The Return to Phantomile
~ VISION 1-16: Follow your dream ~
While Karal was flying upwards towards the gray clouds with Huepow and Klonoa on his back, Huepow was healing Klonoa's wounds from the last fight with the Verticadium, until he was almost done with healing the deep cut that was left on his left hand. While flying, Karal just turned his head back to Klonoa and Huepow.
Karal: It's so unreal how the three of us are together again.
Klonoa: Same... like, whoa. You've really grown up. You could barely carry me on your back when i was just a little boy.
Karal: Could be said to you two as well. That leap you made on a crumbling bridge with your ears? That was crazy!
The three of them laughed together for a bit.
Karal: By the way, i just love that new hairstyle you've got going there, Klonoa. Looks cool. Can i just say that?
Klonoa then held his right hand up to his plucks of hair that stuck out from his head.
Klonoa: You think? I thought it always looked a bit too wild...
Klonoa then shrugged it off and turned back towards Karal directly.
Klonoa: N-nevermind that, how have you been doing?
Karal: Pretty great, actually. Despite all of these weird occurances happening lately.
Huepow: Okay, but... how exactly did you learn to fly? Didn't Pamela usually assist you?
Karal: Well... yeah, but... less than two years ago, mother finally learnt me the technique to perform flight alone.
Huepow: Ah, i see...
Then they started to pass the grey clouds and eventually came out on top... they noticed that even though the land of Phantomile below them is completely covered by the grey clouds, the midnight sky was still really bright as there were a lot of stars above and the moon was shining. Klonoa just seemed amazed, as were Karal and Huepow.
Klonoa: Whoaaa...
Huepow: It's so different from up here...
Karal then turned back to Klonoa.
Karal: But... how about you two? I haven't even heard of you both ever since mother and I went up to Cress all those years ago.
Huepow: Well... it's a long story, but... to keep it short, i am the prince of Cress, and Klonoa did not come from Phantomile. We are not sure where he originally came from either, but he is what most people call the 'Dream Traveler' nowadays.
Karal: No way, really?
Klonoa: Well... yeah. I was so mad at Huepow for that when i finally returned to here.
Karal: Oh my gosh, i didn't know either of those things. I'm sorry for asking such a personal question.
Klonoa and Huepow just shrugged it off and smiled a bit, as they both just put their arm around each other.
Huepow: No worries, no worries. It is all in the past.
Klonoa: Hehe, yeah...
Karal then smiled a bit up himself.
Karal: So... what are you two trying to do? What makes you fly all the way back out to the Moon Kingdom?
Huepow: We are trying to send Klonoa back to the previous world he visited... I believe it's called Lunatea.
Karal: The mystical land with that large ocean?! Oh man, i am so jealous of you for trying to go there...!
Karal then shook his head a bit and looked back to Klonoa in a more genuine confused manner.
Karal: Oh, but wait, that's not why you're going there, is it? Didn't that Kio guy say something to you about 'getting that priestess'? What does that mean?
Klonoa's face turned fully red after Karal asked that and became absolutely embarrassed.
Klonoa: Huh?! N-Nothing! That means absolutely nothing!
As Klonoa's face was still fully red, he just looked down and sighed for a bit.
Klonoa: ...Kio will make that joke until the end of my days, wouldn't he... A-anyway, it's just about a good friend i met back in Lunatea. And i'm worried about how she's been since i left that world.
Karal: Ohh, i see...
Klonoa began to twiddle around with his thumbs a bit.
Klonoa: I just... I wish she is okay. You know...? She seemed to have a lot on her mind, but she was still so sweet...
Karal: No no, i getcha. Don't worry.
Klonoa then smiled up a bit, as he softly spoke.
Klonoa: ...Thanks.
Then as Klonoa looked further over the sky and to the floating kingdom of Coronia, the Temple of the Sun below them, he noticed how there were a few Nighty-Knight soldiers who seemed to be parachuting towards Coronia from higher up in the distance. Klonoa seemed a bit shocked and concerned, as Huepow just glares a bit to them over the distance. Even Karal seemed a bit concerned.
Karal: More of these monsters?
Huepow: Yeah... It seems like our land was not prepared for any of this.
Klonoa then tried to grab his Wind Ring that was attached to his belt, as Huepow stopped him. Klonoa just seemed really confused.
Huepow: You want to go back to Lunatea, and i will help you get back to Lunatea. Nothing will stop you.
Klonoa: But... What about the Temple of the Sun?! I can't just let it die!
Huepow: I said it multiple times, Klonoa. we will all handle this on our own. Do not worry about Phantomile. This is not your burden to carry.
Huepow looked up towards to the giant kingdom of Cress that rested on a platform of floating crystals in the further distance above them, as he seemed concerned.
Huepow: Although... i just hope Cress is okay...
Klonoa then put his hand down, stood up, and also looked upwards to Cress as he began to smirk a bit.
Klonoa: ...Well, in that case, we need to make it to the Moon Kingdom as fast as possible.
Klonoa then turned his head back to Karal, and stuck out his right fist from excitement into the air.
Klonoa: Karal! Faster!
Karal: Right! !
Karal then smiled and turned his head back around, as he sped up and began trying to fly faster and faster towards Cress in the distance...
After flying for a while, Karal finally arrived at the lowest and nearest platform from the kingdom of Cress... he was panting heavily, and stopped next to the platform, as Karal turned back to both Klonoa and Huepow on his back.
Karal: Huff... I'm... I'm sorry, this is as far as i can go... I am still not used to flying at such heights yet...
Klonoa softly smiled towards Karal after he said that. Meanwhile Huepow politely bowed down.
Klonoa: That's okay, Karal. You did great.
Huepow: I am just happy you were able to bring us back. Thank you, Karal.
Klonoa and Huepow then both stood up and jumped off Karal's back, landing onto the lowest platform of the kingdom next to the hallway that lead them further up. They then turned back to Karal for one more time, as he began to grin a bit.
Karal: Klonoa... Huepow... If you ever need me again, just give me a whistle, okay? I will always be around.
Klonoa: Thank you, Karal. We will!
Huepow: Sure. Maybe we could catch up a bit again by then.
Karal then waved one of his fins towards them, before he started to dive back into the land of Phantomile below... Then as Klonoa and Huepow looked down towards Karal, Klonoa suddenly saw how far up they were to the point where even the clouds of Phantomile were far belo. To which Klonoa nearly fell over behind him after noticing that, while he subconsciously started to back off out of a little bit of fear, and then accidentally hitting the wall next to them, falling onto his butt. Huepow seemed a bit confused.
Klonoa: M-Magya...! Goodness, i forgot how high up this place really is...
Huepow: What is there to worry about, Klonoa? You can save yourself from nearly any fall with a good flap at this point, right?
Klonoa: I...I guess so. But it's still a somewhat uneasy sight.
Huepow then turned around towards the hallway entrance nearby, as did Klonoa.
Huepow: Well anyway, what are we waiting for? Let's hurry!
Huepow then began to run inside the hallway, as Klonoa followed Huepow as close as he could.
Having gone deeper off into the southeast section of Cress, they were now bypassing a quiet, dark and wide hallway made from gray stone... while making their way upward into the kingdom, four guards from Cress in a white outfit with a high hat and a blue cape were wielding swords came from another hallway to the right of them. To which the four immediately aimed their energy-filled steel swords at them when they came across the hallway. One of them spoke, and yelled towards the two of them.
Cress Guard: Stop, nightmare scum! !
Then within a split second, Huepow immediately went on guard and summoned his own Energy Rapier, and aimed at them too. Meanwhile Klonoa was just startled from this.
Klonoa: Whoa! !
As Huepow and the four Cress Guards stared down at each other, the four Cress Guards slowly started to lower their swords and then bowed down, as Huepow slowly lowered his own sword.
Cress Guard: S-Sire?! Forgive us for our rudeness! But what are you suddenly doing out here?!
Huepow: I finally got back from my own personal mission.
Cress Guard: Well, sir... The queen has been worried sick since you snuck out again. Especially due to the omen of Phantomile's nightmare conquerment, and that our upper levels of the kingdom have been infiltrated by those fierce nightmare monsters...
Huepow: What?! The upper levels have been infiltrated?!
Klonoa: Nightmare monsters here too...?!
Cress Guard: Yes... We're afraid to admit it, sire. We have been trying to hold off the top floors, but were unable to.
Huepow: Ohh... But regardless of that, how is mother doing? Is she safe?!
The Cress Guards finally all stood up, and looked directly at Huepow with a faint smile.
Cress Guard: We were reported that the Queen is safe and sound... She has been moved to the northern guarded safe room, sire.
Huepow put his hand on his chest, and deeply breathed out of relief.
Huepow: Whew... that's a relief...
Huepow then turned back to Klonoa, as did he towards him.
Huepow: Well, we don't have much standing in our way aside from those wretched enemies coming from everywhere, so...
Huepow then began to bypass the four souldiers, as the four soldiers then stared out of confusion at Huepow running into the distance towards the nearby staircase...
Huepow: Follow me, Klonoa! I know the quickest way to the top!
Klonoa: W-what?!
Then the four look back at Klonoa, as he stood still, looked back at them and then shrugged, before bypassing them too and following Huepow as well. The four of them looked a bit back at Klonoa running after Huepow as they scratched their head.
Cress Guard: Doesn't the kid that the prince referred to as 'Klonoa' seem... familiar to you guys?
The three Cress Guards began scratching their heads thinking about it, as the fourth one just comedically shrugged. Eventually the four of them continued to walk on ahead towards the northern end of the hallway.
Much further upward in the kingdom, they came across another large, wide and dark hallway made from gray stone... Klonoa and Huepow just kept running forward with Huepow taking the lead.
Klonoa: So... how close are we?
Huepow: We just need to follow the large spiraling staircase at the end of this hallway, go down across the sandy slide and climb our way to the top of the center tower...
Klonoa: I see- whoa, wait, what is that?!
As they were talking, they saw that there were about twenty-five dead Cress Guards lying down further up across the hallway, as blood was spread all over the room. However, one was sitting against the wall with his head down, which Huepow noticed that he was still twitched a bit. Huepow gasped and immediately began to run up to this one, with Klonoa following soon. Huepow then kneeled down to the one sitting against the wall and noticed that he was still bleeding from a gaping wound in his chest. The Cress Guard slowly opened his eyes, as Klonoa and Huepow stared in shock. The Cress Guard very slowly looked at Huepow, as he opened his mouth.
Cress Guard: U-Uuuughhh... S...Sire...? You... came back...
Huepow: What happened, soldier?!
The dying Cress Guard slowly held his hand against his chest while looking at Huepow.
Cress Guard: Monsters... in armor... Men... in armor... no mercy on us... They are coming...
Klonoa suddenly thought back to how there were Nighty-Knights falling all over Breezegale and then also thought back on when he entered the fortress... Then when he quickly snapped back to it, as he said in awe to himself...
Klonoa: Nighty-Knights...?!
The Cress Guard then tried to reach his hand out to Huepow very slowly one more time, as he started to tear up a bit.
Cress Guard: P...Please... protect our... kingdom...!
Then the Cress Guard dropped his hand, and stopped moving... Klonoa and Huepow just stared in silence for a moment, until Huepow softly said while closing his own eyes...
Huepow: My best prayers are with you... in the next dream life...
Klonoa just looks back on over to Huepow, as he seemed to be getting more sad and concerned.
Klonoa: Huepow... I'm so sorry you have to witness this... all because i took too long with Breezegale...
Huepow then slowly opened his eyes again, and turned back to Klonoa.
Huepow: No... it is because of my own decision to leave Cress defend itself. I'm responsible for this...
Then after a bit, they heard that the large wooden door that leads up to the spiraling staircase was being knocked down. Huepow got back up, and looked more serious over to the door, as he began to hold up his Energy Rapier. Huepow slowly turned more determined while clenching his fist.
Huepow: One thing i am responsible for is to take this painful feeling, and strive forward to not let their sacrifice be in vain... As that is what the prince of a kingdom must do.
Huepow then turned back around towards Klonoa as he held up his clenching fist while smiling a bit towards him.
Huepow: You will return to Lunatea. It's what you're set on doing. I can never let a stupid jester and their monsters stop you from following your dream. Phantomile can defend itself for how long it needs!
Klonoa seemed to stare a bit in awe, as he then grabbed his Dream Crystal from his pocket and began looked at it... Klonoa still seemed a bit confused and torn.
Klonoa: ...Maybe you're right... But...
Then the door was finally busted through in the middle of their conversation, as it was revealed to be a group of ten Nighty-Knights all wielding iron swords. When they saw Klonoa and Huepow, they aimed their swords at them, as the seventh of the Nighty-Knights started to talk. Meanwhile as Klonoa and Huepow saw and heard the Nighty-Knights, they snapped out of the moment and quickly turned towards them.
Nighty-Knight 7: We found him! !
Klonoa: ...Nevermind. There's no time to overthink on this now.
Nighty-Knight 1: I knew something seemed off when we couldn't find that Dream Traveler at his old Phantomilian house during our expedition.
Nighty-Knight 6: Definitely... Definitely not our fault...
Nighty-Knight 3: Well, what did you expect dummy?! It was all burnt and broken on arrival!
Slowly, the Nighty-Knights started to lower their own swords and began to get into an argument with each other, to which Klonoa and Huepow gradually started to look a bit more confused towards the knights.
Nighty-Knight 5: Why did we even play that game of rock-paper-scissors for it then? We've found the damn fuzzy guy right here anyway! In fact, the lord could've easily come down here himself and offed the brat without us having to waste our time like this!
Nighty-Knight 3: Hey, even if that may be true, i want you to know i won fair and square. Not my problem you just suck at playing rock-paper-scissors!
Nighty-Knight 5: What was that?!
Nighty-Knight 3: You are dumb! Plain and simple!
Nighty-Knight 5: I'm not dumb. You're dumb! You're the one who didn't even think it through!
Klonoa and Huepow then just awkwardly stared back at each other while this was happening, as Huepow put down his Energy Rapier for a moment.
Huepow: So... who are these crazy nightmare guys?
Klonoa: Yeah... Uh... These are the Nighty-Knights i've been mentioning. They seem to be a part of some mysterious and terrible army, but... i don't remember them being anything like this back in the fortress...
Eventually the second Nighty Knight distanced the fifth and third one, as he loudly began to speak up towards them all and then turned their head back towards Klonoa and Huepow.
Nighty-Knight 2: You BOTH are dummies! All that matters is that the Dream Traveler and his partner are in front of us now! KILL THEM BOTH! !
Nighty-Knight 1: Aye!
Nighty-Knight 4: AAAAAYEEE! ! !
All the Nighty-Knights then raised their swords again, as Huepow raised his own Energy Rapier and glared over to them all. Klonoa then began to stand into a somewhat flimsy fighting stance, only holding up both fists.
Huepow: Well, no matter their attitude, they are nightmare creatures who dared to come upon our land and kill my fellow people... and i won't let the deaths of my own people go to waste. Let us go, Klonoa! !
Huepow then started to charge forward towards the ten Nighty-Knights, as were the ten Nighty-Knights... Klonoa started to keep a bit of a distance while trying to keep up his own guard, watching as Huepow then quickly stabbed through one of the Nighty-Knights who didn't leave his guard open. When Huepow pulled out his Energy Rapier from the Nighty-Knight, the Nighty-Knight dropped down to the floor and popped into thin air. Then Huepow tries to stab another one close by, but his sword got blocked by their iron sword.
Nighty-Knight: You're pretty good- i mean bad! Bad! !
Huepow: Same could be said to you! !
Meanwhile, all Klonoa could do was stare in awe, as he then suddenly spotted a singular of the Nighty-Knights heading straight for him, as he was getting closer and closer... to which he stopped in front of Klonoa and chuckled a bit.
Nighty-Knight: At least you made your choice of escaping our fortress, Dream Traveler. Saves us the hassle of trying to capture you alive...
Klonoa: Ngh... Whoever it is that sent you all to hunt me down, i will not settle for either outcomes! I will make it through! !
Klonoa then grabbed the Wind Ring from his belt out of instinct and aimed it at the Nighty-Knight, but then realised that Huepow currently isn't powering the Wind Ring, as he just looked at him in the distance trying to block the uncoming attacks of the other eight Nighty-Knights. Klonoa then looks back at the Wind Ring and frustratingly grunted for a bit to himself.
Klonoa: Grrr, every time! Stupid instincts!
Then the Nighty-Knight came with an overhead swing from his iron sword right at Klonoa, to which he quickly tried to block the strike by using the unpowered Wind Ring in his hands. The blade clashed with the golden ring, as the Nighty-Knight was getting the upper hand.
Klonoa: Y-Yikes! !
Nighty-Knight: Heh... Since the other dummies are too busy with that prince, you are easier to strike down than ever!
Klonoa: Nrghh... This is not good...
Klonoa then quickly tried to think of what to do while he was losing the upperhand in their clash, as he then looked at the right arm of the Nighty-Knight, and then right back at the Nighty-Knight while speaking up.
Klonoa: Excuse me, but i got somewhere to be!
Klonoa then used his right leg to fiercely kick the Nighty-Knight in the sword-wielding arm during their clash, as the Nighty-Knight then drops the iron sword to the ground and reeled back a bit from the pain in his arm. Meanwhile the iron sword slided a bit further across the large hall.
Nighty-Knight: D-Dammit! You... you bastard! !
Klonoa then immediately began to run towards the iron sword as he put his Wind Ring back onto his belt. Then he grabbed a hold of the iron sword with his right hand and aimed it at the now-weaponless Nighty-Knight.
Nighty-Knight: HEY! Not fair! !
Klonoa: Says the armored guy who started a sword fight with a bare-handed kid! What is fair about that?!
Nighty Knight: Are you kidding me?! You have that ring-
Klonoa then swiftly runs up and cuts through the armor and head of the weaponless Nighty-Knight swiftly, as his head began to slide off and the armor broke... the Nighty-Knight then completely popped into thin air when it fell down. Klonoa immediately said...
Klonoa: Don't you dare to start on that one! It's not even powered! !
Then Klonoa sighed for a bit, before turning back towards where Huepow currently was...
Meanwhile over on Huepow's side, there were now seven Nighty-Knights remaining, as Huepow was surrounded by all of them, and had one minor scratch on his face. But despite being overwhelmed, Huepow still tried to be really careful, and take awareness of his surroundings. Then one of the Nighty-Knights prepared to raise his sword.
Nighty-Knight: Give it up, prince. You are clearly outnumbered.
Huepow: Numbers... do not equal strength!
Nighty-Knight: Oh, it very much does.
Then as the Nighty-Knight attempts to strike Huepow from the head as Huepow began to block and clash, the Nighty-Knight suddenly got stabbed through by an iron sword before he could finish his swing, and dropped to the ground before finally popping into thin air, revealing to have been stabbed from behind by Klonoa. Huepow seemed surprised and a bit more delighted from this... Then Klonoa immediately ran in and began to cover Huepow's back, as they stood their ground while surrounded by the six Nighty-Knights. Huepow began to talk as they were covering for each other now.
Huepow: Man... these foes really know how to properly fight for such common nightmares.
Huepow looked a bit around at the surrounding Nighty-Knights as they were keeping up their guard, to which after, Klonoa and Huepow looked towards each other from behind.
Klonoa: So... what's the strategy, Huepow?
Huepow: I think i may know a good plan to immediately get rid of these foes... You keep their attention by holding up a clash, and then i will stab them through in their open spots. We keep going, until they are all gone.
Klonoa began to smirk after hearing that, as did Huepow.
Klonoa: Good idea. The quicker they're out of the picture, the better!
Huepow: Let us go! Show these monsters no mercy together! !
Nighty-Knight: You heard the kid! Let's GOOOOOOOO! ! !
Then one of the Nighty-Knights attempts to do an overhead slash at Huepow's head with his iron sword, as Klonoa quickly blocked the Nighty-Knight's sword with his own iron sword and they kept clashing. Then he yelled...
Klonoa: Now, Huepow!
Huepow swiftly stabs through the Nighty-Knight's armor, and pulled out his sword, as the Nighty-Knight dropped to the floor and popped into thin air. To which soon after, another Nighty-Knight quickly tried to do the same thing afterwards from Huepow's back, as Klonoa quickly blocked again and held their clash.
Klonoa: Nrrrghh...!
Then Huepow quickly turned around and stabbed the clashing Nighty-Knight in the chest as it dropped down to the floor and popped into thin air... Klonoa and Huepow began to cover each others backs again as they were still surrounded by four Nighty-Knights. Although this time, the Nighty-Knights seemed to be getting a bit more nervous.
Nighty-Knight 1: Tch... are these two children making a mockery of our skills?!
Nighty-Knight 2: Don't be dumb! They're just making a mockery out of YOU!
Nighty-Knight 4: Oh just shut up already and do what they do ourselves! WORK TOGETHER! CHAAAARGE! ! ! ! !
Nighty-Knight 3: HyyaaaAAAAAARGHH! ! ! !
Then all four remaining Nighty-Knights started to jump up into the air together, as they tried to attack both Klonoa and Huepow from all angles while airborne... When this happened, Klonoa immediately held up his iron sword to try and defend himself, as Huepow just casually stared. Klonoa then yelled towards Huepow.
Klonoa: H-Huepow! What are you doing?!
Huepow quickly began to stick out his Energy Rapier, and then with a long and wide sidewards slash, cuts through all the four Nighty-Knights while they were still airborne. The Nighty-Knights all harshly dropped to the ground and popped into thin air, as Huepow just stood back up and sighed. Klonoa looked back around and turned towards Huepow as he seemed in awe.
Klonoa: Whoa... How did you do that?
Huepow: Well... these foes just made the simple mistake of leaving themselves widely open in the air. I took the opportunity to do a wide enough strike before they had a chance.
Huepow then pulled away his Energy Rapier and looked back towards Klonoa, as Huepow faintly smiled. Eventually, Klonoa started to smile too.
Huepow: Regardless, thank you for helping out to defeat them.
Klonoa: No problem, Huepow. You brought me back to Phantomile and lead me all the way here, after all. The least i can do is help out your back.
Huepow's smiled a bit more brightly than before, and then pointed up further towards the spiraling staircase beyond the wooden door.
Huepow: Anyway, let's move.
Klonoa: Right... Let's go to the top.
Huepow and Klonoa began running towards the wooden door where the circular room with the giant spiraling staircase was located, as they began to run up onto the spiraling glass-like steps...
Halfway across the long set of spiraling steps while running upwards, there were a bunch of regular Moo's coming down, as Huepow just quickly stabs them through with his Energy Rapier to make them pop, and then continued to keep on running. Klonoa tried to closely follow him from behind. They both were getting a bit more exhausted but kept pushing on through, keeping their pace.
Huepow: Huff... H...How many of these creatures could there be?
Klonoa: Y-Yeah...
Then after running for much longer, they finally reached the end of the steps, and found themselves in one of the top towers of the kingdom, with a sandy slide to the left side of the tower that lead them to the center and main tower of Cress. But it appeared that the entrance to the sandy slide at the side of the tower was guarded by two Golden-Armored Moo's who held up a spear after spotting Klonoa and Huepow in the distance.
Klonoa: More of them?!
Huepow: Nghh... We do not have the time for any of this...!
Huepow then quickly ran up to one of the Golden-Armored Moo's as the Moo attempts to swiftly stab Huepow, as Huepow quickly parried the attack and harshly stabs one through.
Armored Moo: Moooooo?!
The golden armor of the first Moo broke, and the Moo began to fall down and popped into thin air. Then the other Golden-Armored Moo ran up to Huepow and attempts to do a downward thrust with his spear into Huepow's head. To which Huepow does a swift backflip and then slashed through the Golden-Amored Moo, as his armor slowly fell apart and the Moo started to drop to the ground.
Armored Moo: M...Moooo...
The Moo then dropped dead and quickly popped into thin air, as Huepow caught up with his breath for a moment. Then afterwards, he turned his headback to Klonoa, who was also still trying to catch his own breath.
Klonoa: M...Man, they are really trying everything to stop us, aren't they...
Huepow: Don't worry, we're nearly there... let's go!
Klonoa: R...Right!
Huepow and Klonoa quickly began to run up to the exit of the tower to the left and exited by using the sandy slide. When sliding over the sand by keeping their balance using their feet, they saw the full moon shining in the sky further up ahead beyond the large tower in the center. Klonoa seemed a bit in awe and thought back to Cress in the past, but eventually just shook it off.
Klonoa: Oh yeah, this is all starting to look much more familiar...
Then as they reached the end of the sandy slide, they were immediately dropped onto a floating crystal platform that levitated them towards the center tower's edge, looking over to the tower close by. Then as the crystal platform finally reached the edge, Klonoa and Huepow both jumped off and began to enter the tower through the closest entrance to the left to them...
Finally, they came walking up towards the top floor of Cress in the center tower, from a set of glass-like steps... When they entered the top floor, they found themselves in a round and open room with a black and white chess-tiled floor, as both Klonoa and Huepow looked around for a while... They were surrounded by stone pillars that had a few torches attached to them. In the center there was a symbolised circular Cressian moon carved onto the stone floor, and at the end of the room was a large throne with the cressian symbol on top, made out of gold. It was really quiet, with Klonoa eventually dropping the iron sword he picked up from the Nighty-Knight, near the end of the staircase. Meanwhile Huepow deeply sighed out of relief.
Huepow: It seems like these monsters haven't gotten here yet... That's good.
Klonoa: This place... wasn't this where we fought Ghadius all those years ago?
Huepow: Yeah... as it just so happened, this is mother's throne room. Ghadius overtook the throne and kept watch on Nahatomb from here.
Klonoa: Ohh, i see...
Huepow then looked back to Klonoa, as Klonoa still seemed a bit confused.
Huepow: Well... this is finally it.
Klonoa: I... I guess it is, but... i just... I don't want you all to die...
Huepow then slowly put his hand on Klonoa's shoulder, as he smiled.
Huepow: Look... Klonoa. Things may seem grim and hopeless, but... we will pull through. We've worked hard to even get you here. You really would want to let that effort go to waste? By the time you're back, we will save Phantomile together. But for now... Go see Lunatea again. Visit Lolo. She's probably waiting for you.
Klonoa seemed really surprised to hear that from Huepow, as his eyes widened a bit. Klonoa then turned silent... and afterwards, he slowly grabbed his Dream Crystal, lookeing back to Huepow, as he began to smile a bit. Now, Klonoa seemed more determined than ever.
Klonoa: ...You're right. I shouldn't let everyone's efforts go to waste.
Huepow then began to faintly smile as well, as Klonoa began to look a bit confused at his Dream Crystal as he was just holding it.
Klonoa: So, uhh... how exactly will any of this work?
Huepow: Well... If i had to guess...
Huepow turned towards the circular Cressian moon on the floor, as he pointed at it.
Huepow: It should be somewhere here. This area right here is exactly where i summoned you forth towards Phantomile. Both times that it worked, at least.
Klonoa: Hm? But... What makes you think that we can create a warping portal to Lunatea from there?
Huepow then scratched his face a bit, as he then shrugged.
Huepow: I'm, uh... not so sure myself.
Klonoa: ...But how do we know what to do then?!
Huepow: I don't know! I just... haven't really done anything with a crystal like this either! I always used to just summon forth my energy here-
Huepow then suddenly thought back to something as he dropped silent for a moment... until he eventually turned back to Klonoa.
Huepow: Oh wait... i just remembered... Mother said something like this when i first tried to summon you here, back in the day...
Huepow then deeply cleared his throat, and began to speak, citing the following...
"The top of our kingdom of Cress, especially in the perfect center, is the key to the Dream Stream. Here lays the strongest link between dream worlds, my dear Huepow. Concentrate your energy and you can maybe pull something out from another world."
Klonoa: The Dream Stream?
Huepow: I'm not exactly sure what it is either. But, this Dream Stream is most likely where i was able to pull you out from, and bring you to Phantomile. These words of mother align perfectly with the 'key to the Dream Stream'... as the Chieftess mentioned something about a 'dream signal' that strikes an odd resemblance towards all of this.
Klonoa: Ohhh, i see...
Klonoa then slowly began to step up onto the center of the circular Cressian moon, and just confusingly held his Dream Crystal in his hand.
Klonoa: But... That still begs the question. What exactly do we need to do to activate it?
Huepow: I think we already may got the clue... So the Chieftess mentioned something of 'controlling a dream to the users will', correct? Well... what if instead of using energy, you try to hold up the Dream Crystal as if you're trying to control it? And then... deeply wish about returning to Lunatea.
Klonoa: Deeply... wish? Well... If you say so...
Klonoa then slowly raised his arm with the Dream Crystal in it, while standing on the circular Cressian moon, as the Dream Crystal began to glow more and more into a light-blue color... Klonoa gasped, as did Huepow.
Klonoa: It's... It's working?
Huepow: It's working! Now keep going! Pull out that desire within your heart. Just deeply think about it! Long for it! Anything! !
Klonoa: Right...!
Klonoa then started to close his eyes, as he just deeply recalls back on the memories of Lunatea's past, while very slowly, the pain in his heart of leaving behind Lunatea started to ache a bit. Then Klonoa softly said in the silence...
Klonoa: I want to go back...
The Dream Crystal began to shine a really bright light, as Huepow covered his eyes... Then Klonoa re-opened his eyes, and fiercely yelled while he still held out his Dream Crystal...
Klonoa: TAKE ME BACK TO LUNATEA! ! ! ! !
Then as all the bright light vanished, Huepow slowly opened his eyes again, and when he came to, he saw that the Dream Crystal seemed to still be charging as it was still lighted up... Klonoa just held up the Dream Crystal as hard as he could. Huepow seemed absolutely surprised, as Klonoa seemed a bit concerned.
Huepow: Klonoa! ! Did it work?!
Klonoa: N-Ngh... i feel some energy flowing through the crystal... but... it's not enough! I need more time to awaken the power! !
Huepow: Not enough?! I mean... as long as we do not have anything standing in our way like now, we have-
Then all of the sudden, Huepow saw a few light purple and black colored blimps with dark sun-like pattern on the front, coming down from the skies above... meanwhile one of them began flying right next to the throne room where they currently found themselves in, as Huepow retracted himself a bit.
Huepow: ...nothing to worry about...
Then it's revealed that this blimp was carrying an army of Nighty-Knights, with Joka leading the blimp on the front... Joka just crossed his hands and looked down to both Klonoa and Huepow with a smirk, as Klonoa stared at Joka in the distance from behind his back. The blimp then stopped, as Huepow seemed annoyed while Klonoa was really irritated.
Joka: Welcome back, brat! Like my new ride?!
Huepow: ...Dammit, why now?!
Klonoa: Joka! ! What are you doing here so soon?!
Joka just laughed in a smug way at the two of them, before pointing directly at Klonoa.
Joka: Ho ho ho, what do you think? I already conquered all of Phantomile beyond any hope of restoration down below...
Joka then jumps off of the blimp and into the throne room from the other side, as he lands into the room while swiftly getting into a jest-like bow position, facing towards the two of them while still smirking. Afterwards, the last blimp with the Nighty-Knights just continues to descent into the land of Phantomile below.
Joka: There's already hundreds of my dear Nighty-Knights and corrupted monsters overrunning Phantomile. And now, i'm just here for you, brat.
Klonoa thinks back on everything that started happening after Forlock, all the way up to now, and just stared in shock towards Joka, before frustratingly and anguishly yelling back at him in the distance. Huepow stuck out his arm as he faced towards Joka.
Klonoa: No... that can't be! ! !
Huepow: Quit your nonsensical bluffing, you heartless jester! !
Joka then chuckled a bit in a smug way towards the two of them.
Joka: Oh, but who's to say that it's just a bluff? For all you know, it could be real... Maybe i lied about conquering all of the worlds before coming to you? Who knows! You will never live to find out the truth! !
Huepow: Ngh...!
Huepow angrily summored forth his Energy Rapier as he got into his fencing stance, as Joka then looks back up directly towards the two from him bowing down, dropping his smug attitude and turning a bit more serious and angry.
Joka: I've been joking for too long, and i've grown sick of it... but no more...
Joka then snapped his fingers, and points at both Klonoa and Huepow.
Joka: Brat! Playtime is finally over! Prepare yourself for the REAL WORLD!
Huepow then turned his head back around towards Klonoa behind him, as did he towards him. Klonoa seemed worried, but Huepow seemed more focussed on Joka.
Klonoa: What should we do, Huepow?
Huepow: ...You keep on charging that crystal, Klonoa. I will hold him off.
Klonoa: W-what?! But, but what about you?!
Huepow: Don't worry about me. Just keep going!
Klonoa: W...Well... alright, i will put all my trust into you for this!
Klonoa turned his head back around, as Huepow then started to properly face towards Joka. Joka just kept standing in his own position.
Huepow: Hey, clown-face! You have to face me first before you will get to the 'brat'!
Joka: What?!
Joka seemed to twitch a bit out of frustration, but slowly just laughed it off before turning more serious again.
Joka: Ho... ho, ho, ho. No matter. A little mice like you won't be hard to stomp with what little time there is left. Have at it then! !
Huepow then quickly charged at Joka, as he tried to swiftly slash with his Energy Rapier... Even this was a surprise to Joka, as he barely was able to block the blade using his own fist, as they then started to back off from their clash, and tried again... and again... as they just kept clashing over and over for a while. Huepow blocked Joka's punches, as Joka kept blocking his rapier by using his fists. Klonoa briefly stared at the two going at it, while still trying to hold up his Dream Crystal as best as he could. As they kept going and going, Huepow seemed to try and outspeed Joka more during their clashes, as Joka just turned more furious.
Joka: You are pressing your luck, blue boy!
Huepow: That is 'prince' to you, annoying clown! !
Huepow then tried to go in for a swift stab after yet another clash, but barely missed, with Joka jumping to the side.
Huepow: W-what?!
Joka: KyyyaAAAAARGGHH ! ! !
Joka reeled back as his fists began to spin in a circle around him at high speeds, and then he pulled a harsh punch right for Huepow's jaw, as he's sent flying across the throne room and into a pillar, before eventually landing back onto the floor. Huepow then slowly got back up as he began to cough out a bit of blood. But before he even could get up, Joka slowly walked up to him and started to hold up Huepow with one hand to choke him by the neck, as Huepow struggled to break out. Eventually Klonoa turned back around to watch what was happened as his eyes widened from the shock, and yelled.
Klonoa: N-No! Huepow! ! !
Klonoa tried to step up towards the two of them while still charging the Dream Crystal, but Huepow immediately yelled towards Klonoa, as he immediately stopped in his tracks.
Huepow: Klonoa! Don't! I... I will buy however much time is needed! Just... Keep going...!
Klonoa then frustratingly turned back around while still charging the Dream Crystal, and could only watch... Joka just kept going, as Huepow was struggling without any luck. Meanwhile just below the stairs, there was a girl with green eyes and two long silver-haired ponytails held together by two long golden hair cuffs. The girl also was wearing green orb-like earrings, a purple beret, a long white and purple dress, and at last, a ribbon that was attached to the green orb onto the center of her dress. She quietly just sneaked from the glass-like steps down below and saw just saw all Joka in the distance holding up someone, as she seemed to be getting more concerned.
Girl: What is going on here...?
The girl got a bit closer... revealing that it was Huepow who's being choked by Joka. She deeply gasped, and faintly said to herself...
Girl: ...Huepow...?!
The girl then saw the iron sword that Klonoa dropped next to the stairs, as she just kept looking at it, before looking back to Joka from behind... Meanwhile, Joka fiercely glared at Klonoa as he kept choking Huepow, while all Klonoa could do was watch. Klonoa started to frustratingly clench his teeth.
Klonoa: Nrrrghhh...
Joka: After i'm done with him, you are next, brat!
Then all of a sudden, Joka shrieks for a moment, froze, and dropped Huepow from his grasp, as he fell back to the ground... As Huepow tried to recover with his breath and himself, he looked up to try and see what just happened... as it turned out, the girl clumsily grabbed the iron sword with both hands, and stabbed Joka in the back. Both Klonoa and Huepow seemed surprised, as Huepow eventually yelled...
Huepow: Lephise?! W...What are you doing...?!
Eventually Joka snapped back to it, quickly pulled the sword out from his back with no issue, and slowly turned back around towards Lephise, as she was still standing her ground, and put her arms on her hips. Joka seemed surprised and annoyed.
Joka: You again...?!
Lephise: How dare you! First you come to invade our kingdom, kill our men with no mercy, and then you have the nerve to choke out the prince! Do you not have any honor whatsoever?!
Joka then just sighed and looked more irritated back at Lephise, as she slowly seemed to be getting a bit more nervous.
Joka: ...Are you done?
Lephise: Y...Yes...?
Joka then just glared over Lephise and took a few steps forward towards her, as she tried to take a few away from Joka.
Joka: There was never any honor to begin with, girl. All that matters is my pride. I swear, you are the most resistant woman i ever had to put up with. You are one of several reasons my trust with Ghadius was lost! First that ridiculous escape plan of yours, then that hidden pendant! Even while you're not the main target anymore...
Lephise: W...What...?
Huepow: Joka! ! NO! ! !
Joka: You are still annoying me to no end, you know that?!
Then Joka raised his fist and fiercely slapped Lephise, as she shrieked and was harshly knocked down to the ground... after she fell, she became fully unconscious. Klonoa and Huepow just stared in utter shock... to which Klonoa eventually yelled.
Klonoa: Lephise! !
Joka just deeply breathed out... But during this, Huepow began to turn much, much more angry than ever before, as he clenched his teeth and fists... and then turned directly towards Joka, as he just looked off to him from the side.
Huepow: H...How dare you...?! HOW DARE YOU HURT HER? ! ?
Huepow began to fiercely reel back, as a huge burst of green, glowing energy began to surround him in a burst. Then immediately in a moment of anger, Huepow came harshly flying with a swing of his Energy Rapier, as Joka barely is able to catch the blade with both hands, as the blade started to leave a cut into both palms while bleeding a bit.
Joka: W-what?! Where did that sudden power come from?!
Huepow then does a roundhouse kick immediately afterwards and, sends Joka nearly flying off of the edge between one of the pillars... Then as Joka furiously turned back to Huepow, he saw that the prince was charging energy in one hand, as he was still holding the Energy Rapier with the other... He then fiercely yelled right at Joka, saying...
Huepow: I am DONE holding back! ! TAKE THIS YOU MONSTER! ! !
Huepow then threw all the energy he charged into his hand at Joka in the distance, as it was shot out like a large, green energy beam across the room, which went directly towards him... When Joka saw this, he immediately tried to raise his two fists to guard, but it was too late.
Joka: Oh crap-! AAAIIYYYEEE...! ! ! !
Then as the large beam hit him, it went flying and the energy beam carried Joka right out of the top of the tower, sending him flying in the distance... it turned much more quiet, as Huepow heavily began to pant, and dropped to one knee. Klonoa just stared back at Huepow in amazement.
Huepow: U-uurghh... That... should do it...
Klonoa: Whoa... i've got to try and remember a move like that...! You think i could do something like that with the Wind Ring?
Huepow then chuckled a bit, as he turned back to Klonoa.
Huepow: Hehe... y...yeah, probably...
Meanwhile in the middle of the skies far above Phantomile, Joka was still being sent flying by the energy beam, until Joka finally manages to slip out of the energy beam and stop himself mid-air, looking further as the energy beam kept flying off into the distance without him. He now found himself in the middle of nowhere, as he furiously looked around, trying to find which direction he even came from. Eventually he just clenches his fist and began to yell out of frustration.
Joka: D-Dammit...! Damn that annoying blue boy! Nobody should ever dare to make a fool of ME! NOBODY! !
Then as Joka quickly raised his hand, he snapped his finger and disappeared into thin air.
Back over at the top of Cress in the throne room... Klonoa's Dream Crystal finally began to shine very brightly once again, as all the bright energy from the Dream Crystal simultaneously released...
Klonoa: W...Whoa! !
Then finally right in front of Klonoa, sparks arose, as a light green and blue portal opened up in front of him, while the Dream Crystal slowly stopped lighting up... Klonoa just stared at the portal for a few seconds.
Klonoa: It... It worked...
Klonoa then slowly turned back to Huepow one more time. Huepow just smiled up.
Huepow: Well? Go on...
Klonoa: ...I just... I want to say... Thank you, Huepow. Thank you and the others, for going so far to help me go against this mystifying fate.
Huepow: No problem. It's what friends do for each other, after all.
Klonoa: No... friends don't go far enough to make a dream come true...
Huepow: Hm?
Huepow raised a genuinely confused eyebrow as Klonoa, as Klonoa then started to smile.
Klonoa: Best friends do.
Huepow's face then flushed a bit, as he heard that coming from Klonoa.
Huepow: B...Best...?
Klonoa then turned back around towards the portal, as he said...
Klonoa: Take care, Huepow...
And at last, Klonoa started to run forward to the portal, and dived right into it, as the portal started to close... Then after Klonoa and the portal disappeared, Joka appeared from thin air a few seconds afterwards, right back in the throne room. Joka frustratingly looked all around.
Joka: W-Where did he go?!
Huepow just smirked, as Joka seemed even more annoyed and clenched his fist again, as Joka grabbed him by the torso.
Joka: Hey! Answer me, blue brat! ! Where did the damn mouse go? ! ?
Huepow: Heh... Somewhere you will never reach.
Joka: What was that...?!
Joka then eventually let Huepow go, deeply breathed in and out, and then turned back around.
Joka: Hmph... Nevermind. I know he will be back some day. For now, i will let you and the foolish girl live. But next time he comes back, you won't be so lucky...
Joka then slowly raised his hand, as he snapped his own fingers again, and disappeared into thin air... Everything finally went silent.
Huepow slowly got back up on his feet, and then quickly turned back to Lephise who was still lying down on the ground, running on over to Lephise to check up on her. Huepow seemed really concerned.
Huepow: L-Lephise! !
Huepow then carefully flipped Lephise on over and held her in his arms. She seemed to be a bit scratched up, but not at harshly wounded as Huepow was. A few tears began to run down Huepow's face.
Huepow: Lephise... please, answer me! Are you okay?!
Then slowly, Lephise regained consciousness, as she opened her eyes and looked right at Huepow. Huepow was surprised to see how she was still smiling after all that happened.
Lephise: H...Huepow...
Huepow then teared up a bit as he held on to her. Lephise seemed a little bit confused though, as she still just smiled like usual.
Huepow: Oh thank the goddess...!
Lephise: What is wrong, Huepow? Why the sadness over me?
Huepow: Well... I, uh... i thought he would kill you in combat...
Lephise then grinned a little bit.
Lephise: I mean... i did stab him in the back and all, to try and save you... But he just knocked me down, that's all.
Huepow: Wait... you tried to save me? But... why personally save me? You could've been harmed in so many possible ways! You could've called in a few knights!
Lephise: I was just... I... B-but why are you so worried over me all of a sudden?
Huepow's face turned a bit red as he looked off.
Huepow: Well... you... uh... I-I...
Huepow then mustered up his courage and directly looked back at Lephise.
Huepow: I should just stop beating the bush... I secretly loved you.
Lephise: L-Love...?
Lephise seemed a bit embarrassed herself now, as Huepow started to feel a bit of guilt.
Huepow: Well... I just... it's hard to say, we've been long childhood friends, but i was just too scared to cross-
Lephise then quickly leaned in forward, and deeply kissed Huepow while hugging onto him, even to his own surprise... Then she slowly released him from their kiss, as Huepow seemed to be getting a bit hazy.
Huepow: ...the line...
Lephise then blushed a bit herself, as she smiled up towards Huepow.
Lephise: I... I have something to admit myself... i've had a secret crush on you for a few years.
Huepow seemed in awe now, after what just happened and then spoke up a bit.
Huepow: Y-you, too...?
Lephise: The more we got closer, the more i started to feel it for you... But i was just...afraid, that the queen would not accept me as good enough for you... or maybe that you were thinking of someone else instead...
Huepow: R-really? I was just scared you would still see me as a 'brother' figure... or just a regular friend... or never really thought anything of me...
Lephise then leaned in closer to Huepow, as was he towards her. Lephise then softly said to him...
Lephise: Of course not... I love you too, Huepow...
They then hugged onto each other, as they started to kiss... as the moonlight brightly shined onto the top of Cress in the distance.