Could I Make Another?

Myunfa? Err, why have you been following me? Did you want something?

Wait, you knew I was there? Why didn't you say something? I was waiting for you to notice me!

You were? Oof, sorry... So, what can I do for you?

Make my wish come true!

Um, is that your way of saying you have a favor to ask? Ask away, if you think I can help.

Yay, thank you! You see, I've been getting these nightmares.

And it's making me scared to go to sleep.

So, can you make these nightmares, y'know, go away?

Nightmares, huh? Perhaps Mighty could help you there.

Nightmares, huh? I'd love to help you, but I don't really know what I can do.

Do you know what's causing these nightmares?

Well, maybe. You see, there's another soul inside my teapot. An evil spirit. And it's always saying the meanest things to me!

I think that's what's causing the bad dreams, but I don't how to get rid of an evil spirit. Do you?

Hmm... No, I'm afraid not. Let me think about it.

Myunfa? Are you dozing off?

Hrrrmhuh? I-I'm awake! I wasn't sleeping!

Sorry, did I startle you? You must be exhausted if you're even falling asleep standing up.

I told you, I wasn't sleeping! And I intend to stay that way, so maybe we could go grab a coffee or something?

I think the tavern serves coffee. Come on, let's go!

Fine by me, but shouldn't a teapot pixie be drinking tea?

To be honest, I'm not a big tea- drinker.

A teapot pixie who doesn't like tea?

Nothing like a good cup of coffee to wake you up!

I'm not even sure you could call that coffee anymore with the amount of milk and sugar you put into it.

Well, how else do you expect me to drink it? This is the only way that tastes good.

Then drink something else...

Hey, if anything else can keep the sleep at bay, I'm willing to try it. Although, no matter how much coffee I drink, I still get sleepy. Guess it's not that effective.

Myunfa, if you're going to fall asleep anyway, then there's no point in drinking coffee.

*yawn* Anyway, what were we talking about, again? Oh yeah, exorcising the evil spirit.

Can't you just use your pixie magic to get rid of the spirit?

The thing is, I can only use my powers to grant my master's wishes. And I haven't had a master in over a thousand years.

A thousand years? You've been alive for that long?

Teapot pixies can live on indefinitely, I think.

You think? You're not sure?

Nope. I don't have anyone to tell me these things, you see.

I don't even remember why I became a teapot pixie.

You mean you weren't always a teapot pixie?

Nope, I was a regular human, once. I was born in a tiny village in the Land of Shin, and, um...

And?

Myunfa? What's wrong?

It's just, it was over a thousand years ago. I don't really remember it now.

Yeah, I guess that's inevitable. It was a really long time ago.

I know, why don't we go to the Land of Shin? Maybe a visit to your old homeland would jog your memory.

If you can remember why you became a teapot pixie, or why you were possessed by an evil spirit... Maybe you'll be able to figure out a solution to the problem.

Hm. Actually, that's not a bad idea.

Then it's settled! Okay, let's go to Nagsham.

But we're gonna need to find something to cushion my teapot. I can't have it smashing on the boat.

Her master's wishes?

Ooh, so this is Nagsham, huh?

'Fraid I don't recognize it.

(Maybe it has to be her own Nagsham, not ours?)

I imagine this place has changed a lot in the last thousand years.

Sorry. This was all a waste of time, wasn't it?

Actually, I don't think it was. The smell of beef manju, the cold wind blowing in from Kunlun Mountains. It's almost nostalgic. Yet not at the same time. It's weird.

Come on, let's take a look around. Maybe I'll remember something.

Huh? I think I just remembered something...

Oh yeah! I came here to sell crafts from the village! And on the way back, I met Mr. Pot!

Mr. Pot?

Yeah. The teapot pixie. He said he'd make my wishes come true. And...

And? What happened next?

I remember finding it funny that the teapot was talking. That's about it.

Well, at least that's something.

Let's look around some more. Maybe I'll remember something else!

Any memories stirring, Myunfa? Or are we just sightseeing now?

Nope, nothing. But then, I never lived here. I lived out in the countryside.

I almost never went to the big city.

You didn't? Why didn't you say so before?

Because I was having fun, and I knew you'd put a stop to that if I said anything!

We didn't come here to have fun, Myunfa!

Oh, don't be mad, Aldo. I'll give it my all tomorrow, I promise.

Okay, then tomorrow we'll pay a visit to your village. Where would we find it?

Where? Um, I think it's toward Kunlun Mountains. Um...

Sorry. I don't really remember.

Well, it has been over a thousand years. Let's see if we can ask someone.

We're trying to find a village near Kunlun Mountains. Do you happen to know the way?

Kunlun Mountains? I didn't think there was a village in those parts. Just a minute, I'll ask.

I guess there's always a chance it doesn't exist anymore.

I'm sorry, sir. I asked my colleagues, but no one's heard of any village up in the mountains.

Oh. Well, thanks anyway.

My village...is gone?

Are you okay, Myunfa? I know this must be a shock for you, but we can't give up now. Somebody may still know something. If we ask around tomorrow...

Actually... It's not that shocking. Somehow, I already knew my village was gone.

Do you remember something?

No, I wouldn't go that far...

Then we're back to square one. We don't have a single lead.

We'll just have to try extra hard tomorrow!

Okay, let's call it a day. Now, I know it's scary, but do try to get some sleep.

I'll do my best! Nighty night, Aldo.

Come on Myunfa, you can do this. No nightmares tonight.

Mom...Dad...everyone...where are you?

There is no life here anymore.

What do you mean? Where did everybody go?

Dig, and you shall see. They are beneath the snow.

It must have been an avalanche. It buried your whole village alive. Even your little brother.

How could this... Why? Why did I have to be the one to survive, and not him? He was so young. So very young... It's not fair!

Do you want to save him?

Huh?

Make a wish to me. I can easily bring him back to life.

Then save him! Please save him! He's such a good kid. So much better than me! Please, he doesn't deserve this! He deserves to live! Please, please save him!

Then it's a deal. I shall grant your wish.

Huh? Sis? You're back?

I-It's you, it's really you! I can't believe it! I'm so happy!

Why're you crying?

Master, have you any other wishes? I can grant you two more.

Whoa! Did that kettle just talk?

Teapot. But yes. Yes I did.

Could you... Could you bring the whole village back to life?

No, I'm afraid you ask too much of me. I can only revive one person per wish. You could, however, use your two remaining wishes to revive your parents. Is that what you'd like?

Sis, what's going on? What's it talking about? And where is everybody?

I can't save my family alone and abandon everybody else! The only reason I've survived up to this point is because of everything the village has done for me.

I have to save them all!

Then what do you wish, Master? And before you ask, no, you cannot wish for more wishes.

Make me a teapot pixie.

What?

If I had your powers, I'd be able to bring everybody back to life.

Teapot pixies may only grant the wishes of their masters. They cannot use their powers for themselves.

Okay, but I can just make my brother my master. He can use his three wishes to bring back three villagers, and they can use theirs to bring back three more. It's only a small village. It shouldn't take long to bring everybody back.

If you become a teapot pixie, your life as a human will cease to exist. Your family will forget about you.

I don't care, I can cope. I just want to repay the village for all they've done for me.

If your mind is made up, then your wish shall be my command.

Sis? What are you talking about?

Don't worry about it. Just trust me, okay?

Now, make me a teapot pixie.

NO!

No? No! No, no, no, no, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOOO!

Myunfa, what's wrong? Why are you shouting?

Aldo, Aldo! What am I gonna do? I'm gonna turn into a teapot pixie!

Um, Myunfa? You already ARE a teapot pixie.

What? Oh, wait. You're right.

Has the evil spirit been giving you weird dreams again?

Yes...but also no. It's not an evil spirit.

How could I forget something so important?

You remembered something?

Come with me to Kunlun Mountains and I'll fill you in on the way!

I'll take you to the place where my village once was.

And that's how I became a teapot pixie. I was trying to bring my village back to life.

Your whole village was destroyed in an avalanche? That's...terrible. I can't even imagine.

But this evil spirit didn't make an appearance? Or wait, it's not an evil spirit?

Nope. The souls in my teapot are actually, well, the souls of my family. When I became a teapot pixie, I granted my brother's wishes and brought my family back to life...

Whoa! You did it! You actually did it! You brought Mom and Dad back to life! Thanks, Miss Pixie!

Teehee. Your wish is my command, Master. Now, what will your third wish be?

Bring my grandma back to life!

As you wish, Master!

Huh? Where am I?

Grandma! You must be freezing. Come on, let's get you over to the fire!

Phew, it worked! Okay, will you be my next master?

My wish is for my grandfa...

Ahhh!

What the? What was that?!

Your brother's soul.

His soul? But you just brought him back to life...

Indeed I did. But then he made three wishes to a teapot pixie. There is always a price, and the price was his soul.

His soul was taken by the teapot.

But...but...you never said anything about any price!

I am not obligated to warn you.

Surely you're not so naive as to think such power wouldn't come at a cost?

You're horrible! How could you keep that from me?

...I know! I can just ask my mother to bring him back! That should do the trick!

No, it will not "do the trick." Souls taken cannot be brought back to life.

You...tricked us...

This was your plan right from the start?

N-No! I didn't know there was a price!

Do you know how it feels to see your only son die before your eyes? Do you? DO YOU?

Were we next? Were you planning to kill all of us?

No! I would never...

Kill me.

But I...I just brought you back to life...

I trusted you! I believed you could grant our wishes and bring our loved ones back to life!

If I knew it would feel like this, I would never have wanted to come back to life!

How could I want to live if it meant my son dying!

Your master has made you a wish. Go on then.

I-I can't do that! I can't kill her!

If your master makes you a wish, you must grant it. Those are the rules.

But I... No! Stop!

Mwahahahaha! Isn't this nice? The whole family, back together again, inside your teapot!

I brought my family back to life, only to steal their souls and keep them trapped inside this teapot.

I thought I was doing the right thing, but all I did was give them false hope, then snatch it away.

I'm so sorry, Myunfa. But it wasn't your fault.

I know. Mr. Pot tricked me.

But the thing is, I still wronged them in another way. It's just, I only now realized that I did. And that's why we have to part ways now. I can't stay with you, Aldo.

Part ways? Why? I thought you wanted me to grant your wish. I haven't done anything yet!

I don't deserve to have my wishes come true. Not anymore.

After what I did to my family, they have the right to blame me.

And yet, I couldn't take it. I couldn't take their reproaches each night. So I repressed my memories of what I'd done and told myself those voices were an evil spirit.

I acted like the victim, I convinced myself I wasn't to blame. I even asked you to save me from them!

Look, I can understand why your family would feel deceived and want to remind you of that... But that shouldn't mean you have to be tormented by this forever!

It does! I loved them! I really loved them! They were so kind, so perfect...

And I forgot about them. I wrote them off as evil spirits.

And for that, I don't deserve to be saved. But thank you, Aldo. Thank you for trying to help a wretched thing like me.

Farewell!

Myunfa! Wait!

Leave me, Aldo!

Myunfa! I'm not leaving you on your own!

Myunfa!

There you are!

Aldo? I told you to leave me! Why would you come back for me?

I came to save you.

You can't! I'm not worth saving. If you come after me, I'll start hoping for things I don't deserve to hope for.

What are you talking about? Of course you deserve saving! Before you became a pixie, you did everything you could to save your family and your village, right?

Yeah, but look how that turned out. They would have been better off without my help.

Look, I don't know a lot about pixies or evil spirits or whatever, but I do know this. No one wants to have to resent their loved ones. And I know the deceit hurts, but you're so hung up on that, you can't see the true tragedy here... They never get to rest in peace, and there's no worse fate than that.

I don't want your family to have to suffer like that.

So help me help you. Help me save both you and your family. Together, we can do this.

But how? I can't save everyone.

No, you can. Your power is the only thing that can save them.

My power? But teapot pixies can't use their powers for themselves.

Make me your master, Myunfa.

You have the power to grant your master's wishes, right? Then I'll make your wish for you. Release the souls of your family from the teapot.

B-But! Aldo, you can't do this! If I grant your wishes, I'll have to steal your soul!

That's only if you grant all three though, right? And all I need is one.

Well, I guess so... But I don't really know how my power works...

What if the whole three wishes thing was a lie? What if you pay the price on the first wish?

Why would you do something so dangerous just to help me?

You asked me to make your wish come true, remember? You did all you could, but if that's still not enough...

Then let me try instead. Besides, that's what friends are for, right? We help each other.

No, it's too much! You're too kind to me as it is! If you do something this selfless for me, I'll start expecting it! You're gonna spoil me!

You're over-thinking this. I just want to help you, that's all.

Okay, I give in... Make my wish come true...

Master.

I will.

I will grant my master's wish and free the souls of my family from the teapot!

Well, that was unexpected...

Stop! Leave him alone! If you want to hurt someone, hurt me! This is my fault, not his!

Myunfa, no! We didn't free them just for things to end up like this!

Then what do we do?

I'll make a second wish.

No, Master! You can't! You said you'd only make the one!

Make your family go back to normal!

Master, no! If I do that, you'll...

No! This isn't fair! I never said I'd grant his wish! Stop! Why won't it stop?!

What the? There's more of them?

There were four of them within the evil spirit. Maybe they separated again.

You see! I told you! I can't do anything! I'm useless, absolutely useless!

I've put you in danger... I thought I could save everyone... If I knew it would end up like this, I never would have tried to save them!

I'm sorry, Myunfa. This is all my fault.

But it's going to be okay. I'm going to save you and your family.

Saving them is the right thing to do.

Master?

Myunfa, I know what I want for my third wish.

Master, what are you...

Turn your family...

(Why would you do this? If I grant your third wish, I'll have to steal your soul!)

From evil spirits...

(I can't let him do this! But I don't know what to do! What do I do? What do I DO?!)

Back into...

(I don't wanna have to steal another soul!)

Huma...

NO!

Myunfa?

You idiot! I told you no! Why didn't you listen to me?! Why would you try to use your third wish?

There was no other way!

And the rest of you! I told you to stop! Why don't you listen to me? You always used to listen to me! So please, listen just this once. Listen to what I want! To what I wish!

Myunfa...you know where this is going, right?

I don't even care anymore! Maybe I'm just that selfish.

I hate the thought of hurting my family, but I hate the thought of losing you even more.

But you're going to have to fight and beat them! Are you sure you're okay with this?

Well, I have to be. I have to take responsibility for what I've done. Mind helping me out?

Of course. I'm sorry about this, Myunfa's family, but this will all be over soon, I promise.

We may not have brought them back to life, but at least they can find peace now. That's something, right?

Thank goodness...

Myunfa! Are you okay?

Everyone...I'm so sorry. I'm a terrible daughter. I'm a terrible granddaughter. And I'm a terrible sister. I'm so, so sorry.

Myunfa! Wake up! Just hold on, I'm gonna get you back to Nagsham, okay?

Myunfa? Are you feeling better now? If you need to rest some more, just rest.

Nah, I'm a teapot pixie, remember? I don't really get hurt unless my teapot breaks.

Okay. The big question is, how did you sleep? Any nightmares?

Nope! No nightmares, and it's all thanks to you! Now I just gotta find a way to repay you, Master!

Nope, you don't! I told you before, I don't care about any of that.

Yeah, but... You're still my master. I have to do something...

Wait, why are you still calling me your master?

Why? Because you are, silly! We made a deal, remember? You're my master, and I'm your pixie!

Okay, but do you have to keep calling me that? Can't you just call me Aldo?

'Fraid not. Them's the rules.

And you have to stick to the rules?

Yes! And you know what else? Teapot pixies can't take on a new master until they've granted all three wishes of their current master.

But you don't want to grant wishes or take on a new master, right? So surely that's not an issue.

Huh? Don't you get it? I've pledged myself to you.

What are you talking about?

I'll probably get in the way at times, undoubtedly cause all sorts of problems, but it shouldn't be too bad, cause, you know...

You'll be there to help me!