Origins: Ness

Onett: 1997, exactly one year after Gigyas' defeat

The Summer of 1997 was Ness' best ever. His family had invested in a personal computer for the home so Ness could e-mail his friends Paula, Jeff, and Poo. Tracy had quit working for Escargo Express, and as such, the two had spent a lot more time together and become stronger siblings in the process. The best thing of all perhaps was that Pokey's parents moved (Ness' mother had joked that perhaps having a son who aided in abetted the attempted destruction of the world had made them quite unpopular). But today was the penultimate good day in this string of good days, as Ness' father had a day off work!

And so, that was the scene this warm summer morning, all of Ness' family eating his favorite meal, steak n' eggs, while King loafed about. The morning had been relatively quiet as everyone was just waking up. But then, his father spoke,

"So Ness, have you put in that application to Winters Boarding?" asked the balding, short man before a sip of coffee

"Yes. And I wrote three admittance essays kinetically while I was writing the one I was actually going to use."

"Show off!" shouted Tracy

"Now Tracy, be nice to Ness."

"It isn't a matter of being mean or nice Mom. Tracy, if you had the ability to do that much, would you not?" Ness asked.

This paused the action at the table as the whole family pondered the question, Tracy most fervently as she chewed near-silently on a bite of food this as she was chewing a bite of food, "I can't say that I wouldn't."

"Plus, if I don't use it, it's like an itch I can't scratch. It feels good to use my powers."

"I just had an idea" proclaimed Ness' father sounding desperate to change a potentially argumentative subject, "Why don't you and I go out to Twoson and see if we can't set up some targets for you to shoot at in the desert. Get some bullseyes in with PK Fire."

Ness' eyes lit up. The reason why he tended to be show-offy, psychically completing menial tasks, was because to use his full power willy nilly would be dangerous. A quick scan of his father's mind showed they were thinking upon the exact same lines. But, Ness had one question.

"Can we pick up Paula on the way?"

Tracy nearly spat out her food in laughter, whereas Ness' mom let out a cooing "aww" at the thought.

"That seems like it'd be a fun date for the two of you!" excitedly proclaimed Ness' mom

"I agree. I think that can be arranged sometime in the fall, maybe over fall break perhaps?"

"Ness and Paula sittin' in a tree…" muttered Tracy

"I can read your mind sis. Don't mumble."

"Ness is right Tracy. Mumbling is r-"

Suddenly, all the noise around Ness became muted, his vision darkened

So, you want to an outlet for your powers eh?"

Who are you? Ness telepathically asked, Are you psychic too?

In a manner of speaking yes. I am what you might call an organizer of sorts. I'm inviting you to a special club. Check your doorstep. Inside the envelope, you'll find a letter. I want you to go over it with your family, to decide if it's something you want to do.

"-does plenty of rude stuff and it never gets called out but when I do it he gets smart with me."

"Well Tracy, you ranting about it isn't helping. You know Ness has a unique way of seeing the world and…" Father was retorting

"Um...you guys…I just got a telepathic message, and I need to check outside."

The argument, whatever it had been, stopped immediately, "Go right ahead hun. Is it anything bad?" asked his mom,

"No, I don't think so. Let me check."

Ness slowly walked from the kitchen to the front door. Opening it he saw an envelope laying on the porch. Binding the four sides together was an odd, red crest. It had four vertical lines, but its center point was at the bottom left of the crest, like an aiming crosshair estray. Ness brought the letter to the kitchen table, gingerly using his telepathy to close the door behind him.

"Only a letter? Must be pretty important for someone to jump into your mind like that, concluded Father

"Yeah," was Ness' only reply.

Ness began to read the letter aloud

Dear legal guardians of Ness Nguyen

I would like to extend the opportunity to invite Ness to a tournament I am hosting. This tournament hosts extraordinary fighters from around the universe. This is called The Super Smash Brothers Tournament. The winner would be known as the champion of the realm and subject to much fame and fortune. I wish for you all to discuss it as a family and consider your options. This tournament takes place outside of what would be considered time-space. So he will seemingly return immediately, despite having competed. Below you will find a check box for 'yes' and 'no' options.

Sincerely, Master Hand

"Master Hand," Ness stated after reading his usual stoic way of speaking faltering as he spoke his name. "He must be the one who contacted me about the letter?"

"Hmm. Well, is it something you want to do Ness?"

"Yes Dad," replied Ness, "Being allied with another great psychic, plus the other warriors I'll get to fight, will help me scratch my itch."

"But… you understand it could be dangerous?" asked Tracy.

"Sis, I fought a time-traveling embodiment of evil last year. I'll be fine."

"I know. But I don't want to lose you" Tracy said, her voice quivering suddenly.

Ness somberly nodded, "Guys, whatever this is, this is the only way I can use my powers the way I want to. This is going to be me living up to my best potential. I'm going to accept"

"Okay, Ness. No matter how you do, you'll always be the champion of this house," Ness' mother spoke up.

Ness bit his lip to keep from crying as he checked 'yes'. Suddenly, the rectangular letter became a purple, swirling portal, and an eerily polygonal man appeared out of it.

"I am a representative of The Master Hand. The Master has made it a point to procure you clothes, so you needn't pack anything."

"Okay," Ness nodded, "But I do have a request,"

"Name it."

"I'd like to train with my friends Paula and Poo. They're more experienced at PK stuff than I am, and I think it'll help me do my best if I learn some of their techniques."

"Fair enough. Your request is granted, and they will be here by the time a day cycle has passed here in the Smashverse. Say your goodbyes, and come with me."

Ness stood from the table, and like moths to a flame, the family engaged around Ness in a group hug. "Do your best son, show 'em what you're made of for your old man."

Ness nodded. As the family separated he knelt down to King, who had been calmly listening to everything, Ness bit his lip. King was getting old, and the fact that he didn't cower as he had when the meteorite arrived showed he might be losing it a bit. Nonetheless, Ness spoke

"Best doggy in the whole wide world. Keep these goofs in line for me will ya?"

Telepathically, Ness could hear King's grumbling indifference. He was a tired, cranky old man now. Ness couldn't help but smile.

"Okay, I'm ready."

The polygonal man wordlessly beckoned Ness forward into the letter/portal, and Ness jumped through into the unknown.