Chapter 16: To Make One's Day

A/N: Oof, this took a little while, didn't it? I'd blame writer's block... but it wasn't a huge problem (although it WAS a problem). So yeah... I dunno exactly why this took almost two weeks to get out, but at least it gave me time to flesh this chapter out.

"Wow..."

We'd stepped out into the main hub, and Zena was already looking enchanted by the view in front of her. I wasn't expecting anything less.

She opened her mouth to speak, but she said nothing. She was completely in awe.

It made me smirk. Couldn't blame her, it doesn't get much better than that.

"Finally-wait... who's that?" Moustache Girl said, snapping us out of our thoughts. Ah, that's one thing I failed to think about.

"Oh yeah, I guess none of you have met her before," I said, "This is Zena. She lives up high in the mountains, keeping watch over her people."

I then turned back to Zena.

"And these are our friends: Moustache Girl, DJ Grooves, Conductor, and Cooking Cat... but she's probably still in the kitchen."

"Hello," She greeted simply with a smile, "You all seem like wonderful people."

"As to you, darling," DJ Grooves replied.

"Eh, lad, ye said she's from up in the mountains, ye mean those mountains, right?" Conductor asked.

"Yep, those ones. She doesn't get many visitors," I explained.

She nodded.

"It's so wonderful to meet all of you," She said, "Like he said, I don't see many outsiders."

"Well, that sounds right, considering nobody can ever find you," Moustache Girl said, "Everyone has heard tales of Subcon Forest and Alpine Skyline."

A confused look crossed Zena's face at that.

"Subcon...?" I heard her whisper in confusion.

Conductor chuckled.

"Definitely. Me parents would tell tales of the horrific Snatcher, and how he'd come to steal yer soul and make ya his slave if ye misbehaved. I definitely didn't misbehave after that, lemme tell ya!" Conductor chuckled.

Zena seemed even more confused now.

She shook it off and adopted a curious look.

"And what do they say about Alpine Skyline?" She asked.

Moustache Girl grinned.

"Oh, there's so many amazing stories my parents would tell me about Alpine Skyline, stories their parents told them, and their parents told them, blah blah blah. They made it seem like a paradise, a place that only the nicest and good-est people could ever hope to find," She explained happily, "I'd always hoped to go and find it someday."

"You're not the only one, darling. So many people set out to those mountains to search for Alpine Skyline. Sadly, no one succeeded," DJ Grooves continued, "Most people gave up hope."

"But we didn't!" Conductor exclaimed, "We'd always hoped that someday it'd be found. And then, lo and behold, the lad and lass managed ta do it. Another thing to thank ye for, ha ha!"

Zena adopted a whimsical look.

"Say... Moustache Girl, was it? You said, in the tales, only the nicest and most generous people could find us, right?" She asked.

"Mhm, that's what Mom and Dad used to say," Moustache Girl responded, a faint twinge of sadness in her voice. Nobody else picked it up, but I did. Poor girl...

Zena then grinned and lightly nudged me.

"Well, I guess they were right, huh?" She laughed.

I snorted at the implication.

"Oh, please," I chuckled, "I was just following the kid's lead."

... Right, the kid.

"Speaking of that, we should probably go down and see her instead of sitting and talking," I suggested.

"Good idea, lad!" Conductor said, "Go get that cat lady over here and let's move!"

I hopped up to the kitchen and walked in to see Cooking Cat (unsurprisingly) cooking something.

"Are you just about done?" I asked.

"I heard all the commotion out there, dear, I'll be done in a jiffy!" She exclaimed.

I sat and waited a few minutes, before she turned back, proudly holding a plastic container filled with... some sort of food, I couldn't really see it well because it was slathered in sauce.

"A little bit of a 'get well soon' gift," She explained.

"I'm not sure if she'll be feeling well enough to eat it," I muttered, "Last night, she vomited up medicine that I tried to give her."

"Oh..." She said, "Well... that's a shame."

"You could always leave it in the fridge until she gets better," I suggested, "I know re-heating food isn't as good as eating it fresh, but your food is good enough that it doesn't even matter."

"Hmm, that's a wonderful idea!" She exclaimed, then walked over to the fridge and opened it before putting it inside and promptly closing the door.

She then chuckled.

"I still have to have a few questions with you about what you consider 'food'," She joked.

"Hey, don't pin that on me, that's all on her!" I joked back.

We both laughed, walking out into the main hub.

"So!" I shouted, "We all ready to go make Hat Kid's day?"

Everyone shouted in affirmation.

"Then let's get moving! Follow me!"

I led everyone into the machine room, set the telescope to focus on the hospital, and one by one we all peered into it and teleported down. I went last.

I made sure everyone was there, and once I successfully did so we all entered and checked in to see her.

Once we got outside her room, we all stopped.

"Let me go in first, alright?" I said. Everyone nodded in agreement.

I stepped inside and smiled at the kid. When I saw that she was awake and didn't appear to be in a state of misery, my smile widened.

"Hey, kid," I greeted, "How are you doing?"

She gave me a confused look.

"Good... I guess... where is everybody?" She asked, "You... didn't lie, did you? Or... did nobody want to come?"

I cringed, then grinned.

"Me? Lie? And the others not wanting to come? Ha! In what universe?" I laughed, then turned to the door, "Alright everyone, pile in!"

Everyone rushed inside in the blink of an eye.

She was stunned.

The room was filled with voices as everyone attempted to greet her.

Her look changed from shock to pure joy: a sight I'd never get tired of seeing.

However, the room was still in audible chaos as everyone tried talking at once.

So I quickly silenced everyone with a loud "shh!"

"We're here to help her feel better, not give her a headache," I joked.

The room was filled with chuckles.

"You all came to see me?" The kid asked.

"Of course, lass! Why wouldn't we?" Conductor exclaimed.

"Maybe if you were busy?" She questioned.

"There's always time for you, darling," DJ Grooves declared.

She adopted a bashful smile.

"How are ya feeling?" Moustache Girl asked.

"I still don't feel great... I'm always too tired to do anything and the idea of eating anything makes me feel gross," The kid muttered, "But... I mean, it's better than how I was feeling."

"Did any of the staff say anything about what illness you might have? Or how long they think you'll need to stay for?" I asked.

"They said that they'd be taking a blood sample later," She grumbled, "I still hate needles."

"I think we all do, dear," Cooking Cat assured her, "But it will help them tell what's made you so sick."

The kid sighed.

"Yeah, I know. I just wish it didn't have to come to this," She said sadly.

"We all do, kid, we all do," I replied with a sigh.

Cooking Cat then cleared her throat.

"On a lighter note, I whipped up a little something as a 'get well soon' gift for you. It's waiting back in your fridge for when you get better. So make sure you get better soon, alright dear?" She said happily.

That sure brightened her up.

"Okay!" She cheered.

"Ah, peck! That completely slipped me mind, I didn't bring anythin' for ya!" Conductor grumbled.

I facepalmed.

Dammit, I'd forgotten that was even a thing! Get well soon gifts and whatever... Cooking Cat even said it, and it flew right by my head!

Now basically everyone was muttering about how they didn't bring anything either, except for Cooking Cat, who just sat with a knowing look on her face.

"Hey, guys, I hardly gave you guys any notice, you all have an excuse. I don't," I muttered.

"Oh, shush, you," The kid muttered, "All of you... just being here... it's more than I could ever need. I don't need dumb gifts, okay? I already have everything I could ever need."

... And there she was, her typical optimism and brightness shining through even at one of her weakest moments.

"Okay, kid," I said, dropping the subject. Everyone else did as well.

"So, darling, what's it been like being here?" DJ Grooves asked, "You're treated well?"

She nodded, letting out a 'mhm'.

They continued to talk, ask her questions, and whatnot, but I slowly drowned it out, noticing that something appeared to be missing... wait... or someone.

I looked around the room, counting heads.

When I looked at the door, a certain someone was standing there, just watching it all, and it clicked.

Zena hadn't said a single word throughout this whole encounter... which was very unlike herself. She talked up a storm with me and the kid always.

Everyone else was busy conversing with the kid, but she was just watching. She seemed purely content just observing, but I was still confused.

I walked over to her.

"You know, you haven't said a single word to her yet," I told her, "I'm not even sure if she knows you're here."

She tilted her head and adopted a pensive look.

"I just don't feel like I belong here... with the others. I mean, you two were the first outsiders I'd met in over a century. I don't know how society works. So, I'm worried that if I tried talking I'd just make things weird for them," She said, "I'd rather just watch her be happy with her real friends. Maybe I can stay and talk after they leave..."

"Well, you don't make things weird for us when you talk to us. I enjoy talking with you," I said, "And 'her real friends'? Are you crazy? She loves you. The day we first met, after we left, she couldn't stop talking about you. She'd probably be sad if everyone left and she completely missed you."

She was silent, a surprised look on her face.

"... Really?" Was all she could say.

"Well, I invited you to come here today with the rest of us, didn't I?" I chuckled.

She went silent, then slowly began chuckling herself.

"Well, now that I think about it... that isn't exactly subtle," She chuckled, then sighed. "Ah, well, I'll go and do my best, I suppose. I think she deserves for me to at least try."

She then smiled at me.

"Thank you, Markus," She said.

I got a strange feeling, causing me to look away and scratch the back of my head awkwardly. I never was great at taking that kind of gratitude.

"Eh, don't mention it," I muttered.

She then slowly walked over with the others, and I sat down and observed.

Sure enough, not long after and she was chatting away with the others, and the kid seemed even more joyful as a result.

I smiled.

Mission accomplished, the kid was happier than ever.

...

Some length of time passed. It was just a fun time with all of us, chatting, having fun, telling jokes, just trying to make the kid's day.

But, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

"Oh... would you look at time!" Cooking Cat exclaimed, looking up at a clock on the wall, "We really should get back to Mafia Town. She has school, and I have a job to do."

"Mafia Town has a school?" I questioned.

"Sadly, yes," Moustache Girl pouted, "Part of their stupid town reform campaign or whatever it's called. Well... I mean... it's not stupid, but the school part is."

I chuckled.

"Sounds about right, a kid not liking school," I muttered.

We all said our goodbyes and the two left.

Then, it was just the five of us.

We kept chatting, now about Mafia Town. The directors were shocked that the Mafia were actually trying to be nicer now, and Zena ended up asking a lot of questions about the place, as she knew nothing about it and seemed eager to learn all she could about the outside world.

However... not long after...

"Eh... we should probably get goin' too," Conductor sighed, "We still have a movie to prepare!"

"Mhm, we can always come back another time," DJ Grooves agreed, "Bye, darling!"

We said our goodbyes to the directors, who left as well.

And then, it was just the three of us.

"What about you? Do you have anywhere to be?" I asked Zena, "You are a leader, right? Aren't leaders usually busy?"

"Not really, no. I'm only really busy when I'm preparing an event or when something bad happens. There's no events happening soon, and I could sense if something has happened," She replied, "... And then there's the fact that I don't think I could get back to Alpine Skyline on my own from here..."

Me and the kid both laughed.

"I think you could," I said, "But it'd be a long trip."

She laughed as well.

"No kidding! However... with that being said..." She muttered, "I maybe should get going soon, because as much as I'd love to stay, there probably are a few things I could or should be doing..."

"So you need me to take you back?" I asked.

"That would be much more preferable than a month-long trip across the world," She joked.

I chuckled.

"Alright. I'll be back soon, alright, kid?" I stated.

"Okay," The kid said.

So, with that, I led the two of us out of the hospital out to the front. I'd managed to memorize the path, finally.

"So, how do we get back?" Zena asked.

"Like this."

I pulled out a Time Piece, held it to the sky, grabbed her wrist, and teleported us up.

She was disoriented so badly she ended up falling backwards.

Oops... maybe that was a little bit sudden.

"Probably should've gave you a heads up... my bad," I muttered.

"Oh... I see," She managed to say.

"It's an inefficient solution compared to how we get down to the planet, but it works," I explained, "It's just annoying because needs a Time Piece to work. I always have to keep one on me, and with how dangerous they are, it'd be far more preferable to leave 'em in our vault."

"Can you teleport back here from anywhere?" She asked.

"Nope, it only works outside," I negated, "As for why, maybe the ceilings block some signal? I dunno, you'd have to ask the kid."

"Hm, fair enough," She said.

I then motioned for her to follow and led her back to the Engine Room's telescope.

"Alright, I think you should know what to do from here," I explained.

"Mhm," She affirmed, walking up to the telescope.

She then turned back to me and smiled warmly.

"Thank you, for today. It really warms my heart that you two think so highly of me," She said.

... There was that funny feeling again.

I looked away and scratched the back of my head.

"Well, you are one of our friends. You've been really kind to us, from the moment we first met. It's only fair to act likewise," I muttered.

She took a deep, relaxed sigh as she looked through the telescope.

"And that mentality is part of why I like you two so much," She said as she left.

The strange feeling took awhile to go away, even after she left.

Another thing, that I'm sure you'd probably figured out by now, I was also not good at taking compliments.

But oh well, my socializing problems could wait, I had to return to the kid.

... Wait, now would be a decent time to check to see if Snatcher wanted to come.

I'm sure the kid wouldn't mind if I delayed my return for a few minutes just to bring our favourite purple noodle.

So, I quickly made my way to the kid's bedroom and teleported down with the telescope.

Once down, I looked around, expecting to see him still in his tree. He was not.

Maybe he was at the village?

A short trip concluded he was not there, either.

Annoying.

I approached a minion.

"Where's your boss gone?" I asked.

"Oh, hey newbie. We... uh... don't know where he is," The minion explained.

"What? He's a big purple shadow demon, how could you not know where he is? Aren't you all situated around the forest?" I questioned.

"We are, and we have ways of communicating from vast distances, so we'd all know if someone found him. So he's either really good at playing hide and seek, or he's just gone," They replied.

I fumed in irritation.

I should've expected the sleazy jackass to disappear just to avoid keeping his promises.

"Well, thanks, I guess," I grumbled.

"Anytime, newbie," They responded.

I promptly returned to the ship and warped down to the hospital.

I checked in, made my way to the kid's room, and entered.

When I stepped inside, my jaw dropped.

Snatcher was there, in the wall (probably to avoid being noticed), laughing with the kid about something.

... So that's where he was, we must've just missed him.

"Boo," Snatcher deadpanned, snapping me out of my shock.

The kid giggled.

"Well, I definitely wasn't expecting this," I muttered, "How'd you even find her?"

"Wouldn't you like to know!" He taunted.

I stared at him and crossed my arms.

"... You didn't follow me, did you?" I questioned.

"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't! You'll never know!" He laughed.

Oh yeah, he totally did.

"Sure..." I said, "I can't believe you actually visited her on your own will. I went to go grab you, and you were just gone, I thought you'd left just to avoid doing exactly this."

"Eh, with how much you two love to pester me, sometimes I just like switching it around on you," He reasoned, "I've done it before, haven't I?"

"True, but given how you were both laughing when I came in, it seems like more than that," I stated.

"Oh no, you're insane if you think so," He denied, "Well, it seems I'm still being pestered now, and I have a book to read, so I'm out of here. Later!"

He vanished before I could say anything.

I sighed.

"Well, I guess he's better than I thought he was," I thought aloud, "What were you two even talking about, anyway?"

"Oh, it was awesome. I've never seen him like that before," She explained with awe, "He was telling jokes, recited a funny story (although it did involve someone losing their soul), and was just being really fun."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Really?" I asked, "That is... so unlike him."

"I know, it was amazing," She agreed, "He said it was only a one-time thing, though. But I knew he was a good person deep down."

"Well, you have the power to make almost anyone nice, kid," I said.

"I know, because I'm cute and adorable," She replied humorously.

"Feeling any better?" I asked.

"Oh, yeah, I was so happy I completely forgot I was sick," She said, "I am feeling a little bit better than before, though."

"Good, hopefully you can come home soon," I said, "But I'd rather wait a month and make absolutely sure that you're back to normal then have you back just to have to send you back here again."

"Yeah, you're right," She muttered, "But... thank you for bringing everyone here today. Knowing that you'd all waste your time just to try and make me feel better..."

She sniffled and wiped her eyes.

"You're all so nice to me... I-I can't believe I ever wanted to leave," She said.

I smiled, walked up to her bed and crouched down so I was at her level, then proceeded to pat her on the shoulder and run my fingers gently through her hair.

She seemed to relax heavily, taking a deep sigh, laying down, and closing her eyes.

"I said it once, kid, and I'll say it again. I don't care where I go, or where I stay, so long as I have you," I cooed, "I just want what's best for you."

She then took a deep breath and opened her eyes again before looking at me.

"This might seem like a weird question, but... can I tell you a story?" She asked.

"Sure thing, kid, if you feel up for it," I answered, "What's it about?"

She let out a small chuckle with a twinge of sadness to it, followed by a cough. She adopted a minorly haunted look.

Oh.

Oh.

"You'll figure it out pretty quickly."

A/N: It's finally happening, it's finally happening, it's FINALLY HAPPENING! Hat Kid's backstory will finally be revealed.

Brace yourselves, readers, because if you couldn't already tell, it's DEFINITELY not gonna be a happy one.

Now, review time:

Snow Blizzard: Mhm, it really is, at least to me. I cannot say how much I'd recommend reading it.

Welp, that does it for this chapter folks. I'll do my best not to keep this next chapter waiting!