Warning: The following contains a short chapter due to Starcraft II buying up my time. Also, if you want to hear the Song of Trust mention on this chapter, go to Youtube and search the song.

January 30, 2027 17:44 (5:44 PM) Deck of the Starship Mario...

Everyone on the ship was inside having a victory party. Mario finally collected the star that gave the ship back it's power and Pokey got the plant that will hopefully purify the island's water supply. Why wouldn't they have a party; it was truly a glorious day? Well, almost...

Pokey didn't feel much like celebrating. He stood outside in the cold winter evening, staring at the setting sun. His mind was preoccupied by what the healer said to him back on the island.

"By the way... It is the same Ness you knew..."

Those words kept echoing around his head. He just couldn't believe it. The Ness he known was a kind and gentle soul; not capable of doing such horrid deeds. Why, he still remembers the first day they met.

His thoughts were interrupted when he saw a bright white light in the horizon coming closer. The light formed into a ball and started to hover around him. He followed the ball of light with his eyes, soon a melody started to play from the ball.

"Pray to heaven with a song, as the winds caress me..."

Pokey looked at it with more curiously. He could have sworn he saw a green haired girl flashed in front of him.

"Send the prayer up to the light, so that it might help me see..."

Now he saw a girl with a wizard hat. He became even more confused by what was happening.

A foreign warrior girl reached out her arm and grabbed Pokey's arm. "Searching through my memories, memories, my memories for you, for you..."

She led Pokey into the white orb. Soon, he noticed he was no longer in Starship Mario, but surround by white light. A blonde hair girl came up to him and grabbed his hand; she smiled at him as she continued the melody.

"I have come this far, having lost every hope, hope of finding you.."

She disappeared, only to be replaced by a elfin maid with purple hair. She started to dust him off.

"But, I swear no matter what I've had to face, you've never left my heart.."

Suddenly, two twin vampire girls threw fresh flowers petals at him as the elfin maid disappeared.

"There are sweet memories, they live all around us.."

Pokey closed his eyes as he was blinded by the flowers and when he opened them he saw a pink hair girl wearing a strange mage outfit. She fixed her glass as she continued the melody.

"How can you not believe in our love?.."

Suddenly, he was ballroom dancing with a blue haired girl for whom seemed to be rich.

"My full heart belongs to you, my life your love leads.."

She span him around and he land on the laps of another blonde hair young lady, except this one was holding a book.

"I've always stood next to you in your time of need.."

She waved the book across his eyes and then he noticed that he was holding a crate of fruit. Another girl with blonde hair, and this time with red eyes, led him forward as she continued to sing.

"Embraced by the warmth of your gentle gaze, I've given you my love.."

Envelopes fell from the sky and he saw a red haired mail carrier. She gave him a letter as she continued the melody.

"I look for you now in my memories, heart never mending, love never ending.."

He looked at the letter for a second and then saw a young nun in front of him. Behind her, he saw every religious symbol in the world floating.

"Pray to heaven with our song."

The religious symbols started spinning around him and he saw all 13 girls praying around him in a circle.

Suddenly, he was alone in the white area again. He heard footsteps behind him and turned. He saw an old man with a large white beard and a red cap. He smiled at Pokey.

Pokey stared at the old man, he hesitated for a while but finally spoke. "W-who? What? Y-you? Where am I?"

The old man chuckled, "You are in your subconscious. I have called upon you Pokey, you're talents are needed."

"Who are you?"

"I am called the Grand Master by the people of Oasis. I lead them, help them, and love them. I protect them from the terrible cruelty of the Dark Lord called Ness."

Pokey gasped when he heard those words. "Ness? So.. That means..."

"Yes Pokey, he is the cause of this. He is looking for you."

"Why?" asked Pokey.

The man smiled, "You are one of the most powerful creatures on this planet. He needs you to power his machine of death. But more to the point, I've came to you for help and only you can help me."

"Help? Help with what? And who were those girls?"

"They are the Twelve Maidens of the Spirits, and they are the only ones that can stop Ness. You see, not even death can touch him, he has become a god. But, just as the Eight Melodies stopped Giygas, the Song of Trust can stop Ness. This is when you come in."

"The Song of Trust?"

"Yes Pokey, the song was created 1200 years ago in a kingdom called Norad. Its power is far too great for any man to truly grasp. Not even Ness can fully understand it. You must find the 12 Maidens that sang the song. They are scattered around the world, but they are in safe havens like the one I live in. They do not know their true destiny yet, so you must awaken them. Once you find them all, you must travel to the ruins of the United States and meet me in Oasis with the Maidens."

"How do I awaken them?"

The man grabbed something from his robe and threw it to Pokey. It was a large crystal flower head that glowed a rainbow colors.

"Once they are ready, show them the flower head and they will see their true destiny. Luckily for you, one of the Maidens lives in Nowhere Island. A girl with blonde hair and blue eyes lives next door to Lucas. She is a strange girl, but her heart is in the right place. Her name is Mist."

Pokey placed the flower inside his pocket and grabbed his cane from the ground. He spoke softly, "Thank you, but I must ask you another question."

The man was curious, "Yes, Pokey?"

"What is your name, Grand Master?"

The man smiled one last time, "My name... My name is Ninten..." He disappeared and the white light blinded Pokey.

When he opened his eyes, he saw he was back on the ship. He checked his pocket and found the crystal flower was indeed inside of it. He heard someone coming out a pipe and looked to see Mario.

"Hey Pokey, are you okay?" the plumber asked.

Pokey hid the flower back in his pocket and smiled, "Yes Mario, I just have to do something later on."

For the rest of the night, he did not spoke a word, nor did he sleep. He spent his time thinking.