Disclaimer: None of the Klonoa characters belong to me, they belong to Klonoa Works/ Namco.

Kero Guardian: Yay! Thank you for the reviews, I'm glad there are still those who read Klonoa fanfics!

Chapter Three: Duox Bonbons

"Thank you very much, Mr. Garlen." Lolo bowed her head after taking the ticket from the clamp which was in place of the mechanic's hand. He grumbled an embarrassed reply, then waved his hand at her to carry on. She smiled, walking back to her side-kick. That was when she noticed his gem-like pupils wider than usual. "Is something the matter, Popka?"

"Did you not notice that his left hand is a metal clamp?" He raised his left claw to express his point, but lowered his arm as soon as she narrowed her eyes. Popka knew very well, that whenever the priestess looked at him like that, he was in for a scolding. "What did I do this time!" His voice rose to a usual shout.

"Did you not notice that your left hand is flat! Popka! It is a terrible thing to judge before you know the whole story! He could have lost his arm in an accident and simply replaced it with another! Did you learn nothing from Claire's teachings!"

The dog's eyes widened even further, "Awroo! You're the only one that says that! In all the time I've stayed at the temple, I never heard anything like that from the other priestesses, not even from the High Priestess!" His arms folded, but when he noticed she was no longer paying attention to him, he grew even more frustrated, hopping up and down. Lolo had already walked away from him at the time, for she could have sworn she heard a voice embedded in her memories, not too far from her.

BGM: Noir - Canta Per Me (japanese version)

"Mya-hahaha!" The priestess could recognize that laugh from anywhere, it was that mischievous cat. "If you want your ticket back then you'll have to get it from me!" And sure enough she was up to one of her tricks, in her paw was an admission slip to the Beach Volley Tournament. And below her was a clown-like fiend that fumed angrily at the feline.

"Tat!" Popka's scratchy voice reached to a shrill level, right before he dove after her. She gave a loud hiss, splitting into two forms and dropping the ticket in the process. "Come back here! I finally get to tear you limb from limb!"

"Meow! Leave me alone, you mad dog! Mad dog! Mad dog!"

Lolo sighed, picking up the slip and handed it back to the bewildered creature. "Sorry, Tat's like that. She and a woman named Leorina are very crafty bandits…"

"SKY PIRATES!" Tat hollered still escaping the snarling puppy's teeth.

Joka was too busy staring at her in astonishment, but snapped back to attention at the sound of the flying cat's shouts. He quickly stood taller, then bowed civilly: a hand tucked behind his back and another cupped at his side. "Thank you, my dear. I am much obliged for your act of kindness." He straightened back, grinning his razor sharp fangs, but started to fluster, unsure of what to do next.

For no one ever did anything for him since his superior, so Joka did what he would always do after he owed someone. His hands presented a wad of money, "I apologize for such a small sum. However, I came, thinking that I would be earning income, not giving it out." He spoke sheepishly.

Now it was Lolo's turn to stare, the smile plastered onto his rounded body, greatly distressed her. Yet, she managed to regain her nerve enough to respond, "Please keep your money, sir."

If Joka could change the expression in his eyes, they would have been filled with confusion, "You do not accept money? ...Perhaps a favor then?"

"….Mm, mm." She shook her head, allowing the amber hair to dance at her poppy red cheeks and pointed at a sign behind the fiend. "It looks like we will be partners for a few rounds, so I only want for you to promise me that you'll do your best!" Lolo smiled now, knowing now that he was not a harmful creature despite the exterior appearance.

Sure enough, the lines connected to two names with occupations. One with Joka (Clown) and another Lolo (Apprentice Priestess). He turned back to her and quietly stuttered, feeling an awkward glow in his face and even a warmth wherever his heart may be, "Yes. We should always do our best…my sweetheart."

-End Flashback-

"Moo! Moooo!"

A cry awakened the sleeping Joka, who sat up to gaze at the airship above him. A pug-headed dog's face was engraved upon the structure of the balcony. It was grinning and wore a black eye-patch. On the sign beside him, as he hopped from the Heart Moo driven carriage, were the golden labels, "Moth Conspiracy."

"Not much of a conspiracy if you tell where we are, Garlen-san." He sighed, and took one last glance at the road behind him, almost as if he were trying to decide if he should turn back. "No…no." He balled a fist at his side, and raised his eyes once more. This was to punish everyone for leaving him in a cold empty world, filled with ridicules and harsh words.

" Ghadius-sama, please be patient a while longer…nightmare will befall this world."

Kero Guardian: ...okay, I think I am incapable of making these chapters any longer now. (Weep.)