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Quinn whooped as the Ralts teleported up and hit the deck once again, unconscious. Not even Alicia’s deranged attempt at a reprimand could sour the moment, especially when she still conceded defeat and left with both of her goons. It also helped that everybody else on the pier was just as elated that Team Phoenix had been chased away, hooting and hollering and a solid three cheers from those who still did that sort of thing. Quinn let out its other two Pokémon so they could share in the celebration, and especially congratulate their newest party member. Normandie went over and licked Pisces right on the contact point of one of her Tackles, which seemed like a big deal for her. Cassiopeia did not immediately celebrate with the rest, however. Instead, the Drifloon looked down at her stringy hands and arms and took a deep breath before looking over at Quinn. Quinn returned the gaze and saw a new measure of Focused Energy behind their companion’s eyes -- a spark that could lead to something more. The moment passed, though, and soon Cassiopeia was blowing around the dock, allowing herself to be carried by the seabreeze and daring anybody to catch her in her exultation. One of the fisherman judges clapped Quinn on the back -- a strong enough tap that it very nearly caused her to go tumbling off the dock edge, but that was beside the point -- “Well done,” the fisherman said. Then he went into this whole spiel about the conclusion of the contest, including an indication that they were open to being influenced by past events. Quinn looked out among the rest of the crowd waiting to be evaluated, trying to see if he was getting swept up in the moment or if everyone else agreed on such a ceremonial appraisal. Perhaps as expected, there was a mixture of reactions. They were mostly positive, but there were a few dissenters. Quinn was used to some level of negative crowd reaction, and was sure e could handle it here as well, but fae shook its head. “Surely the process is important,” Quinn said. “I know how special Pisces is, and knew so even before his performance in battle, but he still should be submitted for judgement, and I would request that your biases cloud your judgement as little as possible.” The judges seemed amused, but did still go through the process as requested. “Goldeen huh, it’s rarer here than yonder way, but still not uncommon… This one in particular… seems quite the energetic one! Very nice… I think yes, a fine reward for a fine catch.” Somebody in the crowd mispronounced the word “Sitrus-y” in a way that seemed funny to onlookers, but Quinn did not understand. The reward was enough to distract from that in any case -- not one but twelve Sitrus berries! It was a massive haul, rivalling even Normandie’s hoard. Quinn was careful to keep them separate, just as xe had with the Oran berry from days before, but the elation was just as good if not better than their victory over Alicia. Pokémon battles came and went, but how many more times would Quinn ever enter a fishing competition? Even if this were not the only one, the opportunities seemed like they would be rare. In any case, with all that excitement over, there was little left to do but make sure hir Pokémon were well taken care of at a Pokémon Center and then go out and get some stamps.Dearest Mother and Father, I have made many more friends since my last missive, and have attached a number of pictures of them. Normandie did not want to sit still for any of them, but trust that that blurry mass of fur represents a proud and beautiful creature. There is also Bridget, who is not a Pokémon but an aspiring researcher who has joined Nathaniel and I on our travels. She is a little difficult to understand sometimes, but people have said I am the same way, so I continue to make my best effort. I have also learned how to fish! Of course, I imagined that I would when I set out on this journey. That is how I met Pisces, who you can see in another of these pictures. I write with the hope that many more will join him -- perhaps a veritable school will be coming home with me when this adventure has concluded. Then again, with so many other things to look forward to, I will have to cherish the opportunities to use this newfound skill all the more. We will be setting sail once again very soon, to the Korova Region proper this time. I cannot wait to progress further in this journey, collecting more gymnasium badges, friends to cherish, and, most importantly, more experiences to incorporate into my incorporeal self-actualization. I will report even further when I can. In the meantime, we shall surely see each other on the Astral Plane. Yours, even in death, Quinn

It was a relatively normal day for The Gang, successfully being unsuccessful in finding work. Truly, this was what they seemed to be best at. While they collectively were more than capable at exacting violence against ethereals, they had not yet botched a single get together over frozen treats. Or at least, they hadn't done so multiple times, but it was agreed that their escapade at Do You Want to Eat a Snowcone would not be the topic of further discussion, out of respect for Mr. Smavapolous and his family. "Pepe's has been closed for a while," Tobias would be lying if he said he wouldn't have preferred pizza over frozen treats. While the weather was certainly nice out, he was more in the mood for savory, rather than sweet. Of course, the rule was that the raider paying also got to choose the location, so it was left up to Khulan. Besides, Pepe's was terrible. He was pretty sure that he got food poisoning last time they went there. Despite his tenacity, he had always had a bit of a weakness to toxins and illness. "Serves them right, if you ask me. Honestly, if Pepe's Pizza was so good, why was there never a Pepe's Pizza 2?" Tobias leaning back into his seat, having long-since finished his own milkshake, and quietly observed the rest of his teammates as they discussed whether it was worth it to get into a fight with some unidentified strangers. Tobias considered for a moment whether he would benefit more from team violence or team work, and after a thoughtful glance at Rosemary and the Proxy, he concluded that he definitely wanted to be on team work. As if right on cue, the Proxy chimed in, waving her phone around and indicating that something or other would be "too fast." Tobias nodded thoughtfully, a hand to his chin as he weighed the Proxy's words. "She's right, Gang. The fight would be over too fast if we sent both Khulan and Mr. Vinnie. It is probably best to have just Mr. Vinnie go, plus that would increase the ratio of bite wounds to other wounds. Wouldn't it be crazy if he ate some guy's head?" He nodded twice, in apparent pride of his assessment. Clapping a hand on the Proxy's shoulder, he grinned in affirmation, "Good call, Proxy."

"I....next time you get in Team Phoenix's way I won't be so kind! I took it easy on you because I thought you were just a bunch of weaklings, understood? You want your...stupid...fish shack junk back, fine, take them!" With that warning, not that Bridget felt particularly warned, the so-called Team Phoenix left in a blinding flash of light. Good riddance. With them gone, the fishing contest was able to wrap up as planned, albeit with the initial grand prize having apparently been stolen and remaining stolen unlike the other things that Team Phoenix planned to run off with. When it came time to have her catch judged, Bridget hesitantly released her runt of a Magikarp onto the table. The judges didn't acknowledge her catch verbally, and she probably would have asked them not to if they did anyway. All that got exchanged between her and them was an awkward stare of resignation and mild shame. They were kind enough to just hand her a consolation prize - a pot of Luminous Moss - and send her on her way. For that, she was thankful. She had to get to the Pokémon Center and ensure her team of two was all patched up after their heroic fight against that thief. Tomorrow, the next big step of her adventure would begin. For now, it was a good idea to open up her notebook and take note of all the things that had happened today. Meeting the so-called ghost, the strange statue in the marsh and the Malamar that accompanied it, Team Phoenix, and just about everything in between.

Girlfailures Squad Anneliese looked around at the location they had chosen to eat. "Oh my, it's so cramped and shabby, is this one of those 'fast food' places that I'm told people without money have to go to eat?" She said this in her normal tone, not thinking anything of it, even with several people nearby. "I've never been in one before it's magnificent!" To Jacklyn's statement she seemed highly curious "So our adventure has not started? Goodness, if this is before the adventure then the adventure proper must be incredible!" She reached out and grabbed Jacklyn's hand in her own two and looked at her with clear excitement. "I promise I shall do my very best to not slow you down so please continue to help me to become an adventurer as knowledgeable as you! For instance....is flying not common for adventurers? My parents take several flights every time they travel..." Team BQN Pisces felt its horn strike the Ralts right as the Pokemon Teleported away. It took a moment to reappear and, when it did, it was several feet in the air and clearly unconscious. As it fell Alicia let out a gasp and ran forward to catch the Pokemon. "Are you alright?" she cried out in alarm. Then glared at Quinn. "She could have gotten seriously hurt you, you, you....scoundrel!" She seemed to not realize at first that she had just lost the battle but when the realization set in she turned bright red. "I....next time you get in Team Phoenix's way I won't be so kind! I took it easy on you because I thought you were just a bunch of weaklings, understood? You want your...stupid...fish shack junk back, fine, take them!" The other two grunts, the one who had been shocked to learn that their companions lost due to having nearly finished off Peat, glanced at each other and then hurled the bags full of stuff they got at the group before they all took off. They could see Alicia using some sort of item on the Ralts in her hands and, when the Pokemon woke up, it immediately surrounded them in a glow and they vanished. - It took some time for things to settle down but when it finally did the fishing competition was able to end properly. Rewards were given out but the old man was distressed to learn that while most of the stuff was returned the "grand prize", which most of the competitors referred to as just a piece of junk, was missing. When it came time for the trio to be judged the old man gave a sheepish smile. "Feels a bit odd, judging you all when you worked so hard to get the prizes back. Maybe I shouldn't do this but if there's something you want in particular..." He stopped talking as the other judge coughed loudly and he laughed, "Aha, just kidding o' course." Then he winked in a way he thought was subtle.

Perfect 5/7. Didn't think a volleyball anime would be entertaining. I was wrong Sounds like our admin vs YCM I watched It's A Wonderful Life once a long time. Maybe next Christmas season I'll throw it on. I've seen Shawshank. Idk anyone who could dislike it. Solid movie