You're not helping by standing in the way. I consider you one of more likeable characters, but my opinion on you may change if you don't let me do my side quests.
Oh I know. The fight with Julia lulls you into a sense of security before other leaders show up to inflict pain.
Victoria: I was about to challenge Julia myself, but then I heard something awful. Something bad's going on in Obsidia Ward. Something about plants growing out of control... I'm going there to see if I can help somehow; if you want to come along, it's east of the Grand Hall.I'll be there in a moment. I still need to finish some stuff.
Isn't that Shelly with some dude? Hey, Shelly, thanks for the Kricketot!
And it turns out the thing I wanted to do is unavailable, probably because it's windy.
I'm pretty freakin' cool! I remembered my weapon triangle, and used my silver lance agains Lyn's Mani Katti.
We're assaulting the bridge again. Some new losers showed up when they heard some girl got her badge, and now they want to prove themselves.
Yeah, I'm gonna say this guy isn't ready to take on Julia. Maybe someday.
Getting money out of me isn't easy. My philosphy teaches that hoarding money is based, while spending it is cringe.
The fanciest around, which is not exactly a big achievement in this dump.
The guy's Pumbloom was Soundproof, so my Pumbloom wasted two turns: one failing to use Echoed Voice, then failing to use Screech because I'm an idiot and forgot that Screech is also sound-based.
With the cops, you gotta sweeten the deal sometimes. Maybe let him taze you. There's nothing they like more than control. This is not social commentary.
What if I give you an illegal iguana? See? I'm not all that well-meaning after all. I might have stolen a pokemon or two.
*The sound of children screaming has been removed*
Victoria, you're way too naive. "To serve and protect" means to serve your corrupt masters and protect your own interest. THIS IS NOT SOCIAL COMMENTARY.
The people who were supposed to be helping out, like you, Florina, are not even there. Good to know that at least unknown variables aren't involved. Your asswipe of a brother would be more useful in this situation, because his delusions at least push him to action.
How about she tells you to handcuff us while you two watch idly as the plants destroy the ward?
Florina: SQ has already presented her battling prowess while assisting in the pacification of a criminal organization.Victoria: You what?Florina:[gibberish]Victoria: I understand, but at the same time each pair of helping hands can save many lives!Guard: Miss, each person who dies in this incident makes it easier for us to tighten plant control laws.SQ: This is not social commentary, btw.Victoria: Request accepted. You may proceed.Obsidia Ward, here I come! I heard this place was in a pretty rough state, but honestly I can't see how that's the case.
Oh. Maybe it is bad, but that's not all because of the plants, is it?
So there were some disasters long before the park went berserk. The earthquakes made the company go under. Underground that is. Actually, half of the ward went into the black void and could not be recovered.
We've found a hair salon that still operates despite the crisis.
In this place you can check how friendly your pokemon are, get a free shell bell, and increase friendship for a ridiculous sum of 1.500 monies.
This is Critical Capture, a speciality pokeball store. These pokeballs are a bit too expensive for my taste given how situational they are. Maybe nest balls will be worth having in the future? I'm not buying anything right now, though I will return at some point for sure.
I'm convinced this man is working with the plants. He's trying to keep me in the affected area, and he's throwing a Smugleaf at me. I go wherever I want!
He did have some convincing arguments, namely Leaf Tornado. I do want to beat up some unfortunates and take their money too mych to be stopped.
I actually could not believe Pumbloom managed to beat Togedemaru. Comparing Togedemaru's attack with Pumbloom's defense, you'd think that my Pumbloom would go down after a single rollout, but she survived two turns.
Yeah.
Hmmm... Man, I dunno, this seems kinda sus. If they are closed, then why isn't the door locked? I don't think I believe her.
Tis entitled girl has no appreciation for how hard her father tries to make her happy, but she does have a fascinating offer for me - a Furret for a tablecloth that makes it rain. That would be Castform. If I ever get my hands on a Furret, I'll bring it here.
The candy store is a pretty nice place. It's bright and colorful unlike the rest of the city,, has poggers music, sells status-curing candy, exp candy and some other stuff, and also:
A simple puzzle! It's free to try, there's no time limit, and you can do this as many times as you want (I think) for free Swirlixes.
I don't like this pokemon. I never know how to train it because it's got nearly equal stats and a lackluster moveset that makes it hard to focus on either attack or special attack while maintaining type coverage.
South Obsidia Ward is the home to the world famous slums. There are other things to be done too, but the slums are the main attraction.
The man's puppy ran away, and I should probably go look for it. I'm too good for this city. Just a little more, and you'll see me rescuing Purrloins from trees.
The slums have a few Hoppips flying around at windy days.
Jumpluff has very little offensive capability, but people use it as a physical attacker thanks to its impressive speed and Sword Dance. Pippa herself is straight up bad.
Catching Hoppips, despite my better judgement. Wait, are you hitting on me? Sorry, I don't date homeless dudes.
Now we're starting to see randos with evolved pokemon, also with bigger teams. Things are picking up!
Also, since the weather is windy, the flying type has no weaknesses.
Now we're in the slums, and immediately we're getting hit on. These bums sure are into blonde teenage girls with pointy hair accessories. Maybe it's time to use said accessories for self-defense?
Who am I kidding? I'll use my favorite technique of having Pumbloom scream. That's officially her job, so you know.
Pumbloom just went from a non-lethal self-defense tool to deadly weapon. Not quite a weapon of mass destruction yet.
You know what? Let's not do the slums just yet. Let's meet up with Florina and Victoria by the park.
The pollution makes for a great fertilizer. That or just the turds from Lake Diarrhea.
Evidently not anymore.
I've already encountered a guarded gate to those wards. I guess since they are badly affected by the plants, we won't be visiting them?
Also I've realizet that Florinia's name is Florinia rather than Florina. Shame, Florina is an infinitely better name, and also a character from the same Fire Emblem game as Lyn, the leader we've just defeated. I'll keep calling her Florina.
Victoria: How is that even possible?Florina: [gibberish]Victoria: Oh? Suspicious individuals carrying in some kind of machine? You're saying they might be responsible for this? And you don't know how exactly they did that? We should go there and check it out! But, uh... How will we get in without TMX Cut? Wasn't some colleague of yours supposed to have it? Not that I'd know about it.Florina: The colleague's name is Amaria. Amaria was last seen investigating to the south of this speaker's current position.Victoria: That would be either the slums or Coral Ward. If I remember correctly, Amaria is a woman with long teal hair.Let's go through the slums and put ourselves in dangers of being creeped on by smelly homeless men.
I just wanted to check out the gate, and this guy, completely zonked, started ranting about spiders crawling up his urethra. Charlotte, crawl up his urethra!
The problem with using Charlotte is that psychic pokemon she's supposed to be good against crush her with psychic attacks easily.
It's not drugs, man, my spider was actually tried to crawl up there. Speaking of crawling up there, the elevator seems to be out of commission.
I've already found a great ball and a box of pokesnax. There really is a lot to find, and each item found is an item not bought.
I wish I could say I didn't understand. That's how it is on this bitch of an earth though.
Haha, Charlotte sucks.
I've broken into a homeless man's hideout, had my spider eat his weird weasel, and looted the place. He really did have nothing.
Light shards are like field pokemon centers. Just walk into one to heal, but mind that they disappear after the fact. Some respawn, some not.
Was it wise to rummage to the fridge in a place like this inhabited by people like these? Whatever, I couldn't possibly have Victoria do that herself. I'm way too chivalrous for that. Maybe I should have forced Microplastic to open the fridge? She should be resistant to fungus spores, deadly bacteria, and dirty needles.
The lower floor has wild pokemon, and this is my first encounter. Could have been worse, I guess?
Coco here is possibly the worst Mankey I've ever seen. Her nature is bad, her IVs are horrible, even her ability is wrong. With a Mankey you want an ability that increases speed, and Defiant is much better than Vital Spirit.
Mankey has very little going for it other than its good attack and decent speed. It's a glass cannon that should be trained for speed so it can down the enemy as soon as possible.
I was hoping to evolve Charlotte, but I'm replacing her with Coco. Microplastic covers the role of a poison type, and Pumbloom can deal with psychic types without having a crippling weakness to psychic moves.
After a short training session that involved no training and a couple of exp candies, Coco is ready to go.
Back on the road. Have I seen something sus going on? Not at all.
Coco is not equipped for fighting bugs. She could benefit from Rock Tomb, but I don't think we'll get it anytime soon. For now, she'll have to be content with jumping into space and throwing the enemies back down. I like the implication that Reborn is in America. Is it the pokemon version of Detroit? Chicago?
Techie: by pokemon gangs, I literally mean gangs of pokemon. Murkrows and Panchams live in groups with structure resembling gangs. They appear due to economic factors, and nothing else.There's light jumping puzzles in this place. It seems really dangerous to live here and having to jump around like this on a daily basis.
A bum with a traumatized cat told us that the slums are the best thing that came out of the earthquake. I dunno how many people would agree with him.
Espurr is not a good opponent for Coco for obvious reason.
What is a v Roof? I should go there to check it out. Sounds sussy as hell.
Sir, boxes don't run. Maybe it's the marijuanas you injected? Or maybe it's a
Gabaghoul Gimmighoul?
Oh, he's just highly alcoholized. If you see things moving around, then maybe don't try having pokemon battles? How about you go for a drive instead?
I'm on the v Roof, and I gotta say it's not too different from a standard roof.
This door is going bonkers. Maybe it's possessed by a Rotom? I should catch an elevator Rotom and use it in gym battles!
Actually, it was a Mankey playing with the buttons.
Now that we chased away Coco's cousin, I can travel between floor freely. My destination is the basement.
You say that, but I have the power of a rabid primate, a living trashbag, and a few other things that pose extreme danger to your health and safety.
Really now?
You don't say? I'm an extremely confrontational person who will assault you for minor offenses done to me.
Kid: You're the girl that got scammed of a rare pokemon in the Grand Hall, ain't you? I figured it ain't much of a crime when I steal what was already stolen, y'nowhamsayin'? So I spun a trick and got away with the pokemon. I needed money, so I pawned the thing to some gangster in north Obsidia. I ain't got the pokemon anymore. Sorry, mate!Annoyed by the situation with the rare pokemon scam, I've wandered into an elevator that was being blocked by a box that ran away. Mybe I should stop injecting marijuanas? Anyway, we can now access the basement from near the entrance.
TM60 is Quash. It's a move that makes the opponent move last, which is only useful in double battles. Only a handful of pokemon can learn it, and none of them are currently in my party.
Back to the basement. Going into the elevator was not necessary because the main path leads through here. Apparently this building belonged to Yureyu, or whatever the name was. I always assumed it was an abandoned mall. Maybe it is?
He's talking about the moving box that just ran past him. Chill out, dude, I don't care for the box unless it's got something I need to progress.
The man refused to listen to reason. I had to pacify him before he became aggressive.
A Scraggy! Could it be a member of a pokemon gang some nerd told us about a while ago? I wonder what it's business is... Let's follow it!
Oh. I think I just got jumped. What do they want from me? Pokeballs? Blue oranges?
Or I could give them a serious ass-whooping. The Scrafty graciously opened the gate for me as it ran in panic. Maybe I should establish myself as the leader of their gang? No, queen sounds better.
We've come around to the entrance just in time to heal after the brawl with Scraggies. This bum is a nice guy, unlike the others here, and opened this gate just for me without a fight.
Would you eat cotton candy that's been lying on the floor in a long abandoned mall infested with homeless people and rabid monkeys? You better, because it's ridiculously expensive, and it works like max revive.
The path to the north is the main path, but there's a lot more of this building to explore. Let's get us some items while we're here. Remember: hoard like crazy.
The lower path is blocked until we get Rock Smash.
The eastern path is completely ruined and turned into a jumping puzzle.
It's a little babby! I wish I could use it, whatever it is.
I had to backtrack a bit to visit a place I missed. It was more than worth it for this item alone. Why?
Shimmer is now a Musharna! I can now get high of her smoke and enjoy funky dreams. I do not condone huffing Musharna smoke, just to be clear; that was a joke.
Yeah, I need the good doctor to prescribe me some penis expansion pills. I used to get it from a sewer clown, but there's none of them in Reborn. Did you say former gym leader?
Cory Baxter! You've fallen really low, from what I'm seeing. From the White House to this place.
Corey: What are you doing here, in some homeless person's house? I've been allowed to use this place as necessary, but you're just trasspassing. Go away. Shoo. Actually, you've helped me before, so I shouldn't be a massive dickbag to you. It doesn't matter that I used to be a gym leader; now I provide medical assistance to the poor and homeless free of charge. See, Reborn doesn't have free healthcare, but they deserve treatment as much as everyone else. Just... don't tell anyone; what I'm doing here isn't exactly legal. Good day.Corey is not a bad guy despite his demeanor and appearance. Unlike most others, he takes the initiative to make the lives of people of Reborn better. What does Julia do, for example? Doesn't destroy the power plant?
That would be it for the slums. It was a long journey full of obstacles, but we made it. To Coral Ward!
Coral ward turned into a ghost town after Azurine Lake became Lake Diarrhea. Even so, there are matters to attend and people to meet. Just not jobs to be held. Sad.
Ah, this quiz. It's extremely easy if you cheat.
EZ PZ. Unfortunately the reward is just a readout on Misty Terrain. I'll read about it once I encounter it.
This hiker trades his Nosepass for a Watchog. It's a handy pokemon to have, although the place where it can be evolved is unlocked very late, far later than a Probopass is really needed.
Some people in this ward still hold on to the hope that something other than Grimers can be caught in the lake. I won't be fishing here myself because I don't believe I'd catch anything other than a Grimer.
Teal hair... That's Amaria!
I'd assume so. Fortunately I've got a poison type pokemon that could probably swim there and ferry the Popplio to here.
Maybe that's a better idea. Microplastic probably can't swim anyway. It's one of the few pokemon I'd miss if I was to lose it.
It's Cain. He knows I know that networking is everything in business, politics, and pokemon batting. If I wasn't making friend constantly, I would still hang out with Brick instead of Shimmer.
Amaria: "High places" might be an overstatement...Cain: Amaria is one of the highest-ranking gym leaders in Reborn, if you didn't know.Amaria: Can we focus on the Popplio instead of me?Cain: That one there? How lucky you are that I'm here...Hmph, I could have tried that with Microplastic. Sure, Cain, enjoy your moment of glory; but I'll not forget how you stole attention that I love so much from me.
So that's what he wanted to discuss with Ame at the beginning. Maybe that's for the best? I've fought him already and I wasn't impressed.
A leader retired before Cain took over? I might have an idea who that leader was...
I suspect that the other things were much more important than the type issue. I have no evidnece, so I'll remain silent for now. After all, evidence is everything in the court of law.
Really? You want to flex in front of the Popplio? That's really sad.
We're fighting on Misty Terrain, a fied that mostly benefits fairies. We could blow it away with gust, if I'm not mistaken, but it's a waste of time in this battle.
Alolan Grimer has the disadvantage of being a dark type, something that Coco could take advantage of in the first turn by striking with Karate Chop. After the Grimer used curse, I changed tactics to using the ol' reliable Seismic Toss.
Pal, you let Pumbloom set up her Echoed Voice. Not that you could have stopped her in any way.
Pumbloom prevails! But we haven't come here for fun, have we?
Amaria: I'm here tracking a suspicious person who may have ties to Team Meteor. His name is Borealis; you haven't heard of him by any chance? Tsk, that would be too much luck for one night. Florina sent you for this, is that right?We can now destroy life in the form of small trees! Only String Bean can use this one, unfortunately. He doesn't need Poisonpowder right now.
No, I don't think so... Am I getting mugged right now?
It's just a prank bro! Maybe next time warn me before Coco splits your skull like she did with your fish and bear?
There's another hair salon on this side of the ward. They can raise happiness by even more outrageous 2000 green ones, and also change the style of your Furfrou.
What's most important is that the owner wants to learn why the other salon is more popular. We all know why, but I'm still being sent there as a spy.
I'm just exploring all the places that were unavailable before I got Cut. I have my objections to the guy's Trapinch knowing Rock Slide though.
Weird thing to say unprompted, but you do you, kid. I'm just gonna explore this alleyway, if that's okay with you. No?
His gimmick was... turtles?
Terrence: I like turtles!Classic.
The alley catch was underwhelming, but that was to be expected. I never really trained a Yungoos.
Catching Donald made me realize that Coco needed a haircut. I wonder how they got her to sit in place for an extended period of time? Never mind that! A woman with strange hair just appeared in the salon to pick up her "shipment".
I have no idea what she's talking about, but a decline in this place seems to be inevitable.
Clerk: A first timer, actually. She might become one of many new regulars though!Serra: It's a standard look, but standards are set for a reason. Just look at her pointy hair accessories. Black and white is bread and butter of design, a steady foundation to build upon. Fortunately your blonde hair compliment that otherwise basic creation.So this is the secret to your success? Celebrity endorsement?
Back to the important stuff. Donald is bad.
The slum egg finally hatched! It was just a duck though.
And this is our reward for spying, the salon's mascot - Calico.
She's really weak for a speedy attacker she's supposed to be, thanks to both nature and IVs. She's better than Donald, at the very least.
I'm back at the railnet during the rain. A Panpour is just chilling among the crates as if it didn't enjoy rain. You'd think it would be playing outside, splashing in a puddle.
Seems like it wants to play with me instead. Little does it know I want it locked up in the holding facility.
As you've probably noticed, I'm hoarding event pokemon. Why? I'm not sure myself.
I forgot about this one. It's mine now, and that costed me a single scooby snack.
It is a pretty big place for a tiny city park. And it's probably really annoying to traverse.
Amaria, why don't you go with Florina? I don't really like her.
Florina: Amaria and this speaker should take the path more likely to encounter hostilities. Amaria: Right, and you two go the other way. We won't be too far away, should anything happen.Victoria: SQ, wouldn't it be funny if we split up too?Here's our catch for Obsidia Park.
All I can say is that I have no strong feeling towards Marley. His IVs are average; his nature is poor, but not the absolute worst; his ability is bad, but it will change on evolution. I like Vileplume, even if it's lacking in speed.
What am I doing here? Saving the city maybe?
PomPom displayed her new move by Air Cutting the guy's hog. The Tepig's attack was weakened by rain, so we've come out of this battle nearly unscratched.
The vines blocking the road can be destroyed by cutting down associated trees. That means we'll be going back and forth cutting down little trees to unlock the way to other little trees.
Hey, I need badges from Florina and Amaria! I hope they are okay, or at least alive. It would be a shame if something happened to Victoria, but she brought this upon herself.
If all you guys are this weak, then I think my friends have nothing to worry about.
Looks like Victoria and her Garfield experienced the Meteors not being as weak as the woman we just beat. Coco can deal with a Crobat, can't she?
Borealis? At this time of year, at this time of day, in this part of the country, localized entirely within the park?
Oh, it's the first of many kidnappings in the game! Should I really intervene if it's entirely Victoria's fault for running off? I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I didn't. Time to play a knight in shining armor again...
I choose Blibdoolpoolp, the lobster-headed goddess of kuo-toa.
A Shuckle! I better not fuckle!
Shuckle may have monstrous defenses, but they can be bypassed with Seismic Toss. Its Struggle Bug was empowered by forest field, which still did it little good because of its lousy attack stats.
There was a house deep in the park, and it contained False Swipe. I think I just broke into someone's house during a time of crisis and stole the most valuable thing they had.
There's something in the machine. A Tangrowth? But Tangrowths aren't green. Something is very wrongh here, even ignoring the presence of Team Meteor.
Wait, Florina and Amaria are here too, and they are in trouble! The Tangrowth is also in trouble, but it's trouble in itself! Wait, there's only one guy here. Who is he talking with?
Lumi? No, something is still wrong. He interrupted himself for some reason.
He's three people. Lumi, Zero, and Eve. Lumi seems gentle and mild mannered, Zero is a evil, and Eve is reasonable.
ZEL. There was a pokemon romhacker named Zel. I think he made Pokemon Shiny Gold, a forgotten classic. Is this him? If so, I'm a big fan!
So this is a PULSE, a pokemon merged with a machine to increase its power, used as a tool of destruction. Didn't Team Plasma attempt to do that already?
That's what I just said.
I think I can, with the help of my gang of weird critters found in the trash!
That's just a regular Tangrowth though? I thought I'd be fighting the PULSE! No matter, it's even easier this way.
Oh. I gather that this PULSE was freshly installed and it's just reached full power. Let's shut it down before it can use this power to cause more destruction!
Microplastic's Sludge doesn't do much, but neither does Tangrowth's Vine Whip despite the field empowering it. It's not gonna be a hard battle, if that's how it's gonna be.
The PULSE was grass/poison type, and so it wasn't able to endure Shimmer's Psybeam for very long. At least ZEL always has someone to blame, being three people and all that.
Risking having the vital part of your plan destroyed really is not the best strategy, no matter how strong it is.
Since the machine is useless now, ZEL has no reason to stay here. Therefore:
ZEL: Team Meteor blasting off again!Yeah, that's what I do.
I'd like to bring to your attention the fact that it was still listening to ZEL's orders.
Apparently not beating a trashbag and a weird teapot hog. I'm sure String Bean could do all that even without the machine.
So what now? Now we have to report that Victoria has been kidnapped, then go beat Florina. But first:
Believe it or not, but the park is no longer its own area after it's been returned to normal. I haven't caught anything in this part of the ward either.
Unlike some pokemon I've caught earlier, Quad Bike is decent. Venomoths have been historically used to fight dragons, although whether they are the best at it is a controversial topic. It can double as a psychic pokemon, though the lack of STAB hurts a lot.
I wasn't gonna do much more today, but hey, a Spoink. Let's go look for it1 Yeah no, I have no idea where it went.
And here's the catch for Coral Ward. Forb went with me willingly, for what I'm quite grateful.
Those are some bad IVs! The ability is wrong too, and the nature is okay at best. A water type won't do me any good with the next leader, so I won't be bringing out Forb just yet.