Pocket Peaches: Game On

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Pocket Peaches: Game On by Dora Wang

Taro is playing online video games when she notices her friends haven’t been online for a while, especially Bow_Wow, or Milo IRL, who hasn't been online in seven days. Taro has been in Pocketon a few months now and made new friends, but she still misses her old home. She decides to text Milo but deletes every message. She decides if he misses her, he’ll reach out. As Taro reaches for her can of soda, it falls over and soaks her gaming controller. Hopefully it’s okay.

Unfortunately, it’s not okay and Taro’s avatar is beaten up by the ghostie bad guys in the game. Suddenly Taro realizes it’s late, and dark, and she forgot the movie at Peaches’. She decides Peaches and the others can have fun without her, she’ll just stay home, she’s not in the mood to hang out tonight. Meanwhile, Peaches has made popcorn with candies and other treats in it which goes perfectly with Pogi’s Punch and Mango’s veggies from the farmer’s market. Peaches gets a text from Taro cancelling and they’re concerned. Taro likes her solo time but has been cancelling a lot lately so it’s been a while since they’ve seen her. She’s not just being mysterious  as Pogi says Taro likes to be. Pogi will swing by Taro’s the next day to check on her, but for now they watch their movies.

Taro is considering drying her controller off in rice when Pogi arrives early for a visit. Taro’s place is a little bit of a mess, but Pogi is there to see his friend, not some food wrappers. Pogi asks what Taro has been up to and she thinks hiding in her room but answers playing video games then explains her controller is broken. Pogi offers to take a look, shakes the controller a bit before admitting he has no idea, but suggests a store called Respawn which may help and offers to tag along, he’s always wanted to check it out. While Taro meant she would check it out sometime, Pogi means right now. It’s a Taro and Pogi Adventure! 

Respawn looks like a tiny shop from the outside to Taro. How wrong she is! Pogi explores while Taro sorts out her controller. As Taro is wrapping things up, Pogi comes running over with a flyer for Brawl-Mania, a four-person team gaming competition whose signup closes today. Pogi suggests they sign up with Peaches and Mango, and that it will be great to do something together, so they do. 

Later that day, Taro checks her phone and still has no texts from Milo. Two little devils POOF and tell Taro that maybe he doesn’t want to play anymore… It's been so long. FLASHBACK to before Taro moved to Pocketon. She and Milo used to play games together all the time and would get so excited about achievements and new releases. He promises to play Haunted Heist 4 with her since it’ll be released after her move to a new, big city, but Taro should be okay. Back in the present, Taro wonders if Milo remembers his promise. Haunted Heist 4 releases next week.

Taro, Pogi, Peaches and Mango have all their controllers connected and now it’s time to play Brawl-Mania! First is the very important job of character selections and they choose: R.A.B.O.T., Clown Pup, Buff Cloud, and Gumbee. Pogi explains the point of the game, promises Peaches they’ll start on easy mode, and they play. Peaches doesn't do so well, but then Pogi turns it to regular mode and they are decidedly defeated. Time for a snack. 

A few brownies later and it’s time for Mango and Pogi to head home. Taro asks Peaches if she likes Brawl-Mania, she thinks it’s fun but she’s so bad at it. Taro reassures Peaches that with practice, she’ll get better. She also confesses that she and her old friends came second in a big gaming competition once and it was pretty rad. Peaches is inspired! She’s going to practice so they can at least make the top five. 

Later, after a few deleted attempts at texting Milo, Taro finally sends one suggesting they catch up soon as it’s been ages. Taro’s little devils POOF in, telling her she’s bothering Milo, he’s moved on and so should she. Taro dismisses them. 

Peaches, Mango, and Pogi are walking down the street to Taro’s saying how fun it was to play games and hang out with her, but Peaches says she felt something off with Taro. The others agree, she seems upset but they also know everyone is different and react differently to situations, Taro especially goes quiet. At Taro’s, Peaches shows off a cute picture of their characters she’s drawn before they settle down to play. Peaches actually doesn’t do too badly! They decide to get milkshakes to celebrate when Taro notices the notification saying her friends are online. Taro’s little devils POOF into existence saying mean things like Taro wasn’t invited and they don’t want to play with her. Taro tells her new friends she’s just going to stay home while they get milkshakes and fries. 

This distresses her friends, and they tell her they don’t see her anymore and they miss her. They’ve also noticed she’s quieter than usual and doesn’t smile anymore. Taro is stunned they notice when she’s not there. She admits to being stressed lately, and urges them to go and celebrate but they won’t have it, they’re here for their friend. Making the little devils and the horrible mean things they’re saying POOF away, Taro tells her friends what’s been going on. She’s been feeling homesick and misses her old friends and is worried that they’re moving on without her, especially Milo. They used to game together all the time and now they barely speak. 

Peaches, Mango, and Pogi reassure Taro that she is not being a grump and is allowed to feel sad. Pogi suggests that maybe Milo is learning a new hobby, but that doesn’t ring true to Taro. They encourage Taro to tell Milo how she feels and that she is okay to talk to them. Pogi suggests they stream their Brawl-Mania tournament so Milo can watch. Taro likes this idea and will message Milo, and she feels better. Time for all of them to get milkshakes and fries. 

It’s the night of the tournament and Taro and her friends are at Respawn. Taro still hasn’t heard from Milo. The first round is Taro and friends, aka Snack Attack V Brawlers and they get second place! Peaches didn’t fall off at all, well done Peaches! Taro checks the stream and sees a bunch of viewers, a couple of names are Taro’s old friends Poppy and Skipper. Suddenly Milo is calling! 

Taro takes the call outside and Milo congratulates Taro on the tournament. He’s been watching! He apologizes for not getting in touch sooner and says he’s been busy with helping his grandpa moving and life in general. He also admits he was worried that Taro had moved on from him since she has new friends now. They’ve both made bad assumptions. Importantly, Milo hasn’t played Haunted Heist 4 yet, he wouldn’t dare without Taro! They arrange to play that weekend. Taro also hopes Milo can meet her new friends one day. 

Back inside Respawn, Taro tells her friends everything is okay. Pogi is squeeing over their cute little second place trophy. Taro puts hers right next to her computer. That weekend, she plays Haunted Heist 4 online with Milo and her new friends.