That's a nice list of common trends in Pokemon fanfiction.
Thanks.
While the level of writing and execution might affect the overall quality of the OT story in question, I am of the mind that originality is far more important.
To tell you the truth, with something as tried-and-true as an OT story, I definitely agree. Even if it's a serious crapfic, it might still pull off being better than the cookie-cutter fics I've seen a lot of.
One example might be, instead of having some generic evil group (or one of the ones fro canon) being the enemy, why not have someone convince the trainer to join their group?
Or have the trainer already be a member. One fic I've read a couple years ago actually took this route, although I'd have to say I wish I could've seen more of the effects and pressure of being on an evil team put on the main character. (As in, a Team Rocket member can't just waltz anywhere they'd like, you know?)
I like your idea as well, of course. I would elaborate further, but you've pretty much stated my thoughts already. These leaders
are charismatic, and they often
don't believe they're in the wrong. (At least, in the cases of Maxie, Archie, and Cyrus.) Yet, for whatever reason, they're never portrayed as such. They're always the sinister shadows in the corner.
I remember one fic where random hoodlums approach Ash and May, and one of them says something like "well have a fun time with her if you know what I mean" (just like that), and Ash responds with "you sick bastard!", and following a swift arse kicking, Ash and May are over 9000!!! times closer.
*facepalm* Oh gods.
Seen mine? Sure, it's craptacular but still, it's got nothing to do with legends. xD
1. Mystic beginnings =/= legendary Pokemon
or legends at all. It could be as simple as a
Naruto knock-off, where the main character becomes the container for an ancient spirit, or a set-up for an epic, LOTR-style battle that comes in later. In any case, this mystic beginning comes in much later, most likely to explain what the main character is the Chosen One
for, if that makes sense.
2. One fic disputes the term "most likely"? O_o If there were thirty, sure, I'd think about retracting this statement, but.
Ever? My fic again. Check the closed one. My main character gets the second Pokemon...
His or her second
choice or the second Pokemon there? Because if it's the second choice, then sure, there's exceptions. If it's just, for example, the one in the middle of the line, then that's not really what I meant.
Well, now that I've done that, I have to say, great ranting list Jax.
Thanks.
Although I think that if you ranted some more, you may have said some others I could have picked at.
Maybe I'll add others later.