Lapis traveled to Mt. Chimney to stop Team Magma from activating it. Battling several Team Magma members with Team Aqua's help, the Nuzlocke Trainer eventually faced off against Maxie, the land-loving leader. Though Maxie put up a strong offense, Lapis was able to win with his core Pokémon. Both teams retreated, leaving the teen to clean up their mess. With the next Gym in sight, the group made their last preparations. Will they be ready to face against Flannery, or will fate have other plans?

Lapis' Pokémon:

Zuli (Lvl. 26 Marshtomp, male; Item: Soft Sand): Impish Nature, Torrent Ability, moves: Tackle, Strength, Mud Shot, Water Gun

SmokyQuarz (Lvl. 22 Numel, male; Item: Exp. Share): Gentle Nature, Oblivious Ability, moves: Growl, Tackle, Ember, Magnitude

Onyx (Lvl. 25 Mightyena, female; Item: King's Rock): Mild Nature, Intimidate Ability, moves: Tackle, Rock Smash, Sand Attack, Bite

Kyanite (Lvl. 25 Electrike, female): Mild Nature, Static Ability, moves: Spark, Howl, Quick Attack, Thunder Wave

Moonstone (Lvl. 25 Swellow, female): Naive Nature, Guts Ability, moves: Peck, Double Team, Focus Energy, Quick Attack

Amethyst (Lvl. 24 Gloom, female; Item: Miracle Seed): Quiet Nature, Chlorophyll Ability, moves: Absorb, Acid, Stun Spore, Sleep Powder

Pokémon sent to the PLA: Tiger Eyes (Linoone, male), Citrine (Makuhita, female)

Chapter 23: Pearls after Sparks

After escaping the incoming crowd, Lapis and Kyanite descended the southern side of Mt. Chimney via Jagged Pass. Soot gently floated down from the clouds of volcanic smoke, covering the nearby trees and grass.

Lapis frowned as he looked down the slope. Why do there have to be those damn ledges and rocky bicycle hop thingys? At least they have some stairs.

The Electrike walked into the nearby patch of soot-covered grass and sniffed around.

"Find anything, Kyanite?"

Her nose twitched. "Maybe. It smells…smoky, grassy…and springy."

He raised an eyebrow. "You sure it ain't just the grass?"

"I'm sure, Lapis! The scent is slightly different. Onyx helped me improve my sense of smell."

Hiding a grin, her Trainer shrugged. "Fine, go see what it is."

She nodded and went further into the grass. A few seconds later, the Electric type returned with a confused look.

"Why're you makin' that face?"

Kyanite gathered her thoughts. "Well, I found the source of the scent. But…"

"But?"

"It's a bouncy one."

"Bouncy?"

He followed the Lightning Pokémon and realized what she was talking about. A Spoink was admiring the scenery, the soot bouncing off her as she lightly jumped up and down.

"Well, it's better than a Machop. Kyanite, Thunder Wave!"

The green Pokémon paralyzed the Psychic type with several white electric rings. Though she was being attacked, the Spoink didn't use her psychic powers and hopped forward.

After several back-and-forth Tackles and Quick Attacks, Kyanite weakened the wild Pokémon enough for Lapis to use a Great Ball and catch the Pokémon.

Lapis scanned the latest capture. Lax Nature and Thick Fat Ability. Don't know if that's better than the Own Tempo Ability.

"What are you going to nickname her, Lapis?" Kyanite asked.

He chuckled. "It's kinda obvious, but I know I have a pearl necklace in my box. So it's just addin' onto her appearance."

After typing "Pearl" on the tablet, the Great Ball teleported to his PC.

"All right. Once we get the room in Lavaridge Town, it's back to trainin'."

Kyanite nodded, and they continued their descent to the small town famous for its natural hot springs.

One hour later…

Lapis watched his Pokémon scour the grass for wild Pokémon to defeat. They were steadily gaining experience, especially Kyanite.

Man, can't wait for Kyanite to evolve. Having a Manectric would definitely help. Plus, she deserves it.

Zuli plopped next to him and wiped his brow. "Man, Loud Lapis. I'm tired…"

"That's surprisin'. Aren't ya supposed to be able to handle heat due to your typing?"

"Sure, if I was still a pure Water type! The Ground typing doesn't help with dealing with heat."

The Nuzlocker shook his head. "Fine… You wanna Super Potion or somethin'?"

The Marshtomp smirked. "Actually… I wanna try that free Energypowder sample you got at that herb shop."

Lapis raised an eyebrow. "Why? The old lady said it's bitter."

"I'm sure it's not that bitter."

One taste of the green powder instantly changed Zuli's mind. He gagged and tried to wash the Energypowder from his mouth with Water Gun.

"Bleh! It's so disgusting!"

Lapis held back a laugh.

The lighthearted moment, however, was interrupted with a shriek. The teen immediately knew who made that noise.

"Kyanite!"

The two ran over to an ashen field where a wild Machop stood triumphantly the Electrike.

"Now that's one strong Karate Chop if I say so myself," he boasted.

She struggled to her feet and whispered, "It was…just a…critical hit…" before collapsing.

"That's what you get, you mean Electrike!" he taunted as he made a muscular pose. "I'm finally getting revenge on all of you bully Pokémon for beating up my friends! Now to finish the job."

He leapt into the air, raising his hand for another Karate Chop.

"I don't think so!" Onyx roared, as she met him in the air. "This is a real critical hit!"

She tackled him with full force, causing the Machop to run off crying.

The Mightyena's anger turned to fear as everyone gathered around Kyanite.

"Is she…okay, Lapis?" the Dark type asked.

He petted the stirring Electrike and sighed. "Sorry, Onyx. She fainted." He bit his lip as the team became silent. "Those damn critical hits…and Machop… I'll never add one on the team, even if I catch one."

"I'm sorry, Lapis," Onyx apologized. "I should've stepped in sooner."

"It ain't your fault, Onyx. You showed him a thing or two."

Kyanite stood up and screamed, "I…was…so close, Lapis! I was almost strong enough to be good for the team!"

He reminisced on the times he was harsh on the Electric type, but that was in the past. "It's okay, Kyanite. I ain't mad 'bout it."

"Y-You're not?"

"No. You worked the hardest outta everyone on the team. That's somethin' to be proud of. I know I wanted ya to evolve ASAP to help us, but we'll manage."

"That's right!" Zuli interjected. "You've inspired everyone, Kyanite. Even SmokyQuarz."

The Numel nodded slowly.

The Electrike sniffled. "Th-Thanks, everyone."

Lapis returned everyone and walked back to Lavaridge Town alone. All the while, he pondered the one to replace his fallen Pokémon.

What am I going to do? I don't have any other Electric types right now. I guess it wouldn't matter for the next Gym, but for the future ones, it would be a problem. Maybe I should use a Pokémon who could use Electric type moves as a substitute. But who…

He studied his tablet until something caught his eye.

Huh. So Spoink and its evolution Grumpig can learn Electric type moves. Its base stats aren't too bad either. Guess that's the best choice for now. Ugh…but I gotta deal with all of that bouncing.

After getting Pearl's Great Ball from his PC at the Pokémon Center, he walked to the battlefield east of the building and let out the Spoink. She hopped happily.

"Hi, Lapis!" she greeted with a high pitched, slightly nasally tone.

"H-Hi… Pearl…"

"I didn't expect you to need me so early. I'm not much of a reader, so Agate filled me in on what typically happens."

"But, you're a Psychic type."

"Hey, just 'cause that's my type doesn't mean I like rigorous learning."

Great, another weird one. At least I don't need to give her the card. Lapis let out the team and introduced them to their new teammate.

As he rummaged through his gemstone box, he overhead Pearl and Kyanite talking.

"So, you almost evolved, huh?" the Spoink asked.

"Yeah. Can you make sure you evolve and help Lapis with whatever you can?"

Her bouncing slowed slightly. "I don't know. He seems kinda…stiff… If you know what I mean."

Lapis fumed, but kept his mouth shut.

"Oh, he does start out that way with new team members. But once you work with him, he's not so bad."

"If you say so. Guess I'll take your word on it, Kyanite. Too bad we won't get to battle together."

"I'm just glad I was able to meet you anyway."

"Likewise."

"All right," Lapis said as he held a pink pearl necklace on a silver chain in his hands. "I know it's kinda obvious with your name and…head pearl, but here."

Pearl's eyes sparkled. "Those are some very nice pearls. Where're gonna put them?"

His eyes followed the bouncing Spoink. "Well, I can see if I can fasten it 'round your neck. But ain't you gonna die if you stop bouncin'?"

"Only if I don't do it for a long period of time. Otherwise, I'm good if I stop for a bit."

She held her tail in place and let her Trainer put on the accessory. Afterwards, she admired the beauties from the sea.

"Oh, yeah. One more thing." Lapis took out the Exp. Share and slapped it onto the Psychic type's head pearl. "You're the weakest now, so you gotta get most of the experience."

"Well, if you say so," she uttered as she adjusted the helmet with her psychic powers.

With the team re-energized, Lapis sent Kyanite to the PLA and returned to Jagged Pass to complete the last training sessions before the Gym battle.

Later that night…

Lapis ran along a dirt path, flames licking him from the nearby burning vegetation.

He stopped, wiped his brow, and scanned the hot orange scenery. "-! Where the hell are you! Answer me!"

He thought he heard a faint cry somewhere further ahead and ran towards it. The smoke from the fire covered the air, making him cough. His vision started to cloud, but he refused to stop.

"Damn it, -! Why'd ya have to run so far?"

A somewhat familiar voice echoed in his mind. "Why'd you have to save him! He deserves to be punished 'cause of his -!"

Suddenly, he tripped over something and slid towards a blurry image of a boy. The flames inched closer towards him, almost scorching his skin.

He shielded his eyes and murmured, "No… No…not again…"

"Lapis, Lapis, wake up."

The teen snapped awake, drenched in sweat. Next to him was a concerned Onyx, her fur blending with the dark surroundings.

"Are you okay, Lapis?" she asked. "You were talking in your sleep."

"I-I'm fine, Onyx. Go back to sleep."

"O-Okay. Good night."

After she curled on the floor and dozed off, Lapis brushed his hair back.

What was that just now? It was…too real to be just a dream… He stared at the crescent moon high in the night sky. It had to be one of my past memories. But why did I go into a blazing inferno just to find someone? And more importantly, why that particular memory? It can either be a revelation, or a warning. Better get some rest for the Gym challenge tomorrow.

Yawning, he returned to the warm covers of his bed and drifted into a calmer sleep.

Questions for the Chapter:

What did you think of Kyanite's last moments on the team?

What did you think of Pearl?

How will the Gym challenge turn out?