After being ejected from the Plasma Frigate the second time, we were suggested to head to the Giant Chasm. I did so, and explored the place while getting TM13 for Ice Beam and creating a shortcut back.
Once I was back on the Plasma Frigate, I wasted as little time as possible in the helm, and as soon as I got the Plasma Card, I went over to the password entry and guessed it, where 9909 was the answer. Then I took on Zinzolin one last time, his last Cryogonal was a jerk with Confuse Ray but other than that he was easy again.
Afterward, we came to Colress, who wanted to see if I had the answer on what he was looking for. Did I?
He began with Magneton, and I started with Ginger. I fired off a Leech Seed before he paralyzed me with Thunder Wave. By the time he KO'ed Ginger, he had a bit less than half his health, so he was an easy kill for Fireside's Flamethrower.
Magnezone came next, and lived my Flamethrower with 1 HP thanks to Sturdy, then paralyzed me with Thunder Wave but I had a Cheri Berry ready for that. He wasted his Full Restore as I 2HKO'ed him.
Metang came next, and I switched to Ornamental as he used Agility. Surf did more than half as he used it again, and his Rock Slide barely did anything before I killed him.
Klinklang was next up, and I used Surf for less than half but I popped his Air Balloon as he used Shift Gear. I went into Nutcracker, and he used Giga Impact for a pittance, then as he recharged I busted him with Superpower.
Beheeyem was last, and I switched in Crabcake for that. He used Calm Mind, then next turn I used Shell Smash and he used Calm Mind again. But I slammed him with X-Scissor for the win.
After I was done with him, we had the Shadow Triad, who gave Nick his sister's Purrloin, which had evolved now. As for the battles, they weren't even worth mention. We reached the depths of the Giant Chasm, where Ghetsis was and Kyurem was about to freeze me with Glaciate but N swooped in on Zekrom with Fusion Bolt, but then they were fused to create Black Kyurem, which I had to fight! It used Freeze Shock and left Fireside with near 1/4 my HP and paralyzed me…
But I scored a critical hit before it could beat that. Ouch.
Then it was time for Ghetsis!
Cofagrigus came first. I used Lava Plume in the hopes of burning him, and it did over half, but he got in Toxic and poisoned me. And he decided to be a jerk and use Protect. I beat him with my next Flamethrower, though.
Seismitoad came afterward, and I tried for Lava Plume again but it didn't do much and he used Muddy Water. Ginger slammed him with Giga Drain, though.
Eelektross was afterward. I went for Leech Seed, and he used Acrobatics, but I lived with 7 HP!!! Then I used Giga Drain for a small hit before he finished me with Flamethrower. I went for Stocking, and used Return to knock him low. He used Acrobatics, and took Rocky Helmet damage, and then proceeded to succumb to Leech Seed.
Toxicroak came after that. He used Sucker Punch (why?) as I missed with Thunder, then he killed me with Brick Break. Ornamental came out and slammed him with Psychic.
Drapion was next in line, and took JUST over half from Surf while he hit hard with Night Slash, but I managed to beat that to the punch.
Hydreigon was last, and he took little from Surf before beating me with Rock Slide. I went to Crabcake, and he missed with Dragon Rush, allowing me to use Shell Smash and slam him with X-Scissor, winning me the fight.
After that, Ghetsis raged against N's protests but the Shadow Triad took him away, and N told me to go to the Pokémon League before Nick showed up a little late. After I checked out the ruins of the Crater Forest and got TM03 for Psyshock, I made my way to Route 23.
There were a few obnoxious trainers there. I didn't go to the Cut area right away, because I couldn't be bothered to teach Cut to any of my main members. Then we went into Victory Road! I got HM05 for Waterfall from N, which I didn't end up using, and checked out the entrance before entering the cave.
Hooooooooo boy. The trainers here were just as brutal as ever, and it didn't help that playing Black 2 had me going through a cave that left me in a different haze than it would have if I were playing White 2 (which i'm much more used to). This Doctor for example, his Clefable went up to +6 Evasion and things with him went on over five minutes.
Yeah, as you can see this was a pretty crazy time. Ornamental was the most on the receiving end of opposing stupidness.
After an hour and a half in total of grueling fights, we made it to the very end, where Nick, our rival, caught up to us. Unfezant was first and I began with Stocking. He unfortunately U-turned into Simisage, and he got burned by Fireside's Flame Body after using Brick Break, allowing me to take care of that.
Bouffalant took over half from Flamethrower and got burned by Flame Body again, and Crabcake took care of that. His Samurott beat both Crabcake and Stocking, the latter at least landed a good hit with Thunder, but Ginger took care of that afterward. Last was Unfezant again, and I got in Leech Seed before he decided to show off his swagger because he thinks he's Mick Jagger, and proceed to beat Ginger. But Ornamental finished him off with Ice Beam.
With that done, he gave me TM24 for Thunderbolt, which is awesome. While that entire excursion wasn't as infuriating as when I went through Victory Road in X for my Haunter and the Carnival of Horrors challenge back in October, it was more drawn out and tiring, definitely. That said, I arrived at the Pokémon League!
After that, I came back to Route 23, gave Cut to Nutcracker and went to that area. Going through the last of the trainers here, I eventually made my way to TM12 for Taunt. Once I was finished there, I went back to the PWT and removed all my HMs from my team, used a few Heart Scales, then went back to Driftveil City and used 10 Red Shards to teach Ice Punch to Nutcracker. After a few more preparations, I got some Blue Shards to teach one last move - giving Icy Wind to Stocking. Then it was time to take on the league!
I decided to go for Grimsley first. First time his Scrafty haxed me beyond every sort of belief, so I reset. Did the second time go any better?
He began with Liepard as I opened with Stocking. He used Fake Out, which got the Normal Gem, but still hit light and I got the Rocky Helmet on him. He used Night Slash, which I lived easily, and Rocky Helmet plus Return knocked him to healing range. After he healed, Return did more than half. But then he scored a critical hit, beating me. I went to Nutcracker, eating up his Night Slash before finishing him with Ice Punch.
Krookodile was next, and I went over to Ornamental on his Earthquake, which did 2/3 my health. I used Scald, which came JUST short of slamming him, BUT it burned him, and he beat me with Crunch but then he fell to burn.
I went to Ginger as he sent out Scrafty. I used Leech Seed, as he used Rock Tomb, which did little. Then I used Charm as he went for Poison Jab, which poisoned me. I used Giga Drain and knocked him decently near half as he missed with Rock Tomb. Same thing next turn, except he hit, and I was slower than him so he got in Poison Jab for an okay hit. After I beat him, I had just over half my health left.
He used Absol next, and I hit with Stun Spore before he slammed me with X-Scissor. I went for Crabcake and slammed him with my own X-Scissor.
Bisharp was last, and I switched Fireside into his Metal Claw, which actually hit for a bit more than I expected, but it triggered Flame Body, and then I roasted him with Flamethrower, which scored a critical hit that I HIGHLY doubt I needed. That won me the fight.
That went much smoother than it did first time. Afterwards, I decided Caitlin would be next up, since I had a Bug-type, and a Fire-type for her ace, so I wasn't too concerned. Did it go as smoothly as I thought it would?
Long story short, no. She began with Musharna while I opened with Stocking. I went for Light Screen, and she unfortunately hit with Hypnosis. I stayed asleep two turns in a row, as she did 1/4 with Dream Eater then used Reflect. But she hit with Dream Eater again, then I woke up and did pretty bad damage with Shadow Ball, but I did lower her Special Defense before my Light Screen wore off. I hit with Shadow Ball and lowered her Special Defense again, and she missed with Hypnosis. I used Thunder Wave and paralyzed her, completely forgetting about Synchronize (if this keeps me from being put to sleep, sure) before her Reflect wore off. But I ended up fully paralyzed as she got a boost with Charge Beam. I got in an Icy Wind before she used Charge Beam once more, and I got fully paralyzed but she missed with Charge Beam. I managed to hit next turn and knock her out with Shadow Ball.
Reuniclus was next, and wasted no time in beating me with Energy Ball (scoring a useless critical hit, too). I went for Crabcake, and hit hard with X-Scissor while she did 3/4 my health with Psychic. Her Leftovers kept her out of healing range, allowing me to slam her with another X-Scissor.
Metagross was next and immediately used Bullet Punch to knock me out (which is why I didn't use Shell Smash). I went to Fireside and scorched her with Flamethrower.
Gothitelle came afterward, and I used Will-o-Wisp, which missed, before she used Calm Mind. My Flamethrower did less than half before she used it again. Same thing next turn, then she lived my next hit and beat me to the punch with Psychic. I went for Nutcracker, and she unfortunately healed, while my Iron Head did less than half. I lived her Thunderbolt with 1 HP thanks to Sturdy, then she killed me. Ginger came short of killing her and she OHKO'ed that with Psychic too. Ornamental finished her with Scald.
Sigilyph was last, and I used Light Screen, which left her Shadow Ball to do a tad over 1/3. My Scald did less than half, but thankfully it got the burn, and I had over 1/4 after another Shadow Ball. I used Recover to be safe, and thankfully survived another hit, winning me the fight.
Goodness, I really did not play that very well when it came to that Gothitelle, did I? After that it was time for Shauntal, since I felt I had enough to adequately handle her various team members. How did it go?
As she began the fight with Cofagrigus, I opened with Stocking. I opened with Shadow Ball and got the Special Defense drop as she used Will-o-Wisp, predictably. I used Light Screen, but she used Psychic and scored a critical hit on the very first hit. I used Rest, but she used Grass Knot and got a second critical hit in a row (what's your problem?!). As I slept, she used Psychic for a pittance then a miss with Grass Knot (since I had the Lax Incense). After waking up, I went for Shadow Ball to do a bit less than half before she used another Grass Knot and my Light Screen wore off. After another Shadow Ball, and a Psychic from her, I thought she would heal, but she didn't, so I used Light Screen and avoided another Psychic. That allowed me to finish her with another Shadow Ball.
Golurk was next, and unfortunately she used Brick Break, which caused my Light Screen to wear off, and finished me. I went for Ginger, and my Giga Drain did around 2/3 while her Shadow Punch did just over half, but I finished that with another hit.
Chandelure was next, and I tried to go for Stun Spore, but unfortunately I ended up missing and she hit with Fire Blast, scorching me. I went for Nutcracker, and she missed with Fire Blast, allowing me to OHKO her with an Expert Belt boosted Rock Slide. Then I tried to learn Heavy Slam, but passed because I doubt i'll be using Nutcracker against Marshal, and most of Iris' team members are pretty heavy and won't take too much from it.
Drifblim was next, and did a tad bit over half with Thunderbolt, but I OHKO'ed her with Rock Slide, with a critical hit that I don't think I needed.
For Banette, I went to Fireside, eating a Psychic for 1/4 before OHKO'ing her with Flamethrower for the win.
Marshal was last up. I had to plan my team accordingly, as a good chunk of what I have wasn't very suited for him! But did I expect more than I was dealt?
Sort of. Throh was first up and I began with Ginger. I started with Leech Seed as he used Bulldoze and cut my Speed. Then I used Charm as he went for a fair hit with Payback, but I was healed right near full. He missed with Rock Tomb after my Giga Drain did a small chunk, then I cut his Attack with Charm because I forgot to heal up my Giga Drain PP beforehand. However, he had Storm Throw, which was a big screw you to my Charms. Not wanting to risk anything, I switched out for Fireside and took a Storm Throw for one point under half. Then I beat him with Flamethrower.
Conkeldurr was next up, and while my Psychic hit for around 70% and lowered his Special Defense, he slammed me with Hammer Arm. Then he was burned by Flame Orb, and I went in with Stocking to see if I could do this in style. I was faster thanks to his Speed drop, and hit with Psychic, killing him.
Mienshao was next, and missed with Hi Jump Kick, taking crash damage before I lowered his Speed with Icy Wind. He hit next turn and killed me, though. I went to Ginger and beat him to the stick with Giga Drain.
Then he had Lucario. I went over to Crabcake for that, and as he used Calm Mind, and he used it again as I went for Shell Smash. Then a +2 Dig OHKO'ed him.
Sawk was last up, and I used Rock Slide, which did 1/3 and flinched him. Then a critical hit X-Scissor finished him off and won me the fight.
Well that turned out easier than I thought it would, there was a bit of luck involved but at least now I can say I was stylish enough to use an Audino against Marshal!
Finally, all we had remaining was the Champion, Iris! I had Starmie on me, but without any healing and having to take a hit to switch in, I needed to save it for when I was completely positive beyond any shadow of a doubt that I would absolutely need it.
Hydreigon was first, and I opened with Stocking despite knowing full well she had Focus Blast. …WHICH I LIVED WITH 10 HP!!!!!! That allowed me to paralyze her with Thunder Wave. Then my Ice Beam did around 1/3 before she KO'ed me with Dragon Pulse. Then I brought in Nutcracker and slammed her with Superpower.
Druddigon was afterwards, and I switched out for Fireside as she used Focus Blast, which did one point below half my health. I managed to hit with Will-o-Wisp, and she used Outrage and killed me but took almost 1/4 her health between Life Orb and burn. I went for Crabcake, and used Rock Slide, and scored the flinch before she became confused to fatigue. Then I went for X-Scissor and beat that.
Aggron came afterward, and she used Head Smash, which left me with 1 HP thanks to Sturdy, and my Dig dig just over half. She then killed me with another Head Smash. I decided to bring in my mirror-match, and lived her Earthquake with 10 HP before slamming her with Superpower, with a critical hit that I did not need (ugh).
Haxorus was next, and straight killed me with X-Scissor. I went for Charm as she used Dragon Dance, then I hit with Stun Spore as she used Outrage for less than 2/3 my health. I used Giga Drain, which scored a critical hit for less than half her health…and she was fully paralyzed! Then I switched to Ornamental, and she hurt herself in confusion, allowing me to finish her with Ice Beam.
Lapras was next, and I switched out for Ginger into her Sing, which hit. And then she hit with Blizzard, killing me. Now I had just Ornamental left, and despite having the Expert Belt, my Thunderbolt did less than half, but she missed with Sing. I couldn't use it again, otherwise she'd heal. I went for Rapid Spin, which did a small amount, and she missed again. Then I used Thunderbolt, which she lived with 1 HP and hit with Sing after. Then she used her Full Restore, which didn't help. Here I was slapping myself in the head, completely forgetting I had Natural Cure and could have let Ornamental be put to sleep before going to Ginger. Thankfully she missed with Thunder the following turn. Then after I woke up, I hit with Thunderbolt while she hit with Thunder, leaving me with 1/5 my health (why couldn't it have done one point less so it didn't interrupt the Champion music?). Then I used Thunderbolt, and she missed with Blizzard (!!!!!!!!!!). Then I hit with Thunderbolt and finally beat her.
Archeops was last, and I OHKO'ed her with Scald, winning me the fight and completing the challenge! And Ornamental grew a level, allowing me to hear the Champion theme again for the last few seconds.
OH MY GOODNESS did that come down to the wire. There were so many points I got lucky in that fight and I still won by the skin of my teeth. With that, I was inducted into the Hall of Fame!
