Lapis arrived in Mauville City, where he ran into the sickly teen, Quartz, and his guardian. After defeating him in an easy battle, the Nuzlocker encountered a very silent Oddish, who he named Amethyst. Amethyst led him back to Quartz in Verdanturf Town, where the timid Trainer triggered some subconscious memories in Lapis. Unable to interpret what they meant, the delinquent put them on the backburner as he finished his preparations for his third Gym battle. With the obvious type advantage against the Electric type Gym Leader, will Lapis' challenge be as smooth as he hopes?

Lapis' Pokémon:

Zuli (Lvl. 22 Marshtomp, male; Item: Soft Sand): Impish Nature, Torrent Ability, moves: Tackle, Growl, Mud Shot, Water Gun

Citrine (Lvl. 21 Makuhita, female; Item: Quick Claw): Timid Nature, Guts Ability, moves: Tackle, Fake Out, Arm Thrust, Vital Throw

Tiger Eyes (Lvl. 21 Linoone, male): Quiet Nature, Pickup Ability, moves: Tackle, Cut, Tail Whip, Headbutt

Kyanite (Lvl. 20 Electrike, female): Mild Nature, Static Ability, moves: Tackle, Howl, Quick Attack, Thunder Wave

Moonstone (Lvl. 22 Swellow, female): Naive Nature, Guts Ability, moves: Peck, Double Team, Focus Energy, Quick Attack

Amethyst (Lvl. 20 Oddish, female; Item: Miracle Seed): Quiet Nature, Chlorophyll Ability, moves: Absorb, Sweet Scent, Stun Spore, Sleep Powder

Chapter 17: Lapis for Gigawatts

Lapis gritted his teeth as he barreled down Seaside Cycling Road. Damn...this...bike! He heaved a sigh of relief as he made it to the Slateport City entrance. "Finally!"

Suddenly a young man with spiky black hair appeared from the gateway. An apparent athlete with his red and blue tracksuit, he also held onto a wooden clipboard. He adjusted his glasses, a smirk forming on his face.

"A newcomer, eh?"

Lapis raised an eyebrow. "Why do you care?"

"It's my job, you see. Official Bike Judge."

"Bike Judge?"

"I judge all Mach bicyclists coming from Mauville City. Everyone wants to know their collision rates and times and whatnot…" The judge scanned his clipboard. "Let's see… Nine collisions, one minute total… Tut, tut… You're the worst person so far today, maybe for the whole week; you definitely need practice."

"Pr-Practice?! Who cares?! I ran into six Trainers on the way here!"

"What does battling have to do with your score? They all bumped into you instead of the other way around. I need to make note of their collisions too, actually."

"Why you-!"

But the Bike Judge returned to the comfort of the air-conditioned room. Lapis could only grumble and return to the grassy portion of Route 110. After the grueling training session, Lapis sprayed most of his team with Paralyz Heals.

"How the hell do you guys keep getting paralyzed?!"

Kyanite answered, "Well, there are a lot of Pokémon that Thunder Wave and Stun Spore around here…"

"Not to mention the Electric type moves," Tiger Eyes added.

"Ugh… We have been runnin' into a lot of them…" The Nuzlocker observed his tablet. "Looks like most of ya are done." Though Kyanite still needs more work… Training new additions suck!

The Electrike cowered as he exhaled sharply. "A-Are you okay, Lapis?"

"Huh? Oh, it's nothin'. Time to head back." He returned everyone except her and they returned to Mauville City.

He noticed her anxious gaze and knew the inevitable conservation was coming.

"What's wrong, Kyanite?"

"W-Well… Y-You're thinking about me, aren't you, Lapis? My progress and all that…"

"What else?"

"Oh… I-I'm trying, Lapis, I really am…"

Lapis looked away, knowing he couldn't come up with any reassuring words. She remained despondent when they returned to the Pokémon Center. Before they went to bed, Kyanite curled on the floor and sniffled.

The delinquent bit his lip. He never experienced a Pokémon so depressed before. I don't want another repeat of the Onyx incident. What the hell do I even say? He took a deep breath and blurted out, "You just need better wild Pokémon to beat, that's all!"

"Wh-What?"

"Kyanite, y-you ain't weak… No one on the team is. Besides, you ain't battlin' in this Gym too much, so you still got time."

"I-I see…" This alleviated the Electrike's worries somewhat, and she cracked a smile. "You're nicer than you portray yourself to be, Lapis. I like that."

"Um...uh…" he stuttered, his face starting to turn a little red.

The Electric type giggled before closing her eyes. Lapis turned off the lights and stared at the stars outside.

Nice? It's been a long time since someone used that word to describe me… I wonder if any person will ever think of me like that again…

The next day…

Lapis entered the Mauville City Gym, eager to get the match over with. When he walked through the yellow building's doors, a statue of a strange yellow Pokémon with black stripes and a long purple mane stood at the center of the lobby.

"What the hell is this?" he pondered aloud.

Jim, dressed in his usual clothes, snickered as he exited from a hallway. "You seriously don't know what Pokémon that is, o Champion-bound challenger?"

The teen rolled his eyes. "You again… I don't really care, to be honest."

"That's a first, especially since that's a Legendary Pokémon." The guide leaned against the reception desk. "Actually, I'm in a pretty good mood. It took you FOREVER to come here, so I had plenty of time on my hands to do whatever I wanted."

At least someone enjoyed my one-plus month pointless delay… "You gonna give me your 'advice' or what?"

"What for? The challenge is simple enough, and you got a Marshtomp, which has the only type you need to beat Electric type Pokémon."

"Wait, since when do you know what Pokémon I have?"

Jim was taken aback. "W-Well, I normally wouldn't care about these things, but I-I did had loads of time, so I spent some of the useless hours looking at your progress online."

Lapis smirked. Guess he has some interest in me after all. "Sure you did. Who did I catch recently?"

"Amethyst the female Oddish on Route 117," the man immediately answered. After a few seconds, he realized his mistake. "J-Just start the challenge so I can leave, all right?!"

"Don't have to say the same thing twice."

Lapis burst through the double doors, only to be dumbfounded by a yellow room having a grid of six beacons creating barriers of electrical current. Five Gym Trainers were scattered amongst the grid, paying no heed to the danger around them.

This Gym Leader's insane! No wonder why he's so fanatic about Electric types!

Seeing a switch on the ground, he stepped on it and noticed the currents changing to other locations. It was another maze.

The teen sighed. This is gonna be a long day…


Ms. Hōfu and Wattson, the Gym Leader, observed Lapis' actions from the safety of the bleachers.

"Lapis has improved since the last time I've seen him," the PLA member surmised. "I thought he'd given up since we haven't heard from him in a while."

The older man snickered. "You gotta give kids their space, Kyushi. You don't have to be so serious and uptight."

"Well, I do have large shoes to fill, Wattson."

The old man leaned back. "He's not even fazed by the non-Electric type Pokémon my Trainers raise. He even got his Oddish to evolve."

She pursed her lips as Lapis' Makuhita and Electrike easily beat a Youngster's Zigzagoon and Gulpin. "He's got a better handle on type advantages and STAB moves, that's for sure."

"Ahh, the new kid slang. Maybe I should brush up on them so I can incorporate them into my jokes." Wattson laughed, but she didn't do the same. "Well, I'd better get ready for this match. That Marshtomp will be quite troublesome, that's for sure!"

He left the stands, chuckling to himself, leaving Ms. Ms. Hōfu to continue her recordings.


Two hours later…

After returning from the Pokémon Center, Lapis took his spot in the challenger's box and cracked his neck.

"Can't believe I almost got electrocuted so many times tryin' to get to the end. I shoulda used Zuli to step on the switches for me."

"But what's the fun in that?"

The delinquent looked across the dirt battlefield and saw the Gym Leader stand across him with a cheeky grin. He was a short man with white hair, a white beard, and black eyes. After adjusting his olive green jacket, he continued, "I hope you enjoyed that challenge. It's quite shocking, isn't it?"

Oh, great. Electricity puns. "You mean that shifting death trap? Hardly. And why do you have non-Electric types in this Gym anyway?"

Wattson put his hands into the pockets of his yellow cargo pants. "To show the versatility of Electric type moves, of course! And to drive Trainers nuts! Wahahahah!"

Lapis rolled his eyes. "Whatever, let's just start the battle."

"Oh, straight to the point, are you now? Well, it is a little obvious how this battle's gonna go, but don't underestimate us! We'll definitely electrify you!"

Seriously?

The old man took out his first Poké Ball. "Let the sparks fly, Bomber!"

A Level 20 Voltorb bounced onto the battlefield, giving the challenger a fierce glare.

Lapis ignored it and shouted as he threw his Poké Ball, "Go, Zuli!"

The Marshtomp stretched his arms and grinned. "Ready, Loud Lapis?"

His Trainer groaned, remembering he still called him by that terrible nickname. "Whatever."

Wattson shouted, "Bomber, Rollout!"

The Ball Pokémon spun towards Zuli, but Lapis countered with, "Mud Shot!"

The Mud Fish Pokémon sprayed the Voltorb with mud from his mouth, causing it to veer off-course into the air and slam into the ground. Seeing his first Pokémon was knocked out, the Gym Leader recalled it.

"Well, off to a rough start, but we'll generate a comeback. Let the sparks fly, Bolt!"

An Electrike that's the same level as Kyanite materialized and growled at the threat.

Lapis kept Zuli in, knowing he still had the advantage.

"Bolt, use Howl!" his Trainer commanded.

He lifted his head and howled, causing his attack to rise.

Lapis rolled his eyes. "That ain't gonna do anythin' useful. Zuli, Mud Shot!"

The stream of mud also knocked the Lightning Pokémon out, and Wattson returned his second Pokémon.

The Gym Leader showed no signs of discouragement. "You're pretty good with the type matchups, Lapis! But now you're gonna meet my stronger Pokémon! Let the sparks fly, Radar!"

A Magneton hovered over the field and gyrated its magnets.

Zuli was eager to continue, but Lapis took out his Poké Ball.

"Take a quick break, Zuli."

"Really…?" the Water type pouted. "I'm in the groove!"

"Well, who knows what the last Pokémon is, right? Besides, Citrine needs some more experience; she can beat a Level 22 Pokémon."

"Ugh. Fair enough, Loud Lapis."

Lapis returned his starter and sent out his second Pokémon. "Go, Citrine!"

The Makuhita nervously looked at the Magnet Pokémon. "W-Why is it moving like that?"

Lapis rubbed his temple. "Don't worry about it, Citrine. Just focus on the battle, 'kay?"

"Oh, yeah. Right."

Wattson crossed his arms. "Let's start then. Radar-"

"Citrine, Fake Out!"

She sprinted forward and smacked Radar with her right hand. Although it didn't do much damage, it flinched and was unable to attack.

"Ah, giving yourself more time to think I see," the Gym Leader mused. "Then let's see what you can do against our electrifying moves now! Radar, Thunder Wave!"

The Magneton shot a yellow ring of electricity from its magnets, which struck the Fighting type. She winced in pain as the electricity coursed through her body and paralyzed her. But after a red aura temporarily appeared around her body, Lapis smirked.

"Citrine, Vital Throw!"

She grabbed the lower right portion of Radar and slammed it into the ground, reducing its health to about half. Radar shook off the pain, but it looked a little worse for wear.

Wattson laughed. "So your Makuhita has the Guts Ability! Smart thinking."

"Sure, whatever. Citrine, finish Radar with Vital Throw!"

"But that move always goes last!" Wattson replied with a wave of his hand. "Radar, Shock Wave!"

It formed a blue electric orb from its center and shot a same-colored bolt at the Arm Thrust Pokémon. She endured the attack as her health fell into the yellow zone. Then, with the rest of her strength, she grabbed the other lower portion of Radar and slammed it harder into the battlefield. It twitched before becoming motionless.

Wattson returned his third Pokémon and smiled. "That was a much more entertaining round. But let's see how you fare against my last one! Let the sparks fly, Thunder!"

A Manectric materialized, baring his teeth. A Sitrus Berry was tied around his neck.

Level 24, huh? That won't matter. "Citrine, return! Go, Zuli!"

The Marshtomp returned to the battle, excited. "Let's finish this, Loud Lapis!"

"Stop calling me that!"

Zuli held back a chuckle and their opponent did the same.

A flustered Lapis covered his face with his right hand. "Can we just start already?!"

Wattson tried to calm down. "Hahah… All right. Thunder, use Howl!"

The blue Pokémon howled to the ceiling, raising his attack.

Lapis shouted, "Mud Shot!"

Zuli sprayed his opponent with mud, weakening Thunder to about a quarter of his health and lowering his speed. The Manectric then ate its Held Item and regained some health.

Wattson shouted, "Quick Attack, Thunder!"

The Discharge Pokémon ran forward in a white streak of light and struck Zuli's chest. Although the former's power was increased, it didn't as much as damage Lapis expected.

With a smirk, the teen shouted, "Finish Thunder with another Mud Shot!"

The Marshtomp regained his footing and sprayed Thunder again. The super effective attack made the Electric type collapse, ending the match.

Wattson gave a soft smile as he returned Thunder. He then looked at the challenger and said, "That was definitely an electrifying battle, that's for sure!"

"But you only used one Electric type attack," Lapis stated as the Gym Leader walked over.

"It's not just about the moves, Lapis, but the flow of the battle. I may have been seen as a pushover, but the other Gym Leaders won't be, that I can guarantee."

He then gave Lapis a round yellow pin comprised of five circles and a thin rod ornament behind it. "Take this Dynamo Badge as a symbol of your victory! You can now use the Rock Smash HM outside of battle. Oh, and…" He fumbled around his pockets until he pulled out a yellow CD. "This is TM34, Shock Wave. It's a trustworthy move that never misses."

"Huh," Lapis said as he examined the disc. "That's much more useful that the other TMs I got from Roxanne and Brawly."

"Bwahahahah! Well, we did have trouble figuring out which TMs we were supposed to give you as Gym Leaders. I always wonder how they even do that. Putting all that information and visuals into a CD that breaks. They should really think about make ones that can be reused like those HM CDs! More convenient and more friendly to the environment."

"Sure… Anyway, time for us to head out."

"Oh, right! Good luck with the rest of your challenge, Lapis!"

Lapis gave a backwards wave, and the pair returned to the Pokémon Center.


Back at the PLA Headquarters, the regional representatives were discussing Lapis' progress.

Mr. Tochigi, the Kanto representative and head of the group, turned to his co-worker. "Ms. Hōfu, your report, please."

She cleared her throat and read off her notes. "Lapis Eurig defeated Wattson, the Mauville City Gym Leader, using only two Pokémon. He should be making his way towards the Lavaridge Town Gym as we speak. None of his Pokémon have fainted so far."

"I don't understand how he hasn't lost any Pokémon already!" the Sinnoh representative, a man with a thick moustache and black suit, complained. "You think that based on my colleague's account, he would have lost at least one by now based on his background."

"We can't be judgmental, Mr. Yezo," the Kanto representative replied as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "That's the whole point of why we chose him for this challenge."

Ms. Hōfu crossed her arms. "In all honesty, Mr. Tochigi, I'm still not sure why we selected Lapis Eurig in the first place. I don't know if he could handle losing any Pokémon at all."

The Johto representative smiled, causing her some unease.

Mr. Tochigi interrupted the conversation by looking at the clock. "Oh, sorry. I have to be somewhere else. This meeting has now concluded. Thank you everyone for coming."

Everyone filed out except for the Johto representative, who leaned close to Ms. Hōfu.

"Kyushi, you're a nice girl and you mean well. But don't get involved any more than you need to."

She frowned. "You see to know a lot more than you're letting on, Mr. Cowden. What are you planning?"

"That's for me to know and you to never find out."

Mr. Cowden exited the room, leaving the woman lost in her thoughts. Lapis Eurig… It seems you're not as bad as what Arian's been telling us. What have you done to incur his wrath?

Questions for the Chapter:

What did you think of Lapis' Gym battle?

What is Arian planning?

When will Lapis lose his first Pokémon?