Pokemon - To Catch Them All - Liza and Tate and Water Exploration

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#51 of Pokemon - To Catch Them All

Leo challenges Liza and Tate for the Mind Badge and then does some exploration of the sea of Hoenn


The sun had barely risen, as I slept in the Pokemon Centre, in Mossdeep City. Rotom had already set an alarm for me, but it had been such a very long time since I'd slept in such a comfy bed that I decided a few extra hours couldn't hurt. Turns out I'd forgotten just how determined my Pokemon could be to ensure that I woke up and challenged the gym as soon as possible. A few Pokeballs burst open, slightly, waking me up but I managed to ignore the sound and return to sleep. It didn't last long, when Sceptile grabbed the covers and removed them. Meanwhile Blaziken opened the curtain allowing the sunlight to shine through. That was more than enough to forcefully awaken me. I grumbled a good morning to the two Pokemon and they happily returned the greeting.

I completed my morning routine before heading to the lobby of the Pokemon Centre. My Pokemon were already fully healed in preparation for a good battle against Liza and Tate and I had finally decided on what Pokemon would battle against Liza and Tate. My first choice was Sceptile, his agility was unparalleled and would be a good choice battling against Rock Type Pokemon. The second Pokemon I chose was Absol, having a Pokemon immune to Psychic attacks would come in handy that was something I was absolutely certain off. "Come out Sceptile and Absol!" The two Pokemon appeared appearing focused and determined. "I've decided to choose you two to battle against the gym leaders. It will be a double battle, so I'm sure you both can work well together right?" Sceptile turned to face Absol before they both nodded their heads in agreement at me and each other. At that I hugged both of them wishing them the best of luck in their battle. Sceptile blushed lightly before turning his head away while Absol followed suit.

At that I returned them and exited the Pokemon Centre before heading to the Mossdeep Pokemon Gym. I entered the gym and was met immediately by two young trainers who looked like they were related. I completely forgot that the gym leaders, Liza and Tate were actually twins. They were accompanied by a older women, who also seemed to look as though she was somehow related to the two gym leaders, perhaps she was their mother? "Welcome to the Mossdeep Gym young man. Are you a gym challenger?" The women asked me and I nodded, "yes my name is Leo and I'm from Viridian City in the Kanto Region. I'm here to get my seventh gym badge." The women smiled, "good, my name is Rachel, I'm the referee here and the two trainers you see here are Liza and Tate the gym leaders." At that Liza and Tate waved happily before they prepared themselves for their gym match.

"Incidentally things in this match will be different here than your other matches you've had thus far against previous gym leaders Leo. Firstly the match is not only the battlefield itself but also the planets floating above you. Now as you might have already guessed, this will be a double battle, Liza and Tate will use Lunatone and Solrock. Meanwhile, you Leo, will need to choose two Pokemon to battle with. Not too forget there will be no substitutions in this battle. The battle will be decided when one sides Pokemon are both unable to continue battling. As such trainers please send out your Pokemon!"

At that I started off, "Come on out Sceptile and Absol!" Sceptile and Absol landed on the battlefield as they awaited Liza and Tate's Pokemon of choice. "I choose you Solrock!" Tate chose Solrock meanwhile Liza sent out her Lunatone. "Now then battle begin!" Rachel commanded and both Liza and Tate made their moves. "Solrock, use Solar Beam!" Solrock began charging up a ball of light ready to unleash. "Lunatone attack using Ice Beam!" Both were powerful moves but against my Pokemon they'd never hit. "Sceptile and Absol dodge them both!" Sceptile showed incredible speed dodging the Ice Beam without breaking a sweat. Meanwhile Absol jumped and danced around Solar Beam.

"Now it's out turn, Sceptile use the planets above us and use Leaf Blade on Solrock!" Sceptile leapt into the air bouncing on each planets as if he was living in the forest. Sceptile prepared a Leaf Blade but Liza wasn't allowing her little brother to lose yet. "Lunatone protect Solrock using Light Screen!" Lunatone placed itself in front of Sceptile creating a wonderous wall of light. Sceptile wasn't fazed and attacked both Lunatone and Solrock with a powerful Leaf Blade and since Light Screen mainly stopped special attacks, Leaf Blade was unaffected. "Absol help Sceptile by using Night Slash!" Absol jumped as high as he could reaching Lunatone who was busy keeping an eye on Sceptile.

"No you don't Lunatone use Ice Beam on Absol!" Lunatone backed up from Sceptile dodging Leaf Blade before unleashing Ice Beam against Absol. "Sceptile protect Absol use Energy Ball!" Sceptile launched Energy Ball directly at Ice Beam causing a smokescreen to block everyone's view. From the smoke Absol smirked as he leapt forward landing a super effective Night Slash against Lunatone. "Lunatone are you alright?" Liza asked concerned but Lunatone seemed to be struggling from the two super effective attacks. "Don't forget about Solrock, use Sandstorm and stop Sceptile!" Solrock spun around creating a Sandstorm that covered the entire field. "Sceptile retreat and join Absol." At that the two Pokemon abandoned their attacks and retreated together. Standing back to back they prepared themselves for any incoming attacks.

"Lunatone Ice Beam again!" From the left came a Ice Beam and from the right, "Solrock now use Solar Beam!" Even though the Sandstrom would slow down the time it took to launch a Solar Beam the attack was still problematic. "Absol use Night Slash to block that Ice Beam. Sceptile jump and use Leaf Blade where Ice Beam just came from." Absol and Sceptile effectively dodged the Solar Beam and Absol countered the Ice Beam with his Night Slash barely holding the attack back. However, that meant Lunatone couldn't strike at Sceptile and was struck down with Leaf Blade a super effective hit. "Lunatone is unable to continue battling." Rachel announced as Liza returned her Lunatone. "It's all up to you little brother. Show them how strong we are."

At that Tate nodded, "Solrock use Psychic and stop Sceptile!" Solrock took control of Sceptile who didn't seem to concerned of his movements being limited. "Absol now it's your turn Night Slash at full power." Solrock released Sceptile and turned to face Absol attempting to use Psychic before it and Tate remembered that Dark Types were immune to Psychic attacks. That momentary mistake was costly as Absol's Night Slash scored a direct hit knocking Solrock out as well. "Solrock is also unable to continue battling and that means the winner of the battle is Leo." At that I thanked Sceptile and Absol for working so well together. They nodded their thanks to one another before following their trainer as he approached Liza and Tate.

"Wow, we didn't stand a chance against your combinations!" Liza said as she observed Sceptile and Absol as they watched the conversation with interest. "As such we award you with your gym badge proof you defeated us. This here is the Mind Badge." At that Liza and Tate handed me the badge and I placed it in my badge case before thanking both Sceptile and Absol for their excellent performance and teamworking skills. Both Sceptile and Absol simply nodded in agreement and I left to heal them both up before continuing on my journey to catch the remainder of Hoenn Pokemon and getting my last gym badge from Sootopolis City.

After the Pokemon were fully healed I decided to head West back onto Route 124 and further head South to Route 125. "Come out Swampert!" Swampert appeared and immediately knew what he had to do. Swampert allowed me to leap onto his back as he began swimming his way down to Route 125. My first opponent was a Triathlete who sent out a Azumarill and I sent out my Tropius having him use Leaf Tornado defeating Azumarill. The next opponent was a Swimmer who sent out a Gyarados and I sent out my Milotic having him use Ice Beam defeating Gyarados after a hard thought battle of attrition. Next a Swimmer challenged me with a Wailmer and I sent out my Ludicolo having him use Energy Ball defeating Wailmer. The second Pokemon sent out was a Staryu and Ludicolo won with a second Energy Ball. The final Pokemon sent out was a Golduck and I substituted for my Swellow having him use Aerial Ace defeating Golduck.

Next an Ace Trainer sent out a Crobat and I sent out my Froslass having her use Ice Beam defeating Crobat. Next was an Ace Trainer who sent out a Vibrava and I sent out my Glalie having him use Ice Beam defeating Vibrava. The second Pokemon sent out was a Rhydon and I substituted for my Sealeo having him use Aurora Beam defeating Rhydon. Next was a Swimmer who sent out a Ludicolo and I sent out my Masquerain having him use Bug Buzz defeating Ludicolo. That was all the trainers battled on Route 125 so I returned to Mossdeep healed my Pokemon and headed South to Route 127 to continue getting stronger. Swampert still desired to swim me across the ocean so I allowed him until he wanted to stop.

On Route 127, there were several small islands stretching across the route, surrounded by water everywhere. On the first small island a Bird Keeper challenged me with a Dodrio and I sent out my Manectric having him use Thunderbolt defeating Dodrio. The second Pokemon sent out was a Xatu and I substituted for my Mightyena having him use Crunch defeating Xatu. Next I was challenged by a Fishermen who sent out a Luvdisc and I sent out my Shiftry having him use Leaf Blade defeating Luvdisc. The next Pokemon sent out was a Relicanth a Pokemon I had yet to come across. I substituted for my Blaziken having him use Sky Uppercut defeating Relicanth. The next Fishermen sent out a Wailmer and I sent out my Plusle having him use Spark defeating Wailmer. The second Pokemon sent out was a Sharpedo and I substituted for my Breloom having him use Force Palm defeating Sharpedo.

The next Fishermen sent out a Tentacruel and I sent out my Chimecho having him use Extrasensory defeating Tentacruel. Back on the water I was challenged by an Ace Trainer who sent out a Snorunt and I sent out my Sharpedo having him use Crunch defeating Snorunt. The second Pokemon sent out was a Masquerain and I substituted for my Ninjask having him use Aerial Ace defeating Masquerain. The final Pokemon sent out was a Dusclops and I substituted for my Shedinja having him use Shadow Ball defeating Dusclops before Dusclops could finish off Shedinja with a single attack. Next was an Ace Trainer who sent out a Pinsir and I sent out my Dustox having him use Aerial Ace defeating Pinsir.

Next was a Triathlete who sent out a Tentacruel and I sent out my Whiscash having him use Mud Bomb defeating Tentacruel. On a small secluded island a Black Belt challenged me sending out a Machoke and I sent out my Grumpig having him use Psychic defeating Machoke. The second Pokemon sent out was a Hariyama and I substituted for my Medicham having him use Psychic defeating Hariyama too. Continuing South I arrived at Route 129 and continued exploring the area, the first trainer that challenged me was a Ace Trainer and they sent out a Golem. I sent out my Pelipper having him use Hydro Pump defeating Golem. The second Pokemon sent out was a Raichu and I sent out my Flygon having him use Dragon Breath defeating Raichu.

Next was a Fishermen who sent out a Wailmer and I sent out my Cacturne having him use Needle Arm defeating Wailmer. The second Pokemon sent out was a Seadra and I substituted for my Cradily having him use Energy Ball defeating Seadra. Next was a Tuber who sent out a Luvdisc and I sent out my Milotic having him use Dragon Pulse defeating Luvdisc. A second Tuber also sent out a Luvdisc and I sent out my Banette having him use Shadow Ball defeating Luvdisc. Before continuing on Route 128 I headed West towards Ever Grande City but I wasn't planning on exploring nor battling any Pokemon. My main aim was searching for a new Pokemon.

Thankfully Swampert had been searching for new Pokemon while I had been searching too. As we swam closer we noticed it was a Luvdisc a heart shaped Pokemon and a common belief is that when a couple sees this Pokemon they will live a happy life together. "Come out Castform!" Castform appeared curious as to what it needed to do. "Castform can you use Weather Ball on that Luvdisc?" Castform eagerly nodded firing a surprisingly powerful Weather Ball which did good damage to Luvdisc. "Pokeball go!" I threw a Pokeball and watched as it shook, once, twice, three times before the capture was confirmed. "Luvdisc as been registered to your Pokedex. Luvdisc the Rendezvous Pokemon a Water Type. It lives in warm seas. It is said that couples who find this Pokemon will be blessed with eternal love."

That's probably why so many couples dreamed off one day encountering a Luvdisc while they were together, if they found one they believed they were destined to be together for all eternity. Now that was done I healed up Luvdisc and returned back to Route 128 and recommenced my journey. I then headed South and arrived at Route 129 and was immediately challenged by a Fishermen who sent out a Lanturn and I sent out my Roserade having him use Energy Ball defeating Lanturn. Next was a second Fishermen who sent out a Sharpedo and I sent out my Hariyama having him use Brick Break defeating Sharpedo. The second Pokemon sent out was a Whiscash and I substituted for my Sceptile having him use Leaf Blade defeating Whiscash.

Back on the ocean an Ace Trainer sent out a Torkoal and I sent out my new Luvdisc who already proved to be decently powerful defeating Torkoal with Water Pulse. The next Pokemon sent out was a Medicham and I substituted for my Sableye having him use Shadow Ball defeating Medicham. Next was a Swimmer who sent out a Pelipper and I sent out my Swellow having him use Aerial Ace defeating Pelipper. The second Pokemon sent out was a Seadra and I substituted for my Wailord having him use Body Slam defeating Seadra. Next was a Swimmer who sent out a Luvdisc and I sent out my Tropius having him use Leaf Tornado defeating Luvdisc. The next Pokemon sent out was a Azumarill and I substituted for my Ludicolo who used Energy Ball defeating Azumarill. The final Pokemon sent out was a Corsola and I substituted back for Tropius having him use a second Leaf Tornado defeating Corsola as well.

Continuing West I reached the next Route 130 and continued challenging the trainers I met continually getting stronger. My first opponent was a Triathlete who sent out a Golduck and I sent out my Altaria having him use Dragon Pulse defeating Golduck. The second Pokemon sent out was a Tentacruel and I substituted for my Gardevoir having him use Psychic while levitating above the water. Next was a Swimmer who sent out a Golduck and I sent out my Beautifly having him use Giga Drain defeating Golduck. The second Pokemon sent out was a Seaking and I substituted for my Milotic having him use Dragon Pulse defeating Seaking. Next was a Swimmer who sent out a Crawdaunt and I sent out my Ludicolo having him use Energy Ball defeating Crawdaunt.

Continuing on I reached Route 131 and was challenged by a Swimmer who sent out a Clamperl. I sent out Crawdaunt who used Night Slash defeating Clamperl. Next was a Swimmer who sent out a Seadra and I sent out my Ninjask who used Aerial Ace defeating Seadra. The second Pokemon sent out was a Gyarados and I substituted for my Lunatone having it use Rock Slide defeating Gyarados. The next opponent was a Swimmer who sent out a Starmie and I sent out my Beautifly who used Bug Buzz defeating Starmie. Next a double battle with a brother and sister who used a Sealeo and Azumarill respectively. Against the Sealeo I sent out my Ludicolo and against the Azumarill I sent out my Shedinja. Shedinja was pretty much immune to all of Azumarill's attacks so repeatedly used Shadow Ball defeating Azumarill. Meanwhile Ludicolo used a single Energy Ball to defeat Sealeo.

The final opponent on Route 129 was a Swimmer who sent out a Wailmer and I sent out my Milotic having him use Dragon Pulse defeating Wailmer. Now that was done I continued heading West and eventually reached Pacifidlog Town a town that was like none another. I returned Swampert thanking him immensely for the long and arduous journey but Swampert was more than happy to ferry me across the ocean. Still he had gotten stronger thanks to the swimming and that was what he wanted. For the rest of the journey I would give him a break and swim on another Pokemon if they wanted. I headed into the Pokemon Centre and healed my Pokemon in preparation for my exploring and battling in order to get stronger.

I exited the Pokemon Centre and decided on my next Pokemon to ferry me across the ocean. "Come out Milotic!" Milotic appeared swimming elegantly in the water. "Milotic, if it's not too much trouble could you ferry me across the water?" Milotic smiled before using his tail to wrap around me and lift me onto his head, surprisingly much like Gyarados used to do as well. At that Milotic began swimming to Route 132 and I had heard from some people in Pacifidlog Town that Route 132 had some incredibly strong currents meaning most Water Pokemon had some trouble countering the current. Therefore, it was almost always a one way trip with was fine with me. At that Milotic began swimming following the currents before we arrived at one island.

On the island a Black Belt challenged me with a Machamp and I sent out my Gallade who used Psycho Cut defeating Machamp. Milotic was strong enough to actually swim through the currents though we only did it sparingly out of his and my safety. Next I was challenged by a Swimmer who sent out a Luvdisc and I sent out Tropius having him use Leaf Tornado defeating Luvdisc. The second Pokemon sent out was a Pelipper and I substituted for my Solrock having him use Rock Slide which defeated Pelipper. Next was a Fishermen who had three different Gyarados and I had Grumpig defeat them all using Psychic. Finally a second Fishermen challenged me with a Tentacruel and I sent out my Gardevoir having him use Psychic defeating Tentacruel. The second Pokemon sent out was a Sharpedo and I sent out my Breloom having him use Force Palm defeating Sharpedo.

After being sure that all the trainers had been defeated Milotic allowed himself to be forced along directly to Route 133 where even more rapid currents awaited us. Once more the currents drifted us towards a small island where a Bird Keeper challenged me with a Skarmory and I sent out my Camerupt having him use Flamethrower defeating Skarmory. The next opponent was a Ace Trainer who sent out a Lairon and I sent out my Blaziken having him use Sky Uppercut defeating Lairon. The second Pokemon sent out was a Alakazam and I substituted for my Slaking having him use Headbutt defeating Alakazam. The final Pokemon sent out was a Manectric and I substituted for my Flygon having him use Bulldoze defeating Manectric. Next was a Backpacker who sent out a Girafarig and I sent out my Exploud having him use Crunch defeating Girafarig.

The other trainers were a challenge to reach but thanks to Milotic's determination and strength we reached them and our reward was battling a Swimmer who sent out a Corsola and I sent out my Tropius having him use Leaf Tornado defeating Corsola. The next opponent was a Swimmer who sent out a Whiscash and I sent out my Swampert having him use Hammer Arm defeating Whiscash. The second Pokemon sent out was a Seadra and I sent out my Altaria who used Dragon Pulse defeating Seadra. Next was a Swimmer who sent out a Pelipper and I sent out my Swellow who used Aerial Ace defeating Pelipper. The second Pokemon sent out was a Seaking and I substituted for my Flygon who used Dragon Breath defeating Seaking. The final opponent was a Fishermen who sent out a Seadra and I sent out my Shiftry having him use Leaf Blade defeating Seadra.

Finally we reached Route 134 thanks to the strong currents forcing us along. On the small island I was challenged by a Black Belt who sent out a Machoke and I sent out my Mawile having him use Play Rough which defeated Machoke. The second Pokemon sent out was a Heracross and I substituted for my Torkoal having him use Flamethrower defeating Heracross. Next a Dragon Tamer challenged me sending out a Shelgon and I sent out my Gardevoir having him use Moon Blast defeating Shelgon. The second Pokemon sent out was a Kingdra which Gardevoir used Moon Blast on once again. Next a Swimmer sent out a Staryu and I sent out my Swellow having him use Aerial Ace defeating Staryu. The second Pokemon sent out was a Sharpedo and I substituted for my Swampert having him use Hammer Arm defeating Sharpedo.

Next was a Swimmer who sent out three Luvdisc and I sent out my Ludicolo who repeatedly used Energy Ball defeated the three Luvdisc. Next was a Bird Keeper who sent out a Swellow and I sent out my Sealeo having him use Aurora Beam defeating Swellow. The second Pokemon sent out was a Altaria and a second Aurora Beam also defeated Altaria. Thanks to Sealeo's recent battles and victories, he had begun evolving once more reaching his final form. "Walrein has been registered to your Pokedex. Walrein the Ice Break Pokemon a Ice and Water Type. It shatters ice with its big tusks. Its thick blubber repels not only the cold but also enemy attacks." I happily congratulated Walrein on evolving and he happily rubbed his cold nose into my face thanking me by nuzzling me repeatedly. I hoped we could keep growing stronger together.

Next was an Ace Trainer who sent out a Lairon and I sent out my Aggron having him use Bulldoze defeating his pre evolved form. The second Pokemon sent out was a Tropius and I substituted for my Glalie having him use Ice Beam defeating Tropius. After all the exploration was completed I began exploring the oceans around Hoenn, Specifically, I wanted to find and capture two Clamperl and evolve them both into a respective Gorebyss and Huntail and secondly catch a Relicanth too. Relicanth was such an interesting Pokemon too me, a Pokemon considered by many to actually be a living fossil Pokemon, much like Armaldo and Cradily were. I also wanted to explore an old abandoned ship that had been converted into a natural habitat for Water Pokemon. It likely had no new Pokemon, but I had heard from trainers on the road, that there was some big event held there for specific challengers, whatever that meant.

"Come out Altaria!" Altaria flew over to me curious as to our next destination, "Altaria could you fly me over to Dewford Town please?" Altaria agreed and flew me over to Dewford as quick as a flash. Next I would explore Sea Mauville and do some training there in preparation for my next gym battle against the Water gym leader.