To the Coast! (Pokemon X)

After defeating Viola, we roll north to Route 4 on our fancy new roller skates!

After a few battles, we reach Lumiose City, and all of its granduer! 

Sina and Dexio greet me and lead the way to the Professor's lab, were we can finally meet him! And like every other trainer, immediately battles. us. 

Because what else would he do?

After the battle, Calem (our rival) says to meet him at a nearby cafe. Upon meeting him and entering, we see Lysandre and Diantha discussing beauty and other general nefariousness disguised as pleasant conversation. 

She's definitely up to something

After Calem states that he wants to be our Rival, we head out to Route 5 and Camphrier Town and on the way we catch a Pancham. 

Welcome to the team, little guy!

Heading on through and onto Route 7 we discover a Snorlax blocking the way! 

Some things never change 

Shauna and I are informed that the owner of Parfum Palace has a Pokeflute needed to wake Snorlax, so off we go! 

After talking the owner we learn that his Furfrou has run off and he won't do anything until its returned safely to him. Shauna and I go into the garden and trap him to bring him back before he gives us the flute to wake Snorlax. 

We return to Snorlax, wake it up, battle it, and then continue on our way. At the end of the route, Trevor and Tierno challenge Calem and I to a double battle! 

Needless to say, it doesn't go well for them

After the battle, I head into Connecting Cave and come out on Route 8. Halfway through the Route, we come across Ambrette Town and Calem says we should visit the Fossil Research Lab. Turns out the head researcher is off in Glittering Cave studying fossils. So now we gotta go and rescue him, and at this point I'm remembering that about 86% of this game happens between the first two badges. 

Oh, and Bunnelby evolved into Diggersby at some point.

I forget when because SO MUCH IS HAPPENING

Anyway, I head out to Route 9 and hop on the Rhyhorn that you have to ride and reach Glittering Cave. Inside the cave, I catch a Machop. 

Fist bump! 

In the lower levels, we meet the nefarious and fashionable Team Flare! 

Fabulous!

Calem and I team up to defeat them and save the researcher who was unaware that he needed saving. 

On the way back, I caught a Hippopotas! 

Who one day might know whats going on

After that, we can continue up Route 8 and FINALLY reach Cyllage City and can challenge Grant for the Cliff Badge! 

Althoug, he wasn't really much of a challenge for Pancham and Machop.