Gameplay Journal FR Nuzlocke (Wish me luck.)

Like the title says, I'll need luck, because I've never done this before.

• None of the following rules apply until I am able to get my hands on some balls. (Hmm. Might need to change the wording on this one.)
• Only the first Pokémon encountered on each Route/area may be caught. If it is knocked out, no Pokémon may be caught.
  • Exceptions:
    • Shiny Pokémon may always be caught, but not used, unless they are the first encounter.
    • Non-legendary event Pokémon, as well as those given to the player, may also be caught/used.
    • Lastly, if the first encounter is part of an evolutionary line of which two members have already been caught, it may be ignored, and the second encounter caught instead. This chain can continue indefinitely.
• Any Pokémon that are defeated must be considered dead, and permanently boxed.
  • As a mercy rule, if the entire party is defeated, Pokémon that have previously been stored(not defeated) may be used to continue.
• The starter will be based on the last digit of the Trainer ID. 1-3, Bulbasaur; 4-6; Charmander; 7-9, Squirtle; and 0 is player's choice.
• Finally, and most importantly, all Pokémon must be nicknamed.

That being said, let's get this show on the road.

 

Had to go with Spruce as a name, because Hawthorn was one letter too long. Off to a great start. Rival has been dubbed Axe, every tree's natural enemy.

My ID ends with 2, so I've adopted Professor Oak's Bulbasaur, a lovely little lady that I'll call Verde. Immediately afterwards, Axe threw a hissy fit at having to choose second, and attempted to defeat her, but she managed to pull through.

We headed north to Viridian City, hoping to purchase some Pokéballs. The clerk, instantly assuming that I was from Pallet Town, gave me the good Professor's order, and refused to serve me until I'd delivered it. The nerve of some people.

At least the Professor was thankful enough to reward me with some Pokéballs, so I won't need to set foot in that store again. Leaving Pallet Town, we soon encountered a Pidgey. He didn't seem particularly energetic, but was persistent enough to break out of the first ball that I used. I've dubbed him Zephyr.

Spoiler

Team:
Verde
Level 7, Overgrow
Tackle, Growl, Leech Seed
Zephyr
Level 5, Keen Eye
Tackle, Sand Attack

 

Old Man Johnson had to give me a lecture on catching Pokémon. Well, when I say "Had to," I mean that he couldn't be convinced otherwise, even though there was no need. Time well wasted.

Pressing north to Route 2, we came across another Pidgey. She's a bit more freewheeling and high flying than Zephyr, so I decided to call her Cirrus.

After a bit of training, we entered Viridian Forest, where I very nearly stepped on a Weedle. She was not pleased with us, and it's a good thing that Verde cannot be poisoned. She calmed somewhat after being captured and offered an apology, but still maintains a grumpy disposition. She'll be Irrit, for Irritable is a bit of a mouthful.

We retreated to the city, in order to heal, and then got back to the grind. Irrit grew in leaps and bounds, evolving rather quickly, and the team truly started to come together. Then, tragedy struck, as she fell to a Ratatta that found the chink in her armor. It wasn't long for this world, as the other three avenged her in spectacular fashion.

Scouring Route 22 to the west, we found what very well could be her reincarnation. A Mankey attacked us, unprovoked. There was little grace to her movements, but an inner fire burned bright. Irrit was easily provoked, but Ira, short for Irate seems to never calm.

Cirrus takes a special delight in flying just out of her reach. Until today, I didn't know that a bird could look smug. Verde takes the time to rest when this happens, and Zephyr watches, rapt, from atop her bulb.

Axe showed his face again as we progressed, whining that he couldn't go to the League without any badges. His Pidgey was decently raised, but woefully unprepared for Cirrus's uncanny ability to dodge by the slimmest of margins. His Charmander, grown stronger, spent much time posturing, and after Ira's opening flurry of blows, only managed to land a single scratch on her. To think he calls himself a trainer.

Spoiler: Team

Verde
Level 10, Overgrow
Tackle, Growl, Leech Seed, Vine Whip
Zephyr
Level 10, Keen Eye
Tackle, Sand Attack, Gust
Cirrus
Level 10, Keen Eye
Tackle, Sand Attack, Gust
Ira
Level 10, Vital Spirit
Scratch, Leer, Low Kick

Spoiler: Deceased

Irrit
Level 9

 

Viridian Forest was a learning experience, for Cirrus more than the rest of us. She found out the hard way that, while Ira is easily left behind on level ground, she is far more nimble amongst the trees. The two of them have settled down now, a bit of grudging respect beginning to develop.

We made it to Pewter City without issue, and after a bit more training yielded little result, decided to challenge the Gym. Brock was less than I was expecting. His Geodude simply sat there like the rock it resembled, and fainted quickly. Onix reacted a bit faster, trapping Ira between some boulders. Fortunately, she managed to escape, taking it down with a well-placed kick, before it could follow up.

Heading east towards Cerulean City, and battling through a gauntlet of Trainers, we encountered the calmest Spearow that I've ever seen, Doldrum. He and Zephyr get along very well. Now that Verde has evolved, all three birds can perch on her back, though Cirrus often prefers to fly.

We made camp just inside Mt. Moon, taking shelter from a sudden summer storm. As we sat by the fire, a drenched Geodude approached, shivering. She shied away when I reached for my bag, but after some time, came close once more. I dried her, only then noticing what looked like chisel gouges. It seems the rumors of Team Rocket activity might be true. I'd planned on avoiding them if possible, but that's gone out the window now.

She all but captured herself when I placed a Pokéball in front of her. I wanted to give her the choice, seeing as she'd been abused. She didn't like my first few attempts at names, which I will admit were… unimaginative, but took kindly to Mica. With any luck, we'll get her her revenge.

Spoiler: Team

Verde
Level 16, Overgrow
Tackle, Poison Powder, Leech Seed, Vine Whip

Zephyr
Level 16, Keen Eye
Tackle, Sand Attack, Gust, Quick Attack

Doldrum
Level 16, Keen Eye
Peck, Growl, Leer, Fury Attack

Cirrus
Level 16, Keen Eye
Tackle, Sand Attack, Gust, Quick Attack

Ira
Level 16, Vital Spirit
Scratch, Leer, Low Kick, Karate Chop

Mica
Level 9, Rock Head
Tackle, Defense Curl, Mud Sport

Spoiler: Deceased

Irrit
Level 9

 

Mica didn't quite manage to defeat Team Rocket single-handedly, but it certainly wasn't for lack of trying. There were a few times that she nearly caused a cave in, so ferocious were her attacks. They scattered, and, while I gave her the option of staying behind, she's grown quite attached to us. The rib she cracked hugging me will be a reminder for quite some time.

We met another man there, some sort of science enthusiast. He'd found two fossils, and offered me one of them if I could defeat him in a battle. After flipping a coin, I ended up with the striated one, and he the smooth.

Finally exiting Mt. Moon, we stumbled across a rather friendly Rattata. I'm not sure if it wanted to come along with us, or was just hungry. Verde didn't trust it, and drove it off rapidly. Minutes later, we were in Cerulean City. Amongst the general chatter in the Pokémon Center, I heard of the Nugget Bridge Challenge, and decided to train there before taking on the Gym.

Axe ambushed me before I could set foot on the bridge. He's clearly been training, even managing to surprise me a bit. His Charmander is the first Pokémon I've met capable of inflicting serious damage on Mica. On the other hand, his Abra was a mere annoyance. It flitted around the battlefield, but never even attempted an attack.

He took his loss better this time, advising me to seek out Bill for help with my Pokédex, rather than whining. Or so I thought. He returned a few seconds later, both to give me a gift and insult me. Whatever makes him feel better.

Given the name, one would think that the Nugget Bridge Challenge should be, well, a challenge. It was almost laughably easy, and the weakness of the Rocket grunts in Mt. Moon makes much more sense now. If this is their recruitment scheme, I'm amazed that they're a functioning organisation.

Stepping in the grass alongside the bridge, we caught a Caterpie, more fearless than his brethren. Unfortunately, League rules limit how many Pokémon a Trainer can carry at a time, so I had to leave Arum in the Storage System.

Bill seemed more of a mad scientist than a Pokémon collector, though that could be a misapprehension on my part, after seeing him combined with a Clefairy. He gave me a ticket to the SS Anne, though why he thinks I'd like a "fancy 'do" any more than him is a mystery.

After leaving his house, I stumbled across an Oddish uprooting herself for the night. She put up a bit of a fight, but acquiesced in the end, and Raff joined Arum in the Storage System. Tomorrow, we face the Gym.

Spoiler: Team

Verde
Level 21, Overgrow
Tackle, Poison Powder, Leech Seed, Vine Whip

Zephyr
Level 18, Keen Eye
Tackle, Sand Attack, Gust, Quick Attack

Doldrum
Level 18, Keen Eye
Peck, Growl, Leer, Fury Attack

Cirrus
Level 18, Keen Eye
Tackle, Sand Attack, Gust, Quick Attack

Ira
Level 17, Vital Spirit
Scratch, Leer, Low Kick, Karate Chop

Mica
Level 20, Rock Head
Tackle, Defense Curl, Magnitude, Rock Throw

Spoiler: Boxed

Arum
Level 7
Raff
Level 12

Spoiler: Deceased

Irrit
Level 9