When the Sun completely set on the horizon.
The party began.
On the already built bonfire stage, someone threw a torch into it, and the blazing firelight shot up into the sky, illuminating the dark night alongside streetlights and Neon lights.
People and Pokémon shouted joyfully, enjoying drinks and the fun of self-service barbecue.
And at this moment.
On the circular stage at the center of the beach, a group of people dressed in sailor shirts with black scarves came up, led by a woman with fluffy hair.
She held a microphone and openly addressed everyone below:
"We are the New Water Fleet! An organization dedicated to protecting the ocean environment! And the host of today's party! If there are friends who share our aspirations, we welcome you to join the New Water Fleet! Tonight, let's enjoy together!"
"Oh oh oh oh oh!"
"New Water Fleet! New Water Fleet!"
"Roar! Roar!"
Under the instigation of the crowd, more and more people on the entire beach joined in, shouting "New Water Fleet."
In the corner of the beach.
Baimu, while making kebabs, glanced at the stage. He never thought the New Water Fleet would recruit new members through a party. Are they really that short of people?
The red-haired woman leading the group was obvious - it's Aquan from the animation.
The in-game model of Aquan was remade in high-definition, turning into a black-skinned femme fatale, yet the animation maintained the appearance of the first generation.
The special edition created a name inheritance system to explain this situation, directly updating the previous generation of Aquan to the second generation black-skinned femme fatale Aquan, but unfortunately, she appeared only briefly.
"Eat quickly! It won't taste good when it's cold!"
Baimu called Mawile and Deino, then stuffed the roasted mushrooms into the busy Chansey's mouth, "You shouldn't be busy all the time, eat while you work."
"Lu, lucky~"
Chansey, although burnt, was reluctant to spit it out. The cumin and salt mixed with the juice from the mushrooms, creating an irresistible flavor.
Mawile and Deino also grabbed skewers, lowered their heads, and devoured them.
Baimu, with a skewer in his mouth, stood by the fire roasting eggplant while taking time to mix garlic water in a small bowl, busily engaged.
Although the chef only gave him a stir-fry chapter, barbecue hardly requires much technical knowledge, the necessary knowledge is included in stir-frying, so even if it didn't glow when made, it was still delicious.
Unfortunately, Aggron had no interest in barbecue. It was busy enough today, fighting Gyms during the day, exploring caves in the afternoon, and learning new moves. As the Pokémon with the highest level and considered the ace of the team, it was simply a model worker.
Baimu could tell that since learning Dragon Dive, the Big Monster had difficulty hiding the exhaustion on its face, considering it didn't particularly enjoy barbecue, eating very little even when prepared before, he let it rest peacefully like Galarian Corsola.
After declining a third wave of people wanting to buy kebabs.
Baimu sat on a small stool, using the Neon light to observe the black box.
Laisa said this thing is a data recorder of some mechanical device, which reminded him of the black box on airplanes, but the Pokémon World's black box doesn't look like this square.
Moreover, such recording technology often has vibrant colors for easy recovery...
Why did it appear in the Stone Cave after all?
If it weren't for the Lucky Scale, Baimu might simply think it was some chance coincidence, but considering its presence, coupled with the emergence alongside the Steelix Evolution Stone.
It's hard to say.
To once and for all avoid trouble, he could simply hand it to Miss Jun Sha, but he always felt this object was extraordinary.
"Forget it, if something's really going to happen, it will definitely appear in front of me."
Baimu put the box back in the bag and continued eating the remaining barbecue with the three Pokémon.
By the distant bonfire, many people and Pokémon seemed to be dancing.
Occasional laughter and singing could be heard.
Mawile's eyes gleamed, seemingly wanting to go join, but before Baimu could speak, it continued eating barbecue, as if it never showed interest.
Although its environment influenced its character, fundamentally it wasn't fond of such friendly group activities.
Enjoying dance, showcasing in front of many people, enjoying others' admiring gazes, doesn't conflict with not liking to join group activities.
The farthest it could tolerate was being with its Trainer, Aggron, and others.
"What a stubborn creature."
Baimu looked at its charming and cute face under the light, couldn't help but want to pinch it, but as soon as he reached out, he saw Mawile's eyes widen, staring at his hand covered in oil and spices, with an expression of "dare you touch."
"Fine, no touching."
He sheepishly withdrew his hand, while Deino tried to nuzzle forward, only to be rejected by his knee, knowing its fur getting greasy meant he'd have to clean it.
Unlike Mawile, which can clean itself.
After a satisfying meal.
Baimu cleaned his hands with a bucket of water and, along with Chansey, cleaned the sauce-covered Deino, extinguished the charcoal fire, packed the trash, and prepared everything neatly before saying, "Time to take a stroll, who wants to join?"
"Mou! Nao..."
Deino initially intended to respond, but a yawn overcame it, and sleepiness rushed over.
Mawile, influenced, also yawned along.
Both seemed somewhat tired.
"Then it's just the two of us." Baimu turned and exchanged glances with Chansey, who rubbed its small hands, smiled, and nodded, "Lucky!"
——
Beach bonfire party.
The number of participants was so large that it stretched almost a thousand meters from left to right.
The core area naturally belonged to the numerous stages of the New Water Fleet for member recruitment, showcasing their ideals through various images, sending out Pokémon to attract attention.
Some stages even held prize-guessing activities.
Baimu purposely went to take a look and found the prizes were all odd things with no practical use, feeling disappointed.
After wandering around, he arrived at the Pokémon exchange area on the periphery.
I must say.
This place was very lively, under the bright streetlights, trainers from various regions came and went with their Pokémon, seeking Pokémon they liked for exchange.
There were also trainers who, confident they had rare or powerful Pokémon, occupied a spot, waiting for others to approach.
Frankly speaking.
Successful exchanges where both parties agree seemed rare, people brought Pokémon more to show off than to exchange with others.
For example, Baimu saw a trainer with Altaria, constantly bragging about their Pokémon without stopping.
Others asked if they wanted to trade.
Sorry, no trades!
"What Pokémon exchange convention, it's clearly a boasting convention." Baimu felt helpless, thinking that there are still many who cherish their Pokémon.
Suddenly.
A crowded stall at the edge of his vision caught his attention.
Baimu approached with Chansey, and saw in the center of the crowd a man in a white lab coat, wearing beer bottle-thick glasses, excitedly shouting.
"Answer five questions right and you'll have a chance to get a super-rare Pokémon! What are you waiting for?"
Oh great, another scam?