Pokemon Crystal: The Journey

Entry 10: Dark Cave and The Ruins of Alph
Violet City, Dark Cave, Ruins of Alph

After defeating the Elder Sage and winning my first Hidden Machine, I head to a Pokemon Center to heal my Pokemon after a long fought battle. I go into my bag and check out the Hidden Machine. Flash will be very useful for when I'm in a cave that is very dark. I decide to teach it to one of my Pokemon. I choose Ledyba, because he more affectively uses defensive moves like Flash.

Ledyba has learned Flash!

Now that I know Flash, I decide to give it a test run, and knowing that Dark Cave is nearby, I head over. This will be a good test to see how effective it is in really dark caves. I quickly make my way to the cave. I illuminate the cave using Ledyba's Flash and am quite surprised at the size of the cave.



I decide to explore around a bit, looking for some more items and Pokemon. The only new thing is Zubat, but I get the feeling that I will be running into a lot of those as my journey moves on, and I really don't want to train such a low level Pokemon instead of hatching my egg.

I find a few Geodudes as well, and decide that this would be a good time to train my Bellsprout. Gotta have Bellsprout strong in case I ever end up running into Bryan again. I find some more Geodudes, and raise Bellsprout up to level 9.

Bellsprout Grew to level 9!

I continue my way into Dark Cave, but quickly find that I am unable to go further due to there being a small lake within the cave that I can't get around. Maybe I will come back here when I can teach my Pokemon how to swim. Since I can't go any further, I decide to head to Violet City to ask around of what I should do next.

When I arrive, I go to the person who asked me to trade for their Onix. They tell me about the Ruins of Alph and how there have been some strange sightings there over the past couple of weeks. I decide this is worth looking into before heading towards my next gym battle in Azalea Town.



I enter one of the houses and ask the Scientists about the Ruins. They tell me that they were built millions of years ago and that recently, strange Pokemon in the shape of letters on the wall have been attacking people. I'm interested in this, another new Pokemon! They tell me the Unown seem to only appear when a person solves the puzzles in the small caves that have some sort of connection with the main cave. I head out and decide to solve one of these small puzzles.

I head into one of the small caves and notice a puzzle. The puzzle was of the prehistoric Pokemon, Kabuto. I quickly solve the puzzle, but then the floor collapses beneath me! I am quickly find that I have been dropped into the main cave of the Ruins!



As I come back to my senses, I notice a very eerie feeling within these caves. Clearly something isn't right. I try to make my way out of the cave as fast as I can, but a Pokemon that came seemingly out of nowhere attacks me! I defeat it quickly with my Spearow, afraid of what it can possibly do. I try to make my way out, but different shapes of this Pokemon attack me, I decide to leave this be and escape the cave.

Well, that was different. I'm glad that I was able to get out of there. I decide that its time to leave the Violet City area and head towards a different town. My next gym leader to face is none other than the Bug expert, Bugsy in Azalea Town. That is my next destination!

Pokedex:
Seen: 15
Own: 5

Items Obtained: Bitter Berry, Potion, Przcureberry
Items Used: N/A

Entry 11: The Road to Azalea Town: Part 1
Violet City, Route 32

Before making my way out to the next town, Azalea Town, I decide to heal my Pokemon, knowing full well that there will probably be more trainers to battle on the new route. I also run to the market to grab some Potions, as well as some Pokeballs in case there are any new Pokemon that I will want. This Egg Pokemon could end up being a dud. Don't want to risk losing my Pokemon too quickly. I was told there was a Pokemon Center towards the bottom of Route 32, so I'm just going to try to get through there as fast as possible and then gain some experience with some battles. After stocking up, that's where I head.



As I make my way south on Route 32, a nice man approaches me and gives me a Miracle Seed, an item that powers up grass moves when the Pokemon is holding it. I thank the man for giving me it, even though its pretty useless to me, and make my way south. I decide to avoid wild Pokemon, again, waiting to find that Pokemon Center that is down here someplace. I was able to do this, but I wasn't able to avoid something else.


Youngster Albert would like to battle!

Youngster Albert had 2 Pokemon in the battle, a level 6 Rattata and a level 8 Zubat. My Pokemon clearly outmatched him in level, so this battle wasn't too hard. I defeated the Rattata with my Spearow, and the Zubat with Geodude.

Youngster Albert was defeated!
Spearow grew to level 9!
Geodude grew to level 9!

Surprisingly, that Zubat took a lot out of Geodude. Supersonic had him confused, so Geodude hurt himself a little bit. I had gone too far now to go back though, so I kept going. The Pokemon Center had to be close.


Camper Roland would like to battle!

Camper Roland gives me a new Pokedex entry in Nidoran♂ . I use my Spearow, and it was a very even battle that took me a few hits to complete. However, Spearow was able to overcome and Nidoran♂ was defeated.

Camper Roland was defeated!

It was at this point that I noticed I could've crossed a bridge across water and avoided wild Pokemon getting to this Pokemon Center instead of having to walk through the tall grass. I decide that wouldn't be very helpful to turn around and keep going. The good thing was that I only ran into one more wild Pokemon, a Hoppip. Hoppip was definitely a new sight for me, but I wasn't interested in catching it right now, so I moved on.

I was then approached by a man who gave me a strange offer. He offered to sell me a Slowpoketail for $1,000,000. I decline his offer because, A) Slowpoke are awesome, and I want the whole thing, not just the tail, B) I don't have $1,000,000 and C) I'm sure that Slowpoketail are not worth $1,000,000. The guy complains that I'm missing out as I walk away.

When I continue walking ahead, what I see is a Godsend. The Pokemon Center! My Spearow and Geodude really needed a good rest, and so did I! I check my egg to see how close it is, it shakes from time to time now. I'm not done here at Route 32 though, there's more trainers to battle and Pokemon to find, I'm sure of it!

Pokedex
Seen: 17
Own: 5

Items Obtained: Potion x5, Pokeball x5, Pzrcureberry, Miracle Seed
Items Used: N/A

Entry 12: The Road to Azalea Town: Part 2, More Battles
Route 32

I'm so glad I was able to get that rest. I really needed it to recharge my batteries and focus on getting trained and prepared for my next gym battle. While I was in the Pokemon Center, a nice fisherman approached me and told me about the great fishing in the area. He then gives me an Old Rod to try my hand. I decide to go right out and talk to the local fishers on the bridge I passed by. Maybe they will want to battle.

I go onto the bridge and talk to the first fisherman I see. He agrees with me about it being great fishing, but then he argues that the bridge is the fisherman's turf and that I don't belong there. He then challenges me to a battle.


Fisher Ralph would like to battle!

This was probably my strangest battle to date and taught me something very important. It taught me that while having the type advantage is a good thing, it doesn't necessarily mean that you will lose no matter what. Ralph had only a Goldeen, which is a new Pokemon for me. I send out Bellsprout, thinking that grass is strong against water. However, the Goldeen beat my Bellsprout and I was left having to decide who to send out next. Cyndaquil was my choice, and somehow the fire type defeated the water type.

Fisher Ralph was defeated!
Cyndaquil grew to level 12!
Cyndaquil learned Ember!

This battle was good for two things, the whole battle type thing and the fact that Cyndaquil finally learned a Fire Type move! With there being a fire move in my arsenal, it will be even harder to beat me! Bellsprout could use some training though, so I head back to the Pokemon Center before coming back to talk to more fishermen.

When I come back, I approach two more fishermen. They seem nicer than Ralph was, but still a bit hesitant on sharing their water with a newcomer. They both challenged me to a battle, and we went at it.


Fisher Justin would like to battle!

The only real point of this battle was to add a new entry into my Pokedex. Justin had a whooping four Magikarp. Magikarp, are pretty much useless. They only know the Splash attack, which does absolutely nothing. I used Bellsprout to defeat all four Magikarp with one hit.

Fisher Justin was defeated!


Fisher Henry would like to battle!

Henry was quite a bit tougher to beat than Justin, considering Henry actually had a Pokemon that could fight back. Another new entry into the Pokedex, Poliwag, and he had two of them. I once again used the type advantage that I had to defeat the first Poliwag with Bellsprout. However, I decided to mix things up a bit and use Ledyba, another Pokemon that could use training against the second Poliwag. Ledyba used its more defensive style of attack and beat the Poliwag pretty easily, which surprised me.

Fisher Henry was defeated!
Bellsprout grew to level 10!

I talk with the fishermen about the rod I received. Apparently, its the same type of rod that Justin has. I decide not to waste my time catching piddly little Magikarp and move on to more battles. I wish the men luck in their fishing and move on.

As I walk on, I hear the most annoying voice I have ever heard in my life. Turns out, its a girl on the phone that I happened to miss battling on my way down to the Pokemon Center. She is "omging" and other stuff that stupid annoying girls do, when I ask her if she wants to battle. She rudely looks at me, tells me she's on the phone. I bring up the fact that she has to accept and she then.....well.......accepts.


Picnicker Liz would like to battle!

Even though she was rude, Liz is quite a decent battler. She gives me yet another Pokedex entry, this time in Nidoran♀. I'm very happy with how my Pokedex is filling with seen entries. I start off with Ledyba, who did some damage, but didn't seem very effective against the Nidoran♀. After almost fainting, I decide to switch him out for Geodude. Nidoran♀'s attacks don't effect Geodude very well and Geodude is able to defeat her.

Picnicker Liz was defeated!
Ledyba grew to level 10!

I know of one other trainer who I seen on my way to the Pokemon Center and decide to go challenge him. He said he seen me before and was surprised I didn't challenge him before. He calls me a chicken and then said I shouldn't even bother challenging him and his awesome Pokemon now.


Youngster Gordon would like to battle!

Before Gordon sends out a Pokemon, I send out my Geodude, thinking that whatever he has won't be able to defeat his rock hard body. Well, I was proved wrong, another entry in the Pokedex, a Wooper, pops out. Wooper quickly disposed of Geodude with a Water Gun. I was disappointed in my dumb choice, but sent out Spearow to take care of it. Spearow and Wooper had an even battle, and Spearow was able to come out on top.

Youngster Gordon was defeated!
Spearow grew to level 10!

Awesome. I had defeated all of the trainers on Route 32. I go to the Pokemon Center to heal poor little Geodude and the rest of my Pokemon that needed a bit of a rest. I head to Union Cave when, oh geez, a trainer spots me. I feel stupid as yet another trainer that I hadn't saw before challenges me.


Bird Keeper Peter would like to battle!

I sent out Geodude this time, expecting something strange to happen. However, it didn't and this guy only had two Pidgeys and a Spearow. The Pidgeys were both pretty weak and were no problem for Geodude to defeat. The Spearow, however, put up quite a bit of a fight. Geodude was still able to defeat it, but not before losing half of his life.

Bird Keeper Peter was defeated!
Geodude grew to level 10!
Geodude grew to level 11!
Geodude learned Rock Throw!

Man, I need to quit doing that. That's two careless mistakes within like 20 minutes. I will definitely be more astute from now on. At least Geodude learned Rock Throw out of it. I decide to head back to the Pokemon Center, and get a rest before I go into the Union Cave. Who knows what lurks in there.

Pokedex
Seen: 22
Own: 5

Items Obtained: Old Rod, Great Ball x2, Repel
Items Used: N/A

Entry 14: An Encounter with Team Rocket
Azalea Town, Slowpoke Well

After a nice rest in the Azalea Town Pokemon Center, I decide to explore around a bit. When I start talking around, there seems to be a bit of a down mood in the small town. When I ask a lady walking by whats wrong, she tells me about how all of the Slowpoke that inhabit the town have disappeared thanks to Team Rocket. Team Rocket? Never heard of them. Anywhere I go, that's what the people are talking about is the missing Slowpoke. Maybe that strange man standing in front of the Slowpoke Well has something to do with it.

There seems to be a general consensus among the town that the leader of the community is Kurt, an old man best known for making unique types of Pokeballs. I decide to go to his house to see if there's anything I can do to help the people with their problem, being the good samaritan that I am.

Upon entering Kurt's house, I see an old man seemingly getting prepared for war. He equips some potions and throws some Pokeballs into his backpack. I introduce myself as Drew from New Bark Town. He says that its nice to talk to me, but it will have to wait. He then explains how Team Rocket is an evil gang who only use Pokemon for financial gain. He tells me they are at the Slowpoke Well cutting off Slowpoketails in an effort to sell them. He says that he has to stop them and runs (or I should say, hobbles very quickly) out the door, seemingly to the Slowpoke Well.

The young girl in the room tells me that I should probably follow Kurt, just to make sure that he is alright when he gets there. I walk through Azalea Town, the panic still evident throughout the town. Who thought some Slowpoke would bring so much joy to a town. I mean they are pretty stupid after all. When I get to the well, the strange man that was standing there before is nowhere to be seen. I decide to go into the well to see whats going on.



When I make my way carefully down the well, what I see is a sad sight. Kurt is on his back, in clear pain at the bottom of the ladder. He tells me he chased the Team Rocket member down the well, and when he tried to quickly follow him, he forgot to watch his step and fell down and hurt himself. Wahh wahh. But seriously, who does that? I don't even live in the town and I knew to be careful.

Kurt urges me to battle Team Rocket for him. He says he would do it himself if he weren't so hurt. I decide to do it for the sake of the Slowpoke. I make my way into the cave, and soon find the strange man that was keeping guard at the top of the well. He insults Kurt's stupidity for falling down and then tells me that I'm probably just as stupid as him for challenging Team Rocket.


Rocket Grunt would like to battle!

This battle was very enlightening for me. This "Grunt" had two Rattatas. I figure this would be no problem for Ledyba, so I decide to send it out. However, Ledyba does little to no damage before being knocked out by Rattata. I'm sorry, but that was it for me. I'm going to have to find something to replace it. I easily defeat the two Rattatas, first with Cyndquil, and the second with Spearow.

Rocket Grunt was defeated!
Cyndaquil grew to level 14!
What!? Cyndaquil is evolving!
Congratulations your Cyndaquil evolved into Quilava!



Quilava: The Volcano Pokemon
Ht: 2'11''
Wt: 41.9 lbs

Before battle, it turns its back on its opponent to demonstrate how ferociously its fire blazes.

OH YEAH! Quilava is beastly! No one is gonna be able to stop me now! Not even Bryan! But there are serious manners at hand. I decide that going back and healing Ledyba would be a waste of time right now, so I continue on with four Pokemon and my egg. I quickly run into another Grunt, this time a female. She says that she's surprised that I beat the first Grunt and that she would be able to make quick work of me.


Rocket Grunt would like to battle!

This Grunt was definitely more of a challenge than the first, as she had a Zubat and an Ekans. The Zubat was pretty easy to take care of with Geodude , due to type advantage. The Ekans was something I had never seen before, so I decided Spearow would be a good choice to battle it with. However, Ekans was able to poison Spearow with a Poison Sting attack before eventually being taken down.

Rocket Grunt was defeated!
Geodude grew to level 12!
Spearow grew to level 12!

Following this battle, I use an Antidote that I have in my bag so that Spearow isn't weakened anymore than necessary from the poison. As I continue on, I see that tail cutting operation. I was surprised to find there were no lieutenants here, only Grunts. What kind of stupid gang brings only Grunts to such a high profile operation? Seems like they are just asking to be beaten. I immediately tell the two Grunts to stop, and they do, but only to challenge me to a battle.


Rocket Grunt would like to battle!

These Grunts sure seem to be very similar. They all have either a Rattata, a Zubat, or some combination of those two Pokemon. This guy had a Rattata and two Zubat. I decide to use a Pokemon I hadn't used since being down in the well, Bellsprout, to take out the Rattata. The two Zubats were really no problem since Geodude's type advantage really aided me in this battle.

Rocket Grunt was defeated!
Bellsprout grew to level 12!


Rocket Grunt would like to battle!

Following the defeat of his friend, the other Grunt immediately challenges me. He, however, is actually very strong. He has a level 14 Koffing, which only my Quilava was fit to battle at the time. I decide to test out the newly evolved Quilava and see what it can do. In an epic battle, Quilava was almost defeated, but was able to pull it out and defeat the Koffing.

Rocket Grunt was defeated!

The Grunt tells me that I will regret the day that I mess with Team Rocket's plans. He says that they have other more important operations going on right now, and that this was merely a quick cash grab they were trying to do and no big deal that it was foiled. He tells me that we will meet again, before running away.

Right as I'm about to turn around and exit the cave, guess who comes to congratulate me for my help? Yep, Kurt. MIRACULOUS RECOVER! Yeah, perfect timing, I just beat all those Rocket goons by myself. He thanks me for my help and tells me that he's feeling better. He tells me that the Slowpoke can now go back to Azalea Town and be with the townspeople. He leads me out of the cave and we go to his house.

After healing my Pokemon for me, Kurt tells me that I am definitely worthy of being a recipient of his ballmaking skills. He hands me a Lure Ball, a ball that works really good on Pokemon that you fish with, and says that if I have any appricorns, to give them to him, and he will make them into a ball. I hand him a WHT Appricorn that I found behind his house earlier in the day for him to make into a ball and head out on my way.

I start thinking of a Pokemon to replace Ledyba that I can catch in the area. I start wondering about maybe using my fishing rod to see if anything other than Magikarp comes up, but then an idea pops into my head when I look around town and see all of the happy people and the Slowpoke.



What a perfect chance to get a Slowpoke that I've always wanted! I head straight for the Slowpoke Well, excited that I thought of such a brilliant idea (typical me). I look around and quickly spot a Slowpoke. Oh yeah, this is gonna be mine!


Wild Slowpoke appeared!

I decide that since Ledyba is my weakest Pokemon, it would be the best choice to weaken this Slowpoke without killing it. However, Ledyba proved to be pretty much worthless once again and did pretty much no damage with its Tackles. I send out Geodude, and only use Tackle until Slowpoke's health is in the red. I throw one of my Great Balls, but it doesn't stay in! I was shock at this, but I decide to try one more time......

Gotcha! Slowpoke was caught!
Slowpoke's data was newly added to the Pokedex!



Slowpoke: The Dopey Pokemon
Ht: 3'11''
Wt: 79.4 lbs

It is always so absent-minded that it won't react, even if its flavorful tail is bitten.

Upon catching Slowpoke, I head to the Pokemon Center. I go to the PC and tell Ledyba that it did a good job while it was in my party, but put it in the PC Box, which sends it the Professor Oak's Lab in Pallet Town. I withdraw Slowpoke from the same place. Time for some training!

Pokedex
Seen: 30
Caught: 7

Items Obtained: WHT Appricorn, Super Potion, Lure Ball
Items Used: Antidote, Great Ball x2, WHT Appricorn