"See you tomorrow!" Francis called out, and with a shimmering distortion of the air, he vanished out of thin air.
Wow, I wish I could copy that too, Ronaldo thought, a spark of envy mixed with fascination.
A familiar voice echoed in his mind. [Notice: You can create an effect like that if you wish too.]
What? I can? Ronaldo's eyes widened.
[Yes.]
Okay, copy that too, he mentally commanded, a thrill running through him.
[Wait… Time Walk completed.]
"But how can I do that?" Ronaldo muttered aloud, still staring at the spot where Francis had disappeared.
[You were just fast-forwarding your future to where you desire.]
"That's great! So I can go right now to the Sunflower Village?" Ronaldo asked, excitement bubbling.
[No. you cannot copy what you don't know and you don't have beforehand.]
"I know how to time walk!" Ronaldo argued, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.
[So, do you know where Sunflower Village is?]
"Uhmm, no," Ronaldo admitted, deflating slightly.
[No further debate.]
"You're grumpy!" Ronaldo grumbled, then sighed. "Hayts, Time Walk!" He closed his eyes, picturing the eatery, the warmth of the kitchen, and the comforting presence of his grandfather.
Ronaldo time-traveled, not to the future, but to a few hours earlier that very night, arriving precisely at the eatery. He saw his grandfather, Migo, slumped asleep at one of the tables, exhausted from the day's tragic events. A wave of tenderness washed over Ronaldo. He quietly found a clean blanket and gently draped it over his grandfather, who stirred but didn't wake. Ronaldo then walked silently to his grandmother's room, a small, humble space filled with her scent. On the side table, he saw their framed pictures: one of Hala and Migo in their younger days, and another, a cherished family photo, with their son, Harold.
I miss you, Grandma, he whispered, tears stinging his eyes again. He carefully picked up the family picture, hugging it close to his chest, and then, overcome by emotion and exhaustion, he drifted off to sleep beside it, finding a fleeting moment of peace in the quiet room.
Another day dawned, and Ronaldo was awakened, not by the gentle light, but by a cacophony of noise. He bolted upright, disoriented for a moment, then rushed out of the room. The eatery, which had been so desolate just yesterday, was now bustling with customers. Laughter and chatter filled the air, and the aroma of freshly cooked food was intoxicating.
"Grandpaps, what's happening?" Ronaldo asked, bewildered, seeing Migo rushing around, serving plates with a surprised, almost joyful expression.
"I don't know, son! It's just… I can't explain it! They came here early in the morning to eat breakfast! This is what your grandmother always wished to see, that a lot of people would be eating here!" Migo exclaimed, a tear of happiness welling in his eye.
Suddenly, a loud banging and clanging erupted from the kitchen. "Grandpaps, who's in the kitchen?" Ronaldo asked, a frown creasing his brow.
"He said he's your friend! He went here early and helped me serve the customers!" Migo replied, beaming.
"What?" Ronaldo was utterly confused. I don't have any friends here! Why didn't you wake me up?
"You cocooned yourself sleeping, and I didn't want to bother you," Migo explained, shrugging.
"Hayst!" Ronaldo sighed, then rushed through the kitchen curtain, ready to confront this mysterious "friend." He stopped dead in his tracks, his jaw dropping. Francis Lubraunth stood there, completely naked from the waist up, flipping something in a pan, his toned upper body glistening with sweat as he tapped it rhythmically.
"Hey! What the—" Ronaldo stammered, covering his eyes instinctively, utterly surprised by the sight. "What are you doing here, pervert!"
"What did you say?" Francis turned his head, flicking his damp hair out of his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Francis!" Ronaldo exclaimed, lowering his hands, still slightly aghast. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, you're awake," Francis said casually, as if it were perfectly normal to be shirtless in a stranger's kitchen. "I went here to eat breakfast and to accompany you."
"What? You're a noble! You have servants to serve you! Why eat here?" Ronaldo demanded, still processing the absurdity of the situation.
"Oh, friend, let me get some fresh air early in the morning and eat some food outside," Francis replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "And you told Grandpaps we're friends? We just met yesterday!" Ronaldo accused.
"We met at the Guild Station, correction," Francis corrected with a playful wink. "Come here, help me. What do I do with this? My shirt got splashed with water."
Ronaldo rolled his eyes. "Wind Tornado!" he muttered, and Francis's shirt, which was lying on a nearby counter, instantly flew into a small, contained tornado, spinning rapidly until it was completely dry. "Washing Machine!" Ronaldo then encapsulated a pile of dirty dishes inside a bubble of swirling water, washing them thoroughly before drying them with another "Wind Tornado." He then neatly stacked them.
"Wow, that's cool," Francis said, genuinely impressed. Just then, his stomach growled loudly. "Ah, I'm hungry! Can you please serve me something to eat!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Ronaldo scoffed. "You could have just sat there and let Grandpaps serve you your breakfast!"
"Hey, boy, your Grandpaps can't cater to all these customers, and I might create a ruckus there if I'm not fed quickly," Francis retorted, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"What's up with you? Come here, sit down at the table there," Ronaldo said, shaking his head.
"Okay," Francis agreed, grabbing his now-dry shirt and slipping it on. Ronaldo headed first, pushing aside the kitchen curtain. As Ronaldo paved the way, Francis stepped out, and a wave of murmurs swept through the customers.
"Oh, it's true! Lord Francis is eating here!"
"Oh, it's Francis Lubraunth!" a young girl yelled, her voice filled with adoration. "Lord Francis, ack!"
Ronaldo turned to Francis, a knowing look on his face. "No wonder they're here! They're here for you, you famous noble!"
"Ah, heh heh heh, hi everyone," Francis said, giving a small, almost shy wave to the adoring crowd.
"Come back to the kitchen!" Ronaldo hissed, pulling Francis back behind the curtain. "Grandpaps, are you okay?" Ronaldo asked, seeing Migo still overwhelmed by the unexpected rush.
"Yes, Ronald! Just take care of your friend!" Migo called back, a smile on his face.
"Tsk," Ronaldo muttered, then turned to Francis.
Ronaldo began to cook dinuguan. "This is the first time that I'm trying to cook here. Grandma always cooked for me, so don't complain!" He meticulously followed the steps he'd observed, trying to replicate Hala's comforting flavors. After a few minutes, he presented a steaming bowl to Francis. "Here, eat this."
Francis peered into the bowl, his expression a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "What is this? Why is it black?"
"It's the blood of a pigox," Ronaldo stated plainly.
"WHATT?! Seriously, are you trying to poison me?" Francis exclaimed, pushing the bowl away.
Ronaldo, without a word, grabbed a nearby knife and, with a swift motion, attempted to "stab" Francis's bowl, stopping just short of the ceramic. "Just eat it!" he commanded, a playful threat in his eyes.
"Okay, okay, but is this thing edible?" Francis asked, looking from the knife to the bowl, then back to Ronaldo's determined face. Ronaldo just placed his palm forward, a tiny, transparent flame flickering above it, a silent reminder of his copied power. "Okay, okay, relax!" Francis quickly gave in, picking up his spoon. He took a hesitant bite of the dinuguan. His eyes widened. "Wowww! This is perfectly delicious! How did you do this?"
"I just followed Grandma's recipe and what she taught me," Ronaldo replied, a proud smile on his face.
"This is awesome!" Francis continued to eat, quickly finishing his first bowl and, to Ronaldo's surprise, asking for a second. He ate it with rice, savoring every mouthful. "Thank you! This is the most delicious food I've ever tasted!"
"Is it?" Old Migo replied, having come into the kitchen, a warm smile on his face. "I'm glad you loved what Ronaldo cooked. He loves that food too. Come back here more often!"
"Sure, Grandpaps!" Francis said cheerfully.
"Grandpap? Who are you calling Grandpaps, huh?" Ronaldo teased Francis, nudging him.
"Grandfather Migo, why? It's how you call him. It's kinda cool," Francis defended himself.
"Just call me whatever you want," Migo said, chuckling.
"Thank you, Grandpaps," Ronaldo smirked at Francis, who just gave a playful "Tsk."
Later, as they prepared to leave, Ronaldo turned to Migo. "Grandpaps, are you sure you're okay with me going after them?"
"Don't worry about me, Grandpaps," Francis interjected, patting Migo's shoulder. "Don't worry for us; we're gonna be fine."
"What the stop being nosy!" Ronaldo scolded him, nudging him sharply.
"Alright, take care of yourselves, Ronaldo!" Migo said, his voice serious now. "Don't hurt them. Your grandma would be very mad if you do that."
"Don't worry, Grandpaps, I won't do that. I'll make sure they won't do that again. See yah, Grandpaps!" Ronaldo waved at old Migo, a determined glint in his eye.
"See you too, Grandpa aw!" Ronaldo slammed Francis's back playfully. Old Migo smiled at them, a mixture of sadness and hope, as they left the eatery and headed towards the Western Gate.
Francis and Ronaldo traveled towards Sunshine Kingdom. As they walked along the dusty road, Francis, ever the talker, began to debate. "I told you, we can go there by just 'walking in time'!"
"No," Ronaldo retorted. "I want to have some fresh air, and besides, I want to walk. Walking can help me gain more raw magic, or at least help me understand this body better."
"Tsk, you just copy everyone's power, though," Francis scoffed, rolling his eyes.
Ronaldo slapped Francis's back, a little harder than intended. "Aww, that hurts!" Francis yelped.
"Just walk! And close your mouth!" Ronaldo commanded, a grin on his face.
After a few hours of walking and light banter, Francis and Ronaldo entered a dense forest. The trees here were ancient and towering, their leaves a vibrant, healthy green. "Wow, is this forest here so healthy? I just saw a forest like this being destroyed," Ronaldo commented, recalling the desolate wasteland near the Tree of Balete.
"We are probably in the Sunshine Kingdom's territory," Francis explained. "They say before you enter their village, you will have to enter a forest, and would you believe that these trees are just branches of one root?"
"What? Seriously?" Ronaldo asked, surprised.
"Yep," Francis confirmed. "I used to overhear that there's one huge tree just close to the kingdom, guarded by a dragon, and no one ever touched it. This forest is supposedly connected to that."
"I thought the kingdom is destroying that tree's roots," Ronaldo said, confused.
"Yes, but this is probably an exemption. There's someone guarding him also, I guess. When I traveled here when I was young, I saw a girl walking at the tree branches. That's probably her."
As they walked deeper into the forest, the trees began to thin, revealing a unique kingdom. The gate was woven from living vines, intricately braided and adorned with vibrant, glowing flowers. Beyond it, tree houses of various sizes clung to the massive trunks, connected by rope bridges and wooden walkways. "Wow, this kingdom has greatly evolved!" Ronaldo exclaimed, impressed by the harmonious blend of nature and architecture.
Children, with wide, curious eyes, spotted the two strangers. They cried out, running chaotically, alerting the adults. A group of men, agile and swift, emerged from the tree houses, jumping and gliding effortlessly along the tree vines and branches, their movements fluid and practiced. They landed silently before Ronaldo and Francis, their expressions wary.
"What are you doing here, and what do you want?" one of the men demanded, his hand resting on a sword hilt.
"We don't want anything. We're here to know who of your people attacked our eatery. My grandmother died because of it," Ronaldo stated, his voice firm, devoid of anger now, replaced by a cold resolve.
"Oh-ho, so you're saying we killed your mother, kid?" another man sneered, a cruel smirk on his face.
"It's not that. I'm here to seek their apologies," Ronaldo clarified, trying to keep his composure.
"Get out of our kingdom before we do something you don't want to happen," the first man warned, his hand now gripping his sword.
The men of Sunshine kingdom, numbering about a dozen, drew out their swords and shields, their stances aggressive. Francis, seeing the imminent threat, moved swiftly. "Clock of Despair, come out!" he commanded. A massive spell, and an intricate clock coming out from it, made of swirling gears and glowing runes, materialized at Francis's side, its hands spinning wildly, fiercely looking at the enemy. He grabbed its hour hand, which solidified into a gleaming sword, and the clock face itself transformed into a sturdy shield.
"Wow, you're really something!" Ronaldo said, impressed by Francis's unique ability. Ronaldo closed his eyes, focusing on the system.
[Thorn Tree Sword, do you want to paste it?]
[Yes!]
"Thorn Tree Sword, paste!" Ronaldo roared, extending his hand. From the ground before him, a massive, gnarled sword, made of dark, swirling wood and sharp, glowing thorns, erupted. It pulsed with raw, untamed power. The Ssunshine soldiers were shocked, their eyes widening at the sight of the monstrous weapon. But they didn't take aback; instead, they strengthened their stance, preparing for battle.
Just then, a group of four more Sunshine soldiers came running into the clearing, their faces flushed with excitement. One of them shouted, oblivious to the confrontation, "This is awesome! We took so much products and money back there!" He held up a bag overflowing with coins and a small, ornate box.
Francis and Ronaldo heard it. The words confirmed their suspicions. These were the bandits. They didn't hesitate to attack. The group of Sunshine kingdom warriors, who had been observing the initial confrontation, were surprised by the sudden shift. "Enemy! Enemy! Enemy!" they shouted, as they approached the fray, realizing the true nature of the intruders.
"Time Thrust!" Francis commanded, creating a waving effect with his power, a ripple of distorted time that disoriented the approaching villagers.
"Thorn Dike!" Ronaldo roared, slamming his thorn sword into the ground. A massive wall of gnarled, thorny vines erupted from the earth, impaling the ground before the Sunflower soldiers, making them freeze in their place, trapped and unable to advance.
"Who attacked our sho—" Ronaldo began, stepping towards the four bandits who had just arrived, his voice laced with renewed fury.
But before he could finish, a green-yellow smoke circulated around Francis and Ronaldo. "Rafflesia's Perfume!" a soft, yet commanding, female voice announced. The smoke was sweet, intoxicating, and instantly calming, dispelling Ronaldo's anger and Francis's aggressive stance.
"Thravines Grip!" the voice commanded again. Numerous thick, glowing vines shot out from the surrounding trees, capturing the four bandit-soldiers of Sunflower Village, binding them securely.
A young woman, her long, dark hair braided with luminous flowers, stepped out from the shadows of the trees. Her eyes, the color of emeralds, held an ancient wisdom and a fierce authority. "We have a guest, and yet you caused chaos," she said, her gaze sweeping over the bound bandits, then settling on Ronaldo and Francis.
"I'm sorry, my lady," the leader of the village warriors stammered, bowing his head.
The lady's aura flared, a palpable wave of power radiating from her. "The two of you," she said, addressing Ronaldo and Francis, "you're quite capable of killing them, and yet you show mercy. I'm grateful for that. Now, tell me, Captain," she said, her gaze fixed on the leader of the bandits, "who is that kid referring to?"
"My lady, I don't know! I don't have any idea!" the captain stammered, fear evident in his voice.
"My lady! It's us! I'm sorry!" Out of fear, the four bandit-soldiers, still bound by the vines, bowed to the ground, their faces pale.
The lady looked at them, her glare strong and unwavering. "There you have it, kid. That's them," she said to Ronaldo, her voice calm but firm. "Hey, the four of you, come and apologize to this kid. Make him at ease for what you did."