Kai and the Chaos Emeralds
Chapter 25: Kolorado, the Archeologist
Kai and his friends finally arrived at their destination: back at their ship. Toad was looking at the Chaos Radar.
"Are you sure that the Chaos Emerald is in the middle of the ocean?" Kai asked. "That seems stupid."
"The signal's faint, but it's strong enough to show where it is," Toad said. "It is somewhere outside of the Delfigalo Continent. Maybe it's on an island somewhere."
Serena took the Chaos Radar and looked at it. She then pulled out a map of the world.
"That's my…" Hazel started.
"I'm borrowing it," Serena said.
She switched her gaze from the radar to the map. She then looked back at the radar.
"I know where it might be," Serena said.
She handed the Chaos Radar back to Toad. She then gathered everyone around the map.
"According to the radar, the Chaos Emerald is around here," Serena said.
She pointed to a small island that was just off of the Delfigalo Continent.
"It's called Lavalava Island," Serena said. "This is the island where my father found me."
"That's pretty neat," Hazel said.
"He said that he was really looking for treasure the day he found me," Serena said. "Maybe the treasure he was referring to…"
"…Is the Chaos Emerald," Zero finished. "There's a definite chance."
"Let's get moving!" Kai shouted. "Next stop: Lavalava Island!"
Kai ran toward the ship.
"Kai!" Toad shouted. "We never disarmed the magical barrier!"
Kai stepped onto the ship with no problems. For one second, Toad, Zero, and Hazel stared with astonishment. They then looked toward Serena.
"What kind of thief would I be if I couldn't disarm such a simple barrier?" Serena asked.
They all then boarded the ship. The ship set sail for Lavalava Island. After a day of sailing, they finally reached it. It was an average sized island with a large volcano in the middle of it.
Everyone on the ship looked at the volcano.
"I hope it doesn't erupt," Kai said.
"Don't worry," Hazel said as she held out a book. "According to this book, Mountains of the World, Mt. Lavalava is a dormant volcano."
"So we won't have to worry about burning up," Zero said. "Let's get a move on!"
They then left the ship and stepped onto the island. The white sand of the beach almost immediately gave way to a thick jungle. The trees blocked out the sun, making the jungle dark and menacing. Soon, Kai and his friends were definitely…
"LOST!" Hazel shouted.
"We're not lost," Kai said. "I'm…just not sure…where exactly we are…currently."
"That's the same as being lost!" Hazel shouted. "Why does this happen to us?!"
"Because we tend to travel without a map or compass," Toad said. "We used to have a Seeking Feather, but Mario borrowed it for something."
"So we have no map, no compass, and no Seeking Feather," Hazel said.
"You guys aren't very good at this, are you?" Serena asked.
"We've lasted this long," Kai replied cheerfully.
Eventually, they saw the edge of the jungle.
"We made it!" Kai shouted.
Once they exited the jungle, they were surprised to find a whole village. There were different-colored Yoshis walking around the village.
"A village of dinos," Kai said.
"This must be where Yoshis come from," Toad said.
As Kai and his friends progressed through the small village, they noticed that every building was made from logs and leaves. This was definitely a primitive village, so there was no chance of finding goods that are found in places like the Mushroom Kingdom and Hyrule.
They eventually made their way to the center of the village, where a fat, green Yoshi wearing a feather on its head and armbands was sitting on a small island in the middle of a lake. As soon as they walked forward, this Yoshi looked toward him.
"Welcome to my village, Kai Kamai and friends," the fat Yoshi said.
"How'd you know my name?" Kai asked.
"And how do you speak so well?" Toad asked.
"The story of your exploits in the Gameon Islands has spread all across the globe," the fat Yoshi said. "I heard it from a traveling team of strange creatures led by one holding spoons."
"Holding spoons?" Serena asked.
Kai almost immediately realized whom he meant.
"Alakazam!" Kai exclaimed.
"My name is Chief Yoshi," the fat Yoshi continued. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Do you mind answering my question?" Toad asked. "Why do you speak so well. The Yoshis in the Mushroom Kingdom are hard to understand."
"The Yoshis on this island learned to talk from the books that came to us in the drifting waves," Chief Yoshi answered.
Kai wondered how books could remain readable after moving across the ocean, but this world has never made sense.
"In fact, I've just finished an interesting book about a young woman who…sorry. I got off topic," Chief Yoshi continued. "Anyway, is there anything I can help you with?"
Kai and his friends explained their story to Chief Yoshi.
"You aren't the first ones to ask me about a treasure on this island," Chief Yoshi said. "I just met a peculiar fellow who asked about treasure."
Kai wondered if he meant Eggman, Zant, or Mr. L.
"I believe his name was…Kolorado or something," Chief Yoshi said.
"KOLORADO?!" Hazel exclaimed. "As in famous archeologist, Kolorado?!"
Her face glowed in excitement.
"I'm almost afraid to ask this, but who is this guy?" Kai asked.
"Kolorado is a renowned archeologist who has discovered hidden treasures all across the globe!" Hazel exclaimed. "I've read many books about his journeys! Is he here?! I've got many questions to ask him!"
"He is heading for Mt. Lavalava," Chief Yoshi answered. "He says that there might be a treasure in its caves."
"Let's go!" Hazel shouted.
Hazel marched toward the volcano.
"I've never seen her this excited before," Kai said.
"It's kind of scary," Toad replied.
They followed Hazel toward the volcano. They eventually hit another jungle. This one was just as dark as the previous one. As they journeyed deeper and deeper into the jungle's depths, they wondered if they would ever reach the volcano.
Eventually, they heard a scream.
"What was that?" Hazel asked.
"Let's go check!" Kai shouted.
They all then ran in the direction where the scream came from. Soon, they saw a Koopa wearing a hat and a mustache. His shell was not on his back, but it was being tossed around by strange, fuzzy, black creatures in the trees.
"I say!" the Koopa shouted. "Give that back!"
The black creatures just laughed at him.
"You think we should help?" Kai asked.
"I guess," Zero replied.
Zero then rushed forward and threw shuriken at each of the black creatures. Soon, they dropped the shell. The Koopa put the shell back on. He then walked over to Kai's group.
"Thank you very much," the Koopa said. "My name is Kolorado. Perhaps you've heard of me?"
"Of course!" Hazel exclaimed with glee. "You are the famous archeologist who has discovered many ruins and found many treasures! I've read the stories about your adventures ever since I was a little girl!"
"I'm glad to meet a fan," Kolorado said. "So it is my guess that you are here to help me find the treasure of Mt. Lavalava."
"Actually, we're here to…" Toad began.
"Definitely!" Hazel shouted. "I'd love to see the great Kolorado in action!"
"Excellent," Kolorado said. "Now, we first must find the volcano. I seem to have misplaced my map and compass. Do any of you fine young chaps have a map?"
There was a long pause of silence.
"Well, lady luck has guided me this far," Kolorado said. "We'll just keep moving forward. Follow me."
Kolorado began to walk forward. Kai's group soon followed. After another hour of walking, they reached the volcano. There was a river of lava that prevented them from reaching a cave in the mountain.
"It seems we've come this far for nothing," Zero said.
"I'm sure we can jump this," Kolorado said.
"The river is 15 feet wide," Serena replied. "How the hell are you going to jump across that?"
"I see your point," Kolorado said. "I don't suppose that any of you can fly."
Serena, Hazel, Zero, and Toad looked toward Kai.
"Don't look at me," Kai said. "I only grow wings when I'm fighting a real tough enemy."
"Then we'll just have to head back to the village," Kolorado said. "Once there, we can formulate a plan. Follow me. I know a shortcut."
Kolorado walked back into the jungle. Kai's group began to follow him. As they left, Kai noticed a sign that said "To Yoshi Village". Next to the sign was a dirt path through the jungle.
"I guess Kolorado might know a shorter way," Kai said.
Kai continued to follow him. After a couple of hours, they reached the village. Chief Yoshi looked toward them.
"You are back," Chief Yoshi said. "Why did you travel through the dangerous jungle. There's a 30-minute path to the volcano just outside of the village. Didn't you see the sign?"
"I guess I was in a rush," Kolorado said. "I'm just glad that these young kids also entered the jungle. If they didn't, I would've been a goner."
"Well, what happened at the volcano?" Chief Yoshi asked.
Kai explained what had happened.
"So you couldn't get into the cave," Chief Yoshi said. "That is sad. The lava river has been flowing much harder lately. It makes me worry. If it isn't stopped soon, the lava might engulf my village."
"We'll find a way to get across," Kai said. "And once we do, we'll stop the lava from flowing."
"That would be wonderful," Chief Yoshi said. "You are all welcome to join us for a feast. Especially you, Mr. Kolorado. A book just washed up onto shore about your adventures."
"Which one was it?" Kolorado asked. "Dances with Mummies or Secret of the Shy Guys?"
"It was Incredible Echidnas," Chief Yoshi answered.
"A personal favorite of mine," Kolorado said. "We should discuss it once you finish reading. It's all about the secret of the ancient race of the Echidnas."
"Echidnas?" Kai thought.
That night, while everyone was sleeping, Hazel stepped out for some fresh air. She saw Kai sitting down outside, looking up at the stars. She stepped on some leaves, and Kai noticed her.
"Hey," Kai said. "What are you doing up?"
"I couldn't sleep," Hazel answered. "You?"
"Same thing," Kai replied. "I was thinking about the vision I had back on Angel Island."
"Seriously?" Hazel asked.
"Yeah," Kai said. "I feel that the vision had something to do with what the Chaos Emeralds can do. I just wish I knew what."
Hazel sat down next to Kai.
"I'm sure you'll figure it out," Hazel said.
She then looked up at the stars.
"It's beautiful out tonight," Hazel said.
"Yeah," Kai replied.
They looked at each other. Hazel moved a little closer to Kai, who did the exact same thing.
"It's kinda…romantic," Hazel said.
"Yeah," Kai said.
They were both blushing. Soon, they closed their eyes. Suddenly, a strange light appeared above them. Kai and Hazel opened their eyes and looked toward the light. A shining…thing was shooting toward them.
"What is that thing?!" Hazel shouted.
Kai and Hazel immediately stood up. When the light hit them, it completely surrounded them. When the light faded, Kai and Hazel found themselves on Angel Island.
"What's going on?" Hazel asked.
"I think this is another vision of the past," Kai said. "I went through the same thing back on Angel Island."
They saw that they were in a strange village. Echidnas were walking around the village.
"I wonder what's going on," Kai said.
They saw an orange, female Echidna walking toward the largest building in the village. It can be guessed that this building belonged to the chief of the village.
Kai and Hazel quietly followed this Echidna. Even though they were in plain sight of many Echidna, they didn't seem to noticed them.
"I guess we're like ghosts here," Hazel said.
"Sweet," Kai said.
They followed the girl Echidna into the large building. There, an old, reddish-brown, male Echidna wearing gold and feathers.
"Tikal, what are you doing here?" the reddish-brown Echidna asked.
"Father, I heard about your plan," the girl Echidna said. "Please, the Avians are kind to us. Why must you steal their power?"
"He wants to steal the Avians' power?!" Kai shouted.
"Wanted," Hazel corrected. "This is a vision of the past."
"The Avians rule these skies," Tikal's father said. "If we use the power of the emeralds, we can take over their kingdom. With their dominion of the sky, we will take our rightful place as the rulers of the world."
"But this is wrong!" Tikal cried. "We can't hurt them! I won't let you!"
"Out of my way, girl!" Tikal's father shouted. "You must learn your place!"
Tikal's father left the room. Tikal then fell to her knees and began to cry. As Kai walked toward her, as if to comfort her, a bright light engulfed the entire room. When the light faded, Kai and Hazel found themselves back in the Yoshi village. They were laying down, as if they were asleep. The sun was rising.
"Was that a dream?" Hazel asked.
"No way," Kai said. "Dreams don't seem that real. I'm sure it was a vision of the past. I don't know what it means, but it might come in handy later."
They then watched as the sun continued to rise. Today, they were going to find a way to reach the volcano's cave.