"Wow…I'm glad I was able to see this" said Koopie as she stepped out of the pipe to the Boggly Woods. Koopie and her friends expected the woods to be pitched black this late in the night without any towns nearby, but it was anything but. The white leafs of the trees glowed like fireflies, illuminating the ebony trees against the black night and clearly showing the path. The white flowers and grass glittered against the dark earth like stars in the sky. They could almost feel the life breathe around them.
"Home sweet home" said Sir Flureon. He led the way as the group walked through the forest, all amazed at the sight before them. Eventually, they came across the Great Tree at the center of the Boggly woods. The metal door that previously blocked the entrance at the base of the tree had long been removed, and the adventurers all entered the enormous life form.
The inside of the tree was even brighter than the outside, the traditional Puni statues glowing along with the water flowing through the veins of the tree. The Punies were all there at the entrance as well, idly chatting with one another as if they were waiting for something to happen. The small, grey people, no taller than eight inches high at most, all appeared to be very excited. The orbs that dangled from their heads were lit with delight and all of them were wearing their finest dresses and suits. It didn't take them long to notice their enormous guests and former saviors, and the Punies greeted them with open arms.
"Maria, Flureon!" said a voice from within the crowd. Puniet stepped out from the crowd towards them, her unmistakable green eyes lighting up with glee. "I'm so happy to see you guys again. I see you've brought new friends as well…including a Shadow Siren!" As soon as she said those words the Punies let out a collective shriek and disappeared into cover instantly.
Maria and her friends simply laughed at this, confusing many of the Punies. "It's alright guys" said Maria, "the Sirens are cool now". Slowly but surely, the Punies reemerged into the room as Vixen surveyed the creatures before him. "They're so adorable!" Vixen said, hardly containing himself from hugging every single one of them.
"So, uh…did you guys come for the Halloween celebration? We'd love to have you" Puniet said nervously, scratching the back of her head. "We'd positively love to, but we unfortunately have another reason for being here" said Goombiel, showing them the still unconscious Kami.
"She has some minor burns and has passed out from smoke inhalation. She hasn't moved at all since it happened, and we were hoping you'd know what to do. Please…can you help her?" Mr. Mowz asked desperately.
"What's all the hubbub?" blurted a voice from nowhere. The Puni Elder stepped beside Puniet in his usual ceremonial garb and carrying his favorite cane. "Well, you see-" began Maria, but she was quickly cut off. "My word! That child is gravely ill!" yelled the Puni elder. "Yeah, we know-". "We have got to get her to the healing baths immediately!" "That is what I wanted-". "You are horrible people for not telling us as soon as you got here!" "But I-". "Why are you wasting time complaining, she needs our help!"
The Elder Puni and a few others took off towards the heart of the tree, ignoring the sighs and groans of everyone around them. Goombriel, Maria, and Vixen followed behind them with Kami, leaving the others with Puniet and the rest of the party. "He may be crazy, but the elder knows what he is doing. Your friend should be better in no time at all" said Puniet.
"That is good to hear" said Mr. Mowz, finally relaxing. "Until then though, we might as well enjoy the party I suppose. What exactly is going on anyways? I've never seen a Halloween party like this".
"Well, Mr. Mowz, the Punies do not celebrate Halloween in the strictest sense" said Sir Flureon. "It just happens to coincide with one of their holidays".
"Oh that's good, for a second I thought they were all dressed as mobsters or politicians! Now that would have made for a dull party" said Bobbera. By the now the crowd had dispersed and the Punies had started to enjoy their party once again. Puniet motioned for the giants to follow her and the five of them went deeper into the tree. They eventually came to an area with a few small rocks for them to sit on and they each took a seat, Puniet leaping onto Sir Flureon's lap and resting there.
"Thanks again for helping us out with the X-Nauts you guys" Puniet said to Koopie and Sir Flureon. "Things have been so peaceful since you guys left, and I was afraid I'd never be able to turn sixteen". "Oh my goodness, when was your birthday?" asked Koopie. "Today!" replied Puniet with a large grin on her face.
"Oh, I feel so guilty that I don't have a gift" said Koopie, a frown encroaching on her lips. "Oh, I know!" Koopie riffled through her pants pocket until she eventually found a Pianta Candy Bar, which she handed to Puniet. Puniet could barely hold onto it however; it weighed more than she did. "Thank you Koopie, but it isn't just my birthday today; it's everyone's!" said Puniet.
Koopie, Mr. Mowz and Bobbera just looked at her confused. "But, how is that possible?" asked Mr. Mowz. "You were all born on the same day?" Puniet started laughing and said "No, nothing gross like that. Today is Life Day!" Sir Flureon decided to intervene and explain the holiday in a way his friends could understand. "As opposed to celebrating a Puni's birth individually, everyone within the tribe grows a year older at the dawn of every year. Life Day, which is New Year's Day according to the Puni calendar, essentially acts as one big birthday party".
"Of course Life Day involves more than that, but that's it in a nutshell" said Puniet. "Tonight is special night for me though, because I'm finally going to be considered an adult! Punipe won't be able to make fun of me anymore; we're going to be equals".
Sir Flureon rubbed the back of Puniet's head lovingly with one of his fingers and said "Congratulations. It seems like just yesterday that you were the size of my thumb, and you could not even pronounce my name correctly. What was it you named me back then?" Puniet's face lit up bright red at Sir Flureon's words and her back went stiff. "Heh…you don't have to tell them about that" Puniet said nervously.
"Hhmmm...no matter how hard I try to recollect, the words do not come to me" said Sir Flureon as he tapped his chin. Puniet let out a sigh of relief and relaxed back into a comfortable position. "Ahh yes, I remember now; 'Mistah Flooey'" said Sir Flureon.
Sir Flureon's friends immediately burst out laughing, releasing a good deal of built up stress. Puniet blushed yet again and stuttered out "Well, I was a stupid little kid back then. I've grown up now!" "Well, you will forever be that child to me my friend" said Sir Flureon. Puniet crossed her arms in contempt and refused to face Sir Flureon for a few moments. Sir Flureon frowned at this, but he knew exactly what to do.
"Wha-? Stop that it tickles!" said Puniet as Sir Flureon attacked her ribs with one of his fingers. He'd known her weak spots for years now, and was not afraid to exploit them. "All right, all right; you win. You know I can't stay mad at you, you devil".
Puniet jumped down from her seat and onto the floor, still glowing from her tickle torture. "Make yourselves at home guys. I've got a special ceremony to get to, so I won't be able to chaperone you around anymore. You should be fine as long as you don't eat anyone though!" said Puniet to the group before looking directly at Sir Flureon. "We also have some of that 'White Leaf' tea you love so much Flureon. I could get someone to bring you some if you want" said Puniet.
"I would be delighted" said Sir Flureon. Soon the giants became just another part of the party, and the rest of the night appeared as though it would be very bright indeed.