Entry #16 Being timely never works

Trainer: Triton
Money: 119068
Badges: 6
Pokémon Team:
     King Pepé (Kingdra) Level 44 Ability: Clear Body
     Sandy (Charizard) Level 44 Ability: Shell Armor
     Gigabuzz (Electabuzz) Level 45 Ability: Overgrow
     Tsuntsun (Claydol) Level 43 Ability: Torrent
     Polyphemus (Machamp) Level 45 Ability: Magma Armor
     Flafa (Venomoth) Level 42 Ability: Hustle
Note: I'm back from Europe! Our trip took us through Venice in Italy and Taormina and Syracuse in Sicily. Then we took a long and absolutely incredible train ride from Italy, trough the Alps, and into a mountain town in Germany. We hiked for a few days and then set off to see some castles before spending our final days in Munich. On our last day, we took a great bike ride around a huge whatchamacallit lake with a long name that I don't remember.
The significance of that last bit is that my legs have been dead through the travel back and I didn't want to do anything but sit around. I had to work, so that didn't work out, and then some demon inside convinced me to run eight miles, so needless to say I really need some time to sit down and have a little fun.
But first, some things from my trip that were sweet.

In the Deutsches museum, I found a trombone with a Charizard head. It has to be Charizard because it's the only dragon-like Pokémon I've ever seen stuck in a pipe.

During one of our hikes in Germany, I took a look back on the mountain town, Mittenwald, from above. This is a view I never want to forget.

During a boat ride in Sicily, I took photos of the coastline under Mt. Etna (right) and a really cool close up of the town that we left from (above).

Yeah, Mt. Etna is huge, and it erupts every decade. Kind of like Mt. Chimney when Groudon has Insomnia and has to use crappy sleep medicine that allows him to wake up in a bad mood every now and then.

(Journal start) In this case though, it was the blue orb. When I approached Maxim, he used the thing and Groudon went off from his lava pool to who knows where. Maxim, not suspecting Groudon's absence to be a quick coffee break, turned his anger upon me and sent out a Taillow. Venomoth had a type disadvantage, but Psybeam took care of it before Endeavor and Wing Attack could do much. His other two Pokémon were both Chanseys, and Sandy (Charizard) was more than happy to clean them up with Strength.

Afterwards, Maxim ran after Groudon (hopefully catching some better Pokémon on the way), leaving me alone with my victory in the scorching heat of a gigantic volcano... that I hadn't explored for the 17 days of my absence in Europe.
I went for the door of the cave right behind the lava pit and found myself back in the maze of caverns. A pokéball item nearby revealed itself to be an escape rope, and I considered just escaping that way. A leave of three weeks builds up rust though, so I took my time searching my way out and learning how many Thunderpunches and Psybeams it took to kill everything in the cave.

PSYbeam PP: 5..... 4..... 1 due to Pressure..... No PP left, Struggle

After I finally got out of the cave, I needed another refresher on where the plot goes next. My friend Google put me in Slateport City, where Captain Stern was meeting with reporters asking about an underwater cave he discovered. The people there were too caught up to notice Aqua goons stealing into the harbor and taking Stern's submarine for their base. I chased them back to Lilycove and made the day's second base raid, taking out trainers and such with my veteran battlers. In one room, I encountered four pokéballs, two that I knew were fakes and held Pokémon. The first fake I found was a level 30 Raticate. Okay, Raticate are cool, strong too, but when compared to the level 30 hulking SLAKING in the second pokéball, it looks like fate is screwing with you. I named the Raticate Etna, after the active volcano that dominates my memories from visiting Sicily.

Ability: Rock Head

I took the last two Pokéballs then, a Master Ball and a Nugget (), and continued cleaning out Team Aqua's rotting sea cave. Eventually, I reached the officer who was guarding the submarine and almost missed the battle with him when I blinked to find Kingdra's Twister sending his Bellosom and Zubat across the room.

The raiding of this base overall took about six minutes, five minutes of which were random aqua guys throwing their Pokémon at Claydol and watching helplessly as Teeter Dance and a well-picked move sent them right back. I compared this to my first run of Emerald, in which it took my young self around forty minutes to clear it due to paranoia trips to the Pokémon center and the warp panels screwing up my navigation. Back then, I could understand why Team Aqua's submarine got away; that length of time is generous enough to get wind of intrusion, pack up, and shoot out of the harbor, but SIX MINUTES? My new conclusion is that the warp panels are rigged. I must be plunging through space time for hours during each transit. The trainers are a distraction, THE BATTLES ARE A LIE

I'm enraged, that submarine is lucky to escape, or we're looking at the next underwater Hindenburg.

Sandy's autograph not included

To Mossdeep City....

Trainer: Triton
Money: 128628
Badges: 6
Pokémon Team:
     King Pepé (Kingdra) Level 45 Ability: Clear Body
     Sandy (Charizard) Level 46 Ability: Shell Armor
     Gigabuzz (Electabuzz) Level 46 Ability: Overgrow
     Tsuntsun (Claydol) Level 43 Ability: Torrent
     Polyphemus (Machamp) Level 46 Ability: Magma Armor
     Flafa (Venomoth) Level 43 Ability: Hustle

Entry #15 Back and Forth

Trainer: Triton
Money: 78672
Badges: 6
Pokémon Team:
     King Pepé (Kingdra) Level 42 Ability: Clear Body
     Sandy (Charizard) Level 42 Ability: Shell Armor
     Gigabuzz (Electabuzz) Level 40 Ability: Overgrow
     Tsuntsun (Claydol) Level 40 Ability: Torrent
     Polyphemus (Machamp) Level 44 Ability: Magma Armor
     Flafa (Venomoth) Level 40 Ability: Hustle

Leaf's Ability: Rain Dish

The first thing to do was to cross the water on Route 122 and get to Mt. Pyre. On the way, I ran into a Slowpoke lounging on the rocks. I have a Slowking already, but I caught it anyway.

Mt. Pyre has an inside and outside. The inside has a bunch of trainers and items, while the outside is where you find Team Aqua. In the interest of crushing Team Aqua, I went for the indoor area first to catch the experience. Almost right away, I ran into a Girafarig.... which in the past has been my least favorite Pokémon. I used to administrate for a Pokémon RPG online in which the members knew me for my love of Giratina. They would trade me them, gift them for my birthday, and even bribe me with them to get certain "privileges"(never worked). Unfortunately, whenever they said "Hey Mars, want Giras?!" I never knew if they meant Giratinas or Girafarigs. It became a favorite prank because of how much it ticked me off, hehe. I laugh at it now, because that was years ago, and if anything I now look at Girafarig as a way to own a Gira when I'm not playing a later game. Therefore, the male Girafarig became GiraJr.

*sniffle* "Aw, I love you too" <3

Don't give me that,
Stop your irresistible pony looks and be a normal giraffe.



Ability: Poison Point



With my past relived, I continued through the inside of Mt. Pyre. The four floors of trainers gave great experience and I found the TMs for Thunderpunch (#30) and Secret Power (#48). Outside, it was a quick climb through the grass and to the top. There I faced four Aqua grunts and watched with pride as Claydol and Venomoth completely pummeled all in their path. Their leader Archie didn't bother to fight, but instead fled with the red orb.

Realistically, I should be able to take him out, but I guess four grunts as an audience isn't enough to make everyone disband. More fun for me later at the Aqua base >:]








Team Magma had taken the blue orb before Team Aqua crashed the party, but sometime in their conflict a Magma Symbol was dropped, and the old woman who watches over the orbs gave it to me to use. It is basically the key into Magma's hideout, which is at the base of Mt. Chimney above Lavaridge Town.
I  continued to battle and find pretty good items on route 123. This route is a series of cliffs that level down to the Berry Master's house. The catch is that once you hop over the cliffs, you can't go back, so it takes at least two runs to cover all of the ground, but usually more if you aren't careful. It's worth it because of the valuable items, like max potion and elixir, that are scattered everywhere. I did one run, caught a Nuzleaf and named her Hazel, and flew back to Lilycove so I could run through route 123 again. 

Ability: Rock Head

I also collected all of the berries. If a chemist and a food scientist really dug deep, could they make an ultimate berry juice?



You know, maybe something the gives you a little more than TWENTY HEALTH POINTS (Berry Juice) would be nice.






I headed to Lavaridge and prepared myself for taking on Magma's hideout, buying some extra super potions and status medicine, then tried reaching the hideout by going up Mt. Chimney. Their base is actually too high up to do that, unless you have an Acro Bike to scale the rocks, so I had to go around and use the cable car again.

Do dee dum, speeding up a mountain~

NONONO Awwwww CRAP

Traffic jam...





Several hours (seconds) later, I found the hideout and went on rampage with Electabuzz, bulldozing ten trainers (and the wild Seaking I could have caught.. whoops) before Thunderpunch ran out of power points. Everyone else took care of it from there. A PP Max, Full Restore, and several more items later, I found their leader Maxie in a magma chamber facing Groudon's sleeping form. Time to take care of business.

Trainer: Triton
Money: 119068
Badges: 6
Pokémon Team:
     King Pepé (Kingdra) Level 44 Ability: Clear Body
     Sandy (Charizard) Level 44 Ability: Shell Armor
     Gigabuzz (Electabuzz) Level 45 Ability: Overgrow
     Tsuntsun (Claydol) Level 43 Ability: Torrent
     Polyphemus (Machamp) Level 45 Ability: Magma Armor
     Flafa (Venomoth) Level 42 Ability: Hustle

Note: Europe WOOOOOO

So... I took a break. I'm leaving for a family trip to Europe today and the past week has gone really fast. I got half way through the next entry, but I don't want to publish it if it's not done.

I will be back on the 15th of July, and I'm not allowed to take my laptop so I won't make any more entries until I get back! It will be a long time, and I'm sorry I can't give you anything to read until then. Make sure to come back, though, I'll have an entry or two published withing a couple days of my return. Enjoy your summer and happy early independence day!

Entry #14 SAFARIII

Trainer: Triton
Money: 78672
Badges: 6
Pokémon Team:
     King Pepé (Kingdra) Level 39 Ability: Clear Body
     Sandy (Charizard) Level 40 Ability: Shell Armor
     Gigabuzz (Electabuzz) Level 40 Ability: Overgrow
     Tsuntsun (Claydol) Level 38 Ability: Torrent
     Polyphemus (Machamp) Level 43 Ability: Magma Armor
     Flafa (Venomoth) Level 38 Ability: Hustle
I'm going to start linking moves now, since I mention them so many times.

With my 6th gym badge and now super-powered Charizard, I left to get through the rest of Route 120. Since I had already caught an Elekid, my focus was on battling trainers and finding items. There came a special spot where I ran into two consecutive trainers with Wobbuffet, which are notorious for taking out Pokémon with Counter, Mirror Coat, and especially Destiny Bond. I have a history with them that's similar to my history with Norman's gym or even worse, it's that bad.
So, like with Norman's gym, I worked to find an answer to this problem. Luckily, it came to me while I was battling these two trainers - Venomoth is incredibly well equipped to take Wobbuffet out. A powerful Bug, Dark, or Ghost type move, high speed, and an ability to cause damage without attacking is what's required. Venomoth has that high speed and the moves Supersonic and Silver Wind! It was simple for me to confuse them and chip at their HP, then finish them off with Silver Wind whenever Wobbuffet hadn't used Destiny Bond during the turn before. Wobbuffet is a problem no more!

This is unfair.

Deal with it.
Thank you for the EXP, good day sir



I reached route 121 safely and continued to battle my way towards Lilycove. I was approaching the Safari Zone when a huge Wailord jumped out of the grass.

HELLOOOOOOOOOOO!!

After I caught her, I understood why she might've been happy to see me, because her ability was Suction Cups. In other words, beached and no way to get back to the ocean. I named her Palluka because she was big palooka and I ventured a poor guess on how to spell palooka. She was also holding TM 12 Spikes, which might explain another reason why she couldn't move... No graphic for this one, I'll save you the horror.

I then reached the Safari Zone, but I couldn't enter without a Pokéblock case. I moved on, fighting six trainers or so before I reached Lilycove City. The man at the Safari Zone told me that I could get a Pokéblock case at the Lilycove contest hall, so I went over and got one. I needed some Pokéblocks too to keep Pokémon from running away, so I played around with the blending machines and got 20 or so Pokéblocks. I'm prepping a lot for this because I treat the Safari Zone differently than a normal route. There are four areas (six actually, but two are closed until after the elite four), so instead of just one "Safari Zone" Pokémon, I will get one for each area, so four chances. This is because it's a lot harder to catch Pokémon in the Safari Zone. They can run away depending on how you approach them. Pokéblocks keep them from running as long as they like the Pokéblock whereas getting closer will increase the chance that they run, but it also makes them easier to catch.... Blah, this is a lot of info, so here's a TLDR: Safari Zone, four areas, therefore four chances, Pokémon harder to catch, let's go!
(Typing this as I go)
Area 1: Cloyster (SWEET)
Gave a pokéblock, then crept closer. Still there to catch! Pokéball #1: 3 wiggles, but no dice. Pokéball #2.. IT'S IN!!
Named her Crystal

Area 2: Lotad
Gave a pokéblock, crept closer twice and threw Pokéball #1. Wiggled three times but not in. Pokéball 2: 1 wiggle. Pokéball 3: 1 wiggle. It ran away...

Area 3: Butterfree!
Gave a pokéblock, crept closer, still there! Pokéball #1: Caught!!
Named him Umbra
Also found TM 22 Moonlight (before I caught Umbra, to explain the moon-based nickname)

Area 4: Corsola
The mooch took my Pokéblock and ran...

Two for four!

Ability: Water Veil

Ability: Cacophony

And the two I wanted most as well. Welcome to the team!





I went back to Lilycove then and started exploring the city. A guy on the edge of town gave me TM 44 Curse (Would be Rest in normal games). I also found a Max Repel by the lighthouse and a few hidden items on the beach, then I went to the water to get another Pokémon (the beach is still in Lilycove!). After failing at the fishing rod a dozen times because my game was going at emulator speed (way too fast for precision), I went surfing and found a female Masquerain. This is like.. my fifth flying bug, after Venomoth, Butterfree, Beedrill, and Volbeat.

Bugs seem to like me, just imagine what I could do with this power!

My enemies should cower in fear

THE SWARM IS COMING




I caught her and named her Queen in case I do indeed need a bug type after Flafa. Really Beedrill or Butterfree could do as well, but I never had a Masquerain on my team before, another possible under-rated Bug type! Back at Lilycove's center, I met May in front of the department store. She wanted another battle of course, so out went Electabuzz!

HEHEHE, let's see what you got!

Her first Pokémon was Ditto, and Thunderpunch knocked it into red before it could transform, and Swift took care of the rest.
Next out was Magikarp... you can probably guess how that went.
Mr. Mime came after, and I sent in Venomoth. Silver Wind knocked it out right away and Psybeam did the same to Kakuna.
Yeah... my rival battles are hilariously easy. xD


I went into the department store afterwards and looked around for new random TMs to try. In numerical order, I got TM 14 Swagger, TM 15 Sandstorm, TM 16 Mega Punch, TM 17 Icy Wind, TM 20 Selfdestruct (NONONO), TM 25 Bubblebeam, TM 33 Rapid Spin, and TM 38 Stomp. So... nothing good! That's OKAY, I think my luck with TMs has been incredibly good already with Covet, Teeter Dance, Milk Drink (lol), and Eruption (RAWR). Still.. maybe Dragon Claw for Kingdra instead of Twister? Oh well. I hoped to find solace on the roof where a Move Tutor normally taught Substitute, but he only taught Horn Attack. Okay...
...
....
WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE
Ugh, I will take out some anger in the next issue, when I meet Team Aqua and Team Magma on Mt. Pyre. Time to add a few more gravestones?

Trainer: Triton
Money: 70744
Badges: 6
Pokémon Team:
     King Pepé (Kingdra) Level 42 Ability: Clear Body
     Sandy (Charizard) Level 42 Ability: Shell Armor
     Gigabuzz (Electabuzz) Level 40 Ability: Overgrow
     Tsuntsun (Claydol) Level 40 Ability: Torrent
     Polyphemus (Machamp) Level 44 Ability: Magma Armor
     Flafa (Venomoth) Level 40 Ability: Hustle

Entry #13 Raining Aqua Grunts

Trainer: Triton
Money: 92912
Badges: 5
Pokémon Team:
     King Pepé (Kingdra) Level 37 Ability: Clear Body
     Sandy (Charizard) Level 39 Ability: Shell Armor
     Gigabuzz (Electabuzz) Level 38 Ability: Overgrow
     Tsuntsun (Claydol) Level 38 Ability: Torrent
     Polyphemus (Machamp) Level 42 Ability: Magma Armor
     Flafa (Venomoth) Level 36 Ability: Hustle
All of my training for Norman's gym has been paying off. The six Team Aqua members, including the Admin, were hardly a match even with tough Pokémon. Sandy and Flafa each took half, with Flafa taking the last three and knocking out Admin Shelly's Sceptile with one Silver Wind. The goons bolted afterwards for Mt. Pyre, where Team Magma was reported to be heading.


Meteor Falls, Mt. Chimney, and now Mt. Pyre?
Mountains must be attractive for rival battling because of the atmosphere. There is a feeling of solitude that keeps focus on the battle, the air is fresh and chilly, and your mom probably has no idea where you are.





The head researcher there gave me a Pokémon for my help. Normally, it would be Castform, but instead I got a level 25 male Slowking with the ability Own Tempo, which prevents confusion. His psychic intelligence, replacement of Castform, and water type all converged and I thought of the movie Rain Man (Great movie, watch it!).

"All I'm trying to find out is what's the guy's name on first base."

-Zubat used Confuse Ray!-

"What's the guy's name on first base?
No, what's the guy's name on second base."

-Slowking's Own Tempo Prevents confusion!-  

"Have you got a first baseman on first? Yeah."

-Slowking used Psychic!- 

"Then who's playing first? Yeah."

-Zubat was forced to solve the problem!- 

"You know the fella's name? Yeah."

-It's super effective!- 

"Then who's playing first? Yeah." 

-Zubat fainted-

I found out about his ability later, but it made sense. Autism just means that they think at their own pace in their own way, and if an Own Tempo Slowking doesn't symbolize that as well as I think it does, it's okay because Rainman is an epic nickname.

Leaving the institute, I went across the bridge and started climbing stairs to the jungle of Fortree when my rival came up from behind on a bike to challenge me to a battle. My first Pokémon out was Flafa (Venomoth) and she took down her Hitmonchan, her Kakuna, and her SECOND Kakuna without more than a little damage from Hitmonchan's Fire Punch. She praised me for my amazing trainer skills and gave me HM 02 Fly. Sandy was the only one who could learn it, but she just got wing attack and I didn't have an immediate need to fly, so I held on to it.

YOU AREN'T USEFUL







Four trainers and psybeam frenzies (from Venomoth) later, I arrived at Fortree City. After healing, I talked around and got TM 10 Toxic from an old woman. Besides that, there was no more free stuff, and the city's gym was being blocked by some invisible Pokémon (no longer Kecleon due to the randomizer), so I left for Route 120. In the long grasses, I ran into what would be my second male Elekid! Caught it, named it Teslabuzz, and sent it back to the PC. I pushed ahead until I ran into Steven, who gave me the Devon Scope, the tool that reveals invisible Pokémon. He had me battle an invisible Doduo that fell quickly to Electabuzz's thunderpunch. Then I went back to route 119 and found an invisible Zangoose, which I also defeated and got the hyper potion she was blocking. Last was the one in Fortree blocking the gym and maybe my next companion. What could it be?

I never found out, apparently this one runs from you instead of battling.... sad face. I kept my chin high even so, because it was time for another gym! Winona's trainers were better than most I've faced in the past. There were many double battles and a lot of defensively-typed Pokémon including Nidorina and Hypno, all around level 30, but overall no problem for my now at least level 38 Pokémon. Eventually, I solved the puzzle of the spinning bars and reached Winona.

Winona had 5 Pokémon. First up was Kingdra! I switched in King Pepé and we had an epic Twister battle. Being 9 levels higher, King Pepé won magnificently.

Fortree is now Forstump

Whoops..




Next out was Umbreon (I really like her team so far), and I sent in Venomoth. Silver Wind took it out and she sent out Phanpy. King Pepé surfed Phanpy away, Machamp karate chopped Castform, and Charizard knocked out Meditite with Wing Attack. Battle done, I accepted my sixth badge and TM 40, which would normally contain Ariel Ace. This time, it taught Eruption.
Holy crap, please please please please please.... YES!!!

Timid by nature, yes... but a force to be reckoned with.

My Charizard learned it. As useful as flamethrower is, eruption is a mega power boost as long as Charizard stays in good health. The move's power decreases with health, but Charizard's naturally high speed will get at least one good shot in. One will definitely be enough with 225 (STAB) power and Charizard's exceptional special attack.

Trainer: Triton
Money: 78672
Badges: 6
Pokémon Team:
     King Pepé (Kingdra) Level 39 Ability: Clear Body
     Sandy (Charizard) Level 40 Ability: Shell Armor
     Gigabuzz (Electabuzz) Level 40 Ability: Overgrow
     Tsuntsun (Claydol) Level 38 Ability: Torrent
     Polyphemus (Machamp) Level 43 Ability: Magma Armor
     Flafa (Venomoth) Level 38 Ability: Hustle

Entry #12 Side-tracked

Trainer: Triton
Money: 42640
Badges: 5
Pokémon:
Team: King Pepé (Kingdra) Level 36 Ability: Clear Body
     Sandy (Charizard) Level 34 Ability: Shell Armor
     Gigabuzz (Electabuzz) Level 36 Ability: Overgrow
     Tsuntsun (Claydol) Level 37 Ability: Torrent
     Polyphemus (Machamp) Level 41 Ability: Magma Armor
     Flafa (Venomoth) Level 34 Ability: Hustle

On my way through Mauville City to cross to the East side of the Hoenn Region, I ran into Wattson, who seemed to be looking for something. That something was a Pokémon trainer, and that Pokémon trainer was Triton, and that Triton is me, so I helped him out.
The repetition train stops there, I'm afraid. Continuing with "and me is/was" will only get THEM after me.

WE SALUTE YOU SIR

Yeah, yeah..



Wattson wanted me to go to New Mauville, a power plant off to the side of route 110, and turn the generator off. Otherwise, it might blow up and everything within a large radius would vanish, including Rydel's Cycles whose very generous sponsorship I had yet to repay. Better late than never!
New Mauville was confusing; doors, switches, and savage pokéballs that released rabid Persian, but I caught a level 23 Magneton! I finally found the generator room and jumped on the off-switch. Picking up the thunderstone that was nearby, I navigated through the switches again and came out to the fresh air. When I met back up with Wattson, he gave me TM 24, and instead of Thunderbolt, it was Milk Drink. Like Softboiled, it heals HP, so I let Electabuzz learn it.


 Yeah, A NEW POWER



GIGABUZZ, USE MILK DRINK

 Wait...

 Uh, Gigabuzz?

........
Right, a milk bottle













Because most battles don't reveal a Pokémon's ability, I always have to wait for the end of a route or cave to be able to go to the PC and see what it is. It's something I looked forward to because of all the weird ability-Pokémon combos would show up in the PC lists for you all to see. I don't do that anymore because my PC lists got too lengthy, but I wish to share the surprise I got when I came back and found that the Magneton in this game have the ability Pick-Up.

Yeah, these magnets finally WORK

GO FULL POWER!

...............................

It's following us 

.................

Crap Crap Crap Crap Crap Crap Crap Crap Crap






The first big thing that came to my mind was the randomizer: were the found items randomized as well? So I put Tron (Magneton's nickname) in for Electabuzz and trained it for a long time. At level 30 (seven levels later), it had found two repels, two super potions, an ultra ball, a full heal, a revive, and more things that are consistent with the normal finds. With Covet, Aerodactyl's move, gone, this was a blow, but a fair one at that. I will push on without the added amusement of more random items, at least for now!
One last side-trip to take was to the Move Tutor in Fallarbor Town. Venomoth had the ability to learn Silver Wind this way, so I traded in the Heart Scale and added a bug type move back in to my repertoire.
Heading across the water, I bumped in to some trainers, but no Pokémon until the grasses on the other side. It was a low-leveled Meditite, and I sent out Electabuzz with the move Swift to weedle it down. That didn't work, Electabuzz got a direct hit with Swift and the poor thing didn't survive.
I moved on, and a nice fisherman gave me a good rod, just another way to find Pokémon, which is always good.

Of course, there's always the Homer Simpson method, but it's too violent

On Route 119, I encountered my first tall grass. I found a cute little Swinub and named him Wilbur, then I scoured the place for trainers and items. I found an Elixir, a couple Hyper Potions, and a lot of people hiding behind imitations of trees and rock cliffs. Eventually, I reached a blockade of two Team Aqua grunts that wouldn't let me cross the bridge next to the Weather Institute. Time to go inside and clean them out! The next twenty minutes looks like rain, lightning, and a solo tornado sweeping through arrogant blue-clad pests.
Trainer: Triton
Money: 92912
Badges: 5
Pokémon:
Team: King Pepé (Kingdra) Level 37 Ability: Clear Body
     Sandy (Charizard) Level 39 Ability: Shell Armor
     Gigabuzz (Electabuzz) Level 38 Ability: Overgrow
     Tsuntsun (Claydol) Level 38 Ability: Torrent
     Polyphemus (Machamp) Level 42 Ability: Magma Armor
     Flafa (Venomoth) Level 36 Ability: Hustle

Note: Father's Day

Hello, Happy Father's Day! Or, it was, it's 12:30 in the morning now. Due to my schedule in the past 48 hours including work, spending time with family and friends, golf, and chores, I couldn't get enough time to finish my blog post. I'm about half way done, and I'll finish it today (Monday).
After that, the 2-day thing will continue, so the next post will be Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday if I get more time next weekend than I did this weekend.

Thanks for sticking with it, life gets in the way but I WILL CONTINUE, and at a brisk pace. Keep reading!!

Entry #11: The Ocean!

Trainer: Triton
Money: 42640
Badges: 5
Pokémon:
Team: King Pepé (Kingdra) Level 34 Ability: Clear Body
     Sandy (Charizard) Level 33 Ability: Shell Armor
     Gigabuzz (Electabuzz) Level 33 Ability: Overgrow
     Tsuntsun (Baltoy) Level 33 Ability: Minus
     Polyphemus (Machamp) Level 41 Ability: Magma Armor
     Flafa (Venomoth) Level 33 Ability: Hustle
(I'm going to start just posting my party because of the number of PC Pokémon. Is this okay? If you liked it the way it was, facebook me or comment here, asap if you can!)

There are five ocean routes between route 104 by Petalburg and Slateport, routes 105-109. Including the abandoned ship, that's 6 new partners. My team right now is pretty awesome, but that's always the case when you are lucky enough to start with a Horsea and a Charizard and keep them alive the whole way through.

In Route 105, I caught a female Plusle, which apparently had become the new Tentacool in the area, because I saw it everywhere and from level 6 to level 35.
WAIT, it's EVERYWHERE, ELECTRIC type, named PLUSle, and shows up at different AMOUNTS of experience. I named her Protona, because my Physics-major brain declared that it must be so!

You're the coolest guy ever!!

 I know right? :D






The Tentacool of route 106 was Nidoqueen, I caught her as well and named her Nidopatra. After scanning the whole area for items, I healed at Dewford Town and went on to route 107. There I met a level 30 male Meganium that hated Pokéballs more than any other I had tried to catch, including Wasp. On my fifteenth great ball, I caught Meganium and named him Taryl, which is also the name of a guy I work with and I just think it's on the list of names that are unique and really cool. Definitely a potential team member here.
Midway through route 107, Tsuntsun (Baltoy) evolved into Claydol! Its defenses almost doubled and its special attack made it much more formidable. It's the last Pokémon on my team that needed evolving, which is relieving. Now, I hope, the likelihood of a casualty is very minimal.
On another note, MY FIRST CLAYDOL.

This has been on my mind for a little bit, how would Baltoy adapt to such a weird head, what if its brain can't get used to so many eyes?

"I CAN SEEEEEEE"

"Wait, no I can't"

"Oh, now I can! Huh? Did I rotate my head?"

"NOW I'M BLIND AGAIN"

"Wait.. ugh, NOW I CAN SEE BUT EVERYTHING IS IN A DIFFERENT PLACE AND I.... cant see again... help.."

Continuing on to route 108, my first encounter was with a wild Quilava (Johto starters for the win?). Even more potential than Meganium here, it was already at level 35, which means a Typhlosion as soon as it levels up. Woah..

"The Volcano Pokémon" is here, whenever you need to blow shit up.

I hesitated. If Hotspot (what I named Quilava) were to switch in, Charizard would be the best one to exchange because of their similar type, but Sandy was doing fine in battles, easy to level up and always there as a powerful backup. That said, I kept Hotspot in the PC.
Next, I went to the abandoned ship. Explorer mode activated, therefore, selfie:

Check out those pipes, awwwww yeah


















I fought some intense double battles inside, I took down a Scyther-Onix combo and another Milotic. I found the storage key to a locked storage room and found TM 13 inside. It was supposed to be Ice Beam, but it was randomized to sweet kiss. Teeter dance is better, but it's good to have! Next, I went into the water with the dive spot and attempted to catch another companion. The game took a realistic turn then and I found myself battling a Clamperl. I named it Cluster and moved on to route 109 because I couldn't go further without the ability to dive. On route 109, I ran into Gardevoir, but it teleported away. No big deal, I don't need another psychic type, I've got these two!





 Although, having two psychic types that aren't morning Pokémon might make breakfast a little crazy.






 Off to the Weather Institute and Fortree City next!


Trainer: Triton
Money: 42640
Badges: 5
Pokémon:
Team: King Pepé (Kingdra) Level 36 Ability: Clear Body
     Sandy (Charizard) Level 34 Ability: Shell Armor
     Gigabuzz (Electabuzz) Level 36 Ability: Overgrow
     Tsuntsun (Claydol) Level 37 Ability: Torrent
     Polyphemus (Machamp) Level 41 Ability: Magma Armor
     Flafa (Venomoth) Level 34 Ability: Hustle

Entry #10 Pushing Ahead

Trainer: Triton
Money: 54852
Badges: 4
Pokémon:
Team: King Pepé (Kingdra) Level 33 Ability: Clear Body
     Sandy (Charizard) Level 30 Ability: Shell Armor
     Gigabuzz (Electabuzz) Level 30 Ability: Overgrow
     Tsuntsun (Baltoy) Level 30 Ability: Minus
     Polyphemus (Machamp) Level 30 Ability: Magma Armor
     Flafa (Venonat) Level 26 Ability: Water Veil
PC: Rala (Krabby) Level 15 Ability: Shed Skin
      Ekel (Cascoon) Level 14 Ability: Color Change
      Jerry (Marill) Level 16 Ability: Insomnia
      Wasp (Beedrill) Level 28 Ability: Arena Trap
      Peeps (Noctowl) Level 20 Ability: Plus
      Tsuki (Teddiursa) Level 5 Ability: Insomnia
      Gaba (Volbeat) Level 20 Ability: Soundproof
      Kaikei (Cradily) Level 16 Ability Magma Armor

Some of you might wonder about my choice to take back Flafa instead of Wasp. I could write pages comparing and contrasting the two, talking about Venomoth's higher speed and defenses in sacrifice of Beedrill's very useful attack power. It would go into the natures of each, their movesets, and even how the colors of purple and yellow each effect my mood. At the end, I would exclaim THIS IS ALL INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT when all in all it would just be a long and deliberate lie to make me look intelligent.

It may also include a chapter on Google image comparisons.

 





The real answer is that I have never in my life of playing Pokémon had a Venomoth, and because Flafa was my third Pokémon, I feel a need to train it and measure how much trust I can have in supposedly a very underrated Bug/Poison Pokémon. Leaving Petalburg, I went to the Sandstorm area to start training her. Her defenses were great, but I still had to use the rest of my super potions because it took so long for her to knock out a Pokémon. I moved to the areas by Fallarbor Town to take away the Sandstorm damage and things got easier as she leveled up. Finally, she evolved into a beautiful Venomoth.

With equally beautiful stat boosts.
89 56 39 35 48 41 Venonat Lvl 31
95 62 45 66 60 69 Venomoth Lvl 31

Fun Fact: Before this game, I had never battled with Kingdra or Claydol either. That's part of the reason why Horsea was so appealing as a starter. (I have used Salamence in almost every Emerald run since I got the game)








Eventually, all six of my Pokémon reached level 33, and by that time my brain had successfully brought back all of my memories of being crushed by Norman's gym, again and again. The level jump from Flannery is huge, almost unfair, and his Slaking are annoying and incredibly strong. He has ruined Nuzlocke challenges for not only me, but many of my friends as well, with and without the randomizer. There is a monopoly in trainer-screwing here that must be stopped.

Hey, Polyphemus
"What's up, bro?"
I need you, want to get stronger?
"AWWWW YEAH! Wait, how much stronger?"
You'll see.

-20 minutes later-
Hey, Norman.
"Ah, I've see you beat all of my trainers, fantastic! Don't underestimate me tho-"
Cut the crap, I know your power, and I have something to say to you:
My name is Triton, and one of your trainers killed my Aerodactyl. Prepare to die.
"What the.. dude, I'm your father-"
GO, MACHAMP

Machamp's level: 40 Attack: 128
Norman's Pokémon: Vaporeon level 27
                                  Marill level 29
                                  Voltorb level 27
                                  Ponyta level 31
Norman's Casualties: 4
My Casualties: 0
Switch-outs: 0
Only attack used: Revenge

In memory of all those who suffered under Norman's Pokémon

I GIVE YOU VENGEANCE

Peace be with you.

That was a bit dramatic, but I hope you enjoyed the snippet of dialogue. I thoroughly enjoyed beating Norman and his cronies to a pulp, more so even than that time I took out Team Aqua's whole base with an overpowered Sceptile back in Ruby version.

"Challengers will be hit with Leaf Blade.
Survivors will be hit with Leaf Blade again."







Looool, good times. After leaving the gym in less than good condition, I went to Wally's uncle's house and the man gave me HM 03 Surf. I gave it to Kingdra, turning Water Gun into Tsunami Gun, and went to explore the water routes between Petalburg, Dewford, and Slateport to get companions and train before I head for the routes that lead to Fortree City. Before I left, I noticed the water in Petalburg and remembered that I hadn't yet claimed a Pokémon from this area. I took advantage of surf and caught a cute little female Phanpy and named it Ellie (Ice Age 2). To be continued.. in the ocean!

Trainer: Triton
Money: 42640
Badges: 5
Pokémon:
Team: King Pepé (Kingdra) Level 34 Ability: Clear Body
     Sandy (Charizard) Level 33 Ability: Shell Armor
     Gigabuzz (Electabuzz) Level 33 Ability: Overgrow
     Tsuntsun (Baltoy) Level 33 Ability: Minus
     Polyphemus (Machamp) Level 41 Ability: Magma Armor
     Flafa (Venomoth) Level 33 Ability: Hustle
PC: Rala (Krabby) Level 15 Ability: Shed Skin
      Ekel (Cascoon) Level 14 Ability: Color Change
      Jerry (Marill) Level 16 Ability: Insomnia
      Wasp (Beedrill) Level 28 Ability: Arena Trap
      Peeps (Noctowl) Level 20 Ability: Plus
      Tsuki (Teddiursa) Level 5 Ability: Insomnia
      Gaba (Volbeat) Level 20 Ability: Soundproof
      Kaikei (Cradily) Level 16 Ability: Magma Armor
      Ellie (Phanpy) Level 20 Ability: Swarm