Chapter 19: Blue Badger March
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IFBench
Rescue Team Member
- Location
- Pokemon Paradise
- Partners
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Chapter 19: Blue Badger March
“I don't want to hear the wretched whimpering of a disgraced loser! A Von Karma is someone who is destined to be perfect! Miles Edgeworth... You are no longer worthy! You are no longer worthy of being a Von Karma!
And
neither
am
I!”
Franziska’s eyes shot open. That was…
* Franziska, are you alright?
“I’m fine,” she said, looking around at where she had landed.
Pieces of the boardwalk were scattered around, and a waterfall flowed nearby. Below her was a bed of golden flowers. They must have cushioned her fall again.
Most notably, there was trash scattered everywhere.
* This is the garbage dump. It’s where monsters get stuff from the Surface.
“They have to resort to sifting through garbage?” Franziska asked.
* Surely you’ve had to do that in your line of work at least once, right? Sometimes there’s important evidence in the trash.
“I am not denying that, however, that’s evidence . I don’t take it home with me!” Franziska said, standing up.
There were a few remains of the boardwalk leading forward. Franziska followed them, into a small chamber with another star, and a path leading deeper into the dump. Trash flowed down nearby waterfalls, down into a deep abyss where no light seemed to reach.
Before moving onwards, she reached for the star.
* The familiarity of some of these objects fills you with determination.
* File saved.
The voice was right, some of the garbage here was familiar. While none of it was anything she personally threw away, she saw various Nickel Samurai merchandise, including an action figure with its base seemingly personally signed by Matt Engarde.
As Franziska continued walking through the garbage dump, she thought she saw something odd in one of the piles of trash. Looking closer, she realized what it was: a machine made of plywood and cheap motors that had long since stopped working, in the image of a certain police mascot.
Wasn’t that the makeshift Blue Badger mascot that used to sit outside the police station Detective Gumshoe worked at?
* What…is that?
* I don’t know. It’s very unsettling.
“It’s the Blue Badger. A police mascot, for some reason,” Franziska said, staring at it. “I have no idea why the police of this country chose it. It’s…bizarre.”
* I can see why it got thrown away.
* Me too.
“That’s it. That’s it! THAT’S IT!!!” a voice suddenly rings out…coming from the mascot.
It begins to float in the air, as its painted-on eyes narrow.
“I have HAD it with your slander of this body!” the mascot says, positioning itself in front of the exit to the garbage dump. “All three of you! Shut up!”
* What.
* What?!
“And who are you?” Franziska asked.
“I am a ghost who lives inside a dummy…or at least I did, until YOU CAME ALONG!” the mascot shouted.
“I have never met you before in my life,” Franziska said, crossing her arms.
“My cousin lived inside a dummy in the Ruins! But after you threatened them with your whip, they didn’t feel safe being there anymore! So I lent them my old body! And now I’m stuck with this body!” the mascot said.
“...I am sorry that I threatened your cousin. I was not aware that there was anyone living inside the dummy, or that that was even possible,” Franziska said.
“Futile. Futile! FUTILE!!!” the mascot said, as Franziska’s soul appeared. “Human! I’ll repay what you did to my cousin, three hundred thirty three-fold!”
* Mad Badger blocks the way!
The Mad Badger raised its baton and flag up in the air, before smacking them together, sending several bullets Franziska’s way, which she ducked under.
“If you dislike this body, why can’t you find a different one?” Franziska asked.
“Really. Really?! REALLY?!?!?! Do you think bodies grow on trees?!” the Mad Badger screeched, as several bullets in the shapes of miniature Blue Badgers manifested around Franziska. “Why do you think I’m in the garbage dump?! Unless you’re willing to shell out a bunch of G, it’s the only place to find even slightly suitable bodies!”
The mini-badgers fired more bullets at Franziska. One grazed against her shoulder, and she flinched.
“And how will attacking me help you find a body?” Franziska asked.
“Isn’t it obvious? I’ll take your soul and cross the Barrier!” the Mad Badger said, swinging at Franziska with its flag. “Up there, there’s so many bodies I could find! I could be the mannequin in a fancy store, even.”
“You don’t sound too happy about that last statement,” Franziska noted, backing away from the flag.
“EVERYTHING I WANT WILL BE MINE!” the Mad Badger yelled, summoning more mini-badgers.
“Really? Everything?” Franziska asked, dodging their bullets. “Surely being a store mannequin isn’t your lifelong dream.”
* Doesn’t seem like it’s much for conversation.
* Can’t it hear us?
“YES, I CAN!” the Mad Badger said. “And for your information, my pronouns are she/her!”
* Oh. Sorry.
* Doesn’t seem like she’s much for conversation.
“That’s better!” the Mad Badger said, her assault slowing a bit. “And maybe I’d be more open to talk if you said anything worthwhile!”
* Rude.
“Alright. What do you want, then?” Franziska said, stepping to the side of the Mad Badger’s attacks.
“Didn’t I already tell you?! I want a body that’s rightfully mine!” the Mad Badger said, swinging at Franziska again. “I need it. I need it! I NEED IT!!!”
“And you don’t like this body, correct?” Franziska asked, avoiding the swing.
* Where are you going with this?
“Correct. Correct! CORRECT!!!” the Mad Badger said, raising her flag and baton up. “And I concur! Where are you going with this?!”
“Perhaps we could help you find a proper body?” Franziska suggested.
“What,” the Mad Badger said, her attacks abruptly stopping.
“Surely there’s someone down here willing to make the perfect body for you, without you having to become a murderer for it,” Fraziska pointed out.
“I…” the Mad Badger said, looking to the side.
“oh…hi…” a familiar voice sounded, causing the pupils in Mad Badger’s eyes to shrink to pinpricks.
“Napstablook?” Franziska asked, looking around for the source of the voice. Sure enough, the ghost was nearby, staring at her and the Mad Badger.
“B…Blooky?!” the Mad Badger stammered.
“Do you know them?” Franziska asked.
“oh…if now’s a bad time, i can go…sorry…” Napstablook said, starting to fade.
“Wait. Wait! WAIT!!!” the Mad Badger said. “Don’t go yet!”
“why not…” Napstablook said, fading back into view. “it’s…not like I mattered to you before…”
“What are you talking about?” Franziska asked.
“This is a private matter. Private! PRIVATE!!! Stay out of it!” the Mad Badger said, brandishing a knife at Franziska.
“please don’t hurt her…she’s nice…” Napstablook said, crying a few tears. They fell onto the Mad Badger, causing her to flinch.
“Ow! Ok! I won’t hurt her!” the Mad Badger said, putting her knife away, and swiveling around to look at Napstablook.
“so…what did you want to say…maddy…” Napstablook asked.
“I…want to apologize,” Maddy said. “For…never visiting after I left the farm.”
“...really?” Napstablook said, eyes widening a bit.
“I…didn’t like living at the farm. I was worried that if I went back, there’d be…uncomfortable memories brought to the surface,” Maddy said, lowering her flag. “But I should’ve at least visited. Especially after hearing that all our other cousins had left the farm.”
“...thank you,” Napstablook said. “i…missed you…”
Maddy stood there for a few seconds, before the Mad Badger she was possessing went limp. Another ghost appeared next to it, shaped similarly to Napstablook, but seeming fiercer somehow.
“Fine. Fine! Fine!!!” Maddy said, turning to look at Franziska. “You three!”
“What is it?” Franziska asked.
* Are you going to start attacking us again?
* I don’t think she’s going to.
“I’m taking you up on your offer!” Maddy said, floating over to be by Franziska’s side. “You’re going to find the perfect body for me! And I’ll search with you!”
* Do you mean you’re joining us?
“Yes. Yes! YES!!!” Maddy said. “I’m joining you! I need to make sure you don’t forget, after all!”
“I suppose having another monster in our entourage wouldn’t hurt,” Franziska said. “Very well.”
* Maddy joined the party!
* Didn’t expect anyone else to join us, but hey, I’m not opposed.
“Perfect. Perfect! PERFECT!!!” Maddy said, cackling with glee. “But don’t expect me to stick around afterwards, alright? I have places to be!”
“before you go…umm…want to ‘hang out’ at my home?” Napstablook asked.
“...I would,” Maddy said, turning back towards Napstablook.
“then…feel free to ‘come with’. you too…franziska…and mia…and that other ghost…” Napstablook asked, floating towards the exit of the dump. “no pressure, though…you don’t have to if you don’t want to…”
“I don’t see why not,” Franziska said, curtsying at the ghost. “Very well. Lead the way.”
Napstablook floated out of the dump. After a few seconds, Maddy followed, and Franziska followed after them both.
As she reached a large, open room, she noticed another star in the center, and reached for it.
* Having yet another companion to travel with fills you with determination.
* File saved.
=====
COURT RECORD:
Evidence:
Prosecutor’s Badge - Proof of my profession. Like my papa and little brother, I keep mine in my pocket.
Cell Phone - My phone. Toriel, Papyrus, and Sans’ numbers have been registered to it.
Newspaper Articles - Articles detailing the disappearance of several children on Mount Ebott.
Photograph - A photograph of my second cousin, Bailey von Karma. I never met her.
Doodle - A drawing that I had obtained during my third trial with Phoenix Wright. I had meant to return this to him, but now…
Faded Ribbon - A ribbon belonging to a child who disappeared on Mount Ebott, Patia Fey. It’s speckled with blood.
Recipe - Toriel’s parting gift to me. A recipe for cinnamon-butterscotch pie.
Tough Glove - A glove Snowdrake gave to me. Seems to be fit for a human hand.
Snowman Piece - A button belonging to a talking snowman. They asked me to bring it very far away.
Wrapper - Discarded trash from when I gave Papyrus some ice cream. Contains an illustration of a hug.
Spy Camera - A camera I found hidden in a lump of snow. Has the serial number 013.
Snowdrake’s Photo - A childhood photograph of Snowdrake and his parents. Was used to decorate Gyftrot.
Puzzle Book - A large book of sudoku puzzles that Papyrus gifted to me.
Dusty Tutu - A tutu that previously belonged to Bailey von Karma. It’s covered in monster dust. Could she really have murdered a monster?
Punch Card - A card given to me by an ice cream seller. I can exchange three for a free ice cream.
Ballet Shoes - Belonged to Bailey von Karma. Caked in dust, far too much to have been from natural causes.
Ebott Dam - A dam being constructed on the Ebott River. Likely lowering the water intake of the Underground.
Profiles:
Bailey von Karma - An aspiring ballerina who went missing on Mount Ebott, and my second cousin. Was calling out for help. Deceased.
Flowey - A talking flower. It knew that I traveled back in time, and has been talking to Papyrus for some reason. What are its goals?
Toriel - A monster who intended on keeping me trapped in the Ruins. Fortunately, I was able to convince her to let me go.
Odd Voice - A voice that appeared in my head shortly after I met Toriel. They claim that their hands “aren’t free of dust”, but refuse to elaborate.
Napstablook - A ghost monster who offered to channel a spirit for me. Cousins with Maddy. I hope my advice helps them.
Mia Fey - A deceased defense attorney, and the sister of Maya Fey. She is now accompanying me on my journey.
Asgore - A monster outside the Ruins. Wants to kill me for my soul.
Sans - A skeleton monster I met shortly after exiting the Ruins. He knows about my erased murder, but seems more concerned about Flowey.
Papyrus - A skeleton monster I met shortly after exiting the Ruins. Tried to capture me, but became friends with me instead.
Snowdrake - A bird monster, and an aspiring comedian. His sense of humor is improving, very slowly. A friend.
Alphys - The royal scientist of this place. Has some sort of connection with Undyne.
Undyne - The captain of the Royal Guard. Wants to take my soul. Killed me, but I traveled back in time to before my death.
Mr. Dreemurr - The king of all monsters. Supposedly kind and willing to help, according to Papyrus. Bad at names.
Mettaton - The Underground’s biggest star, according to Shyren’s talent agent. Supposedly his shows are stagnating.
Asriel - The brother of the Odd Voice. It seems he was very close with them.
Maddy - A ghost formerly living inside a police mascot. Cousins with Napstablook. Accompanying me for the time being, until she finds a suitable body.
Other:
Cinnamon Bun X2
Burger X2
900 G