Summer break had just begun. Ness spent most of the first few days asleep. He didn't have much to do. Most of his friends were playing that new virtual reality game. This was a massive step in video games. Not only did it look like you were in the game, it felt like it, smelt like it, etc. There was almost no telling from reality to the game. Ness was a little sad that he didn't have the game. He never begged for it though, he knew his mom had better things to worry about.

He woke up and hopped from the bed. He stretched and yawned. He walked to the dresser that had a mirror. He looked in with his tired eyes and grabbed a brush. He brushed his hair. "Jesus, you need a life man," Ness told himself as he brushed his hair. There was a quick but silent knock at the door. Ness placed the brush on the dresser and stretched more as he walked to the door. He opened the door and saw Tracy's excitement. He looked down and saw his dog, King. Even he was jumping with joy. "What's got you so happy?"

"We're going to Greninja's Shuriken Park," Tracy happily said. King barked in turn with her. Ness smiled.

"Really?" Before Tracy could respond, their mom came into Ness' view with a smile.

"Ness, I've got something you might find more fun," his mom said. Ness tilted his head.

"What could be more fun than Greninja's place? That shits the bomb."

"Language."

"Sorry." Tracy chuckled and ran down the stairs with King following close behind. Ness' mom motioned for Ness to follow her. They walked down the stairs and into the living room. On the three cushioned couch was a large box. Ness looked around and saw an Amazon Prime box. He walked to the couch and saw the name on the side that was faced toward the roof. ATLAS. Ness couldn't contain his smile. He knew what this was. He jumped with joy and struggled to pick the box up. The box was a few inches taller than him. He looked up at the box and the image of the game. He then laid it on the ground and looked at his mom.

"You bought it?"

"I had some help, but yea."

"Who?"

"Someone named Flint, says it was from his son's idea and finances. So whoever Flint's son is."

"Huh, never heard of someone named Flint." Ness shook his head. "But that doesn't really matter, just tell him thanks if you see him."

"Already did." Ness looked down at the box.

"Can I play it?"

"Of course, that's what it's for." Ness chuckled as he picked the box up and ran up the stairs. He leaned the box against his bed and started to move everything around his room. His mom watched as he cleaned his room just to play a game. She looked down at Tracy, who was ready to go to Greninja's Shuriken Park.

"Remind me to just buy games so he'll clean his room," she chuckled. They finally walked out of the house and drove off. Ness finally emptied his room. The only thing that wasn't moved was his bed and the dresser that was connected to a mirror. Ness opened the box and lifted it upside down to allow the contents of the box to fall out. There was a full bodysuit. This suit was silver and had small bumps along the entire thing. The only part of Ness that wouldn't be covered would be his face. The next was the VR headset. Combining the headset and the suit, the only part of his entire body that won't ever be covered would be his mouth. The VR headset would even block his nose so he could smell what his character would smell. Another thing that came out was a small circular treadmill. Ness tested it a little and realized this isn't limiting to only two directions. He had full range of where to walk on the treadmill. There were two gloves and two socks of a similar style to the full bodysuit.

Ness pushed the treadmill around to find the best place for it. He soon found a place where it wouldn't pose to be any trouble to any surroundings. Ness then had to contemplate how he would put on the suit. "Naked, or no?" he asked himself. He looked in the box and found that the instructions say that being nude is not suggested, but is possible. Ness shrugged. "Screw it." He quickly took his clothes off and put on the bodysuit. He then put on the socks and the gloves. He grabbed the VR headset and turned it on. Ness chuckled to himself and stepped back onto the treadmill. "What if I fall off?" he asked himself. He just shrugged and put the headset on.

Ness opened his eyes and instantly saw himself in a grid-like area. A small robot that looked like a computer rolled up to him. The screen of this computer-like robot was light blue. It stopped in front of Ness. "Hello, my name is Monita, I am the guide of ATLAS," Monita said in a feminine robotic voice. The small, simple face of Monita turned into a mirror. The screen grew. "The scans have finished, please confirm if this is what you look like." Ness looked in and saw his body. Obviously he looked exactly like what he looks like under the silver bodysuit. Two floating options appeared near the large screen. Ness pointed at the 'yes' option. When he did a small jingle chimed and another option on the other side of the screen appeared. "Please, choose a power. This power will affect your look, your level up abilities, your equipables, your weaknesses, and anything of the like." Ness looked and saw three options, but next to them was a scroller. There was Ice, Fire, Animal, Sand, and many more. Ness chose Fire.

Ness was then surrounded by light. When the light disappeared he looked into the mirror and saw his look. His hair was replaced with flames. He wore a sleeveless shirt that had a pattern of flames. It looks like the sleeves had been cut, so the fabric is sticking out in many directions. Ness also had shorts that had a single hole on each leg. This hole was patched up with fire in the form of a spike. Ness also had shoes that resembled crocs, but it looks like it's made from molten rock. "Is this your final decision?" The two options appeared once more. Ness chose 'yes'. "The final part is if you want to add any accessories." A small menu appeared and had many side tables. Glasses, gloves, hats, etc. Ness decided to put on a similar baseball cap that he normally has. The basic baseball cap option turned to have the bill of the hat became flames while the rest became red and orange. Another yes or no option came. Ness chose 'yes'. "Alright then. You are ready to begin ATLUS." The mirror turned back to Monita's normal look.

More light blinded him, but when the light went away Ness looked around he saw he was in a field. The field looked so real. Ness chuckled to himself in disbelief. A small dialogue menu came up with Monita's face. "Would you like to go through the tutorial?" Ness chose no. "Warning, if you choose to not take the tutorial, you will start the game with no experience or weapons. Are you sure?" Ness chose yes. The menu disappeared and Ness inhaled the air. He was able to smell the fresh breeze. Ness started walking around. He was walking toward a town that was across the field.

"Watch out," a boy's voice said. Ness turned around and saw a boar about to attack him. But before he could, the boy came from the side and stabbed an ice sword through the boar. The boar disappeared and some meat was left on the ground. The boy looked at Ness. His hair looked to be in some ice cream style and was made of ice. He had a brown Parka with the fuzzy hood down. He has gloves with the fingers cut off. He also had rather thick looking tan pants. His shoes were clearly made to traverse through snow more efficiently. The boy smirked.

"It must've been tough getting your hair in the suit," Ness jokes.

"You don't even know," the boy chuckled. He stood up and realized something. He put his hand to his pocket and his inventory appeared in front of him, but Ness couldn't see, only him. He then tapped on a silver sword. He looked back at Ness. He tossed the sword and Ness caught it.

"What's this for?"

"There's a saying for ATLUS. When you kill one boar…" at this point loads of boars jumped from bushes and from behind trees. The boy backed up next to him and prepared his stance. "You're bound to get more." The boars started to walk menacingly forward.

"I don't know how to fight."

"Trust me, it's built into the code. When it's needed, you'll know." The boy ran forward with his ice sword and killed one boar in one hit. Ness looked down at the sword and gripped the grip. He ran forward and he twisted his body to the left and powerfully slashed a boar. He chuckled to himself and stabbed forward at a charging boar. They killed a lot of the boars, but then one ran off. "Crap." Ness walked to the boy.

"What's the matter?"

"When an enemy runs off, the leader of that group of enemies comes. Not the ideal first fight for ya."

"What do we do?"

"Follow my lead." Ness nodded his head. The ground started to shake slightly, and a large boar was spotted running toward them. The boar had large tusks, a strange wooden crown, and red in its eyes. The boy ran forward, and Ness followed. Around the large boar's feet were smaller boars. The boy was able to bait two boars to follow him. He gripped onto one of the legs and spun around the leg like it was a pole. He had his sword held out and stabbed a large herd of boars. Ness was able to copy the move. He looked down at his feet and saw some weird blue light surround his feet. He looked at the boy who had the same light on around his feet. They ran toward each other. The boy tossed up his sword and kneeled down. He cupped his hands together in time for Ness to step his foot on the cupped hands. The boy pushed Ness up. Ness was able to flip in the air and kick the sword in the boar's eye. Ness took his sword and tossed it down. The boy was able to do a 360 kick causing the silver sword to propel forward and slam into the other eye of the boar before it fully fell to the ground. The boy caught Ness. The boy smiled. "Name's Lucas by the way." Ness smiled as he hopped off.

"Ness." The large boar disappeared as they walked toward it. Ness' inventory was automatically filled with 500 of the game's currency. The currency looks like simple gold coins but the name of the currency is Grids. Lucas grinned and picked up the hunk of meat that dropped. Lucas turned around and walked toward Ness. He held out his hand.

"Nice teamwork."

"Yea, I'm better than I thought." Lucas patted his back and faced the town that Ness was headed toward. "You want your sword?"

"Nah, I've got an infinite supply. And plus, you'll need it if you want to join my guild."

"Guild?"

"It's the best and fastest way to earn money and treasures. If you don't want to it's fine."

"No, of course, I want to join." Lucas' grin turned to a smile.

"Thank god, we've been needing another member for the longest time."

"We?"

"Yup, grab my hand." Lucas held out his hand and Ness tilted his head. He then grabbed it and Lucas held up his right hand. He pulled up a map. Ness saw this and his mouth fell open in awe.

"Jesus fuck, the map is so big."

"Oh, this is one of twenty."

"Ok, I knew ATLUS was big, but this is on a whole nother level." Lucas nodded and zoomed-in like he would on a phone. Ness soon saw a fire and ice icon, representing them, and Lucas moved the map up to the town. The name of the town was over the town. Relay town. Lucas tapped on the name and had a few options. He chose the fast travel option, it was titled Teleport. Lucas closed the map and both were soon encased in a bubble of ice. When the ice broke Ness saw that they were in the Relay town. Ness let go of Lucas' hand. "This is huge."

"Definitely, one of the bigger towns, it's even bigger than some cities."

"Then, why isn't it named City?"

"It's basically a branch of an existing city, so in a way Relay Town is a state, and Bangle City is the country."

"Ahh."

"Now, follow me and we'll find the other guild members." Ness nodded and Lucas led him through the village. They passed many buildings and loads of other players. Ness didn't stay too far from Lucas, but he was still able to look at every possible building. Ness stopped and looked at a restaurant. Lucas walked back and looked at the restaurant. "What's the matter?"

"A Handy Appetite?"

"Uh, yea, what about it?" Ness pointed inside the building at a large floating hand.

"The goddamn superintendent of my school." Ness walked forward and entered the door. "Mr. Hand?" The hand turned around. He had a pink flower-patterned apron on.

"Ahh, Ness, what's up?" Master Hand asked.

"The hell you doing here, and just, how?"

"That's my problem." Lucas soon walked in and tilted his head.

"Huh, I never realized he was here."

"Lucas too, well, it's great to see both of you. How's school going for you two?"

"Isn't it summer break?" Ness asked.

"Oh, I forgot."

"And isn't the break used for like meetings or whatever?"

"Hey, what I do with my school is my business, now go study for your exams." Lucas grabbed Ness' sleeve and walked out.

"I forgot how stupid he was. Now, where were we?" Ness just shrugged and continued to follow Lucas. They stopped in front of a building that looked like an airport hanger. It seemed out of place and was more on the outskirts of the town. Ness knocked two, waited for a second, then two more times. A small door on the side of the building opened, and the two of them walked through it. Lucas flipped the lights on and saw his fellow guild members sitting at a table. "Why were you guys sitting in the dark?"

"Don't worry about it," one said. Ness recognized the sound. He squinted his eyes and walked forward.

"Ninten?" Ness asked. Ninten looked at Ness and grew a large smile. He jumped from the chair and ran over to Ness. Ninten looked like he was a gardener. He had overalls with a flannel. His hat was a little different too, it was a straw hat.

"Hey, Ness, been a while," Ninten said, putting his hands on Ness' shoulders.

"We saw each other last night." Ninten smirked and adjusted his hat. The boy that was sitting with Ninten stood from the chair. Ninten stepped aside.

"This is my brother," Lucas said, patting his brother's back. "Claus." Claus' face turned to him. Claus' hair was smaller than Lucas' and seemed to be made from glass. His clothes made him seem like a glazer. His short clear hair was somewhat covered with a hard hat. He also had a black and grey light sweater. He had some dark jeans and basic shoes.

"Goddamn it Lucas, for the last time, I can introduce myself."

"My bad, just thought you were too busy having Ninten's dick in your mouth to talk."

"LUCAS, THAT WAS ONE TIME, DROP IT. IT WAS AN ACCIDENT." Ness looked at Ninten.

"How do you accidentally suck a dick?"

"Fuck you, that's my business."

"Is this the boy you were talking about?" Ninten nodded but then Claus looked at them.

"Talked about what he'd say?" Claus asked. Ness opened his mouth but Ninten covered it.

"Don't worry 'bout it C-Baby."

"I hate your nicknames."

"Anyway, where are the others?" Lucas asked.

"They went out to get some experience before we head to the cave."

"The cave?" Lucas nodded his head.

"There is this big monster in a cave and if we defeat it, we get some big prize."

"So, I need to train?"

"It'd be better," Ninten said. Ness nodded his head.

"I'll take ya to the best place, I could use some experience myself."

"Well, we're going too." Lucas seemed a little disappointed but nodded. He then grabbed Ness' arm and pulled up the map. He moved the map to an area slightly above Relay Town. There was a cave that was called Turn-Over. He tapped the teleport and the same ice appeared around them.

When the ice broke away Ness looked around at the cave. It seemed odd. It seemed like a regular cave, aside from the fact it looks like they are standing on the roof of a normal cave. Ness looked around in confusion. "There's a reason it's called Turn-Over." Ninten and Claus soon teleported in with a flower for Ninten, and a glass bottle for Claus. Claus stepped forward and Ninten followed close behind. Lucas turned to Ness and smiled. He walked forward. Ness pulled out his sword and gripped it hard. Lucas turned his head. "You coming?" Lucas asked. Ness nodded and walked forward. He stayed next to Lucas slightly behind Ninten and Claus.

"How long have you all been friends?" Ness asked.

"We met in school last year." Ness looked at the two boys in front of them.

"Huh, Ninten's never mentioned you guys by name."

"Well, Ninten's an ass." Ness laughed.

"We can agree on that." Ness stepped on some rocks but didn't pay it much mind. At least not until the rocks started to move on their own. The rocks shot back, which caused Ness to turn. Lucas calmly turned and brought out his ice sword.

"You two, go on ahead."

"Don't you dare die on us," Ninten chuckled. Ness looked back and saw them walking away and turning into a hall. Ness turned back and saw that there were now multiple rock creatures. Lucas looked at Ness.

"Odd, aren't they?" The rock creatures looked upside down. The head of the creatures was now used as its legs, and vice versa. Ness and Lucas ran forward slashing their swords into the creature's legs, which were where a normal head would be. They fell apart, but then they built each other back up. "Oh, they upgraded I see." Ness saw that Lucas put away the sword.

"What are you doing?" Lucas winked. He grabbed Ness' arm and pulled him into a hug. "Lucas?" Lucas closed his eyes. Ness felt an odd feeling, which forced him to close his eyes. The two boys were surrounded in fire and ice which shot at the growing hoard of the rock creatures. The combination of the sharp ice, and the burning flames, destroyed the rocks. Ness opened his eyes and saw Lucas open his. Lucas smiled.

"Teamwork makes the dream work."

"You could've told me what we were doing." Lucas tilted his head.

"Well, at least I know you like hugs."

"What makes you say that?"

"You still have your hands around me, I stopped a bit ago." Ness then shot his hands to his side and nervously chuckled. "You know, you live in Smashville, right?"

"Yea, how'd you know?"

"I'm a smart boy...and you knew Master Hand." Ninten and Claus walked up to them. Claus crossed his arms.

"I hate you," Claus said.

"How come?"

"You killed every Underoos in the cave," Ninten answered.

"The underwear brand?" Ness asked himself but just shook his head.

"No, there's one left," Lucas said. He then backed up and pointed to the head of a single Underoos, rolling around trying to find a body. Lucas looked at Ness. "Do the honors." Ness smirked and held his hand toward the rolling head and clenched his fist. A small flame dropped from the roof and disintegrated the head. Ness chuckled to himself in pride. Lucas patted his back, then there was a small tune that played. Above Ness, there were the words "level up". I stayed above him for a bit before finally disappearing. "You leveled up a few times, I can tell." Ness smiled as he looked at his hand.

"I didn't even know I could do that, I was just winging it," he laughed. Claus shot around and sighed angrily.

"We've gotta go deeper into the cave, next time, don't kill all of them you bastards." Claus started to walk away. Ness tilted his head and walked next to Ninten. Lucas shook his head.

"I have no idea how you like him," Lucas said as he passed Ninten. Ninten just chuckled and started walking with Ness. The four of them grinded for experience. They then teleported back to their hanger base and said their goodbyes and took off each of their VR headsets. It took a second for Ness' eyes to adjust. He got off the small treadmill and kicked it to the side. He then changed into his normal clothes. He stretched when there was a sudden knock at the door. He walked to it and opened it. He saw Tracy.

"'Bout time you were done, we've been waiting for hours," Tracy said.

"Waiting?"

"Yea, come on, dinner." Tracy led him downstairs and to the kitchen table. It was some steak, and Ness loved steak, no matter how it may seem like it's the only thing he eats. While eating it his phone buzzed in his pocket. He took it out and turned it on. It was a message. He checked the message that was from Ninten.

Ninten: Hey, Lucas wants to talk to you

Ness: He does?

Ninten: Yup, so just come by my place

Ness: KK

Ness pocketed the phone and quickly finished the steak. Tracy and his mom chuckled. "You never eat that fast, what's the occasion?" Ness' mom asked.

"I'm gonna meet a friend." Ness jumped out of the chair and put his plate and fork in the sink. He then ran to the door, put on his shoes, and looked back at his family. His mom motioned for him to go and Ness smiled as he slightly bowed his head. He opened the door and inhaled the fresh air. He smirked and decided to just walk to Ninten's house. Ness knew he didn't get out much, but he enjoys it when he does.

Ninten's house isn't all that far from Ness'. He eventually got there. The house wasn't anything special. All of the houses were pretty much the same with just minor differences. Ness knocked on the door and Ninten quickly opened the door. He smiled and leaned into Ness' ear. "Lucas is here," he said.

"Ye, you said, why're you whispering?"

"I uh, I don't know," Ninten chuckled. Ness rolled his eyes as he walked into the house. Ninten quickly got ahead of Ness and led the way upstairs to his room. Ninten opened the door to his room and Ness saw Lucas. When he first saw him a smile was born on his face, but he didn't know why. He walked in. Lucas was sitting on the floor just in front of the bed. On the bed was who Ness assumed to be Claus. Ninten nearly skipped in the room and jumped on the bed.

"I hate it when you do that," Claus said to him.

"Oh deal with it, you will have to deal with it in the future anyway."

"Aww, you guys are planning your future. Claus, is he gonna be your hubby?" Lucas asked.

"Screw off, Lucas." Lucas and Ness giggled and turned to the TV that had Batman the Animated Series on. While watching Ness' hat gets taken off. Ness looked up at Ninten who had the hat in his hands.

"The hell?" Ness asked. He crawled across his bed and placed it on Lucas' rather tall hair.

"Hey, it won't fit on my hair," Lucas tries to push Ninten's hands away. Ness tilted his head, and something inside of him wanted to see him with his hat on. He scoots over and flattens his hair. Lucas looked at him, his cheeks growing a pink tint. Ness noticed the hair covered his eyes, so he moved what little hair was blocking the view to his eyes. He subconsciously smiled, and his cheeks grew in color. Ninten looked at Claus.

"You're seeing what I'm seeing? Right?" Ninten asked.

"One hundred percent," Claus nodded.

"So, you thinking what I'm thinking?" Ninten looked into Claus' eyes.

"...That I'm hungry, yea."

"No, that's not."

"Don't worry, I know what you were talking about. Just give them the hat already." Ninten nodded and leaned over the edge of the bed and placed the hat on Lucas hat. Ness backed up after noticing he was more or less staring into Lucas' eyes. He watched as Lucas adjusted the hat to fit him better. The smile on Ness grew wider.

"What?" Lucas asked.

"It uh, fits you quite nicely."

"Thanks, Ness, but…" Lucas took off the hat and looked at it. Then he looked at Ness. "I like myself better without it."

"Me too," Ness thought out loud. "I-I mean, what?" Lucas giggled which brought more blush to Ness' face. Ness took the hat and placed it on his head. He turned and scooted closer to Lucas as they watched the show. Nearing the end of the show Ness had scooted toward Lucas to a point in which their legs were nearly touching. Lucas didn't mind though, in fact, he was the one who scooted last. They watched the rest of the show and played some non-VR games. After two whole hours pass they decide it's time to split. Ninten leads the other three out of the door. He seems to say goodbye in a more special way for Claus. Ness expected Claus to back away, but he didn't. He allowed Ninten to kiss his cheek.

"I hate you," Claus said despite allowing Ninten to do what he did. Lucas chuckled to himself as he shook his head.

"I'll never understand you, Claus." Lucas looked at Ness and grabbed his arm. Lucas walked Ness to the side of the house.

"You're not gonna rape me, are you?" Ness asked.

"Not yet."

"Goo-wait, YET!?"

"I'm kidding, quiet down." Lucas crossed his arm.

"Oh yea, Ninten told me you had something to tell me."

"Yea, can we meet up in ATLUS? There's something I want to show ya." Ness tilted his head.

"What is it?"

"You'll have to wait and see," Lucas winked. Lucas then started walking back from the side of the house.

"Cute," Ness accidentally said. He covered his mouth as Lucas turned his head.

"What?"

"N-nothing, just uh, I'll see ya soon." Lucas smirked, he knew what Ness said, and he knew why he said it. Lucas just nodded and walked away. Ness exhaled a breath of fresh air and walked from the side. He saw Lucas and Claus had already started walking home. Ness hurriedly walked to his house. He entered the house and ignored his sister's and mother's hellos. Ness entered his room and closed the door. He prepared all of the stuff and got undressed. That's when the door crashed open and Tracy stood there. "OUT!"

"Oh please, it's no surprise you've got a small dick. Mom just wanted to say don't be on the game the entire night," Tracy said. She then closed the door. Ness sighed and put the bodysuit on. He grabbed the VR headset but before he put it on Tracy opened the door. "Oh, and something came in the mail for you." Ness tilted his head and watched as Tracy slid a small brown box. Tracy closed the door and Ness kneeled down. Inside the box was a small flower. Ness picked it up. He looked back in the box and saw a small note. He opened the note.

A flower for power- Lucas.

Ness chuckled and placed the potted flower on a dresser. He touched the stem and smiled. Ness then backed up and put the headset on. He opened his eyes and saw he was in the bunker. He looked around and saw Lucas. Lucas smiled and ran to Ness. He stopped right in front of Ness. Ness crossed his arms. "How was the flower?" Lucas asked.

"Very nice, but how'd you know where I lived."

"Ninten, he told me a lot of your secrets."

"Is nothing sacred anymore." Lucas giggled and grabbed Ness' arm.

"Come on, I'll show you that special thing." Ness nodded and they teleported to a cliff. This cliff was called Overwatcher. It seemed like an average rocky cliff. Lucas led Ness to the edge of the cliff that was overlooking a city. Towtin City to be specific. Lucas sat down, allowing his feet to dangle. Ness tilted his head.

"Is this it?" Lucas shook his head.

"Not entirely." Ness walked forward and sat next to him. He too allowed his feet to dangle. Lucas looked up and pointed to an odd-looking cloud formation. This cloud looked like it was a heart that would've been drawn by a kindergartener.

"I don't understand."

"The VR headset is able to reflect the emotion you have into the game. Along with the emotions you have with the people around you."

"And your point is?" Lucas looked at him and smiled. He then pointed back at the messed up heart. The cloud was changing, and the heart was seeming more and more perfect. Once the heart was perfect, a staircase made from light formed. "Woah." The staircase made it to them. Ness and Lucas stood. Lucas didn't hesitate to step on the first step. Ness gulped as he did. He followed Lucas up the stairs. "Where does this lead?"

"Not sure, never been up here." They got closer to the heart cloud. After some more time, Lucas entered the cloud, which made Ness hesitate. Lucas then comically popped his head through the cloud. "You coming?" Ness couldn't help but smile. Ness didn't say anything, just simply walked up more stairs. He too entered the cloud. He continued walking up until he was out of the cloud. He was then in awe. The sky was a beautiful pink. In the distance was a town made of pure clouds. Lucas stood in front of him with his hands on his hips. He turned his head and smiled. Ness walked forward.

"This place…"

"Is beautiful." Ness and Lucas exchanged glances and smiled. They walked forward, toward the cloud city. They made it in the empty city. They looked around. "Seems we're alone." They continued to walk around. The cloud city started to shake. The clouds that made up tall buildings started to collapse. Ness and Lucas brought out their swords. Some clouds turned gray and stormy. The gray clouds floated up and started thundering and raining from underneath it. The cloud soon grew arms and a small head from the initial large cloud.

"How do we fight a cloud?"

"Wind."

"None of us can use wind."

"No, but...follow my lead." Ness nodded. Lucas ran forward and his sword disappeared. He jumped and dodged a lightning strike in mid-air. He held his palm downward and some ice grew. He then continued to surround the cloud in ice, leaving just a small portion without it. He landed and looked back. "Fire creates wind, small, but with enough fire, it'll work." Ness nodded and ran forward. He held his palm toward the open portion and the clouds that formed the ground got covered in flames. Lucas placed his hands on his ice barrier to make sure it stays cold and doesn't melt. The crackling of the fire angered the cloud. The cloud tried to zap the fire with his lightning, but that only made the flames shoot more carbon dioxide upward, attacking the cloud. The grey cloud started to dissolve from the wind. After some time, it was gone. Lucas broke the ice and Ness put out the fire. He smiled.

"Man you're smart." Lucas just chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Thank you," a soft voice said from behind them. They turned and saw a young boy. They titled their heads and walked to the boy. "You destroyed him."

"Kid, you seem lonely," Lucas said in a voice that Ness wasn't used to. Lucas sounded so sweet, Ness couldn't help but put a hand on his back. Lucas looked up and smiled. They both kneeled down to be eye-to-eye with the boy.

"That thing killed my family, my friends, thank you." Ness put a hand on the boy's shoulder and slightly massaged it.

"It's alright kid." The boy smiled and reached into his pocket.

"My mom said to give the saviors a special gift." He held out two necklaces. Each was a half of a heart. "As saviors of Clove, please take these." Ness and Lucas looked at each other, then took them. Lucas had the right and Ness had the left. "And thank you for setting me free."

"Free?" Lucas asked.

"Free from this game...free from ATLUS...free from myself...free from this world." The boy slowly disappeared and a single tear was all that's left of the boy, and the tear broke as it hit the cloudy ground.

"The boy knew he was in a game?" Ness asked.

"And he didn't die like a normal player." The two of them just shook their heads and saw Clove was starting to disappear. They rushed to the light staircase and started to run down it. Once they made it to the cliff they turned and saw the heart cloud, gone. All that's left was the sky, the dark and starry sky. Ness looked down at his half heart. That's when Lucas combined the two halves. Ness looked up at him and smiled. Lucas copied the smile. "How do you feel about romance?"

"I hate it."

"Oh…"

"But with you, I'll gladly go along with romance."

"With me?" Ness smiled. Ness gripped the heart they formed. Lucas then gripped his hand.

"Of course, if you'll do it with me of course."

"Gladly."