Draco: Best. Remakes. Ever.
No, no, I'm serious. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are the best remakes I've ever played. Being the finnicky dumbass I am, I do have a few minor nitpicks like the lack of furniture in the Secret Bases, or certain reused dialogue in places where it doesn't quite line up with the new context, or the choice of 3D models on the covers/game icon instead of artwork. But these games avoided almost everything that frustrated me about Sinnoh (having to get off your Bike when passing through gates, anyone?), and retained everything I love.
The games retain most of the originals' grid-based layout, and I am allowed to use the D-Pad to adhere to the grid again. Thank you kindly.
The Pokétch Hidden Moves app is totally a Ranger reference. You cannot convince me otherwise. And acknowledgement of the Ranger series after it basically got abandoned in Generation IV just makes me happy.
There were some revamped Gyms in Platinum that I preferred over the Gyms in Diamond/Pearl... in 2D. But rendering them in 3D actually makes the originals layouts look awesome.
The Grand Underground looks AMAZING. And the ability to catch Pokémon down there, and the fact that you're bringing your own, is, like, pure #FanficFuel.
I took a Judgement in my first battle where a Pokémon was able to use Metronome. On one hand, my luck against that move is Mulch as usual. On the other hand, the animation looks awesome in this game.
The Hoennian golems are in Sinnoh without transfer or event, the Colossus isn't at Level 1 in Snowpoint Temple, and they included character customization without arbitrarily replacing Dawn and Lucas as player characters.
Sinnohan Contests are now a genuinely distinct thing from Hoennian Contests, instead of just the same thing with extra steps, and Contests for different attributes actually feel like a different sight for the spectator.
Heard about the glitches with Flower Paradise, which means that events in which you can battle Mythical Pokémon are once again a thing after not being a thing for three and a half generations. I cannot wait.
Levels at the Elite Four are such that, fighting every Trainer in Sinnoh and levelling my entire team with post-Kalosian Exp. Share mechanics (I know it's not technically an Exp. Share anymore, but that's where the mechanics came from), I am a couple levels below Cynthia's Garchomp when I walk into the Champion's room. And with those perfect IVs and max EVs, she is still just as much of a terror as she was in Generation IV.
Speaking of big-name Trainers: they did not forget rematches with Gym Leaders this time! I was so miffed when ORAS denied me Gym Leader rematches. I know Match Call was delegated to a #MythologyGag, but that didn't make it any less frustrating that I couldn't get Roxanne to give me a serious battle now that it's actually possible to raise an entire battle-worthy team.
And most importantly: she's back, genuine and pure. Hatched, instead of pre-set. They distributed Manaphy Eggs immediately after the game's release, for the first time in four generations. I cried tears of joy when I found out. I am so happy that I have some very unethical ideas regarding this event distribution.
So... since I got my reunion, let's give the Princess hers.
Pokémon and all related properties © Nintendo.
Sandgem Town, Sinnoh
"Have you been out here since this morning?"
A weak smile appeared on Dawn's face as she turned towards the voice, finding Lucas approaching her on the beach just outside of Sandgem Town. "More or less." It was nearly noon, and Dawn had gotten up bright and early and walked from Twinleaf to Sandgem before parking herself on the sands; Empoleon was swimming off the shore. "Where have you been?"
"Down in the Underground," Lucas replied. "The Volcanic Caves are a good place for Heatran to stretch his legs."
Dawn's face fell, briefly. "You got the whole team with you?"
Lucas noticed her tone. "I was... thinking we'd all welcome her back together," he admitted. "But if you'd rather I just bring Infernape..."
"After everything we've heard on Cynthia's project?" Dawn insisted. "I think it's high time I learned that I don't get a say in other Trainers' teams."
"Hey," Lucas scolded, "that's not funny."
"I'm not being funny," Dawn insisted. "Selene rides the Sunne through Ultra Space every other Thursday, Gloria and Hop duke it out in the Championship Tournaments with the heroes of Galar, and Rita has the Diamond Princess posing for photos like a model. I think I can get over you hanging out with the Ranger rescues when-"
"Dawn." She flinched at Lucas' sudden stern tone. "You're. Affected. Stop acting like it's your fault."
With a deep breath, Dawn turned to him. "...Can you blame me?"
"Yes, I can," Lucas insisted. "You went through Distortion - literally, and faced off with Antimatter. Then, after things finally settled down with the Galactic leftovers, you got dragged into a Newmoon Nightmare, and you and your Pokémon had to fight for your lives. Or at least your sanity. And that was after you saw Time and Space dragged to Spear Pillar to try and unmake the world - the universe, even. None of the others can even begin to claim something like that."
"...I mean, Summer verified the Alpha exists," Dawn argued.
"And she refused to elaborate," Lucas pointed out. "Because the experience traumatized her." He shook his head. "The fact that you're willing to give your accounts on Time, Space, and Antimatter is already you pushing yourself to do more than you're comfortable with. You don't need to make yourself hang out with Darkrai after he tortured you in your sleep and then ran off to Almia when he lost the fight, just because the Rangers set him right and sent him back here."
Dawn's gaze fell guiltily.
"Post-traumatic stress is not something you need to apologize for," Lucas insisted. "Alright?"
"...Alright."
With a sigh, Lucas took a seat next to her. "Besides," he added, "the way you kicked our asses when we made it to the Pokémon League, it's not like being scared means you're weak."
"Hey, I was freaking out as soon as the Nightmare hit the field," Dawn protested. "My Pokémon knowing well enough to handle the fight when I can barely see straight is not a sign of me being strong."
"A good Trainer's Pokémon trust her," Lucas insisted. "They know you well enough to make out what you want done. You were present enough to see them through. Isn't that right, Empoleon?"
The Emperor Pokémon gave a cry of affirmation, catching Dawn off-guard. "I still have no idea how you can swim so quietly," she scolded.
Lucas smirked. "Come on," he insisted. "I can watch the shore, if you want a break."
"I'm good," Dawn assured him. "Thanks."
"Alright." Lucas grabbed a Ball off his belt throwing it across the beach; when the light faded, Infernape was standing there, and Empoleon greeted him with a smile and a raised flipper.
Dawn smiled. "You know... why don't you let them all out?"
Lucas turned to her. "Huh?"
"Me too," Dawn insisted, reaching for her belt to seize the rest of her Poké Balls. "Like you said, we can all welcome her back together. And... maybe a little exposure therapy will do me some good."
"...Alright," Lucas conceded, reaching for his belt. "If you're sure."
+x+x+x+
More than a few travelling Trainers arrived in Sandgem Town that day, intending to head down Routes 220 and 221, then saw the Lava Dome standing on the beach and thought better of the trip.
Heatran barely noticed them; he was relaxing on the beach, with Infernape leaning against his side, the two of them enjoying one another's warmth. Lucario, Riolu, and Lopunny were splashing in the surf, while Togekiss and Shaymin were soaring above. Glaceon was between Dawn and Lucas, providing a bit of chill to counter the heat of the Fire-types, and Luxray and Darkrai were standing on opposite ends of the shore, warding off any wild Pokémon that wanted to ruin everyone's recreation.
As the day wore on, Dawn was the first one to start getting drowsy; Lucas surreptitiously reached into his bag, drawing out the Lunar Feather that Dawn had given him so long ago and slipping it onto Dawn's person before she fell asleep proper. Sure enough, when she finally succumbed to slumber, it was a peaceful slumber, quietly sleeping on the beach alongside her Pokémon.
She wasn't the only one there who fell asleep before the day was done; Infernape fell asleep against Heatran's side, and the Lava Dome passed out for himself soon after. Lucario and Lopunny ended up withdrawing from the shore before Riolu did, and though the unevolved Pokémon's energy lasted him a bit longer, soon he too retreated and curled up on the sands for a nap. Glaceon fell asleep between the two Trainers when Lucas wasn't looking, and when Luxray stepped ashore, Lucas moved aside to him curl up next to the Eeveelution; Empoleon ended up passing out in the surf not long after. As the sun was starting to set in the distance, Togekiss came down to roost on her Trainer's other side, and Shaymin descended just before the daylight vanished, leaving him reverting to his Land Forme.
Lucas ran a hand through the Agent's fur, offering a half-hearted smile. "She'll be here any minute," he mused. "Right?"
Shaymin gave an uncertain cry. After a moment, Lucas got to his feet, stepping up to the tide. Letting the water wash over his shoes, he took a deep breath of the salty air; then a clawed hand set against his shoulder, and he turned to find Darkrai looking at him in concern.
"...Is it that obvious?" Lucas asked.
Darkrai's expression said a lot, considering its wispy white hair obscured half its face from head-on.
A sigh escaped Lucas' lips as he turned back to the water.
"I'm starting to see why Dawn didn't want to get her hopes up," he admitted. "Even knowing she's on her way home from Lental... the wait hurts. Just a little bit." He shook his head. "We don't know how long it's gonna take her to come back. We don't even know if she'll make it."
Darkrai gave a disdainful cry, low enough that Dawn wouldn't wake.
"I know," Lucas insisted. "She's more than capable. We made sure of that. But... it still hurts. Waiting every day, without even knowing how close she is. Fearing that one of these days, we'll hear about her from someone else... who's found the worst."
His gaze fell to the tide at his feet. "It hurt. When she left. When it took its toll on her, spending a whole journey ashore and then idling by. When we needed to send her off, it hurt. I thought we were never going to see her again. It hurt so much to let her go." A sad smile rose on his face. "I wanted to swim after her, would you believe it? I didn't even want to ride a Bibarel; I wanted to swim with my arms and legs, and follow her out."
He closed his eyes. "...And when Summer told us the Alpha exists... I wanted her to take me to the Hall of Origin, so I could beg the Alpha to take me to her."
After a moment, he raised his head, and opened his mouth, singing four sorrowful notes out into the water.
And four joyful notes sung back.
Lucas' eyes snapped open in astonishment as he recognized the voice calling out to him. Infernape heard it, too, jolting from Heatran's side hard enough to faceplant in the sand, and the half-asleep Shaymin was startled from his incoming slumber. As his Trainer stood there, baffled, the Flame Pokémon pushed himself up, shaking the Lava Dome until its eyes started to open as Shaymin advanced towards Riolu, nudging his face from the side. A smile appeared on Lucas' face, and he sung those four notes again, high-low-high-low, not daring to believe what he had heard.
The same four notes were sung back to him, echoing out of the water - and out in the distance, he saw two points of light appear beneath the tide.
Infernape stumbled towards the water, grabbing Empoleon by the crown; the Emperor Pokémon swatted at the arm with his flipper as he started to rise. Riolu dashed up to Lucario and Lopunny, hitting the sand between them with an Aura Sphere to knock some adrenaline into them, and Darkrai advanced towards Dawn and Togekiss, shaking each of them lightly to pull them out of slumber as Shaymin dashed up to Luxray and Glaceon.
Lucas sang out one more time, and this time everyone heard the voice reply.
As the light drew near to the shore, it faded out - though by now its originator was near enough that they could see her beneath the water, even before she leapt from the tide towards Lucas' outstretched arms.
"Manaphy!"
"Papa!"
He caught the Sea Princess in a cheerful hug, tears of joy flowing down his face - and everyone on the shore reacted in surprise. Dawn forced herself to her feet faster than was safe, almost knocking over Glaceon in the process as she dashed towards them; Manaphy saw her coming and reached a hand out in joy, prompting Dawn to catch her and Lucas in a joyful hug. "It's you!" she exclaimed. "It's really you!"
"Me, Mama!" Manaphy insisted. "Here! Right here!"
"I'm so glad you're back," Lucas gasped. "I thought..."
Manaphy knew there was so much to say, so much that HAD to be said... but she also knew it wasn't so urgent that it couldn't wait just a little more. She cast off the Poké Ball tied around her neck, letting it fall to the sands as she embraced the ones she had missed so dearly. "Miss you!"
"We missed you too," Dawn whimpered.
She curled her hair-strands around the two Trainers. "Stay?"
"Please," Lucas begged. "Please stay. Please, don't leave us so long again..."
Manaphy nodded, bowing her head. "Stay."
Draco: Is it obvious I've played NEO:TWEWY? I'm not sorry.
Yes, BDSP is now canon for my Pokémon fics. Well, parts of it are. You know me, I prefer to take neutral versions as canon when possible. The Platinum event progression is still canon. But Generation VIII's Contest Shows and Grand Underground are going to be treated as canon (maybe with fully-furnished Secret Bases, though). And maybe Ramanas Park, though I might need to revamp that to make it a little less of a... legendary encounter zone.
I like Ramanas Park because it takes a lot less reaching and a lot less suspension of disbelief to fit into the story than Pal Park did. Don't get me wrong, Pal Park was a gameplay mechanic that served a purpose I'm very glad happened. But it doesn't mesh with the story very easily.
There will be at least one more addendum before the end of Generation VIII, and I will be working Contest Shows or Ramanas Park into that canon.
