Perhaps now is a good time for further reflection. Playing a Pokémon game Nuzlocke-style has really changed Lando's perspective. Pokémon are no longer mere trophies to be caught and/or pawn henchmen to be thrust into needless battles by sadistic humans. They are valued friends and companions. Ever since that battle with Hau in Paniola Town, Lando has been actively averting the gazes of other trainers as much as possible to avoid placing his beloved buddies in harm's way through pointless battles with other peoples' pokémon. Defending himself against wild pokémon that attack him is one thing. Natural travel hazards are natural travel hazards and feel like the most organic way to level up Lando's team. Some rival trainers' gazes simply cannot be avoided and Lando reluctantly defends himself, but he won't be the one actively picking fights with passerby.
But Lando recognizes his own hypocrisy. He knows he has to best the island kahunas in Pokémon Battles to move on. Testing his mettle against the Totem Pokémon is fine, but he avoids the optional battles against the Trial Captains. When prior Pokémon games were played the standard way, our young hero had no qualms about collecting the creatures, exploiting them, and seeking other trainers to battle. But the Nuzlocke playing style has really changed things up on a whole new level.
The innocence of youth is lost and dilemmas become more complicated and morally ambiguous. Remember, Lando is only a child in this game and is still trying to comprehend the complex emotions he's dealing with. This kid started out acting like he had all this swagger, but he's been knocked down several pegs. Life's broken him down, so now he needs to build himself back up and learn the true meaning of swagger. Real swagger. Having gone this far down the rabbit hole, it's too late to turn back now. And here's hoping that Lando doesn't lose himself in this whole process.
While sipping on some Komala coffee and wallowing with a sour malasada in Royal Avenue, he reflects back to what Mr. Miyagi says to Daniel-san before he fights Chozen in the film The Karate Kid Part II. "Daniel-san, this not tournament. This for real." Wild pokémon are not afraid to call for reinforcements, rival trainers are not shy about using recovery items, and Totem Pokémon are wickedly powerful, making most any battle a high stakes one. No rest for the weary, Lando.
Lando is a man of action, so he decides to see what Wela Volcano Park is all about. He encounters an impish male Salandit with Corrosion whom he names Singe. Singe seems like a little bundle of personality whom Lando should get on well with. This battle also allows Joey to evolve into a Raticate, which is a nice bonus. Captain Kiawe should be near, and Lando needs to prepare his team. Lucy VanPelt hasn't been with the team very long, but her skillset is the most valuable for a literal trial by fire. Lando is not one to put all his eggs in one basket, though; Joan Jett could be a heavy hitter too.
The journey to Kiawe's arena is uneventful, but the battles in the arena aren't. With Bam Bigelow as a wall, Lucy VanPelt is able to take out an Alolan Marowak and a Magmar. Then Totem Salazzle comes out and it's Joan Jett's time to shine. Her attacks hit hard, but thanks to Salazzle calling for a helper Salandit, things take a turn for the worse. Their double whammy attacks, despite being "not very effective," remove huge chunks of Joan Jett's HP, and she falls before Lando can give her a much needed Super Potion.
There's anothergreat pokémon that will never get to evolve. Lando thinks about that line in the Neil Young song "Keep on Rocking in a Free World" that goes "There's one more kid that will never go to school, never get to fall in love, never get to be cool."
Joan Jett was poised to be a rock star, and to be taken away so soon...Lando is beyond numb with all the losses he's suffering. He's seen victories, sure, but they've mostly been pyrrhic victories. He just wants to be done with Akala Island as soon as possible, and declines exploring the "dark side of the mountain" in Wela Volcano Park. Besides, he already caught Singe there, and he's a slick little guy with a cool moveset. Heck, he doesn't even recall how he finally felled Totem Salazzle. Whatever. A win is a win.
Onward, we go! On Route 7, Lando catches a careful female Magikarp with Swift Swim, whom he names Carpie D.M. Lando is determined to evolve this gal into a Gyarados, though he's aware that whenever he's entertained similar thoughts before, it's been famous last words for that pokémon.
But maybe Lando's future is looking up. While strolling around Route 8, he's accosted by a Rising Star trainer, and the battle sees Redrum evolve into a Sylveon with Cute Charm! Lando is overjoyed because he now has a killer Fairy type and bemused that such a cutesy, daresay "girly," looking pokémon is not only male, but a brutal bloodthirsty gangster behind those sparkling vacant eyes and pink ribbons. This sinister deviant is truly meant to be on Lando's team.
Lando is not one to jump into the first patch of tall grass he sees, and this works to his advantage on Route 8, where he spies a Wimpod on a rocky shore and charges it with Tauros. This careful female Wimpod with Wimp Out is caught with a Quick Ball and named Lady Bugg. He bonds with his new friends over a mug of Komala coffee and some beans, resting for Captain Mallow's Lush Jungle trial.