Act I - Scene ii: The Fated Night

A few minutes before midnight, Ness had a nightmare. Pokey would turn against him, he would have to face a horrible monster, his house was burning to the ground, his father killed by a mysterious man and his organization, and he heard a voice of someone unknown telling him to wake up. In fear, Ness woke up, dripping in sweat. He saw the shooting star he found earlier, only it was getting closer. It got closer, and closer, and closer until it finally crashed. He decided to check it out, so very quietly, Ness decided to sneak out. He carefully crept down the stairs, but one creaked and his mother went to see what caused it. Ness was about to open the door when his mother saw him. He tried to wave it off by giving his infamous peace sign but she said otherwise. "Ness, are you nuts? You want to check out that noise at this hour? Oh.. okay. You would find another way, even if I asked you not to. But at least change out of your pajamas before you leave."

So after Ness changed out of his 'jammies', he set off for Route 1. "I should probably go see if Pokey wants to come..." Ness pondered, "But I might get him and I into trouble if I bother his parents... I'll just go see if the lights are on in his house." he decided. He went to Pokey's house and the lights were off. "Knowing Pokey, I assume that he and Picky will find a way to see it." On his way up Route 1, he encountered a few police men on the way, all say the same things: "Do you know what time it is?", "You should be home sleeping.", "Get lost, I'm doing my job", excreta. But he ran into one police man, the chief, who said that they didn't even investigate anything yet and that maybe you and two other kids he saw earlier, would be the first to truly see it. Ness asked where the two went. "They went up ahead. Just be sure to make the right before you go to Viridian City. Say, aren't you a little young to be out investigating this?" Staring blankly into the officer's eyes for a moment, Ness thanked him and went on his way. "It's times like these where kids should play Nintendo games.." the officer said while lighting a cigarette.

Seeing three cops guarding the entrance to the little open area of the forest, he saw Pokey and Picky, arguing with them. One of the cops ran over to Ness and said: "You gotta help me! This kid has been bothering me about going in for hours, and it's driving me nuts! You're friends with him, right?" "Uh.. sure..." "Good, now what do I have to do to get this kid to STOP?!" Ness thought about it, and replied that he should be let through, and that the cops should clear out. "But I could lose my job for.. well, if it gets that kid away, I'll do it." So the cop asked that they clear out saying they did all that they can do. Pokey, walking over to Ness said thanks and dragged Picky off to say 'goodbye' to the cops. Ness, hearing a voice beckoning to him left. Pokey, seeing him leaves said: "Hey, wait up! Picky, let's move!" Picky sighed, but went on.


Ness arrived and went near the meteorite. He proceeded to touch it, when suddenly, someone came out of the meteorite. Clad in a black robe covered in odd designs that had glowed dark purple in the moonlight. Looking up, it revealed a face that seemed normal. Ness, stunned asked: "Are.. you... from that meteorite? From another world, even?" The figure replied: "... You... could... say that..." Pokey, out of breath, finally made it with Picky to the meteorite. "You're not from here, are you?" Picky asked. Pokey started to bombard the figure with questions. "Hey, are you a boy or a girl? What's you're name? Where did you come from? Why won't you answer these questions?" Shedding the robe off, a girl was revealed. Dressed in an odd dark purple jacket, the collar had the symbol "psi" on it. Her pants the same with the belt having the symbol "psi". She had a headgear and six wraps coming off her shoulder with odd designs riddled on them. She had long, platinum hair and short elf-like ears. And her eyes two different colors: red on the left, blue on the right. "I am a girl named Midna. And you would be right saying I am not from here. I am from here, but I am not human as Ness pointed out." Ness was stunned that she knew his name.

Midna, preparing herself asked if Ness was ready to hear the prophecy. "In the future, all is devastation... Giygas, the universal cosmic destroyer, and his Starmen, sent all to the horror of eternal darkness... However, it says 'When the chosen boy reaches the point, he will find the light. The passing of time will shatter the nightmare rock and reveal the path of light." Kneeling, she stated: "Ness, you are the chosen boy. You have psychic abilities and are meant to save the world!" Getting back up, she continued: "Giygas's plans have been set in motion somewhere, but I know not where.. But if you confront the enemy early, you may have time to counter Giygas's plans. I am to accompany you on your journey. Let us go! And do not be anxious of the future. You have much work to do, Ness."

Pokey, after breaking out of his astounded trance, said: "Ness, looks like you're in a lot of trouble this time..." Then he asked Midna: "Uhhh... I'm not supposed to help too much am I? ... 'Cause I'm not into this kind of thing at all..." Coming back to his senses, Pokey exclaimed: "Geez! My heart is almost pounding out of my chest! Oh yeah.. Ness, I'll go home later, I want to check out the meteorite some more..." Ness looked at Pokey and thought something was wrong, but he shrugged and went back with Midna.


While walking back, Midna asked if she could stay at his house. "I want to monitor you and the boy next door." "Uh.. isn't this a little too soon. I mean, I'm getting my first Pokémon tomorrow, and..." Midna stopped him and said it would be best if she stayed, as she had nowhere else to go. Ness agreed and asked: "Hey, seeing as what was going on, what was up with Pokey?" She paused. "The boy next door. I fear he may bring you bad tidings as the journey continues. His past makes him a good candidate for being the right-hand-man of Giygas. But, if you protect him, he may have the chance of changing for the better."

When they went into Ness's house, his mother asked: "A girl... staying here.. with you... at this age... Ness, you are a little young for this." "But mom! She has nowhere else to go. And I'm leaving tomorrow anyways." His mother sighed and said that she could. "Even if I said 'no', you would find a way. I'll set up a cot." Ness was excited and asked if she wanted to play video games. "Sure, but you should rest up for picking a Pokémon tomorrow." "Okay..." So Ness and Midna went to sleep, SNES controller in their hands.


About 45 minutes after they fell asleep, they heard someone knocking at the door. Waking up, Ness went downstairs. "Hey Midna, want to go?" Midna shook her head and said: "Later.. If it's Pokey, I'll come down later." Ness started to walk downstairs, then he saw Tracy. "Someone's knocking at the door. What an annoying knock!" Ness continued to walk downstairs and he saw his mother. "My land! Who could be knocking at the door at this time of night? Would you answer it, Ness?" Sighing because he wanted sleep, he was about to open the door when suddenly, Pokey opened the door and screamed: "Hey! L-L-Listen to what I have to say! When I took Picky to the place where the meteorite landed..." He calmed down and said to Ness's mother: "Oh! Good evening ma'am. You're looking lovey as usual." He began to snicker as Ness's mother rolled her eyes. "Anyways, as I was saying, the police guarding the meteorite left suddenly, probably to deal with Team Rocket. You know Team Rocket, the local ruffians, and they're really going wild. Suddenly, I noticed that Picky was gone! I blame the cops, it certainly wasn't my fault at all! When my dad gets back, I know I'm gonna get it... You're my bestest friend, won't you help me find Picky?" Then, slowly whispering into Ness's ear, Pokey said: "And if you don't, I'll do something that cuts you like a knife!" Ness reluctantly agreed. "Okay, good buddy! Let's blow this popsicle stand... Before you go, why don't you say 'goodbye' to your mom. Don't you agree, ma'am?" Pokey again laughing to himself, Ness's mother asked that he change out of his pajamas and see if Midna wanted to come.

"Yes, I'll come. But I'll be late to the party." About to leave, Ness's mother stated: "No matter what anyone says, you're a courageous, strong boy. You're my natural born fighter.. You'll go far.. Remember to 'Go for it!" Pokey was sitting on the couch waiting. "All right! You go out in the front and I'll follow at a safe distance. Let's get going!"

When they left, it was quiet... too quiet. Suddenly, in the grass of the 2nd ledge of Route 1, some Rowdy Rattata jumped out to fight. Pokey was apologizing profusely, so Ness decided to run away. Pokey, being a proud oaf, said: "Wow, that was a toughie! Good thing I was there to save the day!" Right before they were to enter the forest area, they were ambushed again, but this time by some Spiteful Spearow and Rowdy Rattata. So they repeated what they did last time, they ran away. When at the site, Ness spotted Picky napping on a stump near the meteorite. Approaching Picky, he woke up. "Wha-! Oh! You woke me up.. Pokey! I've been looking all over for you... You see, Pokey was starring deeply into the meteorite. Then he took off and I got very sleepy. Well, I'm glad you're okay at least... Let's go home now. I bet Mom and Dad are worried sick about us. Geez! Sometimes I wonder which one of us is the real big brother..."

Meanwhile back at Ness's house... "Excuse me ma'am, but do you know where Ness has gone to?" Midna asked Ness's mother. "Why they went to go investigate the meteorite, why?" Midna looked with a shock and ran out the door. "Hm... That was strange.. Is Ness in danger?" Ness's mother wondered. Running to the area, she was ambushed by Rowdy Rattata, Spiteful Spearow, and Coil Ekans.

As soon as they exited the forest area, they stumbled upon an odd, metallic being. "You've been successful at foiling Master Giygas' plans. But.. you must now surrender. You are no longer a hero, just a worthless insect. I'll stomp you hard!" Entering a battle, Midna came in and cast PK Shield. Their bodies were protected by PK Shield. "That isn't what you think it is..." Midna said, out of breath. "It's an alien known as a Starman. They are apart of Giygas' army of doom. Be careful during this battle, Ness." Ness attacked, Pokey acted all innocent, and Picky tried to help Ness when he could. Midna occasionally attacked and used PK Shield when the Starman used psionics himself. After a solid 5 minutes in battle, the Starman was defeated.

Midna sighing from relief, said: "...I was able to make it in time. He was from the future to kill us, so we can't relax yet! From now on, you will be fighting enemies sent by Giygas, as well as humans. They'll definitely stir up trouble during your adventure! As you have seen, Pokémon are also becoming violent due to Giygas' influence over the evil in their minds. It is the truth so listen!"


Then, they all walked back to Pokey's house to safely take Pokey and Picky home. Pokey's mom came running to them and yelled: "Where in sam hill have you boys been? I'll have to think of a suitable punishment!" Noticing Midna, she then screamed: "And Ness has a girlfriend?! Why don't you get one! You're better than him!" A blushed Ness watched as Pokey's mom then slapped Pokey across the face. Walking over to Pokey's dad, he said: "I'm sorry that my boys troubled you so much... Both of you are really going to get it now!" Scared and knowing that there was horror to be done, Pokey and Picky scurried up to their rooms with their dad following them. Hearing screams, yelps, and wallowing, Ness was about to leave when their dad came to him. "By the way, I would be happy if you left sometime soon. I'm tired of your family living next door. We've loaned your father a lot of money. It may have been a hundred thousand dollars or more... Well, I guess it really cold have been less... but because of the loan, my family and I now live in poverty!" Ness backing away, backed into Pokey's mom. "My husband is much too lenient with the children. Oh well, nice guys finish last. That's the story of our life..." Ness went into Pokey's room and saw Picky, huddled and shivering in the corner repeating: "I don't want to look at the meteorite anymore..." while Pokey told Ness what had happened. "He spanked me 100 times and said I get no dessert for a decade! Aa, my butt hurts..." Afterwards, Ness and Midna left the Minch household.

While walking back Midna asked Ness why he didn't try to sneak Pokey or Picky into his house. "I tried. My mom said that it would get ugly. And boy did it get bad. I did it once and people had to come in to 'rescue' them. We did not get into trouble, but when Pokey and Picky tried to expose his parents to the Child Services, and his parents provided more than enough proof, the Child Services just went on their way. Pokey and Picky got the worst beatings of their life and came to hate us just a little more. I wish there was something we could do though..." Getting back to Ness's house, they went back to sleep.


When it was dawn, Ness got up along with everyone else in the house. Having a small breakfast and some touching moments, Ness opened the door, smelling the fresh scent of a new start in life...


Author's Notes:

Hey guys! Getting interesting, isn't it? Next chapter Ness, Pokey, and Midna will be getting their 1st Pokémon and start their new adventure. Will Pokey hear Giygas' call? Will Ness decide on what to do with his Pokémon? Will I stop asking questions? Find these answers out in the next chapter. Let's move on to the translating and references:

Translations:

SNES - short for Super Nintendo Entertainment System

References:

- The SNES was the system EarthBound debuted on (with a Japan-only re-release on the GBA and now the Wii U)

- When Pokey described the punishment, he used both (the spanking was changed for the US as it may have hinted towards child abuse)

- The dialogue for most of the characters were used, changed or based off the beginning of the game, with things being change to fit with the characters and scene

- I combined the idea of Route 1 with that area in Ness's back yard

- The forest area WAS NOT Viridian Forest! it was that area of forest on the side of Route 1 (look at a map of Kanto)

- The stupidity of people was based off Invader Zim since they would just stare and then have some random quirk

- When the cop said the thing about Nintendo games, it is something the chief of the Onett Police Force said

- The cop lighting the cigarette was a throwback to MOTHER 1 when the Bla Bla Gang sprites always had a cigarette (this was to be edited out if it released in the US, and it was edited out in the prototypes, fan re-releases of the prototype, GBA remake)

- Midna's robe was like Zelda's from Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess while her regular clothes were like the Psiioniic (Sollux's Ancestor) from Homestuck

Until next time! Viva the EarthBound! N Nintendo Wii Trust. Do U?