Lucas and the others arrived back at the Tazmily Graveyard after taking the sled off of Snowcap Mountain. They were upset that they lost another member to the Pigmask army. Poo, Jeff, Ninten and Ana weren't expecting anyone to die during this task of stopping Ness and Porky. They knew it would be a challenge considering how powerful Ness is, but they thought that if anything they would die by Ness's hands not some lowlife machine, human or even a simple crash.

Lucas on the other hand couldn't help, but to blame himself for all these deaths. His weakness is what caused Duster, Paula and Lloyd's deaths. Usually whenever he was distressed he would seek comfort in his brother, but that's impossible now since he's on the bad side. So the only thing he could do is suck it up and continue forward.

"We have to find the next needle before the Commander does. He pulled two and we got only one. If the Commander pulls four needles then it's over for us because the Dark Dragon listens to whoever pulls the most needles."

Everyone couldn't help but to agree with Lucas. There was no time to mourn the loss of their friends. They had a mission to do and they won't allow anything to distract them. They started to leave the graveyard, but before they could reach the exit they heard a familiar voice call out to them.

"Hey guys wait for me!"

They all turned around recognizing the voice and their eyes widened in disbelief when they saw Paula running up to them.

Ana was the first to snap out of it.

"Paula? How are you alive? And without any injuries?"

Paula finally caught up to them as she caught her breath.

"Believe it or not Ness actually saved me."

Poo's eyes widened at hearing this. He couldn't believe that the leader of the Pigmasks saved her.

"Why would he do that? The only reason why he would do that is if he had some kind of motive."

"Well here's what happened."

Paula was falling getting closer and closer to the ground. She knew that she wouldn't survive this. The only thing she could think was that she wasn't strong enough. Seeing the ground get closer Paula closed her eyes ready to accept her death. However before she could hit the ground she felt someone grab her arm causing her to stop. Feeling herself being lowered to the ground she couldn't help, but wonder who could have saved her. When she was 10 feet from the ground she felt the hand that held her arm let go causing her to fall on the ground and hurting her chin.

"I thought you would have gotten stronger over the years, but I guess I was wrong. Luckily I was holding the Apple of Enlightenment at the time or else you would be dead. If anything will cause your death it will be by my own hands."

Paula's eyes widened at hearing that voice. Standing up she turned around and saw Ness floating there with his arms crossed. Looking around she noticed that she was in Tazmily Village. However what she noticed was that there was no one around.

"Where is everyone?"

"They're gone. They all left to join our base island New Eagleland. After all can't have my subjects be here when the world ends. By my calculations Nowhere Island will fall apart once we awaken the Dark Dragon. Who knows if the rest of the world will fall apart as well."

Paula couldn't help, but to narrow her eyes at Ness's words.

"What makes you think that you'll succeed? We'll stop you and recreate the world!"

Ness burst out laughing at Paula's statement. He thought it was funny that she thought her and her friends could stop his and Porky's army.

"Oh please, you know for a fact that you're no match for me. You couldn't beat me or my boyfriend in a fight even if you fought one of us at once let alone both of us. Hell you couldn't even beat the Pork Trooper and he has no PSI!"

Paula knew what he said was true. They indeed couldn't defeat Ness or the Commander in a fight, but that doesn't mean they won't try. Before she could reply there was a loud crash that came from the graveyard.

"Looks like your friends are back. Better catch up to them or you might miss them. See you later Paula." with that Ness teleported away.

"And that's what happened." Paula finished explaining.

Lucas couldn't believe what he heard. The rest of the villagers actually trusted Ness enough to go to the Pigmask headquarters. Though if the fact that they do fail then at least they would be safe.

"Let's go everyone. Fire Mountain awaits us." with that said everyone left.

The Commander was tapping his foot with a scowl on his face as the Pigmasks in front of him were desperately trying to find the next needle with no luck so far. His anger was increasing by every minute. Finally they managed to locate two, but it wasn't the one Lucas was heading to.

"Well sir we managed to actually find two needles. One is on Tanetane Island and the other is located in Chupichupyoi Temple."

The Commander sighed.

"Well we know that one needle is underneath here so that just leav-"

The Commander didn't get to finish as the Colonel burst into the room.

"Sir our sources tell us that another needle was just pulled. It looked like it came from the Fire Mountain area."

The Commander frowned as he realized that he was now tied with Lucas in the number of needles pulled. He knew that he couldn't allow Lucas to pull anymore needles.

"I'm heading to Tanetane Island. I won't allow this to continue." with that said the Commander left.

Lucas and the gang were currently traveling underwater to head to Tanetane Island. Phrygia had given them a notebook telling them where the rest of the needles were expect for the last needle where it's location was unknown. Exiting the water they started running quickly getting rid of the chimeras around before arriving at Mixolydia's house. Before they could enter the island started to shake as they saw darkness shoot out from the forest area. The sea shell house door opened up and Mixolydia steeped out shimmering.

"Oh dear, it looks like you didn't get here in time. Well I must be going. Make sure you get the last needles." with that she disappeared.

Lucas and the others looked at each other knowing that time was running out. Little did they know that they would fail and the world will soon end.