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These are recommendations made by Tropers for Pokémon general Fanfic, all of which have to be signed to stay on the page. Feel free to add more fanfics you love to the list, but remember to use the template found here.

You can also add to the current recommendations if you want. Remember to put the work in the appropriate location according to the alphabet. Refrain from posting Conversation in the Main Page though; that goes in the discussion page.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon fics should be posted on the appropriate page.

Do warn when a fanfic may head into non-canon territory. Some people just don't like it, and as we all know, Shipping is Serious Business.

Stories focused on the family and the friendly relationships of the cast. Plot-focused stories or light day-in-the-life stories. Pretty much anything that isn't focused on romance.

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Anime-centric

Agent Limit by Cortega

Recommended by: Chetret
Status: Dead (last updated September 2013)
Summary: It was just after dethroning the Indigo Champion that Ash Ketchum vanished. Five years later, with Team Galactic and new Plasma joining forces to forge a terrible new world, a team of agents from the International Police rises to combat this new threat: five men strong they are, each one a powerful and deadly warrior... And one unlike any other, a man of thunder and steel.
Synopsis: Ash disappears after beating Lance, and his friends haven't seen him since. Five years following this, Team Galactic and Team Plasma kidnap Professor Oak and blow up his lab. A team from the International Police is dispatched to study the incident, but Ash's friends are surprised to learn that the Interpol team knew Ash, and claim that he was killed in a mine explosion despite heavy hints that he is the mysterious Agent Limit. After finding out that Ash has a son living with Delia and Giovanni, his father, Team Galactic attacks, splitting up the team.

Ambition by StandingMan

Recommended by: Jagellion
Status: Ongoing
Summary: The Indigo Conference. Held each year in gilded stadiums beneath Mt. Silver, it is a gathering of the trainer elite. Ash stands among the most promising rookies of the season, and his starter – a Vulpix as white as snow – is a prodigy herself. Together they have one year to earn entry to the tournament, yet their ambition is far grander. Together they have one year to win.
Comments: An alternate starter Ash story that actually takes the time to treat the Pokémon as characters in their own right rather than props. The pacing is on the slower side, but the story makes up for it in fun banter and solid characterization.

Ash and Serena's Atomic Odyssey by Ander Arias

Fanfiction Dot Net link here and Archive of Our Own link here)
Recommended by: Fox Bluereaver
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: Crossover of the anime with Pokémon Uranium. After Kalos, Ash and his friends go to the Tandor region, where they will meet friends both new and old, rivalries will be born and love will bloom. However, the ghost of a past tragedy will cast a dark shadow over our heroes' adventure. Will they be able to save Tandor from an impending cataclysm that has been 10 years in the making? Amourshipping
Pairing: Ash/Serena
Comments: For those searching for an AU to the Sun and Moon anime season and with its own unique spin, this may be the story you're looking for. Even if you haven't played or even know of Pokémon Uranium, it's pretty enjoyable.

The Ash Connection by I am Lu

Recommended by: Sayacha, StarWaltz
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A string of violent attacks at the hands of a mysterious Pokémon has caught Lance and the G-Men off-guard. Little about the motive is clear, other than Ash Ketchum is somehow a factor. His friends and rivals now must confront an important question: Is he really the fabled Chosen One? Set during BW. Multiple pairings, including Pokeshipping, Contestshipping, and Ikarishipping.
Pairings: Ash/Misty (main), Drew/May, Paul/Dawn, Leaf/Gary, Tracey/Daisy, Cynthia/Steven
Comments: A fic that takes a good, long look at Ash's supposed status as the "Chosen One" in the anime series, especially where Legendary Pokémon are involved, and how that status affects the people around him - for good or ill. It's written very well, and everyone is very much in character throughout the whole thing. It's got romance, but it never goes to the point of distracting the reader from the main focus of the story. Also mixes a tiny bit of game canon in there, as well as expanding on several characters' backstories, most notably Paul and Trip. Virtually everyone gets a chance to shine, and it even manages to introduce Leaf into the anime world with very little trouble. Overall, one of this troper's favorite fics ever.

Ashes of the Past by Saphroneth

Recommended by: Mutant Rancor, Brendan D Rizzo, Syrika, Azurengar, auroVee, Mitis, euan112358, Ivaryna
Status: Dead (last updated February 2021)
Synopsis: At some point during the Pokémon: Best Wishes season, Cyrus succeeded in remaking the world in his image. Arceus did not like that very much, so he chose a champion to go back in time to Set Right What Once Went Wrong. Naturally, having already saved the world several times and having great potential with Aura, Ash Ketchum is that champion. After a week in a pocket dimension training to learn Aura, Ash is returned to the day he started his Pokémon Journey with the ability to restore his friends' memories of the other timeline and sets off to solve as many problems as possible...and, of course, have fun on the way.
Comments: A good balance between action and comedy (both individually great), very few spelling and grammar errors, several unexpected plot turns (to both the time travelers and the readers), and Competent!Team Rocket make this a very entertaining read. Also, Ash fights Mewtwo. No, not Ash's Pokémon. Ash himself. And he isn't Curb Stomped. And Dexter, Ash's Pokedex, develops sentience (and a sense of humor) due to Ash carrying him into a few too many weird situations and restoring his future memories. If that doesn't make you read, nothing will.
Seconded. This story is both amazingly funny and AWESOME. There are many fight scenes, and the author just writes them so well and creatively. Despite how strong Ash's Pokemon, specifically Pikachu and Charizard, have grown, the battles in which they have a genuine struggle never feel forced (the point in the anime where Pikachu lost to a starter Snivy comes to mind.) They're heart-racing at times and a joy to read. Especially the amazing way the characters are written.
AotP went seemingly dead for about a year or more, before being picked up again. As of 1/14/15, it's jumped from 38 chapters at the time of its hiatus to 77 in a short amount of time, which is definitely a cause for rejoicing. It's continuing to be uploaded.
- Chapter 132 was posted on 8/4/15. Also, the fic is so well written it's possible to forget you're reading a story, not watching an episode or movie.
- By 9/21/17, it's reached over 240 chapters, over 1.4 million words, and it's just started the Sinnoh region.
- I always wondered what would happen if ash had a Mawile. AND HERE IT IS AND I'M HAPPY.
- As of 30/11/19, the main plot has been resolved... And yet, Saph still intends to work more on this when they're not working on other projects. This totally gets my recommendation to read.

Ash Ketchum: Aura Master by Purrich

Recommended by: Fires shadow
Status: Dead (last updated March 2014)
Synopsis: Follow Ash on a Journey that will push him further than anything he has ever gone through. It will take everything for him and all his friends have just to stay alive let alone save the world once again. Please Review! Rated T for violence and possible loss.
Comments: It's hard to find fics with Ash's aura powers, even though the author hasn't got to it yet I can't wait to see how it goes.

Ash's Just Reward

Recommended by: @Analyticulous
Status: Incomplete, gathering dust
Synopsis: Starts with the premise, "What if all the Legendary and Mythical Pokémon who owe Ash a debt of gratitude decide to offer him gifts?", so Hoopa brings all of Ash's Pokémon and friends to him in Alola (this fic was started before Rockruff evolves into Lycanroc and Litten was caught). Then, the Ultra Beasts start to incurse into the real world, wanting to fight the Chosen One & get revenge against Arceus for abandoning them. Then, Hoopa splits everyone up again out of alarm. Then...
- I like the characterisation of the Legendaries, Latias offering itself to Ash as its reward to him as well as Ash's stored Pokémon/friends getting to know his Alola crew, and vice-versa. The plot thread of gathering war does make it go off the rails a bit (I'd rather have preferred the story to remain fluffy as the Legendaries shower Ash with gifts), and the fic currently ends before everyone gets re-united, but the author does a commendable job keeping the story interesting & balancing the various groups' adventures once they get separated.

At The Food Court Part 1 and Part 2 by guardians_song

Recommended by: Brendan Rizzo
Status: Complete
Synopsis: "15 years later... (A spite!fic/What You Didn't See/What Really Happened of a certain scene in Cori Falls's The Prodigal Parents.)"
Comments: Some background information is needed here. There once was a fanfic writer named Cori Falls who was very controversial for her giving Ash the Ron the Death Eater treatment, culminating in writing a story in which Ash has a psychotic break and regresses to the mental level of a toddler, while all other characters point and laugh at him. Years later, an MSTer going by guardians_song thought this was incredibly mean-spirited, and wrote a Recursive Fanfiction in which the Out of Character behavior and skewed morality are taken seriously, creating a stark portrayal of Ash suffering from severe mental illness. The genre is tragedy; do not expect a happy ending.

A Backwards Grin by Flairiana

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000, Svn 01
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: Waking up tiny, yellow, and with a giant second set of jaws, the phrase “It's a whole new world we live in.” has never felt so unintentionally cruel. (Mawile SI)

Broken Wings by Trish

Recommended by: Krisnack, StarWaltz
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Ash is 38. He's achieved the title of Pokémon Master. He's married to Misty with two children, themselves aspiring trainers. Life couldn't be better. Only he's about face to face with his greatest enemy, and it's not a villainous team, nor is it a rampaging legendary Pokémon. It's Motor Neuron Disease.
Comments: This fic explores a subject seldom touched on in the Pokémon world: terminal illness. Motor neuron disease isn't something that attacked with a thundershock. It isn't even an infection. It's a process. While there might not be mush action in this story, there is despair, renewal, fear, hope, betrayal, and courage. And even as Ash's illness takes it's emotional toll on those around him, he learns that how we deal with death is just as important as how we deal with life.

Cal, Eleven Years Old by Babyuknow13

Recommended by: EbiManami, eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: "Waking up without any memories and with an Alakazam staring you down is a stressful way to begin your Pokemon journey. 0/10 would not recommend. I need to figure out who and where I am and how to get home again. I don't want to go it alone though. Maybe I should just stick with this kid and his rowdy Pikachu. At least I'll have some company. He's got a pretty big dream and it's going to take him all over. Maybe somewhere along the way I'll figure out how I got here."
Comments: The fic follows an OC, Cal, who wakes up with no memories and a strange connection to an Alakazam, shortly before joining the Kanto group. It sets itself apart from usual OC fics, where Cal fits seamlessly into the story without feeling like a cliche character. It's a bit slow at first, but once you get past the first few chapters, it starts picking up nicely. The plot follows the anime's story, with some deviations.

Carnage Necropolis by Aiselne Phoenix Nocturnus

Recommended by: Drayke, REV 6 Pilot
Status: Complete
Synopsis: "Ash, Misty, and Brock enter an ominous city where something presumably murdered the locals. Much to the kids' horrific discovery, the residents and Pokémon aren't quite as "dead" as authorities claimed. – A Pokémon spin-off of Resident Evil."
Comments: Set within the Johto arc, it's treated exactly how it should be: kids discovering and reacting to zombies exactly like kids would. No one becomes a savvy badass, they're frightened children just trying to survive. Pairings are Ash/Misty and James/Jessie, but don't expect them to be one of the main focused issues.

Chosen One's Adventure with Legendaries by Kinrah

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: When Ash Ketchum was to set off on his journey across Kanto, the legendary Pokémon of the world were very interested to see how it would go. Arceus set a very simple ground rule: Nobody was to interfere. Ash was to have a normal journey without their shenanigans getting in the way. Of course, then they all found out that Ash had been freely chatting with the Kanto legendaries for nearly two months, some of them just couldn't leave well enough alone, and by the time Ash's journey was three weeks in he'd already indirectly saved the world. Things... kind of spiralled out of control from there.
Or: the legendary Pokémon have a chatroom and discuss disrupting canon as much as possible.
Alternatively or: the Ash Ketchum group chat that existed before any of his human friends ever joined.

The Chosen One's Journey/The Journey of the Guardian by dragonwolf12

Recommended by: tdntv
Status: Dead (original fic discontinued; rewrite last updated February 2019)
Synopsis: A year before Ash left on his Pokemon journey, he received a Mysterious package. Inside of it was a book and a simple note that was signed 'A friend.' This book turns out to be the best thing that could have happened to Ash, leading to a more mature and intelligent Ash. Read how Ash travels around the regions with a more progressive look on Pokemon training.
Comments: An Alternate Universe Fic where Ash receives a mysterious book 1 year prior to beginning his Pokemon Journey. Following the training detailed in the book allowed Ash to become a more focused and mature young man, making a big difference in his journey. An interesting take on a more mature Ash, which I find to be quite enjoyable, especially since his Idiot Hero tendencies in canon could get very annoying very fast. Unfortunately, the author updates once every few months due to taking extra time to write longer chapters, and to fine tune battle scenes.

Collector by Brian1

Recommended by: Hobgoblin
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Ash meets a girl named May, and she takes him to her special place.
Comments: A really well-written, though admittedly creepy, piece. Downer Ending. The rest of his works aren't as dark, though.

Common Sense by AeroJester203

Recommended by: Snakespur
Status: Dead (last updated July 2019)
Synopsis: "At one point, they were feared. And then they were a joke. But what if we turned back the clock and had them be the villains that wouldn't be an embarrassment to villains everywhere? One young child and his Pikachu starting their journey will find out."
Comments: A very enjoyable fanfic that shows how skilled Team Rocket can be and how Ash grows as a trainer and how his attitude toward his Pokemon journey changes out of necessity to protect himself and his friends. It's interesting how each side learns from the other and steps up their training accordingly. Ash and friends are not going to win every battle with Team Rocket as they did in the show. Another strength of this story is the fact that the author gives Team Rocket's and Ash's pokemon their own character as time goes on. They have their own thoughts, feelings, back stories, and problems.

Daddy Dearest by chandelure

Recommended by: Pichu
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Dawn only now understands hate. —dawn and her father.
Comments: It's an angsty drabble but a very good one. It's quite well-written.

Denounce the Evils by Betwixtyiff, Roketto Musashi

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Complete
Synopsis: All lives touch other lives to create something anew and alive. With the loss of Team Rocket as an organization, Jessie, James, and Meowth set out to do something they never would have previously dreamed-backtracking across the regions, reuniting with old friend and foe alike, in an attempt to make up for their wrongs. Join the trio as they take off on a determined search to find their white tomorrow on the path of righteousness.

The (Edit) War for Ash's Freedom to not be Betrayed by Crossoverpairinglover

Trope page here.
Recommended by: partner555, Brendan Rizzo, BobtheBoldore
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Spacebattles Co-Write with AceAmir. An Ash betrayed by and beaten by the world is so much better, right? Not according to Arceus, and he'll get into an edit war with the angsty Darkern Edgier to protect Ash from his views of what Ash 'should' be. An Anti-Betrayal/ Betrayal Parody Fic. Has an X-Over Punchline.
Comments: Sick of seeing Betrayal story after Betrayal story? Tired of the same old fanfic cliches where Ash's friends all betray him for reasons ranging from stupid to stupider? Then this fic is for you! This fic parodies all those cliches and explains why they make no sense. There are some typos and misspellings, but you'll likely forgive that. The author is also the same one behind Pokemon Reset Bloodlines.

The End of Team Rocket by Recresta (formerly Crestilia)

Status: Complete
Recommended by: Clipboard Fox 22
Synopsis: After his journey in the Kalos Region, Ash Ketchum is back in Kanto with a new goal: to stop a certain international crime syndicate that has been annoying him for, how long, now? With an overpowered Pikachu and a terrible sense of direction at his side, the Pokemon Trainer is on his way to a load of inconvenience...and Team Rocket trouble.
Comments: Awesome fic, set after Kalos. The author has also stated that there will be a sequel set in Alola after this fic ends. I know that there's a lot of fics out there with the Stronger Ash trope, but this feels really interesting and still in-character.
- Now has a sequel - Secrets from a Faraway Land (Dead; last updated July 2019)

The Final Battle by 11JJ11

Trope page here
Recommended by: FanficFan920, Clipboard Fox 22
Status: Complete
Synopsis: After the death of Pikachu, Ash is left in ruins, but many of his friends have been murdered as well. When the blame falls on Ash, and Charizard's life is in danger, Ash knows that he only has one choice. Ash escapes with his Pokémon and disappears. Three years later, a tournament is held, and Ash sees his only chance to unmask the true killer.
Comments: This fic. is one of the best psychological thrillers I've ever read. Ash isn't just "in ruins" during this fic, both he and Charizard are broken, on the brink of insanity. The talent that is needed to portray such conditions is immense, but 11JJ11 kills it. Additionally, the story of International Police Agent Looker is also expertly told. If you are into this type of fic, you are in for a treat.
- Seconded! The world building and story are in depth and interesting and you should probably pack a lunch because it will send you on one hell of a feels trip. —[ClipboardFox22]

From One Side to Another by True-Intha-Blue

Recommended by: KrspaceT, Nightshade 1218
Status: Complete
Pairings: Ash/Anabel (Abilityshipping)
Synopsis: After his defeat in the Sinnoh League, Ash rethinks his training ways. Accepting Scott's offer to become a Frontier Brain, can Ash regain his belief to continue his dreams as a Pokemon Master?
- Comments: I am actually a tad unsure of putting it here as oppose to Pokemon Shipping, though as the fic isn't completely dominated by Ash and Anabel's romance, which is more like 30-40% of the story, I think it's okay here. Its page question notwithstanding, it's an excellent story that takes the 'Ash becomes a Frontier Brain' idea quite strongly, with a lot of good references to Pokemon topics ranging from Ash's competency problems to Damon to Legendary Ownership and is funny all the way.
  - The fic is marred with bad writing, grammar and numerous mistakes (including the dreaded here/hear mix-up). That said, this troper's only a quarter of the way through and he is very impressed otherwise. It does a great job at rounding out the characters, including Ash and Anabel themselves, balancing the former's capability and inexperience in the Battle Frontier field nicely. Nice depth is added to the series and its characters, and continuity nods abound.

From Servant to Stardom and Tale of Stardom by Mister P

Recommended by: KrspaceT
Status: Complete and Dead (discontinued)
Summary: From a two-month servitude to the Challenge of the Elite Four, many difficult trials will test if Ash Ketchum can be a Pokémon Master. Ability Shipping, Ashx Anabel, Sato Lila, Aa AL, minor Mirror Rival Shipping (From Servant to Stardom)
Comments: Despite this, it is one of the most in depth fan fics from the Pokemon world, filled with surprises you may not expect. The story AU's itself from about the point in the anime between Byron and Candice, but starts after the Sinnoh League. While Unova and Kalos don't seem to exist, the story takes a different look at several elements of canon and fanon, including some quiet excellent takes on the Ash's father theories, Ash becoming a Battle Frontier, Ash's connection to Sir Aaron and featuring plenty of references to game and anime past and present that any fan would appreciate. It's a brilliant read for anyone willing to give it a try

The Greatest There Was or Ever Will Be by Forever United Never We Fall

Recommended by: Brendan D Rizzo
Status: Dead (last updated April 2020)
Synopsis: "What if Ash was chosen by the God Pokemon Arceus herself to be the 'Chosen One', the savior and champion of the world, the one true master of all Pokemon? Follow this retelling of Ash's entire journey from the very beginning. Ash will encounter and overcome great challenges to become the greatest Pokemon Master there ever was... or ever will be."
Comments: We've all seen this before... a writer attempts to "fix" the story by rewriting the whole anime so that Ash is smarter or more competent, but 90% of the time succeeds only in making Ash into a boring and unlikeable God Mode Stu. ...This is not one of those. Instead, Ash is so much more powerful than his canon self that it Crosses the Line Twice into pure, unadulterated awesome. The best comparison is most likely Pokémon: The Series meets Medaka Box. At times, it reads like a parody of Overpowered Ash stories, and at other times like a deconstruction, but in truth, it is neither. As long as you don't take it too seriously, it's an enjoyable read. The heroes train so much that Ash's superpoweredness is almost believable, and, though Giselle becomes Ash's girlfriend, the relationships never distract from the action, and there's a twist that you won't see coming. The fic doesn't really hit its stride until Chapter 6, but if you can stick around for that long, you'll be in for a treat.

Guardians of Pokémon by Mr Panda

Recommended by: SpiriTsunami
Status: Dead (last updated December 2007)
Synopsis: Ash must awaken the 17 Guardians of Pokemon to protect the world from an unseen force. The Guardians must then capture every Pokemon of their type by using their special powers.
Comments: Set in some sort of weird Animeverse AU, This odd hybrid of Pokemon and the Magical Girl genre is actually quite interesting. The original characters are good and not even the presence of some Love Dodecahedrons can bog it down. I'm this close to breaking down all of the tropes that this fic uses. To name a few: Cat Girl, Breaking the Fourth Wall, Defecting for Love, Glam Of Shazam, Heel–Face Turn, Face–Heel Turn, The Harvey...

Henkou by Nauran

Recommended by: REV 6 Pilot
Status: Dead (last updated February 2013)
Synopsis: Going by the infamous Pokemon Coma Theory, this fanfic depicts Ash waking up from a Dying Dream and trying to come to terms with the real world, or not. As its plot stems from such a controversial concept among the fanon and had opened with an emotionally-tearing first chapter, this story has been described as having great potential by its readers, despite the sparse updating.
Comments: "Wow. Talk about an emotional roller coaster ride. It'll be interesting to discover how this will play out."
- "You've pulled off some excellent pathos with all of this. In the first chapter especially, you can feel Ash's despair vividly."
- "This is, without a doubt, the best opening chapter to a story I've ever read. I was completely engrossed from beginning to end, and now I just want to read MORE!"
- "EXTREMELY realistic in terms of environment and emotion, and the whole thing raises so many questions, you can't HELP but read on!"

I Did Not Bury The Hatchet by K Dblack

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: Mewtwo. I was Mewtwo. The most powerful Pokemon. Created under the order of Giovanni. A psychic strong enough to end the world. But I didn't need to end the world. My world was already disappearing. Squirtletwo. Bulbasaurtwo. Charmandertwo. They had already vanished. And now, Ambertwo was fading away before my eyes. I grabbed at her with hands that held no substance, seeking the illusion of touch. When our projections connected, I felt only the shudder of failing lungs and the sickening pull of a nervous system already shutting down. She gave me a shaky smile. “You should be happy. You're alive, and life is wonderful.” (Accompanied by the uncertain memories of his previous incarnation and the psychic imprint of a dead friend, a freshly awakened Mewtwo sets out on a journey of self-discovery. The future of an entire world is about to be derailed.)

Indomitable Spirit by Cracktheskye

Recommended by: wolverinejoe
Status: Dead (last updated June 2013)
Synopsis: Six years ago, Ash Ketchum died. Now, during the tournament of Celebi, a mysterious figure appears. Who is he and what is his connection to Ash? Dark plots are stirring, and soon all will collide in a fight for the fate of world.
Pairings: Ash/Misty
Comments: This fic takes the idea of the standard Tournament Fic (Which, as you know if you browse the Pokémon Archives, occurs very often) and throws it out the window. The author does a marvelous job with this story. To quote the author himself, this fic "Features insane moments of badass, weird humor, and battles galore!" Also, Skye does what very few authors do with his story. His use of Japanese and the culture that gave us Pokémon is very fun to read. I highly recommend it.

The Infinity League by Shaydrall

Recommended by: Partner555.
Status: Dormant (original version discontinued; rewrite last updated October 2021)
Synopsis: Five years ago, a crushing defeat made Ash vanish from the world of Pokemon. Now, at the advent of the World Pokemon Tournament, he reappears, a new person. The Pokemon Hunters have a new leader, people with god-like powers are appearing, and there are even whispers of civil war. In a seemingly perfect world, nobody could possibly stop the chaos from happening. Nobody until now.
Pairings: Main ones are Ash x OC and Ash x Cynthia.
Comments: The real plot doesn't start until Chapter 11 but the wait is worth it as the first 10 chapters were awesome. And the first 10 felt like introductory chapters. Chapters 11 and beyond show the awesome main plot. Ash has become an Aura Guardian, The Pokemon Hunters' new leader is Vince Korinek, the OC Ash is in a relationship with is named Miranda and she has unexplained powers, and Ash meets Ember and Gabriel Meres. His sister and father respectively. Some might not like Ash being in a relationship with an OC, but this one is good to watch. Really.
From the author's FF.net page: "Currently I'm in the process of giving this fic a severe makeover. When I do republish this thing, I'm considering simultaneously releasing the "origin" story as well."

Irony by Stixn

Recommended by: 2writeis2life
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Grings Kodai was arrested nearly one year ago. Remembering the past has triggered one last vision of the future. The vision of his death. Little did he know just how near it was.
Comments: One of only a small handful of fics that star Grings Kodai, the villain from the thirteenth movie; and easily the best of the bunch. The entire story is set inside of his head, and by and large does an excellent job of conveying his views on the situation, as well as certain points in the movie itself. Because of the limited perspective, some of the scenes are a bit of a Mind Screw. The story also contains some disturbing bits, but the often gorgeous prose helps things along immensely. The author even manages to give Kodai a few fleeting touches of vulnerability, without altering his characterization at all.

Journey Of An Autistic Trainer by Wildstar93

Recommended by: Fire Chick 12012
Status: Dead (last updated January 2017)
Synopsis: Ash is diagnosed with autism, but that's not stopping him from making a Pokémon journey of his own. On his travels, he will have friends who help him, gym leaders with differing views on autism, and (of course) Pokémon. Can he prove that autistic people can be capable of being trainers?
Pairings: None
Comments: This is a well-written Alternate Universe fan fic where here, Ash is autistic, Daisy (Blue's sister in the games) becomes a traveling companion, Ash is smarter, some episodes are rewritten to be more reasonable and have less Idiot Ball moments and wall bangers, and while the writing does need some polishing, it definitely has its heart in the right place, and it didn't get almost 130 reviews for nothing. It's still in its early stages, as the fan fic is slow paced and hasn't really started quite yet, but it's still a nice, wonderful, and enjoyable read. Also, Ash doesn't display Hollywood Autism traits, as the author himself is autistic, and here it's being recommended by me, an autistic!

Journey of a Pokemon Master series by Heracross0122

Links: (Kanto Arc, Orange Islands Arc, Johto Arc, and Hoenn Arc)
Recommended by: BNSF1995
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: Join Ash, Serena, Misty and Brock in their journey through the Kanto region, battling trainers, befriending pokemon and learn through on there journey to become a Pokemon Master. (AU: Amourshipping, Smarter Stronger Ash. Aura. None Cannon Pokemon. Other ships also shown). Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon
Pairings: Ash/Serena (Amourshipping), Misty/Rudy (Danceshipping), one-sided Brock/Suzie (Breedershipping), Jimmy/Marina (Questshipping), one-sided Red/Leaf (Burningleafshipping), future May/Brendan (Hoennshipping), too many pairings between Pokémon to count (primary pairing is Ash's Pikachu/Serena's Eevee)
Comments: The fact that this doesn't have its own TV Tropes page is a crime. The main gist of the series is an AU where Serena moved from Kalos instead of the other way around. The series involves a lot of Canon Welding between the anime, movies, games, and manga (for example, Ash's father is explicitly stated to be Red). The series goes to some very, very dark places at times, with sometimes graphical descriptions (such as what some poachers did to Lapras' family and the fate of a Tyranitar dropped from Hunter J's ship; it's also heavily implied in the final chapter of the Johto Arc that Ash's Pikachu and Serena's Sylveon had sex when their trainers weren't around). Ash is much smarter, learns from his past mistakes, and isn't as Oblivious to Love as in canon. With his Aura, he can talk to Pokémon, and each has their own distinct personality (for example, Pikachu is a Deadpan Snarker, Haunter is a Deadpool Expy, and Serena's Hitmontop is an Armoured Closet Gay); later on, Serena learns she has ESP, and becomes able to psychically communicate with her Pokémon as well as use telekinesis. Many of the more questionable events in the anime are either rewritten or retconned (the author makes it very clear he hates Tracey Sketchit, and reduces him to an obsessed fan of Professor Oak; the Rocket Trio is also Demoted to Extra, eventually becoming Reverse Moles working for Looker). There are some Acceptable Breaks from Canon, such as Pokémon being able to learn more than four moves, and battles are well-written. There are some grammatical hiccups, and the use of British terminology can get confusing, but overall, if you ever read a Pokémon fanfic, make it this one. For me personally, this is a fic I hold dear to my heart because it helped me get through a tough time in my life.

Journey of a Thousand James by Meinos Kaen

Recommended by: Tropic Thunder
Status: Dead (last updated January 2011)
Synopsis: James suddenly gets a call. An old friend is finally healed and is waiting for him to pick him up. He does so, but... The return trip to get back to his traveling companions takes an unexpected turn before even starting. Now up: Interlude I Rx R, please
Pairings: James/Harem (Not the focus of the story)
Comments: I'm kinda confused as to why this hasn't been recommended already...

The Ketchum Conference by Saphroneth

Recommended by: euan112358, Puidwen, eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Complete
Synopsis: From six regions around the globe, the Champions and their Elite Four gather. Why? To discuss the many world-shaking occurrences that are happening in their regions, and how they all seem to involve one particular trainer and his Pikachu...
Comments: This is a dialog-only fic, which may be off-putting to some, but the interactions and humour between the strongest trainers from Kanto to Kalos are top-notch, especially as they look at each movie/major anime event (up to M18) that Ash is involved in and are increasingly amazed at the things he's done, the Legendaries he's seen, the Legendaries he's saved, the Legendaries he's ridden...

Latias' Journey by Ri2

Recommended by: Kitsu, Vipvoo, Pykrete, Flairina, Poptard
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Latias is forced to flee Altomare after it is destroyed by the mysterious Ghost King, who she angered by rejecting his advances due to her feelings for Ash. Chaos ensues.
Comments: It's full of genre-savvy goodness. A word to the wise; you won't be finishing this in one sitting... it's over a million words, and that's not even counting the unfinished (but living!) sequel. It gets pretty gruesome at parts, and more so as the fic goes on, but it has wonderfully light-hearted moments such as the defeat of Gary Stu, which involves "Phanphy the Clown" and the Pokerockers. The characterization and writing is excellent, to say the least. However, as this troper already stated, it ventures into some rather dark and squicky territory, including rape, torture, and incest.
- Vipvoo seconding this like whoa. It'd probably be best if you started with the prequel though.
- Pykrete: I was a little daunted by the sheer volume and held off on reading it — I regret that delay in hindsight. The length feels more discretely episodic than Door Stopper. Bonus points for actually managing to get Team Rocket to reach even higher levels of Epic Fail while somehow still managing to be a legitimate threat. Don't let the quirky, surreal humor fool you though, it hits pretty absurd levels of dis turbi n g near the end. Definitely not for the faint of heart.
- Zero Tw 0: Read this if you feel in the mood for savvy characters and Deus Ex Machinas to the max. That is all!
- Dialga X: Extremely long but it is worth reading through it. Uproarously funny elements worthy of a good Crack Fic coupled with dazzling action sequences are a winning combination. However, there is an extreme amount of blood, gore and violence and some very disturbing imagery present.
  - I rescind this recommendation after reading it through. The massively disjointed narrative, seemingly random use of humor and the sheer amount of terrible things the protagonists go through completely ruin the few good parts of this fic.
- Flairina: HUGE length, but is quite good. However, as previously warned, in the later chapters there is extremely grotesque and detailed imagery, many examples of A Fate Worse Than Death, and a horrendous amount of blood, which flips back and forth with Lighter and Softer chapters (thank goodness).
- Strilight: The story was exeptional, the writing was good, it kept me occupied for a long time. One thing you might want to do after finishing it is to reread some of the earlier chapters. You might notice something that you missed on your first read, which discribes the amount of detail Ri2 added in this story. Or the battle scenes are epic enough to revisit again.
- yiran: I guess I'm going to be the first one on this page that is against this fic, eh? Anyway, it's obvious that the grammar and spelling is completely fine, but that doesn't make a good piece of fiction. The main thing I don't like about it is its excessive Lampshade Hanging. I'm serious. Whenever a character in the story mentions that "that's the lamest and most cliché plot device ever", it's actually worse than not mentioning it, since the author acknowledges its badness (for the lack of a better word), but still uses it anyway. Plus, many times where the fourth wall is broken, I just can't stay serious enough to actually feel the emotional impact that would have been delivered well. Another really annoying point is that it inserts dark stuff when there's no reason to. Sure, rape is a lot more traumatic than say, getting beat up, but I see absolutely no point of the scene other than to... satisfy urges of specific readers? I don't know. Also, sure, intricate details that are referenced later might be put in (such as the Snorunt on the island), but there are some serious plot parts that were obviously unplanned. The whole last chapter is just a Ass Pull, which is even acknowledged by the author. Deoxys as a villain was also dead obvious to me; I mean, the author already established that he killed the Pichu twins, which pretty much pulls him over the Moral Event Horizon. That, and he openly says "I'm evil". It'd be much more believable if he said something like "I'm only doing what I was born to do, which is spread my virus", but the author opted for a villain that just states "I'm evil". And another point I didn't like was the escalating scale of conflicts. At the start it's the city being endangered and wiped out, then it expands to the planet, then it expands to the universe. This fact doesn't seem so planned to me. The fact that the Unown explained the things offscreen didn't make sense to me either. It just seems lazy, not trying to think of an explanation and rather have Latias not understanding it (when in actuality she isn't even the point-of-view character in some situations. The omnipresent narrating doesn't help the interest of readers; you're anticipating what happens next, then you jump off to another scene with completely different characters? This especially annoys me in the battle of the Chosen. The concept of Mewgle's dimension in the battle of the Chosen's also annoying - why didn't he just kill them all? It's in his simulated world after all. And responding to the previous troper, I didn't think the battle scenes were interesting at all. I thought they were excessively long and I often skipped past them just to see how the plot would advance. Yet another complaint from me is that the story loses focus on Latias pretty quickly. I don't mean that someone else starts taking over the story, but this just doesn't seem like Latias' Journey, it seems more like the Chosen's Journey, because other characters get just as much, if not more "screen time" and background than Latias. Yeah, this big chunk of text is pure criticism and complaining and whining, but I view the piece this way. Not recommended, or disrecommended if you like fancy words which actually aren't in most dictionaries.
  - ShotgunWilly: Honestly? I totally agree with yiran. YMMV.

Like No One Ever Was and ''With Courage I Will Face’’ by FinalArc

Recommended by: Tropers/World Turtle
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Nature brought the tornado, Team Rocket got them stuck in it, Age caused the building's collapse, and Bad Luck did the rest. But none of them are to blame for electrocuting Ash to the point of brain damage. That's all on Pikachu.
Comments: I'm not really sure what I can say to properly give this story justice. The story is told from Pikachu's perspective as he deals with the guilt of being responsible for Ash's condition as well as how he sees his and Ash's friendship and the trials they go through as he recovers. Though the story doesn't focus all on them, the supporting cast retains a presence throughout the story and a special mention goes to the battle with Tepig's old trainer and CMOA for Snivy.
- Seconding. This is possibly the most real story I've ever read. I'd call it angst, but really reading it makes you grieve for the characters and Pikachu's feelings are portrayed in such a complex manner that it's far more convincing than angst tends to be. If the characters mean anything to you (heck, even if they don't, I haven't watched the show since Johto and I still liked characters like Bianca and Cilan) you should give this fic a chance.

[[reviews:LikeNoOneEverWas]]

Meanwhile (One-Shot Collection by 11JJ11

Recommended by: Clipboard Fox 22
Status: Dead (last updated April 2019)
Synopsis: We all know of Ash's adventures around the Pokemon world, but what about the rest of the gang left behind in Pallet Town? "Meanwhile" is a collection of one-shot stories about the rest of Ash's Pokemon while he's out on his adventures.
Comments: Genuinely sweet and heartfelt collection of short fics about Ash's pokemon.

The Natural by lightningwarrior215

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: Leo's first order of business when he is dropped unceremoniously into the pokemon world is to survive. Seeing as he is in the middle of the wild with only a small pocketknife, some papers, and a backpack, and with no signs of civilization in sight, that is setting up to be quite the task. Semi SI-OC.

The Next Morning (and the night) by Neelh

Recommended by: Lyra_Dhani
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Things never happen all at once. At least, not the important things. Sure, a battle can be won or lost in an instant, with a badly-planned move or a well-timed strike, and Pokémon only known in ancient legends can become allies close enough to die for in a week, but you and Ash know that it’s not as important as other things.

No No Pokeball by Mr Wuff

Recommended by: Fawn
Status: Deadfic, was never finished. Some chapters still survive (link above) but not all of them are there.
Synopsis: Satoshi is a fatherless boy who wants to be a Pokemon Master. Pikachu is a childless father who paid the price of thievery with the life of his sons. When they meet by chance and misfortune, they forge a friendship not bounded by a Pokeball.
Comments: A very well written, philosophical, thought out deconstruction, with excellent characterization. The first few chapters are kinda dull, and the fic takes a while to really get into the philosophical stuff. Despite these flaws, it is one of the best fanfics I have ever read. Edit: Unfortunately it appears to be a Dead Fic now, the author has deleted it from his Fanficion profile and the link above is missing chapters.

Obsession by Blackjack Rocket

Trope page here
Recommended by: Androidraptor, vovan1
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: An original backstory for P2K's enigmatic antagonist, the collector/Jirarudan/Lawrence III.
Comments: Probably one of the most lush and engaging fics I've seen, period. This is a character who got maybe 20 minutes of screentime in canon, yet this fic fleshes him out into a deep, complex character with surprising ease. This isn't your usual Draco in Leather Pants villain backstory filled to tits with melodrama, Linkin Park, and halfed-assed Freudian Excuses. Jiri's flaws are very well evident, even at the age of nine, and it only serves to make the story all the more compelling and mature. It's a shame she only puts out a few chapters a year.

A Pallet Pair by Veravine

Recommended by: Roo
Status: Complete
Summary: Ever wonder who the other trainers from Pallet Town were, and why we never saw them compete in the Pokemon League alongside Ash and Gary? Well, meet Ivonar "Eevee" Marain and Joey "Remmy" Remshaw, the two "unknown" Pokemon trainers as they start their own Pokemon Journey. It's not quite "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," but the two protagonists do have a tendency to unknowingly visit places just before or after Ash does in the anime, either setting up or experiencing the consequences of various canon events.
Comments: It's a pretty old fic, having been written during the early stages of the anime, but still (in my opinion, anyway) ranks as one of the best Original Trainer fics out there. Ivonar and Remmy may not be destined to be the greatest ever or very important in some world-saving thing, but they are engaging and compelling characters, (and uniquely, there is no romance whatsoever between them), and all their Pokemon have very clearly-defined personalities. The tone and feel of the story is very close to the first season of the anime, and several canon characters make at least a cameo; most noticably Brock, Misty's sisters, Professor Oak and good old Team Rocket, who get the honor of two major appearances.

Path of the Chosen series by Ferngirl

Recommended by: Mitis
Status: Dormant (six stories complete as of July 2021 (first one undergoing rewrite); seventh to be published)
Summary: Four years before Ash Ketchum begins his journey, another trainer sets out on hers. Cara of Aqua Town has great things ahead of her, and as she embarks with her starter a Ponyta nicknamed Polaris, she'll aim to be the best trainer that she can, catching every Pokémon and defeating everyone she can.

Pity of the World by appending_fic

Recommended by: DizzyDawn
Status: Ongoing (first story Complete in November 2022; sequel to be published)
Synopsis: Three lost souls find each other in a slightly different world, and from that moment, become something different. No longer thieves, they find the lost, abandoned, and broken, and do what they can to make them better. By force, if necessary. Or, Jessie, James, and Meowth are better delinquent heroes than they ever are as villains, and end up adopting a twerp as a little brother. Or, Ash travels with an aspiring nurse/idol/Pokemon trainer/princess, the Pokemon whisperer, and a talking Meowth (he still owes the leader of the Cerulean Gym a new bike).
Comments: A lovely fic that gives readers a chance to explore interactions between the Rocket Trio and Ash without the antagonism. Well-written with great characterization.

Please Wake Up by Sivas

Recommended by: Anon Paul
Status: Dead (last updated December 2018)
Pairings: Ash/Serena and, to a lesser extent, Alain/Mairin
Synopsis: After the Kalos League and Team Flare's attack on Lumiose City, an incident causes Serena to fall into a coma. Two weeks later, she has not woken up. Ash begins to realize how much his childhood friend means to him as he fears for her life.
Comments: Despite a fairly cliché concept (a tragic comafic that makes characters contemplate romantic feelings), this one is different. While the beginning is a bit rough around the edges in terms of grammar and such, it greatly improves as the story progresses and never really drags the story down too much. The way the author handles Serena after she wakes up from the coma and is completely convinced that the real world is a nightmare and the coma-dream world, where Ash and her were happily married and had a family together, was real, is incredibly emotional and impactful. The fear and paranoia that consumes Serena after waking up from the coma is very well-written, raw, and heart-breaking, especially with how Ash reacts to her suddenly being deathly afraid of him. While it is unfinished, it’s nevertheless one of the best fics I’ve read in a very long time. Rated T.

Pokemon: The Future Lies in the Past and Pokemon: The Vision of His Future by Mark Drodman

Recommended by: Seventy Seven
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Ten years in the future: Pokemon Master Ash Ketchum disappears in a raging hurricane. His friends, Misty Williams and Brock Harrison, brave the terrors of Sternbreak Island to save him only to uncover a terrible secret from Ash's past.
Comments: A more mature take on the Pokemon anime that still keeps a lot of the playfulness that characterized the original show. The first fic in the series jumps immediately into the action and only reveals slowly what Ash and the gang have been up to since their traveling days in the Anime. This all leads up to the big reveal at the ending Giovanni is Ash's father. The second fic continues looks at the past of Ash's father and continues with the adventures of Ash and the gang. Excellent pacing and use of the flashback. And plenty of moments for Rocket and Pokeshippers too, though they are of course secondary to the main plot.

[[reviews:PokemonTheVisionOfHisFuture' href='/pmwiki/review_add.php?g=FanficRecs&tt=PokemonTheFutureLiesInThePast]] and [[reviews:PokemonTheVisionOfHisFuture'>

and [[reviews:PokemonTheVisionOfHisFuture'>Add Review

Pokemon Legacy by Red Eyes Black Dragon Master

Recommended by: The Dark Trex
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A rogue trainer is going around the Kanto Region destroying Pokemon Gyms and killing the Gym Leaders. At the same time, Ash is now 19 and coming back to visit Pallet town. Misty has a secret she has to share with him. A deconstruction of some of the darker themes and ideas in the Pokemon world, like the gym leaders, child soldiers, and the Joys and Jennys.

Pokemon Master by Ace Sanchez

Recommended by: wescotta, Big Daddy P
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Pokemon Master is a brilliant translation of the Pokemon television show from an episodic, monster-of-the-week kiddy show to a postapocalyptic 'shonen fight' Dark Fic.
Comments: The writing isn't always greatest- and these 'characters' often don't always seem much like their animated 'counterpart' at all, but the story makes up for it with great pacing, rather gory battle scenes and a role for practically every character on the show and in games.
- Added marks for successfully predicting the Dark type (In this case, Shadow type Pokemon) before they were even introduced. Shame about Light Pokemon though- but Fusion Dance with Pokemon IS referenced in Pokemon Reburst
- Sabrina Diamond: I know this may sound rather over-rated but, Bishounen Ash + Dark and Troubled Past + Olympus Mons = Awesome
- Triple Elation: Dude, I think I remember reading this when I was around 15 (circa 2000) and it blew my mind completely. I had no idea you could take something like Pokemon and- and- and do this with it. I'm almost afraid to go back and take a look- something tells me it couldn't possibly live up to what I remember of it.

Pokemon Masters Path by SSG-Goku3397

Recommended by: Naru Hina Fan
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Ash meets a Mew when he was six after he helps a shiny Magikarp and Mew decides to give him a gift. Now join a smarter Aura Guardian Ash with Psychic Powers on his way to become the Greatest Hero and Pokemon Master the Pokemon world has ever seen. Ash/OC/Multi!
Pairing: Ash/Multi but as if end of of story he is primarily paired with an OC clone of Domino.
Comments: A very good story where Ash is a Aura Guardian, he technically will be in a multi relationship but so far he is really only paired with his student Lily White, there is supposed to be a sequel named Pokemon Masters Path - Champion Ascension.

Pokemon - The Power Inside by PokemonLegacy

Recommended by: Ca Br Pi
Status: Dead (last updated May 2016)
Synopsis: Several years after beginning his Pokémon journey, Ash Ketchum is at last eligible to compete in the tournament of Pokémon Champions in Sapphire City. But, as the tournament progresses, Ash receives a mysterious coin with equally mysterious powers and finds that old Team Rocket might not be as dead as was once thought.
Comments: A well-written (WIP) piece of Pokémon literature by someone who obviously knows what he's doing. Dawn vs. Misty might not be anything new, but the relationships between the characters are complex considering how many of them there are. A few old ideas, but they're reworked masterfully. This troper really enjoyed reading the first several chapters and jumps whenever a new one is posted.

Pokemon Rebirth by Gemma Bright and Tim Dixon

Recommended by: Keyboarder, seconded by Krisnack, Thirded by Gorsecloud
Status: Complete
Pairings: Jesse/James, Ash/Misty, and several others that the author says will come soon.
Synopsis: A series of Fan fics about many things ranging from what happened to Meowth and the rest of Team Rocket to a pokemon trainer, who is psychic, who has to contact the pokemon world's god to save the world. Many take place in Tatto, the closest the pokemon world will ever come to Great Britain. The main story on the site is Ultimatum, which is about a psychic who was just trying to help a town get rid of Team Rocket agents and stumbled onto something more complicated. The prequel is Altered Paths, which should be read before, is about what happened to Team Rocket once they lost track of Ash and the gang and are ordered to come back to base.
Comments: The series attempts to explain plotholes and generally WMG about many things in the pokemon world. There is also a wiki style encyclopedia here and a deviantart gallery for current and upcoming projects with spoilers in the scraps section here.

Pokémon Reset Bloodlines by Crossoverpairinglover

Recommended by: Imperial Majesty XO, KrspaceT, Happy Man
Status: Ongoing
Pairings: Ash/Harem (eventually; will include Misty, May, Dawn, Iris, Serena, and a sixth finally revealed in Chapter 23 as Anabel.)
Synopsis: Going back to save the world is tough; it's tougher when the process ends up radically altering your reality. When the new world Ash wakes up in differs from the old one in many ways, Ash will have to adapt his battle experience to a new world, and what are these mysterious Bloodlines that everyone fears?
Comments: A brilliant twist on Peggy Sue stories, with a brand-new world both similar to and different from the Anime canon. It also includes elements from Pokémon Adventures and the games. This new world seems to be very well thought-out, and the story can be funny, exciting, and genuinely touching. The story also does a good job of explaining certain frustrating elements of canon, and its popularity has encouraged other writers to add tie-ins to the same continuity.
Tigerhawk 7109: Going to Joss this recommendation. Reads as a very cliche story that's a slog to get through. The story falls prey to a lot of cliches, like making Ash act ridiculously mature, even for his age. (The author was also a dick to me, so there's that.)

The Prodigy by DeathbyFanfiction1029

Recommended by: partner555
Status: Dead (last updated July 2011)
Synopsis: What if due to safety the Pokemon League decided to raise the starting trainer age to 13? How would this affect Ash and co.? Imagine a more mature, smarter Ash embarking on his Kanto journey prepared, and ready to take the Pokemon world by storm.
Comments: This is one of those fics that have good plots and an actually smarter Ash, but this one manages to retain Ash's ability to say silly things for great comedic effect. As of the time of this writing (19.9.2011), it is only 4 chapters in.

A Professor and a Student by LeDiz

Recommended by: WorldTurtle2, KrspaceT, Leid, Clipboard Fox 22, Mike, eeveelutionlover2000, KrspaceT
Status: Complete
Summary: Ash seemed determined to stay in Alola, and Kukui had a loft going to waste. He'd boarded students before; he didn't expect anything special out of the experience. As it turns out, Ash isn't the only one who's going to be learning a lot this year.
Comments: The teacher and student interactions between Ash and Kukui are really nice. I also enjoy the insight into Ash's character the author has. Now has its own page.
I despise Archive of Our Own, but I must admit to liking this take. It's a neat little exploration of Ash and the canon that has built up, particularly the differences in it over time, by Kukui. A outside observer that is good at picking up things that most people wouldn't react to if they were acclimated to him.

Remastered by Xuric

Recommended by: evilhamtroper
Status: Dead (last updated January 2021)
Synopsis: Ash and Pikachu have their sights set on the stars. The journey to the top is a path only the strongest can climb, and it doesn't help that Team Rocket seem to be three steps ahead at every turn. A retelling of the Pokemon journey we all know and love, with slightly darker and more horror-focused themes. Features competent Team Rocket and Brock with a purpose!
Comments: At first glance, it looks like a standard pokemon Ash power fantasy, but it's much more than that. The author does a good job setting up multiple plot lines and plot hooks. There is some neat worldbuilding going on the time. And there are some real interesting character backstory ideas in the work, such as Gary and Misty being friends since childhood, and working to investigate the 'accidental' death of their parents. Everyone is still recognizable as themselves, but with some new twists and details.

The Response by Zarius

Recommended by: Lalalei2001
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Ash writes to him but he still ain't calling...maybe this news will sway him? A sequel of sorts to Letters to an Absent Father, with said father being Giovanni and learning of his son's victory in the Alola League.

Return by LeDiz

Recommended by: DizzyDawn
Status: Complete
Synopsis: This time, Ash is going to be himself. That's a promise he made to Professor Kukui. That's very interesting to some people.
Comments: After Sun and Moon, Ash promises Professor Kukui to try to be himself more. This leads to Ash retaining character growth, experiences, and abilities into the Pokemon Journey's anime - and sending the plot off the rails. It's a delightful OriginalFlavor fic that explores Ash's characterization and past while bringing a fresh new plot via Team Rocket.

Return of the Hero by The Cartoon Fanatic 01

Recommended by: fruitstripegum
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Ten years since the death of Ash Ketchum and the sparing of the world from certain doom, an annual Pokémon battle tournament is held in his honor at Mt. Silver. There, familiar people collide with new faces as a dark secret and a new evil arise from the ashes and threaten the world. MULTIPLE SHIPPINGS FEATURED! R&R!

The Road to be a Pokemon Master by FanaticLAguy06

Recommended by: Fire Chick 12012, Krsapce T, Happy Man
Status: Dead (first three Complete, fourth discontinued, fifth and sixth unwritten)
Synopsis: Join Ash on his journey to be a Pokemon Master. Accompanied by Serena, he will travel to many different regions on his quest to be the best and meet amazing friends and Pokemon along the way.
Pairings: Ash/Serena
Comments: This is a very good take on the anime, having Serena be Ash's traveling companion (along with Leaf), cutting out a lot of the filler, making Ash smarter, having them catch Pokemon they didn't get in canon, having alternate takes on events, and generally having a better feel about it. This is definitely a Pokemon AU that really needs to be read! It hasn't gotten almost 3,000 reviews for nothing! It has plenty of humor, drama, sweetness, and epicness for any PokeManiac to enjoy!

Shadows Like You by Cosmic Mewtwo

Recommended by: Nexus
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Mewtwo now living alone on Mount Queyna, is angsty and depressed because he's the only of his kind in existance. Meanwhile, Giovanni decides to have his scientists create three more Mewtwos...
Comments:

Stars Fell trilogy by Spruceton

Links: Stars Fell on Pallet Town, Fractured Stars, and Blue Heaven
Recommended by: Ari Rockefeller, Pykrete
Status: Complete
Synopsis: The series focuses on Ash's family life, in particular, his estranged father. But what sets it apart from other similar stories is not only is his father not one of the typical suspects (e.g. Giovanni, Prof. Oak, Lance...) but get this: the man actually wants to build a close, meaningful, relationship with his son!
Comments: It hits all sorts of emotional highs and lows, and you'll love every second of it.
- Pykrete: I'll second the first one, it was pretty awesome. I personally found the sequels a tad grating at times, mostly due to Ash Wangsting, but if you can stomach that there's some great writing to be found. Ash's dad is one of the better OC's I've seen, and is consistently written quite well.

The Sun Soul by 50caliburchaos

Recommended by: Arc Varanus, jaimeastorga2000, Kaiserin Kai
Status: Complete
Synopsis: The world is a dangerous, violent place, and mankind vies for its very existence on a planet prowled by terrifying monsters and powerful creatures. Ash of Pallet Town, a talented trainer, knowing this all too well, sets out to change everything.
Comments: It's a darker take on the Pokemon 'verse, stripping away the sugary exterior of Pokemon and taking the concept of such a world, where monsters with highly destructive capabilities roam the frontier freely, to it's harsh, logical conclusion. Very dark, very grim, very much recommended.

these lungs fill and deflate by MashpotatoeQueen5

Recommended by: Lyra_Dhani
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Ash grows up. Turns out, saving the world since you were ten probably isn't the best for your mental health.

Threads of the Soul by Desk Rage

Recommended by: Pandora Tears
Status: Dead (last updated November 2010)
Synopsis: "Do not deceive yourself, Lucario. In order to be useful to our masters and comrades, we all learn skills against our nature."
Comments: If you're a fan of the eighth movie, Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, you must read this fic. The fic takes place centuries ago, providing more backstory to Sir Aaron and Lucario, and even introducing to how they first met. Let me be blunt and say that if you didn't think Lucario's whole story wasn't tearjerking enough, then be prepared when you read the first couple of chapters when he was just a Riolu. What sets it apart from other fics is how categorized the wild Pokemon were, how they view human technology and terminology nonetheless (by the way, "nest" = "home") especially Lucario's very determined and noble mother. While there are a few typos, the story immediately grabs you with its vivid imagery and emotional dialogue.
Tigerhawk7109: Seconded, holy hell. Dead though it may be, this story does a fantastic job of fleshing out Lucario and Sir Aaron. The characters leap off the page, transporting you to a time so incredibly different from our own.

The Trainer From A Far Away Land by RenegadeWarrior

Recommended by: Zarclonia, eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Dead (last updated March 2019)
Sypnosis: This human was unlike anyone N had ever met. His Pikachu was just as extraordinary. Together, they shone so brightly no one could look away and N was no exception.
Comments: A delightful Fix Fic of the Pokemon Best Wishes anime, starring N. Ash/Satoshi is wisier while still retaining a childish personality. It is also filled call backs to past seasons and the movies.
Note: Can be found on AO3 here.

''Traveler' by The Straight Elf

Recommended by: Riyshn, Jagellion
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: Ash Ketchum has been determined to become the best since he was a toddler. He has his eyes set on a Charmander, but a twist of fate led him to the humble Nidoran. Note: Mix between anime and the games.
Comments: The summary is actually misleading. Ash's disappointment at not getting Charmander lasts all of 2 seconds before he falls in love with Nidoran, and it's only mentioned one time after the beginning. That said, one of the best Pokemon fics I've read. My only complaint is that Ash feels more like Red or an OC than the carefree child of the anime.
- kinglugia here. Seconding this one, especially when the writer actually portrays the Legendaries as what they truly are: Total Badasses.
- Jagellion here. This story easily has the best version of a Conference tournament I've ever read.
- Soul Sabre 117: A reconstruction of the Pokemon world, lore, legends, and characters. Where to begin with this one?
  - Better Than Canon? Check.
  - Smarter, more developed Ash? Check.
  - More realistic and tense atmosphere? Check.
  - Pokemon teams are actual characters? Triple check.
  - Having been around for over eight years and spanning 50 chapters and counting, this Fanfic is easily worth reading; filled with heartwarming and heartbreaking scenes, awesome fights and interesting characters, this story is one of the best Fanfics out there.

Travels of the Trifecta by Shinneth

Trope page here
Recommended by: Lawnmowergirl
Status: Dead (last updated June 2016)
Synopsis: Based around the fan theory that Pyramid King Brandon is Paul and Reggie's father, this fanfic focuses on their fractured family as Brandon issues a challenge to both of his sons as he embarks on a quest to obtain Regigigas.
Comments: This fic is insanely long but well worth a read if you're a fan of any of the following: Paul, Reggie, Brandon, Maylene, Conway, really in-character fanfics, expansion of canon, long fanfics...etc.

under the cherry blossom tree by mossring

Recommended by: DBZFan102
Status: Complete
Synopsis: In which Koharu learns to let go, grow, blossom, and hold on.
(About beginnings, endings, and the in-between.)
Comments: A rather touching Koharu-centric story that gives her some much-needed character development as she tries to move on from her failed friendship with Goh and become her own person. Has some Koharu/Ash and Koharu/Goh Starboarding as well as Ash/Goh (Firstfriendshipping). It's very cute and heartwarming, but with some brooding on Koharu's part as she Desperately Looks for a Purpose in Life. Given that Koharu (or Chloe) is still a very minor character in the series thus far, fans of her should appreciate this story.

Zorua-Trainer by Fritik

Trope page here, still a work in progress.
Recommended by: Pilot_Archangel
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: We've seen many different interpretations of Ash being a Zorua, but Fri Tik manages to explore the idea while staying true to Ash's character, the spirit and tone of the anime; while also being unique enough to avoid Stations of the Canon, but not so different to the point that Ash and the others become OC's in all but name. Follow Ash, Pikachu, Misty, and many other characters both familiar and obscure as Ash discovers what it means to be a Zorua and a Trainer.

Ashen Oak by CRed1988

Recommended by: Leid
Status: Ongoing
Summary: As the 13-year old Granddaughter of Professor Oak, Gina wanted nothing more than to rush through all eight Gyms to reach the summit of the Indigo Plateau. But the moment she heard about all the trouble that her childhood friend Ash kept getting up to, she decided to tag along to make sure that he didn't get over his head.
Comments: An alternate and condensed telling of the anime where Gina (Gary's counterpart) accompanies Ash, Brock, and Misty after her bike gets destroyed by Pikachu while rescuing the Squirtle Squad. It also looks into some of the finer details of the world, such as how Gym Leaders being able to hand out badges without a match happens to be an artifact rule before the implementation of the scaling system, how Move Tutors function, and the needs/difficulty of caring for multiple pokemon.

Lost, Finding, Found by appending_fic

Recommended by: Lyra Dhani
Status: Complete
Summary: When Ash heard the news about Ryme City, he more or less dropped everything. Because he had a sixth sense about when a friend needed him.
Comments: A crossover with the detective pikachu movie.

Oneshots

Acrophobic by EkaSwede

Recommended by: Ungulateman, Umbee, Kaiserin Kai, Lirazel, StarWaltz, sylveonzoroark
Status: Complete
Summary: A Charmeleon with a fear of flight and a Trainer that wants it to evolve.
Comments: Absolutely amazing. Well-developed characters, angsty without being mopey, and an absolutely brilliant Twist Ending.

Almost Like Flying by starling-night

Recommended by: Sessalisk, antialiasis, yiran, RoryOKane, Lirazel, sylveonzoroark, Ghingahn
Status: Complete
Summary: A scyther is captured, and hates it – right up until she doesn’t. Whether this is a good thing or not depends on who you ask.
Synopsis: A wild scyther is caught by a frivolous trainer and hates her capture. At first. This fic is absolutely heartbreaking.

Autophobic by ScytheRider

Recommended by: Ungulateman, Umbee, Kaiserin Kai
Status: Complete
Summary: Charmelelon gets over its fear of flight, only to begin to fear itself.
Comments: Sequel to Acrophobic. Exploring the psyche of a near-suicidal Charmeleon and how it gains new life when it evolves is magnificent - and the Twist Ending will make you cry.

Blue's Raticate by Silvershadow426

Recommended by: Decaf Grub 47393
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A Psuedocanonical fic about what happened to Blue's Raticate, Yellow timeline. Tear Jerker.

Curse by Dragonfree

Recommended by: Lirazel
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Wanna-be champions Kari and her Dragonite get their hands on a mysterious TM containing the move Curse, which they had previously only seen used by Morty's Ghost Pokémon. Why does it work so differently now?
Comments: A short story by Morphic author depicting the dark workings of Curse. Good fleshing out of intriguing concept.

Embrace by Phaaze22 and Dsarvess

Recommended by: Baron Tiger
Status: Complete
Summary: From the author: When Sari notices his trainer is starting to act more and more like him, emotions run high as the two of them discover their true friendship with each other. Another collaboration with Dsarvess from dA, written some time ago.
Comments: Definitely a captivating and heartwarming read. The plot is interesting and what happens may surprise you and will probably intrigue you. It is very well written and although it is a one-shot featuring OCs, Phaaze 22 did a very good job of establishing who they were, making it very easy to connect to them.
My only complaint would be that I'm not entirely sure whether or not Sari is male, as Sari's gender is never referred to in the story proper.

The Ghost of Glimwood Tangle series by calculatingMinutiae

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Dead (15 stories Complete; series last updated March 2020)
Synopsis: There's a legend, between Stow-on-side and Ballonlea. Mothers whisper to their children of the restless spirits that reside in Glimwood Tangle, abducted at a young age by creatures with unpredictable intentions and never seen again. It's almost always impossible to fully decipher truth from fiction in folklore, but Opal knows for certain that this story isn't quite accurate. She has seen him. Many people do, nowadays, considering he's become one of Stow-on-side's gym leaders. A series of shorts about making the best of things.

Goodbye Stranger by ibuberu

Recommended by: Amp
Status: Complete
Summary: A game-verse series of expositions concerning the various protagonists' mostly missing fathers.
Comments: The only word that I really can use to describe this fic is 'beautiful.' Its structure seems to be well thought-out and the emotions of the protagonists ring true. It is also fairly troperiffic for a one chapter work.

New Game by Misheard Whisper

Recommended by: Rinne
Status: Complete
Synopsis: What happens to your Pokemon when you press New Game? If you don't transfer them to another game, they might well resent you for it. A sobering look at that New Game button we all take for granted.
Comments: An eloquent little ficlet that develops and beautifully presents the thoughts of six Pokémon and their impending deletion, all in under 2000 words. There’s no forceful Aesop here, but the personalities that are shown will definitely make you think twice before pressing that button. Warning: major Tear Jerker.

Painting A Masterpiece by Divine Wolfe

Recommended by: Pichu-kun.
Status: Complete
Synopsis: One-shot, slight BluexLeaf. There hadn't always been just two of them. Once, there had been three...Blue, Red, and Leaf friendship
Comments: This story is already a rare fanfic for this fandom. A game based fanfic and a good one at that. It revolves around an often forgotten, or outright unknown, friendship. Red, Blue, and Leaf's bond. As stated in the summary, it has some Blue/Leaf undertones however it's not thick enough to be a shipping fic. It takes place several years after HGSS; The trio are nearing the end of their teenage years, now at the age of seventeen. Red, Leaf, and Blue have long been torn apart. Leaf hadn't been in contact with the boys for some time and returns to Kanto from Orre with naive, impulsive ambitions thinking that her friends haven't changed. Blue has lost his cocky personality for a short tempered one. Red has isolated himself from society to train on Mt. Silver, and most importantly his friends. The story isn't nearly as angst ridden as it sounds though. I wouldn't even exactly call it angst, as more so simple mild hurt-comfort. It has some tie-ins from other games, such as Brendan, Michael, and Barry being mentioned. But it mainly follows the Kanto trio in a way that most of the fandom never thought of and deconstructs their personalities. I would recommend it even for people who dislike game fanfics; It does not stray too far from the games, the characters aren't OOC, and it's not a mess of a fanfic. It's a short, but filling, oneshot. On a subnote, all the Pokemon stories by this author are wonderful however this one pokes out among the bunch.

Pink Fur by Nyaa-Neko

Recommended by: fruitstripegum, BobtheBoldore
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A depressed teenage girl learns sometimes, all it takes to be happy is to hug a Skitty.

Pokemon: Rapid Red Version by Right What Is Wrong

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A speedrun of Pokemon Red, as seen through the eyes of bewildered bystanders.

Refractions, Innocence, Rain, and Equilibrium. by Dark Magician Girl Aeris

Recommended by: Mew24ever, Mike
Status: Complete
Synopses:
- Refractions: Living in a state of self-imposed solitude, Mewtwo begins observing humans as a way to pass the time and comes to the conclusion that he’s better off alone, despite Mew’s best efforts to be his brother.
- Innocence: Living by a mountain town, Mewtwo has plenty of time to dwell over the corruption of the human species... or to ponder over one pure life. It is never fair when innocence has to suffer harm at the hands of man.
- Rain: Mewtwo sits and muses over the rain and the thoughts and emotions it brings out in him.
- Equilibrium: Mewtwo muses over the inanities of death and the men and women who risk life and sanity to protect the balance as he observes the aftermath of a drive-by shooting.
Comments: If you happen to be a fan of Mewtwo, then I highly recommend the one-shots Refractions, Innocence, Rain, and Equilibrium. Of course, seeing how it's Mewtwo, they can be depressing...
- Mike: The rest of her works on that site are just as good. Seconding by Mike.

Surreal Slayer

Recommended by: Lalalei 2001
Status: Complete
Summary: A one-shot about a Pokemon accepting its fate at the hands of another.
Comments: Don't let the odd title fool you. This fic is powerful and very well-written, and compresses a lot of emotion into a short story. My heart broke for both Surreal and Slayer, especially the ending. It ends without resolving what happens to the trainer, but the focus is on the Pokemon and the loss. The battle descriptions are very vivid, and the fact that the Rockets had whips in earlier games is touched on and made horrific.

Take Off by Nyaa-Neko

Recommended by: fruitstripegum
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A bratty Swellow randomly flies into a garden with a disabled girl.

Why the Distortion World is Empty by Shadaki

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Some time after defeating Cyrus and calming Giratina, you head north to Lake Acuity, to catch Uxie. When you arrive, the legendary has a story to tell you - about why Giratina is (or was) the Distortion World's sole inhabitant.

Game novelization/Game-centric

Alphabet Soup by CoffeeIncluded

Recommended by: Rawkstar Vienna, holliequ, Life Of Pi, yiran, RN 452, StarWaltz, sylveonzoroark, Apocrypha, forthel0veoffanfic
Status: Completed.
Synopsis: N can remember only bits of the ceremony. Bree can't remember anything from before her sixth birthday. Bree White, Cheren Shiro, and Bianca Noir are in no way prepared for what lies buried. Memory's a funny thing, isn't it? Slight Cheren/Bianca, White/N.
Comments: As the author states in her summary, memory is quite a funny thing. Rather dangerous, too as it sets up what might be one of the best novelizations of Pokémon Black and White out there. The fic is mostly adventure, with a dash of mystery, that will captivate just about anyone under its spell. The protagonists, Bree White (based on Hilda from the game), Bianca Noir, and Cheren Shiro, are brilliantly fleshed out, their characterizations being one of the story’s highest points of praise. Each character goes through extremely noticeable character development, along with N, who stays true to his nature in the game, and whose character is studied in depth throughout the fic. The grammar is impeccable, and the storyline branches out from the story told in the actual game, allowing for various theories and Wild Mass Guesses to be analyzed and tested. Romance is included, but isn’t the focus of the story; it’s simply the icing on the cake that is this fantastic gem in a sea of fan fiction. Overall, highly recommendable.
- Seconded. The description's not always perfect and you might not agree with the interpretations of the characters, but the author knows exactly what she's doing with them and they carry the story really well. Highly recommended, borderline must-read.
- Thirded. Coffee Included really wrote a masterpiece with this one. Everything that needs to be said has been said but this: Her ability to weave a great story into Black/White's already powerful plot is amazing. The last few chapters of this great literary work will blow your freaking minds out of your head.
  - She also has a fan work (warning for massive spoilers) that's pretty decent in its own right.
- The piece is brilliantly laid out, with clear foreshadowing everywhere. The author handled the amount of foreshadowing nicely; enough so that most can easily guess it, but not enough so that it's blatantly obvious. A little problem is the use of Big Damn Heroes, which was used a couple of times with Simon and Idoun, which itself isn't a bad thing, but it was too obvious to have enough emotional impact. However, the rest of the fic is very gripping and powerful, and The Reveal was done masterfully in the closing chapters. Overall, one of the best literary pieces of fanfiction I have read. Highly recommended. Poor J ;_;

Alterity by Mewitti

Recommended by: Raptyr, antialiasis, Superdale 33
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: A retelling of Pokemon Emerald where the Pokemon speak out, the battles are deadly, and the Kantoky Fried Torchic is delicious.
Comments: Alterity is the webcomic of Robin, a pokemon trainer of undetermined gender and his/her journey. it isn't very long right now, but boy does it make the most of those pages! Although some of the earlier pages are played for laughs, the comic really starts to hit its stride up when Robin loses his/her first pokemon. It delves into some surprisingly hefty subjects that are guaranteed to make you think and reflect. The artist/author does a fantastic job on the artwork, as well as really connecting you with all of the characters. All in all, definitely worth a look.
- Lirazel adds: YMMV. I had high hopes for the comic, but have found it extremely underwhelming. The plot is extremely ham-fisted. Take for example protag's abusive mother- never in my life have I seen more stereotypical character. In gener, every human character of Alterity acts like an asshole or an idiot. The drawings are really good, though.
- antialiasis: Note that this comic starts Growing the Beard around page 12. Before that point it's mostly silly gags about stupid, terrible people being terrible and stupid; after that point it abruptly becomes mostly serious, plunges into fascinating worldbuilding, gives the characters more dimension and tackles the ethical issues of its vision of the Pokémon world with clarity and nuance.
- Lirazel I see your point, though I think that it's unfair that author expects readers to stick around till it gets good. Writers are taught that even first sentence of novel must be perfect. My main problem with the comic lies with human characters - the author touches on serious, human issues... but due to lack of subtlety, doesn't do them justice. You're supposed to feel sorry for the main character, but how can you, when the issue is shown in such unreal manner? I'm tempted to give the comic third chance, but the characters are so exaggerated and unsympathetic that I can't. Despite my opinion on Alterity, I would encourage people trying it out, since it must be doing something right for it's fans - just not for me.

Carpe Noctem by Annarasumanara

Recommended by: Logic_Taunter
Status: Dead (last updated September 2020)
Synopsis: Beneath Alola's pleasant tourist image lies a cruel battleground of politics and controversy, a region lost without its guardians and afraid of change. When a Kantoan girl of all people gains the favour of Tapu Koko, Alola finds that it has a lot more to worry about than just Kukui's heretical plans for a Pokemon League. Pokemon Moon novelization focused on coming-of-age/self-discovery against a backdrop of worldbuilding and politics. Aims to explore the effects of introducing a League to an Alola that already has the Island Challenge and the events that ultimately lead to a foreign born girl becoming Alola's first champion.
Comments: Logic_Taunter: A interesting and very unique take on the story of Pokémon Moon, this tale has amazing world building with a rare and deep insight into the lesser explored side of the Pokémon world, with brilliant usage of politics to bring the world to life and making even minor characters memorable through their interactions with the protagonist, it is definitely a worthwhile read.

Child of Thorns by Silver Rockets

Recommended by: WillEatHam
Status: Complete
Summary: Through an unexpected twist of fate Inyssa Dawn and Barry Paladino embark on their long awaited Pokemon journey, traveling far and wide to become the Champions of Sinnoh. But dark clouds are cast over the region; A dubious criminal team, an opressive shadow that sees all and a familiar ghost from the past. A re-imagining of Pokemon Platinum, with my own personal spin on the story.
Synopsis: A re-telling of the Pokemon Platinum story starring a grumpy Dawn with a short fuse (Altough her name is Inyssa in this fic) and a passionate and nice Barry. It's a slow burn and it takes a few chapters to get going but it looks very promising. The characters are realistically written and all the character's attitudes towards others have consequences. The prose could use some work but it evolves throughout the story, and the Pokemon battles are very well thought out and exciting especially in the later chapters. Some of the known characters are wildly different and there are a few OCs. There are hints of future romance.

Galar's Secret Miracle by Pikaboo73

Recommended by: Brendan Rizzo
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: Victor fled from a lab with his mother at the age of 4, moving to the Galar Region with a delicate secret that will bring him trouble if anyone finds out. Despite this, at the age of 15, he still wants to travel through Galar to become the champion! But he has to be careful on his journey, because after all... The world isn't ready for a human with the powers of pokemon. (Harem)
Comments: The striking thing about this story is how much care the author takes to avoid having the main character become overpowered, despite the premise. Victor has to work for his victories; he isn't handed anything despite having non-canonical powers. All characters are fully rounded, with Victor, Hop and Gloria very realistic children during the Minor Kidroduction, and the rest of the cast are developed during the main plot. This story ought to be read by new writers who are tempted to write a power fantasy, so that they can compare this story to their own planned efforts, and thus see how this story avoids the pitfalls of the subgenre.

Pokemon Violet: Grape Chat by oopart (Trope Page)

Recommended by: NT03
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: Shortly after the events of Area Zero, in an attempt to connect with his student body, Principal Clavell of Uva Academy makes a group chat, including one for a certain quartet. Juliana Roadsmith, Paldean champion, trainer of Miraidon, and mad scientist extraordinaire, seeks to make him regret the decision.
Comments: A hilarious post-game chatfic for the Area Zero gang, featuring psychedelic drool, a chaotic found family, and a gremlin of a mad scientist.

Hoenn League: A Brendan and May Adventure by Breezy

Recommended by: Assassin, Poptard
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Adaptation from the Ru/Sa/Em games. After moving to Hoenn, May finds herself pulled into the world of Pokemon battles on an adventure with a frustrating white-haired boy named Brendan and his slow-witted Mudkip, Muddy as they go on the Pokemon League Challenge.
Comments: A humorous and all around entertaining long-running fic, it may have been one of the first fics to have Pokemon "translations" done successfully.

Hyphen by Dermonster

Tropes page here.
Recommended by: Archeo Lumiere, Svn 01, Mitis
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: After evading capture on Hoenn route 102, a curious Ralts picks up a discarded pokeball. Curiosity is a dangerous beast indeed, and infiltrating the human world is no less risky. But for the sake of her home and her inquisitiveness, she will do whatever it takes to rise above the stars.
Comments: This fic is a bit slow going but features art from Dexexe1234 of Terrene Spire fame, it follows an idealistic Ralts in her adventures in the Pokémon world.
Tags: Alternate Universe

The Kalos Chronicles by SDproductions

Recommended by: Audinary
Status: Dead (discontinued)
Pairings: Multiple; author deliberately refuses to state whether main focus is Calem/Serena or Calem/Shauna
Synopsis: Traversing Kalos? Easy. Becoming a Champion? Easier. Dealing with your ragtag group of friends, including two girls who have the hots for you, and a Pokemon who knows more about you and your journey than he's letting on? Well, easy or not, Calem will have to face all that and more, in this epic tale of adventure, coming-of-age, friendship, and romantic hijinks. Hilarity ensues. TL;DR: Pokémon X/Y meets a RomCom.
Comments: While by no means expertly-written, The Kalos Chronicles is a light-hearted novelization of Pokémon X/Y, taking the romantic subplot hinted at in-game to its not-so-logical conclusion. What follows is one of the most hilarious reads this troper has ever had the pleasure of reading. Furthermore, it's one of the first Gen VI fics on this site, and it's both faithful to the canonical material, and delightfully AU without diverging too far. Yikes; it's so hard to write this without sounding like an utter fanboy.

A Lily Blossoms In Kanto by Born of Prayers

Recommended by: Leid, Paradoxic
Status: Dormant (last updated May 2021)
Summary: Lillie's adventure in Kanto to become a Pokémon trainer begins with an attempted kidnapping in the Sevii Islands while reconnecting with her mother, Lusamine. Not the best start, but she's still determined to become a great trainer even as things left in Alola start following her into the wider world and a new villainous organization sets its eyes on them.
Comments: A post-Sun and Moon fanfic following the events of the first games, it divides the story between Lillie and Lusamine in Kanto, while the MC, Guzma, and Plumeria get their chance to shine in Alola.
- One of the strongest exercises in characterisation I've ever seen. The author does a good job of fleshing out canonical characters, providing not only extra depth to major characters such as Lillie and Lusamine, but also comparatively minor characters such as Ilima and Kahili. Lillie's Journey as a trainer is compelling - the author has her catch some relatively less-used Pokemon, and every victory she achieves is one that she had to work for. Another thing that makes this story so well-done is how the story handles Lusamine as The Atoner. The author makes no bones about the lasting impact that her actions had on herself and the people around her. The portrayal of Lusamine trying to become a better person - even if she still has some ways to go - and the aftereffects of the neurotoxins on her physical and mental health were also extremely well-executed.

oh, all the echoes in my mind cry by Hope Storyteller

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Complete
Synopsis:

"I don't have a poketch," Cynthia says.

Barry stares. So does Dawn.

"Uh... you're wearing one," Dawn points out.

—

A novelization of a playthrough of Pokemon Platinum, with some... minor changes.

Dawn and any others coming arrive late to the Spear Pillar. Cynthia arrives early. This would go fine if Cyrus didn't decide to leverage the power of not one but two gods to deal with her, sending Cynthia hurtling a year back in time—with full knowledge of what's going to happen, none of her pokemon, and another version of herself running around that absolutely cannot, under any circumstances, find out what happens early.

Oh, and that Buneary has a knife for some reason. That might be more concerning than the time travel and the whole impending doom thing.

Pokémon: Crimson by ABBryant

Recommended by: lindabhair
Status: Dead (last updated May 2012)
Synopsis: from ffn: "Twins Hilbert and Hilda Henderson have a dead father and a still grieving mother. N has hopes, but no agency. Bianca Jones has a papa so strict she wants to be free. Cheren Shiro has dreams of championship and no brains. They all have a story to tell."
Comments: It's a retelling of Black and White with both Hilbert and Hilda and has a point of view that rotates between them, Bianca and Cheren. I started reading this as a short thing to pass the time since it was pretty short. Now I'm checking every day to see if it has updated. It was just okay for a while but then it really got going when Cheren died and Bianca decided to join Team Plasma.
Tags: Killed Off for Real, Alternate Character Interpretation

Pokemon Gray by Blu Rose

Recommended by: raptyr
Status: Dead (last updated July 2019)
Pairings: None so far, though hints of White/N
Synopsis: White understands Pokemon, but an incident left her with a crippling fear of them. Now she's on a journey with her brother Black to overcome it. But how can she while clashing with Team Plasma and the odd N?
Comments: An interesting take on Pokemon Black and White. Great character interaction, mainly an upbeat story, but at times serious and sad. White does seem to get over her fear of pokemon a bit quickly,aside from ghost types, who still give her plenty of trouble, but it's a minor nitpick. The characters are kept in-character, and it does a good job of being a good story without trying too hard to be so. YMMV on a few points, but definitely worth a read.
- RN 452: I recommend this fanfic but with a warning: the premise of this fic is really interesting, with White having to deal with her fear of Pokémon. However, after Victini is introduced, you can almost hear the trainwreck. However, after that, when Victini isn't present, the fic returns to its quality.

Pokémon Johto - The Funne Version!!! by Soujiro Mafuné

Recommended by: Genocide Heart
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: A novelization of the second generation of Pokémon games, with focus on comedy and Alternative Interpretations of characters, based on the many canons of the setting. Follow Kenta Seliro as he tries to survive in the Johto Region, while being forced to be a Pokémon trainer against his will and dealing with insane Pokémon and his own friends. Currently over forty chapters long and counting!
Comments: It's a fun fanfic, and I found myself smiling and laughing more than a few times as I read it. I suppose you could call it comedic drama... or is it dramatic comedy? Either way, it was good enough to link for me. Your mileage, of course, may vary, but give it a try if you are looking for a few laughs.
- While it does have a few mishaps here and there, such as the unfunny pre-chapter/post-chapter attempts at comedy and part of the Violet City Arc, the actual chapters are solid gold in comedy, with at least one funny per chapter. As for the characters, they're fairly unique overall, and stereotypes are constantly played with and made fun of.

Pokemon Radiant Sun by FlygonNick

Recommended by: junodagger
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: A novelization of Pokémon Sun. After moving to Alola from the Kanto region, an 11-year old boy is immediately sent on a crash course in local culture through the Island Challenge, a unique rite of passage amongst Trainers in Alola. Join our newest hero, Sun, as he meets new friends and encounters exotic new Pokémon…even those from another world
Pairings: Sun/Lillie
Comments: Warning: This novelization deals with heavy subjects and isn't as light-hearted as the games are. The main character, Sun, is based on his default appearance in the beginning of the game. In addition to the characters from the games, OCs from the author's previous fanfictions and other characters from the Unova Region, Flygon Nick also brings in Cipher from Colosseum and Gale of Darkness as they are taking over the Kanto region, where Sun was from originally. The author's also paints Team Skull in a more sympathetic light through the eyes of a trainer who has their starter Pokemon killed during a trial.

Penny Saves Paldea by Rowanand Katrina

Recommended by: LavenderTownsGhost
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: You know how Scarlet and Violet have their fair share of glitches? Imagine all those glitches being canon and a sign that Paldea is being erased from reality. Penny and Team Star are seemingly the only ones to notice that these 'anomalies' are connected, so it's up to them to try and stop them.

The Retelling of Pokemon Colosseum by Bob And Bill

Status: Complete
Recommended by: Treeckosawesomeness
Synopsis: A retelling of the first Pokemon game to take place in Orre. As a comedic take on the generally Darker and Edgier entry in the Pokemon series, it explains what is left out in the games. Contains minor Wes X Rui shipping.
Comments: Absolutely hilarious. The humor Bob And Bill shows is enjoyable for anyone who likes a good laugh.

Rival's Story by Gastly's Mama

Alternate Link
Recommended by: Sith Droideka 2
Status: Complete
Synopsis: This is the story of FRLG/RGBY from the point of view of your rival, Blue. It chronicles his quest to beat his hated rival Red and become champion. It also explains many elements from the original games, such as the man on the roof glitch, what happened to Blue's Raticate, and how Red got his Espeon.
Comments: Rival's Story is phenomenal. The plot is excellent, and even more importantly it manages to somehow make you hate Red (from Blue's point of view), at least until the end. An excellent story for any Blue fans, and an excellent story overall. Also features many excellent battles, such as Giovanni and Sabrina. Recently completed, with 100 chapters. Also a bit out of line with HGSS canon, but it was planned before then.

The Road to Champion by The Universal Gamer

Recommended by: maistero
Status: Dead (last updated November 2019)
Synopsis: The road to champion is a long and harsh journey for those who seek it, but it is rewarding for the few who make it to the top. Follow the story of Ethan Rider, prodigy of New Bark Town, as he journeys through the Johto region to become the best there is with his faithful Abra by his side. Mainly follows the storyline of the games.
Comments: This story is absolutely fantastic. With a likable protagonist, artfully crafted characters, and beautifully depicted battles, this story mixes the charm of Pokemon with a realistic, developed world of the Johto region. It starts off a bit slow with Ethan building his team and the story mostly following the game timeline, but then the story quickly takes off shortly afterwards, turning into more of an AU than a simple canonical retelling. Added bonus: this story isn't about another Red/Ash, but an unexplored Ethan/Gold.

Speak Up by Mya_Latti.

Recommended by: Faislittlewhiteraven, Hedgi Firechick12012
Status: Complete
Synopsis: So after about four months of tests, the doctor had confirmed to his mother what was wrong with Red. "Your child is mute," This follows the storyline of the Generation I games.
Comments: Of the many great fanfics out there that follow Gen 1 hero Red, and explore the effects his journey have on him, this fic stands out from the crowd by focusing on an aspect of Red Fanon that many writers avoid mentioning as anything more than a character trait: his apparent inability to speak. While the fic has a few irritating things, such as OCs, Red never remembering to carry a notepad and a pen even after thinking of it and one or two moments of Fridge Logic regarding how visable sign langauge could actually be during battle, the fic more than makes up for them with its inspiring messages and in-depth character exploration of both Red and his childhood friend-turned rival. A must read for any Gen 1 fan.
- This is one of my favorite stories. Red might be Mute, but his 'voice', so to speak, is wonderful. It spans Crowning Moments of Awesome, Funny and Heartwarming, and just feels so good. ~ Hedgi
- This is one of my favorite fan fics. I like it so much, I just made a TV Tropes page for it!

The Thinking Man's Guide to Destroying the World by Cutlerine

Recommended by: Tropers/dogfish_in_paris
Status: Complete
Synopsis: "This is a story based around the Pokemon Emerald game, where you follow Kester Ruby as he goes through the plot of Emerald, with a few add-ons and twists."

[[reviews:TheThinkingMansGuideToDestroyingTheWorld]]

Guides and Pokedex

A Beginner's Guide to Pokémon by Thanos 6

Reccomended by: GG Crono, Poptard, Umbee
Status: Dead (original version discontinued August 2018; rewrite not published)
Summary: An in-universe "field guide" to Pokémon, written by a snarky and slightly eccentric Professor. In-progress.
Comments: Highly entertaining. It draws from pretty much every Pokémon-related media to present a book of the sort that might be purchased by a neophyte trainer, looking to give "real world" (so to speak) explanations for most of the gameplay mechanics. The author (that is, of the book) is prone to witty asides and tongue-in-cheek commentary. Currently finished are all the chapters on the basics of training. The author (of the fanfic now) is now setting out to write an encyclopedic entry on every single Pokémon. Yeah, you heard me.
- Seconded by Riti Troll. But the reason why I like it is actually not the information and thought given to make it seem like a plausable world (Such as being able to buy stones from Ads, or changing "Trading" to "Interaction" with trading being merely the easiest way of getting it.) But actually all the hilarious punny names given to the "Further Reading" books and professors (such as I Knew You'd Read This Book by Tetsuo Xavier.) I think those are worth the price of admission if nothing else is. (But a lot of the unproffesionalisms are also awesome.)

Beginning Trainer's Guide to Pokémon by Chencheya

Recommended by: CAD, Umbee, Poptard
Status: Dead (discontinued)
Synopsis: A very different and interesting type of fanfic, this one attempts to write a Pokédex of sorts, taking several Pokémon and explaining their behavior and physiology, making them seem as realistic as possible.
Comments: It's Fanon at its best, and very addicting to read.

The Extended Unova Pokémon Guide by the Gentleman Xerneas

Trope page here
Recommended by: The Pie Kid
Status: Dead (last updated June 2014)
Synopsis: An incredibly well-detailed Pokemon guide for the Pokemon native to Unova. Detailing how to bond, care for and battle with the Pokemon.
Comments: This guide is incredibly well written, combining amazing fresh new looks on the world of Pokemon, combined with humid and likable guide. The Extended Unova Pokemon Guide is definitely worth a read.

The Natural History of Pokémon by Shadow Wasserson

Recommended by: Dialga X, Lymantria
Status: Dead (last updated September 2013)
Synopsis: Imagine a field guide to a realistic Pokémon universe.
Comments: It is a field guide to a realistic Pokémon universe. The author clearly has a solid grasp of real-world biology and maanges to work it into Pokémon world. It should be noted that the universe is neither game nor anime nor manga; it is a hybrid of all of them coupled with Real Life.

Pokedex by Birdboy

Recommended by: KrspaceT
Status: Complete (for now)
Summary: A drabble collection of the sort of pokemon world lore you might find in an expanded version of the pokedex.
Comments, while the chapters are short, they read like actual Pokedex entries and are so detailed in thought, depth delving and introspective that you are touched, horrified, amused, ect by them. But what makes this story really stand out is the sheer amount of entries; so far 538 Entires have been complete, despite a somewhat lack of reviews to perk the guy up as he goes along. However, this story deserves a read through by any Pokemon Fan, and updates quite often, so go read it and review.
- Now has a side story on Alola - Alola Edition (Complete)

PokéPlanet: Pokémon Documentaries by AnimalKrazed and UnderSeaWings

Recommended by: towerator
Status: Ongoing
Summary: A series of one-shot documentaries inspired by Animal Planet, but set in the Pokémon world.
Comments: An enjoyable read that shows the author did its research, and the transpositions of the interactions of pokémons into a more realistic setting makes them feel like real creatures in a lively world. The styles also vary from chapter to chapter, from on-going studies to in-universe docufiction.

Self-Insert/OC-Insert/Transmigration

Also-Ran by Klonoa Dreams

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Dormant (last updated June 2021)
Synopsis: You know you're off to a great start in the Pokemon world when you wake up in a weird forest filled with glowing shrooms, only to find yourself being fed mashed berries by Audino's goth gf, who then promptly protects you from Vibe Check the Pokemon. Welcome to the Galar Region. SI OC
Note: Can be found on AO3 here.

Borne of Caution by Fuggman

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000, Mitis
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: An irritated Pokemon might tell you to stop what you're doing. An irritated animal will probably just attack you. Pokemon, for all their power, would be open books and a breeze to care for to any competent animal handler on Earth. After a fiery death, a professional zookeeper who never outgrew Pokemon games ends up in the world of Pokemon. The entire world is thrown onto it's side.
Comments: I can't recommend this one. It seems to start off strong, but then it devolves into some really weird territory. Either the main character is going to end up with someone underage (he's still an older guy when he transmigrates) in a relationship that wouldn't be legal in most countries in our world, or he's going to enter a romantic relationship with his Ninetales. Maybe I'm wrong and neither will happen, but be warned there are a lot of shipping hints for both that can feel a bit creepy.
Thankfully this does not happen and the author has confirmed will not happen.
Notes: Can be found on AO3 here.

Do Ya Feel Lucky Punk by rennan

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: Welcome to the sh#t show. Craving a burrito was my doom, apparently. Now I'm in a new world full of super powered monsters, untold potential chaos, and an odd lack of adult supervision. So sit down, relax, and enjoy my fumbling attempts at pokemon training as I travel across Sinnoh in search of fame and glory. OC-SI

Dreaming of Family by Gildenth

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Dormant (last updated July 2021)
Synopsis: A lazy gamer chooses to defy Fate. As a reward for being more than they could be, Fate gives them a boon or two. Where better than to be reborn than in the Pokémon world? Mostly the anime with some au aspects. Journal style from the OC and their pokémon. Introspective for the most part. Mature for language/safety. Starts in Blackthorn ten years before Ash is born. Slight genderswap

Fairy Guardian by BANIX

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: Not everyone is a protagonist. Not everyone comes falling into a new reality as a protagonist with accurate knowledge and memory on what is going to happen next. What people don't realise is that supporting characters are equally important as well and they are the protagonist in their own story. This is the story of a supporting character, the story of one who protects.
Notes: Part of Banix's Seven Sages verse.

Four Paws by destinedjagold

Recommended by: Snowy66
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A two-legged human creature suddenly woke up as a fictional creature on four paws, and must travel this new yet familiar world as he tries to find a way back home. Join him in his quest with other PKMN friends as he makes every boring dead air into something to talk about...at least he tries to.
Comments: Has what could have been a very ordinary, uninteresting setting, but ends up being so engaging due to how well written it is. The main character is a snarky human turned Eevee who provides hilarious first-person narrations, as he adjusts to his new body and strange world, all the while trying to find his way home. The supporting protagonists are all so likable, with a bubbly Genki Girl Rattata providing comic relief, a grumpy snarky Pikachu who's Vitriolic Best Buds with the main character, a calm level-headed Bulbasaur who's the Only Sane Man, and a sweet lovable Vulpix who has a budding crush on the main character in a very well written ship.

Histories of the Earth by BANIX

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: To use logical and rational reasoning to view facts in an objective and unbiased manner, that is the thinking expected from a historian. To observe, record, analyse, and interpret what had happened, that is the job of a historian. To find out the truth of all myths and legends, that is my dream as a historian. I, Nova Labelle, am a historian. (Reincarnated OC)
Notes: Part of Banix's Seven Sages verse.

I Just Want To Travel The World by BANIX

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: I had everything I wanted in my second life. A loving family and a team of wonderful pokemon. I did not ask to get involved with crime syndicates or get caught in government politics. I just want to travel the world. Reincarnated OC.
Notes: Part of Banix's Seven Sages verse.

Infamous by SilverBlader

Recommended by: Jagellion
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: Being a calculating guy, Ben Bowen had a plan to stream videos, go viral, get famous, make money, and pay for his college degree. What he didn't account for was that he would become infamous in more ways than one. One bad day leads to another and before long he wakes up in Sinnoh as the insufferable son of Professor Rowan. Thankfully, he could definitely work with this. (SI-OC fic)
Comments: The writing quality is higher here than I've found for most SI stories, and the main character actually feels like a real person. It's fast-paced too without sacrificing depth. The only downside is the slow update speed.

Master Of Steel by Ice Neo 2

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Hiatus (last updated July 2019)
Synopsis: From one life to another join Solaire, his faithful Pokemon and companion in his journey to become a Master of Steel. SI/May Pairing

Ordinary Researcher by BANIX

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Dormant (last updated July 2021)
Synopsis: My name is Xavier, a beheeyem. My trainer, Shannon Juniper, is many things. A brilliant researcher, a loving trainer, a clumsy idiot, just to list a few. She is so ordinary yet special. Although she could really make an effort to not get into trouble all the time. But as her pokemon, it is up to me to ensure she gets out of the troubles she found herself in unscathed. Right?
Notes: Part of Banix's Seven Sages verse.

A Path Stained Red by Lady Alstreim

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Dead (last updated December 2019)
Synopsis: Reincarnation wasn't something I expected, but I certainly wasn't complaining. Great mothers, psychic powers, a great older sister, really, on balance this new life was great. The fact that I also get to be a living legend of the Pokemon world was really just gravy. Semi-SI genderbent Red

Reach for the Skies by BANIX

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: To protect the delicate peace between human and pokemon, that is my job. To fly free and unhindered in the skies, that is my dream. I am a Ranger of the 1st Ranger Regiment of the Johto Ranger Force, and you can be damn sure that I am good in my job. (Reincarnated OC)
Notes: Part of Banix's Seven Sages verse.

Rocket's Exterminator by BANIX

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: To borrow a quote I remember from my previous life, "I'm the best there is at what I do, but what I do isn't very nice". Right or wrong. Good or evil. None of that matter. I am the Rocket's Exterminator; it is my job to exterminate any and all threats to the organisation. But what I truly want, is to exterminate Team Rocket themselves. For that, I will wait. (Reincarnated OC)
Notes: Part of Banix's Seven Sages verse.

Pokémon: Storm Clouds and Storm Clouds II by deeman45.

Recommended by: Tropers/Leliel
Status: Complete and Dead (last updated July 2013)
Synopsis: A twist on the old Trapped in TV Land plot where a nerd named Dan and his wannabe girlfriend Missy get zapped into a game of LeafGreen. The twist? It seems the Pokemon universe is a bit more realistic than seen in the games, and the process causes Missy to mutate into an Eevee (the title referring to her pelt color), and Dan is oblivious to his friend's plight, given that she loses her ability to speak English in the process.
Comments: Both a funny and insightful look into the life of the Pokemon world, as well as the gradual revelation the Dan has about what Pokemon would be like in Real Life, and Missy gradually coming to accept her being about a foot tall and having a tail bigger then she is.

The Sun of Sunyshore by BANIX

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Dormant (last updated July 2021)
Synopsis: I didn't ask to be a Gym Leader, but I somehow found myself as one. Damn it, Flint. THIS is all your fault! I want to resign! I WANT TO RESIGN! SOMEONE, SACK ME! (Reincarnated OC as Volkner)
Notes: Part of Banix's Seven Sages verse.
Comments: Jagellion here. I actually wouldn't recommend this fanfic. Its main character is unendearing and the plot is nonsensical. There are much better SI fics out there to spend your time on.

Y'know Nothing Jon Snow! by Umodin

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Dead (discontinued)
Synopsis: Y'know, I never realized how much the phrase about life giving you lemons resonated with me until all of this malarkey happened. I should be dead. Instead, I was dropped into the world of Pokémon, turned into a nine-year-old that looked nothing like I used to. To not take advantage of this supernatural opportunity was just stupid, however. And so, I became a trainer. OC-SI

Expansion fic (of canon characters)

Collateral by LunaKat

Recommended by: Nouct
Status: Complete
Synopsis: There's a reason [Touya] never came back to Unova.

The Girl Who Knows the Hearts of Dragons by Gotpika

Recommended by: Kairyu
Status: Dead (last updated April 2013)
Summary: Iris, resident of the Village of Dragons, meets a man named Drayden one day. She is taken under the mentorship of the strong trainer. How will the story of the young apprentice and teacher unfold? An Expansion fic. on Iris from the Pokémon Black & White game series.
Comments: It's quite a nicely knit story so far that tells about how Iris met, or more so will meet, Drayden and her roots and all that jazz. You can tell quite a bit of effort has been put into crafting the story since I found the first chapter to be pretty engrossing. I hardly run into many quality Expansion fics. on Gym Leaders so I gave this one a try and I like it. I recommend that anyone give it a chance. The dialogue is good, the description is good as well. Not flowery or too wordy thankfully which made reading it feel like a treat. Realistic portrayal of canon characters, and nice dynamic overall.

Heart of the Magma by purple-drake.

Recommended by: 2writeis2life
Status: Complete
Synopsis: "There was a time when Team Magma worked for the good of the pokémon world. When they were ruled by reason and not madness. When they had in their care the daughter of their leader, a little girl who represented hopes and dreams... and fears..."
Comments: Basically a story about Maxie's family and his relationship to his subordinates, as well as the reason why he wants to expand the landmass in the first place. The author has a knack for details and dialogue that really help to bring each and every character to life- the Magma admins each have personalities of their very own and Maxie's daughter actually feels like a ten-year-old kid. Maxie's role in the story is fairly minor, actually, but he's there for the most important parts- and very much The Woobie, which is an interesting way of looking at him, but it all works.
Also has a sequel, Choice and Consequence (Dead; last updated June 2019) and a side-story, Brother My Brother (Complete))

Predators by Arctic Banana

Recommended by: fruitstripegum
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Wimpod was a weak and pathetic pokemon that existed only to be food for someone bigger. Guzma was just a kid with no friends from an abusive home. Both had something to fear from predators who wanted to hurt them. Maybe one of them could do something about it...

Reading Between the Lines by The Light's Refrain

Recommended by: TheTroperOutOfSpace
Status: Complete
Synopsis: "Words can mean many things. Sometimes you have to dive in deeper to find their true meaning, and the truth about the person themselves. A three-part drabble/short story series on the Gym Leaders, Partners, and Elite of Sinnoh."
Comments: A must-read for those who are interested in the lives and goings-on of supporting or background characters. Even with so little to go on in the canon game material, everyone feels wonderfully in character. This series of light drabbles has a sense of humor and fun and just as much heart and soul.

Seeker of Heaven by Ysavvryl

Recommended by: hoodie361
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A study of happiness and life as seen by one Zubat. Break through the sky.
Comments: A look at why and how Cyrus would have a crobat, told from the perspective of his zubat, Seeker.

Silver Bird by Saphruikan

Recommended by: Kitsunemask
Status: Dead (last updated May 18th 2018)
Synopsis: In which a boy steals a beast, and they teach each other how to live. The story of Gladion and his Type: Null. Sun/Moon spoilers.
Comments: A truly beautiful fanfic that depicts Gladion's relationship to Type: Null and their journey of learning to trust each other. The author's interpretation of Gladion's relationship to his signature Pokemon is really sweet and honestly quite creative. I feel like both Gladion and Type: Null are well-written characters that you can root for and this fanfic in particular really does change the perspective of their relationship.

Silver Clouds and Gray Linings by Ten-Faced

Recommended by: Azelf 2010; Argonian Lorekeeper
Status: Complete
Synopsis: After the events of the Delta Episode Zinnia attempts to leave her past behind and travels to the land of fairies. However, she cannot bring herself to lay her burdens down just yet.
Comments: This fic takes an incredibly nuanced approach in developing the character of Zinnia into a fully fleshed-out, sympathetic figure - a difficult task, considering her role in the games. Vignettes of a girl who embraces the responsibilities of motherhood are interspersed with anecdotes which illuminate the profound effects - both positive and negative - a senseless tragedy can have on the psyche. Moreover, Ten-Faced has crafted an exquisite work which transforms a character considered by many to be a deluded, slightly unstable anti-hero at best into a headstrong, selfless young woman who would do anything to ensure the well-being of her child - even if it comes at the ultimate price.

Pokemorphs

Mergers by Katrina S. Forest and RaptorRowan

Recommended by: lalalei2001
Status: Complete
Synopsis: When mergers were invented, they exploded in popularity. After all, who wouldn't want to have a smidgen of Pokémon DNA in their veins? To use their powers? To talk to them? But the process is delicate. More than 50% Pokémon DNA, and you're no longer human. You're a wild Pokémon, and any trainer can capture you and claim you as their own.
Now has a trope page.

Morphic by Dragonfree

Trope page here
Recommended by: Vapour, Umbee, Digi Flame, yiran, Happypants3
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Several scientists tried to make Pokemorphs (half-human, half-Pokemon) and succeed, but they're forced to keep them after an abortion debate. Few years later, the Pokemorphs become teenagers and... this summary does not do the story justice.
Comments: A nice Deconstruction of Pokemorph stories and a good read after quite a few Pokemorphics.
- Seconded with joy. Quite possibly the best Pokemon fanfiction I've ever read.
- yiran: An interesting topic made realistic. It is a very good read in general, with excellent characterisation as well as a well-made plot. There are minor issues I have, such as the over-realistic society, but that is me being opinionated. Chances are, you will enjoy this fanfiction greatly. (It also doesn't use much as much of your time like the other massive pieces.) Strongly recommended.
- Flygon The Great: I honestly can't recommend this. It's like watching a car crash in slow motion, you know it's going to be bad but you can't look away. The characters are as sue-ish as one can get, the plot is weak and cliche and the ending tries to be as edgy as possible. Don't get me started on the "Dave and Mia" series... Dave is an alcoholic who tries to be as much of a jerkass as possible while being forced into several incredibly awkward situations with a bitchy, psychopathic half-scyther named Mia. It's a wonder why this thing was even written or why I used to like it, it's just downright horrible in every way. Don't read it.

POKEMORFZ by stupidfic

Recommended by: Miff The Fox, Poptard
Status: Complete
Synopsis: An Affectionate Parody of pokemorph fanfiction. Team Crazy kidnaps six teens and turns them into Pokemon hybrids (including one hedgehog hybrid).
Comments: Crack Fic, but the good kind. Finished.

Trope page here
Recommended by: 1810072342.
Status: Dead (discontinued)
Synopsis: Due to events a long time ago, people around the world find themselves transforming into Pokemon. They have to live in secret underground bases to prevent humans going insane about the discovery (this takes place in the real world, and not even a fictional version), and the Pokextinction movement wants them wiped out.
Comments: A fully developed story which inspired a group of continuation stories on the same concept and an entire group on the website, with a community and group events. The story itself is well-written and entertaining, especially if you want something outside the usual fanfic stuff. It may well be interesting as an exercise in seeing how an idea done well enough can prompt a reaction of that kind, or even of artist development (the story quality picks improves considerably as time goes on, although it's not exactly terrible to begin with). All in all, worth a look if you want a Pokemon story that you'll probably never have seen the same kind of before.

A.C.X. – WARPED by Project-Phoenix

Recommended by: mcb01932, seconded by Tangent128
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Quoted right from his profile: "Enter the life of nearly 17-year old Robert Fierro. He is your typical high-school sophomore loser, troubled with bullies and insincere girlfriends, as well as a dysfunctional family. He just wants a break from his life, and when a girl he thought liked him puts him aside for someone she thinks has a better sense of "adventure" he asks for that too. But soon things for him take a startling turn. He suddenly finds himself with everything he had asked for... And it turns out that it isn't exactly what he had in mind. He quickly finds himself in an unfamiliar world and an even more awkward situation. Soon, he's on the run from a terrorist organization that he's supposed to be fighting, and finding himself in near-death situations every time he turns around. Going back to his old life no longer appears to be an option and he's not quite himself anymore either..."
Comments: This is not your average everyday fanfic. The only element that ties it to Pokémon is the fact that there are Pokémon in it. Other than that, it's completely original...and I never thought I'd use the words original and fanfic in the same sentence.
- Tangent128: As of late September '10, it is being reposted in revised form on the author's new account with a M-W-F schedule.

After Armageddon by mangaluva

Recommended by: redgyarados
Status: Complete
Summary: "Saylee wants to find her brother and protect her town, and to that end teams up with Chaz the Charmander. Chaz, too, wants to know something- just what exactly happened to Kanto since he was last out of his Pokeball? Based on my FR Nuzlocke run."
Comments: Post-apocalyptic. It's very well written. It's a bit darker than your typical fic, but it's done quite well, and really builds up the mystery about what happened to Kanto. The apparently better written version is here

Bare and Legacy by Giovannix Seren.

Recommended by: Crazy Mango Fangirl
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Bare goes into how Giovanni and Madame Boss's relationship...or, rather, what she may have done that turned him evil. Narrated by his OC wife, Seren, with a bit of sweetness to counter some of the grit. Regarded as one of the author's best. Legacy: After Domino and one of his sons have a boy and name the kid after him, Giovanni thinks about what it will mean for the child.
Comments: A lot of the stories are good, but GxS does mention not wanting people to read her Ice prompt since it is no longer in her canon (extended anime). This troper (Crazy Mango Fangirl) emailed the authoress, and she has stated that the events in Bare will be elaborated on (like at the end When Seren kills the assassin) and also that there will be a few more gritty fics to come (one having the aftermath (or possibly the scene) of MB torturing Giovanni when he's young. Another has him flashing back to the event that precipitated Bare, and having to help Silver deal with his own demons as well.)

Bea-ing A Sister by Sketchione

Recommended by: The Witchfinder
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A series of one shots focusing around Bea and her adoptive brother Allister. They're not perfect and don't always get along (what siblings do?), but they try their best with one another and work towards understanding. No matter what, they'll always be siblings after all.
Comment: An amazing take on the "Bea and Allister are siblings" headcanon. Very well-written slice-of-life that takes a more fantastical edge later on.

Between Heroes and Monsters by Jack Nex (now called The Puppeteer’s Ghost)

Recommended by: Lord Veres
Status: Dead (discontinued)
Synopsis: When a disaster heralds the arrival of a new evil in the land, one Absol must rise up to defeat it. With the help of his trainer and his friends, he must find the strength to vanquish enemies both human and pokémon and finally face the evil within himself.
Comments: A dark and plot-focused story with an original and diverse cast of well written original characters and a lot of humour throughout. Written from the first-person perspective of the main characters, the narrative and description are a joy to read. Some moderate violence and foul language.
Note: The original story has been erased along with everything else on the author’s profile; the link above leads to an archived version of the story.

Black Adventures by Black

Recommended by: diamonddmgirl, Trivialato, StarWaltz, Syrika
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Black (based off the male player character from Pokémon Black & White) gets a MissingNo. as a starter Pokémon. Then N decides to follow him around. Together they rescue gym leaders from Brainwashed and Crazy pokemon. Has a lot of Ho Yay between Black and N, as well as some Black/White and Black/Arti stuff. And major divergances from canon.
Comments: Trivialato: Quite the interesting and humourous webcomic. Though it mainly operates on Rule of Funny due to its roots in 4Chan, their plot is actually quite coherent, with a large amount of Character Development, Magical Girl theming, and several metric TONS of Ship Tease and bisexuality. In most cases, this would make for a bad fanfic, yet this girl ends up creating something that would appeal to anyone's sense of humour, sexuality, or choice of genre. So much, actually, that it has its own on-site fanbase, as well as its own topic.
Syrika: By the end of the story, Black Adventures matures up a surprising amount, considering its start, but it's still really really funny and creative. The ending manages to make the whole fic feel like it was leading up to something a lot bigger and grander than it first appeared. The characters are a high point, too!
Tags: Humor

The Bond of Aura by Aura Channeler Chris

Recommended by: daragionthegreat
Status: Dead (last updated November 2020)
Synopsis: A teenager named Chris struggles to live a hard life where he has to live for himself. Just as things were bad enough for him, he has a mysterious encounter with a Lucario. Chris now has to take care of the curious Pokémon while living together with him.
Comments: This story was quite bad before since it's rewritten, but the new version easily outmatches the old version. It's a beautiful story that involves a real life teen and a mysterious Lucario. The interactions between Chris and Lucario range from being sad to very funny. Chris is a solitary teen who goes through some kind of Parental Abandonment yet is a Lonely Rich Kid of sorts. Lucario, for reasons explained in the sequel called The Subspace Emissary's Worlds Conquest, is not normal, as he's got Herculean strength and is as big as a normal Mewtwo, but deep inside he's a very understanding person. Each chapter involves some kind of human lessons applied on Lucario, like for example having him play Wii Sports or learn how to read. Funnily enough, it's also a cute and heartwarming story with quite a few fluffy moments. Definitely a must read. For those who wish to see more of them, the Door Stopper that is the sequel should be a very fine addition.

The Bonds That Break by Blueysicle

Recommended by: Loffyglu
Status: Dead (last updated August 2010)
Synopsis: Five years before the events of 'Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness'', a prominent Admin of the Cipher syndicate, Eldes, was forced by Greevil to fake his own death in order to cease his involvement with the Purification Chamber's development and to strengthen his focus on Cipher. Six years later, Eldes is given an opportunity to revisit his old family and rekindle the bonds that were broken after his "death." But when their memories of him have been stripped by Haunters sent out by Greevil after they received news of his supposed passing, and when they see him as nothing more than a diabolical ex-Cipher Admin, can he succeed in reaching out to them?
Pairing(s): Very mild Trudly x Folly once a subplot about Miror B. and his cohorts develops (this pairing probably wouldn't even register if you weren't looking for it, though); considering Eldes's former role as Lily's husband, there's of course some Eldes x Lily (one-sided after Eldes sees her after his "death," of course).
Comments: Few Pokémon Colosseum/XD fanfics seem to exist on the Internet, but it's good to know that TBTB, one of those few, is a fantastic read for any fan of the Orre games. Bluey takes an idea that's borderline Wild Mass Guessing material and actually makes it seem very plausible, in addition to doing wonders as far as character development goes (which is quite an accomplishment when the games give relatively little to work from, especially concerning Silent Protagonist Michael's character). There are, in the beginning, a few instances of grammatical errors, but these are generally mild and fade overtime. Also of note is that, while Eldes is the focus of the majority of the fanfic, other characters eventually come into play; notably, Trudly and Folly begin to take much of the spotlight as time goes on.

break me gently for i am small and the world is large by Seito

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Sometimes Red wishes he could descend from the mountain. His mother worries, he knows that. There is little he can do to settle her fears, but he cannot leave.(He’s not strong enough. Never strong enough.) “How long are you going to be up here, Red?” Blue asks. -.-.- Or the consequences of meeting legendaries

Canon Rape by Bittersweet Romanticide

Recommended by: Gattsuru, Seconded by Umbee, Pykrete, Poptard
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Essentially dozens of pages detailing where Word of Dante and Fanon has been preemptively Jossed, drawn as parody or satire.
Comments: Sets itself apart by simply putting forward well-written one-shots where the problem ends up blinking you in the face, often enough to earn loud laughter. While there are a few pages where the canon conflict is partially due to the author's own Word of Dante viewpoint, it's well worth it to finally have someone point out that chlorine and sea animals are not the best combination, or smacking around a Sue. Finished
- Pykrete: I second not only this, but most of BSR's repertoire. She does a great job of keeping everyone in character and exploiting a wide range of Emotional Torque when she's not busy being hilarious. It's a little odd to note some of her earlier works are guilty of a couple things she rails on in Canon Rape (and are still good — go figure), which is a marked sign of a growing writer getting better as she goes.

A Champion's Story by Warenscape the Squishy

Recommended by: Etriax
Status: Complete
Synopsis: "Eric Lombardi, the Pokémon Champion from the United States, has journeyed to the Sinnoh region to take on the Pokémon Champion there. But along the way, he discovers something that will change his life forever... For better or worse."
Comments: This fic is set in the Sinnoh region, assuming that Sinnoh is part of the geographical Earth we all know. Eric is just a teen who wants to try to be the best, but things just keep getting in his way. He also has a selection of pokémon that, while not the full six, does get the job done pretty well, both on and off the field of battle. There is a degree of OC/Gardevoir pairing in the story, as well as Gardevoir/Lucario, though at the time of recommendation, nothing major has happened there. The author seems to be trying extremely hard not to let his character become a Marty Sue/Gary Sue, but he has a clever sense of humor and is creative during battle sequences. He also has a knack for making things rather dark, especially in later chapters. If only he'd update more than once a month.

Clouded Sky by Negrek

Trope page here
Recommended by: wescotta, Rogue 7, Pykrete, antialiasis
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Shortly after being given a Murkrow as a starter, Tobias Talltree learns the truth about his region.
Comments: Similar to Xanthic Growlithe Contract, except less mind-screwy and far more likely to be finished. Aside from Pokémon Master (see below) and Writing of Wrongs (see: Final Fantasy VII) it is probably the best piece of fanfiction I have ever read. You should read it too.
- Rogue 7: A first impression-Very well written, and the new Pokémon created seem interesting, as does the trainer. I'm sure it gets better, but let me just go on record as saying that Murkrow, as a Pokémon, is awesome. Screw the "bad omen" stuff.
- Pykrete: Awesome. Characterization is great, the Pokémon he made up work well (Accemenla is pretty much awesome personified). I was going to say this looks like a Dead Fic but it seems the author updated just a few days ago after a year's hiatus, and I'm quite stoked.
- antialiasis: Heartily agreed. It has a compelling, interestingly realized setting, solid characters and the single most mind-blowingly twisty plot I have ever read - in a good way.
- This troper also agree. The hero was believable, the Pokémons have their own minds and their own quirks, and the pacing was not choppy at all. Not even after a long time skip. This fanfiction ranks as one of the best I have ever read in the Pokémon section, perhaps even better than Pedestal.

The Darkness Within by tracefan

Recommended by: Ultimatehaou
Status: Complete
Synopsis: The adventures of a sarcastic ex-Rocket Dragonair as he and a few friends are stalked by various factions, including a near-immortal phantom that tries to turn them against each other for his own purposes.
Comments: One of the few fics told from the Pokémons' points of view, it's a well-written arcing story line with plenty of unique characters and plot twists, being able to switch from hilarious to dead serious in a few pages. It's got over two hundred chapters now, but is currently undergoing a better written reboot here.
Update: The author has now canceled the rebooted version as well, due to a lack of interest in writing a story he already wrote for 3 years.

Ditto! Gary's Story by Poryhedron

Recommended by: Har D Har Koopa
Status: Dead (time of last update unknown)
Synopsis: This is the story of Gary (no not that one), a trainer from Pallet Town. His journey takes place many years after that of Red. Along the way he goes through similar challenges as the old champion did.
Comments: I haven't read this in a few years, but I plan on it again soon. This is a great version of the standard OC Trainer fic. The author is only going off of Gen 1. Not the anime, Special, or anything after Kanto. what he tries is to take the world of that one game, and make it make more sense. A great fic, probably my favorite Pokémon fic.

Dragon Days by Gastly's Mama.

Recommended by: cabrpi
Status: Hiatus (last updated August 2011)
Synopsis: During his youth, Lance of the Kanto Elite Four was saved from wannabe Team Rocket members by a wild (and vicious) Charizard. Inspired by this, he becomes a masked vigilante who targets the real Team Rocket, but his actions may have unintended ramifications. Eventually, he comes into conflict with a madman bent on revenge for a tragedy that occurred years beforehand.
Comments: Split into two different plots, the story of Dragon Days alternates between a young Lance and the older, more experienced Lance we see in the games. Both plots are woven together very tightly, and without one, the other would have no significance. Hot off his success with Rival's Story, Gastly's Mama has crafted a real thriller here. But be warned: this story is leagues more mature than Rival's Story. There's a good bit of violence and profanity, although it's tastefully done.

Dragon Master by Silvor Moon

Recommended by: fruitstripegum
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Aurora dreams of being a Dragon Master, but the forces arrayed against her are greater than she knows. With only a wannabe Pokemon researcher, a disgraced Rocket, and an abused Spearow for help, will she ever achieve her dream?
Comments: Has a sequel here, also Complete, and a one-shot side-story set after the sequel here.

Eldritch by Taurus Versant

Recommended by: Logic_Taunter
Status: Complete
Synopsis: There is a monster in the Alola Region. Her name is Moon and she is eleven years old.
Comments: Eldritch is an interesting take on the Sun and Moon Pokémon games where the trainers form powerful bonds with their Pokémon that allow the Pokémon to draw on their trainer's energy to become stronger, with the trainers who have more powerful and more Pokémon being forced to give up more energy to form and maintain those bonds. The story follows Moon, a new trainer in Alola who for reasons currently unknown is able to form these bonds without any drawbacks. The story will show her journey alongside Hau and Lillie, and has already gotten off to an impressive start.

Eon Fable by ScytheRider

Recommended by: Aqua Sableye
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: Eighteen Eevee kits learn to cope with change, and stop to wonder if they made the right decision. (Contains non-canon Eevee evolutions).
Comments: Eon Fable is a story that follows the paths of 18 Eevee as they each choose a separate evolution, one for each type. This includes non-canon eeveelutions, such as ghost, but the story has not progressed far enough for them to be shown just yet. But, moving on, the story follows each Eevee in the story as he or she learns of their new life that they must cope with when they each evolve. Structured with one story told per chapter in first-person perspective, there is always a lesson to be learned at the end of each chapter. The chapters not only discuss the elemental types with such mastery of detail and explanation but also apply the types to real-life lessons that are incredibly powerful. Highly recommended for those who wish to see a story that is filled with such raw emotion and can also teach such important morals to all of its readers.

The Fabric of Fate by Whozawhatcha

Status: Complete
Recommended by: fruitstripegum
Synopsis: He stood, as if he had been waiting all along, for another to make it this far. He sent me a cold glance, and without a word, he reached for a pokeball. Trembling, I swallowed my fear and did the same.

A Fear of Change by Diego Zeyon

Recommended by: Glacial Eidolon
Status: Dead (last updated March 2010)
Synopsis: A rebirth fanfic centered around the protagonist, Joshua, and his Trainer, Karen, along with a host of other major and minor characters, including a snarky Swablu, an energetic Furret, and Mew himself. Strikes a good balance between Lighter and Fluffier and Darker and Edgier, and is a touch more realistic in tone than many Pokémon fanfics.
Comments: There are a few rough patches here and there, but A Fear Of Change is in general a very good way to waste a few hours, as the world-building is excellent and the tone is realistic enough for a Pokémon fanfic to continually surprise you where you least expect it. Note that the story is some time or another going into revision, according to the author's profile. In the future, it could be even more improved, though the story isn't updating at the moment.

Final Gambit by Wolflyn

Recommended by: lalalei2001
Status: Complete
Synopsis: What if there was no intrepid young hero to save the day? In a reality where all that is left is to stare down the maw of death as Kyogre threatens to drown the world, the League and its trainers turn to desperate measures in Hoenn's final hours. Borrows from the manga-verse, alternate retelling of the game's climactic moment sans the player character, AU.

The First World Champion by IfTimeWasStill

Recommended by: Gazooki
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A SYOC fic based around the idea of sixteen elite Trainers being lured to a flashy tournament in Nimbasa City by a wealthy businessman seeking to test out a new invention. Of course not everything is as it seems. The whole fic is told from the perspective of Holly Wexler, a girl whose bizarre battling tactics confound and annoy many she faces, as she battles her way through the tournament and begins to unravel the mystery of the Battle Gears.
Comments: Nobody ever expects these OC fics to go well, but oh boy does this one deliver. If Time Was Still takes a bunch of characters from different people and somehow, even with the kind of corny-sounding setup, makes them all actual decent, fleshed out characters in their own right, from the alcoholic Irishman Thomas Byrne to the haughty Flourette Lauxand. The battles are also extremely well-written, taking things such as the environment around them into consideration and coming up with some unique ways to use certain moves that'll never come up in the games. The Endgame (as the author calls it) is also phenomenal and pretty much worth all the time spent reading what came before it. Well worth a look.

Floe Island: The Story of Jenny Flint by Bluejeanserenade

Recommended by: mysterynovelist2010
Status: Dead (last updated May 2013
Synopsis: Jenny Flint, resident of tiny Floe Island and daughter to Elite Four Lorelei, never had any desire to become a Pokemon trainer, but when she is kidnapped by notorious crime syndicate Team Rocket, her peaceful lifestyle is challenged. Does she have what it takes to save her island home?
Comments: Although a bit slow so far, Floe Island: The Story of Jenny Flint has a lot of potential as far as originality goes, as very few people in the Pokemon fandom have written about the lives of the Elite Four's family/children(and even fewer have pulled it off successfully). In this fanfic, we have Jenny Flint, who despite being the daughter of an Elite Four member, has no experience battling or even owning a Pokemon. But when she narrowly escapes Team Rocket's clutches, she finds herself branded as a criminal across Kanto. Now traveling with Pokemon Trainers Katie and Paul, Jenny will have to become a Trainer herself in order to reach the Indigo Plateau and thus her mother.

The Forbidden Trio: Sail to the Sky Dragon by MilleniumScar

Recommended by: mysterynovelist2010
Status: Complete
Synopsis: It has been 2 years since the battle of Hoenn, and both Team Magma and Aqua are nothing but shells of their former selves. However one new Magma Admin, Cole, plans to change his team's future by gaining control of Rayquaza with the help of a special treasure. The Dragon Plate.
Comments: A well-written, post R/S/E fic that cleverly creates its own mythology in regards to Rayquaza. In it, the Anti-Villain Cole tricks a researcher named Elisa into helping him find the Dragon Plate in order to summon Rayquaza as part of Team Magma's plot to make a come back; however, as time progresses, he begins to question himself and his actions, but finds that he cannot back down or else he'll lose his Pokemon forever, putting him in a pretty difficult situation.

Foregone Conclusion by elyvorg

Recommended by: yiran, antialiasis, RubyRosethorn
Status: Complete
Synopsis: It’s about a split evolution off Grovyle, Archopy, and how they deal with Sceptile trying to kill them. From the perspective of a Treecko named Forsira. Set in the prehistoric era.
Comments: This story is absolutely heartbreaking. That sentence is overused, but the story is just so well written with such fleshed out characters that really does make me burst into a mess of emotions.
- Seconded. By Arceus, Seconded. One of the very few Fanfics in this fandom I enjoyed. The plot feels entirely natural, the characters are all real, and, although it centers around a species of fakemon, said species comes out totally natural as well. I never really liked Sceptile, and I probably won't ever again after this. Archopy, on the other hand... if only the designers at Pokemon Co. had been a bit more creative. Honestly, I probably won't ever forget this. Ever. It's that good. It's not all that long, and it's really a lot darker than the main series, but it does a good job of explain Canon discrepancies and hand waves (most notably- the whole predator-prey thing. That explanation was so good that it's now a part of my own headcanon.). I can't express how good this is. Really, go and read it.

Friends, partners and more... by Slifer.

Recommended by: Rakaziel
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Focuses on an OC Trainer and his Pokemon and contains romance, drama and fighting Team Rocket. The Setting is a more realistic take on the Pokemon world. Also contains, explains and slightly deconstructs pokemorphs. Good storytelling and pacing, likable characters and some very well written moments.
Warning: The sex scenes are NSFW (which is why it requires an account to read it), happen between Pokemon and humans and the backstory of some characters may contain triggers.
Original German version is here

Fury and Confusion by lebensmude

Recommended by: transparentanswer
Status: Dead (last updated December 2017)
Sypnosis: The Land Spirits are capricious by nature. What if Tapu Koko, arbitrary as gods are, simply did not decide to save Luna and Nebby as they fell from the wooden bridge? Pokemon Sun and Moon. Lillie and Gladion main characters.
Comments: Starting out as an Ascended Fridge Horror of the prologue of Pokemon Sun and Moon and the story goes off the rails from there. Despite so, the characters are written off well and not too off character.

Gallade's Odyssey by Knakaruzu-kun

Recommended by: Mrgreen 39
Status: Complete
Synopsis: In an alternate world in which Pokemon live together freely, it focuses on the quest of a young Gallade as he attempts to stop an evil Mewtwo from destroying his father's kingdom.
Comments: You just don't get enough fanfics like this. The idea of a world inhabited entirely by Pokemon is a concept that is sadly underused. Occasionally the spelling and grammar is a bit dodgy, but it's still an amazing adventure with terrific characters and plenty of heart to boot.

The Game of Champions by L. Lamora ^note

Recommended by: Kaoz, Seconded by Daystar
Status: Dead (discontinued)
Summary: There are many trainers in the world; they exist in degrees, from dabbler to legend. But only one can be the very best - one man, one Champion. I am that one. I am that man. My name? Red.
Comments: There is heaps and heaps of world building here, and Red has a very distinctive voice that sucked me in for the whole ride, and the framing device leaves just enough for the audience to keep guessing. For truth, this seems to be shaping up to be an epic as the word was originally defined.
- Seconding this recommendation. Before writing Pokemon: The Origin of Species I had not read any pokemon fanfic, but once I mentioned that fact I started getting inundated by recommendations by readers. Of all that I tried, Game of Champions was among the most highly recommended, and was the only one to really suck me in and make me "finish" it. There's simply no other pokemon fanfic I've found that's as high quality, and anyone who wants a more realistic, unique, and most importantly, well written pokemon fiction owes it to themself to check it out.
- Rival Green just giving a heads-up. Lamora is in the US Air Force now, so will understandably have less time to write.
- In late 2018, the author removed the fanfic on FanFiction.net out of Old Shame, so it is definitely dead.

Ghost of Oblivion by Cori Shadowfang

Recommended by: Karxrida
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Quoted from the author (slightly edited for minor corrections): Eris never intended to become a servant to Yveltal. When a Honedge attaches itself to her arm, she's forced to seek aid from the Destruction Pokémon, who offers his assistance in exchange for her help: turning her into the natural disaster he can no longer be.
Comments: Do note this deviates from canon to a degree. An interesting take on the story of Pokémon X and Y that expands on the backstories of Xerneas, Yveltal, and to a lesser extent AZ with a dash of Alternative Character Interpretation for Lysandre that makes him way more interesting than his canon counterpart. He and Yveltal are the same being. While Eris is the protagonist, the star is clearly Yveltal with the Dark Is Not Evil portrayal of his role as the Destruction Pokémon and bringer of death, and his relationship with Xerneas drives the plot.

Gods and Demons by Keleri

Recommended by: Phosphorus
Status: Complete
Summary: They knew that Gaiien could be dangerous, but they didn't expect anything like this. Three trainers set out on their badge quest in a wild land cloaked by the shadows of old legends. Ancient powers awaken, and demon pokémon, giants, and hybrids converge for a showdown they couldn't imagine.
Comments: It's rare that "custom region" fics are done well, but Keleri manages to do it quite admirably. Gaiien is some sort of Australia analogue, and is presented as a world of real and ready danger. Many of the darker hypotheticals in this canon - namely how Pokemon communities react to the growing human presence in their territory - are given treatment without coming off as grimdark. Moriko and her friends additionally come off as very human: they struggle with uncertainty and fear and anxiety just as the rest of us do. Take all those ingredients and mix with a slowly-developing mythology that's quite unique, and you've got a recipe for success.

Going Back by Jackman B

Recommended by: Jack Nativity, Ethereal Frog, Lalalei2001
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A young Trainer by the name of Joshua has gathered all eight Badges in Sinnoh and is preparing to cross Victory Road to challenge the Pokemon League's Elite Four. An accident causes a cave-in and seriously injures him, and his team of Pokemon must work together to escape the cave and keep their Master alive. Also has a trope page.
Comments: This is an original character and original team, using only a few events from Diamond/Pearl. Surprisingly good for a Pokefic, perhaps the biggest plus is that Joshua and his team are believable characters. The dialogue between the Pokemon is fun to read, and you can tell that despite the experimental writing, the author's put a lot of effort into this story. Apparently he is considering a prequel and a sequel depending on how much people like this.
- Ethereal Frog seconding the rec. The story is plenty long enough to develop the characters and have a proper ending. The plot is interesting, and the ending is great, if a little sad, but it's a happy ending nonetheless. Great story, and I hope to see more one day.

The Greatest Reborn Story Ever by srgeman and Lady of Darkfire

Recommended by: phazonfarmer
Status: Dead (last updated February 2011)
Synopsis: Two kids die, become a Doduo, and are adopted by a kid who thinks all you need to be successful is good looks and the ability to ramble.
Comments: This is what happens when a writer decides to write a Crack Fic of his own idea. The characters are fully aware that they're in a story, pointing out scene changes, off-screen events, and the inconsistencies of the world they live in.

Heroes of Kalos Abridged by Zokolov

Recommended by: RN 452
Status: Dead (last updated September 2014)
Synopsis: "Fashionista and pyromaniac Serena is just like most young people of her age, her interests consisting of Pokémon, shopping and becoming the immortal ruler of Kalos. But to do that, she needs a loyal group of flunkies and must stay out of the International Police's reach. Based on a true story."

Hoenn Insane: The Version of RSE You Didn't See. by Ketn- er, Kenta 147

Recommended by: Mattman324, Poptard, Firebert, A/Syrika
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A Pokemon trainer teams up with a character named Mary Sue and fight Team Aqua and Team Magma, all while avoiding Brenden and Anti-Sue and trying to stop the evil in Hoenn!
Comments: A crack at bad RPGs (Specifically stated in the final chapter), it has EVERYTHING. God mod as the main villain, "Mary Sue" with a typical Sue team (Raichu, Pikachu, Espeon, Articuno, and Suicune. Also, the main hero is a well designed Genre Savvy kid, made to represent the old RPGer who knows how to make a character. And did I mention the humor? Some of the off the wall humor they throw at you will leave you laughing for a while afterward. A great read if you've been going through bad times, or reading sad fanfics, as it ALWAYS will lighten your day.
Seconded. The humor is so constantly funny that by the time you reach the climax, which is a bit more serious, you'll be completely engrossed in the characters' plight. All of them—even Mary-Sue—are likable in their own way, and the hilarity just keeps building. It's really a story all focused on humorous parody, but it somehow manages to be much more than that. Also, the bad luck Absol. That's all I can say.

The Human Species by Shaded Skies

Recommended by: Ghingahn
Status: Complete
Synopsis: "Humanity has gotten fed up with their fragile position in the world of Pokémon. The best of trainers will subdue or dispose of every powerful Pokémon in existence. But which side of the conflict will you end up on if you're neither human nor Pokémon...?"
Comments: This is a fairly dark fic that has a good bit of both violence and humor. The main character comes off as a pretty big Jerkass in the beginning, but he mellows out later on. The legendary Pokemon show up on a regular basis since they've been pretty much all captured. There's quite a few mature themes in the story, but most people should be able to handle them. Highly recommended.

I Am Lucario by lupyne

Recommended by: Faislittlewhiteraven, seconded by Pykrete & Superdale 33
Status: Dead (last updated December 2016)
Synopsis: A prediction has been made; at some point in the future, a disaster will strike the city, possibly leaving it and the surrounding forest in ruins. Along with his friends, an Absol and an Eevee, a wild Lucario is set on preventing it at all cost. But until then, Lucario intends to live life to the fullest: pursuing his hobby of human-watching, exploring new sights, and cracking the mysteries that surround his friends.
Comments: A beautiful little fanfic with lots of love for all its characters. The story mostly follows Lucario's 'Human watching' with a reflective and mostly optimistic style, but a number of chapters have some intense scenes; many of which are rather sad. Has battles as well as lots of fun between the main trio, but I find that what really hooked me onto this fic is the stories of the one chapter characters; all of them have very different stories to tell but like Lucario I find each one has something to offer and is worth the read.

It's A Hard Life by Qlockwork

Recommended by: Lirazel
Status: Dead (last updated November 2014)
Synopsis: "Robin is ten years old and travels through Kanto with her pokemon to find a place to call home. This is a story about struggle, survival and friendship in a cruel world. Contains swearing, violence and death. And sometimes some gore"
Comments: Do not let the quirky watercolor art fool you - this is a deconstruction of Pokemon. Literally anyone can die. The story will make you bawl. Qlockwork finds really creative ways to work gym fights into plot, which makes IAHL flows like a real adaptation. All characters get incredible development, though personalities of pokemon are especially fascinating and touching. A must-read for fans of darker takes on Pokemon world.

La Serie de Ken by Mewtwo Power

Trope page here
Recommended by: Tropers/Da_Nuke
Status: Complete
Synopsis: It takes the original premise of the series and turns it into a more mature series aimed at older teenagers.
Comments: If you know Spanish, read La Serie de Ken

[[folder:LaSerieDeKen]]

The Legend of Red by REDMASTEROFPOKEMON.

Recommended by: Lee-Jin, Jorenty
Status: Complete
Synopsis: This story takes place after the events of all the Pokemon games. Red has accepted his rightful place as Champion of Kanto, but the world is just not right. The other regions are beginning to forget what it means to be a true Pokemon Trainer. Red must then battle against iconic trainers such as Brendan and N, in order to set them on the right path once again.
Comments: A thought-provoking look at the Pokemon series that tells a beautifully emotional tale while also satirizing the darker parts of the Pokemon fanbase. The author's prose masterfully tells us all this in his own unique style.
- Note: Has a sequel called The Legend of Lillie and a related story called ''Ultra Legend of Red, both Complete.

The Life of the Legendaries by Jakayrta.

Trope page here
Recommended by: Dialga X, gumbal1, Smuglord
Status: Dead (last updated July 2011)
Synopsis: So what goes on in the Hall of Origins? Are the Legendary Pokemon as boring as they seem to be or are they just like us? The answer will surprise and shock you.
Comments: Yeah, the fic itself is kind of cracky but it works. The Pokémon Mystery Dungeon bits are pretty well done too and yet have some comedy. A private message sent by the author states that the fic will get less "cracky" as it progresses.
- Seconded, just... have some Brain Bleach ready for chapter nine.
- Thirded, and to add onto the Brain Bleach thing... might want to keep it with you for almost every chapter after that.

Like a Line Drive! by Lightning Kimba

Recommended by: Angelic Grace
Status: Dead (last updated December 2010)
Synopsis: A young trainer and his shiny Eevee travel throughout the lands of Johto, discovering the origins of their apparent history together, despite the trainer's resistance to his so-called "destiny". A parody of how Pokémon fanfics are generally written in its fandom.
Comments: This is quite the fun series. As of the beginning chapters, it appears to be playing around with cheap skills the main character would generally have if handled with a bad writer, and uses them to his disadvantage rather than making him an ace. The Narrator's also a fun character, often acting as a young intern walking into the job rather than a true veteran. Overall, it has both a comedy and action feel, catching even meta-savvy writers if they read in closely enough.

A Little Night Music by srgeman

Recommended by: Tropers/aBBaFan.
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Angela Duncan is a human girl who, after killing herself, is reborn as the starter Pokemon of her best friend. She spends the next several months being tortured by Not Pokemon, hunted by a faceless killer, and fixing her own flawed life.
Comments: An extremely dark story, its biggest problem is it sometimes ends up too dark. Also, it frequently draws attention to the stupidity of its own universe. It has a completely original cast and is one of the few stories set in the mangaverse. Although there are over twenty main characters, each one has a well-rounded personality and individual motivations. It's over 300,000 words and 114 chapters. As of this posting, it's the most reviewed Pokemon fanfic on fanfiction.net. Also significant in that it spawned a miniature fandom of many other writers using the same story formula and reincarnation mechanics.
- The story has recently been deleted by the site staff...
- It's back up now, along with srgeman's sequel, Smiles Of A Summer Night.
- Contested: While the story itself is interesting and engaging, the writing is absolutely riddled with spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors so flagrant they detract from the story's meaning.

Lucki by Farla

Recommended by: GuyYouMetOnline
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Upon graduating from the Pokemon School, it's time for Lucki to pick her starter. Despite the advice of her classmates, she goes with her instincts, choosing a shiny Squirtle that's 'small, young, and timid' because it feels right to her. With her new Pokemon, named Silver, at her side, Lucki begins her journey, eager to see what awaits her along the way.
Comments: This is a difficult story to talk about without spoiling things. Despite a few tweaks to the setup (such as Lucki getting her started from the Pokemon School rather than a professor, or the existence of a translator device that allows Pokemon to speak human language), the story starts out being extremely generic, or at least it seems that way. But every step in Lucki's journey is actually a carefully-crafted element of a whole picture that doesn't truly come into view until the very end. Every battle, every encounter, every addition to Lucki's team (and they're well-developed additions, as the translator device allows for more characterization than in most Pokemon fics), all of it is a very deliberate setup to a Twist Ending that casts the entire story in a completely different light. Even if things can feel painfully generic, in my opinion it's well worth reading to the end just to understand what's really going on.

Lull by Breezy

Recommended by: Assassin, Umbee
Status: Complete
Summary: An elaboration on the Cresselia event that happened in the Diamond and Pearl series, after winning the league and foiling Team Galactic, Lucas was put on a pedestal he never wanted to be on. Now untrusting of everything, he and, to his annoyance, Dawn investigates a mysterious event in Canalave City.
Comments: This story really explores how a teen would react to the publicity and slander one would expect from the events set by the game. The main theme of trust and subconscious is a theme that's been employed smoothly and makes this fic an interesting read.
- Umbee: Now this is an amazing Pokemon fic. Every single character has been written beautifully and realistically, and they're one of the fic's strongest points. Humor is inserted in just the right places, and the running gags don't get stale. If you want a story that's serious without being too dark, with fleshed-out characters and setting, I cannot recommend this one enough.

Mahou Persian Shoujo! by Nyaa-Neko

Recommended by: fruitstripegum
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Ayame Shirahana is just a normal girl. Really! Sure, she is part Pokemon, has a tiny Pokemon similar to Mew following her, and she has to save Violet City from Pokemon that want humans extinct, but other than that, she's perfectly normal! Really!

Masks Within Masks by Bardothren

Trope page here
Recommended by: lalalei2001
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Genetically engineered as part of an experiment on Pokemon, Subject Seven spent her whole life inside a laboratory cell, trying in futility to escape, until a fateful day gave her a chance at her own life. Only problem is, that life is within the ranks of Team Rocket. Assuming the identity of a peon within the syndicate, she struggles to climb higher while hiding her identity.

Mind Over Matter by DavidBrin

Recommended by: Supercomputer276, Umbee
Status: Complete
Synopsis: The epic struggle between fun-loving Mew and prudish Azelf can only be settled by one thing; the Gobstopper of DEATH! Not as random as it sounds.
Comments: A silly little exchange between the playful Mew and the logical Azelf. It's hard to describe how funny it is without being too over-the-top.

Minor Miscalculations and Unlikely Ascension by Fragmented Disillusionment (TF Fics.)

Recommended by: Ao S_Kirby, Game Master 1
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Minor Miscalculations is the story of a young trainer named Alvin who gets transformed into a pichu by an ancient artifact. With only his Pikachu (and later joined by his best friend and psychic, David), Alvin must fight his Pokemon instincts while trying to find a way to become human again. This will take him across the sea to the region of Kanto, where he unknowingly becomes caught up in a Team Rocket operation that could cause the boy to lose everything. Unlikely Ascension, a sort of companion one-shot to Minor Miscalculations, tells the story of a young man named Logan. Born without any psychic abilities into a family of psychics, the boy was often bullied an abused in his youth. Even after defying the long-thought idea that those not born with the ability could never develop it, he's still treated like an outcast in his own family. This story follows him as he sets out to make his own path, and ends up finding a way to be far more than he is.
Comments:
- Ao S_Kirby: Both stories are complete and take place in a more realistic interpretation of Pokemon canon. Although there is very little of canon characters, the original characters are well-developed and unique. These works have even inspired other fan fiction based in the same realistic Pokemon world. The writing is excellent considering the age of the writer, and the writer himself is quite open to people contacting him about the stories.
- Game Master 1: I second this. Minor Miscalculations and the other enties in the Author's series of pokemon stories may seem simple at first, but it can get pretty philosphical. The author's stories is in a way, a case study on the difference between humanity and pokemon. Each entry focuses on a different incident of a human becoming a pokemon, and how the different perspectives of characters deal with it. In a way, the main character of the series is the world itself as it reacts to the possibility of changing species. While a lot of pokemon fanfiction dipict pokemon as people in the bodies of fantastical creatures, this author's stories makes the point to showcase that while pokemon think like humans, they have their differences. For example, Minor Miscalculations showcase how child-like the pikachu species are menatally. Their mentality is more akin to human children, so they don't normally think about more complicated things such as figuring out mechanics, or thinking about the bigger picture. While each story this author wrote are for the most part, stand alone, they do share the same world and ocasionally reference each other. One of the things the previous commentor didn't mention is that Minor Miscalculation actually has 2 other sequels or sorts featuring Alvin, the main character of Miscalculations. The second story to feature Alvin is Probable Descent and the third story is The Outcast. The Outcast in particular is a finale to the world that author has built up over his multible pokemon stories up to that point, including one shots such as Unlikely Acension. Alvin is not nessarily the main character of the other two stories of his little trilogy, but he is the thing that ties his trilogy together. The only downside to this author's series of pokemon stories is that it can get pretty verbos and there is a lot of characters and plotlines to keep track of. So some younger readers might have a hard time understanding some parts.

mirror, mirror by Hope Storyteller

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Cynthia went to Unova for two reasons: to support her friend Caitlin's appointment to the Elite Four there, and to take a somewhat enforced vacation from her own league duties back home. How much can happen in a month? As it turns out, the answer to that question is quite a lot, where Team Plasma is concerned.
Notes: Followed by what's up, danger?.

Recommended by: Hammer Of Justice
Pairings: None focused, some in background between OC's.
Status : Ongoing
Summary: A 14 year old boy names Atticus Brent is kicked out of his house by his mother and forced to start his Pokemon journey. Along the way, he must deal with kind rivals, insane tomboys, overconfident bug catchers, and more.
Comments: Art rapidly improves. Story is filled with OC'S but not in a bad way. Author is a British girl with a good sense of humor, who also writes original stuff, like Rumpelstiltskin.

The Mountain by Gilgondorin

Recommended by: SAMAS
Status: Complete
Summary: A teenager with no real Pokemon training experience decides to climb Mt. Moon to catch an Absol. An encounter with a Nidorina^note nearly brings his brash adventure to a premature end. Things go downhill(and uphill) from there.

New World by An Enemy Spy

Recommended by: Communazi
Status: Dead (last updated May 2015)
Synopsis: When a young man named Dust attacks a powerful aristocrat, he is forced to leave his village. Taking along his Totodile, he sets on an epic journey. Meanwhile, Mewtwo, a powerful Pokemon from a bygone era is awoken, and has mysterious plans of its own.
Comments: This story is a period piece of sorts, set in a mishmash of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Its story is split into a few different threads, with Dust carrying the main plot, while other threads involving Mewtwo and an empathic girl named Espa. People who like adventure stories with lots of cliffhangers and action will enjoy this fic.

No Antidote by Falcon Pain

Trope page here
Recommended by: CAD, Yoshi348, Krisnack, Gattsuru, Ethereal Frog. Fawn, Umbee, antialiasis, Roihu, Pykrete, Canary In The Coal Mine, Miko Galatea, Kayi Rowling, Doxie Vee, Calamity Jane, Up Ndown Nallaround, Apocrypha, RoryOKane
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A young Pokemon trainer from Pallet obtains a starter and begins on his journey, but then suffers a tragic accident that leaves him with a fading mind and only weeks to live. What does this mean for Bulbasaur, his starter, and how far will Bulbasaur take their mutual promise to go as far as they can, no matter the obstacle?
Comments: This, ladies and gentlemen, is how you do a fanfic. Only eight chapters, but brilliant characters and storytelling make it one of the best. Very dark and tragic, and has an ending you will never see coming. Highly recommended.
- Yoshi348: Seconding the rec. The fic knows exactly where it's going and what it's doing, and most importantly who its characters are, and that's really the heart of any good story. So mostly perfect it's a bit bewildering that there's the awkward two lines of aggravating Song Fic shoved in the end of each chapter, but at least that's easily ignorable.
- Gattsuru: Nthing the rec. This is impressively well-written. Short, somewhere between short story and full novella, but hits all the right moments and touches all the right notes, with an excellent choice of Twist and an odd, entertaining Bittersweet Ending. The perfect Dark Fic, changing not a single motivation nor attribute in the series and still leaving you very, very depressed. Deus Ex Pokeball and Mute, Too, by the same author, both are also great reads.
- Ethereal Frog: Nthing the rec also. Rather short, but I like that, I don't get too attached to the characters. Speaking of which, the characters are well thought up, but the twist at the end is rather jarring, but it provides closure, and that's always good. Well written, short, but sweet.
- antialiasis: A very interesting read and ingeniously thought out, much more so than it seems at first glance - one of the best things about it is the subtlety. The final two chapters feel a bit jarring, but are appropriate to make the point the author is trying to make. Note when you read: the author did not just make a mistake. The author did not just make a Retcon in response to reviews pointing out he did something wrong. Every. Last. Thing in this story is deliberate and significant. Trust me.
- Pykrete: (N+ 2)th'ing the rec, for all the reasons above. Also, Beedrill takes a tactical nuke to how most fic writers handle his species, and is pretty much concentrated awesome.
- Canary In The Coal Mine: Not only do I agree with all the comments above, but there is something to be said of the very idea of the ending: Pokemon meets Weekend at Bernie's. It's a rather interesting and unexplored idea that could very well fit into the pokemon universe. I'm surprised more stories haven't tried to examine and play with it.
- Miko Galatea: What can I say that hasn't been said already? The writing and characterisation is brilliant, and I came close to crying several times. The highlight for me would have to be Bulbasaur's flashback to the Beedrill incident after he realises he's a poison type; that was just masterfully done.
- Kayi Rowling: I recommend it too, but can't say anything that hasn't been already said. It's good.
- phazonfarmer: Nth'ing this one too, as well as Falcon Pain's other works. He clearly knows how the Pokeverse works, to the point that when I went to Bulbapedia to check, it all worked out quite smoothly.
- Doxie Vee: Re-recommending this fic. It's powerful, brutal, well-researched, beautifully written, and deeply upsetting. Magnificent on every level.
- Haya: I recommend this fanfic for many of the reasons stated before. Unlike my fellow tropers, I actually recommend it for the incredible closure it gives. The ending can be considered incredibly dark and it shares some points with Brave New World and Nineteen Eighty-Four regarding the relationship between Pokemon trainers and their Pokemon.
- Calamity Jane: I also recommend this fanfic. It has all of the great things I look for in a story; strong sense of continuity and a knowledge of where the story is going, plot twists that curve the story into an impossibly beautiful shape, and a "dark but soft" take on the world in question. If I had a choice, I'd much rather be in a pitch black bouncy-house than a pitch-black iron maiden, in terms of darkness and edginess. The author's other stories, Deus Ex Pokeball and Mute, Too, also come highly recommended. Read all three of them and you get totally immersed in the world created by this brilliant author.
- Up Ndown Nallaround: One of my favorite fanfics of all time. The characterization is really good and the somewhat slow pacing makes room for the next darker and more urgent chapters. It is a depressing read, but it is undoubtedly well done. Definitely one of the best Pokémon stories out there if you are looking for something original.
- Apocrypha: Whole-heartedly recommended. The Tragic Mistake at the beginning paves the way for a short but epic story of loyalty, friendship, and one's struggles to accept the inevitable. The last two chapters in particular were extraordinarily dark but wrapped up everything in a Creepy Good way that, like one other trooper said, is remniscient of Brave New World. It's sad and heartwarming and scary and words really cannot describe it.

OverUsed/Learnset by Flint Lock

Trope page here
Recommended by: liamash3
Status: Dead (original version discontinued, rewritten version last updated July 2016)
Synopsis: OverUsed is a Pokemon fanfic that attempts a more logical and serious world than Pokemon canon. It began on Space Battles July 3rd 2014 and involves the character of Alex, an experienced trainer who's been through several regions battling Gyms, and has been taking a few years off the professional circuit to rest in Driftveil City. One day, while Alex is at his local pub, he encounters a trainer who has been stomping the local pub-goers, and he decides to battle her. Events conspire to reveal the new trainer, Sammy, as the owner of a Mew, and a hunter of some sort appears to capture it and her. Alex intervenes and takes Sammy under his wing, and they begin traveling and training together while fleeing the hunter.
Comments: This is an interesting take on the Pokemon world, attempting a more realistic viewpoint on it compared to the anime and games. It could also be a deconstruction, depending on your viewpoint, as it shows the average anime protagonist "believe in your Pokemon" view isn't an instant "I win" card.

The Path Anew by 11JJ11

Recommended by: Lalalei2001
Status: Dormant (last updated January 2022)
Summary: Experiment. Heir. Victim. Red has spent years trapped away within the labs of a Team Rocket base, as a pawn and a son, his ability just a means to further Team Rocket's goals. But with Mewtwo's escape, Red seeks his own chance at freedom. Kanto is a shattered region, vast and foreign, and haunted by Rocket's shadow. But with an eager Charmander at his side, Red is no longer alone.

Pedestal by Digital Skitty

Recommended by: Kaiserin Kai, Lalalei2001, gumbal1, Salnax, Haustere, yiran
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A boy sets out on a Pokemon journey with his Numel Pedestal. Together they deal with double weaknesses, unplanned catches, unexpected nicknames, and his own destiny.
Comments: What starts out as your run of the mill cheerful and humorous new trainer goes on a journey story quickly takes a turn for the worse. Shows the effects of ignoring warnings and not paying enough attention to those closest to you. Very well written, with comedy added when appropriate in the form of a number of running gags, yet completely serious when it needs to be. This story is not based on the Anime or the Games, though it borrows mythology from both. The only canonical characters that it uses are the Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and Champion. Primarily takes place in Sinnoh, although other canonical regions do appear. Those looking for a very well written original trainer story with an original plot should check this out.
- Seconded. I gave it its own page.
  - Thirded. Go read it now.
  - Fourthed. My favorite fanfiction ever. Turned me onto fanfics in general and convinced me to buy the game.
  - Fifthed. It's quite an enjoyable read. The only downside is that now I have high-standards when reading fanfics, which is arguably not a good thing.
- yiran: It is surprisingly deep in philosophy for a Pokémon fanfiction. I have a little problem about the lack of death for the absolute main characters(and subsequent less realistic results), but it is negligible compared to all the positive qualities of the fan fiction you'll find. Highly recommended.
  - Has a story set in the same universe here which is pretty decent in its own right.

Pika by Zachary Braun.

Recommended by: Pykrete, Fawn
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A Pikachu is adopted by an abusive trainer, sees the world, and gains enlightenment. Er...I think.
Comments: Major Mind Screw ahoy. Wear a helmet.

Pokédex Adventures series by RunWithScizors

Recommended by: transparentanswer
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: An Affectionate Parody of the Pokemon games where the protagonist are less willing to be a hero as it usually is in the games, or an adventure. With frequent lampshading of inconsistencies. Such as the fact that children who knew nothing are heroes that will save the world. Oh, and Disney songs parodied For the Lulz.
Comments: If you're looking for a good laugh, this may just be for you. Black and White, Black 2 and White 2, Heart Gold and Soul Silver, and Platinum are complete with the adventure now in Hoenn. Now has a trope page.

Pokemon Amethyst and Garnet by Eric T.M

Recommended by: Waking Prince Matty
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Welcome to Chinocko! Follow Riley and Lilly, two budding Trainers, as they traverse a region full of original Pokemon, colorful characters, and mysterious secrets! Not everything is as it seems in Chinocko, though, and they may find their entire worldview turned on its head!
Comments: This is really an interesting story, featuring a whole bunch of original Pokemon, cool characters, and a unique setting inspired by Canada, the author's country of origin. Riley, the viewpoint character of the story, is a shining star even as a silent protagonist, and watching him grow and mature as he embarks on his Pokemon Journey is awesome. A note: Lilly is not the same character as Lillie from Pokemon Sun and Moon, who also makes an appearance in the story.

Pokemon Black & White: Tale of a Legend by Cottonmouth25

Trope page here
Recommended by: Tensaihime
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Volan and Thrin, brother and sister, go to see Professor Juniper -she receives a Tepig, he keeps the Pidove he's known and loved for years -and they, together with new friends Bianca and Cheren, set out for adventure. Each sibling is periodically contacted by a strange dragon, and as they tangle with Team Plasma it seems that ancient Unovan story of two heroes is about to become extremely relevant again. (Note: There is some romance between the protagonist, who is not Hilbert but a brave bespectacled blond boy, and Elite Four Caitlin. It isn't the main focus of the story, though.)
Comments: Siblings share things, so why not a Pokémon journey? And issues with ancient, mythical dragons? Reshiram and Zekrom both have important things to say to their... let's say hosts. Plot elements of B/W and B2/W2 are present, since the villains are attempting to gain control over the legendary duo and Kyurem, too. The author's managed to make said villains even worse than they are in the games, and there are some deaths, both on-screen and implied. If you're not in the mood for doom-and-gloom/grim-and-gritty, don't pass this up, though! You also get lots of comedy from both humans and Pokémon, to whose conversations the audience is privy. Characters from the games, anime, and the author's own mind all work well together, and character development occurs over realistic periods of time. If you want to see the love (as close-knit family, good friends, and romantic partners) people and Pokémon have for each other, you'll find it here. If you want quests, peril, beatdowns (League-sanctioned and otherwise), and long-anticipated justice, you've got that to look forward to as well.

Pokemon Colosseum: Apparitions as well as the rest of the series here by Digi-Dolphin

Recommended by: zaiaku666
Status: Complete
Pairings: Wes/Rui
Synopsis: The first part in this author's Pokemon Colosseum Continuation Fics that give more of a Backstory to Wes' past as a Snagger and how it affects his future.
Comments: A well written start to the series, with a decent backdrop. Though it focus is more on the games, there are mentions of the anime including a Noodle Incident involving Ash and Misty. Same in those later stories invlove the main hero of Pokemon Silver being a Sweet Polly Oliver. The series has a tendency of being a little crazy at times but still an very good read.
- Pokedude 10: The series overall doesn't stray too far from the original idea. I like the that their world is based on the games, yet borrows parts from the anime as well. The Main character strays close to Marty Stu territory at times, But thankfully it doesn't last long.

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Gone Wrong by burningfoot

Recommended by: Rita 689, Troper 49
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A parody of Diamond and Pearl. Two different people enter their games purely for your entertainment. The game isn't going right but being a criminal, killing Gym Leaders and using AR doesn't make it better but does make it more fun. Now with epilogue.
Comments: Very funny. I've read through it several times and still laugh at it all the time. However, it's not for kids. The summary isn't kidding about killing gym leaders (often for no good reason) and there are many mentions of mature topics. That said, the fic is relatively light and fluffy, and constantly lampshades the stupidities of the pokemon world. Worth a read.
- Seconded by Troper 49, whom found this fanfic to be really funny. All the characters in the story (yes, even the narrator) are all crazy, stupid, and funny characters, however, it is the two main characters who really shine. From the trouble-making Allen to the more sane Emma, the two character have interactions that are some of the funniest Burningfoot ever written. Every time I read this fanfic, I burst my gut laughing. Highly recommended.

Pokémon Legends Saga by devilrose87

Status: Dead (three of four stories Complete, last updated July 2011)
Recommended by: Psykosis
Summary: The four-story Legends Saga starts out in Hoenn, but later installments reach out all over the Pokémon world. The first arc involves a somewhat mysterious trainer trying to take down Teams Aqua and Magma, but May unwittingly gets swept along. Everything then branches out into a whole mess of trouble involving the Legendary Pokémon.
Comments: The whole story is very well written and is updated on a weekly basis. Be warned that there will be lesbianism in some of the later chapters, if you’re offended by that.

Pokemon Festival of Champions by Seijyun09

Recomended by: ScottyBreeze, KrspaceT
Status: Ongoing
Summary: Red arrives at the Pokemon League and prepares to do battle against a variety of rivals from all across the world of Pokemon, including the Kanto Elite Four, Misty, Blue, and his arch-rival Green.
Comments: This is a great fan comic, one of the best I have ever read. In fact when I first read it I was on a Pokemon hiatus and the moment I read it, I found myself wanting to buy the latest Pokemon game. The story doesn't focus much on romance, but the writer/artist shows hints of Red/Misty and perhaps Green/Blue. Admittedly this fan comic is a lot darker than other adaptions, but that just adds to its awesomeness. Another aspect that makes this comic worthwhile is the fact that it draws on many things of Pokemon, such as the anime, manga, fan theories. It is both well written and well drawn. Also it is in Japanese, but can be read in English

Pokemon FOCUS by Con Kipcha

Recomended by: Faislittlewhiteraven
Status: Dead (last updated November 2019)
Synopsis: "Where do all the Pokémon go when they can't cope with everyday life anymore? To Pokémon Rehab of course! Acceptance into F.O.C.U.S. is highly coveted by potential trainers, but do they have what it takes to fix these peculiar Pokémon?"
Comments: Being set mostly in a boarding school with most of the characters being humans in their mid to late teens, there's automatically a lot of annoying high school drama going on, but this fic more than makes up for it with well written and often hilarious (and sometimes gross) moments between the characters and their pokemon, as well as adding a bit of real life to the pokemon world.

Pokemon: A Marvelous Journey by Saoirse Parisa

Recommended by: Twilight Pegasus, Brendan Rizzo
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A young autistic girl, Julia Parisa, is happy to receive her first Pokemon, a shiny Pichu, on her birthday, and has a relatively nice life. But when her criminal older sister steals a Totodile from Professor Elm's lab and goes on the run, Julia takes it upon herself to leave on a journey and bring her to justice. On the way, she meets new friends, Pokemon and human alike, explores new places, and experiences things she never would have if she stayed home.
Comments: I stumbled across this fan fic one day, and now it's one of my absolute favorite stories ever! The story is very engaging and intriguing, though the early chapters are rough, the characters are wonderfully interesting and three-dimensional—human and Pokemon alike, Team Rocket is made into an actual threat, and there's a lot that any Pokefan can enjoy. There's plenty of humor, drama, sweetness, and fun, though it doesn't hesitate to get dark and serious every now and again, but it never gets to the point of being grimdark, and the sad moments feel genuine. Furthermore, it has fantastic autism representation in the form of the main character. It's rare for autistic people in media to be represented positively, often portrayed as being overgrown man children or burdens who can't do anything but throw tantrums. Julia the character isn't like that at all. She's sweet, kind, and acts like a regular kid. She makes mistakes, both big and small, but always has the best intentions and strives to do the right thing. She gets into arguments and often complains about things she dislikes, but she's always treated with respect and dignity. It helps that the authoress mentioned she's autistic herself, and you can tell she put a lot of effort into making Julia into a fully-realized character. But even without the autism aspect, this is a great fan fic that needs more love! Oh, and it has a trope page!

Pokémon: One of a Kind by toadly1998

Recommended by: D-Y
Status: Complete (currently has two completed sequels, Pokémon: United Bonds, and Pokémon: Free Will)
Synopsis: What started as an ordinary adventure became a life-changing experience for Louis Serrano. After gaining an unusual ability, he and his new friends, Taki and her Totodile, set off on an expedition to find pieces of a sacred artifact belonging to a secret tribe in the Johto Region. It's a race against time.
Comments: This fanfic has an engaging and interesting storyline. The central characters are easy to connect with and have character growth throughout the story. It is filled with moments of laughter, heartbreak, and discovery.

Pokemon: The Origin of Species by daystar721

Trope page here
Recommended by: NG 14916
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: "Enter the world of Pokémon from a rational perspective. Instead of starting his journey in ignorance, Red has spent his years studying the creatures so central to his world... and he doesn't quite agree with all the information in his books. No time for rookie mistakes here: he's on a quest to discover the true nature of Pokémon, and maybe even find out where they really come from."
- Comments: Does a great job of presenting a rational take on the world of Pokemon, with interesting characters and plenty of worldbuilding that really delves into the details of how a world of Pokemon could function. Topics such as conditioning techniques used to train Pokemon and the ecosystems of the world are considered. The plot is slow-paced due to the extensive worldbuilding, but interesting developments have already been foreshadowed. This is really a must-read.

Pokemon XD^3: The Waves of Truth and Pokemon Ranger and the Gardener of Gratitude by The Great Butler

Recommended by: Nekusagi
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Combining characters from the games and anime, XD^3 and Gardener of Gratitude are action-adventure stories in the style of classic Two-Fisted Tales. In XD^3, the heroes fight a villainous force formed from Colosseum and XD villains Cipher, who are united under a new ruler with diabolical plans for world domination. Gardener of Gratitude finds the grandson of a renowned archaeologist on an expedition to unearth the secrets of his past drawn into a conspiracy of royal intrigue and treachery, full of mystery and suspense. While XD^3 has a definite science fiction angle, Gratitude is a more straight fantasy adventure in the pulp style of Indiana Jones.
Comments: XD^3 is the third fic of a trilogy, spanning 16 chapters at the time of this writing, and considered by the author to be the strongest of the trilogy. It can be read and enjoyed without reading the first two, as all backstory is explained for new readers. Gardener of Gratitude is a spinoff of XD^3 featuring one of the supporting characters and expanding on events referenced in XD^3.

Pokemon XR: Legends of Sinnoh by Jnoo

Recommended by: MusikMaestro
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Join Rain Eidoh and his friends Jessica and Manny as he tries to win the Sinnoh Pokemon League! Along the way they'll meet entertaining characters, new pokemon, and a dastardly new villainous team!
Comments A great fanfic that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It has everything: Great characters, great humor and excellent character development, all tied into a twist on the original diamond and pearl plot. The three main characters are great, and mesh together really well, and all have proper, fleshed out back stories. Ket is a great rival too, and has one of the best back stories I've seen in a pokemon fanfic. Overall, a brilliant fix that is definetly worth the read.

Poké Wars series by Cornova.

Recommended by: Dialga X
Status: Dormant (last updated April 2023)
Synopsis: Ho-oh plans to make a utopia for Pokémon, by wiping out humans. He has supercharged all the Pokémon and imbued them with an intense bloodlust. Can Humanity and Lugia's corps of Legendaries band together to stop him?
Comments: This series of four stories tells the tale of Ho-oh's genocide against humanity. They are all dark, gritty and high-octane war stories. They are quite violent but the action sequences in them are absolutely dazzling. The character development is pretty good as well. A word of caution: the effects of the Pokémon attacks are quite disturbing.
Note: The author has written 15 stories in this series but has also accepted many fan-written stories as canon, numbering at 20 and counting

Random Doom and Random Doom the Comic Series by BehindTG

Recommended by: Captain Napalm, KYM Snowman, Sithking Zero, Dominus Temporis, eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Complete
Synopsis: A series of gag and short comics revolving around the misadventures of trainer named Jenna and, more notably, her Pokémon in Sinnoh.
Comments: I was actually surprised that these comics didn't make it onto this page sooner, given the fact that some of our own have apparently been following them for months and leaving comments and that they command enough of a following that people are making both fan fiction and fan translations for these comics. As if the artwork alone wasn't reason enough to read them, Random Doom also possesses a decent number of well-developed characters, and masterfully executes a wide range of narratives (especially humorous ones). While the comics are updated fairly irregularly, sometimes veer a tad too far off into crude humor, and have occasional grammatical errors (the author is Finnish), they are hands down among the best (if not the best) Pokémon fan fiction presently on the net.
- Seconded here. There's something for everyone, with a large cast, each with their own quirks, habits, likes, dislikes, everything! A must read, if I do say so myself.
- A third recommendation from me. The only downsides are the gaps between updates and the occasional spelling or grammatical errors- both of which are justified, as explained above. Each character is well-rounded and distinct from the others, and the background/minor characters are just as colorful (even if most of their characters are All There in the Manual). What really makes Random Doom stick out, besides the beautiful art, is the sheer attention to detail and references to entries from throughout the series. It's clearly done by a longtime fan who has a lot of love for the games and for making art, which makes the long waits worthwhile.

Red to Crimson by The Light's Refrain and After Being Blue by reminiscent-afterthought

Recommended by: forthel0veoffanfic
Status: Complete
Summary: A story about what happens in the three years between Red and Green, and Gold Silver, And Crystal
Comments: Presents a case of Dark and Edgy Red without twisting his character.

Regret by Crukix

Recommended by: Drakenzie, Visionofthe Damned, Tragedy On Broadway, yiran
Status: Complete
Summary: "A world destroyed by war. A world where deadly creatures known as Pokemon stalked the earth. I grew up in that world. By some ill-fated miracle, I got the chance to stop the destruction. Only, I found out I caused it all. This is how I destroyed the world."
Comments: The story begins in an apocalyptic setting, though is quickly rewound 80 years to the more familiar time. It's a realistic portrayal of Pokemon, with a realistic anti-hero and a team full of pokemon with vivid personalities. The author warps even fan favourite Pokemon such as Gardevoir, who become demonic creatures that skin other pokemon and humans, using that to make their dresses - or capes for males. You're constantly treated to the brutal and realistic nature of the fic, with the main character suffering to the point of being captured by a Gardevoir and nearly being skinned alive. You're told from the start that the hero fails, yet you're constantly guessing as to how exactly everything goes wrong.
- Heavily seconded. The hero's Pokemon are all characterised so well that you can't help but love them. Not all of them are safe, howeveents a take on darker edgier Red wtithout twisting his characterr, as 4 of his pokemon have died so far. Judging by the reviews alone, there seems to be a heavy following for Lacey, the hero's Nuzleaf who happens to be a serial killer. She even has a basement full of trophy bodies when the hero captures her. She also kills one of his best friend's pokemon. Go read it now.
- Thirded. It now has its own page.
- Has a (possible) prequel in Transgression, which this troper thinks is already far superior to Regret.

Revelations: A Cynic's View of Pokémon by Coriander Wryters

Status: Complete
Recommended by: Verity, seconded by Anoroku
Synopsis: A Darker and Edgier take on the Pokémon 'verse through the eyes of a jaded trainer with a dark past by the name of Karuta and a Genki Girl named Nozomi who doesn't know what she's getting into when she tags along with him.
Comments: Darkity dark dark, if it's not inherently obvious from the first chapter, but has a lot of genuinely funny moments, well-realized and interesting characters, and a handful of heartwarming, as well.
- jaimeastorga2000: The first chapter was a pretty good introduction to a grimdark Pokemon world, but the fic quickly deteriorated in the following chapters. Not recommended.

Sacrament of Unova by Ami.Bel

Recommended by: Will Eat Ham
Status: Complete
Synopsis: The first in a series following a trainer's journey against villainous teams, mythical creatures, and the demons of men. Amira's first journey is in Unova. Her the slapstick adventure goes bad thanks to the mysterious N. It gets worse with the inclusion of cursed dragons, secret organizations, and a battle for the fate of the world. MA: Explicit violence, sex, and adult themes.
Comments: A pretty good interpretation of the plot of Black and White. The protagonist is interesting and sympathetic and the later turns the story takes can really feel like a gut punch. It takes some time for it to pick up and the prose isn't great at first, but it gets much better fast.

A Sapphire Shines in Sinnoh by Eeveexpert.

Recommended by: Dreamaniac.
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Featuring mostly original characters with occasional cameos, A Sapphire Shines in Sinnoh is the first in a series of fanfics by Eeveexpert. It is centered around a family of seven eeveelutions and one eevee, on their own for the first time as their trainer journey's to Johto. A mysterious, well-done plot and more Eevee's then you can throw an evolutionary stone at.
Comments: While the action scenes are worth reading on their own, the relationships and various heartrending emotional scenes make this fanfic a must read. All of the characters receive incredible amounts of characterization and development.
Has a sequel, ‘’Shattered Truths’’ (Complete), which has its own planned sequel, Shadows of Deceit.

Savoir-Faire-To-Know-and-To-Do by lalunaticscribe

Also on Archive of Our Own here
Recommended by: Beta-Orionis, eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Complete
Synopsis: "Nearly nine years ago I stopped Team Flare, and I met the legendary Pokémon. I gained a wish that activated when I was on the brink of death from Lysandre; I wished to live. I have been sixteen for nearly ten years, due to the aforementioned legendary Pokémon.
I am Marguerite Linden du Bois. Tomorrow, I begin a new career as a Pokémon professor. Tomorrow, I begin my rebellion." - taken from the AO3 summary
Notes: Has sequel Voir Dire: To Speak the Truth which is also complete. Also a sidestory set after the fic ended Savoir-Vivre: To Know and To Live.
Comments: 'Savoir-Faire' is a long fic with just over 178 thousand words, and while there are small spelling/grammar and spacing errors in the AO3 version, I believe this is one story that is definitely worth the read especially if you enjoy world building and mysteries.

Shadows from Before by MaverickKayPrime

Recommended by: Baron Tiger
Status: Complete
Summary: (From the Game Universe) A few years after Dawn becomes the Sinnoh Champion, a mysterious girl named Leaf Green wanders into Sandgem town with her Venusaur. She has all the Kanto badges and the Champion's badge but is nine years too young according to her trainer card and, furthermore, doesn't exist in trainer databases, leaving Dawn and Professor Rowan to wonder "Who is Leaf Green?"
Comments: An interesting read. Occasionally the writing may seem melodramatic or a bit stiff, but overall the sentences flow well and the story is captivating. I would definitely recommend it to anyone familiar with Gen 1 games or their remakes and the Gen IV games.

Shadowed Paragon by StandingMan

Recommended by: Jagellion
Status: Ongoing
Summary: It's summer in Hoenn, and that means battle. The time has come for Soren Nakajima to enter the conference circuits as a rookie. Armed with nothing but his prodigious exam scores, he's determined to raise a team that can conquer legends. But with fortunes and legacies on the line, how far can pure talent really take him? (OC fic)
Comments: All fans of Dreepy or Dragapult should give this story a try. It's a surprisingly refreshing take on Hoenn from the perspective of a native OC.

Storm Warning: The Rise of a Champion by The Altrox

Recommended by: thezogg.
Status: Dead (discontinued)
Synopsis: The tale of a young trainer and his Squirtle as they take destiny into their own hands, whether the journey takes them through the sun or the shadows. Adventure, friendship, love, and hardships... A lot can happen in just three years. Original region and characters.
Comments: An OC Trainer fic with a fan made region that stands above its peers. The main character, Cody Storm, goes above his roots as a OC Trainer having an actual character, flaws, and backstory and a supporting cast that very well feels alive. Combine this with good worldbuilding that isn't needlessly dark and three running plot lines, and you've got a good read.

The story of a Gardevoir that became a Trainer by Inuyuru

Trope page here
Recommended by: Nightelf37
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: A unusual Gardevoir has dreams of becoming a Pokémon Trainer and having adventures of her own, much like the ones she observes. One day, she wakes up and all of a sudden, she is human...

The Super Nerd Show! by Neoshadowwolf

Recommended by: Up Ndown Nallaround
Status: Dead (last updated June 2012)
Summary: Parody of a radio Talk Show that discusses contradictions and unanswered questions from the games, anime, and manga.
Comments: Almost entirely dialogue. Saw this the other day and found it to be an interesting read. Makes me think about what is wrong with the world of Pokémon and why so many plot holes exist.

Supernova by RavenWingDark

Recommended by: Tropers/thecarsonkid
Status: Dead (last updated November 2017)
Synopsis: A Fan Fic about Nova the Eevee, who has been living in Professor Oak's lab her whole life, finds a friend in her trainer, Sam. Together they journey the Pokemon World winning badges and meet interesting Pokémon along the way like Gold, the fighting type Sandshrew and Missile, the shy Beedrill. Mix between Mystery Dungeon, normal Pokémon games and real life.
Comments: The story starts off seeming like it will be pretty stereotypical but is strengthened by interesting characters and situations.

Sword and Shield, as well as the other stories by Kayasuri-n in that 'verse.

Recommended by: Mike, Cariyaga
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Sword and Shield has psychic-hating homicide detective Brenda Johnson investigating a murder in a lab, which leads to the discovery of Team Rocket's leader and an alliance with Mewtwo, who has decided to become a police officer and incidentally has impressive computer skills. Jokulhaups has Brenda and Mewtwo investigate a serial killer who is targeting the only people who would pose a challenge to an up-and-coming trainer. World on Fire is the investigation of a serial murderer/rapist, followed by a wee bit of a falling out between Brenda and Mewtwo. Chosen Fate involve a long series of murders of identical young girls.
Comments: Warning: non-canon. Its set in something rather like the modern world, but with pokémon. There are all sorts of modern conveniences, like cars, or homicide cops. The fics are, as should be expected in a fic following a homicide cop, quite dark. However, there are some moments of humour and awesome. They are very well written, and my summaries really don't do them justice. If you can deal with training being almost totally incidental to the stories, I highly recommend these.
- Kchasm: Is the fact that someone out there's probably shipping the two protagonists considered the white elephant in the room, or am I allowed to mention that?
  - Gattsuru: Secondary characters in the series are shipping the two protagonists, and there's no small amount of subtext. But it's a minor attribute in a series that emphasizes crime/cop drama, and does quite good at it.
- Mike: Note: An additional story, Chosen Fate, has been added and linked since Tropers/Cariyaga seconded this.

Tales of Flame by Buwaro and Anomaly by Dark Magician Girl Aeris

Alternate link here
Recommended by: Hydrall, eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Dead (last updated August 2016) and Dead (last updated March 2009)
Synopsis: This is a pretty in-depth 'verse of two stories (There was a third but it's gone now), both of which cross over occasionally. Tales of Flame is the story of a Charmander imaginatively named Flame by his master, who is nicknamed 'Moron' back, and is partially a parody, partially its own continuing plot. Anomaly is the story of Eve, another clone of Mew, and her adventures in the Pokemon World; It's much more serious. Both are funny and action-filled while keeping together a universe that includes a much more competent Team Rocket, a gender-bending Mew and a jerkass evil Celebi.
Comments: Both of them are still going strong, with Tales of Flame over 314 chapters in. Anomaly still updates, if slowly.

[[reviews:Anomaly' href='/pmwiki/review_add.php?g=FanficRecs&tt=TalesOfFlame]] [[reviews:Anomaly'>

[[reviews:Anomaly'>Add Review

Tearing the Heavens by Cepel

Recommended by: rmaster454
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: A dark fic about a medieval soldier named Riven being transported forward in time to Hoenn several years after the events of Ruby and Sapphire, and his adventures as a trainer. It's a great story with a great sense of humour, great action scenes, and very compelling characters, and is not just well-written for a fanfiction, but is well-written when compared to most actual published works of literature. Be warned, though, as it pulls no punches and can be incredibly violent at times.

there's blood on your lies by Hope Storyteller

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Ongoing
Synopsis: Cynthia probably shouldn't tell this man that she's from the future. "I'm from the future," Cynthia says. Or: local history/mythology nerd (among other things) ends up in Hisui. Surely nothing can go wrong with this.

The Thunder Clan by GigaBowserNS

Recommended by: Arctic1129
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Roxy the Pikachu is not part of a Pokémon Trainer’s team. She does not take place in Pokémon battles. No, she is happy to spend her days relaxing at home and enjoying the company of her loving human master. So, when Roxy somehow ends up in the middle of the wilderness, surrounded by dangerous wild Pokémon, suffice to say her entire world is flipped upside-down.
Comments: So, after reading Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: True Colors and absolutely loving it so much I made a TV Tropes account just to recommend it, I think its safe to say I was intrigued what Giga Bowser NS wrote before his arguably best fanfiction ever. My personal verdict is that, while I prefer True Colors, I thought this fanfic was still great. Essentially, this story’s entire premise is The Homeward Journey with Roxy learning how to survive in the wilds from the eponymous Thunder Clan to eventually make it back home. However, Roxy is very clearly not cut out for this kind of life, not helped by Taka, the Pokémon assigned to train Roxy, not exactly liking her and what she stands for. I especially like the vibe that the story establishes in the forest, everywhere outside of the main area of the Thunder Clan feels dangerous since this story subscribes to a Nature Is Not Nice meets Sapient Eat Sapient interpretation of what true wilderness is like in Pokémon. Overall, I would highly recommend this fanfic (and really any fanfic from Giga Bowser NS, this guy feels like he’s going somewhere), there’s a lot more to this story than what I’ve written but I don’t want to spoil anything. Also, completely random side note; the author of this story released an additional chapter in a section of the story with pacing that he felt didn’t quite feel right exactly 5 years after he finished the story as of writing this and appears to have another chapter in the works. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone write another chapter to a fanfic they wrote years ago to fix the pacing of a certain section. I just wanted to mention this since it says to me that the author truly cares about their fanfics, no matter how relatively obscure they are.

The Ties that Bind by Saffire Persian

Recommended by: antialiasis, Golden Dragon 326
Status: Complete
Synopsis: They say that Time will eventually heal all wounds; but people tend to forget the deep, everlasting scars it leaves.
Comments: Not only well written and an intensely believable exploration of the emotions associated with loss, but also simply one of the most heartwrenching pieces of fanfiction (or fiction in general) that I have ever read. There are a couple of typos that take you out of it a little, but only because the entire rest of it is so gripping and powerful.
- I second that. The author, interestingly enough, writes it in second person and makes it work extremely well. They're also one of the rare authors who can write a battle without it being a bland use-this-move-in-your-face presentation. Also, as mentioned, is a bittersweet story that, regardless of which region/starters you favor, you'll remember for however long you remain a Pokemon fan.

Ultra Survey Report by XerxesTexasToast

Recommended by: Lucariofool
Status: Dead (last updated November 2020)
Synopsis: Enclosed in this message you will find information regarding your application to the Ultra Recon Task Force. Your passion for the study of Pokémon has been noted by the administration during evaluation. The most current data regarding the Ultra Beasts and their home worlds is included to help steer you towards a division and field of study in which you are most interested.

Unoriginality 1 An Original Trainer Story by Farla

Recommended by: Inkki Bookman, Umbee, Fawn, antialiasis, suspiciouscookie
Status: Dead (last updated January 2017); However, could be considered complete, as each chapter is stand-alone.
Synopsis: These are a collection of insightful short stories examining different aspects of cliche Pokemon fanfictions that are usually found on fanfiction.net such as the cliche beginning of a OT's pokemon journey, the names they give their pokemon, various failed attempts at NOT writing a Sue-fic and so on.
Comments: While the story is a good "what not to do" guide that is also kind of funny. Farla's arrogant tone completely ruined the story for me.
- Arrogant? I read it as more of a generally "annoyed" tone. Besides, it's not like she places author notes between every single line. Why don't you just skip the top and bottom if you can't handle a bit of ranting?
- Another troper here- no, it's definitely arrogant. It comes off very much as "my way is the only way to do it" and yet she contradicts herself quite a bit. Some of her points are valid, but they're not worth wasting a whole "story" on it, and certainly not in such a vitriolic tone. Can we dis-recommend a fic? Because I totally would this one.
- antialiasis: Arrogant or not, it is frequently quite funny and brings up interesting points beyond those made in your standard Mary-Sue parody. Even if you find her tone annoying or disagree with some of her ideas, it's still worthwhile food for thought and chuckles.
  - It should also be noted that there are several cases where Farla simply contradicts canon- such as when a Suicune, sent out to fight another pokemon after being caught, just jumps over the heads of everyone there and leaves, or in the chapter "Sometimes the answer's just no", where an Abra just leaves, despite having been caught by the trainer. She goes out of her way to point out how bad and awful OT fiction is for ignoring canon, and then just does the same thing- I hate to second the dis-recommendation thing, really.
  - Falcon Pain: Those examples reflect one of Farla's biggest pet peeves: catching and training a Pokemon that doesn't want to be caught or trained and treating it as anything other than abuse. I find these stories worth a read but not necessarily worth taking to heart.
  - FoxBluereaver: Thirded on the dis-recomendation. Farla does come off as arrogant, and as good as the writing itself may be, it doesn't quite feel like it was written to actually entertain or make it funny. Kinda like it lacks a "heart" or something.

Wave: Endemic by Mnesia

Recommended by: MrTherandomguy42
Status: Dead (original version discontinued, Proper rewrite last updated December 2017)
Synopsis: No one cycle is the same. Every one has their own discrepancies, and there is not a soul alive who can properly account every detail. Not even the progenitors of such cycles. Many can be certain of one thing: change. Again, change is coming, slowly but surely. It's time to return to Autumnridge and face the Wave within a new limelight.
Comments: This is a remake of the original Wave: Endemic that brings about a lot of improvements to the original. The original fanfic while still being a relatively good story, had many flaws. Even though the remake is still in its early stages, it is worth reading since it does a much better job at making three-dimensional characters. Plus it will also bring about a lot of emotions from the start. I recommend anyone to give this and the original a read any day.

Wave: Epidemic by Mnesia

Recommended by: MrTherandomguy42
Status: Complete
Synposis: The sequel to Wave: Endemic. The wave of change spreads, driving friends and families apart as those fighting for their humanity attempt to control the infection. The surreal, space-born fragments rest in the town of Autumnridge, having planted the seeds of mass transformation. Join the victims of the aftermath as they come together, facing challenges small, large, and awkward.
Comments: Rated M for strong language, intense violence, and other suggestive and mature content. This sequel both continues and expands upon the universe that is Wave. Unlike the previous story, it brings about a lot of dark themes several chapters in, which is why it is rated M. The storytelling becomes a massive improvement once it reaches the second arc of the story, and the POVs are somehow able to get more interesting as they go on. Lastly, there will be many times in the story that will leave you on edge, giving you chills on what has happened before or what will happen next. I can't really go into more detail on that without spoiling it however. Overall, great recommendation that I hope many will enjoy as much as I did.

what's up, danger? by Hope Storyteller

Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Complete
Synopsis: So Cynthia thought the last time she was in Unova was... interesting enough. She thought wrong. Nobody told her about Team Neo Plasma. Or the third Unovan dragon god, that everyone seems to think is nothing more than an empty shell while Kyurem themself seems to quite strongly disagree.
Notes: Sequel to mirror, mirror.

The World in Red by Three Blind Mice

Recommended by: Pre-Ragnarok
Status: Complete
Synopsis: Red is a Champion among Champions, taking title after title as he travels through the various regions. With his 'Dex in hand, he is determined to catalogue every single Pokémon in existence, but with great power comes great responsibility. Slowly, but surely, the world will turn against him.
Comments: Not a very long fic, but definitely worth reading. It's an interesting take on Red's character and the consequences of capturing pokemon such as legendaries.

Xanthic Growlithe Contract by Facia

Recommended by: wescotta, Joysweeper, Shadow Dog
Status: Dead (first story Complete, second story last updated May 2007)
Synopsis: Why are most Pokemon trainers children? Why do Nurse Joys all look the same? Why can't people buy tickets for the S.S. Anne, and why doesn't anybody bother researching wild pokemon? In Xanthic Growlithe Contract, ten-year-old Elliot roams Kanto with a menagerie of unusual pokemon, including a Jigglypuff that can only use Uproar and a Poochyna that grows weaker as it evolves. But as he travels, he can't help but notice that something is mysteriously, inexplicably wrong...
Comments:
- Joysweeper: Seconding the reck! It's very good, although the protagonist doesn't do all that much himself, but eighteen chapters into the Johto part it becomes a Dead Fic, complete with a note saying "Yes, I am updating". So many questions are left unanswered.

You Thought by shinyvulpix82

Recommended by: CJ Croen 1393, eeveelutionlover2000
Status: Dead (last updated November 2018)
Synopsis: You thought we were conquered the day Kanto failed,
You thought we were destroyed the day Johto shattered,
You thought we were routed the day Hoenn collapsed,
You thought we were beaten the day Sinnoh broke,
You thought we were lost the day Unova wept,
You thought we were broken the day Kalos burned,
You thought we were gone the day Alola fell,
You thought the earth was subdued only to you,
You thought wrong. —Author Unknown
Comments: The best way I can sum this up as is "what would happen if aliens tried invading the Pokemon world?" The answer is that the Pokemon start fighting back. And so far, they're winning. The chapters are set up to keep each attacking Pokemon's identity a mystery until the end of the chapter, which cites a Pokedex entry for said Pokemon and then reveals the status of the Professor who wrote it.

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