Onto Sabrina's gym! Her teleporter puzzle is just plain confusing and annoying. But otherwise her team was no problem for us. Koga's gym was no issue either, considering the invisible walls were marked out on the screen. I visited the Safari Zone to get HM03 and the Gold Teeth, for HM04 (Surf and Strength, respectively). Continuing downwards from Fuchsia City to Cinnabar Island, I navigate my way through Seafoam Islands. I heard tell of a legendary Pokemon known as Articuno that lies within the caves, but I fear running into it at this point.
After finding Cinnabar Island, I am approached by Bill again, who invites me to go to One Island in the Sevii Island Archipelago. Exploring One, Two, and Three Islands proved to be of little use except for a few items and a bit of training. I did, however, come across Moltres who was resting on top of Mt. Ember. I made no attempt to capture it. Some biker goons were harassing the locals on Three Island, which is quite boring in and of itself, but that's no reason to go around causing panic and/or violence. They easily fell, even though they tried to team up against me in a 4v1. That small excursion quickly ended when I returned to Bill and he suggested that we return to Cinnabar Island.
Pokemon Mansion is definitely a creepy place...but holds interesting items, and attracts the strangest of trainers. After finding the Secret Key, I went back to the Gym, which opened up for me to challenge. Blaine's quiz masters are no match for my intelligence, although I did squeeze a battle out of each of them anyway, for some extra training. Blaine himself was also a relatively easy Gym Leader, considering 4 of my Pokemon were Water-type.
Returning back to Pallet Town, I rest at my house before I head towards Viridian Gym for my 8th and final badge. Entering the Gym, which is now open, I ask my guide for some advice. Unfortunately, he's not even sure WHO the leader is. He is able to provide me with some crucial information though: most of the trainers in this gym prefer Ground-type Pokemon. When I make my way through the surprisingly familiar spin tiles...it turns out to be none other than Giovanni! The Team Rocket boss! What is he doing here? He claims that this will be his hideout until Team Rocket can recover. He accepts my challenge, and I quickly take out his Ground-based team (again, with my Water-dominant team).
Finally ready to enter the Pokemon League, I enter Route 22 with 8 badges in hand. Blue stops me half way through, asking me if I'm truly ready. His team was indeed more difficult than before, even matching my Pokemon's levels now. I defeat him after a bit of difficulty, then continues to "Smell [me] later!" The Badge Check traverses some grassland, ocean, and desert to check that I have all 8 badges. Then, Victory Road was before my feet. Navigating Victory Road required Blastoise's Strength. The trainers gave a bit of a challenge, but still nothing I couldn't handle. After about 30 minutes of fumbling through VR, I finally made it to the Indigo Plateau!
First up is Lorelei, the Ice-Type Elite Four. Not too bad...swept her team using Poliwrath for the most part.
Next up is Bruno. His Fighting Pokemon are offset by the fact there's 2 Onix on his team (Really strange, isn't it?).
Agatha is next, and she's supposed to specialized in Ghost-types. There was a Golbat and an Arbok in there, along with members of the Gengar family, so it makes me think her specialty is actually Poison types...like Koga...
And next up is none other than...
Lance. That's right. I've heard rumors about him...I can take him.
The fights are getting harder, and it all climaxes into this last fight with the League Champion...Actually, where did Blue go? Did he get lost at Victory Road? I could understand, considering his inflated ego--
HE'S the champion?! Well, I guess there's no time to waste...I'll make this his one and only battle as Kanto Champion!
After a very grueling battle, I finally get the upper hand on his Venusaur and wipe out the rest of his team.
It was a long journey, but now I have become the Kanto League Champion! I sincerely thank my (blue) Pokemon for all the work they've put in.