This time, I'm not going to jump headfirst into grammatical corrections and plot holes because, frankly, I didn't find that many (and because Citrinin just posted his review while I was writing this). So yeah, I still like your fic though, it gives me something to read about and look forward to. (:
Instead, I'm going to compliment this fic in my post which is something I don't normally do at first.
No," she said, "but you were awfully quiet. So . . . have you made a decision yet?" Tyson sighed.
"No, Haley, I haven't. I – I can't. Not yet. I need to . . . talk about it, and look at both sides of the equation, you know?"
"Alright," said Haley matter-of-factly. "On the one side, you go on the journey of a lifetime, raise Pokémon, meet new people, see new places and learn so much as you go along. On the other hand, you can be stuck in school for another three and a half years doing geometry and physics."
"When you put it that way, there's no contest," he smiled uneasily. "But you know I have to stay in school, Haley. You know I can't get into university if I drop out now! And I hardly think this Pokémon Journey is going to be wrapped up within a couple of months."Please,his eyes begged her, don't do this to me. Haley could tell that he was struggling, and felt sorry for him. He so badly wanted to do both, but undertaking one course would mean forfeiting the other.
Tyson's character has really developed over these past few chapters. Honestly, I'm impressed, not many writers pull this of so splendidly. To me, it shows Tyson's character as the methodical and more mature one of the two.
"OK. Thanks, Mum!" She drifted off absently, her mind on anything but homework.
Lulz, that's so typical, this happens to me sometimes too… XD
The first question was easy. They had covered Basic Pokémon Capture Methods just last week. Reading the second question again, Haley scribbled down the Three Rules, the unwritten laws one must abide by to be a real Pokémon Trainer. Always be vigilant. Always be honourable. Always be true.That last one, Mr Jay had explained, could be interpreted in different ways. Be true to your friends. Be true to your Pokémon. Be true to yourself. Mr Jay was a stickler for philosophy and virtues.
To me, this part was somewhat okay but still, it would be quite cliché to let your fic revolve around these three unwritten laws.
That is to say, if Tyson did something bad during the journey and Haley just started spouting out this random crap. XD
"The seminar starts at five, so I'll be going now, love. I'll see you in a couple of hours. If you guys are hungry, there are leftovers in the fridge. Make sure you lock the door behind me, and don't unlock it unless it's your father and I. Don't-"
"Mum!" Haley interrupted her. Elizabeth smiled.
"Sorry. Bye, love."
Perfect view of the overprotective mother. XD
As soon as she was sure her mother had gone, Haley slammed her textbook shut and went across the hallway to Tyson's room. Peeking in, she saw Tyson lying stretched out on his bed, his nose buried inThe Hound of the Baskervilles. He closed the book when he saw her, however, sitting up to look at her.
"Well?" he asked.
"Well what?" she replied.
"You obviously came in here to say something. What is it?" he pressed. Haley sighed, steeling herself.
"Look, I know this is hard for you. And I just wanted to say that if you don't want to go on the Pokémon Journey . . . if you want to stay and go to university . . . that's OK with me," she said finally. Tyson's eyes widened slightly.
"You . . . you don't mind?" he asked in disbelief.
Perfect twist on brother sister relationships by the way.
"Actually, love, Mr Jay spoke tonight as well. He said you would in fact be carrying on your curriculum on the Pokémon Journey," Elizabeth explained. Tyson's eyes flickered.
"What? How?"
"He says you'll be doing revision along the way. The League is supplying each student with a digital notebook equipped with multiple educational programs. Apparently if you do an hour a day, you'll be able to take end-of-year exams online, overseen by your mentor to make sure you don't cheat." Haley saw the ghost of a smile begin to form on her brother's face, and felt an identical grin creeping onto her own.
"You mean I can go on the Pokémon Journey . . . and still come back at the end of it and go to university?" he asked in disbelief.
"Pretty much, yes," Jacob agreed, grinning broadly.
"Are you sure that'd be . . . enough?" Tyson asked uncertainly. "I mean, do you think it would qualify as an education? An hour a day seems awfully fishy . . ."
Don't you just love these moments, when someone surprises you with something good… XD
Overall, a pretty good story and I'm looking forward to more. However, the philosophy in this fic is pretty deep (unlike most others) hmmm *strokes beard*.
What the hell, you've infected me with your freaking beard! *throws it back to Sparkling Dragon, screaming*
XD.