Aftermath: A nuzlocke Pt.4: Roxanne

Rustboro city was massive. At first, Erica thought she might faint from the sight of it all. Buildings rose tall around her, casting shadows upon the town. Children ran in the streets, laughing as small pokemon that many city folk kept as pets weaved between their feet. Students from the famous Rustboro trainer school were scattered here and there, laughing and talking in small groups. There were also restaurants; something Erica had never seen. Back in Littleroot, everyone cooked at home.

"Wow," she whispered, trying to take it all in. Fell cowered next to her feet, shaking and looking around every time he heard something. Sasha came up beside him.

"Chill out, will ya'?" she said, nudging him. Fell shied away, making Sasha roll her eyes, amused.

Fakir glanced at her, "You seem oddly kind. Not at all like how you usually are," he said.

Sasha shrugged, "You've only seen me directly before, after, and during battles. They get me all worked up. Guess you could call it a sort of bloodlust," she smirked, "but I'm normally pretty calm."

"Huh," murmured Fakir, narrowing his eyes. He wondered if she was playing some sort of game, but let it go. Fell didn't look convinced, and continued to hide behind Erica, who was still staring blankly at the city. People walked past her, giving her looks and muttering to one another. Fakir chuckled and leapt back onto his usual post on her shoulder. "It's a city. Very big, and very pretty, yes, but we're here for something, right?"

Erica nodded, still staring, "Uh, yeah, gym, gotcha'."

Fakir sighed, tapping her on the head, "then how about we look for it?"

Erica nodded, shaking her head, and began to walk. Sasha and Fell followed behind. The buildings in Rustboro all looked very similar, except for the familiar blue and red tops of the Pokemart and Pokemon center. Fell eyed the Pokemon center longingly, dragging his paws. Sasha saw this, and decided to voice what he was too afraid to say, "Erica, we're tired," she said bluntly.

"What?" Erica asked, looking at the brown-and-white pokemon, "oh, right, I guess we haven't slept." She was disappointed. She had wanted to get the Gym over with before she had any second thoughts, but she was smart enough to know that tired pokemon wouldn't fight well. "Alright," she said, "We'll rest at the Pokemon center."

***


The team ended up sleeping until noon the next day, only to be woken up by the nurse. She informed them that they had to leave so that she could make the beds for trainers the next night. Erica didn't see the issue, since they had been the only ones there the previous night, but she got up without a fuss regardless.

Outside, she walked in the direction that the nurse had told her the Gym was the night before. Sure enough, it was in plain sight. In width, it was the largest building in the town; twice the size of the pokemon center. Erica called Fell and Sasha back into their pokeballs, knowing that she would only need Fakir here. The green pokemon shifted on her shoulder.

"Erica; Sasha and I talked about it last night, and we want to give your idea a try," he informed her. Erica looked at him in surprise.

"You said it was a stupid idea."

"It is," Fakir confirmed, "but in a way, you're right. I think you may be on to something here, and I think that it's at least worth a try. If only to teach you a lesson."

Erica smiled, and grabbed Fakir off her shoulder before hugging him. He chuckled, wiggling out of her grip, and climbing back onto her shoulder. She laughed. Then, feeling more confident, she opened the double doors and entered the gym.

The waiting room inside was empty aside from a middle-aged man snoozing on a chair. As the doors slammed shut behind Erica, he leapt to his feet and walked briskly over to Erica. "Hey, champ in the making, how are you doing?" he said, shaking her hand, "I'm Clyde. Pleased to meet you. I assume you're here to fight Roxanne?" he talked very fast, and didn't give Erica time to reply before continuing on, "of course you are. Hand on a minute, I'll get her." He ran off through a door in the back wall. He returned a moment later, "Come on," he said.

Erica smiled wearily and followed him. On the other side of the door was a large arena. There were unoccupied stands for people to watch on either side of it. Facing Erica from the other side of the arena was who appeared to be the Gym leader. She was a young girl, maybe Erica's age. She dressed nothing like Erica, though, sporting a long, blue dress in contrast to Erica's red tee-shirt and blue jeans. She frowned, feeling rather improper.

"Hello, trainer!" she called, waving eagerly. Erica smiled and waved back. She hadn't expected the gym leader to be this cheery. She had honestly expected someone standing calmly on the other side of the room, arms crossed. Not like this.

Noticing Erica's confusion, Clyde said, "We haven't seen a trainer in some time."

Fakir replied before Erica could, "Well, that's no need to act like that. It's utterly unprofessional," he complained.

"Can we do this, please?" Roxanne shouted.

"Alright!" Erica cried, "Come on Fakir, stop complaining and get ready."

Fakir smiled, "Now we're talking," he said, jumping down onto the arena, "throw out all the geodudes you want, Roxanne!"

His comment didn't seem to effect Roxanne in the slightest, and she eagerly sent out a Geodude. Fakir laughed, "Too easy!" then he focused. As he did so, a green aura formed around him and the Geodude, draining the life from it. However, loyal to his agreement with Erica, he stopped when he was sure it couldn't fight for now, but wasn't permanently damaged.

Erica was satisfied, "Well done, Fakir," she praised him. He nodded, grinning.

Roxanne wasn't fazed, and she sent out her next pokemon immediately; a Nosepass. The cleaner came to take away her presumably dead Geodude. He flinched as it moved, but decided to remove it from the field despite not being dead.

Fakir chuckled, seeing the Nosepass, "Might want to try some new tricks, Roxanne." He then performed the same ritual he had with the Geodude. When he though it was knocked out, he stopped. The Nosepass was much stronger, though, and not yet ready to give in.

Fakir cried out in surprise as a giant boulder hit him from the side. He flipped backwards, but recovered and landed on his feet. The Nosepass gave him a smug look, angering Fakir even more. He concentrated, a green aura appearing around him and the foe once again. This time, the attack lasted longer, and the Nosepass fainted.

"Still too easy," murmured Fakir, turing around and walking towards Erica, ready to reclaim his spot on her shoulder. Roxanne began to walk across the arena as well. Suddenly, Fakir paused, looking confused, before he suddenly started to glow white. Erica's eyes grew wide, and a smile spread across her face. She had seen video footage of evolution before, but seeing it herself was a million times more exciting. Fakir suddenly grew much taller, a long leaf growing from his head. Then, the glow disappeared, and a grovyle stood in front of her.

"Guess sitting on your shoulder's out of the question?" he asked, forwning. Erica was still smiling broadly.

"No, sorry." Fakir grinned now, too.

Roxanne waved to get her attention and handed her a shiny brown badge, "Congrats on the victory, and your pokemon evolving," she said cheerily. "That was a great battle, I'll be calling Brawly about you for sure."

"Thank you," Erica replied politely, staring at the badge. Her smile grew even broader as she stared at it. She knew that there were seven more to go; each more difficult than the last, but she was hopeful. She was hopeful that with the support of the pokemon, she would make it to the pokemon league. There was not a doubt in her mind that this was true.