PokéBattles: Sandy Version

When Solveig isn't busy enigmas for clients as a 'mystery solver for hire' - Or as most would call her job, a PI - She enjoys competitive puzzling. We join her towards the end of a speed solving contest.

Battle 113: Cross Words
Published: 20/04/24
Location: Cryptic Tower (Floor 30)
Player: Solveig Poulson (8-0-2)

And 'Delighted burnt small tablet' would be... Charmed.
DING appeared!
FINAL DOOR opened!
Exit.

Location: Cryptic Tower (Rooftop)

How'd I do?
Gym Leader Blaine: Hah! You know we can't give you your position until the final results are in.
Even as a favour for a personal friend? I used to edit your riddles into something more suitable for your target demographic of largely 10-12 year olds before you switched to trivia questions for your gym challenge.
Gym Leader Blaine: Hah! You kept ruining them!
Hardly. While there's an elegance in a riddle that references five different works from across 500 years, it's way above the grade level you wanted it for. I kept the spirit of them while making them fair to the audience you said you wanted to calibrate them for. Besides. I know you didn't write half of these. Way easier than you're usually cryptic clues.
Gym Leader Blaine: Hah! Maybe I just took your advice and got better at calibrating for the situation. This is a speed contest, the idea isn't for experienced solvers to struggle to get the answer, just to see how fast they solve them.
And yet you're still claiming I ruined your older riddles by making them more suited for your target demographic.
Gym Leader Blaine: Hah! If I didn't know how little you battled since we were at college together, I'd be fired up enough to take you on by now.
I've gotten back into it a bit since the last Cryptic Tower Race. Tell me how I did if I win and you're on.
Gym Leader Blaine: Hah!
BLAINE wants to fight!
BLAINE sent out GROWLITHE!
Gym Leader Blaine: I suppose you still have that X-Wing of yours?
It's evolved since then. Swordfish, go.
SOLVEIG sent out SWORDFISH!
Meaning it's Logic/Water rather than Logic/Steel now. I think this is the first time we've ever done this dance where I've had the type advantage.
Gym Leader Blaine: Hah! Well met.
Swordfish, use Grid. Let's get the arena in our favour.
SWORDFISH used GRID!
GROWLITHE used AGILITY!
GROWLITHE's movement was limited to a GRID!
GROWLITHE's speed sharply rose!
And now let's hope you're still faster. Surf.
SWORDFISH used SURF!
TUNA, FISH, and MAGNETS appeared!
TUNA, FISH, and MAGNETS see a PREDATORY DOG trying to EAT an INNOCENT SWORDFISH!
TUNA, FISH, and MAGNETS use SOGGY BEAT DOWN!
TUNA, FISH, and MAGNETS beat GROWLITHE with their SURFBOARDS!
It's super effective!
GROWLITHE fainted!
TUNA, FISH, and MAGNETS ran away!
...Wait, weren't those Joanne's fridge magnets?
Yes!
BLAINE sent out PONYTA!
Try a whirlpool.
SWORDFISH used WHIRLPOOL!
PONYTA used FIRE SPIN!
Forces collide!
SWIRLING VORTEX of FIRE and WATER appeared!
SWIRLING VORTEX of FIRE and WATER became STEAM!
PONYTA and SWORDFISH enjoy a SAUNA together!
No effect on BATTLE!
...Right. OK. Try stabbing the fire horse with a sword of logic.
SWORDFISH used LOGIC SWORD!
SWORDFISH points out the UNLIKELIHOOD of a BURNING PONY to evolve!
PONYTA used STOMP!
PONYTA's rebuttal looks more like a TEMPER TANTRUM!
PONYTA stomped off back into its POKéBALL!
BLAINE sent out RAPIDASH!
RAPIDASH used TAIL WHIP!
Counter it with a sword flourish.
SWORDFISH used SWORD FLOURISH!
SWORDFISH stabbed RAPIDASH in the TAIL with a WET SWORD!
It's super effective!
RAPIDASH fainted!
SWORDFISH is hurt by the recoil!
Awesome. Well. Aside from the recoil.
BLAINE sent out ARCANINE!
...Wow that's thing's grown since we were in college.
ARCANINE used TAKE DOWN!
SWORDFISH is in critical condition!
ARCANINE is hurt by the recoil!
OK, swordfish. This is risky due to the pun potential, but desperate times. Dive.
SWORDFISH used DIVE!
SWORDFISH took a dive!
SWORDFISH fainted!
Darn.
Gym Leader Blaine: Hah! Excellent fight. And you predicted the Narrator's pun like a champ and gave it a whirl anyway.
Well, you never know. The Narrator sometimes goes for the dive bar option. That might have taken them both out of the battlefield.
Gym Leader Blaine: Honestly I've missed the battles we used to have.
You got more serious about your Pokémon training than I ever could get, while I went the mystery investigation route.
Gym Leader Blaine: Hah! But both of us kept puzzles in our hearts.
Yeah...
Gym Leader Blaine: So... About that dive bar pun...?
God no. That fling we had inside that escape room that one time was more than enough for me to know we should keep it at friends.
Gym Leader Blaine: Hah! Never run faster in my life.
Oh god, yeah. Officer Jenny nearly caught me while you were off like a rocket.
Gym Leader Blaine: Hah! You don't have to run faster than the bear, as they say.
But you're right that we should rekindle our friendship. After you're done here, let's hit up Labyrinths and Lattes. It's a maze themed coffee shop near here.