Azure and Rose walkthrough/Section 3

## Optional Content

Now that you have defeated Aria, you may challenge the Maracaleza Gym, but that isn't required yet, unless you wish to do sidequests: completing "The Catnapper!" and starting "Soul Eater" requires defeating the Maracaleza Gym. This will be covered in more detail the Gym cleanup part.

### Maracaleza Gym

**Maracaleza Town Pokémon Gym**

**Leader: Akita**

The Kantonian Legend

The Maracaleza Gym specializes in Fighting-type Pokémon. The Gym takes place in an actual Gym, and you must catch up to every Trainer in the Gym. After this, you have to do a Duel minigame against Akita; unlike other Duel Trainers, Akita must be defeated in the duel to start the Pokémon battle.

Akita's team shares a weakness to Psychic-type attacks; other than Gingara/Rayonsiera they also all share a Flying weakness, and other than Sneasler they also all share a Fairy weakness. If battled directly after the Alipigra Gym, he'll only have Gingara and Cuffeon, meaning a Pokémon with a Fairy-type move (such as starter Tempixie) will likely sweep the Gym.

After the battle, Akita awards you the Martial Badge. He also gives you TM17 (Brick Break) as a prize. This may be good for Radioso players, as that starter can learn the move and it will help with coverage.

## North Route 4

North Route 4 is a hilly route in east-central Verela, that links together Route 15 and Route 5. It is crossed by the Paragonas River. Fairdune Cave goes underneath it. Rare crystals can be found there, so a surface access point was made to the river's north, to make entering it easier.

The beginning of this route is relatively short. Cross it to enter Fairdune Cave.

## Fairdune Cave

Fairdune Cave is a cave in central Verela, found on Route 4 underneath the Paragonas River.

## East Route 15

Route 15 is a mildly hilly route in central Verela, that links together Rocavideo Town and Rio Bossano City.

As you enter this route, you'll receive a phone call from Professor Razilwood. The professor will want you to visit Fennel's laboratory in Rio Bossano City to retrieve something for him. As you do so, you'll pass both a Teacher and a Black Belt. The former will force you to battle. The latter is an optional Duel Trainer. The Duel Trainer is a higher level than Desiree, so don't battle them yet.

The Rich Boy is blocking the way to the west, so just go east to Rio Bossano City.

## Rio Bossano City

Rio Bossano City is a large city in the Verela region. As it is the former capital of Verela, Rio Bossano City is one of the largest cities in Verela. A Gym is here, though the Gym Leader spends more time in the cathedral than in the Gym itself.

However, that Gym cannot be battled yet, as Enrique won't battle the player until they have 6 Sunset League Gym Badges. The player may still enter the Sitares Cantus Cathedral, where they may find a couple items, but the Gym challenge will not occur. There is also a Twilight League Gym, the Lyra Gym tucked away within the eastern part of the city. However, that Gym's Leader, Fritz, is busy, so you can't battle this Gym either. So, just go to Fennel's laboratory, which is in the northeastern building, closest to Route 1.

Fennel will challenge you to a battle after a short discussion over dreams. She will show you the ability to use Z-Moves during this battle. Despite her team being ostensibly Normal-type, both of her Pokémon resist the Fighting type, and it is preferred to use Dark moves and Pokémon, if you have them.

She will give you the Z-Power Ring after her defeat, as well as task you with finding the item Professor Razilwood wanted - a Normalium Z - as she has yet to fully unpack her laboratory equipment yet. With no other business in Rio Bossano City, feel free to go to Route 15. Professor Razilwood will meet you there to see the Normalium Z, so you do not need to go back to Alipigra City.

## West Route 15

Now that you have the Z-Ring, the Rich Boy will let you pass - though not without a battle. Defeat him to move on.

Staying on the upper path will get you to Rocavideo Town, but if you wish to train, going lower to the dark tall grass may be beneficial. Normal grass encounters are the same throughout the route.