Wind From Your Wings

Sigh... Still no news about my father...

Not even any clues?

No, nothing.

Hmm... There's gotta be something out there...

Wh-What the, ?!

Eeek! It's walking!

I wonder what that's all about.

Could it be a monster? We should check, Aldo!

Right!

Where is the monster?

Is that it?

It's...it's...

A rare beast!

Huh?!

A rare beast?

What is that thing? I've never seen a creature like that in my life!

How ridiculous. Its face and body are too stupid-looking for a monster.

Pennn!

Hey, nice lady! Can you catch that for us?

Grah!!!

Pen! Pen-guh!

No problem!

Grah! Pe...

Um, Lingli... I don't think it's too happy about that idea.

You think so?

Pen...

Hmm. Everything about this creature is odd. Even those weird "pen" noises it makes. Maybe I should not hand it over so easily.

PEN!

Oh my. Now it is clinging to my leg.

Eww! It is all damp and squishy.

Whoa! Can I touch it?

Pennn!

H-Hey! Stop that!

Help! I can't get away! This stupid thing's stronger than I am!

Lingli?!

Ack... You nearly made me fall, you stupid blob! What do you think you are doing?

Pe...Pengu... Gui-pen pen...

Lingli, c'mon. Look at the poor thing. You can tell this "blob" has seen some stuff.

Who even are you?

Maybe it's lost? But you know...

It seems pretty fond of you.

Yes, I am getting that impression myself. But I do not know why. It is not like we have met before.

Pen-gu!

Pe...

Huh? Hey!

Are you hungry, little one?

Here, eat this.

I packed it as a snack for myself, but you know what? I am feeling generous. You can have it.

PEN! Pen-pen!

Gyeeeh!

It looks happy.

Is that what that awful sound meant?

Gyeh! Gyeh!

Well, anyone who likes beef manju is all right in my book. You enjoyed that, did you? Do you want some more?

GYEHHH!

......

I have decided. I will call you "Baobao" from now on. It is nice to meet you, Baobao.

Wait, "Baobao"? Did you just call it that because it likes beef manju?

Gyeee! Gyeh!

Oh. It looks happy...

Gyehh! Gyeh!

Hm? What's that glowing?

What?!

That is my father's medal!

What?!

Which means...

You killed my father! Prepare to die!

Pen-gu?! Penpen?!

Hiyaaah!

Lingli, wait! Does Baobao really look like it could kill your father?!

Hm. You do have a point.

Then why does Baobao have my father's medal?

Yeah, that is a good question...

Ah, I know! Why don't we ask Lakhesis?

My father's old acquaintance? Sure, that sounds like a reasonable plan.

Come along, Baobao! To Miglance Castle we go.

Pen... Pen-gu!

What is this creature? It's so...hideous.

Right?

Pen...

I'm afraid I've never seen a creature like this before. I'm shocked it even exists, to be honest.

But that medal...

That medal was presented to your father by the king during a martial arts tournament. Ah, that takes me back. You know, he proposed to his wife with that medal.

Lingli's mother? Wait, where is your mother now?

She is dead. She died when I was a small child.

Oh...

My mother and father were really close, you know. Always flirting with each other every second of every day. So uncomfortable to watch.

So when Mother died, Father was utterly heartbroken. He wept a whole ocean's worth of tears.

That is, until the third day. Then he just snapped back to normal, smiling and laughing like his old self. I am sure he was just doing it for my sake.

Yes, that's just the kind of man he was. But after that...

No, never mind. It's nothing. Look, I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. But I'll make sure to look into this creature for you.

That is plenty. Thank you.

I am certain that Baobao has some kind of connection with my father. But what could it all mean?

Pen puin!

What's it doing? Why's it moving like that?

Aha! I think I know what that is! Were you...

...Sent here by my father? To test my kung fu?!

Pen?!

What?

Really?

I am certain of it! He is testing me, just like before. Then there is no time to waste! We must go to the Kunlun Mountains to train!

Puinnn pehhh!

I don't think it likes that idea...

Off to a great start, she shoots off as soon as we get here. Do you think she's coming back?

Pen?!

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Pen-gu?!

Lingli? What are you wearing?

What? Do you not like it?

This outfit was my mother's. I always kept it with me, but I decided now was the time to wear it.

It was your mother's?

My mother was a martial artist, as strong as she was beautiful. My poor father was powerless against her charms. He was lovestruck the moment he first set eyes on her.

Right...

I'm not sure what that has to do with the outfit, but it looks great on you.

Teehee. Of course it does.

Puin pen! Pen-gu pen-gu!

You appreciate my clothes, right, Baobao? You have great taste. Next time, I will get you a matching outfit. Would you like that?

Gyehhh!

But before that, training! If we come up with a new move, maybe Father will come home!

Penpen! Pen...

Stop acting like a chicken, Baobao! Now, let us begin!

Peeen!

(What's it trying to say? I get the feeling we're missing something here...)

Hmm... I guess this won't be easy. By the way, I've been meaning to ask... don't you think Baobao is trying to tell you something else?

Do you think so? Perhaps... Oh, I do not know anymore...

Puin...

Sigh...

I am a terrible daughter. I cannot even guess what my father wants... And my mother would be so sad if she saw me like this.

Lingli...

Pen puin!

What was that?!

Let's go!

Look at that thing...

Wahhh... Daddy! I'm so scared!

Gah! You keep away from my daughter! Don't worry, okay? I'm gonna go...

Ah!

You did well. Now run along with you, back to your father.

But...

Quickly! Be a brave girl, and do not stop running until you are back in his arms, do you understand?

O-Okay...

Now...

Pen!

Baobao?!

Pen-gu! Gen pui!

Do you feel that?

It is like...I feel such a strong connection with you.

I admire your spirit! Let's go, Baobao! We can do this!

All right, Baobao! Let's go!

Pegyehhh!

We...

We did it, Baobao! That was perfect!

That felt incredible! It was like I was a soaring dragon!

Gyeh! Gyehhh!

You too, Baobao? Yes, I knew it! Our training has born fruit! Now Father is sure to come...

You've already...created a new move together?!

...Father?!

Pen!

Is that...your father?

Lingli! Pen Pen!

Baba!

Gwaaah!

Wait? What are you doing?!

How dare you show yourself here like it is nothing! Did you think I would welcome you with open arms?! How do I know you're even my real father and not some scam artist trying to trick me?

L-Lingli...

Baobao! Attack this man!

Pen?!

W-Wait! Please do not attack me!

This is what you get for leaving me all on my own! Even without Baobao, I will beat you black and blue!

Ugh... That was quite the punch... You have gotten stronger, Lingli.

Yes, I have. I have gotten stronger and stronger while you were away. I had to. And now I have completed your test. I have done this new move with Baobao.

So now you must tell me why you disappeared! I am not a weak little girl anymore. I am strong enough to hear it!

Lingli...

I think you have misunderstood. Pen Pen, or Baobao, as you call it, was not a test.

Huh?

......

It is a long story. Why don't we go to the tavern to talk?

Fine.

But if you even think about running, you are getting another knuckle sandwich.

Okay, okay. No need to intimidate your old man...

Should we go back to Nagsham, then?

So if Baobao is not some kind of test, what is it?

Baobao is...

...Just a marsh penguin.

A marsh penguin? What's that?

It is Baobao's species.

I headed deep into the hinterlands of the South, in search of the mythical marsh penguin feather.

A marsh penguin feather? Baobao's feather?

Does it...even have feathers?

Guin...

Well, no, as it turns out. But the legends said that it did. You see...

I was trying to make a potion to revive your mother. That is why I was searching for the feather.

What?!

Lingli's mother?

I heard about this revival potion on my travels. Of course, I had my doubts. But...

I simply could not bear it any longer. A world without your mother...it was unbearable. When I held you in my arms and realized I would have to raise you on my own, without her... I knew I would have to become as strong as she was.

But ultimately, I failed. I was never as tough as I looked.

I was desperate. I pored through tomes and talked to anyone I could, gathering every last piece of information on revival potions I could.

Then I traveled south and headed deep into the hinterlands. And that is where I met Baobao.

You see, marsh penguins are said to have mythical feathers.

So when I first set eyes on it and realized that they had no feathers at all, I wept tears of despair.

Baba...

Pen...

The thing is, Baobao here seemed pretty apologetic about the whole thing as well.

And, well, it started following me around. I thought there could be other marsh penguins with the feathers I needed... I could not allow myself to stop my search... And still, Baobao stayed with me.

Baobao...

I often spoke of my daughter. And of my need to return home. But also, the fact that I could not give up on my wife. And the fact that I missed my daughter, but there I was, away from her in some foreign land... That I was a useless parent.

I sent you a notebook. The trials... But even after you passed...

...I still clung to my long search, and I realized that I was a cruel and cowardly father. I could not deny it...

It took me far too long, but I finally accept it now. Marsh penguins do not have feathers. There is no miracle cure to revive the dead...

......

When I finally made up my mind, Baobao and I managed to reach the edge of the hinterlands.

But then, I got cold feet. I thought I had made up my mind... That I had finally accepted everything... But I could not help but think that if I left, we would lose your mother for good.

And that is when Baobao started running.

It did?

Pen!

You can see it in its eyes. This little guy's got a will of iron.

Pen! Pen-gu-pen!

What has gotten into you all of a sudden?

Hey... Do you think maybe Baobao was leading your father back to you?

Do you think so?

Yeah. I think it was trying to bring the two of you back together.

Baobao...

Oh, Pen Pe, eh...Baobao!

Pen!

Oh!

Oh my goodness, you are just the best! Leagues apart from Baba!

Lingli?!

I am only joking. Well...half-joking.

You HAVE been a terrible father. Even if you loved Mama very much you should not abandon your own daughter to try to bring her back.

Yes, you have got me there...

Still...

Thank you, Baba. If I had heard that story, I would have gone out searching for legendary penguins just like you did.

Thank you for never giving up on Mama. And...

Thank you for coming back to me.

Oh, Lingli! Sob... Thank you! Thank you!

So, what happens now?

First, we should go visit Mama's grave. The two of us owe her an apology. And then...

We should tell her it is no longer just the two of us.

Gyeh!

Yeah, that sounds nice.

And once we have done that, it is back to training! Come now, Baobao! Together, you, me, and Baba will create an even stronger attack! A triple attack!

Pen?!

I know I don't speak penguin...

But I'm pretty sure that means "no way."