Connor: Hey, everyone! Here's the next chapter of Time Distorter! *has to read over it to remember what it's about*
DarkFoxKit: Nice way of telling everyone you forgot what happens in this chapter. ^^'
Connor: Thanks. Well, I'm sure that I'm not the only one. Do you have anything else to say, or should we answer the reviews?
DarkFoxKit: I think I'm good, might as well get to answering the reviews!
Shimo no ko:I thought it was a pretty unusual yet cool thing to see a new status alignment like asthma in an RPG, but it being an early RPG does hurt it since you really can't do anything if Ninten is alone and don't have the Asthma Spray once it acts up, a really slow and painful way to die. Ninten may surprise you yet though, ;) and happy late Halloween to you too! The comments about Lucas and Ness… heh, I'll let Connor take those.
Connor: Hi! :) Well, it's just like in the games where activating the PSI gives the user pretty good control over it from the get-go. But yeah, I do agree that random bursts of power shouldn't really solve conflicts, which is why we made Ninten's asthma a problem even after Lucas saved him from it (well, one of the reasons). And Ness and Porky are going to have a chat, although not about Ninten…
Guest:Connor: Thanks! :) Yeah, there are a lot of bitter badass Lucas fics. I wasn't super creative with his character. xD
crabbyTomato:
DarkFoxKit: In the game if you had Boney sniff the Masked Man it's revealed that there are too many chemicals on him and he can't smell a thing. So I don't think Lucas is able to smell Claus as he is right now. ^^' Though Lucas does know something's up, hence why he was staring at him earlier.
Pigmasks are… Pigmasks, I don't think child labor is a problem for them. Gotta feel sorry for poor Ninten, not knowing who he is and not having a place to stay and dealing with his asthma too, it's just another Sunday for him, eh?
I always assumed PSI Healing could heal asthma, maybe? It'd make sense it could since it's technically a status alignment in the game.
I kinda liked how the cattlesnakes looked, it reminded me of my doodlings when I was a kid. Though the Horsantula… yeah, that poor creature really shouldn't exist, it looks like it's in pain just for existing.
The 4th D-Slip is something I would imagine is kinda like teleportation, but the time skipping thing made more sense in context since once you leave the battle you're still in the same spot you were in when you encountered the enemy.
See-men: Connor: Yep. :(
A Fan:No problem! We understand that life happens. :)
DarkX the Dragon Knight:Connor: More action coming this chapter (assuming that I read the right one when trying to remember what it was about) Yep, 4th D-Slip comes from Mother. It's Ninten's signature PSI move (and a pretty lame one, at that :/). And the asthma also comes from Mother, so we don't take any credit for that. Thanks! :)
DarkFoxKit: I think 4th D-Slip is pretty dang useful when you're low on HP and strong enemies are chasing you down. You can't exactly flee very easily in Mother/Earthbound Beginnings. ^^' But I digress…
Orangeflight of ShadowClan:I'm glad to hear you're excited for someone coming back after a long hiatus! Gotta love that feeling. :3
I hate it when that happens; you wrote down a lot of stuff only for it to get deleted before you saved or sent it.
I don't think you have to really worry about where Ninten will go after this, just keep reading and you'll see.
As for whether or not Claus is still human or chimera… uh… well… he's… both I guess? ^^' I mean he IS still human but… a cybernetic one? He's a human chimera, that's what I usually call him anyways. I guess you could say he's more human than chimera since he still has his rational thoughts and reasonings that chimeras don't usually have.
Ninten's inhaler isn't on him right now, which is why Lucas had to use PSI Healing to get him breathing again.
The 8 hour thing came from the game itself, we just stuck to the canon part in this case. I don't know if 8 or 16 hours is the actual time.
Ninten IS in a very high level considering this is post Earthbound Beginnings/Mother Ninten, but without his memories of experience that's going to hinder him a bit, and Lucas isn't that high of a level yet.
Gotta love 4th-D Slip, even if it's very costly to use. ;P
Connor: Yeah, Ness is basically James Bond. It's a crappy way to write, but this is the story where I'm not worrying as much about how crappy my writing is. I know, the cattlesnakes are brutal. :/ Well, I think that we need to worry more about bad writing knowing that we're already better than a lot of people. Because, you know, only the best of the best get paid for writing novels, and only the best of the the best of the best really hit it big. Being an author is hard haha.
Heh, I'm not competent in a lot of ways. If I had to live on my own, I wouldn't have the first idea of what to do, and I'm moving out to college in the next year. That's kind of a problem. And I think that I could ride a bike… although probably not well. Ooh, hot sauce scares me. O.O Although, that's not saying much. A lot of stuff scares me. xD Well, if you're looking to improve your writing, you should probably start at the editing. Reading through your chapters and identifying weak points is super key. :)
"Hey, Bud," Ness said, walking through the halls of the pigmask base. "Have you ever studied economics?"
"I don't study. I'm just a soldier meant for orders from Master Porky," Bud answered simply.
"Ah," Ness said. "Well, I'm wondering about the long term effects of our negotiations back at the factory. Making the train free for workers lowers the bar for people to get jobs, leading to a greater supply of workers. And as per the basic principles of economics, as supply increases, the equilibrium wage decreases. You know, if there are more workers, they can't be as choosy about the wages that they get. It makes me wonder if I was right to increase the supply like that… on the one hand, I want more people to have opportunities, but on the other hand, I don't want to hurt the people who already work at the factory. I guess this is what being a politician feels like."
"You worry too much," Bud said. "If people are going to get hurt no matter what you do then just do whatever you think is best at the time and see how it plays out."
"Well, I'm just hoping that I'll come up with a solution if I think hard enough," Ness replied, "But it appears that economics don't work that way. I can see now why people can devote their whole lives to studying economic principles and still make the wrong decision in a recession."
"There doesn't seem to be a right way of doing things," Bud said. "Something always turns out for the worst even when you think it's best at the time."
Ness sighed.
"I suppose that you're right, as much as I want to reject your pessimistic words. Man, I never thought that I'd feel bad for a politician, but here I am. Making all of these decisions must wear down on the mind."
"It's why most would change into heartless greedy people after a while. It's less painful that way," Bud shrugged. "Not that any of it matters to me. I just do what I'm told."
"Really?" Ness asked. "Because I think that you just summed up Porky quite well."
"I don't claim to know Master Porky as well as you did. But being his mindless slave for two years had allowed me to see him as that kind of person," Bud answered. "You were once friends with him, correct?"
"Yep," Ness said. "Like I said before, he always had issues. His parents were pretty awful; I think that they caused him to develop self-esteem issues. But he was never outright heartless… not until Giygas. So let me get this straight. You know that Porky's a heartless, greedy monster, but you just don't care?"
"I already told you; I can't care for anything. I am just to do what I am ordered to, nothing more and nothing less. I thought I had told you this already. Besides, he's my master, no matter if he's good, evil or even a spoiled child," Bud answered.
"Well, I just always pictured you as being somewhat deluded," Ness said. "But as you just showed, you know everything about your state. I just don't know how I could not care that I had been brainwashed and turned into a chimera after leading a pretty standard childhood."
"I have not been brainwashed, rather, I was created," Bud sighed. "I thought I told you that too. You seem to be the deluded one here to think that I was someone else before."
"Oh right…" Ness said. "You still don't believe Porky about that. That's a little scary, you know. Only someone fundamentally broken would deny looking into their potentially vivacious past."
"I can see you're not going to give up on that any time soon either," Bud said with another sigh. "Hmm…" He looked down at his mechanical arm. "I really should go see Dr. Andonuts about these glitches soon, before they start going out of hand."
Oh no, Ness thought. Not this again. At least he kept his promise and told me.
"Bud," Ness said wearily. "It's not a glitch. It's who you are. It's who you're supposed to be."
The mechanical arm switched to cannon mode suddenly, startling Ness, and Bud clenched his teeth as if it took effort to change it back.
"I still think those are glitches too, but I was referring to my arm cannon. It's been acting up lately," Bud answered. "I usually need appointments with Dr. Andonuts to make sure I stay functional."
Well, I can't really pull out my trump card against that, Ness thought. I would look like a brainless, stubborn child… which I suppose that I am.
"All right," Ness said hesitantly. "Just… please don't tell him that you have a personality now, all right? I would hate to lose you."
"It would be wise if I talked to him about that too." Bud frowned, looking at Ness. "But I suppose I'll keep my promise until there's a real reason that I need to get rid of these glitches."
Ness sighed in relief.
"Well, I should probably check up with Porky," he said. "Have fun at your doctor's appointment… said nobody ever. Well, goodbye."
When the two boys went their separate ways, Ness strode over Porky's throne room again. He took in the grey, lifeless walls, trying not to let them get to him. Upon entering the throne room, Porky spoke:
"So Ness… I got your report on how you handled the situation. You sure made an awful lot of promises."
"They were stubborn," Ness said. "And some of the issues there were quite serious. The train should not cost money for factory workers. If it's any solace, the equilibrium wage will probably drop a bit after more people start looking for jobs there. And what kind of company doesn't provide access to basic health insurance, especially when working in the mines? This isn't 1850, Porky."
"Have you SEEN Tazmily? It might as well be." Porky laughed before coughing. "In this timeline there weren't such things as companies or money, let alone health insurance. I've provided them with money and hospitals for the sick. But even I can't keep everyone healthy all the time. The job comes at their own risks. All I wanted you to do was to give them tickets to Club Titiboo to keep them nice and happy."
"Which is exactly what I did," Ness said. "How long do you think Club Titiboo would keep them happy? Workers always want more, Porky. They'll start slouching again next month. We need to give them a reason other than basic survival and shallow enjoyment to work."
"Oh I'm sure it would keep them nice and happy." Porky wheezed. "But you've already made all those promises, so the damage's already been done. So how has it been hanging around the Pigmasks? Oh right, you've been too busy playing with my mindless robot."
"Why would I want to interact with the pigmasks?" Ness asked. "I had my fill with zealots back in Happy Happy village. Now I see that you're playing the new Carpainter. How does that feel, to finally end up as the ruler and not the second in command?"
"It feels awesome," Porky wheezed. "However it's all I can do with this life of mine as I can never die or fade away. I might as well turn the entire world into my playground and make sure everyone likes me and those who don't will be destroyed."
Ness pretended to look shocked.
"That's not what you're already doing?" he asked incredulously, trying not to smile.
"Not yet, but I will be soon," Porky said, either missing or ignoring Ness's 'shocked' look. "I'm making plans with Fassad about it… but it may take some time before we're ready. Or more precisely before my mindless robot is ready."
"What does he have to do with anything?" Ness asked. "Dr. Andonuts implied that even his PSI was not the reason that he was brainwashed. What else does he have to offer, I wonder?"
"Oh his PSI was a pretty big reason, but not the only one," Porky said as he grinned. "He was a lot like you, Ness, when we first brought him in. Strong spirited, cracking jokes, wanting justice and all that cheesy stuff. It took a while to break him, but we eventually did. He's special because he carries the same kind of spirit you did."
That can't be it, Ness thought, trying to record Porky's words in his mind so that he could repeat them to Bud. His spirit? What does that have to do with anything?
"Care to elaborate?" Ness asked.
"I don't believe in reincarnations or any of that stuff," Porky said. "But if there were such a thing, I'd say he'd be the closest thing to a reincarnation of you, Ness. He has his own personality that makes him different too, but it was still enough to make me want him as my mindless slave more than anything else."
"I mean, why does that make him special?" Ness asked. "There are plenty of idiots like me; why him?"
"Oh Ness, you call yourself an idiot yet you don't realize how much of a genius you are sometimes," Porky wheezed. "Then again maybe you are an idiot. If I have to explain this, it would take all day before you get it."
Genius? Ness thought. Since when?
"Oh, I'm sure it's my stupidity and not the fact that you just don't want me to know," Ness replied sarcastically. "Seriously, you just sit around in your mech all day. You will live for thousands of years; time itself carries little meaning for you. Tell the truth, Porky. The time that it takes to explain is not what you're worried about."
"Heh, and you still call yourself an idiot." Porky chuckled. "Sorry Ness, but I'm not going to explain everything to you. Remember who's in real control here, Ness. I could have you brainwashed like my mindless slave if I wanted to."
"Well, why didn't you?" Ness asked, genuinely curious. "Why not brainwash me? I've been thinking about that question for quite some time, yet I can find no available reason."
"Because what's the fun in that? All these Pigmask soldiers just do what I say, mainly because they're all practically brainwashed thanks to the happy boxes. And my mindless robot was definitely more of a challenge, he put up quite a fight before we finally broke him. But I've grown bored of just soldiers always being so loyal, so why not try to have one who isn't brainwashed for a change? I gotta say Ness… you certainly keep things interesting," Porky answered. "You always did when we were neighbors."
Happy boxes? Ness thought, making a mental note to ask Bud about them.
"Thanks," Ness muttered sarcastically. "That's my end goal. I want nothing but to make an interesting story. Forget actual emotions or morals… Ah, why am I telling you this? You know me well enough already. Is there anything else that you want to tell me?"
"There is one more thing," Porky wheezed. "Do you remember Giygas, Ness?"
Ness flashed a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"I never forget him, Porky."
Before Porky could elaborate further, a pigmask rushed into the room, either screeching or squealing to a halt- Ness couldn't tell which.
"K-King P!" the pigmask exclaimed. "It's a catastrophe! I don't know what to say!"
"Just say it. If it's that bad then spill it already," Porky grumbled in irritation at being interrupted.
"Uh, of course, King P! I just didn't know how to say it the right way. Er…" the pigmask trailed off, looking at Porky's disapproving face in discomfort. "Some people angered the cattlesnakes near the factory, sir! They're rampaging through the factory… I mean the cattlesnakes, not the humans, sir."
"Ugh… who are the idiots that angered the chimeras?" Porky demanded.
"Uh… apologies, sir!" The pigmask said. "That's all the report said."
"Ness! Get your co-commander and get to the factory now! I need that for a certain goal I have in mind," Porky demanded the boy.
Not so emotionless after all, huh? Ness thought smugly.
"What PSI do I have?" Ness asked. "I need to know before I fling myself into danger."
"You still have your basic ones. Your PK Rockin alpha thing, your Lifeup and Healing alpha, whatever. Now hurry!"
"A weapon," Ness said. "Does the other commander have a spare one with him?"
"Just grab a bat in your room and go!"
Ness nodded. He ran through the halls, making his way to the room that apparently belonged to him- he hardly spent any of his time in there, so he had to check to make sure. He saw a wooden bat lying on his bed and picked it up, examining the make.
Not bad… not bad at all. I should really keep this thing on me at all times.
Ness turned back around and ran towards Dr. Andonuts' office, hoping that Bud was still there. He flung open the door and saw the young commander conversing with the chimera doctor.
"You!" Dr. Andonuts shouted. "Stop interrupting our check-ups! Commander or no, I will not let you…" he trailed off as he saw that Ness wasn't reacting.
"Bud," Ness said, his voice not revealing the panic that he felt. "Emergency at the factory. Prepare for combat and take off as soon as possible."
Bud looked over at Ness before turning back to the doctor. "I apologize, I had better go. Is my arm cannon ready for combat?"
"I fixed up most of the glitches, but it may not be as powerful until I'm able to tune it up," Dr. Andonuts answered reluctantly, still glaring at Ness as if the whole thing were somehow his fault.
"I will have to work with what I have now," Bud said as he got on his feet. "Let's go, Ness."
"Are we going to get there the same way as before?" Ness asked.
"Unless you have a faster way, yes we are," Bud answered.
"And you know how to psionic stall, right?" Ness asked.
"... What?" Bud blinked at that and Ness had to take that as a 'no'.
"It might go by a different name in this world, but it's a technique that allows you to delay damage if you focus hard enough," Ness explained. "That way, you can survive until I can heal you."
"Hmm… No, I've never heard of such a technique. I haven't been in a lot of major fights other than putting down troubled chimeras,," Bud answered. "You can tell me more on the way." He activated his jetwings.
Well, that's really all there is to it, Ness thought. It's a pretty intuitive technique. I guess his lack of fear in combat meant that he didn't try to use his psionic powers in defensive ways.
Ness nodded as Bud picked him up and started flying through the halls. Eventually, Bud flew out of an exit. Ness only then realized how high he was off of the ground. He let out a gasp, trying not to worry about falling.
Actually, Ness thought. One of the applications of psionic stall that I've found is surviving long falls. I can delay the damage to my body and heal myself right before I die. I could wriggle my way free and escape onto the streets of New Pork, and nobody would ever be able to find me again.
The prospect was tempting, but Ness knew in his heart that he couldn't. He couldn't leave Bud as a heartless robot. He couldn't leave Porky as a mindless robot.
"So Bud," Ness shouted, trying to be heard over the sound of the wind. "Psionic stall is pretty easy. Just… focus on staying alive when you get damaged. I learned it during my first fight, so I know that you can do it."
"Focus on staying alive…? Is it really that simple?" Bud asked him back over the winds.
"Yeah, all of my friends knew how to do it, and one of them didn't even have psionic powers. Perhaps there are innate psionic abilities in us all… but I digress. I should stop trying to talk over this wind."
Bud didn't answer back. It didn't take them long to reach the factory, and upon approaching it they could see it was being run over by a herd of cow snake creatures.
"Oh my," Ness said with a gasp. "It's already been trashed. Wait… are there people over there? I think I see two…"
"Cattlesnakes." Bud said. "They're usually content chimeras, but they are very dangerous and very strong, it's not wise to provoke them. Well Ness, I'm going to land us right in the middle of the herd, are you ready to fight?"
"Yeah," Ness replied with a smirk. "I can take a lot of punishment and still walk out with a smile. It takes a lot to kill someone like me. Maybe that's why I act so reckless and stupid…"
Bud landed them in front of the two people; he didn't pay them much attention but seemed to want to protect them. Ness hoped that he wanted to protect them.
"You…?" One of them gasped behind them.
Ness didn't have time to look and see who was talking to him, as one of the Cattlesnakes was charging at them. Bud reacted first by turning his mechanical hand into the cannon and blasted it away with a concentrated PSI blast. Ness joined the fray, wanting to look at the people behind him but knowing that a moment's hesitation could leave an opening in his defenses.
"Let's try this…" Ness said. "Offense up alpha!"
Nothing happened.
Ness swore in his head as a cattlesnake charged towards him. Normally, Ness would have preferred to leap to the side, but he didn't want the chimera to charge into the people behind him. Ness met the charge with his bat, the force of the impact almost sending the bat out of his hand.
These cattlesnakes were a lot tougher than Ness thought; Bud wasn't kidding when he said they were strong and dangerous. Bud held out a small hilt of a sword but his hand cackled with electricity, causing it to turn yellow and a blade came out of it. Using the lightning sword, Bud slash the cattlesnake and caused its entire body to twitch in shock.
"PK Rockin alpha!" Ness shouted, throwing bright psychedelic colors of psionic energy at the other cattlesnakes, forcing them back. "Do you have this one, Bud?"
"This is too easy,," Bud said back to him.
"All right," Ness said. He turned back to face the people behind him. "Wait… you guys? Again?"
"It's a small world, huh?" Lucas asked, looking at the other cattlesnakes in worry.
"Not to sound ungrateful or anything, but what are you guys doing here?" Ninten asked, holding up his broken stick.
Bud just blasted more cattlesnakes his PSI cannon before slashing through them with his lightning sword without hesitation.
"Fight now, talk later," Ness said, looking towards the horde of chimeras. "Hey Bud, can you take these guys to safety?"
"I'm a little busy right now," Bud said back to him. "PK Fire!" He shot out flames from his hands and burned most of the cattlesnakes in the area.
Ness ran forward and swatted the chimera engaged with Bud, dealing no real damage.
"And now you're not," he said. "Take them to safety! You have wings, man!"
"We can fight," Lucas said, his determination surprising Ness. "Do you have weapons?"
"Yeah, we're not going to run away now!" Ninten said, sharing his determination.
"Why do you two want to fight? This factory means nothing to you," Bud questioned them.
What part of "fight now, talk later" does nobody understand? Ness wondered. This hesitation could cost lives!
"It doesn't matter," Ness said. "Do you have any spare weapons?"
"I did not bring any spare weapons," Bud said back. "But if they need to fight that badly then why don't you give them your bat?"
Ness tossed Lucas his bat. The blond caught it deftly, raising an eyebrow.
"Ninten," Ness said. "Stick with me. Lucas, go with Bud, but come over to me if you need healing. Ninten, you're going to have to fight with that broken stick. Let's go!"
Without waiting for a response, Ness charged at a cattlesnake that was about to flank Bud. He slammed his foot into the chimera, feeling it connect with flesh. The chimera swept its tail out, slamming Ness in the face. Only his combat experience allowed Ness to remain standing.
Ninten, you'd better get over here soon…
Ninten gave Lucas a small push over to Bud. Lucas seemed hesitant and Ninten was trying to encourage him without really saying anything. Ninten gave him a nod before he ran over towards Ness. The cattlesnake let out an angry roar as it was about to buck Ness in the face, but Ninten managed to slam his broken stick into its head, causing it to screech in pain and buck its feet in the air wildly away from Ness.
"Go for the sides!" Ness shouted, not wanting to spare even a moment to thank Ninten before the fight was over. "The head and tail are dangerous. Watch your back, too. More chimeras will come."
Ness swung his fist at another cattlesnake, trying to stop it from tackling Ninten. Ninten himself was holding up pretty well for someone who Ness assumed had little to no battle experience. Ninten looked like he kept pointing at the cattlesnake like he's trying to do something without actually touching them, but the boy kept getting a confused look on his face whenever he did.
"Whatever you're trying to do isn't working!" Ness exclaimed as the cattlesnake big his arm. He leapt to the side and kicked the chimera under the stomach, which seemed to slow it down. "Fix it later! Go for something else!"
"I don't know what I'm trying to do either! It just felt like instinct!" Ninten yelled back as he kicked a cattlesnake's side to get it away from him.
My gosh, Ness thought. You're holding a stick in your hands, Ninten. Use it!
Another cattlesnake charged at Ness. He took its attack in stride, not wanting it to ram into Ninten. He tried to fight both of them at once, but he fared poorly without a weapon.
This isn't working…
"Lifeup alpha!" Ness shouted, touching a hand to his body as he jumped away from the cattlesnakes. "Ninten! We can't deal with these guys! Let's group up with Bud and Lucas."
"Okay!" Ninten yelled back as he just smacked away another cattlesnake with the broken stick.
Ness looked up to try to find where Bud and Lucas went. They weren't too far away, but he was rather surprised that they were holding well themselves and were working together pretty well at least. Lucas bashed away the cattlesnakes that came too close while Bud used his PSI cannon or offensive PSI at the further away ones.
Guess they're both naturals, Ness thought. He ran through the line of chimeras, hearing Ninten's footsteps behind him. The cattlesnakes charged at the retreating boys, their enraged faces showing no mercy. Ness flung himself in front of Ninten, taking their attacks with gritted teeth. He wasn't kidding when he had told Bud that it would take a lot to bring him down.
"N-Ness! You're hurt!" He heard Ninten shout in concern. "You gotta stop jumping in front like that! I don't care if you're some big commander, you're still human and a kid!"
"Psionics gives me extra durability," Ness said. "Besides, I can always heal myself if I need to. We need someone to stall until Bud blows up all of the chimeras, and I'm betting that I can take more punishment. Now get over there!"
Ness picked up running again, this time making it over to Bud and Lucas before the cattlesnakes could charge at him again.
"Ninten and I can't do enough damage," he said, "So we had to pull back. New plan: everyone protect Bud while he beats the living crap out of them with his cannon and offensive PSI."
"Don't any of you have offensive PSI?" Bud asked. "I'm getting kind of tired myself. I can't keep this up all day you know."
Oh, you can't?
Ness nodded curtly.
"It doesn't do much, but I have enough psionic energy to use it almost indefinitely." Which I should have been doing from the start… ah, screw my instincts that tell me to go in for melee attacks! I don't know what to do without my weapon. "I can still go in the front line, though. Let's try to fend them back, all right, Ninten and Lucas?"
"You just try not to get yourself killed," Ninten said to Ness. "You're pretty dang reckless. Psionics or not, you can still die."
"There is one PSI I haven't used yet and it's considered my most powerful one," Bud said.
"What does it do?" Ness demanded.
"It can hit all enemies in a cone in front of me and causes massive damage," Bud answered. "But I don't usually use it much."
A lightbulb went off in Ness' head.
"And you have energy to use it… how many times?"
By now, some of the cattlesnakes had engaged Lucas and Ninten. Ness wanted to help them, but he needed this information.
"As of right now, about four times only. It's a costly PSI," Bud answered.
"Good enough," Ness said, scanning the area. "Everyone, into the factory. Quickly!"
The factory was mostly ruined, but it would provide Ness with what he needed. They entered the shaky remains of the building through the front door, which was barely wide enough for two or three chimeras to charge through side by side. Ness motioned for all of them to stand in the doorway.
"What is this plan of yours?" Ninten demanded after they went into the factory.
Ness looked around and grabbed a metal pole that had been broken in a way that gave it a sharp tip. He tossed it to Ninten.
"You and Lucas stay at the front. Ninten, hold out that piece of metal like a spear. It will stop any chimera that charges at you. Bud, prepare to use your PSI. As for me… PK Rockin Alpha!"
Chaotic energy of various colors once again assaulted a group of the cattlesnakes. He used the ability a few more times, making sure to hit every chimera at least ones. About a dozen cattlesnakes remained, and every one of them looked at Ness' party angrily.
"They're getting ready to charge…" he whispered. "Okay… they're charging now… Bud, use you PSI!"
Bud's hand sparked with blue energy, energy that got Lucas's attention. Bud pointed his hands at the incoming herd. "PK Love!"
Blue hexagonal energy exploded all over the cattlesnakes; the attack itself was brighter and bigger than Ness's Rockin alpha was.
"We just needed to get them in one place," Ness said. "It looks like some of them are still standing. Use it again!"
"PK Love!" Bud sent out the powerful blue hexagonal energy over the cattlesnakes again. He was starting to sweat from using it twice in a row.
"One more time!" Ness shouted.
"PK Love!" The energy exploded once more. By now Bud was panting, barely having enough mental energy for one more.
Luckily, he didn't need to use one more. All of the chimeras lay dead on the ground, none of them having made it to Lucas or Ninten. Ness let out a sigh of relief.
"I apologize for horrible decision-making," he said. "We should have done that from the start. Thanks for saving me from being smacked a bunch of times, Ninten. Is there anything else that I'm forgetting?"
"... Um… wait, did he use 'PK Love'?" Ninten asked, pointing at Bud in shock. "I thought that Ionia man-lady said it was special…"
"She did," Lucas said, looking at Bud intently. "I guess it's just a coincidence that another person can use it."
"Wait, you can use PSI?" Ness asked, healing himself over and over with lifeup alpha.
"Well… yeah," Ninten said after hesitating a bit. "But we ran out during our battle of survival before you two showed up. Lucas knows how to use PK Love, but we didn't know there was another who could use it."
"I wasn't aware that another could learn PK Love either." Bud said, sounding curious himself.
"It seems like everyone can use PSI these days," Ness said, shaking his head. "But where is everyone else?"
In that moment, a man walked up to Ness. Ness recognized him as Bronson.
"I went up to check on you kids, but it seems like most of you are all right," he said. "And were you the ones who took care of the chimeras?"
"Yes, it was us," Bud answered, sounding as emotionless as before.
"It was mostly them," Ninten said, gesturing to Bud and Ness.
"Mostly him," Ness said, gesturing towards Bud. "But in all seriousness, is everyone okay?"
Bronson nodded.
"Some of us are in the tunnels, while others fled to the woods nearby. A few of us are injured, though."
"We should probably get them medical attention…" Ness said. "But the chimeras probably destroyed the train, huh? Which means… we should take them to Club Titiboo."
"Um… what now?" Ninten asked.
"It's a club for workers to relax," Bud answered the Ness look-alike. "How are we going to take all the people up there? They're scattered from the chimera attack."
"It will take time," Ness said. "But we can do it. If we need to, you can fly back to Tazmily and to pick up a doctor and fly him up there, but we can't just leave them suffering," Ness looked around at the ruins of the factory. "It looks like some people just lost their jobs."
"Lucas, I can't help but wonder if we're cursed or something," Ninten sighed sadly. "It's like every job we take it ends up in a disaster."
Ness looked at his doppelganger and Lucas, feeling pity seep into his heart.
"I'm sorry," Ness whispered. "I will do what I can as soon as I make it back to the base. For now, though, we should take everyone to club Titiboo… let's go."
Ness sighed. Before, he had always won fights to restore the world back to its former state. This victory wasn't one of those. Victories shouldn't result in so much pain.
And yet there's nothing more that I could have done, Ness thought. That realization made him feel so weary.
"Ness. I will take these two to the club while you start the search, okay?" Bud spoke up as he activated his jetwings.
Ness just gave a nod to him as Bud picked up both Lucas and Ninten's shirt, flying them up to the sky.
With pain in his eyes and longing in his heart, Ness left the factory to search for other victims of this fundamentally evil struggle.