I finally updated (huzzah!). However, it would appear that his new chapter brings more questions than answers...
DISCLAIMER: I do not own pikmin and this is not a ripoff of Ferahgo's "Pikmin: --" series.
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Atop a high bluff sat a dark, forboding castle. Lightning flashed, revealing the iron cages that lined the road, all filled with the ghastly remains of pikmin. Tall spirse loomed menacingly, topped with iron spikes that caught the lightning and transfered it into the castle itself, where it would be harnessed and twisted for means unknown.
This was Kalganthk, Temple of the Star Gods.
Harbinger of doom.
Seated on a sturdy bulbmin steed, a small, hunched pikmin sat wrapped in the heavy folds of a cloak. Again lightning flashed, illuminating the land for miles around. Still the small pikmin urged its bulbmin forward, up the winding path lined with the cages, up and up the cliff face and finally to the stone ramp built decades before. Large machines, some broken, lined the causeway. The pikmin did not notice.
Finally the pikmin reached the huge iron gates. Two bent, ragged figures appeared out of the shadows and helped the cloaked pikmin off its steed, and led it away. The pikmin entered through the gates, which creaked open slowly against the wind. He entered Kalganthk.
--
Twelve figures were seated around a large, rectangular table, stained with wine and ancient meals. Each bore a red badge on their cloak; the Red Star. The symbol of the Star God. A thirteenth chair sat empty.
"What news from the north?" one of the hooded pikmin asked. Large, gnarled purple hands were wrapped in the folds of the figure's cloak.
"Velosia is still at war with Marnam, but there is a lull in the fighting. In the meantime, Aphor readies to field an army, and Botor attacks from across the Skien as we speak."
"And Varek?"
"Our tool has been forced to pull back and gather his forces for another push."
"Good." the lead figure tapped a heavy finger against the wood of the table. "What of the south?"
A third figure spoke this time, tall and thin, with long bony fingers that drummed rapidly against the table. "The Council's long arm has swept aside all toadmin resistance. Garth is on the brink of a civil war, with but one outcome. Soon we will have a mighty empire at our fingertips, but it will take some time."
"Excellent." the lead figure pointed at a small, hunched pikmin at the other end of the table. "Give us your report, Sirl."
The small pikmin steepled his fingers together and seemed to hesitate. "There is both bad news and good news. The Order of the Flower continues to topple my... our, efforts to bring them under control. They are fierce fighters, Milod, and determined. Perhaps..."
The large lead pikmin slammed a heavy fist into the table. Wine glasses shook and a mug full of ale toppled over. "I will not have excuses, Sirl! The Gods demand control of the east! Tickle the factions, make them suspect one another. Take your time, but be warned; failure is not an option! The Council gives you full access to any resources you may need."
The small pikmin bowed his head in respect and sat quietly.
One by one the other members of the Council made their reports. Some were satisfactory, some were not. Quiet comments and drink refills were made. Dark, obediant servants scuttled around the room at an order, and then returned to their dark niches.
"My friends," stated the lead pikmin, throwing back his hood to reveal a thick, hairy face. "It has been two years since we last conveyned. A toast."
The various members of the council raised their glasses and mugs in honor.
"Now, as Head of this Council, I hereby declare..."
"Milod, sir... A chair remains empty. One of our one is not in our midst. Perhaps we should wait until Deka arrives before we begin discussions?"
The purple pikmin, Milod, waved his hand. "Hold your tongue, Fedka. It may be hours yet before Deka arrives, and we have already spent the better part of a night on reports. Let us..."
Quite suddenly, a door at the far side of the room flew open and the thirteenth member of the Council strode into the room, a brilliant sword hanging from his hip. Each step was made with the utmost care, but without a moment's thought, filled with purpose but without wasting any energy. The tall pikmin, peach in color, immediately sat in his chair and threw back his hood.
"Ah, Deka." the purple pikmin spoke with a slight tinge of loathing in his voice, almost indescernible. "The thirteenth chair is filled. As Head of this Council, I hereby declare this meeting begun. Make your report, Deka."
The quiet peach pikmin nodded silently, and then jumped to his feet, hand on sword. "My friends, it has been more than two years since we all sat in this hall. I tell you, my ventures and journeys have gathered much information."
He paused.
"But I have found something. Something irrefutable. It cannot be ignored."
The pikmin pulled a bundle from his cloak and tossed it on the table in front of Milod. It was large and heavy.
"Last winter I learned of an ancient site somewhere in Be'en. For a long, long time I searched, but found nothing. Then I came across this."
He pulled a small, jagged piece of metal from a pouch and held it up for the Council to see.
"By the Stars!" gasped Sirl, leaning forward to get a better look. "The Red Star!"
It was true. The Star was engraved on the metal.
Milod scoffed. "What do you seek to prove, Deka? So the mark of our order has been scratched into the surface of a bit of iron. What of it?"
Deka tossed the metal in front of him.
"Not iron. Not of any metal in our records, or ever before seen."
Milod fingered the metal, gasping when it cut his finger. A drop of blood spilled onto the engraving, filling the Star with blood and coloring it red, the color of the emblem upon his breast. "It's still sharp! You must have made this yourself!"
Deka shook his head. "No. Look into the package."
Shaking his injured finger, Milod opened the package and looked into it. His eyes widened.
"But... but these tablets were destroyed centuries ago!"
"No. They were hidden. By our own order!"
Deka swept an arm about the room. Several of the Councilmembers cringed.
"Don't you see? This is proof! We have been living a lie, for millinia. And now we are paying for it."
The peach pikmin turned on his heel and swept out of the room, leaving the strange metal and the ancient tablets behind.
Milod stared at the metal and then picked it back up.
"What is it?" questioned one of the pikmin breathlessly.
"Starmetal."
--
The plot thickens...
R&R