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Yubaba rushed down to the entrance with incredible speed that even the foreman was surprised.
"Looks like we've got a stink spirit." Yubaba said, glaring at the curtains leading to the entrance.
"And an extra smelly one at that." The foreman noted.
"I see we're failing to drive him away." Yubaba groaned.
"We're trying. We've got some men waving their arms, telling it we're closed." The foreman told her. "But many of them passed out at the very smell of this creature. Lotad's been placed in the infirmary."
Yubaba mulled over something or another. "Something seems fishy. As if it's not really a stink spirit. But I suppose we've got no choice. Just get him cleaned up and send him away as quickly as you can."
"Yes ma'am." Foreman bowed.
"And send Pika in here." Yubaba added.
"Pika?" The foreman was taken aback.
"Yes Pika. You have a problem with my choice?" Yubaba questioned. "Or would you rather handle this yourself?"
The foremen went to hunt down Kate, who just finished mopping up the extra water that leaked (with Keith's help, of course). She followed the foreman through the bathhouse as things seemed to get chaotic. Politoeds were urgently ordering the guests to go back to their room. Kate was wondering what was going on. Why was everyone suddenly in a panic?
Yubaba impatiently waited for her at the front gate lobby. "Pika! Don't mess this up! Take our guest to the big bathtub and look after him."
"But…I…" Kate was about to interrupt, unsure if she'd handle her first guest without help.
"No 'buts' or I'll turn you into a magicarp!" Yubaba snapped.
"Here it comes!"
Kate saw dark sludgey footsteps come by, along with a purple goo of sorts. A smell penetrated the air that caused everyone else to run off. It smelled like a combination of sewage waste, rotten meat with a sharp hint of decaying fish. Kate and Keith instinctively covered their noses with their hands/paw, cringing with disgust over the worst smell ever known.
"Hands down!" Yubaba hissed, though equally repulsed. "You'll insult our guest!"
A figure pushed into the curtains and slowly trudged its way in front of Yubaba, Kate and Keith. It looked like a strange mutant combination of muk and garbodor. The stink spirit's goo was a sick brown color while a stick purple ooze-like substance gushed out it's pores and all over the floor. Kate held back the urge to barf. Keith seemed to be doing the same.
"Ack…ik…w-welcome, customer!" Yubaba greeted awkwardly.
The entire lobby was now drenched in a the sick ooze. The stink spirit held out its hand to Kate.
"er…Pika, its money! Take the nice customers' money!" Yubaba said, standing aside
"Yes ma'am." Kate gulped.
She held her palms out. Gold coins dropped into Kate's palm along with brownish glop. The cold, putrid feel of it made shivers run up the girl's spine. She put it in her pocket, movements shaken up.
"Don't make him wait. Get him to the baths." Yubaba calmly ordered.
Kate started to inch her way in the direction. "r…right this way sir!"
Kate slowly led the stink spirit out of the lobby and down the halls to the baths. Lin saw this as she edged her way through a crowd, carrying two bowls of rice.
"PIKA!" She called out, concerned as she saw the stink spirit follow her.
Lin cringed from the smell. Sickened her at the very pit of her stomach. Made her lose her lunch. In more ways than one.
"Aw no!" Lin moaned, seeing the food spoil from the stench. "Not our food!"
Yubaba, who recovered from her initial shock, went to one of the higher floors. She ordered all of the windows to be opened. Then took her spot to watch Kate way down below, guiding the spirit into the bath.
"Hang in there." Keith whispered. "You're doing great."
"So are you. I'm surprised you haven't passed out." Kate quietly joked.
"Ha!" Keith smirked. "You underestimate me."
The stink spirit's slime already went knee-deep in the bath room. Kate hung back against the wall. She watched the stink spirit climb up the tub and then dive straight into the water.
WHOOOOSSSHHHHHH!
A giant tidal wave of water splashed down on Kate, soaking her. The water turned a murky brown color. Like a swampert's muddy water, only thicker and more nauseating. The stink spirit's head stuck out of the tub, staring at its 'hands' with disappointment. It turned to Kate and gave her a low rumble.
Kate took a moment to figure out what it meant. Must want more water to get clean. Kate was wondering how to do this when a bucket of bath tokens caught her eye. She knew what to do.
"Just a minute sir!" Kate called out, then turned to the buizel. "Keith, help me find the panel. We've got to get more water."
"Sure thing." Keith nodded, hopping up on her shoulder.
Yubaba watched Kate struggled to walk through the slop.
"Heh heh heh…disgusting…" The witch cackled.
"I don't think its funny." The foreman mumbled, unsure.
"Let's see what her next move is." Yubaba said.
Kate was pulling on the wall panels. She tried pushing them or even banging to find the one panel Lin told her. If only she remembered where it was…
"Huh. Going to get more water are we?" Yubaba seemed to be entertained.
"Aw no! She'll waste all our good water!" The foreman groaned.
After much trail and error, Kate found the panel. It took a few pounds against the wall to open it.
"ACK!"
The door smacked right into Keith, knocking him into the dirty water.
"Sorry!" Kate squeaked.
Keith rubbed his head, muttering he was fine. He handed Kate one of the bath tokens from the bucket. Kate fumbled to clip the token to the string. She accidentally dropped the token on her first try but Keith handed her another. Kate clipped it, yanked the cord and the token shot off. Within a minute, the panel up top opened up and out came a pipe.
"Who gave her all the bath tokens?" Yubaba asked, confused.
"Don't look at me!" The foreman replied.
Kate made the hard trek through the deep gunk that filled the room, with Keith swimming beside her. They climbed up the side of the bathtub, to the edge where the rope would be. The stink spirit gave another rumble, its rancid breath in Kate's face. She blacked out from the intense scent for a moment. But Kate bounced back and reached up.
Yes! Got the rope! "Waaahhh!" With a slip, Kate fell into the bath tub.
WHOOOOOSSSHHHHHH!
A heavy flow of warm water gushed from the spout and poured onto the stink spirit. It quickly overflowed the tub, flooding the floors like a raging waterfall. Kate had trouble trying to swim her way out. She was quickly losing her breath! Keith dove down and grabbed her, pulling her back up to the surface with his buizel water skills. Kate sucked in as much air as possible, nearly choking.
The stink spirit lifted them into its hand and pulled it closer to its side. Kate was pressed against the spirit, her hand feeling around the side of its massive body. She eventually traced a strange, foreign object. Though she couldn't see with the water pulsing down at a rapid pace. Keith stuck his head in and decided to take a look for her.
"PIKA!"
Lin came into the room; armed with a face mask and a mop. She looked like she was ready for battle.
"D-don't worry! Stay there! I'm coming to help you!" Lin called out.
Keith yanked his head back out from the water. "There's a thorn in this guy's side. Big one. Wedged deep in there."
"Lin!" Kate shouted. "I think he needs help! There's a thorn in his side!"
"A throrn!" Lin exclaimed, astonished.
Kate tried pulling the thorn but it was super stuck. "I can't get it out!"
That got Yubaba's attention even more. Her witch mind scanned through possibilities before realizing what was going on.
She turned to the foreman. "Get the staff down there."
Surprised, but always following orders, the foreman yelled to the other employees to get out to the ground floor. Yubaba jumped off the ledge and to the top of the panels.
"Listen to me! That's no stink spirit we've got on our hands!" Yubaba twirled her hands, creating an extremely long rope. "Grab onto this rope!"
Yubaba tossed a rope end to Kate, who caught it with ease. She tried to tie the rope around the thorn but had trouble doing so. It just kept slipping off, unable to stay on. Keith dove back inside and helped her wrap the rope around, tying it down. As they did this, the entire staff grabbed the rope and readied themselves. The customers of the bathhouse watched from their floors with amazement.
"We got it tight on!" Kate said.
She and Keith got off of the 'stink spirit' and joined with Lin to get a hold on the rope.
"Everyone ready!" Yubaba yelled. "And….HEAVE!"
"HEAVE!"
Kate pulled the rope along with everyone else. Every few seconds, there came the chant 'heave'. It was a difficult task to pull the rope. Seemed as though no progress was made. But after a minute, Kate felt the rope get an inch closer. It started to pull out. The thorn was beginning to pull out along with the gunk, spurting out as if it were blood. A shape took hold as the clutter began to come out.
"Wait…is that a bike?" Kate blinked, astounded.
Yubaba nodded. "Thought so. Get ready! HEAVE!"
The ranger climbed up the bathtub, pulling the bike out. There were now more stuff starting to come out of the 'stink spirit'. Suddenly, all at once, a bunch of the grimy substance and random items of sorts gushed from within the creature. It was a massive pile of garbage; old items that looked like they belonged in a trash heap. Bottles, window frames, a beaten up fridge, oil barrels…all sorts of stuff.
Kate noticed it wasn't quite the end. A fishing lure was still stuck inside the spot. The girl and buizel climbed up to the top of the tub. Together, they yanked the thing out.
Pop! Ssssshhhhhhhhh!
Water stopped flowing from the pipe and the stink spirit seemed to shrink. A torrent of water wrapped itself around Kate and Keith, protecting them from the extreme tidal wave that poured onto the staff down below. A heavy mist engulfed the area.
"PIKA!" Lin was heard shouting. "Pika! Where are you!"
Kate couldn't believe it. She was inside a bubble of full of water yet she could breathe. Bubbles escaped her lips, with clean air filling her lungs when she took a breath. She saw from the bathtub, a lone silhouette appeared. Impossible to tell what it was. All Kate knew was the shape was long, skinny and looked to be almost dragon-like. It faced her and gave a bow.
"Well done…"
The silhouette faded and the mist died down. Both friends were set back onto the bath tub, the water releasing them. Kate felt something in her hands; she looked to see a soft, green ball nestling in the palms of her hand. Water drained from the room, the last of it remaining in the tub. For a few moments, there was nothing but silence.
A gasp rang out from the employees. For within the garbage on the floor, there was a mass amount of tiny gold rocks. Many of them started to struggle to get a piece, despite the foremans warning to stay back.
"Get away you idiots!" Yubaba snapped. "Our guest is still here!"
The water rumbled. Whatever was in there was stirring, about to come out.
"Kate, you're in our guests way." Yubaba said.
"Sorry!" Kate gave a polite bow and stepped down.
"Open the main gate!" Yubaba gave the order to the crew.
KABOOM!
A pokemon shot out of the water. It was a dragonair! A beautiful one! It was a bright lavender with silver wings and sparkles. The orb on its neck and tail-tip, along with its horn, were gold. What a magnificent dragon! It gave a loud cry of joy and flew through the bathhouse. The entire bathhouse broke into loud cheers as the extraordinary dragonair flew off into the rainy night. Yubaba came to Pika, hugging her all of a sudden and jumping up & down.
"Pika, you did great! We made so much money!" Yubaba excitedly told her, then letting her go. "That spirit's very rich and powerful! One of the most famous in the world!"
"Wow…" Keith whispered, impressed.
Yubaba turned to the employees. "Everyone learn from Pika. How about we have a party? Food is on the house tonight!"
Another round of applause.
"But first, hand over all the gold you picked up."
And there came the moans and groans. No use debating as Yubaba's words were final. Kate chuckled as they tried to negotiate. Herself? She felt good about helping the dragonair. After all, she was a ranger. It was her job to help pokemon in need; spirit world or her home world. Plus she had a present from the dragon spirit. Kate smiled at the strange gift, tucking it safely away in her pockets.
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The party was an epic one. Keith had to admit it was awesome. Lots of good food, laughter and, at long last, acceptance. The spirits finally took Kate in as their own co-worker. Though he and Kate left once the alcohol beverages were brought out. The two sat on the ledge of the balcony outside their room, watching the sights and enjoying the serenity.
"Hey."
Lin came over, carrying a plate.
"I swiped some dumplings for you and the buizel." She said, giving the plate to Kate.
"Thanks Lin." Kate responded.
"What a day, right?" Lin sighed, leaning over the balcony. "I'll probably head off to bed soon. Feelin super tired."
She was tired? Keith silently snickered, thinking the chikerita girl outta put herself in Kate's shoes. Kate was the one who braved against the odds and charged through the challenge. Granted the buizel helped some but washing the stink spirit? That was all Kate.
"Um Lin?" Kate spoke up. "Where's Haku?"
"Not Haku again…" Lin rolled her eyes, biting into her own dumpling. "He just disappears sometimes. Does Yubaba's dirty work and all that crap. At least that's the rumor."
Does he really? Keith wasn't so sure anymore. Getting Kate that job, letting them see their friends and all that advice? Haku was nice to them, being their ally as he said he'd be. The cold shoulder at one time was hurtful. And the rumors weren't nice. But Haku couldn't be all bad, could he?
"Lights out Lin!"
"Coming!" Lin responded, getting up. "I'm off to bed. Don't stay up too late."
"Kay." Kate said.
Lin left them and went back to the room. Kate and Keith grabbed their dumplings and quietly ate as they watched the sights. Clouds vanished, revealing the full moon above in the dark blue sky. It gave off a brilliant glow to the land below. What was once empty land was now a sea. A train skimmed over the water's edge, going off into the distance. Hillsides became islands. In the far distance were bright lights that looked like other towns. How big was this world? What else was out there? It made Keith curious.
"It looks like an ocean…" Kate whispered.
"Must be all that rain we had." Keith said, taking a bite from his epic-tasting dumpling.
"It's so beautiful." Kate sighed.
Keith had to agree. The calming waves sparkling under the moonlight? Maybe it was the water pokemon in him but he was intrigued. Here was a sight he'd never seen before. Probably wouldn't see again back home. Everything seemed just so perfect.
Kate reached her hand down and scratched a spot on Keith's shoulders. Keith twitched, feeling the sudden touch on his back. But his muscles relaxed at once and leaned against Kate. Aw man that felt so good! Was this what pokemon felt when they were pet? No wonder they liked it! One heck of an experience! Keith never felt so comfortable and peaceful before! A low rattling noise shook his throat.
"Wait a sec…" Kate blinked. "Are you purring?"
Keith flinched, turning crimson. "NO!"
Kate smirked. "You are so. I can hear it loud and clear."
"…ah…it was….I…er…you …" Keith stammered.
Kate giggled and started scratching another spot. Keith melted into her lap, utterly calm once more. He was purring again but he didn't care. Let the purring commence for all he cared. Why not just enjoy this moment, here beside Kate? This was perfect.
When the petting stopped, Keith still stayed where he was, too relaxed to move anymore. He took the last bite out of his dumpling, savoring the flavor. Kate took her dumpling and bit from it. From her pocket, she pulled something out.
"What'cha got there?" Keith yawned.
"The dragonair spirit gave it to me." Kate replied, she sniffed it. "It smells a little like medicine."
"Taste a little bit." Keith suggested.
Kate used her teeth to pull off a tiny bit of the skin. She chewed it a few times, trying to figure out the taste.
"ACK!"
Keith felt her body tense up. The girl looked sick, like she was about to hurl.
"Er, Kate? You ok?" Keith sweatdropped.
Kate nodded and quickly chowed down on her dumpling. After devouring the entire thing (and a near choking fatality), she gasped for air and leaned on the balcony railing.
Keith laughed. "Damn it! You're way too cute right now!"
"I am not cute!" Kate blushed.
"Are so." Keith smirked. "Especially when you're in denial."
"I AM NOT IN DENIAL!"
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Me doth thinks the girl protests too much. Then again, so does our little buizel friend. xD Any 'Spirited Away' fan saw the change I made in the scene (as well as a few others) and such. Decided I needed more alone time for our heroes. *wink & nudge*
Next chapter, coming up soon!
Also for conversation, if you had to pick which Spirited Away scene to appear in, which would you choose? I'd have to say this one just because of the scenery, eating dumplings and being friends with Lin.
