A/N: I'm kind of unsure of what we're supposed to be doing for this, so I'll just write my theory and my reasoning behind it.
I believe the citizens in the story The Lottery preform this ritual in order to keep their crops well and healthy. The idea of sacrificing something or someone to a greater being in order to get something you want isn't new at all. Many shows have done this but the one show I immediately linked to the short story The Lottery is a show by the name Supernatural. In one of the episodes, a small town holds an annual event in which they sacrifice one random person to a demon in order to keep their crops well. I think that the town in The Lottery is in a similar or exact situation with Mr.Summers being the demon. (Reasons why this is believed were already discussed in class.)
Monday, May 21, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Earthbound: Chapter Four. Giant Step
A/N: Well... One sanctuary down, seven to go. We get to see (Well, hear.) a little bit of Paula here. Not going to really say who Paula is quite yet... You just have to read and find out!
After eating I decided to buy more supplies for my trek in Giant Step. I wasn't aware how difficult it would be, or what would be there waiting for me. I bought myself a new bat, some medicine, band-aids, and, just because, a good luck charm. I'd need the good luck, if it gave me any. Once I was stocked up on the miscellaneous I made my way toward the gate of Giant Step.
I pulled the key out of my pocket, inserted it in the keyhole, and twisted it. I heard a satisfying click as the door unlocked. The hinges on the gate were rusty and made a loud screeching noise as a pulled the door open. Behind the gate was a small shed, which seemed odd. I was almost certain this would bring me to some caves or forest...not a small shed. I went in the shed anyways, and my guess was right. The shed had a gaping hole at the end, and outside of the hole was a large cave. I gripped my bat tight and swallowed. Here goes nothing, I thought.
As I entered I was almost immediately attacked by some slugs. I didn't feel threatened by them (and I wasn't). Honestly, all I had to do was simply step on one and the others fled almost immediately. Dozens of them were around the cave, along with some other suspicious looking animals and insects. There were some rowdy looking mice crawling around everywhere, along with some black metal ants. In order to get farther in the cave, I had to battle with a few of these. It was really nothing, though. The ants were a little pesky. I really hoped I would never have to encounter any more metal ants after getting through this cave. They were a bit unsettling.
I maneuvered my way around most of the enemies, up ladders and ropes, through passageways and tunnels. It seemed like this cave never ended, I was starting to lose hope. I found a safe corner of the cave and plopped to the ground. I rummaged in my backpack for some snacks and found a cookie. Gnawing on the cookie I examined the cave. Something white, glowing, and round caught my eye. Behind it was an opening. I was ecstatic. Did I find it? Whatever "it" was I was sure I had found it! I swung my bag over my shoulder and ran toward the light.
I cautiously approached it. I wasn't sure if I could just walk through this light or what. It looked like the light was glowing from something solid so I took my bat and carefully touched it. The light suddenly went out, and just as quickly as it went out something appeared. It was a giant, titanic, ant! I jumped back and held my bat up in a position for me ready to fight. The ant said, in it's cold metallic voice, "This is Your Sanctuary, but it's mine now. Take it from me if you dare." The Titanic Ant charged at me.
My first instinct was to swing my bat at the Ant which, unfortunately, did nearly nothing. For a long while I was making fruitless attempts at hurting the Ant and dodging it's attack. I soon realized that the only thing I could do to hurt it at all was use the PSI powers I had realized earlier in my adventure. I'd use the power of PSI while it attacked me. This went back and forth for what seemed like a lifetime, though it was probably only five minutes at the very most. I was completely exhausted, and no energy left to use my PSI. I took one more desperate swing at the Ant.
I was very lucky, as the Titanic Ant must have been equally as tired as me. The weak swing brought the Ant down. It crawled out of my way and passed out. I dragged myself into the small tunnel, which on the other side I saw light. I crawled slowly through the small tunnel toward the light. Was I dead? Probably not.
I emerged from the small tunnel. My eyes squinted as I looked around the large open area. There was a giant footstep on the hill. I cautiously approached. It felt like a large burst of energy had knocked me right off my feet. I felt more relaxed than I ever had in my journey so far. I also, for whatever reason, had a flashback of when I was younger. I saw King as a puppy, he sure was cute. I stood in my sanctuary pondering what had just happened. I must have stood there for twenty, maybe even thirty minutes. Was this it? This is my sanctuary? My thought process was interrupted by a melody. It was coming from my backpack. I rustled around my backpack, trying to find the source of the sound. I soon discovered it was the stone that Buzzbuzz had given me. It played the same eight note melody over and over. The melody didn't seem complete though, like it needed more parts. I looked at Onett from where I was standing, listening to the fragment of the melody. I took a deep breath and went back in the small tunnel.
Walking back through the cave, none of the enemies tried to attack me. They simply moved to the side and went about their business. This was a rather pleasant surprise to me, even though I was completely energized. I felt like I could take on anything! I was so full of energy I ran through the cave toward the exit. I ran as fast as I could smiling like an idiot. I had done it! The first sanctuary! I was filled with so much joy and a large sense of accomplishment. This would be the first time I would ever feel this joyful. I would only feel this one more time on my journey, but that's not till later.
After running into town and to the hotel, my endless energy was slowly starting to drain. I sat on the bed panting. I flopped down, the bed made a loud squeaking noise. As the sun went down on Onett I slowly started to drift to sleep. That night I had a very strange dream.
Ness! Ness, listen to me!
I turned my head on the pillow.
My name is Paula, I am a friend you have never met. Ness, you need to help me!
I turned my head again.
Go south, towards Twoson. Please help!
After eating I decided to buy more supplies for my trek in Giant Step. I wasn't aware how difficult it would be, or what would be there waiting for me. I bought myself a new bat, some medicine, band-aids, and, just because, a good luck charm. I'd need the good luck, if it gave me any. Once I was stocked up on the miscellaneous I made my way toward the gate of Giant Step.
I pulled the key out of my pocket, inserted it in the keyhole, and twisted it. I heard a satisfying click as the door unlocked. The hinges on the gate were rusty and made a loud screeching noise as a pulled the door open. Behind the gate was a small shed, which seemed odd. I was almost certain this would bring me to some caves or forest...not a small shed. I went in the shed anyways, and my guess was right. The shed had a gaping hole at the end, and outside of the hole was a large cave. I gripped my bat tight and swallowed. Here goes nothing, I thought.
As I entered I was almost immediately attacked by some slugs. I didn't feel threatened by them (and I wasn't). Honestly, all I had to do was simply step on one and the others fled almost immediately. Dozens of them were around the cave, along with some other suspicious looking animals and insects. There were some rowdy looking mice crawling around everywhere, along with some black metal ants. In order to get farther in the cave, I had to battle with a few of these. It was really nothing, though. The ants were a little pesky. I really hoped I would never have to encounter any more metal ants after getting through this cave. They were a bit unsettling.
I maneuvered my way around most of the enemies, up ladders and ropes, through passageways and tunnels. It seemed like this cave never ended, I was starting to lose hope. I found a safe corner of the cave and plopped to the ground. I rummaged in my backpack for some snacks and found a cookie. Gnawing on the cookie I examined the cave. Something white, glowing, and round caught my eye. Behind it was an opening. I was ecstatic. Did I find it? Whatever "it" was I was sure I had found it! I swung my bag over my shoulder and ran toward the light.
I cautiously approached it. I wasn't sure if I could just walk through this light or what. It looked like the light was glowing from something solid so I took my bat and carefully touched it. The light suddenly went out, and just as quickly as it went out something appeared. It was a giant, titanic, ant! I jumped back and held my bat up in a position for me ready to fight. The ant said, in it's cold metallic voice, "This is Your Sanctuary, but it's mine now. Take it from me if you dare." The Titanic Ant charged at me.
My first instinct was to swing my bat at the Ant which, unfortunately, did nearly nothing. For a long while I was making fruitless attempts at hurting the Ant and dodging it's attack. I soon realized that the only thing I could do to hurt it at all was use the PSI powers I had realized earlier in my adventure. I'd use the power of PSI while it attacked me. This went back and forth for what seemed like a lifetime, though it was probably only five minutes at the very most. I was completely exhausted, and no energy left to use my PSI. I took one more desperate swing at the Ant.
I was very lucky, as the Titanic Ant must have been equally as tired as me. The weak swing brought the Ant down. It crawled out of my way and passed out. I dragged myself into the small tunnel, which on the other side I saw light. I crawled slowly through the small tunnel toward the light. Was I dead? Probably not.
I emerged from the small tunnel. My eyes squinted as I looked around the large open area. There was a giant footstep on the hill. I cautiously approached. It felt like a large burst of energy had knocked me right off my feet. I felt more relaxed than I ever had in my journey so far. I also, for whatever reason, had a flashback of when I was younger. I saw King as a puppy, he sure was cute. I stood in my sanctuary pondering what had just happened. I must have stood there for twenty, maybe even thirty minutes. Was this it? This is my sanctuary? My thought process was interrupted by a melody. It was coming from my backpack. I rustled around my backpack, trying to find the source of the sound. I soon discovered it was the stone that Buzzbuzz had given me. It played the same eight note melody over and over. The melody didn't seem complete though, like it needed more parts. I looked at Onett from where I was standing, listening to the fragment of the melody. I took a deep breath and went back in the small tunnel.
Walking back through the cave, none of the enemies tried to attack me. They simply moved to the side and went about their business. This was a rather pleasant surprise to me, even though I was completely energized. I felt like I could take on anything! I was so full of energy I ran through the cave toward the exit. I ran as fast as I could smiling like an idiot. I had done it! The first sanctuary! I was filled with so much joy and a large sense of accomplishment. This would be the first time I would ever feel this joyful. I would only feel this one more time on my journey, but that's not till later.
After running into town and to the hotel, my endless energy was slowly starting to drain. I sat on the bed panting. I flopped down, the bed made a loud squeaking noise. As the sun went down on Onett I slowly started to drift to sleep. That night I had a very strange dream.
Ness! Ness, listen to me!
I turned my head on the pillow.
My name is Paula, I am a friend you have never met. Ness, you need to help me!
I turned my head again.
Go south, towards Twoson. Please help!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
South Park
A/N: Hm, well, this was bound to happen one time or another. I am a huge fan of South Park and I really appreciate the satirical qualities of the show... So here's an essay about it!
Almost everybody is familiar with South Park, a show about four foul-mouthed boys from a podunk town in Colorado. It is infamous for slandering nearly every race and religion, every pop culture icon and celebrity. Because of this and the shows dark, crude, humor, many people disregard it as a stupid show, made by ignorant people. Is this really the case, though? South Park may actually be an adept satirical comedy.
In nearly every episode of South Park you can find a celebrity, current event, or new fad. You find it, and it's completely skewed or portrayed melodramatically. A good example of this is one of the older episodes, Chinpokomon (S3E10). When this episode aired the "in" thing was the Pokemon franchise. Matt Stone and Trey Parker (The creators of the show) took this fad and stuck it right into the small town of South Park, under the name of Chinpokomon. The boys became obsessed with the toys, the cards, the games...everything with the name on it. This is very similar to how children were acting about Pokemon outside of the show.
In this episode, as well as many other episodes, they touch on two subjects. The Chinpokomon episode not only touched on how obsessive children get over the new thing, but also how quickly the newest thing becomes old. This, of course, is exaggerated but it makes a very good point When one of the boys, Kyle, gets a Chinpokomon doll and shows it to his friends, they tell him that is was, "So yesterday," and proceed to tell him how the new thing is the Chinpokomon video game. This keeps happening to Kyle, as the cool new thing constantly changes every day. Just as, say, Silly Bandz were the coolest thing to have about a year ago, and now almost nobody is seen with one.
South Park doesn't just touch on pop culture and fads, but is also very big on religion. Jesus and Satan are common reoccurring characters in the show, along with other religous figures such as Moses, Joesph Smith, Budda, and even God himself. The show points out the worst in nearly every religion, not singling (or leaving) one out. This has sparked much controversy within the audience of the show. Two of the most recent episodes, the 200th and 201st episodes, are a great example of this. The Muslim audience of the show became very upset when Muhammad was shown in the show. The creators received death threats and lawsuits. The show even had to go on a long hiatus because of this. When the episode aired, Muhammad had to be censored. A censor was even played every time Muhammad's name was spoken or mentioned. This resulted in nearly a minute of continuous censored dialogue and a very confused fan base.
At the end of nearly every episode, one of the four boys concludes the show with the line "You know, I think I've learned something today." or with a reflection of the events within the episode. In the episode, Super Best Friends (S5E03) , the boys join a cult, being promised powers and magic. This ends up with the cult planning a mass suicide (a play on the Jonestown cult mass suicide in 1978). After they manage to get out of the cult (With the help of the Super Best Friends, a league of the popular religious leaders), Stan reflects on the events of their day by saying, “Cults are dangerous because they promise you hope, happiness, and maybe even an afterlife, but in return they demand that you pay money. Any religion that requires you to pay money in order to move up and learn its tenets is wrong. You see, all religions have something valuable to teach but just like the Super Best Friends learned, it requires a little bit of them all."
Once you look past the immature jokes, the crude language, and the overall absurd nature of the show you will find that South Park makes many great points, and is actually a very clever satire. They touch on religion, fads, beliefs, race, and everything in between. They not only insult them, and point out their weaknesses. They insult and say why. The boy's speeches at the end of the episodes are the voice of reason in the town of South Park, and maybe even be the voice of reason to the fans.
Almost everybody is familiar with South Park, a show about four foul-mouthed boys from a podunk town in Colorado. It is infamous for slandering nearly every race and religion, every pop culture icon and celebrity. Because of this and the shows dark, crude, humor, many people disregard it as a stupid show, made by ignorant people. Is this really the case, though? South Park may actually be an adept satirical comedy.
In nearly every episode of South Park you can find a celebrity, current event, or new fad. You find it, and it's completely skewed or portrayed melodramatically. A good example of this is one of the older episodes, Chinpokomon (S3E10). When this episode aired the "in" thing was the Pokemon franchise. Matt Stone and Trey Parker (The creators of the show) took this fad and stuck it right into the small town of South Park, under the name of Chinpokomon. The boys became obsessed with the toys, the cards, the games...everything with the name on it. This is very similar to how children were acting about Pokemon outside of the show.
In this episode, as well as many other episodes, they touch on two subjects. The Chinpokomon episode not only touched on how obsessive children get over the new thing, but also how quickly the newest thing becomes old. This, of course, is exaggerated but it makes a very good point When one of the boys, Kyle, gets a Chinpokomon doll and shows it to his friends, they tell him that is was, "So yesterday," and proceed to tell him how the new thing is the Chinpokomon video game. This keeps happening to Kyle, as the cool new thing constantly changes every day. Just as, say, Silly Bandz were the coolest thing to have about a year ago, and now almost nobody is seen with one.
South Park doesn't just touch on pop culture and fads, but is also very big on religion. Jesus and Satan are common reoccurring characters in the show, along with other religous figures such as Moses, Joesph Smith, Budda, and even God himself. The show points out the worst in nearly every religion, not singling (or leaving) one out. This has sparked much controversy within the audience of the show. Two of the most recent episodes, the 200th and 201st episodes, are a great example of this. The Muslim audience of the show became very upset when Muhammad was shown in the show. The creators received death threats and lawsuits. The show even had to go on a long hiatus because of this. When the episode aired, Muhammad had to be censored. A censor was even played every time Muhammad's name was spoken or mentioned. This resulted in nearly a minute of continuous censored dialogue and a very confused fan base.
At the end of nearly every episode, one of the four boys concludes the show with the line "You know, I think I've learned something today." or with a reflection of the events within the episode. In the episode, Super Best Friends (S5E03) , the boys join a cult, being promised powers and magic. This ends up with the cult planning a mass suicide (a play on the Jonestown cult mass suicide in 1978). After they manage to get out of the cult (With the help of the Super Best Friends, a league of the popular religious leaders), Stan reflects on the events of their day by saying, “Cults are dangerous because they promise you hope, happiness, and maybe even an afterlife, but in return they demand that you pay money. Any religion that requires you to pay money in order to move up and learn its tenets is wrong. You see, all religions have something valuable to teach but just like the Super Best Friends learned, it requires a little bit of them all."
Once you look past the immature jokes, the crude language, and the overall absurd nature of the show you will find that South Park makes many great points, and is actually a very clever satire. They touch on religion, fads, beliefs, race, and everything in between. They not only insult them, and point out their weaknesses. They insult and say why. The boy's speeches at the end of the episodes are the voice of reason in the town of South Park, and maybe even be the voice of reason to the fans.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
A Detailed Summary of MOTHER 3
A/N: This took a while... I'll admit. MOTHER 3 really is a heartwarming story.
Lucas cry with
Claus. Lucas miss mom he thinks.
Suddenly, guy comes
and say, "Good news bad news."
Flint say,
"Ok."
Guy say, "Good
news is weapon bad news in wife heart."
"No." yell
Flint.
Lucas cry.
Claus say, "I
WILL HER FIND."
Claus not find.
Claus dead.
Porky laugh. Claus
now Porky. Claus mask lighting beam on head.
Claus find by Lucas.
Claus not Claus.
Claus dead by Claus.
Porky laugh.
Lucas cry.
Flint cry.
Player cry.
World cry.
End…………????????
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Earthbound Chapter Three: Franky Comes Out Swingin'
A/N: Alright, this is the point in the game where things really pick up! Ness encounters the local ruffians and discovers the first "Your Sanctuary" location!
After waking up from a much-needed rest, I said my goodbyes to my mother and sister. They both wished me good luck; we all knew I needed it. Saving the world wasn't going to be easy, I was certain of it. I placed my baseball hat on my ruffled black hair and swung my backpack over my shoulder. I stepped out the door and called out one final farewell to my family. It was time to head into town.
I must have walked for a good hour. Onett truly wasn't that large of a town but I lived on the outskirts of it, far from the other houses and the shops. Just outside of town, near the library, I took note of a large, fenced off, wilderness area. Suddenly, something clicked in your head. You had always heard rumors of this place having a giant footstep at the peak. Buzz Buzz's speech ran through your head. These Sanctuaries all have names, Giant Step, Lilliput Steps, Milky Well, Rainy Circle, Magnet Hill, Pink Cloud, Lumine Hall, and Fire Spring. Giant Step! A rush of emotion came over me. I was excited...and scared. I had found the first sanctuary, but what was I going to find there? Surely it wouldn't be as simple as walking in and absorbing the power of the place...would it?
I approached the gates of sanctuary, shaking out of excitement and fear. My hands on the rusted handle, I look up to see a large sign. It read, "KEEP OUT" in bright, bold, red letters. I pondered how I managed to miss something like that at first. I assumed the gate was locked, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to try opening it so I pulled on the cold. rusted, metal handle of the gate. It was locked, as expected. I walked away, head low and sighing. This definitely put a damper on things, but I wasn't ready to let one locked gate stop me. After all, I was saving the world. What would Buzz Buzz think if the chosen boy gave up because of a lock!
After some thinking, I had thought of who would have the key. I didn't have how I would obtain the key worked out, but I'd get there. P.H Perckle, the mayor of Onett would almost certainly have the key, or at the very least know somebody who had did. I could probably do a favor for the mayor. He was always asking citizens to do his work for him and he never wanted to take responsibility for anything. I giggled at remembering the posters that were around town during the election. I remembered my favorite one which read, "P.H Perckle is a Jerkle!"
Walking to city hall, I noticed the citizens were acting strange. They were all riled up, ranting on about a group called "The Sharks". My opinion of The Sharks at this time didn't quite think they were all too threatening or dangerous. My opinion of them changed as I reached the south of town. One of the members wheeled at me on his skateboard, knocking me with a fist on my head. Rubbing the sore spot on my head I could hear the snickering of the Shark and his cohorts. I waved my hand on the ground, searching for my baseball bat. Once I had grip of it I stood up as quickly as my injured body would allow and swung. I managed to hit one of them. The tall, scrawny punk fell to the ground with a satisfying thud. The other two members in the fight just stared at me and back at him. As the injured Shark got up he quickly fled along with the other two.
Exhausted from the fight, I returned to the north of town. I hadn't seen any of the gang up there so I figured I'd be safe for the time being. I pulled out the ATM card my dad had given me once and withdrew fifty dollars for food and supplies, and went out to buy lunch. Sitting in Onett's burger shop, munching on my burger, I reminisced my not so pleasant encounter with the Sharks and realised I wasn't as strong as I initially thought I was. I'd have to train to get anywhere with saving the world.
I really had no sufficient way to train so I made do with beating trees in the nearby forest and practicing avoiding the rogue animals outside of town limits. Well, I couldn't get very far past town limits due to some policemen and roadblocks. Apparently, the Onett police force pride themselves on the roadblocks. My "training" was surprisingly effective. On my way back up to the northern part of town I encountered some more Sharks, which I easily defeated. I also completely forgot my quest to find the mayor. I was often easily distracted.
Remembering the reason I went to the south of the town in the first place, I quickly ran to city hall. Though expected, I was irked when I ran into some Shark members. I prepared myself for a fight when one of the punks hopped at me on their pogo stick. I quickly evaded their punches, kicks, headbutts, and other miscellaneous fighting moves. I swung my bat with near perfect accuracy, knocking them out and giving me time to pass them. Looking back, I feel bad for taking the stuff they dropped (i.e.Their lunch) but I was a hungry twelve year old boy who was just in a fight with some gang members. I felt I deserved some lunch.
I finally reached city hall. I went up to the secretary and was shown to Mr.Perkle. He looked distressed and frustrated. Perefect, I thought. It meant there was something he had to do, but didn't want to. To him I seemed like a gift from above. Who would have thought somebody would just walk in his office and ask to do his work? Normally, He had a reputation for forcing people to do work but he wouldn't even have to ask this time!
I opened my mouth to speak but I was quickly interrupted by the mayor. "Ah. yes! You there, boy. Would you like to do the law a favor?" Here we go, I think. As I nodded my head, the stress seemed to lift instantly off P.H Perkles face. He put his hand on my shoulder and began to speak. "So I'm sure you've seen that group of punks running around, The Sharks, yes? Well, see I need you to stop them! I understand you're just a boy but you can do it! You'll do it, right?"
I'll admit, I was expecting something much easier. I really did not think he would ask a boy to take down a whole gang but he did and If I wanted the key to Giant Step I'd have to do it. I threw on a smile and agreed. The mayors smile widened. "Alright! That's wonderful!" The mayors cheer stopped, his voice went down an octave, and he looked around cautiously. He whispered to me, "Just make sure if anything goes wrong, I won't be held responsible. Can you do that?" A bit worried, I nodded anyways.
I sat outside of city hall thinking just how exactly would I defeat a whole gang. It was really quite a lot for a boy of my age. I thought of just a week ago when my biggest concern was what I was going have for dinner, never would I have dreamed of me having to take town a group of ruffians...much less save the entire world from aliens! It was all too much for me, I really needed to rest. I could walk home and sleep there, but home was a few miles away and I was too exhausted to even walk that far. I was pretty much broke, so the hotel was out of the option. Or was it?
I went into the nearest building with a payphone and called my father. As I assumed, my mother had told him about my adventure. I was ready to ask him for some money, but as if he read my mind his voice boomed from the other end. "Ness, my boy! I found out about everything. You can do it, son. However, since you will be traveling around the country, maybe even the world, this obviously needs to be funded! I will occasionally put money in your bank account. I put three hundred dollars in there, be sure to not spend it all in one place! Anyways, son, I hate to hang up on you like this but I'm very busy. Call me if you need anything!"
I guess the hotel was an option.
---
I woke up from my slumber in a hotel room. First, I was a bit taken back by my surroundings. Astoundingly, I had forgotten everything that had happened yesterday. My memory was quickly regained, though. I sat on the edge of my bed, trying to come up with a plan to take down the Sharks. I would need some way to find their leader and to do that I'd need to find out where they all hang out. Remembering that they were all in the south of town, I deduced their hideout must be down there. There wasn't much in the south of town; A bakery, the police station, and the arcade. I couldn't imagine them hanging out at a bakery, so I checked that off my mental list. No crooks in their right mind would put their hideout in a police station! That leaves the arcade.
I made the small trek from the hotel to the arcade in a very little amount of time. I somehow managed to avoid getting in any fights with the members, I wanted to save my energy for the gangs leader. I entered the arcade, and my theory about this being their hideout was correct. There were at least two dozen of them on the first floor, who knows how many resided on the second.
I noticed a huge doorway, with a few of the members standing in front of it. Most likely, that was where their leader was. I approached the doorway. getting ready for a fight with the guards. Surprisingly, they just laughed at me. "So, kid. You really want to see Franky, huh? Good luck with that," they taunted. One of them opened the door, and I entered. I saw what I expected...for the most part. Yes, there was a gang leader there...but there was something else.
It was a giant robot! I couldn't believe my eyes. I stood there, certain I looked like an absolute fool. My mouth was gaping and my eyes were frozen on the robot. Franky spoke up. "Hey, kid. I see you starin' at my creation, Frankystien Mark II. It's pretty amazing, no? Anyways, I see a kid walk in here with a baseball bat and an angry look and I think that this kid wants to hurt me, yeah? Well I'd like to see you try."
He comes at me with a knife, much quicker than I would have expected from a man of his shape. He grazes my shoulder with the blade. I hiss and swing my bat, hitting him on the knee. Franky falls, but is quickly back up. He lashes at me with his knife again, this time I'm able to avoid his attack. I swing my bat again, this time barely hitting him on the shoulder. He smirks and comes at me again, this time with his fists. I wasn't up for fisticuffs with this guy so I keep hold of my bat. I try and swing but it's too late, Franky's fist met my face.
I'm knocked to the ground, and stay there for a few seconds. "Hey, kid," Franky yells. "You're really no good at this maybe you should stop at let us Sharks be, we aint' hurtin' nobody!" He snickers. I was well sick of his taunts now, and I was angry. Personally, I don't like being beaten up by cocky gang members. I get up, this time much more determined to beat this guy. I stared at him and he stared at me. We waited for the next move. As it turns out, I was the first one to lunge at him this time. Near-flailing my bat around, I knocked him in the head. I could tell it hurt him, but it seems like it wasn't enough to completely knock him out.
He was just as angry I was at this point. Both of us were prepared to win. He didn't want to be beaten by me and I didn't want to be beaten by him. So one attack after another, we both slowly became exhausted. Franky and I had barely enough energy to carry on with this fight. Luckily, I was a pinch more energized than him, and took Franky out with one final blow to the head.
Franky lay on the ground unconscious for a few minutes. I stared at him and then back at the robot. Was it going to attack me? Why did Franky even have it? Franky woke up and looked at me and smiled. "I may be done, kid, but Frankystien Mark II isn't! Go!" On his command the robot whirred toward me. I quickly ran out of it's way, but that didn't really help. It shot a burst of hot smoke. I covered my eyes and began to cough. Peaking above my arm, I could barely see. There was still smoke everywhere and the Frankystien Mark II had shrouded itself very well. I did the only think I really could do, and swung my bat around frantically. I heard a loud metal clank after, confirming I had hit the robot successfully.
The blow did virtually nothing. It kept releasing bursts of smoke, each burst getting gradually hotter. This was going to near burn my skin off! I was desperate, I would do anything to stop this thing! And then, as if something inside had answered my call of desperation, I glowed a bright, blinding red light. I did not know at the time, but this was one of my many physic powers. It hit the robot and Frankystien Mark II was no more.
Franky stood off to the side, his face showing a wide array of emotions. I couldn't tell if he was, angry, disappointed or confused. But then his emotions were clear when a wide smile appeared on his face. I was incredibly puzzled by this. Franky approached me, the smile still on his face. "Well, kid. It looks like you and I are equal." I wasn't sure what to say. "Tell ya what, I'll call of the Sharks. You wont be having any more trouble with them here in Onett." He offered his hand for me to shake, and I did. "Good luck, kid," Franky said.
I got a few dirty looks from the former members of the Sharks, not too happy about what I've done. I just shrug them off. Personally, I thought it was for the best, for them to leave a gang. They'd be happy to disagree, though. I reached city hall once again. I made my way up to the mayors office, and he greeted me with hopeful eyes. "Did you get rid of them Sharks?" I nodded. "See! I knew you could do it." I stood in front of his desk. "So," he looked around uncomfortably, "You probably want a reward, yeah?" I nodded again. "Er... Alright well here's some money." P.H Perkle handed me a one hundred dollar bill. This would be great any other time, but I did all of this for something else. I'm about to tell him what I wanted but the mayor spoke again. "And, well...my secretary was down by those woods with the gate. She said she saw you tryin' to get in so I guess it's really no big deal if I give you the key. There really is no reason why that place is locked up anyways." Bingo.
Retreating to my hotel room, I lay down in my bed. I rubbed the key between my fingers. This is the key that would, more or less, be the start of my adventure. Sure, I'd taken down a gang but that was nothing compared to these Sanctuary places. It really was a lot to grasp. I closed my eyes and slowly drifted to sleep. I would wake up and go straight to Giant Step. I had no idea what was in store for me there, but I could certainly dream of it.
(Just because the Frankystien Mark II is probably one of the coolest looking enemies in Earthbound... Here's a picture
Also! The Sharks look like this...
)
After waking up from a much-needed rest, I said my goodbyes to my mother and sister. They both wished me good luck; we all knew I needed it. Saving the world wasn't going to be easy, I was certain of it. I placed my baseball hat on my ruffled black hair and swung my backpack over my shoulder. I stepped out the door and called out one final farewell to my family. It was time to head into town.
I must have walked for a good hour. Onett truly wasn't that large of a town but I lived on the outskirts of it, far from the other houses and the shops. Just outside of town, near the library, I took note of a large, fenced off, wilderness area. Suddenly, something clicked in your head. You had always heard rumors of this place having a giant footstep at the peak. Buzz Buzz's speech ran through your head. These Sanctuaries all have names, Giant Step, Lilliput Steps, Milky Well, Rainy Circle, Magnet Hill, Pink Cloud, Lumine Hall, and Fire Spring. Giant Step! A rush of emotion came over me. I was excited...and scared. I had found the first sanctuary, but what was I going to find there? Surely it wouldn't be as simple as walking in and absorbing the power of the place...would it?
I approached the gates of sanctuary, shaking out of excitement and fear. My hands on the rusted handle, I look up to see a large sign. It read, "KEEP OUT" in bright, bold, red letters. I pondered how I managed to miss something like that at first. I assumed the gate was locked, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to try opening it so I pulled on the cold. rusted, metal handle of the gate. It was locked, as expected. I walked away, head low and sighing. This definitely put a damper on things, but I wasn't ready to let one locked gate stop me. After all, I was saving the world. What would Buzz Buzz think if the chosen boy gave up because of a lock!
After some thinking, I had thought of who would have the key. I didn't have how I would obtain the key worked out, but I'd get there. P.H Perckle, the mayor of Onett would almost certainly have the key, or at the very least know somebody who had did. I could probably do a favor for the mayor. He was always asking citizens to do his work for him and he never wanted to take responsibility for anything. I giggled at remembering the posters that were around town during the election. I remembered my favorite one which read, "P.H Perckle is a Jerkle!"
Walking to city hall, I noticed the citizens were acting strange. They were all riled up, ranting on about a group called "The Sharks". My opinion of The Sharks at this time didn't quite think they were all too threatening or dangerous. My opinion of them changed as I reached the south of town. One of the members wheeled at me on his skateboard, knocking me with a fist on my head. Rubbing the sore spot on my head I could hear the snickering of the Shark and his cohorts. I waved my hand on the ground, searching for my baseball bat. Once I had grip of it I stood up as quickly as my injured body would allow and swung. I managed to hit one of them. The tall, scrawny punk fell to the ground with a satisfying thud. The other two members in the fight just stared at me and back at him. As the injured Shark got up he quickly fled along with the other two.
Exhausted from the fight, I returned to the north of town. I hadn't seen any of the gang up there so I figured I'd be safe for the time being. I pulled out the ATM card my dad had given me once and withdrew fifty dollars for food and supplies, and went out to buy lunch. Sitting in Onett's burger shop, munching on my burger, I reminisced my not so pleasant encounter with the Sharks and realised I wasn't as strong as I initially thought I was. I'd have to train to get anywhere with saving the world.
I really had no sufficient way to train so I made do with beating trees in the nearby forest and practicing avoiding the rogue animals outside of town limits. Well, I couldn't get very far past town limits due to some policemen and roadblocks. Apparently, the Onett police force pride themselves on the roadblocks. My "training" was surprisingly effective. On my way back up to the northern part of town I encountered some more Sharks, which I easily defeated. I also completely forgot my quest to find the mayor. I was often easily distracted.
Remembering the reason I went to the south of the town in the first place, I quickly ran to city hall. Though expected, I was irked when I ran into some Shark members. I prepared myself for a fight when one of the punks hopped at me on their pogo stick. I quickly evaded their punches, kicks, headbutts, and other miscellaneous fighting moves. I swung my bat with near perfect accuracy, knocking them out and giving me time to pass them. Looking back, I feel bad for taking the stuff they dropped (i.e.Their lunch) but I was a hungry twelve year old boy who was just in a fight with some gang members. I felt I deserved some lunch.
I finally reached city hall. I went up to the secretary and was shown to Mr.Perkle. He looked distressed and frustrated. Perefect, I thought. It meant there was something he had to do, but didn't want to. To him I seemed like a gift from above. Who would have thought somebody would just walk in his office and ask to do his work? Normally, He had a reputation for forcing people to do work but he wouldn't even have to ask this time!
I opened my mouth to speak but I was quickly interrupted by the mayor. "Ah. yes! You there, boy. Would you like to do the law a favor?" Here we go, I think. As I nodded my head, the stress seemed to lift instantly off P.H Perkles face. He put his hand on my shoulder and began to speak. "So I'm sure you've seen that group of punks running around, The Sharks, yes? Well, see I need you to stop them! I understand you're just a boy but you can do it! You'll do it, right?"
I'll admit, I was expecting something much easier. I really did not think he would ask a boy to take down a whole gang but he did and If I wanted the key to Giant Step I'd have to do it. I threw on a smile and agreed. The mayors smile widened. "Alright! That's wonderful!" The mayors cheer stopped, his voice went down an octave, and he looked around cautiously. He whispered to me, "Just make sure if anything goes wrong, I won't be held responsible. Can you do that?" A bit worried, I nodded anyways.
I sat outside of city hall thinking just how exactly would I defeat a whole gang. It was really quite a lot for a boy of my age. I thought of just a week ago when my biggest concern was what I was going have for dinner, never would I have dreamed of me having to take town a group of ruffians...much less save the entire world from aliens! It was all too much for me, I really needed to rest. I could walk home and sleep there, but home was a few miles away and I was too exhausted to even walk that far. I was pretty much broke, so the hotel was out of the option. Or was it?
I went into the nearest building with a payphone and called my father. As I assumed, my mother had told him about my adventure. I was ready to ask him for some money, but as if he read my mind his voice boomed from the other end. "Ness, my boy! I found out about everything. You can do it, son. However, since you will be traveling around the country, maybe even the world, this obviously needs to be funded! I will occasionally put money in your bank account. I put three hundred dollars in there, be sure to not spend it all in one place! Anyways, son, I hate to hang up on you like this but I'm very busy. Call me if you need anything!"
I guess the hotel was an option.
---
I woke up from my slumber in a hotel room. First, I was a bit taken back by my surroundings. Astoundingly, I had forgotten everything that had happened yesterday. My memory was quickly regained, though. I sat on the edge of my bed, trying to come up with a plan to take down the Sharks. I would need some way to find their leader and to do that I'd need to find out where they all hang out. Remembering that they were all in the south of town, I deduced their hideout must be down there. There wasn't much in the south of town; A bakery, the police station, and the arcade. I couldn't imagine them hanging out at a bakery, so I checked that off my mental list. No crooks in their right mind would put their hideout in a police station! That leaves the arcade.
I made the small trek from the hotel to the arcade in a very little amount of time. I somehow managed to avoid getting in any fights with the members, I wanted to save my energy for the gangs leader. I entered the arcade, and my theory about this being their hideout was correct. There were at least two dozen of them on the first floor, who knows how many resided on the second.
I noticed a huge doorway, with a few of the members standing in front of it. Most likely, that was where their leader was. I approached the doorway. getting ready for a fight with the guards. Surprisingly, they just laughed at me. "So, kid. You really want to see Franky, huh? Good luck with that," they taunted. One of them opened the door, and I entered. I saw what I expected...for the most part. Yes, there was a gang leader there...but there was something else.
It was a giant robot! I couldn't believe my eyes. I stood there, certain I looked like an absolute fool. My mouth was gaping and my eyes were frozen on the robot. Franky spoke up. "Hey, kid. I see you starin' at my creation, Frankystien Mark II. It's pretty amazing, no? Anyways, I see a kid walk in here with a baseball bat and an angry look and I think that this kid wants to hurt me, yeah? Well I'd like to see you try."
He comes at me with a knife, much quicker than I would have expected from a man of his shape. He grazes my shoulder with the blade. I hiss and swing my bat, hitting him on the knee. Franky falls, but is quickly back up. He lashes at me with his knife again, this time I'm able to avoid his attack. I swing my bat again, this time barely hitting him on the shoulder. He smirks and comes at me again, this time with his fists. I wasn't up for fisticuffs with this guy so I keep hold of my bat. I try and swing but it's too late, Franky's fist met my face.
I'm knocked to the ground, and stay there for a few seconds. "Hey, kid," Franky yells. "You're really no good at this maybe you should stop at let us Sharks be, we aint' hurtin' nobody!" He snickers. I was well sick of his taunts now, and I was angry. Personally, I don't like being beaten up by cocky gang members. I get up, this time much more determined to beat this guy. I stared at him and he stared at me. We waited for the next move. As it turns out, I was the first one to lunge at him this time. Near-flailing my bat around, I knocked him in the head. I could tell it hurt him, but it seems like it wasn't enough to completely knock him out.
He was just as angry I was at this point. Both of us were prepared to win. He didn't want to be beaten by me and I didn't want to be beaten by him. So one attack after another, we both slowly became exhausted. Franky and I had barely enough energy to carry on with this fight. Luckily, I was a pinch more energized than him, and took Franky out with one final blow to the head.
Franky lay on the ground unconscious for a few minutes. I stared at him and then back at the robot. Was it going to attack me? Why did Franky even have it? Franky woke up and looked at me and smiled. "I may be done, kid, but Frankystien Mark II isn't! Go!" On his command the robot whirred toward me. I quickly ran out of it's way, but that didn't really help. It shot a burst of hot smoke. I covered my eyes and began to cough. Peaking above my arm, I could barely see. There was still smoke everywhere and the Frankystien Mark II had shrouded itself very well. I did the only think I really could do, and swung my bat around frantically. I heard a loud metal clank after, confirming I had hit the robot successfully.
The blow did virtually nothing. It kept releasing bursts of smoke, each burst getting gradually hotter. This was going to near burn my skin off! I was desperate, I would do anything to stop this thing! And then, as if something inside had answered my call of desperation, I glowed a bright, blinding red light. I did not know at the time, but this was one of my many physic powers. It hit the robot and Frankystien Mark II was no more.
Franky stood off to the side, his face showing a wide array of emotions. I couldn't tell if he was, angry, disappointed or confused. But then his emotions were clear when a wide smile appeared on his face. I was incredibly puzzled by this. Franky approached me, the smile still on his face. "Well, kid. It looks like you and I are equal." I wasn't sure what to say. "Tell ya what, I'll call of the Sharks. You wont be having any more trouble with them here in Onett." He offered his hand for me to shake, and I did. "Good luck, kid," Franky said.
Retreating to my hotel room, I lay down in my bed. I rubbed the key between my fingers. This is the key that would, more or less, be the start of my adventure. Sure, I'd taken down a gang but that was nothing compared to these Sanctuary places. It really was a lot to grasp. I closed my eyes and slowly drifted to sleep. I would wake up and go straight to Giant Step. I had no idea what was in store for me there, but I could certainly dream of it.
Also! The Sharks look like this...
)
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Calpurnia
A/N: Here's my essay for To Kill A Mockingbird. It's a character analysis of Calpurnia. This is still a bit of a rough draft, I just needed this on my blog before eleven. haha. I'm planning on going back and fixing things...
As a motherly figure, and the gateway to the black society for the Finches, Calpurnia is a very important character. She tries to fill the gap between the black and white societies, she looks after Jem and Scout as if they were her own children, and they respect her. Though Calpurnia's motherly love for the children is true, she doesn't quite practice what she preaches.
Calpurnia, since Scout's mother had died, is the only woman figure for Scout to look up to throughout the book. Because of this, Calpurnia feels that she has to the right to show and teach Scout just as a mother would. She protects Scout and the other children just as a mother would too. When Calpurnia says Jem and Scout have a boundary between Mrs. Dubose’s house and the Radley place, it shows that she wants them close enough so they can hear her voice when she calls for them. This is showing that Calpurnia, like a mother, is very protective of them, and does not want them to get hurt.
Calpurnia takes the Finches to the black church. This is their first encounter with the real "black society." Even though Calpurnia tells them that blacks and whites are equal, and the whites are the racist ones, Calpurnia uses a different tone of voice, even a completely different dialect with the members of the church when they tell her that she shouldn't be bring whites into the church. This completely counteracts what she says; The blacks can be racist, just as the whites are, and if everybody is truly equal, Calpurnia would not have needed to change her dialect when speaking to whites as opposed to speaking with blacks.
Despite Calpurnia's efforts to show the Finches blacks and whites are equal, her actions speak more than her words. Though she preaches whites and blacks are equal, and that we shouldn't be racist, the scene at the church shows how she subconsciously acts and reveals that the two societies are very different. Calpurnia also cares deeply for the Finch children, and they look up to her, despite the fact she is black. Atticus also respects her, although he is a grown white man. In a way, she did break the border between whites and blacks, if only a little bit and for few people.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Earthbound Chapter Two: Buzz Buzz's Demise
A/N: Chapter two...yay! Next chapter and we can start Ness' adventures!
We followed Buzz Buzz down back down the hill. I'm sure we all had plenty of thoughts racing through our heads, but I wouldn't be afraid to bet that I was the most confused, intrigued, and scared by this. The way back down the hill, Buzz Buzz said nothing. Nobody said anything. It was quiet and suspenseful.
BZZT.
A flash of light appeared in front of us, revealing a shiny, silver, humanoid figure.
"Buzz Buzz," It's voice was robotic, complete with the whirring and the clanking, "You have tried to foil master Giygas' plans far too many times. This is the end of you and your plans. I will squash you like the insect you are!"
And with that, we were engaged in combat. Buzz Buzz had put up what seemed to be a shield…a psychic shield of sorts. Honestly, Porky, Picky, and I didn't do much in this battle. Buzz Buzz had done all the fighting and shielding. Without much effort, Buzz Buzz had taken down the silver figure. It's broken, robotic parts splayed across the grass.
"We must hurry. The Starman have caught on," Buzz Buzz flew away toward my house.
"Wait," Porky yelled, "I have to get home! I'm already deep in trouble I don't think should be out much longer."
Picky piped in, "Yeah! Our parents probably already have flames burstin' out of their ears. If we're gone much longer they might explode or somethin'" Buzz Buzz stopped and changed his path, this time toward Porky's house.
"Very well then," he said.
Porky gulped and opened the door to his house. Immediately we were greeted by his mother. "PORKY! PICKY!" Porky and Picky lowered their heads. "What were you two doing out so late?" Her voice boomed throughout the house. The siblings eyes widened when they heard a thudding down the stairs.
"Boys!" Their father said, his voice filled with anger. "You'r-" Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by his wife's loud shriek.
"EEEEEEEEE!" She frantically waved her arms around, swatting at the air. "A bug! A bug!"
Buzz Buzz maneuvered around the woman's' large hand, but he could only keep this up for so long. Lardna had swatted him down.
"Thank heavens. Stupid dung beetles," Lardna muttered.
I went to Buzz Buzz, he clearly wasn't going to survive what had just happened. "Ness…" he coughed. It was quite odd to hear a bug cough. "Ness listen to me. This is very important. Are you listening?" I nodded, Buzz Buzz continued. "There are eight locations throughout the world. Your Sanctuaries, Ness. You must find the eight Sanctuaries. Here you will gather power from the earth and a short part of a melody. Here, take this." Suddenly, a stone appeared in front of him. "This is the sound stone. Use this to record the melodies from the Sanctuaries."
I was confused, what exactly were the Sanctuaries? Where would I find them? How would I even know what they look like? And as if Buzz Buzz had read my thoughts, he continued on. "These Sanctuaries all have names, Giant Step, Lilliput Steps, Milky Well, Rainy Circle, Magnet Hill, Pink Cloud, Lumine Hall, and Fire Spring. Only you can access the power from these locations Ness. I-" Buzz Buzz coughed again, "I must be taking my leave now. I unfortunately cannot carry on any longer. Good luck, Ness."
Buzz Buzz was gone.
I said my farewells to the Minch's and went back to my house. I explained to my mother everything that had happened; Everything that Buzz Buzz had told me. We sat in silence for a long moment. She put her hand on my shoulder and smiled.
"Well, Mr. Chosen One. Hero's need their sleep too."
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