Beryl Dreams: Part 7

It's been roughly five billion years, let's post something!

Part 7: Preparations

We finally made it out of the forest.  The sunlight made me squint, but the cool spray of the lake made the heat bearable.  We fought a couple of battles with the Trainers n the shore.

"Zagu, use Tackle!"  a young Lady said.

"Scratch, Daniel!"  I said.  Daniel dodged the Tackle and knocked the Zigzagoon out with a hard Scratch.

"Great job, Daniel!"  I said.

"Thanks."  he replied, burning sparks flying from his mouth.  They landed near Heather and almost singed her silk.

"AAH!" she screamed, jumping back.

"Sorry!"  Daniel said, wincing.

"That's okay."  I said, wrapping Heather in my jacket.  "Looks like we finally have a Fire-type attack.  That's good!"

Daniel's cheeks turned an even darker orange.  "Thanks."

"No problem.  Maybe we should let the others take a turn."

"Can I try?"  John said, jumping onto the ground.

I looked across the lake.  On the bridge were two little girls, twins, battling each other.  I walked over to them and asked for a battle.

"Okay!"  they said in unison.  They stepped back together and sent out their Pokemon: a Seedot and a Lotad.

"John, Tyler, let's go!"  I said as they leaped into the fray.

"Dot, use Bide!"  one of the girls said.  The little acorn started to glow a dull red.

"Lot, use Astonish!"  The Lotad's eyes glowed red.  Suddenly, Tyler cried out in pain.

"Enough!  John, Tail Whip!  Tyler, keep Tackling the Lotad!"

John's tail started furiously shaking back and forth as Tyler knocked the Lotad around.  It soon fainted and was recalled.

The Seedot continued glowing until a burst of white light shot out from around it.  We closed our eyes as the brilliant display...

...fizzled out into nothing.  We stood, staring at the Seedot.

"Tyler."  I said.  Tyler knocked the seed out with one Tackle.

"You guys worked great out there."  I told John and Tyler as we walked to the end of the route.

"Yeah.  I guess once this guy got some experience, he could mess around with me."  Tyler said, nudging John.

"Thanks!"  John said, smiling a giant smile.

We walked into Rustboro together: a boy, two birds, a cocoon, a raccoon, a dog, and a dream.

Pokémon: 5       Badges: 0         Deaths: 0            Current Location: Rustboro City

Beryl Dreams: Part 5

Author's Note: I know I've been posting this on the official Nuzlocke forum.  Sadly, you might get spoiled if you read it there before here.  That said, I will keep posting here.

Part 5: Sparkling Twilight

Daniel pecked me slightly on the cheek.  "Matt?"  he said, a concerned tone in his voice.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Are you okay?"  he asked.  "We've been getting kind of worried."

I sat up in the bed and ran my hand through my hair.  "Yeah, let's go."

In a few minutes, the whole team and I had left Petalburg.  Daniel, Tyler and Heather were walking next to me, while John rode on my shoulder.

The sound of the ocean calmed me down somewhat.  I took a deep breath of the salty air.  It made me miss my old hometown of Olivine.  I remembered the last day we were there.

"Matt!"  she said.

I turned around.  "Mara!"

She ran up to me and threw her arms around me.  "I'm going to miss you."

"Me too."  I said, leaning in to give her a kiss.

"Promise me you'll write."

"I promise.  And as soon as we get settled and the war clears up, we'll probably come back and visit."

"I'll be counting the days..."

"Matt!"  Daniel screamed.  I snapped back to reality.

"What?"  I said.  John was on the ground with everyone, looking up at me.

"You just spaced out and stopped.  Are you feeling okay?"  Heather asked.

"I'm fine.  Really.  Let's just get moving."

"You were thinking about someone, weren't you?"  a voice said.

I turned around.  A small blue and white bird, a Wingull, was hovering behind me.

"Yeah, I was."  I said, tentatively.  "How did you know?"

"You walked out here looking a little nervous and tired, like you hadn't gotten a lot of sleep.  When you smelled the ocean, you looked like you relaxed.  There's no ocean where you could have come from, so you must have thought about another place, probably with another person."

I nodded slightly.  "Impressive."

"And I can't help but notice you guys have a bit of a Rock-type problem.  I could come with you if you want."

I smiled.  "Welcome aboard, Miss..."

"Tiffany."  she said.  John hopped back onto my shoulder and the team, now five strong walked into the grass.

"Now, Heather."  I said, kneeling down next to her.  "We're going to do a lot of training with you today.  Are you ready?"

"Alright."  she said, quietly.

We started to train.  Training involved a lot of training of the others as well, especially in the beginning.  As she grew in power and gained new attacks, she began to take on opponents by herself.  Eventually we fought a youngster on the beach, with Heather taking a prominent role.

After walking him back to Petalburg and healing, we decided to head to the forest.

"Hey."  A boy called as we walked toward the entrance.  He walked toward us slowly.  He was abut my height, though a bit younger, with light blonde hair and a well-tailored blue suit.

"My name is Winston."  he said.  "Would you like to battle?"

"Sure."  I said.

He smirked.  "Very well.  Jigu, show this peasant how it's done."

His Zigzagoon popped out of its Poke Ball, its ginger fur glistening in the pale sunlight.  I sent Heather out.

"Poison Sting!"  I cried, watching the purple barb dig into the prim Pokemon's side.

"Tackle, Jigu dear." Winston said.  Jigu slammed into Heather, sending her flying.  She slithered back to the field, slowly and launched another couple of barbs at it.

"Oh, dear, Jigu, you're poisoned.  That won't do."  Winston said, spraying a yellow-green liquid on it.

"Was that a Full Restore?"  I asked.

"Yes."

"Dude, that's just cheap."

"So what?  I'm rich.  I can do whatever I want, like knock out your Wurmple here.  Jigu, Tackle, please."

Jigu slammed into Heather again, this time sending her flying straight into Tiffany.  She caught her in her beak and set her down gently.

"Easy there.  I'll take it from here."  She sprayed him with a Water Gun while I looked at Heather.

"You okay?"  I asked.

"Yeah."  She said, weakly.  "Maybe healing?"

I smiled.  "After Tiffany beats the snot out of this jerk, we will."

"Matt?"  John said.  "Tiffany and Tyler both got pretty hurt, so I'm gonna fight.   Is that okay?"

"Wait, what?"  I said, looking back up.  Tiffany and Tyler were both on the ground.  Tyler was licking his wounds and Tiffany was struggling along on her minuscule legs.

"How-"

"The power of good breeding, my friend."  Winston said, looking smug as ever.  "Jigu, be a dear and show this common Zigzagoon how a real Pokemon battles."

Daniel stepped in front of John.  "You did not just insult John.  You're going to pay for that."  he growled.

Jigu lunged at Daniel.  Daniel slid underneath, raking a claw on his belly.  Jigu landed in a dazed heap on the ground.

"Tell your bird to stand down!"  Winston commanded.

"Leave the pet alone, Daniel."  I said.  Daniel sighed then walked back to me.  Winston walked over, picked up Jigu, and thrust some cash at me.

"Look, do-"

"Don't say anything.  Just shut up and take the money, you uncouth slob."  He said before marching off to heal his precious pet.

"What a jerk."  I said.

"I'll say."  Tyler growled.  "His primped up pet sure hits like a-"

Suddenly, Heather began to glow slightly.  We all backed up and stared at her as she glowed a bright white.  After a few seconds, the Wurmple was gone, and in its place was a white oval with spikes sticking out of it.

"She just evolved!"  Tiffany cried weakly.

"Awesome!"  I said, picking Heather up and hugging her.  "I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks."  she said.  "Now, can we get some healing done?"

We laughed as we started walking back to Petalburg.

Pokémon: 5       Badges: 0         Deaths: 0            Current Location: Route 104

El Amor es de Oro: Day 8

February 20, 2014

Lena and I walked into the atrium together.  It had been a couple of days since we last hung out together.  I'd been too focused on curling to give her a thought.  But, Max had changed my mind.

"Dude, you have to go out with her."  he said three nights ago when we got back to the room.

"Lena?"

"Yeah, man.  She totally digs you."

"But we have-"

"A game that we're going to lose tomorrow?  Dude, have some fun.  The games are over soon anyway.  You gotta get some digits."

"Alright." I said before turning out the lights.

Now, we were walking together, talking in the main hallway.  The sun was just setting over the Black Sea, turning the sky and water a beautiful orange.  People were hanging out, but it felt less busy than before.  It was as if everyone had taken this moment to watch the sunset and enjoy their time here.

"I'm sorry you guys aren't in the finals."  she said.

"We never really thought we'd get there.  It's fine."

She grabbed my hand gently as we walked.  "It's so beautiful out here tonight."

"Not as beautiful as you."

Even in the orange light, her dark skin blushed.  I'm sure mine did too.  God, that was stupid.  Who was I, Max?

"Thank you."  she said.

Well, it worked.  Thank God.

"You want something to eat?"  I asked.

"Sure."  she said.  We walked over to a small cafe, got two plates of pierogis, and sat down in front of a window.

"This has been the best time of my life."  I said.

"Same here." she said.

"What's been your favorite part?"  I asked.

She looked at me, her dark eyes bright in the low light.  "You."

I scooted over to her and put my arm around her.  She leaned in close to me and put her feet up on a third chair.  We sat there, watching the sun sink lower and lower until it disappeared below the Black Sea.

"I can't remember the last time I saw a sunset."  I said.

"Me neither."

We untangled ourselves and threw away our food.  Then, I walked her back to her room.

"Buenas noches."  I said.

"Buenas noches, mi carino."  she said.  She leaned in and gave me a kiss on the cheek, then closed the door.

I walked in a daze back to the room.  Max and Matt were talking.  I walked in and flopped on the bed.

"So, the date went well?"  Max asked, smiling.

I smiled back.  "You could say that."

El Amor es de Oro: Day 7

February 13, 2014

"Hey."  Max said, clapping me on the shoulder.  "You got this."

I smiled at him, then turned back to the ice.  Tyler and Max were waiting ahead of me, brooms at the ready.  Bryan was waiting down at the end of the ice, showing me where I needed to throw.  It was the final stone, the last shot.

I nodded to all three of them.  They nodded back.  I knelt down and grasped the handle of the stone.

I looked up to the British team on the other side of the ice.  Matt was standing there, watching me while one of his friends talked at him.

He was watching me.  Why?

I looked back to the ice and tried to clear my head.



I took a deep breath in.



I breathed out and pushed off the ice.

The stone and I slid forward, gliding on the smooth ice.  I gritted my teeth, trying to keep my path steady and straight.

I let go of the stone.

Max and Tyler started to sleep as I stopped, helpless to what would happen.  Bryan shouted to them, telling them when to sweep and when to stop.

I took a sharp, harsh breath as they finally peeled away from the ice.  Two stone resounded with a loud CLACK as they stopped in the target.

I sighed and turned back to the scoreboard.

One point.  Nowhere near enough to win.  I looked back to see Matt and his team cheering, celebrating.

I picked myself up off the ice as my team joined me.  We all walked over to the Brits and shook hands.

"Great match."  Matt said, pulling me into a bear hug.

"Same to you."  I said, rubbing my arm where he squeezed me.

We walked out of that arena together.

El Amor es de Oro: Day 6

February 12, 2014

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.  The coffee in my other hand shook slightly with each tap.

Lena opened the door, wearing a tank top and sweatpants.  "Ryan, what are you doing here?"

"I came to bring you breakfast."  I said, lifting the plate of muffins from the ground.

She smiled.  "Come in."

I walked into her room.  Aside from the bags and clothes, it was exactly the same as mine.  I sat down on the bed and placed the plate next to me.  She grabbed it and sat next to me.

"So I saw you didn't do so well."  she said, taking a sip of the coffee.

"Yeah, but it's all leading up to the finals.  I'm not worried."

"I'm sure you'll do great."

"Yeah.  Hey, how'd you do in your game?"

She was quiet for a little bit.  "I got 46th."

"Oh."  I said.  "I'm sorry."

"Don't be."  she said.  "That's great!"

"Oh."  I said, surprised.

"That's better than I did last year."

I smiled.  "Well, that's good."

She set her muffin down and looked at me.  "Are you doing anything later today?"

"Match against Denmark."

"Right.  After that?"

"Probably going to rest up or something.  Why?"

She turned back to her plate.  "I just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out."

I put my hand on her shoulder.  "I'd love to."

"Really?" she said, smiling and looking up at me.

"Yeah."  I said.

She hugged me.  "Thanks."

"No prob."  I said, hugging her back.

All of a sudden, my watch beeped.  "I'd better get going."  I said.

"Oh, okay.  Thanks for breakfast."

"No problem.  See you later."

"Bye!  Good luck!"

El Amor es de Oro: Day 5

February 11, 2014

Max and I got back to our hotel rooms and flopped on the bed.  Two losses in a row had really drained our spirits.  I turned over onto my back and closed my eyes, trying to take a nap.

An hour or so later, I woke up.  Max was still sleeping, but I was starving.  I threw on a jacket and walked out to the cafe.

I poured two cups a coffee, bought a bagel and sat down at a table.  I spread cream cheese on my bagel and was taking a bite when a small Japanese girl walked up to the table.

"Um, excuse me, is that seat taken?"  she asked.

"No, take it."  I said.

"Thank you."  she sat down across from me and ate her muffin.

"You're Lena's friend, right?"  I asked.

She swallowed.  "Yeah, actually.  You're Ryan?"

"Yeah.  Nice to meet you."

"Same here.  I'm Renai."

We sat for a little while, her eating and me sipping.  The event on the T.V. ended and switched to something else.

"Hey, it's biatlon!"  Renai said.  I looked up at it too.

Women lined up at the starting line, skis on their feet and guns on their backs.  They were tensed up, ready to sprint off and compete for the ultimate prize.

"Look, there's Lena, in the back!"  Renai shook me and pointed.  I looked and saw her, goggles and uniform on, ready for the race.

"I hope she does well."  I said.

Renai looked at me.  "She won't win, you know."

"Yeah."  I said.  "I'm pretty sure she does too."

"Then why does she do it?"

"She can compete on the world stage.  If she can do at least a little better than her best, she's happy."  I looked to her.  "I don't expect I'll be taking the gold in curling, but I'm not complaining."

"I guess you're right."  Renai said.  "I guess it's different for me."

I glanced at her sideways.  "Figure skater?"

"Yeah."  she said.  "How'd you know?"

"Just a guess."  I stood up.  "Well, I need to get going.  It was nice meeting you Renai."

"Oh, yeah, same here, Ryan."  she said, turning back to the T.V.

I walked back up to the room.  Max was just waking up when I shoved the coffee into his hands and rubbed his back.

"You feeling okay?"  he asked when I sat down next to him.

"Yeah."  I said, thinking about Lena, up there in the mountains, skiing and shooting.

El Amor es de Oro: Day 4

February 9, 2014

"Ryan!"  I heard her say.  I turned and saw Lena running up to me.

"Hey, Lena!"  I said.  "What are you doing here?"

"I remembered you guys are starting today.  I just wanted to wish you good luck."

"Thanks!"  I said.  Max grabbed my arm.

"Come on, Ryan, we have to go."

"Okay.  See you, Lena!"  I said as the rest of the team moved on.  I ran up to Max and fell into step.

Max playfully punched me in the arm.  "You sly dog."

"What?"

"You somehow got a girl to like you in less than three days.  That takes skill."

I chuckled a bit.  "Yeah, right.  She does not like me."

"I wouldn't be so quick to right this off."  he said.  "It took me a good year to get Tammy to go out with me, and it looks like this Lena chick is willing to date you after a few nights."

"Please.  All we did was hang out at the rink, then get breakfast the next morning."

"Wow.  You already got her on two dates.  That's some hardcore romancing."

"I-"  I stopped and stared at him.  "'Hardcore romancing?'"

"Yeah.  What?"

I shook my head.  "That is potentially the dumbest thing you have ever said."

"At least its not as dumb as what you say."

"Hey!"  I said, hitting him in the arm.  We laughed as we walked out of the village and over to the stadium.

The arena was as expected: long rows of ice, people warming up, seats half-filled.  We set our bags down and started to lace up our shoes.

"Do you think she actually likes me?"  I asked.

Max was silent for a moment.  "It's as good a possibility as anything else."

I smiled.  "Could you maybe..."

"Give you some advice?"  he asked.

"Yeah."

He finished tying his shoes and looked at me.  "First, ask yourself.  Do you really like her?"

"I- I don't know.  I just met her."

"Well, when you figure that out, then I can start helping you."

I finished lacing up the shoes and smiled at him.  "Thanks."

"No problem, bud."  He said, clapping me on the shoulder.

We stepped onto the ice.  Our opponents, the Norwegian team, stood on the other side of the ice, with pants that looked like my grandma's curtains.

"But, right now, let's focus on kicking these Vikings' ass."  I said.

"That's my Ryan."