Disclaimer

I bet you were probably expecting the next season of Quarantine, weren't you? I'm working on it, but at the same time I'm a bit low on interest. The story's main villains are all based off of Animal Welfarists, but I feel like I'm spending more time ranting about them than I am fleshing out the characters. I have very little attachment to any of the characters compared to the ones in the first story, and I feel like the story is suffering from lack of motivation. For now, I took a break from Quarantine and am writing a... different story.

For a while I've been kind of afraid to admit it, but truth be told I kind of have a soft spot for anything chubby. When drawing, I find myself drawing fat characters a lot. But to me, there is a reason for my like for them, and at the same time there are things I don't like.

When it comes to art, I see a LOT of fat characters on Fur Affinity. However, I don't fave pictures just because they're fat. When it comes to fat characters, I look for something else. Fat characters aren't these giant deformed blob-like creatures who look absolutely useless and disgusting. Fat characters aren't these walking food vaccums who fart a lot either. And fat characters aren't there for nothing more than to just look fat and ugly. A lot of art I see do just that: they're of formless blobs, fatties stuffing their faces and are overall just showing off their jiggling blubber, which just doesn't do it for me.

To me, fat guys are your best friend. They may sometimes be dumb as a brick, but you can't help but love them for their friendliness. They're these big, squishy balls of happiness who give really good hugs, and they have well intentions to boot.

But fat guys are also these big, strong creatures with impenetrable bellies.

Fat guys are tough, imposing and powerful. What they lack in speed, they make up for in strength. Fat guys quake the ground with every step and are able to laugh at their targets as they hopelessly fire Gatling-gun punches away at him.

Basically, while I do like chubby characters, I don't like it so much as a weird obsession. I always try to be tasteful when making chubby characters. In this story is an attempt at something different. I notice in a lot of cartoons and videogames, big fat guys are always villains. In this story, however, they're the heroes, and they're more or less all the positive things I mentioned, where ironically the main villain is sort of made up of the negative sides I see of it. This story isn't about the big bellies though, it's supposed to just be a nice, lighthearted and campy story involving the hopes and dreams of a determined Pokemon. It's a story meant to make you smile regardless of whether you think fat characters are cool or whether you're indifferent to them, and I'm trying to make it as tasteful as possible. So anyway, here's the story. Enjoy, and let me know what you think about it. Also let me know if I went too far with the fat motif.

Episode 1: Last Ditch Effort: Ricky's New Beginning

Ricky the Raticate was like any upstart punk on the street who wanted to be part of a group. He had determination, heart, he trained regularly, and yet they always rejected him. Many trained their mind, skill and body to be someone. ...But what ultimately made it hard for Ricky to find a place in society was the way of life he chose to take. He had a particular style he always admired that combined a strong diet and controlled exercises to create strength in his arms and a body to challenge all. Eventually he came to feel satisfied with himself, so he tried to join many guilds including the explorers guild, rescuers guild, adventurers guild and then some. ...But no one even gave him a second thought upon looking at him. It's not that his style was bad, it was just different. Although he made himself very strong in strength and body, his way of life made him very slow and cumbersome, and most guilds found him to be a liability.

...To put it bluntly, he was fat. We're not talking the dumb-headed best friend or school bully fat, we're talking the size of that boulder blocking the path. Ricky was twice as fat as a typical Snorlax, if that even makes sense, and you can't even see his legs. ...Of course, gives his species, you could not anyway. Yet Ricky had tremendous strength in both his hands and feet, which helped him compensate for his weight. Ricky also had a body so thick and strong it made him almost impervious to blunt damage. But what he liked most of all of himself was how it all felt. To be so jolly and fat felt right and comfortable for him. He was built more like a Hariyama than a lazy couch potato who did nothing but eat and rest. Yet no one took him seriously, which made Ricky feel almost depressed for a while.

"...Yes. I'm Ricky. You know, they always tell you that life isn't always fair, these words are sadly true. While my situation might all have been avoided if I had chosen a different lifestyle, I never regret the choices I made. I mean... he he. Everything tickles me. Maybe it's the kind of foods I ate that make me feel happy inside and out, but I always do: I really do feel happy to be who I am. Is it wrong that I just happen to like the way all this armor feels on me? ...And yet, it hasn't gotten me far in life. I always wanted to help people. I see my type in media all the time, but they're usually these evil creatures who always stand as an obstacle for the hero. I wanted to show that my type can be good too."

Ricky's search for a group to join had gone on for a year, but he was always unsuccessful. After so many rejections, they all sounded the same to him. Scenarios always pretty much boiled down to Ricky trying to join and being mocked by everyone in a group.

"Hey guys, I hear you're accepting applicants for people to join your group," Ricky would say.

"Uhh, what's going on?" any random Pokemon would start.

"Listen pal, the gym is all the way across the villa," any other random Pokemon would insult.

"No, I don't want to join a gym, I want to join you to help those in need."

"You want to join us!? Have you looked in a mirror?"

"Come on! How long did it even take you to walk from the cross-way over their to us?"

"You think you can just go about life eating gummies and lounging around and then ask to be a rescuer?"

Ricky's criticism was always harsh, and often misguided. Every time he would get a comment about overindulgence and lack of exercise, he would feel depressed about it deep down.

"It's not about being fat. It was never about simply being fat. I just happened to eat a diet high in protein. Every since I started this whole business, I spent a good hour lifting weights with my hands and feet. Yes, I know, we Raticate don't exactly have very long arms, so we don't have much room to move weights up and down, but I did the best I could. Look, I can even lift a two-hundred pound dumbbell with one hand. Wanna see two two-hundred pound dumbbells? And let's not forget my tail, as I had to strengthen that too, as it only is my longest limb."

Even though he tried to explain his lifestyle, others would not listen. Besides the sadness, the frustration set inside his mind too.

"I trained all my life to be one of you guys."

"Ha! Sure you did! You TRAINED others to make a rolling-cart to transport your sorry hide everywhere."

"That's a bit presumptuous, don't you think? ...Anyway my name is Ricky, but I like to go by "Top Percentage."

"Oh, so you're top percentage now! You and every other Raticate thinks they're so "Top Percentage." If you're going to present yourself in such a way, at least get some new material."

"Hey, I'm pretty strong. Look at this club I crafted myself."

"A club!? Who uses a club!?"

"Not even a dead Honedge blade?"

"What do I look like, a savage?"

"With that club, yeah you do."

Ricky's giant club was another prized possession of his. When he wasn't lifting weights with his five limbs, he was swinging around a big club at dummies he strewn around his small house made of wood and straw. ...Well actually, both the dummies and his house were just wood and straw.

"Pretty cool, huh? Look at the end, it's got a big percent-sign carved into it. This isn't for show however. The narrow line between the circles has a low impact area which causes really high damage. The rounded circles are for when I want to cause a little less damage. ...That's in most cases though. I've never actually swung it at a living creature. I do try to shoo away bird Pokemon with it though, but I've never actually hit anyone yet."

Though others would reject him, Ricky never gave up. He always tried to set the record straight to no avail, but would usually fail at it.

"I'm telling you I'm strong. Here, punch me! You'll see."

"...You expect me to touch you?"

"I expect you to see my worth. Now come on, punch me! And if that's not good enough, hand me your heaviest object. I bet I can lift it."

"Lift the guild building!"

"...Are you serious!? No one can do that!"

"Then beat it kid! You're not welcome here!"

"You're not even giving me a chance!"

"We're giving you all the chance you deserve. Now beat it!"

"But..."

"He said leave, you're blocking the entrance!"

"But..."

"LEAVE!"

Poor Ricky the Raticate: always being thrown under the rug without a thought, like the missing piece to a child's favorite action figure. That was what Ricky had to go through his entire life.

"It's not fair. I never gave up, never quit, yet it feels like it's all for nothing. No one even wants to test me, it's just "You look useless, bye-bye!" I still try to find the group that's right for me: the group that doesn't judge me. The group that accepts me for who I am. ...But at first I thought that group didn't even exist."

...But one day in the rain, Ricky might find his answer. Walking the muddy paths of a dirt villa, Ricky had just taken out the last money he owned from Felicity Bank. Walking further through the mud, his fur got covered in goopey dirt until he eventually found a large building: a hotel for those who had nowhere else to go. Because they used beds of straw, even Ricky could find a bed to lay down into.

"Down to my last few points," Ricky said. "I wanted to roar. I wanted to roar greater than any Raticate ever roared. I wanted to do good, to help people and to show that I have no crutch. ...But if I don't find a place to join soon, I may be finished. ...But what's the point? With my lifestyle, I only have a few years to live anyway. ...Maybe more if I'm lucky."

Ricky went inside the building where he saw a Chancey tucking a small Teddiursa into a straw bed. Ricky smiled at the Chancey's hospitality before she walked over to Ricky.

"Welcome back Ricky," Chancey said. "I have your bed set up if you have the points to pay."

"Yes Midge, they're right here," Ricky said, referring to the Chancey as "Midge."

"As usual, yours is the really big bundle of hay," Midge mentioned.

"Thanks... This might be my last stay here," Ricky said. "Those were the last points I ever made. I'm flat broke."

"Gee, have you tried joining a guild?" Midge asked.

"Ha ha ha," Ricky laughed sarcastically. "You know I've been having a hard time. No one wants me."

"Maybe you could keep searching," Midge suggested. "There are fliers over by the tag-board of groups who are looking for members. Maybe you could see if one of them would take you under their wing."

"I can't imagine the tag-board would have any guild I haven't tried to join yet," Ricky responded. "Seventy-four guilds in counting, and they all threw me out the door."

"Oh, I don't see how that's possible," Midge said. "I don't even know any Conkeldurr's who'd have an easy time throwing you around."

"...Very funny Midge," Ricky grumbled.

"Well I'm sure there's something on this tag-board for you," Midge stated. "I'd hate to see someone as kind as you fade away in society. Hmmm... Hey, this group, the "Ultra Group" is requesting a new member."

"I tried them," Ricky mentioned. "One of their members tried to cut me open."

"Alright, let's move on," Midge suggested. "The Dynamo Squad." They sound like a tough bunch."

"Their Charizard set me on fire!" Ricky blurted out. "I still have singe marks on my back fur."

"Fine then," Midge said. "Here we go: "Range Rangers." ...Doesn't sound like your kind of group, but..."

"Trust me, they are not," Ricky said. "Look at my foot for a second."

Ricky lifted his left foot up as high as he could and displayed a nasty ring of cuts and gashes all around it. He used his tail to balance himself as standing on one foot added a bit of pressure to his other foot.

"Yeah, that's THEIR handy work," Ricky mentioned. "Before I even set foot through their doorway, I found an Ursaring trap around it. I got one around my tail too."

Ricky then showed the scars on his tail. They were no more pleasant than the ones on his foot.

"Boy I tell you how much it hurt like all get out," Ricky responded.

"Wow, you have not had good luck, have you," Midge asked. "...Wait a minute. I think I got it!" Midge reached up near the top of the tag-board and pulled a pin off a piece of paper on the tag-board really high up and started to look at the flier. "I forgot to mention a certain someone came in earlier. He called himself "Master Tuumba" and he reminded me of you when you're grumpy. ...Which is still kind of pleasant. Here, look at this flier."

Ricky waddled over to Midge and received the flier from her grasp. He could not believe what he saw on the flier when he looked at it.

"It's a group called "The Mightyfats," Ricky said. "I've never heard of them, but... The name says it all: a group of Pokemon who are mighty and fat, and I'm both of those things. Maybe this could be my chance."

"It sounds like it," Midge said. "By the way... could you neglect to mention how big you are? After a while, it gets kind of annoying."

"Yeeeaaaah, I was kind of worried about that," Ricky said. "It says here that those who are endorsed with incredibly skill and impervious hide are welcome to join the ranks. Well I'm strong alright. I've even been practicing the use of Thunderbolt."

Ricky slammed his club down into the ground and immediately a lightning bolt shot down in front of the club. Everyone in the room woke up. The Teddiursa woke up to the sound and started to cry.

"Woops, I should be more careful," Ricky apologized. "But most of all, I remember getting ganged up on by a group of fist-fighting Scraftys, and I laughed so hard I almost..."

"You should pursue this group," Midge suggested.

"You're right... but it says here they reside in the back alleys where the old Kangaskahn's Storage used to be before they moved closer in the village," Ricky added. "That's an abandoned building now."

"Well that sounds as good of a place as any to put a secret base," Midge said. "Although if they're putting up fliers directing to their location, they're not exactly secret anymore, are they?"

"Maybe not," Ricky started. "But this might be my last chance. I'm going to check this place out right now."

Ricky started to waddle out of the inn. Before he left, Midge called him out for one last thing.

"Wait, you already payed for a bed!" Midge shouted.

"I'll be back, don't worry," Ricky called out as he was waddling away.

Of course, it took Ricky quite a bit to walk the three-quarters of a mile it took to find the place. Ricky started to feel embarrassed about himself as he pulled a pocket watch from his fur.

"Yee, maybe my legs aren't strong enough," Ricky said to himself. "I should train double-time tomorrow."

Ricky reached the building and looked at it carefully. It all looked similar to the old building fashioned after Kangaskhan herself, except it was painted black, and there were chucks picked off to make the building look more smooth. The head of the Kangaskhan was a creamy color, and the stall that used to block the inside of the building was removed.

"Well, this is it," Ricky said. "My last "Hail Manaphy." Here goes nothing then..."

Ricky walked inside the building, into a dark area where Ricky could barely see anything. At this point Ricky had wondered if he had the wrong place. Ricky still had the flier with him, but with the lighting, trying to read it wouldn't do him any good.

"Uhhh... hello? Is anyone here?" Ricky asked. "I came here to join a group, and the flier told me to come here. This... this is the right place, right?"

But eventually, something happened. The ground started to shake something fierce, and Ricky started to feel unnerved.

"I was expecting you potential subject," an eerie low pitched voice said to him from above.

Eventually, light started to fill the area, though it was very dim. When Ricky could finally see, the first thing he saw was a humongous creature. This creature had three huge white claws on each table-sized foot. The monstrous creature flexed each claw in order from left to right, which unsettled Ricky even more. As Ricky tried to crane his neck up, he could not see much of the creature except for a monstrous sized cream-colored belly, looking to be as strong as hardened gelatin. Ricky did notice some rather thick arms at the side of the creature colored the same dark color as the building, but could just barely see the eyes of this ginormous monstrosity which were barely open. Considering this was a creature that almost always had its eyes closed, this seemed even more imposing. What kind of creature was this guy? Take a wild guess.

"Uhhhh... he...hello," Ricky stuttered. "You mu-mu-must be... muh-muh-muh-Master tu-tu-tu-Tuumba... right?"

"Tuum... ba! Tuum...ba!" the giant Snorlax said before taking a few steps back. Every time he pronounced a syllable, he would land his foot, and the ground would shake to his beat.

"That's a... cle-cle-clever name," Ricky said. "The suh-suh-sound a tih-tih-tih-tih-tympani drum makes. Tympani drums... of-of-of-often used for suh-suh-sound effects associated with... big guys like you."

"Hmmm... yes, that was the general idea," the Snorlax said. "Yes, I am Master Tuumba, and I see you are here for a reason. You don't know it yet, but I've been watching you for a while."

"I... I duh-duh-duh-duh-don't know if I'm re-re-re-ready," Ricky said. "I'm just gonna go-go-go-go back to the hotel... nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-now."

"Stop being a wimp," Tuumba said. "I know you are here because you want to be part of a group. You want to live the life as someone who helps others, do you not want that?"

"Yuh... yes, I do-do-do want that," Ricky said.

"You should expect one such as I," Tuumba said. "Yet you still cower in fear before me."

"It's just that... well, you're almost ten-feet tall," Ricky said. "I've never seh-seh-seen one your size, you're almost like a wuh-wuh-wuh-wuh-Wailord."

"...I thought I told Midge to tell you to knock it off with that kind of talk," Tuumba mentioned.

"Okay! Okay! I'm sorry!" Ricky pleaded. "It's easy to want a job until you're put on the spot, but can you blame me for being afraid?"

"No, not entirely," Tuumba responded. "But if you want to be one of us, you will have to swallow your fear. Tuum...ba! Tuum...ba!"

Master Tuumba took four more steps forward, and Ricky almost fell backwards. Ricky was deathly afraid of this guy, but he knew this might be his only chance to live a life of a hero, so he stood his ground, started pounding his favorite club against his hand and put on a mean face.

"Okay!" Ricky exclaimed. "I want this more than anything. I've been rejected by so many groups, and you are my last hope."

"Yes, I do wish to help you," Tuumba responded. "I wish for nothing more than to take you into my mighty arms allow you into our ranks. ...Unfortunately, I have one test planned for you."

"Ummm... Fine! I accept your challenge!" Ricky proclaimed. "What is it?"

"You have trained your body to be much like ours with a similar function," Tuumba responded. "If you are here, then you may already know your challenge. If you have reached perfection in our field, then you should be able to do well."

"So... what, I have to survive someone's punch?" Ricky asked.

"Not just someone's punch," Tuumba mentioned. "Please welcome my old friend and former leader of Team Mightybelts, Thunder."

Tuumba pointed to another dim light where Ricky watched another creature appear. This creature was also very big, but in different ways. He had grey skin and massive muscles. Worst off, he had four arms. Not to mention the signature Power Belt worn by his species. Thunder was a Machamp, and he looked positively fit.

"Hey there Champ, I'm Thunder: Former leader of Team Mightybelts," he said. "Now my son Cloud runs it. Me and Tuumba go way back."

"Yes, why don't we tell Ricky the story again," Tuumba mentioned.

"Well, we got a distress call from a young Flabebe, there was a group of Drapions spotted in the area she was supposedly in," Thunder mentioned. So we went to this area, but... we were ambushed. The Drapions even had bows they found in a nearby village and were using them on us when suddenly as if a meteor had struck the world, Tuumba came down to intercept the Drapions."

"Don't remind me," Tuumba mentioned. "I jumped from a sturdy cliff just above you, and landing down in front of your group wasn't exactly pain-free."

"I still remember Tuumba's routine," Thunder started. "He stomps about slowly, flexes his claws and goes "Tuum-ba! Tuum-ba!" every time he stomps down."

"All the things I displayed for Ricky," Tuumba mentioned. "I fight very slowly as I want my power not just to show in my strength, but my movements. I do many things to show a might of confidence, and often times it works to rattle my targets."

"They fired those arrows, but they proved useless against ol' Tuumba," Thunder mentioned. "Tuumba's always been the type to protect the weak, and has even helped Mightybelts out a bit before he met some of the other members of his own group and formed Mightyfats. I'm still training my own son to run Mightybelts."

"Remember, you are here to test Ricky, not chew our ears off," Tuumba said.

"...You're right," Thunder said. "Tuumba's always been kind of a cold one, but he's not a bad guy when you get to know him."

"Now little Ricky, your test is to stand in that circle over there," Tuumba said, pointing to a circle and a line in the floor. "You must have your back turned to the line. When you are in position, Thunder will give you his strongest four-armed punch into your belly. This punch would be enough to knock most Pokemon across twenty of those lines all the way to the wall, however if you manage to stand your ground before you pass that line, you are one of us."

"That line is... kind of close to the circle," Ricky started. "...I think I can do it though."

"Very well," Tuumba responded. "However if the stump of your tail crosses the line, then I'm afraid I will have to reject you. You may only use your feet and your weight to stand ground: no tails."

"*Gulp* Alright," Ricky responded.

Ricky walked over to the designated circle and stood his ground. Thunder walked in front of him and started to charge his arms up.

"This might hurt, so brace yourself," Thunder said.

"Ummm... okay," Ricky said as he waited for the moment.

In one strong, flashing moment, Thunder let loose his arms onto Ricky's belly. Ricky launched backwards quite a bit, suddenly toppling over the line and rolling a bit ways past. Eventually he landed belly up and paused for a moment. Ricky knew he had just failed the test, and was on the verge of crying.

"No... I... I thought I could do that," Ricky said.

"I'm sorry little one, but it appears you have failed," Tuumba mentioned.

"I... I thought I was strong enough," Ricky muttered. "This was all I had. I have nowhere else to go. ...I don't want to go back out there in the cold rain. This is the last night I could afford at the hotel."

Ricky managed to right himself with his tail. He then put his arms together and started to shed tears.

"Please, I wasn't ready for him," Ricky said. "Give me one more chance."

"I'm sorry, but my rules state..." Tuumba mentioned.

Ricky toppled over onto the ground and started to bawl. He tried his hardest to pound his arms onto the ground out of depressed frustration, but he couldn't reach.

"WAAAAAAH! I'm doomed!" Ricky whined. "Why did I ever choose this life!? Why did I not choose a normal life!? I just wanted to be someone! I just wanted to stand out! I just..."

"ARGH! ENOUGH! I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" Tuumba roared. "Listen, I hate crying. It's an emotion too powerful even for me to resist. And besides, I would feel like the Range Rangers if I let you out of here."

"You... you met them too?" Ricky asked.

"I can't do it," Tuumba mentioned. "You, get up and we will try again."

"Huh? You're giving me another chance?" Ricky asked.

"It would stop my rapid-beating heart if I sent you out into the world to perish," Tuumba mentioned. "I want you to succeed, so I will give you as many chances as you need to pass my test."

"Really?" Ricky asked. "Thank you! Thank you, thank you thank..."

"Stop the over-enthused cheering," Tuumba said. "It's childish and annoying."

"...Okay," Ricky responded.

"Now, inside the ring again," Tuumba ordered.

Ricky got into position again to stand his ground. Like last time, Thunder charged his arms up again for his ultimate blow. This time Ricky had the advantage of already being hit by it, so he knew what to expect. He was hoping it would help him more than he was expecting.

"You're a nice kid," Thunder said. "I'm not going to hold back just because Tuumba likes you though."

"I'm not asking you to," Ricky said, putting on an angry face and taking a stonewalled stance.

"Good, then you better be ready," Thunder said.

Thunder gave Ricky the same full-force punch he gave him before. Ricky tried to stand his ground, but again he was sent back a bit. This time, however, he braced himself, so he managed to absorb the blow a bit more. Still, as he continued to slide backward, he became nervous. ...Until finally, he stopped. Ricky looked down and saw no yellow line. He lifted a foot and still saw no line.

"He he, did I do it?" Ricky asked, laughing a bit from the blow.

Thunder went around Ricky to see where the line was. Thunder noticed the stump of Ricky's Raticate tail was right on the line, just before the edge. Tuumba could not move from his spot or else he would disturb Ricky's position, but eventually Thunder gave him a signal.

"You... have... passed," Tuumba said.

"What? Really? You mean it!?" Ricky asked.

"What did I tell you about the childish enthusiasm?" Tuumba asked.

"Oh, sorry," Ricky said.

"You should feel proud of yourself though," Thunder stated. "You're pretty strong for your species."

"Thanks, I try my hardest," Ricky said. "...Oh man, I forgot about Midge at the inn, I already payed for a night there. ...But I want to meet the rest of the group."

"They're out doing a rescue mission right now," Tuumba responded. "We're one of the few groups who are willing to do late-night stress calls. We really like helping others here among the Mightyfats, and we never turn up a chance to go out and help others even if it means we don't get to sleep. We just want to prove to others that the big guy can be the hero. ...I mean have you watched a lot of plays cartoons and noticed the big guys are always evil?"

Ricky just paused for a moment. Everything Tuumba said; it fit Ricky's views to a tee. Ricky almost wanted to go up and hug Tuumba right now.

"I've been saying the same thing my entire life," Ricky said. "All things considered, I think I will really like it here. Still... I should go back to the hotel and tell Midge the good news. She's been one of the few people who's had my back the entire time."

"You may come back tomorrow if you wish," Tuumba responded. "I rarely leave this place unless there's a huge mission."

"Thanks Master Tuumba," Ricky responded. "I'll be sure to come here first thing in the morning."

Ricky had finally reached his goal. Finally being able to join a guild was what he always wanted, and he looked forward to his new start as a rescuer. But all of a sudden, things felt like they were about to take a rough start. The moment Ricky stepped out of the guild building, something caught his interest.

"Psst, over here," a voice whispered. It sounded feminine. "Now that you have joined the Mightyfats, your life is in danger."

"What? Who are you?" Ricky asked. "Show yourself please."

Ricky walked past the building and eventually saw the creature of the voice. It was a Drowzee who seemed to have very few special qualities to her, and yet she told Ricky about danger.

"You, did you not just join them?" the Drowzee asked. "If so, then you have just made an enemy."

"What? Who are you and why are you my enemy?" Ricky asked.

"I never said you made enemies with me," she responded. "My name is Sheryl McBain. I was sleeping at the inn until I heard of your job search. I followed you here because I want to warn you of my brother."

"Your brother?" Ricky asked. "What could he possibly have against us?"

"What do most typical villains want?" Sheryl asked. "Sometimes they do it for money, sometimes they do it to keep a secret, and sometimes they have extreme ideals that do not sound evil to them. But in lots of cases, revenge is involved."

"...So, you're saying he wants revenge?" Ricky asked.

"Oh, what a relief, I was worried I was talking to an idiot," Sheryl mentioned. "Yes Einstein, he wants revenge against your group."

"Eek. What happened, did Tuumba botch up a rescue mission that caused him to suffer?" Ricky asked.

"Oh if only his intentions were that less butt-hurt," Sheryl groaned.

"Okay, I get it, he has a stupid reason, right?" Ricky guessed.

"Suffice to say his reason for wanting revenge is very minor," Sheryl mentioned. "He only wants revenge because they rejected him. You see, he was much like you; always wanted to be a hero. He was rejected from every place he tried to sign up. He thought this group would be his ticket to the good life. Unfortunately, he lacked something you have, and that's the three Ds: determination, dedication, and diligence."

"...Aren't dedication and diligence the same thing?" Ricky asked.

"Don't overthink it," Sheryl said. "Me and him... we used to be close like brother and sister should always be. But then... He changed for the worse. He became unruly and would never listen to a word I said about... well... his figure."

"Wait... so he's kind of like me?" Ricky asked.

"Like you!?" Sheryl questioned. "Heh, nothing like you. You're like three brick walls inside a giant sandbag. My brother is like a Swalot lagging around a pair of Muks in discarded Trubbish shells."

"...That doesn't sound like someone I have to watch out for," Ricky responded. "...No offense."

"He doesn't sound like much, but the one thing he has going for him is his psychic powers," Sheryl mentioned. "He has large groups of hypnotized soldiers working for him and his telekinetic powers are very strong."

"Drowzee usually aren't that powerful as far as magic goes," Ricky said. "Their strength is usually greater than their magic."

"I guess my brother is one of the lucky ones," Sheryl mentioned. "He doesn't sound like one you'd be afraid to meet in a dark alley, but he's more dangerous than he looks and he will stop at nothing to destroy the Mightyfats. All guilds have angered him, but none more so than they. They rejected him: the one group he thought would allow him in. Remember, his qualms aren't just with them, but with other guilds too. He wants to destroy guilds in general, but yours especially. And don't worry about him wearing any disguises or anything. When you see him, you will know."

"Great, if I see him then I'll be ready," Ricky said before trying to go back to the inn.

"Oh, and by the way," Sheryl started before Ricky could leave. "If you see him, call him "Droopy." He hates that name."

"I'll be sure to do that," Ricky said.

Leaving the female Drowzee behind, Ricky raced off to the hotel as fast as he could. When he got there, you could tell he was excited.

"I got in the guild!" Ricky shouted.

...Of course, him shouting with all the joy in his heart and the loud noises his charging stomps made woke everyone in the inn right up from their slumber. The Teddiursa started to cry again upon Ricky's arrival.

"Ricky, you really have to be more careful," Midge responded. Midge was trying to sleep too, and she had to put the Teddiursa back to sleep.

"Woops, sorry again," Ricky apologized.

"If you made it in then that is good, but can the story wait till tomorrow?" Midge requested.

"...Yeah... I guess it can," Ricky mumbled. He was a bit disappointed, as he really wanted to tell the good news now. Alas, he was being too loud, so he retreated to his pile of hay to sleep for the night until the time was right.

Morning eventually struck on in the peaceful villa. Ricky took an especially long nap that night, which allowed the other Pokemon rise and shine on schedule. Ricky didn't awake until ten-thirty, but all through the night he was dreaming of all the adventures he would be having with his new friends. Eventually, he woke up to tell Midge what happened, all while Midge served him a breakfast made from berries and infertile eggs. Breakfast came free with a night's stay.

"So it looks like they accepted you into the group?" Midge asked. "I guess they were the ones."

"Master Tuumba is really cool," Ricky responded. "Have you seen him? He's huge?"

"Yeah, he told me to remind you that I told him to stop you from getting two enthused once you got in, and also to remind you that I actually saw him post the note on the board," Midge mentioned.

"...Feh, my memory must be off this morning," Ricky said. "I just feel so excited. I'm ready to start right now."

"Well, go there and hook up with the group," Midge mentioned. "I'm sure they are waiting for you their."

"Oh, yeah that is a good idea," Ricky responded. "What time is it anyway?"

"It's ten-thirty seven right now," Midge stated.

"Whoa! I might be late," Ricky said. "Sorry Midge, I gotta go now. Thanks for the breakfast."

Ricky rushed out the door to the inn, ready to start his new life. Midge called out one last thing to encourage him.

"Good luck! Remember you're always welcome here!" Midge called out before muttering under her breath. "...Assuming you don't wake everyone up again."

Ricky rushed all the way to the old storage facility to meet up with his new friends. His heart pounded in excitement as he was eager to see what everyone would be like there. He wasted no time rushing into the warehouse once he arrived. Like the last time, the lights were off, so he couldn't see well.

"Master Tuumba! Master Tuumba!" Ricky shouted. "Sorry I'm late! I overslept! But here I am, ready to fight along side you guys right here and now."

Ricky waited for Tuumba to answer his cry for action. ...But after a moment of silence, Ricky was concerned.

"Uhhh, Master Tuumba?" Ricky called out. "I'm here... I want to fight with you. ...Oh no, they didn't start a mission without me, did they?"

Suddenly, Ricky got an answer from the darkness. ...But this voice was unfamiliar to Ricky, and it didn't sound pleasant.

"Yes... they did go... on a mission," a raspy, low pitched voice said. "They went... on a FOOLS mission... that is." There was heavy breathing accompanying his words, which Ricky didn't know what to think of.

Suddenly, Ricky heard a machine powered up in the darkness. The lights started to turn on, but were still very dark, and then Ricky saw his adversary. It appeared to be a Drowzee who was floating in the air. ...Except not really. Instead, he was actually standing on a platform and being driven forward by a Mienfou driving a forklift.

"Droopy..." Ricky stuttered.

There he was, enemy to the Mightyfats, Sheryl's brother "Droopy." ...Sheryl was not kidding when he said her brother was fat, but... This guy was absurdly huge. But he wasn't big, cool and nasty like Tuumba was, in fact he looked positively disgusting. It's obvious why he needed a forklift, it's because he was too fat and ungainly to even move on his own. The most dangerous looking thing about this guy was his overall repulsiveness.

"Don't... Don't you EVER... Call me "Droopy!" the pathetic Drowzee shouted. "My name... is Titus "the Crushinator" Megaton!"

"Sure it is," Ricky said. "I'm Ricky the Top Percentage! What did you do with Tuumba!"

"He's... called away," Droopy mentioned. "I had... a bulletin posted... on the board... outside town... saying that a... mighty Legendary... has awaken and... will destroy all if... it is not... stopped. And naturally... Tuumba and his band of villains... are falling... right into my trap. Pretty soon... they will all be... blown up."

"...Uh-huh, gotcha," Ricky said to Droopy. Ricky could not take Droopy seriously, so it lead him to not believe what was being told.

"No... I'm serious..." Droopy responded. "To tiny... little... bits."

"Right... you can set up bombs," Ricky responded. "You can't even speak a full sentence, you're so out of shape that..." But then, Ricky thought of something. "...Wait... You... You have hypnosis powers, don't you?"

"What... My sister... didn't tell you?" Droopy asked.

"Who... Who did you get to set the bomb up!?" Ricky asked. "Why are you doing this?"

Ricky was starting to realize that maybe Droopy was, in fact, dangerous. He still however didn't believe his friends were dead, but at the same time he was starting to worry.

"It does not... matter now," Droopy responded. "Your friends... might be dead... by now."

"No... They were my last chance," Ricky said. "They were all I had! You... you're bluffing!"

"You... you think you are... special?" Droopy asked. "You think... that's different... from me? I... I had dreams too."

"But I worked for those dreams!" Ricky said.

"I worked... too," Droopy said in a depressed tone, as if Ricky had struck a nerve. "I trained... regularly. I... I really tried. ...I just... wanted to be... someone. Why... why did you... get here but... not me!"

"Dude, compare each other," Ricky said. "It's obvious you didn't work hard enough. I took a direction and I followed it. You had no direction. You just wandered aimlessly into a dark forest, no idea where to go."

"...You are wrong..." Droopy said. "My power... I trained my power... to become what I am."

"And yet, you..." Ricky started.

"Enough!" Droopy shouted. "You have stated... over and over... that you think little... of me. ...I... I... I will prove to you... how great I am. ...By killing you... right here. Minions... you may show yourself... right here. Casey, you too!"

"Got it boss," the Mienfou driving Droopy's forklift said. Droopy called the Mienfou "Casey" so it was possible he was also Droopy's right hand.

And that was when it happened: the ambush. Large groups of fighting types appeared from the shadows, and they were all circling around Ricky. He felt like this would either be his last stand or a moment to prove himself.

"You want to fight me?" Ricky asked. "Fine! Try and do so. I shall crush those who dare to defeat my friends. I will make them sorry they ever went down the path of darkness. Let my power show through to plow these losers away, and may they tremble at the very core among the vibrations I may cause. May you and those of future reference know the lesson I will bestow upon you today. Now, let's rock."

Ricky slammed his club into his palm, seeming to be ready to fight. There were many of them, but he was rather big. It would not be an easy fight.

"You... talk big... for someone so... stupid," Droopy mentioned.

"You're the one who was stupid enough to cross my path," Ricky said. "I will rock you so hard, you'll think the wall is the floor. The very power within me, I shall quake the ground with every step. Let the beat drum to your demise. Tuum-ba! Tuum-ba! Tuum-ba! Tuum-ba!"

Ricky tried to act confident, and even adopted a little something from his master. He stomped to the beat of his makeshift tympani before the fighting types finally charged. Ricky swung as hard as he could at the fighting types in front of him, knocking away four of them. He used his tail to sweep away more behind him. The ones at the sides started to let loos a fury of punches at Ricky, but even from the bigger guys Ricky just laughed at all the blows. He struck to the right then to the left, knocking away more of the fighting types. It didn't feel like these goons were that competent.

"You fools!" Droopy shouted. "Aim for... the head! There's... less fat... protecting it!"

"Right! At your command!" Casey shouted.

While the other goons tried to regain their senses, Casey ran after Ricky to fight him head on. Ricky swung his club at Casey, but the Mienfou was quick and jumped over it. Casey then latched onto Ricky's belly and started climbing up, utilizing Ricky's main weakness: his teeny-weenie Raticate arms were incapable of reaching Casey. Ricky swayed to the left and swayed to the right, but could not shake the determined Mienfou. Pretty soon, Casey reached the top of Ricky's chest and made a jump in the air. Casey came down on Ricky's head with a brutal chop, and it hurt hard.

"Ha ha! Give up tubby?" Casey asked.

"Ack! I can't reach my head!" Ricky shouted.

"Aint that too bad?" Casey asked. "I bet you wish that..."

"That I wasn't a Raticate right now?" Ricky asked.

"Well actually I was gonna..." Casey started.

"OUCH! I don't need my arms!" Ricky shouted. "I still have one tool at my disposal."

"Good luck using that club to hit me without hurting yourself," Casey taunted.

But Ricky wasn't talking about his club. Ricky started to sway fiercely, as if he was trying to shake Casey off some more. Yet that wasn't it either. After one huge sway, Ricky's tail came around to the side of his body. Ricky swayed hard again, and then the tail shot upward to his head. Ricky ducked down and eventually caught Casey off guard. His motion caused his tail to swing over his head, knocking Casey over. The tail came crashing down with Casey underneath it before slamming the ground with a booming thud.

"OUCH! You big bully!" Casey shouted. "Why do you have to be so mean!?"

"You started it little one," Ricky said before lifting his tail a bit to let it fall on Casey again. "Guess you guys have been messing with the wrong Raticate."

"No... don't give up..." Droopy said. "We still have numbers... Get up... We must... keep..."

"Whoa!" Suddenly, one of the Pokemon at Ricky's side jumped up. Ricky started to hear loud thumping noises in the background, which made Ricky happy to hear them.

"Titus, I think they didn't fall for your TRIIIICK!" another Pokemon shouted before being launched into the air.

"Bah! ...I should have known... they wouldn't be... that gullible," Droopy responded. "Let's... get out of here."

"There's only the one exit!" another one of Droopy's henchmen cried.

"Bah! Stall them..." Droopy exclaimed. "Ricky... release my... friend."

"If I lift my tail, will you and your friends leave us alone?" Ricky asked.

"Yes... yes we promise," Droopy said. "Please... let Casey go."

"Fine, but if you try to kill us again, you'll know what's coming for you," Ricky said.

Ricky released Casey from his tail and let him run back to the forklift. Casey started to drive Droopy away, but not before Droopy said one last thing.

"You know... you're friends... are pretty smart," Droopy said. "...But not you. ...He he he... Sucker! We will... meet again. This... is not over."

"Uhh, kind of figured as much," Ricky sighed.

Casey drove Droopy away from the building as Droopy's henchmen fought off the oncoming threat. Ricky stood and watched as everyone left. After a moment of rumbling outside, silence ensued the area. Finally, the moment of truth arrived. The one and only Master Tuumba crawled under the doorway to come inside the building. That wasn't all, however, as he was accompanied by three equally huge companions. Ricky saw a male Emboar, a female Krookodile and a male Pangoro, and they were all just like Ricky.

"Master Tuumba... You're here," Ricky said. "Droopy, he tried to have me killed just now."

"Yes, I already assumed as much," Tuumba said. "Unfortunately he got away from us."

"Aww man, now is this the little cutie you enlisted last night?" the Krookodile asked.

"It was awesome getting to meet him," Ricky responded. "His henchmen were like "ROOOAAARGH! KILL THE GIANT MENACE!" Ricky started to stomp about, trying to act like a big monster. "But I just let my club and my tail do the talking for me."

"Sounds like quite a feet," the Pangoro mentioned. "I can't wait to see it on camera."

"Wait... you have cameras around here?" Ricky asked.

"From the old security system," Tuumba mentioned. "We had the TV planted down here to watch security footage so we don't always have to go up into the control room just to see."

"Not like any of us can fit through those doors anyway," the Krookodile mentioned.

"Too bad Kyruem wasn't there," the Emboar mentioned. "I could have just blasted him to smytherines and he would have been history. Then people would know me as the Mighty Emboar who slayed the killer dragon."

"...I keep telling you, not everything can be solved with fire," Tuumba mentioned.

"That was a good work-out though," Ricky said. "But it was kind of fun. ...Well except for getting chopped in the head, that was less than fun. Still, I hope Droopy attacks us more often."

"No... you do not want that," Tuumba mentioned.

"What? We can take him easily," Ricky mentioned. "What can he do to us?"

Tuumba turned his back to Ricky and lowered his head. Something didn't sit right with him.

"I kind of feel bad for him," Tuumba said. "I'd rather not have him get himself hurt just trying to take revenge."

"...What do you mean?" Ricky asked.

"I want to believe there is still hope for him," Tuumba clarified. "I want to believe he can turn his life around. He has a nice sister and a good friend in Casey the Mienfou. Deep down, I don't think Casey is all bad either."

"Wait, didn't Droopy hypnotize Casey to help him?" Ricky asked.

"No, Casey is a true-blue friend of Droopy's ever since they were kids," Tuumba mentioned. "Casey always helped Droopy fend off bullies and helped him with homework when they went to school together. Casey even tried to help Droopy get in shape. ...But eventually Casey gave up, and just accepted Droopy as that revolting blob that he is now. I never saw a bad Pokemon in Droopy, just someone who didn't care."

"You felt sympathy for him the same way you felt sympathy for me," Ricky guessed.

"Yes I did," Tuumba said. "But allowing him to join the Mightyfats was something I unfortunately could not do. He had no qualifications for our group, but after being rejected so many times, things went from bad to worse for him. I did try to have Thunder help him train so that he may one day turn his life around, but he refused the offer. Droopy has no one to blame for the torture he suffers but himself."

"Well I am not Droopy," Ricky said. "Though I probably would have been depressed, I always know that in my heart that good intentions would always be rewarded. I know never to go down the path of revenge, as things would only get worse from there. You're actually one of the most openhearted Pokemon I know. Thank you Master Tuumba. Thank you for giving me a chance at life."

"Aye, welcome to the team little cutie," the Krookodile responded.

"Yeah, welcome aboard!" the Emboar exclaimed.

"Hey, why don't you join us in a belly slam?" the Pangoro asked.

"Huh? ...Really?" Ricky asked.

"What? Is that wrong?" the Pangoro asked.

"No, I'm just... I'm kind of concerned as to how far we're going to go with the theme," Ricky admitted.

"There's nothing wrong with it," the Krookodile mentioned. "It's just our fun little way of giving a cheer for each other."

"It still seems a tad too much," Ricky said. "...Oh what the hey?"

Ricky and the other members saluted Ricky's admittance into the group by having everyone butt bellies with each other at the same time. Ricky thought it was kind of weird, but at the same time it felt kind of fun for him. In general, Ricky felt like he would have fun in general here. Ricky looked forward to his new life among his new friends, each of which he had yet to get to know more of, but he already felt right at home.

Next Episode

Ricky gets to meet the gang in all their glory: Toasty the Emboar, Fang the Krookodile, and Doshin the Pangoro. In addition, Ricky gets his first mission with his new group of friends. But at the same time, Ricky wonders what he got himself into after an attempt to save the day goes haywire. He realizes that his group may not exactly be a top-rank rescuer team, being only Normal Rank. Can Ricky help the Mightyfats make a name for themselves, and prove once and for all that they can save the day? Or is Ricky no better off among the Mightyfats than he was a nobody? Keep reading for the next chapter of Mightyfats: Social Disorder: Toasty's Pyromania.