Behind The Mask

Chapter 5: Isn't This Such A Utopia?

A/N: At the beginning? What in tarnation? Minor thing, try listening to this chapter's namesake while reading this. Enjoy!

The streets of New Pork City seemed so much more friendly now. Before, I looked at it with fear. Now, I look at it with admiration. The streets are so shiny and clean, with so many advanced buildings. I'll admit - I've been somewhat apprehensive towards technology beforehand. Scared that it could run rampant and take over, decimate a place and rip nature apart. But Porky has shown me that technology can be used to preserve nature, as he did with both myself and that Drago. Technology has been used to enhance buildings, protecting those within it. Buildings stronger than the ones at Tazmily. Those buildings look so flimsy, a mere lightning bolt from me could take them down to rubble.

And they'd deserve it.

Although now I must wonder, nature does seem a bit lacking here. Surely this place must have been luscious before? And now it's all gone...

"Soooooo? What do you want to do first?" shouts the overly excited king.

"What to do first? I'm not sure?"

"Ah, well how about the grand tour? It'll be great!"

"All right."

"Well, first off is the place where any kid must go to. The arcade!"

Porky and I walk off – or rather he skips out in front and I hesitantly follow. I may trust him more than I did before, but he still feels...not right? It's hard to describe, but I always feel uneasy around him. Even though he's a good guy. I suppose it's his appearance more than anything else. Still, he has the youth of a child in his mind.  It's strange. Still, I suppose with time, I'll get more comfortable around him. At least I hope.

The arcade's a bit of a walk but I don't mind. In fact, it's the strangest thing, I don't feel tired at all. I suppose it's the modifications. Or maybe it's just because I'm a kid and have lots of energy. Or both.

Either way, the whole being a kid and having lots of energy doesn't seem to apply to Porky – frequently he'll stop and just pant or cough. He doesn't look like the most athletic kid in the world – not by a long shot, but even still, his lack of stamina is astounding. After the seventh time (I decide to count for fun), I decide to ask him.

"Why are you so..." I try and think of a polite way of saying it.

"So slow? It's okay, I know you were thinking it." Porky doesn't look as offended as I thought he'd be. Still, I can see some sorrow and I immediately regret what little I said. "Look at me. Ghostly white. Need a capsule to help me. And I'm just a kid. You've gone through some bad things. I have too. And just like you, my life has been changed."

What happened to him? Sure, I've gone through some horrible things, but losing an arm and an eye, and having to undergo this surgery pales in comparison to what he must have.

"What happened? Why are you..."

"There's a time and place. And this is neither. Please, don't think about it."

I continue to follow him. Now I'm just angry at myself. You idiot! You brought back so many unpleasant memories! And now, just look at him! Porky keeps going, but he's just sliding his feet, head down. We continue to walk in silence. Thankfully, we reach the arcade soon and go in.

The first thing I notice, is all the noise. All sorts of zaps, cars and chatter fills the air. There's so many games here. And as if I'm not mistaken, Porky seems a little brighter.