Ultimate Monotype Challenge

Entering Lavaridge, one thought was clear. The gym leader was here, and it was time to thrash her to the ground. 4 badges and I would be able to fight Dad: Norman, so it's of upmost importance that the gym leader Flannery goes down and out.
Flannery's gym is an odd puzzle, but there's no reason to skip trainers. All of them were roasted by Tarion and crew, who, by this point, were significantly more experienced. The trainers are starting to catch up with our levels though which is like a blessing. This is called a challenge, but it really isn't being challenging, so it's nice that the foes I fight can be closer to my level; the AI still sucks though.

The final room with Flannery, the new gym leader of lavaridge waiting there. Flannery is that one gym leader that'll completely ahniliate your team if you don't have something that can avoid huge damage from overheat. Luckily, I have two pokemon that can avoid overheat blasting. Stallion has Thick Fat and Tarion is a fire type, so this fight is a doozy.

Battle!:rambo:
Flannery
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzlyNoh5TSI&feature=channel]Battle video![/url]
The battle between Flannery was easy, the two slugmas fell short of Stallion and Tarion, but Torkoal was a different story entirely.
Fighting Torkoal with Tarion involved having two Bulk Ups beforehand. Regardless of this, Tarion's physical attacks did nigh nothing to it.
Double Kick? Cannot dent its shell. Strength? Don't make it laugh!
Marcus had to come in to take this son of a turtle down. Sadly, it became infected with the deadly disease known as Parattraction, which caused the fight to drag on for just that little bit longer.

After a decent battle, Flannery went down, and the Heat Badge went straight into my possesion. Where to next? There's the desert in Route 111!
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There's not much to talk about in the desert, so at this point, it's really just best to say that Sandshrews and their ability to dodge attacks in sandstorms really aren't cool. Nor is the ability Arena Trap. I found a few items though which is always nice.

Soon after, Petalburg came into view from the sands that the nearby route contained. Many trainers come and fail against Norman due to his strong physical attacks. However, there is one problem with Norman, and that problem is called the fighting type. Some trainers recommend that you catch a Machop and train it, but I already have one, and 3 other fighting types to help thrash down this tough opponent.

The gym itself is unique, there are rooms with a trainer in. Each trainer holding one Pokemon; to make it seem like a true trial battle, I suppose. However, because of the strength of Marcus, Brealeg, Tarion and Stallion combined - each one of them fainted like a tower of blocks falling into itself. Really. Really. Easy.

Battle! Round Two!:rambo:
Norman
Battle Video!

The first opponent is Slaking, level 28. Stallion trumped this match with fake out to start. While it didn't do much damage, the fact that it flinched was the clincher, buying Stallion some time to buff.
Each time the Slaking would loaf, I would counter with Bulk up to prepare for a Vital Throw sweep. Goodbye Slaking A and Vigoroth. Vital throw is tough to avoid, but it's too bad that it always attacks second, as it puts a spanner in the works for sweeping with Stallion.
The final slaking that Norman has, however, had a lucky break. Critical hit facade: wow. Goodbye Stallion, I don't think anything could've handled that. After all, Slaking has an insane amount of attack power and facade is a powerful enough move in its own right. Nevertheless, Tarion saves the day with bulking up combined to the sound of two kicks to the Slaking's face. While Facade might hurt, using double kick works just as well.
In all, Norman was an easy fight with just an unlucky twist. There's not much to expect from a normal type gym leader who happens to be against his son, who loves Fighting types.
The next gym leaders will be much harder though, as we have Winoa, the flying type trainer and the psychic duo Tate and Liza. I expect Winoa to be difficult, but Tate and Liza the opposite due to the Rock type Lunatone and Solrock which my team can take out without breaking much sweat. By that time I'll have Heracross and Meditite as well. It's quite odd that psychic type gym leaders tend to be really easy for me.

Current Team!

Tarion
Level 32
89 HP
Ember
Double Kick
Bulk Up
Strength


Brealeg
Level 31
84 HP
Mach Punch
Mega Drain
Stun Spore
Leech Seed


Stallion
Level 30
131 HP
Vital Throw
Bulk Up
Fake Out
Rock Smash


Marcus
Level 31
97 HP
Revenge
Foresight
Seismic Toss
Karate Chop


That's all for today! Long post, better get used to them really. :P
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