Once they were all seated, they were enjoying the food that was given, plus it was lunchtime. Aero, who was wearing a different attire this time, was eating a bit more due to him starving. But Balan told him to slow down, as it isn't going anywhere and that he should take his time. Klonoa looked at the door, and then to the clock. It has been awhile since Guntz left to be on his own, it made him wonder if he was ok.
Klonoa: You think Guntz is ok? He's been gone for awhile.
Aero: Knowing that wolf, I would say he can handle himself, but given it's Wonderworld and he isn't good with recognizing how effective it is here. Yeah we should probably go check on him.
Balan: You are both right, even if he has experienced some of Wonderworld, he still isn't completely familiar with it. But how about we finish up eating, and then we'll see what he's up to.
Klonoa: Well yeah I kind of liked that idea.
Aero: Hey I'm not complaining, besides I'm still in the middle of eating here!
They did have a good laugh and continued to eat. Once they were finished, Balan had whistled and one of the Tims held up a Drop that showed Guntz's reflection on its surface. Apparently the bounty hunter was by the main theater. And was sitting alone in his thoughts. It all seemed normal, however somewhere within the shadows, an ominous presents was lurking about.
Guntz: What if Aero doesn't want to forgive me. I only came to the town so that I could get some relaxation, , ,yet I still felt like I needed to see him. And now I'm here. . .And Klonoa, , ,him and that maestro, why are they willing to help me? When I couldn't help myself. . .Dad, if you were here, would you be disappointed in the path I had chosen? Would you be angry that I couldn't catch your killer? Or am I just doomed to be a lone wolf?
The bounty hunter was going over his own thoughts, ones he has not done in quite sometime. All that he's been through, and all that he has seen, along with those he's met. It was all so confusing with the mixed feelings his heart was feeling, some old wounds appearing, while the new ones trying to overlap. It truly was a struggle, and not helping the teenager's case. While he was busy discussing with himself, something was making its way over to him. For some reason he couldn't move, and a soothing yet ominous yet calm voice spoke.
"He would not forgive you? Hm...that is a sad thing to express, let alone think about."
This made the wolf's ears flicker, as he looks around. But he couldn't see where it was coming from, the area was dimly lit, yet the voice sounded nearby. He did have his weapons just incase, however the voice did not wish to fight.
Guntz: Who's there?
"Do not be alarmed, I do not wish to start any unnecessary fights. Rather I could not help but hear your troubles and woes my boy."
The air felt slightly cold, not enough to alarm the wolf, but he did keep his guard up, whoever it was that was speaking.
"What if the situation were reversed? Would you forgive your friend then?"
It sounded as if the voice was closer, this feeling that Guntz began to feel, it was if his flight instincts were starting to overwrite his fight instincts. Yet for some unknown reason, he could not get his body to move.
Guntz:-What the hell?! Why can't I move, , ,it's as if something or someone is keeping me seated for a reason. The hell could they want?-
Clearly the wolf was being cautious, as he kept a good grip on his weapon. However something else had a grip, that wasn't too rough, yet kept him in place. He didn't look to see who it was, like some kind of force was keeping his attention, it made him feel like a statue. This unknown figure's voice was much more clearer now, they sounded much more curious, cold, yet sounded concerned and wanting to help.
"I have been watching over you for quite sometime. And could tell that your heart has been deeply broken for a long time. . .Anyone who has experienced such trauma would've ended up in Wonderworld, yet yours is a special case. I could tell you crave acceptance, desires to make things right, yet has become lost and filled with blinding rage."
Guntz: What are you trying to pull? Aero was under some bastard's control, some guy called Lance who the maestro told us about! And I wasn't going to let Aero be used as some tool.
"It seems my Negati were a little bit... sidetracked. And are you sure that the maestro was telling the truth?"
Guntz: What are you saying? Of course, he's been helping us! We freed Aero from that strange curse. If you're trying to trick me, well I got some news for you, I ain't falling for it. I've lived on the road long enough to know, not to trust strange people, less they have a good reasons or intentions.
The being in shadows seemed to go quiet for a bit. This wolf was quite the clever yet stubborn one. But they had ways to get them to listen. Guntz had suddenly felt a sharp pain, it was quick, and barley noticeable, yet this made the wolf attempt to bring his weapon that he had by his side. The problem is whatever struck him, his body would not respond, it's as if only the parts that would've gotten him out of this position, were suddenly replaced with jelly, or when one goes to a spa. He tried and struggled to get loose, yet they kept him in place. Seeing that the bounty hunter is still in a sort of fight mode, the dark maestro knew of a trick that he had learned. Was simply scratching the wolf's ears, this seemed to mobilize him.
Guntz: W-what's this feeling, what are you doing?!-Shit! I can't move, and why, , ,why do I feel, , so weak? Feeling, , ,dizzy-
"Hm... strong-willed, and ready for a fight... yet you too seem a tad... troubled. Your body is giving off too much tension. Allow me to help ease that. . ."
Guntz finally let's loose from the grip, letting his weapon fall, yet his body still felt unable to move, it had become numb. He could only move his head slightly, and to the side, he was able to see just who the strange voice belonged to. Who he saw in person, was someone who almost looked exactly like Balan, his skin was pure white, as was the hair with bits of silver. The attire was the same as the normal maestro's, only with purple accents instead of red. The blue eyes showed his expression that was of calmness as well as warmth and welcoming. And yet still carried a strange aura. Even if Guntz could see that this strange person did not show any signs in being a danger. He felt that something that did not seem right with this guy, it was something that his instincts were warning him. Lance was careful to aim for another spots to calm him down.
Lance: Shh easy there, there is no need to feel anxious. . . I am simply here to help. . .please do relax and let your body rest. Allow your mind to ease, and calm your breathing.
He spoke in a gentle and soothing tone, while carefully massaging Guntz's shoulders and mane, and this seemed to work, as Guntz didn't try to resist this time. In fact what he was feeling now was calm. He wasn't sure what had happened, one moment he was on high alert, the next thing he's feeling was all those anxiety and tenseness slowly melt away. To him, reminded him how his own father would calm him down, whenever he was scared or even anxious. It took a few minuets till Guntz was breathing at a regular pace, even his heartbeat was normal.
Lance: There we go, no reason to feel alarmed now are we?
Guntz:. . .Sorry, I guess after all that's happened, I was just feeling uneasy. . .Say you look like Balan, and yet you don't. . .Just who are you?
Lance: My dear golden wolf, surly your eyes are not deceiving you. You might even say, we have met before.
The wolf takes this moment to look at him, and thinking back to when he faced the beast Aero. It suddenly clicked.
Guntz: Wait a second, you're Lance?!
Lance: Heh heh what did I surprise you well enough? I thought on being in a form that's less disturbing, would help make you feel more comfortable.
Guntz: Damn I never would've thought you could change your appearance, let alone look like a man made statue.
Lance: I will accept that as a complement. But that isn't the reason as to why I am here. It is for something more important. And it has to do with your heart.
Lance seemed to show genuine concern for the wolf, as he could look into his heart and see all the pain, anger and vengeance within. But most of all, were loneliness and sorrow. He could even see the events that effected the golden killer the most, when his father was betrayed and killed by his own partner, an even deadlier bounty hunter when he was a small child. And when he ended a friendship with Aero due to him being upset, confused but most of all scared. While the dark maestro tends to lure those to make them stay, he isn't heartless or cruel to them. In fact he just brought the wolf close.
Lance: I see now, no wonder the Negati wanted to get their hands on you... you have many inner demons...
This sense of calm seems to help the wolf think more clearly, and Guntz didn't seem to reject the feeling. This strange aura the dark maestro was giving off, did not seem to trigger any alarms. It was if some kind of alluring spell was casted. And for that reason, Guntz did not hide his more vulnerable soft side.
Guntz: It's something I've been fighting for a long time. Back in the alleyway, , ,it was you who was chasing after me and Aero.
Lance: Even if I was, , ,I never intended on doing any harm to those who have already been through so much trauma. Rather my intentions were to simply have them be brought to Wonderworld, so they could live within their own safe haven. One where they would never have to go through such pain again. . .
Hearing this Guntz could not tell if this guy was being sincere, or trying to trick him. Now the bounty hunter has come across criminals that did terrible things. But had learn from the head of police, that sometimes there are people who go down dark paths, due to many possibilities. And how there have been those who were once good people. It's possible that maybe Lance could've been someone who truly did care, and wasn't really trying to harm him.
Guntz: It sounds like you have a good idea. . .yet you still hurt those who didn't want to end up in that position.
Lance: My dear golden wolf. There is more to this world then what Balan was telling you. . .I happen to be what is the opposite to him. . .yet he never told you about my true reasons.
Guntz: What do you mean?
Lance: I maybe the king of negativity. And yet I have never stopped being interested in those who come to this theater. . .Their negativity is what helps me know how large or small their traumas and problems are. And I wish to help them feel safe from those who seek to harm them, or themselves, which includes a guardian to watch over them.
Guntz: And yet Aero became a monster, what happened there Lance?
Lance: That was a mistake on my part. I merely tried to set him off into his own stage. And yet the negati had gotten to him before I could even act. All I could do was keep him in line, , ,but I am relieved to know that he is back to normal.
The tone in the maestro's voice sounded relieved, grateful even. He even showed a vision of that event. When Aero had given Guntz the chance to escape, to him being swallowed by the darkness. To Lance actually carrying an unconscious Aero to what looks like a portal, only for the maestro to be attacked by the more angered negati, which gave them the chance to take hold of the defenseless cabbit. Guntz couldn't believe what he just witnessed, thinking back when the negati Aero went back over to the dark maestro, there was no sense of harsh treatment, nor wicked intentions. It almost seemed like a calming presents, despite the dark maestro's appearance. It was if Aero trusted him, even in the state he was in.
Guntz: I, , ,didn't know about that. So you were only just taking him to Wonderworld, before things got out of hands. . .it's no wonder he stopped attacking. But why did you let us heal him?
Lance: He was someone whom I've looked after before. . .He was never afraid, I believe part of him felt that, I reminded him of his old friend. And that it was not my role to step in, rather those who were seeking, along with him regaining his completed balance, , ,though I do believe he still holds some demons within. I have not seen them yet.
Hearing this Guntz felt his heart in pain. Mostly with how much of the guilt was eating at him. But the maestro seemed to give him some level of comfort, for some strange reason. He wasn't sure as to why though. All he knows, was that he needed to get this feeling off his chest.
Guntz: It's something I've been fighting for a long time. My inner demons. . . Why are you interested? More importantly, what did you plan on doing if I had been the one you originally tried targeting?
Lance: It seems you have yet to lose your heart, if at all. Quite admirable when the Negati have taken an interest...
Guntz: I see. . .well can I ask, who are you exactly?
Lance: Me? Why, I happen to be the guardian of balance.
Guntz: Guardian of balance? This is a first, I thought Balan was the only one who seems to want to help get rid of the nightmares here. Guessing he hides more then just his face.
Lance: He thinks putting others through their suffering is supposed to help... while I do admire the efforts he puts in, he is wrong. Why be tortured by the fact that you will only feel more pain, when you can be free from it and be your own master?
This made the golden killer think for a moment, he never really thought about it. But it did seem to make sense. Why should he continue to relive through this nightmare? Why should he have to be alone for something that he had no control over? It then dawned on him, something was coming back to him.
Guntz: Come to think of it, , ,after I lost my father, I noticed a small red bird-like creature , , ,but I didn't head it any mind, I thought it was just some random bird creature.
This shocked Lance, anyone who would've seen a tim would've been curious enough to fallow, yet this wolf had never once visited. He wonders if Balan felt that it might've been too soon or wasn't inviting enough. The wolf remained where he was, mainly due to this strange force. Something he hasn't encountered before, it seemed to have placed him in a sort of trance...
Guntz: You said you can take away my pain, , ,how?
Lance: By helping you forget the reason you have it in the first place...
Guntz: But what about Klonoa, and Aero?
Lance:. . .You needn't worry about that. All will be fine, right now it is best to focus on yourself my boy.
Lance was making sure that he did not trigger the Wolf's fight or flight instincts. Sure he has been able to keep him in place long enough, yet has had some visitors break free, meaning he would need to do one final push for this. What he did next was keep him in place, and spoke promises as one of his tentacle's begins to give off some strange smoke.
Lance: No pain... no suffering... only freedom under my protection... from the outside world regularly breaking your heart... from the reminder of your woes...
Guntz: Where will that leave me? What happens then? . . .Will this hurt?
Lance gave a smile and gave a calming look. He was starting to get through to the wolf, he just needed one final push.
Lance: It will only hurt a bit, but it will subside. You have a Stage waiting for you. And you are its master.
Guntz: My stage?
Lance: Yes, my boy. But for now, sleep. When you wake, you will feel renew. And one of my subjects shall watch over you. And so will I. . .
The tip of one tendril met Guntz' forehead. The wolf felt sudden drowsiness take over as he blacks out when it happened. Once asleep, the dark maestro's eyes began to glow, as he opens a portal, and carries him through.
Lance: Rest easy now little pup. Let your dreams guide you. You are within a world of your own heart.
As the maestro heads on through, he then greets someone who's been waiting. A large and taller figure, clouded in shadow.
?: Hey there boss, , ,what'cha got there?
Lance: One who will need you to keep an eye on.
?: Not sure if he'll fallow along fully. I mean what if he does fight back?
Lance: Fear not, for this one shall be getting a special treatment. Can I count on you to do the job?
?: Heh heh heh do you really need to ask? I'll make sure it all goes accordingly.~