The Kingdra "swims" backwards slightly as the legendary neats approaches him. Lake can't help but flinch slightly as well. Sure, he was strong, but he seriously doubted that he could take Raikou in a fight.

"Er...Raikou? Could you please not harass my Pokémon?"

Phyco — Shakes his head. <No! S/he's n-not harassing us. W-we've got this under control...>

Phyco had decided that enough was finally enough. TWICE he had been sacred to death by a legendary Pokémon, and he wasn't about to make it a hat-trick. Mustering up his courage, the Kingdra eyes Raikou defiantly.

<Now, I haven't been on land that long...b-but I know f-full well that it's r-rude to c-come up behind another P-pokémon or person and s-scare them half to death like that...>

His courage building, the Kingdra raises his snout defiantly.

<I don't care if you're a legendary or not, that doesn't give you the right to toy with us like that! So...I must ask, no, demand that you apologize to us!>

Luke and Lake stare in shock, dreading what would inevitably happen next.

"...It was nice knowing him."

Lake — Sighs. <Just when I was starting to like him, too...>

In the world currently overrun by oversized sea Pokemon

- While this still has no relevance to any currently ongoing plot, the person writing this is bored, and since none of the characters she is interacting have responded, because the people writing for them are presumably not here at the moment, we're taking another look at what is happening here -

- That universe's DS, Dawn, Barry and Lucas have brought the giant Gastrodon over to the beach, seeing as the citizens of Sunyshore seemed a bit uneasy about having it in the middle of town, even if the trainers had succeeded in calming it down -

That universe's Dawn: This situation must be pretty rough over in Hoenn... I mean, just think about how much sea there is over there.

That universe's Lucas: Yeah...

That universe's Barry: (checks his Poketch) So... When are those scientists Professor Rowan asked to come going to get here?

That universe's DS: Relax, Barry. It's only been a few minutes.

That universe's Barry: (gets up) I'm going to call some people and ask if they know if there are any other sea creatures I can go try to calm down while you guys wait here with the giant sea slug. (takes out a cellphone and dials some numbers)

Route 32

-Looking a bit irritated-

<Raikou: "Hmm... Let me consider that proposal...">

-And proceeds to casually pop Phyco's bubble with an electrified bite and then pin his body against the ground-

<Raikou: "I decided 'no'... Seeing as you're a mortal and have no business to be complaining about having a fear of the gods! We have a region to protect! We're not a bunch of oversized Sentret for you to cuddle at your leisure!">

-Lowering her jaws to Phyco's head-

<Raikou: "Sound good to you, oh almighty dragon?">

Hard Boiled Detective Since 1985

Phyco — <AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!>

The Kingdra struggles in Raikou's grasp, but is unable to pry himself loose. Realizing the inevitable, he starts shivering violently.

<OKAY, OKAY! That's f-fine! D-do whatever you want! Just don't hurt me...>

Deciding that he's had enough, Lake walks over, and gives Raikou an intimidating glance despite feeling somewhat frightened myself.

Lake — <Look. Even if you do have a region to protect, Phyco here isn't doing anything wrong, so...er, let him go, or...> Pauses. <...Or I'll tell Ho-oh about this.>

Nobody says anything, Lake feeling somewhat foolish all of a sudden, Phyco shutting his eyes type and hoping for a painless death, and Luke wondering what on Earth he's gotten himself into.

<...I'm warning you. He listens to me, you know!>

Route 214

-walking back to Pastoria with Pariah and the others. it's going to be a long walk-

The zombies are coming, but it's okay, I've planned out what to do in exactly two thousand one hundred and nine semi-plausible situations.

Valor Lakefront

-Is sitting around with Nudi's dad-

Muddy: <Tagg?>

Yeah?

Muddy: <I wonder how Groudon got so interested in games...>

Good question, I never asked.

Mt. Pyre, 200 or so years ago

-A priest in training who also happens to be a Soul is talking to the Blue Orb-

Priest: You know, over in Kanto they have this really interesting card game called hanafuda.

Groudon: -Using the Blue Orb- <Really now? It does get boring sleeping here all the time, so perhaps I could try it...>

Priest: Well the rules go like this...

Deep underground, present

Groudon: -Looks at some stone hanafuda cards on an outcropping- <I miss that human...>

edited 10th Mar '12 12:23:46 PM by rmctagg09

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

All Across Sinnoh

The Tears await to be found...

Approved by Tagg. Or else~

Sunyshore City

Atop the lighthouse, a single [Tear] lies besides the large lightbulb, hidden from sight by the machinery pieces that handle maintenance. Of course, since power in the city is largely out and the lighthouse is not functioning, one would not notice the Tear is there unless they had a reason to climb up and move the machinery.

Rt. 223

In the large sandbank right at the center of the sea route, a single [Tear] lies partially covered by the sand.

Of course, this being a place with only two access by sea and very loose terrain, it is perfect for an ambush, and for that purpose a force of at least 2 Armortombs and 8 Spiritombs is waiting...

Veilstone Casino

If the casino was open and player characters were allowed in, which they probably aren't since this verse Platinum as a basis and there the casinos were banned by executive meddling, then the characters who visit would notice the Cherry symbol on one of the machines has been somehow substituted for a Tear Symbol. It is just a dupe though, boobytrapped with an Armortomb. The Tear is not there.

Pastoria City

Atop the large tower at the Pastoria Library (don't worry, the anime says the city has a large tower), at least a couple of Spiritomb are taking turns in watching a [Tear] that lies right on a table at the Fiscal Economics section. What a Tear is doing there of all places is anyone's guess.

White Rock Area

Atop a ledge a single [Tear] is resting, somewhat covered by some bushes and vegetation allowed to grow free (at least until the Shadow disturbance).

edited 10th Mar '12 12:42:58 PM by SilentReverence

Fanfic Recs orwellianretcon'd: cutlocked for committee or for Google?

Sendoff Spring

- Looking around, not really having received a response from anyone present -

Um... Anyone find anything?

HotStuff: <Not yet.> (points to Turnback Cave) <Do we check out the cave?>

Sendoff Spring

Fool is day dreaming with Lifealope. She has recalled all her other mons sans Lenore and Quetzal who weren't present at the time.

---

Lenore squeezes her new plushie.

^Lenore^: -Is handed the windup toys- ^EEEE~ Thank you Xu~^

She quickly places the two toys in her pocket and smootches Xu

^Lenore^: ^Thank you~^

---

Quetzal: <Oh! That sounds like a good idea~! Checking out the cave!>

edited 10th Mar '12 12:39:13 PM by PippingFool

I'm having to learn to pay the price

Outskirts of Ecruteak

Dintel notices Tracer and Lardna ahead and rushed to them. Guess what way does he greet them.

"Hello, Tracer!" Calls Silent as he walks behind the Sandshrew and catches up with the fellow researcher. "Ready for a trip?"

Roc flies ahead too and circles around Tracer and his group.

"How is life doing, Tracer?" Silent asks, then looks at Cleo. "I think I don't know all of your new Pokémon..."

edited 10th Mar '12 12:43:14 PM by SilentReverence

Fanfic Recs orwellianretcon'd: cutlocked for committee or for Google?

AU - Unova Route 1

<Dahak: "Wait a minute, you mean that this guy's one of the-">

<Simo: "He is...">

<Nimbus: "Grr! I motion that we beat the tar out of him!">

<Teala(?): "I must admit... That seems rather tempting...">

-The Snivy begins to get nervous and shrink back from the hostile atmosphere-

<Serperior: "Go wait in the bushes for a bit.">

<Snivy: "But-">

<Serperior: "Do as I say!">

<Snivy: "Yes, father...">

-And retreats into some nearby bushes-

<Serperior: "Look. Let me be perfectly blunt. Picking a fight with me is highly unadvisable. So lest you ruin your human's day, I suggest that you leave things be and we part our separate ways.">

<Nimbus: "You attacked our home! Do you honestly expect us to just leave that be?!">

<Simo: "Nimbus...">

-Rolls eyes-

<Natrix: "It's not my home...">

<Serperior: "I did... And it was my duty to. Just as it was your duty to defend it. Which you performed rather nobly.">

<Nimbus: "(*blink*) ... Wait, what?">

<Simo: "You didn't let me finish what I was about to say, Nimbus.">

<Teala(?): "Huh? But- You- You're our enemy... Or were... Why would you think of us like that?">

Outside of Ecruteak

<Iggy: "Oh, hello you guys.">

-To Silent-

"It's been going well... If a bit busier than I'd have liked... As for my mons... I'm sure that you recognize Iggy, Shaun, and Lardna."

<Lardna: "How's it been going?">

<Shaun: "Pleased to meet you again.">

"Zoltan and Thog are here, along with Francis..."

<Zoltan: "Hi! And is the ball Pokemon related to Gene?">

<Thog: "Hello.">

<Francis: "Mmph.">

"And the little ones are Cleo and Andre."

<Andre: "Got anyone that I can fight?">

<Cleo: "Wait, are you also going to the assassin rabbit colony as well?">

"As for that trip... I'd say that I'm ready... Where'd you want to head off to?"

Hard Boiled Detective Since 1985

Sendoff Spring

Okay, guys. Let's check out the cave.

- Climbs onto Crush's back so he can carry me across the lake to the cave entrance -

Now, I'm guessing the Tear is likely in the same room where the portal to the Distortion World is, since there is normally an item in that room. Still wondering if that portal is still open even in a time like this.

There is something a bit strange about Turnback Cave, as the item located within the final room is different depending on how fast you get there. However, considering the circumstances, it might work differently, or there might be both a Tear and whatever item would normally be there in addition to that, or something.

Navigating the cave can be a bit difficult, as... well, I'll explain that when we get inside.

DS Can I grab a tear this time? I wanna get one too.

Plumps: What are tears?

They give the lake trio power.

Plumps: Oh.

edited 10th Mar '12 12:52:33 PM by Lilqueendaisy

LOVE IS STORED IN THE AXOLOTL!

Route 32

-Leering back at Lake, unflinchingly-

<Raikou: "Mmph. You seem to be forgetting that being a chosen one is a privilege and not a birthright! Master doesn't bend to your wishes like some sort of genie from fairy tales! ... Or Landorus. But whatever, I'm done with your friend here anyways.">

-And gets off of Phyco-

<Raikou: "So then... What have you two been up to since we last met...? And don't say 'nothing,' because I heard from Lugia of what you were up to in the Orange Islands...">

Hard Boiled Detective Since 1985

Okay, let's try this again. On three, you all attack the barrier.

-they nod in understanding-

Go!

-All members of my team shoot a powerful attack at the same spot on the barrier, but it does nothing-

Aurora:-Happens to be next to the barrier, where her tail is passing in and out of the barrier- <...It didn't work.>

Well, I guess we'll have to—wait, Aurora, how is your tail passing through it?

Aurora:-notices her tail passing through- <Whoa!>

What did you do?

-Aurora shrugs-

Crescent:<Well, whatever it is, it's passing through. Try making a hole in it.>

-Aurora passes through the barrier, and leaves an opening in he barrier that we quickly dive through-

Twilight side, Azelf

-We immediately notice the sky, and the abundance of Spiritomb-

What the hell happened here?

Ecruteak Outskirts

Silent goes to greet Iggy, meanwhile Ichtacya and Sol walk behind.

"Hello, Iggy! Shaun, Lardna... hadn't seen you since the Gold Conference..."

Dintel blinks at the mention of ball Pokémon.

Dintel: <I'm Dintel! Gene is a friend! We used to go around chewin- uhm...> — looks up to Silent, then turns to Shaun. — <Hey! You are like Woolly.>

"A please to meet you all." Silent turns to Andre. "If you want a fight, I can ask some of my mons, depending on Tracer's mood and time availability as well."

Roc -perches on Silent's shoulder: <Ahem...>

"Ah yes, guys? Most of you already know Roc, Tagg's Pokémon. Following me is Dintel," — points to the Sandshrew — "then Ichtacya and Sol. Sol is Luke's Espeon."

Sol -goes to sit before Cleo: <A pleasure. Hey little one, why don't you tell me about those assassins?>

Silent chuckles at the mention of the colony, stops himself before blurting a "Wrong timeline" reply.

To Tracer:

"We'll go to the hills just north of the Colony. We can meet Teala and the others there. I have to do some stuff afterwards. Which reminds me," produces some documents, "there's this guy Jeff who wants to sign up to PEFE as well."

Sol: <Poor human doesn't know what he got himself into ~:3>

Fanfic Recs orwellianretcon'd: cutlocked for committee or for Google?

Lake — Blinks. <Oh...I didn't expect to work.>

Breathing a sigh of relief that he isn't about to get eaten by Raikou, Phyco sits up, giving Lake an annoyed look.

Phyco — <What do you mean by that? And what's this about the Orange Islands?>

"Oh, so you heard about that whole thing in the Orange Islands, then? Yeah, that ended up being a pretty chaotic holiday."

Phyco — <...What happened?>

Lake: — <Long story.>

Sunyshore City

Rex: ...? *gets the feeling a Legendary he's seen before is harassing someone, particularly a Kingdra* ... ... ...Silly Moltres! *to Melody* So, where should we go, now? I've already been all over most of Sinnoh...well, except the Battle Frontier. I hear that it's the same one as the one from Johto, right? That means    Argenta    is there.

Outside of Ecruteak

<Cleo: "Oh! Hello!">

<Andre: "Alright... I guess...">

-To Silent-

"Ah initiations... Those never get old... Even if Dr. Tagg sometimes gets carried away with them... Hmm... Shall we get going then?"

Route 32

<Raikou: "Uh huh... And before that? You were in Johto a couple weeks after your tournament up in Sinnoh... Without Lake too... What happened?">

Hard Boiled Detective Since 1985

Um... I don't know, Daisy.

-Is dousing for Tears-

Hmm, there appears to be one over at Sunyshore.

Pica: <Why didn't you do that before?>

-Annoyed-

Because there's so many I can only accurately douse when there's only a few left.

Vanilluxe: <What's Sunyshore like?>

Nudi: <It's got these huge mirrors that you can walk on...but it gets blackouts pretty often because of Volkner.>

Yeah, that was pretty annoying. Certainly didn't see that Octillery coming.

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

But I never got one!

LOVE IS STORED IN THE AXOLOTL!

Sunyshore.

Melody: Hmm... Oh yes! The Battle Fronteir! We were gunn go there afterwards weren't we!

Hmm... but the the power out would render some facilities ineffectual. The Battle Factory and Battle Arcade come to mind... Plus that means the elevators in the Battle Tower... leaving only the Hall and Castle as options...

Which pondering, Melody throws a Pokeball at the Spiritomb in the corner.

Congratulations! You caught a Spiritomb!

I'm having to learn to pay the price

Phyco — <You left him too?!>

Lake — <It was only for a few weeks! I wanted to spend some time with my mate...>

Phyco — <You mean this Nadia Pokémon you've mentioned a few times?>

Lake — <Yes!>

Phyco — <Then why is it that, since I've joined this team, I haven't seen her at all?>

Lake — <Er...because she's busy?>

Phyco tilts his head at Lake's answer, an unamused look on his face.

Phyco — <That's what you've said about everyone so far!>

Lake — <But it's true!>

The Kingdra shakes his head, then takes a deep breath and begins to blow another bubble shield for himself. Luke, meanwhile, keeps an eye on them, glad that they're keeping things mostly civil.

"Wait, you remember that? That was a long time ago. But yeah, all I did was come back to Johto to relax a bit after...well, we just needed a break, that's all. And Lake was off doing something else. Nothing important, though."

Yeah, but there's only like, six left, and it is pretty hard already to decide who gets which and so on...