#popcornpost

He felt that everything after the battle of Mewni is a dream. His best friend almost died--

When the boy woke up to see his room, something doesn’t feel right. He and Star are supposed to be united again. The brunette can see his pet was barking at the window.

Wait, it’s already morning? Something told Marco to get moving and see everything for himself. A bad feeling stirred within him.

“Geez, chill out Barko Diaz.” The boy then got off from his bed. “What got you so worked up today?” He asked as he opened the curtains. To his surprise, this isn’t his home anymore. Was he kidnapped again?

Another knock, Marco walked over to open the door. He can see that a sheep with an letter delivered. The boy blinked and rubbed his eyes. Someone please wake him up. When the sheep handed him his letter, Marco reluctantly took it from him and looked grossed out.  He wiped the drool off from his jacket. This sheep probably has rabies. Marco reminded himself as he read the letter. The boy was stunned that he can understand the language despite its unfamiliarity to him.

The least he can do is to write back. Grabbing a pen and a paper near his desk, Marco took the time to write his thoughts and feelings into the paper.

Dear Aries and Stella,

Alright --- I think I can get the message why I’m here. This isn’t the perfect way to be magically sent into another place I don’t know.  I’m kidnapped twice by some monsters back from another dimension but living in a new city seems nice. I’m glad I got a job offer as a barista.

Okay. Thing is, I’m looking for my best friend. We still didn’t properly fix our friendship yet. If you see a blond girl with heart cheeks. That’s her. Star Butterfly. Let her know I’m here. I want to reunite with my best friend again.

Signed,

Marco.

Marco looked at the sheep as if it was waiting for him for his response. Nodding slowly, Marco folded the letter and placed it in a neat envelop. “Take this to Aries and Stella, will you?” He asked the sheep urgently. With the sheep trotting off, Marco stared at his puppy.

“Now what to do with you? No laser beams this time. You and your siblings destroyed my home twice.”  Marco reminded him. Barko whimpered and he can’t use his laser beam to destroy-- his new room. He was expecting that his puppy would do it as he took a double take.

But nothing came out from Barko’s eyes. Marco was more than happy..

“Whoa, did this place just limit your powers?” He picked up Barko from the ground. “Now I’m relieved! I mean I’m a human my entire life. Maybe this place can do us good. I’m excited to explore Stella City! You comin’ bud?”

A wag of his tail answered his question. Marco nodded and walked out. Maybe he should check out the cafe as a start where he’ll start working as a barista!

She slept for so long, she thought she had died in her sleep. But, now she woke up, finding herself in a room she never recognized.

Wait.

She sat up, and the bed was no longer the same bed in her room. She looked around, jumped from her bed and approached the window. This wasn’t the scenery of Island 68th where she came from.

She yelped in panic. She was kidnapped?! And how?! What about everyone?! She didn’t even see her Seniorious! Her holy sword she used for battle was left behind!

The knock on her door silenced her noisy panic attack. She gained her composure, as she approached the door, still wearing her pajama and with her long, blue, messy hair.

She found a sheep carrying a piece of letter behind the door.

Things surely couldn’t get any stranger now.

She sighed, and slowly tried to take the letter from its mouth. She tried her best to ignore the disgust of the sheep’s drool all around the letter (and her hand), but she was surprised that the letter inside the envelope was okay. It was being protected by some sort of water-proof package. Or something.

She read the letter.

Welcome to Stella City !

Home of stars and cotton clouds. We are thrilled to have you live with us in our beautiful city!

To make sure you have a place to stay, we have arranged for you to live in this very hotel room. Don’t worry, we’re certain you can afford it!

Please don’t hesitate to write us back if you have questions. The sheep are sure to deliver your inquiries.

Yours sincerely, Your loyal local Civil Servants,

Aries & Stella !

She shook her head. This is ridiculous, she thought. The letter did not explain any of the weirdness she experienced just at the beginning of the day. She had many unanswered questions.

So, she picked a piece of paper and a pen nearby, and wrote a letter back to these loyal local Civil Servants.

Dear Aries & Stella,

First, I would like to thank you for your warm welcome. This city seems to be a very peaceful one, and I think I will enjoy my stay here.

Second, there are many questions that I want to ask. This piece of paper will not be enough for them. If possible, may we arrange a meeting somewhere to talk about this matter?

Third, if meeting is not possible, it would be greatly appreciated if we can communicate through this letter instead.

Thank you very much for your hospitality.

Sincerely, Chtholly.

She gave the letter to the sheep which had been waiting obediently, and patted its head. “Thank you for waiting. I am counting on you to deliver the letter to Aries and Stella.”

As if it understood what she said, the sheep nodded its head and left her room. She closed the door, and sat on her bed, sighed again.

Well, since this didn’t seem to be a dream, and she didn’t feel like going back to sleep anymore, she decided to prepare herself for exploring around the city.

          She finally found herself getting around to it. It had taken her longer than one would have expected her to take, but given the circumstances promptness hadn’t been her top priority. It had been well over a month since she woke up in the strange city so far from home, and she was finally clearing her desk of the usual clutter to sit and write back to her hosts.

Aries and Stella,      First, I would like to start off with an apology. I didn’t realize Den enjoyed chasing sheep and I’m afraid that she’s scared more than a few away before I could stop her. I hope she didn’t spook them too badly, we’re working on it.      Secondly, I want to ask you why. I’m sure many have asked this before I have, but it’s a very big concern. You see, I have people back home that rely on me. At the risk of sounding too full of myself, they need me. My automail creations are my own, and though I have the utmost confidence in my colleague, there are some things that only I know how to do.      Lastly I would like to thank you. Despite everything, I’ve been living very comfortably. Both Den and I have been happy with our lodgings, and the people we’ve met are, for the most part, very nice. 

                                                             - Winry & Den Rockbell

P.S. Should either of you ever need a mechanic, I’m your gal!

     “So what do you think, Den? Is it too much? Not enough?” She placed the letter flat on the desk and smoothed it out after having read it out loud to the canine. Seemingly bored, the dog yawned widely and placed her head down to nap. Sighing, the blonde shook her head and stood away from the desk. With a quick, “Stay here.” she left the room and headed down the hall where a wary sheep poked its head around the corner. It bleated softly as she approached. “Don’t worry, Den’s taking a nap back in our room.” 

Today was relaxing or so he thinks. Yugi managed to find himself awake on his own. He’d probably head to their usual chill-out for a hang out with Honda and Jonouchi. Nothing could disturb him-

Hm?  With an eye opened, Yugi felt his moment of peace has been disturbed.

The sunlight hits his face when he awoke. Something told him that this day would be entirely different. Maybe, that day would change his life forever? It seemed ages he and his counterpart had defeated the greater evil. That was ages ago. Until something called back to him. Where are his Duel Disk and Millenium Puzzle anyway?

Spotting his gadgets, Yugi quickly scrambled over to them and assembled his deck and disc into a free arm. A familiar golden glint greeted his eye and he spotted his Millenium Puzzle. Boy, he was surprised. Didn’t it sank with the other Millenium items after his duel with Atem? How did that get here? Yugi quickly wore the Puzzle around his neck, just in case.

For some reason, I don’t feel Atem’s presence here anymore. I wish you’re also here. Yugi mused to himself. He missed him and he wondered how he was doing in Ancient Egypt. Won’t it better if they can visit each other sometime? But, the boundaries doesn’t allow him to do that. How awful.

“Baa!”

“Oh! I’m sorry, were you waiting for me the entire time? I’ll take that, thanks.” Yugi turned to the sheep and it appeared to be holding a bag and his letter on the sheep’s mouth. Don’t get him wrong, sheeps are cute but the drool is an entirely thing. Trying to ignore the drool and wiped it off with a clean towel, Yugi turned to read the letters, explaining a job offer and his new home. 

That explains, the weird feeling of missing something. Yugi quickly looked for a pen and a paper. He wrote back in a carefully planned out response. What would Atem say if he’s in this situation?

Hello Aries and Stella,

Thank you for the offer, I must appreciate your kindness and generosity. Though, I’m a bit worried about my friends from Domino City. Are there are some duelists beside myself? And, I have some thinking over the job you gave me.. But, me as a Duel Idol? It seemed like a hectic job but maybe I can do my best about this. As if my title as the King of Games in the dueling world is um, a bit of a juggle with my life. I’m also glad to see the Millenium Puzzle back in my possession. Although I haven’t seen it since I defeated Atem.  For this hotel, it seemed quite expensive if I say so myself! What else is here? Your Delivery sheep seems so cute to be honest. Is it possible to own one as a pet?

Sincerely Yours,

Yugi Mutou.

Yugi folded the letter and sealed it into an envelop. “Hi again, I’m sorry for waiting.” he said gently while he stroked the sheep’s fur. “Please take this letter to Aries and Stella, would you? Thanks.” He asked him as the sheep trotted off happily.

Without another word, Yugi opened the curtains and saw the city. This place would be interesting to explore. Yugi thought and walked out of his room momentarily.

Sunlight filtered in through the window, curtains waving gently in the morning breeze. Cerise shifted and pulled the covers over her head in an attempt to ward off the approaching day. Calloused fingers curled tighter around the edge of her sheets, trying to place the unfamiliar fabric while staying asleep. With a sigh of frustration, Cerise gave up on the fantasy of sleep and finally opened her eyes to see an unfamiliar side desk that looked rundown, even for her flat. 

Sitting up with a shock, the young woman anxiously glanced around, trying to remember just what she had done last night and who she went home with. As the seconds ticked by, she could feel the panic rising in her chest until she could no longer breathe, the thin walls closing in around her. With a sharp pinch to the back of her hand, Cerise felt reality snap back into place. Maybe this was all just an elaborate dream or a coma induced fantasy - even as she thought them, they both seemed ridiculous.

A quick knock, like a hoof pounding wooden fencing, pulled her out bed - she took it as a good sign that she was completely dressed in yesterdays clothing. Pulling the door open, Cerise couldn’t hide her shock at the very cute sheep at her feet. It seemed to be holding a letter in it’s mouth, addressed to her.

Still not convinced that she wasn’t dreaming, she took the dripping (ew) letter and reading it over, did not feel any of her worries were assuaged. The postal sheep gave a low baaa and since they had completed their job, began to exit the room. Biting her lower lip, the New Yorker paused for just a moment before moving towards her door to stop the sheep. One hand waving around in the air (a silent request for the sheep to wait), Cerise began to search the room for a pen and paper. After watching her run around the room for a few minutes, the sheep gave another baaa before producing a pad of paper and pencil. Perched on the edge of the bed, she tapped the pencil against her temple a few times before settling down and beginning to write.

Dearest Aries and Stella, 

Thank you for such a gracious welcome to your town however, I believe I have a few questions. My main concern is that I can no longer stay in contact with my parents - they are used to my slow responses but I fear that with such an uncertain time period, they will begin to worry. Does this postal system extend beyond the reach of Stella City? If it does not, would it be possible to use the powers that brought me here to send my letters out into my world? 

Ever yours, Cerise Lewis 

Space shouldn’t have such a strange light hitting. Florescent lighting from the ship would be too harsh as this seemed less noticeable at first till the light finally hit Tee’s eyes--

Hey, wait a minute, this definitely wasn’t his room!

Not even back in his home world from what he could remember resembled anything like it. In fact, the atmosphere feel similar to that of--

His head turn upon hearing a knocking at the door. It didn’t quite startle the teen, but he definitely didn’t expect a visit upon waking up to his new surroundings. He cautiously made his way to the door and opened it.

...Well this was a rather strange creature.

His first instinct was to immediately pet the top of the sheep’s head. He was quite curious in seeing such a strange animal. He didn’t really recall encountering one before, he’d assume that such animals were probably near non existent where he was from.

After constant petting, he finally took notice of the letter that the sheep was holding; he grabbed the letter, though not before having a look on his face from the drool all over it.

Reading the letter had only made the space captain more confused of the current situation. He should be back on his ship. How did he get here? Well, at this point, he definitely needed some answers and not to be distracted by such a fluffy creature.

Dear Aries and Stella,

I’m rather confused of the situation here. That’s not to say I’m not grateful of your hospitality that you’ve provided, I’m just rather concerned about my crew if I’m currently absent without any warning. I’ve already had to leave some good friends once, I don’t wish to do the same with my crew if I’m the only one from them here.

Lastly, off topic, what is this strange creature that sent me your letter? I’ve never really seen anything like it.

Best regards, -Tee

After finishing, the silver haired captain gave the sheep another pet before handing the letter over with a small smile. “Be sure this is send to Aries and Stella, alright? Safe travels to you.”

Well one job is done. Next is to explore this new place. He might as well get comfortable and try familiarizing himself with this city.

The next thing that throws him off, is the fact that this room, while similar to his previous one, is just not the same one. For starters, there’s no television screen to play any announcements on- and when he looks outside, it’s not the Ultimate Academy for Gifted Juveniles he sees. He assumes it must be the doing of the Monokubs, or even Monokuma himself, to pull such a weird elaborate stunt; but even then, isn’t this completely out there?

After a knock on the door, and opening it to discover a sheep with a letter for him, he feels none the wiser. So, according to this letter, he’s in a place called ‘Stella City’, but nothing about this adds up. He shouldn’t have been able to go through the end wall, and yet he was here- someplace definitely not within the confines of the Ultimate Academy. Even if it hadn’t been Monokuma and the Monokubs, there still was something very weird about all this.

For now, he assumed this was in fact a different place; the circumstances on how he got here he would get to later. So when he took out pen and paper to write a reply to these so called Aries and Stella, he went with the assumption of being in a different place and brought here by different people, in an attempt to at least clear up some confusion on not only why he was here, but also why he was here in a hotel room, instead of, well, a prison room.

Aries and Stella,

I am not ungrateful for the circumstances I’m in, but they do not make any sense to me either. Assuming none of this is done by Monokuma or the Monokubs’ doing, I wonder why you’d put someone like me in a room.

Shouldn’t a prisoner be put in prison? That would be the safest option and a logical one. Someone like me has no place in a proper city.

Thank you for the room regardless, I’ll at least keep it in good state for whoever might use it in the future.

Ryoma Hoshi

Well... Depending on the response he got, he might learn a thing or two about this place. And if they did put him back in prison?

Well, it wouldn’t be weird, would it?

He hands the letter back to the sheep, unable to resist giving it a short pet on the head before sending it off. He’s unsure if the sheep knows where to take the reply, but it brought the first letter too, didn’t it? Only way to find out was wait and see.

If anything, the young man was rather confused; why wouldn’t he be? To wake up in an unfamiliar room in an unfamiliar city. His erasure was certainly inevitable, and yet here he was, breathing and conscious. Existing, though in some place he’d never seen before. Was it possible he had made an error while trying to return to the future? He’d checked numerous times to make sure the machine was working properly. What mistake had he made? However, no matter how he used the device, Mikado was guaranteed to cease to exist. So why was he here now? More importantly, where was Misane, who had been returning with him? Did she make it back safely?

Secondly, his number sight was no longer active. The world around him had no numbers. It was bizarre to him how barren the room was, completely lacking in the digits that he’d grown up to be so familiar with. It felt as if someone flipped a switch and turned it off, but that was impossible unless someone specifically knew about his ability. To be frank, the idea was a little unnerving.

He was concerned, although he wouldn’t find many answers simply sitting here. Upon hearing a knock at the door, Mikado turned his head. He then stood up from the bed and approached the door, rather surprised to see a sheep waiting for him when he opened it.

It was cute, and fluffy, too. What was it doing here? The man bent down to pat its head, commenting, “Awww, you’re a cute one. Is that letter supposed to be for me?.” He took the envelope the sheep had in its mouth, thanked the creature, and opened the letter to read its contents.

... He certainly had a lot of questions, to say the least. Although, he must admit, the warm welcome was much appreciated. Taking the pen and paper he had found on the coffee table, he wrote back a response.

Dear Aries & Stella,

         Thank you for the room! I can’t help but wonder why I’m here, though. It’s obvious that you were expecting me, so I would appreciate being filled in on the situation.

         Furthermore, was Misane able to return home safely? It’s better off that I’m the only one caught up in this. She has a precious future ahead of her, after all.

         Sincerely  ー

He hesitated before signing his name.

Mikado Aisaka.