Zatch Bell: Kolulu Story

By:CleruSonofShintetsu

[Chapter 21: The Pony and the Traveler]

It has been a few days since the boat incident, and life, for a bit, returned to relative normality. Kolulu and Lori were resting after the incident, and felt relief that they could finally take some semblance of a break.

They were headed to a grassy field just outside of the city, with a nice big tree, a forest nearby, and a generally soothing atmosphere. They had been waiting on Kiyo to arrive, themselves having brought a picnic basket and blanket. Kolulu was currently playing with both her doll Tina and a Pink Petunia toy, one of the Pixie Knights from the cartoon she liked.

"Red Rosie is so cool! She's my second favorite Pixie Knight!" Kolulu said, geeking out about that cartoon again.

Lori giggled, "And which is your true favorite?" she asked.

"Pink Petunia! She's super sweet and has big sister energy to spare! She also reminds me of you, so that helps." Kolulu said. "Maybe you should dress up as her!"

Lori blinked twice and scratched the back of her head with a smile. "W-well...I don't know if I'd look good in it, especially with so much leg exposure..." she said, understanding that Kolulu meant well. "But...I'm happy that you see me in one of the pixie knights."

Lori made a mental note to get Kolulu some Pixie Knight merchandise for her birthday.

Eventually Kiyo arrives on the scene, looking a little confused and concerned as a small pony-like creature followed behind him. "Uhhhh guys? Do you know who owns this little guy? I think he escaped a farm somewhere." he said, pointing to said pony, who perked up and felt offended.

"Meru meru MERU meru meru!" the small equine protested, before focusing on Kolulu and galloping over to her curiously. "Meru meru me!"

Kolulu recognized him instantly, smiling wide. "Hey! Its you!" She said, giving him a hug.

Though somewhat surprised, he hugged her back, her friendly presence reassuring him.

"Oh hey, do you know this little guy?" Lori asked, kneeling down.

Ponygon stared at Lori curiously and Kolulu nodded in affirmation.

"I never got to know him well, but he's always been friendly whenever I interacted with him." Kolulu said, petting Ponygon.

"So he's a Mamodo? Fascinating..." said Lori. "I suppose Mamodo really do come in all shapes and sizes."

Kolulu nodded eagerly, "Yep! Theres so many different kinds of Mamodo back home, some of which you would probably think were grown-ups when they're actually my age! Like...that one Mamodo who fought with the gentleman back in England."

"Well hopefully we don't have to deal with Mamodo like THAT for a good long while. I've had enough of over-ambitious nutcases for one year, let me tell ya." he said, stretching his arms. He then spotted a man on a picnic blanket preparing to play music. "Hm?"

Lori, Kolulu and Ponygon looked in the same direction, where the man began to play a beautiful whistling tune for a small crowd of onlookers.

"Oh wow..." Lori started, putting a hand on her cheek, "he's wonderfully talented. I always wanted to try mouth instruments like flutes and harmonicas, though I'm not sure he plays either." she said, noting that she couldnt see what he was playing from where she and the others were standing. The four then began to walk downhill to meet him face to face.

Soon enough, he finished his brief but beautiful tune and the small crowd clapped for him.

"Thank you, thank you, you're too kind, really." he said with a soft chuckle. Then, a small, mushroom/ladybug-like Mamodo popped out of his cloak and pointed to the approaching group, particularly at Kolulu and Ponygon.

"Oh? Hello there." the man said, slowly standing up and putting away his instrument.

Lori waved, "Greetings! I am Lori, this is Kiyo, Kolulu, and...we don't quite know this little one's name." she said, greeting each of her companions one by one.

"Hey." said Kiyo, briefly and curtly. "Who's this little guy? Is he your Mamodo partner?"

"Why yes, actually!" the man said with a smile. "My name is Apollo, and this is Rops, we're a pair of free roaming souls, souls who ride with the wind and river alike on the journey of life."

Rops climbed onto his shoulder and made more happy noises at the group.

"Very beautifully put!" said Lori with a giggle.

Apollo nodded, but then looked down at Kolulu, staring her straight in the eye and taking on a neutral expression. "Hm...your eyes." he muttered.

Kolulu blinked twice in confusion. "What's wrong, Apollo?" she asked, fidgeting with Tina's arms a bit as she held her doll close.

Apollo then put on his usual casual expression and shook his head. "Oh, it's nothing. "Unfortunately, I can't stay long... but could I trouble you for a favor?" he asked Lori. "I'm heading to the rock quarry for some down time with Rops, and I was wondering if you might like to join us. I'd hate to pass up the opportunity to get to know you two better, especially since we're both carrying a book and walking around with a mamodo companion." he explained in a friendly manner.

"Oh! Of course, we can make time." Lori said eagerly.

"Hey, great!" Apollo said, "I'm sure our time together will be very enlightening if nothing else. I try to make it a point to live life to the fullest wherever I go, so we might as well make the most of it while Rops and I are touring the town. Thanks a bunch, and we'll see you then."

"Man..." Kiyo said, watching the two walk away, "...there's something relaxing about that guy. Maybe I should try to cut back more often myself."

Lori put a hand on Kiyo's shoulder and smiled sweetly. "Just make sure you don't forget. Kolulu and I are willing to help you at any point, we're your friends after all."

"Yeah, I know. Thanks for tolerating me, Lori." Kiyo said with a soft smile.

Ponygon clip-clopped over to Kiyo and stared at him.

"What's he staring at? Oh right," Kiyo said, snapping his fingers once, "we should give him a nickname since we can't exactly understand a word he says!"

Upon his bold reminder that nobody can understand him, Ponygon's face takes on a shocked and dread-filled expression. "Meru meru meeeeeee..."

Kolulu pat his back in response. "Aww, it's okay. Maybe one day we'll be able to understand. Try not to take it too personally, alright?" she said, reassuring and comforting the equine Mamodo.

Ponygon nodded sadly at Kolulu and licked her face once.

"Phlptbtbtt!" spat Kolulu in shock, fumbling back and falling flat on her rear.

This caused the group to pause for a second, then laugh lightly.

"N-next time, warn me, silly!" said Kolulu as she wiped her face off with a napkin.

[Meanwhile...some time later...]

Rops and Apollo were at the rock quarry, staring at the setting sun. Apollo had a bag of cookies in his hand, and had already finished half the bag.

"Rops..." Apollo began, "...you notice how I stared into the little one's eyes, right? The pink haired girl?" he asked, to which Rops nodded twice.

"Well...I could immediately tell that her eyes, despite sparkling with all that sweet sugary joy, were holding back a river of pain, and perhaps something darker within." he explained, before taking a bite out of a cookie he had in hand. He then handed another one to Rops, sharing his sugary treat.

As Rops chew through the cookie, Apollo continued. "I hope that tomorrow, I can battle her, and see what lies behind those sweet, innocent eyes. I know what it's like to hold such anxiety back behind a smile after all..." he concluded solemnly.

Rops, seeing that he's becoming a bit too sorrowful, decided to steal the bag of cookies from his friend and run off, teasing him with more cute noises.

This immediately cheered up Apollo, who chuckled and said, "Hey, give that back you little rascal!" he said, getting up and walking over to his dear friend.

And so the sun set on a brief, but meaningful day. Plans were made, and a battle of emotions was soon to begin.