EarthBound 200X Chapter Eight: Keep Yourself Alive

By Flying Zamboni 2

While Poo was busy telling the story of his past to his comrades, Francis Labs was busy typing away at his computer and sweating profusely.

Ten murders in five hours. The media had barely been able to keep up with the constant reports. This usually wouldn't have caused Francis any amount of stress, but the victims of these attacks had something in common with him; they were all the presidents of major robotics distributors. The mysterious order for illegal weapons parts that he'd received from Dalaam several days earlier was beginning to look more and more like a mistake every time he thought about it. He stopped his typing for a moment and looked up at the eight body guards that he'd been able to hire on such short notice. They all had stern looks on their faces and were pointing their hand guns at the door.

Francis felt slightly comforted and began typing at his computer again. He was browsing through the company database. It was easy to find the record of the legal parts ordered, but the record of the illegal parts was another matter. He'd taken great pains to make sure that all records of his illegal deals were protected by the toughest computer security that he could find. After twenty minutes of furious typing, he was at the fourth to last firewall.

His head shot up, he thought he heard footsteps outside the door.

He decided that it was his imagination and began to enter his password. One down, three to go.

Another sound, this time the guards seemed to have noticed it too. They raised their guns.

Halfway there now. Francis knew that he had to get this list of parts to the public before it was too late. If Dalaam ordered the same type of equipment from the ten other robotics corporations, then they were planning something big.

The footsteps were much louder now. A few of the guards silently moved closer to the door.

Something like war. Only one firewall left.

All at once the footsteps outside the room stopped. The only sound left was the clacking of computer keys.

With a triumphant smile, Francis finished entering the last password. He quickly copied the file and attached it to an email that was to be sent to every major news outlet in the country. He grabbed the mouse and reached for the "send" button.

The power went out. The sound of the door being flung open could be heard through the darkness. The lights suddenly flared back on seconds later.

A tall Dalaamese man in golden armor was crouched on Francis's desk. The man had two katana's drawn and crossed in front of him so that they formed a deadly metal "x" the crux of which was right against the quivering business man's neck. Francis looked at the guards, all of them wavered for a moment and then slumped to the ground, dead. Francis glanced at this computer. His hope was crushed when he saw that the brief cut in the power by his assassins had completely shut down the machine and erased it all.

At last, the assassin spoke, "As captain of the Dalaam Royal Assassin Squad I, Rashal, hereby sentence you to death."

Amazingly enough, Francis was able to speak through his terror, "I give you weapons and technology and this is how you pay me?"

Rashal let out a small laugh, "Oh, you didn't think that we would pay you in gold did you? A country needs money to function Mr. Labs. And besides, you were doing something illegal in selling those weapons to us, in the world that my master plans to create corrupt pigs such as yourself cannot be allowed to live. Consider this a preemptive strike against crime in our future nation."

Francis glared at Rashal with a sudden defiance, "Try and justify your murder anyway you want to, I don't care. It doesn't change the fact that you and your master are nothing more than simple terrorists."

Rashal's face twisted with rage as he searched his mind for a retort. Finding nothing, he uncrossed the "x."

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A crack rang out through the air as the Chosen Four teleported in front of the Threed Hotel. Police cars and news teams littered the scene as the police captain, Captain Matthews, ran up to the four children.

"My God, what are you four doing here?"

Ness raised an eyebrow, "Well, we saw the news and decided to help."

"This is no place for kids like you, even if you are the Chosen Four, we have reason to believe that these guys are trained assassins from Dalaam, very dangerous." Another officer ran up to him and saluted, "What's the word on Johnson's team rookie?"

The rookie gulped, "Sir, he contacted us and said that he'd made it into the hotel's restaurant through the back entrance. Then there were some screams in the background and the, uh, the transmition cut out..."

Matthews sighed and ran his hand through his hair as he sat down on the ground, "Thanks. You kids see what I mean? Let us try and handle this, it's way too dangerous."

Jeff looked at Ness, "Dalaameese assassins? I guess that this means we have to talk to them."

Ness nodded, "Yeah, what do you think Poo?"

He was gone "Where'd he go?"

Paula pointed to the hotel; Poo was quickly walking past the police barricade and to the front door. He glared at the front doors before pulling out his sword and vertically slicing the left one from top to bottom. He swiftly kicked the two halves in and rushed into the building.

Ness sighed, "Great, he's lost it... Jeff, why don't you and Paula get the hostages out? I'll help Poo keep the assassins distracted."

Jeff nodded, "Sure thing, be careful okay?"

Ness winked, "I'm always careful."

Poo quickly knocked out the two guards at the lobby's doors and looked down at them with shock as Ness entered.

"These men were members of the Royal Guard."

"Well then shouldn't they be helping us?"

"I fear that the situation in Dalaam is worse than I had imagined."

A voice rang out through the empty lobby, "Poo, you are hereby charged with treason by the new king of Dalaam. I am here to place you under arrest."

Ness and Poo turned from the guards to see a Dalaameese man wearing a brown cloak over his armor.

Poo began to walk toward him, "Jin? Why are you doing this, where is Agraj?"

"Agraj is no longer in charge, Rashal has taken control."

"As your prince I order you to stand down and take me to him!"

Jin flicked a knife into the ground at Poo's feet, causing him to stop walking, "Dalaam has a new ruler now; your words no longer bear the weight that they once did. Please comply with my earlier request and come quietly, I do not wish to harm you."

Poo looked down at the ground sullenly, "So this is how it has to be? Ness, go through that door behind him and stop Rashal, he should be wearing a jewel on his helmet."

"Don't be stupid, I can help you here!"

"This man before you is one of the deadliest men alive. You do not know enough of his fighting style to stand a chance against him, please go."

Ness saw that he would be unable to sway Poo and ran past Jin and to the door leading into the adjacent hallway. Jin flung out his right arm and from underneath his cloak extended a spearhead attached to a long chain. Ness froze as he saw the weapon approaching him. Poo picked up the knife at his feet and threw it at the spearhead, deflecting enough to cause it to just miss Ness's head.

"Go!"

Ness nodded and ran through the door.

Meanwhile, Jeff and Paula snuck into the back entrance of the hotel and into its small kitchen. They both looked through the small windows of the kitchen's double doors and into the hotel's restaurant. The five hostages were lined up against the farthest wall, all of them on their knees with their hands tied behind their backs. Three men, a woman, and a little girl. In the far left corner of the room were piled the bodies of ten men in full police riot gear. Two men in gold stood in the center of the room while a third stood silently facing the hostages armed with a spear. The taller of the two men appeared to be arguing with the other man who was wearing a small jewel in his helmet.

Jeff looked at Paula, "Can you hear what they're saying?"

She shook her head. Jeff pushed the door open just a little bit and listened.

"I refuse to carry on with this!" Shouted the tall man.

"And why is that Gorj?"

Gorj gave the man a look that said "are you kidding me?" before speaking, "Look at what we've been reduced to since the new master took over? We used to be the king's most trusted men and now we're capturing children! Children Rashal!"

Rashal spoke in an even tone, "I beg you to reconsider your position."

Gorj flung his arms into the air and began to walk away, "This is dishonorable! Agraj would never have-"

Rashal's face twisted in anger as he grabbed Gorj by the arm and flung him to the ground. He loomed over the guard and grabbed him by the neck.

"Don't you ever mention that name to me again! He was a traitor to the country! Never question my actions on the matter or I will kill you! Understand? Kill you!"

Gorj managed a sneer, "Feeling guilty?"

Rashal twitched the wrist attached to the hand around Gorj's neck and a small blade shot out. Gorj's legs twitched for a moment before he stopped moving altogether. One of the hostages began to cry.

Jeff gasped in alarm while Paula seemed unphased. Rashal turned toward the sound of Jeff's voice and saw their faces in the kitchen window.

Jeff looked at the man swiftly approaching and only one word could express the various thoughts that ran through his head at that moment.

"Crap."

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Jin grabbed the chain and swung it toward Poo. Poo, sword drawn, leap above the spearhead and toward his former ally. Jin quickly swung his arm upward and hit Poo's legs with the chain, causing him to loose balance and spin into the ground. Jin retracted his weapon quickly and Poo just barely avoided the blade. Jin shortened the chain length and spun it above his head before slamming it into the ground towards Poo. Poo deflected the blade with his sword and then leapt away as Jin recovered and swung toward him again.

The young prince landed and began to run to the opposite end of the room. Jin flung his weapon out after him. The blade came inches away from Poo's back before he back flipped into the air. He spun in the air as he soared directly above his assailant. With a yell he swung his blade at Jin's completely unguarded body. A clang rang through the air as Jin brought up a short sword with his free hand and blocked Poo's assault. Poo pushed off of the sword and landed a few feet away.

Suddenly, a small metal object dropped out from underneath Jin's cloak. It hit the ground and with a loud clapping sound emitted a bright flash. Poo's vision blurred and he vaguely made out a long shadow rushing out of the white void toward him. He sidestepped quickly and swung his sword out to the side. The chain hit his blade and began to wrap around it. As the spearhead swung with the chain it cut Poo's left cheek. Jin smiled as the chain finished its task and yanked as hard as he could. The Sword of Kings leap from Poo's hand and was flung to the opposite end of the room. Jin threw his short sword threw the air. Poo desperately tried to sidestep, but the sword impaled itself in Poo's shoulder. Poo dropped to his knees.

Jin launched the spearhead at Poo yet again. Poo fell to the side and reached up with both of his hands. He grabbed the chain as it passed overhead and stopped the unusual weapon's movement. He slowly stood up and wrapped the chain around his right hand as he reached over and pulled the sword out of his shoulder. He threw the sword aside and began to pull the chain toward him. Jin tried to pull back but found that the boy in front of him seemed to be able to outmatch him in strength. As he began to slide towards the angry prince, Jin began to panic. He reached under his cloak and released the arm covering that the chain was attached to. Poo yanked the chain, still attached to the loose piece of armor, toward him and swung it above his head only once before slamming the armor portion into the side of Jin's head.

Jin cried out in pain and collapsed onto the floor. Poo ran over to the fallen man and loomed over him. Jin's eyes looked up at Poo through the spaces between his fingers clutching his bruised face. Poo reared his fist back and stopped. A mixed look of anger and sadness contorted his face before he slammed his fist into the ground only inches away from Jin's head.

Wordlessly, Poo straightened, rubbing his now broken wrist, and picked up the Sword of Kings. He turned his back on Jin and began to walk toward the door that Ness had gone through.

Jin sat up and coughed, "Why? Why didn't you finish me?"

Poo spoke without stopping or looking back, "I have no desire to hurt the ones that I care about, even if they no longer care for me."

He went through the door.

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Rashal kicked the door open and grabbed Jeff by the hair. He pulled hard and flung him back into the restaurant. Before Jeff could respond, the other guard came up behind him and restrained him.

Rashal grabbed Paula's arm, "I can only assume that Poo and the one in the red cap went through the front door? Well then it is a shame that you will never see them again, I sent our best man after them."

Jeff let out a dark laugh from the other end of the room, "I wouldn't provoke her like that mister. She's had a bad week and nobody to vent on."

The guard tightened his grip, "Shut up!"

While Rashal was looking at Jeff; Paula had brought her free hand up to grasp the Captain's forearm. Her hand began to glow with psychic energy as she began sending PSI Fire into his gauntlet. Rashal let out a yelp and released his grip. He quickly tore off the searing metal and flung it to the floor. He prepared to backhand Paula but a psychic blast by the young girl sent him sprawling back. As Paula advanced toward him, Rashal discretely removed his other gauntlet and threw it at Paula at lightning speed before she could react. She collapsed as soon as it made contact.

Jeff struggled even harder against his captor, "Paula?"

No response.

"PAULA!"

The nearby door to the restaurant burst open and through it walked Ness, bat ready. The first thing that he saw was Paula.

He pointed his bat at Rashal, "What did you do?!"

"As captain of the Dalaam Royal Assassin Squad I, Rashal, hereby sentence you to death."

"Cut the bull and answer my question!"

"You have healing powers correct? I'd suggest that you use them soon, she may have internal head trauma."

Ness made a break for Paula but Rashal quickly stepped in front of him, "I must say that I have been looking forward to meeting the leader of the Chosen Four. The one that even our former prince is willing to follow."

"Shut up!" Ness swung his metal bat at the assassin only to have it blocked by one of his now drawn swords.

Rashal sighed, "Yet another poor leader. I am you're primary target yet all you can focus on is your team mate? You are not worthy to lead."

"Get out of my way!" Ness spun and brought the bat around to Rashal's other side, only to be blocked by the second sword. Rashal gave a counter swing and Ness jumped back just in time. Rashal took a swing at the boy's legs. Ness jumped and hit Rashal over the head with a clang. Rashal stabbed through Ness's unguarded midsection. Ness gasped and stumbled back.

Jeff screamed and swung his head back violently, hitting the guard holding him in the nose. As the guard released his grip, Jeff took out his Gaia Beam and fired at Rashal before he could land the finishing blow to Ness. The beam struck him directly in his armored chest. The assassin coughed and fell back winded as Ness knelt to the ground and healed his near fatal wound. The guard who was previously holding Jeff grabbed his spear and chucked it at the blonde haired boy. Jeff turned quickly and shot it out of the air. As he did so he drew a second gun and shot the guard in his helmet, knocking him unconscious. Jeff saw that Ness was alright and he began to untie the frightened hostages while Rashal's gaze was focused on Ness.

Ness slowly stood up and glared at Rashal and the two began to circle one another, "I don't know exactly what went on in Dalaam, but from what your doorman said, it sounds like you've betrayed your former leader."

"I only did what was necessary."

"So who's really behind all of this?"

"If you survive the next few moments then you will find out within the hour."

"What do you mean?"

Rashal smirked, "I do not want to spoil the surprise."

"Do you really think that what you're doing is the right thing?"

Rashal glanced over at the dead police officers and then at the body of Gorj, "Yes. It has to be."

Ness smiled, "You don't sound too convinced."

"Enough talk, you are dead where you stand."

"I don't think so buddy, it's three against one. Not good odds."

"I was unaware that Eagleland natives were so poor at math, there are only two of you."

Ness quickly knelt to the ground. Rashal's eyes widened in shock when he saw that He and Ness had circled each other until the boy was standing right in front of Paula.

Ness laughed and stuck his tongue out at Rashal, "You know you really shouldn't let your opponent circle you if you're trying to keep him from reaching the other end of the room. Just a suggestion."

Rashal screamed in anger and launched himself into the air at the Chosen Boy. Ness's hands let out a familiar glow and Paula's eyes shot open. She quickly stuck her hand out and sent Rashal flying back yet again with a psychic blast.

Ness helped Paula stand up, "You alright?"

Paula's face remained expressionless, "Fine."

Rashal had corrected himself in midair and was dashing toward the two again. This time Ness sent him a blast of PSI Rockin' and sent him against a wall.

Rashal wearily stood up, "I will not suffer this humiliation!"

Poo suddenly burst into the room, sword drawn, "RASHAL!"

The prince charged at his former servant and swung his sword. Rashal blocked with one blade and then slashed Poo across the stomach with the other. Poo fell to the ground and swept his leg out, tripping his former comrade. As Rashal fell he spun and slammed his elbow into Poo's chest. Ness sent another blast of PSI toward him but he leapt forward and narrowly avoided it. Rashal hit the ground running and charged at Ness and Paula. Paula sent a blast of Ice at him but he spun in place and deflected it with his blades. As Rashal brought his blades down, Ness put up a shield at the last second and the assassin dropped his weapons due to the unexpected block. As Ness brought his bat up Renault reached for his spare knife. Finding nothing, his mind flashed back in horror to the moment when he used it to kill Gorj and hadn't removed it from his body. The bat clanged into Rashal's stomach with enough force to bend the armor.

Rashal looked around him and saw that Jeff had freed all of the hostages, Poo had stood up and healed himself, and the other two were still ready to fight.

Ness glared at him, bat raised, "Give it up man. You've lost."

Rashal slammed his fist into the ground angrily, "NO! I cannot lose! My goals are the correct path for Dalaam's future!"

Jeff shook his head, "Think about this logically, is kidnapping innocent civilians and killing people really what you have envisioned for Dalaam?"

Rashal's eyes widened, "You cannot begin to comprehend the righteousness of my actions!"

Ness jerked his thumb toward the pile of dead officers, "Yeah sure, the families of those guys are really going to think that you were doing the right thing, 'Hey man thanks for killing my husband, he never put the seat down.'"

"What I've done must be correct! If not, then what have I become but a common-"

Poo finished, "Murderer."

Rashal let out a scream of rage and picked up one of his swords. He looked past Jeff toward the hostages filtering through the door. He began to charge toward them.

Jeff raised his gun, "STOP!"

The assassin continued his charge. Jeff fired his Gaia Beam, connecting with the crazed man's side. Rashal slowly stood up and began to stumble toward the remaining hostages, who were now looking on in silence.

Jeff aimed at Rashal again, "I said stop!"

Rashal increased his speed and reached the now frightened hostages. He raised his sword above the terrified little girl's head.

"FOR DALAAM!"

Poo began to run toward Rashal. Ness and Paula tried to aim blasts of PSI, only to find that the girl was too close. The sword began to fall, the girl's mother screamed, a gun fired.

Rashal's sword fell harmlessly to the ground with a clang. A burn mark appeared in between Rashal's eyes where Jeff's Gaia Beam had hit. Rashal fell first to his knees and then sideways onto the ground. The jewel in his helmet fell out with a dull thud.

The Gaia Beam fell out of Jeff's trembling hands as he fell to his knees, "What did I do? What did I just do?"

Ness put his arm around his shoulder and helped him stand back up, "You did what you had to Jeff."

"That's easy for you to say, you didn't pull the trigger."

"Jeff don't do this to yourself, you know that it was him or the girl."

"Maybe, maybe he would have stopped?"

The little girl's mother walked up to Jeff and hugged him, "Thank you. That you so much."

The girl walked over to Jeff and held out her hand, "Thanks mister."

Jeff smiled and took the child's hand, "You're welcome."

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The Chosen Four walked out of the front door of the hotel with the hostages in tow. Police officers escorted the demoralized former Royal Guards into squad cars. Poo noticed that there was an unusual air of unease about the officers, as if they were waiting for something heavy and terrible to fall upon their heads. A brief look of guilt and distress passed over Jeff's face as the paramedics wheeled Rashal's body past them. The four looked around in surprise to find that the only people left outside were the friends and family of the hostages and a lone black car with the seal of the Eagleand government stamped on the side. All of the news crews had left.

A tall man in a black suit with equally black sunglasses strode over to them, "Greetings Mr. Ness, I am Agent Matthews. I'm with the government; we'd like you to-"

"Where did everybody go?"

"Once I explain to you the current circumstances, you will understand that they had more pressing matters to attend to."

"Fine, what do you want."

"I would like for yourself, Ms. Polestar, and Mr. Andonuts to come with me."

Ness looked at Poo, "What about Poo?"

Matthews did a double take when he looked at the young prince, "I'm terribly sorry, I thought that you were dead."

"I got better."

"I see, that makes sense, you are one of the Chosen Four after all."

Ness brought the conversation back on track, "Why do you want us to go with you?"

"The short answer is: Dalaam has invaded."