Calm ripples popped up every now and then in the slow-moving river that ran up to the Grapefruit Falls as soft, green grass waved slightly in the breeze. Ness and Jeff hurried along the river bank, searching for the close by town that the older man had described earlier. Ness was hunched over with Paula slung around his back, holding her by the legs and having her arms draped around his shoulders. Paula's head rested in the groove between Ness's neck and shoulder, limply moving back and forth as Ness quickly walked onwards.

"I can't believe I let something happen to her..." Ness whispered to himself, his stomach in a knot. "This is all my fault..."

Jeff heard Ness's murmurs and turned his head to meet Ness's absent gaze. "It's not your fault, Ness. You were just trying to keep everyone safe. So really, you were doing your best to protect her. It's not like you wanted this to happen."

Ness didn't respond to Jeff's attempted consolation; he simply continued moving forward, searching for any signs of a village. After a few minutes passed, the teenagers spotted a cave entrance protruding out from the nearby cliffs. Near the cave entrance lied a small, moss covered sign reading "Saturn Valley" in a very strange handwriting. Ness and Jeff looked to each other and nodded as they entered, Jeff flicking on a flashlight that he had forgotten was in his pocket. The interior of the cavern was coated in a musty, chestnut brown powder, giving the walls a cocoa tint. As the boys walked, the dust lifted from the walls in small clouds, following the quick pace the teenagers kept. Almost instantly, Ness and Jeff were faced with a new path that appeared to lead deeper into the cave. They decided to split up briefly, Jeff taking the new corridor while Ness continued moving through the same one.

Jeff emerged moments later with a slight grin on his face, holding a bottle rocket in his hand. "Hey, look what I found. Never hurts to have one of these around..." Jeff trailed off as he tucked his new present into his coat, placing it right next to his larger bottle rocket from Snow Wood.

The boys noticed sunlight peeking in through the tunnel and pressed forward, soon being greeted by a rather strange colored grass and terrain. Everything was a bright yellow: the grass, the trees, even the dirt. There were high hills surrounding the valley, giving it the appearance of a dry lake. Only a hundred feet or so away Ness could see round, odd-looking buildings, the sight of which filled him with every last drop of energy left in his body. He started nearly sprinting as Jeff tried to follow as close as possible, eyeing a building that had the word "doctor" scribbled above the door in what looked like a child's hand writing. Ness disregarded the anomaly and thrusted into the doctor's office, Jeff looking in over Ness's shoulder.

The inside of the structure was a chrome color, spread out with a couple porthole styled windows. Some small trees stuck out from the floor, sprouting out of mounds of dirt. Bewildered by such a weird arrangement, the boys had not yet spotted the small, bow wearing head sticking out of a trashcan in the corner. The creature popped out more, revealing that it was no more than a pair of eyes, a big nose, a mouth, and small feet. It slowly smiled and spoke. "Hiyo, hey ho. You need healing? Right place you come then."

The teens jumped and turned their attention towards the small alien. Something both ran through the boys' minds: Questions later, Paula's health first. Ness shook his head "yes" and laid Paula down on a nearby stretcher while the creature examined her. The alien doctor grunted and made some observations. "Yes. Can help. You come back, hmm, maybe tomorrow. Stay at hotel until then."

Jeff stepped forward. "I'm sorry, but...where are we? And who are you?"

"Ohh, you new. We are Mr. Saturn. All of us. I am healer for the Mr. Saturn. Sometimes people, too. Nice meet you," the Mr. Saturn nodded cheerfully.

Jeff returned the nod and faced Ness. "Let's take a look around while the doctor fixes Paula up. Maybe somebody can give us information about Belch."

"I'm not leaving Paula. You can go ahead and ask around if you want, but I'm staying," Ness replied firmly, clenching his fists.

"What? Look, I understand that you feel guilty, but just let him do his jo-"

Ness grabbed Jeff by his jacket and pushed him up against the infirmary wall. "I am not going anywhere!" Ness shouted in Jeff's face. "Just look at her. I did that! We don't know where the hell we are, and I'm not leaving her alone here. I want to be here for her, damn it! It's the least I can do for what I've done..." Ness reclined and released Jeff, sighing deeply. "Look...just take a walk. Okay?"

Jeff, caught off guard by the outburst, reluctantly agreed and exited the building, a bit worried about Paula and irritated with Ness' brash attitude. He stepped outside and pushed his feet through the thick, yellow tufts of grass, feeling some of the golden strands creep into his shoes. The town of Saturn Valley was fairly spread out, consisting of many small cottages, a couple caves, and a hot spring. The air that filled the sunny valley was sweet and fresh, the water in the spring warm and soothing. The simple, loving sentiments of the town's inhabitants suited the care free atmosphere created there. Although he felt daunted by the oddities at first, as he did with the many other during the adventure, Jeff quickly was finding himself becoming much more relaxed every second he spent just breathing in the pleasant breeze.

Jeff found his way to one of the caves, in which a few Mr. Saturn's were hiding. Jeff approached one of them and spoke, "Hi, I'm new around here and had some questions. Could you tell me anything about somebody called 'Belch'?"

"Oh, you mean big stinky," the Mr. Saturn replied. "You want meet him? Go behind falls, wait three minutes."

Jeff cocked his head a bit and furrowed his brow. "Go behind the wall and wait three minutes?"

The Saturn shook his head "yes" and continued staring at Jeff's confused mug. "Me trust. Three minutes, no talk. It really works."

Jeff shrugged and said "okay." Wait three minutes? Well, why not. It's not like anything else makes sense anymore.

Exiting the cave, Jeff tucked his thumbs into his slacks' pockets. I hope this works. The sooner we find and take care of Belch, the sooner I can get back to Winters. Jeff let out a sigh. I'm just not so sure this adventure is for me.

Jeff made his way back through town, paying close attention to the medical facility. He could almost feel waves of worried, angry telekinesis radiating from the building. As he reached the entrance of the caves, Jeff heard some strange voices echo out from the other side. He carefully approached the other end of the tunnel, and hid against the walls to eavesdrop.

A line of puke puddles slithered up through the valley and towards the falls, each one carrying a jar of fly honey. Jeff peeked out and noticed that these slimes were green, unlike the previous pink toned one. Maybe he was a leader? Jeff thought. Almost spotted, Jeff instantly darted his head back into the cave. After the sounds of movement and talking stopped, Jeff crept out slowly, and took a few looks around to make sure he was safe. He turned his gaze over to the huge, purple toned waterfalls in the distance, breathing heavily in worry. Jeff clenched his air gun and made his way over to the falls.

When Jeff reached the alcove behind the falls, he heard somebody call out at the same time that he saw a bright flash from the corner of his eye, much like the one in Winters.

"Hey, over here!" The voice called out. Jeff turned his head back towards the falls and ignored the flash. "What's the password?"

Stumped, Jeff let his jaw hang. "Uhhh..."

Remembering the Saturn's advice, Jeff instantly closed his mouth and remained silent, taking a seat on a nearby rock. After a couple minutes, Jeff began to get skeptical. This is stupid... He thought, shaking his head. I shouldn't have listen-

"Okay, come on in!" The voice cried out. Jeff looked up, shocked and slightly embarrassed. He sat up and made his way through the small doorway the slimy pile was guarding.

What lied before him was unlike anything he had ever seen. It was a huge metallic factory, with loads of machines and conveyor belts making and distributing jars of fly honey. At the sides of the conveyor belts, he noticed, were multiple chained up Mr. Saturns, checking the fly honey jars for sturdiness.

So Belch is using them as slaves to make his fly honey... Jeff thought to himself. I'd better tell the others...

Jeff rushed back to the village and went inside the infirmary, where, to his delight, he saw Paula sitting up on the stretcher, rubbing her head.

"Oh good, you're awake," Jeff said, sighing in relief. "Guys, I have some important news."

"Yeah, what?" Ness asked, handing Paula a cup of water.

"I found Belch!" Jeff exclaimed happily. "One of the Saturns told me to look behind the falls and wait three minutes, so I did, and I found this huge factory, and you won't believe what's going on!"

"All right, I'll bite. What's up?" Ness asked, interested.

"The pukes are using Saturns as slaves to help them make fly honey!" Jeff explained. "We've gotta help them out and get rid of Belch. I think he may be the one behind this whole problem with Threed."

Ness and Paula nodded. "Okay, let's go check it out," Ness replied. "Paula's still a bit weak, so you and I will have to do most of the fighting."

Paula lightly slapped Ness and rolled her eyes."I'm fine, all right? I can still kick some ass with my PSI."

"Whoa, I don't think I've ever heard you swear before, hot stuff!" Ness teased playfully.

"Yeah, I guess getting knocked out and dragged around brings out the worst in me." Paula replied bitterly yet jokingly. "Let's go."

The trio headed back out to the valley, bent on shutting down Belch's slavery ring and bringing peace back to Threed. When they reached the waterfall, they heard the same voice from before cry out.

"Halt! What's the password?" The slime cried out.

Ness and Paula smiled, the fire of PSI lighting up in their eyes. In a matter of seconds, the puke was taken down by a hailstorm of PSI Fire and Rockin'. Jeff glanced at his air gun and shrugged. Saves me from wasting ammo, I guess.

The three kids stormed inside, greeted by yet another slime. "Are you kids the fly honey delivery guys? Belch Loves fly honey."

"Oh yeah, sure we're here to deliver something all right," Ness replied smugly before frying the pile with Rockin'.

"That was pretty cheesy, Ness," Paula laughed softly.

Ness smiled and shook his head as Jeff joined in Paula's laughter. The kids walked farther into the factory, passing corridors with trashcans full of fly honey and other goodies. As Jeff opened one can up, he noticed it had some sort of broken laser inside. Looking it over, he tucked it into his pocket. I bet I can do something with this later on.

Right as Ness and his friends walked over to the chained Saturns, they heard another raspy voice like before cry out.

"Stop at once!" A slimy pile yelled. "Go, my foppies! Get them!" The pile yelled, sicking a group of pink, ball shaped creatures onto the group.

The kids sprung into battle, bashing and zapping the pink enemies. Rather quickly, the chosen ones took them out, and the slimy pile along with them.

"These guys aren't much of a challenge," Ness chuckled. "If Belch is as weak as these weirdos, then we're in for an easy battle."

"I wouldn't plan on it Ness," Jeff replied. "These are just his peons, after all. Although, I have an idea..." Jeff said, holding up a jar of fly honey.

The heroes made their way through the metal prison, freeing the Saturns as they went along. Soon enough they came to a large room with numerous piles of puke scattered among the floor and flies hovering in the air, guarding a doorway. One last pile made his way through the doorway to the group.

"So you are the ones wreaking havoc on our production! I hope you like crying!" The pile yelled, burping up some sort of tear gas.

The kids began to tear up, and Ness, having learned his lesson, healed himself with PSI before attacking and bashed the little pile until he was no more. After healing the rest of the group, the group of flies rushed over, but were quickly disposed of by Paula's deadly PSI Fire.

"Okay, it looks like that's the last of them." Paula said, panting. "Now whatever is through that door is probably pretty dangerous. Be careful guys."

The trio surreptitiously crept into the next room, immediately greeted by an enormous, toothed pile of vomit.

"*BURP* Hello, how are you all? You're the ones ruining my plans, and getting Master Giygas upset, aren't you? *BURP* It is no matter; your efforts are futile. The Mani Mani Statue is now in Fourside as planned." The vomit spoke condescendingly.

"What you're doing to the Saturns isn't right!" Paula shouted. "And now Threed is in chaos because of you and your selfishness!"

Belch chuckled. "Oh, poor Threed. What a shame. *BURP* What, you think I'm the only culprit here? What I'm doing only makes up a minuscule fraction of what is happening throughout the rest of the world! You kids are pathetic. And now, you're going to die. Ready to suffer, spanky?"

The trio instantly jumped into action, bashing and throwing PSI attacks at the foe. But, something was not right. The vomit pile kept on bouncing off the attacks, and laughing as he did it. Confused and tired, the kids stopped and back off.

"What's going on?" Ness asked, sweating and panting.

"The fly honey, Ness! Give it to him!" Jeff shouted, tossing over a jar.

Ness took the jar and handed it to the disgusting creature. Belch's eyes grew wide, and he started wolfing down the honey, spilling it all over himself in the process.

"Now!" Jeff shouted.

The heroes unleashed what remained of their energy and fried Master Belch, easily defeated once his weakness for fly honey was exposed. Ness and his friends were left staring at a lifeless, still puddle of puke, grinning over their victory.

"We did it!" Ness shouted as everyone came in for a hug. "Now let's go get these Saturns back to the village and finish this once and for all."

The kids took a secret tunnel out of the back of the factory that lead to the hills of Saturn Valley, guided by their jovial alien friends along the way. Once they emerged on the other side, the Saturns all began cheering and thanking the young heroes.

"You thank!" One Saturn exclaimed. "Here, this for you!"

The Saturn handed Jeff a gold coin with an engraved picture of a Mr. Saturn. "This keep you safe! Wear around neck! Ding!"

Jeff smiled and thanked the Saturn, tying the amulet around himself. The trio noticed a hot spring a couple feet away, and immediately dove in, aching to get off the grime from their puke filled battles. After they cleaned up and got out, a Saturn came up to them and handed them each a cup of coffee.

"For you! Coffee break good! Dakota!"

The heroes shrugged and smiled, sipping at their interesting, coffee-like drinks.

...

Ness and his friends fell into a deep trance, hearing a voice call out to each of them. It spoke of their journey so far, and what it would entail next. They knew that there was still a long ways to go before peace would be restored, but they were willing to do anything to make it happen.

Maybe this journey won't be so bad after all...