After leaving Slateport City, Lapis captured his newest member, an Electrike named Kyanite. However, due to her lack of Electric type moves, the Nuzlocker was forced to do extensive grinding with everyone. Jade, who was doing field work, saw this and demanded a rematch with Lapis. The delinquent defeated the junior researcher in similar fashion, allowing him to grind in relative peace. Lapis enters the next stage of his journey in Mauville City, where he runs into a familiar face and his relative. Who is he, and how will Lapis fare against the other person?

Lapis' Pokémon:

Zuli (Lvl. 21 Marshtomp, male; Item: Soft Sand): Impish Nature, Torrent Ability, moves: Tackle, Growl, Mud Shot, Water Gun

Citrine (Lvl. 18 Makuhita, female; Item: Quick Claw): Timid Nature, Guts Ability, moves: Tackle, Sand Attack, Arm Thrust, Vital Throw

Tiger Eyes (Lvl. 18 Zigzagoon, male): Quiet Nature, Pickup Ability, moves: Tackle, Cut, Tail Whip, Headbutt

Kyanite (Lvl. 18 Electrike, female): Mild Nature, Static Ability, moves: Tackle, Growl, Quick Attack, Thunder Wave

Moonstone (Lvl. 20 Taillow, female): Naive Nature, Guts Ability, moves: Peck, Growl, Focus Energy, Quick Attack

Onyx (Lvl. 17 Poochyena, female; Item: King's Rock): Mild Nature, Run Away Ability, moves: Tackle, Howl, Sand Attack, Bite

P.S.- Don't forget to send in your questions or vote in my fifth anniversary poll! :)

Chapter 16: The Strong, Silent Quartzes

Lapis and Onyx stumbled into the metropolis of Mauville City after their week-long grinding session.

"Damn, it's hotter here than anywhere else!" The Nuzlocker complained.

"Well, there are more buildings here," she noted. "Maybe that's why."

"Then we'd better get to that Pokémon Center!"

The pair wandered along the busy city streets until they found a red-roofed three-story building with the Poké Ball logo on it. But before he could enter into the air-conditioned space, Quartz and an adult male exited.

The younger one gasped. "Oh, it's you! Um...Lapis, right?"

"Yeah. And you're that wimpy kid who caught that Ralts."

The man next to the white-haired teen cleared his throat. He was a stout man with dark, quickly combed hair, thick-rimmed glasses, a gray polo shirt, and black slacks. His dark eyes scanned the delinquent. "That brashness… You must be the Nuzlocke Trainer my nephew's told me so much about."

"And who the hell are you?"

"What manners," he said after a soft chuckle. "I'm Arian Cowden, a traveling businessman."

"Whatever," Lapis muttered.

Quartz then blurted, "C-Can you battle me, Lapis?"

The delinquent raised an eyebrow. "Why the hell for?"

"Y-You see, I-"

"You don't need to deal with this riffraff," Arian interrupted. "Come on, Quartz. We need to get back home."

"But, Uncle Arian. It'll be a quick battle, I promise!"

The businessman crossed his arms. "Fine. It better be quick."

What's up with that guy? But he and Onyx readied themselves for battle.

Excited, the new Trainer let out his only Pokémon. "Let's do this, Atlia!"

The female Ralts emerged from her ball, eager to prove her Trainer's point.

"A-All right. Atlia, Confusion!"

The Psychic type's hands glowed blue, but when the energy tried to engulf the Poochyena, it immediately faded.

Quartz was stunned. "H-How didn't that work?"

Lapis countered, "Bite."

Onyx ran forward and clasped onto Atlia's head. The Ralts shuddered before collapsing onto the ground.

"Atlia!"

As their opponent comforted his fallen Pokémon, Onyx cowered. "Did I overdo it, Lapis?"

"Nah, Ralts typically ain't the best 'til they evolve. Plus, you did use a super effective move."

Arian sighed and scolded, "How many times do I have to tell you, Quartz? You won't be a good Trainer if you don't know even the basics."

"But I'm learning as quickly as I can, Uncle."

"Besides, you're not fit to travel. Your health-"

"I'm fine to travel around, Uncle Arian!" the sickly boy protested as he returned Atlia. "I even got medical clearance to do so!"

"I'm not going to let my only nephew do something so reckless!"

Lapis, to his surprise, felt the boy's pain and interjected, "Why're you such a prick 'bout all this?"

Quartz gasped. "L-Lapis?"

Arian glared at the teen. "I'm just looking out for my family, that's all. You wouldn't understand these things anyway."

The Nuzlocker glanced at his Pokémon hiding behind his legs before returning his gaze to the man. "Why the hell do you care 'bout that?"

"I got my reasons." Arian then smirked. "I've heard you haven't lost any Pokémon yet. That's quite a remarkable feat. Why don't we make things interesting?"

I don't like where this is going. "Interesting how?"

"If you lose, let's just say, up to ten Pokémon during your challenge, I can restore what you lost."

"Restore what I lost?" Does he… Does he know something about my past?

"So, do we have a deal?"

"Yeah, whatever."

After they shook hands, the businessman's smile returned. "Pleasure doing business with you. All right then. Come on, Quartz. Your aunt's waiting for us."

"Oh, okay." He turned back to Lapis. "Th-Thank you for the battle, Lapis."

The fellow Trainer curtly nodded and watched them walk west.

"That was...interesting…" the Poochyena pondered aloud.

"No needin' to tell me twice."

A familiar husky laugh interrupted the weird atmosphere. "Looks like you've won another easy battle."

Startled, Lapis turned around to see Scott spying from behind the building. "What the hell, man! Why're ya always followin' me?"

"I told you, I'm scouting top Trainers. Though I wonder how you'll handle a harder one. Things will only get more difficult from here."

"I got my own way of beatin' them. Now get lost."

Scott smirked. "Very well. See you next time, Lapis."

Once the scout walked away, the teen rolled his eyes. Why does he always keep prying? Anyway, time to train and catch a new Pokémon.

One hour later…

The Nuzlocker entered Route 117, located west of the city, on his new red bike. Unfortunately, the bike was so powerful, he moved too fast and crashed into the wooden signpost. The post surprisingly was able to handle the collision, but he didn't care.

"Damn it!" he cursed under his breath. "That Rydel guy said this Mach Bike's not only fast but easy to control… What a damn liar!" He got off and folded his bike before putting it into his bag. "I still don't know how it actually fits in there, but I ain't worryin' 'bout that."

He scanned the linear trail. There was a large cabin and pasture owned by the Hoenn Pokémon Nursery and Breeding Center to the north, a narrow median of trees, and patches of grass by two large ponds connected by creeks that flowed from the forests. After he battled several Trainers, Lapis made his way to the nearest grassy area at the southern part of the route.

"All right, it better not be trash!" he exclaimed as he stepped inside.

But no Pokémon appeared. Sighing, he wandered around for a few minutes until he found an Oddish sitting by the edge of the pond. Taking advantage, Lapis snuck up and took out a Great Ball for a sneak capture.

The Grass type, however, turned around and happily waved to the human with her right leaf.

"Uh…okay… Looks like it's back to the usual tactics. Onyx, Tackle!"

The Dark type emerged from her ball and lunged at the Oddish, making a decent impact. In response, the Weed Pokémon released a light pink fragrant powder from her leaves.

Onyx inhaled some and smiled. "What a lovely scent…"

"Focus, Onyx!" her Trainer roared as her evasiveness decreased. "Tackle again!"

"Oh, right!" The Pokémon landed another good blow, causing her opponent's health to fall into the red zone.

After the Oddish countered with an Absorb attack, Lapis threw a Great Ball at her. Three shakes later, the Pokémon was theirs.

The teen then analyzed the Oddish's ball as Onyx enjoyed the dissipating aroma. So, Level 13, a Quiet Nature, and the Chlorophyll Ability. Well, better than those weird firefly Pokémon.

He sent the Great Ball to his PC, and the pair returned to the Mauville City Pokémon Center. After he healed his team in the cool building, he pondered his latest capture.

A Grass type would be useful for the team. But who to swap out for the Oddish? Lapis glanced at the happy Poochyena. Onyx has been doing really well lately. But I need more type coverage… Damn it… I don't want a repeat of what happened in Dewford Town…

Onyx caught her Trainer's conflicted expressions and knowingly smiled. "It's okay, Lapis. I know what you have to do."

He gave a small grin and scoffed, "You ain't gonna get mad again, are you?"

"Oh course not! It's all for the benefit for the team!"

Team… He chuckled. "You're thinkin' 'bout the big picture now, huh?"

"Oh, come on, Lapis. You are too."

Lapis shrugged, removed the King's Rock from her head, and swapped the balls at the PC. He then walked over to an empty couch and let out his new Oddish.

She glanced around before staring at her new Trainer.

"Uhh…" Lapis muttered. "Aren't ya gonna say anythin'?"

She shook her head.

"Okay… Guess you really are quiet."

As she read the printed information card, Lapis fished out an oval violent stone with white edges. Seeing it would be hard to put a necklace around her leaves, he inserted the gemstone into a Pokémon-safe sterling silver brooch.

He showed her the accessory. "Like the amethyst? It'll be your nickname."

She gleefully jumped up and down, and once she calmed down, the Oddish allowed him to put it on her middle leaf.

"All right, Amethyst. Let's get back to trainin'."

A few hours later...

Lapis watched his Pokémon battle from the southern pond edge. Thanks to Amethyst holding the Miracle Seed and King's Rock on Kyanite's head, the wild Pokémon battles became easier for them.

The Trainer fidgeted with the latest CD he got. HM06. The guy who gave it to me said I could smash rocks with this. But couldn't I just destroy them with a Water Gun or something? I hate these HMs and these useless rules...

He then saw Citrine run over.

"L-Lapis!" she exclaimed. "T-Tiger Eyes and M-Moonstone look funny."

"Funny how?"

His eyes grew wide when a Linoone and Swellow approached.

"Finally! You guys evolved!"

Tiger Eyes looked at his body. "Guess I'm more streamlined now."

"And I can soar in the skies!" Moonstone declared.

"But, you already do…" Lapis pointed out.

She chuckled as she rubbed the back of her head. "Oh, yeah."

Their Trainer examined his tablet. "Looks like everyone's gotten to a good point for now. Let's head out." He returned everyone except Amethyst. "So, you still gonna stay quiet?"

The Oddish stroked her head then shrugged.

Sighing, he replied, "Whatever."

The two continued west until they arrived at Verdanturf Town, a small village nestled next to the mountains. The only notable structure besides the Pokémon Center was a large building that read "Verdanturf Town Contest Hall".

"This is...quaint…" Lapis muttered.

Amethyst noticed a house at the south side of town and waddled in that direction.

"A-Amethyst! Where the hell are you goin'?!"

But she ignored him. With no other choice left, he followed the Grass type until they reached a small house with a green roof and mailbox that read "Cowden Residence".

Lapis glared at his new capture. "Seriously?! Do you even know who lives here?"

She smiled and pointed to the right window with her leaf. Quartz was staring out and immediately opened the door.

"L-Lapis!" the sickly boy happily greeted. "Y-You're here!"

The Nuzlocker crossed his arms. "It ain't by choice, I can tell ya that."

"Well, w-would you like to come inside? I…I actually wanted to talk to you about something."

"What about that uncle of yours?"

"O-Oh… My relatives went out. They'll be back later."

Lapis sighed. "If you insist."

They entered inside and saw it was sparsely furnished.

For a businessman, it's not that extravagant.

Atlia waddled over, and the two Pokémon played with each other.

Quartz offered the teen a seat, then sat down. "O-Oh! L-Let me get some tea and cookies!"

"Don't bother. We ain't gonna be here long."

"I-I see. W-Well… A-Are you going to challenge Wattson next?"

"That's the plan."

"G-Good luck! I-I heard he's a tough one."

"We'll see."

An awkward silence followed.

Lapis leaned back and crossed his arms. "That all, kid?"

He rubbed the back of his head. "W-Well… I…I was wondering… N-No, it's dumb."

"Most likely."

Quartz inhaled deeply, closed his eyes, and shouted, "D-Do you remember what happened on July 29, 2001?"

Lapis' face began to sweat. "Wh-Why are you yelling a random date?"

The white-haired teen turned pale. "D-Do you really not remember?"

Why…Why does that date sound so familiar? Suddenly, random imagery flashed before his eyes. Tall blades of grass, a scared boy, and fire.

The realization caused him to fall backward onto the floor. Amethyst ran over, worried, and stroked his forehead.

"L-Lapis!" Quartz cried.

The delinquent blinked, and he regained his sense of reality. He got up, but his head was throbbing.

The younger boy trembled. "I-I'm so sorry, Lapis. I-I shouldn't have pushed you like that…"

Ignoring him, Lapis muttered, "I-I gotta go…"

He bolted from the house, with the Oddish trying to catch up.

As he blindly ran back to Mauville City, all he could think about were those vivid images. What happened that day? And…what did I do?!

Questions for the Chapter:

What did you think Weldon's battle with Quartz?

What do you think of Arian?

What do you think of Amethyst?

Why do you think July 29, 2001 is significant to Lapis and Quartz?