Welcome/Welcome back, you crazy diamonds!

[spiritcrystal]

[An island! This is most certainly not where everyone was just a few moments ago. ...Alright, maybe some of you were on an island. Don't get cheeky.

At everyone's feet is a small note. It gives no description of their location or explanation, of course; it only says one simple thing.

Please choose one.

The note comes along with three Pokéballs with different "starter" Pokémon in them- the three Pokémon can be anything, from a Froakie, Charmander, and Treecko to a Rattata, Patrat, and Bidoof if you're particularly unlucky- and everything in between. If it's not a legendary Pokémon, it's fair game.

Of course, you can only pick one! Trying to go for a second will leave you thinking that you better not get too greedy. If you're one of those types that wouldn't care either way, the other two Pokéballs will simply disappear.

Now go forth, and into a world of Pokémon!]

Comments

[saikou_everyday]

[i'm so proud. really. s-sighs!!]

Sorry Paul, guess I can't really get a good grip on it!

[battlestandby]

S-sure, whatever. Now make yourself useful and show me what this thing evolves to.

[saikou_everyday]

Haha, 'kay, hold up. Let's see. . .

[doop doop imaginary dex buttons!! Ferrrothorn pops up, and he holds it out for Paul]

This guy! See? It's totally cool.

[battlestandby]

[brb gonna memorize all this FOREVER]

Hm... looks sturdy enough. Iron Barbs sounds like a good ability... its dual-typing only gives it two weaknesses... ten resistances and one immunity. [ahahaha well only 9 resistances once you dorks get educated about gen vi but enjoy being out of the loop for now]

... Guess that means Ferroseed is worth training, then. I assume you got a new Pokemon from this place, too?

[saikou_everyday]

[just looks kinda like 8U??? when he's muttering about resistances and immunity what is this strategy noise]

'Course it's worth training, it's a Pokemon!

[then holds up the three balls]

I guess I'm gonna get one! We haven't picked yet, it's too hard to decide! Who just gives Pokemon away like that?

[battlestandby]

[ash how did you ever get this far without real strategy gawd]

Apparently this happens for everyone who ends up in this weird place. I didn't think you of all people would question this when you're getting a free Pokemon out of the deal... do you even know what you have to choose from yet?

[saikou_everyday]

I've seen a lot of abandoned Pokemon, is all. Just gotta be sure!

And nope! I saw a note, but then figured, hey, it's way more fun to guess!

[battlestandby]

... Ash, don't be stupid. Consider your options before you choose one. You might end up with a Pokemon you can't hug and smother with emotion like mine, and then you'll all be miserable.

[saikou_everyday]

Are you sayin' I can't hug your Ferroseed just because it's covered in spikes and pain?

[this sounds like a challenge paul]

[STARING AT YOUR POKEMON]

[battlestandby]

[Ferroseed stares right back, like it's totally saying JUST TRY IT PUNK!!!]

Guess so. But if you're fine with your whole body getting skewered into swiss cheese just so you can uphold your ideals about how to train Pokemon, then I guess I can't stop you...

[Paul's totally fine with you getting tortured in the most agonizing way possible dude]

[saikou_everyday]

I'm not sayin' YOU have to do it my way, I'm just gonna prove it doesn't matter what a Pokemon looks like, I can find a way to play with 'em!

C'mere little guy! Let me just--ouch! Or maybe if I pick up this side fi--woah! Darn it!

[JUST. GONNA SPEND A COUPLE MINUTES. ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP THIS THORNY BALL OF DEATH]

[battlestandby]

[ash this is like trying to make a lv 100 magikarp better than a lv 20 gyarados -- IT JUST AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN.

Especially once Ferroseed starts getting pissed off at all this attempted affection and ACTIVELY shoots spikes into Ash]

And all I'm saying is to not be an idiot. Aren't you the type who'd give every choice a fair chance, anyway?

[saikou_everyday]

Yikes!

[well now i guess i'm pinned to a convenient tree. pikachu hops up and starts removing spikes one by one]

Jeeze. . .yeah, I would! That's why it doesn't matter who's in which ball. Whatever Pokemon it is, I know we'll be great friends!

[battlestandby]

... Ah, I get it. If you see the three you have to choose from, then you'll get scared that you'll hurt the other two's feelings when you pick one. Heh.

[saikou_everyday]

[n-nail on the head. flops down when Pikachu pulls out the last spike]

Aha, guess ya caught me. I'd take 'em all, if they wanted to go. Ya can't play favorites!

[battlestandby]

This is exactly why you're never going to be a Pokemon Master.

[saikou_everyday]

What makes ya say that?

[battlestandby]

Think about it: what kind of master lets his fears hold him back? If you let your trivial fears run your life, the people who can face their own fears will trample all over you and leave you in the dust.

[saikou_everyday]

But it's not really a fear, I just don't want 'em to feel bad! Jeeze, ya take everything seriously, even feelings!

[battlestandby]

And you're making a big deal out of something literally every trainer does the first day they start out. I assume Professor Oak didn't let you snag a Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle all at once just because you didn't want to hurt any of their feelings by choosing just one.

[saikou_everyday]

Nah, I didn't get to pick because I woke up late and the other trainers had taken 'em already! Pikachu and I meetin' up was the best accident ever.

But it's still different, those Pokemon will still get picked eventually.

[battlestandby]

[why does this not surprise us, like, AT ALL]

How do you know these are any different?

[saikou_everyday]

I don't! That's why it's even more important to give 'em all a fair chance.

[battlestandby]

You can't give them a fair chance if you don't even know what Pokemon they are, Ash. You're making a decision based on luck alone; how is that fair to the Pokemon?

[he can't believe he's saying this aaaaaa]

[saikou_everyday]

[yes, good, teach him about giving friends an equal chance paul!!]

But if I knew what they were, wouldn't that be judgin' with biases and stuff? What if they think I don't care about their type?