Deep in the recesses of the Earth, a mind was slowly awakening, as if what had happened was no more than a long, slightly horrifying dream. As the mind mended, an image came into being so consuming, so natural that it seemed obvious that the image was in fact who he was, and as this thought became stronger, the body shaped to suit the will of the mind. The once shapeless matter had slowly melded into the image that was so prevalent, and from the confines of the wreckage that was the Devil's Machine, a young boy wearing a striped shirt and a red hat emerged.

The area was an absolute an absolute catastrophe, and as he looked back toward what remained of the machine he came out of, faded memories of a tormented past began to haunt his thoughts. Perhaps it was fear, or desire, but then he wanted nothing more than to leave, immediately. While his mind raced he remembered another figure, this one responsible for destroying the machine that caused him so much anxiety. It wasn't clear why he knew this, but he felt so compelled to seek out solace from this terrible place that, almost without realizing what he had done he felt his body flung toward the one that saved him. For the first time in years, Giygas had used his PSI.

The teleport was exhausting, mentally and physically, but it felt as if the teleport itself was only part of the problem. Whatever the problem was exactly, he concentrated and subdued it. He wondered if his mind had ever had this kind of clarity, this much freedom... His thoughts turned to the presence that was so close, but had slipped further away. Teleportation was out of the question now, however, the problem while subdued had not corrected itself, and required a constant mental vigil. Though it didn't matter much, the freedom to move itself was still somewhat exhilarating. Quietly he observed the life and structures around him, as a person walking in the distance caught his attention. His lower appendages moved one, then another, bending about half way, and the upper appendages moved to and fro in a similar manner in opposition of the other two. Giygas wondered why he hadn't been moving like that before, the technique seemed simple enough. With some careful minor concentration he put the bends in their appropriate places, and after a little practice he began walking toward his goal, not knowing what had truly been put into motion.

Paula had just gotten on the bus to Twoson, after picking up some items at Fourside's massive department store. The rumors of Pokey's whereabouts were (as they usually ended up) misinformed and useless, may as well make the trip worthwhile. Jeff had explained to the others that the Devil's Machine had created a relativity cloud that existed outside of normal time more than it was in the past, so they didn't have to worry about Pokey being able to travel time, though he practically vanished all the same. Wondering if they would ever find Pokey, she felt a massive PSI force come very near her. Her heart skipped a beat, Ness and Poo were training in Dalaam, and they should have been the only ones capable of doing such an act. It was not either of the two, but she couldn't have forgotten that mental signature if she wanted to. Giygas was alive, and perhaps even more formidable than before.

There was no time to waste, she reached out to the rest of the Chosen Four, "Giygas is alive, I think he's after me! I don't know why but he isn't using PSI now... He must be saving his strength for us." Paula grimaced, then continued, "I'm going to take the stop at Dusty Dunes, hurry!" She then got her composure, the battle that was coming would require all her strength. Dusty Dunes, the place was not the ideal battleground it once was. The mine had been turned into a tourist spot after they had first defeated Giygas, and the incoming visitors had granted Pancho, Pincho, and Tomas the money to build the Cheerful Trio Casino, they would have to fight in a more remote stretch of the desert. "The desert sun does a number on my skin, too." Paula thought, managing a smile.

The bus came to a stop, Paula quickly made her way out and headed into the store (which hadn't changed much in years, it lacked the glamour of the newer buildings). She told the shopkeeper to send the items she had brought with her to Twoson via Escargo Express, and left the money for the fee with him. The owner was happy to oblige, and she headed outside to meet up with Ness. It wasn't a long wait, Ness arrived in his old battle gear, carrying Paula's with him. "Poo went to get Jeff, they should be here soon." As Paula readied herself for the battle Ness said, "Are you sure it's him? I mean, it hardly seems like Giygas' style to just follow you around." "I know," Paula spoke almost unsure herself, "but that energy is undeniable..." Poo came out of teleport with Jeff, who was wielding a brand new gun. "Never thought I'd get to combat test this baby out so soon." He said slyly, adding "Wish it were under different circumstances, though..." Ness spoke authoritatively, "Now that we're all here lets head to the edge of the desert, its less likely that anyone will get caught up in the fight." As they made their way to the far reaches of Dusty Dunes, Ness hoped that Giygas would stay content just following Paula, it was a risky move waiting it out in the desert, but if getting others hurt could be avoided it seemed worth taking.

Even for the remote part of the desert it seemed a little eerie, though it had more to do with the situation than the scenery. Poo had been thinking while moving to their destination, and something didn't add up. "If this is Giygas, then where's the anger, the hate? I can't tell if he's even feeling anything, and the last time we fought him it was almost like he tried to consume us with his hatred." Jeff chimed in, "You aren't kidding, I can't use PSI at all and even I felt that." This had bothered both Ness and Paula, but Paula more so, she was always the most adept in ESP, and as Giygas neared slowly the emotions she sensed were mild at best. Paula looked for words to explain this, but it seemed outside all reason, the universal cosmic destroyer should not be acting this way, and even if it were a ruse she should be able to tell by now. "Whatever the reason behind his actions we can't forget who we're dealing with. We didn't even really defeat Giygas on our own last time, and we don't stand a chance if we let our minds wander now. It may be different than the last time we fought, but..." Ness stopped short, his attention focused on a figure in the distance. It looked like a small boy, no; it looked almost exactly like he had those years ago when he first started his quest to stop Giygas, and as it walked occasionally the legs would move unnaturally, bending when they shouldn't, yet moving along all the same. Jeff spoke in a near-whisper, "Now that is freaky."

One, two, bend here, bend there. Walking was more difficult than Giygas had previously thought, perhaps it was due to his inability to concentrate much beyond keeping the problem suppressed. The trials of walking were overtaken by the close proximity of the force that defeated the Devil's Machine, though it seemed an odd place to meet, Giygas was becoming more hurried in the pursuit and he cared little that he had been led out to an empty area of desert. He didn't really think too much of the other presences that had joined suddenly with the one he was coming toward, even though they felt vaguely familiar themselves. He was going to need help curing this strange ailment, along with the answers he sought, if he waited too long even PSI wouldn't be able to keep him in check. Giygas' walking was getting sloppy, though he didn't notice that he moved along at the same speed regardless, his mind was occupied with the four in the distance. One of them looked much like the images he had when he first awoke, though there was some differences other than just being taller, but he was unable to tell what they were exactly. Giygas' emotions soared, perhaps this was his family, and he was on his way home. This illusion was quickly shattered, it became more and more clear as he approached them they looked toward him in a sort of calmed anxiety, ready for a fight. There had to be some mistake, and yet, they seemed so sure of themselves. Giygas could not turn back now, there was no other place to go. He would have to place his fate in their hands.

Some twenty feet from the Chosen Four, Giygas stopped. Unsure how to proceed, and afraid of ruining what might be his only chance, he hoped that they would make the first move. It was the first time they grasped how inhuman his form really was. From a distance he looked like Ness had, but up close it was almost sickening. There was no definition to his clothes, they were just colored parts of his body; The hat was a protrusion from the head, and his hair was simply colored as well. The eyes were worst of all, flat, unblinking discs like a dolls that seemed to stare back at you regardless of how you looked at them. They prepared to counterattack, but Giygas simply stood there, watching, waiting. The uncertainty was too much for Paula, shouting almost desperately, "What do you want?" Giygas was for a short time taken aback, then tried to form his thoughts into words. "I want to... go, with you... my family." The low, ethereal voice was unmistakable as it resonated from him. Ness was unconvinced, there was no way to tell if he was sincere with that horrific voice, but this had to be some kind of elaborate trap. "Family? Who are you trying to fool, you barely even look human. I don't know what you're up to, but your plans end here, Giygas!" Ness said vehemently, preparing to strike.

Giygas, Giygas, Giygas... The word, the name, it rung out in his mind louder each time, endless. Every time it echoed out across his mind thoughts of the past broke through, life within the Devil's Machine, tormented, angry, hateful. The Chosen Four he had wanted nothing more than to kill to let someone else's suffering deafen out his own, and the world he wished to see reduced to ashes all because of the machine that held him so painfully in its clutch. Giygas put all his anguish, his sorrow into one, deep, long howl. The sand itself shook under the weight of his cry, stopping Ness in the midst of his attack. The intensity of emotion was overwhelming, Paula, Ness, Poo, and even Jeff were nearly incapacitated from the terrible, wrenching sadness. This could not be the same one he knew those years ago, Ness thought, bearly able to speak, managing "Giygas..." as a familiar, menacing laugh interrupted him. A fat, mal-colored being inside a spiderlike floating machine had made himself known.

"My, my, my, I never thought I'd catch all four of you off guard so easily," Pokey said in his sickly aggravating voice, "You really are the biggest idiots I've had the displeasure to know." They were still recovering from the effects of Giygas' outburst, Poo slightly faster from his discipline of Mu spoke in distaste, "So, you were behind this? We should have known..." As Poo reached for his sword Pokey pressed a switch, and the ship began humming, Jeff guessed what was coming, but he could do nothing to stop it in his current state. The humming stopped, and a sonic burst began pounding the minds of the Chosen Four, not only disabling their PSI, but making it impossible to move under the pain as well. "For shame, trying to hurt me. And just so you can realize how stupid you all are, no, I did not plan this." Pokey said, relishing their torment, "Unlike you four dog-faced losers I know an opportunity when I see one. And as painful for you as it will be to part with me, I cannot help but send you to your final destination. I would say it will be a pleasure watching your corpses rot, but I'm afraid there wont be anything left!" Pokey cackled maniacally, as a large alien device came out of the bottom of his ship, beginning to charge a massive amount of energy.

One being had managed to escape Pokey's attention. Giygas was unaffected by the sonic pulses the ship was emitting, though he was still caught up in his thoughts, his past. His entire existence had only been to destroy, what was the point? The new life he had was nothing more than a short lived fantasy, there wasn't anything to live for... Giygas was brought back to reality by the sounds of pain, this time, not his own. He saw the Chosen Four lying in agony, helpless, and looked toward what was causing them so much torture. The sight of technology like the Devil's Machine filled him with anger, but even more so the creature within it. This creature had not only embraced hatred, but enjoyed it, loved it. Giygas could no longer control his rage, but this time he could focus it. A voice seemed to come out the depths of nothingness itself, and it shouted angrily, "YOU WILL NOT HARM THEM." Pokey turned an ill shade of white. Giygas forgot about himself, thinking back to the day when they had saved him, intentionally or otherwise, now he would repay their efforts.

To Pokey, the world turned strange shades of red and blue, then exploded in a brilliant flash. For the first time in his life, he truly felt fear. Giygas' intense PSI had not only vaporized his ship, but had completely paralyzed him as well. As Ness regained his footing, Giygas fell to the ground. He rushed over and held his poorly copied double. "Are you alright?" Ness said, worried. Giygas could no longer focus his PSI, the blast had taken all he had. "I'm so sorry... for what I put you through..." For once his voice actually seemed to come directly from him, weakly. His body was starting to fail, and his form began to melt away slowly. "No!" Ness shouted, using all the PSI he could manage to heal his wayward friend. Poo rushed over to help, and even Paula who had never been very good using healing techniques tried her best. Jeff could only observe, and he realized the truth, though it was clear to the others very soon. Giygas had been using his phenomenal PSI to stay alive in an environment that was killing him (it explained partly why he never attempted to deal with them directly), and even that was in the end a losing battle. The Devil's machine that had so filled Giygas with hatred also allowed him to live. Giygas felt truly happy, these people knew they couldn't save him, yet they tried so hard. Maybe this life was short, but it was real, and perhaps it could have been something more. Giygas looked toward Paula, and with his last strong will he said to her, "Thank you for freeing me." Paula, Jeff, Ness, and Poo were shouting something, but to Giygas, it all seemed so far away...

The sun had set, it was starting to get dark. Ness sat against a tree, as Paula walked toward him. "How are you?" Paula said, softly, Ness had been quiet the entire day. "I never thought that..." Ness trailed off. Paula sat down next to Ness, and held his hand. "Yeah..." She wanted to say more, but it was all so strange. Their greatest nemesis had become their truest friend, thanks to him they were saved and Pokey was in an asylum, when or if the paralysis would wear off was unknown. Giygas would never be forgotten, but this time, it was for a different reason. The stars were starting to come out, and Ness had a terrible revelation. In the end Giygas was only a tool for the Devil's Machine, but this presented a problem. If Giygas had not built it, who did? Was it even possible that other machines like it existed? Paula could sense Ness' sudden change of emotion. "Is something wrong?" "I don't know." Ness responded, looking toward the stars which once shined with hope and possibilities, now only seemed to hold a sinister uncertainty.