Unovia's Alpha Sapphire "Forest Ranger & Birch Run"

[Unovia]

I was in the back of the moving truck going to the house. My mom freed me, then sent me to set stuff up in my room. Once I did so, I was encouraged to meet May, my next door neighbor, who is an aspiring Forest Ranger too. She departs for her lessons, and I follow her. Eventually, as I leave home, I hear a scream for help. I see Leader Birch with his bag away from him. Looking into his bag, I see three Pokeballs. These Pokeballs house these Pokemon:

	Treecko is the top pick for beginning Forest Rangers. Being Grass Type, it is a perfect fit for a future Forest Ranger, especially if you don't have a specification, like me.
	Torchic is not recommended for Forest Rangers unless you are specifically being trained in Fire Creation & Management. A lot of girl scouts pick it because it is cute.
	Mudkip is not recommended for Forest Rangers unless you want to deal with studies on water travel or cleanliness of bodies of water.

I pick Treecko, save Leader Birch from a wild Poochyena, am allowed to keep it, then am encouraged to meet May at one of her training sessions on Route 103. She ended up picking Torchic (typical Girl Scout), but maybe she wants to learn about Forest Management? Surprisingly, I defeated her, which Leader Birch gave me a gift of a Pokedex and 10 Pokeballs to catch Pokemon with. Leader Birch also gave me my first list of approved Types that someone of my rank (Junior Forest Scout) could get:

Junior Forest Scout

Rank 1 (Levels 1-14)

Grass

Normal

Bug

Dark

Water

Flying

Psychic

Fairy

With the list in my bag, I headed off, getting some Potions and catching a few Pokemon (Wurmple, Zigzagoon, Poochyena, & Wingull). After I did some research, I put Wurmple in the box due to the uncertainty of the evolution. Maybe I can have some more certainty later on...

I decided to rest on Oldale Town while I trained my team up a bit. In the next Log, we will explore Routes 102, which we were blocked from exploring before due to a science camp studying footprints, and also see the City that lies beyond, which, according to my Scouts' Guide, is Petalburg City. What Pokemon lie there?

Until next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

This Log took me longer than I expected, due to work. Thanks for the views and patience!

Departing from Oldale Town, I arrived on Route 102. On Route 102, I captured a few Pokemon. These are Lotad, Surskit, and 2 Ralts, one male and one female. The Ralts looked to be a bit hard to train, needing to be babied, so I boxed them for a bit while training the rest of my team to Level 7 (Treecko is Level 8). Once I did so, I arrived in Petalburg City, which is the first major settlement I have seen since leaving home.

Looking throughout the town, it was nice to relax for a bit after a few days of constant activities. In the next Log, we will meet up with Dad (Norman) and see what he is doing. Until next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

While I was visiting with my Dad, who is also a Scout Leader, a new camper came rushing in. He name was Wally, and he was wanting help to catch his first Pokemon so he could have one when he moved to the far off town of Verdanturf Town. The boy is sickly, and it is known that Verdanturf has clean air, which is why he is going there with his sister. Dad gave Wally a Zigzagoon (Level 7) to help him. He also asked me to help him since I have some experience now. The two of us walked to the nearby grass of Route 102. Wally wasn't sure what to do, and he asked me for advice. Eventually, he runs into a Ralts (Level 5), which was a higher Ralts than I saw. A back and forth ensued, and it was eventually caught. When we went back into Petalburg, Dad took back the Zigzagoon and Wally was ecstatic with his new capture. Wally departed, then Dad told me to plan for my first Test: Roxanne. I decided to stay with him for the rest of the day, with the test on my mind. In the next Log, we will go onward to Route 104 and check that out. I saw on my map that there is also a forest (Petalburg Woods), so we will take time to see what Pokemon live there as well. It should get us to the other side of the forest, which is Rustboro City. Until next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Upon leaving Petalburg City, I explored Route 104, where I saw a log cabin where an old sailor sat outside with his Wingull. I battled a few trainers and captured a Taillow. Eventually, I crossed into Petalburg Woods, a sprawling location, and the site of a few captures and a few battles. I captured a Shroomish, Slakoth, Silcoon, & Cascoon. While in the Forest, I met a Devon Corporation Scientist who needed help being saved from a pirate. In return, the grateful scientist, gave me the Exp. Share, which is going to be very helpful in raising my team, especially because there is a Toggle On/Off feature. While I cleared the forest, I am not ready to go to Rustboro. Once every Pokemon I have is up to Level 10 (including the two Ralts), I will push onward into the city itself. I don't know the challenge ahead that Roxanne will present, so the next Log will be a study session. Until the next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

With my Pokemon trained up to Level 10, I moved into Rustboro City. There, I met with May, who was surprised at my progress. After she departed, intent to take on the exam, I checked through with the people. I checked into the Pokemon Center, asking her about any information about the exam, which, while she is unable to help me, directs me to the library in the Pokemon Center, where I look for an information guide. Seeing me unable to find any information, Nurse Joy suggested that I go to the Pokemon School. In the Pokemon School, I sit and participate in the class, then look through the library, obtaining a book on The Pokemon Gyms of Hoenn. In the first few pages, I discover that the first Exam is in Rustboro City, and that it is Rock Type. This book is going to be exceptionally useful as I go on. With that said, I began to write a study guide to face the Exam based on the Pokemon I have obtained so far. The book also mentions the weaknesses and strengths of each type.

Rock Type: Strengths: Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice Weaknesses: Fighting, Grass, Ground, Steel, Water Pokemon I Can Use: Treecko, Lotad, Shroomish Pokemon I Might Use: Beautifly, Wingull, Surskit Pokemon I Will Not Use: Poochyena, Zigzagoon, Dustox, Taillow, Ralts, Slakoth

In the next Log, we will take on the first Exam. If I pass it, I will become a Junior Forest Scout Rank 2. It will take me a few days to prepare. Until the next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Going into the Elevation Exam, I was introduced to Roxanne, who hoped I would present a strong challenge. To this test, I brought in: Treecko Lombre Shroomish Beautifly Wingull Surskit I beat the other test takers with Treecko, setting it at Level 15. I then put Treecko, Beautifly, Wingull, and Surskit in the PC, meaning I would be facing the Exam with Lombre and Shroomish. Examiner Roxanne opened with Geodude (Level 12), and I opened with Lombre. Lombre struck first with Absorb, which would have taken Geodude down except for Sturdy. Geodude hit with Rock Tomb, causing some damage. Lombre finished with another Absorb. I kept Lombre out as it was close to turning over to Level 15. She brought out Nosepass (Level 14). I then switched to Shroomish, who took a Tackle. Shroomish reacted by using the ability Effect Spore. Effect Spore may cause Paralysis, Poison, or Sleep. For Nosepass, the effect was Sleep. Shroomish kept using Mega Drain to take the sleeping Nosepass down. I passed! I am now a Junior Forest Scout Rank 2! Roxanne expanded the list of Types I could capture: Poison Rock Fighting Not everything was good, however, for as I left the Exam Center, I heard a cry for help. There was another one of those pirates running through town, with a scientist chasing after him. The pirate apparently has stolen important papers. The scientist is asking for help, and as a scout, it is my mission to help! In the next Log, we will stop the pirate as we explore the area around Rustboro City. Until then, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

With Roxanne defeated, we changed out our team to go help the scientist from the pirate. During the time that we headed out to hunt down the pirate, we captured Nincada, Whismur, & Skitty, as well as ran into Mr. Briney, the guy who lives in that cottage on Route 104, as he wanted to get his Wingull, Peeko, back, which the pirate had also stolen. During the period of time that I was going around and capturing the Pokemon, I ran into this Hiker, who almost beat me due to a super powerful Rollout. I didn't have the right team for that fight, but I eventually prevailed. Whew! I gave Nincada the HM for Cut from the Cut Master, allowing me to defeat all of those trainers protected by the thorny bushes. I went a bit back to cut through the thorny bushes in past areas.

Anyway, going into the cave after the pirate, I beat him with my Dustox against his Poochyena (Level 13). The pirate ran, giving me both the scientific papers as well as the Wingull. Mr. Briney, being very grateful, promised to ferry me across the sea.

After that was done, I went back to Petalburg Forest to participate in a trade: Slakoth for a Makuhita. Once I caught one, I leveled it up to Level 7 through rematches, then traded for the Makuhita. There is one last building to explore in Rustboro City, that massive business building on the edge of town. In the next Log, we will check out the building and see what happens. Until then, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

The last building in Rustboro City is the Devon Corporation, producer of much of the technology in Hoenn. For helping the scientist, I got to meet the President of the Corporation, Mr. Stone, who asked me to deliver a letter to his son, Steven, in Dewford Town. Being the scout that I am, I was glad to help the man.

In order to get there, however, Mr. Briney had to help by sailing across the sea. Departing Route 104 with Nincada and Treecko, I arrived on Dewford. Mr. Briney suggested to go to Granite Cave, since Steven liked to look at rocks. While I was heading over to Granite Cave, I checked out the Town. It is a small town, but it has a Pokemon Gym, so I will have to use my guide book to determine what type it is. I beat up the few trainers, got a fishing rod, then headed over to the cave, intent on completing my mission. As I came in there, however, I ran into a queue line, and I was unable to pass. I also caught a Zubat and Geodude while I was there. I then departed, hopeful I would complete my mission soon. In the next Log, we will go Fishing with the new fishing rod I received. Until next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

After I got the Old Rod from the Fishing Guru, I wanted to rest and take a breath, considering I had done a lot after getting to Dewford. With the rod, I captured a Tentacool and Magikarp. They both need some training (Tentacool came in at Level 5 and Magikarp was Level 10) to get up with the others. While I sat after I caught myfirst fishing Pokemon, I looked at the Pokemon Gyms of Hoenn. It described that the next Exam was Fighting Type, and the Examiner was Brawly, a local celebrity of Dewford Town. In the next Log, we will record our Review Sheet for this next Exam. Until next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Looking at the book, I took out my notebook and began to write my plan for this next Exam, which is going to be Fighting Type.

Fighting Type Weaknesses: Fairy, Flying, & Psychic Strengths: Dark, Ice, Normal, Rock, & Steel Pokemon I Can Use: Beautifly, Dustox, Taillow, Wingull, Ralts, & Zubat It may take a bit to get Zubat up to the proper Level, however. Pokemon I Won't Use: Treecko, Poochyena, Zigzagoon, Lombre, Surskit, Shroomish, Slakoth, Nincada, Whismur, Makuhita, Magikarp, Geodude, Skitty, & Tentacool

In the next Log, we will take on the next Exam. If I pass it, I will become a Junior Forest Scout Rank 3. Until next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

While I was preparing for my next Exam, I managed to catch an Abra in Granite Cave. I managed to get my Pokemon (both old and new) to Level 16 in this preparation. Going into the Exam, I had: Wingull, Taillow, Ralts (x2), Zubat, and Kadabra After I beat all of the other test takers, I reduced my team to Zubat & Kadabra, mainly because I didn't want to choose between the two Ralts, and Tailow had beaten all of the testers. Brawly opened with Machop (Level 14) and I opened with Zubat. It Leered me once, and two hits later Machop was down. As Brawly changed to Makuhita (Level 16), I changed to Kadabra. One Confusion later and Kadabra took it down. Brawly encouraged me to go to Granite Cave so I can finally deliver the letter to Steven. He also expanded my list of accessible types and elevated me to Junior Scout Rank 3. Electric Steel

In the next Log, we will go back to Granite Cave, finally delivering that letter to Steven. Until the next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

After I beat Brawly, I was advised to go to Granite Cave. The last time I was there, I was blocked from making my delivery due to a queue of ruin maniacs standing in the entrance. Now, they were gone, and I went down to see what was the deal and finally delivering the letter for Steven. We met with Steven, who thanked me and talked about the mural he was looking at. Grateful for my deliverance of the letter, he gave me TM47 Steel Wing. Once he left, I checked out the mural myself. It is very impressive! After being there for a while, I left to catch up with Mr. Briney, who apparently got a call from Mr. Stone, requesting him to take me to Slateport City. In the next Log, we will explore the beach of Slateport City. Until the next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Mr. Briney took me to Slateport Beach (Route 109). I was expected to deliver the Devon Parts that I saved from the pirate in the Rusturf Cave to a Captain Stern. I explored the beach and trained up some of my Pokemon. There is a seaside cafe here, where I defeated the trainers, earning a 12 pack of soda and a lot of money. After I was ready, I prepared to go into Slateport City. In the next Log, we will explore Slateport City itself and try to figure out where this Captain Stern is. Until the next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Slateport is a massive town, at least in appearance. There is a seaside bazaar (shopping center) and many things to do here. In one of the buildings, I got information on where I can deliver the Devon Parts, where Captain Stern is. He is at the Oceanic Museum. After I explored most of the rest of the town, I faced down the Oceanic Museum. In the museum, there were many fascinating displays, including a Hoenn Diorama. In one of the areas of the upstairs, looking at one of the displays, was Captain Stern, who was grateful for my delivery.

Turns out some of the pirates are here too. I defeated them easily, and their leader, Archie, showed up. It seems that the pirates are actually supposed to be an evil team. I guess they are more intimidating than I thought they were. Luckily, I didn't have to fight him at least not yet, but he did threaten that if I interfered with them again, he would take me on himself. Well, it looks like I have a sidequest, to defeat this Team of pirates who are getting in my way. Once I defeated them, they departed, and I gave Captain Stern the Devon Parts. He departed as well. There is one last building for me to explore in the city, so in the next Log, we will do so, then prepare to leave the city for parts unknown. Until the next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Having beaten Team Aqua so far, I had nearly completed my quest in Slateport City. As I started to move north, a crowd drew me to something of interest. A Contest Celebrity named Lisia plucked me out of the crowd and encouraged me to go compete. She gave me a contest outfit, and I did indeed compete, coming in 3rd. Afterward, a Pokemon Breeder in the Contest Hall gave me a Pikachu. This Pikachu likes to cosplay. It may eventually join my team as a battling member. With the contest done, and as I prepared to move north, a thought occurred to me. At the Slateport Bazaar, I had managed to purchase a book called The Encyclopedia of Evolution, which features all of the evolution methods of each Pokemon known, including levels. With this knowledge, I evolved Poochyena (Mightyena), Zigzagoon (Linoone), Slakoth (Vigoroth), Nincada (Ninjask) (which also gave me this shell of a Pokemon, Shedinja), Whismur (Loudred), and Magikarp (Gyrados). During all of this training, I made a stop in Petalburg, where I also caught a Goldeen, working to train it up a bit as well. In the next Log, we will do some shopping, get some more Pokeballs and maybe some Great Balls as well, and then move north. Our next major stop is Mauville City. Until next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Heading north from Slateport City, I decided to spend some time catching the Pokemon that were on the Route. I managed to pick up an Electrike, Gulpin, 2 Oddish, Plusle, & Voltorb. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a Minun, which I heard was in the grass on the Route. I spent a lot of time battling the trainers on the Route, eventually running into May, who challenged me to battle. Even though she only had 3 Pokemon, it was a difficult fight, especially since at the time I was using the fight to train my team members, however she was eventually defeated, giving me an Item Finder.

With May defeated, I traveled back to Slateport, then moved north once again, checking out the mysterious house that I had bypassed while I was running around. At first, I thought it was an empty house until I found the owner, who called himself the Trick Master, under his table. The man challenged me to take on the first of his trick rooms. This trick room required Cut, so I had to get my Ninjask out to cut the shrubs while I figured out the puzzle. I picked up 2 Lava Cookies on my quest to find the password scroll on the back of the room. Once I found it, I beat the room and exited.

Eventually (it took me a few trips), I got to the edge of Mauville City. In the next Log, we will explore Mauville City. It will take a bit, since I want to be able to train up my new captures (and hopefully find that Minun)! Until then, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Mauville City is MASSIVE! When I passed into the City, I saw Wally and his uncle, who was trying to talk Wally into doing something other than taking on the test, but Wally wouldn't hear of it. There is a lot to do here, a lot of shops, and a lot of people. My main goal is to get a bike. After talking to Rydel, owner of the shop, and reading the manuals in the back, I decided to get the Mach Bike, since the Mach Bike allows for me to go up sandy hills, and I saw a few when I was exploring Granite Cave that I want to check out. Once I am done with my explorative backtracking, I will go back to Mauville and check out some of the areas I have missed this time around. Maybe I will chase Wally down, he looked very intense! In the next Log, we will be going through Granite Cave on the Mach Bike. Until then, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Departing Mauville (for now) and passing south through Slateport, I asked Mr. Briney for a ride to Dewford, where, after some searching, I found the area of Granite Cave that required the bike to go up. I went a few levels down (there are many dark spaces and ladders here), eventually finding and catching an Aron and Sableye, though the Sableye took a while to find. I ended up on a dark level where there were treasure hunters walking around, so I had to be careful in finding the Sableye.

I think I will explore Granite Cave some more for the battles eventually, but with my captures done, I escaped out of there, with my new goal to get all of my new Captures up to the Level cap of 21.

New Captures:
Electrike
Gulpin
Oddish (x2)
Plusle (not planning to train it, since it doesn't evolve)
Voltorb
Aron
Sableye

In the next Log, we will go back to Mauville and see what Wally is up to. Until then, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

With my Pokemon still in training, I actually stumbled into the battle with Wally. Wally, for his part, only had Ralts (Level 17), which is not a good position to be in, but I was not surprised, especially if he came from Verdanturf. At the time, I had my Gulpin as lead, so it was easy to take Ralts down in an OHKO, though I thought about Poisoning it first. With him defeated, he attempted to ask me to allow him to be my rival, but he could not emotionally finish the request before he left with his Uncle. I wonder if he had actually taken on the Exam yet? After I defeated him, I took a little more time to train so I could study. In the next Log, we will discuss what we will do for this next Exam, which may be tough. Until then, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

This next Exam, which is Electric Type, seems like it will be very difficult to take on, especially since there seems to be two kinds of Electric Type. I discovered this as I trained on Cycling Road, since the cyclists there use Electric Types. The first kind is pure Electric. This is like a Voltorb, Electrike, or Pikachu. The second kind, by contrast, is dual Electric and Steel, like Magnemite. This may complicate things, since the Steel Typing adds more defense to a standard Electric Type. I have to take some time to think through my options. In my study, I have to look at not only the strengths and weaknesses of Electric Types but also Steel Types. I am also very limited in the Pokemon I can use than any of the Exams before. I don't have Fire Types, but I do have Fighting & Ground. If I beat Wattson, I will be elevated to Senior Forest Scout. This is the Final Exam of Junior Forest Scout!

Electric Types Weaknesses: Ground Strengths: Flying & Water Steel Types Weaknesses: Fighting, Fire, Ground Strengths: Fairy, Ice, & Rock Pokemon I Can Use: Makuhita, Geodude, & Aron

In the next Log, we will take on Wattson. Until the next time, we will see you!