Chargestone Cave

Joltik: Apparently these things like to grab their victim’s face while they electrocute them.

- Oww… it’s the bench for you, Zapperella!

Zapperella ♀ Lv. 24

I take a moment to gather my things from the floor. A lot of my stuff spilled out of my bag while I was scrambling for a pokéball. I get the last potion back in there when I suddenly feel a hand on each of my shoulders.

Come.

- Hey, what?!

Three of these guys frog march me further into the cave, just ahead I see Enn standing in wait. We stop just in front of him.

Lord N, we brought the one you asked for.

Very good, you may leave now.

Yes, Lord N.

The three ninja dudes vanish from sight.

Those were the Shadow Triad, I’ve been having them follow you and your friends.

Totally not creepy at all!

They’ve told me quite a bit. That Cheren seems to be following the path of strength, but poor Bianca is realising that not everyone can be the strongest.

But you, Caldar. You just don’t seem to belong, you’re out of place. Tell me, do you have a dream?

- Who doesn’t?

Indeed, I dream of a world where pokémon are free from the cruelty of mankind. I would challenge you again, but only once you’ve reached the other side of this cave.

- What…

Until then!

Enn goes deeper into the cave, before I continue onwards I hear footsteps behind me.

Hi Caldar!

Hello, long time no see.

- Oh, hi…

We’re doing research in the cave! I’m like Professor Juniper’s bodyguard now!

This place has some quite unusual properties, ’d like to see what sort of effect it may be having on the local pokémon.

- That’s nice…

I continue deeper into the cave, eventually I come across a group of plasm grunts waiting to ambush me. After making quick work of them Hans evolves!

Hans ♂ Lv. 31

Eventually I’m able to see the light from outside as I near the exit, Enn is waiting there as promised.

Even though it hurts me to also be a trainer, I will not rest until every pokémon is set free!

Go Boldore!

- Go Hans!

- Dig!

Mud slap!

Hans digs underground boldore throws mud in Hans’ direction but it just adds to the small mound Hans left behind.

Iron defense!

Hans bursts from underground and smashing into boldore’s hide. Barely holding itself together, boldore bolsters it’s defenses.

- Slash!

Mud slap!

Hans swipes across boldore’s face with his metallic claws.

Go Joltik!

- Dig!

Gastro acid!

Hans burrows back underground just before joltik vomits all over him.

Bug bite!

Joltik is whipped underground, Hans re-emerges from underground. Joltik does not.

Go Ferroseed!

- Hans come back! Go Blaze!

Iron defense!

Ferroseed toughens it’s metal shell while Blaze leaves his pokéball.

- Flame burst!

Iron defense!

Blaze spits a fireball at ferroseed, exploding on impact and sending it flying out of the cave into the bright daylight outside.

Go Klink!

- Flame burst!

Charge beam!

Blaze spits out another exploding fireball, blasting klink into the cave wall.

As if being defeated here will stop me reaching my goal. As if the outcome of one little battle will determine if I can befriend the legendary dragon!

Caldar, heeey! We’re done with our research!

Oh, who’s this? Another friend of yours?

Professor Juniper, for such a learned person you seem to have no qualms about the way pokémon are treated. You think you understand them but all you’re doing is putting them into categories according to arbitrary rules! The very idea of the pokédex disgusts me!

Hey!

You have a lot to answer for.

Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, even you.

So you’re saying I should just let people think what they want, even if that means pokémon suffer?! I refuse to live in a world like that!

Enn swans off to the cave exit and vanishes from view.

Mistralton City

There was a little commotion in the pokémon center, it turns out the gym leader is visiting before she’s heading for a little trip.

I’m sorry I can’t accept your challenge right now. I have to go to Celestial Tower. Why don’t you tag along? You might learn something!

- Sure…

Route 7

Skyla went on ahead so I could make my own way to the tower. At least there’s an opportunity to recruit. A Zebstrika! Pokéball g–

- Geoffrey, you didn’t have to hit it so hard! Now I can’t catch it…

There sure are a lot of pokémon rangers around here, and they all seem to want to battle too but I’m more interested in the balancing beams suspended over the tall grass.

Celestial Tower

Yet another tower full of ghosts, at least I have another opportunity to recruit. A litwick, pokéball go!

Litwick: It’s a candle…

- Welcome to the bench, Clara!

Clara ♀ Lv. 26

There certainly are a lot of trainers wanting to battle in this tower. I sometimes wonder if this really is just the done thing in pokémon graveyards. Regardless, all the battling has made Geoffrey evolve!

Geoffrey ♂ Lv. 34

I make it to the roof where I find Skyla standing near a belfry.

There was an injured pokémon here, it flew off once I healed it with the medicine I brought.

- Oh.

Feel free to challenge me at the gym whenever you want! Oh, and they say if you ring that bell over there it can appease the spirits and sometimes even allow them to appear.

- Oh?

Anyway I’m heading back to my gym now, bye!

I turn to the bell and start to think about all the friends I’ve lost on my journey. Maybe now is a good time to apologise to them?

I ring the bell, it’s chime echoes all around, reverberating throughout the tower. I wait a while, but nothing else happens.

- I guess I’ll just go back to Mistralton, then…