InsaneJournal

Natasha wasn't eager to head back into town. She hadn't been in danger of singing any songs, but things seemed to take a lot longer whenever the town's folk got into a song. Grabbing a bite to eat, meant you got a whole song about the cows in the meadow, and the chickens in the coup, and your food wasn't ready until after. Natasha didn't hate musicals; she just didn't want to live in one.

At least the other time was songs she was familiar with. These were just random nonsense songs that sometimes didn't make sense. Sometimes, there were three or four songs going in various parts of town.

(Never mind that there had been a few times, she almost felt herself ready to sing.)

"Where do you wanna head first?" She glanced down at the little pokemon she'd accompanied into town. Anyone who decided to speer him with a pitchfork was going to get a face full of shield.

---

Pikachu followed closely behind Natasha, running on all fours upon his stubby little legs, stopping every so often to stand and look around, ears perked up and interested in the new world around them. Sooner or later, he’d insist on climbing up Natasha to perch upon her shoulder since all this running was hard work, but for now, he’d manage. This was technically the third world he visited via Derleth, but he really didn’t count the previous two. First was the Galar Region, which was practically home and so nothing too out of the ordinary even though it was really cool to visit. Then, after a long absence, it was Vampire-World, which he hadn’t been in long enough to really appreciate what was happening.

“Man, this grass is strange,” he idly commented before looking up and answering Natasha’s question. “I dunno. There’s supposed to be a carnival? That sounds kinda fun.”

As they got closer to town, Pikachu noticed a group of young ladies in long skirts talking amongst themselves, but he didn’t give them a second thought.

---

Natasha, on the other hand, made a note of them. She didn't peg them as the violent types, but all it took was a song and some ladies swooning to get them going. If nothing else, she didn't want Pikachu to get stepped on by some overzealous dancers. She would have carried the pokemon, but that seemed patronizing to her, at least until there were some obvious signs of exhaustion.

"Pretty sure it's astroturf, the grass. They used to use it on old movie sets. Sometimes people replace their lawns with it." Some people were strange. Then again, she had lived in Avengers Compound where she didn't have to pay for anything, including lawn maintenance.

She grinned down at him. "Are you going to win me a stuffed animal bigger than you are?"

---

“That’s dumb,” Pikachu grumbled. “I hate the way it feels on my paws.”

He was about to reply to Natasha’s question, when one of the girls spotted him and gave out a high pitched squeal of delight.

“Oh my goodness! Look at him! He’s so cute!”

All attention was drawn upon Pikachu as they swarmed around him, paying no attention to Natasha.

“What is he?”

“I’m a pokemon, but you can call me Pikachu,” said Pikachu, not hiding how much he liked the attention.

“He talks!”

“I love him!”

One of them picked him up and gave him a tight cuddle.

“Watch the cheeks, lady,” he warned, not wanting to accidently zap anybody with his electric powers.

“Pikachu! What an adorable name!” said another one of the girls, taking him away from the other and twirling him around.

“What an adorable creature!”

Music started to swell, and Pikachu’s ears perked up again. This must be one of those musical numbers that people were talking about… and it was going to be about him.

“Cool.” He looked at Natasha and winked, letting her know he didn’t mind what was happening.

---

She wasn't about to join in, even if she had an okay singing voice and was a pretty good dancer. Instead, she hung back, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning on one foot. Hopefully, this song was better than the one about the corned beef. Pikachu might get left here by himself if that happened.

---

Ladies: Who’s that darling with the lighting bolt tail?
Pika-pika-Pikachu!
Catching the hearts of every female?
Pika-pika-Pikachu!

Pikachu: (spoken) That’s me!

Ladies: There’s no dispute
The point is moot!

Pikachu: (declaring) Electro-Cute!

Ladies: Pika-pika-Pikachu!

[The ladies pass Pikachu around, taking turns dancing with him in their arms, while Pikachu is eating up the attention]

Taking all of Smigadoon by storm
Pika-pika-Pikachu!
Fluffy, cuddly, cozy and warm
Pika-pika-Pikachu!

Irresistibly drawn
To this pokemon

Pikachu: (coyly) Aw, girls, c’mon!

Ladies: Pika-pika-Pikachu!

[At this point the ladies put him down so they can break out into a dance involving a lot of twirling. Pikachu goes over to Natasha]

Pikachu: (To Natasha, aside) You know, back at home I’m quite ordinary
I’m told that I’m cute, but nothing like this
These gals treat me like a Legendary
What more can a pokemon like me wish - ooops!

[Pikachu is suddenly snatched up again and pulled back into the dance]

Ladies: We all think it’s apropo
Pika-pika-Pikachu!
We won’t ever let him go!

Pikachu: (spoken, surprised & distressed) What?!

Ladies: Pika-pika-Pikachu!

[one of them puts a jeweled collar around his neck, another brings out a little metal cage]

Despite his endeavor
Keep him forever

Pikachu: Let me go!

Ladies: Never!

[At this point, Natasha steps in, scoops Pikachu up, and tosses him over her shoulder, away from his adoring, and slightly psychotic fans]

Ladies: Don’t go away!
We want him to stay!

Pikachu: (saluting them goodbye, sarcastically) Have a great day!

Ladies: Pika-pika-Pikachu!