By James

Chapter Seven
-I've seen you in the newspaper-

As she arrives, a feeling of uneasiness comes and goes. A familiar, sad, empty, angry feeling lingers for a moment, then goes away. This is what she's used to, but spending time in this period has been such a pleasure, that having it altered in any way is almost nightmarish.

Choosing to keep her cool, the soldier called Speid looks around the barren, quiet town of Twoson. Two days ago when she arrived from a future she hoped she'd never see again, there were so many people to be found. Many were of course hiding or fleeing from the alien attack, but still, she could "feel" that things were different. Far better than in her time. Now it felt like the future had come back to haunt her. To taunt her. Where were they? It wasn't Friday yet. She—and the others—still had time.

Then, as she looked toward the park, she believed she had an answer. There she found four icy figures standing together. After running the rather short distance it took to get a closer look, she stopped and saw that they weren't human, but rather 'alien.' Starmen, to be exact. Early class, each trapped in their own coat of ice. It didn't take her long to realize that the citizens, having grown weary of the invaders, had temporarily sought peace somewhere else. But where was the one who had done this? Where was the capable young girl she was looking for? Speid entered the park and walked right up to the open space where the Starmen were helplessly still.

One’s eyes met hers as she stopped.

Speid looked away for a moment and faithfully called out, "I know you're still here." But there was no response. "Let's do this the easy way," she said.

And then, she felt an uncomfortably cold chill blast into her. Causing more shock than pain, the mystical attack brings back yet more difficult memories, but it's definitely the present that Speid's concerned with. When the attack is finished, Speid finds that like the circle of aliens around her, she also can't move at the moment. She doesn't really expect one of them to be the culprit—and she's right.

"Don't worry, I didn't expect you to be prepared for that," says Paula, who approaches steadily from the side. The blonde, teenage girl, still not tired of her signature red ribbon, is quick to get to the point: "Where's Ness?"

"We'll talk...after you let me out of this," says Speid. "Are you happy now Paula? You got your little revenge. Are you through playing now? I hope so, 'cause there's far more important things we could be doing," she continues.

"Just tell me what I want to know and you're free—Kaori," says Paula with obvious disrespect.

"....WHAT?" says Speid. "What did you just call me?"

"Only your name right? Your picture showed up in the paper yester...tell me where Ness is."

Speid pays attention with confused eyes—then closes them defiantly for a few seconds and repeats, "Let me out of this first. I don't like being this close to the enemy, and I really don't like being held in this manner."

"Oh really? We'll I didn't like what you did to me the other day, but you didn't hear me complaining about it now did you?" Paula manages one of her sweet smiles for a second, and then it's gone, "If you don't mind I'll make the rules."

"You are so immature," says the other girl.

"Tell me who you really are," says Paula, "what is this 'Kaori' business?"

Speid says nothing.

"Do you know what they're doing right now?" asks Paula as she points at her other captives. "They're taking away your Psi. Little by little, with a move called magnet."

As Speid glances at the aliens, they do indeed appear to be concentrating.

"That's because theirs is all drained. It doesn't hurt, but it will leave you pretty frustrated."

Speid could feel her power beginning to slip away.

"Of course, I'm standing out of their range, so I'm not being affected," Paula said.

Speid got angry and nervous at the same time, looked at a Starman, and tried a "Red Dome, 1" but, much to her surprise, didn't have enough Psi to pull it off. Having one opponent focus on you was bad enough, but four at once and her Psi was quickly lessened.

"Ready to tell me something now?" asked Paula. "I'm just asking you where he is."

Speid remained quiet and brave, waiting to be freed before she would speak.

"Okay" said Paula, "I'm prepared for this this time." Paula moves in a little closer. ".....This attack is not one I can control, Speid, or Kaori or whoever you are. You have someone I care a lot about, and you're risking this world's safety in the meanwhile."

Speid is still angry.

"So then," says Paula, "four to one."

Within the next few seconds, a blast of Psi Thunder arrives from the sky, and strikes down one of the captives Paula is focusing on. Paula's eyes follow the victim to the ground, and she already begins having second thoughts. Then, after a few seconds, her eyes return to where they had just been, "Three to one," she says coldly.

"He's on another planet," replies Speid, who has decided to end the 'playing.'

".....What?"

"We're training him for the battle on Friday," she continued.

"....I want proof," said Paula, "I want to see him."

"No," said Speid. "You'd be too distracting."

Paula was now getting angry herself, "Three to one," she continued.

"You'll have to take my word for now," said Speid. "I can help train you, if you grow up a little in the small amount of time we have left."

"I want to see Ness for myself," said Paula, "I think you at least owe me that."

Speid gave her a cold look and said nothing.

"Fine," said Paula. Thunder again came crashing down on the circle. This time it hit the alien closest to Speid, who quickly went down and disintegrated like his partner.

Speid watched, then brought her eyes back to Paula.

"Can I see him for a little while or not?" Paula asked again.

"I've already given you your answer," Speid said coldly.

"Two to one," and as Paula said this, thunder immediately struck one of the Starmen a few feet from the girl.

Speid smiled a bold, knowing smile at Paula, who looked confused for a second, but quickly covered it up.

Suddenly, the alien on Speid's left spoke using their language: "Humans, while you fight amongst yourselves, our leader is approaching this planet. I will consider all of the efforts up until this point successes. I will...."

"Shut up," said Paula, who made it happen with a powerful blast of fire. The last Starman disappeared.

"Paula," said Speid, "I'm sure you won't believe it, but you've really impressed me here. I think I underestimated you earlier."

Paula was silent.

"I mean it. I can see you're willing to do whatever it takes...and that's just what we need against Giygas." Paula kept listening. "I'll take you to Ness," said Speid, "now that I've found that out."

A confused look came over the silent Paula's face. Then a calm one, then a satisfied one. She hesitated for a few seconds, then spoke, "I wonder if you've got a conscience somewhere in there?"

"Oh I do," said Speid.

Paula hesitated again, then walked over to Speid. Face to face, she said, “One to one."

Speid was surprised, "What are you....?" Suddenly, glowing thunder appeared and sped towards the two girls.

Elsewhere, Jeff Andonuts was in his room trying to figure something out. Today he had seen a friend reach great success, and now the genius inventor, son of a genius inventor, was somewhat jealous. He looked at his copy of the front page of yesterdays Twoson paper, which he had downloaded and printed out.

The picture was still the same. But more importantly, the name was still the same. The girl who a few days ago had introduced herself as Speid from the future, had been named by technology as the older version of Kaori Tanaka, the girl who disappeared in Twoson 14 years earlier wearing the same outfit. Jeff thought about his 'theories' regarding it, but had decided not to take them too seriously. He laughed a little when he thought about what Poo had said, then got more serious when he thought about Ness. Suddenly the phone rang. Jeff picked it up right away.

"Hello?" It was his father. "........Alright. Great, great. I'll call you when we're coming. Thanks."

It didn't hit anyone. The thunder was stopped by a Psi shield which quickly covered Speid. The shield was nullified soon afterwards.

Another one stood ready to protect Paula, one of the same ones she had put on during her battles just earlier. "Now you have an obligation to really take me to him," said Paula to Speid. "Now you owe me a favor."

Speid, although very tense at the moment, did her best to cover it up. "…Fine. Hey what's that?"

Paula hesitantly turned. "…Oh that's, hold on a minute." Paula returned with something glowing in her hands. "This is a magic butterfly," she said as she showed Speid up close. "For some reason, they're showing up again. Seems to happen whenever we have to fight like this."

Speid stared on, and Paula thought she saw a genuine gentleness in her eyes. Then, Paula let the butterfly go right in front of Speid, who was energized by it before it slowly disappeared.

"Green Dome 1," said Speid almost serenely, while fighting a smile. The dome covered her, and the ice was gone. Speid stared past Paula for a moment, then she spoke again, "There's a problem. I don't have enough right now to take us there."

"Then you need some rest," said Paula.

Speid looked at her.

"Come on," Paula continued, "there's a den in my place."

Chapter Eight
-Just who am I? What is life all about?-

Jeff hung up the phone. His plan was set. He returned to where his father was still looking over their latest invention. With the help of Saturn Valley, the Andonuts had managed to yet again create something beautiful. Something advanced. Something that would help others...and be quite an ego booster if it worked.

Elsewhere, Speid reached the living room and found Paula holding a wireless receiver.

Paula frowned briefly and then spoke. "Have a nice rest?"

Speid closed the door behind her and held on to the knob, "Yes. I appreciate it. Ready?"

Paula nodded, "Yep," and stood up.

The door suddenly pulled against Speid and a young girl came in. "Hi," she said to the older one as she ran by. "Paula!"

"Hey munchkin," said Paula as she reached down and took the girl in her arms.

Speid looked on.

"Can we play now?" the girl asked.

"I'm sorry not right now. I have to go and meet another friend."

"Is it Ness?" asked the girl.

"That's right," Paula smiled. She put the girl down and motioned to Speid.

"Are you and him going to fight more monsters?" the girl asked.

"We're going to try to get rid of them all, for good," she replied. "See ya later," Paula said as she and Speid walked out the front door.

"Bye," said the girl to Speid.

Speid smiled at her and waved, then looked away. "Just stand still," was what she told Paula as they reached the sidewalk. Paula turned around. Speid got close, then backed away a little.

"What's wrong?" Paula asked.

"...You really are anxious to see him."

Paula looked away.

"What are you going to do when we get there?" asked Speid.

Then, Paula saw something she really didn't want to see. Her eyes found the spot where the young boy she hadn't been able to reach in time was hurt. She knew he was alright now, but regardless of how he was feeling, she still carried the pain with her. No doubt about it, she really didn't like Speid now. For stalling, for hesitating, for bringing her this guilt, and for keeping her from Ness.

"Let's go alright?!"

Speid's face and tone changed from that of an interested girl to that of a confused, fed up one. "Fine," she quickly moved in closer, "Blue dome 3."

They arrived on white pavement, with a few small buildings in sight.

Paula was in awe of the different style of building before her. She almost reached for Speid's arm, but instead chose to remain very close to the girl who was already moving. "What, what is this place? Your home? Is this where you're from?"

Then Paula thought about what she was saying. Why would Speid be so mad at them, care so much about the Earth if she was an alien? Also, why would the newspaper report have supposedly known who she was? There were a lot of unanswered questions about this girl, but she knew she might finally get those answers soon. They finally reached a large building, and entered a lobby like area.

"Oh...Speid," said the one at the desk, who didn't look like her.

Paula was a bit nervous, but relaxed herself.

"Where is the boy from Earth now?" Speid asked.

"Right up there."

"Wait here please," said Speid to Paula.

Speid walked into what appeared to be an elevator, and was taken away.

Paula sat down and thought about things. She noticed a strange collar on the one at the desk. She figured that that was how she could understand him. She also noticed that he had acted a bit weird with Speid. As though he didn't know her. Paula rested her chin in her hands. What was going on here. The confusion was getting frustrating, especially with the approaching deadline. She just wanted everything to stop for awhile. She wanted to rest. She wanted comfort. She wanted everything to be okay She wanted, Ness.

"Why the long face?" asked a calm, warm voice from a distance.

Paula looked up, and got her wish. The boy she had been worried about for two days was walking toward her, as Speid leaned on a wall with her arms crossed in the distance. "Ness," Paula got up and ran. The two met in a brief hug, and Paula looked him and his familiar red cap over.

"I'm okay here," he said warmly.

"Told you," Speid said to herself from the elevator.

"What are they doing to you?" asked Paula.

"It's nothing but training—intense training," said the powerful young boy with a grin. "I...sort of got off on the wrong foot with some of the trainers, but now we're just fine. You know what I think?"

"What?" asked Paula, still happy to see him.

"I think that what I went through when I got here was a part of it. With these people you never know."

Paula looked down at the floor and asked, "When are you coming back?"

"I've got one more day here—at least that's what they think will help. I'm really getting stronger. You should train with Poo."

Paula looked him in the eye, "I want to train with you."

Ness’s new strength wasn't enough to keep his eyes on Paula's, as his courage took a vacation and he suddenly got rather nervous. "Uh...yeah, umm..." he said quietly and smiled.

"Maybe you two should cut this short," said Speid, "if you keep it up you won't want to part, and you'll lose focus."

"I've already lost mine," said Paula, whose eyes were burning red holes through Ness's cheeks.

"Remember we're soldiers," said Speid, "our goal is to win right now. You two can catch up tomorrow, and have a whole day to rest on Thursday. It was getting dark when we left, so I'll be taking you home to your parents now."

"Yeah, you can completely trust Speid," said Ness. "She lives on this world in the future."

Paula looked confused, then just looked at Ness.

"...See you tomorrow," he said.

"Yeah," said Paula.

Speid wasted no time walking up to Paula.

"Wait!" Paula cried out. "I almost forgot. Tomorrow both of you need to meet us in Winters, at Jeff's dad's lab."

"Why is this?" asked Speid.

"Jeff called me today and said that they have something they want to show you Speid. Something about your past."

Speid had an untrusting look on her face, "What?"

Paula repeated, "They want to show you something. Is your name really Kaori or not?"

"No! Why do all of you keep saying that?" she asked.

"...What do you mean all of us?" asked Paula.

"I met up with Poo today to persuade him to get the most out of his preparation. Jeff was there and he also called me that. Why?"

"You made the paper and they've named you as a girl who disappeared 14 or so years ago," Paula answered as Ness listened on.

".........I'm not her," said Speid.

"Well will you at least bring Ness there, because that's where the rest of us will be?" asked Paula.

"Fine."

Paula turned her attention back to Ness, who broke eye contact and stared at the floor.

"I'll see you when I get back," Speid said to Ness, which irked Paula.

"See you tomorrow Ness," said Paula.

Ness grinned under his cap and nodded.

Speid returned Paula to Twoson.

The next day, Jeff and his father sat in their lab, joined by Apple Kid, drinking warm tea, unaware of the coming storm, until part of it knocked on the door. "Come in," Jeff yelled.

Behind the door stood Prince Poo, who entered and was followed by his grandfather, and Paula.

"See what happens when you can't teleport?" Paula said. "You end up being whisked around by everyone else."

"Yeah tell me about it," said Jeff.

"Hi," said Jeff to Poo's grandfather.

"Hello," said the man in the boy’s language again. "I won't get in the way I hope."

"No, no, of course not," said Jeff and Paula.

"He wanted to find out about this girl too," said Poo.

"Hello sir," said Poo to Dr. Andonuts.

"Prince Poo," the Dr. said cheerfully, "you're grown some boy."

Poo shrugged and smiled, "Hey what's up?"

"Hey," Apple Kid replied with mug in hand.

"And hello to you sir," said the Dr. to Poo's grandfather.

"Hello," he replied as he looked around, "a very...fascinating place."

"That's the best kind," Dr. Andonuts replied.

"Man, you get around," said Paula, who had moved by Apple Kid.

"Yes indeed," he replied. "Us scientist-inventors have to do just that. We have to keep moving. We have to gather information. I've done a little hacking and found out the secrets of how to travel the globe in the easiest ways. If you guys end up saving it, I might just visit Maui next."

Paula was intrigued, "What do you want to study out there?"

"The girls," he replied.

Then there was another knock at the door. "It's unlocked!" yelled Jeff.

Ness entered, followed by a gray, alien like being, and a cold chill, which preceded Speid. "It's okay" Ness said, "he's one of us."

Everyone relaxed.

"Poo, Jeff, how ya' doing?" asked Ness, as he waved at everyone else, and locked eyes with Paula for a second or two.

"This is Eene," said Speid, "a man from my time who's come to see whatever it is you want to show me."

"........Uh, yes," said Jeff as he put down his drink, picked up something and walked over to her. He handed Speid the paper with her picture on it. "As you can see, the people from this time have used technology to match you to a little girl by that name who disappeared 14 years ago."

Speid looked at it with her eyebrows pulled downward.

".....Speid," said Eene beside her, "I think we're wasting time. We should go."

"This girl disappeared when she was about 3," said Jeff, "around the same age as the other kids in here were at the time."

Speid looked up and her eyes left Jeff and hit the wall. Poo and his grandfather, and everyone else listened carefully.

"Speid..." said Eene.

"...My father has completed a device here," said Jeff, "that's what we do. It's totally safe—I tried it myself—and it's quite…interesting. What it does is help you remember things, things from a very long time ago. Memories that have faded, you know."

She looked at him.

"Not things like that line from the movie," he smiled, "but more personal stuff. As long as you're willing to concentrate and try. It wouldn't work on someone older—my dad tried—but someone like us, it can still...'reach', those early memories."

"Speid," Eene said, "this probably isn't a good idea. We must concentrate on..."

She interrupted him, "Eene....I've listened to you for a long time. This is one decision I have to make on my own."

Paula looked on with interest.

"I've.....always wondered about just this. I've always had this part of myself missing..."

"Yes and I know how exciting this may sound, but we have to focus on stopping Giygas now," he said. Ness wondered what was going on like everyone else.

".........I'm doing this," she said to him. She turned around with the paper in her hand, "I'll do it."

"...Okay, right over here." He motioned toward a chair, with a silver headpiece connected to a rather bulky mass on the back of it. Wires were everywhere.

Speid brought the paper with her, and sat down. Everyone else had gotten up and moved in closer.

"There is one more thing," said Jeff, "Paula..."

She looked at him with a defensive, resentful face.

Jeff grinned a bit to keep cool, "I was wondering if you could, be with her, during it."

"What?" she said.

"You know, your telepathy has progressed right? I thought that maybe you could—watch with her," he said and turned to Speid, "just in case there's something you miss in the process."

"No," both girls said.

Dr. Andonuts rubbed his beard.

"This could be helpful, really," said Jeff.

"No," said Speid. "So can we do it?"

Jeff moved in and put the headpiece over Speid's head. Within ten minutes, her eyes were closed, and she was in a semi conscious state, as brief flashes began appearing in her head. Eene looked on nervously as she sat and began twitching.

"…Aaahhh," Speid moaned, as she seemingly was not enjoying what she saw.

Jeff did his best to keep cool, and looked over at his dad, who was looking at Speid.

"Aaa...mmmm" said Speid, as the room stared at her mouth, which was almost all they could see of her face. "AaaaAAAAAahh...no, NO..." she suddenly said.

Paula was surprised, when she saw a tear come down the side of Speid's nose. The girl in the chair was sobbing.

"Enough," said Eene.

"…We don't really know if she wants it to end yet," said Poo after a few seconds, arms folded and not taking his eyes off the girl.

Ness looked over at Apple Kid, who returned his nervous glance.

"Mmmm," said Speid.

Jeff, who was really nervous, looked at Paula. Paula looked back at him, then looked away. Jeff looked at the floor feeling guilty. Then, he heard a zipper, and saw that Paula was taking off her jacket.

She placed it on a nearby couch, and walked over to Speid, kneeling beside her and placing her fingers up the headpiece and on the sides of her head. Paula closed her eyes and concentrated as everyone looked on. After about a minute, Paula began frowning, as she and Speid were having the same visions.

"Aaaah..." said Speid, and Paula brought a strong willed look to her own face.

They remained like that for about four minutes.

"ARRRRRRGHHH....HRGGGGGGG!!!" Speid uttered through clenched teeth, as the ponytail on the back of her head stood up.

"Paula!" called Ness.

Paula opened her eyes and stepped away from Speid. Jeff was already running to shut the machine down—which happened in the next few seconds. He walked over to Speid and removed the headpiece. After gently shaking the girl for around 20 seconds, she was conscious.

Speid stared at the paper, which was still clenched in her hands, then at the floor for a while. Jeff instructed everyone to hold the questions. After a minute, she was staring at Eene. Eene gave the floor a knowing, guilty look, and glanced at her.

"....I can't believe you," she said to him. "I trusted you."

"Speid..." he said.

She got up, still holding the paper, and looked at the floor. ".....Don't call me that," she said quietly, another tear falling down her face. Then she said, "Blue dome, 3" in the same voice, and was gone.

Eene looked around the room quickly, and was too stricken with guilt to speak. A dark green mist appeared around him suddenly, and after a few seconds, he and it were gone.

"Paula..." said Jeff.

".....That's her," said Paula, "that was Kaori Tanaka. Speid."

Apple Kid's eyes widened, "I am such, a genius."

Everyone glanced at him.

"Sorry," he replied with a grin.

Paula continued, "We're…in an alternate present now, and we didn't even know it. In the future, there was a war going on called the war against Giygas. It involved several alien races which he had devastated—Buzz Buzz was a member of one—and certain humans who were still living on the Earth after his attack. The one on Friday."

Ness took off his cap.

"You see, Friday was the attack Buzz Buzz was warning you about, only he didn't know it. The ones from the future didn't know at that time that Giygas would survive and return, not anymore than we did. I guess before they could figure out what went wrong and warn us, another group of aliens, also enemies of Giygas, from the 'present' acted. That's where Speid comes in."

Jeff and the others remained quiet.

"The aliens monitoring Earth—from the time shortly before Giygas's attack on Friday—used their technology to go to the past and take her, Kaori. We're in an altered present. Kaori's the difference. They took her—from the past—a few days before all the attacks started in the present, meaning a few days ago, and history was altered to include this whole ‘disappearance.’ She's the same as myself, Ness, and Poo—gifted with Psi. The only reason she didn't fight alongside us when we first faced Giygas, which was the timeline WITHOUT the disappearance—was because she had moved from Twoson to another country and was unable to hook up with us, unable to do that 'blue dome' thing. It's as simple as that. But she was supposed to join us for this one.

It looked like, the aliens figured we weren't going to win the second battle, even with her help that time, and they wanted to make sure that at least one of us survived, in order to fight Giygas in the future.

Because the four of us had already stopped him before, they didn't want to risk altering that—for the Earth's sake—so they went back and took Speid, I mean Kaori, from Twoson in a period where they knew she'd be too young to resist or understand." She looked at Dr. Andonuts. "You guys remember when Dr. Andonuts told us that life is affected during time travel."

"Yes, yes," said Dr. Andonuts, "demolished."

Paula continued, "Well I'm not exactly sure how, but I'm guessing that the alien technology is different. Different so that the person can still survive. Buzz Buzz was proof of that. They brought Kaori directly to the future on their planet, meaning NOW, and her body had grown accordingly in the process, but not her mind. It was still that of a three year old. But it didn't matter. They gave her an alien name, they trained her, clothed her, cared for her, educated her as best they could...they have these...voice collars you see...and around seven years from now, they destroy Giygas with her help."

Ness interrupted, "Wait, does this mean that this girl...is actually in her twenties now?"

"Yes," said Paula, "She's just appearing our age because she's gone through time again...to come here. She's not mentally in her twenties though. That brings something else up, I think the reason the aliens took her and gambled like that, was because they weren't sure when they would be able to use their time equipment again. It looked to me like their main engineer, or someone, had been eliminated by Giygas's men, and the technology would break down after it was used. I saw it happen after they brought Kaori to their planet."

"...Yes, but they still could have waited," said Jeff, "waited to see if we would have lost that battle—the one we have on Friday—with Spe..Kaori by our side. THEN they could have acted."

Paula looked at the floor, "You're right…and that brings up the ugly part," she sighed. "Without...Kaori.......we lost. That's when this future she's from started."

"So it's really their fault," said Poo as he clenched his fists beside his grandfather, "the aliens who took that chance."

Paula nodded, "I'd...like to think that...in a way. Speid put so much of the blame on us, but believe me, now she knows the whole truth. They had taken it from her before. The truth about everything, except her origin. I'm guessing her parents 'have' still moved out of Twoson, since the present was just altered with little Kaori's disappearance in the past and all, to that country they were in before things were changed. Otherwise that article in the paper would’ve, like, turned them up instantly."

Apple Kid turned to Dr. Andonuts, "Sir, this is all...."

"Incredible," said the doctor.

Ness spoke, "So now THIS Kaori, who's already won against Giygas in the future..."

Paula slowly nodded, "She always knew she was human, and from Earth, but she didn’t know her entire history until now—the whole truth. Listen to me, a few days ago she mentally called me to her in the valley. She's here...or at least she was, to warn us. To help us fight. She and that guy came from the future, on that planet where Ness was, and apparently filled its’ people of the present in on THIS mission. It was her, last ditch effort to...save Earth. To undo what Giygas had done. What he...could do. Friday."

The room is stunned into silence by this information. They remain that way for a while—thinking, worrying, wondering.

Finally, Poo's grandfather speaks, "And so continues the unfinished story, of a mysterious girl, and the fate of a world."

Final Chapter
-Wisdom, Courage, and Friendship-

"Still think she's gonna show up?" Paula asked Ness sarcastically.

Ness held his hands in his pockets and looked at the ground, his cap uncharacteristically facing backwards.

Paula opened her mouth a bit and did the same, feeling guilty. She walked over to him with her hands tucked in and leaned a bit, bringing her face under his and forcing eye contact. "I'm sorry," she said with a smile.

"No, no it's fine I....." responded Ness. ".....I just know we could have used her help."

Paula didn't like admitting it, but she agreed, "…Yeah...we all know that."

Jeff and Poo weren't too far, sitting near a large mound on the ground.

"...Now," said Jeff quietly with a smile.

Suddenly the ground near them began to shake a bit, and a glorious burst of water erupted from it. When it was finished, Jeff spoke, "Those are beautiful aren't they?"

Prince Poo smiled slowly. The four of them had gathered in the very secret area known as the Lost Underworld, which was now seemingly free of alien dinosaurs—as every alien threat had originally disappeared with the defeat of Giygas three years ago—and solely inhabited by a friendly tribe. Just not right now. The villagers had followed the advice given them on Thursday and evacuated towards the upper level village. This area, located near where they had faced Giygas in the past, literally at the time, was where they preferred to face him now. A lot of open space, no place for human bystanders, and no interference from the military, which still was trying to face the problem without worrying the public. They weren't going to get the chance though. Giygas wanted THEM, and here they were. Waiting on this gloomy skied Friday for what would be the final battle.

Jeff began loading a rocket into his launcher. They were his strongest kind, and modified to be smaller and lightweight, yet still pack the same impact. He had a whole backpack, and a small gym bag full of them. That was it. The only weaponry—besides a blaster—he had brought. "You know," he said to Poo, "…when I was about 5, I decided one day to quit the piano, and be an inventor...like my dad."

Poo listened with one hand on an arched knee and watched Jeff work.

"My mom wanted me to be a composer," he chuckled, "...but I decided that mechanics were my thing instead."

Ness and Paula had their attention in his direction as well.

"When my mom left, I thought it was my fault. I thought that I had turned my parents against each other," he continued, still working. "So I decided to leave too. To head to something called boarding school."

Poo stroked some hair, which he had let grow somewhat over the years.

"Of course I know better now, but much as I love what I do, I could never stop wondering...you know, if I really did make the right choice back then."

Paula and Ness were tempted, but remained quiet and respectful.

Jeff looked up, "Guess I'll know today," he grinned.

A grin and small chuckle were Prince Poo's reaction. "For almost as long, I've had responsibilities I didn't ask for," he said. "...I considered giving up my position around two years ago......but then, someone special came to me...told me I did a good job. Told me to be strong. Told me not to think about what my father would do all the time. She said, that if I could fight to save the world, and win, then I could overcome anything—including stress and depression—which can be the worst enemies of all."

His friends paid close attention.

"Many people think that being royal, or being rich is a dream come true," he said looking at the ground. "So, I was surprised to meet someone who understood, the isolation of it all." Poo looked up for a minute then looked back down. "She also said that she had prayed for me, during that first battle with Giygas."

Jeff finished his work on the launcher and looked up.

"We've been together ever since...but recently we, had an argument," Poo continued. "Then, the attacks started. I haven't seen her since Sunday after the one in Twoson, briefly."

"Are you going to talk to her?" asked Paula.

Poo nodded his head. "This whole thing makes me realize, that life's too precious to waste on things like that. If she taught me anything, it's to get control of my own emotions," Poo continued. "Now, I'm going to do just that, and remind her of it as well."

Paula smiled, "That's nice Poo." Then she looked at the gray sky for a few seconds. "For a long time, I was what everyone else wanted too. I was the subject of unwanted attention...and fame…all because of these powers."

Ness turned to her.

"I got to feeling that no one really, liked me for me you know? Just 'cause they thought I was special." She paused, "Being special's not all it's cracked up to be. I learned that the hard way. So the only friends I could let myself trust were little kids." A gentle sadness came over her but she fought it off. "Then, three years ago, I found out I was wrong."

"...About what?" asked Jeff.

"People in general," she replied. "...Someone did me a favor. Someone I hadn't even met before. For no reason other than he wanted too."

Ness stared at the ground hard.

"Ah, I told you it was nothing," said Jeff with a smile. He began laughing, "Gotcha," he pointed at her.

"I appreciate yours too Jeff," she grinned.

"But you were referring to when the blushing boy saved you," he laughed.

Ness looked up and chuckled. Then, his eyes noticed the sky was turning a darkish yellow now. He stopped leaning on the tree, "......I think it's time," he said seriously.

The others looked at where he was staring, then all turned in the opposite direction. Something was coming.

Elsewhere, at the top of a tower, in a round room slightly lit by flame, the girl called Speid looks out of the window at a crimson sky. The sky on this planet was always this way in the evening during this time of year. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

".....It's Eene.....may I come in?"

She said nothing.

He opened the door and peeked into the room, seeing a young girl, again wearing black shoes, blue jeans and a black T-shirt, with her back turned. Her hair was down. "...The battle on Earth is about to begin. I assume from your clothing that you plan to go?"

She didn't answer or turn around.

"...This, is your chance. What you've been waiting for." She said nothing. "Please don't let what you've learned ruin it. I truly don't think they can win without your help. It's been...proven."

She remained silent.

Eene was simply feeling even more upset. "Of course they've prepared this time, but...." He sighed quietly. "I apologize, for what we did to you. We were simply trying to stop Giygas, but we took a risk we shouldn't have taken. Now is your opportunity, to help rid everyone of him once and for all."

She still didn't say anything.

"We do, and always will...love you....Kaori," he said. He reached into his shirt and pulled something out. "I would like for you to keep this. I've held on to it for many years, but I want to prove to you that what I'm saying is true. I'm sorry but I don't know anyway else to."

She heard metal slowly touch the floor.

"It's said that this necklace, can grant a hope. Of course that doesn't seem to be true—I've tried—but...maybe I’m not the right person for it."

She remained still and quiet.

Eene stood up, and looked somewhat sad. After a brief pause, he spoke, ".......Goodbye, Kaori." Eene slowly closed the door.

The girl in the room remained still, then sat down on the spot cross-legged. She sighed and buried her face in her hands.

On their battlefield, Ness and the others watched, taking the time to look at each other briefly, as a huge mass of yellow appeared in the sky before them. It was glowing, and its’ essence trailed along on all sides of its’ odd shape. Then, it simply turned red, as did the sky, and shot down like lightening to the spot only a few yards from the teens, who were backing off fast.

Then, they stopped when they heard, "NESSSSS!" Giygas had spoke.

"…Guess being the lead character has its disadvantages," said Jeff nervously.

"This is it," said Ness with as much courage as he could muster.

Poo was suddenly running toward the alien, which had formed it’s ‘face'.

Then, when he was a mere seven yards from the enemy, Poo stopped. "This is what happens when you come to Earth," he said . With that, he fired a beautiful display of glowing white stars, which swirled around before they made contact with the alien.

"Aaarrggggh!!" Giygas supposedly screamed as the stars, which were more powerful than anything Poo could do three years ago, exploded into him.

Inspired by his bravery, the others began launching their attacks immediately after catching up. Paula sent gobs of blue ice energy, which each had progressively stronger impacts. Jeff, with a backpack on and dropping the gym bag from his left hand, aimed and fired the rocket he had already loaded, then ripped open the bag to get another. The rocket actually seemed to push Giygas back a little, as he floated in the air. Suddenly, a wave of color filled the nearby air, signaling Ness's ultimate Psi attack. It hovered and connected quickly, making a somewhat loud bang as it exploded. Giygas screamed. Paula kept up the pressure with her ice, and was about to switch to fire when she saw a crimson wave lash out from Giygas. It sped swiftly toward all the teens.

"Watch out!" said Poo.

Everyone tried to move, but they were too close, and the energy struck, sending all more than a step or two backward.

"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh," was the united complaint as the painful attack dissipated after impact. Jeff landed with both his bags, and Poo slowly pulled his face from the grass.

"Oh man," said Paula, "can't take much more of that. We've got to try to avoid that attack at all costs."

Suddenly it was coming again. Ness and Paula got up and moved out of the way, successfully dodging the wave. Jeff and Poo however, were hit again, and knocked back.

"Guys," said a concerned Ness. He then got pretty angry and sent another powerful blast at Giygas.

From the ground, Paula sent a huge burst of Psi fire at Giygas.

"AAAAARRGG," he screamed before turning his attention to her.

She stood up, "There's so much more where that came from big boy," she said defiantly.

After reaching Jeff and Poo, who were barely conscious, Ness healed them and returned some of their strength and morale with his Psi. "Guys are you alright?" he said as they looked up at him. "Come on, Paula's facing him alone," he said.

Paula was again firing blasts of ice at Giygas, dazing him and knocking him about in the air. Then Giygas sent a wave of crimson at her. Paula covered herself with a shied, and quickly found out that that wouldn't work. The wave connected and sent Paula to the ground. Giygas seemingly attacked again.

"No, no, no," said Ness as he ran with the other boys. Jeff fired a rocket from the distance.

Paula was suddenly dazzled by a flash, and comforting her eyes as best she could. "...Ness," she said on the ground. Then she heard a thud and an explosion.

Jeff's rocket had hit Giygas. Jeff stopped to reload. Poo charged past him and sent another Starstorm at Giygas. It rocked the alien.

Ness arrived at Paula on the ground," I'm right here. Open your eyes," he said as she felt a brief sensation pass through her.

It was Ness’s Psi healing. Suddenly, her eyes felt better, but she didn't like what she saw. Poo had just been hit by another wave from Giygas. He lost consciousness as he was thrown back.

"Poo!" shouted Ness.

As Jeff was finished loading, he found himself to be next. He was sent beyond his bags and weapons, toward the distance.

A blast of ice escaped a furious Paula, who stood up afterward and fired another. "Ness, I did it..." she said, "he can't move right now."

"I've, got to heal them," said a nervous Ness.

Paula stopped attacking and picked up Jeff's stuff, than ran after him, looking back to see Giygas was still motionless. Ness's Psi reawakened both of his friends, but they weren't totally healed yet. Poo moaned, then stood up as he felt his strength being returned. He clenched his fists and looked at the still Giygas.

"Just hold on," said Ness, who was nearly done with Jeff. After regrouping they decided that it'd be best to attack simultaneously. "Ready?" asked Ness as he looked them all over.

They all nodded. Then they ran. Charged forward at the same time. Charged a seemingly helpless Giygas, who still hung in the air with glowing blue quickly fading from him.

They didn't stop though. They needed to end this battle once and for all. As the ice continued to wear off, they kept running. The ice melted. They kept running. The ice melted. They kept running. The ice melted. They kept running. The ice melted. They kept running. Suddenly, the ice was shattered, and Giygas let out a loud scream. It was too late however. They all had just stopped, and fired their strongest attacks again—together. Ness’s Psi Omega hit Giygas. Paula's Psi Freeze Omega hit Giygas. Jeff's Multi-bottle rocket hit Giygas. Poo's Psi Starstorm Omega hit Giygas. It was seemingly all at once.

Giygas let out his biggest scream ever,"AAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" and collapsed.

All of them looked on in amazement. Then their eyes widened even more when Giygas rose back up into the air suddenly and fired another red wave—directly at them. All four were knocked back instantly, and hit the ground in pain together. Giygas seemed to be coming closer now. Ness pulled himself up to one knee, and with a bit of effort stood up, then let himself fall down again, looking up as Giygas got closer. Suddenly, a blue light appeared before his eyes, and Speid was there.

"...Kaori," said Ness.

She looked back at him and his fallen friends, who noticed her as well. Then she turned back to Giygas as her ponytail rose suddenly.

"Revolution," she said pointing at him, and several shining beams of light came from the sky behind her, and violently collided with the alien she had faced in the future.

This made Giygas scream and pushed him back. She said it again, and got a similar result. Only this time Giygas was pushed back much further, and at the moment, wasn't a threat to the others. Ness, Paula, Jeff, and Poo stood up, rubbing their wounds and actually taking the time to thank her.

"Stay back," she said. "I can finish this, alone."

With that, Speid ran down the small hill they were on, and started walking toward Giygas. The sky had turned back to the rainy shade of gray. Ness healed himself and all of his friends. He felt he was about half out of Psi. He reached and felt the tart he had in his backpack. A special tart that when eaten could restore some of it. They were in short supply though, and the woman making them had had only three.

Boldly walking toward Giygas, Speid didn't look back. Giygas faced her and fired a huge wave her way. Speid kept walking. All the others saw was a cloud of dirt after the wave's impact with the ground before Speid. It was big enough to strike that first. They looked on in shock. Then, they saw a green glow emerge from the fading cloud, as she continued her march.

"Let me guess," said Paula, "green dome 56."

Another shower of red light bombarded Giygas, who screamed out the pain. He fired back, but Speid's Psi protected her. "If it's like ours it'll only take one more hit," said Ness.

"Red dome...4," said Speid as she walked.

A rather large dome encircled the core of the light that was Giygas. "AAAARRRGGGGHHHHHHHH!" he screamed. Then he fired back at her.

Speid's protection slowly came apart as she boldly kept moving forward.

"She can’t have much left," said Poo.

".........FINAL DOME!" she yelled as she suddenly stopped, a few yards from Giygas.

"....What?" said Paula. Ness and the others suddenly took their attention off of Speid and focused of their surrounding, which was suddenly full of red beams completing circular patterns in the air.

"....No! Are you crazy?" Paula yelled as she watched the frightening sight.

They were surrounded by Speid's beams, they were all seemingly in a red dome.

".....Kaoriiiiiiiii," said Paula nervously.

Suddenly, the dome began growing smaller. The beams passed harmlessly through the teens and stopped when they reached Giygas, who looked on like a wild beast. No one but Giygas could see the bold look of confidence on Speid's face. The dome exploded. Speid through her arms up over her face, and was forced to take a few steps back. The others had also protected their faces from the distance. When they finally looked back, they saw Speid sitting on the ground, with Giygas not too far away.

"...........That's.......what 7 years of Psi training will do for ‘ya kids, " said Jeff playfully.

Paula looked on in awe and suspense. Speid stood up. Giygas wasn't moving. After around 2 minutes, she looked back at the others, with relief. Poo was totally impressed, as was Ness. Then, their faces changed quickly as Giygas sprung back up. Ness and the others yelled frantic warnings. Speid turned around, and saw a beam of red coming at her. She moved to dodge, but was partially hit by some of it before she hit the ground. The others started running towards the two.

Speid paused, then rolled on her back and used a thrust of her legs and her shoulders to stand up. With a face of anger, and her left arm on her right shoulder, she sent another red dome, level 4, at Giygas. Giygas was stunned but not stopped, and began firing more red waves, in quicker succession. Speid used her blue dome to avoid them, and appeared behind the running four, still clutching her shoulder. The waves and the kids literally ran into each other. Unprepared as they were distracted by Speid's disappearance, Ness and his friends once again tasted direct contact with Giygas's attack. Only this time it was worse, as Giygas kept firing.

As the four landed again, only Ness remained conscious. "Paula!" he shouted. "Jeff, Poo." Ness got nervous, very nervous. "Oh no. Oh no," he said.

Giygas was still approaching and firing.

"Speid. Kaori," called Ness.

"What?" she answered, very frustrated.

"I've got to move them. Do you have enough left to get out of here?"

"....Yeah," she said.

"Alright then, I'm going to Twoson," said Ness. With that, Ness stood among his unconscious friends, and they teleported.

Speid looked at Giygas with hate, then followed.

In Twoson, it was evening, and still nearly desolate. Ness and the others arrived in the grass right across the street from the hotel. Speid appeared, right after them, and got down next to Paula.

"I've got....to hide them." Ness said. "When Giygas figures out where we are they'll be defenseless."

Jeff's bags were still with him.

"...You're still trying to fight back," said Speid. "...It can't be changed."

"Quiet!" said Ness.

"I was wrong," she continued, "he's too strong to stop right now."

"No, you're wrong NOW," he replied as he teleported Poo across the street, and laid him behind the hotel. "Come on buddy, I need your help," he said. Then he ran back to them and moved Jeff among the trees and bushes near the town entrance. "Will you follow me, and stay with Paula?" he asked.

Speid hesitated, then remembered the girl at the preschool. "Yeah," she said.

They arrived in the park, and Speid relaxed on the grass, clutching her shoulder. Suddenly, Giygas arrived in the sky, and lingered above the department store. The people who were still in town screamed and ran.

"I've got to go," said Ness as he stood up. "If you know any healing, please, use it on them. I'm saving the rest of my Psi to finish this," he said.

"I'm about out," she replied.

"...Then I guess, it's up to me," said Ness. He healed himself.

"Believing in yourself won't be good enough Ness," said Speid.

"I've got no choice right now," he replied. "I'm not just believing in courage, I'm believing in my wisdom. And I'm believing in my friends. You'd better believe in something too," he said.

"Like what?" she replied.

"I don't know. It's up to you," he said.

"That's just not going to help," she said. "I think I beat him in the future because he had been weakened after years of fighting. This, however, is one battle Giygas is going to win," she said.

"I'll be dead before that happens," he said, and ran off to battle.

"Ohhhh, you are so right Ness," she said looking away. After about ten minutes though, she pulled herself up, "Come on...Kaori," she called herself. "Being a pessimist never helped anyone."

News of Giygas's arrival in Twoson spread quickly, as news choppers began appearing and covering the lengthily battle between the boy of destiny on the rooftop, and the alien invader. Radio messages and TV news interruptions were everywhere, as Ness dodged and attacked Giygas, lasting with the tarts he had taken from Poo and Paula's stuff.

On the ground, Speid didn't know what to do, until she remembered Ness's words: "Believe in something—but what to believe in?” After a few minutes of thinking, she came up with something.

Elsewhere, at Ness's home in Onett, his sister Tracy was home alone, except for the family dog, when she saw the news report. She quickly called him to her lap, and stroked his hair as she prayed.

Not too far away, at home with the battle actually going on outside, Paula's parents knew she'd be involved, and begun praying strongly for the safety of their daughter.

Rather far away, in Winters, Dr. Andonuts saw on television that the battle was well underway, and prayed for the safety of Jeff. Elsewhere, a young woman also did this.

Far away in the country of Dalaam, another young woman was informed of the battle, and prayed for the safety of Poo with his grandfather.

Suddenly, back in Twoson, the necklace Speid had been wearing slowly disappeared.

"What?" she said as she touched her neck.

Then she saw it: Not the necklace, but a large, bright, white, beautiful butterfly. A magic butterfly. She looked on in awe as it landed on Paula beside her, and slowly disappeared. Paula moaned, her eyes fluttered...and she woke up.

Then Speid saw another one, flying slowly and beautifully in the distance. And another. Both headed in the direction of Jeff and Poo. The magic butterflies touched them...and they both woke up.

Then Speid saw another, heading towards the rooftop where Ness was.

Ness had run out of tarts and was down on one knee, as Giygas looked on from the not too distant sky. Then, he saw an unusually large magic butterfly, floating directly towards him. He stayed still as the butterfly touched him, and it slowly disappeared. Ness stood up. He turned his red cap back around. He was completely energized, healed, and revived—as were his three friends.

People watching on television everywhere instantly cheered when they saw Ness stand up.

"Time to save the world bro," said a proud Tracy as she and the dog watched on.

"Are you gonna be alright here?" asked Paula as she looked down at Speid.

"Butterflies," said Speid. "I was thinking about..."

Paula wasn't sure what Speid meant, but was soon in awe of what she saw. One more white magic butterfly was floating in their direction. Speid looked up at it…and it found it’s way to her. The butterfly touched her forehead and disappeared, completely energizing her in the process. The mysterious girl stood up.

"I can...feel that there are some strong prayers going on here," said Paula.

"Prayers?" said Kaori. "But who would pray for me?"

"Ness!" yelled Paula, as she saw him on top of the department store in the distance. She began running towards it, but along the way she picked up something, or rather—someone. Paula stopped.

"What's wrong?" asked Kaori.

"There's....a little.....wait a minute." Paula concentrated, and then was able to pinpoint the location of the lost young boy who's scared mind she could sense. She detoured, and in a few minutes, she and Kaori found the boy. "Now wait just a second," said Paula, "…I thought I could sense his mother too."

Kaori stayed quiet, holding the young child.

"I got her. She's down near the bus station searching. Will you...?"

Kaori nodded, "Just stay calm munchkin," she said to the boy, and in a brief blue flash, they're both gone.

Paula felt very motivated suddenly. She felt great. She had helped him, and all because of the power she would always be grateful for now. She runs for the department store, and notices that Jeff and Poo have already taken battle positions.

Jeff is in the middle of the street between the store and the theater, where he's firing rockets upward. Poo is on a tree near the hospital yard, which he's clinging to with one arm, while firing Starstorm upward. Paula understands the strategy, divide Giygas's attention, but she decides to still stand by Ness. She rushes in the non-lit department store, runs up the stairs, and shortly joins him on the roof.

"Paula," says Ness with obvious excitement and relief.

Paula smiles, "Look I don't know if this is the end—or really the beginning of something…but whatever it is, I'm here with you."

Ness smiled at her, "Somehow, I think that's the way it's supposed to be," he said quietly.

Paula was a bit stunned, "...Yes," she smiled.

Suddenly Giygas got their attention with a red wave, which they just barely avoided by ducking.

Down on the street, Jeff fired another rocket up to Giygas.

“SKEEEEEEEE,” was the sound it made before connecting.

Giygas retaliated.

Jeff, with equipment in hand, moved.

"Die already," said Paula.

She attacked with her strongest fire, which bounced the remaining form of Giygas around a bit in the sky. Suddenly, he was hit from behind with Starstorm, which really hurt him. Poo, still on the tree, was prepared to move, but the retaliation didn't come.

"He's weaker," yelled Poo. "Ness, I think I have an idea," said Paula desperately. "Just stand still."

Then, a blue light caught Jeff’s attention. Kaori Tanaka stood by him in battle.

"Revolution," she said quickly and defiantly.

Giygas screamed and screamed again, as another blast of Starstorm hit him from behind.

Jeff was preparing another rocket. But up on top of the department store, Ness and Paula were preparing to end this battle. Paula again and again hit Ness with a gray, harmless blast of Psi, which gave him the feeling he was getting stronger.

Giygas noticed this and seemingly prepared to attack them again.

“SKEEEEEEEE...BOOM!” Another one of Jeff's rockets made contact with the alien. The weakened Giygas was stunned, but still managed to get a shot off toward the rooftop.

Quickly, a wall of green appeared between it and the two teens, protecting them from the attack. Ness and Paula looked down, and saw that Kaori had put it there.

Suddenly Giygas screamed again.

A thick beam of red was leaving Poo's head and connecting with the alien. Poo let the beam go.

"I think that's the Brainshock," said Jeff to Kaori.

Giygas was dizzy. Giygas felt funny. Giygas didn't know where he was.

"...Now, Ness! This is it!" said Paula.

With the added strength she had given him, Ness summoned his most powerful Psi attack ever. The orbs of color flew right into an unnerved Giygas's open mouth, and all of the energy exploded there. Suddenly, there was a surge of light escaping from different parts of Giygas.

"Ummm.... I think that's it," said Paula.

Giygas's whole being turned yellow.

"...Yeah," said Ness.

They broke for the stairs on which they had each come up, and within minutes were back on the street with the others. All five looked up. The flashing, glowing, Giygas couldn't scream anymore…all he could do was explode. TV screens everywhere immediately went off in a red flash.

Then, about a minute later, begin to convey the event once again. Fortunately the helicopter pilots had been wise enough to anticipate this loud, wide, memorable boom. All choppers still got the event on tape however.

"Whoa...that was cool," is the general reaction yet again from those who make up the audience—young and young at heart alike. Followed by cheers and screams of excitement and celebration, heard all over the world.

Immediately, the many aliens whom have been among humans on Earth, have once again disappeared. A new future is born, and the war against Giygas...is finally over.

The next morning, all heroes awaken at the home of Paula. Having spread out amongst the large house the night before, they meet outside, and discuss things.

"Well it looks like this was the fate of the world…but as for my own…there's no place for me in the future," answers Kaori. "Even if I wanted to go back, I couldn't. I can't go back to the past, and there's no place for me here either," she says.

"Sure about that?" asks Ness, as he motions behind her.

Approaching from the bus station, are two stunned parents. "Kaori?" calls a mother.

Kaori turns around, and doesn't know what to believe, when she slowly recognizes them from her vision.

Watching from a distance with a cell phone in hand is Apple Kid, who smiles.

"Mom, Dad?" she manages.

They can no longer walk after hearing this, and the two of them run and embrace their long lost daughter—who hasn't been embraced in a long time—on the streets of Twoson.

Paula, now without ribbon in hair, and wearing a casual summer outfit, realizes something, "It must have been them. They're the ones who prayed for her." She turns to Ness, "How did you..."

"My Dad, you know," he responds, "he has travel connections. They actually lived in another state this time, and not another country, so it wasn't too hard."

Paula smiles and turns back. Poo and Jeff watch with smiles on their faces as well.

"Let's go home," says her father.

"Just a minute," says Kaori. She walks back over to the others and looks them over, "I haven't said goodbye to my friends yet."

They all smile at her.

"Thank you Ness," says Kaori, "Thank you all. I've learned something I consider valuable or interesting from each of you."

"What are you going to tell them?" asks Jeff. "About where you've been all this time?"

"The truth," says Kaori, "with what's happened, I don't think it'll be too hard to believe."

"Even if it is," says Paula, "they'll still love you. Even if they never really understand, they're so glad to have you back now, that I don't think any of that will matter for too long."

Kaori grinned, "Thanks."

Paula nodded.

Kaori wiped a tear from her eye, "I'm...crying," she said, "but I'm happy."

"And you've got the rest of your life to be human, and happy," said Poo. "So do all of us," he said to everyone else.

"To say the least, we appreciate what you did," said Ness.

"Thank you too," Kaori nodded, and waved as she walked off.

After about half an hour, the Tanaka family's bus leaves Twoson.

"Well," said Poo, rubbing his wrists a little, "I've got to go."

Suddenly there was a ring on Jeff's phone. Jeff answered it, and looked a little embarrassed. After about a minute, he returns to his friends.

"Who was that? Can I ask?" says Paula.

"Piper," replied Jeff.

"Who's Piper?" asks Ness.

Jeff smiled a bit."…A girl from Winters who wants me to get back home soon. I also got a call from my Dad earlier, he says congratulations and well done to all of you."

"That reminds me…" says Poo, "come on, I’ll drop you off."

"Alright," says Jeff.

After they say their "See ya's" they're off via teleportation.

Poo returns Jeff to Winters, then heads home himself, where he finds quite a greeting after arriving in a rather quiet place.

"Poo," says the girl he had told his friends about.

She runs up to him and they embrace in a warm hug.

Ness and Paula are left alone in front of her house. "Well it, doesn't look like you can escort me home this time," she grins.

Ness smiles at the ground under his red cap.

"So when are your parents coming back?" she asks.

"I think they said today," he replies.

"...And how are they?"

"Just fine."

"And Tracy?" she says.

"Fine," replies Ness.

They stand, not getting any younger, caught in a state that is best described as hesitant.

Finally, Paula speaks: "Well, I guess I should get to seeing what's going on inside," she says.

"...Yeah," says Ness.

"So..." says Paula, "for now it's Goodbye. Uh, so long. See ‘ya. Bye," she says, and slowly walks toward the door.

As she moves, Ness gently catches her wrist, "Later," he says.

Paula gives him a surprised look, then a warm one, "…Yeah. Later," she smiles.

She goes, looking back just before reaching the door, then stepping in and closing it.

Ness chuckles to himself and slides his hands in and out of his pockets, then back in.

"Later," he says with a smile, and teleports home.

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