Annnnnnnd we're back!
Siph: With an all-new chapter of I Promised!
I'm your newly-colleged freshman host and author, J!
Siph: In case anyone had forgotten who he was in the five-plus months he was gone. And colleged isn't a word.
How come you didn't introduce yourself?
Siph: My name is in the script. It's typed before everything I say, along with a colon.
Regardless, we should get started. So without any further interruptions, let's-a go!
Siph: Disclaimer: J doesn't own the phrase "let's-a go!"
That's my boy.
Chapter 29: The Gang Is All Here
Koops watched Lemmy disappear behind the partition.
Goombella's book was right about one thing, he thought. He wears a smile almost all the time. "Still," he mumbled as he turned around, "I can't help but think that something was… I dunno… off about him."
His doubts stayed with him even after he stepped outside.
*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*
Deep in Rogueport Sewers, Goombella, Gonzales, and Ms. Mowz emerged from the blue Pipe linking Rogueport to Keelhaul Key. It didn't take long before they were at the elevator between the Pipes to the Boggly Woods and Petalburg. As the trio ascended, Ms. Mowz inspected their finds.
"Wow," the badge thief chuckled as she rummaged through Gonzales' Sack, "I didn't think the jungle had this many Super Shrooms."
Her Yoshi friend grinned over his shoulder. "It doesn't. I bought all those from Thriff T.'s shop."
Goombella peeked into the Sack, and let out a low whistle. "That is a lot. What is that? Twenty? I'd be surprised if he had any left at his shop."
The Yoshi's grin broadened. "He doesn't. I blew all my fight money on his whole supply."
The girls looked at him, stunned.
"All of it?" Goombella asked.
He shrugged as the elevator reached the top. "I had a buttload of coins, and they weren't going anywhere else. I just thought I'd put it to good use."
The little Yoshi's companions found themselves at a loss for words. All they could do was share a look, amazed at their young friend's generosity.
The group was unaware that someone had been listening to their whole conversation.
Just before they could jump in the Pipe, they heard a familiar, very dignified chuckle. "Well I'll be. Who would have thought that our little darling would become such a fine young man?"
*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*
Koopie Koo smiled when she saw Bobbery and Koopley return from Niff T.'s Shop. She waved and walked to meet them halfway.
"Did you get any Point Swaps?" she asked.
"Aye, lass," Bobbery replied. "The man was able to spare us ten, but all his others were reserved for someone else."
The Koopa girl shrugged. "Well, I'm sure ten is enough."
Koopley nodded. "I also snagged some Dried Shrooms that Niff T. was about to throw away. We can use those Point Swaps to restore them to normal if we need it." The older Koopa looked around. "Where is Koops?"
Koopie pointed at the hospital. "He's in there. He wanted to ask the doctors something."
As if on cue, the Koopa in question exited the building and stepped down to join them.
"Koops," his girlfriend said, "what did you ask the doctor?"
Koops blinked, then rubbed the back of his head. "Oh yeah. I actually forgot about that." He shook his head. "But I don't think I need to ask anymore…" he trailed off, lost in thought.
"Well, why not?" his father pressed.
Koops shook his head to clear it. "The little Koopa‒Lemmy‒is awake."
Everyone reacted. "WHAT?"
"That's amazing!" Koopie Koo exclaimed.
Bobbery hummed. "It looks like Sweet Feast did a better job than we thought."
Koops nodded. "That's exactly what I said."
"Now what's all the hullabaloo?" a newcomer asked from down the path.
The group looked up. Goombella, Gonzales Jr., Ms. Mowz, and Vivan had returned. And they had brought with them a certain wind spirit.
"Oh! Fl-Flurrie!" Koops stammered. "Great to see you again."
"Hello, everyone," the actress replied, smiling pleasantly and showing off her signature ILY sign. "I happened upon these three as they were one their way here, after I checked up on my squishy little Punis. No need to catch me up on recent events; they told me everything I needed to know."
Koopie Koo walked over to the spirit, hands clasped. "Are they okay?"
"Indeed," Flurrie said. "It seems that those dreadful Bullet Bills overlooked the Great Tree. I suspect they were only after buildings. Yes, there was glass all over my floor. But it was nothing I couldn't take care of!" She floated over her friends. "But my question remains unanswered. What was all that shouting about, hm?"
Koops started, remembering what he had just been talking about. "Oh yeah, I forgot! You guys aren't going to believe this, but one of the Koopas woke up!"
The group predictably responded with enthusiasm.
"Which one?" Ms. Mowz asked.
"Lemuel," Koopie Koo answered, "The little one."
Everyone's jaw dropped.
"I thought he wouldn't be up for an hour," Gonzales Jr. objected.
"It looks like Sweet Feast did a better job than we thought," Goombella chirped.
Koops shared a glance with an amused Bobbery before clearing his throat. "Hey, Goombella?"
"What's up?"
"He told me something that's not listed in your Tattle Log."
Goombella groaned, "I have a love-hate relationship with that book. What is it?"
A chuckle went around the group as Koops answered.
"He said that he's only ever called 'Lemmy.' He seemed pretty surprised when I called him Lemuel. Nobody ever calls him that. Um, that is, according to him."
"One sec." The young archaeologist opened up her book and wrote down the new fact on Lemmy's page. "Any other surprises? While I have this out, I might as well add some other stuff."
Koops shook his head. "No, nothing. That's all I know."
"Nuts." Goombella huffed at her Tattle Log and put it away.
"Sorry," Koops apologized. He looked around at the group. The party is back together. Just like old times, except with Koopie Koo and Dad, too. Koops let his eyes rest on his father. That adventure gave me Dad again. And I came out of my shell a bit and found my courage, and several new friends. I sure hope we can help Lemmy reunite with his family just like we're reuniting. I wonder what he's thinking right now. Koops thought back to his encounter with the cheerful Koopaling. Something doesn't seem right…
"Koops, is something bothering you?"
The Koopa jumped, pulled from his thoughts. "Huh?"
It was Koopie Koo. "You have that face you get whenever your dad eats pistachios."
Koopley looked offended, and rightfully so. "When what?"
Koops blushed deeply. "Sorry, Dad. It's just that you leave the shells everywhere. It's disgusting."
Koopley chuckled sheepishly. "Do I? Well, sorry about that, son. I'll try to tidy up next time."
"Thanks."
Koopie Koo rolled her eyes. "You two… but seriously, Koops. Is something bothering you?"
All attention focused once again on the still shy Koopa. He poked his index fingers together nervously. "Well, I don't know. When I spoke with Lemmy, he seemed really positive and cheerful. Just like your book says, Goombella."
"Hey," Goombella joked, "even it has good days."
"But…" Koops sighed. "I don't know. Something just seemed… um… off."
"Off?"
"I can't explain it. I just have the feeling like he isn't as happy as he makes himself look. Maybe he isn't confident or something."
"Aww," Koopie cooed. "Reminds me of someone." She poked her boyfriend playfully, who smiled at her through his reddening cheeks.
But the others raised questions.
"Do you really think he isn't what he seems?"
"I'm pretty sure if he had confidence issues, it'd be recorded."
"Are you sure there wasn't something to make you think this, Koops?"
"I DON'T KNOW!" Koops yelled, overwhelmed by the onslaught of questions.
Everyone visibly recoiled.
Koops looked away shamefully. "I-I'm sorry. But I really don't know why I'm getting this feeling. It's just… there."
Koopie Koo hugged him. "It's okay, Koops. Maybe there's something to it. I bet you can find out if you ask him."
Flurrie nodded in agreement. "You would most certainly be the best one to do it, too, Koops. You're the first one of us he's met. I do believe he would be more comfortable sharing the truth with you, if anyone."
"You think?" he asked.
"Duh!" Gonzales Jr. affirmed. "You're a great guy! Why wouldn't he talk to you?"
"Just let us meet him first, okay?" Koopie Koo requested.
Koops smiled at his girlfriend. "I guess that's fair."
"Don't get your hopes up yet, lads," Bobbery interjected. "The doctors still have to give us the OK for the lad to have visitors."
Everyone voiced agreement to the admiral's reasoning.
They were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. The same Koopa doctor from before stepped out. He then held the door open and guided someone out.
It was Lemmy Koopa.
Oh boy! I can't wait to start writing next chapter. The way I plan on ending it will make you hate me for sure!
Siph: Is that really something you want to brag about? 1, it might be a spoiler. 2, that might make people abandon the fic.
1, people should be expecting me to make them hate me. 2, you don't get how this works, do you, Siph?
Siph: Okay, Mr. Smarty-pants. How does it work?
Leaving off on a cliffhanger or sequel hook traps the reader by piquing their interest. It ensures that they will want to know what happens next.
Siph: But isn't next chapter the last one in Lemmy's section for this round?
You're right about that. Which reminds me, I have this poll on my page regarding Ludwig's section. I haven't settled on a shell color for Kraig yet (who is going to be a companion for Pauline). So I decided to let you decide! That's right—you get to affect I Promised! Just choose one of the colors listed in the poll, and whichever one has the most votes by the time I post chapter 30 will be on Kraig's shell! I only have 3 votes on it so far, each for a different color. So get voting, folks!
Siph: If the color you want isn't listed in the choices, then vote "not listed" and shoot a private message to J with the subject header "Kraig's shell" and tell him what color you want!
That's it for now, everybody. See you next time!
Siph: Please read, review (and point out any mistakes), and cast your vote! See, J? I said please this time.
