The Pokémon Challenge Thread!

Part 4: Rock Hard Regime

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Recap. Last time, having finished the unofficial prologue, we caught two Pokemon, a Pidgey named Ava and a Nidoran named Tox. We trained a bit, then headed up to Viridian Forest, where we caught another Pokemon, a Metapod named Slides. Then we spend like fifteen minutes training enough so that Slides could evolve into a Butterfree. Afterwards, we trekked through Viridian Forest, fought a bunch of lunatics, and ended up in Pewter.

After arriving in Pewter, we head over to the Pokemon Center to heal up and then do what any sensible trainer would do. We went and trained in the grass to the south of the city.



(Missed a screenshot of Tox learning Double Kick, but it's okay because I got an even ten screenshots, so I could make those nifty rows of five.)


Okay, enough. After training there, Nimbus and I form an official committee and decide to go train east of the city. Unfortunately, this chump intercepts me before I get five steps out of the city.


Yeah? Well I'm looking for a new place to train. Brock can wait.


Oh my god you're touching me, Nimbus call the police.


I'll have you arrested.


Yeah? Well if you have the right stuff, you might be able to avoid a lawsuit. I'll see you in court, asshole.


Ugh, what a jerk. Nimbus, I can't believe you just watched that guy manhandle me like that. Let's go get him, I need his info.


He hopped the fence. What a monster. Whatever. We might as well challenge the gym since we're here.


Uh... thanks?


No thanks.


Leave me alone. Of course he doesn't and proceeds to launch into a rant about the 'front Pokemon in your team'. I slip away when he starts crying and talking about his wife leaving him.


...Man, who designed this gym? A three-year old? Maybe this guy standing here like he owns the place.


What do you want?


...Brock's right over there. I can see him. Look, just step asi- oh my god put your Pokemon away


Sigh.


Ground types. So this is a ground gym? But... the what is Viridian's?...


Uh... yeah? Duh. Dude, Brock is literally five steps away. Steps and lightyears aren't the same things. Even I know this.


W-woah, hey! What the fuck?! Don't just start hitting on me just 'cause I won!


Hey. You need to restrain your henchman back there. He's got some kind of losing fetish.


So I've heard.


...You're not any better than that guy back there, you know.


Wait... but... what? Hey, your dude really needs to get with the program. Or better yet, get a new dude that isn't creepy and dumb.


I didn't come here just to be psyched out by your weird spiel.


Alright, let's go.


Okay, Slides, let's see how you handle in the big lea-


Oh.


(Didn't get the original matchup screenshot, but you see how it turned out)


Brock, my respect for you just went up tenfold. I'm so glad you didn't make the pun you could have.


Gnarly.


Never would have guessed.


...Like, the badges themselves make the Pokemon stronger?


He then goes on a rant about TMs while I repeatedly try to ask about badges and them strengthening my Pokemon.


Answer my question first.


Man, I don't care.


Because it worked so well for your Onix.


Brock stops talking to me and just stares. I leave, unnerved, and head for the Pokemon Center.


Afterwards, I head to the Pokemart to sell Brock's lame TM. I buy some Pokeballs to top off my stash with the money I get.


Alright, listen up Nimbus. We're gonna head over to the route, jump the guy that touched me, and get his info so I can sue him. Ready set go.


Cripes, he got away. Great. Now he's out there, probably dragging some other poor, unsuspecting trainer to a gym they don't want to go to. What a menace.


Hey, woah, what? You approached me. I wasn't looking at you! She sics her Pokemon on me anyway.


Check please.


Sorry hun, but this is the real world.


Walking up to the higher plateau area, we encounter this dude.


Course all he's got is a bunch of grubs.


...I've never seen you before in my life. As soon as I say it, I feel kind of guilty, as the boy gets a sad look in his eyes when I walk away.


Uh what.


Okay then.


Well it happened.


Finally, someone who asks before whipping out their Pokemon.


Woo.


...Are you in some kind of cult?


Oh my god I bet you are.


Get away from me, you cultist.


What. (Forgot to take screenshots of the battle. I destroyed her though).


Okay.


What does that mean? No, seriously, tell me.


After that kid refused to give me an answer, I head down to find a patch of grass. I let Tox out and we step into the grass. Soon after, something swoops from the sky, catching us unaware.


I freak out, diving for cover, as it divebombs, striking Tox with its beak. I quickly search my bag for a Pokeball as Tox jumps forward, slamming his body into the bird. I find one and chuck it forward. It sails over Tox's head and thumps the bird, sucking it up.


Tox shoots me a thankful look and ambles over to me, bringing the newly caught Pokemon with it. I grab the ball and pop it open. The bird, a Spearow, appears on my shoulder and immediately pecks the side of my head. I yelp and toss him off. What a dick.


I take him back to the Pokemon Center to heal up. When I bring him back to the route, Pecker immediately flies into the grass and starts attacking other Pokemon. I sigh and follow suit. (Thus begun a long, training session that I'll just show you the result of:)


Not bad, eh? Moving on, I encounter this girl near the grass where I caught Pecker.


What, no. She attacks me based on her unfounded accusations. Rude.


What do you mean 'that's it'? Your Jigglypuff damn near killed Pecker and Tox, don't you 'that's it' me.


Well Nimbus, it looks like this path is winding down. There aren't even any other trainers here. 'Cept this guy, but he's not a trainer.


Why?


I don't like the sound of this.


Oh hey, a Pokemon Center. After I heal my Pokemon, I hear a whistle. I turn to see this dude waving me over. I glance around to see if anybody notices. Nobody seems to, but I do spot the lady standing next to the counter near the PC roll her eyes. I head over to see what he wants.


Oh god, a salesman.


A Magikarp? Hmm... I know they're some kind of fish, but the rest isn't there. I tell him I'll think about it and leave the center.


To see this. A cave leading into a towering mountain. Great. Nimbus twitches his ears and glances past me. I can already tell this is going to suck.

End of Part 4

Current Team:
Nimbus:


Ava:


Tox:


Slides:


Pecker: