Pokemon, what happened to you?

[JarJar]

I actually believed what Subomi stated on the reason of the gyaradoss colour was from the game or anime

I know it was. My point however is that if you were to look in the Lake of Rage long enough, you would eventually find a red gyarados that is not related to team rocket. So the one referred to in D/P/Pl could either be a wild shiny Gyarados, or a hint that Team Rocket evolved the Magikarp prior to the events of HG/SS.

but the fact that they said "LAKE OF RAGE" is a straight forward reference to the red gyarados that got involved with team rocket, if it was just referencing a shiny they couldve just said anywhere else, hence why i said it was silly. not even talking timeline here, they WERE referencing that.

also i see your point on cynthia, since the event can take place at any time.