Some special stuff for this chapter that you guys need to know. First, I still don't own any of the stuff in this story, except the plot itself. Regular smash stuff belongs to Nintendo, as usual. The book mentioned early on, Ender's Game, is owned by Mr. Orson Scott Card(Incredible book, by the way, no matter what Olimar thinks). The song "She's always a woman" belongs to Billy Joel. There's an OC in here named Ralph. Ralph is mine. No stealing.
I have never played any of the Pikmin games, so if I get any information wrong, my bad. I have my many faults, and that's one of them.
Olimar was laying sprawled on his bed, an old, falling apart book in his hands. It was called Ender's Game, some book from planet earth. Very odd book, too. These people thought spaceships were complex and all they did was fight off a single alien species. Boring. Still, Earthlings interested Olimar. Earth was the basis of a lot of what he did, and it was one world he'd always wanted to visit. Back home, his comrades thought he was crazy, but that was their opinion. They had their interests and talents, and Olimar had his.
Something crawled in through the back of his mind; the talent show. Olimar wasn't entirely thrilled about the show. What could he do that would be seen as popular and interesting? Well, look at the basics of your life, Master Hand had advised them. What did Olimar do during his days? Helped his Pikmin--radishes, his smash mates mockingly called them-- do whatever they needed to do. Train. Eat. Repeat.
Olimar let out a solemn sigh. He'd come up with something…
His door opened. In plodded his little white Pikmin, Ralph, as Olimar newly named him. A fascinating Earthling name. Ralph had an ambitious look in his eyes. Olimar asked him what he was up to.
"Well, you know the talent show? I wanted to do something for it." Ralph said quietly. Olimar paid full attention to his little friend now. "I want to sing a song. A love song"
"Please, little buddy, don't make me become involved in the romance stories. But if you must… who's it for?"
"Samus." Oh, wonderful. The woman warrior would never pay attention to Ralph. And there was one other little problem…
"Uh, I'm assuming she understands how to speak Pikmin, then?"
That was what was upsetting Ralph. "Olimar, I really want to sing a song. A good song. But if she can't understand me…" The Pikmin was on the verge of tears. Olimar lifted Ralph onto his bed. "Can…can you teach me to speak your language? please?" Olimar held his tongue. This could become much harder than it was supposed to be.
"Uh.. I can't teach you the whole language before the show. But what I can do is teach you the words to a song. Of your choice."
"Thank you! THANK YOU!" The Pikmin was overjoyed. "I have a song in mind. I translated the words that I found into my language, so I understand the song. I think it's perfect."
"And the song…?"
"She's always a woman. It's by Billy Joel. You know, the Earthling guy." Earthling. Much better. "And there's a piano part. You know how to play that, right? There's your act taken care of!" Ralph had a point.
"…Alright, I'll do it. Don't see the harm in it…" Ralph began hugging Olimar, then he ran off to grab the lyrics.
Piano, thought Olimar. I haven't touched one of those in years. But Ralph snagged him. He now an act, and Ralph would be able to sing.
In no time, the delicate little creature carried in a sheet of paper containing the words to the song, in English. Why did Ralph have to pick such a long song? But it didn't matter. Olimar drew a breath and started one of many long language sessions he had with his friend.
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The two established a routine. In the morning, Olimar would get up extra-early, grab a ridiculously early breakfast, and set off to do his training for the day. After a few hours, it would be around 7 AM , and Olimar would grab Ralph and the two would venture into one of the many empty rooms in the mansion, where Olimar would teach Ralph the words in English. Ralph, Olimar decided, was a near-perfect student. He had ambition, and a plausible goal; or at least it seemed plausible to him. Ralph would never give up, and when he got frustrated with his voice or with a pronunciation, he would usually turn it into a joke, and get back to work. When Ralph was tired, Olimar went to have lunch. The Mess Hall was rather empty, even around the popular hours, these days; Olimar assumed everyone was in preparation also. After that ,provided he didn't have a brawl scheduled, he'd go into the same empty room, bearing a portable keyboard, practicing the music Ralph's song. It was his part of the act. The part that would keep him out of KP.
Olimar realized that he was not going to win the award Master hand spoke of; but Olimar was okay with that. If Ralph, and Samus on that note, were pleased, then Olimar was pleased.
Finally, on the 22nd of August, Ralph had the lyrics down. He had musicality as well, and Olimar's piano part was now a part of his subconscious.
"Well, Ralph, I must say, I'm amazed. We're finished. And we still have a couple of days. To do absolutely nothing." Olimar smiled.
Ralph, however, had other things in mind. "Uh…Olimar?"
"Mmm?"
"I… was wondering if I--we--could perform the song… earlier? Like, tomorrow night? Especially for Samus?" Ralph asked. "I'm going to drive us both crazy with anticipation for a couple of days if I have to keep it secret. Especially since they're going to be so empty…" Olimar recognized that Ralph had yet another genius point. Well, how bad could it be, really? Plus, Olimar might score some points with his friends and the other smashers if he showed that he was done early…
Wait, he thought, stopping himself. You need to keep Ralph's goals as your first priority. Is he ready?
Of course he is.
"I would be glad to."
No yelling or hugging this time. Just a little phew and a "Thank you". Those made Olimar the happiest.
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The next day, the 23rd, Olimar met up with Samus and instructed her to be in the lounge at 6 PM. She asked the occasion, but Olimar just said "A special performance. A surprise" She'd be surprised, all right. She agreed, but warned Olimar that she would be armed, as usual, so no stupid-funny-business. Olimar then sneaked off to where Ralph was waiting. Olimar pretended to look let down, and he tried not to meet his friend's red eyes. Ralph still asked how it went, and Olimar jumped up and yelled "SHE SAID YES, BUDDY!"
Ralph began screaming too. He began to break out into song, and not Billy Joel. It was an ancient song from Pikmin culture, sang in the original language. Olimar joined in, where he could. Apparently, Lucario walked past the area while they were chanting. He stared at them, but Ralph and Olimar took no notice. At least, not until Olimar heard Lucario mutter "Must be a really big full moon tonight." Olimar had, for some odd reason, never been prouder in his life.
That night, Olimar collected his keyboard, and then found his star singer. Or a frozen up, nervous-wreck version of his friend. Despite Olimar's assurances, Ralph was going nuts.
"I mean, she's from an alien world, never talks to anyone, and has a freaking suit of armor on the entire time! What was I thinking?" He asked in despair. Olimar laughed.
"She's going to like it perfectly fine. And besides that, You learned some new English! That's an accomplishment, right?" Ralph stopped shaking so much. Olimar had a way with words when he tried. "Which do you like better, Samus with or without full battle armor?"
They argued about that for a few minutes, and they eventually reached the lounge. Ralph went to get some water, and Olimar went momentarily into the lounge. He wished he hadn't.
Samus was there, alright, in the front center of the room. Unfortunately, Olimar forgot to mention when requesting her presence that Ralph wanted as few people there as possible. Samus had invited everyone , of course, except the Hands themselves. Cursing silently in every language he knew, He waited by the door for Ralph to come back.
The Pikmin came bounding back, ready to go. How is he going to react to all those people? Olimar wondered.
"Uh…hey buddy… ready to go?" Olimar said, shakily
"Sure. Now or never. Let's roll." Ralph said.
"Actually Ralph, there's something you need to know…" Too late. Ralph hopped up, reached the door knob, and saw the room bursting full of people. He exploded
"Olimar…Oli…O…"He stammered, in English. He then turned around and started screaming at Olimar, terror in his voice, in Pikmin's language. Olimar just stood there like a dummy, taking in the laughter that was erupting from his audience.
All of them… but Samus. She looked confused. The good thing was that the usual hunter/killer look in her eyes was non-existent.
"Ralph… look, Samus isn't laughing. She really wants to hear you sing. I'm really sorry I forgot to mention the 'no visitors' rule, but it'll be okay!" Olimar said all of this in Pikmin language. Ralph stopped, and the laughter died down.
"Did you need something, Olimar?" Samus asked.
"Uh, not really." Olimar cleared his throat, than addressed the crowd, but still kept his eyes on Samus, as if speaking only to her. "My buddy Ralph here decided that he wanted to sing for the talent show coming up, and he wishes to perform it tonight, with me as keyboard accompaniment, especially for Samus. But you guys can stay.
"What was with the yelling?" Wolf asked, a smirk on his face.
Ralph jabbered in Pikmin language which Olimar translated, horror: "Sure, you can laugh at me, but at least I can sing without killing everybody around me,"
"Don't make me laugh. Again." Wolf challenged.
Brimming with new-found confidence, Ralph, staring at Samus the whole time, Asked Olimar to start.
What happened next was close to a miracle. Ralph's normally awkward voice filled the room, with the pureness of childhood, the determination of learning some of the new language, and his love for Samus. There was no longer any mocking.
She can kill with a smile,She can wound with her eyes
She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see. She hides like a child, But she's always a woman to me
The group began rocking back and forth to his beat. Samus was spellbound.
She can lead you to love, She can take you or leave you
She can ask for the truth,But she'll never believe you
And she'll take what you give her as long as it's free, She steals like a thief, But she's always a woman to me
Oh, she takes care of herself, She can wait if she wants, She's ahead of her time,
Oh, and she never gives out, And she never gives in,She just changes her mind
She will promise you more Than the Garden of Eden,Then she'll carelessly cut you And laugh while you're bleedin'
But she'll bring out the best And the worst you can be, Blame it all on yourself, 'Cause she's always a woman to me
Oh, she takes care of herself, She can wait if she wants, She's ahead of her time,
Oh, and she never gives out And she never gives in, She just changes her mind
She is frequently kind And she's suddenly cruel,
She can do as she pleases, She's nobody's fool,
But she can't be convicted,She's earned her degree
And the most she will do Is throw shadows at you, But she's always a woman to me
Ralph finished, panting. Samus, if he didn't know any better, was crying. "Was it that bad?" He asked. Samus laughed, then spoke. Olimar acted as translator through the conversation.
"No! That was… Beautiful! How did you learn to speak English like that?"
"I had some help." Olimar beamed as he translated. "Can't speak much else English, though"
"So I see. I…thank you, so much…Ralph, your name is? I've never heard such a wonderful singing performance. And I didn't know that someone cared that much for me."
"I care for you! People always look over us Pikmin, but we have feelings too, you know."
"You got that right. And…I'd like to get to know you a little better, Ralph."
No way. Did she just ask him out on a date? Olimar was astounded, and had no idea how much his buddy…l-o-v-e-d this woman
Most of the smashers were applauding by this point. Ralph, tired beyond belief, dismissed himself to bed. Olimar thanked everybody and caught up with his singer.
"I owe you one, big time. That was the best thing I've ever done." The Pikmin confessed.
"You know what? Take that as payment for all the times I have to throw you at people during a brawl."
"Got it.G'night."
"Night, Ralph. Sweet dreams. And please, tell the other Pikmin that I am not going to teach all of you to sing, alright?"
A small laugh from both of them, then doors shut, and one of the two minds retired.
Ralph couldn't sleep. His mind whirred from the night's activity. He decided to get up and go outside. The lower balcony was always a good place to go and think.
Who should he meet there, of course, but Samus. She was startled by Ralph's entrance, but seemed happy. She motioned for him to come over to her. She reached into her suit and pulled out a small box, the size of a golf ball.
She held the box. It was wrapped. A present, perhaps? He opened it, and inside lay an incredible ring, studded with diamonds and engraved with some sort of writing, big enough for him to wear like a crown. She had with her a translator pad, so they could understand each other. She wrote "It's a ring from my Homeworld. I can't wear it; it's too large. I wondered if you…"
"What does it say?" Ralph wrote
"It's an ancient language. I don't know the planet the language came from, but it eventually got around to K-2L. It says, when taken literally, 'savoir of my heart'. I was reminded by you tonight that I'm not just a mindless killer, that I actually have someone who cares for me. And someone to care for. You were my savoir tonight, Ralph"
Ralph smiled. "Thank you. I love it…. I thought the man bought the jewelry for the woman…"
They both laughed, and spent the rest of the night looking up at the stars.
Aww. And there you go. No more love stories from me, I just wanted to try one. More stupid adventures coming up! Next time: Sonic, , Mr. Game & Watch, Captain Falcon and ROB decide they want to go really fast. Involves more stuff blowing up. I like to blow things up.