(It had been a week since Popgoes and Candy's Plaza opened and it was a smash hit. It had been packed nearly every day of the week with about two birthday parties so far. And a number of employees were already hired. Including Candy's former head of security, Lynn Schmidt, who was doing the same job. Just in a different location.)

Lynn: Apparently, a little punk just swiped the Golden Penguin plushie.

Popgoes: That's...unfortunate. Did you at least catch their face?

Lynn: Yup. They thought they had gotten off clean...and just seemed to forget we have cameras.

Popgoes: Well, stealing a plushie isn't really that big of a crime. We have a few other Golden Penguin plushies in storage, don't we?

Lynn: Uhhh. I think so, boss.

Popgoes: Oh! Good, good!! Is there anything else?

Lynn: Nothing worth reporting.

Popgoes: Candy wasn't lying then! You're doing a great job!

Lynn: What can I say? I'm fantastic at watching nothing, waiting for someone to happen.

(Both of them laugh before Popgoes checks the time and his eyes suddenly light up.)

Popgoes: Oh! I better get ready!

Lynn: Eh? What's up?

Popgoes: Manora and I have a date in an hour or so. After the whole Multiverse deal and opening the restaurant, we haven't gotten much time to ourselves.

Lynn: Oh! Well, have fun...you aren't concerned that people are just gonna see a robot weasel and a robot mouse walk into a restaurant?

Popgoes: I have my ways, Lynn! Have a good rest of your night!

Lynn: You too, boss!

(After Popgoes leaves, Lynn's eyes suddenly soften as she looks back at the monitors. And she then picks up a purple journal of some kind with a name written inside of it. Not hers.)

Lynn: ...how did your characters survive after you...?

(An hour passes by and Popgoes walks out of his room, wearing a black and green tuxedo. He finds a mirror and straightens his tophat and bow tie with a smile.)

Popgoes: Not bad, Mr. Evergreen.

(Candy walks past him before he stops and turns around.)

Candy: (whistles) Lookin' sharp, Pop. What's the occasion?

Popgoes: Date night.

Candy: Oh, yeah...I thought you and Manora usually just spent time in the arcade on date nights?

Popgoes: Usually, yes. But I wanted to treat her to something special tonight! I rented out a restaurant for us!

Candy: You- you rented a whole-ass restaurant for just the two of you?

Popgoes: Mhm!

Candy: How much did that cost.

Popgoes: Oh, it was for free!

Candy: ...huh?

Popgoes: The owner's twins have a birthday party here in two weeks! I was able to convince him that they could get in here for free if they let me and Manora have our date there! Minus food costs, of course.

Candy: Well, dang. Have fun on your date...but not too much fun.

Popgoes: C-Candy!

(Candy snickers before walking off...but then taking a few steps back.)

Candy: By the way, you see Cindy anywhere? Haven't seen her since we closed.

Popgoes: I saw her pull Saffron into her room. Girl's Night, I think! Why?

Candy: ...SHOOT-

(Candy suddenly starts sprinting off as his overprotective brother senses start tingling. Popgoes is quiet before he shrugs right as another door opens. He turns around and sees Manora walk in, wearing a rather beautiful orange dress.)

Manora: Well...?

(Popgoes' cheeks go rosy and he smiles as he takes a bow, even taking off his hat.)

Popgoes: M'lady, it would be my honor to take your hand.

Manora: (giggling) Such a gentleman!

Popgoes: I dressed for the part, didn't I?

Manora: You always do. You're just so polite.

(She kisses his cheek before linking her arm with his as they walk out the door.)

Popgoes: You look beautiful by the way.

Manora: Awww, thanks! Blank actually helped with my dress, believe it or not!

Popgoes: Really? I knew he was an artist, but not a fashion designer.

Manora: I thought so too, but he has some skills! Which reminds me, where are we going?

Popgoes: Somewhere special for someone even more special to me.

(Manora just grins, feeling like she couldn't stop smiling at how affectionate her boyfriend was being. After a quick drive ((and not getting caught by the police cause neither of them technically had a license)), they made it to the restaurant. Manora gasped at how fancy it appeared when they walked inside.)

Manora: Ollie...! You picked this place for me?

Popgoes: I wanted to switch it up a bit! As fun as the usual game night is.

Manora: You're just saying that because I kept kicking your tail.

Popgoes: Mmmm, maybe.

Waiter: Table for two, Mr. Evergreen?

Popgoes: Yes, please!

Waiter: Alright, right this way.

(After being guided to their table, the two just ordered a pizza since the restaurant itself was just a fancy pizzeria. And with that, the waiter took the menus and left.)

Manora: Where is everyone? You think this place would usually be packed...

Popgoes: Let's just say we have one hell of a birthday party coming up.

(Manora just grins at him, lightly shaking her head.)

Manora: Oliver Evergreen, you sly weasel.

Popgoes: Guilty as charged.

(The two laugh before humming, now wondering what to talk about. Or rather, what to talk about first.)

Popgoes: I'm surprised the merger with Candy's worked so well.

Manora: So am I! It's been great for business! And the new place is so much bigger! But...honestly a lot more work to manage.

Popgoes: Hmm, what was it you told me once? 'There's no mess I can't manage'?

Manora: I dunno who told you that, but she sounds smart.

Popgoes: Oh, she's brilliant. Quite the looker too.

Manora: Is she now?

Popgoes: And she just so happens to be sitting across from me...and her name is Penelope.

Manora: Pulling out the real names, hmm?

Popgoes: Hush, you called me 'Ollie' a few minutes ago.

Manora: Cause it's just so cute!!!

(Even after their pizza arrived, they just kept talking. It felt like they could talk and laugh at each other's jokes for hours. It felt nice to spend time like this again. Eventually, an hour passed and only one slice of pizza was left.)

Popgoes: ...last slice.

Manora: Hmmm, you want it?

Popgoes: I do, but with the fine print as your boyfriend, I am legally required to give it to you.

Manora: (laughing) What fine print?

Popgoes: You don't remember? Clearly your memory is a bit faulty.

Manora: Oh, shush.

(She eventually split the slice into two halves and they both took a bite before Manora's eyes softened.)

Manora: ...when you were gone...I thought we'd never get moments like these ever again...

(Popgoes' eyes soften with a reassuring gaze as he gently holds her hand.)

Manora: I-I know. It was a few months ago, but...by God, it was scary...not knowing if you were safe. Not being able to do anything about it. I-I tried going into Blake's lab so many times, nearly getting to the point of begging him to give me something to do so I could help. I just felt so...so...

Popgoes: Helpless...

Manora: Y...yeah.

Popgoes: ...I can kind of understand. I held onto hope that I would get back to you, but sometimes I couldn't power down because I just missed having you in my arms. I was making an effort to get back to you, so I guess our experiences aren't the same, but if it wasn't for Candy being there with me, I probably would've gone mad.

Manora: Your hope and optimism never ceases to amaze me, Ollie...and you're back now. That's all that matters to me...that being said...you think we could talk more about your...powers?

Popgoes: My Lux Mode, yeah...I-I know you're confused, but...honestly I'm just as clueless as you are. I don't know how or why I was given this by Mr. Glade. I've kind of run out of things to tell you about it.

Manora: Yeah, I know...but I looked more into Mr. Glade. And I did find something.

Popgoes: Y...you did?

Manora: Pretty much all records of him have just vanished. Medical documents, robotics degree, stuff like that. It's honestly amazing that I was able to find a birth certificate and a singular photo that was...burnt. But the burnt photo wasn't what really caught my eye.

Popgoes: What did...?

Manora: ...Fritz Glade isn't his real name. He had it changed.

Popgoes: He...he did? What...what was his name?

Manora: His real name is Jeremy Fitzgerald...or...was. I...I don't think he's alive anymore.

Popgoes: ...yeah...I get that feeling too...does that name feel familiar to you at all?

Manora: Not really...you?

Popgoes: ...yes actually...and the photo?

Manora: Well, it had-

(Suddenly, the window shattered. Popgoes quickly tackled Manora to the ground as they took cover under the table. The two then looked out to see the cause and saw...a completely gray and much more obviously robotic Popgoes.)

Popgoes and Manora: What the hell!?!

(The robotic weasel scans the room before seeing both Popgoes and Manora. Its eyes flash several colors before several faceless drones hop into the restaurant as well.)

Popgoes: What is going on!?

???: What is going on!? Your demise, that's what!!!

(Suddenly, on some kind of jetpack, an anthropomorphic mole wearing goggles, a scarf, and a hard hat flies in. He had an evil grin and the robots all stood to the side to let him land.)

???: So sorry to ruin you and your little girlfriend's date, Popgoes! BUT WE HAVE A SCORE TO SETTLE!!!

Popgoes: ...who are you?

???: Wha- IT'S ME!!! YOUR ARCHENEMY!?! MORSE THE MOLE!?!

Popgoes: I've never seen you in my bloody life!!!

Morse: I'm the reason King Freddy had his death lasers!? You banished me from the forest because of my genius inventions!?

Manora: King...Freddy?

Popgoes: Banished you from the-? Ohhh...ummm...Morse. I think you got the wrong-

Morse: I had been plotting my revenge for months!!! I wanted to show you what it was like to be rejected!!! So, I gave King Freddy the machines he requested to plunge the first and soon the world into a kingdom of the undead! But somehow, you not only cloned yourself, but you and that blue cat somehow managed to defeat him!!!

Popgoes: There's been a misunderstandi-

Morse: So, I followed you into that portal! I fell through some kind of void before I arrived in this strange city!!! And so, I've spent the last few months preparing to unleash my vengeance!!! While you were busy making a restaurant or something, I took over the black market and made myself an army of unstoppable robots!!! THAT IS MY VENGEANCE, POPGOES!!! THAT IS MY-!

Popgoes: YOU HAVE THE WRONG ONE!!!

Morse: ...huh?

Manora: You followed my Popgoes!!! He's not a clone, he's from this universe!!! The one you hate so much is probably back where you're from!!!

Morse: ...so, I've been spending months building a criminal empire for the wrong guy?

Popgoes and Manora: YES.

Morse: ...well...crud.

Popgoes: So...since I'm not the one you have a grudge against...could we settle things peacefully? We could even help you get home-

Morse: Meh, it's close enough! ROBOTS! ATTACK!!!

Popgoes: Or not.

(The robots begin running at them, with Popgoes scooping Manora into his arms and running into a storage closet, slamming the door shut and quickly covering it the moment the robots started pounding at the door.)

Manora: O-okay!!! Ummm! W-what do we do!?

Popgoes: We're going to have to fight!

Manora: F-FIGHT!?! OLLIE, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIGHT!!!

Popgoes: Then grab a weapon and hit as many robots as you can!!!

(Manora searches around the storage closet and finds a mop, so she grabs it and wields it like a battle axe.)

Popgoes: ...

Manora: POP, PLEASE DON'T JUDGE ME! PIZZERIAS ARE NOT WEAPON CLOSETS!!!

Popgoes: Okay, it will work! On 3! 1-

(The robots then finally rip open the door, with the mechanical Popgoes tossing it aside. The real Popgoes then punches it in the face and then tackles it. Some of the drones go to help while others start surrounding Manora.)

Manora: O-OH, CHEESE- I MEAN JEEZ!

(She then thrusts the mop forward into one of the drones and since it was still wet, it began sparking and violently shaking. Its hand then grabbed another drone, causing it to become shocked as well. The process repeated until all the drones that were attacking Manora slowly fell down, lifeless.)

Manora: ...huh?

Morse: DAMMIT! I KNEW I FORGOT TO WATERPROOF THEM!!!

(Meanwhile, Popgoes was fighting his robotic double in a rather impressive manner. The doppleganger tried to grab or punch him, only for Popgoes to just keep dodging and deliver blow after blow. Before eventually, the robotic Popgoes catches both of his fists.)

Popgoes: ...oh dear.

(The Metal Popgoes lets out a beeping sound before beginning to mimic Popgoes' fighting style, blocking punches and dealing its own right back. It eventually grabbed Popgoes by his vest and tossed him onto a table, causing it to break in half.)

Morse: YES!!!

(The Metal Popgoes slowly stepped forward before Manora quickly hit it with the mop from behind. The Metal Popgoes was still for a minute before its head suddenly began sparking and spinning around before popping right off, just barely missing Morse.)

Morse: YIPES!!!

Manora: Popgoes!!!

(She rushes over to Popgoes, helping him sit up.)

Manora: Are you okay!?!

Popgoes: I-I'll be-

Morse: DEAD!!!

(Morse's jetpack deploys some arm cannons for him along with some kind of claw. He aims his arm cannons and begins firing at the two...until suddenly, Popgoes glowed green and before the blasts could hit, he dashes with Manora in his arms and sets her on a desk before dashing back to Morse and punching him through a wall.)

Manora: H...huh...?

(She looks ahead and sees Popgoes is once again in his Lux Form. He walks through the hole in the wall and looks down at Morse, who after regaining his senses, immediately looks terrified.)

Morse: U...UHHH...S-SAY, I SHOULD PROBABLY BE GOING-!

Lux Popgoes: Please. Allow me to help you.

(Lux Popgoes grabs Morse and walks to the door, quite literally throwing him right out. And he threw him far enough to where he landed on the roof of a car, now just speeding off with it to parts unknown. Popgoes then turns back to normal and looks at his hands.)

Popgoes: ...I really have to figure out how to do this on command.

Manora: Ollie...?

(Popgoes gasps and rushes over to his girlfriend, pulling her into his arms yet again.)

Popgoes: Are you alright!?

(Manora smiles softly and nuzzles him, gently squeezing his hands.)

Manora: I am...heck, I even helped you!

Popgoes: You did! And you said you didn't know how to fight.

Manora: I think I might be keeping the mop in all honesty.

(Suddenly, someone cleared their throat and the couple turned around to see some employees slowly peek out from behind the counter.)

Waiter: ...d-do you think you could help us clean up?

Popgoes: OH! Oh, yes! W-we are so sorry!

(After two hours of throwing away pieces of rubble, a broken door, and robot parts, Popgoes and Manora finally began heading home.)

Popgoes: So. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this date?

Manora: Let's see. We laughed, we talked, had some nice dinner, the employees were nice enough to count us helping them clean as payment for the food...annnd we got attacked by a mole and his not-waterproofed robot army.

Popgoes: ...I promise that wasn't planned.

(Manora giggled and just smiled at her boyfriend with an affectionate gaze.)

Manora: I'd call that date a success...and now you might have to teach me some of those moves, hot stuff! I wanna learn how to karate kick!

Popgoes: Did you just call me 'hot stuff'?

Manora: Maybe.

Popgoes: ...oh, what am I going to do with you, love?