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

[lovestalked]

No, I don't. I'm only more familiar with Pokémon from Hoenn myself...

[He'll glance up to finally face Archie. He's squinting as if evaluating his appearance but really it doesn't ring a bell. Wearing a bandanna wasn't out of place in Hoenn.]

You're from Hoenn too? I'm Brendan. Nice to meet you, sir.

[He's gotta be polite-! Since Archie was clearly his elder here.]

[torrential]

[...huh, so this kid doesn't recognize him? Fine by him! There's no reason to out himself as a villainous team leader despite this going over so well the last time he tried it.]

I'm Archie. And yeah, I'm from Hoenn. Are you a new trainer?

[lovestalked]

Not necessarily, no. I'm more of a researcher than a Trainer.

[He'll smile.]

Have you heard of Professor Birch? I'm his assistant.

[...and technically son but he doesn't need to toot his horn about that.]

[torrential]

Oh yeah, who hasn't heard of Birch? That's a pretty impressive job for a kid! How'd you score that position, huh?

[lovestalked]

I've actually been helping him out for years now. ...

[He rubs the back of his neck while looking a little sheepish.]

Professor Birch is my Da-, uh...Father.

[torrential]

No way, really?

[Is Professor Birch Adrian's father then? Huh. Things he never thought about before...]

That's pretty awesome. I bet you guys have all sorts of interesting discussions about Pokémon.

[lovestalked]

We do! It's all about research. We tend to go in separate directions because of where our fieldwork leads us to.

[He looks happy being able to talk about WORK WORK WORK awyeah-]

...Ah, sorry I didn't mean to talk your ear off.

[torrential]

Don't apologize, I like hearing about it. It sounds like you really enjoy what you do! Passion in your work's a great thing to have!

[lovestalked]

...Archie!

[This is Brendan, grabbing a hold of Archie's hand while looking up with sparkly shoujo eyes his eyes lighting up.]

You're a great guy, Archie! I wish I met you sooner!

[torrential]

[why does this keep happening]

I'm glad you think so, thanks!

[hahahaha boy, you are so wrong]

[lovestalked]

[Sorry Archie, when you're stuck with his version of May THE BAD GUYS START TO LOOK APPEALING....]

Say... you wouldn't mind if we test out your new Pokémon, would you? In a one-on-one battle. What do you say?

[torrential]

[Yikes, your version of May must be pretty awful...]

I think that'd be a great way to test 'em out! Alright, let's do it!

[Froakie doesn't seem all that pleased with that decision, but after a bit of urging on Archie's part he hops forward.

...Now to figure out what kind of moves this thing knows...]

[lovestalked]

Alright, I'll use the one I just got so I think we'll be on equal grounds!

[He'll call out his level 5 Tyrunt! Although now he rubs the back of his neck.]

If you'd like, you can check with my Pokédex. It doesn't register what they are, but it can still tell you its moves.

[Except not the moves that aren't in Gen III. Otherwise it's good to go.]

[torrential]

Ah, yeah, that'd be helpful, thanks...

[He'll just borrow that real fast to get a look at the moves there... Alright, Pound, Growl, and Bubble. That seems easy enough!]

Alright, let's start with Bubble!

[That thing looks like a Rock-type, so let's try that!]

[lovestalked]

[Oof, that Bubble attack smarts.]

Alright, Tail Whip!

[He hopes lowering the opponent's defense will at least make up for the type advantage.]

[torrential]

[Two can play at that game!]

Growl!

[He's not entirely sure how a frog can growl, but Froakie manages it anyway!]

[lovestalked]

[OH YEAH? How about another Splash Attack]

Tail Whip, one more time!

[torrential]

Bubble!

[This is the best battle ever, seriously.]

[lovestalked]

[Crap, half its HP remains now. Brendan looks a little worried since lol Nuzlocke so he's pointing at Froakie.]

Come on, give it a good Tackle!

[torrential]

[Critical hit! Froakie falls back, looking a bit dazed before jumping back to his feet. He's a resilient little thing and he's determined to prove himself in battle.]

Growl, again!

[lovestalked]

[At least Brendan's looking a little happier now. Even if he's used to Pokémon dying in battles, he knew how to hold back from making his own doing the same.]

Alright, keep hitting it with a Tackle!

[Tyrunt let's out a snort, before rushing in to Tackle Froakie once more.]

[torrential]

[That Tackle hurts and Froakie's just barely hanging on.]

Alright, Bubble again! See if you can finish it off!

[The Pokémon complies, though he's looking more than a little worn from the battle.]

[lovestalked]

[Tyrunt unsurprisingly goes down because of that hit. Brendan freezes before wordlessly calling it back into the ball. Adjusting his hat, he turns to look at Archie with a grin.]

That was a good battle. I thought for sure I was going to win, though.

[torrential]

[He notices the sudden freeze, but he just attributes it to the kid not being accustomed to losing.]

I'm sure you'll win next time! Your little-- uh, what's it called - he was pretty powerful!

[lovestalked]

...yeah. Thanks.

[Except he assumes his Tyrunt is dead for the time being, but chooses not to comment on that for now.]

Your pokémon's tough too! At least you know what moves it knows! That solves half of your problem.