The masked, childlike figure stared back at the two women apprehensively. Upon realizing that they meant no harm, it let out a jovial cry that sounded distinctly non-human. Andrea shot a meaningful look at her fellow redhead, wordlessly communicating what Genny had no doubt surmised herself.

This lost child was actually a Pokémon.

Despite knowing of the facade, they made a silent pact not to bring it up. In a way, Andrea sympathized with the creature. Its wish of becoming human must have stemmed from a place of loneliness. Many Pokémon lived solitary lives. Nobody deserved to be sad and lonely in a festival. And so, with its two older sisters in tow, the tiny ogre had a grand old time!

However, no good thing lasted forever. Just as they were about to part ways, the ogre's body was taken over by a parasite taking the form of a Toxic Chain, causing it to go hostile and attack the humans. Andrea's Tyrantrum stepped in to protect its trainer once again.

"Don't hurt her, Regina! I don't think she's acting like herself!" The girl cried out. How did she know the ogre was female? Mostly just a hunch. Its mannerisms had seemed feminine enough. The giant T-Rex acquiesced to her request, simply swiping its mighty Dragon Tail to send the berserk oni flying.

"What was that purple thing that came out? Have you seen anything like it before?" The young cosplayer asked Genny as the two logged out of the simulation. All those scenarios looked weirdly prophetic, and if this encounter had just given them a glimpse into the future, her heart went out to that poor ogre, whatever its name may be.

Genevieve Cromwell

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