The Verdant Cave Trial

I regrouped with Trial Captain Ilima at the mouth of the Verdant Cave.  Ilima warned me that I would not be able to quit my challenge once I began, so I made sure to choose a balanced and worthy team for the ordeal.

Battle Team 1

The Verdant Cave Trial was a challenge to defeat the three Rattata guardians of the cave and then retrieve the Z Crystal in the inner sanctum.  Normally an easy task, I could not have anticipated that each of my foes would have a powerful move that would exceed their level.  The first Rattata had Hyper Fang at level 11; the second had Super Fang at that same level; the third Rattata was actually a Raticate.  Since all of my pokemon were around level 11 and one was completely useless (Misdreavus only knows Psychic and Ghost moves--which the dark/normal type Alola Rattata are immune to), I had to rely on Sludj the Grimer to stall them out until they succumb to poison damage.

Team Skull showed up along the way and it's official: they're my favorite villainous gang ever.  They're funny.  I know when this game series tries to do humor, they tend to fall somewhere between "they mostly live in Minnesota" and "I'll use my frying pan as a drying pan", so for me to say this means something.

Having defeated all three guardians, I made my way into the inner Sanctum.

"Raticate, the totem pokemon of Verdant Cave, has appeared."

Captain Ilima: Dockside Rumble

I'm starting to really like this game.

The thing about X and Y that I liked the most was the abundance of different and interesting pokemon that were immediately available.  Whereas Black and White versions and Diamond and Pearl versions withheld these powerful, more interesting pokemon till late in the game (axew, gible, spiritomb, riolu, larvesta, deino, mienfoo, etc. etc.), X and Y kept a steady stream of new, great pokemon.  There was never a moment where I didn't want to shuffle around my team.  This same thing is happening now.

Since last time I posted, I have caught Makuhita, Drowzee, Smeargle, Gastly, and Misdreavus.  I almost caught an Abra, but it ran away.


I'm going to have to do some serious soul-searching to figure out what to do about my team...
_______________
After I beat Teacher Emily, Captain Ilima showed up and introduced him or herself to me.  I'm not exactly sure of this person's gender currently, so I think "him or her" will have to suffice for now.

Captain Ilima said I should train a little more before I take on the Island challenge.  This "captain" is apparently the first major leader in this game, and therefore my mortal enemy for the next eight hours of playtime.

Litten-Meistre and the Office Supplies Bandit escorted me to the next town over, Hau'oli City.  Hau'oli is apparently the largest city in Alola and the main reason why it has taken me so long to finally post something again.  It's no "Lumiose City", but it's no slouch either.  I spent much of the past two days exploring and buying new outfits for my character.

With my new blue polo shirt and a cool new haircut, I made my way to the docks.  There, I was beset-upon by Villian-of-the-Week "Team Skull".  Ilima was there and offered to me the explanation that Team Skull is a gang of idiots whose major convictions include "loitering" and "unpaid parking tickets".  As a matter of fact, when pressed, many of the residents of Hau'oli told me that they're something of a joke.  I like this turn of events--and to their credit, the makers of this game do a good job lamp shading them as plucky numskulls.  I'm curious about how this will all change in Act 2 when they reveal their diabolical plans to blahblahblah.

I helped Ilima defeat Team Skull and then challenged the captain himorherself.  Ilima used Yungoos and Smeargle.  Of course Smeargle knew the perfect moves to tear my team apart--and of course the captain had a healthy supply of potions and full heals on hand.

Ultimately, Pako-Pako came through with the big victory.  I'm trying not to rely too much on the adorable little pup, but that's where I am right now anyways.
______________
I went back after the battle and managed to snag an Abra.

Current Squad:
Popplio/Pako Pako/lvl 11
Yungoos/Chompy/lvl 11
Pikipek/Pip Pip/lvl 11
Pichu/Rai Rai/lvl 11
Slowpoke/Pokey/lvl 11
Rattata/Snackers/lvl 11

On Rotation:
Grimer/Sludj/lvl 11
Misdreavus/Missy/lvl 11

Pokedex: 23 caught