The Sorrowful Prince
~ VISION 2-6: Caught up between two ways ~
Back over in the dark, unknown region of Vodania at the giant fortress... Hue was walking through the hallways within the fortress while carrying a slightly torn book labeled 'The Scripture of Claire' in his right hand while walking with his cane using his left, reading the book he was holding with a bit of a serious look on his face. Specifically a verse on page 608, which said the following:
"As hundreds of years passed, i deeply began to regret my gift... I realised these will eventually fall into the wrong hands in the mortal realms. But it will be a while before that point."
Meanwhile Hue just subtly just growled out of annoyance, holding himself in as he started mumbling to himself.
Hue: Grrrr... Was she making a mockery of me? What in the blazing fires did she mean by that?
Eventually he opened up the door to a room on the right... revealing a giant laboratorium where there were four scientists that looked like lighted-pink flaming candles with rubies for eyes and labcoats as well as wearing safety goggles, while they were carefully shooting a strain of energy from a machine at a locked Dream Crystal as it was changing colors over time. Red, yellow, green, purple... Then as one of the scientists suddenly spotted Hue in the distance, he quickly ran up towards Hue and kneeled down towards him as he took off his safety goggles. With some enthusiasm he spoke up as Hue just displeasingly looked down.
Scientist: Master Hue!
Hue just glared on down onto the scientist as the scientist slowly dropped the enthusiasm and looked a bit more nervous.
Scientist: M...Master...?
Eventually Hue began to speak up towards him, as he said...
Hue: ...It has been weeks since i last heard from here. Where is the reported progress your team was tasked with?
Scientist: Well... We uh... We didn't tap into the potential of the crystal yet, but-
Hue: The team over at the launch station has been working hard to make an impenetrable rocket. Even Joka is taking over Phantomile and clearing up land for the awakening as we speak. Yet here you four are, sitting in a little lab, wasting resources and burning out Dream Crystals without a care. Are you making a mockery out of my plan?
The scientist then nervously began to laugh and stutter, while Hue seemed visibly annoyed and growled a little bit.
Scientist: W-What?! No, no! That is ridiculous! It's just that we cannot-
Hue: Grrr...
Scientist: W-Well, master, regardless of what i think, it is not as bad as it seems! Look! We can change the crystal's color at least? That counts for something?
The scientist then pointed at the Dream Crystal in the distance... then a few seconds later, all of a sudden the Dream Crystal exploded, as it sent the other three scientists flying, as well as nearly tearing down the machine that shot the beams. The scientists then slowly got up and turned back around towards Hue and the scientist talking to him, as Hue seemed a bit furious.
Scientist: ...And there goes our 23rd crystal...
Hue then just disappointingly looks away from the scientist next to him as he just sighed.
Hue: I spent the last thousands of years hunting these wretched crystals down, and this is what you imbeciles do with them. Just wasting them around like some sort of high-budget confetti...
Scientist: Well, if i may voice my concern, Master, we never even know if what we were tasked with is possible... I mean, to create a Nightmare Crystal? Especially while Goddess Claire's whole scripture is nothing but a-
Hue then furiously points back at the scientist and cut off his sentence, as he began yelling right at him.
Hue: Do not talk to me about the scripture being made up! These Dream Crystals are real! That wretched Claire made these things with regret! !
The scientist quickly dropped quiet... Hue then calmly opened up the Scripture of Claire book he was carrying with him and harshly points right at page 608 for the scientist to see.
Hue: She fears the possibility of the Dream Crystals falling into the hands of nightmare creatures... Most likely she was afraid that me or Ghadius would take a hold of the broken Dream Stream for ourselves, before another golden warrior had risen to stop us... And i'm going to show her fears to come true. I will beat her to the punch, just by myself.
Scientist: B-But sire, what do you mean with 'beat to the punch'? Wasn't the golden warrior just a myth among the wiped-?!
Hue then cut off the scientist and grabbed him by the jacket, lifting him upward... as he looks him directly in the eyes, as he said up-close while the scientist was frightened...
Hue: I will give you guys only one more chance... We will finish the Nightmare Crystal and awaken the legendary nightmare sun before the possibility of this happening, no matter what it takes. Next time i get here, there better be some significant progress. Got it?!
Scientist: Y...Yes...!
Hue then let the scientist go as he fell back towards the ground, while he deeply caught back up with his breath. The scientist then turned back for the other scientist in the laboratorium and began to run towards them while yelling.
Scientist: H-HEY! Let's not waste any more time! Our flames will be burnt out if we don't make this work soon!
All the other scientists in a moment of haste quickly began to try and restore the laboratorium from the damage that was just caused. Meanwhile Hue turns back around for the door, while he said to himself with determination...
"The legendary Noctis Sol is going to be mine... I will successfully awaken it, and then nobody will stand in my way."
Meanwhile back over at Lunatea...The pink-glowing moon was further out in the early night sky, as Klonoa, Lolo and Popka were making their way back over to the town of La-Lakoosha on foot. They just got out of the cave that lead them towards the plaza of the Claire Moa Temple, and were now crossing the lake while walking on the bridge. Klonoa eventually turned his head towards Lolo while walking upwards on the bridge.
Klonoa: Umm... Lolo?
Lolo: Hm? What is it?
Klonoa: If you don't mind me asking... how did you do that?
Lolo: D...Do what? What do you mean?
Klonoa: You know, just back there at the plaza. What was that? You definitely never seemed to be able to deal with such harsh treatment before from what i remember, so...
Lolo: Oh, that? N-Nevermind that... Just something from the past that has to be put behind.
Lolo tried to smile a little bit, as Klonoa still seemed confused.
Klonoa: The past?
Lolo: Yeah... but... it's nothing to worry about. Just growing over it, you know? Moving on up in life.
Klonoa: If you say so, i'll believe you.
Popka then casually crossed his arms behind his head while his eyes were closed.
Popka: Pfft, what were those fools thinkin' anyway, messin' with a full priestess like that? Ya gotta be the dumbest idiot in the world.
Klonoa: Wait a moment, a full priestess? What does that mean?
Lolo: It means that i mastered my powers well enough, and helped out enough in priestesshood... to the point i have been promoted to the second highest rank.
Klonoa: Second highest?
Lolo: It's rather simple. From highest to lowest in priestesshood, it goes like this... High Priestess, Full Priestess, Priestess, and lastly the Apprentice. You were there when i was still an apprentice and made it to a priestess, remember?
Klonoa: Oh yeah, right...
Lolo: The Full Priestess is the highest rank that a commoner like me could reach, which only those with multiple years of experience could even dream of getting to.
Klonoa: Wait, multiple years?! But how did you do manage to do that in the time i was gone?!
Lolo: Hard work... I put in a lot of really hard work. I said i was going to make a priestess out of myself, after all.
Lolo then pulled on her robe a bit, as she just kept smiling. Klonoa was just staring in awe.
Lolo: Only those who earned their place are offered a robe like this. This change of attire isn't for nothing.
Klonoa: Wow... So... Does that mean you are one of the most honored priestesses now?
Lolo: Mm-hmm! The High Priestess even told me i am the youngest full priestess there is.
Lolo then let go of her robe as Popka chuckled a bit while keeping a smug grin.
Popka: Heh, no kiddin'. All other full ones we saw are middle-aged women and grannies.
Klonoa was left a bit speechless after hearing all of that, staring at the rather happy Lolo with her eyes as he thought to himself for a moment in a moment silence.
Klonoa: My goodness, she's really changed... No way that i thought she would've turned for the worse since i left...
Then they crossed the bridge and reached the cliffside, as they made it towards the entrance of the next cave and walked inside. As Lolo began to talk further while walking along the path of the cave, Klonoa snapped out of his internal thoughts and turned back around towards her.
Lolo: The High Priestess also granted me a staff for becoming a full priestess.
Popka: Ah yeah, right... Why d'ya turn it down tho? I still don't get that!
Klonoa: Wait, so the High Priestess offered a staff for using your magic, and you turned the offer down?
Lolo: Well... i did not really see the need for one.
Lolo then held out her hands as they were glowing a bit, with lightblue energy.
Lolo: I'm good enough just using the spiritual energy with my hands, you know?
Then as they bypassed one of the holes, a giant yellow skinned eel-like creature jumped out and tried to devour them... Klonoa and Popka tried to prepare themselves as the eel was already too close, but Lolo quickly turned her head for the eel and shot a ball of energy at its head from her own hand... With the giant eel quickly retreating out of the pain from the blast. Popka was shocked seeing this, as was Klonoa.
Popka: Yo, what the?!
Lolo: I worked hard to control the energy in my body and managed to master it only using these. That's more than i need.
Klonoa: I... I guess i can understand...
Popka: How come 'ya do and i don't?! Would've been easier to take care of that crap with a staff, y'know?!
Lolo then slightly bonked Popka on the head with her fist as she kept on walking further while turning her back towards Popka. Klonoa stopped along with Popka.
Lolo: Because unlike him... you, are a lazy bum. Trying to take the easy way out. I can do a lot of things by myself now compared to you.
As Popka kept rubbing his head after being bonked, he began to run up towards Lolo and annoyingly started to argue.
Popka: Hey! Who's the one who peptalked 'ya up all these years?! Don't be callin' me lazy!
Lolo: I meant physically lazy!
Popka: Grrr, why're ya two callin' me that anyway?! Just 'cuz i wanna save my skin?!
Klonoa then chuckled a bit while listening to them, as he followed soon after. They kept on walking further until the end of the cave, making it back outside...
After walking for a while longer, they made it across the grassy plains of Lunatea, heading further up south along the path. Faintly in the distance, they began to hear explosions, as they look over towards the western direction... seeing the kingdom of Volk way further up ahead as lights were appearing from multiple sides across the border walls, as well as the faint noise of cannons and gunfire arising. Klonoa and Popka just sighed as Lolo seemed really concerned.
Lolo: Oooohh geez... How are those at Volk still going?!
Popka: 'Ya tell us.
Klonoa: We've seen it with our own eyes...
Lolo: I swear, i do not know what exactly caused this problem, but at this rate the city's going to burn itself down...
Lolo then just looks back down to the ground as she sighed.
Lolo: Not that there would be anything able to prevent it, but... It just doesn't feel right to let a kingdom destroy itself.
Popka: Well, nuthin' we can do about it!
Klonoa: I have to agree with Popka on that one... Not that i can save an issue among the people themselves in the first place. That's not what we came here for, and what i can actually do.
Lolo then looked back upwards and nodded a bit.
Lolo: Yeah... you're right. Not that i would be able to do the same either...
She then began to look directly at Klonoa with a more determined look, as Klonoa seemed confused for a moment.
Lolo: But... The least we can do is stop that armored tank fellow from causing more casualties!
Klonoa kept staring at her for a bit from the sudden mood change and determination, but then nodded right back at her with a more serious look.
Klonoa: Right. We'll take care of him soon after we've done our business in Joilant.
Lolo then began to smile a bit upon hearing that, as was Klonoa from seeing her... Then after walking for a while along the path, they saw a brick train station further up, with a clock hanging above the entrance where the short hand was pointing at around the 10, and the long hand was pointing almost at 3. Nobody else was there, and the plains were eerily quiet...
Lolo: We made it to the train station... Although...
Lolo seemed a bit confused but slowly realised their situation. No lights were from anywhere except for Volk City in the distance as well as the very faint lights of Joilant in the distance.
Lolo: The station's closed...
Popka: Well, duh. It's past 9. Of course they ain't open ya dummy!
Lolo: But what else are we going to do? I was hoping to catch a train and to rest in Joilant for the night, but...
Popka: I dunno, i'm fine with anythin'. I can sleep on a rock right here and be glad! Just hurry and figure out the heck 'ya want!
Klonoa then looked off a bit into the distance and spotted a tree on the plains between the path and the train station. Klonoa started to point at it while drawing the attention of Lolo and Popka by talking.
Klonoa: Hey... Maybe we can rest against that tree for the day?
As Lolo and Popka look over against the tree, Popka just casually shrugged while Lolo seemed confused.
Lolo: Rest against a tree? But...
Klonoa then innocently smiled as he ran up to the tree, picking up all the loose branches surrounding it, as he carefully made a teepee layout with them and put the teepee branches close to the tree. Meanwhile Lolo and Popka seemed a bit bewildered as they slowly walked up to Klonoa.
Popka: Err... I'm alright with sleepin' near trees but... What're ya doin'?
Klonoa: Just making something... Does anyone have one of those boxes that creates fire?
Lolo: A box of fire?
Popka: Boxes fire?
Popka then suddenly seemed to remember something and pulled out a box of matches, showing it towards Klonoa.
Popka: Wait, 'ya mean one of these?
Lolo seemed shocked at Popka just didn't seem to be bothered.
Lolo: M-Matches?! Wait, where did you get even get those Popka?!
Popka: Does it matter?
Klonoa just casually shrugged and took the box of matches from Popka, as he lit one and then threw it into the pile of sticks from above... making the sticks become a nice campfire. Lolo and Popka seemed a bit stunned, as Popka just smugly grinned.
Lolo: Wow...
Popka: Oooohhh, pretty fire...
Klonoa then handed the box of matches back at Popka and began sitting down against the tree as he was looking back at Lolo and Popka while they were still standing. Meanwhile Klonoa just casually smiled.
Klonoa: I don't have any beds like Kio does, but... this will probably do for the night.
Lolo: R...Right... This is better than i expected, honestly.
Lolo then began to sit on next to Klonoa around the campfire, as did Popka from the other side. She eventually looks back at Klonoa.
Lolo: So... now that we got some time... Do you mind telling me what brought you back here?
Klonoa: Oh right, i did say i would tell you my story...
Klonoa looked away for a second to clear his throat, and then looks back at Lolo and Popka near him.
Klonoa: This may be a bit hard to explain... So... you remember the day that i left, right? That moment when i started to walk forward to the plains and away from the cliffside?
Lolo: Mm... You started to disappear with the wind with every step you took. After that you were completely gone.
Klonoa then slowly turned his head back over towards the fire, as he just kept staring at it... and slowly spoke up.
Klonoa: Well... There was more to it than that... At least that i remember.
Klonoa starts to reminisce back onto what happened three years ago...
The young Klonoa stood near the edge of the cliff of the Lunatean plains, wearing his blue shirt with a large zipper pin, dark blue shorts and red/white shoes, as he was looking at the young Lolo, who was in her regular priestess uniform without a feather. She was currently wiping the tears from her eyes, as the young Klonoa just stared out of concern.
"I know it may not have seemed like it back then, especially as i had a hard time trying to get my true emotions out. But... as i saw you letting go of our hug, i was just worried..."
Eventually the young Lolo stopped wiping and turned her head back towards Klonoa while she gently smiled. The young Klonoa then noticed a tear started to drop from his eye, as he quickly closed his eyes and just pretended to smile.
Young Klonoa: Thanks...
"Worried of what may have been next to come."
The young Klonoa turned back around for the plains and started to walk, as he tried to keep a casual face... slowly from his own perspective, the world around him rippled with every footstep he took. More and more, the world started to dissolve with the ripple, until nothing but a white void was left.
"And then i found myself in a white void of nothingness... almost like how i arrived. On my way to the unknown, walking down a mysterious path..."
The young Klonoa just kept on walking forward through the void.
"I didn't know where i was going... But i felt every single step hurting me more and more..."
A large amount of time passes, as the young Klonoa was still walking forward. Although he seemed to be slouching a little bit, while trying to keep his cool.
"And as i was walking... i couldn't help but think back on the one world, that i remember. The friends i cared about... The world itself... It all seemed like it was almost nonexistent."
More time passed... the young Klonoa was slouching harder, slowing down step by step while heavily panting from exhaustion. Eventually he started crying.
"I wanted to go back... I desperately wished to just go back... But..."
The young Klonoa then looks behind him into the void, seeing nothing... More tears kept rolling down his face.
Young Klonoa: Goddess Claire... Please... Help me...!
The young Klonoa tried to reach his arm out towards the nonexistent skies... although this was futile. Eventually the young Klonoa dropped to his knees and lost consciousness in the void, as he mumbled his final words before fainting...
Young Klonoa: L...Lolo... Please...
"I knew i never could. And i had to accept it. I tried to give in to my fate, but even so... I could barely move on."
Then the young and unconscious Klonoa started to fall through the void, as a long strain of time passed... his body began to grow a bit until he turned into a teenager. And suddenly within a ray of magical sparkles as he began to almost outgrow his clothes, Klonoa gained a new attire to suit his grown body within the void. An open red and yellow jacket, a black t-shirt underneath the jacket, red shorts, a light brown belt around his shorts, yellow gloves with the inner side of the gloves being white, and at last, brown and white shoes. After a while, he starts to hear a voice call out to him in the distance... as Klonoa slowly awakened, and tried to look up to where the voice was coming from in the void, as it kept saying "...Noa... Klonoa... Return to our world... once more... Please... Hear my call..." while Klonoa confusingly looked around and saw nothing at all.
"Next thing i knew, i finally woke up and found myself floating through the void... Having lost all track of time, confused by everything that was going on."
Klonoa: Hello? Who are you? Where are you? ?
Eventually a tiny bit of light arose in the farther distance where the voice came from... But then something cuts through the empty void of nothingness, as it all splits apart and Klonoa ends up falling through the darkness...
"And then suddenly i fell through the darkness..."
Meanwhile back over at the campfire near the tree, Lolo dropped completely silent as Popka just raised an eyebrow, while Klonoa slowly looks back towards Lolo and Popka.
Lolo: Wow... Umm... I didn't think it would've affected you like that...
Popka: So... 'ya clothes just magically changed? Who's causin' that, the fashion god?
Lolo: Is that all you got from his story?!
Lolo then turned her head back towards Klonoa and seemed a bit sad.
Lolo: But... still, i never thought you were struggling with such things yourself...
Klonoa for a moment just thought to himself as he briefly looked back down at the fire.
Klonoa: That isn't even the worst of my story though... Should i let her in on the truth of my remaining remnants of the past before i even met them...?
Klonoa eventually looks away from the fire and back towards Lolo, as she seemed to be a a bit confused and still waiting for an answer.
Klonoa: ...No, i can't let her deal with these things. It's my own burden to carry... I should hold off on it and just tell my story between Phantomile up until now.
Klonoa then began to speak up again, looking back at Lolo and Popka.
Klonoa: Well... After falling through the darkness, i ended up in a mysterious fortress, full of these armored foes with swords and shields... They called themselves 'Nighty-Knights'.
Lolo: Right, you mentioned that during the High Priestess' memories... What exactly are they?
Popka: And why'd they come to attack us of all things?!
Klonoa: No idea... They claimed they were commanded by their lord to capture me alive, or kill me. That's all i really know of them.
Lolo seemed shocked to hear that from Klonoa and leaned backwards a bit.
Lolo: Wait, they want to kill you? And you were in a fortress filled with them?!
Klonoa then briefly laughed while scratching his head with one arm behind his back.
Klonoa: Haha... I know a lot of people seem to have it out for me all of a sudden... But no worries, i managed to escape with a mysterious portal that opened up below me. But what happened afterwards is what really surprised me.
Lolo: Surprised you? What could that be?
Klonoa then looks directly into Lolo's eyes, before speaking again, softly saying...
Klonoa: ...I found myself back in a village that i've forgotten about.
Lolo: A village you forgot?
Klonoa: Right... A village from the world i used to believe i was a part of before, prior to knowing my own fate as being a 'Dream Traveler'... I was only a small child since i last was there, and could barely even remember anything of it. But somehow, i was called back. Back to a land known as Phantomile.
Then as Popka was losing focus while Klonoa and Lolo kept having their conversation, he just began to reach for a red tube behind his back, opened the lid, and began to grab a potato chip out of it while slowly taking a bite from it. Popka from that point just kept mostly focussing on eating his own food while leaving the two be.
Lolo: Phantomile, huh... And what happened next?
Klonoa then grabbed a hold of the Dream Crystal that was in his back pocket, and shows it directly to Lolo.
Klonoa: That's when i quickly discovered i was carrying this on me. My goal from that moment was to discover what this crystal can do, as i met this boy named 'Kio' from the village.
Lolo: I see... But... how did that Dream Crystal exactly appear in your pocket?
Klonoa: Well... i'm not sure how i got it myself. But... i have an odd suspicion it had something to do with the portal that appeared in the fortress during my escape.
Klonoa then puts the Dream Crystal back in his backpocket... but just as he did and breathed in to talk again, he suddenly heard his stomach growl and quickly stopped, as he seemed a bit concerned.
Klonoa: I guess i ran too much without taking any food...
Lolo: You had nothing this entire day?!
Klonoa: No... Since my return, i was mostly just running and running. But man, i could really go for just a piece of bread...
Then as Popka was still eating from his can of potato chips, Klonoa finally heard the crunching noises, as does Lolo... then as the two of them slowly began to turn for where the noise came from, and looked directly at Popka... He just seemed surprised and tried to hide the can behind his back as he got defensive.
Popka: W-what? What?!
Lolo: Umm... Popka? What was that?
Popka: Whaddya mean? I ain't got nothin'!
Lolo then held out her hand and points it at Popka with a more stern look on her face.
Lolo: Popka... show it to me.
Popka then growled a bit out of annoyance as he put his hands back up front, revealing the can of potato chips with the label 'Potes'. Klonoa seemed a bit confused.
Klonoa: Wait, what is that?
Popka: Err... j-just a tube of hair gel, nothin' else!
Lolo just kept glaring over Popka as he was saying that.
Lolo: That is obviously a can of Potes, Popka... even i can see it.
Klonoa: Wait, so it's food? Can you please share some? Just one piece?
As Klonoa then tried to gently reach out his hand towards Popka, he then reeled back with the can in his hands while Popka got on edge. Klonoa seemed confused.
Popka: Nuh-uh, no way!
Klonoa: Huh? What do you mean 'no way'?
Popka: 'Cause it's my can, dumbo!
Klonoa: But... from what i'm seeing, there's multiple pieces in it. I have been running around the plains without any supplies. Can i please just have something?
Popka: I stole it, so it's MINE! Get 'ya own food! !
Lolo: You stole it?!
Then as Lolo seemed surprised hearing that from Popka, she suddenly dropped silent as she said to herself...
Lolo: Wait... why am i even surprised...?
Afterwards, Klonoa tried to lean further up to Popka to try and grab a hold of his can as he started to fiercely reel back with the can in both hands. The two began to wrestle for it a bit.
Klonoa: Just one, that's all i ask!
Lolo: Come on Popka, don't be so greedy!
Popka: Never on my life! !
Lolo: Geez... You're always like this with any food you can claim!
Klonoa eventually gave up, deeply sighing to himself and looking around a bit until looking upwards in the tree... As he does this, he noticed a few red apples hanging within the tree above them. Klonoa then stood up as both Lolo and Popka then seemed a bit confused.
Lolo: Hm? Is something the matter, Klonoa?
Klonoa: No, nothing important... just something i need to get...
Klonoa then kneeled down, and flaps his ears to launch himself into the tree, with a big gust of wind almost blowing out the fire, as Lolo was shocked from the sudden impact and Popka even tumbles across the ground for a few meters. Meanwhile as Klonoa went up into the tree, he swiftly grabbed three red apples as he came back falling down, safely landed onto his feet. Then he casually began to sit back down as Popka came walking back to the campfire and Lolo still stared in shock. As Klonoa carefully took a bite out of one apple in his hand, he noticed the others just stared in utter shock, as he raised an eyebrow out of confusion.
Klonoa: Hm?
Lolo: Your ears... did you... did you really just fly with them?
Klonoa: Oh, right...
Klonoa then stopped for a moment to swallow down the piece of apple and then turned back towards her as he seemed a bit embarrassed.
Klonoa: I... I learnt how to and send myself skyward with a hard flap lately. I was barely able to save myself from a hundred meter fall.
As Popka was carefully eating from his can of potato chips, then overheard what Klonoa said and sighed.
Popka: Aww man, really? 'Yer tellin' me my alley-oop move is now wack?
Lolo: What do you care if your move is useless now? Didn't you want to laze off?
Popka: Just wanna laze off AND be cool! That hard 'ta grasp?!
After a while, Klonoa then held out a fresh apples towards Lolo to offer her one, as he gently smiled for a bit.
Klonoa: Care to have one?
Meanwhile Lolo got a bit flustered, as she grabbed the apple from Klonoa's hand.
Lolo: S...Sure...
She took a bite as Klonoa began to speak upup again while holding the other two apples in his right hand.
Klonoa: But yeah, as i was telling you... I jumped in a portal, and met this guy named Kio. After finding the crystal from my pocket, we travelled all around the land in the hopes of finding the reason i made it back, and to find the purpose of the Dream Crystal while trying to make it work. I fought giant monsters... i even fought in an arena. All until i managed to escape back to Lunatea by locating the point the crystal worked at its strongest.
Lolo: Wait, you did all those things without having someone power your ring?
Klonoa: ...Well... There was this prince from a kingdom in the skies above, back in Phantomile. An old friend from the past.
Lolo: An old friend, huh... Then what happened after that? You said you two ran into one of the Shinigami Gang members in Volk. By the goddess, how did you end up there in the first place?
Klonoa: Well... my mind is a bit hazy, but i remember i almost drowned in the ocean. I barely saved myself by trying to ascend, and then when i came to, i was in the air...
Lolo seemed a bit confused as Popka, while he was still eating from his can, began talking in the middle of it.
Lolo: In the air...?
Popka: In one a' those flyin' machines.
Lolo: I... I see...
Klonoa: Y-Yeah, exactly as Popka said. He told me he found me unconscious drifting towards the shore, and that a few soldiers just dragged me along, while Popka followed suit and snuck aboard, as we were sent skydiving back into Volk meters above the ground to fight their war.
Lolo: They would do that?! Wait, did they know you were the Dream Traveler?
Popka: Nuh-uh... they ain't got a damn clue or care 'bout em.
Lolo: Oh... I knew Volk became dangerous, but... the fact that they would drag a stranger into their mess is beyond comprehension.
Popka then swallowed the potato chips that he was chewing on and raised his hand for a bit...
Popka: Aye to that, mate.
Klonoa: But regardless of why i ended up there, we went halfway across the city at war and then ran into the bear-wolf thing with the tank... He didn't even seem like he was directly after us two with any personal reasons, but still found it a thrill to try and hunt us down. By a miracle we survived, and barely fled into an alleyway. After that we escaped by borrowing a ride on the train, and made it back to La-Lakoosha. That's pretty much all there is to it.
Lolo: I... I see... hearing about Tanku like this seems really frightening... But what about this 'Kio' guy you mentioned? Who exactly is he?
Klonoa: A fellow adventurer from a village in Phantomile, who said he wanted to support me as that was the last thing he could do. Apparently because i helped him out in the past. He's learnt me a few basics of surviving in the wild such as making a campfire, while we traversed the plains.
Popka: That 'splains the cool fire trick.
Klonoa: But while he was fun to have around, he just couldn't stop pestering me about sensing 'affection'.
Lolo: Affection? W...Wait, what do you mean?
Klonoa's face turned a bit red and started to stutter, as he still tried to keep going on with the conversation.
Klonoa: Err... Y-Yeah... Kio just kept going on about how i have feelings for you, and... stuff like that...
Lolo: F-Feelings?!
Lolo's became almost completely flustered her face turned red too, while she started to quickly look away from him out of embarrassment.
Klonoa: I-I know! I really tried to make him cut it out, but he wouldn't shut up! Like... aren't we just friends? That's what i always thought...
Lolo: N- erm... Y-Yes!
Klonoa: I am just really, really confused over all of this! He's been poking fun for too long at it, i... i don't even know what to think anymore...
Meanwhile as Lolo slowly calmed down she turned back towards Klonoa and subtly reached for her own back with her arms.
Lolo: A-Anyway, whatever he may think of us, i want to ask... what exactly are you going to do after we save Sorrow?
Klonoa then thinks back on Kio, Clawford, Tikosu and Huepow all being left behind by him back in Phantomile, as he deeply sighed.
Klonoa: Well... I have to go back to there some day. My friends tried their hardest to make it possible to bring me back here... I can't leave them to die alone. I have to save Phantomile after this is dealt with.
Lolo: I... I see... I've been wanting to give you something, and... i think it is better to give it now than never, knowing this...
Lolo then pulls back both arms from behind her back to reveal her holding large red belt, as she quickly hands it out towards Klonoa while embarrassingly looking away from him.
Lolo: I-I didn't prepare myself at all to give it after such an awkward subject though, so... Just take it!
Klonoa, as he seemed genuinely confused, then takes the large red belt in both hands from Lolo. Meanwhile Lolo tried to calm down for a moment.
Klonoa: Hm? What's this for?
Lolo then briefly breathed in and out.
Lolo: For... For some reason it reminded me of you, and i held onto it dearly in the hope to give it to you... if you were to return.
Klonoa: You held onto it for me? But... why would you do something like that?
Lolo slowly started to twiddle around with her thumbs a bit.
Lolo: Well... I thought it was cute, and maybe suit you perfectly with the blue cap...
Klonoa: When did you even get it?
Lolo: I've bought at a market a year ago. It's the reason i had to run back upstairs into the Claire Moa Temple, as it was still lying there in my dorm. J-Just meant as a gift in case you were to come back, that's all... But also something to remember me by... and remember us by.
Then Lolo politely nodded while awkwardly smiling as her eyes were closed.
Lolo: I-I mean if you don't like it that's fine, seeing as belts are an odd style here. But... i just had to get something.
Klonoa turned silent for a bit as he looked a bit closer to the belt, while deeply starting to think to himself. Lolo stared in confusion for a moment and Popka stopped eating, as Klonoa didn't say a word... Everything went silent.
Klonoa: This seems oddly familiar... I... I mean, i know i wore something like this before, but... when did i...?
Klonoa then shook his head without trying to think too deeply about it, and started to put the belt around his neck. Klonoa looked down to his belt and stared in awe for a while... as he then suddenly reached towards Lolo for a hug. But as this happened without any warning, he caused his own apples to accidentally drop to the floor without a care. Lolo was surprised, as Popka just casually ate while looking at the two doing this.
Lolo: W-Wha-?
Klonoa then began to speak up again, as he softly said with a smile...
Klonoa: Thank you, Lolo... Thank you. I love it. I'll make sure to cherish it until the end.
Lolo: Oh... Y-Yeah... I'm happy to hear that...
Meanwhile as Popka was still munching on his can of potato chips, he eventually chuckled as Klonoa and Lolo confusingly look back towards him.
Klonoa: Hm? What's so funny?
Popka: I'm startin' to think this 'Kio' fella was right.
Klonoa: How come?
Popka then just points right at the two of them, looking how they were still hugging onto each other.
Popka: I ain't an expert on this sorta stuff but 'ya two are awfully close comin' from an outsiders pov...
Klonoa and Lolo then quickly realised how long they were hugging it out and she quickly let go out of embarrassment. She then got flustered and turned right towards Popka, while Klonoa seemed genuinely confused. Popka started to laugh watching these events unfold.
Klonoa: Huh? What? What?
Lolo: G-Gosh Popka! ! Why didn't you tell us earlier?!
Popka then tried to stop and wiped a tear from laughter, as Klonoa tried to move on from the conversation and casually picked back up his apples.
Popka: Ahaha... Cuz it's fun to mess with 'ya two!
Lolo still seemed a bit worked up, as Popka casually put his can of potato chips aside.
Popka: Serious talk tho, What's that half-shaped dot 'bout Klonoa?
Klonoa turned his head back towards Popka as he asked him, and started to raise an eyebrow. Meanwhile Lolo deeply sighed and let go of what just happened with a sigh.
Klonoa: Hm? Half-shaped dot?
Popka: Yeah, ya know, on that cap! 'Ya been wearin' it this entire time!
Klonoa then carefully took off his blue cap and looked at the pac-man symbol on the side of it.
Klonoa: This?
Popka: Yes, 'ya dummy!
Klonoa then just stared down at the pac-man symbol of his blue cap, as Lolo also looks up close next to him.
Lolo: I wondered about that for a while too... Like... Does it stand for anything? Is it a hidden symbol?
Klonoa: I...
Klonoa tried to deeply think for a bit, but... to no avail. No memories crossed his mind, or even showed itself. Eventually he just looks back at both Lolo and Popka, as he disappointingly said...
Klonoa: ...have no idea. I know i have been wearing this kind of hat for ages, but... i never know what it stood for. At least... not that i remember.
Lolo: Oh...
Popka then kicked back and grabbed his can of potato chips again, as he looked disappointed as well.
Popka: Maaan, that's a bummer...
Popka started to eat out of the can again, as Klonoa just casually turns his head back around towards Lolo.
Klonoa: But... enough about me. What have you been up to?
Lolo: Me?
Klonoa: Yeah. You said you made a priestess of your own, but... How did you manage to do it? The High Priestess said you 'returned to the temple' after months. So... what did you do in that time?
Lolo: Well... Simply put... i had to learn and get my body under control. Just like before becoming a priestess years ago, i trained at the rocky islands near the Sea of Tears, away from everywhere else.
Klonoa: Away from everywhere else?
Lolo: Yeah... Under conditions i knew i had to finally pull my potential out. I learnt the way to control my breathing. I learnt the way to focus. I learnt the way to control my spiritual energy... And finally, i pulled out my powers, and rang the bell louder than i ever even imagined...
Lolo then gently poked on her ears as she smiled. Meanwhile Popka noticed he reached the bottom of the can with his hand as he then confusingly looked inside of it with one eye.
Lolo: I still remember that night i finally managed to make it ring. My ears felt really fuzzy, hehe...
Klonoa then chuckled a bit, as he eventually stopped. Meanwhile Popka stopped looking inside the can and just poured back the can as he widely opened his mouth, shaking it a bit hoping something would get out.
Klonoa: But wait... what do you mean with 'just like before'?
Lolo started to look towards the campfire for a bit, as she turned silent herself... But eventually Lolo stared right back at Klonoa as she seemed a bit sad, while Klonoa was just confused.
Lolo: ...I'm sorry... I really don't want to go too much into my past.
Klonoa seemed a bit surprised to hear that, but then he started to softly smile. Popka then eventually gave up with his can of potato chips.
Klonoa: No, i understand...
Meanwhile Popka quickly threw away his empty can of potato chips into the grass further in the distance as both Lolo and Klonoa weren't paying attention to him, as he then turned his head right back towards Lolo and Klonoa.
Popka: I still don't, but... whatevs. As long as it ain't botherin' ya mood again for the sixth time or somethin'.
Lolo then chuckled a bit on hearing these things from both of them.
Lolo: Well... regardless after all that, it pretty much speaks for itself when i finally rang the bell. I learnt to properly heal, levitate, create energy, and restore things...
Although Lolo seemed a bit happy... she seemed to be slowly looking a bit concerned.
Lolo: Although... lately, i have been working on the Priestess Boost, but it just... I just can't seem to make it work.
Klonoa: The Priestess Boost?
Lolo then deeply sighed, and spoke up again.
Lolo: I know i shouldn't talk about it, seeing as it's classified for full priestesses only. But i just... i really got to vent it out to someone. Is that okay with you two?
Klonoa: Y...Yeah... No problem.
Meanwhile Popka just nodded a bit. Lolo then slowly closed her eyes and kept her head down.
Lolo: So... what i am supposed to do is keep a hold of your energy within your mind... Then...
Afterwards Lolo started to clench her fists and hold them up.
Lolo: Then i clench my fists. After which, i burst forward your energy in your mind, and let it flow through my body...
Lolo's long ginger hair then began to flow... as a faint stroke of red energy began to surround her, as she seemed to be losing a bit control while she clenched her teeth, trying to holding her position. Meanwhile Popka just seemed amazed, as was Klonoa.
Popka: Ooohhh, freaky... i like 'dat...
Lolo: After which, i... i...! ! !
Then suddenly something broke the concentration as the flow of red energy faded bursted and scattered. Lolo's long ginger hair stopped flowing and she dropped to her knees, holding her hands around her stomach and heavily coughing... Both Klonoa and Popka got shocked from all of this happening so sudden. Klonoa quickly kneeled down to her up close out of concern.
Popka: Yikes!
Klonoa: Lolo! ! Are you okay?!
Lolo then managed to eventually get a hold of herself and deeply breathed in and out, as she opened her eyes again... slowly turning her head back around towards Klonoa.
Lolo: Y...Yeah... i'm fine. It's just... it really wore me out.
Lolo then slowly begins to sit back down, and deeply sighed out of disappointment.
Lolo: I am supposed to let it flow out your mind and through your body after that... They say this technique will multiply your physical and spiritual power, as it wears out the user over time. But... i can't even get a grasp on it without my body getting hurt.
Popka: 'Cuz ya overthinkin' it too much, duh!
Lolo: Well... yeah... i didn't have any trouble with all the other techniques, since i finally got a grasp on my spiritual energy. But i just can't pull of this one. It takes too much of my concentration during the process itself compared to the others. Up to the point that it actually hurts trying to tap into it.
Lolo slowly began to look back down to the ground with a bit of a depressed look.
Lolo: It's just... it is too much for me. I have never even seen anyone pull this technique off properly themselves, aside from the High Priestess once...
While Lolo seemed a bit depressed talking about this, Klonoa seemed concerned as he thought to himself...
Klonoa: ...The Priestess Boost, huh...?
Klonoa then politely puts his hand on Lolo's shoulder, as he said with a smile...
Klonoa: I'm sure you can eventually grab a hold of it. Just... don't overdo yourself.
Lolo seemed a surprised, but then softly started to smile as well. During this moment, Popka started to stretch and loudly yawned.
Lolo: ...Thanks, Klonoa.
Popka: Maaaannn, all this runnin's made me... tired...
Popka then slowly began to curl up and close his eyes, as his voice got quieter and quieter.
Popka: Imma take... a... nap...
As Popka fell asleep, he loudly started to snore... Klonoa and Lolo confusingly looked at the snoring Popka, and stared back at each other for a bit.
Klonoa: ...I guess we should do the same... we've still got a few days ahead of us.
Lolo: R-right... Rest is important, after all.
Klonoa then began to sit back against the tree close to the fire, as Lolo began to sit on the side next to him. Both of them slowly began to close their eyes, as they softly said towards each other...
Klonoa: Night, Lolo...
Lolo: Good... Night...
Eventually the two fell asleep, as the campfire began to slowly burn out bit by bit while they were resting...
Klonoa slowly opened his eyes and found himself into what seemed to be a brick home, on the floor. His vision was a bit blurry and it felt like his head was hurting, as he mumbled to himself...
Klonoa: W...Where am i...? Is this another dream...?
Klonoa then slowly got back up, as his vision became a bit more clear... He found himself onto a bed, surrounded by brick walls and a wooden floor. Next to him was a wooden desk with a few books on the left, as well as an open window to the right, with the orange evening sky's light faintly shining out... As Klonoa looked at his surroundings, he seemed surprised.
Klonoa: Wait... is this the room of my old house...? Why am i-
Then as he tried to reach for the desk near him, he stopped and looked at his arm, noticing it was smaller... Then checking his body more he realised his whole body's smaller, and he was only wearing a set of dark blue pajamas... finally realizing he had turned into a child. Klonoa seemed really confused.
Klonoa: W-What happened to me? Why am i a child again? What's going on here?!
Suddenly Klonoa's head started to hurt and he fell back onto his pillow as he was trying to question himself. Eventually a voice could be heard from down below.
"Oh dear, oh dear..."
Klonoa: H...Huh...?
As Klonoa slightly turned his head towards where the voice came from, he saw his own Grandfather walking upstairs towards his room with an icepack in his left hand, and smoking his classic wooden pipe. Grandpa then pulled up the wooden chair from the desk to sit right next towards Klonoa on his bed as he carefully placed it over his head, while he said...
Grandpa: You should take it easy after having received such a huge hit, my child...
Klonoa: G...Grandpa... Is that... you?
Grandpa: What are you talking about? Of course it's me.
Klonoa: W...What happened? Why am i...
Grandpa: You were trying to carry a barrel to the back of the the back of our house. Then a rainpipe broke down and hit you on the head. Remember?
Klonoa: Barrel...? Rainpipe...?
Grandpa: Oh goodness, it must have hit you harder than i thought it did... Maybe i should have a real doctor check it out...
Klonoa: N-No, it's just... I...
Grandpa then chuckled a bit.
Grandpa: Hohoho, i'm just playing around. You still seem to remember your good ol' Grandpa...
Klonoa then dropped silent... and started to tear up, eventually smiling. As did Grandpa.
Klonoa: Yes... Yes i do.
Grandpa: Well... after what you did today, i think it's finally time...
Grandpa then slowly stood up from the chair and began to walk back downstairs, as Klonoa seemed confused.
Klonoa: Time for what...?
Grandpa: For you to be considered a real part of the village, of course!
As Grandpa disappeared for a while from his room, Klonoa seemed to question himself a bit.
Klonoa: A real part of the village...?
After a while, Grandpa came back walking upstairs with a red belt in his hands to Klonoa's shock.
Klonoa: W-wait, what is-
Grandpa: I know... it's tough to have never known your real parents, but... Even with the others who think you're just a weird 'outsider', you're my child. My child of the wind. And i never have seen bad things in you... Even now, when a rainpipe knocked you out.
Tears slowly began to roll down Klonoa's face.
Klonoa: Grandpa... i'm sorry...
Klonoa then leaned forward at Grandpa out of bed, and went in for a full embrace as the wooden chair almost reeled back even to his own surprise. Klonoa began to cry as he closed his eyes.
Klonoa: I'm sorry! !
Grandpa: W-whoa, what for, my child?
Klonoa: I mean it with all my heart... Grandpa, i... i...! !
As Klonoa couldn't even finish his sentence while crying. Grandpa then tried to gently pat Klonoa on the head while he gently hugged him back. Then suddenly everything within the vision began to light up around Klonoa...
Klonoa: Grandpa! ! !
Then as Klonoa came to be, he woke up with a shock and found himself back on the plains of Lunatea as he had a few tears in his eyes while he held his hand out... Slowly he looked around, noticing the early afternoon sun was rising in the distance over the ocean, as Klonoa stared at it for a bit and retracted his hand while saying to himself...
Klonoa: ...What... What was that just now...?
Klonoa then looked down upon his new red belt from Lolo, while a tear dropped from his face.
Klonoa: I remember that i had one as a kid, but... Was that belt really from Grandpa? What that all from now just a dream, or an actual vision in my sleep...? I had control over myself in it, and i don't even know exactly what Grandpa was on about...
Klonoa then shook his head a bit before wiping the tears off his eyes, as he prepared to stand back up.
Klonoa: I don't know, this doesn't make much sense to me...
As Klonoa leaned forward to try and stand up, he something grabbed a hold of him... looking off to the side, he saw that Lolo had her arms wrapped around Klonoa while she was still asleep... Klonoa briefly gasped from the shock, and reeled back a bit.
Klonoa: Urk-?!
Lolo slowly began to wake up herself from this movement, opening her eyes... Then as she briefly yawned and looks up towards Klonoa, she realised how she was hanging onto him as her face turned red, and immediately let go of him as quickly as possible.
Lolo: Eek! ! S-Sorry! Sorry! !
Klonoa seemed a bit flustered himself but tried to hold it in.
Klonoa: It's... It's okay, i was just a bit startled by it...
Meanwhile as this was happening, Popka woke up and heavily yawned, only waving at the two of them for a bit without saying a word... After which, Klonoa then turned back towards Lolo and started to talk again.
Klonoa: If i might ask... why were you even hanging onto me like that in the first place?
Lolo: Uhhhh...
Klonoa: I-I mean... that's not normally what someone would do, right?
Bit by bit, Lolo seemed to be more embarrassed after Klonoa asked that. Until she finally decides to speak up.
Lolo: I... I should have said something about it earlier, but the thing is... You're... You're not wearing anything underneath your jacket... I wanted to point you out on that for a while, even when i gave you the belt...
Klonoa dropped quiet as he raised an eyebrow.
Klonoa: Huh...? Maybe i'm not the one to ask such a question, but what do you mean? And what does that have to do with it?
Lolo: I-I was a bit too nervous to point you out on that! I mean Popka's running around almost completely naked the whole time, but...
Popka: Hey, lemme be! I just woke up, damn!
Lolo: But before i knew it, we fell asleep. And then in my sleep i must've found your fur soft, which then lead to me accidentally clinging on like that, and now we-
Lolo then stopped mid-sentence and got flustered from what she said herself. Meanwhile Klonoa's just scratching his head.
Lolo: W-Wait, why am i even saying that about your fur?!
Klonoa: Whoa, hold up, hold up. What do you mean with 'my fur'?
Lolo then finally pointed at Klonoa's chest inbetween his open red and yellow jacket, as it seemed like he was not wearing anything underneath.
Lolo: R-Right there! You are wearing nothing underneath your jacket!
Klonoa dropped silent and then grabbed his chest, revealing that he was wearing a black t-shirt underneath his jacket as he nonchalantly pulled it up and shows his black-furred stomach. A few faint abdominal muscles stuck out from his stomach while he just naively kept staring in confusion at Lolo, as her face turned even more red and she covered her hands in front of her eyes.
Klonoa: It's a black shirt. I'm fully covered up.
Lolo began to mumble a bit to herself as she said...
Lolo: O-Oh goddess, this is too much for me to handle...
Popka then waddled on over towards Klonoa as he just kept poking Klonoa in the abdominal muscles out of curiosity, while Klonoa just naively stared out of confusion.
Popka: But damn bro, you built different.
Klonoa: 'Built different'? What does that mean?
Lolo then quickly looks back at the clock at the wall of the train station, which now had the short hand pointing at 10 and the long hand around 5. She stood up, and points with one hand at the clock in the distance to pull their attention away from their current moment as she covered her eyes with the other one to try and forget about it.
Lolo: M-Moving on! ! The trains are riding, so... let's go! We got no time to waste!
Klonoa: R...Right...
Klonoa then quickly lowered his shirt again and stood up as well, following soon after... Lolo began to make their way over towards the train station following the path as she deeply breathed in and out. Popka, in the moment where he was still bit mesemerised by Klonoa's abs, suddenly snapped back to reality and turned his head back towards the two again, as he noticed how far away they already were and quickly stood up to try and run after them.
Popka: Eh? W-Wait... Wait!
As they walked into the brick building of the train station, they saw a desk with a middle-aged La-Lakooshan receptionist girl in a formal suit, short black hair and purple eyes awearing an earpiece as she was sitting in a ticket booth. There was also a railway platform outside of the building on the other side, with multiple other people waiting at the platform. Klonoa and Lolo looked at the ticket booth, as he turned towards her while he seemedconfused.
Klonoa: Erm... So... That's where i need to buy the tickets, right? How do i do that?
Lolo: Hm? But... do you even have the money for it?
Lolo then quickly checked her own pockets, until she eventually sighed.
Lolo: Oh... right. I forgot to bring my own.
Klonoa: Aw, that's a bummer.
Popka: Heh. That's why we surf trains.
Lolo: No, we are not resorting to illegal methods of travel!
Klonoa: Well... Popka and I just stepped into the train the last time, and hoped one of these would suffice. But it didn't work.
Klonoa then pulled out his pouch with the Dream Stones and handed it over towards Lolo, as she opened the pouch and seemed stunned, not even being able to count them from within.
Lolo: Wha- How much is that?!
Klonoa grinned a bit while crossing his arms behind his head.
Klonoa: Just some stones i've found on my journey. I guess a few hundred of them?
Lolo: B-But... These are extremely valuable... You said they wouldn't take one of those on the train? Why not?
Klonoa: I don't know... something about a 'policy'. I didn't get what they meant about that either.
Lolo: Well, surely they would accept even one of these at the ticket booth, right? One is easily worth ten golden coins alone!
Popka: Hmph. They better... Otherwise we surfin'!
Lolo: For the last time, we will not resort to that!
Klonoa, Lolo and Popka then walked on over towards the ticket booth as the receptionist girl slowly turned her head towards them. In a lazy tone of voice while resting one arm on the desk and supporting her head with it, she said...
Receptionist: ...What do you want?
Klonoa: Erm... Three tickets for Joilant, please.
The receptionist then grabbed a calculator from her side of the desk and typed on it for a bit, as she slowly turnt her head back towards Klonoa.
Receptionist: That'll be... nine gold.
Klonoa grabbed out a dream stone from his pouch and handed it over to the Receptionist, as she just kept staring at it up-close for a while... Meanwhile Popka noticed a locomotive train arriving at their station near the platform as the train began to and stop... Popka then looked at the schedule, and saw that the next on their station one won't arrive for another hour. He started to get a bit nervous.
Popka: Oh geez... We gotta hurry up or we waitin' for another while!
Lolo: N-No need to make haste... In the worst case scenario we'll just have to walk those couple of kilometers.
Popka: Urgh... 'ya sure surfin' ain't a better idea?!
Finally the receptionist turnt back towards Klonoa, as she said...
Receptionist: Sir... This does not suffice.
Klonoa seemed shocked to hear that... as Lolo turned back to the receptionist out of surprise.
Klonoa: ...What?
Lolo: What do you mean? Is it not enough?
Receptionist: Yes it is, but...
Klonoa: But what?! What's not enough about it?!
Receptionist: It is just... within our company policy, we only accept coins directly. Not in these crystals. Please, exchange them at a local bank...
Klonoa: At a what now...?
Lolo seemed a bit more serious and looks directly at the receptionist in the eye.
Lolo: ...Okay, that is just ridiculous. You know the closest bank is miles away from here!
Receptionist: I know, but we still cannot-
Meanwhile the locomotive train whistled as it slowly started to ride as Klonoa, Lolo and Popka noticed it just out of the window. Then within a moment of haste, Klonoa angrily grabbed his pouch and threw another Dream Stone into her face.
Klonoa: Come on, i have no time for this! Just accept them! Please! !
Klonoa then began to quickly run towards the platform, with Lolo and Popka following him up close... But as they made it towards the other side of the building and ran across the platform to try and catch up, it was already too late... The train began speeding up more and more, while they tried to chase the train on foot by running on the tracks after the platform ends as it quickly left them behind.
Klonoa: Grrr... I hate these 'policies'... I tried to play along, and it still doesn't work?!
Lolo: Gosh, you were not kidding... they really are making it so difficult and timewasting for a world traveler, don't they?
Lolo then deeply sighed, as he turned her head back towards Popka.
Lolo: Okay, fine! Just this once we will do it Popka!
Then while they were still running, Popka thought to himself for a short bit about what Lolo just said, and snapped back to it.
Popka: Wait, whaddya mean 'do it'?! We ain't gettin' nowhere to that again from here!
Lolo: There's still one way we can catch up!
Lolo quickly jumps back into the Wind Ring that was attached to Klonoa's belt on his hip, as she said...
Lolo (Wind Ring): Catch, Klonoa!
Klonoa: Huh?!
Then the yellow and green striped Air Board was thrown out of the Wind Ring, as Klonoa managed to barely catch it with his left hand... Klonoa began to grin for a bit as he grabbed Popka along with his right hand, while he was next to him.
Popka: W-What're ya-?!
Klonoa then briefly jumped to not lose his momentum, and with a smooth flip managed to put his feet on the Air Board while they were airborne. Then as they landed back on the ground and the board started to hover over the ground, they still kept up their speed like before. Klonoa then safely put Popka behind him on the Air Board, while riding on the train tracks as the grass blew with the wind from the board. Klonoa shortly looks back behind him to check on Popka, as he just yells while holding out his fist.
Popka: W-What're ya worryin' about me for?! Get to it!
Klonoa: R-Right!
Klonoa then looks back up front started to lean forward on the Air Board to speed up, as they started to get closer towards the train... As they eventually got close at the last passenger cart from the back, Klonoa tried to grab a hold of it but almost lost balance, while they lost speed from the sloppy manouver to try and keep himself balanced.
Klonoa: W-Whoa!
Popka: Dang, this is too freaky!
Klonoa briefly looks up onto the top of the passenger cart in front of him, as he mumbled a bit to himself.
Klonoa: I guess we just have to make the jump...
Then Klonoa turned back around towards Popka behind him as he spoke up.
Klonoa: Popka! As soon as we get close, get ready to land onto the top of the cart!
Popka: R-Right...!
Klonoa began to speed up again, as he then carefully rides up close to the left side of the cart.
Popka: W-Wait, what's the plan?!
Klonoa: You know how you threw me upwards a couple of times? Well, let's do the opposite!
Popka: Ah, i gotcha...
Klonoa then held out both hands while trying to maintain his speed with the train. Popka then stepped onto Klonoa's hands as Popka yelled...
Popka: Alley-ooped! !
Then Klonoa threw Popka upwards in the air, with Popka fluttering his arms around to try and safely land on top of the passenger cart... After falling down onto it, he carefully tried to get back up on his feet, while looking down at Klonoa and holding out his arms and yelling.
Popka: Awright, it's ya turn! Hurry! !
Klonoa deeply breathed in and out, saying to himself...
Klonoa: ...Here goes nothing...
Klonoa then swiftly jumped up in the air and grabbed his Air Board while keeping up the momentum, turning right for the side of the train as he harshly flapped his ears to send himself airborne... But as he did this, he realised his momentum was cut a bit too short and barely misses the train, about to harshly faceplant across the train tracks. Klonoa was almost devastated upon realising it in this small amount of time.
Klonoa: No... I can't lose it now... I can't! ! !
Klonoa then desperately and quickly flipped back around, harshly flapping his ears once again as it finally sends him flying further up onto the top of the second to last passenger cart... Klonoa then harshly crashed down onto it, as he tried to catch up with his breath. Lolo finally got out of the Wind Ring as she kneeled down to Klonoa to check up on him.
Lolo: K-Klonoa! Are you okay?!
Eventually Klonoa slightly turned her head back towards Lolo, as he deeply breathed in and out.
Klonoa: Y...Yeah... I am just... not used to flapping my ears twice, that's all...
Popka then began to run up towards the two of them from the last passenger cart as he seemed amazed and smiled.
Popka: Man was that coooolll! Two flaps in a row?!
Lolo: Maybe a bit too sloppy and unsafe for my liking, but... i'm glad you pulled it off.
Klonoa then softly began to smile at Lolo and Popka.
Klonoa: R-really? Hehe...
Lolo then helped Klonoa get back onto his feet, as the three of them began to look over into the distance while the train they stood on rode off to the south, and towards the kingdom of Joilant in the farther distance...