EPILOUGE

The moon was high that autumn night, a huge, bloated harvest moon. Fat and orange, it stood in the sky like some huge sentinel.

They were having a barbecue party to celebrate the victory won by Ness, Paula, Jeff, and Poo. Ness' mom was making burgers and hot dogs on the grill, and Apple Kid was serving punch. Everyone lounged about, talking of memories past, and their connections with the Chosen Four. Everyone was there. Paula's parents, Poo's sensei, Dr. Andonuts, Frank, Captain Strong, Monotoli, the Captain and his wife, Marcie. Everdred was there, and Mr. Saturn. Aaron and Simon Goldigger were showing off their fabulous wealth from the mining business, and Lier X. Aggerate was showing off his fine physique. The music was live--"Live by the Runaway Five", the band had rhymed.

Japanese paper lanterns and Roman candles graced the back yard of Ness' house. Ness himself wandered between the patrons, giving high-fives and exchanging stories. He carried a glass of punch in each hand, and had to set one down whenever he talked to someone.

Finally, he arrived at Paula. She was sitting on a metal folding chair. Glancing up at him, she smiled. He smiled as well, handing her the glass of punch.

"Thank you," She said quietly.

"Somethin' wrong?" He asked just as quietly, sitting next to her.

"Nothing at all," She replied, grinning at him. "Just remembering."

"I've been doing that a lot in the last week since we beat Giygas," The young man nodded sagely. "It's only natural, I suppose."

"We'd like to dedicate this next song to a very special couple here tonight," Elwood said into the microphone. "Paula Polestar, and Ness! They rock the house! Give it up, and let's all have a nice, slow song in their memory!"

Ness stood, offering his hand to Paula. She grinned, taking it. They made their way to the middle of the lawn, hands locked together, opposite hands on the other's waists. They began dancing as a heavy bass chord and lonely harmonica whined through the crowd, sending other couples to the floor, dancing and snuggling to the slow, measured song.

Without warning, Picky ran onto the lawn, yelling and waving a shred of paper. He broke through the crowd, and stopped the Runaway Five from playing, and went to Ness.

"Ness, dude," he said, panting. "I just got this letter in my mailbox. You'll never guess who it's from!"

"What is it, Picky?" he asked, even as he opened the letter and read aloud:

Dear Pig's Butt,

weapon than Giygas ever was! Soon, Pig's Butt...soon...

-POKEY

A shock ran down his spine as he read the signature. He looked from face to fearful face. He knew that Pokey wouldn't strike yet, not with his strength sapped as it was from the battle over a week ago. But Ness had the sinking feeling that his days as the Chosen One weren't over yet.

He turned to Paula, and crumpled the letter with a smile. "I don't care," he said. "All I care about is what's right here!"

He leaned over and kissed her then, a small cheer going up from the party. Ness pulled back, and threw the letter into the air. From nearby, Poo zapped it with a fire technique.

"Let's get back to the party!" Paula shouted.

"She's right," Ness yelled as well. "Let's dance!"