Ambrosia Crossing: New Leaf

[Isabelle]

It probably took about a hundred feet into their hike before Digby told them it would be three hours on foot. Instead, she pulled out her scooter and summoned another one that was red. Digby took over for the second one, while Rosie just rode double with Isabelle.

They passed by a number of people along the way. A few tried to ignore the furry barrage of nonsense, but a few were amused by the adorable spectacle. The presence of patrolling guards gave Izzy some reassurance towards Digby’s choice of location.

The path eventually slowly started leaning up uphill; all the more relief that they chose to drive. As they finally reached the hill’s peak, the city was in view.

Ambrosia, the city of imagination, the city of freedom, the city where madness comes to settle.


They climbed down the hill, navigating passed orchards that lined the outer city and into Ambrosia proper. Immediately they were immersed in the city’s populace. Isabelle’s reservations about the eclectic architecture quickly washed away.

Animals, much like herself. She saw otters, cats, dogs, birds, kangaroos, pigs, tanuki, just from looking around in a single glance of the city streets. Not a single one glared at her, just making their way to wherever they day were taking them. For a moment, her kind wasn’t an oddity, or some kind of fetish. For that second, she finally felt like she was home.

Said feeling was hampered a bit at the sight of a balloon animal floating by with a monocle on. She looked towards Digby for an explanation, who only shrugged.

In fact, focusing on the people, she noticed a few oddities. Along with the typical humans and animal folk, she saw strange white furry creatures with a strange round ball hanging off their head by wire, a gelatinous monster of sorts, and what appeared to be a pony, but on four hooves instead of the two she was familiar with.

“This place is odd, though kind of comforting. Emotions… conflicting...” Said Rosie, rubbing her forehead with her paws. Izzy was glad she wasn’t alone in such sentiments.

“It’s easy to get used to. I mean, I did while living here.” Said Digby.

“Wait, this was where you were staying in the Omniverse?” Isabelle replied, surprised he hadn’t mentioned it sooner.

“Only for the last few weeks.” He said, a warm smile brewing on his face. “It’s a little insane, but so many creatures, so many different ways to exist just choosing to exist together, there’s beauty in that.”

Her brother’s words along with his smile already gave her ease of mind, and she donned her own smile. Even Rosie loosened up after letting his thoughts sink in for a moment.

“At least that’s my perspective.” Digby said, rubbing the back of his awkwardly.

“It’s an insightful one.” Complimented Izzy, causing her brother to smile again, a little less awkwardly this time.

When they got closer to the more populated downtown area, they eventually decided to dismount their vehicles, and chose to brave the crowds on foot. They made their way through what was clearly a market area, creatures of various shapes and sizes had shops set up up and down the road, selling everything from knick knacks and souvenirs, to food and drink. Digby paid none of them any mind. The girls, following his lead, also ignored the sprawling displays of consumerism; much to Rosie’s dismay.

“We need to come back here to shop sometime, Izzy!” Said the cat, tonally something of a mixture of excitement and a complaint. “That guy over there was selling firecrackers for titan’s sake, FIRECRACKERS!”

“Believe me, it’s difficult to quell my curiosity, too.” Related Isabelle, laying a comforting paw on her partner’s shoulders. “But it’s best we get ourselves established first.” She pulled out the orb the new town hall was stored in, and presented it to her feline friend as a reminder. “Once we plant our townhall we can literally go anywhere, so be patient for a little bit longer.”

Rosie pouted a little bit, but relented. Digby sighed at the cat’s attitude. He couldn’t understand his sister’s choice in travel partner.


The group finally transversed the den of temptations and made it outside the gate of Princess Guu’s palace. From the gate lead a pathway that cut through what appeared to be a jungled that lined the property. The glorious pink palace was just up ahead, and standing at its front door, was a familiar tanuki in a sweater.

“Digby, Isabelle, glad you could make it.” He said warmly. He peered over to their third companion. “My, and Rosie too. Glad to see you’ve found better company.”

“It’s been a long time, Tom!” Said Isabelle with a smile.

“That it has. Though I imagine it had been longer for me than it has been for you, I can’t imagine that makes the Omniverse any less daunting.”

Despite having a reputation of being a miser, she mostly had warm memories of Tom Nook. Outside town hall, he was easily the most influential member of the village. Before the mayor rose it into the economic capital of the stick, Nook was the one that held it all afloat during the lofty days of Tortimer’s reign. She had heard the rumors of dirty business dealings and unlawful business practices, but she never saw evidence of that from her perspective.

Then again, he had lived in that town much longer than she had, maybe he was very different before she became a secretary.

Nook gave the front palace door a shove, sending it flying inward. A strange bunny-eared creature with a human face caught the door with its ears and held it open. The tanuki turned to face his new guests once more.

“Come in, I’ve arranged a meeting with Sylvia. She’s the second in command around here.”

With that, he lead the pack into Pokute Palace towards a meeting that would alter their direction in the Omniverse, forever.