New episode! Maybe I'll be more punctual with the next one!
I'm sorry....Episode Nineteen: Kira Breaks Out Of Jail.... Do Not Collect $200Soundtrack: In Winters, There is a Genius
We now find ourselves in the beautiful snowy lands of.....someplace.

We pass by an ominous looking cave, and OK seriously, where are we?!?
A little help here, please, game?

Ah, there we go! We find ourselves in the beautiful snowy lands of the creatively named Winters!
....I knew that.

Yes, truly this is a land of rushing winds, freezing temperatures, and-

Buildings with terrifying faces on them, apparently.
Seriously, that thing looks like it wants to eat me!
What is this, some kind of prison?

WORSE
MUCH WORSE
Soundtrack: Buzz Buzz's Prophecy
Well, who are these two now?
I might as well pick one of them to portray for the time being, since Marc is temporarily unavailable.
Let's see..... I think I'll pick that handsome stallion of a man in the back there!

Whoa, voices in my head! I feel like this shouldn't be a recurring theme among young boys!

Well, mission accomplished! Let me just go change my pants now!

As you command, mistress. I am but a humble servant of the plot.

IT KNOWS MY NAME
THIS IS MORE THAN SLIGHTLY DISTRESSING

Hey, yeah, that's great and all, but some coordinates might be nice. Latitude? Longitude? Zip code?

Yes OK great I STILL DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU ARE

Points for Star Wars references, but I feel like I could be so much more useful with a better sense of direction than "south".

Welp, looks like that's all I'm getting out of the creepy girl's voice in my head. Let's get to it!
.....Hot dang, I am a fine looking fellow. I think we need to go remind this kid in the next bed of that truth!

Or I guess he's already aware of that!
Fear not, unnamed companion, I just forgot to take my medication and I'm starting to hear the voices in my head again.
At least this time they didn't tell me to cover myself in raw meat and fight bears.

Uhh...... "South".
Sorry, that's honestly the best I can do! You know how cheeky and elusive my hallucinations are!

Yeah, yeah, be back in your cell by 9:00 and don't stab the other inmates, I got it....
Can I go now, MOM?

Ain't no punishment that can stop me
Cause they can't take away MY PRIDE

You look like you want to try to stop me. You know what they put me in here for?
.....OK, it was for tax evasion, but the point is that I'm busting out of this joint!

The voices tell me to go south, I go south.
The voices tell me to cover trees in mayonnaise and sing the praises of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, I cover trees in mayonnaise and sing the praises of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Simple as that.

NOPE
NO
YOU AREN'T OLD AND WIZARDY ENOUGH FOR THAT EITHER.

So as long as we're breaking one rule, we might as well just break them all? I like the way you think, son.

Great idea. You cover my six. If anyone shows up, make the eagle sound and I'll make a break for it.
CAW CAW
Soundtrack: A Good Buddy
Sweet, my new friend has a name now!
Wait, what do you mean that's not the sound eagles make? Exactly how many eagles have YOU seen, bub?!?
Soundtrack: Snowman(Snow Wood Boarding House)
Well, now that I have free reign once again, let's see what I've got on my stunning bod-WOW this is a lot of useless crap.
(The protractor and ruler don't do anything, and we can't use the broken spray can yet.)

OH GOOD
DEFINITELY READY FOR THIS ADVENTURE
(Kira, or Jeff as he's canonically known, has no PP because he doesn't learn any PSI. He makes up for this by getting powerful special items that only he can use.)

And of course, they took away my "tools" when they dumped me in this joint.
I sure hope creepy lady voice in my head knows what she's talking about.

Well, if I head too much farther south, I'm going to hit a wall. The voices must be testing my intellect!
Let's see if our fellow inmates have any valuable hints.

Come on, man, don't call the lifeguard a creature, it hurts her feelings!

Well, yeah, I mean she IS a very attractive lady, but I'm pretty sure that's not what happened.
Did.....did your parents ever give you The Talk?

Gossip more juicy than her liposuction surgery?
DO TELL

Did they finally ask the Cave Girls to the prom?!?
Oh my word, that is SO. FETCH.

As in, together? Like TOGETHER together?
I can't. I can't even. 100% out of can.

You look more like a Dopey to me.

Well, I must say, it's refreshing to see young people like you taking an interest in entrepreneurship!
.....Wait.

Well, I'd hate to be called a blabbermouth but......YES. IT'S TRUE. THE CAVE BOYS ASKED THE CAVE GIRLS TO PROM.
SQUEEE

Oh.
Well, who cares about that, the whole school needs to know about the prom!
Geez, get your priorities straight!

I seem to recall you've got 10-20 more to serve, pal. I'll wait up for you.

Now then, what's behind door #2?

ILLEGAL CONTRABAND
JACKPOT

Ah, yes, my inside man. Good to know I've got a mate to cover my tracks in this hole.

So the like the Morgan Freeman of this universe. Sweet!

Yeah, I know he works hard for the mo
ney.
So hard for it, honey.

Well, in a few minutes here, there's going to be a far more dangerous and handsome one wandering around.
YEEEAAAAAHHHHHHH
Looks like you'll have to fight that other guy for the title.
In any case, that's two dwarves down, five to go!

Wow, that was really generous and kind of you! I'm sure Tony will love-

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Oh man, I'm never getting out of here alive if they catch me with all this!

I'm sorry! The voices told me to do it!
But man, this is a lot of LSD Cookies! Quite the operation you've got going on here, sir!

We made it down the stairs without incident. Security detail is surprisingly loose tonight.
Suspiciously so, in fact.

Looks like there's some WICKED SCIENCE going on in here.
I think we just found out where the LSD Cookies came from.

Don't worry, we get that a lot.
Usually from the ladies, though.

That's right, and tonight, FREEDOM is on the menu!

You'd probably have a bit more success if the government hadn't cut your funding, but once again, STUPID ETHICS has to get in the way of scientific progress.

You know, I tell myself that same thing every day.
THANKS FOR NOTHING, DAD. YOU COULD HAVE POSTED MY BAIL, YOU KNOW.

Another thing I tell myself daily!
LIKE HOW YOU COULD HAVE AGREED TO BE A CHARACTER WITNESS AT MY COURT APPEAL.

I've heard him called names that I can't say around Tony.

Ah, yes, back before they started looking into the "science" of recreational drugs.

YEP OK DAD'S THE BEST LET'S MOVE ON NOW

Dang it, that was one of the words we can't say around Tony! Don't you know how sensitive he is?!?
We're working on getting him past "silly goose" right now.
No, no, don't cry, Tony, I didn't mean it!

Our heroes, ladies and gentlemen.
Soundtrack: Key Item Fanfare
Sweet!
Now let's get out of here before the warden spots us.

There are better ways to ask someone on a date, you know.
Not that I would have said yes.

Ah ha ha ha....ha?
Mmyep, time to bounce!

Rats! How annoyingly sensible of the other inmates to properly and safely stow their belongings away like this!

Luckily, sensibility is once again thwarted by resourcefulness!
That's a thing, right?
Anyway, we'll just fit this key in here like this, and....

What the-
WE'VE BEEN DUPED

EXCUSE ME SIR
I AM DISSATISFIED WITH YOUR PRODUCT AND WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOUR MANAGER

I hope you're not expecting me to pay for whatever this is.

...Patent pending, I presume?

Well, fortunately for you, your polite words combined with my laziness in finding a more suitable location means I'll be shopping here again in the future.
Soundtrack: Key Item Fanfare
Uhh
IF?
Should.....should I be concerned?

I'm about 98% certain that technological prowess isn't passed down through genetics, but thank you!

Because we all know that science is powered by hap
py thoughts.

OK then, Round Two vs. the locker door!

Jackpot!
Looks like we struck out with this one, though. There's nothing inside!

I feel at least twice as intelligent and arrogant now!

We're running out of cargo space here. And since we obviously can't get rid of the LSD Cookies....

There! Perfect! Who needs dumb old school supplies, anyway?
(I'm....not sure why I didn't get rid of this stuff earlier!)
Ah, Maria, my old friend.
Looks like your brother took a hit during processing, miss. I'll see what I can do to fix him up.
(I think now's as good a time as any to talk about this. Like Maxwell was saying earlier, Kira/Jeff can fix broken items, the catch being that you have to have a high enough IQ to do so, with each item requiring a different amount of IQ to fix.)

Well, with my gun and hat in tow, I am armed and FABULOUS.
The only thing my ensemble is missing now is SWEET FREEDOM.

The guards must have noticed we weren't there for evening roll call, Tony. Time to hit the gas!

OK, I appreciate you facebattling the ground I walk on as much as any guy, but this probably isn't the best time!

Wait, Tony, no! You're coming with me! You'll never survive in the clink by yourself!

C'mon man, we can figure this out! We can both escape this horrible place!

Quit playing around already! "No more of this slop they feed us!", remember that? We promised!

Sniff.... I guess.... If you've made up your mind....
Godspeed, Tony. Don't let 'em get to you before your time is up.

GERONIMO
Soundtrack: Winters White
I'm gonna miss that kid. Hope they're not too harsh on him now that I'm gone.
Ooh, what's that over there?!?!?

AWW YEAH
Shopping spree time!
Soundtrack: Buy Somethin' Will Ya!
Better put on my new equipment, though. You never know when you might need to get out of a jam after the store clerk recognizes you from the papers.

Is it Juicy Fruit?!? I hope it's Juicy Fruit!

Probably not Juicy Fruit, then.... Sigh....

Dang! I forgot my card back at the big house!
Oh, well.... $2 shopping spree, anyone...?

I have liter
ally been waiting all my life for someone to tell me that.

Bubble gum AND a free monkey?!?!? Lady, you've got yourself a deal!

I can't hand you this cash fast enough oh gosh oh gosh oh gosh

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
DANG IT DANG IT DANG IT I WANT MY MONKEY

Well, this cuts into my potential profits dealing these to a guy I know, but it's for the monkey!

HOW IS MY DOLLAR BILL NOT IN YOUR HAND ALREADY
Soundtrack: Key Item Fanfare
Oh yeah, I nearly forgot I was getting gum, too.

MONKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can have all the gum you want if you but ask it of me, O Master.

I don't even know if I'm high or not right now.

And honestly I don't really care.
Soundtrack: A Good Buddy
BEST. PARTNER. EVER.

Yes, hello, what can I buy here for, uhh, a dollar?

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
Oh, and by the way, I didn't realize this was a Starbuck's. Six bucks for coffee?!?

Hey Maxy, are they out looking for me yet? Be a pal and keep my cover for me, would you?

What are you, an idiot?!? No! That is quite litera
lly the LAST thing I want you to do right now!

GOSH DANG IT ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING

As much as I'd like to, the voices are telling me that break time isn't for several more frames.
I mean-

You've got to learn to be one if you're out on the lam like this.

Yeah, uhh, see you around, you creepy old man.

I wonder if that was revenge for standing him up on that date.
Anyway, no time for that now! Let's hightail it before we get spotted!
Soundtrack: Oncoming Foe
OH GOSH TOO LATE, THEY'VE BROUGHT IN THE GUARD GOATS
Soundtrack: Battle Against a Weird Opponent
Don't fail me now, Maria. You too, fancy hat.
This looks like a good time to test out my latest completely original invention, LSD Meter Version 2.0!
What, you don't think I look like an inventor? I went to MIT before they put me in the slammer, I'll have you know!
Now then, let's boot this baby up!
LSD Meter: That's a pretty sick beard for a goat!

Yes, thank you for your contribution, Bubble Monkey.
Really turned the tides of battle right there, you did.

Thankfully, the goat isn't contributing too much more!
Although my frail young body can't take too much abuse, no doubt thanks to that awful gunk they called "food" back in jail.
Ouch, right in the forehead!(Seriously, Exeres, bring this LP back!)

BUBBLE MONKEY SERIOUSLY
WE COULD DIE HERE

OW GEEZ OK THAT MORE THAN TICKLED

Good grief, I've gotta do everything myself, don't I?

HEY COULD YOU MAYBE NOT?

OK, time for you to stop moving!

Huh.
Now this may be the drugs talking, but it appears to me that you're STILL MOVING.

GET. DEAD.
Soundtrack: You Win!
Thank goodness. I am NOT going back, unless it's in a body bag!
You hear me, coppers?!? Not unless I'm in a bo-
Soundtrack: You Gained a Level!
Yay, level up!
Let's see some results!

Those....weren't quite the results I was hoping for.
Also I gained another level during that fight and forgot to record it.
WHOOPSY~

You, mister, have some explaining to do!
Right after you GET THESE FREAKING TARANTULAS OUT OF MY EYES

Wow
WOW
Those
are great LSD Cookies.
This ground
is so
WHITE

Looks like this dog wants a piece of me next!
And by me, of course I mean my gun!
Soundtrack: Battle Against a Weak Opponent
I can hear the Sarah McLaughlin songs already.
LSD Meter: From the look of it, that dog is more tripped out than I am.
Whoa, deja vu.

Ah ah ah, not today, thank you!

Pew pew pew!

Breakfast is served, Abu.

And speaking of heroic criminal types being chased by law enforcement....

OK, we are having a staff meeting about this later!

At least now the goat's attacks aren't as severely crippling!

Mine, however, still have plenty of oomph!

Now what does he win, Pat?

EXCELLENT

The boys in blue just don't give up, do they?!?

MY POWER ONLY GROWS STRONGER

You're totes gonna die.
Totes ma-goats.
....Sorry.

Good thing there aren't any orphan children around to make me feel guilty about this.

Look, I've got places to be and you're clearly not getting anywhere with this, how about we give this a rest, huh?
No? Fine then!

At least I offered!

Well, Bubble Monkey, you're adorable, I'll give you that, at least....

YES THIS WOULD GO GREAT WITH MY LSD COOKIES, THANKS

Oh no
YOU AGAIN
I MEAN THIS IS ACTUALLY THE FIRST TIME WE'VE MET SO I HAVE NO REASON TO CRINGE
Soundtrack: Battle Against a Weak Opponent
I have no explanation for this seething rage I currently am feeling.
LSD Meter: Eh, not that bad. Kira hasn't hit the Kamak for a few days.
Wait, what? Kamak...? Looks like the the LSD Meter Version 2.0 has a few kinks left in it.

Well, it would appear that my blind, unwarranted hatred of these things is just that!

Bye bye, birdie!

Look, he even gave me another LSD Cookie after the fight! He's not such a bad crow, after all!

WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG
(This is one of the few mechanics in Earthbound I don't like. You don't get to choose whether or not to use a condiment, or even which kind to use. It's all automatic, which more often than not leads to bad combinations, which means no additional healing bonuses. This is why I try to avoid using condiments entirely, they're a waste of inventory space, in my humble opinion.)

Blehh..... My cooking skills definitely aren't what they used to be!
(THANKS FOR GIVING ME THE CHOICE, GAME. AJKFBHALKJHBLAG)

Yeah OK that still hurts a little!

But Maria hurts a lot more!

Oh...yay....Bubble Monkey got a SMAAAAASH......

Well, he killed the thing, so..... Good job today, soldier!

Aww yiss, more levels!

AWWWWWWWW YISSSSSSSSSS

Geez, they have to run out of goats some century!

I'm running out of patience WAY faster than I'm running out of bullets, pal.

Bubble Monkey! You're starting to be semi-useful!

Gaah, still not quite a tickle, but we're getting there! Baby steps, Kira, baby steps.

The fuzz are hot on our trail, Bubble Monkey. We've got to lay low for a bit. This tent seems to be the perfect place for laying of the low variety!

Hey, yeah, that's cool, listen, can I stay here for a little while?
And can you not tell anyone I'm here?

Is....is that legal? I mean, I'm only ten.....
Well, when did I ever start questioning the legality of my actions? Lay it on m-

OH
Uhh
Y-yes, please. Chamomile, thank you!

Yes, I'm feeling much better now that the po
lice are go-I MEAN now that I've had some lovely tea!

All right, then! We continue south!

OR MORE GOATS
Aww, man, you were on such a roll, Bubble Monkey!

Not that it matters in the end!

Anyone else?

Well, this dog seems eager for a taste of what Maria has to offer!
And she is more than hap
py to deliver!

Bubble Monkey wants to be included first, though, and who am I to say no to him?

KA-BLAM

Precision really isn't your strong suit, is it, Bubble Monkey?

Maria, you truly are my most reliable friend.

GOSH DANG IT BUBBLE MONKEY WE ARE ON A SCHEDULE HERE

OH I CAN HARDLY CONTAIN MY JOY. GEEZ FREAKING LOUISE.

At least SOME good came out of that fight...

I'm quickly running out of south to go to. Looks like it's time to forage for more clues! Perhaps this tent has the answers we need?

OR IT COULD BE EMPTY

Whoa, LOTS of tents! There sure is SOME kind of party going on down here! Let's just hope it's the kind I'd want to be invited to.

I'm starting to get the feeling we aren't talking about the lifeguard.

But that was before the Fire Nation attacked, right?

You know you can take your hands off your binoculars to cover your sneeze, don't you?
And also not sneeze DIRECTLY ON ME?

WHOA HEY BACK OFF
That's MY monkey and he'll get gum from me, thank you very much!

Uhh....yeah! That's right! They hate the stuff! Yessir!
That was close. I just about lost Bubble Monkey to a wandering conspiracy theorist!

You are such a sane individual and I value our conversation immensely.

Ah, yes, the second club Dad formed.

Another empty tent! Where the heck am I supposed to find clues now?!?!?

Oh gosh, I didn't even feel it bite me! Am I going to die, Doctor?!?

Hehe, yeah....
"Luck"....

Come on, there's got to be a clue in THIS tent!

Aha, of course! I can't possibly think straight on an empty stomach!
HOW COULD I HAVE BEEN SO STUPID

Whoa, that was SOME stew.....
Oh, hello again, strange voice. I'm glad we're friends!

Hey, bossy pants, I'm working on it!

You know, if you gave me better directions than "south", maybe this wouldn't take so long!

SLEEP IS FOR NERDS
But....so is fixing broken things for fun....
Uhh

Filled with a liquid of my own design!
I minored in Chemistry at MIT, just so you know.
Soundtrack: A Good Night's RestSoundtrack: Tessie Has Been Sighted!
Ah, what a beautiful morning! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the wind....is blowing....
No... No way....
Are you serious?!?

I don't think so, we don't get the paper delivered to the big houseOVER IN THE NEIGHBORING TOWN. Which is where I live. Yeah.

You could try robbing a gas station.
....Just saying.

Record all you want, my friend, they'll never catch me now!
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Ahem. Well, I do believe that's all for now. Come back next time, where we.....keep going south!