CHAPTER I: Night of the Meteor
"There's something more…"
"Is that so?"
"He'll be back, you know.
"Yeah, he told me."
"…well?"
"Well what?"
"Well, what are you going to do?"
"I dunno; Leave it to posterity I guess."
"How irresponsible of you."
"You did it."
"Only because I lack the power to defeat him."
"I do too, coincidentally."
"Don't be a smartass."
"I learned from the best, Dad."
X X X X X X X X
It was a dark and dreary night. Well, not really. It was actually warm and cheery and not terribly dark because the stars were shining quite brightly along with a generous bit of help from the silvery moon. Furthermore the town, Onett, was a very upbeat happy place in the daytime and while the pace slowed somewhat after sunset it lost none of its cheer. Just outside of the northern edge of the town a fairly modest house sat atop a hill. It was an average house containing a fairly average family, a father, a mother and their two children. No one ever expected anything extraordinary or even exciting to happen to the eldest boy; nobody expected him to have an extraordinary destiny because he was, at first glance, average. Of course our story isn't about this boy or his family, at least not directly. Our story happens to be about the not so average family that lived in the slightly sub average house next door.
Ness lay in his bed; a deep all-consuming sleep enveloped him like a warm blanket. It was the night of the second to last day of school, and the coming summer promised to be less than interesting, but Ness didn't mind. He would have liked some adventure in his life, but he had always been amazingly contented with his lot, regardless of what situation he found himself in. At that particular moment, he was perfectly contented to sleep comfortably oblivious to everything around him: the hoots and creaks of the night creatures, the rustle of the fresh summer breeze through the trees, or the meteorite plummeting towards the top of the very hill on which his house sat. Contrary to what would be expected, the loud whizzing noise, and the earthshaking crash the meteor made as it slammed into the hillside didn't wake the sleeping boy; it did however bring him close enough to consciousness to be awakened by the police sirens that screeched past his house shortly thereafter.
After opening his eyes and looking about blearily for a bit, Ness stumbled out of bed and through his dark room into the hall. By the time his eyes adjusted to the difference in light his mind was coherent enough to decide that the sirens he had heard had not been a dream, the loud crash needed further investigation though.
"Did you hear that noise?" Tracy, his younger sister asked, visibly perturbed.
"The sirens?" Ness asked sleepily.
"No, the loud crash before the sirens." She said.
"Hmm… guess that wasn't a dream…" he responded.
Tracy was a bit taken aback by this; Ness' affinity for deep sleep was legendary, surpassed only by their father.
"I'm gonna go check it out." He announced walking carefully down the stairs. His mother sat by the window, staring out towards the town with a somber visage, which morphed into a thoughtful glance as she looked at her son.
"Did that loud noise wake you?" she asked.
"Yeah, I wonder what it was…?" Ness ventured.
His mother sighed, "And now you want to go check it out… are you crazy?!" she asked. Seeing his pleading expression she sighed again, "well, I suppose that if I say no you'll just sneak out anyway. Alright, but be careful you little delinquent." She said affectionately before adding, "But, I think it'd be best if you change out of your pajamas before you go."
X X X X X X X X
The night was still bright and retained its sense of calm; the stars still glimmered cheerily as ever and had help from the mysterious glow atop the hill in addition to the moon. Yet Ness felt a certain weight in the air, which he could only describe as—
"Ho Ness!" a tall, scruffy man of infinite pride but limited dignity greeted Ness, interrupting his train of thought.
"Hey Liar," Ness greeted which was in no way an insult as Liar Xavier Aggerate was actually the man's name. "Hey, can you tell me what happened up there? It looks like the whole hill's on fire!"
"A meteorite crashed on the hillside. The weaker citizens probably all fainted," Liar scoffed, "but I didn't because I always work out and eat garlic."
This peaked Ness' interest. He waved a thank you to Liar and continued up the hill. The way up was dotted here and there by officers of the law, most of which knew Ness and didn't give him the obligatory 'you should be in bed' lecture, though some did. Ness' thoughts eventually returned to the pervasive heaviness that he felt. It was almost like staring at a really, really ridiculously fat person up close. As irony would have it, just as Ness completed that thought his eyes fell upon his fat slovenly ass of a neighbor, Pokey Minch. Pokey was Ness' age and had a reputation among all who knew him as the number one most unreliable, whiney, self centered, ill mannered, and self indulgent butterball in existence. No one could really stand him and yet no one was ever straight forward enough to tell him to his face; except Ness who had been born to two incredibly forward parents who had very direct ways of dealing with things. So naturally Pokey thought of Ness as his closest friend, or at least the closest thing to a friend he had which inevitably lead Pokey to be more of a jerk to Ness than anyone else. Ness for his part was always quite civil with pokey because though he never hesitated to tell the boy about himself and wasn't always tactful about it, he always had Pokey's best interest at heart. Ness was a kind soul. After the expository tangent, Pokey spotted Ness coming up the path towards the police roadblock he was trying to weasel his way past. He saw the Policeman to his immediate right whisper something to Ness, who suppressed a chuckle. This irked Pokey. he had been trying for a solid hour (a slight exaggeration on Pokey's part, more like fifteen minutes) to get the fuzz to lighten up and let him through, yet by just being there Ness had them talking and joking in under ten seconds!
"Hey Ness!" he jeered. "Don't be rubbernecking'! You're getting in the cops…" This earned him glares from the men in blue he had been heckling, "oops, I mean Officer's way! You can go home now. Tomorrow I Pokey will tell you more about this strange meteorite. I'm fine here, but you're bugging the officers!"
Ness hated it when Pokey tried to sound smart; he was appallingly unqualified. As Ness was preparing to quote this to him, he felt a sudden need to be home so he turned and left without rebuttal. It was just as well, Onett had a reputation for the quality and quantity of its roadblocks and Ness knew that seeing the meteorite up close was just as hopeless for him as it was for his chubby pseudo-friend Pokey. In any case he needed sleep and the thought of his bed was very inviting, he could almost feel it…
X X X X X X X X
It wasn't very long, or at least it didn't seem like very long, before Ness was awake again. It seemed to him as though he had just climbed into bed when a loud and very rude pounding sounded at the front door. As he walked across the hall and down the stairs Ness wondered what miracle of physics afforded this midnight visitor a knock that was louder than the fall and subsequent crash of a meteorite. Upon reaching the dining area Ness was somewhat startled to see his mother staring out the window with that same uncharacteristically somber expression on her face and a teacup in her hand.
"My land! Who could be knocking this late at night?" she exclaimed upon seeing Ness. Had she not noticed the knocking before now? She ran a hand through her blonde hair, "Could you get it?" she asked sweetly. Ness nodded and went to the door. He had barely turned the latch when it swung open catching him full in the face and a blubbering Pokey stumbled across the threshold.
"Ness!!" He shouted, "L-L-L-Listen to what I have to say!"
Ness soothed his aching nose, "yeah…" he said warily. He didn't like the looks of this, it wreaked of hassle.
"While I was—Oh, you're looking lovely as usual ma'am!" Pokey addressed Ness' mother with a snicker, "as I was saying, while I was watching Pickey, we were at the meteorite, the police suddenly left to go deal with the sharks, you know the local ruffians," he patronized.
"Yeah, Pokey," Ness responded, "I do live in Onett…"
Pokey continued, "Yeah, and they were really going wild!" he opened his mouth and shut it abruptly, deciding in the interest of time against adding any embellishments. "Anyway, when I looked around Pickey was nowhere to be found! I blame the cops; it certainly wasn't my fault at all! When my parents get home I'm gonna' get it big time!" Ness thought about adding a snide comment here, but couldn't think of one. Snide comments weren't his style after all. Instead he simply nodded gravely. There was a pause which Ness correctly feared to mean that Pokey wanted his help finding his lost younger brother.
"Won't you help me find Pickey?" Pokey pleaded in the meekest voice he could muster.
"Sure…" Ness answered with a sigh. He didn't mind Pickey's company and was willing to help even if it meant saving Pokey from his own irresponsible behavior at the cost of his own sleeping pattern. Ness was as was previously stated, a kind soul. He turned to his mother who was still clutching her teacup, this time with a far away look in her eyes.
"Be careful," she said gently, "no matter what happens always remember that you're my courageous strong boy and just 'go for it'!" She smiled somewhat sadly, "The cracked bat in Tracey's room should help out at a time like this, but I think you should change out of your jimmies before you go…" Ness nodded, and trekked upstairs to change. Something was definitely out of place and he vaguely wondered as to the cause for the speech his mother had given him, he was just going up the hill to get Pickey. In his sister's room he found his father's old baseball bat; a deep crack ran along its length. Ness didn't know how it had gotten damaged or even why his parents insisted on keeping it. He shrugged as he slung the old bat over his shoulder and bounded down the stairs in his favorite blue and yellow striped shirt and lucky blue jean shorts. He tucked his wild black hair under his old beat up baseball cap and headed for the door.
X X X X X X X X
The night was still bright but had lost a good bit of its cheer as the party made its way up the hill. Ness led the way followed by a squeamish Pokey and Ness' lazy unreliable dog King who his mother had persuaded him to bring as added protection. Ness had to in turn persuade the King to come and ended up bribing the dog with doggie treats. Ness heard King muttering about flees sucking him dry and chalked it up to lack of sleep. That was the only explanation for how weird the night was becoming; his mothers' uncharacteristic behavior, the dog talking and the mysterious phone call from his father just as they were walking out the door. They were just going up the hill, why were his parents acting as if he was going off on some long journey? As if all that hadn't been enough there was still that mysterious feeling in the air which was heavier now than it had been previously. He was apparently not the only one who felt it. The night animals seemed to be agitated by it as well and Ness could feel their unrest, especially that of the stray dog straddling the path ahead of them, its eyes gleaming in the light of Pokey's flashlight. Pokey let out a whimper.
"It's just a dog…" Ness said a little exasperated at Pokey's cowardice. The stray let out a low growl and hunched close to the ground before charging at them and sinking its teeth into Ness' arm. Ness let out a surprised grunt before bringing his bat down on the creature's head. The dog yelped and fell back, before facing them down, still growling; King Charged forward barking angrily about how troublesome it was to be out this late at night, fighting other dogs. The stray sidestepped him and lunged at Ness again, who was ready for the attack. He caught the dog on the side of the maw with his best home run swing, the dog yelped and retreated whimpering into the night.
"Come on." Ness said.
"B-But…" Pokey stammered.
"What?" Ness asked.
"You're bleeding!" Pokey gasped.
Ness looked down at his arm where the stray had bitten him. "It's no big deal." He shrugged, "It's just bleeding a lot."
"But you could be infected!" Pokey cried out, "I don't want to catch the hydrophobia!"
Ness blinked incredulously, "Will you just come on!" He resisted the urge to call Pokey fat ass, as the blonde hulk was particularly sensitive to that name.
After a few more run-ins with the local wildlife, including a particularly spiteful crow that Ness had to beat off of Pokey's face Ness had something of an epiphany. It was quite unlike anything he had previously experienced and was at a loss as to how to explain it to the others. Suddenly, after beating a hostile garden snake into submission Ness came to understand that he had the ability to heal himself. He was puzzled at first, and then when Pokey wasn't looking he quietly whispered "lifeup… alpha…" and found that a pale green light surrounded his body. A cool soothing feeling flowed over the bite marks on his arms and the scrape on his knee where he had tripped and fallen. Pokey was oblivious to the light; he simply didn't notice it or the mysterious absence of Ness' fresh wounds. The group eventually reached Liar X. Aggerate's cabin; the man was still standing outside looking proud. Ness inquired about the whereabouts of Pickey.
"I heard a child's voice on the hilltop, but I was too busy to investigate. I'm a busy man, but when I do a job, I do it well. I'm a man's man!" said Lair, who always spoke in such self bolstering speals. Ness was glad to find the Police roadblock vacated and they rounded the hill as the meteorite came into view. The atmosphere was heavy with… something. Ness couldn't place what it was, but it was palpable. He wasn't surprised when King turned and ran, grumbling about how spooky it was. Pokey seemed not to notice. In fact he was rather intent on just watching the meteorite and seemed to forget all about his lost brother sleeping under a nearby tree. Ness walked over and woke the boy gently and Pickey's eyes popped open with a start.
"ugh… huh?! Oh, you woke me." He said.
"What are you doing up here by yourself?" Ness asked.
"Pokey got scared and ran away," Pickey yawned as he looked over his shoulder at Pokey who was only vaguely aware that he was the subject of the conversation. "Geeze," Pickey continued, "Sometimes I wonder which of us is the real big brother." Ness laughed at this and turned to go.
"Ness!" Pokey stopped him, snapping out of his reverie "Do you hear that sound? Like a bee buzzing?" he asked.
"No." Ness said. He was about to grumble something about Pokey's 'dire' situation with his parents when a sharp buzzing filled the air. A heavy beam of light shot up from the meteor and from it emerged a small winged insect.
"A bee I am…" It said, "Not."
"Could this night get a little weirder?" Ness questioned the fading light.
If they could have made out the tiny insect's facial features, they would have seen a smirk laden with irony.
"My name is buzz buzz" The bee continued, "I come from ten years in the future and in the future, all is devastation. Giygas the universal cosmic destroyer has sent all into the horror of eternal darkness." He said sagely. He paused as if expecting a response then continued over the stunned silence, "However, where I am from there is a well known legend," He cleared his throat "It says that when the chosen boy reaches the point, he will find the light, and the passage of time will shatter the nightmare rock and reveal the path of light." He paused again, and there was still silence. Continuing he said, "It is my opinion that you are that boy, Ness." At this he got a reaction.
"Huh? Me?" The stunned boy nearly shouted.
"Indeed." Buzz buzz began again. "The legend further speaks of three boys and a girl who defeat Giygas."
Somewhere in some remote, barely conscious corner of his mind Ness thought, Maybe the girl will be cute… but the rest of his brain was still stretching and contorting to get around what the miniscule time traveler had just told him, though it eventually got tired and gave up.
"…Wisdom, Courage, and Friendship." Buzz buzz was saying, "Ness, do you understand?"
Ness nodded absently. He really didn't, but Buzz buzz needn't know that.
"Thank you for listening to my long story. You are exceptional as I expected you to be, Ness. Now go!" The bee said, "And do not be anxious about the future."
That I can do… Ness thought.
"Three boys? I hope I'm not one of those boys…" Pokey said, "Because I'm not into this sort of thing at all!" he quickly added.
Pickey was rather excited. He was an adventurous youngster, and he was babbling about how lucky Ness was and how he hoped that he was one of the boys and the adventures they could have. Of course what Pickey failed to realize was just who Ness would be up against, and just what arsenals this Giygas character had at his disposal. He was made painfully aware of it as one of these arsenals descended from the sky in a beam of light.
"I've finally found you… Buzz Buzz." The silvery soldier whirred in his tinny synthesized voice.
"It's been a long time Jr." Buzz buzz replied coldly.
"It would appear that you've been successful at foiling Master Giygas' plans, however you are now nothing more than a useless insect." Jr. droned methodically.
"You cannot win Starman." Buzz Buzz stated defiantly, "if you strike me down, I will become more powerful than you could possibly imagine!"
"Useless," Starman responded, "I'll stomp you hard! PSI FIRE ALPHA!!" A spark leapt from their mechanical assailant's tentacle.
"PSI SHIELD!!" Buzz Buzz cried, as a glowing white dome formed over the three young boys and the bug. The spark impacted the shield and exploded into a wave of flame and dissipated, leaving them unharmed.
Pickey began chanting, apparently trying to cast some magic spell. His elder brother meanwhile hid behind Ness mumbling an apology to the 'nice tin man' for getting in his way and opposing Giygas. Starman Jr. chuckled and snaked his metal tentacle at the Pickey. Seeing this Ness did what came naturally to him. He hurled himself between Pickey and the oncoming attack, raising his bat instinctively to block the blow. The bat was splintered and nearly broke while Ness was hurled backwards over Pickey's head. Jr. Leapt through the Shield and raised his other tentacle, ready to make an end of Ness when Buzz Buzz charged in and tore a gaping hole in Starman Jr.'s chest; the synthetic warrior could only give a surprised whir before he detonated.
"That was close." Buzz buzz said, "I was taking a big chance there, as he was sent here from ten years in the future to kill me!"
You were taking a chance… Ness thought.
"Yes, I was." Buzz Buzz replied to the mental sarcasm. "You did very well in your first real battle Ness, but you can't relax. From now on you'll be fighting enemies sent by Giygas as well as humans and animals that have become violent due to Giygas' influence over the evil in their minds. We must continue, there is much to tell and much more to do."
They got back to the Minch household without further incident. Pokey carefully cracked the door and peaked inside.
"I don't think my parents are home yet…" he said. The four of them snuck in through the front door and had made it halfway through the living room when the lights were switched on revealing two irate parents.
"Where in the SAM HILL have you boys BEEN?!" Mrs. Minch questioned.
Pokey stammered out the beginnings of an explanation.
"You boys are in a LOT of trouble!" Mr. Minch yelled as he chased the boys up the stairs. The cracking of a belt and several horrified and rather feminine screams (Pokey's, of course) could be heard from upstairs.
"My husband is far too lenient with the children." Mrs. Minch drawled.
Ness said nothing. He had never liked being in that house, and was intently looking for a way to exit. By this time Mr. Minch returned from his child rearing exploits and fixed Ness with a less than amiable stare.
"I'd appreciate it if you left soon. I've loaned your father a considerable amount of money, it could have been one hundred thousand dollars or more! Well, I suppose it really could have been less, nevertheless because of that loan my family and I now live in poverty. We are tired of you living next door."
Ness knew of course that this was all a load of bull, but he gladly welcomed it as the escape he had been searching for so diligently. It came three and a half seconds too late for Buzz Buzz though. By this time his buzzing had attracted the Cow-like eyes of Mrs. Minch.
She screeched, "AIEEEEEEEEE!!! I think it's a dung beetle! I'll smash your guts out!" and she did just that.
Now, Ness hadn't known Buzz Buzz very long at all, fifteen minutes isn't really long enough to develop any lasting bonds, especially with an insect. Nevertheless Ness couldn't help but feel bad for the little guy, and more than a little remorseful. After all Buzz Buzz had saved his life from an alien cyborg and Ness couldn't even protect him from a raging old cow with chronic PMS. He sighed and went to the fallen arthropod's side.
"I was… Much… weaker than I… thought…" Buzz Buzz gasped. "So now you… must begin…. your adventure… alone… good… b…y…e…" Ness closed his eyes and breathed a silent prayer for poor bee's soul. "Oh," Buzz buzz said, with clarity that was simply astonishing considering these were his last breaths, "I just remembered; to defeat Giygas you must unite your power with the earths. There are seven sanctuaries you must visit, make these places your own." He gasped in pain. "Actually, one of them is near Onett, it's called Giant Step if memory serves… which is getting fuzzy by the way… I'm… fading… fast…" There was a long pause, and Ness finally whispered silent consolation to the deceased insect's family. "One more thing," Buzz Buzz continued "take this, it's called the sound stone. With it you can record the melodies of the eight sanctuaries… it's… an awesome item…" Ness was puzzled with Buzz Buzz's resilience. "I'm fading fast…" Buzz Buzz said again, "I am not long for this world… It's already dawn outside, but it doesn't… mean… anything…t…o…me…" and with that, Buzz Buzz breathed his last. Well, third to last. But when the insect finally left the world, Ness took the sound stone and gave Buzz Buzz as proper a burial as he could manage. That is to say he tripped on a lawn gnome while leaving the Minch's house dropping Buzz Buzz into a spider web, he tried to pick the psychic insect out of the web, but a rather fat black widow claimed Buzz Buzz as her own. Naturally this made Ness feel awful.
I'm no hero… Ness thought as he walked out into the morning sunshine.