CHAPTER XXXVIII: Miracles do happen!
For Paula, it was an empty victory. She sat there, cradling the head of her love in her lap, cupping her soft hand to the side of his face, her tears thinning the blood on his cheeks.
"Bound to the earth," She half-said, half-sang. "My EarthBound Knight...you fought so bravely, and...look at you now..."
Poo and Jeff were sitting as well, their faces pale. Their best friend had just passed from life covered in blood and glory, yet it wasn't enough solace that he had saved their world.
"He gave his life," Jeff sighed. "For us..."
"And for everything we stand for," Poo responded quietly. "He was the Chosen One...a true hero, born and bred. He laid down his life to save our world, and...now..."
The bemused and tear-filled faces of the Mr. Saturns encircled them, along with Apple Kid and Dr. Andonuts.
Paula was frozen. She was remembering every kiss they had shared, every time their hands had brushed together by accident, every time she had locked eyes with him. She remembered wanting him to forget about the journey against Giygas for one moment, to let it all go and kiss her.
And that moment had never happened.
"You loved him...?" A new voice asked.
She looked up, her tear-filled eyes focusing dimly on the hovering spirit of Buzz Buzz.
"More than anything..." She whispered. "I loved him more than I did my own life...I somehow knew I would love him when I first set eyes on him in Happy Happy Village. But...now..."
She broke out sobbing, burying her face in her hands.
"You three, along with Ness, have saved this world," Buzz Buzz said sagely. "You have fought well, and triumphed over many hardships. You have sacrificed much in your pursuit, and Ness--as you can see--offered the ultimate sacrifice in the name of world peace."
A shaft of light pierced the clouds over Saturn Valley, falling on Paula, and the body of Ness cradled in her lap. A small spark drifted from that beam, like a falling star moving slowly towards them. It passed briefly by Paula, filling her face with a sort of sad wonder.
"And now," Buzz Buzz said quietly. "Here is your reward."
The spark settled on Ness' chest. The wounds he was covered with began to slowly heal over, the blood on his body melting away. Even his torn and bloody clothes mended themselves. A brief wind kicked up pulling at the black lock of hair that stuck out from under his red baseball cap.
With a shudder, Ness drew in a huge breath. His eyes opened, locking with Paula's. Those brown orbs widened, as did hers.
"Paula?" he asked weakly.
"NESS!"
They were kissing, arms wrapped around each other. Ness, who had never returned this particular gesture, suddenly found himself kissing her back, but was a bit surprised when he felt her tongue worming into his mouth.
A great cheer ran through the ranks of Mr. Saturns surrounding them. A huge cry, Mr. Saturns leaning out of buildings, throwing makeshift confetti, chattering wildly to each other in that strange Saturnian talk. Dr. Andonuts hugged his son Jeff in the wildest excitement, and Apple Kid and Poo were running back and forth, setting up cries of joy.
It was the greatest day planet Earth had ever seen!
They were on their way to Onett. They had decided to walk for old time's sake, strolling past Grapefruit Falls, walking through the musty autumn streets of Threed, passing to Twoson and spending a day near the place where Ness and Elwood had played that wonderful song.
And finally, they came to Onett.
The streets were cleansed of monsters, and the citizens of Onett were out on the streets, greeting their saviors with open arms. Matt was there, and Frank, and most of the Sharks gang (now reformed, and working on canned food drives), and so was Captain Strong, leading the "Onett Police Force 17th Precinct Marching Band" in a congratulatory march through the city streets.
Ness had no idea how they had learned of Giygas, or the battle for the earth's future, but he didn't care. All he cared about was his friends, his family, and the road that took them home.
When they reached Ness' house, just at the base of the northern plateau, the door was thrown open. Ness' mom, Tracy, and King all flew out of the house in a collective heap, tackling Ness.
"Oh, my son!" His mother yelled. "I'm so proud of you! You beat up that Giggle, or whatever, and you saved the world! Now, I'm just going to have to brag to the neighbors about this, aren't I?"
Tracy was hugging his leg. "You're the coolest, bro!" She yelled.
Even King was all over him. "My master," He barked in the wildest excitement. "He saved the world! I am the luckiest dog on the planet!"
"Ease up on him," Paula laughed. "Let's just go inside and talk for a moment, okay?"
"Well, that's perfectly all right with me," Ness' mom said with a laugh. Ness had just told her the plan--Ness, Paula, Jeff and Poo had been together for a year-and-a-half, and they weren't about to split up now. So the young hero had asked his mother (very politely) if his friends could live with them.
"As long as they do their share of the housework," she remarked later. "And help pay for the house extensions."
"Great," Jeff laughed, slapping his knee. "We already talked it over with all of our folks, so it's all set."
That night, Ness stood in his back yard, cradles by the soft glow of the full moon. He clutched the Travel Charm in his hand, looking up at the sky. This pendant was the center of all his memories. Travel--that is what he had been doing, traveling. Traveling to defeat Giygas, but more importantly--traveling with his friends.
"Ness," Poo's voice said from behind.
He turned, eyeing his three friends. The four of them formed a circle in the yard.
"What's up?" Paula asked.
"I was just thinking," He mumbled quietly. "About this whole trip. The travel, the adventure--the good times we shared together. Aren't you guys a bit sad that it's over?"
"I was thinking the same thing," Jeff said, the moon reflected in his glasses. "But it's all right, because we live together now."
"He's right," Poo put in. "And we have the rest of our lives to create the greatest times of our lives!"
Paula kissed him softly, closing her eyes. "And those are treasures that no one can steal," She grinned.
Ness nodded to each friend in turn, then looked up again, the moon filling his vision, reminding him of the journey he had taken...and of the memories and lessons he had gained along the way.