The Return to Phantomile
~ VISION 1-6: The Dream Arena ~
Klonoa and Huepow finally reached the last step downwards towards the underground hallway, as Klonoa was just staring at the key and the label attached to it. Then as Klonoa looked back up, he was surprised to see what lied in front of him...
Klonoa: Wh-whoa...
Huepow also looked up, and seemed a tiny bit unnerved. The underground hallway they now found themselves in was dark despite there being wooden torches on the wall to light the hallways, and everything was almost purely made of brick aside from a few doors which were out of wood. There were also a few armored guards out and about, patrolling the wide hallways, as well as a few mysterious figures in the distance passing by, also carrying their key.
Klonoa: It's a bit creepy down here...
Huepow: This almost looks like an ancient dungeon... Not what you would expect for a 750 gold fee to join...
Klonoa: How more gloomy could this place be?
Huepow: Well... I guess we should just look for our room then.
Klonoa then looked a bit around and noticed a door that had "1-1" engraved on the stone wall above it. And then the next one saying "1-2" in the farther distance.
Klonoa: But how do we find our exact room? These roads just split up into different ones with no clear pattern.
Huepow: Well, let me think... Hmm...
Then, a tiger who is looking across the hallways bumps into Klonoa and Huepow by accident as he was crossing the hallway, but doesn't even bother to look back at Klonoa as he's just staring at his own key. Klonoa seemed a bit confused, but Huepow was annoyed from this.
Huepow: Hey, watch it! Geez... The nerve of him, not even apologising...
Klonoa: I guess... we should just start moving until we find sector 4?
Huepow: Yeah, let's just go... I don't want to stand around here any longer either.
Klonoa and Huepow then started to walk forward... Then when coming across a crossing path, he goes to the right, ending up in a new hallway that looks identical to the last one. But now the engraved stone markings on the rooms say "9-1", "9-2", etc.
Klonoa: Everything looks the same... Aside from the stone wall marks.
Huepow: We'll get there eventually. Let's head up further into another one.
Walking for a bit longer, the next crossing path hits, and Klonoa goes to the left... ending up in another similar hallway, now saying "7-1", "7-2", etc.
Klonoa: Getting closer...
Huepow: Hopefully.
Another crossing path hits. This time, Klonoa just goes forward... and finally, he arrives at another hallway that says "4-1".
Klonoa: Oh, this is it! Our room must be further up here!
Klonoa runs further up ahead, and finally finds a door that says "4-5"... To their surprise, a yellow Nagapoko was waiting in front of the door. Without them even getting the chance to say anything, the Nagapoko waves at Klonoa, and then hands him a rolled up letter.
Nagapoko: Nagagaga!
Afterwards, the Nagapoko politely bows, then grabs another rolled up letter from its mail bag and quickly heads off to another hallway. Klonoa and Huepow look in a bit of confusion in the distance.
Klonoa: ...What was that about?
Huepow: No idea... maybe the letter will tell us?
Klonoa pulls off the ribbon attached to the letter and opens up the paper, cleared his throat a bit, and then starting to quickly read it.
Klonoa: Ahem...
"Dear participant, thank you joining this year's Annual Champ Tournament together with 127 other contestants. To explain your position, there are 16 preliminary brackets in total, each containing 8 contestants per bracket. This current one being bracket number 4, with you being participant number 5 of the bracket. The contestants will face off each other until only one winner remains of this preliminary bracket. From there, the 16 remaining contestants will be moved to one final bracket, where the last one remaining will be declared as the winner of the tournament. Both the preliminary bracket you're participating in, as well as the final bracket, are to be found in the center of your hallway. When the time for your next match comes, a bell will go off in your room, and the nearby light teleporter pad will automatically activate. This light teleporter will automatically warp you into the arena, if you step into the light. We want you to agree to follow the rules, which goes as followed..."
Klonoa then rolled down the piece of paper further that insisted the rules.
"When your next match will start, you are to be ready within the first two minutes since the announcement. Any later, and you will immediately be disqualified from the tournament. The arena matches play out in a one on one arena battle. The first one to knock their opponent unconscious, knock them out of the arena, or make them yield is victorious. Killing is strictly forbidden. If you manage to kill your opponent, be it either an accident or on purpose, you will immediately be disqualified from the Annual Champ Tournament. If on purpose, you will also be banned."
Klonoa then rolled down the last bit of paper from the letter.
"If you are to follow our rules, we will gladly welcome you with open arms to the Dream Arena, and hope you will enjoy your stay. Credit to Coronia and its priests for developing and helping build the light teleporter system."
Klonoa sighed a bit as he then rolled the piece of paper back up, after having read the entire thing.
Klonoa: Wow, that was a mouthful.
Huepow: I see... so no accidental killing is allowed. I'll try to carefully hold back to not overdo it.
Klonoa: What does that mean for me?
Huepow: If i'm right, we just wait in our room until the bell starts, need to be on time for when our tournament starts, not kill anybody during our matches, and most importantly... win every match we can until we cross paths with the Water fighter.
Klonoa: What then?
Huepow: We try to convince him to help us out and allow us to enter Jugpot's palace.
Klonoa: I see... Well, let's give it our all!
Huepow: Not our all! Close to it, but let's not overdo it and kill our opponents by accident!
Klonoa: O-oh, right... Close to it...
Klonoa then held up the door key in the meantime, and put it in the lock, opening up the door... When they stepped inside, they suddenly found themselves in a warm, well-lit, modern-styled wooden room that almost seemed completely isolated from the hallway it was attached to. Klonoa and Huepow were both astounded by this as they gazed their eyes upon it, with Klonoa just looked around out of amazement while Huepow casually observed the room. The room contained a puffy double-sized bed in the center, a smooth wooden desk chair right of them when entering the door, a one-seat sofa to the left of the bed, the teleporter pad left to the one-seat sofa, and at last a small bathroom containing a toilet, wall sink and bathtub.
Klonoa: Whoaaaa...
Huepow: Oh... So this is what we paid for then...
Klonoa laughs and immediately runs up to the bed, just diving onto it with his entire body. Huepow in the meantime begins to float on over to the one-seat sofa, transformed back into his real form, and slowly starts to sit down onto the sofa. Klonoa seemed to really be enjoying the bed.
Klonoa: Hehehehe, it's not even a bed... it's a HUGE bed! This is amazing! !
Meanwhile, Huepow just exhalates heavily out of comfort from the sofa, looking upwards to the ceiling as he was getting comfortable.
Huepow: Ahhhhhhhh... Talk about luxury... This makes that entire price worth it, even if it's a temporary stay...
Klonoa then looked a bit more around the apartment and spotted a switch on the wall near the door.
Klonoa: Hm? What is that?
Klonoa jumped off the bed and then walked over to the switch... carefully pressing it, which then caused the lamp on the ceiling to turn off, and caused the entire room to go completely dark, startling the both of them.
Klonoa: Ack-!
Huepow: Huh?! Wait, what happened?
Klonoa: I don't know... I pressed this button and then everything went-
Klonoa then pressed the switch again, and caused the lights to turn back on.
Klonoa: Dark...
Huepow: Ohh, it was the light switch.
Klonoa: The light switch, huh? I knew of the light...
Klonoa then grinned after realising it was a light switch.
Klonoa: But i never knew you could turn it on and off!
Klonoa started to flicker the light switch rapidly for a couple of seconds and then jumped back on the bed after being done, sticking out his arms behind his head, and really letting the enjoyment of this place sink in.
Klonoa: Hmmmm...
The two lied down for quite a while... After about 25 minutes, Klonoa looked back to Huepow.
Klonoa: You know... I truly wish i could live in a place like this...
Huepow, slowly snapping back from daydreaming, then turned towards Klonoa.
Huepow: In a colosseum like this?
Klonoa: Oh no, no! I mean... an actual house like this, resting somewhere that i would feel at ease...
Klonoa's more happy grin then slowly started to sink a bit, as he began to think more and more about this, while looking back up to the ceiling.
Klonoa: I... I should come on terms with it though. That is just a dream that will never come true.
Huepow: Hm? What do you mean?
Klonoa: I'm a Dream Traveler, Huepow. I'm not meant to live here. My only purpose is to save this world from a threat, and then be sent off to the next...
Klonoa then looked back at his own hand as he pointed it up to the ceiling.
Klonoa: Not meant to stay here for longer than i'm expected. Not meant to become attached to those i interact with...
Klonoa then slowly started to clench his fist, as his sad face lifted a bit more up, and turned serious.
Klonoa: But... But i feel genuinely strange about all of this. There's a part of my heart that feels like the complete opposite. I don't know what i want anymore...
Huepow: Oh...
Huepow then stood up from the sofa and decided to fully embrace Klonoa in a hug on the bed, even to Klonoa's own surprise.
Klonoa: W-wha?!
Huepow: I'm so sorry that i asked... I didn't mean to bother you with such a personal and sensitive question...
Klonoa then softly smiled after hearing it, as he embraced Huepow with his only free arm while he was lying down on the bed.
Klonoa: Oh... No worries. You're at least here again, to stick with me until my duty's done. That's more than i could've ever expected.
Hearing this made Huepow actually blush a bit... eventually Klonoa stood up from his bed, and looked at the door. Then back at Huepow.
Klonoa: Say... how about we check out the bracket down the hallway while we still have some time?
Huepow: O-oh, right. Good idea. We could see which of those other seven opponents could possibly be, and if the Water fighter is among them.
Huepow also stood up from the bed as the two walked on over to the hallway. When they found themselves in hallway number four, they spotted a lightyellow anteater to the left of them who wore an exotic and thin dark brown dress. She was staring at a handdrawn bracket, but Klonoa and Huepow could only vaguely see the first two names on top because of the anteater blocking the view of the board.
Anteater: Is it Jah-ehl, or jav-eel...? Either way, what does my opponent even look like? Bet it must be a scary mage or something... but...
Klonoa then checked his eyes a bit, and saw one of the first names being "The Ant Eater", tapping the anteater on the back. She slowly turned around towards with both Klonoa and Huepow looking at her.
Klonoa: The Ant Eater?
Huepow: Not to be rude, but... that's... not a very creative name, if i have to be honest.
The anteater then quietly spoke to them with her nose.
Mimbi: M-my real name is Mimbi if you must know... oh wait... darn, now my identity is out there!
Klonoa: Wait, what?!
Mimbi: See... i... i'm kind of a big deal in my own hometown, but i didn't want anybody to know that i'd be here...
Klonoa: Oh, i see... Don't worry, we'll keep it a secret.
Mimbi: Whew... Please promise me you do.
Mimbi then walks on off further down the hall, as Klonoa and Huepow scratched their heads a bit and then checked the complete bracket next to them, now that they could see it. It contained eight names from top to bottom: The Ant Eater, The Princess of Ja'Eel, The Child of the Wind, The Gorilla Thug, The Stone-hearted Hero, The Freestyle Martial Artist, The Count, and at last the Darenda Master.
Huepow: So our first opponent is someone who goes by the name of the "Gorilla Thug"... That doesn't sound very friendly to start with.
Klonoa: So... we should expect a big foe as our first opponent?
Huepow: Most likely. If the names are something to go off of, at least...
Then Klonoa could hear the bell go off in his room from a distance because of his ears.
Klonoa: Uh-oh, the bell is going off!
Huepow: Wait, already?! Well... we have no time to lose. Klonoa!
Huepow then transformed back into the ring spirit form and immediately entered the Wind Ring that Klonoa was holding in his right arm.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Let's hurry! Now!
Klonoa: R-right!
Klonoa then started to run back for his room, closed the door, and saw that the teleporter pad began to glow... Klonoa started to step forth onto the teleporter, and within a flash and harsh light, Klonoa was transported, as he closed his eyes...
When the light disappeared, Klonoa opened his eyes, and now found himself on the side of a giant circle of sand in the center of the colosseum. The mid-evening sky from above was visible. Surrounding the rather large circle was an entire audience of people of people cheering.
In the audience, Kio then spotted Klonoa in the distance and began to yell out of excitement along with the rest of the audience.
During this, Klonoa looked all around him out of surprise from everything in general, and then back to the Wind Ring with Huepow in it.
Klonoa: Whoa... I knew the place was huge, but not like this.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Stay focussed, Klonoa. We got an unknown opponent to beat!
Klonoa: R-right...
Klonoa firmly grasped his Wind Ring, and began to keep up his guard as he got into position. Then, another ray of light appeared on the opposite side of the sand circle. It was a gorilla about two to three times the size of Klonoa. He had brown fur, a yellow/orange bandana, dark brown hair, and wore grey pants and a black leather jacket, who smokes on a wooden pipe. Then a voice began to rise from the farther distance all over the colosseum.
Announcer: Welcome to the second match of the fourth bracket, where contestant number four, goes up against number five! Up first... We have contestant number four. A 29 year old gorilla from the deeper edges of Forlock, in Teswood Jungle! Known to be a fighter with hands, he goes by the name of the Gorilla Thug! ! !
The audience began cheering for the Gorilla Thug as he just stood still and only grunts a little bit while not even really reacting to the audience. Klonoa seemed a bit nervous.
Klonoa: Ngh...! He's tall... I don't know what advantages that gives him compared to us...
Huepow (Wind Ring): You got this. Don't worry. We just need to find a way to knock him down with the Wind Bullet!
Announcer: And up next, we have contestant number five. With no origin given to this... uh... 14, to 16 year old? ...Yeah i'll go with that. With no origin given to this 14-16 year old, it begs the question what this kid may bring to the table... or how far he's going. Introducing, the mysterious, and all new, Child of the Wind! !
The general audience seemed a bit confused, but eventually got back to cheering for the match.
Announcer: And now, while the countdown from twenty will begin, you can all make your bets, open to the nearby betting men in those seconds! Twenty... Nineteen...
Kio then overhears almost everyone else betting on the Gorilla Thug in the audience a bit further up ahead, and starts to get a bit nervous.
Random Audience member 1: The kid's not gonna stand a chance...
Random Audience Member 2: His head will be crushed in just his hand. The Gorilla Thug's definitely got it!
Random Audience Member 3: Voting on the teen seems like a sure way to lose your money, bwahaha!
Kio grabbed the remaining money from his pocket, which were five golden coins.
Kio: I'm scared... What if Klonoa cannot even make it at all? I mean... he's got a fierce opponent right out of the gate... and then we'll never be able to make it to the palace...
Announcer: Fourteen seconds left!
Kio stared for two seconds, and then just harshly shook it off, stood up from his seat and walked right on over to the better.
Kio: Nrrgh... Klonoa, i'm putting my faith in you! So you better live up to it!
Kio then slammed down his only five golden coins on the desk of the better.
Kio: I'm betting on... the Child of the Wind.
Announcer: Six!
The Gorilla Thug then took his pipe, and threw it behind his back, stretching his shoulder a tiny bit, as Klonoa waited off the counter. Meanwhile the Gorilla Thug also got ready in position in those few seconds.
Announcer: Three! Two! One! And... bets are now closed. Let the match of...
The Child of the Wind VERSUS The Gorilla Thug...
BEGIN!
Klonoa awaits the Gorilla Thug's first move... All he did, was slowly crack his knuckles.
Klonoa: Is... Is he going to attack me first? Or should i move?!
Huepow (Wind Ring): Just hold it... Let him come to you.
After a few seconds, the Gorilla Thug blew off a bit of steam out from his nose and finally starts to slowly walk on over to Klonoa.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Steady... Keep up this position...
As the Gorilla Thug then finally got up to Klonoa, Huepow yelled from the ring.
Huepow (Wind Ring): To the head! Now, NOW! !
Klonoa then quickly aimed at the head of the Gorilla Thug from his position, and shoots the Wind Bullet right at it. But aside from it seemingly just doing as much as a soft slap to the face, it only budged his head a bit to the right... he then slowly turned back around to Klonoa and seemed a little more irritated.
Gorilla Thug: ...You waited just for that? Hmph...
The Gorilla Thug then quickly reached out with his arm for Klonoa.
Klonoa: U-uh oh...!
Huepow (Wind Ring): What?! I... I surely thought that would work!
But as Klonoa tried to escape by running away, it was too late... the Gorilla Thug easily and forcefully grabs a hold of Klonoa with nearly his entire right hand around him, aside from his legs which stuck out a bit.
Klonoa: A-Argh! !
Gorilla Thug: You should know your place. Only the strong are able to even make it further into the tournament!
The Gorilla Thug then started to harshly squish him, making Klonoa scream in agony from the pain going through his entire body and slightly crushing his bones.
Klonoa: AAAAAARGHHH! ! ! Nrrgghhh...!
Meanwhile Kio in the audience was stunned from even seeing this afar.
Kio: No... Klonoa, no!
Huepow (Wind Ring): K-Klonoa... hang in there! I'll try to break you out of it!
Klonoa: Nrrgh...! J-just hurry up... i don't think i can take this any longer...!
The Gorilla Thug then sighed a bit, as Klonoa weakly to break out from his grasp, eventually squeezing even harder by clasping his left hand around his right hand too.
Klonoa: AAAAHHHH! ! !
Gorilla Thug: Just so you know... This is pure business to me, not that i'd deliberately go around to harm weaklings like you. I've come here to retrieve the rare treasure that's to be given to the winner... Now... to quickly end this, and throw you out of the ring...
Then Klonoa felt that the Wind Ring's crystal was glowing up, but nearly seemed to faint from the pain put through his body...
Huepow (Wind Ring): Klonoa, stay strong... Shoot the ring right at him when his guard is open!
Klonoa: R...Right...
Gorilla Thug: Hm? Well, no matter... safe travels back home, kid.
The Gorilla Thug then opened his palm a bit and prepared to throw Klonoa right into the audience with his right hand from where he stood... And a second before he began to throw, Klonoa slipped his right hand with the Wind Ring right out of the Gorilla Thug's grasp, and noticed that the green crystal of the Wind Ring was glowing... a few memories flashed by Klonoa due to the sight of this...
The young Klonoa found himself high up above Breezegale holding the Wind Ring while standing on a green crystallised and floating platform, surrounded by floating cannons. Next to him was a young Huepow as he was in the ring spirit form. And in the center of all the floating platforms was a giant nightmare beast with crystals sticking out.
Young Huepow: This is it, Klonoa!
Young Klonoa: Wha...?
Young Huepow: Shoot me into Nahatomb using the Wind Bullet!
Young Klonoa: B...But, what will happen to you, Huepow?!
Young Huepow: Don't worry! We'll always be together! We have to win... with both of our strengths combined!
Young Klonoa: Huepow... I understand!
As he the memories blur out from there and Klonoa snaps back to reality while his eyes are closed... he fiercely opens them again, and immediately points the Wind Ring with one arm at the back of the Gorilla Thug's head.
Klonoa: Take... this! !
Klonoa then quickly shoots the glowing Wind Bullet at the back of the Gorilla Thug's head, and forcefully sends the Gorilla Thug flying to the center of the arena and crash down onto the cold sand, as Klonoa is finally released from the Gorilla Thug and lands back on his two feet. Klonoa catches up with his own breath, as he then tried to push his arms a bit back to soften the pain from being squished.
Klonoa: M-Magya...! That hurt...
Huepow (Wind Ring): Thank goodness, that risky technique still works.
Klonoa: Hey, uh... If i may ask you a question, could we give that attack a name if we're going to make it a habit to recklessly fire the Wind Bullet like that?
Meanwhile as Klonoa and Huepow were talking, the Gorilla Thug tried to get back up on his feet, with his forehead a bit scratched from scraping over the floor.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Reckless? More like i'm putting everything into it. Besides, that was in the past. I can handle anything now!
Klonoa: Yeah, but... it almost got you killed back in the day! I was so worried about it back then!
Then as the Gorilla Thug walked on over to Klonoa, the two of them stopped right in their argument.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Let's... uh... let's continue this conversation later.
Diglo: Bastard... If you don't split right now, you will regret facing Diglo! The one who can shake down the entire jungle!
Klonoa: Diglo? Wait, is that your true name? Hmm... can't say i ever heard of it...
With Diglo hearing this, he turned even more furious and attempts to harshly punch Klonoa with his left fist to the ground where he was standing.
Diglo: Rrrrghh...! You should be feared by the name alone!
But before Diglo could punch him, Klonoa evades by jumping up in the air... but to his surprise, he jumped even higher than Diglo was, and recklessly decides to attempt to kick Diglo's back from the air.
Klonoa: Wa... WAHOO! ! !
Klonoa then kicks Diglo, which sends him sliding over the sand, crashing into the wall of the arena fighting grounds. As Klonoa landed back on the ground, he seemed astounded himself, looking down on the lower side of his body.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Whoa! !
Klonoa: What... What was that? Did i do that?!
Huepow (Wind Ring): Oh, i see... I think i understand it now. It's about the force put up against his overall body. Hence why a regular Wind Bullet didn't do all that much. But regardless... Your legs! How did you pull of a blow like that with just your legs?!
Klonoa: I-I don't know, i just decided to kick him!
Diglo then pulled his head out of the broken wall and looks right back at Klonoa, even more furious this time.
Diglo: Damn kid... Now i'm getting mad! ! Get ready for the smackdown of a JUNGLE BEAST! ! !
Huepow (Wind Ring): W-well, whatever it may be with your legs, you gotta do it again. Beat that monkey! !
Klonoa: Right!
As Diglo then started charging right at Klonoa while flinging his arms around while running, Klonoa decided to get into his fighting position.
Klonoa: I think i know what to do... Let's do this together, Huepow. Charge the Wind Bullet!
Huepow (Wind Ring): Right!
Huepow started to charge up the Wind Bullet, making the Wind Ring's green crystal glow again. Klonoa then awaited until he got close enough... until he eventually was only three meters away from him. From there, he attempts to kick Diglo from the right, as Diglo fiercely blocks the punch using his entire fist, and getting ready to hit Klonoa from the side using his left.
Klonoa: NOW! !
But before Diglo could do that, Klonoa aimed the Wind Ring right at Diglo's open stomach and fired the charged Wind Bullet into it, making him drop down to his knees from the severe blow to his weak spot. Then Klonoa uses his other open leg to harshly kick him from the side of his head, sending him flying against the wall, now leaning with his back onto the audience seats. The audience stopped cheering from the shock for a few seconds... and then loudly started cheering again.
Announcer: Wow! What a spectacle that was! ! The Gorilla Thug got knocked out from an energy blast and a kick to the head! And after the Gorilla Thug had the upper hand too!
But as almost nobody could've ever expected, the Child of the Wind reigned victorious!
The audience was actively cheering for Klonoa... meanwhile as Kio stood next to the desk of the better, he gets handed back 10 golden coins from him. Kio laughed, as a lot of faces around him seemed rather confused who also betted, but had placed it on the Gorilla Thug.
Kio: Hahahaha! I knew you could do it, Klonoa!
Then as Diglo regained back consciousness, he cracks his neck back into a more comfortable position and carefully gets back up from the ground, looked back at Klonoa.
Diglo: ...You know... you ain't bad, kid.
Klonoa: Hm?
Diglo: You may even go very far... Either way, i don't mind the loss. I've already been paid in advance for my job. Just gotta let them know i ran into a large obstacle.
Klonoa: I... I see...
Diglo was then teleported out of the arena in a flash.
Announcer: The Child of the Wind will make it to the next sets of rounds to come! As for now... we will first clean up the mess, and then move on to the next!
Klonoa then was also teleported out of the arena in a flash...
When Klonoa came to be, he found himself standing back on the teleporter in his room, which has now stopped being lighted up. Klonoa laughed a bit, realising they had won their first match, as he clumsily drops back on his bed with his slightly broken arms and chest.
Klonoa: Ehehehehe... Hahahaha! We... we really made it!
As Huepow then exited the Wind Ring in his true form, he immediately held out his hands to carefully heal Klonoa's body. In the meantime, the two began to talk with each other.
Klonoa: Th...Thank you Huepow.
Huepow: Do not thank me for it, please... I feel like i'm partly to blame for all of it. Thinking a regular Wind Bullet would be strong enough to knock out a giant gorilla like that...
Klonoa: Hey, no worries. It was just a little mistake, that's all. Besides, we made it to the next round.
Huepow: O-oh... I see... yeah, you're right. Speaking of, you said you wanted to give that move where i give it my all into the Wind Bullet a name, right?
Klonoa: Well, i'm not sure if it's even a move that we should be constantly pulling off. It seems kind of dangerous. You almost killed yourself when we were kids using that!
Huepow: Yeah... But... Do not worry about me anymore for something like that. I've made it through times and times again since. If we're together, we will always make it.
Klonoa then softly smiled back at Huepow, as did Huepow at him.
Klonoa: ...Okay, you're right. So... what should we call it? Charging Blast?
Huepow: I was thinking something closer to Full-Force Bullet.
Klonoa: Hmm... I don't know...
Huepow eyes widened, and quickly stuck up one finger into the air towards the lamp above them, while still healing Klonoa with the other arm as he turned silent for a moment.
Huepow: Wait...
Huepow then with his widened eyes looked back at Klonoa.
Huepow: What about... the Fully Charged Wind Bullet?
Klonoa smirked a bit after hearing Huepow say that.
Klonoa: Ooooohhh, i like the sound of that! Sounds really serious.
Klonoa and Huepow then giggled a little bit, as the two hugged each other tightly.
Klonoa: M-Magya!
Becuase of this hug, Huepow accidentally squeezed Klonoa a bit too much than his body could handle at the moment. Huepow immediately released Klonoa as he noticed it.
Huepow: Whoooops... S-sorry, Klonoa!
Klonoa: It's... It's okay... Just... let my body rest for a bit, okay? My body needs it...
As Huepow then slowly looked a bit around the room, he spotted the bathtub and suddenly started to get an idea.
Huepow: Wait... I think i got it!
Klonoa: Hm?
Huepow got up and ran over to the bathtub, turning on the hot water by rotating the right and red-colored knob.
Klonoa: H-hey, what are you planning to do?!
Huepow: Well... all the crushed bones may have been restored, but your muscles and overall body will still feel generally sore for maybe a couple of hours... So i thought, "what if you just were to relax in a warm bath of water?" It would definitely soothen you both mentally and also physically.
Klonoa: R...Right... I see...
Eventually the bathtub was filled, as Huepow turned the bathtub off, put a towel across the tiled bathroom floor in front of the bathtub, as well as another towel to hang over the curtain within reach... He then turned back to Klonoa from the bathroom.
Huepow: It's ready!
Klonoa: Umm... i don't really know what to do though...
Huepow then slowly walked up to the bed in their room, and next to Klonoa.
Huepow: No worries, it's simple. Just undress yourself in there and get into the water. When you're done, dry yourself off with the nearby towel.
Klonoa: W-wait, undress in front of you?!
Huepow: No, no! In the bathroom! You can close the door for privacy.
Klonoa: Oh... right, hehe...
As Klonoa seemed a bit embarrassed while laughing it off, he carefully tried to get up from the bed, and slowly waddled on over to the bathroom... in the meantime, Huepow then decides to lie down on the large bed and rest his eyes a bit... As Klonoa then got in, he closed the bathroom door, and Huepow could hear him put off his clothes and set a foot in the water from a distance.
Klonoa: Y-yikes... that hurts...!
Then another foot... and it turned quiet for a few seconds.
Klonoa: ...Umm... what now? I'm standing in the center of the water...
Huepow: Just lie down with your entire body in the water.
Klonoa: In it?! But what if my head falls into the water and i drown?!
Huepow: Are you really that nervous of the water? Don't worry, you'll be fine! It's not that deep!
Klonoa: O...Okay... Here i go...
Huepow could then hear the sound of Klonoa submerging into the water...
Klonoa: Ah-Ooohhhhhhhhhhh~
Huepow: Well? How is it?
Klonoa: It's... It's... perfect...~
Huepow grinned a bit as he was still resting his eyes.
Huepow: Good to hear that. Take as long as you want in there until the next match starts! Or the water begins to turn colder...
Klonoa: R...Riiiiight...~
As the two rested a bit for the next two hours with no sign of the next match yet, the door was being politely knocked on. But neither of them really responded to it due to the noise being too quiet. Huepow was daydreaming while on his bed. Not fully sleeping, but also not awake enough to pay attention.
Huepow: L... Let me hear that song again, Lephise...
Then eventually, four Nagapoko's carrying a wooden table suddenly just quickly stormed through the door, loud enough that Huepow's daydreaming was immediately interrupted and he jumped up from the bed a bit in shock as the Nagapoko's immediately just slammed the table down in the center.
Huepow: W-what, who! Where...?
Huepow then looked closer and noticed that the wooden table had another letter attached to it, as well as a whole stack of food and drink on top of it. Meanwhile, Huepow opened the letter by himself and started to read it alone.
"Dear participant, we want to congratulate you on making it to the next set of rounds. As a reward, every won round you will be rewarded with even more free meals on the house. We hope this will suffice to keep up your spirits and ready to give it your all for the next rounds to come."
As Huepow finished reading, he closed the letter and put it back on the table, turning his head to the bathroom where Klonoa was still in.
Huepow: Hey, Klonoa?!
As Klonoa heard Huepow yell at him, he could hear the splashes of the bathtub.
Klonoa: W-what?! Oh... Huepow, what is it?
Huepow: I don't know how to explain this, but... they're rewarding us food with every round!
Klonoa: Wait, really?! Oh man, i've been starving the entire evening!
Huepow: Already...? But... we've had Moo Meat last night.
Klonoa: Oh yeah... But still, i feel incredibly hungry. Wait for me, i'll be out soon!
As Klonoa was getting himself ready, Huepow then looked at the open door from their room and decides to quickly head on over to the bracket down the hallway to check the results so far... As he stops in his tracks, he noticed that The Ant Eater, the Gorilla Thug, the Freestyle Martial Arist, and the Darenda Master are out of the competition.
Huepow: Hmm... So the Ant Eater didn't make it after all... That means our next opponent is also unknown, aside from being a princess...
After discovering that, Huepow runs back to their own room, and grabs the two chairs that were attached to the desk, and easily puts them on the opposite side of the tables. Then Klonoa freshly got out of the bathroom, only wearing a towel to cover his bottom. Klonoa easily moves his arms a bit around as he smiles.
Klonoa: Ahhhh, that really hit the spot... I feel so light in my body, it's unbelievable!
Klonoa then sat down, as Huepow noticed that Klonoa was only a towel... he seemed a bit flushed, while Klonoa seems a bit confused?
Klonoa: Hm? Is something the matter?
Huepow: Umm... Are you sure it's fine to just walk around like that...?
Klonoa: What do you mean? It's not like i'm fully naked right now. I'm wearing one of those bath-thingies around me.
Huepow: T-towel...
Klonoa: Yeah, i meant a towel. Besides, when we were younger i used to run around with no shirt on all the time. I'll properly dress once we're done eating.
Huepow: R...Right... I guess i can get used to it... for now.
Klonoa then clasped his hands together, as he looked over the wooden table. They had a lot of bread, ale, and red wine. Also scattered around were a few pieces of mutton.
Klonoa: Ooohhh... Thank you Claire, for the meal!
Klonoa then decided to begin by digging into the huge stacks of bread, as Huepow started by calmly grabbing a golden cup of red wine... But Huepow couldn't help but stare from how much Klonoa was currently eating right from the beginning. But regardless, he casually tried to still hold a conversation.
Huepow: Klonoa, i have also checked the brackets by the time you were getting out of the tub, and i discovered our next opponent is going to be that 'Princess' contestant we know nothing of yet.
Klonoa nods a bit towards Huepow, and then continued on eating for the next minute or so.
Huepow: Hey... Uh... How much have you actually eaten since your return to here?
As Klonoa was still stuffing his mouth with bread, he eventually stopped after hearing him and responds back as soon as his mouth was free, as Huepow carefully took his first sip from the red wine.
Klonoa: Hmmm... Aside from that piece of moo meat and carrot stew... nothing else that i can remember.
Huepow: Ohhh... i guess that explains a lot.
Klonoa: Also if you don't mind me asking, what is this puffy food called?
Klonoa then pointed at the piece of bread that he currently had in his hand.
Huepow: Oh... that's just bread.
Klonoa: Bread, huh? It's kind of flavorless, but also so filling!
Klonoa then continued on... meanwhile Huepow calmly ate a few pieces of bread and one mutton, as well as drinking carefully from his glass of red wine. A few minutes later, he eventually finished up eating nearly all of the bread, and leaned a bit back in his chair.
Klonoa: Ahh, that sure refilled my energy...
Huepow: W-whoa... all of this on the table was for like... eight people in total. And you ate most of it on your own...!
Klonoa then stared a bit at the ceiling.
Klonoa: I kind of wonder what our next foe will be like... It sounds like this princess also comes from very far...
Klonoa then leaned forward again and pointed at a bottle of ale.
Klonoa: Hey... Can i try something from that thing?
Huepow: Hm? You mean one of those bottles? I'm not sure... i mean all of this 'drink' stuff seems to not be meant for us.
Klonoa: I could at least try.
Huepow: Well... if you really want to, feel free to give it a shot.
Huepow then grabbed one of the ale bottles, and handed it to Klonoa. Klonoa carefully took off the cork on top and then stared at the bottle.
Klonoa: So... uh... A bit embarrassing to ask, but i'm assuming i just need to pour it into me like how food goes down, right?
Huepow: Mhm.
Klonoa: Okay...
Klonoa started to carefully chug the bottle... But before he knew it, the taste made him spit out the ale, harshly coughing from this...
Klonoa: COUGH! COUGH! COUGH! N-ngh... My throat... That tasted bitter! Absolutely disgusting!
Huepow grinned a tiny bit.
Huepow: I guess that's why these are classified as adult drinks. No wonder my mother never let me try this before. I think they call this red stuff wine... and it tastes sweet.
Klonoa: Really? Can i tr-
Then to both their surprises, the bell went off in their room and the teleporter pad activated again... Huepow and Klonoa just awkwardly stared at each other for a few seconds.
Klonoa: ...I guess can do with a more dry throat.
Huepow: This soon?! Well, what are we waiting for?! Get dressed! Now!
Klonoa: R-right!
Klonoa immediately stood up from their table and ran back into the bathroom, as he clumsily and quickly gets dressed back into his regular outfit within the next couple of seconds, eventually stepping out of the room as he was adjusting his shoes while carrying the Wind Ring in his mouth. When his shoes are finally put on right, he grabs the Wind Ring with his right arm, as Huepow enters the Wind Ring while transforming into the Ring Spirit form, walking on over to the teleporter pad. But then he heard some vague voices down the hallway as well as the sound of people in iron suits running, looking at the door that was still open...
Unknown Voice: ...nother tragedy?
Unknown Voice 2: What happened to Bludron?!
Unknown Voice: I-i do not know... he's just been lying down there when we found him, and... I know that he wasn't... you know... urk-ed, in a fight.
Unknown Voice 2: Pah, it's already too late. Get a move-on! Accidents happen after the match!
It turned a bit more quiet after that as the sound of people in iron suits disappeared in the distance... Klonoa, not really understanding what happened down there, shrugs it off and closed his room's door... then he faced towards the teleported bad, breathing in and out, and stepping forward onto it. Within a flash, Klonoa was transported back into the arena battlegrounds...
As Klonoa arrived onto the battleground, it was now late-evening, and notices that his opponent was already here too... It was a pink furred cat with long upright ears and a somehwat long but thin tail, wearing a pale colored puffy turban that almost completely covered her eyes, a blue colored iron armor chestplate, pale colored harem pants, two fancy golden armlets dark yellow balgha's on her feet. She was wielding a scimitar with her right hand.
Announcer: Onto the next set of matches from bracket number four... We have our first fight number eight, against number five! Up first... We have contestant number eight. The elegant princess who had turned eighteen a few weeks ago! Coming all the way from afar of a land which the name i still can't pronounce! Introducing... the Princess of Jael!
The princess then groaned, as the audience was heard to be laughing a bit. Klonoa seemed a bit genuinely confused and turned to the princess.
Klonoa: Hey, uh... maybe it's a bad time to ask, but how do you actually say your title right?
Princess: It's pronounced jah-veel! Geez... how many times do i need to tell you all that?!
Huepow (Wind Ring): You've only fought one opponent so far though...
Announcer: And up next, we have contestant number five. With no origin given to this 15-ish year old teen, his potential still leaves much to be desired... Introducing, The Child of the Wind!
The audience began to cheer, as the Princess of Ja'eel seemed a bit annoyed.
Princess: How about if i mispronounce your name, and see how that feels, child?! I come from so far and all of you mistreat me like this!
Huepow (Wind Ring): Mistreat? We didn't even do anything to you though...
Klonoa: Hm? But... what's there to mispronounce? Anyway, it's Klonoa.
Princess: Clone-what? Clown car?
Klonoa: Clone-oh-wa... Either way, it doesn't really seem to bother me.
Princess: Of course it doesn't...
Announcer: And now, while the countdown from twenty will begin, you can all make your bets on the winner! Twenty... nineteen...
As the audience began cheering and Kio walked on over to the closest better's desk with more people surrounding it while placing their bets, he looked off into the battleground further up ahead.
Kio: The princess seems sneaky and never let her guard down from the last match i've seen... But...
Kio then slammed down his ten golden coins on the desk in front of the better.
Kio: I'm voting for the Child of the Wind on this one.
Klonoa then looked up to the Princess of Ja'eel, and then realised something...
Klonoa: Hey wait! If i told my own personal name to you, you should tell me yours!
Anemon: Hmph... It's Princess Anemon. But only speak of it outside of my presence... when you're near me, you can only call me princess, peasant! As will everyone else, when they learn their place below my feet!
Klonoa: H-hold on, wha-
Klonoa seemed a bit confused on her remark, but before he could really let anything sink in, Anemon then readied her scimitar, as Klonoa immediately readied his own position with the Wind Ring.
Announcer: Three! Two! One! And the bets are closed Let the match of...
The Princess of Ja'eel VERSUS The Child of the Wind...
BEGIN!
Anemon immediately rushed on over to Klonoa with her scimitar... before Klonoa had any time to register, she began to try and slash Klonoa... out of reflex, Klonoa immediately held up the Wind Ring and began to use it as an object to block the sword's strikes.
Klonoa: What...?!
Anemon: Oh? What's that? A weapon disadvantage? Well...
Anemon then raised her scimitar upwards.
Anemon: You shouldn't have brought a ring into a swords battle, peasant!
Then Anemon began to harshly clash with the scimitar against Klonoa constantly, as he couldn't do anything but block the strikes using the Wind Ring.
Klonoa: Gch...!
Eventually Klonoa pushed back a bit as the sword's tip was caught up inbetween the golden ring and the green emerald on top of it, and then aimed the Wind Ring right at her, trying to quickly shoot at Anemon's scimitar with the Wind Bullet, but she quickly was able to dodge the shot, and get behind Klonoa...
Klonoa: Huh?!
Anemon: What's wrong? Am i too quick-witted for you?
Klonoa: Nrrgh...!
Klonoa immediately responded by doing a backwards sweeping kick to make Anemon fall down, but she immediately rolled back up on her toes so smoothly just before the impact onto the ground... to which she then tried to slice Klonoa from the side of the face... With Klonoa just barely dodging the blade, as it cut two hairs from his left cheek tuft... Klonoa slides a bit over the sandy floor with his feet, facing towards Anemon, as he rubbed a bit on his cheek.
Klonoa: Whew...! That was a close one...
Meanwhile, Klonoa looked back at Anemon who was just spinning around the scimitar in circles, and then pointed the sword right back at him.
Anemon: Why don't you just give in to the princess and beg on your knees for mercy, you filthy, common peasant?
Klonoa: C-common peasant?! I do not even know what that word means that you keep repeating, but i do know that i'm anything but common!
Anemon then spit on the ground a bit.
Anemon: It doesn't matter to me. All of you are the same. I'm willing to go home with the treasure i rightfully deserve as royalty, and you're nothing but an obstacle in my way!
Klonoa: Geez... for being royalty, she sure isn't as respectful as you are, Huepow.
Huepow (Wind Ring): I know, right?
Klonoa: I'm not even sure if i can really beat her like this... with that sword, she is almost in a completely different class of fighting. The Wind Bullet isn't meant for this.
Huepow then sighed a bit while in the Wind Ring.
Huepow (Wind Ring): If only i could just jump out of the Wind Ring and fight her with a rapier myself. But i'm sure if i were to do that, you'd be disqualified. Unless it counts as a part of the weapon... Wait...
Huepow, while in the Wind Ring, seemed a bit shocked to come to a realization.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Wait, i got it!
Klonoa: Huh?! You mean... you can help me side by side?!
Huepow (Wind Ring): Well... no, but... i think i can do something just as helpful as that! I'm not sure if i'll be able to pull it off, but... I need some time, so you have to try and hold her off!
Klonoa: R...Right. I'll try.
Huepow then started to make the Wind Ring completely glow... Anemon was a bit confused from this.
Anemon: What are you trying to pull here, peasant?
Klonoa: Who, me? N-nothing...
Anemon then glared over at Klonoa from the distance, as he then pointed the scimitar at him again, getting into her regular stance.
Anemon: Hmph... no matter. I will force you to yield soon enough!
Anemon then quickly began to run at Klonoa, and started to try and slash him with all that she could... this time, Klonoa goes around to dodge the sword slashes himself as swiftly as possible, as he steps backwards for a while...
Anemon: Come on you commoner, is that all you got?!
Anemon then uses her tail to wrap around Klonoa's leg to harshly make him trip onto the ground, falling on his back.
Klonoa: Magya!
Anemon: Ready to yield yet?
Klonoa: N...No...
Anemon: Well then, how about this?!
Anemon then attempts to stab Klonoa in the stomach, but before she could, Klonoa caught Anemon off guard and harshly kicks her in the chest... making her slide over halfway across the battleground... both of them were panting quite heavily. Klonoa caught up with his breath, as he got back up on his feet. Meanwhile, Anemon noticed that his kick broke a part of Anemon's iron armor.
Anemon: My... my outfit! You ruined my beautiful, glamorous attire! Why you... You filthy peasant!
Klonoa: Can you stop calling me that?!
The Wind Ring then started to glow even brighter, especially on top of the green emerald of the ring.
Huepow (Wind Ring): I did it!
Klonoa: Whoa, what is going on?!
Huepow (Wind Ring): You'll see... now, come forth, and hereby grant the Dream Traveler, known as the wielder of the Wind Ring, a new form!
Then everything in a quick flash went white from the released glow of the Wind Ring, causing everyone to go silent out of the sudden shock from the flash... As Klonoa finally came to be, he looked down on the Wind Ring he was holding in his hand...
Klonoa: Wha...? Whoa!
The audience also came to be... and stared as close as they could from shock... even Anemon when she came to be, almost drops her jaw.
The Wind Ring now had a green energy blade coming out of the green crystal, along with an energy-formed handle inside of the ring to hold onto!
Anemon: W...What...?
Klonoa: A blade... My ring is a sword now?
Klonoa then carefully grabbed a hold of the energy-formed handle within the open space of the ring, discovering he can safely hold on to it. He then closely looked up the energy blade from a few angles in amazement.
Huepow (Wind Ring): So that gut feeling i had in the past was true... The Wind Ring can indeed manifest itself into multiple forms... I did it! I awakened a new power within! !
Klonoa: This is amazing. Huepow, did you know about this form before? ?
Huepow (Wind Ring): Well... i didn't know about it. I never actually tried to pull out the potential of a new form, outside of controlling the stable Wind Bullet. I just tried to finally go along and put everything i got into it, hoping to create some kind of sword or another weapon for the task. And... Sure enough, i managed to make it manifest!
Klonoa: Well, what should we call this?
Huepow (Wind Ring): Obviously the Wind Sword.
Klonoa then grinned a bit and pointed the Wind Sword at Anemon in the distance.
Klonoa: Heehee... This time, we are at even odds!
Anemon seemed a bit space out, as she shook herself a bit to be more conscious.
Anemon: Why, you...! How dare you hide this new weapon from me! !
Anemon then rushed right as Klonoa, trying to slash him at the chest... To which Klonoa smoothly clashed her scimitar with the wind sword, blocking her strike.
Klonoa: Now it's my turn!
Klonoa pushed on forward while they clashed, throwing her off guard as she nearly dropped the scimitar out of her hand, harshly trying to hold onto it. During this, Klonoa manages to kick Anemon in the head, sending her flying in the air almost out of the corner of the , and harshly falling on her back as her puffy turban fell off, and her right golden armlet broke... Finally showing her full face. When she carefully tried to get back up from the fall, she opens up her eyes, revealing to have green eyes... Then Klonoa pointed the Wind Sword's blade right up close to Anemon's face.
Klonoa: It's over... I got you cornered. Please, i don't want to hurt you any further.
Anemon's eyes began to water a bit, as she turned really furious.
Anemon: No... No! ! NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO! ! !
Then tears began to roll down Anemon's face as she slammed the sandy ground with her fist, throwing a tantrum, as all Klonoa did was confusingly stare at her while this was happening.
Anemon: This cannot be! ! This is all a nightmare! ! This treasure was meant to be the only way to redeem myself to my father... Why won't you let me have it my own way? ? Why not? ! ? I am royal blood! A princess! Next to be the queen out of my four brothers! YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS AWAY FROM ME, FOUL, DISGUSTING PEASANT! FROM ME, PRINCESS ANEMON, DAUGHTER OF KING ADIVAEL! ! ! !
Anemon then grabbed her scimitar and clumsily threw it right at Klonoa in a fit of rage.
Klonoa: Whoa!
Klonoa barely dodges the flying sword to his head by reflex... Looking backwards as the scimitar then gets plunged into the ground in the distance from her clumsy throw...
Huepow (Wind Ring): Wow... she's even worse than i thought.
Klonoa himself seemed a bit annoyed after what Anemon almost did to him, but as he looks back, he saw that Anemon was on her knees while crying, and even sniffing. She didn't even seem like she was ready to fight anymore at all.
Anemon: The treasure's my only chance... i wanted to make Adivael actually be proud of me...
Klonoa then looks directly at Anemon from above, as he tried to talk to her.
Klonoa: Look... Uh... Princess Anemon?
Anemon then looked at Klonoa, as she was sniffing her nose.
Klonoa: I don't really know you personally. And... maybe this is just talking from my heart, but... life is not about what's awaiting you at the end... It's about everything that happens in between.
Anemon: H...Huh...?
Klonoa: Ermm... what i'm trying to say is... your purpose in life is not attached to get the greatest of things. You shouldn't be given a value for how well you do your deeds, when compared against these... um...
Huepow (Wind Ring): Brothers.
Klonoa: Yeah, brothers! So what if you don't get the treasure of this tournament? So what if this Adivael considers you a disappointment? It's not about the destination in life... it's about the journey that leads up to it. Lead your own life. Don't let others tell you what to do. And most importantly... do what you actually love!
Hearing that shocked Anemon... she turned quiet for a couple of seconds... before slowly, and finally, smiling up a bit.
Anemon: You're right... I shouldn't have to live my life just trying to make my father proud...
Anemon then carefully stood up, as she looked directly at Klonoa.
Anemon: I... I yield.
The audience then started to cheer wildly for the both of them, as Kio, standing next to the desk of the better, got 20 golden coins handed back to him. Kio smiled up a bit, and whistled as around him were generally mixed reactions. Some cheered loud, and some stared out of confusement as they had their bets on Anemon. Meanwhile, the announcer was loudly speaking over the entire arena.
Announcer: Unbelievable! The Child of the Wind managed to make the Princess of Jael yield, at the hand of his own sword!
The Child of the Wind reigned victorious!
Klonoa spaced out a bit while looking at the audience after the match was over. Meanwhile, Huepow spoke up a bit.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Whoa... good job consoling her, Klonoa. How did you do that?
When Klonoa came to, he seemed a bit surprised himself.
Klonoa: O-oh, uh... I dunno where that came from. It just sort of slipped out.
Meanwhile, Anemon went on over to grab her scimitar and pull it out of the ground.
Announcer: The Child of the Wind made it to the final round of bracket number four! Who will be the second contestant for the final round of this bracket?! We will surely find out soon!
As Anemon pulled out her scimitar, she turned around, and then yells at Klonoa from the distance.
Anemon: Hey!
After hearing it, Klonoa turned his head a bit around towards her.
Anemon: I just wonder... if you're not here for the treasure, then what are you here for exactly?
Klonoa: Oh... i'm just looking for a certain someone.
Anemon: I see... Not something you very often hear around here. Well, thank you for the help, strange nobleman.
Klonoa: Just call me Klonoa. Oh, and... uh... another piece of advice.
Anemon: Hm?
Klonoa innocently grinned a bit as he looked back at Anemon.
Klonoa: ...You may want to work on your attitude a bit.
Then Klonoa was teleported out of the arena in a flash, as Anemon let that sentence sink in for a moment when he was gone... as she then chuckled a tiny bit.
Anemon: That rabbit-like creature sure is a strange one.
Anemon then gets teleported out of the arena as well.