lapis, then at Quartz. But he didn't ask any questions. "Now then, Quartz. Are you ready to catch your first Pokémon?"
Lapis frowned. "What, this weakling needs help catchin' a Pokémon?"
Norman sighed. "Not everyone is able to catch Pokémon on their own, Lapis. Quartz is part of the Hoenn Gym Leader-New Trainer Charity Organization, which helps sick children become new Trainers with the assistance of Gym Leaders. Due to their physical, mental, or emotional difficulties, they need that extra push and encouragement. Besides, having a Pokémon improves a person's wellbeing."
The teen rolled his eyes. We'll see about that...
Norman handed Quartz a Poké Ball. "This Poké Ball contains Cato, my Zigzagoon. He'll be of great help in finding your first Pokémon."
The weak boy marveled at the object. "Wow… An actual Pokémon is inside here…"
Lapis scoffed, "It's just a Zigzagoon."
He felt Tiger Eyes' Poké Ball shutter angrily, but he ignored it.
Norman, blocking out what Lapis said, motioned his mentee to the door. "Come, let's go to Route 102. You're free to join us, Lapis."
Quartz was hesitant, but he added, "Y-Yes. I don't mind..."
He wanted to ditch them, but the Gym Leader's gaze was unrelenting. Ugh...guess I have no choice. "All right, I'll tag along."
Quartz ran outside, with the others following behind.
When they reached the route, the boy's excitement disappeared. There was tall grass everywhere, and he knew that if he set foot into it, a Pokémon would surely jump out.
"What's wrong, Quartz?" Norman asked.
"I...I'm sorry, Mr. Norman. It's just...well...the last time I went into a patch of grass, five Rattata pounced on me and nibbled on my clothes. I...I thought I was going to die…"
The boy started to sob, and Norman comforted him with a handkerchief and a pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Quartz," Norman comforted. "Cato is very skilled and will protect you if anything goes wrong."
"Th-Thanks, Mr. Norman." He wiped away his tears and put on a big smile. "All right, here goes nothing!"
Quartz searched the grass for his first partner. Lapis crossed his arms. I wonder what he's gonna get. There's plenty of Wurmple and Poochyena here, so I doubt there's anything rare out here.
"Oh, wow! I found something!"
Norman and Lapis ran over to investigate, and the latter was stunned. It was a Ralts, who was looking inquisitively at Quartz.
What the hell?! That's a four percent encounter rate! Does he have rare Pokémon finding powers or something?!
"All right, Quartz," the Gym Leader instructed as he handed the boy an empty Poké Ball. "Weaken the Ralts with Cato. Then use this Poké Ball."
"R-RIght! Go, Cato!"
The Zigzagoon popped out, and the Ralts made a defensive pose.
Quartz pondered his first move. "Uh…what to do... Oh, I know! Cato, Tackle!"
The Normal type slammed into the Psychic type, who wobbled over in pain. Although she emitted a soft growl, it didn't faze him.
The Gym Leader shouted, "Now, Quartz!"
"Right! Go, Poké Ball!"
He tossed the orb as best as he could. It bounced on the grass, then touched Ralts' head. She was sucked into the Poké Ball, and after three shakes, the capture was complete. Quartz's hand shook as he picked it up.
"M-My first Pokémon!" He bowed to the two. "Thank you, Mr. Norman and Lapis! I will treasure her. Oh, I'd better get going. Goodbye!"
"Bye, Quartz. Enjoy your time with Ralts!" Norman said. After Quartz left, the Gym Leader turned to the Nuzlocke Trainer. "Learn anything?"
"Yeah, that I suck at findin' rare Pokémon."
Norman sighed and shook his head. "Of course that's not the lesson." He stared at the teen's blue eyes. "Appreciate every Pokémon you catch and train. Understand who they are. Learn from your mistakes. And remember those who won't be there anymore. Those are the lessons of a Nuzlocke and life in general."
Lapis crossed his arms. He replied half-heartedly, "I'll keep them in mind."
Seeing he made a small impact, the Gym Leader said, "Good luck, and I have a feeling I'll see you again." Norman then returned to his Gym.
Lessons of a Nuzlocke, huh? Understanding my Pokémon, losing them in battle; like those things'll happen to me. I never experienced happiness or tragedy, and neither will my Pokémon. Norman doesn't know a thing about me.
Lapis was about to head back into the city when a short, stout man with curly red hair on his sides, a blue Alolan shirt, and khaki shorts stood in his way.
The man lifted his round sunglasses and said in a deep, almost husky tone, "So you're the one doing the Nuzlocke challenge, Lapis Eurig?"
"Yeah...that's me. Who the hell are you?"
"Oh, silly me. I forget to introduce myself sometimes. I'm Scott, a Trainer scout, of sorts."
"Of...sorts…"
Scott grinned. "Exactly. I'm looking for strong Trainers that fit my vision of the ideal test for the best of the best. But right now, you don't exactly fit that bill."
Lapis scoffed, "If you're looking for strong Trainers, why ya' talkin' to me?!"
Scott chuckled as he put the sunglasses back on. "Curiosity, I guess. Anyways, adios, partner." The scout walked away.
Lapis mocked, "'Adios, partner.' What a jerk. Guess I better head to Rustboro City. That means three more Pokémon to find." They better be good Pokémon...
Questions for the Chapter:
What do you think of Lapis' battling style?
What do you think of Lapis' interactions with Norman?
What do you think of Quartz and why did he react so negatively to Lapis?
What do you think of Scott?
