2018 Fanfiction Awards - RESULTS

[Dragonfree]

The 2018 Serebii.Net Forums Fanfiction Awards
Hosted by Dragonfree and The Great Butler
​

The moment of truth has arrived! You have placed your votes for the nominated stories, authors and reviewers, and we have our results at last!


Overall Fiction Awards

Best Pokémon Chaptered Fic (Established Author)
1st-2nd place (3 votes): The Curious and the Shiny: New Game Plus [The Manifold Curiosity] by NebulaDreams
1st-2nd place (3 votes): Ghost Town by Cutlerine
3rd-5th place (2 votes): Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guiding Light by Ambyssin
3rd-5th place (2 votes): guidance (teen) by Rediamond
3rd-5th place (2 votes): Fledglings by Spiteful Murkrow
6th-8th place (0 votes): Love and Other Nightmares (revised) by diamondpearl876
6th-8th place (0 votes): The Legendarian Chronicles [Revision 11] by Chibi Pika
6th-8th place (0 votes): Salvage by Negrek

Best Pokémon Chaptered Fic (New Author)
1st-2nd place (4 votes): Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Hands of Creation by Namohysip
1st-2nd place (4 votes): Beasts and Beauties [Sun & Moon] by dietofwurms
3rd place (2 votes): All Suns Must Set [Chapter 1] by Firaga Metagross
4th-5th place (1 vote): Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Pathways of Aspiration by pbugle
4th-5th place (1 vote): Pletora's Story by canisaries

Best Pokémon One-Shot
1st place (4 votes): Dear Liepard, [one-shot] by Dramatic Melody
2nd place (3 votes): Hardy by Psychic
3rd-4th place (2 votes): The Defense Of Rainbow Rocket HQ (A Story Without Mods In It) [One-Shot] by The Walrein
3rd-4th place (2 votes): [One-Shot] Legends by Negrek
5th place (1 vote): Vito Winstrate [one-shot] by Dramatic Melody
6th-9th place (0 votes): But... [One-Shot] by gofishyfish
6th-9th place (0 votes): VIVARIUM (oneshot) by canisaries
6th-9th place (0 votes): Ills (one-shot; PG/K+) by AmericanPi
6th-9th place (0 votes): Losers [A Ghost Town Side Story] by Cutlerine

Best Non-Pokémon Fic
1st place (3 votes): Against The Current by roule
2nd place (1 vote): So Close (Ace Attorney, one-shot) by diamondpearl876

Other Fic Awards

Best Plot
1st place (5 votes): Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guiding Light by Ambyssin
2nd-3rd place (3 votes): Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Hands of Creation by Namohysip
2nd-3rd place (3 votes): System:Reboot (PMD) by DeliriousAbsol
4th place (1 vote): The Legendarian Chronicles [Revision 11] by Chibi Pika
5th-6th place (0 votes): Salvage by Negrek
5th-6th place (0 votes): The Curious and the Shiny: New Game Plus [The Manifold Curiosity] by NebulaDreams

Most Original Overall
1st-2nd place (3 votes): guidance (teen) by Rediamond
1st-2nd place (3 votes): The Deprogramming by Arkadelphiak
3rd place (2 votes): Hunter, Haunted by canisaries
4th-6th place (1 vote): Pokemon:Life by DeliriousAbsol
4th-6th place (1 vote): Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Hands of Creation by Namohysip
4th-6th place (1 vote): Phantom Project by diamondpearl876
7th-8th place (0 votes): Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Unequivocant by lucarioknight56
7th-8th place (0 votes): uA's "Different Eyes" [Chapter Five] by unrepentantAuthor

Best Writing Style
1st-2nd place (3 votes): Hunter, Haunted by canisaries
1st-2nd place (3 votes): Ghost Town by Cutlerine
3rd-6th place (1 vote): guidance (teen) by Rediamond
3rd-6th place (1 vote): Flying in the Dark (revised) by diamondpearl876
3rd-6th place (1 vote): Phantom Project by diamondpearl876
3rd-6th place (1 vote): Beasts and Beauties [Sun & Moon] by dietofwurms

Best Description
1st place (5 votes): Casting Off by Virgil134
2nd place (4 votes): Hunter, Haunted by canisaries
3rd place (0 votes): Destiny by Dizzy Beacon

Best Setting
1st place (4 votes): Fledglings by Spiteful Murkrow
2nd-4th place (2 votes): Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guiding Light by Ambyssin
2nd-4th place (2 votes): The Curious and the Shiny: New Game Plus [The Manifold Curiosity] by NebulaDreams
2nd-4th place (2 votes): Ghost Town by Cutlerine
5th place (1 vote): Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Hands of Creation by Namohysip
6th place (0 votes): Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Unequivocant by lucarioknight56

Best Expansion of Canon
1st place (4 votes): Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guiding Light by Ambyssin
2nd-4th place (2 votes): Foul Play by Bay
2nd-4th place (2 votes): Beasts and Beauties [Sun & Moon] by dietofwurms
2nd-4th place (2 votes): Heroes After All by Umbramatic
5th-7th place (1 vote): Operation GEAR: The Gardener of Gratitude by The Great Butler
5th-7th place (1 vote): The Alola Pokedex by Rediamond
5th-7th place (1 vote): The Intangibles [A Ghost Town Side Story] by Cutlerine
8th-9th place (0 votes): The Skull that Bears Seeds (Ch. 2) by Firaga Metagross
8th-9th place (0 votes): Vito Winstrate [one-shot] by Dramatic Melody

Best Character Development
1st place (6 votes): Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guiding Light by Ambyssin
2nd-3rd place (2 votes): Beasts and Beauties [Sun & Moon] by dietofwurms
2nd-3rd place (2 votes): The Child of Thorns - A Platinum story. by TheAlpar
4th-5th place (1 vote): Phantom Project by diamondpearl876
4th-5th place (1 vote): Ghost Town by Cutlerine

Best Characterization in a Short Story
1st place (5 votes): Casting Off by Virgil134
2nd-3rd place (3 votes): Black Paint [The Manifold Curiosity] by NebulaDreams
2nd-3rd place (3 votes): Vito Winstrate [one-shot] by Dramatic Melody
4th-5th place (0 votes): But... [One-Shot] by gofishyfish
4th-5th place (0 votes): Dear Liepard, [one-shot] by Dramatic Melody

Best Character Dynamic
1st-3rd place (3 votes): Nanu & Grimsley, Foul Play by Bay
1st-3rd place (3 votes): Curio and Shine, The Curious and the Shiny: New Game Plus [The Manifold Curiosity] by NebulaDreams
1st-3rd place (3 votes): Shane and Tessa, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guiding Light by Ambyssin
4th-5th place (1 vote): Markus & Haley, Flying in the Dark (revised) by diamondpearl876
4th-5th place (1 vote): Macro & DL, System:Reboot (PMD) by DeliriousAbsol

Most Suspenseful Fic
1st place (3 votes): Black Paint [The Manifold Curiosity] by NebulaDreams
2nd-3rd place (2 votes): The Wysteria Files by TheAlpar
2nd-3rd place (2 votes): Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guiding Light by Ambyssin
4th-7th place (0 votes): The Legendarian Chronicles [Revision 11] by Chibi Pika
4th-7th place (0 votes): The Missing One [T, mystery, shortfic] by Marika_CZ
4th-7th place (0 votes): The Impassive God [REWRITE - PG-15] by Samayouru
4th-7th place (0 votes): Ghost Town by Cutlerine

Most Heartbreaking Fic
1st place (4 votes): Phantom Project by diamondpearl876
2nd place (3 votes): Black Paint [The Manifold Curiosity] by NebulaDreams
3rd place (2 votes): Beasts and Beauties [Sun & Moon] by dietofwurms

Most Heartwarming Fic
1st place (4 votes): Dear Liepard, [one-shot] by Dramatic Melody
2nd place (3 votes): Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guiding Light by Ambyssin
3rd place (2 votes): Star Performer <Ch. 9> by M-Dub

Funniest Fic
1st place (5 votes): The Most Terrible, Cliché-Ridden, Forum-Rules-Violating Story Farfetch'd Is Capable Of by The Walrein
2nd-3rd place (2 votes): Salvage by Negrek
2nd-3rd place (2 votes): Some Average Days In A Pokemon Daycare by The Walrein
4th-6th place (1 vote): The Defense Of Rainbow Rocket HQ (A Story Without Mods In It) [One-Shot] by The Walrein
4th-6th place (1 vote): Fledglings by Spiteful Murkrow
4th-6th place (1 vote): Skitty's Vlog by The Walrein
7th-9th place (0 votes): Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guiding Light by Ambyssin
7th-9th place (0 votes): The Deprogramming by Arkadelphiak
7th-9th place (0 votes): Social Experiment (Serebii Holiday Fanfic Gift Exchange 2018) by Umbramatic

Pokémon Genre Awards

Best Trainer Fic
1st-2nd place (3 votes): The Legendarian Chronicles [Revision 11] by Chibi Pika
1st-2nd place (3 votes): guidance (teen) by Rediamond
3rd-4th place (2 votes): Flying in the Dark (revised) by diamondpearl876
3rd-4th place (2 votes): The Child of Thorns - A Platinum story. by TheAlpar

Best Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Fic
1st-2nd place (4 votes): Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Hands of Creation by Namohysip
1st-2nd place (4 votes): Fledglings by Spiteful Murkrow
3rd place (2 votes): Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guiding Light by Ambyssin
4th place (1 vote): Casting Off by Virgil134
5th-8th place (0 votes): Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Unequivocant by lucarioknight56
5th-8th place (0 votes): System:Reboot (PMD) by DeliriousAbsol
5th-8th place (0 votes): Pletora's Story by canisaries
5th-8th place (0 votes): Chronicles of a Furret by JFought

Best Pokémon-Centric
1st place (3 votes): The Curious and the Shiny: New Game Plus [The Manifold Curiosity] by NebulaDreams
2nd-3rd place (2 votes): Casting Off by Virgil134
2nd-3rd place (2 votes): uA's "Different Eyes" [Chapter Five] by unrepentantAuthor
4th-7th place (1 vote): Hardy by Psychic
4th-7th place (1 vote): The Worldslayers by Sike Saner
4th-7th place (1 vote): guidance (teen) by Rediamond
4th-7th place (1 vote): Astral Genealogy [Pokémon Fanfiction] by SGMijumaru

Best Canon Character-Centric
1st place (5 votes): Beasts and Beauties [Sun & Moon] by dietofwurms
2nd-3rd place (3 votes): Foul Play by Bay
2nd-3rd place (3 votes): Heroes After All by Umbramatic

Character Awards

Best Human Main Character
1st-2nd place (3 votes): Jodi, Ghost Town by Cutlerine
1st-2nd place (3 votes): Guzma, Beasts and Beauties [Sun & Moon] by dietofwurms
3rd place (2 votes): Annie, Love and Other Nightmares (revised) by diamondpearl876
4th place (1 vote): Grimsley, Foul Play by Bay
5th place (0 votes): Jade, The Legendarian Chronicles [Revision 11] by Chibi Pika

Best Non-Human Main Character
1st-3rd place (3 votes): Pixie, guidance (teen) by Rediamond
1st-3rd place (3 votes): Cabot the Cranidos, Casting Off by Virgil134
1st-3rd place (3 votes): Shane the Vulpix, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guiding Light by Ambyssin
4th-6th place (1 vote): Pletora, Pletora's Story by canisaries
4th-6th place (1 vote): Owen, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Hands of Creation by Namohysip
4th-6th place (1 vote): Pleo, Fledglings by Spiteful Murkrow
7th-9th place (0 votes): Syr, The Worldslayers by Sike Saner
7th-9th place (0 votes): Sal, Black Paint [The Manifold Curiosity] by NebulaDreams
7th-9th place (0 votes): Berecien, Casting Off by Virgil134

Best Human Supporting Character
1st-2nd place (3 votes): Ren, The Worldslayers by Sike Saner
1st-2nd place (3 votes): Faba, Beasts and Beauties [Sun & Moon] by dietofwurms
3rd place (1 vote): The Great Nathaniel Morgan, Salvage by Negrek
4th place (0 votes): Kimberly, [T] Land of the Roses by Misfit Angel

Best Non-Human Supporting Character
1st place (7 votes): Silvally, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guiding Light by Ambyssin
2nd place (2 votes): Goodra Anam, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Hands of Creation by Namohysip
3rd-4th place (1 vote): Mewtwo, Salvage by Negrek
3rd-4th place (1 vote): Chaletwo, The Quest for the Legends, now with its ILCOETH revision! by Dragonfree
5th-6th place (0 votes): Zena, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Hands of Creation by Namohysip
5th-6th place (0 votes): Cassia, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Unequivocant by lucarioknight56

Best Human Antagonist
1st place (6 votes): Lusamine, Beasts and Beauties [Sun & Moon] by dietofwurms
2nd-3rd place (1 vote): Archie, Death of a Sapphire (ten-year anniversary retcon rewrite of The Sapphire Story) by Manchee
2nd-3rd place (1 vote): The Murderer, Ghost Town by Cutlerine

Best Non-Human Antagonist
1st place (5 votes): Necrozma, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guiding Light by Ambyssin
2nd-3rd place (3 votes): Ketu, Fledglings by Spiteful Murkrow
2nd-3rd place (3 votes): The organ thief, Pletora's Story by canisaries
4th place (0 votes): Hoopa, System:Reboot (PMD) by DeliriousAbsol

Best Minor Character
1st place (4 votes): Hoopa, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guiding Light by Ambyssin
2nd place (2 votes): Teddie, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Celestial Guardians by RocketKnight66
3rd-4th place (1 vote): Kalani, guidance (teen) by Rediamond
3rd-4th place (1 vote): ADAM, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Hands of Creation by Namohysip

Funniest Character
1st place (5 votes): Rhys, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Hands of Creation by Namohysip
2nd place (2 votes): Curio, The Curious and the Shiny: New Game Plus [The Manifold Curiosity] by NebulaDreams
3rd place (1 vote): Annie, System:Reboot (PMD) by DeliriousAbsol
4th place (0 votes): Mewtwo, Salvage by Negrek

 

[Dragonfree]

Fic Moments Awards

Funniest Scene
1st place (5 votes):

Spoiler

“Professor Oak: Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some peer reviewing to do! Yes, as a scientist, reviewing the work of my fellow researchers is a very important job of mine. There’s nothing I like doing better than leaving, nice, long, constructive reviews about the things they’ve written!”

“Why, Professor, are you subliminally suggesting that the reader do a certain thing that it’s considered bad forum etiquette to suggest they do?” the aide says.

“Professor Oak: That’s exactly what I’m doing! With the mods abducted, there’s nothing to stop me from doing whatever I want! Thanks, aliens! Without your help, the author of this story – Farfetch’d, your greatest and most cunning enemy – could never have gotten away with something like this!”

Yes, Professor Oak is right, you think! There’s absolutely nothing the aliens could do now to get this story moderated. They should probably just give up.

The Most Terrible, Cliché-Ridden, Forum-Rules-Violating Story Farfetch'd Is Capable Of by The Walrein
2nd place (4 votes):

Spoiler

Totem Salazzle stopped behind the fire. "Heralder… to me!" she bellowed.

A short, squat Salandit raced forward, with a rolled-up piece of paper in his mouth. He dropped it to the ground, where it unfurled. He loudly declared, "Welcome the mightiest of all Totems… whose beauty and power are unmatched throughout Horizon. Let her love envelope you and be utterly transfixed by her infectious presence. Presenting our vaunted leader… Totem Salazzle!"

Totem Salazzle snapped her fingers. "Applauders!" Three Salandits ran in from behind her and erupted in a thunderous round of applause. Totem Salazzle bowed to Shane and Tessa. "Thank you. Thank you all so much. You are dismissed."

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guiding Light by Ambyssin
3rd place (2 votes):

Spoiler

"Aherm. Perhaps we should skip refreshments for now?" Berecien offered. "Maybe we can start with some form entertainment instead?"

The Ponyta's answer was met with a hardened glare from the elder Clawitzer. Based off her stiff demeanor and visible hostility, it was evident that she somehow had an even lower opinion of the suggestion than Niilo's request for drinks.

"Like what, Berecien?" Nagant demanded. "I'm a captain, not a common bard!"

The Fire-Type backpedaled a moment and gulped, half-expecting the agitated crustacean to snipe him with a Water Pulse right then and there. He looked about the dingy abode for something to lighten the mood, only for his eyes to settle on a simple checkerboard made of light and dark wood lying to the side.

"Well, what about a game?" the Ponyta insisted. "You've always been a fan of checkers, and it's a simple game to pick up, is it not?"

The shrimp's hostility ebbed for a moment, with an expression approaching genuine anticipation settling over her face. Nagant clicked her claws, half unsure whether to take up the fire horse's suggestion, before shaking her head and answering.

"… I'll humor it."

The Clawitzer pulled the board over and set it down in front of her, carefully setting out the pieces on their respective sides. After it was prepared, the shrimp grabbed a corner of the checkerboard and rotated it to turn the light pieces towards the young Lugia, moving her small claw to latch onto one of the dark pieces and push it forward diagonally to the left.

"Your pieces stick to the like-colored tiles," Nagant explained. "If you jump over one of mine, it's yours."

Pleo peered down at the board, noticing that the Water-Type had moved her piece onto a square of the same color. Why, there were plenty of those further down the board on Nagant's end! Did he really just have to make one of his pieces jump to get some of Nagant's?

"Hrm…"

The Protector opened his beak and picked up one of the light-colored pieces on his end, lifting it from the board and swinging his head forward. He opened his beak, sending the checker flying across the board and clattering down on Nagant's end of the wooden board, leaving a trail of spittle as it knocked a few of Nagant's pieces into her pool. The Clawitzer spluttered incredulously for a moment, only to be cut off by a curious chirp from the young Lugia.

"Like that, right?" Pleo asked. "It jumped over a whole bunch of your pieces!"

Fledglings by Spiteful Murkrow

Most Suspenseful Scene
1st place (4 votes):

Spoiler

Strangely, the door does not ominously close behind her as she keeps walking. The hallway is somewhat cramped; about the width of two average adults, but it seems competently dig out considering no part of it has caved in yet. It is awfully dark, however, and what little light the flashlight offers can only reveal a small cone in front of her.

Judging by the delicate steps and heavy breathing coming from Tulip, one could arrive at the conclusion that she's regretting not buying the camera that came with night vision, even if it was only marginally more expensive than the one she has now. Then again, this is all wild speculation on anyone's part.

It is hard to notice at first, but judging by the way the light hits part of the ceiling at the end of its trajectory it's safe to assume that the hallway is tilted down. Dirt and pebbles make a rough sound as they're unearthed by Tulip's steps, rolling down alongside her. The only color besides faded brown is the occasional green of the grass stubbles growing from the floor and walls. They become more prominent as time passes.

The Wysteria Files by TheAlpar
2nd place (3 votes):

Spoiler

Spoiler

Towards the end of Chapter 8, Owen has learned quite a lot of disturbing things and run away to a Water Dungeon to be by himself. It's there that his newfound Grass powers spiral out of control, his body exploding into thorny vines part by part. Only by meditating is he able to reform himself, but can he really meditate in such an awful, terrifying state?

The scene begins with the sentence "Owen didn’t know how long he had been running."

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Hands of Creation by Namohysip
3rd place (2 votes): Confronting Mill, Pletora's Story by canisaries
4th place (0 votes):

Spoiler

He had to focus. He had a meeting to get to.

Finally the double doors leading to the reception room met his line of sight. Phil drew a long breath as he completed the last flight of stairs. The corridor felt like it was closing in on him and the stillness wasn’t helping a single bit. He took no time pushing the doors and they flung open with a sharp creak, suggesting that they were in dire need of oiling. But what met Phil was the same as it had been on the floors above. Devoid of people and pokemon, the lobby looked as welcome as a graveyard with patchy, leather chairs serving as the tombstones. Phil cast his line of sight around the room and licked his parched lips. ‘Hello?’ he said. ‘Is anybody here?’

His voice was swallowed up by the silence and was given nothing in return.

The front door beckoned to him urgently but by now unease had turned to concern. Phil approached the front desk, fidgeting with his fingers. He was acting paranoid – it was probably just a slow day for the hotel, that was all. But he still wanted to just confirm that he wasn’t the only one there before he left. Besides, the hotel staff wouldn’t be stupid enough to leave their lobby unattended, right?

He tapped the desk bell which produced an invasive tinging noise and clenched his hands into fists. Ten seconds of waiting became twenty, then thirty, then forty and Phil still found himself standing alone, waiting for someone to come and assure him that his common sense had been correct.

And then something caught Phil’s attention – something that made him take several slow steps until he was staring at Hearthome’s roads and buildings, his palms pressing against the icy glass windows. The streets were just as empty as the hotel appeared to be, even to the point where there wasn’t a single parked car to be seen. But that wasn’t what made Phil blink and rub his eyes. No, what drew his attention was something far more concerning.

The Impassive God [REWRITE - PG-15] by Samayouru

Most Heartbreaking Scene
1st place (3 votes):

Spoiler

The Growlithe picked himself up and looked on in horror as the lavender-scarved Pokémon pinned his mother down. The sound of loud blows and a pained cry rang out, only for a gout of fire to shoot out from the group that sent the Abomasnow stumbling back with a pained screech. The Arcanine wrestled herself free, wobbling to her feet as she looked over wide-eyed at her pup.

"Eltenios, run!" she cried. "Don't look back!"

Elty lowered his head and charged ahead as fast as his legs could carry him, his breaths coming out shallow and ragged as shouts and snarls rang out behind him.

"Hurry and pin her down!" the Marowak snapped. "If we try and suck her in with that Apricorn like this, you'll get one of us caught instead!"

"Hey!" the Golem shouted. "Her little runt's running off!"

The Puppy Pokémon heard footsteps running after him, prompting him to start to turn his head back only to abruptly jerk it back into place. No, he could challenge his mother's instructions another time, but not here, not now. The Fire-Type ran ahead for dear life as he heard the racing footsteps and shouts grow louder and louder, the young dog wildly flying around corners in an attempt to try and slow down his pursuer.

"H-Huh?!"

Elty came ahead to a chamber where to his left was a set of stairs going up into the roof of an earthen tunnel. Without thinking, the Growlithe charged up the stony steps, spotting light at the end as he ran up into a clearing with a stream and scruffy clumps of grass. The Puppy Pokémon dashed along wildly, only for his feet to get caught on the steps. Elty yelped, pitching forward face first and tumbling onto the dungeon's earthen floor. The Fire-Type curled his body up and quivered, lying frozen on the ground, only to realize the sound of the pursuing footsteps had been replaced with that of the creaking and groaning of strained stone. A loud clatter rang out, followed by silence, and the sound of his own panting, haggard breaths. Little by little, the Puppy Pokémon uncurled himself, rising back onto his feet with an unsteady wobble.

"Mama? Are you alright?"

The Growlithe looked back at the direction of the stairs, and saw naught but a small patch of disturbed dirt in the clearing. Elty ran up and pawed at it, looking around desperately for any sign of his mother only to find nothing but the barren trees around him, along with warm tears bubbling in his eyes as a growing, awful realization began to settle on him.

"M-Mama?"

Fledglings by Spiteful Murkrow
2nd place (2 votes):

Spoiler

She heard the nurse's steps getting closer, and a soft hand patted her on the shoulder.

"The flowers change here every year. Soon a new field of color will bloom on top of this grave," she said. "I'm sure she will be happy resting here."

"Eh, it'll do I guess." Inyssa shrugged, perhaps too strongly. "Could be better. If it were me I'd want a whole party around my funeral; some marble statues of me, maybe a couple flying jets doing pirouettes around my grave... you know, go out with some style."

Laughter sprouted from her, wild and sharp and just a little bit unhinged. The nurse shifted her gaze from her to the boy, unsure if that was a joke or not. It didn't last long however, and soon she felt her smile drop dead as the silence grew around her once more.

She stood there, waiting, expecting someone to say something. Should she say something? She remembered a lot of people giving eulogies for her father when she was young, but she was never good at talking about others. She simply put a hand over the cold dirt and lowered her head, trying to cover the wetness in her eyes.

"I'm sorry." She spoke between sobs, eyes closed and wind roaring in her ears. "You deserved better than this."

The Child of Thorns - A Platinum story. by TheAlpar
3rd-4th place (1 vote):

Spoiler

“Diantha!” Rune roared at the top of his voice, shoving Tapu Koko out of the way. The floor around her had become a crater bigger than every crater in the area, lit with flames, crackling electricity, and warmed with blackened earth. Diantha stood in the direct centre of the crater, her arms stretched out beside her, head tilted upwards and body unmoving. Rune didn’t waste time in grabbing her, surprised to be shocked back by a burst of static that lingered over her. He ignored the pain of that to stand back up and try again, gripping her sides with both hands to absorb all of the electricity that still lingered. He screamed her name as he did so.

“Diantha, please, say something!” he begged, shaking her. Her eyes remained open, as did her mouth, but no sound or life showed at all. She fell straight backwards when he released her, almost hitting the ground harshly if not for the way he cradled her. He kept calling her name and begging, shaking her in hopes of a sign of life, but none came. He eventually laid a hand on her chest. There was no pulse.

“N-no, this isn’t- Diantha, Diantha, wake up damn it, Diantha!” he staggered, laying her down flat. He started pressing her chest, calling out and attempting to jolt her awake somehow.

But nothing came of it. Her body was without pulse, staring back at him with open eyes and an open mouth. No breath. No movement. Not even the twitch of her pupils.

Astral Genealogy [Pokémon Fanfiction] by SGMijumaru
3rd-4th place (1 vote): The entirety of Chapter 76, The Quest for the Legends, now with its ILCOETH revision! by Dragonfree
5th-6th place (0 votes): The very beginning, Star Performer <Ch. 9> by M-Dub
5th-6th place (0 votes):

Spoiler

“You’re the first trainer I’ve seen deploy Pokemon with such mastery. But I should warn you—my son is stronger than you.(1) He even challenged the Pokemon League, I’ll have you know!(2)”
(1) No, his son is not stronger than you. In fact, he’s not stronger than a lot of people—I’ve lost so many battles the moment I stepped into Victory Road, and every loss only further proved my father wrong. Whoever you are, there’s a pretty solid chance that you’re stronger than me.

(2) He hasn’t challenged the Pokemon League, I’ll have you know. He just told his family that he did, when the truth is that I haven’t seen the other end of Victory Road after weeks of training here. And how could I when all these trainers I battle are so much better than me?

Vito Winstrate [one-shot] by Dramatic Melody

Most Heartwarming Scene
1st-2nd place (3 votes):

Spoiler

“I have an idea,” says Jodi, getting up. “I think it might make you feel better.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” She turns lightly on one foot, holds out a hand. “I've got maybe two minutes left, and I don't know when or if I'm gonna be able to project like this again. So. May I have this dance, Miss Spearing?”

Tacoma blinks, surprised.

“You can't dance,” she says, though of course this is the wrong thing to say. “You've never danced in your life.”

Jodi shrugs.

“That's probably just gonna make it more entertaining,” she says. “Two minutes, Tacoma. Last chance for either of us. Wanna try?”

Tacoma looks at her outstretched hand.

She feels like ****. Her knuckles are bleeding more and more with every movement of her fingers. She wants a sharp piece of metal to draw across her arm.

“Yeah,” she says, taking Jodi's hand. “Yeah, I'd like that.”

In two minutes, there will be no more music and no more hands to hold; in two minutes, Tacoma can be as violent and ugly as she wants. But until then, she is human again.

She really can't say no to that.

Ghost Town by Cutlerine
1st-2nd place (3 votes):

Spoiler

Tears welled up in her eyes. "I'm so stupid. I let myself get taken in by the idea of becoming a world-famous hero. I can't believe I was dumb enough to think that I could have stories made about me." She rubbed her eyes with an arm. "I told myself to put up with Vulpix because the reward would be love and admiration. From the guild… from the townsfolk… heck, from the whole world. Everyone knows about Team Poképals, Team Gaia, and the others." She hung her head shamefully. "And I let Vulpix convince me that I could be just as famous as them if I stuck with him."

"It's not your fault," Null said. "That stuff… does sound tempting. Especially if... you're feeling lonely."

Tessa shoved Null's hip. "You're just saying that to make me feel better," she muttered dejectedly. "Vulpix was right. And that's exactly why I can never face him. I am a sad, sorry little Riolu who uses sob stories to get people's attention. I don't deserve anyone's love. All Vulpix and I managed to do was bring out each other's bad sides... until everything exploded." She turned away from Null. "That's why I can't go back. That's why I'm just done with all of this. It feels like I'll only be able to do more harm than good from now on. And besides, I don't matter to anyone. I just…"

She stuck her head back into the sand, letting out a muffled cry of, "I just want to see my dad again."

"You matter to me."

Tessa poked her head up, sand cascading down her face. "Null, you don't have to say that to make me feel better."

"I mean it," he said, scooting toward her. "You're the first person… who's made me feel like... something other than a burden. Everyone else… keeps their distance. But you… you want to talk to me." He pressed his mask against the tip of her snout. "I… I have fun… being with you. When you're around… the pain… it doesn't feel as bad. It feels like… I can handle it…"

"Null," Tessa whispered, her eyes sparkling.

"Please don't leave me," he begged. "We can… help each other… together. Starting with... making sure... you and Vulpix are square." He shuffled backward, his gaze falling toward the ground.

"Okay." Tessa took in a deep breath. "If it's for you… I guess I can try to do that." Her ears twitched at the sound of a relieved sigh.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Guiding Light by Ambyssin
3rd place (2 votes):

Spoiler

I looked all around me at the beaming faces, thrilled and surprised and perhaps even a little bit scared. If I were to become a Gyarados, I would no longer be the little Magikarp so many people turned away and called worthless and useless. My mere presence would demand respect, and show everyone how far I’ve come. I could become the symbol of change and hope that so many of my kind needed. I could represent all of the challenges and obstacles we’ve had to overcome, and show the world that we were so much more than what they thought. But I also thought about the unstoppable rage, about all the Gyarados that nearly went on rampages, about the unmistakable fear they struck into so many hearts. People might respect my strength, but if they were afraid of me, how would that change my struggle to make friends? Could I really be a symbol for Magikarp if I wasn’t one?

That’s when it hit me – I didn’t have to be a Gyarados. I had accomplished so much as a Magikarp just from hard work and perseverance and help from my newfound friends. I didn’t need a human to catch me to know my worth. This entire time, evolving had been a means to an end; I had wanted to get stronger, to show people what Magikarp could do, to become a fish that others deemed worthy of friendship and love. And here I was, with three friends that helped me get here, surrounded by family who could see what I was capable of, and were proud of me for it. I had achieved my goal without even having to evolve or be chosen by some human.

So, surrounded by all my family and friends and people who believed in me, I decided maybe I would stay a Magikarp for a little longer.

Hardy by Psychic

Best Action Scene
1st-2nd place (4 votes):

Spoiler

Berecien jumped off the deck and hit the water, prompting Katyusha to swim up and ease the horse onto her. The Fire-Type staggered up with a much-diminished mane of fire, spitting up water and disgustedly trying to shake some of the unwelcome dampness off. At the same time, Cabot and Niilo lowered themselves down the rope ladder and onto the back of Cyanea's bell, the Poison-Type pushing herself away from the hull and looking up at her passengers.

"Just be sure to hold on, since this is gonna be a bumpy ride!" the Tentacruel said.

"Right!" Cabot piped up.

Cyanea and Katyusha jetted off, bolting across the water as Pokémon in indigo and black scarves churned up the waters around them with fierce battles. Every so often, an errant attack would near, kicking up seawater from impact or forcing Cyanea and Katyusha to swerve out of the way.

"Oi! Those Imps are trying to carry reinfor- Argh!"

Or as in the case of an hapless black-scarved Golduck reeling from a fresh Sludge Bomb: swat would-be attackers out of their path. The duck's cry quickly drew the attention of some of his nearby peers, prompting a Frillish, Seaking, and Basculin in black scarves to swim up and zero in on the party from their right.

"Great, we got company," Niilo grumbled.

"Just try to get them off our tail!" Cyanea exclaimed as she swam out of the way of a shadowy ball in the nick of time. "If we stop to fight them ourselves, they're more likely to knock you three off!"

The Sandslash rooted through his bag and fished out his Confuse Wand from earlier. The Ground-Type swung the wand at his pursuers, shooting out a barrage of yellow orbs that enveloped the Seaking. The fish lurched in a daze, shooting out a pressurized orb at the back of his Frillish teammate's head and stopping her cold with a yelp. In spite of that, the Basculin kept going, and sprung in the air with an open-jawed lunge for Berecien…

"Should have stayed on your ship, Imp- ARGH!"

… only for the Ponyta to kick him in the jaw with his hindlegs. The fish flew up into the air with a loud scream, before falling back into the water with a loud splash.

"Fat'll deach yu!" the horse said as he tightly held onto Katyusha's fin.

Casting Off by Virgil134
1st-2nd place (4 votes):

Spoiler

Another solar beam, another hit. The haze thinned, burned off by solar energy, dispersing on mountain breezes. Now and again a snatch of Blastoise became visible: an arm, a cannon, the smooth, broad dome of shell.

Something was wrong. Blastoise's shell glittered, had none of its usually waxy sheen. Charizard only caught a glimpse, but she nosed a little closer, searching the fading haze while sunlight glowed through her claws.

Something cracked down below, a sharp report like a boulder snapping. Charizard looked down and saw ice clouding the pool's surface, sublimating in gentle white wisps. She beat her wings once, by instinct flying higher, up and away from unknown danger.

A powerful cross-breeze caught her and blew her sideways. It came laced with dancing snowflakes, ice crystals abrading her scales and tearing long rents in her wing-membranes. Blizzard winds slammed Charizard against the side of the glacier, freezing ice at her back, freezing air against her stomach, twin walls of ice trying to snuff her flame between them.

The haze had never been meant to hide where Blastoise was, only what she was doing. With the mist ripped away by the blizzard's gale Charizard could see the icicles growing from the rims of Blastoise's cannons, the frost clouding her scales, the snow drifting across the rocks at her feet. She'd been preparing.

Charizard snarled and pushed against the side of the glacier, hole-ridden wings straining against the slackening blizzard. But Blastoise clenched her fists, shifted on massive feet, and the glacier creaked, cracked, chunks calving with a horrid, grating rumble. The front of the glacier tore away and toppled down in chunks, Charizard trapped beneath the falling ice.

The pool's frozen surface broke her fall, but only for a second. Then the main mass of the glacier came roaring down, ice splintering against ice and spraying razor shards in all directions. The ice beneath Charizard gave way, dumping her into freezing water.

[One-Shot] Legends by Negrek
3rd place (1 vote):

Spoiler

Nagant shook her head and leveled her claw, an orb of water forming in between the tips of her pincers as Hess dragged himself to his feet. Before she could fire, she was cut off by an watery burst from behind, drawing a shriek from the elderly shrimp that sent her tumbling. Hess blinked before looking over at a visibly nervous Team Traveller, when a jet of water sprang up from the corner of the Aggron's eye.

"Hey, what the-?!"

The Aggron turned and went wide-eyed as a blue blur moved onto the roof and launched him back with a tackle that sprayed water all around the rooftop, pitching him over the opposite edge of the roof with a startled shout followed by a loud crash. Team Traveller brushed away droplets from their eyes, turning back towards the blur only for their blood to run cold at the sight of an uncomfortably familiar Samurott glaring back at them.

"Lyn!"

"I've been getting very tired with your rebelliousness, Trombans," the Commissioner growled. "It's time I put an end to it and take what's mine."

The Samurott gave a bloodcurdling cry, drawing the attention of a Crobat along with a following array of flying Pokémon in blue-sunned scarves. The fliers swooped in, driving off the indigo-scarved counterparts from the air and forcing Hess' underlings in the alley back with yelps with a rain of cutting winds before turning for the rooftop Lyn was on. Satisfied with the turn of events, the Samurott gave a dangerous grin and fished his seamitars from their scabbards, raising them ready for battle.

"Have at you-!"

Before the otter could finish he was cut off by a blue orb of light which zipped along and wrenched the blade from his paw and sending it clattering against the tiles. The otter whirled over in the direction of the Aura Sphere, seeing the seething form of a Clawitzer with her large claw still leveled at him.

"You must be Commissioner Lyn," Nagant hissed. "I don't know how things work in your little treasonous gang, but I'm afraid I can't just sit back as you meddle in Her Majesty's affairs."

Lyn stooped down and fished his fallen blade up with a scoff, before rearing up and sweeping his blades out with a low growl.

"Just try and stop me."

Fledglings by Spiteful Murkrow
4th place (0 votes):

Spoiler

Without a word, Demi sprang out of the trench. Syr turned blindly in the direction she’d gone, steeling himself to jump back into the fray, filling his lungs with relatively clean air while he could. His fangs glowed a deep violet, ready to puncture the hide of one of their attackers—and then the light abruptly cut out, its maker startled into losing the charge as an enormous set of jaws closed over his head.

He screamed into the cavernous, reeking mouth as its owner began slowly lifting him off the ground. His own mouth lit up with dark-type energy once more as he plunged his fangs into the oily tongue attempting to smother his face. The attack drew a muffled, pained roar from two voices at once—a weezing.

His blood ran cold. With an effort that wasn’t entirely physical, he flung the rest of his body over the floating creature, wrapping tight around the junctures between their body sections. He squeezed desperately, but to little effect. His oxygen supply was rapidly dwindling, taking his strength along with it…

Then there was a deafening noise and an explosion of light behind his eyes, and the next thing Syr knew, he was free.

If he hadn’t seen the weezing dropping out of the air alongside him, he wouldn’t even have known he was falling. He couldn’t feel the air as it rushed past, couldn’t feel the impact when he hit the ground. He realized with a delay that he was breathing properly again, hearing and then tasting the breaths passing over his tongue. Another beat later, he figured out that he couldn’t move.

A strangled cry escaped him, but his mouth refused to form words. Slowly, horribly slowly, his gaze panned across the inverted and dimly-lit scene before him… and landed upon a nosepass several yards away. Ren was crouching next to him, and there was a faint glow about Karo’s nose that was only just fading out. Zap cannon. Karo had been the one to take down that weezing. Syr had just had the misfortune of being in the line of fire.

“Syr! Hang in there, buddy!” the nosepass called out to him. Syr heard Ren grab something out of his pack as the two hurried to pull the arbok into the safety of Karo’s block field.

Relief spread through Syr as they closed the gap. He didn’t feel the force field envelop him this time, but he was sure it had; Ren was now moving freely at his side, in space he wouldn’t have dared to occupy if it weren’t safe.

“Man,” said Karo, sounding more than a little tired, “am I ever grateful to see you again.”

The Worldslayers by Sike Saner

Most Memorable Quote
1st place (4 votes):

Spoiler

There were plenty of ways we could’ve worked through Senori’s death together. Silence was not one of them. We were supposed to be a team, after all. We were eight different bodies, all consumed by the same grief, but still we acted like strangers every time we bumped into each other.

Phantom Project by diamondpearl876
2nd-4th place (2 votes):

Spoiler

Berecien's little outburst when reminded by someone else that his homeland has been annexed by the setting's Arch Enemy.

"That's right. I will never forgive those square-necks for what they did to our island after driving my family out," Berecien harrumphed. "Serving in the navy has always been a tradition in our family, but I'm hoping that by being here, someday I can get our island back from the Company."

Casting Off by Virgil134
2nd-4th place (2 votes):

Spoiler

"...Do you ever get the feeling that you know somebody for a lot longer than you actually do? That there’s more to it?”

Rhys blinked a few times. Owen’s heartbeat picked up in both frequency and intensity. He tried to get a read for Rhys and his tension, but it was too hard. He was too controlled this time. Owen had a knack for being aware of these bodily cues, but he couldn’t get anything from Rhys.

Finally, Rhys answered. “I do not believe in love at first sight.”

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Hands of Creation by Namohysip
2nd-4th place (2 votes):

Spoiler

“That’s very optimistic,” Carl said. “But fair enough. I’ll be prepared anyway. I never trusted legendaries.”
“They’re…” Mark paused, trying to gather his thoughts. “They’re just people. They’re not perfect, but they’re not evil either. They’re just… trying.”

The Quest for the Legends, now with its ILCOETH revision! by Dragonfree

Author Awards

Best Established Writer
1st place (5 votes): Cutlerine
2nd-3rd place (2 votes): diamondpearl876
2nd-3rd place (2 votes): Sike Saner
4th-5th place (1 vote): Chibi Pika
4th-5th place (1 vote): Spiteful Murkrow

Best New Writer
1st place (5 votes): canisaries
2nd place (4 votes): Namohysip
3rd place (3 votes): dietofwurms
4th place (0 votes): Firaga Metagross

Most Dedicated Writer
1st place (5 votes): Ambyssin
2nd place (4 votes): Dragonfree
3rd place (3 votes): Spiteful Murkrow
4th place (1 vote): DeliriousAbsol
5th-8th place (0 votes): Rediamond
5th-8th place (0 votes): Sike Saner
5th-8th place (0 votes): NebulaDreams
5th-8th place (0 votes): diamondpearl876

Most Improved Writer
1st place (4 votes): Ambyssin
2nd-3rd place (2 votes): Bay
2nd-3rd place (2 votes): NebulaDreams
4th place (0 votes): Samayouru

Reviewer Awards

Most Helpful Reviewer
1st place (6 votes): Negrek
2nd place (3 votes): Ambyssin
3rd place (2 votes): Cutlerine
4th place (1 vote): Chibi Pika

Most Dedicated Reviewer
1st place (5 votes): Ambyssin
2nd place (4 votes): Cutlerine
3rd-4th place (1 vote): Negrek
3rd-4th place (1 vote): Sike Saner


Thanks to everyone who participated and congratulations to all the winners and nominees! We hope to see you all participate in next year's awards!

 

[Sike Saner]

Of all the categories I could've scored a win in, I expected that one the very least. Talk about a pleasant surprise!

Congrats to all, thanks for the votes and nominations, and thanks to the relevant parties for putting all this together!

 

[Ambyssin]

Huh. This was... legitimately surprising for me, for a number of reasons. My thanks to those who nominated or voted for me. Seriously. @_@

Congrats to everyone involved. Thanks Butler and Dragonfree for supervising. I put these results into a spreadsheet, so I have some numbers I could pull up in the future if need be.

 

[canisaries]

Oh damn! I finally won something at a thing like this. Thanks for all the nominations and votes, and thanks to all the people who put up this lovely thing.

 

[Namohysip]

I... did not expect to do this well after just popping in one day last year. I'm flattered and humbled at the same time, and thanks to all who voted. Here's hoping I continue to improve my craft over 2019~

 

[NebulaDreams]

Likewise, I didn't expect to do this well either. TCATS was the first proper longfic I ever did, and after all the revisions it went through after a weak first version, it's very satisfying to see it placed so well here. I'm also pleased about Black Paint's win and nominations, although there are quite a few things about the story I'd like to polish. Thanks to all that voted as well, and I hope to keep up this streak throughout this year too.

 

[Chibi Pika]

Thanks to all who voted or nominated! I didn't expect much for my own work seeing as I didn't post very many chapters last year at all, so tieing for Best Trainer Fic is a nice surprise. Congrats to all the winners, thanks to Butler and Dragonfree for putting it all together, and here's hoping next year goes just as well!

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

Congratulations everyone. This is awesome to see! =D Some fantastic writers up there! Thanks to all who voted and nominated me =) Thanks, also, to those for running this every year. I enjoy the Fanfiction Awards! =D

 

[Dramatic Melody]

I'm super late but aahhhh thank you for the love for "Dear Liepard," and "Vito Winstrate"! I had a great time writing both of them, so I'm really grateful for how they both did here. Congratulations to all the other winners and nominees!