One minute Jeff's being chased by an army of Ego Orbs, the next he's in his bed, blinking sleepily as his eyes adjust to the dim light trickling in from the hall. Whew, only a dream. He shakes his head, then settles back into a comfortable position under the blankets, hoping he can get back to sleep. He's got a physics exam first thing in the morning, and he can't break his streak -- five straight A's on physics tests.
Snuggling his face against the pillow, Jeff closes his eyes. He can't help but remember another time when he was awakened by a dream -- no ordinary dream, no nightmare either, a special time, when he awoke to the sound of a female voice that only he could hear.
I am Paula, and I am with another friend, Ness... We are trying to contact you... If you hear this message, please wake up and... head south! Her voice was still so clear in Jeff's mind; he would never forget fading into consciousness and into a quest that would change his life at the same time.
He had looked over at Tony, noticed he was still sleeping, slipped quietly out of bed and got dressed. Wearing his green school uniform, he snuck across the room when Tony woke up, questioning him. The truth was, Jeff was questioning himself. What was he doing, running off in the middle of the night like this in response to some voice he'd heard in his head? Had this all been just a dream? If so, Jeff would look pretty foolish returning to Snow Wood after venturing out into the snow for no reason at all. Yet somehow, he knew this wasn't just a dream, that it was real.
Only you, though far away, can help us, Jeff... Paula's voice had sounded so sincere, so pleading, so real... Jeff knew he couldn't just turn away and go back to bed. This wasn't just some dream. Only he could help Paula and her friend, Ness... for once in his life, only he could go the distance, make a difference in a life. He wasn't used to that.
That was his thought as Jeff escaped from Snow Wood Boarding School in the wee hours of the morning, knowing only that he was southbound, looking for an avenue to Paula and Ness. Only me. I'm the only one that can help them... Usually, people only wanted Jeff when they were struggling with some tough chemistry homework or needed their toaster fixed. But today, for the first time ever, someone wanted Jeff to be the hero, to come to the rescue, to save the day, to save them. Jeff could tell from Paula's distressed call that she and Ness were in big trouble; otherwise, she wouldn't have enlisted the aid of a stranger. And yet, Jeff felt like he knew them already, or Paula at least... he'd heard her voice, heard her crying for help, for him to come. He felt needed for the first time in his life, and it felt good.
Jeff yawns sleepily. He's recalling the early morning darkness that met his eyes as he began that fateful journey through the Winters countryside, the way the snow crunched beneath his feet as he walked along, picking up the Bubble Monkey on the way. Feeling wanted, feeling needed. Jeff had always been one of few friends. His roommate Tony followed him around like a shadow, but that wasn't really the kind of attention Jeff wanted. He had often found himself wishing he had more real friends, people to visit, talk to, laugh with. Most of all, he longed to feel needed, accepted and needed, not just a physics tutor but a friend. He wanted to really help someone, the kind of help that counts... to be where he was needed. Fate was smiling upon him, granting his wish, making him feel whole, and warm inside.
He thinks ahead in his mind, past his trek through the snow, down to the shores of Lake Tess, across the waves on the back of the mythical sea creature Tessie. The wind whipped through his blond hair, swiped at his face, left his cheeks red and dry and cold. He remembers starting to feel like he was on a quest for the first time when he was in Brickroad's dungeon, solving the puzzle quickly to escape. In his mind's eye, Jeff can see himself starting through the Pond Cave with some apprehension, taking note of the Shining Spot, that message... Only Ness can absorb the power of this place. It was then that Jeff began to realize the magnitude of the adventure he about to embark on... this Paula and her friend Ness were obviously important people, destined for greatness... was this his destiny too?
Jeff smiles. In his memory, he can see himself coming out of the cave now, meeting up with his father, piloting the Sky Runner from Winters to Threed... that crash landing, and the first time he saw their faces, Paula's and Ness's. He remembers... they were smiling. They had called for him, and he had come to them, to their rescue. I hope you want me to be your friend... okay? Even surrounded by smiles, Jeff's shyness showed through... but it was okay. Paula and Ness welcomed him into their party. Jeff had never had a prouder moment than when he used the Bad Key Machine to open the door, freeing himself and his new friends. It felt good to have made that journey, to be really wanted, really needed. Thinking, feeling, breathing this, Jeff drifts back into dreams... dreams of that morning when his life changed.