I originally wanted to have each of the characters have a different costume for the party, but with almost 40 characters, I just couldn't come up with one for everyone. I want costume that kind of homage the character, or are in some way ironic for their lore or appearance. If anyone has ideas about what the rest of the cast could go as, please, please, tell me.

Chapter 8

"Is he dead?" Nana asked.

Popo leaned forward. "He smells dead," he said.

"Well it was raining all night," Ness noted. "And I guess he was out here for that. Its like a wet dog."

Nana walked away, returning a moment later with a long stick that she used to poke Lucario, who was lying unconscious in the grassy field, fur matted with any number of substances and a large, fresh bump visible on his head. The grass behind him was pressed down, implying that the pokemon had somehow dragged himself to his present spot, just outside the mansion's garden. He stirred slightly, batting the sharp point away, but suddenly collapsed and returned to his dormant state, no matter how hard the Eskimo girl poked him. She delivered a firm kick to his side, and still he didn't move. "He's dead," Nana confirmed triumphantly, placing her hands on her hips, proud of her confirmation.

The three saw the blue glow zipping across the horizon before they realized it was Sonic, and he stopped before them and asked in his usual chipper way, "What's up?"

"We think Mr. Lucario is dead," Nana said, poking the pokemon again with the stick.

"Give me that," Sonic said, forcefully taking the stick away. "How long has he been like this?"

"Well, two days ago he went out for training. I guess it was that long ago."

"Stop poking him," Sonic shouted, and Nana quickly dropped the second stick she had picked up off the ground.

"He's got a fever," Ness said. "Is he going to die?"

"Of course not. I just have to go get the doc," Sonic said and sped off, leaving a blue streak behind him. After a moment he returned, took the stick that Nana was now poking Lucario with, bopped her on the head with it, and went off again.