Episode 42: Project Paradise
Can't take it anymore… Kari moaned on top of a low grumble. She slid to the floor from her seat in the train carriage, letting Kayla fall against the backrest. Somehow that didn't wake the Buneary, not that Kari cared right now. She slinked through the middle, ignoring everyone else's sleeping forms to leave. All of them appeared as relaxed as Kayla was, even though it was dawn right now.
Barely opening her eyes, Kari slid over to the Kangaskhan statue and scanned her PET, rummaging through the drawer. She felt nothing however, and shot awake. There should have been fruit and berries left over after last night, or at the very least, the healing berries they set aside for actual healing. But there was nothing. Even their seeds weren't there.
She gasped in panic and tapped a few things on the PET. The storage had been accessed an hour ago. That's way before everyone else woke up. The thief's gotta be close!
This was natural to her. A habit, even. There were things Furret normally kept track of without thinking about: vibrations in the ground, the strength of the wind, the sounds of the environment, and more. When Kari concentrated, it was like turning the dial on all her senses up to levels that would overload ordinary Pokémon. Kari could pick up individual sounds and see minute details for miles, even see footprints or smell the scents of Pokémon behind walls. A familiarly lovely song was the only unusual thing she picked up this time, however. She let the song play out a bit, twitching her ears, and then began to slink through the scrapyard after it.
She arrived at the kitchen area, but hid the moment she recognised what was happening. Mog was singing to herself as she multitasked. Their song was pleasant, and they didn't seem to be doing anything suspicious. Shifting to get a better look, they were peeling potatoes with their feet while slicing corn cobs into smaller chunks with their wings. There was a pot with boiling water on, too.
Wait, that's our food. Why did Mog steal our food? Kari cocked her head, entranced by it all. The whole scene lacked any concern or urgency whatsoever. Mog looked like an entirely different Pokémon right now. Even though they were doing a lot at once, there were nothing but chill vibes coming from her. Kari's stomach suddenly growled, making her squeak and shrink down.
"Who's there?" Mog gasped, dropping everything to bolt out the room. She spotted Kari straight away, who stared back, rubbing her belly. "Kari…"
Kari kept staring. Just like that, the usual vibes she got from Mog came back. The alertness, the mental guard, her quiet breaths. Realising she was the cause, Kari relaxed and smiled warmly. "Don't stop."
Mog blinked twice. "How much did you see?"
"Enough," Kari said, swaying the other way. "I, um, I guess this is gonna sound kinda outta nowhere but: you're our friend, you know."
Mog sighed at that, and slowly returned to the kitchen. Kari joined her, unable to keep still as she admired all the work. All of their food was here, mostly sorted into piles. The potatoes and corn were new, but raw at present.
"Hey, I mean it. Me and Kayla are just kinda like that," Kari continued.
"You don't have to put it on to make me feel better. I've done so many bad things I'll never be able to make up for. I'm the scary archfiend. I don't deserve friends," Mog said.
"We're not making it up. And everyone deserves friends!" Kari threw her arms up. Mog barely moved, so she swung an arm over their shoulder, bringing them close. "Where's that morning cheer? You're dealing with food, and food makes everyone happy!"
"Stop it! You don't get it," Mog cried, breaking free. She sighed again, looking away. "It's fine if you only care to get what you want out of me. That's all I'm worth right now."
Kari's smile faded a bit, and her voice grew softer. "It's not that we don't care. Er for me, it's just that I get it. How alone you can feel when it seems like just being alive, being you, causes nothing but bad feelings for everyone else."
That got Mog to look up.
"But you're still alive, and you're still here, whether those Pokémon want it or not. And you're choosing to do good for the world now, right?" Kari asked.
"I don't feel like I've done much… but yeah. If I got the chance, I'd give it everything I've got. I promise," Mog said.
"Yeah, see? Anyone who wants to be mean and keep you suffering is just, er, a big meanie! Even Pola and Shannon! You're out there doing your best, so what's there to be upset about, y'know?" Kari clenched her paws. "And when I saw you just now… you looked really happy. I didn't know you had such an amazing singing voice, Mog."
"Please don't tell anyone! I didn't even know anyone could hear me," the Swoobat blushed.
"But why? You looked really happy when you were singing," Kari swayed cheerily. Mog actually started to look panicked at that, so she calmed down. "Relaaax, I'm not gonna tell if you don't want me to. But I'm happy I got to hear you, 'cos your voice is really pretty, and it made me really happy to see you so happy! It'd be a shame if everyone else didn't get to hear you, too."
"Kari, you're…" Mog started to blush a bit, and rubbed her wing. Kari's stomach rumbled again, and she deflated. "… really hungry, huh?"
"S-sorry… so hungry. Why did you take all our food?" Kari moaned.
"Honestly, I know what it looks like, but I haven't taken a thing. After last night, we don't have much left. And since you still haven't had meat yet, May got a little worried you might try to sneak some food in," Mog admitted.
Kari looked away at that. She couldn't stop her face from heating up. "Naaah, I wouldn't do such a naughty thing."
Mog stared at her, half-lidded.
"Okay maaaaaaybe I got up craving an apple or three," she started twiddling her feet.
"We're actually going to run out of food. Genius joining us threw a spanner in our works," Mog warned.
"Not even a nibble? I'm soooooo hungry!" Kari started bouncing.
"Sorry Kari. May's orders."
"Aww fine," Kari puffed out her cheeks. "At least put it all back though. Don't want anyone else thinking you stole stuff."
"May told me to come here, though."
"Oh, right. I guess that's fine," Kari calmed down, and then suddenly perked back up. "If I go wake everybody up, does that mean we'll get breakfast quicker?"
"You dunno how to take no for an answer, do you?" Mog smirked.
"Not when it comes to food!" she cheered. "Or anything important, really. If I didn't, I wouldn't be able to go on."
"Alright fine, how about this. If you be good and wait for everyone, I'll let you choose what I cook this morning," Mog proposed.
"Y'know, you get really happy when you talk about food, too," Kari pointed out. Mog was surprised. "You really like cooking, don't you?"
"It's the only thing I'm good at. Whether I enjoy it or not doesn't matter," she turned away.
"Whaddya mean? If Pokémon don't enjoy cooking, their food always turns out bad. Trust me, I know," Kari clarified. "But it's just kinda funny. Your face gets all bright and colourful when you're cooking or talking about it. Kayla made a good choice making you our cook."
"I think you're reading too much into it," Mog went half-lidded again.
"I think it's great! You deserve to be happy just like everyone else, even if you're making up for Mathildaath. So okay, I'll go wait by everyone else, and then you can sing again, too!" Kari sung that last part. "See you later, Moggy!"
"M-Moggy?" the Swoobat muttered, but Kari was already in the distance. She sighed and calmed at last, and then slumped against the wall. "I'm not allowed to be happy…"
…
"So you see our predicament now," May finished explaining. "And considering Kari was already awake, my prediction came true, didn't it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Kari sung, looking everywhere besides the Pichu.
"This sucks. We've got all this cool stuff with the Luna Staff and all that, but instead we've gotta go food shopping?" Pola slumped. "Can we at least do it after breakfast?"
"This is important though. Genius, you're going to have to do your part, too," Shannon ordered.
"Uh huh, uh huh! I'm good at climbing trees, and I can carry lots of fruit, so leave it to me!" she saluted excitedly.
"The real problem is how unsustainable all this will be. Without stable living conditions, Team Daybreak will go through resources quickly, unless we can amass and store an excessive amount. We currently have no means to do so," May continued. "This leaves us with similar options to what we had before. We can split up to take on tasks individually, that way some of us can take on jobs in Twoson's rest and earn an income. Our other choice is to borrow Kayla's family lodgings. That will involve a trip to Hammock."
"Living in Hammock, though," Ashe turned away. She noticed Kayla had her eyes shut and was thinking hard.
"Our third option is to suck it all up and have you dream everything we need into reality. But something tells me you have too much pride for that," May grinned cockily.
"… I did at first, but if an emergency came to it, I would dream you girls up a lunch, you know," Kayla admitted.
"We also have to consider our main missions. The disturbances, and now our quest for the Luna Staff. We need a viable means to reach Comatose Mountain, which lies beyond Kayla's own dream realm," May continued.
"This is… a lot. Dealing with our immediate problems should take priority, but we really can't ignore the long-term ones, either," Ashe swayed in thought. "I hope you aren't asking just Kayla for all this. It's a lot for one Pokémon."
"For one Pokémon…" Kayla muttered, and then beamed with eagerness. "I just got a really good idea. One that doesn't involve me dreaming of food three times a day."
"Oh? A fourth option I didn't consider?" May lost her smile.
"Yeah. Hmm…" Kayla thought aloud, glancing over everyone. They were all watching her expectantly. "Alright. May can you do me a big favour? Gather everyone by Azu. Everyone who does good stuff around here, Mog and Vega included. Let's talk this over breakfast."
"Yaa ha! Kayla knows what's important!" Kari cheered aloud.
"Why do I feel like I'm not gonna like this?" Pola teased.
"Kayla's ideas are good, unlike yours," May commented as she walked off.
"Yeah that's right, walk away! I wouldn't wanna fight me neither!" Pola shouted.
"Easy there," Kayla said. Pola was about to comment until she saw Kayla's serious look. "A lot of stuff's on her mind. She won't say what, but I think letting her take it easy is in order for a bit."
Pola grit her teeth and twirled her weave. "Yeah yeah, I get it, I guess."
Before long, everyone was gathered around a table laid out in front of Azu in the centre of the scrapyard. Team Daybreak, Vega, the scrapyard guards, and a few other Pokémon May considered figureheads were around. Somehow Cruxis was there as well, while Azu was awake and leaned on all fours to be part of the conversation.
"Cool, we're all here," Kayla said, hopping up on top of the table. She hesitated however, grumbling to herself. "Something doesn't work about this… Kari, mind giving me a little boost?"
"Uh, okay," the Furret stepped up. She let Kayla sit on her head, making her tall enough to look over the crowd.
"Much better. Ahem. All of you here, I have a grand proposition to make, one that'll change all of our lives for the better," Kayla began. "I understand I'm just a random girl who turned up one day who maybe expects a little too much from you. But I'm doing this because I know you Pokémon are capable of so much more than this. This scrapyard, I mean."
She awaited a response, but none came. She didn't waver, keeping her smile and volume strong.
"That's why I propose we do as the heroes of old, and turn this place into our very own Paradise!" she announced. Now there were some reactions, albeit muted ones. "The rest of the world rejected us, but we still survive here, struggling in this land of nowhere. So I say we claim it! Claim this land and turn it into our paradise, and build our own world right here and now!"
"Kayla…" May spoke up, clearly bothered by the idea.
"It's gonna take a heck ton of work, but living here daily already does. What's a little more if it means making proper comfort for ourselves?" Kayla continued. Her heart sank when Pokémon in the crowd started to leave.
"You've certainly got a big brain on you," Azu got her attention.
"These Pokémon are here because they failed elsewhere, right? They can't want to stay like this. If nowhere will take them, why wouldn't they want to start something here?" Kayla reasoned.
"We're in a scrapyard. Did you forget?" Azu went half-lidded.
"A scrapyard where every single Pokémon built a habitat, and finds food, and built a kitchen, and other stuff. Heck, you guys have a beach, did you know you have a beach here?" Kayla argued.
"And it's my land," Azu added. That shut Kayla up with a gulp. "There is also a major flaw in your thinking."
"Which is?"
"These Pokémon didn't just give up after a little setback in the big city. Pokémon don't waste their lives away surviving in a scrapyard after a couple job losses or failed dreams. These are Pokémon who have nothing, who have lost everything in a world that refuses to give them a chance. They've given up, and have little spirit left in surviving," Azu explained. "They aren't going to rally behind a rich young girl who lives in her dreams."
Kayla could only respond with a displeased sound. She didn't know what to say. Her team were sad with her at least, while the crowd were disbanding en masse. Thankfully, May didn't grill her, and simply shook her head in dismay.
"If you want to get their assistance, you're going to have to light their hearts by proving that you're not all talk," Azu continued. The proposition made her heart race. "So this Paradise of yours, like the heroes of old… you mean the Heroes of Hope?"
"The very same, the human who called upon the Rainbows of Hope. It's said that they and their partner lived in a paradise built up from barren wasteland. Considering how lucrative this place is, I honestly believe we can do the same here," Kayla reasoned.
"Then show that it's possible. Those heroes started on their own, building a single house. Start by building the things that will light the fire in these Pokémon's hearts," Azu instructed. She gestured to bow her head. "You have my permission."
"I won't waste this opportunity," Kayla nodded. She slid down Kari's back to address her team.
"Honestly, you're out of your mind on this one. How in Isnomia do you intend to convince all these Pokémon to build for you?" May shrugged.
"I hate to be a Negative Nancy, but she's right. We dunno the first thing about building proper houses and stuff, especially outta scrap," Kari added.
"We probably couldn't do much better than what they've done already," Pola said.
Kayla had been pacing, and stopped to look up. "That's because we're not gonna do the building. That's not what we're good at."
"… Umm… then how does Paradise get built?" Shannon's brow furrowed.
"Azu is the leader of this place, but she can't direct Pokémon on the work floor. So we get a Pokémon that can. And that Pokémon will lead the building efforts," Kayla proposed. "Speaking of building, May. I have a huge project for ya. Vega, too."
"Hmm?" May tucked her arms behind her back.
"Ya finally registered that I'm here," the Tinkaton complained.
"We need to get to Comatose Mountain. Start work on something that can get us there," Kayla nodded.
"Tall order straight off the bat! I kinda like it," Vega giggled.
"You don't think I can just conjure such a concept from nothing, do you?" May asked, half-lidded.
"Of course not. But you two know each other from your Netherworld days. You know the most about the Dream World, too. I know you can at least start thinking of something that can get us to that mountain," Kayla nodded.
"It'll be just like old times, except I actually get to treat ya like an adult!" Vega said cheerfully, and gestured patting her on the back. "Lookin' forward to it, Pichu Pichu!"
May sighed deeply. "A project like this could take months, mind you."
"That's fine," Kayla nodded, dismissing them. "Mog? We're gonna have a lot of hungry Pokémon. I know this is going to be tiring, but do you think you can cook us up a feast?"
"If I had enough food to. We can barely feed ourselves this morning," she replied.
"Oh trust me, there'll be enough food. Pola, Genius, exploring's your job," Kayla continued. "I want you two to start plotting land and mapping this place out fully. Don't think about whether something's impossible, just plan what you want and where, and look for every bit of clear space we can use. Draw us up a real paradise!"
"Me and the – g-girlfriend? Really, you're pairing us?" Pola slumped.
"All I gotta do is wander around, right? That's what I do anyway," Genius giggled. "C'mon Pola, let's get lost together!"
"Whaaaat," Pola fell on her backside. "Man, get your head out your ass."
"Shannon, Ashe. Once Pokémon start working, there's going to be a fair number of injuries or tired Pokémon. It's a lot of work for the two of you, but I need you to run a temporary hospital," Kayla carried on. "Take care of everyone who needs healing, and keep everyone's strength up."
"You just need me to Life Dew everyone, right? I don't know much about biology or fixing actual injuries, if they come up," Shannon warned.
"I do. I can direct you if things get complex," Ashe stood up. "That does involve us teaming up, though. I'll need you to trust me."
"Right. That's a thing," he said. There was a pause, and then he nodded. "You'll need your Otamatone, right? I'll go and get it."
"You…" Ashe's eyes widened. Kayla smiled at the scene, finally turning to Kari.
"Kari, you're with me. We've got the toughest job of all: recruitment," she stated.
"What's recruitment?" Kari cocked her head.
"We're gonna bring more Pokémon here. Pokémon who can lead building efforts and do all kinds of other important stuff," she nodded.
"But who, and how?" Kari leaned back.
"We'll warp, so I'll need you using the dream catcher for me. But to be honest, I also just need you being cute," she clarified.
"Ehee hee, okay. I'll try."
"All understood? Then let's get to it, we're wasting daylight!" Kayla announced.
"Honestly, you're outta your mind. Even I don't wanna listen!" Pola complained.
"Listening or not, this is what's happening. Get to it, and take it seriously!" Kayla demanded. "C'mon Kari, we're going."
"Where to?"
"That'll be a surprise," she said, throwing herself back onto Kari's side. Just like that, she was fast asleep.
"You know, it still astonishes me that she can sleep like this…" Shannon said. "Wish I had that power, without the Dream World stuff."
"Silly Shannon, all you've gotta do is go to bed!" Genius giggled.
"This is the shittiest mission yet," Pola groaned.
…
Kayla's Dream Pool dropped the duo off in a familiar room filled with weapons and silk webs. "Cool, looks like it worked."
"Gyaah!" Artillery flinched so hard he hit the back wall. The Swadloon almost dropped his sunglasses too, but fixed them just in time. "Wait, it is just you two. Old customers."
"Sorry for the surprise drop in! But it's good you're here," Kayla said.
"I'm always here," he said boldly. "Did your claws need a repair already?"
"Thankfully, no! They're still good, great, actually! Seriously, best weapon I've ever used," Kari replied. "I still can't thank you enough for them! So thank you, Arty!"
"Ahem, that's Artillery to you," he adjusted his sunglasses again.
"That's what I said: artily!"
There was a pause.
"Well, you said to come to you with work. How are you with building tools? As in, making tools for Pokémon to build stuff? It's not all weapons with you, is it?" Kayla began.
"It is one of the many services I provide for the Pokémon here. I prefer weapons, but I can build anything," he confirmed.
"Perfect. You're gonna have to make a whole lotta tools for us. If all goes right, you'll have no shortage of weapons to craft," Kayla grinned eagerly. "Come with us. We'll explain in front of the boss."
"You mean… Meowstic?" he cocked his head. Kayla didn't answer. "I will follow briefly."
The Hammock Slums hadn't changed a bit from their last visit. Pokémon still busied themselves with fires and requests to trade materials. She couldn't help but feel the atmosphere was a little worse than before, or perhaps she didn't remember it from back then. Pokémon looked malnourished and grubby here, while none of them smiled. This was even when they reached Meowstic's cave tent. The oversized psychic cat was lying on the side of his bench as usual, while his two comrades, the autumn-coloured Chikorita and Bayleef, stepped aside. They all looked worse for wear, and Meowstic's bench looked like it would break at any moment.
"Hey, you! Big guy," Kayla greeted. One eye shot open straight at her.
"You… Brunswick. Great," he grumbled, belching lightly. "No commotion going on outside… What do you want?"
Kayla took a deep breath, and faced him seriously. "To fix your life."
He hummed something, closed both eyes, and then shuffled as if he was going to move. He rolled onto his back instead, scratching his side.
"Hey, I'm serious."
"Yeah, whatever. Run along, kid," he flicked an arm at her.
"Look, this isn't the time to be difficult. I want to help you, myself, and all the other Pokémon here in the slums," Kayla began. "We have an opportunity to fix all our lives and build a new home, but I need the help of a leader who knows how to build things. That's you, isn't it?"
Meowstic grumbled as he rolled back onto his side. "Ain't you got one of 'em fancy teams an' stuff? If you're looking for advice on leadership, you're really scratchin' the bottom of the barrel coming to me."
"I'm not looking for advice on leadership, I'm looking for help on building things. Like, actual houses and stuff."
"The hell for? You buildin' a waterpark or something?" he opened an eye again.
"… That could be part of the setup, if we have enough luxuries. We do have a private beach," Kayla thought aloud.
"Allow me to give you an answer," Meowstic said, and then breathed in deep. He exhaled a mighty burp, which came out as a cloud of green gas. Kayla was smothered in it, and wound up coughing and tearing up.
"Kayla!" Kari cried. "That was just mean! What was that for?"
"I'm not about to sit here and be made a mockery of by a rich bitch like you. 'Fix my life'? An 'opportunity'? Do you know how many times I've heard that jargon from you scamming, scheming, privileged fucks?" he glared at Kayla with unfathomable viciousness, even though he glared with only one eye. "You've had your five minutes of entertainment. Get outta here, damn rodent."
Between the putrid burp and his ruthless words, Kayla couldn't breathe right, nor stop the tears in her eyes. She accidentally looked at Kari like this, who flinched from what they saw. The Furret grew determined however, and clenched her paws.
"Hey, you! That's enough!" she pouted. "We came here outta the goodness in our hearts. Do you really not wanna help your Pokémon?"
"Hmm," he grumbled, glaring at Kari this time. "This is a lot of effort for a prank."
"It's not a prank!" Kari raised her voice. "Look, just listen to us. We found a scrapyard full of—"
"Stuff it you privileged little pancake. You know how the law works around here. You want me to put effort into anything, you help us out with genuine help, not your made up little poolside fairytales that you wanna spread for your entertainment. We are Pokémon, not your peasants."
"Then let us bloody treat you like Pokémon!" Kari screeched.
"Kari…" Kayla leaned back. Meowstic had both eyes open now.
"You're treating us like scum of the earth, while you're living like actual scum! Every Pokémon we passed on the way here was starving and hadn't washed in ages. Pokémon that aren't meant to be living in dirt are living in it. Even your two partners look like their leaves are gonna fall off. Aren't you meant to be the leader of these Pokémon? Actually give them a chance to live, like what we're trying to give you!" Kari ranted. There was a long round of silence. "Mister. If you don't do something, your Pokémon are going to suffer. We're here to give you that chance, I promise. But you're turning us away just because you think we're rich! You're treating us worse than the rich treat you!"
"Really? You're going to play that card on me?" he growled.
"At least hear us out," Kari shivered with frustration.
"Hrrg, fine then. Let's hear what you got for us then, oh magical homeless-saviours," he calmed down, shutting his eyes again. Kari stood aside to let Kayla come forward. "You've got five minutes."
"Just gonna cut to the chase. We're going to build our own Paradise. You know, like the Heroes of Hope," Kayla stated.
"And you need the homeless to do it? That's extreme boredom you've got there, if this is entertainment for ya," he replied, picking an ear.
"You really just don't have any faith in us, do you? I thought you'd be perfect for this, but it seems like I was way off the mark," Kayla finally gave up.
"… Why me?" he asked, still idly digging that ear. Kayla hesitated. "So let me play along and believe ya really are planning to build a whole, er, Paradise, from sticks 'n stones of nothing. Why me? Surely ya could just hire actual professional builders from your family's fund or something."
Kayla gulped. "Because it's a scrapyard of Pokémon who I know have building experience, but they don't have the drive or the spirit to give it a go. Meanwhile, the Pokémon here look to you as a leader who keeps peace and order, even though their lives are in rock-bottom."
"With enough words and money thrown around, ya could do that, too. So why me?" he asked again, looking at her this time.
"Because you used to be a construction Pokémon," Kayla stated. Both of Meowstic's eyes widened now, and he lost his smile, while Kayla gained hers. "I noticed it the first time we came here. These valleys weren't dug naturally, and everyone here seems to have expertly built tents that accommodate for the caves and landscape. The Pokémon here also trade for materials to help themselves build stuff, rather than trading for food or water. Also, all the junk behind you isn't random junk, it's spare parts and materials… the stuff Pokémon could use to build a team base!"
Meowstic's eyes narrowed, and he slowly began to shift, sitting up to loom over Kayla. However, she remained focused.
"It's almost as if everyone here knows a thing or two about construction and building, and values it highly," she stated.
"You noticed," his voice vibrated low on the wind just there. "So. You think I can lead the charge on your little Paradise project over in another scrapyard, yeah? Hate to break it to ya, but this guy's construction days are hopeless."
"You as well? You can't give up just because of a few setbacks!" Kari cried. Meowstic shook his head, and then lifted his ears. The markings inside them looked like they'd been gouged out, leaving unhealthy scars behind. It was gross enough that both girls gasped and flinched.
"Couldn't even if I tried. You were spot on, little Miss Brunswick. Used to lead a big ol' construction company over in Hammock. Designed the bridge town and all them city blocks ya take for granted. But an accident made me lose my mana lobes. Can't use a lick of Psychic, now. And a Meowstic who can't use Psychic is about as useful as stale bread," he explained. "So I pass my knowledge onto the Pokémon who fail at life to come live here. At some point, they all started looking to me as some sorta leader, 'cos I'm helpin' 'em all survive. Reality is, I'm just a washed up fat guy full of hot shit."
"Don't say that. All these Pokémon are counting on you. Even though you're stinky, even this Bayleef and Chikorita trust you! That's gotta say something of how good a leader you are," Kari said.
"You won't need to build everything yourself. You just need to prove your knowledge and order the other Pokémon, same as you did here," Kayla explained. "Everyone here will earn a place to live. The only payment is that you build us a house, too."
"This is what you needed the tools for, yes?" Artillery finally spoke up. "A worthwhile cause, and a distraction. I will make everything you require."
"See, even Artillery's on board. Will you at least check it out?" Kayla finished.
"You have a way of getting me and my Pokémon there, yeah?" he asked. Kayla nodded. He huffed in bother, and then finally started to make an effort to stand up. There was an absurd strain on his legs, and when he stretched, a vile stench came from his armpits, while dried crust came from his fat rolls when he scratched himself.
Man, did he have to be the gross kind of fat? Maybe we should try to clean him so that the other Pokémon aren't put off… but I don't wanna be responsible for that, Kayla couldn't help but grimace at the sight. Wait, I hope I don't look like that. Is this what I look like to Pola?
"Alright then, I'll give it a look. Sylvia! Christel! Yer comin' with," he announced. "And don't worry about me. I may be twenty stone bigger than the average Meowstic, but I'm plenty strong enough to carry my own weight. I can still carry a couple iron girders just like a Gurdurr too, so no underestimatin' me!"
"Yeeeaaay! Knew I could count on you mister Meow Meow!" Kari cheered and bounced.
"Er- ugh, the cutesy little girl look and everything… don't call me that again. It's Welder. Call me Welder," he grumbled.
"Welder. Fitting name," Kayla smiled.
…