An adult take on an age-old plot.

And by 'adult' I mean 'jaded' and not 'risqué.'

I've had this plot bunny for a looooong time, and I don't think I've ever properly fleshed it out. The basic idea started with the question, 'what would happen to all the self-insert trainer OCs in the fandom once they've passed their peak in popularity?'

We all know the story of the OC trainer. They begin their journey anywhere from ages 10 to 17, end up possessing a rare/powerful/incredibly mundane but somehow powerful Pokémon, get lucky and win a few badges, get wrapped up in some nefarious plot involving the Team of their authors' choosing, win some more badges, and if the author hasn't abandoned their work by this point, go on to save the day from evil and become the Champion.

Enter Vanessa. Vanessa is between 25 and 35, specialises in poison-types, started out at the age of 10 with a Nidoran, and was once a pretty popular trainer in her own right. She's talented enough to hold her own at tournaments despite her team's monotype handicap. Unfortunately, she began to slip out of the limelight a few years ago when new and younger battling sensations began to make a name for themselves.

Her failing popularity is the least of her troubles.

Instead, she finds herself unable to properly integrate into society as a working adult. She has enough money in her accounts to live off of for a while, but she can't hold a steady job down worth a damn. She also has no permanent residence, instead favouring a tent - it's the only home she's known for years. Furthermore, she has a nasty case of wanderlust, which often leads to aimless roaming and ultimately isolation.

I don't intend on making it a happy story. The main character is supposed to be an optimist and a dreamer, as well as a little childish, while the world is still the cynical world of an adult.

Thoughts/criticisms welcome.

Conjures up memories of Blue in GSC, as a washed out ex-champion. Even though he was a gym leader, he couldn't stand still and was unpopular with trainers because of that.

Sound like this could shape up to be an interesting read, it's good to see a cliche of both official and fan-made plotlines turned on its head. It does raise the question of a how one wouldn't become jaded by such an experience though.

Well, if you can make the fic work, it seems to be a pretty interesting idea. Some people have made Pokemon more real, and about 50% of the time the fic's turn out to be a damn good read.

Momoharu said:

Well, if you can make the fic work, it seems to be a pretty interesting idea. Some people have made Pokemon more real, and about 50% of the time the fic's turn out to be a damn good read.

Click to expand...

*raises hand*
Seems like a good time for a shameless plug to promote my fic xD

I'm pretty sure I could make it work if I knew exactly where I was taking it. I've got a premise and a vague plot.

Like I said, I haven't really sat down and fleshed it out.

Are you thinking of having it set in an existing region, or are you going to create a new setting for the story to take place in?

I'm definitely using a canon region. Probably Hoenn or Sinnoh, seeing as how I'm most familiar with them. They're already there for me to play with, so I don't need to create a new region.

Sounds like a fine idea to me; I think it would make for an interesting write, and an interesting read, too. No particular advice or criticisms to make without seeing something more specific.