Soooo... Nuzlockes

First of all, I've always been fascinated by the idea of Nuzlockes and the challenges they bring to the Pokémon games. They create a bond between Trainer and Pokémon, and unforeseen friendships are formed in them.

Also if I'm being honest, I've kinda always wanted to write a full-Nuzlocke story.

That being said, no, Feeling of Glory is not a Nuzlocke. Well, not officially.

The thing is, the threat of death is very much real in some of my stories. But, that really only ever applies to wild battles.

There are strict rules in place to attack a Pokémon until they faint, so that's how all official and unofficial matches are. However, Wild Pokémon don't quite follow those rules, and thus they are the biggest threat to people and other Pokémon. Hopefully, though, you level up your Team beforehand so that these wild 'Mons won't be any real threat.

But then this is where it starts getting a bit harder to follow and understand...

Before Raihan, Leon, and the Magnolia Twins, Pokémon battles were essentially Nuzlockes. As in, people would cheer and watch Gym Battles for the sheer thrill of watching bloodsport and death. Back then, Pokémon were quite literally fighting for their lives, without even making any decisions for themselves, as their Trainers are the ones who command them.

As we approach more modern times, the rules changed a little bit to offer more leniency in battles. When battling officially, you could switch out your Teammates, but only once per 'Mon. Basically you could have your Pokémon fight, and either switch them out once, or choose to let it fight to its death. Also, you could surrender your battle at any time, and most gave up when they were down to their last Pokémon. Otherwise, for any unofficial battles, it was merely "fight until they faint."

(Then there was also the one-catch-per-area rule, which only applied to some areas where endangered species lived. How else did Leon know about Zoroarks in chapter 2..?)

Once Leon became Champion, he completely abolished the old system and how they were battling. He saw the grief in Trainers' faces, and couldn't stand to let that still exist. So it's because of him that Gloria and her generation can battle without any fear of death of their Pokémon. (Or he might've done it out of worry for his brother and what he might go through in his Pokémon journey.)

So yeah, I think that's it...

And wow, this really has turned into a little history lesson about the "evolution of battles in Galar." Sorry about that.

Also if you have any questions at all, please ask and I'll try to answer them as best as I can. I know there's a lot here, but there might also be some things I've left out.

...And now I leave you with Cinder:

You'll know who he is in the special chapter...