UPDATE 22: It’s Not A Lake Any More
Previously in the investigation…
We beat Byron and then Barry wanted to talk to us at the library. I’m surprised Barry knows what a library is, he seems like the kind of person who listens to audibooks but at 2x speed because he’s in a hurry all the time.
I slooooowly moseyed down to the Pokecenter to heal up just to spite him.
“Or at least quieter than your friend.”
And then Rowan glares at Barry for three whole text boxes until Barry decides to stay.
“Well!” Rowan began to speak and began to pace beside the table, hands clasped behind his back like an instructor. “Now that everyone has decided to listen. You two may have run out on your adventure too quickly to remember this, but I specialize in the study of Pokemon evolution. Yet, for all that I have learned, I still have more questions than answers. What separates Pokemon that evolve from Pokemon that do not? Is it a process of simple maturity? Then what do we make of Pokemon which do not evolve, such as the Legendary Pokemon? Are they complete, perfect beings?”
Spamigo raised his hand: “So… since Sid hasn’t evolved yet does that mean he’s perfect?”
That only threw Rowan off his lecture for a moment. “You could draw that conclusion I suppose. But it is the Legendary Pokemon that I have asked you here for. The three lakes of Sinnoh are each said to contain a Mirage Pokemon.”
Spamigo had just opened his mouth to disagree, but the combination of Dawn’s glare and Barry’s elbow in the ribs kept him quiet.
Rowan chose not to notice at all and continue: “Any data on the Mirage Pokemon that you three could gather in your Pokedex would be of great help to my research.”
“Hey wait I didn’t get a Pokedex!” Barry blurted out faster than Spamigo could jab him with an elbow.
Rowan’s mustache twitched in a halfway threatening manner. “And just who was it that bolted from my lab saying something about how they would 'catch ‘em all’ before I could give them a Pokedex? But that is all water under the bridge. There are three lakes, three Mirage Pokemon, and three assistants. Dawn, if you would, please go to Lake Verity. Barry, you go to Lake Acuity, in the north.”
“YOU BET!” Barry boasted. “I was totally gonna catch all the lake Pokemon shuddup Spamigo for you as a thank-you for giving us our Pokemon I just… put it off a bit because I wanted to get tougher first!”
“I see,” came Rowan’s harrumph. “Well, I’m counting on you. Spamigo, that should leave you with Lake Valor, between Veilstone and Past-”
The only thing that was able to actually break the Professor’s unflappable calmness was the sudden, violent, yet short earthquake that rocked through the library in a matter of seconds.
When the ground decided to be still again, Rowan set to making sure his assistants were unharmed, while Barry started frantically mashing buttons on the TV behind them until he stumbled onto a news channel.
Is Platinum the most self-aware Pokemon game? It seems like it.
“GrampsIgotarealbadfeelingaboutthisI’mgonnagocheckoutlakeAcuityandmakesurenothingbadhappenstheretooBYE!” The only thing faster than Barry’s speech was his pace in racing out of town.
“He really can’t sit still, can he?” Rowan turned to Spamigo with his moustache set at a stern angle. “Spamigo if you would, please hurry to Lake Valor. After an explosion like that, I can’t believe everything would be unharmed. But do not get in over your head, do you understand me? Dawn and I will join you after we finish at Lake Verity.”
Spamigo nodded and turned to leave town, only stopped by Dawn getting his attention: “Spamigo, you just… stay safe, okay?”
And for some reason it was Dawn’s request that made him feel guilty that he was almost certainly going to be fighting Team Galactic at the lake.
A quick stop to get Birdon out, Fly, and immediately put Birdon away and here are at scenic Lake Valor.
Which is kind of missing the lake right now. I’m not a geologist, but- Oh wait I do have a geology focus in my degree. Yeah you need water for a lake.
Those fiends!
…I should’ve gone to see if they let you do the lakes in either order or if they have some railroading barricade at Verity.
That’s… one of the weaker threats I’ve heard in my life.
Although this Galactic Grunt treated the Magikarp with scorn, there was one with a hint of bravery in its blank stare and determination in it’s weak flops. He took it with him, and as he cared for the Magikarp, he slowly grew to be inspired how it always drove itself to jump higher and higher with each flop. He encouraged it, trained it, and one day after Team Galactic had long since been disbanded, he would form the first Magikarp Jump League to serve as a home for all who found friendship in the mighty leaps of the humble Magikarp.
Anyway there’s a cave now revealed with a Galactic Commander inside.
He’s got a unique sprite I’m just assuming that’s an Commander.
The mystery man’s voice was so laden with scorn it was dripping. “So you’re the one who gave Jupiter and Mars such trouble. Hah! Those two only barely complete their missions with how much time they spend arguing with each other. But there’s a reason the boss entrusted this lake to me, Saturn, Team Galactic’s strongest Commander!”
Sid and this Golbat trade blows, but his Returns pack more of a punch than the Golbat’s Air Cutters, so it passes out first.
The text box auto-scrolled before I could capture it, but this Toxicroak pops out and its Anticipation kicks in. You know what hypothetical global counter I proposed for how many Croagunks and Toxicroaks shuddered and immediately ate a Supereffective OHKO?
Add one more to it.
While Steel still isn’t weak to Electric like the type chart in my head goes, this Bronzor does not like Thunder Break.
As I was writing this update I just noticed the “Player” inclusion. What did I do that you don’t want to use my name?
The classic video game villain strategy of executing your evil plan faster than the heroes can put a stop it it.
Oh wait the Professor and Dawn are probably in danger aren’t they.
NEXT TIME: A Daring Rescue!