Quote Originally Posted by Autumn Skwovet View Post
Wow...

Spoiler:
Just wow, those battles were AMAZING! I can't even pick which one I enjoyed the most out of the six from the sheer number of clever surprises each of them had in store and how absolutely nothing went down how I thought it would (again, the big selling charm of this story is how fun it is to read and how it constantly keeps the reader guessing). I mean heck, I was even figuring some of the interns might lose their battles, especially Chris given his anger could have easily made him lose focus or make reckless decisions when faced with frustration, but he pulled it off, too! And I like the way Jon strategizes outside of the battles to mislead his opponents to play right into his hands. It's very clever and while some would find it devious, it's still totally legal and very effective! Thanks for the life lesson, Jon!

And yeah, I'm impressed with the way you cook up these strategies not just for the Jon and the interns, but for their opponents and how what could have worked for their adversaries against other opponents just doesn't make the winning stride against all of the training and resourcefulness Eon Academy's best put into the arena. A lot of creative care when into that and it definitely shines in these thrilling battles! And yes, it was very, very satisfying to see Jon and the interns give Camilla's ego and haughtiness the PULVERIZING BEATDOWN it deserved. >:3

Absolutely fantastic way to conclude Episode 3. And yes, you gotta love Victini's spunk out there. You go, dude!
Spoiler:

Funnily enough when I was planning the battles and how each person would win ages ago, half the ideas were from watching Initial D, a drift racing anime.

Justin's tactic was inspired by a win where during the practise runs and the first three quarters of the race Takumi (the protagonist) didn't let his engine rev past 7000rpm, when really it could rev up to 11,000, and using that difference only when it would win him the race.

Charlotte's battle was inspired by a race where the challenger was racing on a course not his home course, however the mountain that was his home course was only one way roads; one going up the mountain and the other going down, unlike the standard single two way road. As such, when he raced on two way roads, and the corner around the mountain went to the right, he'd take the corner wider, to account for the possibility of a car coming up the mountain in the opposite direction, allowing the person he was racing, who was more experienced and knew a car wouldn't be coming around, to take the win.

I had another tactic in mind planned for Abbee and Victini, effectively creating a long drawn out match and waiting for the perfect opportunity to end it, however it didn't suit the matchup (Victini vs Shaymin) so decided to use some nostalgia from S.S. Wishmaker to up the stakes of it, as well as show Victini's own strength growing.

As for Jon's, my original plan wasn't to have him beat Camilla with just Blaziken, however I was sold on the tactic against Suicine and it was going to be near impossible for Camilla to counter it any different. Whilst I could have had Raichu or Skarmory finish Blaziken, the rest of the match would have been too easy and low stakes. So I'm glad it worked out that way.

I spent far too long finding a Pokemon that has low enough defence and HP that Blaziken could beat it with a single quick attack, that also knew Quick Attack itself to make that work.

In terms of planning, it has become much more meticulous than when I started. Season 1 it was writing as I went. Now, it is two to three stages. First is writing the battle roughly speaking, with major moves referenced. Then it is written turn by turn using Showdown's Damage calculator to keep it realistic, then actually written into the story.

Funnily enough half the reason I am having them do as well as they are is Willows observations from Spiritwater, about the fame and renown of the Academy. I had only just started season 2 when you posted that and I was like "okay I have until Spiritwater to make them huge".

Speaking of Spiritwater, there are some things that have happened in that that haven't happened yet, so you may be able to figure out what the Epilogues for Season 4 may be... Planning for the first is done. Now I just need a moment to write...