These are Dramatic Melody's nominations and comments for the 2015 awards. See all nominations here.
There’s a lot of things to like about Flying in the Dark: two very engaging and relatable characters that give a lot of insights to the nuances of training; an epistolary format that works both in humanizing these characters and in exploring the importance of letter-writing; and overall great prose that makes something as simple as exchanging letters such an interesting read. diamondpearl876 presents a very unique way of approaching a journey, and she makes sure you’ll fall in love with Haley and Markus with each of their letters.
“Blue” really shines in how it explores its characters and zeroes in on the melancholy they share, making sure that you get to feel it for yourself. Coupled with a very smart structure and solid writing, “Blue” is arguably the best work in [Imaginative]:[Clockwork]’s Chromatic collection so far.
There’s a very delicate balance you have to hit when writing drabbles, and bobandbill has consistently done so in his collection. Whether it’s delivering a great punchline such as in “Mega Waste” or hitting you in the gut with “A Few Words”, there’s a lot of control in the writing that makes the drabbles successful.
The way [Imaginative]:[Clockwork] works through each character and seamlessly shifts point of view makes for a very unique read. It’s boosted by a great attention to detail and a keen eye for the differences (and similarities) between these characters’ voices.
Poetry’s description puts a lot of zest into this rather quiet fic. What’s even more impressive is how a bulk of the description is on food and taste - there’s a lot of finesse put into it that makes each cake the characters eat all the more delicious.
How Castelia City seems to surround you along with its characters really takes “Sharing Secrets” up a notch in terms of storytelling. Psychic does well in making you feel the peacefulness of Castelia Park and the stench of Castelia Sewers, and in turn it makes Aarune’s musings much more relatable
A great fic needs a great setting, and JX Valentine delivers yet again with this one-shot. You really get a feel of the grim world the characters inhabit through the solid description and in-your-face scenes, which makes the punch-in-the-gut events that much stronger.
A great take on an interesting premise, and PhalanxSigil makes sure to explore that premise smartly and give it a satisfying explanation. It’s strengthened further by the dynamic between Cynthia and Lucas, and you really sympathize with the latter once the fic tackles the bit of canon it ventures to expand.
Seeing the characters of Haley and Markus develop through each of their letters is one of the best reasons to keep coming back to Flying in the Dark. diamondpearl876 does well in exploring their views and playing around with their personalities, and each letter adds another facet to their characters that makes them such interesting people to read.
At the heart of starliteevee’s Drowning is Maressa, who has gone through quite a lot and is now thrown into this sense of uncertainty regarding her loyalty to Team Aqua, and it is a real treat seeing her character evolve throughout the story. It’s strengthened by the memorableness of the other characters as well - the interactions between her and the other Aqua Grunts is very fun to watch, and her dynamics with her Pokemon really shows how strong their bonds are.
Right from the start, Sike Saner sets the atmosphere of a quiet but creepy fic. The animated descriptions and the eerie setting work very well, and they all come to a great and admittedly chilling conclusion with the reveal of Nalna.
How “Ironside” takes you through Bjorn’s journey has a certain appeal that makes it a great read. It’s elevated by Firebrand’s narration, which made the story flow very well and made sure you rooted for Bjorn and his teammates.
The way Blackjack Gabbiani explores each character in “Solar System” with such depth is a thrill to read. Even if I’m not familiar with the canon being explored, the fic still succeeds in making the characters relatable and sympathetic, which is a great feat.
Mrs. Lovett puts forward a great character study of The Trick Master with this one-shot. You really get a sense of his overconfidence and determination, and the fic is smart in putting those to the test with the introduction of May.
The daring but confused protagonist of Drowning has really evolved with each chapter, and that has made her even more awesome than she already is. Starlight Aurate doesn’t hold back in injecting as much personality in her as possible, and her strong character does well in making the conflict of the story much more pronounced.
His cunning dialogue and unparalleled ego makes Persian a very likable character. There’s a lot of care solovino puts in making Persian unique and believable, which really boosts the enjoyability of the entire one-shot as it is narrated by him.
It hadn’t even a moment to take in his surroundings when he felt the energy behind him. He turned and saw his trainer grin, toss him a stone, and place a hand on his bracelet.The Swampert nodded back and allowed the stone’s light to consume his body. His arms and fins grew until the light burst away to unmask his transformation. He let loose a roar and looked for his opponent, only to face a lone boulder. “Yeah, could you please move that?” the trainer asked. Swampert slowly turned back and glared. “What? I thought the muscles would help!”
A very simple scene, but the punchline at the end is what really makes it great. It’s hard to imagine a fully energized Mega Swampert in front of a measly boulder side-eyeing a shrugging trainer and not find it funny.
“When bedtime came, the three of us rolled out our sleeping bags and said good-night. I was exhausted, and it felt wonderful to finally be able to lie down and close my eyes. I thought I'd fall asleep right away. But the ground beneath my back felt too hard, and I couldn't get comfortable no matter which way I turned. I didn't want to keep Fuuka and Kazeo awake, so finally I settled on a position and kept still. But I still couldn't sleep. I wondered where my dad was at that moment, what he was doing. I thought about my mom back home, whether she was having as much trouble sleeping as I was. Suddenly, I felt so homesick. What did I think I was doing? I'd barely gotten through the day, how was I ever going to keep this up long enough to find my dad? But I couldn't just give up, could I? The chirp of the insects and the rush of the river, the cold, far away stars, everything around me felt lonely. The harder I tried not to cry, more tears spilled over my eyelids. I didn't want to bother Fuuka and Kazeo, so I breathed in deep. Held my sob tight in my lungs. Exhaled in a slow, shuddering breath. Again. And again. But then my nose started getting stuffy and runny. Finally, I had to sniff. And then I couldn't stop sniffing.”
With just one paragraph, Hakajin manages to convey the gravity of Satsumi’s pain, and it doesn’t fail to hit you with all the emotions. It’s brought up by the amazing description and the realness of her actions, which makes the scene that much sadder.
“Shelly!”The Aqua Commander turned around, her expression sour at being interrupted. Maressa felt a slight twinge of guilt; she had forgotten that she should be paying her superior respect, but she pushed the feeling aside and walked over to her commander.Shelly said nothing but raised her scarlet eyebrows in question, so Maressa asked, “Do you know where my Seaking is?”“Why would I know that? You’re one of several grunts I’m in charge of; I can’t keep track of everybody’s Pokemon.”“Yes, but I just got these three—” she held up her Pokeballs—“back, and Noah said that I should ask you where the other one might be.”“Where did you last see your Seaking?”“He was fighting with me when I was captured by Team Magma.”“And do you know what happened to him afterwards? Was he captured, or did another Team Aqua member take him?”Maressa traced her steps through her memory as she recounted, “He was caught in Breloom’s leech seed, and I kicked him when his horn punctured my leg, and then I was hit by the solar beam…” She looked back up at her commander. “That’s all I remember.”“What about his pokeball? Did you keep that with you?”“No, that… fell in the ocean,” she whispered as realization took hold of her.Shelly’s eyebrows climbed higher on her forehead. “Your Seaking was caught in a leech seed attack, and you dropped his pokeball in the ocean, and you’re hoping to find him at a base?” She shook her head, her long red hair swaying from side-to-side. “I’m sorry, Maressa, but it sounds like your Seaking’s gone.”Maressa froze; it was as if the world had stopped for a moment. There was nothing to think about. Nothing to feel.Gone?Seaking couldn’t be gone. How could he be? Seaking, who was so timid and yet so cheerful, who was the only one willing to try and learn calculus, whom she had saved from people who saw him as only an object.And she could feel all those moments she had spent with him, holding him, singing lullabies to him at night when he was too nervous to sleep, withdrawing him in the middle of a battle when he was getting too scared to keep fighting, having him play with Golduck, Lanturn and Sharpedo, steadily building his trust and feeling him love her in return. And it felt as if all those moments were ripped away.Tears were coming hot and fast now. Maressa’s chest felt like it was being constricted. She knew people were staring at her, but it didn’t matter. Shelly put a hand on her shoulder, gazing at her subordinate with more pity than Maressa thought her commander could have. “I’m sorry.”Taking a few deep breaths, Maressa slowly asked, “But we can find him, right? We have plenty of aquatic Pokemon; they can search for him, can’t they?”Shelly grimaced and shrugged. “The ocean is a big place, Maressa. Yes, we have water Pokemon, but if we send them too far out into the sea, it’s possible that even they could lose their way and not return.”Each word Shelly spoke was like a hammer beating a nail deeper into Maressa’s heart. “But he won’t just be anywhere out in the ocean—he knows what our bases and submarines look like—he’ll come find one—“ she stopped as her voice cracked.“If that’s the case, then maybe he will come back. But I can’t promise anything. We’ll keep an eye out for him, though,” she added with a soft smile.
You know you’re in for an emotional punch when one of the harshest admins suddenly becomes soft. Starlight Aurate handles this reveal very well, not only in terms of how Maressa reacts to it but also in how Shelly, of all people, shows her sympathy while still maintaining her sternness.
Lysandre immediately pulled out from his bag four Pokéballs, a small box, and a ring with a colorful stone, setting them aside. Curious, Augustine went back to his desk and sunk into his chair to have a closer look at the items. He picked up the ring and gasped, realizing that—"Are you entrusting me with your Mega Ring? And your Pokémon?""My Pokémon, including Pyroar who has been with me the longest, deserve someone better to watch over them. That Mega Stone is for Gyrados."Lysandre's finger pointed at the box and Augustine didn't hesitate in opening it. Inside was a large orange stone with blue and red swirls—indeed this was the Gyradosite. He couldn't help but make a sad chuckle. "You forgot that I'm not that good with Mega Evolution," he said as he closed the box. "It doesn't matter. I know for certain my Pokémon will be happy with you." As he pondered over the offer, his mouth twitched. Not only is he leaving me his Pokémon, but also his other belongings. That thought still stunned him. Lysandre did sound genuine and seem to put some serious thought into this. Augustine couldn't bring himself to forgive him, but it would be rude to leave the Pokémon behind. He was a professor, after all. Was it wrong of him to accept the favor? Perhaps. And yet, it was also the right thing to do. Augustine inhaled and looked straight back at Lysandre. "Okay, I'll watch over them, but only because it feels wrong if I decline. And I'll keep your Mega Ring and the Gyradosite safe.""I do truly appreciate you doing this for me." Lysandre smiled, and Augustine could tell it was a genuine one. Another silence between them followed, and lingered."So, I guess this is goodbye," he said, knowing that would be the case. Augustine’s eyes dropped on the floor."I'm sorry we’re not able to work this out in the end, but I do value our friendship very much.""Me too." In spite of himself, he smiled a little. After talking with him some more, he was much calmer than a moment ago. The two men got up at the same time and Augustine let out his hand to Lysandre. Instead of shaking it, though, his friend's soft lips pressed on his skin and that caused him to flush. This was the first time Lysandre was being affectionate towards him. His body grew warm from that gesture. "Adieu, Augustine," he said, putting his hat back on. As Augustine watched him leave the office, his finger rubbed at the spot where Lysandre had just kissed. In the end he was glad his friend had dropped by to say his last goodbye. Shortly after, Dr. Helms returned to his office and he snapped back to reality.“Is everything all right, Professor Sycamore?” The scientist had a concerned expression on his face.“Nothing to worry about, Dr. Helms!” he said, beaming. “My visitor just came by to drop a few things for me.”“Ah, I see. Well, I’ll be heading home now. You have a good night!” Augustine told him to have a safe trip back and Dr. Helms left him alone. He picked Lysandre’s Mega Ring up once more and twirled it around, admiring the helix sigil on the stone. The professor was reminded back when he and Diantha had discussed Mega Evolution with Serena. He may not be able to use the Gyradosite to its full potential, but he would continue to keep researching that concept. Lysandre would want him to do that. "And an adieu to you, Lysandre," he whispered, still fixing his gaze at the ring.
Pretty much guaranteed to make you say “d’aww”, Bay delivers a very heartwarming ending with this scene, clearly capturing the wave of emotions that Augustine experiences and how Lysandre’s gesture makes all of it become clear to Augustine. (Also guaranteed to make you ship them, let’s be honest.)
“You’re leaving?” She picked up Claude and held him snugly. “Why? I thought you were coming with us.”He knocked on his knees and shrugged. “I don’t think this ol’ body’ll take me much further. Don’t you worry, though. You go have fun, and I’ll call your parents and get them to pick me up.”Tina bit her lip and looked at him for several seconds. She then turned to Arthur. “I’ll meet you at the pokémon center tonight, okay?” They said goodbye, and he took off slowly to the east.“Tina, I’ll be fine,” he insisted, hobbling toward a boulder and sitting down. “You’re wasting daylight.”“I know you’ll be fine, Grandpa.” She sat next to him. “You’re the one protecting me, remember?” She leaned against him. “I have all summer to be away from home, though. I’d rather wait here with you while you’re still close.”He put his arm around her. “I appreciate that, kiddo. You’re still gonna call, right?” She nodded. “I’ll need trainer tips, and Mom and Dad are clueless,” she said, eliciting a wheezy laugh from her grandfather. “You’re like the only one who gets it.”They waited together for over an hour, chatting casually. They talked about the kind of pokémon she would find in Mt. Moon, battle strategies she could use at the Cerulean Gym, and how excited she was to finally be leaving the grey of Pewter City. It wouldn’t be forever, she promised. It just had to be long enough to have stories of her own to tell.
There’s a lot of friction between Tina and her grandpa throughout the entire story, but that all comes to a satisfying ending with this passage. Even if it is all-in-all heartwarming, [Imaginative]:[Clockwork] sure knows how to make you feel a lot of feelings with that killer last line.
“Well, I can assure you that doesn’t usually happen,” Patton quipped, earning a laugh from all of us. Deandre yelled at him to be more careful with all the decorations he had supposedly spent an age setting up.“You can forget about worrying about that for now,” Jimmy said, and gingerly picked himself off the ground.“Yes, we know your usual spiel,” Deandre said with an eye roll. “We should worry about this challenger’s team, they will wipe the ice with our faces, and so on and so forth.” He turned around and cursed quietly as he adjusted a misaligned string of lights.I frowned slightly when Jimmy just shook his head. It was then that I realised that he wasn’t wearing much warm clothing. That was just plain silly for this part of the Gym; we even loaned out jackets for free to challengers. Heck, it was silly for the whole region in winter. “What is it then?” I ventured. Jimmy was sweating – stranger yet.“Well… you see, Pryce is dead.” A clatter followed as Deandre dropped the set of lights.“What?” Gerardo managed as the rest of us stood frozen in shock. After a moment passed with no response forthcoming, Jimmy continued, fiddling with his fingers and looking at the ground when he spoke.“He… He was found in Ice Path. They think he… fell or something. Bumped his head on a rock, and probably died on the spot or soon after. He was found by a travelling trainer, and they got the Pokémon Centre staff to the scene, but…” He shook his head.“Well, fuck,” Diana said.
Slightly strengthened by the fact that this is actually where the fic is at the time of writing, but bobandbill set up the reveal very nicely throughout the whole chapter. It was subtle enough to be a surprise but descriptive enough to make you read again and notice the foreshadowing, and it really leaves the readers wondering what the hell is gonna happen to the Mahogany Gym now.