Pokémon Unleashed

***Pokémon Unleashed*** (initially titled *Pokémon xTreme*) is a *Pokémon* fanfiction created by Ryan Nurse and Animatron Studios. First conceived c. 2010, it was initially cancelled before being revived in 2012, and began publication in January 2015 as part of Project 20:15. The series is a re-interpretation of the *Pokémon* universe, applying real-world logic, technology and conventions to it while altering or removing some of the core concepts from the games, and disregards much of the original canon.

The series follows Taylor Evans, a teenage Pokémon enthusiast who enrols in a mentoring scheme and is taken under the wing of Brandon Wells, a star trainer who fell from grace after a drunken altercation. It is one of three *Pokémon* fanfictions being written by Nurse, together with *Pokémon - The Chase* and *Pokémon: Shattered Crystal*, which are both significantly more faithful to the games' canon.

## Synopsis

### Setting

The game takes place in the Kanto region, in approximately the present day. In this alternate universe, Pokémon battling is an organized, professional, and highly-lucrative sport, akin to modern-day golf or tennis. The most prestigious tournaments are the four "Masters Tournaments", held annually in Johto, Unova, Kalos, and Kanto; obtaining all eight Gym Badges in a region qualifies a trainer to enter the Masters. The Pokémon Leagues from the games are replaced with a "Challenge Belt", the holders of which appoint that region's Elite Four themselves. Challenge Belts are established as being the older and more challenging of the two competitions.

The series combines the original *Pokémon* setting with modern-day conventions and technology. For example, the Pokédex, the Item Finder, and the radio from *Pokémon Gold and Silver* are all presented as smartphone apps rather than standalone pieces of hardware.

### Plot

The story follows Taylor Evans, a young rookie trainer who enrols in a brand-new mentoring scheme and is placed under the tutelage of Brandon Wells, one on the world's most famous professionals but also a controversial, arrogant figure. After a drunken misdemeanor, Brandon was stripped of his titles, banned from competing for a year, and made to tutor Taylor. Despite this, he sees potential in Taylor and is determined to train her to the best of his ability.

## Characters

*For a full character list, please see List of Pokémon Unleashed characters*.

* Taylor Evans: A slightly clumsy teenager who aspires to become a Pokémon trainer. With Brandon's tutelage, she aims to win all eight Gym Badges and enter a Masters Tournament.
* Brandon Wells: A former Masters Tournament winner and Elite Four member who specializes in Flying-types. He was stripped of his titles and made to do community service (i.e. mentoring Taylor) after a drunken misdemeanor. He is known for his flamboyant, arrogant attitude.
* Seth Voltaire: Brandon's long-time friend and rival, who specializes in Electric-types. The pair frequently battle over the ownership of a Zapdos.
* Kieran Anderson: A teenager mentored by Seth who aims to become the world's strongest trainer by any means. However, he is not quite as skilled as he believes himself to be.
* John McBride: An ageing Pokémon trainer and Elite Four member considered to be one of the greatest trainers of all-time. He specializes in Normal and Ground-types.
* Corey Allen: A ice-cool Pokémon trainer and Elite Four member known for his unshakably calm demeanor. He harbors a quiet dislike of Brandon. He specializes in Ice-types.
* Claire Voigt: An Elite Four member with psychic abilities, able to predict what people are going to say before they say it. She has a crush on Corey. She specializes in Psychic-types.
* Alicia Martin: The newest Elite Four member, she is nervous about new role but aims to do the best she can and learn from her fellow members. She specializes in Grass-types.
* Emma Williams: The younger sister of the Viridian City Gym Leader, Brandon supposedly impregnates her in a one-night-stand prior to the story's beginning, and she then joins the duo.

## Development

*Pokémon Unleashed* was originally conceived c. 2010 as a "more mature" Pokémon series, featuring "sex, violence and swearing". The idea was quickly dismissed by Nurse's peers and he scrapped it, only to revive it in 2012, this time with a focus on "modernizing" the Pokémon universe rather than making it more mature. However, *Unleashed* remains darker than most official Pokémon media, featuring graphic violence and death (though not inflicted on Pokémon), profanity, and references to sexual activity and alcohol consumption.

*Pokémon Velvet and Silk* began life as a video game based on *Unleashed*, but was later spun off into a separate, vastly different project.

## Content

### Published content

*Pokémon Unleashed* has sixteen posts written about it as part of Project 20:15, the third-most of any project (after *StarLight* and *Aura of Chaos*). These posts cover the first three chapters of the series, and part of the fourth. The series has not yet seen publication.

### Planned content

It is unknown how many chapters the series will last for, but each will be roughly 5,000 words in length. As well as collecting all eight Gym Badges, Taylor will also fight for the Kanto Challenge Belt, and will compete in her debut Masters Tournament. In addition to the Team Glacier arc, the series could well end up as one of Nurse's longest-ever projects.