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

[goldenlyre]

[So... A Magikarp, a Milotic, and a Seadra. Lyra doesn't even hesitate--

And picks the Magikarp!

Ooooh, what a darling you're going to be! The other two balls disappear, but she hardly notices as she peers into the ball at the jolly-looking fish.]

I guess I'll call him-- Oh, no, her Fishy. It's nice to meet you, Fishy! I promise I won't eat you! Oh, you've gotta meet Sprouty too I guess, but let's do that later when we're near some water!

[But why would you ever pick a Magikarp over those powerful Pokémon!! What a dumb girl. Her Meganium peers at the ball too, clearly confused at her choice, and sighs.]

[spiritcrystal]

[What the...

...What kind of crazy girl picks a Magikarp over a Seadra and a... Whatever that thing was?]

You picked a Magikarp?

[goldenlyre]

Absolutely! Magikarp are extremely powerful, if you didn't know!

[Like she's got some secret! Huh. Sprouty shakes his head and Lyra stops him with a pat of her had, grinning.]

Besides, the other two didn't really look interesting to me. I've always wanted a Magikarp.

[spiritcrystal]

Magikarp are everywhere! You could just fish one right up. [Quilava is going up to greet Sprouty! And sniff him. Sniff sniff.]

Do you know what that third one was? I've never seen anything like it before.

[goldenlyre]

[Oh, hello little Quilava. Please don't get too close because if you get excited there's going to be fire and Sprouty is quite allergic to fire.

Scoot scoot.]

Um, kind of? Like, I've seen it before sort of, but it's not really that common... Sprouty used to make friends with them a lot. [Pokéwalker stuff. It's just walking along and your Pokémon making friends and finding items and all.] But they were just Feebas then. I think that one's like, its evolved form or something like that. They're as different as night and day! It's cool!

[spiritcrystal]

[It's okay, really! He's very in control of his fire!

...Well, she'll go say hi to poofy hat instead. Hi!]

What's a Feebas?

[goldenlyre]

[Ahhh Quilava, you're so much friendlier than Silver's had been... No, that's a lie, that Pokémon was as nice as he was on the inside. She pets the Pokémon quite happily.]

Oooooh, aren't you the cutest! Sprouty, Dex?

[... But you have it in your bag-- You're too distracted by petting things, Lyra... He'll get it out and look for the picture of his friend. Yes. There it is. Feebas. Look!]

[spiritcrystal]

[Oooh- wait. Wait!]

You've god a dex too? How come yours is all cool and techy? [It even does a cool flippy thing and has two screens! Look at the quality of those pictures!]

[tidaldrum]

[Oh my god.]

You picked Magikarp? [Lyra. Lyra!!] If you wanted a cool water-type, you could just ask me to get you a, like...

[...glancing at Feraligatr.]

...A Totodile or something.

[goldenlyre]

[Ethan!!]

Totodiles are soooo cute, but I like Magikarp better. Fishy's going to kick Ferafera's butt! [She pats the big guy though, very affectionately. Sprouty is sorry he knows she's ridiculous I mean choosing a Magikarp it's really crazy--]

Can you make a quick watering hole for Fishy? I want to meet her!

[tidaldrum]

[Oh, yeah, Ferafera can do that -- in fact he will! He wants to meet Fishy, too. (Hi Sprouty.)

Ethan just steps away from the Aqua Tail making a nice hole in the ground and snickers.]

I know Magikarp evolve into Gyarados, but they're still no match for Ferafera.

[goldenlyre]

Thank you, Ferafera! Sweeter than Ethan as usual.

[Did you speak blaspheme, Ethan??? Of course not. Here we go, let's meet Fishy ♥. The Jolly Magikarp.

(Hi Ferafera. How's it going.)]

Aren't you cute! Look Ethan, she's adorable! You're going to kick so much butt one day, just like Sprouty does!

[tidaldrum]

[(Nm just. Trainer. You know.)

Adorable isn't the word he'd use for Magikarp, but this is Lyra they're talking about. She found Silver adorable.]

Ferafera can just beat your flowerbeast with one Ice Fang, you know. [He'd be happy to demonstrate --]

[goldenlyre]

[(Yeah. Sigh... Do you think it's okay she chose Magikarp?)

Silver is adorable, thank you! And very sweet. And competitive. And stuff. Hee.]

You'll have to catch him, first. Ground's not too good against Water-types but it gives us the edge we need, doesn't it Sprouty?

[... Yes. He guesses it does! It's kind of hard to bite your opponent with the ground in pieces below you.]

[tidaldrum]

[(Definitely. You saw that Gyarados in the Lake of Rage, right? It was really powerful...)

No, he's kind of rude and doesn't know when to quit. Kind of pathetic? Ethan can't help but admire his will though...]

Ferafera's faster than your overgrown flower, Lyra. [Please.]

[bellfire_bird]

...How can you tell it's a girl?

[NO JUDGMENT HERE]

[goldenlyre]

[THANK YOU]

Call it a hunch! And, well, you see her whiskers? [Here, here, take a close look!] She's got white ones. Boys have those pretty golden ones.

[bellfire_bird]

...Really? [He'll take a close look.] I've never noticed that before. I know girl Rattata have shorter whiskers, though. [He sees those a lot.]

[goldenlyre]

[She nods excitedly, holding the ball close.] It'll be more noticeable when she evolves! I think she's going to be a huge Gyarados.

[But she's also going to be looking for any kind of Pokémon near her new friend, too. Her new, elaborately clothed friend. So pretty!]

[championfire]

{ That...is an interesting choice. Red will just, scratch at the back of his head as he watches for a moment. Who ever willing chooses Magikarp even...}

...At least, your hard work will pay off in the end?

[goldenlyre]

[Someone who likes a challenge and believes in the power of shounen protagonists!]

Absolutely-- [-- It's Red! Eee! Yay! Cool. Not batting an eyelash.] Absolutely! She's gonna wipe the floor with everyone when I'm through with her.

[Fishy is pleased!]

[championfire]

{ A tale of two burning shounen souls who will unite to take on any challenge. I can see it now.}

I guess that's part of the challenge right? You put in a lot of hard work, and you get a really strong friend at the end.

Those are big fighting words, I think I'll take you up on them one day.

[goldenlyre]

[Yes, you've got the silver screen in mind!]

Ahhhhh! Really?! Hear that? That's the former Champion himself asking for a future challenge, Fishy, you're in with the big boys now! Let's do our best and train every day!

[Oh, oh she's very excited, yes. Wiggle wiggle in her ball! Sprouty must request that you don't encourage her though.]

[championfire]

{ Aw come on Sprouty, every kid has to have big dreams.}

Hopefully, you won't disappoint me. I mean if your going to talk a big game, you have to back it up.

[goldenlyre]

[Yes but they aren't dreams to her they're just things to make a horrifying reality no matter the cost.]

You won't have to worry about that one bit! ♥ [Heee.] So! What about you, huh? Did you choose anyone?