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Rock the Clock
Forum-Index → Fanmades → Fanfictions → Rock the Clock
Posted: Mon, 17/08/2020 23:33 (4 Years ago)
A Lycanroc was trotting over to the Relaxation Parlour. He loved spending time with…well, everyone in that family household. But he was the most strongly connected to Emerald the Riolu and Hiro the Mewtwo. A trio of friends whose bonds were stronger than diamond. But that wasn’t to say he had no bond with the older members of the household after all. Yung the Lucario and Azure the Shiny Suicune were both wise old birds in their own ways. But Yung was energetic and cheerful, like Emerald. Azure was…lazy. But that was charming in its own way.
It was a fairly usual routine nowadays, now that Fortem was being more and more accustomed to being around his friends.
Yung was just performing his usual relaxation massages on Fortem. By usual, it was the highest quality he could provide. A service he only offered to Fortem for free.
“Just let…every muscle relax…let the bubble take you away to heaven…”
Fortem was thoroughly enjoying this, as indicated by his extremely relaxed posture.
“How do you keep getting better…?”
He continued on a little longer before Yung sat down on the bubble and began gently cuddling him.
“There that should do the trick.”
Fortem was grinning like no tomorrow. “Thank you…that was amazing as usual…”
Yung chuckled lightly. “I genuinely see you as a son of mine. And as such, I am obligated to spoil you~” He said this in a slight teasing tone. Which had its intended effect, as Fortem started to lightly blush. Yung roared with laughter as Fortem blushed more. “You know? I can see bits of myself in you. Back in the day, I blush easy. It really doesn’t take much at all.”
Fortem smiled, despite the blushing. “And what about now…?”
“Oh nothing has changed much.” Yung smiled. “You just have to know where to hit it, I suppose.”
Yung would gently give Fortem a belly rub. “I’ve heard you’ve started going to meetings with the knights…I hope it hasn’t been too strenuous.”
Fortem shook his head. “It’s not like I’m doing much…but I don’t like fighting.”
Yung nodded. “I don’t either. But I think it’s more important that you fight for a reason, even if you hate it.”
Just then, Emerald burst in, waving a flyer. “Hey, Heeeeey!”
Yung chuckled as he looked up at Emerald. “Now now, what has my son gotten so excited about?”
Emerald thrust the flyer at Yung, who gave it a read. “Oh of course…I forgot that was coming up…the music festival. This year is…rock huh? Metal?”
Emerald smiled. “I want to participate!”
Yung looked a little surprised but he chuckled. “Well, don’t let me stop you. I’m not sure I can help much here.”
Emerald. “Daaad, please think about it alright? We might need you…”
Yung shook his head. “Depending on what it is…I suppose I can think about it…it’s been a while since I dabbled in the world of music…”
He then looked up. “By the way…who’s this ‘we’ are you talking about? I assume you somehow roped someone in?”
Emerald giggled happily. “Hiro’s gonna do it! It took a lot of persuading but anyways…”
He then looked at Fortem. “…and I also wanted to ask you to join our band!”
Posted: Wed, 19/08/2020 18:12 (4 Years ago)
Emerald looked at him. “Let’s join the competition! Us three at least! Maybe dad could join too!”
Fortem flushed bright red. There was no way this was happening. He couldn’t perform on stage! He had no experience doing anything of the sort…and it really didn’t help he was shy…
Emerald nuzzled him. “Please? Just this once?”
That got him. He didn’t want to turn him down…he really didn’t. Even though…this was absurdly embarrassing for him.
“J-just this once…alright? D-don’t make me do something like this again…”
Emerald nodded solemnly. “I…got excited…sorry Fortem…but it’d be nice to win, right?” Emerald had a slight charm into lulling others to do things…a trait that he is extremely guilty for and strives to make up for it afterwards.
Fortem nodded. “A-alright…I suppose we meet up with Hiro and…let’s discuss what we do?
Emerald nodded and began walking to the psychic bubble emporium. Fortem…did like this place. Full of squishy purple bubbles…good for bouncing and relaxing on.
They entered the emporium, and Hiro was just maintaining the bubbles.
“Hiro! Let’s get started!” Emerald said cheerfully
Hiro jumped and turned around. “R-Right. I still have to run the shop so if people come in, I’ll have to serve them, alright?”
Emerald nodded and the trio began discussing. While resting, and lightly playing on the purple bubbles
“It’s a rock concert, so we have to get some cool outfits!”
“What…do you mean?”
“I mean leather jackets, sunglasses—”
“N-NO! That’s way to embarrassing!” That concern was voiced by two of them
“Besides…we should actually think about…what instruments we’re going to play first…if it’s rock this year, then we have to think about electric guitars…bass…”
Emerald paused as he took in what Hiro said. “Y-you’re right…I think we need to rent them out…at least…” He thought. Then he had a brainwave. “I know!”
Fortem looked at Emerald. “What?”
“Remus!”
Posted: Tue, 03/11/2020 00:39 (4 Years ago)
The trio headed towards his shop with bated breaths
Remus was doing his usual, just organising his shop before going back to playfully bounce on the black balloon he used as a chair
Remus was a friend of Emerald’s father, Yung. In fact, he was one of his first friends after Azure. The duo had fun everyday just messing around. As such, he had a soft spot for Emerald, now Hiro
He was well known for being the owner of the party shop and is a very skilled entertainer and party planner, knowing all that there is to decorations, music, atmosphere and activities. He also had a odd fixation on balloons but it was harmless fun, through and through
He waved to the trio as they came in and after some pleasantries, they went to the back to sit on comfortable balloons and chat.
“So I heard you’re planning to enter this years music festival...”
The trio nodded
“Well now...you can count me in on this one, let me in on your team!” Remus grinned
“W-What?” Emerald looked stunned. “We get THE Remus on our team and not a standalone act?”
Remus laughed. “Of course, that’s if we can get your father to join. Us 5 rocking out...we’re going to steal the show.”
Fortem looked extremely nervous. He wasn’t used to just being center stage and vying for popularity. He shied away from it normally...and to wear rock outfits?! Unthinkable!
Remus could sense Fortem’s worries and gently patted his back. “Being able to do this is a form of true bravery. Not everyone can just go up on stage and just belt it out. And don’t worry if it’s not perfect.”
Fortem still wasn’t certain. “I’m just going to make a fool of myself...”
Remus shook his head. “Don’t say that. Remember, the most important thing in any party is to have fun. The same applies here. If you have fun, the energy will spread to the audience and they will have fun too. Remember that.”
Fortem was processing the information as Remus stood up. “Well I can probably get a favour to rent instruments. We just need to get together and practice.” He grinned
Emerald pumped his fists. “We’ll see you at the bubble emporium!”
Remus nodded to them as they left and rubbed his paws together. “This is going to be fun~ I can’t believe how much they’ve all grown up, I want to be there when it happens.”
Posted: Wed, 11/11/2020 14:55 (4 Years ago)
“Remus has probably got the rock guitar covered, he’s that type of guy” Emerald said. “I was thinking about who should be the lead singer…but I've been discussing the details with Remus and he's drawing up the final plan..."
It was very apparent that neither Fortem or Hiro wanted that role. It was noted by them both sweating bullets. But Emerald didn’t want it either…he didn’t think anyone would take him seriously.
“Nobody huh?” Emerald sighed. “Well one of us has to do it…”
“What about Remus or Yung?” Fortem suggested nervously.
“We’ll have to ask them when they get here…” Emerald said
The duo wouldn’t arrive for another half hour, so the trio decided to amuse themselves with the gigantic purple bubbles in the area. Hiro had been practicing and maintaining them well, enabling them to provide sound effects while bouncing in the form of squeaks.
Emerald was giggling away happily as he tried and failed to do various acrobatic tricks off the walls, off the ceiling and from the ground. Fortem was just happily laying down on a bubble, kneading it and wobbling it, trying to get it to squeak and testing how much he could sink his spikes and claws into the bubble. Hiro was testing the wobbliness of one as he did light bounces. He felt a little unsatisfied and modified it to let it wobble more.
Soon Yung and Remus would arrive and the trio immediately exited the bubble park to talk with them.
“So…have you decided on the roles yet?” Yung said pleasantly. “Remus wouldn’t shut up about how great this will be…” He then turned to Remus himself. “I haven’t done music in some time now, Remus…and I’ve never done music of the rock genre…”
“Learning experience for all of you then!” Remus grinned.
“Remus. I haven’t picked up an instrument to do with that genre. I’ve never picked up any sort of guitar, or the drums. Or any other instrument that fits within. I play the flute for heaven’s sake and I’m certain that doesn’t quite fit in.” Yung replied steadily.
“It’s a good thing that we have most of the year to work on it.” Remus puffed his chest out. “We’re going to rock this town, and nothing will change otherwise.” He grinned. “A concert is so very much like a party after all. If you don’t have fun, then there’s no point.”
Remus looked at Yung. “I think…can you play the cello? I think you should be able to learn it…”
Yung paused. He had had some experience with string instruments before, notably the violin and harp. But…well…
“I can try.” He nodded.
Remus nodded enthusiastically. “I haven’t told anyone this but I’ve been teaching Hiro the drums! He’s a natural!”
Emerald and Fortem looked over at Hiro in shock, with awestruck looks on their faces. How could he have kept this from them? How did it manage to slip under their noses?
Come to think of it…Fortem had noticed Hiro frequenting Remus’ shop during the afternoons recently…
Hiro blushed intensely. “Ah…um…I wanted to surprise you guys one day…”
Remus nodded happily. “Emerald’s on bass! We’ll have to try it! And me and Fortem will be on electric guitar!”
Emerald had handled a bass guitar before. That was why Remus chosen him… After all, Emerald and Hiro had learned a little from him and his clique. Remus had connections within the city after all.
“Dainn and Summer will be joining in too! Dainn’s on the keyboard and Summer—”
Yung went pale. “Did you seriously get our whole friend group on this act? You shouldn’t have—”
“Oh they were more then happy to join! We’ve got to remind Luminia that Team Stratus is still around and active!” Remus grinned. “As I was saying, Dainn’s on keyboard and Summer is one of the backup vocal!”
Emerald shook his head. “Isn’t that…a bit big? Such a big group…?”
Remus shook his head. “We can have up to 8 members in an act. In theory we could get Azure in too…though we’ll have to give him a minor role…he’d be too lazy to practice.”
Fortem looked at Remus. “But…who’s going to be the lead vocal? You haven’t given that to anyone yet…”
Remus looked at Fortem. Letting the suspense build up for a moment...it was all building up to this.
“Isn’t it obvious? It’s going to be you!”
Posted: Thu, 12/11/2020 00:16 (4 Years ago)
“M-Me?!” He squeaked as he looked at Remus in horror.
“Your voice fits the song that we want to do, a soft but pleasant voice.” Remus said with a smile on his face. “But you have the ability to project your voice also, which will be needed for this song.”
“H-hang on! Couldn’t Emerald do this? Or Hiro? Or you? Yung?” Fortem pleaded as he looked at them back and forth frantically. He couldn’t sing lead! No way!
Dainn put his hand on Fortem’s shoulder. “Courage, young knight. Knights are often put into situations where true boldness and bravery is needed of them. That is the markings of the true knight. In the face of adversary, they must carry on.”
Fortem breathed in and out, panic setting in. He just didn’t think he could do it but…under the eyes of everyone supporting him…everyone had his back…like the wind to a dandelion seed…
“You can do it Fortem…I know this won’t shake you.” Yung said with a gentle smile.
“Yes…I’m sure everyone will love you…” Hiro said as he looked at his friend
“Fortem…” Emerald murmured. “Look…I’ll become a backup singer for you! You know I get stagefright too…”
Fortem was stunned at the revelation…and the support. Tears sprung to his eyes…He never felt more in place with this group. Courage. He had to do it. He will do it…but…
“Alright…I will…” He said, in a quiet voice
Both Emerald and Hiro both hugged him. Yung and Remus smiled gently.
“Alright…I will get the sheet music and lyrics and we practice diligently for a few weeks! Then we work on our coordination and putting everything together!” Remus said with excitement. “We can do this. We may not come first in the competition…but we have to show that Team Stratus isn’t one to back down from a challenge.” He grinned.
Remus and Yung would leave…Hiro would also go to his room to think things over. All that was left was Emerald and Fortem and they both laid down on a giant purple bubble.
“Hey Em…I can do this…right? No one will laugh…right? Fortem said, clawing the bubble lightly.
“Fortem…it doesn’t matter if you make a mistake…just keep going…” Emerald smiled. “As long as you have fun, it’ll be ok, right? Winning’s not everything…”
“But the team’s reputation is on the line…” Fortem looked at the bubble. “What if I ruin it for everyone?”
“Oh come on Fortem…It’s not going to be ruined just because we don’t have a placement in the concert.” Emerald shook his head lightly. “We just have to try our best. None of us are musical prodigies after all…”
Fortem nodded…he knew that. He sighed, as he had an internal monologue with himself. He could do it…he couldn’t do it….he could do it…he couldn’t do it… but then it suddenly stopped. It wasn’t he could or couldn’t do it, he CAN do it. He WILL do it. He racked his confidence together. He’d do it. He’ll do it…for his friends, and family who had all the confidence with him.
He looked at Emerald…
“Shall we look at the lyrics and music?”
Posted: Fri, 13/11/2020 22:00 (4 Years ago)
It was to be decided that everyone would practice their own parts individually, except for Emerald and Fortem, who they agreed to stick together to boost each other’s confidence in singing in public. After all, these types of song, you need to give it your all, your voice has to be trained, and has to sound confident, or it may not fit with the song.
They were listening to the song on a record player, it was a song of emotion, who to trust, and breaking free to hope. It was quite a song
They were both impressed by the lyrics, the song was catchy too, and in general the song seemed fun to sing to.
So they decided to start practicing one at a time, to the record which was just instrumental music. With the sheet music that Remus provided.
Already though…they were hitting snags. It was a fast song after all.
“*cough, cough*…it’s so fast!” Fortem spluttered as he lost track of where he was. They were working on the first verse, though it had been an hour and it was hard to remember.
“Yes or no…stop or go…ah!” Emerald said as he also lost track. “Geez…this is really difficult. But don’t give up! We’ve got this!”
Fortem nodded as he dove back into the fray. It took a while but they soon got the rhythm of the first two verses. The words were still shaky, but it was hard pressed to learn the words, song and then be able to perfectly sing to it within a couple of hours. Not to mention at perfect pitch with the song. It was a decent start at any rate.
***
Yung was getting to grips with the cello. It was a very different instrument he was used to. He had managed to persuade Azure to join in with some chimes of sorts. His role was one that was more in the background, but his most prominent role was the start, where the string instrument there was the most prevalent.
It was definitely hard though…he was going from the flute to the cello. But he persevered. Trying was something he was good at, he thought. And he certainly wasn’t giving up without a fight.
***
Remus was enjoying himself a bit too much with his rock guitar. It had been a while since he had the opportunity to bust out the guitar and rock to it. He was getting the song well and would probably be the one to master his part first.
Still, it was a song he hadn’t played before and that he needed to practice. He had never participated in the festival by himself, let alone other people. He knew that while his part could be perfect, it was up to his friends to pick up the backing.
***
Hiro was getting the beat down…but he was having trouble with the drums he had to play. He didn’t want to let anyone down though, especially not Fortem and Emerald, who he had promised he’d give his all for, especially Fortem taking on the lead role in singing. He had admiration for his friend for taking on such a nerve wrecking role
As such…with a one two three! He went again. Again with the rhythm!
***
Dainn was grumbling about being a part of this…not because he didn’t want to participate in this, but he had quite the reputation to uphold as the head of the knights. He had to make sure his own role was perfect, he had to make sure the others wouldn’t look down on him…after all, his role commanded a certain respect to it. Though, he really wanted to discard the responsibility and pressure that his role gave.
Summer on the other hand was singing happily. She didn’t mind singing in public, she did it all the time! Though she never got to sing something of this genre, she was already enjoying it already. She loved it! She never had the opportunity to listen to rock before and well, it was a match made in heaven. She simply had to see what other songs there were in the future so she could listen to it.
And maybe she could persuade Remus to let her play the guitar too, she wanted to rock on, headbanging all the way!
***
Day 1 ended almost without a hitch, now Emerald and Fortem were just walking the streets of Luminia. Once again, Emerald had invited Fortem over for a sleep over. His father never really minded and always loved the chance to spoil Fortem whenever he had the opportunity to.
“Ah, we’ll get there!” Emerald grinned to Fortem. “We’ll do it and it’ll be awesome!”
Fortem nodded…he half-believed it. With the progress they were making, they had to get somewhere right? Maybe they’d truly can do it! His confidence was growing…
“Oh…?”
Emerald had noticed a group ahead of them. A Grovyle, A Dewott, and a Buizel, staring down another group; A Purugly, A Darumaka, a Scraggy and a Tyrantrum. He could tell one of the groups was trouble… The latter group seemed to be mocking the former.
Being the knightly soul Fortem was, he was already heading towards them. Emerald quickly followed soon after…he was already certain there would be trouble.
Posted: Sat, 14/11/2020 22:04 (4 Years ago)
It seemed as though the two groups were having argument.
“Gehehe…” The Purugly chuckled with a smug expression on her face. “How do you think you will win the music festival with your paltry members?” The other three heckled in the background. “No talent…how do you think you stand a chance?”
“Talent or no, effort is more important then anything!” The Dewott growled angrily. “Besides winning isn’t everything!”
“Says the one who has never won anything in his life.” The Tyrantrum responded, to which the Dewott flinched. Of course, the Tyrantrum had no way of knowing whether that was true or not and of course it wasn’t. Even so…
The Grovyle kept composed. “Even if the prize is money, the most important thing is taking part in the festival. There is no honour in winning just for money.”
“Pah, clearly these plebeians have no talent, no hope, nowhere in reach of touching that prize. Come on, gang, let us leave before their breath stinks up the whole place.” They all laughed as they turned to leave. The Tyrantrum looked at the group.
“Snitches get stitches, keep that in mind…”
The Purugly then took notice of Fortem and Emerald.
“Oho? If it isn’t the wimp knight and the childish Riolu!” She purred, clearly knowing where to hit it where it hurts.
Emerald looked unfazed. “What do you want?” He asked defensively.
“Ohohoho! Perhaps I should ask for your support…in the music festival of course~ I’d pay you well…” The Purugly puffed out their chest in pure arrogance
“Who in their right mind would want to support you?! Especially after what you just said to that group!?” Emerald replied angrily.
It happened so quickly. There were some slashes. And Emerald was propped up on the floor on one arm. Not that injured but...
“Watch your tongue, boy.” She hissed. “You’ll regret not siding with us…I hope you’re prepared for a world of hell, boy.” She spat the last word at him. She didn’t exactly get away scot free from that encounter. If Fortem looked closely, Emerald was holding an Aura Axe, and he had actually managed to score a hit.
She went to Fortem next. “And you. Stay out of the competition if you know what’s good for you. Your pristine reputation…your friends health…you wouldn’t want it all collapsing wouldn’t you?” She had a glint in her eye as she put a claw to his chin before retracting it. “Yeah that’s right…stay out of it.” She then left with her group.
Emerald sprung back up. Even though he was put to the floor he wasn’t actually too hurt. “How dare they…how dare they threaten us like that…and how dare they threaten that other group…?”
Speaking of said other group, they had came over and were helping them up. The Buizel was using Aqua Ring on them both.
“Are you alright? They’re a bunch of work, aren’t they?” The Buizel remarked.
“Don’t tell me you’re gonna quit because of what they said…” Emerald remarked “…sorry I don’t have your names.”
“It’s Brook.” The Buizel said. “Halvan.” He pointed at the Dewott. “Virian.” He pointed at the Grovyle. “No we don’t plan on quitting, don’t worry about us, we aren’t one to take threats lying down.”
The Grovyle, Virian spoke up. “Your friend though…” She said worriedly. “It seems as though he’s shaken up…”
Emerald looked around in horror. Indeed…Fortem was shaking like a leaf. Witnessing what had just happened to Emerald and threats to him, his family and Emerald himself…he didn’t know what to do…
Emerald clenched his fists. “Curse them…” He held out a paw. “Do everything you can do beat them…practice hard alright?
And we will too, We can’t let them score high.” The Buizel nodded and shook Emerald’s paw. “We promise…We won’t let them trample on everyone like this.”
The trio left, and Emerald took Fortem back to his home. “Hey Fortem, it’ll be alright!”
“But what about you…? They’ll hurt you if I join…maybe it’s best I stay out…” Fortem dipped his head, in sorrow.
Emerald grasped Fortem. “We are not backing out now. We have Team Stratus on our side…we will do this and we will win. I am not forgiving them for this…but I can’t do it without you. So please…stick with me please.”
Fortem only looked half convinced. “…my parents…”
“Just tell Dainn! And on top of that, your parents are very capable knights are they not? Clearly they don’t know your parents are respected knights…they’re idiots for even thinking of threatening them! Plus! Just tell Dainn! He won’t let harm befall them.”
Something about Emerald’s spirit, voice…enthusiasm…he couldn’t help but trust him. He needed to have more faith in him…Emerald was clearly capable of fighting back…as shown there at the plaza, the way he was wielding that axe…
But Fortem still had his doubts. He redoubled his resolve. Just so they couldn’t touch him or Emerald…he’d perfect his role. So that they couldn’t silence him. He’ll practice his fighting techniques too when he had the chance…
Emerald could feel the inner duality and put a paw on him. “Let’s go to dad…let’s get a bubble massage for you ok? Just forget about them.”
Fortem perked up a little. He did love them…and perhaps it was just what he needed.
“Alright…I’m sorry about that…let’s go, and then let’s rest for the day so we can practice more tomorrow…”