Pokemon Unchained

It got to a point where more and more of Team Plasma just ganged up on me, when my slaves were already stretched thin. It wasn't much of a surprise to me, then, that I had some casualties. Wooba was killed by a strong Trubbish, which I didn't think possible, and WIcky died by the hands of a Krokorok. Anger washed over me and fought back fiercely. I was on such a good role and those slaves were going to become great... But these underhanded Plasma thieves wore my slaves out and took advantage of it. I didn't have time to mourn, I had to race to the top.

Death Count: 14

I wasn't allowed to celebrate my victory in peace though, as Team Plasma, of course, shows up and causes issues. Soon we were all off to Dragonspiral Tower to figure out what they were up to. I was pretty sick of towers already, so I wasn't too happy about the turn of events.

Once inside, I was soon greeted by a fearsome slave- a Druddigon. I've heard about dragon slaves but never got to see one in person. It was tricky to take down with its many resistances  but eventually chipping away at its health, I was able to cage it.

I was quite excited with this new addition to the team, putting away Searie for another time. I decided to name her Drudge, and I was sure she'd come in to pull the team together.

Slave Capture!

Location: Dragonspiral Mountain Pokemon: Druddigon Name: Druge Sex: Female Nature: Hardy, Often dozes off Ability: Rough Skin

Just as we were finishing up, Pita began to glow and grow rapidly. I was shocked, as I hadn't spent much time with Pita in her present form, and seeing her as something completely different wasn't something I was prepared for. But I wasn't about to complain! She evolved into a Seismitoad and learned Acid, becoming much more formidable. It's time to go get me another badge.

Slave Evolution!

Wooba did the most growing; I taught her Charge Beam, the first electric move I've had access to, and Torment. She eventually learned Air Slash on her own, so she was shaping up to be a more versatile version of Quinn. To be honest, Quinn wasn't doing much to stand out lately... He had his utility, but I felt like I could use a more robust slave than him.

Eventually we make it out of Twist Mountain and into Icirrus City, where it's raining. City seems to be a stretching it, it's rather surrounded by marsh and not much is going on. Soon enough, a slave pops out while I explore the town to challenge me.

It's a Palpitoad, the evolution of those accursed Tympoles. At first it's a little difficult to weaken it, with the rainy weather strengthening its abilities. It is ultimately weak to Fluffee and succumbs to her tactics. When I catch it, I was shocked at first to see the cage light up and disappear. I totally forgot about having a box to store extra slaves in, since this is the first I've had more than six slaves alive at once. I march my way to the omnipresent PCs, excited and proud to finally be gaining momentum. I put away Quinn and take out Pita, the Palpitoad. I think I only named her that because I was incredible hungry after the trip through the mountain.

Pokemon Capture!

Location: Icirrus City Pokemon: Palpitoad Name: Pita Sex: Female Nature: Jolly, Alert to sounds Ability: Hydration

After the tower, we went to Skyla's gym, and I let Boldo have at most of the flying slaves there. His moves took care of most slaves in there, and learning Stealth Rock made the fights even easier. Skyla went under as one of the easier leaders to beat.

So onward we went, to Twist Mountain. I was itching to get through, as only two more badges stood between me and battling the top masters of the region. It was dark and cramped in the caves, and not long before a wild slave challenged us.

It was a Woobat, and seemed rather easy to take care of. I let Wicky reign her in, and caught her without much trouble. I named her Wooba, and hoped she would stay with me for a while.

Pokemon Capture!

Location: Twist Mountain Pokemon: Woobat Name: Wooba Sex: Female Nature: Mild, Good endurance Ability: Unaware

I encountered a Slave Fan, apparently someone who loves slaves battling so much their dress up as their favorites. I found this rather unsettling for a cemetery  but I guess different strokes for different folks. One used an Emolga to battle Leng, and the battle was going well for the most part. Leng's resistance to electricity and restorative moves proved useful. But then, the Emolga pulled out a nasty hit with Aerial Ace, and sliced clean through poor Leng. I spoke too soon of our success.

After the battle, I felt even more disturbed that I didn't feel disturbed. I couldn't tell if it was fitting or inappropriate to have slaves killing each other in their final resting place.

Either way, good-bye to you too, Leng.

Death Count: 12

It was eerie stepping into the tower, a spiral of graves. There were many people there paying their respects to their departed slaves. It seemed only fitting that I do the same- I took a moment to remember all those who lost their lives for my journey:

It was a lot to remember, feeling like years since I left home. I ascended the stairs, with lights flickering on the walls. It was very spooky, and some strange people were hanging around. Eventually, an unearthly light shone in front of us. It was a Litwick trying to scare us! Something inside me started, I really wanted to get this slave. I sent Quinn to corral it in, and soon enough, I caught it. I named the ghost slave Wicky, and felt good about this one.

Slave Capture!

Location: Celestial Tower Pokemon: Litwick Name: Wicky Sex: Male Nature: Bashful, Proud of its power Ability: Flame Body

Of course, there's always something in the way of getting what I want. I follow Skyla, Mistralton City's gym leader, to the Celestial Tower. On the way, a Deerling pops out of the very tall grass after I manage to fall off one of the beams. Fluffee slowly whittled it down, and I was easily able to catch it. I wasn't sure how I felt about him, but I came to his name, Leng, rather easily. His moveset seems rather spunky, and we could use a little more like that!

Good to add another one to the team!

Slave Capture!

Location: Route 7 Pokemon: Deerling Name: Leng Sex: Male Nature: Lonely, Mischievous Ability: Sap Sipper

"How about if all people get to decide for themselves how to relate to slaves?"

"Are you saying I should allow people to think whatever they want and treat slaves however they want, no matter whether the slaves suffer? I refuse to tolerate the existence of a world like that!"

~N and Professor Juniper

Boldo was mostly as home here, especially after I taught him Bulldoze and Rock Smash. He could handle every wild slave that came out to challenge us with ease. Not to mention, having a Lucky Egg sped up the process, eventually getting him strong enough to use Rock Slide.

Quinn was another story entirely. He was weak or ineffective to most of the cave's inhabitants, and I had to save constantly switch him out. It wasn't terrible, but the process was slow. He had a particularly good time against Team Plasma, especially when he learned Air Slash along with Fly.

After beating another goon, I was surprised to see Quinn starting to glow and change shape. It seems like this line of slave evolves very quickly! I was glad to see a more intimidating Unfezant standing before me. Glad with our progress, I was ready to leave this place.

Slave Evolution!

A lumbering slave soon came out to meet us. My palm became wet as my gaze locked onto the Boldore. I couldn't believe it. First the Tranquill, and now this, is something happening to me? Are my sins coming back for their dues?

I get Fluffee to slowly whittle down the Boldore's health and catch it with a cute Heal Ball, instantly making it ready for battle. I was excited to have such an imposing looking slave back on the team. Now we just had to get through this cave alive.

Slave Capture!

Location: Chargestone Cave Pokemon: Boldore Name: Boldo Sex: Male Nature: Naughty, somewhat vain Ability: Sturdy

Eventually one of the scientists wanted to battle slaves for research. Seemed kind of creepy to me, but I guess it's probably for the betterment of something I can't really understand. His Deerling is stronger than the local slaves we've been battling, but Osis doesn't have too hard of a time. It isn't until it pulls out an unexpected move, Faint Attack, that turns the tide of battle and kills Osis. My new Tranquill takes care of the rest, and the scientist simply writes down notes.

I can't believe I lost another slave... For some reason, I just can't keep onto these new ones. I look to Quinn and swear not to fail Pipi's memory.

Death Count: 11

Thankfully, my anxieties were unfounded and she cleaned house. I was mostly glad that she was so, well, fluffy, because there was much hugging. Wouldn't know how to hug Osis.

We continued on our way after a brief encounter with Bianca, who gave me the Fly HM. Made me miss Pipi, since none of my current slaves could learn it. Then, like some surreal dream, I thought I saw him in the tall grass up ahead. We ran to the Tranquill, who, no, wasn't Pipi, but strikingly similar. I sent out Searie to capture it, and a sudden sense of nostalgia and guilt rushed through me. I needed to get this slave, I needed it.

While it put up a fight, I was eventually able to catch him. He fought with the same moves that Pipi had when he left us. I named him Quinn, and rushed back to get him back in shape. He'll honor Pipi's death, I'm sure of it.

Slave Capture!

Location: Route 6 Pokemon: Tranquill Name: Quinn Sex: Male Nature: Brave, Alert to sounds Ability: Big Pecks

Osis and Klett were doing well, catching up with the rest of the team. Osis was able to take care of the many fighting slaves while Klett took care of the rest. There were also a lot of Herdiers in here, a slave I've come to hate. Their Take Down is just too powerful, and the one slave I had that could withstand it well is gone now. My new slaves started to adapt to this enemy, thankfully enough. Osis learned Endeavor, which helped even the odds, and Klett learned Aqua Ring, which wasn't amazing, but it's something. It came time to test these moves against a Herdier, but Klett didn't even get the chance- it hit her so hard, she was a goner. Just one hit. I got Fluffee to take care of the rest.

I was nearly stamping my feet at that point. Klett would have been very useful against this upcoming gym. Down to three. Again.

I'm going to beat up those Plasma boys good.

Death Count: 10