>>5152982“<span class="mu-i">You NEVER CEASE to IMPRESS, STANLEY…</span>” Devon remarks as he rummages through the now-vacated closet. “<span class="mu-i">If it were ME in your position, well…</span>” His voice takes a darker turn. “<span class="mu-i">I might have… LOST CONTROL….</span>”
Yea, well, you grin as you go to pet your passenger, maybe this little squirt’s more human than you thought! Earning a nip on the hand for your troubles, you abandon the effort.
“Yea,” Ly remarks, “Or maybe yer’ more <span class="mu-i">RACCOON</span> than ya’ thought!” <span class="mu-s">COOL IT!</span>
“<span class="mu-i">Well don’t get TOO ATTACHED…</span>” The Doc warns as he rifles through the veritable <span class="mu-i">mountain</span> of crap in storage, “<span class="mu-i">You see, that EXPERIMENT is part of what I’ve been meaning to… PICK YOUR BRAIN about!</span>”
Riiight, you nod, exchanging a wary glance with the raccoon riding your shoulder, he’s talking about the <span class="mu-b">SERUM,</span> right? Still sore from <span class="mu-r">STANLEY’S</span> mop counterattack, you raise an eyebrow at the man rummaging through the closet. What’s the big deal, then? He said it himself: it makes people <span class="mu-b">STRONGER, FASTER, TOUGHER, AND SMARTER,</span> right?
“<span class="mu-i">I never mentioned SMARTER…</span>” Devon replies as the sound of him scavenging stops. “<span class="mu-i">But never mind that… for with this BOON comes a TERRIFYING CURSE!</span>”
You can almost hear thunder cracking overhead. What the hell is he talking about? You’ve been runnin’ with the marrow for days now and you’re just <span class="mu-i">peachy!</span> You hear Ly prepare to say something, but he stops himself. That’s <span class="mu-i">RIGHT</span>!
“<span class="mu-i">Your serum, as you are now well-aware, is FAR MORE POTENT than the one synthesized from MR. PONDEROSA’S MARROW.</span>”
<span class="mu-s">HAH!</span> Your sudden outburst earns an annoyed hiss from your new pal. Touchy, much?
“<span class="mu-i">But after running several tests, I came across some… DISTRESSING DETAILS…</span>” Devon continues, earning a groan from both you AND <span class="mu-r">STANLEY!</span> Can he get to the point, you ask, motioning to speed things up! Your friends are probably hogging your <span class="mu-b">POOL</span> right now… and <span class="mu-i">definitely</span> talking smack!
“<span class="mu-i">But of course!</span>” The Doc nods as he emerges with a <span class="mu-b">GLOWING BLUE VIAL ENCASED IN A TRANSPARENT BOX!</span> “<span class="mu-i">THIS, my dear, is the TEMPLATE SAMPLE. With this, we can MASS PRODUCE your SERUM and administer it to those on DEATH’S DOOR!</span>”
Okay, you nod, you kinda dig that. You’ll have to come up with a snappy brand name, of course, and work out how you’ll be getting royalties after all this, but that’ll come later! What’s the catch?
“<span class="mu-i">The CATCH is THIS:</span>” Replies Devon as he approaches with a serious look on his face. “<span class="mu-i">Your MARROW is positively TEEMING with WILD MAGIC… a substance as CHAOTIC and UNPREDICTABLE as its name suggests…</span>”
Big deal, you shrug, drugs always have a bazillion side-effects!
“<span class="mu-i">But wait… THERE’S MORE!</span>”
Great...
>CONTD. 