Best story I've read in a while! You were right, this is were things really shook up! I totally didn't see that coming! I love it!

I didn't expect to see Janelle lose before Mina after all her trash-talking. Even after that, I thought Mina and Paul would be in the finals with her winning. The first part of the chapter was so funny! Especially with Mars and her pizza fetish!

And speaking of pizza, she did all that for a simple pizza party?! I hope she had to walk back to headquarters!

That was a nice twist in the story and it was really a slap in the face to Conway; after all he did, he made one little mistake and ended up traumatized and alone...

I can't wait for next chapter when the twerps really stir up the trouble! I can tell that Paul's going to have some internal drama that'll cost him the win!

This was well worth the wait! Mars really likes pizza.:) But what she did? GR
It was so sad when Paul and Conway split up. Conway just wins a contest then THAT happens to him. It wasn't his fault Paul!
I can't wait for the next chapter when Ash and co. show up.
Awesome job!!:)

First off its always a pleasure to read your chapters because even though we might have to wait a bit its always long and excited.

Second holy crap in a bucket. You were right about things getting a little "mature". I was definitely not expecting that but I don't think it damaged the story in any way. I mean, yes we're dealing with kids but adult ** happens sometimes. I knew from reading your journal that Conway and Paul were going to split up and its heart breaking especially since our poor Conway just got manhandled by Mars. You did a good job surprising us with that event. Its really dramatic and shakes up the story. I like knowing we as the readers get surprises like this.

You again do an incredible job keeping Paul in character. Not enough people who write for him keep in character. They always seem to skew him into something ridiculous which turns me off from some fics. You are always right on the dot.

I'm REALLY REALLY looking forward to the next chapter with Brandon and seeing how Paul deals without being with Conway.

Long review is long.

PS. I'm Tiamat from the bulbapedia forums and ribbon_crimson on LJ and ES-Dinah on DA. (I didn't think you knew my account name) It's easier to review here than the forums. KEEP UP THE AWESOME WRITING!

... I'm speechless... that COUGAR! That filthy little witch, I am SO **! No I'm not speechless, I lied, I have many choice words for her, but I'll save them, and put my keyboard to better use.

That was... a little too intense for me, but that's what makes your writing so good. Up until that point I was thrilled to no end, I had even forgotten about your warning in the beginning, and then you lowered the bomb. I kept hoping something would happen, that Paul's Pokemon would get there sooner, that Conway's will would win over that horrible cougar, that he'd fight back, that Mars would just take to book and leave, but no. No it's never that simple, and as disgusted as I am by that particular scene (and I still feel it a little unnecessary) it's cliffhangers and heartbreaking scenes at the end there that make this fic so dang amazing. Personally, I think that warrants a change in rating, BUT! As you said it was only implied, and the typical PG13 rating these days has fallen considerably lower. By today’s standards I think you're fine. Yick, my skin is still crawling! Well now that I've gotten my whining out of the way, I think it's time for more obsessive praise on everything that happened before the ending!

I really should quit reading this so late at night, because I almost screamed when Conway won! Thankfully I didn't wake anyone up, but I was so happy for him that I couldn't sit still, and when he insulted his sister on LIVE national television, oh you bet I was laughing, that was amazing! Didn't see that coming at all. Through the entire contest I kept expecting a bomb to come there. I thought either Paul or Conway or both would loose to those bratty girls. After all most books and fics I read never EVER give me that happy ending, but then again, I guess you didn't either... You staged that beautifully! Everything was sunshiny happy unicorns and rainbows and cotton candy clouds, and Paul had a change of heart, and the you lower the BOOM! I'm repeating myself, I know, but I just can't get over it! Sloan being Saturn in the last chapter was NOTHING compared to this. I'm furious! I'm furious and helpless. You've written these characters so well that I forget I'm only reading a story, and it's so easy to get lost in the fic. Your description of emotions, of character, everything they think and feel I can feel too and it drives me nuts that I can't just hug them, give them advice, save them, anything. You've rendered your readers completely helpless, and THAT is what makes this so engaging to read. I can't speak for others that read this, but you have forced empathy upon me. You've written everything so beautifully and painfully that I don't need to personally experience what Paul and Conway have gone through, because I experience it through them, and through your writing. This chapter was well worth the wait, and the wait for chapter 11 will be even more agonizing! (I'm sorry my reviews are so long, but these are long chapter and I have a lot to say, and I LOVE your long chapters!)

Oh mann. I saw the notice in my inbox and cursed every piece of homework I had. This > Andrew Jackson's Presidency, for sure.

Let me get this out of the way:

“Conway’s into pleasing himself more than he is pleasing me,” Paul remarked somewhat-sourly.

TEE HEE HEE HEE. Oh man. I really did give a bit of a giggle when I skimmed over that.

Anyway, I don't know if I mentioned this in my outrageously long review, but I like the way you're able to write Pokemon battles and contests. They're actually *interesting* and make sense. I'm envious. x)

And the "hooking up" comment. TEE HEE HEE. More immature giggles galore. And then a bunch of "D'aw"-ing. Paul getting flustered over Conway? My brain likes this mental image very much~ <3 And "I can’t imagine anywhere else I’d rather be than at your side?” I keep alternating between "Aw rite" and more giggles. Omg. Glee. <3

I don't know why I didn't make the connection between the business Conway's family is involved with and Team Galactic before, but now it's just... Genius. And it makes sense. I always sort of assumed Galactic was sort of like Umbrella Corp. in Raccoon City in that it probably employed a lot of people who weren't aware of it's true goal (assuming Conway's parents don't really know, that is).

And I like the way you write Mars and Saturn, too. Mars especially, with her great lust for pizza and methods for, ah, handeling Conway. This time, I'm happy to say, that wasn't to vague for me to catch on with what was happening. :V Aw rite.

... WAIT WHAT. SO YOU BRING UP ALL THIS AW AND D'AW BETWEEN THE TWO BFFLS AND MAKE MY NIGHT AND THEN BASICALLY SAY "OLOL JK JK THEY'RE BREAKING UP?" ;_; If this wasn't such an amazing story... Well, no. It's only to be expected from Paul. But still, what a bittersweet sucker punch of an ending. A great way to keep someone like me starved for more, eh? x)

Happy early fic anniversary! I've never ever been able to do a multi-chapter fic, much less a "OMG DO WANT MOAR NAO PLZ" one, so congrats! :D

Thanks for writing this chapter

So, after a number of nights of neglecting homework and staying up to ungodly hours, I have finally caught up with this story. (And when I say ungodly... Well, it's 2:28AM right now...)

It was really hard restraining myself from commenting until now. There's just so much to comment on!

First, I'll have to say that I freaking /adore/ this fic. It's got both a rather original concept and a plot flowing through it, and your effort to keep it as close to the anime as possible is admirable. Along with that, you seem to have a pretty good grasp on the characters' personalities. Admittedly, I felt a little awkward reading a few parts where Paul was being a douche, but then I realized I feel awkward *watching* him be a douche in the show, so you obviously must be doing it right! And way to justify it in his POV - the few fics I've bothered reading just make him seem like a jerk for no reason other than because he's supposed to be a jerk.

I was also felt a little awkward with your interpretation of Reggie, especially when he snapped. But then I realized that was just because my view of him doesn't consider the theory of Brandon as their father, so... yeah. Looking at it that way, I realized that his reaction was pretty realistic, considering the circumstances. I think that you've developed both Reggie and Conway pretty well, especially since they're such minor characters. Some of my favorite ones, too. <33

Really, I think a lot of what you've done was pretty risky. A few times, I was wondering how important a lot of what you mentioned actually was (Conway's cousin Sloan and the library books being the best examples), but come this chapter, I like how excellently everything is coming together. Seriously. I'm like, beyond excited for whenever you update next. And if you say you have the story planned out as far as Chapter 20... I really can't wait.

You were right in your reply to my PM, by the way. The Paul/Conway bromance (best word ever omg) has only gotten better since chapter three. "Old married couple," indeed. x) <3 It's quickly become one of my favorite pairings in this fandom, right next to Curtainshipping - which I freaking love that you included - and Evashipping.

I don't think I have much else to say, but two questions!:

Do you think Barry is ever going to make an appearence? I'm insanely curious as how you would have him and Paul interact, since the show has been such a tease about it, and I also can't help but imagine that Conway would get a little jealous that someone else would be more or less trying to get his new bff's attention.

And, in chapter eight, what exactly did Paul think happened that made Reggie so tired? My sister said that he just assumed Reggie and Maylene were sleeping together and that's why Reggie wanted him gone, but it seemed kind of vague to me. (Especially since Paul's accusation that it was because he gave her a pearl necklace could have been taken in about fifteen different directions... /shot) I probably just missed something, but if you could clear that up for me, it'd be awesome.

Right, right. Long review is long and I should wrap this up. I think the only other thing I have to say is... Honestly, why so few reviews? D: This is amazing. You deserve more love.

Awesome story! I love it, and it's so full of suprises; I never expected Conaway 2 B Saturn's cousin!

This must be the best pokemon fanfic ever. Paul is so in character in this; unlike other fanfics that portray Paul as emo. You just have to love Conway; I never expected Paul to ever have a traveling-buddy, and even more unexpectadly, it was Conway. Paul entering a contest never crossed my mind, although I'm really glad he participated because it just makes this story even better. I hope that they can beat the two coordinators after that little scene at the bakery.

Curtainshipping! YEA! I love this shipping! I'm so glad that you put this into the story, it's just the sweetest couple ever in my opinion!

And there you go, I hope you update soon. :D

Holy wowness on a batsickle fudgestick.
The epicness of this fic is causing me to utter and muster newer and newer gibberish words by each passing second. It’s just THAT epic as to make me react so haplessly as this.

Though I agree with Kinghy about Paul’s likeness to rather run away from Conway altogether, it had seemed more fitting (in my opinion) for him to be a ‘man of his word’. Oddly enough. :/

The Star Wars reference was classic. As well as Paul as a ninja? It had me giggling all the way through; cause that would have been adorable as canon.

Lastly, I have nothing to say apart from the generic: OMG. Conway would be so crushed in the following trail of events... you could almost say it would make me sad thinking about it. ):

So once again, I applaud you for yet another great chapter and I’ll be eagerly waiting for the next one. =)

I-... I can't believe it! I'm too stunned, I can hardly type. Okay, calm down, start at the beginning. Firstly, this was just laced with humor, I think this is the most enjoyable yet. A wonderful surprise when I check my e-mail today, it was like a magical gift to lift my spirits. I expected Paul to get owned out in that storm, but my Froslass prediction proved wrong but that's okay. I love the way Conway tortured poor, weak, vulnerable Paul so much I can hardly contain myself! Conway is like an adorable yet annoying dog, always faithful. The camaraderie between these characters makes this fic the most enjoyable read I think I have ever experienced, even from a published novel. Normally I would complain about the absence of Reggie and Maylene scene switches, but I'm glad you gave them very little screen time, because the adventures of Paul and Conway were just so much more interesting. I never saw that contest coming! I guessed that Conway might want to enter it, but Paul as well never crossed my mind! And I just adore how Conway goes on about "His darling Dawn," it's so sweet. The added rivals for their first contest was a brilliant touch. After all, how else is Paul gonna survive this humiliation? You keep so well to the characters canon personalities, you are truly an amazing writer. I suppose I should have expected Conway to do a Star Wars take, but I was hoping for a top hat. Oh well. :) A ninja... I was curious what you would chose for Paul, and it's all too fitting. Matches very well with Weavile too, and the dark clouds painted a very scary and impressive picture in my mind. I'm impressed with your description of their contest appeals. I was more on the edge of my seat here than I ever have been for the canon show. Jenell's appeal was amazing, and visualizing the flames was an easy and awe inspiring experience. I found myself congratulating Paul and Conway on their appeals, they did so well, and your writing flowed so smoothly that I forgot I was reading for a moment. Now for that shocker at the end. Firstly, I didn't realize that scene with the lights in Veilstone was relevant until the very end, when I remembered the Iron Island episodes. I should have known better from you. And never, never EVER did I consider the relevance of Saturn until I saw the word "Book worm" I thought, "No, no you can't possibly be serious." An low and behold, Saturn is Sloan!? You are a genius, I NEVER saw that coming, I couldn't breath! I'm still shaking, oh that poor baby, what will this do to Conway? He spoke so highly of Sloan, and for him to turn out to be... Oh that poor boy. I'm riveted, the wait for chapter 10 is going to be absolute torture. Paul has endured nothing compared to this. This officially, is the best Pokemon Fanfic I have ever read, and I'll be waiting eagerly for chapter 10.

Nice story. I like the way you made connections between different characters, in terms of family and the Ninjask Paul captured. However, I don't get why Paul chose to participate in the contest when he could simply have skipped town and avoided it. Paul could also easily get rid of Conway by sneaking away in the middle of the night while Conway was sleeping. Those actions seem to better fit with Paul's personality, in my opinion. Will you be adapting the full battle between Paul and Ash in DP131 and DP132?

Shocker. I happen to be intensely fond of linking various characters in the anime to each other, which makes this chapter, and in fact the entire fic, intensely fascinating for me. For one thing, and I don't know if I've mentioned this, but the characters are very in character.

The Contest was intensely amuusing; not the Contest itself, but the "reveal" of what the "consequence or favour" was to be, was fun, and funny. The two rude, rival Coordinators were interesting, though not what I'd call the highlight of the chapter.

Paul's near-death experience was thrilling and written in such a way that was riveting. There ARE many filler little things in here - and also many scenes that link to episodes, such as the, um, shining? of the Veilstone meteors. Still most of the scenes were fun, relevant or unrelevant. Good job!

Though I have to admit, the length of the chapters are taxing. Each chapter seems to deal with several main things at once.

Hmm. Another very good chapter! Paul seriously needs to learn to humble a bit, or his overconfidence will be the death of him.

But I laughed at jedi!Conway. Great references.

Wow. I can believe I hadn't come across this fanfic earlier.
I've tried to find a good family-based Paul fic for ages, but to no avail and providence... until now, of course.

Portrayal of characters is something I have yet to perfect; I haven't seen anyone write Paul as flawlessly and (what seems) effortlessly as you have, without making him look too OOC and atypical.

I also love your take on Reggie's and Maylene's relationship - her reactions to everything Reggie has to say or do are just simply way too cute.

Conway makes me laugh. Out loud. The humour in this fic is placed with such subtlety, that it doesn't feel out-of-place and is, rather, actually quite pleasant and makes the story overall a fantastic read.

Though it won't mean much (being the unseasoned author that I am), I can truly say that your story is starting to become one of the most favourable, and pleasurable fictions I've ever read in what feels like a very long time.

Keep it up! =)