Moon Version, Part 3: Gotta Catch 'Em All

Bloop Bloop Bloop

Nuztai awakens from the sounds of dripping water nearby. The cavern of Ten-Carat Hill provides his new mount with plenty of clean spring water and leaves Nuztai a calming environment to think.

“Perhaps I should give up this Nuzlocke while it’s still early. Why risk more lives for mere challenge? What kind of monster would that make me?” He wonders to himself. As he walks, lost in thought, through the cavern, he stares misty eyed at the three surviving Pokemon’s pokeballs. The idea of losing any of them a crushing thought on his soul. “Can I really go through with this again?”

“You can and you will!” Echoes a loud voice from within the cavern. Nuztai grips his pokeballs and looks around everywhere for the source of the voice, but to no avail. He picks up his pace toward a light leading outside.

He steps out into the moonlit valley as a small dog pokemon crosses his path. As if by instinct alone, Nuztai sends out Munchlax, who proceeds to weaken the Rockruff, and Nuztai captures it. Jo the Rockruff joins the new party.

“The blood sacrifice you have made pleases me. Now, rebuild your team and continue your island challenge Nuzlocke and empower the other island guardians.” Booms the voice from back inside the cave as Nuztai picks up Jo’s pokeball.

“Why should I?! Why should I risk so much as one more Pokemon’s life?” Nuztai cries back.

“Because it’s too late to stop. The other guardians are now aware of your Nuzlocke because of the blood spilt on my altar! If you don’t resume your challenge, they will seek you out and murder countless in their search to attain their own sacrifices. Even if you try to stop, blood will still befall these islands.”

“You’re monsters! You’d have me battle and kill for your pleasure?” Nuztai yells back. But the voice does not respond. Nuztai stands there in silence for several moments taking in what he’s been told.

The next morning, Nuztai arrives at the marina in Hau’oli City, having withdrawn Castiel the Diglett and Crowley the Delibird from storage. Professor Kukui and Lillie prepare a ship for travel. Kukui spies Nuztai approaching and calls out for him to come aboard.

“I heard your grand trial with Hala was rough.” laughed Kukui, “Hau could barely keep his dinner down. Will you be continuing your challenge? Hau should be here soon to head for Akala Island. You can come with us. Hala was apparently going to give you that ride pager you stole for winning the challenge. Not that he's thrilled that you just took it like that...”

“Before I answer that, can I ask you something?” Spoke Nuztai, solemnly.

“Of course!” Smiled Kukui, “What good is a professor if not for helping answer questions!”

“The guardians of the Alola Islands.” Nuztai’s eyes rose to meet Kukui’s, “Are they Pokemon? Or just some legend?”

The smile began to fade from Kukui’s face. “Pokemon, as far as anyone knows. Why?”

“Then my answer is yes.” Exclaimed Nuztai. “I have to finish what I’ve started. I have to catch them all!”

Soon Hau came aboard and they left for Akala. Nuztai set out right away to train Jo, catching a Lilipup named Rufus along the way, who quickly evolved into Herdier. A battle with a trainer in Paniola Ranch with a Mudbray spelled a one hit kill for poor Castiel, and Nuztai began to worry that his team would be further weakened by this loss. But a few steps into the tall grass of the Ranch meant a Mudbray of his own, Ellen, whom he trained up quickly to be able to fight with the rest. His eyes set on his first Trail on Akala, Nuztai leaves the Ranch.

Never has Nuztai’s resolve felt more firm. Even after just losing a Pokemon, Nuztai pushes on toward his goal of completing the island challenge… And to catch them all.

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#Moon #Nuzlocke