BIRCHWILD GROVE SPAWN: MOMO

Bodice of the Faerie Queen: Just Ahead!

Momo studied the wooden sign. The English words weren't the problem- she understood the meaning just fine. If Momo had any trouble with English, she wouldn't have decided to join this foreign server a million kilometers from Japan. The problem was what she was going to do about it.

Just a few minutes ago, she'd read a very different sign. Castle of the Faerie Queen, it had said. How the landmark had gone from castle to bodice was beyond Momo, but now her curiosity was piqued. She tried to shake herself out of it.

"This is not something I need to know," she said gravely, turning away.

Then she hesitated.

Then she followed the sign.

It led, not to anyone's busom or palace, but a wooded grove of autumnal trees. A circle of bright purple mushrooms poked out of the dead leaves, marking a place of unmistakable power.

There was also a sign. It said, This way to the Refuse Disposal Site of the Faerie Queen.

"Hmmm."

The world swam before her eyes, as if her vision was being stirred like paint in a pot. The orange foliage, the wooden sign, the face of the strange deer Pokémon watching her with lightless black eyes.

"Stop! What are you doing?" It came out in her native tongue as Momo staggered, depth perception warping as vertigo seemed to sweep her legs out from under her. This shouldn't be happening. How could she be so foolish? She had started playing this game to fight real monsters, and this one (in such a tiny, cute package) had slipped past her guard.

<What did you say?> the Deerling asked. Momo saw it approach as she fell, almost in slow motion, the tiny cloven hooves stepping daintily towards her. She blinked, head laying on the dirt path, and it was like an eclipse passing over the sun. <It doesn't matter. You don't really want to leave. You want to meet her, don't you?>

She sank, mind swamped with shimmers, and found herself transported somewhere strange.