For Admiration's Sake

Wha-hooo! This is one mighty big castle! Who'da thunk there'd be other castles as big as the Dragon Palace!

So Chiyo, were you like a handmaiden to Sheila?

That's right! I was always by her side, I was.

Lady Sheila was just so brave 'n' cool. She really was the perfect leader! I was content just lookin' at her everyday!

Sounds like you really liked working for her, huh?

Of course! I'm forever in her debt, 'n' happy 'bout it too!

Wait, you're in her debt?

You got it. It was still while I was real young, mind you.

I got attacked by no-good pirates, see. But then, Lady Sheila came along and saved the day!

Oh right, so you kinda owe her your life.

You bet I do! Those dumb pirates went runnin' scared the moment Lady Sheila turned up!

I've never forgotten how darn cool she looked chasin' 'em down!

Now I'm just tryin' to do whatever I can to be of service to her.

'N' maybe one day I'll be able to pay her back for savin' moi life.

That's why I wanna know all I can about castles other than the Dragon Palace.

Okay then, let's go around this castle and see what we can learn. Let's see... Oh yeah, this castle's famous for its Magic Classroom.

Magic Classroom? Is that kinda like the Dancin' Classroom that Mr. Scale and Ol' Fin run?

Umm, yeah. I guess so...

Now yer talkin'! This is the kinda stuff I wanted to see!

Okay, Aldo! Show me to the Magic Classroom!

So, this is the Magic Classroom and, huh?

I can't believe you messed it up again! You're just so useless!

But, but I know it'll work next time, I just know it!

How many times is this now, huh? I knew this wouldn't work!

But...

Wow, that kid's really mad. I wonder what they're fighting about?

W-Wait! Chiyo, why are you shaking? What's up?

Woohaa! This place is super scary!

I don't get it, what's gotten you so scared?

To t-t-tell yer the truth, see. I'm not real good with kids! There's so many of the things runnin' 'round all angry! Think I'm havin' one of them panic attacks!

You're scared of children?

Ya got that right! I got that trauma or what have you, you get from being picked on by mean kids! If Lady Sheila hadn't come to save me that time, I'd'a been a goner for sure!

Wait, what! You mean the pirates who attacked you were actually kids?!

You know what, just forget it! I should have known not to get my hopes up with you!

That kid's got a real mouth on him. Hey, are you okay?

Sorry? Oh yeah, I'm fine. He's not always like that, you know. He's normally okay, but he's got a good reason to be mad.

What is it?

You see, he's really good at running. But a monster bit and poisoned him and he can't run the same since.

And he's takin' it out on you? I knew these scary kids were evil!

I wanna make a potion that'll heal him, but I just can't seem to get it right. That's why he was mad. I just know that if he can run again like he used to, he'll go back to being kind to everyone.

So you're trying to help him out. Come on, Chiyo, let's lend a hand.

I...oh boy... It's a real nice story. Real nice! It's gone made ma eyes all wet.

Wait, you'll help me out? Oh, thank you so much! I bet the reason I haven't been successful yet is because I was using shop ingredients. Their magical properties have already faded because they aren't fresh enough.

So, you think if we bring you fresh ingredients you'll be able to make some?

Yeah! I know I can! I've got everything I need written on this list.

I'll get things ready for mixing.

Hmm, so there's two things on this list that we need to get huh? Let's head on over to the Derismo Highroad first. Looks like one of the ingredients we need is growin' over there.

It's this plant right?

That's right! Let's get as much as we can!

Does the list say we need a lot? Well, okay. It'll be easier if we both grab some then.

I'll get some from this one here.

I was thinkin'. That lil' girl's really sweet tryin' to help her friend out like that.

Yeah, reminds me of you. You're always trying to help Sheila out, right?

You got that right! But, see here. I don't wanna just help Lady Sheila out. I wanna be just like her too! All amazing, 'n' brave, 'n' cool like, ya know! She really is the perfect person.

Chiyo...cool? I don't know if that would really suit you.

Oooh, Aldo, you meanie you! I could be cool if I tried!

Ahaha, sorry, I didn't mean to make fun of you. I had just never thought of you as somebody who'd be cool.

Oooh, you gone done it now! Now I'm really mad, ya hear!

Wait, no. I'm sorry, okay?

So what else do we need to get?

Let's see... List says, we need a pure feather from Keruri Highroad.

A pure feather? I can't remember any monsters on the Keruri Highroad with feathers, let alone pure ones! Well, if it's on the list, I guess we just gotta go and have a look.

That's right! Then you'll see!

When I take down all them evil monsters, you'll see how cool I can be!

Look, I'm sorry okay, Chiyo!

If anything here's going to have a pure feather it's going to be this thing, I guess.

Let's get this thing beat all stylish like!

You're gonna get it, you oversized chicken!

It's no good, she's gotten so desperate to show her coolness she's started screaming at the chicken. Well, at least it's threatening. Right behind you, Chiyo!

Hah, impressed? I know you are! I'm pretty cool, huh!

Cool? Umm, it was scary, really scary.

Well looks like we got everything now. Hope that lil' girl can make that potion now.

I hope so too. You know, for being scared of kids, it's really impressive that you're helping one out like this.

I ain't s-s-scared ya hear! Just had me one of those trauma do-dahs when I saw that angry kid's all!

And yet you're still helping out. That's what I like about you.

You do?

Anyway, let's get back to the Magic Classroom. We don't wanna leave that little girl waiting, do we?

Welcome back! Did you manage to find everything?

You betcha! We picked so many, it feels like I got a whole garden in ma bag!

Whoa this is amazing! Thank you! I'll get to mixing them straightaway!

I thought because these were monster ingredients you might have a tough time getting hold of them. But I guess you got help from the soldiers on Derismo Highroad, huh?

Huh?

...Huh?

But we fought the monster on Keruri Highroad. Right, Chiyo?

That's right. Just like it's written right here on this...

Well cover me in tar 'n' slap me wi' feathers!

Chiyo, what's up?

Aldoooooo, I've gone done made a real bad mistake I have! We shoulda got the monster ingredients from Derismo Highroad and the plants from Keruri Highroad!

What! You mean we got the ingredients switched around? So what's going to happen when these ones get mixed then?!

Hmm, that's strange. The solution shouldn't have turned such a cloudy color...

Whaaaaaa! What's happening?!

Oooh, I've gone done it now!

I don't get it. That's never happened before...

Did it work?

I think so. But I don't remember it ever looking like this before.

Actually, there's something we need to...

Ah, but the fresh ingredients. Of course. The magic I used was the same, but I suppose it wouldn't be exactly the same.

We're...I... I'm real sorry 'n' everythin'!

No, don't be sorry! It's got the medicinal plant leaves in so it should have some effect either way.

Let's go bring it to my friend straightaway! He should be in the palace somewhere.

I just hope it works this time.

What do you want?

I made some more medicine. If you'd like to try...

Why bother! We all know anything you make's not going to work anyway!

I'll never run again in my life! So stop trying to get my hopes up on your stupid potions! Or do you like watching me suffer?

That's going too far. How about you think about how your friend feels? She's just trying to help, you know. It doesn't matter how good her medicine is, if you've given up nothing's going to work, is it?

Ya hear?! Now be a man, quit yer whinin' 'n' drink yer juice!

......

Will you at least try it? I know it's a kinda weird color, but I'll keep making it until I get it right!

Fine! If you want me to drink it, I'll drink it!

*gulp* Oh what the, that tastes so bad! It's like burnt hair covered in moldy jam!

WHOOOAAA! I CAN FEEL IT. I CAN FEEL THE POOOWERRR!

MUAHAHAHA! LIGHT AS A FEATHER, FAST AS LIGHTNING!

Whoa! What just happened?!

Maybe the ingredients you got me were the right ones after all?

Wait, did I go 'n' mess up again?

No, I think because of you, it looks like the potion was finally a success.

Phew! I haven't run like that in... forever! I can't believe you made that all yourself!

Look, I'm really sorry about yelling at you so much before. All I've got is my running. So when I couldn't do it anymore, I took out my anger on everyone else.

Don't worry about it. I'm just happy you can run again. I always looked up to you and the sight of you running. You're pretty cool, you know? And I may not be able to run like you do, but at least I was able to help you.

Thank you.

And you do have more to you than just being fast. I know lots of other things that you're good at!

Ohhh... I get it now.

What do you get, Chiyo?

It ain't 'bout tryin' to be more like the person you look up to, it's about being close to 'em. Me, I'm kinda clumsy and all. I don't think I'll ever be like Lady Sheila, all smart 'n' stylish. But I can still be by her side and lend a helpin' hand where ever I can. Maybe that's exactly what I should be doin'.

Yeah, I know that's something only you can do.

Only somethin' I can do, eh? Yeah! You know what, I think you're right!