So I picked up Hero of Fire and Thunder. It's pretty cool! Reminds me a bit of DPA, down to having the evil team grunt with exaggerated features (although in this case rather than K2's swollen rear, this guy has a pointy chin, nose, and hairstyle). It's also very very cut down. Team Plasma seems to consist of grunts and N. No Goddesses, no Shadow Triad, no Sages, no GHETSIS. There's no time given to gym battles. The Elite Four is seen once, but Alder has a whole chapter devoted to him.
And when the main character finds out about N's true aim, he still doesn't give up on their friendship. Very Hareta of him.
Oh yeah, main character seems to have only one pokemon, his starter. Gets Required Legendary later on but that's it.