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From the front door of the Clubbox, colorful lights beamed out. The music coming from the building blared through the adorned island in each direction and every monster seemed to be enjoying it.
Even outside of the Clubbox, monsters of all kinds were dancing their heads off. “Doing the earthquake”, it was called. That dance was a big tradition for Earth Island.
“Summersong,” Epic Noggin mumbled to himself.
The rock monster was lazily resting on a lounging chair underneath an umbrella. None of this was new to him.
He seemed incredibly focused on what was up in the sky. His gaze hadn’t left it in a while, and his pupils were expanded with wonder. The last interaction he had with Whiz-bang had left the monster with very conflicting feelings about many things and, although it never looked like it, Epic Noggin didn’t really let go of that night.
“Hey!”
A cheerful yet unfamilar voice cut through Epic Noggin’s daze, forcing him to look back down.
Epic Noggin squinted. “Do I… know you?”
“Of course you do!“ The Furcorn said while offering, technically a foot, a hand.
“No, no. I don’t.”
“Bah,” he pulled his foot back, “that’s okay. I’m just goin’ to get a refill for this cup!”
Surprisingly, the cup had been balanced on the monsters head for a good while.
“You’re going towards the pools,” Epic Noggin shook his body, “the booths are the other way.” He raised an eyebrow.
“I know that!”
“You’re serious?”
“Never better!” The fuzzy monster peppily nodded before skipping away.
Epic Noggin had watched the littler monster the whole time. While cringing, he’d watch Furcorn scoop up water from one of the pools and come back his direction.
“Say, would ya’ like to come with me?” Furcorns voice had popped up again.
“Uh. Why?”
“Why not?”
Epic Noggin paused for a good moment before answering. “Fine. I don’t have anything better to do.” He hopped off of the lounging chair and stretched his short limbs. “Where are we heading?”
“To the Clubbox, of course! My sister’s waiting for me.”
“Oh,” he froze, and then sighed. “Cool. Okay.”
Furcorn paced forward with rhythm in his steps. He was completely oblivious to Epic Noggins harsh tone and was more-so just blinded from the thought of a potential friend.
“So, who’s your sister?”
“She looks just like me, but pink… with a bow! She’s super nice!”
Epic Noggin only nodded.
“Do you have any siblings?” Furcorn returned a question back.
“Not that I remember. Maybe? I mean, my relatives are Noggins, obviously.”
Furcorn smiled. “Cool!“
Before long, the two made it to the bustling line at the Clubbox. It was even more packed than it was a few minutes ago, which came as a shock to the both of them. Of course, it was understandable. Monsters from all sorts of islands loved to come for DJ Epic’s party.
“Ah… hm. Come on! We’ll just take a lil’ shortcut.” Furcorn had gestured for the Epic Noggin to follow him.
The two crept alongside each-other and slipped past the pack of other, and larger monsters, eventually finding their way into the Clubbox without being checked out. Almost immediately upon entering, Epic Noggin was blinded by the colorful lights that’d immediately bloom onto his face. He squinted, then groaned.
“You. How is that cup still on your head.” Epic Noggin said to the Furcorn, trying to divert his attention away from the Clubbox’s bright fixtures. Fortunately, the two of them were in a somewhat isolate corner. It wouldn’t have been too distracting.
“Oh!” Furcorns eyes darted up. “I was just waiting for a good moment to drink it. Thanks for reminding me, buddy!” He took the cup off of his head and gulped its contents down. “Daw. Looks like I’ll need another refill. Can you find my sister for me? Thanks!”
Furcorn, without any other words, dashed out of the Clubbox. Epic Noggin was left with his own thoughts.
“I… o-okay?” Epic Noggin blurted tensely, barely having time to process what’d just been said. At a loss, he stared blankly at the ground. “Oh, what the heck. I should have just stayed put outside.”
Whatever, he thought, shaking the incoming pessimism out of his head. He began stepping forward, exposing himself to the mob of dancing monsters. Just by looking at the monsters, his stress grew. He was never one to dabble in large groups.
Suck it up and find that pink fur-ball.
The moment he stepped onto the dance floor, he’d already started being pulled around as if he were stuck in a tide. Yeesh.
There was definitely no peace right now, and tonight.
At the other side of the Clubbox was Hoola or, in this case, DJ Epic and most of her sisters all gathered at the front, except.
At a higher floor of the Clubbox stood two particularly colorful monsters. A custom-painted cannon resided between the two of them. By the looks of it, they were plotting something.
“This’ll be just like last year, just… even better!” Epic PomPom said with thrill in her voice. She patted down the cannon, making sure it was clear of any faults. “Am I the one going in again?”
“Nope,” Whiz-bang wagged his finger. “It’s me! I’m going to be the one showing these monsters what a true light-show looks like!” They spun around once with glee.
Epic PomPom squeeled.
“Also, just because I’m more likely to recover faster,” Whiz-bang added. “Wouldn’t want you hurt when this is, like, Hoola’s day. She’d probably flip out.”
“That’s definitely true,” she worriedly chuckled. “What are we waiting for? Come on!” She knocked on the cannon, signaling for Whiz-bang to get in.
Whiz-bang complied and began counting down.
Boom!
Whiz-bang had went flying across the Clubbox, their spinning already accelerating rapidly as they emitted a glow that was hard to miss.
“Huh,” Epic PomPom stared in awe. “I’m surprised that worked. I thought that stuff was only for cartoon gags!”
The bursts of vibrant light echoed overhead, and the Clubbox began to fill with loud cheers. It was something impossible for Epic Noggin to ignore.
Although not entirely successful, he’d immediately find himself a little bit of distance from the jammed crowd just to observe the view above him. Epic Noggins pupils expanded once again, fixated at the thought that they were here.
“Whiz-bang,” Epic Noggin mumbled.
The moment Whiz-bang had reformed back into his regular body, they’d lock eye-contact with the monster they were so familiar with, Epic Noggin. Their shared gazes didn’t seem to leave each-other.
Maybe it was fate that got them to recognize each-other so fast.
Epic Noggin rose a hand up and began stepping forward. The crowd no longer mattered at this point, he just pushed through the other monsters.
For a moment, Whiz-bang just helplessly hovered in the air, staring down at Epic Noggin moving the dance floor. Quickly realizing the scenario, Whiz-bang snapped his senses back together and darted straight over to bring Epic Noggin into a tight embrace.
“You… you!” Whiz-bang gasped out before giggling. “I knew you were here somewhere!” He let go.
“Uh. I’m surprised you spotted me, I guess.” Epic Noggin couldn’t really hide it, but he was smiling with his eyes. “If you were looking for me, you probably should have went outside.” As the two moved away from the general crowd, he gestured to the exit from afar.
“Oh, psh, yeah. I kind of got too caught up in this whole Summersong party, I’m sorry.” Whiz-bang paused, and then squinted. “Wait, why are you—“
“I didn’t come here to party. Some other monster took me in. I was supposed to find their sister, but they hadn’t really, er, come back.”
“Oh. You answered before I could even finish. I’m a bit offended,” Whiz-bang laughed. “Away from that, how’ve you been?”
“Uhm. Okay. I… been bored.” Epic Noggin tapped the top of his head a bit impatiently. “There’s not a-lot of monsters around for me like you are so it’s nice you’re here. Do you… plan to stay?”
The two of them came to a stop near the snack bar.
Whizbang’s smile faltered for just a slight moment. They’d force it back. “Oh, I wish I could. This place is super fun! Dontcha just wish holidays and parties like this lasted all year?” They shrugged.
“Sometimes.”
Whizbang tilted their body.
Epic Noggin added on. “You’re one of my only few friends, and you only come during events. That kind of sucks.” He closed his eyes, almost as if he were mourning himself.
“Aw.” Whizbang pitifully clasped their hands together.
“Enough of that sappy stuff. Why don’t we get something? We’re right by the treats.” He pointed out.
Like most years, Epic Yool was the one in charge of the snack bar. They’d set a row of coconut cups onto the counter and filled each one with lemonade before sliding them to the seated monsters.
Behind Whiz-bang and Epic Noggin, the strobe lights continued to shift kaleidoscopically. The music almost became muffled as the two of them sat down. For once, they could hear a bit better.
“I kind of needed a lil’ break anyways, ya’ know?” Whiz-bang pulled the cup closer to himself before taking a sip.
“I thought you liked fun?”
“And I thought you hated fun,” Whiz-bang quickly retorted back in a faux manner.
“Hey, I already told you that I was looking for somebody. Partying literally isn’t my thing. I thought you would’ve known that from first glance.”
“Oh, please.” The cloud monster showed a limp wrist. “I was joking! What I really mean’s like… I just need something new once in a while, yeah?”
“That makes sense,” Epic Noggin nodded before, and with a bit of strain, reaching over for the cup of lemonade. He barely stirred it and squinted.
“But. If you want to go back to whatever you were doing over there, that’s fine.” He looked away from Whiz-bang’s face.
“Why do you say that?”
“I’m… pretty sure you were hanging out with somebody else earlier.”
“I was, actually.”
“So.”
“But! I’m sure they don’t mind this! I just want to spend time with all my friends today, that includes you especially.” Whiz-bang gave a light smile.
“We’ve only seen each-other once. Actually,” Epic Noggin sighed, “I’m sorry. I won’t talk about this anymore. I’m probably killing your mood.”
“No! It’s totally fine! I just… think you should have a more positive look on things.” Whiz-bang then flailed his hands, “I’m saying that not in a way to offend you, of course!“
“I understand.”
Whiz-bang glanced at the glowing view behind the two, and something popped into his mind. Trying to clear the tension of this conversation, he shook his head and said something new. “So… up to doing anything?”
Epic Noggin only shrugged. His mind seemed to be running lowly at the moment.
“I’ve got the perfect idea!” Whiz-bang exclaimed. “Why don’t you come and meet one of my friends here?”
“Sure.”
With that, the two of them got down from their stools. Epic Yool noticed them departing from the area and took back their empty cups.
“Have a good time!” The bar attendant monster waved goodbye to the pair of them walking away.
For the remainder of the night, Whiz-bang had been restlessly introducing Epic Noggin to a ton of monsters. Even those from other islands.
Epic Noggin had even found himself sitting with a small group of monsters for a bit, which was something unfamiliar to him. Of course, Whiz-bang had been the one to bring him into the situation. Epic Noggin found it the whole thing rather intimidating, but at least it’d mean fitting in a little.
And, Epic PomPom did forgive Whiz-bang for just disappearing on her. She’d thought it was just apart the act, funnily enough.
Epic Noggin didn’t want to admit it too soon, but he’d actually found joy in this party. It felt a bit creepy to him. He didn’t want to flat-out assume that a singular monster had been making him feel this way, so he mostly kept his trap shut and just enjoyed the festivities.
Meanwhile, and back outside of the Clubbox, was Furcorn. He was gracefully skipping through the open spaces of the island— with the empty cup on his head.
The little monster was humming an old tune of his from Plant Island.
He was doing this all in a completely care-free manner, until.
Furcorn let out an “oof!” as he bumped into a much taller figure. The larger body tilted its head as it shadowed over Furcorn. He scooted back.
A sharp voice came out. “Didn’t see you there.” What emerged into view was none other than what looked like a gothic Edamimi. It was Rare Edamimi, to be exact. The gloomy hues the monster had were unmistakable. She’d almost remind Furcorn of the Noggin he talked to earlier.
Before Furcorn could strike a chat, the other monster had already began walking away.
“Wait!” He shouted as he got up. “Have you seen my sister around here?“
His words had no avail.
“Aw.” He paused. “Whatever, I’m gettin’ me more of that water!” The fuzzy monster went forward with a grin.