A game of life and death. One chance to conqueror it all, or perish in the process. Also known as The Poke'mon Nuzlocke. And when Princess Luna starts one on a game cartridge made by Dr. Wondertainment; the game mode takes on a horrific new meaning.
A game of life and death. One chance to conquer it all, or perish in the process. Also known as The Pokemon Nuzlocke. The rules are simple:
1. Name your Pokemon to grow attached. 2. You can only catch the first pokemon you encounter on each route, in each cave and waterway. 3. If your Pokemon faints, it dies and must be removed from the party. 4. When your team wipes, it's a game over. 5. In order to win, the player must beat the League Champion of the Elite Four.
And when Princess Luna starts one by accident on a game cartridge made by Dr. Wondertainment; the game mode takes on a horrific new meaning. Especially when winning may cost her everything she holds dear.
The human stared at the staircase in disbelief. He had fought his way through the Elite Four and now to complete the Nuzlocke, the champion awaited; staring down at him with a cold glare.
“You wish to challenge me, Trainer?”
A five-foot-tall Equine-like creature stood before him, around her barrel a belt of six Poke’balls. The creature had a flowing midnight blue mane and tail that seemed to house the very stars in the night sky. The fur on its body was a rich Navy Blue and it’s flank boasted a curious design of a crescent moon in space. That’s not what startled him the most; what grabbed his attention were the pair of six-foot-wide wings that were flared, each the same color as the fur. The creature spoke again, a very harsh, feminine voice issuing forth.
“Have you come to challenge me, Trainer?”
The trainer stared in shock at the strange spectacle before finding his voice. Shouting up to the mare, he declared.
“I have! My name is Ash from Pallet Town and I am going to be a Pokemon Master! I hereby challenge the Pokemon League Champion to a match!”
The strange creature grinned and nodded.
“I, Luna; Champion of the Pokemon League, accept your challenge, child.”
At these words, torches along the walls ignited in a bright black flame, and Luna leaped from the staircase to land before the challenger, her hooves crushing a human skull with an audible crunch.
“This room will be your tomb. Go Serpentia!”
Her horn glowed a bright blue and from her belt flew a Poke’ball; releasing the most battle-forged Serperior, Ash had ever seen. Scars, cuts, and burns decorated its hide as it slithered onto the stage, it’s massive green coils poised to strike, while venom dripped from its fangs.
***Many Years Ago***
“Happy Birthday Princess Luna!”
It was Luna’s 1500th birthday, and all of Equestria had shown up. Thanks to some special help from Twilight, Sunset Shimmer had even managed to attend. The Cakes had baked a marvelous creation of lavender and rosebud-iced black forest cake; which stood almost one story tall. The presents were piled to the sky, brought by dignitaries and creatures from beyond Equestria. There were musical theatrics and even many party games provided by none other than Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich. It truly was a celebration like no other.
And that’s when Luna discovered video games. The gift Sunset had brought was revealed to be a strange device; something Sunset referred to as a handheld, a rather popular electronic device amongst the students of her high school, she said. Much to Luna’s delight it also came with a single cartridge, a game called ‘Poke’mon Forever Version’ made by Dr. Wondertainment.
After the festivities came to an end, Sunset took some time to teach Luna how to use her magic to activate and play the device, even giving her a few tips and tricks; having mastered the game, herself.
“Alright so first you want to weaken it, and then open your bag and select a Poke’ball. Yeah, just like that! Good Job!”
It didn’t take long for Luna to get in the groove and she played for hours and nights on end. Within a year she had mastered the game herself, and though she enjoyed it, she found it a bit lackluster and needed something to make it a bit more exciting.
That’s when she noticed an option on the start menu she hadn’t remembered seeing before. It was written in the same font as the rest, though the word was not one the Princess had ever heard or seen before. She spent the better part of one minute attempting to sound it out.
“Noose-luck...no that’s not right.
“Nuzzle-ock, that can’t be it. Hm…”
“Nuz-lock? Wait, what’s goin-”
As soon as Luna spoke the last pronunciation attempt the world around her glowed brighter and brighter still, until it was so bright she had to raise a hoof to shield her eyes. Out of impulse-driven fear, Luna closed her eyes and flailed her hind-hooves out, slamming them into something hard and a sound of splintering timber followed.
“Young lady! I know you are excited about your tenth birthday, but that is no reason to break your furniture.”
That voice was soft, warm, admonishing, and familiar. A voice Luna hadn’t heard in well over 1000 years. It can’t be. Her eyes flew open to reveal none other than her mother, Faust standing there, beaming at her.
“Mo-mom?”
Seeing her mother again, had Luna choking back her tears. The last time she had gazed upon the First Alicorn, Celestia and she had laid the elegant mare to rest, after ten thousand years of a blessed life; next to her beloved in the village where the two had hailed from originally.
“I suppose I can let it slide, because today is your big day, after all. It’s not every day you get your first Poke’mon. Oh, how exciting! Anyway, get your gear, breakfast is waiting on the table and- oh!”
Luna had leaped from the bed to hug Faust only to find herself tumbling to the floor. In confusion, Luna stared at her limbs and realized they were one-third the size they had been. My legs, what, why am I so small?
Faust rushed to her side and gently nuzzled her comfortingly.
“Oh sweetie I know you’re excited, but be careful! I couldn’t stand it if my little fillies got themselves hurt on their journey.”
I don’t understand. What filly is she talking about-
That’s when she noticed her reflection in a nearby floor mirror. What in the-Luna couldn’t believe it. She looked exactly as she did at age 350.What Cursed Magic is this? She was a little filly Unicorn once more. That’s when she realized something else. She said Poke’mon. How does she know about Poke’mon? While Luna sat there being hugged by her mother, Faust continued talking to her.
“Your sister, of course, has already gone on her way, as soon as the sun rose. Celestia always was a morning pony. Anyway, I know you are more of a night mare-”
Pausing, the Alicorn chuckled at the pun, before continuing.
*Snort* “-and so I let you sleep in a little, but if you don’t hurry all the starters will be gone! I’m not supposed to say anything, but Celestia was quick to choose Tepig as her first. Your sister always did admire the fire-types after all.”
“Mom-”
Luna immediately found her words cut-off as Faust continued speaking to her, gesturing around the bedroom at various items, Luna was positive, weren’t there a moment ago.
“Your backpack is on your chair over there, and on your bed, you’ll find your outfit.”
Now, however, a saddlebag rested upon a computer chair while a sporting outfit lay upon a now-perfectly made bed. Even the splintered bedpost had apparently mended itself. On the folded clothes lay a sun hat. And stranger still, as Faust gestured at the objects, they appeared to shine as though indicating she should look at them.
“Make sure to change into your Trainer outfit before you come downstairs, after all, I picked it out especially for you. C’mon now, sweetie! The Professor is waiting. You need to hurry, you don’t want to be late.”
With those words, Faust turned and elegantly walked out the bedroom door, closing it behind her. Instinctively, Luna tried to follow, only to find the door wouldn’t open. As she struggled with it, she heard her mom call out.
“Don’t forget to put on your new outfit and grab your bag before coming down the stairs, sweetie.”
After a few more failed attempts to open the door, and receiving the same advice each time, Luna turned around to get a good look at the room. It was a bedroom, her bedroom. What’s more, it was decorated exactly as it had been when she was a filly back in the Alicorn Village where she was born. The only differences were the clothes and saddlebag.
Further inspection of the clothing, caused Luna to feel a sense of Deja Vu. The outfit was a summer dress that was midnight blue with a silver sparkling crescent moon on the side, directly where her cutie mark was located. The sun hat had a midnight blue weave, with a silver-colored band about the middle. Looking in the mirror, Luna blinked in disbelief.
The outfit was none other than the one Luna had customized for her character in-game every time she was in the City of Goldenrod’s Couture Boutique of the Johto Region, only it had been fitted and measured for her equine figure.
She couldn’t help but smile at the sight, it looked just how she imagined it on herself while playing. Looking over at the saddlebag, she couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t the basic bag, it was the upgraded version she normally crafted with the cloth and metals found in Snowpoint Temple in the Sinnoh Region. The saddlebag was woven to have the appearance of the stars shimmering in the midnight sky.
Placing it in position on her back with her magic, Luna heard a strange clicking sound behind her. Whirling around, the filly found the bedroom door had swung wide open to reveal the stairway down to the first floor. Though Luna was slightly off-put by the strange scenario, she felt sure her mom would explain everything, and so she ventured down the wooden steps.
Descending the stairwell, Luna’s ears twitched at the sound of a television and laughter.
“This report was brought to you by the crew of Jubilife TV. Tune in next time!”
As soon as Luna’s hooves touched the bottom step, the TV was switched off and Faust rose from a comfortable-looking sofa and approached her.
“Oh, you look so adorable! At first, I wasn’t sure about the design, but I can see why you requested it. It fits you well. Now before your journey begins, I do need to read you this letter that arrived for you.”
Requested it? Letter? What is she talking about? “Mom, what’s-”
Clearing her throat, Faust seemed to ignore her and examined a letter that she suddenly held in her hooves.
*Ahem* “We of Dr. Wondertainment would like to thank you, for taking such an interest in our product. As you have entered this game mode, meaning you have spent many thousands of hours playing and replaying it; no doubt the game is delighted at such use.-”
“What do you mean ‘entered the game mode’? Wait, the game is delighted, what game?”
“-Over the past year, the game has listened to your joy and thoughts as to the storyline, with your accomplishments and defeats. As such it has designed and created this special mode, complete with its own storyline, customized and tailored to uniquely reflect your desires-”
“Hold on, what’s going on, mom?”
“- The following restrictions have been put into place: 1) Every Poke’mon you obtain must be given a nickname-”
Mom, what is Dr. Wondertainment? What is going on?”
-2) You can only catch the first pokemon you encounter on each route, in each cave and waterway.-”
“Answer me. What’s going on?”
“-3) If your Pokemon is defeated, it will die and the corpse must be disposed of before continuing.-”
“Mom!”
“-4) If you are defeated in a Poke’mon battle, either wild or trainer-based, you will die.”
“Die? What do you mean die? Mom, what is this game mode, what is going on?”
“-5) To win, you must defeat each of the current Elite Four champions of the Seven Regions.”
“Please answer me!”
“-These rules must be adhered to once you obtain your first Poke’mon. On behalf of the game, We of Dr. Wondertainment hope you enjoy your Nuzlocke.”
Luna froze. Did she just say Nuzlocke? Faust blinked.
“Hm. That seems to be all it says. Would you like me to repeat the rules of the Nuzlocke?”
***Present Day***
Luna glared coldly at the mangled corpses of Poke’mon before her; pieces of the unfortunate Pikachu lay strewn about, as though it had been torn apart by large teeth violently and aggressively.
Off to the side, lay the still form of a Greninja; skin blackened, rigid, and still crackling from receiving the brunt of a lightning strike, the ground around it charred and broken from the impact.
The Talonflame at her hooves lay weakly fluttering as the terrible poisoning, inhibiting it, slowly ate away at its lifeforce. Pinned against the nearby wall, thanks to enormous spires of rock jutting from the floor, was a Salazzle. The tips of the rocks protruding from its back.
“N-no this can’t-”
Luna stared in silence as the Talonflame’s weak motions ceased and the bird lay still, its eyes open in death; empty and soulless.
“No! We’ve come so far. I can’t just-”
The young man before her fell to his knees in disbelief. Frantically, he unslung his backpack and searched its contents, desperately searching, for any answer. Alas, there was none and he hung his head in defeat. Luna’s cold and cruel voice was then heard.
“What a pity, hardly a challenge worthy of me. What a waste of time. Serpentia, it’s feeding time. Return, Devourer.”
The Toxipex; a massive eight-armed crown of thorns starfish, that had finished off the Talonflame, vanished once more into its Poke’ball, while the Serperior reappeared once more; slithering up to the remains and swallowing them whole, one by one. It turned its head to glare at Ash once all the corpses had been attended to.
Ash's nerve failed him and he turned and ran towards the open door to the room, only to watch it glow light blue before slamming shut in his face; only inches from safety.
“You’ve lost, child.”
Turning around, his eyes dilated in fear, and with his back pressed against the sealed entrance, Ash watched as the Serperior slithered towards him.
“And so you will die. After all-”
Luna closed her eyes as the massive serpent opened its jaws and lunged at the unfortunate soul, listening as he screamed one last, strangled scream.
“-That is what it means to lose a Nuzlocke, Ash from Pallet Town.”
***Many Years Ago***
Luna stood there, staring at Faust processing what she just said.Okay so magic transported me into the Poke’mon game; this has to be a special feature or something Twilight-Oh, so that’s it! This must be a special feature Twilight and Sunset made just for me, oh those mares are so sweet. What a wonderful surprise! Now sure she understood what was going on, Luna broke out in a wide smile.
“Yes, mom. I would love to hear the rules again, please.”
Luna stood in the middle of the strange town she apparently called home, staring at a large sign, attempting to read the unfamiliar text that was carved into it.
Above her, in the sky hung a golden harvest moon; which was strange, considering she had set the in-game clock to 11:00 AM when asked. It hung over the town like a glowing orb of calming light, watching, almost as though it knew something she didn’t. The town itself was hauntingly quiet. Luna had been unable to find a single inhabitant; in fact, the buildings seemed completely empty, as if abandoned. The laboratory of the supposed Professor had been dank, musty, and seemingly unused in decades, judging by the thick layers of undisturbed dust. The only thing she had been able to find was a lone Poke’ball, laying on the dusty, rotted floorboards.
In the beams of the moon above, the ‘S’ in the town’s name seemed to weave and sway almost like a snake. As Luna watched, the letter slowly became more elaborate; scales filling in the form of a sinister serpent. It wasn’t long before she swore the ‘S’ had become a hissing Serperior, its serpentine glare focused on her. A bright red eye had appeared and seemed to study her before shining brightly.
Luna stared at the town name in complete disbelief as, once the glow faded from the eye, the letters on the sign began to stretch and twist; until they formed Ponish and she could read the sign with perfect ease:
Town of the Serpent’s Moon
“She slithers through the Forest of Eternal Night, watching. Waiting. Our Guardian.”
How ominous. Luna thought about the strange town, how the buildings were decrepit, old, and rotting. How, once she had left her supposed home, she had turned to ask her mom something she forgot, only to find the door was hanging off its hinges and the house abandoned and rotting away. Even the air of the town felt slightly frigid, a cold breeze whistling softly in her ears. It was eerie and unsettling, dark and a little grim. And she loved it. This game really has been listening, oh, how exciting. I have to make sure to thank Twilight and Sunset for such a thoughtful surprise.
Luna’s main problem with the original storyline starter town had been that it seemed so unreal to her. Why would some legendary protagonist hail from a well-kept and wealthy town where everything was sunshine and rainbows? Wouldn’t they be more apt to come from nothing in the middle of nowhere, to rise up and seize their status? And why was the starter just given to them? Surely, such a heroic figure would be able to obtain their own?
Luna grinned. The idea of such a grim origin excited her. Turning from the sign towards the lone road leaving the town, Luna noticed it wound like a snake into a thick, darkened forest of pine trees, illuminated just barely by the moon’s light filtering down from above. That seems like a promising place to get my starter. First, however, I should prepare.
Examining the Poke’ball she had found, Luna discovered the core was rusted and the opening mechanism would only open 25% of the time she tried it. One use, I could attempt to use it as is, or I could attempt to repair it. That is if the parts even exist in town. Hm.
One of the features Poke’mon Forever Version had that Luna instantly loved was the ability to brew your own potions, remedies, weave clothing, and craft survival items, through an intensive crafting system. The shops sold only materials and common ingredients, while the rarer ones had to be found in nature or other possible resources.
Luna tried to bring up the standard crafting menu, but there was none. No commands, no button prompts, no recipes; there was absolutely nothing to assist the crafting process. She blinked. That’s odd, this is definitely a craftable item. Perhaps if I try... Luna used her magic to fix the ball, and nothing happened. It didn’t seem affected at all. That’s strange. Luna attempted to use her magic to lift the ball; it worked just fine. Hm. I wonder...
She attempted once more to mend the core with her magic and once again, nothing happened. I can lift with it, but I can’t repair it. Could it be, that because I have hooves, the game allows magic to be an extension of my physical body, but won’t allow for me to use it to fix or mend? If that’s the case-
Luna looked around her and noticed a stick lying nearby. She grinned. Perfect. Her horn glowed and she aimed her magic at the stick, which lay five hoof-lengths away from her hooves. She frowned. Nothing was happening. The realization hit her, and she stepped two hoof-lengths closer to the stick and tried once more.She nodded in understanding as the stick rose effortlessly. I have to be within a normal trainer’s reach to pick up an object. So my magic acts as a trainer’s hands in the most literal sense. I see. I’m sure Mrs. Heartstrings would be delighted.
Luna smiled. The thought amused her. She carried the stick by way of levitation over to where the Poke’ball lay and tapped it against the ball. Again, nothing happened. Luna frowned. Hm. Now what?
***
Many hours later, Luna sat next to a roaring campfire in the town of Sawol, satisfied. In her bag lay the fully-repaired Poke’ball, a carved wooden screwdriver with both a slot and Phillips head and curiously enough, an oaken club that was laden with nails in the head and embedded with sharp, tempered glass.
In front of her lay an empty Potion bottle, and two Oran Berries. Around her lay a large wooden door, missing its hinges and ripped off a nearby building, a rusted, lead pipe; that had apparently been ripped out of some kind of plumbing fixture, six sharp wooden sticks with various alterations, and a tiny ball of lead.
Nearby, windows had been shattered, and a couple of buildings had broken furniture in front of them; including a chair that apparently had a leg missing. Laying by that furniture, a sharpened, serrated piece of metal lay; seemingly used to disassemble the furniture.
Luna’s ear twitched as the faint rustle of bushes reached it. Not hesitating for a moment, she slowly opened her bag, and using her magic and gripped the handle of the spiked mace. She heard the soft growls and calmly readied her weapon. From within the Forest of the Eternal Night, they emerged; five snarling wolves broke cover and raced towards her, snapping and biting as foaming at the mouth, the Mightyena hungrily charged towards her.
Luna slowly rose to her hooves. She held the spiked mace aloft, the embedded glass shards sparkling in the moonlight, while the spikes created by the nails, twinkled with hints of silver in the firelight. She grinned. Luna had heard them earlier in the day and had made the weapon just for them. They’re bigger than I thought. Mightyena, huh? All right then. Let’s see, which is worse. Your bite, or my mace!
Just as she was about to swing it, however, five vines as thick as the Mightyena themselves, snaked out from within the darkness and wrapped around each Mightyena’s midriff stopping them in mid-charge. Luna’s jaw dropped open, as one moment the Pokemon were charging towards her and the next, they were snapped backward, yelping in pain before vanishing into the dark forest once more. Angry growls and frantic barking were heard.
The angry growls and barks changed to yelping and strangled whimpering, as though they were being constricted by something large until the sounds of five separate sets of bones snapping were heard and the dark forest fell silent once more. Luna felt a shiver run down her spine. Two shining red eyes, each the size of her, hovered right where the Mightyena had vanished. Luna nearly wet herself, as a loud hissing was heard, before the eyes vanished, once more. Luna looked down at her homemade weapon, eyes wide and shaking uncontrollably. She muttered darkly to herself as her legs gave out, and she fell to the ground.
“Needs to be bigger.”
***
A few hours later, Luna lay on her back staring up at the night sky. It was gorgeous, and to say the least, it wasn’t every night she could gaze upon a starry expanse she had not created. The shimmering twinkle of those sparkling, dancing lights wasn’t what she was focused on, though. So I’m stuck here, huh? She lazily levitated a bow she had crafted after disassembling the mace. Looking at it, she analyzed her craftsmanship.
It had been made of hewn pine, hardened over the campfire, coated in liquid resin to form a scratch-proof finish. It was two pieces of wood with a cord wrapped around the middle to connect the two. Each possessed a slot in the ends.
They had been connected by a dowel to form an arc where the cord was wrapped around it, while she attached a resin-coated string, to provide tensile strength. The wood had been inlaid with the same sparkling glass shards.
In the two slots, a pair of carved wooden handles could be seen resting. They were attached to two hunting knives, crafted from the same pine and featuring two separate faces. Each had a skinning edge, for slicing through, while the other side was jagged and serrated; for gutting and lacerating her targets.
Without moving, she turned her head to gaze at the wooden wall of a nearby house; a single sharpened stake lay half-embedded into it, a testament to her bow's effectiveness. Likewise, the nearby furniture lay in pieces, sawed, sliced, and splintered by her knives. She sighed and thought about earlier. About the monstrous vines ensnaring the attacking Mightyena. About how scared senseless she had been. She shivered. Those eyes. Those crimson red eyes, they stared at me, through me. She shook her head trying to stay positive.
She had prepared, after all her bag now held a potion for minor wounds, created by placing the Oran Berries in the empty bottle and dropping the small lead ball inside. Using her magic she had shaken it at hypersonic speeds, practically melting the berries into a purely liquified form of berry juice.
She had also crafted a stack of arrows consisting of 90 arrows; made of sharpened sticks. They were fletched with the feathers of some rather unlucky Wingull that had flown too close to the town earlier that day.
She sat up and watched the waves of the cliffside beach roll in, her nose having smelt the scent of fresh seaweed. She licked her lips and rose to her hooves, her stomach gurgling for the last hour or so. Practically galloping to where it lay, she levitated some and quickly made her way back to the fire. Placing a few pieces on some sharpened stakes, she eagerly roasted the seaweed to decrease the saltiness within.
It wasn’t long before she was nibbling on the toasted fronds, occasionally glancing towards the woods. The town had been built on a beachfront, next to a wide expanse of water, Luna could only presume to be the ocean; judging from the scent of the salty air and the strange finned-wildlife she saw lurking in the semi-transparent saline water. It was clear to her that it was just too large to attempt to cross at that moment. There was no way around it, the only way to leave the town was through the forest.
Swallowing the tasty morsel, Luna heaved a huge sigh, levitating the massive bow onto her back. She rose to her hooves, the woods towering above her, in eerie silence. She took a step and stumbled as she fell into a large imprint in the sand. Looking down, Luna’s blood ran cold; it was the pawprint of the leading Mightyena. Once more, the scene flashed before her eyes.
I don’t want- She shook her head, and gritted her teeth as they chattered at the thought. She didn’t want to go in there. For once in her life, Luna was truly afraid, but that didn’t matter. She knew she had no choice, but to enter the forest. She rose to her hooves once more, and slowly forced herself to move towards the forest. I don’t want to-
Luna refused to stop, her fears ran wild in her mind, telling her to stop, to turn back. She took another step. I don’t want to- She had made all possible preparations to give her the best possibility of survival. I don’t want to d- She took another step, almost there.
I don’t want to d- She would survive, she had to. I don’t want to die! She stepped slowly into the forest and narrowed her eyes. She roared aloud in defiance.
“I will not die!”
The forest was silent in reply. Her chest heaved in and out as she panted, from the mental effort to enter the strange woods, Lua’s ear twitched as a sound reached it. Her own voice echoed back to her in the darkness. Over and over, it sounded, the last word ringing through the silent trees, as though heralding her would-be fate.
“Die!”
She shivered in the darkened woodland. For among the word she heard something else. The sinister sound of hissing off in the distance and a cold-blooded voice barely whispering.
Luna winced as the cold, clammy, slick feeling of mud from the forest floor squelched under her tiny hooves. Her barrel heaved in and out, as she galloped at full speed, without any clue where she was going. Her eyes darted side to side in a panic. She was looking for somewhere, anywhere to hide. Come on, think Luna!
Her nostrils flared as she bellowed in exhaustion. Behind her the sound of trees toppling over could be heard, while beneath her hooves there were intense vibrations and quaking; it was getting closer. Those eyes. I have to escape those eyes!
Completely focused on finding a place to hide, Luna failed to look straight ahead and slammed head-first into a solid rock face that was covered in vines. Falling, dazed from the impact, she winced as she felt the warmth of blood trickling down her muzzle. She knew however, there was no time to cry about the pain. Looking furiously around, she saw a small crevice, just barely wide enough for her. Problem was, she couldn’t crawl through it, no, she would have to slide.
Staggering to her hooves, her muzzle throbbing in pain, Luna dazedly took two steps back, just as the ground ten-hoof lengths behind her erupted in a spray of soil. The unearthly screech of the beast filled the air. There was no time to think, Luna instinctively ran straight at the rock, letting her body drop to the side as the vines that had burst from the mud reached for her. Closing her eyes, Luna slid into the pitched-black crevice as the vines slammed into the rock.
Opening her eyes, she realized there was no ground beneath her, and Luna plunged into the depths of the unknown. And as the chilling wails of the enraged creature tore through the air above her, they grew fainter and fainter still, before they vanished completely. And still, she fell.
***
Luna felt a strange sensation of warm liquid washing over her after minutes of endless falling. The stinging impact caused her to shakily open her eyes. She was in a pool of water, an underground spring, in the middle of a massive subterranean cavern. Quickly, she struggled to reach the surface of the water. Breaking the Waves, she let out a whoosh of breath and greedily gasped for air, before glancing up.
She noticed the hole through which she had fallen and the sparkling of crystalized stalactites, dripping in the glow of an unknown light source. The entire blackened cavern was slowly lit-up by the strange glow, revealing a miniature island nearby, upon which she could swear she saw three statues.
Painfully, she doggy-paddled her way to the island, her body completely fatigued. Sleep...Must... She was so tired. As she climbed out of the water, her head hit the strangely warm sand, and her eyes closed. So tired...Need...Nap… In her passed out stupor, Luna failed to notice three small figures slowly gathering around her and reaching for her, with little hooves, paws, and tiny leaf-like claws.
***
Hrm...Hngh...Huh? Luna wasn’t sure how long she’d been unconscious, but as her eyes groggily opened, she was greeted with a strange sight. She was laying, underneath a blanket of woven leaves, with a bowl of fresh fruit, and another one of clear water beside her. Besides the bowls in a ring of stones, a little campfire blazed and its glow filled her with warmth.
She blinked, and tried to sit up, wincing in pain; before noticing a strange binding of seaweed and kelp wound about her midriff, right where the pain was. What in the… Confused, Luna used her magic to pull the bowl of fruit towards her, before cautiously sniffing it. It smelt fragrant, as though it were just picked. Carefully, she examined a berry within and gently nibbled it. It was crisp and refreshing. Delicious! Greedily, she immediately gorged herself on the rest of the bowl’s contents; eagerly plunging her muzzle into the soft, succulent fruit before gulping down the sweet, cool bowl of water. So good.
Her content expression fell from her face as she examined her surroundings. She was in a strange hut, the walls made of vines. Confusion filled her eyes, as a myriad of thoughts raced through her mind. Where am I? How did I get here? Where did these things come from?
She blinked as a little otter carrying a small bowl waddled into the straw hut, humming to itself. Its midriff was light blue and on its chest was a strange-looking shell. Oshawott? Luna watched in silence, sitting there, as the little Oshawott placed the small bowl beside her. As it put the bowl down, Luna could see it was filled with fresh water, and the little Pokemon quickly gathered up the empty one, seemingly oblivious to Luna, sitting there, staring at the happily humming sea otter.
She smiled at the antics of the creature, as it gathered up the empty bowls. It took a few tries, before the Oshawott, stumbling and dropping the wooden bowls, managed to stack both comfortably in its little paws. Concluding its antics at caretaking, and with Luna watching the scene with amused silence, Oshawott turned to leave. It was just before it left the hut that Luna found her voice, calling out to the adorable sea otter, awkwardly.
“Hey!”
Freezing in place, Oshawott’s body trembled as it slowly turned to face the beaming, smiling face of Luna. She continued, though seemed to have a hard time finding the words.
“Um...I...Thank you.”
What happened next, Luna never understood. Its eyes grew wide, the face of the Oshawott flushed with a bright red as a blush spread across its cheeks. It tossed the bowls up, turning, and darted through the grass door, loudly squeaking.
“Osha! Osha, Oshawott!”
Luna barely had time to blink, before two grassy vines burst through the opening, wrapping around her and immobilizing her. She watched as a tiny pig and a slightly-taller snake-like being with two small legs entered the doorway.
The pig was small and orange, it had a black band around its barrel and seemed to be chiding the strange snake, from which the two vines emanated from. Is that a Tepig? Luna watched the Tepig’s snout flare as it berated her assailant, emitting a cloud of smoke and embers from within.
The snake-like creature was focused on her, however. Its eyes were narrowed, as though trying to appear tough, and rolled its eyes at the Tepig’s chastising tone. It turned to look behind it, where Luna could see the Oshawott cowering.
“Snivy?”
The trembling Oshawott merely whimpered a response at the cold tone.
“Osh.”
The Snivy rolled its eyes again and another vine appeared from its back, this one slapping the Oshawott on the back of its head.
“Snivy!”
Luna was at a loss for words, as the vines holding her were retracted and the Tepig turned to look at her. It seemed apologetic and its voice was oddly feminine.
“Te-Tepig.”
Luna smiled at the adorable gesture the Tepig made and grimaced as the Snivy turned towards the Tepig and gave a mocking tone.
“Sni- Snivy! Snivy, Sni vy Snivy.”
Luna blinked in disbelief. What did she just say? The Tepig was preparing to reply when Luna stamped her hoof.
“I can too, understand you! Why would you say such a thing? Of course I understand you! After all, you’re speaking P...on...ish..”
Her voice trailed off as the two starter Pokemon stopped arguing to stare at her in surprise. The Snivy cautiously addressed her.
“Sni?”
Luna blinked and still a little shaken by the situation, herself, responded.
“Yeah, r-really.”
The little Tepig became excited and began to squeal happily.
“Te-Tepig-Tep! [ Chosen! She’s a Chosen!]
Luna was unsure what it meant, but whatever it was had an immediate effect on Snivy's mood. The hardened eyes of the small serpent softened and welled with tears. Sniffing, she seemed resolute in keeping her voice even as she replied.
“Sni-vy. Snivy Snivy, vy sni.” [Seems so. I need some air.]
Before another word was uttered, the Snivy turned and ran from the hut, pushing past the Oshwatt, tears streaming from her face.
Completely bewildered, Luna turned to the Tepig for an explanation. The look on the pig’s face was grim as she explained.
“Tepig. Te-te Tepig Tepig…” [Serpentia. Out of the three of us, she’s the only one that actually had a trainer.]
“Wait, she had a trainer? What happened? Where are they?”
Scuffing a hoof and looking down, the little pig took a deep breath before explaining the events that had led to Serpentia, the Snivy, being abandoned.
“Pig, Tepi-Tepig Tep-Te, Tepig…” [Every starter dreams of being picked by a trainer, what we call a Chosen. For Serpentia that was no exception. She was delighted when a young boy chose her, a few years ago. The two grew extremely close and were inseparable, though the young boy had a heart of gold.
To get out of these woods, a Chosen must be tested by trial, a fight against the forest’s guardian. Only then could they prove they were worthy enough to proceed on their journey. The trial tests the bond of Chosen to Poke’mon.
The little boy panicked when he learned that the trial resulted in the death of the losers. He didn’t want her hurt, so he put her in her Poke’ball and left her in this grotto. He vowed to return, but like so many Chosen, failed to subdue the guardian.
When we found the Poke’ball, we let her out and followed her as she raced to his side, but it was too late. All that was left was the crumpled, mangled form of the boy that had been her trainer.]
Luna looked to the grass-woven door.
“So is she looking for revenge?”
***
In a cavern beneath the lake the Snivy sat, her back to a large pile of rocks, tears streaming down her face. She wanted to yell, to scream, but it wouldn’t matter. None of that would bring him back to her. The stones were piled around a crudely made marker; of woven grass and branches. Carved into the marker was a single name: Jason.
In the darkness she sat, her vines extended and holding a worn, rusted, and cracked Poke’ball. Why? Why wouldn’t you let me help you?
***
Luna paused and considered the possibility. Those tears, that pain. Luna knew what it was like to lose the chance for closure, to never be able to let go of the past. What she had wanted to tell her sister, what she never said. She whispered.
“Some scars never heal, do they?”
Chapter Three- Forest of Eternal Night: Alcove of Starters/ Graveyard of Failures
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?
1)Go After Her.
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.
1)Explore the Hole and Continue the search for Serpentia. (Leap of Faith)
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!
