Hi all, this fic was a prize for Slink34884 in for participation in a review event in the PMD Writers' Union discord. It was finished back in May, but I'm only just now getting around to publishing it publicly. Reading his fic, PMD: The Dreamstone isn't necessarily needed to understand this fic, but I highly reccomend it as it both provides context and in general is just a really fun fic about found family
Slink's Family Game Night Gets Chaotic
"Okay, that was the last role… has everyone taken their action?"
Upon hearing the murmuring chorus of confirmation, Slink opened his eyes. In the dim light he, along with the rest of his family, sat or lay in a loose circle, each with a single card in front of them. Three more cards were lined up neatly in the center, along with a timer. The fennekin stood, approaching the timer as everyone traded suspicious glances at each other. There was a zoroark among them, and it was imperative that they find out who.
Slink cleared his throat. "Okay, we got ten minutes to discuss. Then we vote and try to eliminate the zoroark. Does everyone understand the rules well enough?"
There were a couple of nods or murmured "yeses." But suspicious looks continued to pass between the party.
Lucy was the first to speak up. "Slink and I are the plusle and minun, the masons. So he knows I'm innocent and I know he's innocent."
Slink dipped his head slightly. "That's right."
Sierra turned his piercing absol gaze on Slink. He chuffed. "Well, you're not anymore. I'm the trickster, whimsicott, and I swapped you and Eve."
Eve, who had been staring intently at her card, looked up. The twitching tip of her tail was the only sign that she had been startled by the sound of her name. "Me and Slink?" she asked. "Why?"
Vix giggled, all six of her tails thumping against the ground. "Isn't it obvious?"
A few seconds passed before the rest of the group worked out what Vix was getting at - that they'd been chosen because of their relationship. The children broke out into a fit of giggles, while Slink and Eve shared a playfully embarrassed look.
As the giggling fit died away, Vix sat up a little straighter and spoke. "Anyways, I'm the drunk spinda. I took a card from the center."
Lucy and Sierra dipped their heads, seeming to think it fine. But Eve snapped to attention, giving the vulpix a fierce look.
"There's no way you're the spinda," she growled lightly. "I'm xatu, the seer, and I looked at the center. I saw the murkrow and the spinda."
"O-oh," Vix stammered. "Uh, that's because I was the sneasel. I robbed a card from the center and got spinda."
"That can't be right either," Slink mumbled. "The sneasel takes from another player, not the center."
Abby paused from grooming a forepaw to give Vix a suspicious look. But before she could say anything, her father spoke up.
"Don't you think that excuse is just a little… too bad?" Sierra dug his claws into the carpet, watching Vix carefully "Maybe she's trying to get voted. Maybe she's the murkrow."
Eve's tail thumped heavily against the ground. "Weren't you listening? I said the murkrow is in the center."
Abby spoke up, eyes glimmering with excitement. "But we don't know where the wobbuffet is. Maybe she wants to get voted so that she'll win?"
Vix fidgeted nervously for only a second before gaining an air of confidence. "Me? Wobbuffet? No way!"
For a moment no one spoke, as if considering the possibilities presented thus far. Then Lucy tilted her head and addressed Abby. "You've been pretty quiet so far, Abby. What's your role?"
Abby gave the riolu a disarming smile. "Oh, I'm the zoroark."
Silence.
Then everyone began to speak at once.
"But. Wait," Slink began. "Would she just reveal it like that?"
Sierra shook his head "That doesn't seem like Abby. There's got to be some other explanation. Maybe she's the murkrow?"
Eve grumbled under her breath. "I said the murkrow is in the center."
Lucy pointed an accusing paw at Eve. "But what if that's a lie to make us think you're the seer. Maybe you're the zoroark and you just happened to see the murkrow when you were coming up with an alibi."
Eve stood up, tail lashing. "T-then why would I have challenged Vix? Besides, she claimed she was spinda, not the murkrow!"
"I dunno, it just all seems odd to me…" Sierra said under his breath.
Slink opened his mouth to speak, but before he could do anything, a buzzing bell interrupted slowly let out a frustrated breath, then took in another one. "Okay," he began.: "On the count of three, everyone point to whoever you want to vote for."
Vix sat up. "Can I vote for myself?"
Another breath escaped Slink. His voice came out flat and deadpan. "No, Vix. Now, one, two, three."
Everyone raised a paw. Sierra, Slink, Lucy, and Abby all pointed towards Eve, while Vix and Eve instead pointed at Abby.
"Sorry, Eve," Slink said. "You've been eliminated. Flip your card, please."
Eve shook her head and then flicked a paw under the card, revealing a picture of a minun. At the same time, Abby flipped hers, revealing the zoroark card.
"But-" Sierra started, before Vix cut him off with a flick of her tails.
"Haven't you guys learned anything? Abby is great at games."
"Good job Abby," Lucy said. I didn't think telling the truth would work so well.
Other congratulations were exchanged among the group. Embarrassed by all the attention, Abby brushed a paw over her face.
After a moment or two, Slink cut in. "What do you guys think? Want another round?"
A hearty agreement rumbled through the gathered pokemon. Cards were passed out and eyes were closed as Slink called out each role.
And in the moment, he was able to relax and be happy with his family. There were many rough days behind them. And more to come, he knew that much. But the pockets of happy times like these made the struggles all worth it.
"Zoroark, open your eyes."
