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xaq_the_aereonI left off the previous entry with the hypocrisy of a cop wanting to battle me right by a sign from the police station telling people not to fight.
We'll deal with him in a minute, but for now I need to check in on Poke Pelago. First, Isle Aphun to see if they got what I needed.
-Hard Stone, Leaf Stone, Float Stone, and Dusk Stone
Drat, missed it. Oh well, we can always try again, right fellas? We'll check back with you tomorrow night. For now, back over to Isle Abeens to see if any of our 3 guests last night decided to stay. As it turns out, one of the Staryus decided Poke Pelago wasn't to its liking, but the other two decided to hang around!
Just like that, a Lv 14 Cutiefly and a Lv 17 Staryu are added to my roster, with the latter adding an entry to the Pokedex. It's kinda weird when adding to my roster takes even less effort than the PokeWalker takes Celine.
Beyond that, one last stop to Isle Aplenty to check on my Berry bushes. 128 Leppa Berries, 7 Lum Berries, and 20 Sitrus Berries...not bad. A quick boost to Level 3 to max out the Berry-growing capacity we should soon have a bumper crop of Sitrus and Lum Berries to help out later. At the moment, though, having 128 Leppa Berries on hand to recharge PP should prove useful.
...Side note: I genuinely enjoy Berry farming in the Pokemon games. The Berry Fields in X/Y was one of my favorite spots in the game. Anyway, back to Route 9 and that hypocritical cop. Alright, Officer Haruki, let's deal with your boredom.
[ROUND 1: vs Herdier]
Ah, the midway evolution between Lillipup and Stoutland. Apparently it has Intimidate, as Erinys' Attack dropped...too bad none of her moves use it. Anyway, time to put Toxic to use, which shaves a good 10% of his HP off...after Erinys almost gets 1-shot by a Take Down. Alright, you wanna pull that kind of crap?
[ONE INFERNO OVERDRIVE LATER]
Hot dog, I won! :D Yes, Haruki, this is a case...a case of you getting your ass whupped. To the south, we have a diverging path. Southeast goes to Memorial Hill, northwest goes to Konikoni City and our Grand Trial battle. So guess which way I'm going?
That's right, SIDE TRIP!
I see why this place is called Memorial Hill...like Melemele Island, Akala also has a cemetery. *bows head in respect for a moment* ...I bet some of these people will still want to break the solemnity of the place with a battle, though.
...Without thinking I take a Cleanse Tag that was sitting right on some person/mon's grave. I feel like an ass now, and the moment I do, a Preschooler behind me spots me and attacks. Serves me right, I guess...wait, why is a Preschooler in a cemetery?! Liam, where are your parents!?
[ROUND 1: vs Magby]
Dragon Rage proves its early-game effectiveness, while Erinys dodges a Fire Spin before Dragon Raging again to finish things up.
[ROUND 2: vs Ledian]
Bug-type, huh? Well, I think I'll let Gauss have a go this round to see how they like being a Magneton. Must like it a lot since that Electro Ball just turned into a bug zapper and leveled them up to 31. Sorry Liam no, don't get sleepy here, this is NOT the place to take a nap! ...Also, it's sweet and rather sad that he suggests giving those resting in this place a Chesto Berry to hold to wake them up. Poor kid...
Around the corner I meet Gentleman Smith, who says he's got "one thing" to take care of before visiting the Ruins of Life (where I expect to run into Lillie and Nebby)...apparently that thing is fighting me.
[ROUND 1: vs Jolteon]
Intent to not build Team KAISER aside, it still hurts going up against an Eeveelution. *readies Inferno Overdrive* I'll make this quick. Sorry little one why didn't that KO you? Fine, I'll deal with another Quick Attack and then Dragon Rage. Thank you for boosting Spectra up to Lv 32 with the Exp Share, at least. Moving on, I run into Madame Sayuri.
"Which Pokemon do you think is fitting with the grave? Let's battle. Maybe you'll find out." ... ... Lady, did you just threaten me!?
[ROUND 1: vs Furfrou]
...Did you just threaten me with a Furfrou? Anyway, after flinching from a Headbutt, I realize Erinys is at about 3 HP. Right, time for the big guns. Obsidian, come! ...And get Tail Whipped for your troubles. XD A Rock Tomb slows it down some, and Headbutt bounces off rather ineffectively. No flinch this time, though Fire Fang returns the favor and then ALMOST wraps it up except the lady used a Super Potion. 2 more do the trick, though, finishing with a crit. Good girl, Obsidian. ^_^
[ROUND 2: vs Comfey]
As much as I want to tag Erinys back in...actually, y'know what, screw it, I've got Super Potions and she just hit Lv 30 after that Furfrou anyway. Hadn't planned on using items, lady, but you went and used one, so fair's fair. After that, her Comfey Wraps itself around Erinys. Good, all the closer to take advantage of Fairy-type's weakness to Poison with via Hidden Power, which I have all but confirmed is Poison-type. Didn't finish the job, but 70% of that thing's HP just went poof. Another Hidden Power and Sayuri's threat falls flat.
Moving on. I saw an item to the west, let's see if we can get through the grass without getting attacoh hi Phantump. Well, to be fair I do like Ghost/Grass as a combination, and I don't have one of you yet, so...let's go for it. Dragon Rage to soften up, Toxic to poison (which its Ingrain somewhat counteracts), and a Dusk Ball does the trick. Welcome to Poke Pelago, Phantump...sorry, can't think of nicknames for all of them. ...Okay, okay, how 'bout Vanessa for you? Out of the grass, I find the item I spotted was...
A Dusk Ball. ...Anyway, working my way back around to Sayuri, I go the other way and run into a Punk Girl. ...Seriously, did they just use the same base for Punk NPCs and Team Skull Grunts? O_o; "Please be friendly and call me Punky." Okay Melissa...er, Punky.
[ROUND 1: vs Ari**RECORD SCRATCH** ARIADOS!??!]
Oh my god, Moon and Ultra Sun just went meta on me. Punky just sent out Brewster, and against Brewster's counterpart on Viridian's team to boot!
...And I ruin the moment with an Inferno Overdrive to send Melissa and her impostor on their way. At least Serana hit Lv 32 out of it. Moving on past this personal mind-blow nets a Hyper Potion and then brings us to the Akala Outskirts, where sneaking past a fisherman nets the TM for Leech Life, giving Erinys and Serana access to a strong, physical Bug-type move. Only problem is that it's physical and they both have far greater Special Attack than Attack, and Serana already has Roost...well, I also have the TM for Roost, so I can give it a shot and see how I like it. She only has 30 Attack, but at 80 Power this thing should be decent, and I could stand to have more variety in my move pool.
However, that's gonna wait. Checking everyone's stats, I see Serenity is only 357 Exp away from her next level, so I'm putting her back in the front, and give her one last ear-skritch in Pokemon Refresh before going to have a chat with Fisherman Vernon.
[ROUND 1: vs Wishiwashi]
At first I was offended that the climactic battle here would be against a gooberfish, but then its Schooling ability kicked in, and suddenly I go from facing
this
to facing
THIS.
Now you see what my failed joke back at Brooklet Hill was building up to before that Araquanid came out of nowhere? Anyway, Disarming Voice does some damage to it, which it partially recovers from setting up Aqua Ring. You like that move, eh? Good. ENCORE, ENCORE! Keep doing it while my partner continues to Disarming Voice you!
A few turns later the Encore ends, and Wishiwashi can do something other than failed attempts to heal itself. This allows it to use Take Down...just in time for the recoil to KO it. Sadly, of the 357 Exp Serenity needed, that only provided 245. Right then, one more fight.
You'll do the trick, Stufful. Serenity, let's finish this part of the journey in style with a critical hit from Hydro Vortex.
With that, Serenity hits Level 34...the level needed for Brionne to evolve into Primarina.
Gone is the goofy clown-seal. In her place, a charming, graceful, beautiful siren who is now Water/Fairy and replaces Bubble Beam with Sparkling Aria. I didn't want to take you up against Olivia until you attained this form, Serenity. Mission accomplished.
Rotom kindly suggests taking a commemorative photo to celebrate this moment. I happily oblige. ^_^
Let's wrap the side-trip up and show her the fruits of our labors, shall we? With that, Ride Charizard takes us back to Memorial Hill's base, right next to Konikoni City. Not sure how this merits "City" status, since it looks more like a Chinatown-themed strip mall. Well, as long as I'm here and have plenty of money available, may as well check out the clothing store and update my look. Still kinda disappointed that I can't buy green clothing items in Ultra Sun, and that I can't get green hair at all, so looks like Viridian won't be emulating her namesake outside of any artwork I do/get commissioned. Still, no excuse not to look nice.
To the north is a Hiker selling herbs...or there's supposed to be, anyway, but it's one of the Ditto Five. I only need one, so this one just gets a taste of Serenity's full power and drowns in a Hydro Vortex before it can even transform. BOOYA. Further north is a Lass with a bit of a Mexican drawl who wants us to find a particular Pokemon with super-curly hair. Hm, not sure what she means, but okay.
To the west I find Office Worker Dugal, who wants to experience a full-force Z-Move to build the courage to confess to his love interest. Anything for love, pal!
[ROUND 1: vs Clamperl]
Water and Fire will be ineffective, so at risk of it using super-effective moves I tag in Obsidian and nail it with Breakneck Blitz. An overblown risk, I guess. The force of his Clamperl achieving escape velocity helps Dugal have the courage to co full-force in asking his interest out.
And bouncing right back after her immediate rejection. Keep at it, dude!
After that, we make a much-needed stop at the Pokemon Center. Inside is an AF worker looking for info on a Natu. Got it. After that, Rotom suggests we save.
Good idea. We can take up the Grand Trial next time. Til then!
We'll deal with him in a minute, but for now I need to check in on Poke Pelago. First, Isle Aphun to see if they got what I needed.
-Hard Stone, Leaf Stone, Float Stone, and Dusk Stone
Drat, missed it. Oh well, we can always try again, right fellas? We'll check back with you tomorrow night. For now, back over to Isle Abeens to see if any of our 3 guests last night decided to stay. As it turns out, one of the Staryus decided Poke Pelago wasn't to its liking, but the other two decided to hang around!
Just like that, a Lv 14 Cutiefly and a Lv 17 Staryu are added to my roster, with the latter adding an entry to the Pokedex. It's kinda weird when adding to my roster takes even less effort than the PokeWalker takes Celine.
Beyond that, one last stop to Isle Aplenty to check on my Berry bushes. 128 Leppa Berries, 7 Lum Berries, and 20 Sitrus Berries...not bad. A quick boost to Level 3 to max out the Berry-growing capacity we should soon have a bumper crop of Sitrus and Lum Berries to help out later. At the moment, though, having 128 Leppa Berries on hand to recharge PP should prove useful.
...Side note: I genuinely enjoy Berry farming in the Pokemon games. The Berry Fields in X/Y was one of my favorite spots in the game. Anyway, back to Route 9 and that hypocritical cop. Alright, Officer Haruki, let's deal with your boredom.
[ROUND 1: vs Herdier]
Ah, the midway evolution between Lillipup and Stoutland. Apparently it has Intimidate, as Erinys' Attack dropped...too bad none of her moves use it. Anyway, time to put Toxic to use, which shaves a good 10% of his HP off...after Erinys almost gets 1-shot by a Take Down. Alright, you wanna pull that kind of crap?
[ONE INFERNO OVERDRIVE LATER]
Hot dog, I won! :D Yes, Haruki, this is a case...a case of you getting your ass whupped. To the south, we have a diverging path. Southeast goes to Memorial Hill, northwest goes to Konikoni City and our Grand Trial battle. So guess which way I'm going?
That's right, SIDE TRIP!
I see why this place is called Memorial Hill...like Melemele Island, Akala also has a cemetery. *bows head in respect for a moment* ...I bet some of these people will still want to break the solemnity of the place with a battle, though.
...Without thinking I take a Cleanse Tag that was sitting right on some person/mon's grave. I feel like an ass now, and the moment I do, a Preschooler behind me spots me and attacks. Serves me right, I guess...wait, why is a Preschooler in a cemetery?! Liam, where are your parents!?
[ROUND 1: vs Magby]
Dragon Rage proves its early-game effectiveness, while Erinys dodges a Fire Spin before Dragon Raging again to finish things up.
[ROUND 2: vs Ledian]
Bug-type, huh? Well, I think I'll let Gauss have a go this round to see how they like being a Magneton. Must like it a lot since that Electro Ball just turned into a bug zapper and leveled them up to 31. Sorry Liam no, don't get sleepy here, this is NOT the place to take a nap! ...Also, it's sweet and rather sad that he suggests giving those resting in this place a Chesto Berry to hold to wake them up. Poor kid...
Around the corner I meet Gentleman Smith, who says he's got "one thing" to take care of before visiting the Ruins of Life (where I expect to run into Lillie and Nebby)...apparently that thing is fighting me.
[ROUND 1: vs Jolteon]
Intent to not build Team KAISER aside, it still hurts going up against an Eeveelution. *readies Inferno Overdrive* I'll make this quick. Sorry little one why didn't that KO you? Fine, I'll deal with another Quick Attack and then Dragon Rage. Thank you for boosting Spectra up to Lv 32 with the Exp Share, at least. Moving on, I run into Madame Sayuri.
"Which Pokemon do you think is fitting with the grave? Let's battle. Maybe you'll find out." ... ... Lady, did you just threaten me!?
[ROUND 1: vs Furfrou]
...Did you just threaten me with a Furfrou? Anyway, after flinching from a Headbutt, I realize Erinys is at about 3 HP. Right, time for the big guns. Obsidian, come! ...And get Tail Whipped for your troubles. XD A Rock Tomb slows it down some, and Headbutt bounces off rather ineffectively. No flinch this time, though Fire Fang returns the favor and then ALMOST wraps it up except the lady used a Super Potion. 2 more do the trick, though, finishing with a crit. Good girl, Obsidian. ^_^
[ROUND 2: vs Comfey]
As much as I want to tag Erinys back in...actually, y'know what, screw it, I've got Super Potions and she just hit Lv 30 after that Furfrou anyway. Hadn't planned on using items, lady, but you went and used one, so fair's fair. After that, her Comfey Wraps itself around Erinys. Good, all the closer to take advantage of Fairy-type's weakness to Poison with via Hidden Power, which I have all but confirmed is Poison-type. Didn't finish the job, but 70% of that thing's HP just went poof. Another Hidden Power and Sayuri's threat falls flat.
Moving on. I saw an item to the west, let's see if we can get through the grass without getting attacoh hi Phantump. Well, to be fair I do like Ghost/Grass as a combination, and I don't have one of you yet, so...let's go for it. Dragon Rage to soften up, Toxic to poison (which its Ingrain somewhat counteracts), and a Dusk Ball does the trick. Welcome to Poke Pelago, Phantump...sorry, can't think of nicknames for all of them. ...Okay, okay, how 'bout Vanessa for you? Out of the grass, I find the item I spotted was...
A Dusk Ball. ...Anyway, working my way back around to Sayuri, I go the other way and run into a Punk Girl. ...Seriously, did they just use the same base for Punk NPCs and Team Skull Grunts? O_o; "Please be friendly and call me Punky." Okay Melissa...er, Punky.
[ROUND 1: vs Ari**RECORD SCRATCH** ARIADOS!??!]
Oh my god, Moon and Ultra Sun just went meta on me. Punky just sent out Brewster, and against Brewster's counterpart on Viridian's team to boot!
...And I ruin the moment with an Inferno Overdrive to send Melissa and her impostor on their way. At least Serana hit Lv 32 out of it. Moving on past this personal mind-blow nets a Hyper Potion and then brings us to the Akala Outskirts, where sneaking past a fisherman nets the TM for Leech Life, giving Erinys and Serana access to a strong, physical Bug-type move. Only problem is that it's physical and they both have far greater Special Attack than Attack, and Serana already has Roost...well, I also have the TM for Roost, so I can give it a shot and see how I like it. She only has 30 Attack, but at 80 Power this thing should be decent, and I could stand to have more variety in my move pool.
However, that's gonna wait. Checking everyone's stats, I see Serenity is only 357 Exp away from her next level, so I'm putting her back in the front, and give her one last ear-skritch in Pokemon Refresh before going to have a chat with Fisherman Vernon.
[ROUND 1: vs Wishiwashi]
At first I was offended that the climactic battle here would be against a gooberfish, but then its Schooling ability kicked in, and suddenly I go from facing
this
to facing
THIS.
Now you see what my failed joke back at Brooklet Hill was building up to before that Araquanid came out of nowhere? Anyway, Disarming Voice does some damage to it, which it partially recovers from setting up Aqua Ring. You like that move, eh? Good. ENCORE, ENCORE! Keep doing it while my partner continues to Disarming Voice you!
A few turns later the Encore ends, and Wishiwashi can do something other than failed attempts to heal itself. This allows it to use Take Down...just in time for the recoil to KO it. Sadly, of the 357 Exp Serenity needed, that only provided 245. Right then, one more fight.
You'll do the trick, Stufful. Serenity, let's finish this part of the journey in style with a critical hit from Hydro Vortex.
With that, Serenity hits Level 34...the level needed for Brionne to evolve into Primarina.
Gone is the goofy clown-seal. In her place, a charming, graceful, beautiful siren who is now Water/Fairy and replaces Bubble Beam with Sparkling Aria. I didn't want to take you up against Olivia until you attained this form, Serenity. Mission accomplished.
Rotom kindly suggests taking a commemorative photo to celebrate this moment. I happily oblige. ^_^
Let's wrap the side-trip up and show her the fruits of our labors, shall we? With that, Ride Charizard takes us back to Memorial Hill's base, right next to Konikoni City. Not sure how this merits "City" status, since it looks more like a Chinatown-themed strip mall. Well, as long as I'm here and have plenty of money available, may as well check out the clothing store and update my look. Still kinda disappointed that I can't buy green clothing items in Ultra Sun, and that I can't get green hair at all, so looks like Viridian won't be emulating her namesake outside of any artwork I do/get commissioned. Still, no excuse not to look nice.
To the north is a Hiker selling herbs...or there's supposed to be, anyway, but it's one of the Ditto Five. I only need one, so this one just gets a taste of Serenity's full power and drowns in a Hydro Vortex before it can even transform. BOOYA. Further north is a Lass with a bit of a Mexican drawl who wants us to find a particular Pokemon with super-curly hair. Hm, not sure what she means, but okay.
To the west I find Office Worker Dugal, who wants to experience a full-force Z-Move to build the courage to confess to his love interest. Anything for love, pal!
[ROUND 1: vs Clamperl]
Water and Fire will be ineffective, so at risk of it using super-effective moves I tag in Obsidian and nail it with Breakneck Blitz. An overblown risk, I guess. The force of his Clamperl achieving escape velocity helps Dugal have the courage to co full-force in asking his interest out.
And bouncing right back after her immediate rejection. Keep at it, dude!
After that, we make a much-needed stop at the Pokemon Center. Inside is an AF worker looking for info on a Natu. Got it. After that, Rotom suggests we save.
Good idea. We can take up the Grand Trial next time. Til then!