Finish your business in Shopping Mall Nine with a battle and then it's time to kick down the rest of Route 9.

Alarmingly, Shopping Mall Nine's TM selection is rather poor compared to the equivalents in other Pokemon games.  One does have to wonder what the meaning of that is...

Snag another couple things from Route 9's grassy area and you can then head into Shopping Mall Nine, the premier purchasable place perenially prized by pokemon profiteers.

Snag another couple things from Route 9's grassy area and you can then head into Shopping Mall Nine, the premier purchasable place perenially prized by pokemon profiteers.

The Hidden Grotto in this area is unfortunately lacking in useful pokemon to provide you- hope it holds an item for you instead.

Snag a few interesting things on the way through Opelucid, then head out to Route 9 to get some serious training in.

Your chances of beating Drayden on your arrival are actually remarkably slim- you're going to need to do some more training before you're ready.

As with the other two of the three main 'Muskedeer' pokemon, you will get a second chance if you don't catch Virizion this time.

I'd say something about Gliscor or the huge gorge you cross, but.... the telephone reference is too tempting.

After only a couple more stops, it's on to Route 11 and a few new things to catch.