Day Four
—Hot Summer Nights
*Jeff: If this is what they call training I’d hate to see an actual mission. I mean the whole thing sounds pretty simple. And I’ll be working with experienced agents. And there are only four steps. Four, easy, steps. There’s going to be an act of theft tonight. At least that’s what my new superiors believe. And it’s going to happen at the Cultural Museum. My job is to stop it. Or help stop it at least. So there are four easy steps. I locate a homing device, make an exchange, find a fellow agent, and together defend the valuable when the thieves arrive—just long enough for the cops to show up. Okay, so the last part of that might not be so easy. But hey, this is my chance to prove myself. But the question remains, to who exactly?*
“Andonuts? Andonuts you there?”
“…”
“Andonuts do-you-copy?”
“Yeah, yeah I’m here!”
“Get it together Andonuts this is not a game.”
“I know…sorry,” replied Jeff.
“All right at this point you should be standing on the docks with your bag.”
“Yeah I just got off the boat…”
“Five minutes ago,” he interrupted. “All right Jeff, I can’t see you and I can’t see your target. Not directly anyway. I’m monitoring electronically from the van.”
“The van. Where…”
“Don’t look around. Are you looking around?”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t draw any suspicion to yourself. The point is for you to find the homing device based on the instructions I give you.”
“Okay…I’m ready,” said Jeff.
“Get your binoculars out and walk along the beach.”
A few seconds later Jeff hopped down on the sand.
“…All right. I can see a red spot on my screen. Our agent has turned on the device. Stand by.”
“Standing by.”
A few more seconds passed.
“…Heading east.”
Jeff looked through the binoculars at the people walking down the street, then lowered them for a few seconds.
Then he looked again.
“…Is this agent a man or a woman?”
“I don’t know Andonuts. And I couldn’t tell you if I did.”
Jeff kept looking. “…It could be anyone.”
“The device has stopped.”
“Where?”
“That’s what you need to figure out. Do you see anyone who’s stopped moving?”
“Ah…um…”
“The device is moving again.”
Jeff quickly looked around.
“Don’t draw too much attention to yourself now.”
“Right, right…” said Jeff.
“The device has stopped.”
Jeff searched around…and became nervous after a few seconds.
“…Has it, has it moved again yet?”
“I’d tell you if it had.”
Jeff kept looking around for anyone standing still.
“Can’t you give me a rough location?”
“Not during training. You only get answers here when you give up. And if you give up, well…you’re probably in the wrong line of work.”
*Jeff: …*
“Why oh why does training have to be ‘part training, part mission?’ ”
“Because there’s no better way to train in this business.”
“I know I was just…talking to myself,” said Jeff.
“…The device is still in the same place.”
Jeff looked around.
His contact was silent.
A few minutes passed.
Jeff sighed quietly.
“…Do you have anything Andonuts?”
“Not yet I’m…I’m trying…I…”
“…Do you want to stop? I actually can’t stay here much longer, and if you can’t complete the training then adjustments to this plan need…”
“Wait a minute,” said Jeff.
“Found something?”
“…Wait a minute.” Jeff lowered the binoculars, which felt particularly good around the eyes. “Is the device moving?”
“It’s still in the same place as before.”
“I think I know why,” said Jeff, letting a sly smile come and go. “The man standing in front of the hotel…adjusting his suit…”
“I can’t see what you’re seeing.”
“Yeah well…there’s a guy who just came out of the hotel. He’s…he’s moving now,” said Jeff.
“So…?”
“So…he’s not carrying the black briefcase he entered with.”
“Oh really?”
“You say the device isn’t moving right?” asked Jeff.
“No, it’s not moving.”
“…I think it’s time I checked into the hotel.”
“All right, good job Andonuts. Now when you get inside turn on your portable tracer. That should tell you which room it’s in.”
“…It only works up close right?”
“Right. Incase you forgot that’s the gadget that looks like a Walkman. Put it on, then walk around, and the signal will become loudest when you’re near the device.”
“Okay. …Let me get the…credit card out.”
“I’m done here. Take care Andonuts.”
“Hold up! Wait. You’re breaking contact with me?”
“The van will draw suspicion if it stays here all day. Especially if our enemies are already watching.”
“Well what am I supposed to do next?” asked Jeff.
“Make the exchange.”
“What exchange?”
“Over and out Andonuts. Take care.”
Jeff paused. Then switched off the communicator and kept walking.
He reached the hotel…remembering the first time he had walked up to it years ago…then entered.
After paying for a one night stay, he pulled out a perfectly normal looking device, put on the headphones, and began walking again after turning it on.
“…How am I even supposed to get in the room?”
Jeff walked upstairs, looking down at the spot he had just stood in as he moved. He smiled a bit upon passing a familiar looking door, then turned a corner he and his friends had barely noticed on the first trip.
Another quiet hallway was before him. Jeff kept moving.
“Just because he had to go didn’t mean he had to…stop…”
Jeff stopped thinking to himself upon noticing a significantly louder buzzing in his ears.
Soon enough, he figured out exactly which room the homing device had been left in.
“But how am I supposed to…”
Jeff’s eyes looked down.
“No way. These are professionals here. There’s something very important in that briefcase. They wouldn’t…just…”
Jeff bent down. He stopped and looked around a bit…then continued. He pulled up the mat in front of the door…and sure enough, found a small card under it.
Jeff chuckled a bit…not meaning it.
“Sometimes the simple solution is…”
After adjusting his bag and opening the door, he stood where he was upon noticing a black briefcase on the bed.
Then he got nervous, entered the room, and closed the door.
Jeff let out a calm, yet nervous sigh with a hand on the door, adjusted his glasses a bit with the other hand, and quietly shook his head where he stood.
He stood up straight, turned around, put the card away…then cautiously walked over towards the briefcase.
About ten seconds later his bag hit the floor. Jeff adjusted his long black jacket a bit, then moved in closer.
Jeff pulled the case to the foot of the bed, leaned down…and opened it.
Jeff gasped and drew back a few steps. Inside the case he found a small rectangular device with a flashing red center…and a handheld weapon similar to his standard blasters. Only it wasn’t made for firing plasma.
“Oh boy…” sighed Jeff, regaining some of his courage.
Jeff took a step towards the bed again. Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
Jeff almost leapt backwards.
Soon he found himself kneeling down and inching towards the bed.
“Who…who is it?!” he called.
“Do you have any extra ice? I’m out,” said a feminine voice.
“No I…” Jeff stopped. “I…”
“I said do you have any extra ice?” she repeated.
Jeff paused…then grabbed the case, and slowly crawled over to the door.
“…Um, just a minute,” he said.
Jeff leaned against the wall next to the door.
“…Um, how much ice would you need?”
“…Open the door Andonuts,” said the voice.
Jeff’s eyebrows flinched. Then, with case in hand, he let out a quick sigh, stood up, and hesitantly opened the door.
A black haired girl about his age hurried in with a briefcase of her own. “Close it.”
Jeff did.
“Okay, that kind of hesitation is a no-no. For all I know you’re not really Andonuts,” she said placing the case on the bed and not looking at him as she worked.
“I am, I am. Sorry. I…”
“I’m Teresa. The Cultural Museum closes at 10 and locks up at 10:30. We’re expecting the place to be hit after midnight. At 11:00 tonight you’re to come downstairs to the restaurant and meet your partner for this operation. There are two keycards involved in this. Kildale’s holding one…” she pulled a card from the case and held it up, “and you’re holding the other.” She casually let the card drop on the bed.
“Kildale is…”
“Your partner. He’s an attractive looking guy about your height, your age, and he’ll be wearing a suit similar to yours. Your key will open the front door, Kildale’s will open the door leading to upstairs.”
“Door leading to upstairs? Last time I was here there wasn’t a …”
“There is now. Security has been increased. From that point you’ll both head upstairs, where there’s a master lock on the last door which can only be opened with both cards simultaneously. You’re to wait in that room with your partner. At some point you’ll receive a call, similar to the one that led you here. You’re expected to be in position by the time that call is made. Do not attempt to make contact before the call. You will report anything suspicious and once the two of you are convinced that the theft has begun, you’ll tell us…and we’ll tell the cops. Any questions?”
“…So how do you expect them to break in?”
“Through the roof.”
“…And we’re supposed to hold them off ‘till the cops arrive? Just the two of us?”
“Kildale is experienced.”
“I…how come…” Jeff rubbed his forehead and closed his eyes a second, “how come I couldn’t just meet up with that guy who dropped the homing device off? I mean don’t take that the wrong way…”
“We put two agents on rookies during the exchange phase to ensure security. As I said, I don’t know for sure I can trust you. If I don’t give that man you saw a call soon they’ll think you’re a mole.”
Jeff became a bit nervous.
“So I’d better get going.” She tossed something at Jeff. “Here’s the ammo for that weapon you’re holding in there…”
Jeff barely caught it as she spoke.
“…Take the weapon with you—of course. I’ll take the homing device with me…and you’re all set,” she said looking at him.
Jeff looked at his ammo while still holding the briefcase in his other hand. “Um…”
“What?” she asked, holding her case with both hands.
“Is it all right if I get a quick nap between, you know now and then? I had to leave my place really early last…this morning…after I got about two hours and…”
“11:00,” she said passing him. “Don’t be late.”
The door opened and closed behind her.
Jeff stood where he was, thinking for about a minute…then gathered everything and went to the room he had checked into.
After setting an alarm clock, and doing a bit more thinking, he relaxed on the bed and got some sleep.
--Six hours later a television was on in the very same room. Jeff peeked out of the bathroom and saw “10:47” on the clock. After looking at himself one more time in the mirror, he turned the light off and headed for the jacket that would complete his evening wear.
“What am I a detective?” he said holstering his weapon, then covering it with his jacket.
Jeff slipped the keycards to the museum and his hotel room in his pockets, then stepped out. He closed the door, looked around again, then returned the card to the other room under it’s mat.
After arriving at the restaurant, he took a seat and began casually looking around.
Ten minutes later he noticed a young man he’d had his eye on get up and walk to the open window.
Jeff sat where he was with a somewhat confused, yet calm frown. His fingers tapped the table while his other hand fondled the card in his left pocket.
Then, just as he stood up, he was suddenly approached by someone.
“I’m so sorry sir, as you can see we’re, quite busy this evening. What can I get you?”
“…Hmm? Oh…no, no. That’s fine,” said Jeff. “I won’t be ordering right now. Excuse me.”
Jeff walked towards one of the windows, side stepping a woman heading back to her table. With a bit of hesitation, he arrived.
“…Kildale?” he said, standing next to a dark haired boy his age.
The boy turned around, “…Andonuts,” he said, gesturing with his hand.
“Yeah,” said Jeff, removing both hands from his pockets.
“You’re new at this, aren’t you?” said the boy with a grin.
“…Yeah.”
“Come on,” he said, gently touching Jeff’s back for a second, “lets get out of here before people start to think we’re spies or something.”
Jeff couldn’t help but grin.
Outside, the two boys stepped onto the street, looked around, then started jogging towards the museum.
“Nothing to be nervous about. Just do what I tell you and things will be fine.”
“I sure hope so,” said Jeff.
“You remembered the card right?”
“Yeah. Wouldn’t want to make Teresa upset.”
“Good. The front door also has a keypad. I’ve got the code.”
Three minutes later, the front door slowly slid open, giving the boys access to the much easier public entrance. Jeff pulled on one of the clear doors and held it for his companion.
Then he looked back.
“Oh man my shoe. …Here…take my card and open the one leading to the stairs. Don’t go up until I get there.”
“…Right.”
The light automatically came on as Jeff entered and ran by the front desk. The same thing happened in the next room.
Jeff stared at the various displays before him, noticing some new ones had been added, and took a second or two to smile.
Then he started moving again upon seeing his target next to the sealed entrance across the room.
Jeff arrived, looked at the keycard in his hand, then slowly used it. He soon put the card away and drew his weapon…cautious about the enemy already being in the building.
…And he was right. As the door began sliding open, Jeff heard a ‘click’ from behind.
“Thank you Andonuts. I believe you know what the sound you just heard means. Incase you’re not sure, here’s a hint: Drop your weapon and don’t turn around,” said an arrogant voice.
“…Kildale? What are you doing?” asked Jeff.
“Only what I’m best at,” he sighed. “In a way you should be proud. You came here to find thieves and you encountered one your people have been after for a long time.”
“…Kildale I…”
“Incase you haven’t noticed you can stop calling me that,” said the boy with a playful grin.
“…You’re not really Kildale,” said Jeff.
“No. But I’m someone just as cool. Don’t take this the wrong way Jeff, I’m actually a likeable guy under better circumstances.”
“Heh.”
“Now be a good boy and drop your weapon. Your role here is played.”
“I don’t think so pal, not unless you’ve got a silencer on that thing.”
“Yes I’ll admit there’s a 50/50 chance someone outside could hear a round go off in here…but it’s a chance I just may be willing to take. Don’t make me.”
Jeff paused, then dropped it.
“Now…the cards…please.”
Jeff reached into his pockets.
“Slowly.”
‘CLICK’
The sound was heard behind both boys.
“Mind if I take it from here?” said a feminine voice.
Both boys turned…and a slow smile came over Jeff’s face.
“Teresa,” said the relieved boy.
“Stay still Andonuts. And drop your weapon, Bob.”
“Bob?” said Jeff.
The boy in front of Jeff scowled, then followed her orders.
“Nice dress huh? Now both of you turn back around,” she said, holding her own weapon on them.
“What are you doing?” asked Jeff.
“Turn around,” she said. “Kick your weapons away, and keep your hands up.”
Jeff did, right after Bob.
“I get it now,” said Jeff. “You’re not really with N.S.S. either. Both of you are fugitives who somehow found out about this mission and intercepted the agents who were supposed to meet me.”
“Well some of what I told you was the truth, Jeffy dear,” she grinned. “You followed standard N.S.S. procedures very well, for a rookie.”
“So why’d you bother using me?” asked Jeff, facing the stairs.
“I needed you to hook up with ‘Kildale’ here, and open both doors for me. I couldn’t have met up with Bob myself. We’ve got a history. We know each other very well.”
“I should’ve known you’d be here you lousy…” said Bob.
“Temper, temper Bob,” grinned the girl facing him from behind.
“Oh man,” said Jeff.
“How’d you even get in here?” asked Bob.
“The card I gave Andonuts was a copy. …And speaking of cards…”
“Is…is Teresa even your real name?” asked Jeff.
“Oh it’s so cute when rookies try to stall you.”
“I don’t think I’m too fond of being a player in this game,” said Jeff.
“Don’t worry you won’t have to be for much longer,” said the girl.
“…I’m afraid to ask but…what might that mean?”
“What do you think she means pretty boy?” said Bob. “Oh I’m gonna get you for this girl.”
“Love to hear your shallow threats all night Bob but I’ve got a motorboat and a hot date waiting for me in the water. Jeff—your card.”
“Did you tell him about us?” asked Bob.
Jeff suddenly heard a thud and a loud moan behind him.
“Don’t turn around Andonuts,” warned the girl. “Now would be a really good time to shut up Bob,” she said with gritted teeth and a smile, placing her high heel back on the floor.
Bob had dropped to one knee.
“Oh…boy oh boy,” said Jeff, shaking his head with his arms raised.
“Where’s your card?” asked the girl.
“I…I gave it to Andonuts,” said Bob.
Jeff remained still, looking up a bit.
“Jeff…slide me the cards. We’re going to make an exchange again.”
“An exchange?”
“That’s right,” said the arrogant girl. “Cards for cuffs.”
Jeff heard metal hit the floor, and two seconds later, a pair of handcuffs were kicked over to him.
“Bob…Bob.”
“What?” said the boy on his knees, holding his hands in the air.
“Heh, Pay attention, you know I don’t like waiting. You get out your own. The ones you were going to use on Andonuts,” she said. “…Slowly. Both of you see that bar over there? You’re going, to…”
‘CLICK’
The sound was heard again.
“Drop it,” said a voice behind the girl.
Jeff frowned a bit, but remained still.
The girl did the same.
“No really, tonight would be just fine sweetheart,” said the boy pointing at her.
The girl let go of her weapon and lowered her hand.
Jeff suddenly turned around in disbelief.
“Tony?!”
“Hey buddy…’sup?”
Jeff was stunned. “…What in the bloo…”
Suddenly, the girl side stepped, reached back, and grabbed Tony’s arm with one hand, while ramming an elbow into his side.
“AH!” said Tony.
The girl drove the back of her head into the front of his, then with both hands, took his arm and flipped him to the floor.
Jeff ran and slid to the side.
Just as the girl turned and picked up Tony’s weapon, her heels were yanked from behind and she fell on her face. The weapon slid ahead of her.
Bob stood up and ran after it, only to have his own legs caught by Tony’s.
Tony twisted on the floor and Bob fell.
The girl quickly rolled on her back and used a thrust from her legs to stand up.
“Hold it!” said Jeff, who was doing just that with his weapon.
“All right,” smiled Tony.
“What’s going on?!” said one of several police officers appearing at the door. “What are you kids doing in here?”
“N.S.S.” said Tony, holding out a badge. “I’m the guy who called you.”
Jeff looked bewildered.
“Drop that weapon,” said an officer.
“No it’s okay, it’s okay,” said Tony standing up. “He’s on the right side. …These are the two you want.”
--“I’ll be back Tony,” said a smirking girl in the backseat of a police car.
Tony stared at her…then slammed the door shut.
The car drove away, followed by a few others, including the one holding Bob.
A few seconds later, Tony sighed, and joined Jeff, who was sitting just above the sand.
“How long?” asked Jeff with a smile, looking down at the weapon in his hands.
Tony undid his collar as well and sat down.
“How long have you been doing this?” Jeff repeated.
“Well, longer than you obviously,” said Tony with a grin. “Seriously, the real Kildale and Teresa managed to contact us just in time.”
Jeff watched the distant waves.
“…Why did you join Jeff?”
“…I…wanted to do something other than…you know.”
“…Yeah,” Tony looked forward again.
“I figured I might be cut out for this. …But now I don’t know.”
“Don’t say that. You just helped capture two of our most wanted.”
“Oh no, no…I’m not saying I doubt myself. Not exactly anyway. You know what I probably learned once and for all tonight?” he said with a sudden grin.
“What’s that?”
“…No matter how grim the situation looks—and start the violins…”
Tony laughed.
“No matter how bad the odds may seem…”
“It’s not over ‘till it’s over?”
“…Something like that,” said Jeff. “But still I mean…man that was tense. I…”
“Tony,” called a voice from behind.
Jeff turned, and saw the man who had made the homing device delivery earlier.
“We may have a lead on the girl’s partner. The one who took off in the motorboat.”
“Great,” said Tony standing up. “Jeff I’ve got to follow up on that. Look man,” he spoke lower, “if you’re really having second thoughts maybe you should stop now and try this again…some other time.”
Jeff was quiet. “…How could I do that?”
“I have a friend in the front office, and with the way this evening went down you’re going to be pretty popular anyway,” he said, just above a whisper. “Where, where are you going now, you going home?”
“Where am I going?”
“While you await your next phase of training, since you can’t stay here, where are you going?”
“I’m…”
“You have to report that.”
“I’m…” Jeff remembered something, “I need to get to Fourside.”
“Fourside? Okay. Brooks, can you arrange to have this man sent to Fourside?”
“Will do,” said the man, replacing Tony’s hand on Jeff’s back as they walked. “Good work there.”
“Thanks,” said Jeff.
They all entered a limo—in which Jeff found his bag from earlier—and were driven off.
*Jeff: If this is what they call training I’d hate to see an actual mission. Okay, so things didn’t exactly go as planned. Some say they rarely ever do. No matter what you’re talking about. To top it off I’ve still got that statue to worry about later. Is this really what the future holds for young Jeff Andonuts? I’ve never had such a hot summer night…and it’s only springtime.*
Day Five
—But Not Anymore
-Onett University,
12:55p.m.
The bell rang about 25 minutes ago, and several students have taken their usual places outside for lunch.
Watching them closely every few minutes is a girl named Paula, who sits alone with a bag and reading material both made of paper.
Eventually, a girl from one group stands and begins walking towards the one hiding her face.
During the seconds before contact, Paula learns everything the girl plans to say, and considers a few answers.
“Excuse me…hey,” the older girl laughs.
“Hi,” says Paula with a polite smile.
“Um, are you visiting…or did you already start here?”
“I may be coming here in the fall, so I was just, checkin’ it out for a few minutes y’know.”
“Really? Cool. Well my friends and I were just…y’know if you’re bored or whatever you can come over and talk with us,” she clapped her hands gently.
“…Sure. Thanks,” said Paula, slowly putting her lunch back in her bag.
“Yeah. I mean we’ll…give you some advice and all,” smiled the older girl.
Paula grinned, gathered her things, and began walking—noticing the girls at the table up the hill glance at her.
“Beats being alone,” said the girl.
“…Yeah,” smiled Paula.
“So, your spring break is this week?”
-Dalaam
One day when he was a young boy, Poo stated he would only rule as prince if those closest to him, his grandfather and chief advisor, remained at his side. When he got a little older, Poo vowed he would only become king under the same conditions. Just yesterday, Poo delayed his coronation, stating he would only become king…once the matter at hand had been resolved.
Today he planned on resolving the matter at hand. Walking around in the cave of Pink Cloud yet again—Poo stopped…and reached for the sword on his back.
Seconds later he lowered his hand again.
“…How much longer are you going to play around in my head?” said Poo—mentally.
He looked around.
“Might as well come out with it,” he continued, “I know everything…almost. Stop the games and face me. I’m alone this time.”
“…Is that truly your wish?” said a deep voice, communicating directly with his mind.
“…So…” thought Poo.
“You cannot defeat me…because…”
“I am the reason for your being here,” said Poo.
“So you have an understanding of this…”
“Yes. I know…I know how you operate. I’ve studied. You…are the spiritual form of the Mani-Mani. You’re a nightmare. Created by the negative energies of one who carries the gift of Psi, once they concentrate them in a Sanctuary.”
“Indeed.”
“It can’t happen with just anyone who enters the grounds. They either have the power of Psi…or possibly, if they’ve been exposed to one of your brothers in the physical realm…then sometimes that can trigger your creation as well.”
“You have great potential…”
“But you can only survive in, or near, the place of your birth…or a place similar to it. Which is why I’ve come here to face you.”
“This is indeed true.”
“But as far as I know…you may not even be my Nightmare. Perhaps you’re the one from Fourside. Perhaps you’re Jeff’s. Perhaps you can still communicate with me…”
Poo was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of several Conducting Menaces and Starmen…which materialized out of thin air yet again.
Poo paused…then chuckled.
-Twoson
“Hey…what’s up?” asked Paula’s dad.
“Not much,” said Paula with a grin, closing the door.
“Did you find whatever you were looking for?” asked her mom.
“Well I…I’ve got something of a dinner date tonight,” said Paula.
“Really… …” said her mom.
“Yeah. I…I made some friends—so to speak—and they invited me to a party tonight, at the university.”
“Will there…be any boys at this party?” asked her dad.
“At least one I met earlier. I don’t know he…may invite some more friends as well. I don’t know.”
Paula’s mom looked at her dad.
“Look I’ll be back before 11 this time…promise,” said Paula. “I need this. You guys are always saying it. I need to be out a little more. These are some really nice people and I trust them. It’s a school practically up the street…not a club somewhere.”
Her parents looked at each other. “Excuse us,” said her dad with a smile.
Paula rolled her eyes.
-Dalaam
“Are we done wasting time yet?” asked Poo after standing himself up.
“Have I given you your answers?” said the voice in his head.
“…Well perhaps so.” Poo thrust both hands forward…and clinched his fists a bit. He held his pose, then turned his head, followed by the rest of his body. “…All of those…monsters. …They were ones I was personally disturbed by at some point. That’s one of your abilities isn’t it?”
“An ability only enabled by you.”
“You’re… …you’re able to summon our most personal fears. The enemies we were each unnerved the most by…and give them physical form. Just like yourself.”
“Correct.”
“All of them. Even the ones that there were only one of. For Ness…it was the Kraken. He told me.
For Jeff it was probably the goat. That was one of them anyway. That and the Starmen.”
There was silence.
“…But for me…”
Poo stopped.
“Trying to hide it from me won’t help,” said the voice.
“Show yourself!” said Poo.
“I know…I already know.”
Suddenly, something caught the side of Poo’s eye. Poo paused…and took a few steps backward after turning.
“It was unlike anything you had ever seen,” said the voice.
Poo was quiet.
“Unlike anything we, had ever seen.”
“No!” said Poo. “We are not one.”
“Unlike anything we were ever used to.”
Poo kept moving backwards as the enemy approached.
“A living, moving, huge, terrifying organic machine.”
The Electro Specter kept marching towards Poo.
Poo stood his ground…then closed his eyes.
“I’m not afraid…I’m not afraid…”
The Electro Specter kept moving.
“I’m NOT!” yelled Poo opening his eyes.
Suddenly, Poo rushed forth, as if to prove what he said, and attempted to physically tackle his opponent.
The Electro Specter barely budged, and reached down to lift the boy above his head.
Poo was shocked by the ease in which it happened…and soon found himself flying back to where he had stood.
Poo landed, painfully, and rolled, lying somewhat still in the seconds afterward.
The Electro Specter marched forward again.
Poo was still.
The enemy continued.
Poo rolled again suddenly, facing his opponent, and launched Starstorm.
The Electro Specter was pushed backward and rocked a bit.
Poo sprung up, and sent forth a powerful blast of Psi Freeze.
The target was hit…and stopped moving.
An angry Poo rushed forward, jumped…and launched a flying kick at the enemy.
The Electro Specter was freed from the ice just in time to swing a hard backhand, striking Poo in the air and sending him down to the side.
“Just give up. It’s what you always want to do,” said the voice.
Poo held his side.
The Electro Specter advanced again.
Poo pulled himself up, panting a little.
Then, he reached backward again, and freed a sword made of sharpened gold.
The Electro Specter was not affected.
Poo stood where he was, swung his sword into position, leaned a bit…and launched his Starstorm Omega.
The Electro Specter again took a few steps backward, pausing afterward.
Poo ran forward again, and jumped right on his opponent, clinging to it’s head with one hand.
Poo took strike after strike…concentrating his strength on the head of The Electro Specter.
Suddenly The Electro Specter grabbed Poo with one arm, and delivered quite a charge to the boy’s body.
Poo yelled a bit, and fell off of the enemy, stumbling backwards.
The Electro Specter’s eyes weren’t what they once were, but it seemingly didn’t need them. Another loud electrical charge was launched at the boy standing up.
Poo quickly teleported…arriving right behind his opponent.
The Electro Specter began turning, and was again assaulted by a series of violent swings from a golden sword.
Poo swung and swung, noticing the damage he was inflicting as the enemy stumbled backwards.
Poo breathed a bit…then swung again.
The Electro Specter was knocked backwards a bit.
Poo kept taking breaths…then swung again—missing.
Poo swung one more time, and metal chimed on metal.
Then Poo drove the sword into the ground before him, and with a loud growl, launched one last powerful shot of Starstorm.
The attack connected, as the Electro Specter futilely threw it’s arms up in defense.
After the loud sound in the cave ended, Poo was alone again.
The prince dropped to one knee as he clung to the sword.
“…Face me,” said Poo in his mind.
“Poo,” called a voice from behind.
Poo turned in shock.
“Ada…? What are you doing here? Go! Please, it’s not…it’s not safe.”
“Poo…”
“…Wait…is it really you?”
“Don’t hurt me, Poo.”
“Stop…st, stay there.”
“Poo…”
Poo dropped his sword and stepped backwards. “I…I won’t hurt you Ada. You know that…I…”
“Poo come here.”
“…Ada what are you doing? Put…put down the sword.”
“Poo…come over here.”
“Ada what are you doing?! Don’t!”
“Poo…I can’t stop…”
“Ada look what you’re doing to yourself! Stop it!”
“The statue is controlling me Poo. It’s able to reach me as well. I can’t fight it. Stop me.”
Poo moved forward, then slowed down.
“Poo…”
Poo was having a very difficult moment.
“Poo! Soon I’ll be gone Poo. Aren’t you going to save me?”
“I…”
“If you can’t save me then…you can’t save anyone. You can’t help anyone. You’re right about yourself. You are unfit to be king. So unfit…”
Poo paused in horror…then moved forward again.
“Yes Poo…closer…”
“Ada just stop. Stop.”
“Poo…help me…”
“Put it down!” he yelled.
“Poo…”
“Put down the sword! Stop this.” he said moving in angrily.
“Poo I…”
Poo stepped up and reached for the sword.
Suddenly the sword drew back…then quickly thrust forward.
The attack bounced off of Poo…stunning the assailant.
“…I thought so,” said Poo.
Poo stepped back…and launched a third blast of Psi Starstorm.
The target was sent flying backwards after standing up, and rolling after hitting the ground again.
“Perhaps you didn’t notice…but at some point during that little battle with your minion…I slipped on a power shield,” said the prince as he walked forward and picked up the sword.
Poo’s Nightmare lost the form of Ada, and revealed it’s true form. One of an adult sized, animated, glowing red statue.
“Using something…or someone that personal to me was unforgivable,” said an angry Poo. “I don’t know how you knew about Ada, since I met her after I created you. And I don’t know why you’re doing this…but it ends now,” he said, returning the sword to it’s sheath.
The Nightmare barely stood up.
A quick, violent blast of Freeze sent it back down.
The Nightmare shook, almost nervously.
“…Not so in control at the moment,” said Poo as he advanced. “Not so…”
“Prince!” called a voice from the cave’s entrance. The voice of a real teenage boy.
“…Not now,” called Poo, turning back to the Nightmare.
“It’s your grandfather!”
Poo stopped. “…What?!”
“Poo I…I think…”
Poo looked at the boy…then glanced back at the Nightmare, noticing it fading away…similar to the way Jeff’s had in the Fourside store.
Poo ran towards the entrance.
-Twoson
Much later, there was a knock at the door of Polestar Preschool.
“…Oh, hey Ness,” said Paula’s mom.
“Hi,” said a boy with a shy smile.
“Sorry, she’s not here.”
“Oh…I…”
“She was invited to a party up at the school. Onett U, I mean. By a group of people she just met today.”
“…Oh.”
“Did you hear anything about it? Is this an open house kind of thing?”
“…No. I don’t…think so,” said Ness.
“Yeah well,” Paula’s mom rolled her eyes, “she just said some guy and his friends invited her after they had a short conversation at lunch, so…it may have been a spur of the moment thing.”
Ness began taking a few steps backwards. “Well…thanks. Sorry to disturb you.”
“Oh no, no,” smiled Paula’s mom. “See you later.”
“…Bye.”
Ness waved, and began walking away.
Minutes later he teleported back to Twinbrook.
-Dalaam
“…I had the chance…” said Poo.
“Shh,” said Ada.
“I mean I…I got so worried about grandfather. I was so afraid that this time…”
They both were quiet.
“So I chose him over the opportunity. I could have destroyed that thing but…
…It was right. This proves that I’m not really strong enough to lead…”
“No Poo. You were concerned about another. You put that ahead of everything else. This proves that you are really strong enough.”
Poo was quiet.
Then he chuckled a little and hid his eyes.
“Are you crying?”
“No…I…I won’t,” said Poo.
-Twoson
“Well I’m glad you had a good time,” said Paula’s dad.
“Hmmp,” said Paula to herself, sounding rather bored.
“Now I wish you’d get some sleep, so I could be sure you were going to be ready to paint tomorrow.”
“It’s not ‘till the afternoon right?” said Paula.
“Ah, paint…” said her mom. “Do you guys remember?”
“What?” grinned Paula’s dad.
“The day when Polly was little…and some paint was accidentally spattered all over her favorite bear?”
“…Oh…oh yeah that stuffed little thing,” said her dad. “Didn’t you have that around a few years ago?”
“Mmm, hm,” nodded Paula.
“…You cried up such a storm,” said her mom.
“Well I was pretty much a crybaby then,” said Paula standing up. “Upset when things didn’t go my way.” She began walking. “But not anymore.”
Paula walked upstairs, pulling the red ribbon from her head.
Day Six
—A Day Unlike Any Other
-Fourside
“Mr. Spoon…?”
The man being spoken to turned.
“…Do you remember me?” asked Jeff. “Um, you may not remember but…”
“…Jeff. Jeff An…”
“Andonuts.”
“Andonuts,” smiled Mr. Spoon as he extended his hand.
“Hi.”
“How’ve you been boy?” asked the man, still smiling.
“Well I…I’m all right.”
“Well…you and your friends save the world twice…twice…and you don’t come to visit for so long.”
“Yeah I’m…we’re sorry about that. It’s just that now I think there may be…” Jeff leaned in a bit closer and whispered, “something, else, down there, you know.”
“Oh…oh…”
“Yeah.”
“You, you mean…something…something…”
“Something else.”
“Something else.”
“Yeah,” said Jeff.
“Okay…o-kay.”
“Can I go, could I go down there and, you know, check?”
“…Oh sure, sure,” said Mr. Spoon. “Certainly…just let me grab a weapon or two myself and I’ll go with you.”
“Ah, no. No sir. I mean it could get very dangerous down there. And I don’t want…”
Mr. Spoon was already heading out the door. “I’ll be right back. Just let me run to the back room over there.”
“But I…oh boy,” said Jeff, spinning a little in place.
Twenty seconds later, Jeff pulled open the entrance leading underground, and started climbing down the ladder.
-Twoson
“…You all right?”
“…Hmm? Oh, yeah. Yeah I’m fine,” said Paula, who smiled and went back to painting.
*Paula: …Is it in Fourside again?*
“…You know that’s just where it happened,” said her mom.
“Where what happened?”
“Your bear. The day you were little and paint got knocked all over it.”
“Mm.”
“You were so sad that…once we finally managed to clean it, you didn’t want him anymore, because you could still see some of the color. I remember…he was your best buddy back then.”
Paula grinned.
“So I just put him up somewhere,” said her mom.
“I remember.”
“Now you do. I remember how you forgot about him over the years.”
Paula was quiet.
“But then…then a few years ago you remembered, and you pulled him out and showed him to us. You were so happy to have him back at first…”
Paula looked down a bit with a grin.
“But then you thought about that little girl down the street. The one who used to come to the school who was about to move away.”
“…Skye,” said Paula.
“Mm hm, Skye,” said her mom with a grin. “So you decided…and it was hard for you…”
“It was not.”
“It was so. I could tell. It was hard for you…but you decided to go and give the bear to her.”
Paula looked down again in silence.
Her mom was quiet too.
Paula looked back up and continued working.
“…That was when you didn’t come back. A few days or so after that, that meteorite hit Onett,” said her mom.
Paula kept painting.
“What didhappen to that bear anyway?”
“I lost h…I lost it. On the trip back here,” said Paula. “Couldn’t keep it safe.”
“…Oh.”
Paula was quiet.
“Your best buddy,” said Paula’s mom to herself. “Anyway, your dad says keep up the good work. He’ll be back…soon I think.”
Paula suddenly frowned a bit.
“What, what’s wrong?”
“…NNNothing. Nothing, it’s just…I keep…thinking about something.”
-Fourside
Jeff dropped down from the ladder, ducked, and aimed his blaster almost all in one motion.
Then he looked around…and started running forward.
“Why do I feel like I’m in one of those first person shooter games?” he thought.
“…Reality is far more dangerous than fantasy,” said a deep voice in his head.
Jeff stopped.
“…”
“…I am you Jeff.”
“…What?
He became nervous.
Seconds afterward, several zombies—seemingly straight out of Threed—and a Gruff Goat appeared.
“…”
“You cannot escape your fate,” said the voice.
Jeff stepped back.
The zombies and the goat hesitated, then charged him all at once.
Jeff reached out and pushed one of the oil drums beside him in the water. He ran back a bit more…then turned and fired.
Just as his enemies reached the drum, a sudden explosion jumped in all of their faces.
The zombies were thrown back, and the goat was stunned in place.
“I thought I smelt oil in that thing,” said Jeff. “Don’t know why it’s down here, but…”
Jeff began firing.
Within a minute, the zombies and the goat had taken all they could…and disappeared.
“…Whatever my fate is…” thought Jeff, “…it’s not up to you.”
“Are you certain?” asked the voice.
“Right now I’m not certain of anything…except that I’m going to win this.”
Jeff’s Nightmare appeared before him…standing right where it’s fallen minions had been among the dying fire.
Jeff was shocked, but stood his ground. Slowly, he raised his weapon.
“So this is how it works,” said Jeff mentally. “You create these things based on my most personal fears. My most personal thoughts, perhaps?”
“You are wise indeed.”
“Same with Poo…in Dalaam, now…now I get it,” said Jeff. “Some of it at least.”
The statue was still.
“Well? Why don’t you bring more? Try and finish me off.”
The statue remained quiet.
“…It’s ‘cause you can’t, can you? Not yet anyway.”
The statue kept still.
“You need time to recharge your energies after you do something. Time probably based on my own current state of mind. That’s why you fled the other day isn’t it? …And I’m guessing the place you need to go for this recharge…”
Suddenly the statue disappeared.
“…Oh no you don’t.”
Within seconds Jeff was back up the ladder.
“Okay Jeff I’m read…hey. Where you going?” said Mr. Spoon.
Jeff put his blaster away and started running through the museum.
Mr. Spoon followed.
--“Looks like rain,” said Spoon, seconds after they had gotten outside. “…So…where are we going?” he asked, running alongside Jeff.
“We’re…I’m going to the department store,” said Jeff.
“Oh come on…” he spoke between breaths, “I can help you out at least. I’ve always wanted to get in on this adventure stuff.”
Jeff glanced at the man as they steadily approached the store.
Seconds later, they entered.
“…Okay…what now?” asked Spoon.
Jeff quickly headed for the escalators.
Spoon followed.
“Oh, if my mom could see me now…helping a hero save the world,” said Spoon with a grin on their way up.
Jeff glanced at him again while catching his breath, then turned his attention upwards.
Upon reaching the second floor, Jeff walked over to a window, paused…then walked back towards the center of the loud room.
“So what do we got boss?” asked Spoon.
“I…I’ve got to get down there somehow,” said Jeff.
“Down there?”
“…Yeah…” Jeff turned away, “…down there. There’s another way…but this is the short cut…I…”
“WHOOPS!” said Spoon suddenly.
Jeff turned around, and saw a cart full of merchandise rolling towards the window.
“Wait I…”
‘CRASH!’
…It was the next loud sound heard in the store. The cart put a fairly large hole in the window, dropping several items into the Sanctuary just behind the store below.
“Oh man,” said Jeff under his breath, quietly snapping his fingers and making a face at Mr. Spoon.
“Aw man,” said another teenage boy nearby. “I might just have to stop coming here for a little while.”
“It’s too weird lately,” laughed another.
“I heard that,” said a boy standing next to them.
Mr. Spoon shrugged his shoulders at Jeff and grinned somewhat. “…Oh, sorry. Sorry,” he said in a loud voice looking away. “So sorry about that. Henry…why don’t you go and try to get some of those items before the…the workers show up.”
Jeff paused…then got the idea and headed for the window.
“What is he doing?” said one girl nearby.
“Stand back now,” said Mr. Spoon to the kids, “glass everywhere.”
An announcement came over the intercom regarding the ‘accident.’
After pushing the cart back a little, Jeff paused a bit, then jumped the short distance down into the Sanctuary.
“…So this is where it started huh?” he said to himself.
He quickly stepped over to a ladder leading downward again, and used it.
“…All right,” thought Jeff. “I know you’re still here. Face me.”
There was no response.
“This is what you do…isn’t it? You have to stay in, or near the Sanctuary. Or a Sanctuary. The spiritual place where you were ‘created.’ The only place you can really survive in physical form. You can…you can instantly warp between different Sanctuaries…can’t you?”
There was still no response.
“…What I want to know is…how did you know to summon those zombies? I wasn’t really that scared of them until…around last summer when I had to fight them without my friends.”
Jeff looked around, waiting for an attack.
“That was way after I…‘created’ you, or whatever. How and why are you attacking…”
Before Jeff could finish, the Nightmare appeared just a few feet beside him.
Almost immediately afterwards, the well experienced boy ducked, swung around, and blasted.
The powerful beam sent the red statue down.
Jeff paused. “…”
The statue wasn’t communicating with him.
“Did you have to try and attack me yourself because I was too confident at the moment?”
There was no response.
“Before I send you back to whatever void you came from…I want some answers,” said Jeff moving in closer. “I…”
The Nightmare began fading.
Jeff fired another blast.
The Nightmare escaped before impact.
Jeff sighed…stood still for a few seconds…put his blaster away, then climbed back up into the Sanctuary.
Rain gently touched his head as he emerged. Jeff looked up.
Several customers, and Mr. Spoon were staring at him…as a few workers began lowering a ladder.
“Uh…hi,” said Jeff with a smile. “Just…” he gathered some of the fallen items, “helping out here. Making up for the accident. Nothing down there by the way.”
“Okay climb on up so we can take it from here,” said one man.
“It was my fault. I caused it,” said Mr. Spoon.
“Don’t worry…we just need to get that customer out of there.”
“Nice job, uh, Henry,” called Spoon.
“Thank you…Sean,” said Jeff.
“Sean?” thought Mr. Spoon.
--Minutes later, Jeff returned to the Fourside hotel.
-Twoson
Paula was painting alone again. The rain was coming down harder but she didn’t want to stop.
“No…not after I’ve spent half the day…”
Paula stuck the brush in can on the ladder next to hers. Rain was falling in, mixing with the paint.
“…Mom…whose house did you run to now?”
Paula rubbed her tired hands a bit, standing about halfway up the ladder.
Rain kept beating down on her scarf and overalls. She concentrated…ignoring it…and discovered she couldn’t sense the presence she thought she had noticed in Fourside anymore.
“Well that’s good,” she thought. “…Now stop, raining!”
The rain kept coming, mixing into the wet paint.
“My dad’s gonna be so disappointed. Come on…” she thought.
The rain kept pouring.
Paula sighed.
She soon looked around and realized she couldn’t see anyone else still outside.
“I don’t care…I’m not going to let this ruin my work. I’m finishing. I…”
After a few seconds, Paula thought about just going inside.
Then, she reached for the pail, and pulled the brush out.
She stroked…and stroked…and stroked.
The rain wouldn’t let up.
Paula began a song in her head, and continued stroking.
The rain began getting in her eyes, and running down her nose.
Paula reached for the pail of paint again, dipped a bit, then continued.
The loud rain kept beating on her head.
Paula began singing the song out loud.
The rain sang louder.
Paula spoke up as she brushed.
The rain continued.
Paula brushed her eyes a bit, letting out a soft breath…then reached for the pail above her yet again.
Suddenly, as Paula was singing louder than ever, she slipped…falling to the ground and dragging the bucket of paint down with her.
It splattered all over Paula’s chest and stomach, getting on her chin a bit as well.
Paula pulled herself up on her elbows…gritting through the pain and frustration.
The rain continued, hitting Paula several times in the face.
Suddenly, instead of standing up, Paula decided to just lay there…and she began crying.
She also laughed a little, as she pushed the bucket off of her. The paint was flowing everywhere.
“I just wanted to finish the job for you dad…”
Paula remained still…then began pulling herself up a little as rain and tears rolled down her face.
Suddenly, Paula heard footsteps rushing towards her…but not before feeling something in her head.
“Paula!”
“…No, no…Ness! Ness don’t come near…don’t…”
“Are you all right?” he said reaching her.
Paula stood up. “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine, I’m fine…” she turned away.
“Are you okay?” he said, taking her elbows.
“No don’t! You…you look too nice. I don’t want you to see me this…this…” Paula began crying again.
The rain continued.
“It’s okay,” he said, letting her go.
“What are you doing here?” asked Paula, dripping with paint and water.
“…I…” Ness shyly looked to the ground.
Paula blinked her eyes in the rain…and slowly looked away.
Suddenly Ness spoke again, “I had to tell you something!”
Paula turned to him, still embarrassed.
“…”
“…What?”
“I…you’re…look. I’ve been keeping things…certain things in…inside…ever since I met you because I didn’t know how to deal with them if I let them out,” said Ness with every last bit of courage left in his body at the moment.
Paula was quiet, but looked a bit tense.
“…You mean a lot to me, Paula,” said Ness rather quickly.
Rain kept pouring.
“I think about you almost everyday. Almost everyday since I met you. There are just…so many things…that I love about you.”
Paula was stunned.
“You know I…like that song you like,” Ness smiled, “or that thing you do with the kids when you’re watching them. Or…or the way you do your hair. The way you always keep it.”
The rain kept coming down.
“The way you smell. The way you write. The way you shake your leg under the table. You’re just…you are the single nicest person I have ever met in my life. You always think of others, and try to help them out. You have such a conscience. If there’s something you need to do…or something you don’t feel right about, you take care of it.”
Paula stood speechless…and motionless.
“You’re so good in school…you’re so good at cooking…you’re so…so nice to people. So caring and so honest and so polite and so kind and I just have the biggest crush on you that just won’t leave me alone.” Ness caught his breath.
Paula lost hers.
“…I care about you Paula. I think about you…a lot. I just didn’t know how, or when to say it and I know this isn’t exactly the perfect time and I…I’m sorry if I said anything to upset you…but I need to be with you for a little while. I want to. I really want to,” Ness smiled, then looked back at the ground.
Paula was silent.
Ness took one of her hands. “Don’t go searching for new friends if you’re lonely. Don’t…I mean, please don’t hang out with college kids you barely know.
You belong with me.”
Paula’s eyes widened.
“I’m…I’m so sorry I never told you this before. I don’t want you to feel lonely, or unsure of whether or not I’ll talk to you if you call or come over. I…if you’re going to the school in Onett this fall then that’s where I’m going to. I want to follow you…wherever…”
Paula’s eyes fell to the ground again, and her tears slowly dropped.
Ness looked at the paint on her chest. “…So what happened?”
“…What…oh! Oh…it’s…it’s just. Don’t come too close, you’ll get it on you,” she said as the rain fell on both of them.
Ness paused, then began drawing Paula in closer.
“No…no Ness,” said Paula sobbing. “You’ll get messy…”
Ness pulled her closer.
“Ness…” said Paula with a whimper.
Ness pulled Paula in as close as he could, and gave her a firm hug.
Paula was silently weeping as the rain touched her forehead.
“…It’s okay,” said Ness with a smile, “we can both be messy.”
Paula slowly brought her hands up Ness’s back, and felt her face grow warmer and warmer.
Ness held Paula, feeling a bit differently than he ever had before when they hugged.
Slowly, Ness began letting her go…then hugged her again.
Paula clenched the back of Ness’s shirt, and Ness rubbed the back of her head.
Then Ness let her go.
Paula was still clinging to him.
“Can you…can you go inside and write your mom a note? She’s not home is she?”
“No,” said Paula.
“Well can you leave her a note. Just tell her you’re with me and you’re okay and you’ll be back before break’s over.”
“…Okay,” whispered Paula.
Paula gathered her paint supplies, and carried them inside.
A minute later, she locked up and came back out.
“Where are we going? Your place?” she asked.
“…No,” said Ness.
“Jeff’s place? I, I mean he’s away and his dad probably has a key.”
“No,” smiled Ness.
“…Poo’s,” grinned Paula, taking his hand.
“No,” said Ness.
“Back to Twinbrook then. With your family.”
“…No,” Ness smiled.
“…Then where?” asked a still teary eyed Paula.
“…You’ll see,” said Ness with a grin.
Seconds later, the two teleported.
-To be concluded