Nuzlocke: Hearts of Gold and Souls of Silver

“You think you have things under control uh? You know how they say: The higher they get, the harder the fall.”

“How do you feel Phoenix?” I asked, looking to the new form my one of pokemon had just acquired.

“Feeling new.” She replied. She was now looking like an lion with the stripes of a tiger, something I myself liked a lot. “Feeling much more faster, and surely more powerful.”

“That is how evolutions work, girl. You clearly grew more powerful than the form that you had when I found you in that route and you agreed to join me in this adventure.” I finished my explanation with a smile in my face. “Now you all come here because I'm going to hug you all, because you all did great in that stadium.”

Pulse, Scout and Phoenix all gathered up side by side in front of me, and I immediately lifted myself on my two rear hooves while I used my front ones to group us all close in a big bear hug. I could see they were all exhausted from the big competition, but with the organized teamwork they had, and with me keeping a close eye on them so I could switch them up, we were able to win. I also feel like this experience helped us grow a lot, since I learned more about the connection I have with my team.

Which also reminded me of the mare that explained it to me. She left without giving me much about her, but I have the feeling it won't be the last time I saw her, but it's going to take a while to the next meeting, I just feel that. And specially a mare like her, it will take a while to forget.

“Atlas! Atlas!” I heard my name being called from behind me. They were followed by the sound of the stadium doors closing. The voice was the usual voice of my loyal friend Blackburn, and his (probable) marefriend, Violet. Cutting the group hug short, I got back in my four hooves and turned to see the rest of my friends.

“Atlas, you did great out there in that stadium.” Violet told me, showing a bit of enjoyment over the show me and my pokemon had given to the crowd.

“Yeah, you sure smoked those other competitors out there.” Blackburn added. “If you end up failing to win this competition, you might as well become one of those poke-athlete.” Followed by his usual sarcastic laughs.

I somehow felt like this was the best we have ever been on this game yet. I mean, we aren't losing many friends and the next gym was ery close to us now. To tell the truth, I had pokemon with advantages over the next four gyms, so all I had to worry about was the other trainers I'd meet on my way.

Yeah... the trainers I'd meet on my way, and the ones I'd re-encounter.

“Thanks guys, the support you guys gave me out there really helped me keep it up.” I said, smiling. Seeing them cheering up for me from the crowd really did help.

“So,” I said as I looked back to the road. “We going to Ecruteak City?”

“Of course.” Blackburn replied. “Seeing it is the home of the next gym we need to take out”

“What type are we going to be facing on that gym?” Violet asked curiously. “I mean, you guys been through this before, so...”

“We will be battling ghost type pokemon.” I answered. “I would recommend you to use your Houndour, seeing dark type pokemon is effective against it. ”

“I see.” Violet replied. I turned my back to her so we could start walking out and head for the National Park. “Hey Atlas...”

“Yes?” I stopped to see what Violet sought from me. Blackburn stood by her side.

“Your leg with the the wound. How is it?” Violet locked her eyes to mine, making me nervous as to what say next.

“My leg... it's fine, I can walk and I think we won't have to worry about it.” I calmly replied, while hanging my hoof in the air for her to see. “I think it can hang in there until we get to Cianwood.”

Violet kept her eyes locked at the wound, keeping the same face, but I could see she was worried, and looking at Blackburn, he was worried about me too. “Just keep a look at it, we don't know how dangerous a Beedrill's venom can be to a pony.”

“Don't worry, I had time to rest, I don't think the venom would stay flowing in my body like that.” I replied.

“We are just a bit worried, as usual.” Blackburn continued. “Doesn't hurt to worry, does it?” He finished with a smile. I smiled back and put my hoof back on the ground, turning around and calling my pokemon back to their pokeballs.

“Yeah, it doesn't, but right now we should get going to arrive at Ecruteak before sunset.” I told them as I started walking all the way back. They gladly followed me and so we went directly to the National Park.

Minutes later, we arrived at the National Park. We were quickly welcomed by a sing that said:

"No trainer battles in the Park area."

I took a moment to look around, and it was very similar to the a park we had back in Canterlot. A fountain, surrounded by grass areas (but this time it was tall and very tall grass), with some paths and benches for ponies to enjoy a calm time and enjoy the moment. If we weren't in such a hurry, I bet Blackburn and Violet would enjoy staying for the sunset. Maybe we could come back another day...

As I walked by the tall grass, trying to avoid pokemon as this area was filled with bug-type because I wasn't looking for any right now, I saw a pokemon running out of the grass, carrying with it a berry. I stopped to look at which one it was and I saw a Treecko.

Suddenly, following it, a wild Beedrill appeared. The Beedrill seemed like it wanted to claim the berry from the little thing. It was now cornered and I felt like I needed to do something about it, to save the little thing.

It was then that the rules came to my head: You are only allowed to capture the first pokemon encountered in a route. Considering that the first pokemon to appear in my vision was the Treecko, I could capture it. I decided to do so, and running in to interfere, I used my magic to take out a pokeball from my bag.

“Atlas, what are you doing?!” I heard Blackburn asking me as I made the sudden move. I threw the pokeball right at the Treecko, and immediately I took Phoenix out, ordering her to burn the Beedrill with Flamethrower to make it run away.

Phoenix immediately took my request and used the move at the bug. The bug crossed it's two stingers, trying to protect itself, but as it saw it was useless and the burn would hurt it pretty badly, it ran right back to the tall grass, disappearing from my vision. I looked to the pokeball, lading perfectly still on the ground with the new pokemon it acquired. I picked it up and allowed the Treecko to leave it. It was a female Treecko.

The Treecko, back again on the ground, started looking around in search for something. I used my magic to pick the berry she was holding before, and gave it back to her. Right after, I approached her. It seemed to be a very young pokemon as she was still confused of what happened. She also seemed to be in shock from being chased by the aggressive Beedrill. I then attempted to communicate with her.

“Hey there little girl.” I crouched near her. “Are you alright?”

She then ran closer to me hugging at she could of my body. I could feel she was still scared and was shaking. “Thank you!” She said. “I was afraid that Beedrill would get me!”

“What do you me-” I was interrupted by her.

“He attacked my group for the berry! The others I was with were attacked and fell, I haven't seem them get up, so I ran with the berry!”

I wrapped my hooves around her, hugging her back trying to help after the moment she just had. “Don't worry, you are okay now, you are safe.” I said. Oh my. The thought came to my head. I stopped our hug and held my two hooves on her shoulders. “Your group was attacked, do you know any other groups you could stay safe with?”

“No...” She answered with a sad tone.

“Look, I'm in the middle of an adventure, but this journey, it will be very hard and there is a big chance some of us might not, well... survive at it” I started explaining

“Oh?” She asked me a little curious, but way more scared.

“I'd like to ask you if you wanted to come with me. Me and my team could protect you as well as help you grow stronger, help you to know how to fight by yourself. But if you want to stay here, I can just release you back and you are free to go.” I continued.

“I don't know, but I'm scared of going back in the grass. I think it's better if I come with you, even if it might be scary. I don't think I have many options...” The little Treecko told me her answer. I decided to train her a bit before using her on battle, as she seemed very young and not able to fight yet. I decided to name her Aurora.

I showed her the pokeball and explained Aurora that it would be her home for the adventure. I also told her I would train her later, as I would need her help to battle sometimes. She nodded and entered the pokeball, and I told her to try calming down and relax, as she seemed very stressed after this moment.

For me it seemed like a lot of responsibility to take care of Aurora. She was just a kid. Getting her to battle would be forcing her to do something she is not used to. I'm hanging between two decisions here: Not ever using her or teaching her anyway because it's safer this way. I don't even know if she wants to fight, and that is leaving me very worried. I'm putting a child into a survival game.

It was almost nighttime. The sunset was beautiful today, and the orange skies offered me and my two friends a very calming time. We had just  arrived at Ecruteak City. After walking our way through the two very small routes, Routes 36 and 37, and battling the few trainers, but no other competitors, in those routes, we had finally arrived, and just in time. I'd hate to camp outside of town for the night.

During our way through the routes, I showed Aurora what pokemon battles looked like, but I think she wasn't so interested in it, mostly scared  from the moment she had before. I think that wasn't the best idea of them all, but I think I'll leave Aurora out of battles. I can't just leave her... she has nowhere to go I thought. I'd have to keep her around as I am her only family now, but I'd protect her the only way I could. By fighting with what had.

I drifted my mind away from those thoughts, they were only going to lead to worst ones. I started to look around the town. Ecruteak was a very simple town. It had a very high tower a little away from the city, very similar to the Sprout Tower back on Violet City, only This tower was much higher. It is called the Bell Tower. The rest of the town was composed for the usual buildings, a Gym, a Pokemon Center and a PokeMart, as well as the houses for the ponies that lived in here. It carried a very historical oriental architecture, as the town itself is a very old one. I don't know much about the lore of it's place, but from my visit here from my last "playthrough"s of the game, I remember the town being a very historical center, even if this was my first time visiting it for real. The Bell Tower would the place where you would encounter one of the most majestic and legendary creatures, Ho-oh, but before such encounter, you would have to prove yourself worth it.

“Hey Atlas,” Blackburn called for my attention. “Let's get going, we still need to pay for a place to stay tonight.”

“I'm right behind you buddy.” I replied, starting to walk to him. Blackburn was standing right by Violet, they both turned and started walking too. It didn't took long for us to find an inn for us to stay for the night.

Entering the inn, Violet went right ahead to the receptionist to get us a room. She told me and Blackburn to wait, so we decided to take a sit on the lobby and do what we were told.

“So...” Blackburn decided to bring up a conversation. “After we beat this Gym, where to next?”

I brought up the map on my gadget. “We will walk our way through Routes 38 and 39 and arrive at Olivine City, which shouldn't take more than an afternoon if we don't waste time, but we should get there nonetheless, no need to hurry. After that, we will catch a boat directly to Cianwood, as we will not be able to defeat the Steel Gym right away. We beat Cianwood's Gym, come back to Olivine, and beat it's Gym.”

“...After that we should head to Route 42, after coming back here, to Ecruteak, travelling to Mahogany Town, and so on. Alright, so that is the plan?” Blackburn continued and resumed the rest of our adventure, or at least the first part of it.

“As far as I know, yes.” I answered his question. “We might run into some things in the middle of it, like other competitors and challenges, so we need to be ready. We have been lucky enough not to run into those lately, but we never know for sure.”

“You think we might run into Freddie in this meanwhile?” He asked.

I looked into his eyes, but kept my mouth shut. I think that look I gave him answered his question. Freddie wasn't my main objective now, but I wanted to stop him no matter what. Our conversation ended there.

Violet came back to us. She told she got us a room with enough space for us all, so we were set for the night. We followed Violet to the room and entered it. The room was a somewhat big room, with a small kitchen and a bathroom as well. We unpacked our things for the night and relaxed. We prepared ourselves some dinner, cleaned ourselves from the exhaustive day, and all got ready for a good night of sleep. “We should go to bed soon today, We have got a big day tomorrow.” I told them. After that, we all headed to our beds, ready to finish our day right there. It was an exhausting, but worth it day, and I was ready to end it right there.

It was a tree. A lonely and fully grown apple tree, right at the top of the hill. I walked on the grass, going after it. I had seen this night before. Starry sky with the full moon being the center of attention on the sky, and this horizon. I seen this enough times to tell this was another dream. I have dreamed with this place loads of times, enough to know it mean to be a dream for me to calm myself and relax, not really worry about what was going to happen.

This place usually would be the place me and Luna would get together to discuss something for the night, but I wondered if today was going to be one of those.

I followed my routine in this kinds of dreams. I walked up to tree on the top of the hill and sat by it, laying my back on the log, and relaxing for while. Everything was silent like always, and I loved it. Living in Canterlot would be loud sometimes, being the capital from Equestria, and also where most events would take place, and specially when the Summer Sun Celebration takes place. Having my calm and relaxing moments alone was always something I looked forward. I didn't mind not having one of my random and fun dreams, this was much better.

It didn't take long before Luna came flying from the moon and landing near me.

“Luna?” I asked her as she got closer. “What are you doing here? I wasn't expecting to have a visit from you tonight.”

“I wasn't planning to come tonight as well, but my duties were finished early today.” She explained. “Seeing other ponies aren't having trouble tonight, I decided to come talk with you.” She stopped for a moment. “Even though there isn't much for us to discuss...”

I stopped, looking at Luna for a few seconds. “Well, in that case... How exhausting were your chores?” I asked.

“Not so exhausting, but I do feel a bit tired.” She replied. “Why do you ask?”

“Because I'm inviting you to sit by me and relax for a bit.” I calmly answered her question, moving to my right and opening space by where I was sitting on the tree. “So why don't you accept it?” I finished with a smile. I started thinking that maybe this time I would be able to spend some time with her. I hate to admit it, but Blackburn is right about my crush on her, and spending time with her makes me feel so much better.

Luna stared at me for a moment, considering her decisions. “Why not?” She said as she started walking and sat by me. We spend some time in silence,  but it was a good relaxing silence.

“I heard you were asked to put a stop on Freddie.” She broke the silence.

My smile dropped to a flat an serious face. “Yes. He appears to be putting the whole thing out of balance.” I explained. “It will be a hard task, but that was what I had in mind from the beginning.”

“I remember.” She said. “I just wanted to know when you were planning on executing such thing.”

“Why?”

“Because I don't want you hurrying everything up without thinking.” She explained. “You could end up doing something you might regret.”

I looked at her. She was looking at me with a worried face. “I have seen what you were doing before. You were trying to go to places as fast as possible, forcing your friends from having fun and follow you.” She continued. “You came here for more than just revenge, I remember that.”

“Why are you so worried about me?” I asked out of curiosity.

“Because, Atlas, you are my...” She stopped, thinking of what to use next. That certain silence had put my heart at stop from the possibilities. “You are my friend, and I care about you. If you let the feeling of revenge take over you, you will be full of anger, and I'd hate that to change who you are.”

I understood what she said. She was worried she might lose a friend to a corrupted feeling, and even if she wasn't used on having many friends, it would hit her just as hard to see one being lost. She looked at me with worried eyes and was wondering if I was going to let my idea of revenge against Freddie take over me. As a matter of fact, looking at my latest actions, I presume I was being rude, wanting to be over and done with this. I had that feeling of rush, a straight and simple plan to follow as get strong, find Freddie and beat him up.

“Luna...” I tried speaking, my voice breaking a little bit. “I assure you I won't let that take over my mind, but I have to do this, it's the only way.”

“Only way to what?” She asked me. “I know that back in Canterlot, before this game started, when I helped you in your dreams, this would be what you would go for, but I didn't think this would be your main purpose. You have been letting your hatred take over you since your friend Pulse was captured.” She showed me facts, and the more I looked them over, they seemed to be true without me even realizing them. “Atlas, look at you. You have a wound on your leg that needs to be looked over, and you don't even seem to care.”

“I... I, uh...” I tried speaking, but the words didn't seem to come out of my mind. I want to explain her that Freddie seem to be a too big of a threat for me to look away, but even I'm starting to see that she is right about this. I thought. I'm being corrupted by the hatred in my soul.

“Atlas, please...” Luna said hanging her head down, looking at the ground. “I ask you to see that this will bring your own doom...”

I relaxed for a moment, wrapping my thoughts up and letting out a sigh. “You are right. This has been changing me without me even noticing it. I'm sorry Luna.” I apologized, facing another direction in shame. “I will stop it...”

“Are you?” She asked me with an tone of surprise. “You won't believe how thankfully I'm of this decision.”

“Hey, before we start this, I want to know what I should do now.” I interrupted her, even if she had already finished her phrase. “If my objective is not going to be bringing Freddie down, what should I do?”

Luna stopped, thinking. “You can still bring him down, but don't focus on it. Just keep going on your adventure not having your mind set for revenge, just do it when it comes, take your time and enjoy the place.” She said after a few seconds. I understood what she was suggesting now. She meant for me just not let it took over my head. We both understood that revenge wasn't the best option, but I couldn't talk Freddie out of this. It was either this or the rest of my life under his hooves. Avoiding that would only make it worse later, and me and Luna both knew that. I nodded to her suggestion and we both went back to silence, sitting side by side on the tree, wondering our own business.

“It was nice enjoying a calm moment with a friend, Atlas.” Luna broke the silence after what seemed to be hours, but considering it was a dream, it could have lasted seconds to days. “I will have to depart now, I will see you in another night Atlas.”

She got up and opened her wings. Part of me stood up inside, thinking now was the moment to tell Luna one thing I had kept to myself, although my body kept on the ground. Luna then started flapping her wings and got out of the ground. At that moment, my body made a sudden move up.

“Luna, wait. Can I have your attention for just a moment?” The words came out of my mouth.

Luna turned around in the air and looked at me. “Yes?” She asked.

“It's been awhile since I wanted to tell you this and...” I started, blushing a little bit and directing my face to another direction, seeming a little shy. “Through the course of this all, I have been thinking of you a lot more and I think I...”

Luna looked at me steadily. I think she caught my drift but wasn't so sure. “What do you have in mind, Atlas?” She asked me, landing back on the ground.

“This might be very strange and maybe even a surprise, I don't know, but I...” I paused. I controlled myself and straighten up and encouraged myself again. “I think I feel love for you.” I said it. Not thinking ahead of time. It was either a mistake or the right thing to do. I don't know about that yet, but something inside me told me it was better for me to tell her, at least to let her know.

Luna stood there in front of me in silence, but she seemed to be a little lost in her own thoughts now. I decided not to disturb her, but the expression on her face didn't change, and I didn't know what that meant.I fucked up, didn't I?

“I must admit I wasn't expecting you to tell me, but I could notice that from your reactions to what your friend Blackburn would say about me and you.” She told me after thinking for some time, giggling. My face became red.

“...So you knew?” I asked.

“I could say so. And the way you acted the last night I came to see you only reinforced that, you were trying to show me you cared, and I appreciate that. As the princess of the night, I still don't receive as much praise as my sister even after coming back to rule alongside her.” She explained. “Having one of the few people I care about myself show me that they care about me, to the point of showing me love, is something I can't explain how much it matters to me.”

“So...” I tried continuing, but I realized I was without words to.

“I'm sorry Atlas, I know that you feel something big for me, and for me that is really lovely and kind of you.” She continued for me. “but I'm not sure about this. I have a lot to consider about this and right now I don't think it's the time.”

I hanged my head down, hiding the frown my face had just put on. “I understand. I just felt I needed to let you know.”

Luna walked up to my side and put one of her front hooves around me, trying to give me comfort. “Don't be sad Atlas. I might not have a definitive answer to this, but that only mean I haven't made a choice yet. It doesn't mean I said "no". We have yet to see what might happen.” She told me. “I see you are willing to open yourself to me, and I think I might do the same. What do you say about us becoming just really close friends for now?”

“I-I...” I still couldn't talk, and my face was flowing with the color red. I straighten up and decided to give her an answer. “I'd love that. Being always there for you, I mean.”

Morning came and the light of the morning sun reached the room where me and my friends slept. I woke up feeling good. Last night's dream was something I surely hadn't expected, how it turned out to be was surely something I didn't see coming. But once again, I wasn't expecting to see Luna last night anyways. What happened after I decided to tell her how I felt was what got me surprised. I felt an urge to confess that to her.

Getting up, I noticed my friends were still sleeping. I got out of my bed and started sneaking my way to the bathroom, trying not to disturb Violet, or wake Blackburn from his slumber. Arriving at the bathroom, I had succeeded on my mission and so I closed and locked the door of the bathroom.

I walked up to the sink and the mirror and brought my wounded leg up on the sink. I started removing the bandage and I could feel the cloth being ripped from my exposed flesh, the sensation was really unpleasant, although resistible. I put the bloody bandage aside and took a look at the wound. It looked the same, and another small bleeding had just started, since the bandage was partially turning into part of my skin. If this wasn't a virtual wound, it would leave a hell of a scar. I started taking a look at my skin, getting my grey coat, now a little dark red from the blood around it, out of the way. I saw the red veins that would go all the way up my leg, but I was only able to see that it until halfway to my  knee. This doesn't look good. I thought. The infection was spreading up my leg, and that was only a matter of time before I became sick and it took over my leg, which could leave me incapacitated until I got back to Canterlot.

It was until my head considered something worst. What if the infection gets to my heart? “Just keep a look at it, we don't know how dangerous a Beedrill's venom can be to a pony.”

I lead my mind away from that thought washing the wound and walking back to the door, unlocking it as I reached it. I had to walk to my saddle bags to see if I had any straps of cloth in there so I could make some clean bandages, even if I didn't mind wearing the old ones, it was mostly so my friends didn't think I wasn't paying attention to my condition.

That lead me to memories from my past again. Me and my selflessness. There had been multiple occasions I had put my own desire, or even emotions aside for others. I'd barely pay attention to myself, I was more worried about the people near to me, the ones I cared about. My only friend, my dad, and some other folk I'd keep contact with even if I were never so kin to them. It wasn't until I was hit by my own problems, and boy, was I hit hard by them, that I realized that the selflessness in me would bring me problems. I wouldn't care about my emotional side, or even about hunger, money, my own future. I was mostly focused on supporting others on their own paths, boosting them up or even making them see there could be something great for them, even if it was to a small group of people. Dad would say That there is going to hit you and won't even see it coming. I'd change that attitude if I were you, but I guess I never learned until it really happened. Although being selfless could turn you into a lighter pony, more kind and generous, and even cheerful, the fact that you don't look at yourself can mean trouble. If something bad happens to you, you don't even care, and I had to have my friends to show that to me. That I matter just the same.

Putting my past aside, I walked to my bag, this time not minding if I made any sound or not. Blackburn was still sleeping after I left the bathroom about ten minutes later. Violet on the other side was waking up. She was already moving out of her bed when I got out of the bathroom with my wound exposed.

“Mornin' Atlas.” She said, followed by a long yawn and her blinking eyes focusing on me. “How was the ni-” She stopped, her eyes widening on my wound.  “-why is your wound exposed like that?” She asked me surprised.

“My night was great, thanks for asking.” I answered her first unfinished question. “and I was just walking to my bags to get a piece of cloth or a proper bandage to hide this off.”

“You took a look at it this morning?” She asked me.

“Yup, moments ago before you and Blackburn were awake,” Then I added. “Well, sorta, since Black there is still sleeping like a bear.”

She giggled “Yeah, I think we all got exhausted from yesterday's events such as walking, battling and you competing on that competition.”

“Yeah, I think you are right.” I finished with a smile and then looking at my sleeping friend and back to Violet. “I'm thinking of getting some breakfast this morning. You want to come with me?”

“I think I'm fine, I'll wait Blackburn and meet you there.” Violet replied. “But thanks for the offer.”

I walked up to my saddlebags, removing the last piece of cloth I kept around from it and then using my magic to wrap it around my arm. “Suit yourself.” I finished our conversation and started walking to the door. With my wound carefully protected from further harm, I could easily walk again, but the pain did not stop there. I could now feel my leg pulsing, like if I could feel the veins and the blood that would go through them. I could feel the flesh like if it wasn't part of me, and the unpleasant sensation of it being connected to made it even worse. I was like a rock that I wanted to remove so badly but couldn't. I finally decided to ignore the feeling.

I got out of the room and headed downstairs, where the breakfast was served for the ponies staying for the night. There was plenty of different fruits and foods for people to try, many from the local region, but I decided to stick with I would normally eat. I floated three apples up to my plate and sat by one of the tables, taking also a two loafs of bread and an orange juice. That would be enough to keep me running for the day, or at least until my body feels that it is giving up.

After a while, my two companions, Blackburn and Violet, headed down from our room to take breakfast too. I realized at that moment that Violet had something back for my childhood friend, and it was nice to see the two were building something together. Blackburn never was so happy to have someone, and I bet Violet too, but I don't know her as much.

The two sat with me on the table and we ate together. About 20 minutes later we finished eating. I finished earlier, but I stayed with them until the end. After that, we walked out of our inn and took a look at the city. Ecruteak city was a beautiful city, even if small and just part of a program, but this isn't something you usually see on Equestria, specially at Canterlot. The making of these places probably took a lot of research to make, and later to program, I even wonder how it is done.

Some time later, we walked by what seemed to be an old house, burned down to the ground. there would be some old ashes and burned logs by the house and the roof seemed somewhat destroyed. it stood up on a rock, like if it was it's foundation. By the stairs that leaded up to it, there was a sing. It told us:

"Burned Tower

It was destroyed by a mysterious fire.

Please stay away, as it is unsafe."

“So there was a tower here before?” Violet asked, curious. She looked at me and Blackburn, as we knew more of this world than her. My friend looked at me and I stared at him back, like if we were mentally discussing who would explain about the tower to her. I finally gave up before we spent more time with this and looked back at Violet.

“Well, you see...” I begun to explain. “The burned tower was where the old Bell Tower, that one over there,” I pointed to the big tower a little distanced from the city. “but was burned to the ground, although not much is known about what happened and why it burned.”

She looked at the Burned Tower, not anymore as it was just a house with an open burned roof. She kept inspecting it, while me and my friend looked at her, Blackburn was probably staring at something else, but I was inspecting her eyes, waiting for her to lock at something and see what had caught her attention. It didn't take long until she did what I expected. The pegasus had caught something that interested her and so I stopped looking at her and looked at the tower, and I probably saw what she was looking at.

The doors were open wide, and by it there was a group of four ponies. An earth pony, an unicorn and two pegasi, and I knew who those were. It's been since Goldenrod, but I think I found Freddie and his gang again.

An feeling inside of me started. It wanted me to go up there and fight that bully, prove that he was no better than anyone, but that would only put my friends and my pokemon at danger. I wasn't ready. They weren't ready, and that would mean probably the end. It was too soon, and I could see it was revenge talking. It was one of the many chances I would have.

I realized Blackburn was looking at me, his eyes locked at me and his face told me he was mad, or seemed like that. I looked back at him.

“Don't worry, I'm not going to challenge that fucker yet. There is still too much to do.” I told him. His gaze did not change. “Even if I want to.”

“You are not ready.” He told me back.

“We are not ready.” I replied.

Violet now looked at both of us, confused. She then looked at the people on the building and looked at us again, this time with understanding eyes. She knew what we meant this time.

Without a word, me and my friends walked to the other side, this time aiming for the gym. I was planning  on going out of town right after, we had no time to lose.

We arrived at the gym. This one wasn't different than the others, at least it's outside didn't. The double doors opened and me and my friends walked inside. It was dark, but still had enough light to see. We walked up to the stage, where all the battles were had. The gym leader was nowhere to be seen.

I levitated Pulse's pokeball and Blackburn caught the pokeball of his starter. We needed more light, so our pokemon would be our best options for lanterns. He let out his Charmeleon, and commanded it to keep the flame on it's tail high, to give us enough light. I let out Pulse, the rings of his Umbreon body would give us a good source of light. I would have used Phoenix, but get her to keep breathing fire would exhaust her too much, so I decided to go with a passive ability.

Out of nothing, a dark smoke started appearing on the other side of the field. I started feeling a strange and dark sensation in my mind. It was disturbing. It was way too unnatural, uncomfortable to have come out of my mind. The alien feeling decided to speak with me

WE ARE ALL CRAZY HERE

I was surprised. I looked to my friends and they looked just the same as me. Surprised. I wasn't the only one to be having something strange happen to me. I wasn't going crazy or being taken by my other self this time. That managed to calm me a bit, but I was still worried because there was something taking over my mind.

The smoke on the other side finally concentrated enough in one spot, and I could see a pair of eyes coming out of it. Red big and scary eyes.

I felt the sensation finally leave me, and then I was hit by relief. I saw three lines of smoke moving above me, one coming out of me and the other two probably coming out of my friends. Finally, after the smoke had got itself in only one place and I was sane enough again, me and my friends waited. Some time passed and the smoke disappeared. Now there was an unicorn standing on the other side. He wore a scarf with what seemed like a badge on it. By it stood four other pokemon, a Gastly, two Haunters, and the creature with the two red scary eyes, a Gengar. They were all known ghost pokemons, and before us was their trainer, the known gym leader Morty.

“Welcome all to my Gym. My name is Morty.” He welcomed us, but before we could say anything he went ahead and continued. “Save your breath, I know everything you are going to say. I can see the future, and I tell you none of you are going to last.”

The back of my mind instantly told me to keep an eye out for this guy. He was a gym trainer, and if they really made him to see the future, this would be harder than expected.

We all would have to battle this guy, and we would have to do it in a way that he does not see it coming, otherwise that would easily end our game right here. I looked at my friends. They looked back at me. I nodded.

I stood there, on my place, sweating and feeling the adrenaline run through my body. I was tense. All my party members but Aurora and Seeds were harmed. I had managed to keep a good battle with Morty for a good while, and my two friends had already battled with him. Violet was quick and efficient, and Blackburn had some problems, even losing one his companions that he caught back when it was a Graveler  on the battle, a big loss, but we would help him through it. I had my own problems now.

Right now, I decided to switch Seeds up. It was him against the Gengar, and his red eyes stared at me and Seeds. It was disturbing. Seeds wouldn't have any trouble, but I decided not to take any risks. I was going to use Pulse, he would be able to take the Gengar in no more than one hit.

I looked at Morty. He now stared at me, a grin in his face. A cold grin. I felt my body shivering because of that, and it scared me. This guy had proven that he could preview our next moves, I was actually surprised I could take on his other three pokemon without that much trouble. I looked away and looked at Seeds, he was staring directly at me.

“Alright Seeds, it won't take long, I promise. I just need a turn to heal Pulse and you are free from this battle, alright?” I tried to assure my friend.

Seeds kept looking at me, worried, but then nodded in understanding. I turned and opened my saddlebags, levitating a Super Potion and giving it to Pulse as fast as I could. In the meanwhile, the Gengar made a move. I looked over at my gadget and the log read:

"Gengar used Ice Punch"

My body went cold. The shivering stopped and I felt the sweat over my head become the hottest thing I ever came in contact with. I started feeling sick. It was over. Our battle was over. I was going to win, but not without a loss. Seeds was going to take it hard, but I couldn't stop now, I hoped Seeds had survived as I heard the sound of ice breaking from behind my back. With Pulse fully healed, I turned back to Seeds. He had been hit, his health was almost gone, but he was still standing. Now he looked at me with a face of courage, but fear as well. We both knew what this mean, but I think I had a chance of saving my friend and stopping his death.

I had to switch him out. Fast. If I got him out of combat, he would not be hit and go down. I decided to do so. I switched Seeds with Pulse, but right after I did that, I heard a laughter from the other side of the room. It was Morty. I looked at him, and he stopped laughing, but kept his scary grin. I felt like if my body became soulless.

“Gengar.” He said. “Use Pursuit.”

My jaw dropped, and I heard gasps from behind me. Morty had seen it. He knew I was going to switch, and it was too late. I had brought the doom to my own pokemon.

The Gengar ran in Seeds direction, and that moment felt like an eternity. I saw every second, every frame of second. And everyone of them seemed like a slow motion movie, and I could do nothing about it.

The Gengar reached Seeds, giving it a punch right on the face, and launching him meters away. My gadget beeped, and I felt like the beep was something new, even if I heard it countless times before. I knew what it said.

"Seeds had fainted died."

A tear came down my face, and right before my eyes, I saw one of my many companions draw it's last breath, but with courage. More courage than fear. It didn't matter, that hit me hard.

I felt a need for revenge. To take Pulse out and make that Gengar suffer more than anytime before, I screamed to Pulse. Pulse was covered in a dark ball and went flying directly at the Gengar, who only stood there.

"Gengar has fainted. Gym Leader Morty was defeated."

“An eye for an eye, you motherfu-” I tried to go ahead and stab Morty with my horn. I was mad. I wanted revenge. but I was be stopped by my friends. “I guess you didn't really see yourself losing, did you? You piece of shit!”

Morty just stood there, looking at me. His grin did not change. I was floating Seed's body by my side and I felt my friends, mostly Blackburn, dragging me away. “Calm the fuck down Atlas,” Blackburn tried to keep me shut. “I know you are mad, but this is not the place for this.”

I stopped and pushed my two friends aside. They got ready to catch me if I tried running up to Morty again, but I just simply turned away. Placed the body of my friend on my back, called all my pokemon back, and walked to the entrance.

“Oh, I did see me losing. But you will still suffer a much greater loss in the future.” Morty whispered and started laughing. He thought I didn't listen. I listened just fine. I walked out with my friends and the door of the gym shut behind us.

“It was your fault! if you didn't had missed that bite, Seeds wouldn't have to go out!” Venom blamed Phoenix behind me. All my pokemon other than Aurora were having a discussion behind me, while I stared down the grave I built, by the side of the grave my friend built to his Graveler.

“You are blaming me?! I thought Pulse was supposed to be the main fighter at that place, and besides, you are the one with the highest defense here! You were supposed to last longer!” Phoenix replied.

“I was supposed to carry us?” Pulse questioned out loud. “I took more damage than any of you, and Scout doesn't even take damage from ghosts! Were you expecting everything from me?” Pulse threw a threatening glance at Phoenix, and Phoenix did the same with him.

“They didn't have only ghost attacks Pulse! You saw that I almost died there myself!” Scout got in the discussion.

I kept by the recently holes covered in dirt that me and Blackburn made, in silence. It didn't take long for me to get tired of their discussions behind my back. Blackburn didn't care about the discussion though. He either didn't care or chose not to care. Aurora was by me, unsure of what was happening. I myself didn't know as well.

I turned to my pokemon, now almost attacking themselves. “Enough!” I screamed. My pokemon, surprised, all stopped being a pain to each other and looked at me. “We are a fucking team here! I understand Seeds was a very important member of our group, but if you are all going to blame his death on each other when it was my fault for using him, and start being assholes with one another, if you don't feel like walking by the side of each other anymore, you can all just go home!” They stopped, backed off from each other, apologizing for the names called, finally stopped and looked at me.

“I'm not joking, if any of you want to leave, go on, you are free to go!”

Blackburn by my side started walking to Violet, who was a little down the road waiting for us.

“The rest, who still chooses to come with me and Aurora can just follow me.” I turned around and started walking to my friends. My pokemon kept silent, unsure of what to do, but after a few steps, I heard the sound of steps behind me, catching up. They all followed.

I was once again taking the lead on the road. I went ahead and my friends followed. We were going down Route 39 now. I haven't said a word to my pokemon even now. I was mad at them, because they need to respect each other. If we can't live together, we will all die alone. Even if death in this world didn't mean my end, it meant for them. Right now they were all in their pokeballs as we traveled.

I also did not capture any pokemon in this route. I wasn't looking for a new replacement for Seeds this soon. The thought of replacing one of the very first pokemon I ever caught was some what dark, but later on it would be needed.

Me and my friends were very near to Olivine by now. We would arrive and maybe catch the boat to Cianwood this very night, but I was willing to spend some time to look around the area. Loot the place, restock in supplies, rest a bit, or even challenge the steel gym right away if I was confident enough.

Alright, not the gym, I'd be getting way too cocky at this pace. I had to be patient. Remember what Luna told you. Take things easy, don't rush it up. Don't let it take over you, Atlas. I told myself over my mind.

I could see the city in the distance, near us, but still a good walk down a hill until we arrived. There was a big Miltank farm by my right an-

Ugh. I fell and stopped. My wound decided to start feeling pain again. I felt the pain flowing up my leg and getting to the rest of my body. I felt like I was collapsing and it didn't felt good. I just have the worst luck, don't I? What else can go wrong today?

“Atlas!” Both my friends screamed behind me, hurrying up to help me out. “Are you alrigh-”

“I'm fine, don't worry about me.” I waved my hoof so they didn't come up to and got worried up. “It's just my wound. It hurts again, but we should keep going. It's not that far now.”

I got up. No. Forced myself up and kept walking. Both my friends stood behind me, looking at me for another moment, but started to follow me again after about two seconds. They were worried, I could sense that.

We walked for about another twenty minutes before I fell on the ground again. both my friends walked up to me, but this time they did not give me the chance to refuse help. Blackburn lifted my left leg and Violet got my right side. I looked right at their faces and their faces told me they were deeply worried about me. It was obvious I could barely keep up. “We going to get you to Olivine, don't you worry your little horn about it.” Blackburn told me and finished with a smile in his face, as to comfort me. I smiled back. Even if I never agreed with their help, doesn't mean I didn't need it.

At that point it didn't take long for us to arrive at Olivine. It was still afternoon, it's been two hours since we took our lunches and kept travelling. What a big country after all, they always seemed smaller when I played the games. Olivine this time didn't seem different. Just like the other cities, they were built just like their game versions. Olivine was small, didn't have much other than a restaurant where sailors would spend the night, a big lighthouse, a few houses, the Steel-type gym, as well as the usual pokemon market and center. Olivine is the major port city around Johto, so naturally the city is filled with sailors, also drinking on the local cafe before another one of their long sailing trips.

My friends stopped, and since I was basically being carried, so did I. “Atlas, how is your leg feeling?” Violet asked me.

I haven't really paid any attention to it until now. I felt like my leg was giving up. I could feel my heartbeat right at the wound, and my muscles wouldn't relax, leaving my leg hot like it had it's own fever, and I felt like somehow my bandage had tighten up. I told Violet that.

“You don't seem like you can keep going like this, you don't seem like you would be up for another trip without a rest, even a boat trip.” Violet said. “I'm afraid we are going to need to leave you here for a day or two while we go get the medicine ourselves.” She suggested.

“Leaving me behind?” I asked again. She nodded. “Well... I think I could stay around Olivine for a while. I have my pokemon to protect myself if anything happens, and I'll be staying at the inn probably. It's better if I don't move, y'know?”

“The two of us don't need to go.” Blackburn said. “One of us can stay with you if you need anything.”

“Don't worry, I'll be fine.” I told him. He gave me an unsure glance. I smiled and winked at him. Violet did not see my wink, and fortunately Blackburn had catch my drift. He finally understood that I was giving them both some time alone, without me around. I can see these two have something, and I was willing to let my friend have some fun. “Come on, let's go. Just drop me by an inn and you guys can go get your boat”

“Is any of you Atlas Bluetone?” A pony with a delivery cap came by me and my friends on our way to the inn.

“That's me. Why?”

“I've got this letter for you.” The pony then opened his saddle bag and gave me a letter. “Have a good day, sir.” Then the pony walked away.

I looked down on the letter I was holding with my magic, since my hooves were being held by my friends. The letter didn't contain any kind of information on the envelope, other than the seal and the stamp that kept the letter closed. I couldn't recognize the symbol, but it was certainly familiar. I took a deeper look at it and realized It was from the Royal Guards over Canterlot.

“Aren't you going to open in, Atlas?” Violet asked.

“Not yet.” I replied.  “I'm too tired now and in need of a Rest. Maybe later today.” I didn't really had any plans of opening it right now. I was curious, but I was tired.

She nodded to me and we kept walking.

“You both enjoy your trip. Take your time there, and don't worry, I'll be fine around here.” I told my friends, now that I was comfortable enough on my room. Night was falling and their boat would be leaving soon.

“We promise to come back for you though.” Blackburn told me. “We ain't just leaving you behind like this. Enjoy your days on this bed okay? And there is food on the saddlebag over there so you don't feel hungry.” He finished, looking over for me.

The two them said their goodbyes to me again and left. I was laying in my bed now, my pokemon out of their pokeballs again, all sitting by my bed, except Venom, who was on sitting on the middle of the carpet in the ground since he was a little too big. They were all in silence and keeping to themselves.

I was about to turn around and sleep, but I was interrupted by the sound of Scout's voice.

“Hey, master, we uh...” Scout started.

“We wanted to apologize for earlier today. We shouldn't have acted like that with eachother.” Phoenix finished.

“Yeah. I guess we just let that get over our heads, losing a someone from the family and trying to find someone to take the blame.” Venom said.

I didn't turn around, but I smiled, and I think they knew I smiled. “You are all forgiven. I just wanted to remind you all that we are a family, and that we should stick together as one, other than discuss and fight between ourselves.” I said. “Now if you all excuse me, I'll drift off to sleep, I'm a bit too tired, sorry we have to end this conversation right now, but you guys feel free to poke around the room. Good night everyone.” I finished there. I was way too tired to keep a conversation going right now. I needed some sleep, and not only that I was hoping to see Luna.

Luna did not come that night.

“I don't know guys, I'm a little worried.” I heard Pulse's voice.

“Just let him sleep. That wound there got him pretty bad, he need some rest.” Scout replied. “After all, I saw when he got hit by it.”

I was waking up while my pokemon had a conversation by me. They seemed worried about me for some reason. I started by slowly opening my eyes and turning y head around. “I'm up, don't worry.” I said with a sleepy tone. My speech was slow as I was mostly waking up. “Now, what is all this "worrying about me" about?” I started getting on my hooves.

“I was just worried Atlas.” Pulse responded. “You were asleep more time than usual.”

“Have I?” I lifted up my hoof with my gadget on it. opening the clock I saw it was already afternoon. I then took a look outside. The was filled with clouds, and the sky was darker than ever before. We might have a storm coming.

Boy, I had been asleep for more than twelve hours. I put my hoof back on the ground and jumped out of the bed. As my wounded hoof landed on the ground, I fell because it was too weak. Only now I realized that what I was feeling yesterday has gotten worse over the night, but not only that, I was having a fever. Thinking would make it worse, which had made a lot of things harder for me, such as the use of magic.

Pulse ran to me in order to aid by letting my hoof stay on his back. With his help I started walking over to my things, on a table nearby. I'm hungry. I need some food. I used my limited thoughts to remind myself of my needs for survival. Arriving at the table, I got my bad leg up on the table and lifted my other hoof up the table as well. I took at look at the things on the table, trying to locate what I wanted.

food... food... food... letter...? My eyes targeted the letter I was given yesterday. I pushed chair by the table and sat on it. I opened the saddle bags, grabbing an apple out of it, but keeping my eyes on the letter by the bag. I took a bite of the apple, which made me feel a little better as the hunger started to fade away. I then picked the letter with both hoofs now, opening it and removing the envelope.

"Dear Atlas Bluetone,

"This is a letter from the Officials from the Royal Guard of Canterlot. We would like to inform you of the passing of your father, a loyal soldier long retired from his position, but still brave and remembered by our highest members. We are sorry about this announcement, for it is one of the hardest news to bare and accept. We are grateful of the services your father did for Equestria, and we hope the best for you through this situation. If there is any favor we from the Royal Guard of Canterlot could do for you, don't be afraid to ask us.

"Sincerely, Shining Armour."

“Fa-fa... father?” I said that word like if it was my first time pronouncing it. Pulse and my other pokemon looked at each other in doubt of what was happening. I felt all the pain in my leg disappear for a moment, letting both of my legs shake and drop the letter on the ground. My headache and fever disappeared like if they were never there. I felt cold.

“Master, what is going on?” Phoenix asked. I listened but didn't seem to pay any attention to it.

“Master?” I heard Aurora's voice by the chair. I slowly moved my head to see her. She was hugging one of the chair's legs. She made a face of surprise when I felt a tear scoring down my face, the others gasped as well. My father had just died, and I did not know if this was true or not. It couldn't be... but...

"Olivine Café." The sing told me. It might look like a simple and nice cafe, but it sells much more than just small and nice meals. No. They had to fill the sailor's needs, and so they started selling everything from soft drinks to drinks filled with alcohol.

Is this really how you want to spend the rest of your afternoon? I asked myself, but this voice was different. It was Janus. Long time no see.

My father just died and I don't know how to handle it. Will you at least let me have a moment? I asked Janus.

Drinking is bad. You might get drunk and do stupid things. Imagine if you get in trouble, or worse, in a battle.

I'm just trying to drift my mind away from this, okay? I argued. It's just today.

I did not let Janus reply. I only stood there, looking at the door.

I opened the door to my room. I dropped my saddle bag on the ground again and headed over to the window, which gave me a nice view of the road which lead me an my friends from the Miltank farm to the city. I didn't do it. I could have wasted myself until I didn't remember the face of my father, but I just walked away from that cafe filled with drunken ponies. I thought to myself, reconsidering if my decision of not going in that cafe was the right option or not, for the third time.

I opened the window and the wind immediately started to blow at my face and hair. The storm was closer than never before. Down the road, not very far, I saw a group of black-jacketed ponies walking in the direction of town. I had a feeling deep down my heart, and all the way to my stomach, wrapping it up. Something seemed amiss.

Black jackets. Black jackets. My head went back to when I saw Freddy back at Ecruteak and when I threw a pony out of the Bellsprout Tower a while ago. Freddy wore black jackets since I remember meeting him for the first time, and the new member, as well as the other "grunts" he recruited in Goldenrod all wore black jackets as well, but not with the same detail. Would it be...

I turned my head, looking at my pokeballs. Pulse, Phoenix, Scout and Venom. That would be my team. It was a group so I was expecting more than just a foe. My head started thinking of revenge. If he was there, this would be my chance. You are not ready. A voice in the back of my head reminded me. It was neither Janus or me, it had been Luna. If they want to spend the rest of their time in a hotel sleeping until the game automatically eliminates them, they can. If they want to go rampaging other players, they can. If they wants to burn down a whole city like Goldenrod, if they has the firepower to do so without being defeated by the people of the town, well, they can. I was reminded of the examples Drake gave me back at Goldenrod.

I walked out. “Well, someone gotta save everypony.” I said to myself, instantly forgetting revenge. I had the objective of saving people now, and this time, it was going to cost my life and the life of my friends probably. Just don't trust these folk too much. You never know when one of them could stab your back when you are not looking. Janus reminded me. I kept that in mind. “If this folk make any sing of trying to take over by force, I'm going to defend it myself. ”

Outside was looking stormy.

I saw a group of ponies walking down their way to the town. They had a bunch of pokemon with them and I admit I felt somewhat scared. I turned around to see my five pokemon.

“Guys, listen up.” I said as the windy blew by me and a drizzle started. “I ask for the help of all of you to stay by my side at this.”

They looked confused at each other. I had to yet explain what was about to happen. “What is going on, boss?” Phoenix asked.

I looked at Aurora and looked back at everyone again. “I got the news that my father died yesterday, when I received that letter. I'm sorry I didn't explain it right away, it was just hard for me to take it, and it still is since my family is all gone now.” I  explained about this morning. “After that I saw a group of ponies was moving into town, who might just want to take over the town, if this feeling of mine is not wrong. I'm asking you if you could help me defend it, possibly by myself, and putting at risk all of our lives.”

They gasped, specially Aurora, who tried to hide behind Venom since she never battled before. I wasn't planning on using her, but I had to let her know. Pulse walked up to me. “Of course we are going to stand by you.” He looked me in the eyes, then walked back a bit and looked at the rest. “We are a family;” Then turned his head to me. “Your family.”

I heard the words, and even though they were just words, it meant something for me. It was true. I forgot I wasn't alone, I still had my friends. I smiled at my friends. It was a small but happy and comforting smile. I then turned back to the entrance and waited for my foes to come. My pokemon walked to my side, and Aurora climbed on my back, still shaking.

The wind became stronger. I heard the first  thunder hit the waters on the sea. The Monsoon was about to start.

The black-jacketed pony folk entered town.

I saw two ponies running out of a pokecenter ten minutes later. I called everyone back to their pokeballs and moved in to interfere.