With cyclists whizzing above me I started along Route 110, which was a fairly standard affair with fairly low leveled trainers providing the perfect environment to train Collins up. My scenic stroll through the long grass, along the sparkling lake side, was abruptly interrupted when May popped out of the grass and locked eyes. Sure she says nice things but she has a murderous glint in her sadist eyes, and by locking gaze with her I had signed an unwritten contract to battle with her to the death.

Collins popped out his pokeball first but had to be withdrawn as he was under leveled and no match for the gigantic Wailmer May produced. I pulled back Collins and sent out Fastiche hoping the typing advantage would tip the scales in my favour against this behemoth. Wailmer doused the the ground in water upon Fastiche’s arrival reducing the arena to sludgey, mud. I ordered Fastiche to begin draining the beast, and although it was super effective the whale still remained very healthy as its wicked trainer commanded it to begin rolling out (flashbacks to Johto *shiver). The tumbling whale kicked up mud as it rolled around the battle site slamming into poor Fastiche who desperately tried to drain the beast energy through its relentless assault.

It began to look very grim for the mushroom Pokemon as Wailmer picked up speed and became a nigh unstoppable force, I looked at my party and conceded if anyone could withstand the onslaught it would be Fastiche so I dived in to heal my campanion, ‘hang in there buddy’. Fastiche, fully healed, turned to finish May’s monster who was looking rather weak (drained if you will). ‘Mega Drain’, the little Shroomish that could began absorbing the very essence of its advisary. Not enough, within and inch of its life Wailmer wound back and bowled over Fastiche, who despite being at complete health could not survive its death throws. I choked up, my fists clenched, my vision blurred, the whale stopped rolling. Fastiche lay lifeless.

‘Go get him Kantux!!!!!’

Bursting forth the little racoon planted a headbutt clean into the beaten colossus’ side. Which was enough to fell the great titan. Offering no respect for the fallen Fastiche or her own deceased Pokemon, May immediately sent out her own Shroomish. I had to end this quickly to get Fastiche out of here. I returned Kantux and sent out Ero who swiftly swept Shroomish aside. It then transpired Mays Torchick had survived our initial battle, Combusken landed in the mud and went straight for Ero. Ero managed to evade his foes attack and answer with a Wing Attack knocking Combusken face down. The filthy Pokemon slowly pulled its self to its feet but was quickly knocked back down. Ero glowing in the sunlight errupted into light and began evolving. I was filled with pride where once a spunky Tailow stood a majestic Swellow now there was. The battle was over.

With Mauville City in sight I collected Fastiche and turned my back on it. Saying nothing to May, who cradled Combusken in her arms in the dirt, I began the trek back to Slateport where with a heavy heart I said my last goodbyes to Fastiche and withdrew stunt Shroomish, Maristo joined the party.

I took a bit of time out from adventuring to collect my thoughts, reassess what I wanted from this journey. Briney was kind enough to take me back to Dewford where I was able to spend time in Granite cave bondng with my party and ensuring they would be strong enough to survive another unexpected assault. I realised I’d spent so much time trying to be the best that I hadn’t spent time getting to know my partners that were helping me get there, and it took the death of a friend to hep me realise that. Like, did you know my entire party was female barring Ero (this made me imagine a rather funny image of Ero pimpin’)? Me neither! I eventually came to the conclusion that it would be disrespectful to the fallen if I gave up now, so with the guilt of Crifton, Paqwa and Fastiche weighing on my conscience, I hitched a ride back to Slateport and restarted my journey to Mauville.