PART X: LENORA
The theme for this evening's battle is linked at the start of the match- for those of you who would like some buffer time, I'm linking it again
here.
It'll make sense, trust me Alright gents, here's the situation. You two are my entire team, at a Gym where most challengers need to bring a full bandolier. We need to strategize.
[What does it matter- I'm already destined to die in one pit-fight or another. Let it end here.]
[I advocate a crushing aerial assault, followed closely by armor and infantry working in concert!]
Heinrich, I appreciate the enthusiasm- However, I expect this Gym will have some powerful Pokemon, so I'd rather not do any fancy maneuvering. Our best bet is for Marvin to hunker down and blast it out.
Sir, if you aren't going to buy anything I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave.
I believe I am entitled to a free Soda Pop?
Take it and get out.
A BRIEF JAUNT LATER
Hello, and welcome again to my shop!
Greetings, merchant; I have need of your services. X Defends, to be specific.
A wise choice, a wise choice, good sir- that will be 550 Pokedollars apiece.
Five Hundred and Fifty Pokedollars!?! That's outrageous!
The safety of your friends is surely more important than mere cash, is it not? And of course, these items, they were not easy to obtain- there were risks, hazards, shipping and handling, all manner of extraneous expenses. You can, of course, take your business elsewhere...
*sigh* Alright, give me four X Defend.
Only four? You are the young popinjay who lost a fire type Pokemon in the Grass Gym last week, are you not? You only appear to have two Pokemon- surely you could use the help of my items to compensate for your lack of skill and acu-
I WILL TAKE FOUR X DEFENDS AND I SHALL DO QUITE ALRIGHT. GOOD DAY TO YOU, SIRRAH!
Farewell, my foppish friend, and do not hesitate to come again!
I then make a brief stop at the local Pokecenter, where I buy up all the Super Potions I can afford- pack bulging, I proceed to the Gym.
At least it doesn't have cutlery over the entrance. As I approach the Gym, a familiar vagrant walks out.
I want to see things
no one can see. The
ideals of Pokemon inside Pokeballs. The
truths of how trainers should be. And a future where Pokemon have become
perfect. Do you agree?
What? You are speaking nonsense!
I expected more. My friends and I will
test you to see if you can see this future too.
N's team consists of level 13 Tympole, Timburr, and Pidove. My Pokemon are level 17. This is not a difficult fight.
I cannot see the future
yet, the world is still to be determined. Right now, my friends aren't strong enough to save
all Pokemon. Maybe I can't
solve the equation that will change the world. So I need
power, power enough to make
anyone agree with me. Now I know what power I need. Zekrom! The legendary Pokemon that,
along with the hero, created Unova. It's my turn to
become that hero, and you and I will be friends!
Not bloody likely- now stop following me!
After a brief trip to the Pokecenter, I return to the Gym. Continuing the theme of Gym Leaders paying more attention to their hobbies than their Gym duties, Lenora has turned the front portion of the building into a small museum. I am quickly accosted by the museum curator.
Welcome to Nacrene City Museum! How would you like if I gave you the tour?
Actually, special guest
"Weird Al" Yankovic, I'm just here for the Gym. I'll just be moving on now.
Nonsense, it's on your way anyway! Here you can see the centerpiece of our museum- the fossilized remains of a legendary Dragon Pokemon. We theorize that it suffered an accident while flying around the world, and so it became a Fossil.
Any resemblance to Satan is purely coincidental I'm not sure that you have enough evidence to support that theory.
Our theories are sound until proven otherwise! Over here, we have a meteorite from space. It appears to contain some kind of mystical Space Energy.
Sweet Mew, this sign says that you found a live
SPACE VIRUS in this rock! And you have it out in the
OPEN!
A Space Virus is highly unlikely to pose any threat to humans or Pokemon- our bodies are completely alien to it.
But this sign also says you think a Space Pokemon was in this rock- could not that Pokemon spread it to other Pokemon?
What do I look like, the World Health Organization? Moving along, we have this other, completely unrelated rock! This rock has no appreciable value or scientific merit, and it never will- we just think it's pretty. And that concludes our tour.
Wait, what about all that other stuff on the other side of the museum?
Oh, none of that stuff is important to the plot.
So you're saying half of this museum is pointless, and some of it is worthless. You are not a very good curator- why do you still have a job?
Lenora is my wife.
Oh. Well, I suppose I'm off to challenge her then. Goodbye.
Heading back to the Gym proper, I am given yet another Fresh Water. I'm not entirely sure why- it made sense in the restaurant, but you'd think excessive water would be avoided in a Library. And that is what this Gym is, folks- a library. Books and bookshelves everywhere- hardly a suitable environment for blood sports.
The puzzle for this Gym is a series of riddles- solving one riddle leads to a book, where a riddle is hidden in the pages that leads to the next book, so on and so forth. The thing is, the Library isn't very big- there's only half a dozen books to interact with to begin with- the rest are scenery. More importantly, the Trainers in this Gym aren't just standing around waiting for you to come into their line of sight- they're standing in front of the books with answers. Between talking to the Trainers and randomly guessing amongst the handful of unguarded books, you can get through this portion of the Gym without actually solving any riddle.
I would have much preferred a rousing game of Red Wire/Blue Wire What is interesting to note, however, is that it is highly unlikely N was leaving here with the Gym Badge. He had three level 13 Pokemon on his way out- these Trainers have level 15-17 Pokemon, and Lenora herself has higher level Pokemon than that. I beat N with little trouble, so it seems unlikely that he made up for the level disadvantage with skill- this implies that unless he blew a ton of battle items in this Gym, he doesn't have the Badge.
So, if he wasn't here for the Gym, he was here for the Museum. Now, when N left he was rambling about unlimited power and some ancient Pokemon. Of the plot important museum pieces, we saw a meteorite that contained mystical space energy, "power" if you will, and the skeleton of a long dead legendary Pokemon. I will make the bold prediction that N is going to try and steal the meteor and/or the skeleton for his insane plans. If only I had a sidekick to applaud my brilliance.
He'll do You may have noticed that I am not discussing the ins and outs of the Trainer Battles in this Gym- that is because they are pushovers who are use Lillipups and Patrats- they are uninteresting opponents with uninteresting Pokemon. I miss the good old days, when Gyms had unique Pokemon from all over, instead of the same things you could find out in the woods surrounding the town.
After "solving" the riddles and defeating the Trainers, a secret passage is revealed beneath one of the bookcases. Lenora's office is beneath the building, where she keeps her personal notes and research subjects. It is also where she has a battle arena to face challengers.
Hail, Challenger! I am Lenora, Countess of Nacrene City, Bearer of the Basic Badge, Director of the Unovan Museum and Archaeologist Extraordinaire!
Um, Hail, Lenora! I am Sir Monk, Lord of Nuvema Town, Bearer of the Trio Badge, here to challenge for the right to take the Basic Badge.
Hello Pokemon fans, and welcome to another edition of Unovan Idol!
Oh what the hell, you too?
Eh, funding for the museum has been rather tight lately- this licensing deal means I can hire more field workers.
Tonight we are live from Nacrene City Gym, where Monk has issued a challenge to the Gym Leader Lenora! A few weeks ago, Monk edged Cilan to claim the Trio Badge- tonight he'll be faced with a much tougher prospect in the Normal Type user Countess Lenora. Let's break down the match!
Yes, but did it
have to be John Madden?
Chris Collinsworth wasn't available, I tried.
Monk is entering this match with only two Pokemon. Marvin is the water-type Oshawott who figures to see much more field time than at Striaton. Fan favorite Pompey the Lillipup has regrettably not survived, and has been replaced by a Pidove named Heinrich. Heinrich brings an aerial arm to the team, and his Roost technique can really help extend the play! The match will begin right after a word from our sponsors- stay tuned!
Chris Berman? Kris Kringle? Anyone?
Sorry- better get your Pokemon ready, we're about to begin.
Go, Marvin!
[Go team. Rah rah rah.]
Take him down, Herdier!
*INTIMIDATE*
Herdier's mustache is so intimidating, it reduces the attack of the opposing Pokemon at the start of a match. Monk will just have to compensate.
X Defend!
*TAKE DOWN*
*-50% hp*
We've just seen Lenora's Herdier use its powerful Take Down technique. Take Down is not especially accurate, and inflicts recoil damage on the user, but as Herdier gets a Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB) to damage while using it, it is certainly the most powerful move on the field today. Marvin can't take another lick like that!
Another X Defend might be enough to withstand that Take Down... Marvin! I need you to hold on, to what we've got!
[It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not.]
[We've got each other, and that's a lot!]
For love, we'll give it a shot! X Defend!
*TAKE DOWN*
*-49% hp*
YES! SUPER POTION!
What a turn of events! Marvin's Defense is now high enough to withstand two Take Down's. This means that Monk can use one turn to heal, and another to attack.
*TAKE DOWN* *TAKE DOWN*
X Defend! Super Potion!
*TAKE DOWN* - Miss!
Ha! Marvin, show him
your special technique!
*Razor Shell* Razor Shell is a powerful Water-type move that has a good chance to reduce the enemy's Defense. It is not as powerful as Herdier's Take Down, but is much more accurate, and of course it has no recoil damage. Marvin is also holding a Mystic Water, which powers up Water-type moves- between that and STAB, this is the most lethal move in Monk's arsenal.
*TAKE DOWN* *RETALIATE*
*Razor Shell* *Razor Shell* Super Potion! Finish him!
*RETALIATE*
*Razor Shell* *K-O*
Woah! He's halfway there!
OOOOOOHHHH! LIVIN' ON A PRAYER!
Go, Watchog!
[IMMA CUT YA BITCH!]
[Go ahead and try.]
*LEER*
Leer is a standard defense lowering move- Lenora is trying to overcome Marvin's defense advantage.
X Speed!
*Razor Shell* *HYPNOSIS* Here's a threat- Hypnosis is a Psychic-type move that has a good chance to put the opposing Pokemon to sleep. If Marvin falls asleep, he will be unable to attack!
[Apparently you don't know that I suffer from insomnia- I haven't gotten a good night's sleep since I first entered a Pokeball.]
*Razor Shell* *HYPNOSIS* *Razor Shell* *Razor Shell* *Razor Shell* *RETALIATE*
*HYPNOSIS* *CRUNCH* Crunch is a very powerful Dark-type move, but since Watchog does not receive STAB from it Razor Shell is the more deadly move.
*Razor Shell* *K-O*
YES! VICTORY IS MINE!
What's this? Oshawott is evolving!
Oshawott has evolved into Dewott!
Marvin! You evolved side burns! And another clamshell! And a somewhat more coherent color scheme! And a mohawk! And a stomach mustache! And a war face!
[You live for the fight when that's all that you've got!]
We're livin' on a prayer! Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear!
What a match! Monk will be leaving with a Dewott as well as the Basic Badge- but will he survive until the third Gym? Until next time, this has been Unovan Idol.
Impressive victory! You have definitely earned this badge!
Surprisingly asymmetrical With the Basic Badge, Pokemon up to level 30 will obey you! And as a parting gift, I would like you to have this TM- Retaliate!
Yeah, that's your signature move, isn't it? It didn't seem that great.
Retaliate is a moderately powerful move, but its power is doubled on the turn after an ally dies!
Why didn't you use it after Herdier went down?
I didn't think it would break through Marvin's defenses, and you obviously have a sack full of potions. I tried to grind it out, and failed.
Yeah, I don't think I'll be making much use of a move that needs one of my few Pokemon to die first. But thanks anyway.
Lenora!!! Lenora, come quick, someone is stealing our fossils!
Called it!
It's Team Plasma!
Wait, what?
Team Plasma!?! Monk, with me!
NEXT TIME: PLASMAAAAAA!
Suggestions, Comments, Criticism welcome as always. Next update should take
much less time.