Image of wall of Nendoroids and couple of Figmas: https://imgur.com/a/FBaVpAx?
I was an active anime collector a decade ago but I’m realizing now I just don’t really have the space to display most of my collection all at once, and most of these have just remained in storage. So with a heavy heart, I’ve decided it’s probably about time to really pare down my collection and let these go to a loving home where they will be better appreciated and maybe see the light of day.So I’ll be working on listing a bunch of my collection, from figures, manga, DVDs, plushies, and anime merch. Much of my collection is from around 2010 or earlier, I stopped actively buying stuff around 2013, so you will notice I have mostly older figures. I’ll still be figuring out what I really want to keep so some of these figures I may be on the fence about - but by all means feel free to send me an offer.
Happy to take more photos and provide more details if you are interested in specific figure(s), just ask.
I accept Paypal G&S. I am open to trades and best offers.
Figures come from a smoke-free and cat-friendly home and are being shipped out from Canada, BC, Vancouver. I will calculate shipping using either Canada Post or USPS, whichever works out to be the best option, and I will give buyers a range when possible. I am happy to combine shipping and ship worldwide. I am also willing to arrange for free pickups if you are in the Lower Mainland.
I use recycled materials, so basically I reuse Amazon boxes, or whatever I have on hand. I will ensure the boxes are sturdy and well packed (I give em the ol shake test). I can also buy new shipping materials to ship figures at buyer’s expense if the buyer prefers.
MIB = Mint In Box, has never been opened, seal is intact, and box is in mint condition.
CIB = Complete in Box, all parts are included, has been opened.
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Hyakka Ryouran - Yagyu Jubei - Nendoroid (#171) - Opening ver. (FREEing) MIB $45 USD / $60 CAD
Kodomo no Jikan - Kagami Kuro - Nendoroid (#085) CIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
Kodomo no Jikan - Usa Mimi - Nendoroid (#098) CIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
Queen's Blade - Airi - Nendoroid (#168a) (FREEing) MIB $55 USD / $75 CAD
Mascot Character - Gumako - Cheerful Japan! - Nendoroid (#200) - Support ver. MIB $30 USD / $40 CAD
Puchitto Rock Shooter - Black ★ Rock Shooter - Cheerful Japan! - Nendoroid (#180) - Puchitto Support ver. CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Vocaloid - Kagamine Len - Cheerful Japan! - Nendoroid (#190) - Support ver. MIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Vocaloid - Kagamine Rin - Cheerful Japan! - Nendoroid (#189) - Support ver. MIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Working!! - Yamada Aoi - Nendoroid (#233) (Max Factory) MIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Fate/Tiger Colosseum - Saber Lion - Nendoroid (#050) CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
[SOLD] The World Only God Knows - Elsie - Nendoroid (#184) (Max Factory) CIB $45 USD / $60 CAD
Kannagi - Zange - Nendoroid (#069) CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Tantei Opera Milky Holmes - Kamaboko - Sherlock Shellingford - Nendoroid (#156) - Anime ver. CIB $45 USD / $60 CAD
Black ★ Rock Shooter - Nendoroid (#106) CIB but damaged parts $22 USD / $30 CAD
Kuroshitsuji - Ciel Phantomhive - Nendoroid (#117) CIB $66 USD / $90
Kuroshitsuji - Sebastian Michaelis - Nendoroid (#068) CIB $66 USD / $90
[SOLD] SoniComi (Super Sonico) - Sonico - Nendoroid (#252) - Tiger Parka ver. CIB $75 USD / $100 CAD
Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica - Charlotte - Tomoe Mami - Nendoroid (#183) CIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica - Akemi Homura - Nendoroid (#182) CIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
[SOLD] Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica - Sakura Kyouko - Nendoroid (#217) CIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
Kyouran Kazoku Nikki - Midarezaki Gekka - Midarezaki Kyouka - Nendoroid (#052) CIB $75 USD / $100 CAD
Little Busters! - Belka - Noumi Kudryavka - Nendoroid (#158) - Winter Uniform Ver. (Gift) MIB $45 USD / $60 CAD
Fate/Stay Night - Altria Pendragon - Nendoroid (#121) - Saber, Super Movable Edition CIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
Melty Blood - Neco-Arc - Nendoroid (#120) - Ultimate Version MIB $260 USD / $350 CAD
Minami-ke - Minami Chiaki - Nendoroid (#088) CIB $40 USD / $55 CAD
[ON HOLD] Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu - Kyon - Nendoroid (#153) - Disappearance Ver. CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
[ON HOLD] Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu - Suzumiya Haruhi - Nendoroid (#124) CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
[ON HOLD] Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu - Nagato Yuki - Nendoroid (#123) CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Death Note - Yagami Light - Nendoroid (#012) CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Shining Wind - Kureha Touka - Nendoroid (#063) CIB $37 USD / $50 CAD
Penguin Musume - Nankyoku Sakura - Nendoroid (#048) CIB $55 USD / $75 CAD
Strike Witches - Francesca Lucchini - Nendoroid (#108) CIB $37 USD / $50 CAD
Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica - Akemi Homura - Nendoroid (#208) - School Uniform ver. MIB $75 USD / $100 CAD
Bungaku Shoujo - Amano Tooko - Nendoroid (#118) CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
GOOD SMILE Racing - Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#109) - Racing 2010 MIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#129) - Absolute HMO Edition CIB $70 USD / $95 CAD
Lucky☆Star - Fate/Stay Night - Cosplay Set - Izumi Konata & Hiiragi Kagami - Nendoroid (#034) CIB $80 USD
Fireball - Drossel von Flügel - Nendoroid (#081) CIB $66 USD / $90
Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Cheerful Japan! - Nendoroid (#170) - Support ver. CIB, crushed box (GSC botched many shipments) $33 USD / $45 CAD
[ON HOLD] Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu - Asakura Ryouko - Expansion Set - Nendoroid (#044) CIB $55 USD / $75 CAD
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Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#261) - Yukata ver. CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#097) - Snow CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
[ON HOLD] Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#033) CIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#333) - Yukata, Natsu Tsubaki ver. MIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Black ★ Rock Shooter - Strength - Nendoroid (#166) MIB $55 USD / $75 CAD / $75 CAD
Black ★ Rock Shooter - Dead Master - Nendoroid (#128) CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Black ★ Rock Shooter - Black ★ Gold Saw - Nendoroid (#145) MIB $55 USD / $75 CAD
Vocaloid - Lily - Nendoroid (#286) (Phat Company) MIB $55 USD / $75 CAD
Vocaloid - Megurine Luka - Tako Luka - Nendoroid (#093) CIB $55 USD / $75 CAD
Vocaloid - Meiko - Nendoroid (#187) MIB $66 USD / $90 CAD
Vocaloid - Kaito - Nendoroid (#058) MIB $85 USD / $115 CAD
[ON HOLD] Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu - Asahina Mikuru - Nendoroid (#016) CIB $35 USD / $47 CAD
[ON HOLD] Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu - Nagato Yuki - Nendoroid (#010) CIB $40 USD / $54 CAD
[ON HOLD] Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu - Suzumiya Haruhi - Nendoroid (#009) CIB $35 USD / $47 CAD
Shakugan no Shana - Shana - Nendoroid (#047b) - Dengeki Daioh ver. CIB $100 USD / $135 CAD
Toradora! - Aisaka Taiga - Nendoroid (#185b) - Sailor Fuku Ver. (Ascii Media Works, Sentinel) MIB $90 USD
[SOLD] Nedoroid Diorama Play Set (#03) - School Festival Set A - (PHAT) MIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
[SOLD] Nedoroid Diorama Play Set (#03) - School Festival Set B - (PHAT) MIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
[SOLD] OreImo (My Sister Can’t Be This Cute) - Gokou Ruri / Kuroneko - Nendoroid (#144) CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Makai Senki Disgaea - Etna - Nendoroid (#356) (Phat Company) CIB $100 USD / $135 CAD
Makai Senki Disgaea - Flonne - Nendoroid (#357) (Phat Company) CIB $100USD / $135 CAD
Fate/Stay Night - Altria Pendragon - Cheerful Japan! - Nendoroid (#215) - Saber & Tohsaka Rin, Support Ver. CIB $85 USD / $115 CAD
Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#150) - Snow Playtime Edition MIB $70 USD / $95 CAD
Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#207) - Snow, Fluffy Coat Ver. MIB $70 USD / $95 CAD
Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#303) - Snow, Strawberry White Kimono Ver. MIB, original shrink wrap still intact $140 USD / $190 CAD
Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku WonderFest 2014 - Figma (#EX-016) - Snow (Max Factory) MIB $75 USD / $100 CAD
Black ★ Rock Shooter - Kuroi Mato - Figma (#EX-006) - Seifuku ver. (Max Factory) MIB $60 USD / $80 CAD

Laser hair reduction uses a concentrated beam of light to target the hair follicles. It involves a laser that emits light that is absorbed by the hair follicles. The pigment called melanin absorbs the laser light and destroys the hair follicle which stops the hair from growing.
People opt for laser hair reduction to get rid of unwanted hair. The most common areas where they treat are the arms, legs, underarms, chin, upper lip, and the bikini line. Nearly any area can be treated for laser hair reduction except areas that have tattoos and raised scars. The basic principle of laser hair reduction is that it works to target the pigment in the hair follicle not the pigment of the skin. Therefore, it only damages the pigment in the hair follicle and does not damage the skin.
The idea is for laser hair reduction to be a long-term solution to get rid of unwanted hair by stopping the hair follicles from growing new hair. The hair and a person’s skin type affect the success of laser hair reduction. The contrast between the color of the skin and the color of the hair is important because the laser targets the pigment in the hair. Therefore, laser hair reduction is ideal for people who have dark hair. It is not effective for hair that is light in color because it has little to no pigment which the laser can’t target.

Pre-care tips for laser hair reduction:

1. Shave the area for the treatment before going to the treatment
2. Avoid applying any makeup, deodorant, or lotion on the treatment area on the day of your treatment
3. Avoid alcohol 24 hours before your laser hair reduction session
4. Don’t wax the area for at least four weeks before the treatment

Post-care tips for laser hair reduction:

1. Apply cold compress on the treated area
2. Apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun
3. The time between your sessions should be 4-6 weeks
4. Avoid deodorants
5. Avoid perfumed lotions
6. Avoid make-up
7. Avoid sun exposure
8. Do not wax or tweeze your hair
9. Avoid chemical peels

Ahoy! This is my first time posting, so apologies if this sounds a bit awkward. we're playing DND 5e.
My DM and I had a little disagreement on something that occurred in session regarding the spell sending, and I wanted to get more opinions on the matter.
For some background info: Our party (a Barbarian/Artificer, Bard, Rogue, Cleric, Barbarian # 2) is fighting against a cult that worships the Aboleth. My character, the bard, made connections with the Wizards Guild in Neverwinter City, and has been conversing with the Guildmaster via sending/sending stones about updates and plans on how to take down the cult.
Now, there's a big rift in the middle of the city that the Guildmaster warned us to be careful around because abberant creatures are flying out of it and people are falling into it.
However, my character got a sending message that was: "This is Guildmaster. Jump into the Rift! I sense an opportunity to stop this catastrophe!"
Which was... suspicious, for me, at least. I asked to roll investigation, got a Nat 20, and the DM told me "She's the wizards Guildmaster! she must have a point to tell you that, so it should be a good idea."
I then asked to roll an insight, but got denied because my passive insight is a pitiful 11.
So into the rift everyone jumped! We fought (Ran Away) from the BBEG because we're still not ready to fight her and her giant thunder boar beast hyped up on steroids. And she reveals that she was the one who sent the sending, and that the little bard is so naïve for believing it. The players survived the encounter, but our favourite NPC died protecting us.
Now here's where the disagreement happens: The day after the session, I read the rules for sending, and it states that "the recipient recognizes you as the sender if it knows you".
So I brought that up, because technically, since the Cult Leader and Bard know each other from past encounters, my Bard would have recognized her as the sender, not the Guildmaster, as you can't roll deception for a spell description.
Dm then explained that the cult managed to get a blood sample from the Guildmaster when they attacked the city, made a deteriorating puppet clone of the Guildmaster, and then used her to send the sending to the Bard. Its an Aboleth thing, apparently.
Now, my reasoning, is that since I never met the deteriorating clone/puppet, I am not familiar with them, so the sending deception wouldn't work. Or if the clone never met me, then they can't send a sending.
My DM's reasoning is that the Aboleths have an advantage when it comes to mental/mind tricks.
We agreed that what's done is done, and we aren't changing what happened in game, but just out of curiosity, what do you guys think? (since I can't find anything regarding this specific situation anywhere)

Today, let's delve into the topic of integrating LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) with AWS (Amazon Web Services). The integration of LDAP with AWS is an incredibly powerful tool that empowers organizations to establish secure and centralized identity management within their AWS environments. In this post, we will explore the various benefits, the implementation process, and the key considerations involved in LDAP integration with AWS.

Understanding AWS LDAP Integration

LDAP is a widely used protocol for accessing and managing directory services. It provides a standardized approach to store, retrieve, and update user information. AWS LDAP integration allows connecting an AWS environment with an existing LDAP directory, such as Microsoft Active Directory or OpenLDAP. By doing so, organizations can leverage the directory's user and group information for authentication and authorization within AWS.

Benefits of AWS LDAP Integration

Centralized Identity Management: With AWS LDAP integration, user identities can be consolidated within a single LDAP directory, simplifying user management and reducing administrative overhead.
Single Sign-On (SSO): Users can authenticate to AWS resources using their LDAP credentials, eliminating the need for separate AWS-specific credentials and promoting a seamless user experience.
Enhanced Security: LDAP integration allows enforcing consistent security policies across the organization, leveraging the existing security measures implemented in the LDAP directory.
Simplified User Provisioning and Deprovisioning: By integrating LDAP with AWS, user provisioning and deprovisioning processes can be automated, ensuring prompt access rights management based on LDAP directory updates.

Implementing AWS LDAP Integration

The process of implementing AWS LDAP integration typically involves the following steps:
Setting up the LDAP Directory: Ensure a functioning LDAP directory, whether it's on-premises or in the cloud. Configure the directory to meet organizational requirements.
Creating an AWS Managed Microsoft AD or Simple AD: If an AWS Managed Microsoft AD or Simple AD directory is not already available, create one in the AWS account. These services provide the bridge between AWS and the LDAP directory.
Configuring LDAP Trust Relationships: Establish trust relationships between the AWS directory and the LDAP directory. This step involves configuring trust settings, synchronizing user attributes, and mapping LDAP groups to AWS roles or groups.
Testing and Validation: Thoroughly test the integration to ensure users can authenticate and access AWS resources using their LDAP credentials. Conduct extensive validation to verify proper synchronization of user attributes, group memberships, and access permissions.

Key Considerations for AWS LDAP Integration

Security and Encryption: Implement secure communication between AWS and the LDAP directory using encryption protocols, such as SSL/TLS, to protect sensitive information during transit.
High Availability and Redundancy: Consider deploying redundant and highly available LDAP directory infrastructure to ensure continuous access to AWS services in case of failures.
Monitoring and Logging: Implement monitoring and logging mechanisms to track LDAP integration events, authenticate requests, and detect any potential security incidents or abnormalities.
Hope this post helps you understand the significance of AWS LDAP integration and how it can simplify identity management within an AWS environment. If you have any questions or additional insights to share, please feel free to join the discussion!

My bf (36M) of 6.5 years cheated on me (30F) again. I am going to try and make this short….In 2020 I found out he was cheating on me with 2 other girls. I was heartbroken, devastated and had to leave town. I ended up forgiving him and we gave it another chance. 2021 was an amazing year and 2022 was basically another year from hell. The cheating continued, I started to get super sick because of all the stress. At this point, I was in super deep and didn’t know how to walk away. 23 days ago I found out that he got back with one of the girls he cheated on me with in 2020. They have been back together since last summer and he’s introduced her to his family and have talked about marriage. When I found all this out I contacted the other woman and told her the full truth. I sent her evidence and basically all the supporting facts. She made it seem like she was going to stay with him regardless. He ended up blocking me from everything to protect this other woman. How can someone be so evil? I feel used and betrayed in every single way possible. I don’t know if they are together - I refuse to stalk social media. All this makes me so sick because he’s giving her everything I wanted. I have been by his side since day one and forgiven him for everything. He legit used me as a place holder. I’m scared that they are going to live happily ever after and I’m never going to recover from this. I’m currently at the airport writing this post on my way back home and can’t stop thinking about him. I know I need to move forward and see this as a huge blessing. But my heart doesn’t understand that right now. I wish I had the strength to write down every bad thing this man has put me thru but it’s not even worth it. If you ended up reading all of this, thank you! I would really appreciate some advice or anything! Thank you!

Soph (s) Whitney (w) Jesse (j) Christen (c) jacob (jc) Rachel (r) Owen (o)
S/j - I don’t like s but i do believe that j actually wanted her in the beginning. they give me the same kinda vibe.. meaning they both will fw c/w for views and a payday.
W/J - I don’t think w actually likes j. Let’s think abt this..
1: w hasn’t made any relationship she’s had since being friends w c rlly public or “official” even Tate she didn’t act like this. 2: tate and her had more chemistry and you could tell she had real feelings. yet she never posted the kind of shit she’s posting abt j and definitely didn’t say she was ready to marry tate . W/j are together a week and she goes public w their relationship, calling him her “husband” saying she’d marry him? “Soulmate4life” ? No.. lmao. 3: w/j are so awkward. in the background of other ppls videos they don’t even seem to be together fr. I’ve only seen them “in love” when they know there’s a camera on them. And even then it’s fake asf 4: highly convenient for w and c to get into ‘serious’ relationships at the exact same time. esp considering how slutty the two of them are.
I believe w got with j for drama she knew it would start with s, she knew c had a ‘relationship’ she was going to have to entertain for a while so she wouldn’t have much time for w anymore so w had to get a replacement.
C/j- This one pretty much everyone has the same theory.. they aren’t serious and this is for views bc she “knows how to work the internet” but the funny part is the only ppl that believe her shit is her little cult of minions.
As for jc, well i believe he wanted to be w r and still had hopes for them to be together until O/r got together. I think c hit jc up and jc saw it as revenge on r. Or maybe the other way around, he hit c up and c went for it bc she has no morals and knew it would get her views. Either way they cannot actually be real i said it before and there’s no way If jc had real feelings for c he wouldn’t be cool hanging out with guys he knows have fucked his gf and wear their clothes. And that’s not bc of insecurity that’s bc that’s weird asf.
o- They seem genuine.. my heart goes out to R and grey. R has done an amazing job with it all. I can’t imagine being in her situation.. having an infant, having someone you thought was a friend fuck up her family dynamic, being cheated on, not only being trashed online by c and w but also the father of her child allowing them to.. and then to be told your a bad mom, being accused of keeping her son away from his dad when in reality jc has no legal rights. He can see Grey but chooses not to. She’s told she shouldn’t have o around grey out of respect for jc but yet c and her fans think r should let her child go around c? O has been respectful abt the situation. c and her friends have posted abt it the most but c deserves to have a part in greys life? If c and her friends are willing to trash r all over the internet then what’s going to stop them from trashing Rachel in front of grey?
Anyway that’s my rant. I’m sick of these bitches doing worse and worse shit to ppl everyday and still having a following and defense.
Also: soph.. if you think protecting that gc is going to get you back in with w/c you’re delusional. They will NEVER respect you or be real friends. Even when y’all WERE ‘friends’ they treated you horribly. They publicly make fun of you and bully you.. the reason you aren’t exposing it is either both or 1/2 reasons why. One: you also have shit in the gc that can get you in trouble too, or two: you’re scared of them & their cult attacking you. But don’t sit here and act like you’re doing this out of respect. You ain’t. in past arguments with them you weren’t afraid to say shit they’ve done so.. ?

My ideal draft regardless of trades, just in terms of players we bring in. Whether we keep our picks or trade with, say, Orlando, the players that I think would best help our team long term would be:
​
Anthony Black with out first selection, and then, Derek Lively II with our second selection.
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The Rockets most pressing needs just so happens to be the two most important positions on a team, PG and C. And while most people are saying we ought to get Amen Thompson to have "ThE mOsT aThLeTiC bAcKcOuRt EvEr", the truth is we don't need that. We need a floor general, a quarterback if you will. From what I've seen, after Henderson, Black might be the best "QB" in the draft. He's a willing passer and distributor and can coordinate the offense better than just about any of the elite prospects. With all the talent we have already, we don't need another scorer, we need a leader. Keep in mind, Black was doing this in D1 basketball, in the SEC. Thompson did it in OTE, whatever that is. Seems like a super high school league. Black was doing what he did against the likes of Alabama (#1 team in the country), Tennessee (top 15 team), Kentucky (always stacked with talent), and beat #1 seeded Kansas in the tourney. Level of competition matters. Athleticism in and of itself doesn't mean much if you don't have the skills and decision-making to exploit it. Black has that. In addition, he's the best perimeter defender in the draft. If you tell a PG starved team that they have an opportunity to draft the best floor general and perimeter defender in the draft, and he happens to be a larger, sturdier point guard at that, they'd be foolish not to draft him.
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With the second pick, even if it means having to move up, I'd go after Lively. Mobile 7-footers don't grow on trees. He can definitely be a PnR lob threat with Black and Sengun, and a low-post defensive stud on the other end.
​
With those two, the Rockets will finally have all 5 spots filled with people playing their natural positions. Not a lot of 'tweening' in your starting 5, which is ideal. I can see Black running the offense and throwing alley-oops to Lively, while Lively protects the rim on defense. I can see Green zipping and zooming across the floor and scoring in a myriad of ways. I can see Jabari becoming perhaps the best 3-D player in the league with rebounding chops. I can see Sengun doing his best Jokic impression. Nobody playing out of place. And all of it coordinated by a competent, high-IQ PG with defensive chops to boot. ANOTHER highly athletic, ball dominant guard is not what we need. Athletic, cost-to-coast, above-the-rim PGs are fun, but they don't lead to titles. We need skill and solid decision making. Anthony Black is the guy. He's a winner. I also hope we can finally fill the void left by Capela when we traded him. Lively looks like he can do that.
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Good luck to Stone and our FO. This is the most important off-season for the Rockets in years.

Genre: Post-Apocalyptic/Thriller
Setting: America, now an apocalyptic wasteland plagued by monstrous creatures called the Thorn
Main Character:
Name: Jackson
Plot Summary:
In a harrowing post-apocalyptic America, the nation has been ravaged by an unimaginable disaster that transformed it into a desolate wasteland. The land is now infested with monstrous creatures known as the Thorn, ferocious beasts that hunt all living things with their razor-sharp teeth and black obsidian-like thorns protruding from their backs.
The story revolves around Jackson, a resilient survivor who must navigate this treacherous landscape and confront the horrors that now dominate the land. Haunted by a tragic past and driven by a fierce determination to survive, Jackson's journey becomes a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
The country is divided into four distinct biomes, each presenting its own set of challenges:

1. Desert Biome: A vast expanse of arid wasteland stretching for miles. The scorching sun beats down relentlessly, and resources are scarce. Sandstorms rage through the dunes, making survival a constant struggle. Dangerous creatures, including sand-dwelling Thorn, lurk in the shadows, adding to the ever-present danger. Jackson must battle extreme heat, limited water supplies, and the constant threat of both the Thorn and rival survivors.
   
2. Monsoon Biome: This region experiences torrential downpours and perpetual storms. The land is saturated with rain, leading to vast swamps and treacherous marshlands. The constant rainfall creates a claustrophobic atmosphere, hindering visibility and making navigation difficult. The Thorn, adapted to this watery environment, lurk beneath the surface, ready to ambush unsuspecting prey. Jackson must contend with flash floods, toxic flora, and the ever-present danger of drowning or succumbing to the Thorn's relentless pursuit.
   
3. Snowy Biome: A frozen landscape where blizzards rage and icy winds cut through the air. The land is covered in deep snowdrifts, making movement slow and laborious. Frostbite is a constant threat, and resources are scarce. The Thorn, adapted to the freezing temperatures, roam the snow-covered plains with eerie silence, their black claws leaving tracks in the snow. Jackson battles freezing temperatures, hypothermia, limited food supplies, and the ever-present danger of the Thorn lurking behind every snowbank.
   
4. Normal Biome: The remnants of what was once familiar territory. Though ravaged by the disaster, this region still retains some semblance of its former self. Ruined cities, crumbling infrastructure, and overgrown nature intertwine to create a hauntingly beautiful landscape. Survivors gather in small communities, forming alliances for protection and resources. The Thorn, driven by instinct and hunger, encroach upon these pockets of humanity, posing an ever-present threat. Jackson must navigate through the ruins, facing rival factions, limited supplies, and the constant danger of the Thorn's relentless pursuit.
   

Throughout Jackson's journey, they encounter a range of characters, each with their own stories and motivations:

1. Maya: A skilled scavenger with a mysterious past, Maya becomes Jackson's closest ally and confidant in the unforgiving wasteland. Together, they navigate the dangers, relying on each other for survival.
   
2. Marcus: A hardened survivor with a penchant for violence, Marcus leads a ruthless gang that terrorizes the wasteland. He becomes both a formidable adversary and an unpredictable wildcard in Jackson's quest for survival.
   
3. Elena: A resourceful and compassionate medic, Elena provides aid and healing to those in need. Her medical skills and unwavering determination make her a valuable ally to Jackson.
   
4. Jonas: A solitary wanderer with a troubled past, Jonas is a mysterious figure who possesses invaluable knowledge about the Thorn and the secrets of the apocalyptic disaster. He becomes an enigmatic guide for Jackson, leading them to hidden truths and unlocking the key to their survival.
   

As Jackson navigates the treacherous biomes and encounters various characters, they slowly unravel the mysteries surrounding the Thorn and the catastrophe that befell America. They discover that the Thorn's origins are rooted in a failed experiment gone awry, which led to the unleashing of these monstrous creatures upon the world.
Jackson: Jackson was a former soldier before the apocalyptic disaster struck. He served in the military with unwavering loyalty, believing in the principles of protecting his country and its people. However, during the catastrophic event, he witnessed the devastation firsthand, including the loss of his entire unit and his family. This traumatic experience left him with a deep-seated desire for vengeance against the Thorn, the creatures responsible for tearing his life apart.
As a soldier, Jackson had a strong sense of duty and responsibility. He feels personally responsible for not being able to protect his loved ones and fellow soldiers from the wrath of the Thorn. This guilt and anger fuel his determination to survive and seek retribution against the monsters that plague the land.
Jackson's military training and combat experience make him adept at survival in the harsh post-apocalyptic world. His knowledge of tactics, weaponry, and strategy becomes invaluable in his quest for vengeance. He utilizes his skills to outmaneuver and outwit the Thorn, gaining the upper hand whenever possible.
While initially driven by a singular focus on revenge, Jackson's journey allows him to confront his emotions and inner demons. As he encounters other survivors and witnesses their struggles, he begins to question his own motivations and beliefs. Through these experiences, he gradually learns the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and the potential for redemption, ultimately finding a new purpose beyond his personal vendetta.
The transformation of Jackson's character unfolds throughout the story, as he grapples with his past, battles the Thorn, and interacts with a diverse cast of characters. His arc becomes a reflection of the human capacity for resilience and growth, showing that even in the darkest of times, there is room for redemption and a renewed faith in humanity.

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A/N: 4 days left to pre-order Volume 1!
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The return trip to Madhyam somehow felt a great deal faster than the initial voyage to Rājadhānī. Tristan chalked it up to a combination of things—Encroachers seemed to stay out of their way, the winds and sands moving in their favor, and everyone received at least one full night’s rest. With so many bodies, it was easier to split the night watch between all of them.
Tristan shared his gigashank with Zahra, and they filled the time with idle chatter. His thoughts were consumed by the immense amount of work that lay before him, not allowing for anything deeper than brief observations and inquiries.
Cailu had asked him to essentially resolve the same issues on San Island that plagued San Francisco; homelessness and orphaned kittens. Battling Encroachers and Defiled were one thing, but resurrecting a broken economy? That was a task that could take years of designing and implementing. Just how long did Cailu want him to stay on San?
When they did reach Madhyam, the group made a point to visit Ishani at Tristan’s suggestion. It was the least he could do for Zahra after all of her help. They were welcomed just as warmly as their first visit with Zahra’s mother.
“Three men in my house! What an honor!” Ishani fussed between them, her eyes glittering with wonder. “Please, allow me to serve you a small meal before you continue on.” She rested her hands over her stomach and performed the traditional bow.
Tristan returned it, and Cailu was nearly in sync with his movements. Tristan cleared his throat to catch Matt’s attention and was glad when he followed suit.
“It would be our pleasure,” Cailu replied. “Your daughter has been a tremendous help.”
Ishani straightened her back and clutched her hands to her chest. “You bless us both. Sands walk with you, sir.”
There was an unspoken rule on Ichi when someone invited you to stay. The guests were meant to relax and let the members of the household do all the work. But even with Zahra’s help, preparing anything for thirteen people would be no easy feat.
“Ishani, if you’d permit me to, I’d love to help you prepare everything.” Tristan smiled. “I know there are a lot of us.”
“Oh! Me, too!” Cannoli said. She’d been far more chipper during their journey back than Tristan had seen her in a long time. He hoped it was a good sign.
Ishani studied them for a time, eyes flickering to the full group as her tail rocked back and forth in thought. At last, she nodded. “Yes, I would be glad to have your assistance.”
“And mine, of course,” Zahra chimed in. “It is still my house after all.”
Ishani swept an arm over Zahra’s shoulders and hugged her daughter close. “Of course, my sweet. This will always be your home.”
They moved to the modest kitchen while the rest of the group made their way outside. Cannoli set to work on passing out drinks and preparing small plates while Ishani gave Tristan and Zahra instructions for cutting and seasoning meats. While they worked, Ishani’s questions began to roll in like the tide.
“We heard of Magni’s death a little over two days after it happened,” Ishani began. “An Ejderha arrived begging for Sanctuary. How did it happen?”
Zahra pursed her lips. “The Ejderha didn’t say?”
“It is best to hear a tale from a tongue you trust,” Ishani replied.
“Cailu challenged Magni to a sanctioned duel and won,” Tristan said. “He left the throne to Naeemah.”
“Then it is true. That is wonderful news!” Ishani stoked the flames at the stove, hooking a large pot over the coal. “And what of Sanrai?”
Tristan looked up from his diced onyans and over at Zahra.
Zahra’s expression softened. “Sanrai returned to the sands, Mother,” she said softly. “She refused to see reason.”
Ishani froze, her hand hovering over a ladle. A string of expressions passed over her face, her eyes searching into an abyss they could not see.
Even after the hell Sanrai had put them through, Tristan’s heart broke for her mother. He couldn’t imagine how receiving news like that felt, and he desperately searched for the right thing to say. Sanrai was powerful, intense, calculating. She’d driven them out of the city not once, but twice, and very nearly killed Ceres.
“Zahra did everything she could to bring her sister home.” Tristan was careful to keep his words even. “You raised two incredible daughters, Ishani.”
Ishani’s lower lip quivered, and a string of tears trickled from the corners of her eyes.
Zahra stepped forward and embraced her mother in a tight hug.
Tristan quietly set the knife down beside the cutting board and stepped into the hallway. He was surprised to find Cannoli on the other side of the threshold, hugging the doorframe and peeking inside.
Cannoli’s cheeks pinked, and she rapidly blinked her bright ruby eyes. “I-I just didn’t want to interrupt anything,” she whispered.
“I know. You’re not the type to eavesdrop.” Tristan grinned.
“Tristan… how do you do that?”
He blinked. “Do what?”
“You always know just what to say to make someone feel better,” Cannoli murmured. She looked into the kitchen and back at him. “Not just to me, but what you said to Ishani about Sanrai was so kind. Even though Sanrai was never nice to us. Not once.”
It was Tristan’s turn to blush. He ran a hand through his hair and crossed his arms, realizing only a second later that it was a gesture he’d picked up from Matt. He sighed and shook his head. “I just try to put myself in their shoes.”
Cannoli cocked her head to the side and touched her chin. “Why would you want to wear their shoes?”
“No, not actually wear their shoes.” Tristan covered a laugh behind his hand. “What I mean is, I think about what I would want to hear in their situation. Like finding you here. You wouldn’t want me to call you a spy, right?”
“No. I would have felt awful if you thought that.”
“Exactly. It’s important to see things from the other person’s perspective, I think. No real magic to it.”
Cannoli rocked on the balls of her feet. “You make it sound so easy.”
“It takes a lot of practice.” He leaned to the side, seeing if he could catch Zahra’s eye.
Zahra locked his gaze and waved him into the kitchen. Ishani dabbed at her eyes with a cloth and inhaled a deep breath.
“Back to work, then?” Tristan asked Cannoli.
“Yes.” She touched his shoulder and flashed him a brilliant smile. “Thank you, Tristan. For the advice.”
“You’re welcome.” He cupped a hand over hers. “Though, a smile like that will make anyone feel better, Cannoli.”
Cannoli giggled and ducked into the kitchen.
“Apologies for my poor manners, Tristan,” Ishani said as he returned.
“Please, you have nothing to apologize for.” He shook his head. “Besides, cutting onyans makes everyone cry, right?”
Ishani laughed, her mood brightened, and they continued to prepare the afternoon meal.
They were able to serve it in good time, and the conversation was light-hearted and cordial. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits and laughed easily. Tristan was happy to enjoy a meal outside of the citadel. The experience was a lot closer to an intimate family gathering rather than the battle strategy style meetings that every meal in Rājadhānī brought with it.
Tristan finished eating before the others and procured his sketchbook from his [Cat Pack]. With the enchanted pen, he sketched a smiling Zahra. Something about her had changed since they first met. She now carried herself with a grace Tristan recognized in Naeemah, and the determined spark in her eyes had changed to one of excitement. She’d succeeded in her mission, and it showed.
Flipping the page, he made one more drawing. A piercing, ruthless gaze. Lips slanted in a dry, knowing smile. Dark tattoos carved into umber skin. Sanrai looked as alive in his sketch as she did in the shadow of the citadel.
As the others readied to leave, he handed the sketches to Ishani. “These are for you.”
Ishani accepted both pieces of parchment, her lips parting in a silent ‘o.’ Eyes wide, she looked at Tristan. “You protected my daughter, and now you grant me such beautiful gifts. Tristan, I have no way of repaying you.”
“You already have, Ishani.” Tristan touched her wrist. “May the wind carry your desires—”
“And the sun warm your back,” she finished for him, clutching the drawings to her chest. “You are truly Saoirse’s gift to this world, child.”
As they departed Madhyam, Tristan let himself believe Ishani’s words, just a little. He knew he’d need them in the coming weeks.
​
Zahra Pro Tip: Thank you, Tristan, for all you have done for my mother and for me. I will pay your kindness forward.
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So lately I have been doing well with my promotions on Reddit, and I have been steadily picking up subscribers to my free OF and my premium OF. But in the last couple of weeks, I have noticed that several “promoter” accounts on Twitter have been taking my older gifs/videos and posting them to their own feeds.
They do actually provide the link to my account, but no one has ever contacted me. Just seems like they are doing it because they feel like they can. I’m torn because several of their accounts have a wide reach (more followers than me alone). But my trademark/copyright attorney says that we must protect our content at all times, or risk losing that right to protect.
Has anyone else dealt with this?

If anyone cares! If not, cool. I dont have people to talk sports with in my personal life so hellllooo reddit

1. Sam Howell - loaded offensive talent on that team and I just think that Eric Bienemy will be able to scheme up a lot of good looks for him.
   
2. Desmond Ridder - Pitts, London, Robinson, Allgeier. Need I say more?
   
3. Might catch flack for saying this because he is already awesome, but Justin Herbert. I think this is the year he wins MVP. He has been very good, and I think he takes that next step.
   
4. Again more flack because post-TB12 Bucs, but Baker Mayfield. I think he beats out Trask then with Canales’ scheme, he gets to distribute to the best weapons he has ever had while being protected by the best line he has ever had.
   
5. Mac Jones. Zero actual reason, just pure belief.
   

Thoughts? Cheers!!

Hi All,
On May 29, 2023, the Soft Lights Foundation submitted a petition to NHTSA requesting that they comply with 21 CFR Section 360ii and collaborate with the FDA to publish performance standards for the LED visible radiation devices on vehicles. https://www.softlights.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/NHTSA-Petition-to-Collaborate-with-FDA.pdf
This is a significant petition that works in conjunction with our FDA petition to regulate LED products. This new petition notifies NHTSA that they are required by law to work in conjunction with the FDA to develop and publish standards that will protect public health. This is something NHTSA has failed to do for LED headlights, LED taillights, LED displays, etc.
The last time we submitted a petition to NHTSA it took them 3 months to even acknowledge receipt of the petition and they have not acted on the previous petition, despite having it for 6 months already, and the FDA has not acted on our petition to the FDA despite having it for a year already. However, this latest petition should push NHTSA farther towards recognizing that LED headlights must be regulated.
The photos and videos posted by members of this group serve as strong evidence in support of this petition

I was really lost for a few years but have gotten more religious recently, all thanks to Allah. But with it is a heightened awareness of sins, sunnahs and truths like evil eye/hasad.
I’m constantly worried to the point of having a panic attack. I worry I’m not saying mashallah enough times, that if I mention my family they’ll get evil eye, that maybe I’m responsible for what befalls them because I didn’t protect them with duas. I just get obsessive, it’s a burden to me and keeps me up at night.
What can I do? I have full tawakkul on Allah, I understand nothing happens without His decision. But I look back and think maybe I still shouldn’t have mentioned my brother graduating to a distant friend. Or posting a picture of my friends on social media, one of whom has mental health issues and I’m always afraid my vanity/actions will make it worse for him.
This OCD/anxiety is getting out of hand

Thing to include: Crispy honey generation area. Two large cauldrons which, when filled above a certain mark, bleed off top liquid down pipes into a central mixing cauldron where crispy honey can be made and harvested. Experiment w/ tube running underneath cauldron to be the one carrying lava, such that player can stand in the honey-filled central cauldron and safely mine crispy honey blocks from there. 

Things to include: Blue, glowing pink, glowing orange, and rusty red moss (emphasis on rust moss if nothing else). 

Thing to add: In picture 1, the main temple has a breathing chamber with a jellyfish bowl on top of it (there's another one on the opposite side of the screen but it's harder to see here). It's a 4 block wide upside-down "cup" suspended by chains. Houses and larger rooms inside the hell base could use these both for decoration and to hang heart lanterns/mana star lanterns inside of. 

I have an old friend that I haven’t spoken to in at least two years. She was a very important person in my life when I was in my mid 20s, enlisting in the army and getting deployed. Since then we’ve had intermittent chats, but I haven’t seen her in probably 10+ years. If she’d get invited, she’s prob be on the third or fourth back up list, if at all.
When I announced the engagement on the socials, she made a fb comment along the lines of “congrats, I can’t wait to see you get married!” Or something like that. Again, haven’t seen this girl in 10+ years so kinda presumptuous that she’d assume she was invited?
I posted a wedding count down today with a photo of our wedding page. It’s password protected so if a guest doesn’t know it, they have to request access which sends an email to me to approve. Lo and behold, a few hours later I get this email saying that this old friend is requesting access.
I never gave her this website. I never replied to her comment when she mentioned her attendance. The only way she could of gotten it was from my random ig post.
Now my catholic guilt is kicking in big time. I know I don’t owe her anything, but I still wonder if I should reach out or approve access to our website or let sleeping dogs lie.
(Some notes about my wedding: it’s a destination wedding in Mexico. Right now we have about 80 coming. She knows no one at the wedding but me.)

This has been a topic of discussion bc of ash losing and I thought it was time to throw my hat in the ring when it comes to untangling exactly why I think the Kalos League doesn't work at all, and most significant criticisms of it don't miss the point. Not to say that the League is good and good arguments are not valid whatsoever, but rather that the most discussed criticisms are not valid ones, and tend to overshadow discourse surrounding the Kalos League as a whole and it’s place in the XY Series because people didn't get the story telling at all because of the writers own failure at making the story.
Introduction – The Story Thus Far
It’s important we start this with some context, the Kalos League is the culmination of the Kalos Gym Quest that has been going on throughout the XY series and it’s important we understand clearly where every relevant character stands before we proceed into the league itself, so let’s go through the main contenders.
Ash
After having unlocked the true power of Ash-Greninja at the start of XYZ, Ash had come up against a roadblock controlling the ability due to his insecurities over failing to live up to the image of himself that his friends and rivals had built of him, which he perceives as ‘The Ace’ a strong and capable trainer who always wins. This insecurity caused him to overestimate his responsibility for failures which ultimately lead to his collapse following a string of losses against Alain, Sawyer and Wulfric.
However, through the actions of Serena and Greninja, Ash was reminded both of the importance of partnership in a battle and that he had been misinterpreting the image of himself he’d been attempting to live up to.
Wins and losses weren’t successes and failures, and it wasn’t his loss to Wulfric that had made Serena scald him, but rather the way he acted afterwards whilst blaming himself for a perceived failing. He learnt that as long as he tried his best, never gave up until it was over and accepted both defeat and victory with grace, that was all his friends and rivals ever expected of him all along.
In addition to this, he learnt that he was not solely responsible for a win or a loss. The Bond Phenomenon was, at its core a partnership, and by shovelling all that pressure to succeed onto himself, he was denying the partnership and causing the transformation to break down.
By rejecting the idea of ‘the Ace’ as someone who always wins and by acknowledging the importance of his bond with Greninja, Ash was able to come to a more mature understanding of the reason for the results of his recent battles with Alain, Sawyer and Wulfric and how his relationship with Greninja factored into that, and with this newfound understanding he was finally able to finally defeat Wulfric, breaking his losing streak and claiming his final badge.
Alain
Unlike Ash, Alain has come to the Kalos League for one single purpose. To battle Ash. Alain was originally an assistant to Professor Sycamore who broke away from him to pursue his own journey and to more thoroughly understand Mega Evolution. During these travels he met Lysandre, the leader of Team Flare, and through his (false)teachings comes to believe that strength is the best way to protect people.
During Mega Evolution Special I, Alain meets Mairin and Chespie and they end up travelling together as Alain seeks out other trainers with Mega Evolutions to grow stronger (and Learn).
During his journey, on behalf of research for Lysandre Labs he is forced into battle with Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre and Mega Rayquaza. Three Pokemon so powerful even his Charizard, who at this point can stand up to a Champion, was no match for them.
This only further convinces him of the need for strength, especially now he has grown to care for Mairin. He terminates his relationship with her for the sake of training. But during the resultant match, Mairin’s Chespie is rendered comatose after exposure to the energy of Zygarde. This greatly hurts Mairin and only further enhances Alain’s desires to become stronger as he, even with his strength, was still unable to protect Mairin.
His battle with Ash-Greninja upon meeting Ash convinces him that a fully mastered Ash-Greninja would be his ultimate opponent and his entrance to the League was done solely due to Ash’s presence. Other battles are all well and good but the battle with Ash is sacrosanct.
Sawyer
Sawyer is a new trainer and one who relies primarily on analytical battle techniques and writes down any and all advice in his notebook. His strategies and mindset rendered him a prodigy who through study and motivation was able to improve rapidly.
Sawyer has been enamoured by Ash Ketchum from the moment they met. His unpredictable strategies and quick thinking inspired Sawyer, motivating him to undergo his rapid improvement which allowed him to become a fully-fledged rival to Ash. His main one in fact.
This lead to him not only fully evolving his starter Pokemon, but also eventually claiming a Mega Stone of his very own.
His previous encounter with Ash was during Ash’s aforementioned period of difficulty controlling Ash-Greninja’s abilities and this lead to Sawyer’s first victory against Ash. Despite this however, Sawyer considered the victory illegitimate, as he was not fighting Ash as he had come to truly know him. He desired to face Ash at his peak to prove how far he had come and to experience a proper full battle against Ash.
He also wants to see if Ash has fully overcome the obstacles holding him back at their previous encounter.
With our three main players in place and their character journeys contextualised, it is now time to cover the Kalos League itself.
The Importance of Everett ( the Furfrou Guy also the importance of Alain vs Trevor)
The first two matches of the Kalos League don’t seem all that important at first glance. Alain vs Trevor is only shown in a cursorily with only the final matchup being seen (incidentally a mirror match between two Mega Charizards). Similarly Ash’s first match isn’t even a match in the League, but rather is a match against Everett, who’s mostly referred to as ‘The Furfrou Trainer’.
However there’s a reason both of these matches are presented at the beginning and consecutively and it’s to set up our first important trend across the Kalos League. The contrast between Ash and Alain.
Trevor and Everett are for all intents and purposes in the same role. They are woefully outmatched against an opponent they cannot defeat. Ash and Alain are the finalists of this League for a reason. But for one notable difference. Alain has to battle Trevor to advance, for Ash, battling Everett could cost him his position in the League.
Now Alain destroys Trevor, this should come as no surprise. It’s to the point that whilst Trevor sees Mega Evolution as his ultimate trump card. Alain merely sees Trevor as a hurdle on the path to Ash. Trevor’s dreams and aspirations don’t matter to Alain, only that final goal, battling Ash, proving he is better than ash winning. That’s all that matters.
Contrast Ash. Ash owes Everett nothing, he’s not even an opponent from the League, he’s someone who failed to get all Eight badges before the conference. Yet Ash stops, listens to him and battles him. He Everett’s dream and understands that in being in the League, in progressing in the League, he will be going up against other people’s dreams for the sake of his own. And rather than trample on that without a second thought like Alain did, he gives someone who he owes nothing to the respect he believes he deserves.
This sets up the two as ideological opposites, one driven by his own power and strength, the other by his connection to others.
This also invokes Ash’s prior arc, Alain is in some ways a dark parallel to Ash, having gone through a similar experience, he has chosen to prioritise winning above all else. Whilst Ash rejected that route, he embraced it.
Ash then goes on to annihilate an Altaria. Despite their differences, Ash and Alain are both really really strong.
Sawyer: Ash’s True Rival
Sawyer is a prodigy, I said as much above but this match ‘Sawyer vs Tierno’ serves to highlight exactly why that is.
Tierno has been set up through XY as an unconventional battler, he had a style that was uniquely his that Ash was entirely unable to replicate which he pulled off effortlessly.
Yet in no time flat, Sawyer counters his style, works out its benefits and detriments, and targets those detriments to easily defeat Tierno.
Remember Sawyer barely knows Tierno, yet in no time flat he counters Tierno’s style and is able to gain the upper hand with ease. This sets up the stakes for his match with Ash. Unlike with Tierno, Sawyer has been watching Ash the whole time, he even defeated him last time they fought.
Add that to both Sawyer and Ash’s reasons to fight one another. Sawyer’s to finally surpass the one he’s admired from the start and Ash to show Sawyer everything he’s got.
And with Ash vs Sawyer set up as the next match, we get set to go into it.
But first…
Alain and his 4 episodes which are called the Mega Evolution Specials
Alain vs Remo. This is rematch between Alain and an opponent he first faced in the Mega Evolution Specials. Remo has come to this match ready for a rematch, he’s pumped up and excited to face Alain again, determined to this time overcome him
Alain doesn’t care, and crushes him 2-6. This isn’t just some random either, this is someone he’s faced before and specifically wanted to face him again. And he straight up doesn’t care.
This would be an appropriate time to talk about the Mega Evolution Specials.
A point to be made very clearly here is the Mega Evolution Specials status as proper episodes. Despite the name of ‘Mega Evolution Specials’ they aren’t your conventional specials. They’re an essential part of the series and the viewing experience and shouldn’t be skipped. Despite this, the dub still refuses to acknowledge them as such but that is a fault of TPCi, not the original XY staff (But they also have fault at this by not mentioning Alain at all in ash's series)
Alain as a character originates from these specials. And they’re where much of his character arc is chronicled. Showing his descent from Sycamore’s Assistant to lackey for Team Flare and his growing obsession for power to the point of driving those who care about him away with Mairin in Mega Evolution Special 4 in a kind of dark parallel to the snowball scene from Seeing the Forest for the Trees. This event directly leads to Chespie’s current condition and drives him even further into a quest to be the strongest trainer ever. If he just gets that bit stronger, maybe he can undo the damage he did.
By the point of the League he no longer cares about anyone else besides Ash, his goal. He tramples across people he knew and people he just met alike with the sole goal of battling and defeating Ash and becoming the strongest (Even tho that wasn't Alain's true goal, his goal was only ash)
Ash vs Sawyer: The Culmination of a Rivalry
And the long awaited match begins.
It’s important to take a look as the competitors heading into this match as their mindsets make the match as much as the actual (fantastic) animation and battle strategy does.
And to begin, Ash knows ahead of time Sawyer has specifically engineered his team in this match to hard counter Ash. Every single Pokemon Sawyer uses is intended to neutralise Ash’s teams advantages.
He knows this. And yet he calls no subs. And uses exactly the team Sawyer had planned for.
Why? Well, this kind of thing has happened before, though the reasoning is different let’s also take a look at…
Ash vs Paul, the most important match at the Sinnoh League (besides ash vs Tobias) and one of the best matches (according to fans) in the anime period. In this match, Paul correctly predicts Ash would reuse his Lake Acuity Team. Ash was aware this would likely be the case. So why did he do it here? Simple, Ash believed his Lake Acuity Team deserved that win, because they were all there with him when he was crushed at Lake Acuity. He respected them enough to not sub them out even if tactically it would’ve been the better option.
Ash’s mindset with Sawyer’s match is similar, but this time, flipped. Ash used his Kalos Team because he respected Sawyer, and wanted to see all that Sawyer had. With both the Paul and Sawyer matches, switching teams was the easy way out. But for differing reasons, yet the same underlying mindset, Ash refused that easy way out and faced Sawyer’s best with his own even in spite of the inherent disadvantage.
I could go into the many reasons why this match is tactically brilliant, potentially even more so than the one against Alain (let's be real most of us accept ash vs sawyer the final of the kalos league). Sawyer’s analytical strategy and how he seizes the momentum of the match and the range of counters that Ash develops and employs mid match against Sawyer to overcome his analytical style are incredibly well construed.
But for now let’s focus on the character stuff.
For Sawyer, this his proper match with Ash, the last one didn’t count for him (the one were he won). This is it for real.
Similarly for Ash, this match is about showing that he is no longer held down by that insecurity and self-doubt. He trusts his Pokemon and his Pokemon trust him and together he can push them all, and Sawyer too, to even greater heights.
The match ends, Ash is victorious, Ash-Greninja overcomes Mega Sceptile when it previously fell against Sceptile. His strength is borne not from strength itself, but from the trust between his Pokemon and himself.
Sawyer is understandably frustrated, losing is frustrating, but he also accepts that this means he still has a long way to go and inspires him to keep aiming for the sky.
The two acknowledge the match and the outcome and accept one another. Their rivalry is not over, Sawyer still intends to one day surpass Ash, but it has reached a temporary conclusion that both are presently satisfied with.
Following this we are granted an intermission before the final match. Where Ash and his friends gain some insight into Alain, where Ash and his friends meet Mairin for the first time and where Lysandre begins to make his moves. Which is where we need to talk about.
Intermission: Team Flare and the Structure of the XY Series
Whilst the League is in intermission I would be remiss not to talk about the structure of the XY series as a whole as there are important differences between it and prior series that separate the two and factor heavily into how the final match plays out.
The XY Dub, in what I consider to be one of its most critical faults, separates the four Mega Evolution Specials into a separate ‘special episode’ list that excludes them from the majority of broadcast orders or streaming sites. This is a fault because said specials are utterly essential for the plot of the XY series (for the writers part and not the fandom because they didn't care at all). Whilst it seemingly starts the same as other series, XY’s central plot is not about the Gym Circuit in the way other series are (but for ash story the gyms ARE important not for Alain's story). That much is evident by the time of XYZ and this is heavily due to Team Flare’s and Alain’s setup during the Mega Evolution Specials. Greninja’s power, Alain’s loyalty, Olympia’s prophecy, Team Flare’s actions, all pointing towards an ultimate showdown at the end of the series.
Crucially, unlike with DP, who’s character arcs were centred on the Sinnoh League and Grand Festival, XY’s central character arcs are also centred on this showdown.
Ash’s reaffirmation, Alain’s obsession with strength, Serena’s confidence and independence, all come into play during or after the Team Flare Arc. The Team Flare Arc appears to be the (intended) climax of the series, not the League. And thus, the League’s decisions must always be made in consideration with how they set up the characters and the plot for the climax of the series. And thus the Kalos League ended being a fundamentally different purpose in the narrative of XY than in any previous or subsequent series.
but it is shown through Lysandre and Ash’s discussion during the League itself, that the series’s focus wasn't very clearly on the subsequent arc (because of things I will mention later will probably mention later if i don't forget) now Whether you conceptually agree with a series structured like this is up to you, but you cannot fault it for failing to execute a League centric series when that was never its intention, because of wanting to have 3 separated stories to begin with (ash, Alain and team flare stories respectively).
With that in mind, let’s consider…
​
Kalos League Victory, Ash’s Ultimate Match
Ash vs Alain, the controversial climactic final match of the Kalos League and the thing the League had been building to. This match is super important for both characters and not solely because of their clash of aces in the final moments (Which we will discuss). A peak Ash is the one and only trainer Alain has been looking forward to fighting. The obstacles are out of the way now and his goal is at long last within his reach. Unlike with Sawyer, who controlled the momentum of the match but who’s team was substantially weaker in raw strength. Ash and Alain are nigh equally matched, and not only that, both characters are enjoying the match, which for Alain is a big deal given every prior match was merely an obstacle to be disposed of.
Alain even brings out his ace to take out Pikachu after he proves himself an incredibly dangerous threat to the rest of Alain’s team (which is kinda dumb considering the type disadvantage and that he could have lost thanks to that).
Even Goodra’s seemingly lacklustre performance is not as bad as claimed, after all, Goodra’s rain dance allows Greninja to take down Bisharp and to go into the final match undamaged (but let's be real goodra should have won against bisharp.
And down to the final matchup. Ash-Greninja and Mega Charizard X. The controversial result of which is enough to ruin the League for some (but people being mad is fair because the series wasn't good at telling the story).
Why the Loss Makes Sense (for Alain's character and not ash): The start of the Team Flare Arc
sadly thanks to this lose, Ash-greninja's arc ended being ruined because of Alain's character arc (will touch that in a bit), whilst Alain’s has lead him to desire winning and proving his status as the strongest above all else (when even Alain himself admitted that wasn't his goal).
And the climax ash character arc in the series was the League, now would be the perfect opportunity to grant Ash the win.
But it’s not, it never has been, and all the League does must be in service of the overall narrative of Alain's character arc and not ash charcter arc.
Ash’s loss doesn't makes sense for ash character at all, but it works for Alain's character arc, because for ash it was the ultimate demonstration of what he’s learnt, both how far he’s done since his loss in the Indigo League and what he’s learnt from Wulfric’s match. Winning isn’t everything, losing is just as valuable...at least some times.
like I said just above, the win means something for Alain’s character arc too. Alain wins, he does it, he attains his goal (beating ash), he proves he’s the strongest in his eyes (even tho he didn't wanted to be the strongest). He battles and defeats Ash at full power. He’s finally strong enough… right?
Of course we know that isn’t the case. The Team Flare arc begins and Alain realises he’s been helping Team Flare the whole time.
And it all comes crashing down. And whilst Alain is stuck there, frozen, unable to react in any way. Ash, the one who he beat, the ‘weaker’ trainer, is able to stand up for the sake of the world when he, the ‘stronger’ one was unable.
And it all comes crashing down, his worldview, his supposed strength. All he did, the heights he achieved, it was all meaningless.
And that’s how Alain realises it’s not all about power or physical strength, because Ash has something different that he never had, and that was the reason he was unable to save Chespie and Mairin.
So whilst Alain won the final league match. Ash ultimately proves himself to be the better trainer in the way that really matters (for Alain's character arc because we all know ash was going to stand up anyways). Strength of character, willingness to stand up for ones beliefs and friendship. His ability to lift others up and his respect for the dreams of others not his own allows him to stand up to Lysandre for the sake of all those people's dreams, which gives him a strength that Alain does not possess.
But together, Ash and Alain manage it, in a way Alain was never capable of doing on his own. They manage to stop Lysandre and save both Kalos and the world.
It’s wonderfully poetic and the perfect conclusion to their character arcs and it requires Ash to lose the Kalos League, this is factually wrong because it never was poetic and it wasn't a perfect conclusion at all (Unless stomping the main character is a way to end his arc)
If Ash Won (and why his arc was ruined)
Ok, so let’s say for the sake of argument, we give Ash the win instead. So Ash wins, great. We’ll set aside the fact his whole arc was about how winning isn’t everything and thus handing him the Kalos League win reduces the impact of that arc for some people but it really doesn't.
also ash winning doesn't completely demolishes Alain’s arc at all. Without the win, Alain’s already questioning his strength, Ash’s stand against Lysandre doesn’t prove anything to Alain because Ash is the stronger trainer in Alain’s eyes because he won and Alain will most likely stay at Lysandre side a bit longer.
Now some may argue that’s worth it, because the League wasn't the climax of the series, because the villain arc was (sadly this is true) and unlike OS-BW, XY’s climax sadly isn’t the Kalos League, it always was the Team Flare Arc (which hurts to admit it let's me real). Gutting the character moments in the Team Flare Arc for the sake of the League actually could work and it doesn't do damage to the entire narrative of the series.
I understand people’s disappointment in the result, in the wider series, Ash had already lost five times prior and the marketing did seem to imply a victory. But separating that disappointment from the narrative of alaons character and the xyz series itself is crucial, from what I saw in the series, I believe it’s clear the XY series wouldn't be narratively hurt by a Kalos League victory.
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Pacing: Why Astrid was Unnecessary
Now I’ve heard people criticise the Kalos League by arguing that it was ‘incomplete’ or needed more battles. Citing this one as an example of such.
I must preface this by explaining that the Kalos League would be in no way hurt by the battle were it added. My reply is not directed at those that would’ve thought the battle with Astrid would’ve been cool. Merely those who believe the league to be insufficient due to a lack of battles.
As I have explained above what I perceive to be the purpose for pretty much every single match in the current existent Kalos League. So I ask, what would a full Astrid match actually add that isn’t already covered by an existing battle.
I feel beyond giving Ash’s Pokemon more screen time there’s no benefit to the actual narrative of Alain's arc to be gained from this match and so, whilst it would be cool to see it, it is not necessary and the Kalos League isn’t ruined due to not having it. (This applies to other such proposals such as an opening ceremony or various other matches).
To put it simply, the Kalos League possesses every single element it needs to be successful and serve its function in the wider narrative of Alain's arc and team flare arc but sacrificing ash arc at the end
Conclusion
I hope I have explained, to the best of my ability of writing (because I know I suck at writing wall texts), why I believe the Kalos League works only for Alain's arc and not ash's arc and why many main criticisms of the League miss the very point of alain winning League in regards to its wider role in the XY series and the overall narrative of said series, like when people criticism Alain or ash when they don't get the arcs at all.
Again, this is not to say that the league is perfect and that it totally doesn't stomps on ash story of being a Pokemon master, merely that a main few criticisms are drastically overplayed and distract from actual discussion about the Kalos League and XY Series as a whole, including more legitimate criticisms, but all of this is mostly on the writers for not knowing how to make the story understandable for people.
post data: I most say that I don't want to make an argument with people and such I only wanted to explain things but if I left something out I can of course answer any question that I get (please don't hate me or ban me for this sub because of this)
Edit: I have to say that I don't hate Alain at all He is one of my favorites but I didn't like how they handed his character at all.

I’m currently a 1D7, I understand everyone and their mother wants a comm job right now but it was a mistake from the beginning for my own person. A very fit, mentally strong, loving life, sharp individual, which sorry if I hurt any feelings, but from my experience is not the typical cyber guy. Not a fan of the personalities I work with or have much in common with them. I’ve tried to give this job a chance because I know all the pros outside of the military with the experience but it’s hard to learn anything when you have zero interest in it. Also I didn’t join to do one enlistment and get out. Para rescue sounds like the closest thing I’d be into but I’m not jumping for joy at having to kill. I want to help people and don’t mind going through hell to do so, please don’t say security forces. I apologize if I come off as an ass in this post but I’ve had it with comm and don’t know where to go from here. Fire protection? Something air craft related? Something medical? Anyone have a cool job that isn’t sitting at a desk all day going boop boop type type?