Date: March 30th, 4 months and 2 days remaining until The Badge Run.
Harmony - Oooh it feels great out today! We're going to do a few days of training, and then we can go back to have my test battle with Bradley. I've heard from other gym leaders throughout the area that he's gotten insanely strong. So I'm going to have to do the same!
Archie - So, what happens if you lose to him?
Harmony - Oh I'm probably going to lose. He's just going to rank us as Gym Leaders. I'm trying to work my way up into the Elite 4 after this Badge Run. As you're aware, we have 11 gym leaders in Xelandria, and Badge Run participants are only required 8 badges to enter the tournament for a chance at the Elite 4.
Archie - You best bet, you're going to be one of my eight badges! I promise I'm going to beat you.
Harmony - Oh Archie, I fully expect you to challenge me! Don't make me your first challenge though. You only get 3 losses before you lose your shot at the run. If you battle me, I HAVE to go all out. Each badge run, I get a huge amount of battle requests from challengers at the beginning of the run. Well unfortunately they learn that I'm not an easy gym, and that number waivers, to where I'll get only a handful of challengers over the course of a few months. You however, get the privilege of knowledge of who not to challenge first!
Archie - Would you say you're the best gym leader in the run, then?
Harmony - I wouldn't necessarily say THE BEST, but I'm definitely top 2. The Operahouse, which is obviously my gym, and The Forge which is Rose's gym in Armamentopia are definitely two of the most difficult.
Archie - Your gym is fun! I've seen a few battles there, I've never actually seen you lose!
Harmony - Ha! Don't hype me up that way, I have lost plenty. I usually have 2-3 trainers beat me every badge run! But yeah! I loved that Xelandria ditched the outdated ideas of having Pokémon type themed gyms. For the second badge run in a row, it's just themed gyms! My gym, The Operahouse, is a nod to my using Pokémon that relate to music. Like Rillaboom, or Ludicolo.
Archie - Those were on your original Pokémon back when you had a grass gym right?
Harmony - Yep! They've been with me the longest now! I love them to death. But the rest of my team has gotten really strong over this past break. Skeledirge, Meloetta, Obstagoon, and the newest member of my team Toxtricity, have all gotten so much stronger! I'm planning on having nobody beat me this year. So please don't think when you challenge me I'll be going easy on you.
Archie - I hope you don't! I want to beat you fair and square. I haven't even seen half of your team in action yet. I didn't even know you have a Meloetta! Isn't she a mythical??
Harmony - She sure is! I got her in a trip to Unova a year ago with mom. She likes to go back every once in a while for her Druddigon to visit its home.
Archie - Are we allowed legendary or mythical Pokémon for the run?
Harmony - You sure are! Only one per team though. And I know what you're thinking, but the odds of you even seeing one is extremely rare. So don't get your hopes up!
Archie - Not getting my hopes up! I'd love to catch one, but I wouldn't even know which way I'd go to get one. But I'm ready! I've been here with you for a few weeks now, and I'm loving this area. My Pokémon have grown so much, and gotten so strong. I'm ready to get some more intense training in!
Harmony - That's why I brought you along! We're going up into heart of the Blackstone Mountains today. Old habit for Rillaboom and Ludicolo, but I love training them against ice types to make them more resistant to them. A good solid hit is still a very bad thing, but they haven't been knocked out in one hit in a long time now! I'd recommend you bring Floragato out of her ball up here as well. She'll hate the training, but I promise you'll be thankful for it in the long run. Plus there's only so much training you can get from fighting my gym hands!
Archie - Can you just train type disadvantages like that? Like say I were to catch a fire type, and just throw it in water. Would that help?
Harmony - That's a bit extreme, but you get the gist of it. I sort of did the same to Skeledirge, except I had him battle weaker water type Pokémon. And I mean like 10 levels or more lower. Then over time their hits do less and less damage. Not that it isn't still super effective, and can tire Skeledirge quicker, but he can tank more water attacks than other Skeledirge. You'll learn there's nothing more humbling than being a victim to a one hit knock out. That shit sucks, and I've vowed to never let it happen to me again.
Archie - I'll work my way up to be as strong as you! I'll be the Xelandria champion!
Harmony - Hahaha, good luck! But you're growing quickly! I see it in your battles with the gym hands. You ready to go and hunt some ice types??
Archie - Let's do it! Come on out, Floragato!
Harmony - Rillaboom, Ludicolo, y'all ready??
Floragato comes out first before being towered over by Rillaboom and Ludicolo. We all leave the camp site in search for ice Pokémon.
Harmony - Alright! Let's go and show these bastards what's up. Archie, watch us first. You're playing a dangerous game with Floragato here, so use your speed to dodge attacks, and here take this TM, it's low sweep. It'll help you out a lot with them to get a big hit in on them!
Archie - You've got it, thank you! Here you go Floragato, let's go and get stronger.
Harmony - We don't have to go super far from here, it's just at the top of this hill and we'll be battling away.
We climb the mountain, Harmony and her Pokémon leading the charge at an exceptionally fast rate. They seem really excited, meanwhile Floragato and I are freezing. After an excruciating cold 10 minute walk, we reach the peak, and Harmony wasn't lying. There was a huge field, a frozen field, its surface covered in a pristine blanket of glistening ice. The grass and plants that once adorned the field are now encased in a delicate layer of frost. The air is crisp and still, as if time itself has frozen along with the field. The sun's rays dance upon the icy surface, casting a dazzling display of shimmering light. It's a breathtaking sight, capturing the serene beauty of nature in its frozen embrace. Pokémon danced along the fields. Frosmoth glimmering in their natural beauty, Avalugg and Bergmite relaxing by the nearly frozen lake. Cubchoo playing in the field, and Cryogonal floating around.
Harmony - It's beautiful huh!?
Archie - I've never seen anything like this before. It's amazing. There are so many Pokémon here.
Harmony - One of the reasons people stay away from my gym is because it's so far away from anything else. This place is my secret Haven. To my knowledge we're the only people who will be here for the next year. I love it. And we're 10 miles away from Acoustica! I have a campsite for tonight where you can see the town light up.
Archie - Okay! This is amazing, Harmony. Thank you for showing me this. You ready to show me your training method?
Harmony - Sure am! Follow my lead. Rilly you ready? Archie, I'll show you on this Beatric here! We're higher level than you, so please only train on the Cubchoo or Bergmite. Rilly, get his attention, and let him hit you, then use Hammer Arm on Beartic!
Rillaboom jumps in, bangs it's drums so Beartic turns towards it. And then saves it's hand as if taunting Beartic, angrily accepts Rillabooms offer, and begins charging in full speed at Rillaboom. It lands a direct Icicle crash on Rillaboom who grimaces and then turns directly to attack. Landing a massive Hammer Arm onto Beartics head. One hit knock out.
Harmony - Yeah!! Good job Rilly!! That's pretty much how we do it. I'll let him take a hit, and then try and deliver the finishing blow. But like I said, we're level 73, you and Floragato are just what, 30 now? So please be careful. Dodge as much as you need. Only let the lesser Pokémon hit you. And feel free to catch anything! You still need 3 Pokémon anyways.
Archie - I don't think I want any ice type Pokémon! Are there any Pokémon in the area that aren't ice??
Harmony - Sure is! Just in the valley to the East there are a lot of ground type. Some more ice type too. Mamoswine, Excadrill, Gliscor, Sandile, and plenty more! Feel free to go there. Just meet me back up here before nightfall. We're going to go and train more!
Archie - Alright perfect!
So I begin my way towards the valley, battling the weaker Pokémon on my way through to help Floragato's ice type weakness a little bit, and battling a few Frosmoth for her bug weakness as well. After battling through about 20 Pokémon, we made our way to the valley. And overlooking its an extension of this area, but a little more melted. Mud everywhere, and plenty of Pokémon playing in it. I don't know which Pokémon I want here, but I know I'm not leaving without one. Floragato and I fight a Sandile and beat him with one seed bomb. Plus I can't add another dark type to the team. Swinub goes down easily, and gets us more ice training. Gligar goes down easily. That's where we run up on a group of 6 Drillbur. I look at Floragato and she nods in agreement. Floragato uses quick attack to run around the Drillbur occasionally throwing a seed bomb into the rounded up group. Within 30 seconds the 6 dwindle to 3, and down to 1, and then none.
Archie - Good job, Floragato! That was amazing!
That's when we feel the ground shaking, and hear a loud RUMBLE from underneath. Then bursting out of the ground is a full grown Excadrill. Before it even lands from catapulting out of the ground, Excadrill sends a Metal Claw directly at Floragato.
Archie - Quick Attack, Floragato, dodge that! And then use Seed Bomb!
Excadrill closes the distance, and before Floragato is able to get away, lands a direct Metal Claw onto Floragato's back. Sending Floragato flying into the mud. Floragato bounces and skids into the mud. She stands up almost immediately, and lets out a roar, Floragato is excited and ready to battle now.
Archie - I haven't seen this out of you yet! Let's give Excadrill everything that we have! Quick Attack to confuse him on where you are, and then use low sweep!
Floragato dashes around Excadrill hoping to confuse him, but he just uses dig and burrows into the ground. Floragato looks around confused before Excadrill comes out of the ground full force and throws Floragato into the air, and following it up with another direct Metal Claw into Floragato's back. Floragato again goes flying and luckily has her fall cushioned by the mud. She picks herself up, and begins to rush in for another attack. Excadrill again burrows into the ground, only for Floragato to jump high in the air and send Seed Bomb after Seed Bomb into the ground below. BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM. As all of them hit the ground below, forcing Excadrill to escape, and then Floragato rapidly sends another two seed bombs directly at Excadrill. BOOM, BOOM. Both hitting Excadrill. Floragato wasting no time, follows both attacks up with a low sweep, bringing Excadrill to the ground. Excadrill fainted, and right behind him out of exhaustion, Floragato does as well.
I recall Floragato to her ball, and throw a new ball at Excadrill. It rocks once. Rocks twice. Rocks a third time. Click.
Excadrill
Ground/Steel Pokémon
Male
Level 37
Height: 0.7m
Weight: 40.4kg
I did it! I successfully caught another Pokémon! This one loves battling too, and is naturally smart. My adrenaline is pumping through my body at this point. I call on Luxio, and get prepared to do more training. If I can get Floragato trained with opposite types, I can do the same with Luxio and ground types. We run through and battle some Sandile and Drillbur letting Luxio get stronger. I then throw out Ursaring, and let him get some training of his own as well. We beat up a few Pokémon and then begin to work our way back towards Harmony.
As nightfall creeps closer to us, we begin to run back, not realizing how far away we got. Our path ahead is clear, before being surprised by a gigantic Golurk.
Archie - Oh, you're mine! Ursaring close in and use Crunch!
Ursaring charges in, lunging forward for Crunch before being grabbed in mid air by Golurk. Golurk removes one arm and hits Ursaring HARD with Hammer Arm. Ursaring goes flying, and falls into a tree breaking it, and being knocked out.
Archie - Oh shit.
I begin running away. Floragato, Excadrill, Ursaring are all weak, and it would just be dumb to send Luxio into this battle. So getting away is my only acceptable move. I'm running and weaving in and out of trees, before I slip in the mud. I holler for Harmony, when Golurk lands in front of me, he pulls his arm back like before with Ursaring. I close my eyes.
WHOOSH
I open them again hearing that familiar sound. There's no way I've been saved again by this mystery Pokémon.
WHOOSH, WHOOSH
Golurk flies back, and falls down knocked out.
I turn around trying to catch a glimpse and say thank you, but the Pokémon is already out of range to see what it is.
Archie - THANK YOU!!! I OWE YOU TWICE NOW!!
I get up, dust myself off, and run back to the field, and greet Harmony with a hug.
Harmony - What's the matter you look like you saw a ghost??
Archie - I nearly was one! This super strong Golurk came out of nowhere and destroyed Ursaring in one hit, and then almost me. And then it saved me again!
Harmony - It saved you again?
Archie - Yeah! The mystery Pokémon from before that saved me from that Ursaluna. I have no idea what it was again, it was out of distance before I could even make out what it was. But it defeated the Golurk in like three moves. I yelled thank you, but I really wanted to thank it.
Harmony - Hmmm.. That's bizarre. We are technically in the same mountain range, so it easily could be the same Pokémon. It sounds like it could be watching you too. Maybe you caught it's interest!
Archie - You think it's a legendary??
Harmony - I've never seen or heard of a legendary in this area. But I did say nobody really comes here, so it's possible that it is.
Archie - Well I guess I need to get in danger more often so it comes back!
Harmony - You should stop. People get seriously hurt, you're lucky you have some guardian Pokémon watching your back! But follow me, let's get up to this cave to sleep tonight.
I begin eagerly following Harmony up the steep mountain trail. The air is crisp and filled with anticipation as we ascend higher and higher. As we reach the mountain's side, Harmony points out a hidden cave entrance, nestled within the rocky cliffs. With hearts pounding and excitement in their eyes, we venture in, our steps echoing against the cave walls. The flickering glow of our flashlights illuminate the mysterious stalactites and stalagmites, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.
Harmony - What do you think?? I have a few areas up here that are secret. This one overlooks Acoustica also, take a look.
From the mouth of the cave, we gazed down upon the enchanting city of Acoustica, its twinkling lights painting a mesmerizing tapestry against the dark canvas of the night sky. The lights from the stadium dancing and swaying in the black.
Archie - It's amazing! How does it feel knowing that city looks up to you?
Harmony - It's surreal at times. I know growing up with mom just how all of Johto looked up to her, and I hope that I can get that same type of recognition if not more. I'm on my way, just not there yet!
Archie - Are any of the gym leaders as young as you!
Harmony - There's a few. Rose is 22, so she's only a year older, Autumn who runs the gym in Intima City is 20 I believe?? And our newest leader, Bryan who runs the Hunter gym in Piedmont is only 19.
Archie - He had to be good to become a leader that quick!
Harmony - He is! He didn't beat me in the previous badge run though. He's a big hunter and fisherman, and his gym focuses on "hunting" things. But his main Pokémon is a Gengar.
Archie - HAHA! Like ghost hunting??
Harmony - Exactly what it is! And Autumn is a big time model, so her Pokémon are all big on being pretty and powerful. Honestly, Naomi is practically building her team about the same.
Archie - Before the run could you give me a cheat sheet on leaders??
Harmony - Not a chance. Telling you Bryan had a Gengar was too much. So please keep that between us.
Archie - You got it! Sorry for asking.
Harmony - Don't apolo..AHHH!
Archie - What?!?
Harmony - Lo..Loo..Looook!
I follow her out stretched finger and saw about 50 yards from us, on the mountain path, a mysterious silhouette emerged, its form shrouded in darkness, as it stood on all fours, blending seamlessly with the rugged terrain. All that was visible were it's fur blowing in the wind, and a pair of bright white eyes staring directly at us.
Archie - That's the Pokémon who saved me. HEY! IT'S BAD WEATHER, COME TAKE SHELTER WITH US! YOU SAVED ME, I WANT TO RETURN THE FAVOR.
Harmony - You think it's going to listen to you?
Archie - Not even a little bit, I just want it to know I'm thankful.
The Pokémon took a few steps towards us, and then Floragato jumped up, and acted excited. Harmony and I stood staring at each other wondering what was going on. Then the mysterious Pokémon turned around, and jumped into the darkness.
Harmony - Whatever it was, Floragato's a fan of it! Maybe it will come up to you one day. But I feel fully confident in saying that it's watching you.
Archie - I'll give it a show then! Oh yeah!! You haven't seen my newest Pokémon!
Harmony - I figured you did! Lemme guess. You caught a Piloswine or a Sandile. You seem like you'd catch a Sandile.
Archie - Wrong and wrong. Come on out buddy!
Excadrill comes out of his ball, and immediately puts on a show. Clanking it's claws together and running over to Floragato to play around.
Harmony - Haha! You have an energetic one on your hands! He and Floragato also seem really close already. They must've had a big battle.
Archie - They did! Both fainted at the end of it. They gave it their all, and I knew at the beginning that I just had to catch Excadrill. But he's going to be a great member to the team!
Harmony - I love seeing him! But I'm tired. We have to head back tomorrow, I have my big battle with Bradley in two days. I think we got some fairly decent training in today! Everybody on my team was out there for a little bit. So catch some shut eye, and we'll begin our journey down.
2 DAYS LATER
"Harmony! As lovely as ever." yelled Bradley from a distance, accompanied by his two Pokémon aces.
This was the first time seeing him in person. Bradley, the Pokémon Champion, a remarkable trainer with an unyielding passion for Pokémon battles. With his fiery red hair and intense gaze, he exudes confidence and determination. His team consists of a diverse array of powerful Pokémon, each with their own unique strengths and abilities. His two following him were the mighty Tyranitar and the swift and agile Dragonite.
Harmony - Hey, Brad! About time you decided to show up!
Bradley - I had to save the best for last!
Harmony - Has anybody beaten you?
Bradley - No ma'am, Rose did fairly well! We did a 3v3 and it ended up as a 1v1. You two were the only ones I was worried about.
Harmony - Well good! Oh by the way, this is my cousin, Archie. He's training and hoping to join the Badge Run this year.
Bradley - Hey, bud! I've heard a bit about you from Harmony here! She thinks mighty high of you.
Archie - Thank you, sir!
Harmony - Alright! Enough waiting around. Let's head to the gym, I'll change, and then we'll be ready for a battle!
Bradley - Sounds like a plan. Archie, are you going to accompany us? Get a little sneak peak of how a Champion and a highly ranked Gym Leader battle?
Archie - Oh I for sure would love to!
Bradley - Come on then!
Harmony's Pokémon Gym is an extraordinary music-based gym nestled high in the scenic mountains. As you ascend the winding path, the sound of melodic winds fills the air, creating an enchanting atmosphere. The gym itself is a fusion of rock and nature, with stages set up amidst lush greenery and towering cliffs. The gym is also home to a variety of Pokémon that have a strong connection to music, like Ludicolo and Jigglypuff.
Bradley - Beautiful gym isn't it? It's like it goes on forever. The gym is in a low point of the mountain, so all of the sounds echo and make the atmosphere feel amazing. It's a wonderful place to be for a big time battle.
Archie - It's amazing! I love her concerts she'll do as well.
Bradley - I haven't been lucky enough to catch one of them. But let's get in our positions. It's time to test how strong she's gotten.
Just as he spoke, the Pokémon surrounding the gym, all grew louder in unison, creating an intimidating melody announcing Harmony's entrance to the battle field. Harmony appeared on the other side of the battle field, completely different than I had seen her an hours ago. She went from her normal clothes, to her normal gym outfit. It's very reminiscent of her mother's outfit. Her long blue hair up in a long ponytail, her outfit exactly like her mother's minus the cape, and a long sleeve on the right arm, with her music sleeve tattoo on her left arm out to breathe.
Harmony - Alright, Brad. I assume 3v3 rules like normal?
Bradley - Let's do it. I'm ready to see how strong you've gotten. Archie. Would you do us the honor of calling our battle?
Archie - *stuttering* Abso-Absolutely I will!
Harmony throws out her Pokémon, Meloetta. Bradley answers with his first Pokémon, Dragonite
Archie - BEGIN!