Lapis' night of terror at Mt. Pyre continued as he encountered Summer Scorcher and Weldon Leland. The former was soon possessed by a girl eager for revenge, and the boys were powerless to stop her. After meeting the deceased girl's friend and learning the ghost's motives, Lapis and Weldon were able to help the two reunite peacefully. With the spirit moving on, the Nuzlocker did the same and arrived in Lilycove City. As he explored the city, he ran into a familiar Trainer. How will Lapis fare against this repeat foe?
Lapis' Pokémon:
Zuli (Lvl. 40 Swampert, male; Item: Soft Sand): Impish Nature, Torrent Ability, moves: Tackle, Strength, Mud Shot, Surf
Bixbite (Lvl. 40 Camerupt, male): Bold Nature, Oblivious Ability, moves: Rock Slide, Tackle, Ember, Earthquake
Onyx (Lvl. 40 Mightyena, female; Item: King's Rock): Mild Nature, Intimidate Ability, moves: Tackle, Rock Smash, Sand Attack, Bite
Pearl (Lvl. 40 Grumpig, female): Lax Nature, Thick Fat Ability, moves: Psychic, Psybeam, Shock Wave, Confuse Ray
Celestite (Lvl. 40 Altaria, female): Gentle Nature, Natural Cure Ability, moves: Fly, Safeguard, Take Down, Dragonbreath
Amethyst (Lvl. 40 Gloom, female; Item: Miracle Seed): Quiet Nature, Chlorophyll Ability, moves: Absorb, Acid, Poisonpowder, Moonlight
Pokémon sent to the PLA: Tiger Eyes (Linoone, male), Citrine (Makuhita, female), Kyanite (Electrike, female), Moonstone (Swellow, female), SmokyQuarz (Numel, male)
Chapter 33: A Chip in the Jade
Lapis stretched his arms as he left the Lilycove City Pokémon Center. It's been a few days since the events at Mt. Pyre, and he was happy to catch up on sleep.
Onyx was curious about his bag. "Did you make something, Lapis? It smells good."
"Oh, yeah. I let ya sleep in so you didn't see it." He took out some purple and indigo-colored rectangular candies. "Made these Pokéblocks usin' Nanab, Wepear, and Razz Berries with a family inside. Turns out I used the Pokéblock makin' machine better than them, and I never even used it before. Go figure."
After letting the Mightyena try some of his creations, Lapis looked around the large city. Its variety of small houses and large recreational buildings reflected the city's reputation as an affluent area by the sea. It was peaceful; the cool sea breeze made the region's humidity more bearable.
Then, he sighed. Too bad I can't battle the Gym here. It'd be much more convenient. Damn Nuzlocke rules. Oh, well. Guess I'd better prepare for the long surf ride.
Remembering there was no PokéMart in the city, the pair headed towards the Lilycove Department Store, the largest shopping building in the region. When they arrived at the six-story building, the Nuzlocker saw Jade sitting by the entrance.
"Jade? What're you doing here?"
The junior research assistant didn't respond, much to his surprise. She appeared to be deep in thought and, when she did finally notice him, she jumped.
"L-Lapis! I-I didn't expect to see you here so soon."
He raised an eyebrow. "Why'd you think that?"
"No reason… Anyway, I wanted to battle you before you head off to Mossdeep City for your next Gym challenge. Is…that alright with you?"
"Sure, need all the EXP I can get."
After walking to the Pokémon Center's outdoor battlefield and getting into position, the girl shouted, "Go, Dione!"
A Level 31 Tropius loomed over the dirt surface.
Lapis grinned as he sent out Celestite. "Seems like you keep gettin' new Pokémon every time we battle."
She chuckled. "I gotta see if you can adapt to sudden changes, right?"
"Well then, let's see if you can too. Celestite, Safeguard!"
After the Altaria set up the blue translucent barrier, Jade shouted, "Dione, Stomp!"
The Grass type flew up and slammed Celestite with her front feet. The Dragon type growled but she didn't take much damage.
The young researcher clenched her right fist. "Use Stomp again!"
Dione prepared to attack again, but Lapis countered with, "Celestite, use Fly!"
Celestite moved out of the way with her cottonlike wings and slammed into her fellow Flying type. The impact was so powerful, the critical hit knocked out Dione.
Jade sighed and returned her Pokémon. "I don't know how you're able to do that, Lapis. But let's see how you handle my next Pokémon. Go, Maat!"
The Slugma materialized, oozing lava onto the field.
"Celestite, return! Go, Zuli!"
The Swampert gave the familiar Trainer a nod.
She crossed her arms and gave a resigned smile. "Go ahead, Lapis. I can't do anything about it."
"Fine by me. Zuli, Surf!"
The Water type move easily knocked out the Fire type, and Jade quickly returned her second Pokémon.
"Okay, then. Let's see how you deal with an old Pokémon with a new look. Go, Chalchi!"
A Level 32 Pelipper flew overhead.
"Oh yeah. You mentioned Chalchi evolved last time."
"You remember that?" Jade glanced away, hiding her flushed cheeks. "J-Just switch your Pokémon now before I issue a command."
The Nuzlocker chuckled as he switched his Pokémon. She's really cute when she does that. "Go, Pearl!"
Jade regained her composure when she saw the Grumpig. "Oh right. You don't have an Electric type on your team right now."
Huh. So she knows Pearl has an Electric type move. "That hasn't stopped us. Pearl, Shock Wave!"
She aimed at the Flying type and shot the blue lightning bolt.
To Lapis' surprise, Jade smirked. "Nice try, Lapis. But you won't get that knockout so easily this time. Protect!"
The Water Bird Pokémon created the translucent blue barrier, neutralizing the super effective move.
"All right, Chalchi! Now use-"
"Pearl, use Shock Wave again."
The second Shock Wave hit its mark, instantly knocking out the Pelipper.
Jade sighed. "Oh well. It was worth the try." She took out her last Poké Ball. "Let's see what you can do against Dean this time!"
Her Level 34 Grovyle emerged, flexing his leaf appendages.
Lapis mused his options. Celestite would make this quicker, but Bixbite should get some experience even though Grass type moves will be neutral against him. "Pearl, return! Go Bixbite!"
After the Camerupt appeared on the field, Dean appeared to adjust something under his right arm. But neither Trainer noticed.
"Dean, Leaf Blade!"
The Grass type ran towards the slow Pokémon and slashed him with his glowing left leaf. Bixbite stood strong and waited for his Trainer's command.
"Bixbite, Ember!"
The Eruption Pokémon sprayed Dean with small embers, lowering the latter's health to yellow. As the Grass type gritted his teeth, the Nuzlocker saw a glint coming from Dean's arm.
Lapis grew wary. Is Dean holding an item? Why is he hiding it?
Jade's command snapped him out of his thoughts. "Dean, Leaf Blade again!"
The starter leapt up and, raising his right arm, made a downward slash at the Fire type. But this time, the damage was much more substantial. Lapis' heart stopped as the move was not only a critical hit, it brought Bixbite's health down to low red.
"B-Bixbite!" the teen cried. "Are you okay?"
The Camerupt struggled to stand. "I'm… fine, Lapis. It's still our turn."
"R-Right… Finish Dean with Ember!"
Bixbite inhaled deeply and sprayed flames so powerful, it also made a critical hit and knocked Dean out. Both Trainers ran over to their respective Pokémon.
Seeing that Bixbite would be all right, Lapis returned him and turned his attention to Jade. To his surprise, she was inspecting Dean's right arm.
"What are you hiding, Dean?! I never gave you an item recently!"
Huh? Jade didn't know?
When she touched something around his leaf, Dean swatted his Trainer away and ran into the forest at the city outskirts.
"Dean, come back!"
"Hold up, Jade! What the hell's going on?!"
The research assistant bit her lip. "I-I don't know… Dean's been acting weird since the PLA did a medical check on my Pokémon yesterday."
"Wait, that's a thing?"
"Well…they told us they were going to give people who are participating as Trainers battling you a free medical check before you challenge us."
Lapis frowned, crossing his arms. Sounds like more of a way to make me lose Pokémon.
Jade clenched her fists, sniffling. "I-I'm sorry, Lapis… I thought this battle would help you but instead I-"
"Jade… It's not your fault-"
"I-I gotta find Dean… See you, Lapis…"
She ran towards the trees, leaving behind a hurt Lapis.
Jade… Lapis glanced at the sea. Thanks for the heads up.
Jade ran through the trees along Route 121. "Dean! Dean, where are you?"
Sighing, she thought, I shouldn't have joined the PLA's challenge. The money was good, but the things they've been doing to Lapis…it's not right…
A familiar sharp cry pierced the air.
She ran towards the source and stumbled onto a startling sight. Her first Pokémon was being tied up by two young men with a Torkoal and Roselia. Another man, presumed to be their leader, removed something from Dean's arm. But before Jade could hide, the strangers spotted her.
"It's the Grovyle's Trainer!" the leader shouted. "Get her!"
Jade tried to let out Dione but she was immobilized by a combination of Smokescreen and Sleep Powder.
As the henchmen tied up the girl, the leader smirked. It looks like I'll run into him pretty soon. I can't wait for our reunion, Lapis Eurig.
Questions for the Chapter:
What did you think of Lapis' battle against Jade?
What was Dean hiding?
Who do you think the leader of the gang is and what is his relation to Lapis?
