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Now where were we? Oh yes, that's right. We were following Sir Bison out into the courtyard of Zalagoon Castle because there's a dispute between the king of Zalagoon and Advisor Glade - something about Glade trying to take over Zalagoon or something of that nature.
Out in the courtyard everyone of importance, minus Queen Scarlet, has assembled.
Sire! Please make your decision. With Marion gone, we have no one else to stand with us against Bandore.
What's going on?
It's a party and we're invited!
You've got a weird definition of party then, Steiner.
I don't see Aunt Scarlet. Sir Bison...?
That's part of the reason for this, I suspect. She suddenly left a couple days ago.
*shakes head* But... Glade. What makes you think Marion's Royal Family is no more? [sic] I'm sure you know how long it's been since Marion was invaded. If the Royal Family were alive, they would have come here asking for help. [sic]
Then what about those... Surely you're not referring to those impostors. They were probably executed for their failure.
Suddenly Sir Bison interrupts the conversation.
Fortunately, you were wrong about them. What?! Sir Bison...! What...? What's going on here?
What? You again? How dare you insult us by returning!
That's enough, Glade. Sir Bison I trust you have a good reason for interrupting us.
Please forgive me your Majesty but I cannot in good conscience allow Advisor Glade's... accusations to stand unchallenged. Our guests have returned and they have something they wish to say. You would waste our time with this, this prattle? Sir Bison have you completely lost your mind?
No, Advisor Glade. I remain firmly grounded, as always.
Your Majesty you cannot seriously be considering listening to anything they have to say. These are Bandore spies! The only thing they will tell you are more lies.
I will judge that for myself.
Your Majesty...
Silence! Alright, Sir Bison, I will humor you but know that if this is another trick it will be upon your head.
I understand my liege. *turns to Edward* Go ahead.
Prince Edward steps forward.
I know that you have no reason to trust me. I also know that Advisor Glade would love nothing more then to laugh at our misfortune.
The only thing I was laughing at was the absurd incompetence of your lies.
I'm not finished, Advisor Glade. You were finished before you ever set foot in this castle, boy. Glade...
I don't care if you hate me, Advisor Glade. I'm not talking to you. Uncle, esteemed king of Zalagoon, I am your nephew Edward. I come before you today with my vassal Sir Samson and our friends to ask for a second chance. We have let you down before. I am sorry for that, Uncle. I am the one hope Marion has yet the last time we came to you to ask for your aid all we could do was embarrass ourselves in front of you. I accept full responsibility for that shame.
Oh that's rich! The spy who would be a prince comes crawling back trying to complete his failed mission. What, did the emperor take pity and give you a second chance to avoid execution?
I told you, Advisor Glade, that I am not talking to you.
Hmph. What a laugh. Rude boy. Do you really think we don't see right through your lies?
They are not lies.
Then what are you hoping to accomplish? Are you here to prostrate yourselves before the king and beg for his mercy?
No. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I came back to prove once and for all, that I am Prince Edward of Marion.
Samson steps forward
We will not allow Zalagoon, the sister kingdom of Marion, to make peace with our enemy Bandore.
Wouldn't be much of a peace anyway.
Shh! Tont!
I am prepared to take any test you wish of me, Uncle.
Hmm. Yes. I see that. I am curious, however, on how you got into the castle. The front gate is supposed to be locked.
Sir Bison prepared alternate means of entry for us.
How, how did you...? Sir Bison! What is the meaning of this?!
Sir Bison takes center stage, almost squaring off against Glade in the process.
My lord, Sir Samson broke the curse that drained his strength. He can now prove that he is Marion's hero, Samson, by lifting the pillar. For Marion's sake, and for the sake of Zalagoon, please give them the benefit of the doubt.
Glade quickly steps back in alarm.
What?! That's impossible! There is no way to break that curse...
Hey, wait a minute...
*growls something incomprehensible*
Sir Bison and the team walk forward prompting Glade to flee to the king's side.
Please, sire, before it is too late.
*nods* Hmm... Are you sure that you can do it this time?
Samson steps forward.
Absolutely.
Glade turns to the king.
Your Highness, don't listen to these impostors. They are just trying to deceive you again!
You would already have me surrender to Bandore. I am failing to see the risk in listening to this boy who claims to be Edward. And the fact that Sir Bison has possibly betrayed you by letting enemies into the castle means nothing to you?
I will deal with that... if their story proves to be false.
My lord surely you must realize the danger we are all in right now.
I do and that is why I am keeping an open mind and considering all possible options.
You cannot be serious! You would... you would send the army of Zalagoon to its death in a useless battle against Bandore?
Do you really think so little of the soldiers under your command, Advisor Glade?
Well... I er...
I'm waiting.
Sire, you know that I am only trying to do what is best for the kingdom. Bandore easily crushed Marion by catching it off guard. We cannot fall into the same type of trap.
But you would still have me surrender and place our trust in Bandore's supposed mercy? We can avoid pointless death that way! If we swear fealty to the emperor there will be no war and Zalagoon will continue more or less as it has for centuries.
I do not trust you, Glade. You ask me to turn over the entire country solely upon your word.
So instead you would balance the fate of our nation on the words of a child who is a proven liar?
He has shown remarkable courage coming back to try to clear his name. Sire, as your advisor I must warn against this course of action.
Your objection is noted, Advisor Glade.
Sire...
That's enough! I've decided to give them one more chance! But there is no third time. [sic] Fair enough?
Yes... your Majesty. That is...
That is what, Advisor Glade?
Fair... that is fair.
The king turns to address Edward.
Is this... all right with you?
Yes. We won't let you down this time right, Sir Samson? Damn right!
Samson turns to face his greatest foe: that damn pillar! It's just as off-colored as it was when we first arrived in Zalagoon. Also, the shadow for it is clearly off. (Because what a scene like this needs is me nitpicking little things like shadows on the set pieces.)
The moment of truth, Sir Samson.
I've known this was coming. I'm ready.
Samson starts to walk towards the pillar when Sir Piat decides to chime in.
Good luck, Samson!
I won't need luck.
(I guess Piat is firmly back in the Samson fanclub.)
Samson walks up to the pillar and takes a moment to collect himself.
This is it. No interruptions this time. Focus!
*takes a deep breath*
Then Samson turns back to look at the group as if to reassure himself.
I really hope this works.
It should. The curse is gone.
Yeah but that doesn't mean he's completely back to normal does it, sis?
Hmm.
Uh, what's the contingency plan if this goes wrong?
Uhhh...
We get executed for wasting the king's time again. I'm pretty sure that's what would happen.
Grasping the pillar firmly Samson summons his strength.
Once more. Come on, we can do this.
Hu Hu...
A glowy effect illuminates Samson. (Just picture his sprite with the colors brightened a bit.)
HAAAAHHH!
And the pillar starts to rise.
I know you can do it, Samson.
With some effort the pillar rises higher.
You've almost got it...
With some more effort the pillar rises higher.
Impossible!
And finally Samson raises the pillar to its full height. A fanfare plays and sadly, despite the fact that Samson is practically holding the pillar above his head, it is not the Zelda item found fanfare. I'm still not clear on why his earlier lift attempt, which did get the pillar off the ground, wasn't good enough. It's not as if anyone else in the castle could hope to lift it straight off the ground at all. I guess it just didn't meet some arbitrary standard of spectacular enough to match Samson's reputation. Tough crowd.
Well done, Samson!
Warning! Animated GIF!
The ground shakes and everything when Samson drops the pillar just like it did on his first attempt. It is clearly pretty damn heavy.
Samson stands still trying to catch his breath.
*breathing heavily* There... finally. I'm getting... getting too old for these stunts.
...
I know...
As Samson walks back to the group there is silence while everyone waits for the king's verdict.
That was most impressive, Sir Samson.
Thank you, your Majesty.
Sire...
That had better not be an excuse to try to avoid honoring the agreement you made, Advisor Glade.
No, of course not. I am a man of my word.
Then I will fullfill that agreement. I hereby declare that this is the real Prince Edward and his companions. We will lend them any aid they may need to reclaim Marion!
Everyone is happy except for Glade, who quietly backpedals towards the keep.
Finally!
Good job, Sir Samson. *smiles weakly* It is done, Prince Edward.
Prrrar! We'll be able to go home now, Finn.
Well not right this second but yeah, soon. Not before I've had a chance to see Zalagoon!
I doubt that's going to be a problem, Tont.
The king walks over to Edward.
Young Prince Edward, please accept my apology for doubting you. Wow, Edward, it's not everyday a king apologizes to someone.
*blushes* Oh, er, uh, yes. I guess that is true. It is a good quality in a king, Finn. You would do well to learn from it.
I am honored that my nephew should have such courage and resourcefulness.
Thank you, your Majesty. I...
You did well, Prince. If everyone in Marion has half the conviction of your group here, we shall have no problem reclaiming the land.
Glade starts to retreat when Bison notices him and goes on the offensive.
And where do you think you are going, Advisor Glade?
That gets everyone's attention.
Surely you're not going to miss celebrating the arrival of the king's nephew now are you? ...
I have the feeling that Glade might have been the impostor all along.
I... your Majesty...
The moment you heard the queen was no longer in the castle you suddenly became very vocal about what I should do about Bandore. ...
Hmm... How did you know about the curse that affected me?
Yes, that is one of many things I am wondering about, Sir Samson.
I think we need to ask you a few questions, Advisor Glade. HAHA! Hahahaha... I take it you are not going to go quietly are you?
MUHAHAHAHAHA! I guess I had a slip of the tongue. It's all over now...
You've got that right.
Glade takes a step to the right so he's facing everyone in the courtyard.
Questions? You have questions? Yes, I'll answer them.
What have you been trying to do, Advisor Glade?
The answer is obvious.
I have half a mind to skip the formalities and just throw you in the dungeon.
The throne of Zalagoon was mine. That was the deal. Questions? Hmm...you know...actually, I think...yes, YES!!!
What?
You are the ones who ate the pickle!!! Please regurgitate the pickle into the little basket.
I'm mostly including this screenshot to say that yes, Glade does indeed say this stuff in game.
Glade walks forward, seemingly confidant in what's coming out of his mouth.
Now of course, some would dispute the fact that I can not be in two places with the tiny lamb, but then again...
What in the world are you talking about?
Ah, it IS the pickle nation that will rise up!!! The chickens will perish!
You're mad!
Ooookay, this just took a turn for the weird.
I take it this is not what Glade is normally like.
What's the problem? I think he's more fun this way.
He's kind of muttering something to himself. I really don't think he's better off now, Steiner. But humans are always funnier when they're babbling nonsense! You do it all the time.
I do not!
And alas...get in the boat... Pepper! Pepper, you get over here and get in this boat before I slap you in the noodle! I'm your daddy, and you will be the one who escapes the fire!
Sir Bison you have my permission to remove Advisor Glade from the courtyard whenever you are ready.
Understood, your Majesty. Piat...
To be continued because of character limits...
