Behind Every Monster Is a Person in a Cute Costume: Let's Play Moemon Leafgreen!

[originalpimp]

Well, I suppose it COULD end up not being Agatha. But that pretty much only leaves the possibility up to being an original character of yours like Seed's sister, unless there's some other old lady I forgot.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Well, I suppose it COULD end up not being Agatha. But that pretty much only leaves the possibility up to being an original character of yours like Seed's sister, unless there's some other old lady I forgot.

There is Bertha... but she is in Sinnoh...

[Rae Artemi]

Well, I suppose it COULD end up not being Agatha. But that pretty much only leaves the possibility up to being an original character of yours like Seed's sister, unless there's some other old lady I forgot.

Or, you know, a female Pokemon that happens to be old. It's a possibility.

[Deme]

Or, you know, a female Pokemon that happens to be old. It's a possibility.

I think that would count as an original character...
Also, I'll probably start going into the game corner basement tonight, hopefully knock that out fast.

[Rae Artemi]

I think that would count as an original character...

If it was a Pokemon already owned by Lance, I don't believe it would. In fact, his Aerodactyl, being a dinosaur Pokemon, would probably fill the role of an older woman pretty well.

[Geno9999]

Gym Chapter next or is it going to be a training montage?

@ I think it would still count as an original character because you're giving personality/feelings to something that didn't before. Unless, you know, someone thought of this and did it before you, thus stealing your... thunder. *YEEEEEAAAAAH!!!!*

[Deme]

Well, next is Rocket Base. Then gym, though I may be doing some sneaky training and careful editing. I'm a little uncertain there. Then training...And from there, sky's the limit.

[AtlanteanTroll]

This in the only LP I've ever read, and it is amazing. All the others I've seen just don't suit me.

Keep up the awesome work!!

[Rae Artemi]

This in the only LP I've ever read, and it is amazing. All the others I've seen just don't suit me.

Keep up the awesome work!!

Have you checked out any of Red Chocobo or The Dark Id's LP's? They are pretty good as well.

[AtlanteanTroll]

No, and using GitPs Search function has not helped me locate one.

[Deme]

This in the only LP I've ever read, and it is amazing. All the others I've seen just don't suit me.

Keep up the awesome work!!

Thank you for the high praise ^^

Also, I have to say... I hate my lack of photoshop. I had a sketch of Azula and Seed that's not going to be accurate much longer, and a few ideas for little mini-comics. It's very depressing to know I'll have to wait until the middle of the month to do much with them.

[John Cribati]

This in the only LP I've ever read, and it is amazing. All the others I've seen just don't suit me.

This is kind of disheartening to those of us who may also be doing an Lp of a Pokemon game...

[AtlanteanTroll]

This is kind of disheartening to those of us who may also be doing an Lp of a Pokemon game...

Well, some say I have bad taste soooo, yeah, don't take it personally.

[Dusk Eclipse]

This is kind of disheartening to those of us who may also be doing an Lp of a Pokemon game...

Care to link itplease Herpestidae? I haven't seen it

[John Cribati]

Care to link itplease Herpestidae? I haven't seen it

I swear I'm not trying to derail your thread, Lady Deme.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Thanks.

Now, on topic....who are you planning to use against erika? or will we be seeing another training motague for the newest members of the team?

[AtlanteanTroll]

Azula would sweep, both Fire and Flying are SE against Grass type, and considering my xp from using Charmander, it should hit Charzid in or before the Gym.

[Dusk Eclipse]

hmmm now that I think so it might be interesting for Azula to face the gym alone, it seems IC for her to try to prove her strength...maybe something during the Rocket Base raid might trigger insecurites or put her resolution on trial?

[AtlanteanTroll]

hmmm now that I think so it might be interesting for Azula to face the gym alone, it seems IC for her to try to prove her strength...maybe something during the Rocket Base raid might trigger insecurites or put her resolution on trial?

Well, she's never even been in a Gym Battle, if I remember correctly. *I hjust read it all today, so I sure hope I do*

[Rae Artemi]

No, and using GitPs Search function has not helped me locate one.

Well that's because they weren't made on Giantitp. You can find them here and Here.

Well, that's the end of this off topic discussion from me (probably).

Now for something on topic:

Umm... I can't actually think of anything relevant.

*flees*

[Deme]

Thanks.

Now, on topic....who are you planning to use against erika? or will we be seeing another training motague for the newest members of the team?

I'm using Azula all the way... Right now, I'm trying to decide if I should use some dramatic/creative editing and save-stating, or if I should play things straight. Mainly it's a question of drama.

Also, while there will be montages for the reserves...No one ever actually said 'add so and so to the team,' so there really aren't new members of the team (though if there's some movement for changes, that's something I'd be glad to do)... I generally do reserve training after major gyms.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Drama all the way.

[Deme]

Drama all the way.

Well, there'll be drama either way...But I'll keep your opinion in mind ^^

Edit: Also, I just realized that Sandra x Spike as a pairing could produce the ending of Grease. I am deeply amused.

[AtlanteanTroll]

Also, while there will be montages for the reserves...No one ever actually said 'add so and so to the team,' so there really aren't new members of the team (though if there's some movement for changes, that's something I'd be glad to do)... I generally do reserve training after major gyms.

I doubt that you will ever be asked to change our team. The current line up has existed for far too long to be changed up for the rest of the story. IMO.

[Deme]

Chapter 33: The Boss

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Down I go, into the abyss. Well, the basement.


"You left your switch unguarded... And you haven't asked the important question yet."
Rocket: "Doesn't matter -- I'm sending you back out!"

An unusual first choice. Still, Rya's got a move that can take it, no real weaknesses...Yeah: let's do this.

"Good work, Rya."
Why have I yet to meet a drowzee not aligned with evil? ...Well, OK, Erika's creepy, but not actually evil.
I guess that’s important to distinguish.

A pairing of opposite types; a rare thing, sometimes...
THIS IS NO TIME TO CONTEMPLATE HIS TEAMBUILDING STRATEGY!
"I don't know -- I think it's always a good time for some contemplation."
...Right. Psychic. Reads my mind...I forgot about that.
"Don't worry, if that's what you're thinking now... I only can do so when you're shouting it out like that, or I'm paying very close attention. It's much more interesting to see what you choose to express."
Foe Machop: "...Can we get back to the fight?"
"Certainly. My apologies."

"He, for example, should have contemplated that this would be the result..."

"Dissing you? I'm taking you down!"
Rocket: "You can't! Our boss'll protect us!"
"Don't count on it, bub."


Drat. Well, there has to be a way around this.


"You're criminals! Don't talk to me about nerve!"

"PREPARE YOURSELF!"
No lessons for them: good girl. Maybe in another world, ms. Raticate.


This one gets in a Quick Attack, spurring FISTICUFFS to strike even harder.


"Really? Watch me."
And I walk past him.

You know, he could pull a gun. Or a knife. I've said it before, but... He could. He should. But everyone's decided pokemon are how things get done...Even when, in his case, they wouldn't be as powerful as a knife in his hand at my throat.
Who made that choice, and why?


Well, at least I have a way out of this. I think there were more stairs near where I came in.


So they've got the missing Silph Scope, huh? I'll kill a few birds with one stone.

A quick and decisive match thanks to ChuChu!

"Terra, let's keep up the speed!"
"...zzz...As...you...wish...zzz..."
...Must...keep...serious... Must resist Princess Bride joke!


I know I've mainly used Terra for this sort of thing in the past, but right now, ChuChu needs to catch up a bit...So, more battles for her!

Man, why does this guy have about twice the pokemon as the guys upstairs?


"Spike, let's try out your new technique."
He nods. He flips his hair, letting it re-arrange around his ears and horn. He looks across at her with a sultry gaze and says,
"Maybe it's having such a beautiful opponent...But this sort of battle is...exhilarating, don't you think?"
He brings a finger to the collar of the shirt beneath his body armor and pulls it down, just a little, as if to hint of the future.

She just stands there, blushing and stuttering.
”G-goodness…That is hot.”
”I taught him to do that.”
”Your name shall be sung among the angels.”
"...Piece of cake."
He rolls his eyes and advances a strike.

...Man, that's ruthless.


Way to keep your secret information secret.

"Totally."


"OK, so you've had time to prepare. Let's see if it matters."
...Man, I talk big, considering the risk I'm running. But these guys...they just make me mad. I want to scare them.


And I want Terra to make the fear real.

Seriously, guys: Stop telling me how to break through your base.


Hm...Frustration...May not be the best choice.


What the heck are all of these things?
I step on one and, like some sort of conveyer belt, it shunts me forward.
"Who designed all of this?"

I keep navigating the arrows, sliding as if my legs have no power here...
It twirls around me, dipping me and spinning me...Is this what dancing is like? I mean, I never have...
I stop and face a Rocket, my visions of dance vanishing.


"Stop meddling in the world's affairs, Rocket!"
Rocket: "What else can I do? There's no living in an honest living!"
"I don't want to hear your excuses."


Man, there has got to be an easier way around these psychic-types...Yeah, the Drowzee flinched now, but I can't help but be a little concerned.

But today, we’re fine.

FISTICUFFS is getting a good workout today: I guess she can't be unhappy about that.

I bet the boss has it. It's obvious.


Sunglasses? Really? Ok.
"Oh, how cool! Can I wear them? I want to be cool!"
Are sunglasses cool anymore? Still, they'll make her happy...

"Ok, Rya, here you go."
"Awesome! It's 1 floor to the bottom, we've got a full crew of pokemon, half a dozen hyper potions, it's dark, and I'm wearing sunglasses!"
She sounds so eager. It'd be a crime not to...
"Hit it."


More candy before we go; these have been turning up a lot since Rya decided they were magic. But they work, so that’s a bit like magic, right?


It's stolen -- I may as well take it back. At least I'll use it FOR JUSTICE.


What sort of name for a TM is Snatch?


Man, he sounds oddly polite for a pokemon-murdering criminal...

But a criminal's a criminal.


And ChuChu's new form is still awesome.

So you had it all along, huh?
I pick it up.
Rocket: "Damnit... You're one of them! Why you, huh?"
"Because I'm a law-abiding citizen."
Rocket:"Don't give me that bull! I used to be a cop! It doesn't matter how good you are..."
...I don't have time for this. I want to listen. I do. But he could just be tricking me -- I don't have room to trust him. They lie. They say they'll go to the police, but then....
"Just give it up. Go home. If you’re really a nice guy, then you’ll do that and everything’s fine, right? I don’t have room to trust every sob story."
Rocket: "..."


On the floor I skipped earlier, there are more spinning tiles.

I think I'm going to throw up.


But free stuff is the best cure for what ails me.


Another moon stone. I'll save it in case someone could use it, somewhere along the line.


Taunt, huh? Could be useful... But it sounds somewhat circumstantial.


WHO DESIGNED THIS? WHO'S RESPONSIBLE?


No, I can't be calmed by free stuff. WRATH.


"To take you out."



Like so.


No romantic dialogue, huh? Well, it didn't make a huge difference.

Employee loyalty is low, huh?


"You just getting this memo now, bub?"

"Let's not waste time here, Spike."

Rats. I guess it's time to waste time.
"You wouldn't want to fight me, would you? There's something to be said of...Toxic love."

...That worked? Pokemon must be really susceptible to romance. Or possibly songs sung by Tim Curry in bad animated musicals.


I think the term is 'swooned.'


"Very nice, Terra."

And the rest goes off without a hitch.


Ooh, more stuff.


Well, time to head downstairs...But first, what was upstairs?


"Don't ‘little mouse’ me!"



What sort of lousy engineering is that?


Oh, hey, free medicine. Well, I'll save it for if I need it.


So we have a gatekeepers...I need to take care.


"Goodness matters more than beauty."
Spike takes out his first pokemon in record time.

Levels are more important than beauty, too.

"Good work, Rya!"
"Slain by the power of my coolness!"
"She doesn't get 'cool', does she?"
"Not one bit. Well, lemee show her."

"Eeeey."
...None of them really get cool, do they? Still, ChuChu’s swooning… I guess that counts, right?

"You failed yourself, first."


"That's right."
I was pretty scared then... I think I'm more angry than scared now.
Because somewhere out there, a member of Team Rocket is hurting someone sweet and innocent, someone too small to protect themselves...
So I have to do it.

All I have to do is take out this man...And I'll be face-to-face with the boss!

Just one pokemon left...

And it's a new one to me. Sandslash's kinda pretty...

And now, I guess, I'm ready for anything.

…
"YES!"



The man sits there, casually, sipping a glass of wine. He doesn't look disturbed at all. There’s something familiar about him.

"Really? I'm not." I lie.
Giovanni: "Of course not. It's that sort of arrogance, the arrogance of the poweful...Is, more than anything else, a sign of your blessing. No, of course..."
He turns his head, and seems to grow philosophical.


Giovanni: "They change, ever so slightly, the placing of power -- and what's so wrong about that?"
"It's against the law!"

And now he stands, and I realize he's at least a foot taller than me. Or maybe, in his rich clothes and with his broad shoulders, he's just looming like some mountain, pushing down against me. He laughs, laughing, the air around him seems to grow tight. I -- I can't breathe. Because he's laughing, the world is his.
"Law? Throw away your fairytale dreams! You don't need them! What does law matter? 'it makes the world fair,' you say? Bah -- a little girl like you wouldn't know: the world is unfair at its heart! That is why law is just a stillborn dream of the weak!"

"Mistress. Strength -- we are at your command. You need not --"
"Shut up, you little speck! The real people are talking."
... He can hear Azula. He knows. W-what am I supposed to...

Maybe for a moment I picture that day again. Just a moment. Maybe I can't help it. Maybe it's always there, waiting for someone to cast a shadow long enough to reach back and find my father's shadow, the shadow he's casting over me...

"I'll not be silent if my Mistress needs me!"
"Big words...What about you, girl?"
...He just told Azula to shut up. He keeps calling me a 'little girl.' He orphaned a cubone. He hurt innocent people!
Just this once, I push my father down.
"I agree. Shut up and fight."
He laughs again.




I know Rya's the better choice, but... Azula's pokeball jumped into my hand first, like she could move it from the inside.

She begins slicing through her foe, even as the Onix sends rocks tumbling down -- this isn't Brock's weaker pokemon, set up almost to let me win: this is a real opponent.

"Stay in it, Azula! Even if it hurts, we'll show him!"
"How melodramatic."

I heal her up, and the Onix makes a poor move, choosing to Rage instead of pin Azula with more rocks.
"My mistress has charged me here...so...Because she has trusted me, I'll not fail!"



I switch Azula out for Rya. Let’s not make this riskier.
"Hm. You're rather lucky -- I wasn't prepared for someone like you today."
"Yeah, and I bet those grapes taste sour!" False bravado, it’s good to see you again.

Perfect!
"Good work, Rya!"
"You show that mean man, Seed!"


"AT LAST, A REAL FOE. I AM SORRY YOUR YOUNGLING WILL HAVE TO SEE ITS MOTHER BEATEN."
Kangaskhan: "Then you'll be relieved to hear that that's not happening, you brute."

I don't believe her, but she weathers FISTICUFFS' first strike. And then immediately turns around…and whips her tail about.

"YOU WASTED IT. YOUR CHANCE!"



Giovanni: "It could only be expected…But…"


"As a man, I must admit when I've been beaten by another true trainer...Still..."

"As long as this world preys on the helpless, and crushes dreams...There'll always be a place for us."

He waves something in front of my eyes: a powder? A mist? The lilac smoke clouds my vision...and when I can see again, he's gone.

But he left me something.


...It's not until I'm walking out that I remember those shoulders, that short dark hair....That suit.
I freeze in my tracks.


That man
was,
unquestionably,
my father's
Boss.

[Raistlin1040]

Fern Gully is NOT a bad animated musical.

[Deme]

Fern Gully is NOT a bad animated musical.

I really hated it as a kid. Except for the villain, anyway. and Batty. Would you accept 'mediocre'?

[AtlanteanTroll]

I'd like to point out Giovanni is not a bad man.

Spoiler

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Or, not in the manga. He's just troubled.

Anywho, I just realized something: TERRA CAN'T EVOLVE!! You should hack so she does, people wouldn't mind. Right people?

[Deme]

I'd like to point out Giovanni is not a bad man.

Spoiler

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Or, not in the manga. He's just troubled.

I've never actually read the manga, so I wouldn't know... I think right now, it's too early for me to talk authorially as an author about Giovanni's mortality, but I will say it was something I thought a lot about. There are ways in which I'm satisfied with my choices, and ways where I wonder if it is the right route... I guess only time will tell, eh?

If I did a second pokemon LP of this gen or first gen (I doubt I will; 1 pokemon LP in Kanto's enough, by far), I'd probably cast him differently. It's just the question of what he needs to be here.

Anywho, I just realized something: TERRA CAN'T EVOLVE!! You should hack so she does, people wouldn't mind. Right people?

I wouldn't know how to do something like that, really...

[Penguinator]

At this point, I'd like to note that Mando mentioned Kadabra's Special Attack still being insane without evolution, so it's not a huge problem.

Also, Sandra must evolve!