Update!

That was good! Good luck with the next chapter!

Loving this! I'm excited to see what happens next!

This is amazing I love it you are fantastic

Team magma will show up too?

She got a nice pokemon. I have one caled Koral

:O the character is nineteen, I thought it would be around 10 and 15.
19 is almost an adult.

Aaand things will pick up from here. Really enjoyed reading that gym battle, by the way. And the protagonist's going to appear soon! Will it be May or Brendan? Or Ruby or Sapphire? And I have a feeling the thing Steven and Flannery is hiding has being to do with Groudon... Hmmm...

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to the next chapter, but don't worry about needing more time to write it. You've mentioned many times about you've gotten busy, so I understand, as I'm sure your other fans understand. Real life takes priority, so if you need to focus on that first before getting back to the story, then go ahead!

I'll be waiting patiently for the next chapter. :D

P.S. I know almost nothing about Pokémon from Unova and onwards (except Zekrom and Reshiram and some of the Pokémon in my brother's team in B/W), and it was through this story that I got to know Krelp. (I probably saw Dragalge before, but not this guy.) Anyway, just sharing, haha.

Okay, before I read the latest chapter, I'll write a short review. Honestly, I didn't expect to enjoy this story as much as I do right now. In fact, this is the first OC-centered Pokémon fic I read (though I haven't read much).

For one, having Meowth as the starter was unexpected but I decided to roll with it anyway. Riley's a pretty good character so far, and I really enjoyed reading the part where she released Thorn. In fact, I probably, maybe, kinda, teared up a little...

But anyway, what I'm really looking forward to is when Krelp will evolve. And of course, Steven! More Steven is always nice.

I'll be reading the latest chapter next and I could already feel I'll be left on a cliffhanger. Hoo boy, here I go...

This fic is really good! Interesting to see a realistic story

Goodness I missed Riley and her snark. She's such a fun narrator, and you've done a great job of showing how the tedium of slogging through the Gym's lower trainers can become something much more interesting, like giving us musings about being wet, or not understanding what the hell Steven is doing (I'm with you Riley, wtf), or defending Bubbles' honor. Just, the whole train of thought from Riley as she's making her way toward Flannery is a great read. And honestly, if you've got a Slugma, can you really call Skrelp the weirdest pokemon you've seen?

The battle with Flannery herself was rightfully exciting, even though she's a huge dork (and I love her, she's great, and what a great first Gym leader experience for Riley, too. God, can you imagine if she ran into Norman first? I'd probably quit training right then). Riley can also count her lucky stars she didn't have to face that Torkoal... Murphy is a certified badass, and Bubbles made me proud. The bonding moment with Ping Pong was great, too, it's showing some great progress to Riley and her team.

Finishing up the chapter with Riley's celebration was icing on the cake (see what I did there?). It was a great moment of pure levity, and I really felt happy for Riley as she and Amelia got to spend some time relaxing and enjoying themselves. Of course, the rising tension at the end of the chapter with the uncertainty surrounding Steven and Flannery sets the reader on edge. Not Riley and Ameila so much, they're having too much fun right now, and really, they deserve it. And just when you're like "oh huh, Steven seems mighty suspect" but maybe it's okay, then the narrative bit amps things up even more. I'm excited to see how things move from here, and how Riley gets dragged deeper and deeper into this mess.

Great stuff. Also, not sure the best way to share with you, but I drew a little sketch of Bubbles sitting on his cake because I laughed way too hard at that scene. I know FFN shreds links to pieces, so maybe there's a better way to send it to you? I'd love to share it :)

Oooooh!Loved the bit of forshadowing at the end, there. Great chapter. The picture of Bubbles just sitting in a field with toxic spikes all round him, and he's all happy faced at his trainer, made my day. lol

With Riley trying for a better life, I wonder if criminal recruiters even have a chance with her.

Okay, I read through this entire fic through one sitting because it's so good! I hadn't expected to be so attached to Riley's achievements because my brain is so cluttered with angsty plotlines and such (most of them mine ). I like Riley's dynamic with her Pokemon and how you describe the little idle moments, especially Bubbles being Bubbles.
And I don't really mind the slower pacing; I think it's important to give time for characters to develop in a story, and I think Riley is developing pretty well. I can't wait to see what the next big thing is.
Keep it up, I'm looking forward to the next installment!

this is legit one of the best stories I've ever read. i hope you update soon :)