Moon Version, Part 26: The Challenge to Become Champion!
- Nintai3301
- Mar 20, 2017
- 10 min read
Note from the Author: I am incredibly sorry for all those who waited for this. I'm having serious tech problems at the moment. My poor laptop fried it's cooling fan (it's been making odd noises for a while) and replacing it has proven to be more difficult that I'd imagined. I've borrowed a computer just to get this finished and posted, and sadly it may be a while before the next part can be posted.
I really can't express how much it means to an introverted guy like me to know that people actually follow my writing and have reached out to me wondering if the next part is ever coming. I'm really touched by it, and I swear I'll do my best to get these back on a schedule! Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy! The best part is only just beginning!
Nuztai was transported to the bottom of a large staircase. As he ascended, he found himself at a battle arena suspended over a chasm in the mountain. The walls of the cavern were decorated naturally with giant shimmering gemstones. Across the arena was a shining brand new seat that was clearly meant for the Champion. But that was him, right? No one else was there, and he was the first to defeat the League. So slowly, enjoying each step as he approached, Nuztai walked up to the throne and sat upon it. Just as he did, he heard the sound of the teleporter at the bottom of the stairs, and heavy footsteps as they climbed. Professor Kukui appeared at the other end of the arena.
“I guess they’ll have to start calling me the Seven League Champion now!” proclaimed Nuztai.
“Ah, you know it’s never that easy!” laughed Kukui, “Every Pokémon League challenge always ends in a match between the reigning Champion and the Challenger!”
“But this time, there is no reigning Champion!” responded Nuztai. “There’s no one to have that match with!”
“Come now, Nuztai!” scoffed Kukui, “You MUST be familiar with the alternate challenge rules!”
“You mean the absentee Champion rules?” asked Nuztai with a puzzled look. What was Kukui getting at? “There’s no Champion to BE absent, therefore no Champion to choose someone to battle in their place!”
“In which case,” Kukui said with a smirk “The official members of the region’s Pokémon League vote to choose a competitor worthy of truly testing the potential Champion!” Kukui pressed his fists to his hips, popping his chest out, and smiled grandly. The drafty breeze of the cavern lifted his coat like a cape behind him. For a moment, Nuztai just wanted to laugh, but then the words registered and the meaning came together. His eyes went wide with understanding, and he rose slowly from the throne with a smile on his face.
“I see. The League members chose you!” stated Nuztai.
“And I couldn’t be more honored to get to battle you.” announced Kukui. “But I warn you! I love Pokémon and hate to see them hurt, but to make my Pokémon League, my baby, be the grand thing that I’ve dreamed of, I won’t hold back, Nuzlocker! I will challenge you to the core of your being!”
“Then the time for talk is over!” yelled Nuztai. “Let’s do this!!”
Kukui tossed a Pokéball, releasing Lycanroc, who howled into the echoing battlefield. Nuztai responded with Whirly, who punched his fists together and took an active fighting stance. With a word from Kukui, Lycanroc sent small Stealth Rocks scattering around the battlefield, littering it with debris. Whirly charged threw them, dodging nimbly, and back handed Lycanroc with Wake-up Slap. Lycanroc was sent hurdling away, recalled by Kukui just in time to save it from falling from the arena.
“You better make this a better challenge than the Elite Four that you put together!” bantered Nuztai as he recalled Whirly.
“Haha! What kind of show would we be putting on if I used my strongest from the start!” Laughed Kukui. “Besides, Lycanroc did just as I wanted. Now! GO!” Kukui tossed a Great Ball, revealing a Braviary. Nuztai chose Metatron, who appeared and landed before it noticed the sharp rocks that dug into it’s claws. Metatron was instantly angered and created a Rock Slide, which buried Braviary before it could even get started. Kukui recalled the unconscious Pokémon and sent out Nintails, but Metatron was still having a fit, and buried Nintails under a Rock Slide, too.
Seeing it get out of hand, Nuztai recalled Metatron. Kukui sent out Magnezone, who hovered safely above the sharp rocks. Nuztai had to think carefully for this. He decided to send Whirly back in, who landed painfully on the sharp rocks. Whirly jumped and started running, back to carefully avoiding where he stepped, and sent Magnezone spinning with a Wake-up Slap. But Magnezone steadied itself and let loose a Thunderwave, paralyzing Whirly! As Whirly struggled to move, Magnezone shocked it with a Thunderbolt. Whirly dropped to a knee, which dug into a rock, startling Whirly and causing him to jump. It was enough distance to swing, and swing Whirly did, denting Magnezone with a powerful Wake-up Slap that knocked Magnezone unconscious.
Nuztai recalled the hurt Whirly and sent Rufus to face Kukui’s Decidueye. Wasting no time, Kukui activating Decidueye’s Bloom Doom, blasting Rufus across the arena. Rufus looked like he was going over the edge, but it held on and quickly began to pull itself back up. Decidueye charged it, hoping to push it back over, but Rufus met it with a Crunch that stopped it in its tracks and knocked it out.
“You sure are a fight, Nuztai!” exclaimed Kukui as each trainer recalled their Pokémon. “But let’s see you get through my toughest!” Kukui threw the next Pokéball as hard as he could, and the arena shook as Snorlax came out. Nuztai met it with Gadreel, and activated its Z-move, Shattered Psyche! In the world of their minds, Snorlax was sent flying, slamming against wall after wall before breaking through a glass wall into darkness. Snorlax awoke back in reality and angrily Crunched on Gadreel for good damage. Gadreel tried to distance Snorlax with an Ice Beam, but Snorlax ignored the blow completely, Crunching on it again.
Nuztai recalled Gadreel before it could be eaten, and chose Mary. Mary quickly blasted a Hyper Beam across the arena, disintegrating rocks before crashing into Snorlax. But once again, Snorlax just reached down and scratched the point of impact. It then lept into the air and Body Slammed Mary, paralyzing her! As Mary struggled to move and recharge from the blast, Snorlax climbed off, jumped and Body Slammed her again. And again! Mary then Crunched into the giant Pokémon, getting it off her back. Each trainer thinking the same thing, they sprayed their Pokémon with Full Restores. The two then traded Body Slams for Crunch attacks, over and over. Kukui pulled out another Full Restore, but Mary was holding on, and Nuztai used the chance to keep Crunching. He was having Mary continue to bite the same spot, over and over, and the bruising was weakening the behemoth’s defences. Finally, another Crunch later, Snorlax collapsed, shaking the arena and sending an echoing thud throughout the mountain.
Kukui was defeated.
Nuztai had won.
Everyone had survived and Nuztai began to shed a tear as he held the Pokéballs of his powerful friends that made it possible.
“Amazing.” said Kukui as he walked over with a huge grin. “It’s like I always say, the strongest moves you can use are the ones a Trainer and their Pokémon choose together in the heat of the moment, when it really counts. And you just proved me right! Congrats, cousin. You’re a Champion we can all be proud of.”
Nuztai shook Kukui’s hand, and they walked over to the throne. Nuztai sat on it again, and Kukui showed him where to place his Pokéballs to register the Pokémon inside as his Champion team. The first ever in Alolan history!
And so a big festival was held on Melemele island, celebrating the first Pokémon League Champion of Alola. There was lots of food and dancing, and all of the Kahuna and Trial Captains made appearances. Hau was bragging about Nuztai’s exploits to all that would listen, and Burnett continued to avoid conversation. Lillie eventually made an appearance as well, and everyone was happy to see her up and about. Gladion escorted her, trying to take off while everyone checked on Lillie, but Nuztai caught him, and insisted he stay. As the sun went down, the fireworks started and everyone cheered and watched. Lillie came and stood with Nuztai.
“Nuztai…” said Lillie shyly, “Congratulations on becoming the Champion! It’s amazing, isn’t it? All these people are here just to help you celebrate this achievement, Nuztai… Everyone looks so happy… The adults, the children… even the Pokémon!” Gadreel sat staring happily at what appeared to be a large nut that had fallen from a tree in front of it a good hour beforehand.
“Yeah, but my real goal is just starting.” responded Nuztai. “I still have a lot more Pokémon to catch here to finish my Pokédex.”
“I wish I’d gotten to travel more with you.” Lillie said sadly. “I wish I could have been a part of that journey… Hey, the party looks like it will keep going for a while… Do you think… maybe… we could sneak out for a visit to the Ruins of Conflict?”
“Whoah, you’re like, twelve!” exclaimed Nuztai throwing his hands up and taking a couple steps away. “That’s not happening between us!”
Lillie’s face grew pink and swollen up like a Jigglypuff. “That’s not what I meant at all!” She growled. “I meant as a mini adventure! I want to give it try! But I’m not a trainer, so I need someone to come with me!”
Nuztai took a deep breath and let out a sigh. “What’s so interesting about these ruins? There’s just a pedestal that bestows the title of Kahuna on the worthy, right?”
“Oh no, it’s more than that!” Lillie said with excitement. “It’s a place where the Tapu appear before those who are worthy! And being the island deity of combat…” Nuztai’s eyes went wide and he took off towards the ruins before she could finish. “Wait up!” She yelled as she dashed after him. “What’s the sudden hurry!”
“I have a Pokédex to complete!” Nuztai yelled back.
As they entered the Ruins of Conflict, there was a distinct difference in the pressure of the air around them. It was heavy, almost hard to breathe, and their clothes began to crackle slightly with static electricity. As they approached the Altar, Lillie healed Nuztai’s team. They both knew what would happen, but Nuztai’s heart still pounded. He’d been wanting this battle for a long time. He reached out and touched the statue… and began to hear a voice in his head…
“IT IS TIME…”
With that, Tapu Koko appeared in the chamber. Nuztai grabbed the first ball on his belt and realized a moment too late that it was Whirly. The room filled with an electrical crackling, and Nuztai knew this was a bad match. He withdrew Whirly and sent in Rufus. Tapu Koko Discharged a blast of electricity, injuring and paralyzing Rufus. It then charged up an Electro Ball and let it loose, nearly killing Rufus. Nintai pulled out a Full Restore, and Rufus dodged another Electro Ball in the knick of time. He Crunched into Tapu Koko, but did little to it. Tapu Koko shook Rufus off with a mighty Discharge of electricity, but Rufus came back, pummeling Tapu Koko with its Play Rough onslaught. The Electric Field disappated, and Nuztai used the chance to use a Max Potion on Rufus. Tapu Koko used Agility to get a leg on Rufus’ movements, and smashed him with Nature’s Madness. Rufus dug deep into Tapu Koko with a Crunch attack, and swifty let go and dodged in time to avoid another blast from Nature’s Madness. Rufus moved back in with precision, hitting Tapu Koko with a Thunder Fang. Like its Crunch attacks, it wasn’t very effective, but now Tapu Koko was severely weakened, and Nuztai knew it was ready.
Nuztai tossed an Ultra Ball, which sucked Tapu Koko in. The ball shook on the ground but burst open violently, and Tapu Koko erupted a Discharge of electricity, hurting and paralyzing Rufus. Nuztai withdrew Rufus and called on Bouncee. Tapu Koko used its agility, hoping to avoid hits from Bouncee, but Nuztai was just using Bouncee as a distraction to line up a throw for a Timer Ball. The ball shook for what felt like forever before bursting once again, freeing an angry Tapu Koko that shot an Electro Ball toward Bouncee, barely missing. Nuztai tried twice more with Ultra Balls, not giving Tapu Koko a chance to regain its surroundings upon escape. Finally, Bouncee, Lillie, and Nuztai watched as the Ultra Ball shook one… two... three times… and click! Tapu Koko was caught!
Nuztai awoke to a loud rhythmic pounding in his head that could only imply he partook of a few too many Evolution Ales at the party the night before. He was in his bed, not entirely sure how he magically reappeared there, but at least it was comfortable. Now if only that pounding would stop. It just kept getting louder. Wait, was that in his head? Nuztai rose… slowly… and made his way to the front door.
Hau burst in and shut the door behind him just as Nuztai’s mother walked in from her bedroom, clearly suffering the same problem as Nuztai.
“Hau, do you have any idea what time it is?!” Shouted Nuztai holding his head.
“Ok, first, both of you go drink some water.” replied Hau quickly as he realized how ragged his friends looked. “Second, it’s past noon. Third, did you do what my grandfather thinks you did last night?!”
“Hau, you’re young…” Said Nuztai before gulping a glass of water. “I don’t expect you to understand, but I don’t have the slightest clue what I might have done last night. What does he think I did?”
“Did you capture the Island Guardian, Tapu Koko?!” Exclaimed Hau as loud as he could whisper.
“Huh? OH, yeah.” answered Nuztai with a spark of memory, “Last night, I finally caught it after everything it tried to put me through. And I’ll track down the others, too!”
“NOO!” exclaimed Hau, “Do you have any idea what you’ve done! The entire island is going to be after you!”
“Huh? Why?” asked Nuztai’s mother. “I thought everyone knew of Nuztai’s mission.”
“Oh, yeah, they know he’s a Nuzlocker…” responded Hau, “But they don’t understand the living ‘dex part as much.”
“Ah. I didn’t think this through…” Nuztai said, reflecting on the incident. “The scientific versus religious social aspect. I’m capturing Pokémon for the sake of scientific advancement. But to these people, I just captured one of their deities… I humanized it.”
“THAT is the least of it.” said a strange old man as he walked in. “This is for you, Alolan Champion.” He handed nuztai an envelope. “Read it alone. And don’t share it with anyone. This is very important. AND I suggest you leave here. Quickly. There’s a crowd on its way.” The group stood in shock as the old man went out the door.
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