Kirby and the Rod of Darkness
Chapter 46: Susie's Solace
The rest of that day was rough for everyone. Taranza and Susie, depressed by their inner darkness, were unusually quiet and uninterested in their usual activities. It was so unlike them, especially Susie who normally remained cheerful despite her past struggles. Kirby and Magolor may not have suffered more than brief effects of the Nightmare Rod, but the sadness of their pals still disheartened them. They had to make sure the two of them at least ate and stayed hydrated.
The next morning Taranza and Susie felt a little better, at least enough to try resuming their normal lives. Susie thought a change of scenery might be good for her and Taranza and she needed to check on her workers, so she suggested the four of them visit her headquarters. It wasn't like they had anything better to do anyway.
Even though it had been a while since Susie was last at the HQ, her workers still had some charge left. This was apparent when everyone entered and met one of them in the hall. The robot could tell something was off upon greeting them. "Are you feeling all right, Ms. Haltmann?" it addressed Susie, "I sense strong negative emotions within you."
"It's a long story," she responded, "Don't worry, I'll be okay...it's just going to take time." But deep down she wasn't quite sure if she would be okay.
While Susie completed the task of making sure all her workers got recharged Kirby, Magolor, and Taranza kept themselves busy by roaming about the HQ. Magolor was viewing the photo of Susie in the hall and noticed how it was pretty much the only interesting feature there. "This wall needs something," he commented, "I mean, that's a nice picture of Susie but other than that the walls are bare."
"Really?" Kirby piped up, "I don't see any bears."
Magolor gave him a look and replied, "Not that kind of bear!" The group of three moved on with Kirby determined not to get too close to the treadmill. He didn't want to go for an unintended run again.
Once Susie's robots were all charged up and returned to their work she decided to check her office. For a reason she couldn't explain, she felt the urge to try opening the bottom drawer of a certain cabinet there. This particular cabinet was among the items she'd salvaged from the original HQ after Star Dream's demise. She'd been using most of its drawers but the bottom one was jammed when she got it, and she never had the chance to fix it and find out what was inside.
Susie pulled on the drawer a few times but it wouldn't budge. She pulled harder until finally, after using all her strength, it popped open with enough force to make her fall back. She stood up and peeked into the drawer; to her surprise it was empty except for one thing: a small pink box with yellow stars all over it that seemed vaguely familiar. Upon carefully picking it up and examining it she found it to be a music box. Winding it up and opening it revealed a little shooting star that spun while a familiar melody played-it was the very tune she would sing to herself on starry nights!
When Susie saw what was on the inside of the lid her breath caught. It was a photo of a purple-haired man who had big blue eyes just like she did; in his arms he held his little daughter, a young child. The joy and love they had for each other could be seen in their eyes. Next to the photo was an inscription that read: For Susanna, my sweet daughter. I will love you always. -Dad
The grown woman who had once been that little girl was completely overwhelmed by the memories flooding over her. This music box was an item from her childhood she thought she'd never see again. She didn't know what happened to the other things she had back then-her dad probably got rid of them once he forgot he had a child-yet this one miraculously survived everything, all because it happened to be in a stuck drawer. The hardest part for Susie to face, however, was the unfulfilled note from her father. "He promised to love me always...but he failed to keep that promise." Unable to hold back her emotions, she buried her head in her hands and cried. "Why? Why did he have to forget about me?"
A few minutes later Kirby, Magolor, and Taranza came to the doorway and spotted Susie in the office. She'd calmed down by now but tears were still streaming down her face. "Susie? What's wrong?" Kirby asked her as the three of them came to her side with concern.
"I-I'm sorry," the saddened girl replied, wiping away her tears, "It's just…" She held up the music box for the others to see.
"Oh Susie, I'm sorry…" Taranza said softly upon seeing the picture and the note. It was heartbreaking to see how the kind and caring Haltmann depicted there became cruel and selfish by the time Kirby met him.
Susie composed herself and spoke again. "This is a music box I had as a child. I found it in a drawer that hadn't been used in a long time. I can't believe it survived everything the Haltmann Works Company has been through." She wound up the item so they all could hear its melody.
Kirby was surprised when he recognized the tune. "That's that song I heard you sing about the stars in the sky!"
Susie nodded. "Now I remember that this is where I learned of that song." There was only one thing inside the music box: a rolled-up piece of paper. She took it out and unrolled it, finding something else she'd thought was lost forever. It was a music sheet containing the lyrics to a song titled "Stars in the Sky". Below that was a message written by Haltmann that read:
Your mother wrote this song on the night of our wedding when the sky was filled with stars. She always said she wanted to sing it to her children. I crafted this music box after you were born so you could enjoy her song anytime you wish.
"I never knew my mother," Susie explained, "she passed away when I was too young to remember-but my dad always said she was a wonderful woman with an interest in music. I guess I got my musical talent from her."
"Wow," Magolor remarked, "You must have thought every trace of your parents was gone, but now you've found a reminder of them."
"Yes," Susie closed her eyes and held her music box close, "It's like having a piece of them with me. Now that I've found this music box I will treasure it as long as I live." She looked up at her allies with renewed confidence and determination in her eyes. "Now I know what I must do. My dad's original mission lives on in me-and it's my duty to make sure no one else ever has to go through what I did."
Suddenly Taranza was feeling more confident as well; it was a glimmer of hope in the darkness. "That's the spirit!" he said, "It's the same with Sectonia and me. She may be gone, but I can still watch over Floralia in her place just like she would have wanted me to."
That night after returning to the Lor, Susie left her music box in her office but did not forget its tune. She stood on the ship's deck and sang her mother's song as she gazed at the countless stars above.
Stars in the sky are shining so bright
So way up high, watching over you tonight
Make a wish and your dreams may come true
All you have to do is believe in you!
We too can shine with kindness and love
Virtues so fine, shining like the stars above
Keep them close and you will make it through
All you have to do is believe in you!
All you have to do is believe in you!
And inside the ship the Dream Rod began to glow just a little bit brighter...