Chapter 8: Suicide
The lights came back on immediately, but one thing was different. In the middle of the room was a ball of light, which was engulfed in green light.
"What the hell is that?" Jeff asked.
"I don't have a clue," Ness replied. "But whatever it is, be ready, 'cuz anything from Pokey has to be bad."
As soon as Ness finished his sentence, the glowing ball rose into the air and speeded towards the four.
"Look out!" Poo exclaimed. But it was too late. The ball zoomed right into all four of them, but it passed right through them, without causing any damage.
"What happened?" Paula asked. "Are we safe?"
"Wait, look!" Ness shouted.
The ball retreated back to the center of the room and began to transform into a human figure. The figure split into four, and each figure grew to about the same size as Ness and his friends.
"What's going on?" Jeff asked in amazement.
The figures began to look extremely familiar.
"Shit, they're turning into us!" Ness screamed.
The mock four finished their mutation and took off into different directions. They paused in each corner of the room, in a battle-ready stance.
"I SEE YOU'VE MET MY NEWEST CREATION." Pokey began again. "THEY ARE EXACT REPLICAS OF ALL FOUR OF YOU. THEY HAVE YOUR STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, WEAPONS, SKILLS, AND EVEN YOUR PSYCHIC POWERS. HAVE FUN!"
"Everyone take yourself!" Ness shouted. "You know what they can do, so be careful!"
The battle began. Ness pulled out his bat and began swinging away at his clone. The replica did exactly the same thing. Both bats connected together over and over, with none hitting home. Paula and her clone became deadlocked in a psychic war, with flames, ice, and lightning bolts slamming into each other. The Poos were both standing there, staring at each other, waiting for the other to attack. In the final corner, Jeff and his twin fought for possession of one single bottle rocket, which had fallen from the real Jeff's backpack. All eight continued fighting each other for what seemed like hours, with no advantage gained by anyone.
"Nothing is helping," Ness shouted. "We've got to think of something quick. I don't know how much longer I can fight this!"
"I think I know something that may work," Poo exclaimed. "Everyone get to the center of the room."
The real Chosen Ones gathered in the middle of the room, still fending off their counterparts.
"Take out those shield generators we got from Apple Kid and set them to psychic," Poo continued. "I'm gonna toast the room."
The shields were activated, and Poo began to chant. The clones stopped suddenly and stared at Poo, confused as to what was going on. Before they realized what was happening, the room burst into flames, while stars burst all around them. Minutes later, the stars stopped exploding and the flames died off, leaving four lifeless bodies on the ground.
"Where in the name of Eagleland did you learn that?" Paula asked.
"It was the last part of my Mu training," Poo responded.
"But how did your clone not know that?" Jeff questioned.
"I never used it before, so it really wasn't one of my psychic powers," Poo replied. "I was told to say the chant when I was in dire need, but only if it was truly needed. I think this was that case."
Examining the charred clones, Ness said, "So would this be suicide or a killing?"
As if on cue, the entire group began laughing.
"LAUGH NOW, FOR YOU HAVE ONLY WON A SMALL BATTLE. FOLLOW ME INTO THE NEXT ROOM FOR THE REAL NIGHTMARE. HAHAHAHA!" Pokey echoed.
A whole appeared on one side of the room which led to darkness.
"You heard the pig, let's go!" Paula shouted.
The four ran into the darkness.