- After saving the world from Lysandre, we were free to go on to Route 18! The trainers were easy enough, but we decided to save Terminus Cave for later. We reached Couriway Town…
- …And there, Sycamore was ready to see what I was made of! Temple took care of Venusaur despite an annoying Air Slash miss, and scoring a critical hit to get him into Overgrow range and me being out over half as a result. Supertron put Blastoise to sleep, and Atomic was able to best it thanks to Thunder paralyzing it. He wasn't able to get the jump on Charizard though thanks to a miss, but it hit the second and Kaleidoscope finished him.
- As for Route 19, most of the trainers weren't too tough, but the Ranger duo with Tauros and Miltank became grating thanks to Tauros OHKO'ing Supertron with a critical hit Thrash. But we did take care of it before it could get REALLY ugly. Eventually we got to the rival fights!
- Shauna: Supertron ran through her first two after Delcatty used Charm following a 1 HP survival. Natsu KO'd Chesnaught despite ANOTHER critical hit from Seed Bomb and Overgrow doing half on the dot. Tierno: Supertron put Talonflame to sleep and Kaleidoscope handled it with ease. Natsu beat Roserade, and Randori took care of Crawdaunt. Trevor: Supertron put Raichu to sleep, and Atomic dealt a Psyshock, but he woke up and got the Thunderbolt paralysis, and I got fully paralyzed twice. I sacked off Temple, and Kaleidoscope finished it. I sacked off Supertron to Florges, and Natsu handled it with Psyshock. I sacked off Atomic to Aerodactyl and Randori slammed it with HJK (after a missed Supersonic) for the win.
- Snowbelle City was cool as always, but Route 20, my least favorite place in the game, wasn't. We did find Wulfric in the Winding Woods, and I caught a Gothorita but it was Adamant nature. Ah well, probably wasn't gonna use it seriously anyways.
- At some point, I got to farming berries again, including some Sitrus, Kelpsy and the like to prepare my team for what was ahead. And we dealt with the Terminus Cave, but the trainers there matched up well with my Psychic-type team. Likewise with those in the Snowbelle Gym, before we reached Wulfric!
- As he began with Abomasnow, who set up hail, that was easily handled with Flamethrower. Avalugg was next, and I set up Will-o-Wisp in the face of his Curse. I brought in Kaleidoscope, who even with the burn took a massive hit, and Avalugg had Ice Body to heal some before his burn damage. Because of that, Hydro Pump left him with 1 HP before Crunch finished me. Despite Ice Body, burn damage finished him. I brought in Atomic to take Cryogonal, but despite a Quick Claw activation, Psyshock failed to get the job done, and he used Confuse Ray before the hail stopped. He healed, and I used Psyshock again. As he healed once more, I took confusion damage, then he used Hail once more before I used another Psyshock. I got the Quick Claw, and used Energy Ball for the win…but not without taunting me with an unneeded critical hit.
- So I got the Iceberg Badge and TM13 for Ice Beam, but before doing ANYTHING else, the very first place I went, after teaching Waterfall to Kaleidoscope, was back to the Pokemon Village to get TM29 for Psychic.
- Then we dealt with those on Route 21, there was some damage dealt but overall they had some fun stuff to fight. Eventually, we made our way to Victory Road!
Just as a gist of how Victory Road went, here's how many times each of my Pokemon fainted:
Natsu: Quick Attack from Serena's Flareon while at 15 HP.
Randori: OHKO'd by Shadow Claw from Ace Trainer Bence's Kangaskhan while at -2 Defense / OHKO'd by Megahorn from Black Belt Ander's Heracross / OHKO'd by Shadow Ball from Veteran Gerard's Banette / KO'd against Ace Trainer Michele's Magcargo on back to back High Jump Kick misses (that was absolute garbage by the way).
Supertron: Critical hit Outrage from Ace Trainer Bence's Kangaskhan while at 100/163 HP and +1 Defense / Critical hit High Jump Kick from Battle Girl Veronique's Hawlucha with Reflect up and at 116/163 HP / (Critical hit) Night Slash from Serena's Absol while at 25 HP and +2 Defense.
Temple: Critical hit Night Slash from Serena's Absol with Reflect up and at 125 HP / 2HKO'd by Shadow Ball from Veteran Gilles' Alakazam.
Kaleidoscope: OHKO'd by Thunder from Ace Trainer Bence's Electrode / OHKO'd by Thunder Punch from Battle Girl Sigrid's Medicham / OHKO'd by Megahorn from Black Belt Ander's Heracross / 2HKO'd by Dark Pulse from Serena's Greninja under Light Screen / 2HKO'd by Shadow Ball from Veteran Gilles' Alakazam.
Atomic: None, interestingly.
As for Serena… This took three tries. First time, Greninja was on the verge of sweeping my team after Randori missed High Jump Kick. Second time after she was flinched.
As she began with Meowstic, I opened with Natsu, who took a light Fake Out. Shadow Ball did over half my remaining health before I used a moderate Mystical Fire for the Sp Atk drop. Shadow Ball had me narrowly hanging on, and Flamethrower with Blaze…got her to 1 HP.
She then switched out for Flareon. Flash Fire absorbed my hit before Quick Attack finished me. Kaleidoscope came in and slammed her with Hydro Pump. Meowstic came out again. I brought in Supertron, who took a weak Fake Out and caused her to finish herself with Rocky Helmet damage and got Supertron to Level 53.
Altaria was after, and I switched Temple into a Dazzling Gleam for a rather weak hit. Ice Beam didn't OHKO, but it fared pretty good. As she used Confide, I had Leftovers, then used Light Screen before a weak Dragon Pulse. Another Ice Beam finished her.
Then was take three against Greninja. I let Kaleidoscope get sacked in two more turns, then brought in Supertron. Dark Pulse did under 1/3 my remaining health, and Superpower got her low and buffed my stats before the Light Screen wore off. I lived another Dark Pulse, and Superpower KO'd her and had me hanging on at +2 Attack and Defense.
Absol immediately finished me with a critical hit Night Slash, of which probably didn't matter, but no big deal and it got some Rocky Helmet. I brought in Temple and used Reflect just for good measures, but Night Slash slaughtered that with a critical hit. I brought in Randori, and after Night Slash didn't do much, High Jump Kick KO'd for the win.
Soon we were out of the cave and at the Pokemon League! I cleared everyone's unnecessary EVs and got them to Level 57, and it was time! I decided Wikstrom would be the one I'd go after first.
As he began with Klefki, I opened with Natsu. He unfortunately used Spikes, but I answered back with Flamethrower for the OHKO.
Probopass was next, and for that I chose to stay in and use Mystical Fire, which didn't do much but it cut his Sp Atk, around 1/5, and Power Gem did under half as a result. I then scored a critical hit to get him below half and -2 Sp Atk, and Power Gem got me into Blaze range. Not wanting this to get TOO boring, I brought in Randori, who took some Spikes damage before taking a laughably weak Power Gem, and finishing him with High Jump Kick.
Aegislash was next. I decided to stay in and use Thunder Punch, which didn't do much at all before he used Shadow Claw to demolish me with an unneeded critical hit. I then used Supertron, took some Spikes damage, and then he USED KING'S SHIELD TO BLOCK MY NIGHT SLASH AND CAUSED CONTRARY TO DOUBLE MY ATTACK!!! I absolutely died laughing after that. Unfortunately, even that wasn't enough to KO him, and neither was Rocky Helmet damage after an Iron Head got me to 1/4. He wasted his Full Restore, but this time I OHKO'd because he was in Blade forme.
Scizor was last, and I chose to stay in. Superpower scored a critical hit to get him into the red, and X-Scissor KO'd me… But Rocky Helmet finished him for the win.
I decided Drasna would be next. Her team wasn't overly strong and I had the proper things to use against her.
As she began with Dragalge, I opened with Atomic. Sludge Bomb unfortunately scored a critical hit for over 1/3 as my Psyshock got her near the red. She healed, while I used another Psyshock and made her waste ANOTHER Full Restore. Then she STILL wasn't in the red, and Sludge Bomb got me to 1/4, but I used Recover. Twice, as she got me right on the cusp of half and then I was at full health. Then she got me to 2/3 and poisoned me, not that it matters because Magic Guard, before I finished her.
Altaria came after, and the good thing about that is because I'm poisoned, I can't be put to sleep. After taking a pretty weak Dragon Pulse, I used Light Screen for this and to prepare for Noivern. I then switched out for Temple as she used Cotton Guard. Ice Beam unfortunately failed to OHKO, and she hit with Sing. I snoozed for two turns and took two pretty weak usages of Dragon Pulse before waking up and finishing her with another Ice Beam. I had over 5/6 then thanks to Leftovers. Unfortunately, the Light Screen wore off along the way.
Noivern was next, and here I was thinking I should've set up the Light Screen again after waking up. After spending over a minute contemplating my choices, I chose to stay in with Temple, and she used…Super Fang? Okay, whatever. Ice Beam got the OHKO before Leftovers got me just near half.
Druddigon was last, and I chose to stay in and use Reflect. She then used Dragon Tail for under half my remaining health and bringing me out to Kaleidoscope, which is totally fine. Ice Beam did under half as she used…Revenge? Uh, okay? I used another Ice Beam before her Dragon Tail left me out 1/3, and Atomic came back in and dealt a Psyshock for the win.
Then there was Malva. While one of my Pokemon was one well equipped to take her, there were certain foes of hers not to take lightly…
As she began with Pyroar, I opened with Supertron. I was promptly met with a Flamethrower that did 1/3, and Superpower got her into the red. She then used Hyper Voice to get me to 1/3 before another Superpower finished her.
Talonflame was next. I chose to stay in, and Brave Bird left me with 12 HP. She took some recoil damage. Night Slash got her into the red, and unfortunately Flame Body triggered and burn finished me off. Kaleidoscope came out next, and she wasted her Full Restore as Hydro Pump slammed her.
Chandelure was next, and I had to stay in. Hydro Pump…missed. Shadow Ball got the OHKO. I brought in Natsu, and she used Confide, which was fine with me. Kind of. I used Mystical Fire for a weak hit but to drop her Sp Atk. Then she used Confuse Ray. I then got in another Mystical Fire to half her Sp Atk. With little else to do, I decided to bring in Atomic, who took a Shadow Ball for narrowly under half. She then used Confuse Ray and I failed to get in a hit before being finished. I brought in Temple and then used Light Screen. Unfortunately, her Shadow Ball, while doing 1/4, got the Sp Def drop. I brought in Randori, who was immediately met with a Confuse Ray. And a pointless Confide. She then used Shadow Ball for under half my remaining health but ANOTHER Special Defense drop. Zen Headbutt got her into the red. And I was met with Flame Body. And she healed. And I was unable to do anything before she finished me. I brought in Natsu, and took a Confuse Ray. But I hit through it and Psychic did over half. Shadow Ball hit hard. And got ANOTHER Special Defense drop!!! But I hit through confusion again and finished her.
Torkoal was last, and I unfortunately hit myself in confusion before Stone Edge finished me. With just Temple left, I had an idea. I used Roost, hoping she would use Stone Edge, but instead she used Curse. I settled for the Reflect, and Stone Edge still did a little under half. I used Roost again but she used Curse once more. I used Air Slash hoping for the flinch, but no dice. Stone Edge hit for over half. I used Roost and was fully healed before she used another Stone Edge. I used Roost once more as she used her last one, and the Reflect wore off. I set up the Reflect again, as she used Curse. I then gained more Leftovers. Air Slash got her into the red as she used Curse again. Air Slash finished her for the win. Whew!
Well that certainly went differently than I expected. But I got it on the one try, and it did make things interesting. But with that, we just had Siebold left.
This took a second try. First try was going alright, but after his Starmie came out and Atomic set up a Light Screen, he scored
FOUR undeserved critical hits IN A ROW. Two Surfs to 2HKO Atomic, Dazzling Gleam to OHKO Randori, and Surf to OHKO Natsu. My mirror-match came out, and he set up Light Screen but I got him out of the way with 2/3 remaining, and it came down to Gyarados at half and a Dragon Dance… And he finished me. Seriously though, those odds should be impossible. I shouldn't have said No to his question. But it was time to put that hideous outing behind me and go in for it again.
As he began with Clawitzer, I opened with Temple. Air Slash did alright as he used Dark Pulse, which got me to 1 HP. I didn't set up Light Screen because I knew from the first outing that an OHKO was unlikely. I used Air Slash again, and got the flinch, allowing myself to buy a little more time. I set up Reflect before he finished me with Dark Pulse. Kaleidoscope finished him with Thunderbolt.
Barbaracle was next, and I brought in Randori. X-Scissor did less than half. High Jump Kick got the OHKO. Lovely.
Starmie was up next. YOU AGAIN! Feeling bold, I opted to stay in as he used Light Screen. Thunder Punch got him into the red before my Reflect wore off. I got him to waste both his Full Restores. I then switched in Atomic as he used Dazzling Gleam…for a critical hit that did under 1/3. Like come on now. He then used Surf for just under half my remaining health as Energy Ball finished him. Light Screen wore off…
…And not a moment too soon, as Gyarados came out last. As he got off a pointless Intimidate, I chose to stay in… And I got the Quick Claw, allowing me to use Charm. Waterfall got me into the red, and would have finished me had I not got the Quick Claw, but it was all good. I brought in Kaleidoscope into a weak Waterfall, allowing me to…get him into the red with Thunderbolt. He used Dragon Dance. I lived an Earthquake with ease, and Thunderbolt got the KO for the win. That got Atomic to Level 58.
And lastly was none other than the Champion, Diantha. I was actually quite nerve-wracked entering this battle, for more reasons than one in terms of her team members. But it was my chance to try, at least!
As she opened with Hawlucha, I started with Natsu. She used Swords Dance, but that was totally fine, as Psychic slammed her in one. And it got Natsu to Level 58.
Tyrantrum was next. Not sure what to do, I brought in Supertron, who took a whopping 90% with Head Smash! With all of that recoil and Rocky Helmet, she was near 1/3. I used Reflect before she finished me with another Head Smash, which got her into the red. I brought in Kaleidoscope, and as she healed, Hydro Pump hit for over half. Unfortunately, my next one missed, and she used Crunch for a bit under 2/3 and even got a Defense drop. I hit the next one though to finish her.
Aurorus came after, and I went for Recover, hoping she would miss with Thunder… Which she did not. And it KO'd. So I went for Randori, who demolished her with Brick Break.
Then we had Gourgeist. Knowing I had to keep Temple alive for what was up ahead, I brought in Natsu, and as she used Phantom Force, I was knocked into the red. I was faster, but that meant nothing as she used Shadow Sneak to finish me. I then used Temple, and Air Slash got her into the red… And she flinched! She used a Full Restore, but I 2HKO'd her from there, and Randori grew to Level 58.
Goodra came after. Knowing what was ahead, what I was trying to do was have Temple out so I could paralyze Gardevoir. So I switched Atomic into a Dragon Pulse…that scored a critical hit on the first hit for almost half. But I got the Quick Claw and used Recover before she used another Dragon Pulse for under 1/3. She then used it again for slightly under half my remaining health before I set up Light Screen. I then hung onto another and used Recover and had 3/4 left. I took another and used Recover to full. After a weak Psyshock, I used Recover for under half. She then got me to 2/3 and I got her to the red before the Light Screen wore off. As she healed, I set it back up. She then got me to half as I used another Psyshock to get her near half. I then got the Quick Claw and used Recover to full before a weak Dragon Pulse. Two, even, and then Psyshock got her into the red. She was all out of Dragon Pulses, and used a weak Focus Blast before I used Recover to heal to full before the Light Screen wore off. As she used Fire Blast, and burned me for kicks, I set up Light Screen again. I then switched out for Temple, who took a pathetic Focus Blast that Leftovers healed up, and Air Slash finished her.
Gardevoir was last, and got a pointless Trace of my Magic Guard. As she Mega Evolved, I used Thunder Wave to paralyze her. She then used Thunderbolt, which did LITERALLY ONE POINT over half, as in without the Light Screen that would've JUST been an OHKO. I had Leftovers propping me up, and had to consider what I'd do next. I used Air Slash, which didn't do much but caused the flinch before the Light Screen wore off. I set it up again as she got fully paralyzed. I used Air Slash and got her near half before she was fully paralyzed again. The problem now was that I didn't want to get her into healing range, and left me wondering if that Light Screen was necessary. I used Roost, but she got fully paralyzed again. I then brought in Atomic as she used Thunderbolt, which got me near half. I then used Light Screen again for nothing as she was fully paralyzed once again, and it wore off. I used Charm before she used Shadow Ball which finished me. But that was the perfect chance for me to bring in Randori again, and used Poison Jab for the win, completing the challenge. And Temple grew to Level 59.
And that was that! With that, my team was entered into the Hall of Fame. And then there was a parade… And we were challenged by one AZ. Natsu 2HKO'd his Torkoal with Psychic, burned his Golurk with Will-O-Wisp and Kaleidoscope took that from there. Buuuuuut it missed two usages of Hydro Pump against Sigilyph and he used some Cosmic Power, so Supertron took care of it. And of course it wouldn't be such without taunting me with the unneeded critical hit on the last turn through +3 Defense. With that, the eternal Floette returned to him, knowing who he truly was. And that was the main story!
Anyway, onto the update!
