ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

(We all go in after Hudson while Marsha follows the others with Don.)

I sure hope we find him this time... (I say.)

"...ehh, y-yea...that's...that's..." [I decide not to say anything. I mean, I guess she's right, if we're actually gonna get out of here in a timely manner, of course.]

*Jani thinks to herself* (Phew! I guess that went over well...) *before saying* Guess we all need to help with the shouting huh? *and then starts shouting herself* Pryyyyy!! We're here to help!! Pryyyy!!!

I try not to laugh.

Finley has been following Don. July, Hudson.

"Pryy?" Finley calls. "Come on, it's safe to come out."

July is still furious.

"... You don't have to put up with this, June."

*meanwhile, at City Hall, the Mayor is discussing with the Council of Elders, a coequal branch of government — though some might say it is a relic from the town's founding. It's the end of a fairly mundane meeting — the Council Speaker, a highly respected Porygon2, is addressing the mayor*

...agreed, we will allocate additional funds to reservoir restoration. *the Porygon states, to which Mayor Triss responds* Splendid! We've certainly had quite the windfall lately, and with the goings on in Silversand and now Hoard, perhaps our little town will see even more rapid expansion! *she is clearly gleeful at the notion*

I should take my leave — it's been a long day, and I'm hopin' to get back home while the nest is still filled. *she bows about as much as a Dugtrio can before leaving the council chamber, thinking to herself* (That was a sensible way to frame it, right? I swear if that girl...)

*outside the council chamber is pretty empty, except for a certain pair of Digletts who have been patiently waiting for their mother. The less patient of the two, Lilly, gets right in her face the moment the council door closes* Mom! You won't believe it! We saw Milly, but she was actin' kinda weird, and sayin' all sorts of weird things, and... *to which the mayor responds* Calm down, sweetie...and don't use that vulgar accent around me. We're about to become a global city — refined, on everyone's mind! The place to be when on vacations, to shop, or a unique destination to settle down — maybe get a second home! A global city requires a global language, not to mention a global accent, hmm? Mommy only uses it because some of the voters still like it...but that's going to change!

*Triss' filibuster over, Lilly relents* Sorry, mom... *then collects her thoughts before stating* We saw Milly earlier — at the library! We tried to evolve with her on the spot, but... *opting to step in, Tilly says* ...she ran behind some strangers, called us freaks, and then made up some ridiculous story. She goes by the name of Jani now, and she travels with a bunch of...rather unusual companions.

Hu—! Ow! *Lilly tries to say, but Tilly actually smacks her with her own body* Humorous it was not. *not really much you can cover up the "hew" sound with, but that satisfied Triss more or less, given the rest she has to process*

You don't say...perhaps a dose of motherly love will knock some sense into her, don't you think? *she states, and the trio exits city hall*

edited 23rd Sep '17 4:09:35 AM by sarysa

(The very peculiar Whismur can't help but notice a familiar character in one of the groups. He approaches, but ducks in behind one of the buildings that the party just went through. He whispers, inaudibly, even in spite of the fact that Explouds can hear fairly well.)

Private:Is that Benji?

(The Explouds lead the various groups into the next set of homes.)

edited 23rd Sep '17 8:46:19 AM by Team42Larson

Mila has been following along with Finley for the most part, not exactly sure what to do since her focus has been on the stress that seeing her turn into a Metapod brought with it. However, as she's walking she stumbles for a moment, catching herself on a nearby wall as she notices the ground under her shifting slightly. It continues for several seconds before dissipating, though it only seems to have affected a narrow line of ground nearby.

"Whoa... sorry, don't know what happened there."

I'm almost beginnin' to think that we're never gonna find this guy and we'll hafta stay like this... (June remarks.) Not that I would complain about havin' to be a Goodra forever, but...

June, don't say things like that, I'm sure he's around here somewhere. (says Darnell.)

Yeah. (I say.) We'll find them and get ourselves back to normal.

(Benji scratches his head. A Whismur named Pry, huh? Sounds kind of familiar...) Eh, probably just a coincidence... (Benji thinks to himself, shrugging.)

(Don leads his group into the first home. He flips on a light, and then turns to said group.)

Miss err...Jani, since you can use Dirt Ramps, can you head up there?

(Hudson also leads his group into the other house.)

Same process as before. We'll head through this house, and I'll use my hearing ability to see if I could hear Pry.

edited 23rd Sep '17 9:06:39 AM by Team42Larson

"Woah!" Finley runs over to Mila.

"Are you okay?" Concern washes over her face.

*Jani nods to Don* Sure thing! *and she heads up the ramp to the second floor, still shouting* Pry?!

edited 23rd Sep '17 9:09:15 AM by sarysa

Heh heh, sorry, sis... (says June.)

(We all follow either Don or Hudson into the respective houses.)

Pry? You in here, bud? (I call as I go in behind Hudson.)

edited 23rd Sep '17 9:11:09 AM by kablammin45

"Yeah, sorry, the ground was just a bit uneven, I wasn't looking where I was going."

Mila feels fine, but she does appreciate the concern Finley is showing. She goes to catch up with the rest of the group, but watches her step more carefully to not trip again. Odd how that worked out underground.

(The very peculiar Whismur again draws closer. Upon recognizing the clear-as-day Ditto go into a house, he squeaks with some excitement, but still not very audibly.)

Private:It IS Benji! And my uncle, too!

(He awkwardly waddles closer, still choosing to keep out of sight. He's never seen some of these Pokémon before, why would he suddenly run up to strangers?)

(Don sweeps around two rooms on the right-handed side of the building. He sweeps back around and calls out to Jani:)

You see anything?

(Hudson leads our group through a room, calling out:)

Pry? Where are you?

Benji? Have you heard of this Pry character? He seems kinda familiar.

Huh, funny you should ask that, Marlon. I was just thinkin' the same thing. (Benji says.) I remember one of the guys I hired with Goobert to watch my boat bein' a Whismur...his name was Private, though. I wonder if he and Pry are one and the same?

Should we try calling him by that name and see if he answers to that? (I ask.)

I dunno, kid. (Benji shrugs. He turns to Hudson.) Hey, I think I know this kid.

"Hey, Pry!" Finley shouts as she and Mila catch up with the group again.

"Come out! Seriously!"

*Jani combed the upper floor pretty well, but upon hearing Don call out, she heads to the top of the ramp and declares* Sorry, Nada. I guess this house is a bust.

You know him? Very well, try that and see what happens.

(Hudson says to Benji. I take a cue and call him by his actual name.)

Private? Where are you?

Private:Benji, wait!

(He waddles into the house that one of the groups went into, hoping to see how his friend is doing. But the group in question was just led into the next room.)

Damn. Let's get back to the others.

(Don calls back out after his search of the next room, opening the door, holding it for Jani.)

edited 23rd Sep '17 9:40:10 AM by Team42Larson

Is it workin'? (June asks.)

I dunno. (I say.) Did anyone hear anything?

I think I may have heard something, but it may have just been someone outside. (says Darnell.)

Thanks... *Jani states as she heads out the door, though not really sure where to check next...didn't even get a good view of where the other party went*

(Private waddles into the house. He doesn't know the best way to attract attention, so he silently follows, hoping for an opening. Hudson, meanwhile, leads our group through another room, and then another, calling out:)

Kid, we're looking for you!

(Private hears this, and even though Whismurs can't hear as well, he knows the general area that the others may be, and resumes waddling.)

The others went there.

(Don points to the open door. However, this was mere moments after the Whismur disappeared...)

(Marsha quickly runs in and joins us.) Any luck?

Well, we haven't found him yet, but what we do know is that Pry is actually Private, one of the guys Benji hired. (I explain.)

Get outta town, really? (Marsha says, a bit surprised.)

It was a bit of a surprise to me, too, Marsha! (Benji says.) Come on, let's keep lookin'. He can't be too far now...I think.

Huh... *Jani states to Don* ...I don't exactly hear excited shouts from them or anything, should we perhaps check the other two houses?

Very well. I'll lead us there. If something happens we'll rejoin the others. Got it, kid?

(Don asks Jani.)

(Private has traced the group's steps, keeping rather silent as he has done so. However, he still doesn't want to spook anyone, let alone give them a heart attack, so he waits for another opportunity. Hudson turns to our group.)

Looks like nothing here. Let's meet with Don, and from there our groups will consolidate into one to search these last houses.

(Hudson says, leading us on. Private carefully tiptoes forward.)