Dammit, lost a nearly complete write up. Ah well... might be a little more disjointed this time around
IV -- Knight falls...
Decided to train up to level 22 -- trainers had begun to potion spam, and I'm sure Brawly would be no different. This allowed BOSHY to evolve into an Ariados, sending her statistics through the roof. Off to the gym...
With her new power, BOSHY led the charge against the gym leader. Brawly's first 3 pokemon (Lvl. 20 Machop and Meditite, Lvl. 22 Makuhita) were vanquished by the mighty Ariados, but not without weakening her into the red (Meditite's confusion attack was quite painful, and Makuhita and Machop provided chip damage) Several super potions as well as a full restore (Woo poison sting) were burned on Makuhita, which would prove quite fortunate.
Brawly's final ally, a level 20 Heracross, would prove a full team effort. PERIL relieved his wounded ally, landing a STUNSPORE before being forced to switch. KAZBAR landed a couple Quick Attacks, benefiting from a free switch in due to the paralysing spores. AMBER landed two headbutts, dropping the mighty Heracorss into finishing range of a blazing Fire Punch from SIRTHOMPSN. Whew... now off to Slateport!
The beach trainers at Slateport proved no match, and the next route (110) was reached without event. PIRATEKING the Natu would fill out the team, sending CHUMPMONEY back to the box (Much closer to becoming a Gyrados should disaster befall my team again, however) Xatu also has a slight stat boost, so could be handy (Attack 75 -> 85, Defense 70 -> 90, Total 470 -> 500)
The new full team would not last long, however, as halfway through 110 I was challenged once again by May. SIRTHOMPSN dispatched the Skitty without efort, before facing a new foe... a Lvl 24 Swellow. Not one to back down, the brave SIRTHOMPSN was left hacked and mangled, allowing BOSHY to cripple the Swellow before switching off (reduced to red) to AMBER to finish it. Combusken was quickly defeated with a devastating critical bone club strike.
Turns out Swellow was also boosted heavily...
HP 60 -> 85
Attack 85 -> 120
Defense 60 ->115
SP. Attack 50 -> 75
SP. Defense 50 -> 70
Speed 125 -> 135
Total 430 -> 600
Eesh. Good thing SIRTHOMPSN bought a free switch. Some luck was with me though, as route 117 delivered NICK the Taillow to my party (He was only like 2 down and specifically requested Taillow/Swellow for those that were briefly skipped). Now I will be able to harness the awful power of a Swellow!
After grinding/clearing the area and gym of trainers, I'm now left once again at the cusp of a gym battle debating whether I need more levels. This gym is electric, which means that AMBER (now a Marowak) should prove invaluable -- however, the leaders now have 6 pokemon and judging by the gym trainers, Wattson should have pokemon approx level 30. Having two flying pokemon here could cripple me... decisions, decisions.
Party
KAZBAR the Jolly Groyvle, Lvl. 30
PERIL the Naughty Parasect, Lvl. 30
BOSHY the Bold Ariados, Lvl. 30
AMBER the Jolly Marowak, Lvl. 30
PIRATEKING the Gentle Xatu, Lvl. 30
NICK the Naughty Swellow, Lvl. 30
Chillout
CHUMPMONEY the Lax Magikarp, Lvl. 17
Valhalla
NATWAFAKID the Naive Nuzleaf, Lvl. 15 (Slain by May's Torchic)
GENESIS the Gentle Surskit, Lvl. 18 (Slain by Black Belt Takao's Machop)
AYVUIR the Modest Tentacool, Lvl. 9 (Slain by a devious Diglett in Granite Cave)
SIRTHOMPSN the Relaxed Magby, Lvl. 24 (Slain by May's Swellow)
--
Blessed is the mind too small for doubt.
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