CUT TO HARE at the door of the lunchroom. The guards take off his handcuffs, release him, and quickly slam the door. HARE starts walking across cautiously, but quickly takes on his unbothered facade.
HARE
Morning El Mustachio. I see they havenโt got you to shave that off yet.
(Conโt)
Morning Gretchen. You seem as pleasant as ever, mind if I take that?
(He snatches one of GRETCHENโS carrots before she can even start yelling)
Ugh, everything tastes like hand sanitizer here.
The door opens again, and in comes RINGMASTER RAVEN. He hides near the wall, ignoring the gazes of the other prisoners.
Hello, everyone! It’s time check out some new Poptropica updates regarding drawing, interior decorating, and kidnapping. Need context for that last sentence? Keep on reading!
First, the Creators announced a new mini quest coming to Poptropica. While they didn’t say much regarding the story, they did gladly share a thumbnail sketch. It shows Amelia and a black cat taking a selfie while two other characters are in the middle of a magical baking mishap.
The woman with curly hair and glasses looks familiar. In fact, her likeness is featured alongside Amelia and (formerly) Xavier on a set of statues on Home Island. It looks like we’ll finally get to learn the identity of this studious sorceress. ๐งโโ๏ธ๐
Five new furnishings have graced the clubhouse store! Players can decorate their virtual homes with a Poptropica flag (100 credits), a set of lighting panels (75 credits), a summer wreath (150 credits), and an oil diffuser (100 credits). Meanwhile, members can make their clubhouses extra colorful with the LED fan (150 credits). Here’s a picture I took of the new items in my clubhouse.
A new video showed up on the official Poptropica TikTok account, but it also made an appearance in Pop’s latest Instagram story. This new video highlights some of the more problematic elements of our favorite villains, particularly the fact that they all share kidnapping tendencies. Here are a few stills as an example.
Last and certainly not least, Golden Wolf returned to the Creators’ Blog to share more of her art. In her latest guest post, GW showcased fan art of myself, PHB founder Slanted Fish, and fellow writer Smart Icicle! Thank you so much, Golden Wolf! โค๏ธ๐ฅฐโค๏ธ๐ฅฐ
GW also mentioned that, every month, she will draw an anime character as a Poptropican and share it on her future guest posts. As an example, she drew Sakura Haruno from Naruto, which was featured in Poptropica’s July Costume Contest video compilation. Which anime character do you want to see drawn in the Poptropica style?
That’s all I have for you today. What do you think the new mini quest will be about? Which villains should be called out next? Let us know in the comments below!
DIRECTOR D. and MOREAU are watching the prisoners from outside the lunchroom, through the window. Inside, the GUARDS are leading the three to their table.
MOREAU
What if we just told them who we actually are? Perhaps they would work better with a bit of fear pushing them.
DIRECTOR D.
Do you really think we can intimidate them? They may be desperate, but I doubt theyโd all be willing to obey our every command if they felt they were being used.
MOREAU pinches her forehead.
MOREAU
If only one of them could keep them in line for us…
As if almost on cue, more (real) prison guards enter the hall, leading an older man dressed as a pirate, just as the AGENTS leave the lunch room.
EREWHON GUARD 1
Hey, is there any chance we can add him? He slept past lunch and we couldnโt do much about it.
One of the AGENTS shares a concerned glance with D. and MOREAU.
MOREAU
(Points at the window, towards the three)
…I donโt think it would be safe to put him in with them.
The PRISONER chuckles, leaning towards her, showing yellowed (and one real gold) teeth. MOREAU backs away.
CRAWFISH
I believe I can handle them mโdear!
DIRECTOR D. turns to the AGENT.
DIRECTOR D.
Let him in.
D. and MOREAU watch intently as the pirate is led into the room. Surprisingly, the other prisoners do not protest his seating at their table. One of the GUARDS hand CRAWFISH a tray of food before leaving. CRAWFISH practically starts drooling, and ties a cheap napkin to his shirt as though he were about to begin a 5 star feast.
DR. HARE picks at his food.
DR. HARE
I understand that this place has limited vegetarian options but…why are the mashed potatoes green?
BLACK WIDOW
If you think thatโs bad, I think I chipped a tooth on the bread here once.
The COOK (Note: The same chef who served Myron Van Buren in Survival Island) enters from the kitchen, scowling.
COOK
Is that complaining about the food I hear?
DR. HARE
Unsurprisingly yes-
CRAWFISH
Ah, donโt listen to โem! This is delicious!
(He turns to the COOK, aware of who she is but just playing.)
Give my thanks to the cook.
The COOK chuckles, and gives him an extra serving before walking off. CRAWFISH starts to chow down, while the rest look at him in confusion.
DR. HARE
You actually like that stuff?
CRAWFISH
Compared to the months of maggot infested biscuits I had to endure, this is heaven!
MORDRED
I had to endure monthsโyearsโages without anything. Without the brilliance of my cybernetics I most certainly would have perished of hunger!
(Somewhat to himself)
Per aspera…
BLACK WIDOW
Oh here we go again with the sob story.
MORDRED glares at her, but once again his grin hasnโt faded. WIDOW doesnโt back away but loses some of her boldness.
MORDRED
I donโt want your pity, I want the worldโs punishment for what happenedโ
CRAWFISH stands, slamming both hands on the table.
CRAWFISH
Enough! Iโm certain everyone here has a horrible tale to tell, but can I have a meal in peace?
MORDRED
Who are you to order me around?
CRAWFISH turns to him, his tone suddenly becoming more cautious.
CRAWFISH
I was simply making a suggestion for your own good, sir.
Pause. MORDRED nods, and the tension in the room settles a little as they all get back to eating. We look back at DIRECTOR D and MOREAU, who are so interested in the prisonerโs behavior that they donโt notice a shadowed DR. JUPITER lurking behind them.
DIRECTOR D.
Heโheโs a leader.
MOREAU
Of course he is. Even evil pirates donโt want to face a mutiny.
DIRECTOR D.
Yes, but he knows how to work with them! Mademoiselle, I believe weโve found the ones who can work for us.
The camera follows JUPITER leaving them, both โpsychologistsโ still not even suspecting his presence. He turns down a corner, before mumbling to himself with a faint smile.
DR. JUPITER
As have I, friends. As have I.
FADE OUT.
END OF EPISODE 1.
And here we are! I’m just as excited to see where this goes as some of you are, and I’m happy so many of you have expressed interest in this series!
Of course, I can’t have a Villain Saga post without mentioning the amazing recent additions to the comic GEAR made!