The eight of us are registered.
Colress: I’m entry number 1!
Cheren: I’m entry number 2!
Elesa: I’m entry number 3!
Clay: I’m entry number 4!
Hugh: I’m entry number 5!
Burgh: I’m entry number 6!
Roxie: I’m entry number 7!
Me: And I’m entry number 8!
Announcer: Welcome to Driftveil Tournament, where anything goes! The eight entries are shuffled randomly to determine who faces whom in the first round! And they have been drawn! Entry 1, Colress, will face entry 7, Roxie!
Colress: I’m going to wipe the floor with you, Roxie!
Roxie: You wish, Colress…
Announcer: Entry 6, Burgh, will face entry 4, Clay!
Clay: Let’s see what you’re up to, Burgh!
Burgh: Bring it on, Clay!
Announcer: Entry 3, Elesa, will face entry 2, Cheren!
Cheren: I look forward to taking you down, Elesa!
Elesa: Not so fast, Cheren!
Announcer: And entry 5, Hugh, will face entry 8, Pika!
Hugh: Pika, I expected that we face each other sometime in this tournament. Little did I expect that that time was now!
Me: Not a problem, Hugh!
Announcer: Good luck with your matches!
Hugh and I are watching the other three matches on the big screen in the waiting room, one at a time. Colress had an easy advantage against Roxie and pulled an easy win. Burgh vs. Clay was a seesaw match, with Burgh pulling the win. Finally, Cheren had an amazing comeback against Elesa. Now it’s our turn to fight. Hugh leads with Servine, while I lead with Charming. Charming survives Leaf Blade and Mega Drain, only to 2HKO it with Return. Next up is Tranquill. I nail it with Aqua Tail and Strength from Charming. Finally, Simisear; it gets off a Flame Burst on Charming before falling to an Aqua Tail.
Announcer: Round one in full summary. Colress vs. Roxie: Colress was never in any danger. It was an extremely easy victory! Burgh vs. Clay: The two were neck and neck. The one who pulled ahead was Burgh! Elesa vs. Cheren: Elesa persisted. But Cheren came back and won! Hugh vs. Pika: That was a lopsided battle. The winner is Pika! Now the entries are shuffled to see who faces whom in round two. And they’ve been drawn! Entry 1, Colress, will face entry 6, Burgh!
Colress: You’re going down, Burgh!
Burgh: Are you certain about that, Colress?
Announcer: And entry 2, Cheren, will face entry 8, Pika!
Cheren: I’m as thrilled as I can be to battle here against you, the first challenger I battled as a Gym Leader. I’m sure you’ve learned something about Pokémon during your journey. Now, I’m going to see if your bond with your Pokémon has grown stronger, Pika!
Me: You’re on, Cheren!
Announcer: Good luck with your matches!
Cheren and I are watching the battle between Burgh and Colress on the big screen in the waiting room. Obviously, Colress had an easy advantage against Burgh and pulled an easy win. Now it’s our turn to fight. Cheren leads with Stoutland, while I lead with Charming. A Worked-Up Tackle does little to Charming while Aqua Tail-Return takes out Stoutland. Next up is Watchog, which gets annihilated by Aqua Tail. He’s down to Cinccino. Sing proves annoying, but misses as Charming lands the critical Aqua Tail to OHKO Cinccino.
Announcer: Round two in full summary. Colress vs. Burgh: Burgh didn’t stand much of a chance. Colress turned the advantage into a win! Cheren vs. Pika: That was a lopsided battle. The winner is Pika! Therefore entry 1, Colress, will face entry 8, Pika, in the final round!
Colress: As a researcher, it is the truth and the ideal way things should be that I seek. The latent power of Pokémon… What’s the best way to bring it out? If possible, Pika, I want it to be the trust between trainers and Pokémon, just as it has always been. I look forward to you teaching me that this is indeed true!
Me: I sure will, Colress!
Colress leads with Magneton, while I lead with Charming. Aqua Tail refuses to OHKO the Magneton, and I get Thunder Waved. A critical Thunder Shock brings Charming to yellow before Return finishes it off. Next up, Klink, which gets demolished by Aqua Tail, leaving him with just Elgyem; I have to switch to Lays while Elgyem goes for the Heal Block. I land a critical Ominous Wind, and Elgyem goes down.
Announcer: Final round in summary. Colress vs. Pika: Pika wasn’t in any danger. It was an easy victory! Let’s hear it for the champion, Pika! This concludes the Driftveil Tournament! See you next time!
Everyone reemerges back in the lobby and congratulates me, and I receive 1 Battle Point from registration.
Clay: An outstanding battle, runts! Now everybody wants to join in on these tournaments and show their stuff!
Roxie: Haven’t you got any more wild and crazy battles to show me? Next time I enter, I’ll rock the audience right out of their seats!
Clay: If the strongest trainers from all over join in, it’ll raise their skill level! And then, Driftveil will grow even more and make a heap of money! So keep on busting those battles and riling everyone up!
After Clay leaves, Colress, Cheren, and Hugh follow me out.
Cheren: I barely recognized you and Pika. You are way different from when we battled in Aspertia City! Traveling with Pokémon makes everyone grow so much…
Hugh: What was that now?! I’m going after him! Come with me!
Colress: Stop! There’s no reason for you to stick your necks into something so dangerous!
Hugh: My little sister’s Purrloin might be with them!
Cheren: I’m going, too! I’ve got his back!
Colress: I don’t understand. That’s not courage; it’s recklessness! Does he think anything is possible simply because he has Pokémon with him? No, no…that’s not possible. All trainers and Pokémon are bound to one another by Poké Balls…Then maybe it’s this bond that allows trainers to overcome the impossible if they trust the partner Pokémon. Trust…is too much of an unknown factor. But if believing in your Pokémon gives you the courage to stand up to Team Plasma and to help your friends, then follow them south to the dock.
While on the dock, I find a stray PP Up that I’ll use later on, before I board the Plasma Frigate, where I find Hugh and Cheren.
Hugh: This ship… Why is it so cold?
Cheren: And…it seems like it’s disguised as an old sailboat… But that can’t be it, right?
Grunt 1: Why should you care? By the time we’re done with you, it won’t matter anyway!
Hugh: You guys… Seriously, this is Team Plasma’s base?
Grunt 2: Correct answer! So that’s why, as you can see…there are so many of us here!
Hugh: Is this all? I think you need more backup.
Grunt 1: Ha-ha-ha! Ooh, I’m so scared, big tough guy! OK! Pulverize these punks! PLASMAAAAAAA!
Hugh: Hey, just to let you know… I’m about to unleash my rage!
Grunt 1: You’re first!
Grunt 1 throws a Koffing Yaiba’s way. She takes a Gyro Ball on her Focus Energy turn, only to deliver the 2HKO with Razor Shell after the Defense down, taking a Sludge attack in the process.
Grunt 1: Next! Next! Hurry up already!
Grunt 2: It’s my turn! Actually, it’s Trubbish time!
Trubbish goes for Take Down on Yaiba’s Focus Energy turn, only to get 2HKO’d by Razor Shell, the Defense down canceling a Stockpile.
Grunt 2: What’s with this trainer? This reminds me of that trainer who messed with us two years ago…
I have to back up both Hugh and Cheren now. I choose Cheren first. We lead with Yaiba and Stoutland, respectively, against Golbat and Grimer. On Yaiba’s Focus Energy turn, Stoutland’s Thunder Fang on Golbat is almost a OHKO, allowing Golbat to use Air Cutter for a bit on each of us while Grimer connects Sludge on Stoutland, who gets poisoned. Another Thunder Fang, Golbat is out. Yaiba’s Razor Shell brings Grimer to half, but Grimer Minimizes in the process. Liepard comes in to Fake-Out Stoutland but takes a Razor Shell that almost OHKOs it while Grimer goes for Sludge Bomb on Yaiba. Stoutland’s Crunch finishes off Liepard, but Razor Shell misses Grimer, allowing it to use Sludge Bomb on Yaiba and poison her. Strength finishes off Grimer, allowing Yaiba to accept a Full Restore as Krokorok comes in, but Stoutland’s Strength easily OHKOs it. Now I back up Hugh. We lead with Yaiba and Servine, respectively, against Grimer and Koffing. On the Focus Energy turn, Servine Slams Koffing for about a third, while Koffing goes for Sludge on Servine and poisons to bring it to half while Grimer goes for Sludge Bomb on Yaiba. Next, Koffing brings Servine down to red with Sludge while Grimer takes a Leech Seed from Servine and throws another Sludge Bomb at Yaiba after Razor Shell misses. Servine nails Koffing with a critical Overgrown Leaf Blade while Yaiba finishes off Grimer with a critical Razor Shell. To replace them: Raticate and Watchog. Raticate Sucker-Punches Yaiba before Servine nails Raticate with another critical Overgrown Leaf Blade while Yaiba’s Razor Shell takes Watchog to about half. Simisear comes in to replace the Servine that fainted from poison and Flame Bursts to finish off Watchog.
Hugh: That’s the last of them! Well now…why don’t you tell me everything you know about Purrloin?
Cheren: Good idea… There are a lot of things I want to ask about as well.
Zinzolin: Hey!
Cheren: Oh, good grief… You’re the person who was shivering in the Cold Storage, right? Wasn’t your name Zinzolin? You’re going to have to tell me what you’re planning to do with this ship.
Zinzolin: YOU! Once again we will use the legendary Dragon-type Pokémon and we will rule Unova! Curious trainers, we shall not let you run around as you please! Shadow Triad! Get them out of here!
Shadow: By the way, we are not your—
Zinzolin: I know! But kick them out of here now!
Shadow: Move.
The Shadow Triad escorts us off the frigate before it sails away.
Hugh: The Shadow Triad? What’s their deal, anyway? AAAAAAH! Team Plasma! Where did you vanish?
Cheren: The Shadow Triad… With their superhuman powers they can immobilize people and disappear! But I’m more concerned with what Zinzolin said… “Once again we will use the legendary Dragon-type Pokémon and we will rule Unova!” What could this mean? The legendary Dragon Pokémon, Reshiram and Zekrom, aren’t in Unova anymore…Pika. There’s something I want to look into, so I’m going to head to Route 6! Be careful out there!
I heed Cheren’s advice and head west for Route 6. I happen to fight several trainers here, beginning with Pokémon Breeder April. Lays’ Water attacks 2HKO Minccino, while Yaiba’s Focus Energy-Revenge combination takes out Deerling. I now get a call from Curtis.
Curtis: Hello! Is this Pika? Guess what? Cool Pokémon are quite popular among many of my friends!
Me: They’re my favorites as well!
Curtis: Cool Pokémon happen to be your favorite, too? That’s great! Oops! My colleague is calling me. I have to get back to work!
I now face Parasol Lady Nicole’s Castform; Lays easily lives the trio of Water Gun, Ember, and Powder Snow, while Lays’ Water moves easily take it out. I now run into Foongus, eight-inch Pokémon that disguise themselves as Poké Balls that attack. Lays’ Ominous Wind easily disposes of these guys. I grab an Elixir, but then get caught by Schoolgirl Mara. Yaiba takes a Faint Attack from Deerling during her Focus Energy turn, only to nail it with Revenge after the Take Down and Razor Shell the oncoming Shelmet—except Curse prevents the 2HKO, but not the 3HKO. I meet up with Cheren, as he told me to.
Cheren: Oh, Pika. Can you come with me for a moment? No one really talks about it, but the record shows that there was a sudden drop in temperature near Lacunosa Town. It was only for a moment but went down as low as -58°F. Not only that, similar temperatures were recorded around Castelia City and Driftveil City. On top of that, that incident with Team Plasma! I think this needs an investigation before things go bad. I hate cold weather, though. I’ll give you this… It’s HM3: Surf. Please go to different places and check what’s going on. Let one of your Pokémon learn Surf, and you can travel across the water. Sorry to have slowed you down. Some strange things may be happening, so be careful on your journey!
Man: You can see Deerling from all four seasons in our lab! When it comes to Deerling, we’re sort of the experts. We found a rather rare Deerling. Will you raise it for us? What do you say?
I accept Deerling, but as it isn’t a team member it doesn’t deserve a nickname but does deserve to get boxed in a PC. Speaking of which, I analyze my team to see who can learn Surf. I’m considering Yaiba, since she earned that move after Elesa, but I cannot replace Cut yet, and Focus Energy is a mainstay until Swords Dance. I’m considering Charming, but Charm is a permanent mainstay and I don’t want to replace any physical attack for it. That leaves Lays, but which move to replace, Bubble Beam or Water Pulse? I replace Bubble Beam for Surf in case I get lucky with confusion from Water Pulse. Plus I need Surf to reach the other team members anyway. Upon surfing Route 6, I find a PP Up, a Big Mushroom, and a Heart Scale. That reminds me: I need to surf more areas. In particular, I find TM53: Energy Ball near my home in Aspertia City! Hmm, that might be useful, I think!? I return to the Virbank waters where I caught Lays. Alomomola now show up! I meet one and snag it in the Quick Ball I have left. I notice its starting level is 6, compared to everyone else at level 5. Because the number 666 is considered evil according to my Bible, I decide to name this Alomomola Evil. I call Scotty on the Xtransceiver because I may need a Master Ball to snag my next team member. I meet up with Scotty in the Union Room, and he gives me that spare Master Ball. I now surf Route 19 and find a Water Stone that I’ll need later, meeting Basculin along the way. Its catch rate is so low I had to use that Master Ball just to catch it. It deserves the nickname Piranha. I grind Evil and Piranha to keep up with the rest of the team. Piranha learns moves like Bite, Aqua Jet, Chip Away, Crunch, and Aqua Tail. Evil learns moves like Aqua Ring, Aqua Jet, and Protect. Lays learns Brine. I find Leftovers, TM41: Torment, TM39: Rock Tomb, and Soft Sand. I catch N’s old Darmanitan and become leader of the pack in Castelia City in the process. I head back to Route 6, where I meet a legendary Pokémon, Cobalion. Rood and an elderly man show up.
Rood: That Pokémon…?
Elderly man: Cobalion! I told you the story the other day, right?
Rood: Oh, Cobalion! What a noble presence!
Elderly man: They say the three Pokémon Cobalion, Virizion, and Terrakion fought against people to protect Pokémon from the war people started… When people fight, there’s no peace for Pokémon either. The legends learned that the deeds of humans could lead to dire consequences for their world. But…why’d it show up in front of people? Is it patrolling Unova to protect Pokémon because it fears for their safety after the commotion caused by Team Plasma two years ago? Or does it sense a new problem…?
Rood: Unforgivable! So the reach of Ghetsis’ ambition and malice is growing ever wider and warping the lives of all it touches… Did it appear to you by accident, or to plead with you to solve a problem? Unlike N, I don’t have the ability to understand Pokémon’s minds. Therefore I don’t know what Cobalion is thinking. But if you can befriend Cobalion, it’ll be a great asset to you on your journey.
Unfortunately, as I recall in the legend, Cobalion isn’t Water-type, and neither are Terrakion and Virizion. Therefore none of them are team members. I keep this in mind as I enter Chargestone Cave.
End of Chapter 6
Yaiba's Summary: She hasn't changed much since getting the next two team members. Still LVP, but very close.
Charming's Summary: He hasn't changed much since the new additions either.
Lays' Summary: On the other hand, he's changed since the addition of Surf and Brine. MVP.
Evil's Summary: One of the new additions.
Piranha's Summary: The other new team member.