Pikmin: A Retelling

Day 1: New Allies

The sun was beginning to drag itself closer and closer to the horizon, and having been able to ease some of my worry, me and what had grown to be my small group of red pikmin friends took some of this time to sit down and enjoy the view. It really was quite stunning how such a toxic and possibly dangerous planet had such an ethereal look to it. For only a moment my mind wandered to the subject of fate, but the direction it was turning quickly made me uncomfortable. I shook my head and stood up, blowing my whistle. The pikmin around me shot up at the sound and gathered behind me.

Once more I felt a smile creep onto my face, feeling oddly comforted by this now semi large group of tranquil creatures that were ready to follow my commands. I directed them toward a large, light brown patch of wall nearby that had seemed oddly different from the stone drop off. A pikmin broke from the rest of the group, seemingly curious of this mass like me. However, it immediately responded by pushing on it, rather than looking it over.

My inquisitive nature began to pilot my decisions a little more, and I aimed the pikmin at the brown section of the wall. The group was soon following the action of the first, and all of their strength combined made the wall move, if only slightly. In the back of my mind, I noted that pikmin seemed to have an ability to know where they can cause change, even if not on their own. This could likely come in handy later.

The pikmin eventually looked almost tired, having shoved what I could now see was a very large box as far as it could possibly be moved. A wondrous feeling spread itself through my whole body, making my excitement visibly even in my stride. I hurried over to the pikmin and whistled them again, hoping for them to realize their job was done and they could come back to my side now. I was stopped mid whistle, however, when my train of thought collided into the faint shine I now noticed through the corner of my eyes. It was deep in tall grass nearby.

There's no way......

I hurried over, surprised that the pikmin stayed close behind despite how tired they looked to be. The grass slapping against my spacesuit as I shoved it out of my way was much louder than I expected. But here was exactly what I was looking to find.... My ship's engine. It was still intact, currently running on the power it had left over. I felt an intense weight lift from my shoulders at that moment. Turning to the little red figures and pointing to the engine, I watched eagerly as they rushed around it and hefted it up, carrying slowly but surely back to the remaining shell of my ship.

I couldn't contain myself now, hopping and squealing as I watched my ship take in the missing piece and lock it back into place where it belonged. Yes, this was exactly what I hoped for! With my engine, I could stay in orbit over the surface of the planet and sleep soundly before returning in the morning. And yet, I felt a pang in my heart. If I were to go, would these creatures stay behind? Would they still be here in the morning waiting for my return? Perhaps this Onion would keep them safe through the night somehow?

My thoughts were cut short when I began to notice the sun dropping over the horizon. I could hear rustling in the shrubbery around the area; the native nocturnal predators must be awaking, I could feel it at that moment. I let out a loud whistle and sent every pikmin back to the Onion before climbing aboard my ship and flying off. 

Nervously I glanced out of my ship, watching strange red and tan creatures I shall call bulborbs came rushing across the area. The Onion began its own take off and seemed to follow behind my ship as I continued, however. I let out a quiet sigh of relief and headed out into the night, knowing I could sleep soundly knowing these creatures would be safe and with me tomorrow.