Lapis escaped Mt. Chimney via Jagged Pass, catching a Spoink nicknamed Pearl in the process. As he finished preparations for the next Gym challenge, a wild Machop knocked out Kyanite. Though the Electrike was disappointed and wanted to help out more, the teen and his team showed their appreciation for her optimism and dedication. Lapis then switched her out with the newly acquired Pearl. With the fourth Gym challenge now upon him, Lapis was ready to deal with the Fire type Pokémon using Zuli as his main weapon. But will the Marshtomp be enough to stop the fiery Gym Leader?
Lapis' Pokémon:
Zuli (Lvl. 30 Marshtomp, male; Item: Soft Sand): Impish Nature, Torrent Ability, moves: Tackle, Strength, Mud Shot, Water Gun
SmokyQuarz (Lvl. 27 Numel, male; Item: Exp. Share): Gentle Nature, Oblivious Ability, moves: Growl, Tackle, Ember, Magnitude
Onyx (Lvl. 30 Mightyena, female; Item: King's Rock): Mild Nature, Intimidate Ability, moves: Tackle, Rock Smash, Sand Attack, Bite
Pearl (Lvl. 25 Spoink, female): Lax Nature, Thick Fat Ability, moves: Psywave, Psybeam, Odor Sleuth, Confuse Ray
Moonstone (Lvl. 30 Swellow, female): Naive Nature, Guts Ability, moves: Peck, Double Team, Focus Energy, Quick Attack
Amethyst (Lvl. 25 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), Kyanite (Electrike, female)
Chapter 24: A Basalt Eruption
Lapis yawned as he and Onyx stood outside the Lavaridge Town Gym, a large two-story white stone building with a red-tiled roof. Tall white walls with similar roofing surrounded the property.
Man, what a rough night. Hope the Gym battle goes better than that nightmare.
He walked through the large entryway and entered the steaming hot lobby. It didn't have much décor due to the stifling atmosphere, but there were awards protected behind heatproof glass display cabinets.
The Nuzlocker groaned. "How is it hotter in here than outside?!"
"You're telling me, Champion-bound challenger!" Jim exclaimed as he emerged from the inner hallway. His normally pristine clothes were drenched in sweat.
Disgusted, the teen looked away. "Eww! I don't need to see that!"
"Whatever, kid. Anyway, I'm sure you know all about handling Fire types, especially since you chose the Water starter."
"Yeah, I got the idea. Can I go now?"
"Well, yes, but…" Jim then became serious. "Lapis, you-"
An elderly man with curly gray hair and gray eyes opened the battlefield doors, interrupting the conversation. The traditional Tuscan red shirt and matching pants covered by a brown vest with black string cords matched his tanned skin.
The man said in a light gravelly tone, "Lapis, welcome to the Lavaridge Town Gym. My name is Enki, and I'm helping Flannery, the Gym Leader. She'll accept your challenge after you clear her maze."
"Another one, huh? Seems to be a common theme."
He turned to Jim, but the normally talkative man fell silent.
The Gym guide stuttered. "G-Good luck, Lapis."
Though it felt strange, the Nuzlocker followed Enki into a room filled with sand pits and surrounded by waist-height rock walls.
"What the hell's this?"
Onyx sniffed the pit on the left and it sprayed some sand into the air, causing her to step back in surprise.
"THAT IS A DEATH TRAP!" Lapis roared. "I ain't going in there!"
"It's just a temporary thing," Enki reassured. "It just teleports you to other rooms. Flannery and I tried it many times without any ill effects."
The teen was unmoved. "I still ain't going in there."
His Mightyena, on the other hand, stepped onto the center of the pit and disappeared in a cloud of sand.
"Onyx!"
"I'm okay, Lapis!" she shouted from another part of the maze. A few seconds later, she said in a panicked voice. "Hurry, Lapis, there's a Trainer hidden in a sand pile!"
Not again… "All right, I'm comin'!"
He stepped onto the hole and was instantly sucked down through a pneumatic tube and appeared in what looked like the western part of the maze. Onyx was waiting for his command in front of a Hiker and his Numel.
Lapis adjusted his cap. All right, let's get this over with.
From the Gym Leader's office, Ms. Hōfu and the Gym Leader, Flannery, watched the Nuzlocker battle through his way of Numel and Slugma on a closed circuit television.
The PLA representative was impressed by the growth of the Trainer and his Pokémon. She was about to say something when she noticed her fellow spectator was fidgeting.
"Is everything all right, Flannery?"
"I'm fine, Ms. Hōfu. It's just…I'm really excited about this battle. I can't believe Trainers have to do something like this for this kind of challenge. I'm just glad I was able to find a contractor to help with the pipework for the sand tunnel system."
"I'm glad to hear that, Flannery, but remember. This will be different from any challenger you faced before."
"I know, Ms. Hōfu. But I've dealt with people like him before." She looked back at the TV. "It seems Lapis is close to the end. I better get ready."
With a nod of approval from the PLA representative, Flannery left the room. Though the teen's words were a bit strange, Ms. Hōfu was not alarmed. She then noticed an envelope with a familiar seal on the Gym Leader's desk, but she didn't have time to examine it further. After all, the Nuzlocke challenge waits for no one.
After defeating all the Gym Trainers and healing his team, Lapis was guided to an outdoor Gym battlefield. In the wooden bleachers were Enki and Ms. Hōfu.
This is a nice change of pace. Though it is much hotter out here.
Across from him was the Gym Leader, Flannery. She had wild red hair that matched her black crop top and blue jeans held up by a thick orange belt.
She put her hands on her hips and beamed. "Congrats on making it through my Gym challenge, Lapis! I'm Flannery, the Lavaridge Town Gym Leader. I hope you enjoyed the sand pit tubes I constructed just for this."
"Eh. Seems like a waste of time to me," he replied as he shook off sand from his hair.
She inhaled deeply before continuing. "Anyway, I hope you learn how superhot Fire types are during our battle! Let's turn up the heat, Ember!"
A Level 24 Numel materialized onto the battlefield. She was fiercer looking than SmokyQuarz, but Lapis wasn't deterred.
"Go, Zuli!"
The Marshtomp grinned when he saw his opponent.
Flannery gave an awkward chuckle. "I-I figured you'd use your Water type first."
"Good, then you ain't gonna mind this. Zuli, Mud Shot!"
The Mud Fish Pokémon sprayed the Numb Pokémon with mud, knocking her out instantly. The Gym Leader sighed as she returned her first Pokémon.
She tried to regain her focus, but she stuttered, "L-Let's see how you do against my next Pokémon. Let's turn up the heat, Flame!"
A Level 24 Slugma appeared with heat emanating from her body. Although Lapis could've kept Zuli in, he felt his other Pokémon should get the experience.
"Zuli, return! Go, Onyx!"
As soon as the Mightyena appeared, she growled, lowering her opponent's attack with her Intimidate Ability.
"Onyx, Bite!"
She lunged forward and did a good amount of damage to Flame before getting seriously burned.
Relieved she could actually issue an attack, Flannery shouted, "Flame, set up a Light Screen!"
The Fire type nodded and a translucent pink barrier surrounded her.
Lapis frowned, knowing Flannery's Pokémon will have a special defense boost for about five turns. But seeing the Slugma's health was in the low yellow, he continued the assault.
"Onyx, finish Flame with Bite!"
The Dark type move finished the Lava Pokémon, and Flannery's demeanor became more pained.
"N-Nice, Lapis. Y-You may be halfway there, but here comes my stronger Pokémon. Let's turn up the heat, Bonfire!"
A Level 26 Camerupt slammed onto the battlefield, causing the ground to slightly shake.
Lapis knew it could be trouble if Onyx stayed in. "Onyx, return! Go, Moonstone!"
The Swellow flew into the air, eliminating any Ground type moves from Bonfire's arsenal.
Seeing his Pokémon was faster, Lapis commanded, "Moonstone, use Focus Energy!"
The Flying type surrounded herself in an orange light, pumping herself up.
Flannery thrust her right hand forward. "Bonfire, Tackle!"
Despite his size, the Camerupt was able to jump and strike Moonstone in the chest. Lapis saw it didn't do that much damage, so he felt comfortable with proceeding with the next move.
"Moonstone, Wing Attack!"
She flew forward, wings glowing white, and hit the Fire type in the face. Unfortunately, the critical hit didn't come.
Flannery clenched her fists. "I can't let this one-sided battle keep happening, especially against someone like you. Bonfire, use Overheat!"
The Eruption Pokémon's mouth glowed white as she charged the attack. Then she emitted a powerful blast of white fire surrounded by red spiral flames at Moonstone. As Lapis felt the intense flames, the fears from his nightmare returned. He was blinded by the night blaze in his memories until he heard a soft thud.
When he regained his sense of reality, he realized what was the source of that thud. "M-Moonstone!"
She struggled to stand up, but she collapsed with her scorched wings outstretched.
Lapis teared up as he returned her. "I-It's okay, Moonstone. Y-You did your best."
Flannery laughed. "I told you, that's the true power of Fire types! Just what someone like you deserves. Let's see what you can do now, Lapis."
Sh-She doesn't know a thing about me! The Nuzlocker gritted his teeth. No, I can't lose my temper now. I have to stay focused. For Moonstone. "Go, Zuli!"
The Marshtomp reappeared and gave his Trainer a reassuring look. "Don't worry, Lapis. I won't let Moonstone's efforts go to waste."
Lapis took a deep breath and nodded. "Right. Finish Bonfire with Mud Shot!"
The Water type sprayed the orange Pokémon with mud, causing the latter to collapse onto the battlefield.
Flannery returned her Pokémon, but she looked more confident. "Seems like I'm down to my last Pokémon. But we won't let you put out our fire that easily! Let's turn up the heat, Inferno!"
A seemingly calm Torkoal materialized, but Lapis knew it was Flannery's most powerful Pokémon at Level 29. A medium white herb was tied around her neck.
"Whatcha think, Zuli?" he asked.
The Marshtomp cracked his knuckles. "Let's do this."
Nodding, his Trainer shouted, "Zuli, Mud Shot!"
The super effective attack was a critical hit, but it didn't do as much damage as he hoped.
Flannery grinned. "Inferno, Body Slam!"
The Fire type jumped up and landed hard on Zuli. The latter winced as sparks flew out of his body.
Lapis clenched his fists. Not paralysis already! At least those accumulating Paralyze Heals in my bag are good for something.
Flannery had a similar thought, so the Trainers wasted a turn to heal their Pokémon.
With the paralysis gone, Lapis stayed on the offensive. "Zuli, Mud Shot!"
The mud again hurt Inferno, but it still didn't lower her health much.
"Inferno, Sunny Day!"
The Coal Pokémon leaned her head towards the sky, causing the sun to shine brighter over the field.
Lapis shielded his eyes. As if it ain't hot enough already. Even if I try using Water Gun, it'll be more useless. I only have one move that has any hope of taking down Inferno. "Zuli, Mud Shot!"
The Water starter sprayed more mud from his mouth, which instantly dried out from the intense heat and struck Inferno like a clay rod. The Torkoal slid back and shook off the dirt.
With a sly smile, Flannery encouraged, "Don't let up, Inferno. Use Attract!"
Attract…? Don't tell me…
Inferno winked flirtatiously at Zuli before sending a ring of thick pink hearts around him. His eyes turned into equally nauseating pink hearts, and he began to show uncomfortable interest in the Torkoal.
Zuli giggled. "Is it hot out here, or is it you?"
Inferno was impervious to her suitor's interests, but that didn't stop him from making bad pickup lines.
"Snap out of it, Zuli! Use Mud Shot!"
But his Pokémon gave Inferno a shy wave.
Lapis smacked his face. Damn Attract…
"Now, Inferno, let's increase the temperature with Body Slam!"
The Fire type slammed Zuli into the ground.
He responded with, "I like my sodas flat, just like how you flattened me."
Lapis groaned as he healed Zuli with a Super Potion. I want to use a different Pokémon, but I know none of them can survive a Fire type attack like Overheat. I have to continue relying on Zuli…
Flannery laughed. "That's what I was hoping for. Overheat!"
The Torkoal released a powerful beam of fire that cut Zuli's health in half and unnerved the Nuzlocker. But before the special attack decrease took effect, the Fire type ate the herb around her neck to nullify the move's secondary effect.
Lapis was in shock. A White Herb…now it can use Overheat again with the same power as before. Damn it…
He shivered a little, which surprised him. He looked up and saw the sun hiding behind some clouds, signaling the end of Sunny Day but not Zuli's rambling.
"Darn," Flannery uttered. "But we're just getting started, right, Inferno!"
The Torkoal unleashed a moan that made Lapis shake.
Come on Lapis. Don't let her, or the fire, get to you…
Lapis used another Super Potion to heal Zuli, but the latter's health returned to yellow with another Overheat. Seeing that their opponent's special attack finally went down, the Trainer spent another turn healing to calm his nerves. But a Body Slam paralyzed Zuli once more. It was a constant string of inaction from the healing, paralysis, and immobilization from Attract.
The teen was getting more anxious, tears welling in his eyes. This is getting more painful every turn. Just like that time…
Flannery smirked. "That's it. We're almost there, Inferno. Let's start another powerful fire by setting up another Sunny Day!"
The sun burned his skin, and her words pierced his heart, but he didn't care. All that mattered to him was Zuli's survival.
"C-Come on, Zuli! Remember Moonstone! Use Mud Shot!"
Hearing his fallen teammate's name sparked a fire in the Marshtomp's eyes. He opened his mouth and fired the strongest Mud Shot he could muster. The mud splattered onto Inferno and hardened from the intense heat. The Coal Pokémon struggled to break free, but the clay was too much. She collapsed from exhaustion and the critical hit.
Lapis fell to his feet as Zuli gained a new level. Finally, it's over…
He looked up and saw Flannery in shock. "N-No way. That wasn't how the battle was supposed to go."
"W-What the hell're you talkin' 'bout?"
"I'd like to know the same thing," Ms. Hōfu said as she joined the pair onto the battlefield. "Flannery, why did you have that arrogant attitude during the battle? You've never acted that way towards a Gym challenger before. And that strategy with Inferno. Not only is it different from your normal one, it seemed you were trying to mentally punish Lapis."
"W-Well… I wanted to set an example for him. You know, about his past and all."
"His past has nothing to do with him being in the Nuzlocke challenge! I don't know what has gotten into you. I'm very disappointed in you, Flannery. I will have to put you and the Gym on temporary suspension to see if you are truly fit to be the Gym Leader."
"P-Please, Ms. Hōfu! Don't shut down the Gym. I can explain."
"I sure hope so, Flannery. Give Lapis your badge. We will discuss further in your office."
The PLA representative strode back into the building, leaving the Gym Leader distraught. But she took a deep breath and approached Lapis.
"I-I'm sorry, Lapis. H-Here's the Heat Badge. Excuse me."
She handed him a yellow circle with a wisp of orange flame before walking quickly back inside.
Lapis stared at the newly acquired badge. He should've felt happy, but he didn't. He returned to the Pokémon Center, left his remaining Pokémon with Nurse Fushoku, and collapsed on his bed.
Damn it… I…I almost let Flannery get to me after I lost Moonstone… Was she right? Am I any different now?
"L-Lapis…"
He looked up and saw Moonstone giving him a weak smile.
"M-Moonstone! What are you doing?! You should be resting."
"I-I'll rest when I get to the Pokémon League Association."
Unable to keep it in any longer, Lapis cried as he hugged the Swellow. "I-I'm so sorry, Moonstone. I thought you could handle that Overheat… I-I should've-"
"You did the best you could, Lapis," she reassured as she wrapped her right wing around him. "I may be a naïve Swellow, but I know you are a strong, smart, and caring Trainer. Don't forget that, okay?"
"Sniff… O-Okay…"
After regaining his composure, he returned Moonstone, got his Pokémon and her replacement from the PC, and went to the battlefield so everyone could say their goodbyes.
He let everyone out, including the new teammate, Celestite the Swablu.
"I'm sorry I can't go further with all of you," Moonstone said with a sad look in her eyes.
"You were great, Moonstone," Onyx replied with a nuzzle. "I enjoyed battling with you."
"Me too, Onyx."
Zuli rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry I couldn't finish the battle sooner, Moonstone."
"At least you won, Zuli. And I know you'll work harder than ever to not let that happen again. Thanks."
After Lapis put a silver necklace with a light to dark blue crystal over her head, Celestite hopped over to the fellow Flying type and asked in a soft voice, "Will you be okay, Moonstone?"
Chuckling, she replied, "I will be, if you help Lapis in my stead."
"Of course."
Lapis then took the Exp. Share from SmokyQuarz and placed it on Celestite's head. Sighing, he announced, "It's time, everyone."
The rest of the Pokémon said their farewells, and Lapis sent Moonstone to the PLA. Exhausted, he and Zuli spent the rest of the day at the hot springs in the Pokémon Center, trying to soak away the stress of the Gym battle.
Questions for the Chapter:
What did you think of the Gym battle?
What did you think of Flannery?
What was the letter Ms. Hofū found about?
How will Celestite do on the team?
