ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

"Yeah, no problem!" I reply, taking out my hat and searching through it. (That's my Focus Band… that's my manual… Charcoal… there it is!) I paw through my money and scrounge up the correct amount. (Gonna need some more cash, though…) "Here you go."

Big Bertha

(One of the Golems whistled over to the side of the stage and three more of them rolled on stage. The Swalot gestured towards the competitor and the Bewear.) As you can see, these two will be tested not only by their strength, but also their will to succeed! The rules are simple: no interference from either side and both feet must be on the ground to stay in! For our first test, three, count 'em, three Golems for each contestant! Aaaaaand… Begin!

(The three Golems on each side stack on top of each other as before. Bertha lifted the pillar and held them above her head with her paws instead. The Golems on Kevin's side were waiting for him.)

Narcia Party

Kevin nervously swallows as the three Golems assemble before him. Sure he might have learned a thing or two from his dad, but nothing could've prepared him to do this. He looks down, gulps and grabs hold. He grabs, holds, lifts the Golems and...

He...somehow manages to lift them all up! Credit that to the strength he built in his muscles from days spent swimming at the Silversand beach. However, no indication he can actually hold them for a period of longer than 10 seconds.

Make of that as you will @Ore

Big Bertha

(After three seconds of holding from both contestants, the Swalot announced to everyone.) Alright! That's it for the first round, bring on the next! (As soon as the Golems were placed down, they disassembled and rolled off stage. Soon after, two Probopasses floated towards the center of the stage.) Next up, we've got a Pokémon not only known for their girth, but also for their knowledge of manipulating gravity! Are the contenders ready? Aaaaaaaand… BEGIN!

(Bertha picked up her Probopass without much issue, but as soon as the Compass Pokémon increased their own gravity, her legs had buckled slightly. Still, she kept her stance, despite the sudden increase in weight. The Probopass on Kevin's side waited for him, somewhat eagerly.)

Narcia – The Festival

Is that Big Bertha? Oh well, the competion is over for Kev. I mean...how could he lift all of them up with those short Blastoise arms of his?

Actually, he managed to lift them up despite that.

The next Pokémon to lift up were two Probapasses. It seems was slightly having a hard time at lifting her Probopass, huh?

   C'mon Kevin!   , I started trying to cheer him,    You can do it! You can do it! You! Can! Do! It!   

Narcia

[Upon hearing that, I suddenly realize the gaping pit in my stomach is still there from before. My tongue pokes between my lips and I let out a little groan.]

"Yeaaaa...food would be nice...I really need to get back to...my..." [Do I hear jazz? I find myself somewhat frantically looking around for the source of the music, and you'd think it'd be further in town, but they wouldn't have jazz in this world at all, and no matter where I turn my head, I can hear it like it's playing through earphones or something.]

"...anyone else hear jazz?"

Meanwhile, the Kadabra may see a very confused looking Salazzle shifting their gaze about some ways from where her and Autumn are.

Blissparce, The Altar

The crowd still stirs and murmurs as Mr. Dos Santos speaks, some nodding respectfully along while others glare at him. Why should they be calm, they think? Some of the crowd let out a triumphant hoot upon talk of some outside help assisting them in dealing with the Surge. A couple exchange some guilty looks as they wonder if it's already too late what with their reaction. No one moves to deck Mr Dos Santos, but a good many of the more opportunistic of the bunch from before, the ones that could still stand at the moment, were somewhat restless in their seats.

"...you think we'll just stand by and—" The mon attempts to rush forward only to be met by most of the others around him stopping him. Not even getting up the pace to skid to a stop before he runs into a neighbor, he simply lets his rage continue to stew as it has, not happy, but perhaps not so willing to act on it at this point.

The jazz music stops when Steph lifts her head to see the Salazze Pokemon looking confused... "Yes, sorry, that was me..." she apologises gently, "I greatly dislike waiting- and while I'm waiting I play jazz music (to be more precise, elevator music) within my mind to distract myself from my social-anxiety..."

Edited by sabrina_diamond on May 24th 2019 at 5:01:56 AM

Narcia

Hey, Kev's doin' pretty good. (Marsha says.) Think he can handle da Probopass, though?

(The first person I end up spotting as I walk toward the others is the Roserade who I haven't spoken much to but I know is with our group. I wonder if she knows where everyone else is.)

Hello? (I call as I walk up to her.)

Blissparce

Did I ever say that we WERE just going to stand by? We're going to figure out a way to get rid of the Surge forever! And it's gonna start with us getting help from these fellows who know about what it is...whoever and wherever they are. (Mr. Dos Santos says. He looks down at us.) Who are we looking for?

W-Well, they're part of some b-big Guild out trying to figure out the cause of the Surge...or the VA, or whatever you want to call it... (I stammer a bit, still a bit shaken up from all the shouting and anger from earlier.) I bet if you ask around Silversand, someone can take you to them. I know they have an Alolan Raichu and an Unown... (I hope I explained all of that correctly.)

(Izabel doesn't reply and simply sighs, remaining sitting in place.)

Edited by kablammin45 on May 23rd 2019 at 8:51:25 AM

Róisín is startled out of a silent reverie by Dinah's greeting, not that she really shows it.

"Oh, 'ello. Think I recognise you. You're with the group, right?"

Narcia Party

My confusion as to why the events I couldn't help but notice occurred just now...I guess would have to subside. I respond as I snap my attention back toward what's going on.

Uh, I dunno. Kinda surprising that he managed to lift those Golems up, if I'm being honest.

I cast a last unsure look back uphill at both this new Kadabra (something tells me they're ex-human too), and Larry, before looking back toward Kevin and downing another section of the cake, leaving me with about a quarter of it left.

Kevin blinks. Is really expected to go toe-to-toe with this Bewear and prove who's strongest amongst them? Well, if he made it through the first test, he'd be damned to not keep it up.

He leans down and prepares to pick up the Probopass. He does; and like the Golems does succeed in picking this Probopass up. His legs buckle rather substantially but he does it, through heaved breaths and straining to keep the pace.

Blissparce

Tiff listens in close. The Silversand Guild could help this town? Do they really want to come here?

They're talking about that Guild I think? Do they really wanna help us?

Narcia

*The coins float from Nyquil's hands and over the counter, falling to the ground behind it and making a clinking sound as they land. The Meowstic hands Nyquil the scarf in turn.*

Meowstic: "Many thanks, you have a good day now."

"Yeah, you too." I mentally sigh. (Ah, good… that was an okay time to say 'you too'…) I take the scarf. The familiar, lovely scent of Pecha drifts into my nose… (… Ay, shit, am I drooling?) I shake my head and turn around. (N-Never mind that… I gotta find Dana.) I stuff the scarf into my hat before breaking into a sprint.

Big Bertha

(Another three seconds and another announcement.) And there we have it! The second round is finished! (Upon hearing from the Swalot, the Bewear lowered the Compass Pokémon down and waited for her opponent to do the same. Afterwards, the announcer spoke to the crowd.) We only have one round left, but this one will surely be one to remember! (Entering the stage, two Snorlaxes lie down in front of the competitors.) Infamous for blocking bridges, eating loads of food, and sleeping all the time, _{no offense to Snorlaxes everywhere}, these mons have packed pounds like nobody's business! Ready? Set? Aaaaaand… Lift!

(Bertha got to work digging under the Snorlax. It did take some time before she got to the base, but as soon as she found her grip, the Bewear lifted the Sleeping Pokémon above her head, but not without some difficulty as shown in her shaking legs and arms. She waited for Kevin to follow suit since his Snorlax has already passed out.)

Narcia Party

And this is probably where Kevin loses. He grabs ahold of the Snorlax from underneath, lifts with all his might, and.....and....

He does. Granted, his legs are really starting to buckle, and his breat is getting even more heave-ho.

(How am I this strong? Wasn't dad a strongman in his youth...?)

Edited by Team42Larson on May 24th 2019 at 7:03:09 AM

Narcia

Dang, Kev's pretty good. (Marsha nods.)

(Winnie impatiently looks around as she walks around through the crowd. She still can't seem to find Benji. None of these mons have that same mischievous glint in their eyes that Benji does.)

Oh, yes. (I nod. I realize she probably doesn't know my name.) I've certainly seen you and your friends around, but I don't think we've ever properly met. My name is Dinah.

Edited by kablammin45 on May 24th 2019 at 7:24:58 AM

"Róisín."

She glances balefully over to the main festivities.

"The others are all still over there, right?"

Edited by DubhKafkaesque on May 24th 2019 at 12:25:53 PM

Narcia

"Alright, I guess we're in agreement. Let's get going and see what's... huh?"

Mila pauses as she hears Eliot's comment and tries to figure out what he's talking about. While she has no clue what's going on, it doesn't take long for the mystery to be solved as a Kadabra speaks up. However, another question gets raised when Mila spots the mon standing next to Autumn. She approaches slowly, waiting for the others to follow while she resolves her confusion.

"Who's this, sweetheart? Why were you waiting here with them?"

"She's a... new arrival. Niles wanted me to show her around, and I didn't know where everyone else had gone off to."

Looking past Mila for a moment, Autumn speaks up to all three mons simultaneously.

"You three, this is Steph. Steph, these are Mila, Eliot, and PJ."

As she speaks, Autumn points to the Raichu, Salazzle, and Helioptile in order. Once that's out of the way, she ducks down to whisper one last comment to Mila and to let Steph speak to the other two if she wishes.

"What was going on back there? It seemed like you were upset, and Eliot..."

"Why don't I explain over food? They haven't eaten much today."

"As long as you keep me informed, Mila. I don't want anything like the last few days to ever happen again."

"It won't, I promise. I love you."

"I love you too."

Mila quickly squeezes Autumn in a hug before letting go and turning her attention back to the others.

Sally makes no comment as Dinah speaks to Róisín, simply working on wolfing down the treat she'd just been given. It seems like the heat causes her pause for a moment, but the sweetness and her hunger quickly win out and lead to her continuing to consume the berry.

Big Bertha

(Seeing the Blastoise's display, the Swalot was flustered for a moment. After a few more, he applauded.) My, my! You've done it! Not many can lift these heavy Pokémon up in such a short amount of time between, but you're one of them! Tell us, what is your name and how did you get so strong? (The Bewear lowered the Snorlax to the stage and applauded at Kevin. The two giant mons began to make their exit as soon as they woke up.)

Narcia

(Huh, I guess you don't have to be a Fighting type to lift all that after all. I looked at the others to see that the Krokorok still has that Clamperl. At this rate, she should just give the little one to the police for protection, but what do I know? I didn't really say much, but I still kept an eye on the kid.)

Edited by Ore-O on May 24th 2019 at 12:45:31 PM

Narcia Party

Oh, wow...granted he's fairly bulky, so that probably made it a little easier on him. I'm impressed regardless.

I say, finishing off my last bit of cake.

I guess if there's nothing else here maybe we could go up and reconvene with the others before going to June's?

Well, I uh...heh heh, my old man used to do these things back in his day before he settled down in Silversand. Guess he passed it off to me. Name's Kevin, my dad is Thomas. You might've seen him around.

Kevin says, visibly smiling. The hell of these last few days is kinda miniscule now with this, a chance to be in the limelight.

"Hi everyone, I'm Steph, and I guess everyone is a different type of pokemon? If so, that must mean I'm a psychic... Is there a festival in this area? I keep hearing mentions of a festival so I think there is one located around here..." Steph muses, putting a claw to her chin, "Anyway, how are all of you today?"

Narcia

Yeahs, Kev must be packin' some serious heat. (Marsha says. She looks down at herself.) Now I'm kinda wonderin' if I could lift dat much...

(She shrugs.) Well, anyways, yeahs, let's do dat. Maybe someone'll wanna swing by da fun house, too?

Oh yes, I was on my way back over to the others after getting some food for Sally and I. (I reply.)

Big Bertha

(Nodding his head, the Swalot turned to the audience.) Alright! Leeeet's give it up for Big Bertha and Kevin! (The Bewear looked at the Blastoise and raised her paw for a handshake.)

(After a little while, the announcer followed up.) It's time we wrapped up our show! Your attention and patronage is greatly appreciated! I'm your host, Phil Porter, and this has been, Big Bertha! And we'll see you beautiful people later!

Narcia

(I know none of this concerns me that much, but damn it, the fact that a kid just showed up in that manor and not ended up a slave raises a lot of questions. It's not like she has any apparent talents or specialties she could fill at a first glance. I nodded to the Krokorok and the Roserade.) Hate to cut in, but any luck on finding the clam's mom?

Narcia Party

Hey, I mean if you could already lift me up I'm pretty sure you could lift a little heavier at least. But Kevin? Man, that was something else.

The more I found myself thinking about the idea of Marsha being at least somewhat more attractive causes me to utter a lovesick growl. Uh...anyway, I start back up to the others, calling up to now ask them about the funhouse.

Hey, guys! We got a question for you.

Kevin steps forward and meets the Bewear's paw for a handshake before he steps off the stage to meet back with Rainmaker.

Dude, I can't believe I just did that!

Edited by Team42Larson on May 25th 2019 at 8:19:46 AM

Narcia – The Festival

Oh yes! He did it! He defeated Big Bertha!

I knew that with my cheerleading skills (even though they're not that good), he would be able to do it.

I chuckled a bit at the Blastoise's awe.    Heh heh! You did great, Kevs   , I cheerfully said,    Maybe you've inherited your father's "strongman genes"...   , I joked.

Narcia

Yeahs, maybe I should volunteer if Dey have another show. (Marsha remarks as she and Marlon start heading back to the others.)

(Spotting Autumn, Mila, and a bunch of the others, Marsha waves at them.) Hey, what’s new, fellas? (She asks as she walks up.)

Oh, hello, Grigori. (Goodness, I didn’t even see him walking up to us...) No, unfortunately...