Under the orders of a letter sent by someone from his past, Lapis headed to an abandoned island in between Lilycove City and Mossdeep City. There, the teen was captured by Kongō Daiya, the leader of a gang Lapis was involved with for a few years. Lapis then learned the truth about his relationship with the gang leader and the incident that caused him to become a delinquent. With the help of Steven Stone, Magma, and Detective Kei, Kongō Daiya was defeated and arrested. With his past becoming clearer, Lapis now turns his sights to the final cave of his journey: Victory Road. Will he be able to make it through unscathed or will someone again interfere?

Lapis' Pokémon:

Zuli (Lvl. 47 Swampert, male; Item: Soft Sand): Impish Nature, Torrent Ability, moves: Tackle, Strength, Mud Shot, Surf

Bixbite (Lvl. 47 Camerupt, male): Bold Nature, Oblivious Ability, moves: Rock Slide, Eruption, Ember, Earthquake

Onyx (Lvl. 48 Mightyena, female; Item: King's Rock): Mild Nature, Intimidate Ability, moves: Take Down, Rock Smash, Crunch, Bite

Pearl (Lvl. 48 Grumpig, female): Lax Nature, Thick Fat Ability, moves: Psychic, Psybeam, Shock Wave, Confuse Ray

Celestite (Lvl. 47 Altaria, female): Gentle Nature, Natural Cure Ability, moves: Fly, Safeguard, Take Down, Dragonbreath

Amethyst (Lvl. 48 Vileplume, female; Item: Miracle Seed): Quiet Nature, Chlorophyll Ability, moves: Petal Dance, 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 46- The Seismics of Time

"Well, we finally made it…" Lapis stated as Larimar and Zuli guided him to the nearest land. It was a long journey along the sea routes, even more so to avoid the swimming Trainers. But once the Spheal climbed the large waterfall on Ever Grande Island with ease, it was over.

Lapis returned his starter, but before he could return his other Water type, he noticed him frowning. "What's up, Larimar?"

"Does this mean I'm no longer of use to you, Lapis?" he asked, whimpering.

"Hey, where's that proud attitude I saw back in Shoal Cave? Just 'cause you finished your job, doesn't mean you ain't useful anymore."

"What do you mean?"

This is getting awkward. "I'll…come up with somethin', Larimar. Don't worry much 'bout it."

"Yay!"

He returned the clapping Spheal and sighed. Then, he headed into the nearby Pokémon Center. After healing his team and swapping Larimar back for Bixbite, he noticed a familiar person sitting by the TV area.

"Oh, look who finally made it," Scott said, adjusting his sunglasses.

"Oh great, it's you. Why're you here?"

The man gave him a confused look. "You do know what time of year it is, right?"

"Uh…spring time?" Where's he going with this?

Scott showed him the poster on the nearest wall. "It's time for this year's Hoenn League. You know, the big annual competitive battling tournament and the last chance for me to find the Trainers I'm looking for?"

"And…why should I care?"

"Hm… I guess you really don't need to. After all, you're going to battle the Elite Four and Champion Wallace ahead of the tournament winners."

Lapis became more irked as the scout laughed. "Can I go now?"

"Oh wait, I just remembered. A teenage boy around your age was looking for you. He said he'll be by the entrance to Victory Road."

A teenage boy? I wonder who it is.

Lapis left, giving a backwards wave to Scott, and made his way to the entrance of a large cave, containing the region's Victory Road. Seeing no one was around, he headed inside.

Once he adjusted to the change in light, a Level 36 Makuhita jumped onto him.

"Wh-What the-?"

The teen threw the Fighting type off him and sent out Zuli. Not wanting to waste his last chance getting a Pokémon, Zuli weakened her with a Tackle and Lapis used a Great Ball to capture her.

"This Makuhita's the opposite of Citrine," he muttered as he scanned the ball on his tablet. Guts Ability and a Hardy Nature. She may be useful as a backup Pokémon. After naming her Heliador, he sent the Great Ball to his PC.

Then, he saw a familiar white-haired teen running into the cave.

"There you are, Lapis," Quartz said after he breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm so sorry I'm late. I was worried that you got held up, so I tried to find out on my own."

"You could say that. Anyway, I'm guessin' you're the person that Scott guy said was waitin' for me." Is this the same guy? He doesn't look as sickly the last time we saw each other.

Quartz nodded, wiping his browl. "I want to make sure your Pokémon are ready to face Victory Road, the Elite Four, and Champion Wallace."

Lapis stared at the ground. Now that he knew the truth, he wasn't sure about how to mention any of their shared past to the now healthy teenager.

The white-haired boy clutched the strap of his satchel. "Lapis…do you not want my help?"

"N-No, that ain't it. It's just-"

"You finally remember what happened back then, didn't you?"

The Nuzlocker groaned. "Yeah… And I'm sorry…"

Quartz gave him a warm smile. "What for? You tried to save my life."

"But…But I should've done more to stop Kongō sooner…"

"And I shouldn't have relied on those stones so badly…" The boy bit his lip. "I wanted to get healthy quickly, and I heard certain gemstones provided specific healing powers, so I…" Then Quartz took a deep breath. "But that's in the past. All I needed was exercise and companionship to get better, not some fancy stones…"

I kinda remember that's what the gang sold, but I never saw anyone harvesting the stones. He always got them from an external source. Still, where did they come from?

But Lapis returned his focus to Quartz's offer. "You sure you wanna battle me? What about your uncle? If you ain't figured it out by now, he hates me for some reason."

"Yeah, it's pretty obvious. Uncle Arian's been trying to stop me from leaving after I met you in Mauville City. But ever since I left Verdanturf Town and traveled around the region, I've been feeling much better. And being with my Pokémon has helped me out too, thanks to seeing how you learned to love your Pokémon during your journey. So, I want to show my appreciation by battling you. Please, Lapis, let me repay you for saving me."

The Nuzlocker shrugged. "Guess I got no choice."

"Yes!" Quartz took out his first Poké Ball. "Let me show you the results of my journey, Lapis! Go, Aquarius!"

A Level 44 Altaria flew out of his ball.

"Go, Zuli!"

The Swampert jumped forward, ready to battle.

"Wow…" Quartz said, amazed. "Zuli looks so much stronger now! But we won't make it easy. Aquarius, Aerial Ace!"

"You asked for it," the teen responded, smirking. "Zuli, Strength!"

The Water type handled the Flying type move well. Then, he grabbed the Altaria's right wing and threw him into a nearby wall. It didn't do as much damage as Lapis hoped, but he knew it'll eventually add up.

After making sure his Pokémon was all right, Quartz changed his strategy. "Use Dragon Dance, Aquarius!"

The Humming Pokémon waved his wings in a rhythmic pattern, raising his Attack and Speed. But Zuli used another Strength to lower his opponent's health to yellow. Quartz tried to keep Aquarius going with a Full Restore, but the constant boulders were not working in their favor. Seeing that the last Aerial Ace did nothing to hinder the Swampert's movements, he had Aquarius use Safeguard before Zuli knocked him out with a Tackle attack.

The white-haired boy softly smiled as he returned his Pokémon. "Just as I expected would happen. But we aren't giving up just yet! Go, Librado!"

A Level 44 male Roselia appeared, forcing Lapis to switch Pokémon. "Go, Celestite!"

The Nuzlocker's Altaria preened her wings before focusing on the Grass type.

"Celestite, use Fly!"

"Librado, Magical Leaf!"

The Thorn Pokémon shot a flurry of glowing green leaves at the Flying type, but the latter evaded the usually always accurate move with ease. Then, Celestite dove at Librado, knocking out the Roselia. Quartz exchanged Librado with his Level 43 Delcatty, Leoda, while Lapis did the same by substituting Celestite with Amethyst.

"Leoda, use Sing!"

The Prim Pokémon lulled the Vileplume to sleep with her enchanting song. Lapis tried to wake his Pokémon up, but she continued to sleep.

"Assist, Leoda!"

The Normal type waved her tail, activating the move's random powers. She closed her eyes, visualizing a water drop over her head. The Calm Mind raised Leoda's Special Attack and Special Defense. The sound of the water was so loud, Amethyst stirred from her slumber.

Once she finished getting up, her Trainer shouted, "Petal Dance!"

The Grass type twirled around, releasing a flurry of pink petals that struck Leoda.

"Leoda, Faint Attack!"

The Delcatty disappeared from sight, then struck Amethyst from behind, but the Petal Dance hit a second time, knocking Leoda out. Both Trainers returned their Pokémon and sent out their next ones: Onyx and Quartz's now Level 45 Gardevoir.

Lapis smiled, remembering when they last battled as their basic evolutions. Quartz did the same.

"Virgil and I are much stronger since Mauville City," Quartz said, adjusting his satchel strap.

"Same with me and Onyx. Let's see how you do against us now! Onyx, Crunch!"

"Virgil, Calm Mind!"

As the Dark type charged at the Embrace Pokémon with her glowing blue teeth, the Psychic type visualized the water drop and raised her stats. Onyx clamped onto Virgil's left hand, making him yelp in pain.

"Follow it up with Bite!"

The Mightyena tightened her grip, and the Gardevoir collapsed onto the ground. Quartz bit his lip, knowing he had one Pokémon left. He sent out Gemini, his Level 41 Magneton, but it was immediately knocked out by Bixbite's Eruption. The new Trainer collapsed onto the dirt, exhausted. Lapis ran to him after he returned the Camerupt.

"You okay?"

To his surprise, Quartz laughed. "The best I've been since I started traveling. I knew I was going to lose, but it was still really fun battling you, Lapis."

"Guess that makes two of us." After helping his rival up, he said, "I gotta heal my Pokémon before goin' through. Wanna join me?"

"Of course! I need to do the same anyways."

The two smiled, leaving Victory Road as friends.

Arian Cowden furiously paced around his office at the PLA headquarters.

Damn it! Lapis Eurig actually made it to Victory Road and lost only five Pokémon! That damn Caspian and Kongō still can't do their jobs, can they?

A rapid knocking interrupted his thoughts.

"I'm a little busy right now!" the man shouted.

A secretary sheepishly opened the door. "I apologize, Mr. Cowden, but you received some urgent mail."

"Oh, thank you."

After he left, the Johto representative opened the letter. He smirked as his eyes scanned the contents. Well now… They weren't useless after all. Looks like I can finally up the ante for that Nuzlocker…

Lapis continued his trek through Victory Road, going up and down its depths. Is it just me, or are the Trainers here more aggressive than usual? Especially those snobbish CoolTrainers and their Pokémon wearing topaz accessories…

Then he arrived at a spot where two CoolTrainers, a boy and girl, ganged up on him.

"So, the Nuzlocke Trainer finally shows up," the male Trainer taunted. "Dianne, let's make sure he doesn't get past us."

She chuckled. "You got it, Felix. Go, Claydol!"

"Go, Medicham!"

The two Level 43 Psychic types stared down the teen. The Nuzlocker noticed they also wore the same topaz necklaces he'd seen on the previous Pokémon he battled. But he wasn't worried.

"We'll see about that! Go, Celestite and Bixbite!" Once his Altaria and Camerupt hit the ground, Lapis made the first move. "Celestite, use Fly! Bixbite, use Eruption!"

She flew into the air as the Fire type released lava from his two humps. It showered over the Claydol and Medicham, dealing decent damage.

Felix growled. "So he isn't as dense when it comes to double battles. Medicham, use Psychic on Bixbite!"

"Follow it up with Skill Swap on Bixbite, Claydol!"

They're ganging up on Bixbite…this isn't good… Lapis angrily thought as the moves made contact. Then he noticed the CoolTrainer's bickering.

"Why'd you use Skill Swap on that Camerupt, Dianne? You gave away your Claydol's useful Ability for a dumb one!"

"Oh, like you're one to talk! That Psychic attack barely did anything to Bixbite!"

Looks like I got to break them up, in more ways than one. "Now, Celestite!"

The CoolTrainers stopped arguing when they saw the Medicham being knocked out by the super effective move.

"Great, now look what happened!" Felix shouted as he returned his Pokémon and swapped him with his own Level 43 Claydol.

A follow up Rock Slide from Bixbite dealt damage to both Clay Doll Pokémon.

Dianne took a deep breath and said, "Calm down, Felix. If we keep arguing, then we can't use that attack!"

Lapis became cautious upon hearing those last words. Should I switch out Bixbite? But I don't know if any of the others could survive the attack they're hinting at. I just need to knock out Dianne's Claydol quickly so that they don't continue ganging up on Bixbite!

After Dianne swapped her Claydol and Bixbite's Abilities back to normal with another Skill Swap, the Nuzlocker continued the offense. "Celestite, use Dragonbreath on that Claydol! Bixbite, use Ember on the other one!"

As the moves landed on their targets, Lapis smiled at seeing Felix's Claydol paralyzed by the green flames. But when he turned his attention to the other Ground type, he was surprised to see it was still floating.

The CoolTrainers smirked and shouted simultaneously, "Earthquake!"

No! Lapis gritted his teeth and got close to the ground. Flashes of light from the topaz necklaces caught his eye, but the shaking made him refocus on the battle. The seismic activity was much stronger due to their combined power. Celestite easily evaded the move due to her immunity, but Bixbite wasn't as lucky. He did his best to hold on, but the super effective moves made him collapse.

The Nuzlocker was in shock. "B-Bixbite…"

"We did it!" Dianne cheered as she high-fived Felix. "We got a kill, Felix!"

"Hell yeah we did!"

No…I lost another one from the Numel line… Lapis roared at the celebrating teenagers. "You won't get away with this!"

"Ha!' Felix scoffed. "We know you're temperamental when you lose a Pokémon, so if you attack us, then your challenge is over! And even better, we'll get our knockout bonus from the organizer!"

Grrr…he's right… That damn Cowden…

"Lapis…" Bixbite's whisper snapped his Trainer from his thoughts. "Don't let them get to you now."

Bixbite… Lapis took a deep breath and nodded. "Thanks, Bixbite. Return."

The CoolTrainers ended their gloating when they saw a very angry Swampert growling at them.

"You'll pay for this!" Zuli bellowed.

Dianne bit her lip. "Looks like he's more composed than we thought."

"Still, we can't let that get to us," her partner said as she healed her Claydol with a Full Restore.

Lapis shouted, "Celestite, Safeguard! Zuli, Surf!"

The Humming Pokémon surrounded herself and her partner with the blue aura just as he summoned a large wave. It hit Dianne's Claydol but somehow missed Felix's.

"Now, Claydol, Earthquake!" Felix commanded.

The move hit the Water type, but it didn't do as much damage as the CoolTrainer hoped.

"Celestite, use Fly! Zuli, use Surf again!"

As the Altaria flew upwards, the tidal wave succeeded in knocking out both Claydol. Both Trainers frowned as they returned their Pokémon.

Felix sighed. "Looks like I'm out. You got this, Dianne."

"On it. Go, Lanturn!"

The Water type floated above the ground, ready for a command. But she wouldn't get a chance. Though Celestite missed the Lanturn, the latter was immediately knocked out by a Mud Shot from Zuli.

As the CoolTrainers moped their loss, a dejected Lapis headed back to the entrance via an Escape Rope and healed his Pokémon back at the Pokémon Center. His mind was clouded as he scanned his boxes for Bixbite's replacement until he noticed a particular Pokémon. After getting the ball and his Pokémon back, he went outside and let them all out.

Lapis knelt down and hugged the Camerupt. "I'm so sorry, Bixbite. I should've switched ya out sooner."

The Eruption Pokémon nuzzled him. "It's all right, Lapis. I'm just happy I got you further along your journey, just like SmokyQuarz wanted."

The two then saw Opal the Vulpix approach them. "Is this the Pokémon I'm replacing, Lapis?"

The teen chuckled. "You're pretty blunt, aren't you, Opal?"

"Well, I gotta get stronger quickly. After all, I'm like, twenty levels behind everyone else!"

"That does make sense with your Hasty Nature. Well, Bixbite?"

The Camerupt looked at the smaller Pokémon and smiled. "Take care of Lapis, Opal. I know you'll get him and the rest of the team to the end."

The Fox Pokémon smirked. "You bet I will, Bixbite! I won't let you or SmokyQuarz down!"

Lapis nodded, allowing Bixbite to say his final goodbyes to the others before sending him to the PLA. The teen took a deep breath, hoping the rest of his travels through the cave would now be uneventful.

Questions for the Chapter:

What did you think of Lapis and Quartz's battle?

Is there something more to the topaz necklaces the CoolTrainers are having their Pokémon wear?

How will Opal do as the new member of the team?

Will Lapis be able to get through Victory Road without losing another Pokémon?