Okay, so I've been trying to find a good cue to use when doing the manip to get pikachu for the deathfly (I can't even get to the right tile for him to show up) And even after counting steps in the forest saving on the spot I think is right, I manage to manip a metapod the second I step into the final grass path. I'm not sure exactly what's going on so any help would be appreciated.

i got this problem too the first time i tried, reset your run from the start and be sure to do not move one extra tile down before the pikachu reset.

Gotcha, I'll give it a shot tonight thank ya. Other than this I've loved the route