So a lot of time passed between these two chapters, but, in the end, I knew that this would be a sweep from here on out if I did nothing. So I took 282 large EXP candies from my main save file, and gave each of my party members 47 of them, leveling them up until they were past my current control. But, after looking at Bulbapedia's page on obedience, I discovered that even that wouldn't be enough for long. So I took the next step. I took even more EXP candy, extra large this time, and gave more to each party member. 10 to Slit & Slice, 12 to Killer Frost, 10 to Octoling, 8 to Haircut, 8 to Diana Prince, and 10 to Glumbreon. Now they were all level 100. It would take the DRAGON badge to get complete control of them again. Perfect.
After completing this process, (during which Slit & Slice learned Swords Dance in place of Metal Claw) I moved them back where they belonged via Pokemon Home, and put them back into my party (props to Hellfire for letting me do this). Now, with an insanely powerful party at my fingertips, I biked over… to the Circhester boutique. Yeah yeah yeah, I know, but after getting my new black trainers (and updating my league card), I was in Circhester Stadium. And so was Hop, who was upset about his loss. He quickly gave me Melony's gym card before running off. I immediately got started with the gym challenge, which, after facing twice before, I knew would be SUPER tough. So, trap detector in my hands, I wandered onto the ice (pun intended)!
I managed to avoid all the pits before making my way to the first trainer, Gym Trainer Lewis. A battle between Snom and Octoling ended with a singular critical hit Slash, and that was that. Believe it or not, I made my way through part one without falling once. Awesome! Now came part two, and again, no pits on my way to Gym Trainer Liana. Cloyster and Octoling took the field, with my Pokemon hurting herself, but raising her defense from Razor Shell. Attempt two reminded me of her favorite pastime: napping, which she stayed doing even after a critical hit Razor Shell. Even more napping let Cloyster pull off a Shell Smash, and now I was slightly concerned. Fortunately, Octoling woke up and used Foul play to OHKO Cloyster, and my fears were quelled. With Liana beaten, I tried to make my way onwards… until the first pit reared its ugly head. After trying again to get to the end, I fell into another pit, and realized that the only way onwards was past another trainer. Luckily, after many attempts that were almost thwarted by pits, I got past him without being caught. Part two over. Onto part three.
The snow kicked up as I walked up the stairs, and things only got harder from there. I managed to avoid all the pits, but not Gym Trainer Micah. Luckily, a first turn Psycho Cut was cast from Octoling. Unluckily, this thing either never showed me that it had Sturdy, or was just insanely lucky, because a level 39 Avalugg SOMEHOW managed to survive with a sliver of health. Another Psycho Cut the second turn, however, and it was over.
With Micah out of the way, I stormed through at top speed only falling into 5 more pits before reaching the very end. Now it was time to face Melony, and, before doing so, I healed up Octoling and put Slit & Slice in her place. Then the battle began.
Round one began between Frosmoth and Slit & Slice, where, right off the bat, we got our speed lowered by Icy Wind, and Slit & Slice did even more damage to himself by ignoring me. Then he took a nap as the Hail started. With the hail hurting him, I made the decision to switch out to Killer Frost. She took the Icy Wind like a champ, not just once, but twice, with the second one being a critical hit. However, between the two attacks, she decided to nap as well. After two more turns of sleep, the hail wore off, and Killer Frost used Metal Claw to one-shot Frosmoth. Next was Darmanitan, who I decided would take on Diana Prince. With an unfortunate first turn, Diana Prince was hit with Icicle Crash, and after the second, got stuck with a taunt. She then proceeded to turn away as another Icicle crash rained down upon her. Turn four we got a Night Slash off, however, and took down Darmanitan. Diana Prince also shook off the taunt, but it didn't matter anyway, since Glumbreon was taking her place to fight Eiscue. Two turns passed before he pulled out Dark Pulse, during which Icy Wind lowered his speed and Hail hurt him after being set up. Finally was Lapras, who I sent Diana Prince back out to fight. It was quick, we got off a Max Knuckle first turn and one-shotted her Gigantamax Lapras. With the battle over, we obtained the Ice Badge, TM27 Icy Wind, and another new uniform. We left quickly, but not after getting a Moon Ball from Ball Guy.
Upon exiting, Sonia congratulated us and invited us to Bob's Your Uncle to eat & celebrate. We quickly made our way to the restaurant on bike, and both Sonia and Hop were there to greet us, and talk about the darkest day. Then she noticed something. No, not the poster, though that's what I noticed, too. But, after getting back on track, we noticed the tapestry and us and Sonia began to theorize. After trying to trick Hop as well about the Slumbering Weald, we got some food. Immediately after came our inspection of the Hero's bath, where we ended up battling Hop. Hoo boy.
First came Dubwool against Slit & Slice, with Slit & Slice listening immediately and using Sword Dance. He got Double Kicked for it though, and after missing the chance to Night Slash, he got Double Kicked again. Third turn he was struck with common sense, and Dubwool was taken out by Night Slash. Despite all of this, though, the Hail was slowly taking Slit & Slice apart, and with Rillaboom on the way, I switched to Killer Frost. First turn was Icy Wind, which crit and took down Rillaboom. Next was Snorlax, and, feeling lucky, I kept in Killer Frost. Unfortunately, she took a Heavy Slam over obedience, not once, not twice, not thrice, not four times, but five times. Eventually she decided to use Night Slash, but at that point facing down Corviknight would be a KO, so Glumbreon took her place. It took two turns of patient waiting before, on the second turn, Dark Pulse was unleashed onto Corviknight, bringing him down. Lastly was Pincurchin, and Glumbreon stayed in to finish it. Right off the bat we got another Dark Pulse, and the fight was over.
After complimenting us, Sonia asked us what we would do next. Hop decided to keep challenging Melony, while I, obviously, made my way down route 9 after healing up my Pokemon and rearranging my Party. Unfortunately, I didn't make it very far before running into Dancer Zoe. Killer Frost took the first three turns to loaf around before taking out Zoe's Galarian Darumaka with Metal Claw. Next came Bellossom, and after another turn of loafing, followed by a nap that stretched across three turns, we got off an Icy WInd and were back on the road. And then we ran into Team Yell and that scientist guy again. Quickly, another battle ensued, but it went much faster than Zoe's battle, with Killer Frost taking out Linoone with Metal Claw on the first attempt, and Haircut demolishing Pangoro with a Spirit Break on the third turn. After the fight, the scientist guy rewarded us with an amphibious Rotom Bike, and, with the night almost over, I saved and quit, prepared for more fun and struggles tomorrow.
