Day 221: Team Rocket Grunt -- Goldenrod Radio Tower

 The next day, after walking out of the Mahogany Gym...

I get a call from Prof. Elm.

“I called beacause something weird is

happening with the radio broadcasts.

They were talking about Team Rocket.

Stalin, do you know anything about it?

Maybe Team Rocket has returned.

No, that just can't be true.

Sorry to bug you. Take care!”

 ...

Better check the radio...

“three years but we've rebuilt the team

and restructured! We're proud to

announce that we're back!

Giovanni! Can you hear this?!

...We finally did it!

Where could the boss be, I wonder?

I wonder if he heard this announcement...”

 Team Rocket likes to hire men of conviction, I suppose.

Anyway, through Holmsian deduction I realize I must travel to Goldenrod to move the plot forward.

 Here's the Radio Tower again. Team Rocket's all over the place, blocking every door besides the Pokecenter and the subway. I head in. Gotta smash Team Rocket.

“I was told not to let anyone pass but

Team Rocket!

Do you understand?

You are only allow to come through

when you are wearing the cool black

uniform for Team Rocket!”

Cool black? Nah. Goth Train Conductor.

 I head back outside, into the subway.

 Here's the subway. Same as always, unless I look a bit to the north...

“We had to recruit new members for the
Radio Tower mission.

Then we ran out of uniforms.

I heard this studio has some, so I

decided to “borrow” one.

Since you are here, why don't you

change as well?”

“Oh, but you shouldn't try to scare

people walking around looking

like that, OK?”

With this art style, I'm more adorable than anything.

 :3

“uniform!

Go on ahead!”

 Right, off I g-

“Stop going around in groups and

troubling people. You cowards!”

 Guah! Suddenly Passerb!

“What are you doing here?

No way... You think you're strong now

that you look like them?

That's foolish!

You shouldn't wear those things!”

 :3

 I do a little twirl, shedding my Team Rocket outfit.

 :3

“Then battle with me!”

Raticate is suprisingly fast, going first and using Hyper Fang. Fortunately, two Vine Whips deal more damage than two Hyper Fangs, killing it.

 The next and Raticate is exactly the same. Rhianna gets too low and I'm forced to use up a Lemonade to heal her.

 Afterwards, she kills it with another Vine Whip.

“"You could spoil our plan.

I have to inform the others...”

“Huh!

A typical idea of the meek!

No matter.

I'll let you handle this.

I have to defeat the Dragon Tamer...

What's his name...? Lance!

After that... it will be your turn.

Be ready for it!”

Not sure why your priorities have changed to him, but whatever.

Day 220: Leader Pryce

The next day, in the frigid Mahogany Gym...

The trainers are out of the way, so now it's time to actually do this ice cube thing.

I begin by ramming into this block, which itself rams into a rock.

Approaching from the left, I push the block into Gerardo, presumably maiming him to some degree.

Ta da.

“I, too, have seen and suffered much in

my life.
Since I am your elder, let me show you

what I mean.

I have been training Pokemon since

before you were born.
I do not lose easily.

I, Pryce—the Winter Trainer--

shall demonstrate my power!”

Bwaha. He is the last person I'd expect to use the "bring it" gesture.

I begin with Lava Plume. It isn't very effective, since Seel is only Water-type. It does burn it, though!

I whittle it down with Quick Attacks and Cuts, nearly killing it. But then Pryce uses a Hyper Potion.

I whittle it down a third time with Quick Attack...

okay fuck this

 Thanks, Rhianna. I switch back to Diane for Pryce's next Pokemon.

Piloswine mercifully dies in one hit.

Lava Plume isn't as effective as one would like, but it's not like Dewgong is a threat to Diane. It's just going to be a... patient battle. After a few turns...

This goes on in a cycle until roughly the end of time. I can't switch to Rhianna, either, since Dewgong is dual Water/Ice type, and has only Ice-type moves like Aurora Beam and Bullshit-type moves like Rest and Sleep Talk.

At some point, this happens too.

"I'm not giving up yet."

I'll say!

Okay, I exaggerate a little bit. It does take me quite a few tries to finally get it right, but my strategy is thus: Dewgong is asleep for three turns after using Rest. Conveniently, Lava Plume does about a third of its health in damage. I time it so that I get three Lava Plumes right after another after it first goes to sleep, killing it once and for all.

Mm, luck. Yes.

“With your strong will, I know you

will overcome all life's obstacles.

You are worthy of this Badge!”

“Pryce: That Badge will raise the Special

stats of Pokemon.

It also lets your Pokemon use

Whirlpool to get across
real whirlpools.”

Nice. He also gives me TM07, Hail.

“You and your Pokemon will be together

for many years to come.

Cherish your time together!”

Yes, very poetic. Now, to force my enslaved animals to fight even more!

Day 219: Skiier Jill

 The next day, after a trip to the Pokecenter...

Jesus, Diane. You scary.

Jill's one and only Pokemon is a Dewgong. Fire Plume turns out to be far more effective than Flame Wheel, so I use it a few times. Dewgong tries to deal damage with Ice Shard, which doesn't work so well for obvious reasons.

 One last Lava Plume kills it dead.