(New York City) Great Expo-tations

"--After all, my fair people, YOU are MY hero!"

Jake had watched the broadcast from the numerous T.V screens standing in his grandfather's store-windows, and he had been... well, for a lack of a better word, captivated. He knew the human world had a lot of great heroes and defenders, just as he himself was a hero-in-training for the supernatural world, but to actually hear that they were going to be here! In this city! It got him all sorts of excited and dreamy. How he'd want to be there with them, showing off and parading through the city by their side, and finally be recognized as more than a-

"JAKE! MOP THE SIDEWALK OUTSIDE!"

... Than an electronic store janitor. His grandfather's command snapped Jake out of his dreaming, clumsily shuffling about in his store until he caught himself on the clerk desk, pushing himself upright with a huff as he'd glance over to his grandfather.

"Geez Gramps, I'm right here! I'm not deaf!" he'd protest quickly, but realized that his relative was being serious. So, with a defeated sigh, he goes into the back of the store to fetch a mop and bucket, and fill said bucket with water. All the while mumbling to himself.

"Man, this blows so hard... I should be out there! With those heroes! I bet I'd get a lot more done than just being here in grandpa's store... but I can't give up on him." soon enough he'd emerge again with his mop and now filled bucket, as he'd march outside and proceed to follow his orders; as he'd start to mop the sidewalk.

New York City... It hadn't always been called that. Once upon a time, it had been Empire City. That time was long past, of course, but for someone as sentimental and old as Pearl, it was difficult to let go of those memories. For once, she was glad that she was not visiting this place with the Crystal Gems, or Steven, or... Pearl stopped, pausing to glimpse the broadcast playing on a series of television sets arranged in a shop window. Pearl narrowed her eyes. The reason she was here in the first place. She did not trust humans easily; David Xanatos was near the top of the list as to why. She would get to the bottom of his plans, one way or another. For now, she would take in the sights. The expo hadn't started yet... but it would be starting soon.

The sharpei rubbed the back of his head. "Oof, kid...geez if we kept on chasing after destiny like it was the ol carrot on the stick, we'd tire ourselves out and be worse off..." he paused and motioned with his arms. "Ehhhhh then again...if we waited for destiny to come a'knockin', we'd all die of old age." he shrugged and looked back in to the conversation which looked to be taking a much more positive note...but only just a tad. He sighed and put a reassuring hand to Jake's back. "Look, kid, I see how hard you're working. I think your gramps does too...but the stubborn old mule won't ever admit it but NOT because he doesn't think you're worth it." He winces and makes more motions with his hands in a hesitant manner. "...IIIIIII think he doesn't want a compliment from him to go to your head? I'm not an expert on the guy...although I do know he does like his szechuan a certain way otherwise WHOA, look out nearest restroom, heh!" he chuckled to ease the tension then gestured to the streets. "Look, you go out there and have a bit of fun while your ol pal Fu Dog takes care of the mopping. Broaden your horizons! Gonna have lotsa tourists coming here. And if he asks, I'll just say you got it done fast!" He smoothly takes hold of the mop while Gramps heads into another room inside.

He notices Pearl. "Oof. Some of these cosplayers are pretty spot-on! If I didn't know any better, I'd say that was one of them Gems or whatever they call 'em!" As he went to turn to apply more water to the mop, his snout met the armored leggings of a large figure that loomed over the two. "Ow! Heyyyy watch it, buddy!" Fu Dog irritably remarked, one fist raised and the other rubbing his own nose.



"Bah! It is YOU who had better watch himself, cur! If I had my way, your hide would be mine most assuredly!"

This hulk of a being had weapons upon his back that ranged from a long spear to a massive-bladed sword. On his shoulders sat another set of arms that articulated the same manner as his regular arms with palm outstretched with another set just below, giving him a grand total of what appeared to be six arms. He was adorned in silken red cloth and metallic plates across his form. His head was comprised of a samurai helm decorated with horns and a metallic face that looked positively robotic. Topping it off was a long silvery ponytail.

"Eesh...this guy went all out on his costume." spoke Fu Dog under his breath. "Props to him for staying in character...whatever it is..."

Before Fu Dog could even properly reply, another figure approached from behind. Though equally as large, this one appeared more friendly and looked as such.



"Hello, I am Baymax. I was alerted to the need of medical attention when you said the word 'ow'." greeted the fluffy marshmallow-like figure with a mechanical whir and a simple wave. Then a set of 10 varying emoticons appeared on a screen on its chest. "You appear to have a mild contusion to the sinonasal region. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the pain you are currently feeling?"

Both Fu Dog and other stranger were caught flabbergasted. The larger one took a step back as if he felt threatened by the oversized pillow. 

"Errruh...2? I guess?"

"A cold compress can quickly repair ruptured tissue." the hand of the being began to glow from inside a pale blue that was then applied to Fu Dog's snout to which he initially backed away from. Rushing up from behind the figure and then pushing him away was yet another new arrival but this time this one was obviously human.

"Baymax! You can't just..." he turned to face Jake and Fu Dog with a friendly albeit apologetic smile. "Er...sorry about him."