This tale is set 30 years after the events surrounding EarthBound. An alien teenager named Peter crash lands on Earth in a small pod—hitting nearly the exact same spot as a certain meteorite of the past. Resembling a human and stricken with amnesia, he is soon befriended by a similar alien girl named Nyne, who has also just arrived on the planet. While she only claims to have been sent to protect Peter, Nyne seems interested in more than his safety. Defending themselves with Psi, they are currently on the run from a large alien organization called Alpha, who have come to Earth claiming that Peter is one of their own. However, sensing that the restless, stoic boy will leave her at any moment to pursue his own answers, Nyne claims that Alpha is not to be trusted.

Elsewhere on Earth, two Psi gifted human teenagers have left their respective homes. Their names are Rich and Yumi, and while each intends to help fight against the apparent invasion, both are actually running from personal issues—and neither intends to go back. Meeting in battle, they form a partnership and hit the road…both secretly eager to see where it will lead.

Meanwhile, the leaders of Alpha become more determined to carry out their mysterious agenda…

RESURRECTION E

Chapter Four
-Common Bonds

“If there are no more questions then we can begin.

This is obviously a very important stage of the mission.
Actually I can’t think of one part of this whole thing that won’t be very important. If we can’t find those aliens then we can’t fight those aliens. Solution? We find those aliens. Prepare to move out.”

About half an hour after this rally is finished, one of several dispatched military choppers flies over a small building at the beginning of a large desert. One minute later, the door to this building swings open, and a boy slowly steps out into the light.

He captures some fresh air, looks around…and then he remembers in detail what happened at home yesterday. After a little while, Rich goes back inside, and walks over to a young woman sleeping on the cot next to his.

“Hey, Yumi…” he says softly while shaking her shoulder the same way. The girl immediately wakes up and after a few blinks, looks at him directly.

“Did you want to sleep a while longer or…?”

“No…oh man…is it morning?” she asks.

“Mmm hmm.
Look I just, wanted to say take care and all,” said Rich.

“You’re leaving me?” she asked as some sunlight got in her eyes.

“Oh well I just thought…you know. Anyway, I really hope things work out for you,” said Rich as he felt his face getting a bit warm. Goodbyes were always difficult for him, and this one, coming so soon after his recent decision, actually hurt a little more than usual.

Yumi turned to the floor upon hearing of her own situation, and then looked up at Rich again. “Be careful…” she said.

“Okay, you too,” said Rich as he got up and slowly headed for the door.

The owner of the place, which handled prescriptions, sold a variety of things, and even offered affordable lodgings, watched as the young man gathered his backpack and the girl pulled herself up.

“…Hey Rich,” said Yumi.

“Yeah?”

“Can I talk to you about something?”

“Sure.”

“…Wait, wait ‘till we get outside,” she said, pulling up her own backpack.

They got outside just a few minutes later.
A white bird flew over their heads as they walked.

“Before I left home, I telepathically heard my mom and my grandma planning to gang up on me in an argument. They each…thought about what they were going to say…to convince me to see things their way and get examined,” Yumi said.

The two reached the bus-stop.

“Right at that moment I got so mad I thought about running away…but I settled down, and went to have a talk with them.”
She smiled. “I always loved how the carpet on the stairs leading to my room felt.” She paused, “Problem is, before I left, that became my favorite thing about living there. The problem is…that became the main thing everyday that assured me I was home.”

Yumi stared at the ground while Rich looked at her, trying his best to let her know he was paying attention.

Then she spoke again, “Now I’m going to look for a new home,” she said, “and if I find it, I have to eventually have that certain something. That carpet, that constant…that thing that makes me happy to be home.”

Rich looked away, “Yeah I know.”

“So anyway,” Yumi said, “I just…guess I wanted to talk to someone about that.”

“…It’s getting a little hot out here,” said Rich.

“What?”

“It’s hot.”

“Oh yeah…I’ve heard a lot about this desert,” she said, “that’s how I knew about the lodging.”

Rich turned to Yumi.

“…You know what? Maybe if…I should have tried this last night…maybe if I concentrate, I can ‘hear’ when the bus driver is getting closer,” she said.

“Well, do you even know what he’s going to sound like?” asked Rich.

“…No, but…I’ve been wanting to explore the limits of my powers for a little while now. It’s worth a try I guess,” she said rolling her eyes.

A few minutes of silence passed, as Yumi clung to the post on her side. Rich made eye contact with the girl, who returned the gesture for a few seconds. Then she looked away as though in heavy concentration again.

“…This…isn’t working,” she said. She folded her arms and looked at her green jean-jacket.

“Well it was a, good try,” replied Rich as he rubbed his chin.

Yumi grinned a bit and looked up at him for just a second.

“…Yeah well…” she said swinging her arms, “it IS getting hot here, and for all we know the busses could be off schedule due to the invasion.”

“Oh yeah…that,” said Rich as he smiled at her.

“Yes, that,” Yumi grinned.

He picked up his backpack, “You want to…walk to Threed?”

“Man I guess we’d better,” said Yumi.

They began.

“Speaking of, you know, that,” said Rich, “do you have any weapons in there?”

“Weapons?” she replied.

“Yeah I mean, the powers are helpful…but they’re limited. Do you use anything else? Like me…I prefer a good old ball-bat,” he said grasping the short one attached to the back of his pack. “What would you use?”

“Hmm…a really big kitchen knife,” Yumi replied.

--They had slept in the grassy area located between the tunnels leading to Threed and Dusty Dunes Desert.
Slowly, the dark-haired visitor to Earth called Nyne, who looked like your average teenage girl, pulled up the sleeping boy she had been assigned to protect. The other human-like person from far away, who had remained by her side instead of running off in the night.

“…Peter,” she said on her knees, shaking him gently.

Peter’s eyes slowly opened, and he quickly pulled himself away.

“…Don’t tell me you forgot about me already,” she said teasingly to comfort herself.

Peter stood up, stumbled a little, and looked around.

“It’s a new day,” said Nyne as she got up. “Did you have any mysterious and wonderful visions of the past in your sleep?”

“No.”

“Okay.”

“…H, How long did we sleep?” asked Peter.

“I don’t know…a pretty good amount of time I’d say,” she replied.

Peter rubbed his face, “…What do we do now?”

“Well we kind of keep laying low,” said Nyne. “I’m pretty sure we made the news with what happened in Onett yesterday, so now we’re not only avoiding Alpha…but the people of this world as well.”

Peter had stepped onto the road. He looked at the ground, then at her.

Nyne returned his stare, then began walking towards him, “…I know you still probably feel you can’t trust anyone, because you can’t remember anything, but your protection is of the utmost importance to me,” she said, stopping a few yards from where he stood. “I’ll keep you safe,” she continued, “and I’ll help you find a way to get back what you’ve lost.”

He looked away and said nothing.

“…Trust me Peter,” she smiled.

After a few seconds, he looked at her, “Who said I didn’t?”

“You did,” she replied, “you told me you didn’t know who to trust.”

“…Well right now…my only memories are of what you did for me yesterday,” he replied.

She held her smile on him.

Unsure what he was feeling by looking deeply in her eyes, Peter again looked away, “Who are you? What kind of bodyguard are you really?” he asked. “What’s your story?”

“Well I told you all that Peter,” she replied. “I’m Nyne, from Rebound. That’s the truth. Our missions are usually to investigate, assist, and recover.”

Peter stared at her again.

“…You still haven’t called me by name,” she said. “If you trust me why don’t you do that for me now?”

Peter again turned away.

“…Peter…it’s okay. Just say my name. Once,” she grinned.

He remained silent.

“…Oh,” she said softly. “Okay.”

“Shouldn’t we get going…wherever it is we’re going to go?” he asked.

“Yes, yes…all right let me see which direction,” she said interlocking her fingers and turning away.

“…Can’t you, you know just warp us there like you did?” he asked.

“Usually I can only teleport twice in one day,” she said, “then I have to sleep again to regain my power. That’s why I could get us away from Onett, and then here after we left the tunnel yesterday. What I mean to say is I should only use that if there’s an emergency.”

“Oh,” he replied quietly.

Nyne turned back around, “Come on lets head that way. It eventually leads to…Fourside I believe it’s called,” she said extending her hand.

“…All right,” said Peter from the short distance.

Nyne continued holding her hand out with an innocent smile.

Peter looked to the ground, “Guess we’d better get going,” he said.

The girl lowered her hand. She turned and began walking, “Just follow me.”

Suddenly, a loud beam screamed from the sky behind her and Peter let out a shocked cry.

Nyne turned in horror…and saw a thick yellow ray gently pulling Peter upwards.
She looked up, and saw nothing attached to it.

“…Cloaking device,” she thought as she ran. “They’ve even found a way to muffle the sound of the ship’s movement!”

Just then, two Starmen elites, known as “Finals,” materialized behind her.
Nyne threw a kick backwards, thrusting into one’s stomach and knocking him down, while swinging an almost as hard backhand into the other’s face.

As this was happening, three more Starmen arrived in front of the beam holding Peter, and aimed for the girl relentlessly pounding their partners.

Sudden fear came over Peter, and from the air, the boy sent forth a shiny shot of Psi. The three Starmen on the ground noticed…just before it exploded and eliminated all of them.

Ignoring the sound, Nyne kept her focus on her opponents. Strike after strike, the trained girl gave her all against the Starmen…until finally both disintegrated before her.
Barely stopping to take a breath, she turned and ran towards Peter, noticing he was higher now.

Peter struggled against the beam, but was unable to break its’ hold. He watched, as two more Starmen arrived before Nyne below.

In a leap no human could make, Nyne jumped over them as she ran. Flipping just above their heads…and landing before where Peter was being lifted.
She stood slowly, without turning back to the Starmen. She simply turned her attention to Peter.

Hesitating from confusion for just a moment, the Starmen prepared to attack from the short distance, but soon their bodies exploded where they stood. Peter watched on, nervous and amazed at the same time.

It always took a little longer for Nyne’s “signatures” to take effect when she placed them lightly.

Nyne was nervous, but got over it and concentrated. She looked up at Peter, and soon a green beam of her own shot forth, stretching out like a paper fan, reaching him and the yellow essence pulling him in the other direction. Nyne’s beam fought the one coming from the ship, pulling Peter back toward her.

“…Increase the power,” said Melva from inside, watching with Kurtus.

The Starman at the controls did.

Suddenly, both Peter and Nyne felt the ship’s beam beginning to have an edge. Nyne struggled harder, getting more scared and frustrated and angry with every few passing seconds.

“I’m sending more soldiers,” said Kurtus calmly.

“Don’t,” replied Melva, “…we’ll have an easier time with him if he doesn’t see the girl hurt. She’s probably won him over by now.”

Peter was pretty much in the middle of the two forces struggling over him.

Nyne looked worried, and kept doing her best.

“Full power,” said Melva with her arms crossed.

Seconds later, Peter again drifted toward the invisible ship in the sky. Making an incredible effort, Nyne managed to still hold on to him with her beam.

“Oh this is ridiculous. Just how strong is that girl? She’ll have to let go sooner or later,” said Melva.

Nyne dropped to one knee, then stood back up, trying not to show any weakness.

Peter felt helpless and sympathetic as he watched her, growing more disturbed every minute.

Suddenly, Nyne looked up…and reached out to Peter.

Melva and Kurtus watched on in a bit of confusion.

After a few seconds, Peter responded to the girl below, and extended his hand.
Seconds afterward, Peter felt himself begin to drift toward the ground.

“What…what’s going on?” asked Melva.

“I, I don’t know Captain,” replied the Starman at the controls.

“Full power,” said Melva.

“It’s at full,” he replied nervously.

“What?!”

On the ground, Nyne extended her arm toward Peter, while pulling with all her Psi might. Peter kept reaching toward her, as he felt himself coming closer.

“No, no not now!” said Kurtus. “Summon more soldiers!” he yelled to the nearby personnel.

Peter floated through the air, inching closer and closer toward Nyne.

Kurtus and Melva nervously waited for more Starmen to arrive.

Peter came closer.

Kurtus balled his hands.

Nyne looked up into the nearing boy’s eyes, and continued her effort.

Melva gritted her teeth.

Finally…Nyne grabbed Peter’s hand.

“Go!” yelled Kurtus.

Nyne pulled Peter down.

The Starmen arrived on the scene.

Nyne held Peter’s arms, and looked at the ones surrounding the both of them. She licked her lips for a second, and then she and Peter began to spin.

“Oh no,” said Melva under her breath as Kurtus turned away in frustration.

The two teens spun around, somewhat lifted off the ground…and after a quick flash, they soon disappeared.

“Call back those Starmen,” said Melva to the personnel, “cut the beam.”

“Well…it seems we won’t be able to track them,” said Kurtus.

“…I know that,” said Melva as the Starmen materialized.

“Yes I’ll bet you do,” he replied, “because you…”

Without warning, the Starmen who had just arrived exploded in the ship.

Melva and Kurtus both threw up their capes and certain others were sent flying.

“She…while they were spinning…oh, that little brat!” yelled Melva as she stormed off.

Kurtus chuckled a bit and shook his head. Seconds later, he was addressed by the Starman at the controls.
“Captain! Down there!”

“What is it?” he replied.

“That’s the one! That’s the girl who destroyed my team yesterday and injured me. I reported this to the other Captain.”

“Melva!” cried Kurtus.

“What?”

“Come here. We’ve found the girl.”

“You’ve…oh,” she said as she arrived.

“That’s the one Captain,” reported the Starman, “I don’t know who the boy with her is but that’s the girl.”

“Wait,” said Melva, “I’m sensing something about her.”

Down below, Rich and Yumi walked under the currently invisible ship in the sky.

The girl frowned suddenly as she passed.

“…Something wrong?” asked Rich.

“…Wait,” she said, stopping and holding him by the wrist.

“…The girl…is a telepath,” said Melva angrily as Yumi looked upward and in other directions.
“Everyone stop thinking! Relax,” she continued.

“…Why exactly aren’t we attacking them?” asked Kurtus under his breath, sounding rather agitated.

“…I…think there may be a better course of action,” replied Melva.

“What? What’s wrong Yumi?” asked Rich.

“I…” she was reminded of when her mother and grandmother had asked the same thing. And how they had looked at her after watching her powers in combat.
Yumi buried her face in her hands where she stood.

“Yumi? Tell me what’s wrong.” said Rich.

“Nothing it’s…” she said still hiding her face. She lost her concentration.

“Whatever it is…you can tell me,” said Rich as he rubbed her backpack. “That’s what we do remember?”

Yumi looked up. Rich saw a face of red, holding back tears. Yumi just saw a face with an inviting, soft smile.

She brushed away some of the wetness that was developing in her eyes. “Yeah,” she said managing a smile of her own, “that’s what we do.”

In a moment witnessed by many, Yumi hugged Rich, and the surprised boy returned the affection.

They soon entered the next tunnel and continued toward Threed. They continued, on their seemingly unstoppable path.

Chapter Five
-The History Lesson

Eventually he gave in and sat down beside her. She looked at him for a few seconds.
Peter had been watching the girl called Nyne from a distance ever since they arrived.

She had walked to one end of the large bridge, taken off her shoes, and sat on the edge, simply enjoying the summer breezes and watching the water below.

“…Where does that other tunnel lead to again?”

“Fourside,” she replied.

He looked down at the blue water himself, “…Listen I, again…”

Her hair whipped in the air as she turned, “You don’t need to keep thanking me Peter.”

He looked away.

“Awfully shy aren’t you?” she said.

“Why are you saying that?”

“Can’t look at me for more than a few seconds,” she smiled while brushing some of his dark blond hair.

Peter pulled away and gave her an annoyed look for a second.

“Why is that?” she asked, still smiling.

“Maybe we need to talk about something else,” he said.

Nyne stared at him, then turned back toward the water.
“Okay…how about the past? My past. You asked me earlier.”

“…All right,” he replied.

“When I was a little girl, my grandmother used to say that sometimes a bond between people can be so strong, that regardless of the distance between them or the obstacles they must endure…even if they try to resist it themselves…nothing will ever break it. Do you know what that’s called?” she asked.

“…Fate right?”

“Love,” she replied.

Peter was silent.

“It usually begins with attraction…then progresses toward common interests…then caring, then affection…then an open honesty,” said Nyne.

“Really?” said Peter. “…Why are you telling me this?”

“A long time ago on this very bridge, a boy and a girl reached that point of honesty,” said Nyne.

“…Oh. So, why are you telling me this?”

Nyne managed a half smile. “Do you care about me Peter?” she asked calmly.

“Why are you asking?”

“Maybe because I want to know,” she said swinging her legs a bit.

”…I don’t know how I feel about anything,” he mumbled. “I care about people getting hurt…I mean yesterday there were these other boys who helped me, and I defended them against the…Alpha soldiers…but I…can’t be sure of anything right now.”

Nyne smiled a bit at the water and paused for a moment. “…You helped them because deep inside, you have a decent heart. You just can’t bring yourself to really share it with anyone,” she said looking a bit distraught.

“…Or maybe I’m really an Alpha soldier after all,” he said beginning to stand.

Nyne grabbed his wrist, “…That’s not true.” She pulled him back down.
“Those two leaders, Kurtus and Melva, they’re masking themselves. They don’t really look like us or the people of this planet. It’s all a trick to get to you.”

“Why?! Why then?” he asked.

“My superiors and I have been working on that one for a while now,” she replied. “…Listen, with this mission I aim to not only keep you safe, but learn what they’re up to as well. It doesn’t look like they can track us, but my ship still needs more time to recharge before we can leave.”

“Then what about the one I came in?” he asked.

“Yes, I’ll have to see to that,” she said.
Nyne picked up her shoes and stood, “Come on,” she said slipping them back on, “lets head back the way we came. That’s probably not what they’re expecting.”

She started walking ahead and Peter soon ran to catch up with her. Nyne turned to him for a second.
“Hmmm…maybe my grandmother was right,” she said teasingly.

“What?” he replied shyly.

Nyne giggled. “Nothing. Now’s not the time to dwell on the past.”

“Now’s not the time to dwell on the past,” said Kurtus sternly.

“I am devising a strategy…based on an already successful one. That is all,” countered Melva in an impatient tone.

“Ridiculous,” he said.

“We’ll see.”

“You know despite what I’ve heard,” she said while touching a lock of her black hair, “I think this one is on par with the Fourside hotel.

Rich grinned at the girl closing the door and carrying their drinks. They had just arrived and decided to check in immediately.

“So, given the history of this town and all, do you think it’ll be attacked next?” Yumi asked before sitting down beside him.

“I hope not,” said Rich quietly, “but with Threed you never can tell.”

Yumi laughed.

“I mean you know, ever since the aliens made this their favorite hangout all those years ago…there have been some weird rumors about this place,” he continued.

“I know,” she said. “…I also hear that the kids who saved it had used a special method or something. If it’s attacked now we’re just going to have to use our powers, since we don’t have anything else.”

“…Except weapons,” he said. “I would have brought another bat but…I really wasn’t feeling too well when I left home, and I didn’t care about much of anything.”

“…What about now?” asked Yumi.

“What do you mean?”

“Feeling a little better now?” she smiled.

“Definitely,” he said.

Yumi turned and looked forward, “…And, do you care about anything now?”

“Do you?” grinned Rich.

Yumi looked at him and nodded in silence, soon drinking from her can of soda.
“…You know what? I’m going to take this opportunity to prepare for battle,” she grinned sarcastically.

“How?” asked Rich.

Yumi stood up, “I’m going to head out and see if I can’t find that knife I talked about earlier. Got to be some good stores around here.”

Rich chuckled. “…You want me to come with you?”

“…Actually yeah…” she said turning while she picked up her backpack, “…but I think one of us should stay here, in case this hotel is attacked like the other one,” she continued. “It’s up to you.”

“You know, you’re probably right,” he said. “Be careful out there okay?”

“…I’ll take that as a ‘yes’,” said Yumi.

“What…oh…the question, right,” he blushed.

Yumi stared, then pulled on her backpack, “Call out to me, with your mind I mean, if anything happens.”

“I can do that?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she whispered, “try it.”

Rich held the can of soda with both hands and concentrated, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“…I heard ‘ya,” said Yumi a few seconds later.

Rich chuckled and looked at the floor, then up at the girl.

“…I’ll be back,” she whispered. Yumi walked out and closed the door.
Outside the room, she paused…then adjusted her beloved green jean-jacket, and walked off.

When she returned to the room, Yumi found a mysterious scent in the air.
“Rich?” she called out, who was nowhere to be found.
She prepared to call out to him telepathically, when suddenly she felt a little light-headed. “…Rich…” she said before collapsing.

After a long walk, the two visitors named Peter and Nyne arrived in Threed.

“…The people here appear on edge about something,” said Peter.

“…Long ago, more battles were fought here than anywhere else, when Earth defended itself from invasion,” said Nyne.

“You…really seem to know your history when it comes to this planet,” he replied.

“Yes, well…this was where something very important for the galaxy took place,” she said.

“Yumi? Yumi can you hear me?” asked Rich as he softly patted her face. He didn’t want to try entering her mind just yet. “Yumi?”

The girl he was holding groaned, and slowly woke up. “…What’s…what’s going on?” she said.

“…I think we’ve been captured,” he replied nervously.

“…Cap…CAPTURED?! What…” said Yumi as she stood up and looked around the dark room.

“Last thing I remember I was in the room…and then I started to smell something strange,” he said.

“M, me too!” said Yumi.

“I decided to step outside to get away from it, and I figured I might need my bat so I threw on my backpack…but before I reached the door I…”

“It…oh man Rich it was THEM! The aliens!”

Rich sighed, “I already tried the door.”

“Oh…this will not do,” said Yumi defiantly.

Suddenly she stood still, closed her eyes…and concentrated. Rich watched her in silence.

“…I’m calling out to you whom I’ve never met,” said Yumi telepathically. “I’m calling a friend, who we’ve never met.”

Suddenly Peter looked a bit strange…and walked off on his own, without Nyne noticing.

In the invisible ship that hovered above Threed, Kurtus sighed. “…This had better work.”

“Peter…?!” said Nyne nervously.

Yumi kept concentrating.

Peter was quickly moving up the streets of Threed, as a few teenage citizens began to recognize him.

“Him…I think that’s the guy!”

While two women were busily calling out to him, Peter’s attention was suddenly caught by another.

She stood in front of the Threed hotel, staring at him through her shades and soon twirling some of her blonde hair. Then, she directed him, almost knowingly, with her finger…and walked into the hotel. Peter followed.

Catching the gazes of many as she walked, the woman headed for a room not too far from the entrance, looking back to see Peter slowly advancing in the distance.

“Peter!” yelled Nyne as she looked around Threed, and then started moving again.

“Hey that’s the girl who fought those aliens in Onett yesterday,” said one boy in a group.

“She is too…cute!” said another.

“Real pretty.”

“Heh…heard of ‘pretty girl paper?’ “

Yumi kept desperately calling out.

Peter stopped, then followed the woman into the room.

Suddenly, the door was slammed shut as he entered.

“…What?” said Yumi.

“What’s wrong?” asked Rich.

“We…may have a problem here,” she replied.

Nyne kept looking around outside while holding her hands in front of her mouth.

“Ah Peter…” said the woman after the boy’s mind had let out a shocked, silent thought.
Suddenly, the woman’s physical form changed…and Peter recognized her.
“My name is Melva,” she said, while instructing the Starmen in the room to remain calm. “It seems my plan to lure you here worked perfectly. Lovely scent isn’t it? It puts humans to sleep almost instantly, but our bodies are a bit more resistant.”

“What do you want?” asked Peter as he bravely walked toward the center.

“I want for you…to come with me,” she said. “As I told you, we’re family.”

“…I don’t believe you,” he said.

“Really? So Nyne is getting to you. Have you come to care for her as much as she cares for you?” asked Melva.

“…I’ve already been asked that once today,” said Peter, “and I didn’t feel like answering it then either.”

Suddenly, a white blast of energy fired from Peter’s head and exploded in the presence of three Starmen, who weren’t protected by the shields they had up.

Melva sprang to one side of the room, and the two soldiers on Peter’s left and right fired at him.

Peter reacted by covering himself with his arms and ducking, unintentionally summoning a green shield which flashed through the air…and again when hit.

Both Starmen got the usual result, and were knocked back. Melva had managed to escape behind Peter and exit. The boy turned and followed quickly. Several guests of the hotel dashed to the side and got nervous as this was happening.

“What?!” said a stunned Nyne as she arrived.

Melva dashed outside, knocking the girl who was on her way in down as she went.

Nyne rolled on her stomach and began recovering immediately, just as she had been trained to do.

Peter was coming down the porch, but stopped when he saw her. “…Are you…?”

Suddenly the girl sent two glowing, green, beautiful shots of energy his way.

Peter shockingly covered himself and ducked.

The attacks sped around Peter, and hit the two Starmen quickly advancing behind him. Neither survived, as the guests in the lobby ran unharmed from the small explosions.

“…Tight,” whispered young boys watching outside the hotel as their parents quickly led them away.

Yumi again tried calling for help as Rich kept his hopes up.
“Here…down here…” said Yumi in her mind.

Peter was about to join Nyne, who was SERIOUSLY in pursuit of Melva, but stopped. He turned…and found himself running further up the street instead.

Some of the citizens watching the girl chase the woman turned and saw Peter head for the graveyard.

Two minutes later, Rich and Yumi heard someone cautiously approaching just outside.

“It worked…” said Rich as he and Yumi smiled at each other.

“…What’s going on? Hello?” said a voice on the other side of the door.

Yumi and Rich yelled in response.

“Peter?” said Nyne as she approached down the steps.

“There’s someone…in there,” he replied, “and it’s not Alpha. I can feel it.”

Nyne pulled Peter behind her and threw a signature on the doorknob. Within seconds, it exploded and the door cracked open.

Rich and Yumi gathered their backpacks, walked up to the door, and slowly pulled it open.

”…It’s them,” said Yumi, “…the ones who were fighting against the aliens in Onett.”

Nyne looked the two over in confusion.

Just then, Yumi drew back suddenly.

“What’s wrong?” asked Rich.

“They’re here,” she said, “the aliens are back.”

Peter looked up the stairs, and after a few seconds, could hear someone approaching. He ran upstairs and confronted several Starmen.

“Peter,” yelled Nyne as she followed, moving to his side so that the other two teens could come out of the small underground passage.

“Payback time,” said Yumi as she strapped on her backpack and quickly sent down powerful blasts of thunder on every last one of her enemies.

Their shields were nullified and Rich launched his signature blue orbs, which again constantly struck all of the ones before him.

Nyne and Peter watched in awe, and then turned to the ones behind them.
Peter sent a wave of Psi fire, which struck them all, while Nyne’s signatures hit almost immediately afterward. The Starmen exploded.

After watching this, Yumi turned and launched a shot of freeze at one of the Starmen trying to recover from Rich’s attack. The alien disappeared.

Peter focused on the remaining ones, and soon enough, a huge shiny burst of energy flew into the group, and exploded, finishing them off.

“All of you…stay still,” said Nyne as she focused.

Suddenly, Yumi felt a bit strange, and clung to Rich, who also took comfort in holding on to her…and the four vanished.

“Why does that keep happening?” said Kurtus from the ship as Melva approached. “This plan failed the first time it was attempted all those years ago, and it’s failed again now. People are supposed to LEARN from history. Of course, we can’t track them directly, because SOMEONE wanted to just rush off without including the Psi-tracer before we came to this planet!”

Melva snarled, “You’re beginning to get on my nerves Kurtus,” she said walking away.

“Oh? Now you know how it feels!” he called after her.

Arriving just in front of the Twoson hotel once the teleportation was completed, the teens took a few seconds to get used to their surroundings.

“T…Twoson?” said Yumi. “What happened?”

“I teleported us here,” replied Nyne, who soon pulled something from her pocket.
“Great, the hotel’s right here,” she said after turning. “Come on lets go in,” she continued while taking Peter’s hand and tugging him along.

Rich and Yumi stared at each other, then followed a few seconds later.

Nyne watched them with her hands folded on the service desk. Peter stood by her side and watched the woman behind the computer.

“…Okay…your card worked just fine…is this a new company or something?” she asked while examining it.

Nyne took the card from the woman and smiled, “So that’ll take care of room service for the night too right?”

“Yes ma’am,” she replied, “you know you look familiar.”

“Cool,” said Nyne as she took the three keys. “Coming?” she called to Yumi and Rich.

The two followed as she and Peter walked up the stairs.

There had only been three rooms left. Rich took one. Peter took one. Nyne and Yumi took the other.

“…Alone again,” sighed Nyne.

In his room, Peter looked out at the night sky and watched the rain. Nyne had offered to stay with him, but he declined, promising he wouldn’t go off anywhere again.

However, he found he couldn’t keep her out of the room completely, as his thoughts constantly drifted to her face, her voice, and her words.
Peter looked toward the door…then slowly turned back to the window. He sat on the bed in a state of confusion.

Already expressing their gratitude, Rich and Yumi were currently enjoying the room service meal Nyne had ordered for them—in his room, courtesy of her A.T.M. (All Technological Markets) card.

Down the hall, Nyne sipped some tea, popped open a very miniature version of her ship’s computer, and read the current message—accompanied by a pattern of color and calming music.

“What all of this is coming to can only be explained by how all of it began…and since the beginning, those who are wise have sought allegiance with those who have a common goal…

In order to oppose those who must be opposed, and in order to achieve what must be achieved, usually one must not walk alone…

But what of your own personal interests…what of your life as a person, and not as a soldier?

Those who are responsible and mature have always known that their own desires must sometimes be put aside, or simply delayed. Whether or not to abide by this is for each individual to decide…

Decisions like this are among the hardest parts of the journey called life, but sometimes, decisions like this simply must be made…

Now that you have completed the group of four, your journey will begin again soon…but first, please rest…

Working to exhaustion when you’re young can reap great benefits for the future, but sometimes one must not overlook the moment…

When it comes to the future, there is always one constant truth…

You must be prepared for anything…

-Rebound
Investigate, Assist, Recover”

Nyne finished her cup of tea.

RESURRECTION E
By James

Chapter Six
-…And now the truth shall come out

“…Hear me telepath,” said a wicked voice as Yumi slept.

The girl in the green robe (everyone’s clothes had been washed and dried) moaned a little, and then heard it again.

“Watch…watch the horrible visions of the future. Watch, what shall happen to your friend if you don’t turn back and stop interfering,” said the voice.

And then Yumi saw something that upset her greatly. It seemed like a dream, but she somehow felt it was more than that.
Yumi saw Rich asleep in bed, when suddenly he awoke, and found himself surrounded by Starmen. As Rich tried to fight, he was subdued, and teleported away. Yumi figured that was how the two of them had been taken from the Threed hotel, and found herself quite frightened. Then she saw herself in Fourside, completely alone in the middle of the street. High above her, Rich was held, bound and unconscious on the tallest building. Yumi ran as fast as she could, but just as she reached the building, Melva appeared beside Rich. In a truly disturbing way, Rich’s body met its’ end as Melva fired an incredible blast. Yumi screamed but couldn’t hear herself, as the ropes that were holding Rich floated slowly downward. It had been a long time since Yumi had truly cried, and as her tears rolled down her cheeks, the vision of the ropes falling became blurry. Yumi wiped away the tears, trying desperately to grab the ropes as they floated, but couldn’t. Just as Yumi finally wiped her tears away and reached for the ropes in the air, they were gone. She looked in every direction, but couldn’t find them. She looked up again, and nothing was there.
Just as she tried to call Rich’s name with all her will, she woke up to the sound of her own voice.

She saw Nyne sleeping in the other bed. Yumi sprung up, brushing away her tears, and exited the room.

With a wet, red face, the disturbed girl knocked loudly on Rich’s door until he answered nearly a minute later.

“Yumi…” he said in surprise. “…Are you ALL RIGHT?” he asked with concern.

Yumi looked the boy over, panting with tears in her eyes and an angry look on her face, and gave him a big hug.

“Was it…a bad dream?” he asked.

The door soon closed and the two sat on the floor at the foot of the bed. Neither especially willing to let go of the other.

--It was still dark outside when she woke him.

“…Y…”

“Shhh,” she said in reply. “Hey,” she whispered.

“…Hey. What are you doing?” asked Peter.

“I have to go to Onett, to check on the ship you came in,” whispered Nyne. “If it’s still working then there’s a chance the people of this world could use it someday to reach ours.”

“…I’ll go with you,” he said, “how did you get in?”

“My card,” she smiled. “No you stay. You rest. Peter…promise me you won’t go anywhere while I’m gone.”

“They could attack you…I don’t want you to get hurt,” he replied. “I…”

“Promise me,” she whispered.

“…I promise,” he said. “I…look, I…you do mean something to me,” he summoned the courage to say. “I really don’t want anything to happen to you… don’t leave.”

“Peter…” whispered Nyne, “I have a mission to take care of.”

“I’m…I’m sorry,” he said, “for not talking to you that much. For…”

“Peter it’s okay,” she smiled, “sleep.”

“…No. Don’t go alone. Let me get up and I’ll…”

Suddenly, a small flash emanated from Nyne’s brow, and Peter felt himself falling asleep. “…Sleep,” she whispered.

“…No…no…” said Peter as he weakened and fell asleep.

Nyne looked him over for a few seconds, as a variety of emotions appeared on her face, and she gave his forehead a kiss.
Then the girl exited the hotel, and looked up at the dark sky before teleporting.

Twenty minutes later, a ruthless crash was heard in Peter’s room, waking him instantly.

Yumi woke up with a surprised shake, as did Rich, who was sitting beside her.

“…What was that?” asked the girl.

Peter, who had already dressed the night before, ran to the window of his room and jumped through it—crashing out onto the street below.

Seconds later, the boy stood up among the pieces of glass, and ran as fast as he could in the direction of Onett…hoping his instincts were right.

Yumi and Rich arrived at the room above to find the door smashed open…and several Starmen elites waiting.

“What?! No…NO! That CAN”T BE!” screamed Nyne standing on the famous hilltop in Onett.

She had answered an urgent call from her mini-computer…and gotten the worst news of her life.
There had been no motivational message. No comforting music. Just the cold, hard facts which her superiors had discovered.

“Tell me there’s another way!” she screamed. “Tell me now!”

The screen’s next message wasn’t very comforting.

“I won’t do it!” she sobbed. “I can’t.”
She fell to her knees. “…I defy the order. I’m sorry. You can’t ask me to do that. Not after all this time. I don’t care if he’s the key to the resurrection…I won’t kill Peter!”

After a few seconds, a mysterious light suddenly shot down on the girl. Nyne screamed in response, and soon realized it was the same yellow beam that had been used on Peter the previous day.

Coming up the road, Peter saw the beam from the distance, and became very frightened as he started running faster.

“Well, well” said the voice of Melva through some sort of microphone as Nyne was being lifted. “We figured you’d eventually come for the ship as well.”

Nyne screamed out her resistance and launched her green counter beam above her head.

“Full power,” she heard Melva say.

Nyne was suddenly lifted much faster, but she kept fighting.

“There’s no escape this time little girl,” said Melva.

Nyne growled as she continued her attempt.

After a few more minutes, Peter had arrived unnoticed up the grassy road beyond the library. He had to stop and catch his breath, turning for a moment to the house on his right.

Then he stood up, and noticed something: The beam was no longer there. Peter heard a loud, sudden, swooshing sound, which shook the nearby trees, and started running again.

When he arrived at the site where so many had stood so long ago at the same time of day, all he found was a small, miniature computer.
He picked it up…and realized he could read the three words on the screen:

“I’ll miss you…”

-To be concluded