EarthBound:

The Seed of Giygas

by

JamesPicard_007

Chapter 7

Twoson

            Something splattered on Ness's face. He reached hand and wiped it off. He looked down at his hand to find blue paint. The paintbrush the stranger held was dripping blue paint. Ness knew who the figure was. The former Happy Happy cult leader, Carpainter!

            "So my dear boy. Are you still willing to be my right hand man? The left will do just as fine." Carpainter said.

            "Not on your life!" Ness replied.

            "Oh! And I had such hopes for you. I guess I'll have to destroy you."

            "Why's he doing this? I thought he was free of the Statue's spell." Ness thought to himself.  Then suddenly he was struck psychically. He noticed something behind Carpainter. Something old. Something terrible. Something repaired. The Mani Mani Statue!

            "Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeess!" The Statue cried in his mind. He head was aching terribly.

            "You are strong! How did you escape my power?" The psychic assault was becoming too much for Ness. In a vain attempt Ness grabbed a nearby vase and threw it at the Statue. When the vase struck the Statue it amazingly moved.

            The golden exterior flickered to reveal another hooded figure. Ness didn't waste time. He rushed Carpainter and knocked him into the Statue. Carpainter flew back into the Statue and the Statue tipped over and shattered on the sidewalk.

            Ness took the opportunity to grab his bat and backpack and ran outside. The fierce storm still raged. He readied himself to when teleport when he looked back. What he saw made him stop completely.

            Somehow the Statue was rebuilding itself. The shattered pieces flew off the sidewalk and roughly formed the Statue. Then in a flash of light the Statue was whole again. Then the Statue amazingly walked off of its base and began walking towards Ness.

            Ness began to run down the road heading towards Threed. He looked back to see that the Statue was wielding the sword it was holding. Ness pumped his legs as hard as he could. He could hear the metal clanging of the Statue getting closer.

            Ness put all him might into his legs. The wind was slowing him down and was allowing the Statue to gain on him. Ness was about to give up when a gush of wind pushed him from behind to teleport speed. Ness was safe. For now.

Unknown location

            Jeff stared in awe at the wondrous city.  The clear had to be resisting several thousand pounds of pressure. There must have been a marvelous air filter system because it was amazingly fresh. A small group was running towards Jeff.

            He couldn't make out much, but they were carrying something that closely resembled weapons. As they got closer Jeff felt they were definitely carrying weapons. He reached in his coat pocket for his Magnum Air Gun.

            Jeff saw that these were large soldiers. As they approached him they slowed down, but showed no visible signs of aggression.

            "Jeff Andounts?" The largest soldier asked. Jeff nodded.

            "We have been expecting you. Please. Follow me." The soldier waved his hand in the direction of the city. Jeff released his grip on the gun and walked towards the city. The soldiers followed behind him as an honor guard. Jeff appreciated the sentiment, but wondered how they knew his name.

            The city was absolutely wondrous. Technology freely roamed everywhere. There was more advanced technology here under this dome than the entirety of Earth! Jeff walked to the center of town where the tallest building stood.

            "This is the Lab." A soldier said.

            "The Lab? Couldn't think of a better name?" Jeff replied.

            "A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet." Jeff understood what the soldier was saying. They led Jeff inside to an elevator where he was led to the top floor. Once the doors opened the soldiers stood inside, but waved Jeff inside.

            Inside the spacious room was a grand office. The walls were lined with exotic plants Jeff had never seen. Panels were lit with scientific formulas and blueprints of technologies there were not even possible by Earth standards. At the edge of the room was a desk cluttered with papers. The chair behind was facing the window.

            The chair turned to reveal the figure within. It was a crippled old man wearing a cybernetic exoskeleton. His entire body showed signs of advanced age. Despite the exoskeleton he still wore the normal clothing of a scientist.

            "Jeff Andounts. I have waited so long for the opportunity to shake your hand." The old man said. He slowly extended his hand and Jeff grasped it. It was rough and clammy. Jeff unintentionally winced at the feeling.

            "Don't worry everybody does it. I've learned to deal with it."

            "If you don't mind my asking. What happened to you?" Jeff asked.

            "We are refugees from a faraway world. We are the last of our people. We escaped when a powerful being destroyed our beloved home. I believe you know whom I am speaking of." The old man said.

            "Giygas?" Jeff replied. Instantly the gentle face became twisted with anger. He brought a fist down on the desk, which with the help of his exoskeleton broke the desk in half. Suddenly he realized what he had done and reverted back to his former state.

            "I'm sorry. Our people hold a grudge against that name. It would be for your own go if you were not to speak it around here." Jeff nodded slightly.

            "How do you know who I am?" Jeff asked.

            "We have been watching you for sometime. We have watched your abilities as a scientist grow everyday. It was us that disabled your Sky Runner."

            "You disabled the Sky Runner? What if I had died?"

            "Then you would not have been a suitable candidate for our team."

            "What team?"

            "We are building a team of scientists that are dedicated to eliminating evil from the universe. What do you think? As a fellow scientist and fighter of evil. Will you help us?" The old man extended his hand once more. Jeff detested touching that hand again, but wanted to show his sincerity.

            "What's your name?" Jeff asked as he shook the man's hand.

            "Tribon." The old man replied.

Dalaam

            The servants watched Poo get worse. His condition was getting no better. He was beginning to twist and turn as if he was dreaming of nightmares. His complexion was growing darker by the minute. The servants prayed that the Master would find the cure soon. If not then who knows what evil could befall the Prince?

Why has Carpainter returned? What is possessing the Mani Mani Statue? Who is the mysterious Tribon? And what will happen to Poo? Find out in The Seed of Giygas Chapter 8!