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II. Adventures Series
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1. Just what is the "Adventures Series?"

My first published fanfic, and in turn, my first 'Pokémon' fanfic. My take of the animated series starting from after Ash earns his eighth Kanto League gym badge. Originally started in October of 1999, it spans 53 episodes, one special, and an epic end-all series that is currently in the midst of release.

2. Why did you pick such a generic name for it?

Believe it or not, originally the first season was not packaged as a series... just a bunch of mini-series. I just decided at one point that since they were all intertwined with each other, it would be better to brand them over one general title.

I don't remember how the name exactly came up, but it was kind of an arbitrary might-change-it-later title. All these years later, I never came up with an actual, permanent title... and for some reason, I can't part with the old 'Adventures Series' moniker.

3. How much of the anime series do you have to know of to start reading it?

If you've seen up to Episode 63, the episode where Ash earns the Earth Badge, then you're more than ready. I have, over the years, added a few Orange Island and Johto characters, so you'll probably need that down in the second and third seasons... but most 'Pokémon' fans already do anyway.

4. Why are there two divulging storylines for the first season?

Originally, "Misty's Travels to the Pokémon League," which ran 14 chapters plus a short epilogue, was to be the main storyline. That was because, at the time, I was absolutely crazy about Misty, and just wanted to write about her.

But I quickly decided that I couldn't completely write Ash (and Brock) out of the fanfic, so I gave them three smaller mini-series to compensate for the discrepancy.

For completeness purposes, and to make the first season more reader-friendly, the two storylines were combined in a way that the episodes fell, for the most part, in chronological order.

5. Why are the episodes so long?

When I started my career, I was against writing short fics because chapters would be way too short and, in most cases, over without having a big revelation or something worth reviewing.

So I decided that a half-hour episode length (20 to 25 pages) would suffice for a good episode. (But apparently, I've heard that typical half-hour episode scripts run twice to three times as long... so I'm not exactly accurate.)

6. How can I keep track of the characters and their Pokémon?

If you look on the page for the series, there are sections reserved for character profiles. These are designed for old and new readers to the series alike, to keep track of where all the characters are and what Pokémon they have.

As of the latest update to this FAQ, I don't have any of it up. It's one of those projects on the site that I have been putting off for many months. Hopefully I'll be able to remedy that real soon.

7. What's with the 'Best New Female Character' award?

The "Adventures Series" was submitted by me in the Summer 2000 edition of the Pokémon Fanfiction Academy Awards. Authors were required to nominate their own works for the categories, and then fellow fans were encouraged to vote for their favorites.

One of the categories I submitted a nomination for was 'Best New Female Character.' That was for Sally Highsaw, and Episode 27, "Dreams Do Come True, Chapter 5: Everything Changes" was submitted as the example. It garnered enough votes to finish 2nd in the category. Behind who, I don't really remember.

I wonder if it was the actual subject matter of the episode and not the character herself that won it. Hmmm... maybe you should go read it and find out for yourself, eh?

8. Why are Episodes 43-46 missing?

I do have Episodes 45 & 46, but 43 & 44 were lost in the great FF.net purge. The reason I can't post the last two without the first two is because they made up the four-part mini-series starring Gary and his cheerleading squad... and the problems they were having on the road.

If I ever find 43 & 44, I'll post all four episodes. Until then, it's highly doubtful they'll ever see the light of day again.

9. What's this about movie-length episodes being planned?

Originally, there was going to be as many as 5 movie-length specials that I was beginning to plan out shortly after the end of Season 1. Most faithful readers probably know about what was to be the first... "Love Affair in Pallet Town."

"Love Affair in Pallet Town" is a story that takes place over the course of one month, bridging the two major scenes of Season 1's last episode. Wanting a chance to meet the great Professor Oak, Giselle decides to accompany Ash on his trip home to Pallet. And hopefully get a leg up on the competition at the Pokémon League Novice Tournament. What was to follow was animosity between the two upon arriving and to continue during their weeks of training. And, as the title suggests, the two even briefly fall in love! Gary and Joe (Giselle's admirer from Pokémon Tech) were also scheduled to make appearances in the later chapters.

"The Return of Mewtwo" was the second feature, not to be confused with the animated special "Mewtwo Returns." It was basically a sequel to Episode 22 of the series, the one where Ash, Brock, TJ, and Sally run into Mewtwo terrorizing a city. I don't think it was planned out beyond that, though, when I gave up on the idea.

The third idea was an origin story for the Pokémon Trainers' Association, specifically how Arius and Cassie met for the first time and became members of the organization. The other two I don't remember (though I think I have notes on paper somewhere).

Much of the stuff I had planned to use in those movie specials will show up in one form or another in "The Year of Rocket's Revenge."

10. How many episodes were planned?

Roughly 70-75, with an option of a fourth season with anywhere from six to 26 episodes. My interest just waned in the series, and that's why most of the ideas never made it to production. Not all of it is going to waste, though. By my estimate, 75 percent of the first episode of "The Year of Rocket's Revenge" will be on the three-part storyline that would've made up Episodes 54, 55, and 56. What that is exactly... well, you'll have to wait and see.

11. Who is this 'Matt Lenz' that's always credited in this fic?

Ah... Matt Lenz. A diehard supporter of the 'Adventures Series' who asked me near the end of the first season if he could pre-read for me. Aware that I wasn't always good at point out grammatical errors in my work and the benefit of a second pair of eyes to check for other mistakes, I decided to take him on to help me. I've truly benefited from him being there to make suggestions on how to make certain scenes better. I honestly don't know where I'd be today without Matt to help me out. He already knows this, but in case you're reading this Matt... I may not have shown it every time we talked, but I've appreciated every bit of help you've given me over the years. From the bottom of my heart... thank you.

12. Why was "Unhappy Anniversary" written?

I wanted to try writing Arius and Cassie in a retrospective light... part "Adventures Series" tribute, part 3rd Anniversary celebration, and even part 9-11 tribute, to a small extent. It was a look back at how the duo was faring three years after "Adventures Series" ended... which is three years after they left the Pokémon Trainers Association.

It was also an attempt to try to drum support to write a mini-series starring my two author-created stars. Sadly, no one spoke up and said they wanted one, so that idea got quickly shot down.


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