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Chapter 161 - Save the Temple! (Part 2)

"Whoo... Not bad so far..." Chris muttered, taking another break as he enjoyed tea on the sidelines of the temple's chamber, looking toward the stage as a mixer offered filler music until the next performance. "You doing okay?" Serenity asked, walking up and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Ha! Never better." he assured, offering a smirk. "I really gotta hand it to you, the way you played that guitar was amazing... I'm proud of you!" he grinned, making Serenity glance away with a blush and a small smile. "Really like, huh...?" she asked, brushing her bangs in a surprisingly shy manner. "You bet, I might know a thing or two about a piano but I could never compete with strings like that. You're a real star!" he grinned warmly, making Serenity smile all the more. "No swollen heads now." Alicia chimed in, making Serenity jolt before scowling at the snake. "Come on, you gotta admit she was pretty cool." Chris affirmed, getting another smile from Serenity while Rose nodded. "My fingers would burn trying that..." the rabbit smiled nervously, looking at her tiny digits. "Well, considering the way she was when we first met, I knew Serenity had a certain spark when it came to music... I just never expected her to learn how to play an instrument so fast. Just goes to show anyone can be a genius!" Chris praised, making Serenity hold her nose up proudly with her hands on her hips. "You better remember that!" she insisted, looking at Alicia who merely scowled. "Indeed..." she replied. "Hey now, there's no need to be like that." Chris waved, the two looking at him. "You all have your positives in your own ways. You know Serenity isn't the only one who's impressed me." he reminded, nudging Alicia with his elbow.

"There you are..." a calm voice chimed in, the group turning to see Tsarea walking up. "Hey there! Not a bad little party so far, eh?" Chris answered, raising his cup. "Not at all... If anything I daresay we may be a bit overwhelmed." she smiled. "In this case, I hope that's a good thing." Chris chuckled. "Indeed it is... In all my years serving this Temple, never have I seen such energy... Might you follow me for just a moment?" she asked, holding her hand toward a nearby passage. "Eh? Ah, sure..." Chris nodded, finishing his drink and tossing the cup in a nearby can. "Wanna come?" he asked, looking at the girls and getting nods before following the mother. "A group that arrived to perform tonight has asked to see you before going on stage. The fellow I'm assuming is in charge was quite insistent." she point out. "Group...? Let's see... There's..." Chris muttered, thinking about who'd arrived to help with the event. Passing the entrance to another room, they paused upon hearing the commotion within, making Chris and the girls peer within curiously to find hired hands lining tables and busily answering phones with others on laptops. "Oh yeah... Call center..." Chris muttered. "Yes... Not only are the sisters busily taking donations, since your opening performance it seems we've been getting donations from abroad as well... Though how much I'm not certain until all is said and done and we have the final tally." Tsarea smiled. "We... Owe you much." she added before offering a slight bow. "Bah, no need for that. I'm having a blast myself!" Chris grinned as they looked back at the room full of ringing lines and chattering staff. Moving along, Tsarea stopped at a closed door before turning with her hand up.

"Here we are, the gentleman and his family are just beyond here." she smiled. "Appreciate it..." Chris nodded, looking up at the door. "Mm... Which ones were using this...?" he muttered, looking at the girls before knocking. "Uh, hello? It's Nakazaki!" he called out, slowly opening the door and stepping inside. However, upon doing so a hulking man stepped up in front of him, covering Chris in his shadow as he looked down sternly with his hands on his hips. Blinking in surprise, the group looked up at the man, save for Alicia who was at even level and merely looked at his charro outfit, looking like a mostly white tux of sorts with red and gold patterns in the stitching. "Hola senor..." he spoke in a deep, gruffled voice. "H-Hi..." Chris waved warily. "You... You are the one who spoke with my little mijo, si?" he asked. "Mijo...? Mijo..." Chris answered, thinking it over. "Ah! That word... Your... Son...?" he added, thinking it over. "I know we had performers join last minute... Son... Son..." he muttered before flashing back to the boy in the wheelchair. "Ah!" he snapped. "Alonso! You're his folks, right?" he asked, the man slowly leaning down to him in a stern manner, making him lean back. "D-Did I... Do something wrong...?" he asked, the man remaining silent for a moment. "You... Got my mijo suspended from school..." he revealed, making Chris's eyes widen. "I-I uh..." he stuttered. Trying to think of a response, suddenly the man's lips begin to quiver, followed by a snicker throwing the group off as they blinked curiously, watching as he raised and leaned back with a hearty laughter out of the blue as others in the room gathered, consisting of his wife in a red dress and what looked to be various relatives, the men wearing similar charro's while the women wore flowing dresses of brilliant colors.

Confused by his laughter, Chris relaxed slightly while scratching his cheek before finding his back slapped in a gleeful manner. "Come on now, relajarse! I'm grateful amigo!" the man assured with a grin. "F-For getting your kid in trouble?" Chris asked with a nervous smile. "In trouble? My friend, you gave him his cojones back! Never have I seen my mijo act like such a man before, yeah?!" he grinned excitedly. "H-His balls, sir?" Chris asked, still trying to keep up with the mood. "Elena my angel, show him!" he instructed, motioning for his wife to come closer with a cell phone in hand. "Perdoneme... Uno momento..." she replied while looking through her files. "Perme meme?" Serenity repeat curiously. "Spanish, it means... Excuse me, one moment, basically." Chris explained. "Ah! Here." she smiled, giving the device to her husband. "My mijo, he tell me you have words with him! Told us everything you say... Because of that, he was suspended... But for a reason we couldn't be any more proud of! Here, look, look!" he coaxed, tapping the device before holding it out to the group. "O-Okay..." Chris nodded as they leaned in together to watch. On the screen, it appeared a student had been recording the scene as the screen moved about, focusing on a gathering of boys around what looked to be special needs kids, some of which the group recognized from the temple. "They're doing it again... Nobody does anything, not even the teachers..." a young feminine voice murmured as she recorded. "L-L-Leave us alone!" a boy demanded, turning out to be Sam while a nearby boy pushed what turned out to be Lucy. "Look at her!" he laughed before imitating her hunched posture and hopping about making monkey noises as she inched back nervously.

"Poor lambs..." Tsarea muttered, watching as well. "Little bastards is what they a..." Chris added, only to let out an "oop!" and cover his mouth as the Mother raised her brow, causing him to apologize. "D-D-D-Do you wanna fight?" another boy asked, mocking Sam's impediment as he tried to protect the kids behind him. "Everyday..." the girls voice muttered behind the camera. "Humans raise own kids to be like that..." Serenity sneered in disgust. "I'd take to giving a good lashing myself." "Alicia added, showing one of her vines. "Enough already." another boy's voice suddenly called out. "Look!! Look!! It's my mijo!!" the man grinned excitedly, holding the phone further out. Watching as the bullies turned, the girl recording the scene did the same, showing Alonso wheeling up. "You serious?" one of the boys snickered. "What? You wanna stand up to us?" he asked before another laughed. "You forget man, he CAN'T stand!" he point out, only for Alonso to continue wheeling up before steering one of his wheels over the boys foot, making him shout and yank himself back as the wheel passed, falling back and clutching the toe of his shoe. "Doesn't look like you can either..." Alonso replied, stopping in front of the special needs kids and turning his chair around. "Heh heh... Kid's got style..." Chris grinned with a nod. "Come on... You mess with us every chance you get. Can't you just... Stop?" Alonso asked as the boys looked at one another wjile the boy who fell stood and grabbed Alonso by the shirt. "You're gonna pay for that..." the boy growled with his fist back. "Go ahead... It's not like I'll feel much anyway." Alonso reminded, taking the steam out of his plan. "What's got you cocky all of a sudden?" another asked, the group looking down on him.

"Nothing... Aren't you just bored of this by now?" Alonso asked. "You've messed with us all year, can't you find another target?" he added. "One better than the mountain of the valley?" one of the boys asked, mocking Lucy's posture again. "Or the limp salsa sucker...?" another chimed, leaning toward Alonso while mocking his handicap and race with a grin. "I'd rather be limp than be as desperate as you..." Alonso answered, looking up at the boy with a tired look in his eyes. "We're just sick of this is all, at least I am. We have our own problems, can't you take yours out on someone else?" he asked again. "Wait... You're saying WE got problems?!" the boy asked in agitation. "If you're messing with us everyday there's gotta be something wrong with you..." Alonso point out, glancing at the rest. "...All of you, really." he added. While they talked, around them other students had been gathering to watch and listen, with some recording the scene as well unbeknownst to the attackers as they focused on trying to best Alonso's retaliatory remarks. Finally tired of talking back, one of the boys suddenly rushed up and pushed Alonso to the side, sending his chair falling to its side while he lay along the pavement, letting out a groan and wincing. "Ha! Bet you felt that!" the boy laughed while Sam and Lucy called Alonso's name, attempting to reach out only for the other bullies to grab them and ask if they wanted some of the same treatment. Shocked by this, the groups eyes widened as they watched, with Tsarea covering her mouth with a "Mercy..." remark. "Got anything else to say?" the boy who pushed Alonso asked. Staying silent for a moment, Alonso closed his eyes and suddenly showed a smile, muttering something they couldn't hear. "What was that?" the same boy scowled.

Snickering in response, Alonso suddenly started laughing where he lay, making both the attackers and the group he defended blink at him in confusion, those around them looking at each other curiously. "What's his deal...?" a boy sneered. Watching this, Chris's eyes suddenly widened as he flashed back to what he said to the child, his expression making Alonso's father smile warmly. "Si my friend..." he nodded, making Chris look up at him before hearing Alonso say "You really are weak..." before returning his focus to the recording. "What was that?" a boy growled. "Sure... Push a guy down who can't move anyway..." Alonso snickered before laughing again. "Out of all the kids in this school, the only one's you can stand up to are one's like us? How desperate can you get?" Alonso asked, keeping a smirk on his face. "...Nobody stands up for us. At the same time, you think attacking us makes anyone respect you?" he added before going silent, his smile slowly fading before glancing at the boys once more. "...Know what? I think I do pity you..." he finished, this remark making the boy's eyes twitch as anger boiled in their faces. "You little...!!" one of them growled, about to attack Alonso only for Sam to suddenly send him flying aside with an unrestrained punch to the face, the bully landing on the ground in an unconscious state, making both, the rest of the bullies and Sam himself freeze in surprise before he straightened up and looked at his fist. "Not bad..." Alonso praised, giving him a smirk before he looked back at his fist and grit his teeth. "I-I-I... I'm a sword!! Who else wants some?!" he shout, shaking his fist at the bullies. "Sword...?" the girls muttered, looking at Chris as he kept his focus on the scene before him, a small tear showing in the corner of his eye.

Suddenly seeing another bully pushed back, Lucy stepped up with a remark about her being a shield, with Sam standing between Alonso and the bullies while Lucy kept her arms out as best she could in front of the kids still huddled behind her. "Ohh... You've done it now... We're gonna kick your..." one of the bullies growled as they started popping their knuckles and approaching. However, before they could cause any further trouble a boy in the crowd raised his hand with a "Hold it!" remark, approaching the scene in defense of Alonso and the others and standing by Sam with a "That's enough" warning. After this, another boy appeared from the crowd to help, followed by a girl, until many were gathering to put a stop to the bullying. Refusing to back down, this began leading to a brawl between the students and the gang, and as they fought, the group could see some of the kids working to pull Alonso's chair back up and help him into it while checking on Sam and Lucy, with one offering Sam a fist-bump for the one-punch knockout he gave. With teachers suddenly arriving on scene as the brawl went on, the recording suddenly stopped as Alonso's dad pulled the phone away and returned it to his wife, giving her his thanks while the girls smirked proudly, only to pause and look at Chris as he wiped his eyes and struggled to keep himself reeled in. "Aw... You do good." Serenity praised, ruffling his head while Rose and Alicia nodded in agreement. "I don't condone the violence but... There's no doubt your words inspired them." Tsarea nodded. "Si! And not only that, now they have new friends! Kids who will help them and protect them!" Alonso's dad point out before offering his hand.

"Alejandro! But please, call me Alex!" he grinned as Chris shook his hand. "N-Nice to meet you." he nodded, clearing his throat with a smile. "You did a good thing for those kids amigo, for my mijo, we will not forget this! And... That is why we have come!" Alex point out, his arms extended as his family surrounded them. "We would like to offer a special performance, to help with this fundraiser of yours! We were quite famous in our region, and I'm sure it would make our companions back home more than happy to offer their help too!" he assured. "Alonso, he is home tonight with his abuelita, his grandmama... None are as proud as she to have seen our little mijo come out of his shell and stand tall like a man." Alex affirmed, hitting his chest with his fist. "He may be suspended, but in our home, among our familia, he is a HERO!" his father bellowed with pride before his wife approached Chris with her arms outstretched, offering him an embrace before kissing him on each cheek. "Is a good boy! Muy bien!" she praised with a warm smile of her own. "Oh ho ho! You help my boy, now stealing my wife? Are you my friend or foe?" Alex laughed while Chris stood with a bright flush, Serenity and Alicia showing a subtle scowl while Rose glanced away scratching her cheek. After this, the rest of their family began shaking Chris's hand and offering him shoulder and back pats, welcoming him into their ranks. Once the gathering finished their thanks and greetings, Alex put his arm over Chris's shoulders and pulled him aside, causing him to stumble along the hulk of a man. "So my friend, our performance is next, si? I wanted to ask a favor, por favor." he point out, making Chris look at him curiously.

"You have... Unique abilities, like magic, si? I was wondering... Could you put something together to give our little actuacion some added flare?" Alex suggested. "Actuacion... Ah! Performance..." Chris replied, nodding and thinking it over. "You speak Spanish well?" Alex asked. "Well... No expert, but I know bits and pieces. The folks who raised me kinda insisted I be a little bilingual... It wasn't my best subject but some things stuck in place." Chris explained, tapping his head before continuing to think. "Lets see... What's the theme of your song? Like... A kind of setting I can go by?" he asked. Nodding in response, Alex began explaining what he had in mind, getting nods from Chris in turn as he listened. "Would've been nice to have more time to think of something but... I think I have an idea that'll work regardless... Should give your song the kind of pop you're looking for!" he assured with a thumbs up. "Anyone got a pair of maracas I can borrow?" he asked before getting an "Perdoneme" from one of the men behind him, approaching with a set he could use. "Ahh... This will do it." Chris smirked as the girls tilt their heads curiously. "What those for?" Serenity asked, pointing out the stick-like objects. "Maracas! They're pretty iconic in a lot of the southern regions." Chris point out before giving them a rattle. "It'll help me get a good feel of what I'm going for... You'll see." he winked slyly before a sister came into the room, offering an "Excuse me" before telling the family it was their turn to go on stage. "Alright! Vamanos everybody! Prisa prisa!" Alex insisted, motioning for everyone to make their way out. "So what will you do?" Alex asked. "I'll be out on the roof, you'll see." Chris smirked, making the man blink curiously before nodding and following his family.

"Alright girls, looks like I've got more work to do!" Chris grinned, giving one of the maraca's a shake while winking before making his way past, the girls parting as he walked before watching him make his way down the corridor. "Off again..." Alicia muttered. Looking at the girls, Mother Tsarea showed a small smile before looking at Chris's back as well. Out in the main chamber, Alex and his family took to the stage, drawing everyone's attention to the rainbow of color coming from the women's dresses and the regal look the men had. "Hola and bienvenidos everybody!" Alex called out once in front of the mic. "Me and my familia have come here tonight for one proposito, and one alone... To help the man who inspired my mijo bring this temple out of the ashes and back to its former gloria!" he point out as Chris reached the front doors and showed a smirk before making his way out. "Our familia, long have we known the hardships that are born of hatred, of the sin placed upon those who are different... But for one night, here in this temple, we want to help erase that hatred, help to show the world there is no sin that comes with the color of our skin, nor' the limitations we face... Tonight, let us all enjoy this fiesta together as one!" Alex's voice echoed from the speakers outside the temple, making Chris nod before looking up and launching himself toward the top of the temple. With a spotlight following him, those in the plaza watched as he stood at the edge of the roof, turning and looking down before taking a breath. "Alright... Lets do it..." he muttered, taking on a ready stance with his maracas. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to party!" Alex shout before letting out an excited call while rolling his tongue.

*(IMPORTANT NOTICE)* LISTEN WHILE READING IS MANDATORY FROM HERE ON!! As you read, it will be up to you to decide when you are done listening to each song. It's made clear when each performance ends, so you can either stop when the story basically tells you to, or of your own accord.

If needed, pause reading the chapter here and take a break to give yourself time to ready yourself for the mood to follow, or take care of any tasks that need be so you needn't interrupt yourself partway through reading.

With that out of the way, enjoy Part 2 of the Save the Temple finale fans of TOTGM! Thanks for sticking with it thus far as another saga of this ever sprawling series reaches its spectacular climax!

*LISTEN WHILE READING* - Festival For One And All https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCRvwLKb8Es Recommended - Right Click On Video - Select Loop

With his wife stepping up to kick off the song, she started counting to four just before the lights dimmed and spotlights focused on the stage, making the colors the performers donned glow all the more radiantly. With most of the men and women beginning to dance about, some took on their mariachi positions, backing up Alex as he sang "For you, this music is for" in Spanish as the crowd began bobbing their heads to the tune. Meanwhile, the monitors all around them began showing off scenes inspired by southern regions, with Maractus and Cacnea the first to appear dancing all over the screens. "One night of party this will be! Everybody comes here. Everybody wants to be happy. It is a beautiful carnival, this night we are gonna have a great time!" Alex sang in a spirited tone. Out on the roof of the temple, Chris had started getting himself in sync with the performance, finalizing his own part of the performance in his mind as some of the monitors randomly transitioned to show his dance with the maracas. After a moment, his body began to radiate a shimmering aura just before the energy flew from his form. Gathering all around the temple, one by one colossal golden Ludicolo burst forth in the air, shocking the onlookers below as the Pokemon began floating around the temple while dancing. On the roofs of the buildings surrounding the plaza, Chris created illusions of Exeggutor happily swaying their leaves about, along with Roserades which danced with their flowers like maracas. With the media getting it all on camera, around the world people could see the temple transform from its icy calm to that of a tropical explosion of life, with rainbows of confetti suddenly being shot by staff on the rooftops making it rain down all over the plaza below.

"We keep on singing. We keep on dancing. Today is the day of the carnival, full of happiness!" Alex sang in Spanish on stage, and with the crowd learning the words along the way, they began to sing along, creating a resounding choir as guests began jumping and dancing along. On the rooftop, Chris let out an excited call of his own, rolling his tongue as he thrust his maraca's about and danced along the temple. Showing a wide grin on his face, his own enthusiasm, combined with that of Alex and his family and the illusions of Pokemon dancing around the plaza created an infectious energy none could resist, as even in the plaza the crowd sang along in Spanish, with countless people seen dancing in a salsa and tango manner together. Touching his communicator, Chris ordered more special effects before resuming his dance, after which the temple burst all the more to life as rays shot about in all directions, with spotlights swaying about the crowds below. Still feeling it was lacking, he then ordered a round of fireworks to fill the sky, with staff soon sending an endless show flying above the plaza from the rooftops around the area. Now satisfied, Chris focused on making his illusions twist and turn to the music, the Ludicolo thrusting their hands about as they skipped around the temple while making his Roserades salsa and Exeggutor spin and sway on the rooftops. Watching him dance on the monitors within the temple, Alicia showed slight sweat, with a hint of blush on her face from embarrassment. "He looks a bit ridiculous..." she muttered. "I dunno... I'm kinda with it!" Rose giggled, trying to copy the way Chris was moving while Serenity nodded her head to the music. "It not bad, he do more embarrassing things than that." she reminded with a smirk.

"He certainly seems open to the cultures of those around him." Tsarea point out, approaching the group. "Though given the coexistence between you, one shouldn't be surprised." she added with a smile of her own before watching his dance on one of the monitors and showing slight sweat. "I... Do feel he could use a bit of practice..." she added, watching as Chris spun about and shook his butt on camera, making the Mother turn and cover her mouth to hide a sudden snicker. "He... Tries..." Alicia replied, glancing away with sweat of her own showing. "He's adorable." Rose grinned while Serenity merely scratched her cheek, not wanting to speak ill of his efforts. "Least he having fun." she point out. As the performance wrapped up, the lights in the temple returned to normal while outside the effects and fireworks ceased, along with the Pokemon Chris had created as he continued dancing until finally noticing the music had stopped, making him freeze on camera and blink before straightening and rubbing the back of his head with an embarrassed laugh, likewise making the crowd below and those within the temple laugh in turn. "Okay... That's kinda bad." Rose admit with a nervous smile. "Dear child..." Tsarea giggled. "Come now everybody! Let us not laugh at our amigo! None can resist the music of the Almonte family!" Alex affirmed with a hearty laugh of his own, after which applause gradually replaced the laughter as the monitors flashed off. After a moment, Chris returned to the group, raising one of his maracas as a wave in the process. "Well? Whad'ya think?" he asked with a grin, only to jolt in surprise when Serenity delivered a smack on his rear. "Nice butt." she giggled, making Alicia clear her throat and glance away with a slight blush while Rose fidget shyly. "I-I was trying to dance..." Chris scowled, a blush of his own showing. "Aw... Don't worry, we liked it." Serenity assured, ruffling his head.

"Hello there!" Alex called out, approaching with a wave of his own. "Ah... Appreciate you fellas letting me borrow these." Chris replied, offering back the maracas only for Alex to hold his hand up. "Please amigo, keep them. A little recuerdo, a souvenir from my familia to yours." he grinned, making Chris blink before looking them over. "Well then... Appreciate it!" he nodded before turning to Serenity and letting her hold them, the Pokemon curiously giving them several shakes. "You really went all out, yeah? Thanks for the show!" Alex nodded, referring to Chris's performance outside. "I try to give it my all when I put my mind to something." Chris smirked. "What was really great was what your family did in here. That music was great." he praised, making Alex stick his chest out proudly. "Aye... Years ago, there wasn't a town we could pass that didn't know our names, our faces..." he replied nostalgically. "But... As time went on, I started yearning for something more... Many of us did..." he added as his wife approached before finding herself under her husbands arm. "Amigo... Seeing the world, meeting new people, it's a wonderful thing. Having fiestas, bringing life and happiness to others... It makes you feel good." he point out, kissing his wife on the forehead before both looked at him. "But never forget to keep a little happiness for yourself, si? You bring hope to many... You bring great joy. Is what we did too when we traveled. But one day, a time will come for you to live for yourself, to put your maracas down and dedicate yourself to the greatest cause of all... When that time comes, do not feel bad, do not be afraid... The world will be waiting to support you, of this I am certain." Alex nodded as his other relatives approached and stood by his sides while his wife held him.

Looking at them all, Chris looked back at the girls as well, making them smile and nod before giving Alex a nod of his own. "It was great meeting you sir, thanks for the help." he replied as Alex took his hand. "Same here... Thank you again for what you did for my mijo." he nodded before the rest of his family gave Chris their own farewells. "We would stay, but we have another hero to attend to at home." Alex grinned before they waved and made their way off together. "Haah... That was fun..." Chris chuckled. "I believe the Mayor is performing next... Followed by Mr. Odama... Correct?" Tsarea asked. "Ah, yeah... After that, I've got a song or two and we'll wrap it up." Chris nodded. "Once everything is finished, we can move on and reveal how much we made tonight." he added, thinking things through while rubbing his chin. "Holly and Barnack won't really need me for their stuff, so it'll be a chance for me to sit and relax a little." he point out, looking at the girls. "I'm sure you've missed having my attention, eh?" he grinned. "We've been fine..." Alicia affirmed despite glancing away with a small scowl. "Uh huh..." Chris teased, nudging her side making the snake blush slightly. Looking around, Chris spotted a nearby table free of people and decided to take a seat, sitting with a plop and a sigh while Tsarea bowed and took her leave. "Still doing okay?" Rose asked, walking up to his side and placing her hand on his arm. "I'm good! Don't worry." he assured. "Could use another drink though..." he admit, looking toward the refreshments and about to stand, only for Serenity to place her hand on his shoulder and keep him down. "You rest, I get." she affirmed. "Ah, thanks." Chris nodded, letting her do as she wished.

"I must admit, when you dance you really put your heart in it." Alicia chuckled, slithering up to the table. "What can I say? When you got it, shake it." Chris grinned as Serenity returned with a foam cup of tea, handing it to him before sitting at the table herself, with Rose doing the same. Looking at the maracas Serenity had placed on the table, Chris went silent as he thought about Alex's words before closing his eyes with a small smile. "What's on your mind?" Rose asked. "Oh... What that guy said." Chris admit, looking at the rabbit. "Long as I've got you girls by my side, I don't need anymore happiness." he affirmed with a smile, getting an "aww" from her. "We feel same way." Serenity assured with her hand back on his shoulder. "Agreed." Alicia nodded, making Chris smirk before looking at his tea. "Appreciate it... I really do." he replied before taking a drink and sighing in relief. "You uh... You girls ARE having a good time?" he asked, looking at them as his words made Serenity flash back to the picture he'd drawn before embracing him from behind. "Having great time. It fun." she smiled. "A tad crowded, but I must admit you've livened up the evening." Alicia smirked. "I like seeing you dance." Rose giggled, still thinking about his butt shaking on TV making Chris sigh. "I'm not gonna live that one down for a while, am I?" he chuckled before reaching out and ruffling her head. "Glad you're enjoying yourself though." he added before relaxing again. Finally taking the time to look around himself, Chris took in the sight of all the guests chatting among themselves, with many taking the time to point out the architecture of the chamber.

While many enjoyed the food and drinks on the side, these areas too were full of the echoes of conversation, filling the temple with life likely not seen in some time. In the middle of all this, some of the sisters could be seen with both, guards and even guests now alongside them carrying around baskets to help with collecting donations, making a small smile appear on his face. "Look at that..." he muttered with a chuckle. "Look at you." Serenity added, continuing to hold him from behind with a smile of her own. "Bah... I'm just singing some songs." he affirmed, placing his hand on hers before letting out a yawn, followed by a quick "oop!" and straightening up. "Ah ha! There you go." Alicia point out. "I'm fine, really!" Chris assured, waving his hand. "Not rest much past few days... Now doing all this stuff. Need to be careful." Serenity warned. "Really, don't worry." he insisted. Taking another drink of his tea, the group was suddenly surprised by a "There's the man of the hour!" remark, making them jolt before the girls turned to see Holly approaching. However, her appearance made their eyes widen as Chris turned as well, in the middle of sipping his drink only for his eyes to bulge as well while beginning to choke in the middle of swallowing. Panicking, Serenity rubbed his back as Holly blinked, asking "You okay?" as he caught his breath. "Y-You uh... Look..." Chris replied, looking at her face. "Stands out, doesn't it?" Holly grinned, holding up a peace sign while showing off her heavily goth/punk oriented fashion. "It certainly does..." Alicia agreed. Her style full of dark blacks and bright yellows, the Mayor went all in to make herself pop in the midst of the event, showing how well she knew about the importance of an audiences focus.

"Wow... You're nothing like you were before..." Rose admit, approaching the Mayor and walking around her curiously. "Oh if you only could've seen me in my college days, there wasn't a woman more renowned for making a dull day a blast." Holly grinned. "There wasn't a soul on this Earth who would've thought I'd become the Mayor of all things, not even myself... Back then it was the furthest thing from my mind. But... You know, life happens." she shrugged. "So... This is like, the real you?" Chris asked. "Oh sweetie, if this made you choke that bad I doubt you could handle the REAL me." Holly winked, making him laugh nervously. "I just wanted to show myself off a little before my time on stage, glad I've left a big impression!" she grinned while those around her began murmuring her name and pointing her out in a gossipy manner. "I'd better get ready for my part in all this... Hope you're ready for a show." the Mayor giggled. "Ready as I'll ever be, I think." Chris nodded, giving her a thumbs up. Waving in response, she made her way off, leaving the group on the sidelines as the filler music began fading out and the stage began preparations for her performance, making the crowd look around curiously. "You know, I heard that Odama guy was more of a... Stick to it, no-nonsense type... The fact they went from someone more on the strict side, to someone like Holly, really shows you how much things can change between a single generation, you know?" Chris point out. "Odama, he took care of a lot of issues between folks nobody else wanted to deal with... Maybe in a way, Holly being Mayor now is everyone's way of saying it's time to live a little, celebrate where people have come in such a short time." he suggested.

*LISTEN WHILE READING - She's A Firework https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1lfYh-aUk0 Recommended - Right Click On Video - Select Loop

About to say more, Chris was cut off when the lights dimmed and the spotlights on the stage flashed on, followed by a fog effect that began wafting along the stage. Hearing Holly's voice, after a moment her figure could be seen rising from the stage, asking "Do you ever feel? Feel so paper thin? Like a house of cards?" while being lift by a platform before slowly walking up toward the edge. Because of the way the lights shined on her, most of her body was like that of a silhouette, the outline of her figure glowing as the crowd watched with wide eyed curiosity. With the band around her playing under their own spotlights, the surrounding monitors both inside and outside the temple flashed on, revealing a video of Holly on the screen inside what looked to be a plane as she donned various protective gear and a backpack of sorts. With the orchestra in front of the stage suddenly kicking in and backing the Mayor, she sang "Just own the night, like the 4th of July!" and while slowly raising her arms, more spotlights slowly turned and focused on her, pushing away the silhouette shrouding her making her entirety glow while on the screen, she could be seen approaching the door of the plane, revealing the sky outside. "Baby you're a firework!" she exclaimed just before the video showed her leaping out and skydiving, grinning and giving a peace sign to the camera before performing stunts in the air. "You don't have to feel, like a wasted space..." she sang calmly, the orchestra going silent leaving it to the band to back her as a video of her in college played, her friends recording her studying in the library before she turned to the camera in surprise, showing her in glasses as she blinked and adjusted them before grinning showing large braces.

"Maybe a reason why, all the doors are closed..." she went on as a video of her back in her fast food days transitioned on screen, showing her flipping burgers before spotting the camera and turning, offering a solute with her spatula and grinning playfully despite being covered in sweat and grease. "You just gotta ignite the light, and let it shine!" she sang, and as the music picked up a video of her during her campaign for Mayor came on screen, showing her talking to teenagers just before spotting a nearby skateboarder and running up, taking the board and helmet before jumping on and making her way along a ramp. Watching the teenagers gather and cheer her on, Holly could be seen flying into the air and performing tricks, emphasizing her drive for life as well as a universal relatability with young and old as the video zoomed in on her stunts and face. "Baby you're a firework!" she exclaimed as the stage began letting off a spectacular light show, with countless colors shooting out in different directions. Showing a smirk, Chris touched his communicator, and as Holly sang "Boom boom boom!" a show of fireworks began exploding outside the temple once more. On the monitors, a book opened showing countless moments of Holly's life. With the video zooming in on the pictures of her as a child having parties and playing to captures of her adulthood standing on tables and having good times with friends displayed, everyone was given the rare opportunity to see the entire life of a major politician unfolding before their lives, from humble beginnings like any other, to the awkward pimple-filled times of a teenager, to the adventures young adults dream off, all the way to seeing images of her present self grinning with her staff at the Yule House revealed as one guard could be seen slipping on a Pyukumuku close by.

Regardless of the point in her life, the playful and spirited woman that was Holly Tides could be seen on the monitors, all the while giving a grand performance on stage. As the song began nearing its end, the book on screen closed, showing its back cover before the monitors faded to black and the lights in the chamber returned to normal. Taking a bow, Holly raised and showed a double peace sign as the crowd applauded her, with men and women alike shouting their love for their Mayor making her say "Thank you, thank you!" into the mic. "You don't see politicians like that everyday." Chris laughed, standing and offering his own applause. "Would've never thought of seeing her in braces and all... That was pretty cool." he added. "She had a lot of dots on her face." Rose point out. "Yeah... For us humans being a teenager wrecks your skin." Chris explained as Holly continued bowing and giving her thanks. "Good evening Yulema City!" Holly exclaimed. "Here's wishing you good Tidings tonight as we come together for the sake of one of our nearest and dearest landmarks! And not only that, but a woman more than deserving of our support!" she added, holding her hand out as a spotlight focused on Mother Tsarea in the crowd, making her smile and bow. "When you elected me, I swore to not only uphold the law, but to carry it forward and evolve it in a way that serves the cause of the people first and foremost. That serves all of our citizens. But the question that came to my mind was... What makes a citizen?" she asked as the crowd settled and listened. "What makes someone an equal among us? What makes someone deserving of our support, and the benefits of the systems made to help and protect us?" she went on.

"Is it a certain race...? Is it a certain gender...? A certain orientation...? Is it just the physical aspects of us that make us worthy of equality...?" she pushed, walking along the stage while looking at everyone. "In this region, we have the saying that all men are created equal, something our friend Mr. Nakazaki with us tonight has touched upon... And as we've gone forward, we've shared that equality in ways never thought possible. Despite our best efforts however, there's still work to be done." she affirmed. "During my time in office, I've looked to those among us like Tsarea, and began realizing it's not so much a matter of what we are, but who... Not so much our physical traits, as it is our mental. It's... How we live our lives, what we do with ourselves. How we go about earning those rights and that respect." she suggested. "As an example... Look at me! I didn't win the role of Mayor as one of the key cities in Ureaxion because of how I was born. I won it because of the way I've lived my life among you all. I won because I proved myself worthy of winning and being capable of understanding you, of standing up for all of you. And by all of you..." she paused, looking back at Tsarea with a smile. "I do mean ALL, not just who you expect me to support... But those who NEED my support." she point out. "Mother Tsarea, my critics attacked this temple and have spoken ill of me for taking action to approve and push her position here, but in doing this for her I have stood by what I campaigned on, I've kept my eyes on those who were still cast aside! Are we going to let ourselves be a city willing only to lift up SOME who've waited so long for a hand to reach out to them?" she asked. "Are we going to help a few, then let ourselves get comfortable and call it quits thereafter?" she cautioned.

"Progress isn't a one and done issue... It's endless, ever evolving. As we move into the future, we must do so hand-in-hand! We must guide each other, hold close to one another! And as we make our way along, we must do everything we can to welcome those we pass and encourage them to take the journey alongside the rest of us!" she continued, holding her hand out toward Tsarea. "This temple, and I myself have been punished for welcoming her as one of us, as a true part of our society... After all of her years in this city serving this temple, and the deeds she's done for our sake and that of our children... Are we really to condemn her? To condemn me for finally telling her she's a part of Yulema City in more ways than some basic servant?" Holly asked, looking at everyone. "Is it any different to condemn her and myself for her position here... Than it would be if we were to condemn someone who is gay for serving a similar role? Perhaps someone with different skin? If we're to tell her, and if you're going to tell me, her place here is wrong... What's stopping us from looking at those beside us, and acting the same toward them? Are we going to tell the one next to us they need to get out? They have no place here? That they don't deserve it? And because of who, or what they were born as of all reasons?" Holly lectured. Taking a silent moment, she watched as those in the crowd looked at one another, with one race looking at the other, straight couples looking at those who were gay and vice verse, taking a moment to think over their Mayor's lecture. "I've lived up to my position, to my promises... But it's also up to you, the people, to live up to those same ideals you expect of me..." she cautioned.

"I'm proud of who I've become, of all that I've done. For you, for Tsarea, so the only thing left to ask is..." she paused as the monitors within and outside of the temple flashed back on, showing the ruined chamber in the back of the temple. "Are you proud...? We've obtained so many freedoms... And yet we've still left them out of reach for others... To all of you, especially those who know all too well what it's like to feel the scorn, the disdain of others simply because of how we were born into this world... I ask you to look into yourselves, to be the kind of people I know you can be, that I'm proud to serve... And share those freedoms you fought for, with those who're still fighting, that need and deserve them just as much." she coerced, lowering the mic with her speech finished. After a moment, the crowd began applauding little by little, until the sound could be heard throughout both the temple and the plaza. With some shouting her name excitedly, Holly sighed and showed a smile, nodding and bowing to her citizens in thanks. "Heh... Alright everyone! How about we kick things back up with another song, yeah?" the Mayor grinned, raising her fist and getting further applause. "Ladies and gentlemen, I offer you my second and final performance of the evening! Lets do it!" she shout. "Humans like her..." Serenity point out. "Well, they have good reasons too." Chris smirked while sitting. "It's... Refreshing? To find another human similar to you." Alicia suggested. "Mm... I guess... But you know, there are certain differences." Chris replied before putting his hands on his chest. Surprisingly enough, it was Serenity who smacked him on the back of the head for the joke, making him groan and clutch it. "I... Deserved that..." he groaned with a nervous laugh while the Pokemon scowled.

*LISTEN WHILE READING* - One Bad Mayor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6IZzqMGj84 Recommended - Right Click On Video - Select Loop

All of a sudden, the lights in the chamber went off as a spotlight flashed on over Holly, her head lowered as she held the mic in her hands, and as the music suddenly paused, the Mayor let out a startling and lengthily drawn out "Oh-oh-oh!" before singing about a "Bad romance" and drawing out the first portion a second time, making the rest of the lights on the stage flash on. Putting her hands up, she began swaying her hips while rolling her tongue, singing "Rah rah! Roma mama!" as the lights began flashing in synch with the beat. "I want your ugly, I want your disease..." she sang in a suggestive manner, bending over slightly with her lips to the mic. "I want your drama, the touch of your hand. I want your leather studded kiss in the scene..." she coaxed, reaching out to the crowd before slowly raising with her body against the stand of the mic as the audio echoed the lyrics, moving in a pole-dancing esque manner. "I want your love, and I want your revenge! You and me could write a bad romance!" she continued, suddenly removing the mic from its stand and walking toward the nearby drummer, rubbing her finger under his chin while leaning in close with a smirk, making his eyes widen and a grin spread ear to ear before she moved onto the keyboardist and leaned against his side as he played, putting all the more spunk into their efforts to back her. With the mic picking up a response about her being hot from him, Holly pretended to lick her finger before giving the young man a playful touch on the cheek with a grin before she returned the mic to its stand. Repeating her "Rah rah!" portion of the song, Holly once again swayed her hips to the beat, driving up the crowds energy in more ways than one as they began roaring her name.

On the sidelines, Chris found himself watching with perhaps too much focus than necessary, making even Rose scowl from the way Holly was drawing in his own ogling eyes. "Too much looking." Serenity lectured, giving him an elbow in the side causing him to jolt and apologize, scratching his cheek with a blush. "I want your horror, I want your design. Cause' you're a criminal as long as you're mine..." Holly teased, pointing at the crowd once more. "I want your psycho, your vertical stick. Want you in my room when your baby is sick..." she coaxed, giving a hinting wink and biting her lip with a smile. As she sang and moved her body, to say a performance by such a renowned politician was scandalous would be an understatement, and yet for Holly it was the best kind of scandal to create as the entire event turned its focus purely on the Mayor of Yulema City as she filled it with a power no politician dared muster from the masses, throwing a kinky, albeit relatable twist to the party for the people she loved, and likewise was adored in turn as people started jumping to the beat. Eventually, another portion of the song where the audio echoed the lyrics came, allowing Holly to pause and remove the mic from its stand a second time. Surprisingly, the Mayor began making her way off the stage and through the crowd as "Walk, walk, fashion baby" was heard from the speakers. With everything caught on camera and displayed around the world, it became clear she was heading for Chris as she walked, making his eyes widen as she raised the mic to her mouth. "I want your love, and I want your revenge... I want your love, I don't want to be friends..." she sang sensually, approaching Chris before laying across his table and leaning her face toward his as she transitioned to French, throwing him off as a flush spread across his face.

Seeing this, the girls tensed up the closer she got, and as Holly neared her face barely an inch from Chris's, making him lean back as she gazed at him, she suddenly sang "Want your bad romance!" before shooting up on his table and giving him a show, looking down as she sang and resumed her dancing, her hips moving in a way that would challenge even a snake like Alicia as Holly raised her arms and turned about, whipping her hair around as all the cameras zoomed in on her and Chris's reaction. As the song began wrapping up, she rolled her tongue one final time, letting out a "Rah rah ra ah ah! Roma romama!" while slowly sitting back on the table, and once her lyrics came to an end, she reached her leg out and used the toe of her high heeled shoes to lift Chris's chin, showing a smirk before giving a "Welcome to Yulema City..." remark and pulling her foot away, standing with a satisfied sigh before the crowd around them. With all of them showing similar looks of jaws agape, they parted as she walked back to the stage and returned the mic to its stand, looking at everyone and the news outlets as the cameramen slightly lowered their cameras, some with visible nose bleeds. "Meowth got your tongue darlings...?" Holly asked before winking and suddenly being met with a roaring applaud not yet heard, even after Chris's performances making the Mayor laugh and bow with repeated "Thank you!" responses.

Still stuck in a frozen state at his table, Chris gulped as the girls became visibly irritated from the impact she had on him. "What a woman..." he muttered, snapping a final straw of sorts as he heard Serenity's knuckles crack behind him while Alicia let out a slight hiss, her tongue flicking out making him come to and look around warily. "I-I had NO part in that!! That was ALL her!!" he insisted, putting his hands up knowing he was essentially surrounded by loaded barrels. Spotting this herself, Holly couldn't help but grin from her mischievous act, watching as Chris found himself cornered like never before, all the while her approval smashed records in the process...