Luna shivered as the chill of the murky stairwell nipped at her hide. The stone stairs went down into unknown darkness, and each step of her hooves felt heavier than normal. It felt strange to her; the stairwell was cold, unnaturally so. Goosebumps prickling her hide, she found herself thinking about the conversation she had with Tepig and Oshawatt. Maybe she should turn back, maybe they were right. She paused and started to turn around.
That’s when the image of Sepentia’s sad eyes, staring into hers moments before the Pokemon ran from the hut, filled Luna’s mind once more. Gritting her teeth in determination, Luna continued down the darkened stone steps. I won’t give up. She needs me.
***
One Hour Ago
***
Osha Oshawott? [Are you really going?]
Luna lay sprawled upon the floor, fiddling with a strange contraption. It was a log that had been shaven to a conical point, while the inside had been completely hollowed out. Currently, the little filly was futzing about with a metal cage she had constructed and was busy fitting it to the inside of the long, wooden cone. Luna paused from her tinkering to give a quick reply.
“Yep.”
Osh? [Why?]
Carefully inserting the metal cage, Luna used a makeshift hammer to form it to the sides of the hollowed log. In the center of the cage was a steel bucket, set directly in the middle of the opening, just under the lip. She paused to wipe her brow, now satisfied with how it was set.
She turned to stare at the Oshawatt for a moment in silence. She wanted to tell him; about what happened shortly after Tepig’s speech of how Seperpentia would be back and going after her would be dangerous. About the red message box that only she could see, appearing before her. About what it had said, the choices it had presented:
What will you do?
1)Go After Her.
2)Wait for Serpentia’s Return.
Luna wanted to tell him about the text box, but she knew he wouldn’t understand. This world, as lively as it was, was the setting of a game. At least to her knowledge. The Poke’mon that dwelled within it though, to them it was their world. Even if she told him, he, no-doubt wouldn’t be able to comprehend it. The decision she had made:
What will you do?
2)Wait for Serpentia’s Return.
“I feel as if I have arrived at a crossroads of destiny. I could stay and wait, or I could go after her. The choice is mine, but regardless of which I choose, it feels like the other option will be closed off to me forever.”
Oshawott stared at her in silence for a moment before quipping.
“Osha Osh Osha, Oshawott?” [Like choosing between fish and clams for dinner?]
Luna looked at the baby sea otter in disbelief, before laughing and nodding.
“Yes, exactly like that.”
Now clearly pleased with itself, Oshawott smiled and tapped the shell on its chest confidently. After a moment of what could be considered bragging, Oshawott then pointed at the strange device Luna seemed to be intent on finishing.
“Osh, osha?”[What’s that?]
“A flashlight.”
Oshawott stared blankly at her. Luna laughed and began to explain.
“It’s like a more permanent version of Tepigs flame. See, the ember goes in this iron bucket and its light is focused by this glass lens right here…”
***
Clicking a button on the side of the torch, a bright light shone from it, illuminating the way down. She grinned and followed the staircase downwards. It wasn’t long before she came to a rusted iron gate above which she could make out the words ‘Game Over’.
Looking through the bars of the gate, Luna could make out rows and rows of markers. This must be the graves of those who lost the Nuzlocke. If I’m not careful I could end up here as well. Now to find her.
Sneaking through the corroded gate was quite easy; as one section was completely rusted away. Making her way past the countless tombstones, each larger than her filly form, she searched frantically for the Snivy. She was about to open her muzzle to call out, when a strange skittering, scratching sound was heard across the coarse, rocky ground. Startled, she lost her concentration, causing her jury-rigged flashlight to clatter to the ground.
As the cylindrical device rolled on the ground, the light illuminated something Luna hadn’t seen; a metal sign.
Luna leaned closer to examine the odd sign. The edges of the pressed steel were curled and deteriorated as though melted by some highly corrosive substance. What in the name of my silvery moon…
Her eyes had fallen upon the strange image of a monstrous creature, having two spindly legs jutting from the left-side of its large body with part of a smaller section connected to it. Above the destroyed picture was a strange ‘WARE’ written in all capitals. The lettering had been painted, in what could only have been likened to the crimson smear of blood, appearing to have dripped while drying long ago; as though painted in a hurry.
The appearance of such a sign amidst the already grim atmosphere caused Luna to feel a wrenching feeling within the pits of her being. Was the scratching of claws on the coarse graveyard floor getting closer, or was it her imagination? Her breathing had unconsciously increased, and now she could see the cold trails of it, as though her very soul were attempting to flee her body. What was it about being underground that gave her such uncertain pause? I am the Princess of the Night! I have no fear of the…dark?
Her body went rigid, as a fresh wave of shivers raced down her spine; the sounds of clawing and scraping had stopped. Directly behind her. Her eyes went wide as she struggled to focus her mind, just enough to use her magic to grab the flashlight. Lifting it up she slowly turned around, holding her breath with her face frozen in a grimace of fear. Finally turned all the way around, her light shakily illuminated...nothing. The little filly let out a squeak of relief and took a heavy breath before noticing the hole in the ground at her hooves.
“Urk!”
The hole was massive, at least 14 hooves in width, and just as large in length. Looking at the edges of the pit, Luna noticed they had been...chewed? Urging her little legs to stop shaking, she leaned over the edge and looked down into the depths of the large hole, she let out a tiny whimper; it was like staring into the Maw of Tartarus, itself.
Quickly she turned away the opening, her hoof suddenly brushing against a strange object. Swiftly, she lowered her light to dance across the surface of the odd object. Her breath died in her throat; she knew that shape. It was a small keychain; the same one that Serpentia had desperately tried to hide from her sight earlier, and one she hadn’t been without.
Luna gulped, any hope of returning to the light above soon, had vanished. A red box was once again staring her in the eyes. The sweat rolled down her cheek as she stared at the choice presented:
1)Explore the Hole and Continue the search for Serpentia. (Leap of Faith)
2)Turn Back.
She didn’t like this. Perhaps it was being forcibly reverted to her youth but for some reason, that hole terrified her. The dark was not her ally in this world. I don’t want to… Her eyes narrowed in fierce determination. That image of the Snivy in tears as she fled once more filled her sight. I don’t want to die! She took a deep breath and made her choice.
2)Turn Back.
She grinned as she tensed her hind legs, a wild glint in her eye as she leapt into the hole. The darkness engulfed her as she fell into its depths. The Lunar Princess fears no darkness. I can’t falter now, and I won’t turn back. She’s waiting!