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

[savedover]

[The female Totodile sniffs and turns her head away. It appears she doesn't think she needs to show off. The one on the right tilts his head to the side. "Toto?" He opens his jaw wide. He's got... really big teeth!]

... it's not like they have anything to show off yet. [It seems like Silver can't quite bring himself to say anything really mean about them.]

[goldenlyre]

[That's cute, he can't say anything mean about them.]

Don't be silly, they all have their special talents. This one's got huge teeth so he's... probably pretty good with physical attacks. A nice, toothy companion. The one with a lot of energy's probably got just as nice stamina so drawn out battles will be a piece of cake! And the serious one's a mystery.

[Yeah. They're just hunches though. Sprouty leans his head down to stare at them all, trying to figure out how Lyra can know just by looking at them. Woman's intuition?]

[savedover]

[Silver's fingers twitch at his sides, as he apathetically watches the display. It had been so long ago... but they were still so familiar. Seeing them face-to-face doesn't make it any easier.]

You can't tell that just by looking at them. [Undeterred, the middle Totodile puffs out his chest. No way! He's obviously the strongest! Can't you tell?!]

[goldenlyre]

[Middle dude, you get her affections! Pet pet.]

Call it a feeling. Watching the Pokéathelons helped a lot, too. [Mmm ♥] Come on, sit down with me and get to know them a little, Silver!

[savedover]

[Aw yeah, he loves pets. He loves pets so much.]

That's unnecessary. [He already knows them. But, he'll sit down. How many times had he thought to himself, "if only I could see them again"? If this stupid girl wasn't here then, maybe he could--]

[goldenlyre]

[She glances over at him, a thoughtful look on her face. It could be just a Silver, but even the one she's most familiar with would probably let them show off...]

You act like you know them already! I guess that just shows how good you are with Pokémon, huh? Or that you've got a good eye yourself. Have you decided? Are you going to choose any of them? I still think this girl's your kind of 'dile.

[As much as she loves you, energetic one. As much as she does. You'd be her first pick.]

[savedover]

Don't be stupid. [He sighs, irritably.] Of course I'm going to pick one. I need a Pokémon.

[A simple explanation for a simple girl.]

[goldenlyre]

[So he doesn't have one already.

Contrary to Ethan, she's not going to tease him about it. This simple girl'll do a simple thing and scoot away from Silver and back onto Sprouty. She's very serious!]

Is it a secret who you're gonna pick? Should I close my eyes? Choosing your first Pokémon's important and, like, personal.

[Even she had Professor Elm turn away when she picked Sprouty.]

[savedover]

[Not a single one. As a Trainer, he's totally pathetic!]

I would rather you leave. [He folds his arms, looking grumpy.] But if you insist on sticking around, yes. [...] And cover your ears too.

[goldenlyre]

[He's just a beginner!

And, after an enthusiastic nod, she'll squeeze her eyes shut and clap her hands over her ears. Sprouty buries his face into her hat too.]

Okay, go ahead!

[savedover]

[Silver waits, watching Lyra for any sign that she might be peeking. When he's certain that she's not watching, he turns back to the Totodile. When he speaks, he does so quietly-- just in case Lyra wasn't properly covering her ears.]

Thank you, and-- I'm sorry. For everything. You deserve better. [There's more that he wants to say, but he doesn't dare. Not when there's someone else around.] Goodbye.

[He reaches out for the Pokéball of the Totodile on the far left. By the time he's recalled her, the other two are already gone.]

[savedover]

[Silver stands, stows the Pokéball in the front pocket of his jacket, and walks over to where Sprouty and Lyra are.]

I'm finished.

[goldenlyre]

[Is he finished?


Okay, he's finished. Lyra can't deny that she hadn't been a bit curious and listened in a little - she's nosy! - but it's not something she understood anyway. She fidgets, pushing Sprouty's head up, and smiles widely. Very excited!! Trying to mask her small feeling of guilt!]

So, which one'd you choose?

[savedover]

[Without a second thought-]

None of your business.

[goldenlyre]

Mean! I'm just curious! Do you wanna see what I picked? She's gonna be super strong when Sprouty and I are done training her.

[savedover]

No. [Silver crosses his arms.] But just get it over with. Arguing with you is a waste of time.

[goldenlyre]

[Sprouty commends your learning ability, Silver.

Lyra will let out her Magikarp and hug the darling close after she's got her approval! She just seems so happy. And Fishy is jolly too. Wiggle wiggle. Hi!!]

This is Fishy! I've gotten some non-believers and skeptics, some questioning stares and scoldings, but she's gonna be big and strong. I mean, look at the size of her now! She's big!

[savedover]

[Much like the non-believers, skeptics, the owners of the questioning stares and those who have scolded her, Silver isn't too impressed with Lyra's choice.]

Gyarados are strong-- but I doubt an idiot like you has the patience to raise a Magikarp. It's just going to stay weak and useless forever with you.

And you gave it a stupid nickname.

[goldenlyre]

I guess I'll have to show Ethan and you... It's okay Fishy, you're not weak and useless. You are cheerful and ready to learn. I'll raise you into the best and strongest Gyarados there ever was, just like that red one.

[Yeah! She's great! Totally cool!]

And Fishy isn't a stupid nickname! It's cute! Like her!

[savedover]

[Silver is smart enough not to point out that the Gyarados Lyra mentioned was that strong because it was painfully and brutally tortured with radio waves. Because he theoretically should know nothing about that Gyarados yet!

But he sure is thinking about it and how much he hates Team Rocket. What a bunch of losers!]

It's not cute. It's a stinking, gasping fish.

[goldenlyre]

[It had to be strong before then, too! Tortured or not! Besides, it was like a kitten after she saved it. Such a precious darling. A precious, sparkling ruby darling.]

Well, she'll be prettier when I get a tank for her, that's for sure. [Back into your ball, sweetie.] We'll carry her around on Sprouty's back. I bet you don't think Larvitars are cute either.

[savedover]

[Before Archer, it was just another flopping Magikarp: weak and useless.]

There's nothing "pretty" about carrying around a fish in a tank. And no, I don't. [He's the kind of jerk who doesn't think any Pokemon is cute.]

[goldenlyre]

[Tell that to the well trained Magikarp that defeated the E4--]

What about Totodile? Isn't it cute?

[savedover]

No, she isn't. [His Totodile is a super serious ferocious death machine. So not "cute".] Stop asking stupid questions.

[goldenlyre]

[Yeah, sure, okay. Can she pet you, Totodile.] She's fiercer than cute, sure, but I'd still call her the second. It's good to compliment people and Pokémon.