Chapter 3: Meeting the King of Greenhorne

Author's Note: Heya readers, still trying to get my groove on in this story. It happens when you focused on one story and wrote it one way for as long as I have. Anyways its still a journey for me to get to balance the plot progression with character interaction. Characters finding themselves in odd or random situations being the highlights of Miitopia in general. As such I am doing my best to think of ways to make good comedic moments without it being too jarring or dumb so to speak. That's my struggle as they say, but hey a new chapter for you all to read. So enjoy!

This is TheFoolOfTheNoon, signing off!

/

Ichiban's group for the past few days have been gaining plenty of battle experience. The party growing a bond together as the various battles they face together. The ex-yakuza taking the time to talk with Jack Frost and Vivian respectively mainly about the world they are in and small general topics. Nanba himself enjoying their company during the breaks in their travels. So far, they managed to save all but one of the missing villager's faces. The most recent being Steve's lover's face which was on a mouse monster.

It was quick, but they gotten stronger since the last battle. All of them at least level five and holding tier 3 equipment. After asking some mii's they learned that the granny's face was seen flying east of the forest past a cavern. They made their way that direction, entering the cave and ready to face what was inside.

"What do you think we might find in this cave, Hee-ho?"

"With our luck, probably more monsters. Just be ready for whatever come next," Nanba, adjusting his hat and doing his best to ignore his new frilly attire.

Ichiban and co got a good laugh out of his 'granny' gear much to his chagrin but being the bigger man, he just rolled with the punches. The group bravely ventured into the cave and found a new kind of slime enemy that came in large numbers. Big numbers don't mean greater durability as Vivian's lightning destroyed small groups of them easily. There was plenty of jelly for everyone after the battle, but they ran into some trouble as they met the Banshee enemies. Not only did they hit hard, but some of them attempted to disrupt their battle plans by crying. Ichiban himself falling victim to the spell as he started uncontrollably crying. Messing with his aim as he tried to swing at the monster.

"Ichiban get a hold of yourself!"

"I can't! It's like its forcing me to cry!"

"Damn it! It's only matter of time they get the rest of us."

"J-Just focus fire! I'll try what I can with these stupid tears!"

Everyone nodded as they tried to focus on one of the banshees. It took some effort as they took quite a beating and Vivian fell under the Banshees crying spell. They actually had to burn some sprinkles to conserve their banana and candy supplies. After some effort they managed to barely beat the four banshees and move on. A bit battered from the battle.

"Ugh…that was tough. This must be a difficulty spike; those Banshees are no joke. Is everyone okay?" Ichiban asked with concern as he looked at each of his friends.

"Hee-ow…I was not ready for that…but still kicking."

"I'm fine, for the most part still hurts where they hit me," Vivian showed off a bruised arm, Ichiban didn't question how a ghost can get a bruise, but instead just tended to her by dropping some health sprinkles to get the minor injury to heal.

"I won't lie I think I need some help walking…" Nanba said as he ate a banana and stretched a bit. Ichiban walked over to his dearest friend and helped him walk easier, "Thanks Kasuga, so much for keeping myself together."

"It's fine Nanba, just need to walk it off. Just hope we don't run into anything else while we are here."

"Less talking more walking, that inn isn't going to come to us!"

There was some small laughter before suddenly more monsters appeared. Three apple slimes, two banshees and one cumulus. The ex-yakuza gritted his teeth as he got his sword ready. Nanba just sighed as he got off his friend and steadied himself. He assured his friend that he can stand as they got ready for battle. The strategy remains the same which was to take out the banshees as soon as possible. Ichiban once again took defender role as he ate the hits aimed at Vivian and Nanba. Vivian managed to severely damage one of the banshees with her lightning spell and Jack Frost softening the rest of the mobs with his dagger. Nanba kept healing but it was clear mana was low for the spellcasters

Ichiban went on the offensive and jump slashed the other banshee weakening it enough for Jack Frost to slay it as he made another round of dagger throwing. Vivian was able to cast one more fire spell on the cumulus monster and kill it. This left only one banshee and two apple slimes to deal with. Ichiban felt himself ready to collapse as he ate a health banana to stay in the fight. However, this gave the banshee a free shot towards any of them and immediately went after Vivian who was further away from the tired Ichiban. The unfortunate girl took the full brunt of the attack and was left struggling to stay on her feet.

"Ah! Ah…ow…"

"Vivian! Ergh…face me!" With emotional rage the ex-yakuza ran up and thrusted his sword deep into the siren. Slaying it for good as Jack Frost and Nanba mopped up the slimes, earning a close victory.

They really needed a rest now and thankfully an inn was up ahead. Helping up his friend he helped her towards the inn, "Hehe, I guess this makes us even now Ichiban…ow…"

"Think nothing of it, just save your strength Vivian-san."

"I will thanks…"

The two kept walking towards the inn as unbeknownst to them, their other two-party members were watching them walk together. Taking their time as they were physically exhausted, "Huh, they look to be close. Are they together-ho?"

"Them? No not really, however those two get along like a house on fire. I guess there just something about each other that just clicks."

"Huh, weird. So do you think they might be a thing as humans call it?"

"Who knows? Maybe they just be the best of friends instead, I mean Kasuga isn't exactly a Casanova. The guy's oblivious to the ladies, they have to make a move on him first."

"Ooh…wanna make bet-ho?"

"You're on, I know Kasuga so there is no way I'll lose."

/

Ichiban stayed with Vivian and chatted for a bit until it was time sleep. Not wanting her to sleep alone for the night the ex-yakuza was about to ask Jack Frost to keep her company but was hit with an unexpected bombshell.

"Sorry Kasuga, Jack Frost and I are rooming with each other for the night."

"Hee-ho! Nanba seemed like a fun person to get to know better, sorry pal."

"W-wait then that just leaves me to bunk with Vivian-san!"

"I know right? Lucky you, sleeping in the same room as a girl. Well night Kasuga!"

Nanba closed the door before Ichiban could spout out another word. He sighed in defeat as he made the walk back to Vivian's room. Who of which was surprised to see him back so soon and without Jack Frost.

"Ichiban? What happened?"

"Errr…Jack-san called dibs on sleeping with Nanba. So, I guess I'll be sleeping with you tonight," his nervous ticks clued the shadow siren in on why he was reluctant with the news.

"Oh are you nervous sleeping near a girl Ichiban?"

The near middle-aged man nearly jumped at her small detective work, "Ah! Uh…was I that obvious?"

"Pretty much, but its okay. It's not like we are sleeping in the same bed together, so there is no reason to be nervous."

"I know…its just…I am not exactly used to it. I guess its nature thing smacked into me growing up."

"But you're an adult now, so it really shouldn't be a big deal. I should know, I mean, I basically had a slumber party back with my friends when we adventured together. When possible, we divided between boys and girls, but sometimes it wasn't possible, and it basically became a slumber party."

"Right right…I just need to man up. By the way you never told me about your friends back in your world. How are they?"

"Well…it's a long story going through them all, so I guess I'll keep it simple for now. There was the sassy but observant Goombella, the timid yet courageous Koops, the mature and motherly Flurrie, the energetic and determined Yosh, the elderly and wise Admiral Bobbery, and finally the sneaky and flirty Ms. Mowz."

"Wow, that is quite a party. Judging by those names they aren't human either."

"No, a goomba, a koopa, a cloud spirit, a Yoshi, a bob-omb, and a squeak. The only one human was…Mario."

Ichiban nearly stood up in bed as the all too familiar name of Mr. Videogame came into his ears. That was when it clicked for him, "Paper Mario! The Thousand Year door! Argh I knew it was on the tip of my tongue!"

"Excuse me? You know Mario? You know The Thousand Year door?"

"Uhhh…yes and no, in my world, Mario…is a well-known in my world as a famous video game character. As for the The Thousand Year Door, I only know it as a game in the Paper Mario series."

"Me and my friends are just game characters in your world?"

"Er…apparently, but you're real so I really don't know how to explain it really."

"Oh, okay still it's weird to know that in your world we aren't real."

"I wouldn't think too hard about it. I mean most gamers would have love to meet people like you for real. While I never played the game. I'm still enjoying our time together so far."

"Thanks, Ichiban, your very kind. Reminds me of Mario, he…was the first person to be kind to me in my life."

"Sounds like you two have some history."

"Yeah too much to say for tonight, but know he is a very dear friend to me."

"Alrighty, night Vivian we got some work to do tomorrow."

"Night Ichi."

/

The following morning routine came and went. The heroes getting out and doing some grinding for experience after their close call performance yesterday. It was risky but they stuck around to harvest jelly from the apple slimes while using them as experience fodder. They managed to go up two levels and with the gold bought better equipment. Eating the right food helped as well, but there was only so much they can gleam from this location. On the upside they found a large chest in the cave which gave Jack Frost a strange Moai Dagger.

Never mind the questions on how it is still a dagger, the team just rolled with it as they continued the path found themselves near the castle in the land. Just within view they awed at it as they continued onward.

"The last villager face has to be around here somewhere…" Ichiban scouted ahead to make sure there was no monsters to bother them.

"With our luck it might be already on the body of something nasty."

"Why you hee-had to say that? That is not very good for morale."

"I'm just being realistic here Jack. I didn't survive off the streets thinking good things would happen to me if I were hopeful, they will come. I mean it did, but only after I saved a man."

"I agree, mostly, that we should be on guard for anything tough. Who knows what's waiting for us?"

"Uh…guys? I don't think that's going to be a problem," Ichiban proclaimed to the party as they turn to see Dark Lord Ganon looking at them all with a grin.

"Mwaaa ha ha haaaa! So we meet again!"

"Trust me when I say that I don't enjoy our run ins either pal."

"Hmph. Its pathetic that you try to make up with your lack of power with bravado. It's not even worth the effort to crush you myself. As much as it would be easy with my dark awesome powers. This should be enough to finish you off!"

With a wave of his hand a faceless imp creature with a pitchfork was created. It did nothing as the face of the kind granny bear floated into view.

"That pile of stone must be Greenhorne Castle, yes? And that useless king…I've got something special in store for him! Mwaaa ha ha haaaa! Play nice now kiddies, ta ta!"

The dark lord disappeared again and now the team had to face off against the imp and two pairs of apple jelly slimes. The slimes were a cake walk to deal with as they went down thanks to Jack Frost and Vivian focusing on them. Ichiban and Nanba dealt with the Imp in the meantime, and it so far wasn't budging. It took hits well and dished them out just as hard. Retaliating by creating a dark portal and plunging the pitchfork into it. This caused a larger pitchfork to appear out of the ground and hit the ex-yakuza in the face. Before he can recover the imp charged at him and jabbed him with its weapon.

"Okay, ow…but this isn't so bad. Four of us against one of it, its attacks honestly didn't hurt that much."

"So the usual then Kasuga?"

"Yeah, we beat the heck out of it until its slain. Charge!"

The team went all out attacking the imp. Fire magic, dagger throwing, staff smashing, and of course jump slashing. The battle felt easier compared to the earlier Banshee fights, probably because there is only one target. Despite the monster being able to attack twice and deal some damage it wasn't enough overall. After a couple of turns of fighting, the monster was slain and knocked to the ground. Poofing into a cloud of magic as the face was set free and flew back to town.

Celebrating their victory, the group headed towards an inn to rest up before heading back into town. There was some small chatting among the party before they went to bed. Jack Frost talking about his aspirations and the odd life he lived. Living in a snow wonderland ruled by a king and queen, and he was one of many of Jack Frosts running around. He spent most of his life doing crazy and dangerous stunts to stand out. Something Ichiban found amazing as he can relate with frost fairy's desires to reach a goal. Nanba just found the tales of his exploits mostly reckless, and Vivian is just glad he seems happy telling his story.

After going to bed and waking up for the next day, they made the trek back to the town of Greenhorne. The mayor thanking them for saving everyone who lost their faces, they were rewarded for their efforts by the towns people with gold, game tickets, and outing tickets. In addition, the mayor gave them a letter of recommendation signed by him so they can get pass a guard standing at the gates to the castle nearby. Some quick thanks and the party made there way to the gates. However, they stumbled upon something odd just before reaching their destination.

"Ichiban look! Those goblins are attacking that horse!" Vivian pointed to what can be best described as a weird horse. Sporting two horns with a purple pelt and pink braided mane and tale. It was large with a rotund snout and beady black eyes.

"Uh…is that thing even a horse?" Nanba added as he examined said features.

"Doesn't matter Nanba, it needs our help! Let's go! Attack!"

A beat down was ensured as the goblins stood no chance against the heroes as they were struck down one by one. Once the dust settled the horse stood up and walked over to the party snorting and then nuzzling Ichiban.

"Whoa ho hey, hahaha, easy girl. Pretty friendly for such a odd horse," He pet the horse for a bit much to the envy of the others, except Nanba who was too busy studying the horse.

"Well, it's been fun guys, but we need to get a move on. Say goodbye to the horse and let's keep going."

"Aww…can't we keep her? Besides having a noble steed is a must in any heroic party!"

"Kasuga, that 'horse' is a wild animal I doubt it wants to trade its freedom in the wild than follow us around."

"Right right, sorry girl enjoys your life. See yah!" The group attempted to leave the strange horse alone, but they didn't get very far before noticing it was tailing them.

"Uh…the horse is following us, hee-ho."

"Hey, look at that Nanba, I think she wants to join us."

The ex-hobo just sighed and let Ichiban take the horse. To everyone surprise it seemed to understand what they are saying. When being offered a place in the party the horse jumped with joy. Like that a new member of the party join the team just as they reached the gates. A strange buggly eye being with blue skin that nobody can recognize greeted.

"Halt! I cannot let you pass for Greenhorne castle is just beyond these gates. Only those who have business with the king and have a special recommendation can pass."

Ichiban smiled, "Good thing we have the paperwork for it. Will this do?"

"Hmm? Let me see," the guard examined the paper and seeing the seal of authenticity he smiled, "Very good, you are allowed to pass. The mayor is a trusted man of the king's so his signature and seal is rare to see these days. Please behave yourselves while you're here, most importantly I hope you don't waste the king's time."

He gave a 'watching you' gesture as the group made their way into the kingdom. Monsters appeared along the way much to the party's surprise but slaying them took little effort now that their new equine companion showed them how it can be useful. Allowing one of them to ride it to slash at targets or just have the horse kick them. It wasn't too bad as they continue to make their way to the castle.

They had one odd encounter with a strange rabbit who was a food gourmet. They were surprised by his eccentricity over simple cheesecake. But Ichiban rationalized the strange being just loved food. He probably burns all his calories with his spazzing movements so that's how he stayed fit too. The encounter had its worth though as the rabbid rabbit gave them three cheesecake slices for later. Nanba noted that normally free stuff is of poor quality, but it was clear to see the cheesecake looked appetizing and fresh. The group took a rest from walking and ate some of the food items and felt their tastebuds explode from the flavor. The foodie professional knew what he was talking about, and the team felt stronger for it.

They made their way into the castle and met two guards. One of them being the same guard they met at the gate and the other that appears to be a lax bob-omb. They give him the okay to go inside to meet the king. Ichiban wondered what the king looked like along with the others. They didn't have to go far as not too long after they entered the ground quaked.

Looking up they can see a massive man eating at a roast as two men of much smaller size walk in and 'placed' him onto the ground. Causing the castle to jump, the man had quite a presence indeed just not a very royal one Ichiban imagines. He can imagine nobody told him that having a kingly stature doesn't mean to be large and fat. Amusingly though, the king had a literal chiseled complexion as he had a Moai head for a head that contrasted greatly with his blubbery body.

"Welcome travelers. What business have you here?"

"Uh your immenseness, the Dark Lord attack the town of Greenhorne not too many days ago by stealing their faces and…" Ichiban continued to fill in the king the details that has happened since then with his friends adding other details he may have missed.

"And this miscreant stole the people's faces, you say?" He began feasting on his roast for a bit before stopping to speak, "Pfffft! We don't believe it. Of all the tall tales…"

The ex-yakuza grew a bit peeved by the king's obliviousness of the situation, but that was changed with surprise when the king's face flew off his body. The poor man cried for help as his face left the castle. His body caught up with his emotions

"Oh no! We got to save the king's face!" Vivian exclaimed.

"That was obvious, but where did it go?" Nanba added with a puzzled expression.

"It just hee-hopped out of here!"

"Well, there is no use standing around. Let's go team!" Ichiban shouted out as he drew his sword and pointed into the air.

"Kasuga, we still don't know where it went!"

"Right right, uh…well if my progression instincts are right, we just need to head east from the castle. I mean there is no point for the Dark Lord to hide the face in a place we already been right?"

"That makes sense, hmm bring out the map," bringing out the map Nanba noted that east of the castle is Wayward woods and the Arid Frontier, "Hmm, Kasuga where do you think he may have hidden the face?"

Using his instincts Ichiban noticed a small corner in the northeast corner of the Wayward Woods, suspiciously ending in a dead end, "There! The face has to be there, it looks to be tucked away in the corner from everything else. If I was a Dark Lord with heroes breathing down his neck, then I would hide a face in the closest and most isolated place I can find."

"Well, that's good enough for me."

"Really Nanba?"

"No, not really but it is the closest place we can search for now. Let's check what you pointed out and see where that brings us."

/

The party left the castle and made their way into the woods. Braving the monsters that crossed their path. Loot and gold being their prize as the tricky woods tried to lead them astray, but they managed to push through. Despite running into a few distractions which involves cats in bushes and two oddly placed levers. Ichiban pulled one and a HP banana fell from the sky randomly. Why did that happen was something the ex-yakuza questioned in his head, yet a free health item is not a gift to turn down. So, he took it and kept going.

There was clearing at the end of their path and there the face of the king floated into view. Next to him a monster was summoned, something that Ichiban quickly recognized as a golem based on its design. They were in for a tough fight ahead despite how simple it looked. It was going to be a test of endurance and damage.

"Nanba be on guard; golems are usually very tough enemies. He is probably going to hit us very hard so be ready with the healing if things are getting dicey."

"Got it, you're the expert with RPG's here so I'll take your word for it. Everybody else got that?"

Vivian and Jack Frost confirmed and prepared themselves to hit the boss as hard as they can. The thief first setting up a trap in front of himself. Vivian starts the battle by hitting the boss with the tried-and-true fire spell. The impact of the fireball causing the monster to recoil as Ichiban followed up with a jump slash which still cut through the rocky monster. Nanba, not doing any healing simply smacked the monster who now got its turn to attack.

Being a golem, it chose its target and quickly closed the distance before smacking Nanba in the face with its fist. It attacked a second time in a row with the intent to smash Jack Frost as well, however it was stopped short with a jolt from his trap. The attack was canceled, and it was the party's turn again.

"Ouch…that smarts! The big lug can throw a punch that's for sure. Jack-san is it possible for you to make one of those traps for me?"

"Sorry, can only make one for me, though it will be a bit before I can make another one. That hee-ho sucks! Just means it's a matter of time before I know what it's like to hit by that thing!"

"Yeah, I can attest to that, its like getting hit by a brick wall."

Ichiban gritted his teeth as his team took their turn. Jack Frost generating a small amount of damage from throwing his dagger while Vivian kept up with the fire spell. Nanba healed himself with his magic and Ichiban used up the last of his MP to do one more jump slash. He knows he is out as he can feel it in his body. He gritted his teeth as the golem took it's turn and chose to smash Ichiban and Vivian with its fist. The ex-yakuza tanked the blow easily, but the spell casting shadow siren suffered the worst of the blow.

"Owie…that hurts so much. This is bad, I'm out of mana!"

"Shoot you too? Damn it! Nanba, Jack how are you two holding up?"

"Light on mana-ho, but its no big deal for me!"

"Low too, I'm gonna have to eat one of those MP Candies if I'm going to keep up healing."

"Crap, okay okay I can afford to use some of the sprinkles then. We only got 25 HP sprinkles and 15 MP sprinkles, so we got to make it count," Ichiban sprinkled himself with the MP container three times and gave himself five MP to work with.

He tossed it over to Nanba who gave it a good four shakes to leave himself at nine MP. Enough for three cure spells, but now there was only eight sprinkles left. It was handed over to Vivian who gave it five shakes to max out her MP. Jack Frost would use the rest of it as the container disappeared in a puff of blue magic. The HP sprinkles would be passed next and the shadow siren would use it to patch up most of the damage done to her, leaving only fifteen sprinkles. Not desiring to burn the rest of the precious item, the group simple returned to the battle with what confidence they can muster.

Still despite the boost to the system the group was having trouble breaking down the boss which refused to back down. A couple of turns in and again they found themselves reaching their limits. The rest of the party was down to using their MP candy, but not Ichiban as he saved the five MP just in case and now was the time.

"Proud Protector!" Ichiban yelled out to the heavens as he took both punches meant for Nanba and Vivian respectively. Dangerously putting him at low health but giving his team enough time to recover.

"Ichiban are you okay?!" Vivian exclaimed with concern. In response Ichiban just smiled at her while holding a thumb up.

"Heh he's fine, but we need to wrap this up soon. I think a couple stronger hits will break down this walking brick house," Nanba adjusted his glasses, which miraculously managed not to break during this whole fight, before lunging in with his staff. It did decent damage but it was not enough and so he gave the boss another whack before retreating.

"Here I come you blocky monster! Hee-whoa!" With his extra energy the fairy made a reckless charge that did more damage at the cost of him tripping and falling on his face.

Vivan took a deep breath and focused her magic and fired a more powerful than normal fire spell that exploded on the golem and shattering it into various brick pieces. The face of the king was set free and for a moment questioned his life before flying off back to the castle. They all cheered in celebration as the boss was finally defeated. Everyone was ready to collapse from exhaustion as their horse came out of hiding.

"There you are girl; the golem must have scared you off huh?" Ichiban smiled as the horse nodded. The ex-yakuza laughed as he pets the horse and it nuzzled him.

"Could have been useful in that fight back there, but I guess even animals have their limits on what they are willing to take on," Nanba looked at the horse puzzled but just walked away. The others petted the horse as well as they made their way to the nearby inn to rest.

/

Having eaten their fill, the group decided to sit around awhile and chat with one another. The topic of discussion being the king himself. It's almost an achievement in itself to have a chiseled face but a bloated body to be sure. Ichiban couldn't help at the thought and chuckled at the ridiculousness of it. Royalty just came in all kinds of sizes he presumed.

"Royals are a unique bunch based on my experiences. Granted I only ever met Princess Peach and the…Shadow Queen…"

"You trailed off a bit there, I assume this Shadow Queen was bad news back in your world?" Nanba inquired.

"Yes, she was, granted it would be pushing to call her royalty as she felt more like malevolent force than an actual being. She was a horrid demon that nearly took over the world back in the old days, as I been told by my sisters. She…created us and we were meant to carry out her will of tricking people into reviving her. I'm glad that during the time I decided to break away from that. Still, she was eventually revived with my adventure with Mario and we had to put a stop to her. It was really scary…but we won in the end. I still shudder at the thought of her though."

"Whoa…Vivian that's amazing! That was practically an RPG story in itself!"

"I have to admit, taking on a powerful demon is something to be proud about. Blows anything me and Kasuga did out of the water when it comes to scale."

"That's great to hear from you, honestly nobody where I am from wants to deal with our Monarch. He can be quite not so hee-wholesome. Granted there is more than one King Frost where I am from, so I can't speak for all of them."

"Is your King evil then Frost-san?"

"Evil? Nah, just an attention seeking arse who feels the need to remind everyone that he is the king. Hee-Hooo…boy he certainly doesn't like me though. Thinks I'm out to steal his spotlight, but what does he expect? Everyone is the same around in Frostoburgh! It's boring!"

"Sounds rough buddy, got any plans to deal with your king's issue?" Ichiban's tone had a layer of concern as the Frost fairy sat down after taking a deep breath.

"Nah not really, thinking of moving out of there. Go somewhere where I can be my own frost and not cooped up like some kind drone."

"Well I guess its better than trying to topple a kingdom by yourself, however thanks to Kasuga here I know for sure things will just loop around again. Got to face the issue eventually."

"Yeah yeah I know, but that's not here or now. By the way, the horse, did we ever give it a name?"

The group paused and Ichiban began thinking of a name. He wanted something cool for their equine companion and something worthy of their journey. There was some debate, but he got one name in mind for the mare, "Sunderhoof! We shall call her Sunderhoof!"

Everyone looked at each other and shrugged as it was a decent sounding name, "Hell I see no problems with name. Sunderhoof it is!"

Cheers came all around as they ate the rest of their food and headed off to their rooms. Of course, Ichiban is still bunking with Vivian, but he has grown comfortable sleeping in the same room as her. The inns they visited in their travels gave them plenty of time to get to know each other. Both sharing the history they had with their friends in previous nights. Though now the two are stuck in the room wondering what to talk about.

"Hmm…what should we talk about tonight?"

"I don't know, uh…hmmm oh! You said before in the past you met all sorts of strange characters in your adventure back in your world."

"Oh yeah, Gary 'Buster' Holmes, Nancy-chan, Jiei-san, Omelette, and Mr. Masochist just to name a few. I would summon them by using the Pound Mates app which 'is a service with a pounding!' as Gary-san would say."

"Hehe, they sound like interesting people."

"Well one of them is a crawfish and the other is a chicken…actually now that I think about it. I don't know how two animals respond to my calls."

"Maybe they just know? I mean it sounds like phones in your world are much more advanced than what I have seen back home."

"Trust me when I say even, I'm not sure of the full capabilities of the tech of the future. But I have seen tech gone wrong before…eh…actually it was a giant Roomba that was on the loose."

"You fought a 'roomba'?"

"Think an automated vacuum cleaner. Anyways that was a mess in a half, uh…yeah word of advice from me. If a crazy scientist wants funding for a project, first ask for details of the project and then decide for yourself if it's a good idea. I didn't do that, and it nearly got a street wiped out."

"I'll keep that in mind. Well, I suppose that's enough talking for tonight. We got a journey to make it back to the kingdom after all."

"Yeah, we do, though I was thinking we can take one of those outing tickets and have some fun. I think I saw one for Karaoke and well I wanted to give it a whirl with you."

"R-Really? With me? I-I don't know…"

"Pssh…it will be fine; besides I always take my friends to Karaoke. I think it's a good place to just let loose."

"Well…if you say so, I trust your opinion. Though I never went to a karaoke place before."

"Get out, really? Then this is going to be a treat then, trust me when I say just let loose and you'll be fine."

"Alright then, well I look forward to it. Night Ichiban!"

"Night Vivian!"

Ichiban quickly let sleep take him as he snoozed off into dreamland. Unaware that Vivian stayed awake. Thinking of the outing, she has sung before in the past but never publicly. She was too shy to do so, however, maybe perhaps this is her chance to let loose as he said. It will be a nice friendly outing she keeps telling herself. Though the fact it will just be the two of them there still had her flushing red.

Maybe perhaps she can impress him and charm the man that was slowly taking her heart? Granted Ichiban isn't the type to be aware of matters unless brought to his attention, but who is to say what will happen tomorrow? More adventure and perhaps hilarity will be present next time, at least that is what can be hoped for.