Disclaimer: I, as I'm sure you expected, do not in any way own Klonoa or any related characters. The Klonoa series is owned by Namco.
Okay, on to Chapter One! Note that before I put this up I also did some relatively minor edits to the Prologue.
Chapter One
Lolo shuffled in her seat by the window – her azure eyes scanning the fields surrounding the temple for the familiar shape of her friend.
It was dark now, and the late-autumn stars could easily be seen – contrasted by the grim blackness of the sky.
Where was he?
Tomorrow was the day that Klonoa was leaving to go put down Ussannis' ambitions. Everyone that would be traveling was supposed to meet that night to discuss plans, and, most importantly, get rest.
Lolo herself would be going. It made things easier for the group to have a priestess with them. It was like a sign of legitimacy, those who traveled with someone from the church were never to be hassled by authorities.
She still couldn't believe she was the one that had been chosen for this crucial mission, for she wasn't particularly popular. She wondered if Klonoa had asked the High Priestess and Friedole, who was actually the leader of the group, specifically to let her come along.
He was probably her best friend, and one of the only. Along with Popka of course, who was currently resting peacefully in Lolo's room inside the church. He would not be coming along on the journey. She wished her fellow priestesses and trainees could be at least a little more friendly. But, apparently, they had taken a bit of a disdain toward her.
She'd been ecstatic when she'd found out the news that morning. Not only had she actually wanted to go with her friend, but this was also the perfect chance to prove herself! Oh yes – she'd do more than converse with checkpoint officials. She was sure she could be helpful; she'd been working really hard lately… Maybe now she'd finally be recognized. And not only that, but actually gain some much needed respect!
Nevertheless, she found it hard to be excited now – her worry had squelched her enthusiasm. Klonoa should have been here by now, it was almost time to got too sleep – for they were leaving very early in the morning – before the sun rose over the hills and while the sky was still dark. And he still wasn't here! What could be keeping him? It wasn't like him to be late for something like this! She didn't have a good feeling about it. Her knuckles were sweaty with her tension, but yet at the same time she felt cold. She'd had feelings like this before, and they never meant anything good… She almost felt like crying.
But wait? Lolo suddenly caught a glimpse of a silhouette as it appeared on the horizon, making its way out of the surrounding woods. She watched it tensely until it moved close enough for it's basic shape to be made out. Yes! That was definitely him!
She breathed a pleasant sigh in relief and let her muscles relax. Thank goodness!
The door finally creaked open as the Dream Traveler stepped in. "Oh, there you are at long last, Dream Traveler! I was beginning to think you'd chickened out!" Raphael, a skilled dog-like swords-man who was one of the questing group, joked. "Of course not! Just because I'm a little late doesn't mean I'm a coward!" 'Klonoa' replied with a smile.
"I'd be curious to hear your excuse as to your tardiness." Said Friedole with dismay in his voice "I expect those who will be traveling with me to obey me when I say 'don't be late'! And instead you get here just as we're about to head off to bed!" 'Klonoa' frowned. "Well, I'm here now aren't I? Lighten up! I don't know what business of yours it is to know what I was doing! Besides, I expect you're perfectly capable of coming up with a suitable plan without me!" "Well, yes, but…" Friedole stammered, a bit surprised by the sharp response.
Lolo was a bit surprised as well. But all the same, she got up and walked toward the Dream Traveler, smiling warming. "Whatever the case, I'm just glad you're here now. I was getting worried." He looked at her somewhat blankly, as if trying to think of something to say in reply.
"Oh, your shirt…" Lolo gasped, noticing a jagged tear in the fabric, near his chest. For a moment, there was a quick flare in his eyes; but then he just shook his head innocently. "This?" He asked, looking down at the rip and fiddling with it in his hands. "It's nothing, I just accidentally tore it on a tree branch along the way." How did she know that that was a lie? What could he possibly be trying to hide? She studied her friend carefully, what was it about his eyes that seemed so different?
"Umm, Klonoa, since you were absent, why don't you come over here and I'll explain to you what's been decided." Friedole spoke up again. 'Klonoa' nodded and walked over toward the group's leader. Lolo almost thought he seemed relieved to have an excuse to move away from her.
While he talked with Friedole, Lolo once again sat down in her chair by the window. She watched her friend closely. She couldn't hear what they were saying, their voices meshing with those of everyone else present. All the same, she already basically knew, she'd participated when they'd made the plans before, though she hadn't had much to say. Klonoa seemed more enthusiastic now – he was obviously listening intently. Nevertheless, his eyes were still cold. Lolo shivered. Though he was paying attention, she could also see that his mind was other places as well, as if he was adding his own thoughts onto what Friedole was saying. And he didn't look like he wanted to share them.
Suddenly his eyes caught hers, and his gaze shifted toward her. She quickly turned away and focused on something else. Klonoa brought his attention back to Friedole, a dark little smile playing on his face.
Lolo looked around at the other six members of the group. Sitting on two chairs near the fireplace on the left-hand wall were Leorina and a vixen fox named Eneste, chatting about what was to come tomorrow.
Leorina had once been a foe to Lolo and Klonoa, but ever since the confrontation with the King of Sorrow, and the rebuilding of his kingdom, she had more or less abandoned her old ways. But not her old fire. The sky pirate had been one of the most obvious choices when the travelers had been picked.
The other four warriors were all talking together as well, except for Icarus, a bat-like creature who tended to keep to himself. The other three were: Aquette, a girl resembling a leopard – despite the fact that her feet, hands, and ears were blue with her extra long tail being an even darker shade of the same color. Vioris, a rat-like creature, but with ears more suited to a cat, and a tail that had a wide, flat tip. And Marris, another creature with canine attributes.
Of all the travelers, Klonoa and Leorina were the only ones she really knew, though she had talked to Friedole before once or twice. Friedole was an odd character, but he was quite well respected for his skills with a sword, the reason the High Priestess had chosen him as the head of the group. He didn't specifically resemble any species in particular, but he was very large. Sometimes a bit intimidating. His fur was mainly gray with some tan, and he had a bushy black tail.
Lolo wondered if she could make friends with any of these creatures. She hoped she'd get along better with these colleges than the one's she studied with everyday. So far, however, she felt she had been mainly ignored…
"So basically we just catch a boat to Mira-Mira, walk around the outskirts, and head up into the mountains – toward Ussannis' stronghold. That about sums it up, right?" Klonoa's voice piped up, raising his voice. Lolo turned around sharply. "Pretty much." Friedole answered, sounding a bit exasperated. "We can't really come up with a plan of attack until we arrive at the place and survey the surroundings ourselves." Klonoa shrugged. "I wouldn't worry about that too much..." He replied smugly.
With that, he walked over and plopped down in an empty chair in the right-hand corner, without another word, looking lost in his own thoughts. He fiddled with ring he always carried, absent-mindedly rubbing his fingers over the shiny surface. Lolo found the shadows in his expression troubling.
"All right everyone." Lolo turned her attention back at her speaking leader, as did Klonoa and the others. "I think it's about time to head off to the last decent sleep were likely to have for the next good while. Take my advice and savor it. We're leaving just before sun-up, and our first task will be making our way to the Lake of Seclusion and catching a boat to the area around Mira-Mira. We should get a ride easily, as we have a representative from the church with us." He glanced at Lolo. "But, once we do, you'll need to be prepared for the fact that we'll be water-bound for the next couple of days on. I'd enjoy sleeping on steady ground while you can. And with that covered, I bid you goodnight."
Slowly, everyone began to get up and disperse toward their own separate rooms down the halls of the gathering area. Klonoa was one of the first to stand. Lolo caught him as he made his way down the corridor, coming up next to him. She felt a bit uncomfortable – something about his very presence seemed different… "Umm, are feeling okay, you've been acting a little…funny…" She asked him straight out. He looked at her in fake confusion. "What makes you say that?" He asked, sounding a bit annoyed, even though he pretended not to be. "It's just…" She struggled to find the right words. "I guess I'm just a bit restless, that's all." He interrupted simply. She looked at him in concern. "Look, don't worry about it, it's nothing." He smiled reassuringly.
"Can I ask you something?" She asked timidly. "Of course." "Where were you really, while everyone was talking. I kept having these weird feelings…and…it's hard to explain…I was afraid something had happened to you." "Really? Well, it's nice of you to care, but you don't need to worry so much. I just lost track of time a bit." She stared at him blankly. Klonoa let out a sigh. "I mean it, nothing happened! It was just an accident, that's all! I really didn't mean to be late…" He added convincingly, his head slightly hung as if ashamed. "…You do believe me, don't you?"
This time it was her turn to sigh, he looked so pathetic. "If you say so…" She answered in a small voice. "Just…get some rest tonight, okay." "Don't worry, I will." He nodded simply, and then, with one last look at her, disappeared into his room. "Umm, goodnight." She heard him say softly as the door closed with a thud.
Lolo shook her head. Maybe he was just overly tired. She turned and walked toward her own room a couple of doors down. She entered eagerly, collapsing on the inviting looking bed. It will be hard to leave, she thought as she buried herself in the blankets. The next couple of weeks wouldn't provide much comfort. She knew she should enjoy it while she had the chance.
Nevertheless, while she laid their warm under the covers, there wasn't much sleeping done that night.
Well, that's it for Chapter One! Hopefully it wasn't too boring... Stick around for Chapter Two, when the journey toward Ussannis and his Sapphire will begin!