I have good news and bad news.

Let's start with the bad news. I'm still a fail at updating on time. It's been like what, two weeks? I've straying from my promise of once a week.

I'm also going to Paris on Wednesday! It's a good for me, but a bad for you since you don't get any updates. Hmm... I guess it's a good news bad bad news situation.

Anyway, good news: this chapter is 3,900+ words long! I guess it makes up for the long wait.

I have to admit, writer's block sucks. And when it's late and night and you're desperate to get a chapter done, things get a little offhand. One example is the whole "TWILIGHT YOU'RE THE NEW CHIEF" scenerio. That was never supposed to happen. Oh well, it shows my lack of planning! =P

This chapter will have mistakes and things that were never supposed to be there. I'm sure of it. Just letting you know.

DISCLAIMER: I claim no rights to Yoshi or any other video game series, settings, characters, and other elements. They belong to their respective owners. I do, however, own the original characters in this fic. Any resemblance to other people's work is completely coincidental unless otherwise noted.

Chapter 10 – Realization

"But how?" pondered Crystal, who was still confused about the situation. "He was a great chief! How could he leave us?"

Twilight shook his head. "I'm not sure. I'm not sure what to think anymore. He used himself as bait. We can't let his effort go to waste."

You're right, Twilight. Tokipal's use was to be bait. If we can't escape from the Koopa Clan now, he'd be even more useless than he already was.

Right, we're still running. News of Tokipal and Twilight quickly spread amongst the group. Several yoshies—namely Crystal—were blabbing about what a great chief Tokipal was. Liars. If he was able to keep the Koopa Clan from getting to the warp pipe, he'd only be a decent chief. It would somewhat make up for the crap that he put me through. I could have gone home from the very start, but NO, he had to keep it a secret. Now the whole tribe, and possibly the Koopa Clan, is coming home with me. Way to endanger my home, Tokipal!

"Lawrence," I hear Twilight—chief—call my name. "Should I tell them about where the pipe leads?"

I don't turn to look at the feather-headed yoshi. "Go ahead. We're headed there, anyway. They'll find out eventually."

He nods in agreement, hopefully understanding my anger. Or does he really? He wasn't there when I flipped out at Tokipal. Even so, he doesn't give a crap about my feelings. He hates me. I hate him. We're all big one big, happy family. Or something. I dunno; I've been slowly going insane since I arrived on this blasted island.

"The main civilization?!" I hear Rosa chirp. God, I hate her voice. "But isn't that where Lawrence lives? We'll be bringing him home!"

Yeah, along with everyone else here! Geez, you're an idiot.

"Tokipal has told me stories of them," Odin brings up. "Apparently, they're very civilized and willing to accept new members of the community.

"Oh, the joys of lies."

Everyone looks at me. Crap, did I say that out loud?

"Lies?" Sunny repeats. He looks at me intensely as if I were scum. "Tokipal was a great chief! He would never lie."

I laugh. "So you're saying that the yoshi who lied to me about not knowing how to get to my home was a great chief?"

"That's different!" Crystal barks, anger seemingly emitting from her. "It was for your own good! He was trying to protect you!"

"Protect me?" I ask. "So, he was protecting me from getting back home. If he wasn't 'protecting' me, I wouldn't have run off to the beach. I would have already been on my way to the warp pipe, and could go back home, and you guys would be safe." I don't care what I say anymore. "Yeah, he was the best chief."

A think I hit a nerve. That's what I'm guessing as I take the blunt force of Crystal jumping onto me. My thoughts go slightly fuzzy as I fall onto the hard rock. I see the white yoshi's large eyes glinting with hatred, and her teeth clenched with the same emotion. I blank out slightly as her fist makes a direct hit at me side, only to be brought back to consciousness.

"Get off of him!" Twilight yells, ripping Crystal from me. "Listen, I'm the chief, alright? We just need to make it to the warp pipe. The Koopa Clan is no longer following us." I look towards the back of the tribe. He's right; there's not a koopa in sight. "Just stay quiet and walk forward!"

He turns to me, helping me up. The navy creature says nothing as he starts to walk back to the front of the group. Once I start walking, head down, I see his feather lying on the ground. I pick it up. "Twilight, you dropped your fea—"

Wordlessly, Twilight takes it out of my hand. Hastily replacing it, he hurries back to the front of the tribe, leaving me in the back.

Great, I screwed up again.

"Twi—Chief."

"What do you want, Crystal?"

"I want to apologize for my previous behavior. I became too agitated after hearing what Lawrence said about Tokipal."

"Apology accepted."

"I wish that Lawrence would apologize, too. I understand that this is stressful, but he there was no need to criticize our former chief."

"Tokipal wasn't really Lawrence's chief."

"Hmm?"

"We are the chiefs of the Lindinian tribe. Lawrence is not of the Lindinian group. He doesn't even follow the Yoshian religion."

"Even so, he is under the watch of our tribe. We took him in."

"And he can disband from the group at any time. Now, do you wish to continue this argument or pay attention to our task?"

I'm just strolling along near the back of the group. Now I'm here of my own will, not because Twilight left me here. If I wanted to, I could run straight to the pipe, go home, and block the entrance to the pipe. That way, I will never see these yoshies ever again.

I mean, why should I care about them? This world shouldn't even exist! This place, as well as its inhabitants, has put me through more pain than I can handle. It's only been a week, too! Imagine what it would be like if I brought them to the main civilization. Earth is huge when it comes to discrimination, so what would happen if they saw another species? Total chaos would endure! They might as well just stay here. I'm not having my own world go into denial. It's too risky.

But of course, one's dreams can be different from reality.

First of all, we're close enough to the pipe that I wouldn't be able to block it off in time. Second, it just feels wrong. I mean, abandon a whole tribe, possibly species, just for my own selfish desires? I mean, I could hide them, right? They could just go to another island or something and recuperate. At least that island won't be filled with things from video games.

Wait… yoshies are from video games. Crap. I hate contradicting myself.

And wait, I just admitted that I care about these creatures. I'm gotten close to them. Why should I care about them? I became their friends.

Argh, I'm still contradicting myself. I think I'm losing my mind. Or my sanity. Yeah, probably both.

Hold on, I've never asked the yoshies if there's any way to get to America. For all I know, the "main civilization" could be Japan or something. It would make sense if Shigeru Miyamoto came here for new ideas for games and stuff. Or, the main civilization could be the Mushroom Kingdom or something. Lots of yoshies appear in the Mushroom Kingdom in the games, right? This pipe could be the way there or something.

Great, I'm throwing around ideas that sound like the plots of crappy fanfictions. Oops, my sanity went bye bye!

"Lawrence?"

Oh look, there's one of the creatures that I think I hate but actually care about since my mind is going completely wacko and bringing me to out-of-this-world conclusions that improbable in the first place because of the sheer inability to travel via objects that only plumbers should handle!

Wait, it's just Aquarius.

"Hey," I reply casually, trying to keep my mind off of the events taking place. All I want is a nice, off topic conversation.

"I still can't believe my brother is the new chief."

You suck.

"Uh, yeah," I tell the yoshi. "Neither can I."

"I mean," he begins, "Twilight was always so quiet and reserved. It just doesn't make sense for Tokipal to pick him as our new leader. Sure, Twilight may be a good leader, but he's so hot headed. One wrong move and—"

"Okay, next topic." Man, I really want to get off the events of today.

Aquarius nods. "What was that with you and Crystal earlier?"

You really suck.

"Eh, nothing much," I lie.

Aquarius raises his… eyelids? I dunno, yoshies don't have eyebrows, so their eyelids take their place. "Nothing much? Crystal beat you to the ground!"

You really, really suck.

I try to laugh. I failed. "I guess it's what I get for bashing Tokipal."

"Bashing?"

Apparently, Aquarius doesn't understand American slang. "In other words, I told Crystal that Tokipal sucked as chief."

"What?!" he exclaims, eyes widening. "Tokipal was a great chief! How could you say that about him?"

Here we go again. Forget all about what I said about not putting my needs first. "He put me through so much pain. He lied to me about not knowing how to get to my home. I could be home now, you guys wouldn't have to run, and everything would be fine if he told me how to get home."

The creature's eyes glisten with anger. Whoo, today's an angerfest against Lawrence! "You've been through a lot of pain? Me and Twilight had our parents killed by the Koopa Clan as kids! Tokipal took us in with loving arms and gave us a home. We were barely surviving, but he helped us go back to health. It's because of him that we are still alive today!" He turns away. "Yeah, you've been through a lot of pain."

Wow, I feel like an idiot. Way to go, self, you just proved that you are a complete jerk when put the smallest pain! "Is that why Twilight is so quiet?"

"Yes."

"Wait, then how come you're so energetic and stuff?"

He shook his head. "I just try not to think about it. I figure that if I stay happy, I won't have to think about all the bad things we went through. Instead, I focus on how lucky we were that Tokipal took us into the tribe." He places his hand on his necklace. "This necklace is the only thing left of my mother, and it's barely anything. She would teach us how to swim every day. After we practiced, we would go to the beach and collect shells."

I lowered my head. Oh, what a jerk I am. "Wow, you must have had some great memories."

"A lot," he explained, stopping a little. We quickly fell behind the rest of the group. "When I was two years old—Twilight was six—the Koopa Clan invaded our home." Tears formed on his eyes. "They took… my mother away. My father was taken away previously, so we were orphans."

"Oh my god…"

"We were left to wander the island. We were alone for at least a moon cycle." He took a deep breath. "It was torture. Food was decent; there were enough shyguys around. But we weren't used to the environment. We had wandered off too far from where we were familiar. There were even fuzzies. None of us had even encountered fuzzies."

"Don't they mess with your mind or something?"

"Yes, your mind becomes foggy, and you get dizzy. It feels awful. I accidentally ran into one as a child."

I can't help it. "Did the music become all messed up and all the colors become trippy?"

"What?" he asks, eyes showing confusion.

"Never mind. Go on."

Aquarius sighs. "After a while, the Koopa Clan came back. We had nowhere to escape, so Twilight suggested we go into the nearby lake. It was very large, and we could easily hide and travel in it. So we did." He closed his eyes, as if in deep remembrance. "We were able to get away from the Koopa Clan because our mother taught us how to swim. Without that, we may not be alive today. She was so much help to us, and she was just starting. It's hard to think that I could still have her today…"

Wow, I just really proved what an idiot I was. "Oh man, I'm sorry to hear that. Having to lose someone so close to you at a young age must have been devastating."

"Twilight knew her longer, being older. He was more shaken by it than I was. That's why he's so quiet now; he still hasn't gotten over our mother's death."

I decide that this is an opportunity to get more information. "So I'm guessing your shell necklace was a way of remembering how much your mom helped you?"

"Yes."

"Then how come Twilight has a star necklace? And how come he would go out at night to play the flute?"

His eyes widen. "You know about that?"

I nod. "The night when I went off, I heard Twilight playing a flute before I fell asleep. He woke me up, and it was in his hand."

"Well, mother always tried to get him into music. She tried teaching him the flute, but he wasn't very into it. After she died, he started to play it."

"As a way to grant her wishes, I guess?"

"Possibly. As for the necklace, he always liked astronomy. He used to go out every night with mother and try to find all the constellations."

That grabs my attention. "I'm a fan of the stars, myself. How much has he seen? What planets? What stars?"

Aquarius sighs once again, but now it seems to be of annoyance. Maybe I'm dragging this too far. Oh well, I want my information. "I don't know much. He only took me once, a little before the koopas came. He only pointed out a few of the constellations. The only one I remember is the Golden Archer."

"Golden Archer?"

"Legend says that the Golden Archer used to roam the island, taking down foes with his mighty bow and arrow. It is also said that, when he settled down after many years, he began to write stories that confuse us even today."

"Heh, that's cool."

Let's wrap up today, shall we? Tokipal reveals where the pipe leads, Twilight becomes chief, Tokipal runs away, I get mauled by Crystal, I get ignored by the new chief, I learn about Aquarius' and Twilight's past, and I learn some Yoshian religion. Not a bad day, huh?

"The pipe should be coming up soon. We should arrive in, say, five minutes."

HOLY CRAP I MIGHT BE GOING HOME.

I'm just so emotionally exhausted right now. I've been through way more than I've used to today. I've experienced anger and pity in a way that I never had before. I'm beginning to think that the anger I had was unnecessary. It was probably all the stress I had on my shoulders; I had to release it somewhere, even if it were on a person.

Being in the back of the group, I look behind me. There's no one. Not a yoshi, not a koopa, not a goomba.

Tokipal lead them away.

Man, I feel like a complete jerk. I can't believe that I actually said those things to the former chief. I don't even know if I actually meant them anymore. I want to say sorry, I want to beg for forgiveness, but I know I can't. Do you know why? He's not here! I can't apologize to someone who isn't even here. I can't say, "I'm sorry for all the stupid things that I said about you. Here, let's have some scones and tea so we can talk about like civilized British people because we all know that Americans are never civilized when it comes to compromise."

Wait, that was totally countryist. Curse me and my inability to not make fun of cultures!

"Alright," I hear Twilight's voice call, instantly silencing the tribe. "The warp pipe is just up this cliff." He pointed upwards where the face of a cliff was met. It wasn't that high; it couldn't have been more than nine feet high. Still, I can't jump that high. "Those who can flutter jump may do so. Those who cannot"—he looks at me specifically before continuing—"can request help from one who can."

Way to be speciesist, Twilight.

After his statement, he jumped into the air. A second later, he began to simultaneously and vigorously flap his arms. Soon, his legs began to rapidly kick. At first it looked futile, but soon he began to literally hover above the air. After a few more seconds, he was able to gain enough height to reach the cliff. In a matter of ten seconds, the chief was able to float like a helicopter from the ground to a cliff nine feet high.

That was one of the coolest things I've seen in a while.

Soon, the other yoshies line up in front of the cliff. Going by a few at a time, they flutter to the top of the cliff. I notice some of the children being helped by their parents. But I don't exactly have a parent here—let alone one that can flutter jump—do I?

"Lawrence!" I hear someone call as I watch the yoshies make it to the top. I turn to the source to find that it is Odin. "Need help getting up?"

I can't help but smile. After all that's happened today, it's nice to know that someone still enjoys my presence. "Yeah. I can't exactly flutter jump."

The brown yoshi chuckles, and gestures me to get onto his back. "Of course."

I obediently mount the creature. Without warning, the Odin leaps into the air. Mere seconds later, he begins to flap, much like I've seen the other yoshies do. It feels exhilarating. There's a sense of freedom from the limitations of nature. It's not like being on an airplane; you're not covered with glass and whatnot. You're barely protected. It's obviously dangerous, yet I love the feeling. It's unlike anything I've felt before. Part of me wishes that this ride would last forever.

"Okay, you can get off now."

Crap, over already?

Indeed, Odin and I are now on the top of the cliff. I look down, and there's no one else nine feet below us. I dismount the yoshi and focus my attention in front me. I see the entire tribe crowded around in a circle around something. Curiosity getting the better of me, I walk forward to see what they're staring at.

It's the warp pipe.

It's the key to my home.

Home.

"Alright," Twilight announces to the tribe. "This is our way to escape the island. If you look behind us, you can see that the Koopa Clan is no longer on our tail. Our old chief, Tokipal, has succeeded in misleading them." Crap, guilt. "Nonetheless, we must make haste. It would be better if we were to go into the pipe now." He begins to pace around, looking at each yoshi. "As you know, this warp pipe leads to the main civilization. To my knowledge, most of you do not have experience with warp pipes, nor the main civilization. All I wish is that you can adjust to whatever changes we may face. Just remember, it is safer than our island for the time being."

The chief stops. "Is there anything anyone would like to add before we enter?"

We all look at each other. I have to admit, I would like to apologize for what I did earlier (as well as my behavior ever since I arrived), but I just don't feel comfortable being the first to share.

"I'd like to say something," Sunny calls out, causing a hush amongst the group. "I have looked up to Tokipal ever since I've known him. I knew him as a chief and a leader." He turns to Twilight. "Twilight, you are our new chief. You are our new leader. You are well fit for the position, and I believe that the right decision was made. I know that I will be looking up to you as much as I did to Tokipal, chief." The yellow yoshi stops speaking, and receives nods of understanding from the rest of the tribe.

Soon, Crystal steps up. "I've known Tokipal for a long time, even before he was chief. He always told me about how to handle the job to the fullest. He told me about his ways of compassion, his ways of understanding, and his ability to adapt to whatever situation comes his way. Twilight, I know that you will be able to do the same." The nods of understanding return.

"Does anyone else wish to speak?" the chief queries.

It's now or never. "I would," I call, catching the attention of the group. I take a deep breath. "I know that I've been a jerk lately. I know that I haven't been able to properly handle things lately. I know that I, well, sucked as a person lately." Whoo, guilt trip. "I also said terrible things about Tokipal. The stress was just overwhelming me; I wasn't used to this kind of situation. And, I admit, I still am not. But now, I don't think I meant what I said about our previous chief. He was a great chief, and if he were here right now, I would overwhelm him with pleas for forgiveness. I was an idiot." I take another breath. "But I want to change that. When I go through that pipe, I will come out a changed person." Wow, that sounded so cliché. "I'll try to think of others, I'll try to handle things better, I'll try my hardest to be a better person. Of course, there's no guarentees, but one can try, right?" I step back down.

I don't get any nods of understanding. No, I got something far greater.

I got applause.

The yoshies that probably hated me are now applauding me. They are cheering for me. They actually believe that I can change into a better person.

I better live up to that promise.

I catch a glimpse of Twilight's smile before he speaks again. "No one else wishes to add something?" He scans around, and no one steps up. "Alright, into the warp pipe!"

Cheers emit throughout the tribe. The sound is overwhelming. One by one, yoshies jump, dive, and fly into the warp pipe, waiting for the travel to the main civilization.

But I wonder again, what is the main civilization? Is it America? Is it Japan? Is it the Mushroom Kingdom? Is it something that sounds like something from a crappy fanfiction?

I can't wonder about this now! I have to jump into that warp pipe!

And so, I take a step into the green structure, and dive right in.

First I'm met with darkness. It's the inside of a giant pipe, so it's what I should expect.

Second comes the feeling of going down a slide lined with conveyor belts. Seriously, it's freaking fast. I feel like I'm going at the speed of light, or possibly faster. It's too hard to tell when all I see are blurs.

Third comes the thought that I'm actually going home with these creatures. After a week of what seemed like torture, I can finally get out of this pseudo-nightmare.

Fourth comes the light as I get shot out of the warp pipe and onto a grassy plain. The soft grass tickles my skin as I attempt to get to my feet. I give up and decide to just look up.

Fifth comes the "OH MY GOD!" that I yell when I see what lies in front of me.

I hope it was worth the wait! And no, this story is not over yet. It's far from over.

And yes, the Golden Archer was a reference to me. I'm planning on doing a segment sometime in a story that features all my reviewers in some way. I'm still not sure, though. Some could be easy to do, while others... not so much.

Review, critique, share!