Forums » Art & Creativity » Random Nuzlocke Journal Thing

Prologue: The Birth of Nuzlocke

The region of Unova, another new region discovered by the people of the Pokémon world. So many were blown away by its refreshing and beautiful sights, cities that change with the environment, and new and undiscovered Pokémon. However, even though it was put under a positive light, many members of other regions weren't so fond of Unova. People cried out that most of the Pokémon look like everyday objects, making them seem so unoriginal and bland, like they have with previous regions. This outrage was heard from all over, and caused the Unova region to plummet into something a bit more sinister...

Yes, everything still looks the same in the region, but it's all masked by this caring facade. Here, and in other regions that suffered the same fate, Pokémon were bred to kill. Innocent creatures were transformed into beasts of utter destruction, all thanks to the immense amount of battles Trainers were having, each battle raising the stakes higher than the last. Eventually, one Trainer flat-out murdered another’s beloved Pokémon. Instead of punishing them or them feeling immeasurable guilt, both Trainers felt surges of adrenaline filling them entirely. They told everyone they knew about the experience, how blood-pumping it was, how tense it makes you feel, how strategic it makes you become, how amazing it felt. Soon after, the trend was a worldwide hit, Revives and Max Revives were considered banned but would make lots of money, and Trainers felt more attached to their Pokémon more than ever before, while others treated them as slaves. In fact, they’ve made an entire scripture stating the rules of this “Nuzlocke Challenge,” as everyone called it.

1. Any Pokémon that faints is considered dead, and must be released or put in the Pokémon Storage System permanently.
2. Trainers may only catch the first Pokémon encountered in each area, and none else. If the first Pokémon encountered faints or flees, there are no second chances. If the first encounter in the area is a Double Battle in dark grass, Trainers may choose which of the two Pokémon they would like to catch.
3. Trainers must nickname all of their Pokémon, for the sake of forming stronger emotional bonds.
4. The Dupes Clause states that no duplicate Pokémon may be caught as your first encounter.
5. A black out/white out ends your journey, even if there are Pokémon left in the PC.
6. Trainers can use only Pokémon they have captured themselves, meaning traded Pokémon, mystery gifts, etc., are prohibited, but they can accept Pokémon that are received freely from NPCs.
7. The Starter Pokémon is based on the Trainer ID number. If the last number is 1-3 the player starts with a Grass type, 4-6 is Fire type, 7-9 is Water type, 0 is the Trainer's choice.
8. Trainers cannot switch out when an opponent’s Pokémon dies, but they can during the fight.
9. Legendary Pokémon cannot be caught and/or used.

All Trainers must have a copy of this them at all times after they choose or capture their first wild Pokémon. This was the first thing I’ve ever read when I was a baby. I guess my Mom was also part of the Nuzlocke when it was popular, but every time I bring it up, she scolds me. “Don’t you ever bring up that horrid thing again,” she would screech. I never understood why she’d act like that. Unlike her, I’ve always wanted to try this Challenge. My friends and I have made a promise for when we become Trainers of our own, we would travel the world together to become the best by defeating the Pokémon League. So many years have gone by since then, and I wonder when I’ll ever become one…


Chapter 1: Trainers

I sit on a chair I pulled from downstairs, looking out the window from my room. I stare into quaint town of Nuvema Town. You know, I never understood why there’s like less than 10 people, 3 houses, and a lab here. Isn’t that a bit weird, how there’s almost no housing for what I guess is an “overpopulated” town? As I ponder on why my home town has such a meager number of housing, I notice a woman, much older than I, wearing a cyan lab coat with light brown hair with a swirly bun on top. Her eyes were a light green color and filled with knowledge. She’s had a constant, yet kind smile on her face, as she held a navy blue present, wrapped together by a lime green bow. She entered my house, and I headed downstairs immediately. I can see my mom discussing something with this mystery scientist. She gave the box away, and left the house. Mom took a deep breath, sighed heavily and whispered, “Arceus, why did this have to happen…?” She turned around, having almost of a melancholic look on her face. She noticed my presence, looking quite surprised to see me. “Oh, dearie, what’re you doing here?” I responded, “I wanted to see what was going on. What’s in the present?” Mom sighed again, this time she looked even gloomier. “Look and see for yourself.” She opened the lid of the box and revealed 3 red and white balls. “Poké Balls?!” I almost yelled. I started to get excited, thinking that I’d finally get my first Pokémon. My mom stopped me before I could even touch the box. “Now, Cole, listen; there’s something you should know,” she said, as she led me upstairs. We both sat down on my bed, after placing the present on my table. “Look, I understand you’re 14 and that’s old enough to have your first Pokémon and,” she paused for a moment. “…participate in the Nuzlocke. But this will ruin your life.” I was puzzled. “What do you mean, Mom?” “You see, when I was about your age, I used to think that the Nuzlocke gave me purpose, a reason to be the best, a reason to live. Instead, it destroyed me as soon as all my Pokémon died to the Pokémon League. I felt devastated, and when I had you, I didn’t want you to suffer through that awful feeling of losing everything you cared about as a Trainer.” Mom then started to weep, hugging a pillow with a grip of a Conkeldurr. I tried to comfort her, hugging her and saying, “It’s alright, Mom.” To be honest, I felt sad for her; to see every Pokémon you’ve grown to love and care about just be gone from your life in a blink of an eye. She continued to speak while her eyes were still tearing up. “I understand if you still want to do this, don’t let me stop you. I just… I just wanted to warn you.” She then got up from the bed and headed downstairs. I turned to the present, a heavy sensation enveloping me every time I look at it now. The feeling suddenly disappears as I hear someone stepping up the stairs. “Hey Cole,” the voice greeted me. I could see a young lad around my age, wearing glasses, a cyan overcoat, black jeans, greenish-blue and black formal shoes, and a white shirt with red stripes. His face looked so intellectual with his blue eyes, black hair, and stern face. “Hey Cheren,” I replied to him. “What’re you doing here?” Cheren stepped towards the center of the room, but not before having his attention caught by my present. “I heard from Professor Juniper. We can have a Pokémon?” I nodded, “Yeah, I think so. We’ll finally become the Trainers we’ve dreamed of.” Cheren kept looking around the room, and occasionally downstairs. After a few minutes, he broke the awkward silence; “What's keeping Bianca?” As soon as he said that, we both heard someone dashing up the stairs, and we turned to the source of the noise. It was a girl, same as our age, with blonde hair and green eyes. She’s always had a smile on her face, and sports an orange vest, white dress and long skirt, orange stockings, and yellow sandals. “Am I a little late?” She asked. “So-oooo-orry!” Cheren sighed a little. “Bianca… I've known for ten years that you have no sense of time, but…seriously… Today's the day we can get a Pokémon from Professor Juniper!” Bianca walked up to us, very apologetic. “I know, sorry you two.” After that, she resumed to her normal flighty self. “So, where are the Pokémon?” I pointed to the present on the table, now being a gateway to a new life. “I should get first pick, since they were delivered to my house,” I stated. The two friends seemed to agree with me. Cheren replied with, “Naturally. The Pokémon are waiting for us inside that gift box. OK, Cole, you go first and take a peek at the gift box. I want to meet the Pokémon right now!”

I nodded once again, ordering the both of them to take out their Trainer Cards. As I did so, I flipped the card over and looked at the last number of my Trainer ID. “I got a 2,” I announced. Grass-type it is, then. I approach the gift box and notice that there’s a note on it. “I’ve brought three Pokémon, one for your and one for each of your friends. Please settle your choices politely. Enjoy your Pokémon! –Professor Juniper” Huh. So that was the mystery lady. I observe the 3 Poké Balls and take a look at our Starters. Snivy, the Grass Snake Pokémon, Tepig, the Fire Pig Pokémon, and Oshawott, the Sea Otter Pokémon. I took the Ball with Snivy inside, and held it in in the palm of my hand. It felt so smooth as I handled the shimmering ball. It wasn’t just a Poké Ball I held, now that I think about it. I was holding physical proof that I am a Trainer. I’ll decide on Snivy’s name later, since Bianca and Cheren still haven’t chosen. “Alright,” she said. “Since I have a 7, I get Oshawott, and Cheren, you have a 5, so you get Tepig.” Everyone’s chosen a Pokémon. “So, that’s that,” Bianca stated. “Hey, let’s have a Pokémon battle!” “Already?” I asked. “Honestly, Bianca… Even though they're still weak Pokémon, you shouldn't have Pokémon battles inside a house,” Cheren pointed out, shaking his head in disapproval. Bianca turned to him, acting all huffy. “Don't be a worrywart! These little ones are weak, like you said. We have to let them battle so they'll get stronger. And besides, we won’t each other’s’ Pokémon!” She turned back to me, her eyes fiery with determination. “It's settled, Cole! Get ready for a Pokémon battle!” She held her Poké Ball high into the air, as I shook my hands, as if to postpone it. “W-wait a second,” I stammered. “What if we lose on the first battle? I mean, they’d be dead before we would even begin the journey!” Bianca took a moment and lowered her Poké Ball to think about the possible consequence of their possible first and only death. Cheren spoke up, “He has a fair point. Let’s vow to not kill each other’s Pokémon.” Bianca smiled at the both of us. “That sounds like a great idea.” I raised my Poké Ball, ready for action. “Alright then! Let’s battle!” We tossed the Balls at the center of the room, sending out our Pokémon, my Snivy against her Oshawott, Sheldon. Our battle consisted mostly of Tail Whips, Leers, and Tackles, but in the end, I was victorious! “The Pokémon on both sides did their best!” said Bianca. Clearly, she doesn’t mind losing. …I wonder how that’ll affect her Nuzlocke Run.

As we finish our battle, Bianca exhaled in ecstasy. “Wow…” She said. “Cole, you’re gonna be an awesome Trainer someday, I can tell! No doubt” I chuckled slightly, blushing at her kind words. “Heh, thanks…” Cheren caught our attention once again once he spoke. “Uh… Bianca, would you take a look around?” We did as we were instructed. The room was a mess; everything was cluttered and there were footprints both on the floor AND the walls! We were taken by surprise at the sudden chaos that simple Tackles and Tail Whips could do. Bianca was, no doubt, the most astonished. “W-Whoa! What happened?! Wow! Pokémon are amaaaaazing!! So little, but so strong!” She giggled. “I’m so glad I get to have a Pokémon! …Oh. Um, sorry about your room, Cole.” I shook a single hand; “No worries. It’s not that big of a mess.” Cheren then walked between the two of us. “You…are completely hopeless,” he told Bianca coldly. “Here, I’ll restore your Pokémon for you.” He took out his Potion and Ether and sprayed it on Sheldon. He turned to me next. “Cole’s Pokémon needs to be fixed up, too.” He sprayed his medications on my Snivy as well.

Just then, Bianca burst out her next idea onto us. “Hey, Cheren! How about you battle, too? With all you know, I’m sure you can battle without turning the room into a disaster area like I did,” she laughed. Cheren looked at her with a grin on his face, and the same burning passion as Bianca did when battling in his eyes. “I believe you’re right,” he concurred. “It'll be no problem for me to keep the room from getting any messier. Besides, it's not fair if you two are the only ones who get to have fun battling!” He turned to me. “It's decided. You'll be my opponent… in our first Pokémon battle!” He tossed His Poke Ball into the center of the room, shouting, “Let’s see what you can do, Arnge!” I tossed mine as well. Again, the battle consisted of Leers, Tail Whips, and Tackles, and again, I was victorious. Cheren exclaimed, “Ah, so that’s a Pokémon Battle!” We called back our Pokémon, now exhausted from the fight. “I made a strange blunder in my first battle,” Cheren said as he adjusted his glasses, “but, this feeling I have… I’m finally a Trainer.” “We’re all Trainers, now,” I said.

“We’d better apologize to your mother about this messed-up room,” Cheren reminded us. And so he headed downstairs, just as Bianca remembered and almost losing her nerves, “Oh! I’d better come, too!” She speeds by, following Cheren, leaving me to myself. I had no choice but to head downstairs, where a conversation between my Mom and friends was already going on. “I’m very sorry about all the trouble, ma’am,” Cheren spoke for us. Bianca timidly stepped forwards beside Cheren. “Well, um… We can clean up.” Mom exhaled, looking slightly less depressed than before. She managed to even grin a little. “Cleaning up? No worries, I’ll take care of it later. Shouldn’t you be on your way to meet Professor Juniper?” Cheren beamed, “Yes, thank you! Please excuse us.” He turned to me and Bianca. “Come on. Let’s go thank Professor Juniper. We’ll be waiting for you in front of the Pokémon Research Lab.” Just then, Bianca looked like she remembered something. “Oh! Wait! I gotta go home first!” She ran out the door, screaming to Mom, “Thanks for having us over!” And just like that she was gone. Cheren followed suit, only slower and much more composed. After they left, Mom walked up to me, still trying to smile, as if it was a challenge. “Lively, aren’t they?” “The battles?” I questioned. Mom nodded, reminiscing of the past. “Reminds me of my first Battle.” She then looked into my eyes, sternly. “Listen to me. No matter what happens, ALWAYS rest your Pokémon. And make sure to call your mother from time to time.” She handed me an X-transceiver, the latest in communication technology. It’s basically a watch with a camera that acts like a phone. “Thanks, Mom,” I uttered. I stated to head outside, and heard my mom whisper “Be safe.”

I stepped into the outdoors, feeling the cool winter breeze by and a small flock of Pidove fly away. I notice Bianca heading towards her home, and decide to follow her. I knocked on the door first. No response; however, I do hear some bickering between two forces going on, one’s Bianca and the deep shouting voice must belong to…

I entered the door, pretty much ignoring the meaning of privacy, only to hear “No, no, a thousand times no!” Yep. Her dad. Figures. I understand he’s trying to be overprotective, but it seems to me that the guy hates anything relating to Pokémon. Bianca, tearing up a little, would whimper. “B-But, I’m… I’m a good Trainer who got a Pokémon and everything! I can totally go on an adventure.” She tried to turn to her mother, who was cleaning the dishes, but instead spotted me standing in front of the door, awkwardly. She strained to calm herself, trying to reassure me. “Oh… It’s OK.” I tried to question her what was going on. “…It’s fine! I’ll be waiting for you in front of the lab, OK?” I nodded in response, and she left the house, her parents, standing there.

I trotted through the small town, eventually reaching the Juniper Pokémon Lab. There, Cheren had his arms folded and leaned against the wall beside the door, while Bianca continued to stare at her Pokémon. “Made it,” I chirped. “OK! Let’s go meet the Professor,” Cheren proclaimed. We entered through the door. The lab, from the inside, appeared to be like a technological library; and Juniper stood facing the door. “Hi there,” she would greet us. “I’ve been waiting for you!” She tried to introduce herself again, but was stopped by Cheren. “Professor Juniper. We know your name.” Juniper glared at him, firmly lecturing him, but still managing a smile. “Come, come, Cheren! This is not a time to take things lightly. Today is a day to remember always, so it’s best to behave with some formality.” She introduced herself, what she does, yadda, yadda, yadda. She noted that we’ve already had a few Pokémon battles. “It feels as if your Pokémon are beginning to trust you.” I take a look at my Poké Ball, almost seeing my Snivy through the metallic surface. He looks around, making faces at everyone around him. How naughty… “Now as per Nuzlocke rules,” Juniper continued. “It is mandatory to name of all your Pokémon. Have you all done so?” Cheren and Bianca bobbed their heads in assurance, while I just stare at Snivy continuing to be naughty and trying to think up a name for him. Our eyes then lock, as the mutual understanding between is developing. “Charley,” I say. That’ll be his name from now on. “Excellent,” Juniper commented. “Now, as for why I gave all of you Pokémon…” Cheren interrupted her again; “It’s for the Pokédex, right?” Juniper seemed impressed through his extensive knowledge of the Pokémon world. However, Bianca stared at him, completely in the dark about what a Pokédex was. “Let me explain everything from the beginning, for everyone's sake,” Juniper stated, as she turned and stepped to the table behind her, grabbed something, and turned to us. In her hands, 3 red and black, calculator-shaped devices. “The Pokédex is a high-tech device that automatically records the Pokémon you encounter! I’ll give one for each of you.” As she handed each Pokédex to us, we thanked her. “Next,” she would speak again. “I need to teach you how to meet Pokémon. Meet me at Route 1.” And she strolled away.

Once us 3 friends exited, we found Mom standing in front of the doorway. “So, what did the Professor have to say?” She asked. “Well, she asked of us to go out into the world and capture Pokémon; you know, standard Nuzlocke rules,” I answered. Mom sighed, still trying to grin. “I knew this would happen. Here,” she gave us some Town Maps. “I’ll let everyone know that you’re gone. Have a great trip,” and she smooched me on the cheek and walked away, back to home.

We strolled to Route 1, where Cheren and Bianca stood side by side. Bianca excitedly called me over, and pushed me to stand right between them. “Cole, Bianca says if we’re starting a journey, she wants us all to take our first step at the same time.” To me, although it seems a bit arbitrary, it was perfect for us. “OK, here we go,” said Cheren. Bianca counted down. “One, two…” We all stepped forwards at the same time; a rather symbolic start, if you ask me.