As the worst assumed conclusion comes and goes with the wind, everyone opens their eyes to see Matt holding Parappa's shield to take the impact of Ur's desperation. The shield breaks sending Matt backwards and toppling over Parappa and Ma-san while Ur himself stumbles backwards from it.
"Ow…h-haha...I made it…"
Parappa lifts him off of them and immediately shouts in his ear "I have several questions on how you got here! You were OUT COLD!...But the first instinct you have during the moment you apparently woke up at was to come BACK?!"
"Can't I just get a simple 'thank you for saving my life.'?..." Matt smiles weakly at Parappa, clearly emotionally exhausted for throwing himself on the line to save him twice so soon after one another. Nearly dying on both occasions as well.
"Thanks for saving my life man...again!...Once we get out of here I owe you big time. You want something, you name it."
"I'll...be sure to keep...that in mind...oh dear...everything's going black again…" Matt faints once again simply prompting Parappa to shake him from worry once more until he forces a tired groan from him.
"At least he's still ok…phew, oh man…"
("But we're not out of the boiling water yet man…") Ma-san looks at Ur who regains his composure.
("I SEVERELY HATE HOW PERSISTENT YOU DAMNABLE CANINES ARE…") He walks up again with his weapon raised again ("AND YOU!...YOU VERMIN RAT! HOW DOES ONE WHO WAS BORN FOLLOWING THIS WAY OF LIFE FAIL SO HEAVILY AT IT?!")
("Speak for yourself...I'm nothing like you…")
("A fact I will keep with me while I correct that damn mistake...and now nothing more...WILL INTERFERE!") Before he can swing again, he is grabbed by Deto who try to hold him back.
("The only damn mistake there is here is yer constant muddling of our group we formed! When our old leader burnt out. You immediately took over and undid all the good he did! Yer nothing more than the very same monsters we ran from! A bleeding lad who tried to overtake it all! And for what?!")
("FOR US TO EARN WHAT WE DESERVE! THERE IS NO PLACE...FOR SOFT SHELLED FOOLS IN A DESTRUCTIVE GROUP OF FLAMES!") He launches Deto onto his back.
("OOF…")
Parappa recalls what bunsen said to him the previous night before last and immediately shouts at Ur ("FIRE DOESN'T HAVE TO DESTROY!")
("Fire also doesn't have to listen. For all it needs to do is grow and supersede...and then IMPEDE!") Once again he is stopped from hitting Parappa by three small children latching onto him ("OH FOR THE LOVE OF CINDERS, MUST EVERYTHING GO WRONG FOR ME?!")
Ma-san notices who the three grabbing Ur are ("ENYA! ARATI! VESTA! GET AWAY!")
The three sisters refuse to budge as they try to strip Ur from his weapons, but to no avail as he flings off Vesta and Arati ("I have had ENOUGH!") he grabs Enya right off his arm and tosses her below him ("YOU! Out of everyone who dare oppose the true ideals, you three shouldn't bother opposing! You were all BORN into this role! THERE IS NOTHING FOR US BUT WARRING AND OVERWHELMING!")
Enya glares at Ur before retorting ("You're wrong! There was more to us! Before dad died, he knew that and did his best to get us to get along and play music with everyone! But then the war got worse and he ended up passing away from it...then you took over...and all you did was tell us that all we were good for is destroying...and that was the biggest lie ever! People CAN care for us just like we CAN care for them! Like the furry Mood Stone over there said! Fire doesn't have to destroy! We can burn brightly with others! Not burn them!")
("Are those your real thoughts on the matter then?...")
("YES! And they'll NEVER change!")
("I see...then YOU HAVE NO PURPOSE BREATHING ANYMORE!") He slashes at Enya.
("ENYA MOVE!...")
("LITTLE SISTER!")
("YOU BRAT, MOVE!") Ma-san tried desperately to move to her, but to no avail. Everything felt as if it began fading to black. All that's heard is the screams of children as the blade hits. However. The blade did not hit it's intended mark. On the receiving end of Ur's blade laid Dacite who collapsed backwards on Enya, a huge slash wiping away half her body.
"D-DACITE!..." Parappa's fear disintegrates as it turns to pure fury, but before he can act on it…
("What is this…") Ur stares at the sickening sight before him.
"You're...a real big jerk...ya know that...you walking angry candle…you..." Dacite was barely there, her words felt hollow. It was a miracle she was even talking at all! "Don't...know if you...even understand me...but I don't care!...I...did my job...as a junior knight...I know...you can understand...at...least that…"
("N-No...new friend Dacite...why…")
("New friend?! You are definitely delusional if you thought THAT! But worry not, YOU'LL JOIN HER- AUGH….") Another blade appears, but this one imbeds itself into Ur's arm. It was Deto's axe ("DETO! YOU'RE NEXT YOU MISERABLE PILE OF-") He gets cut off by another Tempo smashing his face in with his fist to which stumbles back into a grapple of another Tempo ("WHAT ARE YOU IMBECILES DOING?!")
("Young Enya was right…") The Tempo who was currently holding him spoke, angering Ur.
("RIGHT?! IN WHAT REGARDS?!")
("The Mood Stone child saved her from your ineptitude…") The one who hooked him adds on.
("THIS IS RIDICULOUS!")
("You are correct there...the furry one named Parappa and young Enya taught us so...now...we fix it…") All the Tempo's begin gathering around Ur as he begins screaming in agony as more and more pile on. Eventually Ur manages to yell out one final verse.
("YOU THINK THIS CHANGES ANYTHING?! THIS WILL ALL COME BACK AGAINST ALL OF YOU! AND I WILL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH IN THE END!...") The Tempo's disperse from one another, all that was left on the ground before them was Ur's armor and blade in pieces. Ur himself was gruesomely...extinguished to put it mildly as all the laid there was a pile of ashes.
("Serves ya right ya miserable pile of ash…") Deto says as he plucks his axe from a scrap of leftover armor.
Pallet rushes to Dacites side with the remaining conscious Mood Stones as everyone else regroups around Parappa, who looks over at Dacite's direction. They all try to speak to him, but he can't hear any of them. He stays out of it until Ma-san speaks up to him.
("When you said you were worried for me and didn't want me to burn out...you meant...something like...that huh?...") She points to Ur's ashes.
"Not the way i'd put it...but yeah...in the long run...something like that I guess…"
("...I'll...work on it...will you help?...")
"You didn't even need to ask…" He tries to give her a smile, but he just can't find the strength.
("The kids still speaking you know...don't know for how much longer...so...you might wanna...you know...say something.")
"...yeah…" Parappa forces his body to move over to the dying Dacite as Enya and her sisters as well as Mica stand by her side crying alongside Pallet.
"Things were never supposed to end like this...even for the young ones…"
"This is what I tried to avoid…"
"So did we new friend...but as it turns out...the more we tried to prevent something...the more we ended up causing it…" Pallet lifts his helmets visor to wipe away a tear "I blame myself for this."
"Sir this wasn't your fault!"
"I know that much. But as the head of this group...as well as the one who swore to protect the children at all costs from the wishes of their slain parents...I have failed in both regards…" He is alerted when someone puts their hand on his shoulder, it was Deto.
("Ok now let's see if I got this right...Ahem…") "Earth to walking brick wall. Can you understand me properly?"
"Yes...what do you need?"
"Ah good, was afraid the secret practice of trying to speak like the rest of you was all for nothing...I can understand you all just fine, but speaking it was a bit of a leap. But that's not the point. Look lad, as a leader. One must always come to terms with the fact that there will be things out of one's control. And while it is on kilter for a leader to follow through with such feelings, they must also learn that they just can't take the blame for it. It isn't of sane mind and will lead you down the same road as...him…" He motions over to Ur's ashes.
"With all due respect, I must disagr-"
"Aw cork it ya ninny! With all due respect, I must disagree with your over sentimentality. I know that's how you lot are, but that just ain't a right way of going about things. Do you think THEY would have faulted you?..." This time he motions to the children, who simply look at Pallet.
"...Very well…"
"Good...Eugh…" ("Oh that's to much strain on the throat…")
(" You don't even have a mouth!...how can you have a throat?!") Ma-san adds on.
("Never you mind that lass!") He gives a reassuring slap on Pallet's back.
"I'll think it over...for now...young one...will you forgive me…"
"Sir...you said...it's the way of the knight...to do what they can...to protect good people...even if they...don't come out of it alive…"
"But not for a child…"
"I'm not a child...i'm a knight~..."
"Yes...yes you are…friend I think it's best that you take over speaking...I need not say anymore..."
"Thank you sir…" Parappa walks up to her and he simply just stares at her...destroyed state.
"Where's your...smile mister…"
"I can't really smile here…"
"Why not?...it's...all over...you kept...your promised~...we finally stopped fighting…"
"But I failed my promise on keeping you safe…I let my friend down..."
"Haha...about that...Mister Matt told us about...what...happened to you when...he came to...we didn't wanna...make it harder for you...so...we wanted...to do what he did!...And what you said...to the miss over...there!..." She points to Ma-san with her remaining hand "You said...you'd protect everyone...if ya could...So...I wanted to be...the same!...Protect you...them." She points to the remainder of Parappa's friends "Everyone!...even my new friends in the Tempo's...haha...and I did it!...that's a kept promise to me~..." She weakly drops her hand "I'm tired...I wanna close my eyes...but not yet...can you come closer mister?...and you to miss?..." She weakly waves for Parappa and Ma-san to walk closer to her.
"Of course!...W-What do you need?..."
"Sure thing kid...I owe that much after what I helped caused…"
"Haha...both of you need to stop...feeling bad…" As Parappa gets near, she waves for him to bend over. Once he does she puts a finger on his beanie "Can you...put our symbol...on your hat to?...Pretty please?...For me?...Sir Pallet can tell you...what it is…"
"Of course!...I'd love to do that."
She then motions Ma-san to bend over to her, once she does, she calls over Mica "Hey...can you...give her...the...rose?...you know the one...the one my mama left me…" Mica doesn't hesitate as she pulls out a crystalized rose from a pocket like part of her armor and hands it to Ma-san.
"W-Whoa whoa whoa. Your mother gave that to you? I can't just take it!..."
"Please?...let me...explain first...The rose is special...Mama said...to give it to...those who need a little help...getting by...and once...you've...finally achieved that target mark...you hand it...to the next person...no matter who they are…" She grabs it out of her hand and nestles it by Ma-sans ear "I saw you crying to...and mister...Parappa said it even broke his heart...so...I guess you don't...do that often...so...take it...and...don't cry...anymore please…"
"...sure thing kiddo."
"Thank...you~..." Dacites final action was simply grabbing Enya's arm and writing out letters until Enya got what she was trying to say.
("Thank you...for being my friend...and showing me...that we could get along after all…") The sentence simply gets Enya crying, to which Dacite uses the last of her strength to wipe the tears away.
"I'm...really...sleepy...Mama's...calling me...hehe...thank you for...helping us Mister Parappa~..." her crystal eyes lose what little luster they had left as her remaining hand limps onto the ground. No one says anything else. They just simply cry. And they kept crying even as they sent of the body to it's final resting place. It was just so bewildering a thing to see for all the children of both groups, as well as for Parappa and the rest, none of them ever grew up in the troubled times of these groups, and to be put into it was such an experience that they would rather not repeat. Parappa simply looked to the ground, as Ma-san simply looked to the sky, both refused to shed anymore tears to honor her words at least for now. Lammy and Katy cry whilst trying to console each other. PJ simply stood stoic as he usually did. He was known to rarely emote, but that didn't stop a single tear from escaping his eye. Sweety and Paula simply stared in disbelief as to what happened while they were away. Matt sat on the ground, upset. He knows that they were inspired by what his own actions, so he feels like he caused it, but stops once Parappa fills him in on what she had said. Once the body is sealed away, both Deto and Pallet speak between themselves.
"Young Dacite will be the last thing to remain here...I feel terrible that I couldn't take her back...but...she would want to stay among the ground with her fallen comrades…"
"It is always such a terrible fate when young ones die...but you have to look on. Fer her sake lad. Now come on it's time to inform everyone."
"You are right my portly new friend." They both gather the attention of everyone "Excuse me one and all. From this moment forward. I, Sir Palletten, as well as the Tempo Tantrums new leader. Sir Detonation. Here by have come with the news that should summon some form of joy from both factions. We are no longer to war betweenst one another."
("We are now free from the horrible ways of Ur...and like the young doggo over there sung about. We can get along for many things. Especially for what we all started this damn thing in the first place. Our love of music.") Both factions cheer with one another.
"And with that said. I'm sure you know what that all means."
("We are together on this. And what do we all want to do?")
"GO HOME!") both groups shout. Once they do however. Everyone is enveloped in a glowing white light as they begin being swept off the ground.
"W-Whoa!..." Parappa fumbles in the air.
"This is not how I envisioned the way back to work…" PJ says as he grabs Matt and Sweety with in his arms to both protect them, but also from fear of what would happen to himself.
The MilkCan trio simply scream as they grab onto one another.
"It's times like these where I wish I still wore shorts under my skirts…" Paula says as she tries to hold her skirt down.
They all rise higher as the light becomes too bright to witness. Once the light dissipates, they all find themselves outside the pond.
"WE'RE BACK!" The eight all should in unison.
"And not just us!" Parappa points to all the others who also got taken back.
"This feels so strange...the air feels so different...it really has been decades…" Pallet looks towards what little sky he can see through the openings in the trees.
("Hoho boy...I wonder how much things have changed...this was just a little village off the side that housed this pond...now it's a town! How marvelous is that…")
"You know it just occurred to me...the town's gonna freak when they see walking terracotta knights and living fire." Parappa says as he gives the situation a bit more thought.
("Ya think? Well...what do you all wanna do?")
("Well as for me lass...I think I'm disbanding this group...I rather just have everyone achieve better things! But I won't disband unless I get the ok with everyone.") The rest of the tempo's think it over and all nod in agreement, wanting to bury the past as well ("Then it's settled! The Tempo's are no more!...now we just need to find a way to integrate into this new life…")
"What about you Sir? What will you do?"
"What we will do you say?...hm...I think we will just travel the world. Honestly a bustling life like this is by no means a life for us. Not one bit!"
Parappa frowns "I guess that's true given how...to yourselves you guys tend to be…" He whines like a puppy "But it would've been nice having you guys here…you all seem so great!"
"Believe me new friend! I would love nothing more...it's just...our way of living life."
"I understand. Promise you all will take care and TRY not to get into another big fight!"
"HAHA! Oh worry yourselves not! This time we plan to be as hidden as can be!...but uh...here." He hands Parappa a little bit of broken armor, he knows who this belonged to, with the Mood Stone's insignia on it "For what it's worth, as per Dacites request and my own. You are a Mood Stone in your own right! And should you ever need help, don't be afraid to try and ask around for us. We'll be there when you really need it! Troublesome or not!" Parappa grabs the symbol and smiles.
"Thank you sir!"
"Don't thank me, it's what I can do. And then some! I owe you the world my friend." He removes his helmet. His head is supremely translucent that it reflects every source of light, preventing his face from being seen. What is seen however, is his long flowing blonde hair, which reminds Parappa of his own hair "Nobleman Parappa. As Dacite said, the way of the knight is to be there for good people. And there's no one better than that textbook definition except for you and your friends. I would die for you if need be."
"I wouldn't go that far! I rather have you kicking for as long as you can!"
"As would I. And with that said, we will all be taking our leave!...Parappa." He kneels down "I hope you shine like the most brilliant diamond in existence!"
"I'll do my best!"
"Men!"
"SIR!"
"Move out!" The Mood Stones all march out, they don't request for assistance since they knew the way by heart.
Deto walks up to Parappa ("Uh...Lad? Mind lending me an ear?")
("Sure what's up!")
("By no means do we deserve the honor...but...would you also mind...havin our symbol on that noggin of yours?") He hands him a piece of Ur's old armor that has their insignia on it ("Though the Tempo's of old are now done with. We are still people trying to start anew...and well...we want to undo and forget so much travesty we helped caused thanks to...you know who...And it's thanks to you that EVERYONE got to see that to! It was something I've been pushing for since the day we arrived in that world! But again...it's all up to you.")
("Of course I'd add you guys on it! You guys weren't intentionally bad...just led astray...same like all the others. But not anymore!")
("Thank ya laddie. You'd be an honorary Tempo if we still were a group! But what I can offer you is that, If you have a problem, just call any of us! We'd all be glad to help ya! Isn't that right you ragged lot?") The group behind all nod and cheer ("See?")
("I do see! Thank you Mister Deto!")
Deto laughs until he goes back to thinking ("Oh boy...what will I do for work now...I can put the kids in an orphanage...they'll find better homes that way...but what about the rest of us?...I don't think there is need for a lumberjack anymore…or anyone with a love for country music...or music material makin in general...")
Lammy walks up to Deto "U-Uh excuse m-me! Mister D-Deto was it?..."
("Yes? What can I do for you Lassie?")
"I t-think I know a p-place that'd be p-perfect for you!..."
("Oh do ya?")
"Y-Yeah! As both a l-lumberjack and i-instrument maker!"
("Oh now that's loverly! Mind taking me there?")
"O-Of course!"
("Thank ya lassie! But first I still need to help the rest of them find a suitable working state…")
Katy walks up to the two of them "Hey mister. You're all made of fire right?"
("The equivalent of Magma! And we don't set things on fire either! Unless we want to, but of course we don't! Very handy controlling!")
"And you're all...like...really strong correct?"
("Though we topple like turtles, it's a worthwhile tradeoff to our notable strength! There ain't nothing these fellows can't do when it comes to strength! Why i'd go so far as to say that they can even hold up an entire building!")
"Is that so…" Katy smiles "I know the perfect job for the rest of them!"
("Ohohohoh! You two girlies are lifesavers!") While Lammy and Katy keep on talking with Deto. Paula and Ma-san walk up to each other.
"Hey…"
("Hey…")
"Sooooo…"
("So…")
The awkward air between them grows to a point where it's too much to bear until they both just blurt out "I'M SORRY!..." before bawling and hugging each other.
"Took em long enough."
"Normally I'd get upset at you for being so rude dear, but I'll let it slide just this once."
"Is it because I'm right this time?"
"And now i'm not letting it slide anymore." She flicks his forehead.
"Ow!...ok fine yeah...I deserved that…" PJ rubs his forehead before smiling "Glad you're feeling better again."
"I'm glad to." she smiles warmly at him before kissing him quickly on the cheek.
Parappa looks around and then decides to walk up to Matt who simply sits by the ponds edge "Yo man, what's up?..."
"Nothin much. Just thinking."
"About?"
"A whole lot of stuff...like...for starters...I feel great that I actually did something instead of run away! And saved you! Twice! But then I'm also feeling upset because...I ended up motivating Dacite into doing the same...and she wasn't as lucky as me…"
"But she was happy with the outcome nonetheless...you know that as much as I do."
"I do. But that doesn't mean it stops me from feeling awful with myself."
"Yeah I know what you mean…" He sits next to Matt. Matt simply looks over and gives a tired chuckle.
"I bet you do. This is how you've been feeling isn't it?"
"Yep."
"Haha...thought so. Man it suuuuuuuuuuuuucks…how do you deal with it?" Parappa simply pats his back as he hooks him into a one armed hug and points to the rest of their friends.
"This is how."
"H-Hehe...Man come on...I just stopped crying~..."
"Sorry, not sorry~..." Parappa wipes his own tears away before looking up to him "Made your mind up of what you want me to do for you? As a way of making things up to you?"
"Yeah. Three things. First is play a one v one game of Basketball, Soccer and Football with me!"
"Pffft, what? Wanna wipe the floor with me do ya?~"
"Shuuuuush. Second is to talk to Chop Chop Master Onion and getting him to hire me to...I feel bad for running off and leaving you there."
"I'll try! Paula got herself a job there to!"
"Oh did she? Hahah. That's great, makes things even more easier now don't it?"
"You're telling me! Now what's the third thing?"
"...Next time something like this happens...let me help alright?...Don't lie to me and leave me in the dark…"
"...I'm sorry…"
"Nah don't be, I know why you did it...so I should be the one apologizing...I shouldn't have tried to stop you. Helping others is just the kind of person you are! It was wrong of me to try and stop that! I'm the worst for not recalling the main thing that made you...well...You!"
"Well I could stand to not be as hectic when I do decide to help as evident with what happened with Ma-san, but I'll be helping her with that as will Katy and Lammy as well!"
"Well glad that worked itself out as well." He stands up. Now if you excuse me, I should be heading home! My apartment bed is calling for me! Cuz right now it's...uh…" He pulls out his phone to check, he managed to dry it off and get it to work now that he was back in their real world, he decided to check, but what he saw shocked him "Uh...g-guys?..."
"What happened?..." PJ says as they all walk up to him.
"We've been in there for an entire WEEK!..."
"WHAT?!" The seven of them shout at Matt's discovery.
"Man the wonky time thing completely slipped my mind…"
("Same here…")
"L-Lammy our job!..."
"O-Oh god...w-we have to go and explain right n-now!..."
"If we haven't been fired by now…"
"B-But we still have to h-help them…"
"You're right!...them first! Then our panic! I mean we're already late as is…Come on you guys! Let's get you all to your new work zones! The faster we get you settled the faster we get to fix our own mess…." They all run off.
"Parappa you do realize that panic includes us right? Tamanegi's probably not to happy with Me, Paula and you…"
Parappa simply gulps in realization "We gotta go...now…"
"I'll come with since I wanna apply there anyway."
"Ma-san how come you aren't panicking?" PJ says as he stares at her while she stands there so calmly, after recently crying her eyes out mere seconds ago with Paula.
("Dude I work with my dad, who has run the pharmacy alone for as long as I can remember. I don't think a week of my absence at work will be to different for him. He'll at most just be angry that I didn't tell him where I went.")
"Lucky you…Parappa, Paula. We gotta go. Now."
"Right!" The duo say in unison.
"Ma-san you might wanna follow us out of the forest regardless though."
("Yeah yeah I learned my lesson. Now let's go! Aren't you guys in a hurry?") They all nod and book it out the mini forest.
The group of six eventually arrive at Chop Chop Fruits Cafe. PJ, Paula and Parappa quickly run up to the counter to apologize profusely, only to instead meet two different people at the counter. It was Pinto and Noodles.
"Hi bro!"
"Sup guys."
"Pinto?! Noodles?! The heck are you two doing here?!"
"Well Mr. Chop Chop called dad wondering where you were since you didn't answer, but dad didn't know either so he asked what was wrong, and I overheard and decided to help out for you!"
"Ok...but what about you Noodles?"
"I decided I'd drop by to visit you guys at the place where you worked, but to my surprised that you weren't here! And Chop Chop needed help so I decided to do so myself!"
"But what about Beard Burgers?!"
"Relax man, I left some Noodle goons take care of the place! They always follow orders through and through!"
"Ok...but how did you two manage here?"
"Oh that's simple, the entirety of the crowd was transfixed on me~ Your adorable little sis~" Pinto twirls in a circle, causing Parappa to roll his eyes.
"She's not kidding, she was actually a very effective waitress in keeping them waiting for the orders to come out!"
"Wait, but neither of you know how to make the orders like me, PJ and Paula do...what did you give em?"
"Oh Noodle's took care of that!" The trio stare at Colonel Noodles wide eyed.
"Am I that obvious to guess?"
"Well it is your name." PJ states as he removes his shades the stare at him in a deadpan manner..
"Well ya caught me! I gave em noodle foods and delicacies! And they all loved it!"
"Man I'm sorry to hea- wait they did?!" Parappa's jaw would've dropped were it not for the fact that the people that came here were from out of town. So it makes sense.
"Yep! But man was there a demand for it…After that I don't think I wanna see a noodle again for at least a day or two…" This response earns a laugh from the trio who finally calm down after seeing everything was ok.
"Well if that's how it is, you're free to come back from time to time to prep your noodle delights!"
"I'll consider it man! Right now I wanna just relax once the day is over."
"Well you're free to go now if you like now that we're back!"
"You sure? You three look...exhausted."
"Eheh...that's a long story…" Paula says scratching her head, only to wince after touching the wound.
"I take it that's why you've been gone?"
"Something like that…" The trio scratch their heads. Sweety, Matt and Ma-san just laugh from afar.
"Even after a week of absence, it's not hard to revert back to regular daily cycles is it!" Sweety tries to stifle a laugh, failing miserably.
"You got that right!"
("And man is it entertaining to watch! I needed a good pick me up.")
"I can't believe they accepted all of them!"
"W-Well they were like y-you said...perfectly f-fitting the b-bill!"
"How'd it go with Deto?"
"Him and Paul became fast friends! I don't...r-really know what h-happened...they just k-kinda looked at e-each other and then s-suddenly laughed and chest b-bumped as if they were lifelong-friends reuniting or s-something...but yeah D-Deto got the job instantaneously!"
"That's great! The kids?"
"Deto said h-he'd look for an orphanage...t-there are a f-few around town so i'm sure h-he'll manage."
"Perfect!...now let's hope we can manage…"
"N-No kiddin…"
The duo keep running until they reach their workplace, they both burst through the door and immediately try pleading with the manager. However they don't see him behind the counter. Instead they see.
"L-LEO?!" They both shout in unison.
Leo simply stays there tuning a guitar before looking up "Sup!" His helmet emits a smiley face.
"W-What are you doing here-" Before they can finish asking, their manager shows up.
"Ah! Ladies! I see you return from your urgent business!"
"U-Urgent business?..."
"Uh...yeah! That!"
"Yes, Leo told me all about that. Speaking of which! You two didn't tell me you knew THE Leo! Or that you got him to fill in for you while you were gone! It was simply AMAZING to just have him up and walk on in here saying he was here to work in your stead! Why I almost fainted on the spot! I swear I'm tempted to raise your pay for this alone! Heck I still will if Mister Leo here asks for it!."
Lammy and Katy simply stare at each other, shocked at how big a fanboy their boss was.
"You really that amazed by lil ol me working here Mister Niles?~"
"Of course! A lone star who rose from seemingly nowhere! And was a hit in multiple genres! Not even just singing, dancing or playing! What's NOT to be amazed by?!~ I own all your songs!"
"If that's so, then offer these two whatever they please and I'll sign em all for you for free~"
Niles quickly looks at the two "Katy, that assistant manager position you've been eyeing. It's all yours. Lammy, that one of kind guitar that I use for display only that I know you've been eyeing. It's yours. As well as a pay raise for the both of you!"
"Y-YES SIR! T-THANKS " They both bow trying to hold back goofy grins of joy.
"I've done my half, and yours?"
"Ya got a marker?"
"Here!" Niles hands Leo a marker from his pocket.
"Alrighty, now lead the way to the stuff I guess. I'm a man of my word~" They walk off to the back room leaving the two giddy girls alone.
"Lammy?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you have any idea of what went down just now?"
"Not a one, all I know is that we somehow benefited heavily from it."
"Hell yeah we did! High five sister!" The both dramatically jump in the air and high five one another.
After a full day at their job. The trio walk out with Lammy holding a very flashy guitar and Katy sporting a new vest.
"Leo I cannot thank you enough for this!"
"Same here!"
"Weren't no thang~ I came to see if I could get my guitar fixed and saw that dude yelling up a storm bout you two not being there during your shifts. So I decided to fib a lil. And man was that guy an ass kisser to me."
"You got that right. I've NEVER seen that side of him. Like EVER!"
"It was so bewildering...it's like me whenever I get a guitar in my hands! Speaking of which, thank you so much for helping me get this! It was such a pain for my hands to see it but not being able to hold it!"
"Again, it was nothing! I'm just glad I could lighten the load!"
"What I don't get is how you managed. During our shift it's just us two having to deal with so many people...how did you manage by yourself?"
"Oh thats thanks to this invention of mine!"
"Meaning you 'borrowed' it from your dad."
"Shaddup!"
"That's a yes!" Both of them titter.
"Ugh...just look...this belt I have on. It creates physical projections of me, or really anything, but mostly me! It's usually meant to create backup dancers. But...since they are physical copies…" Leo swipes his hand over the node and next to him materializes another him. A spitting image "Why not have some fun am I right?~"
"WHOA!" Katy quickly swarms the second Leo "THAT IS BEYOND AMAZING! Think I could take it for a spin sometimes?"
"I mean I guess…? There should be no harm in it...and I do have an extra one...but why though?"
"What do you mean why though! Look! You can create a mirror image of yourself! That can actually DO stuff! How long does it last?"
"Well it runs off of music and rhythm! Like the club! So as long as your heart is groovin and your feet are movin! They last as long as you want em to! You can also dismiss em at any time~" Leo snaps and the mirror Leo shatters into data "But I'm still not sure it's a good idea…"
"Come oooooon…"
"I'll think it over...for now though. Mind filling me in on where the heck you guys have been for the past week? Some sort of vacation?"
They look at each other and then back to him "You can say that…"
"What happened?"
"Oh man...is it nice to be back here again…"
("You said it…I'm exhausted...in more ways than one…")
"The day was just to much for all of us really...And I know things ended all happy and whatnot, but after witnessing a murder up right...it's kinda...heavy…"
("That's putting it lightly…") Both Parappa and Ma-san sigh as they recline deeper into the couch next to each other ("Of course we're not gonna be bringing that up for obvious reasons...No one wants to recall that...and besides...we're here trying to keep you all peppy...can't really do that if not even we can muster up the strength to be happy now can we?")
"That's true! Besides it was in her best interest for us to not get upset either...especially you!" He points to the crystal rose by her ear.
("Heh...yeah yeah…") She plucks out the rose ("It'll break if it stays on me...gotta find someplace secure to keep this thing…")
"You do that...also...one thing…"
("What?...")
"What happens...if your fuse is gone entirely?"
("My fuse…") She feels her dynamite only to notice her fuse is gone ("U-Uh oh…")
"That reply is worrisome...you'll be ok?"
("I...don't really know?...I think maybe that's why I got to overemotional?...")
"Will it come back?..."
("I don't know! This hasn't happened to me before!")
"Would your dad know?..."
("I ain't telling him! He'll never let me hear the end of it!")
"I'm sure you'll be fine...it probably just…"
("Burnt out?")
"Uh...Bingo." He scratches his chin to try and think up a change in subject, but the topic he thinks about is still about it "Maybe that's why your body became to hot to the touch?"
("I've noticed that...While that was rather cool...it was just a tiny bit terrifying...of course I was to angry at the time to really...get scared.")
"I noticed, but like I said, I'll help you around with that and properly vent! Don't want this to happen again. And I'm sure your fuse will...uh…'grow' back again."
("It ain't my hair!...is it?...")
"If you don't even know about your own anatomy then what do you expect me to know!"
("Anything! Even a blatant lie that's at the very least reassuring is better than this!")
"But I don't lie…"
("Yeah, currently that's in the air.")
"A-Ah...you g-got me there…" Parappa bites his lower lip in shame "Um...so then tomorrow you plan to go back to work as normal without filling your dad in on anything?"
("Pretty much. Saves me a load of effort. Regardless I'll have to explain if he keeps bugging me about it. Like how you and PJ had to do just that, then were just there constantly re explaining things to the onion.")
"It's not Tamanegi's fault! It's just really hard to explain all that cuz it does sound like a fever dream…"
("No denying that!")
"But at least he did believe in us and he also did hire Matt in the end."
("Why did he start begging? It's not like he was gonna say no.")
"Matt is...uh...I dunno the word."
Ma-san snorts ("Pathetic when it comes to handling men?")
Parappa tries to yell, but it breaks into laughter mid way through "M-Ma-sahahan!..."
("Come on, man even YOU found it accurate and funny!")
"Yes but!..."
("But?~")
"I'm ending that subject right here!"
("Fine by me, I'll count it as a victory!")
"Whatever~" Parappa tosses his gaze away from her with a chuckle. "This is nice...talking calmly like this. No ill emotions running rampant...having fun…"
("Don't get mushy on me now maaaaaan.")
"Alright alright~" He places his arms behind his head with a sly grin "I mean you got pretty mushy yourself not that long ago."
("Your bring that up and I will punch you across the face!")
He leans forward, simply awaiting her action. She instead pinches his cheek and pulls it as far as it can go "OWOWOWOW I'M SORRY!"
("You better be~") She lets go, watching his cheek rubber band itself back to its original position.
"Owwww...thought I could get away with that…" He rubs his cheek as he huffs in defeat.
("That was your first mistake! You should know me better.")
"Now THAT'S up in the air. After earlier today AND the thing with your fuse...I'd say there's still a lot more to learn! Not that it's a bad thing."
("First I'd have to learn more about myself if I had to be completely honest with ya...the more things that allow me to prevent the worse from myself the better…I mean seriously, I could've either killed you or sent you back to that wreck of state you were in...But I was...typically...to mad to care...")
Parappa was at a crossroads with how to even respond here. Ma-san wasn't typically one to want to be hit with affectionate actions unless she either allowed so, or did so herself first. Trying to simply do it out of the blue wasn't exactly an action well liked by her unless you were someone she generally liked a lot, such as Katy and Lammy, as well as her father "Um…" Nevertheless, Parappa gave it a go. He extended his arm and pulls the mouse in for a hug.
("...What are you doing?")
"Trying to stop a problem before it happens."
("What's that supposed to-") Ma-san soon catches on to what he meant and calms down instantly ("Yeah...guess you succeeded.")
"I'd hope so." Parappa is immediately shocked at how quickly she calmed down and how she also wasn't upset with the sudden hug, but managed to maintain his composure as to not show it "Sorry for the sudden hug by the way."
("Don't worry over a thing like that! Who do you take me for?")
"Well I mean you generally don't like this sorta thing unless you yourself let it happen or ask for it…"
("The hell gave that impression?")
"I've just…" He shuffles his feet uncomfortably "Noticed it from...time to time...to time…"
("Well yeah, but that's with people I REALLY don't like...in the slightest. You lot? I don't mind at all! What got you thinking that you didn't count?")
"Eheh…earlier today for starters? And last night...or week rather…"
She stares at him uncomfortably ("...Yeah that would give that impression wouldn't it?...") Now it's her feeling the awkward, uncomfortable air ("Oh boy...how should I word this...well as you've already pieced together. I was that way basically from a point of view that I simply didn't understand. Now by no means was that your fault...mostly. But it's just me acting on my typical temper...and even if I did go through with what I was doing during it...well for starters i'd feel awful.") A little spark flickers at the tip of her dynamite stick for a split second, failing to start anything due to the lack of a fuse ("I don't think any LESS of you...if anything I just hope you don't think any less of ME! I would never think anything different aside from you being a really good friend to me. My vision just gets cloudy from time to time from my anger...can't really see the things i'm doing through the fire in my eyes!") She heaves a heavy sigh, mentally kicking herself over.
"I'm just glad you still consider me a friend. That's all that I really am happy about. The rest I didn't really mind if you did anything to me or not because at least you still vented SOMETHING out."
("Speak for yourself! I'd feel like shit forever…")
"I wouldn't blame you for it."
("But i'd blame MYSELF for it. That getting through your head yet?")
"Crystal clear. Sorry, just trying to keep looking at every silver lining for you."
("Don't. It didn't happen so no need to dwell on it.")
"Aight."
("And on the topic of the friend thing...do you still consider ME as one?")
"That's dumb of you to ask."
("Oh…")
"Of course I do! Nothing would ever change that! You're still a great friend to me. A best friend!"
("O-Oh!...T-That's what you meant!") She softly punches his arm ("Finish your sentences first ya dunce!...I almost expected the worst!")
"Oops...my bad…"
("Very.") She nestles herself better in the hug ("But I'm just glad you also consider me a great friend still.") The two stay like this until a good amount of time has past and Ma-san breaks the hug in a huff ("Where the hell are the other two?! Their shift should've been over by now! And if they were fired, then they should've been here even sooner!")
"I'm sure they didn't get fired, and I'm also sure they're just working a bit of extra time to make up for what they missed." Parappa says as he looks at the time on his phone.
("You're probably right with that...Their boss is one hell of an ass.") She ends up puffing out smoke from the hole where her fuse used to be.
"I've heard...Niles was it?"
("Bingo. Forces the absolute most of the people who work there, while also giving them a hard time.")
"Sheesh...what's his deal?"
("Well from what I could read up on the guy, not much. He seems like an enigma. Only info I could scrounge up on him wasn't even about him! Rather his twin sister.")
"That's always a good sign when you need someone's credentials... what was it about?"
("Her funeral.")
"...Oh…I'm now more concerned than ever…"
("Relax he's not the cause of it, rather he was the only who even attended.")
"O-Oh…phew...man I almost had a mini heart attack over who those two were actually working for…"
("They reacted the same way when I told em that. You guys always expect the worst before the context.") She shakes her head, followed by a large amount of laughter.
"Can you blame us?"
("Yes.")
"Then whatever! Sorry for assuming the worst!" Parappa throws his arms into the air "But that aside, I still say they're fine." The second Parappa says this, the door opens with the two in question walking inside "Speaking of the musical devils!"
"Oh hey, you two are already here!" Katy says as she skips inside.
"Of course. My shift ended a while ago."
("And I simply won't bother till tomorrow. Rather not deal with things for a bit after today.")
"And that's understandab-...wait...a while ago?"
"W-What time is i-it?..." Both Lammy and Katy pull out their phones and are shocked by what they see.
"We spent over two hours explaining all that to him?!"
"W-Well to be fair K-Katy you were also b-bugging him for h-his belt t-thing…"
"And I say it was worth it! Cuz I still got it in the end!"
("Yeesh, now I'm assuming the worst without context...you were right Parappa this ain't fun.") Ma-san rolls her eyes ("What the hell were you two doing? Mugging a guy for his belt?!")
"No!...sort of…" Katy takes a deep breath knowing she's gonna have to explain even more things once again.
"Man, Leo sure came in at a wonderful time for you two!"
("I'm more caught over by the fact that your tool of a boss fanboys over the dude who fanboys over us!")
"T-That's what s-shocked us as well!" Lammy then holds up her new guitar with an air of invigoration "But it did have it's own benefits such as getting my hands on this little fella right here~"
"Whoa isn't that the guitar you said you've been wanting, but couldn't buy cuz it was only used as a display type thing by your boss? How much did he sell it to you for?"
"Absolutely free thanks to Leo~"
("Hot damn he actually got the guy to bend THAT far backwards?")
"Leo had Niles wrapped around his fingers! And by extension...ours~ Guess who got that assistant manager position~"
("No fucking way? The hardass has been adamant on keeping you away from that position! No matter HOW hard you worked!")
"Oh don't I know it! But he just handed it over thanks to him!" She gives a quick sly grin "I wonder what else I could get away with asking~..."
"Heyheyhey, Leo saved your hides and managed to get you both things you've been eyeing on. Don't abuse the guys generosity to play along with the situation. What's next gonna ask him to get your pay raised?"
"Oh we don't need to ask for that, he already did so on his own merit~"
"What?!" Parappa was left in awe "If that's the case then that's even LESS a reason to abuse it! He already got you guys so much!"
"You're no fun when you're right..." Katy crosses her arms with disdain "Fiiiiiiiiiiiineeeeee."
"Katy uncross your tail." Parappa crosses his own arms.
"Ugh! I am offended that you think I would even do such a-"
"Lammy, if you please."
Lammy grabs and exposes her tail, crossed as if were her fingers "There we go."
"..."
("Straight up, no hesitation in calling her out. You two are savages.") Ma-san gives a hearty chuckle at the spectacle unfolding in front of her.
Katy simply stares at Lammy, silently mouthing out the word "Why?"
Lammy in turn mouths her reply "Payback for what happened at night."
Katy hunches over and sighs before turning back to Parappa "Ok fine...I won't I won't...but if he does so again on his own free will it ain't my fault…" She stands back upright "As for this belt, it's his!"
"Why would you want his belt?"
"Simple answer my dear lifelong mischievous friend! Because it let's me do...this!~ She sits on the couch in the spot to his right, leaning extremely close to Parappa.
"It let's you sit uncomfortably close to me?..."
"Noooooope~" said Katy...that appeared in the same position, but mirror on his left.
"W-Whoa what?!"
"Leo's little belt here allows the person to create temporary clones~" Said the original Katy, as she snaps, causing the copy to disperse as data.
"And he just flat out gave that to you?"
"Well he was originally gonna think about it, but during the explanation of what happened to us...I may have kept bugging him about it to the point he just gave it to me so that I would just get on with said explanation."
"Oh woof…"
("Why am I not surprised in the slightest from that story. You know normally I'd get upset with you for doing a thing you generally tell ME not to do, but I'm gonna let it slide cuz you got a sweet new toy out of it.")
"Why thank you Ma-san~" She gives smile that quickly becomes a frown "You wanna borrow it from time to time don't you…"
("Aw well since you're offering~")
"Okaaaaaaaaaaaay~..." She grabs the belt "I wonder if I could create a clone to go and do the groceries…"
"Katy didn't Leo say they have a set distance of how far the thing can go on it's own when separated from you?" Lammy says as she recalls the information that Katy should've listened in on herself, but stayed transfixed on the belt itself rather than listen.
"I dunno...I may or may not have payed attention to the full instructions on this thing…"
"Go figure...well at least I did and can help teach you about it...after you go and get the groceries yourself."
"Alright Mom! No need to neg me any further…" She heads back over to the door "Well I guess I'll be right back!" With a huff, she heads off.
"Man to think we almost went a day without eating…" Parappa says as he walks on over to the sink to set his now empty plate.
"Not like there was anything to eat...neither of the groups ate conventional things! We're lucky that place had fruit! Otherwise we'd probably be in a bind by then...But hey! We're free now and we get to eat actual food again! Speaking of which, ya guys like?~" the trio gave Katy a nod "I'm glad! Things went a hell of a lot faster when you have like...twelve extra hands~" As she says, twelve other arms sprout from behind her back, soon after six other Katy's pop their heads out from behind her, all of them tittering "Thanks girls~"
"No problem me!" They all say before Katy snaps, sending them away.
"Ok, I'm starting to see the rare value of your new belt~"
"You better Parappa!"
"And YOU better thank Leo for it!"
"I did! I think?..." She looks to Lammy who simply shakes her head "Whoops…I'll handle it tomorrow!...hey speaking of which...since we lost a week...Parappa when's that expo of yours happening now?..."
"The expo?..." Parappa stays at a blank for a bit before the answer returns to him, like a punch to the face "THE EXPO!" He runs off to his bedroom to recover his charging phone to call his father.
("You'd think that would've been something to keep top priority in his mind.")
"I-I'll say…"
"I mean this is Parappa we're talking about here."
("Fair enough.") Ma-san shrugs before adding ("Wanna overhear what they're gonna be talking about?")
"I d-don't know if I'm c-comfortable with doing that...I m-mean it doesn't concern us!"
"It also doesn't NOT concern us."
"W-What kind of l-logic is t-that?"
("The best kind!")
"Well I'm h-having no part in i-it!" Lammy crosses her arms and turns away with her nose in the air.
"Ok! Not like we can force you or anything. Just you know, wanting to 'eavesdrop' simply in case he's in need of help or anything. Like say he missed the thing and is now upset at missing one main opportunity to reconnect with his own dad! He'd be out of it!"
Lammy's stalwart pose starts fumbling "H-Hngg…"
"And I assumed as a best friend, you'd want to prevent that from happening by lifting his spirits…" her mouth curls into a sly devious smile, as her tail and ears follow suit "Just like i'm sure you know he'd do for you~"
Lammy spirals around "W-Well when you put it t-that waaaay…"
"Great! Then you go first!" She gets behind Lammy and shoves her onward.
"W-WAAAAH!..." Lammy simply flies off with Ma-san just staring at Katy.
("That was rather devilish. Not bad.") Ma-san walks off in Lammy's direction.
"Well I mean, she just needs an avid push from time to time!...and maybe just as an excuse for payback as well from time to time~..."
The trio recline along his bedroom door as they listen in to what sounds like a sad dog whining given how much he was explaining over the phone, needless to say it was expected. One distressed puppy whining later "So yeah I'm really sorry and all that…"
"It's alright son! I'm just glad you're A-OK."
"Course I am! It ain't like me to get hurt AGAIN."
"Uh...yeah...ok son."
"Dad i'm offended…"
"I'm sorry, it's just really hard to tell these days! You inherited your mothers irrational bravery!"
"A quality I am more than happy to have!"
"Yowza son you even speak like her now!"
The both share a laugh before Parappa speaks up again "So I didn't miss it after all right?"
"Nope! It's the day after tomorrow! You lucked out just barely! Speaking of which...who were the two groups you helped out again? Tempo Tantrums and the what?"
"Mood stones?" Papa Rappa simply stays silent for a bit before laughing softly.
"Haha...Potter...you'd be so happy to see your old friends are still around and kicking…"
"OH! Did you guys make the Mood Stones?!"
"Oh no son, that type if inventing is far to great, even for me! We were friends with their creator! And by extension...them!"
"Who made them?"
"That part...currently escapes me...sorry son…"
"Aw, don't worry dad. At least I was able to tell you about them again!"
"Yeah! And it's sad to hear they decided to just wander the world...but to be fair. We're in a time they don't understand anymore. So they pretty much wanna change that."
"I getcha."
"I'm glad you do! You're a smart pup-...no...you're your own smart dog now! And I am a very proud and happy old hound."
"Dad you're not THAT old…"
"To you maybe! Haha. Well alright son. I'll be seeing you the day after tomorrow!"
"Later dad." After he hangs up, he walks over to the door to his room to leave and speak to the others, but upon opening it. Ma-san, Katy and Lammy tumble onto the floor. The four of them simply stare at each other, Parappa decides to break the silence and speak up first. "...It ain't nice to eavesdrop…"
"We just wanted to see if everything was ok!"
"Y-Yeah!..."
("I have no excuse. We were basically eavesdropping.") After Ma-san says this Katy and Lammy simply sigh in defeat.
Parappa just stares at the three on the ground before smiling "Thanks for feeling worried over me still. Even if it was done in a rather misguided gesture."
"What are you gonna do in the meanwhile?..." Katy says as she reminds him that he still has one free day before the expo.
"My daily routine for tomorrow basically. There's nothing different that I feel like I have to do!" His ear twitches after he says this, but he doesn't have a clue as to why "But I think I'm gonna hit the hay early...to fully make up for not sleeping an entire night…two nights ago...or rather a week ago?...Man this is confusing…"
"That's for the best! Glad to see you so pumped to take care of yourself!"
"What can I say? Matt and Ma-san gave me another reality check. Seems like i'll be needing a few of those." Parappa's words simply get Katy and Lammy to stare at Ma-san, confused at how what she did was something to trigger that big of an impact in him.
("Way to put me on the spot…") Parappa begins helping the three of them up.
"That wasn't my intention. I was simply stating the truth. A truth i'm glad about." He then shoos them out of his room "Now with that said, lemme sleep! I don't want the three of you on my case over it again! So I'll get on my own case about it!"
The trio laugh before saying in unison "You do that!" As they leave his room, grinning ear to ear.
With that done with, Parappa hops onto his bed "Well, early bird gets the worm they say! But there isn't really a worm TO get now is there?" He checks his options again, thinking of what could've gotten his ear to twitch before giving up "Well...at least I have the fact that I'm doing this for my own good to look forward to!" And just like that, he shuts his eyes and simply awaits dreamland.
And after a good bit of time, he does reach it, and once again he suffers a bizarre dream.
"Aw man...not these AGAIN...ok now where am I?..." He looks around to see that he's in a rocky path that leads to nowhere. The path itself is surrounded by purple water. "You know I think I remember this place from when I played with Ms. Yoko...but that means I'm in hell…why did I go to hell in my dreams?!...something doesn't add up..." Without any other option, he runs along the path. Eventually he stops in place "Ok. Usually by now I run into something...but now i have nothing...just this long empty path...and this stupid empty bodies of water right by its sides...wait…" He leans over the water "Don't tell me…" In his reflection he sees himself, however it looks rather grayed out, to which he assumes is because of the water itself as well as the fact that he's in a dream. He inhales deeply as he takes a few steps back "HERE I GO!" He runs and jumps off the path and dives into the water, upon doing so he is ejected out into a rather depressing looking building "How does THAT work?! There isn't even any water here to even come OUT from!" Before Parappa can remark on his surroundings some more however...
I need… I need...
The voice he hears causes a chill to run down his spine "That's totally not creepy…"
I need...someone...anyone…
"I have to follow the sound don't I…alright! Fine! Let's see this through!" He heads off to the direction of the haunting plea.
Someone...anyone...can no one hear me?...I need...
"I can hear you! Now if I can just get to you…whoever...or whatever you are…"
I...need…
"And….HERE- whoa…" Parappa stares at an inky dark figure on the ground. He can't exactly tell who or WHAT it is. It's all just a shadowy figure who is colored gray and black from head to toe "Um...h-hello! You wouldn't happen to be a...person?...in need of something would you!...h-hehe.."
The figure simply looks up at Parappa for a second, before looking back to the ground.
"I need…"
"Need...what?..."
"Something…"
"Yeah I kind of figured...but that would be…?"
"Something...important...important to me?...yes...I think…"
"Why the hesitation?..."
"I am confused...I need...what I refuse..."
"Um...w-what?...why would you refuse it then?..."
"Pride...ego...denial...humiliation…resent."
Parappa swallows roughly "A-Ahah...I get it…" I so do not… "So then...m-mind telling me what I can give!...?"
"I need...something...that may not be easy...to give to me…" by this point, the voice grows soft, enough for Parappa to more clearly understand it. And he soon figures out it's a girl.
"Uh...is it...money?..."
"No…"
"A h-home?..."
"You are standing in my home...right now...so no…"
"A-Ah right! And what a lovely home it is!..." Why would you submit yourself to these conditions?! This is just heartbreaking to LOOK at! Let alone live in! "I wish I brought a housewarming gift!"
"You lie...but ok…"
"H-Heh...ok then...do you need...uh…"
"I need...help…"
"That's right you need-...h-help?" Parappa was down right lost by this point. She wants help?...But she refuses it?...from pride, ego, denial, resentment and humiliation...but it's also hard to give to her?...The hell?! How do I help with that!... "Um...ok...help. Well. How can I help you?..."
She doesn't reply
"Come on you gotta know what you need for it if you know you need help!"
"I need help…"
"And I wanna help you! But how?!"
"But it doesn't matter…" the figure soon stands upright, showing to be bigger than Parappa, but not by much. Similar to Katy, Lammy or Paula's height. She holds something over her head "You're like them…"
"W-What are you gonna do with that…"
"It doesn't matter…" She swings it down, before it hits him square in the face, he notes what it is. It's a guitar.
Parappa wakes up in a white void.
"WHOA...ugh...ok...here's 'phase two' now right?...alright so what madness is this…" He looks around to see nothing but an empty white abyss in every direction "A white room...how nice…" He shrugs in annoyance "At this rate, with these dreams I keep having, I might as well be put in one…" His hand slaps himself as he says this "OW!...ok...yeah...don't think negatively...got it…wait..." He looks down to see his hands and legs moving on their own "Ok this is fun...ok since you apparently know the way to go, then I'll just sit back and watch…" His autopilot trip simply annoys him further until he notices something in the distance.
His body comes to a stop as he's now within range of properly seeing what the object is "Huh?...oh hey it's that!...Person?...again? Well since I have control of my body again...let's see who they ar-...I can't move...great…" Suddenly the ground, or lack thereof, begins rumbling beneath his feet. Soon after platforms begin to rise, catapulting him off to where he spotted the figure "WHYYYY MEEEEEEEEE…" He lands with a thud "Ow...Ugh…." After he pries his face from the ground he looks around to see that many platforms rose. They were all actually guitars. He shakes his head and refocuses on the figure. They're still hard to determine what they are, but Parappa still tries to help nonetheless "Uh...hey there!...I think we might've gotten off on the wrong foot back there!..." granted you are just a figment in my dreams… "And I still think I can help you!.." The ground beneath them begins rumbling again "Uh oh…" The floor beneath him breaks way and as he falls, he is immediately caught by the figure.
"You can't give me the help I need…"
"W-Wanna bet? I'm persistent when it comes to helping others! That's a fact that I look through to the end! That's a Parappa Guarantee!"
She stays silent as her grip begins to slip "I find that hard to believe…"
"I-I'm the beacon of b-believing! It is my c-catchphrase after all!" Please help me up…!
"Persistent...very well...I am certain you will meet the real me out there...well...you already have...but do you remember I wonder?...I just hope you have...what you need to help…"
"I do- wait...real you?..." You're just part of my dreams! Aren't you? she lets go of his arm, watching him fall into the abyss.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Parappa flails helplessly about as he falls near endlessly. He looks back up to the figure still staring down "I-I WILL DO MY BEST TO HELP REAL YOU! B-BUT COULDN'T YOU TELL ME WHAT I'LL NEED?..." She simply looks away "H-HEY!..." Her form becomes slightly more manageable to see, but due to the distance it is still quite the challenge. Parappa soon lands onto the ground, the pain wasn't real, but it didn't stop it from feeling real "Agh...at least...i'm still...in one piece…" Suddenly the figure hovers over him again. He would've scream had he the energy for it "Why did you let-"
"A guitar…"
"Wha-"
"Make sure you have a guitar with you…"
"...w-will the guitar help you?..." Parappa feels his vision fading, he was waking up.
"Not directly...but it will start the process of getting through my stubborn skull...from that point on...it's all you…"
"T-That doesn't explain anything! WHO are you!...Where will I even FIND the real world version of you?!" The dream starts dissipating faster, but before he completely wakes up, the shape of the figure is now much more manageable. The shape seems familiar, but he couldn't tell who it was...the pain in his back and head weren't exactly making it easier, nor was the fact that he just woke up.
"G-GAH!" Parappa forces his eyes open, upon doing so, he finds himself staring at Lammy directly face to face "W-WAAAAH!"
"S-Sorry!..."
"W-Why were you just hovering over me?!..."
"W-Well see...I woke up and decided to go and relax on the couch with m-my new guitar and then I heard s-screaming from your room and wanted to check..b-but when I got here you were on the f-floor!...I-I'm sorry!..."
"On the floor?..." Parappa looks to see he was now on the ground. That explains the realistic pain… "And I was screaming?...Oh...that's...embarrassing...don't apologize Lammy that's my bad for having the uh...well I wouldn't exactly call it a nightmare...anyway sorry for interrupting your time to break your new guitar in!...wait…" Parappa stays staring at Lammy.
"W-What is it? D-Do I have something on m-my face?..."
Her body matched the figure's down to the money "...Say...you uh...don't need help with anything...guitar related by any chance do you?..."
"W-Wha?...No?...I'm fine with everything on that front...why asking?..."
"Ah...no reason at all! Just uh...curious!"
"Well I'm f-fine. T-Thanks for asking I g-guess?..."
"Well I'm fine now! You can go back to testing your new guitar! It's all good here! Sorry again for making you worry…"
"W-Well it's alright n-now seeing as it w-wasn't anything bad!..." She stands up "Still t-though...I'll be just down t-the hall if YOU need h-help!"
"Gotcha!" With that, she leaves his room "Phew...Why the heck did the thing look like Lammy?...It clearly isn't her...the guitar requirement and the shape are where the similarities end...wait...I still need a guitar!..." He bolts out of the room "T-There actually is something I need help with!"
What am I gonna do lugging a guitar around after I get one?