Disclaimer: I do not own Ness, PSI, Giygas, and any of those other things that are in Earthbound. I DO however, own the Shadow Man.

Chapter 1: The Journey Begins.

It was a normal day for Ness. He was in the house, playing his N64, which he bought somewhere around last year. He was having fun when he heard rapid knocks on the door. Automatically expecting what was going to happen, he jumped out his window, on the other side of the house, used his PSI to land safely, and started running before the reporters could catch up to him. He didn't want to use his PSI to stop them, again. This had happened ever since he had defeated Giygas. Reporters ALWAYS knocked at his door. 'Man, it's been two years since I defeated Giygas,' Ness thought while he was running, 'You'd think the news was old by now! You'd think they'd get it! I've got to get to the shelter, they can't find me there.'

(A/N: I'm thinking the same thing Ness is at this present time.)

He was running forward when he heard a voice behind him. "Where do you think you're going?" The voice said Ness turned around, expecting to see a reporter who got through, but instead, he saw someone much different. He saw a boy, but there was a darkness surrounding him, as if he was in shadow all his life. "I believe that we should have a fight." The boy said. "Listen," Ness said, "I don't have the time right now. See those reporters?" Ness pointed at the reporters, who were gaining their speed. "If I don't get away from them, I'll never be able to do anything for the fear of them. The boy simply smiled. He pointed at the reporters. All of a sudden, they stopped moving. He lifted his finger and blew them away into the horizon. Ness was horrified. "What did you do that for? I know I need to get rid of them, but not like THAT!!" The boy kept on smiling. "Well, young Ness. I hope you've brought yourself at the ready. "In fact, I haven't got my things to battle you with." "Very well then. I will wait here for you. Just remember, here, your journey begins." Using PSI Teleport Beta, he went to his house and got his things. He was ready for the battle that lied ahead. He went back to challenge the evil thing. "I see you are truthful. The Apple of Enlightment was not one to joke around." "How do you know about The Apple of Enlightment?" Ness wondered. "You will realise in the battle," The boy said. "Now, let us begin."

***Battle Scene***

Ness automatically whipped into action, jumping up and bashing the boy with his bat. It hurt him a bit, but not too much. The boy threw a punch at Ness, and he reeled back ward. In that time, he gave Ness an uppercut, and then slammed him into a nearby pole. That had to hurt. Still, Ness kept on fighting, realising the dark aura around the boy. After a while of bashing and being bashed, Ness decided that it was time to bring out the heavy magic. Ness concentrated, and then yelled "PSI Rockin' OMEGA!!" The balls of energy went out to hit the man. He simply smiled, raised his hand and said "PSI Bullets Alpha!" Although they were only at Alpha stage, they somehow easily stopped Ness's PSI Rockin'. Ness started to get a bit worried. He then had an idea, and yelled, "PK Flash Sigma!" Although that did not defeat the Shadow Man, it did make him feel a bit strange. The boy was acting a bit unusual. He threw a punch at Ness, but accidentally hit himself! He then felt quite a bit normal. In that time however, Ness had had time to charge up another PSI Rockin' Omega, and threw it at the boy. The boy did not have time to stop the attack, and it hit him head on. The boy could not go on any further. He fell to the ground, unable to attack back. Ness had won!

***End Battle Scene***

After the battle, Ness turned to walk away. But at the same time he heard a moaning voice. He turned around and the boy was writhing in pain. His screams cut the silent night as though his insides were leaving him. Suddenly, a huge black mist arose out of the boy. All Ness could do was look at it in shock! The darkness surrounding the boy had left. "Ness," The boy moaned, "He has returned. The Chosen Four must reunite!" Before he could say anything else though, the black mist went back into the boy, to control him once again. "Ness!" The boy said, with his evil once again, "We shall meet again. Do not forget. I am the Shadow Man! I will come back, and I will defeat you! PK Warp!" The boy disappeared, leaving Ness wondering, 'Who is 'he'? Who is this Shadow Man?'. Then Ness shook it off. "Well," Ness said to himself, "Those can wait until later. Right now, I've got another mission to accomplish!