Sorry for late reply. But congrats for taking down E4 and Champion!! Man, the fight simply awesome. Gamba definitely cooking that sweep, and good grief, you almost lose your Grimmsnarl but he hanging in so you wouldn't sad. The most impressive is you using Booba against Rika despite at type disadvantage and you win! The fight against Larry also give me quite a goosebump too, especially Staraptor and Flamigo could easily tore down most slower Pokemon than them.
Anyway, if you still continuing this run(regarding Nemona and other things that waiting in-game), I'll be waiting to see that.
I agree with your opinion on Ortega-he was definitely my least favorite of the Star bosses. Not just because of his type (although that's definitely part of it ) but because he just didn't really fit IMO? A spoiled rich kid just doesn't seem to fit with the rest of Team Star, and I really just did not like him at all. I will give him credit for creating the Starmobiles though.
On the other hand, I was surprised at how much I liked Eri-I really thought I would hate her, but then you find out her true personality and it made me like her a lot more.
Poor Catsear 😢
But again, getting this far blind with only two deaths is really impressive!
Kor/Miraidon are so expressive, I love it ❤️
That scene where Mabosstiff fully recovers is so emotional, especially as a pet owner 🥺
And then the professor just has to ruin it 😒
Yeah the hardest part of a rotating team is narrowing it down for the endgame. I still have no idea who's gonna be the final team in my run...
I think you made some really solid choices.
I think the only questions you can actually get wrong are "which gym leader was the toughest" and "what type did they use" if you don't pick the ones that match the gym you picked, and "which starter did you pick" (although how do you forget that?) Oh and "do you like Pokémon?" for obvious reasons
I am loving the Gamba sweeps! Torch Song is so freaking good~
Yeah Geeta is really meh compared to some of the other champions. Partly because her team order is all wrong (like others said, Glimmora should be out first for Toxic Spikes, and Kingambit should be last/the ace because of its ability), but also because most of her team is pretty meh. For someone who "is utterly incapable of holding back in battle", she's not that great. Really happy to see everyone pull through though!
Dex Entry
Because Moon’s the two rarest types, Moon’s the rarest pokemon. Yes, that's logical. No, there aren't other Ghost/Ice types. Froslass doesn't exist.
I was honestly kind of annoyed by the Geeta fight because 3 of her Pokémon are weak to fire, and 2 are weak to ghost, and I chose fuecoco, so the fight lasted about a minute and a half.
Also, the illusion of choice thing with Nemona is pretty funny.
@Leon Yorunaki - Yep, Larry was quite a surprise, and while Geeta wasn't, the battle itself was still mostly blind as I had no idea what to expect (or even what type her ace was!). I get the criticism though as the League isn't the end-game I think people might be a bit too harsh on Geeta? I mean there are other tougher battles ahead (and I haven't even reached all of them I assume) so Game Freak couldn't just give Geeta the hardest team possible. Though perhaps making Kingambit her ace would have made more sense and allowing her to open with Glimmora, I can see that. Interesting about the Titan types, I haven't noticed it until you mentioned it. Thanks! You'll soon see how all of these battles went. No joke is a good definition!
@mewstein - Thank you! I really love my team, and I hate how I couldn't take all 9 with me, but hi perhaps they'll get more love now at the rest of the endgame. Yep, Booba is pretty amazing. Ah, good point about little girls! No doubt they've been my downfall for the last few months 😛, or at least a specific one. Yeah, I'm not used that my starter to be so dominant and useful. Torch Song is pretty OP. the Fuecoco line is growing more and more on me every day. Thanks again! And now time to prove that I got this title for a good reason I guess.
@Dee - Thanks! Well, the game isn't over yet, maybe Clew will join us again, who knows. I really like her as well and want to show the unlikely hero that she is, but even making it so far shows it in my opinion. I get the criticism about Geeta but as I wrote above there are many other battles after her so I do get Game Freak not wanting to make her too strong, but perhaps they could have made her just a bit more challenging.
@Hayfever - Well cool and good to know I passed for a good reason 🙂 . Thanks! Gamba had been amazing so far, and I find it really hard to decide who's the MVP of this run as I often like to declare it once the run is over (main options so far seem to be Gamba, Menace, Booba and Trasgo) but she just might be the one! Assuming I'll actually win that is. Larry was a pleasant surprise and also indeed fooled me type-wise, as the rest of the E4 did. I really agree with what you said about Geeta, I think this is her B team and as she knows she can't hold herself back she doesn't use her best team to actually allow some people to defeat her, all great points. Man, I haven't even considered rejecting Nemona, that sounds terrible after all that she did for us and her obsession with our career, poor thing 😁. Oh I have a feeling I have many challenges ahead of me still, and I'll be as vigilant as I can be!
@Trollkitten - Yep! As I wrote to Hayfever I really like this theory.
@Nate - Ha! Well opening with an Intimidate and a type that is weak to moves that aren't usually used as cover moves seemed like a good option to me in general in this blind run, but especially when facing a Normal master, good to see I wasn't the only one who fell for this - I'm pretty sure Game Freak set this anti Fighting trap on purpose. Menace had been amazing in this game, one of my best team members without a doubt. And hi it looks like your Skeledirge carried that battle for you much like Gamba did for me!
@Arie Kazami - Thank you! I had some really tense fights, happy you enjoyed them as well. Gamba is a freaking killing machine, and losing Trasgo could have been devastating as he is one of my most useful and powerful pokemon on the team. Oh, the Larry battle could have gone VERY bad if I would have made a mistake or two, as my team was very badly equipped to deal with his Flamigo. Yep, I will indeed be continuing until I reach the end of the game! Which I have no idea what it is of course, but from what you guys told me I still have quite a few battles ahead of me. Wish me luck.
@Skarmizard - I agree Ortega just feels off. I mean I don't hate him or anything, but in a region with so many well designed characters he feels a bit bland and random, almost like a filler. I agree, Eri is my favorite of the Team Star bunch without a doubt. Arven had been amazing, and as I said I think it is my favorite path story-wise of them all (and you know what? Even when it comes to gameplay, especially when it comes to innovations and taking risks with new things). Well, I still haven't reached the endgame so I have a chance to give others some lover if I'll want, and to me all of the 9 surviving heroes are worthy of being in the hall of fame. Yep, Gamba had been amazing and Torch Song is so good! And even combining it with Shadow Balls had been useful for quite amazing coverage (I haven't even used my other two moves so far 😋). As I wrote before I agree that Geeta's team is a bit meh, but I think for a good reason as A) Story-wise it makes sense for her team not to be too OP if others need to be champions as well and B) Game design considerations - there are still many threats after her so Game Freak couldn't give her the best team possible and then make the rest of the battles easier. So, I don't mind that. Thanks again, wish me luck!
@Moon - Thanks! No doubt this game makes me happy time and time again that I picked Fuecoco as my starter. Though as I wrote before I think we are being a bit unfair here - Compare this to Champion Lance in Gen 2, much like Geeta he is Champion and yet not the end game and therefore not the strongest trainer out there, and much like her a Feraligatr with an Ice move and a Water move (or any other Water type you can get to be honest) can annihilate most of his team. Game Freak just likes crocodiles I guess 😛.
Part 14 - End of the Road(s)?
Welcome everyone, and as usual thanks for all your love and support! You've been such an integral part of this journey, I truly mean this. In most games, being champions of this region would mean we would be now in post-game territory, but not in this game it seems! We still have three more paths to finish, and then, according to you guys at least, some kind end-game. So let's continue forward and tackle all the challenges ahead! I have a feeling this won't be easy, and I sure hope our glorious 9 can get the job done.
For now we will stick to the 6 heroes we chose for the E4 and see what's next. I admit that having to face so many end game bosses one after the other with no prior knowledge scares me, and I'd hate to lose the game at this point... But let's stay focused and stay positive, we can do this!
First let's go ahead and deal with Cassiopeia as we are already at Mesagoza and this feels like the most pressing issue. Penny, here I come!
Visiting the academy always feels like coming back home.
Sup'... Clive.
Oh I was sure we already established that? Anyway, that is a bit amusing I admit, very "Masked Royal" of you director.
Oh?
What? No way dude, it is Penny, we already know that...
This seems extremely unlikely, but sure I'll play along, perhaps this is some kind of test.
And now I have to fight you? Like there aren't enough boss battles in this game already... Ok, let's see what you got director!
...
...
Clavell has 6 pokemon, damn me.
Menace's Intimidate kicks in but is canceled by Oranguru's Inner Focus. Not a great type-match, better switch, let's predict a Psychic type move.
Menace return, go Trasgo!
Oranguru used Yawn, Trasgo is drowsy. Crap... I'd hate falling asleep at this point. I think I'll switch again.
Return Trasgo, go Booba!
Oranguru used Foul Play, 153/187. Took some damage from Rocky Helmet.
Booba used Stealth Rock, rocks were set.
Oranguru used Foul Play, 115/187. Took some Rocky Helmet damage (~2/3 health remaining).
Booba used Shed Tail, health down to 21 (I'm still not sure if the amount lost is set or a percentage, didn't find it anywhere). Substitute established and switched to Trasgo.
Oranguru used Yawn, and failed thanks to the Substitute. Nice! That plan went well.
Trasgo used Fake Out, ~1/2 HP remaining.
Oranguru used Foul Play, not very effective, Substitute was damaged but still standing.
Trasgo used False Surrender, Oranguru down. Great start! Who's next?
Clavell sent out Houndoom (took some Stealth Rock damage).
Well, this seems pretty perfect. Wonder what's your plan.
Houndoom used Sludge Bomb, Substitute destroyed. Ok, makes sense, good thing we were protected.
Trasgo used Spirit Break, Houndoom down!
Clavell sent out Abomasnow, took stealth rock damage, it began to snow.
Trasgo used Spirit Break, a bit less than 1/2 HP remaining, Special Attack decreased.
Abomasnow used Aurora Veil, damn, that's a great set up director, well played.
Trasgo used Spirit Break, ~1/4 HP remaining, Special Attack decreased.
Abomasnow used Wood Hammer, 90/210, freaking ouch! Abomasnow took a lot of recoil damage but still survives on a few points of HP. Well, that might be for the best, running those Snow and Aurora Veil turns down.
Trasgo used Spirit Break, Abomasnow is down.
Clavell sends out Amoonguss, takes Stealth Rock damage. Time to switch out to someone who can take Poison moves well (and even Grass ones). Return Trasgo, go Gamba!
Amoonguss used Giga Drain (interesting! Why didn't it use a Poison move? Well, I don't really mind). 193/221, healed itself a bit.
Gamba used Torch Song, Amoonguss at ~1/2 HP (bulky!). Special Attack increased.
Amoonguss used Toxic, Gamba is badly poisoned. Damn, not sweeping for us Gamba. 180/221.
The snow stopped, Aurora Veil over, finally.
Gamba used Torch Song, Amoonguss down. Special Attack increased. 154/221.
Clavell sent out Polteageist, Stealth Rock damage.
Hmm, I don't want to risk it being faster than me and hitting me with a Ghost move... Gamba return, go Salaria! (your ability would be useful here).
Polteageist used Shadow Ball, 179/212. Leftovers recover - 192/212.
Polteageist used Shadow Ball, 158/212. Leftovers recover - 171/212.
Salaria used Stone Edge, critical hit! Polteageist down! (Wonder if the crit was crucial or not).
Clavell sends out his final pokemon and ace, Quaquaval?! (Stealth Rock Damage).
Well, hmm, ok so I guess this is the final starter evolution I never got to see. First of all, not at all what I imagined it to be (I was sure it was more knight inspired). Second of all, pretty cool still I guess. Third, well, I'm glad I picked Fuecoco as it is by far my favorite.
And now with that out of the way, what am I going to do against this thing? I have no Grass or Electric type on my team, poor Catsear. Let's send out Menace to get that intimidate at least, that thing looks physical.
Intimidate kicks in.
Quaquaval Terastillized. Used Aqua Step, 126/192, Speed increased. That hurt, though I'm supposed to be able to take one more hit, even a crit most probably. Also, I wonder if I'm faster. Anyway let's stay in and get in some damage. You know what? Let's even Terastillized ourselves to make it count.
Menace Terastillized.
Quaquaval used Aqua Step, critical hit! Menace is... down?! (Speed increase).
What? How? Why?!!! Was it a low roll and then a high roll?
Oh... crap, damn me... I calculated this in my head (as I always do) and forgot about the intimidate drop (and the fact critical hits ignore it), so I guess a crit just about killed it, very narrowly, man... I can't believe it, Menace! One of our greatest MVPs, who's saved us from so many battles. Why you... And likes this...
Ok, get it together. Mistakes happen, crits happen, we need to win this! And we are in deep trouble. We lost our Terastillization, we lost our main answer for this pokemon, and all because of a crit...
Venus seems like our best option here against this physical threat. Save us you defensive wall!
Quaquaval used Brick Break, it is super effective, 105/153. Damn me.
Venus used Poison Jab, ~3/4 HP, that's all?
Quaquaval used Brick Break, 61/153
Venus used Poison Jab, ~1/2 HP.
I'm healing, not even thinking twice about it. Used a Hyper potion on Venus (first used this battle, up to three allowed).
Quaquaval used Brick Break, 103/153.
Quaquaval used Brick Break, 55/153.
Venus used Poison Jab, 1/4 HP, poisoned.
Used a Hyper potion on Venus (Second used this battle).
Quaquaval used Brick Break, 103/153. Hurt by poisoning, survived on a few HP points.
Quaquaval used Brick Break, 55/153.
Venus used Poison Jab, murder duck is down.
...
...
You freaking should! You killed Menace... I can't believe it I lost my beloved Menace to you of all people. What can I say, you were a worthy opponent director.
Yeah, no shit...
Now I'm afraid to find out what team Cassiopeia actually has.
I'll do that director. I'm not even mad at you, you did your best. It just pains me so much we had to lose Menace on the way.
My third death of the run, and without a doubt the most painful so far. Menace, you've been with me since pretty early on and you carried me throughout most of the early game, and kept being relevant throughout the game with your amazing raw power, speed, and intimidate of course. You helped against Iono, Larry, Great Tusk, and every single Team Star boss except Oretga! You even helped in the league against both Rika and Geeta. You were amazing, and you'll be dearly missed.
And then there were 8...
What can I say, this was a hard battle, and as evidence every single one of our pokemon helped. Now I have three pokemon in my box, who should I add in?
For now, I'll take Shockni, though I might change my mind later. Shockni, welcome to the team!
And with all of that done, it is time to face the true Cassiopeia. I return to the schoolyard at night, and meet...
Hello... Penny.
Ready as I'll ever be...
...
...
6 pokemon, the end game is here, and every battle is harder than the one before it. Penny sends out Umbreon level 62 vs Booba.
Ok I guess, not ideal but not terrible. Let's start with some set ups.
Umbreon used Baby-Doll eyes, Attack Decreased. I'm ok with that.
Booba used Stealth Rock.
Umbreon used Baby-Doll eyes, Attack Decreased.
Booba used Shed Tail, lost half it's HP and created a Substitute. Switched to Salaria. Pretty perfect so far.
Umbreon used Dark Pulse, Substitute damaged but still up.
Salaria used Body Press, super effective, a bit over half health remaining. Arg.
Umbreon used Dark Pulse, Substitute destroyed.
Salaria used Body Press, super effective, Umberon is at ~1/10 HP.
Umbreon used Baby-Doll eyes, Attack Decreased.
Salaria used Body Press, Umbreon finally down.
Penny sent out Vaporeon, Stealth Rock Damage.
Salaria good job, return. Go Venus.
Vaporeon used Hydro Pump, 107/153 (good thing I have the Assault Vest).
Vaporeon used Baby-Doll eyes, Attack Decreased. I see this is your signature move Penny.
Venus used Poison Jab, ~2/3 HP, and it got the poison! Went down to a bit over half.
Vaporeon used Baby-Doll eyes, Attack Decreased.
Venus used Poison Jab, ~1/3 HP, remaining. My Attack is getting ridiculously low, better use a Special move.
Vaporeon used Baby-Doll eyes, Attack Decreased.
Venus used Surf, Water Absorb took effect and healed Vaporeon to ~1/2 HP. Well, this is awkward... Trying to be smart and turned out pretty dumb. Oh well, no major harm done, at least it is still poisoned. Venus, press on!
Venus used Poison Jab, ~1/4 HP.
Vaporeon used Hydro Pump, 67/153. Hmm, I'm not taking any risks. Using a Hyper potion on Venus (first used).
Vaporeon used Hydro Pump, 106/153.
Venus used Poison Jab, Vaporeon down. Man, you got some bulky pokemon, who's next?
Penny sends out Jolteon.
A third Eeveelution? Oh... Her Eevee bag, that's her theme, right? A team full of Eeveelution? Well that's both basic and pretty cool at the same time I admit, and quite a formidable team.
Venus return, go Salaria!
Jolteon used Thunder, 127/212! Ouch... Leftover healed to 140/212.
Jolteon used Baby-Doll eyes, Attack Decreased.
Salaria used Earthquake, ~1/8 HP remaining. Damn that Baby-Doll eyes actually saved you. Well played. Leftovers heal to 153/212.
Jolteon used Thunder, 77/212 (can't you miss once in a while?).
Salaria used Earthquake, Jolteon down. Healed to 90/212. Penny sends out Leafeon, Stealth Rock Damage.
Salaria return, go Gamba!
Leafeon used Leaf Blade, 190/212.
Leafeon used Baby-Doll eyes, Attack Decreased. Have fun with that, I'm a Special Attacker.
Gamba used Torch Song, Leafeon down! Special Attack increased.
Penny sent out Flareon, Stealth Rock Damage.
Gamba used Shadow Ball, survived on a 1/8 HP, so close...
Flareon used Flare Blitz, 139/212, and killed itself with recoil (level up).
Penny sends out Sylveon, Stealth Rock Damage.
Sylveon Terastillized.
Gamba Terastillized.
Gamba used Torch Song, ~1/4 HP, Special Attack increased.
Sylveon use Shadow Ball, 87/212. Oh god, good thing I Terastillized! I mean according to my calcs I don't think it would have been my end otherwise, but a critical hit non-Terastillize would have been Gamba's demise for sure.
Gamba, finish this!!! Avenge Menace...
Sylveon down, we won!
...
...
And much like after we defeated every other Team Star leader, we get a flashback for how things went when the whole anti-bullying plan backfired according to Penny (though technically I wouldn't say it backfired, as it pretty much worked...).
I honestly think Penny overreacted here and things could have gone differently if she wouldn't immediately have taken all the blame, still it is pretty moving to see how they all care about her even though they never met in person, and how she is willing to take the heat onto herself because her care is so mutual.
Penny then explains to us that she had to do it this way as even though she was technically the "Big Boss" their code dictated that no one boss had the power to order the others around, and she thought this was the only way to do it. "Clive" then reveals himself as Clavell to Penny's surprise, which is a bit silly but again also a bit amusing 😋.
He then calls out the entire Team who comes to meet Penny for the first time in real life and support her.
Aww, that's adorable.
Clavell then apologizes, which is actually quite impressing I must say, admitting he was too harsh with them without understanding their true motives or what happened. On the other hand I think he deserves a lot of credit for taking the effort to find out what actually happened. Clavell you honestly solved this in the best way possible, well done. And there is more as he offers them as sort of a semi-punishment/community service to continue manning their bases as official "Star Training Bases" of the league in which they'll help others train pokemon, which is such as a beautiful solution.
I honestly do!
Penny then asks to give her some time, until she finally agrees!
However she also confesses to hacking into the League systems to get me that reward LPs. The director then says he must talk with the League to figure out what to do next about this situation.
The next morning Penny asks to meet us again.
That's the perfect way to do put it.
A happy ending to a great story. Best of luck Penny!
First path complete, look at that. I would have rated it, but honestly I don't think there's a need after all the rating I did in between. Also even though they are divided to three, in some way they all feel so connected, like part of a bigger story, which is one of their greatest strength. Game Freak have done an amazing job with the Three Path approach in this game, and for that - I'm going to give them a 5/5 Claws. Well done! The perfect combination between keeping the good old formula and making something new. Exactly what I would expect of generation 9.
First path completed, two more left.
Speaking of which, I think it is time to face Nemona, she's been waiting for us after all.
As you probably noticed I haven't used Shockni on the last battle even though I just added it. This made me think a bit, and I decided to box him for now and instead add Clew to the team. I'm honestly mostly doing this for sentimental reasons. Clew was with me since the beginning, and I didn't take her to the E4 as I was too afraid she'll hold me back. But with Menace dead I think I need a little bit of good karma on my side, and adding Clew, at least for this battle just feels like the right thing to do. Not only that, I'll let her lead. Clew, show me your worth once more!
Nemona, here I come!
That's pretty epic, I admit 🙂.
I don't know if Nemona is my favorite rival or not, but one thing is for certain - she is a RIVAL, in every ounce of her essence, a classic friendly rival as Game Freak intended it to be, and I love that about her.
...
...
Nemona has 6 pokemon, and sends out a level 65 Lycanroc vs level 63 Clew. First of all, F me, that's not good. Not a good matchup (I should have known she'd open with it as she did in the past), it is higher level than me, and generally we are in a bit of trouble. Still, let's stay focused, we got this team, I have faith in us. Let's try and fish some information and perhaps even slow it down in the process.
Clew used Silk Trap.
Lycanroc used Stone Edge, Clew is protected. Well, I didn't get the Speed Decrease but still got some information. Clew, return. Go Salaria!
Lycanroc used Stone Edge, 136/215. Oh wow, that did a lot more damage than I thought it will! Ok, keep it cool. Leftovers healed a bit back.
Lycanroc used Drill Run, super effective! 77/215. (Leftovers healed to 90/215).
Salaria used Earthquake, ~1/8 HP left, oh no...
Well this sucks, and in retrospect I shouldn't have switched to Salaria, I was sure she'll be bulkier and I didn't expect a Ground type move here. But you got to make the best with what you have. Salaria, return. Go Booba!
Lycanroc used Drill Run, Earth Eater kicks in! At least my plan worked.
Lycanroc used Stealth Rock.
Booba used Stealth Rock. Great minds think alike I guess.
Lycanroc used Accelerock, 177/190, took Rocky Helmet damage and fainted, well, I'll take it.
Nemona sent Pawmot, took Stealth Rock damage.
The Supersian Hamster. A fighting move is on its way, and there's no reason to stay in. Booba, return, go Gamba! Took Stealth Rock damage (ouch).
Pawmot used Close Combat, it doesn't affect Gamba, nice.
Pawmot used Double Shock, 69/225, ah!!! What the hell is this move?
Gamba used Torch Song, Pawmot down. Special Attack increased.
Nemona sends out Orthworm, again, great minds. Stealth Rock damage.
I'm faster, right? Yeah from what I remember from Booba I must be faster, and that thing is very lacking in Special Defense.
Gamba used Torch Song, critical hit (doubt it mattered). Orthworm down. Special Attack increased.
Neomna sends out Goodra. Stealth Rock damage.
Gamba great job but sadly I have to stop your sweep in its track. Return, go Trasgo! Stealth Rock damage.
Goodra used Muddy Water (arg, why not a Dragon move?), 135/214.
Trasgo used Fake Out, ~2/3 HP.
Goodra used Sludge Bomb, 23/214, AH!!! Trasgo you amazing troll, you somehow keep escaping death!
Trasgo used Spirit Break, Goodra down.
Nemona sends out Dudunsparce. Stealth Rock damage.
I can switch... Though I think a heal would be better to understand what I'm dealing with. Used a Max potion on Trasgo (first used).
Dudunsparce used Hyper Drill, 85/214, ok wow, that did a lot...
Well, the AI tends to be pretty consistent on these things. I doubt it sees a kill with any other move so it is going to use Hyper Drill again. I'm going to do something a bit risky and pivot using Gamba into the Stealth Rock. It should work... Trasgo, return. Go Gamba!
Gamba suffered Stealth Rock damage, 13/225.
Dudunsparce used Hyper Drill, doesn't affect Gamba. Phew, that worked...
Gamba return, go Booba! Suffered Stealth Rock damage.
Dudunsparce used Dragon Rush, not very effective, 147/190. Took Rocky Helmet damage. Well, I was hoping it will use a Ground type move, but this still turned out more or less like I hoped. Now I'm going to so something a bit cheesy, but again, I don't care, I need to play smart here and use all the resources available to me in such a battle.
Used Max Potion on Gamba (second used this battle).
Dudunsparce used Coil, raised Attack, Defense and Accuracy. Not ideal.
Booba used Iron Head, ~1/2 HP.
Dudunsparce used Coil, raised Attack, Defense and Accuracy. Getting scary.
Booba used Iron Head, ~1/4 HP, and it flinched, nice!
Booba used Iron Head, ~1/8 HP.
Dudunsparce used Hyper Drill, not very effective, 95/190. Rocky Helmet damage, survived on a few HP.
Interesting, so I think under this unique situation using Shed Tail would put me in a better position against her ace.
Booba used Shed Tail, it didn't work? What?!
Seriously? Damn, I was sure it costs a percentage of your health and not a total, well this sucks... And I lost a turn.
Dudunsparce used Dragon Rush, 59/195. Died from Rocky Helmet damage. Well, at least that's something.
Nemona sends her last pokemon, Meowscrada (level 66). Stealth Rock damage. And now I'm in trouble...
This thing has a really deadly always crit Grass type move, and I can only assume it knows some kind of Dark type move... Also, it is fast as hell. I don't see a lot of solutions, I'll need some luck or I'm going to lose someone. Booba, return (wish I could use Shed Tail), go Gamba! Stealth Rock damage.
Meowscrada Terastillized. Used Thunder Punch! (What, why? That's the best you got against Booba I guess?). 129/225. Not good at all... That thing is faster and is probably going to use a Dark type move. Gamba, return, go Clew! Stealth Rock damage.
Meowscrada used Shadow Claw (that's weird), 78/162.
Well, this is very bad. Might as well try and slow it down and get a bit of information as usual.
Clew used Silk Trap.
Meowscrada used Play Rough, protected and Speed down. Well, this is going to be very close but I have to stay in and take the risk, Clew, prove to me that taking you on the team was the right thing to do!
Meowscrada used Play Rough, 23/167. Nice!
Clew used Leech Life, it is super effective, 1/8 HP remaining. Clew healed to 107/167.
Meowscrada used Flower Trick, critical hit! (of course). 10/167. AH!!! Why didn't it use it before? Clew, I can't believe you made it!
Clew used Leech Life, Meowscrada, we won!!!
...
...
...
That's the Nemona I know 🙂.
Oh, stop it 😁.
Once more, that's the Nemona I know. Perfect ending (And thank god there's no round two!). I still can't believe we survived this battle without losing anyone, Nemona was probably the hardest challenge we faced so far. Great job team!
And path two completed. A classic, the League challenge and not one that was done that differently compared to the usual formula, still Nemona added a lot of character into it and Paldea is such a fun colorful region I had a blast fighting the different gym leaders on the way. One more path left I guess.
Arven, here I come!
She's been very vague talking to me throughout this run as well, so don't ask me.
Poor Arven...
That's pretty extreme. I mean not all parents are as involved I guess, and parents are human beings after all, but this sounds like quite a drastic case. The fact she is so famous for her work must make it so much worse, knowing she spent all of her time and effort on something that wasn't you. Though perhaps it is also a source of some comfort? Knowing her obsession for a single thing was the reason she had no time for you, and it wasn't "personal"? I don't know.
Into the lab we go.
Never noticed her teeth before. I think it is part of the "cavewoman" look as she is supposed to symbolize the past (while the other dude for Violet is the "Future"), still it gives her quite an intimidating look.
That doesn't sound ominous at all...
The... Book? I would assume you would have it on you, or at least a copy or a digital copy? That sounds a bit suspicious. Perhaps she has certain notes in her Lab copy? Or perhaps she is just looking for an excuse for us to come?
Oh right, Arven took her copy to find the Herba Mystica, amusing. Does she speak to him that little that he didn't know her research is related to that?
You make it sound like a fun little school trip. Isn't this the place that generations of people tried to get to, that got empires to collapse, and that we were warned by the school to never get near to?
She then tells us the journey might be a bit unsafe guarded by vicious pokemon and cybernetics protection, whatever that means.
And offers that we should travel with others on our side. Arven then tells us that he had visited Area Zero before, and it there that his mighty dog was wounded in the first place, which is once more highly suspicious. What exactly happened there?
I wish there was a third option that made it sound a bit more considerate to the poor kid's feeling. You can clearly see he is trying to ask us if we value our friendship more than yet another mission for his problematic mother... Sadly, we have to press onward, I hope he understands that.
Once more Arven shows he is the bigger person, and a true friend.
And as I suspected Arven now wants to fight us. I'm not entirely sure how that makes sense story-wise, and why every single problem in the pokemon world is solved using pokemon battles, but sure, I'll gladly fight you. Though we are going on a journey together so I'd love it if you won't kill any of my pokemon before that, ok...?
...
...
6 pokemon, Clew vs Greedent. Ok, so I assume he is going to use all the 5 pokemon he used vs the Titans plus his doggo right?
Clew used Brick Break, a bit less than half HP remaining.
Greedent used Body Slam, 116/164
Clew used Brick Break, Greedent down. Arven sent out Scovillian (I miss Pilepelette, wish I had enough room for her on the team).
Clew return, go Gamba!
Scovillian used Fire Blast, and it missed, cool, good start.
Gamba used Torch Song, a bit over half health remaining. Special Attack increased.
Scovillian used Crunch, it is super effective, 151/225. And its Defense Fell. Ouch... Well another Torch Song should take it down with the Special Attack increase.
Gamba used Torch Song, and survived on ~1 HP. Damn it, how?! Must be a low roll after a high roll or something... Special Attack increased.
Scovillian used Crunch, 47/225. F me, a crit would have been our end, that was way too dangerous... I was sure it wouldn't survive that second Torch Song.
Gamba used Torch Song, Scovillian fainted, Special Attack increased.
Arven sent out Gargancal. Great choice of pokemon Arven.
Gamba return, go Booba!
Gargancal used Stone Edge, critical hit! 152/193.
Booba used Iron Head, ~1/2 HP remaining.
Gargancal used Earthquake, Booba healed to full health! Who would have believed eating dirt would be so useful 😛.
Booba used Iron Head, Gargancal has fainted.
Arven sent out Toedscruel.
Booba used Iron Head, ~2/5 HP remaining.
Toedscruel used Spore, Booba is asleep. Not ideal, but I don't think that thing can do a whole lot to Booba. Let's try and wait it out.
Toedscruel used Power Whip, and missed.
Booba is asleep.
Toedscruel used Power Whip, 172/193, Rocky Helmet damage.
Booba is asleep.
Toedscruel used Power Whip, 149/193, Rocky Helmet damage.
Booba woke up, finally, used Iron Head, Toedscruel down.
Arven sent out Cloyster. Our team are disturbingly similar Arven, but what can I say as a cook you probably have good taste 😋.
Booba used Iron Head, ~3/4 HP remaining. Yeah, Cloyster is very defensive, not sure why I'm surprised by that.
Cloyster used Light Screen, light screen up.
Booba used Iron Head, a bit less than half remaining, and Cloyster flinched!
Booba used Iron Head, ~1/10 HP remaining.
Cloyster used Liquidation, 94/193, its Defense fell. Rock Helmet damage, Cloyster fainted.
Last pokemon, Arven sent out Mabosstiff. Intimidate kicks in.
Booba return, time for my own Cloyster, go Venus!
Mabosstiff Terastillized! (Dark type). And used Crunch, 99/155.
Mabosstiff used Crunch, 47/155, Venus's Defense fell.
Venus used Icicle Spear (hit 5 times thanks to Skill Link), ~3/4 HP remaining.
Venus return, go Trasgo!
Mabosstiff used Crunch, 179/217
Trasgo used Fake Out, ~1/2 HP remaining.
Trasgo Terastillized (Fairy type).
Mabosstiff used Play Rough, 105/217.
Trasgo sued Spirit Break, Mabosstiff had fainted!
(Poor brave thing).
...
...
Hi, don't sell yourself short, you were there with me in all those Titan fights and really helped, and gave me quite a fight now.
How very specific, well I guess we are taking Penny and Nemona with us!
End-game, here I come!
And final path complete, 3 out of 3, and this was probably my favorite one.
See you next time as we press onward into the unknown, in what I assume will be our final showdown of the game? Who knows!
Wish me luck!!! I have a feeling I'm going to need it.
Current Team:
Gamba the Skeledirge (F), Trasgo the Grimmsnarl (M), Venus the Cloyster (F), Booba the Orthworm (F), Salaria the Garganacl (F), Clew the Spidops (F).
Rotating from the Box:
Shockni the Kilowattrel (M), Pilpelette the Scovillain (F).
Martilla the Tinkatuff level 35 (F), Catsear the Jumpluff level 56 (M), Menace the Paldean Tauros level 63 (M).
Dex Entry
Your Honor, I'd like to ask the esteemed members of the jury: who amongst us *hasn't* been in a knife fight in the dumpster behind the Denny's?
Noooooo not Menace! Oh man he was here for forever it feels like... that's a brutal loss, ouch. I'm so sorry that had to happen.
Still, if there's even a hint of a silver lining, it's Clew returning to the squad. I loved her and hopefully she makes it all the way to the end. Spidops go!
I'm glad that you enjoyed the culmination of both Nemona and Penny's storylines. Nemona really grew on me as a character and I've already been quite open about how much I like Penny's story (and Arven's, but we're not quite at the end of his, aren't we?) so it was invigorating to see. Looking forward to the adventure into Area Zero!
Oh, poor Menace. Clavel really tried his hardest to protect Penny and the rest of his students, but sadly he fought a little too hard.
So you're finished with the three paths. Congrats! The plot of this game really is fantastic. Each route has a lot of character, and even if it's all Pokemon battles at the end of the day, they made the kinds of bosses you fight just different enough to keep it all fresh and exciting.
But now it's time to delve into the mysterious Area Zero... Be on your guard!
So let's continue forward and tackle all the challenges ahead! I have a feeling this won't be easy, and I sure hope our glorious 9 can get the job done.
For now we will stick to the 6 heroes we chose for the E4 and see what's next. I admit that having to face so many end game bosses one after the other with no prior knowledge scares me, and I'd hate to lose the game at this point... But let's stay focused and stay positive, we can do this!
You freaking should! You killed Menace... I can't believe it I lost my beloved Menace to you of all people. What can I say, you were a worthy opponent director.
My third death of the run, and without a doubt the most painful so far. Menace, you've been with me since pretty early on and you carried me throughout most of the early game, and kept being relevant throughout the game with your amazing raw power, speed, and intimidate of course. You helped against Iono, Larry, Great Tusk, and every single Team Star boss except Oretga! You even helped in the league against both Rika and Geeta. You were amazing, and you'll be dearly missed.
And much like after we defeated every other Team Star leader, we get a flashback for how things went when the whole anti-bullying plan backfired according to Penny (though technically I wouldn't say it backfired, as it pretty much worked...).
I honestly think Penny overreacted here and things could have gone differently if she wouldn't immediately have taken all the blame, still it is pretty moving to see how they all care about her even though they never met in person, and how she is willing to take the heat onto herself because her care is so mutual.
Clavell then apologizes, which is actually quite impressing I must say, admitting he was too harsh with them without understanding their true motives or what happened. On the other hand I think he deserves a lot of credit for taking the effort to find out what actually happened. Clavell you honestly solved this in the best way possible, well done. And there is more as he offers them as sort of a semi-punishment/community service to continue manning their bases as official "Star Training Bases" of the league in which they'll help others train pokemon, which is such as a beautiful solution.
Once more, that's the Nemona I know. Perfect ending (And thank god there's no round two!). I still can't believe we survived this battle without losing anyone, Nemona was probably the hardest challenge we faced so far. Great job team!
That's pretty extreme. I mean not all parents are as involved I guess, and parents are human beings after all, but this sounds like quite a drastic case. The fact she is so famous for her work must make it so much worse, knowing she spent all of her time and effort on something that wasn't you. Though perhaps it is also a source of some comfort? Knowing her obsession for a single thing was the reason she had no time for you, and it wasn't "personal"? I don't know.
You make it sound like a fun little school trip. Isn't this the place that generations of people tried to get to, that got empires to collapse, and that we were warned by the school to never get near to?
Man, I'm so sorry for missing a lot of updates. I'm all caught up now and ready for the sunset of this wonderful run. You should be proud for not only doing a blind run of Scarlet, but also doing amazingly well so far! That said, I'm sorry about Catsear and Menace... It's always hard to lose long-time members.
I am super glad that Clew was able to get in on the fun! Meowscarada's weakness is definitely Spidops, apparently. Something that Clew and little brother Seda take full advantage of.
Aside from the unfortunate losses, you did an amazing job on those boss fights and I'm confident you're gonna blast through the last few ones. I will say the last battle is going to be a big challenge, so definitely prepare the best you can! You got this!
Shed Tail uses 1/2 of your Maximum HP and will fail if you have less than that. Despite this, the Substitute that it creates is only 1/4 of said max HP, so I guess the rest of it was to switch out.
And now the final pokemon... We have 4 candidates, all worthy. Clew, Pilpelette, Shockni and Venus. All great pokemon with a good reason to be on the team.
Welcome to the final 6 Venus! Now I really wanted to take Pilpelette with me and she's so unique. I already have a Fire type pokemon, but still Pilpelette could have been a great fit.
Don't feel bad about using Gamba to her full potential!! It's not every run you get to keep a starter to their final evo, much less take them to the league!
You got really lucky here. I can't remember why, but Kingambit is super dangerous. I remember being terrified of it while prepping for my non-blind run.
Well, hmm, ok so I guess this is the final starter evolution I never got to see. First of all, not at all what I imagined it to be (I was sure it was more knight inspired).
Game Freak have done an amazing job with the Three Path approach in this game, and for that - I'm going to give them a 5/5 Claws. Well done! The perfect combination between keeping the good old formula and making something new. Exactly what I would expect of generation 9.
Great job against Mabostiff, that's another Pokemon that can be really deadly if you're not ready! Good thing Trasgo resists that super powerful Crunch.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the rest of the game!!
Penny reminds me of when Twitch Plays Pokemon did a dual Red/Blue run that was hacked to have new player character sprites (male and female), which were supposed to be red and blue respectively but there was a visual glitch where part of them was red and part of them was blue. For the male character, he was just red wearing a blue hat, but the female character had mostly blue hair with a patch of red on it, similarly to Penny but with much longer hair.
But yeah, Scurvy isn't my favorite in terms of character design (human and Pokemon). There's a lot of hit and miss there.
AAAAAH! Menace bite the dust... the poor bull...he still young, R.I.P. But it mitigated by many amazing battle in there(Great job for Venus avenging Menace death right there, preserving until finally delivering the final blow!). Make sure you stocking enough items since Area Zero fights could be unforgiving and a terrific secret is awaits you from there
Dex Entry
Because Moon’s the two rarest types, Moon’s the rarest pokemon. Yes, that's logical. No, there aren't other Ghost/Ice types. Froslass doesn't exist.
@Nate - Yeah what can I say, this death sucked indeed... Menace was such an amazing pokemon. But I'm also really happy Clew got a chance to join in on the action at the end after being with us for so long. The pros and cons of playing with a rotating team I guess. Thanks again for the support!
@Dee - Without a doubt the most painful death we had so far. But indeed, I take comfort knowing that Clew finally got her spot back on the team! I love how useful she keeps turning out to be. I agree, each pathway feels like one part of the story, and each character's arc deals with a different issue. Nemona's ambitious yet positive nature is honestly infective in a great way, Penny's good intentions that met the harsh reality yet finally gets a happy ending is a lovely story, and as I said Arven's story is probably my favorite. Thanks so much! I have a feeling I'll need it.
@Hayfever - Yeah! I mean you wouldn't think out of all of the challenges the director would be the one responsible for the death of my pokemon right? But I guess he was just doing his job. Thanks so much! I had so much fun with the plot so far, and can't wait for the finale.
@JavierE64 - I really hope you are right. Man, losing Menace was so painful, he was without a doubt the MVP for a large chunk of the game, and remained one of my best pokemon till the very end. He will indeed never be forgotten. Dragon Seed will be cheering for us in the box 😋. Thanks so much!
@Dustox - No worries, happy you are enjoying it! And indeed losing Catsear, and especially Menace, hurt a lot... But I've had blind runs end in far more disastrous ways, so as long as we're still alive I'm grateful! Yeah, I didn't even think about how perfect of a counter Clew will be against Nemona's ace, but she sure performed amazingly. Spidops are not to be underestimated! Thanks so much! You'll soon see how that went.
@Mr Spaz - Not knowing that could have cost me A LOT, but luckily we managed to pull through. Still, this is quite a powerful move, so I'm not complaining,
@Spectacles - Having to choose a final team in a game with a rotating party is hard. But at least it makes losing a pokemon slightly less painful as you know you have other great options you really wanted to give more love to anyway. Yep, Gamba was amazing in the E4, such a great starter pokemon in so many aspects. Same for Trasgo who just keeps surviving really close calls and saving us time and time again. About Quaquaval I agree, the animation makes it far more interesting, still I was a bit surprised that it didn't follow the knightly path I thought it will, though it is still pretty cool. The end game is coming!
@mewstein - Holy cow indeed, rest in the heavens you big bull. I get what you are saying about Penny 😛. I admit it didn't bother me as much, but there are a lot of cliches here without a doubt, and she mostly felt a bit boring at times. Thanks! I'll do my best, just not to lose again at the very end and I'll be very pleased...
@Trollkitten - Ha! That's a pretty amusing story, wasn't aware of that. I have to say Scarlet had some of my favorite characters so far personally, or let's say in average most of the characters here are pretty great. But hi, I might be biased, I'm just loving this game so much in general.
@Arie Kazami - Sadly it was Menace's time to join his ancestors, though his contribution would not be forgotten. Thanks so much! I did my best. I hope so as well, and you'll soon get to see if I made it or not!
@Moon - Well that explains why it hurt so much! Yeah, Menace was a true hero. Well, that actually makes me feel better as I felt Clavell's battle was actually one of the harder end-game battles compared to some of the rest (even Penny ironically), and was wondering why story-wise it got less attention, though I'm sorry to hear that for you of course 🙁. Thanks again for your support!
Part 15 - Sightless Scarlet
Warning - A story-heavy update ahead, which is unsurprising as we are reaching the very end! But in case you are less interested in that feel free to skip ahead to where the action starts. Assuming you finished this game or read stuff online, I guess you know where that is. Also, this update will be quite long, you can think of it as a double update when it comes to length if you want. Again, apologies and hope you'll enjoy the game's finale!
Welcome everyone to the final path, with our team of 6 (and two in the box) faithful warriors by our side, I sure hope we are ready to face the dangers ahead.
Area Zero, here we come!
But before that, just a little something I feel like I must do. @JavierE64 , this one is for you 😉
As you know I have quite a lot of bad blood with Sunfloras in this run, but Helios aka Dragon-Seed our unofficial mascot truly deserves to have that Sun Stone I worked so hard to get. I won't be using it for any battle of course, but I hope his good vibes and positive Karma will help us moving forward .
And with that out of the way, I hop on Koraidon and start riding towards our destination. As usual I guess we can just fly there, but this way just feels better.
As I make my way through Los Platos I get warm memories of how my journey in this game began, only... 4 months ago, man time flies by! How it all felt so new, so unknown. True, when I got to this city I was afraid this game will feel as empty as most of the cities are, but boy was I wrong. Paldea feels like one of the most living regions I visited so far. Perhaps not as loreful as Johto, but still full of life, colorful characters, and beautiful locations. Oh and of course, some amazing stories.
I mean look at this view. I won't sit here and lie to you that these are especially good graphics for 2023, they're obviously not. Still, this doesn't make them any less inspiring. To me at least, this is exactly what I've always dreamt a pokemon game would be. You can truly feel the journey into the unknown, with every part of Paldea feeling different yet interconnected. As before, I can think of many things I would like to add or improve, but compared to Gen 8 this is such an amazing step in the right direction, and the game was so immersive I hardly found myself thinking about the stuff it was missing, and mainly just enjoying what it had to offer.
I mean, I think this speaks for itself.
And here we are, the end game. I love how this game's end is not again yet another fight with the champion, as epic as that can be, trying new things can be a great thing. And I can only guess what foes we'll meet down at the crater, or who the final boss would be. But instead of guessing, let's find out! The journey is long, so we better get started.
Final path, interesting name. Arven mentions this is the Zero Gate, and that Koraidon was born here, once more mentioning he doesn't really like our red lizard for some reason. A reason we'll found out soon I assume.
We enter the gate itself, and I love the whole old technology aesthetics (reminds me a bit of the bunker in "Lost", and don't call me too old for making this reference, the dude who invented Nuzlocking made it 😛 [also, I'm not a huge fan of Lost, but let's put that aside]). Again, I can't put my finger on it and tell you the exact inspirations, but this whole story line of Victorian explorers meets The Lost World meets mad science gone wrong meets blurry line between science and fantasy is something I'm really enjoying. It reminds me a bit of how early scientists categorizes things like mythical beasts and other supernatural phenomena they heard about under the exact same rules they used for real scientific data they collected. The fine line between the proven and the imagined.
We are then joined by Nemona and Penny, who turns on the light using her computer hacking skills. I admit that her being a "computer genius" feels a bit cliché, but I do enjoy how each character brings their own thing to the party, a bit like a classical D&D adventure.
😋. I sadly can't show you all the fun interactions between these characters as I have too much content I want to cover for one chapter anyway, but I have to say I'm loving the group dynamic so much I really wish we had more time to spend together other than the end game. The way each of these characters just completely seem to fail to understand the others is extremely funny, and the way they do learn to understand each other over time is pretty cool. You know part of going on a pokemon adventure, based on how the anime portrayed it at least, always felt to me like something you do as a party. Perhaps something Game Freak can work on for future generations.
That's an interesting way to open a conversation... There's something very eerie about everything that is happening, and I still can't really figure out what it is. In case you were wondering though, at the time of playing this exact part my main theory for why all of this was so secretive was that the professor was stuck in the past and that she called us to go back there to help her. I also suspected the final boss was either the processor for some reason (though I didn't have any theory on to way, just a general hunch Game Freak likes doing that), or perhaps some legendary pokemon who kidnapped her or some other villain I missed (the director? Heath maybe who is also stuck in the past?). We'll soon see if I was even close at my estimates. Still, the sense of suspension and honestly a bit of fear even was quite intense at that moment, and I really enjoyed it. What the hell is going on here professor? Why have you called us?
Oh Nemona.
Poor Arven...
The party then talks about how Arven and his mother must be in bad terms, and Nemona mentions that a few years ago Sada sort of disappeared from any media appearances, which again supported my theory.
Professor Sada explains to us that the only way down into Area Zero is using Koraidon, which makes everyone, including me, feel like this whole adventure wasn't completely planned properly and that there's some sense of desperation in all of this, or at least something else that we are missing. This place just feels abandoned...
Still Nemona seems to be thrilled to go down into the unknown and face strong pokemon, while the rest of the team follows as well, though Koraidon seems to be very unpleased going down there.
We then get a really cool cutscene where the entire gang hops on Koraidon's back as we glide down into the crater.
Holy crap, can't you wait for one second for me to get on this thing properly?!
And, we're all riding it, Phew.
Area Zero, the lost paradise, we have arrived!
As we land Koraidon refuses to get out of its ball, again suggesting it has some bad history here.
Nemona on the other hand seems quite excited 🙂.
For my least favorite of the three, Penny is starting to grow on me more and more every minute 😛.
And as usual I love how ridiculously oblivious and positive Nemona is.
And this seems to be our quest here. Again, I really enjoy the whole abandoned research station in a wild new environment motif.
Exactly my thoughts 😁, well said Nemona.
And here we are, at this point the game lets us travel freely, though without Koraidon we actually have to walk, or well run at least, which feels like such a downgrade. On the other hand, it really makes this feel like an adventure, as you can't just jump around and fly from place to place, and have to navigate your way through the actual terrain. An excellent game-design choice in my opinion, even though it takes me a few minutes to get into this set of mind. It's also really cool to see the rest of the gang follow me around.
We start finding clues to the fact the origins of the Terastillization phenomena is in this area as we see a lot of sparks and even a few crystals.
We also find quite a lot of powerful pokemon around here, though still not around the levels of our team. I kill my first encounter in a semi-intentional matter as I don't really intend on using it at this point.
As we walk we also get to hear short conversations between the group member, which add a lot to the feeling of a shared adventure. True, they spend most of the time insulting one another for some reason, but that's still sort of a group dynamic right 😋?
They also tell each other how they met me and our shared adventure which is really cool, getting to hear things from their perspective. It all feels like a bit too much of an ego boost as they talk of how great I am, though I do like how we are sort of the connecting person in this group, and through us they are starting to get to know each other (I've been in such groups in the past who originally got around a mutual friend, and they tend to have some interesting dynamics).
Oh Arven... That's both embarrassing and adorable. I love how everything is related to food when it comes to you.
Ok, that's pretty cool, so Geeta's pokemon originates from this place? This explains why we never met it before (and makes you wonder how she got it). Me and Nemona then face it together in a 2 vs 1 battle, as even though it is higher level that most pokemon around it, we defeat it without too much trouble. So each of these stations will be guarded by a pokemon I assume?
*gulp
I love how the ivy started growing over the entrance.
We enter the place and the professor explains how it was built 87 years ago. I'm still a bit confused about the timeline of it all. So Heath was 200 years ago? Then ~100 years people started researching it, and only 10 years ago Sada had a breakthrough that allowed her to build the Tera Orbs? Anyway it seems no one is working at these stations anymore, which again makes you wonder what happened to all of her team, are they all down at Zero Lab?
We open the first lock, take a look at the journals (who start revealing Sada's journey), and take a small nap at the bed, before continuing downward towards the base of the crater.
As we make our way Arven tells us of his mother. Nothing new, still it is interesting to hear it from his point of view. He talks about how he practically had to raise himself, learn to cook, clean and take care of his pokemon alone. He refers to the subject of my ponderings from the last update and talks about how he is proud of how famous his mom his, though how he would have preferred a normal mother who actually had time for him. He also tells us that in time she grew more and more distant, and how they haven't seen each other in years, and at some point she even stopped emailing him, and that he is as surprised as we are that she finally called us now to come to Area Zero after all that had happened. He also has a bonding moment with Penny as he tells this, and she lets down some of her cynicism.
Arven also mentions he tried to get to the crater before, but was stopped by some wild creature that hurt his Mabostiff in the famous injury he worked so hard on healing. It seems Arvens knows a bit more than he is telling us, but as we descend, he starts sharing more and more of his knowledge of this place.
We arrive at the second research station, where a strangely familiar guardian awaits us.
I believe this creature was also mentioned in one of these occult books. And it's freaking adorable!
First of all, I love this pokemon, and really want to use one. Second of all, I really like the naming theme of these past pokemon we met so far, such a cool concept.
And thirdly, I have no idea what type it is, which made the battle a bit scary, but my bet on Booba worked just fine. I later went and checked the pokedex and it seems it was Fairy Psychic. So, so far based on it and Great Tusk these pokemon seem to share a type with the originals and have a different secondary type.
We then enter the second research station which looks pretty much like the first one. We start a discussion among ourselves about the nature of these bizarre pokemon, whether they are the same ones that the Scarlet book talks about, and if they are even real pokemon, when we are interrupted by the professor once more, who seems to be listening to us all the time.
Interesting! Ok so we knew these were ancient pokemon (I think we knew? We suspected that anyway), but time machine confirmed!
Arven says he knew his mother was working on a time machine, but is shocked to learn she actually managed to make it work.
Oh? Does she mean the fact the pokemon got out of control and left this area? Or perhaps something else entirely?
At that moment of reading this I was pretty sure this confirmed my theory that the professor was in fact stuck in the past, unable to return.
We are then ordered to disable the second lock, and Arven gives us the Scarlet book telling us it has everything to do with this place, and that he thinks I'm the one who should lead the way and deal with this, as this is what his mother wants (I try to click on the book in the Key Items hoping I can find more clues, but sadly I get the very generic message). Onward!
As we continue our quest, we learn more about our buddies.
It seems Nemona's dad is a boardman on the Rotom company (which means he must almost be Chairman Rose levels of rich, those things are everywhere and becoming more and more common by the way). She talks about how her big sister will probably take over the business (wait, I thought he was a boardman, not a founder, how many shares does he have?), and she was left more or less with total freedom to do as she pleases with her life and therefore decided to focus on pokemon battles. Cool, good for you for finding you passion.
Penny's father sounds like an adorable guy, and Penny is acting like a classic teenager. This honestly sort of breaks my heart, but I guess it is a phase. I can't believe I've come to a point in my life where I can relate more with the overly affectionate parent than the edgy teenager, but Penny, appreciate your dad more!
And we arrive at radish ration three.
Lots of fourth wall breaking going on 😁.
I would be scared if I were them too, that thing almost killed one of the original explorers I remind you.
And indeed this confirms that the Titan we saw ran away from Area Zero somehow (which makes me wonder how, this crater is quite deep). Me and Arven decide to take this one together. This time I know its type, however this time I don't have Catsear by my side...
I therefore use Venus, and together with Mabostiff we manage to take it down.
That's a good question.
We enter station number three, where we start discussing the origins of Koraidon. Penny mentions that it is very likely it also came from the past (I still have a feeling it is connected to Heath's Cyclizar).
Arven then decides to tell us the truth, that Koraidon is in fact connected to the time machine.
And once more before he starts to explain, Professor Sada jumps in and gives her own explanation. She says that Koraidon was the first pokemon she managed to retrieve using the time machine (so you made it work quite a while back I guess?), and that it must be an ancient form of Cyclizar.
Oh?! So there are two? I have a feeling we'll be meeting (and possibly fighting) the other one. Ok so let's see what we we're told so far. We have the professor, who keeps bringing more and more pokemon from the past, and one of them even escapes. She tells us about some catastrophe that had happened, and seems to have isolated herself from society for some reason. It is not clear yet what Arven exactly knows about all this, but he sure doesn't seem to like it. We also find some clues in the journals that talk about Sada and her family, and how she made the time machine work while trying to find time for her loved ones. We also know there's another Koraidon involved, but we don't really know anything about it.
Three of us, possibly Arven's dad? She also talks about using the energy of the Crystals (must be around the time she invented the Tera Orbs), and how she can use it for her research, and that her team is starting to get smaller but she is getting close to reaching her goals. Again, there's a mention of some unknown unnamed creature with a hexagonal pattern that is behind the Tera phenomena. We clearly see how she is starting to become more and more obsessed over time, which is both inspiring and a bit troubling.
We disable the third lock and continue.
As we leave, Arven continues telling us what he knows about all this. It turns out he didn't know Koraidon was brought through the time machine, which makes sense now that I think of it as he was surprised to learn that the machine actually worked. He also told us that they all lived together in the lighthouse for a time, before Koraidon attacked a wild pokemon and other people saw it, and so to hide all this Sada took him with her and went to Area Zero and never returned since. This explains his resentment for Koraidon which Arven explains says was irrational yet emotional and very much real, and makes his story even more tragic. Though it does make me wonder why we met Koraidon where we met him, and why the professor was so eager for us to take it.
And we have finally arrived at the bottom of the crater, and I really like the aesthetics of this place. To no one's surprise, the legend was true, and this place if full of Tera Crystals.
Arven keeps breaking my heart...
One surprising thing we do find here is this:
Another ancient pokemon! I think we also read something about it before. After I fought it I found out it is Ghost/Fairy, good to know we might tackle more of them later. Again, really love these unique pokemon with their awesome names.
We also come across more Glimmora in their natural environment, pretty cool stuff and explains their unique appearance. And as we go deeper we see more and more of these ancient pokemon roaming around, as well as other rare pokemon.
And we have finally arrived at the fourth and last research station, and it looks like the crystal are growing out of it?
If pokemon specifically, and JRPGs in general, taught me anything - is that finding a lab in disarray is always a bad sign.
I don't like this...
Oh no...
Yeah, I don't think that's what's happening here... I have a strong feeling that this is not the professor we are speaking to. Possibly... Some AI I assume? Impersonating as the professor? I don't like this at all. What have you done to the professor? (Also, a really shocking moment, well done Game Freak).
We continue exploring the research station which looks like it was damaged in some kind of battle, and the crystals started eating away whatever was left. Arven shares our feelings that this was in fact not his mother (though he doesn't say it implicitly), and he once more tells us he trusts us to solve all this and save the day.
And here we are, our final destination, the Zero Lab.
This is it, where the action truly begins. Really hope we are ready.
And here's the final team. I'll be leading with Salaria as I think she's the bulkiest of the bunch and her Protect will allow me to fish for information. Wish me luck!
And right before we click the button Arven convinced us to let Koraidon out to help us. I tend to agree, though the poor thing seems to be terrified by whatever lies here.
I click the button and...
Damn, I don't like this.
So the other one is indeed an aggressive "bad" Koraidon. I have a feeling we'll be fighting it soon. But before that, we have some other troubles to deal with.
A horde of ancient pokemon, the professor wasn't joking. So if the professor isn't really the professor, why is she helping us? What does she want from us?
Let the fun begin! Good thing I checked the types of each of these fellows before I met them. Though what the hell are those freaky looking Amoongusses? Grass... Ghost? Dark? For all I know it can be Poison Rock again. Also, if it is an ancient pokemon, and Amoonguss is a pokeball mimic and modern looking pokeball were invented in the last decade... Something doesn't add up here.
But anyway, back to the battles themselves. First me and Nemona face a Great Tusk together. It gives us a bit of trouble be eventually we manage to take it down.
Next Penny and I face one of these... Brute Bonnet? At that time I didn't know it was Grass Dark (which I checked on the pokedex immediately after the battle), but luckily I wasn't punished as Gamba was just strong enough to take down that thing, with a little help of Penny's Umbreon.
Then it is time for Arven to shine, as we manage to take together one of these Flutter Manes with the help of his Crunches and Salaria's Stone Edge.
But even after these three battles, more and more of these ancient pokemon keeps swarming the place, and the team decides the only solution is for them to buy me time as they fight these creatures, while both Koraidon and I head towards Zero Lab and meet with the professor.
Before we go Arven gives Koraidon one last speech in which he says he resented it for his entire life, but can now understand it better, and tells Koraidon not to dare and give up, and to give that other Koraidon a proper fight.
Time to meet the professor.
As we feared... Hello, professor?
Sada greets us but is then interrupted by the wild Koraidon, which she immediately returns to her... Maser Ball? Interesting. Wonder why our Koraidon wasn't kept in one.
There we go.
Ok so at this point I already suspected this, but this doesn't make it any more shocking, or troubling. Also, something I forgot to mention - the music in this entire path had been amazing, and serving this mysterious feeling so well. So in a sense this is partly the professor? I mean this AI has her memories and her mind coded as part of it, and was created by the professor herself? Oh, I now remember one of the notes talking about her adding a new assistant which "doubles the productivity", guess that's what she meant.
I'm sorry, what did you just say? Passed away? In a pokemon game? Well, isn't that something! I don't want to be the sort of person who thinks "pokemon needs to be more violent and realistic in this sense for an adult audience to enjoy", as I really don't think that. However I do very much appreciate it when the story telling is set more to a "teen/young adult" level of complexity which I think can be fitting for the pokemon brand and can even be enjoyed by a younger audience (kids are starter than you think), and that's a good example of if in my opinion. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, and that's part of life.
Anyway, what the hell happened to her?
AI Sada then explains that in a fight between the two Koraidons, the wild one tried to mortally wound our Koraidon, and the professor got, well, killed while trying to save it... That's pretty intense.
Oh wow, ok so this happened a while back, and explains her very weird behavior. Man, what will Arven think of all this... Could that be the reason why she's be missing for so long? Or at least why she stopped answering him?
So... What do you want from me? Why did you call me here and went through all this trouble of sending your Koraidon to me?
AI Sada wants me to stop the project created by true Sada? That's... unexpected! Why?
I sure will! It still feels so weird seeing her in person after so long, they really did a great job keeping all of this a secret, yet seeding the curiosity of it all in the very beginning and letting it grow over time.
If pokemon, and JRPGs in general, taught me anything is that weird glowing stuff inside incubators are ALWAYS a bad sign.
At this point I start asking her questions and she gives us a general explanation about everything that had happened. First of all, it turns out that the only way the professor was able to create such an AI is using the power of the Tera Crystals, and that the AI can therefore only survive at area Zero and can't leave. The AI was built by the professor as her assistant when she moved here to make her independent study and they created the time machine together, presumably right after what happened with the Koraidon accident where she left Arven alone to hide her research. The time machine seems to be able to catch pokemon from different points in the past and trap them in pokeballs. As the professor and the AI (which she designed to look like her? A bit troubling when you think about it...) continued bringing pokemon from the past, the second Koraidon accident occurred where the "real professor" died and only the AI survived, determined to continue the professor's dream of bringing past pokemon into the present. The AI also says that as we speak the time machine keeps catching ancient pokemon and bringing them into Zero Lab.
The AI professor continues with a few dramatic points. She says that the original Sada's dream was to bring pokemon from the past into the present to live alongside the modern ones in harmony, which once more appears like some evil pokemon villain's ridiculously naive fantasy in a sense. But then she says the pokemon from the past seem to be feeding on some primal energy source (I'm sure there must be tons of fan theory videos about it online by now) and that therefore these ancient pokemon have an edge on the modern ones, and in time they will cause destruction to many of the delicate ecological systems of modern Paldea. Wow...
The original professor was not troubled by these consequences as she said that destruction and change is part of life (though, I mean, you are the one causing it...). But then the AI says the most interesting sentence of them all:
And to me this is the true brilliance behind the story, this little twist that might seem minor compared to everything we learned so far, yet makes all the difference. So by now we got a pretty clear picture of what happened, more or less. In a sense a classic story, though I admit done very well. A very dedicated professor who loves her family, yet is obsessed with her research to the point it makes her harm everything she cared about. She becomes so blind she doesn't even see that she was originally doing it "to create a perfect world for her family" yet is losing her family, "to understand the past better" yet she is now destroying the past and the present together, and eventually her ways even brought her own literal destruction. The "Scientist playing god" trope. However, on the way she creates another version of herself, physically and also metaphorically if you will, that sort of gets a second chance of redemption. This AI, who is supposed to be like her, gets to see her make all these errors and learn from them, and realizes that this great dream that is still inside her own AI mind, will bring an end to everything that is important, and therefore decides to stop it. You can say that this is very faithful to the original idea of Frankenstein - The creator is too blind to see, what the created can easily understand. The monster is more humane than the human who made it. And that's the brilliance of this story. We are here to help Sada - stop Sada.
By all the gods AI Sada, I promise to try!
Oh wow.
GLADos?
Final battle of the game (I assume). Clew, I'm giving you the honor to lead, an honor I would have probably given to Menace if he was here with us, but you definitely earned it. Team, I don't know if we'll all make it alive. Heck, I don't know if any of us will make it, it won't be my first time losing at the final battle as I keep mentioning... But we can do this, I believe in us. Do it for Martilla, Catsear, and Menace!
The AI then explains that I must put the Scarlet Book inside the machine to override it as the professor programmed it this way as yet another defense mechanism. It also says that sadly the AI will then become controlled by its own code that dictates that it will have to stop me from turning off the machine by any means (aka a pokemon battle of course).
That's quite tragic... Almost unfair that the original professor would do that, though I guess she was really that worried about her life work and dream being destroyed. How ironic.
You know after playing so many pokemon games you eventually get a bit tired of hearing the "if you only believe in your pokemon and love them enough, you'll become the very best!" mantra. However, said by this AI, in this very context, I almost find this... touching. She really is hoping we can defeat her, yet she'll be doing everything in her power to stop us. Again, this is simply tragic.
*Sigh...
Ok, enough talk, time for some ACTION. Here's the part we've all been waiting for.
...
...
...
6 pokemon. AI Sada sends out Slither Wing? vs Clew
Insect vs Insect, well, I assume? Already her first pokemon is one we are not familiar with, and I have a feeling they are all going to be ancient pokemon. So, this is obviously an ancient version of Volcarona. I'm betting it kept its Bug type and replaced its Fire type with... something. I have no idea what. Dragon maybe? Or Dark?
Let's fish for some early information as we always do.
Clew used Silk Trap.
Slither Wing used Leech Life, Clew is protected. Speed decreased. Good start, so a Bug move you say. So it probably doesn't know a Fire move or else it would have used it. Still, let's go for a preferable switch. Clew return, go Salaria, smash that bug!
Slither Wing used Leech Life, 158/225. Ok that did a whole lot more than I expected. Still, let's hope one Rock move can take it out. Oh wait, before, let's use some Protect Leftovers tactics, and get more information on the way. Leftovers retrieved some health.
Salaria used Protect.
Slither Wing used Lunge, protected. Leftovers retrieved some health. What sort of move is Lunge? Is it new? I don't think I know it.
Slither Wing used Leech Life, 117/225.
Salaria used Stone Edge, Slither Wing is ~1/2 HP. What? Why is it not super effective? What type is it?
Salaria used Protect.
Slither Wing used Leech Life, Protected. Leftovers retrieved some health. Always a useful strategy in a run where you ban items/limit them.
Slither Wing used Zen Headbutt, and missed, nice!
Salaria used Stone Edge, Slither Wing down! Leftovers retrieved some health.
AI Sada sends out Brute Bonnet.
Ok so Grass Dark right? Umm, what do we even have against this? Oh right, of course, Clew. But first let's get some healing and fish some information.
Salaria used Protect.
Brute Bonnet used Giga Drain, protected. Leftovers retrieved some health.
Ok that's perfect, Salaria return, go Clew!
Brute Bonnet used Giga Drain, 149/176.
Brute Bonnet used Sucker Punch, 76/176. Ouch, Clew's fragileness is very much felt. But just wait for the comeback.
Clew used Leech Drain, Critical Hit! (pretty sure it wasn't need 4X super effective after all), Brute Bonnet is down and Clew is healed to full health!
AI Sada sends out Flutter Mane!
Ghost Fairy right? Not much Clew here can do against it. Still, as before, let's fish for some information and maybe even get a Speed drop.
Clew used Silk Trap.
Flutter Mane used Power Gem, Clew is protected. No speed drop still vital information. Hmm not a lot of my pokemon can tank a Rock type move well. And this thing is Fairy, right? Clew great job, return! Go Booba!
Flutter Mane used Power Gem, not very effective, 154/201.
Booba, finish this ghost, use Iron Head!
Oh no!!!
NO!!! Not Booba!!! Damn it damn it damn it... How could I have known that thing knows a Fire type move of all things... Booba, oh Booba... One of my best pokemon...
Breathe deep Ruby, breathe deep. This is the final battle (I hope). Losing pokemon happens, we will carry through. 5:4. Booba, I'll mourn you in the end.
Salaria go, avenge!!!
Salaria used Protect.
Flutter Mane used Thunderbolt (quite a lot of good coverage moves on this one). Protected. Leftovers retrieved some health.
Flutter Mane used Thunderbolt. 130/228.
Salaria used Stone Edge, Flutter Mane survived on like 1 HP. Are you kidding me?!!! I was sure it was holding a Focus Sash or something, or had Sturdy, but it was just some bad luck. Leftovers retrieved some health.
Salaria used Protect.
Flutter Mane used Thunderbolt. Protected. Leftovers retrieved some health.
Flutter Mane used Thunderbolt, 98/228.
Salaria used Earthquake, Flutter Mane down. 3 pokemon left, AI Sada sends out... Sandy Shocks?
This is a past version of Magentone I assume? Though again that makes no sense, which makes me wonder if these pokemon are really from the past? Either way according to its name I'm assuming Electric Ground?
Salaria used Protect (such a useful move in a blind Nuzlockes).
Sandy Shocks used Earth Power. Protected. Leftovers retrieved some health.
Good thing I did that, I was a bit tempted to stay in assuming an Earthquake should finish this. However who can I switch to...
Damn it if only I had Booba, she could have been so perfect. I'm in trouble, almost all of my pokemon can't deal well with this thing assuming I'm right about the types. Though maybe that thing is Steel Ground? Let's go with Clew, worse case I'll do a pivot through her.
Salaria return, go Clew!
Sandy Shocks used Earth Power, not very effective, 134/176.
Clew used Silk Trap.
Sand Shocks used Power Gem, protected. No speed decrease, and not and ideal move at all. Hmm...
Ok I'm in a bit of trouble. My main answer to this thing seems to be Salaria, who I believe could take one Ground move, and probably kill it with an Earthquake. Problem is, Salaria is wounded... So I think I'll risk Clew and heal Salaria. Really hope Clew could take it.
Used a Hyper Potion on Salaria, back to full health (first used in battle).
Sand Shocks used Power Gem, super effective, 42/176. Phew, risked a crit but it worked. I can sacrifice Clew here for a safe switch but I think I'll take the risk, I'm assuming another Power Gem is coming our way anyway and I'm not letting Clew go that easily.
Clew return, go Salaria!
Sandy Shocks used Power Gem, 189/228. Nice. Leftovers healed some.
Salaria used Protect.
Sandy Shocks used Earth Power. Protected. Leftovers retrieved some health. Back to almost full health. Hopes this works now.
Sandy Shocks used Earth Power, super effective, 65/228. HOLY! That did more than I thought.
Salaria used Earthquake, super effective, 1/4 HP remaining. NO! Damn, that's bad. Leftovers retrieved some health.
Salaria used Protect.
Sandy Shocks used Earth Power. Protected. Leftovers retrieved some health. 93/228.
If only I had Catsear, or Shockni with me... Or Booba, hmm Booba.
Not a lot of choice now, let's hope it doesn't have a Steel move. Salaria return, go Trasgo! Save us yet another time!
Sandy Shocks used Earth Power, 150/228.
Trasgo used Fake Out, ~1/6 HP remaining, flinched.
Trasgo used Sucker Punch (what a move!), Sandy Shocks is down! 2 pokemon left, AI Sada sends out Scream Tail.
I can Terastillize to not longer be weak to Fairy... But before seeing the last pokemon it seems too risky. Besides, I have the perfect counter for this thing. Trasgo return, go Gamba!
Scream Tail used Play Rough, not very effective, 211/235
Time to kill this adorable thing. For Booba, for Menace!
Scream Tail used Zen Headbutt, 168/235.
Gamba used Shadow Ball, super effective, ~1/4 HP remaining and Special Defense decreased. That's bad... But also an opportunity to get some Special Attack.
Scream Tail used Zen Headbutt, 128/235.
Gamba used Torch Song, Ancient Jiggly down, and Special Attack increased. Last pokemon, time for the ace.
AI Sada sent out Roaring Moon? Protosynthesis activated (have no idea what that is, but it says its Attack is up).
Ok so this is an ancient Salamence I guess. Though it does look like an ancient... Mega Salamence? I assume it is still Dragon type. And now a... But it looks even more of a Flying type with those feathers. It has Moon in its name - Psychic? Fairy? Dark? Pure Dragon? I have no idea. It might also Terastillize right? That's seems likely, so it might become mono Dragon?
It is time to make tough choices. I need to know what thing this is, and I can't risk Gamba for that, nor anyone else.
Except... except our already wounded Clew. Don't get me wrong switching to Trasgo or Venus seems very tempting, but what if they are the only solutions against this thing because of a type/move/ability I don't know of? I just can't risk it, this is the final battle, we have to win this. Clew, I'm praying for you.
Gamba return, go Clew.
Roaming Moon used Night Slash, Critical Hit! Clew is down...
I'm sorry Clew, I'm so sorry. Sometimes in Nuzlockes you make tough calls. Your death was not for nothing my girl, you earned us some much needed momentum and a free switch. And good thing I didn't leave Gamba out, I had this idiotic thought pop to my head but I clearly decided against it. Thank you for everything buddy...
Now Venus or Trasgo? I think I'll go Trasgo, this thing might be Dragon Dark based on this move, and you can be perfect for that. Go Trasgo!
Trasgo, one last time. Terastillize! (Fairy Type).
Roaring Moon used Stone Edge, and missed! Wonder if it mattered, I doubt it though who knows what a critical hit from that thing could have done.
Trasgo used Spirit Break, Roaming Moon is destroyed!
We won! We actually won!
...
...
...
We... we made it! I still can't believe it! This battle was... Wow!
True, we lost both Booba and Clew... Two of my most beloved pokemon throughout this run, some of our greatest heroes and saviors. That's extremely painful, but with 4 remaining pokemon, we freaking won!!!
Ok now here comes the final part of the story, to be honest it is a bit long and has some less interesting parts so I'll go over it quickly to give some proper closure.
The group returns after defeating all of the ancient pokemon. Arven gets to talk to AI Sada in another really painful interaction where he realizes that his mother is gone, and says he sort of suspected it at that point.
We see "Professor Sada?" as the text says 😋, fighting her three different personalities (the true Sada, the free AI, and the last resort AI), telling Arven she is proud of him. Makes you wonder which of these three feels this way, you might say the original Sada however in a sense... I think it is the free AI who is talking.
So it seems AI Sada, so it seems. Everything turns red (or rather, Scarlet), and a last defense mechanism kicks in, all of our pokeballs are locked (based on our IDs).
And officially the Paradise Protection Protocol takes control. What a name if you think about it. Think about what all of this means about the original Sada, I wished we could have talked to her to better understand her actions...
And the PPP sends out her Koraidon, and we can't do anything about it, as well as the other fellows around us, as all of our pokeballs are locked. At first you get locked into this battle where much like the first battle against the box legends in Gen 8 you can't do anything, however eventually you realize you have one last option - sending your own Koraidon to battle it (as its ID code is still that of the professor herself, and is therefore not locked. Or maybe it was out at that point? I'm not sure).
We then get the 1 on 1 fight between the Koraidons that we were promised. At first it seems our Koraidon is the inferior of the two, barely surviving thanks to his love and determination. But then we are able to Terastillize it and it destroys its evil doppelganger/cousin/partner, and officially saves the day (in a battle I assume you can't lose in). Pretty cool stuff, but nothing that exciting.
And with that the PPP is finally defeated, and our beloved AI Sada is free again.
She once more thanks us, and tell us how impressed she is with us all. And like there weren't enough of them, now comes the final twist, and once more, it is an interesting one.
In order for the time machine to finally be put to a stop, AI Sada must go... Again, poor poor Arven has to deal with losing his mother (well sort), again... Not only that, her plan of doing this, is by traveling back in time herself! She tells us a few final words.
Man, she deserves it, she saved the world no less than me and Koraidon did to be honest, in a sense more than us. She deserves to have her freedom (though I thought she needed the crystals to survive, what will she do?).
I'll be lying if I'd say I didn't have a few of tears in my eyes at that moment...
Arven...
And that's the end...
After that we all speak with each other, and slowly everyone starts getting along, mostly. And we get a happy ever after where we all walk towards the horizon.
And then the music starts playing, we get to see snapshots from different places in Paldea.
And even though I assume there is some post-game content (and a DLC from what I've seen, that will maybe answer some of these questions I have about Heath?), I think this is finally, officially, totally -
THE END.
And now I can finally read spoilers online! And start to slowly catch up on all the Paldean runs on the forums I missed 🙂.
Thanks everyone for all of your support. As I said many times before, this run wouldn't have been the same without all of your enthusiasm and interactions and you were a main part of all this.
As usual I'll be making one final post where I'll be giving a final summary of my thoughts about this run and the game in general (like I didn't do that enough through the game already 😋, now you'll have to read more of my boring over analysis), give you my usual "thank yous" to all of you fine people who liked and replied (and a great thank to all of you silent readers as well!), post my Hall of Fame and Graveyard entries as I do for each of my runs, perhaps add a little bonus content, and maybe talk about what future runs I want to do next? Not sure yet. Anyway, other than all that and in case you are less interested in these things, I think we can say officially this journey is over. Thanks so much for joining and see you on our next adventure!
Current Team:
Gamba the Skeledirge (F), Trasgo the Grimmsnarl (M), Venus the Cloyster (F), Salaria the Garganacl (F), Booba the Orthworm (F) - dead, Clew the Spidops (F) - dead.
Rotating from the Box:
Shockni the Kilowattrel (M), Pilpelette the Scovillain (F).
Martilla the Tinkatuff level 35 (F), Catsear the Jumpluff level 56 (M), Menace the Paldean Tauros level 63 (M), Booba the Orthworm level 67 (F), Clew the Spidops level 69 (F)
If AI Sada needs the crystals to survive, and she's going back in time... is she actually sacrificing herself and trying to convince us otherwise so we won't be sad?
That just makes this ending even more emotional...
I've been waiting for this update since I finished the game myself.
Yeah, Area Zero is probably my favorite final level in the series (or the main series, anyway. Call me old-fashioned but Temporal Tower from PMD just hits different even after all these years.) The music, the aesthetics, the interplay between the protagonists and the way that we learn what happened to Sada... it's very very well done. I think that between Area Zero and all of Legends Arceus, Game Freak is being a little more daring with their storytelling, and I approve.
I really felt for Arven here, especially as we read the professor's journals. You can just feel the sad story unfold; Sada becoming obsessed with a perfect and ideal family life, a "paradise," to the point where she fails to realize that she's losing grasp of her actual family the whole time. I'll note that the third individual she mentions as part of her family isn't Arven's father; it's an easy miss, but in one of the journals she mentions "that man walked out" shortly after Arven's birth, so they've never been a nuclear family. The third member was actually Koraidon, the first pokemon she brought from the past and the symbol of her dreams. Unlike the other paradox pokemon, she lived with it in her home in the lab and even relocated to Area Zero to shield it. She literally gave her life to protect it from the other one. In this case, it seems less like a pokemon or family pet and more like another surrogate child, something that adds a new dynamic to Arven's resentment.
Getting insight into Nemona and Penny was fun too. I think Nemona is a fun take on the "privileged rival" archetype, someone who's wealthy enough to be a bit out-of-touch but isn't obnoxious or mean. Her wealth and security, coupled with her sister taking over and not her, means she's had the time and resources to pursue what she wants. While not nearly as absurdly loaded as her, I've known individuals like Nemona who with their future more or less paid for became extremely talented in a given sport or hobby, so it felt true to life for me. Penny... is a teenager, and I hope she comes to appreciate her dad. (Also, it's funny that she was brought in for her hacking skills, but the AI took care of literally all the electronic issues for us except for turning on the lights at the beginning. Sorry Penny!)
Losing Booba in the final boss fight was heartbreaking, but none more so than Clew. This and Dusty's run have turned a goofy pipe-cleaner spider from something I didn't care for into a surprise favorite. I understand why Clew had to be sacrificed, and only losing two pokemon in a blind final boss fight is to be applauded, but still, losing her hurt.
Violet has a different final boss team with different pokemon, just like the titan Great Tusk in Violet is also a different pokemon. While I love Violet overall, I think I speak for everywhen when I say that Scarlet's version exclusives are just cooler. Roaring Moon is a crazy name for a boss.
There's definitely more to this story, I feel; Heath's expedition has a lot of questions unanswered even now, including that fascinating drawing of the creature with the hexagonal shell that the original professor's notes also seemed to mention. I suspect the final DLC of this game will delve into more detail about the true mysteries behind Area Zero. But until then, I'm satisfied with what we got.
Dex Entry
Your Honor, I'd like to ask the esteemed members of the jury: who amongst us *hasn't* been in a knife fight in the dumpster behind the Denny's?
NO!!! Not Booba!!! Damn it damn it damn it... How could I have known that thing knows a Fire type move of all things... Booba, oh Booba... One of my best pokemon...
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