*It's into the late 3rd week. Everyone had gotten so used to living with the Lotus Island natives. Everything couldn't be any more laid back. Except for one, the journalist. The longer Johnny saw little snippets of evidence, the more suspicious he became of this getaway land.*
 
Johnny: "Such a closed-off community. I'm trying not to make assumptions until I find some hardcore evidence. All I found was an old, dried spot of blood on a bed. The adverse nature of the mimigas to any questions. And that name-brand wristwatch Date got... Well, and the quietness of that specific mimiga that gave the watch to him. I need to find that little guy."
 
*Referring back to his notes, he searched for that specific lead. "Round face, royal blue cloth drapes, quiet demeanor." Already exiting his room, he just had one obstacle that had bothered him since. The chaperons that accompanied the tourists everywhere they went. He had to get rid of his. Johnny's mimiga has been observing him for the whole 3 weeks he's been there on the island. Taking the first step, the friendly approach.*
 
Johnny: "Is it all right if I head to the servant barracks? I need to find one of your employees, give my compliments for his excellent service."
 
Chaperone: "You ask a lot of questions, you know that? It's generally not allowed for outsiders to enter employee sections, but okay... What does he look like?"
 
Johnny: "He has a round face. Wore blue royal drapes. Kind of a shy rabbit."
 
Chaperone: "E- uh? Butterball? That's what we call him. Mregh, fine, I'll go get him but make it quick. They have major work to do, a monthly meeting. Wait here."
 
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*"General success!" The employees shouldn't suspect anything. He was alone briefly. Johnny had the choice to wait around, or take advantage of his short time. Digging through his pockets, he took out one of his standard gadgets. Tools useful for his investigation. A microphone bug. Johnny quickly rushed to the mess hall, taking a peek inside. He sees folks prepping the area for a meeting. Papers, documents, and folders laid in specific places.*
 
*Casually walking towards the throne chair of Midas, bends over, pretending to drop something. He quickly tears off the plastic to reveal the glue paste under it. Immediately sticking it under the main table. "Bug planted, I should be able to hear what they say now." Beginning to walk away, he is confronted by a droll, appearing perturbed.*
 
Droll: "You cannot be here. Royal business, wait outside."
Johnny: "Sorry, I was hungry and needing something. I will go-"
 
*Speedily exiting the mess hall, heading back to his room. Nobody suspects anything. It's when he heads back to his room, he gets an unexpected visitor. Johnny felt a chill, skin jumping. Who was in his private quarters?*
 
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*It was Date. Who was looking rather smug. Johnny was about to speak, but his mind was blank. Getting frustrated, he was about to show the medic out the door until he was spoken to.*
 
Date: "Yeah, no need to do that. We are on the same boat regarding this island, aren't we? I've already figured it out. You're no tourist. What have you uncovered?"
 
Johnny: "Never sneak up on me like that! I'm journalist, more specifically, a private investigator. I, heard troubling things about this island. Well, soon, I'll be speaking to that mimiga who gave you that watch.... Someone needed to uncover the truth."
 
*A loud scoff, shaking his head towards the ground.*
Date: "And you came here? Either you're brave, or just a conspiracy nut as Itoh. He didn't come, but he theorized it. All he says that people who go to this tourist spot don't come back. Err, he gave mostly anecdotal clues. He said he had colleagues who went to work in Lotus Island hadn't returned when they were supposed to. No word, clues, no missing person reports, nothing."
 
Johnny: "Hmm, I already drawn the same conclusion, but I wanted to know for sure. So I could warn other people. Already difficult to get accepted into Lotus Island, damn their weird screening process... Only other lead that took me here is I think the red substance had to come from somewhere. Here, and an anonymous co-worker sent me a picture of a facility, hidden deep inside the island. In the lower sections, called the Labyrinth."
 
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Date: "Pretty sure it's general knowledge the main ingredient in much medical consumables, is 'red flower.' What does a hidden facility have to do with anything?"
 
Johnny: "The true origin of the substance isn't from the surface. It had to be from here, where the true farms are. Shipping the supplies down there, and kicking their work into high gear. Having people, sent up over to the island, heard prisoners are included. Sketchy is what it is. Experimenting on humans, creating soldiers not found anywhere else. Or-"
 
*They hear a knock on the door. Their conversation is paused for now, dismissing Date and giving goodbyes.*
 
Johnny: "Leave the island if you can. Better safe than sorry."
 
*The doctor exits the room, now, a different figure was at the door. It was the mimiga with the rounded face and blue drape cloths. "Butterball." He quietly enters the room, closing the door. The rabbit's fingers tap together pensively.*
 
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Butterball: "I, you needed, me?!"
 
Johnny: "The human brand watch, the red drop found on one of the beds, the helicopter-parent following, what's going on?"
 
Butterball: "O-oh my, you shouldn't be discussing things like that. Big trouble with King Midas! You, well, it's, too late for you all to leave."
 
Johnny: "Too late? What, we're staying here permanently? Also, I know you were the one who gave away the brand watch."
 
Butterball: "S-someone already gets it. It was only a matter of time. You humans are in danger. I can't take it anymore, couldn't lie. Not sure how many got the hint. Hope it will add up to something. You people... y-you are all payment. Get out while you can. Oh boy, the screening process, if you get 'Label F' you're done for-"
 
*Another knock on the door, an impatient chaperone was standing outside the door.*
Chaperone: "What's taking you people so long? It should've been just a minute. Butterball, you're needed back."
 
Johnny: "The screening process, what is that? Just a bit longer, I still have to ask what the natives really are gonna do here.
 
Butterball: "In a second-"
"Trust me, you don't want to know. Graduation day for mimigas, don't be there."
 
*Johnny uttered "Graduation." However, failed to get a response from Butterball. He already left the journalist's company. Sighing, he written down the event. Resuming his tourist facade. Starting to have second thoughts regarding his island case. His time long spent, pacing around the room.*
 
 
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*Back in the central cave systems of Lotus Island, was the group of adventurers. The orange mimiga, Jaan, was trekking slightly behind his human companions. Making larger side sways with each walk. Digging in his pocket, he pulled out a trinket on a key chain. An old, truly antique watch. The engravings and monsters carved into the metal of Lotus origin. Analyzing his watch, hearing the tiny ticking. His own heart, beating harder every second.*
 
*Finger running across the back of the trinket, the metal plate. 2 monsters, surrounding a giant flower in the middle. Ravils, jaws open facing the plant. Rubbing the monster on the right, exhaling against the metal.*
 
Jaan: "Ma..."
"I'm gonna do it. I won't be the same little boy you saw a decade ago. Will see you soon."
 
*He checked the antique watch front. His eyes slowly widen, a tinge of sweat running down his head. "It's almost time!-" Then putting it away before anyone notices. He catches up the group, deciding to pass them a question.*
 
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Jaan: "Hey guys. Heh, pardon me for asking this at such a random note. It has been nagging me, and I'm interested in what you'd think."
"If you had to choose, what 2 groups would you pick to save? Your friends, or your family? One of them will perish."
 
Adventurer 1: "That's easy. Family, can't replace them."
Adventurer 2: "Hard question. If I had to think, likely family."
Adventurer 3: "Would go with friends, since well, I consider them close. Like you guys. If we could, I'd love to take you to the surface with us. Hunt bounties together."
Locke: "... Why'd you ask such a thing?"
 
*The 4th party member, Locke, tilted his head back. His yellow neck scarf swaying behind him. The great sword being hit by the scarf ends. Crossing his arms, he remained furthest to the left.*
 
Locke: "What's your answer to your question, Jaan."
Jaan: "You'll find out later, while I think about it."
 
*Jaan thinking to himself "Soon enough." Locke kept his distance. Letting it so that his 3 companions were standing between him and Jaan.*
 
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*The five-man band made it towards a beautiful getaway. A lush spot in the Grasslands. To the front, a tall mountain with a waterfall pouring into a lake. To the ceiling, moss, more upside-down grass, and stalactites. They all take a moment to relax. As they were beginning to unwind, Jaan felt the sensation he was being watched from the shadows. A very faint scent of another relative of his kind.*
 
Jaan: "This is the fourth time this week. Bet I've smelled them a few times too, faint but there."
 
*The mimiga heard the antique watch make a clink sound, followed by ringing. Jaan took it out, staring the watch down. Checking out the back. The 2 ravil engravings on the back, their jaws now closed at the flower. A new compartment was now available to him. A metal strap for Jaan to pull out. Pulling it, he seen a pocket within the watch... another option. A hand picked petal from the highest quality of Red Lotus, like from the legends.*
 
*Jaan could pick. Go the slow and steady route to ravil transformation, or take his chances with the major dose. Only the toughest and most fit are about to use the heaviest doses of red flower. Just like how the ancients did. Big catch was... it might turn one completely feral. Or succumb to health complications. There was no going back once he ate either or flower brand.*
 
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*No reverting which red flower he took once he was a ravil. "Slow path... versus all or nothing." Jaan crouches, staring at the bright crimson flower petal from the watch. Picking it, felt warm to the touch. He also checked out the normal red flowers in his carry on pack.*
 
Jaan: "I'm going up against 4 strong human hunters. I, can't, use the slow path! How am I going to do this? Can I really do it, even if I was capable of taking them?"
 
*He started to shake nervously, "What is my reason to fight my former friends again?" Jaan was running out of time, as the group up ahead likely heard the watch ringing. the waterfall hitting the rocks only partially masking that sound.*
 
Jaan: "I, was going to join my family, join the high ranks. This is my one chance. If I fail, I'm either dead, or never able join the royal districts with my family. They taught me enough, learned the rest on my own."
 
*Closing the packet, and taking the glowing crimson petal out. Bringing it to his chest, he slowly brought to his lips. Inhaling its scent, tasting the flower. The moisture on his tongue evaporates. "My gateway. Here I go..." The world around him slowed down around Jaan...*




(A few travelers come learned their suspicions may be correct. The island is harboring a dirty secret. However, word has yet to spread to the others.
The realization that they've already been caught in the trap... On the other end, the mimiga Jaan must choose if he should honor his tradition and turn.

(More continual Cave Story stories.)
(Characters © Cave Story)