“You know Rogue, you really should think about catching more Pokemon. Safety in numbers!”
I groaned. “Dawn, I’ve told you already, I can only catch one Pokemon per route. Ergo, I will have few Pokemon. You got that?”
Dawn giggled and replied, “Oh…right. I knew that. You know, you could catch a Pokemon at Lake Verity. You haven’t seen one there yet, have you?”
Finally, something helpful, I thought. Still, I was embarrassed that I hadn’t thought of that myself. Trying to retain my dignity, I said, “Sure. I can do that.”
Dawn’s face took on a serious expression. “Right. Rogue, there’s some place I have to show you. Come on,” she said.
“Cool,” I replied. “You ready, Maverick?”
Maverick fluttered around on my shoulder. Sure, I guess, it seemed to say. Despite having single-handedly defeated the remaining trainers on Route 202, he still hadn’t quite regained his confidence. However, my plan to retrieve it was slowly getting in motion. I had the item…I just had to deliver.
I tossed my other Poke Ball into the air. “Go, Maelstrom!” Maelstrom appeared in a dazzling burst of light. Maelstrom, too, had made some improvements of its own. Now it seldom tripped over its flippers, and seemed proud of its accomplishment. Despite its newfound skill, it hadn’t quite relinquished its appetite yet. Expectedly, it seemed to ask where its food was.
“Come on, Rogue! I’m waiting…” Dawn had begun tapping her foot impatiently in front of an old-looking wooden building. For such an advanced city as Jubilife, it seemed out of place. I gestured to my companions and we rushed over to Dawn.
Dawn giggled. “Took you long enough, Rogue. Anyway, this is the Pokemon Trainers’ School. It’ll teach you everything you’ll need to know to become a Pokemon Master. Why, even the great Champion--”
“Wait, what was that?” I interrupted. I had noticed a quick movement from behind a nearby lamppost. I glanced at the post, and Dawn followed my gaze. “Maverick, Wing Attack,” I whispered. Maverick nodded and flew off my shoulder to where I had seen the movement. Maverick began hacking wildly at something I couldn’t quite make out.
“Agh, pfft! Cut it out--ahh! Get away, you stupid Starly!” came a series of grunts. Suddenly, a man in a long brown trench coat fell out from behind the lamppost. Dawn gasped and nearly fainted. Maverick flew over to my shoulder indignantly.
“Who are--” I began.
“Don’t play any mind games with me, boy! I know you’ve discovered my secret! Your powers of perception must be fearsome to have unmasked me!” the man ranted.
“But I don’t--”
“Silence! I don’t know how you did it, but you’ve unmasked me as a member of the International Police! Incredi--”
“Sir, I don’t know who you are and I don’t know what you’re talking about!” I said impatiently.
“Oh,” he said. He blushed. “Um, well…this is awkward. Oh, well. Since I’ve foolishly blurted out my secret, let me introduce myself. I am a top agent of the International Police, codename: Looker. I’m on the trail of a regional group of Pokemon criminals known as Team Galactic. Have you heard of them?”
“Um, no,” I said. “But I’m Rogue, and my friend here is Dawn--”
“Yes, yes, very nice. I’ll remember your names. But anyway, if you hear anything about Team Galactic, don’t hesitate to tell me,” Looker interrupted.
Dawn spoke for the first time since Looker showed up. “But how will we know where to find you?” She asked.
“Oh, don’t worry,” Looker grinned mischievously. “I’ll always be close…I’ll see you in the near future, I expect. Don’t talk to strangers, kids!” And with that, Looker dashed off into the streets of Jubilife City.
I smiled at Looker’s unwitting irony. Talking to strangers is pretty much what I do for a living. And besides, didn’t I just talk to a stranger?
Dawn whistled. “Well, wasn’t that creepy? What a strange man.”
“I heard that!”
I looked around for Looker, but he was nowhere to be seen. I guess he didn’t make his boasts idly. Dawn shook her head. “Anyway,” she said, “As I was saying before we were interrupted, this is the Pokemon Trainers’ School. Every trainer, from those first timers--”
“Like me,” I said.
“Like you. Everyone from…well, you…to the Champion has stopped by here at least once. I’m sure it will provide you with information valuable to your Pokemon quest.”
Not when I already know all that crap, I thought bitterly.
“Well,” Dawn said, “I must be off. Professor Rowan’s asked me to come with him to help research the founding legends of Sinnoh. It’s a hot topic these days. I hear even the Champion’s gotten into it. Um, see you later, I guess, Rogue. Oh, wait! I saw your friend…what was his name? Gary?…”
“Barry,” I reminded her.
“Barry…yes. I saw him go in there earlier. He might still be there. See ya!” Dawn said happily.
“Yeah.”
I walked into the school, and all eyes instantly turned towards me. “Um…hi,” I said nervously.
Fortunately, the awkward silence was broken by a familiar voice. “Oh, hey, Rogue! What’s up? I’m just memorizing this incredibly valuable information to my Pokemon quest. You know, if I’m gonna be the Champion, I need to know this stuff. What’s happenin’ with you?”
I rolled my eyes. Typical Barry. “I‘m doing fine. I’ve caught some more Pokemon. But that’s not the point. I have a package from your mother. I’m not sure what it is.” I handed him the parcel.
Barry eagerly ripped open the parcel. “Ooh…a map. Just what I’ve always wanted. Whoopee. Thanks for nothing, Mom!” He sighed. “Oh, well. I guess a gift is a gift. Hey, there’s two in here. Amazing. Despite how radical it is, I don’t need two. I guess you can have it.” Barry in turn handed me the map.
“Thanks,” I said. “And actually, while we’re here we may as well--”
Barry snapped his fingers. “I’ve got it!” he exclaimed. “While we’re here, we may as well have a battle! Meet you on Route 203!” And with that, he dashed out.
“That doesn’t make any sense!” I yelled after him. I slapped my forehead and stalked out of the school after owning some little kids.
Almost immediately, I was greeted by a peculiarly chubby bearded man in a purple sweater. “Hello, random citizen of Jubilife City! I see that you are a Trainer…but you don’t have a Poketch? What madness is this?!? WHAT OUTRAGE! Fortunately, you’re in luck. I’m the chairman of the Poketch Company. As of right now, we’re running a promotional campaign to help spread awareness of this amazing product. It’s simply a necessity for any aspiring Pokemon Trainer. All you need to do is find the three clowns scattered over Jubilife. Then come back to me and I’ll reward you with a Poketch.”
Clowns.
I hate clowns. They’re so creepy…
I grimaced. “Now, listen here, old man! I’m not about to go find three freaks in who knows where. How about you just give me the Poketch now, or I’ll sic my penguin on you! He hasn’t eaten in days…”
Apparently the thought of being attacked by a starved penguin freaked the guy out, because he gave me the Poketch (After mumbling some nonsense about unforgivable crimes).
Satisfied with my work, I ran back to Lake Verity to see what incredible Pokemon I’d find. Really, I knew I wouldn’t find anything special, since there’s only Bidoof and Starly there, and I despise Bidoof (Bibarel more specifically) almost as much as I hate clowns. I have my reasons. Very annoying stories, actually. But this has absolutely nothing to do with my Nuzlocke. Back to the show!
I reached the lake and stepped into a patch of grass where I was promptly attacked by…guess what?…a Bidoof. As much as I hate Bidoof, and as little good as it would to me in my Nuzlocke endeavors, it makes an excellent HM slave. “Go, Maelstrom!” I yelled. I quickly ordered a Bubble and tossed a Poke Ball at the Bidoof. It was no challenge at all, and the Poke Ball promptly flashed red. I thought for a moment, then said to the now-occupied Poke Ball, “I name you…SLAVENO.99. This time the Poke Ball didn’t quiver. Apparently SlaveNo.99 didn’t like its nickname. “You’re staying in there,” I told it.
I quickly ran back to Jubilife, ready for my rematch with Barry. I selected a Pokemon from my bag and tossed it into the air. “Go, Maverick!” Maverick screeched triumphantly and dived to my shoulder. I healed up at the Pokemon Center, then headed out to Route 203.
“Hey, Rogue! What took you so long?”
I groaned. “Barry, I was gone for ten minutes. It wasn’t that long.”
Barry thought for a moment. “Sure it is! Let’s get down to it--I’ve caught another Pokemon, and I think I’m ready to stomp you to the ground! Let’s do this!”
I looked over at Maverick. “You ready for this, buddy?” Maverick nodded cautiously. But that was about to change. The final stage in my plan to restore its confidence had begun. I knew it would take a major victory to bring back its surefire attitude, and this was just the win.
Gary grabbed a Poke Ball from his belt and tossed it into the air. “You got this, Starly!”
Maverick visibly grimaced. Its last failure had been against a Starly. However, I knew Maverick had every advantage in this confrontation. I had no doubts that Maverick would emerge victorious and unscathed.
“Maverick, Wing Attack!”
“Starly, Quick Attack!”
Okay…maybe we weren’t going to come out unscathed, but we’d win this.
Starly rushed forward at the speed of lightning and smashed into Maverick. Maverick shrugged it off and knocked Starly out of the sky with a powerful Wing Attack. It was a no contest. Starly was OHKOed by the brute force of the blow. Maverick soared into the air and screeched a challenge.
Barry groaned. We both knew this match was over. Reluctantly, he grabbed his final Poke Ball and tossed it. “Go, Turtwig,” he said dejectedly.
“Maverick, Wing Attack!”
“Turtwig, Tackle!”
The match was over before we knew it. Turtwig sprawled out, fainted. I walked over to Barry and extended my hand to him. He took it halfheartedly, then pointed a shaking finger at Maverick. “What is it?” I asked.
I turned around--
--and saw.
Maverick began to glow with blinding light. The light intensified until it was unbearable to look at. I closed my eyes, but even then the light glared through my eyelids.
When I opened my eyes, Maverick had changed. He was no longer a disheartened, tiny little bird. He was now a strong bird of prey, radiating confidence.
Maverick had evolved into a magnificent Staravia.
]. (Note that I'm assigning genders to all of my Pokemon.) I quickly stomped Gary and his new Eevee and headed out onto Route 1, where I met but could not catch a Rattata, due to a lack of Poke Balls. I headed into Viridian City, got the Oak's Parcel, and brought it back, getting the Pokedex from the Professor in exchange for it.
], which is at least much more useful than a Pidgey or Spearow at this point. I then continued onto Route 2, where I met Yuto [Pidgey 
