"We'll be reaching the Thunder Tower in about 10 minutes, Commander."

"Thank you."

I take a look out of the window... yes, there it is, as tall as ever. I can't help but crack a smile. After all, I've been looking forward to this for quite some time.

A month has passed since I went to Tazmily, on that mission. But unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in our task — and Fassad certainly wasn't happy about that. In fact, the only person he was more angry at than us, was the old man that we encountered.

In my spare time, I've found myself... wondering about that place. You know, Master Porky told me that it was a barbaric, uncivilised society... but it didn't seem to be entirely like that. I mean, there were plenty of nice people, and it couldn't have all been a facade.

But then again, maybe that's not what he meant. There are good people, but it's the bad ones... few as they may be. A few bad apples spoil the lot, don't they?

Relations with Tazmily have remained peaceful since then, although according to Fassad, the old man we saw has been stirring up a lot of trouble recently... I hope the Pigmasks there will be safe.

I softly chuckle to myself... I'm thinking about my duties and all, when this is supposed to be a vacation! Well, it hasn't started yet, I suppose... but still, that can all wait until I get back.

Yes, Master Porky was kind enough to grant me this vacation — he stated that he wanted me out of New Pork City for some time. I'm not quite sure why, but it's not my duty to question what he says. Besides, who am I to deny a break from my work?

I very rarely am allowed a day off my duties, but when I do, I go to the same place I'm going to now — the Thunder Tower. As I've said, the place fascinates me to no end, what with all the experiments with lightning and all.

And of course, I can't forget a certain robotic maid that's stationed there... I wonder what she'll make of this.

But unlike my past ventures there, it's not just a day off I've gotten — no, in fact, I've gotten two weeks. I'm definitely looking forward to this.

There's a sudden lurch of the ship, and the package in my hands shifts a little. Stabilising myself first, I make sure that the package doesn't fall — I would hate for it to break.

"Sorry about that, Commander! Seems like there's some turbulence up here."

"It's alright. No harm done."

Thankfully, there's no further flying issues, and we land safely at the tower.

"Well, we're here. Enjoy your vacation, sir."

"Thank you. Have a nice day."

My trek through the tower is fairly simple — not at all like my first venture through it, where I had to deal with hoards of robots and batteries.

I turn a corner, entering the main control room, seeing many of the Pigmasks sitting there, doing pretty much... well, nothing. And in the centre of the room, also doing nothing, is none other than Colonel Rysan — the same colonel I met during my first visit here.

In fact, I've met her when I've come to the tower before — apparently she was reassigned here when they started using the Thunder Tower to launch lightning at Tazmily Village.

"Busy day, Colonel?" I ask with some sarcasm.

She turns and faces me. "Ah, Commander, I heard you were coming here. On another break?"

"Indeed — for two weeks."

"Two weeks? That's longer than usual for you. Usually you're only here for a day."

"I suppose the king must have been feeling generous."

"Well, I imagine you've deserve it for all your hard work... well, unlike us."

"Yes... why is no one doing anything here?"

"Well, there's pretty much nothing to do! We've ceased fire on Tazmily, so we're not using the laser. All we're doing now is just the usual maintenance to make sure we're supplying enough electricity to New Pork."

"But I thought you were only here because they needed experienced soldiers to oversee the use of the laser? How come you haven't been reassigned elsewhere?"

"Good question." she says dryly. "It's a waste of all of our talents, if you ask me."

"Remind me, who assigned you here in the first place?"

"Fassad."

Ahhh... see, that makes so much sense now.

"Speaking of Fassad, I heard you went on a mission to Tazmily Village. How did that go?"

"Poorly... Fassad was not pleased, which I'd usually be fine with, but it didn't exactly pan out well for the rest of us. Anyway, I shall be off — if you need me, I will be in the king's playroom."

"Alright... oh wait! I just remembered, when you get to the playroom, you won't find Lil' Miss Marshmallow there."

What? Is she alright?! My heart plummets, immediately fearing the worst.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing's wrong! She's just having her routine check up. It should only last for another hour or so."

I take a sigh of relief, glad it's nothing serious.

"Thank you then. I shall be off."

The rest of my climb is fairly uneventful, and I'm able to reach the playroom. Master Porky was kind enough to allow me to use his playroom for my visit here... he truly is a generous king.

I haven't brought much with me, just a few supplies, as well as this package... hm, I should probably put somewhere now. There's a fridge in the kitchen, full of snacks for Master Porky, so I place the package in there... I hope Miss Marsh will like it.

But either way, she isn't here now... I suppose I could entertain myself.

It's only then I notice the ladder in this room which leads to a hole and a room higher up... you know, I've never been up there.

Curiosity gets the better of me and I scale the ladder, heading into the next room.

Woah... it's massive! There's lots of platforms above me, connected through a series of ladders. In the centre of each platform, is a giant electrical pillar that stretches out of sight.

The room is so big that I can hear my voice echo. I start to climb up, but it becomes quickly apparent that this place is even taller than I thought... where does it end? You know what, I have wings... I could just fly. But that might not be safe here — if there was a burst of lightning, that could potentially harm me.

In fact, I'm not entirely sure I'm supposed to be here but... well, I'm already here, so I may as well keep going.

Eventually, I reach the top, seeing the top of the generator. There's a door at the end... I can see the sky through the window.

"Am I at the top of the tower..." I say out loud.

"INDEED, YOU ARE."

What the...

Immediately, I grab my stick, turning on the spot towards the direction of the voice, my eyes widening when I see where it came from.

Built in the side of the generator, is a robot with blue and red wires, a metallic face, and a claw. Is that...

"Mr Genator?" I ask.

"THAT IS MY CODE NAME, SERIAL NUMBER: GENE163-1425."

Yes, I'm starting to remember why we renamed him and Miss Marsh.

"AND YOU ARE THE COMMANDER OF THE PIGMASK ARMY, CORRECT?"

"Soon to be, yes." Though less tense now, I still don't lower my stick — my first experience with Mr Genator is still fresh in my mind, a concern I decide to vocalise.

"Please don't tell me you're going to attack me..."

"I WILL NOT. MY JOB IS TO GUARD THIS GENERATOR FROM INTRUDERS AND PEOPLE WHO TAMPER WITH THIS GENERATOR. AS YOU ARE NEITHER OF THOSE THINGS, I WILL NOT ATTACK YOU."

A blunt way of putting it, but I'm not complaining. "Well, that's good to hear... so, have you had any intruders?"

"NONE SINCE I WAS INSTALLED HERE."

Well, that's also good to hear, though I suspect he may have some if the enemy ever finds out about this tower and tries to disable it.

"Does anyone else visit you?"

"NONE. YOU ARE THE FIRST."

"That's a bit sad..."

"FOR THAT MATTER, WHY ARE YOU HERE?"

"Oh, well... I was just exploring the place. Actually, where does that door lead to?" I ask, pointing to it.

"THE TOP OF THE TOWER. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS THERE, NOT IN THE LEAST BECAUSE OF THE HEIGHT. I WOULD ADVISE YOU TO TURN BACK."

The very top? The view would certainly be quite nice... but I'm not in the mood to potentially take a 200 metre drop, so I think I'll take that advice.

"Thank you — I'll be going. Goodbye then."

"GOODBYE."

I head back to the playroom, having a look at the time... hm, it's been more than an hour. Miss Marsh should be back by now... wait, I can hear something below. Someone's climbing the ladder... that must be her.

My first thought is to simply wait for her to climb up and then greet her, but then... I have a different idea.

I kneel behind one of the car, making sure I can't be seen... her metallic climbing becomes louder and louder, until she finally emerges.

She straightens her skirt out, looking across the room in what seems to be confusion.

"... HOW STRANGE. THE COMMANDER SHOULD BE HERE BY NOW... PERHAPS HE IS RUNNING LATE. IN WHICH CASE, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE SOME LUNCH FOR HIM IN TIME FOR HIS ARRIVAL... I'M SURE HE WILL BE HUNGRY."

I smile behind my hiding spot... it's kind of her to do that, especially after she's just had that check up. And she's absolutely right, actually — I am hungry.

She heads into the kitchen on the side, and I follow behind, making sure she doesn't see me, crouching behind the door.

She starts to gather some ingredients — I think she's making some steak. I do have a bit of a hankering for it...

And after getting the steak, she places it on a board, before nonchalantly calling out. "COMMANDER, IT CANNOT BE COMFORTABLE CROUCHING BEHIND THERE."

My eyes widen as I slowly stand up, seeing Miss Marsh holding a spatula in one hand, and looking at me with what seems to be amusement.

"... how long did you know I was here?"

"I DID NOT. HOWEVER, I CONCLUDED THAT YOU MUST HAVE BEEN HERE."

"...how?"

"IT WAS THE ONLY LOGICAL CONCLUSION TO MAKE WHEN I PICKED UP A HEART RATE AT 100 BEATS PER MINUTE IN THIS ROOM WITH NO ONE IN SIGHT."

I... damn it, I completely forgot about that...

"Well... I feel like a fool..."

"WHAT WERE YOU DOING?"

"I was trying to surprise you."

"OH... MY APOLOGIES, COMMANDER." She drops her head a little.

I crack a smile and laugh at that. "It's alright. Besides, I'm just glad to see you again! It's been... well, I don't even know! A very long time."

"IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU AS WELL, COMMANDER. HOW HAVE YOU BEEN?" she says, sitting down with me at a table in the playroom.

"I've been fine, just training and all, though I did go on a mission to Tazmily Village."

"TAZMILY VILLAGE? YOUR PLACE OF BIRTH, CORRECT? HOW WAS THAT?"

"It was... an experience, to say the least. I've learned more about the place on that mission than I ever have before."

She nods in understanding. "I SEE... IT APPEARS YOU'VE BEEN BUSY."

"How have you been then?"

"I HAVE BEEN PERFECTLY FINE. I MONITOR THIS PLAYROOM, AND PERFORM HIS HIGHNESS'S DUTIES WHENEVER HE COMES HERE."

"I imagine that's your biggest priority then."

"ACTUALLY... IT IS NOT."

"Oh? What is then?"

"THAT IS." She says, pointing to the yo-yo in the glass case. Ah, I remember seeing this — this was Master Porky's prized yo-yo, which he took from Ness...

"This yo-yo... it's a very special one."

"INDEED. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN ORDERS TO GUARD IT WITH MY LIFE. IF ANYONE TRIES TO TAKE IT, I AM TO WARN THEM FIRST, AND SHOULD THEY MAKE ANOTHER ATTEMPT, I AM TO ELIMINATE THEM."

"Eliminate them? That seems a little harsh, doesn't it?"

"PERHAPS. BUT THOSE ARE MY ORDERS. HIS HIGHNESS OBVIOUSLY PRIZES THIS YO-YO A GREAT DEAL."

"So what would you do if I tried to take it?"

"I WOULD SAY MY CLAW WOULD BE SOMEWHERE AROUND YOUR NECK, COMMANDER."

"Okay... that's a little scary..." And not in the least because I know she's being serious about that as well.

"THAT WAS THE INTENTION... THOUGH I HOPE IT DOES NOT COME TO THAT. AFTER ALL, I AM SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THE OPPOSITE, AND I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN."

"I've been looking forward to seeing you again as well... if only so I can do this."

She gives me a puzzled look "DO WHAT, COM —"

But she doesn't need an answer to that question, when I seize her by the waist and hug her for all she's worth — so that's a lot then. Although taken aback at first, her body relaxes after, and she returns it.

"I've missed you quite a lot, you know..." I murmur.

"... REALLY?"

"Yep... it's pretty lonely at New Pork... but I'm glad I could see you again, even if it's just for two weeks."

"... as am I, Commander."

The two of us stay like that for a while... neither one of us really wanting to move, but Miss Marsh eventually starts speaking, recognising that we can't stay here forever.

"AS MUCH AS I WOULD LIKE TO STAY HERE, COMMANDER, WOULDN'T YOU LIKE SOMETHING TO EAT?"

"Well, I suppose you're right."

"I WAS PREPARING SOME STEAK FOR YOU. WOULD THAT BE ALRIGHT?"

"That would be just fine, thank you."

"I SHALL CONTINUE MAKING IT THEN."

"Here, let me help out!"

"NONSENSE, COMMANDER. YOU MUST BE TIRED AFTER YOUR JOURNEY HERE AND THE CLIMB UP THE TOWER."

"I insist — besides, it's fun to cook with you!"

"... WELL, IF YOU INSIST."

So the two of us go into the kitchen, preparing some food... just like old times.

I start seasoning the steak with salt and pepper, while she goes to the fridge, looking for some butter.

"COMMANDER? IS THIS YOURS?"

I stop the seasoning, and turn to see what's she's talking about. She has the package I put in the fridge in her hands.

"Oh, yeah, that's mine — I made something at New Pork City yesterday, and I wanted to bring it for you to see how well I've done with it." I say while continuing to season the food, reaching for a lemon.

"I DON'T THINK THAT'S NECESSARY, COMMANDER. I CAN CONCLUDE THAT YOU'LL HAVE DONE JUST FINE, BASED ON YOUR SKILL.'

While she says that, I squeeze the lemon a bit too hard, sending the juice flying all over my face. Miss Marsh approaches me, holding a cloth.

"THEN AGAIN, YOU DO SEEM TO HAVE A KNACK FOR PROVING ME WRONG." She says with what seems to be amusement on her face.

Taking it, I wipe my face while laughing in embarrassment at that, taking another lemon. "My bad..."

"BUT I THINK WHATEVER IT IS YOU HAVE MADE, IT WILL BE EXCELLENT. THAT BEING SAID, YOU DID WISH FOR ME TO LOOK AT THIS."

"Oh yeah, but not yet actually."

"HM?"

"It's something special... if you don't mind, I'd like to leave it for another day."

She looks very puzzled at that, but nods and places it back. "AS YOU WISH, COMMANDER."

And so begins my holiday. The days go by, and I spend some time on the lower floors with the Pigmasks, but most of my time is spent in Master Porky's playroom.

There's lots of toys here, so I make use of them... it's strange, now that I think about it. Playing with toys, relaxing, having a vacation... I'm acting as if I were... well, a child.

And that's what makes it so strange — for what may be the first time in my life, I'm actually acting my age. Like those children at Tazmily...

I keep myself adequately amused, but I also spend some time practicing my PSI as well, particularly PK Love. I know Master Porky said I should only use it with him and Fassad present, but Miss Marsh knows I can use it as well — she was there the first time, so it should be alright.

Predictably though, my attempts don't get me anywhere.

"PK Love Alpha... PK Love Alpha... PK Love Alpha... why am I not surprised?" I sigh, kicking the wall in frustration before sitting down on a chair.

At this, Miss Marsh stops her cleaning, facing me.

"COMMANDER, I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE FRUSTRATED, BUT I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU DID NOT DESTROY THIS PLAYROOM BECAUSE OF THAT."

"Ah... my bad. I'm sorry."

"IT IS QUITE ALRIGHT. WHAT ARE YOU DOING ANYWAY?"

"I'm trying to use PK Love. Emphasis on trying."

"HM... IF I RECALL CORRECTLY, YOU USED THAT PSI THE FIRST TIME WE BOTH CAME HERE, CORRECT?"

"Yes, I did."

"SO WHY ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO USE IT NOW?"

"I... I don't know. Ever since that first time, I've never been able to use it again. And I've been trying for months now."

"HM... HOW ODD. YOU PICK UP ON THINGS REMARKABLY QUICKLY... I'VE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF YOU FAILING LEARN SOMETHING YOU'VE PUT YOUR MIND TO — AND YES, COMMANDER, BEFORE YOU SAY OTHERWISE, I AM INCLUDING COOKING IN THAT. YOU MADE MANY STRIDES IN JUST FOUR MONTHS."

"Well, thanks, but evidently, I've hit a break wall, so to say."

"PERHAPS YOU SHOULD TAKE A BREAK. AFTER ALL, THAT IS WHY YOU'RE HERE, ISN'T IT? AND PUSHING YOURSELF BEYOND WHAT YOU'RE CAPABLE OF WON'T ACHIEVE MUCH."

"I guess you're right..."

"WOULD YOU LIKE SOME TEA?"

Tea? Huh... I've never heard of that. "What's tea?"

She pauses for a second, trying to think of how to answer that.

"WELL... IT IS A BEVERAGE MADE FROM ADDING BOILING WATER TO LEAVES, OFTEN WITH MILK AND SUGAR ADDED."

"That... doesn't sound too nice." I say with a grimace on my face.

"IT IS SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE, BUT I ASSURE YOU THAT IT WILL LIKELY TASTE NICER THAN I'M MAKING IT SOUND."

"I'll try it then."

She goes off, and I hear the sound of a boiling kettle for a while. When she comes back, she has a cup in hand, with a brown sort of liquid in it.

"Interesting..."

"BE CAREFUL, COMMANDER. IT IS HOT."

I take a sip of it and... you know, this is actually pretty good! A little hot on the tongue, and it could use some more sugar, but I like it!

"This is... nice, actually."

"I'M GLAD TO HEAR IT. I WAS CONCERNED YOU MIGHT NOT, SINCE PEOPLE YOUR AGE GENERALLY DON'T DRINK THIS UNTIL THEY'RE A LITTLE OLDER."

"But then again, I've never exactly acted my age, have I?"

"I SUPPOSE NOT..."

"Still, I'd like to try more of it. Are there any other kinds of flavours?"

She laughs at that. "FAR TOO MANY TO COUNT."

And from then on, every day at 4:00, I have some tea — there's a bunch of different kinds according to Miss Marsh, and I'm eager to try them all. Some of them aren't too good like green tea, but then others are amazing!

In fact, on one particular day, I discover one of my favourite kinds.

"So what's this particular kind of tea then, Miss Marsh?"

"IT IS CALLED EARL GREY, COMMANDER."

"Earl grey... I think it might be the best one yet!"

"I AM GLAD TO HEAR IT, COMMANDER. WOULD YOU CARE FOR SOME MORE?"

But before I can answer, I hear the sounds of some footsteps underneath.

"Someone's coming up here..."

I stand up in front of Miss Marsh and raise my arm cannon, pointing it at the top of the ladder, ready to blast whoever emerges, and Miss Marsh raises her claw as well.

A Pigmask emerges from the ladder, huffing and puffing a little.

"Oh, sir, there you — OH MY PORK!" He raises his arms in surrender, clearly scared out of his wits.

Upon realising it's not a threat, I lower my arm cannon, and Miss Marsh drops her claw.

"Sorry about that. What's the issue?"

"Well, sir, we've got a situation. One of the Clayman have broken loose and we need some help containing it."

I'm about to say that I'll be right there, but before I can, Miss Marsh interjects.

"I'M AFRAID THAT WON'T BE POSSIBLE RIGHT NOW. IT IS THE COMMANDER'S TEA TIME AND SO HE WILL BE UNABLE TO."

"His... tea time?"

"YES. IN FUTURE, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM DISTURBING THE COMMANDER DURING THIS TIME."

"But it's an emergency! We must go right now!" they say, taking a step forward.

"PLEASE STEP AWAY FROM THE COMMANDER. AS I HAVE SAID, IT IS THE COMMANDER'S TEA TIME NOW AND SO HE WILL BE UNABLE TO ATTEND UNTIL HE IS FINISHED." She replies, raising her voice a little.

"Forget the tea! This is an emergency! We need to go now!" they shout in exasperation, moving towards me...

"What... hurgh..."

... only to be stopped by Miss Marsh's claw.

"NO ONE DISTURBS THE COMMANDER'S TEA TIME." she says in a eerily soft voice.

"But..."

"I SAID. NO ONE. DISTURBS. THE COMMANDER'S TEA TIME."

"O... okay..."

They slowly back away from Miss Marsh, then run away as fast as they can, climbing down the ladder at ludicrous speed.

What... just happened?

I eye Miss Marsh with a look of amusement, which she notices, sitting down on the other side of the table.

"IS THE TEA TO YOUR SATISFACTION, COMMANDER?"

"Very, but... was that necessary?"

"OF COURSE. THE PRIVACY OF YOUR TEA TIME IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO ME AND I WILL NOT LET A SINGLE PERSON DISRUPT IT UNTIL IT HAS FINISHED."

I laugh at that. "You're very dedicated, aren't you?"

"I MUST BE, COMMANDER, OTHERWISE I WOULD NOT DO MY JOB EFFECTIVELY."

I laugh once more and drink the rest of my tea, swallowing it with a gulp. "In all seriousness though, I really should get down there and help them out."

"TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, COMMANDER."

The Clayman is fairly easily taken care off, and we all have a laugh over Miss Marsh's antics — the Colonel has some exasperation upon realising that this is the second time Miss Marsh's obedience to her programming has caused issues.

Either way, I have the feeling none of the Pigmasks will be going up to the playroom around four anytime soon...

Life goes on, even if it is fairly uneventfully. But I don't mind. After the mission to Tazmily, and building the Absolutely Safe Capsule, I could use some time to unwind.

And honestly, I'm content to just spend the days here with Miss Marsh. I even start to develop a routine of sorts.

When I wake up, it's usually to the sound of her making breakfast — she's always up earlier than me. So every morning, I go into the kitchen and greet her with a hug before having breakfast.

I spend my mornings either in the playroom, playing with the various toys, or on the lower floors with the Pigmasks, and then Miss Marsh and I will both make lunch.

In the afternoons, that's when I like to practice using PSI, and I do so until I inevitably get to PK Love, try using it, fail, and repeat until I get so frustrated that I'm forced to stop.

Thankfully, that usually happens around 4, so Miss Marsh is always there with some tea to calm me down, and the two of us sit there, talking about various things — it's here where Miss Marsh's snarky side comes out, and I've forgotten just how much I adore her wit.

Then, the evenings come, and the two of us make dinner, before night falls.

It reminds me so much of the time I spent in New Pork City with her... cooking with her, talking — heck, we're both sleeping in the same room again, or in her case, recharging.

I'll miss all of this when I go back...

But the days go on, without much happening.

Until one particular day. It's a special day for sure, and all day I wait for Miss Marsh to mention it... but she doesn't. She goes on as if it were just a regular day.

So... I finally bring it up after tea.

"Miss Marsh... I'm surprised."

"ABOUT WHAT?"

"All day, and you haven't even mentioned it once. You haven't mentioned what day this is. Did you think I wouldn't know?"

"..."

"Well?"

"... I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE ON ABOUT, COMMANDER."

"Oh, come on, Miss Marsh! You didn't think I'd forget what today was, did you?"

"..."

"I even prepared for this and everything!"

"..."

"Well, if you're going to feign ignorance, than I'll just say it — happy birthday, Miss Marsh."

"... COMMANDER?"

"It is your birthday today, isn't it? Two years ago, that's when we first switched you on, right?"

"IT IS..."

"How come you haven't mentioned it all, all day?"

"WELL... I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS NECESSARY. THERE IS NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THIS DAY... AND I DID NOT WANT TO MAKE YOU FEEL OBLIGATED TO DO ANYTHING. AFTER ALL, YOU ARE HERE TO RELAX AND ENJOY YOURSELF."

"Miss Marsh, of course there's something special about this day! You've been alive for two years! And by celebrating your birthday, I would be enjoying myself!"

"Commander, I... YOU SAID YOU HAD PREPARED FOR THIS?"

"Oh yeah — let me show you!"

I dash into the kitchen and open the fridge, taking it back into the main room, sitting back with her.

"THIS... THIS IS WHAT YOU HAD IN THE FRIDGE, ISN'T IT?"

"Yep. I think it's time for you to have a look at it." I say, passing it to her.

"COMMANDER... you didn't have to do this."

"I'd be a horrible friend if I didn't. Go on, open it."

She carefully unwraps it, revealing a cake underneath.

It's no ordinary cake as well — I made it to look like Miss Marsh's face, with some grey food colouring, to make it look metallic. There's some white icing drawn in circles to look like her eyes, and for her hair, some yellow icing.

She looks at in silence for a few minutes, taken aback by it. "I... HOW... HOW LONG DID THIS TAKE FOR YOU TO MAKE, COMMANDER?"

"Does it matter?"

"I..."

"How... how does it look?"

"IT... IT'S BEAUTIFUL, COMMANDER... I'M... I'M FLATTERED THAT YOU WOULD HAVE SPENT ALL THAT TIME FOR ME."

"Well, you're worth every second of it."

"THANK YOU, BUT... YOU KNOW I CAN'T EAT, DON'T YOU?"

My face drops a little. "I... I know you can't... I wasn't sure what to give you, because I know you don't really need anything... so I thought you being able to see how far I've gotten with my cooking thanks to you would be a good present instead. I'm sorry that I couldn't get you something more meaningful."

I'm about to say more, but I don't get the chance to before Miss Marsh tightly wraps her arms around me. "COMMANDER... it's a great present."

"I'm glad you like it..."

"SHALL WE CUT IT THEN?"

"Sure! Oh, but first..."

I reach for two candles I brought, placing them on top of the cake.

"REALLY, COMMANDER? AREN'T YOU A BIT TOO OLD FOR THIS?" She says, rolling her eyes, a hand on her hip.

"Are you? You are only two years old."

"... A FAIR POINT."

I light the two candles, both of them sparkling before I sing.

"Happy birthday to you...
Happy birthday to you...
Happy birthday dear Miss Marsh...
Happy birthday to you!"

She blows out both of the candles, a little smoke flying in the air.

"Did you make a wish then?"

"A WISH?"

"Yeah! When you blow out your candles, you're supposed to make a wish."

"THIS SEEMS VERY SILLY, COMMANDER. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT SUCH A WISH WOULD ACTUALLY COME TRUE."

"Maybe not, but it's part of the fun. Please?"

"... for you then... HM... I BELIEVE I HAVE ONE. IT IS —"

"Wait, you can't tell me! If you tell anyone what it is, it won't come true."

"VERY WELL. I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT IT DOES HAPPENS. LET'S CUT THIS CAKE THEN."

She takes a knife and cuts through the cake, placing a slice sideways onto a plate. The filling's vanilla with pink and white bits embedded in it. Upon examining it closer, she realises what it is.

"MARSHMALLOWS? REALLY, COMMANDER?" She says with a smirk.

"I... thought it was clever."

She picks up a piece of the cake, holding it up to me.

"WHY DON'T YOU TRY IT, COMMANDER?"

I take a bite out of it. "It's really good!"

"I'M NOT SURPRISED. AFTER ALL, YOU MADE THIS."

We spend a bit more time talking, before she goes quiet and makes a request.

"COMMANDER... IF YOU DO NOT MIND... might we sit outside?"

"Outside? Sure."

There's a balcony situated on the south wall of the playroom, which we both head to. From all the way up here, I can see so many things... Club Titiboo... the highways... and of course, the Chimera Laboratory.

Night has fallen and the stars are even out, many of them up in the sky.

"The stars... they seem pretty bright tonight, don't they?"

"INDEED... TODAY HAS BEEN... VERY DIFFERENT."

It's only then that I remember something — this is her second birthday... but what did she do on her first?

"Miss Marsh, how... how did you spend your last birthday?"

She looks at me in confusion. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN?"

"What did you do on your last birthday?"

"WELL... NOTHING."

"Nothing? How?!"

"IT... IT WAS BEFORE I WAS ASSIGNED TO BE WITH YOU AT NEW PORK CITY. I WAS THEREFORE NOT ACTIVE AT THE TIME, AS I HAD NO PURPOSE... I THEREFORE SPENT IT IN A STORAGE UNIT."

"That's horrible! That's no way to spend a birthday!"

"WELL, HOW DID YOU SPEND YOUR LAST TWO BIRTHDAYS, COMMANDER?"

"I spent them both with my friends, with the people I cared about..."

"THAT SOUNDS... NICE." she muses.

"And you should have been able to do the same as well."

"IT IS NO ISSUE FOR ME, COMMANDER. AFTER ALL, I AM A ROBOT. MY PURPOSE IS TO SERVE WHOEVER I'M PROGRAMMED TO. AND... I AM CONTENT WITH THAT."

"But don't you ever think you're more than that? Don't you ever wonder if there's more than just... serve whoever you're programmed to?"

"I COULD ASK THE SAME TO YOU, COMMANDER. YOU SERVE HIS HIGHNESS, AS HIS FRIEND AND A LEADER. THAT WAS WHY YOU WERE BROUGHT BACK, WASN'T IT? ISN'T YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE THE SAME AS MINE? TO SERVE YOUR MASTER?"

I'm about to open my mouth to respond, until I realise... she's absolutely right. She's right. I serve a master. I do what I'm told to. I don't hesitate. And combined with all the machinery in me... but no, I'm... I'm not a robot. I'm not.

But... am I? In the most literal definition of the word, no, I'm not a robot. But functionally? I've been told to become the Commander, and so I will. But... do I have a life outside that? No... I really don't, do I? I've had occasional outings with my regiment, yes, but I don't think that constitutes a life outside the army.

In fact... the most I ever had was... well, Miss Marsh. The four months we spent together, and the cooking lessons she gave me... that was something outside just training to be the Commander. Something I enjoyed. But that was in the past and now...

What makes me different? The future. A robot... doesn't have any goals. A robot... serves for eternity. And I have reasons for the things I want to do, don't I?

"You are right... in that respect, I am very much like you. But I serve... because I want to. I want to serve Master Porky, because he is a wise and gracious ruler. I want to become Commander to end this war, and bring peace to all those who deserve it. And I have an vision for the future."

"WHAT IS IT?"

"One day... I want to leave the army."

"YOU INTEND TO LEAVE?"

"Yeah... I mean, I can't be in there forever, can I? I'll get old, and I won't be able to fight as well as I can now. Plus... there's not much point in having a Commander, if there isn't a war to be fought."

"SO WHAT WOULD YOU DO THEN?

"Well... I've been thinking of places to retire. Maybe I'm a little young to be thinking that far, but... I've had a few places in mind. And I think I know exactly where I'd want to go."

"WHERE WOULD THAT BE?"

"Right here."

"HERE? BUT... why?"

"Because it's where you are, Miss Marsh."

She goes completely silent.

"WHY... WOULD THAT BE A FACTOR FOR YOU? I... I AM A ROBOT. MY SAFETY, MY PRESENCE, MY WELLBEING... you don't need to worry about those."

"Miss Marsh... you say you're just a robot. But you're more than that to me. Don't you have goals? Don't you have something you'd like to do, and a reason to do it?"

"I... I DO NOT... BUT... I HAVE BEEN THINKING THESE PAST WEEKS."

"Oh? What about?"

"COMMANDER, YOU... YOU WERE SAYING THAT IT WAS LONELY AT NEW PORK CITY BY YOURSELF, WEREN'T YOU?"

"Yeah..."

"I..." She pauses for a second, as if not knowing what to say next. "I SUPPOSE... I HAVE FELT THE SAME HERE AS WELL."

"What do you mean?"

"IT IS... LONELY HERE AS WELL. I... I DON'T GET MANY VISITORS HERE EITHER, SO I... I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN. WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE... ALONE."

"But doesn't Master Porky come here occasionally?"

"NOT VERY OFTEN... AND EVEN WHEN HE DOES, I DON'T TALK TO HIM VERY MUCH, IF AT ALL. NOT IN THE SAME WAY WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW. IN FACT..." She chuckles somewhat sadly. "I BELIEVE I HAVE EXCHANGED MORE WORDS WITH YOU IN THE PAST MINUTE THAN WITH HIS HIGHNESS ACROSS ALL HIS VISITS."

That's... she's been even more alone than me. At least I had my regiment to interact with, but she... she's had virtually no one.

"Miss Marsh... I'm so sorry to hear that."

"YOU DON'T NEED TO BE, BECAUSE... I'M HAPPY YOU COULD BE HERE, COMMANDER. I.. I enjoy your company..."

I'm taken aback by that. "Miss Marsh... I enjoy your company as well."

"I'M... GLAD TO HEAR THAT. THIS PAST WEEK... IT HAS REMINDED ME OF... old times."

"Me too."

"AND... IT HAS BEEN NICE TO SEE HOW YOU HAVE GROWN IN ALL YOUR FIELDS."

"Except for PSI... I've been trying for so long, and yet... I'm still nowhere closer than I was before."

She puts a finger to her chin, as if in deep thought. "COMMANDER... I BELIEVE YOUR ISSUE IS THAT YOU ARE TRYING TOO HARD. PERHAPS, YOU NEED TO TRY LESS. YOU'RE TREATING THIS LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE, WHERE CONTINUED PRACTICE WILL GIVE YOU MASTERY. BUT PERHAPS... A DIFFERENT OUTLOOK IS NEEDED."

"What do you mean?"

"THIS PSI IS CALLED PK LOVE, IS IT NOT? WOULD IT NOT MAKE MORE SENSE FOR YOU TO CONCENTRATE ON THE THINGS YOU ENJOY IN THIS WORLD? THE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY?"

I concentrate, but rather than just trying to use it, I take her advice. I think about all the things I have, the things that make me happy... the things I hold dear to my heart.

The time I have spent with my regiment and the Fierce Pork Trooper and how we've all grown stronger together...

The time I have spent with Dr Andonuts, assisting him with all his creations, and learning so much about science...

The time I've spent with Master Porky, my best friend, who I owe my very existence to...

And... the time I've spent with Miss Marsh, who I...

All of those things... they all swirl around in my mind... and then...

I feel... a spark. A spark of... something. Something familiar. Something warm.
Something powerful.

Just like that first time... that feeling burns deep within my heart, ready for release.

"PK Love Alpha."

A swivel of multicoloured hexagons appear from my hands, shooting off into the night sky, before bursting into colourful light... I...

Miss Marsh looks at them, before speaking up. "THERE, YOU SEE? PERHAPS ALL YOU NEEDED WAS A DIFFERENT APPROACH."

"I can't believe it! I... I actually did it! For the first time since I've been here... I've actually used done it! Let me try it again... PK Love Alpha!"

This time, those thoughts are stronger within me, and I pour them into my mind, letting them fuel myself. Once again, the hexagons appears, brighter and stronger, exploding in a spectacularly light show which seems to enthral Miss Marsh.

I try it a few more times, and it... every time, it works! I've... I've never been able to do it at will for months, and now... now I can!

"I... I still can't believe it..."

"A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE CAN OFTEN HELP, DON'T YOU THINK?"

"Miss Marsh... have I ever told you that you're amazing?"

She gives a soft laugh. "ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, COMMANDER, SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE SAME SENTENCE." she replies, with some humour in her voice.

"Really?" I rub my head sheepishly.

"INDEED. WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO TELL YOU HOW MANY?" she laughs.

"I'll pass... but I'll say it again because it bears repeating — you are amazing."

"THANK YOU..."

"You're welcome."

There's a moment of silence between the two of us before she speaks up.

"THIS BIRTHDAY, SO TO SPEAK... I DO NOT HAVE MANY REFERENCE POINTS... but I would say it's the best one I've had."

"Really? I'm glad I could make it enjoyable for you."

"YOU MAKE... EVERYTHING ENJOYABLE FOR ME, COMMANDER. WHEN I AM WITH YOU... I CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL THAT EACH DAY IS... DIFFERENT. A BREAK IN THE MONOTONY OF MY LIFE."

"You know... I'd say the exact same thing about you."

She leans in and hugs me. "THANK YOU..."

"You're welcome... it really wasn't much to do."

She shakes her head a little. "NOT FOR THIS... NOT JUST FOR THIS. THANK YOU... for everything."

It was... there. Right there and then, that I knew that this feeling... I would never forget it. I would never forget what it was like, what it meant, and who was responsible for it.

It was there... that I made a vow to myself. That no matter where I am, no matter what I'm doing... I would protect her with my life.

Because she's more than just a robot to me. She's so much more than that.

She's all the happiness in the world.

A/N: Best. Ship. Ever. Except Ness/Paula, of course — I mean, that's just unbeatable.

Yes, this chapter was essentially a giant excuse for me to write a bunch of Masked Man/Marshmallow fluff, and well, I have no regrets.

Also, isn't it funny that Chapter 9 was all about the Masked Man having a vacation and Chapter 10 was about his birthday, and here we are on Chapter 19 (9+10), which is about a vacation and a birthday? I'd say I planned that, but that would be giving myself far too much credit.

I honestly don't have much to say, apart from one more thing — that joke about the tea? I have had that in mind for five months. And I have been waiting oh so long to use it.

Next time... well, you know what? Let's keep that one a secret.