CHAPTER 53: To the bottom of the Ocean
Klonoa and Guntz were on their way over the harbor of Jugkettle in the distance. Eventually they stopped near the side of the road at the coast that connected the harbor and the town. They both were discussing on what should happen next.
Guntz: So we're trying to cross the ocean... but riding a boat is out of the question. Hmm... how about we use our bike as a platform to swim over to the other side?
Klonoa Jr seemed a bit nervous after hearing Guntz mention swimming.
Klonoa Jr: S-swim?! No way!
Guntz: Yeah... you got a problem with that?
Klonoa Jr: Well... um... how do i say it? When it comes to swimming, i... i'm a bit... d-dense with it...
Guntz: ...What?! You've gotta be kidding me...
Klonoa Jr: ...How about we hire a plane to get across?
Guntz: Oh no way. That's too expensive.
Klonoa Jr: Why not just ride a boat over there then?
Then Guntz seemed a bit nervous after hearing Klonoa Jr mention riding a boat.
Guntz: N-no! That's out of the... q-question!
Klonoa Jr: Huh? Why though?
Guntz: ...W-when it comes to riding boats, i become... sick...
Klonoa Jr: You become easily seasick?
Guntz: ...I guess you could say that...
Klonoa Jr: Huh?! You've gotta be kidding me...
Both seemed to be awkwardly staring at each other now. Like there was no good solution at all... After a bit, Klonoa Jr started to break the silence by talking again. Meanwhile there was a girl slowly sneaking up to Klonoa Jr as they were talking.
Klonoa Jr: ...How about we just find the best solution by asking others? Let's head back to-
This girl... she seemed to know me from somewhere, but for me this is the first time i've met her...
The girl hugged Klonoa Jr from behind while he was off-guard. It was a girl with black hair wearing a red beret, long sleeved green collared smock, blue knee-high socks, large shoes with yellow laces and a short gray skirt. It was Adeleine! Klonoa Jr seemed shocked from the sudden hug.
Adeleine: Gotcha!
Klonoa Jr: M-magya~?!
Adeleine: You don't know how LONG i've missed you, Klonoa~! How many years has it been?
Guntz seemed confused. Just as confused as Klonoa Jr seemed.
Guntz: ...What?
Klonoa Jr: U-umm... what do you mean? Who are you?
Adeleine released Klonoa Jr so that he could turn around. She then pointed at her own face with a bit of a smile. Hoping that he would recognize her.
Adeleine: Don't you remember me? I'm Adeleine! Remember?
Klonoa Jr: Umm... i'm sorry, but i don't think i do.
Adeleine: 15 years ago you came to Dreamland. You really don't remember?
Klonoa Jr: 15 years?!
Adeleine started to immediately tell the story in full detail about what happened 15 years ago...
On the plains of Dreamland, the wind was breezing and the sun was beautifully shining. A young Adeleine stood on a tree stump with canvas, paint and brush drawing the scenery in full detail.
Young Adeleine: I'd add another tree here, and a bit of clouds there, and- ...Is that...?!
She noticed a cabbit and a girl lying down next to each other in the distance. The young Adeleine seemed amazed.
Young Adeleine: ...Wait, who is that?
The cabbit started to slowly get up after a bit. He noticed the girl was right beside her and sighed out of relief.
Klonoa: Lolo's still here... but... where am i...? I was just on my way back to Phantomile with her, but... where...?
Klonoa confusingly looked around his surroundings. Meanwhile, Adeleine sneakily walked up close behind Klonoa's back. She then said...
Young Adeleine: Heya!
The young Adeleine seemed quite happy, but Klonoa was just shocked for a second with her being immediately behind himself.
Klonoa: M-magya-! Don't scare me like that...!
Young Adeleine: Teehee, sorry-!
Klonoa: H-hey... could you tell me where i am, if you don't mind?
Young Adeleine: Sure! This is Dreamland!
Klonoa: Dream... Land...?
Young Adeleine: Mm~! The name's Adeleine, or call me Ado for short if you want. I'm a young, gifted painter. Teehee, i think you're pretty cute by the way!
Klonoa awkwardly blushed a bit after hearing that.
Klonoa: Y-you think...?
Then behind them while they were still talking, it seemed as Lolo's finally was regaining consciousness as well.
Lolo: Umph...
Lolo slowly got up, as Klonoa noticed it and helped her get up.
Klonoa: L-lolo, are you okay?
Lolo: Mm... I think so.
The young Adeleine seemed quite surprised. As if those two were meant for each other.
Young Adeleine: Ooh~? Who's that?
The young Adeleine got a bit closer to Klonoa and smiled cutely.
Young Adeleine: Ehehe~ Your girlfriend, isn't it?
Klonoa seemed a bit flushing from hearing that. But he tried to stay honest.
Klonoa: U-umm... yeah...
The young Adeleine took a good look at Lolo up close and then thought to herself.
Young Adeleine (Thinking): She seems incredibly fitting for him... Wait a moment!
The young Adeleine ran back over to the tree stump to get his brush, paint and to pick up a new canvas. She put the previous canvas leaning against the tree stump. From there she started to paint.
Klonoa: Hmm... Lolo, do you might have an idea where we are?
Lolo: No... but it really seems peaceful and calm here...
Klonoa: That girl there told me we were in Dreamland... Hey Ado- huh?
As Klonoa wanted to turn towards where Adeleine was, he noticed she was way farther back now.
Lolo: What is it, Klonoa?
Klonoa slowly took a closer look at Adeleine from a distance while pondering a bit.
Klonoa: What is she doing...?
Then both Klonoa and Lolo started to walk over to where Adeleine was. She seemed to stop painting a bit before they got to where she stood.
Klonoa: H-hey... Adeleine?
The young Adeleine turned the canvas and showed the painting to Klonoa and Lolo.
Young Adeleine: Ta-da!
Lolo: This is...!
It's revealed to be a gorgeous painting of Klonoa and Lolo romantically looking and blushing at each other with the wonderful and breezing plains in the distance. It was full of detail and looked incredibly time-consuming. Klonoa and Lolo started to blush a bit from seeing it.
Klonoa: A-Adeleine! T-this... this is pretty amazing...!
Then the young Adeleine grabbed the other canvas again that she put leaning against the tree stump.
Young Adeleine: Now behold, as i show you how i paint a forest on this other painting~!
The young Adeleine started to paint again. While she was painting, a pink ball with two red feet and oval-shaped eyes appeared right behind the canvas. The pink ball seemed to be staring at Adeleine. The ball then said...
?: Huh-? Puyo!
Klonoa seemed to be thinking to himself about the ball.
Klonoa: Hm...? Who is that?
Young Adeleine: K-kirby! Please... can you move aside? You're ruining my perfect picture!
Kirby: Puyoo...?
Kirby released it's hands from the canvas to drop back onto the ground and walked over to Klonoa and Lolo. After Kirby stared a bit at the two, it then smiled and waved at them.
Kirby: Hi!
Klonoa: H-Hi.
Lolo: Aww, he's adorable!
Klonoa: Yeah... but wait, he?
Lolo: ...Well... i-i'm not exactly sure what it's gender is.
Klonoa: Adeleine? Are you okay if you could explain who this cute thing is?
The young Adeleine stopped painting for a bit and then turned towards them.
Young Adeleine: Huh? S-sure... That's Kirby. It is not really much of an actual talker, and looks really young and seems innocent. But ultimately, they is the one who tries to save Dreamland from all it's threats.
Klonoa: Ohh...?
Lolo: Is it a boy or a girl?
Young Adeleine: Well... I don't know myself, honestly. Sorry.
Lolo: No, it's okay.
Klonoa thought to himself a bit from what she told. He seemed quite fascinated. Another one who tries to save dreams.
Klonoa (Thinking): Someone who tries to save these 'dreams' too, huh...?
Klonoa got a bit closer to Kirby and puts his arm on it and petted it. Klonoa smiled a bit, and Kirby seemed pretty happy as well.
Klonoa: I'd like to meet you again someday, when i'm finally all done with this...
Kirby: Poyo!
As Klonoa turned back to Lolo, the young Adeleine stopped painting and jumped off the tree stump.
Young Adeleine: Alright, done!
She showed the finished painting to Klonoa and Lolo. They both seemed totally amazed again. That she completely painted it so perfectly in less than two minutes is almost unbelievable.
Lolo: Klonoa... i had no idea this was even possible...
Klonoa: You did this in such a short time?!
Young Adeleine: Mm~! You like it?
Lolo and Klonoa looked at each other and the painting and smiled.
Klonoa: Like it? Love it!
Lolo: Hey, Adeleine...
Young Adeleine: Hm?
Lolo: Would you mind if i... take that painting of us two? I...I'll pay you for it if i have to!
Klonoa: Lolo-?
The young Adeleine smiled from hearing that and said...
Young Adeleine: Honestly, i'll let you have it for free~!
Lolo felt happy, but seemed a bit shocked from hearing that, like she almost didn't even say that. Klonoa also seemed surprised.
Lolo: Huh?
The young Adeleine got over to Lolo a bit closer and nudged her with her elbow. She then softly said...
Young Adeleine: Your boyfriend's pretty cute. Teehee~!
Lolo felt a bit flushed after she said that.
Lolo: U-um... y-yeah...
The young Adeleine grabbed the painting and handed it over to Klonoa and Lolo. They both smiled. They started to head off to where they both appeared in this world again. But before they went, they turned towards Kirby and Adeleine who were behind them. Klonoa and Lolo waved.
Klonoa: Alright, we'll have to go now. Adeleine, Kirby, thank you!
Lolo: Thank you for everything. We'll be off now!
Young Adeleine: Klonoa! Lolo! Good luck on your travels!
Klonoa grabbed the dream stone and activated it. The two went into the portal that appeared in front of them, and then it started to completely close not soon after.
Kirby: Puyoo...!
Young Adeleine: You seem to be pretty excited to see them next time as well, right?
Kirby: Poyo~!
Then it cut back to the present. Adeleine seemed to be smiling about it.
Adeleine: And i also showed up on your wedding. Remember? From 12 years ago? Ahh... good times.
Klonoa Jr seemed somewhat surprised to hear that story. But...
Klonoa Jr: Huh... That's a pretty interesting story, but i wasn't even born back then.
Adeleine: Huh...?
Klonoa Jr: My father and mother are about 30 years old now... Could it be them you were talking about?
Adeleine: 30 minus 12 is... wait... really?!
Adeleine seemed a bit surprised. Her face turned a tiny bit red.
Adeleine: ...You're their son...? Oh my, you look almost exactly like your father did!
Klonoa Jr: Really? Hehe... thank you, i suppose.
Adeleine: Hold up for a second, okay? Don't move!
Adeleine hastily grabbed her canvas, paint and brush and put Klonoa Jr in a position in front of the ocean. Adeleine started to paint. Guntz seemed a bit irritated now and walked up to her.
Guntz: Hey, you! I don't know what the deal with you is, but you're REALLY wasting our time! Can you PLEASE leave us alo-
But before Guntz could even finish this sentence, Adeleine was already done and walked over to Klonoa Jr to show him the painting. Guntz seemed shocked. Adeleine handed over Klonoa Jr the painting, and he was pretty impressed with it. It was an incredibly detailed painting of him with his hands in his pockets casually, standing in front of the ocean. It was simple, but Klonoa Jr liked it a lot.
Klonoa Jr: Hey... This is incredibly amazing!
Adeleine: Oh, don't mention it. I think you're pretty cute. Keep the painting for free!
Adeleine seemed to take off now, but before she went, she stopped and turned back to Klonoa Jr for one last time.
Adeleine: Oh, i almost forgot...
Adeleine walked back to Klonoa Jr and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Klonoa Jr was completely flushed after this. And Guntz completely dropped his jaw.
Adeleine: I'll see you later, bun~!
Adeleine started to take off. Guntz while still having his jaw dropped, walked towards Klonoa Jr and they both looked at each other confused.
Guntz: What... What just happened.
Klonoa Jr: I-i don't know either...
After resting their minds from that for a bit, a suspicious shadow appeared in the ocean near them. They both looked at it. Guntz felt pretty suspicious about it.
Klonoa Jr: ...What is that?
Guntz: I don't know. But... it's just staring... and i don't like that.
Guntz grabbed his pistols. But just as he pointed them at the shadow, it started to move pretty quickly.
Klonoa Jr: H-hey...
Guntz: Tch. Klonoa, we're going after it!
Klonoa Jr: W-wait!
Guntz jumped onto the Red Clan and started the engine. Klonoa then got on the back of the motorcycle. They took off on it incredibly quick and tried to follow the shadow in the ocean via the road nearby. Guntz followed the direction the shadow was heading, and eventually realised where it exactly was heading off to. They saw a lighttower at the closest cape nearby.
Guntz: I think it's going to the cape nearby. Let's catch it there, and see what that thing exactly is!
Guntz started to give more gas to eventually reach 100MPH. Klonoa Jr seemed a bit shocked reaching this speed again, but not as much as last time.
Klonoa Jr: W-whoa!
Guntz: Don't pass out again, alright?!
Eventually after following it all they way, they arrived at the lighthouse on the nearest cape of Jugkettle. The shadow seems to be hidden in the part near the rocks of the landscape. Guntz pointed his pistol near the water of the rocks.
Guntz: Come out whoever you are! If you don't, i'll blindly shoot the rocks without any warning whatsoever!
Then the shadow slowly seems to rise up. It is revealed to be Karal as an adult. Karal seemed a bit feared and squealed a tiny bit.
Klonoa Jr: A fish...?
Guntz slowly put his pistols down as he saw that it was just a fish.
Guntz: Oh... huh, sorry. I thought you might be some kind of villain.
Karal: It's okay... Wait...
Karal slowly looked at Klonoa Jr and seemed a bit surprised.
Karal: ...Klonoa?
Klonoa Jr: Sorry, but... do i know you from somewhere?
Karal: There's no mistake you're Klonoa. Although you seem much younger...
Klonoa Jr: Oh, you must mean you know my father.
Karal: Ah... so Klonoa isn't your name?
Klonoa Jr: I-it's okay. Just call me Klonoa! I'm Klonoa the Second.
Karal: Ahh... i see. I just saw you two were heroes and thought it would be great to approach you.
Klonoa Jr: Heroes...? Oh... because of the medal, right? Yeah... At least i'm trying to be a hero.
Guntz: I'm officially a 'hero' though.
Klonoa Jr: Don't brag about it. You don't act like one at all!
Karal: Well, i need you two to help me! My mother turns into a monster from time to time, and i can't stop it! Please help me turn her back to normal!
Guntz: To normal...? So your mother's true form IS a monster, isn't it?
Klonoa Jr: S-Shut up, Guntz...
Guntz: Hmph.
Karal: My mother isn't a monster! She's only like this because of the full moon. Whenever it rises at night... my mother starts to scream and act violently like a nightmare.
Klonoa Jr: Hmm...
Klonoa Jr looked up to the sky and noticed the moon at day because of the brightness of it's light. It appears to be a full moon.
Klonoa Jr: Hold up... but that's pretty soon!
Karal: I know... that's why i need you guys to help!
Klonoa Jr turned a bit silent while thinking to himself... and then he opened his eyes again.
Klonoa Jr: ...Got it! I'll help!
Karal: You really mean it?
Klonoa Jr: Of course. We two are heroes after all. Now show us the way!
Karal: Oh, thank you so much! It's right over there!
Karal pointed towards the bottom of the ocean a few miles off from where they were. Guntz however seemed a bit smirking after hearing Klonoa Jr say that.
Guntz: ...But didn't you say you couldn't swim?
Klonoa Jr: Umm...
Guntz: Well, this clearly wouldn't be an issue for me.
Klonoa Jr: But even if you CAN swim, you can't hold your breath for too long either!
Guntz: ...Darn, you got a good point.
Karal: You two could head over to the harbor to ask for a diving suit and oxygen tanks. I'm sure with the reasoning behind it, you could lend them for free.
Klonoa Jr: Ohh, i see! Well... Let's go over to the harbor first then!
Guntz: ...Alright then.
So the two of them went over there on the Red Clan and were able to lend two mechanical diving suits and oxygen tanks successfully. After a while, they returned back at the cape. Klonoa Jr and Guntz walked back to where Karal was currently waiting.
Karal: And? How did it go?
Klonoa Jr: Pretty well, i must say. I think i'm ready for it! Let's go!
Karal: I'm glad to hear that!
Klonoa Jr and Guntz started to put on the mechanical diving suits and other equipment. Klonoa with a yellow mechanical diving suit, and Guntz a red mechanical diving suit. Guntz seemed a bit irritated from how long this all seemed to take though.
Guntz: I swear if i don't get paid for this...
Karal: Well, there's places close by full of sunken treasure. So...
Guntz: Treasure?!
Karal: Would that be good enough as a gift or-
But before Karal could even finish his sentence, Guntz full of excitement began running towards the ocean with a pretty pumped look. Karal seemed a tiny bit confused.
Guntz: KLONOA! LET'S GO!
Guntz immediately dived into the ocean. Klonoa Jr seemed a bit hasted and confused. He shrugged at Karal, as he shrugged as well.
Klonoa Jr: H-hey, wait!
Klonoa Jr began running towards the ocean and dived into it as well, with Karal following them. What could await them next?
