ppe 4: I wanna rock!

[xaq_the_aereon]

[TEAM STATUS]
Buster, Lv 12
Tessa, Lv 14
Belfries, Lv 11
Floofy, Lv 12
Astra, Lv 13
Nala, Lv 13

Having our Fighting-type take the lead makes the most sense for its effectiveness against Rock-types, so Buster is at the front. Looking the Gym over, we could bypass the 2 Gym Trainers and go right for Roark.

[COULD...BUT WON'T]
The first one wants to know why we didn't.

[VS. Youngster Jonathan]
[vs. Geodude]
Forgot that I wasn't using "Round 1:" when they only have one 'mon anymore. My bad. Low Sweep drops its Speed, Defense Curl raises its Defense, and another Low Sweep wraps this one up.

[AND THAT'S WHY WE DIDN'T SKIP YOU]

One set of stairs later and the other one announces that only those who want to win can challenge a Gym. Gee, ya think? XP

[VS. Youngster Darius]
[Round 1: vs. Geodude]
...This Gym Leader has an awful lot of child labor going for him...anyway, Low Sweep does the trick for this Geodude.
[Round 2: vs. Onix]
No sense in tagging out Buster. Onix Binds her to keep her from running and does a little damage before getting Low Swept into the red and dealing a little more Bind damage. Another Low Sweep and we're done with the small fry.

[TIME FOR THE MAIN COURSE]
One more set of stairs brings us face-to-face once again with Roark. He requests to see the toughness of our team.

[GYM BATTLE: Vs. Roark]
[Round 1: vs. another freaking Geodude]
This one is a bit tougher than the others, but Low Sweep still drops it to the red. It sets up Stealth Rock to punish any tag-ins on my end and then gets Low Swept out.

[Round 2: vs. another freaking Onix]
Buster's still good, so I keep her out. I'm gonna predict this one goes Bind, Low Sweep, Low Sweep, end. It uses Rock Throw instead of Bind, but other than that my prediction holds true.

[GOOD FOR YOU :p]
[FINAL ROUND: vs. Cranidos]
Cranidos...a Fossil Pokemon if I recall correctly. Rock/Steel, I think? If so, Fight should be extra effective, plus there's that Stealth Rock to consider, so I'll let Buster wrap this one up.

It starts with a Head Butt to deal some heavy damage and flinch Buster, prompting a Potion on my end and another Head Butt...this looks bad for Buster, it's doing more damage than I can heal. She eats another Head Butt and is knocked out. You did well, Buster.

I tag Tessa in and take a little damage from Stealth Rock. Cranidos Leers to drop her Defense and eats a Water Gun to put it below half. Head Butt hits her pretty hard, but she shakes it off and Water Guns for the win.

[VICTORY!! ...OO, WHAT'S THIS?]
Prior to our victory celebration, the Exp gained from the battle levels Astra up enough to evolve from a Starly a Staravia. Sweet!

After the battle, Roark bemoans his loss to someone who didn't have a single badge...well excuse me for arriving here first. :p

[COAL BADGE GET]
Getting Coal this close to Christmas...have I been bad?

[IF YOU ASK ROARK? YES]
Anyway, now we can use Rock Smash outside of battle. On top of the Badge, Roark gives us some TM76s for the Stealth Rock move...and some stickers???

[I THINK YOU CAN USE THOSE ON POKEBALLS TO GIVE THEM NEAT EFFECTS WHEN ENTERING BATTLE????]
...Whatever. :/

Anyway, with the Gym cleared, we're off to... ummm...

...Where are we going again?

[ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ]
...How'd you even pronounce that? o_O;;

Well, in any case, I think I'm gonna call it here for right now. A bit short, but I'm getting hungry and, as pointed out, have no clue where to go next.


[TEAM STATUS]
Buster, Lv 14
Tessa, Lv 15, Pound -> Peck
Belfries, Lv 12
Floofy, Lv 12
Astra (Starly -> Staravia), Lv 14
Nala, Lv 14

Later, taters!
[BYE!]