Skye Prower

As no one else seems to want to write up a crit I suppose I should. That's quite a nice start but, after all, it is only a start, so there is little to comment on in the story itself. However, the layout does make it tricky to read. It would be easier if every time a different character began speaking you started a new line. But that's ascetics rather than a complaint. I do have one concern however, which is the main character may develop into a Mary Sue (or whatever the male version is called). He's shown to have above average pokemon knowledge AND athletic/reflex abilities, and is highly praised for both. Too much of that and it may lead into bad territory.

*Set's up a deck chair* Get comfy everyone. This could take a while!

Melody sighed theatrically. "Okay, okay! You can make sure I don't spend all my allowance on dancing!" Anna turned back to looking at the music tracks. "Hey, I kinda like this one!" she said. "Are you sure? It sounds kinda... heavy." "Yeah, I, uh, like the power of it." --------------- "What about you," Skye asked, hoping to stop more questions about his past. "Where are you from?" "Me? Oh..." He was about to say New Mobotropolis, then stopped himself as he realised that wouldn't work with mistaking Skye for Tails. Miles realised he didn't have much of an idea about Mobius. He took a gamble that neither did Skye, and tried to think of somewhere that existed in both worlds. "Sandblast City," he replied. "What's it like there?" Skye asked, interested. 'Dammit' Miles thought to himself. Outwardly he laughed. "As you might have guessed, sandy!" ------------- Ziona smiled. "I think you made a good recovery there," she said, moving in closer and giving Glen a peck on the cheek.

"You don't need to worry about the money going quickly! Am I really the kinda person who does things with thinking?" asked Melody, Behind her, Anna started laughing. "Not! Helping!" ------------- "If you keep up with the fat jokes I won't be" teased Ziona.

Nice to see we are all completely agreed on our course of action! :P

"It's really not difficult at all Tikal. But I don't want to put any pressure on you. It's just, you're just standing there, and it doesn't seem fair," said Melody. ------------ "So, have you lived on the island long?" asked Miles, fishing for as much information as he could, or looking for signs of how far the programming went. "Actually no. We've only just started living here," Skye replied. "Well, except for Dad..." Skye realised he'd just talked himself into an awkward position. "Your Dad lived here but you didn't? That sounds strange!" Miles pushed, wondering if he could get the programming to crack. "Well, uh..." Skye decided to just keep going. "Melody, Anna and I, we're adopted. We... lost our parents." "I see. I'm sorry," replied Miles, sounding sorry but not meaning a shred of it. "Where did you live before?" "I'd, uh, rather not talk about it..." Miles cursed inwardly. He couldn't ask much more in that direction without it appearing suspicious. ----------- "Hmm, maybe a box of chocolates?" Ziona pondered. "Or a milkshake?"

"Those two mongooses are your sisters?" Miles asked. "Yep. Melody and Anna." Skye replied. Miles mind began racing, trying to make sense of what he'd learned. Mina seemed to have had her entire personality changed, was responding to a different name, and now had a 'brother' and 'sister'. Did this go both ways? Had 'Skye' and 'Melody' somehow been reprogrammed in a similar way? And if so, who would do such a thing? It seemed an awful length to go to just to have a family. There had to be something more sinister going on.

"Did you enjoy that?" asked Melody as the song ended. Her side showed another 'perfect' while Anna's was simply 'Good', due to her messing up the start. "Yeah, that was fun. Can we go again?" Anna asked enthusiastically. Melody laughed, this was the happiest she'd seen her sister yet. "Sure thing," Melody replied, then spotted Tikal watching. She waved her over. "Do you want a shot?" she offered. -------------------- "So do you live on the island?" Skye asked. "No. Me and my family just arrived for a holiday," Miles lied. "What about you?" "My family's here for a holiday too, though we do live on the island. But it's just the kids out today. Mom and Dad are back at the hotel." "Kids? You mean you have brothers or sisters?" Miles asked intrigued. In almost every Zone Tails was an only child. "Yeah. Two sisters. They're playing on the dance machine over there," Skye pointed out. Miles looked and almost dropped his gun when he realised the 'sisters' in question were Mina and the other Mongoose girl. What he found most scary was, unlike Skye's comment about being unable to fly, there was no hint of lying in Skye's voice. He actually believed he was telling the truth. ---------------- Ziona looked around. "Nope, no Hope to make faces at us!" she joked. (ooc: If you want. Given Mina knows the prime version of each of them it could be interesting.)

Melody threw herself into the game with her usual enthusiasm. Anna was more hesitant and a little embarrassed, and messed up the opening sections, but soon managed to push past that and throw herself into the game. Melody became aware that Anna was humming along to the song as it player. Meanwhile, Skye and Miles were doing pretty well in the shooting game, making steady progress. Skye began hoping that he'd found a new friend, someone to hang around with who wasn't a girl! ----------------- "Well of course, that," laughed Ziona, "but that's far beyond kissing and cuddling!"

(ooc: WARNING! WARNING! OTT ALERT!) "Here we are," said Melody as she and Anna arrived at the game. "We choose a song, then step on the arrows on the floor as the appear on the screen." "Really.... That, uh, doesn't sound too bad.." said Anna sounding relieved. "Okay, now we just choose a song," Melody explained as she inserted coins into the machine. Anna looked at the song list. "Oh... are... are those songs by...." she asked. Melody mentally cursed herself for forgetting how popular Mina's songs were. "Er... yeah... Is that a problem?" she asked. Anna shut her eyes, took a deep breath, then shook her head. "No," she replied firmly. "Let's do this." -------------- Skye wandered through the arcade, looking with fascination at the different games and machines. He stopped by a shooting game, currently unoccupied, and decided to give it a go. He had barely started when he heard a voice nearby. "Can I join you?" Skye turned to see a brown-furred wolf about he age pointing towards the second gun. "Sure thing, no problem," said Skye. He was a little wary of someone he didn't know, but on the other hand, he knew he should try to make friends. Miles gave a false friendly smile, and stepped up to the second player screen, pushing some coins in and joining in. "Excuse me, but... are you Tails? The Freedom Fighter?" asked Miles after a moment or two, acting to keep up the appearance of an innocent kid. "Me?" Skye gave a start, then did his best to compose himself. "No, I'm not him. My name's Skye. I just happened to have the extra tail as well." he said. "I can't even fly like he can," Skye added as an after thought. "That's a shame," replied Miles, fairly certain that Skye had been lying on the last point. "Flying would be cool." "Yeah, I know," laughed Skye. "What's your name?" "Lucas," replied Miles.

Skye entered the Arcade and his mouth dropped open in amazement. He mouthed a silent 'Wow'. "I told you you'd like it," said Melody giving Skye a playful shove on the shoulder. "C'mon," she said grabbing Anna by the hand, "let's find something for us to play."

Anna nodded at Melody and Hope's comments, hoping they were right as she stood up. Skye also stood up and got ready to follow. --------------- In the adjacent booth, Miles mind was racing. From the snippets he'd overheard of there conversation, difficult given the noisy restaurant, it certainly sounded as if this 'Skye' and 'Melody' were another alternate version of him and Mina. And from the sound of things, a closer version than their Prime Zone versions. But that raised mare questions. What were they doing here, and what had they done to Mina? Miles got ready to follow.

"I'm not really a dancer.," said Anna. "Don't worry, neither am I!" said Melody with a laugh as she stood up. "C'mon lets go!"

"I remember. It's good to know," said Skye to Tikal, smiling. He turned to the others "I'm looking forward to seeing this arcade," said Skye. Anna looked less certain. "I told you don't worry. I'm sure there'll be something you'll love there," Melody said, trying to reassure Anna. "And good to know you'll come with us afterwords Tikal. Again, I'm sure we'll find something you like!" ----------------------- "I suppose we'll find out, but if a holiday resort has such rules, they'll probably end up loosing business."

"Maybe we should leave this talk for now?" suggested Anna. "Good idea. You two lovebirds can think about it at the arcade!" said Melody.

"I'm unorthodox," Melody grinned back. "Does that even mean anything?" Anna asked. Melody blinked and turned to Tikal. "Yes. Very much so. Both of you should be able to step away from each other and still have fun!" ----------------- "But I don't think this place is that draconian is it?"

"Yeah, isn't it!" Melody said to Hope. "Next time I order it BEFORE the main course!" "But... wouldn't it be good to try and experience aspects of a normal life," piped up Anna to Tikal, "rather than restricting yourself to whatever Skye is doing?" "I.. uh... I would like you to be with me ALL the time Tikal, but Anna does have a point. You should try and make the most of your opportunities." ----------------- "For doing what? All we're doing is holding on tight!"

"That would be great," replied Melody, pushing the bowl towards Hope. "I get ya Tikal," Melody continued, "but if you see something you like or somewhere you want to go, just say. And you don't have to after all." -------------- "Wonderful Glen, just wonderful!" Ziona replied.

"Actually," Melody seemed embarrassed, "I'm full, and I can't finish..."

"I hope so," said Melody, turning back to her bowl looking annoyed. "Gah, so little left..."

"Once she's a bit more.... normal? Stable? Whatever... later on I'm sure she'll love it. But until then I'll stick with the dancing games!"

"I see Tikal," replied Skye. "Great you agree," Melody said to Hope, then she lent in to whisper. "But I think we'll skip the aug reality this time. I'm not sure Anna could cope with it." Then Mleody turned back to Tikal. "Well, you don't have to if you don't want to, but your dress is... a bit old fashioned. If you want something a bit more modern looking, you can. And, if you are going to be spending time out here, you are gonna need more than one change of cloths!" Melody pointed out.

Anna looked around to see that, aside from Melody, everyone had finished their dessert. "Where are we going to now?" she asked. "Well," said Melody, putting her spoon down again, "I thought after this we all head to the arcade for a bit. Then we dump Skye there..." "HEY!" "...while the girls go shopping and get Anna some new clothes. And Tikal as well, if you want try out some modern styles." "Oh.. okay, I'll wait at the arcade then!"

"Once we get back to the hotel we can write out a little beginners spell book for you, with all the different types so you can find out what comes easiest for you. But right now, I've got some ice cream to demolish!"

"Might want to save off planning until you know if there's a type of magic you have a real knack for," suggested Melody. "My magical strength is generally blasting things. Skye's is summoning objects and transformation rituals." "I'm actually not sure what you mean Tikal," replied Skye. --------------- "I will Glen."