As Lapis' training for his first badge continued, he captured a wily Wurmple nicknamed Agate, who quickly evolved into a Silcoon. Inside Petalburg Woods, the teenager was forced to save a mushroom-loving researcher from a Team Aqua Grunt. Though Onyx started out strong, Agate finished off the Grunt's Poochyena. This allowed her to evolve once more into a Beautifly. Soon, Lapis enters Rustboro City, eager to defeat Roxanne. Before he could do that, he encounters two powerful Trainers downtown. Who are they, and will Lapis learn anything from them?
Lapis' Pokémon:
Zuli (Lvl. 11 Mudkip, male): Impish Nature, Torrent Ability, moves: Tackle, Growl, Mud Slap, Water Gun
Onyx (Lvl. 10 Poochyena, female): Mild Nature, Run Away Ability, moves: Tackle, Howl, Sand Attack
Tiger Eyes (Lvl. 10 Zigzagoon, male): Quiet Nature, Pickup Ability, moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Headbutt
Agate (Lvl. 10 Beautifly, female): Quirky Nature, Swarm Ability, moves: Tackle, String Shot, Harden, Absorb
Chapter 5: The Leland
Rich Boy Winston, a sixteen-year old blonde boy wearing a blue suit and a green tie, uttered as Agate knocked out his Zigzagoon with a Tackle attack. "M-My precious Winston Jr..."
The Nuzlocker sneered, "At least this makes up for findin' that useless Marill, Flourite, earlier. Maybe if you gave your Pokémon better trainin' and an even better nickname, you wouldn't suck so bad."
The defeated Trainer returned his Pokémon and shouted, "Y-You uncouth Trainer! I promise you the next time we battle, I will ensure you never battle again!"
The last words made Lapis flinch, but Rich Boy Winston didn't get the satisfaction of seeing the former's reaction. He was already storming off north to Rustboro City.
The Beautifly looked at her Trainer with worry. "Lapis...that's really mean."
But he didn't retort back; he was still shaken up. Why did those words affect me like that? Come on, keep it together, Lapis.
"Lapis!"
"Huh?" He looked at the Butterfly Pokémon tapping his shoulder with her proboscis. "I'm fine, Agate," he scoffed, brushing it away. "Come on, there's more Trainers to battle."
He marched to a pair of twin girls wearing matching pink dresses. Agate frowned, knowing there was more to his reaction.
A few hours later...
Lapis and Onyx sauntered into the bustling civilization of Rustboro City. The former stared at the tall buildings and frowned. This reminds me too much of...of… Damn it, what does this remind me of?
"Um, Lapis?" the Poochyena interrupted. "Shouldn't we make our way to the Pokémon Center?"
"Yeah. Hope this nurse ain't as much of a killjoy Nurse Touka was."
Following the red signs posted around the main streets, the two made it to the red-roofed building. Once inside, the air conditioning blasting throughout the lobby returned their temperature to normal.
Lapis returned Onyx and marched to the reception desk, where to his surprise, there was a healing machine behind the counter.
Nurse Kumi, an olive skinned woman with black hair, smiled. "So, you finally made it, Lapis Eurig. I was wondering if you got stuck in Petalburg Woods."
He raised an eyebrow. "Like anyone cares about that." He forced his Poké Balls onto the counter.
Ignoring the teen's lack of respect, Nurse Kumi placed his Poké Balls on the newer machine, and they healed them instantly.
"That was...fast…" he stated.
She giggled. "Well, the PLA did install it just for you."
He crossed his arms. "Why would those suits care about that?"
"Well, based on Nurse Touka's complaints about you constantly returning to the Pokémon Center just to get free recovery, the PLA decided to install a second, faster machine in the lobby so you don't have to wait through a line to get them back. Besides, I know you just want to get in and out so you can go back to training."
"Like I wanna get back to the boring part. But I guess it's better than waiting. Got a room?"
She scanned the computer. "We have one room on the first floor, by the computer lab." Seeing him shrug, she handed him the room key. "If you have time, you should check out the new Sableye Cave Restaurant downtown. We have a coupon for twenty percent off your meal."
"Sounds too 'rich' for my likin'. Pass."
Again, she shook over the aloofness. "All right then. Good luck, Lapis, and I'm sure I'll see you soon."
He fastened his orbs back onto his belt and made his way towards his room. Once inside, he laid on the bed. Rich Boy Winston's words echoed in his mind. "I promise you the next time we battle, I'll make sure you never battle again!"
That rich jerk knows nothing about me! No one does! And no one will understand...
A few hours later…
A slightly more relaxed Lapis exited the Pokémon Center as the sun started its decline. Guess it's time to see where I can get some grub around here.
With hands in his pockets, he meandered through the busy streets, scanning at the various restaurants. "Ugh… Why are most of these places so expensive?! I'd rather find a MacMunches at this rate."
Before changing course, he noticed a familiar person wandering into a place called Cutter Park. "Hey, that green cap. He's with that Scorcher girl… What's his name again?"
Zuli emerged from his Poké Ball. "Why don't you go ask him, Loud Lapis?"
"Tch. Like he's worth my time."
The Mudkip shouted, "Then I will!"
He bounded towards the park, easily evading the legs of the pedestrians.
"Damn it, Zuli!" Lapis tried to force his way through the crowd, but was stopped by several traffic lights. After a few minutes, he plowed through the walkers and entered the park, covered green rolling hills and tall pine and fir trees.
"Now where'd that little scamp go?!" he muttered. He looked to ahead and saw Zuli talking to Summer's friend, who was on a rock path by a grove of pine trees.
As he got closer, he could hear Zuli say, "My Trainer and I saw you before with Summer! What's your name?"
The boy raised an eyebrow. "You look kind of familiar. Are you...lost or something?"
Zuli pouted. "Aww... You can't understand me?"
"There you are, you little-!" Lapis scolded, scooping up the Water type. "Why the hell ya keep runnin' off?!"
The Mud Fish Pokémon flailed in his Trainer's hands. "Come on, Loud Lapis! Lighten up!"
The boy adjusted his cap. "Your Trainer looks familiar... Wait, I think I remember. You're the one doing the Nuzlocke challenge, right?"
The teen frowned as the Mudkip settled down. "Yeah, so what?"
"Stop being so rude, Loud Lapis!" Zuli hissed.
The younger Trainer replied, "I think your journey's pretty impressive."
"Impressive, how?"
"Well, you're doing a much more challenging path than any other Trainer right now. It's been making waves around the competitive battling scene."
Zuli smirked, "See, Loud Lapis? You're kinda like a celebrity!"
"Shut up, Zuli. I don't give a damn 'bout bein' a celeb."
The boy raised an eyebrow. "You can understand your Pokémon?"
Lapis responded dully, "Yeah, that idiot professor gave me this lousy earpiece."
"Huh. That's like the one Summer has."
"Speakin' of Scorcher, you're her friend, right?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm traveling with her. Guess I should introduce myself. I'm Weldon Leland, from Pallet Town."
"Lapis Eurig." Shaking hands wasn't his style, but he reluctantly did for Weldon's sake. "So, watcha doin' here? Where's Scorcher?"
Weldon glanced towards the downtown area. "She's...having dinner with some of her childhood friends."
Zuli was concerned by his sadness, but his Trainer didn't care. "So what? Why bother?"
He replied after a deep sigh, "She's too trusting and nice. She doesn't know the feeling of betrayal from your so-called 'friends'."
Lapis winced. Why does that sound familiar?
Suddenly, another teenager around Weldon's age approached them. His yellow jacket and blue shorts billowed in the breeze. He sneered, a hint of arrogance in his voice, "Do my eyes deceive me? Weldon Leland appears in the flesh!"
Weldon placed his hands in his jacket pockets. "Of all the people to run into, why does it have to be you?"
"Aww, come on, Leland. No appreciation for Andy Acker, one of the best to graduate from Viridian City Trainer School?"
"Not really. After all, didn't you lose five to one in the Indigo League Top 8 round this year?"
Andy snapped, "I had a bad headache then so I couldn't concentrate!" He inhaled deeply and recovered with a smirk. "Besides, that's better than losing in the Silver League Top 32 round. Isn't that, like, the worst a Leland has done in fifty years?"
"What a filthy Muk," Lapis muttered.
Andy glared at the taller boy. "Who asked you to butt in, loser?"
"You're one to talk."
"Look, Andy," Weldon said, redirecting the aggressor's attention. "I don't want any trouble. Can you please leave?"
Andy, however, slammed his former classmate into a nearby tree trunk. "Why should I? You're a sham of a Trainer; winning a league then bombing the next? You'll never be as good as your brother."
Weldon snapped. "He's...my...half-brother!" He pushed the startled Trainer, sending him onto the stones.
Lapis smirked. Who's the loser now?
The commotion caused several people in the park to appear around Lapis.
Andy quickly got up, brushed his dark brown hair back, and shouted, "How DARE you! You know what? I challenge you to a one-on-one battle! That'll shut you up." When he saw Weldon hesitating, he laughed. "What's wrong? Are you rusty after declaring your hiatus a month ago? Or do you know you're going to lose?"
Weldon clenched his left fist and gave a stern reply, "I accept your challenge."
The passerby whispered, "Ooohhh…a battle between Weldon Leland and Andy Acker? I got to see this!"
A small crowd followed the pair into the park. Lapis was curious, but he knew better. Their battle didn't concern him.
However, someone else was. Zuli yelled, "Come on, Loud Lapis! I wanna see them battle!"
"What for? Ain't any of my business."
The Mudkip smirked. "Then why did you insult that Andy kid if it 'ain't any of your business'?"
"Ugh… All right, fine! But because you insisted!"
"Yay!"
Lapis trudged behind the bouncing Water type, preparing himself for an potentially uneventful battle. The two approached a crowded dirt battlefield, where Weldon's Golem prepared to face off against Andy's Nidoking. With the sky turning from orange to dark blue, the lights around the park flickered on, giving everyone a better chance to watch the action. Not wanting to get any attention, the Nuzlocker found a small hill that overlooked the battlefield and climbed to the top.
"Awww," Zuli whined. "Why do we have to watch from far away?"
"Too many people. Duh."
"But you were fine with walking through the streets earlier."
"You talk too much." Lapis retorted as he sat down. The park was pretty empty, allowing the two to hear the action.
Weldon made the first move. "Golem, Rollout!"
The Megaton Pokémon tucked his head, arms, and legs into his body and spun full speed at his opponent.
Andy laughed. "You call that a first move? I'll show you a first move! Earth Power!"
Surrounding himself in gold energy, the Drill Pokémon smashed his right fist into the ground, causing the field to crack and spew similarly colored pillars of earth. These obstacles caused Golem to swerve off-course to avoid the super effective attack. Weldon clenched his teeth, but he continued his offensive onslaught.
"Golem, Earthquake!"
The Rock type backward somersaulted into the air and slammed into the dirt. A more powerful surge shook the battlefield, causing the gold rocks to strike Nidoking. The Poison type was able to block most of the shrapnel, but not enough for Andy's liking. They then continued countering each other with boulders and small eruptions, slowly chipping away at each other's health. The crowd cheered for the fully evolved Pokémon.
Zuli were stunned by the unrestrained combat. "Wow," he murmured. "I wish we could battle like that."
Lapis shrugged. "You can, but you'll just faint doin' it."
Zuli looked at this Trainer's disinterested expression and frowned. "Why aren't you so impressed by that battle?! It's so amazing!"
The teen took off his hat and brushed his hair back. "It's always the same. Just two Pokémon hittin' each other. Ain't nothin' impressive 'bout that."
The Water type mused, "We have been doing that a lot, haven't we? I wish I could dodge more."
"Then the battle'll take too long."
Then, the teenager noticed something on the field. Golem appeared to take more damage than Nidoking even though their strength was about more or less equal. And it seemed Weldon caught on as well.
He shouted, "Golem, Double Edge!"
The Rock type ducked into a ball and sped at Nidoking in a blinding white light.
The boastful Trainer smirked. "Still as reckless as always. Now it's time to show you why you'll never be better than me, Leland! Aqua Tail!"
Weldon watched in horror as water slowly swirled around the Drill Pokémon's tail. "Dodge, Golem!"
But it was too late. The super effective attack launched the heavier Pokémon into the air. Golem crashed onto the field, groaning.
"Are you okay, Golem?" his Trainer asked, feeling the pressure of the murmurs amongst the crowd.
But to everyone's surprise, he freed himself from the cracked earth and stood up. Lapis focused on Weldon's fearful reaction.
What's he so scared about? He can use his Golem again after this battle; he won't lose him forever.
Andy gritted his teeth. "Why you-! Nidoking, finish Golem with Poison Jab!"
A dark purple energy covered the Poison type's left hand, and he charged towards his weaker opponent.
Weldon put on a brave face and shouted, "Rock Slide!"
Golem unleashed a cascade of rocks that protected himself from the punch. Nidoking, however, kept pounding the stones until they were reduced to rubble. The barrier was gone, but the Drill Pokémon was panting from the strenuous effort.
"Looks like sudden death now," Lapis stated.
Zuli paced frantically. "Aw, man! I really hope Weldon wins!"
The teen stared at his starter. "What for? He ain't doin' so hot."
"But you can tell he's trying really hard!"
"Now that you mention it, Leland looks more determined than earlier."
Weldon took a deep breath and commanded, "Golem, Rollout!"
Andy laughed as the Megaton Pokémon rolled towards his Pokémon. "Pulling a last resort, are you? You'll never win! Nidoking, Aqua Tail!"
Nidoking charged the swirling water on his tail, ready to swing Golem back and end the battle.
Weldon, however, was determined to change that. "Now, Double Edge!"
Golem leaped into the air, and his body started to glow white. With gravity on their side, he plummeted into Nidoking's chest with full force. The Poison type roared as he slammed into the dirt. The Aqua Tail failed, splashing the water onto his Trainer. Andy brushed his wet hair back, only to find his Pokémon failed to stand up. Golem stumbled towards Weldon, but kept his balance.
"N-No…" Andy whimpered. "I-It can't be!"
The crowd cheered, shouting Weldon's name. The Kantonian was shocked by the warm reception, but regained his composure as he checked his Pokémon.
"I TOLD YOU!" Zuli screamed enthusiastically. "Weldon won!"
Lapis glanced away. "Whatever. Come on, we're done here."
However, the Mudkip sped down the hill towards the battlefield.
"Damn it, Zuli! Stop runnin' away!"
He chased after him and grabbed the struggling Water type with a firmer grip. When he looked around, the crowd was almost gone.
Weldon returned Golem and wiped his brow. "That was close." He walked over to Andy, who also returned his Pokémon, and said, "That was a great battle, Andy."
He offered his hand, but the bully swatted it away. "This loss doesn't count. I know you cheated."
Weldon rubbed his hand. "Cheated? What're you talking about?"
Andy glared. "You used your battling ability; that automatically counts as cheating!"
"Battling ability?" Zuli whispered. "Do you know what he's talking about, Loud Lapis?"
"Beats me."
Weldon crossed his arms. "You've beaten me before when I used it. What makes this battle any different?"
His eyes darkened. "You're a nobody now! Weak, indecisive. Because of that, you constantly need to use your ability to see a Pokémon's weakness to win. You're a disgrace to battling families and Trainers in general!" Andy formed a right fist. "And I'll make sure that stays with you forever!"
He lunged at the startled Weldon, only to be stopped by a young adult male with light steel blue hair grabbing his right wrist. The stranger's black clothes highlighted the disappointment in his blue-gray eyes.
Andy gasped at the appearance of the man. "Y-You're-"
The man's cold voice made the boy shudder. "Is there a reason why you're resorting to violence against a fellow Trainer?"
"I-I…"
He let Andy go and warned, "The next time I see you pull something like that, I'll make sure the Pokémon League Association knows."
The bitter teenager pulled his arm away and glared at Weldon. "This isn't over, Leland." Andy stormed out of the park.
Lapis rolled his eyes. What an idiot. Why the hell would he bow to a guy like that?
The man looked at the shaken boy. "Are you all right?"
Weldon stuttered, "I-I'm fine. Thanks… Sorry, I don't know who you are."
To Weldon's surprise, he chuckled. "That's all right. After all, I'm not as well known as I was five years ago. My name is Steven Stone."
"It's nice to meet you, Steven. I'm-"
"Oh don't worry. I already know who you are, Weldon Leland."
He was taken aback. "Y-You know who I am?! How?!"
"I've done my research. Don't worry, I'm not here to question your hiatus. I was just interested in your battling prowess since that announcement."
Leaving him dumbfounded, Steven turned to the observer. "And you must be Lapis Eurig, the Nuzlocker?"
"So what?" Lapis spat. "Why the hell you care?"
Steven stroked his chin and smirked. "Oh, no particular reason. It's just...interesting why they chose you."
"Chose me? What the hell ya talkin' about?"
The man closed his eyes. "That's nothing you should worry about. For now." His Pokégear rang, and he answered it. "Yes? I see. Very well, I'll be there soon."
Steven said with a smile, "I apologize, but I must be off. It was a pleasure meeting you both, and I'm sure we'll see each other in the future."
Weldon nodded. "Thanks again, Steven."
"It was no trouble at all."
Lapis scoffed, "Whatever, old man."
Steven ignored the teen's scathing goodbye and he exited the grounds.
Weldon turned to the Nuzlocker. "Were you watching the battle?"
Lapis kicked a pebble from the remnants of the match. "Bits n' pieces."
Knowing the truth, the Kanto Trainer smiled. "I see. Well, I hope you learned something from it. I should get back to the Pokémon Center and wait for Summer. It was great meeting you."
Weldon was about to depart when Lapis asked, "Why were you scared during the battle?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean. When you got hit by that Aqua Tail, you froze up."
Weldon adjusted his cap. "Wouldn't you feel the same if you get in that situation where you might lose?"
"Why would I? I ain't suppose ta lose, remember?"
"That's true, but trust me. You'll experience it someday. And when you do, you'll do anything you can to make sure your Pokémon prevail. Anyway, I'd better get going. See you around, Lapis." Weldon put his hands into his pockets and headed towards the park entrance.
Lapis glanced at the rocks, lost in thought. Leland sounds like everyone else I've talked to: Professor Birch, Norman. Seeing him battle tonight, I kind of see his point. But I already know what to do in a battle.
The Mudkip puffed his chest. "I can't wait to battle Roxanne now! I won't have much trouble when I evolve. And from what you last told me, it'll be really soon!"
"Yeah, so we gotta train some more. Route 116's the next best place for trainin'."
"And that means a new friend!"
Lapis rolled his eyes. "Right... It better be a Pokémon worth my time." His stomach rumbled loudly.
Zuli laughed. "Looks like someone's hungry!"
His Trainer growled, "Come on, let's find the nearest MacMunches..."
The two exited the park and returned to their quest for fast food burgers. Right now, food was more important than training.
Questions for the Chapter:
What do you think of Lapis' first interactions with Weldon?
What did you think of Weldon and Andy's battle?
Who do you think Lapis will catch next?
How will Lapis do against Roxanne?
