#pokemon brilliant diamond shining pearl

Once you’ve battled your way through all eight gyms and the caves of Victory Road, you can finally face the elite four and the champion.

As always, you have to fight all of them in a row, so stock up on potions and other items and take on the challenge! 

(To learn more about this project, you can check out the Peaks of Sinnoh tag!)

The first member of the elite four you’ll face is…

Aaron

Aaron is still at the front of Sinnoh’s elite four challenge, and is as enthusiastic as ever about the awesomeness of bug types. His team consists of Yanmega, trash cloak Wormadam, Heracross, Vespiquen, and Drapion.

Next up:

Diana

Inspired by her older sister Cynthia, Diana has become a powerful trainer and the Sinnoh region’s first master of fairy type Pokémon. She’s the youngest member of the elite four, and is always excited to take on new trainers. To move on, you’ll have to best her team of Clefable, Azumarill, Gardevoir, Sylveon, and Togekiss.

After you’ve defeated Diana, you’ll challenge…

Volkner

At the insistence of his friend Flint, Volkner left gym life behind to challenge stronger trainers as a member of the elite four. He’s more engaged by the challengers he receives in his new role, but he’s still skeptical of your ability to show him an impressive battle. But once you defeat his Lanturn, Raichu, Electivire, Luxray, and Magnezone he’s definitely impressed.

You’re nearly there! The last member of the elite four is…

Fantina

Fantina retired from being a gym leader to travel the world, but was unable to stay away from the battle arena for long. Upon her return to Sinnoh she became the most powerful member of the elite four, taking on each new challenger with Mismagius, Gengar, Gourgeist, Froslass, and Drifblim.

Now, brace yourself. This is the last challenge between you and the hall of fame. It’s time for you to face…

Champion Dawn

The champion is thrilled to see you! She knew she saw the spark of a master trainer in you.  

If you can defeat Dawn and her partners–Luxray, Glaceon, Lucario, Garchomp, Blissey (holding a Chople Berry), and Empoleon–you will be the new strongest trainer in Sinnoh. Congratulations! 

Associate Professor Larch joins Dawn to induct you into Sinnoh’s hall of fame. They congratulate you, and now you have completed the Sinnoh League.

The next morning you will wake up back home in Twinleaf Town, where Matilda and Cato will be waiting to congratulate you. Now you’re free to travel the region however you like! Will you master Pokémon contests? Cook the perfect poffin? Challenge the battle frontier? Challenge the trainers of the league to rematches? It’s all up to you!

Thank you for following Peaks of Sinnoh <3

There’s a new group in Sinnoh, looking to share enlightenment. Along with control of the known universe. What could go wrong?

To learn more about this project, you can check out the Peaks of Sinnoh tag!

Team Dimensional is traveling the region, seeking to help people become one with the universe. They’re a spiritual bunch, aiming to connect with the cosmos and reconnect with the all-powerful Pokémon that created all things.

Team Dimensional grunts generally use Zubat, Glameow, Roselia, and/or Cleffa/Clefairy. 

To reconnect with those Pokémon, they need a lot of power, and a lot of followers, and they will go to great lengths to achieve that. You will, at various stages, need to confront them to prevent them from using people and Pokémon against their wills. Most importantly, you’ll need to defeat the team’s leaders, the acolytes.

Acolyte 1: Spatia

The first acolyte you encounter is Spatia. She dreams of mastering space, being able to travel great distances instantly, either by technological or metaphysical means. She’s a big fan of astral projecting. She’s an enthusiastic driver of the team, but her temper can get the better of her. She is also the newest member of the team’s higher ranks; when you first challenge her in Eterna Forest, her team is only a Marill and a Bidoof. She is blocking a path in Eterna Forest, where they are trying to spread Team Dimensional’s message of possibility and convince trainers to work with them. However, any time someone questions Team Dimensional’s goals Spatia gets angry with them and challenges them to a battle. 

You meet her a few more times in your travels, including at lake Verity. By the time you battle her for the last time, her team is made up of Bibarel, Azumarill, Floatzel, and Manatine.

Acolyte 2: Tempus

Tempus is a more experienced member of the team, and perhaps one of the more grounded. He is the most disciplined and determined of the acolytes, and is largely responsible for operations at Team Dimensional Headquarters in Veilstone city, which is run out of the old department store, now that the department store has moved into the larger space left behind by Team Galactic all those years ago. When you go snooping around the new headquarters you aren’t initially challenged to many battles. However, once you have worked your way far enough back behind the scenes to reach Tempus, he is determined to defeat you. 

Tempus is fascinated by time – the ways its progress is both unavoidable and mutable. Time moves inexorably forward, and yet, every moment theoretically happens at once. Taking both of these things into account, there’s no better time to act than in the present! His team includes Bastiodon, Bronzong, and Magnezone, though his Pokémon are initially battled in their pre-evolved forms.

Acolyte 3: Pravita

Pravita has been with Team Dimensional since the very beginning. She keeps her mind open to all possibilities, and believes in the fluidity of all things, with her reasonings varying from the spiritual to the quantum-mechanical. Everything is changeable, and she aspires to share the power to change it with all of Team Dimensional’s followers, as soon as she can get a hold of it herself. 

Other members of Team Dimensional will sometimes mention Pravita, and you will see her briefly in the Veilstone HQ and in Celestic town. By the time you battle her on the shores of Lake Verity (soon after defeating the Canalave City gym), her team consists of Mismagius, Drifblim, and Froslass.

Team Leader: Themis

Themis has spent over a decade searching for ways to make contact with the all-powerful Pokémon that are able to mold Sinnoh, and perhaps even time, space, and reality themselves, to their will. You will meet him many times throughout your journey; the first time you see him he is talking to scientists in Oreburgh City, but he does not introduce himself until you find him sharing the good word in Hearthome City, and you don’t face him in battle until Celestic Town.

Themis was a grunt for Team Galactic, and was there to witness Cyrus’ summoning of the ultimate legendaries of the region, and the team’s following downfall. He concluded that Cyrus’ mistake was a disrespect for the legendaries, and an over-emphasis on science. Themis’ goal is to succeed where Cyrus failed, and free Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, and Arceus to reign over Sinnoh once more, with himself and Team Dimensional as their loyal servants. Servants that, presumably, will become powerful by association. And maybe, just maybe, he can retrieve Cyrus from the distortion world, and prove himself to his former team leader.

He has made one small miscalculation: none of those Pokémon are trapped any more than a Pikachu is trapped in a tree. They do not need to be summoned; they are already exerting as much power as they wish. In his aspirations to “free” the legendaries, he is blindly restricting and controlling them.

This cannot end well.

Especially after you defeat his team: Rampardos, Bastiodon, Dustox, Clefable, and Toxicroak. He will first challenge you in Celestic Town.

However, Themis is not the only former member of Team Galactic still roaming Sinnoh. Most have let the teal dye fade from their hair and disappeared into mundane lives or other trainer classes, but there are three key team members that can still be encountered in Sinnoh, and can offer you some help in taking on Team Dimensional.

Bonus: Former Galactic Commanders

Aroma Specialist Mars lives in Floaroma town, and, if asked, will tell you some about the flawed battle strategies of Team Galactic, and is the first to remark on the connections between Team Dimensional and Team Galactic. After battling Spatia for the first time, Mars will battle with you to help you train to take on Team Dimensional.

Ace Trainer Saturn prefers to keep his distance from Team Dimensional. However, he can be found in Pastoria City, where he will explain some of Team Galactic’s grand plans to you, including the summoning of legendaries on Mt. Coronet, and the creation of the red chain.

Lady Jupiter has taken up residence at Hotel Grand Lake, and now considers her time with Team Galactic to have been an absurd phase in her life that she is glad has passed. She does love to tell stories, however, and will detail the events of Team Galactic’s attempt to summon the legendaries at the Spear Pillar, including their defeat by the now-champion and Cyrus’ disappearance. 

On your way back to Jubilife City, you meet Cato on the Jubilife side of the Oreburgh Gate tunnel. He challenges you to a battle, though he heals your Pokémon first. 

His team is currently made up of his starter (the one with type disadvantage to you), and a starly. When you defeat him he laments that he will need to get stronger before challenging the gym, but the only thing for it is to move forward. He’s determined to do his best to keep up with you and Matilda! …After going back to Jubilife to heal his Pokémon.

If you are interested in following the story of Peaks of Sinnoh, start here!

When you arrive back in Jubilife City with Cato, a crowd has gathered outside of the Jubilife TV station. Out front of the station, two people with teal hair and dark, sparkling clothes, and another with pale blue hair and a sleeker, more buttoned-up look are speaking to the people.

The one with blue hair seems to be taking the lead, telling everyone to,

“Step right up, let us predict your future! I, Tempus, and my colleagues wish to share with you how Team Dimensional has tuned into the mystical realms outside of this reality!”

Matilda joins you and Cato at the edge of the crowd. She tells you that, hey, that’s cool! She’s considering finding out her fortune, but Cato says that,

“But, it doesn’t make sense. How would they be able to do that? I wonder…” He hesitates a moment, before speaking up: “EXCUSE ME?” 

Tempus and the other two turn to Cato. As does the rest of the crowd. He takes a step back, startled by the attention, but asks his question anyway.

Cato: “How are you able to tell the future? Could you tell me more about your methodology?”

Tempus: “Certainly. The ancient gods of the Sinnoh region are not only powerful, but wise, and kind, and in Team Dimensional we are working to make close contact with them.”

Cato: “But, have you made that contact?”

Tempus: “We understand the great powers more every day. We certainly understand enough to see some glimmers of truth about your future.”

One of the teal-haired grunts steps forward.

Grunt 1: “I can tell your future: You will struggle to win Pokémon battles. You are not a strong trainer.”

Matilda steps up to challenge this: “Hey! Don’t insult my friend!”

The other grunt steps toward Matilda.

Grunt 2: “Your future contains obstacles that you cannot force your way through with brute strength. You must remember this.”

Matilda: “Huh? What are you talking about? There’s nothing we can’t do if we work hard! Right, [PLAYER]?”

At this, Tempus turns to look at you, the player. He regards you for a moment.

Tempus: “… You will face many, many challenges. It is unclear how–or if–you will overcome them.” Tempus returns to the spot where he was originally addressing the crowd. “You see? The future is laid out before us like the pages of a book, and we wish to share this gift with you!”

Matilda and Cato both turn toward you, and each other.

Matilda: “There’s no way that’s real. They’re making it all up, right?”

Cato: “I don’t know. I am a weak trainer…”

Matilda: “No way! You’re a great trainer! And what would their predictions really mean, anyway? They were so vague… What do you think, [PLAYER]?”

You can reply one of three ways: “It’s probably fake” “It could be real” or “I don’t know…”

No matter what you say, Cato will point out that there’s no point worrying about it. You all need to keep moving on your journeys. Matilda agrees, but warns you that there’s only water to the west of the city, so she’s heading north. She wants to get to the Eterna Gym as soon as possible! Cato plans to head to the Pokémon center, and then to Oreburgh city. 

Once they have left you are free to go wherever you like. Maybe you’ll stock up on items at the store, or talk to those still gathered around Tempus and his Grunts. You can’t reach the three members of Team Dimensional, but those in the crowd will say things like,

“I’ve never heard of these guys before.”

“I want to know my future!”

“What cool outfits…”

“These guys should write the horoscopes.”

“Do you think I could join Team Dimensional?”

…and more.

However, once you’re through in Jubilife City, it’s time to head up Route 204 to Floaroma town.

…Or, you WOULD go to Floaroma town, but I have sort of burnt out on this project. Sort of. Stay tuned for more information! This isn’t the end of what I have to share for Pokémon future, but this is the last “story”-style post. I apologize if you were enjoying these!

City of Energy

Once you’ve made it through the Oreburgh Gate tunnel you arrive in Oreburgh city. This mining town is also the home of the first gym on your journey! Are you ready to take on the gym leader?

If you are interested in following the story of Peaks of Sinnoh, start here!

You run into Matilda just inside of town. She informs you that she’s already defeated the gym, and she recommends that you stock on antidotes before you challenge it yourself. However, you’ll have to go find the gym leader first. After being defeated by Matilda, the leader left the gym. 

Matilda heads back toward Jubilife city, and you are left to explore Oreburgh. You can look around the local homes, the patch of grass on route 207, the Oreburgh mine, or the mining museum. 

In the Orebrugh mine, workers are using both rock and poison type Pokémon to either chip away or burn through the rock. Some workers will say they find using acid on the walls much easier, while others will reminisce about the more traditional ways of mining. In the mining museum you will find a man with distinctive, teal hair talking to someone at the front desk. 

When you get close enough, you can overhear the conversation. The scientist behind the desk is explaining that ancient Pokémon can only be revived using fossils. What this man has are not fossils, the scientist explains, but artifacts more generally. From what the scientist can tell they are artistic representations that predate Sinnoh as we think of it. Where did the man get it? This artifact would be greatly appreciated by any number of museums in the region–

The teal-haired man proclaims that if these well-regarded scientists cannot revive these Pokémon, he has no interest in working with them. He rushes from the building, just barely missing running headlong into a young girl. 

The young girl steps up to the desk, and asks, “Is everything alright? I came as quick as I could.”

The scientist explains that the man didn’t end up being a threat, just strange. There’s no need for her to worry. Before leaving again, she stops to ask you if you noticed anything strange about that man. Whether you reply with yes or no, she thanks you, and says she’ll keep that in mind. She’ll also keep an eye out for him.

Now, if you return to the gym, the same young girl can be found talking to the man by the door. When you walk through the door, she looks your way.

“Oh!” she says, “You’re a gym challenger! Welcome! I’m Carmilla, Oreburgh’s gym leader. I’ll see you on the other side, if you’re able to defeat my friends. Good luck!” Carmilla hurries away to her spot at the back of the gym. If you talk to the man at the front of the gym, he will, of course, refer to you as the Champ to Be, and let you know that Carmilla specializes in poison type Pokémon. He also warns you that you’ll have a tough time if you’re using grass type Pokémon.

The Oreburgh gym has been refitted in sleek purple. The layout is largely similar to how the Oreburgh gym appeared in the past. However, instead of stairs, there are bouncy pads on each of the three levels (ground, first level, and Carmilla’s perch), which launch the player up to the next level, and slides down from each level, including one down the entire (screen) left side of the gym, down from Carmilla’s spot. To reach each of the two bounce pads, you’ll have to pass by two picnickers (one on each level). One picnicker, Susie, has a level 8 Stunky, and the other, Zelda, has two level 9 Zubats.

When you reach Carmilla, she greets you:

“You made it! I’m always excited to face new challengers! It looks like you don’t have any badges yet, so I’ll have to use my lowest-level team. Don’t let that fool you, we’re still strong!”

Carmilla’s team consists of a level 12 Stunky, a level 12 Budew, and a level 14 Zubat. Once you defeat them all, Carmilla is upset to have lost:

“Oh no! That’s my second loss in a row! If only I could have used my stronger Pokémon…” But, she’s also happy for you: “Great job! Being a gym leader is tough, but it means I get to meet cool trainers like you. Good luck with the rest of your gym challenge!”

For your victory, you are presented with the Venom Badge, and three TMs containing Venoshock. You can also now call on wild Pokémon to help you out by using the move Rock Smash. Congratulations! That’s one gym defeated, with seven more to go!

Now, if you’re done exploring, it’s time to move on. Unfortunately, you don’t have a bike, so you can’t get up the slope to reach the rest of Route 207, or Route 206, so it’s back to Jubilife city.

Been grinding for the past few days so I could beat Maylene’s Lucario. Turns out I had a secret weapon all along