Anstane

Alright, time to continue this run. Thankfully, this time I was able to get it out a bit faster. Chapter 4: Damn you Struggle Bug! Last we left off, we just broke Corey. After he leaps off the bridge and Fern's appearance, it was off to Lapis Ward. The first thing I had to do is get back with my bros in the Aqua Gang. It feels good to be back! With the Aqua Gang, we proceed to storm Craudberry's manor at the same time as the Magma Gang. We, of course, fight through the opposite gang and claim our prizes: A Water Stone, a Ponyta and this: After that, while en route towards the Lapis Gym, Lotus finally hits level 30 and learns Giga Drain. That was enough for me. I finally let him evolve to Lombre and then used the Water Stone I just acquired. After that, we made it to Shelly and Victoria, saw Corey's corpse be taken away and, after deciding to investigate Meteor's activities beneath the Grand Staircase, chased after Victoria. E route towards the bottom where Solaris, Aster and Eclipse were waiting, we made sure to pick this up: NOTE TO SELF: Don't forget the Mining Kit this time! Also picked up the Focus Sash. Anyway, eventually we make it to the bottom where, after some more talking, it was time to take on Aster and Eclipse, with Victoria's help. After that, it was off to the Orphanage to get help for Shelly. However, before we got anything, we needed to deal with Sigmund and Orderly John. Let's say it was quite rough, righting three Elec-types with a Water-Mono, but I was able to break through, with Lotus dealing with the Magneton, Goofball taking out Magnemite and...I don't remember who dealt with Eelektrik. Afterwards, it was time for Victoria to (try to) stop us again. It was time for the Lapis Gym proper. After a bit of an annoying puzzle, we managed to make the Bookshelf Bridge and, with that, we were ready to battle Shelly. With that, the Cocoon badge is ours and it's time to move on towards the direction of the Grand Hall to tell of a need for Corey's replacement. Expect many zaps. The team as of the end of Episode 4:

Eh...wrong on both accounts. Amine?

"No, not really. If I may inquire, what is this place you want to visit?" Darius spoke out. While it was not entirely true, he could go visit someplace to eat, but as for practical needs, he had everything he would need.

Um...what? Can you explain, Zarc?

I will have to dispel that hope, sadly. Spine?

I'm pretty sure it was officially confirmed there will be exactly 19 episodes total. Either way, welcome to our community!

Well, Ice is my favorite type, though that is a given considering. Iceman?

"Yeah, it is good enough." Darius spoke and, in exchange for the new Flux and Carrion tomes, traded in his old Flux and Worm tomes, alongside the 690 vespers requested. Sell Flux and Worm tomes, purchase Flux and Carrion tomes for the reduced price of 690 vespers. After that was done, Darius moved to the side and watched and listened the conversations go while waiting for Helena to make her purchases. He did overhear something about a woman who was lost at sea while trying to finish her thesis. He decided to keep it in mind and watched the two scholars, looking if they might actually be referring to her, while keeping an ear out.

Well, someone clearly does. Zarc?

Once again, sorry for the slow rate of posting here, but I got real life stuff to deal with as well as this chapter just taking a long time to complete. Chapter 3: Difficulty Spike So, after the Grass-leader-with-almost-no-Grass-Moves, it was time for the Jasper Ward. After getting asked to find some police officers, I set off and started hunting Meteors and Police Officers. (The former to defeat in battle, the latter to rescue.) Soon enough, I get to the second PULSE-Tangrowth, this time guarded by Taka. After some words were exchanged, it was time for battle. Once Taka was defeated, it was off to find more Police Officers, tell a girl in a building the elevator works and then it was off to Beryl Ward... *quiet whimpering* Anyway, after falling for The Most Obvious Trap In The World and telling Fern to get bent, it was time to find and rescue the rest of the Police Officers. And what was my reward for rescuing the five of them? A new team member, replacing Gild. I will admit I was hoping for Tentacool, but I won't say no to Frillish either, especially considering it's the only Water/Ghost out there (that I know of). After this... *sighs* It was time for the Taka/ZEL double battle. And it took me *many* attempts, on a battle that I generally want to be done with ASAP for reasons that those familiar with me will understand. And with that, Corey was exposed and it was time for the main showdown with him. And it was even more horrible than the last battle. Whew...this was the hardest part so far, and it is only going to get worse...hoo-boy... The team at the end of Episode 3: And now, something I want to say: I seriously wish to replace the sprites of Samurott with those of Dewott, or at least the back sprites, because, personally, I much prefer Dewott's looks over Samurott's. Main reason why I can't really go through with it, aside from my not knowing how, is that it might end up causing confusion among the viewers here.

Darius was surprised to see the magic part of the market being so crowded, not just with merchants selling tomes, but people examining them and discussing their merits. The shaman made sure to keep his ears out as he made his way towards the merchant selling Dread Magic tomes. Once there, he perused the selection and made his inquiry. "Hm. I would like to purchase a fresh Flux and a Carrion tome. Would you be willing to take these as part of the payment for those two tomes?" Darius spoke, presenting his Worm and Flux tomes for examination. All the while, he continued to try and listen into the various conversations to pick up on any potential rumors or other useful bits of information.

Not always, but I am often occupied, so sorry for being unresponsive. Amine?

Darius realized that, with his new purchase, he is now overburdened with items. As if on queue, though, the mysterious person that he gave the staff to appeared. Deciding against questioning it, he walked over to him. "Hey, I remember you...you are the one to give our items if we're overburdened, right? In that case, mind taking this Hustle tome? I have no need for it." he spoke out, presenting the still-fresh tome. Deposit Hustle into the convoy. Once that was done, the shaman decided to wander off in search of a store that might have more dark magic tomes. His Flux tome was starting to look a little worn...

Might as well reserve as well.

I just woke up about 20 minutes ago, so... Amine?

Darius examined the three tomes on display. Two of them were in writing he was not entirely familiar with, due to being of a different school. However, the third one he recognized from his earlier studies. Nosferatu. A tome that, in the hands of someone proficient enough to use it, can command the spirits to use the energy gained from inducing wounds and pain unto others to mend the wielder's injuries. For the shaman, the choice was a complete no-brainer. "I would like to purchase this tome. I believe I can make good use of it." Darius spoke, referring to the Nosferatu tome, preparing the 1500 vespers requested for it. Purchase Nosferatu for 1500 vespers.

Still around here, yeah. Iceman?

Darius examined his equipment and, while he does not need anything, per se, he decided to take up the merchant woman on her offer. After all, he had saved up a fair sum, it would be a shame not to spend at least some of it. "Do you have any elder magic tomes on sale? From the Dread school, if at all possible." he spoke out his request.

As far as I know, the only thing it affects, as of right now, is relationship points, namely, choosing whether to fight or not gives you, or takes away, points with different characters. As for what the relationship points are for, at the moment, nothing, but later it might affect certain dialogues.

Well, I am an Ice-type, though I suspect I am not the one you meant to summon. Viri?

Yeah, still present, still hiding from trainers. Micky?

Well, I'm not nesting, if that's what you're implying. But I am next. Amine?

I don't nap at all, but sometimes I really feel like I need sleep. Amine?

Snorunt

I will say, despite sometimes not sounding like it, despite sometimes despairing, overall, I definitely had a lot of fun participating in my first ever league. I was pleasantly surprised that the team that I used ended up performing as well as it did and, while I probably won't bring as serious a team next season, I hope that I will get to have fun. That said, though, there is a question lingering on my mind: On the last day, the three strikes system, how will that work for people challenging the X-League?