Ghostly Shadows Traviata: An Alpha Sapphire Nuzlocke

Chapter 3: Boulder Than Water

Viata and her Pokemon breathe in the salty sea air while standing at the western edge of Petalburg city. Wingull fly overhead and waddle along on the beach. She leads them into Petalburg Woods.

The forest stands over them like legendary Pokemon. Sunlight filters through the dense cover of the trees. Viata and her team traverse through the forest and capture a Slakoth and name him Mochi.

Viata takes this time to train her team.

"Go Thyme use tackle!"

The Silcoon leaps at the Wurmple and unleashes its spikes that send the Wurmple flying.

"Good job Thyme!"

Thyme becomes surrounded by a familiar glow. The light fades away revealing Thyme as a Dustox.

"Congratulations Thyme!"

Thyme stretches out her new wings and flutters. She flaps her new wings with brisk satisfaction as she darts up into the tree canopy. She weaves in and out of the branches. Leaves swirl in her wake as she flies by. Teeter Tot watches her entire flight. Her soaring stops as she lands on Viata's head with a joyous, "Dustox!"

"Glad you're out of that body huh?"

"Dust."

Distant cries reach the team's ears. "Help me! Someone. Anyone! Save me!"

Viata runs in the direction of the screams and stumbles upon a portly man held at Poochyena point.

She stands between the Poochyena and the portly man. "Leave him alone. Go, Lionheart!"

The man in a blue pirate outfit says, "Poochyena use tackle."

"Lionheart use ember."

Orange flames leak out of Torchic's beak as the red glow leaves his appeared form. Mid-air, Lionheart launches bullets of fire at the Poochyena. The Poochyena endures the embers and launches a tackle that sends the Torchic barreling backwards. Lionheart stands as Poochyena charges again toward him.

"Quick! Dodge and use ember!"

Lionheart waits until Poochyena comes close then he jumps out of the way and fires an ember into the side of the Poochyena. The Poochyena goes sprawling as a matted fur mass.

"This isn't the last of team Aqua!" says the pirate man, "We'll be back!"

The portly man introduces himself as a Devon Scientist and thanks Viata for saving him from the Aqua grunt. Viata continues through the woods and reaches a clearing with a flower shop. There she faints a Zigzagoon she wants to capture. She battles the trainers and makes her way to Rustboro City.

Brandon spots her in Rustboro City and runs over. "Hey! You made it."

Viata waves at Brandon. "Yep."

"I'm going to take on the Gym challenge. You should, too, but you should go to the Trainer's School first."

"I'll take the challenge too and was that an insult?"

"No. That was some genuine advice. See ya."

Brendan darts off and leaves Viata alone with her Pokemon in the middle of Rustboro city.

Viata visits the Trainer's School where she learns about type match ups and status effects. The walk to the Pokemon Center feels quick as Viata ponders over something in her mind. She enters the Pokemon Center and heals her team. Once healed, she calls them all out and asks, "How does a new teammate sound?"

The team nods with enthusiasm.

"Alright then, let's head to the next route."

Viata and the team wander in the tall grass for other Pokemon. The afternoon sun beats down upon them as they search. Beads of sweat trickle down Viata's neck and forehead. She wipes away the sweat with a sigh.