Summer 11 – Luau
Thanks to Robin and Maru's help last night, the brewery racks and Kegs were fully installed.
Today's workload was lighter—though it was a holiday, the Hops had ripened, so Pam and Shane came early to help.
Shane tended animals and Pokémon while Pam harvested hops.
The hop trellises were too tall for Rattata and Froakie, so Gengar, Indeedee, and Fletchinder plucked the flowers from above. Below, the others caught them and relayed batches to the brewery, where remaining Rattata packed them into Kegs to brew Pale Ale.
Teamwork made the work swift. Ron and Pam picked Hops side by side.
"This is your first Luau, right?" Pam asked. "Have you decided what to bring?"
Ron glanced at buckets of Moomoo Milk Shane carried out.
Pam grinned knowingly.
Miltank births had multiplied milk output, leaving Ron slightly overwhelmed. For unknown reasons, Lewis could easily sell regular cow milk but not Moomoo Milk—which flooded the market at low prices. It was best to export it to Kalos.
Still, Gus and Jodi benefited: cheap, high-quality Cheese cut their costs. So Ron sold small batches through Joy at rock-bottom prices—a gift to the townsfolk.
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Meanwhile, at the Stardrop Saloon…
Each year, Gus prepared the Luau stew base—a crucial task. A well-crafted broth ensured any safe ingredient added by villagers would taste delicious.
Gus gathered spices, then roused Snorlax.
Since the Luau included all Pelican Town residents—and their Pokémon as family—Snorlax's participation delighted it (and stressed Gus). To prevent Snorlax from devouring everything, Gus commissioned Clint to build an extra-large pot.
"Snorlax, fetch the pot," Gus said, tallying ingredients.
Cheap, quality produce from Ron's farm had slashed costs this year. With Lewis's stew fund, Gus even had some surplus. He silently thanked Ron.
At the word "pot," Snorlax sprang up, lumbering to the warehouse.
"Only eager for food," Gus chuckled, dumping ingredients into the pot once Snorlax returned.
Huge as it was, the pot seemed small in Snorlax's hands. It sniffed the contents.
"Snorlax… Snorlax…"
"No eating!"
Snorlax sighed, hefting the pot ahead of Gus.
Snorlax carrying the pot to the beach was a Luau tradition. Townsfolk lined the streets, watching it march toward the shore, pot balanced on its head.
Each step thudded like a drumbeat.
Emily stood roadside, Squawkabily on her shoulder.
"Only at times like this it's becomes this energetic," she laughed.
Haley handed her Sunkern to Emily and snapped a photo of Snorlax. "But it's adorable, isn't it?"
"Snorlax!"
Overexcited for the stew, Snorlax quickened its pace—then broke into a run.
Amid cheers, it reached the beach.
"The fire's ready! Set it down," Marnie said, tossing a torch onto stacked wood. As flames rose, she gestured to the iron frame.
THUD!
The pot landed with a boom.
Exhausted, Snorlax collapsed, eyes shut—ready to pounce when the stew boiled.
Gus arrived, shaking his head. "I hope it doesn't get singed."
"Snorlax…"
"Let's add water first," Marnie said, rearranging logs to shield Snorlax.
Villagers poured buckets into the pot.
Lewis watched from afar.
In his youth, the Governor attended the Luau. But after wild Pokémon overran the region, outsiders stopped coming.
He preferred the quiet—but tourism could've boosted Pelican Town's economy.
Now, the Luau was purely a town reunion: neighbors sharing treasures, blending them into something greater.
Water boiled quickly. Gus's broth bubbled, releasing rich aromas.
"Who adds the first ingredient?" Marnie stirred the pot, scanning the crowd.
"Amber!" Abigail raised her hand. "It's Amber's turn this year!"
Pokémon got their own portions—and as cherished family, they contributed their favorite foods too.
Gengar floated forward, clutching a Berry, and dropped it into the stew.
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