Margaret's Pokémon Diamond Nuzlocke

Chapter 35: New Plan

I lined everyone besides Jamie up against the wall, pacing back and forth like a drill sergeant. "Alright everyone, here's the plan. We will continue training here despite our little... accident, but! Under no circumstance are you ever allowed to fight a Graveler. We are avoiding them at all costs. If one finds you, run from the fight. I don't care if you think you can out-speed it. I don't care if you think you can defeat it in one hit. There's no way to know for sure if you can unless you fight one, and I am not taking that risk. Got it?! And another thing. If anyone needs help fighting a Golbat, Cedric, you're on it." He nodded, his slim fingers already sparking with electricity. "Gloria, you help take care of any Onix that gives us trouble. Everyone just stay close together, and watch each other's backs. Cole and Evan, you two be especially careful. Now, we've lost enough time already, so go out there and grind!"

And off they went. You'd think that after taking such a long break from fighting wild Pokemon, it would take a little bit of time for the team to get back into the flow of it, but that really wasn't the case. They almost seemed excited to be battling again, even though we all knew there could easily be another explosion if we weren't careful.

"Y'know, I have to admit that you have a pretty great team on your hands." Riley said as he walked up next to me. "They look good out there."

"Yeah..."

Riley was quiet for a second. "Let me guess. You're an ace trainer from practically a whole family of ace trainers, one or two possibly even being retired gym leaders, right?"

I laughed.

Riley looked like he wasn't even done speaking, but I cut him off with laughter that echoed off the cave walls. He tilted his head and stared at me strangely.

"What...?"

With a giant grin, I spoke through giggles, "Dude, not even close!"

"Okay then," Riley said, crossing his arms as my fit of laughter died down, "what is your story, then?"

My smile quickly dropped at the realization that I obviously couldn't tell him my story. Of course, I couldn't tell him nothing either, so, "Well... Let's just say I was forced to do this."

"What do you mean?"

Too vague. "Okay, so awhile back, me and my friend were at a nearby lake. He thought he could find a shiny Gyarados. I thought he was crazy." I could see a small smile form on Riley's face as I continued. Thank Arceus this is working. Even I started to smile as I recalled the stupid reason I was originally going on this journey. It really was hilariously petty compared to why I'm doing it now. "-so now Lucas is out filling the Pokedex for me while I'm out here trying to earn all my badges with Cole."

"HEY MARCUS! Check this out!"

"Speak of the devil..." I muttered with a smirk. Before I could even turn to look, the sound of rocks getting crushed scared me nearly to death. Looming above the team was a Steelix being assaulted by a blur of bullet-like punches. After the Infernape attacking it had finished, he landed on his feet first, followed by the Steelix crashing to the ground before slinking back into the depths of the mountain.

"Cole! You evolved?!" I screamed, my arms wide and my smile even wider. "And that move- what was that?!"

"Close Combat," he boasted, brushing dust off of the dark, orange fur on his arms. "It lowers both of my defenses, but it's pretty damn cool, right?"

"Being able to take out a Steelix in one hit is incredible! Just don't let it go to your head, you know that place is still dangerous."