On the outskirts of Hearthome, I wasn't allowed out toward the Mansion yet. Dumb reporters. On the other side of town, Gistica was waiting.
<Gistica> Ta-daah!
<Gistica> You kept me waiting again!
<Keeper> Don't you have anything better to do then stand around?
<Gistica> Not really.
<Gistica> Anyway, let's battle! Right here and now!
<Gistica> No whining! No waiting!
<Keeper> But I wasn't-
vs.
When Gistica started off with Double Team, I felt like I was about to be the victim of bad karma. Water Pulse knocked it to a little over half health. For some reason, Gistica decided to switch.
vs.
Oh, that's why. It pulls off a Leech Seed while I try my luck with Mud Bomb. Yeah... Not worth it. Switch
vs.
Flame Wheel for the KO.
<Gistica> Hax.
<Keeper> How...?
<Gistica> It just is.
I switch out for...
vs.
Ouch, it knows peck. Fortunately, Utena knew when to cut her losses and switched to Megalodon.
vs.
Growl to lower attack, Sandstorm to raise Evasion. Bubblebeam still hit though, and brought 'Don down to red. Unfortunately, he was KO'd by the following attack. No hax for me that go round.
vs.
Mach Punch. KO.
vs.
Rock Tomb brings it to red, and it proceeds to set up Double Team. Mach Punch hits and is a KO. Switching to Slugger for the final poke.
vs.
Such Water Pulse, much damage.
<Gistica> What just happened! I lost?
<Keeper> Dude.
<Keeper> Did you sleep through it or something?
<Gistica> It goes to show my surefire winning strategy doesn't work.
<Keeper> Oh, that whole evasion thing? So that's what the random Double Teams were about.
<Gistica> Yeah...
<Gistica> So! Turns out it doesn't work worth beans.
<Keeper> Worked for me at Fletch's gym.
<Gistica> -_-
<Gistica> See ya Keeper!
*Gistica runs.
*Keeper runs to Pokémon Center.
*Keeper has entered Route209.
So I actually found a Chansey in the grass on my first encounter. Didn't need to catch it though, so Slugger destroyed it for the exp. In fact, Slugger was my MVP all the way up to Solaceon Town. With Megalodon being the runner up in double battles.
*Keeper has entered #SolaceonTown.
<Gistica> Yahoo!
<Keeper> Is that where you run off to? To check your e-mail?
<Gistica> Maybe.
<Gistica> I got something cool! I'll show you!
<Gistica> Oh, right. Didn't put the seals on...
<Gistica> It's because I was at the ruins! They're cool, you should go see.
<Gistica> I even found the HM Defog!
<Keeper> Do I get to respond in all thi-
<Gistica> Anyway, I'll battle you another time! See ya!
*Gistica has left #SolaceonTown.
<Keeper> ...Coward
After a quick heal at the Solaceon Pokemon Center, I was ready to tackle the Lost Tower!
Slugger was so close to evolving I could taste it, so I put him up in front for just a little while longer (Megalodon was equipped with the Exp. Share for now, Zui Quan is next).
Inside, I fought through floor after floor of moaning and wailing visitors. ...Actually, most of them were insane and thought I was a ghost. That's much better.
Floor two was home to a youngster who liked to spam Protect with his Mothim. After a third Protect in a row, I was ready to murder. And the item he was guarding was... an Oval Stone. I tossed it out of spite.
I need to stop nuzlocking Gens 1 and 2, I'm not used to Levitating Gastly. Fortunately, most would Curse on turn one, giving Slugger a guaranteed KO with Water Pulse. Doubles battles were a tad bit annoying, as the ever-present fog made accuracy a pain for me, but never seemed to bother the opposition.
I got ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP. Just to find out you need Defog befor ethe old ladies will talk to you.
>insert rage here<
I was convinced that this couldn't get any worse...
But, at least outside of the Lost Tower I found TM Steel Wing, Calcium, and Stardust.
I guess I should go get Defog now... Yeah, that sounds like a plan. Though I absolutely hate those ruins.
We all know about the Solaceon Ruins, yes? Well, fortunately I read Unown.
I BET NOBODY ELSE CAN.
Top right, lower left, top right, top left, top left, lower left.
...
...
Hey, look. A trainer.
Battle.
<Slugger> Would ya look at dat?
<Slugger> Guess if somebody's gottado the hard pulling 'round here.
<Slugger> Might as well be me.
<Keeper> Well put Slugger.
<Zui Quan>
But I evolved first...
I did make it the bottom room eventually. Grabbed myself a Nugget, HM Defog, Mind Plate, and an Odd Incense.
In that same room was the inscribed:
Friendship
<Utena> IS MAGIC!
<Keeper> -_-
All lives touch other lives to create something anew and alive.
Finally, with Defog in bag, I could climb up Lost Tower.
...As soon as I had a pokémon that could use the move.
After catching a Staravia, I withdrew it from the PC and climbed back up Lost Tower. The ladies at the top gave me a Cleanse Tag and the Spell Tag. Not bad, honestly.
<OldLady> Oh, the fog is gone! Here's for your help.
*Keeper got a Spell Tag
<OldLady> That Fletchling... It's hard to tell what he's thinking.
<OldLady> But he has a passionate heart. You know, he's a regular visitor.
<Keeper> Oooo...Kay? As long as I don't have to run into him again.
*Keeper runs back down the tower.
<Fletchling> SEE ZE FANTINA!
*Fletchling twirl.
<Keeper> Get out.
<Fletchling> Non!
<Keeper> Hmm...
<Keeper> A wild Fletchling appeared!
<Fletchling> I iz non Fletchling!
<Keeper> Go! Bomb!
<Fletchling> Iz me, Fantin- oh non!
<Fletchling> weeweeweewee~!
<Keeper> Boom.
*Fletchling explode.
/End Chapter
Team:
Megalodon Lv. 23
Slugger Lv. 30
Utena Lv. 22
Zui Quan Lv. 29