So emotionally packed. Ah, I love the tone and the familiar way you write, the expressions and feelings behind them. I've found myself tense several times. My money is on Henry...or it's just a great diversion on your part but that "good man" got me, and if that's not foreshadowing...well, if it's not it's a great way to bury the lead ;)

And the plot thickens. Man too bad, I thought Con would have overcome his first reaction..ah and now this new insight is -yikes.

Your characters feel perfectly real.

Got kinda queesy when the corpse was being handled myself. The self harm, and how the Dr says it had me tearing up.

I'm transfixed, utterly motionless in a mix of horror and fascination. My writing (when I can think past what I'm reading) is shallow compared to this. We may be on the same spectrum of fic writers but we're on opposites sides. Not sure if I'm inspired of discouraged, I just know I'm bewitched and appreciative. What a great read.

Oh snap, I'm hooked. Your writing is so clear, it's captivating. And what an interesting concept and such detailed, plausible, inventive backstory you've provided. You've made the pokémon world seem so very real. I can't wait to continue.

I read your story a little ways ago and really, really enjoyed it. I should have reviewed back then, so sorry for tardiness, I suppose.

First off, I want to say that this story actually helped me grow as a writer. Your use of street names and places without prior introduction and the way you did so gave the story a very familiar sort of feel, and I’ve since incorporated that into my writing.

(Spoilers below, new readers, ye have been warned)

The mystery aspect of the story was really entertaining. That was my favorite part, guessing who could have done it. I thought for a while it was Nick, but nope. The reveal was surprising, having been in the head of the murderer. “It was his duty to protect the citizens of this town,” indeed.

Tacoma’s attitude made me worry at times her and Jodi’s budding relationship would have an abusive slant. I wanted Jodi to lose her temper, like really get mad, sometimes, and her taking everything as well as she did, with all the stress that she was under, came off as slightly unrealistic. Not so much that it made their relationship feel artificial, though. For the most part, it was done really well, and their friendship and commitment to each other was really heartwarming to see. And Tacoma’s frustration is easily understandable. I’d be aggravated, too, if I were stuck in a spooky rock for what might be the rest of eternity. Add depression to the mix, and you have one sympathisably irritable ghost rock person.

Speaking of ghost pokemon, I enjoyed your detail about how the yamask professor continued to teach rather than become sport for the next eleven year old armed with a great ball. Also, the mix of animals and pokemon— mentioning wolves in addition to ursaring (I think it was ursaring, not totally sure) as a danger added a nice touch to the setting while also proving a relieving answer to some questions regarding pokemon relations to the meat industry.

The description of tyranitaur, of its being one of the deadliest predators on the planet, was nice. I remember enjoying that description; it did the pokemon justice in acknowledging its titanic power.

Your use of acoustic psionics with one of my favorite pokemon was awesome, by the way! So cool. And original! I see psychic stuff pop up from time to time, but using a non-psychic pokemon to achieve psychic goals and the methods and descriptions concerning them, was really neat to witness.

Lastly, your description of the guzzlord was really cool. It’s neat to see a cult built around something like that, and the description of it, in relation to Ho-oh, as some incomprehensibly powerful force, was also really satisfying. It makes me want to see how you’d handle Ho-oh in this setting, as a real god of Johto.

It was an awesome story, overall. The love and effort you must have put into it really shows.

Please respond?

Best Pokecouple!

Thanks for sharing! It was real good. I can't wait until your next fic. Hopefully there's a next one! ;)

Holy hell I actually called it: poke-world Innsmouth.

Really though, this could've been set this in a depressed rust belt town in the American Midwest, since you've basically already done that with the serial numbers filed off. Most of the in-game regions are based on various real world locales that make up Japan. Not everything has to connect back to a specific individual "region".

Sometimes all you need is a monster in your pocket, especially for a story as strong and unique as this one.

Noticed a typo - the sergeant addresses Jodi as Tacoma. Otherwise, another good chapter! Looking forward to seeing what happens after that cliffhanger.

wowe. what the...?

damn. Soooo packed full of emotion and stuff. Love the projection and how you put a restriction to it.

uuuug. That cliffhanger! Great chapter. Love, love, love the little details you add in there. Makes your world seemso real. Pretty sure I've already said that though. Heeeh