Banjo-Whooie?! (A Banjo-Kazooie Origin story/ IN PROGRESS/ UNDER EDITING 😁)

Kazooie

"Uwaah!"

"Watch it, Banjo!"

On the dirt path on which they were walking, a bear wearing canary yellow swim trunks tripped for the third time, almost taking out his younger sister in the process.

"Can you pull it together? You're never this clumsy when you dance!" she exclaimed.

"I don't know what's wrong with me, Tooty! I must still be exhausted from my trip with Diddy. Maybe walking all the way to Breegull Beach wasn't such a good idea after all..."

"Well, it's too late now. You promised you'd take us somewhere fun, so don't try to back out of it again." Tooty knew of her brother's laid-back attitude and penchant for laziness. He always liked to stay home and "relax" so convincing him to go anywhere was a challenge. She'd been begging him to take her to the beach for at least a week and a half before he finally cracked.

"I won't, I won't... You've been bugging me about it for a while now, so it's only fair. Though I'd really like to be relaxing right now after what I've just been through..." Banjo recalled his recent adventure with his friend Diddy Kong, hero of Kongo Jungle. Their buddy Timber the Tiger had had his island taken over by a large space pig who doubled as a huge jerk, and they had to do a LOT of racing to kick him out. He had made a lot of friends, but he also had filled his quota for excitement per adventure for about a lifetime. He was ready to chill out...

"Well, what better place to do so than at the beach?" Tooty replied, cheery. "Look, there it is! C'mon, let's find a good spot before they're all taken!" She grabbed her brother's paw and practically skipped toward the sandy shoreline. Banjo frantically tried to keep an eye on his feet to make sure he didn't trip again, for he was sure he'd bust his nose open hitting the ground at the breakneck pace little Toots was going. For someone in a dainty little polka dot swimsuit with freckles to match, you'd never think such a cute little girl could yank her giant brother around so easily.

By the time the sun was smack-dab in the middle of the sky, the Bears had found a nice, shady spot under a tree to settle down in. Banjo had packed a neat little lunch in his fancy new backpack; a royal blue marvel with shiny red clasps that could fit just about anything, made of a fabric softer than a cloud but tougher than canvas. It even had a bottom flap! (But Banjo thought it was dumb, considering you needed the bottom in order for the backpack to work.) He retrieved a blanket from inside and laid it out before stretching himself onto it and letting the warm sun hit his face.

"Banjo, I'm gonna go look for some seashells. Come with me!" Tooty said.

"Sorry, Toots, but I'm gonna relax here for a bit. Go have fun!" he replied.

"Oh, you're such a lazy bum! I'll bring back such a great find that you'll HAVE to come with me to believe it!" And with a swish of her blonde pigtails, she marched away down the beach. Banjo smiled and shook his head at his baby sister. Always looking for adventure... he thought. I hope that doesn't get her in trouble one day... He crossed his arms under his head and made himself comfy on his blanket. Hmm, no one's on the beach today. Great! A perfect time for a nap..."

"Zzz..."

"Zzz..."

"Zzzzzz..."

"HEY!"

Banjo's eyes shot open and he sat up with a jolt. He looked around, disoriented. Nobody. Only Tooty all the way down the beach still searching for her great "find." He shook off the shock of the scream, thinking he had dreamed it. He laid back down on the blanket and almost instantly was asleep again.

"Zzz..."

"Zzzz..."

"HELLO! Are you kidding me?! WAKE UP!!"

"I'm awake! I'm...awake..." Banjo slurred, rubbing the much-needed sleep from his eyes. "Who's yelling...?"

"ME!" The voice answered.

"Who's me?"

An exasperated sigh. "Seriously? Up here! Ah!"

Banjo finally turned around to face the tree he had parked under and looked to the branches above.

He scrunched up his face in confusion at his finding—

A bird.