Let's Play Dark Rising: Order Destroyed! Chapter 6

I've spent so much time enduring this series that I can't believe that it's finally coming to a close.

Let's end it off on a high note, yeah?

[img]http://pa1.narvii.com/6015/355f1963f770606d4fb3944466135ac07e71af11_hq.gif[/img]

[font=verdana, geneva, lucida, lucida grande, arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=6][color=#8205fe][b]Chapter #6 - Defying The Infinite Darkness (Finale)[/b][/color][/size][/font][font=verdana, geneva, lucida, lucida grande, arial, helvetica, sans-serif][color=#848484]
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[spoiler]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/WFvGiVc.png[/img]

The final fight before Hoopa is our own shadow... not gonna lie, that's pretty neat.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/LI6ZTUV.png[/img]

[i]"When will you accept that I am the real you?"[/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/quJ6s30.png[/img]

Noah denies it and rejects the Shadow, but literally everyone but him realizes that, hey, maybe that's not the right way to do it.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/rHar1ok.png[/img]

He still only has one Pokemon and I have to admit... the Shadow came out of nowhere, but it's surprisingly one of the most interesting things in this game.

Sure, it's almost directly lifted from the Persona series, but it shows a side of his personality that I would have had to fill in otherwise.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/L1BXeXM.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/xdkuhlg.png[/img]

The two Ignells go at it, but I gotta be honest - this is easily the toughest opponent you'll face. Granted, thanks to Zinnia's Whismur, you can finally grind to your heart's content due to not needing to worry about resources anymore... but you know how I feel about grinding.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/qRxcKIc.png[/img]

His Fire Blast is [i]ridiculous[/i] - it does over half my health despite being half effective. I'd wager to say that this would outright kill anybody else that doesn't resist it.

Normally I'd get mad because this kind of challenge is usually accompanied by a ton of other crap, but when it's only one? Eh, it's fine.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/6GSB6eN.png[/img]

Thank god for this crit too, because I'm positive it would have been far less cool if Signe or Ragnarok did it instead.

It's a test to conquer yourself, after all. [img]http://i.imgur.com/wp6w36t.gif[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/nYwpi0c.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/MzxEBd6.png[/img]

Shadow: [i]"Hm? You admit it?!"[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Cy5LAun.png[/img]: [i]"Yes. You're right. You are me. You're the other half of me. I wanted to destroy the world, I wanted to create it all over again... Just like Hoopa. But Monica, my best friend, showed me that was the wrong path. Everything you said was the truth. I accept you, Noah."[/i]

Well hot damn - an actual character building moment. [img]http://i.imgur.com/Ise9HWY.png[/img]

The "wanting to create the world again" thing was still stupid, but at least Monica helped him get past that edgy phase of his life.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/ykf3peb.png[/img]

Everyone smiles and we move on to the next bit.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/GauloNd.png[/img]

[b][[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYvALMZTINE]The Forlorn Sanctum[/url]][/b]

One last intermission before we take on the final boss...

By the way, I should mention that we can't go back - there's no access points back and these maps aren't connected to anything, so we're doing this for real.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/AOpBt3s.png[/img]

Joel forgives us for killing his sister because he knows that Hoopa was behind it all. Truthfully your sister needed to practice self-control, but I'll take what I can get.

His revival was the most interesting thing about him because he totally seemed like a fodder character that was just there to make Noah feel sad for the umpteenth time.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/L1IPzd1.png[/img]

Zyro says that Noah's a cool guy and that he's determined to make Hoopa pay for everything he's done.

He was kind of annoying at first but I can see something cool in him, I just don't have the patience to see it.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/DDIMA9s.png[/img]

He also asks Noah if his catchphrase was cool or not. What a dork. [img]https://imgfast.net/users/3812/17/14/70/smiles/3635502756.gif[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/5yJrgFv.png[/img]

Zyree laments that the power they used to resurrect Joel was the same that kept them isolated from the world, but Noah reaffirms that it's a gift and that they hold the key to defeating Hoopa.

She feels like she'll become a test subject again, but then this bit happens:

[img]https://i.imgur.com/gmz1ong.png[/img]

Awwwwww. [img]http://i.imgur.com/Ise9HWY.png[/img]

I liked Zyree more by default, but I still can't believe that they're both the hybrid spawn of Zygarde. I just... what a strange way to go about it.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/XcB3lUN.png[/img]

[i]Wow[/i], that's a lot of purple. Anyway, this is it - let's make things right. [img]https://imgfast.net/users/3812/17/14/70/smiles/1824514701.gif[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/HXV6OLN.png[/img]

[i]"You all ruined my game and now you will all pay for it with your lives. You pitiful offsprings of Zygarde, you're nothing! You hold no importance in my new world. In fact, you were never important to begin with! You're just cursed children!"[/i]

You sure you're not talking about yourself there? [img]http://i.imgur.com/BV4svjT.gif[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/hvxPKcI.png[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Cy5LAun.png[/img]: [i]"No they're not. They're normal human beings, just like I am. Actually, they're more important than I am. Zyro and Zyree are special because they have the power to end this!"[/i]

Joel wants to help too. c:

This next bit is hilarious.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/3DU8JNC.png[/img]: [i]"DO YOU REALLY THINK THIS SAVE THE WORLD CRAP WILL GIVE YOU HOPE?! I CONTROL EVERYTHING!"[/i]

Hahaha. Oh boy, you're in for a treat.

Noah says some crap about how he knows he can't defeat Hoopa and that he was "chosen" to help Zyro and Zyree get away.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/ihhCbqv.png[/img]

The Pied Piper will do the honors of killing Noah, but I'm just... [i]who is this guy?[/i] Why is he a thing and where did Aizen go? Whatever.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/L8ogDx1.png[/img]

He tells the kids to scram and that he's trusting Zyro with the fate of the world. A noble sentiment, but...

[img]https://i.imgur.com/zxKcdrS.png[/img]

[i]("You face a challenge you cannot win. You must battle Hoopa long enough for the children to get away. You must accept defeat.")[/i]

What, so we built up his character just to get him unceremoniously killed off by the main villain not even 10 minutes afterward?

No, come on.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/QAGAwIG.png[/img]

[b][[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snB2bheteVg]Metamorphosis[/url]][/b]

Brace yourselves for this one, guys.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/Roi9Q6j.png[/img]

[b][i]He's level 100. [/i][/b]

Not only that, he has 200 in every stat and has [i][b]Wonder Guard [/b][/i]to boot.

[img]https://i.giphy.com/media/sIE0hveuiwCNG/giphy.webp[/img]

Yep, that sounds about right.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/oVKNe4l.png[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/BfwC3dC.png[/img]: [i]("So much for your death god, hehe.")[/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/SQ4yKX0.png[/img]

Ignell actually got a hit off on him! [img]http://i.imgur.com/qpInvtZ.gif[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/95j0r19.png[/img]

... Not that it means much. [img]http://i.imgur.com/iAgvPRK.png[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/blSTNwN.png[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/SA8A0ES.png[/img]: [i]("No... Not here...!")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/3DU8JNC.png[/img]: [i]("Sorry, sis. It's what Alberich would have wanted.")[/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/DuFe0Z5.png[/img]

I hate hopeless boss fights, especially when they're supposed to be the final boss. :/

[img]https://i.imgur.com/HB3X1K2.png[/img]

[b][[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6Y1XtPoDv8]Game Over[/url]][/b]

[i]"They are the future... Monica, I'll be with you soon, pal..."[/i]

Oh come on, Noah. Don't say that. [img]http://i.imgur.com/FW0YocI.png[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/G8BHV4T.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/5TdLy6z.png[/img]

By the way, this message will play if all your Pokemon faint anywhere, not just here. It'd be weird to see this before Noah even gets to know the Zygarde twins, but whatever.

The Pokemon gym theme is also what plays here, by the way. Yes, your character just died so have one of the most encouraging songs in the game. [img]https://imgfast.net/users/3812/17/14/70/smiles/2938277556.gif[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/D8mwUqj.png[/img]

[i]"And from beneath where man dare not tread. It gazed upon the world. Lurking, breathing, watching. No man shall see the light of day... Order must be restored."[/i]

Damn, that's a level of pretension that I'm surprised didn't come out of this series before now. That's pseudo Shakespeare at its finest.

But... I guess that's where it ends.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/FJCpliL.png[/img]

...

[img]https://i.imgur.com/FJCpliL.png[/img]

......

[img]http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/720/137/435.gif[/img]

[b][i][size=5][color=#ff0000]I REFUSE[/color][/size][/i][/b]

[b][Noah is blinded by a bright light][/b]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/rWtjYop.png[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Cy5LAun.png[/img]: "Wh... what's happening?"

[b][Noah sees the faint outline of a familiar person in the distance][/b]

[b][[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoBn04lcNmo]Celes's Theme[/url]][/b]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/NY8IvmO.png[/img]: [i]("What are you doing, Noah? I thought you were stronger than that.")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Cy5LAun.png[/img]: "M-Monica?! Is that really you?!"

[img]http://i.imgur.com/NY8IvmO.png[/img]: [i]("The one and only. Get up, Noah - your job's not done yet.")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Cy5LAun.png[/img]: "But... aren't I dead? Loki was too strong..."

[img]http://i.imgur.com/NY8IvmO.png[/img]: [i]("Not quite. The Jewel of Life saved you. I finally understand why it was so important... it's Arceus. Their essence is sealed inside the Jewel itself... and they just used their strength to give you another chance.")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Cy5LAun.png[/img]: "Really?! That's unbelievable. But what about you?"

[img]http://i.imgur.com/NY8IvmO.png[/img]: [i]("I'm... actually due to come back thanks to miss Mani and Ragnarok's help. They found a way to bring me back to life without any dire consequences... not as a zombie or an immortal, but as a human again. That's why I want you to stand up and kick the little bastard's face in for me.")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Cy5LAun.png[/img]: "... [i]Hell yeah![/i]"

[b][The Jewel of Life appears in Noah's hands[/b][b], followed by a vision of the Zygarde Twins's green eyes][/b]

[b][[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-s-VQBoUdc]Chrono Trigger Main Theme[/url]][/b]

[img]https://68.media.tumblr.com/e637842777a69120dbf6339e3d8b4cf8/tumblr_nkza82vG2T1rs5gxyo1_500.gif[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/tEHaxav.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/ruYEKve.png[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/5RSI03x.gif[/img]

We are [i]ready.[/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/97j1kC7.png[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Z8WGuo8.png[/img]: [i]("What?! How did you get back up? I thought that finished you.")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/BfwC3dC.png[/img]: [i]("Oh well, I guess I just had to double tap.")[/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/lGLFUIt.png[/img]

[b][Ragnarok shrugs it off][/b]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/STwo0A7.png[/img]: [i]("Are you done?")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Z8WGuo8.png[/img]: [i]("... O-oh. Oh no.")[/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/T6lDAFb.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/kIQT5dP.png[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Z8WGuo8.png[/img]: [i]("Damn it! Where did all of this power come from?")[/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/lsRgfFO.png[/img]

Hoopa shrugs it off by saying [i]"haha lol didn't count cuz i make the rulez"[/i] which I sort of what I expected... but hey, at least Dark Rising Girl actually put something in instead of leaving it to crash or something.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/H0XQr0Q.png[/img]

[i]"We will continue until you die!"[/i]

Noah more or less repeats that he's leaving destiny in the hands of the Zygarde twins and Joel, but there is something else -

[img]https://i.imgur.com/bmofDRb.png[/img]

[i]("You've completed Order Destroyed's True Ending. Download and play Dark Rising 3 to experience the final installment in the Dark Rising series. Thank you for playing!")[/i]

Technically? I'm going to blow all your minds with this, but... [i]Order Destroyed [b]is[/b] Dark Rising 3.[/i]

[img]https://i.makeagif.com/media/9-24-2015/6uTT3w.gif[/img]

Not really, but it's the third game in the series whereas the actual 3 would be the fourth game. Really, I'm just coming up with reasons to not continue and just leave it here.

Despite Hoopa being like "we'll fight until you die!!", talking to him again will just repeat the ending message. So how about we end this off in style?

[img]http://i.imgur.com/3DU8JNC.png[/img]: [i]("I won't... I won't let you off so lightly! Noah, allow me to show you why Alberich chose me to rule in his stead!")[/i]

[b][Five Pokemon with Darkrai features manifest out of a pool of black liquid][/b]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Cy5LAun.png[/img]: "Whoa... what are these things?!"

[b][[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mink-Wl1oLs]Mabinogi Final Boss Theme[/url]][/b]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/3DU8JNC.png[/img]: [i]("[b]Hatred made flesh.[/b]") [/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/Hfk2qDS.png[/img]

[img]http://images.yuku.com/image/gif/f99f31bb1f04455099ea2e146a767fcf_r.gif[/img][i][b]The final battle alarm![img]http://images.yuku.com/image/gif/f99f31bb1f04455099ea2e146a767fcf_r.gif[/img][/b][/i]

So yeah, Loki makes a comeback with five Darkmons now that Noah and the guys have gotten a super boost.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/QpCCyow.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/XhfN1gS.png[/img]

Evil Ignell comes with all the nasty stuff - Sucker Punch, Dark Pulse, Flamethrower, you name it. It doesn't help that it's even stronger than the Mega that the Shadow had, so [i][b]good god.[/b][/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/1SmNl0S.png[/img]

He just [i]barely[/i] takes the damn thing down and triumphs over his real inner demons. [img]http://i.imgur.com/wp6w36t.gif[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/vOrH8fy.png[/img]

[b][color=#ff0000]110[/color] /[color=#efa454] 140[/color] / [color=#ffcc33]90[/color] / [color=#007bff]150[/color] / [color=#6eb140]140[/color] / [color=#6600cc]110 [/color][/b]([i][b][color=#000099]740[/color] Total - [/b][/i][img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/f4deeb41ab6d4dfcbd35c03a0e1a7bc7_r.png[/img]/[img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/d269e8f4639d4eef8cd545a7c1c97fb5_r.png[/img])

I had to give everyone in this team an opponent to fight, so Ivan gets an Evil Kyogre to deal with! This was one of the Darkmons I had neglected to put into Dark Rising 2, so at least I get to show it off here.

By the way, you're probably wondering why I didn't give Evil Kyogre Drizzle despite that being their thing.

... Well... I don't know what Dark Rising Girl or her crew did, but weather effects freeze the game.[i][b] [/b][/i] No, seriously.

This is the real reason Mega Charizard Y has Tough Claws instead - having Drought like normal would softlock the game. [b][i]What happened? [/i][/b][img]https://imgfast.net/users/3812/17/14/70/smiles/916719119.gif[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/SqBQzaw.png[/img]

Ivan shocks the thing into submission despite it being stronger than him. That's my boy.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/OfBQUgX.png[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/dCgW5hE.png[/img]: [i]("Wait... this thing looks familiar.")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/SEjmsuL.png[/img]: [i]("No! Th-Thetis?! Wh...")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/OcZrZ1j.png[/img]: [i]("What did they do to you...?")[/i]

Evil Glaceon here is another canned mon. She is [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/f4deeb41ab6d4dfcbd35c03a0e1a7bc7_r.png[/img]/[img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/79e06885b977417aac884ca1437725fb_r.png[/img] type with the following stats:

[b][color=#ff0000]100[/color] /[color=#efa454] 150[/color] / [color=#ffcc33]50[/color] / [color=#007bff]150[/color] / [color=#6eb140]96[/color] / [color=#6600cc]120 [/color][/b]([i][b][color=#000099]666[/color] Total[/b][/i])

[img]https://i.imgur.com/XyK1LfM.png[/img]

She hits pretty hard, but Rodrigo can take it.

[b][Rodrigo used Close Combat!][/b]

[img]https://i.makeagif.com/media/5-25-2015/15o23B.gif[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/lc9E5Hc.png[/img]

[b][The Darkrai parts melt off of her body. She falls to the ground unconscious][/b]

There wasn't a lot I could do to tie this one to Rodrigo personally due to the short amount of time, but at least they have something.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/l6noR6E.png[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/SA8A0ES.png[/img]: [i]("No... Loki, you didn't...")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/TYAFslR.png[/img]: [i]("Sis, help...")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/SA8A0ES.png[/img]: [i]("Don't worry. I'll get you out of this.")[/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/KjaFS8y.png[/img]

That's not a fake Siegfried, by the way.

Sometime during/after the bad ending of 2, Loki turned him into a Darkmon. When you realize they're brothers in every way with the exception of blood ties, that uh... yeah, jeez. [img]http://i.imgur.com/135qnpo.gif[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/zvjVv9v.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/9E4ibth.png[/img]

He also seriously cripples Signe with a Thunderbolt, but Synchronize comes to the rescue.

[b][Signe used Aura Saber!][/b]

[img]https://thumbs.gfycat.com/PaleAppropriateArchaeopteryx-small.gif[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/PZUWunb.png[/img]

[b][Siegfried falls on his back with the Darkrai parts melting into the ground][/b]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/SA8A0ES.png[/img]: [i]("Siegfried!!")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/snCjY1i.png[/img]: [i]("S...sis. Is that really you...?")[/i]

[b][She holds him in her arms][/b]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/SA8A0ES.png[/img]: [i]("Yes, it's me. Are you alright?!")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/sJkeSAY.png[/img]: [i]("I... I think so! You can't believe how scared I was. I thought I'd never get to see you again...")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/SA8A0ES.png[/img]: [i]("There, it's fine now. I just... ugh!")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/sJkeSAY.png[/img]: [i]("Don't move, sis! We're in real bad shape...")[/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/vt9u5T4.png[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/CGddwaR.png[/img]: [i]("... Hello, miss Selene. How long has it been?")[/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/fWx9LTy.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/f9N4lYP.png[/img]

The final Darkmon is Selene herself and she's built to last. She has Wish on top of having ridiculous durability (120/130 with 120 health) and I (think) I gave her Toxic.

Carmille is the best choice for her because of Magic Bounce and Calm Mind. Just... look at this.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/K67XjUw.png[/img]

[img]https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/bleach/images/c/cf/S%C5%8Dkatsui.gif/revision/latest?cb=20160224211114&path-prefix=en[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/DDOYUc5.png[/img]

[b][Selene's body returns to normal as she slumps to the ground][/b]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/CGddwaR.png[/img]: [i]("Oh dear - I hope that didn't kill her.")[/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/CykZMi1.png[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Z8WGuo8.png[/img]: [i]("Alright, so you managed to stop the puppets...") [/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/3DU8JNC.png[/img]: [i]("But you still have ME to deal with!")[/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/93ptgqj.png[/img]: [i]("Oh really?")[/i]

[b][Ragnarok flares with a dark aura][/b]

I figured it'd be more appropriate to use [URL="https://falgaia.deviantart.com/art/Hoopa-Confined-513593731"]Falgaia's Hoopa sprite[/URL] for Loki instead of the other one.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/7bDeKy4.png[/img]

[img]https://thumbs.gfycat.com/EcstaticBossyGrizzlybear-small.gif[/img]

(Yes, he can use Void Bomb. It's a link attack with Signe.)

[img]https://i.imgur.com/P8sxoe7.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/i9jTcbP.png[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Z8WGuo8.png[/img]: [i]("N-No... what happened to my Unbound form? Did the Jewel of Life seal it?")[/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/93ptgqj.png[/img]: [i]("It's over, Loki. This is the ultimate price for every crime you and Alberich have committed.")[/i]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/FJCpliL.png[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Z8WGuo8.png[/img]: [i]("We had everything planned out perfectly and yet... [b]you[/b], of all people, still found a way to shut us down.")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/BfwC3dC.png[/img]: [i]("I'm... actually impressed, haha. And here we thought you were second rate, Noah.")[/i]

[b][[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuOjgIXrWic]Reform[/url]][/b]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/SA8A0ES.png[/img]: [i]("... Goodbye, Loki.")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/A3ZOXKH.png[/img]: [i]("Signe... I couldn't ask for a better sister than you.")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Z8WGuo8.png[/img]: [i]("Too good for me, even... heh. Maybe everything could have been better if we just kept ourselves under control...")[/i]

[b][His body fades into dust][/b]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/SA8A0ES.png[/img]: [i]("Noah... I have no idea how to properly thank you! You really are a hero.")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Cy5LAun.png[/img]: "Hey, yeah... We did it! We saved the world! We changed fate!"

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Cy5LAun.png[/img]: "Come on, guys, let's get out of here!"

[img]http://i.imgur.com/6ikoAeK.png[/img]

And so, that ends Dark Rising: Order Destroyed. Sure, this isn't the game-canon ending, but screw that.

The short length would normally be a positive, but there's so many things Dark Rising Girl wants to do in this short time span that it all turns into a giant mess. What's the point of building up Noah's character with the Shadow if he's just going to get killed by Hoopa?

Not only that, isn't the "survival" aspect of the game made entirely moot if everything you've been working towards is just an early grave at Hoopa's hands? It's so backwards.

The game was more balanced and had a tighter level curve this time around, but it still had some sadistic enemy choices and all of the technical problems behind the scenes made it even worse.

Listen, I find it admirable she was able to work around them to an extent, but at the same time she could have just... taken the time to fix them.

[b][A few days later][/b]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/BUM2sQ8.png[/img]

[b][[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15FeS4SkyNw]Epilogue - To Good Friends[/url]][/b]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Cy5LAun.png[/img]: "Thank you for taking us in, Princess, but it's time to go."

[img]http://i.imgur.com/NK6P74O.png[/img]: [i]("My pleasure, Noah. It's the least I can do for your valiant efforts.")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Cy5LAun.png[/img]: "You sure you don't want to stay here? These are your people, after all."

[img]http://i.imgur.com/u3gJUbs.png[/img]: [i]("I'll admit I'm slightly conflicted... but if there's anybody I want to see the world with, it's with you. Sapphire can fill in for me while we're gone.")[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Cy5LAun.png[/img]: "Ah, I see..."

[img]https://i.imgur.com/rqEnm4m.png[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/8jSRJPc.png[/img]: "Hey."

[img]https://i.imgur.com/QUaWR4A.png[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/NY8IvmO.png[/img]: "I've missed you, buddy."

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Cy5LAun.png[/img]: "... Glad to have you back."

[b][The two of them embrace each other in a tight hug][/b]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/b4Ln3ah.png[/img]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final setup:

A [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/01a16886f58cc4a645157c2de0822440e698bbaf_r.png[/img] means Mega-evolved.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/HLQYHbj.png[/img] (Ignell, level 100, [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/86fcf0e80e264bbcbef063f2281a8356_r.png[/img], [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/de8e095bcadd408785fdb615b49fd4d8_r.png[/img]/[img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/b129b818979d4482a7307e7222a8a48c_r.png[/img]) - [i]"Our future looks bright! I'm glad to see you back, Monica!"[/i]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/SA8A0ES.png[/img] (Signe, level 100, [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/b9cece01ec4b4ef0ae0d9afabb13f141_r.png[/img], [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/7db542dc663a40358acd91a49ceead4b_r.png[/img]/[img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/b118857c208c473eaeef4758e934ea6e_r.png[/img]) - [i]"I hope Sigurd can rest in peace, wherever he is..."[/i]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/wdJsuEW.png[/img] (Siegfried, level 100, [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/86fcf0e80e264bbcbef063f2281a8356_r.png[/img], [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/de8e095bcadd408785fdb615b49fd4d8_r.png[/img]/[img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/7db542dc663a40358acd91a49ceead4b_r.png[/img]) - [i]"I know he'd be proud of us, sis!"[/i]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/KSFRI3Y.png[/img] (Selene, level 100, [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/b9cece01ec4b4ef0ae0d9afabb13f141_r.png[/img], [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/7db542dc663a40358acd91a49ceead4b_r.png[/img]) - [i]"It'll take quite a bit to rebuild our family... But I'm content as long as I have you."[/i]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/93ptgqj.png[/img] (Ragnarok, level 100, [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/86fcf0e80e264bbcbef063f2281a8356_r.png[/img], [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/f4deeb41ab6d4dfcbd35c03a0e1a7bc7_r.png[/img]/[img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/b129b818979d4482a7307e7222a8a48c_r.png[/img]) - [i]"It's the end of an era, I see... I'm glad I could help fix it."[/i]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/NK6P74O.png[/img] (Carmille, level 100, [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/b9cece01ec4b4ef0ae0d9afabb13f141_r.png[/img], [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/0e13b599d4384015abba10c7a1c97002_r.png[/img]/[img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/427261184efd7897c32a07420c21eb8f1ae833ff_r.png[/img]) - [i]"Oooh, I'm so excited to meet all of your friends! Let's have a celebration!"[/i]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/FgDj9p0.png[/img] (Umbra-[img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/01a16886f58cc4a645157c2de0822440e698bbaf_r.png[/img], level 94, [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/86fcf0e80e264bbcbef063f2281a8356_r.png[/img], [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/f4deeb41ab6d4dfcbd35c03a0e1a7bc7_r.png[/img]) - [i]"I can now say with absolute certainty that I've survived two zombie apocalypses... Jack will flip when we get back."[/i]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/lJMBcDM.png[/img] (Sapphire, level 24, [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/b9cece01ec4b4ef0ae0d9afabb13f141_r.png[/img], [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/0e13b599d4384015abba10c7a1c97002_r.png[/img]/[img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/427261184efd7897c32a07420c21eb8f1ae833ff_r.png[/img]) - [i]"Goodbye, Princess! Please, take care of yourselves!"[/i]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/JeSmmDy.png[/img] (Ivan, level 83, [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/86fcf0e80e264bbcbef063f2281a8356_r.png[/img], [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/a558dd86b4ba439b881285b68a1b832e_r.png[/img]) - [i]"We did it, boys."[/i]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/g5JMjfR.png[/img] (Rodrigo, level 91, [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/86fcf0e80e264bbcbef063f2281a8356_r.png[/img], [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/b118857c208c473eaeef4758e934ea6e_r.png[/img]/[img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/2a1cbcd737f249d3acd4ce3e0bb7a9c8_r.png[/img]) - [i]"I'm so glad everyone is safe at least... I just hope Thetis checks out of the Pokemon Center soon, though."[/i]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/x3GO2wA.png[/img] (Julian, level 70, [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/86fcf0e80e264bbcbef063f2281a8356_r.png[/img], [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/d269e8f4639d4eef8cd545a7c1c97fb5_r.png[/img]/[img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/f4deeb41ab6d4dfcbd35c03a0e1a7bc7_r.png[/img]) - [i]"Your chances of getting Signe's attention are still low, my friend."[/i]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/rvp6rLU.png[/img] (Reika, level 56, [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/b9cece01ec4b4ef0ae0d9afabb13f141_r.png[/img], [img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/79e06885b977417aac884ca1437725fb_r.png[/img]/[img]http://images.yuku.com/image/png/cdbc57d7919c4d5893759a25bd15763f_r.png[/img]) - [i]"I was going to ask what's happening, but alright. This is fine."[/i]
[/spoiler]