Hello there! It's been a year since I've posted any updates on this story. In the meantime, I'd like to believe my English had also improved. In fact, I read these chapters and I realize it actually did. But that's not so important, just my observation.

I've read the review on the story, the question whether this is an Ash bashing fic. First of all, I know you guys love Ash Ketchum. I'm one of the generations that were introduced to the very beginning of Pokemon, to the first generations, first games, first steps Ash took in the Kanto region. I remember when I was in the second grade, worrying whether Pikachu would make it after the Spearow attack. Suffice to say, I grew up with Pokemon. To that end, I will say this: I don't hate Ash Ketchum. It's not my intention to "bash" him, or make a fic that would intentionally ridicule him.

However, my main protagonists are Gary Oak and his best friend, who had grown up with Gary and had picked up a lot of his personality. Both of them consider Ash a lucky, gutsy trainer, but the one who doesn't have much skill in Pokemon. This is not to say Ash did not improve: he had learned a lot in the meantime. However, during the timeline where this fanfic takes place, Ash literally attacked Onix with an electric attack, and that was only one instance. From the tactical viewpoint, Ash was still a novice.

Keep an open mind, because I will definitely not keep bashing him through the story. It might even come time when Clover and Ash meet each other. At that time, I will not play favorites. I will put their Pokemon against each other, and the best team will win.

Also, I've noticed I was mentioning a lot of EV training and other Pokemon game terms. For the sake of simplicity, I will not repeat this in following chapters. For those who've played Pokemon competitively, the terms are simple to understand, but I also understand a lot of Pokemon players/anime fans don't really bother themselves. For the future reference, I will refer to EV training simply as training. However, I will keep things such as level the Pokemon needs to reach before they learn a certain move. This helps me setting up fair battles, without using plot armor or deus ex machina.

Now, the story so far.

When Clover was young, she lost her leg in a terrible accident in the burning barn. Gary and her tried to catch a Bulbasaur, yet they failed. Both Bulbasaur and her would have died, had Gary not managed to escape and return with Oak and the rest of the villagers. They've rescued her and Pokemon both, and later, Clover actually obtained this Bulbasaur as her starter.

The travels have taken her from Pallet, through the Viridian city where she met the Team Rocket, all the way across the Viridian Forest where she caught her Weedle. She passed through the Viridian Forest, reaching the Pewter. There, she challenged Brock. With her Bulbasaur, it wasn't hard to win yet it still took her some effort.

Afterwards, she visited the Mountain Moon. There, again, with the help of Ash, Misty, Brock and Gary she had thwarted another Team Rocket's villainous attempt. It was a challenging battle, but the one they've won and released the Pokemon Team Rocket had stolen.

Now, it was time to visit the Cerulean City. Actually, Cerulean City was the first time she had actually lost the battle. None of her Pokemon knew how to swim, and Misty's Pokemon were simply too strong otherwise. Even though Clover tried to use tactics, it was simply not enough. Thus, she trained her Pokemon. Now, she's ready to face Misty, once again.

Again, I'm sorry for the year-long hiatus. I was simply too exhausted from everything. I'm okay now. I have found a job, I'm working at the library and have a lot of time to spare. I wish to devote myself to writing this fanfiction now.

Thank you for your follows and reviews!

George