"Well, there's one thing my Mom has taught me. And that is to 'expect the unexpected'."
— Louis Serrano
Pokémon: One of a Kind
is a fanfiction based on the Pokémon franchise, written by Toadly1998.
Story summary: 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.
This story currently has two sequels. Pokémon: United Bonds and Pokémon: Free Will
Pokémon: One of a Kind and its sequels provide examples of:
- 10-Minute Retirement: Somewhere in between United Bonds and Free Will, Louis had given up being a trainer. Six years later, with some guiding advice, he decides to return to the academy to become a trainer once more.
- The Ace: Suzuki is basically this while he was still a student at the National Pokémon Academy
- Berserk Button: Louis:
- He is absolutely disgusted with trainers who abandon their Pokémon.
- And especially, trainers who strike their Pokémon. This led to Louis punching Simon
- Team Rocket constantly getting in his, and his friends', way.
- Trainers, or Pokémon, who put themselves before their team
- Taki:
- She doesn't take kindly to people who hurt Louis
- Taki doesn't appear to be a fan of deception.
- Beware the Nice Ones: The central character, Louis, is friendly, polite, and sometimes, a little goofy. But he is a force to be reckoned with if you were to get on his bad side.
- Big Damn Reunion: Chapters 4 and 5 of Free Will involve Louis reuniting with Roy, Lycanroc, Suzuki, and his team of Pokémon, who had evolved during their time apart (excluding Marowak and Braixen who had evolved in the previous story).
- Subverted in Chapter 7 of the same story. Azul had returned to the academy after many years training in the Kanto Region, having evolved into a Greninja. However, Azul is more quiet and distant than his younger years.
- Chapter 8 has Louis finally reuniting with Taki, Feraligatr and Cinderace.
- The Bully: Simon is basically this at the Academy.
- Character Death: The Venusaur that Louis, Taki, Totodile and Tracey had met the same day, dies of old age, with Louis sitting by her side, grieving.
- Cool Old Guy: Chief Tanaka is very friendly, courteous and polite to everyone he meets. His first defining moment was where he assisted in Taki taking Totodile into her care.
- Easily Forgiven: Averted in Free Will. Although Louis' Pokémon were happy for him to return, Staraptor held a small grudge with her trainer. (see What the Hell, Hero? below)
- Even though he feels guilty for his actions, the rest of the main party are angry at Azul and won't forgive him for what happened. It isn't until a month later, where Azul finally apologises, that they forgive him.
- Five Stages of Grief: The central character goes through this after Venusaur's death, skipping the bargaining stage. This continues until midway into United Bonds
- Good Parents: Miguel and Janet, Louis' parents, are definitely these.
- Also in regards to Tracey Sketchit's parents, who searched far and wide to find their son.
- Hair-Trigger Temper: Violet is implied to have this, but only if Simon is involved in some way.
- Hate Sink: Simon was specifically created to be exactly this in the second story, both in and out-of-universe.
- Kid Hero All Grown-Up: Louis and his friends are in their young adult ages in Free Will.
- Laser-Guided Karma: Before the climax of United Bonds, Simon is expelled from the academy after he kicked his Garchomp after losing his battle with Suzuki.
- Mentor Archetype: For the short time they were together, Venusaur provides wise words to Louis.
- Older Than They Look: It wasn't known when they first met, but it is revealed in Chapter 26 of One of a Kind, that Venusaur was an elderly Pokémon on her last breaths.
- Samus Is a Girl: It is revealed in Chapter 8 of One of a Kind, that Taki's Totodile is in fact female, stunning Louis and Taki.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: It is revealed in Chapter 8, and later fully explored in Chapter 22, of Free Will, that Azul had given up on battling in Pokémon battles after losing a sparring match during his short visit to the Academy. Unfortunately, this led to Louis quitting being a trainer because he felt that he failed as a trainer.
- Small Role, Big Impact: Even though he had only known her for a short time, Louis carries around the memory of Venusaur, talking and thinking about her constantly.
- Speaks Fluent Animal: Every member of the Ho-Ken tribe, and those who are related by blood, gain the ability to talk to Pokémon after drinking tea mixed with a feather of Ho-Oh
- Time Skip: There is a six-year time skip between United Bonds and Free Will.
- Trademark Favourite Food: Curry is Louis' favourite food. If he so much as smells its scent, he won't hesitate to go and eat some.Louis: Diet...limit...off!
- Villainous Breakdown: In United Bonds, after he is expelled, Simon sneaks back onto campus, steals a Tyranitar from the lab, and interrupts the final battle between Louis and Suzuki, wanting revenge.
- Wham Line: From Pokémon: One of a Kind.Venusaur: Thirty-two years ago...your father was given the same task by the chief.
- From United Bonds.
Simon: That's just as pathetic as that Totodile I left in Johto! - What the Hell, Hero?: In Free Will, Staraptor questions Louis as to why he took six-years to come back to the Academy. It isn't until later in the story that Staraptor and the rest of the party learn why Louis didn't return for so long.
- Later in the story, Louis delivers this to Azul, calling him out for his behaviour and attitude toward him and the rest of his team since he returned from the Kanto Region.
