Chapter Five: The Blue and Green Bell

Why did this have to be so difficult? Why couldn't she just find the stupid bells, ring them, and be done with it? No, it couldn't be that easy. Fate just had to deal her the bad hand when it came to these bells! Hikari plowed the ground with extra force that day, absorbed in her own infuriated thoughts. With a lot of lettuce for Ruth, she finally unlocked the gate and Hikari was able to ring Collin's bell. Thanks to that, Craig has cheered up quite nicely, Anissa didn't have to worry about seeds, and Hikari's crops were bearing the much deserved fruits of her labor. Now here is the down side. Hikari had found the green bell pedestal, but no green bell. Turns out the witch had stolen it, turned herself into a pink frog with a silly hat, and the only one who could turn her back was the Wizard.

And the Wizard. Oh he could do it, he assured her of that. But he needed ingredients. Cornmeal, a hibiscus flower, and perfect butter. Hikari had to admit though, the Wizard was hot. She had a thing for those mysterious, dashing men. Not to mention he had the coolest eyes, one yellow and one green. He was soft spoken and wore his silver hair short except for a long braid on the side of his head. He had a tattoo under his right eye and his wardrobe was pretty neat. Purple long coat, white pants, black turtle neck, and some cool Indian looking jewelry. Oh Hikari had the cornmeal, the butter was a bit tricky but she got it, and the flower? It was conveniently across the sea on Toucan Island, and the boat wasn't running. The water on the island wasn't flowing like it should around the island.

That meant Ben's bell. He was there, the bell was there, all seemed to be perfect. But the little sprite couldn't remember the song. So Hikari had to get a few items together In order to set up some device the Paolo and Phoebe had rigged to play the towns song. Everything was just peachy! Hikari already had the duck egg, which was an upside, but why was everything so complicated? Hikari finished with her plowing and set the hoe down. She pulled out her pumpkin seeds and began to plant them. Finn hovered a safe distance above her head.

Hikari you should be more positive, it could be…" Hikari cut him off. "Don't say it Finn, because every time someone says it could, it will get worse." Finn pouted in silence while Hikari finished her farm work. "Alright let's catch those fish." Hikari walked over to her pond and cast her line. After about two hours and a lot of algae, Hikari caught five catfish. She then headed towards Harmonica Town and headed into the Watery cave. She told Finn to stay with Ben, and headed into the mines. It was dark, watery, and very humid. Not the best conditions for mining. But Hikari forged ahead, going deeper and deeper to find what she needed. When Hikari came to the last floor she was surrounded by rocks.

With no other way out she began to pound the rocks with her hammer, clearing away the debris as she looked. And there, out if the corner of her eye, Hikari saw something gleam. She made her way towards it. It was a round rock lying in a puddle. She lifted it out and cleaned the mud from it. The smooth surface of a black pearl gleamed up at her. All this trouble for such a little thing. Hikari placed the black orb in her rucksack and climbed out of the mine. She then headed towards Paolo in the lighthouse, which helped her to set up his contraption. The duck egg rolled down the roof, landed in the scales, causing the pearl to fly to fly into the wind… thing. Then the fish were off, swimming down into the fountain causing the keys to play the song.

"We did it!" Finn cried. "We sure did," Hikari said. "Let's go see Ben now." Hikari and Finn descended the steps into the Watery Cave, Ben was there waiting. "I remember the song now!" Ben turned towards his bell and held up his small hands. "Now Blue Bell, may you play your melody." He chanted. "Melody of the bell, may you ring throughout the land!" The bell began to move, slowly as first, then it built up speed. As it rang energy filled the cavern and exploded out of the entrance in a rush of blue. As it passed by her Hikari thought she felt water flowing over her skin. "The water of this land and the oceans surrounding it should be back to normal now. Thank you Hikari, now I can return to the Harvest Goddess." With that he disappeared.

Finn gave a shrill little squeak. Hikari turned to see what was wrong with him. Standing there was a guy. Yes, big surprise. He had short blond hair and blue eyes. The bored look on his face matched his neat and business like clothes. "You…" He said, walking forward to examine the bell. "Are you the one who rang this bell? No, that's impossible…" Hikari waved her hand in front of his face. "Hello? Are you talking to me or yourself?" He pushed his hair back. "Oh, you're the rancher my Father was talking about. "I'm the mayor's son, Gill. I've been investigating the disappearance of various bells around the island. It seems this one is safe however…" He rubbed his neck awkwardly. "Well… until next time."

"Hey Gill!" Hikari called after him. "My name is Hikari by the way, thanks for asking!" His eyebrows furrowed in anger and he kept walking. "Hikari…" "Let's go home Finn." As Hikari took the path out of Harmonica she noticed the water. It was better. The water was cleaner and flowed more smoothly. And you could actually hear the sound of the waves. It used to be so silent on the beach. Hikari kept moving. When she arrived at her house she closed the door behind her and locked it. Without bothering to turn the lights out, Hikari fell on her bed exhausted.

Hikari wasn't woken up by the sun or her alarm; it was someone pounding on her door. It was four in the morning, and Hikari was prepared to kill whoever it was at her door. Hikari opened her door, her axe at the ready. "Whoa! Hikari it's me!" Chase ducked his hands in the air. "Chase! Are you trying to get killed?" Hikari lowered her axe and leaned it against the wall. Chase stood and eyed her warily. "Come in." She said, heading towards the kitchen. Chase closed the door behind her and followed her into the kitchen. Her cat, Iris, immediately came up to him to rub on his legs. Chase leaned down and scratched her ears. "Hikari, do you need help with that?"

"I can make coffee Chase." Hikari got two mugs from her cabinet and poured him some, pouring milk into her own. "I don't drink mine black." He said. Hikari hastily put her mug down and got some creamer out. "Sorry, it's a habit." He grunted and sipped his coffee. "Who here drinks their coffee black?" Hikari placed her mug on the counter. "So what are you here for Chase?" He finished his mug and placed it in the sink. "I came to tell you the boat is back, Pascal has returned." "You're telling me this now?" Hikari yelped. She ran to her dresser and pulled out some clothes. "Wait a minute I'll be ready soon." She yelled through the bathroom door. Chase sat down at the table, stroking the cat. Hikari flew out of the bathroom. "Come on!" She said, grabbing his hand and dragging him out the door.

"Hikari even if we run we can't get there in time, slow down!" Hikari ignored him and whistled loudly. After a few moment Lemon, her prize cow, shuffled out of the barn. Lemon walked up to her, sleepy eyed, and butted her head against Hikari's arm. "What is that thing for?" Chase asked. "That thing," Hikari said angrily, "is called Lemon. She is going to give us a ride." Chase pulled his arm from her grasp and stepped back. "I am not getting on that thing, besides she's a cow! She can't move much faster than us." Hikari hopped onto Lemon's back, positioning her legs to wrap around the beast's girth. "Get on or I'm leaving you here."

Chase eyed the cow, which seemed to be glaring at him. With an aggravated sigh, he swung his leg over Lemon and hooked an arm around Hikari's waist. "Hang on." Which was an understatement. Lemon took off; Chase would have flown if it wasn't for his grip on Hikari's waist. The ground flew under Lemon's hooves, then the bridge, and soon they were passing the Tailor's. Lemon slowed, and then stopped as they neared the dock. Hikari slid off Lemon's back, landing gracefully. Chase dismounted, staggered, and fell. Hikari laughed, and hauled him up. She wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "Thanks for coming to get me Chase! You can take Lemon home if you want; she can find her own way back home." Lemon mooed in protest. Chase gave the cow a wide berth. "I'll pass." She frowned, but didn't argue. "Well thanks again Chase!" Hikari released him and made her way toward the dock. Chase rubbed his neck awkwardly and headed home.

Finn flew around Hikari's head. "Hikari look!" Surrounded by the town was an older man. He sported a pipe, captain's hat, and blue coat. He bowed his head when Hikari came forward. "The names Pascal miss." Hikari smiled and shook his hand. "The name is Hikari, Pascal. How would you feel getting back to sea soon?" His eyes lit up like a kid's on Christmas. "That sounds like it'd be to my liking. How soon?" Hikari pulled a ticket from her rucksack. "How about now?" He took the ticket and placed it in his pocket. "Where to Hikari?" "Toucan Island." She replied.

The boat ride took about two hours. Hikari held her stomach till the last minute. Right when the boat was tied to the dock Hikari heaved up her breakfast of coffee and the eggs Pascal had made her on the ride over. She took the hankie offered to her; silently thanking him and wiped her mouth. "Will you be ok?" Hikari pressed her hand to her forehead. "Yeah, I just need some air." Pascal helped her off the boat. "I'll be here till you want to leave." Hikari gave him her thanks and walked across the Beach of Toucan Island. Hikari walked up the steps to Pineapple Inn and opened the door to an argument. A young tan woman in exotic clothes was screaming at an elder woman who was obviously her mother. "I don't want to stay here forever! I'm not a child anymore!" The elder woman yelled back, just as loud. "You're still a child Selena. You're not going and that is final!"

Selena looked like she was on the verge of tears. She ran past Hikari and slammed the Inn's door behind her. The elderly woman sighed heavily and then spotted Hikari. She felt like a deer caught in headlights. "Did you see all that?" Hikari nodded slowly, feeling uncomfortable. "I'm sorry you had to witness our family squabble. My name is Sue, this is my husband Sampson." The bulky man behind the counter waved at her in greeting. "If there is anything you need please ask one of us." Hikari nodded and left the inn. No way was she going to get the flower with all this going on. The girl Selena was over on the beach, sitting in the sand with her knees huddled against her chest. "Hello?" Selena jumped like a startled cat. "Don't scare me like that!" "My name is Hikari, are you going to be ok?" Hikari immediately regretted asking, for Selena put her hands on her hips and raised her nose to the air like she was sniffing the wind. "Of course I am. Something that stupid couldn't upset me so easily."

Best to avoid this one, Hikari thought. "Ok, well I'll be seeing you…" "Wait!" Selena said, grabbing Hikari's arm and spinning her around. "You can't just leave, especially when you only know half the story!" Hikari pulled her arm free. "Story…?" Oh boy here it comes. Selena began to wave her hands in the air as she ranted. "It's not fair! My mother won't let me go to Harmonica Town! I'm old enough to make my old decisions. I can't pursue my destiny here!" Hikari did her best to sneak away. "I just want to dance!" This intrigued Hikari. "Dance? You're a dancer?" Selena nodded. "Isn't it obvious by the way I'm dressed?" Hikari almost said she resembled an exotic dancer more than a professional one. "Yeah… um I'll be going now." "Don't you want to see me dance?" No, no I don't, Hikari thought.

"I want to!" Finn said enthusiastically. "Sure." Hikari said. Selena smiled happily and took a place in the sand. Hikari sat. The dance lasted about ten minutes. It was mostly composed of gyrating hips and stomach with a graceful combination of hand and leg movements. Hikari clapped for her, and then stood. "You're actually quite good." "Better than good, I'm great!" She said haughtily. Hikari smiled. "You got talent. I really have to go now, Pascal is waiting." A strange look entered Selena's eyes. "The boatman?" She asked. "Yeah, that's him. It was nice meeting you Selena; I hope you and your mom can work things out." Selena smiled a much too friendly smile, and waved goodbye to her. Hikari made her way to the boat, and Pascal set off.

This time the ride didn't bother Hikari, but it was probably because her stomach had nothing more to heave up. "Tell me when you want to try your sea legs again." Hikari took his offered hand and jumped off the boat, onto the dock of Harmonica Town. "Thanks Pascal, you'll be the first one I come to." Hikari turned when she heard a much too feminine squeal. Selena was there, standing on the dock with awestruck eyes. "So this is Harmonica Town." She said. Hikari stormed up to her. "What are you doing here Selena?" Selena grabbed Hikari's hand and shook in excitement. "I'm here because of you Hikari! If you hadn't come to the island I wouldn't have been able to stow away on the ship!"

Hikari almost dropped her jaw like a surprised Looney Toon. "Thanks Hikari!" And with that Selena skipped down the road to happiness. Great, she'd helped a teenage girl run away from her parent's house. Hikari dragged herself home, too tired from the day's events to bother with Finn's complaints. The next day Hikari woke up to an obnoxious letter in her mailbox. It was from Selena, saying she should come by the Brass Bar. After a long day Hikari wasn't looking forward to it, but she went. Hikari walked into the Brass Bar, feeling the warmth from the fireplace and the inviting smell of food from the kitchen. Hikari walked over to Hayden, he looked up from the glass he was cleaning. Hayden was a sturdy older man, with a beard and serious eyes. But his stern face shifted into a smile when Hikari came over. "Haven't seen you in a while, thought Chase's sour attitude might have scared you off." Chase grunted from the kitchen, displeased at Hayden's teasing. "Oh he's not too bad once you get him use to human company." Hikari replied. "It seems the increased company has only made me worse." Chase huffed. Hikari and Hayden laughed together and even Chase tried to prevent a smile. "So what will it be?" Hayden asked. "Apple Martini, make it strong." Hayden immediately went to work preparing the alcohol. Strange music sounded in the corner of the room. On a small stage Selena was dancing in her exotic clothes. A serene smile lit her features. When the music ended Selena set her eyes on Hikari, who felt like a bird being eyed by a cat. "Hikari you really came!"

"Yep." Was all Hikari said? Hayden handed Hikari her drink, which she downed in one gulp. Hayden came from behind the counter. "Selena will be dancing her from now on. She's quite good and we needed to brighten this place up a little." Hikari patted Selena on the shoulder. "Living the dream, eh?" Selena nodded and handed Hikari a heavy envelope. "Could you deliver this to my parents?" she asked. "Sure." Hikari took the envelope and stashed it in her pocket. "I was going to go that way after I left." After saying goodbye to Hayden and Selena, Hikari once again rode Pascal's ship to Toucan Island. Hikari walked into the Inn and was jumped by a distraught mother. "Where is Selena?" Hikari simply handed her the envelope, which she tore open and read furtively. Sampson gingerly folded the letter and laid it on the counter. "It sounds like she's doing well." He said to Sue. Sue's eyes were overflowing with tears. "Yes… but she's still so young." Sampson rubbed her back soothingly. "We knew she would leave the nest eventually, we just have to trust that we raised her well and that she can take care of herself."

Sue dried her eyes and stood up straight. "I'm going fishing." With that she headed out the door. "She just needs some time to herself." Sampson explained. "Thank you for delivering the letter. Here's a little something to show our gratitude." He pulled out a pink flower. "It's a hibiscus. A special flower only found on this island." Hikari took the flower. "Thank you! You have no idea how badly I needed this!" Sampson gave a hearty laugh, making Hikari feel sheepish. "Glad I can help. Tell Selena to come see us soon." Hikari said her goodbyes and wisely avoided the upset Sue. Pascal sailed her back and she ran towards flute fields. Fin was flying by her side. "After this just one more bell Hikari!" Hikari nodded, breathing heavily as she ran. "I know Finn. Things are finally looking up!"

Something was wrong. His domain in the physical world was changing. The Harvest Goddess's once pale energy was beginning to brighten. But not enough. She would fade. He would keep sleeping. This is what the humans got when they chose to forget him, to cast him out of their lives. But that human was trying to summon him, to tear him from his peaceful slumber. He would ensure she didn't. The Harvest King probed his darkness, searching through the fleeting energies of the many creatures of the physical world. Then he found her. The soft blue aura of the human he'd saved. She was sleeping, so her energies were mingling on the energy plane where he resided.

The Harvest King plunged into her energy, shredding her dream and binding her aura. He felt her silent scream, her frightened energy thrashing to get free from his inescapable hold. He spoke clear to her so that she would hear him in the physical world. You would be wise to stop testing me, Human. I am gone for a reason. If you summon me, I will kill you. With that he released her energy, which raged out of control and vanished in a second. Satisfied, the Harvest King slept once more.