Moon Version, Part 9: The Route of Interruptions

Nuztai travelled to Diglett’s Tunnel, but was disappointed to catch a Zubat as his Pokémon for the area. He named it Garth and had it sent to the PC. After battling countless Zubat who called for help from countless more Zubat, Nuztai came to the conclusion that this place was Diglett’s tunnel in name alone, and left having never encountered a Diglett.

Route 9 turned into an equal disappointment, as there was no tall grass to catch Pokémon, instead only a small fishing spot at the end. There, he added Anna the Luvdisc to his team. Not yet satisfied, he turned away from town and went on to Memorial Hill hoping to add one more to his reserve team. There, he encountered Phantump. His current method of sending in Bobby the Snorlax to use Hold Back wasn’t going to work on a ghost Pokémon, so he had Zeus the Magneton use Thunderwave to paralyze it, and tried to whittle it down with Thundershocks. But Zeus hadn’t been out in a while and wanted to impress Nuztai with it’s power, landing a critical hit and costing them the catch.

It was time he called it a day. Nuztai walked into Konikoni City and made his way to Olivia’s shop. A probopass met him at the door with a note, asking him to meet her at the Ruins of Life past Memorial Hill. Ruins of Life? Why did that sound familiar to him? As he contemplated, the woman behind the counter called out to him.

“I have here a fine collection of fossils.” She said as he approached. “I’m only allowed to sell one to each trainer. So what do you say?”

“I can only have one of these two?” He inquired “Then I guess that makes it simple. The fossil of the feather is way cooler looking. You can actually tell it’s a fossil.” Nuztai pays for the fossil and begins to walk away.

“Don’t forget to take it to the Fossil Restoration Center to have it revived!” She called out as he left. Nuztai froze as he realized what she said. That means this was his Pokémon for the city. He ran outside and used his ride pager to fly to the Restoration Center and back with Metatron, his new Archen.

He’d wasted enough time. He needed to head to the Ruins to battle Olivia and move this along. He still hadn’t discovered just what it was that was bugging him about this Nuzlocke. While Nuztai wandered along lost in thought, he ran smack into someone. They were dressed in a long white lab coat with green tinted glasses so large they looked like a bug’s eyes. Before him stood two kids in their teens dressed like wannabe gangsters. Behind them was a slowpoke.

“Ah, young trainer.” Said the man in white. “Do battle these hoodlums for me won’t you? I’ll bestow honor upon you if you do.”

“Fight your own battles.” Replied Nuztai. The gangsters laughed.

“Dude’s smart. He’s gonna look the other way while we poach this ‘mon. Knows when there’s a fight he can’t win! I like it.” Said one of the hoodlums in wild laughter.

Nuztai sent out Zeus. “You just HAD to open your mouth. Nuzlockers like me don’t battle lightly.”

“Psh, yeah ok. Let’s do this!” Said the kid, who sent out an Alolan Raticate. Zeus used a single Mirror Shot and knocked the Raticate out. The kid stood there with look of shock and horror. “Yo, yo, you… You’re no joke.”

“We don’t need this Pokémon anyway! Take him and good riddence!” shouted the other hoodlum as they started to sprint away.

“That was pretty good, sir.” Said the man in white. “Come find me later and I’ll find a way to repay you. For now, The Aether Foundation will be taking this Slowpoke to a safe place.”

Nuztai mostly ignored him and continued on his way to the Ruins. But, just upon entering the outer gate, he was stopped yet again as a female voice called out from behind him. Nuztai turned to see a young girl with dark makeup and fantastic pink and yellow hair.

“So you’re the nuzlocker Gladion was talking about.” She said looking him over. “I’m here pay you back for that, as well as what you did to dumb little brothers on the way here.” She sent out her Golbat, and Nuztai responded with Dean. The two battled fiercely, but Dean came out on top. Suddenly Dean began to glow. The two trainers stood in awe as Dean evolved from Brionne into… Primarina, a sparkling mermaid of a Pokémon.

“Are… Are we sure you’re a male?” Nuztai said with a facepalm.

“Primarina becomes a Fairy type upon evolution” read the robotic voice from his Pokédex.

“Yeah, I can see that.” quipped Nuztai. “Let’s move this along, woman!”

“The name is Plumeria!” She shouted. “And don’t you or your adorable new Pokémon forget it!” Plumeria sent in her Salandit.

“Oh, for Arceus’ sake…” said Nuztai with a second facepalm. “HYDRO VORTEX!”

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Nuztai moved on to the ruins after his destructive victory over Plumaria. As he approached the entrance, Lillie’s voice called out to him. His head plopped back and his eyes rolled as he turned around to see what she wanted.

“Just sayin’ hi.” She said with a grin. “I brought Nebby to see the ruins. He’s been begging me, so here we are.”

“You’ve come in time for a battle, then!” Shouted Olivia as she walked out from the Ruins.

“Finally!” responded Nuztai. “Let’s rock!”

“Appropriate!” Olivia responded, as she sent out Nosepass. Nuztai wasted no chances, and led with Dean. Dean’s Sparkling Aria almost knocked out Nosepass, but it’s sturdy ability allowed it to hold on. Nosepass then used Thunderwave, paralyzing Dean. Nuztai tried to have Dean use it’s Aqua Jet to move first, but it couldn’t move. Olivia used the chance to heal Nosepass. Dean then shattered it’s paralysis out of sheer willpower. Another Sparkling Aria and Nosepass was down.

Next, Olivia chose Boldore, whose Sturdy ability also let it take the first Sparkling Aria. Boldore followed with a Headbutt, dealing little damage to the powerful Mer’mon. Dean finished Boldore with a speedy Aqua Jet, ending the round.

Olivia’s last Pokémon was Lycanroc. While Lycanroc was fast enough to lead with a powerful Rock Throw, it couldn’t withstand the power of Dean’s Hydro Vortex Z-move. With that, Nuztai’s Grand Trial of Akala was over.

Olivia begrudgingly congratulated Nuztai, and rewarded him with a Rockium Z crystal.

“So why did you come here, Lillie?” She asked as she turned to the observer.

“Oh, because of my Pokémon, Nebby. He’s been trying to get me to come for some time.” answered Lillie.

“That’s odd. The ruins are the ancentrial homes of the island guardians. Despite their names, they’ve been known to run wild at times, so most Pokémon avoid the ruins.” responded Olivia.

“So it’s in there?!” sparked Nuztai. “I can go battle it, right now!?”

“Well, yes and no.” replied Olivia. “It is in there. But you won’t be able to reach it unless you have stronger Pokémon. Keep journeying, Kiddo.” Nuztai took quite a bit of offence being called “Kiddo” and stormed off grumbling. As he reached the gate, Hau came running up.

“Olivia! Battle me!” He shouted. “Oh hey, Nuztai. Some guy in white with green glasses invited me to Hano Grand Resort once I finished my grand trial here. He said he’d take me to the Aether Foundation’s home island!”

“Hau, that’s how little boys get kidnapped. I’m going to the Pokémon Center. Let’s meet there when you’re done and walk to the Resort with you, ok?” With that, Nuztai left, and Hau and Olivia started their battle. As the battle clashed, Professor Burnett came running up.

“Where’s Nuztai? I heard he was here!” She shouted. “I need to find him! It’s urgent!”

“He was here.” replied Hau. “But he left to..”

“He’s going the Aether Paradise. He was called there for some business, I hear.” said Olivia with a grin.

“Hey, I’m going to…”

“Be busy with his grand trial for a bit longer!” interrupted Olivia. “Why don’t you run back to town, I’m sure you’ll find him sooner or later.”

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#Nuzlocke #Moon