Nextgen Kids: Legend of the Nine Newborn

Operation: PIKMIN, Part 2

Now that my love for Pikmin was refreshed by Pikmin 3 Deluxe, I have more inspiration for this story! Not to mention I already had some good ideas for its plot. So, let's see how far I can take it! I mean, it honestly shouldn't be that long, but I certainly want it to be better than the previous story.

Chapter 2: The Rumbling Dungeon

Timmy and the Pikmin flew to a nearby town and landed in the yard of an ordinary house. His head was spinning from the tragic event, not even sure what he should do or where he should go. "Gibli... they killed Gibli... w-what're they gonna do with Rupert? I-Is he already..." He glanced to one of the pilot Pikmin, a yellow one. "...But you would already know, right? Is Rupert..."

The Pikmin nodded and raised its hand in a cheery manner. "...He's still alive for now." He sighed in relief. "Let's check on how many we have."

Timmy disembarked and called, "Everyone, out of the Onions!" Pikmin were soon spilling out of the colorful pods. ...Compared to the massive amount Rupert had running around the spring, a substantially smaller army was left. "We only have, like, 10 Pikmin from every color? Wait, how many Ghosts are in the green Onion?" Indeed, they couldn't come out in this sunlight. "If we have enough, we could still stage a nighttime operation. Hey, do you guys know where-"

"Weah! Weah!" A Wing Pikmin pointed skyward.

Timmy gasped, seeing a small group of tiny creatures. ...They appeared to be more Wing Pikmin, and they were... carrying someone.

That someone landed behind the grass several yards away. They could hear footsteps, waiting anxiously for the person to show their self. ...A lavender-haired girl with white skin, a dress, and a mask covering her upper face appeared, accompanied by Wing Pikmin. "!" Timmy gasped. While she was about his height and looked more human-like than the monsters, she was still similar in appearance. "PIKMIN! Atta-!"

"No, no, please!" The girl raised and shook her six-fingered hands and head. "I'm a friend!"

"A friend?! You look like one of those 'Gutnar' monsters!"

"W-We're called Gupna. ...But, um, yes."

"I KNEW IT!"

"No, I'm friendly! I swear!"

"..." Timmy kept his Pikmin trained on the girl. "Then what's your deal? What even are you things?"

"We're a race that lived deep underground for centuries. We were placed there by the Spirit of Growth to live in peace, away from the larger species... but then Plankton discovered our land and corrupted my clansmen. I was the only one who escaped, and..."

"Ah, the classic 'only survivor of an invasion' cliché? How convenient for you..."

"I know... I want to explain more, but first, we need to save your friend. It's only a matter of time before they either eat or transform him!"

"WHAT?!"

"I've been trying to keep track of Plankton ever since the incident. He's been plotting all this for over a year. He established hidden farms around the world, run by his Pikmin and the Gupna. It's where he planned to process all the captive prisoners, either to use as food for the Gupna or to change into General Pikmin to help him control his army."

Timmy grit his teeth at the insidious plan. "...Why would he let the Gupna have them as food?"

"Well, because... they get stronger with the types of creatures they eat."

Timmy narrowed his eyes. "And how did they learn that?"

"I promise I'll explain later. For now, we have to rescue him. I had some of my own Pikmin blend in with Plankton's normal ones. In time, they should return and report back to me."