We left off having confirmed that Leon was never in any danger and simply forgot to let us know he'd be late for dinner. One simple text message would've prevented the last two updates' bullshit and kept me from nearly losing Candice.
I'm surprised it only took a day to recover from that nonsense.
I guess, but I still don't feel ready to deal with you.
Why? You're already out of the challenge.
Yes?
No offense, but I can get there myself.
What the hell is your problem?
What Cinderace? All you used was that goddamn useless Dubwool against a bunch of STEEL-types. The rabbit would've actually been helpful.
Now I'm even happier that he's out of the challenge, because who knows how he'd react if he was still in?
To be fair, we don't know for sure...but since you aren't wearing sunglasses, I guess that makes you legit.
Don't worry, I'll make him pay for the damages.
That's an understatement...
I mean, I wouldn't have been opposed to the whole thing
if we'd actually had a reason for it.
I hope so.
Again, why are you antsy? You're out.
That's okay, I can get there myself.
Sure.
Sunset shots~
We can actually go back to Rose Tower, although there's not any reason to do so.
It's even open, and no one bats an eye.
So the next set of battles is essentially the Elite Four of these games (but there isn't an
actual Elite Four). In fact, you can actually swap your team around between battles. But I kind of feel like that's busted (especially since the gyms don't let you swap), so I decided to keep the same team for these fights.
And here they are. Damage is from grinding, since you want to be a few levels higher than you were for the semifinals.
I won't explain why I picked these six yet because spoilers, but it'll make sense over the next few battles.
Please go away.
I'm confused-shouldn't you be rooting for Leon, since he's
your brother?
I will when I feel like it.
Oh my, I'm not used to having shrieking fans
*signing autographs*
Apparently Connor
is used to it though 🤔
That's the plan.
Our original fan doesn't have anything new to say though.
Cute 🥺
Not much of a choice...but I wouldn't have said no even if I could.
...that animation makes no sense. I wonder if he originally asked for an autograph and they changed the line but forgot to change the animation?
No problem 😊
*sticks hand out*
He asked me, not you
Sorry, I got dragged into a bunch of dumb bullshit.
Again, this is basically the "Elite Four" of these games.
I actually like this concept since it's unique and gives the gym leaders actual motivation to keep themselves in top condition, although I wonder-since there are 8 gym leaders, if the winner of the Gym Challenge/Semifinals automatically earns a spot in the Finals, how do they decide which gym leader is out? It resolves itself here-you'll see soon-but I wonder how it works in other years.
Yes, but what do you say if I say no?
That's boring.
Also boring, but sounds good.
We have Kabu, Gordie, Milo, Bea, Nessa, Raihan, and Piers...not too surprising not to see Opal since she was planning to retire.
I kind of feel out of place...
*rolls eyes*
I know I shouldn't, but I feel weird next to all the gym leaders.
The bracket isn't shown until later, but the first round is Milo vs. Raihan, Piers vs. Kabu, Bea/Allister vs. Gordie/Melony, and us vs. Nessa. Not sure how matchups were chosen, but RIP Milo and Gordie 😔
Doesn't everyone?
That's nice, and makes me feel bad about beating Marnie 🥺
Although not Dynamaxing is gonna make things a lot harder for you.
Oh really?
I guess that's fair, since everyone wants to win these matches way more, whereas you losing the gym battle isn't as big a deal.
We'll just see about that.
I like that you acknowledge how hard your team works. I could say the same about mine.
*smirks*
*contented caw*
Honestly, same.
Sorry to hear that :c
Do you really have any chance, though? Dragon resists Grass...
You mean like our match, where I beat you without taking any damage?
*snort*
I mean, you're a gym leader-that's hard to forget.
"-as possible."
I respect that.
Very true. Why is Kabu the best gym leader?
Woo~
Are we ready?
*nods*
*eager caw*
I think so, but again, what does he say if you say no?
...I don't think they're gonna really give us advice, since everyone's looking to win.
This makes it sound like he's pushing us out there. Which he would totally have to do IRL-even if I'd somehow gotten this far, I'd be waaaaaaay too nervous to go out in front of that many people 😥
Transition~
Hi Leon, where's Zard?
I wonder what he's doing? Do you think it has anything to do with the end of last update?
Although honestly, it makes more sense for Leon to open this scene since he's the actual champion.
Also, my character is extremely happy to be here and surprisingly not nervous at all.
Sounds good. Also,
the background music for this intro is metal AF and I love it. Wish it was a little longer...
*headbanging to the music*
Same tbh 🤘
Let's do it.
But before we can begin, there's an interruption:
?
Who are you?
The audience agrees with me.
Oh shit. Who would have guessed we'd see Bede again?
(I knew this was coming, so my team is arranged appropriately. But this could trip people up if they didn't know.)
"Forced to withdraw?"
That's not how I remember it. Pretty sure Connor still has the video.
*smirks, nods*
Also, what the hell are you wearing? Your old outfit was bad enough, but that is even worse 👎
...is the audience saying this in unison? That would be some creepy hivemind shit.
We really don't, unless you're trying to blame me for you getting disqualified.
Ask what?
That's a really bad idea...
for you. I beat you three times already.
Imagine if this happened at a real life sporting event. Security would be called so fast.
Stating the obvious much?
The question is whether they should call security or just ask him to leave
"-please be patient!"
*hums the Jeopardy music*
*snores*
And barging into the Finals seemed like a reasonable option?
It's not my fault you got thrown out of the challenge. You never should've destroyed the mural, even though it was hideous.
"-himself disowned me..."
I mean, I hate that that happened to you, but you still can't blame me for it. Although the fact that he said "disowned" makes me wonder if Rose actually adopted him?
"Fairy-type Pokémon!"
That
is unfortunate-your original Psychic-types were much better.
That actually sounds horrible, although you
were wearing pink before. Granted, it was somewhere between pink and purple, but still.
Also, why is his shirt so huge and wrapped around his waist? I heard a rumor that it's actually one of Opal's dresses repurposed, but do you think that's the case?
You lost your cool every time I beat you though.
"-sudden interruption!"
...I guess? Seems kind of unfair to me, but 🤷♂️
Good question. Luckily for him, I don't really mind, especially since I've beaten him several times before.
That's good.
"Gym Leader"? So he's officially taken over from Opal?
Also, there's an easy-to-miss sign that he looks a lot happier-look at his eyes. They're way brighter than they were before-it's a nice change.
Eww, get it away from me.
I'm sure you have been through a lot, but I can't let you win.
This fight is why I led with Edgar, but I forgot he had a stupid Mawile.
So I swapped to DJ, and he freaking predicted it 😠
Ow.
Obliterated.
...that's a unicorn covered in cotton candy 😆
Back to Edgar.
Steel Wing almost one-shots, while Psycho Cut does barely anything.
More proof that this is basically the E4 😒
Not that it did any good.
It went down next turn, although it did get off another Psycho Cut. Edgar is at 135.
I swapped to Ozzy just in case she has Thunderbolt. (She doesn't.)
And I almost Dynamaxed Ozzy here to spam Max Ooze, but then I decided to save it for his ace, especially since he doesn't have a special Poison move to take advantage of the SpA boost. (Spoiler: that was a bad decision...)
Easy OHKO.
Nice.
Honestly, yes, since you only have one 'mon left.
See, Hatterene is almost as fanservicey as Gardevoir.
But even though it'll GMax, this should be simple for Edgar.
*SCREECHES LOUDLY*
That is both terrifying and incredibly satisfying.
The face of his nightmares >:)
You even sound like Opal. No more pink pls 👎
His DMax throw isn't all that interesting, although I guess he gets a point for ~elegance~.
...why does it have curves? Again, way too fanservicey for my tastes.
This should be easy.
But to my shock, it only did about 60%, and then...
*record scratch*
WHAT??? It can do that?
And that's off of
*checks*
Mystical Fire and
136 SpA???
Get out of there, Ed-
*HUGE EXPLOSION*
NOOOO!
*scream*
Nonononononothiscan'tbehappeningEdgarpleasestillbealiveI-
Did you really think...
YOU REALLY THINK A LITTLE FIRE IS GONNA BRING ME DOWN?!
...oh
shit! 😱
The good news is, that thing is slow as fuck, so this is over. Which is really good for me, because Max Flare sets up sun, meaning even a full-health Edgar would go down to another...
Kill.
Good fucking riddance.
Not who I'd like to get the level, but whatever.
And we're done.
*triumphant screech*
Thank goodness you're still alive *hugs Edgar*
*joins hug while furiously blinking back tears*
Stop being a tsundere, Connor 😐
No, they aren't-they're fucking garbage and never should've been created.
Yes, you did. Guess that means you're done being a trainer, which means Opal will need
another replacement...maybe we can dump Hop in there and change its type?
He wasn't, but that was closer than I expected...
Again, are they shouting in unison or something?
I mean, if he
is the new gym leader, he doesn't really need to restart.
Oh really? What
was your plan?
I guess that makes sense. Also, that makes Opal sound kind of creepy...kind of getting the witch from Hansel and Gretel vibes (or something even worse...
)
Hehe, I just love doing that~
Although you very nearly ruined mine as well-losing Edgar would've really fucked things up...
"-Fairy-type Gym Leader!"
I still say you should go back to your Psychic-types. Hatterene and Gardevoir could even stay, since they're half-Psychic too.
Considering she was the leader for ~70 years and was
this close to being champion, somehow I doubt it. But I respect the ambition.
The crowd is too supportive 🥺
That sounds like an excellent idea.
Yeah, I don't think anyone expected it. (Except everyone who's played the game at least once.)
You say that, but watch there be another interruption.
So I actually considered swapping Edgar out after that-it could even be justified in-story-but ultimately I decided not to, since I thought it was too OP (and again, since this is like the E4 of this game). You might be wondering why I'm leading with Drake against Nessa, but it'll make sense soon.
I guess I'm ready-I just hope we don't have any more close calls...
I just realized-did Bede interrupting delay all the matches, or just ours? 🤔
I guess it delayed all of them.
Why are my legs so pasty 😳
*snort*
(That's actually pretty close to my skin tone IRL. One of several reasons I never wear shorts-also, my legs are fat and hairy.)
Again, how was the tournament draw decided?
Yeah, I'd say so.
That's nice of you 😊
Oh really?
I'd love to see you try, although you would have a decent shot against him since you're one of the only ones who can counter Zard.
Bring it. This time you won't nearly kill my Grass-type.
They remix the gym leader music for these fights. It's a pretty good remix.
(If you're wondering, Bede's music was the same as before.)
Her team is a lot more impressive too. But I knew that was coming, which is why I led Drake.
...what does Sonia have to do with anything? If you'd said Leon, that'd make more sense, but Sonia???
(Some people think this is a hint toward shipping them. Personally I don't see it, but 🤷♂️)
I used Fly to scout out her move, which was an interesting choice. Probably the best thing she could've done against a Dragon/Flying type.
Fly does a little more than enough to trigger its ability, sending it away for now. She swaps in Barraskewda, which is not great for me-I can't use Ozzy against it because I know it has Drill Run, but my gut is telling me it has Ice Fang too...
*eager caw*
Are you sure, Edgar? I don't wanna put you in danger again.
*nods*
Well, okay...
...thank goodness I swapped Drake out
It switched to Liquidation next turn, while a Fly did about 2/3rds.
Another one knocked Edgar down to 50, then another Fly took it out.
Well-earned.
Back to this matchup.
Another Fly took it down, while it wasted its turn using Shadow Claw again.
Double level~
Ew, why would you want that this late? I could understand about 30 levels ago, but not now.
*blows raspberry, gives a thumbs-down*
That's what I'm saying.
I feel like that would've been a better lead. Although at least your order isn't as awful as Geeta's.
More like Ozzy used Over
kill
*boos*
You know I'm right.
I swap to Candice to get rid of the rain as she sends out her lamest 'mon. I still don't know why Seaking got to take a slot in the Galar 'dex over so many more interesting Pokémon 😐
This is kind of risky, though, because it actually has Megahorn...
So I decided to Dynamax early just to be safe.
Although it didn't matter too much, since apparently I'm faster. Luckily its Swift Swim got cancelled by the hail.
Didn't you say that last time?
Fun fact: this isn't the same Drednaw she used in the gym battle. That one was male and had Swift Swim, but this one is female and has Shell Armor. She definitely upgraded in terms of ability.
Oh, and this one can GMax.
Not a big fan of this GMax form-it looks like it's about to fall over at any moment. And its neck reminds me of one of those collars you see on dogs (maybe cats too?) who just left the vet.
...so remember how I said I wasn't gonna nearly lose my Grass-type to her again?
I was very wrong
Once again, Drednaw's deceptively high Speed bit me in the ass...
I should've used Aurora Veil first, then Dynamaxed-or better yet, had Ozzy Dynamax instead
But it's too late now...we were so close to a deathless run, and it kills me that-
*gasps*
...what?
...no fucking way, she
lived? 😱
I really thought she was a goner the minute I saw Max Rockfall, since it's STAB and supereffective.
And luckily, unlike last time, we get a clean oneshot.
And that's the battle.
Candice is without a doubt the luckiest 'mon in the world
...I just realized-that level she got from the Bede fight actually saved her life: if not for the extra 3 HP and 2 Defense points, she wouldn't have survived. As much as I hate the perma-Exp Share, this is one case where I don't mind it as much (although I still wish it was toggleable-had this been the Gen 6/7 version, I would've had it on for these fights anyway).
That animation doesn't match her lines at all.
And in a bizarre coincidence, both Nessa fights had my DMaxed Grass-type nearly go down, but survive on 6 HP...
I want to tell you to stop making water puns, but honestly, they kind of feel appropriate at this moment.
Again, why do you keep bringing up
Sonia of all people??
I hope not
If we get there...
*rolls eyes*
"-begin shortly!"
But first, we have to see how the other matches went.
Nothing too surprising, although I would've loved to see Kabu get farther. Guess we're up against Bea next...although I don't know if I feel up to it anymore...
*rolls eyes again*
I'm serious, I don't think I can-*suddenly crumples to the floor, shaking violently*
*concerned caw*
