Update 1/???
Part 1: The Errand
I had just gotten my starting Cyndaquil from Prof. Elm when he tells me that I need to run an errand for him... Sure, why not?
Some old guy interrupted me as I entered Cherrygrove city, and insisted that I follow him around as he told me about the Pokemon Center, Pokemon Mart, and other things that I already knew. He gave me a Map Card, so it wasn't all bad.
I quickly went over and got the Egg from the horribly named "Mr. Pokemon," as well as a Pokedex from Prof. Oak, who happened to be there.
As soon as I left his house, Elm called me to tell me -- without saying it, of course -- that someone was stealing something from his lab. OK... So I head back there, and-
Whoa, who is that? Hey... Didn't I see him outside Elm's Lab? He seemed suspicious then... And when he sends out his Pokemon, it's obvious that he stole the Pokemon from Elm!
I dispatched his Totodile and he starts talking about how he's going to be the best trainer ever... Not like that, you won't. You didn't even heal your Pokemon, idiot!
I returned to Elm's lab and gave the Police officer the name of the thief, who had conveniently told me what it was. (I couldn't think of anything but Silver.)
After the officer left, Elm asked me what Mr. Pokemon had wanted to show him. I showed him the Egg, and he hit the roof! He was knocked out for a few seconds, but when he woke up it was all business. Then he saw the Pokedex that I got from Oak and nearly jumped again... And he said that I should try to beat all of the Johto Gym Leaders and the Elite Four. Why not? Then he told me to tell my Mom that I was going... Whatever. I talked to her, and she decided to save some of my money for me. OK, Mom...
Part 2: The Zephyr Badge
I started towards Violet city, where the first Gym is located. None of the trainers were too much of a threat, though I dodged past one for some cheap EXP. later.
I immediately challenged the Gym.
First Trainer: The harder of the two. Spearow almost knocked me out... But it didn't.
Second Trainer: Easy. Nothing to say.
Leader Falkner:
This was... annoying.
Attempt I:
His Pidgey used Mud-Slap about 80% of the time. Cyndaquil didn't have Ember yet, so by the time Pidgey fainted, Cyndaquil was nearly blind.
Pidgeotto would have been easy... but Cyndaquil is blind, remember? He had learned Ember after Pidgey was KO'ed, but it didn't help because it never hit.
Attempt II:
This went better. I didn't soft-reset, so I still had Ember.
Pidgey got off 1 Mud-Slap, and died.
Pidgeotto tried to Gust me to death, but Ember was stronger, and I used Potions.
Leader Falkner Defeated!
Badges: 1/8
Part 3: The Hive Badge
After I beat the Gym, I went to Route 32 and found a Mareep. It seemed like an interesting Pokemon, so I caught it and named it Raiden, a Japanese word meaning "Thunder and Lightning."
I went back to Violet to store Cyndaquil in the computer, Got the Egg back from Elm's Aide, and went back to fight the Trainer that I had skipped earlier. Y'know, the one with 3 Lv.2 Caterpie and a Lv. 3 Weedle. Quick and easy EXP.
Next, I challenged Sprout Tower. None of the Sages could beat me alone, but if I did not heal after each one they might have beaten me.
When I got to the top, I found... Silver. He ranted about how the "Leader" of the Tower was weak, and who cares about being nice to Pokemon, and I only care about strong ones. Then he uses an Escape Rope to leave.
I'd put a header for the "Leader," but he crumpled easily.
Bellsprouts: Too weak to hurt me
Hoothoot: Can you say, "OHKO?"
Yeah... Raiden destroyed the Tower. Other than the EXP, there wasn't a point. I don't think I'll be needing Flash...
While battling Trainers along Route 32, Raiden evolved into Flaaffy! MOAR POWAH!
Then I came to the Union Cave... And I can honestly say that it was one of the worst experiences of my Pokemon playing life. I had a Pokemon that, upon entering the cave, knew only 2 moves that damaged: Tackle and Thundershock. The first 2 trainers had an Onix and 3 Geodude, respectively. Thundershock, the stronger attack, does nothing to Ground-types, and Tackle does almost as bad against Rock... By the time I beat those two, I was happy that Raiden was alive. I knew that none of the other Trainers had Rock/Ground-types, so all I had to do was run from Wild Onix every other Wild Pokemon. Used a Swift TM on Raiden and haven't regreted it yet.
Upon reaching the Town of Azalea, I found a person wearing strange clothes... And he said that he was guarding a "Dangerous Well," and isn't he a good Samaritan? Eh... No.
Then I saw another person with the same outfit keeping people out of the Gym! When I asked him about it, he changed the subject to Slowpoke Tails... He clamed they were tasty.
I inquired as to who/what I should see while I'm here, and people said Kurt. He told me about Team Rocket (The costumed people) and said he was going to teach them a lesson "In Pain." He ran off, and I followed close behind. He conviently sprained his back on the way down, so I battled the Rockets myself. None of them were a problem. As soon as I beat them all, Kurt's back was suddenly much better, good enough to lead me back to his house, where he gave me a Lure Ball.
The Rocket wasn't guarding the Gym anymore, so I entered and destroyed the trainers. About half of their Pokemon were part Flying. Then I challenged Bugsy.
Leader Bugsy:
This was... Depressingly easy.
Metapod: Harden doesn't protect against Thundershock.
Kakuna: See Metapod.
Scyther: It would be more impressive if it used something better than Fury Cutter, the idiot.
Leader Bugsy Defeated!
Badges: 2/8
Part 4: The Plain Badge
Seeing that there was nothing more to do here, I started towards Goldenrod city by wat of Ilex For-
Suddenly, and without warning, Silver jumped out at me!
Rival Silver:
Gastly - Easy enough. I think it used Spite and then died.
Croconaw - Um... I'm using a Flaaffy. Next!
Zubat - See Croconaw. Total victory.
Rival Silver Defeated!
His excuse for losing is "I only lost because my Pokemon are weak." That may be true, but it's also because two of your Pokemon are weak to Electric.
In Ilex Forest, I found someone that had lost a Farfetch'd. I decided that, seeing as I couldn't go past the tree blocking my path, I'd find it for him. I chased it around until it ran straight back to the guy. His Boss thanked me, and gave me the HM for Cut.
That's when I realized... Neither Raiden or the Togepi that had recently hatched could/should use Cut... I caught an Oddish for just that.
No trainers until I left the forest. And they were easy to beat. A Police Officer mistook me for a crook because of how dark it was. Just as easy to beat as the other trainers.
{Game saved at Goldenrod City}
Team:
Raiden Lv. 24
Tackle
Thundershock
Swift
Thunder Wave
Unfortunately, I'm going to have to Solo with this for a little while longer. Fortunately, it's really good.
![[PokeCommunity.com] GSC Word-Themed Team Challenge](https://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/thumb/6/6f/180Flaaffy.png/150px-180Flaaffy.png "[PokeCommunity.com] GSC Word-Themed Team Challenge")