Least I know not to use it again.

I can't say that I really enjoyed this one. It felt a bit lackluster, which I would attribute in large part to its MST-like structure. There's barely any action: the vast majority of the fic is "badfic snippet -- snarky agents -- badfic snippet -- snarky agents" and so on.

I also have to present my qualms with the "Shades of Rose" concept. I don't mind the idea of Sues and Stus having some sort of collective knowledge of the PPC, but implementing it as some sort of spiritual memory shared between similarly named characters feels like it could be both a bit constricting and uncreative. And just saying "not all Roses are Shades" in an effort to make it seem otherwise feels like a copout. Like Desdendelle said, I would argue against bringing back Rose Potter in almost any sort of form. Her story is done.

So. I mentioned that not all Shades of Rose are Sues, or even bad characters, because they get picked up by good authors.

You know what I'd be interested in seeing? An agent that is, or used to be, a Shade. I probably wouldn't be the one to write this character, though, for a few reasons.

First, all of my characters (except one) are actually from the continuum in question; they could conceivably exist in canon. I'm not sure how I'd write an Action-department badfic recruit.

Second, there'd probably have to be an element of forgiveness. A well-written Shade probably regrets the actions of Rose Potter, and desperately wants to atone, ESPECIALLY if they learn about what happened to Rina. After all, a non-evil Shade could relate to her trauma. They remember the deaths of Rose. What WOULD Rina do if she met a Shade that truly wanted to atone for the actions of her Mother?

While I personally think Ix would be the best person to write this character, because of Rina's more personal connection to Rose Potter, anybody who thinks they've got the skill could pick up this idea. Just... not me, alright? That's a lot more drama and emotion than I feel like I can pull off. RC 211 missions 5 and 7 were probably my upper limit for drama.

Glad you got it out of the way, though. I don't know how you can write that fic without realizing partway through that something went seriously wrong.

When Rina read the print-out of Gabby and Chakik's mission report, the paper slipped from her fingers, falling to the floor as she just stared blankly ahead, starting to shake.

"Rina?" Zeb asked, coming over to see what was going on. "You don't look so good..."

"She's not dead," Rina whimpered. "All that work for nothing. She's still alive. She- she!" Rina hugged herself, shivering violently. "All that work we did- for nothing?"

Zeb read the paper on the ground; his ears flattened. "What?" he hissed. He turned and nuzzled his partner. "Hey, it's okay," he said, letting her kneel down and hug him tightly.

After a long minute where the RC was silent save for Rina's sniffling, she finally pulled away, wiping her eyes. "I think these two are being a bit unfair," she said, giving him a watery smile. "I mean, you did just as much work as I did, and you were the real hero in the end. I... I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you, after all."

Underneath his fur, Zeb blushed. "Oh, well..."

"We both know it, don't be so modest." Rina ruffled Zeb's mane. "I don't know what I'd do without you," she said.

"Probably snap and run away," Zeb said, laughing.

Rina's eyes took on a distant look. "Probably," she murmured.

- - -

Well, that suddenly got dark. But yes, if anyone was the real hero of the Rose Potter missions, it would be Zeb. Just wanted to set the record straight.

When I saw the concept, I thought it was a different incestuous Rose Potter. Though that one involves dimension-hopping instead of actual siblings.

Like Desdendelle, I have mixed feelings on the "Shades of Rose" concept. It's very creative, don't get me wrong, but it feels kind of limiting. I'm especially not sure about the idea of them sharing some of the Rose's abilities; Sues don't need an excuse to be even more Speshul than they already are. Plus, I can see it being used as an excuse to "power up" an otherwise unremarkable Sue just to make the agents defeating her seem more badass. On the other hand, comparisons to the Rose are pretty much inevitable with any other Rose Potters, and I really, really like the idea of that having some kind of metatextual weight. And the joke about her not being able to get pregnant was hilarious. So I feel like it works well for an optional one-off, but I'd hesitate to make it standard for all Rose Potters.

First of all, the mission's a bit on the short side - I feel like there's something missing. Second, capitalisation minis are frowned upon. Third, I'm not sure how I feel about the Shades of Rose idea - on one hand, that's an intertextual thing, which is good; on the other hand, it's something that forces itself upon all of the other writes who might want to mission a Sue called Rose Potter.

Oh, also? Chakkik and Gabby's characterisation advances step by little step here. Keep up the good work!

Nicely done... I kinda wish Gabby would do the entire "7 Years of Hogwarts" :D

Well, maybe I'll send my agents to sing it with her, when I finally apply them. Say, good sir, would you mind taking a quick glance at my Permission application?