Pokémon HeartGold / Soul Silver
ポケットモンスター ハートゴールド・スター ソウルシルバ
<<Part 1 (New Bark – Violet City) — Part 2 (Violet City – Azalea City) — Part 3 (Azalea City – Goldenrod City) >>
Bellsprout Tower — Violet City
When you enter the gate, your friend will stop you and bestow upon you another key item, namely, the バトルレコーダー, or Vs. Recorder. Violet City's had quite the makeover graphically, but it's still the same city at heart. The house in the far left contains a boy who wants to trade you for a Bellsprout, and in return, he'll give you an Onix. You can catch a Bellsprout in Route 31.
Heal again at the PokéCenter (you should obviously be in a habit of this), then go north. The extravagantly-roofed building to the right with the sign is Earl's Pokémon School. To the left is the Gym, and to the north is the Sprout Tower.
I would just like to take this opportunity to say that, even though the GSC music is better imo, they've done a fucking great job of updating the music, yeah! Anyway, climb the first ladder and head right to run into the first Sage... You may run into wild Pokémon at any stage on the second level and higher, such as low-level Rattata.
ぼうずの チンネン Sage Chinnen
Bellsprout (Lv. 3) Bellsprout (Lv. 3) Bellsprout (Lv. 3)
Then go down the ladder to get the Parlyz Heal. Go back up again (don't climb the ladder) and right down to find the next Sage.
ぼうずの モクネン Sage Mokunen
Bellsprout (Lv. 3) Bellsprout (Lv. 3) Bellsprout (Lv. 3)
Climb up the ladder to get an X Attack, then head around the ladder and south to the next equally fascinating battle.
ぼうずの エインウ Sage Ein'u
Bellsprout (Lv. 3) Bellsprout (Lv. 3) Bellsprout (Lv. 3)
At least now, on the next level, you get some variation! Pick up the Potion before proceeding forward to battle some slightly mightier Sages. Heed their wise words—Pokémon are friends, not tools to be used for war... etc. Oh, the third Sage's Hoothoot knows Hypnosis, so be mindful of that.
ぼうずの ??? Sage ???
Bellsprout (Lv. 6)
ぼうずの カクネン Sage Kakunen
Bellsprout (Lv. 6)
ぼうずの カイネン Sage Kainen
Bellsprout (Lv. 7) (so strong) Hoothoot (Lv. 7)
A certain redheaded young man is sassing his elders just ahead, and he's not too cheerful about your confronting him. In our world this would probably mean a brutal and hot-blooded fistfight, but in the Pokémon world, even hardened crime bosses won't punch a kid and will instead use their Pokémon on him. However, your rival has more to do than battle some punk like you, so off he goes. Go up and talk to the guy with the beard. He looks extra solemn... He wants to test your purity through animated violence, so, battle!
ちょうろうの コウセイ Elder Kousei
Bellsprout (Lv. 7) Hoothoot (Lv. 10) Bellsprout (Lv. 7)
Satisfied with your purity, he will grant you TM70, which teaches your Pokémon Flash. Pick up the Escape Rope to the right of Elder Kousei, and if you're feeling particularly lazy, you can use it to teleport back to the Violet PokéCenter (assuming that's where you healed last).
The Zephyr Badge — Violet City
Once healed, with necessary items like Potions replenished, return to the Gym. Falkner has now returned, but first, there are two trainers.
とりつかいの ショウタ Bird Keeper Shouta
Spearow (Lv. 9)
とりつかいの ツバサ Bird Keeper Tsubasa
Pidgey (Lv. 7) Pidgey (Lv. 7)
ジムリーダーの ハヤト Gym Leader Falkner
Pidgey (Lv. 9) Pidgeotto (Lv. 13)
Those who started with Totodile or Cyndaquil should have no problem with this Gym. As for Chikorita users, hopefully you picked up the Onix or another Pokémon not weak to Flying. After the Sprout Tower, your Pokémon will be around these levels, and Pidgey and Pidgeotto aren't particularly strong. The Pidgeotto is a bit more problematic. It attacks with Tackle and replenishes its health with Roost. Just keep chipping away at it. There's no strategy in this battle at all.
Once you win, Falkner will concede defeat and give you TM51, which contains Roost. You will then receive a phone call from Professor Elm. Go back and heal (I'm going to stop mentioning this now)