Dragon’s Nuzlocke Challenge: Day 8 – Getting Thrashed

←Day 7

Sorry for the lateness of this post!

The Team

• Hedwig (Noctowl)
• Burd (Fearow)
• Zappy (Magnemite)
• Squidward (Tentacool)
• Burgie (Haunter)

Reserves

• Sleepy ZZZ (Drowzee)
• Pointy (Female Nidoran)
• Nointy (Male Nidoran)
• Smokey (Koffing)

Following the loss of Hercules at the gym in Olivine I was unsure where I needed to go next. I knew there was a gym in Cianwood City across the sea but was that it? Apparently yes it was, in fact, I was probably meant to do that gym before the Olivine City one but never mind… We arrived outside the gym and confidently walked in. It was a fighting gym and I had two flying Pokémon (Hedwig and Burd) plus Sleepy ZZZ the Hypno, I’d be fine. Everything was until I got to the gym leader… Or rather as close as I could get – three boulders were blocking the way.

Dragon: “Hey! Um… Hello Mr Gym Leader, could you possibly step in front of the rocks for me so that we can battle?”

Chuck: “Only one strong enough to move the boulders is strong enough to face me. You must teach Strength to one of your Pokémon.”

Dragon: “Strength is a Normal type move, that doesn’t make sense!”

Chuck: *shrugging nonchalantly* “Game logic!”

Dragon: “Crap, Hercules was the one that knew Strength… OK, time for someone else to learn it.”

The whole team looked each other, embarrassed. Finally, Hedwig stepped forward.

Hedwig: “Thing is… No one can learn it…”

Dragon: “UGH! Fine! To the PC!”

Upon opening my box and looking at my meagre reserves (Smokey the Koffing) I realised I didn’t have any Pokémon that could learn the move. Would I have to catch a Pokémon for the sole purpose of using Strength? A small amount of hope dawned on me – I hadn’t caught a Pokémon on the island yet!

I fished and caught… A Magikarp… Powafish the Magikarp could not learn Strength. I racked my brain then remembered the pair of Nidoran that I’d put in the day care.

Dragon: “Euuuuuuuuurgh the day care is so far… I don’t wanna goooo…”

But go we did.

Day care man: *pretend shock* “My goodness! We found an egg! No idea how it got here!”

I looked over at the two Nidoran, Pointy (female Nidoran) and Nointy (male Nidoran), lounging on a picnic blanket by the river, feeding each other chocolate covered strawberries.

Dragon: “It sure is a mystery. Right you two! Time to take you out to the real world!”

Nointy: “Yes! Pointy, it’s finally happening! With the help of Dragon we can hatch our egg and tour Johto, finding the perfect place to raise our child!”

Dragon: “Euuuuh… Well actually…”

Nointy: “You know, I was thinking somewhere near Route 38, there’s lots of Normal type Pokémon that our baby can Double Kick to grow big and strong.”

Dragon: “Actually, Smokey and Powafish are going into the day care, Pointy is coming with me, and Nointy you can… You can sit in the PC with your egg. It’s not really worth me having technically the same Pokémon on the team.”

Nointy: “What?! No! You can’t separate us! Pointy, don’t go! Let’s run away together!”

Pointy: “Look Nointy… I’m really sorry but… It was fun while we were in day care and all but… I don’t know, I just kind of feel like you’re smothering me. I need to get out and get to know myself, have some fun, see the world, before I settle down for good, you know?”

Nointy: “But… All those things we said…”

Pointy: “All those things you said. I’m sorry Nointy, I was in it for the fun. I’ll see you later OK?”

Nointy: *getting sucked into the PC* “Wait for meeeeeeeeeeeeee…”

There was a silence as the team awkwardly pretended they hadn’t eavesdropped on the whole conversation.

Pointy: *sidling up to Burd, batting her eyelids* “Hey there…”

Burd nervously edged away slowly.

As it was Pointy couldn’t learn Strength until she evolved but she’d levelled up so much in day care that that wouldn’t take long. Sure enough, a few battles in and I had myself a Nidorina.

Pointy: “Hey Zappy, check out my new body.”

Zappy: *briefly glancing over* “Uh-huh.”

Dragon: “Will you knock it off!”

Pointy: “Sorry Dragon, just… So alone for so long in the day care…”

Dragon: “You were there for less than a week!”

Pointy huffed and waddled away awkwardly on her newly evolved legs.

We made our way back to Cianwood City where Hedwig and Burd swooped and cawed at Chuck’s Pokémon until they begged for mercy, I even got Sleepy ZZZ out of the PC to help with the taunting. They were no match for us. We marched out of the gym happily, gloating over our 6th badge…

Woman: “Excuse me, did you just get the Storm Badge?”

Dragon: “Yeah, isn’t it awesome?”

Woman: “I have something that might be use-”

Dragon: “No time to talk! Hero in the making here! Time for the next gym! Bye!”

It was a long walk to Mahogony town and when we got there I was surprised at how small it was. I was also not very happy about two things: First of all, the gym here was an ice gym. I don’t like fighting Ice Pokémon much, they can get tricky. Secondly, everywhere was blocked off and I kept being told about the Lake of Rage.

For my first issue I put Zappy, who was becoming my go-to Pokémon, in the PC for a little break, he was 5 levels higher than anyone else so he could stand it, and took out Nointy the Nidoran instead. I figured with both Nidoran and Nidorina knowing double kick that would count as some fighting moves for kicking some ice type ass, then Zappy could take care of the rest.

Nointy: “Pointy! You’re still here! I was so worried about you! Finally, we’re together again!”

Pointy: “Oh, hey Nointy, this is awkward but… I’m with Sleepy ZZZ now.”

Sleepy ZZZ: “Sorry dude…”

Nointy: “But… You’re my one and only… We have an egg together!”

Pointy: “It’s nothing personal, it’s just… I’m a Nidorina now and you’re still a Nidoran. You’re just too immature for me.”

Nointy: *Eyes welling up with tears* “I am not immature!” He started ugly crying. I felt bad for the little Guinea-pig critter and picked him up to give him a cuddle.

Nointy: *Struggling* “Put me down! I am a strong Nidoran and I’ll evolve soon! I am too mature to be cuddled! I don’t… I… OK, I mean, that’s kind of nice.”

He finally relaxed and snuggled into my arms with his head resting on my shoulder, glaring at Sleepy ZZZ, who was discussing the wonders of the universe with a fascinated Nidorina as they walked behind us.

Sleepy ZZZ: “It’s like… We’re a region, and there are more regions which makes a world… But we’re also like… In another world.”

Nidorina: “Woah…”

We set out for the Lake of Rage to calm down some Gyarados… On my way up I captured a Girafarig named Friglet who was sent straight to the PC. on reaching the lake I headbutted trees for ages until I found an Exeggute, which was awesome considering I had no grass type Pokémon anymore. Fritatta was also sent to the PC for the time being though, being vulnerable in the ice gym. On top of that Nointy, also evolved.

Pointy: “Oh, wow, Nointy you look… You look amazing.”

Nointy: *Examining his reflection in the lake* “Woo! Looking good!”

Pointy: “I mean did you want to like… Go headbutt some trees together?”

Nointy: “You know what? I’m good. I just need to focus on me right now. I’m getting into this challenge, you know?”

Pointy: “Oh… Yeah… Totally…”

I looked at the lake and sighed. Time to sort this Gyarados out! First though, something had been weighing on my mind.

Dragon: “Can I talk to you, Hedwig?”

Hedwig: “Sure, what’s up?”

Dragon: “It’s just… I’m sure you’ve noticed but your attacks just don’t do a huge amount any more, I mean you are a great tank and for now you’ll remain a great tank but I was thinking…. I don’t want to lose you, and… Don’t take offence but I was wondering if you’d like to retire after this gym? You could be my flying Pokémon, I’d take you out to fly all over the region with you but keep you out of battle.”

There was an awful silence and I started to wonder if I should have brought it up at all but then Hedwig smiled.

Hedwig: “In all honesty I have been wondering this myself. I can’t keep up with these new Pokémon on the team – soon I’ll just be dead weight. Don’t make any important decisions without your ol’ pal Hedwig, though… You can’t be trusted!”

Dragon: “Of course, you’re my voice of reason.”

Hedwig: “Burd and I were saying we want to travel together once this challenge is finished. It’s good to know that dream is a step closer.”

Dragon: “Thank you for understanding Hedwig. I’ll miss you while you’re in the PC though!”

Hedwig: “I’ll see you often enough, Fly is a popular HM.”

We smiled and walked back to the group. I leapt on Squidward and we surfed to the middle of the lake where a large, red Gyarados was raging up a storm.

Dragon: “OK, we got this! It’s going to have some mean attacks so Hedwig, get us started and tire it out!”

Hedwig swooped into battle, pecking the Gyarados as he flew past. The Gyarados retaliated with Thrash and suddenly Hedwig stiffened, and started to fall from the sky.

Dragon: “HEDWIG?! Squidward quickly!!!”

We surfed as fast as we could, and I managed to catch Hedwig before he fell into the sea.

Dragon: “Hedwig, what happened?! Are you OK?!”

He slowly shifted his wing to show a bloody wound in his side.

Hedwig: “It got me, Dragon.”

Dragon: “No it can’t have done! You’re my most defensive Pokémon! You’ll be OK, we’ll get you to a Pokécentre and-”

Hedwig: “It’s OK Dragon…” *cough* “I’ve had my time” *cough* “It was an honor to work by your side… Please… Finish the challenge. You can do it, I know you can. You can make it to the end.”

Dragon: *crying* “But… I wanted you there with me…”

Hedwig: “I’ll always be with you… In spirit… Just remember…” *cough, cough* “Don’t… Be… An… Idiot.”

With that Hedwig’s eyes closed for good, I buried my head in his feathers and sobbed. The clouds darkened over the lake and I lifted my head to meet the gaze of the awkward-looking Gyarados who was beginning to wonder if it should just leave quietly.

Dragon: “You. You bastard.”

Red Gyarados: “I was just defending myself!”

Dragon: “He was so close to retirement and you stole it from him!”

Red Gyarados: “I mean… I don’t know what to say, I’m sorr-”

Dragon: “Here I am trying to calm your stupid fish ass down, so that Team Rocket can’t exploit you and your Gyarados family, and you kill the companion most precious to me!”

At this point the Gyarados started slowly sinking into the lake, trying to sneak away under the water and leave me to my raging.

Burd hurtled towards the Gyarados’s retreating head. “Oh no you don’t, you murderer! YOU KILLED MY BROTHER!”

I held out an arm to stop the distraught Fearow in his tracks.

“It’s okay, Burd. I’ve got this one.”

As my bemused Pokemon watched from the sidelines, I beat seven bells out of that blood-red monster. By the time I finally allowed it to slip away under the surface of the water and skulk back to its lair, I’d wrung enough experience out of its bruised face to level up twice. But it still wasn’t enough to negate the loss of my beloved Hedwig.

We took Hedwig’s body back to land. That night we built a prye, and cremated him under the stars, there was not a dry eye in the team. Hedwig had been a friend to everyone and the voice of reason, always steering us towards victory. Burgie, my only Pokémon remaining from my original team (if you’d told me that he’d me my last original standing at the beginning of this challenge I wouldn’t have believed you), gave a heartfelt eulogy and each team member said a few words. For a minute I thought I saw the silhouette of a Croconaw watching respectfully from the water, but it must have been my imagination. When I looked back it had gone. Finally, we let the wind carry Hedwig’s ashes away into the wind so that, even in death, he could still travel the world.

 

Imagine the death eater is Gyarados, the owl is brown and Harry has a Pokémon hat on. There you go.

The Team

• Burd (Fearow)
• Squidward (Tentacool)
• Sleepy ZZZ (Hypno)
• Pointy (Nidorina)
• Nointy (Nidoran)

Reserves

• Zappy (Magneton)
• Burgie (Haunter)
• Smokey (Koffing)
• Fritatta (Exeggute)
• Fritlet (Girafarig)
• Powafish (Magikarp)

RIP

• Hedwig (Noctowl)

Day 9→

 

 

Dragon’s Nuzlocke Challenge: Day 7 – Back in Action

←Day 6

The Team

• Hedwig (Noctowl)
• Burd (Fearow)
• Burgie (Gastly)
• Sleepy ZZZ (Drowzee)
• Zappy (Magnemite)
• Hercules (Machop)

It had been 4 days since the team had seen Dragon, after she rage quit and stormed away. They had been living in the wilderness, waiting where she left them surviving on nothing but berries and wild Weedle.

Burgie: “Is… Is Dragon going to come back?”

Hedwig: “Of course she is! She just needed a break, she can’t leave this challenge unfinished.”

Sleepy ZZZ: *sat in his handmade mud jaccuzzi*  “Yeah man… We also needed a well deserved break. We work so hard for her, man…”

Hercules: *On his thousandth push up* “I. Need. To. Punch. Something. So. Badly. Muscles… Underused…”

Zappy: “Who cares? We’re free again! We can all go and live our lives the way they were before we were caught. In fact, I don’t know why I’m still here. I’m going back to Route 39.”

With surprising speed, Hedwig swooped in front of Zappy’s path, blocking him off.

Hedwig: “Don’t you go anywhere! We’re waiting here for Dragon!”

Zappy: “Ha! I have type advantage over you! You can’t stop me!”

Hedwig: “That may be true, but have you seen the amount of damage I can take? I have about 50 HP more than you… I’m a tank, Bitch.”

Burd: “Hedwig… Maybe he’s right…”

Hedwig: “…What are you saying?”

Burd: “Maybe she isn’t coming back. Maybe we should just go home and count our blessings that we didn’t die in this challenge.”

Everyone looked at Burd. He looked guilty as he spoke but none of them could deny that they had been worried about their place in the challenge.

Hedwig: “I know we’re all worried, but Dragon needs us and she is coming back. Sure she gets easily distracted, she forgets things, she’s clumsy, she gets overexcited, she has a terrible sense of humour… All of which have impacted our journey so far. But she cares about us all. I know you’ve only been on the team for a short amount of time, Zappy, but I promise you she’ll come back. If she doesn’t return in the next week then you can leave.”

Zappy eyed Hedwig suspiciously, “fine. One week.”

Hedwig: “Are you going to leave too, Burd?

Burd: I can’t leave you, Hedwig. You’re my bro. I was going to ask you to come with me.”

Hedwig: “You know I can’t leave Dragon. I’ve been with her since the beginning. Burgie too. When this challenge is over, and we both make it out alive – which we both will – we’ll fly to different regions and explore, travel the world together in retirement. What do you think?”

Burd: “How could I say anything other than yes?”

The two birds hugged it out and wingbumped then jumped as a rustling in the bushes startled them. Quickly, the team assembled into a sort of Power Ranger formation, ready to defend their little clearing in the wilderness. The bushes parted and a dishevelled and worn-out looking Dragon approached. The team cheered and rushed to hug her.

Dragon: “I may have lost it a little bit the other day. I’m sorry. This challenge is just really getting to me.”

Hedwig: “Just glad to have you back boss. Where to next?”

Determined not to lose anybody else, I put the team through some gruelling training. It went on for days. It even got to the point where we had to seek out wild Stantler on Route 37 because I’d worked out that they gave loads of Experience Points. Zappy and Hercules were improving stupidly quickly, the area was perfect training for Hercules what with him having type advantage over almost everything and nothing did much damage at all to Zappy so he was also levelling fast.

Zappy: *Flexing his magnets* “Hot damn, check me out. I am one powerful dude.”

Hercules: *Flexing everything* “Looking awesome man, you’re going to kick those ghost Pokémon’s asses.”

Zappy: “You know what? I’m glad I didn’t leave. I would never have become this powerful alone, and I would never have become such good friends with you guys either.”

Hercules: “Aw, dude. You’re making me blush.”

With that he high-fived Zappy so hard that Zappy spun through the air, just managing to right himself before he hit a tree.

Hercules: “Whoa, sorry bro, I forget my own strength sometimes. Plus I have type advantage over you I guess… And you’re also a floating magnet.”

Zappy: *Trying to act cool* “Nah… It’s totally like… Chill… Man. Whatever. I think Dragon needs us back in the action.”

They both chugged a protein shake and got back to training. Soon everyone, except Burgie, was a level in their late 20s and we confidently kicked open the door to the gym. Armed to the teeth with Mint Berries to prevent Sleep we fought our way through the gym trainers. I realised this was the first time Burgie had been able to fight anything alone for ages, he was put at the front of the team and his levels soared up to join his friends’…

Burgie: “What is happening??? Help!!!”

Dragon: “Oh my god, Burgie you’re evolving! FINALLY!!! YES!”

Burgie: “Really?! It’s been so long… I was starting to wonder if I even could evolve! Now I’ll finally be useful!”

Dragon: “Hell yeah you will!”

Burgie: *lick*

Dragon: “Hey there Morty… I heard you’re tough. But it’s time to get…”

*Narrows eyes*

“… Schwifty.”

Morty: “I… don’t know what that means.”

Dragon: “I am wasted on you Johto people. Anyway, enough talk. GO ZAPPY! KICK HIS ASS!”

And kick his ass we did. With no casualties, no one even got sent to sleep. We strolled out of the gym, proudly victorious and had a celebratory pizza.

With Gym 4 out of the way we made our way to Olivine Town where the Ampharos powering the lighthouse was sick and being looked after by the local Gym Leader, Jasmine. Looks like we’re going to have to go get her…

On our way Sleepy ZZZ evolved into a Hypno!

We had to fight our way through a pretty large number of trainers to get to the top of the lighthouse, many of whom said that they were worried about Jasmine or that they wanted to help… Once we got to the top though I was the one asked to go and get the mystery potion from Cianwood City across the sea.

Dragon: “Why don’t you just ask literally any of the trainers downstairs?”

Jasmine: “Why would I do that?”

Dragon: “Why wouldn’t you? Why would you wait for a random trainer that you’ve never met to show up and trust them with this mission? I might not come back, I might just take the potion and go off somewhere.”

Jasmine: “Are you going to do that?”

Dragon: “Well, no but-”

Jasmine: “Then it’s settled! Hurry up now! Or Ampharos’s death will be on your hands.”

Dragon: *Gulp*

Hell Yeah

I needed a water Pokémon. I put Sleepy ZZZ in the PC – what with him being really high level, he wouldn’t suffer from a little time off. I went on to fish on Route 40, and I got… a Tentacool! Okay… I could work with this. I mean it’s no Staryu but… Okay. The main thing was that he could use Surf.

Dragon: *Jumping on his back* “On, Squidward!”

Squidward: “I mean… I know I’m probably going to end up the HM whore, but like… A please would be nice.”

Dragon: “On please, Squidward!”

Squidward: *Singing happily/tunelessly as he sped through the water* “I’m going to be the best Tentacool from the reef, nobody else knows Surf, screw you guys, I know Surf now…”

With Hercules bashing his way through the rest of the Tentacool flinging themselves at us he evolved into a Machoke!

I pressed the wrong screenshot button for the next part of the evolution but you all know what a Machop looks like, right?

Hercules: *Kissing his bicep* “Awwww yeah, I am just getting prettier by the minute.”

Zappy: “Oh yeah? Well check me out!”

Zappy then proceeded to evolve as well, growing an extra two magnets.

I was so proud, I was now the proud owner of an almost fully two-tier evolution team.

On getting to Cianwood City I saw a Gym there, but, thinking it was the one after Olivine, decided to ignore it for now. I grabbed the potion and went straight back to the lighthouse. Ampharos was cured and Jasmine went back to her Gym. I followed her and battled her straight away.

Dragon: “Wow, this is a bit of a jump in level, lucky we all trained so hard and we have Hercules!”

Hercules: “I will punch my way through all these guys! Don’t you worry!”

Jasmine then sent out a level 35 Steelix.

Dragon: “Oh… OK, it’s OK Hercules, nothing you can’t handle!”

The Steelix whipped his tail round, catching Hercules across the face.

Dragon: “No…”

Hercules dropped to his knees, weakly tried to flex one last time and then fell to the floor.

Dragon: “No… Hercules was becoming my go-to Pokémon… Urgh! This challenge is so stupid! Go Zappy!”

Zappy: *tears in his eyes after watching his friend fall* “Feel the wrath of my Sonic Boom!!!”

It didn’t quite have the desired effect, he had to use Sonic Boom about 6 times but eventually the Steelix finally fell.

Jasmine handed me the Mineral Badge and I took it, sulking my way out the gym. We gave Hercules a seaside funeral, scattering his grave with his favourite protein powder, before we moved on.

The Team

• Hedwig (Noctowl)
• Burd (Fearow)
• Zappy (Magnemite)
• Squidward (Tentacool)
• Burgie (Haunter)

Reserves

• Sleepy ZZZ (Drowzee)
• Pointy (Female Nidoran)
• Nointy (Male Nidoran)
• Smokey (Koffing)

RIP

• Hercules

Stay tuned for the next chapter coming out Wednesday!

Day 8→

Dragon’s Nuzlocke Challenge: Day 6 – Rage Quitting

←Day 5

The Team:

• Hedwig (Noctowl)
• Burd (Fearow)
• Burgie (Gastly)
• Sleepy ZZZ (Drowzee)

Reserves

• Bellende (Bellsprout)

With the deaths of Oddette and Zuluwarior looming over me I found myself with a slightly depleted team. I’d been told previously that the next gym was a toughie as well being Ghost type and all. If anyone was sent to sleep and got caught in the Dream Eater cycle we’d all be toast. To top that off most of my Pokémon were reliant on physical attacks… It was time to build the team back up and hope that I’d manage to catch some elemental-attack based Pokémon. First though we had to make a stop…

Day Care Man: *slyly* “Why hello there… Are you here for Bellende? He has grown a lot! A little aggressive at first but don’t worry! He’s calmed down…”

Bellende: *Defeated* “… Hey Dragon…”

Dragon: “That’s it? No insult? No “ah! Here you are crawling back to me” jab?”

Bellende: “Nope… Let’s just go…”

Dragon: “Woah you’re a level 19 already! That’s awesome! Gym 4 here we come!”

Bellende: “Yeah…”

The reason for Bellendes’ silence was soon discovered… As we fought our way to the new route,I sent out Bellende to take down the Sudowoodo blocking the path.

Dragon: “Bellende! Weaken it with Vine Whip!”

Bellende: “…”

Dragon: “What the-? Where has Vine Whip gone?!

Bellende: “While I was in day care I learned lots of new moves like Sleep Powder, Stun Spore, Poisonpowder… But…” He looked away, ashamed. “The old man at the day care he… He replaced Vine Whip with Wrap!”

Dragon: “That bastard…”

Bellende: “The only attack I know now is Cut…”

Dragon: “I mean there’s still wrap”

Bellende: “That doesn’t count! I am now just half the plant I used to be… All I can do is fart glittery paralysis spores at the enemy and tickle them.”

Dragon: “At least you still know Cut.”

The whole team looked at me like I was an idiot.

Dragon: “Come on! It’s not that bad! Give it a go.”

Bellende sighed and Cut the Sudowoodo, it wasn’t great but it wasn’t bad either.

Bellende: “OK, I guess I can live with this for now…”

Afterwards we managed to catch a Nidoran whom I christened Pointy. Then in the next area I caught a female Nidoran named Nointy. Both were immediately sent to the day care to await a time that I may need them. Right now the upcoming gym was not for them. A Butterfree named Flora also joined, I was super pleased about this, I like Psychic Pokémon and with her and Sleepy ZZZ things were looking goooood. We ventured towards Ecruteak City, chirpy and full of hope, then the first Pokémon of the area sprang at me.

Dragon: *Running around excitedly* “AAAAAAAH!!! OH MY GOD! IT’S A GODDAMN VULPIX! Oh, we are going to CRUSH the next gym! Vulpix is gonna be so epic! Hedwig are you seeing this?!”

Hedwig: *Unimpressed* “Yup…”

Dragon: “I’ll name her Vixen and she’ll be incredible, enemies will faint just at the sight of her, she’ll breath fire over everything, nothing will stand in her way-”

Hedwig: “Dragon…”

Dragon: “She’ll be the backbone of this team, carrying us to the Elite Four-”

Hedwig: “Yeah… No, she’s gone.”

Dragon: “WHAT?!”

Hedwig: “She used Roar and fled. So… ‘Backbone of the team’, huh?”

Dragon: *sinking to my knees* “Vulpix… Can… Flee? No… Oh god no… I wanted her so badly…”

Hedwig settled for rolling his eyes and dragged me away from the patch of grass where the Vuplix had appeared as I shouted obscenities at the air. After settling down a little I decided to go explore the route to the west of the town.

Dragon: “Oh damn… A Magnemite! Sweet!”

*Magnemite fled!*

Dragon: “GOD DAMMIT, NO! What the hell am I going to fight the ghost gym with?!”

Hedwig: “Don’t worry there’s still another couple of places we could look…”

We trekked to the East side of town where we entered a cave and I actually managed to catch a Pokémon… A Machop named Hercules.

Dragon: “I mean… Sweet but… I’m against the ghost gym next and once again… All I have are physical attacks and two glass cannons…”

Hercules: “I’ll learn Foresight by level 25, then I could punch them!”

Dragon: “I just… Yeah, but that’s ages away and also that still won’t do a huge amount of damage. I guess it’s something though.”

Hercules: “Don’t worry, I’ll punch them right in the spirit!”

We continued through the cave, I had placed Flora at the front of the team to train her up, it was going pretty well as she was one-shotting all the Machop that appeared and then, rather unexpectedly, a Marill popped up.

Dragon: “Awww, I would have liked a Marill…”

*Marill used Rollout*

Dragon: “WHAT?! Why would Marill know that move?! It’s a water mouse!!!! UGH!”

Unfortunately, Flora and I hadn’t really had time to bond but I still felt disappointed. I’d been really pleased about my second psychic…

Need more Pokémon… After pouring over a map I realised I’d missed the Burnt Tower, more Pokémon! Rumour has it there’s a chance to get a Magmar in there… Before I could get inside though my red-headed stalker burst through the door and challenged me. I just want a new Pokémon! Leave me alone! Fortunately the battle was over quickly with no casualties but something was bugging me…

Dragon: “Burgie…”

Burgie: *in mid floor lick* “Mmmmmm?”

Dragon: “I couldn’t help but notice something during that battle.”

Burgie: “… What’s that?”

Dragon: “Well, my unworthy rival BLAAAAA, despite being a terrible trainer does have something I don’t… I couldn’t help but notice that in spite of being three levels below you his Gastly has evolved into a Haunter already and it knows Dream Eater…”

Burgie: *Hiding behind Hedwig* “I am so close to evolving, I swear.”

Dragon: “I mean if you were to evolve, like ever, now would be a really good time what with the upcoming gym battle not looking like it’s going to go in our favour and all…”

Hedwig: “Leave Burgie alone, he’ll evolve in his own time!”

Dragon: “Just saying that it would really be helpful! He can’t fight anything at the moment anyway because everything around here is a Normal Type so I have to level him with other Pokémon! It’s taking forever!”

Hedwig: “Ignore Dragon, Burgie. You’ll get there. We’re all helping you level, don’t worry.”

I walked off muttering something under my breath about useless Pokémon and wastes of team space until Hedwig swooped down and gave my head a swipe with his wing. I was about to retaliate but then we got jumped by a Koffing. Great. Another Poison Pokémon, apparently the most popular type of the Johto region. After a couple of battles with the newly named Smokey I realised he sucked and put him in the PC.

I then decided to fight the Kimono girls. They all had the evolved forms of Eevee and I managed to get through most of them pretty well until we got to the Espeon. I guess you learn something new every day and today I learned that Psychic is super effective against Poison.

Bellende: “I am already defeated in spirit… I am nothing without my Vine Whip. Just end it.”

Enemy Espeon: “You sure?”

Bellende: “Yeah… The way this team’s going I’ll be going sooner rather than later anyway.”

Dragon: “You selfish little…”

Bellende: *as Confusion enveloped him* “ah, the sweet embrace of death… I would wish you luck but I don’t want to.”

As he died his leaves stiffened to form a hand with an extended middle finger. There was no sad burial for Bellende.

With my only elemental Pokémon gone we then headed to Olivine to see if I’d be able to find something water-based. On the way we found a Magnemite who I actually managed to capture before he could flee. I named him Zappy and I eyed his ‘Thundershock’ attack with great enthusiasm… If I could level Zappy up he’d be my main man for Gym 4…

Zappy: “Hey, my eyes are up here!”

Dragon: “Sorry, It’s just that I’ve been trying to get an elemental Pokémon for so long now and I can’t help but be drawn to you, there’s something so… magnetic about you.”

Zappy: “Are you actually proud of that?”

Dragon: “A little…”

Zappy: “Oh dear…”

Finally, we got to Olivine and I managed to capture a Krabby.

Dragon: “Awesome! We have an electric type Pokémon, a Water Pokémon… We’re getting there! Everything will be OK!”

*Mr Krabs fainted*

Dragon: “ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! WHAT THE HELL?! EVERYTHING I TOUCH TURNS TO GODDAMN SHIT AT THE MOMENT! I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING!!!”

My team exchanged looks and backed away slowly as I screamed at Mr Krabs’s stupid corpse.

Suddenly, a voice from afar…

“Sweetie… Put down the game.”

“Can you believe this shit?!”

“I know… Just please put down the game and take a break… Please.”

“FINE! I’ll go and do something else. Something that’s not… Not STUPID!”

 

Tune in on Sunday for more fun times!

 

The Team:

• Hedwig (Noctowl)
• Burd (Fearow)
• Zappy (Magnemite)
• Hercules (Machop) 
• Burgie (Gastly)

The Reserves:

• Sleepy ZZZ (Drowzee)
• Pointy (Male Nidoran)
• Nointy (Female Nidoran)
• Smokey (Koffing)

RIP:

• Flora (Butterfree)
• Bellende (Bellsprout)
• Mr Krabs (Stupid Krabby)

Day 7→

Dragon’s Nuzlocke Challenge: Day 5 – Raising the Steaks

←Day 4

The Team:

• Hedwig (Hoothoot)
• Burd (Spearow)
• Burgie (Gastly)
• Oddette (Oddish)
• Zuluwarior (Zubat)
• Sleepy ZZZ (Drowzee)

It was time for Gym 3. The whole team had been working really hard to level up and I was feeling confident. My only reservation was that we had no type advantage, being a Normal-type gym.

Dragon: “Are we ready guys?”

Hedwig and Burd: “Oh… We’re ready”

A blinding light filled the area and, standing back to back, Hedwig and Burd evolved into Noctowl and Fearow. They struck a pose as the light dimmed away, showing off their new forms.

Dragon: “You guys… That was SO COOL!!! We have got this in the bag! Group hug!”

We all had a Team Dragon group hug before kicking open the Gym doors and easily clearing a path to Whitney, the Gym Leader.

Her first Pokémon? Pfft, a Clefairy? Ha! That was destroyed easily, but then the ground shuddered as her next Pokémon entered the arena. My team looked at me fearfully – What could it be? I’d done my research and I knew what was coming… It was time for Operation Status Effects!

I sent Oddette out first and she bravely looked up into the face of… A Miltank.

Enemy Miltank: *Spits on the floor* “Hello little plant… I will have fun crushing you.”

Oddette: “Ugh, you are by far ze ugliest enemy we ‘ave faced zo far. Vive l’équipe Dragon!”

Oddette Ze French Oddish

With that she jumped over the Miltank in a graceful arc, scattering Stun Spore as she went and then, after taking a hit, swapped places with Sleepy ZZZ.

Sleepy ZZZ: “Dude… Why so aggressive? Let’s get rid of that for you”

He lazily flicked his wrist and disabled Rollout. This greatly angered the Miltank who managed to Stomp on Sleepy ZZZ before he could retreat back into his ball, injuring him. Now for the final stage of my plan…

Dragon: “Go Burgie! Use Spite!”

Burgie: “I… I can’t… I can’t lick it?”

Dragon: “No, you need to lower its’ PP as much as you can while Rollout is still disabled.”

Burgie: “I… Have other moves?”

Burgie got to work and reduced the PP of both Rollout and Stomp by a considerable amount. So far so good. Everything was going pretty well but then Miltank became able to use Rollout again. What to do? I couldn’t keep Burgie out, couldn’t send out Hedwig, Zuluwarior or Burd (being flying types), Sleepy ZZZ and Oddette had both taken pretty big hits…

Suddenly, a voice from above told me to send out Oddette, “you can poison it and Rollout won’t be so bad against Oddette at first.”

“But it’s already paralysed, I can’t poison it.”

“I’m pretty sure you can, if you select it often enough it will replace paralysis, try it.”

Who did those voices belong to? I guess I’ll never know but I decided to follow their advice…

Dragon: “Come on Oddette! Let’s try to poison it! I should have done that from the beginning.”

Several turns later and Oddette had still not managed to poison the Miltank and its’ Rollout had built up to the third round.

Dragon: “She can take one more hit…”

She could not take one more hit. Down Oddette went, all the plans I had for an epic Vileplume went out the window. Her adorable little face turned to me as she took her last breath and raised a small white flag. I’d told her that she would be my plant prodigy but she hadn’t even evolved into a Gloom yet…

Enemy Miltank: “Goodbye, little plant.” With that the Miltank kicked Oddettes’ small body across the arena to me, I tried to straighten out her leaves which had been crumpled from the impact of Rollout and glared at the Miltank with tears in my eyes.

Enemy Miltank: “Ooh the trainer’s upset. Go on cry!”

Dragon: “Shut up you… You Meanie! I’ll avenge you Oddette, you didn’t deserve to die so soon like that, I’m sorry.” Who could I send out to avenge her? Maybe… Just maybe…

Dragon: “Go Zuluwarior!”

Zuluwarior: “Yes! I’m a part of things!”

Surprising me with his swiftness he used Confuse Ray and then Bite over and over, the Miltank had no chance to attack between the confusion, paralysis and flinching. Eventually its’ health was down to the last section… For a minute it looked like we would win…

Zuluwarior: “I’m going to do it! I’m going to get the badge!… Ew, what is it doing?!”

We all watched in disgust and horror as, without breaking eye contact with Zuluwarior, the Miltank milked itself right then and there. It then drank its’ own milk, restoring almost all of its’ HP.

Dragon: “My God…”

Enemy Miltank: *wiping away milk moustache* “Mmmm, tastes like… Victory.”

It then sent a boulder hurtling towards Zuluwarior, crushing him underneath.

Dragon: “NOOOOOOO, HE LITERALLY JUST GOT GOOD!”

I resorted back to sending out Sleepy ZZZ and prayed that the Miltank wouldn’t attack, Rollout was once more disabled and Burgie made another appearance to reduce any remaining PP. I rotated the two Pokémon for a while with this technique but I was just buying time. I couldn’t win yet unless… I suddenly realised that Miltank hadn’t even tried to attack for the last few turns, it was just constantly healing itself.

Dragon: “We did it guys! It’s out of PP! Come on Burd, take it out quickly!”

Enemy Miltank: “Mwahaha! Bitch, you thought!”

A boulder hurtled through the air and my heart skipped a beat, I couldn’t lose Burd!

Hedwig: “Like we practised Burd!”

Burd flapped his wings and attempted to fly over the boulder, gracefully he arced over it, only catching his back on it slightly. He then dove towards the Miltank and speared him through with his beak, the Miltank fell to its’ knees.

Hedwig: “YES Burd! That was AWESOME!!!”

Burd: *placing a foot on the Miltank’s back* “Goodbye, little Cow”

Enemy Miltank: “Ha… Hahahaha… You think you have won? You will find no joy in your journey, Dragon. Just more losses.” Burd put his foot down and the Miltank collapsed into a puddle of his own milk.

The battle had lasted over half an hour (it genuinely did, it was possibly the longest non-game ending Pokémon battles I have ever fought) and we emerged from the gym victorious. The stress of the challenge was starting to show though, I worriedly thought ahead to the next gym and looked at what remained of my team… They were battered and bruised and looked a little worried after hearing the dying words of the Miltank.

Dragon: “I know we lost more friends today but we did well. I’ll make sure we’re properly ready for the next gym, I promise. If you guys don’t want any part in the rest of the journey though you can always ask to leave”

Hedwig: “We believe in you Dragon, it’s dangerous but we want to help. You have my wing.”

Burd: “And mine.”

Sleepy ZZZ: “And my… I dunno… Paw, I guess?”

Burgie: “And my tongue!” *Lick*

Everyone: “Ew! Gross! Dammit, Burgie!”

We solemly buried Oddette and Zuluwarior, both of which had proved themselves to be valuable team members in the end, and continued our journey to the next gym…

The Team:

• Hedwig (Noctowl)
• Burgie (Gastly)
• Burd (Fearow)
• Sleepy ZZZ (Drowzee)

The Reserves

• Bellende (Bellsprout)

RIP

• Oddette (Oddish)
• ZuluWarior (Zubat)

Day 6→

Dragon’s Nuzlocke Challenge: Day 4 – Rebuilding the Team

←Day 3

The Team:

• Hedwig (Hoothoot)
• Burgie (Gastly)

Quick note: I forgot to take any screenshots for this day so I’m afraid you’ll have to do with some generic Pokémon images instaed… Lesson learned!

In the aftermath of my team’s annihilation, I dragged myself to the PC and withdrew my reserves: Bellende the Bellsprout (Level 3) and Zuluwarior the Zubat (Level 5). I also caught a new Pokémon on Route 31 just outside of the cave: a Spearow. Frustrated at receiving yet another flying type and still bitter about my huge loss I simply named him ‘Burd’.

Burd: “Ummm… Sorry but could I have a more imaginative name?”

Dragon: “No.”

Burd: “Have I made you mad? You haven’t even used me yet…”

Dragon: *sobs* “You’ll never be as good as Cawcaw!”

Burd’s beak trembled as he tried to hold back tears.

Hedwig: “Don’t worry Burd, she’ll come around. In the meantime I shall literally take you under my wing and will help teach you to fight. Much like my old master, Toto, taught me…”

For what seemed like years Hedwig and I trained the new recruits as Burgie licked trees on the side-lines, what with him usually being unable to hit anything. Being so close to Union Cave Bellende could kick rock-type ass and level up quickly…

Bellende: “Woah, shame you didn’t use me before! I could have kicked that Geodude’s butt.”

Dragon: “Shut up, Bellende.”

Bellende: “You need me a lot more than I need you. So I’d be a little nicer to me if I were in your shoes.”

Dragon: “…”

Bellende: “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

I wasn’t too worried about the next gym as it was grass-type and sure enough Hedwig and Burd pecked all the leaves to death.

Dragon: “You know what Burd? I’m sorry I gave you a bad name, you’re pretty awesome.”

Burd: “Really? Thank you! Does… Does this mean…?”

Dragon: “Yes, you are officially a useful member of the team.”

Burd: “YES! Did you hear that Hedwig?”

Hedwig: “I knew you could do it!”

The two birds wing bumped, sending feathers spewing everywhere.

Zuluwarior: “Am I a useful member of the team yet?”

Dragon: “No, all you can use is Leech Life.”

Zuluwarior: *dejectedly* “oh…”

Dragon: “Don’t worry, this is just a phase, you’ll level up out of it soon enough.”

Zuluwarior: *Over-dramatically* “OMG, it’s not a phase! This is who I am!” He flung himself back into his Pokéball in a huff.

With my awesome bird pokemon (who were fast becoming best buddies), the annoyingly good Bellsprout, and the rest of the team who weren’t quite so good we headed into Ilex Forest where the adorable Oddette the Oddish joined the team. We then got to a point where a skinny tree barred our way – someone would have to learn Cut. I glanced between Oddette and Bellende…

Oddette: “I vould never learn such a move as zis… Zis Cut, it vould ‘inder my training.”

Bellende: “You don’t have to speak in a French accent just because she gave you a French name, what is wrong with you?”

Oddette: *sassily rolling her eyes* Eurgh, ze gross twig is so oossless, ‘e only knows deux moves and I vill learn zo quick.”

Bellende: “Come on Dragon, why are you even questioning this?”

Dragon: “You’re right. Bellende. You can learn Cut.”

Bellende: “WHAT?! NO! I do not want that! I’m a much higher level than Oddette why would you give this to me?!”

Dragon: *crooning over Oddette* “Oddette is going to get epic and I don’t want her carrying Cut to burden her. You, however… Meh.”

Bellende: “I hate you so much.”

Behind my back Oddette stuck her tongue out at Bellende who snorted disdainfully and retreated to his Pokéball.

Eventually we emerged from Ilex Forest, and into the route up to Goldenrod City, where we soon discovered that everything was suddenly a pretty high level, causing a fair few runs to and from the local Pokécenter. The team was also joined by Sleepy ZZZ, a Drowzee.

Sleepy ZZZ: “ ’Sup dudes… dudettes.”

Dragon: “Now that I don’t need to use Cut, and that the next gym is a normal type gym, I want you, Bellende, to go in the day care so that I can use Sleepy ZZZ instead”.

Bellende: “Are you kidding???”

Sleepy ZZZ: “Don’t take it personally bro, just take the opportunity to chill”

Bellende: “I don’t want to ‘chill’ I want to fight! My vine whip is so good!”

Dragon: “Well… Yeah but you only have 10 PP for it, and Oddette knows a good grass move too, plus she can poison, stun, sleep… You can’t really do any of that yet. And I also like everyone else on the team more than you.”

Bellende: “Even Zuluwarior? He doesn’t do anything.”

Dragon: “He just learned Bite and Confuse Ray, so… Yeah, even Zuluwarior.”

Zuluwarior did a silent dance of celebration at this.

Bellende: “You’ll regret this.”

Dragon: *Cuddling Oddette and making a fuss of her, ignoring Bellende* “What? Oh, have fun! I’ll come and get you when I need to use Cut!”

Suddenly, my phone rang. “Hi Dragon, it’s Hiker Anthony!”

Dragon: “Oh you little bitch…”

Hiker Anthony: “Do you want to battle again? I won’t lose this time!”

Dragon: “Oh, I will come and battle you again… I’m going to crush you like you crushed Rizzo, Cawcaw and Buzz, and then I’ll come and crush you again next time you call. Then again, and again, and again…”

Hiker Anthony: “… Okay cool, well… See you in a bit then.”

I showed up to the rematch with Oddette on the front lines. She one-shot the offending Geodude with Absorb, nonchalantly adjusting her beret as it dropped to the ground with a thud, confused at the sudden power of the team it had so easily wiped out before.

The Pokémon Silver graphics are really impressive…

I kneeled down so that I was eye to eye with it “Looks like Geodude just became GeoFOOD… Get it? Food for Oddette because she used absorbed so it’s like- Nevermind you all get it!”

Everyone groaned at the terrible pun, but I didn’t care. Justice had been served.

The Team:

• Hedwig (Hoothoot)
• Burgie (Gastly)
• ZuluWarior (Zubat)
• Burd (Spearow)
• Oddette (Oddish)
• Sleepy ZZZ (Drowzee)

The Reserves

• Bellende (Bellsprout)

Day 5→

Dragon’s Nuzlocke Challenge: Day 3 – Gym Time! Followed by a Series of Unfortunate Events…

←Day 2

The Team:

• Hedwig (Hoothoot)
• Rizzo (Rattata)
• Buzz (Kakuna)
• Cawcaw (Pidgey)

The day started off pretty good… We spent the day exploring Violet City and Sprout Tower. A tower where loads of trainer battles hapen… But only with Bellsprouts. Each to their own. While we were in there Buzz evolved into a Beedrill and became epic.

We also met a new friend, “Ooh, a Gastly, sweet. I shall name you… Burgie… Because I am hungry and have burgers on the brain, IRL a burger is on its’ way to me right now.”

Burgie: “…” *lick*

Dragon: “Eurgh! Oh god, what are you doing?”

Burgie: “That is my one thing… I lick stuff…” *lick*

Dragon “… You may not be quite as useful as I’d hoped…”

Burgie: *starts licking the floor*

After that we got the HM Flash from the Sprout Master, the worst HM ever, I’d have to carefully think about who to give this to but for now I don’t need it.

Finally, I decided to tackle my first Gym… A flying-type gym.

Apparently battling in his pyjamas is his thing

I was a little nervous but not too worried… “We’ll be fine guys! Two of you are flying types and then we have Rizzo! … Wait… Where is Rizzo?!”

We entered the gym just in time to see Rizzo tackle Faulkner’s Pidgeotto so hard that it un-evolved back into a Pidgey, making Faulkner sob.

Rizzo: “Oh hey, boss while you were stressing I just went ahead and got the badge, no big deal.”

Dragon: “That’s amazing! Thank you Rizzo! You’re so awesome!”

Rizzo: “I know boss, I know,” he said as he chucked me the badge and flexed himself back into his pokeball. I swooned.

I should have known everything was too good to be true… So what went wrong? Well I guess first of all I was asked to carry an egg around with me by Professor Elm. Great, that’s taking up a valuable spot but my team are pretty epic, we’ll be fine.

After that it was pretty good for a while, Hedwig learned Peck, and Cawcaw learned Gust suddenly becoming really useful… Well… Sort of…

She actually managed to get hit by a Magikarp… Then miss.

Having never been to the Johto region I assumed that because I had received the HM Flash and was now able to use it with my Gym badge the way forward was through the Dark Cave on Route 31. I had been hoping that the cave would let me see just a little like in other regions, sometimes there’s a little circle of light around you and you can just make it through without learning Flash. That was not the case here…

Dragon: *sigh* “Hedwig, I need you to learn Flash.”

Hedwig: “What?! No Way!!! Why me???”

Dragon: “You are the only Pokemon I have that can use it, I’m really sorry I wish it wasn’t the case…”

Hedwig: *Ruffling his feathers* “Fine, I guess you can get rid of Growl or Future Sight…”

Dragon: “Ok… Oh no… Oh god no…”

Hedwig: “WHAT?? What did you do? Oh no…I can’t remember how to tackle!!! What did you do?!”

Dragon: “I’m so sorry, my finger slipped and I accidentally selected it!”

Hedwig: “You absolute idiot, I can’t believe you’ve done this to me!”

Dragon: “Maybe there’s someone that can get you to forget HM moves!”

Hedwig: “Urgh…”

NOOOOO!!!

We strode through the cave with Hedwig as our unwilling beacon and were attacked by a Zubat, not realising what I was doing I let Rizzo take it on, intending for him to just weaken it but he tore it apart and eliminated it on his first turn.

Dammit Rizzo…

Before I could scold him he had already jumped back into his ball. Dammit. So no Pokemon from Dark Cave… Fine… We then reached a dead end…

Hedwig: “Did you just replace Tackle with Flash for NO REASON?!”

Dragon: “I thought this was the right way!”

Hedwig: “Just… Don’t talk to me for a while!”

Eventually, I found the right road and we made our way through. On the way I caught a Bellsprout called Bellende (I put an ‘e’ on the end to make it classy), who was sent to the PC, and upon entering Union Cave I caught a Zubat called ZuluWarior, also sent to the PC, my first reserves! It was in Union Cave that I realised, excluding Rizzo and Burgie, all my Pokemon are flying types and are therefore super susceptible to Rock-type moves and Rizzo did barely any damage for once. I started fighting a trainer who sent out an Onix and I realised I had no choice…

Dragon: “Burgie, you’re our main guy right now.”

Burgie: *super excitedly* “Yessir! I’m so glad you’re finally using me! I knew this day would come! I can’t wa-”

Dragon: “Ok, let’s get this Onix!”

Burgie: “WOOHOO!!!” *lick*

Enemy Onix: “Ew… What are you doing? Get off me! That’s so gross!”

Burgie: “I’m really sorry, this is literally the best I can do.”

Enemy Onix: “You’re actually going to lick me to death? That will take ages, and it’s so gross!”

Burgie: “… I have to… I can put you to sleep if you like so that you won’t notice so much?”

Enemy Onix: “… Fine… Eurgh.”

We advanced through the cave like that with Burgie licking every rock type to death. None of them were a high enough level to know any rock-type moves so I was safe… Or so I thought… I emerged from Union cave blinking in the sunlight, all was well, I was very close to the next town, all my Pokemon were in peak condition… Suddenly a Hiker stopped me just as I was about to enter the town, a battle? Why not? I’d just trashed all the other guys in the cave. That’s when he sent out a level 11 Geodude. This Geodude knew Rock Throw. First of all I tried to take him on with Burgie as I had done with everything in the cave and then Burgie got hit by Rock Throw and I couldn’t keep healing him enough to keep up with the damage, he took most of the Geodude’s HP off but I had to withdraw him with only 1 HP left. I thought it would be fine, there was only a bit of health left and I still had Rizzo who, while he wouldn’t do a lot of damage he had a full-health bar! One hit from Geodude, not so bad. Rizzo chipped away… Then another hit… A critical hit… No. It couldn’t be… As the rocks buried him Rizzo turned to look at me, panic in his eyes. He was my favourite, the one that never failed, the one that single-handedly defeated the first Gym… He couldn’t die. Then he appeared to accept his fate and he smiled faintly at me, “Don’t worry boss, It’s not your fault…” then he was obscured from view as the rocks covered him. Forever.

Dragon: “NOOOOOOOOOO! HOW DARE YOU!!!! BUZZ, GET HIM!!!”

I had no strategy any more, I didn’t know what to do, I started panicking… Then it got worse. After valiantly chipping away with Fury Attack, Buzz too, fell to Rock Throw.

Blinded by rage I threw out Cawcaw, she attacked with Gust and finally KO’d the Geodude. I sighed with relief but it was not over yet. The Hiker then sent out a Machop and I panicked, were fighting types strong against birds or weak against birds? I was so distraught after losing Rizzo and Buzz that I couldn’t remember. I then made a very stupid mistake. I sent out Burgie thinking he wouldn’t be hit but then I suddenly remembered that birds are strong against fighting types not the other way around! Luckily, the Machop had only used Focus Energy so I sent Cawcaw back out again and the Machop swung at her with a Low Kick. It hurt. It took off half her HP. “Please, please, please” I prayed as Cawcaw retaliated with Gust… If she could just one-shot him… It came close but the Machop stayed standing. It swung at her again and this time Cawcaw was thrown through the air and landed in a heap at my feet. “CAWCAW! NO!” I stroked her crumpled feathers as she faded away.

Dragon: “I’m sorry I said you were a bit odd, you are a very good bird”

She managed one last, weak “Caw” and then she was gone.

Hedwig: “Dragon… It’s time… I have to go out there.”

Dragon: “No Hedwig, I can’t let you go! What if you die too? I’ll send out Burgie!”

Hedwig: “Burgie only has 1 HP. Let me do this, I may not know Tackle any more but I can use Peck, I might be able to take him out in one go.”

Dragon: “… Ok… Be careful.”

I needn’t have worried, fuelled by the loss of his teammates Hedwig launched a devastating Peck attack that took out the Machop.

SHUT UP! I HATE YOUR STUPID HIKER FACE SO MUCH!!!!

We had won the battle but lost too many friends… Hedwig, Burgie and I solemnly held a small funeral for Rizzo, Buzz and Cawcaw before heading into Azalea Town.

The Team:

• Hedwig (Hoothoot)
• Burgie (Gastly)

The Reserves

• Bellende (Bellsprout)
• ZuluWarior (Zubat)
• Egg (delicious)

RIP

• Rizzo (Rattata)
• Buzz (Kakuna)
• Cawcaw (Pidgey)

Next time on Dragon’s Nuzlocke Challenge I painstakingly attempt to rebuild my team…

Day 4→

Dragon’s Nuzlocke Challenge: Day 2 – Stupid Birds

← Day 1

The team so far:

• Hedwig (Hoot hoot)
• Rizzo (Rattata)

Today we made the big leap from Cherrygrove City to Violet City. On route 39 Buzz the Weedle was caught. This seemed to aggravate the other Weedles in the area who wouldn’t leave us alone for the rest of the journey, poor Hedwig and Rizzo were both rushed to and from the Pokécentre with poisoning. Despite the amount of times this happened Buzz herself never actually managed to poison anything she fought. Meanwhile Rizzo was becoming my go-to Pokémon never letting anything live longer than two turns and levelling up quickly, Hedwig however was struggling. I think the loss of Toto was still hanging over him. He barely did any damage and levelling him up just seemed to take a stupidly long time… As we made our way up the path we were faced with our first ever trainer (exculding BLAAAAA), Joey the Youngster. Luckily he was terrible and we stomped him.

Later up the path, still fighting our way through the Weedle hoard, we came to Route 31. Time for a new Pokémon! This isn’t going so badly! That will make it 4 already! Let’s see… Weedle… Weedle… Weedle… Weed-AAAAARGH. Finally, a Pidgey dared to fight through the crowd of horned worms and attacked. I actually really like Pidgeys “finally a good bird Pokémon!” I exclaimed, temporarily forgetting myself. Hedwig looked at me with the most dejected expression on his face. “I’m sorry… you’re just really hard to level…”

Hedwig: “It’s fine. I get it. I’ll never be as good as Totodile… Catch the Pidgey, do what you have to do.”

Feeling slightly guilty, but also quite triumphant I caught the Pidgey and named her Cawcaw. “Time to show route 31 who’s boss…”

Rizzo: “Euuuuh… Doesn’t she look a little… Different?”

I took a closer look, her eyes were crossed, as she took a step forward she tripped over her own feet and face-planted the ground. “She’s fine! Just a bit disorientated after being caught! Let’s try her out!”

I sent her out to deal with another level 3 Pidgey. Her attack missed. Not only did it miss but she took a stupid amount of damage in return. Next turn she hit but did almost half the amount of damage that the enemy Pidgey had done to her,  he reduced Cawcaw’s health to the red section. I had managed to find the most useless Pidgey in existence. “What the… *sigh* Hedwig?”

Hedwig: *Glances up smugly* “Yes?”

Dragon: “I need you to deal with a level 3 Pidgey, please.”

Hedwig: “What? Cawcaw isn’t working out? I suppose I could give you a hand…” He stretched his wings and effortlessly tackled the enemy, winning the battle.

After that I resolved to get everyone to at least level 7 before entering Violet City, Hedwig and Rizzo were already there so that was OK. Unfortunately, that meant seemingly endless battles of Buzz spamming “Poison Sting” which is not a hugely effective move against anything.

Dragon: *Yawn* “Is it possible to die of boredom?”

Buzz: *Sweat pouring down her forehead* “I’m doing my best!”

Dragon: “I know… Forget I said anything, you’re doing great… So great, keep it up”

Buzz: “Wha- I think this is it! I’m doing it!!!”

Finally, a blinding light shone over Buzz as she evolved into a Kakuna! First evolution of the game!

Now… Just for Cawcaw. There is truly something wrong with this Pokémon, in every single battle she would miss at least once and another team member would have to help.

Finally, I found an alternative, a boring one but it was better than nothing.

Dragon: “Right Cawcaw, that Kakuna can not attack you. It will take a long time but there is no way you can lose this battle… Are you ready?”

Cawcaw: “Caw?”

“Awesome, let’s go!” The battle lasted for a very long time… However, at the end Cawcaw went up not one but two levels. Then we found another, slightly higher level Kakuna… It took all my patience (and the whole PP of ‘tackle’) but Cawcaw eventually disposed of that one too and went up two levels again!

We finally entered Violet City and breathed in the scent of progress.

Dragon: “I’m sorry Hedwig, I got carried away back there.”

Hedwig: “It’s OK Dragon, I understand.”

Dragon: “Great, and well done Rizzo, you did so well! *whisper* you’re my favourite, don’t tell Hedwig.”

Next time on Dragon’s Nuzlocke Challenge: we take on our first gym and things start to go wrong…

The Team:

• Hedwig (Hoothoot)
• Rizzo (Rattata)
• Buzz (Kakuna)
• Cawcaw (Pidgey)

Day 3→

 

Mind Over Metal Holiday Pokémon Challenge

Another challenge, I know! Don’t worry though, this one isn’t like my 30 Day Video Game Challenge though, this is a challenge I thought I’d try while I was on holiday and I thought I’d share it with you!

I don’t know why but playing Pokémon while I’m on holiday is one of my favourite things to do (second favourite next to reading a good book), I’ll happily lie by the sea/swimming pool with a cocktail and play through a Pokémon game. This holiday my boyfriend came with me and we went to France to my parents’ house to dog-sit for them while they were away. Dan suggested a challenge where we assign numbers to the 17 different Pokémon types (excluding fairy) and then we are randomly assigned a number, he got Steel and I got Psychic (I originally got Ice but in the version we’re going to play there’s only like 6 ice Pokémon and they’re all quite far into the game).

The versions we are playing are both Sapphire, however he has downloaded the original Sapphire on his phone to play through while I have my Alpha Sapphire game on my 3DS. We were going to race to see who finished first but what with the phone vs 3DS way of playing it seems like that might not be fair. As he is playing on his phone he was able to do some sort of cheat to get all of his Steel Pokémon straight away as, like with me being unable to get ice type Pokémon early in the game, he couldn’t get them at the beginning. They all started at level 2.

I am playing through on my 3DS though as I just find that it’s better, I love my 3DS! I played through with a starter until I got to the first Psychic type (Ralts) and then I released the starter Pokémon (that always makes me sad) and just continued as if Ralts was the starter, I forgot how long you have to wait until you get the next Psychic type so I just had a Ralts for ages and it got very over-levelled. I did have to temporarily catch a Zigzagoon to get past Team Aqua as well because Mightyena is immune to Psychic moves, and if I get stuck fighting a dark type Pokémon, as it’s really effective against Ralts, I’m done for and I’ve actually died a couple of times to my shame! I have never found Team Aqua to be a challenge until now.

So as Dan is playing it on his phone he can play the game sped up, and at first I thought that that may let him get through a lot faster than me but then I only have one Pokémon and it’s really over-levelled, plus they introduced bits in Alpha Sapphire where once you have finished certain quests someone will say “would you like to return to Slateport with me?” and then rather than have to make your way back on foot you just warp there. We keep overtaking each other, right now he’s in the lead. I don’t know which of us has the best way to do it, I guess only time will tell but on our track record so far Dan always gets through the Elite Four while I’m still on like the 5^th gym or something in a normal playthrough. I like to take my time in my defence but maybe having less Pokémon will speed me up a bit. Also, I have a history of being terrible at Nuzlocke challenges, usually wiping out halfway through the game.

A comparison of new vs old

As it stands right now, he’s just finished the Team Aqua hideout and I am about to start it. We both have full teams of Pokémon now and I have suddenly found myself being showered with Psychic types, mainly thanks to the Safari zone and Mount Pyre which means that I have some really overpowered Pokémon and some normal level Pokémon. I don’t like it, I usually try and have them all be about the same level.

My unevenly leveled team as they are now. Can’t figure out how to do 3DS screenshots so apologies for the quality

Would you rather play on your phone using an emulator or on a DS? Have you ever done a Pokémon challenge? Do you know of any Pokémon challenges other than a type challenge or a Nuzlocke? I’m always interested to try new ones!