Sorry for not updating. I'm currently juggling three stories: this, A True Blackheart, and MMZX3: Mega Man ZX Enforcers. Worry not, though. I'll make sure they're all finished. Scarlet Karal is my own character.
Klonoa's True Destiny
Chapter 4: The Way To Save A Loved One
Lolo couldn't believe what had happened. Klonoa, the one person she had truly loved, had been turned into a beast by Solareese, and was under his legion. Her eyes began to tear up again as the reality sunk in.
"Poor Lolo." Popka said. "I'd be like that to if my true love became a beast allied with the enemy."
"What I want to know is why was he attacking the Breezegale Bell?" Joker asked. As he finished, a small light blue ball with a face and a yellow star floated out from under the bell. It glowed and took its human form: Hewpoe, prince of Cress, the Moon Kingdom.
"He was after me." Hewpoe explained. "He needed a power that I hold in order to finalize his plans. Luckily, he didn't get it."
"What was with the explosions?!" A male voice yelled from another direction. Running up the stone steps was the brown-furred stonemason, Balue. "Did anything get broken?"
"Nothing but Lolo's heart." Pango said sadly. Balue turned his head to see the sobbing priestess, and his face grew dismal as well.
"What happened to her?" Came another voice, this one female. Next to Balue walked up another familiar face: Lephise, the human Songstress of Phantomile.
"Do you two remember Klonoa?" Chipple asked. Both the stonemason and Songstress nodded. "Well, he's become a beast of his normal self, literally. He almost turned Gantz into a wolf-meat shish-kabob with his new claws."
"Yikes." Balue commented. "But why is Lolo crying so much?"
"She loves him." Joker spoke up. "Lolo's been in love with Klonoa practically since the day she met him. Seeing him as that monster, as well as the fact that he's with our enemy, is really taking its toll."
"Oh… poor Lolo…" Lephise breathed, disregarding the fact that it was Joker talking. "Is there any way that we could snap him out of it?"
"I doubt it." Came the sad voice of Lolo. "Solareese, the person who made him that beast, said Klonoa can't recognize us. He amplified the rage and hatred in his heart, which made him that beast."
"There's got to be a way to get him back!" Lephise yelled.
"What can we do if he sees us all as enemies?" Gantz asked.
"I know how!" Hewpoe called out.
"Hewpoe? You know?" Balue asked.
The prince of Cress nodded. "Think about what Solareese said. Klonoa sees us as enemies because he sees the negative qualities in our hearts. Most of us have a quality that either annoys or angers him. However, there is one of us that have no qualities that he dislikes."
"Who?" Lolo asked. Hewpoe turned to the priestess.
"You." He stated. "I know how Klonoa feels about you. He enjoys your personality, thinks you are pretty, and doesn't think any part of you is bad. He loves you just like you love him. You are perfect to him, so there is nothing to make him see you as an enemy!"
"You might be right, Hewpoe!" Gantz exclaimed before turning to Lolo. "Remember when you tried talking to him? He calmed down and didn't seem enraged at all. If he saw you as an enemy, he would've attacked you on the spot! And then he reached up and grabbed his head. I think that was the real Klonoa trying to take control!"
A wide smile crossed Lolo's face. "You… you're right! I have the power to save him! Klonoa might not know how I feel yet, but his feelings are keeping his beast form in tow. If he knows my feelings, he might snap out of it!"
"Good plan!" Joker said. "All we have to do is find him now!"
"I'm getting a feeling that it won't be long before we do." Gantz commented. Not long after he said that, a flying figure was coming towards them. The two large fins gave away the identity.
"Hey, look!" Balue shouted, pointing at them. "It's Pamela!" The fish-like creature floated near them, and a small lobster-clawed creature hopped off of her.
"Seadoph!" Pango exclaimed. "If you're here and not at Jugpot, then something must've happened!"
"Yes, Jugpot's been overrun!" Seadoph told them. "A strange orange-garbed human showed up and ran us out! He said he needed a certain object in my castle for his plans!"
"That isn't the worst part!" Pamela chimed in. "He… he corrupted my daughter!"
"First Klonoa, now Karal?" Gantz shouted. "This guy knows how to tick us off!"
"We have to hurry to Jugpot!" Lolo cried. "We have to save Karal and Klonoa!"
"I know what to do!" Pamela said. She let out a screech towards the sky, and within seconds, a swarm of creatures like Pamela arrived on the scene. "My brethren, these people are going to help us retake our land and save my daughter! Allow them to ride on your backs on the way to Jugpot!" All the creatures let out a squeal, signifying their agreement. Everybody hopped on one of the fish creatures, and Seadoph got back on Pamela's back.
"Now everyone," Seadoph began, "let's go!" All the creatures took to the sky with the group on board and shot off in the direction of the Water Kingdom.
'Klonoa…' Lolo thought. 'Hang on. I'm coming to save you… my love.'
Meanwhile, in the castle of Jugpot, Solareese was watching the group from a large telescope. Beast Klonoa was next to him, head low.
"So, they are bringing reinforcements, eh?" He mused. "I know just what to do. Karal!" In a pool of water near the two of them, a quite large fish-like creature emerged. It was scarlet with yellow eyes.
"You called, Masterrrrr?" The transformed Karal asked, rolling her R's. Solareese turned to her.
"We've got some interference headed our way." The priest said. "If they enter the castle, intercept them. Do not hesitate to call us if you need assistance."
"As you wish, sirrrrr." Karal replied. She ducked back under the water, going elsewhere into the castle. Solareese turned back to his quadruped soldier.
"What's wrong with you?" He asked. "You've been down ever since we left Breezegale." Klonoa gave a low growl, and then walked to the telescope. Looking through the lens, he tilted the scope, and then motioned for Solareese to look through. When the priest peered through, the lens was focused on Lolo. "Hmm… I guess we need to watch out for her. If Karal calls for assistance, you will join the fray. Show the pink-clad girl no mercy if she joins the fight." Beast Klonoa merely growled again and walked off on all fours. 'This is odd.' Solareese thought. 'Something about that girl is affecting him. He couldn't possibly recognize her, could he? I've made it so he sees everyone as enemies. What could be holding him back?' Solareese shook his head. 'It's probably nothing. Once he enters battle, not even she can stop him.'
Meanwhile, Beast Klonoa was gazing into the pool of water that Karal went through. To others, his reflection was that of his beast form, but to him, the reflection was his normal form.
"Snap out of it, Klonoa!" The image seemed to speak. "You almost hurt your friends, and even Lolo! You've got to break free, for yours and Lolo's sake!" The reflection rippled until the beast could be seen again. Beast Klonoa heaved a large sigh as we walked back towards his "master."
So, a weak spot in Klonoa's transformation? What will happen now that this hole has been found? What are the powers of Scarlet Karal? Stay tuned for more!
Computer Voice: Vile, logging out.