Hey howdy hey, esteemed colleagues and fabulous fans alike!

Welcome to the big project I've been teasing, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Fallout (no affiliation with Bethesda — though that TV show we just got is pretty good).

Let's just say I've been fascinated with the idea of Paradox Pokemon for at least half a year. You'll have to read on to see how that fascination wormed its way into the deepest recesses of my mind, but rest assured there are plenty of fun surprises in store. In fact, one of the reasons this has taken so long to pull together is because there will be multimedia elements embedded within the story and through auxiliary socials! I created some of these elements, like a teaser image I posted to Tumblr [check me out T1meslayer] at the beginning of the month. Others will come from special guests, though it'll be harder to see them all if you aren't on the AO3 version. I'll see if I can figure something out over here.

The other reason it has taken so long is because this is part of a longer narrative, built over the course of five previous fics in my "Paldea's Fearsome Foursome" series. If you want to catch up on the story so far without reading a good 30,000 words and playing a busted RPG, you're in luck. One of my first major companion pieces is available to the public right now! Check out the infographic I posted on Tumblr to get all the major beats you need to be prepared.

I also want to thank some additional folks leading into this project:

Flutefemme, for her insights into longer writing (as well this introductory chapter being pretty much direct plagiarism from "The Long and Winding Road")

Alchemically, for sharing a set of brain cells on the same hyperfixations and always being great fun talking about all things Pokemon

Duelbraids, for really pushing me to try doing my own artwork thanks to some inspirational pieces (Flute can also take credit here!)

InsertACatchyPennameHere, for encouraging me to delve right into more experimental projects, and understanding the ways of my brain

Not to mention all the wonderful writers and editors I've met through zines. After so long in the realm of nonfiction and journalism, I've really valued the opportunity to stretch my legs and learn more about creative writing.

And, of course, I have to thank viewers like you.

I attempted some longer stories during my initial shot a few years back, but my eyes were always bigger than my stomach. Apologies to any fans of my abandoned Fire Emblem: Three Houses fic, "Entwined by Misfortune." However, this time I'm confident about my follow-through. I've got a very particular scope in mind, around a dozen chapters or so (though god knows I've over-scoped wildly before), with the entire arc and character dynamics plotted on an organization tool called Milanote.

Long ago I posted "Hack and Slash," a ScarVi fic predicated on headcanoning Penny and Iono as sisters. Little did I know this would spawn my own expanded universe that takes up additional brain space with each passing DLC expansion. I wouldn't have near as much energy to keep this up without y'all out there! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart~

Hope you're looking forward to Chapter 1 coming this Friday, May 24!

- Jason