So after my brief vacation, I return to, who'd have guessed it, more training! I can't say I'm enjoying myself though, since I've been leaving the facility either incredibly exhausted or unconscious. See, one 'interesting' thing the Fierce Pork Trooper has been making us do is pitting all fifteen Pigmasks who I train with against me. It's not easy – while I'm much stronger than one Pigmask, strength in numbers is something the Pigmasks have definitely learned to capitalise on.
During this first month, I'm not able too put up much of a fight against the Pigmasks. The Pigmasks have their guns to shoot me down no matter where I am. They also like to gang up on me and beat me down, until I can either roll away or force them off. Trying to pick them off one by one helps, but the Pigmasks are incredibly scared of me, and so they never attack me in groups less than 3. Somewhat ironically, that fear and the behaviour it provokes ends up being rather useful for them.
Over time though, I'm starting to gain more experience in battle and start to formulate better strategies. An important lesson I've learned, is when to take an offensive approach and when to switch to a more defensive approach. PK Thunder helps me a lot by giving me a long range attack, and because of the sheer numbers of Pigmasks I'm fighting, the accuracy of the attack isn't as much of a problem. My systems have also gotten used to my use of it and stop reporting danger messages.
Next month, I'm starting to gain some ground against the Pigmasks. I remember and utilise some of the Fierce Pork Trooper's brute force techniques – stiffening myself and blocking when I'm being attacked and swinging whenever the Pigmasks start to surround me.
By the third month, I seem to finally be getting somewhere. My losses are getting narrower and narrower, so success has to be close. During the last week of this month though, I seem to getting weaker. I feel feverish for some reason, and because of it, I can't cope with the Pigmasks at all. No medicine seems to work at all, so the Fierce Pork Trooper suggests that I take some time off training. But I've never been one to make rational decisions, so well...
I don't.
In hindsight, not the smartest idea. The Fierce Pork Trooper changes from suggesting me to take time off training to outright forcing me. And so I'm stuck in a bed, chained to it.
I mean that literally. The Pigmasks don't trust me to not try and get out of this bed and go back to training before recovering, which to be fair is justified. Doing dumb, dangerous and spontaneous things seems to be a common theme with me.
I feel like a flightless bird, being rooted to my bed like this. My systems also keep showing a bunch of messages – I ignore them because I can't be bothered to see what they'll say, it's probably just reports about a fever.
And then, one day, it goes away. It's so sudden that I wonder if something's still wrong with me. I was yesterday and now I'm suddenly better? That doesn't seem right. But no, the doctors (medical ones) say I'm fine, and Dr Andonuts says nothing's wrong with my systems.
I decide to check my systems myself, and that's when I see the large amount of messages that I've missed. Most of them are indeed a generic fever message but the last one in particular stands out.
'New PSI energy detected. User advised to test with caution.'
New PSI? When did that happen? This message appeared today, it appears... when my fever went away. Are the two connected? Let's see if PSI and I has an answer. Ah, here we are!
'Chapter 10: Learning New PSI.'
Most of this seems to relate to teaching PSI, but that doesn't apply to me because I haven't had any lessons on learning new PSI. But, there is a subsection related to alternative methods of learning.
'While PSI can be taught, a psychic who gains enough power or experience with a psychic technique they already have can manifest a new PSI ability without needing to be taught. They will often experience a fever and feel weaker during the time those new powers start to manifest due to the adjustments the body needs to make to cope with this new power.
The severity of the fever is linked with the type and power of the PSI leaned – Lifeup Beta will cause a fever worse than Lifeup Alpha, but as an offensive PSI ability, PK Fire Alpha is likely to cause a worse fever than Lifeup Alpha. Generally, restorative PSI will yield the mildest fevers, while offensive PSI is likely to result in more severe fevers, with assist PSI falling in between, assuming the tier being compared remains the same.
This fever cannot be cured by any means, even by using PK Healing, hence it is dubbed a psychic fever. Once the fever disappears, they will have gained the new ability. Some techniques are hard to learn this way, such as PK Starstorm, which generally must be taught, and the elusive PK Love, which only certain psychics can learn (assuming it exists), with the process as to how they learn it being unclear, due to the lack of a recorded use of this ability.'
Somewhat lengthy, but I think I get the main gist – these psychic fevers give me new PSI techniques when I become more powerful. But the question is, what did I learn? It's quite peculiar, but I feel like I'm being told by myself. And it's something very useful.
The next battle with the Pigmasks goes better – because I use my new ability, Defense Down Alpha. It does exactly what it sounds, and by using it against each Pigmask, one by one, it gives helps me stand a better chance.
The Pigmasks panic when I use it, realising that they're in for more pain, which they're obviously not fans of. Their extra panic makes it easier to separate one from another, which is good because Defense Down Alpha only works on one person at a time, and using it multiple times quickly would exhaust me equally quickly.
Using my wings, I lift the Pigmasks up, one by one, before throwing them at the ground or walls as hard as I can. It's a tad brutal, I'll admit, but certainly effective, as the Pigmasks I throw sometimes hit their allies by rebounding off the walls, further increasing the pain output.
Actually, this gives me an idea. I'm remember one day, Master Porky and I decided to go to a place in New Pork City where there's a game called bowling. You roll a ball and try to hit as many of the 10 white skittles as you can. I remember it was quite fun actually, although Porky has to use a ramp of sorts to give his balls the energy needed to make it to the skittles. I would call it cheating, but owing to his the state of his physical health, I'd say it's justified.
Mind you, Porky still won so... nevertheless, this bowling game could be replicated right here. I find a Pigmask and take hold of him. They're squealing in sheer terror. I see a group of Pigmasks charging at me to free their comrade. Ready, aim, and throw!
"Strike!"
The Pigmasks fly in different directions from the improvised bowling ball. I notice the Fierce Pork Trooper looking at me, barely stifling a laugh.
The surrounding Pigmasks all rush towards me, trying to kick me, but a simple swing knocks them away. Unfortunately, I don't notice one of them sneaking behind me until it's too late – suddenly, I'm in the air, and he decides to replicate my stunt, only with the roles reversed. He throws me with considerable force at the wall and I can feel the metal crashing against it.
'Large impact to back! Damage to wings has been sustained! Beginning repairs.'
Great. I think I could still use my wings, but with the damage they just received, it wouldn't be particularly wise. The Pigmask that throw me gives a squeal of joy.
"Spare!"
One of the other Pigmasks are quick to correct him. "You idiot! There were no pins! And you only rolled one ball!"
"It's a joke!"
"It's a bad one then!" Another interjects.
While they're all arguing about the semantics of bowling, I decide now's a good time to let loose. I've been getting much better at using my arm cannon now, so I simply charge and fire at the crowd that has formed.
The impact is glorious accompanied with their squeals. When the dust clears, nine of them are knocked out, while the other six are rushing towards me. They're very quick as well – by the time I notice them, they've pinned me down in such a way that I can't swing at them to get them off.
Four of the Pigmasks have pinned each of my appendages down while the other two proceed to simply kick my face in – and they don't exactly give me a tap to the head.
Despite all the things I have, a helmet is the one thing that would actually be of use right now. Let's think, I'm incapable of moving, so I can't use my stick or my arm cannon. My wings are damaged so flying out of here isn't an option. But I can still use my mind. Reducing their defences isn't going to do much when I can't hurt them.
As for PK Thunder... that only hurts one person at a time, and even if I knock one of me, they'll just get back up. I need a way to strike all six at once. A way to conduct the electricity through all of them.
Oh.
It's crazy and risky, yet it might work.
I try PK Thunder Alpha, aiming it onto the most unexpected target – myself.
'Danger! High electrical charge flowing through! Arm cannon temporarily disabled from overload!'
These messages can be both a blessing and a curse. They can be legitimately useful at times, like when they told me I had new PSI, which I doubt I would have discovered otherwise.
On the other hand, they can be pretty redundant at times, such as when they're telling me that I'm being hit by electricity, while I can feel the electricity myself.
Numb... so numb...
My lightning is really powerful – I never noticed how powerful until, well, I ended up using it on myself. I can only wonder how powerful the higher tiers will be.
Thankfully, my plan goes as expected – as all the Pigmasks are touching some part of me, they too get dealt a shocking ultimatum - let me go or be electrocuted.
I'm still feeling somewhat numb, but I can't let that stop me. I quickly start swinging at the Pigmasks before they can get up and pin me down, with as much energy as I can muster.
"Ah... kid?"
I notice one of them start to get up. Not so fast. I give him a good smash with my stick and he goes back down.
"Kid, you've done enough."
I keep beating on them all until they're all bloody...bloody – and that's when I finally hear the Fierce Pork Trooper.
"KID!"
I stop.
"I don't think they're getting up anytime soon. You can stop."
Have I done it? I have! I've finally defeated all fifteen Pigmasks!
And once the euphoria goes, that's when I realise that I might have overdone it with those last few Pigmasks.
"Will they be alright?"
"With time. You gave them all quite the beating so they'll need some time to recover. Still, congratulations on beating them all. I thought it take you another month or so!"
"I probably would have if it weren't for the new PSI I learned."
"So that's what that weird blue aura was around some of them. I'd call it cheating but, win by any means, I suppose."
"What now then?"
"Owing to the fact that you've knocked out all fifteen of my soldiers, there's not really much more to do. You're free to go for the rest of the day."
Nice! I leave as quickly as I can – but evidently not quickly as I can, because who should I run into but a man with a recently groomed moustache?
Fassad. Pork, I hate this guy.
"Nwehehehe! Hello there, my little chimera. How are we today?"
"Fine." I try to keep my answers as short as possible so I can get away as soon as possible. Fassad isn't so keen to let me go though.
"Not feeling chatty today, are we? It's a special occasion though."
Special occasion? What does he mean? Unless he means me beating all the Pigmasks?
"Exactly. You've left here in a rather bloody fashion every single day up until now. It's good to see you're getting stronger."
How did he know that's what I was thinking?! Can he read minds? That fills me with more unease than I'm willing to admit, especially to Fassad.
He puts one of his hands on my head. I try to move away but I feel rooted to the ground.
"Nwehehehe! And it looks like you've gained a new piece of PSI as well! How interesting."
I want nothing more than for him to get off me. Unfortunately, he seems content to just stay there with what feels like an eternity.
"Well, I've wasted enough time here."
He leaves down the corridor, eating a banana as he goes. Every time I see Fassad, I always leave feeling thoroughly scared. I try to shake of the feeling and leave.
By the next day, all the Pigmasks have recovered – thanks to Instant Revitalising Devices! I also decide to spend some time in one to heal my own injuries, which weren't as severe as the Pigmasks, although still noticeable.
We're back to the standard training now. I attempt to make amends with the Pigmasks, only to find them rejecting my attempts. To my surprise, they don't want an apology because I was supposed to beat them, and they don't resent me at all for doing so. I'll admit that I'm quite surprised - it's rare to seem someone pleased that you beat them into bloody submission!
But that's not the only surprising thing to happen this week - the Fierce Pork Trooper has an announcement at lunch.
"All right everybody, I've got special news! We've been training for a very long time. But this week marks a very special week."
He pauses for a split second, looking at me, before continuing.
"As of this week, you've been training with us for a year."
"A year? It's been that long already? It felt like nothing at all!"
"Yep, you've been in this army for a year. And so to celebrate, we're all going to Club Titiboo to see the DCMC!"
There's an eruption of cheers among the Pigmasks – but as always, I'm out of the loop. What is Club Titiboo?
"We leave at 4pm sharp!"
We return to the training areas and I take the time to make my inquiry to the Fierce Pork Trooper.
"Ha. Club Titiboo is where the DCMC play their concerts. To get there, you need to take the Ropeway. It's near the Chimera Laboratory, you must've seen it."
"Yes, I have – on my trips to the Chimera Laboratory, I noticed a gondola of sorts. I attempted to ride it, but to little avail. Apparently, you require a ticket, which I don't have."
"Hm. That's a bit of a problem. Ah! If you go to the Clayman Factory – it's just south of the Ropeway, they'll give you a ticket. Go now and be back before 4!"
It's 12:30 now. And it'll likely take 15 minutes both ways - which gives me plenty of time. I take my leave, heading to the factory. When I enter, I notice a captain there.
"Commander! What brings you here to this factory?"
"I wish to obtain a ticket to the Ropeway. I've heard I can get one here."
"Oh! We normally only give them to the employees here but I'm sure I can make an exception for you!"
Nice! I can get that ticket and head back to my training! Though... they're only giving it to me because I'm the Commander... why... why does this bother me?
"Hey, Dad! Dad!"
"Calm down, calm down! What is it?"
"Can I have that?"
It's because nothing in life comes so easily.
"A shirt? I suppose it suits you. Yellow and blue."
"Yeah! So can I have it?"
"How much do you want that shirt?"
No matter how much you may want it.
"More than anything in the whole entire world!"
"Well then, would it really be special if I just gave it to you?"
"Huh?"
"If you want to get something in life..."
"...you have to work for it."
"Huh? Commander?"
"Apologies, I was momentarily distracted. I will not take a ticket merely because I am the Commander. I wish to earn it like everyone else. What job may I do?"
"Um... well then... um... we have some Clayman down below which have run out of power. If you can get them to a recharge point, that'll be a great help!"
The room north has a few Pigmasks working on inactive Clayman. They're using electricity to reactivate them. Apparently, Clayman are made by giving an electric shock to clay, which causes it come to life. A strange process to say the least, but it allows for the creation of a potentially infinite army.
The room further north has some creatures working to power the factory and an elevator leading to a mine, where a number of Claymen are working, along with some Pigmasks.
"Commander! Why are you here?"
"I am here to help retrieve inactive Claymen."
"In that case, all you need to do is get them to me and I can take them up this elevator. Then get them to the recharge up above."
The afternoon is spent doing the same thing: finding inactive Claymen, moving them to the elevator, having the Pigmask situated at the lift take them up, moving them to the recharge point and having the workers there recharge the lump of clay. It's a monotonous task, to be frank.
Still, I find it awfully hard to concentrate, because of all the anticipation for the concert. I've never been to one before, and I wonder if I'll like it. I think I will – after all, I do like the DCMC's music.
The other reason why I'm in anticipation is because I'm interested to meet the members. See, all the members of the DCMC are people who lost their memory. Just like me. But even then, they managed to find a purpose in life.
Which is where the similarities between them and me end. I honestly don't know what I want to do in life. The path I'm going down now will lead me to becoming the Commander, but it's not the same - it's not like I chose this path, rather I was chosen to go down it.
And parts of me wonder – should I become the Commander? There's the issue with whether I'm really suitable enough for it, but after all the progress I've made with my training, I actually feel confident that with time, say one or two years, I'll certainly be strong enough.
No, what I'm more worried about is whether I have the personality needed. A Commander needs to be able to order his troops as needed. A Commander needs to be able to fight with no mercy. A Commander needs to make cold and carefully calculated decisions, with no hesitation.
Am I that person? No.
Do I want to be that person? I... don't know.
Like many things in life, I don't know. I suppose for now all I can do is keep going.
At 3:00, I finish moving the 36th Clayman up. The workers there seemed swamped with all the Claymen I've brought.
"Here, allow me. PK Thunder!"
Lightning strikes the nearest Clayman, recharging it. It springs to life and rushes off. I lend a hand with the rest of them before leaving.
"I'm afraid I can't assist you any longer. Have I done enough work to warrant a ticket?"
"I'm sure you have. Out of curiosity, how many Claymen did you move, Commander?"
"If I've counted correctly, 36."
"36?! That's gotta be a record or something! Here's your ticket."
Taking my well earned ticket, I return to the training facility, taking a quick shower. My parts are impeccably water tight - it's only a risk for me to be fully submerged in water. I proceeding to the entrance, where some of the Pigmasks are who have shedded their usual attire in favour of more causal clothes- others have chosen to keep it on. The Fierce Pork Trooper is with them as well. He looks at me with pity.
"Yeah, so kid, I've got good news and bad news. Fassad pulled me out to tell me I can't take you to the concert. I tried to argue back but... that didn't exactly work out. But I said to him if we could ask the king, to which he reluctantly agreed. The king says you can go, which is the good news."
Thank goodness! I was worried there for a second, but Master Porky's kindness shines through again. But wait...
"What's the bad news then?"
He sighs. "It's a security risk you being out in the open like that. We can't risk you being recognised and so, you'll have to wear a disguise. Specifically, this."
He holds a white helmet – the one that the colonels wear. Ah.
"The rest of the set's on your bed. I'm sorry about it..."
"It's the best you could do. Thank you."
I change into the uniform, which is somewhat tight, but it still fits. To be honest, it feels kind of cool being disguised like this – I even have their signature cloak to complete the look!
We leave in two of those metallic pig – shaped pods, which gets us to the Ropeway rather quickly. Cramming into three seperate gondolas, we ride to the top, with us somehow not falling to our deaths.
The air feels thinner here, not so to the point where I can't breathe, but it shows how far up we are. A fall would... not be ideal. Still, the view is nice from up here. I can see the forest, Chimera Laboratory and the Thunder Tower, which is still being constructed. They've made remarkable progress with it though – all that's left is the roof.
To the left is the main attraction – Club Titiboo. I wonder who came up with that name. Disco lights illuminate the area, with music blaring into the air. There are two guards on the outside – upon seeing them, the Fierce Pork Trooper pauses briefly.
"No way... it can't be..."
He has a look of disbelief on his face. For a moment, I'm worried that we may not be let in – now that I think about it, it would make sense for there to be some sort of age restriction on who can enter. This disguise may conceals me, but it doesn't do a thing for height, and I'm visibly shorter than everyone else here. I'm probably too young, being only... yeah, of course I don't remember my age. I'd say 13 then.
However, upon seeing us, they greet us, or more specifically, they greet the Fierce Pork Trooper warmly. The one to the left approaches first.
"Hey, it's the president himself!"
"Groovy, Keyboar! I can't believe it! When did you guys start?"
"A few months ago, when the construction of the Thunder Tower started. Some of the old guards took off to help with the construction and join the army..." Replies Keyboar.
Groovy interrupts him with excitement. "So we scored some jobs here, where our favourite band plays all day and night! Sweet deal, right?"
"Yeah! It's great to see you both again, here of all places!"
"Never mind us. How are you doing? You're looking rather... gorgeous."
Keyboar barely holds a snicker at this. So do I. I notice none of the other Pigmasks reacted at all to this. I assume they're aren't aware of the Fierce Pork Trooper's name.
The Fierce Pork Trooper himself though currently shows why exactly he's called that – because the look he has on his face right now practically screams bloody murder.
"Why are you my friends again?"
"Because we all love DCMC."
"And why am I not throwing you into a wall?"
"Because... you... love us very much?"
"...Fair enough. So, I'll see you guys after the concert then!"
"See ya!"
So after that 'emotional' reunion, we finally enter... to see the place completely packed. Loads of Pigmasks fill the area, although I notice a few humans, who I presume are from Tazmily. How did they get a ticket for the Ropeway? Although, some may also be off duty Pigmasks as well.
I'm not claustrophobic, but with so many people in the area, it's hard to move or do anything really.
That's not why I feel uncomfortable though – no, my mind is... tensing up? It feels like there's a pull on it, like when I'm using PSI. The thing is, I'm not, so why is this happening? Maybe it's just the heat. Or the masses of people in here.
Thankfully, being the president of the largest DCMC fan club evidently has its benefits, as one of the employees notices us and motions for us to follow her into the concert hall. We seat ourselves at the front, on some rather nice couches. The Pigmasks are chatting amongst themselves about the best band member (even though it's obviously Lucky). There's some discussion about his fashion.
"I think, that's he's actually got a wig."
Now, at first glance, that seems to be an astute observation. However, take one glance at Lucky and even the densest of people could tell you it's a wig. Case in point? The Pigmasks figured it out.
"No way! Have you seen that afro? There's no way it's a wig!"
Or maybe they're even denser than I thought. My bad.
The Fierce Pork Trooper has is meanwhile engrossed in a DCMC pamphlet – so engrossed that he doesn't notice the Pigmasks who have decided to play a game in front of his face involving a strange gesture with their hands. They clamp their hands into a fist, open it out flat, make a v shape with their second and third fingers before finally making one of the previous three gestures. And one of them randomly wins.
How strange.
It's not too long before the droves of people start to pour in behind us – but despite all that, there's only one person I'm focused on. The one heading towards us.
It's a girl, taller than me, but fairly small in comparison to the Fierce Pork Trooper. To be fair, everyone looks small in comparison to the Fierce Pork Trooper.
It's then that I start to notice my headache again. Only this time it's stronger, stronger when I look at the girl in particular. Do I recognise her? From the village?
No... for some reason I don't recognise her in the same way that I did for that man I saw on the mountain... or that boy... Claus, wasn't it?
"Sir. Sir!"
I realise that the girl is calling for me. This is what happens when you get lost in thoughts like this.
"What would you like to drink?"
Drink? I'm not sure if I should stick to something simple or go more exotic. Then again, which these parts... best to stay simple.
"I'll just take some water. Please."
"You want... water?"
The Fierce Pork Trooper starts laughing at this point.
"What? Who gets water in a place like this?! On your anniversary as well? Haha, Violet, get this man a Big City Cola!"
The girl, Violet, runs off this point to get the drinks.
"Come on kid, learn to live a little! It is your special day!"
In my defense, I don't know how my body would deal with cola, what with all my enhancements. And, it's a little hard to live when you've only spent a year back from the dead. I suppose he has a point though - I can afford to let loose a little on my anniversary.
Violet returns with our drinks, and I try my cola. It's not bad. A little bit too sweet but good nonetheless. She stays for a bit to talk with some of the Pigmasks.
Now that I think about it, she bears some similarities to that girl I saw in one of Po... Master Porky's videos. The one with a pink haired girl and a monkey being aided by a young boy on a Drago. Although, the resemblance is only because of her hair, which is also pink. The girl in the video was far more masculine in appearance, while Violet is decidedly not.
Besides, the pink hair could just be dyed. Then again, pink hair could be natural.
But then again... there is Fassad. He had some pink hair. Mostly brown, but some pink as well. Considering that, it seems illogical that he's dye his hair pink, and instead dyed it brown. It seems more likely that since a relatively small proportion of hair is pink, his hair is naturally pink and he dyed it brown, and he missed a bit off it. So is pink hair natural then?
I'm thinking about this far too much... and there's a far better way to see if Violet is a familiar face.
I focus my mechanical eye on her. It's a bit difficult with this mask on, but I manage. Scan and...
No matches found.
What? No matches? Well... that's somewhat disconcerting. And it throws a wrench in that plan.
Who are you? Really, the smart thing to do would be to drop the matter all together and I imagine most people that get to this stage probably would.
But I'm stubborn and common sense isn't exactly something I have, given the fact that I attempted to fight a Mecha-Drago instead of doing the smart thing – running away.
That headache is only getting worse and worse the more I focus more on that girl. Okay, let's take a few steps back and actually try and use some common sense here.
The pull I feel on my mind now is similar to when I use PSI. The logical conclusion to be made therefore, is that I'm using PSI. But I'm obviously not. So what is it then...
PSI. But... not mine. Similar... yet different.
I wonder... my systems can detect for PSI, given that I kept getting notifications about my own. So would this work?
Scanning surrounding areas for PSI.
Scan complete.
I can see something similar to the thermal vision setting. Hues of blue fill my eyes. There's two places where I start to see warmer colours though. The first is on me.
The second is on Violet. Orange surrounds her. She's a psychic then, just like me. Only her powers are far greater. There's only green on me, with a few patches of yellow. With her, it's mostly yellow.
How powerful is she? More importantly, a psychic like this could be... dangerous to the Pigmasks. Some kinds of PSI are just devastating and a psychic with this level of power... I can't say it's a pleasant thought. It's not blood red, so I imagine she has not reached her full potential - but that's the issue. What threat would she pose at her full potential?
However... she hasn't done anything yet. Heck, she might not even know about those powers. I didn't, until I was told about them myself. I suppose I'll keep a note of this... in case. It's my anniversary, I shouldn't be working like this anyway.
Either way, there's not much time to dwell on the matter because a dimming of the lights indicates that the concert is about to start.
"Tonda Gossa! We're packed to the walls this evening, but we've still yet to raise the roof!"
There's an eruption of cheers at this.
The DCMC play a number of songs. They're all nice, although a bit loud, as obvious as that sounds. Still, it's enjoyable. One song is titled 'His Highness's Theme', and is apparently a tribute to Master Porky himself. It's an rendition of the Pigmask Army's anthem. I've gotta say, it sounds a lot different being played on actual instruments as opposed to the speakers on the pig shaped pods... which I must learn the name of because that's awkward to say.
There's a few encores of some of the songs, but after one and a half hours the concert ends. I suppose the fun ends and now we've gotta go.
Or so I think anyway. The Fierce Pork Trooper talks to some of the band members and before I know it, I'm in their band room!
Thankfully, there's a lot of space in this room – enough to fit all the Pigmasks and myself, although the Fierce Pork Trooper has left to talk to his friends.
It's... quite an experience to meet these stars. They're all very down to earth, and seem rather relaxed with life. Not a care in the world. I ask about they're memories, and like I've heard, all of them have lost their memories at this point, with Lucky being their newest member.
Lucky's quite a strange man. Up close, you can tell that afro's definitely fake, although he isn't bald under it like I thought. He has a gloomy feel, slightly bad breath and looks kind of like a bum. Most noticeably, he walks with a bit of a limp. It looks like his lower leg is paralysed.
"You've lost your memory too? Hey, you should join us!"
I politely decline, as I have never played an instrument. Maybe I should try and learn one, as difficult as it may be. Something like a sitar perhaps?
"Why did you join the DCMC?"
"Heh. Safety in numbers. But it felt like something was calling me. It feels like this is my purpose. I wasn't sure at first, but I went with it, and look where I am now. Is this the best thing I could have done with my life? Probably not. But I'm happy nonetheless. And that's all that matters."
Do what makes you happy... wise words to live by.
We spend a few more minutes discussing music with the DCMC, before leaving, as it is getting late.
The Fierce Pork Trooper is outside, still conversing with his friends. Sadly, we have to pull him away from them. They wish us all a safe travel back before we all cram ourselves into the Ropeway, followed by using the pig shaped pods to get back to the training facility.
When we get back to the training facility, it's still quite early - 6:27, but it has been a busy day. I make to go the barracks... but the Fierce Pork Trooper stops me.
"You're forgetting something."
What? Oh. I'm still wearing the uniform.
"Just put it in the locker rooms downstairs."
I go to the training facility and head downstairs - there's a few areas here, like the kitchen, some locker rooms, showers and even some areas to do laundry. I put the uniform in one of the locker rooms, intending to head back to the barracks and get some rest.
Of course, nothing ever goes according to plan. Guess who I meet? Fassad.
"Hello, my little chimera. Had a fun day, gallivanting with all your friends? I hate being overruled!"
You know, I've never tried just ignoring him. I walk on by as if I never saw him at all. Unfortunately, Fassad doesn't take too kindly to me doing so and outright blocks my passage.
"You will listen to me, chimera, when I'm speaking to you! Do not delude yourself into thinking you have any importance. That face of yours... I will crush it! All I need is the chance...
With that, Fassad takes his leave.
I hate Fassad. No, as in, genuinely hate him. The guy just plain freaks me out. Every single time I see him, he always refers to me as 'my little chimera'. It just makes... uncomfortable. As if I'm some... pet for him. I don't know. I just don't want to see the guy. Ever.
I return finally, intending to get some sleep, but when I enter the area I usually sleep in...
"SURPRISE!"
...I'm greeted with the Pigmasks and the Fierce Pork Trooper who have set up a party of sorts! It takes a few moments to adjust to all of this. When did they get the time to do all of this?!
Before I know it, everyone's partying here's lots of food, some music and best of all, no Fassad. Okay, let's not think about the creepy psychic. I decide to try some of the food - I don't need much, thanks to my systems. However, it is a special day so I decide to try some things out. There's nut bread, which has an interesting contrast of hard and soft. There are cookies, which are certainly tasty - although, perhaps too sweet. I can't exactly see them being very healthy, and it is important to maintain a healthy diet.
Most of the time, I just have this thick paste - it apparently has all the nutrients a person needs for the army, although its taste certainly leaves something to be desired. I don't think it's as bad as the rest of the Pigmasks insist but I'll certainly take this opportunity to have something with an actual flavour.
There's some of that Big City Cola as well as this pink liquid that seems similar to the stuff in the hot springs. I make to drink it, only for the Fierce Pork Trooper to stop me
"Woah, kid! How old are you?"
Ah, again with the ages. "13,14, who knows?"
"Well, either way, I wouldn't have that if I were you."
"Why not? It looks fine."
"Oh it is. It is normally anyway, but I don't trust these guys to have... ah... spiked it, shall we say?"
Ah. Alcohol. The drink of death. I have no interest in having something which inhibits my abilities so I'll stay away from that...
Ah, but at least there's my favourite food here! Steak! The flavours are wonderful, the texture is great... like always... but... there's something strange. I usually like steak - and it still tastes nice, but despite all that... it just...
It doesn't feel right. It's... nice... but why... why don't I like it?
I think I've lost my appetite. After all, I did have those cookies, nut bread and cola. Combined with my already low energy requirements, it seems likely that I would simply not want any steak. That must be it. It's the most simple and logical explanation, therefore, it is likely to be the most accurate one. I'm taken out of my thoughts by the Fierce Pork Trooper, whose tapping a glass.
"Okay, everyone! It's a special day today! Ah kid, it's amazing. I know you're technically at an advantage compared to us all, with all your enhancements... so does that make you literally at an advantage technically? Either way, despite your advantages, I can't help but say that you've made remarkable progress. With another two years of work, give or take, I'd say you'd have all the training you need. So everyone, to the Commander!"
"TO THE COMMANDER!" They all start cheering so loud that one would be forgiven for assuming that the whole of New Pork City was cheering for me.
I just... I can't believe that they did all this just for me. I'm so... so grateful... no, don't... I can't cry... I can't cry...
Because there's no crying until the end.
With a great deal of effort, I manage to suppress my tears - it wouldn't do well for the Commander to show such an emotion. I must be... strong. I can't show weakness.
I decide to say some words of my own.
"I thank you all for the training you have provided me. While there was a great deal of my effort on my own part, you have all shown an equal amount of effort as well. I am honoured to have trained with you for this long. Thank you."
Not the greatest speech of all time, but the Pigmasks and the Fierce Pork Trooper all give me quite the cheer as well. Soon though, it is getting late and everyone retires for the day.
It's been a strange week. One day I'm getting demolished by fifteen Pigmasks and the next day, I'm demolishing them.
And then we all celebrate me being in their army for a year by going to a concert with a band consisting of five amnesiacs as if we're all friends, followed by them hosting a surprise party for me.
No... we are friends. It's nice. Really nice.
I feel more... confident now. I was worried about my skills, but talking to Lucky makes me feel much better. And today... it's helped me see that, I have the support I need. I think I can do it. I know I can do it.
It's... it's nice to spend time with friends, isn't it?
A/N: I'm back! It's been half a year since I last updated this and 3 months since I've done anything. Oh boy. So as an apology, here's the longest chapter by far. You remember when I said Chapter 2 was a long one? Ah, how naive I was back then. I've also posted another fanfic here for FF4 which I think is almost as long (SHAMELESS PROMOTION).
For anyone wondering, the reason this took so long, was because I really did want to make this special - it is Claus's anniversary and also, we've hit double digits for this story. Woo!
There were lots of things I wanted to put but had to scrap - most notably a flashback about Claus's last meeting with Lucas. I liked the idea a lot and wondered what if it came from Lucas's perspective... and so Sunflower Crowns was born! (MORE SHAMELESS PROMOTION).
Things to address then - starting with, the Pigmask Army's kindness. I like to think the Pigmasks aren't really evil, being either manipulated into being evil or outright mind controlled (I think it's implied to happen in the Chimera Laboratory in Chapter 7). They're just... misguided. I think the only real evil characters are Porky and Fassad.
Groovy and Keyboar are a reference to two members of the Runaway Five, keeping the theme with Gorgeous, while Claus's comment about sitars refers to the fact that sitars (I think it's a sitar) are Claus's instrument played when he does a combo in battle. You'd be forgiven for forgetting this since you only control him for the very first battle.
For the ultimate example of incredibly subtle foreshadowing in video games, listen very closely to the sound effect Claus's sitar makes and the sound effect played when the Masked Man 'swings a sword' in his first battle. That is genius.
The other thing to mention is Kumatora/Violet - her disguise is a fairly easy one to see through so one must question how Claus who has a scanning mechanical eye would not get any matches since Kumatora would probably be on a wanted list or something (for you know, blowing up a tank). Seeing as no one sees through her disguise, I have to assume in universe, Kumatora is a really good with disguise since no one else recognises her, even though Club Titiboo is a place which Pigmasks frequently go to.
Finally, Claus's PSI. Canonically, the only PSI that Claus/Masked Man can use is PK Love (or if you're an edge lord like me, PK Doomsday) - his intense bolt of lightning is never stated to be PK Thunder, and could be from the thunder sword - however since Claus uses it to tragic effect at the end of the game when he clearly is not holding his sword, I feel justified in assuming it's PK Thunder.
However, if Claus was a playable character (for more than a battle), I think he would have some buffing PSI (hence Defence Down), maybe Lifeup and Healing (the low levels though, like Kumatora) and for offensive PSI, he has PK Thunder and PK Love.
This has been incredibly long so with that, congrats for making it down here! I'm working on the next chapter now so hopefully it won't talk nearly as long.
Next time, Claus gets a bit of a change in his living space.