So, with Team Rocket and their stupid plan thwarted for now, it was time for the Gym. I have no recollection about the trainers whatsoever. Now originally, I assumed there would only be very few difficult battles in the run, since after Goldenrod, you have access to X-Items in spades. This was not one of those battles, that is, until I learned both Seel and Dewgong have Rest. Upon seeing that and giving it a few tentative attempts, I ended up spending some PokeCash on various items, as well as utilizing stuff from my bag. After 5 PP-Ups, 6 Rare Candies and 3 Zincs, just that was still not enough. The actual battle required item useage (Since PokeAthlon apparently only allows you to buy one of each item a day, I couldn't get the 7 PP-Ups I grinded for), including 6 X-Special Defenses (To counter Seel's Icy Wind, and stuff the later Pokemon had), 11 X-Speeds (To combat Speed drops from Icy Wind and to allow moving first in battle so Synthesis healing wouldn't be halved due to Hail and other obvious reasons), 6 X-Accuracies (PoisonPowder accurace), 6 X-Defenses (To combat physical moves of Dewgong and Piloswine) and for good measure, 6 X-Attacks and 6 X-Special Attacks. In addition to that, 7 Leppa Berries to keep PP high enough.
After all these preparations, each of these stall-wars came down to whether Dewgong/Piloswine could get a Critical hit with Aurora Beam, Blizzard or Ice Fang before going down. That took 18 attempts, each lasting between 20 to 30 minutes, and even then, Meanie was able to get a double KO by falling to an Ice Fang while Piloswine fell to the Poison.
I'm honestly astounded how ridiculous preparations were needed for that. But that's why I like Scramble Challenges. You may look at all the numerous challenges, possibly be horrified at some of them, but generally feel like "I know what I'm doing. This'll be easy" and then get proven oh so wrong. That's also a reason why I would never turn down a challenge because of it's difficulty, or lack of difficulty.
Nevertheless, Glacier Badge GET. "That was a hot battle that spanned generations" Got that right, Gym Assistant Guy or whatever you are. So... what's next? Well, Shadow has more than enough points to not have to handle Jasmine.... so time to go pick up a fight at Olivine. Aquaphobia laughs at the face of Steelix. Well, I guess Rustix is more correct. Woo, Mineral Badge. Woo, Iron Tail. Woo, Prof. Elm calling. Woo, he still thinks it's impossible that Team Rocket is back. Woo, time to raid the... wait more Team Rocket. Boo.
At Goldenrod, we can't go to the Tower since "nope need uniform", so we conveniently get one. Criminals can't use a bike btw. Access to Goldenrod Radio Tower got. Then Hugh comes full of rage and and takes off my clothes (hey HEY o_ô), then leaves to go find Lance and attempt to beat him but fail. Well this is just great... my outfit is gone. And I looked so cute in it too. :(
After a far too long climb we get the Director to stop Rocket, but nope, it was Petrel all along. He's still a complete pushover... is what I wanted to say, but I actually had to fall back on Aquaphobia, who has really became my ace at this point. Unlike last time when his Murkrow betrayed him, now he does it himself, so it's time for some rage-fueled action with Hugh. Well, he goes down with relative ease, and then realizes love is what he and his team lack, so he leaves to beat some love into them. More Grunts, and we can finally access the last part of this way too long side-quest.
One last minion later, it's time for Proton. "You're doing all this because you ant to make me angry". No. I'm doing this because I can't progress. Also, because this plan is stupid. Also I want to listen to Radio. Cotton blows him away without any issue.
Next up, Ariana. "You're really alone, All alone, this'll be easy". Yeah, I agree. No Lance slowing me down. Aquaphobia took down her Arbok, Fly her Vileplume and Cotton the traitorous Murkrow. Which... if it's traitorous, shouldn't it not be on the team? So Ariana actually planned the "Murkrow slips passwords and copies voices" thing, just so Team Rocket could be taken down?
Well, I guess that's that. All 3 Executives taken down, so I can finally go on with my journey? Might as well visit the Observation Deck to see the views though, even though flying does that better anyways. Oh what a shock, there's one more to go. Archer spouts some generic stuff about plans and whatnot, ignoring. Fly loses to his Houndour due to flinchax, Aquaphobia slaughters that thing, he sends Houndoom out like an idiot, it's the first thing to take a Surf with a weakness and not fall... but oh well that's not exactly a saving grace here, and Koffing is, well, Koffing.
He disbands Team Rocket and dissolves into air, we're finally done. Well, with a brand new Team Rocket uniform in my collection, we're another step closer to becoming the true Pokemon Champion.