124. [Video]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Time for a nice view of the snowy rooftops of Blackthorn!]

[Heather's out on an upper-floor balcony somewhere-- probably a training gym judging by the fact that she's in some kind of dorky jogging suit and wearing a towel over her shoulder rather than her normal getup. Her breath steams in the air in front of her as she rubs her hands together to warm them up.]</sub>

HEEEEY, ladies and gents.

So I'm, uh, here getting ready to battle Claire in a few days, and--

_{[A slightly pudgy, pebbled blue arm pops into the frame from off-camera, tugging insistently at Heather's sleeve.]}

--I know, relax, dude. I'm gettin' to it.

Yeah, so we're pretty worn out, but uh... if anyone's got any tips on beating Dragon-types, feel free to lay 'em on me. Already know about the Ice weakness, so don't worry, we got that covered.

_{[There's a honky croak, and then her Croconaw's face shoves in from the right, chuffing impatiently and anxiously all at once. Heather leans away, planting a hand on his nose to stop it from knocking the 'Gear right over.]}

OKAY, okay!

Sheesh!

So Zilla here filmed some of our workout and wants-- I don't know, what do you want? Advice? Okay. Advice. So I'm gonna attach the video here, and like... I dunno, let him know how he's doing? He's kinda worried that he's not ready to take Claire on, but he's been training, like, super hard, so I personally think he's gonna be fine-- <sub>[Godzilla lets out another indignant honk and nearly bowls Heather over in an attempt to cover her mouth-- somehow despite being a coldblooded reptile, he seems to be blushing furiously.]

[Heather leans away again, laughing.]</sub>

OKAY! Holy shit, dude, I'm not trying to embarrass you, I'm just bein' honest!

ANYWAY.

Just, if anybody wants to watch the video and reassure this bonehead that he's doing fine, go for it. Save me from the endless late nights spent with him shoving battle tutorials from StarYoutube in my face.

[VIDEO ATTACHED: zillatrainingmontage.wmv]
[AUDIO ATTACHED: eyeofthepyroar.mp3]

Comments

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

Dragon types generally seem to have high attack and special stats, so watch your defenses. Fairy type Pokemon are very good against them both defensively and offensively. Steel resists dragon type moves, though fairy types are completely immune. Don't discount the fact that they have moves of other types, too - though I've never faced her and couldn't tell you what to expect on that end.

Dragon types are also weak against other dragon types, so if you have something that can learn those types of moves that isn't a dragon type, that might be helpful.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

Hm... Don't have any fairies or dragons.

I guess it wouldn't be too late to make some phonecalls and try and order a TM from one of the department stores, though.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

It probably wouldn't hurt. I doubt you'd be able to train one up in time for that match... depending on what sort of Pokemon she has, though, the ice might cover it. You might want to buy something to increase defense if your Pokemon don't have good defense.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

That's not a bad idea.

I think Zilla's covered, but my Pikachu could probably use some iron supplements.

[Video]

[codeforhope]

[...oh no, that was cute.]

It looks like he's doing just fine, to me. He shouldn't have much problem at all after training so hard.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

Right?

That's what I keep tellin' him!

_{[She turns to the Croconaw, who is visible covering his face in the corner of the screen.]}

See? She thinks you're doing fine!

_{[W-WHOOPS. Sorry Chihiro. Heather wasn't exactly looking too hard at your face on the video chat.]}

[Video]

[codeforhope]

[IT'S OKAY HEATHER, ZILLA IS MORE IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW.]

More than fine. Any Pokemon who has trained that hard will do great, I'm sure! And even if something happened, it isn't like you couldn't try again...right?

[Video]

[foolishwren]

HAHA, well...

I'd kinda like to get this battle over with and be home in time for Christmas... if we lose, I'm honestly not sure what we're gonna do.

But you're right about one thing, Zilla's got a one-way ticket to WINSVILLE. Right, buddy?

_{[She reaches over to grab his red crest and rustle it around a little, much to the reptile's embarrassment.]}

[video]

[infinityunlimitedflame]

[That was honestly one of the best things he's seen in his time here, but he won't say that since he's Gundam.]

Such determination is to be admired.

[video]

[foolishwren]

Right?

Like, he gets mad when I say it, but he's been working so hard.

I think he's gone up like five levels in a week and a half.

I get why he's nervous, like-- I am too, but...

[video]

[infinityunlimitedflame]

Then I am sure such hard work will pay off. Though to be certain, I would suggest attempting to immobilize your foes as well.

[video]

[foolishwren]

Immobilize?

You mean like, with status effects and the like?

Hazel does know Thunder Wave...

[armoredsoul]

[Oh no that was PRECIOUS!]

With a training regimen like that, Zilla's sure to win! Just make sure he's got some good Ice-type attacks to use.

[foolishwren]

_{[IT REALLY WAS but she can't say so out loud. Zilla's RIGHT THERE.]}

Heh, yeah, he's got Ice Fang.

Any other recommendations?

[armoredsoul]

That's good! Ice Beam would be good to have too, but that's a TM...

Hmm...if you have any Fairy-types they'll help a lot, they're pretty much a Dragon's achilles' heel. And be ready for any type of move, Dragon-types tend to be really versatile on that front. Good defenses and status moves will be really helpful, anything you can do to get her team off-kilter.

[in4apounding]

[And a small round of applause from the gear.]

That was SENSATIONAL! I'm sure you'll do absolutely wonderfully against the gym leader.

[Says the girl who doesn't have any badges yet, shhh.]

...Though if I could offer one SMALL critique, it would also help to practice the techniques and tactics you plan to use in battle. That's JUST as important as your physical power!

[foolishwren]

_{[The Croconaw turns red-- or, well, more like maroon-- and looks away bashfully. Heather jostles him with an elbow.]}

Yeah-- hear that, Zilla?

THAT'S some good advice.

We'll have to do some battling, too. All the workouts in the world won't help with the strategy thing.

[in4apounding]

[Okay, a blushing Pokémon is just too cute. Penny giggles just a bit before continuing.]

Absolutely! There's no substitute for testing your strength like a strong opponent or partner.

[video]

[solas_ion]

...Well that's just the toughest damn lizard I've ever seen.

Other than Ice-types, I'd say use dragons and fairies if you got 'em. If not, try fallin' back on sleep or poison, that kinda thing.

[video]

[foolishwren]

_{[She laughs, knowing that Lancer is humoring the Croconaw at least a little.]}

Right? He's too hard on himself.

But yeah, unfortunately I don't have any dragons or fairies-- well, I've got ONE dragon, but she's not really a battler... it'd take ages to train her up just for the sake of this one fight. Not really worth it, y'know?

My Pikachu can paralyze things, though.

It came in handy against Pryce so I was hoping it'd be useful here, too.

[video]

[exeggutorhead]

He's not going to have any trouble at all, at this rate.

Looks like you've already gotten a lot of advice, but I'm gonna back up the status moves. At this level, it really pays to be a little sneaky instead of only charging in head on.

[video]

[foolishwren]

Yeah, I think that's gonna be Hazel's department.

Her Thunder Wave really came in handy against Pryce. Hopefully it'll do the same against Claire.

audio;

[ladywithnovoice]

[Is... Is that the sound of a huge audience applause coming from the Gear?]

[You bet. Chatots are truly amazing.]

[foolishwren]

--whoa, holy shit, Zilla, I think you just got a standing ovation!

Take a bow, dude!

_{[A little flustered, the Croconaw nearly falls all over himself standing up to take a clumsy bow in front of the camera.]}

[ladywithnovoice]

[Quitting the applause mimic, Switch bounces in place along Red's arm before switching to a 'proper' voice.]

Switch and Red are rooting for you! Fight! Win!

[And, to finish things off, there's a little musical note.]