ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

(I come besides the Prince.)

They're right, you often can't blame a group for the actions of one. Not only that, our friend Goobert is such a nice guy, that I don't think he'd kill anybody!

edited 22nd Jul '17 6:51:33 AM by Team42Larson

(Manaphy sniffs again. Despite his apparently young mental age, he seems to understand what everyone is saying.)

I'll...I'll try. (Manaphy then looks past us.) Pen?

Yes, prince?

Get scar-, um, the Goodra out of the dungeon. His friends, too.

Um, right away!

(A few minutes later, the Ludicolo guards show up with Belle-as-me, Benji, and the Shifter crew in tow. Manaphy flinches and instinctively hides his face upon seeing my body, but slowly looks back up and fairly quickly regains his composure, remembering what everyone told him.)

It's a good thing we got down there when we did. I think the Numel and his friends here were plotting to fly the coop. (Pen comments.)

There you are honey! (Bryce says) So how'd you like being a Goodra for the past 14 hours?

It does have its perks, but I'll certainly be glad to be me again! (she says) No offense. (She says to me.)

None taken. (I reply.) Okay, Manaphy, take it away!

(Manaphy nods and smiles. His antennae begin glowing again. First, any swaps that occurred among Benji and the crew are fixed.)

Well, that's all right! (Benji says, looking at himself and resuming his default appearance.)

(Then I feel that all-too-familiar jolt myself, and suddenly I'm looking at Belle in front of me. I look down and see my gray body, pudgy purple belly, slimy arms, and stumpy legs. And then I reach up and grab my antennae.)

Yes!! (I say, jumping up and down.) I'm me again! I'm me again! (I pick up Belle and give her a big hug.) Woo-hoo!

Isn't it wonderful? (Belle responds. Then she breaks away from me and embraces Bryce.)

Nice to be able to hug and kiss you now that I know it's actually you. (Bryce comments.)

Wait, you kissed him?

It's a long story, I'll tell you later.

(Meanwhile, I'm still very excited and relieved to have my own body back.) I'll never take this form for granted again! (I tell the others.)

(Manaphy sits there, a small happy smile growing on his face.)

Goobert! Thank Christ you're back to your own body! Let's get back to everyone else.

edited 22nd Jul '17 7:01:21 AM by Team42Larson

[I laugh.] "Glad to have you back, buddy. Or, well..."

[I then notice something. I point to my eyes, saying to Goobert,] "Erm, glasses?"

Yes! This is great! (I reply. I take my glasses from Belle, who is holding them out to me.) Thanks, Belle.

(Manaphy carefully walks up to me.)

I...I'm sorry I thought you were a scary monster... (he says, tears are welling up in his eyes.)

Hey, it's all right. (I say, reaching down to him. Manaphy instinctively jumps back. He realizes what he did and looks at me.)

Oh no...I did it again...I messed up! (Manaphy says, dejectedly. Tears begin flowing and his antennae begin glowing again.)

NO! STOP! DON'T (everyone cries. Fortunately, Manaphy quickly stops himself and his antennae stop glowing.)

Don't feel too bad, bud. (I tell Manaphy.) Things like this take time to get around. But I know you'll be able to get past this if you try, okay?

(Manaphy nods and smiles a bit more.)

Now what say we find the others and tell them the good news like Marlon suggested? (I ask the others.)

edited 22nd Jul '17 7:12:48 AM by kablammin45

*after the swap, the kids pick up pretty quickly what's going on, and Speedy's the first out of the gate* Mommy! *he simply hugs Belle, not asking a bunch of questions for once*

*Mauveine acts a little more skeptical, and with narrow eyes looks at Belle and asks* That time we went to the coral reef eight years ago — what did I get so excited about that you had to drag me home?

Awww..?

(As the family reunion leads to the daughter asking more questions.)

Why, it was that pod of Wailord, honey. Your father and I couldn't keep you away from them. (Belle answers her daughter's question.)

I think it's time to celebrate that everything is back to normal around here! (says Bryce.) Family hug!

(Belle and Bryce bring the two kids in and have a family hug. They can be heard quietly humming as they do.)

edited 22nd Jul '17 7:27:26 AM by kablammin45

Awww

(For real this time.)

So, uh Goobert, do we just reverse our path to get back to everyone else?

Yeah, I think so. (I say to Marlon.) Come on, everybody!

(I begin heading out of the room. Everyone follows, including Manaphy.)

"Aww, I kinda wanted to sing for the little guy..." [I follow behind the others.]

edited 22nd Jul '17 7:41:28 AM by BlackMageAnolis

So, your Highness, how many visitors do you get here?

(Trying to strike some conversation as we begin our walk back.)

*Mauveine finally drops her teenage sarcasm mode and gives Belle a deep, meaningful hug* Welcome back, mom!

Umm...not many. Mostly people come from right here. (Manaphy answers Marlon.) Until yesterday, no one had come from outside for months.

(As we enter the foyer, we can see the rest of the group in the lounge.)

Guys! Check it out! We're all back to normal!

(Marsha sees Benji with us.)

Benji! There you are! (She runs over and gives him a hug so tight, Benji looks as though he might split in half.) Do you know how worried I was?? I had to climb in a Gyarados' mouth to be able find you! How many times did Mom and Dad have to tell you not to disappear without telling us first? (Then she notices Manaphy.) Uh, you are Benji, right?

Don't worry, Marsha, it's me.

Well, thank goodness! (Marsha says.)

(Manaphy seems a bit nervous about approaching the group, but nonetheless waddles up to everyone.)

H...Hi... I'm Manaphy...

(I turn to Manaphy)

Don't be nervous little guy, these are our friends!

edited 22nd Jul '17 8:03:37 AM by Team42Larson

"Nice to see things are normal again, Goobert"

Andy runs back to the dungeon with a ring of keys around his body. "Hey, Benji! I finally stole those keys off of some guard! Now you guys can escape!"

He looks around. "Well what the Hell happened?"

edited 22nd Jul '17 8:12:19 AM by TacoBadger

D...Don't worry, I won't use Heart Swap on anybody. (Manaphy adds.) Unless someone actually want me to.

Well, honey, I think Manaphy seems to be calmed down and might not need you right now. What say we head back to the house and get some much needed rest as you tell us the whole story?

That sounds wonderful, honey. (Belle replies as she and Bryce rub noses with each other.) It's been a long day. It was a pleasure to meet you, Goobert. Maybe not as much to be you, but most assuredly to meet you.

It was nice to actually meet you and your little clan, too, Belle.

If you want to stop by, you know where to find us. You're welcome back any time. (Bryce adds.) Come along now, kids. Time to go home! Say good-bye to everyone!

edited 22nd Jul '17 8:20:49 AM by kablammin45

Andy returns to the lounge, grumbling. "Goddamn Goobert making Goddamn peace with that Goddman Manaphy, undermining my Goddamn rigorous escape plan."

Guy walked up to Andy and looked down at him. "Well, hey, I was wondering where you went. Are you about to screw us over?"

(As the family leaves I realize something.)

Now what?

"What plans?"

"No, it's just bullshit that I break into this palace, find Benji, and steal the keys, and it's all undermined by some little girl deciding just now that she wants friends."

*Speedy gives his goodbyes to the party* Bye you guys!! Tell me about your adventures sometime!

*Mauveine, meanwhile, regains a bit of her former facade* Be careful out there. And try not to drag mom into it next time...

I wait outside.