I Want to Be the Best...

Out of character: Around the time I was starting to pick this project back up, my keyboard broke. I can still use my computer for most things, but typing without a fully functioning keyboard is tedious. I was looking forward to finishing this and moving on to Pokemon Platinum (Diamond and Pearl are still the latest games I've played, so I have catching up to do), which I own but haven't really played. We'll see what happens...

The wild pokemon in the cave provide some additional experience for my arsenal. The two pokemon that I received in trades are still at that daycare place. Hecate is still only level 12. Everyone else is level 45 (well, Ninhursag is level 46 and Articuno is level 62), which is about the level of the wild pokemon I'm seeing here. Also, my experimentation with the strange stones I've found has produced new "evolutions" for Ninhursag and Khali. So the inventory is as follows...

Ninhursag (level 46 Roserade)
-Petal Dance
-Leech Seed
-Toxic Spikes
-Synthesis

Ninhursag is very useful for battles against opponents with multiple powerful pokemon, especially long battles. Toxic Spikes and Leech Seed decimate most opponents, especially if I have a strong defensive pokemon to complement her.

Hanuman (level 45 Infernape)
-Rock Smash
-Fire Spin
-Flame Wheel
-Close Combat

Hanuman was my first pokemon. Rock Smash is more a tool for going places than an actually useful attack. Hanuman hits hard, but the fire attacks have fallen behind in power. Close Combat can be a risky proposition, but it does way more damage than Rock Smash.

Apsu (level 45 Gyarados)
-Dragon Dance
-Strength
-Ice Fang
-Waterfall

Apsu has been one of my most valuable assets in battles. He strikes with more power than the vast majority of foes and can take more punishment than the vast majority of foes. Strength is a bit lackluster—again, I need the move to get past certain obstacles outside of battle. Dragon Dance is a new acquisition, but looks very good.

Khali (level 45 Mismagius)
-Pain Split
-Perish Song
-Confuse Ray
-Shadow Ball

Now that she has evolved, Khali is probably my most well-rounded pokemon. Shadow Ball is sheer offensive power. Confuse Ray gives me an advantage against even the most powerful opponents. Pain Split lets Khali stay in battle to keep doing damage, which is further bulwarked by the fact that most opponents cannot do much damage to her. If all else fails, I have Perish Song.

Sekhmet (level 45 Luxray)
-Thunder Fang
-Leer
-Swagger
-Crunch

Sekhmet was once one of my most reliable fighters, but some of the others have surpassed her. Her main advantage is that she is an electric type.

Inanna (level 45 Blissey)
-Sing
-Minimize
-Softboiled
-Egg Bomb

Inanna is almost purely defensive. If I need a sturdy pokemon to put a foe to sleep so that one of my more fragile pokemon can attack without being crushed, Inanna is perfect for the job. She synergizes quite nicely with Ninhursag's Leech Seed and Toxic Spikes.

Enki (level 45 Tentacruel)
-Toxic Spikes
-Cut
-Surf
-Poison Jab

Enki rivals Apsu as my best water type. Anything that doesn't resist Surf is in trouble and Enki also has two ways to poison my opponents. Cut isn't great, but of course, I sometimes need it outside of battle.

Cai Shen (level 45 Bronzong)
-Confuse Ray
-Extrasensory
-Gyro Ball
-Safeguard

Cai Shen is primarily defensive, but does manage to pack a punch. Safeguard isn't that useful, but so far nothing better has come along. Extrasensory and Confuse Ray are all I need against most enemies. Cai Shen rivals Inanna for being able to take punishment, but does much, much more damage.

Poseideon (level 45 Gastrodon)
-Body Slam
-Muddy Water
-Mud Bomb
-Rain Dance

Poseidon is sturdy and lacks the electric weakness of my other water types. I haven't tested him in combat so much as I have Enki and Apsu, but so far, I'm impressed. I don't particularly care for Rain Dance. Everything else is great.

Nyx (level 45 Drifblim)
-Gust
-Swallow
-Shadow Ball
-Stockpile

Nyx is a strong defender with more offensive use and better resistances than Inanna, although I suspect Cai Shen is superior overall. I would have tested Nyx's capabilities more, but my other ghost type is the one I've already described as probably my most well-rounded pokemon and my other flying type is Articuno.

Phlogeus (level 45 Rapidash)
-Fire Spin
-Take Down
-Agility
-Fire Blast

For sheer fire damage, Phlogeus beats Hanuman. And that's it. In all other aspects, offensive and defensive, Hanuman is a stronger choice. It's not that I can't use pokemon like Nyx and Phlogeus: they're just outclassed by my other possible choices.

Anubis (level 45 Lucario)
-Force Palm
-Screech
-Close Combat
-Copycat

Anubis is potentially a strong, resilient offensive pokemon, held back by not having any good attacks that aren't fighting type. I don't know why he didn't learn any, but he didn't.

Nanabozho (level 45 Lopunny)
-Charm
-Jump Kick
-Agility
-Dizzy Punch

Nanabozho has always been a bit too fragile and doesn't have enough offensive power to compensate for that. He does absolutely wreck certain foes, but is generally inconsistent. I could still use him on my team if he has the right support to make up for his weaknesses.

Ryujin (level 45 Gabite)
-Dragon Claw
-Dragon Rage
-Rock Climb
-Dig

Ryujin is fast, durable, and does considerable damage. Rock Climb is almost useless, except for getting up and down rocky walls outside of battle. Dragon Rage is terrible. So Ryujin is basically limited to two attacks, and doesn't hit quite as hard as some of my other offensive pokemon. However, I've seen that I'll need Rock Climb in this cave, so I need him on my team.

Articuno (level 62 freaking ice phoenix of doom)
-Aerial Ace
-Ice Beam
-Fly
-Roost

I got Articuno is a myterious trade. So far, nothing has been strong enough to pose a real threat to Articuno. But I am nearing the end of my adventure and will be challenged more than ever before. We'll see if this invincible avian can continue to dominate everything in my path.

Anu (level 47 Palkia)
-Water Pulse
-AncientPower
-Dragon Claw
-Spacial Rend

I haven't tested any of those attacks, but that's what the computer is telling me Anu can do. There are fates worse than never becoming champion of the Pokemon League. I am hesitant to unleash this horror on the world. Anu seems to have some sort of religious significance to the people of Sinnoh and one maniac already tried to harness this monster's power in order to destroy the entire universe. I am convinced that Anu, or perhaps I should say "Palkia," was the being that brought me to this world. I saw it when I first arrived. However, I did capture this being with a poke ball (albeit a special poke ball that was supposed to be able to catch any pokemon) and so far, everything I've caught with a poke ball has shown unwavering obedience to me. Am I being a fool and a coward by refusing to tap into power that I know I have?

I don't know how long "Victory Road" is or what obstacles I'll face there. The pokemon I choose for my team now do not necessarily need to be the ones that I use to become champion. But for now, I need a team of six. I tentatively select Hanuman, Enki, Ryujin, Khali, Inanna, and Articuno.