Clackamas town center store map

I'm trying to setup a basic system where I make like 2-3 dozen areas/rooms by hand, and then as you move through the area the game spawns in one at random when you start to get to the edge of the one you're currently in. It's a very basic idea, but I'm new to Unreal (coming from Godot), and I'm not really sure what the most efficient way to store/spawn/place rooms like this is. You can do it in Godot, but Godot's 3D & Online features aren't up to snuff imo, so I've been learning unreal these last couple of months.
In Godot I could literally just place an invisible object at the corners of each map, and set an area around it that if the player came within that area it'd pick a random map from the directory of pre-made maps and plop it in at that connecting point. I assume something similar is doable in Unreal, but I'm not as familiar with it's workings so I don't really know how to setup that kind of system, or if it's even the most efficient way to do it in Unreal.
Also, googling for tutorials has so far only got me videos/lessons about "Open World Creation" and "Procedural Biome Generation" and that kind of thing; none of which seem to match my intentions.

I'm trying to setup a basic system where I make like 2-3 dozen areas/rooms by hand, and then as you move through the area the game spawns in one at random when you start to get to the edge of the one you're currently in. It's a very basic idea, but I'm new to Unreal (coming from Godot), and I'm not really sure what the most efficient way to store/spawn/place rooms like this is. You can do it in Godot, but Godot's 3D & Online features aren't up to snuff imo, so I've been learning unreal these last couple of months.
In Godot I could literally just place an invisible object at the corners of each map, and set an area around it that if the player came within that area it'd pick a random map from the directory of pre-made maps and plop it in at that connecting point. I assume something similar is doable in Unreal, but I'm not as familiar with it's workings so I don't really know how to setup that kind of system, or if it's even the most efficient way to do it in Unreal.
Also, googling for tutorials has so far only got me videos/lessons about "Open World Creation" and "Procedural Biome Generation" and that kind of thing; none of which seem to match my intentions.

when I played the game active a few years ago, I played on the highest settings online without issues. I even upgraded parts of my pc (cpu: Intel i7-6700, gpu: gtx 1060,...). I can run newer games like bo4 or so eZ. I even reinstalled bo3 and set everything to low settings. weirdly I can play huge custom zombie maps without any stuttering.
but whenever I go even just with 4 bits on nuke town or so I get huge laggs (20fps) that makes it unplayable. any idea?

I just bought this game today. And was immediately thrown to a sign-in page. I tried making a new account however at the end of the personal info and confirmation code, it just straight up told me "You cannot use this function Please contact the SQUARE ENIX support center for additional details. error i2501"
I tried making an account on both pc and mobile. But it was still the same thing.
I then remember I had an old account stored somewhere. After about an hour's worth of work, I finally logged into an account.
I was then brought to the page to enter the registration code I got from Steam, I was again faced with the same error. and is unable to even play the game
(I followed what the internet suggested disabling Vpn, proxy, ad blocker, etc. )
But it still didn't work and they flagged my account for strange activity. I'm not sure what I am supposed to do now.
Please let me know what i could do.

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• WorldsEndUk
• PlayStation server
• Running Nature Overhaul Pc mod by Kaffeina converted for console by Don Sibley Gaming
• Map: Chernarus
• Max Players: 22 with boosted RAM
• Restarts: Every 4 Hours
• Mods - BaseBuildingPlus, Vanilla+ Loot,Longer Days/Shorter Nights, Slight Stamina boost, Slight Weight Reduction boost, Custom Areas, Bunkers, Event plans.
• Playstyle - PVP, PVE
• 1pp/3pp - both
• Discord : https://discord.gg/5jQyEPGfU6
• Factions Welcome
• Minimal Rules (no glitching or exploiting)
• Challenges and Role Rewards in Discord
• Longer Days/Shorter Nights
  
• Premise of the Server is a Vanilla Official Experience but with the advantage of having Discord and Admins to monitor Glitching and Cheating, Very minimal Rules so if thats your idea of a server you wish to play join us.
  
• LORE: Worlds End is based a few years after the outbreak of the Infection and civilisations collapse, groups and individuals had tried to survive but have fallen to the Infected or have been killed by bandits, remnants of these fights for survival scar the map, the last community to fall was the walled town of Novy Sabor and all hope fell with it. Can you Survive and help build a new world or is this truly the WORLDS END.
  

Currently, we have 90 Google Cloud servers that regularly transfer raw data to a Google BigQuery "bucket" every few minutes.
The problem arises when attempting to work with this raw data, as several parameters are stored as numerical values. For instance, the user account status may be represented as follows:

• 02 = Active
• 05 = Suspended
• 16 = Verification needed,.. and so on.

To address this, we aim to map this data to corresponding words or text once and for all. However, our engineers have informed us that modifying or editing data within BigQuery is challenging because it operates as a one-way synchronization, and any alterations would significantly increase the cost of the data warehouse.
To overcome this issue, our plan is to implement a Metabase layer on top of the Google BigQuery data warehouse. Therefore, my question is: Is it feasible to perform the data mapping within Metabase so that analytics can be conducted using more user-friendly values?

Context: War Thunder is a vehicle based combat-MMO from 2013. Vehicles in game are planes, tanks, and ships ranging from the early 1920s to the 1990s. The game is ostensibly free to play, but at higher tiers especially it becomes very difficult to play the game without a premium subscription (which earns you 50% more money per match) or a premium vehicle. Without premium, you're basically guaranteed to lose Silver Lions when you die at higher tiers.
Gajin, the developer, is notorious for implementing mechanics that increase the grind/are not player friendly (for example: when first playing a new tank, you have to research and buy a fire extinguisher. If your tank catches fire before this, you're shit out of luck, and you'll have to wait until your tank burns down and your crew dies).
Now the playerbase, and /WarThunder in particular, has a reputation for being fairly toxic and for hating the game while continuing to play. The reason given being that no other game hits that sweet spot of historical combined arms combat.
When Gajin announced the newest changes to the economy, a portion of the playerbase finally had enough and raised an outcry, as described in this SRD post.
After this the /warthunder sub was dominated for days by players review bombing the game on Steam and Google, changing the game's overall reception to 'mixed'.
Gajin eventually removed Steam from their listed platforms, but as far as I know the game is still playable through Steam.
Ten days ago, Gajin announced that they were reverting the latest economy change.. They also invited players to take part in a survey about the in-game economy (with predictable results) Later they followed this up with a blog post, apologizing for the state of the economy, and promising a road map with changes to be published next month. This was received with suspicion on /WarThunder: redditors either believed this was a move by Gajin to stop the review bombing, or were convinced this proved they were not aware of the state of their own game.
While all this was going on, some players formed the subreddit /WarThunderPlayerUnion. A sub dedicated to organizing a boycott of the game, starting on the 26th of may. Anticipation rose to a fever pitch, posts on both subs reminding people not to play (although there seemed to be some confusion about how long the boycott was suposed to last: a day, or several week).
The 26th rolled around and... nothing happened. The player count basically stayed just as high as usual..
Meanwhile union members (mostly centered on Discord) immediately spotted one of the organizers still playing the game (I've not been able to find the since deleted post).
This led to several conspiracy theories about Gajin artificially inflating the player numbers. Other posts on the player union sub even accused Gajin of remotely taking control of their PC, and logging into the game.
Union organizers started getting pretty slap-happy with the banhammers, infighting between conspiracy theorists and moderates happened, and this all led to several dramatic 'I'm resigning as a union admin'-posts.
The /Warthunder sub seems to be mostly back to normal now. Normal of course being complaining about the state of game, posting about anime body pillows, with the occasional post exhorting players to not give Gajin money.

I am new to SvelteKit. So, I don't know a lot about it. I am trying to use Vibrant.js in my project because I thought that setting each pokemon's name in a different color would be cool but I can't get it to work. What should I do
Code:
{#if browser} {/if}
Error:
this.WorkerClass is not a constructor
at WorkerPool2._findIdleWorker (pool.ts:35:16)
at WorkerPool2._tryDequeue (pool.ts:72:23)
at WorkerPool2._enqueue (pool.ts:60:10)
at WorkerPool2.invoke (pool.ts:110:17)
at WorkerManager2.invokeWorker (index.ts:25:30)
at WorkerPipeline2.process (client.ts:22:26)
at Vibrant2._process (index.ts:49:30)
at index.ts:70:27

Disclaimer: This post is long, so you may want to save it and read it later. Also, I put a lot of time into both researching this and writing it up. So if all you have is negative feedback, kindly keep it to yourself. Finally, there’s a lot more that I’ve been looking into beyond the scope of this write-up. If you’d like to join my exp-LORE-ation efforts, please let me know.
​
Edit: I guess hyperlinks aren't working right now, so I'll have to manually paste those in.
https://www.reddit.com/fo76/comments/1327e9a/lore_discovery_responder_colonel_flatwoods_was/
https://www.reddit.com/fo76/comments/135xf3y/lore_discovery_part_2_responder_colonels_postwa
Recap: Part 1 establishes that Colonel is the same kid who was playing with his “baer frends” at the Palace of the Winding Path. Part 2 establishes that Darius Angler was the author of the 4 Untitled Poems.
TLDR (mad spoilers up in here): Fishbones led the raid that killed Colonel and all the Responders in Flatwoods, and he could very well be Darius Angler’s brother. Colonel may have been up to something nefarious with the children of Flatwoods (but not in that way). Ra Ra might be Ward’s granddaughter. And it looks like mole rat teeth are used to craft Day Tripper.
We Begin at the End: November 2096. 13 Bridge Street, Flatwoods, WV. Responder Colonel died in the raider attack on Flatwoods, along with just about every other Responder that resided there. The raiders attacked because a Chem Addict stole all their food and chems and fled to Flatwoods. You can find her body and holotape just West of the river. But before we get to that, we need to look at what Colonel was up to before he died. Most people probably overlooked this detail because they haven’t explored Flatwoods since they were level 3, and at that point they didn’t have a jetpack or the Marsupial mutation. But Colonel’s front AND back porches are completely railed off. If you make it over the front railing, you’ll find the corpses of Colonel and (likely) the raider that killed him, Colonel’s second “Survivor Story,” and a stroller with an intact doll in it. Colonel was the “caregiver for children” in Flatwoods, so the stroller may have once been for an actual baby.
But on the back porch, Colonel was burning books, files, documents, and the contents of a mysterious duffel back on his grill. Colonel definitely had a secret and he was literally trying to burn the evidence. And that secret was his past with the Diehards and Darius Angler. If you follow the road West out of Flatwoods, you’ll eventually arrive at Hillfolk Hotdogs, which is the site of Untitled Poem #3 and the former home of Colonel when he lived with Angler as a child (you can find one of his “baer frends” on the kid-sized bunk bed). But inside the bus(?) at Hillfolk’s, you’ll also find similar documents and a duffel bag, just like the kind Colonel was burning in Flatwoods when he died. As a matter of fact, there are other similarly suspicious duffel bags and file caches along the Ohio River. And this takes us to Ohio River Adventures.
Fishbones is a Dirty Rat Bastard: In the exact same way that the Diehards returned to Crater, a former territory of theirs (and site of Untitled Poem #2), the Diehards also returned to Ohio River Adventures. Now, O.R.A. gets overlooked because there is no main quest line that keeps you returning to this area (maybe the grind for Raider Rep), but this place is former Diehard territory too. Now, it is critically important to know that both Fishbones (Bones) and Blackeye are O.G. Diehards. Blackeye was almost certainly Colonel’s 1st grade teacher back at the Palace of the Winding Path. But what about Bones? Well, my friends, I bet I’m about to tell you something you didn’t already know:
When Margie McClintock died in 2096 (as inferred what Rose tells us during the main quest), Meg Groberg took over and soon thereafter led the Diehards out of Appalachia before returning years later (that, you already knew). You probably also already knew that before Margie died, Meg and the other Diehards went against protocol and “shot first” when robbing people. Meg was a true raider in all the ways that Margie was not. But what you probably didn’t put together is that Margie died around the time that Flatwoods was attacked. According to the Chem Addict from Flatwoods:
“Chems Addict: Well, this is it I guess. Rock bottom I think they call it. I still miss him. Billy. I knew he was too young for me, but he made me feel good. Though it's the old Billy I really miss. The one who used to do nothing all day with me but listen to the radio and drink. I shoulda got out sooner when Billy and his buddies started torturing little cats and dogs. His friends... were no good. But that didn't stop me anyway. I can't believe my wake up call was watching people's heads... get stuck on spikes. So... what is an old gal like me to do? Steal all the food. Steal all the chems. And get the hell out of there. *laughs* I'd trade my last bite of food just to see the look on their faces. Oh, I know it's going to piss off Billy's friends, but I don't give a damn. I tell myself I should feel sorry for the little town across the river. But if I'm being honest, and that's what this tape is for, I don't really care. I call myself an addict, but it ain't the chems that finally got me. It was always Billy.”
I want to emphasize the “heads on spikes” part, because that’s something Margie would never tolerate. But Meg on the other hand let raiders be raiders. The other thing that I want to point out is “Billy.” I’m not saying for certain that this Billy is the same as Darius Angler’s brother, but I am saying that technically no body was ever recovered from the molten steel, and Angler didn’t see the accident happen because he didn’t work at Grafton Steel anymore. It’s possible that “Billy Angler,” who didn’t quit because “he needs the money,” could have taken out some kind of insurance policy, named his chem addict girlfriend as the beneficiary, faked his own death, and skipped town. Do I know for certain that this happened? Of course not. But what I do know is this: FISHBONES’S REAL NAME IS BILLY!!! The reason he’s obsessed with the letter B is because that’s his first initial. You see, at first I thought the raiders that wrecked Flatwoods were Cutthroats because of their whole feud with the Responders. But then I learned that the Flatwoods attack was caused by a bunch of chems that the Addict stole, and the Diehards were Appalachia’s great chems supplier (thanks to Angler). Furthermore, Fishbones’s current operation is spiking Mirelurk meat with an addictive substance (chems). And since Bones is an OG Diehard, it means he was the piece-of-shit raider that attacked Flatwoods and killed Colonel.
https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Fishbones
A Bit About Bruiser: I found a few interesting details about Bruiser at Ohio River Adventures, but nothing too profound. We know that he used to play football, his mascot was a “battle bear,” and that he spent some time in a vault. The likeliest conclusion from this information is that he’s from Grafton, given that’s the only high school in the region with a football field and it’s next to the makeshift vault that formerly housed a few raiders before the BOS took over. If you look up the IRL Grafton High School, you’ll find that it’s on Yates Ave (likely the namesake of Sofie Yates, a Responder turned Raider in Flatwoods) and their mascot is the “Bearcat.” Also, all the varsity jackets in FO76 have the letter B on them, but that’s more Fishbones’s thing. But none of this has anything to do with Colonel or Angler, so let’s move on.
The Charleston Cartel (2079-2082): From the Charleston Capitol Building terminal entries, we know there was a massive chem trade happening in Charleston at this time:
“Name: Matoukas, George
Date of Crime: 10.09.81
Description:
300 Block of Oak. Based on anonymous tip, Responder Atkins found subject peddling vast amounts of illegal chems out of his home. Over 300lbs of illegal chems found in the subject's basement.
Resolution:
Matoukas sentenced to 5 years hard labor under close supervision, with possibility of parole for good behavior. Chems were seized and destroyed.”
Since the Diehards’ operation at the Palace of the Winding Path effectively ended with the great rapture of ‘79, it only makes sense that the Diehards would have to adapt their drug trade elsewhere. If you actually look for raider activity in Charleston (outside of the courthouse), you won’t find a lot, but what you will find is very telling of their operations. You’ll find a dead raider at the chemistry workbench inside Hornwright Industrial Headquarters. You’ll find a few dead raiders in/above the pharmacy on the south side of town. And you’ll find a dead raider lurking outside the doctors’ offices (which is NOT the hospital) to the north. And this takes us to Dr. Joseph.
https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Joseph_(Fallout_76))
Dr. Joseph was a psychiatrist in Charleston who practiced both before AND after the Great War. He had the authority to refer patients to Allegheny Asylum and write prescriptions; Prescriptions that would be filled at the pharmacy on the south side of Charleston. To one patient, P. Davis, he prescribed Day Tripper. This insightful detail is why the Diehards were operating in Charleston in the first place. As many seasoned players have observed, Day Tripper is not craftable in this game; You can only find it out in the wild. Consider the following terminal entry from the Palace of the Winding Path:
“Log: 12.29.77 Since the war, incense ingredients have been hard to come by. We started rationing weeks ago, in anticipation of this, and doses are much lower. The sedative effects of the incense are a priority, to keep people from freaking out.
I've begun to improvise with some other ingredients and found some creative ways of stretching the supply, at least until things return to relative normal. Other chem supplies are plentiful.”
So here’s what I think happened. If the Diehards were in dire need of Day Tripper to make their custom chems (see: Making Incense), and the Responders had a healthy supply of Day Tripper locked inside a pharmacy in Charleston, and there was also a doctor who wrote prescriptions for Day Tripper, then all the Diehards needed to do was register a new patient with Dr. Joseph. Enter: Darius Angler.
Darius Angler was batshit crazy (if in doubt, refer to his manifesto). Angler, who now resided at Hillfolk Hotdogs, was also just a short trip up the New River from Charleston. He would periodically visit Dr. Joseph, get his prescription filled like a meth-head scoring Sudafed, and used the trip as a cover to smuggle the refined chems into the city. Essentially, I think he just made a loop around the southwest “island” of the Forest (area surrounded on all sides by 3 rivers, referred to as “Zone D”). The loop around Zone D functioned as a supply chain/assembly line for producing the chems that were being smuggled into Charleston. There’s a lot of suspicious stuff happening around here: Raider activity, duffel bags/files, bridge control, coffin conspiracies, etc. that I had to edit out for length, but I’ll try to summarize it here.
Hillfolk Hotdogs is where Angler and Colonel raised mole rats for reasons I’ll explain later. Follow the Ohio River south and you’ll soon come to a boat that’s not far away from a crashed truck loaded up with industrial chemical barrels (useful for producing industrial quantities of chems). South of that is a tent with a duffel bag. Further south you’ll find a 3-story house with suspicious files and a duffle bag hidden in the attic (just like at Hillfolk’s). South of that are some dry-docked boats with a chem box and a duffel bag. Even further south is Ohio River Adventure (a current Raider base of operation that served a similar purpose back then). Southeast of there, by Lewis & Sons, is a little “boat” with 2 stuffed bears, which I think was left behind by Colonel as he reenacted his river adventures with Angler using his bears. Southeast of there is a floating Nuka-Cola structure with a submerged safe guarded by 2 more bears, one of which has a liquor bottle. I think this is a dead drop and the bears are another work of Colonel’s. Heading East up the River you’ll find a raider-operated “store” at the end of a questionable bridge. Further east is Charleston, where George Matoukas was distributing the chems. And on the return trip down the New River is another dead drop directly beneath the Bridge on the west side. It’s a safe by a couch with a bear and Jangles (I think Jangles is supposed to represent George). Again, I think that this big loop is a supply chain/assembly line for moving chems and the components needed to make chems.
The smuggling operation also deviously involved Colonel and his “Baer Frends.” If you jetpack up to the very top of AVR Medical Center, you’ll find two people who OD’ed on chems, each with a stuffed bear next to them. So I think that either the Diehards were sewing chems inside Colonel’s stuffed bears and using them as drug mules to smuggle chems into Charleston, or that Colonel just climbed to the highest point on the hospital (as he did at the Palace and later in Flatwoods) and left two bears as a memorial. But I’m leaning toward the former because of an unmarked location in the Savage Divide that I found. It’s southeast of Bastion Park right at the bend of the monorail line. It’s essentially a fire pit with a bunch of stuffed bears thrown in it with a few dead party-goers around the area. I think this is the location where the Responders destroyed all of the Chems, bears and all, that they confiscated from George Matoukas. Speaking of George Matoukas….
Curious George and the Rocket: According to the above-mentioned terminal entry, George Matoukas was apparently the only criminal who the Responders sentenced to hard labor rather than exile. If you go to Rollins Labor Camp (formerly Rollins Work Camp), you won’t find a whole lot there other than Blood Eagles. But what you WILL find at the very top of the crane structure are two stuffed bears and a Jangles. Colonel, as a child, had a thing for playing with “baer frends in high places.” I can’t say with any certainty what happened here, but maybe Angler was the one who gave the responders that “anonymous tip” because Matoukas was starting to rub off on Colonel, and Angler didn’t want him growing up to be a Raider. Matoukas gets sentenced to hard labor rather than exile, with a change of parole pending “good behavior,” which means “snitching.” So maybe Angler took Colonel to visit his “friend” at the labor camp (visiting hours are a thing), Angler introduced George to a “rocket,” and Colonel used his toys to recreate the scene. Or not. Who knows? But what I do know is that the shitty poet (Angler) moved on from Hillfolk Hotdogs to go to the Cranberry Bog, and I think the Christmas Flood gave him the perfect reason to leave.
Untitled Poem #3: I’m intentionally skipping Untitled Poem #2, partly because I haven’t found much deeper meaning to it, but mostly because what I think it means is little more than conjecture. #3, on the other hand, I feel like I can make sense of it:
“white cedar leaning against the shadow of our river
peeling like asylum walls
hobbled together around dignity that died long ago
simple things to jumpstart fogged memories
holed as teeth hidden in tin
we leave our things pinned
winning only the stuck wings”
I think the phrase “white cedar leaning against the shadow of our river” is the title of the painting in Dr. Joseph’s office. Or at least that’s how Darius Angler would describe it as if it was some kind of Rorschach test. “Peeling like asylum walls, hobbled together around dignity that died long ago” is a reference to the office wallpaper, and perhaps another one of Dr. Joseph’s clients, Daniel Boone.
“Patient: "Boone, D"
Observations:
Interesting case.
Patient responds only to "Daniel Boone" and indeed seems to believe himself to be the historical figure by the same name. I'd heard that some of the hillfolk can end up a bit off after lack of socialization, but I'd not expected to see such a case.
Advised that he be sent to Allegheny rather than the Penitentiary for further observation.”
There’s only a VERY narrow window of plausibility to suggest that Angler is Daniel Boone, so I won’t. But this entry seems to refer back to Untitled Poem #3, with worlds like “hillfolk” (as in Hillfolk Hotdogs), “Allegheny” (as in asylum), and “the historical figure” (as in dignity that died long ago). I think the line “simple things to jumpstart fogged memories'' refers to the Souvenir Magnet on the fridge at Hillfolk Hotdogs, and I think it came from Lady Janet’s Soft Serve (not Cow Spot Creamery). “Holed as teeth hidden in tin” refers to the mole rats that he was raising with Colonel at Hillfolk’s (the cat bowl on the floor is for the mole rat that walks around the trailer like Fry’s dog from Futurama, just waiting for Colonel to come home). And “we leave our things pinned, winning only the stuck wings,” refers to Angler’s (and Colonel’s) escape from the Diehards. I’m assuming this event took place just after the Christmas flood, once the chem operation in Charleston was destroyed with the rest of the city. But if you remember those dead raiders I mentioned earlier, there are a few more. Outside of Dr. Joseph’s office is a dead raider next to an ammo box. Well, next to him is a makeshift bridge that goes over the highway. And if you keep going in the same direction once you step off the bridge you’ll hit the southwest corner of Wade Airport. Immediately in that corner past the fence is a locked truck-trailer (watch out for the mine) with 2 more dead raiders and a power armor chassis (sometimes). I think the last line of the poem refers to this exact event, leaving his power armor (and compatriots) pinned in the back of the trailer so he can steal yet another Vertibird. Angler flew the automated aircraft to Watoga. Why? I don’t know. But it explains how he got to the Cranberry Bog and why his body can be found just a short distance south of the city.
Untitled Poem #4: Just like #2, I don’t have any deep insight into the specifics so all I can do is speculate. I’ll spare you the details. But what I think it’s about is the very end of his relationship with Colonel. I think the time Angler and Colonel spent together in the unmarked cabin southeast of Sunrise Field was just Angler teaching Colonel to be self-sufficient (hunting, trapping, maintaining weapons and whatnot). I think that when the scorched attacked Harper’s Ferry in 2086 that there was also generally increased scorched activity in the eastern half of Appalachia. The poem describes Angler providing cover fire to, or perhaps just drawing fire away from Colonel as he escaped through Big Bend Tunnel, later to be found by the Responders. But again, like with #2, all I can do with this poem is speculate.
The Mysterious Mole Rats: This is a question I’ve had for almost 2 years now, and I think I finally figured it out. Back at the Palace of the Winding Path, there’s a lonely mole rat that lives in the computer room by the garden. There’s also a dead mole rat next to a dead raider pilot by a downed plane that was headed to the Palace from the north. I didn’t know what the Diehards needed mole rats for because I was only looking at the Palace itself. But the answer to this question is found at Lady Janet’s. Everyone thinks that the two bears in gas masks by the chemistry is just a Breaking Bad easter egg. But I think it’s yet another “baer frend” reenactment left behind by Colonel. Do you remember how the cultists at the Palace ran out of ingredients to make the “spiritual incense” and had to improvise? Well, one of the substitute ingredients they used, and the reason they were importing mole rats, and the reason the Diehards took care of the children like they did, is found in the baby carriage at Lady Janet’s.
A stroller full of human jaw bones? Yeah…. Teeth. Or more precisely, “baby teeth.” I suppose mole rat teeth would do in a pinch, but as messed up as it sounds human baby teeth were preferred. This is why the Diehards at the Palace were taking care of those first-graders; because six-year-olds shed baby teeth like it’s raining molars! This also answers a question you didn’t even know you had, and it takes us back to Flatwoods. Here’s a note written by Jeremiah Ward who lived in trailer in the town (and the Ransacked Bunker before that):
“I, Jeremiah Ward, resident in the town of Flatwoods, county of... not sure.
Being of sound mind, and not acting under... duress. Mostly.
Hereby declare this letter to be my last will and testament.
Mia gets the house, and everything in it.
It ain't much but that's all I got to give and... she's all I got.
I know she's still alive.
The Responders say the dogs got her, but I know it ain't true.
They been real good to us. Teaching an old geezer like me how to really cook is something. I'll give em that.
But I know they lyin about those dogs. I seen em in the hills. There's some bad folks scoping us out. They took my granddaughter, I just know it.
I'll get you back, Mia. I promise.”
Mia, a baby who slept in the crib in that trailer, was abducted by raiders. And the only raider gang that ever had any interest in kids was the Diehards. And when you remember that the Responders had a foster care program that would later be run by Colonel once he was older, you’ll remember that a shit load of children went “missing” when Billy (Fishbones) attacked Flatwoods. And if teeth (baby, mole rat, or otherwise) was the secret ingredient in Angler’s chem recipe… and Colonel was Angler’s apprentice for a number of years before he joined the Responders… and Colonel was the caretaker of all of the children of Flatwoods… then exactly what was in those documents that Colonel was burning on his back porch?
Full Circle: So after everything, the Diehards lost their crop of children at the Palace of the Winding Path in 2079, but took the children of Flatwoods and left Appalachia. When they came back, they put Fishbones (Billy) in charge of the Ohio River Adventures operation, who is now spiking the mirelurk meat with a potent chem. It’s totally possible that Ra Ra is actually Mia Ward (Jeremiah Ward’s granddaughter). Hell, it’s even possible that Jeremiah Ward is somehow Ward from Foundation. Since Colonel was obviously keeping, and subsequently burning, secrets, I’d say he was also inclined to keep his raider past a secret as well as the truth about his adoptive father. Like he said in his Survivor’s Story, “he was bad.” Perhaps the reason he kept his Diehard history a secret from the Dassa and the other Responders was because he knew that the Responders were the ones punishing and exiling people back in Charleston. But this whole story began the day Darius Angler decided to get revenge on Grafton Steel. And if his brother hadn’t actually died after all, then it would explain why Angler stayed with the Diehards for as long as he did rather than returning to the Free states. Regardless, this entire story began and ended with Billy. “It was always Billy.”

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about finally expanding my primary game and adding expansion packs. I took all your suggestions, as well as recommendations from a couple of youtube videos out there, into account and narrowed down my choice to seven expansion packs. Everyone has their own opinions on what items and features they need in the game, and these are the expansion packs that make sense to me.
Ambitions, Generations, Seasons, Pets, Master Suit Stuff, Outdoor Living Stuff, and Town Life Stuff.
These selections make sense for the way I play. I set up a town with all its conditions in place and then play the longest marathon game I can. I stick to one town; I have no interest in traveling to other areas, islands, or cities that some of the expansion packs offer, so I didn't choose any of those for this update.
And now that I have them all installed and ready to go, the next step is to prime my playing field. Before ever creating by sim, I want to make everything else first. And I welcome any of your suggestions for the following categories:
1: The town - I could stick to the default sunset valley since I already know that map pretty well, but knowing what towns might be included in those expansion packs, can you recommend a city similar to sunset valley but better? I do like the country feel of the village, where there are wooded areas and waterfalls, and getaway spots. Nothing high traffic city based.
2: The Premade Structures - some buildings I'm going to build myself, but for the most part, ill pick a lot of the previously made structures waiting to be placed. I know where I want my sim to live. So every open plot of land other than that location should be filled. What kind of buildings do you suggest I add to my city? This is one of the reasons I got the town life stuff expansion pack. Other than the grocery stores, restaurants, and art galleries already existing in sunset valley, what else should my town have? I want every empty lot filled with something that adds to the game.
3: Townies - If I'm going to fill every lot with a house, then I should create families to fill those houses to make my city a lot more interesting. So suggest to me a character or a family I should start. For example, in a run-down house, I plan to create a crime family. Every family member would be in the crime profession and be modeled after all the stereotypical no-good hooligans you might picture being in such a family. Maybe I'll make a posh family filled with we'll dressed, exceptionally beautiful, but exceptionally dumb people you could think of. I'm playing around with the character traits here. Pick a personality trait or two (Grumpy and Insane) and create a character around it. Grumpy Carl can always be seen walking around the neighborhood muttering to himself; stay away from him cause he could go off on you if you're not careful. See—compelling characters to fill my town with. So have fun and suggest a character and what traits and professions you feel would mix well to create such a character.
I welcome all your suggestions.

Fanfic name: Pokemon A(sh)/S(erena)
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\--------------------**Continuity and Placement**\-----------------
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After 1 years of MPM Epsiode 11
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\--------------------**Character settings**\--------------------
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Main Cast: XY Gang (Ash, Serena, Clemont, Bonnie) + OG Gang (Misty, Brock) + Gary Oak
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Everyone will receive the Mega Evolution
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Dawn become Top Coordinator before the fic starts.
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May and Dawn will become Serena's rival.
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Chloe is May, Dawn and Serena's apprentice
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Pokemon Master scaling from best to worst: Ash >>>> Leon > all 6 Masters
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Pokemon Coordinator scaling from best to worst : Dawn = May >< Serena > Chloe > Miette > Drew = Zoey
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Pokemon Performer scaling from best to worst :Serena > May > Dawn > Aria > Chloe > Miette> Jessie
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Everyone will have their official age +1, except Ash who is still stucking at 10 years old (There'll be the story arc which explains why Ash was still 10 years old)
Team rocket trio will be sent to jail at ending of Team Rocket Arc because I feels like they're superfluous in the fanfic. But they might return if I can make use of them and appears as reformed person because they're not entirely bad person I think
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--------------------About Pokemon Gen 9/Horizon/Paldea/SV--------------------
Liko and Roy will appear as side characters, while Necoma might have more role in Paldea story arc due to the shared personality with Ash
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\--------------------**Arc 1: The dream begins and reunion (ep 1-6)**\--------------------
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**Type:** **Storytelling, Action, Romance, Amour**
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Ash recieved the invite that will makes him reunite with his girlfriend, but he must deal with the plant from giant rock which will eventually not only makes him reunite with his girlfriend, but also reassamble the entire XY cast and makes the story looks like XY sequel (lol!)
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Episode 1: Story begins with Ash saw the nightmare where the world being destroyed and even Arceus unable to do anything about it. Then **Ash wake up and he just realized that he was invited to see the Pokemon Contest final (Serena Vs Aria) in Kalos, but when Ash went to Kalos, he saw his Greninja being unconscious because of being overworked for cutting wood so many years non stop without taking any break (Lol!)**
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Episode 2: **It's only 1 hours before Pokemon Contest final starts,** Ash had sent his Greninja into Pokemon center. Meanwhile **Bonnie and Clemont calls Ash that the plant from Giant Rock had nearing the Luminse City.** Ash and Lucario attempt to sense where's the source of those plant are but unable to. Meanwhile at this time, **Greninja had been fully recovered and returns to Ash!**
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Episode 3: **Greninja had been recovered!** With Greninja's help, Ash was finally able to find the source of the Giant Rock- on underground. Clemont used the newly devloped drill to make the tunnel so that Ash (with Pikachu, Lucario and Greninja), Clemont (with Luxray) and Bonnie (With squishy) will able to reach the underground and saw the core of those plants. **With the combined effort of Pikachu, Lucario, Greninja, Luxray and Squishy, they was able to destroy the core and stopping the Giant Rock plant once and for all.**
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**Episode 4:** After the Giant Rock Plant Core had been Destroyed, Ash had found that the Pokemon Contest final had already begin. Ash was tried to reach Pokemon Contest as soon as possible. At first, Aria's excellent Contest skills makes Serena begin to self-doubt if she could made it, but Ash was eventally managed to arrives and cheers Serena, allowing **Serena to unlock Bond Transformation on Her Delphox to become Serena-Delphox and become Kalos Queen** (Yes, I made her Kalos Queen that early because I have struggle to write Pokemon Contest chapters)
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**Episode 5:** At last, **Ash and Serena had finally reunion! To celebrating Serena become Kalos Queen, Ash was going to buy the new clothes for Serena as suprise gift so that Serena can put her Blue Ribbon back on her chest**, but Ash have struggle to do so because Ash know nothing about clothing style, but thanks to Diantha's help, Ash was eventally able to find the clothes that fits Serena and fits her Blue Ribbon.
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**Episode 6:** **Ash and Serena say goodbye to Miette, Diantha and May and moved to Pallet town.** But at the next day, they found themselves had been trapped inside the crowd as both are now become the celebrity and all of the billboard had their own face! Diantha will teach Ash and Serena must find the way to move around in public
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\--------------------**Clemont single chapter (ep 7)**\--------------------
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**Type:** **Storytelling, Action**
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I made this chapter so that I can give Clemont bond transformation form
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Episode 7: Clemont had unveiled the upgraded Clembot MK III, but was being hacked by Xerosic who managed to escaped from jail. Clemont was managed to find Xerosic, but Xerosic was wearing some power protector which overpowers all of his pokemon and his chesnaught! Xerosic was teasing that Clemont's science is terrible, **but Clemont determination that the science was supposed to be used for justice allows his chesnaught to unlock the bond transformation to become Clemont-chesnaught**, allowing Clemont to defeat Xerosic and sent Xerosic back to jail. Unfortunately, Xerosic was managed to damage the Prism Tower which forcing Clemont, Bonnie and Meyer to living in Ash's house temporarily until the Prism Tower had been rebuilt.
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\--------------------**Ash pidgeot single chapter (ep 8)**\--------------------
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**Type:** **Action**
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Despite Ash's pidgeot had officially returned to Ash, it's another questions of how long can his pidgeot live with his trainer.....
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Episode 8: Tons of Fearow had invaded and caused the huge chaos in Pallet town and steals Serena's blue ribbon! Ash's Pidgeot had found that those Fearow are came from Viridian Forest. Ever since Pidgeot had reunited with Ash, those Fearow had rapidly reproduce, quickly take over the Viridian Forest and begin to spread out of nowhere! Those Fearow demands Ash's Pidgeot in exchange for those Pidgey and Pidgeotto's life and the Blue Ribbon. Ash and Pidgeot arrived Viridian Forest but those Pidgey and Pidgeotto told them not to leave his Pidgeot here because they thinks that the Pidgeot was belong to Ash and Ash refuse to leave his Pidgeot here. Those Fearow now attempt to hurt those Pidgey and Pidgeotto and ate the Blue Ribbon! Ash Mega Evolved his Pidgeot to fight against those Fearow but being slowly outnumbered by those Fearow. On the verge of Ash's Pidgeot's defeat, those Pidgey and Pidgetto had evolved into Pidgeot and helps Ash's Pidgeot to defeat those Fearow and give Ash back the Blue Ribbon, ending those Fearow's threat once and for all! Ash and his Pidgeot was bid farewell to those Pidgeot and give the Blue Ribbon back to Serena, now Ash's Pidgeot can live with Ash forever!
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\-------------------**-Arc 3: Team Rocket invasion (ep 9-17)**\--------------------
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**Type:** **Action**
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XY/XYZ cast had finally reassambled! But let's not forget about that they must deal with the very first and longest lasting villain organization-Team Rocket!
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Epsiode 9: **Gary had reunited with Ash**, where former had become the Pokemon Professor. Gary brings Ash and Serena to visit the extension of Professor Oak's laboratory (Clemont and Bonnie was here too!). Meanwhile, Giovanni had arrived the laboratory and defeated Professor Oak. Gary came out and fight against Giovanni once again and.....lose once again. Meanwhile, the **Team Rocket Grunts kidnapped Professor Oak while they're battling and Giovanni had left the laboratory!**
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Epsiode 10: Giovanni kidnapped Professor Oak to Team Rocket base to make Professor Oak works for him. Ash and Gary was thinking about how to save Giovanni. Meanwhile, the Team Rocket trio appears once again and attempt to steal his Pikachu, but Misty and Brock arrives and saves Ash's Pikachu. Ash respond with a heavy heart as Ash aware that this might be their last time to prepare for trouble as Ash had decided to destroy Team Rocket once and for all (Yes, he feels sympathy for those Team Rocket Trio because he aware that Team Rocket Trio have heart) and Ash's pikachu sent Team Rocket Trio flying once again like usual!
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Epsiode 11: Thanks to Clemont's science, Ash, Misty, Brock and Gary was able to track down the location of Team Rocket base. Clemont gives Ash the device which allows Ash to freely switch his Pokemon party anywhere and anytime. **Ash, Misty, Brock and Gary went to Team Rocket base while leaving Serena, Clemont and Bonnie at Ash's house. Ash, Misty, Brock and Gary charging towards Team Rocket Base and begin the final battle against Team Rocket!**
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Epsiode 12: **Ash, Misty, Brock and Gary fight against thousands of Team Rocket Grunts** who "Welcomed" them. But they slowly outnumbered by those Team Rocket Grunts and they realized that those Team Rocket Grunts are here to buying Giovanni's time! **Misty and Brock decided to stay here and clean the road for Ash and Gary to reach Team Rocket Base!** Meanwhile, Professor Oak had been tied into the chair which extract his knowledge about the pokemon.
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Epsiode 13: Ash and Gary was finally managed to find Giovanni and Professor Oak. Giovanni transfer his consciousness into the Armored Mewtwo (this Mewtwo is different from the first movie one and it's nothing more than Giovanni's new body) while Gary was going to save Professor Oak. **Serena, Clemont and Bonnie saw the news about Ash is fighting Armored Mewtwo and decided to head to Team Rocket base together with the help of met Korrina, Alain and Diantha.** Meanwhile, Ash had been defeated by Giovanni and being tied outside the Team Rocket base!
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Epsiode 14: **Clemont, Bonnie and Serena met Korrina, Alain and Diantha to rescue Ash**, but being interrupted by the artifical pokemon army. Meanwhile Giovanni was about to end Ash's life, but being stopped by Gary. **Inside Ash's mental world, Aaron was teaching Ash to master Aura power. After Ash mastered the Aura power, Ash breaks free with his newly mastered Aura power and team up with Gary to fight against Giovanni.**
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Epsiode 15: **Thanks to Ash and Gary's excellent teamwork,** in addition of Ash's mastered Aura power, **Giovanni had been easily defeated and Giovanni's mewtwo armor had been teared apart.** At the same time, **Misty, Brock, Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, Korrina, Alain and Diantha had defeated al of the grunts and artifical pokemon army and reunited with Ash and Gary.** Meanwhile, Giovanni still refused to give up, he used the knowledge that being extracted from Professor Oak to create the gigantic ultimate pokemon called Chimera. Giovanni insert his consciousness into Chimera and razed half of Pallet Town into ground!
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Epsiode 16: Despite the combined effort of **Ash, Gary, Misty, Brock, Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, Korrina, Alain and Diantha**, Chimera was proven too much for those heroes to handle! Chimera then begin to cover the entire sky with the black smoke which will slowly turns all pokemon all over the world into shadow pokemon! Seems there's nothing to stop him, the real mewtwo appears and helps those hero to fight against Chimera. Meanwhile, Ash's Greninja was managed to use his extrasensory to emulate almost all of Pokemon moveset while his Lucario's aura power had been enchanced which allows his Lucario to create the spirit bomb sized aura sphere. **Ash, his pikachu, Greninja and Lucario eventally able to blown Chimera to pieces and sent Giovanni's consciousness back to his human body.** **Ash came in front of Giovanni and about to kills him with Aura sphere, but Serena, and later the newly arrived Team Rocket Trio pleding Ash not to.** **Following Giovanni, Team Rocket Trio and rest of Team Rocket member being arrested, Team Rocket had finally being taken down for good. Korrina, Alain and Diantha say goodbye to Ash, Gary, Misty, Brock, Serena, Clemont and Bonnie as Korrina, Alain and Diantha head back to Kalos. Ash and Team Rocket Trio made the promise that they'll be travel together once the Team Rocket Trio served their sentence**
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**Epsiode 17: Few days after Team Rocket being taken down, Ash, Gary, Misty, Brock, Serena, Clemont and Bonnie made the celebration for that.**
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\--------------------**Arc 4: Ash being dense shell (ep 18-20)**\--------------------
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**Type:** **Storytelling, Action,** **character building,** **emotion**
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The world had back to it's peace following the shut down of Team Rocket. However, Ash's dense shell kick in ane he'll will learn the the hard way about what will happen for being dense shell
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Epsiode 18: **Ever since Ash become much stronger since the Team Rocket fight, he begin to become arrogant and addicted in Pokemon Battle! (Yes, typical dense shell Ash for ya) He begin to refuse other people's help and even end up having Quarrel with Serena! Ash ragequit his house and being attacked by Damian**, who is looking for revenge of his charamder's betrayal. Despite Ash become lot stronger since they last met, Damian's newly obtained Psychic power and his Charizards army (Mega charizard X and Y, Gigantmaxed Charizard and Shadow Charizard that Damian created with his Psychic power) was proven even more ahead of Ash and defeats Ash! **Meanwhile, Ash's rage towards Damian had results his Pikachu unleashed the large energy which not only quickly defeats Damian, but also create the huge hole on ground and become berserk!**
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Epsiode 19: **Being humiliated by Damian and having his pikachu went berserk, Ash had slowly realized that he's only care about Pokemon and become megalomaniac had corrupted his bond with pikachu! He begin to feels sorry about how he treat his friends especially Serena. Ash was later apogoized to Serena and his friends and slowly reconcile with each other and discuss how to bring his pikachu back to control. With the combined effort of Serena and his friends, Ash was eventually able to bring his pikachu back to sense.**
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Episode 20: **Those evil Malamar had finally returned to present and attempt to brainwash Ash and Serena once again**, but Clemont used his creation. **Ash and Serena was quickly blows those evil Malamar into ashes but the energy crystals absorbs those evil Malamar's body and activated and quickly defeated all of their pokemon except Pikachu. That energy crystals attempt to shoot laser on Serena and Ash attempt to run in front of that laser to protect Serena**, which results Ash's feelings resonance with pikachu which makes his pikachu utilized that power once again to **create the deadly new move for pikachu: Ragnerok! However, the power of Ragnerok had makes Ash and Pikachu unconscious for a while.**
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\--------------------**Arc 5-Serena's upgrade (21-22)**\--------------------
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**Type:** **Action,** **character building,** **passion,** **emotion**
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**Seeing that Ash unconscious, Serena learned that she need to learn self defense so that she wont end up become damsel in distress when her boyfriend isn't present**
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Epsiode 21: Seeing that Ash end up unconscious for saving her, Serena decided to become stronger so that the same tragic won't happen again. Serena had found Bonnie to train with Bonnie's squishy. Because Serena was never joined the real battle before, Serena was not able to land any single hit on Squishy 10% form even with the combined effort of all her 3 pokemon + having her Delphox , then Serena realized that the only way to makes her stronger battler is to use what she already good at-Pokemon Performer. By using her pokemon performing skills into combat, she was finally able to defeat Squishy's 10% form.
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Episode 22 (WIP): **Serena will get Absol which will helps her in combat and will be used on Contest too**
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\--------------------**Single Pokeshipping chapter (ep 23)**\--------------------
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**Type:** **Story telling, Action**
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**Misty must find the balance between traveling with Ash and her gym.**
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Episode 23: Misty had been tired of her having to do all three jobs from her 3 Irresponsible sisters, which making her leave her gym behind and went to Ash's house. Ash was suprised how Misty would willing to give up her gym for that Meanwhile, Damian hijacked Misty's gym and kidnapped Daisy, Lily, and Violet, to demands Misty in exchange her gym and her sisters. Ash and Misty worked together to defeat Damian and saved all 3. Misty's 3 sisters apogoized for over-reliance the gym operation to Misty alone and promised Misty that they'll become more responsible for their gyms. Misty give her gym back to her sisters and says goodbye to them.
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\--------------------------------------**Planned Future story Arc:**\--------------------------------------
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**~~Pokemon Contest Arc (Mittie vs Serena) or:~~**
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**~~Wallce Cup Arc(May vs Dawn, Chloe vs May, Chloe vs Dawn, Dawn vs Serena) or:~~**
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**~~countine the romance amour with Ash arc:~~** (Should I? But I really suck at writing those)
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\--------------------------------------**Oizys Arc (adopted from** [this one shot](https://www.reddit.com/AmourShipping/comments/139895h/writing_my_amourshipping_one_shot_for_very_first/)**):** \--------------------------------------
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**Type:** **Action,** [Deconstruction Fic](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DeconstructionFic)**,** **drama,** **passion,** **Original Story, Fantasy, Meta**
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***Warning: Starting at this Arc, the typical Amour and even*** ***anime*** ***Pokemon logic will be thrown out the window*** *and replaced with the* ***original plot that you might not asked for!***
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***Warning: This Story Arc features with full of ridiculousness, rather dark story, in-face towards TPC and filled with heavy irony and even fourth wall break etc.*** ***Please watch at your discretion! If you want something closer to Pokemon Anime, skip to*** ***Paldea Arc.***
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**Ash teachs Goh how to take care of Pokemon**, **but Goh's dark side came to manifest as its own entirely separate, physical entity called Oizys, Goh's evil counterpart who is the psychopath pokemon hunter** (a parody of many chinese amourshipping fic features with Goh as antagionist), Goh was paralyzed with fear after witnessing his evil counterpart's cruelty and end up in coma for a while. Oizys steal all Serena's pokemon, all Ash's ace (including his Greninja) and almost managed to steal his pikachu but his pikachu managed to free all of Ash's ace and Serena's pokemon, Ash and Serena got the upper hand and defeats Oizys, but **Ash being posessed by Oizys in front of Serena's eyes** and defeated almost every single Ash's traveling partner, all 7 Pokemon Masters , Gary Oak and Serena. But Serena was eventally managed to free Ash from Oizys control. After defeating Oizys, **Goh finally wake up and learned the harsh lesson about how to take care of his pokemon.**
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\--------------------------------------**gossip Arc (adopted from** [this one shot](https://www.reddit.com/AmourShipping/comments/13g26hu/my_new_one_shot/)**):** \--------------------------------------
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**Type:** [Deconstruction Fic](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DeconstructionFic)**,** **drama,** **Original Story, Break Fourth Wall,** **humor**
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***Warning: Another original plot which full of ridiculousness, filled with heavy irony and even fourth wall break sans Action.*** ***Please watch at your discretion!*** ***If you want something closer to Pokemon Anime, skip to*** ***Paldea Arc.***
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**Ash and Serena must find a way to debunk various of the fake news** (like Liko is Ash and Serena's daughter) that damaging their reputations and free **Liko** from being cyberbullied. In addition, they'll also met Nemona for first time who will later join Ash's team.
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\--------------------------------------**"Shipping War" Arc (adopted from** [This one shot](https://www.reddit.com/AmourShipping/comments/13gz609/what_if_serena_meet_misty/)**):** \--------------------------------------
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***Warning: This Story Arc features with full of ridiculousness, rather dark story, in-face towards TPC and filled with heavy irony and even fourth wall break etc.*** ***Please watch at your discretion! If you want something closer to Pokemon Anime, skip to*** ***Paldea Arc.***
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**Type:** [Deconstruction Fic](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DeconstructionFic)**,** **drama,** **Original Story, Break Fourth Wall,** **humor**
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The giant blue bird **had makes Serena and Misty , all Ash's female travel companion and even all humans in pokemon kills each other** until there's only 1 left **against their will!** Ash was able to free all of his friend before any tragic happens but that **giant blue bird absorbed Serena** and begin to spread all over the world! **The only way to save Serena is to have Ash insert the feelings toward Serena into the water shuriken to open the hole out of Twitter's physical body so that Ash can save Serena.**
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\--------------------------------------**Ash's 10 years old truth Arc Prequel (adopted from** [this](https://www.reddit.com/AmourShipping/comments/13qkp85/kiss_day_special_one_shot/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) [one](https://www.reddit.com/AmourShipping/comments/13rgru6/ash_and_serenas_dream_world_part_12_calem_and/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) shot\*\*):\*\*--------------------------------------
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**Type:** [Deconstruction Fic](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DeconstructionFic)**,** **drama,** **Original Story, Amour, Break Fourth Wall, romance,** **character building, Action**
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***Warning: Another original plot which full of ridiculousness, rather dark story, in-face towards TPC, filled with heavy irony and even fourth wall break!*** ***Please watch at your discretion!*** ***If you want something closer to Pokemon Anime, skip to*** ***Paldea Arc.***
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**After Ash and Serena discovered the truth about Ash's being cursed with eternal 10 years old which might potentially eventally wipe away his character development and revert him back to the 10 years old stupid dense shell like in Uvona, Ash and Serena got psychological shadow and escape from reality by living in their own dream and refuse to wake up. However, Ash and Serena would eventually overcome their fear and . It'll also features with the cameo appearance of Calem and Game Serena.**
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\--------------------------------------**Paldea Arc:** \--------------------------------------
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**Type: Adventure, Humor,** **amour**
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***Finally the story Arc that closer to Pokemon Anime rather than those edgy fourth wall break meta fic bullshit!***
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**Ash, Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, Misty, Brock, Gary (Should I put Goh and Chloe as well?) will go to Paldea to travel, they'll meet Roy , Liko and Friede for first time and Nemona will join Ash's team. They'll later met Steven and receive the** [Tera Orb](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Tera_Orb) which allows them to **Terastalize** their pokemon. **Ash will got 2** [new](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Fuecoco_(Pok%C3%A9mon))) [Pokemon](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Charcadet_(Pok%C3%A9mon))) **in this Arc, might consider to give Misty Quaxly** **in this Arc.**
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***Warning: Starting at this Arc, the typical Amour and even*** ***anime*** ***Pokemon logic will be thrown out the window*** *and replaced with the* ***original plot that you might not asked for!***
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\--------------------------------------**Tobias Arc:**\--------------------------------------
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**Type:** [Deconstruction Fic](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DeconstructionFic)**,** **drama,** **Original Story, Amour, Break Fourth Wall, romance, Amour,** **character building, Action**
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***Warning: This Story Arc features with full of ridiculousness, rather dark story, in-face towards TPC and filled with heavy irony and even fourth wall break etc.*** ***Please watch at your discretion!***
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**Tobias was revealed to be the "Ash's dream crusher",** so strong that not even the combined effort of 7 Pokemon Master can stop him! This Arc features with the return and the **final battle against** **Oizys and Damian.**
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\--------------------------------------**Ash's 10 years old Arc:** \--------------------------------------
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**Type:** [Deconstruction Fic](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DeconstructionFic)**,** **Original Story, Amour, Break Fourth Wall, romance,** **Humor**
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***Warning: This Story Arc features with full of ridiculousness, rather dark story, in-face towards TPC and filled with heavy irony and even fourth wall break etc.*** ***Please watch at your discretion!***
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**Last Story Arc where Ash is still 10 years old**
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**Ash finally defeated Tobias, but Ash's 10 years old curse had finally reverted Ash back to the tough dense shell. Ash's friend and Serena must find the way to break that curse to stop Ash from being 10 years old and bring the mature Ash back.**
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\--------------------------------------**Oshi no Ko** **crossoveIdol industry dark truth Arc:**\--------------------------------------
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**Type: crossover,** **drama, Break Fourth Wall, Humor**
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***Warning: This Story Arc features with full of ridiculousness, rather dark story, heavy irony, fourth wall break etc.*** ***Please watch at your discretion!***
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**Ash finally grown up! Serena was being invited to went to Japan for the performance but eventually rejected after she discovered the shocking, ugly truth of the idol industry in Japan. Officer Jenny gives the secret mission for Ash, Team Rocket Trio (served their sentence), Latias and Team Rocket Trio's Ditto will camouflage as Serena, Dawn, May and Chloe to sneak into those idol industry and debunk the dirty act in idol industry in Japan, while the real Serena, Dawn, May and Chloe will** **appeals to her fans all over the world** **to boycott such dirty act in idol industry in Japan.**
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\--------------------------------------**TBA Arc**\--------------------------------------

Previous Chapter Table of Contents
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As we approached the front door, Aunt Freya turned to the dogs and said, “Jax and Apollo, wipe your paws,” in a firm but gentle tone. To my amazement, the two giant dogs obediently raised their massive paws one by one and wiped them on the towel hanging by the door.
Once their paws were clean, Aunt Fraya opened the unlocked door and led us inside. I first noticed how cozy and inviting the house’s interior was. The walls were painted a warm beige color and adorned with various paintings and photographs. The living room had a comfortable-looking couch and armchairs, with a coffee table in the center. It looked almost exactly how I remembered it the last time I was here. The only noticeable difference was the three dog beds by the door, and the pictures were newer, with people I barely recognized.
The dogs escorted us inside, one ahead and one behind me. I got a distinct feeling they didn’t trust me yet. But at least I wasn’t their chew toy.
I heard someone running towards me as I put my bags on the floor beside the coffee table. Suddenly, I felt a pair of thin arms wrap tightly around my waist. For a second, I freaked out, but I looked down and realized it was my cousin Julie! “John! I can’t believe you’re here!” she exclaimed, still holding me tightly.
Somehow shimmying and squirming, I hugged her back, feeling genuinely happy to see her for the first time in years. “Hey Julie, good to see you too. It’s been too long.” I replied, grinning.
After a few more seconds, Julie let go of me and stepped back to look at me, then suddenly punched me in the stomach. “Yeah, cause someone was too busy to visit or gone when we came to visit!” she said, smiling as I rubbed where she punched me.
I couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed at the compliment, but I smiled back nonetheless. “Well, I needed to do those projects...and trips...” I trailed off, realizing I was making excuses. “Anyways, I’m here now, so it’s all good. Where are Jake and your dad?”
As I finished speaking, I heard a voice from around the corner. “Hey there, John! We’re in the dining room!” It was the unmistakable booming voice of my Uncle Paul.
I turned to my aunt, and she said, “Let’s go say hi to everyone.”
Still standing beside me, the dogs seemed to understand her words and began escorting me toward the dining room. Aunt Fraya giggled as she walked ahead while Julie was hanging off my arm. She couldn’t decide if she wanted me to drag her or if she pulled me.
As we walked, I couldn’t help but notice the well-behaved dogs acting like my guards. They walked beside me, occasionally sniffing at my feet or hands but never pulling ahead or breaking stride with Julie and me. I was starting to wonder if they were familiars instead of pets, but my cousins being non-magical would be hard. It was clear that my aunt had put a lot of time and effort into training them.
It wasn’t far to the dining area, and as we rounded the corner, I saw my Uncle Paul sitting at the head of the table with a big grin on his face and my cousin Jake sitting with a frown. “John! Good to see you!” he said as he got up from his chair, walked up to me, and gave me a firm handshake followed by a big hug.
I hugged him back with one arm since Julie didn’t release the other. “It’s good to see you too, Uncle Paul,” I said with a smile.
Letting go of me, Uncle Paul took Julie off me as she protested and turned to Jake, saying, “Don’t be rude, son. Say hi.”
Jake got up and, with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, walked up to me and said in a frigid tone, “Hey, John. Long time no see.”
Uncle Paul shot Jake a disapproving look before turning back to me. “I’m sure you are tired as all. I know I’m always wiped when coming to visit you guys.” Turning to his kids, he said, “Well, come on then, you two go show John to his room.” Turning to me, he added, “The guest bedroom is all set up for you. Feel free to stay as long as you want,” gesturing for us to follow.
I followed Jake and Julie, but then I remembered forgetting my bags. I told my cousins, “Hang on!” and walked quickly to where I left the backpack, bag, and the box Dad gave to give to Aunt Freya. I heard hurried paw steps behind me as I grabbed them and returned to my aunt. “Here you go. Dad asked me to pass this along for you.”
Aunt Fraya responded with a pleasant smile, “Thank you, dear. You have some time before dinner, so rest up a bit. I’ll call up when food is on the table.” I nodded and walked quickly to catch up to my cousins waiting at the stairs.
As we walked towards the guest bedroom, I couldn’t help but notice the dogs walking alongside us again as if they were our escorts. It was both amusing and worrisome at the same time. I was starting to feel like the dogs didn’t trust me. I will just need to try to buy some treats and bribe them.
Once we arrived at the guest bedroom, Jake stood by the door as Julie excitedly started chattering and pointing out all the little details that she and Aunt Fraya had worked on to make the room comfortable for me. “And here’s your extra blankets. The door locks cause the dogs like to roam sometimes, and here’s the WiFi password,” she said, handing me a slip of paper.
I looked confused at the paper. “WiFi? What’s that?”
Jake laughed for the first time. “You are practically an alien in this world. This is going to be amusing.”
I felt hurt, but I was glad we had something to discuss. “Yeah, I really am. But that’s kinda the point of this experience.”
Julie asked to hang on for a min and slipped out of the room, the dogs parting just wide enough for her to slip past them in the doorway.
I looked at Jake. “Dude, come on. We grew up together. What’s up?”
He sighed, took a few steps to the bed, and plopped on it, leaning against the wall, feet dangling over the edge. “We did, but recently I realized just how different we are. It makes it hard to be comfortable with someone always so loaded for bear.”
I looked confused at him and put my bag and backpack on the bed next to him. “What do you mean.” as I sat on the chair.
He sighed. “I mean magic. You are from a world of power, and I’m from a world of Mundane.”
I scrunched my nose. “Don’t say that. It’s not nice. And I would never do anything to hurt you or Julie or your parents.” I glanced at the dogs in the door, wondering if I should extend my promise.
Jake smiled softly. “Yeah, I’m sure not on purpose.” He paused and frowned. “But to be honest, my college rejection letter also came today. And I was sure I could get into my first choice and didn’t bother applying elsewhere.”
I looked confused at him, but Julie tore back into the room before I could respond, somehow slipping between the two dogs. “Had to steal mom’s phone. I’ll explain what WiFi is, you Luddite.”
“Hey, be nice! Don’t call him names!” Jake yelled at Julie.
“I don’t know what that is, so I’m not offended.” I shrugged.
“I don’t know either, but it would fit.” Julie chirped as she sat next to John on the bed. “WiFi is what you use to access the internet.”
I pulled my own phone out. “Oh, how do I do that?”
Julie froze. “Well, now I must go slip this before I get caught.”
From somewhere in the house, Aunt Freya’s voice, “JULIE ARIEL SMITH! Give me back my phone!”
Julie looked worried as she tore out of the room through the parting dogs to the roaring laughter from Jake and me. After laughing, I said, “I’m not sure what that means about college rejection, but I’m sorry you are going through that. I just want things to be as normal as we can. Like we were when we were kids.”
Jake briefly looked at the ceiling, thinking, “Nothing changed. And I’ll figure something out eventually about college. For now, let’s just have fun.” With a smile, he got up and said, “I’ll give you some breathing room as you settle in. Let’s catch up when we get time sometime.”
After Jake left, I waited a second to see if the dogs would go. Instead, they lay down, blocking the doorway in a way that would make me move them to leave. I sighed and turned to the bags on the bed.
I unpacked my backpack and bag, placing my clothes in the drawers. They were dimensional bags as well. So I could bring everything I could need, so I only unpacked what I would need for the next week or so. I noticed the dresser was empty except for a few spare blankets and pillows at the bottom, so I took the opportunity to spread out my clothes and organize them.
I left most of my magical equipment in the backpack. I wouldn’t need anything but my wand, the summing bracelet still on my right hand. The only thing I took out was the scroll my parents gifted me. I put it on the table, admiring the intricate design and the fine craftsmanship. I was sure they had spent much money on it, so I wanted to take care of it. Not that these were very delicate, but still.
Next, I took out the gifts I had brought for my cousins from my bag. I hid them in the drawer on the table, so they would be a surprise for later. I wanted to wrap them into something, but I would have to give them as is.
I decided to check out the rest of the room. I went to the dresser and pulled open the top drawer, which was empty like the others. Looking around the room were several pictures and paintings. What was surprising to me was that they were very still.
Curious, I turned to the two doors in the room. One was clearly a closet, and that’s the first one I walked up to and pulled open. It was a good size, with plenty of space to hang clothes and store shoes. I put my backpack and bag in there to ensure they stayed out of the way.
I then turned my attention to the other door. I opened it slowly, unsure of what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised to find a clean, well-maintained bathroom with a shower, sink, and toilet. The towels hanging on the rack smelled fresh. I vaguely remembered how to use this shower from the last time, and I hope it won’t be a problem.
Feeling satisfied with my new living quarters, I returned to the desk and sat down. This seemed like the perfect time to tell my parents I was safe and at my Aunts house.
I pulled my old scroll from my pocket. It was much simpler than the new one my parents had given me and was meant more for local communication. It wouldn’t have a powerful spell circle to reach my parents or friends. But it did have all the imprints and contacts from them.
I conjured the wand and pointed it at the new scroll on the table. Using the transfer spell, I could transfer my friends’ imprints from the old scroll to the new one. All three items glowed pale, and it only took a moment. Soon I saw their names appear on the new scroll, indicating they were successfully added.
As I was admiring my handiwork and ensuring that every name I wanted was transferred, I suddenly heard a voice next to me. “Was that... magic?” Julie’s voice made me jump up in my seat, my heart racing, my hand shaking holding the wand, sweat beading on my brow. She was maybe 2 feet away from him, standing just outside my field of view.
At my threatening gesture, the dogs in the doorway growled. But Julie looked at them and said, “Shush.” they did.
I steadied my breathing and said, “Yeah. I didn’t get a chance to transfer information from my old scroll to my new one.”
She pointed at my hand. “Is that a wand? Can I hold it?”
I breathed and willed the wand back into storage. “Not right now. Maybe a bit later. I can show you some tricks and magic.”
She looked disappointed but said, “Okay.” Walked over to the bed and sat down. “Mind if I hang out here for a bit?”
I shrugged. “Do you mind if I write a quick letter without distractions?” She nodded, so I sat at the table, folded the old scroll, and put it aside. I moved the new scroll closer to myself, used the quill that was part of the package, and selected my parent’s imprints.
I concentrated on the quill and started writing the letter to my parents. Since this was my first time, the quill took a few tries to obey me. In glowing letters on the scroll, I wrote about how I was safe at my aunt’s place and succeeded in making it there. I also mentioned that I had transferred the imprints of my friends onto the new scroll and that I was going to try to contact them soon. And reminded them that they could always reach out.
As I finished the letter, I read it over to ensure it said everything I wanted. Satisfied, I closed my eyes and focused my energy on the sending spell. After a second, I opened my eyes as the words on the scroll lifted off the page and folded into an owl.
The owl flew straight through the wall and into the night sky, heading towards the enclave where my aunt picked me up from, which must be the nearest relay to here.
“Wow. That’s so cool.” Julie whispered from the bed, and I turned just in time to see her cover her mouth.
I smiled and said, “Yeah, magic is pretty cool. But so is your technology. I’m going to need all your help to figure it out.” And I pulled out my phone.
She looked excited. “Oh, of course, your sensei will teach you everything.” But before she could do anything, I heard a high-pitched barking bounding down the hall outside my room.
Then a tiny fur ball jumped over the two dogs and bound towards me with the fury of a starved hellhound ready to eat. I conjured my wand, but fore I could do anything or the little hellion reached me, Julie nimbly plucked him mid-jump and held him like a baby on its back. The little beat instantly calmed down and let out a happy little whine of pleasure. The two dogs in the doorway growled their disapproval.
Julie whispered, “It’s okay. He’s a friend. No eating, my cousin.” Holding him out towards me, she said, “Sparky. Say high to John.”
Sparky wasn’t convinced of my status in the family and gave a menacing high-pitched bark and a growl. However, she stopped when Julie brought him close to herself and smacked him in the nose softly. “No!” She held him out, and this time he let out an almost friendly bark.
“Nice to meet you, Sparky,” I said, not letting go of my wand.
I breathed a sigh of relief as she brought Sparky close to herself. Sparky licked her face, and Julie giggled. I was horrified for a moment when she let him down. He landed softly on his tiny feet, made a circle, and then turned to me. For a second, I thought he would attack me and prepared to defend myself, but I had Nothing to worry about. He walked up to me, sniffed my feet, then pranced back to Julie, tongue lolling and tail wagging.
Julie laughed as she stroked Sparky’s fur. “Don’t worry, he’s harmless. He just loves to bark.”
I chuckled and replied, “Well, I’m glad to hear that. He’s pretty cute, actually. When he’s not acting like an angry furry volleyball of doom.”
Julie smiled and said, “Yeah, he’s my little buddy. He’s been with me since I was a kid. Well, I guess like 4 years now or so.” Looking at me, she asked, “Do you have any pets?”
I shook my head. “No. My parents have familiars. But when I wanted a pet, my parents told me I was immature. Then when I was mature, I didn’t have time. When I have more time, I’ll probably get a pet.”
She thought momentarily and said, “I know your mom has the owl cat. And your dad has a giant three-headed dog. I guess I was expecting you to have at least something. Maybe a cat or a dog. Or maybe something more exotic like a dragon.”
My eyebrows shot up. “A dragon? That would be cool, but they’re pretty dangerous and, you know, illegal. They are very endangered. I mean, I guess a petite dragon would be an option. But they are a lot of work.”
She looked convinced. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Maybe you should stick with a cat or a dog, for starters.”
I laughed and glanced at the dogs in the doorway who were sitting at attention. I looked back at Julie and realized her eyes were fixed on the wand in my hand. I could see a mix of curiosity and fear in them. With a jolt, I remembered what Jake had said earlier about magic being power. I started to feel self-conscious and put the wand in storage again with a small flash of magic. Julie blinked hard and looked away.
I looked at Julie with concern as she picked up Sparky, held him close, and took a deep breath. “What’s wrong?” I asked gently, noticing the nervousness in her body language. I had no idea what I did to scare her like this.
She hesitated for a moment, looking down at Sparky on her lap. She patted him for an uncomfortably long silence before finally whispering, “I don’t know how to ask this, but... can I do magic?” Her question caught me off guard, and I wasn’t sure how to respond. She looked up at me, and I could see the fear and uncertainty in her eyes, and I wanted to reassure her.
But I couldn’t.
I took a deep breath. This was going to be a delicate conversation. I had to break the news gently. “Julie, I’m sorry to say this, but only those born with magic can use it,” I said, my voice low and even. “There are two species of humans. One with magic and one without. You know how there are different kinds of dogs?” After she nodded, I continued, “There are a few different kinds of humans as well.”
Julie’s face didn’t change. “So, I can’t do magic? You are sure?” she asked, her voice quivering.
I shook my head. “I’m afraid not,” I said, trying to sound sympathetic. “It’s just the way things are. But don’t worry, you can still do plenty of amazing things without magic.”
She looked like she was about to say something else, but we heard a voice from the door before she did. “John, food is ready.” Turning, I saw Aunt Freya. “Julie, don’t forget to wash your hands before coming to the dinner table.”
Julie didn’t say anything but turned with a smile to her mom. I got a bit of whiplash from her emotional swings but didn’t say anything. She dropped Sparky to the floor and walked out the door. She paused at the door and said, “Let’s talk later.”
The big dogs parted to let her through but moved back together. Sparky walked up to the dogs, barked shortly and jumped over the big dogs, and followed Julie.
I grabbed the gifts from the drawer I hid them in and decided to just give them as is. I walked to the door, but the dogs didn’t budge. After a second, I cleared my throat and said, “Excuse me?”
The dogs looked lazily at me but didn’t leave. I heard Aunt Fray’s voice from somewhere in the house. “Jax, Apollo, leave John alone. He’s a friend.”
The dogs growled, got up, and trotted away from the door.
I said, “Thank You,” and walked behind them, letting them lead me to the dining room.
​
Previous Chapter Table of Contents

Hi all, continuing my writing improvement journey today. Any and all feedback would be appreciated on the below opening chapter.
Would you read more, does it read well, is the pacing ok, etc?
[2.5k words]
Anything is super helpful! TIA
(Apologies for any formatting issues).
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[Chapter 1] – The beginning of the end
Olarte crumpled to his knees, wincing as the sharp edges of the cave's rocky floor cut into his flesh. There was probably an easier way of doing this, he thought. A hot humid breath pressed on his neck, stark in contrast to the coolness of the cave.
“G-Get up.”
A strong hand clamped down on Olarte's shoulder, his muscles tensing under the pressure. He shrugged, trying to shake off the grip.
"I've already told you," Olarte said, flinching as the man shoved him. "I'm not going to do anything. I'll help you find it, Son of Maheraf." The stalactites above dripped water, creating a soothing rhythm like a heartbeat. An aroma of damp earth hung in the air. Tunnels led off in every direction, making it seem as if the cave stretched on for miles. The ground uneven, with jagged rocks and stones jutting out.
Despite its intimidating appearance, the cave brought a strange comfort to Olarte. It felt like sinking into a cushion in front of a roaring hearth, a warm bowl of stew on a cold winter's evening, or a comforting embrace from a loving mother.
“Are you alright?” a voice spoke out of the darkness. The words were soft, brushing along the cave walls with care and thought. Olarte smiled and turned his head to see a number of purple crystals glowing, almost pulsating along the floor. “I'll be fine. Although I'm afraid our time has come, my dear.”
“Who are you speaking to?” The Son of Maheraf spat, his words hit the cave walls like a handful of rocks. “What language are you speaking?”
Olarte hadn't spoken in his native tongue for so long that he hadn’t realised he was speaking it. "I'm saying a prayer to the cave to protect us from harm.” he replied. "To keep us safe. You do want to be protected, don't you?" He’ll fall for anything superstitious, they all do.
The captor glared at him. "O-of course.” The man rolled up his sleeves. Clearly trying to present a tough aura. One hand hovering over his swords handle. “Go on then, get on with it."
Olarte pushed himself up, his knees aching as he brushed a thick layer of dust and blood from his trousers. He stepped forward carefully avoiding the glowing crystals lining the floor, their eerie light turning the shadows a deep purple. He bent down, reached out and ran his fingers over one of the crystals, finding comfort in its cool, smooth surface. “We must open The Crystal, my dear,” he said softly.
“Are you stalling?” the captor said, returning a grip on Olarte's shoulder. “No, no, of course not,” Olarte replied quickly, turning to face the captor. “All part of the blessing.”
The captor snorted. “Don’t take me for a fool, Olarte, I-I’m warning you.”
“Charming one this friend of yours, Olarte.” The voice from the shadows hushed tone echoed softly. “Is it really time to open it?”
Olarte glanced at the captor.
“Don't worry, he can't hear me.” The voice let out a sigh that seemed to caress the cave walls. “I’d have a few things to say to your friend if he could.”
Olarte's face straightened. “It is time. It must be done. The Fifth Moon is in the night sky. As we planned, my dear, we must act before The Sixth Moon.”
“And this man, is he the right one to share the truth with?”
“Yes, my dear. He's the Son of Maheraf, leader of Remmus. Maheraf will listen to his son, and the people of Remmus will listen to Maheraf.”
“How did you get him to come here?”
“Well, my dear. A rumour may have spread around town that a certain smuggler has hidden some treasure in these tunnels.” Olarte grinned. “You know how these high-ranking officials love their wealth.”
“Yes, I could see you as a smuggler, Olarte.” The voice’s chuckle softened the walls. “Very well, I trust you. I shall light the way.” The dripping from stalactite stopped, a blanket of silence draped over the cave. “This is what we've worked for. This is how we'll be remembered, Olarte. This is the beginning of the end.”
“Move.” The captor gave Olarte another shove. “I think we’re done with the offerings.” The silence lifted, the dripping returned, and the crystals drew a path towards one of the tunnels at the far end of the cavern.
Olarte led the way through the twisting, narrowing tunnel, his eyes fixed on the glowing purple crystals illuminating the path. "The tunnels here are treacherous. Follow me closely so you don't lose your way."
His captor scoffed. "A-Are you sure you've remembered the way correctly?" The man looked at the three tunnel entrances ahead. "It could be down any of these tunnels." "It's down this one. I can see The Light," Olarte smiled.
"What light?" The man looked around. "All I see is my lantern."
"No, no. Son of Maheraf. I see The Light." "Wait. You're a Light Seeker? Like those creatures from the tales?" He chuckled. “Sure, and I’m off to dinner with Lady Lucinda this evening, with her solid gold boots.”
Olarte smiled, not because he knew the truth but because he remembered hearing the tale of Lady Lucinda from his brother when he was younger. Simpler times... what I’d give to hear his storytelling once more. "All tales have to start somewhere. All start with some truth." Olarte pulled his coat around him more tightly moving deeper into the tunnels, the walls closing in around the two men. The sound of dripping water was now a distant echo. "It won't be much longer. The treasure you seek is close at hand."
“It had better be worth it.”
Olarte raised his hands, the line of crystals rose from the floor hovering gracefully at eye-level. “Oh, I think you’ll find it’s worth it.”
The Son of Maheraf flinched at the words "Mercy of Remmus," his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword. If the moon had been visible from inside the cave, his face would have matched its pallor.
"Oh, don't fear Son of Maheraf. Not all Light Seekers are like the tales." "So. Th-This treasure, it's not gold and jewels, is it?"
"No, I'm afraid not."
Olarte descended further into the tunnels, the air grew colder, the scent of damp earth thickened. Olarte led the way through the twisting and narrowing walls. During each tight squeeze, the tunnel echoed with the sounds of grunts and the clatter of loose stones. Eventually, the crystal pathway faded to a small hole at the end of the tunnel.
"You're not s-serious, are you?" The man stuttered, looking at the hole in disbelief.
"After you." Olarte gestured towards the small hole. It was the perfect size for a man to fit through. Just one man. Not a well-fed man.
The captor rolled his eyes and cursed. "Tell me first. The t-treasure. What is it?"
"It's a book." Olarte bent down and picked up a small rock. He wrapped his fingers around the subtle indentations. "A book wealthy in knowledge." He snapped the rock in half. "A book that tells of the past, the present, and the future." He broke it into quarters. "A book that will decide the fate of Remmus." Olarte let the four pieces of rock fall to the ground.
"Th-That all sounds rather...rather important." The man rubbed his sweaty palms on his shirt. "I-I think I'll leave this treasure to you, my friend." He took a few steps back before breaking out into a run.
"Oh, I'm afraid it's not a choice, Son of Maheraf." Olarte raised both hands. As he did, a purple wall of crystal blocked off the Son of Maheraf's escape. "You must read the book. You are The One Reader. You are the one destined for its truths."
The captor pulled out his sword and swiped it at the crystal wall. The steel blade broke in half, falling to the floor. A metallic ringing bounced around the tunnel, causing some of the ceiling to break away. Olarte shielded his head. I'd be surprised if he didn't try that. I'd have done the same. The man fell to his knees and stared at Olarte.
"W-What is this magic?" He held the two parts of his sword it each hand observing the terrific neatness of the split.
"All your answers are inside this Book." Olarte gestured towards the man-sized hole once more. "Now, please, after you."
The Son of Maheraf stumbled towards the hole, mouth gaping. His eyes darting between the crystal wall, the broken blade, and Olarte. Lying flat on his belly, he pulled himself through, grunting as the sharp rocks tore at his clothes.
Olarte followed. Through the other side he emerged from the narrow passage, entering a vast chamber. At its center stood a colossal crystal pulsating with a lavender purple hue, casting a surreal glow illuminating every corner of the room. It rose from the ground, towering over them like the summit of an iceberg or the peak of a mountain, its size rivaling that of a ship tilted on its stern.
The air filled with a sweet fragrance, reminiscent of honey and tulips on the first warm day of spring. Delicate chimes echoed throughout the chamber, dust in the air dancing and shimmering in the crystal's enchanting light, casting a beautiful rainbow sparkle. The walls were encrusted with thousands of white crystals, each one glittering and twinkling in perfect harmony with the gentle chimes.
A ring of water encircled the chamber, emanating a soft, lapping sound resonating off the crystalline walls. It was as if the crystal at the center of the room had summoned the water, as if it were a natural extension of its ethereal presence. The water glimmered with a deep, cerulean blue, reflecting the vibrant purple of the central crystal and casting a surreal radiance across the entire room.
Olarte stood next to the Son of Maheraf at the water’s edge, their reflections distorted by the ripples. The water dancing and shimmering in time with the chimes, each one creating a mesmerising pattern of light and sound. The chiming was muted by the soft lapping of the water, creating a soothing melody that played through the chamber. Olarte gestured towards the water. “Step onto the water, Son of Maheraf.”
“I-I'm not sure about this.” He took a step back, his eyes darting around, hands fidgeting with the bottom of his shirt.
Olarte raised an eyebrow. "What's the matter? Not scared, are we?" he asked, tapping his foot. He glanced at the crystal and then back to the water, a scowl forming on his face as he waited for the Son of Maheraf to make a decision.
The Son of Maheraf bit his lip. "I-I... uh,"
Olarte rolled his eyes. "Just step onto the water," he gestured once more. "It's not going to hurt you.”
The Son of Maheraf took a deep breath, paused and walked onto the water. A glass-like bridge formed beneath his feet. Olarte followed, he could feel the surface rippling, humming out to the center of the room.
Olarte placed his hand on the Son of Maheraf’s shoulder. "Yes, it is quite remarkable, isn’t it?" He then nudged him forward.
The Son of Maheraf, didn’t take his eyes of the surface below. “What in the name of Remmus is this?”
"The bridge is made of a special material that responds to the presence of those who are worthy to enter this chamber. It's as if it can sense your intentions and your character. Light Magic, a wonderous thing that no one truly understands."
"But how does it do that?" he asked.
Olarte shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure. It's one of the mysteries of this place. But I do know that it is a manifestation of the crystal's power. It can create and manipulate matter in ways that we can't fully understand."
“What do you mean create and manipulate?”
“Well, just as the bridge responds to your presence, Light Magic can also create other objects when it senses you need them.”
"R-Really? Like what?"
"Like the lectern and chair, for example." Olarte pointed towards an alcove appearing at the base of the crystal. "They are here for you to use as you read the book. The Light knows what you need and will provide it for you, no matter the situation."
“No matter the situation?”
“Well, as long as you know how to call it.”
“So, what you did back there, blocking off the tunnel, that was you calling The Light.”
“Calling, channeling, speaking. It’s known as many things. But yes.”
“H-How does one ‘call The Light’ then?”
"The Book, Son of Maheraf," Olarte gestured towards the alcove, where an ornate lectern awaited, adorned in intricate patterns of lines and symbols. Atop it rested a closed tome, beckoning with an air of mystique. Beside it, a chair of the same crystalline glass-like material, bearing the similar exquisite engravings sat awaiting its reader.
Olarte watched as the Son of Maheraf approached the lectern, who’s eyes were glued to the closed book sitting atop it. The intricate patterns on the lectern shimmering and shifting, as if alive, in the glow of the purple light from the towering crystal. The chiming grew louder, and the colors of the rainbow sparkles in the air intensified. The hum of the crystal seemed to grow stronger, pulsing through the room like the adrenaline of a beast preparing for the fight of its life.
The Son of Maheraf seemed to hesitate for a moment. He then reached out to take the book, his hand trembling. He perched on the armchair beside the lectern, the glass-like material creaking slightly beneath his weight. With a deep breath, he opened the book, and immediately, all the light in room intensified into a bright white glow.
[Chapter 2] — THE BOOK OF NIWRAD Welcome to the Book of Niwrad. You are reading this because there is a chance. One chance. That we can stop it all from happening. The past, the present and the future. And through this book, I will show you everything you need to know about how our world split into five.