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]

[Three minutes and seventeen (eighteen, nineteen, twenty) seconds ago, he had knelt down in the shadow of the famous Elm Pokémon Lab, picked up a brick, and used it to smash in an unguarded window.

But when he had pushed himself through the sill, ignoring the broken glass, he had found himself outside again-- with three Pokéballs at his feet.]



["Please choose one."]

... I don't have time for this. [And yet, he can't seem to tear himself away from them. He stares at the Pokéballs, fingers twitching at his sides.]

[tearingdreams]

Don't have time for what, dude?

[And a wild Chris Gold appears with an Azurill in his arms. He's giving a glance at the three pokéballs. ...but what's in them? He's admittedly curious and trying to get a good look.]

Which one are ya going for?

[savedover]

[Silver immediately bristles at the voice-- even more so when he sees that it's "Gold".]

None of your business, on both counts. Get lost.

[tearingdreams]

Heh, yeah you're right. It's not my business.

[He's stuffing one hand into his pocket, while letting Azurill climb into the hood of his hoodie. At least he's not making any more moves to get closer to Silver. Nope, his attention is all on the Pokéballs.]

Whaddya know, so they're all Totodiles. They look preeetty identical.

[savedover]

Are you blind? Just because they're the same species doesn't make them "identical". They're obviously different.

[tearingdreams]

Yeah, you're right. Just because they're Totodiles doesn't mean...

[Siiiigh, followed with his hands in his hoodie.]

I take it back, I think the one in the middle looks kinda chubbier, and it's kinda cute that way.

Anyway! Which one are you gonna choose?

[savedover]

[The one on the left has prominent spikes on her tail. The one in center is, as Ethan pointed out, a little chubbier than the rest. And the eyes of the one on the right were more orange than red.]

... I don't know. Why do you care?

rolls sleeves up

[tidaldrum]

[Oh, hey, it's Jerkass McGee. Ethan cruises up, his feraligatr ever his walking companion, and readies himself for either a battle or... whatever else comes.

But, yo, three Pokéballs. He's glad to see he's not the only one getting unwillingly bombarded by new Pokémon.]

Always time to meet new people, Silver! [He might not like the guy (persistence in the face of insurmountable odds really, really turns him off -- unless he's the one having it, because really, he's a hero; that's what heroes do) but he'll sound friendly and casual!] Hey, what Pokémon do you have to choose from?

[savedover]

I don't have time for nonsense like that. [From the scowl on his face, it's as if Ethan showing up ruins Silver's day.] What do you care? It's none of your business.

[Not that it would be hard for Ethan to check that they are, in fact, all Totodile.]

[tidaldrum]

[Haha, of course it's his business! It's, like, his job to muck up Silver's poor day. So he'll just be checking those out

oh, sweet.]

Lucky. Totodile's a great choice, even if it's the only you're getting. [He studies the three of them. Every Pokémon's different, and he's trying to gauge which one's going to grow up into the bigger pain in the neck.] I had a weird bunch to choose from. Hey, maybe it'll even be as great as Ferafera one day!

[Lies. Nothing could ever be as great as his feraligatr.]

[savedover]

I know-- [Silver cuts himself off, scowling.] Tch. Whatever. You know what they are now. Are you satisfied?

[tidaldrum]

[Nnnope.]

What, tired of my company already? [Not surprised. Ferafera leans down to sniff the Pokéballs and tap at them excitedly.] I don't really have anyone else to hang out with, since I made Lyra angry earlier and I'm pretty sure she doesn't want to speak to me for at least three days.

think of beta here as, like, a salve for ethan's shitty protagness okay

[betabangs]

[Blue's not super big on personal space (not in an abrasive way!) so when she spots a new trainer still deliberating their choice (gosh there sure are a lot of people who can't seem to choose!! just like her right) she's just

gotta

crouch down by his feet and look at the Pokémon he gets to choose from. Huh, they're all the same, aren't they...?

Sorry, Silver, but Blue's going to tug at your pants leg and frown.]

You didn't get three different Pokémon?

[savedover]

[Silver, on the other hand, is very picky about his personal space. He wants to to move to put distance between them-- but something's keeping him back.]

Of course they're different! Just because they're all Totodile doesn't make them the same.

[betabangs]

But they all really, really look the same.

[Hmmmmm. Blue tilts her head quietly, cheek pressing into the heel of her hand.]

How're they different?

[savedover]

You and I are both humans. Does that make us the same?

Well, first of all, the one on the far left is female-- the others are male.

[betabangs]

[Oh, she guesses not.]

Then you should pick that one! She's one of a kind!

[goldenlyre]

[Oooh, hello grumpy gills. It's so nice to see Silver even here! Now they can double battle again, probably, if he's feeling up for it.

Even though Sprouty is trying to keep her in one spot because he does not look in the mood, Lyra!! it is not working as she pops her head over his shoulder to look at him. And talk very matter-of-factly. Even though she's not really sure what's in any of them.]

Hiya, Silver. You should choose the far left one.

[But why.]

[savedover]

[If Silver were a fish, he would be the grumpiest of gills. PS: Don't expect a double battle ever.]

[He flinches when Lyra pops her head over his shoulder and pulls away.]

Get off! Haven't you heard of personal space?

[goldenlyre]

[Whoops! Almost forgot. She'll take a step back since they're buddies.

(PS: Yes, double battle, let's be frieeends.)]

Far left! I've got a good feeling about that one! I just wish it wasn't that gator, Chikorita would've been so much better.

[Sprouty thinks she's bias, but whatever. He dips his head in greeting to Silver.]

[savedover]

[Silvers eyes flick from Lyra to Sprouty and, before dealing with Lyra's nonsense, nods back at the Meganium.]

There's nothing wrong with them. Totodile is a very competitive choice.

[goldenlyre]

I never said there was anything wrong with them, I think they're super cute and super energetic! I just like Chikorita better. [Heehee.] Why not let all of them out and see which one works best with you?

[filecorrupt]

... I think you have nothing but time.

[ This is most likely your worst nightmare. Red's fully aware that he shouldn't be here, he shouldn't be in here, shouldn't be watching - but since when has that ever stopped him before? The fact that he's off

(the mountain)

that place tells him more than he needs to know. Something has changed, and something interesting is going to occur.

He tilts his head back. All Silver has to do is choose a Pokemon. ]

[savedover]

[That voice, which he has only heard once before, sends a chill down Silver's spine.]

[He doesn't have time to think about it anymore. He doesn't have the time waste hating himself, knowing that if he chooses one the other two will disappear again. But if he chooses one he can, in some small way, protect the other two.]

[Quickly, Silver kneels down, reaches for the Pokeball on the far left, and quietly murmurs--]

I'm sorry. Goodbye. [Because when it comes to Red, Silver knows he can't hesitate. As soon as Silver makes his selection, the other two disappear with a soft pop.]

[savedover]

[He rises to his feet, he hides both of his hands into the front pocket of his jacket.]

No. Unlike some people, I actually have a schedule to keep. [As usual, it's difficult to tell what he's thinking by the expression on his face.] Why are you here?