After a test of the QR Scanner, Chikorita was unlocked as a random encounter on Route 2. Unfortunately, it fainted in my attempt to lower its HP.
At least I caught Little Mak/Makuhita (M) in the process.
Lillie also said something or other about her mom, but I wasn't paying much attention since I had to leave to work soon and wanted to get to a point where I could save.
Due to playing over the course of my break, I wasn't able to write down events that happened as they occurred. But most notably...
- Captures: Unnamed Drowzee due to being caught while I was driving (F) Vesenia
/Smeargle (F), Purple Haze/Gastly (M), Ratchel/A-Rattata (F), Tink/Cutiefly Daytona/Growlithe (F), Nefertiti/Bounsweet (F) [Traded]
- Technical Machines: Echoed Voice, Confide
- Evolutions: Margarine/Butterfree, Sam/Trumbeak
Amidst training, Trainers were battled, including some at a graveyard... which seems like it's in poor taste. Especially for the protagonist.
Meanwhile, the evil rappers ask a guy for some berries and he says no... for some reason. Even though they're just lying there for anyone to take.
One of the rappers complains that it's unfair that he's being treated like less than everyone else, especially since he has self-esteem issues already.
That... kinda hits close to home, actually. Poor Team Skull Grunt. I'd share my berries with you.
Or, er... I would, if the game didn't force me to beat up your Drowzee.
Anyway, the Skull Grunts run off to bother Ilima again, probably because they want attention.
In hindsight, Lillie stole a Pokemon at the start of the game, and everyone treats her nicely. Maybe the Team Skull Grunts should wear white...
After meeting up with Hau outside of a nearby Center and having some Tapu Cocoa, training resumes in preparation of the trial! During which time, a Spearow (F) named Fearless is caught.
Unfortunately, the EXP gain around here isn't quite enough to finish leveling my team, so the trial is progressed to.
- Team: Carrera/Magnemite (-), Sam/Trumbeak (F), Nermal/Meowth (M), Tink/Cutiefly (F), Hocus/Abra (M), Soprano/Popplio (M)
Ilima explains that his trial is to beat up some Yungoos just... because. Seems kind of mean-spirited, but okay. Also, there's a Totem Pokemon in the back as well as a Z-Crystal.
Probably would help if you explained what a Totem Pokemon was, but okay.
On the way up, Luna finds a TM for... Brick Break? Really? THIS early?
And Trumbeak learns it even. Guess I'll replace Rock Smash.
Anyway, the trial progresses pretty easily until the last Yungoos is the only one left, given that it continues to pop up in another cave whenever Luna goes to check where it is.
But suddenly, the rappers return! The note that they're the Berry thieves (again, why do you need to steal them?) and ask if Luna remembers them.
I don't want to hurt their self-esteem, so I say yes, leading to them noting that it's pretty impressive considering all the grunts look exactly the same.
Heh.
Team Skull Grunt A (or was it B?) then says he's here to mess up my trial.
Over the course of the battle with his Drowzee, he does 1 HP worth of damage to Carrera with Pound and the EXP he gives causes Soprano to evolve.
After the battle, they then politely warn Luna about the Totem Pokemon in the back and then help her with her trial.
...Wow, this isn't even Draco in Leather Pants. Team Skull did literally nothing wrong.
With Team Skull's help, Gumshoos comes out and is promptly defeated, causing Hocus to evolve as well.
LITERALLY DID NOTHING WRONG
Can I join Team Skull? I want to join Team Skull.
After speaking to the Skull Grunts, who encourage you not to give up, Luna then speaks to the Trial Guide, who lets you to the back.
Upon attempting to take the Z-Crystal on the pedestal, a Gumshoos appears to read Luna her rights. Stealing is a crime, pal.
Totem Gumshoos has a pretty basic strategy: by lowering your speed with Scary Face, he ensures he and his ally (Yungoos) will have turns before you. Yungoos assists by using Leer to lower your defense, and then they proceed to wail on you with attacks.
Fortunately, Gumshoos used Bite, which it doesn't get STAB on, allowing Sam to easily take them both out in one hit after two Work Ups.
After defeating it, Ilima shows up and mentions that he trained the Totem Pokemon and... that explains a lot about trials actually.
Luna then receives the Normalium Z and Ilima teaches her how to break herself off a piece of that funk as the saying goes. He then leaves, missing out on the fact that Rotom Pokedex apparently finds him dreamy.
Upon attempting to thank Team Skull for their help, I find out that they're gone as Luna is suddenly ambushed by a Yungoos.
How sad.
In more positive news, Willow/Diglett (F) is caught right at the cave entrance with a good nature!
Team: Carrera/Magnemite (-), Sam/Trumbeak (F), Nermal/Meowth (M), Tink/Cutiefly (F), Hocus/Kadabra Alakazam (M), Soprano/Brionne (M)
