Abra insisted on keeping her princess cone thing, so now the pink tip of her hat could be seen peeking out from the plush palm tree shade covering her backpack as Adam and Anita finally came within sight of Verdanturf Town.
Glancing behind himself, he winced a bit. "The town is going to notice the changes, won't they?"
Anita glanced at the now straight, well lit, newly paved path. One that looked BETTER than the city streets of the town they were about to enter. "Probably."
He sighed. "Better sneak in I guess. Thank goodness there are no guards or whatever at the entrances."
The town itself was a bit small, though thankfully they DID have a few shops. While the expected 'Poké Mart' did exist, there were a number of specialty stores and grocery stores that were not represented in the shows or games that had gained his interest.
The first stop? The electronics store.
Adam felt 'Technomancy' flash on with eagerness as all the active display examples of Pokédex models quickly were scanned and stored in his mental library. Despite expectations, there WERE several brands and companies involved.
Unlike Pokéballs, which were HEAVILY regulated and controlled by the governments (It was a vital part of society), other tools and electronics had far looser restrictions and protections. Sharing schematics was fairly common, and (unusually) stealing designs was RARE.
So... lots of similar components in these Pokédex examples. The differences were carefully noted and passed on to the twin Angels for consideration, but most of the illegal model displayed by the two Team Rocket Grunts outclassed these offerings.
He smiled at the young woman behind the counter. "Yes, I am looking for interesting or odd options available for a custom Pokédex. Trying to build my own version, so I want to see what has already been accomplished."
Mostly true, so yay!
Anita had taken her Pidgey to the Pokémon Center for a checkup, and to check in with her school and family. As she didn't quite trust her 'totally legal' Pokédex to make calls yet, considering how much of it was 'borrowed' from a crime organization's probably illegal equipment.
Point was, he was alone with Abra and could spend time sending the poor sales lady back and forth to the supply room, showing off all the odd options people could purchase when shopping for a Pokédex.
Scan after scan proved how profitable this idea had turned out to be, and in gratitude he went ahead and purchased one of the most expensive models for Anita. It would also be remodeled internally, so that she could NOW use all the new features AND have an excuse about where it came from.
Proper paper trail and everything! Although Adam wouldn't tell anyone that the money came from the two Grunt's digital accounts. They HAD tried to attack when they first met after all, a slap on the wrist was warranted.
His next stop was to address the money issue mentioned before, as there was a resource shop that purchased the many goods Trainers would find in nature. Abra had provided several examples of Pokéberries on the way here, and even if they DID have odd energies it was trivial enough for his Construction beams to duplicate.
...Though apparently Pokédexes were common enough that they were used as digital wallets, sort of like a gift card that can deposit cash directly to accounts when in cities or near approved network connections.
He stuffed the large amount of newly acquired digital currency into Anita's account. Considering that he didn't exist, didn't have an account OR a Pokédex yet, and didn't want to mess with it.
Adam blinked as he stepped back out of the most recent store.
Right, he should have told his younger companion that he was stuffing her accounts with lots of random deposits. And should tell her SOON, before she freaks out and trys to report it as fraud or something.
~~~Broken Adventure~~~
Anita looked at her receipt.
Her remaining balance had WAY too many zeros.
An instant message alert from her modified Pokédex clarified issues. And added a few requests on her time.
She nodded, and turned back to the Poké Mart attendant. "Also, I am going to need one of each available Pokéballs. In a separate bag, if you could."
Showing her official Trainer License, she internally sighed. Because clearly this was Adam's fault... so she might as well help the guy out a bit.
As the various orbs were carefully packed, she hummed. Might want to pick up other supplies if Adam was just going to stuff her pockets with extra coin. Maybe buy one of each Potion as well? He would likely appreciate that.
Compared to the shadow tentacles, god tier food, and world rebuilding, this didn't even phase her.
~~~Broken Adventure~~~
Officer Jenny leaned heavily on the counter, her face weary. "Say that again?"
Her 'contact' on the phone sighed as well. "Yeah, can't confirm where this info comes from, but you need to tell your coworkers as well. So far the man is fairly easy to work with, and hasn't shown too many dangerous tendencies, but raw power is its own issue sometimes."
She glanced at the many reports that previously had been ignored as a series of pranks. Magically changing roads, instantly rebuilt rest stops, automated diners, a tall muscular princess being saved by a tiny knight as part of a roaming theater troupe, it all sounded like a joke.
Officer Jenny sighed. "Is it another high level Pokémon running a prank?" Because THAT had been annoying.
The source was not happy either. "As far as we can tell, no. None of the normal energies from special moves or attacks were detected, and the few people we have able to decode 'Future Sight' visions insist that any Pokémon he gathers are NOT the ones to be concern about."
She frowned. "How is the organization handling this?" Team Rocket could sometimes make... unwise decisions. The Police Department wouldn't tolerate law breaking, so knowing how the major criminal underworld was going to approach the issue was vital.
The caller chuckled. "Thankfully this was a unanimous decision. From the top to the bottom, 'Do NOT engage'. We are staying out of his way until he vanishes again, considering he came from nowhere and we have no records of him... anywhere."
Officer Jenny held back any further concerns and thanked her inside source. Sometimes knowing the right people can protect society just as much as any other part of her job.
She sent out the alert to the other Officers. "Be advised: A tall man in a princess outfit or woman with very masculine voice in a pink dress, unconfirmed ID of 'Adam', who is accompanied by a young Trainer identified as Anita Sands (Registered ID:071133), have become individuals of extreme interest. For safety of local officials, do not engage unless bystanders or property are at risk or being damaged. Individual 'Adam' has been marked as a possible 'Mega Evolution' level risk if handled improperly."
With a sigh, she continued. "Said man can be identified from his glowing blue eyes, blue wire hair, and backpack containing a sleeping Abra. Please note, said Abra and the man's hair may or may not be on fire. Blue fire. Do not assume this is harming the Abra at this time."
Hearing a few confirmations from Officer Jenny, Officer Jenny, and Officer Jenny, she sighed. At least the local forces were warned now.
Then again, considering how improved Route 116 looked maybe she could convince the strange man to wander the various paths for a while. Heaven knows how difficult was to get funding to maintain the damn things.
~~~Broken Adventure~~~
Adam was forced to put away the fun things Anita had picked up as she convinced him to go visit the Contest Hall and the Battle Tent facilities in the town.
It didn't slow him down much, as he just Gathered the mess and let Simmy and Sammy handle the schematics, but he really wanted to tinker with all the new stuff NOW, darn it.
Still, even Abra woke up long enough to add her puppy dog look to Pidgey and Anita... and he caved like a wet tissue.
So they were visiting the Contest Hall first, which was a bit interesting. The place historically was a place to have battles between Trainers of a traditional nature... but after many years, they had split all the actual fights to the Battle Tent. It also reduced the cost of accidental damage to unrelated areas of the facilities.
Now, the Contest Hall handled the more interesting types of competitions. People showed off the largest or smallest Pokémon while trying to beat world records, there were tools to measure attacks and the effectiveness of certain skills, and even competitive dance routines, costume designs, and more.
While the Battle Hall was full of dangerous battles where pride and training came to a head, the Contest Hall was full of bragging teenagers, various businesses looking for new talent, and many groups and clubs that came to display their personal pride and abilities to the world.
It was certainly an usual atmosphere, sort of like a county fair or something. There were even various booths that sold trinkets and snacks, a few that were actually part of the Contest Hall action themselves as they showed off treats made by skilled Pokémon or by taking advantage of carefully controlled Pokémon attacks.
Adam carefully shared some cotton candy (Melted by a cautious fire from a tortoise-like Torkoal and spun by his Trainer) with a still awake Abra, enjoying watching her munch small amounts at a time. It was so rare to see his little friend awake, even if she had no problem interacting with the group while sleeping away.
The various exhibits were interesting, but it was clear why the two facilities had been combined in the various games Adam had for reference. How would gamer players on Earth compete with eachother in the 'Most Fire Resistant Scarf' competition without a massive redesign of the fundamental concept of 'battle'? Easier to pretend only fights occurred here.
Anita helped wipe Abra's chin and Pidgey was showing off the new painters hat his owner had bought at one of the small shops in the facility, so in general the group was feeling pretty great at this point.
It was why Adam felt more than a bit surprised when a tall muscle man wearing a fashionable skirt and tube top interrupted their conversation. "YOU SIR!"
Adam blinked. "Me?"
The man of muscle flexed his form, his hair ribbons glinting in the sun. "YES YOU!"
Anita backed away a bit.
Whatever 'blend into the crowd' strategy they may or may not have been trying for was truly shot at this point. The general crowd had subconsciously opened a wide circle, leaving Adam and the Manly Man-in-Drag alone.
The guy was unconcerned. "I see your fashion passion is as STRONG AS MY ABS! You MUST join me as we FLEX FABULOUSLY!"
Adam raised a finger. "I am confused. What exactly do you want?"
His form rippled perfectly into an astounding pose, his skirt gently swirling. "I am the famous Drag-Queen King of Fashion and YOU! You must join me in glorious celebration! Come, we must be off!"
Anita tried to help Adam's confusion. "I think it is because you are still wearing the Princess costume."
He frowned. "But it is comfortable."
A wide white smile glinted. "INDEED! Come, bring your undersized friend and FLEX THIS WAY!"
...Huh.
Why not?
~~~Broken Adventure~~~
Anita slumped in embarrassment as she followed her now flexing companion, Abra having fallen back asleep and Pidgey trying to cheer the pair on.
She coughed. "Uh... Sir?"
The mountain of muscle nearly shattered the atmosphere with his astounding poses as he bulged his muscles. "YES, TINY PERSON!?"
She winced. WOW he was loud. "Right, I'm Anita and he..." Adam had somehow managed to explode his princess sleeves with his last flex. Oddly impressive. "He is Adam Burns. We just got into town. What is this 'Glorious Celebration' you mentioned?"
The man laughed loudly into the air. "Not ALL Pokémon understand the joy of combining hard physical training with delicate fine dress forms! But we shared MANLY BONDS OF PASSION!"
He flexed with a surprisingly cooperative Adam into the next room. "I have worked with the finest designers here in Verdanturf for today's display, and when I saw your muscular fashion Deva here I KNEW I had found a SOUL MATE!"
Adam paused mid flex. "Just to clarify, I am spoken for by several wives at this point."
The Drag-Queen King of Fashion chuckled. "Of course! My wife is one of the finest designers for my entire team! But this is beyond love and marriage, this is about the JOYS of POWERFUL, TAUNT, MUSCLES!"
His body arced in beautiful tension. "FORCE!" And twisted again. "FORM!" Once more. "AND FASHION!" His skirt floated gently in the breeze as he twisted like an angel.
Anita tried to look uninvolved. How did she keep running into people like this?
...And now Pidgey was trying to flex. You are a bird, stop.
Adam adjusted his form, the far more experienced King helping a lot. "How many Pokémon have joined your cause?"
The man waved to a booth filled with weight equipment and some concerned seamstresses, ready to pounce if one of their artistic creations got damaged during the workouts. "Not as many as I expected. BUT! I wasn't entirely unsuccessful! For example, I was lucky enough to find this Machop and his brothers, whom evolved to a muscled Machoke and very flexible Machamp!"
The three Pokémon in question abandoned their weight reps and quickly got in formation. The smallest, Machop, had a dashing gown that flattered his eyes and was lightly blue. Honestly his muscles were nothing amazing, but his passion showed through his poses.
Machoke and Machamp both had muscles to spare, though the highest evolved Machamp had more of a swimmers grace than the pure bulk flexed by Machoke. Both had gone topless, only their tasteful skirts with a lovely floral pattern allowing them to display the height of culture.
The King joined them. "Together now! And FLEX!" POWER! BEAUTY! MUSCLES!
The crowed was in awe!
...Were there sparkles in the air?
Anita looked at the other hard working Pokémon. "Is that Golem wearing a two piece swimsuit?"
The Drag-Queen King of Fashion winced. "Ah, Carl. He dreams of posing by the sea, but his nature fights his dreams." He waves the trio back to their routine and stands tall.
His soul was FILLED with determination. "Carl may be a massive boulder with barely any limbs to work with, but he has HEART! He has PASSION! Water is a fundamental weakness to his species!? WE SAY NAY! Every obstacle is but another path to improvement! It is but an opportunity to FLEX YOUR WAY TO YOUR DREAMS!
A loud cascade of noises rose as the dozen or so finely dressed Pokémon all roared with fiery desire, their cries of future accomplishments clear as they showed the best angles and pushed each muscle to the MAX!
Adam grinned. "We've got time to hang around, right?"
Little Abra tried to flex her arm. Nah. She went back to sleep.
