By James

-Dedicated to the EarthBound/Mother series and fellow fans-

Chapter Four
-As exceptional as expected-

Ness wasn't even on Earth anymore when he woke up.

Surprised by his surrounding, he sprang to his feet and picked up his backpack, which had been placed under his head, almost all in one motion. He surely needed something familiar to cling to. Something familiar to lean on. Right now, hero or not, he just felt scared. He looked around the circular room he found himself in. The ceiling was far from the floor, the walls were a darkish aqua blue, and the lights were rather dim, but not to the point of the room being dark. It wasn't much wider than a small circus tent in there, and there was a large video screen not too far above the door. Nothing but blackness was on it though.

Ness stared at the door, which didn't even have a knob. His eyes went between it and the screen—and the floor as he walked. When he arrived, he hesitantly placed a hand on it. It was cool and hard. He eventually mustered enough faith to push against it, which of course didn't work.

Then he ran back to the center of the room. He didn't think his next action would get him any further, but he tried to teleport. He and his Psi gifted comrades had been slowly continuing to develop their skills over the past three years. Teleportation wasn't one that had evolved in him however, at least he didn't notice if it had, but he could still give this a try. Ness clenched the strap of his backpack and began to fade, but in just a few seconds, he physically regenerated. He still couldn't teleport out of an enclosed area.

"See what I mean Paula?" he thought to himself and smiled, trying not to panic.

Paula had been working towards the ability for a while, but Ness had tried to comfort her by saying that it wasn't that great. His actual feelings, compared with the results he currently had to settle for, created a rather disappointed, almost angry atmosphere in the room. That's when the screen beside him came on.

Ness turned and jerked back a few steps, and didn't resist the urge to take a few more as he locked eyes with the one staring at him.

A gray faced being with a head that certainly eliminated any possibility of humanity spoke, "Sorry I kept you waiting, I had to grab another drink."

Ness saw a collar on his neck, and assumed that just maybe that was helping eliminate a language barrier.

"Welcome Ness, I know you're probably, confused, but understand first of all that we have no intention of harming you. As Speid probably told you, we're on the same side."

"Where am I?" he asked in an untrusting tone.

"You are on a planet not too far from Earth, but so far undetected by the people of your home world. This is my home now, but rest assured it will not become yours. You're here for..."

Ness interrupted, "Where's Speid? Why am I here?"

"You're here to train, to prepare for the upcoming battle against Giygas. We'll send you back, as soon as your training is completed."

"...Let me out of here," said Ness.

"Do you understand what I've just told you?" replied his host.

"Let me see Speid first. Open the door."

"Ness, you need to listen to me now."

"Not until you open the door," replied Ness, who was getting nervous.

"…I understand that you don't like feeling confined, but remember we're on..."

"Nope. You're wasting time. I won't do anything until I get out of here," said Ness.

"Ness..." said the host, "don't you care about your world? This is your chance to save it. We're offering you a chance—to save it," he reasoned.

Ness stared at him in silence.

"I will let you out of there, and answer all of your questions...as soon as you settle down, and agree to cooperate."

Suddenly, Ness dropped his backpack.

"Now are we going to work together or not?" asked the host.

Ness was still staring at him, and didn't say a word.

"Ness," he tilted his head, "do we have an understanding?"

Ness remained silent as he looked at the screen.

"Ness?" the host repeated.

Still no response.

He sighed, "...This is part of why I didn't have faith in this plan from the, from the very beginning."

Ness still stared at him in silence.

"Believe it or not, I'm just learning about this version of the plan myself..." he felt himself getting sleepy.

Ness stared at the screen.

His host continued, "So if you'll...so if you'll...get over...your attitude..."
He said nothing else. He just stared at Ness with drowsy eyes.

This was the power in Ness that had evolved. Speid had used a version of it to put him to sleep. The Psi called hypnosis.

"…Open the door," Ness said calmly to the screen.

His host slowly reached for something, and within a few seconds, there was a change in the room. Ness picked up his backpack and ran for the opening. He entered a hallway, and slid the backpack on as he saw two figures at the other end who appeared to be guards. Ness hesitated, then began walking towards them.

It was a long walk. They seemed to be armed. He didn't know with what. He didn't know if they had Psi. He didn't know what the consequences would be if he was caught. He didn't even know where he was, how to get home, exactly how much time had passed, or if he even felt right about what he had just done. He also didn't know where the girl called Speid was, or if he'd even be able to breathe if he somehow made it outside.

Before the short, but long walk was over, a yellowish flash seemed to surround Ness, who marched ahead continuously, with all the faith he could muster.

"Stop," said one of the guards as they finally drew their weapons.

But Ness kept walking.

"...Stop," they both said as they quickly glanced at each other.

The boy who had faced so many dangers previously continued forward.

"Ness," said one of them, "we don't want to hurt you. We will fire, and you'll be carried back to that room, if you don't stop."

Ness was just a few yards from them, when he stopped. He stared at their weapons, and then their collars, and then their faces…and then continued walking.

One guard said to the other without looking, "Fire."

They both did.

As the beams reached their target, it seemed to be the brave stare that knocked them back, but it was actually a Psi power shield, which flashed briefly. Both glowing beams were returned directly to each guard, and each guard’s knees hit the floor before the rest of their bodies did. Ness saw that they were moaning and tucked his conscience away. He also saw a large button on the wall beside the door—which opened it.

The next room was a little more to his liking. Round again, dimly lit, but much smaller and with circular sofas in the center—which was a circle surrounded by steps. There was red carpet everywhere, and the walls looked wooden. More interesting however, were the long windows facing each other. Before Ness could reach one of them though, the door opposite of the one he had come out of opened. Ness quickly gave it his full attention.

He reached for his bat, which was horizontally tucked at the top of his backpack, then stopped when he saw a seemingly human girl's face. Another followed her into the room, and so did two more.

"Who are you? Can you tell me how to get out of here, or where Speid is? Do you know Speid?"

As he asked this, they began to surround the room quietly, and Ness reacted by getting in the center. He took some comfort in the fact that his shield would function for two more attacks, but not much.

"What's going on here?" he asked.

They said nothing, as they each reached their positions. Ness looked around the room, turning to face their meek eyes in confusion. He couldn't help but find all of them a little attractive, worried as he was. Then, he started getting a little sleepy himself.

"Ahh..." he said as he dropped to one knee and his vision blurred.

They were using his method against him. But why? Vengeance? To mock him? He didn't know. He didn't really care. He looked up and saw one of them approaching him. Then he looked around and sure enough, all of them were doing the same. He tried to avoid looking in their eyes, but staring at the floor made him feel like collapsing on it. He was on both knees now and they were getting closer.

As he looked up at a face again, he nearly felt himself fall asleep. He wanted to. He wanted to give up and relax. He had been fighting so much over the past few days. He wanted his summer back. He wanted peace, and he felt it now.

As the girls came within four feet of Ness, who faced the floor, they suddenly stopped. They had no choice. Ness's Psi called paralysis had made it happen.

They all looked at each other in surprise and moaned as they struggled to be free. Ness stood up. He had chosen to be a hero a long time ago, and a hero's peace is not easily won.

"Why don't we help each other out here? Tell me, can I breathe outside?"

They said nothing and stared at him with less confidence and concentration than before.

Ness pulled out his bat, "I'm from Earth, so I just wanted to know."

One got nervous and managed to nod her head, which was still a challenge with the effects of the Psi.

"Thanks," he said, and ran to a window.

He stared through the object he had intended to use his bat on when he freed it, and saw a ground of dirt a few feet below. The girls who were facing his direction watched as Ness closed his eyes and took swing after swing. After a few well-placed hits, the glass shattered and Ness poked away the sharp edges.

He looked back at them, "Don't worry, you'll be free in a few minutes," he said with an insincere smile.

Then he climbed out of the window and started running. After about twenty seconds though, Ness got the scariest shock of his life, or so he hoped, as a blue light appeared before him. He stopped, and there was Speid.

"...Well done Ness," she said. "You defeated every one of them without even beginning to fight.

" Ness caught his breath, "So…does that change now?" he asked with courage.

"Nope," said Speid. "As you've been told, you're here to train. You've actually exceeded our expectations, but I can't let you go until the training’s complete. It won't take too long. If you want to save the Earth you'll do it. You have to trust me. It's the only way this'll work."

Ness put his hands on his hips and stared at her.

"...It's my world too," said Speid.

Ness looked confused.

"Come on," she said as she walked up to him, "I'll answer your questions first."

They’re soon gone in a blue flash.

Chapter Five
-The path of light?-

Jeff Andonuts awoke in a hotel he never figured he'd need again.

He put his glasses on after getting out of bed, and looked through the window at the town he never figured would need him again. The citizens of Threed had indeed been fighting off almost as many invaders in the past few days as they had three years ago during the adventure of Jeff's life. Seemed to be the town's fate. But right now it also seemed that things had calmed down completely. As though last night hadn't even happened. Jeff looked at one of his blasters on the desk by the bed, and remembered as though it were yesterday.

Right after he had checked in, he immediately locked the door and pulled out the calculator, paper, pens, and snack he had bought from the local drugstore. Around two hours and a phone call later, he had just come up with something when he heard a sudden scream.

- -"What's going on out, WHOAAA," said Jeff as he slammed the door shut.

A large zombie, larger than the ones seen in Threed before, ran to the door and opened it. Greeting it immediately afterwards was a blast from one Jeff's beam weapons—which sent it across the small lobby and into the wall.

"The zombies are back!!!"

Jeff heard someone shouting this outside, again and again. Jeff held his weapon on the enemy, which was slowly fading into dust. Then he heard more screaming outside. By the time he got out there, he saw several alien zombies and citizens running across the town. It was going to be quite a night.

He hurried toward the nearest target, which was being sprayed with a water hose by a young kid who had told his mom, "Quick, gimmie that!"

As the zombie reeled, the kid turned the hose off for a few seconds. Then the zombie started running towards the two of them again.

"Get out of here mom," said the boy as he hit the target again, "it's my fight."

As the zombie was held back, Jeff was given the time he needed to reach the site and disintegrate the target.

"Coooooooool," said the boy. "Where'd you get that?"

"I heard there's a guy in Fourside who sells them," said another young boy as he ran up with a ball-bat.

"What's up Eric?" said the boy with the hose.

"We're in for another big one tonight huh dawg?" replied Eric.

They greeted with their hands as Jeff looked impressed.

"Uh, excuse me? Hi, " said the mom to Jeff. "There's some more of them over there."

Jeff looked where she was pointing. "Oh, right," he said, and ran off.

"Water can hurt them," said the boy with the hose. "Here, take this Eric. Defend my mom 'till I get back." With that he ran down the street and headed for the circus yelling, "Water can hurt them!"

Jeff arrived at the location where the mysterious tent had been, hesitated, then started running across the grass. Zombies that had wandered on the grounds were holding crates full of snack food they had taken from the circus. One of them saw Jeff, and slung a crate at him. Jeff rolled under it while running, and even though he had lost his glasses in the somersault, he still hit the target with his shot when it was over.

The other two dropped their loads and charged at Jeff, who was searching desperately for his glasses. Jeff heard them getting closer and got nervous, but didn't want to fire a shot recklessly for fear of hitting a nearby citizen. As Jeff finally picked up his glasses and put them on, it was too late. The zombies were very close to his face when something hit one of them: a thrown baseball. Both reacted and gave Jeff the time he needed to get off two successful shots.

"Thanks," he said as he returned the ball.

"Don't mention it, I..."

Suddenly he was interrupted by, "WATER CAN HURT THEM," which rang out over a blow horn.

Jeff ran and saw the kid who had been using the hose at the circus up the street.

"Easy on my ears Paul," said the manager beside him.

"FORGET YOUR EARS. NO, NOT YOU GUYS. GET INSIDE AND FIND A WAY TO BRING OUT SOME WATER! YOU GOT WATER GUNS? GET 'EM OUT! GOT A HOSE? USE IT! GET SOME BUCKETS IF YOU CAN! EVEN USE WATER BALLOONS IF YOU HAVE THE TIME! GO, GO, GO! FOR THREED!"

The young boy had quite an impact on the citizens, as they took this knowledge and sought to turn it into power. People rushed by Jeff and headed for their source of ammunition. Paul tossed down the blow horn and ran to join the battle.

Eric caught some unsuspecting zombies with the hose in his hand as they ran by, and after about two minutes of continued spraying, they actually disintegrated. "It worked! It worked!"

Jeff caught a few more with his blaster, then saw young kids and adults running with buckets of water. Others had actually gotten water balloons out and were tossing them everywhere. Many water gun carrying young ones surprised a zombie from behind, who had been approaching an older man.

"We're only weakening them," said a teenage boy.

Jeff was working on as many as he could, but there were simply more than he could keep up with. All the running around was making him, and everyone else tired. Boys and girls threw buckets of water at the zombies, then the buckets, and ran. Water guns were exhausted. There was only so far people with hoses could reach, and many came loose in the effort. The people of Threed looked nervous as the zombies remained standing and animated.

"No," said a tired Jeff as he caught his breath on the ground. "Don't give up! We have to keep on fighting. For Threed, for the future!"

As Jeff said this, zombies began advancing towards the citizens, and particularly toward him. Jeff kept catching his breath, and suddenly felt a drop of water on his head. He looked up, and saw it was starting to rain.

The zombies, already wet and weakened, began voicing their discomfort with yells. Jeff got up and started firing again. He got about five of the aliens as the citizens looked on, and the rain did the rest. Zombie after zombie became dust and was washed away.

When it was over, loud roars of triumph were heard throughout Threed, and Jeff was celebrated as a hero again.

"Eric, Eric?" called a mother as she approached the home of Eric's good friend.

"There's your mom man," said Paul.

"Alright, I'll see you later," said Eric as he slapped his friend’s hand and ran off. "Bye ma'am," he said to Paul's mom. "Bye Jeff," he called to Jeff.

Jeff waved and smiled. Then he went back to the hotel, had some soda, and called it a night.- -

"Paula," said Jeff on the phone. "Yeah I'm alright. It made the paper huh?" He slipped on his shoes while he sat on the bed.

"...What? Kaori Tanaka? Hmmm. You know you're the second person to mention this to me. Apple kid had it figured through some research he did on Twoson yesterday. He thought that maybe he'd find something about Twoson that would indicate why it was being attacked more than Onett."

He listened to her for a few seconds then continued, "Well I've been doing a little research myself, and I may be on to something. I need my old notes though, and to change clothes. Could you contact Poo for me? He can get me home.

The next day, Jeff was brought to Prince Poo's royal palace via teleportation, and sat down at a table set up just outside.

"I'm right out here if you need me grandfather," said Poo.

"Concentrate, work with your friend to stop this madness," said the man before going inside.

Paula had been invited, but was worried about Twoson, especially because of the little boy who had been somewhat hurt previously, and decided to catch up with them and get the report later.

"So what did you learn Jeff?"

"Well it's not exactly what I learned, but more like what I'm guessing," he replied.

Poo stared at him from across the table, "You, guessing? I'm surprised."

"Here's the best I could come up with," said Jeff. "Be warned it takes an open mind to appreciate."

Poo drank from his cup of lemonade and listened.

Jeff began, "I looked over my old notes; compared names, letters, numbers, and pretty much everything I've learned about this so far."
He drank a bit and continued, "If you look at the name 'Kaori', the corresponding numbers that go with those letters equal the number 54."

Poo kept listening.

"Now if you look at the name 'Giygas,' the numbers that go with those letters equal 68."

"…The point being...?" asked Poo.

"Subtract 14, the number of years ago in which this girl who's supposedly Speid disappeared, from 68, and you get 54," said Jeff. "A '54' that possibly corresponds with the name 'Kaori'."

Poo threw a weird look at him.

"Wait, wait, before you look at me like that, listen to this one," said Jeff. "I asked Paula something over the phone the other evening," he continued, "I asked her if she knew how Speid's name was spelled—‘cause you know her abilities have progressed a bit—and she told me she 'picked it up' as 'S-p-e-i-d'. Now the numbers that correspond with that add up to 53."

"Is there a point this time Jeff?"

"Maybe. I added up all the numbers that correspond with our names too, 'Jeff', 'Poo', 'Ness', and 'Paula', and you know what I got?"

"No," said Poo.

"181," said Jeff. "Now if you subtract 53 from that, you end up with 128. I'll bet you can't guess what 128 is."

"You're right," said Poo.

"Someone had to keep track of things," said Jeff, "1 in 128 were the chances we usually had of finding hidden things on the adventure. Poo, do you realize what this could mean?"

Poo shook his head and grinned.

"...Well neither do I," said Jeff, "not exactly anyway. But maybe that equation—us minus Speid—relates to our supposed slim chance of beating Giygas that first time. Now that she's supposedly willing to help us, maybe that betters the odds!"

Poo stared at him from across the table.

"I mean you, you saw how strong she was. ...Poo?" said Jeff.

"Jeff," said Poo, "for someone who's supposedly a genius, that is one of the silliest theories I have ever heard!"

"Oh come on," said Jeff, "I...."

"But," Poo interrupted and held a finger up, "it had heart. As usual, I'm impressed."

Jeff smiled and took his glasses off for a few seconds.

"So am I," said Speid, who appeared from behind the temple.

Chapter Six
-So, Prince Poo-

Poo and Jeff got up from their chairs immediately.

Poo quickly got in front of Jeff and faced the one opponent it was okay to be a little intimidated by. "Stand back Jeff," said Poo, as he skeptically covered himself and his friend with a yellow flash.

"I am not here, to fight you," said Speid.

"Then tell us where Ness is," said Poo, "and tell us now."

Jeff had moved beside Poo and was anxious for the answer.

"He's safe," said Speid, "I wouldn't endanger him. He's preparing for the attack on Friday. He's receiving excellent training and care."

Poo calmed down a bit, "Where?"

"On another planet, not too far from here. He'll be returned before the battle, don't worry. You both have my word on that."

Jeff spoke, "Why only Ness? Why not Poo and Paula?"

"Not to take anything away from the rest of you, but we needed the strongest among you. The chosen one."

" 'We?' " asked Jeff.

Speid hesitated, "My team. Those of us trying to undo the damage to the world in my time."

"Exactly who are you?" asked Jeff. "Is your name really Kaori Tanaka?"

Speid looked puzzled for a moment, "No, my name's Speid. Why did you ask me...I have a bit of advise for you Poo."

"And what's that?"

"Go back to Mu, The Place of Nothingness, and re-train there."

Poo felt a small chill run through him. "...What do you know of Mu?"

"Never mind, she's right," said a voice from not too far away. It was Poo's grandfather, speaking so that Jeff and Speid could understand him. Like Speid a few minutes ago, he had been listening unnoticed.

"What, grandfather? I thought that the one who seeks the fulfillment of Mu more than once, will be seen as an ambitious one seeking power, and punished with the severest of tests."

"...Sounds bad," said Jeff.

"That is true," said Poo's grandfather, who Speid was now facing, "but if this young lady has seen the future she's foretold, all must be done to avoid it."

Poo looked surprised and perplexed at the same time. The truth was, he was afraid to face the test again. He still felt he had barely passed it three years ago. Now, an even harder one was before him. "I...don't think I can do it," he said.

"Of course you can," said Jeff. "Listen Poo, I don't know what you're getting into, but I'm your friend, I'm here…and I believe in you."

Poo looked up at Jeff for a second.

"Time is running out for the world Poo," he continued, "we have to prevent what's supposed to be happening on Friday. We have to fight. I'm scarred too, but I'm also confident. Confident that we can win because we'll all be together."

Poo looked at Jeff again.

"Maybe I can't go into this one with you, but I'll be here when it's over."

Poo smiled, "…Thanks Jeff," he said casually.

"Go do it man."

Prince Poo looked at the many bystanders who had gathered, then looked at his grandfather, Jeff, and even at the blank faced Speid…then walked towards his latest destiny.

"Well said, young man," said Poo's grandfather in Jeff’s language.

"...Thank you," he replied.

Prince Poo concentrated on top of the place of nothingness. The place that wasn't able to help him find Ness, but supposedly would make an exception, and allow him to grow stronger through it once again. As Poo concentrated, he was again taken to a dark place, that felt sort of in-between his physical self and his mental self. He was nervous, but wouldn't allow that to overwhelm him.

Below at the table where Poo had just been, Jeff now sat with Speid, but often looked past her toward where Poo was sitting in the distance.

"You seem awful worried about him," she said.

"Well, he seemed so unsure that I'm just, concerned."

She kept staring at him.

Jeff got nervous and spoke "...I guess it'd be my fault if anything happened. I don't want to be the guy who sent him...into something he wasn't ready for."

"He has to be ready," she said in a light, countering tone, "all of you do."

"I know, I know. I'm…not ready to die yet," he said.

" 'Death is the sum of what it takes from us', " she quoted, staring at the table.

"Whoa...you're into…I just didn't figure you to be the type who watched movies like that," he smiled.

"Not exactly anything new to watch in the future Jeff. We can't be as picky as the people living in this time have been," she said, staring at him.

"Oh I...sorry," he said.

"Thing is, in you guys’ case it took a lot more than just from you," she continued, "all because you didn't stop Giygas when you had the chance."

He looked at the table.

"Don't worry though," she said, "we just might be able to correct that mistake."

In this odd realm once again, Prince Poo prepared himself. He didn't know what to expect, until a voice took the suspicion away.

"So, Prince Poo, you, of all beings seek power, over peace?"

Poo did not reply to this question.

"Well then, let us learn what destiny has in store for the ambitious."

Poo gathered his courage and looked very bold.

"I will take your arms, do you accept this?"

Poo's response was yes.

Immediately—and the lack of time between his answer and the result was scary enough—great pain was delivered to Poo's being.

"AHHHhhhhhH!" he screamed.

It came from his physical body as well, which had its’ eyes closed and was just fine.

In the realm, Poo was asked if he would accept the loss of his legs next—quite soon after the other question. He breathed hard and tried to ‘control’ the pain, as he knew it was possible in this realm. He replied yes, and felt even more pain in return.

"Ieeeeeeeeegggggghhhhhhh!" he held through his teeth, as his will to exist in this realm began to fade.

His body also said this, but remained unchanged. Poo fought desperately in the other realm to keep his sanity and aura alive. He already felt that this was a much tougher experience than before. But he was stronger now too. Next he was asked if he'd accept the loss of his ears. He could only motivate himself with anger and defiance now, defiance to lose.

"AHHHH!" he responded, as more pain came along.

Poo's defiance was weakening, but he remained determined. He had to go on, for the world, for his friends, and for himself.

"So, Prince Poo. Will you accept the loss of your eyes, yet again?"

Poo screamed his acceptance, almost glad it was nearly over. Immediately afterward, his vision in this realm was gone. He was still in pain though, unlike last time. He was frightened and alone.

"Prince Poo...will you accept the loss of your mind, which is all you have remaining? Without it, you will not feel pain, not ever again. But also know that without it, you can not have the power you seek, or the power you already possess. Are you prepared for that? Are you lonely? Are you sad? Will you keep your sanity knowing that you came and left here in vain? For it is said that no mortal is ever prepared, for the second, and final stage of Mu. Does this displease you? Will you live in anger for the rest of your life? Will you live on in disgrace? Or will you remain here until your body ceases to be? What is your choice Prince Poo? Anger? Despair? Nothingness? Chose now."

Poo remained silent for a while, then said, "…I choose...............destiny."

All of a sudden, he felt himself falling. The sense of not having control was frightening at first, but somehow exhilarating as he felt his body returning to him piece by piece. His arms were retuned, and Prince Poo felt new power. His physical body jerked in reaction.

His legs were returned, and Prince Poo felt new power. His physical body again surged in reaction.

His ears were returned, and Prince Poo felt new power. His physical body stirred with reaction.

Finally, his eyes were returned, and Prince Poo felt new power. His physical body felt it as well. He opened his eyes, and he slowly stopped falling. He hovered for a few seconds in the darkness…and then got the feeling that it was not yet over.

"Of course. This must be a warning of some sort," he thought, "to never attempt Mu for a third time."

Prince Poo felt an aura engulf the space around him—an aura of orange. He felt an extreme heat come and go suddenly.

Prince Poo felt an aura engulf the space around him—an aura of white. He felt an extreme cold come and go suddenly.

Prince Poo felt an aura engulf the space around him—an aura of red.

"...Is this...?"

Suddenly, a quick clap of thunder spread and flashed across the realm.

"AHH!"

Prince Poo stood up. He opened his eyes. Right now, at approximately two-something, on this not so pleasant Tuesday afternoon, he was a rather proud young man. Stronger, wiser, more determined and focused than ever. He smiled, sighed, and left Mu: The Place of Nothingness, for what he knew would be the last time, one way or another.

Moments later, Jeff looked past Speid and saw one of his best friends approaching. "Poo!"

He stood up and ran, as Speid turned around in her chair and placed an arm over the back of it.

"This might sound stupid," said Jeff, "but how'd it go?"

Poo smiled and extended his hand, which Jeff shook. "The right way," he replied.

"…As I knew it would," said his grandfather, grinning from the door of the temple.

Poo smiled back.

"Congratulations," said Speid, who now stood. "Someday I might like to try that."

Poo sighed, "Thank you."

"You're all very exceptional boys," she continued.

Jeff turned to Speid, "So what next?"

"Next," she replied, "I go and meet the exceptional girl again."

-To be concluded