Chapter 16: Route 29, Cherrygrove City and the Dark Cave
From New Bark Town the road runs west along Route 29 to Cherrygrove City, then north along Routes 30 and 31 towards Violet City. On the way you meet Crystal, a local girl who is about to become a Pokédex holder, and you run into the first Team Rocket trouble of Johto at Dark Cave.
Main quest in this chapter: follow Crystal’s tour of Cherrygrove City to the orphanage, go on north to the Dark Cave entrance on Route 31, and then stop Team Rocket’s dig on Route 46. You must play the Route 46 scene: the memorial ceremony in Violet City’s Sprout Tower only starts after it.
Deadlines: the dig scene removes the Stantler herd on Route 30, so do the Noctowl trick first if you want the Stantler. Mr. Pokémon only asks his quiz after the Dark Cave trouble is over, and before you own HM08 Rock Climb.
Hidden items along the way
Optional stops in this chapter’s locations. Some spots may need a return visit; check the location notes for access limitations.
Open a location for item names, directions and available screenshots.
Walkthrough
Section titled “Walkthrough”Route 29. Walk west from New Bark Town. A man by the Apricorn tree wants to buy Kurt’s Apricorn Box, a girl with an Elekid asks you about a Pokéathlon athlete (one chance either way for both), and a die-hard fan challenges you to a battle near the New Bark end of the route (he offers sparring any time afterwards). A side gatehouse leads north to Route 46 and the Dark Cave exit; you will use it later in this chapter.
Technical source (script files and flags)
guide/07 q-0181, q-0182 (script file 225: scripts 3, 14, 15; the fan @4003-@4118 is a coord scene on var 0x408b = 5 and sets 0x408b = 6). NOCLOSE q-0181: one-time choice, either answer ends it. NOCLOSE q-0182: one-time sale, the offer ends when you accept or refuse three times.
Cherrygrove City: Crystal’s tour. At the east edge of town Crystal calls you over and shows you the city: she sells 10 Poké Balls for $800 during the tour (one free if you cannot pay) and ends at the orphanage. In the orphanage let the children play with your Pokémon; Rhett runs off after a Slugma, and you help Crystal hold the Slugma back at the north edge of town (a battle against three Slugma that earns 5 Heal Balls). Silver also shows up here and drops his Trainer Card. Besides the story you can do in town: the Berry Pots girl in the south-east flowers (needs the Squirt Bottle), the Wooper and the lost Poké Ball on the west shore, and a fighter’s house in the south-west row.
Technical source (script files and flags)
script file 847 (Cherrygrove: coord scripts on var 0x408b = 6, 7, 8; Crystal’s balls @7093-@7122 and @7956, Rhett and Slugma @7271-@7374, Silver’s Trainer Card @7410, orphanage door @8030, SetVar 0x408b = 7 @8091 and 8 @7374); guide/08 q-0199, q-0204; guide/07 q-0183, q-0184 (file 847 scripts 15, 17, 18). NOCLOSE q-0183: one-time choice (Berry Pots girl), No gives up for good.
Elm and Crystal’s Pokédex. Crystal’s skill impresses you. Later, back in Prof. Elm’s lab with Gold (the talk is about a stolen Totodile and the Trainer Card Silver dropped), you recommend Crystal as a Pokédex holder. Elm goes to the orphanage and gives Crystal a Pokédex and a Chikorita. That releases the wild Chikorita on Routes 30 and 31.
Technical source (script files and flags)
guide/08 q-0199 steps 4-5 and its Source line (file 851 scripts 4 and 6, var 0x408b 7 to 9; file 840 lab script 3 L1436-L1530 hides the orphanage Crystal with flag 1964 and shows the Elm scene by clearing 1968), q-0201 (the Chikorita event starts after Elm gives Crystal her Pokedex). UNVERIFIED: the exact call or walk that sends you back to Elm’s lab (file 840 script 3 @1222-@1530 plays the thief and recommendation talk, flags 413, 401, 1964). NOCLOSE q-0201: one catch chance, the Chikorita disappears after the battle however it ends; it is also lost for good if you talk to Brock in the Pewter Museum before the event (guide/08 q-0201 Notes).
Route 30. North of Cherrygrove the road leads past a fishing pond to Mr. Pokémon’s house at the north end. A herd of Stantler blocks one of the two paths: lead with a Noctowl (it need not know Foresight) and talk to a Stantler to dispel the illusion; one real Stantler is left to catch. A Youngster with a Rattata starts the wild Chikorita’s rampage, which continues on Route 31. Mr. Pokémon first only worries about Dark Cave; once the trouble is over he asks his five-question quiz (Exp. Share).
Technical source (script files and flags)
script file 227 (Route 30: Stantler herd objects hidden by flag 1807, set by the Foresight solution @2557/@4080 and by the Route 46 dig, file 259 @3586); file 229 (Mr. Pokemon’s house: quiz after flag 1808 or 2335, and a Rock Climb tip instead once you carry HM08, script 3 @88). guide/08 q-0200, q-0202.
Route 31 and the Dark Cave entrance. On Route 31 the wild Chikorita beats an Oddish and meets a Bug Catcher with a Yanma near the west end (catch the Chikorita there). In front of the Dark Cave entrance Gold and Crystal argue: Gold wants to rush in, Crystal says that nobody has Flash. Give Crystal your TM70 Flash so her Chikorita can light the way (TM70 costs $8,000 in the Route 10 Pokémon Center in Kanto if you do not have one).
Technical source (script files and flags)
script file 230 (Route 31: coord script 16 at the Dark Cave entrance on var 0x40ac = 0 plays the Gold and Crystal argument @536-@587 and sets var 0x40ac = 1 @594 whatever you carry); guide/08 q-0203 (the TM hand-over).
Route 46: Team Rocket’s dig. Walk to the north end of Route 46, two steps south of the Dark Cave door (from the Route 29 gatehouse or through Dark Cave). Crystal has cornered Cassidy and Butch while they dig: you fight them in a Multi Battle with Crystal as partner, then Charon and Lawrence in a Double Battle with no healing in between. Charon’s Dugtrio grabs Crystal; when Charon orders you to put your Pokémon away, answer Yes if you want Crystal as your romance partner. Afterwards the dig site clears, the herd of Stantler on Route 30 is gone for good, and the dig man’s “rolling” item shop stops selling.
Technical source (script files and flags)
guide/12 q-0332 (script file 259: coord script 4 on var 0x40ac = 1; battles @227-@1789; Yes/No @2133/@2267 (No sets flag 2145, Crystal locked out); @3570-@3594 sets flags 1807 and 1808 and var 0x40ac = 2). Flag 1807 hides the Route 30 Stantler herd objects (zone 34 object list). File 18 (Sprout Tower 3F): coord script 2 triggers the ceremony only on var 0x40ac = 2.
Quests in this chapter
Section titled “Quests in this chapter”Open the ones you want; tick Done to hide them. Filters at the top apply to this whole page.
Route 29: Casey’s Pokéathlon question (→ Electirizer)
Section titled “Route 29: Casey’s Pokéathlon question (→ Electirizer)”Where: Route 29, a girl with an Elekid, about 20 steps south of the gatehouse to Route 46.
How it works: she asks whether you admire a Pokéathlon athlete who never gave up.
| Answer | Result |
|---|---|
| “Yes! Never giving up is admirable!” | a friendly battle (Elekid and Beedrill, Lv. 11–12); win or lose, she gives you an Electirizer. Losing doesn’t white you out. |
| “Losers should just give up early.” | a normal battle (a loss whites you out). She runs off crying; follow her west to the Apricorn tree, where she stands a few steps east of Uncle Apricorn, for a Double Battle. No item. |
Reward: Electirizer (the “Yes” answer only).
Notes: one chance: either answer ends it.
Technical source (script files and flags)
script file 225 (script 3, L1253, L4128–L4166: TrainerBattle [608, 0, 1, 0] @4135 with no win check, then item 322 @4148; script 14 and L1324–L1408; flags 1962, 1969, 1970). Casey ≈624,409 (gatehouse door ≈626,389); after running off ≈590,392.
Route 29: Uncle Apricorn wants Kurt’s Apricorn Box (say No twice)
Section titled “Route 29: Uncle Apricorn wants Kurt’s Apricorn Box (say No twice)”Where: Route 29, the man by the Apricorn tree, west of the Route 46 gatehouse.
Who gets it / when: any time. You carry Kurt’s Apricorn Box from Oak’s Parcel (Pallet Town).
How it works: he wants to buy Kurt’s box and raises his offer each time you refuse:
| Offer | If you say Yes |
|---|---|
| 1st | $5,000 + one of his Apricorn Boxes |
| 2nd (after one No) | $10,000 + his box |
| 3rd (after two No’s) | $20,000 + his box + an Apricorn Ball set: 2 each of Fast, Level, Lure, Heavy, Love, Friend and Moon Ball |
| No three times | you keep Kurt’s box, no reward |
Reward: best is No, No, Yes: $20,000 and 14 Apricorn Balls.
Notes: you lose nothing by selling: his box is the same key item, so Apricorn picking still works. One chance either way.
Technical source (script files and flags)
script file 225 (script 15, L3690/L3735/L3780–L3938; flag 1971; items 468, 492–498). Uncle Apricorn ≈599,393.
Cherrygrove City: Crystal, the orphanage and Rhett’s Slugma (story chain; where to go next)
Section titled “Cherrygrove City: Crystal, the orphanage and Rhett’s Slugma (story chain; where to go next)”Where: the orphanage, the middle house of Cherrygrove’s south-west row (Crystal stands near the top of the room); then the north edge of town, a few steps north-west of the Poké Mart.
Who gets it / when: after Crystal’s city tour ends at the orphanage door (Cherrygrove chapter).
How it works:
-
Talk to Crystal in the orphanage: “Would you let them play with your Pokémon for a bit?” → Yes. (“No” just ends the talk; you can ask again.)
-
You introduce your lead Pokémon to the kids. Rhett brags that he saw a Slugma north of town and runs off to catch one. The director asks Crystal to go after him.
-
Go to the north edge of Cherrygrove (north-west of the Poké Mart) and walk up to Rhett, who is surrounded by Slugma. Crystal asks “Will you help hold back the Slugma?”:
- Yes: you battle the Slugma (Slugma Lv. 28, 25, 25). Win, and Crystal thanks you with 5 Heal Balls. Losing whites you out.
- No: Crystal handles it alone. No item.
Either way Crystal catches the Slugma, and you learn she’s a natural at catching Pokémon.
-
Later, back in Prof. Elm’s lab with Gold (after the Totodile theft and Silver’s dropped Trainer Card), you recommend Crystal as a Pokédex holder. Elm goes to the orphanage.
-
Talk to Crystal in the orphanage again: Elm gives her a Pokédex and Chikorita and promises to fund the orphanage.
Reward: 5 Heal Balls if you help hold back the Slugma and win. Step 5 also releases the wild Chikorita on Route 30 (next entry).
Notes: after the final Hall of Fame entry Crystal is back in the orphanage. She offers a repeatable Singles or Doubles battle. If you’ve confessed (to anyone) and Crystal hasn’t been ruled out as your partner, she also offers “Let’s go for a walk together”, but that option only plays one line and ends: Crystal has no date scenes.
Technical source (script files and flags)
script file 851 (scripts 4, 6; L1271–L2745; var 0x408b 7 → 9, flags 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968), file 847 (L7995–L8091 tour, coord 547,385 → L5553–L5763, L7374 sets 0x408b = 8; Slugma question L1945, trainer 745, Heal Balls (item 14) ×5 at L6549–L6561), file 840 (lab script 3, L1436–L1530: hides the orphanage Crystal (flag 1964) and shows the Elm scene (clears 1968)); post-game: L926 checks flags 1645 (confessed) and 2145 (Crystal ruled out) before the walk option; flag 1964 is cleared again at the final Hall of Fame (file 822 L2522). Positions: Crystal at 34,4 in the orphanage; Rhett at ≈547,385, north exit ≈549,386.
Cherrygrove City: the Berry Pots girl (→ 6 PP Up; one chance)
Section titled “Cherrygrove City: the Berry Pots girl (→ 6 PP Up; one chance)”She only checks for the Squirt Bottle (from the Pewter flower garden).
Where: Cherrygrove City, a girl among the flowers at the south-east edge, a few steps south-west of the south-east house door.
Who gets it / when: when you carry the Squirt Bottle. She only checks for the Squirt Bottle, not the Berry Pots, but in normal play you get both together (Anemone’s flower garden in Pewter City, see Pewter City: Sitrus Berries → Hard Stone → TM69). Without the Squirt Bottle she only talks about Berries.
How it works: she asks you to give her your Berry Pots.
- Yes: she takes the Berry Pots and gives you 6 PP Up.
- No: she gives up for good. One chance. Reward: 6 PP Up. You lose the Berry Pots, but you can buy them again at the Goldenrod Flower Shop for $5,000.
Technical source (script files and flags)
script file 847 (script 15, L3585, L6837–L6868; flag 1972, also set by “No” at L3628; HasItem 477 (Squirt Bottle) is the only check, TakeItem 470); Flower Shop: file 893. Girl ≈561,408 (house door ≈567,405).
Cherrygrove City: the Wooper and the lost Poké Ball (→ Focus Band)
Section titled “Cherrygrove City: the Wooper and the lost Poké Ball (→ Focus Band)”Where: Cherrygrove City’s west shore: a boy, and about ten steps west of him on the water, a Poké Ball surrounded by Wooper and Quagsire.
How it works:
- Talk to the boy: the Wooper snatched his Poké Ball (his Buizel is inside).
- Examine the Poké Ball → “Take it back to the boy?” → Yes. The Wooper won’t let you:
| Choice | Result |
|---|---|
| Take it by force | a local explains the Wooper ritual and offers “Wait for the ritual to end” / “Take the Ball back now”. Taking it: beat him (Fisherman Marcus, Lv. 62–65), then the Quagsire (Lv. 40) and two Wooper (Lv. 20). Losing either battle whites you out; you can try again. You get the ball back, and the boy gives you a Focus Band. |
| Leave it alone / Wait for the ritual to end | nothing now. The boy gets his Buizel back later in the story (the Ruins of Alph chapter). No reward. |
| Trade an empty Ball | needs a Poké Ball; the Wooper aren’t interested. Nothing is lost; you can choose again. |
| Let me think | nothing happens; you can choose again. |
Reward: Focus Band (the forceful path only).
Notes: after “Leave it alone” or “Wait for the ritual to end”, the ball can’t be taken any more. If you want the Focus Band, choose “Take it by force”, then “Take the Ball back now”.
Technical source (script files and flags)
script file 847 (scripts 17, 18; L6876, L7621–L7841, L8181–L8573; TrainerBattle 665, 666; flags 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978), file 51 L4285–L4318 (Ruins of Alph clears them). Boy ≈537,404; Poké Ball ≈527,407.
Cherrygrove City: small extras
Section titled “Cherrygrove City: small extras”- Fighter’s house (west house of the south-west row): “Want to battle?” → Singles or Doubles against him. Your first win gives a Power Belt; the battle is repeatable.
Technical source (script files and flags)
file 851 script 2, L840–L1638, L2325–L2370; trainer 610; flag 1647.
Route 30 → Route 31: the wild Chikorita that challenges Trainers (catch it; one chance)
Section titled “Route 30 → Route 31: the wild Chikorita that challenges Trainers (catch it; one chance)”The wild Chikorita is Lv. 5. Do first: Cherrygrove City: Crystal, the orphanage and Rhett's Slugma (story chain; where to go next).
Where: Route 30 (a Youngster with a Rattata, a short way south of the Stantler herd) → Route 31 (a girl with an Oddish near the east end of Route 31; then a Bug Catcher with a Yanma in the west part of the route, towards the Violet City gatehouse).
Who gets it / when: after Elm gives Crystal her Pokédex in the orphanage (previous entry).
How it works:
- Route 30: talk to the Youngster or the Chikorita beside him. The Chikorita beats his Rattata and runs off.
- Route 31: talk to the Oddish girl (or her Oddish). The Chikorita knocks out her Oddish and moves on to the Bug Catcher’s spot west along the route.
- Talk to the Bug Catcher first. He says he doesn’t want a Grass type: “If you like it, catch it yourself.”
- Then talk to the Chikorita. His Yanma beats it, and you get “Catch Chikorita?” → Yes → wild Chikorita, Lv. 5.
Reward: a Chikorita. Afterwards the Bug Catcher offers a battle whenever you talk to him and gives a Pecha Berry after each win (repeatable).
Notes:
- If you talk to the Chikorita before the Bug Catcher, it just lies there hurt; talk to him, then to it again. The Chikorita disappears after the battle whether you catch it, knock it out or run. Losing whites you out.
- Don’t talk to Brock in the Pewter Museum between the orphanage scene and this event. While his siblings’ quiz isn’t finished, talking to him removes this Chikorita for good (see Known issues).
Technical source (script files and flags)
script file 227 (scripts 18, 21, L2586–L4206; flag 1323), file 230 (scripts 7, 15, 17, 18, 20; L1123–L2485, L1700–L2544; flags 1238, 1812, 1813; WildBattle 152 Lv. 5; trainer 799, item 151), file 851 L488–L492. Flag 1323 is also set by Brock in the Pewter Museum (file 753 script 16) whenever his siblings’ quiz isn’t finished (hack finding D-1424). Positions: Youngster ≈552,331; Oddish girl ≈562,282; Bug Catcher ≈531,278.
Route 30: the Stantler roadblock (Noctowl’s Foresight)
Section titled “Route 30: the Stantler roadblock (Noctowl’s Foresight)”Do it before the Route 46 dig scene: the dig removes the herd and the Stantler.
Where: the northern part of Route 30, north of the fishing pond and south of Mr. Pokémon’s house: a herd of Stantler blocks one of the two paths north. A man standing just south of them, next to a sign, complains about it.
Who gets it / when: from the start of the Johto chapter until the Team Rocket dig on Route 46 (later story), which removes the herd for good.
How it works:
- Put a Noctowl first in your party (it must be the first Pokémon that isn’t fainted; it doesn’t need to know Foresight) and talk to any Stantler.
- “Have it use Foresight on this mysterious force?” → Yes. The herd was an illusion and vanishes. One real Stantler is left, hiding in the corner.
- Talk to it: “Catch it?” → Yes → wild Stantler, Lv. 15.
Reward: the path opens, and you can catch the Stantler.
Notes: the lone Stantler is gone once you leave the map, or after the Route 46 scene. If you don’t have a Noctowl, use the other path; Hoothoot evolves into Noctowl at Lv. 20.
Technical source (script files and flags)
script file 227 (scripts 5, 10, 12; L2453–L2567, L3984–L4149; flag 1807), file 259 L3586 (Route 46 sets 1807). Positions: herd ≈548–553,311–313; complaining man ≈552,317.
Route 30: Mr. Pokémon’s quiz (→ Exp. Share)
Section titled “Route 30: Mr. Pokémon’s quiz (→ Exp. Share)”Only after the Dark Cave trouble is over, and only while you do not carry HM08 Rock Climb. Do first: Route 46: Team Rocket's dig and Crystal taken hostage (story; romance choice; continues Ilex Forest and Goldenrod City's romance entry).
Where: Mr. Pokémon’s house, at the north end of Route 30.
Who gets it / when: after the Dark Cave incident is over (Charon’s scene in Dark Cave, or the Route 46 dig). Before that he only worries about the cave. Get it before you own HM08 Rock Climb: once you carry HM08 he only gives a Rock Climb tip and never asks the quiz.
How it works: “Answer Mr. Pokémon’s questions?” → Yes. He asks five questions in a row and tells you at the end whether any was wrong:
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | How many Pokémon are native to Johto? | 100 |
| 2 | In battle, which of these moves goes first? | Focus Punch |
| 3 | Which of these Pokémon could gain an edge after being hit by Gastro Acid? | Slaking |
| 4 | Which of these statements is true? | Forretress has only one weakness |
| 5 | Which of these effects is NOT caused by weather? | Attack and Speed both rise |
Reward: Exp. Share (once).
Notes: a wrong answer costs nothing; talk to him again and retry.
Technical source (script files and flags)
script file 229 (script 1; L30 HasItem 427, L51 flag 1808 (Dark Cave incident over), L140–L631, flag 2335).
Route 31: give Crystal your Flash TM (the way into Dark Cave)
Section titled “Route 31: give Crystal your Flash TM (the way into Dark Cave)”Where: Route 31, right in front of the Dark Cave entrance (Crystal, with Gold beside her).
Who gets it / when: when you reach Route 31, Gold wants to rush into Dark Cave and Crystal stops him because neither has Flash.
How it works: talk to Crystal while you carry TM70 Flash: “Give Crystal the TM for Flash?” → Yes. Her Chikorita learns Flash, and she heads into the cave.
Reward: the Dark Cave story continues. You lose TM70.
Notes: without TM70, Crystal just repeats that the cave Pokémon are fleeing. TM70 is sold for $8,000 by a man in the Route 10 Pokémon Center (Kanto), whenever you don’t already carry one. If you bought one for Rock Tunnel, keep it for this.
Technical source (script files and flags)
script file 230 (scripts 2, 8, 16; L896, L1829–L2741; TakeItem 397, flag 1809), file 192 (Route 10 Pokémon Center, L92–L416). Crystal at ≈565,270.
Route 46: Team Rocket’s dig and Crystal taken hostage (story; romance choice; continues Ilex Forest and Goldenrod City’s romance entry)
Section titled “Route 46: Team Rocket’s dig and Crystal taken hostage (story; romance choice; continues Ilex Forest and Goldenrod City’s romance entry)”Required: the Sprout Tower ceremony in Violet City only starts after this scene. Cassidy and Butch are Lv. 67-69; Charon and Lawrence are Lv. 87-88.
Where: the north end of Route 46. The scene starts as you walk up to the Dark Cave entrance, two steps south of its door. You can come up from the Route 29 gatehouse or out of Dark Cave.
Who gets it / when: early in the Johto chapter, right after Gold and Crystal argue at the Route 31 Dark Cave entrance (Route 31: give Crystal your Flash TM). The scene is required: the Sprout Tower memorial ceremony in Violet City only starts once it has played.
How it works:
- Crystal has cornered Cassidy and Butch, who are digging. They recite their motto, then you step in: Multi Battle with Crystal as your partner against Rocket Elites Cassidy and Butch (Lv. 67–69, three Pokémon each). Crystal’s team is weak (Chikorita Lv. 10, Parasect Lv. 24, Cubone, Natu Lv. 9), so expect to carry the battle.
- Executives Charon and Lawrence arrive. You refuse Crystal’s help and face them in a Double Battle (six Pokémon each, Lv. 87–88). There is no healing between step 1 and step 2. Losing either battle whites you out, and the scene replays when you walk back in.
- Charon’s Dugtrio pops out of the ground and grabs Crystal. Gold turns up. Charon orders you both to put your Pokémon away. “Do as Charon says and put your Pokémon away?”
- Yes: you comply.
- No: you threaten them instead, and Gold complies for you. This locks Crystal out of the romance route (male players; see the romance route’s central entry). The scene continues the same way either way: Gold’s “cue shot” Poké Balls free Crystal, Charon uses Arena Trap to escape, and Gold and Crystal start a Pokédex race. Reward: story only. The dig site clears, and the Stantler herd blocking Route 30 leaves (Cherrygrove City to Azalea Town).
Notes:
- Answer Yes if you want Crystal as a partner. If you answered No, you can still undo it later: give Crystal your Super Rod in Olivine City before the Mineral Badge (Olivine City: give Crystal your Super Rod), or make the “more attractive” wish at the Six Island pond before the Dream World (Island Forest (Six Island)).
- Missable shop: the man a short walk north-west of the Route 29 gatehouse (about 14 steps north and 8 west of its door) sells items that “roll down” from the dig: Metronome $2,000, Iron Ball $3,000, Smooth Rock $5,000, Metal Powder $2,000. He stops selling for good once this scene has played (“Since the digging up there stopped, I haven’t picked up a single thing”).
Technical source (script files and flags)
script file 259 (coord script 4 on var 0x40ac = 1; L227–L1789 battles; L2133 Yes, L2267 No sets flag 2145; L3570–L3594 sets flags 1807 and 1808 and var 0x40ac = 2; script 1 shop, flag 1808), file 230 L594 (Route 31 sets 0x40ac = 1), file 18 (Sprout Tower 3F coord needs 0x40ac = 2). Positions: trigger row ≈627–629,331, Dark Cave door 628,329, shop man ≈618,366.
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