Metal Gear Kruna:
The moon's position in the sky would have been discernible to a savvy wanderer or journeyman as an indicator of the time nearing three hours past midnight. While the rest of their team slept, Daisy and Warra arrived at the outside of Castle Town. Nearly the entire city looked to be asleep. Very few if any lights were on, and no footsteps or words could be heard; that is, except for the loud, lumbering thuds they heard that caused them to dive into the bushes.
"How many times is this going to happen?" Daisy whispered.
"Who knows," Warra whispered back. "Let's just stay here for now."
Metal Mario marched around what was the southern entrance to Castle Town, looking clueless and aimless as per usual. It looked indecisive as to whether it should wander around in the city or venture off into Sarasa Field. Either way, its presence prevented Daisy and Warra from entering the city. What they needed to accomplish had to be done without drawing attention or unwanted stalkers.
"We need to figure out how we're going to do this," Warra whispered.
"I say I just run up to him and throw him away," Daisy hissed. "Or better yet, I should just trap him underground."
Neither of the two Kruna would have to make a decision, for a pack of two dozen hellhounds had already started gathering around Metal Mario. The fiendish canines antagonized Metal Mario, making aggressive advances that provoked the metal figure into making retaliatory gestures in response. The exchange looked like it would go on for a while.
"Let's slip past them while they sort that whole thing out," whispered Warra.
With the hellhounds and Metal Mario occupying each other with increasingly violent movements, Daisy and Warra crept through the bushes and along the city wall to sneak into Castle Town. They rounded a corner to ensure that they would not be seen or followed by either the dogs or Metal Mario.
The Castle Town streets were bare, the buildings were dark, and aside from the occasional light through the window, there was no sign that anyone was still awake. The lightposts scattered about were either dimmed or completely off. Still, the two Kruna maintained a light tread through town to get to where they intended to go. Daisy had insisted that she be allowed to embark on this quick side quest before traveling to Watcher's Cape, so they agreed that she and Warra would go while the others slept, and that they would all leave in the afternoon the next day.
The more towards the inner portion of Castle Town they got, the more the city was lit up. The increase in lights was relative though, considering the early morning time. There was an uptick in activity, just the result of a handful of guards out watching – albeit wearily – the streets. Getting past them was simple enough. Once Daisy and Warra neared the Central Castle, they noticed Bellbridge glowing high off in the distance.
"I don't remember that ever being there," Daisy remarked in surprise. The last time she was in Castle Town, Bellbridge's lights were not on, and she was far more concerned with the economic disparity of the city and with getting to her father to even notice the massive skywalk towards the north. Granted, from their current position, the only way they were even able to notice it then and there was because of Bellbridge's lights and because of the illumination from the Sarasaland Campanile's clock that highlighted and drew attention to it.
Soon, Daisy and Warra made it to the Central Castle. Two guards leaned against the walls framing the front doors, both wielding Earth Ripper claws and a Seismic Spear. Even though they were well-armed, it did nothing to cover up their exhaustion.
Warra grabbed Daisy's arm the moment she moved. "Before you go in trying to subdue those two sentries, why not stay low and go around to check the back?"
"Fine," Daisy muttered, rolling her eyes. She shook her head as she led Warra around to the back of the massive complex, just wanting to get inside. Unfortunately for them, it would take a little more effort than they thought. Once they got around to the courtyard in the back, they caught sight of four more guards meandering around.
"Go around the back, you said," Daisy grumbled.
"Look up," Warra whispered.
Bellbridge loomed overhead, the grand structure providing light for the immediate area. If Daisy and Warra weren't in such a hurry, they would've detoured and tried to find a way to get up to the enchanting skywalk. It would've either been a wondrous experience, or a chance to mess up whatever her father planned with it.
"Seriously, what is that for?" Daisy wondered aloud. "Should we be concerned about it?"
"I don't know," replied Warra. "But judging by the way it's built, it may be able to get us into the castle from the top."
Daisy pointed a finger skyward. "But look how high up it is! How are we supposed to get all the way up there from here? We'd have to detour and spend too much time trying to figure out where the entrance to the skywalk is." She pulled back her arms and began focusing her energy. "I say we just screw all this sneaking around and force our way in!"
"Do not!" Warra hissed. "Listen; I have a idea..."
"Here, guards!" Warra called out to the sentries at the front door. He kept poking Daisy in the back with the handles of his axes, urging her on with her hands behind her back. "I've captured a rogue beast that was wandering the streets!"
"Good work, mate," the first guard replied. "This is an ugly one, isn't it?"
"Oh yeah, definitely," the second guard agreed. "It's like a wolf that wanted to be a gargoyle!" He started laughing as Daisy growled in anger.
"Nature sure does give us some strange things, doesn't it?" said the first guard.
"Uh, yeah, it sure does!" Warra replied. "But I wouldn't say that she's ugly, no, not at all. I'd say she has a natural beauty to her that we as humans can't comprehend."
"What are you, high?" the first guard snapped.
"Poppin' too many 'shrooms I see," the second guard said. "Look, waterboy here thinks he's one of the Mario Brothers!"
"I think you'd fit in much better with the Final Fantasy Thirteen crew, buddy," the first guard remarked with a laugh.
Warra made an uncomfortable chuckle. "Yeah, what was I thinking, you know?"
"Wait, a minute..." the first guard then said. "Why are you in water wielder getup? You're supposed to be in uniform!"
"Yeah – what's your name anyways?" the second guard asked.
"Uh, oh, sorry," Warra replied. "My name is...Snake. Water Snake. You know, like the...Water Moccasin, native of...Koopa Cape. I like snakes...now...I guess..."
"Oh," the second guard said. "Well in that case, here." He tossed his keys for the front doors to Warra. "Go on inside and get suited up with the extras in the front office. Just 'cause we're on the overnight shift doesn't mean you can be out of uniform!"
"Ah, right, of course!" said the Kruna of Water, the two guards oblivious to his awkward tone. "I should definitely do that." He pushed Daisy forward past the guards, following her just offset to her side. "Come, my captured beast – I don't trust you enough to let you out of my sight. These two gentlemen here don't know what kinds of horrible, nasty things you are capable of that I have endured and can anticipate since I have been the only one able to tame you thus far, and I don't want them to have to experience it firsthand-"
"Hold on," the first guard said, causing both Daisy and Warra to jump. "Why isn't that animal handcuffed?"
Daisy whipped around to face the two guards, grabbed them by the necks, and slammed their heads together. She caught one of them while Warra caught the other, and they quietly laid them down on the floor.
"So I could do that," Daisy said to the unconscious guards.
Warra shook his head as he went to unlock the doors. "They're badgering me about uniforms when they don't even have their helmets on."
Once through the front doors, Daisy led Warra through the noiseless halls of the Central Castle. They went through one of the kitchens, pased one of the expansive studies, and then climbed the stairs until they were up and onto the same flour Daisy worked her way to herself when she was in the Silent Realm. It didn't take long before they were at the door she passed through before. She turned the knob, and they walked inside.
"Unbelievable," Daisy murmured. She wasn't sure when she saw her old room in the Silent Realm, but now, seeing it in the physical world confirmed her belief. Her room was exactly the way she had left it five years ago before her father gave her up to Tatanga. Whether or not everything was where she left it, she couldn't tell. But there was one thing more noticeable than anything else; dust. It was all over the place, and aside from where Daisy and Warra had already stepped, it was all undisturbed.
"I don't understand," said Daisy. "As bad and as careless as they were, I thought they would've cleared my room out...not just leave it here as I left it..." She eased her way over to draw the curtains to let the light from the moon and the city creep in.
Warra pushed the button on her TV, which to his surprise turned on. "Everything that was plugged in before is still plugged in."
"Well, leave it on for a minute," Daisy said, noticing a sports channel come on. Warra prevented her from seeing any highlights and turned the TV off. "Warra! C'mon man!"
"It would have made too much noise," Warra asserted. "But back to what I said, look over there."
Daisy turned to her old nightstand to see her alarm clock reading, "3:36 AM." She then frowned in confusion. "In the time that I was gone, wouldn't the power of had gone out at least once for whatever reason?" she asked. She pulled the nightstand's drawer, but closed it almost immediately.
Warra shrugged. "Not if the power lines are built underground and there's a healthy supply of backup generators available. Would you say that this city's good with controlling seismic activity?"
"I guess," Daisy muttered, looking through her closet. "I never really paid attention to any of that." Her closet had all of her old princess dresses and athletic earth wielder outfits. "Wow; it's been quite a while since I even wore a dress! Man, those things are way too formal! I hate how everybody puts on all these dresses and suits and fancy clothes instead of wearing something you'd be able to move around in and retaliate or fend off enemies! I'll tell you one thing – if I was in charge around here, I wouldn't be having mandatory uniforms for my guards!"
"I'm starting to think those two just didn't like blue and gold," Warra said, blushing.
"Oh 'cmon, Warra!" Daisy replied, ducking down to the floor. "The amount of people that actually judge others by their elemental affiliation is actually very few and far between here!" She checked under her bed and pulled out a massive, rectangular tub of Legos; system, technic, and constraction pieces all in abundance.
"Yeah, but those few and far are – is 'elementist' the word?" muttered Warra. "Like how Andrew was talking before about people being elementist towards shadow."
"Okay, but he didn't use the exact word when he was talking about it," Daisy replied, fishing through the plastic pieces.
Warra threw his hands up. "Why are you messing around with Legos now of all times?"
"I have to figure out what my mother's been doing around here," she said. "And if she's not here, why, and where she's gone. She was just like my dad as a kid, but looking back, I don't think it was on purpose. She kinda just used to follow his example and didn't question him much if at all unless it was something obvious. I've been wondering if she was just married to my dad and adhering to his will just to secure her position as the queen. And if that's the case, well..." Her voice trailed off for a few moments. "Damn, it's not down here! I can't remember where I put it before!" She shifted the tub back under her bed and went to look through her dresser. She dug around through the top drawer until she felt her hand tap something hard underneath the bunches of folded fabric.
Warra was just barely able to notice Daisy's face perk up in the darkness of the room. "Did you find it?"
Daisy nodded, pulling out a case that, when opened, revealed two bracelets, each with a charm that mirrored the large flower button on her shirt. "These were my mother's before she gave them to me," she said. "I never did wear them, but I made sure I held onto them." She closed the dresser behind her, then snapped the case shut and handed it to Warra. "You hold onto it. If she's not here, then maybe we can figure out some kind of way to use these to track her down."
"You're trusting me with these?" Warra asked. "Are you sure you're okay with that?"
"Why not," Daisy replied. "Why would I not trust you?"
Warra smiled, saying with sincerity, "That means a lot." Daisy returned his smile with one of her own.
"Are you having fun in there, daughter?"
Daisy and Warra both froze. The two gathered at the doorway, King Sarasa waiting just outside of Daisy's room. The expressions of both of the Kruna instantly turned dark.
"Having security cameras spread throughout the castle makes things so much better," King Sarasa said.
"Damn," Warra muttered. "I forgot to take that into account..."
"Warra!" Daisy groaned. "You're supposed to be the stealth guy!"
"I didn't think anyone was going to be awake!" Warra replied. "Especially not your dad!"
"I don't need sleep," said King Sarasa. "I'm not like you mortals. Not anymore. I'm something greater, and will continue to grow into something even more than what I am now. I will be far and above you humans...or, whatever you happen to be now, fiendish hound."
"So what if I look like a beastly monster?" Daisy said, standing tall and proud. "I know I'm not, and I know you are."
"I don't think insomnia counts as being better than us," Warra sharply remarked.
"You're a bad influence, Daisy," King Sarasa grumbled. "Never listened to my directions, never adhered to discipline, and now here you have a nice young man – though, who really should consider getting a haircut – and you teach him to act rudely to his superiors?"
"You're not a superior to either one of us!" Daisy snapped.
"And that's where you're wrong, as always," the king replied. "You see, this is my castle, my city, my nation. It could have been yours, and you could've been in the position to say that you have no superiors, but you wanted to be defiant and decided that playing ball and running and lifting things and trying to become even the slightest bit competent with earth wielding was what you were going to pursue."
Daisy smirked. "I'm great at what I do. It's not my fault you're a terrible leader."
King Sarasa revealed a pair of handcuffs from the back of his robe and lashed at Daisy, only for Warra to step up and unlimber one of his axes to make a timely block. Daisy did not so much as flinch during the lightning quick exchange.
"Maybe you would've been able to react faster if you had gotten some sleep," Warra spat. He forced the flat of his ax down to wrench the handcuffs out of the king's hand.
"You see that?" Daisy remarked. "That's what happens when those that follow you respect you for who you are. They'll do what Warra just did because they want to, not out of fear or obligation like how you and your people work. Maybe you should take that into consideration when you're dealing with Sarasaland!"
King Sarasa started laughing. "So what now? Are you going to try and take me down?"
Daisy had no response to the statement. She just gave her father an intense stare.
"Go ahead," said the king. "Just try. Right this moment. Make me pay for being a man and taking what's meant to be mine. I can see the headlines in the coming days; 'King Sarasa Mauled by a Ravenous Beast! Monster on the Prowl – Public Enemy Alert!' Then the whole nation – possibly the whole world – will see you for what you are." He looked at Warra. "And you, the beast tamer. Anything she does to me will be on your hands as well, you know that. They'll ascribe you as the one who cast this monster on me. Maybe they'll pin the disappearances around here on you too."
"Disappearances?" Warra asked.
"Yes," King Sarasa said. "It seems as if more and more people are disappearing by the day, and not a single clue can be had as to where they've gone. I guess it's been going on for years now, but there has been a huge spike in the past handful of months or so. It's a shame, but I'm sure they're missed."
Daisy started growling, remembering her father's address at 2SU and the lack of time spent addressing the subject of Sarasaland's missing people. "And you have done nothing about it, have you?" she barked.
"There are more pressing matters," her father replied. "People die everyday. There's no getting around that, so why should that be any higher on my priority list than it is already? It's a wonder it's even on my list, if you ask me."
Daisy had heard enough. Rage began to bubble within her, making her ready to use her mangled hand-claws to rip into her father right then and there. But what would that make me... she wondered.
Not allowing any sign of anger to shine through other than an indignant angle of her eyebrows, she pushed past King Sarasa. Warra followed close behind. The two Kruna walked along the polished railing to make their way to the stairs, neither one of them looking back. Daisy had completely forgot about asking what happened to her mother.
King Sarasa didn't pursue. He stayed back by the open door of Daisy's old room and watched his daughter and her friend descend the stairs. He frowned, letting out a deep sigh as he muttered to himself, "It didn't have to be like this."
