I've read this story several times, and I love it. Just one thing. I don't know about you, but the concept of any of Red's Pokemon getting any more powerful is the stuff Darkrai would use in his worst nightmares.

This is the fifth time I've read this story, and it still leaves a satisfying taste in my mouth. If this is how the Trodaireverse starts, then sign me up for more! I can't wait for the sequels!

Frakkin' excellent.

WOO! WHAT'CHOO GOT, STEELIX!? YOU GOT SOMETHING FOR MEGA PUNCHES!? YOU AIN'T GOT SHIT FOR MEGA PUNCHES!

...I am enjoying this story FAR too much.

HAHAHAHAHA!

Oh ye gods...

Okay, first the idea of an Armaldo suplexing a Dragon is incredible.

And then the adorkable scene in front of the club...

See now, out of his element, the rarely seen Anti-Brock! A strange and marvelous creature, it ventures from its place of power a mere once a week, at which point females of various species flock to view its impressive physique! Unfortunately, a quirk of evolution has rendered them all but immobile in the presence of such scrutiny.

Oh, I want to visit this gym. So bad.

And Blunt Force Trauma would be an awesome name for a battle strategy.

Oh my goodness. That entire story was exhilarating. The way you wrote the battle kept up the tension and made it seem so real! Not to mention, your OCs are amazing, considering I normally dislike OCs. And that twist at the end! I'm looking forward to reading more of your work! Awesome job!

I was extremely pleased when I found this(it later led to the demise of my grades, but those are fixable...to a certain degree). I'm not usually an OC fan, and OC centric Fanfictions tend to get on my nerves...but you have successfully created the 2nd OC Fanfiction that I've really enjoyed. I was hoping for a Red VS Steven battle, but I'm glad that you kept it real. This was an amazing story, and I'm glad I took a chance on it.

Of all the Pokemon stories that I have read, this has GOT to be the best one and I've read TONS of Pokemon stories. It's perfect how you ended the story and this story deserves more than just the 58 reviews you will get after this is posted. Trodiare is an amazing OC you created and I can't help but thank you for this wonderful story. It's hard to find friendship stories that are NOT romantic- centric. Thank you for making this. It's inspiring and phenomenal.

Wallace was what? WALLACE WAS WHAT? I NEED TO KNOW!

For the record, I read all the stories in the Trodaireverse before beginning to review because ain't nobody got time to review when they have to get to the next story as soon as they can, bub.

But now I've finished and I can review, as is appropriate. Ready for incomprehensible blabber? Okay, here it is.

Oh wow. Oh wow. OH WOW.

Can I just say that this was amazing?

I mean, sure, initially, when I first started reading it, I was all, eww, OC. I had half a mind to back out. If it weren't for the Steven and Cynthia tag, I probably would have.

And thank Arceus I did. The journey I went through (spiritual, of course, since I'm not leaving my comfy spot at my desk) was absolutely incredible. Trodaire is not a Gary-stu like I mistakenly thought at the beginning, the build-up to the final clash between Lance and Steven, as well as the actual clash itself was bam! A ton of awesomeness and the touch of realism, Steven losing to Alder, that really made me both laugh and cry for them all.

While I thought, during battles, that less Pokémon moves were used in comparison to what seems like wrestling moves (? I would be the least qualified person to know, but it feels that way?), which seemed to be a bit of a shame, it was still an epic brawl, as well as using their heads/skills to turn strength against the user.

I also thought it slightly off that a steel-type expert - and a champion at that, like Steven - didn't know as much about steel types as a kid from Orre, who, while street smart, didn't seem to be experienced in the school smart. Still, it would make sense that a former champion would lose touch with the battling scene, as well as the feeling of connecting with a Pokémon in battle, and a new touch reminding that is great!

One thing - Aggron, being a steel and rock type, DOES have an advantage over Dragonite, who is dragon and flying.

Cynthia and Steven - the elegant couple in public, the rather cheesy, lovey-dovey, dorky yet lovable, even closer couple in private. I LOVE IT.

Lance's characterization is incredible. As a prodigy to a clan as privileged as the one in Blackthorn, it makes sense that he has a harder time connecting. Him being socially awkward is funny, yet touching in the way one feels touched when one observes a cool and impassive person who's secretly a dork at heart, through and through.

And Red - wow, what a badass. I - words can't even.

So, off to the other stories!

Definitely one of the best of the best. I loved every moment. And when Red ended up speaking...jeezus that was awesome. Its like when Caesar spoke in Rise of the Planet of the Apes. It also confirms that it was Red, even though I dont think anyone doubted it was him, he was only referred to as Red in the last line. Wonderful work.

Ah, The Fight Club

I've heard a lot of good things about it, and I have to say it lives up to the hype. It doesn't take itself incredibly seriously, but it doesn't have to. Pokemon is fun, and so is this story. So many authors try to make the series dark and gritty for the adult fans like themselves. This is a refreshingly down-to-Earth story about simple things like taking pride in what you do.

I like that even a seasoned veteran like Steven grappled with self-doubt and inadequacy. There's always a bigger fish in the pond, but Steven kept trying.

As a former WWF fan, I was especially amused by what a production the whole thing was.

Of course, there are some downsides. Ironically, Trodaire himself is probably the weakest part of the story. He's not interesting for who he is. He's only good for what he facilitates. I was far more taken with Steven's climb to the top and his final showdown with Lance. Trodaire didn't do anything for me and would have been better off as a supporting coach figure who exists in the background.

Instead he's the exciting outsider who shakes up the League and melts Sabrina's heart. (Even the goofy name Troidaire Phoenix strikes me as someone trying too hard to be cool.) That was perhaps the worst of it all. The romance was boring and contrived(she couldn't find ANYONE else to take? Or just go alone?), not to mention entirely unnecessary. As Steven's story came to the fore, Trodaire's terrible romance just dragged more and more. Hell, if I'm going to nitpick, you undercut your own depiction of Sabrina as this proud, imperious woman if she cracks so easily and goes slinking over to him.

I like The Fight Club and its sequel following Lance is shaping up to be quite nice, too. It's just too bad the "Trodaireverse" hinges on such a boring character.

Wow... my brain's melting out of my ears. I don't know where you've been all my life, but I'm glad I found you, The Fighting Irishman. Absolutely incredible. I have been combing through the many stories of the Pokemon fandom for over three years, and have in that time read, easily, thousands of stories. Of those thousands, maybe a mere hundred have struck me as 'good': 'worth a read'. Of those hundred, no more than ten have been truly incredible stories unlike any I have ever read before.
This story is one of them.
No words can express my gratitude to you for creating such a masterpiece, for that is what this is. I can only feel honored at having the chance to read, no, EXPERIENCE it!
So thank you, The Fighting Irishman. You have another person to add into what I am sure is a long list of 'fans for life'.