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

[AtlanteanTroll]

Wait, what the hell? Pokemon can't evolve mid-battle. ACK!

[Mystic Muse]

Wait, what the hell? Pokemon can't evolve mid-battle. ACK!

They can in the series.

[Ranielle]

I'm surprised that some became surprised at the combat evolution. It's so common in the series you can even predict it when the battle goes in a certain way =P

[Deme]

Wait, what the hell? Pokemon can't evolve mid-battle. ACK!

And they don't normally evolve due to character development, and can't normally damage hitpoints through psycological warfare. And they can't normally talk to people.

I think there has to be some adjustments of the term 'normal' as applied to this LP... But I admit, this is the tricksiest I've been thusfar.

[Mystic Muse]

And they don't normally evolve due to character development, and can't normally damage hitpoints through psycological warfare. And they can't normally talk to people.

I think there has to be some adjustments of the term 'normal' as applied to this LP... But I admit, this is the tricksiest I've been thusfar.

Whatever makes for a good story!

As a side note: More Mellow!

[Mando Knight]

And they don't normally evolve due to character development, and can't normally damage hitpoints through psycological warfare. And they can't normally talk to people.

I think there has to be some adjustments of the term 'normal' as applied to this LP... But I admit, this is the tricksiest I've been thusfar.

Query: how did you do it, though? Purposely threw the fight the first time, then trained ZuZu up to 36 to evolve, then torched Erika's entire team over again? Activated some script that gave ZuZu a level and evolved her mid-battle?

At any rate, BURNiNATION has now FORSAKEN Erika's team! And only one 'mon has remained!

AZUUUULAAAAAAAAA!!

[Deme]

Query: how did you do it, though? Purposely threw the fight the first time, then trained ZuZu up to 36 to evolve, then torched Erika's entire team over again? Activated some script that gave ZuZu a level and evolved her mid-battle?

At any rate, BURNiNATION has now FORSAKEN Erika's team! And only one 'mon has remained!

AZUUUULAAAAAAAAA!!

I didn't exactly throw the fight. I almost threw the fight, then re-loaded the game after I had that 10 hp left screenshot, then did the whole 'level up Azula and blast my way through' thing. I have no idea how to do anything with scripts, so I had to figure out the most natural-looking sequence on my own.

...Still -- from the perspective of the story, something much cooler happened, and that's worth something.

[Deme]

So, doubleposting for the sake of news.

Next chapter's going to be delayed: it's long, and because of my birthday + midterm project prep, time's a premium. But I'm working.

Also, I have seen my first ever shiny that's not the Red Gyrados from the Silver and Gold and Crystal games. But... Pseudo-Nuzlocke. Foaming with frustration... But it's something I will work into the story, so you'll get to see it, at least.

Right now, I have Tanith, Sandra, Belle, and Pixie up to level 25, I'm working on getting MaruMari to the same place, then going back for my second batch of under 25s. My basic idea is to get everyone up to 25, then go in for round 2 with the 6 chosen...by the key...*needs to spend less time messing around with the Umineko VN and more time LPing, she knows*

[Ranielle]

Happy Birthday Miss Deme!

[Dusk Eclipse]

Happy Birthay!!!!

[Deme]

Well, it's not until this Sunday...

But thanks.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Want to know a crazy thing? my Sister's birthay is also next sunday

[Deme]

Want to know a crazy thing? my Sister's birthay is also next sunday

Really? Wish her happy birthday for me, then.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Sure, I am sure she will appreciate it.

[Penguinator]

Happy Birthday!

...Funny... Nobody said anything when I mentioned my birthday... not even in real life... (Well, I didn't say it on this thread, but it's the idea, you know?)

[originalpimp]

Happy birthday to all with current, recent, or upcoming birthdays, then.

[Sucrose]

Well, happy birthday to you, Deme, now that it's the proper day.

Your Let's Play has been entertaining to me, so I figure I should finally pop in and say hi. Hope your midterm project is going well.

[Deme]

Decently -- my teacher's instructions are very vague.

I've decided to break this chapter into two bits: the 'training everyone to at keast 25' bit, which I've almost done, and the 'raise the 6 to 30,' which I haven't started.

Because we will never get to leave Celadon, apparently.

[Penguinator]

Unless someone breaks the tie, Erika and Mellow are tied for sixth.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Happy B-Day Deme!!! hope you are having a great day

[HypoSoc]

Mellow to break the tie.

[Penguinator]

Shh... Keep it like it is!

...I'd still like to see the little creep evolve...

[Mystic Muse]

Happy birthday!

[banthesun]

Happy Birthday! Hope you had fun!

[originalpimp]

Happy birthday again, and looking forward to the next update no matter how long it takes to happen.

[Deme]

Happy birthday again, and looking forward to the next update no matter how long it takes to happen.

The first part (everyone to level 25) will most likely be up tommorow. Breaking it up made it a lot easier, I have to say.

[Dusk Eclipse]

The first part (everyone to level 25) will most likely be up tommorow. Breaking it up made it a lot easier, I have to say.

Yay! (does the update day is nearby dance)

[Deme]

Chapter 35: Evolvapalooza, part 1!

Spoiler

Show

"Wait, how did that happen?"
We arrived back a minute ago -- everyone's shocked about Azula's evolution.
"The power of belief and hard work."
"Aaah..."
"Do you have something to make of it as well?"
"No, not at all. It's already been made, right?"
”I also had another sort of realization. Mistress, we must strengthen our comrades – they cannot fall so far behind!”
Ah, yeah… It’s been a while since I’ve trained everyone – some of them are really far behind.
”I’ll explain it all to you, later…”
”Yeah. Sounds like a plan.”
”As long as I find out, too!”

I gathered up some of our weaker teammates and got ready to go.

Marumari only attacks things if I throw round rocks in their direction... And hide the pokeballs on my person.

But she's not a bad fighter when the time comes, taking down everything between her and...
"My precious little round friends!"



Aaah. Look at it! It's shiny!
"...You want it?"
Sandra mutters from inside her pokeball.
...Ok, yes, I do want it. I've never seen a shiny pokemon before. I know it's redundant, but...
"I understand...if you want someone special...someone who's not plain and ordinary..."
And the way she said it...Aaah! It's useless when they say something like that.
"...Sandra, you're fine. MaruMari, use Sonicboom!"
"Understood!"

"Nice move. Keeping the loyalty of your balls is important."
"You know that that was Sandra, who was in the ball, right?"
"Really?"
*sigh*


After she learned Spark, things picked up the pace -- not an amazing pace, but about as expected. She didn't have a hard time.



Sandra's up next.
"Ok, you've got a limited array of options here... Ok, then, we start with a poison sting, and make smaller attacks from there."
Yes, this way, even a stronger enemy will be taking damage.
"But that's... kind of dirty fighting, isn't it? I mean --"
"You tell me: would they stop to consider you?"
"No..."
"Then let's call it fair play. They chose to fight."
"..."
She hesitates, but goes along with it. I think it's sad... That she has a power she doesn't want.

So that's our strategy. The funnest part of training is finding that.

"Why are you asking me to do this?"
"...What?"
"Before, when you decided you liked me more than that much more beautiful Sandshrew, you seemed very nice. But poison hurts a lot... It doesn't seem nice."
"You got me there: I don't know what poison feels like... But they come here wanting a fight. Isn't that what you want, too?"
"I wanted to... But then I thought... No one would like me."
"That's not true; it's hard not to love someone who fights with everything they have. That's what makes battling so exhillerating. Holding back because of fear isn't nice. It's cowardice!"
She doesn't say anything. I pat her on the head.
"Choose what you want to do, ok? I'll support you... As long as it's from your own heart. I won't accept anything else, though."
She thinks about it as I keep putting her through her paces.
And then she looks at me and says,
"I've made up my mind." She still looks emberassed, but rushes to add, "I owe the person I was when I came here something. If I don't do this right, t-then... I've made it all worthless. So..."

"I've got to fight my hardest and not hold back! I'm not going to be plain and ordinary anymore!"
"That's the spirit!" Being ordinary is over-rated. I’ve always felt that way.

And when she decided that... Man, could she kick some heiney.

And then she learned a stronger move, to go with it. She's got a good set of claws.

Then it was Pixie's turn. And Pixie had one small, itty-bitty, strategy-altering problem...
"You...forgot how Ember works?"
"Um...yes, ma'am. Just a little. I figured...well... you know... The best way out of a fight would be to get out fast, before they could mess up my hair, so I though Quick Attack..."
I sigh.
"Ah. Yeah. I get it... Well, it's Ok. Moves are replacable. Let's work with what you've got, Pixie."
"Beauty and an eye for finery?"
"...I meant quick attack and will-o-whisp. Sorry honey, but this isn't Hoenn..."
"Oh, that stuff... It sounds fun. Let's give it a shot!"
I think you know what the plan is -- burn an enemy and then quick-attack it.

And it worked well enough. I rarely felt like she was in trouble.
"I like fighting Meowths. Look at all the pretty coins they crop. Maybe I should sew them onto a scarf, and it would go jingle-jingle as I walk..."
"That sounds like a cute plan."


"Oh, hey, let me try that out!"
She goes up to her opponent and dances, at first slowly and then more quickly, circling around, her curled hair gaining a life of its own, wrapping around the other vulpix and bedazzling it -- how many Pixies were there, to its eyes?
"Tell me...How would you describe my dance?"

I glance back at the pokedex. It says confuse ray, no doubt.
"That's no ray at all..."
I guess it can only understand things in one way... Or something.
"Well, it could have been a ray... But life without beauty's no good, so attacks without beauty are also no good."
Well, it makes training easier to be able to stack so many damaging effects like that, so I can't argue with a strange method. Besides... It is really pretty.


"Where are we going?"
"Training."
"Why?"
"To get you stronger."
"Ooh, what's that?"
"...It's grass. You've seen grass."
"When was that?"
...This is a long battle.

Still, under Jasmine's watchful eyes, she managed to learn a lot.

"Where's the curly kitty girl?"
"You're tough enough for this."


"What are these things? Ow? Why are they hurting when I put them to me face?"
...*twitch*
"Poison things..."
I admit, I'm a little annoyed.
And with that, she starts being able to combine wrap and poison and vine whip for constant low level damage.

Though a wide variety of status effects were options as she grew.

"Do I make you happy?"
"...What?"
"Am I doing well? Are you upset with me?"
She looks up at me with big eyes...And I can't be mad. She's like FISTICUFFS -- she has to express herself in somewhat strange ways. That's ok.
"You're doing great."
"Thank you, Trainer Lady."


Well, I guess that satisfied her curiosity a little.

Her evolution's not a huge boost of power, but it's sufficient.

Belle's strategy had to be changed once she learned how to spray acid on her enemies -- sure, open with poison was still a good standby, but relying on wrap wasn't an option anymore.... But I couldn't argue with results like those. Yowza.

"Hey, Tanith...why were you chasing me?"
"That's a secret, Ma'am."
....Ok...
"Well, let's get started."

Tanith would go all out, flinging herself wildly at a foe. Doing that, she could do a lot of damage... But she got hurt a lot, too.
"Tanith!... That was really way too close. You need to take better care in battle."
"Bah! For the honor of being in the service of a great trainer, all wounds are just scratches! I'm sure your other puny birds wouldn't say anything like that, riight?"
...Wait, why's she brining Phoebe into this?
"I'd chase an enemy to the ends of the earth to serve you!"


"You're not going to take it easy, are you?"
"Taking it easy is for the weak! I want this journey to make me stronger! Stronger than other birds-types, stronger than Phoebe, strong enough to rule the sky!... Nothing less than that will do."
So that's the reason... Or part of it.

I wonder if that's the first time she's said that. It sounds like it.
"Wh-wha? ... I see; so it's better to admit this sort of thing. That's useful knowledge!"
She seems a little startled.
"Come on -- let's help you get that strength!"


Next up, Jewel.
"Hm. What a disappointing environment this is -- so much grass. So much air..."
"It's not so bad."
"Yeah, think of it as an adventure."
"I see... Very well then, I shall meet this challenge... as a GENTLEWOMAN ADVENTURER!"
And so this adventure began. I'm getting good at finding what motivates a pokemon...

She isn't the most offensively powerful pokemon at first, but after a while she started getting the hang of it.

"My apologies -- a gentlewoman shouldn't use excessive force... But still... It's not excessive if you wake up later, now, is it?"

Still, we spent a lot of time running from Sandsrews, who took advantage of Jewel's lack of attacking power. But we got to our goal, so I have no complaints.



"OK, Percent! Let's do this!"
[color=plum]"...You changed your little nickname for me?"
"I thought it appropriate."

I'd be lying if I said this was hard: Hyper Fang bit solidly through everything Percent wanted to fight.
"So this is what you meant by 'Top Percent' huh?"
"Oh, no. I want to be much stronger! The Top Percent is still far away!"

Doesn't look that way to me...

Next up, against my better instinct, was Mellow. The real Mellow can't be lagging behind, after all.
"Yes... More power..."
...Don't make me regret this. But it's such a short jaunt.

"Ah! My weapon's turned against me!"
"...Don't worry. It'll be over soon."

"You speak the truth. How... unexpected."

"HeHeHeHe... Now you learn the power of the spores!"
I have a plan, I have a plan, I have a plan...

Well, OK. It's more like a theory.

I take out a few more pokemon, including Toph, Helga, Ala, and Leafe, who I figure could use a little boost.
"O-oh! It's...very bright out here."
I look. It's lightly cloudy. It looks like it could rain tonight.
"The light really bugs you, huh?"
"That's right... I-I'm very sorry... I guess because I've lived in the cave so long..."
"It's OK. Here." I dig around and find my pair of sunglasses. They're comically large on her, but they keep the light out for now.
"T-thank you..."
In the end, I'm less than impressed with her -- maybe she's still got a ways, but most of her attacks are about average... But at least dig keeps her safe.

And she's learning more attacks, which is fun.

"Ala, are you ready?"
"I think I understand. These are battles for physical and social supremecy towards a philosophical ideal of strength and self-improvement, embodied through our actions, yes?"
"...Yeah. Let's go with that."
"Aah, it's sport. It's a little rough, but it seems charming enough, and one can always work towards bettering one's self."
She smiles faintly and begins her training.
She's a slow learner, at least in part because she sometimes makes us stop for tea...

But can you argue with that damage?

"Ok, Helga, your turn."
"Yeah, but how? Everything here can rip me to shreds."
Fire types. Flying types. Ground types. Darn if she isn't right.
"...I know! We'll go to the cave!"
"Which cave?"
"I think she means the Rock Tunnell, an impressive structure indeed."
"...It still won't do any good."
"Hey! If the boss says it'll work better, it'll work better, OK?"

Even so, it's not a great place for her.
"Good job! Keep it up!"
"Yeah. I hear you, boss!"
"Why? You're useless. Like me. You say so yourself in the box."
"That doesn't mean I shouldn't fight! Not fighting with everything you got is worse than not winning or not being useful!"
"..."

It turns out Helga's poison is among her biggest strengths, like with other pokemon. Twin Needle, where it's useful, is a good move for setting up multiple things at once. Maybe now she's hitting a second wind.

Our progress is painful, but it's there.
"What do you have against the world, to think you can just give up?"
"It's easier if you just let them win right away. I've never been on top."
"That's because you never fight! Toughen up! I'm weak because of fate... But fate can be beaten! Maybe I can change what Beedrills are! I don't know... But you can be something, if you try. And each step... means there's someone out there who'll find you too strong to hurt."
"Well said," I said, dropping in on things un-announced. I pat them both on the head -- Helga affirmingly, and Leafe consolingly. It's weird, trying to pat two different ways at once.
"In fact, let me prove my point by beating this next one!"

"Good work, Helga."


"...Mistress Seed?"
"Yeah?"
"I was thinking about...what Miss Helga said...And...thinking... Did you... maybe... buy a leafstone?"
The last words came out like a burst.
"I'm done feeling like this. I'm tired. I thought...Maybe if I changed...I could change. I could start over... and fight. Like Miss Helga was saying."
I smile.
"...Actually... I did pick one up."
I hand it to her.

And as the light surrounds her and lifts her up, brings the life back into her and gives her a bright new flower to wear...

I see, for the first time in a long time, a smile on her lips.

At least one thing in this chapter happened because someone had ideas about various ships. I have no regrets.

[Ranielle]

Update!
Yayness!

[Penguinator]

Ouch...
Not to nitpick, but I hope Leafe didn't miss any good Gloom moves before evolving...