Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Have you ever seen a falling star, dear reader? They're quite pretty. A sign of movement across a vast emptiness only felt by those who dare to seek it.

Do you ever think of all the places they see? All the planets they've visited. The many other stars that have been passed with gracefully swift hellos and goodbyes.

Do you ever think of where they came from? It's usually not important, at least not to the stars. They may not know where they're from, where they're going, or even why. All they know is what the vast universe looks like, and how grand it really is. Even then they'll never see it all.

Do you ever think of how a star falls? Gracefully perhaps? Piercing the atmosphere like a sewing needle to a delicately crafted embroidery.

On the underside, what does a star pass? does it pass forests with talking trees? Oceans with orange luminescence? Towering mountains that pierce the heavens themselves? Fountains that sparkle like a spring dream. Castles that watch over small villages, acting as a strong force over which it lies.

Does a star land on delicate grass? Does it land peacefully on a flower bed of roses, begonias, tulips, and daffodils? Does a butterfly land on it's soft head, welcoming it with fluttering kisses that say welcome home?

Or does it, perhaps... CRASH!

Chapter Text

"BREAKING NEWS FLASH!" A small waddle dee with a bowtie yelled into his microphone.

"Someone must have wished a little to hard last night, because a big shooting star has crash landed smack dab in the middle of Dream Land!"

The News reporter excitedly pointed to a humongous crowd behind him. About as large as a half of a football stadium. Cappies, Waddle Dees, Noddys, Bronto Burts, Scarfys that wouldn't leave the boom operator alone. Just about every person from every corner of Dream Land, nay, the entirety of Popstar, showed up to this event. And those that couldn't, watched the news for it.

"In the center of that large mass lies one of the biggest craters ever witnessed on this planet, and in the center of that creator lies the star that fell last night!" The reporter turned to another dee signaling him.

"Oh! My assistant has just refilled the tank for the Waddle Buggy!" The reporter turned back towards the camera. "So now we will be able to get you an up close view of the star. And only on Channel PPP! How about that for good coverage?"

The Reporter Dee, Camera Dee, Microphone Dee, and Assistant Dee, all hopped into the buggy and rammed through the crowd of onlookers to get that exclusive close up shot.

However, when the crew reached the edge of the crater, it was apparent how tricky it would be to get the shot they wanted. The absolute massive size of the crater stunned even the news.

It was still sizzling. The dirt and desecrated greenery was still burning from the impact. Grass and flowers were flung from their situated soil and scattered across the scarred ground. There weren't even any bugs, just one lone red butterfly or two. The only other beings on the scene were those surrounding the crater, and the glowing yellow star that nested snuggly in it's center.

The tired Camera Dee slowly raised their camera to get a shot in the loud yet gentle breeze. The Microphone Dee and Reporter Dee inched closer as did the rest of the crowd. The Assistant Dee drove only a few millimeters closer, slowly as not to disturb a single blade of grass when getting that good angle.

BEEP BEEP!

Another vehicle zoomed by, pushing knocking the news crew off balance, as well as many other onlookers into the crater.

The vehicle was fancy, truly fit for royalty. It was a topless limousine, with gold craft on the front and wheels.

The fancy limo drove straight into the heart of the crater, but not so close as to disturb the star and awaken a monster or something. That would be just awful.

Especially since his royal majesty, King Dedede, was the one in the limo. Alongside his best friend, prime secretary, and mollusk, Escargoon.

The two hopped out of the vehicle to examine the star in it's resting place.

"Oh I hope this is my wish for those parts I'm making for my hammer!"

The king giddily pulled a large wooden hammer from his regal red robe.

"I've been trying to upgrade this puppy for moths!"

Before Dedede could approach the star, he was stopped by Escargoon's hand.

"Careful sire," he said, "we don't know what this thing is. And by the looks of it, I don't think it's a gift package from NME."

"Hmm. I guess your right." King Dedede sounded disappointed. "Just what is this thing anyway?"

"I don't know," said Escargoon, "but the ground is still hot and the thing is still glowing. It might be dangerous."

Just then the two heard rustling, not from the star, but from the limo behind them.

Escargoon went to go open the rumbling trunk, only to find the cabinet minister's daughter, Tiff, and a blue bandana clad waddle dee hiding within.

"JUST WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING IN HERE?" The snail shouted angrily.

King Dedede waddled on over to the vehicle.

"HOW LONG WERE Y'ALL IN THERE FOR? WHO SAID YOU COULD RIDE IN THE BACK? GET OUTA THERE?"

The king shooed off the children with his swinging hammer. Both of them jumped out, but only the bandana wearing Dee had apologized.

"I'm so sorry Great King! Tiff and I were talking and her parents said that it was to dangerous for her to be here and my moms said it was to dangerous for me and that I would get hurt but we both wanted to see the star and I'm so sorry Kreat King please forgive us-"

"Alright alright!" King Dedede put his large mitt on top of the Waddle Dee's
head. The bandana Dee wiggled his nubs around.

"You're good. But never get in my car again! This things expensive, I paid a lot of money for this! And keeping the inside clean is an extra chore I don't like paying for either!"

The bandana Dee sniffled and looked at the king with watery eyes.

"Th-Thank you Gr-Gr-Great King." King Dedede stared awkwardly at the little Dee for a minute until Tiff called from beside the star.

"So what do you think this thing is?"

The rest of them rushed over. Escargoon tried to pull Tiff away but that didn't work.

"Its probably some small ball of burning gas like most stars, and we should defiantly NOT touch it. Nobody feels like getting a lecture from your parents about how we got you hurt!"

"Yeah!" The king barked. "What are we gonna do if that thing incinerates yall?"

"Yeah Tiff," said the Dee, "it's probably best if we just look at it-"

"Come on Bandee you wanted to see it to. That's why we rode here in Dedede's trunk."

"Yeah, but I still don't wanna get burned."

Tiff was annoyed. Her best friend was great and all but he would take Dedede's side in a heartbeat. No matter what. Even in when they both knew when the king was in the wrong.
She decided right then and there that she was going to lift the star from its place. Despite the crater's size, it wasn't big, and she could probably lift it up with ease.

"You guys are being to paranoid." She gave the boys a sighed-eyed glance and reached for the star.

It moved.

Not the star. No, it didn't seem like that was what was moving. That would be normal. It was what was under it that caused movement. Whatever was under it moved like a hatching bird trying to escape it's egg.

King Dedede, Bandee, Escargoon, and the news crew, all got over their shyness and comfortable with their curiosity. They all quickly huddled over to the bright star, not knowing what awaited them. They all looked at each other before Tiff finally flipped it over. What happened next they did not expect to see. It was a ball. A pink ball. A bright, puffy, pink ball, poked out from within the dirt and under the star.

Tiff was excited. "Bandee, help me pull this thing out!"

"Are you sure we should do that-"

"Bandee!"

"Alright alright ok."

The two children grabbed the ball and yanked it up with all of their might. With one last tug it went flying into the air, but it didn't fall back down. Instead, the pink puffball gently floated downwards like a piece of paper, patting lightly against the ground. It had opened its eyes for the first time, and gazed at the vast world around them.

Everyone was watching. Everyone had witnessed this small pink alien open it's galaxy blue eyes. Something about them was just so mesmerizing. So interesting and intriguing. So very...

"Cute!" Tiff held her hands to her face in absolute awe.

"It's so tiny!" Stated Bandee.

"Wow! What an interesting little guy!" Announced the reporter.

"It looks safe enough." Said Escargoon.

The crowd behind them had cooed at the pink orb before them. Even King Dedede was almost moved to tears.

"This little guy ain't scary! He's adorable!"

The king picked up the little puffball and started to shake them with glee.

"Who's a lil cutie thing? It's you! Yes it's you! Your a little puffy fella ain't ya? Little puffy friendly fella! Little friend shaped fella! Hah hah!"

Tiff interrupted the kings coddling. "Dedede stop it your gonna hurt them if you shake them like that."

"I ain't hurting em! Right little fella?"

The puff's eyes were spinning and they looked so dizzy they could probably see the stars in their own irises.

"See he's fine."

Tiff took the puffball away from the king's arms. She was very kind with the alien. A far contrast to King Dedede's enthusiastic intrigue.

"Hey little guy. What's your name?"

"N-name?" They spoke it a tone akin to a baby speaking for the first time.

"Yeah!" Tiff lit up. "You're name."

Name? They cocked their head to the side for they did not know. They seemed young. Almost like a toddler.

"What's your name? My name is Tiff. This is Bandee, Escargoon, and Dedede." She motioned to all of the people beside her.

"What's your name?"

"It probably doesn't understand our language." Stated Escargoon.

"You think so?" Asked Tiff, a little saddened at the idea.

"If he doesn't have a name, we should probably give them one." Bandee perked up.

"Ooh what about Mochi? He looks lime a little ice cream ball." Offered King Dedede.

"Comet might be a fitting name for them. Maru, perhaps?" Escargoon insisted.

Maru sounds nice. But its a little on the nose. I'm thinking Popo." Tiff said.

"What about Kirby?" Bandee said. "Or does that sound too much like a law student's name?"

"Ki-Ki-Kaby. Kaiby. Kirby!" The puff tried to mimic Bandee's words.

"Kirby? Your name is Kirby?" Asked Tiff.

The puff had no idea what was going on but they liked the name Kirby. So they nodded and giggled.

"Kirby it is then!" Bandee said cheerfully.

"Well then, Kirby," Tiff picked up the puff, "welcome to Dream Land!"

Just then King Dedede swiped Kirby from Tiff's arms and held them up like Simba from The Lion King.

"Hey everybody, look at this guy! His name's Kirby!"

The large crowd cheered with welcoming glee. A cute alien crash-lands on planet Popstar in a star and their name is Kirby. Could the day get anymore exciting?

Escargoon pulled a set of keys out of his shell.

"Well now that his Majesty has taken a liking to Kirby, I don't doubt that he'll want to take him back to the castle for a feast."

"OH! A feast! How fun!" Bandee jumped and clapped his paws. "The king always has great feasts!"

"What makes you think you're going?" Escargoon snapped.

"O...Oh." Bandee's excitement faded to a disappointment he should have seen coming.

"Tiff your parents are probably worried about you." Escargoon stated. "You can ride backseat, just don't get the floor dirty."

"That's ok. I'm not going back. Me and Bandee are going to the library."

"Oh well." The slug shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Escargoon and King Dedede hopped into the limo, Dedede still holding onto Kirby like a kid at a carnival who just won the biggest stuffed bear, except the sizes were switched. The limo drove off and the crowd followed soon after it, everyone chatting about the wonder they had witnessed.

"He's so cute isn't he?"

"I could use an assistant. Do you think they would like a job as a fortune teller?"

"We should make them a nice little basket of goodies."

"Yeah that ball's good and all but I got a better one that lets me do tricks!"

"Nobody likes your tricks Marx."

Tiff and Bandee followed the crowd and away towards the library.

"Wow what an eventful day folks! It seems our visitor is quite the cutie pie if I do say so myself." The reporter Dee adjusted his bowtie. "I'd say he was the real star of this show.

"Well that's all for now." He stated. "Time to head back to the studio and give you weather and traffic reports that will make your eyes roll all the way around your head. Only on Chanel PPP!"

The News Crew made a cut and headed out in the Waddle Buggy.

Was that the last of it?

Not yet.

The star still lay in the dirt. After Tiff had turned it over, it lay so unnoticed in the event of Kirby's reveal. That nobody noticed it had shrunk down to the size of a quarter.

A shadow cast over the tiny star.

Chapter Text

"What exactly are we here for again?" Bandee asked with a hefty load of books in his paws.

"We are here-WOooOAaaH" Tiff caught a falling book in one hand while balancing on a ladder.

"We're here to see if we can find anything on where Kirby came from."

"How are we gonna do that?" Bandee scratched his head, trying not to drop the tower of books in his hands. "I mean... it's not like Popstar is super experienced with interplanetary communications."

"That's why we specifically got books from astronomers, astrobiologists, and astrophysicists."

"Physics books? ugh. That sound fun." Both kids laughed and rolled their eyes..

"Well Kirby traveled some distance through space and survived. We need to see the barriers of how far they could travel without suffocating in space."

"That is logical."

"Yeah." Tiff hopped down from the ladder and pointed towards a table with a computer.

"Let's go sit over there. I'll pull up some of NME's public space records and you can start on one of those books."

"Yes ma'am."

The two friends sat quietly for a few hours. Flipping, clicking, and going through every resource they could find, yet nothing seemed to have any lead. Even after they had taken out every book and littered the hardwood with hardback.

"You know," said Bandee, "that star Kirby came in must have a lot of power to cause such a big crash like that. Boy that crater was huge, wasn't it?"

"Ill say.."

Tiff gasped.

"The star!"

"yeah the bright yellow star Kirby came in."

"Bandee that star could be a key to figuring out where Kirby comes from." Tiff squished and shook the Dee's face. "We have to go back and get it!"

"B-but what about all of this?" Bandee motioned to the mountain of an informational mess they had made.

"We'll take it with us. I jotted down the websites we've looked at so we can continue the search later."

"Well then what are we waiting for?" he pumped his tiny fist in the air. "Lets go!"

After renting their many records, the two children ran as fast as their stubby feet could carry them while carrying the bunches of books. Which is to say, not that far. They couldn't even see where they were going, and because they couldn't see where they were going...

THUD!

They crashed right into a poor waddle dee. Just minding their own business. Books flew up in the air and littered the ground. The pages came crashing to the ground like a comet, encasing the three children in tombs of literature. Everyone squirmed around to find the surface of the mess.

"Ouch!" Cried the unsuspecting waddle dee.

"Oh my gosh! We're so sorry!" Bandee went into the same anxious state he was in when they found Tiff and him in King Dedede's limo, except now it was more muffled. He shook off the pile and helped the other two.

Tiff removed the book from her face.

"Sorry about that, it's tough trying to see where your going when all you can see is hardback and paper. Heh heh."

"It's ok. I get that." Said the shy Dee.

The waddle dee didn't seem to mind the accident. They seemed pretty understanding.

"One time I caught a large catfish while out doing some field work. Tripping with a catch as big as that causes quite a mess." They giggled at the memory.

They were a sailor. If the catfish story didn't give it away then the hat definitely did. It was a white hat with a blue ribbon tied around the brim.

"Here, let me help you with this stuff. I'm Sailor by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Sailor."

"Yeah! Nice to meet you, Sailor."

The sailor helped Bandee and Tiff pile the large tower of books again.

"I have a couple of carrying cases you could put these into. They're back on my ship by the dock. I'm headed there anyway."

"How far is it?" Asked Bandee.

"Its about 20 minutes. Sorry."

"That's ok," stated Tiff, "it's only 20 minutes." Even though she knew with the pile it looked more like 20 hours.

Just then Bandee noticed something sparkly on the ground.

"Hey," he put his pile of books down. "What's this?"

Bandee picked up the small, sparkly yellow glow. It was a star. To Bandee It looked like the star from the crash, just smaller.
"Let me see that." Said Tiff.

It's small glow set off a big curiosity in Tiff.

"Oh that?" Sailor Dee quickly took back the star. "I found it at the crash site."

"But the only star in the crater was..." Tiff started, following a united gasp from her and Bandee.

"Kirby's star!"

"But if that's Kirby's star, then how did it get so small?" Pondered Bandee.

"I don't know." Sailor responded, still holding onto the itty bitty star. "I just found it like this."

"That's so weird..." Tiff reached out to touch the star. If you listened oh so closely, you could hear the sound of little wind chimes.

All of a sudden the star grew huge. At least three times the children's sizes. Everyone jumped backwards.

"Wh-wh-WHAT?"

"How did it do that?"

"That's so strange."

And then like magnets to metal, the books suddenly clung to the star. Tiff and Bandee tried to hold the books back from being pulled in, but it didn't work. Bandee wouldn't let go of one of the books and ended up stuck to the star.

"Uh guys..." Bandee looked to his friends worried "A little help?"

The other two reached for him, but he was stuck on like glue.

"He's not coming off, Tiff."

"Let go of the book Bandee."

"I'm trying to it won't let mEEEEEEE!"

Suddenly the star sprung upwards in a burst of energy, carrying with it the books, papers, and children. They all screamed as they were thrust for a fast ride in the sky. The star warped and waved at what seemed like light speed and did all sorts of tricks but it was literally the scariest thing. Soon enough they were above the water and past the docks.

Bandee turned to a small sailboat with Sailor's color motif.

"HEY IS THAT YOUR BOAT? DOWN THERE ON THE DOCKS? THE BLUE AND WHITE ONE WITH THE ANCHOR SYMBOL?"

"YEAH THAT ONES MINE!"

"IT LOOKS NICE!"

"THANK YOU!"

"GUYS I DONT MEAN TO INTERUPPT THE CONVERSATION," Tiff exclaimed, BUT WERE ABOUT TO CRASH INTO DEDEDE'S CASTLE!"

Indeed they were. For just up ahead there was Mt. Dedede, and King Dedede's strong castle. The warping star didn't show any signs of stopping, and if the kids didn't take control soon they knew they were going to become wall art. Not wanting to die like that. Sailor pulled themselves up to the head of the star and attempted to control it's direction by pulling it. With enough time, just before they hit a wall, the star finally gave in and flew upwards.

"THAT WAS AMAZING," exclaimed Tiff, "HOW DID YOU DO THAT?"

"I HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH STUFF LIKE THIS!" Sailor turned to the other two, their face determined.

"HOLD ON TIGHT! IM GONNA TRY AND LAND IT!"

Both Tiff and Bandee shouted "WHAT" in unison before screaming in fear as Sailor drifted the star to the side.

The absolute speedy monstrosity was tamed. And in enough time, Sailor was able to turn their direction downwards, only to slam the non-existent breaks on the star. Right at Castle Dedede's doorstep. The star, in it's seemingly minimal sentience, shook off it's passengers and cargo. Everything and everyone fell in a thud.

"Well that's one way to get around." Said Tiff, exhausted as could be with a messy demeanor.

"That was amazing and incredibly scary!" Bandee directed his exclaims towards Sailor. "You were a pro."

"He he. Thanks!" Sailor blushed. "Next time I'll try surfing on it."

"That sounds like dangerous amounts of fun. Maybe I'll join you if you bring helmets." Stated Tiff.

"Yeah! We can call it 'Air ride races,'" Bandee exclaimed and waved his hand through the air. "Where you fly through the air on warping stars like these."

"Speaking of warping," Tiff interrupted, "this thing warped itself in more ways than one."

"Yeah. It grew and shrank. Then it flung us through the air at lightning speeds." Sailor exclaimed.

"I think it's only fair that we call it 'the warpstar' then. What do you guys think?" Tiff asked.

Everyone nodded in agreement that it was the perfect name. And when they settled on a name, the warpstar warped back into a tiny state. Tiff picked up the star and put it in her pocket.

"Well. I might as well take this to Kirby since it belongs to them. Do you think they'll be excited to see it?"

"Probably," responded Bandee. "It does belong to them."

"Hey sis!" Tiff's little brother Tuff came running out of the castle.

"Did you see Kirby? I saw Kirby! He's like a soccer ball but pink! And he's squishy too! Do you think he'll wanna play with me later?"

"I take it you saw Kirby." She stated.

"That's what I just said!" Tuff flailed his arms in excitement. "King Dedede is gonna have a big feast soon to celebrate Kirby's arrival. Mom and Dad are gonna be there to c'mon!"

Tuff pulled his sister by the arm.

"Well I better get going. I'll see you guys later."

"Sounds good."

"Have fun!"

"Will do. I am kind of hungry."

The siblings left for the dining area. Where everyone else would await them.

"Why aren't you going with them, Bandee?"

"Who? Me?" The dee pointed to himself as if there was anyone else around to be asked such a question.

"Yes you silly. Aren't you going with them?"

"I'm not allowed. I'm...not important enough." Bandee said with a chuckle. "But that's ok though. One day I'll be popular and important enough to sit with them."

"That's kind of sad." Stated Sailor.

"What?"

"I said it's sad that you think that of yourself. Then again why would you even want to sit near someone like Dedede anyway?"

"Um, because King Dedede is really cool!" Bandee exclaimed. "He drives a cool car, and he's a king, and he has these big parties sometimes where everyone's invited, and wears regal but questionable fashion choices. And he makes really cool mechanic upgrades for his hammer. And he has an NME Direct subscription which takes up the whole throne room! And he has a cool car! And...."

Bandee could never stop raving about how much he thought King Dedede was a great king. Popular, important, cool, all these things Bandee wanted to be, King Dedede was.

"Yeah that's great and all," Sailor started, "but if you ask me he's a bit...I don't know, self centered. I just don't think he's all that."

"What? King Dedede isn't selfish. He cares about the kingdom."

"The kingdom's opinion of him maybe." Sailor and Bandee chuckled at the remark.

"If anything that's true." Bandee stated.

"Hey its kind of dark out." He looked at the distant setting sun. "Do you want me to walk you back down to your ship? It seems pretty far? I'm going back down that way anyway."

"As long as you're willing to walk 20 minutes down the mountain with all these heavy books."

"Oh jeez, you're right." Bandee looked at the mess the warpstar had left and scratched his head.

The two Dees laughed as they gathered up the books and headed down the long decent down the mountain, away and down from the big Castle doors which always seemed a bit intimidating to Bandee. They stopped by Sailor's boat to put the books in some carrying cases, making the carrying a little easier for both of them. Once they reached Bandee's house, the bandana Dee gave an inquisition to his new friend.

"Hey would you like to come over for dinner? I'm sure my Moms wont mind."

"Bandee, thank you but I can't. I have a meeting I have to call into anyway, and I can't really do that with other people around. I'm sorry."

"Aww. Ok." Bandee sounded a bit disheartened, but understanding. "See you tomorrow then?"

"Yep! See you tomorrow!"

"Bye Sailor, Good luck with your meeting!"

They waved back. "Thank you!"

"Bye!"

"Bye!

Chapter Text

Kirby sat in a nice little high chair next to the King on a long table. Stained glass windows brought color to the large dining room and displayed a golden peace sign insignia of light on the guests, whos rich auras surrounded the clean bronze table. Kirby was treated like a prince. Not even five minutes on the planet and they were already driven to a castle in a limo, shown around said castle, given multiple edible gifts, and was now going to eat one of the biggest meals they've ever seen in their life.

Besides Kirby and King Dedede, Escargoon, Sir Ebrum, Lady Like, and Captain Doo sat at the table, gawking and observing the puff. The only guests missing were-

"We're here!"

-Tiff and Tuff who just barged into dining area, slamming the doors on their way in.

"I found Tiff."

"None of you are going to believe what happened!"

"Hai!" Kirby waved their stubby arms and reached out giddily to the two siblings.

"I thought you said you weren't coming." Said Escargoon.

"Well I made it didn't I?" Tiff responded.

"Ah hello darling. We just met Kirby. He seems like a polite little man." Lady Like patted the puff and greeted her two children as they sat down.

"Yes yes. Very polite, and very cute." Said Sir Ebrum.

Kirby seemed to like all the comments and praise they were receiving as of late. They made Kirby feel special.

"Tiff you look like you took a tumble down a hill," Lady Like complained, "That's no way to look when you have guests!"

"Calm down mom. Kirby's a baby. I don't think they care that much."

"Still you might want to fix yourself. Maybe get the dirt out of your hair. What happened to you anyway?"

Tiff fixed her hair. "Bandee and I ran into someone-a new friend named Sailor-who picked up this." She held up the tiny warpstar. "It's the star Kirby came in."

"Tiff are you sure that's not a replica?" Her father asked.

"I think you might be blind. That thing is way to small. Like a stone or something." Escargoon sneered, trying not to think about how a silly little toy star would go great in his ring collection.

"It seems very shiny." Captain Doo exclaimed. "That'll look great above a fire place or a holiday tree."

Tiff insisted "No guys! Its the real thing. Watch this!"

Tiff flung the warpstar up in the air. The second it hit the table it transformed to its true, much bigger size. The guests gasped in wonder and astonishment. Kirby giggled with glee. The brightness of the warpstar outshown the natural light coming through the window.

"Well I don't believe it." Said King Dedede. "Its the same star we saw at that crater."

"What else does it do?" Tuff was most intrigued.

"Well I'll show you." Tiff pulled herself and Tuff up on the warpstar. Her parents warned her to be careful, but she knew she would be fine.

"Hold on" She told her brother.

From corner to corner and ceiling to floor the warpstar zoomed all around. It flew just above the table, inviting another smaller pink passenger on board before it flew high to the ceiling. Kirby twisted and turned the star like a surfer o a boogie board, they flew so high they almost broke the ceiling. They surfed so low they almost took Escargoon's head off, much to his irritation. The star eventually drifted down and skided on the table, coming to a halt in front of King Dedede, scaring him just a little bit as he braced for the star to hit him.

"Ta da!" Tiff and Tuff hopped off of the star, and Kirby hopped back to their seat. The star shrank back into its pocket size, which Tiff took with her.

"Let me see that!" Escargoon demanded the the warpstar from Tiff, who was insistent on not giving it away. Nonetheless, it was basically snatched from her anyway.

Escargoon fidgeted with the object. "How does it do that? Must be some kind of magic or gravity defying engine of sorts. How did you get this thing to grow?"

"Did y'all pick this up when we weren't looking or somethin." The king questioned with a side eye.

"Well Bandee and I were carrying a bunch of books, and then we bumped into a waddle dee named Sailor who dropped the warpstar. That's what we decided to call it. Then, all the books we dropped clung onto the warpstar, then Bandee got stuck and we couldn't get him off. Then the warpstar took off and flew towards the castle. We almost crashed trying to control it."

"You what?" Lady Like exclaimed in that motherly tone, a sound of fear, anger, and panic rolled into one.

"You could have gotten hurt! Why would you ride such a thing like that?" Sir Ebrum exclaimed.

"We didn't know it was going to do that. It was a good thing Sailor knew how to steer it."

Escargoon scoffed. "I think It would be a good idea if we kept this thing away from the kids. If they don't second guess themselves about the idea of getting into an expensive car with muddy shoes, or flying around the room and almost killing people and scuffing the table, then they shouldn't be able to use the deadly flying warpstar thing or whatever it is." The snail pointed to the scuffed wood Tiff, Tuff, and Kirby carved out of the table. "Just look at this! Now we have to pay a polisher."

Tiff rolled her eyes. "We said we were sorry for the first one."

"We should keep it in a safe place. Like the his majesty's vault." He went into a whisper and then to a snicker. "Or my jewel collection."

When Escargoon reached for the warpstar he realized that Kirby had taken it and was eating it like a cookie.

"Uh..." King Dedede pointed at Kirby. "Is he supposed to be eatin that?"

"Depends if it's edible. Kids will eat anything." Said Captain Doo.

"I just don't want him to choke." Said Sir Ebrum.

Captain Doo spoke up as Kirby finished their starry snack. "I think he'll be fine."

The table nodded in agreement. It was probably normal for Kirby to do that anyway. And just when it got a little awkward and everyone got hungry, the door to the dining area swept open with a slam.

"Did somebody run out of conversation topics because they're hungry?"

The one and only Chef Kawasaki and his team of assistant chefs burst into the room with trays upon trays upon trays of meals. Silverware and napkins to the diners were quickly laid out for the diners.

A waddle dee and smaller waddle doo stopped by Captain Doo's seat.

"Hey Stevie! Hey son! What are you doing here."

"Pops! I Heard Dad was gonna help get the dinner ready so I helped out too. Is Kirby here?"

"Right over there."

"Oh boy! Nice to meet you Kirby. I'm Beamie!" The small Doo skipped over to the puff and shook their paw. "This is my Dad, Steviedee, he's a chef. This is Pops, but everyone calls Him Captain! This is so cool! Can we be friends?" The little Doo's eye sparkled in excitement.

King Dedede slapped his hands together at all of the delicious smelling trays before him.

"Mmmm-mmmm! Watcha got Kawasaki?"

"So I've prepared a four in a half star course meal consisting off..."

With every word another lid popped of of the trays.

"Hayashi Rice, Seafood Curry, Heaping Pasta, whimsical Cold fruit pasta, maximum tomato soup and pasta, omelet rice, fiery bread stew, fluffy frying pan pasta, hot piping cheese fondue, Royal Ribs, everything pizza, orange ocean juice, and the final masterpiece to top it all off..."

Two assistant chefs came into the room caving a larger than life cake.

"A five tier chocolate cake in the image of Mt. Dedede, put together with fluffy buttercream. The castle on the top is made with rice cakes." Chef Kawasaki started crying and held his paws to his chest.

"Truly my finest work."

"Don't forget about the candles!" The Beamie Doo was right. Surrounding the castle and leading up to it on the trail of frosting were little firecracker candles. Beamy pulled out a small wand and shot a jolt of sparks onto the them, dazzling the delicious dessert.

The cake's most impressive display captivated the diners. They didn't even want to eat, it was so magnificent.

"This looks amazing Kawasaki!"

"Yeah! That cake looks delicious!"

The kids gave their compliments to the chef as he took them with gratitude.

"Well what are we waiting for? I'm starving!" King Dedede picked up his knife and fork and began to help himself to as much as he could, as did everyone else.

Kirby didn't really experience anything like this before. Their eyes sparkled and their mouth drooled at the monstrously tempting sight. So many delectable options. Pastas, Meats, pizzas, CAKE? The pink puff knew none of it but loved all of it. They wanted it all.

Without a second thought, and with pure instinct, Kirby sucked up all of the food on the table. All of it, including the whole cake, candles and all in one signal breath.

Every single scrap. Every single piece and morsel on the table was elevated from it's place and flung into Kirby's void of a stomach. Glasses and silverware weren't spared in the event, even the napkins disappeared into the void along with everything else. In the end all that was left was a little bit of table cloth hanging from Kirby's mouth like a tie on a rack. And before that disappeared, Kirby lightly dabbed any sauce or crumbs off of their face, then sucked up the napkin like a noodle. The whole room not dared move as the pink puff smiled happily at everyone else.

King Dedede looked at Kirby beside him as Kirby looked up and did the same. King Dedede pondered for a minute about what exactly he just saw.

"And I thought I ate fast..." He stated in a somewhat cold sweat.

///////////////////

Far away from the castle, away from the dramatics and thrills, a small family of four was preparing to eat a normal sized dinner of baked lamb cutlet with mashed rice and fried vegetables.

Bandee walked through the door and sighed. He called to his mothers in the kitchen, and his sister on the couch.

"Hi Mommy. Hey Momma. Hey Para."

Bandee's mothers were Candee and Mrs. Burtto, the bronto burt. Paradee was his little sister.

"I saw you on TV! You met Kirby!"

"Yeah I did."

"Was he nice?"

"He was very nice."

"What's with the suitcases?"

"They have stories in them. Boring ones without pictures, you wouldn't like them."

"Yuck. Who reads books without pictures in them?" Para made a cringing expression.

Bandee laid the suitcases by the entryway, carefully so as not to cause unnecessary alert.

"Mommy's mad at you." Para stated.

"Of course she is."

"She said you put yourself in danger."

"More than once today."

"More than once?"

"It's a long story."

"Is it fun?"

"Maybe."

"I like fun stories. Tell me!"

Bandee gave a little heartful chuckle. "Why wouldn't I?"

The two siblings were called to the table to have a nice calm meal. Even though Bandee got scolded by his Mother for leaving against her wishes, they still had a lovely dinner. One with stories about cute aliens and the new friend Bandee and Tiff made. He wouldn't tell them about the near crash though, he didn't want to put his Momma into cardiac arrest. That story would be saved for when it was bed time and Para would complain about not being able to sleep without a good bedtime story.

That was for later though. Now it was time for dessert. Candee made apple pie, and apple pie was Bandee's favorite.

Chapter Text

"Alright Kirby! Say Tiff. That's my name."

"Ti...Tiff!"

"Yes Yes! That's good! Now try saying Bandee. That's him over there, with the bag of cookies."

"Hi."

"Can you say his name?"

"Bu-Be...uh...Bandee!"

"Yes that's great!" Tiff cheered. Her attempts at teaching Kirby common Dream Landian language were a success.

"Alright that's 100 words down!" Bandee pulled out a large bag of cookies. "Does that warrant one of these?"

"COOKIES!" That was one of the first Dream Landian words Kirby learned. And it was one of their favorites.

"You heard em, Bandee. Toss one!"

Bandee tossed a big chocolate chip cookie in Kirby's direction, where the puff did not miss the chance to inhale it. The fields outside of Cappy town made for a nice peaceful place to teach Kirby.

Escargoon was gardening and studying the plants in the background. Every time Kirby would get a word right he had to duck and cover the flowers and his sunhat. Kirby's breath could inhale a whole forest that's how strong it was, and just for a little cookie no less.

"Hmph. Maybe you should teach him some basic manners while your at it."

"That's a good idea Escargoon." Tiff stated.

"That was sarcasm-" he knew it was pointless to argue with children. "You know what, never mind."

"Alright Kirby," Tiff started, "Try and say please."

"P-p-peas?"

"Close, but not quite. 'Please,' you say it when you want something." She started tossing out examples. "Like, 'can I please have this' or 'can you please stop being mean? It's usually followed by 'thank you.' Its a nice way of being...well nice."

"Oooooh." Kirby pointed towards Bandee with the bag. "C-Can I pwease have cookies?"

The two other kids looked at each other and nodded in agreement.

"Whole bag?"

"Whole bag."

Bandee tossed the bag to Kirby, who spared no seconds swallowing said whole bag, paper and all.

"Th-Thank you!"

"It's good to always be nice, Kirby." Tiff stated, patting the puff on the head. "You never want to hurt people."

"Yeah," Bandee chimed in, "Only bad guys hurt others. You always wanna be a good guy."

"Poyo!" Kirby nodded.

Tiff and Bandee started teaching Kirby as many words as they could. Like high and low and new and old and stop and go and hot and cold etc. They even taught Kirby phrases like "I'm sorry," "please forgive me," and "It's ok." After which, they had taught Kirby how to say goodbye. However, just then a solider waddle doo sprang up to Kirby in a hurry, like he had just ran the biggest marathon. It was kind of fitting for what would happen.

"Kirby! Hah...hah..."

"Hey, are you ok?" Bandee asked worriedly. "Do you need to sit down?"

"I...hah...have a message..." The doo almost collapsed. His one eye watery and red with fatigue.

"The king... hah...wants to see Kirby...in...in the Pupupu Town square...I... hah...I think I need water."

Escargoon halted his actions. "Well if his royal highness is planning something I might as well be there to make sure he doesn't hurt himself." The snail scooped up Kirby and pointed to Tiff and Bandee.

"You two make sure that that doo doesn't dehydrate. We don't need a dead solider today."

"Already on it" Tiff stated. She rushed to get water as Bandee stayed to make sure that the solider didn't pass out.

"Bye bye!" Kirby called after their friends.

"Bye Kirby!" Tiff and Bandee responded. They turned back to the doo who suddenly slumped over and passed out.

////////

When Escargoon and Kirby arrived at the town square, a large crowd had noticeably gathered around a notably small stage, and not a fancy one either. King Dedede stood proud on the platform, holing a megaphone and searching the crowd. Behind him was a large sign or some kind of painting covered by a draping that, due to the wet paint seeping through the cloth, was relatively fresh. The town denizens questioned and curiously considered what this event could possibly be about. There were no rumors or buildup to this, so it came as quite the surprise when the king called the abrupt meeting.

"You think its gonna be some type of performance?" Asked Escargoon.

"Mu...maybe?"

Kirby would get used to speaking eventually, Escargoon thought to himself. He just hoped they don't get to vocal.

"Me neither. His Highness will pull stuff like this from time to time, but he'll usually tell me ahead of time though. This must be one of his spur of the moment 'Dededelightful ideas.'"

Once the king spotted Kirby and Escargoon, he shouted HEY into the megaphone, leaped off stage like a majestic ballerina, and picked the two up, carrying them back to the stage.

"Now that the main attraction is here," King Dedede shouted into the megaphone and motioned towards Kirby, still being held by Escargoon, "let me show y'all something."

King Dedede pulled out a king size candy bar and unwrapped it. Then he settled at the opposite end of the stage from Kirby. Once Kirby saw the bar, they hopped down from Escargoon and took a deep breath. The audience ooed and awed as the bar practically vanished in one gulp. To them it seemed as if it was absorbed by some type of black hole. When the display was over, everyone applauded and whistled.

The king strolled over and picked up Kirby.

"If you think that was cool, you should have seen what happened yesterday." King Dedede made overdramatic motions. "It was the wildest thing you'd ever seen! Forks and knives flying through the air. A whole cake gone in one gulp. I didn't even get to finish my food."

"Is that it?" Someone shouted from the audience.

"Yeah I mean it's cool and all," someone else said, "but what's behind the curtain?"

"I was just getting to that! Hush!" The King cleared his throat.

"Now I know we only do this in the fall, but ever since I laid my big ol' eyes on this little ol' ball I knew that I had to challenge em to a..."

Waddle dees playing drums on the sidelines suspensefully tapped as the King yanked down the drapes covering the wet sign that proudly and loudly stated:

GOURMET RACE!!!

King Dedede hollered. "The Gourmet Race Grand Prix!"

The audience gasped. A gourmet race? This early in the year? But we only do that during harvest time. These thoughts swarmed their minds like honeybees. While the townspeople wondered, Tiff and Bandee had made it to the town square.

"Wow! I bet Dedede really got inspired by last night's dinner." Tiff stated.

"Oh man! A gourmet race! And Kirby and King Dedede are contestants." Bandee pumped his paws in the air. "Going up against Kirby and winning would be the king's biggest win yet."

"What makes you think he'll win?" Tiff asked. "After all, Kirby has the upper hand here with that inhaling power of theirs's.

"True, true. But King Dedede is the undefeated champion of gourmet races! He wins every year! There's no way he's giving up his crown!"

"I bet you one thousand apples that Kirby is gonna win this time."

"Nuh-uh! The great King Dedede, the great undefeated gourmet race king, is gonna take home his crown once more." Bandee crossed his arms. "I'll take that bet with me to the grave."

"Oh your on."

The two kids laughed at their friendly little debate as the king turned to address his captivated crowd once more.

"Alright so," he put Kirby down and clapped his hands together, "Me and Escargoon here are gonna head back to the castle as y'all start with those preparations." He waved his royal paw. "See y'all tomorrow."

As they walked off stage to the royal limo they realized it wasn't there.

"Uh...where's The car?"

"I walked here sire I didn't drive here."

"Aw man. So we gotta walk all the way back?"

"Oh wipe those tears off sire," Escargoon elbow nudged Dedede, "it'll prepare you for your win tomorrow."

"Hmph. I was already gonna win."

As the crowd dispersed and King Dedede and Escargoon left, Kirby was reunited with their two friends who gave them warm hugs as greeting.

"Kirby's not even here one day and they're already participating in a major sports even tomorrow." Tiff picked up the puff. "I hope you're excited."

"Yessie!"

"I think that means yes." Bandee chuckled.

Out of the blue, a voice came into the conversation. "I was waiting until Kirby pulled off something like that."

It was Sailor Dee, chipper and excited.

"Hey Sailor" greeted Tiff and Bandee in unison.

"It's funny. We didn't know they could eat like that either until last night." Tiff stated. "It shocked all of us."

"I didn't find out until this morning!" Bandee exclaimed. "It was kind of scary, but in a cool sort of way."

"Cookies!"

"We were teaching Kirby how to speak Dream Landian with the help of cookies. Needless to say, even the bag they came in is gone." Tiff acknowledged.

"They...really like the cookies." Bandee looked at the puff.

"I see that," said Sailor, "they have little crumbs on their face. Oh they're so cute! I didn't get to see you up close, It's nice to meet you." Sailor cooed at the puff and shook their tiny pink paw.

"Hi!"

Sailor giggled and gently patted Kirby on the head. They felt soft and puffy. "Nice to meet you."

"So," they started. "Are you guys going to watch the race that's happening?"

"We made bets on who we thought would win." Tiff looked determined and excited.

"I think it's going to be King Dedede, but Tiff thinks it's going to be Kirby." Bandee stated.

"Even if Dedede wins, which he won't, it's still gonna be pretty fun. Gourmet races are always really fun to watch."

"Oh yeah. That reminds me!" Bandee's excitement started to show ten-fold. "What are you going to make for the race."

"I'm going to make our family's special shortbread. What about you Bandee?"

"I'm thinking Apple pie with ice cream!"

"Wait, you have to make food for the race?" Sailor pondered.

"You've never made food for a gourmet race?" Tiff cocked her head and Kirby copied.

Sailor rubbed their paw behind their head, a bit embarrassed. "I'm..." they whispered, "not from around here. I don't know a lot of the Dream Land customs."

"Sorry about the rambling, but gourmet races. They're awesome!" Bandee waved his paws like a mad man.

"There are three races in the Gourmet Race Grand Prix, each themed around breakfast, lunch, and dinner respectively. The races are held in a nearby area of Dream Land called Gourmet World, named after the races." Tiff chimed, Kirby listened intently in her arms.

"And there's food on the track! Man it smells so good from the sides."

"The races depend on two things. Who is the fastest-"

"And who gets the most food!"

"And whoever's the fastest and eats the most gets the grand prize, a humongous multilayer, multiflavored cake that's almost as big as castle Dedede!"

Kirby drooled as the idea of a giant cake baked in their mind. If the one from last night was any indication, cakes were amazing, especially to Kirby.

"Everyone in Dream Land usually makes a dish to put on the track for the racers." Tiff stated.

Bandee started thinking of all the memorable events from past races. "Oh man, I remember one time Captain Doo ran and tried to eat Kawasaki's signature spicy curry. Man they really did a number on his eye."

"Or that time where my mom ran and almost beat Dedede! She leaped over Kawasaki, snagged two drinks and an ice cream, and lost first place by only three points."

"Didn't you still go out to celebrate?"

"Yeah, we saw it as a major accomplishment."

"Your mom is pretty cool like that.

"Yeah she is."

Sailor interrupted. "I cant believe I've never heard of this before."

"Well now you get to experience it!" Tiff exclaimed.

"Yeah, Sailor! You're gonna love it!"

"Well I'd better go start making sautéed seafood stew then! I'll catch you guys later." The dee waved goodbye.

"Bye Tiff! bye Bandee! Bye Kirby! Good luck tomorrow!"

Kirby waved their tiny pink paw along with their friends. "Bye bye!"

Chapter Text

The morning was dark and early. Around the dead hours in fact, yet it didn't matter as Kirby couldn't tell time. All they cared about, were the video games Tuff had taught them to play. They sat on the soft green couch of the Ebrum family, playing fun game of Super Marino Kart and downing the family's rammen packs like potato chips. They had no idea what today was. Until that is, when King Dedede quietly barged open the door.

"Hey pinky!"

"Po?"

"yeah you! lets go!"

His royal highness swiped Kirby off of the couch and dragged them down the hallway. King Dedede made sure to quietly close the door of the Ebrum family's residence.

"Big day today kid!"

"huh?"

"Did ya forget? We're racing today!"

"Oh." Kirby did indeed forget.

"Yeah, that's today. And in a few hours." King Dedede huffed towards the throne room as if he had already ran the marathon.

"You and I are gonna be the main attractions. So we gotta make a grand entrance."

The King halted towards his throne and sat on it's cushions. He tossed Kirby up on the left arm rest. he pressed N.M.E to his right.

"Watch this" the king said, a smile of glee and pride on his face as a large monitor descended from the ceiling.

The violet flat screen flickered for a minute, then flashed on to the image of a man with flashy shades and a suit.

"Hey ho triple-D!" The man had the tone you would expect of some old friend you've known since college.

"Heya, CS! How's the kid?"

"She's doing great, thanks for asking."

"She? I thought you had a boy."

"I never had a son."

Kirby was about to fall asleep amidst all of this adult talk. That is until the king swung his arm around Kirby.

"Speaking of kids and all that, have you heard of this little guy yet? His name's Kirby!"

"What is that?" The man squinted whilst adjusting his glasses. "Oh! You're that alien that everyone's raving about down in your neck of the world." He pointed at the pink puff.

Kirby waved their stubby paws.

"Hai!"

"Aw. Hey there little fella. I'm Customer Service Nightmare. The customer service rep of Nightmare Enterprises.

"And yes my name is Customer Service." He said this with a heavy sigh, as his embarrassment for his own name shown upon his face like wrinkled banner of shame. "Please just refer to me as CS."

"C-Costco Servy." Kirby repeated.

"Uh...sure why not."

CS turned back towards king Dedede.

"So anyway, what can I do for ya triple-D?"

"Well. Since you asked," The King made a little smug cat-like expression. "I'm hosting a Gourmet Race Grand Prix this morning. And I need something that's gonna make a grand entrance. Something flashy! Got anything like that?"

"Hm... something grand and flashy huh? I think we got something." CS pulled out a remote control and pressed one of it's buttons.

A large spiral mechanism emerged from the throne room's center. Pillars started spinning along the outer rims of the large electrical ball acting as it's core. The more it sparked, the faster the spinning pillars, and the more memorized Kirby became.

All of a sudden a large beam of energy shot from the machine, bolted trough the doors, and zoomed to the courtyard at the speed of light itself.

King Dedede and Kirby made no hesitation and ran after the light. Once they made it to the courtyard, they looked up at the huge bright star the light had become. It was like some duo had come down from space. It's gleam illuminated all surfaces, leaving ginormous shadows behind what could cast them.

All of a sudden the light burst to create a new entity. A grand blimp with a widescreen, two firework cannons, and a fearsome face.

The widescreen switched on to show CS once more.

"How is she your highness? Is she as grand and flashy as you'd like?"

The King's eyes lit up, as too did Kirby's. Kirby jumped around and tried to reach the 'obviously way higher then they were' blimp.

"Heck yeah she is! Whatcha call her?"

"We call this rad girl, Kabula. And shell fly you two in style to the grand prix. All for the cheap price of 10,000 dollars!"

King Dedede's jovial expression turned into a sad one .

"Aw come on. You're bleeding me dry!"

"Hey it's a small price to pay for style."

King Dedede looked at Kirby and their joyous little expression. It was just to cute to pass down. Plus Escargoon would probably enjoy the blimp ride too. He sighed, his heart as heavy as his wallet now empty. "I'll take her."

/////////

Last minute preparations where sprinkled onto the field like colorful jimmies on an ice cream Sunday. Pie placements and Linguini locations had been set for fast feasting on the track, as well as many other course meals. Those in the sidelines were tight packed like sardines for the event, surprisingly even more so than the annual autumn date. It was an absolute mob scene. Even the news crew had a hard time at getting good shots of the track. It was a good thing it wasn't flu season.

Off to the sidelines stood Tiff and Bandee with their respective families.

"Where's Kirby and King Dedede?" Asked Bandee with a worried expression.

"I think they're arriving together with Escargoon" said Tiff.

"You think they'll be late?" Asked Para, standing next to her brother.

"Dedede might be late about five or minutes tops." Said Tiff. "He can be pretty lazy."

Tuff chimed in to his sister's response "Ha! Remember when Dedede overslept and delayed the race by an hour?"

Bandee shivered and so did Para. "It was very cold that day..." Bandee stated.

"HEY GUYS!"

The two families turned around to find Sailor running up to them with a plastic bag in their paws, and somehow not out of breath.

The other kids all greeted Sailor Dee in unison, with smiles on their faces and happiness in their nostrils because whatever was in that bag smelled delicious.

"What's in the bag?"

"Tuff that's rude!" Tiff corrected her younger brother.

"Hehe. Its fine. I made these batches for you guys anyway."

Sailor pulled out two large containers of sautéed seafood stew, and gave one to each family.

"It smells delicious." Tiff stated with thanks.

"Thanks. Back home I was kind of a chef. The guys would beg me to make this for dinner instead of whatever boss had made."

"Oh yeah!" Realized Bandee. "You work on the coast. No wonder you can make such a mean stew."

"And good thing you got here when you did," Tiff remarked, "look who just arrived."

Tuff pointed at the sky on a sight that captured every spectator's attention. A large, bright beige blimp with a sharp face and a wide flat screen broadcasting the faces of King Dedede, Escargoon, and Kirby soared above, although Kirby was hogging most of the screen time.

The blimp stopped feet above the starting line, and from it descended an elevator with the fashionably late trio.

"Well that was fun!" Dedede stated as he waved to the crowd."

Escargoon tried his best to swallow his motion sickness. "Yeah....hrg...fun."

Once the platform reached ground level, the three stepped off onto the starting line. Escargoon scurried to the sidelines and into a readily available spectators seat. Complete with a drink, unsalted popcorn, and a brown paper bag so that he didn't have to hide his sickness anymore. He leaned back and cheered.

"Take home another gold your majesty!"

King Dedede laughed at the remark and turned to the starting line where the other contestants waited. He and Kirby Immediately took their places.

"You ready pinky?"

"Pa-yes!"

"Alright!"

Mrs. Burtto flew out to the front of the line. Accompanied by Steviedee who signed to the audience.

"Ladees, gentlecappies, folks, and friends. Welcome to the Gourmet Race Grand Prix!"

The audience cheered like wild animals. They started shaking the fences separating them from the track. One person started foaming at the mouth like a rabid banshee. t

"We have a wonderful set of runners here, each most determined to take home a full stomach, and a quick win!"

Mrs. Burtto continued as the crowd cheered. "Let's introduce our runners. I would ask you to hold your applause till the end but I know you won't do that."

She read the runners off one by one as the audience hooted and hollered.

"Lets start with Chef Kawasaki, owner of Dream Land's five star restaurant, Kawasaki's."

"Hey that's my restaurant!"

"Up next we have Captain Doo, captain of Dream Land's mightiest soldiers."

Steviedee signed to his husband: You got this hon. Making the captain blush.

"Next up is Lady Like. Wife of the cabinet minister and second place winner from last year."

The Ebrum family went nuts on the sidelines, accompanied by Bandee's family cheers, and Sailor.

"Second to last is our undefeated Gourmet Champion, King Dedede!"

Escargoon jumped up with the enthusiasm coach who was extra encouraging, scaring everyone he was next to.

"LEAVE THEM IN YOUR DUST TRAIL SIRE! PUT THEM ALL TO SHAME LIKE THE PESANTS THEY ARE!"

Mrs. Burtto gave Escargoon a side glare. "Ok...and last but not least, our newest contender. Kirby of the stars!"

The whole crowd cheered for Kirby, chanting their name in mass support.

"Kir-by! Kir-by! Kir-by!"

"Now that we've introduced our runners. Let's go over the rules." Mrs. Burtto continued when she was given some silence. "There are three tracks in this prix: Pumpkin Grand, the breakfast course; Corn Hall, the lunch course; and Onion Garden, the diner course. Whoever eats the most and doesn't come in last for these races will be crowned the Gourmet Champion, and will be gifted the delicious gourmet grand prize desert-"

A drumroll played as an image of a large cake flashed on Kabula.

"A multilayer cake with flavors of triple chocolate fudge, vanilla marble deluxe, red velvet strawberry dream mix, banana sponge with chocolate filling, carrot, and apple delight with ice cream on top! And a cherry. All made by my lovely wife in partnership with chef Kawasaki. Support them. Support my wife and her baking."

The crowd ooed, awed, and drooled.

Beamie Doo darted out on stage, wand in hand. His dads greeted him warmly.

"Let's get this show on the road shall we?" Commented Mrs. Burtto.

She hollered. "Three!"

All of the runners got in sprinting position. Almost all focused forward while King Dedede turned to Kirby.

"Hey kid, don't sweat it that you won't win. I'll share that cake with ya anyway."

Kirby cocked their head in confusion.

"Two!"

"Po-Huh?"

Dedede didn't respond. He was certain he was going to win, just like every other time.

"One!"

Beamie shot a large firework in the air with his wand as both Mrs. Burtto and Steviedee shouted in their different ways.

"GO!"

Chapter Text

The racers took off at lightning speeds as Kirby was left to spin circles in their dust. The kids from the sidelines shouted at them.

"RUN KIRBY! RUN!"

Kirby shook themselves off and took the message. At once they bolted down the course to the quickest dish they could find.

Scrambled spicy eggs, bacon and hash, fruit decorated porridge, and hot fluffy buttered biscuits didn't stand a chance at hiding from the hungry inhale of the pink puff.

The path to victory was long but it was beautiful. If in the autumn the fields would be ripe with bright big pumpkins and crunchy Autumn leaves. But now, in the spring, the nature gave a glistening green hue. Flowing blades of grass like soft silk strands flowed past in the breeze. Bright sweet fruits emerged from shrubbery, acting as décor and edible delights for the racers, and spotlights for the event reflecting the Sun's radiant rays.

Soon enough a competitor was in their sights and who else would it be but Captain Doo. Kirby sprinted towards the doo at a pace only go parts could match. Swiping a plate of savory scrapple and swallowing it whole as if doing something like that wouldn't cause agita. Soon enough were running right next to each other now, contending for their spot in the next lap.

Captain Doo was out of breath.

"I knew you were hungry kid, but I didn't know you were fast."

The doo unsheathed his sword and swooped down a nearby tree, blocking the path and giving the one eyed orb a lead. Captain Doo thought he was in the clear until a dark shadow from above cast over his vision, with the looming scent of pancakes and waffles. Kirby had hopped over the fallen tree and was practically flying over Captain Doo now. Looking up at this majestic display of speed and agility, the captain couldn't see the fence in front.

Thud!

Captain Doo had run face first into the wooden barrier and knocked himself unconscious. A dizzy fall that gave Kirby ample time to make it very far ahead. So far in fact that the first finish line was almost in reach.

Lady Like and King Dedede had already crossed the line, and Kawasaki was just a little ways ahead.

The five star Chef had learned a little trick that involved balancing dishes on his head to help him, although it did throw off his balance. A technique he preformed by busy waiters in his restaurant called: the leaning tower of pizza. Except instead of peperoni and sausage it was breakfast pizzas.

Kirby looked at the tower and didn't think. That stack made them drool like a starving grizzo in a barren forest. Just before Kawasaki could cross the line Kirby inhaled the whole tower and tripped Kawasaki when stealing his place, crossing the line in a moment of victory. Kirby had made it.

"Well that was exciting wasn't it? Let's check the results!"

Kabula flew overhead and on flicked her widescreen. A table showing the contestants food tally had shown off, alongside their placement as they crossed the line. Both Captain Doo and Chef Kawasaki had big red X's over their charts, while King Dedede, Lady Like, and Kirby placed first, second, and third place respectively.

"Well there you have it folks!" Mrs. Burtto addressed the audience. "The racers who will be proceeding to the next round are King Dedede, Lady Like, and Kirby. The ones who won't proceed are Captain Doo, who is currently being treated by the medical staff on standby, and Chef Kawasaki, who had a majority of his plates snagged last second."

"Except for this one!" The Chef pulled out a fruit salad with whip cream and started eating it. "Delicious."

Mrs. Burtto continued. "Now our racers will take a five minute break."

Once the break started Kawasaki wished the racers good luck and strolled to the nearest hill, enjoying his sweet meal whilst taking in the blue sky and rolling puffy clouds. Kirby apologized and waved to the chef in return, showing good sportsmanship.

Mrs Burtto flew up swiftly next to Kirby, along with the reporter waddle dee and camera dee. Kirby turned around to face the camera after apologizing to Captain Doo.

"Hey Kirby," she greeted. "I'm Mrs. Burtto, Bandee's Momma. These are my colleges of Chanel PPP news. Say hi to the camera."

"Hai!" Kirby waved their itty bitty paw.

The reporter dee alongside Mrs. Burtto spoke to the puff.

"Hey Kirby! I'm Repordee of Chanel PPP. The viewers really want to know how you feel about all of this. I mean, you just came here three days ago, and now your a contender in one of the biggest events Dream Land has to offer. So what do you think of your situation?"

Repordee held out his microphone in front of Kirby, but the puff didn't know how to answer. They kept stuttering over and over again in a confused tone. Eventually they just said "I don't know" and bit the microphone.

Repordee slowly pulled back his microphone.

"Interesting..." He turned to the camera. "Well we'll check back with Kirby when the prix finishes."

Mrs. Burtto and the other news dees left. Lady Like had arrived in their place though, a familiar face Kirby was happy to see.

"Ah, Kirby," Lady Like greeted with a smile on her face, "how are you?"

"Good." They answered the lady with a smile.

"Oh that's lovely. How do you like Dream Land's lifestyle so far? Isn't this race fun?"

Kirby shook their head. "Yessie!"

Lady Like let out a little giggle and kneeled down to Kirby's level.

"These races are always so fun. I've been doing them for so long and I've recently managed to snag second place. I'm hoping this time I can finally beat King Dedede."

"Hang it up Miss Lady."

Kind Dedede had emerged from behind the two.

"You know you can't beat the champ."

"I've been winning these races since they started and I ain't about to loose now. Besides, I gotta show the little guy here I ain't no wimpy who can't hold his appetite."

King Dedede gave a hearty laugh, prompting Lady Like to joke back. "Someone's going to come for your crown one of these days your majesty."

"You doubting me Lady?"

"Perhaps." Lady Like giggled and motioned to Kirby. "Maybe Kirby will be the one to take you down. After all, only two people can make it to the next round. And if I can't do it, then they most certainly can."

"Hah! We'll see about that. Hey pinky!"

The king leaned down to Kirby's starry blue eyes. He gave the puff a most determined statement.

"You may be cute but you ain't no king like me."

Unlike the days prior, the king of Dream Land seemed very serious. The assumption was that it was just competitive talk but the tone in King Dedede's voice shook the puff just a little bit.

Mrs. Burtto called for the racers to line up again. It was time for the second lap, this time on a different terrain.

The racers got into place.

"Three! Two! One!"

A pause.

"GO!"

This time Kirby knew what to do. They sprinted far faster than anyone else of the competition.

BLT's, hoagies, sizzling kabobs, pizza rolls, pep brew, chicken nuggets, several sides of fries, milkshakes to dip those fries in, hot n' spicy rammen cups, Papaya salad, even those store bought packed lunches that come with the chocolate bars. These dishes were almost to easy to snag, and yummy to boot. Kirby had no trouble jumping over the large rocks and boulders that littered every inch of Corn Hall to get them. In fact, due to the narrow passageways created by the towering rock formations, there was only so many places to place dishes. The only thing that made racing a little difficult was the fact that the giant rocks looked like large cinnamon buns. Kirby even ate a couple of those in their inhaling.

But Kirby's speedy position was short lived, as King Dedede and Lady Like gained up on them closer and closer. The puff kept running though. Running and running until their tiny little legs gave out, which they never seemed to do.

The three racers came to a climatic head where they were all side by side of each other. Their speed was unmatched amongst themselves, and their appetite was of equal strength. A bridge crossing from one canyon to the next was the only thing in their path that could possibly stop them, and that it did. As all three weights topped the wooden planks, the bridge started to rumble until it gave out and one side of it detached from the rocks.

King Dedede had been able to jump to the other side, but Kirby and Lady Like were stuck clinging on to the once standing planks.

The king looked down and saw that they were alright. Then looked back at the track. He was sweating thinking about what he should do, but came to a quick conclusion that the other two would maybe be ok and sprinted for the finish line, leaving Lady Like and Kirby in his dust.

"He's very competitive at the worst times!" Lady Like was struggling. "Can't he see that a lady is in need of assistance?"

Kirby was able to climb up the bridge a little bit and offered Lady Like some assistance.

"Thank you Kirby."

The two climbed up the wooden planks, making sure not to look down at the great chasm below. Using teamwork, the racers had made it up the cliff in no time. Once they were up on the track again Kirby began to sprint, but stopped when they heard Lady Like yell in pain.

"Yowch!"

Kirby ran back over to see that the lady had twisted her leg when climbing and couldn't run anymore. So they did only what they thought was right, help her until they both crossed the line.

The pink puff, though small, did everything to help Lady Like cross the finish line, even pointing out foods to her, although they still found foods just for them. After a while, they finally crossed the finish line, on which King Dedede was already waiting.

He asked Lady Like about her leg, but she scoffed at him. Even when he gave an apology and an excuse, Lady Like still didn't forgive him. She did crack a joke though about how she gets it and that it was "a sporting event after all" and that there could only be one winner. A medical assistant from the sidelines escorted Lady Like to a near by bench, where Captain Doo was also stationed, and tended Lady Like to her injuries.

Mrs. Burtto and Steve once again appeared, the news crew by them and Kabula above.

"Alright," she started, "Let's check out those scores!"

Kabula' s monitor flicked on to reveal the scores for each contestant. The numbers flicked and passed to reveal King Dedede and Kirby in a dead tie, and for Lady Like to be placed under them in score, eliminating her from the competition. Not that she wasn't already going to sit the next lap out.

"Wow would you look at that!"

The stands beside the starting line went crazy as they did. But this time there was more anticipation. Ties meant more competition, and more competition meant higher stakes in the final lap, and higher stakes meant higher meats that were difficult to reach that looked oh so delicious and smelled heavenly with that smoked chili Applewood seasoning.

This last lap would be the ultimate course. The race to win it all, and to take home the greatest cake in all of Dreamland, nay, Popstar.

Mrs. Burtto spoke as Stevie signed. The cameras zoomed in as the suspenseful announcement was given.

"Alright racers. This is your final course, the dinner course. Onion Garden!"

The announcers directed all attention to the massive obstacle course the king and puff would be put through.

"This course will test your limits both internal and external. There is more platforming and jumping, and as you can see, high drops."

That was no joke. Onion Garden was suspended high in the air. So high it almost seemed to pierce the clouds. The garden walls draped with luteous vines from their ancient crevasses, and larger then life bells tolled in the wind. Well, larger then the average individual at least, which was roughly 8-12 inches.

"It will be difficult, but determination is key. Are you ready?"

Kind Dedede and Kirby took their places.

"Three!"

"You're really good kid. Y'know that?" King Dedede turned to Kirby.

"Two!"

"But I'm still the king. And nobody beats the king! Don't care how good you are."

"One!"

"I'm winning. You ain't taking this crown."

Kirby responded playfully, ignoring any sinister vibes the king flushed on them.

"We see, Dedede."

"GO!"

Chapter Text

And they were off! Kirby and King Dedede sped from the starting line like they were fighting to get the last box of masks during a 50% off sale.

The two leaped like lizards and jumped like superstars to reach every nook and cranny for the dinners that pulled their nostrils in with their deviant scents.

Hayashi rice, seafood curry, heaping pizzas, Caesar salads, open grilled steaks, smoky kabobs, fettuccini alfredo, chicken cutlets, fish cutlets, gourmet ramen, max-tomato soup, bread stew, juicy burgers, and a wide variety of non-alcoholic cocktails and ice tea.

All these foods and many more were in wait on the track as the racers ran neck and neck for the finish.

At one point, King Dedede shouted at his opponent, who was creeping up very quickly.

"Is that the best you got pinky?" He was sly about it. "Some rocks and-and leaves? Hah!"

Kirby wasn't listening, they could hear. The sound of footsteps, collateral damage, and chewing muffled all of King Dedede's words.

The King took notice of Kirby's apatite against his own and thought of a most devious idea. "Hey, you seem pretty hungry!"

"Paia!"

"See them bells up there?"

The king pointed to a pole decorated with hanging bells.

"You can eat those things! I betcha didn't know that did ya?"

The King thought that if Kirby could eat a full course meal, a flying star, and some other things, then it would be no problem if they ate some large metallic bells. They wouldn't get too hurt, right?

Kirby, not knowing what lies are, took King Dedede's words as truth and hopped onto the pole. Beginning to gnaw at the bells, swallowing a couple of them whole.

King Dedede positioned himself under the tree of bells and swung out his hammer.

"What you doing?" Kirby yelled at him.

King Dedede smirked dastardly and answered in a normal, definite tone.

"Winning."

King Dedede swung his hammer at the branch, causing the whole tree to collapse to the ground. Upon impact, the tree brought down five other large pillars, stray bricks, and some greenery.

No movement came from the rubble.

"He'll be fine." Stated the King, reassuring himself that everything would be ok and that karma wouldn't soon come back to kick him in his feathery rear.

As he sprinted along the track, picking up stray vegetables and meatballs, he heard a noise behind him. A sound reminiscent of an angel's choir, accompanied by faint trombone and drums.

The music was being produced from the rubble. Thin bright rays shot out from the crack between dirt and brick. It was a seeing sight to behold, and the king would have stopped to stare at it more. However, the drumming sounds ended up being the rhythmic structure breaking apart. As cracks started to form at the king's feat, and whole sections of the garden collapsed to the earth far beneath.

King Dedede continued his running. He had to keep going. Was this payback from Kirby? No. Kirby liked him, didn't they? He was nice to Kirby. It was just a competition. It'll be fine! Just gotta get to the-

A shadow, no, a bright light blazed above King Dedede and stole his place in first.

Kirby had ridden their way back up on the warp star. And was that a bell on their head?

King Dedede hollered at the puff.

"Hey! That's cheatin!"

Kirby turned their star around and tossed two bells in King Dedede's direction. The king was lucky enough to duck as both bells clashed together above his head, making the loudest of gongs. It was almost like magic.

"So you copping bells now huh? You wanna be a bell? Is that your special ability? Huh, copycat? Your copy ability?"

Kirby turned around and giggled. In a way, they were copping both the bells, and the king's cheap tactics used against them in the race.

The rest of the race consisted of dodging, crashing, music, and eating. It was the most chaotic thing anyone on the sidelines had ever witnessed.

There was no resting, no friendly banter, no simple running. Just all-out war.

After an eternity of fighting, the finish line was in their sights. King Dedede picked up the pace. Kirby sped up their star. The sidelines cheered and chanted as the two, inch by inch, millimeter by millimeter, second by second, paced to place first place for the prize and they cross the line barely what looks like a win for Kirby and the crowd goes wild.

The two racers collapsed the second they crossed the line. They were done. Nothing left to do but wait for the results.

Kirby had crashed on the ground, their star flying away to who knows where. King Dedede dropped his hammer and almost passed out. He was sweating profusely, and it was clear to both racers that they would not be getting up any time soon.

Mrs. Burto came back out on the scene with Stevie. And Kabula came out on the scene.

"And the race is done!"

People clapped, cheered, and whistled as loud as they possibly could.

"First off, let's give a big honorable mention to our other contestants. Our third-place winner Lady Like will receive a $3,000 check."

The family of Lady Like still cheered in victory. Even Captain Doo and Chef Kawasaki were good sports about it.

"Now let's check those final results!" Mrs. Burto had much suspense in her voice.

The world seems to go silent. Not even the bells Kirby held onto made any sudden noises. Even the air itself seemed to stand still for these results.

The monitor flicked on.

The tallies for each contestant ran slow but intensely. Numbers flashed before their eyes as the final results determined that...

"KIRBY IS OUR GOURMET RACE CHAMPION!"

The audience went wild with a primal excitement no one in the universe had or will have witnessed. Tiff, Tuff, Sir Ebrum, Bandee, Para, Candee, the news crew, Sailor, and much much more hopped over the barriers separating them from the champion that took Dedede's crown and became the new king of the competition.

Kirby was hauled into the air by Tiff and Tuff. The whole of Dreamland cheering and chanting: Kirby! Kirby! Kirby!

Kirby's little bells mingled in the air whenever they were tossed. Their giggling making the music even cuter.

Mrs. Burto shouted to someone.

"Bring out desert!"

The cake. The monstrously delicious multilayer, multi-flavor, big beautiful cake.

Beamy Doo reappeared from the crowd and flashed his wand at the cake, lighting it up like new year's day. Making an even more magnificent sight on an already magnificent cake.

Kirby slapped up in the air, completely spoofed away their copied bell ability, and started inhaling.

Not even one minute and the whole thing was gone. But in its place were more cheers and applause.

Kirby was triumphant this day. And the whole of Dreamland would remember it for years to come. It was truly the most memorable race the country, nay, the universe would ever have.

However, King Dedede did not feel so victorious. He tried to say congrats to Kirby, but the crowd was too big and more focused on the puff. Escargoon slithered up to his best friend and king.

"You raced good today sire. Congratulations!"

King Dedede sighed and strolled sadly in the other direction. He muttered a single thank you and continued to his castle, which was a far, tiresome walk away.

Escargoon offered King Dedede a piece of cake he snagged before Kirby ate all of it. To which his king accepted. It looked scrumptious.

"Cheer up sire. You placed second to a high-stakes race against an all-powerful alien toddler. Besides, there's always fall. You can karma kick that pink puff  Kirby then, and take your crown right back!" Escargoon seemed very jovial and supportive. But he knew Dedede was upset deeply.

"I should have won."

"And I don't doubt you could have, sire."

"No, you don't understand I should have won that. That little pink thing cheated."

He glanced down at the chocolate sliver on his plate.

"That cake was mine."

"Sire," Escargoon put a sympathetic paw on the king's shoulder and sighed, "I know how much these races mean to you. You've been winning them since the beginning. They're your pride and joy. But one little miss surely won't be the end of you."

King Dedede didn't answer. If you looked closely, you could see a single tear roll down his aggravated expression. He looked like a child, but at least tried to somewhat handle his emotions.

"You'll get him next time."

"Yeah." King Dedede stated. "Next time..."

The blue king looked at his best friend beside him.

"Thanks, Goonie."

"No problem sire."

King Dedede looked ahead to the sunset. Not knowing that a certain Bandana donning dee watched him go, feeling bad for his great king. That he lost his pride and had to walk all the way home.

"You'll get 'em next time great king. I believe in you."

Chapter Text

Reader, have you ever dreamt a sour dream before? Not a nightmare, but a dream that plays out leaving only bitterness when you wake? Maybe a friend dates your crush, or a dog playing favorites, or someone cheats off of you in a test and you just can't let that frustration go, so it builds up in you like a virus and plagues your mind, even in rest?

That exact thing happened to our beloved King Dedede. Whose dreams plague him of the night he lost his crown to that blasted Kirby.

It had been weeks since his defeat but the dreams wouldn't cease. He was getting tired of it. All he saw was that smile. That dastardly cute smile that shown his way, following the sound of victory bells and horrible noises. Each night the dreams got worse. They started with scenes of the cake, then evolved into flashbacks of his falling behind. Then there were the dreams of a mocking audience. Then a skinny stomach, empty with no offerings. Even in dreams where he won, he lost.

After a while, the dreams turned so sour, that they became rotten. Furious rage sparked within the royal, as he began to dream of the audience and onlookers mocking and scolding him. Telling him he wasn't fit to be King. Mocking and shouting right back only for no ears to hear.

The voices became two-toned after a while, sounding normal, but have a crooked masculine echo, seemingly from nowhere.

This is when the rotten dreams become nightmares. When the fingers of all audiences turn to unison applause as they cheer for their king. Their one and only king. With a sickly cute smile and a couple of musical bells to tone their power as they are placed atop their large, flavorful, multilayer mountain. Atop that on a throne made of gold and stars, and hanging above them a blue galactic ball with stars shimmering down on the heir to the throne.

There they lay. King Kirby, and their soul-melting grin.

King Dedede awoke in their regal bed, sometimes surrounded by snuggling waddle dees and the occasional Escargoon. Sometimes he was alone. Left to search and dread in his dark room. Crying softly and angrily into his pillow. The place filled with only the sound of his desperate voice.

"Let it all end. Leave me alone. Why do you haunt me? Why are you here to haunt me? Why do you wanna hurt me? Why?"

No answers, only the rustling wind outside his window, and the soft sobs of a king considered great by many, but not to himself. How could he ever make himself a better, stronger king?

Chapter Text

Bright and early the sun rose high into the clear blue sky. A light spring breeze carried with it the sounds of children playing and the feeling of peace. Butterflies strolled through the country like autumn leaves flow and spin in September. It was truly a beautiful day.

Tiff and Tuff had decided to pick up some freshly baked goods for breakfast. The Ebrum family forgot to go grocery shopping, even though they think they already have. So they had nothing to eat for breakfast. They of course brought Kirby along.

The two siblings strolled through the bustling streets of Cappy Town, to show Kirby the best bakery the world has ever known. Even better than those overpriced places in the city. The Dreamy Bakery, owned by Mrs. Candee, Bandee's kind mother.

"You're gonna love this place, Kirby!" Tuff skipped. "It's got so many good candies, big chocolate bars, and some of the best cookies I've ever had!"

"Mrs. Candee is really nice too," Tiff told Kirby, "she always has a smile on her face. She's always nice to us kids. She knows us really well."

The three children walked through the door.

"WHERE IN THE EVERLOVING F#$K IS IT?"

Tiff Immediately tried to cover both Tuff and Kirby's ears.

Mrs. Candee was furious. A far cry from kind and sweet.

"Mrs. Candee, is everything ok?" Tiff nervously tried to consult the anxious dee behind the counter, who franticly flung empty boxes and flipped over trays.

Mrs. Candee turned like a lion does when smells fresh meat. This rightfully horrified the children into almost leaving the store. Mrs. Candee noticed that her appearance was frightening friendly customers, so she snapped back to a still worried, but less threatening look.

"Hi kids. How can I help you today?"

"Mrs. Candee you don't look so good. Is everything ok?" Tiff walked to the counter like a knight does to a sleeping dragon, nervously and cautious not to trigger it into a worse state.

Mrs. Candee was sweating. "Oh everything's fine," she said, "I just lost a party-size box of macaroons I had to deliver tonight for a party. No big deal." She looked like she was going to cry.

"It certainly looks like one," Tiff stated. She thought for an idea and found it in three seconds flat.

"How about we help you make a new batch? It'll speed up the process, and you'll have them in time for that party."

"Are you sure? I don't know if you're busy or if I should. I'll pay you."

"We're not busy, and no need to pay. We just like to help."

"Paya!"

"I wanted payment."

"No, you don't, Tuff."

Mrs. Candee started crying. "Really? Oh, thank you. It means a lot. Here, come into the kitchen."

The kitchen was in a state of disarray. It looked more like a massacre than anything else. Cherry jam splattered on the walls, Dough, and sharp baking tools scattered on the floor, and two children shaking and holding each other in the corner.

"Oh! Hi Bandee. Hi Para." Tiff called to the town cowering dees.

"Hi, fwiends!" Kirby waved happily.

They responded to Tiff's greeting as a sign of safety and crawled out from the corner.

"Hi, guys!" Para exclaimed, still holding on to her brother's paw.

"Hey..." said Bandee. "So mom found the macaroons?"

Mrs. Candee spoke truthfully to her children. "No. "

They started to back away again as if the monster would come back out.

"But," she said, "these three are going to help us bale a new batch."

"Oh ok..." Bandee sighed. He was just happy the issue was getting solved.

"Alright," Mrs. Candee started, putting on her special fluffy apron, "Let's get baking."

Para and Tuff worked to clean up the floor and walls of the kitchen, while Tiff, Kirby, and Bandee worked with Candee to bake the batch.

They talked about how business went, the weather, and more. Mrs. Candee pointed out that she was planning to expand the front area and put in seats for customers. Stating about the charitable donations the business has received as of late.

At one point the baking was taking longer than expected, and Kirby, ever so hungry, ate a chef's hat. That same light that was shown weeks before, accompanied by godly music seemingly from nowhere came back and surrounded the puff. The light disappeared as suddenly as it came on, and out popped Kirby with a little chef hat.

Everyone else was startled and curious. But the pink puff didn't have curiosity as an instinct at this moment. Instead, they pulled out a piping bag and rapidly piped 30 macaroon coverings in 0.3 seconds. It was like a magic trick. The whole kitchen was amazed.

"He's a cook Kirby!" Para pointed. Kirby kept piping and never got tired.

Eventually, once they finished the coverings, Kirby slapped them into the oven to bake and took a small breather.

"Wow! That was so cool!" Shouted Tuff.

Tiff chimed in. "That's what they did at the race. They ate the bells and copied them."

"King Dedede called it a copy ability," Bandee stated.

"I should hire you to help me permanently." Mrs. Candee giggled and patted the puff on their head.

"Alright," she continued, "the younger ones can take a break. Tiff and Bandee, stay with me."

The younger ones cheered as they were given cookies and told to go outside for a bit. They sat down by the big central tree, with a couple of other friends they met up with. Beamy Doo, Honey, Iro, and Spikehead.

"So your mom lost all her macaroons?" Asked Spikehead to Para.

"Yeah. But we made them again."

"That's terrible," said Honey, "it must have taken a long time."

"Not really," Para stated, "Kirby helped out a lot."

"You had to see it. He whipped out this large piper and made practically hundreds of macaroons super fast!" Tuff exclaimed waving his arms.

"Wow, that does sound pretty cool." Said Iro.

"They did that at the race with the bell Dedede threw at them!" Beamy stated. "I wonder if they can do that with more things."

Tuff shrugged. "Hey, I don't know." He tapped Kirby on the head.

"Hey, Kirby can you copy more stuff?"

The pink puff didn't even know the answer to that.

"Um...I don't know."

"Try this!" Beamy gave Kirby his wand, to which Kirby swallowed whole.

That same magical light appeared and encompassed Kirby. After it vanished. Kirby donned a jester hat and beam wand of their own. They waved it around and made sparkled that impressed the other kids.

"Wow!"

"That's so impressive!"

"I wonder if they can copy more stuff."

All of a sudden, Chef Kawasaki came crying out of his restaurant, his cooks and waiters following behind him.

"It's ok sir. We can just get new ingredients from the store."

"But all the ones I had prepared for today are gone. Even the pasta! Waaah!"

The children all looked at each other. That's the same thing that happened to Mrs. Candee.

Tuggle, the cappy who runs the grocery store came out crying in the same matter.

"No! Someone stole all the produce from my freezers!"

"And my prepped lamb!"

"My curry is missing!"

"My Ice Cream was stolen!"

One by one the residents of Cappy Town came out in cries that they were robbed. Even the local criminal Doron came out and stated that someone stole his lunch.

"I mean, I know we didn't have eggs this morning, but I just thought we forgot to buy them." Stated Honey in anxious worry.

"Same here. We were missing our spinach from last night's dinner. Mom just thought we might have eaten it all." Spikehead looked at Iro, who looked back and responded similarly.

"Dad's leftovers were missing too."

"We usually have so much rice pudding in our dorm at the castle," stated Beamy, "we were kind of surprised that we didn't have any. I wonder if someone stole them."

"Now that you mention it, Mom was angry this morning that she couldn't find the milk. Or the eggs. Or the bread. Or the butter. Or the everything. That's why Tiff and I went to get breakfast at the bakery."

The whole town was in disarray. Everyone was screaming and panicking. Even Kirby was anxious and confused.

All of a sudden, a loud, piercing scream came from the south side of the town, near the docs.

"HELP ME! SOMEONE BROKE INTO MY SHIP! SOMEONE BROKE INTO MY SHIP!"

Sailor Dee. Their scream was so loud, and so full of fear, that Tiff and Bandee ran out as if someone had shouted fire, tsunami, and murder at the same time.

The kids crowded at the tree and tried to calm Sailor down.

"Sailor, what happened?" Asked Tiff, a worried hand on the dee's back.

"Someone broke into my ship. They broke into my ship the saw my things they saw my work I-"

"Calm down. It'll be alright," said Honey.

"Did they steal anything?" Iro asked.

"Food maybe?" Spikehead asked.

"Yeah. They stole my mini-fridge."

"The whole fridge?" Beamy's eye widened.

"I could understand a bakery, or a grocery, or even a kitchen. But people's homes were taken from too!" Tiff exclaimed.

"What ate we gonna do?" Asked Para.

"I don't think we can do anything," Bandee stated. He looked sick. But it was just food. So it wasn't that big of a deal. "We could ask King Dedede. He could probably help us."

"Bandee the authorities are useless." Stated Tiff. "What makes you think Dedede is going to help anything?"

"I don't know." He snapped back, a bit embarrassed. "Maybe he could give the people some food."

"I don't trust the authorities!" Sailor was on the verge of tears. "Tiff is right they won't do anything. They say they will but I don't trust them. Someone saw my ship! My work! They could have...They could..."

Bandee tried to comfort Sailor.

"Hey hey hey. It's alright. You weren't hurt that's all that matters."

"I know but...my job."

"You still have your job. Unless you work with chemicals and selling poisons, I don't think you're in any danger. You don't do you?"

Sailor calmed a bit at this. "No. Hehe. I don't. But still I-"

"You're going to be fine. You can put more locks on your door. Maybe a safe for your work if it worries you that much."

Sailor hugged Bandee. He was very soft and comforting. Like a stuffed toy.

"Thank you, guys."

"No problem," said Bandee Solemnly, "anytime."

"What do we do now?" Asked Para.

"Yeah, if Dedede won't help, and the cops won't help because they're useless, then what are we gonna do?" Beamy cocked his head as Kirby handed him back his wand.

Kirby, thought back to the bakery when they helped Mrs. Candee, and when they helped Lady Like from the canyon during the gourmet race.

"What about hewlping?" The puff asked. They were still getting used to the whole talking thing, but their sentences became more prominent.

"Kirby has a point. We can help." Tiff stated. "We can gather foods from the forests and bring them to the people as a start. Maybe help with the cooks and agriculture. Then we can track down who committed the crime!"

"That sounds like a plan to me!" Tuff was all on board for this.

"Same here!" Said Beamy.

The Cappy kids chimed in with their determined cheers.

Para chimed in. "It'll be fun!"

"What about you Bandee?" Asked Tiff.

He made a small smile. Showing that yes, he wanted to help.

"I think it'd be alright to help people." He said.

"Count me in too." Sailor said.

"What about you Kirby?"

The puff jumped up into the air.

"Paya!"

"Alright! Let's get to work!"

The kids marched onwards to a place where they would be able to map out a plan, with Tiff leading the way. Bandee followed behind everyone else, with a bit of a nervous expression.

"You alright Bandee?" Asked Sailor.

"Oh! Yeah, I'm good." He stated. "I'm good..."

//////////////

The night of the crime was one of quiet mystery.  The sounds of many unlocking doors filled the country. One of which being Bandee's home.

The see stored quick, grabbed an umbrella for safety, and crawled towards the kitchen, only to find a tac swiping his mother's macaroon box.

"HEY!"

The tac took off running but Bandee was shortly behind. Taking to the streets where he noticed not just tacs, but other waddle dees stealing from other people as well.

The tac he was after turned the corner and Bandee followed suit.

"GIBE ME BACK MY MOM'S MACAROONS YOU THEIF!"

He dives straight into something soft. A wall perhaps? No...Walls weren't soft.

The see looked up at the large figure before him, donning a fluffy red coat and crown. A symbol of power.

"King Dedede?"

The King put his finger up to his beak.

"Shhhh! Youre gonna get me in troubke kid!"

"But. Why would you-"

"Hey I ain't hurting nobody. It's just food right?"

"I-I guess so."

The King looked down at the only apparent witness to the crime. He worried that the dee was going to say something.

"Hey you're the bakery lady's kid right? She's got good cakes."

Bandee nodded yes without a word.  how's about this? You keep just about this whole thing and I'll uh... give you this."

The King pulled out a fat wad of cash and tossed it at Bandee, who caught it in his paws.

"Use it to uh...support yer self. Buy some new oven mitts or somethin. Yeah?"

King Dedede smiled as if he wasn't commuting a crime and it was just an average Tuesday. As of he didn't have massive bags under his tired red eyes.

Bandee nodded and the King patted his head. They both walked away from each other, back to their separate homes. One high on a mountain, were the great and grand had feasts, and the other in a small house with an empty fridge.

Bandee looked at the ginormous donation in his hands. Then back at the smiling king which waved goodbye like a friend does at the end of the day.

"Its...It's only food." Bandee thought out loud, assuring himself. He looked back at the cash. "Besides, he payed for it. It's good if someone pays for their food."

He thought that the business could really use this money. They could get a kitchen expansion with new tools. Maybe even a seating area.

Chapter Text

"Let's split up the work," Tiff stated, pulling out a map on her living room floor.

"Para and Bander will go into the Wispy Woods to pick apples. Spikehead, Iro, Honey, and Tuff will travel to Candy Mountain to pick and buy any agriculture or seeds that could be used for harvesting in the fall. Beamey, Sailor, and I will gather fish and other sea creatures that can be used as food."

"What about Kirby?" Asked Para.

"Kirby can travel really fast on their warp star. So they can hop between groups at any time."

"But Kirby's star flew away after the race." Stated Iro.

"Not really."

Tiff pulled out a small pink phone. It was one of those brick, ladybug phones used by children in emergencies.

"Bandee and I tracked the star after the race. It flew into the sky, but we were still able to pull it back down with a signal that Sailor helped put into this phone. If Kirby uses it, they can call the warp star at any time."

Tiff handed Kirby the phone, but before they could swallow it, Sailor gave them a backpack to put it in. Everyone else had the same bags too.

"The bags we have contain maps, water, some granola bars Para and Bandee whipped up at the bakery, money to but foods with, and phones," Tiff stated.

"It's a pretty big mission, so we all have to be prepared."

"Do you think we can get enough for the whole town?" Bandee asked.

"Probably not. It's a lot of food." Tiff sighed. "But it'll be worth it."

Tuff piped up. "Alright. Let's do it."

The kids all put their paws in the center of each other like a team, signifying that they were going to take on this task and come back victorious.

But behind their door, was the attentively listening slug that took sides with the culprit. He slithered with haste to the throne room.

"Your majesty!"

King Dedede sat on his golden throne, surrounded by a mountain as tall as he of sweets, meats, and treats he stole.

"Hey slug man. How's it going?"

The King took a large bite of the comically sized turkey leg he was holding. As Escargoon prepared to tell, what he considers at least, the cutest joke in all of Dreamland.

"You're going to find this hilarious. The kids are planning to bring back the stolen food."

King Dedede almost choked. "HAH! How're they gonna do that?"

"They're going to different places to farm more foods. It still won't amount to the display you have here though."

"You're dang right." King Dedede took another bite and spoke through his chews.

"So where are they going?"

"Apparently they're going to the forest and mountains."

"THEY'RE GOING TO THE WHERE NOW?"

Escargoon jumped back. "The forest and mountains sire."

King Dedede hammered his chest to stop the panicked choking.

"I stole from the forests! And the mountains!"

"Well nobody lives in the forests sire. It just means they won't find anything. And the only people who live in the mountains are the Birdon. And they have way more food than they'll ever need. And they just throw it away anyway."

Escargoon strolled up beside the thrown. "If anything, it makes the whole scenario all the more funnier."

King Dedede looked at the snail.

"I guess your right." Grease and turkey meat decorated his collar.

"But imma watch them anyway. Especially in that Wisspy Woods. That place gives me the creeps. It feels like someone's watching ya there."

///////////

"Here's the place." Bandee looked at his map. "Whispy Woods."

"I hear the flowers that grow here are extra pretty in the springtime," Para stated.

" I remember NME came here a while ago for some business-related en-dee-vour"

"Endeavor, Para."

"Oh ok. Make fun of me for not knowing how words work then."

"Endevower?" Asked Kirby.

"It means that someone came in here and made a decision to make business off of the forest."

"Aren't there stories that the forest is alive? Why not just use a different one." Asked Para.

"Those are just fairy tales they're not real. Besides, if the trees were alive I doubt they would chop them down." Bandee pulled out his bag, ready to pick. "You guys ready?"

"Pai got my bag." Kirby smiled, holding their bag in their paws, ready to help.

Para pulled out her bag too "I'm ready."

"Then let's go." Said the bandana dee.

The kids went into the deep dark woods. Picking as many apples as they could spot.

Bandee caught a moderate helping, while also helping his smaller sister reach higher branches. Kirby was picking the most out of all of them though. And their breath helped them collect more than anyone had thought.

At one point Kirby tried to inhale so many apples, that they got pelted like a baseball by all of them, and stumbled backward, burring them and the other two dees in shiny red fruits.

The three laughed as they struggled to pull themselves out.

Para giggled. "Thanks, Kirby."

Kirby popped up from the pile, with a little worm on their head. They giggled back with a sparkle in their eyes that showed enthusiasm and eagerness. A "payai" was let out of their laughter as a way to signal 'no problem.'

"Hey Bandee, remember a few years ago, when we went to that farm and went apple picking, and you hated apples."

He rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "Yeah, I remember."

Para turned to Kirby to tell the story.

"He hated apples because Mom always calls him 'her little apple.' He would never eat them. Then one day we went to this farm, and they had tons of apples! Then Bandee ate one of them and that was the only thing he would eat for the rest of his life!"

She turned back to Bandee, who was still blushing red as an apple at the memory.

"He would beg mom to make Apple goods all the time after that. He would even steal some from the fruit bowl we keep at night time."

They all started laughing at the story. It was wholesome and reminiscent of a happy time. A happy time where everyone felt safe. A happy time where everyone felt secure.

A voice shot out from the darkness at the children.

"So it was YOU!"

The cute story stopped and the three children looked up. Someone was watching them. Someone angry.

"Uh. Who was what?" Bandee asked to the sky, hoping he would get his answer.

"You stole my apples!"

Out of nowhere, a large branch came crashing down onto the trio. Kirby leaped back out of the Apple pile and Bandee grabbed his sister. The three started cowering on the soft dirt beneath them, crawling back from the knife of a twig that almost punctured them clean through.

"Youuuuu..."

"H-hello?" Para questioned.

"Para shh!"

"You stole my apples!"

The tree that almost killed them slowly turned around 180° like an owl. Each twist and turn results in another crack crack crack like breaking bones. Once fully turned, the tree hovered over the kids and slit holes in its face, reminiscent of eyes. And a mouth under its tiny branch nose.

"YOU'LL PAY FOR STEALING MY APPLES!"

The frightening tree launched two more branches at the children, prompting Bandee to grab Kirby and Para without haste.

"Time to go!"

The three ran far but they couldn't outrun the face trees, which started appearing on almost every single plant in the area.

Bushes, shrubs, flowers, and trees all bludgeoned them with nature. Every turn they took resulted in more violence towards them. Eventually, they reached a clearing. A sunny spot covered in flowers and butterflies, with a tall standing tree, much taller than the others, standing strong in the middle.

"I think we're lost." Stated Bandee.

"No poo gumshoe!"

"Don't cuss."

"I'm not cussing I'm calling you stupid!"

Kirby looked around in excited worry at the rustling leaves that seemed to never stop making noise, wondering if the flora would leave them alone so they could go back to picking and laughing.

"Kirby!" Bandee shouted at the puff.

"Ye."

"Call your warpstaAAAAAAAAH!"

Bandee was suddenly snatched up by vines that came down from the trees.

"BandeEEEEEE!"

Para was swept up shortly after, leaving the puff alone. They couldn't hear their friends.

You would think they would scream. Cry for help. Make a noise in the trees, but there was none. No noise. Just silence.

Kirby tried to look for their friends above but to no avail, instead, they were snatched by the vines of the giant tree.

"My my. What do we have here? A little apple stealer here to raid me of my hard work?"

Kirby stared at the giant tree in fear. Its dark eyes were wide and furious like a raging fire.

"N-no! We help-"

"Sure. Tell that to my trees you plucked bare and dry. As if you didn't do a good enough number on them last night." The talking tree waved Round the puff like a ragdoll.

"N-no!"

"You made quick work of my apples. Now I'll make quick work of you!"

The tree opened its gaping wooden maw and prepared to have its evening snack. But Kirby had already called the warp star, which smacked right into the tree's horrifying face. The tree dropped Kirby, who collided right onto the star.

"Ow! You little-"

"Let go!" Kirby made a motion to the tree's branches and leaves, eluding to their friends and themself.

The tree looked less threatening when it was hurt. It even shed a tear.

"Aren't you rude. First, you steal my apples. Then you steal my apples again, then I get even, and now you demand I give you stuff. How does that work? I'll tell you how it works. They stole the forest's fruits and labor. They hurt my kin. They will pay the price!"

"No! They good guys."

"They're thieves."

Kirby thought for a second.

"Pwease?"

"No."

"Oh..."

Kirby looked down at the flowers and thought again. They picked up a bountiful bunch of little flowers and handed them to Whispy.

"Payou want?"

"Flowers..." the tree looked hopeful for a second, then back into a miserable frown.

"No. Not good enough."

"Aww." Kirby looked around for more things, trying to bribe the tree with a big bouquet of twigs, flowers, and bugs. The tree watched Kirby questionably as they stumbled around looking for a perfect exchange gift. At least the child tried.

When Kirby presented the flowers again, the tree sighed and took them, but they still wouldn't release Kirby's friends from his leaves, prompting Kirby into a furious pout.

The tree knew he wasn't going to get rid of the infant any time soon, but they did seem keen on picking up flowers and bringing them to the old trunk. Heck, the bouquet was probably filled with hundreds of flowers and was triple the size of the puff. If they could do all that picking in a small amount of time for something as useless as Dream Landians. So they threw the little puff a twig with just a little bit of hope for himself.

"Fine. I know a flower that you can get for me. If you do, I'll let your friends go. How about that?"

Kirby jumped and clapped giddily like they just saw a most magnificent magic trick. They would do it. The puff listened closely so as not to miss a single detail.

"Her petals are of a greedy gold. Her vines are of thorns and daggers. Her rose buds are a devilish red. Her voice is of a malicious melody. Her name is Lovely. The nightmare of my forest."

"Oh and one more thing," said the tree, "Call me Whispy."

Chapter Text

"The beast of the forest. The scourge of all shrubbery. The witch of Whispy Woods. Lovely the flower."

That is how Whispy Woods had described Lovely. A Titanous terror no beast stand to match.

Kirby searched and scoured the deep dark wood for this flower. Hovering over and under trees, bird nests, and masses of malicious shrubbery. Calling out its name in their cute baby voice.

"Lov-wey! Lov-wey!"

No response. Not even the trees would give him any hints. They were probably too scared. Scared of the flower.

Kirby rode around on the warp star for what seemed like hours, and while they could barely see the sky, they knew it was almost dark.

They lay down on their moving star, put a paw to their cheek, and exhaled in exhaustion. They were never gonna find Lovely. Especially with a forest this grand.

All of a sudden, they found a clearing. One of moonlit water and open sky. A large pond, filled to the brim with red roses all blooming around one singing flower in the middle, resting on a lone patch of soil. They all sung together like a chorus of angels, the flower in the middle being the main soloist.

"Rest be the leaves that trickle down, and calm be thy solemn waters.
Strength be in the moon that watches, love, and power be to me."

She was singing, quite well too. Even Kirby seemed to enjoy it. They clapped as the blossom finished her note. Her response being to run away and the roses to burrow themselves.

"No! Come back!"

Kirby chased after the little flower. She was faster than she looked. Popping in and out of the soil, evading every chance Kirby made to try and just talk.

Eventually, the flower reached a dead end. She twisted her stem to face the gigantic baby before her.

"Lov-wey?"

"Are You Lov-wey?" The puff tilted their adorable head.

"Y-yes. Why?"

"Yay!" Kirby took a leaf from the flower gently into their paw so as not to hurt her, no matter what Whispy said about the flower. It's not nice to be mean anyway.

"Excuse me? What do you want me for?"

Kirby pointed to the forest depths.

"Whispy!"

"Oh jeez, that filthy hunk of moldy wood?" She yanked her leaf away from Kirby. "Tell him I'm not gonna see him. I know what he's gonna try and pull. And that's my petals off."

"Huh?" Kirby tilted their head in curiosity.

"That stupid tree wants to kill me for 'messing with his forest.' Doesn't he know when to mind his business?"

"What do you mean?" Kirby asked.

Lovely sighed. "Ok. So Whispy owns this place. Right? And he's cute and all but I'm the one who monitors the place. I'm making it pretty and orderly for N.M.E."

Kirby remembered that name. "Costco Servy!"

"Yes that guy." the flower snickered, putting a leaf to her giggling mouth.

"Anyway," she continued, "that fart tree is pissy with me because I section off trees that'll get chopped for N.M.E., but I leave the rest alone! It's all part of the tough trunk plan, where we harvest wood from these best trees on Pop Star. Did you know that stronger feelings make stronger wood? Normal treed don't have that."

Lovely held out a small star. "I use this twinkling star to control what grows in the forest. What will grow for N.M.E."

"Sure the trees will die and they'll scream in pain, crying about how they don't want to go and they have a wife and three saps, but hey! These are the strongest trees around who cares if a couple die. just wear some fluffy muffs with the cute Roseley designs I make. My flowers are always nice. And the animals love me."

This was false as the animals were cowering in fear as she spoke in the dark shade of the trees.

"Here look!"

Lovely motioned for Kirby to follow her into an opened field. Kirby couldn't believe their eyes. It was the opposite of the gourmet race tracks. Outstanding in all the wrong and horrible ways.

Tree stumps. Tens upon hundreds upon thousands of tree stumps. Large logs folded and sliced into stacks, being hauled off by workers wearing NME branded shirts. Wispy trees, crying and begging for mercy from the workers. Begging to see their pet birds one last time before they're thrown in the chopper. A large machine pulled into view and shredded some of the logs so that the smaller chunks can be brought back to HQ more easily.

"It's wonderful isn't it?" She spoke with a pleased expression. The only thing remotely wonderful was the little flower rings surrounding the trees. That was it, and even they were being used to determine which trees were to be chopped.

This sight upset Kirby immensely. They turned to Lovely.

"This is bad" They pointed at the flower. "You're bad!"

Lovely turned back. "Bad? Why I'm not bad. I'm only trying to be cooperative with these whiny logs."

"That's bad! They have feewings!"

"You know what's bad? That Whispy chunk of dry bark trying to control us! If anything he would make for a fine, cozy cottage. That's what we should do. Tear him up and use him in a house!"

Kirby stiffened. That was crossing the line.

"You need to apowogise!" They once again took Lovely's leaf, this time with more dragging force, but not violent enough to rip her limb off.

"Oh Yeah? And what are you gonna do kid?"

"I-I-I," the puff was shaking in frustration, "I'm gonna eat you!"

Lovely laughed. Until a strong wind coming from Kirby blew her in the direction of his gaping maw.

Lovely clung onto the grass and was able to bury herself in it. She popped out behind the puff.

"Ugh. Well if you're going to do that I guess I have no choice."

Lovely started growing. Growing to heights higher than Whispy. Her stubby legs turned to multiple octopus-like roots and her leaves to sharp thorny claws. Her eyes fired a dark red as she lunged towards Kirby.

Kirby, now frightened, pumped the gas on their star and sped through the forest. Lovely followed close behind.

"If you wanna start something with me then I'll start something with you!"

Lovely tried lunging her yellowy pettily face at Kirby. Taking large chomps at the puff with her sharp teeth that slaughter bugs of all kinds.

Kirby kept missing the flower's attempt to kill them.  They flipped up on the warp star and looped back down behind Lovely, tripping her.

Kirby blew a raspberry at the menacing murder plant, making her angrier.

"RAAAAGH!"

"Uh oh."

Lovely, using the power of the small twinkling star she was holding, sprouted millions of thorny Rosleys from the ground. Each flower wore a soulless pair of eyes and a sickening goggle as they wrapped themselves around Kirby's field of vision.

Kirby kept riding away from the Lovely, passing over, under, and I'm between her, her Rosleys, and their thorns. Although the spikes were getting more and more intense. More and more frequent. More and more deadly.

Kirby had just made it back to Whispy Woods. They were in the clear. They could just barely touch the light by his stump when they were snagged by the hag flower. Her scourging red eyes burned straight through the puff.

"Going somewhere?" She asked. "So you think we're bad Huh? You think N.M.E. is a big bad scary corp?" She mocked. "We're the best people in the galaxy. we're only helping the people of this less-than-lovely planet. We're good guys and you should be kissing our glossy shoes, but people like you want to call us mean. You wanna take me to Whispy and have me torn apart."

She made a pouting sarcastic expression and leaned in close to the squirming puff in her giggling Rosleys.

"So who's really the bad one here?"

A sharp branch sprouted up from the soil behind Lovely puncturing her stem. She was stuck. Roots not belonging to her own entrapped and grounded her. She was stuck, unable to move. She turned her head to face the culprit. Her expression, along with the Rosleys' was that of snapshotted surprise.

"Whispy..."

"To answer your question. You are the bad guy here."

Lovely, in aggravation, tried to free herself and attack Whispy, but it was no use.

Whispy tossed a fiery fruit from his vines at Kirby, who inhaled it right away.

Light shined around them and fire filled their lungs. A crown of flames lit their head and illuminated the whole forest. They were fire, Kirby.

The flower screamed. "No!" They all screamed it.

Kirby knew what he had to do. But he still gave her a chance.

"Say you're sowwy and leave!"

The flower gasped for release.

"I hope that when you burn me you accidentally burn this wretched forest to the ground. You'll be helping more people that way rather than these disgusting trees! RAAAAGH!"

Kirby closed their eyes and blew illuminating flames in the direction of the flower. Her Rosleys and roots combusted into dancing flames as their petals and thorns fell off one by one. Her last thought was of concentrated anger as her face lit up and bloomed towards the sky in fragments like dancing butterflies.

Her screams echoed through the forest, Kirby peaked at the work they made but even one glance was enough to make them jump. They stopped as the flower wilted and shrank, watcher her fade. Kirby shook as a tear dripped down their face. They wanted to ask if she would be ok.

"She is gone," Whispy stated. 

"Will...is she okay?" Kirby asked pretending in their innocent mind that they didn't know the answer.

Whispy lied through regretting eyes. "Y-Yes. She is ok now. So is the forest. Thank you young one."

Lovely was no more. No more would she pain Whispy Wood's forest. No more would she taint the natural growth. No more would N.M.E. use this forest for material gain. The only thing left of her was the sparkling star, which shot up into the sky and shot a blast of energy at the ruined section of the forest.

The ground began to shake and the workers' machines were suddenly entrapped by vines. The woodchoppers fled like dinosaurs from an asteroid as the trees began to sprout back from the disheveled stumps like magic. Apple's and blossoms began to bloom on the trees. Smiling and joy spread across each of their faces. Star-shaped leaves rustled in happiness ad the forest was returning to its natural glory. Even Kirby danced along with nature in glee.

Whispy spoke to the puff.

"The evil had been defeated. No thanks to you young one.

Kirby turned around and pumped their chest. As if to say it's no problem at all.

Kirby did remind Whispy of their deal. They pointed to the tree's star shapped leaves.

"My fwiends!"

"Oh yes right. Them."

Bandee and Para dropped from his vines, gasping at their release.

Bandee crawled into a fetal position while Para picked herself up pretty quick and gave Whispy a most crude gesture.

"Wow. Rude little girl aren't you!"

"You kidnapped us! I can be rude all I want!"

"That's fair." said the tree.

"Well, you saved my home. it's only right if I give you this so that you can save yours."

The sparkling star descended from the sky and in front of the children. Bandee shot up.

"You're giving is the sparkling star?"

"Yes. It is a powerful artifact. Once activated it will grow many whispy trees. Each spouting bountiful amounts of apples."

"Thank you, sir!" Exclaimed Bandee.

"Make sure it doesn't get in the wrong hands though. Its power could lead to something of great danger."

"You got it, old man!" Saluted Para.

"It's Whispy, child..."

The kids thanked Whispy and headed back home in the direction he pointed them in. Each tree waved goodbye and thanked them as they made it further and further out of the forest. As Para and Kirby went up ahead, a large mitten pulled Bandee back.

"Hey, kid."

"King Dedede!"

"Shhhhh!" The King quieted the see. "I don't want them to hear."

"Wh-what are you doing here."

"I was just watching. To make sure no one got hurt ya know?"

That was a clear lie but Bandee was bad at telling lies when it came to those he looked up to.

"How can I help you, great king?"

"Well, I saw what happened back there. And it's really great what y'all are doing for the people. As a king, I like to see my people well-fed, y'know?"

"Ok..."

"But I wanted to ask a favor. When you're done with that lil star thing, give it to me. Got it?"

"But. We need this to-"

"I know what ya need it for. I just need it when you're done. For personal matters. Protecting the kingdom's from threats. You get it."

"I..." Bandee rubbed the back of his head. "I guess. If you're using it to protect us."

"Good! You can go back now. Oh and uh," the king pulled the waddle dee in and made a straight command.

"Don't tell nobody. Ya hear?"

"Y-yes great king."

"Great. You get it. Alright, go on now."

King Dedede pushed Bandee back in the direction of the other two and gave the poor, trusting dee a thumbs up.

"Great King huh?" He muttered. "Now I could get used to a title like that."

Chapter Text

Cappy town rejoiced at the whispy trees popping up around the square. Apples galore reigned down on the townspeople. But even then it wasn't enough. At least it was enough at first.

After the trees started growing, the townspeople used apples as their food. It was enough to sustain them for a while. But it was only a matter of time before the trees stopped rapidly producing apples and the fact that many apples were being stolen in the middle of the night. It wasn't helping matters much either that the king of Dreamland was more busy working on his "stronger than the stars" hammer upgrade, than aiding his people.

But for now, this is what they had, and the kids would have to continue their hunt for food. While Tiff, Sailor, and Beamy were all doing alright, nobody had seen the Cappy kids, or Tuff in a while. There was no word from them, and Tiff most especially was starting to get worried.

"Why did I let him go unaccompanied to the mountains? What if he got lost, or sick?" She was starting to fear for the worst. "or KILLED?"

Tiff sat down on the wooden doc planks overlooking the bay. Bandee and Kirby sat by both her sides and tried to comfort her. The grieving sister went into all the possible outcomes that could go wrong for the kids. Telling herself that she was foolish for letting them go alone, and how she was responsible for whatever horrible things happened to them.

"I'm a bad sister!"

Tiff put her head in her hands and started sobbing.

"No, you're not. You're not a bad sister," stated Bandee as he pated her on the shoulder.

"Yes, I am. If they get hurt it's my fault."

"If they get hurt, it's because they tripped on a patch of dirt. The road to Candy Mountain is just plains and hills. "

Beamy piped up from the sides next to Sailor. Both were fishing.

"I remember my dad telling me that that the mountains are kept extra safe for visitors. The Birdon have this big feast every year too, and whatever is left over they share. There's also this big bird at the top!"

"Big birdie?" Kirby asked.

"The bird doesn't bother anybody though." Sailor stated, pulling back a lure. "She's the guardian of the mountain, she won't hurt anyone unless she's disturbed. She usually never comes down from the peak anyway."

"How do you know that?" Tiff asked.

"Well when you know the people I do, who have been practically everywhere in the universe, you learn about a lot of different people and places." The Sailor threw out their rod again.

"Also I've sailed by there before."

"See," said Bandee, "They're not in any danger. They're probably running back right now, ready to share some of the food they got!"

"Paya!" Kirby chimed in. "Everything is gonna be okay!"

Tiff wiped her tearful eyes. "Thanks, guys. That makes me feel a bit better."

Bandee took off his blue bandana and handed it to his crying friend. "That's what best friends are for."

"Heh heh."

Tiff took the bandana from Bandee and used it to wipe her tears and blow her nose. Startling Kirby, and grossing out Bandee a little bit.

Tiff pulled her best friend and Kirby into a hug and thanked them both. As well as giving a thank you to Beamy and Sailor.

Beamy put his rod down and gave a big stretch to the sky.

"Agh. I'm tired."

"We've only just started fishing Beamy." Sailor looked at the doo with the expression one gives a silly toddler when they try to sound like a tired adult after only doing one chore.

"Yeah, but I'm tired and bored. I wanna do something flashy."

Kirby put in their suggestion.

"Fwashy? Like fireworks?"

"Yeah. Hey Kirby! Wanna go shoot some fireworks down by the square?"

The puff got excited. They liked the bright lights that Beamy made with his wand.

"Yessie!"

"Yay! Let's go!"

Beamey tossed Kirby his wand, prompting beam Kirby to appear with their own. Beamy pulled out another wand from his pocket.

"Have fun guys" Sailor stated.

"Don't get into too much trouble" said Bandee.

"And keep the fireworks away from the trees" Tiff reminded.

The two kids headed out to the town square as their friends sighed and kept peacefully fishing in the beautiful clear blue ocean.

Kirby and Beamy proceeded to parade and dazzle onlookers. Waving their magic wants and making colorful displays for the people. They even made fireworks of apples so believable, that a passing bird might mistake them for food.

There was cheering, clapping, oo'ing, ah'ing, AH'ing, screaming, shrieking, fearing, and most importantly, distant thunderous flapping. From what no one knew, but the Cappy kids came running into town making the other frightening noises.

"Hey, guys!" Beamy shot up another firework in celebration of the kids' return.

"What's going on?"

"Run!" Honey shrieked.

Kirby gave a confused and worried look. "Huh?"

"Run for your lives!" Screamed Iro as he flailed his tiny mushroom arms in the air.

Spikehead shouted, pushing others out of the way. "It's the big scary bird! She's come to eat us!"

All of a sudden the flapping noise from above got more intense. A dark silhouette appeared in the sky, and swiftly swooped down into the town square.

When people saw the colossal shadow of the sky, they Immediately ran for cover. Those who didn't run for cover were blown away by the sheer force of it's

Beamy pointed up with his wand up to the colossal winged giant, pulling Kirby's attention to what he was seeing.

"Look! They're shining!"

He was right. The wings of the bird did not reflect light softly as normal feathers do, but rather the way a clean, unshaven blade does. The radiant sun cast an angelic gleam off of its unscuffed iron surface and created rays of light that made it stand out as a truly majestic creature. Its head swung back as it made a call so powerful that the sound itself could slice through anything in the same manner as its rainbow wings.

Kirby stood in awe of the magnificent beast above. Who swooped down low enough for them to get a better look, and landed with a thunderous impact.

Its feathers weren't just shiny like a sword, they were completely metallic material. Each blade being a different color, decorating the bird in a magnificent rainbow plume.

It cases to the sky in a shrieking rage. Capturing all attention.

King Dedede and Escargoon came running down to the square.

"Just what the heck is going on here-WOAH WHAT IS THAT THING?"

Escargoon tried to hide behind the red-robed king.

"I don't know but it sure is big!"

"You think it likes meat?" King Dedede asked, sweat pouring down his feathers.

The bird took a few steps closer to King Dedede and Escargoon.

"I don't know but I hope it doesn't like snails!"

The bird's terrifying gaze fixated on the snail, thinking that he would make a nice snack. You'd probably have to roast him first though.

It's beak latched onto Escargoon she'll as he tried to keep hold of King Dedede, who was putting all of his effort into keeping his friend grounded. Until they were lifted off the ground that is, to which his royal highness shouted: "LET GO I DON'T WANNA BE BIRD CHOW!"

"Wel,l I don't wanna die! And you're most likely to bring us back to the ground!"

"ARE YOU CALLIN ME FAT?"

The kids sat idly by in the alleyway, watching the horrifying scene unfold as the large rainbow predator snatched away King Dedede and Escargoon, bringing them to their imminent demise.

"Kirby we have to do something!" Beamy stated.

Kirby nodded and the two ran out, wands in hand. They both ran to opposite ends of the plaza and counted down by three.

Three.

They raised their wands.

Two.

They charged up their beams.

One.

They aimed at the sky.

"Now!"

Kirby and Beamy shot their wands directly into the bird's face from both sides, blinding and impaling her for just a brief enough moment that she drops both King Dedede and Escargoon who hit the ground with a thud.

The bird became irritated at the small orbs with the bright lights, that it started attacking both of them with rapid beak jabs that shattered the square's cobblestone pavement.

Kirby, in a foolish move, tried to hit the bird once again with rapid-firee beams. This resulted in a pin down from the bird's piercing talons.

Beamy tried to think of something before Kirby was completely gobbled for good. This monstrous, menacing, avian dinosaur seemed impossible to beat, much less draw away.

At that moment, the one-eyed orb boy remembered the fireworks that he and Kirby had just made. And started shooting them, not at the bird, but into the sky behind her.

Flashy images of apples and oranges captivated the bird's attention.

"You like these huh?"

The different directions the fireworks went was the direction the bird went after, dropping Kirby in her pursuit of the bright,delicious-looking lights. Beamy was right, they were attracted to the fireworks.

The bird tried to swallow the lights whole and ended up burning her tongue. To ease the throbbing pain that made her lash about, the bird soared back to whence it came. The direction of Candy Mountain. In its escape, the bird made one last mark on the town by slashing down its central square tree clean into two halves. The top half of the tree came crashing to the ground.

King Dedede sat up and shook his head.

"Ugh. Stupid bird. What'sitss problem? What'd I do to it?"

Escargoon whispered to the King.

"You didn't accidentally steal from it did you?"

To which the king whispered back: "No. I got the common sense not to steal from no big bird monster!"

"KIRBY! BEAMEY!"

Tiff came running down the path with Sailor and Bandee trailing behind her.

"What happened. Are you guys ok? Are you hurt?"

Both kids chuckled.

"Na. We're good. Kirby almost got eaten though."

"Ye! I did!"

"Oh well,l at least you guys are ok."

Bandee turned to the sky.

"What was that thing."

"Dyna Blade..." Sailor kneeled to the ground and picked up a large metal feather. "Guardian deity of Candy Mountain. Made of metal so strong that even a golden blade of light can't pierce her strong feathers."

"Dyna Bwade?"

"That's the big bird that lives on top of Candy Mountain," said Beamy, "the one my dad told me about!"

Sailor nervously stood up and turned to their other friends. Holding the feather as though it were a sword.

"But why is she here? Dyna Blade usually never comes down from the mountain. The Birdon always keep her well-fed to prevent that."

King Dedede and Escargoon, who heard this remark, looked at each other in an uh oh kind of way. They headed out of the square before anyone noticed.

Tiff shrieked. "That thing came from Candy Mountain?"

She almost fainted until Bandee caught her.

"It's ok, Tiff. The Cappy kids and Tuff came back. See they're over there safe and..." Bandee paused when he pointed to the cowering kids.

"Where's Tuff?"

"He's still up the mountain!" Iro stated.

"That big bird came down and we booked it," flailed Spikehead, "but when we turned around, Tuff wasn't there!"

Honey started crying. "He's still up there!"

Tiff was sick.

"Wel,l I'm not going to stand here and let my brother get eaten by some big bird! Kirby!"

"Pia!"

"Call the warp star." Tiff was certain. "

"We're going to Candy Mountain!"

Chapter Text

The warp star flew at top speeds to Candy Mountain, but to Tiff, it would never be fast enough.

Along the plains of waving tall grass, they searched for any signs of Tuff. Any signs of movement. Just something to prove he was still alive.

"I hope the worst hasn't happened Kirby."

Kirby offered some words of encouragement.

"He'll be fine. It will be okay."

"I hope so."

The little girl gave a sign as day turned to dusk. Pink twilight decorated the sky in a nice thick layer of cloud frosting. The crisp winds flew back against the travelers in a most refreshing manner, and the grass rolled with the spring breeze like waves on Dreamland's shore.

Past the tall grass and into the rocky beginnings of the mountain, the two saw what they had hoped would bring signs of Tuff's safety. A small settlement, secured by large trees at the mountain base."

When they dropped down to the surface, the children looked around at the houses. Each was a clean wood house with a hole and perch, either up in a tree, or secured by a pole.  Many of the houses had been damaged though. Sliced clean in half and fallen, as though sliced clean by a massive blade.

"These look like birdhouses," Tiff awed, "this must be the Birdon settlement."

"Get out of here!" A raspy voice hollered from behind.

"Huh?" Kirby's face turned to disappointment and worry.

Three Birdon, one elderly, and two younger and of less high held status gave glaring looks to Tiff and Kirby.

"Hello Sir," Tiff greeted politely, "we're looking for my brother. He's about yay big, bright yellow hair with blue streaks, he had a green backpack with him."

The elderly Birdon, a bird of ruffled rose feathers who donned clothing symbolizing respect and authority, didn't pay attention to Tiff's plight.

"You are not welcome here in our home. You thieves!"

One of the other side Birdons spoke up.

"You guys don't learn do you?"

The other Birdon spoke after.

"We let you off the second time you came in here, but you keep coming back!"

"Yeah what's your problem?"

More and more Birdon emerged from their homes. All angry and frustrated at the two Dream Landians. Glares of daggers and depressed stares fired their way, as more and more avian people emerged.

"This has to be some misunderstanding." Tiff faced the older Birdon with anxious certainty. "We're just here to find my brother."

"Sure," mocked the elder, "quit your lies and deceit! We know you're here to steal the rest of our sustenance. As if you haven't caused enough problems here already."

"Steal?" Kirby became shocked. Was this settlement stolen from too, along with Dreamland and Whispy Woods? "We don't steal."

"We want to help." Stated the puff in a worried expression. They held out a paw in an offering gesture, but it was denied like a piece of soiled garbage.

Tiff took Kirby's opened paw so that the puff wouldn't be too upset. She questioned the birds, knowing almost certain of their answer.

"You guys had your food stolen too, didn't you?"

"Yes we did," spoke the old bird, "and the deed was done by you Dream Landians! We're certain off it!"

The other Birdon went into an angered fest of shouting at Tiff and Kirby.

"Someone from Dream Land may have stolen your food-" Tiff started till the sideline birds interrupted her.

"You're damn right someone did!"

"You've destroyed our village doing it!"

"Now we have to rebuild our village with a raging bird on the hunt!"

Kirby continues from these shouts when they wouldn't let Tiff finish.

"We don't steal. We...uh...we help! We help you. Help Dweam Land. We help Dweam Land."

"Hey, you're getting better at that. We gotta work on the pronunciations and structure though."

"Okie."

"The only thing you're helping yourselves with is our livelihoods!" The Birdons exclaimed in rage.

Tiff tried to reason as the village gazed at hee and Kirby with wrongfully directed anger. Places like Pupupu Town and Whispy Woods were stolen from too. A bunch of us kids devised up a team to retrieve food for our home but now we can see it's a bigger issue than just us. Maybe if you tell us what we can do to help you, we can come to a peaceful arrangement. We can help fix what was broken."

"We helped Whispy Woods." Kirby leaped in front of Tiff to try and reason with the crowd as well.

While other birds still felt indifferent at the two children. The elderly bird spoke.

"What could you possibly do to help us?"

"If you tell us what happened, we could come up with a solution." She remembered. "Maybe you can help us in return too. We're looking for my brother-"

"Now you want something from us? Trying to bribe us for forgiveness now that we caught you in the act, not once but TWICE? Get out of here!"

The other Birdon started chanting at the children to get lost. For Kirby, it was all too familiar, and not something they would like to go through again.

Not knowing what to do and trying to plead with them, Tiff and Kirby were stuck in a predicament they weren't sure how they would get out of. Then, all of a sudden.

"EVERYBODY GET OUT OF THE WAY!"

They all looked to the sky and fled. For a giant silhouette of a bird, no, a plane, came shooting into view.

Everybody scattered to the sides as the craft spun down like a ribbon and crashed right between Kirby, Tiff, and the elder Birdon. The impact caused everyone to fall to the ground.

The medium-sized aircraft shredded parts of itself to the ground as puffs of smoke and a large airbag came from its grounding.

"Ouch." A tired voice came from the plane.

The Birdon elder brought himself to his stickily knees.

"You're getting better at flying Flyhi but for feather's sake don't try and kill me in the process."

The elder removed parts of the debris to find a dizzy, slightly out-of-it Birdon boy with a pilot's cap and goggles. Their wings were slightly shorter compared to other Birdons of his age.

Tiff and Kirby offered to pull him out of the wreckage, even starting to move the debris until they were halted by the elder's glare.

"Don't touch him you'll hurt his fragile wings." The elder stated.

The bird came out stumbling and dizzy, ruffled his feathers, then suddenly regained his ability to stand balance and focus on things around him.

"I found some stuff for the ceremony gramps!"

"Oh did you now. Alright, let me see."

Flyhi strolled to his plane to retrieve some rather small berries.

"It's not much but it'll last a couple...minutes."

"The effort is appreciated, my grandson."

Tiff and Kirby walked over to greet the boy.

"Hi, I'm Tiff and this is Kirby.

"Hewwo!"

"You must be Flyhi?"

"Yep, that's me!" The disheveled yet chipper bird flapped their wings at the two Dream Landians.

When Tiff offered her hand, the elder snapped at her.

"Don't shake her hand Flyhi! She's one of those Dream Land high lives who spat on our traditions and put us in this destroyed state."

"Once again, we specifically are not the bad guys. Our hometown was stolen from too, and we don't know who did it."

"So those little kids bribing us and asking for our rations weren't trying to bleed us of our provisions that we had to sacrifice for our tradition?"

"No. And sir, if I may ask, what is this tradition? We're not exactly educated about other cultures back at home. And maybe if we knew what exactly is going on, we could help to some extent."

"Is it fun?" Kirby asked excitedly.

The elder scoffed. "I highly doubt it, and no it's painful."

A Birdon stepped from the sidelines, holding her chick closely.

"Our yearly tradition of feeding Dyna Blade."

"You feed Dyna Blade? How? She seems so...vicious."

"And scawy!" Kirby shivered.

More Birdons stepped in to tell apart.

"We have much food leftover from our harvests."

"Big big big amounts of foods."

"Dyna Blade, guardian of the mountain, ravages all in her path in search for sustenance."

"We give any extra food to her so that she'll leave us in peace for a lil bit."

"But-but-but all of our foods were st-st-stolen."

The elder spoke again. "So now our home is being destroyed because we can't provide Dyna Blade with what she needs."

"I..." Tiff started. "I'm so sorry."

"You should be. Although I will admit it isn't completely your fault. Dyna Blade has been pretty rough this year generally. Even before the scheduled feeding ceremony, she's been very brutish. I wonder why."

"It's because she's had, babies. Four of them." Flyhi waved. "I saw them while flying up in my plane. Four baby chicks. That's why she's looking in other places because she needs more to feed them."

"What do babies look like?" Asked a curious Kirby ironically.

"They're pretty big. About as big as her." He pointed at Tiff. "All pretty pale, with big heads and tiny beaks. There was this one that had their eyes covered though, with blue feathers at the edges of their bangs."

"Tuff!" The two screamed.

"No, that's not what they're called." Stated a confused Flyhi.

"No, Tuff is my brother." Tiff panicked.

"Hey, I could never tell the difference. They're all in the nest."

"Oh no. We have to go up there! Kirby, call your warp star!"

The warp star came down from the sky, and out came Flyhi's critique.

"You're going up there in that?"

"Yessie!"

"Well good luck with that. You guys got a parachute?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Dyna Blade sliced my engines. You're not gonna make it on that without her smacking you back down the mountain."

"Well, we have to try."

"She'll try eating you first." The bird boy mocked.

"Well, what are we going to do? I need to save my brother."

The elder made a snide remark.

"Unless you have some fruit, you're not going to get near that nest. Dyna Blade's species is very Territorial, especially with their young."

"Fruit?"

Kirby jumped up with a most brilliant idea.

"The sparkawing star! It makes trees with lots of...um...uh...red fwuit. So shiny and tasty."

"Apples, Kirby."

"Apples. It makes lots of apples!" Kirby exclaimed.

"Much better." Tiff smiled and patted Kirby's soft head.

"A sparkling star that makes apple trees? What a concept. Haven't heard something like that since cousin Vul told the story about that young man with the ice-cream addiction."

"Well it's not a story, and it's a great idea. Let's go Kirby."

Kirby and Tiff both hopped on the warp star and pointed it back to town.

"We'll be back."

"Bye-bye."

"Good riddance."

And off they rode back home.

Chapter Text

It was nowhere to be found. Kirby swore that Bandee left the sparkling star with the mayor after they had used it to bring about the whispy trees.

"I'm sorry. I don't have it. Maybe you gave it to someone else."

"Are you sure it's not in your house?"

"What about the fwidge?"

"The basement?"

"The woof?"

The mayor sweated. He didn't have an answer for them. "I don't believe that it's there, but it doesn't hurt to check. I'll try to find them later."

"Alright. Thank you, sir." Tiff's concern was preeminent in her deflated tone.

Both kids left the mayor's house and headed for the docs. They sat with the rest of the group and shared their plight.

"But I thought Bandee took the sparkling star to the mayor." Sailor pondered. "That's what he said. Right?"

As Sailor looked at Bandee, his eyes turned away.

"I did give it to him. Maybe he just lost it."

Once again Bandee looked for excuses. He didn't understand why he couldn't say that King Dedede had the sparkling star. But the king told him not to say anything. So the trusting and worshiping Bandee resorted to lies and excuses.

"He is old," Bandee said, "It'll turn up eventually."

"Well, I hope it shows up quick." Tiff held her head down.

"I just want my brother to be safe."

Bandee looked down, thinking that all would be fine. Convincing himself like usual, while his friends weren't so convinced.

///////////

It had been three days and still no sign of the sparkling star. The kids were driving the mayor of Cappy Town up a wall, literally, to find a tiny star. They still need up empty-handed at the end of the day.

All of the children had been talking under the town square tree, which was now being held together by rope. Beamy and Para came up with the idea of transporting a whispy tree, but that would be too heavy. The Cappy kids came up with the idea of planting new trees, but it would take too long for them to grow. Kirby even thought of bringing a bunch of apples there, but they would only last so long. Eventually, ideas ran thin.

As they sighed and sulked under the broken tree, Sailor came excitedly sprinting towards them.

"We've got another star! We've got another star!"

"Huh?"

The kids all jumped up in unison.

"Ok, so I was talking to my boss overseas about all that happened and whatnot." They paused and took a breath. "And he said that if that was a coincidence because he has...Oh goodness, I need some water."

"Your boss has a sparkling star?" Bandee asked.

"But how?" Tiff questioned.

"He found it a while back." Sailor stated. "He's coming here to lend us the sparkling star. You can save your brother and the Birdon. No more asking the mayor!"

The children cheered in unison and jumped happily.

"What's all this about another sparkling star?"

"Don't you kids know it's dangerous to play with stuff like that?"

The eavesdropping King Dedede and his slug lackey Escargoon made themselves present in the conversation.

"For your information, the star is being used for good intentions. We're not playing with it."

Sailor muttered something under their breath "Unlike some people who think it's a good idea to make toys out of them."

"Huh?" The king and Escargoon's faces turned cold.

"Where'd you hear that? King Dedede hasn't touched that star."

"I didn't hear it from anyone." Sailor stated.

"I just think it's just a bit weird that you're making your hammer 'stronger than the stars.' Especially when the sparkling star has been MIA."

King Dedede became enraged.

"You calling me a thief kid?"

"I'm not saying anything. I just think it's suspicious."

"I ain't suspicious! I ain't done nothin' wrong!" His face turned red and steam seemed to spout from his ears like a hot kettle.

"Hmph, how rude," Escargoon stated down the dee. "Next you're going to say that his majesty stole all the food in Dream Land-MPH!"

The King covered Escargoon's mouth.

"Don't give them any ideas!"

"Ideas of what?"

"Of nothing!"

King Dedede broke into a sweat.

"Are you hiding something Dedede?"

"Hey that's Great King Dedede to you," he gestured, "and what are you, some kinda spy?"

"Perhaps. Crook..."

"Ok let's bring this off." Bandee stepped in the hot middle trying to break the fight before things got worse.

The tension between both dee and triple dee was loud, clear, and constant angry grunting. But they weren't as loud as the gonging bells that rang from the docs.

Sailor stopped facing the king and instead faced the sweet sound of familiarity with a smile on their face.

"That's my boss! He's here!"

Sailor took off running, followed by the other children, then by King Dedede and Escargoon.

Sailor ran so fast it was as if they were running a marathon. The agility and speed were unmatched, even Kirby had trouble keeping up. It was like they were running away from an explosion, leaping over and sliding under crates and barrels of the great ship that lie before them.

It was glorious, but not the best ship they've ever seen. Its clean bronze wood, stained by the fresh salty waves and decorated with lovely gold calligraphy. The sails were stunning as well, velvet and gold, surrounding a large M symbol with a sword running through it. It blew gracefully in the wind like a hero who achieved victory.

Many townspeople crowded around the fancy boat just to see what the heck was going on. were these pirates? the mob perhaps? Annoying millionaires flaunting their undeserved wealth?

Sailor made it to the front of the ship before anyone else even had the chance. Before the news, the other children, or the king. they had the most excited expression on their face.

A mechanical wooden ramp extended from the side of the ship to the docs beside, and two figures emerged. One a feathery aged captain, the other a very small blue knight in an elegant blue and gold cape, and a shiny mask that covered his whole face, except for his two electric yellow eyes.

The air stood still.

"Is that who I think it is?"

"He's a lot smaller than I'd thought he'd be."

Onlookers both startled and mystified gazed at the two figures.

"Greetings." The smaller blue knight addressed the crowd.

"My name is-"

"META KNIIIIIGHT!"

"OOF-"

Sailor hadn't missed a beat. They ran up to their boss and hugged him, tackling the blue knight to the ground in the process.

"Oh what, I don't get any appreciation?" The older captain remarked in a joking manner.

Sailor got up and hugged the older bird. "You too, Captain Vul!"

Bandee, Tiff, and Kirby stepped forward to meet Sailor's apparent colleagues.

"Your boss...is META KNIGHT? THE META KNIGHT?" Bandee put his startled paws on his head, trying to comprehend what he was seeing.

"I thought you worked with the see and fishing and-"

"I'm a sailor Bandee, not a fisherman. And yes these are my colleagues. Captain Vul and Meta Knight."

"I can't believe this." Tiff offered her hand to the two. "It's an honor to meet you both!"

Both accepted here greeting. Meta knight responded. "As is the honor to meet you, Tiffany Ebrum."

Tiff got giddy as she shook hands with a world-known celebrity.

"Whose meat knight?"

King Dedede and Escargoon emerged.

"Great king!" Bandee waved to King Dedede and motioned him towards Meta Knight.

"This is Meta Knight. He's supposed to be one of the greatest warriors in Dreamland!"

"Greatest?" Escargoon scoffed. "How can he be so great if we didn't hear about him for 15 chapters?"

"Yeah, and I don't know how he can be so great if he's so tiny?"

"Aye! Don't mock Sir Meta Knight," Vul snapped, "you're a king show some respect!"

"Woah there don't get your feathers in a twist buddy." King Dedede pointed at the captain. "I was just asking a question."

The much larger king bent down to Meta Knight's height.

"So what are ya, masky? Some type of rich hotshot from the city or something?"

"No." His voice, cold and deep, shook the king.

Meta knight walked straight past King Dedede to Kirby, who gave a very warm hello.

"Hewwo! I'm Kirby."

Meta knight laughed. "I know, I've heard all about you from Sailor. You helped bring Apple trees here didn't you?"

"Yessie! Me and fwiends did that!"

"You're a very pure boy aren't you?"

"I'm pink. Not purple."

"Ahahaha. Yes very young and pure. Very naive, but that isn't a problem. That's what children are supposed to be."

Meta chuckled as he pulled out a swirling pink lollipop and handed it to the bright-eyed Kirby, who gave it three licks, then devoured the whole stick.

Meta Knight didn't seem too bothered by it though. He chuckled and patted the puff as if they were a family member. The knight stood to face the crowd.

"I am aware that you are in need of assistance."

"Yes sir," Tiff stated. "We need a sparkling star so that we can help both our and the Birdon people. Dyna Blade has chicks and she's causing havoc on the whole kingdom. All the food in Dreamland was stolen. It's all a big mess."

"Sailor said that you can help us," Bandee stated.

"I believe I can."

The knight held up a sparkling star he pulled from his cape. It fit on his mitten perfectly.

The glimmer caught the attention of all people, especially King Dedede.

Meta Knight put away the star.

"However," he started, "you children all seem exhausted. I would implore you to relax aboard my ship before you take part on your journey again."

The children of Dreamland all shook and rubbed their heads shyly, saying things like I don't know, and, you seem really busy.

"I have ice cream."

Kirby jumped at this remark. "What kind?"

The knight smirked under his metallic mask. "Every kind."

"Yay!" Kirby jumped up and down and didn't miss a beat boarding the ship.

"Well, I guess if Kirby's going, then I'm going too." Tiff strolled up to the boat and boarded it, followed by Captain Vul and Meta Knight.

Bandee was about to board when he was snatched back into a remote part of the docs by King Dedede once again.

"Hey, kid! Man, all that ice cream sure sounds good don't it?"

The King gave a crooked smile. Bandee knew what was going to be asked of him.

"Great king I don't think I can do what you're going to ask of me."

"What? I didn't even ask you anything yet."

"Yeah what did you think he was going to say?" Escargoon remarked.

"Great king, Sir Meta Knight is trying to help the people, and so are us kids. Stealing from him would just be cruel."

"And what I ain't trying to help anybody? I'm the king! I'm making sure my kingdom is safe!" The king started yelling in a tone that even startled Escargoon a little bit.

"I just need some o that good ice cream, that sparkling star, and maybe a couple shiny dookikies and doodads. Ya, feel me?"

"Your highness I don't know..."

"This is your king," Escargoon stated, "You're supposed to respect him. He's trying to help you."

"I...I..." Bandee sweated.

"How about this kid?"

King Dedede leaned in close and took Bandee's phone from him, startling the dee a little bit.

"Imma put my number in this phone o yours, and I'ma tell you what's gonna go down."

He handed the phone back.

"And when it's all done, you're gonna get paid some. How's that sound?"

King Dedede's tiredness and irritation showed in his tone of voice. He was getting more desperate by the day for a sense of power.

"I..."

"Bandee are you coming?"

Sailor came into the scene and giddily awaited Bandee's response.

"Oh. Uh...yeah. Yeah, I'm coming!"

Sailor lit up and gleefully took Bandee by the paw, pulling him towards the ship.

"I can't wait to show you guys around the ship. We have so many cool rooms. We have a bunch of switch games too, and a big lounge we play them in. It's super fun!"

"It sure sounds like it." Bandee sweated as he turned to back to the king, then to his phone, then to the ship.

Bandee muttered some words of clarity under his breath. "He's doing it to help us. He's doing it because he cares."

"What was that?" Sailor turned.

"Oh! Its nothing. Wait you guys have a switch room?"

Chapter Text

Meta Knight's elegantly large ship departed from the dock and onto the open water. The gentle sea breeze scent flowed past as the sails flapped within it.

Kirby, Tiff, and Bandee gazed out to the glistening waters beyond them and took a breath of wonder.

"It sure is beautiful isn't it?" Tiff stated. "It's so clear. No mountains or forests blocking the horizons. Just clear blue waters from here."

"That's for sure." Bandee looked out to the distance and thought of how the sea appeared from back home. How the sun set over the horizon as the sky turned twilight. How the view might have looked from on high Mt. Dedede. How they probably had a wonderful view of the whole kingdom in its most beautiful moments.

"It looks so pwetty!" Kirby patted on the railing separating wood from water, stars in their gazing eyes as they hopped up and down.

"I am pleased to hear that you like the view."

Meta Knight appeared behind the trio with three bowls of ice cream in his mitts.

"Can I offer you some... Well, you wouldn't really call these refreshments would you?"

They all chuckled. Tiff took the first bowl, followed by an enthusiastic Kirby and angsty Bandee.

"No I don't think you would, but we'll take them nonetheless." Tiff stated."Thank you for your hospitality once again Sir Meta Knight."

"It's a real honor, Sir." Bandee pipped in.

"The pleasure is mine." He responded. "When one of my knights had informed me that the country required assistance, I sailed here as fast as I could."

"Flying is faster than saiwing. You should fly instead."

"Meta Knight can't fly, Kirby. He doesn't have wings." Tiff patted the puff's head.

The knight snickered. "I have my ways of getting around, as do the rest of my knights." He suddenly put a paw to his mask in shock.

"Goodness, I almost forgot. How rude of me to not introduce my knights. Soldiers!"

Like magic, all of the ship's crew members made a straight orderly line.  All eight of them saluting, waiting for further instruction. It was just like how the castle servants reacted to Dedede, Tiff thought.

One by one, Meta Knight named his crew.

"Captain Vul, my second in command."

"And pilot when he can't see beyond the steering wheel."

Meta Knight shone shame under his mask, but it was a good thing no one had noticed. His short stature did make for difficult navigation. He continued.

"Sword and Blade, my trusty companions for business trips, as well as security."

"Oy noice ta meetcha!" Blade exclaimed.

The trio was confused.

"He said it's nice to meet you." Sword gestured.

"Oh! It's nice to meet you too." Tiff greeted.

"Nice to meet you!" Kirby squeaked.

"My five main Meta knights, the soldiers whom I trust the most. Axe, Mace, Javelin, and Trident."

The five main Meta knights gave greetings and shook hands. All the while Bandee thought to himself. Meta knights? That's kind of a little self-centered.

"And lastly, my youngest and most intelligent soldier, Sailor. I'm sure you three are accustomed to them already."

"Saiwor! That's our fwiend." Kirby ran up to the waddle dee, who hugged them tightly.

"Hey there Kirby." They giggled.

"Yes," Meta Knight turned to Tiff and Bandee, "Sailor has constantly spoken about the friends they've made in Dreamland. Now, which one of you is the cute one?"

Sailor turned from fruity orange to burning red.

"SIR!"

"Ahahaha. I only kid. Besides," he strolled to Kirby, "I think we all know that Kirby is the correct answer to such a question, don't we?" Meta Knight patted the puff.

"Thank you," Kirby said. They held out their empty bowl and tried to remember how to phrase a question. "Uh...Do you have any more please?"

Meta Knight looked at the empty ice cream bowl. "As a matter of fact, I do. Sailor."

"Y-yes, sir?" They were still fairly flustered.

"Show these three to the lounge area."

"Sir, yes sir!"

Sailor followed their boss's orders without haste. Kirby darted to Tiff's arm to be carried. The three friends were taken by the hands and pulled to the ship's stairs by Sailor.

After descending a set of stairs, the four kids made it to the main deck.

The walls were covered wall to wall in photographs of the knights, soft velvet curtains, and silver plaques that read the names of each area of the ship.

The wooden floors were so clean, and the walls didn't show any signs of fade. The strong stainless windows allowed for glistening natural light to shine into the already pristine deck. Bandee imagined that this is what the castle halls looked like, but with less wood. Tiff believed that this was much better than the castle halls, much cleaner and quieter. Kirby just liked the scenery for what it was.

"Oh, oh, oh!" Sailor jumped.

"Before I show you guys the lounge, I want to show you guys this one room we have. It's really small, but I think you guys might like it."

"Lead the way Sailor," Bandee stated.

Sailor quickly turned everyone around like a go-kart making a u-turn. They quickly headed to the lower deck, made a couple of sharp turns, and arrived at a small room, covered wall to wall in hardback books.

"It's..." Bandee started.

"It's a library." Tiff gazed around at all the wonderful issues and novels on the shelves. Each handcuffed and pristine. Some which lay on a desk surrounded by neatly stacked blueprints, accompanied by a small sparkling star in the corner of the desk.

"Hehe. I remembered the first time I met you guys you were carrying all those books."

"Oh yeah, and then we went flying on the warp star. Oh, that was fun." Bandee made a zooming motion with his paws.

"Whatever happened to all of those books?" Sailor pondered.

"We decided that it was kind of hopeless trying to figure out where Kirby came from. Every time we tried we always hit dead ends." Tiff sighed. "It doesn't really matter though. Kirby made their home here. So that's where they're from."

"That's a wonderful ideology."

"She's a literature and philosophy nut."

"And I'm your best friend."

"True. You also have a point." Bandee said.

"I like it here," Kirby spoke up. "I've made so many fwiends." Kirby tapped their paws together as if they were counting invisible fingers.

"Tiff, Bandee, Saiwor, Para, Beamy, Dedede, Tuff, Tuff's fwiends. All of them!"

Tiff's gleeful expression changed into a cold frown. Bandee patted her shoulder in reassurance like he always does.

"It's ok Tiff, he'll be ok."

"He's in the nest of a giant bird." Tiff looked back at the books. She noticed one on a low shelf and took it from its place. A comic book, with superheroes and sci-fi action scenes.

"He would have loved this. He thinks people like Meta Knight are really cool."

Tiff shed a couple of tears, tears that told Sailor that it was time to hit the lounge and get some more ice cream before the situation got super awkward and sad.

As Sailor took Tiff and Bandee by the hands again, Kirby stayed behind for a few seconds more, looking over the blueprints on the small library desk. They looked to be vehicular concepts that reminded Kirby of their warp star. They tried to pronounce the words they saw on the page.

"S-slik. Sh-she-shadow. This one says jet. I can read that."

Sailor came just in time and snatched Kirby away, bringing them up to the lounge where Bandee and Tiff stood excited over the scenery.

The lounge was much bigger than the tiny library. For starters, there were finely furnished couches with corresponding footstools, an enormous flatscreen TV with a switch console hooked up to it, paintings and photos of all the knights during memorable events, a coffee table with ceramic cup placers, each with a specific knight's name written on them, and kitchenette area with a large refrigerator and many cabinets.

"Did you know these cabinets have a bunch of baking supplies? Well, that and Meta Knight's candy and swear jars." Sailor whispered giddily. "Don't tell him I said that."

"Oh don't tell my Mom about the baking supplies, you'll make her jealous." Bandee joked.

Sailor opened the freezer and pulled out a container of mint chocolate ice cream.

"You guys still got your bowls?"

Everybody held up their bowls and spoons. Kirby pulled their bowl out of their mouth.

"Great! Come on this thing will melt if we let it lay like this."

As Sailor scooped sizable portions of mint chocolate into the bowls, Bandee felt his phone vibrate. When he checked his phone, his expression grew weary and a bit dishearted.

"Who is that?" Tiff asked leaning over her best friend's shoulder.

"Wh-what? Oh, it's uh..." He sighed.

"It's nothing."

//////////////

The day was turning to dusk. Clouds with the texture of cotton candy drifted in the pink sky like the waves surrounding the boat.

Time seemed to fly like the wind, everyone on the boat was having a relaxing time. Talking to new people, getting to know them, and ask them questions, Tiff was even able to snag a couple of autographs for Tuff.

"Thank you so much, Sir Meta Knight," Tiff stated, "It's an honor."

Meta Knight finished the final stroke of his signature onto the paper Tiff held.

"It is no problem at all. I understand that you must be homeward bound soon."

"Yes. Kirby and I have to head back to Candy Mountain. The Birdon were robbed, and Dyna Blade has no food, so she's been causing a lot of trouble. My brother, he's trapped up in Dyna Blade's nest. We believe he's ok, but I'm so worried he could have been..." Tiff shuddered at the thought, to which the knight tried to calm her down.

"There there. He will be ok. Anything in the nest of Dyna Blade is guarded like treasure in a tower." He paused.

"Say, you need my sparkling star, do you not? I believe I left it on the study desk. I shall be right back."

Meta Knight took his time strolling to the study, where blueprints and books lay scattered about. Although the sparkling star on the clean, empty desk was not to be seen. Odd...the knight could have sworn he had left it there.

He checked all compartments, the floor, high shelves he could just barely reach, yet it did not turn up.  Perhaps the kitchen then. It could be that he had mistaken it for candy and threw it in his personal candy jar.

Making his way to the lounge, the blue knight made no time wasted jumping to the countertops.

He opened the cupboards, humming a tune which abruptly turned to a panicked tone as he fell backward. He peered into the cupboards, feeling around for a sign, a trace, a presence of the one thing he told his cremated never to touch.

His candy jar was gone.

The snacks.

Gone.

Cookies, bread, cakes all vanished within their places.

The swear jar and Nintendo switch.

They were still present, but $80 and an Animal Crossing: New Horizons cartridge had been snatched.

Meta Knight's face grew weary under his mask. He darted to the freezer slowly lifted his hand to the frigid door, scared to see the outcome of what he knew might have been. His ice cream...

Gone.

Meta Knight flew out of the lounge and up the ship's stairs. He made it out to the top deck. Trident alerted his boss.

"Boss! Thieves!"

"I am aware!"

Tiff and Kirby ran out in the direction of the culprits, who seemed to have already made their escape.

Two flying orbs with a large sack in their mitts, containing contents they had more help with gathering.  Their night was high and their distance was great. Their flight path was to the east.

"Their trajectory is headed for the Float Islands." Javelin hollered in their robotic tone.

"Vul, follow them! they have the sparkling star!"

"Right away Sir Meta Knight!"

"But boss," Mace said, "the ship can't go that fast."

"Kirby can go up ahead."  Sailor pointed. "They can take their warp star."

"I shall accompany them." Stated Meta Knight. "Kirby, will you aid us in this emergency?"

Kirby nodded and called for their star.  Both they and Meta Knight hopped on and chased after the thieves, followed by the ship. Meta Knight called back to his soldiers.

"Secure all rooms and follow behind us. I need all hands on deck." 

"SIR, YES SIR!"

Everyone got to work, Captain Vul took the helm, Sword and Blade secured the interior, the five main meta knights secured the perimeter, even Tiff and Bandee helped Sailor in hoisting the anchor.

Meta Knight unsheathed his golden blade. "Follow their trail, Kirby."

"Yessie Sir!"

Chapter Text

The chase took them far, and their speed was unparalleled, but the thieves were significantly faster.

Kirby jumped up and gasped.

"Lookie!"

"I see..."

The thieves had made their shelter in an old castle not too far away. The waves crashed against the fading exterior violently. Rain started to pitter-patter against the sea, and the wind picked up exponentially.

"It's a good thing they decided to seek shelter. After them, Kirby."

Kirby drove the warp star to the top of the colossal castle where the thieves had snuck into. However, as they were about to enter a broken window,  a strong breeze swept Kirby and Meta Knight off balance and plunged them into the sea below. The warp star flew upwards to the heavens and the two thrashed around the ocean waves. Meta Knight noticed that Kirby had almost passed out from the anxious situation, so he fixed himself against the wind and the tides, picked up the puffball, and swam them both to the castle doors.

Meta Knight leaped up and slashed his sword through the door crack. The entry opened like a sliced tree.

Meta Knight took Kirby inside, shut the doors again, and wrapped Kirby under his cape until they woke.

"How are you feeling?" He asked with concern.

Kirby shifted their eyes around accidentally avoiding the question.

"Did we find them?" They asked.

"No," stated the knight, "not yet. They are at the top of this castle, and we are, unfortunately, at the bottom."

Kirby sprang up. "Well, what do we wait for? Let's go!"

Meta Knight smiled and prepared for the climb.

"Onwards then."

Blackened halls full of moss and vines presented the path for Kirby and Meta Knight. Cobwebs that covered every star-patterned brick and tapestry, which if not faded by now, we're overcoated by the white silky webs.

Meta Knight drew his sword and tapped it against the ground, it illuminated almost Immediately, paving way for the two.

"There, much better."

"Woah!" Kirby marveled at the glowing sword, and yet they still didn't know exactly what a sword was.

"What is that?" They asked.

"This?" Meta knight held up the golden blade, its ruby-red stone prominently presented.

"This is my trusty blade, the Galaxia."

"Gawaxy." Kirby tried to sound it out. "Gawa...Gala..axy..."

"Galaxia."

"Galaxia!"

"Hmph. Very good. I see you are learning to speak common Dream Landian." Meta Knight turned to face Kirby. "Did your friends teach you?"

"Yessie Sir."

"That's good," he remarked, "you have good friends, ones with good caring intentions, that care about you. It's important for you to have that."

"What about your fwiends?" Kirby cocked their head in question at the knight.

"My friends are the Meta knights, my soldiers."

"Wow, that's like, sooooo many!" Kirby made a wide gesture with their paws.

"Yes, they are like my family." Meta Knight smiled as they turned the corner into another hallway.

"Meta Kni." Kirby could pronounce

"Hm?"

"What is a famiwy?"

"Good question." Meta Knight sighed. "I believe a family is those who are close to you, those whom you chose to surround yourself with."

"So...weeeealy close fwiends?"

"I believe so."

Kirby glanced straight ahead. "Tiff and Bandee have Mommies and Daddies? They say they're famiwy, but I don't have any."

"Those are blood families, 'parents' is the title, but they do not necessarily make a family. Only you can choose that."

"Oh...I think I see." The puff pressed their cheek.

"Do you have parwents?" Meta Knight paused at this remark and shook his head.

"No, I do not have parents."

"You're just like me!" Kirby clapped. "We're the same."

Meta Knight laughed, and though Kirby did not know why, they laughed too.

"I guess it's good I have someone to relate to." The knight stated.

They reached a stairwell, spiraling high into the sky. Walking up each step was going to be a chore if they were ever to make it to the top. The two didn't seem to mind though as they happily conversed the entire time. Small talk, like favorite candies, swords, Kirby's copy ability, the Gourmet Race. They also talked about Dream Lands' plight and what the children were doing to stop it, to which Meta Knight sighed.

"It is a shame that the only ones working to help the country are the children. I suppose you are the future, but you alone should not be the only ones aiding the struggle."

"We do the best we can." Kirby sighed.

"I know you are. You all are. It is a shame that the lazy sack of a king would rather sit on his high chair all day instead of helping his followers, his people. Flaunting his superiority in the face of famine. Tell me, Kirby, is that any way to be a leader? Someone who helps the people should not be lazing around like he. It brings suspicion in my opinion."

"Dedede isn't bad, but..." The puff shook, "he is scawy."

"That is precisely my point, Kirby. A self-entitled man should never be king. For he is not a leader, but a spoiled child who only sees his wants, never your needs. He will kill if he continues such a lifestyle. He causes fright." Meta Knight shook his head. "Disgusting."

Kirby just barely understood. They never saw anyone as evil, just mean. They thought that everyone could be good though. Even those that refused, like Lovely, could be good if they tried. How Kirby hated that memory, burning the flower at the stake, how it haunted them. They tried to believe that it never happened, that they faintly saw her bloom and run away, petals smoking. They were certain that she made up with Whispy and they both lived happily after. Kirby couldn't think of her ceased existence. They couldn't think of killing her. They couldn't think of what they had done or believing that anyone else could do it. They didn't hurt her. They didn't hurt her.

They started to cry. "NO!"

Kirby ran ahead up the stairs, weeping and wailing as they tried to run away from the memory. Meta Knight called after them as they ran away, chasing down the puff. The poor innocent puff.

Kirby turned to a door into a long hallway and blazed to its end. Passing patterns upon patterns or worn crowns, stars, balloons, and spirals. A broken window has spilled glass and candy, prompting Kirby to slip. They tried getting up but they were too weak from emotional strain. The storm clouds thundered, muffling their sobs. They shook and shook, they could barely see through their tears. The wind howled as they cried.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry..."

Clanking footsteps rushed to Kirby's side. Meta Knight put a hand on Kirby to try and treasure them.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

"Shhh. It's ok-"

"I hurt her!" Tears and snot poured down their face as they turned to the startled knight.

Kirby hugged Meta Knight tightly as the warrior tried to comfort them. The rain poured on but seemed to get quieter and quieter with every muffled sob.

"I hurt Lovely."

"Shhh. It's alright."

"No! I hurt her. She was being mean. I hurt her."

"I am sure you didn't mean it. I am sure she knows that whoever Lovely is."

"She's...she's..." Kirby became historical. "She's gone!"

It took a minute, but it clicked. Meta Knight couldn't believe that Kirby could do such a thing. He was tempted to ask why, but he received his answer.

"She was being mean to the forest. She didn't say sowwy. I didn't mean it..."

"It was not your job to kill her." Meta Knight tried his hardest to comfort the child. 'Kill' probably wasn't the best word to use though. "You shouldn't have to be responsible for an act such as that."

Meta Knight hated N.M.E. He knew they were greedy but he had no power over them or Dream Land for that matter. Why was it the children who had to fix these mistakes? Why do they fix these acts of harm and monstrosity?

"You are a child. You should be focused on playing and having fun with your friends. Not doing something as horrible as murder."

Kirby hated that word. It only elevated their cries.

"You should never have to be responsible for that. It is despicable. You are a good kid. I know you are."

Meta Knight looked Kirby's teary face in the eyes and wiped their tears.

"I will do everything in my power to aid you, so that you children may never have to suffer these horrors again. I promise you."

Kirby felt a little better at this remark. They felt a little better that they would be helped in making Dream Land a little better. They couldn't help but feel as though Meta Knight was a little angry, hopefully not at them.

All of a sudden the ground shook. From the end of the hallway, a humongous door burst open, blocks of emerald came crashing towards Kirby and Meta Knight at high numbers. An attack! Meta Knight unsheathed the Galaxia and sliced the sparkling blocks into pieces that, if you blinked, you would miss most certainly.

Meta Knight pulled up Kirby as they rushed for the door. More and more blocks came their way. Those that meta knight didn't slice in half, we're inhaled and exhaled by Kirby at the other blocks.

They made it through the hallway and the doors. What awaited them would be what they sought. The two thieves who stole from the ship. One a devious pink, the other a dastardly blue. The duo turned around and hovered over Kirby and Meta Knight, as their tiny bodies carrying the sack of stolen goods taunted them.

"You know," said the pink one, her bow fluttering with every movement she made, "I was hoping we would be able to ride out the storm here and wait until morning to deliver these."

"But it looks like that'll have to wait." The blue one stated. "Are you the Kirby guy the client mentioned?" He pointed to Meta Knight.

"No, I am Meta Knight. Warrior of Popstar and protector of the innocent.  The child beside me is Kirby."

The blue one chuckled. "You mean the guy beside you? The kid? Ahahahaha."

"Why do you laugh villain?" Meta Knight was not thrilled.

"Because our adult client is scared of a toddler." Both floating orbs laughed in unison.

"Who is this client? Who do you two work for? Who are you?" The knight was furious.

"Well..." The feminine orb started.

"We are Lololo and Lalala." They danced in unison. "We are employees of N.M.E."

"You're stealing all the food?" Kirby asked angrily.

"Not us." Stated Lololo.

"Our Client." Stated Lalala.

Lololo started. "And we can't tell you who that is because-"

"We are under contract." Lalala winked.

"Contract or not you won't get away with your crimes!" Meta Knight barked.

"Oh yes, we will. We're gonna make a fortune when we finish this job!" Lololo rubbed their mitts and crossed their eyes villainously.

"We might just buy this whole castle when we're done delivering this stuff!" Stated Lalala

"Yeah! We'll call it," Lololo waved their paw across the air, "Castle Lololo!"

"I like Castle Lalala better." Lalala put her hands on her hips.

All of a sudden, a bullet of green emerald spat at them and smashed against the ceiling.

"There will be no castle for either of you!" Meta Knight leaped towards the two yet failed to catch either of them. Kirby tried to do the same but to no avail.

"Bwing back the food!"

"If you want it-"

"Then you'll just have to take it from us!"

Lololo and Lalala flew into the air and summoned piles upon piles of emerald blocks into their paws, and tossed them at the two puffs. As they did they flew in and out of different doors connected to the big room. Even though they were able to dodge the onslaughts, Kirby and Meta Knight had trouble keeping up with the massive amount thrown their way.

"Let's spice things up a little, huh Lalala?"

"You got it!"

Lalala summoned a giant Gordo into her paws and threw it down the room. Kirby and Meta Knight jumped back in surprise.

"We have to pick up our pace, Kirby!"

"Oh just try it old man!"

Lololo mocked the knight and tossed a Gordo of his own. Now both Lololo and Lalala were tossing sharp objects onto the puffs at rapid speeds, showing no signs of stopping. The needles of the Gordos punctured the floors, and those that broke off the body shot fast to the wall. Lololo and Lalala mocked their opponents as they disappeared in and out of different doors. Meta Knight and Kirby took opposite sides of the room, nodding in agreement, yet that didn't help. They couldn't keep up.

Lalala made a snide remark. Both her and Lololo were getting tired. "Gee you guys are persistent."

She decided that just plain spikes weren't enough. She turned to Lololo, the two summoned one large rouge block at Kirby, burning on the inside with fire most bright. Once they tossed it they disappeared to the castle roof, blocked by a steel door.

Kirby naturally inhaled the block and transformed into Fire Kirby.

"Amazing..." Meta Knight stated.

"Kirby!"

The puff glanced over in response.

"Aim the fire at my blade."

Kirby closed their eyes and did as they were told. The flames danced around the golden Galaxia as it was now powered by a raging force. Meta knight aimed the sword against the ground as it propped him quickly to the other side of the room where Kirby was. He held out his paw.

"Hold on, we're going to catch them."

"Kirby shook Meta Knight's hand as they were blasted through the steel door the villainous duo escaped through. The shock of their entry supposed Lololo and Lalala.

"At least one of you is supposed to be dust," Lalala stated.

"Yeah-Woah!"

Lololo was shot off-balance, which resulted in Lalala plummeting to the floor with the bag.

Lololo went to retrieve his partner in crime, but the second he reached his hand out he was stopped by the shine of Meta Knight's blade.

"You two are despicable."

"L-look man, we're only doing our job." Lololo shook in fear.

"I understand that. I also understand that you tried to kill us and aided in a national crime." Meta Knight's deep voice pierced the duo's souls.

"We-we're sorry."

Kirby put a paw on Meta Knight, signaling to let them go. Meta Knight obliged and put his blade down. A sigh of relief passed the two.

"Had it not been for Kirby I would have shown you no mercy. I have no respect for your business." Meta Knight stated.

"Go home," Kirby commanded in a soft pleading voice, "please..."

"Well, we're not going back to our client." Stated Lololo.

"But we aren't going home empty-handed either," Lalala exclaimed.

Lalala dragged Lololo into the air and held out the stolen blueprints from Meta Knight's desk.

"My work!"

The duo blew raspberries at Meta Knight and Kirby, then departed for the sky. Flying so high they reached the moon.

"We did it." Kirby cheered as they headed over to the sack.

"That we did." Meta Knight sighed and joined Kirby as they hauled the bag onto their backs and made their way back down the castle. The ship was waiting for them at the bottom.

Chapter Text

The crewmembers hooted and hollered at Kirby and Meta Knight's triumphant return. Bag in their paws the two hopped onto the deck and dimpled their bag of goodies onto the wooden planks.

Bit by bit, ice cream, candies, and other sweet treats spilled out from the sack. All but two things. The blueprints from the study desk, and the sparkling star.

"W-what!" The knights anxiously looked at each other.

"No...No!" Tiff rummaged through the bag viciously. "It's got to be here somewhere."

"Not there? But it has to be there." Kirby jumped.

Sword and Blade joined the search party in the bag, they came out with nothing.

"There's...Sir, there's..."

"Ain't nothing there Sir."

Tiff's breath grew more heavy and fast-paced. Was it really gone? No. She had waited so long and Kirby had done so much and they had all done so much and...

"It's ok, Tiff." Bandee put a reassuring paw on her shoulder, at least he tried to.

"We can just stop Dyna Blade another way."

"THIS ISN'T ABOUT DYNA BLADE IT'S ABOUT TUFF!" She shouted. "MY BROTHER WAS TAKEN FROM ME BECAUSE OF MY CARELESSNESS! IMAGINE IF YOUR SISTER GOT SNATCHED FROM YOU BY SOME BIG DUMB STUPID BIRD! HOW WOULD YOU FEEL? LIKE THERE WAS JUST SOME OTHER WAY TO FIX THINGS? IT'S PROBABLY TO LATE HE'S PROBABLY..." she paused and stiffed in her shaking state.

"I-I'm sorry..."

Tiff snapped so hard at Bandee she put herself to tears. Tiff ran to the deck, the flip of her ponytail blocking her tears from other's view.

A heavy hurt falls upon the ship. Sailor tried to approach Tiff as did Kirby, Bandee, and Meta Knight.

"Tuff...I can't..." her sobs grew louder.

"Tiff, I am sorry." Meta Knight stated a tone of sadness and that of a burden he took partial responsibility for. Had he given them the sparkling star ahead of time instead of carelessly leaving it on the desk, this would not be happening.

Kirby knew their friend was hurt, and hurt. It was very hard to watch her cry. They just couldn't stand it anymore. They called down the warp star, picked up their crying friend and some candies, flying off into the dawning sky and onto the mountain peaks on which the magnificent rays hit.

"Kirby, what are you doing?" She shouted.

Kirby didn't answer, they just kept on riding.

"Kirby!" Tiff fixed herself on the star. "We can't reason with Dyna Blade. She's too desperate and violent. She's hungry and we have nothing! The candy won't help!"

"Yes, it can!"

"No, it can't Kirby you have to turn-" Tiff's eyes widened. "KIRBY LOOK OUT!"

From straight ahead, the intimidating silhouette of Dyna Blade swooped in front of them. They ducked under the trajectory of the foul fowl but Dyna Blade swooped right back to snatch them. Every time they evaded Dyna Blade they were repeatedly targeted. Yet Kirby kept speeding up the ride to her nest. Never stopping, very determined.

"KIRBY TURN THIS STAR AROUND NOWAAAAAH!"

Dyna Blade had struck them. She had thrown her dagger wings at the moving warp star and hit one of the edges, putting significant weight on it.

The warp star tried to shake the steel wing off but couldn't manage. It pulled the star down to the land at a rapid pace, from such a high place that surely no one could survive the drop without a parachute. Kirby and Tiff managed to remove the wing from the star, but it only made things worse as it started flinging around like a fish out of water trying to desperately make it back to sea. Tiff was tossed to the edge of the star in this reckless thrilling. She held on to the edge of the star because her life depended on it. her fingers slipping off each second. Kirby held on for as long as they could, struggling to save their friend.

"I got you. I got you." They proclaimed.

Tiff didn't think she only screamed. She didn't want to look down. However, looking or not she slipped from Kirby's grasp and down was the only place she could go. Down down down to the rocky mountains below.

Kirby panicked but they knew what they had to do. They ducked in the sharp feather and ditched the warp star.

Tiff was spinning so much that she couldn't see which direction was up. Left, down, or right anymore, but she knew she was going in at least one of them. All of a sudden Kirby grabbed onto her ponytail, which kind of hurt, and suspended in the air as they flapped their copied wings. They were now wing Kirby, donning a feathery hat along with it.

Tiff was still panicking, but she held onto the puff for dear life.

"I got you!" Stated Kirby.

Dyna Blade was relentless though. No matter where they were she charged at them with the determination of a thousand starving wolves. The kids were her prey, she would make sure of it. They would feed her babies.

"We can't out-fly her, we have to land!"

"No!"

"Kirby even the Birdon say this is the most dangerous thing to be doing. We should come back, Flyhi has a plane we could use."

"We have to help." Kirby struggled. "That's the right thing."

Tiff thought of Tuff, how she couldn't wait another day. She realized Kirby was right.

"Ok, but you better think of an idea fast because she's coming this way. Or she'll take us there in lifeless states-"

"Dyna Bwade can take us!"

"Kirby...Kirby WAIT NO!"

Kirby tossed Tiff at Dyna Blade, she fell onto the mother bird's back. At least that part of her was fluffy. Kirby then thrust themself at the big bird who lunged for the pink puff with their sharp beak.

Dyna Blade had caught her dinner, but more importantly, dinner for her children.

The bird finally landed on her nest and spat the pink puff at the nest of chicks. Well, three chicks, and a brother of Tiff.

"Oh hey, Kirby? Did the bird lady think you were her baby too?"

"TUFF!"

Tiff bounced off of Dyna Blade's back and into the nest. She hugged her brother so tight as if he came home from war.

"I thought I lost you. I'm so sorry."

"But I'm fine. I'll tell ya though. That bird is pretty scary. Hey Kirby do ya wanna meet my new friends?" Tiff said pointing to the incredibly fluffy chicks beside them, a soft contrast from the stone-hard mother that was now looming over them.

The three outsiders gulped and prepared for their last breath. Tiff hugged Kirby and Tiff tightly, protecting them as much as she could. The chicks looked at their mother, starving. Bright light becomes the presence of Dyna Blade behind the terrifying scene.

A rainbow light shone and blinded the fowl and fearful. So blinding, that it was a good minor before Tiff, Tuff, and Kirby realized it was their friend, Bandee. Holding none other than a sparkling star.

"Leave them alone you big scary chicken!"

Dyna Blade squawked at the waddle dee. Her long neck lunged for the star but was thrust backward by sheer power alone.

"Bandee!" Screamed the three in the nest.

"If you want something to eat, then how about some of these apples?"

Bandee pushed the star into the mountain dirt. The sheer force of the star alone was enough to blow everyone away. And yet, through all that raging light, a fruit-bearing Whispy tree grew tall from the ground. After which, the chaos seemed to subside. Dyna Blade had been tossed onto her side. Letting the three non-birds escape.

Tiff and Bandee hugged.

"The sparkling star! You found it! But where?"

"I...had it." Bandee rubbed the back of his head in shame.

"You had it? Oh! You hid it from Lololo and Lalala. Your the best Bandee."

"Hehe...thanks...Is Tuff ok?"

"Oh, I'm fine. Just tired of being treated like a baby." The green-tipped boy scoffed.

"How did you even get up here, Bandee?" Tiff asked.

Flyhi came beaming from behind the dee.

"I picked him up of course. I was looking for you and the other pink ball, but he said you guys already left. He was so insistent on following you guys, so I gave him a ride. We watched you guys almost fall, pretty scary stuff. Hey, what's that puffy doing over there?"

Kirby was pushing the nest of chicks towards the tree.

"Kirby leave them be!" Tiff commanded. Yet Kirby didn't listen and made the nest secure under the apple tree, where apples fell onto the baby birds. Their bellies would at least be filled for now.

"Well, at least they're fed." She said tiredly.

"Yeah, and Dyna Blade won't try to kill us anymore. Least till next year." Flyhi stated.

"She can't live off of a diet of apples forever though, can she? What about her babies?"

"Like I said, till next year. At least they're getting along with Kirby now."

That was true. Kirby had been petting the tired Dyna Blade, motioning to her chicks.

"See. It's ok now. You won't be hungry anymore."

Dyna Blade softly squeaked.

"If you want help, I can hewlp you teach the birdies to fly." Kirby giggled.

"That sounds fun Kirby, but I think Dyna Blade would like some rest now," Tiff stated.

"Okie." Kirby bounced back to their friends as they departed into Flyhi's airplane.

Looking back, Kirby could feel peace knowing that Dyna Blade and her babies would have something to eat. For now at least. The Birdon would also be getting a slanderous among of trees too. After that was done, they would all go home and take a well-deserved rest. Right?

Chapter Text

"It's him!"

The mass of onlookers in Pupupu town had set their glaring gazes onto the pink puff, who had only just returned to town.

"That's the one y'all are looking for!"

"King Dedede, what's going on?" Tiff demanded.

"I'll tell ya what's going on girly. That pink menace right there has been doing wrong this whole time!"

The crowd discussed angrily amongst themselves.

"What are you talking about, Dedede? Kirby's cool." Tuff stated.

"I just told ya didn't I?" King Dedede stomped over to the children. Bandee shook.

"This little gumball here-" King Dedede snatched Kirby up and held them for all to see "-is the guy that's stealing all your food!"

The crowd argued and shouted slander at Kirby's name.

"King Dedede that's ludicrous! What are you even saying?" Tiff pushed and waved her arms.

Escargoon slithered up behind the king.

"His Highness saying that Kirby has been eating your food this whole time." Dispute his usual entitled tone, Escargoon wasn't too sure of it this time.

"But Kirby is a good guy. They saved me!" Tuff screamed.

"Kirby has only helped Dream Land! This is ridiculous! King Dedede this is insane they're just a baby!" Tiff jumped and reached for Kirby in King Dedede's mitt but was too short. Escargoon pulled her away.

The snail looked at the King. "Sire are you sure about this?"

"I ain't been more sure about anything in my life." His lack of sleepful nights had shone most prominently in his bloodshot eyes and dark bags.

Tiff and Tuff's parents suddenly appeared from the sides and swept their children away.

"Come on children, let's get away from Kirby." Sir Ebrum said sadly.

"I don't want either of you getting eaten too."

"You too mom?" Tiff and Tuff struggled to get away from their parent's grip.

As they were pulled away, Tiff shouted at Bandee.

"They're innocent. Kirby didn't steal your food they're innocent! Tell them Bandee."

"I..." Bandee reached out a slow paw to Tiff.

"Incoent ain't the word for it. I know this little brat ate all your food, and I got a witness!" King Dedede hollered at the masses.

A witness. They all looked to themselves. Who would be a witness brave enough to be close to Kirby, the pink food devouring devil?

"Oh no..." Bandee knew what was coming.

"This little guy right here!" The King pointed to Bandee.

"WHAT?" Tiff shouted. "Bandee?"

"He and I both saw Kirby eat your food that night. Going around to all the houses and gobbling up all your leftovers! After that, they ate all them apples and ate all Dyna Blade's food! Kirby is why all of y'all are hungry!"

Kirby squirmed in King Dedede's grip just enough to see Chanel PPP poi bring a camera at him.

"No! No! Pwease! I try to hewlp you! I didn't-"

"Awww." King Dedede mocked. "Gourmet fame get to you, little boy?"

Kirby cried in King Dedede's grip rich only got tighter.

"Pwease! Let me go!"

"Oh, I'll let you go alright. I'll let ya go far away!"

The fiery red king tossed Kirby up into the air and whipped out his mighty hammer, which was now significantly upgraded. Its might steel and sparkling aesthetic slammed Kirby on the back of their head and flung them miles away from the town.

"KIRBY!" Tiff started to cry. "Kirby...Bandee, say something!"

Oh, but it was too late. King Dedede had blocked Tiff from his view. The dee shed a tear.

"Don't be sad now lil bandana boy. The monster is gone. And you-"

"Wanyah!" The King scooped Bandee onto his shoulder.

"Will be given a medal of honor and a sum of cash for that bakery of yours. Everybody hear it up for this little guy here!"

"Ban-dee! Ban-dee! Ban-dee!"

Even his sister and mothers were cheering for their boy. Tiff on the other hand was frustrated. She was confused, angry, and sad, and Bandee could see it. It broke his heart.

"Now! I'm hosting a little celebration now that that pink menace is gone for good, and EVERYONE is invited!"

Applause of whistles and cheers arose from the town. Their nightmare had been solved. It was over, and they were getting a party.

He got his recognition. His fame. His popularity. His seat at the royal dinner table. But was it worth it?

/////////////////

That night as preparations for the grand celebration were underway, Bandee decided to take a stroll. It was peaceful and quiet, he thought so himself. Thoughts were all he had now. So many thoughts and so many regrets. He sighed as the wind blew crisp and loud enough to drown out some of these thoughts.

"You..."

A whimpering, irritated voice, like one that is trying not to cry, emerged from behind. Bandee turned to face.

"Sailor?"

"YOU!"

Sailor immediately attacked Bandee with saddened rage. In their cries, you could hear the tear of their own heart.

"I trusted you! We all did! You were our friend how could you do this! You rotten-"

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Stop!"

Sailor backed off. The bruises they made with the umbrella they gripped so tightly were some of the nastiest bruises Bandee has ever felt. Good, Sailor thought.

"I..." what was there for Bandee to say as they lie there, facing their betrayed friend. "I'm sorry."

"You're sorry? YOU'RE SORRY?" They struck him again.

"Ow!"

"We're you sorry when you stole from us? Or were you sorry when you let us believe that our sparkling star was stolen when you had it the whole time and you weren't even planning on giving it back to us? Did you give it to Dedede huh? Did you give the other one to him too? I bet you even saw the first crime!"

Sailor's snot and tears dripped down in fury on their rouge face.

"H-how?"

"You left this on the boat."

Sailor tossed down Bandee's cell phone and jabbed it with their umbrella, shattering it.

What was there to say now? "Sailor...Sailor, I'm sorry I just-"

"Sorry isn't gonna cut it anymore, and neither are your stupid excuses!"

They grabbed Bandee by the cheek and dragged them to the docks. With all their might Sailor tossed Bandee into the ocean with a loud splash.

They whipped their tears away, but they only came back. Sailor barked at the water.

"Why don't you make up some excuse for this while you're at it."

As Sailor stopped away, Bandee emerged from the thrashing bay waters. When he arose onto the docks he looked at the fading dee and cried.

Bandee had lost all of his friends that day.

Chapter Text

"Tuff agh! Help me break this stupid window lock."

Tiff was fiddling with the safety like her parents placed onto the window of their castle room. Tiff sat on the couch, watching the sad news.

"You can't just sit down and watch TV with me?"

Tiff glared at her brother, shocked.

"Are you kidding me? Kirby is out there right now. Scared, alone, and most importantly, a baby. They can't survive by themself. We need to help them. Agh!" She threw her hands up and stomped over to the couch. "I hate this. This shouldn't be happening."

"Hey don't get mad at me for it. If anyone feet mad at Bandee. Look!"

The TV was Chanel PPP coverage. An interview with the King and Bandee was taking place. Asking them about their bravery.

As much as Tiff wanted to be angry at Bandee, she couldn't. She couldn't get mad at her best friend. He had done something horribly wrong he's, but something was off about him. She knew it for a while. That something was forcing all of her anger away from the dee and onto the Dedede. It clicked for her now. Those red eyes and snide personality. The conviction of innocent lives. The refusal to act.

"Oh my God! Tuff, it's Dedede!"

"Y-yeah he's on the TV."

"No! Not on the TV." She shook her brother. "Dedede stole all of the food in Dream Land! He did it!"

"Waaah." Tuff was a bit discombobulated. " What makes you so sure?" A good question. How was she so sure.

"He did it. He had to I know it!"

"Ok...but how are you going to tell anyone. We're locked in and everyone thinks it's Kirby."

"I..." Tiff paused. "I'm gonna break it."

"Huh?"

Without a second thought, Tiff took hold of some bandages, wrapped them around her fingers, and blew a hole into the window. Glass shattered and fell onto the floor.

Tiff wasted no time grabbing her phone.

"Why did you do that? Now Mom and Dad are gonna ground us."

"Tuff, remember when we started the expedition, and I put a signal for the warp star into Kirby's cell phone. Well..."

With the press of a button, the golden star flew down to window level. Tiff hopped on and made one final message to her brother.

"If Mom and Dad ask, tell them I went out."

Tiff then flew off into the country, searching for any signs of a pink puff.

////////////////

It was cold. Cold and dark. Kirby had made their new home in an area no one would likely find them in. They could curl up and be alone, surrounded by the thick purple fauna and water. Although it did make them a little sick.

Kirby pulled a leaf from one of the trees and laid it down. They sat in it for a while, looking up at the dawning sky, illuminating the area with a pink glow, like Kirby.

They thought about home. Not Dream Land though. Home home. The home where Kirby was from. They could barely remember it.

"Lost in thought all alone I see." A melodic voice came from the shadows as the slashing of a golden sword paved way for his entrance.

"A poor place put yourself."

"Meta Kni!" Kirby pipped, their eyes watery.

"Yes, it is I." He took a seat next to Kirby.

"You're here? Don't you hate me too?"

"Hate you? Why would I hate you?" He patted the puff's head. "We are just like each other. We have to stick together, right?"

Kirby sniffled and softly sobbed. Meta Knight comforted the puff as best he could. It was a shame how horrible they had been treated by that horrible monarch. What a shame indeed.

"I-I-I wanna go home."

"You want to go home?"

"I wa-wanna go home!"

Meta Knight handed Kirby his cape to cry in, although a little uncomfortable when they blew their nose into it. Their sobs were muffled under the soft blue fabric.

Meta Knight's eyes turned a sorrowful blue. "Can you tell me about home?" He asked curiously.

"H-home?"

"Yes home."

"Well..." Kirby sniffled. "I don't wemember much. It was warm and soft. A pwetty sky..."

"Why did you leave? It seems very nice and peaceful."

Kirby paused. "I had no fwiends."

"Ah. I see."

"All my fwiends hate me now. I wanna go home. If I have no fwiends at home they won't hate me."

Kirby pouted as Meta Knight spoke.

"When I arrived here I didn't have any friends either."

"You didn't?"

"No. I was alone. Until I met the Meta knights."

"But you still have fwiends." A tear rolled down their pink cheek. "I didn't even do anything wrong."

"You still have friends."

"Who?"

"You have many friends. I know you do."

"They hate me."

"No, they don't. Do I hate you?"

Kirby paused. "Yes?"

This remark made Meta Knight laugh a little. "No, I don't. I don't hate you."

"I told you I wanted to help you. I still do. We are friends after all." The knight stated.

Kirby hugged Meta Knight as they both got to their feet.

"Thank you..."

Meta Knight's eyes flashed a deep yellow. "Any time."

At that instant, a call for Kirby came from the fluorescent sky.

"Kirby! Kirby!"

Tiff had been searching for what felt like three hours on the warp star. While Kirby was nervous about calling out to Tiff, Meta Knight was not.

"Down here!"

Tiff halted the star and looked down to see the two puffs looking back at her. In no time she crashed the star onto the purple soil below. She Immediately sprouted up and tackled Kirby into a great hug.

"Kirby! Oh, thank goodness you're ok!"

Kirby giggled. "Ehehe. I'm okay. How are you?"

"Not good. I'm kind of angry, but not at you. It's Dedede."

"The food thief that put his country in fright." Meta Knight stated.

"Yes. It's him. I don't have any evidence but I can feel it. He's been too suspicious lately. His upgraded sparkling hammer, his lack of action, everything it's just-"

"Well, it may please and sadden you that you are correct. My crew was made aware by a cellphone left on our boat that King Dedede had committed the crime."

"But what do we do?" Asked Kirby.

Meta Knight began to stroll away.  "My team and I have devised a plan," he said, "a plan to take back the stolen food and expose his Royal Highness. There is evidence to believe he is storing his leftovers. Will you two be willing to help us?"

"Yes. Absolutely."

"Yessie Sir!"

"Very well. I thank you two for your bravery. We shall strike tonight at the king's celebration." 

Chapter Text

"So here's the plan." Tiff spread a sheet out on the ground as Meta Knight held the Galaxia to it, illuminating it in the moonlight. "Sailor, Meta Knight, Captain Vul and I will enter normally. As the adults talk to guests, Sailor and I will get into a fake fight, prompting Meta Knight to break us apart. Sailor will then move upstairs to and rejoin with Kirby, who will enter through the deck with Sword and Blade on their warp star undetected. Sword and Blade will search upstairs, while Sailor and Kirby search the basement."

"All the while Axe, Mace, Trident, and Javelin patrol the castle exterior." Meta Knight chimed in.

"What exactly are we looking for again?" Sword asked.

"We're looking for a storage of any kind that contains the stolen food of Dream Land," Tiff stated.

"Once we find it, we return it to the people where it rightfully belongs." Tiff rolled up the paper.

Kirby called their warp star down and his it behind them. They gave Tiff a look that says 'I'm ready.' Everyone else followed suit.

"Let's do this." Axe promoted. Everyone nodded and followed the plan as planned.

Tiff, Meta Knight, Captain Vul, and Sailor all strolled in wearing their best atire. Proper for a party and efficient for a raid.

Lady Like and Sir Ebrum promptly stostomped to their daughter, scolding her for leaving without permission. Meta Knight assured them that she was fine and that there was nothing to worry about. To advance with the plan, Captain Vul distracted Tiff's parents as she and Sailor made their way to the snack bar, which was lackluster at best.

"You seem...pretty down Sailor. Do you want to talk-"

"No."

"Oh." Tiff glanced down in guilt. "Listen-"

"I get that you didn't know, but I'm still upset. You may not be all that mad but I am. I'm just..." They sighed and poured themself a small glass of punch. Not like there was much to pour anyway. "I don't want to be here. It makes me angry."

"I get that," Tiff stated.

"No, you don't. You live here. Your home doesn't make you angry. It makes you happy. You're comfortable here. Your home doesn't make you fear for everyone else." Sailor stated down at their glass. "I hate it here."

Tiff grew a lump in her throat at this comment. She wanted to let out a remark but knew that 1) she had to act on for the plan, and 2) she understood what Sailor was getting at.  Although Tiff felt it a little rude that they would insult her home in the first place. As her father taught her "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say it at all and gossip about it later to a friend."

Escargoon strolled up to the snack bar by Tiff and Sailor. The slug donned a fancy monocle, checkered top hat, and suit. His whiskers were perfectly trimmed and he presented himself with a stride in each slither.

"Well well, what do we have here?"

Tiff tried to play it off while Sailor stayed silent and just glared.

"Hello, Escargoon," Tiff said with a lack of enthusiasm. "Where's Dedede?

"He's preparing. What's your problem?"

"We're not feeling too good right now."

"Well then get your mits off the snack table."

The two kids removed themselves from the area as Escargoon kept watch over it.

"It's not like there's much of one anyway!" Sailor proclaimed.

"Oh, what are you doing here? Causing trouble? I bet you're here to accuse the king of slander. Speaking of you, where's the bandana dee?"

"We're not friends anymore." Sailor spoke with a little whine someone does when holding back tears.

"Oh. Well that's a shame. Can't say I blame you completely though."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Asked Tiff.

"Well he and the Great King Dedede did rat out Kirby. Proving that all along the hungry alien was the one who stole Dream Land's food." Escargoon turned to not face them and whispered to himself. "Although I really do question why he would put blame on the kid. That was kind of a poor choice-AGH!"

Sailor Dee had jumped Escargoon and proceeded to beat him to a pulp, ripping his whiskers and hitting him with their umbrella. As the slug tried to defend himself, Meta Knight rushed on scene to pry them appart.

"Oof! Keep your employee in check, Sir Meta Knight." Escargoon mocked the orb's title.

"Appologies. Will do."

"Sailor, why dont you go wash off upstairs, your hat looks a mess." Sailor agreed begrudgingly.

Escargoon slithered away, angrily fixing himself. Tiff met up with her brother and Meta Knight motioned Sailor to the stairwell.

"You were supposed to fight Tiff."

"I would rather shatter glass on the snail."

"I understand your anger, but do not get carried away, less you fall into a harmful attitude. Now go."

Sailor rejoined upstairs with Kirby, Sword, and Blade. Kirby cheered as Sailor came into view but was ordered to hush as someone could hear.

"Sowwy." They said.

"Sword. Blade."

"Good to go Sailor."

"Alright. Kirby let's go."

"Oy you alroight Sailor."

"No. Let's just get this thing over with."

Sword and Blade were left a bit worried for their friend and college as they were left to their devises upstairs.

Kirby and Sailor made their way to the basement.

"Ooh. It's quiet down here." Kirby stated.

"You're getting better at talking." Sailor said. "Keep it up and you'll be speaking full metaphors like Meta Knight.

"You think so?"

"Trust me, you're more alike then you might think."

They finally made it down to the cellar. Cold and dark hallways without light only guided them forward with echoes of crawling spiders and creaking cell bars. A cold breeze beckoned them further down.

Kirby turned to racks beside them with bottles.

"Lookie! Its juice. We're close." The pink puff took a wine bottle out of its cozy placeholder and tried to open it.

"Kirby no. Don't touch those you can't have...huh?"

Sailor felt an out of place breeze coming from the wine cubboard. They waddled over and passed through a hole. Their peering bronze eye lit up at the frigid room they saw before them. A room with littered with rinds, and in the center lay a giant safe with King Dedede's insignia.

"Kirby there it Is! You found it. Its in a safe behind this wall. But how do we get to it?"

Kirby jumped and started meddling with the bottles as they rapidly took them out of their places.

"What if we take them all out nicley? And then that thingy over there." Kirby pointed to a wall mounted axe that Sailor removed from its place.

"And I eat it." As Kirby did, becoming Axe Kirby and donning a similar helmet to Axe Knight.

As the axe formed in Kirby's hand they bashed it against the wall as it broke into pieces. The secret entrance revealed itself. There was a combination or pattern they could have made with the bottles but that was to boring.

The two determined kids shivered at their surroundings. All across the room were banana peels, watermelon rinds, pineapple leaves, cherries, apples, empty frozen meal packages, and star candies.

In the middle stood a safe, but not just any ordinary safe. It was a shiny red safe with an unlocked padlock and a door handle. That same frigid wind came from the inside. A refrigerator to keep the food cold, Kirby thought.

Kirby made no wasted time and tried to open the ice box. To their surprise though the contents were a little less what they expected. Kirby thought that Dedede must have ate all the food because the fridge was completely empty. 

"Huh?" Sailor questioned before a large dark figure shoved both they and Kirby into the fridge. The door slammed shut as the two tried to push their way out. Their attempts were halted as they heard the padlock click shut.

"What is this? Let us out you monster!"

"Let us out! Let us out!"

A restless growl disguised as a chuckle came through the other side of the door.

"DEDEDE YOU CROOK LET US OUT NOW!"

Kirby bagged on the door as Sailor screamed to no awnsers.

"I gotcha. You little stupid baby thing. I gotcha!"

"What are you tawking about?" Cried the puff.

"You ugly little pipsqueak. You've tormented me for the last time. I'm gonna put an end to you tonight and there ain't nothing you can do about it. I got all I want. My cakes. My kingdom. My crown. I got it all and you won't take it away from me!"

King Dedede's eyes were almost all white. His pupils so small you could mistake them for the dot on the letter 'i.' The top half of his face was blackened by sleep deprivation and his feathers were disheveled.

"You've had it for me since day one didn't you? You always wanted me to fail. You and your ugly little pink self. That's what you did at the race didn't ya? You showed the world that you were better then me? Well you ain't. You ain't better. I'll show ya. I'll kill ya if I have to. You'll never give me nightmares again!"

"No! No you're wrong. I don't want to hurt you!" Kirby cried from the other side.

"DEDEDE YOU MONSTER. ALL THIS OVER SOME STUPID RACE ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"

Sailor started kicking and pounting the locked fridge door as did Kirby. The puff pleading that they were good guys but no one was there to listen. They were alone in the cellar. King Dedede had left to finish his preperations for something. Whatever it was it wouldn't help Sailor and Kirby. They were going to be stick for a while. Where no one could hear them scream or cry.

Except for one. One who felt a boiling rage and frustration so hot it rivaled the sun. King Dedede would not get away this time. He would not win.

Chapter Text

"Hewwo! Hewwo! Is anybody there? Pwease let us out." Kirby banged on the door.

Sailor shouted cries of war as they ran up to the door and jabbed their umbrella into it, only to produce no results.

"This is ridiculous." Sailor huffed as they pried their umbrella from the icy door.

"Too bad there's no spicy things. I could eat them and make a big fire." Kirby squeaked.

"It wouldn't matter if there was or wasn't a fire. We're not getting out of here. Not for hours when we might already be dead."

"Don't say that."

"It's true, Kirby. Dedede wants you dead. We might die in here." Sailor huffed. "What a bastard."

"Hey! don't say that. That's mean."

"It's true, Kirby!" Sailor snapped but then turned in regret when they saw Kirby's startled expression. "He's a bad guy."

Kirby waddled up to Sailor and placed a pink paw on their own. Sailor softly took it.

"Kirby, you've been a great friend. What you did for Dream Land was brave and good, but it's a good-for-nothing place full of good-for-nothing people who are just so lazy. I'm sorry for yelling at you."

"You say that like a goodbye." Kirby's expression grew sadder.

"It's because it is. When this is all over, whether we get out of here or not, I'm leaving Dream Land."

"Oh...ok..." Kirby shed a tear prompting Sailor to hug the puff so tight their bones almost broke.

"I'm sorry Kirby. Don't cry. Please don't cry."

"Are we still fwiends?" Kirby asked.

Sailor looked at the puff with a smile. That smile quickly turned to surprise when the fridge started moving. Its sudden jerk up tripped the two kids.

"Hey! Who is that?" Sailor asked.

The ride was long, bumpy, and cold, but there were no responses. No answers to the cries for help from the contents inside.

Eventually, the movement stopped and the fridge was dropped to the floor. A muffled announcer voice from the other side could be heard. Along with...an audience?"

"Ladees, Gentlecappies, and all in between, welcome to the main event. An action-packed clobber fest brought to you by the dazzling, delightful, destructive, King Dedede!"

The crowd cheered on the other side of the door.

"Oh no. That doesn't sound good." Kirby stated.

"I don't like it one bit." Sailor stated.

The announcer spoke again. "Armed with his state-of-the-art "sparkling star hammer!"

"His what?" Sailor asked before the fridge was bashed in. The icebox went flying through the air, crashing to the ground and spilling its contents onto the floor. Or rather, the ring. A huge boxing ring with no ropes.

Sailor Dee fell out of the ring while Kirby remained on its patting. As both children attempted to approach each other they were halted by the spontaneously appearing electric fence.

"Kirby?"

"Po...what?"

Sailor noticed a shadow cast behind Kirby.

"Kirby look out!"

The puff dogged as the fridge came hurling towards them and colored with the electric fence, sizzling upon contact. Kirby turned around to see the dastardly villain. Masked and armed with a weapon defiantly lethal. King Dedede was ready to kill.

The King chuckled sickeningly and bashed the burnt refrigerated to the side. There was no escape. Even above the electric net caged them both. They couldn't run, though they probably wouldn't have.

"Hey, there little fella." King Dedede grabbed the pink puff and held them to eye level. Through his masked horns of gold, Kirby could see a man tormented by jealousy and greed.

"Welcome to Dream Land."

King Dedede let go of Kirby for a split second, only to hit them with the glistening hammer. He strolled to the bruised puff.

"You like this kid? This and my mask have those little sparkling stars in em. All thanks to you and your friends, and mine of course." Another bash to the face.

"The whole country is here to watch the evil Kirby get clobbered by the magnificent Great King Dedede."

Bash!

"You made a mistake coming to my kingdom. You made a lot of mistakes not that I think about it. Starting with trying to take my crown."

Boom! Into the electric fence. Cheating erupted.

"Nobody likes you kid."

Badoom! More applause.

"Everybody hates you after what you did! Why you're so evil, it's probably why your parents kicked you off whatever planet you came from!"

Ouch! Emotional damage on top of a roaring audience.

"So why don't you do Everyone a little favor pipsqueak," The King leaned down to Kirby's limping puffball body and raised his hammer for a final blow. Second, by second the sparkling hammer illuminated itself and allowed its interior mechanisms to be viewed. Filled by the sparkling stars, its power output equals that of the brightest nebula. Just the sight caused pain to the average onlooker.

King Dedede growled at the devastated puff.

"And get lost!"

Kirby closed their eyes, waiting for the king's blow. Then suddenly the electricity shut out. King Dedede withdrew his fire as a spotlight shown across the arena.

Bandee and Tiff stood strong. Tiff with a microphone, Bandee with a hammer, and unplugged electrical chords.

The audience gasped up at the two as did King Dedede, who let out a whiny complaint.

"Fwiends..." Kirby whispered. A shimmer of hope shone in their stary eyes.

"You've all been fooled," Tiff stated. "Kirby is not your enemy. The true villain of this story is right there!" She pointed at King Dedede. Large gasps erupted.

"King Dedede was the one who stole your food. Not Kirby. Kirby has helped you all this entire time. They were the one who saved Whispy Woods and brought Apple trees to Pupupu town. They were the one who chased after the thieves that stole from Meta Knight. They made the sudden decision that waiting time was over and flew to save my brother. Not just saving him, but saving so many other people. The forest, the Birdon, even Dyna Blade, and her chicks." She and Bandee smiled at Kirby as Bandee spoke into the mic.

"Kirby Is a hero." He stated. "Dedede, I'm sorry, but this is one amazing achievement you won't have under your robe. I won't stand for it like I've stood for everything else you've done. Kirby!"

As Bandee threw the hammer at Kirby, both he and Tiff shouted at Kirby.

"Suck it up!"

Kirby nodded and copied the hammer, becoming hammer Kirby. The audience switched gears and cheered for their pink friend. Bandee powered the electricity once more.

King Dedede became pissed. His expression grew strained under his mask as he lost control of himself. The audience cheered for Kirby. No! No no NO! This was just like his nightmares. Exactly like them. This wasn't happening! NO!

The enraged king lunged at Kirby, only for them to dodge and whack them with their weapon. Their mask cracked more and more as they were hit multiple times with the same blunt force.

The King swung back at the puff, who ducked with ease as swung at his feet, tripping him to the ground. Dedede tried to counter with his fists. Even down low it was useless to land a hit. Kirby landed another blow to the back of King Dedede's head.

This wasn't happening. It couldn't.

"You son of a-"

"Don't cuss!"

Bash!

"Ouch!"

Applause and whistles erupted from the sides as the disgustingly sad excuse for a monarch was knocked down yet again.

He arose one last time to face Kirby. Part of his mask lay on the floor, giving view to his furious face. His beak dripping with snot and eyes dripping with tears.

"I hate you. I HATE YOU!"

As King Dedede ran up to land a hit, Kirby smacked them one last time, they fell onto their back and dropped their hammer.

And yet despite all of that. All the violence, fighting, and hatred. Kirby didn't kill him. Instead, they walked up to face what would no longer be considered a king.

"Why did you come here? Why did you have to ruin my life?" Dedede screamed.

"I didn't want to." Kirby held out a paw for Dedede to take. An act not of forgiveness, but a promise among them. A promise to cease the pain both of them caused. A king to his people, and a puff to their competitor.

Dedede smacked Kirby's hand away and brought himself to his knees. He started crying. He cried and cried like a baby until his cries turned to sobs and his sobs turned to coughing fits.

"Why? Why?" WHY?"

"Dedede?"

"WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT FROM ME!" Dedede exhausted.

"I'm sowwy for hurting you. Let's try it all again. Pwease?"

"Try again?"

"Yessie. Start over. We can be fwiends like we used to."

"The last thing I wanna be," he coughed, "Is your friend."

A minute passed between them. A quiet, sad minute.

"I just want the nightmares to be over..." King Dedede let out a final cough and collapsed. He was still breathing, he only fainted.

The electric fence faded, allowing Tiff and Bandee to reunite with Kirby. They hugged them for as long as they could.

"Kirby! Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"You did it, Kirby. You saved Dream Land!"

"Not yet they didn't." Meta Knight emerged from behind the children with his crew, who collectively helped carry another fridge-like safe. Except this safe was much bigger, almost as big as the arena itself.

"This is where all of Dream Land's food had been stored. Once this is distributed to the masses is when Dream Land has been truly saved."

"Well, we have a lot of backpacking across the country to do if that's the case. Right, Kirby? Kirby?"

Bandee turned to Kirby, who was prying the sparkling stars out of King Dedede's gear. Kirby looked at the stars with a feeling of determination. The sparkling stars were powerful, and something in them resonated with Kirby. They knew in that instant what they had to do, so they ate the stars.

"Kirby!" Their friends called out.

Kirby transformed into a ball of light and broke through the ceiling like a comet. All of a sudden the Castle rumbled and lifted from its foundation. Everybody darted to find the nearest window, only to realize that Castle Dedede was flying. All thanks to Kirby, who had transformed into a ballon.

Tiff gazed at the sight above and below her, as did Bandee. Where else would they get to see a view like this? All of Dream Land stood before them. Waiting patiently.

"Well, that's much more efficient," Tiff stated. "Let's start distributing!"

Chapter Text

"Everyone in Dream Land Is rejoicing as their long-awaited meals have finally come to the table. Kirby, the previous believed-to-be villain, had bested King Dedede in the fight to end his tyrannical scheme! Breakfasts,  lunches, dinners, and more were delivered to all the country via Dedede's floating castle. More on this later, only on Chanel PPP. Now back to the boring weather that is no longer raining ramen packs and ice cream."

Repordee and their crew took a short five-minute break from escaping the latest news. Everyone in Pupupu town seemed to be at peace now that the whole food theif fiasco was over. Businesses started booming, restaurants came back although they went down a bit in quality, and life resumed to its chill state.

Kirby started taking long walks by themself around the country, saying hi to friendly faces who were no longer distasted by the pink alien. In fact, they were no longer alien. In an act of thanks, a new house was built for Kirby in the exact spot they dropped into. Be it there was a lot of replanting and refurbishing in the area, with the addition of a pond and some trees.

The house was small and quite cozy. There were jokes from Tuff that it looked like an egg but they were more harmless jabs than anything. It was a home though. A permanent one. One that welcomed the puff with open arms and said: "This is where you belong." In a metaphorical sense of course.

On top of that. Their speech was getting better. They learned, with the help of friends, how to properly structure sentences and pronounce more difficult words. They were growing and learning quite fast.

Kirby believed that this was the family Meta Knight was talking about. The friends they made that cared for them since day one.

Speaking of friends, however, it is only natural that some say goodbye. Even when they don't say anything at all.

The waters waved with the wind. Adding only to the musical call of seagulls. A small ship was overly eager to sail.

"Sailor..."

Sailor didn't say anything or even take a glance at Bandee. They just kept on packing.

"Sailor I know you don't forgive me, and you really shouldn't. I did some bad things. But please, talk to me."

No response. Bandee sighed.

"Well. At least let me give these back to you." He held up the suitcases Sailor had given him and Tiff when they met.

Sailor turned around to look but then turned back. Frustration filled their eyes.

"Keep them." They said.

"But they're your's-"

"I said...just keep them."

"Oh...ok," Bandee said.

Tiff and Kirby suddenly strolled up to the scene.

"Sailor, are you leaving?" Tiff asked to no response.

Kirby waddled up beside the leaving dee.

"When you said goodbye, I never got to say goodbye." They held out a small handmade trinket, a pin. "We all made it for you. It's an anchor, like the one up there." They pointed to the sail, which flowed with that golden anchor symbol.

Sailor smiled sadly and patted the puff's head.

"Thank you." Sailor whispered. They took the pin and placed it on their hat. It shone radiantly against the morning sun.

They gave one last glance at the other two, then at Kirby. There was nothing else to say. They turned back around, took a deep breath, and departed for Orange Ocean. Their home.

Kirby waved goodbye as their friend sailed off into the horizon. Not looking back for a second. Well, maybe just one second. One long frustrating second. And then they were gone.

The friends knew there was probably nothing they could have done to make Sailor stay, or even forgive them for that matter. However, they knew what they could do now and that was to go home and get a nice, well-deserved rest. A rest where they would dream. A dream. A dream...

Again, Dedede woke up. He didn't sleep in his bedroom though on no. Instead, he woke up in the hospital ward, recovering from his injuries.

He looked at himself, cold sweat running down his spine. The bandages made him rage but the only thing that could come out was tears.

The nightmares didn't stop. They never stopped. They never would. In the coming days, as more people looked down upon him, even his own best friend, the nightmares would continue. How long had it been since a good night's rest? His reactions stiffened to each moment of his sleep. He felt numb not just when he woke up, but at all hours of the day. He wouldn't even talk anymore.

"Sire. Might I suggest you take medication?" The snail suggested in an annoyed manner. Even he didn't want to talk to Dedede at times now.

A hushed "I tried" was all that came out of the ruined king.

"Well if that didn't work, might I suggest you take a trip to your resort. The one next to the Fountain of Dreams. It's supposed to be spiritually healing." The snail opened a boom without making any sort of eye contact with his friend.

Dedede took a sip from his "worlds greatest king" mug. The words were scribbled out with a red marker.

"It won't work." He mumbled.

"Well, what do you expect me to do?"

At Escargoon's snap, Dedede realized that his image truly was tarnished in the eyes of everyone, but now it was just being rubbed into his face. He left the room, trying to swallow his cries with the masquerade of strength.

The Fountain of Dreams. It controlled all the dreams in Dream Land. Made in ancient times for an unknown purpose. However now, it allows all of Dream Land to sleep soundly. Well, everyone except Dedede. Dedede who's been having nightmares that drove him to hurt everybody that cared even an ounce about him. Sure he would go to the fountain.

He would go to the fountain and scream it, cuss at it, cry at it, he would do everything to show his pain. He would do everything to show how he felt. How he felt about the star rod that sat on its glossy pedestal with it's sickening twilight hue. Its mocking waters below it reflecting the blackened sky. The flora surrounding the king and the inanimate fountain like a judgemental jury in an murder case. The full moon above with it's judging position. The menacing laughter that echoed throughout the fountain. The reflections of Dedede's nightmares in the water.

Wait...this...this wasn't right. None of it was right. The world seemed to close in and suffocate Dedede.  Flashing night terrors of pink circles with sickening grins. Spinning cyclones of shadows and silhouettes of people he knew, people he's seen before and hurt. He tried to wake up. He tried to wake up. He saw the star rod, lunged for it, and tried to wake up. He had to wake up. This was a nightmare. A long dragging nightmare that would never end. The dark was closing in. He started sobbing uncontrollably. He had to wake up. He had to wake up.

"I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!"

...

Silence.

Golden fragments fell to the floor.

What had he done now?