victory_road | WHO'S THAT POKEMON?

Well at least that's...

[wait what.]

... Wait, back to how they were before?

[Webby has no idea Lena survived Magica's attack. Sort of.]

[.... Right. She kind of... forgot to tell Webby about that.]

I, uh.... I kinda started following you around in the days between when you guys beat the stuffing out of Aunt Magica and when I woke up here so I could keep an eye on you and make sure you don't die?

[Oh god there's no way to even ATTEMPT to be casual about this, is there?]

Surprise?

.........

[There's a long pause, and it's impossible to tell what kind of expression is on Webby's face.

Then, out of nowhere, Webby starts to tear up.]

So then, you didn't just... disappear forever?

[If this were literally any other situation, it would probably be funny seeing the way Shadow Lena's eyes widen at the sight of Webby's tears. But it's clearly a look of panic, and when she tries to reach out... well. Magica had only been able to start influencing the physical world and exerting her control over Lena as the eclipse drew near. Without a convenient eclipse, there's no solid feeling where Lena tries to touch Webby's shoulder. Just a light brush, like a breeze passing on through.]

I... no. I mean, I kind of did? I got booted to the shadow realm, so I really was gone. But I could still see you and follow you around, so I just.... did that.

That's met with a raised eyebrow.

"Then, how much do you really know about your Merlin?"

But he doesn't expect or require an answer to that, Merlin's only pointing it out to, well, make a point.

"In any case, you're suspicious of me, and if you're determined not to trust me, nothing I say can change your mind. Especially since it sounds as if... Let me guess, you were raised--and probably a child of--what you refer to as 'villains', and now are trying to distance yourself from that. Both for yours own sake and a genuine interest in doing good, I'd assume." Did he get that right? "If that's the case, then I can certainly see why my counterpart would take an interest in you."

[Webby is still tearing up, but it’s relieved tears. Not that being in the Shadow Realm is good, nor is being a shadow right now. But it meant that Lena didn’t just, get totally destroyed by Magica.]

I thought you were gone for good. When I showed up here it was literally right when we defeated Magica. I thought I was never gonna get a chance to see you again.

[Webby shakes her head, quickly wiping her face.]

Well, I guess we first got to find a way to get you back to your old self here.

[He's guessing that, since that expression came so naturally, that yes, yes she is normally a duck. What a world to live in.]

Every few months or so, it seems like. One happened when I was here the first time around.

[It didn't amount to much in his case. This time might turn out different, he suspects. He should get out there and actively try to help people out.]

Strangers might show up too, people unfamiliar with the world. [Or surprised as he was that this shit can be real somewhere.] People you might know, too.

"If you had my mother, you'd want distance too," he muttered. "But Merlin didn't take an interest in us. Our missions happened to coincide while he and the king" Not Arthur, "were trying to track down the purple dragon attacking Camelot."

There's not a lot of people who ever actually feel bad about Carly, probably because Carly is just Really Easy to scare. And also possibly throw under a bus.

She's still upset about ending up in questioning, thanks, Yuusei Fudou.

As it is, Carly beams. "He does! This is Red! They were named after the coolest fire breather I know!" she brags, the bug giving a small spurt of flame through their vents.

Technically Red was named after a Dragon. So, ultra cool.

...That works for poisonous berries?

[It Does Not!]

...Are all lions pink where you're from then?

[non]

I'm... I'm not sure?

Well, the point is-

"...Yeah so why would I believe in magic! That was my point, fairytales are just stories after all! Fiction and movies and things! Cool to look at, but not very real!"

.....Ah.

[AHAAH,]

W-We should probably not do that then!!

"Oooooo..." She wants one...

"AH-" But Larvesta takes priority. "Really!? I just wake up with them and they're mine!?" That seems....intense. "...How do I look after them! I don't know a thing about...uh."

She looks at the bug. "...About 'larvesta's..." It's 'larvesta' for the plural, probably.

That would probably be for the best.

[She let out a sigh.]

This wasn't how I thought things would be...

Gem?

[She shifts back, blinking owlishly.]

Like a rock?

[Snufkin just smiles, shakes his head. He's not sure what to make of the Kartana, though...and the Axew doesn't seem impressed, but it's not making any sudden moves...]

No, that sort of life isn't for me. I could settle someplace and get a job, but soon enough I'd want to be out on the road again.

Are they really so hard to come by here?

[If so...well, no, she won't try to hike the prices on Cecil, she's not that sort of businesswoman, but it'd be worth it to come calling again to sell some of their older supplies, wouldn't it?]

That one...? Oh! That's the Moonblade! We've only ever seen two of its kind before, and not in any store, so I'd say it's fairly scarce even in Orsterra. Still, from what I've seen, it gives you a boost when it comes to landing a more critical blow.

"Um..... no. That would mean pretty much everyone I know was fiction. Last time I checked, we weren't. Sure Fairytales are stories, but all of history is. That's what FG says, anyway. And Master Yensid used to say similar back at Dragon Hall."

[Spike's response catches Juno by surprise--most of the time, he'd be trying to explain to people who'd never so much as been in outer space that, yes, there are flying cars, no, they haven't found any (living) aliens, yadda yadda whatever other nonsense people are curious about. Juno blinks]

Oh, shit. What part are you from? Hyperion? Halcyon Park? Oldtown?

[Things are about to get real confusing real fast.]

[Tough crowd. Juno definitely feels the added tension in the room. He gets the distinct feeling that if he pushes his luck too much, he'll get treated to an exclusive meal by these bikers, with the entrée being a knuckle sandwich.

He carefully looks down at his cards--Six of Spades and Two of Hearts. Oof. The dealer's asking for a minimum bet of ten chips. Juno slides the amount onto the table, careful to keep his expression neutral as he watches the other players. He'll have to see the cards after they've been flipped over.]

[Hmmm. Something about that name sounds familiar, but Juno can't quite place it. He scratches his chin, mulling it over, before being promptly interrupted by the Snubbull snuffling at his feet.]

Hey--quit it!

[When the Snubbull does not, in fact, quit it, he sighs, kneeling down and scratching his head.]

There. That better?

[A pause as he glances up at the stranger.]

I'm Juno Steel, by the way. Don't think we actually introduced ourselves.

[The bikers in Celadon City have seen a lot of players over the years. Many of them have been cheats. Venkman was only one in a long line of players to push their buttons the wrong way. The point is, the fact that Juno just won and apparently doesn't even know the name of the game is setting off "hustler" alarm bells. Tread carefully, Steel.

Venkman considers his options. He raises- pointing up with two fingers as he pushes the chips forward. One other biker raises- the rest call.

The flop cards are revealed: Five of Spades, Ace of Diamonds, Four of Diamonds.]

Of course, but then surely something else will go wrong at that point.

WHO'S THAT POKEMON?

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LAUGHS YEAH,

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