"From what she could tell, they were stories filled with pages of ridiculous looking characters in outfits that no one would ever wear, whose bodies often bore no resemblance to those of real people. She preferred reading fashion magazines."
I've read a bunch of your stories now, and I gotta say this line takes the humour cake! Thanks for making me laugh out loud at work, haha!

You might be surprised at how many people like to read about the lesser known characters. Anyway, your story, for lack of a better term, rocked!

I'll admit, the Justine and Brick pairing surprised me In "Back to School," but you really impressed me with it here.

Humor, romance, drama-you had it all and it followed the spirit of the show perfectly!

The epilogue wasn't necessary, but still it was a pleasant way to end the story. I got enough closure from the previous update to hold me over until the next story. If anything, it feels more like a prelude to sequeal. What will the new school year bring, I wonder? The sequeal does not even have to follow the continued exploits of Justine and Brick. They can fall into supporting roles while you focus on other characters and pairings. I'd read either.

I think Kim and Ron played splendid background roles. I know you're used to working with them, but sometimes it helps to step back and take a look around. I find I too enjoy working with side characters because they give you more story options. That's not to say Kim and Ron were not enjoyable to read. I think you captured their personas perfectly while still leaving plenty of room to develop Brick and Justine. Kudos for that.

As for getting illustrated, you should partner up with Slyrr. His illustrations on the "All Things Probable" series are top-knotch. His take on the fight scene between the Cuddledactyl and Justine alone would be worth it.

As you said, self-exploration was the theme of this story. Brick not only developed as a person, but Justine, Kim, Ron, and even Bonnie of all people. In looking back, Monty did some changing as well. You mentioned he never looked toward technology in his schemes but this time he really thought outside the box. That he was able to stomach anyone's assistance, let alone Amy's, is testement to his development. As I said, I'd love to see you use him again as a future antagonist.

I understand what you mean by a story getting out of hand. "Kunoichi" was meant to be a oneshot as well, but the story got away with me. It wound up being many chapters longer than I had intended. I find that a little bit of planning goes a long way. I used to just write stories without any semblance of a plan. Then I went to the other extreme with writing out the entire summary, planning every plotline and foreshadowing, that I lost interest. It's better to keep a balance, just like Brick and Justine's relationship has shown.

I have you on alert so when you get to writing that story I will be there. BTW, thanks for putting me into your endnotes for the story. I know I am a latecomer when it comes to reviewing your story but it's nice to know I was thought of when throwing your shoutouts.

I watched Buffy and Angel when it first came out, back when vampires were still cool and not imasculated like they are now. People seem to forget that it was those two that cemented the whole vampire romance thing, not Edward and what's her name, Bella? I don't write for them though. I'm more focused on animated programs than I am life-action.

I hear the Fannies are back in the works. I know you're not elligble this year but when it comes to the story, pairing, or minor character awards you will have my vote for the following year. I enjoyed reading this very much and will post a summary of it on my favorites section on my profile. Check it when you have the time. See if you like any of my other suggested favs while you're at it.

Thanks for the read.

~Darev

This story was all about branching out and trying new things. The interesting part is it couldn't have been told better from any other point of view than Brick. As he believes people will always consider him a jock, Brick is excitied to discover what other incredible things he can do. Ironically enough, none of this would have happened had not Bonnie treated him as she did. And look at her now! Even Bonnie's trying something new. Who'd of thought she'd be a nerd at heart?

You did a really good job of incorporating Monty and Amy into this story. You should use them more often.

You could have ended it right here, but that just leaves more reading for me. I look forward to finishing it.

~Darev

Sweet! A fitting showdown for the series. You should get this story illustrated someday.

It's not often I am completely satisfied with a fight scene which usually has Kim doing something impossible (even for her) or Ron suddenly 'stepping up.' Here the monster was defeated but it wasn't with an unorthodox KO like several half-assed attempts and finishing a story. I can see the Cuddledactyl coming back for future headaches.

~Darev

Seriously...Monty is more clueless than Drakken sometimes. Did he really think Justine wouldn't pull something like this? I figured she would do something like reprogramming the robot.

But with the tables turned, I'd love to see how Kim and the gang are going to put an end to this caper. I'm almost to the end and looking forward to it.

~Darev

Dude, you missed out on an opportunity for Monty's famous line. "Monkey Ninjas Attack!" That would have been a perfect line to end this chapter.

Well the plan worked. Now lets see how long Team Possible/Flagg/Load can hold their own against Monty's improvised army. And I expect cuddledactyl will make quite a scene when he wakes up.

~Darev

Good to see Brick tacking initiative. See Bonnie? There is a brain under there.

Kim has the luck of the Irish (which she might be actually) and could give Ron a run for his money with how many times she's survived impossible situations. Now that they have a plan, how will they impliment it?

While Monkey Fist is one of Kim's most competent villains, he doesn't think beyond the mayhem scenario. Just break a few things with his robot? Drakken would roll his eyes at him.

Speaking of which, I notice there aren't enough MF villain fics out there. He's a breath of fresh air from the usual Drakken and Shego antagonists.

~Darev

While the concensus is that Middleton is located somewhere in Colorado, the episode where Kim first faced Amy implied that it was somewhere in West Virginia, or someplace nearby. I don't know why the creators confuse us like that.

Monkey Fist has all his enemies right where he wants them. But he should know it takes more than brute force to defeat Kim Possible. And with Ron, Justine and Brick in the picture (not to mention Rufus) there's a whole list of factors he and Amy have not contended with. You know what? I think you should make this group an official team.

~Darev

Yes! The climax is coming. I love this part of the story. It's been building up to this moment and you know Brick's not going to be sitting on the sidelines for this one. And poor Ron. Of all times for his pants-impaired epidemic to happen. As if being kidnapped by a winged monster in his mascot uniform wasn't enough.

I wish I had been reading this while you were still updating. I feel so left behind. Hey, speaking about your job situation, if Brick and Justine can make it work (hell even Bonnie and Larry - the gates open wider) you can certainly find a job. I'm equally bad at introspection myself, but I don't let that stop me from enjoying what I love to do.

This is your story, DP. "Just a Writer."

~Darev

This chapter was all about the heart-to-heart. I kind of felt that Brick was putting Justine's mom in her place. I mean okay, he's not the brightest tool in the shed, but neither is she if she can't figure out the truth in Brick's words.

Bonnie admitting she made a mistake? I can feel the gates of Hell slowly opening.

Monkey Fist has something big going down and I can't wait until it's finally revealed. I love it when a plan slowly comes together.

~Darev

I haven't reviewed in a while. Sorry. The deadline for my grad school application is coming up and I've alot of stuff on my plate. But I definitely plan on finishing this story. You know I read an article in a magazine this week about a few published authors who used to write fanfiction. Mostly video game-based I believe. But still, it's heartening to know there are people who do stuff we do and have something to show for it.

I really like Bonnie in this chapter. It's like she has her own secret world that nobody knows about, even Tara. It's funny how the fandom has put those two together as best friends. Guess it's because Tara's the only other cheerleader we know about outside of Kim and Bonnie. But I think she's starting to realize how much fun she had with Larry. I'm not saying she's a close-closet nerd or anything, but it must be nice being able to relax and have a hobby that doesnt' involve looking cool.

~Darev

Ouch...a flaw in Justine's character has just become apparant. Too bad Brick had to find out the hard way. We've seen it before: Justine doesn't have faith in others to do anything. She thought Kim beneath her and thinks worse of Brick. Her upbringing is part of the reason behind her superiority complex. Sad truth, but she and Bonnie have more in common than they tend to realize.

~Darev

Bonnie the Gamer? Wouldn't Kim love to learn about that? It turns out that nerds and geeks tend to have very good hobbies. Maybe instead of criticizing Ned for everything he enjoys, she should be trying to introduce him to her world.

~Darev

Parents just don't understand. Or maybe they do and it's just us that don't get it. Or perhaps something in between.

The Father/Son moment was nice and Brick's explanation behind his outburst made sense. It's good to see them becoming a family once again. And oh how I wish Justine made the trailer trash comment public.

~Darev