Ghostly Shadows Traviata: An Alpha Sapphire Nuzlocke

Chapter 10: Sacrifice

Viata blasts through Victory Road and loses Lanka. She adds Sleek back onto the team. She barrels through the Elite Four and enters the Champion's area.

"I was wondering when I would get to battle his daughter." Steven stands with his back toward Viata. "So it comes to this." He turns around and walks down the stairs. "Now, you must face the Champion, me."

Viata clenches her fists. "Tell me first. Did you know my father?"

Steven flinches. "Yes."

"Do you know how his death impacted my mother? She suffers from deep depression and has hatred against him for not returning. And I hate you."

"Fine. Let us try to understand each other through battle."

Steven sends out Skarmory and Viata sends out Kabuki.

"Annihilate it, Kabuki!"

The cool cosplay Pikachu makes slow, deliberate moves that spark with electricity. With a powerful thrust, the Pikachu releases a surge of electricity. The Skarmory takes the hit and fires back with glowing wings. It careens into Kabuki and sends her flying. Kabuki finds her balance and sticks the landing. Wasting no time, she fires off another surge of energy that fells the iron bird.

"Your hate is strong but not your own!" Steven yells. "Go Aggron!"

Another iron-plated Pokemon appears from the white light. It stands on two legs and is covered in armor. Viata withdraws Kabuki and sends out Teeter Tot. As Teeter Tot finds his footing, the ground shakes beneath him. He regains his footing and does the hula before launching a counter surf. In one hit, Aggron falls.

Steven sends out Cradily next. Viata switches Teeter Tot out with Kabuki. As Viata makes the switch, the Cradily releases a ball of poison at the incoming Pokemon. Kabuki takes the hit but it leaves her breathing heavily. Viata applies a Full Restore to Kabuki and Kabuki takes the Giga Drain with ease. Kabuki launches an iron fist at the Cradily. It fires another Giga Drain and Kabuki launches another Meteor Mash. The two continue to exchange blows until finally the Cradily goes down. However, Kabuki is left struggling to stand.

The next Pokemon Steven sends out is Armaldo. Once again, Viata applies a Full Restore to Kabuki as the Armaldo unleashes an iron claw. Kabuki endures the hit and fires back with an iron fist of her own. The two continue to exchange blows. After many Full Restores later, Armaldo falls to Kabuki's onslaught of Meteor Mashes.

Then, Steven sends out Claydol. Viata withdraws a staggering Kabuki and releases Scarelet. As Scarelet lands, a psychic barrier formulates. Scarelet attacks with a claw that oozes hatred. The Claydol barely holds on and launches an Earth Power. The earth opens underneath Scarelet and launches a mixture of molten rock. Scarelet holds on, strikes again, and the Claydol goes down.

Finally, Steven sends out his Metagross.

"Let me relieve you of that hate!" Steven grips his pin. "Metagross I'm counting on you! Use Meteor Mash!"

Mega Metagross prepares both arms on its right side. Mega Scarelet rushes in with a Shadow Claw. They release the two attacks at the same time. An explosion erupts. White smoke covers the entire field. Viata and Steven wait. As the smoke clears, both Pokemon still stand. Time stands still. The smoke lazily clears. Mega Scarelet twitches, then collapses.

            Viata feels the hatred leave her being.

            Now, she faces the ultimate choice. All her Pokemon sustained damage or cannot take a hit from Mega Metagross. She realizes she needs a sacrifice. Without a sound, Thyme flaps forward and faces Viata. She snuggles Viata, then goes onto the field. Viata stands in shock and watches as Thyme willingly sacrifices herself. The Full Restore never felt so heavy in her hand. Sorrowful drops fall from both their eyes as Viata applies the Full Restore to Kabuki.

            "Mega Metagross use Meteor Mash!"

            "Thyme use Bug Buzz!"

            Mega Metagross lands the Meteor Mash with a sickening crunch. Thyme sails backward and splats against the wall. Viata doesn't look at the splattered remains and calls out Kabuki.

            Two Discharges later, they win but not without sacrifice.

            Viata slowly approaches the splattered remains of Thyme on the wall. She takes out her Pokeball and attempts to recall her, but the red glow recalls nothing. Viata kneels at the foot of Thyme's corpse and leaves an offering of tears. Teeter tot does a solemn dance, weaving among Viata's tears.

            Steven walks over and kneels next to her. "I'm sorry about your Dustox. I'm sorry we couldn't hold back."

            Viata raises her head and looks at Steven. "She sacrificed herself for us."

            Steven stands. "That's very true. She sounded like a brilliant and compassionate Pokemon."

            "She was. She really was." Viata stands. "Steven, what happened to my father?"

"Your father died when my Mega Metagross launched his Mega Aggron backwards. The Mega Aggron crushed him to death and his whole team perished with him."

"So it wasn't intentional?"

"Not at all."

"But why did you cover it up?"

"Trainer's dying during the League Challenge is exceptionally rare. If anyone found out, Trainer's would get discouraged or the people would riot against the system. Many bad things could happen."

"Sacrifice one for the many. I understand." Viata sucks in a breath. "But you need to tell my mother."

Steven and Viata fly back to Petalburg City and land in front of Viata's house. Viata's mother rushes out and hugs her daughter in a death grip crying, "You came back!"

Viata nods and separates herself from her mother. She gestures over to Steven. "Mom, Steven has something to say."

"Well, let's talk inside." Viata's mother ushers them into the house.

Steven retells the story and Viata reassures him that she understands.

Viata's mother knocks over her chair. "Well, I don't!"

Steven stands. "Ma'am—"

"No! The League must announce his death to the world. If this truly was an accident, then the League has nothing to fear!"

Steven sighs, "We will announce his death on one condition: do not speak to any reporters."

"No. I will speak to them and tell them the story!"

Viata places a hand on her mom's shoulder. "Mom we need to let him go."

Her mother breaks into tears. Viata hugs her mother and turns her headtoward Steven and mouths, "Deal. We'll not talk to the reporters."