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

[reflecttype]

Mm-mm. [With a shake of her head.] I moved there from the Unova region almost a year ago. It's a gorgeous region - I hope I'll get to travel around and see more of it.

[tm46]

...Unova?

[Man, what is up with all these new regions?]

Anyway, you said something about this bird being interesting. Why's that?

[reflecttype]

That's right. It's because it changes its type when it evolves, losing the Normal-type and gaining the Fire-type.

[tm46]

Really? That's pretty cool.

[He looks more excited than he's letting on though, grinning at the bird.]

Oh, it's nice to meet you. I'm Landry.

[reflecttype]

You can call me Delairea, or Professor Delairea. It's a pleasure to meet you, Landry. [She extends her hand for a shake.]

[tm46]

[He grins and takes her hand, eyes lighting up.]

You're a Pokémon Professor, then? Like Birch?

[reflecttype]

[Blink.] Professor Birch - he's from Hoenn, isn't he? ...I'm a Pokemon Professor, but not quite on his scale, I think. [By which she means "nowhere near", as the good-natured chuckle should indicate.]

[tm46]

Yes, that's right, Hoenn. I've never met him, but I've heard good things about his work. What sort of field are you in?

[This is absolutely fascinating. Landry wanted to be a Pokémon Professor as a kid and look where he is now but things didn't pan out.]

[reflecttype]

I specialize in research on Pokemon types and related topics. It's why I'm living in Kalos at the moment - to conduct research on the Fairy-type Pokemon that are trained there.

[tm46]

Oh, that sounds cool--

[Wait a second.]

Fairy-type? What's that? I've never heard of a Fairy-type before!

[reflecttype]

A lot of people haven't. There are plenty of Fairy-type Pokemon in Kalos, but it hasn't been researched much or at all elsewhere...we're discovering that there are many Pokemon around the world that are actually Fairy-types. [Mmm...] Mawile is one of them - it's native to the Hoenn region, isn't it? It's long been known as a Steel-type Pokemon, but new studies show that it's a Steel- and Fairy-type Pokemon.

[tm46]

Whoa, really? How could we have missed that? That's so cool! I'm going to have to keep an eye out for some of these Fairy-types! I want to see what they can do in battle!

[Not that he's really used to battling. He's kind of a new trainer, actually. Which is why he only has a horribly under-leveled Poochyena...]

[reflecttype]

Well, my research indicates...

[....actually]

...Mm, I'll let you see what they can do for yourself. I'll give you a hint to start with, though; they have an advantage against Dragon-type Pokemon and a disadvantage against Poison-type Pokemon.

["Keeping an eye out" is so much more rewarding when you find something you weren't expecting.]

[tm46]

They're weak against Poison? Huh, so Poison's actually good against something besides Grass now!

[Well, he might not be a good battler, but he does know his type advantages and disadvantages!]

And they're good against Dragons too? They sound like an interesting type! I'll definitely have to get my hands on one!

[Shame that he didn't get one to start with here, but hopefully this place has some wild ones running around! Of course, he needs to get back to the Slateport Museum soon before the Boss starts wondering what happened to him...]

[reflecttype]

I hope you do. They really are fascinating. [or maybe that's just her.]

Do you have a favorite type of Pokemon, Landry? It's not very scientific, but I think the types people prefer to train can tell you a lot about them...so I like to ask when I meet a Pokemon trainer.

[tm46]

Ah, I don't really have a favorite type, no. I've only just started training Pokémon.

[He laughs, rubbing the back of his head nervously. He's a bit old to be a starting trainer, after all.]

I'm working with Team Magma though, so obviously I like Ground-types! What about you? Do you have a favorite type?