Here is the next chapter in one of my longest chronicle exert. Hope you all are enjoying the story.
In a time long before Hiehie village came into being the region of Nesh was an untamed wilderness where desolation and fear ran rampant across the land. There was no place for one to call home, only nomadic travelers looking for meaning across white plains of nothingness. The hope for survival in such a harsh and unforgiving land looked bleak, but when all seemed hopeless a beacon of light shone across the heavens, illuminating the entirety of the Nesh region. In the night sky a rainbow aura danced wildly above as if life had been given to the empty sky. Across the region of Nesh the nomadic travelers looked to the sky and marveled at the sight bestowed upon them. So mesmerized by such an event many wanderers of Nesh gathered to the origin of this light, following an innate sense of direction as they discovered what would then be called Aurora Canyon. Within the canyon were gathered a group of outsiders. These strange visitors, who seemed to command the very elements surrounded a strange machine, their hands reaching up to the skies, their bodies and the machine glowing in a similar manner to the magnificent lights above. Soon these mysterious strangers would be known as the Weather Casters and the machine called the Aurorae Polaris.
As more and more wanderers gathered in Aurora Canyon they discovered that the Aurorae Polaris did more than simply produce lights within the sky. It's calm, ethereal presence created a sense of serenity and tranquility among the many inhabitants of the Nesh regions. Squabbles and misunderstandings that lead to fighting were washed away as long as the light spread across the region. And through the gathering of the many factions within Nesh, the fear of the unknown was dispelled for the time being and divided people proposed to be as one, to try and make the harsh land livable. Thus Aurora Canyon, home to the Aurorae Polaris, became the first village of the Nesh region.
Eventually the Aurorae Polaris was shut down and the light that bathed the Nesh region disappeared, but its influence had not. Gathering resources and working together the people developed Aurora Canyon, the only safe haven within the unforgiving land. The Weather Casters helped as well, using their gifts to manipulate the weather and create conditions for fertile grounds in order to grow, what would later be Hiehie Villages most prized possession, vegetables. Many animals came, tempted by the smell of the new crops and eventually the people tamed many of the wild beasts of Nesh, herding the once frightful creatures for food, clothing, and (in some cases) companions.
As Aurora Canyon grew, so did the influence and prestige of the Weather Casters. Many idolized the Weather Casters and some even worshiped them as avatars sent by the gods. The powers of the Weather Casters were truly beyond anything the Nesh inhabitants could imagine and thus they were seen as beyond human. But even so, there were many that feared the Weather Casters, believing that their only reason for helping the people of Nesh was to rule over them. The reason behind this fear was that no one knew where the Weather Casters had come from. While the Weather Casters did everything in their power to help the villagers, even risking their live in an attempt to better their fellow compatriots, they staunchly refused to reveal anything about their origins, or how they acquired their powers, or even the inner workings of the Aurorae Polaris. It seemed strange that the Weather Casters would not divulged anything to the people, as if they had something to hide. This caused distrust of them by many and just as Aurora Canyon had became the home that the people had wished for, the canyon had become divided between those who worshiped the Weather Casters and those who scorned them.
Squabbles erupted across the canyon and eventually the canyon had been divided into three sections. The two largest were of the worshipers and the abhorrers. The final group was of the Weather Casters themselves, who did not want to be involved in the in fighting of Aurora Canyon. At first things seemed to calm down. With the groups divided they kept their distance from one another, but eventually fear and misunderstanding took root and the villagers grew tense. The contempt on both sides grew by the day until a single incident caused an outbreak of fear. A small child of the Weather Casters had wandered into the camp of the Abhorrers and accidentally froze one of the villagers. It was not the child's fault, for the child had only recently discover her powers and had no clue of their strength. Even though the villager frozen ended up making a full recovery, the Abhorrers did not accept this, believing this was a deliberate attempt to belittle them by proposing that the Weather Casters believed that even their children were more powerful than they. The Worshipers fought back against this statement, calling the claims of the Abhorrers' ludicrous and spiteful. They commented on how the Abhorrers were blind to the true power of the Weather Casters and if the child had truly wanted to, could have ended the man's life in an instant. It was only through the child's sympathy and pity that the man survived. This only proved to stir up more conflict and from that day forward both sides became even more wary of one another.
Soon the two sides took up arms, wanting defense against the others in case either one should attack one another. The Weather Casters looked on, yet they still did not choose a side. However the Weather Casters knew that it would only take a small spark to light the fuse of war, a war, which if waged, would decimate the canyon and revert the people of Nesh back to their dark beginnings. The Weather Casters, stayed the neutral ground and tried to make peace talks with the sides, but years of fear and anger had festered within the groups and all talks of peace were ignored. It would only be a matter of time before the two sides erupted and the fighting began. Many of the Weather Casters proposed that they should leave and allow the sides to work out their differences on their own terms. If they could not come to peace agreements with one another there as no point for the Weather Casters to be caught in the crossfire of the two groups. However, the chief of the Weather Casters, one whose knowledge of Weather Casting had no rival, did not agree with this proposal. If they had simply left the Weather Casters would have been no better than the two sides. They would have been running away from their problems rather than dealing with them and whether intentional or not the fighting between the two sides had been the fault of the Weather Casters and it was their duty to right the wrong they had committed.
One night, almost fifty years after the creation of Aurora Canyon, it was obvious that the two sides would engage one another in battle, as cries of protest and anger filled the night sky. In light of this many of the Weather Casters retreated to the inner most section of the canyon, where the Aurorae Polaris stood and gathered about it. Only two of them did not join their fellow Casters, instead making their way to the two divide sides. Weapons were raised in the air as rage overtook the two sides, but when each saw a single Weather Caster blocking their way confusion was created. As the two Weather Casters stood in front of the opposing sides, separating them by a few yards they spoke, earning a chilled reaction by the Abhorrers and Worshipers.
"Whoever crosses this line..." they began, creating a line on the ground on their respective sides, "...will receive no mercy."
Both sides wondered why the Weather Casters would impede them. The Abhorrers stating that the Weather Casters were showing their true colors while the Worshipers wondering why their avatars would stand in the way of dealing with heretics. Their response to these statements was simple and decisive.
"We came only to help the people of this region find peace and happiness." they told them, "We swore that we would fight against anything or anyone that would want to destroy that happiness, even against the very people we swore that promise to."
Anger erupted on both sides, but the two Weather Casters would not budge. It became clear that if something had not been done the Weather Casters would have been forced to fight against the people and even though it was only two of them they were more than a match for the two opposing sides. Luckily, before any casualties could be counted the dormant Aurorae Polaris came to life and like fifty years earlier it bathed the heavens with its magnificent glow. As the villagers looked up the hate that was driving them smoldered and the fear that gripped their hearts vanished. The Weather Casters had once again brought light to the darkness and save the region of Nesh from near annihilation
With hate and fear gone the two sides were able to peacefully talk with one another about not only the future of Aurora Canyon but of the entire Nesh region. It became clear to the Weather Casters that their power was too omnipotent for the people and that living together became impossible. Even though the Weather Casters had done everything in their power to help the people of Nesh rise above their dark beginnings the Weather Casters knew it was time for them to split from the masses. It was decided that the villagers would head out to the other areas of the Nesh region and create homes elsewhere. Meanwhile the Weather Casters would be isolated within the canyon, cut off from the others to become the silent watchers of the people of Nesh.
Not all the Weather Casters stayed within the canyon, as one or two followed the many groups of travelers to help them establish villages around Nesh, one of those villages being Hiehie.
It was not only the isolation of the Weather Casters that had happened on that day, but also a tradition to represent the hope of peace through the Nesh region. Every fifty years the Weather Casters gather at Aurora Canyon and activate the Aurorae Polaris, to allow its light to spread across the sky. It is this light that preserves the hope that the Nesh region will continue to thrive and prosper no matter what ill fate may befall it.
"The activation of the Aurorae Polaris is more than just to test the strength of a Weather Caster, but to remind the people of Nesh just how they came to be and what it takes to keep the peace." replied Tealeaf, "But in doing so the Weather Casters must become separated from much of Nesh."
"Is that why you two left?" Zelda asked Popo and Nana, "The village I mean."
"Yeah." replied Popo, his gaze drifting off to the scenery that rapidly passed by, "We weren't Popo and Nana living in the village, just the newest Weather Casters." he replied
"Same with mom and dad..." murmured Nana in a near inaudible tone
"What was that dear?" asked Tealeaf "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing Grandmamma." replied Nana, veiling her feelings with a smile
"Okay." she replied with a smile before turning her attention back to Zelda, "Once Bridget and Robert track down your friends' scents it'll only be a matter of time before we find them."
It didn't take as much time as the Smashers had thought to reach the area where Kirby and Jigglypuff had first disappeared. The WSVs (winter service vehicles) they were on were quite fast and moved across the snow at a rapid pace. Soon the Smashers had reached their destination, the three snow vehicles stopping a few feet way from the train tracks of the Nesh Region Train. Climbing out onto the white snow that covered the ground, Robert and Bridget quickly put their noses to work, searching for scents and trying to differentiate each one to try and locate Kirby or Jigglypuff's own unique odors.
"Hmm...there are more scents wafting about than I imagined." Robert commented, his head swaying to and fro, "I smell many of the bandits that were thrown off in the struggle, along with even stranger smells." he replied, "No matter though, I do remember the scent of that balloon friend of yours. I should be able to locate it in no time."
"You sure?" asked Falco, leaning against one of the WSVs, "There was a storm out here, the scent might have been blown away."
"You may not be able to trace their scent my avian friend, but nothing escapes from our senses." replied Robert
"Indeed dear." replied Bridget, "A wolf's sense of smell is nearly unrivaled. And ours is of the highest merit." she replied
"Yeah, yeah." muttered Falco, releasing an unnecessarily large yawn, "If anyone needs me I'll be asleep." he replied, closing his eyes
"What a lazy, lazy bird person." Bridget muttered, shaking her head in disdain
"I do hope that you find you friends, and I apologize but we really need to be going." replied Tealeaf, bowing her head in shame for not being able to stay and help
"No, no." replied Zelda, dismissing the inconvenience with a wave of her hand, "You've done enough just by helping us get here. You have your own duties to perform."
With a nod of agreement Tealeaf felt some relief over the matter and walked over to her grandchildren.
"Come, it is time to go." she replied
"Right Grandmamma." they replied, "See ya!" they called to the Smashers
A chorus of different goodbyes came from the group of warriors as the three residents of Hiehie Village took their leave, taking the lead WSV. The Smashers watched the vehicle disappear into the distance, though Zelda in particular held a look of concern as the three left. When they were out of sight she sighed quietly to herself, watching as her breath became visible in the cold air.
"Is something the matter?" asked Bridget, hearing Zelda's piteous sigh
"It is nothing you need to be concerned with." replied Zelda, her tone emphasizing she meant no ill-will toward the comment
"By any chance were you thinking about the fate of the Weather Casters?" Bridget asked
Zelda did not reply but then again she didn't need to.
"It is a sorrowful fate actually." Bridget thought out loud, ceasing her activities for the time being, "The very people that brought Nesh from the depths of darkness are pushed away because of their powers." she said, "But I suppose fear of the unknown is strong with all."
"You know..." replied Zelda, "We never did get to finish hearing that story you were telling." she replied, "I think I speak for everyone here that we would like to hear the ending."
"Well...I suppose." replied Bridget, looking over to her husband as he busily searched for the correct scents, "It shouldn't be a problem. Gather round." she said, taking a seat in the snow
The Smashers, excluding Falco all took position around the white wolf, seating themselves in the white fluff that encircled them. Sitting on the cold ground was a lot more comfortable that they would have imagined, with the warmth of their winter attire heating their hindquarters.
"Can you use a different flashback intro this time?" Ness asked, "Like a white out?"
"I'm actually more partial to the fading intro, but I'll humor you." she replied, and thus as she began her tail she humored the psychic boy with a white out
(Whiteout)
In the battle between the mysterious female and Damien it soon became obvious to Damien that he and the woman were evenly matched. So his chance for a smooth victory was futile, leaving him no choice but to resort to less than honorably tricks to steal the victory. The woman had forced the bandit leader back toward his men, where busy dealing with Douglass. Damien stole a glance at his men and grimaced at the sight of Douglass tearing his way through the bandit ranks. While the Weather Caster didn't end any of the lives of the bandits that battled him, he didn't hold back, freezing many of them wear they stood and showing off some impressive hand-to-hand combat.
Douglass rushed a particular bandit wielding a large hammer. The bandit attempted to swing his weapon at Douglass, but the Weather Caster was quicker, punching through the wooden handle of the hammer and smashing his fist into the bandit's abdomen. The Weather Caster then heard a blade slice through the air and ducked as a large knife passed over his head. The bandit that had swung at him tried to thrust his blade forward, but Douglass was a step quicker, blocking the bandit's hand with his left and twisting, causing the bandit to yelp in pain and drop his blade. Two more bandits came at his side, just as a third came from behind the bandit he was currently dealing with. Flipping the bandit in his grip he threw the man into the bandit approaching in front and dashed toward the bandit to his left, slamming his palm into the adversaries chest and freezing him. As ice encroached the man's body the final bandit to charge lit the fuse of a bomb in his hand and chucked it at Douglass. Douglass ducked under the bomb and kicked it into the air before the fuse was spent and sweep his feet along the ground, creating a wave of snow and ice to smash into the bomb-throwing bandit and freeze him as well.
Many of the remaining bandits grew hesitant as Douglass rose to his feet. He had already dealt with a large portion of their numbers and with the fact that he had just taken on four of them as once gave them the feeling that they weren't much of a match for him.
"I'll give you one chance." Douglass declared, "Take your allies and leave or I will finish the lot of you off."
The bandits dare not back away however. Now while Douglass was a quite the threat, Damien was a danger all his own and none of them had the courage to face Damien's wrath should they back down from the battle. With determination brought about by fear of punishment the bandits tightened their grips on their weapons and stood their ground. Douglass simply sighed and clenched his fist. He was hoping to not have to fight any longer but it seemed the bandits would give him no choice
"Very well then." he replied, ice flowing about his clenched hands, "Come at me if you plan on killing me."
The bandits charged, their footsteps heavy atop the snow. Douglass stayed in place, the increased intensity of his powers the only indication that he was preparing something.
"I didn't want to do this but you leave me with no choice." he replied, slamming his right fist into the snow, "Iceberg!"
The ground rumbled but before the bandits could even hope to figure out what was happening their answer came at them in the form of a violent expansion of ice. Upon contact with the rise column of ice the bandits were encased in ice as well as launched back due to the force of the rising ice. Damien looked in astonishment at the devastation of his entire group of followers, watching as they were made to look like children against a true force of nature.
"Unreal." murmured the veiled woman, "This is his power?"
Douglass rose from his crouching position, the spent ice in his right hand dissipating in the air, though his left arm seemed more then capable to deal out more devastation.
"You, the leader." replied Douglass, his back turned to Damien, "I would tend to your men if I were you. They aren't in danger of losing their lives, but being frozen in ice would be traumatic for anyone." he told Damien, "Also, I would leave after doing so or you will receive my left hand." he said, turning to the man, his left fist rising to put emphasis on that statement
"You...think you are above me just because of those powers?" Damien growled, "You're nothing!" he barked
"And you're wrong." Douglass replied, "I am not above you because of my powers. No, if anything they make me less human than you. No, the reason I'm above you is that I do not based my being on power or the ability to wield it, but because of what I do with it." he replied, "I didn't want to fight you or your men. But you are using you power to attack an innocent village."
"Still think you will win this hero?" Damien cackled, "Even without my men I can still win this battle."
"I'm no hero." Douglass replied, "If I was I would have been able to tell people that I am a Weather Caster." he said, "I'm weak...that is why I lost the woman I love."
"Oh...you're right about being weak." Damien commented, "And let me show you why." he said, pulling out a strange vial with an unknown liquid inside
"No..." gasped the veiled woman, "Are you insane, don't use that!?"
"I had a feeling you knew more about Carmelo than you let on." Damien replied, "This used to belong to him and he only showed it to people he trusted."
"What is that?" Douglass demanded
"It is a special concoction created from the root of a Altude. It can give anyone who drinks it incredible power...but at a price." the woman replied
"Yes..." replied Damien, popping the top off the vial, "But you do not have to worry about me, I have been studying Carmelo's notes, I know what to expect." he said, drinking some of the liquid within
"This is not good." she murmured, "I have to stop him before it begins." she said, racing toward Damien with her hammers at her side
As the bandit leader pulled the vial away from his mouth he could feel an incredible surge of energy rise within him. His muscles grew taut and harder, eventually growing in size. The woman lunged into the air and swung, aiming for the bandit's head. He glanced at her, watching as the hammer closed in. But before she could land a powerful blow he ducked down, letting the weapon pass over him. As she flew above he reached for her and grabbed hold of her parka, pulling her through the air with incredible speed. Before she knew it she was launched through the air by the powerful arms of the bandit. Luckily, instead of crashing into the snow below, she was caught by Douglass who had ran into the path of her flight.
"Are you okay?" he asked, trying to see if the woman was unhurt
However all Douglass could see was the woman's eyes, as much of her face was covered by her parka.
"I am fine." she retorted, almost pushing away from Douglass and getting to her feet
"Not for long." replied a voice
She turned only to see Damien in front of her, his fist pulled back for a punch.
"So fast..." she thought, trying to back away
It was all she could do to back away enough to avoid a disastrous blow from Damien. Douglass tried to intervene as the punch grazed the woman, but Damien was faster, launching a kick toward Damien's ribs. Douglass blocked the blow, but even so the attack tore through his guard and sent his skidding back across the snow.
"Pretty strong." Douglass thought, glancing over toward the woman
The woman had landed on her feet, still gripping her hammers, glaring at Damien as he rested his foot on the ground.
"This is unbelievable, to think Carmelo came this far! I only had a little to drink and I'm already beginning to dominate you!"
"Don't think this battle is over!" yelled the woman, "You will lose."
"Really?" Damien chuckled, "Well I suppose I should make sure that never happens." he said, "Taking another swig from the vial."
"We should fight him together." Douglass proclaimed, "We'll be better off."
"I don't need you." the woman replied, rushing Damien again
"She's stubborn...but also familiar." he thought, rushing Damien as well
"I found the scent!" yelled a certain white wolf, interrupting the story Bridget was telling, "It is of the balloon creature!" he announced triumphantly
"Dear, you found the scent! Stupendous!" Bridget replied
"Wait a moment, were you telling more of the story without me?" he asked
"Why would you say that?"
"You are still in narrator mode." he replied
"Oh my, I apologize." she replied, "You do indeed like telling stories." she replied, "Let me get out of narrator mode for now."
"No, it is fine." he replied, "You tell the story just as well as I do." he commented, "By the way, where in the story are you?"
"Oh, I am nearing the decisive part of the story." she replied
"Oh, after the drinking of the Altude root eh?" he murmured, "I do enjoy that part of the story, the fighting and all, but we will have to postpone it for the meantime, we have a scent to follow."
"Right dear, lead the way."
Driving through a mountainous region of Nesh the occupants of a certain snow vehicle could see the their sacred destination come into view. Surrounded by the mountains that hid it from the outside world of Nesh rested Aurora Canyon, birthplace of Nesh civilization and home to the Weather Casters.
"So this is Aurora Canyon?" murmured Popo, in awe at the sight
Before this, Popo could only imagine what Aurora Canyon might look like and still his imagination hadn't grasped the sheer majesty that the area exuded. Unlike the snowy land that surrounded its mountain home, Aurora Canyon was devoid of any frozen water. The ground was filled with lush green grass and the air was warm, almost too warm to be wearing parkas. It was the strangest change in climate that Popo had ever experience, almost as if Aurora Canyon didn't follow the same weather cycle as the rest of the Nesh region. Flowers littered much of the grassy landscape, with a lake resting near the western section of the canyon. The actual village consisted of different buildings spread across the entirety of the valley. And within the middle of the canyon rested the reason why Popo was there, the Aurorae Polaris.
The symbol of the Weather Casters, standing at full height of over thirty stories, consisted of six large metallic towers in a circle around a center generator. The generator was connected to the towers by six large control cables that feed power into them. The generator itself was hexagonal in appearance and half the height of the towers, spreading about the ground and held in place by large bolts. Popo couldn't tell from his distance, but there looked to be a large building that encompassed the very middle of the machine, which he guessed all the controls of it must had been. But for all its size and complexity it looked worn and decrepit, contrasting sharply with the vibrant buildings that lay across the valley. But it was only expected, the machine had to be hundreds of years old. But the fact that it was still operational paid tribute to its importance and durability.
"This place is awesome!" Nana exclaimed, her head darting to and fro as she tried to take in all the sights before her
"Yes...this is...home." replied Tealeaf, her voice quivering with a returning home feeling in her heart
"This place is...something else alright." replied Popo, his words simple yet meaning so much
"Hello Tealeaf!" they heard someone call
The WSV stopped a few feet in front of the person, a man, and Tealeaf climbed out, waving to the man as she did.
"Well hello, long time no see." she replied
"Yes, it's been quite some time Tealeaf." he replied, "How many years has it been?"
"I'd say about fifteen or so." she replied, "And it looks like time hasn't been very generous towards you for those fifteen years."
"And you're just as beautiful as the day me meet, right?" he replied, though his voice dripped with sarcasm
She caught on but didn't let the man's wit get to her.
"Well I am beautiful." she replied, "I age gracefully."
"I see. And these two would be Popo and Nana, correct?"
Tealeaf nodded and at that smile appeared on the man's face.
"Well hello children. I can only guess you grandmother has told you all about me." he replied, waiting for what he believed to be beaming admiration from the two children
"Uh...no." replied Popo
"We haven't a clue who you are." replied Nana
The man nearly tripped out of shock, but caught himself before he could face plant.
"You haven't told them about me!?" he shrieked
"You never came up." replied Tealeaf
"That's you answer!?"
She nodded and he slapped his palm against his forehead frustration. Eventually though he sighed and scratched his wild, graying hair.
"I guess it is not that big of a concern." he replied, "But still, do they even know my name?" he asked
"No."
"To think that even their parents would never mention me." he mumbled, "Where did I go wrong?"
"Come, come. We have more important things to do than listen to you whine about being forgotten." Tealeaf replied
"Yes, yes." he mumbled, "I've heard plenty about young Popo and his duties." he replied, "Come this way."
Popo and Nana exited the vehicle and followed after their grandmother and the strange man, heading toward the village.
"Oh, by the way." the man asked, halting for a moment, "Did you bring the 'Treasure of the Weather Casters'?" he asked
"Yes." she replied, "We have the 'key'."
"Good." he replied, turning back around, "First we need to meet up with the rest of the village so that they can see the heirs, then we can begin the ceremony." he said, "I think you kids are going to like this place, especially since everyone has been wanting to meet with you for some time."
"My, my. These old bones aren't what they use to." replied Robert, as he ran through the frozen expanse, "I use to be able to move so much more quickly than this."
"Time may have had its way with us, but we're not out of this world by a long shot." replied Bridget, following along side of her husband, "Besides, we must lead these young ones to their friends as thanks for all they've done."
"That is a given." replied Robert, "And as long as I am able I will keep with this scent until we find them." he replied
"Now that is the wolf I married." Bridget replied
As the two wolves raced across the snowy tundra, two WSVs followed behind.
"We've gone quite a long way." replied Zelda, "I wonder just where Kirby and Jigglypuff are?"
"We passed a forest just a while ago and now we're in this snowy plain, they could be anywhere." replied Marth
"Or, they could be right there." replied Falco, pointing toward a strange sight
A little ways off a large creature lay in the snow, asleep. Its body was quite hairy, though some of its fur looked singed, as if it had been burned recently. Atop of the beast's rising and falling chest were two pink entities, also sleeping soundly, and small sleeping caps adorning their heads.
"Thank the goddesses they are alright." Zelda sighed in relief
"Told you they'd be fine." replied Falco, "And look, they even got themselves a pet." he replied
"I wouldn't consider that thing a pet." replied Marth
Even though everything looked okay, the drivers of the WSVs would not go any further than thirty feet from the hairy behemoth out of fear of enraging it. So the Smashers had no choice but to get off and walk the rest of the short distance over to the colossal beast to go and wake their friends.
"Kirby, Jigglypuff!" Zelda called, "Wake up!"
Kirby fumbled in his sleep, but the gumball did not wake at Zelda's words.
Falco sighed and picked up a rock that he found on the ground. With a simple flick of his wrist he sent the small stone hurtling towards Kirby, where it flew swiftly and soon enough collided painfully.
POW!
"Ow!" Kirby screeched, bolting upright at the sharp pain
In the same instance he woke up Jigglypuff, who moaned in a semi-conscious state.
"Jiggly?" she questioned, rubbing her eyes, "What happened?"
"It's raining rocks!" Kirby yelled, picking up the very weapon used again him and throwing it in a blind rage
The problem with this was that his aim was wild and directed toward a certain blue-haired prince. Marth noticed it however and deflected the hard projectile with a wave of his hand.
"I am the target of Falco's actions?" he questioned, "I wonder where the fairness in that is?"
"You didn't have to throw that." replied Zelda, "They would have woken up eventually."
"Yeah, I know, but they were taking too long."
Zelda sighed, and then created a small flame in her hand.
"Din's Fire!"
While Falco was busy being launched through the air due to the force of Zelda's explosion Marth, Ness, DK, Robert, and Bridget calmly walked over to the awakening puffballs, their footsteps slow in order not to disturb the slumbering beast that the two puffballs were using as a bed.
"Hey guys, what's up?" Ness asked, waving to the two pink balls
"Hey, it's you guys!" Kirby replied cheerfully, "Did you know its raining rocks out here, be careful." he replied, his gaze traveling up to see if anymore rocks would fall
"Yeah..." Marth chuckled uneasily, turning back to see Zelda launching another Din's Fire at Falco while the avian pilot dodged, "Raining rocks..."
"What are you guys doing here?" Kirby asked
"Looking for you." replied DK, "After train."
A feeling of guilt washed over the pink Pokemon known as Jigglypuff. Her ears drooped slightly as she heaved a heavy sigh.
"Jiggly..." she murmured, "Sorry."
"No, no." replied Marth, "Bridget and Robert explained the urgency of the situation."
"Yes." replied Robert, "So there is no need for an apology. By the way, whatever happened to that doppelganger fellow anyway?" he asked
"Yeah, who is he?" Ness asked
"Well...he's me." replied Kirby
"Huh?"
"He's an other me."
"Proper sentence structure please." Marth asked
"Er...he's Shadow Kirby and he was a part of me once, but now he's not."
"How'd that happen?" Ness asked
"Well...you see...hmm..." he murmured, trying to think up a plausible answer
"Actually, the explanation is not that great of importance." replied Marth, "It is just a relief that you are okay." he replied
"Oh, okay." replied Kirby, "So, when do we eat?" he asked
"Yes, it is quite the relief that you are okay." Marth chuckled, "But I have to ask, where did this come from?" he asked, referring to the mammoth yeti
"Jigglypuff find Fred." Jigglypuff replied
"Fred?" asked Marth, "You named it, Fred?"
Jigglypuff nodded her head.
"Well...I can accept that."
"Jiggly...wake up Fred." she called
With large rumble the large creature opened its eyes and yawned loudly. The Smashers slowly back away from the creature as it lifted itself up, Jigglypuff and Kirby hopping off as it rose to its feet. When it was at its full height it looked down and immediately glared at the Smashers, a tooth showing from its mouth as it growled at them in disdain. The Smashers cringed at this but before anything could happen Jigglypuff calmed the hairy beast.
"It okay." she replied, "Friends?" she replied with a smile
Fred seemed to understand her for only a few moments after she announced that the Smashers were her friends the glare from the beast disappeared. Then it gave DK a look over and grunted something to the primate. DK jumped back, cringing.
"What's the matter, what he say to you?" Ness asked
"Not he, she, and she say 'Hey Cutie." DK replied, before grunting back a response, which caused the large creature to moan in sadness
"That's a girl!?" Ness gasped, looking up at the mammoth thing
"Wow..." murmured Jigglypuff, "Guess Jigglypuff should change name." she said, "Fran."
"Perfect." muttered Marth, "You know you can't keep that thing." he said
"Jiggly know." Jigglypuff replied, "Jiggly have to go Fran." she replied solemnly
Fran understood, but smiled the best she could toward Jigglypuff to show that even though they were separating they would still be friends.
"Bye." Jigglypuff waved as she caught up with the others who were already heading back toward the WSVs
Fran waved as well as Jigglypuff and Kirby hopped into the snow vehicles and took off. As Fran grew smaller and smaller in the distance Jigglypuff, who was seated with Zelda, Marth and Falco wondered where Popo and Nana were.
"They're at Aurora Canyon." Zelda replied
"Jiggly?" the puffball question
Zelda gave a quick explanation of the Aurora Canyon and its purpose to Jigglypuff, filling in the necessary parts so that the puffball could understand the gist of its meaning.
"Jiggly want to see Aurorae Polaris!" she exclaimed, the thought of a machine that could control the weather quite interesting for her
"I'm not sure...though I can't believe that it would be wrong for us to go." Zelda replied, "Do you think?" she asked the driver
"I can't think of a reason why not. To be even told about the ceremony is an honor, so you and your friends are more than welcome to attend." he said, "If you wish, I can take you there."
"I guess, though just to be sure we'll ask Tealeaf when we get there."
"Hmm?" murmured Falco, noticing something in the distance
"What is the matter?" Marth asked
"I see something...weird." he replied
"Weird how?"
"Well, would you constitute a little girl floating through the air with a large eyeball next to her and a large convoy of trucks trailing behind her as strange?" Falco asked
"What!?"
Traversing the snow at a relatively fast speed was a convoy of WSVs, each varying in size. The convoy was busy following a floating white haired girl and a giant floating eyeball. In one of the lead WSVs sat three bandits. In the driver's seat sat a bandit decked in a yellow parka, also known as the pick-wielding Sakhalin. In the seat directly behind him was an orange clothed bandit who held a large hammer in her grip, named Samoyed. In the passenger seat on Sakhalin's right sat the club-swinging, green parka wearing bandit, or Malamute, who from Sakhalin's view was shaking erratically.
"Why are you shaking?" asked Sakhalin, "Are you fearful?"
"Me, afraid, naw." replied Malamute, "Just anxious. We're taking on Aurora Canyon!"
"Yes. It is quite the feat for anyone. This will not be a quick battle."
"I've always wanted to tangle with those Weather Casters, and to think we'll be battling them in a few hours!"
"Do not become overconfident, the Weather Casters are by no means pushovers."
"That's why I want to fight them. They think they are so powerful, but now they're about to go down!"
"I guess fate has handed us an advantage." Sakhalin replied, "For I don't believe even the Weather Casters have the power to deal with that little girl."
Said little girl was sporting a devilish grin upon her face as she looked forward to the destruction she would be causing in only a few hours.
"Nesh is going be no more." she said, "I was left in darkness and now it Nesh's turn."
I sorta like this chapter since it explains more about the story. And WSV or Winter Service Vehicles are real, look them up on wikipedia (Damn I love wikipedia!).