As a reward for recovering the Devon Goods from Team Aqua, Lapis was invited to meet Mr. Stone of the Devon Corporation. The President provided the Nuzlocker with a PokéNav and a future reward in exchange for transporting two items for two people. Lapis then battled and defeated Professor Birch's niece, Jade, who then told him how to get to the next location, Dewford Town. He reluctantly goes to visit Mr. Briney, who he helped back in Rusturf Tunnel, to ask him to cross the sea routes. But during the first leg of the trip, they encounter an unnatural storm. What is the cause of this rain, and who is caught up in it?
Lapis' Pokémon:
Zuli (Lvl. 14 Mudkip, male): Impish Nature, Torrent Ability, moves: Tackle, Growl, Mud Slap, Water Gun
Onyx (Lvl. 11 Poochyena, female): Mild Nature, Run Away Ability, moves: Tackle, Howl, Sand Attack
Tiger Eyes (Lvl. 12 Zigzagoon, male): Quiet Nature, Pickup Ability, moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Headbutt
Agate (Lvl. 13 Beautifly, female): Quirky Nature, Swarm Ability, moves: Tackle, String Shot, Harden, Absorb
Moonstone (Lvl. 13 Taillow, female): Naive Nature, Guts Ability, moves: Peck, Growl, Focus Energy, Quick Attack
Apatite (Lvl. 11 Whismur, male): Naughty Nature, Soundproof Ability, moves: Pound, Growl, Uproar
Chapter 9: Sailing through a Storm
Lapis crawled out of Petalburg Woods, exhausted. He looked at the commuter path, a shortcut through the forest, with disdain.
He muttered, "I can't believe they didn't let me through because I'm doin' that Nuzlocke! Stupid challenge…"
He got up and saw the wooden house Jade told him about. When he got to the front door, he barged into the building and saw an unusual sight. The owner, Mr. Briney, was chasing his Wingull, Peeko, around the living room, much to the Trainer's confusion.
"Hey, old- uh, Mr. Briney!"
Peeko sat on his left shoulder and smiled, remembering her rescuer.
The elderly man stopped and looked at the source of the voice. "Oh, it's you, young man! Um…what was your name again?"
"Lapis."
"Ah, yes! I had a feeling you would barge in here someday."
"Uhh…right…"
"So, what brings you to my humble abode?"
"My…uh…acquaintance told me you sail around here and the nearby ports."
Mr. Briney beamed. "Well, not as frequently, but I do from time to time." He stroked his chin. "I'm guessing you'd like passage on the high seas?"
"Y-Yeah…"
"Then let's get going! The waves wait for no man!" He ran out the door.
Peeko sighed. "Looks like he's getting the boat. Come on, Lapis, let's wait outside."
Lapis shrugged and followed the Sea Gull Pokémon to the beach. A few minutes later, a medium white ship docked next to them. It was a sturdy vessel with an enclosed bridge, metal railings, and the words, "S.S. Wingull", etched on front port side.
"All aboard!" Mr. Briney called.
Ugh… He's way too enthusiastic for being on a boat. But Lapis climbed the metal ladder by the middle of the ship.
Peeko landed on her owner's head and nestled in for the short cruise.
"Alrighty! Let's get things underway on the S.S. Peeko!" Mr. Briney looked at Lapis. "You don't get seasick, do you?"
"Eh. Never been on a boat before."
"Wait, you should take some just in case. It may be nice now, but it could get stormy really quick."
"Nah, I should be good."
"Well… All right then! Setting sail for Dewford Town!"
The retired sailor headed into the bridge and blew the ship's horn. Then, the boat returned to the sea and sailed south. Lapis looked out from the deck, the wind blowing through his hair. The waves were slightly choppy, but not too bad.
Lapis stared at the clouds moving above. I gotta find the nearest place to train and get more supplies. Wonder what the next Gym's typing is. Wait, why am I thinking about this? Ugh, maybe this challenge's rubbing off of me after all. Now I'm thinking like a Trainer; what a waste of brainpower.
Suddenly, the weather changed drastically, snapping Lapis out of his thoughts. The clouds grew dark, and heavy rain began to fall. Gusts of wind struck the ship, but its sturdy construction kept it afloat. Lapis tried to walk to the bow, but the storm made it hard to see. There was a sharp right turn, and Lapis gripped the handrail. But the wet bars forced him to let go and slide towards the bow.
Mr. Briney opened the door. "I docked the boat. Hurry and come inside, Lapis!"
The Trainer clenched his teeth and made his way to the indoor shelter by shifting his weight on the handrail. Once inside, Lapis saw something going on further past them.
Two figures and their Pokémon were battling on a large shoal. One had an Electabuzz and the other had a Manectric. Though this Manectric's mane continued down his back and looked bigger than a regular one.
"Uh, Mr. Briney? Know what's goin' on there?"
The elderly man looked at where the teen was pointing. "Hm… I don't know, but I have a device that can help with that."
He pressed a large red button on the control panel and a large screen descended from the ceiling.
"This is...fancy..."
Mr. Briney beamed. "Isn't it? I use it to film Water type Pokémon along Routes 106 to 109 for the Slateport City Marine Institute. I can even get crystal clear sound with the microphone attached to the camera."
This guy must be loaded for a sailor! How rich are people in Hoenn?
The television flickered on, and it showed the Pokémon's Trainers.
Lapis' eyes widened. What's he doing there?!
The retired sailor gasped. "W-Weldon's battling that cloaked stranger!"
"'Cloaked stranger'?"
"That doesn't matter now! I must help him!" Mr. Briney scrambled around the room to gather supplies.
Lapis cocked his head. "What? No need for my help?"
"I'm sorry, Lapis, but that man is very dangerous! I know firsthand."
Not wanting to get more involved than needed, the teen continued to watch the screen. He noticed a pair of headphones nearby and plugged it into the control panel. True to Mr. Briney's words, he could hear the two with crystal clear accuracy despite the raging storm.
The stranger, with the build of a man, laughed as Weldon returned his fallen Electabuzz. "Are you giving up now? Come on, the battle's just getting started."
The Trainer growled, "No...not yet…"
The man shrugged. "What else can you even do? Most of your Pokémon can't handle Manectric or the storm."
"How did you-?"
"I know everything about you, Weldon Leland," he stated, making a step with every sentence. "Your strengths. Your weaknesses. Your destiny."
Weldon stepped back. "Wh-What you talking about?!"
"You are not destined for the role you've been chosen for. And I'll make sure that you'll never see it."
Lapis rubbed his head. Those last words… They sound so familiar… But he continued to watch.
The man grabbed Weldon's hand, but the latter broke free from his grip. He laughed. "Where was that defiance during your Silver League tourney? Going from a regional winner to a Top 32 Trainer; what a pathetic Trainer."
"ENOUGH!" Weldon snatched a Poké Ball from his belt, causing his attacker to jump back. "Venusaur, Vine Whip!"
The fully evolved Kanto starter emerged and tied up the Electric type with thick vines.
But the stranger was unfazed. "Flamethrower!"
Manectric opened his mouth and sprayed the Grass type with the flames. Venusaur winced but remained firm thanks to the storm weakening its power.
Weldon shouted, "Sludge Bomb!"
A large purple orb of sludge shot out of Venusaur's mouth, striking the tangled Pokémon. The Seed Pokémon let Manectric fall onto the sand, but the latter was able to stand back up.
The stranger shouted, "Wild Charge!"
The Manectric surrounded himself in electricity and slammed into the Venusaur. Though the former winced from the aftermath of the attack, the move did a considerable amount of damage.
What kind of move's that?!
Apparently Weldon thought the same thing as he just stood in horror. His Pokémon collapsed onto the sand, but he tried to stand up.
The stranger crossed his arms. "Such a pity. How does a weak person like you have good Pokémon?"
The Trainer tried to keep his cool, but he was seething deep down.
Lapis clenched his fists. He never related to Weldon, but those words and the reaction, they struck a deep chord within him.
The man continued, "I know you're here to train that girl. But does she really deserve someone like you as a teacher? After all, you can't help her with her main struggle. In fact, you fear it."
Weldon blurted, "Sh-Shut up!"
"What's wrong? Are you also afraid to hear the truth?"
Weldon winced.
He got close to the young Trainer and hissed, "She's going to replace you with someone better…"
Weldon backed up, his left foot touching the churning water. "N-No… Sh-She wouldn't…"
"And you can't do anything about it…"
The pre-teen used the last of his strength to push his attacker back. However, he collapsed, unable to take any more taunts. The man then knelt down, took something out of his pocket, and moved his hand towards Weldon's neck.
Lapis had had enough. He shut off the screen and slammed the headphones down. I don't know why I'm doing this, but… "I...I gotta help him somehow!"
He grabbed a spare yellow raincoat and ran outside. But before he could put it on, the rain stopped and was replaced with bright sunlight. An orange blur whooshed past him and stopped above the shoal where the incident was taking place. The Nuzlocker ran back inside and set the screen and headphones back up.
When it flickered on, the orange blur turned out to be a weird looking Charizard with a spikier head, wings, and arms.
The stranger flinched. "Y-You! Then that means she's nearby!" He got up and pointed at the newcomer. "Manectric, Wild Charge!"
The Discharge Pokémon leaped at the Charizard, but the latter shot him down with a quickly charged Solarbeam. The Electric type hit the sand and returned to his regular form.
The cloaked stranger returned his Pokémon and shouted, "Damn it! I was so close!" He roared at the Fire type. "This isn't over! Tell that to your annoying Trainer!" He let out a Crobat, who whisked him away.
Once they were out of sight, the Charizard, who also turned back to his normal appearance, and Mr. Briney, who finally made it over to the shoal, tended to the unconscious Weldon.
Lapis breathed a sigh of relief, then regained his usual uncaring demeanor. He was getting tired of relating to others for the week.
An hour later…
Lapis leaned on the wall of the bridge as Mr. Briney helped Weldon onto the S.S. Wingull.
"There you go," its owner said. "Welcome aboard."
The younger one groaned. "Thanks, Mr. Briney. You sure I'm not disturbing you?"
"Oh, not at all, Weldon. I was on my way to ferry someone over to Dewford Island anyway."
He looked at the person the sailor mentioned. "L-Lapis?"
The teen crossed his arms. "Who else?"
Shaking his head, the Kantonian replied, "N-Nothing…"
The Charizard flew over, surveying the Kantonian.
"Did you find Summer?" Weldon asked.
But the Fire type shook his head. "I scanned the ocean, but no sign. I'm going to try again."
"Okay. Thanks."
After he took off, Mr. Briney said, "Don't worry, Weldon. Summer will turn up. Believe me, she's survived worse conditions that this. Let's head to Dewford Town first. If that Charizard can't find her, then I'll get the Coast Guard's help."
"All right."
Peeko brought over a basket filled with bottled water and snacks. "Here, Weldon. You should regain your strength."
"Thanks, Peeko." He took the basket and helped himself.
With his new passenger satisfied, Mr. Briney took a deep breath and shouted, "Next stop, Dewford Town!"
He ran back to the bridge with his beloved Wingull following close behind.
After Lapis got used to the boat moving again, he bit his lip. I don't wanna talk to him, but he seems kinda down. Ugh, why am I getting so sentimental?
The younger Trainer noticed his unsure expression and made the decision himself. "You know, you can come over, Lapis. If you want to of course."
He rolled his eyes. "Tch. Only if you say so."
He sat next to Weldon and stared at the bobbing waves. After a few moments of awkward silence, Weldon broke the tension.
"So...you're going to Dewford Town too?"
"Yeah… Doing some chores for an old man and the Gym."
"I...I see…"
Another moment of weird tension, then Weldon asked, "How much did you and Mr. Briney see of what happened?"
"Eh. Not much in his case since he went to help ya. As for me...I saw and heard everythin' from that monitor of his."
The Kantonian sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I can't believe that happened. I feel like such an idiot, letting all that happen to me. You must think I'm a loser too, huh?"
"Is that all you see me as? A bully?"
"Well, you are a delinquent, aren't you?"
Lapis glanced away. "Tch. Not like I can relate."
Weldon gave him a strange look. "I'm not saying you have to. After all, I don't know much about what you've gone through before. We all have things we don't want to remember, after all."
"Yeah... Guess you got a point..."
"Anyways. Please promise me you won't anyone about this, especially Summer."
Lapis raised an eyebrow. "Why Scorcher in particular?"
Weldon looked at the wooden floor. "I...I don't want those words to come true… About me being replaced, I mean."
"Why?"
"Because...like what he said, I can't help get stronger with Blaze, her Blaziken."
What an original nickname… "Well, why not?"
Weldon adjusted his cap. "I...I can't handle Fighting types well."
Lapis leaned back. "Eh, they're just like any other type. Just more physical? I don't know. But I know the Dewford Town Gym Leader uses Fighting types."
The Kantonian's face became slightly pale. "Great…"
"Come on, Leland. Scorcher may be weird and all, and I don't know her that well, but I could tell she ain't a ditcher."
"I guess…"
Both boys became quiet until they got close to the largest island around. The ship then docked into a spot at the large pier.
Mr. Briney emerged. "We've arrived in Dewford Town!"
Weldon got up. "Thanks, Mr. Briney."
"No problem, Weldon!"
The Charizard returned and said, "My owner told me she found Summer. I can bring you over there."
Weldon's eyes lit up. "Th-That's great!" After relaying the information to the sailor, he asked, "Mr. Briney, can I join you?"
To his surprise, the man chuckled and replied, "You don't need to, Weldon. I can get here on my own with this Charizard's help. You should take it easy. After all, battling in a storm isn't great for everyone."
"I-I guess so. I should also find a room at the Pokémon Center anyway."
"That's the spirit. How about you, Lapis?"
But the teen was already on the pier. "Eh, I'm gonna head out. Catch ya guys later."
Lapis stretched his arms out and walked into the urban spot of Dewford Island. Time to get these chores over and done with.
Questions for the Chapter:
What did you think of Weldon and the stranger's battle?
Will the stranger's words come to fruition?
What adventures await Lapis on Dewford Island?
