Chapter 48:

Rufflet and Tumble

Location: Route 10

Having left Opelucid City early, I went along Route 10. This was the final Route before Victory Road and involves a cliff with stairs going up it as well as the giant mountain looming over me. At the top of the mountain was the Pokémon League.

"N, I will beat you," I said. "But first, I'm going to beat the League. That will show my worth."

As I walked down the path before the stairs, I came across a Veteran Trainer. He wore a black coat and a black hat. Appropriate for Winter weather I must say.

"I wish you luck," he said. "But this is the final road before the Pokémon League. So, let's see how the home stretch provides a challenge!"


Hilbert Vs. Veteran Chester

"I choose Gothitelle! I shouted.

"Beartic, go!" Chester replied. As soon as it was sent out, Gothitelle lifted Beartic into the air. Not with Psychic, but with a different move.

"Beatrtic, Icicle Crash!" Beartic made multiple icicles fall from the sky onto Gothitelle.

"Gothitelle, I think you might have learned a new move. Let me give it a go. Return. Okay, come out Lampent!" Lampent was sent out and took Beartic's Slash. Being a Ghost Type, Beartic's Slash went right through it.

"Beartic, Brine!" Beartic shot salty water at Lampent. It took its health down to half.

"Use Inferno!" Lampent created a pillar of flames around Beartic. It couldn't dodge, so it was a direct hit. Beartic was down. "I think that was Telekinesis! It's a move that makes the Pokémon unable to dodge but grants it immunity to Ground Type moves! Gothitelle really learned a good one!"

"Go Seismitoad!" shouted Chester. He sent out a blue Pokémon with multiple orbs on its arms, head, and knees.


Seismitoad (ガマゲロゲ)

043

Water/Ground Type

Vibration Pokémon

4'11" (1.5 m)

136.7 lbs (62 kg)

It increases the power of its punches by vibrating the bumps on its fists. It can turn a boulder to rubble with one punch.

Tympole -Lv 25- Palpitoad -Lv 36- Seismitoad


I withdrew Lampent for Druddigon. "Okay Druddigon, Dragon Claw!" Druddigon swiped Seismitoad.

"Use Earthquake!" Seismitoad made the entire ground shake. Druddigon had a lot of HP taken away.

"Give it another Dragon Claw!" Druddigon did just that.

"One more Earthquake!" Seismitoad made another tremor that knocked out Druddigon.

"Scrafty, go!" I shouted. "High Jump Kick!" Scrafty leapt forward but missed Seismitoad. It crashed on the ground.

"Drain Punch Seismitoad!" Seismitoad punched Scrafty for Super Effective damage, and it healed a bit of health.

"Get it back with Crunch!" Scrafty bit down on Seismitoad's arm. It was a Critical Hit and Seismitoad fainted.

"Escavalier, go!" Chester's final Pokémon was a grey Pokémon with two spears that had red stripes on. It so had a giant red crest on its head like a knight from the medieval times.


Escavalier (シュバグロ)

095

Bug/Steel Type

Cavalry Pokémon

3'03" (1 m)

72.8 lbs (33 kg)

They fly around at high speed*, striking with their pointed spears. Even when in trouble, they face opponents bravely.

Karrablast -Trade with Shelmet- Escavalier

*The Pokédex is lying. Escavalier is very slow.


"Scrafty, High Jump Kick!" Scrafty kicked the plated Bug Type. Its Defense was high though, so it took it.

"Aerial Ace!" Escavalier darted into Scrafty. It was Super Effective and knocked it out.

"Lampent, go!" I shouted. "Flame Burst!" Lampent fired a flame at Escavalier. When it exploded, Escavalier was down.

"Yes, that was good. I wish you luck on your final obstacle!"


Once I was finished, I noticed something in the bushes. I went to go check it out. Behind it was a small feathery blue and white Pokémon with a yellow beak and sharp nails on its yellow feet.


Rufflet (ワシボン)

133

Normal/Flying Type

Eaglet Pokémon

1'08" (0.5 m)

23.1 lbs (10.5 kg)

They will challenge anything, even strong opponents, without fear. T heir frequent fights help them become stronger.


One of its wings was down on one side. "Are you alright?" I asked, going out to touch it. As I did, Rufflet started crying. "Sorry, sorry! Here, take this." I took out a Super Potion and sprayed it on Rufflet's wing. "It will sting, but it will get you better."

Sure enough, Rufflet's wing was back up to snuff. "Have you been separated?" I looked around and saw a nest in a tree with multiple Rufflet chirping in it. "That must be it! Okay, let's get you up there. Gothitelle, Telekinesis!" Gothitelle came out and lifted Rufflet into the nest. But when it went in, it wouldn't fit. Gothitelle took Rufflet back to the ground. "Maybe you're a bit big for that nest." Rufflet was getting angry. It started flapping its wings. Slowly but surely, it started to fly. "Wait, it can fly!"

At that moment, a big, blue Pokémon with red wings flew over.


Braviary (ワオーグル)

134

Normal/Flying Type

Valiant Pokémon

4'11" (1.5 m)

90.4 lbs (41 kg)

The more scars they have, the more respect these brave soldiers of the sky get from their peers.

Rufflet -Lv 54- Braviary


Braviary started talking to Rufflet. No, I couldn't understand what it was saying. (Pokémon can't talk after all, they can only make sounds or at the very least say their name). Rufflet apologised and flew back down.

"I guess it was your time to leave the next anyway. Sorry Braviary!" I yelled. Braviary understood. It flew down to me, and patted Rufflet on the head. Rufflet then flew off again. I watched it go into the sky. But when it got to a certain height, it was attacked. "Rufflet!" I shouted. It was a Mandibuzz, and it hurt Rufflet's wing again. "What's the big idea!" I shouted. "Rufflet was just about to see the world!" Mandibuzz came down to Rufflet and picked it up in its beak, then flew off with it. It flew off the Victory Road. Braviary flew after it. "No!" I shouted. Well that went well. "No, no more distractions. I need to get to Victory Road."

I couldn't save it. N was the priority.


I walked along Route 10 before I got to the Badge Gate. It was large and made of stone, and had a large entrance.

"This is it," I said.

"Hilbert!" Cheren called.

"Everything alright?" I asked.

"It will be," he said. "Listen, I know that you are now in a bit of a hurry to take on the League and then N, but I think we should have one last battle before you do. Not sure where Bianca got to; said she needed to do something. But are you alright with that?"

"Alright?" I asked. "It's more than that! Let's get our spirit pumping!"


Hilbert Vs. Cheren

"I choose Unfezant!" Cheren yelled.

"Go Excadrill!" I replied.

"Unfezant, use Air Slash!" Unfezant swiped the air and it hit Excadrill.

Suddenly, Excadrill started doing multiple poses with its claws. Its Attack rose sharply. "Hey, that's Swords Dance! Brilliant going!"

"Taunt!" Cheren shouted, as Unfezant started urging Excadrill on. This disabled Swords Dance.

"Rock Slide!" Excadrill made rocks fall from above and onto Unfezant. It fainted in one go.

"Simipour, you're up!" Cheren shouted as his blue Pokémon came out. "Use Scald!" Simipour shot boiling water at Excadrill. It was burned in the process.

"Earthquake!" I replied. Excadrill created a tremor, but it didn't knock out Simipour.

"Scald one more time!" Simipour shot more water at Excadrill, finishing it off.

"Scrafty, go!" I replied, as it took another Scald. It was once again burned. Just then, Scrafty started glowing red. It then rammed its body into Simipour, knocking it out. "Hey, Facade!" I shouted. "A move that does more damage if the user has a status condition!"

"Gigalith, come out!" shouted Cheren. His newest Pokémon was large and navy, with multiple red crystals sticking out everywhere.


Gigalith (ギガイアス)

032

Rock Type

Compressed Pokémon

5'07" (1.7 m)

573.2 lbs (260 kg)

Compressing the energy from its internal core lets it fire off an attack capable of blowing away a mountain.

Roggenrola -Lv 25- Boldore -Trade- Gigalith


"High Jump Kick!" I shouted. Scrafty kicked Gigalith hard, taking away half its health.

"Earthquake!" Gigalith stomped on the ground, shaking it. Scrafty was down for the count.

"Samurott, go!" I replied. "Use Surf!" Samurott made a large wave, but it missed Gigalith.

"Stealth Rock Gigalith!" Gigalith threw multiple rocks everywhere. I knew switching in would be risky.

"Surf again!" This time, the tidal wave did hit Gigalith. All its health eroded away.

"Liepard, go!" said Cheren. "Use Fake Out!" Liepard clapped in front of Samurott, making it flinch. "Now use Night Slash!" Liepard slashed Samurott.

"Revenge!" I replied, as Samurott punched Liepard for lots of damage.

"Another Night Slash!" Liepard slashed Samurott again, almost knocking it out.

"Revenge again!" One more punch from Samurott finished off Liepard.

"Fraxure, I choose you!" Cheren yelled as his Dragon Type entered the ring. "Dragon Claw!" Fraxure swiped at Samurott, delivering the final blow.

"Druddigon, come out!" I replied. The rocks hit Druddigon upon its entrance. It didn't do too much, so Druddigon was sort of unphased. "Dragon Claw!" Druddigon ran up and slashed Fraxure across the face with its claw.

"Come back with your Dragon Claw!" Fraxure did just that, and whilst Super Effective, it took Rough Skin damage.

"Dragon Claw again!" Fraxure jumped out the way.

"One more Dragon Claw!" yelled Cheren. Fraxure came down and attacked Druddigon, taking it out.

"Gothitelle, go!" I shouted. It also got hurt by the rocks. "Use Psychic!" Gothitelle lifted Fraxure up with Psychic energy, then threw it down. Fraxure was finished.

"Let's see how my final one does. Go Serperior!" shouted Cheren. His partner came onto the field. "Use Coil!" Serperior started coiling itself, raising its Attack, Defense and Speed.

"Psychic go!" I yelled. Gothitelle lifted Serperior up with its mind, then slammed it down. It's Special Defense was lowered in the process.

"Come back with Leaf Blade!" Serperior, with its tail, slashed at Gothitelle. It almost took it down.

"Telekinesis!" I shouted. Gothitelle lifted Serperior into the air.

"One more Leaf Blade!" Serperior swiped Gothitelle one more time, knocking it out.

"Lampent, go!" I shouted. It took quite a bit more from Stealth Rock since it was a Fire Type.

Serperior came back with a Leaf Blade. It was stronger than usual because of the Coil boost, but it was still an ineffective Grass Type attack on a Fire Type.

"Inferno Lampent!" Lampent created a deluge of flames around Serperior. They caved in and really hit it. Serperior was burned, which also burned away the last of its HP.


"Nice rematch!" Cheren replied.

"Hey," I told Cheren. "Thanks."

"It's okay!" Cheren said. "Tell me when you want another battle!"

"Well, yes," I said. "But I mean thanks. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have got this far. You've really helped me get stronger, and I'm now more confident than ever that I will beat N."

Cheren smiled. He took out something black from his bag. "Then you might need this. It's a Dusk Stone. It can evolve Lampent into Chandelure. Only do it when you're ready though. Okay, I'm going to head back to the Opelucid to heal my Pokémon. I'll start my ascent tomorrow. Why not get your Badges checked?"

I held out my hand. "Gotcha. Hey, can I do this? I can't even keep a big promise and right now, I thought I was in too much of a hurry to save a Pokémon."

"Hilbert. You are the hero of Unova. No hero is perfect."

I smiled. We shook hands, and Cheren went back down the stairs. I turned my attention to the giant structure. It was time.

"Unova League, here I come."


Location: Badge Check Gates

Through the doors was just a large room with a floor of brown dirt. The large roof above was open. There was the faint outline of a path going down the middle to some large doors. On it was the Trio Badge.

I walked to the doors and a Veteran came over to check. "Show me the Trio Badge." I took out my Badge Case and showed them to the man. He took out a scanner and scanned the Trio Badge. "Yep, this is authentic. You have shown an understanding of Types on this journey. You may go through." Slowly, the large doors opened, so I did so.


The next room felt like a garden. There was an archway with ivy going up it, a small bridge going over a river and two torches on the other end. On either side of me were to tables and chairs like the ones found in the Striation Gym. At the end were doors with the Basic Badge on them. A Veteran Trainer waited for me.

"Show me the Basic Badge," he said. I took out my Badge Case and he scanned it. "Yes, this is authentic. You have shown knowledge on this journey. You may proceed."


The next room had tall grass everywhere. I took out a Max Repel and walked through. Nothing was too special about this room.

The next door had the Insect Badge on it. A Veteran Trainer came over to me. "Show me the Insect Badge." I got it out and he scanned it. "You have shown how colourful battles can truly be. Crawl on through." The doors opened.


The next room had a giant metal sculpture in the middle of a generic looking Bug Pokémon. It was somewhat reminiscent on the Johto based Spinarak.

The Bolt Badge was on the other end, and the Veteran Trainer was there with his scanner. "Here you go," I said as it was scanned.

"No fake here. You have embraced the thrill of battles. Please charge on through."


Okay, this room might have been my favourite. It was a metal bridge with three glass tubes on either side with blue side emitting electricity. Though was metal near electricity this good of an idea? What if something went loose? I don't know, I'm not an engineer (even if I am about to use a lighting God in a battle in a couple days).

"Yes," said the Veteran next to the large doors with the Quake Badge on it. "You have shown battling in tough terrain. And thanks for your help in the Cold Storage. Dig it."


I felt like I was in a gorge with the next room. There were two large rocky walls on either side of me, and gems were gleaming in the setting sun above. In the rocky walls were multiple gems.

Guarding the doors with the Jet Badge was, yes, another Veteran. "Of course. You have shown how to fly high in battles. Please fly on through."


Well, of course this place was as much as a safety hazard as Skyla's Gym. There was a giant canyon with very, very strong wind blowing up that kept me afloat. Which made me question. What if there was a power cut? That would certainly be the end of my journey.

"Of course," the Veteran said next to the doors with the Freeze Badge on then. "You have shown to brave the cold. Skate on Trainer."


The room with the Rising Badge on the doors has an ice puzzle. There were ice-covered stalagmites coming up from the ice. Since the ice has you zooming off in whatever way you step, the stalagmites help stop you. It was like Brycen's Gym, but nowhere near as complex (and quite frankly, far less dangerous).

"Of course," the Veteran said. "You have shown to rise above any challenge. But you will now rise above your final ones. Beyond the final gates is Victory Road, the last obstacle before the Pokémon League. I wish you all the best of luck, Hilbert of Nuvema Town."


The final room had two rock heads of Dragon Types, potentially Reshiram and Zekrom.

At the end was the exit, which has a similar structure to the entrance. It also had a bed!


Location: Victory Road

I looked out the window of my bedroom. It was a giant cliff with many caves dotted around. On the top, albeit in the clouds, I could see the grand, gold Pokémon League. Tomorrow, I would start my ascent.


I've made it. When I say that though, I mean that I have the Victory Road in front of me. Spoilers; that's not easy. This will be the final big challenge before the Elite Four, Alder and N. Anyone who just so happens to be reading this, wish me luck.