Hello again! Back here for another V-Wheel in which I was spun to read this fic again by the randomisers that be (that’s happened a bunch recently, I’ve noticed). I don’t mind, though - anything to get deeper into one of the juggernauts of PMD fanfiction length-wise. And it appears this time around, there’s a Special Chapter to get through. 
So this should prove quite an interesting leap into the past.
Just what lies in wait for us here? Let’s find out…
Special Chapter 2: Swinging the Lamp
Looks like we’re starting off with a bit of backstory for Anyilla where there’s quite a bit of truth in the changes to cities particularly in name. Most places founded by the Greco-Romans can probably attest to this in regards to name changes over time.
And it seems it’s back to a time when Lyn was still an up-and-coming rising star in the Company’s ranks. By the looks of it, this doesn’t look to be too far back from current events, just like how Auld Lang Syne took place not too long before Pleo hatched.
Some things don’t change, do they?
Over to Kenobi, where we appear to be getting a POV from Pladur. And it appears he was a cook back then. I have a slight hunch that his cooking explains how he and Gwenith got together back in the day.
Oh hey, it’s Scian again! I did recall you saying he’d be back, and looks like he’s here as well. Although just who’s that Tyrantrum that’s emerged? Quite a towering figure among these smaller thieves, and clearly intimidating enough for Pladur to be quivering in his scales (even if Crom’s dad hasn’t exactly been known for his bravery in the story until now). I’m happy for this, though - another favourite species of mine to add to the cast.
Also if I had a nickel for every huge dinosaur pirate captain that showed up in this fic, I’d have two nickels. Not a lot, but it does seem to be a trend among the pirates of the Cradle thus far. Fingers crossed Cabot doesn’t go rogue and makes it three for three.
A conference of Kecleon - just the thing to strike fear into the heart of anyone.
Also Calino’s here and as much of a wet blanket as ever.
Will he get a cameo in this, I wonder?
I suppose in an oceanbound setting like this one, the Iron Fleet (if they’re around by the time this takes place) are hardly the only pirates doing the rounds.
I like the duality going on here, where both Pladur and Lyn have details about a mission being kept from them by the ones hiring them - it brings out parallels that prove interesting to compare and contrast.
Enough that I’m surprised there’s no reaction as to how much money the crew are getting for this.
On the ship on the open sea now, and as expected, Calino’s no good at all at anything on here. Clearly being a merchant on land’s more his avenue.
Awww, Pladur misses his family. A sign to get back to them so the kids can spend time with their dear ol’ daddy.
Oh no, a Company galleon on the horizon.
This can only lead to good things, I’m sure. Although is it truly so dangerous that Calino feels the need to divert the ship into a Mystery Dungeon in the Dead Zone?
The trade secrets in that book must run hella deep if they’re willing to give a 200,000 Poké payout for delivering it safely to Giotto. Is it really just that it’s an old treasured heirloom? Or can the book tell us something more about the history of the Cradle?
Of course they’d have to chase the group down and hound them to get that journal.
And not just the Argent Aviso - Tarquin’s getting in this too. All this fuss over some pages in a book…
So Orleigh looks to be a pirate hangout, if Tarquin’s involved with there. I recall Orleigh was also mentioned in relation to Hess too, and I wonder if it’ll be the next place Team Traveller end up going to in the present day.
Will these two ever get on, or will their bickering prove to scupper Tarquin’s goals in the end?
Tarquin certainly does a good job at being intimidating, although that no doubt comes with the territory of being a Tyrantrum, which in turn makes being a pirate captain all the easier when it comes to putting unruly subordinates in their place with sheer menace.
And looks like it’s not a moment too soon after which they launch their attacks on the Siglo Swellow gang. Here’s hoping whatever terrors lie in the Dead Zone will be able to scare off the Strongjaw Gang.
Huh, there was me thinking the meadow smell that Akane and the Raticate picked up on was a quirk of the Mystery Dungeon. Instead it appears to be a Sweet Scent, if I had to guess?
An Absol does make for a nifty addition to one’s crew with their warning senses guiding the way. If only Lyn was willing to listen to his crewmate’s warnings.
Scian is all bark and no bite in the face of Lyn. As expected, it’s a trouncing by our resident Samurott.
I like the little duel between Lyn and Tarquin; a nice showcase of clashing villains, something that’s always a treat.
Back to the Strongjaw Gang, where things are quite heated but understandably so. Scian’s in for a rough one, no doubt.
Although it seems things do go smoothly for them in the end, and they arrive in Giotto without incident. They meet another older Kecleon named Walpole, and the mission seems to be accomplished. However…
Ah, so Calino being assigned to Tromba is effectively a punishment. No wonder he’s always been a bit of a sourpuss when an assignment to a backwater like Tromba seems to be the Merchantry’s equivalent of putting someone on the naughty step.
But at least the Siglo Swellow gang seems willing to give him a lift there. Tromban hospitality at its finest, and an attitude we’ve seen from the Bluewhorl folks as well as our protagonists. Here’s hoping Pleo will come to have that same attitude in time.
Conclusion
Well, this was a fun little detour from the main plot at hand. I quite liked this little sidestory from a few years before the main events are set into motion, and it’s cool seeing Pladur be one of the main players of this chapter. There’s some other points of interest, like the explanation as to how Calino became stationed at Tromba and why he’s always been something of a sourpuss. There’s also more elaboration on the briefly mentioned Strongjaw Fleet and seeing their leader in person this time, and the battle between the fleets was rather cool.
The only thing I’m kinda questioning is what purpose this Special Chapter serves to the grander scheme of things. I could say the same thing about Auld Lang Syne as well, and thinking back, that chapter did introduce us more properly to Hess and his fleet before they got more of a focus in the main story. Maybe that’s what we’ll see here too with Tarquin’s fleet? And possibly that journal as well - is there more to it than meets the eye? I guess we’ll wait and see in the upcoming chapters whether this unfolds.
A fun Special Chapter, and I’m looking forward to getting back to the main story to see if events from this have a bearing on matters there.
So this should prove quite an interesting leap into the past.Just what lies in wait for us here? Let’s find out…
Special Chapter 2: Swinging the Lamp
Looks like we’re starting off with a bit of backstory for Anyilla where there’s quite a bit of truth in the changes to cities particularly in name. Most places founded by the Greco-Romans can probably attest to this in regards to name changes over time.
And it seems it’s back to a time when Lyn was still an up-and-coming rising star in the Company’s ranks. By the looks of it, this doesn’t look to be too far back from current events, just like how Auld Lang Syne took place not too long before Pleo hatched.
Wow, things were nowhere near as tense between Zorn and Lyn as they are in the present day. Given that this is their first meeting, perhaps that’s to be expected, but it’s surprising to see our resident crafty Gyarados administrator be a lot more amicable when he’s not chasing down a certain little Lugia.
Oh, never mind, he’s just as much of a snake as ever.
Some things don’t change, do they?Over to Kenobi, where we appear to be getting a POV from Pladur.
And it appears he was a cook back then. I have a slight hunch that his cooking explains how he and Gwenith got together back in the day.Oh hey, it’s Scian again!
I did recall you saying he’d be back, and looks like he’s here as well. Although just who’s that Tyrantrum that’s emerged? Quite a towering figure among these smaller thieves, and clearly intimidating enough for Pladur to be quivering in his scales (even if Crom’s dad hasn’t exactly been known for his bravery in the story until now). I’m happy for this, though - another favourite species of mine to add to the cast.Seems like a case of ‘overthrown from glory and turned to piracy thereafter’ moment. Part of me wonders if Hess might be in a similar way, and I’m looking forward to seeing how his backstory plays out, if we get to see it. I wonder if Tarquin might’ve become dropped by the Company after his ousting from Tromba and that’s why he’s now a pirate.
Also if I had a nickel for every huge dinosaur pirate captain that showed up in this fic, I’d have two nickels. Not a lot, but it does seem to be a trend among the pirates of the Cradle thus far. Fingers crossed Cabot doesn’t go rogue and makes it three for three.
A conference of Kecleon - just the thing to strike fear into the heart of anyone.
Giotto - as in Cabot’s home?
Will he get a cameo in this, I wonder?I suppose in an oceanbound setting like this one, the Iron Fleet (if they’re around by the time this takes place) are hardly the only pirates doing the rounds.
I like the duality going on here, where both Pladur and Lyn have details about a mission being kept from them by the ones hiring them - it brings out parallels that prove interesting to compare and contrast.
Goddamn, that’s a lot of money.
Enough that I’m surprised there’s no reaction as to how much money the crew are getting for this.…He’s going to be an anchor to the whole mission, I can tell. This’ll be an escort mission with one annoying voice that'll be ungrateful to transport, and if this does turn out to be a failure, he’s going to be partly responsible.
Remarkable he was able to do that given how huge and not equipped for stealth Tyrantrum can be. Then again, the fact that he wasn’t spotted is maybe a testament to how he overcame this challenge as Commander and now pirate leader.
On the ship on the open sea now, and as expected, Calino’s no good at all at anything on here. Clearly being a merchant on land’s more his avenue.
Awww, Pladur misses his family. A sign to get back to them so the kids can spend time with their dear ol’ daddy.
Oh no, a Company galleon on the horizon.
The trade secrets in that book must run hella deep if they’re willing to give a 200,000 Poké payout for delivering it safely to Giotto. Is it really just that it’s an old treasured heirloom? Or can the book tell us something more about the history of the Cradle?
Of course it can’t be that simple, can it?
Of course they’d have to chase the group down and hound them to get that journal.And not just the Argent Aviso - Tarquin’s getting in this too. All this fuss over some pages in a book…
So Orleigh looks to be a pirate hangout, if Tarquin’s involved with there. I recall Orleigh was also mentioned in relation to Hess too, and I wonder if it’ll be the next place Team Traveller end up going to in the present day.
Oh right, I remember this name being mentioned back in Kenobi, when Alvise, Nori and Valatos were looking for a new crew to join. Nice to see it coming back here, and by the sounds of it, Tarquin did indeed get that promotion.
Heh, nice to see the Zangoose-Seviper rivalry making its mark here too.
Will these two ever get on, or will their bickering prove to scupper Tarquin’s goals in the end?Tarquin certainly does a good job at being intimidating, although that no doubt comes with the territory of being a Tyrantrum, which in turn makes being a pirate captain all the easier when it comes to putting unruly subordinates in their place with sheer menace.
And looks like it’s not a moment too soon after which they launch their attacks on the Siglo Swellow gang. Here’s hoping whatever terrors lie in the Dead Zone will be able to scare off the Strongjaw Gang.
I see someone has a favourite insult to toss around. You could use a bit of variety in your jabs, Tarquin, just saying.
Huh, there was me thinking the meadow smell that Akane and the Raticate picked up on was a quirk of the Mystery Dungeon. Instead it appears to be a Sweet Scent, if I had to guess?
An Absol does make for a nifty addition to one’s crew with their warning senses guiding the way. If only Lyn was willing to listen to his crewmate’s warnings.
Apricorns in action? Given what they’ve been proven to do, this could end very badly indeed for the unlucky ones captured within them.
Scian is all bark and no bite in the face of Lyn. As expected, it’s a trouncing by our resident Samurott.
I like the little duel between Lyn and Tarquin; a nice showcase of clashing villains, something that’s always a treat.
I had a feeling those two would be getting in the way of things. And what a time for their squabble to unfold, when their enemy’s in prime position to be targeted.
Welp, that’s a RIP for the 200,000 Poké promised for the Siglo Swellow gang. Guess they’re going home empty-handed.
Back to the Strongjaw Gang, where things are quite heated but understandably so. Scian’s in for a rough one, no doubt.
And that’s about as rough a punishment as it gets. Yikes.
Oh, it’s a forgery? Dang, Calino sure pulled a fast one on them. Good going.
No, don’t say that! You’ll jinx yourselves!
Although it seems things do go smoothly for them in the end, and they arrive in Giotto without incident. They meet another older Kecleon named Walpole, and the mission seems to be accomplished. However…
…That would be the transcriptions that Tarquin’s crew took, wouldn’t it be? Of course there had to be a snag somewhere.
Ah, so Calino being assigned to Tromba is effectively a punishment. No wonder he’s always been a bit of a sourpuss when an assignment to a backwater like Tromba seems to be the Merchantry’s equivalent of putting someone on the naughty step.
But at least the Siglo Swellow gang seems willing to give him a lift there. Tromban hospitality at its finest, and an attitude we’ve seen from the Bluewhorl folks as well as our protagonists. Here’s hoping Pleo will come to have that same attitude in time.
Conclusion
Well, this was a fun little detour from the main plot at hand. I quite liked this little sidestory from a few years before the main events are set into motion, and it’s cool seeing Pladur be one of the main players of this chapter. There’s some other points of interest, like the explanation as to how Calino became stationed at Tromba and why he’s always been something of a sourpuss. There’s also more elaboration on the briefly mentioned Strongjaw Fleet and seeing their leader in person this time, and the battle between the fleets was rather cool.
The only thing I’m kinda questioning is what purpose this Special Chapter serves to the grander scheme of things. I could say the same thing about Auld Lang Syne as well, and thinking back, that chapter did introduce us more properly to Hess and his fleet before they got more of a focus in the main story. Maybe that’s what we’ll see here too with Tarquin’s fleet? And possibly that journal as well - is there more to it than meets the eye? I guess we’ll wait and see in the upcoming chapters whether this unfolds.
A fun Special Chapter, and I’m looking forward to getting back to the main story to see if events from this have a bearing on matters there.