Ghostly Shadows Traviata: An Alpha Sapphire Nuzlocke

Chapter 2: Resolve

Wingull fly overhead toward the ocean in welcome. Wurmple cowers further into her jeans. The wet spot continues expanding. Viata stumbles her way to the Pokemon Center and lurches through the doors.

"Welcome to the Pokemon Center," says Nurse Joy. The sight in front of her doesn't seem to faze her. Her face remains smiling and warm as ever.

"Can you heal these two?"

"Yes, one moment, please."

The two Pokemon retreat into Pokeballs as they go under a mysterious machine. The screen above the machine displays a Torchic and a Wurmple for a few seconds before the images flicker off.

Nurse Joy hands the Pokeballs back. "We hope you stop by again."

Viata takes them and calls them out. "We will."

They exit the Pokemon Center.

"Wurmple do you want to stick with us?"

The Wurmple clings tight to Viata's pant leg.

"I guess that settles it. Welcome to the team, Thyme."

The Wurmple climbs up her leg and settles onto her shoulder and snuggles her. Lionheart hops up and down with joy at the presence of another Pokemon. Lionheart scuffs the dirt and says, "Torchic Tor." Thyme looks down at Lionheart and waves wearing an eye smile.

Viata leads the team past a blue building where a man in a blue apron ushers them over.

The man in the blue apron hands Viata some potions. "This Pokemart is giving potions away to new trainers. You can buy other goods for your journey. Be sure to stop by them in each city!"

She takes the potions with a nod. "Thank you!"

She looks North and West and decides to take the west path. A young man blocks her path claiming to be looking for something he lost. She offers to help but the man waves her away.

She shrugs her shoulders and takes the North path.

"Go Thyme use tackle!"

Poochyena faints.

"Good job Thyme!"

The Wurmple wriggles with joy. She crawls up Viata's shoulder and snuggles close.

Viata looks around for Brendan. Clear deep blue water ripples in front of him. The grass sways around the edge of the water. The breeze picks up in intensity.

"Brendan! Professor Birch sent me to get you!"

Brendan turns around and smiles. "Yeah, well, let's have a battle first!"

"Huh?!"

Brendan pulls out a Pokeball from his belt and throws it with power. "Go Mudkip!"

A blue four-legged frog-like creature with fins appears.

"Go Lionheart! Quick use ember!"

"Really? Mudkip use water gun!"

Mudkip tilts its head back as its cheeks puff and it lets out a stream of water. The streak of water blasts into Lionheart and sends the orange bird sprawling backward into a tree.

Brendan recalls Mudkip. "You have to learn type matchups if you want to be a good trainer."

Viata runs over to Lionheart and picks him up. "Lionheart, I'm so sorry."

"Heal up in Oldale. See you in Littleroot."

Brendan walks away from Viata and Lionheart.

"Your Pokemon are healed and fighting fit. Please visit us again soon."

Viata nods and turns around with her head down. "Yeah."

She exits the Pokemon Center with Lionheart walking beside her and Thyme sitting on her shoulder. Thyme and Lionheart look at Viata. She walks back toward Littleroot town with her shoulders slumped and her head down. Even the wild Pokemon catch on to her mood. They stay crouched in the shadows of the tall blades of grass and the shade of the nearby trees.

They reach Littleroot town. Lionheart stomps in front of Viata and puffs out his chest. He shrieks out a "TORCHIC!"

Viata recoils backward and falls on her butt. Torchic jumps on her chest and looks her dead in the eye. The blaze inside still roars. Viata checks her shoulder to see if Thyme still clings. She hangs onto Viata's shoulder with a death grip. Viata smiles.

"You're right Lionheart. We can't give up now!"

Lionheart jumps off her chest and ruffles his feathers.

Viata stands and lifts her head to face the Pokemon lab. She enters.

"Ah, Viata! Right on time." Professor Birch turns to pick up two items from his desk. "This is a Pokedex. It will record every Pokemon you two catch. I want you two to fill this Pokedex with all the Pokemon in this region."

Brendan takes both the Pokedexes. He pockets one then hands the other one to Viata.

She turns to leave but Brendan says, "Wait!"

He gives Viata some Pokeballs and a DexNav. "That should help with finding rare Pokemon. May the best trainer win! Catch ya later." He runs out of the lab leaving Viata behind.

Professor Birch says, "Go get him, Viata."

"Thyme use tackle!"

Thyme rushes at the Poochyena and lands a crushing blow to its side.

"That was a bit too much, Thyme, but good job!"

The Wurmple wriggles with joy at the praise.

"Let's get you two to the Pokemon Center."

They head back to Oldale town Pokemon Center and heal up.

Viata calls her Pokemon out of their balls outside of the Pokemon Center. "How about we continue on our journey?"

The suggestion earns eager nods from both.

"Alright! Let's keep going!"

"There! Lionheart use scratch!"

Lionheart bears his claws and slashes at the lily pad Pokemon. The Pokemon takes the hit and launches a counter tackle. Lionheart skids from the force.

"Go Pokeball!"

Lionheart leaps at the green and blue Pokemon as the Pokeball draws it inside.

One shake. Two shake. Three shake.

"Yeah! We caught a ..." Viata takes a look at her Pokedex. "A Lotad." She picks up the Pokeball. "Let's go to the Pokemon Center first then we'll meet Lotad there. How does that sound?"

"Torchic!"

"Sil!"

They reach the Pokemon Center and fully heal. Viata calls out all her Pokemon.

"Alright let's welcome the new member of our team, Lotad!"

Lionheart bounds up to Lotad and offers a chirp in greeting. Thyme sends out a single spike in greeting. Lotad dances around Lionheart and waves back at Thyme. Viata watches as Thyme turns a shade of light pink. She giggles to herself.

"Well, Lotad, what shall we call you by?"

Lotad dances around the party with unstable but jolly steps.

Viata says, "I know! Teeter tot."

Lotad continues dancing with stumbling steps but twirls when Viata says Teeter tot.

"I'll take that as a yes. Well, let's keep going all!"

They reach Petalburg City. Viata takes confident steps toward the gym but sees a sign posted on the front saying, "Visiting family will be back next month."

She lets out a sigh and looks at the sky. The setting sun ushers in the night with colors as warm as Torchic's flame. Bird Pokemon fly overhead and land in trees bordering the city. Tired chirps and cries carried on the wind whispers reach Viata's ears. She takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. What will tomorrow bring?