Nuzlocke

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.”