Chapter 6: The Knowledge of a Wise Old Penguin is Infallible

Soundtrack: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - 'Yellow Valkyrie' by DarkeSword

After escaping the many hip hips, hoorahs, three cheers, back clappings, head rufflings, wolf calls, penguin equivalents of high fives, offers of both dinner and drinks, and winkings from the numerous lady penguins who were now big fans, Bumpty and his two companions made their way back into Via Penguifico, and right outside the very same cell that Herringway had been rescued from after three years of solitude. Both Abner and Bumpty couldn't help wondering why the elder penguin had wanted to come here to talk; surely not for the pleasant memories. And indeed, the poor old penguin closed his eyes, in an apparent attempt to steel himself for going back into his recently escaped prison. After a few moments, he opened his cute little penguin eyes back up, smiled at the other two, and lead them inside.
"So, Santa Claus," Herringway started as he walked in and plopped down on top of a small, camp bed. "You are certainly not the first to come looking for old Saint Nick, nor will you be the last. The hunt for Kriss Kringle is, undeniably, something that has always fascinated the young, as well as the young at heart. Luckily for you, despite my undeniable oldness, I too never gave up the dream of finding Father Christmas. I spent many years of my considerably long life researching the matter, but by the time I discovered the answer, I had already found what I was looking for, without the help of Santa. And thus I saved these findings for another day, another person, someone who needed a bit of divine intervention. And judging by your looks, I'd say you are beyond a doubt in need of some grand omnipotent power."
"How can you tell?" Abner asked. "I mean, tell that I'm not just some kid who wants a giraffe for Christmas or something."
"My dear boy," Herringway chuckled. "Would someone of your age face down such ridiculous obstacles as Snuffleupagi and a maniacal chainsaw-shooting-gun weilding dictator penguin with a taste for torturing victims with chocolate chip cookies, all to ask Santa Claus for a giraffe? No, of course they wouldn't. Your need obviously supercedes even your own safety, that much is clear. And believe me, the aforementioned roadblocks are far from the top of the list when it comes to making it to your goal. But alas, I am getting ahead of myself."
The old penguin got up from his bed and adorably waddled over to the corner of the room. Gingerly lifting what was apparently a loose part of the floor, he set it aside and stuck his wing into the depths, a few moments later pulling out a few musty old pieces of parchment. He then moved back over to his bed, and with a typical old man groan, sat back down, putting on a pair of reading glasses that made him look, if possible, even cuter.
"In older times," Herringway began, adjusting his glasses. "It was a belief of some that the earth was surrounded by a series of mountains called Qaf, and it was said that this mountain range found roots in the very depth of the earth, and were the connection to heaven itself. Perhaps the most famous tale involving this mountain is the story of Alexander the Great, who climbed to its peak on his hunt for the water of life and met an angel who was waiting to blow the trumpet on judgment day. Now, of course, there is no such mountain range in current existance, and Alexander the Great was never at the north pole. However, putting these two ideas together, the earth encompassing mountain range and a man with a will just as strong as one, I came up with a theory that I believe to be correct; the mountain range of Qaf does not exist on earth, at least as a whole. But, when someone goes in search of it, and if that person has the proper intentions, an individual mountain of Qaf should appear before them, at which point they are given the chance to attempt to scale it."
"So we have to find this spot ourselves!?" Abner asked in shock. "How do we go about looking for an invisible mountain when it could be anywhere?"
"Oh ho, I'm glad to see you understand the severity of the situation, but on the whole, I think not." At this, Herringway passed on one of his pieces of old parchment to Abner, who upon looking at it, discovered that it was a map of the north pole. "As I said, I spent many years of my life trying to find Santa Claus, which eventually lead to my discovery of Qaf. I myself mapped out every square inch of the North Pole, and though I have never seen it with my own eyes, I do believe I have discovered where the nearest Qaf mountain lies, which, if you look at the map, I have dubbed Mount Quaffle."
Abner looked at him inquisitively.
"I must admit, I am quite the fan of Harry Potter, and I wished to add some distinction between each mountain of Qaf while still retaining a naming motif, and the opportunity presented itself," Herringway replied with a smile.
"And what of the dangers you mentioned before, sir?" Bumpty asked, having taken in all of this new information up until now silently.
"Ahhhh," Herringway sighed. "As for that, I can not be sure. My guess, however, is that these things will be far more taxing on the spirit and emotions than a Snuffleupagus. Still, as long as you two stick together, I have the feeling you'll come out just fine."
Abner nodded, but Bumpty looked guilty. Reading his thoughts correctly, Herringway responded.
"You have done more for Shiver City than any other penguin before, Bumpty, and for that you should be most proud of yourself. I know you worry now that if you leave all you will have to come back to is another dictator, just as vile and horrid as Karmel was. But remember that these penguins have suffered for the past three years just as you have, and you showed them all, in a very public display I might add, what the will of one can accomplish. Do not fear for your fellow penguins now; now is their time of new beginnings. And speaking of which, the two of you better leave as soon as possible, before they'll want to elect Bumpty to the recently vacated leadership position." At this, Bumpty looked positively alarmed.
"S-surely n-not, sir...?" he stammered. Herringway and Abner just laughed as the trio made their way out of the depressing Via Penguifico without looking back.