[Video]

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

[The video opens on the Lake of Rage, before angling down to show Apollo's face. He's lying on his back in the grass next to the lake. Unlike some of his previous posts, he's not just his usual calm self. He's in a good mood right now, if that contented smile is anything to go by.]

This place really reminds me of home. A lake, a forest, mountains... The giant water snakes who sometimes try to eat me when I go swimming are different, but other than that it's a lot like home. It's nice here. The Pokémon with me like it too.

[The arm holding the gear falls to the ground and the camera films the sky through blades of grass for a while before Apollo sits up and points it back at his face. He's serious now.]

What do I need to know to beat the gym in Goldenrod City? How do I know if the Pokémon with me are strong enough to win?

Comments

Audio;

[tentacletrainer]

Most importantly, expect tears. The gym leader will undoubtedly cry upon defeat. As for strength, have you received any badges prior to Goldenrod? If not, you may wish to attempt at least Azalea first. If you can't defeat them, you very likely will not defeat Goldenrod. You could always request another trainer to battle you who has the badge. Perhaps they could give you an adequate assessment as to whether or not you and your Pokemon are ready.

[Video forever]

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

Why would she cry when she loses?

No, I've never tried to beat a gym before. I didn't want to fight any, but I need the Rock Smash HM from the Goldenrod Gym. The Pokémon with me want to fight the gyms, so I thought that I could let them fight the gyms that give HMs I might need. [The look on his face says that this is a very reluctant compromise.] I'll probably try to beat the Ecruteak Gym too, since I might need the Strength HM, but I don't want to fight any extra gyms.

There are probably people who have beaten the Goldenrod Gym near Goldenrod City, right? Maybe I could ask them.

[tentacletrainer]

There are just as many theories about that as there are about why we were brought here. Personally I think she just wants you to feel sorry for her. However, you won't receive your reward until she stops.

It would be a good idea to challenge the gyms for those, yes. Not only for the rewards but also the experience and exercise your Pokemon receive. And very likely, yes. In fact, if you'd like, I could offer my team.

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

Why would she want people feeling sorry for her? Isn't she supposed to lose to people who are stronger than her?

[He hesitates slightly before responding to the second part. The idea of challenging a few of the gyms is already iffy in his mind. He's even less sure about a non-gym battle, even if it could be helpful for his team.]

Maybe if you're around when I get there I could. Would they be okay with fighting?

[video]

[pinnedbangs]

You swam in a lake full of water snakes?

Never been to the Goldenrod Gym but the place looks nice enough. Maybe it's a high tech sort of gym?

[two tiiiiiiiiny sentret faces peer over Rin's shoulder to get a good look at the gear.]

[Video]

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

Yeah. I think they're called Gyarados. [Casually, because swimming with dragons is completely normal.]

I didn't go to see it when I was there, so I don't know.

[He spies the tiny faces and smiles, mentally asking their mother to come over. Soon a Furret is on camera, just beaming at them.

Hi little ones! Are you doing fine? Is your human treating you well?]

[Video]

[pinnedbangs]

Gyarados, huh? [He'll pokedex it.] I wish I could see a dragon one day.

[Before Rin could continue about Goldenrod, both Sentrets try to take over the gear.]

It's mama! It's mama!!
He's treating us fine --
He's treating us like babies! Tell him we're grown up --
Yeah, grown up! We're big enough!
We wanna battle! And travel too!

[Video]

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

[I'm sure he just wants to be extra sure that you two are strong enough. You need to be careful. I wouldn't want you to get hurt because you tried to have a battle before you were ready.

She's not showing it, but inside she's going "oh no they're like their father!"]

[Video]

[pinnedbangs]

[The Sentwins are blissfully unaware of her worries.

Well I didn't try to have a battle before I was ready --
And I really didn't -
Yes you did! I saw you!
No you didn't!
Yes I did!!

Rin's not too sure what they're talking about but he hands the gear to the two pokemon and gives a quick wave good bye to Apollo.]

[Video]

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

[Apollo's just going to sit back and watch this with a bit of confusion. He's never seen anything like human siblings and parents interacting before, since normal animals don't act like this, so he only has a vague idea of what's going on here.

Did you two battle already?

Furret asks in a way that says that she knows very well what the answer to that question is.

((What genders are they? I checked his roster post but it didn't say.)) ]

[Video]

[pinnedbangs]

[One of the Sentret - Carrot - looks away shyly while the other steps forward and speaks loudly. She was proud of her achievement!]

ME!! I battled! And she did too, but I battled more! And I fought a reaaaaaaaaaally big rattata! Bigger than my head! Bigger than anything!!

[Carrot shakes her head...] ...But it was Cabbage who fought for us...

((I updated my chart after this post and realized I never replied! x__x They're both girls~!))

[dreamsofahero]

Well, about how long and how intensely have you and your pokemon been training? They can only become stronger so quickly, but of course it can take longer if you aren't as dedicated...

[Video]

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

Fearow's been with me for about three-and-a-half lunar cycles, and the others for less time, but they've all been training themselves. Fearow's been looking for more Pokémon to fight lately and he's gotten the others more interested in fighting too. [There's a brief flicker of irritation on his face.] Ever since I was able to make fire appear for a few days my scent's been different and it's been harder to avoid Pokémon while I'm traveling, so the Pokémon with me have been fighting more than usual.

Re: [Video]

[dreamsofahero]

Well, in that case you likely may stand a chance. At least, I'd been here about that long by the time I challenged that gym... Though it also helps if you have pokemon that can use moves of an advantageous type, of course.

[Video]

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

What type does the Goldenrod Gym use?

Re: [Video]

[dreamsofahero]

Normal, so the most effective type offensively would be fighting type. Defensively, rock, steel, and ghost are useful.

[Video]

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

I know that Furret are Normal-type, and when Deerling kicks one he does more damage than when he attacks other ways, so his kicks might be Fighting-type. And I've noticed that a lot of simple attacks like tackles or scratching don't hurt Golett at all, so maybe Golett is one of the types that are strong against Normal? Golett looks kind of like a human made of rock.

[Yup, he has a Ground/Ghost type.]

Re: [Video]

[dreamsofahero]

I can't say I'm familiar with the one called Golett, but if normal-type attacks aren't affecting it, it's probably a ghost type. Ah, though of course, just because the gym uses mostly normal types, doesn't mean they only have attacks of that type, so while ghosts are useful, you shouldn't rely on them to be simply immune to everything.

Video

[lightningbearer]

Have you tried challenging any of the other gyms?

[Video]

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

No. I didn't want to challenge any of them, but I need the Rock Smash HM from the Goldenrod Gym. The Pokémon with me want to challenge the gyms though, so I guess it's okay. [He sounds a bit unsure though, like he's trying to justify something to himself.] I'm only going to challenge gyms that have HMs I can use, though. There's no point challenging the others.

[He really doesn't like the whole battling thing, so he's definitely not happy about this, but his team managed to convince him to make this much of a compromise at least. He wants HMs, they want gym battles; he doesn't want anyone to get hurt, they're willing to take that risk, and so on.]

Re: [Video]

[lightningbearer]

*raising an eyebrow*

If you're planning to use those techniques for anything outside battling, you'll have to win more than just the one badge, you know.

[Video]

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

Apparently I'm a "Breeder", so I don't need to get badges to make the HMs work.

Re: [Video]

[lightningbearer]

I see.

I haven't been to that gym yet, so I wouldn't know much about it.

[Video]

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

Hm.

[Well the main point of his post is done with, so...]

How's the Deerling I sent you doing?

Re: [Video]

[lightningbearer]

She's been just fine. Did you want to see her?