Chapter 42 – Not A Normal Clone

It's been a good while since the confidence boost I've gotten from everyone. And yet…we're still climbing this tower!

"Geez, Kirby. Just how big is this place anyway?" I asked him.

"Poyo. Poyo poyo. Poyo."

"It goes as far as outer-space?! We don't wanna go that far!"

"Poyo poyo poyo poyo?"

"Well…yeah, I want to know what that thing was. But if we have to go that far to get it…"

"Wait, what thing?" Ringo asked.

"We saw this light-blue light fall from the sky and land somewhere in here. That's why us three came here." Chetta explained.

"A light-blue light?"

"Sounds suspicious." Arle said.

"Yeah…" I agreed. "But if it's as far as outer-space, then I really don't think it's worth it. And besides, using this ESP Ability is starting to drain me out. I don't think I could use it much longer."

"Guess you'll have to wait until your leg heals on its own, then." Raffina said.

"*sigh* I guess."

But who knows how long that's going to take?

*RUMBLE*

"Huh?!"

*RUMBLE*

"Are you kidding me? More of this rumbling?" Raffina asked in an annoyed tone.

*RUMBLE*

*RUMBLE*

"G-Guys, it's already near us!" Ringo shouted in fear.

*RUMBLE*

*RUMBLE*

*RUMBLE*

*RUMBLE*

*BOOM*

We didn't have time to react. As the nearby wall shattered in front of us and caused a whole bunch of smoke to form.

I saw a shadowy figure standing in the midst of it. it looked big and threatening. I wasn't sure if we should fight it or run for the ship. But with a simple flash of light along with the smoke clearing up…

"Poyo!" Kirby cheered.

"Huh?" I then got a good look at what he was seeing. "King Dedede?"

"*confident grunt*"

"What are you doing all the way out here?"

"Well, now. That should be enough."

Out from behind Dedede came out a mouse that wore a red cape and a red top hat that he held over his eyes. From looking at him, three things came to mind.

One, h-he's floating. I don't understand that.

Two, he looks rather sneaky.

And three…

He looks really familiar…

"Poyo. Poyo poyo."

"Huh? I asked Kirby. "You said his name is… Daroach?"

"Aw. You're the group of girls from the ship that day. Yes, indeed. I am Daroach. Leader of The Squeaks. We search all throughout Dream Land and above to take claim of the grandest treasures around. Though, I believe in your world this is referred to as "bandits". Am I right?"

"Yeah, sounds about right." Ringo said.


*Introductions happen here. Don't feel like writing them again*


"So…why did you break down that wall?" I asked.

Daroach did a soft chuckle before answering.

"Well, if you must know, I've gotten intel on a sacred treasure hidden somewhere in this tower. It's said to help with this little…predicament everyone's been going on about. So the king here and I decided to check it out a little."

Sacred treasure? Could that mean the final Copy Ability?

"*annoyed grunt*" Dedede looked at him with an annoyed look.

"W-Well, yes. It is true that we got lost. But we did receive some help."

"Really? From who?"

"Well…she was a girl with red hair. Two ponytail curls in the back. She had light-red eyes and markings all over her body of the same color.

Although, now that I think about it…she kinda looked a lot like you, Ringo."

"H-Huh?! A-A lot like me?!" Ringo began to panic.

"D-Did she talk like her?" Arle asked.

"From what I remember, she talked all moody-like. And she was floating, as well."

Based on the description Daroach gave us, there was no doubt in my mind at this point. Up ahead was Ringo's clone. But if she's working for Amitwo, why did she help these two by telling them where to find this sacred treasure?

It could be a trap. And knowing my own clone, she isn't afraid to make them deadly either.

"Guys, do you know where this girl is now?" I asked.

That's when Dedede pointed back the way they just came. Meaning that she's probably still wherever they first saw her.

"Back there, huh?"

"Hey, Ringo. Are you, um…ready for this?" Raffina asked her.

"…I-I…I'm not sure." Ringo said in a depressed tone. "I-I mean…so far we've got Raina, who turned out to be a bigger victim than us. And then Ridel, who's a deranged psychopath. Finding out what my clone's going to be like. It's exciting…but also scary."

"Don't worry, Ringo. If anything happens, we'll be there to help you out." Arle said.

"Yeah, leave it to us." Raffina added. "After all, three of us have already experienced our clones."

"Yeah…but they're aren't as good as yours, Raffina." Lidelle claimed.

"R-Right. Good point."

"Hey, Raina. Do you know anything about Ringo's clone?" I asked.

"Uh…actually…I really don't remember her much. Didn't get to see her that often, either. She would even disappear for days at a time. It was…odd."

"Disappear for days?" We all said.

"Do clones normally do that?" Chetta asked.

"No, Chetta. They don't." Arle said.

This is rather weird. Not only does Raina not remember Ringo's clone, but she would often disappear? For days at a time? This really needs a look over.

"Guys, I really think we should check this out. There are just too many strange things with this clone."

"Amitie's right. None of this makes any sense." Raffina said.

"From the sounds of it, this clone's completely different from Amitwo, Raina, and Ridel." Lidelle said.

"Are you going to be okay with this, Ringo?" Arle asked her.

"Well…I am curious. Hopefully, it won't hurt us."

"And if it does, we got your back. Right, Kirby?" I asked him.

"Poyo!"

"Thanks, guys. You're the best."

"I would love to help you and these ladies out, Kirby. But as a master treasure hunter, I cannot leave this be. We'll catch up once we find it." Daroach said. Dedede nodded, agreeing with the statement.

"Poyo."

"Alright. See you guys later." I said as our group went past the duo and into the hole-in-the-wall that they created. About to investigate the weirdness of Ringo's clone.

But then again. This could still be all a trap. Can't keep our guard down. Even for a second.


Ringo's POV

S-So this is it. I-I'm about to meet my clone for the first time. I-I really don't know what to expect. Could she possibly be like Raina and turn over a new leaf? Could she be like Ridel and have her own goals of causing terror? Or is she just a slave to Amitwo?

I don't know which one I want honestly. All seem like rather difficult ways to deal with it.

"*sigh*"

"Hey, Ringo. You okay?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm fine, Arle. I guess."

"You're still worried about your clone, aren't you?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"It's written all over your face."

"*sigh* Yeah. I am. It's just…we've already seen three of these clones. Sure, we got Raina. But the other two are just plain evil. What will mine turn out to be? Will she kill us the moment we meet? The possibility of that happening…I-I just can't think straight anymore."

I actually started tearing up from the thought of my life possibly being ended by a copy of me. The amount of fear built up inside me was greater than any encounter I had with Yu & Rei in the past. I even started feeling weak. Slumping down a little as my sadness and fear took over my body more.

But then suddenly, I felt a great force upon me. I looked over, and realized that Arle was…h-hugging me. L-Like really hard. I-I didn't know what to do. My heart was pounding from the sudden gestor.

Wh-What's going on with her?

"Ringo…it's okay." She said to me.

"I-It is?"

"Yeah. Because you know why?"

"Wh…Why?"

"Because if that clone tries to do anything to hurt you, I'll be there to protect you. No matter what. I won't let anyone hurt my friend. They won't get the chance."

"A-Arle…" I nearly broke into tears once she said that. to have someone care for me that much…I don't think I've ever received this much care. Not even from Maguro and Risukuma. This was a feeling…

…that I loved from the beginning.

"A-Arle…th-thank you." I said as I returned her hug.

"Anytime, Ringo. Now, uh…I think we should hurry and catch up with others. I don't think they know where we are."

"Huh?" I looked over behind Arle and saw that we were in fact left behind. "Wh-Whoa. I-I didn't even notice. Let's hurry."

"Right."

We both ran down the hall in hopes of catching up with the others.


"Geez, where were you two? We were looking for you everywhere?" Amitie asked as the two of us ran up to the rest of the group.

"S-Sorry, guys. We got…caught up in something." Arle said, then winked at me.

"Y-Yeah. Caught up in a…moment of sorts." I said, then winked back at her.

"R-Right…" The others looked confused. But they eventually let the whole thing go.

We kept walking down the hall and soon reached a small balcony facing the outside. Letting us see stuff such as the ship from far away. We wanted to enjoy the view once more, but…something was preventing us to.

"G-Guys, look. Over there." Lidelle said as she pointed over to the balcony's edge. Sitting there was a girl with red hair with two ponytail curls in the back. She also had a light-red hue all over her body. And as we stared at her, I came to a conclusion.

This is definitely my clone.

"Poyo. Poyo."

"Kirby said we should walk up to her quietly." Amitie whispered.

"Yeah. Sounds like a good idea." Raffina said.

"You ready, Ringo?" Arle asked me.

"Um…I-I guess." I was still nervous about this whole thing. My clone was near inches from me. There's no telling what could happen next.

"Just remember what I promise. I won't let anything happen to you."

"Th-Thanks…Arle." I felt my face get hot once I heard that.

We all started walking quietly towards the clone. Slowly getting closer to her. We were just halfway there when…

"*sigh* I know you're there."

"Wh…What?" We all were shocked.

The clone then turned to face us. She had a very gloomy look on her face. Which was already covered with light-red markings. Along with the rest of her body.

"I said I know you're there. All of you. And I heard you whispering too." She said in a monotoned version of my voice.

"H-How?" Amitie asked.

"I dunno."

She knew we were here, but doesn't know how? What sense does that make?

"S-So…a-are you…Ringo's clone?" Amitie asked again.

"I guess. Who's Ringo?"

"Uh…this is Ringo." Raffina said as she pointed to me. "You know, the person you're based off?"

"Really?" My clone then looked at me with her light-red eyes.

And then just stared…

For a good while, too…

And it was starting to get uncomfortable.

"I don't see it." She finally said after a really long stare down.

We all just sweatdropped at that moment.

During that, I was able to take a look at her. He outfit was, oddly fitting enough, a school uniform. But…it wasn't Suzuran's uniform. At least I think it wasn't. She wore a white dress shirt with a short red tie. Her skirt was the same as mine. But that was honestly the only thing we had in common, clothing wise. Her shoes were mostly white with a little bit of red (the complete opposite of mine). And you could just barely see the socks she was wearing.

Lastly was the hairpin I normally wear in my hair. While mine was a green puyo, hers was a purple one. Not sure why the different color, but it honestly looked good on me…I-I mean her.

"*sigh* Anyway, you guys came to take this eternal soul thing, right?" My clone asked.

"Y-Yeah….h-how did you know that?" Amitie asked.

"I dunno."

"Okay, this is getting nowhere." Raffina was slowly getting annoyed.

"Can I ask you all something?"

"Uh…sure. Asks us what?" Lidelle asked.

"What is life?"

"Uh…what is life? That's a…really vague question."

The clone went silent for another good while. Making this conversation even more uncomfortable.

"Life is something that goes on whether you chose to move on and take a chance into the unknown. Or stay behind, locked in the past, thinking of what could've been."

"P-Poyo…" Kirby said as the rest of us were speechless on what this girl just said.

Wh-What the heck? After saying nothing for minutes on end, she says THAT?

"W-Wow. R-Ringo." Chetta said. "Y-Your clone is…really depressing."

"Meow."

"Y-Yeah. I-I can agree with you, Chetta." I replied.

"So I'm a clone?"

"Yes. You are." Arle said.

"Huh."

"Of who?"

"Of Ringo."

"Huh."

"Who's Ringo?"

"This girl right here!" Arle shouted while pointing to me.

"Huh."

"Who are you?"

"OH MY GOD! CAN WE JUST TAKE HER SOUL ALREADY?!" Raffina shouted. Completely annoyed at my clone right now.

"Yeah, I'm on it." Lidelle said as she stepped closer to her.

"My soul?" The clone asked. "You mean this thing?" She then took out from her pocket something we didn't think we would see. Especially this easily.

"Th-That's part of Yu's eternal soul!" Lidelle shouted. "H-How did you get out of yourself?!"

"I dunno."

"You know, I'm really getting tired of hearing that." Raffina said.

"Hey. Ringo. Don't you remember how you got that?" Raina asked.

"No. Not really."

"Do you remember where you came from?"

"No. Not really."

"Do you at least remember me?"

"Raffina?"

"Yes! That's me! Only now I changed my name to Raina."

"Raina?"

"Nice name."

"Right? A ghost named Rei thought of it."

"A ghost named Rei?"

"Is his just as lifeless as all of humanity?"

"Uh…Sis."

"Don't look at me, Raina. I've just about had it with this girl." Raffina said.

"Well, he's lifeless. So is his sister. But that's about it." Everyone turned to look at me. Mostly in shock. Kirby didn't look all too surprised.

"R-Ringo?!" Arle asked.

"Y-You're going to be okay with this?" Amitie asked.

"Well…yeah, I do admit that she's rather depressing and spacey. But she doesn't seem like a threat. Though I will have to get used to her."

"Used to me?" My clone asked.

"Well, you are another me. This isn't really all that normal. Or scientific."

"Oh."

"Who are you again?"

"I'm Ringo. Ringo Ando."

"Oh."

"What's my name?"

"Your name? Right. You kinda don't have one."

"What would you like your name to be?" Amitie asked.

"I dunno."

"Poyo poyo poyo poyo."

"Yeah. I'm feeling the same way, little buddy." Now both Amitie and Kirby were annoyed at this point.

"Do you have any cherries?"

"Cherries?" We were all confused with how she just spat out this question out of nowhere.

"I like cherries. They're delicious."

"Huh. Kinda like how you like apples, Ringo." Arle said.

"Hm…yeah. It kinda is. And with my name meaning apple in Japanese…how does the name Cheri sound?" I asked my clone.

"Cheri?"

"I like it." She then said with possibly the first smile she's ever made in her life.

"Alrighty, then! Welcome to the team, Cheri!" Amitie cheered.

"Poyo!"

"Your help will be greatly appreciated." I said.

"Thank you, uh…"

"What was your name again?"

"MY NAME IS RINGO!" And now I was annoyed.

"Oh." Was all Cheri said.

"Honestly…good luck, Ringo." Raffina said.

"It looks like you're going to need it." Chetta added.

"Meow."

"Thanks, guys. But I'm going to need more than luck in order to deal with this girl."

Probably like an aspirin or two.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Cheri Ando, Ringo Ando's clone, joins the party! And like the title suggests, she's not a normal clone. She spaces out a lot. And when she does talk, it's often about depressing stuff.

She also can't seem to remember Ringo's name(or anything, for that matter). But hey, she likes cherries. Which is what her name is based off. The pronunciation is the same. It's just spelled differently.

Going to be taking a break from this story. In the meantime, feel free to review/favorite/follow/kudos the story. Thanks for reading. Later.