Chapter 11: Unused and the Overused Part 2

Ah, hello there, readers. Here for the next addition of the, er, reliable Mary Sue guide? Or, perhaps you are lost and may need some redirection? Or, maybe I should just move on, huh?

Anyway, last chapter we learned a few things: 1. Eevee is overused (something that we all knew already.) 2. Eevee can be obtained without a Mary Sue reason, and 3. Not every Pokémon trainer story author is an idiot. Furthermore, I learned a few things as well while reading a few other trainer stories.

Some say that it's Mary Sue to have an Eevee, but it's even more Mary Sue to have a Riolu. Why, you may ask? Maybe because only two trainers in the entire Pokémon game series have Lucario, whereas there are countless numbers of trainers with Eevee or Eeveelutions. Plus, in Firered, Leafgreen, Heartgold, Soulsilver, Platinum, Diamond, and Pearl you receive Eevee from NPCs. And, in the Sinnoh games, it's possible to obtain an Eevee in the Trophy Garden.

So, it's easy to pull off having an Eevee, starter or not. An author just has to be careful since the beloved evolution fox has a bad rep on this site.

As for Lucario, it's nearly impossible to use one. Before Riolu was revealed as a Pokémon, most assumed that the aura fox was a legendary. Even though they obviously aren't, remember, they're still rare. I will go ahead and repeat what I stated earlier. YOU CAN ONLY GET LUCARIO ONCE AND ONLY IN THE SINNOH GAMES!

So, know what this means? It means, quit it! There are plenty of other excellent Fighting-types, and handfuls of ones that are hideously underuse. What happened to owning a decent Machoke or Medichem? Why can't you stupid authors settle for Kadabra if you're just desperate for something telepathic and human-like? Or gosh, even a freaking Ralts would be an improvement!

As a closing to this ultra long author's note, below are a few Pokémon that deserve more recognition.

…

B Exhibit-Shroomish

Every day of the week, trainers poured in and out of Petalburg Woods, on their way to one of the two gyms located close by. Decent Pokémon called the woods home, with included species such as Beautifly, Slakoth, and the occasional Seedot and Shuppet. Amongst these forest dwellers, there was also a Grass-type, known to many as Shroomish.

Now, Shroomish were small things that came in a peachy color with their skin dotted with greenish spots. That had tiny green feet that were nearly concealed by their odd skirt-like waist, though it was difficult to say if it could even be referred to as a waste. The most notable thing about them, was the permanent furrow in their brow, along with the frowns of a Snubbull.

However, unlike Snubull, women were not infatuated by Shroomish. Instead, day after day the Petelburg Woods native species had to endure more remarks about how dull they were. Occasionally, some trainers would jokingly tell them to smile, but were only met with grumpy looks and frowns.

There were also times when people did attempt to catch Shroomish, but these times were scarce. One girl, a runaway from Oldale Town, caught a rather moody Shroomish with her Chimecho. It wasn't so much because it was cute or because she simply needed a second Pokémon. It was also because Shroomish had a charm that some trainers found to be appealing. Maybe not all, but a good chunk of the population.

Perhaps there would also be a time when most Pokémon fanfiction authors showed their own support for the dear underused Shroomish.

…

Short, but hopefully sweet. Shroomish are decent Grass-types, and are also the only ones whom evolve into a Fighting/Grass dual type. Consider this and think it over when you're in need of something unused, especially if your story is set in Hoenn.

Another underused Pokémon is one that can be useful in the games, since its ability and its evolution's ability can assist with an important part of Pokémon breeding. Let me please introduce you to Slugma!

…

B Exhibit-Slugma

It was getting busy with chatter in the Goldenrod City Academy for Pokémon breeding as the young teens received a pop quiz from their teacher, Ms. Mayville, a woman who was once a very popular Pokémon breeder and groomer.

"Now, Sadie," Ms. Mayville's keen gray eyes settled on the talkative blond girl in the class room. "Tell me, what Pokémon can breed with any of the known and existing Pokémon to produce eggs?"

Sadie smiled, and was quick to answer the easy question. "Ditto, of course."

Ms. Mayville nodded, and turned to look at the quiet and studious boy in the room who was taking notes on several sheets of paper. "Arthur, name one Pokémon who plays an extremely important and key role in the act of Pokémon breeding. Explain why as well."

Everyone had their eyes on Arthur, especially the loudest of the room. It was possibly a trick question, and most of the students awaited the day when there would be a question that Arthur couldn't answer. Ms. Mayville's eyes were patient as Arthur thought this over before he finally responded to the quiz question.

"Hm, it would definitely be Slugma and its evolution, Magcargo." Arthur's usually pale cheeks blushed red as every other teen in the room snickered. "It's true! Their abilities are important for the sake of the Pokémon eggs. I have a Magcargo at home, and he's hatched several."

Still the laughter continued until Ms. Mayville's face turned serious. "It is extremely true, and every student in here ought to listen. It takes a large amount of time for Pokémon eggs to hatch, varying in species. However, to cut that time in half, it's best to place your trust on at least two Slugma or one large Magcargo. They're very useful and needed in Pokémon breeding. But obviously, all Pokémon are important class."

So, though Slugma and its evolution were popular amongst breeders, the same cannot be said for trainers. But why must the trustworthy Pokémon be neglected? We may never ever know…

…

Slugma is underused, but it's not the only Fire-type out there. There's Magmar, Houndour, Numel, Torkoal, and so many others out there who are simply begging to be used and recognized versus the numerous Arcanine, Ninetales, and such out there. Really, just remember to be original when writing trainer stories, otherwise no one will bother reviewing.

Now, for C exhibit we have a Water-type that deserves just as much attention as its Kanto counterpart. Despite its extraordinary evolution, there is no such fate for the upcoming Pokémon.

…

C Exhibit-Feebas

Donald sat atop a bridge, gazing down at the crystal-blue river below him as his fishing pole bobbed up and down like a bobblehead. He had been doing this for at least an hour, and the activity was beginning to grow extremely tedious. However, Donald wasn't about to quit. His father had promised to support him in his quest to become the greatest coordinator if he managed to catch a decent Water-type for his father.

See, Donald came from a long line of fisherman. His father was one, plus his father's father, and really it went on and on for a while in the Fisher's family tree. So, when Donald Fisher Sr. heard that his only son wished to pursue a career in the coordinating business, he was rather distressed. He was quite sensitive to the thought of straying away from tradition, which was why he had given his son this one chance to do what he wanted.

This was also why he had permitted his son to fish for his starter Pokémon at Diamond Stream, where nothing but Magikarp ever lived. Sure, a man might occasionally come across something halfway decent like a Krabby or maybe a Mudkip, but that wasn't often.

So, for quite some time, Donald stayed in this fishing position, determined to prove himself to his father. Though boredom finally came in to stay, Donald kept at it until his fishing line finally gave a swift jerk. With a sense of excitement and pleasure, Donald instantly began to reel the line in, but whatever was at the end didn't plan on giving up. But, neither was Donald.

He planted his feet firmly on the firm, wooden bridge in an effort to not slip into the water. Donald did not possess the ability to swim, so if he ended up falling in the water, he knew all too well that the Pokémon would get away. Who cared if it turned out to be nothing but a Magikarp? He would still manage to get the financial and moral support from his family, and that was important.

The very thought made Donald surge with emotional joy, which somehow gave him the guts of a Machamp. With his newfound strength, Donald tightened his grip on the fishing rod and began to wind the reel in like crazy. He never let go, and never surrendered. After a battle of will that felt as if it lasted for an hour (truthfully, it was only six minutes) the bait came up with a fish-like Pokémon that flapped and dangled, latched to the rod.

Without hesitation, Donald hurled a Pokeball that he produced from the pocket of his khaki pants, and the Pokémon was caught. Whistling a jolly tune, Donald marched home with the fishing rod slung over his back and his new Pokémon in his pocket. He had identified the Pokémon to be a Feebas right before he captured it. Despite the useless look of it, Donald knew that his starter would be the best in show once evolution hit.

Along with Eevee and Lucario, Magikarp is overused for no true reason. It seems that everyone is obsessed with Gyarados or something. So, if you want a fish who starts out useless, I suggest sticking to Feebas. It's evolution is also brilliant for Pokémon contests.

Also, try and pick a Pokémon that shows up around your OC's hometown. If they're Mr. Backlot's daughter, then their starter should be something along the lines of Cleffa or Pichu since they appear in the Trophy Garden. If your OC lives on Cinnabar Island then they should have a Vulpix, Raticate, or Koffing.

Note all of this until part 3 of Unused and the Overused is out. After we finish discussing starters, OCs will be discussed imensely, and if any of you are fine with it, I'll be glad to use an OC of yours as an example of a decent character. However, they might not all be decent…

Just look out for updates. R & R, people!