A/N: I do not own Mother/Earthbound or any related characters or elements.

MOTHER: THE ANIME SERIES

Episode 5

Meeting Old Man Liar X and the evil Mani Mani Statue

On the last episode, Ness and Frank managed to defeat the Titanic Ant and record the first melody, but when they got back, they were suddenly attacked by the Onett Police Force. Frank was arrested, but Ness managed to get away by defeating Captain Strong and five…uh…I mean four of his best men. But while everything seemed back to normal, Ness suddenly heard a mysterious female voice talking to him via telepathy. Her name was Paula and she appeared to be in danger. Now in order to save her, Ness must travel to the next town: Twoson.

Ness had just left his home town Onett and was now walking down the road into a forest. As he went deeper and deeper, he could feel like, someone was watching him.

“Hello?” Ness looked around. “This place gives me the creeps, not to mention I’ve never taken this road before.”

Ness went on and on, until he came across some suspicious looking mushrooms.

“Hmm, they look like mushrooms but…” Ness stared at them. “…something is telling me that I should be careful with them.”

Ness kept looking at them until he decided to carry on, but little did he know that suddenly the mushrooms started to come to life and chuckle evilly.

“Heh, heh, heh, the poor unsuspecting fool.” One of the mushrooms spoke. “Come my filthy cohorts, let’s destroy him for Master Giygas!!!”

“Yaaaay!” the other mushrooms cheered.

Ness heard their voices and turned around, but he didn’t spot them in time.

“Huh?” Ness wondered. “I could have sworn I heard something.”

Then Ness heard some laughter, he looks around and pulls out his bat, ready for anything.

“Come on out, wherever you are!” Ness shouted.

The only reply he got was laughter, Ness continues to look around when…

“NESS ABOVE YOU!!!” Buzz Buzz’s voice shouted in Ness’ mind.

“What the?!?!” Ness looked up and saw a bunch on weird looking spores falling on top of him. “AAAAGH!!!” he didn’t have time to dodge.

“Alright! We caught him!” the voice shouted evilly.

Then the mysterious creatures, known as Ramblin’ Evil Mushrooms jump out from the trees they were hiding in and land in front of Ness.

“Walking mushrooms that talk?!” Ness said, feeling a bit funky.

“Heh, heh, heh! If you think you are going to foil Master Giygas’ plans you’re wrong! Come! Let’s destroy him!” the Ramblin’ Evil Mushroom leader ordered.

The other mushrooms cheered. Ness was still feeling funky and felt like something was growing on top of his head, but that still didn’t stop him from fighting.

“I’ll make you pay for that!” Ness threatened with his bat.

(Theme: Battle against a mobile opponent)

One of the mushrooms attacks Ness with a headbutt. Ness got hit because of his funky state. Ness quickly got up and swings his bat. Ness hit one of the mushrooms, giving it some damage. Another mushroom attacks, but Ness was able to dodge this time, but missed when he swung his bat.

“DIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIE!!!!!!” Another Mushroom attacks Ness, but our little hero swung his bat and…

SMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!!!!!!!!

Ness hit the mushroom hard with his bat. The first mushroom stopped moving and turned into a normal mushroom.

“He defeat one of us! COME ON! JUST KILL HIM ALREADY!!!” The Ramblin’ Evil Mushroom leader ordered.

One of the mushrooms attacks Ness, but he was able to swing his bat and hit it hard. The second mushroom stopped moving. Two more mushrooms attack and manage to hit him hard.

“Ow! Can’t…stop…” Ness said weakly and still feeling funky, with a mushroom growing on his head.

The two mushroom attack Ness again, but this time Ness swings his bat and manage to squash them on top of them. The third and fourth mushrooms stopped moving.

“HE DEFEATED FOUR OF US NOW!!! WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH YOU MORONS!!!” the mushroom leader yelled angrily.

A red vein sticks out from its top side

Ness then swings his bat again and manages to hit hard the three remaining cohort mushrooms and they stopped moving.

‘Guess if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.’ The leader though.

A sweat drop rolled down the side of his top side

The mushroom leader attacks Ness and…

SMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!!!!!!

“AAAAAGH!!!!” Ness cried in pain from the Ramblin’s Evil Mushroom leader’s attack. “Uuuuugh…” he struggled to get up.

“Looks like you’re at your ropes end ‘hero’!” The mushroom leader laughed maniacally. “Now to finish you off!”

The mushroom leader charges at Ness with it’s final blow, but the sooner he got to him…

SMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!!!!!!

Ness used the last of his strength to swing his bat and hit really hard the leader.

“AAAAARGH!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!” the mushroom leader cried in pain and defeat

The Ramblin’ Evil Mushroom and all of his cohorts stopped moving and turned back into normal mushrooms.

(Song Ends)

“Maaaaaan…that was pretty tough…” Ness whispered before he fell unconscious.

While he was unconscious, a mysterious old man, wearing a blue jump suit and sunglasses appeared from behind a tree walked over to Ness.

“My, my, look at you!” the man said looking down at Ness. “Poor kid, we better get you to safety.”

The man picked Ness up, carrying him in his arms. A few minutes later, the old man took Ness up to a hill where they entered a small cabin.

Meanwhile, in Ness’ mind…

“Ness, you almost got killed back there.” Buzz Buzz’s spirit said. “Espacially since they mushroomized you.

“I know, but I wasn’t just gonna run away and let them kill me…I…had to do something.” Ness said.

“I understand, just remember, if you get into a tight corner or if you think it’s too difficult, just run!” Buzz Buzz’s spirit advised. “The Apple of Enlightment may have predicted that you and the other chosen eight were going to save the universe from Giygas, but it didn’t predict the dangers that you might encounter.”

“Okay Buzz Buzz, I won’t forget that.” Ness said. “If only there was a way that I could heal myself during the battle.”

Buzz Buzz then chuckled. “What a coincidence.” He said.

“Huh? What do you mean?” Ness asked.

“You want a way to heal yourself during a battle? Well, after winning that last battle, you’ve managed to increase your power!” Buzz Buzz said. “You now have enough power to do so!”

“Really? Awesome!” Ness said excited. “Um…how does it work?”

“Just relax and concentrate.” Buzz Buzz said softly. “And once you awaken, you will have learned a new PK Power…” with these last words Buzz Buzz’s spirit vanished.

“Hmmmm…just relax and concentrate…” Ness whispered as he closed his eyes and did what Buzz Buzz told him so.

While doing that, he was surrounded by light…

In the real world…

Ness was laying on the couch unconscious when a grow aura flowed over his body. The old man, who was working on a medicine, noticed this and watched amazed.

“PK LIFE UP!!!” Ness shouted and his body was suddenly covered in green light, when it died down, Ness woke up. He was still feeling funky because of the mushroom on his head, but other then that, felt fine.

“Ah, so you’re finally awake.” The man said walking up to Ness.

“Huh? Who are you? Where am I?” Ness asked looking at the man and around the cabin.

“The name’s X, Old Man Liar X! And you are in my cabin!” the old man introduced himself. “You sure had some trouble back there when you were fighting those mushrooms.”

“Oh…you saw it?” Ness asked, sitting up on the couch.

“Yep, I was taking one of my afternoon strolls through the forest, when I saw you fighting those mushrooms.” Liar X said. “When you feel unconscious after defeating their leader, I decided to bring you here and cure you from your mushroomized condition.”

“Oh yeah, I’ve got a mushroom growing on my head don’t I?” Ness asked touching it.

“Yep, but don’t worry, I may not look like it, but I have healer skills!” Liar X said proudly. “I was just preparing a cure for you.”

“Wow, thanks.” Ness said.

“By the way, who are you and what were you doing in the forest?” Liar X asked as he continued working on the medicine.

“Um, I’m Ness and I was on my way to Twoson.” The baseball loving jock boy said.

“Twoson, huh?” Liar X said.

“Yeah, I was going to…meet a friend there, until those mushrooms came out of nowhere and attacked me.” Ness said.

“Well, then it’s a good thing I saved you.” Liar X said putting the finishing touches to the medicine. “Just a few more here and…there!” he completed the medicine.

Liar X walked over to Ness and handed him a glass cup with some weird stuff in it. Ness sniffs it, but…

“BLAAAARGH!!!” Ness complained holding his nose.

“Don’t worry Ness, it smells worse then it tastes!” Liar X smiled, but then he remembered something. “Or…was it the other way around? But nevertheless, it will help you get rid of your sickness.”

“Guess I have no choice.” Ness frowned as took the cup.

Ness didn’t feel like drinking it but that didn’t stop him, he plugs his nose and drinks the whole medicine from the cup.

“AAAAARGH!!! GROSS!!!” Ness complained after finishing drinking it.

Ness then suddenly started to feel better from his funkiness and the mushroom on his head fell off his head and didn’t feel anything weird on his head anymore.

“Hey! This stuff really does work! Thanks Old Man!” Ness said.

“Your welcome.” Liar X smiled as he dumped the mushroom into a garbage can.

“Well, it was nice knowing you and all, but I must be off.” Ness said picking up his backpack and bat. “See ya!”

“Wait Ness!” Liar X called.

“What?” Ness asked.

“Before you go, I have something I want to show you…but, can you keep it just between us?” Liar X asked.

“Uh, okay?” Ness raised his eyebrow.

Liar X told Ness to follow him and he did just that. First, X pushes a table, reviling a hole with a ladder leading down.

“Come along!” Liar X said climbing down the ladder.

“Okay.” Ness said and started climbing down the ladder, following the old man.

At the end of the ladder, they enter what appeared to be an underground tunnel. Liar X keep walking down the tunnel and Ness kept following him. Suddenly Liar X stopped and turned to Ness.

“Remember Ness, this is only between you and me!” he said. “I’m only doing this because I trust you! I can trust you can I?”

“Uh, sure you can.” Ness said. “But what is this all about?”

Liar X then entered a small tunnel and Ness followed. At the end of the tunnel Liar X showed Ness something that made his eyes open wide.

“A statue?!” Ness asked looking at the said statue.

The statue was made in the shape of what looked like the Oscar of the Academy, made of gold and stuff, but it also looked like a devil.

“I found this little trinket recently and it’s quiet amazing! Seeing how well made and what wonderful texture!” Liar X said. “This stuff is worth a fortune, but I would never trade it for all the riches back in Onett. You have no idea how many of those suckers are paying for this kind of stuff!”

Ness just keep looking at the statue while listing to Liar X. He noticed that the statue was emitting a strange glow, a quiet suspicious one at that.

‘I can’t shake the feeling that this thing has something to do with those mushrooms that attacked me.’ Ness said in his mind

“Well, that’s all I had to show you, you can go now my friend, hope we meet again some time.” Liar X said.

“Um, sure.” Ness said without looking away from the statue.

But just as Ness was about to leave an evil laughter suddenly sounded.

“What the?” Ness looked around.

“Hmm?” Liar X looked around as well.

“Ness…I shall destroy you, so won’t foil Master Giygas’ plans!” the evil voice spoke.

“Who is there?! Show yourself!” Ness shouted holding his bat out.

Suddenly darkness effulged the entire tunnel. Ness and Liar X noticed it was coming from the statue.

“Ack! My beautiful statue is evil!” Liar X cried.

‘I knew there was something wrong with that statue.’ Ness growled in his mind. “Just what are you?” Ness shouted at the statue. “Come on, I know you can talk!”

“You are correct!” the statue spoke. “I am a Mani Mani Statue, one of Master Giygas’ top henchman! I shall turn this entire forest into a world of darkness and make mince meat out of you Ness, so you won’t be the least little bother, to Master Giygas!” the statue laughed evilly.

“Nooooo! This can’t be!” Liar X cried in depression. “My most valuable treasure is evil!”

“Well, don’t think you’ll take me out that easily!” Ness made a fighting state. “Bring it on!”

“As you wish!” The statue laughed maniacally as it summoned a bunch of cohorts, like Rumblin’s Evil Mushrooms, walking weeds and black antoids. “Prepare…to DIE!!!”

MANI MANI STATUE (Theme: Otherworldly Foe)

The statue commands a Walking Weed to attack Ness. Ness attacks it with his bat, hitting it hard. The statue sends a mushroom and an antoid to attack Ness, but he attacks them once again by swinging his bat them.

A Ramblin’s Evil Mushroom then releases a spray of spores at Ness. Ness dodged quickly. Ness then attacks the mushroom with his bat.

More walking weeds charge at Ness and attack him, but Ness dodged them and hits them hard with his bat.

The two walking weeds stopped moving.

“Take this!” Ness swings his bat at the statue, damaging it.

“Fool! PK FIRE!!!” The statue shots fire balls from it’s eyes and they land near Ness hitting him with an explosion of fire.

“AAARGH!!!” Ness cried in pain as he took damage from the statue’s attack.

The statue then commands more mushrooms and antoids to attack Ness. They all manage to hit Ness and give him damage, but he didn’t give up.

The burned and bruised Ness got up as he gripped his bat. He swings and…

SMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!!!!!!

Ness hit and gave massive damage to the mushrooms and the antoids.

The Rumblin’ Evil Mushrooms stopped moving and the Black Antoids were squished.

Ness then attacks the statue by hitting it hard by landing a combo with his bat. The statue took more damage.

“PK FREEZE!!!” the statue this time shot blasts of ice at Ness and manages to hit his feet.

“Aw, damn it!” Ness growled as he got his feet frozen solid.

The statue orders more mushrooms and weeds to attack Ness. The psychic hero was starting to get worn out by every hit.

“Give up Ness and die already! You can’t possibly defeat me!” The statue laughed evilly.

Suddenly, Liar X snapped and gave a bitter glare at the statue and it’s minions. “Leave, my friend, ALONE!!!” the old man suddenly “came to life” as he brought out a shovel and attacked every minion attacking Ness.

The Walking Weeds and Rumblin’ Evil Mushrooms stopped moving.

“What?!?!” The statue gawked.

“Whoa! You’ve got some moves old man!” Ness commented.

Liar X didn’t say anything; he just swung the shovel on the ice on Ness’ feet, breaking him free.

“Thanks.” Ness said.

“No problem, now let’s trash this piece of junk!” Liar X said.

“Okay but first…PK LIFE UP!!!” Ness shouted his spell to heal himself.

“GRRRR!!! JUST DIE ALREADY!!!” The statue continued to attack, with laser beams from the eyes.

Ness and Liar X dodged and swung their weapons on the statue, damaging it some more.

The Mani Mani Statue then attacks them with PK Fire, but both heroes dodged the attack. Ness and Liar X attack the statue, giving it more damage.

“I’LL KILL YOU!!!” the statue shouted and attacks with PK Freeze.

Liar X throws a bottle of cocktail at the statue’s attack, blocking it. Ness had a rainbow coloured aura over his body.

“Let’s end this! PK ROCKIN!!!” Ness attacked the statue with rainbow coloured light blasts.

“NOOOOOO!!!” the statue was destroyed by Ness’ ultimate attack.

(Song ends)

After the statue was destroyed, the darkness around vanished and everything returned to normal. Liar X fell on his knees.

“You okay old man?” Ness helped Liar X up.

“Yeah…as I get older it takes longer to recover.” Liar X said.

“Maybe this can help. PK LIFE UP!!!” Ness casted his PK Power spell to heal Liar X.

“Thank you Ness, I feel much better.” Liar X said.

“No problem, we sure showed them!” Ness said with a smile.

“Yeah, who would have though that that statue would happen to be evil?” Liar X said.

“It’s all the work of Giygas.” Ness explained to Liar X about Giygas, and his mission to save the universe from him.

“My goodness!” Liar X said. “You sure will be hands full in saving the world! Well, I guess all I can do now is wish you luck on your journey Ness.”

“Thanks.” Ness said. “Well, I must be off to Twoson, good bye!”

“Good bye Ness, hope we meet again!” Liar X bid Ness farewell.

And so, Ness left Liar X’s house and continued his journey through the forest, with nothing standing in his way. Ness though that because the statue was destroyed there was no longer any danger in the forest.

A few hours later, Ness finally got out of the forest and saw a town at the bottom of the hill.

“That must be it! Twoson!” Ness exclaimed. “Alright, time to find some info on Paula there!”

Ness has finally made his way to Twoson and find out more about Paula and her kidnapping. How will it go? Will he be able to save her? What dangers will get in his way? Find out in the next exciting episode, of MOTHER!!!

To be continued…