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Chapter Text

Kirby gazed into Void's vacant eyes, finding not evil, but a glimmer of friendship and a longing for nap time.

A while after being defeated by the power of Star Allies Sparkler, Void Termina found themselves lying on the soft grass of Planet Popstar. On a sunny day, under a roof of olive-green leaves, Kirby met Void once again.

Kirby pondered: Who else had Void encountered? Had Bandana Waddle Dee offered a sip of his beloved apple juice? Had Meta Knight passed by, sparing only a cool glance? Or had King Dedede's panicked screams echoed as he fled in terror?

If Kirby was the first friendly face this little fellow ever met on the planet, imagine how lonely their days must've been! Kirby thought to himself, blinking and smiling at Void, but Void seemed confused.

"Poyo!" Kirby greeted.

"Poyo!" repeated Void, with a similar smile Kirby had seen before—the relieved smile right before their defeat.

"Poyo!" said Kirby joyfully. He was just glad that Void had a friendly response.

"Poyo!" Void replied once more, their smile faltering as confusion passed through their eyes.

Kirby was no stranger to befriending former foes. There was Zero, perpetually grumpy, whose insults flew as freely as Kirby's smiles. And Magolor, whose tears at their reunion had rendered him speechless. Even Zero Two... oh poyo, he was complicated. His story? That was for another day.

In fact, many of his close friends now were once his enemies, like when King Dedede attempted to steal all the food in Dream Land, and Meta Knight started a coup to end Dream Land's "lazy lifestyle."

Kirby remembered almost all those reuniting scenes, but none felt simpler than Void's happy yet perplexed "Poyo." On a sunny day, under a roof of olive-green leaves, Kirby met Void once again.

"How are you?" asked Kirby.

Void tilted their head, confusion clouding their face. "How… are… you?" they echoed slowly.

Kirby realized that Void, despite once being a "destroyer of worlds," was just a blank slate, like a child learning their first words. He popped open his parasol, shading Void from the melting sunlight as he led them toward Dream Land's community house. Surely, someone out there could help Void, Kirby mused. And who knows—maybe they’d even share some strawberry shortcake after!

But when they arrived, Kirby spotted Zero and Zero Two lounging in the corner, their eyes fixed on him with an emotionless gaze. Oh no… what if Zero started teasing Void? And would Zero Two even help after… that disaster one month ago? Kirby nervously twirled his parasol, hoping for the best.

"Told you this pink brat would drag that weird glowing blob here," Zero said with a mocking squint, glancing at the detached Zero Two.

"They're not a weird glowing blob! Their name is Void!" Kirby huffed, frowning as he guided Void to a seat away from the Dark Matter leaders.

"Hmm. Void," Zero Two muttered.

"They're… not a weird glowing… blob?" Void echoed, stumbling over the longer sentence.

"You're still a weird glowing blob to me, heh!" Zero jeered, rolling his single crimson eye.

"You're a weird glowing blob to me!" Void repeated, faster this time, leaving Kirby frustrated as Void continued copying whatever they heard without understanding.

"What do you mean I'm a weird glowing blob? I don't even glow, but Zero Two does!" Zero snapped, not realizing Void was simply learning new sentences.

"Zero Two does!" Void chirped, suddenly enthusiastic.

Zero Two's singular eye narrowed slightly, casting a bored glance silently at Zero.

"You're not supposed to repeat that, Void!" Kirby blurted anxiously. What if Zero started saying things Void really shouldn't remember?

Kirby watched as realization dawned in Zero's eyes, the sneer shifting to confusion and then to gleeful amusement.

"No, Zero. Bad idea as usual, " Zero Two remarked, a hint of exasperation in his voice. He watched Zero slowly move toward the innocent Void and the increasingly anxious Kirby.

"No! Please stop!" Kirby pleaded desperately, pressing his tiny hands to both sides of Void's head as if trying to block out the words.

"Repeat after me: 'Lord Kirby is so perverted!'" Zero taunted.

"Lord Kirby..." Void began, trailing off as they caught Kirby's dismayed expression.

"No, no," Kirby interrupted hastily. He winked at Void, offering a new phrase. "Try 'I love you' instead!"

Void's gaze ping-ponged between Kirby and Zero, their brow furrowing. They opened their mouth, and Kirby tensed. "Lord Kirby is so perverted, I love you?" Void combined the phrases, oblivious to their contradictory nature.

"Ha! That sounds even better!" Zero crackled, while Kirby pouted in frustration. Meanwhile, Zero Two stretched out his white wings, the dark red feathers flaring slightly, as if shielding Void from the childish battle between Zero and Kirby.

"Void, repeat after me, 'I love you!'" urged Kirby, now more desperate and determined.

"How about this? 'Lord Zero Two is so hot!'" Zero grinned smugly, acting like he'd just conquered the galaxy.

"Don't drag me into this, Zero," Zero Two said, his voice sharp with irritation.

"Don't drag me into this. Lord Zero Two is so hot!" Void exclaimed loudly, mimicking the phrase with unexpected passion. But then, to everyone's surprise, Void sprouted a pair of segmented wings, white and red, stretching them as they parroted the words.

Kirby froze briefly, recognizing those wings from their past battle when Void had taken on their angelic form. The sight of Void regrowing them in their core form was unsettling—It made them resemble Zero Two even more.

"Heh… Void is a quick learner, isn't it?" muttered Zero with twisted delight. Meanwhile, Zero Two retracted the dark red feathers from his wings, putting them away to get a clearer look at Void's reaction.

"Quick learner, quick learner!" Void flapped their newly grown wings excitedly at Kirby, like a child showing off their new toy.

"Good child, Void," Kirby forced a smile.

"Kid, look at me. Can you do this?" Zero Two stepped closer to Void, repeatedly retracting and extending his dark red feathers. Kirby wondered if maybe Zero Two could teach Void how to control their limitless power.

Void tilted their head slightly, then made an exerting expression. "Poof," their white-red wings vanished without a trace. Kirby glanced at Zero Two, who observed with a faint glimmer of surprise in his eye.

"Can you do this? Can you do this?" Void repeated innocently, making their wings reappear and disappear again and again. Kirby realized Void likely thought they had just learned a fun party trick rather than an ability tied to Zero Two. He gently patted Void on the head, as if to say, "There, there."

Void suddenly perked up and, without context, repeated: "Lord Kirby is so perverted?"

Kirby froze mid-pat, his face flushing red. "Void! No! You're not supposed to remember that!" he sputtered, while Zero burst into amused laughter.

"Lord Kirby is so perverted!" Void repeated, smiling innocently as if they were asking for candy.

"Fine, Void, let's go somewhere else," Kirby grumbled, still flustered. He gently took Void by their new-grown wings, leading them toward the doorway of the community house. As they left, Zero's laughter echoed behind them, along with Zero Two's urgent voice: "Wait, please don't tell Ribbon…"

"…So that's the whole story of how Void learned those inappropriate sentences," Kirby whispered, slumped on the swing. Meanwhile, Void sat on the adjacent swing, happily repeating the phrases they'd picked up today, a wide, enthusiastic smile on their face.

Ribbon, the fairy from Ripple Star, hovered near Kirby, listening quietly to his woes. She frowned slightly, only offering a brief "I see" when needed throughout Kirby’s rant.

"I've told the Queen. People don't change unless they truly want to," muttered Ribbon as Kirby finished. She fluttered toward Void, a mix of curiosity and a flicker of fear in her sky-blue eyes.

"People don't change unless they truly want to!" Void echoed innocently, still smiling.

"We'll help you become a better person, Void. We will," Ribbon assured, gently stroking Void's head. Turning back to Kirby, she added with a hint of concern, "We should probably be more careful about who Void interacts with if we want to keep their vocabulary… 'clean.'"

"I didn't know Zero and Zero Two were staying at the community house to begin with!" Kirby burst out, frustrated, "And it's almost impossible to avoid Dark Matter members these days since… well, they've become part of Planet Popstar's society after their defeats."

"I'm not blaming you, Kirby," Ribbon said, her tone softening as she patted his back. "What I meant is, maybe we can take Void to other friends—"

"Can you do this? Can you do this?" Void interrupted, gleefully making their wings appear and disappear like they were showing off new toys. Kirby glanced at Ribbon quickly, hoping the sight wouldn't remind her of Zero Two.

But it was too late. Ribbon's eyes slowly widened in fear as she whispered, "Zero Two never failed to haunt me with the nightmares he brought." Her trembling voice carried a righteous anger, sharp like a hidden needle beneath soft cotton.

"At least he didn't call me perverted like Zero, poyo..." Kirby muttered, eyes fixed on the tiny rocks beneath the swing, still avoiding Ribbon's gaze. Suddenly, a blackbird glided across the horizon, catching Kirby's attention. He watched as its wings faded from sight, like an ice cube melting under the hot sun, before his phone buzzed.

Kirby glanced down at his red cell phone. "Zero Two" flashed on the screen. Why now? Should I hide this from Ribbon?

"Poyo poyo~ It's Kirby!" he answered with forced cheer, noticing how Ribbon quickly hovered away, putting some distance between them.

"Kirby, it's me, Zero Two," came the deep, bass voice from the other end, its tone difficult to read.

"Poyo!" Just get to the point already, Kirby thought, forcing a smile as Ribbon eyed him curiously from the side.

"...Look, kid. I sincerely apologize for what we said back at the community house," Zero Two's voice softened, carrying a hint of regret. The unexpected apology caught Kirby off guard, and Ribbon seemed to notice, inching closer as she studied his shifting expression.

"I don't mind at all," Kirby replied, his voice distracted.

"It's hard for us Dark Matter to change our old ways, but I've tried my best. Anyway, I'm sorry…"

—You Dark Matter haven't caused real trouble since you moved in, have you? Kirby chose to keep these thoughts to himself, knowing Ribbon would not take this call lightly.

"Understood," Kirby replied, unsure how to ease Zero Two's guilt. Meanwhile, Ribbon whispered, "It's Zero Two, isn't it?"

Kirby, knowing he was never a talented liar, gave her a faint nod.

"He can't keep getting away with this—saying sorry after another misdeed…" Ribbon hissed before taking a deep breath to calm herself. She then tried to sound more composed, but the glint of anger in her eyes betrayed her intentions. "Kirby, do you mind if I take over the phone?"

But how could Kirby say no to a friend? He nodded gently, adding, "Please don't be too harsh on him…"

Ribbon snatched the phone hastily, turning on the speaker. A remorseful voice from the other side spoke: "Anyway, Kirby. What if we enroll Void in the literacy class for young Waddle Dees in Dream Land? I've spoken with Dedede, and he… he kind of agreed."

"…So you can feel better about yourself while putting no real effort into bettering Void's life?" Ribbon's voice was tense, like a violin string on the verge of snapping.

"Hey! That's not very nice of you, Ribbon!" Kirby protested, causing her to share a guilty, wry smile.

"Silence, foolish fairy. And put Kirby back on the phone," commanded Zero Two, his tone icy. A nervous Kirby quickly retrieved the phone from Ribbon's hand.

"Sorry, poyo," he muttered.

"That's fine. Maybe it's for the best if Void has another guardian—Dedede seemed less concerned when I mentioned it," Zero Two added, though his voice betrayed he was far from "fine."

"So, did Dedede agree to let Void join the class?" Kirby asked.

"He said yes, but only if Bandana Waddle Dee and you introduce Void to the class first. He's worried Void might scare off the other students," Zero Two explained, sounding almost like a concerned parent. "Kirby, could you handle that?"

"Leave it to me~" Kirby raised his hand enthusiastically at the prospect of helping Void make friends with Dream Land's inhabitants. It felt like the first real step toward Void's happiness after their brief and violent time as the so-called "destroyer of worlds."

"Can... can I help as well, Zero Two? I just want to make sure Void doesn't hear any more inappropriate sentences from... well, your king," Ribbon asked, her earlier sharpness now softened.

"...Dedede insisted I inform you, Ribbon. So yes, enjoy your time as the 'guardian angel' of a world-destroyer," Zero Two replied, his tone fueled with sarcasm. Kirby could easily picture him rolling his large, dark red eye.

"I will, Zero Two. I will," Ribbon responded through clenched teeth. Sensing the tension rising, Kirby quickly chimed in: "Anything else, Zero Two? I'm excited for the literacy class with Void, poyo!"

"Yes, actually. Could you please give me Bandana Waddle Dee's phone number? I need to inform him, too."

"Sure thing!" Kirby replied cheerfully, though his mind was already wandering to a future scene where Void finally learned to speak properly, albeit still with their youthful innocence.

In that serene daydream, they sat together, hand in hand, sharing a peaceful afternoon tea under the soft, warm glow of the sun.

Chapter Text

Zero Two felt the overwhelming guilt, realizing it had taken him years to finally acquire Bandana Waddle Dee's phone number.

Does he even remember me after all this time? He wondered. Sure, they exchanged a few shallow greetings when Bandana visited the juice bar in Dream Land, but that was the extent of their interaction since Zero had led the Dark Matter clan to settle on Planet Popstar.

He wasn't sure if Bandana still recalled that fateful day when, with pure excitement, he'd proclaimed: "From now on, my name is Bandana Waddle Dee, so Kirby will remember it's me who accompanied him on this adventure."

Zero Two's perception of Kirby's group had shifted after moving in. The so-called Kirby of the Stars, an almighty warrior, turned out to be more of a worrying kid, often eager to please others. Dedede, the familiar prey of Dark Matter's possession, wrestled with feelings of inadequacy as the self-proclaimed king. Adeleine, the young magician with a paintbrush, was less mysterious and more eccentric than expected.

And Ribbon…oh, the living embodiment of his shame, his sins, and his worst mistake. She was as stubborn as ever, but her fierce loyalty to her Queen made Zero Two almost wish she were one of his kin.

As for Bandana Waddle Dee? Zero Two realized he knew next to nothing about Bandana's life beyond his heroic adventures with Kirby. That brief conversation years ago was the only notable thing he remembered about him.

He decided to dial the number anyway; informing Bandana was far more important than untangling his thoughts about the past.

"Wanya!" came the high-pitched, youthful voice from the other end.

"Is this Bandana Waddle Dee? It's Zero Two speaking..."

"W-Wanya..." The tender voice immediately shifted to trembling fear as Zero Two said his name. An ache settled deep within him—if a Dark Matter could even have such a thing as a soul.

"Be not afraid. I'm calling about Kirby," Zero Two continued, making an effort to soften his tone.

"What... what do you want with Kirby?" Bandana asked, but to Zero Two, it felt more like a thinly veiled threat.

"It's a favor for him. Kirby met a new friend who might benefit from the literacy class your king is hosting."

"And who is this new friend, Wanya?" Bandana's voice relaxed somewhat at the mention of a friend.

"Void Termina."

"W-Wanya!" Fear returned to Bandana's voice, much to Zero Two's frustration. How can I let Void join the class when even the hero of the Waddle Dee clan fears them? The thought weighed heavily on him.

"Have you met Void before?" Zero Two inquired, trying to gauge how to calm Bandana down.

"Yes… Kirby and the others fought them to stop Hyness' plan. I was there when we saw the core of Void Termina…" Bandana replied, his tone shivering, though Zero Two could detect a faint hint of pride as Bandana recounted his heroic deed.

"So you won't be afraid of them?" Zero Two's question was meant to be gentle, but his exhaustion had turned it into a blunt statement.

"A Waddle Dee can be afraid of their enemies, but that doesn't stop us from moving forward, Wanya," Bandana said, his voice trembling yet resolute.

"Void won't be your enemy anymore. Kirby and I have decided to put Void in Dedede's literacy class," Zero Two said. He admired Bandana's courage even as he battled with his own doubts about how Void would fit in the class. "Dedede asked me to have you introduce Void to the whole class. Kirby will be with you."

"Void has turned over a new leaf? Will they attack the rest of the class?" Bandana's concern was palpable.

"They're like a baby with uncontrollable power. As long as they're kept away from malicious influences, I don't believe they'll be hostile," Zero Two explained, mentally picturing Void trying to integrate into the class.

"As long as Kirby is with me, I can do anything for him, Wanya!" Bandana said with newfound confidence.

"Good. Any other questions?" Zero Two asked, only to be met with an uncomfortable silence.

"…Zero Two, have you been a good boy on Planet Popstar?" After a moment, Bandana spoke hesitantly, "I know you do the grocery shopping for your clan every Sunday, but that's the only thing I know about you since… everything on Ripple Star."

"I guess so?" Zero Two was taken aback. He hadn't anticipated that Bandana might be aware of his daily life in such detail. He wasn't sure whether to feel pleased or unsettled.

"Then that's all good. Wish you a nice day, Wanya!" Bandana said abruptly, followed by the beep of the call ending.

"Hello? Tsk, he hung up on me…" muttered a frustrated and weary Zero Two, reflecting on the initial fear Bandana had shown when hearing his name.

It had been a long day for him.

First, he had to watch as his king marred Kirby's day with inappropriate remarks, tainting Void's innocent mind. Then came the ordeal of enduring Dedede's sporadic emotional outbursts as he sought details for the literacy class. The phone call with Kirby was dreadful, made worse by Ribbon's presence, and now he was haunted by Bandana's fearful "Wanya."

He could almost hear Zero mocking him for his desire to forget Bandana's scream. Zero's voice echoed in his mind, saying, "It's a good thing that your name still instills fear in a Waddle Dee's feeble mind, because it should." He closed his eye and let the darkness envelop him, seeking a faint semblance of peace.

His attempt at finding inner peace was cut short by the image of the Queen of Ripple Star, her gentle face emerging from the darkness. She was the one he had wronged most, yet the one who had showered him with kindness and forgiveness—far more than he deserved. And still, the comforting sight felt like a sin, as if her silent gaze carried a judgment he feared.

Have I been an upstanding individual since the failed invasion? Bandana's question echoed in his mind, the pain from his answer—"No"—stabbing as sharply as the Crystal Gun's barrage.

Unable to endure the torment any longer, he pulled out his phone and dialed the Queen.

"Zero Two speaking," he said the moment the ringing stopped.

"Hello, little Zero Two. How's your day been?" came the warm, familiar voice of the Queen.

"It was fine, I guess," he replied, brushing off the question. He had no desire to rant about the Queen's favorite guardian.

"Hmm, I'm pleased to hear that," the Queen said gently. But Zero Two struggled to keep the conversation going—he'd only called to escape Bandana's unsettling question.

"What's on your mind, my dear? You don't usually call just for a chat, do you?" she prompted.

"Have I ever mentioned... or has anyone mentioned a being called Void?" Zero Two asked, hoping she might have some insight into the situation with Void.

"Ribbon reported to me some time ago. Is there anything I should be worried about?" the Queen asked, her tone growing more alarmed. Zero Two realized Ribbon had likely told her about the tales of the "destroyer of worlds," rather than the innocent being Void truly was—an infant who couldn't even speak properly.

"Not anymore, as long as we're cautious. Yes, they once posed a threat to the universe, but Kirby defeated them. Now they're on Planet Popstar, and it turns out they're just a baby learning to talk," Zero Two explained.

"Ah, a mischievous one like you once were! You must be the perfect teacher to help them change their ways. I trust you," the Queen teased with a soft chuckle.

"...Never call me 'mischievous' again," Zero Two groaned, burying his face in his spare hand. After a pause, he added, "Anyway, if you ever meet Void, don't mind their language. Some of my kin have foul mouths, and Void is... a quick learner."

"Well, that's a bit concerning," the Queen's voice remained warm, but he could picture her troubled smile.

"It is. Kirby and Ribbon decided to enroll Void in Dedede's literacy class."

"If there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'm more than willing to guide another lost soul back onto the right path," the Queen reassured him, her voice both firm and gentle.

"I will," Zero Two replied, keeping his response short.

"Speaking of which, would you care to stop by for some cakes? It's still early here on Ripple Star… no rush, of course," she invited warmly.

Zero Two froze. He had called just to hear the Queen's soothing voice, but declining such an offer now felt rude.

"...I'm on my way. See you soon," he whispered before hanging up, heading quickly toward the doorway of the Dark Matter apartment.

Zero Two was reluctant to admit it, but even he was surprised that an ex-war criminal like himself could attend tea parties hosted by the Queen regularly.

It was her mercy that had spared him, and her care that had nursed him back to health after his fall onto Ripple Star, following his defeat at the hands of Kirby and Ribbon. He had gradually come to cherish her kindness, but a question still gnawed at him—was his effort at redemption truly enough?

Still preoccupied by those conflicting thoughts, he knocked on the door of the palace's small conference.

"Please, come in," said the Queen. He opened the door gently, only to find that Kirby, Ribbon, and Void were already there as well. They sat around the table, with plates of cake and cups of tea neatly arranged at each seat.

Zero Two quietly made his way to his spot, where a matcha cake awaited him—his favorite, because the Queen never forgot the preferences of her subordinates and guests. Meanwhile, Void echoed the Queen in confusion, repeating, "Please, come in…?"

"May I ask why Void is here?" Zero Two asked, glancing between Kirby and Ribbon, trying to figure out which blockhead thought this was a good idea.

"Void needs to know the taste of strawberry shortcake!" Kirby replied passionately, gripping his plate as if defending a treasure.

"…I thought it best to inform the Queen of the situation, and the Queen suggested me to bring them here," Ribbon added with a cautious nod.

"You'd report something as trivial as my grocery list to the Queen anyway," Zero Two muttered. He quickly noticed Kirby's cake-focused gaze shift slightly, so he chose to drop the argument for now.

"You'd report something… trivial?" Void attempted to repeat the sentence but stumbled over the longer phrase, turning to Kirby for help.

"See? They'll repeat anything they hear, even things they shouldn't remember," Ribbon sighed heavily.

"Hmm. It seems like they're just repeating. Do you think they'll actually remember any phrases?" the Queen asked, tilting her head thoughtfully.

"How about we eat first, and see if Void says anything we didn't?" Kirby suggested, though anyone familiar with him knew this was just an excuse to dive into the cake sooner.

"Ah, please, enjoy," the Queen gestured toward the table. Kirby's excited "Yeah!" was quickly followed by the clatter of his fork.

Zero Two and Ribbon began to take small bites of their cakes (or in Zero Two's case, he absorbed the cake in a way akin to Waddle Dees—though Kirby and the others had long grown accustomed to his unique method of eating). They exchanged glances before turning to Void, who seemed perplexed by the fork in front of them. Void glanced around the table, then fixated on Kirby's cake, not yet realizing they had their own.

"Here, it's my favorite!" Kirby noticed Void watching him, so he used his fork to scoop a small portion of the cake in front of him. Holding it up to Void, they devoured it eagerly, almost like a wild beast. After swallowing, Void chirped, "Poyo! Poyo!" as rainbow-colored, vine-like patterns shimmered on their surface.

"So they've picked up 'poyo,' even though Kirby hasn't said it during the party," said Ribbon thoughtfully.

"I love you!" Void suddenly exclaimed, and Kirby smiled back, touched.

"Aw, how lovely of you, little Void..." commented the Queen, clearly moved by the scene.

"I love you, too—" Kirby started to say, but his reply was cut short as Void innocently declared, "I love you! Lord Kirby is so perverted!"

"Not like this!" Kirby's smile froze, and Zero Two felt Ribbon's icy stare settle on him—silent but sharp, a punishment he'd grown used to, much like the wound on the head he was born with.

"It wasn't me. It was Zero," Zero Two defended himself quickly, feeling his cheeks burn.

"It wasn't me. It was Zero!" Void echoed, their sense of humor far too sharp, picking the worst possible line from the party.

"Zero Two!" Ribbon scolded, puffing her cheeks in mild frustration.

"...I'll be as quiet as a corpse," Zero Two raised his wings in mock surrender. Fine, let's see if Void picks up anything inappropriate from you, he thought with grim amusement.

"Foolish fairy?" Void asked, glancing around for validation.

"…Why did they pick that line specifically?" Zero Two asked, frustration barely held in check. That was his insult when Ribbon snatched Kirby's phone earlier, but how did Void hear that?

"That one's on me. I had the speaker on when you called Kirby," admitted Ribbon, her teeth gritted.

"Stop arguing and help me!" Kirby cried out, waving his tiny hands in a frantic attempt to regain order.

"Foolish fairy…" Void repeated.

"Don't say that!" the Queen's rare stern tone was aimed at Void as she crossed her fingers in a small "X" in front of their mouth. The gesture startled both Zero Two and Ribbon, halting their argument as they turned to see Void's confused face.

"You'd report something… trivial?" Void asked, looking anxious, clearly searching their memory for something that might please the Queen.

"No, not this one, dear," the Queen's tone softened.

"Don't drag me into this. Lord Zero Two is so hot?" Void tried again, only to meet the Queen's gentle "X" gesture.

"…Foolish fairy?"

"Stop," the Queen's voice turned stern once more. Zero Two felt as though he was trapped in purgatory, staring at his worst self for eternity, with Void as that "worst self."

Suddenly, an exhausted Kirby slowly shuffled over to Void, wrapping them in a firm hug, as if he'd poured all his remaining mental energy into that single embrace.

Void looked at Kirby, then back at the Queen, and decided to open their segmented wings to embrace Kirby.

"Thank you," the Queen gently took Void's hand and said, hoping they would follow.

"…Thank you?" Void echoed, a bit uncertain.

"You're welcome…" Kirby replied weakly. Ribbon, with a concerned and regretful expression, drifted to his side and offered a gentle pat.

The Queen held Void's hands again, guiding them to face Ribbon, and repeated, "Thank you!"

"Thank you!" Void echoed, now beaming as if they had received a new snack. Ribbon responded with merely a faint smile and a nod. Yet, Zero Two recognized the deep emotion in Ribbon's evasive eyes—she felt undeserving of the gratitude.

Finally, Void turned to Zero Two but remained silent, blinking in bewilderment.

"Thank you!" the Queen prompted once more. Void, like a machine receiving a signal, echoed the phrase again.

"…I forgive you," Zero Two whispered, knowing Void wouldn't grasp the weight of his words.

Oh, will the day ever come when I can hear those words, "I forgive you," from Ribbon?

"Thank you! I love you!" Void flapped their wings, their innocent cheer cutting through the tension. Zero Two watched as Kirby hugged Void even tighter, almost burying himself in their embrace.

So begins your grim, endless journey toward redemption, Void. Zero Two kept this harsh yet truthful sentiment to himself, as he faced Void's pure, untainted joy.

Chapter Text

The same nightmare haunted Ribbon over and over, as if it coursed through her veins. In this twisted version of that fateful battle, she lost all strength and could no longer hold on to Kirby. Together, they plunged into the endless darkness. Above them, Zero Two loomed, emotionless—like a merciless sun hanging over a dying world—his mere presence draining the life from everything beneath him.

How can I forgive such a sinful being when he brings me this nightmare every time I close my eyes?

Ribbon admitted, forgiveness was something she found hard to understand. It bewildered her that Kirby could still smile with kindness at those who had once been his enemies.

Sure, some had fought Kirby while under the possession of Dark Matter, and it made sense to befriend them after freeing them from corruption. Like Adeleine, a kind-hearted artist who occasionally caused minor mischief. But what did it take for Kirby to forgive a traitor like Magolor, an accomplice to a mechanized conquest like Susie Haltmann, or war criminals like most of the Dark Matter clan?

She still remembered the first meaningful conversation she had with Zero Two after his defeat. He had said, "What do I have to say to make you understand that I had no choice?" The words enraged her to this day. People don't change unless they truly want to, she believed. And just yesterday, Zero Two had been blaming Void's inappropriate language on his king instead of himself.

"It wasn't me. It was Zero," he said, never realizing how often he blamed anything—his destiny, his duty as part of Dark Matter, his king—but never himself.

How can I forgive you, Zero Two? Ribbon slowly opened her eyes, the light creeping through the window. She took a deep breath, letting her thoughts drift away as she focused on the day ahead.

Today, she had the day off and planned to accompany Kirby and Void to the literacy class. She had prepared omelet rice for their lunchboxes, ensuring they'd have proper nutrition at school. Then, she flew to Planet Popstar to meet them in front of the school, where Kirby had put a cute, tiny yellow kindergarten cap on Void.

"It looks good on you, Void," said Ribbon, knowing Void wouldn't understand her praise anyway.

"It looks good on you?" Void echoed, perplexed. Only when Kirby whispered a reminder—"Say thank you!"—did they repeat the words back to Ribbon.

"Ribbon, King Dedede called me last night. He said he'd introduce Void to the class, but we might have to bring them to a separate room on the first day until we're sure Void feels comfortable at school," Kirby said softly, as if gently appealing to the kindness he hoped Ribbon believed in.

"Understood. The king is indeed thoughtful toward his subjects, as a good ruler should be," Ribbon nodded, briefly recalling the image of her own Queen, always smiling warmly in the face of many difficulties as a ruler.

"Don't be so dramatic. The king's just as scared of Void as you are, poyo," Kirby teased, pulling a face.

"Oh," Ribbon blinked in response.

They brought Void to the classroom, where the whole class of Waddle Dees and King Dedede awaited them. Dedede donned his metal mask—grey with three golden horns and two smaller ones near his chin. It all but screamed, "Yes, I'm just as terrified of this new student as everyone else."

"Good to see you, King Dedede," Ribbon greeted, briefly wondering whether he felt hot under that heavy mask.

"Same here, little Ribbon. Same here—now, allow me to introduce Void to the class," Dedede said with his usual carefree attitude, despite his armor suggesting otherwise. He then cleared his throat, his powerful baritone echoing through the classroom:

"Attention, class! Today, we have a new student—Void. Before they can join the class full-time, Kirby and Ribbon will be teaching them until they're familiar with the environment. Please treat your new classmate with kindness—and snacks, if you have any to spare. Or maybe don't, since eating during class is not allowed."

"Wanya! Wanya!" gossiped the Waddle Dees as they flocked toward Void, while Bandana Waddle Dee busily chattered with his kin, adding more "Wanyas" to the mix.

"Say, 'Hello, I'm Void!'" Kirby reminded, and Void dutifully followed, though their introduction ended in confusion: "Wanya? Poyo?" Ribbon chuckled, unable to hold back her amusement at Void's mix-up of catchphrases and introductions.

"Wanya! You're our new friend, Void! Wanya!" one Waddle Dee exclaimed, their eyes beaming with pure joy.

"Wanya? Poyo?" Void remained confused, caught between Kirby's and the Waddle Dees' cute catchphrases.

"It's 'Wanya,' with more emphasis on the nasal part—not just 'Waya!'" corrected another Waddle Dee, shaking their nub like a slightly disappointed teacher.

"Wanya? Wa-Wanya?" Void attempted to repeat. It seemed like a correctly pronounced "Wanya" was a sort of "friendliness test," because now the Waddle Dees cheered, arms thrown up in the air.

"If you aren't going to lead them in some icebreaker games, shall Kirby and I take them to the spare room?" Ribbon quietly asked Dedede, whose jaw had nearly dropped to the floor at the sight of such peace.

"I… yeah, I think so. Didn't expect Void to be so welcome among the class—"

But then, Ribbon felt the atmosphere shift. The classroom grew still as Void’s Kirby-like face gradually morphed into a chilling resemblance of Zero Two's "fake-eyes form"—two beady eyes atop a wide, unnatural smile. No joy could be found behind that eerie, artificial grin.

"Wanya!" The entire class erupted into panic, including Bandana Waddle Dee. Some ducked under tables like they were preparing for an earthquake, others ran aimlessly on their tiny feet, and a few formed a long line behind King Dedede, using him as a shield. Dedede patted the two nearest Waddle Dees gently, standing with trembling legs.

Where did Void learn that cursed smile? Ribbon's thoughts drifted back to the day she fought alongside Kirby once again. After they defeated Void Termina's demon form, she stayed back from the main battlefield to tend to the injured, mostly Adeleine, until Kirby won the whole battle. She knew Void had emerged on Planet Popstar in their core form, but she never expected that such a core could mimic an expression disturbingly similar to Zero Two's. What baffled her even more was that it wasn't even Zero Two's true form, but his unsettling "fake-eyes" form.

"Wanya…?" Void repeated the catchphrase, now sounding lonely and hurt. The desperation in Void's voice pained Ribbon, reminding her of the day she fell to Planet Popstar with nothing but a single shard of the Crystal before Kirby found her.

No, she refused to believe that Void was born with the ability to morph into that cursed face. It had to be another one of Zero Two's cruel, unapologetic tricks—making a face doomed to isolate Void, leaving them alienated by their appearance. The thought burned in her chest like fuel, and she hurriedly pulled Kirby in front of the sorrowful Void, hoping they could mimic Kirby's face again.

"Ri-Ribbon…?"

"Poyo!" Ribbon shouted, closing her eyes, terrified that Void might not catch the cue.

"Poyo? Wanya?" Void said uncertainly. Ribbon noticed some of the Waddle Dees beginning to lower their guard, crawling out from under the tables or stopping their frantic steps. She opened her eyes and saw that Void had returned to their Kirby-like face.

"There, there…" Kirby immediately hugged Void tightly, and a few braver Waddle Dees followed suit with hesitant "Wanya?". Void, still unsure of what had just happened, mimicked the comforting words: "There, there."

"Phew, disaster averted, thanks to the one and only great Dedede!" bragged a sweating Dedede. Ribbon gave him a polite, if wry, smile.

"Now, King Dedede, may I take Void to the spare room?" Ribbon asked again.

"Su-Sure!" Dedede hastily handed Ribbon a textbook before turning back to the class. "Now it's time for class, everyone! Please return to your seats." As Ribbon guided Kirby and Void to the spare room, she could hear a few energetic "Wanya!" from the class, which brought her a small sense of relief.

Once she had locked the classroom door, Ribbon stared at Void in silence for a moment.

Now I have to face someone who bears Zero Two's wings and expression in this room. You can do this, Ribbon. You've saved the universe from Zero Two before; now you can help Void, as long as Kirby is with you. She steeled herself and took a deep, steadying breath.

She opened the book, only to be greeted by a painting of Dedede—an idealized version of him, swinging his hammer like a warlord. There was no doubt that Adeleine had drawn this from the art style. The vocabulary word "King" was paired with such a ridiculous yet oddly impressive image.

Ribbon let out a soft chuckle, memories of her friends bubbling up like the warmth of a bowl of soup. But she reminded herself: No, this probably isn't the most useful word for Void to learn right now. She turned to the next page, revealing a smiling Waddle Dee waving at the reader, with the word "Waddle Dee" next to the image.

"The first word we're going to learn today is: Waddle Dee," Ribbon said, showing the page to both Kirby and Void.

"The first word… we're going to learn?" Void echoed, entirely missing the part they were meant to focus on, tilting their head and blinking in confusion.

"Waddle Dee," Ribbon repeated patiently, hoping Adeleine's artwork might help Void connect the dots—those cute, orange fellows they'd just met were Waddle Dees.

"Wanya? Poyo? Waddle Dee?" Void was getting closer to the correct answer. Meanwhile, Ribbon noticed Kirby had found a piece of paper and was doing his best to doodle something orange—was that supposed to be a Waddle Dee too?

"Waddle Dee," Ribbon repeated, holding the book closer to Void. Finally, Void seemed to grasp the idea, happily repeating the name of their new friends.

"Good job!" Ribbon patted Void's head as Kirby proudly showed his crude yet oddly charming doodle of a Waddle Dee. She turned to the next page, revealing a painting of Kirby puffing out his cheeks with a look of pure satisfaction—probably after devouring a Maximum Tomato. The word "Kirby" was written beside the image.

"The next word is Kirby," she said.

My hero, my light—yet you'll probably never understand, and no one else will either... Ribbon thought, doing her best to maintain a professional tone.

"Poyo?" Void struggled to separate Kirby's name from his signature catchphrase. Kirby, putting down his doodle, stepped closer to the book.

"It's Kirby," Ribbon repeated calmly.

"Poyo Kirby?" Void fused the name and catchphrase, looking to Ribbon for approval.

"…Kirby," Ribbon corrected, her voice thick with a tangle of emotions she could barely contain. Perhaps it was just gratitude mixed with guilt—or something far deeper than she could yet name.

After class, Ribbon guided Void to say their goodbyes to the rest of the class and King Dedede. The lesson had gone more smoothly than she'd expected, though Void still struggled to separate "Kirby" from "poyo." Plus, when they reached the image for "cake," both Kirby and Void were so captivated that they spent the rest of the class distracted.

To calm them down, Ribbon had promised a trip to the cake shop afterward, and now it was time to fulfill that promise. Outside the shop, Kirby and Void pressed their faces against the glass display, eyes wide with wonder at the array of cakes inside. Ribbon was about to tell them to stop, but the sight was too sweet to interrupt, and the shop owner didn't seem to mind.

Kirb tried to help Void distinguish between different types of cakes, though with limited success. At one point, Void even turned to Kirby, asking, "Cheesecake, poyo?"

Suddenly, Ribbon felt an unsettling gaze from afar. She turned around, her eyes landing on a quiet shopping mall with barely any customers. Kirby remained oblivious, entirely focused on the cakes.

Was it just a remnant of the trauma from her days as Ripple Star's guardian? She refused to believe it—admitting such fear felt too much like surrender. But that gaze... it was all too familiar. It reminded her of a thousand eyes burning with rage, and one singular, crimson eye brimming with endless hatred. Zero Two's eye.

No, she corrected herself. It probably was Zero Two.

"Did anyone else hear something strange?" Ribbon asked, glancing between Kirby, Void, and the shop owner.

"Not particularly, dear. Why?" the owner replied.

"I thought I heard noises from the shopping mall—maybe a burglar?" Ribbon suggested, trying to sense the unsettling gaze again, but it had already faded.

"Perhaps just customers, my dear," the owner said with a gentle smile.

Ribbon hesitated. "It's fine, I'll check it out myself. Excuse me," she said quickly before flying toward the mall. Behind her, the owner called out, "Stay safe, dear child!"

As she entered the mall, her eyes were immediately drawn to an absurd plastic model—a bizarre figure topped with a cloche, a pair of sunglasses perched above a wide, frozen grin, a yellow scarf draped over an oversized winter coat, and a thorned vine as its base.

...A thorned vine?

Ribbon hovered closer, and then she heard a faint, rhythmic breathing.

Maybe she should've been more cautious, maybe she should've acted with more restraint, but in that moment, her rage took over. She pulled out a pen from her purse and stabbed it straight into the vine. The model didn't flinch—the thorned vine twitched, but otherwise stayed still.

Zero Two endured the blow, keeping his singular, soulless eye shut and his tail extended, continuing the poor attempt at his disguise.

"Evening, Zero Two," Ribbon greeted coldly, her hand still gripping the pen. Zero Two sighed, unraveling his ridiculous disguise piece by piece, carefully placing each item back where it belonged. His thorned tail retracted slowly, returning to its usual small, white form.

"Evening, Ribbon. I see you still take pleasure putting something sharp in my weak spot after all these years," Zero Two said, opening his crimson eye, now filled only with weary exasperation.

"I wish I felt the enjoyment you imagine," Ribbon snapped, her hand trembling around the pen. "But all I ever feel is rage."

"Then maybe stop," Zero Two replied, his tone softening, losing its usual bite.

"...I wish I could," Ribbon muttered, the weight of her exhaustion finally surfacing.

"And yet, you never will. Just as I can't change who I am—a part of our clan, flesh to our king, no matter what."

"That's just an excuse, Zero Two. I've told you many times," Ribbon sighed this time, her frustration seeping through.

"Perhaps," Zero Two admitted quietly, resignation lacing his words. "But one way or another, we all need excuses to tough it out."

"You think even Kirby needs excuses to… tough it out?" Ribbon asked, her tone wavering somewhere between genuine curiosity and anger at Zero Two's disregard for true kindness.

"He once nearly beat one of my kin to death over a cake he thought had been stolen, Ribbon. Even someone as pure as him is a slave to obsession. We all choose our own prisons—"

"No, don't twist the truth," Ribbon interrupted, her voice sharper than intended. "Your kin possessed the leader of a gang of thieves before Kirby defeated them. Remember that?"

She wished she could speak kindlier, but Zero Two's fatalistic view grated against the memory of her nightmare—the one where that merciless sun never set, and one's weakness was the ultimate condemnation.

Yet Zero Two didn't argue, only closing his eye and letting out a weak laugh.

The worst part was that, even after his defeat, Zero Two somehow proved he still had a heart, despite the nightmare that would never end.

"...How's Void?" Zero Two asked after a long silence, his voice softened, "I heard them trying to distinguish cakes."

The question stirred in Ribbon a memory of her Queen, holding newborn fairies at the naming ceremonies on Ripple Star, so gentle, so loving.

This was the reality Ribbon had to live with now—that the day Zero Two chose redemption over bloodshed was more real and more terrifying than any nightmare she'd ever had.

Chapter Text

Ribbon recalled the day she first had a meaningful conversation with Zero Two after his defeat, in Ripple Star's royal greenhouse gem apple garden—seven years, four months, and one week ago.

Back then, she was a royal attendant who had taken it upon herself to rush to her Queen's side during a time of crisis, fighting fiercely alongside friends to save her homeland. At that time, she knew nothing about Zero Two—not even his name—only the weight of his atrocities.

Zero Two had survived, despite Kirby's relentless shots from the Crystal Gun that shattered his wings, halo, eye, and his poisonous, thorned tail. But when he crash-landed on Ripple Star, the Queen intervened, stopping Ribbon from dealing the final, killing blow.

Her Queen spared his life.

After Zero Two had ransacked her homeland, possessed her beloved Queen, and filled her people with sorrow and horror, Ribbon and Kirby had risked everything to defeat him—the Queen had chosen mercy.

Kirby was thrilled at the Queen's choice, saying, "Maybe I can understand him, after all he's done." But for Ribbon, it felt like a betrayal. She believed her Queen had made a grave mistake, so painful that it took all her resolve not to defy her monarch and end things herself.

Under the cold, artificial wind of the greenhouse, only faint sunlight, filtering through white curtains onto budding gem apples, softened the tense reunion of two sworn enemies. As Ribbon entered to water the magical plants, Zero Two, still recovering from the brutal but deserved battle, wrapped in bandages like a Mumbies rather than a Dark Matter, hovered silently by a young gem apple tree, its fruits still green.

His crimson gaze—both hollow and heavy—resting on her.

"You want me dead, correct?" he said, the first words between them.

"I didn't bring my weapon," Ribbon replied, struggling to conceal her own turmoil—the lingering fear, the seething hatred, and the hurt over her Queen's mercy.

"But you want me dead," Zero Two pressed, his head lowering slightly.

"I have my duty, and part of that duty is to follow orders," she replied stiffly.

"…You are a good subject of your Queen." She couldn't tell if his tone was mocking, his words as distant and quiet as they both had been in that fateful battle.

"Don't you dare test my loyalty to the Queen by pushing me to dishonor her wish," Ribbon snapped, her voice bitter and breaking as she felt tears slip free.

"…Why are you crying? You… you're the one who won the war, not me. You are the one who survived," Zero Two said, sounding genuinely puzzled.

"You can't… you can't erase everything you've done just because you lost the war," Ribbon choked, wiping her tears, though her composure slipped more with each word. She hated falling apart before her sworn enemy. "To me, you're the one who brought nothing but harm to everyone I care about, and that's all you'll ever be."

"…But it was my duty to my king, just as protecting your homeland is yours," Zero Two murmured, visibly stung by her words.

"You did it out of a selfish desire to take what was never yours," Ribbon replied, her voice cold. "That's the difference between us. Don't ever forget it, Commander of Dark Matter."

"Could you please call me 'Zero Two' from now on?" Zero Two's voice wavered, faint and uncertain. "I… I'd rather not be reminded of my failed mission."

"Understood… commander of that senseless conquest, Zero Two," Ribbon's voice seethed as tears traced hot lines down her cheeks, which burned with the hatred she still held for her enemy.

Zero Two shifted, glancing away before he spoke again, his tone pleading. "I'd prefer not to call you just the royal attendant. Could you… tell me your name?"

"... Ribbon," she whispered, barely looking at him.

"…That's… quite a random name for someone who saved her homeland." Zero Two's voice held the barest trace of sarcasm.

In an instant, Ribbon's left hand shot out, grabbing the scissors on the table beside her. Zero Two stiffened, his gaze locked on the sharp blade now pointed toward him. Sensing his misstep, he quickly added, "Sorry."

Ribbon's grip tightened, her glare unwavering. "Is there anything else you'd like to say in these sorry excuses of yours?"

"What do I have to say to make you understand that I had no choice?" Zero Two lifted his bandaged wings in a gesture of surrender. "This was my duty, my destiny. But now that you've won, it's over. You're free from fighting—"

"'Free?'" Ribbon cut him off, voice fierce. "As long as I have to live with your survival, my war is far from over."

"And yet you hold to your duty, sparing me out of loyalty to your Queen's command." Zero Two's voice softened. "You really are admirable."

"Is that a taunt?" Ribbon stepped closer, gripping the scissors tightly.

"No," Zero Two answered, blinking. In his single crimson eye, she saw no fear—only raw confusion. They hovered in the air in silence, gazing at one another, until at last Ribbon stepped back, setting down the scissors.

"I'm glad you live," she said, voice low, "so I can forge my flesh, my blood, and my soul, to become your personal prison. So I can make sure you atone for your sins every day of the rest of your life."

"I'm… truly sorry," Zero Two murmured, his voice barely audible as it trembled. They locked eyes, and another tear fell from Ribbon's lashes.

"Then prove it with your actions… fiend," Ribbon said, her voice hardened, as she turned away and left him hovering in the cold air of the gem apple garden, surrounded by the green, budding fruits, and his silence.

Now, the two found themselves at Dream Land's local shopping mall after yet another tense encounter. This time, however, they had a shared goal—to help Void integrate into Dream Land's society.

"...How's Void?" Zero Two asked, his voice low. "I heard they were trying to distinguish cakes."

"They're making progress," Ribbon replied, much calmer now. "But I doubt Dedede's lessons will do much good."

"They're trying their best. That's enough for me."

"Look…" Ribbon paused, lowering her head and fidgeting with her fingers. "I'm sorry for stabbing you with a pen earlier. Just... stop stalking us. You can come see Void if you're willing to… you know, have a normal interaction."

The rage had subsided, replaced by regret that washed over her like waves crashing on a shore.

Zero Two averted his gaze. "I don't think I'll be showing myself in front of Void soon."

"But you'll still stalk us?" Ribbon asked, fully expecting a "yes" as the answer.

"…I can call Kirby if I want an update on Void's progress. I'll try not to stalk you again." His hesitation mirrored her own, his gaze still avoiding hers.

"Why don't you want to see Void in person?" Ribbon pressed gently.

Zero Two's response came with a cold edge. "So if Void reverts to their old ways, you'll only have yourself to blame." The words were harsh, but Ribbon wasn't entirely convinced by them.

Was it really blame, or something more?

For a moment, she wondered if it could be sacrifice—an emotion she had never thought a Dark Matter could feel except the "black sheep" of the clan, Gooey. But how could she be sure? Even as Zero Two tried to shift responsibility onto her, it felt like something deeper was at play. Did he fear Void might absorb his darker traits—like those segmented wings, the cursed fake-eye form?

But then again, how could she truly reconcile this? Her former enemy, possibly willing to sacrifice his own desires? Ribbon hesitated, questioning her own conclusions. Maybe she was reading too much into it.

"Well, then," she said, her voice firm as she drifted slightly closer to Zero Two. "You'll keep your promise—no more stalking. You'll call Kirby to check on Void instead."

"Deal," Zero Two whispered, giving a quick nod.

"Any other questions about today's class?" Ribbon asked, more out of formality than curiosity.

"No," Zero Two replied with a shrug. "Enjoy your afternoon tea." His usual sarcasm buried whatever else he might have felt, and with that, he turned and left. Ribbon remained hovering in the mall with her wings, surrounded by ownerless mannequins and swaying clothes, their movements ghostly in the cold, artificial air.

When Ribbon returned to the cake shop, she found Kirby already sitting with Void, having bought a tiramisu, a cheesecake, and a strawberry cake.

"Ribbon! Are you okay? You look upset," Kirby asked with concern, putting down his fork.

"It was Zero Two stalking us... he's fine," Ribbon whispered, sitting beside him. "He was just checking on Void, but too shy to show up in person." She wondered if her exhaustion and tangled emotions were that obvious.

"Oh! That's very kind of him!" Kirby smiled, a warm, reassuring glow, like a star shining through the darkest night. "Void's still struggling with the cake types, but I think they're hungry already. Let's dig in!"

"Tiramisu? Cheesecake?" Void repeated, their eyes darting between the strawberry cake and Kirby. Kirby blinked and waved his tiny hands, signaling Void to open their wings.

Void followed, stretching their segmented, crystal-like white and red wings—a reminder of Zero Two's past atrocities. But now, they were focused on Kirby, mimicking his movements as they awkwardly picked up the fork.

Ribbon swiftly grabbed a box of tissues, anticipating that Void might make a mess. She watched as the two puffball-shaped beings, once enemies, now sat together, scooping cake from the same table. As she observed this peaceful scene, she realized this might be the very "forgiveness" she had long sought to understand—yet self-doubt crept in, mocking her for how shallow her comprehension seemed.

A harsh voice spoke: "Oh, silly fairy. This scene has played out over and over during those tea parties on Ripple Star, ever since Zero Two joined. Why haven't you learned?" It was her own voice, echoing through the prison of her own mind.

No, she corrected herself again. Void had been an infant, manipulated as a weapon by the likes of Hyness. They never had a chance. But Zero Two... he had a choice, despite what he claimed.

Unsettled by her restless thoughts, Ribbon focused on something tangible. She gently wiped the crumbs from Void's mouth, her hand softly brushing against their rainbow-colored, glowing face.

"Hello, Kirby and Ribbon!" came a dopey, unhurried voice from behind. It was Gooey, the blue slimeball, who extended his long tongue in a friendly wave toward the trio.

"Hi!" they greeted him in unison, though Ribbon couldn't help but feel a pang of concern. Would Void somehow… learn to grow a long tongue like Gooey?

When she turned to check on Void, they had already morphed their segmented wings into two flexible, tentacle-like structures, still maintaining their original crystal-like appearance. It seemed Void had responded to Gooey's tongue in their own way. Well, at least they hadn't grown a tongue, Ribbon thought, feeling slightly relieved.

"You are a new face to Gooey. What's your name? My name is Gooey!" said Gooey as he moved toward Void, completely ignoring that Void just drastically changed their wings' form in front of him.

"My name is Gooey!" Void echoed, completely ignoring the social context as usual, either.

"Void! Your name is Void!" Kirby corrected nervously, but Void simply fused the two phrases, blurting out, "My name is Gooey? Your name is Void?"

Growing slightly frustrated, Kirby tried to clear things up by introducing Void to Gooey. "Their name is Void!" he said, but it only made things worse. Void's confusion over pronouns deepened, leaving them unsure of who was Gooey, who was Void, and who they themselves were—much like how they had mixed up the different cake flavors earlier.

"Kirby's friend is also my friend," Gooey announced, pulling out his own cheesecake with a big grin. "This is my cheesecake. I hope you enjoy it!"

"Cheesecake!" Void chirped. To Ribbon's surprise, they named the cake correctly this time. Ribbon blinked, momentarily wondering if this was just like the quirks of a random number generator at play—Void finally landing on the right outcome by pure chance. She watched as they eagerly took a huge chunk of Gooey's cake and devoured it, their rainbow glow returning.

"Tiramisu!" Void then pushed their share of tiramisu toward Gooey, correctly naming the cake again. Ribbon suddenly felt a surge of happiness so strong that it frightened her—happiness born from Void's progress, as simple as it was. The joy seemed almost too intense, like something dangerous lurking beneath the surface, as if she couldn't fully trust it.

And yet, as that familiar voice of self-doubt crept back in, questioning if her struggle to forgive Zero Two was rooted in something as shallow as his unsettling appearance, Ribbon allowed herself to revel in the moment. Void's progress felt more meaningful than any inner conflict she faced.

"Void, can I take a picture with you? I want to share it with my brothers and show them I made a new friend today!" Gooey asked, his grin as pure as ever. Ribbon chuckled softly, already picturing how Gooey would flood every important Dark Matter clan member with his cheerful "spam messages."

Oh, they would hate it—those bright faces of "inferior creatures," as they saw them. And they deserved every second of it, a reminder of their defeats, just as Zero likely sat on his sofa, drowning in soap operas from Channel Dedede now.

Wait, Ribbon quickly thought, perhaps that wasn't the best idea. What if Gooey's brothers, annoyed by the constant messages, tried to influence Void negatively?

"Gooey, are you sure your 'brothers'… have time to appreciate your friendship?" Ribbon asked cautiously, trying to phrase it as gently as possible. Saying something like, "Are you sure they even care?" would have been too harsh.

"They need my company, even if I don't live with them anymore," Gooey replied, his tone warm and free of any resentment or complaint. Ribbon froze for a moment, watching as he snapped several selfies with Void and Kirby using his phone.

How could Gooey, an outcast who once suffered because of his own kin, still have the courage and kindness to share pieces of his daily life with those who had once oppressed him?

"Ribbon, come join us in the photo!" Gooey invited, his grin wide. But Kirby, ever perceptive, gave Ribbon a wry smile. They both knew that if she joined, it would only make things more awkward—Zero Two would see the photos regardless, but with Ribbon in them, it would be even more uncomfortable.

"How about this? It's hard to take a good selfie anyway, so I'll take the pictures for you," Ribbon offered, gracefully excusing herself from the photos. Gooey accepted happily. As Ribbon took a peek at the blurry selfies Gooey had already taken, she stifled a laugh—oh, not even the power of the Crystal could save the mess of photos Gooey had made with his tongue.

The sight of the three smiling for the photo was enough to quiet the turmoil in Ribbon's mind—her cruel inner voices, the lingering tension with Zero Two, and even the thought that King Dedede's lessons might not be all that helpful. All of it scattered in front of the warmth radiating from those three smiling, friendly faces.

Around three hours after their meeting at the cake shop, Gooey's phone buzzed with three new messages.

From Zero: I've told you never to send me spam, you unworthy traitor.

From Dark Matter Blade: Be mindful of who you befriend. Things are complicated in this age of new technology.

From Zero Two: I'm glad for you.

Chapter Text

"Kirby, it's me."

"Good evening, poyo!" came the innocent voice from Zero Two's phone. "Did you see Gooey's message?"

"Yes," Zero Two replied, his thoughts drifting momentarily to the group photo of Kirby, Gooey, and Void at the cake shop a few hours ago.

Void will be better off without me, Zero Two mused.

"That's wonderful! We had a great time today. Void was much better in school, so you can feel less worried now, poyo," Kirby reassured in his usual carefree tone. "But Gooey and I are trying to apply for a house for Void… We're both underage, and Ribbon can't help much since she's not a Dream Land resident…"

"I… I…" Zero Two faltered. He knew it was Dark Matter Blade who had bought this apartment for their clan after their defeat, but doubted he could offer any real help now.

"You just have to sign your name on the document, I think... so take it easy," said Kirby. "I can help you take the document to the... beu... bure...?"

"Bureau," Zero Two guessed the word Kirby was struggling with.

"Ah! Thank you!" Kirby beamed. "Anyway, can you help with that? I can deliver the document to your apartment if you—"

"No, don't come to our apartment. Zero still hates your guts after all these years," Zero Two interrupted, unpleasant memories surfacing—blood-spout attacks, popcorn scattered on the floor, and Zero's icy stare.

"...Poyo," Kirby replied, his signature catchphrase carrying an upset tone.

"We can meet at the ice cream shop in Overload Ocean tomorrow. I need to pick up snacks for the apartment," Zero Two said. "Is that a decent place to... uh, sign some documents?"

"Sure!" Kirby cheered, the alternative clearly brightening his mood.

Zero Two paused, and the conversation lapsed into an awkward silence.

"Ah, Zero Two... I probably should've let you speak first since you called me. Sorry about that, poyo!" Kirby apologized, the nervousness in his voice unmistakable, "Did you want to ask about Void? Or was there something else?"

Zero Two glanced around the takeout waiting area of the curry restaurant. There weren't many customers, and dinner for the clan still wasn't ready. But the real question was: Is Kirby in the mood to talk about... the thing buried in his mind for the past month?

"Are you by yourself?" Zero Two asked. This wasn't a conversation he wanted if Ribbon... no, if anyone other than Kirby was around. The memory of the campfire's warmth resurfaced, yet what lingered more sharply was the pain from the conversation they'd had that night, about a month ago.

"...I am. Void's playing with Gooey right now. What... what's wrong?" Kirby’s hesitation suggested he had a pretty good guess of what Zero Two was about to bring up.

"I want to apologize again for everything I said on that camping trip..."

"I know. I saw the note you left that night," Kirby replied solemnly.

"I did warn you I'd make a terrible camping companion when you asked me to go... just the two of us," Zero Two blurted, unsure if Kirby had truly accepted his apology or was just being polite.

"...I hope it was just... your dark impulses brought on by the quiet atmosphere," Kirby whispered.

"Perhaps."

"I kept what you said a secret, Zero Two. I didn't tell Bandana, King Dedede, Meta Knight... not even Ribbon or the Queen. Because if they knew, I... I don't know..." Kirby's voice trembled in fear, an emotion he rarely expressed.

"The Queen's heard me say things like that before. She wouldn't resent me if she knew what happened that night," Zero Two admitted, guilt hitting him like a meteor shower. "But I appreciate you keeping it to yourself. It... it must've been a burden. I'm sorry."

"I just want you to know, I really wish you... at least find true happiness someday," Kirby said, his voice weaker.

"...Thank you. See you tomorrow, kid," Zero Two replied. Unable to bear the thought of Kirby holding back tears, he hung up before Kirby could say anything more.

"I'm back," Zero Two called out, exhausted, as he lugged two bags of curry dinner boxes into the Dark Matter apartment. Zero was sprawled on the sofa, as if he'd possessed it and fused with it, becoming one with the dim-lit furniture. He didn't bother shifting his gaze from the TV as Zero Two entered.

"Hey," Zero said flatly, his attention fixed on the flickering screen. Zero Two placed his plate on the glass coffee table in front of the sofa, its upholstery woven with green-blue diamond shapes and repeating cross patterns.

Dark Matter Blade had once claimed not to remember this particular sofa when they moved in, but Zero insisted on keeping it—purely for its comfort.

Yet Zero Two knew he didn't truly like that sofa at all. He had tried once to sense it with his abilities, but the crafter had masked their own presence, regulating their breath as though crafting itself were a battle, making it impossible for him to determine the maker's species or age.

All he could discern was this: The crafter had used the finest zebrawood available as the sofa's base, polishing it to a glassy smoothness. They had sewn the loose cover from high-quality organza silk—by hand. This sofa was as young as his direct subordinates, the Rimura Brothers, yet its craftsmanship felt almost ancient.

But the most disturbing part? Despite the sofa's beauty and the dedication of the craft, Zero Two could sense that the crafter's spirit had been hollow, as if dead inside during its creation. It reminded him of the Master Crown. Both artifact wanted its user to suffer.

He had once told Zero how uneasy he felt about keeping it. But Zero had only responded with a bored yawn.

"Did you see the spam from Gooey?" Zero Two asked, promptly ignoring his thoughts on that sofa. He expected Zero to complain, but he was just hoping for some conversation with his king.

"I surely didn't, thank you very much," Zero replied with a roll of his singular crimson eye. But Zero Two could tell from the irritation in his voice that the lie was poorly concealed.

"Sorry for bringing it up," Zero Two sighed, preparing to move the rest of the bags to the dining room.

"That traitorous, worthless, pitiful creature. What message could he possibly send? Nothing but a false image of peace with that pink demon..." Zero mumbled, making Zero Two stop. The pettiness and rage in his king's rant was unmistakable.

Good thing I told Kirby to meet somewhere else, Zero Two thought.

"Same goes for you, Zero Two," Zero added, turning his cold gaze away from the television. "You can't seriously want to raise Void to be more like that pink brat and less like us. How far have you strayed from our glorious path to conquest?"

"Forgive me for failing to see how teaching Void childish phrases serves your so-called conquest," Zero Two shot back without thinking. But no sooner had the words left him than he heard a whisper in his mind, echoing in his own voice: "Born for our king, live for our king..."

It happened every time he "acted out" or defied Zero. Given how often they argued since moving to Planet Popstar, Zero Two had grown used to the sting of that familiar pain.

"It's useless to explain to someone like you, who's abandoned our way of living!" Zero scorned, his eye moving as though he were looking down on Zero Two from on high—though in reality, he hadn't shifted from his position, still slumped into the sofa.

Such irony—a king whose throne was nothing more than a sofa. Though, Zero Two had to admit, it was one damned fine sofa. The thought, both enraging and darkly amusing, made Zero Two set down the bags of dinner boxes for a moment.

"Said the one who spends most of his time rotting in front of the television and spamming our clan's group chat," Zero Two growled, enduring the restless, radio-static-like voices growing louder in his head. "You've been like this ever since we moved here, Zero. You… you put me through everything on Ripple Star, and now the only thing you've tried to conquer is…"

Why do I even bother arguing, if I've chosen to better myself over destruction?

"…Never mind. I'm sorry," Zero Two whispered, picking up the bags once again.

"At least I still have the dream of conquest, unlike you and that traitor Gooey… I… I…" Zero shouted but faltered, cut off by his own hesitation. Perhaps he realized how much time he truly spent on his 'throne.'

"Your glorious kingdom of darkness is nothing but a fantasy you babble about. Enjoy your TV and curry, my king," Zero Two said as he carried the bags into the dining room. Behind him, all he heard was Zero's demonic cry of rage, followed by the pounding of blunt objects against the table.

For all these years, Zero Two knew his king would vent his rage on anything in the living room—anything but that cursed sofa. This time was no exception.

When Zero Two entered the dining room, Dark Matter Blade with his metal mask sat stiffly at the table. They exchanged a silent, exasperated look, as if saying, "Here we go again."

"I received Gooey's message too," the Blade said timidly, opening his dinner box with care. "Void looks cute. I want to befriend them, but I'm too shy."

"I'd advise keeping your distance until Void matures a bit. They can mimic any trait at will," Zero Two replied, stirring the curry sauce into his rice.

"Understood, Lord Zero Two," the Blade nodded before burying himself in his meal. Zero Two glanced at him from the edge of his dinner box but couldn't gauge the Blade's emotions through the mask, despite the visible eye.

"I'll call Kirby regularly to check on Void," Zero Two added, unsure if this would reassure or trouble the Blade. In response, the Blade slowly set his box down, remaining silent for a long moment.

"Maybe... maybe it's not my place to say, but Lord Zero Two... could it be that you're too close with Kirby? Perhaps that's why you're often at odds with Lord Zero since your return..." the Blade stuttered, avoiding eye contact.

"…It's indeed not your place to comment," Zero Two responded, trying to sound firm, but his voice carried the same uncertainty as the Blade's.

"I apologize," the Blade muttered, lowering his head.

"Zero does hate it when you sneak into that penguin's castle every now and then," Zero Two jabbed, fully aware of how childish and petty it sounded.

"…Otherwise, I'm lonely most of the time in Dream Land," the Blade replied. "The ones who survived the failed conquest are mostly your direct subordinates…"

"I'll tell them to be friendlier," Zero Two promised, though he knew the only one who didn't get along with the Blade was Miracle Matter, who just acted cold yet aggressive out of their programming.

"I know you're tired of this talk, but I… I genuinely believe Lord Zero gave up on conquest after your defeat. Please, don't take his words to heart." The Blade set his empty box aside, blinking nervously.

And I think he still blames me for that, even now, Zero Two thought, but kept it to himself.

"I think Lord Zero's just bored with life in Dream Land," the Blade continued, missing Zero Two's subtle flinch. "It's cozy and all… sure, sometimes wannabe overlords like that fool Magolor stir up trouble, but Kirby always saves the day, because that's what heroes do."

"Didn't Magolor cause havoc only in… the dimension rift or something?" Zero Two asked.

"Well, that detail doesn't matter. I… I was just making a point about the occasional chaos," the Blade blushed. Then, his tone grew serious. "And that child's play chaos bores Lord Zero. He craves real blood. Like when you… never mind. Forgive me for not being a wordsmith like King Dedede."

"…You have an interesting standard for a wordsmith," Zero Two replied, still a bit stunned that the Blade had come so close to mentioning their past atrocities.

"Dedede seems to know what to say in almost every situation, never running out of words. I... I want to be like that one day. But would that be a trait reviled among the clan?" the Blade stammered, avoiding Zero Two's gaze.

"Yes," Zero Two replied without hesitation. Silence settled between them once more.

"...Do you mind if I continue on the topic of real blood?" the Blade asked cautiously.

"I don't mind. Go on," Zero Two tried to sound more casual than he felt.

"What are your thoughts on Meta Knight?" the Blade tilted his head slightly.

Oh, Zero and I have had several conversations about whether Meta Knight is a "light" version of you, cloned by Dream Land, Zero Two thought. But instead of voicing it, he simply rolled his eye, searching for a proper response.

"Are you asking about his personality, or his abilities?"

"Both," the Blade answered quickly.

"As for his personality... I can't say much. He's not in my social circle, and whenever Kirby talks about him, it's usually a mix of exasperation and admiration. I imagine Meta Knight has a complicated history with Kirby, much like I do—though probably without the admiration," Zero Two mused, the memory of that disastrous camping trip rising again, a stain that refused to fade.

"You think that pink brat has a low opinion of you?" the Blade asked, his voice tightening.

"Kirby has beaten literally half the population of Dream Land. He only shows admiration for those he sees as parental figures," Zero Two said, trying not to over-analyze Kirby's true feelings toward him.

"…I see. "

"Capabilities-wise… from what I've gathered, he fights like a combination of Sword and Wing, " Zero Two said thoughtfully, "But why ask? Do you plan to challenge him?"

"If that's what it takes to make a new friend," the Blade suddenly beamed, pulling a poster onto the dimly lit dining table. Zero Two glanced at it. The title read: Meta Knight Cup Ultra!

As Zero Two continued reading, he realized Meta Knight was hosting a combat tournament. Is this why the Blade mentioned Zero craving "real blood"?

"I didn't realize there was someone in Dream Land who embraced violence like that," the Blade remarked, his eye gleaming with a strange smile. "We have a fierce warrior in Kirby, but he's not one to seek out battles. Meta Knight, though…"

"No, this isn't even close to the 'real blood' Zero craves, " Zero Two replied with a shrug.

"Violence is still violence," the Blade countered, his eye still gleaming with amusement. "And it makes us… more."

—Why does this conversation remind me so painfully of the mistake I made by that cursed campfire?

"Lord Zero Two… I know this sounds contradictory, but maybe violence is the path to friendship—at least for me," the Blade admitted, lowering his head in shame, "We are far more eloquent in the language of blood than in the language of words."

"Let me think about it. Thank you, Blade," Zero Two whispered, though his mind echoed with the haunting refrains: Born for our king, live for our king... and Blood makes us more.

After the Blade left, Zero Two was alone with his thoughts—lost in memories from a month ago, with the two empty dinner boxes still sitting on the table.

"...Zero Two, you must've been in so much pain to hold onto an ideology like that!" Kirby had cried, after hearing Zero Two's unprompted and disturbing monologue.

"What? No… no, I've never…" He remembered being stunned by Kirby’s response.

"I don't… I don't like it…" Kirby had wiped away his tears, trying to sound calm, but his voice was heavy with sorrow. "I planned for us to go flower-viewing tomorrow, so we should sleep now. It's late!"

"Kirby, listen—"

But it was too late. Kirby had already retreated to the tent, leaving Zero Two alone in the cold night, under the stars. The crackling campfire seemed to mock him, reflecting his foolishness.

Is this what it feels like to share your deepest feelings, only to push a friend away?

He still remembered crying tears of blood beneath the stars. As his tears slowed but hadn't fully stopped, he found a piece of paper. Using the last of his bloody tears as ink, he wrote a note.

He had crept into the tent and found Kirby fast asleep, tear stains still fresh on his cheeks. Gently placing the note beside him, Zero Two had packed his belongings and left the camp.

He knew he'd messed up, and the only thing he could do was leave Kirby, along with the note:

"Kirby,

Forgive me for the foolish words I've said. I have to go."

Chapter Text

In an ice cream shop, Overload Ocean.

"Thank you!" Kirby chirped as Zero Two handed back the signed documents. He noticed that, though Zero Two often kept a composed exterior, today he seemed weary—like something heavy was pressing down on him. Maybe he hadn't slept well last night?

"What flavor do you want? I know you're not big on sweets, but they have coffee and other things too…"

"Kirby, I have to go," Zero Two said, his voice tinged with regret. He reached for the bag of snacks by his side.

"But the ice cream here is amazing! It'd be such a shame to miss it," Kirby insisted, puffing up in a mild protest, "They've even got all sorts of toppings!"

"Maybe next time. See you around," Zero Two replied, already gathering his things to leave, indifferent to Kirby's plea.

Kirby slumped against the table, face puffed out in disappointment. "I even ordered the Dream Land Deluxe for you… in case you didn't know what to pick…" he muttered softly.

As the two bowls of Dream Land Deluxe were placed before him, Kirby scooped two towering mounds of ice cream, watching the lively scene around him. A pair of Waddle Dees shared a popsicle, their conversation drifting over—something about which character was the strongest in their favorite cartoon. The lighthearted chatter briefly caught Kirby's attention.

He tried not to dwell on that night, around a month ago—Zero Two's horrifying, disturbing monologue didn't bother him much. But ever since the camping trip, Zero Two had been avoiding him like the plague. He was never the social type to begin with, his only regular activity being Queen Ripple Star's tea parties. Now he seemed even more distant, always making excuses, always busy with some chore.

Kirby understood that maybe this was just how Zero Two was after moving to Planet Popstar, but pretending the camping trip hadn't affected their relationship would be a poor lie.

As he sat in the shop, the soft background music filtered through the air, composed mainly of rhythmic claps and the delicate plucking of strings. The simple melody had a calming effect, pulling Kirby's thoughts away.

The lyrics went:

The time is right, your perfume fills my head

The stars get red

And, oh, the night's so blue

And then I go and spoil it all

By saying somethin' stupid

Like, "I love you"

Kirby pondered: Why was "I love you" considered something stupid by the songwriters? He said that to his friends all the time, and yet... he couldn't remember when those words had ever felt foolish.

Good rhyme, but weird lyrics, he decided in his mind.

Suddenly, his phone rang, and the name "Ribbon" flashed on the screen.

"Hi!" Kirby straightened up, adopting a more proper posture as he answered.

"Did I catch you at a bad time?" came Ribbon's concerned voice.

"Not at all, poyo," Kirby replied, though the two empty bowls of ice cream sitting across from him were his only companions. In truth, he was craving some company.

"So, the Queen has assigned me the task of helping educate Void on Planet Popstar—to prevent Void from becoming a galactic threat again..."

As Ribbon spoke, Kirby's eyes slowly widened.

Oh, I can see Ribbon more often now! he thought. He remembered why she had hardly visited Planet Popstar after they saved Ripple Star, until their adventure to stop Hyness. She had told him, "I need to prepare myself as a guardian, not just for combat, but for politics," and he'd believed in her completely—she'd been so considerate during that journey around seven or eight years ago.

He knew she could handle it, though it was a shame they'd barely seen each other since then, aside from her occasional visits to the community house... maybe once a month? Like that time she happened to stop by when he'd brought Void away from Zero's bad influence.

It's such good news that Ribbon can spend time with me now, poyo!

"That sounds great, Ribbon!" Kirby beamed, "Plus, you'll get to see Adeleine and the others more often now that you're working on Popstar. What's wrong?"

"I just… think we might need help from, uh, Zero Two from time to time. I have no idea how to teach Void to control their power," Ribbon admitted, her tone conflicted, "Still, it's my job now to help Void become their best self, so I'll do my best."

"Take it easy, poyo," Kirby said, his earlier cheer fading as he noticed the serious edge to Ribbon's voice.

"Anyway, Kirby. Have you thought about commissioning Adeleine for... a more customized vocabulary textbook?"

"Poyo? What's wrong with the textbook from King Dedede?" Kirby asked, thinking about the small but meaningful progress Void had made in the literacy class.

"It's more tailored for Waddle Dees than... well, other species in Dream Land," Ribbon explained thoughtfully, "I skimmed through it, and there aren't enough practical daily phrases. It also misses simple but essential vocabulary, like colors, verbs, and so on."

"I hadn't noticed that. You're so attentive, Ribbon!" Kirby said, trying to lighten her mood with a bit of praise.

"How about we take Void to see Adeleine and discuss it with her?" Ribbon suggested, still sounding cautious.

"Poyo! That sounds great!"

"Alright, see you then. I'll meet you in front of her house," Ribbon replied quickly.

"Ribbon, what flavor of ice cream do you want?" Kirby asked, glancing eagerly at the menu hanging over the bar. A deathly silence followed from the other end of the phone.

Why is it taking so long for Ribbon to decide if she wants some ice cream? Or… does she not like ice cream? What does she even like to eat? Kirby's heart sank as he realized how little he actually knew about her, despite all they'd been through together.

Finally, Ribbon broke the dreadful silence.

"No thanks. I... I mean, Adeleine will probably insist we stay for dinner. See you later," she said before the line went dead, leaving Kirby alone once more with two empty bowls of melting ice cream.

"...I just wanted someone to share ice cream with, poyo..." Kirby muttered as he returned the bowls to the drop-off area.

"Woah, I didn't know I'd missed so much. It's hard to believe that inside the giant demon who knocked me out, there's something this beautiful," Adeleine remarked as she welcomed the trio into her house, still standing in the doorway.

It wasn't exactly what Kirby expected to hear upon seeing Adeleine lock eyes with Void for the first time. On one hand, he was relieved she held no grudge; on the other, she seemed a little too eager to sketch Void's intricate vein patterns...?

"Anyway, Void, this is Adeleine. Remember to say...?" Ribbon prompted, gently patting Void's back.

"My name is Gooey!" Void blurted, confused. Ribbon quickly made an "X" with her fingers to correct him, while Adeleine chuckled at the unexpected reply.

"Well, we've got a long way to go," Ribbon sighed softly as Adeleine busied herself pouring orange juice for everyone.

"Don't worry, Gooey sometimes forgets his own name too," Adeleine teased with a breezy smile.

"Do you remember drawing this vocabulary textbook for the little Waddle Dees?" Ribbon asked, placing the book on the table, "Your art is fantastic as always, but I think it's more suited for Waddle Dees than other species."

Curious, Kirby flipped through the pages, only to be greeted by an idealized depiction of King Dedede. The word "King" was paired with an oddly inspiring image of him.

"The King isn't that buff! He eats chips every day, and the only time he had biceps like that was when he got possessed… again!" Kirby raised his tiny hand in light protest.

"Did you just praise King Dedede's temporary biceps?" Ribbon asked, a mix of concern and confusion in her voice.

"Yes, because they looked attractive!" Kirby nodded earnestly, recalling the time the possessed King tore off his upper clothes, flexing his muscles like they were his secret weapon, "I've rarely seen a body type like that before."

"Kirby, you beat him ten seconds after he stripped," Ribbon reminded him, clearly unimpressed.

"I just think he looked more confident with his body, even if he was possessed…"

"Or maybe it was the Jamba Heart bringing out Dedede's desire to be seen as stronger," Adeleine chimed in with a grin, effectively ending the debate, "He did ask me to draw him that way, after all."

"I can relate to that," Ribbon whispered.

"For wanting biceps?" Kirby asked, puzzled—until he realized how ridiculous his question was as Ribbon buried her face in her hands, her cheeks flushing red.

"No, for the desire to be seen as stronger…" Ribbon replied, turning her face away from him.

"You're already strong enough for me, Ribbon," Kirby said, trying to ease the tension, though he quickly realized that maybe everything he was saying now sounded silly. Meanwhile, Void echoed, "For wanting biceps?" in confusion as they sipped their orange juice.

"Anyway, if you don't mind, you can make a list of vocabulary words, and I'll paint a customized textbook for Void," Adeleine offered, gently rubbing Ribbon's back.

"And the price?" Ribbon asked, her voice trembling slightly, still blushing.

"Nah, I can do it for free—"

"No," Ribbon interrupted, her tone suddenly firm, "It's your hard work, and it should be rewarded. You can estimate the price and let me know. We have a budget for this."

"...Huh?" Adeleine blinked, confused by the idea of someone sponsoring Void's education as if they were a regular Waddle Dee.

"It's from the Queen," Kirby explained.

"Oh. I'm glad they have such wonderful help from y'all," Adeleine replied with a warm smile, finally easing Ribbon's tension a little.

After finishing the glass of juice, Void extended their segmented wings, using the glass as a makeshift toy. Kirby noticed immediately, quickly closing the textbook and moving it away from the drips left behind. Ribbon responded with another "X" gesture, while Adeleine giggled.

"Poyo?" Void stared at Ribbon's crossed fingers.

"The glass isn't a toy, Void," Ribbon explained with a wry smile.

"Ah, probably a bad habit from Gooey…" Kirby realized that spending time with Gooey had likely made Void think everything—mostly rocks and rags—was a toy.

"Don't worry, I've got this!" Adeleine said with enthusiasm, pulling out her sketchbook. She quickly painted a few Bouncies—the pink, springy, toy-like creatures, and brought them to life. They bounced around Void, whose gaze flicked from one to the other before they decided to smash them all with their wings, reducing them to mere splashes of paint.

"Uh…" Ribbon gasped in shock before quickly grabbing a box of tissues.

"Poyo…" Void muttered, staring tearfully at the paint spots left behind. Kirby hugged them tightly, thinking of a proper toy substitute.

"Oof, I can't use my ability to make toys for them—they're too fragile for Void," Adeleine mused, scanning the room. Her eyes landed on a box of puzzles, and she stepped toward it.

"Adeleine, I don't think Void knows how to solve that," Ribbon said, looking up from cleaning the paint splatters on the floor.

"They'll learn through trial and error. Just give them time," Adeleine replied with a blink, handing the puzzle box to Void and unboxing it for them. Void stared at the scattered pieces for a moment before picking up the first one.

"Good job, Void!" Kirby cheered, determined to encourage them no matter what they did. Void then placed the piece on the floor and reached for another. Just as Kirby feared they'd try to force mismatched pieces together, Void instead stacked the second piece on top of the first.

"Pff," Ribbon couldn't hold back anymore, while Adeleine had already burst into laughter.

"That's not how you play a puzzle! Here, let me help," Kirby said nervously, grabbing another piece. But as he struggled to find any distinguishable pattern on the puzzle, he realized the pieces didn't fit together easily. Ribbon, noticing his trouble, stepped in to help but quickly became just as confused.

Did someone rig this puzzle, poyo?

After about five minutes, Kirby gave up and decided to build a puzzle-piece tower with Void, while Ribbon stubbornly refused to join them.

"Adeleine, I... is this even solvable? Adeleine?" Ribbon called out in frustration, staring at the seemingly unsolvable puzzle. But Adeleine had already moved on, busily setting the table for dinner. Judging by her speed, it had to be her painting magic at work. A perfectly roasted chicken took center stage, its skin golden and crisp, accompanied by a steaming pot of soup and a platter of neatly cut sandwiches.

"Poyo! Food!" Kirby perked up as the delicious smells filled the room. Without a second thought, he pushed the puzzle-piece tower aside, eager to eat. Unfortunately, this also sent the fragile tower toppling to the floor.

Void let out a startled scream—the same eerie, demonic cry that Zero Two made when seriously hurt.

As Kirby rushed over to Void, gently stroking their back to calm them, he heard Adeleine remark, "Woah, the last time I heard a scream that horrifying was when I accidentally slammed the door while Zero Two was too close. His left wing was caught in the door, and there was so much blood that you could taste the…"

"Adeleine…" Kirby interrupted hastily, casting a worried glance at Ribbon. Her face had gone pale, and her sky-blue eyes brimmed with unusual hatred, still alight from the scream.

"I'm sorry, Ribbon," Adeleine added, her voice softening.

"Uh... I'm fine," Ribbon replied quickly, though her gaze stayed locked on the floor, as if she wanted to stab it with something sharp—a pen, or a knife—her unease plainly evident.

Kirby gave Void one last reassuring pat before standing up. "Well, dinner's ready, poyo!" he said, trying to lighten the mood. The rich aroma of roast chicken and soup filled the air, drawing everyone's attention back to the table.

At the dining table, Kirby stuffed roast chicken into his mouth, creating quite a mess. Ribbon helped by wiping his face with a napkin, but Void, sitting next to Kirby, devoured their food just as messily. Kirby said, "Thanks!" and watched Ribbon busy cleaning Void's face.

Noticing Ribbon's efforts, Void picked up a tissue and attempted to clean Adeleine's face, even though she had decent table manners and didn't really need the help.

"How kind of you, Void," Adeleine said with a gentle, wry smile.

"Good job, Void!" Void responded with another random phrase they had just heard. Though it wasn't quite a proper "Thank you," it was close enough. Kirby felt a sense of relief at the sight.

"I still want to ask, Ribbon, if you don't mind me prying… does Zero Two know about Void?" Adeleine asked cautiously.

"He knows," Ribbon replied before Kirby could formulate a proper response. "It's just that he wasn't exactly ideal parent material."

"Ribbon…" Kirby started, wanting to defend Zero Two—after all, it was his idea to enroll Void in the literacy class. Yet, he understood that Ribbon was still haunted by past traumas and fears, with those memories following like shadows.

"He did suggest enrolling Void as if they were a regular Waddle Dee, and that's why we're here today," Ribbon added, her tone carrying a begrudging respect, akin to how King Dedede showed his affection toward Kirby.

"Well, on the bright side, at least he didn't greet Void with empty beer bottles," Adeleine quipped. The conversation fell into silence for a moment, broken only by Void repeating another random phrase: "For wanting biceps?"

"Adeleine," Ribbon said after a pause, her tone measured but carrying an unsettling edge that was hard for Kirby to miss. Her soft words came out almost devoid of emotion. "This might sound a bit sadistic, but... could you tell me more about how you hurt Zero Two with the door?"

...Ribbon! What are you talking about, poyo?

Adeleine remained calm, seemingly unfazed by the unusual request, "Well, it started when Zero Two got a phone call. It seemed like it was from his leader."

"…Zero?" Kirby tilted his head in confusion.

"I think so?" Adeleine replied, "It was civil at first, but then Zero Two ended the call by yelling, 'What do you mean you hate my choice of dinner? You were the one who told me to order curry!' And then he hung up."

"Zero Two hardly orders curry when he stays at the Queen's palace for dinners, that tracks," Ribbon mused, nodding her head slightly.

"After that, he was pretty irritable for the rest of the day. It was like the call had magically drained him of sleep. His reaction time slowed down a lot. When I called his name, he'd take an extra second to respond," said Adeleine.

"Does that happen often?" Kirby asked, trying to recall any similar moments.

"I don't think so…" Adeleine pondered.

"It does," Ribbon interjected, surprising Kirby with her attentiveness. Why does she know...?

"Anyway, Zero Two's reaction time was off for the rest of the day, and I ended up giving him a mild injury by accidentally closing the door on him while he was nearby," Adeleine quickly summarized the incident.

"Yeah, so whenever he gets a call from Zero, it's like he goes into low battery mode—it's a pattern, like common blackbirds are always aggressive in the spring," Ribbon stated matter-of-factly, though Kirby still found the metaphor hard to grasp.

"Yikes, being second-in-command of the Dark Matter clan must really suck," Adeleine said, pulling a playful face.

"Deserved," Ribbon shrugged as she took a sip of her soup. Kirby, meanwhile, just wished… she wouldn't hold on to her grudge against Zero Two quite so tightly, it had been seven or eight years. But anything he might say in Zero Two's defense, would probably just become something stupid to Ribbon right now.

"Hey, Ribbon," Adeleine leaned in, eyes narrowing with a mischievous grin, "since we're on the topic of Mr. War Criminal Number One, want to hear another secret about him?"

"Go on, I'm all ears," Ribbon replied, raising an eyebrow with mild curiosity.

"He doesn't mind at all when I call him 'soft-boiled egg' in private. You should try it next time! Maybe he'll get just a little annoyed," Adeleine said with a mischievous smile.

"Adeleine!" Kirby wasn't sure if this would actually help Ribbon let go of her feelings. But then, to his surprise, Ribbon's eyes widened, and she seemed on the verge of laughing. Instead, she buried her face into Adeleine's chest, her shoulders trembling slightly.

"... Soft-boiled egg! Soft-boiled egg with that disgusting thorned tail! I should've cut it off like I trim those trees in that cursed garden, and burned it down like a part of you were nothing but... garbage!"

Ribbon suddenly shouted, while Adeleine gently patted her back. The raw emotion in Ribbon's voice was far more intense than Void's earlier outburst, which had merely echoed Zero Two's.

Frankly, Ribbon's description deeply unsettled Kirby, but he was simply relieved that she seemed to feel better after letting her emotions out.

At that moment, Kirby realized that for all her infinite rage and trauma, there was no other way but to scream.

Chapter Text

Ribbon stared into the empty glass on the table after Adeleine had carried the dishes into the kitchen. She had offered to help, but Adeleine had declined with a warm smile, leaving her alone with the distorted reflection in the glass, her regret and musings:

Why did I reveal such a terrible thought to all of them? Oh, I remember—I wanted to tell them that forgiveness was their grave mistake just one last time. How foolish... I should have known that no amount of desperate screams could make such wishful thinking... my reality.

Even though deep down I know that Zero Two posted no threat to everyone and everything I love for the past seven years.

I am truly sorry.

After commissioning Adeleine for a customized textbook, Ribbon took on the responsibility of accompanying Void to literacy class, doing her best to make use of the flawed textbook King Dedede had provided.

Within a few days, Void had grasped the distinction between "poyo" and "Kirby." But that was about it—they still often repeated sentences they had just heard, out of context, which became a consistent source of comedy, and a constant headache for her.

We still have a long way to go, she thought each time Void confusedly uttered something silly, looking to her and Kirby for validation.

That day, as Ribbon escorted Void and Kirby to school once again, King Dedede called out to them before she could take Void to the spare room.

"Today, Meta Knight will be telling some stories," Dedede said with a yawn. "I want every student to join."

"He'll just go off on some boring duel stories with me!" Kirby protested, huffing in mild frustration.

"Hey, those make for some pretty good stories. You gotta admit that," said Dedede.

Meta Knight... Ribbon had only really known him during the time they fought together to thwart Hyness' plan. Even though he'd been possessed momentarily by the Jamba Heart when they first met, he still acted as a guardian of Dream Land, just like Kirby. She had nothing but respect for him.

Ribbon led Void and Kirby to the back row of the classroom, where it seemed most of the inattentive Waddle Dees had gathered. Some were still chatting about television shows, while others had given up entirely, slumped over their desks, fast asleep.

What really caught Ribbon's attention, however, was a pair of Waddle Dees hunched over a mobile radio. They looked both confused and intrigued by the device, and Ribbon started to worry. Were they about to play something disruptive for the whole class?

Her fears were confirmed when one of the Waddle Dees pressed a button.

"It's your host, DJ Deuce Waddle Dee! Good morning, all you hard-working Dees!" the voice blared from the radio, and the entire class turned to stare at the culprits.

"Wanya..." the two Waddle Dees looked as shocked as anyone else by the sudden outburst, one of them even tumbling backward. Ribbon rushed over, thinking she could help, but the radio's voice stole her attention once again as DJ Deuce continued:

"And up next, here's 'Something Stupid,' a cover by The Deedly Dees! Originally from Shiver Star, but now thanks to Haltmann Works Company's translation—"

"Poyo! That's a good song with weird lyrics!" Kirby chimed in, just before Dedede walked over and casually switched the radio off.

"Alright, no devices in class, please," Dedede deadpanned.

"What's a device, Wanya?" asked a Waddle Dee from the front row.

"Anything you bought from Miss Capitalism… Pardon me, I mean, Miss Haltmann," Dedede said.

"But they also sell ice cream, and ice cream isn't a robot…?" Kirby raised his hand, genuinely puzzled. Ribbon bit her lip, trying not to burst into laughter.

"Well, ice cream is a part of the propaganda rather than the devices themselves," said King Dedede with a shrug. Ribbon wondered if Kirby or any Waddle Dee understood the King's words. She just found the situation rather comical.

Suddenly, Meta Knight strode into the classroom with quiet dignity, his dark blue cape billowing behind him. Isn't it suffocating to wear full armor even when not in combat? Ribbon wondered.

"Good morning, young Waddle Dees," Meta Knight said, offering a brief nod to the King.

"Good morning, Sir Meta Knight, Wanya!" the class responded in unison. Void, only picking up on their catchphrase, echoed a belated "Wanya!" awkwardly once the class had already fallen silent.

"Kirby, it's good to see you. The same goes for you, Miss Ribbon," Meta Knight said, turning to the trio in the back row. "Kirby, may I ask—is that Void Termina?"

"Yes! Void, say hello to Meta Knight!" Kirby encouraged, giving Void a gentle pat. Void looked from Meta Knight to Kirby, then back at Meta Knight. After a few seconds of silence, they chirped, "Wanya! My name is Gooey!"

"No," Ribbon interjected, trying to correct this habit for the fifth time that week, "Please say, 'My name is Void.'"

"…Your name is Void?" Void repeated, still struggling with the phrasing, but Ribbon decided to let it slide—for now.

"It's a warrior's eternal inner struggle to discover who they truly are, but many fail even by the end of their lives," Meta Knight declared seriously. Does anyone in this classroom other than the King even understand what he's saying? Ribbon blinked, deep in thought. She glanced around quickly. To her surprise, many Waddle Dees nodded in agreement, some even whispering, "Sir Meta Knight is so wise!" in admiration. Then she turned to Kirby, who had propped his cheek on his hand, his eyes filled with boredom.

"Anyway, welcome to the class, Void Termina," Meta Knight said, wrapping his cape around himself dramatically, "Today, I am here to announce some important news."

As Meta Knight paused for a moment, Ribbon glanced at Kirby and Void again—Kirby still looked disinterested, while Void appeared lost and confused.

"First, as I've said many times before: Swords are the noblest of weapons in combat. Can anyone in the class explain why?" he asked.

"Wanya!" several Waddle Dees eagerly raised their hands. Meta Knight gestured to the one who raised their hand the fastest. That Waddle Dee answered, "A warrior's mind works like a sword: as swift as the wind, as still as the forest, as fierce as fire, and as immovable as a mountain."

"Exactly. Your Majesty, be sure to award bonus points to this young Waddle Dee," Meta Knight said proudly. Ribbon could almost picture a smile beneath his mask. "But remember, there are many subtleties to wielding a sword, just as there are to mastering a warrior's strength. Without a whetstone, even the finest blade will dull. Likewise, a warrior's might must be honed through constant training."

"I don't like where this is going, Ribbon…" Kirby whispered, sounding increasingly concerned.

"Huh? Why?"

Before Kirby could explain, Meta Knight had already picked up a piece of chalk from the blackboard, raising it in the air like a sword. He declared, "Allow me to humbly present to you, with the help of Dream Land: Meta Knight Cup Ultra!"

"Oh no, not again…" Kirby groaned, burying his head in his hands as the Waddle Dees erupted into applause. Ribbon, meanwhile, remained utterly confused.

Meta Knight held the chalk as he explained, "The Meta Knight Cup Ultra is a single-elimination combat tournament. Any warrior who wishes to test their mettle may join and choose their weapon of preference. The only rules are simple: adhere to the honor code, and no weapons that can't fit within the arena."

—Ah, so it's just a friendly combat tournament. But why does this upset Kirby?

Meta Knight paused, letting the words sink in before continuing, "For the sake of fairness, I will also be participating. However, I will leave the arrangement of battles to the other trusted sponsor, ensuring complete impartiality."

Then, turning directly to Kirby and pointing at him with the chalk, Meta Knight's tone grew more eager, almost forceful, "Kirby! I trust you will join us in the tournament as well. Dream Land will surely be watching for your performance!"

"We duel like once a week. Can I sit this one out?" Kirby pleaded. The way he spoke reminded Ribbon of how he'd sometimes beg her for extra nap time.

"We haven't dueled in one month, two weeks… and four days, Kirby. What are you talking about?" Meta Knight's words, which should have sounded annoyed or irritated, instead came out brimming with pure passion.

"Why do you even remember the exact date?" Kirby mumbled, sounding more reluctant than ever.

"Sir Meta Knight, may I ask something?" Ribbon cut in, raising her hand.

"Yes?" Meta Knight responded.

"In terms of fighting rules… is there any point system? Like, perhaps a TKO?" Ribbon asked, trying to gauge if the tournament would be too taxing for Kirby. After all, Void's education had to come first.

"No, victory is declared the moment one's opponent yields, steps outside the arena's bounds… or is knocked out," Meta Knight explained, extending his bat-like wings dramatically for emphasis.

Knocked out? Ribbon wondered, eyes slowly widening. So Dream Land doesn't even use a point system in friendly, sparring matches? What if both opponents refuse to yield and no one can knock the other out of bounds? Technically, if I killed my opponent on the field... I wouldn't be disqualified, right?

"...That's brutal!" she gasped, grasping the full implication of Meta Knight's words. King Dedede chuckled and stepped over to pat her shoulder reassuringly. She heard the king said, "Eh, it's just how we men settle things in Dream Land sometimes. No need to worry, little Ribbon."

"Well, Your Majesty, it's also how warriors become stronger across the galaxy," Meta Knight added, lowering the chalk. "I dislike point systems because they can undermine the nuances of different fighting styles. But, Miss Ribbon, I trust you to use your wisdom to prevail in any difficult situation."

"I…" Ribbon hesitated. Is Meta Knight assuming I'm interested in the tournament? She knew she wasn't a typical fighter despite all her training to be a better guardian of the Queen—unless her opponents were members of the Dark Matter clan. And, the only weapon she was familiar with was the Crystal Gun.

Furthermore, what could she possibly gain from such senseless violence in the arena?

More pressing, though, was her concern for Kirby. He seemed just as reluctant—if not more so—than she was. But Meta Knight's overwhelming passion might make it hard for him to turn down the invitation.

"Fine, fine… I'll join the tournament," Kirby grumbled. "But you have to let me use other weapons, like in the Forgotten Land!"

"Kirby, you really don't have to—"

"Agreed," Meta Knight nodded, cutting Ribbon off before she could finish. "I will still place a spare sword in the center of the arena, in case you change your mind."

"What about the literacy class?" Ribbon asked, turning to the laid-back Dedede. The king waved his hand lazily. "We always take the day off for major events like this. Don't worry about it. Besides, you can join in and have fun with the rest of us."

"... Forgive me if I fail to see the fun part," Ribbon muttered.

"Eh, I know," the King shrugged. "But I'll join too. What kind of nemesis would I be if I didn't? Kirby would miss me if he only had Meta Knight as a worthy opponent."

Ribbon glanced back at Kirby, who was lightly tapping the table, his tiny feet swinging in exasperation.

"Are you sure about this, Kirby?" she asked cautiously. But Kirby just mimicked the King's shrug. Meanwhile, Void, oblivious to the fact that class was still in session, mumbled phrases like "That's brutal?" as if reviewing vocabulary.

It seemed this was an unfortunate day for Void to attend literacy class.

When she returned to Ripple Star with Kirby, Zero Two was already there for afternoon tea. He sat beside the Queen, his wings clasped and his gaze fixed on the cup in front of him.

"How's the literacy class, Ribbon?" the Queen asked warmly, pouring black tea for everyone at the table.

"Uh… it was fine, I think?" Ribbon replied, opting for vagueness. It was hard to explain how Meta Knight had used the class to announce the tournament, especially with Zero Two present.

"Zero Two, what's wrong?" Kirby asked, approaching the brooding dark angel and tilting his head. "You know… even with just one eye, we can still tell something's bothering you."

"…Can we discuss this in private?" Zero Two whispered, but Kirby simply stared back.

"Is it about Void's application for housing? How's that going?" Ribbon probed, recalling that Zero Two had signed the application.

"…I don't think I've received any calls from the Dream Land Bureau recently," Zero Two said, rolling his eye slightly.

"If it's not something serious, maybe you could share with us, if you don't mind…"

"I do mind," Zero Two forcefully interrupted Kirby's suggestion. In response, Kirby slowly lowered his head with a sad "poyo…" Just as Ribbon was about to scold Zero Two for upsetting him, she caught a glimpse of pain in Zero Two's eyes.

With a vindictive anger, Zero Two then said: "You want me to open up in front of everyone? Fine. I signed up for that damned Meta Knight Cup Ultra, and I want blood. You're welcome."

"Poyo? You signed up for it too?" Kirby seemed completely unfazed by the unsettling declaration of "I want blood."

"Why am I not surprised? I've told you, violence is as much a part of your nature as it is of mine, Kirby…" replied Zero Two, his tone softening just slightly.

"But I signed up because I don't want to let Meta Knight down!" Kirby protested nervously.

"Just say 'No,' Kirby. You need to stand up for your true desires and for yourself. If that blue bat doesn't listen, find a sword and engrave the word 'No' in his—"

"Oi. Stop." Ribbon cut him off before Zero Two could get too graphic with his colorful metaphor.

"What's the Meta Knight Cup, may I ask?" The Queen maintained her polite smile, gently caressing Ribbon's back as if to say, "There, there."

"Just a tournament," Kirby and Zero Two replied in unison. Meanwhile, Ribbon wondered if she should share what she knew about the tournament in more detail.

"Then what made you want to sign up, little Zero Two?" the Queen continued, her tone still gentle.

"I guess I'm in the same boat as Kirby," Zero Two said shortly, the violent intentions seemingly faded magically.

"Hmm? Meta Knight invites everyone in Dream Land?" Kirby asked.

"No. I mean, we all want to avoid letting someone important down." Zero Two flinched.

Was it Zero? He forced Zero Two to join? Ribbon couldn't help but feel alarmed.

"What do you mean?" Ribbon prompted stiffly, feeling cold sweat trickle down her trembling back.

"Zero sees me as nothing but a slave to you Dream Land residents' ideology. To prove myself a worthy member of the Dark Matter clan, I have no choice but to sign up. I'll follow the honor codes since I'm just another normal participant in this tournament, so don't you ever doubt my intentions, Ribbon," Zero Two claimed, slowly raising his wings intensely.

—And here we go again. Zero Two is nothing more than that merciless sun who once inflicted horror on Ripple Star, and who will haunt my nightmares for the rest of my life.

Tell me, Zero Two, how could I ever forgive you when you prove yourself again and again: You will do anything to satisfy your ego as a member of your clan? Ribbon clenched her teeth, struggling to formulate a proper response in what was supposed to be a peaceful tea party.

"If you don't mind, perhaps I can offer a bit of my perspective," the Queen gently called to Zero Two.

"Yes?" Zero Two whispered, the prideful madness in his voice suddenly vanished.

"No matter what happens, you can't change the fact that you're still a member of the Dark Matter clan—not even Zero could change that. However, like Gooey, there are still opportunities to find peace with yourself, regardless of everything." The Queen's words were calming. "To me, you already have the determination to atone for yourself, so please don't be too hard on yourself… just for something you might never achieve."

"Yes, I know I'm foolish for thinking Zero would change his damned mind, but I'll still do it anyway," said Zero Two with an odd resignation, prompting a sigh from the Queen—a sigh that pained Ribbon deeply.

"Please be safe, both of you," was probably the only thing the Queen could think of to say at that moment.

"Sure thing!" Kirby raised his hand with a serious nod, while Zero Two buried himself in the matcha cake.

"…Your Majesty, would you mind if I join the tournament as well?" Ribbon said, looking into her Queen's purple eyes.

"Ribbon?" Kirby turned to her in alarm, while Zero Two blinked in shock. Yet, the only expression that could sway Ribbon's decision was the Queen's. The Queen widened her eyes, seemingly regulating her breath after such an announcement.

—I'm sorry, Your Majesty. But I have no faith that Zero Two will adhere to the honor codes in the tournament. I have to protect my friends in Dream Land.

"…I can take care of Void when you're occupied. But the same goes for you, Ribbon. Please be safe," said the Queen, her gaze now more serious.

"Ribbon, that's the only thing I admire about you—deep down, you crave violence as much as I do," Zero Two mocked with a smirk in his eyes. "Come and let me learn your rage legally, if you dare."

"Don't you ever insult me with your…"

"Just eat already, both of you! A bad mood can ruin the taste, poyo!" Kirby interjected, his expression tired. Ribbon sighed and returned to her seat for the cake.

"…That was unprovoked of me. I'm sorry," Zero Two whispered in her ear as soon as she sat down.

Save your apologies for when you inevitably do something reckless in the tournament, Zero Two. I am your personal jailer for your callous ambition. But Ribbon kept that to herself as she took a sip of the now-soured tea.

Chapter Text

Kirby recalled the day Zero Two announced he wanted to join the tournament—it was during an afternoon gathering on Ripple Star. At first, he'd assumed Zero Two's motivation was much like his own; He'd thought that Zero's relationship to Zero Two was similar to Meta Knight's to him.

But he couldn't shake the memory of that afternoon. After following the Queen of Ripple Star to the kitchen and then returning to the palace's small conference room, both Zero Two and Ribbon seemed far more tense than when he'd briefly left.

What happened to them, poyo? Even though they were always at odd, Kirby could feel something much more... violent between their gazes.

And, just before Kirby took his Warp Star back to Planet Popstar, Ribbon caught up with him outside the palace.

"Ribbon, are you alright?" Kirby asked, tilting his head as he lay on the Warp Star. "You look... nervous?"

"It's fine, Kirby. I'm fine," said Ribbon, her polite, faint smile feeling almost forced.

"Is it about Zero Two, poyo?" Kirby pressed.

"Yes, but honestly... I should have seen it coming." As Ribbon spoke, Kirby saw something sour turn in her blue eyes.

"Please don't take what he said to heart, Ribbon!" Kirby shook his head nervously.

"...I'll try," Ribbon sighed, her gaze shifting away, "even though now, I'd rather see him pay for every sinful word he's said to the Queen, to you, and to me."

"That sounds exhausting, poyo poyo!" Kirby's heart skipped a beat, and he found himself repeating "poyo," as if it could somehow cancel out the growing anger in Ribbon's eyes.

"Sorry..." Ribbon slowly raised her hand, pressing it against her forehead. Then, lifting her gaze, she whispered, "It's late in Dream Land. We have jet lag, remember? Please stay safe, and I'll see you at the battle arrangements—the King canceled literacy class, and Her Majesty will take care of Void, so don't worry."

And then they both went silent, exchanging unreadable expressions.

"See you, poyo!" Kirby raised his tiny hand, hoping to lighten the mood.

"... See you," said Ribbon, her faint smile returning, the last thing Kirby saw before the Warp Star whisked him away.

On the day of the battle arrangement, Kirby brought the letter Magolor had sent and headed to the appointed place.

In Kirby's mind, he read the letter in Magolor's cheerful voice:

"Kirby, my friend,

As a sponsor of Meta Knight Cup Ultra, I'm totally stoked about how you're crushing it! But hey, don't get too amped just yet—we've got a super fair, transparent, and totally righteous battle arrangement coming up. You'll see who's facing who soon enough. Meet us tomorrow at the Quick-Draw Themed Restaurant in Merry Magoland!

Catch ya later,

Your best friend,

Magolor"

And now, Kirby had stood before the Quick-Draw Themed Restaurant just as Magolor said—it was a rustic, wooden bar, its aesthetic perfectly matching the old-timey shooting game nearby.

The scent of charred wood and sizzling food lingered in the air, mixing with the faint clatter of silverware. A wooden sign creaked above the entrance as Kirby pushed through the saloon-style doors, his eyes quickly adjusting to the dim, warm lighting inside.

As soon as Kirby stepped in, he spotted many familiar faces in the crowd.

Bandana Waddle Dee and King Dedede were at a table stacked with empty wooden mugs, teetering as the duo built them into a wobbly tower. Kirby couldn't help but wonder if the King had personally drained all of those mugs.

At another table, Susie and Dark Matter Blade—a duo no one expected to see together—sat side-by-side. If one listened closely, they'd hear Susie rattling off questions, contrasting with Blade's quiet, short responses. It almost sounded like an impromptu interview, with the sharp tap of her fingers on a digital notepad punctuating the pauses in their conversation.

Across the room, Gooey seemed unsure of which participant to interact with. After a moment of indecision, he transformed into his Stone form, plopping heavily onto the wooden tabletop with a dull thud. The faint sound of the wood settling under the pressure echoed through the whole room, but no one seemed to be bothered by his behavior.

Meanwhile, Meta Knight and Magolor—the sponsors of the tournament—were seated at a more private table. They whispered intensely over a piece of paper that lay between them, likely discussing the details of the tournament.

—Wait, where are Ribbon and Zero Two?

"Beep—"

Kirby followed the sudden buzz and froze when he spotted the two in a corner of the restaurant, each with a gun aimed at their own head. The atmosphere felt heavy as a Waddle Dee employee stood between them, pointing back and forth at each of them in turn. Whoever the Waddle Dee pointed at pulled the trigger…

"What are you doing with your lives, poyo!" Kirby gasped, rushing toward them with a horrified realization. Before he could intervene, King Dedede held him back.

"Nah, don't worry—they're using toy guns," Dedede said casually, clearly unbothered. But even though the guns were fake, Kirby couldn't shake how disturbing the situation felt.

"But what's with the beeping?" Kirby asked, anxiety rising as Ribbon and Zero Two locked eyes, the hatred between them so thick, it could almost be tasted in the air. It was like watching two caged predators sizing each other up, ready to tear the other into nothing but a red mist.

Dedede shrugged, "Kid, do I look like an engineer to you? From what I've heard, it's just a sound effect instead of real bullets. You know, like a roulette game, and if one's gun beeps, it means they lost."

Nearby, Bandana Waddle Dee was busy keeping their precarious tower of wooden mugs intact, but his voice wavered as he quietly added, "The employee suggested this instead of them going at each other with fists, Wanya… They were really close to fighting before you showed up."

Oh, poyo, Kirby thought to himself and frowned, something bad did happen to them when I was not with them!

"Beep—" The buzz came from Zero Two's gun this time, its blue LED flashing ominously.

Oh, he lost, Kirby thought to himself. That means this bizarre game can stop, right?

But Zero Two didn't flinch, just slid a small pile of red chips toward the employee Waddle Dee, the unspoken wager hanging in the air. His murderous gaze remained locked on Ribbon, who calmly collected her own pile of blue chips—clearly larger than Zero Two's.

—Are they betting on themselves, seeing who would "lose" this… bizarre game? What is even going on now?

"Tough luck, huh?" Ribbon whispered. Her soft voice was ice and sharp, like the chill of a frozen wind slicing through a quiet night. Kirby had never heard her speak with such cold fury before. Panic set in as he realized that letting her sign up for the tournament might have been a serious mistake.

"I'm honestly bored with this, and I figure you feel the same," Zero Two completely ignored the provocation, speaking in a terrifyingly calm voice, "All in, Ribbon. One more round and let's all in."

Ribbon's silence lingered for a moment, her gaze unbroken. Then, with a slow nod, she pushed a sizable pile of her blue chips forward, committing to the wager.

"Want to bet on something more for the last round?" Zero Two asked, the toy gun still pointed at his head.

"The loser has to help the employee Waddle Dee clean up the restaurant," Ribbon replied. It hurt Kirby to hear a friend speak with such hatred; it felt like watching someone unfamiliar with copy abilities suddenly get the Needle ability, real needles protruding from their body.

"Will Magolor give us time? He says he's only waiting for Kirby," Zero Two said, his gaze still fixated on Ribbon.

Magolor, who seemed to be keeping an eye on everything happening in the restaurant, floated over to the roulette table and said, "The loser has to clean up that stupid mug tower at Dedede's table. Deal?"

"Hey! You traitorous egg! Don't you dare mock my majestic tower!" Dedede protested, his voice reverberating through the restaurant.

"Oh… I want to destroy that thing, too. Thank you," a sadistic smile crept across Zero Two's singular crimson eye.

"Deal. Last round," Ribbon agreed.

The employee Waddle Dee's gaze ping-ponged between them, ensuring they were ready. Kirby suddenly realized that the whole restaurant—excluding a happy Gooey still in his Stone form—was watching the roulette table as if this were a warm-up round for the tournament.

"Begin!" yelled the employee Waddle Dee, pointing at Ribbon.

The atmosphere froze as a deadly silence enveloped the restaurant, broken only by the click of Ribbon's gun as she pulled the trigger. The employee Waddle Dee then pointed at Zero Two, and his toy gun produced nothing but a small click.

The entire restaurant held its breath as they pulled the triggers, but nothing happened. The anticipation was dreadful. Even knowing they were using toy guns and that the wager was just about cleaning up, Kirby could hear his heartbeat racing like a drum, out of control.

"Beep," until Ribbon's gun emitted a scarlet light, followed by a deafening buzz.

Yet neither of the two changed their tense expressions; they pretended nothing had happened. Zero Two scooped mountains of chips toward the employee Waddle Dee, while Ribbon picked up a large plastic box and walked over to Dedede.

"Wanya…" Bandana muttered, clearly upset at the thought of their proud mug mountain soon being destroyed.

"Ribbon, can we take a photo? We worked hard on this," Dedede said, standing up and blocking Ribbon's path. However, his reckless movement nudged the tower, causing it to crumble like a landslide. The wooden mugs bounced across the floor, filling the air with their clattering sounds.

"Poyo!" Kirby rushed to the scattered mugs, eager to help Ribbon. Meanwhile, she silently shoveled the remaining mugs into the plastic box with her hands with her blank stare. Dedede's nervous apologies to Bandana could be heard amidst the chaos.

After a moment, the employee Waddle Dee took Ribbon's box filled with wooden mugs and moved to a steel safe behind the bar, opening it to return the Crystal Gun to Ribbon.

"Isn't today just… battle arrangement?" Kirby asked, confused by Ribbon already bringing her weapon.

"It's not like anything can stop Meta Knight from bringing his Galaxia everywhere, even to my amusement park," Magolor said, a wry smile in his yellow oval eyes. He then cleared his throat, raising his voice:

"Welcome aboard to Merry Magoland! I am the sponsor and commentator of this tournament, Magolor. Nice to meet you all!"

"I thought you would be a participant too, Magolor," Kirby said curiously, scanning the restaurant to see if every familiar face was a participant.

"Me? Nah, I'm too old for something 'aggro' like that," Magolor replied dismissively, waving his hand. He then switched to a cheerful demeanor, "Since all nine participants are here, let's head to the roller coaster for the battle arrangement process!"

"Why the roller coaster, may I ask?" Dedede inquired doubtfully.

"A surprise," Magolor said cryptically, his usual smile in place as he began to leave. "Come on, let's go! And someone please remember to pick Gooey up from the table."

The group walked for about ten minutes—Kirby having to hold hands with Zero Two and Ribbon separately to prevent the two from getting into physical fights—until they reached the roller coaster. When they arrived, another employee Waddle Dee removed the "Maintenance" sign in front of the entrance, clearing the way for the group. Magolor continued leading them to the attraction itself: a ten-seat roller coaster adorned with blue, yellow, and red colors. The front of the roller coaster was decorated to resemble Magolor himself.

"Oh! A roller coaster reserved for us! How thoughtful of you, Mag," Susie said, folding her hands.

"Well, believe it or not, Susie, we'll decide the battle arrangement by this sacred roller coaster!" Magolor announced, gesturing widely to the attraction.

The others were either disinterested—Zero Two and Ribbon still looking dead inside—or confused; Bandana made a bewildered "Wanya…?" in response. Only Susie clapped, her quiet applause making the atmosphere even more awkward.

"How does a roller coaster decide the battle arrangement?" Kirby asked, blinking at the ride, his mind brimming with all the magical possibilities.

"First of all, I think all of you dear participants have noticed: this precious baby has five rows, with two seats in each row," Magolor said, performing a dramatic bow. "I want you to find your partner first and choose your seats—can you do that for me?"

"Kirby! Let me extend my manly arms and sit with you!" Meta Knight called out, widening his hands as if to embrace Kirby in mid-air.

"Oh, what if we both die a martyr in the primary rounds, Ribbon? It would be tragic, wouldn't it?" murmured Zero Two, who had shifted into his fake-eye form, with his real singular eye closed and two decorative beady eyes on top. That unsettling, artificial smile was like something out of a nightmare.

"Are you suggesting we sit together?" Ribbon responded flatly, "I'd love to knock you out right in the primary rounds, but how do we even know sitting together will guarantee we'll face each other?"

"Hmm. You're right. I have no idea what game this tongueless snake Magolor is playing," Zero Two replied, raising a finger in thought.

"…And don't you dare die on the field. The Queen saved your worthless life—you can't let all her effort go to waste. You will survive, as I will just make you relive the day your conquest failed," Ribbon snapped, her tone tightening.

"Hmm," Zero Two merely responded with a thoughtful hum, unaffected by her anger.

"Can't you use your powers as the second-in-command of the Dark Matter clan to figure out what Mr. Magolor's up to?" Ribbon pressed, eyeing the roller coaster.

"I sense a complete lack of magic, which is what confuses me," Zero Two replied, rubbing his head with his wings. "Fun fact for you, Ribbon: this coaster was crafted by about ten—no, twelve—Waddle Dees. Diligent species, aren't they?"

"Then it's probably some trickery involving so-called technology," said Ribbon, her tone softening slightly. She then turned to Zero Two, "Do you still remember what a random number generator is?"

"Remember Miracle Matter?" Zero Two said. The name instantly brought Kirby back to memories of the Dark Matter entity that resembled a twenty-sided dice, capable of transforming into six elemental forms—right before Kirby's fateful fight against Zero Two long ago.

"So Miracle Matter's transformations were based on a random number generator?" Ribbon asked.

"An imperfect one, I admit. But at the end of the day, a random number generator is just a failed replica of 'fate'—" said Zero Two, almost dramatically.

"Kirby, what are you doing?" Meta Knight interrupted their conversation, walking over to Kirby. "Please choose your partner, or else Miss Susie might insist on pairing with me."

"Well, ladies first, then!" Kirby said, mimicking Magolor's dramatic bow. He heard Meta Knight's unimpressed "Tsk" and Susie's applause.

"Kirby, want to sit with me? It seems like we're the only functional beings left in this whole tournament," Dedede chimed in, rubbing his belly lazily. But an uncertain "Wanya…" from the king's feet caught his attention—it was Bandana Waddle Dee.

"Oh, right, I forgot about you." Dedede scooped up Bandana like a plush toy and gently asked, "Do you want to sit with Kirby or me? Take your time—Magolor's letting that divorced couple over there discuss quantum mechanics."

Dedede's comment was met with wrathful stares from Zero Two and Ribbon, making the penguin king nervously apologize. Kirby couldn't help but giggle at the "divorced couple" analogy.

"Kirby, I'm scared of the roller coaster… I want to sit with you. Sorry, Your Majesty," Bandana buried his face into Kirby's back, clutching him tightly from behind. Kirby gently patted Bandana's head, guiding him to the second row since Meta Knight and Susie had already claimed the first.

Dedede plopped himself down in the third row, not bothering to find a partner. Dark Matter Blade hovered over with a shy expression, but the King waved him off. "No women or Dark Matter today," Dedede muttered, causing the Blade to float away, shoulders sagging.

"Wow, that's kind of not cool, King," Kirby teased, turning around to poke fun.

"Hey, most of the Dark Matter use male pronouns. I'm equal-opportunity here—doesn't matter your pronouns. It's just that everyone else is too crazy for this little ride..." Dedede grumbled as he folded his arms.

Before Dedede could continue, Magolor threw up his hands in exasperation, "Alright, I'm so done with this! Just settle it with rock-paper-scissors already!"

"But I don't have fingers…" Gooey blinked, confused. Magolor quickly handed him three cards, each with a symbol for rock, paper, or scissors. Dark Matter Blade drifted up uncomfortably close to Magolor, who sighed and handed him a set of cards too.

"See? I told you—too insane for this ride," Dedede muttered playfully to Kirby, who just shrugged.

After a few moments, Zero Two floated over to Dedede, his tired expression unchanging, even in his fake-eye form.

"Yo," Dedede greeted him nervously as Zero Two wordlessly crammed himself into the already-tight third row. Between Dedede's bulk and Zero Two's hovering presence, the space was suffocating.

Kirby glanced behind him. Ribbon and Gooey had settled in the fourth row, where Gooey was trying to share cookies with Ribbon—who politely declined. In the back row, Dark Matter Blade looked uneasy beside an exhausted-looking Magolor, who seemed about to collapse.

"Remember to fasten your seatbelts, no matter your pronouns!" Magolor shouted, forcing an overly cheerful tone. With a grand gesture, he signaled to the employee Waddle Dee, and the roller coaster rumbled to life.

"Magolor! You forgot to lower the safety bar—"

Kirby barely got the words out before the roller coaster jerked forward, the sudden pull sending them hurtling downwards.

"Ahh—!"

In the whirlwind of noise, Kirby could only make out a few distinct sounds: Bandana's trembling "Wanya," King Dedede's thunderous shriek, Susie's mix of a cheer and a scream, and Magolor's panicked cry: "Woah ah ah... Your Majesty, forgive me! It's technically not illegal... technically... Ahh!"

As soon as the roller coaster screeched to a halt, Kirby quickly loosened his seatbelt, patting a tearful Bandana Waddle Dee.

"This was worse than Star Allies Sparkler…" Bandana whimpered, clutching Kirby tightly. Kirby simply repeated, "There, there," trying to soothe him.

"Okay! Please remain seated, everyone!" Magolor floated to the front of the roller coaster, his voice carrying more weight than usual. The group instantly realized this was it—the moment Magolor would reveal how the roller coaster decided the battle arrangement.

"Allow me to share a… rather personal story with you all," Magolor began, his gaze distant, as if lost in a memory. "When I built this amusement park, my biggest struggle was… well, convincing people that my hard work was worth their attention. Sure, I was a renowned magic item merchant, but… I had quite a reputation, if you know what I mean."

—Oh, come on, Magolor. All four of us—Dedede, Bandana, Meta Knight, and I—already forgave you for that betrayal. Kirby thought to himself.

"But thanks to Susie's help and some encouragement from others, I managed to create a place filled with laughter and joy," Magolor's tone brightened suddenly, returning to his familiar enthusiastic grin as he glanced at Kirby.

Kirby raised an eyebrow. Why look at me? Dedede was the one who signed off on your grand plan, not me.

"This journey reminded me that while some of us may face more setbacks than others, in the end, we all choose our own path." With a dramatic wave, Magolor conjured a glowing screen into the air.

He continued, "This roller coaster was a social experiment, designed to let you subconsciously choose someone you cherish deeply as your opponent in the primary rounds. Was it successful? Probably not—Nova help us if Zero Two secretly cherishes the King." He chuckled, "Anyway, here are the battle arrangements!"

A series of light-blue words flickered onto the screen with the hum:

"Primary:

Match 1. Meta Knight vs Susie Haltmann

Match 2. Kirby vs Bandana Waddle Dee

Match 3. King Dedede vs Zero Two

Match 4. Ribbon vs Gooey

Seeded Player: Dark Matter Blade

Quarterfinal:

Match 5. Dark Matter Blade vs Winner of Match 3

Semifinal:

Match 6. Winner of Match 1 vs Winner of Match 2

Match 7. Winner of Match 5 vs Winner of Match 4

Final: Winner of Match 6 vs Winner of Match 7"

"Let's do our best, Kirby!" Bandana said, now wiping away his tears as he embraced Kirby again, this time out of excitement. But Kirby could hear the King's loud cry of despair, realizing he was fated to face Zero Two in the first round.

The most unsettling thing was that Zero Two and Ribbon still seemed solely focused on each other, silently staring at the screen, barely acknowledging anyone or anything else.

"Meta Knight, remind me to never do this again," Magolor muttered before summoning a small black hole and vanishing, leaving nine Merry Magoland coupons floating in the air.

Chapter Text

After the battle arrangement, Kirby stopped Ribbon before she could leave Merry Magoland alone.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice soft with concern. Ribbon, now more exhausted than anything else, turned to him and sighed.

"I'm fine, Kirby. It's just… I think we should head home soon. Tomorrow is the primary round," she said, gripping her Crystal Gun tightly, almost as if it were a security blanket.

"But I haven't eaten anything since I got here… I want to eat with you, poyo," Kirby said, hoping the excuse would lift her spirits and take her mind somewhere happier. Ribbon gazed at him in silence for a moment, then gently took his hand.

"Let's… eat anywhere. I'm fine with whatever," she whispered.

Without a second thought, Kirby pulled her into a hug. He could feel how the day's tension had drained her, leaving her nothing but an empty shell of the vibrant fairy he knew.

Why do I feel like Ribbon and Zero Two might have had other arguments before today? Kirby wondered. Still, he chose not to dwell on it and led Ribbon toward a nearby restaurant, near the water attractions.

Kirby chose seats by the artificial pond, hoping the cool breeze from the water would ease his own anxious heart. Ribbon quietly ordered a salad from the waiter Waddle Dee, then slumped over the table before Kirby had even decided on his order.

"…Ribbon?"

"I'm fine, Kirby..." she murmured weakly.

The waiter Waddle Dee patiently turned to Kirby and asked, "Mr. Kirby, may I take your order?"

"Uh… a Triple Deluxe Hamburger and a Magolor Cake, please." Rather than browsing the menu for something new, Kirby simply picked the first items on the list.

As they waited for the food, Kirby sat in silence, staring at Ribbon. Unsure of how to comfort her, Kirby's attention drifted to a nearby conversation—

"No! I want to perform tomorrow. I don't care what trickery Magolor pulled in our contract!" a frustrated Waddle Dee shouted.

Perform? Kirby tilted his head, glancing toward the table.

"Calm down, Bass Dee. Magolor only said, 'Depending on how long some battles last, you might only get to perform two songs,'" explained another Waddle Dee. Kirby realized there were four of them seated together, one clearly upset, while the others seemed more indifferent.

Wait, aren't they The Deedly Dee? Kirby realized, recognizing the band of four Waddle Dees in the Forgotten Land.

"He promised we would perform more..." Bass Dee muttered, frustration still simmering.

"No, Bass Dee. You just have terrible listening skills—especially with Magolor. Actually, with anyone," another Waddle Dee interrupted, biting into a sandwich, clearly irritated.

"Oh… bummer..." Bass Dee slumped, while the others continued their meal in silence.

Maybe I can ask Bass Dee to perform some songs, Kirby thought. It might lift his spirits, and maybe Ribbon would feel better after hearing some music.

When the food arrived, Kirby whispered his idea to the waiter, but the waiter politely declined, offering an alternative.

"Sir, perhaps I can ask them which new song they'd like to share with the customers? I can change the restaurant's music to accommodate," the waiter suggested with a polite smile. Kirby nodded and glanced at Ribbon, who quietly nibbled on her salad, still lost in thought.

After a few moments, the argument between The Deedly Dee grew louder.

"Play B-L-A-H-B-L-A-S-T! I'm so sick of performing songs from our newest album! Let's play something else for once!"

"No one even likes that song, Keyboard Dee! Not even our biggest fans!" Bass Dee shouted, standing up and throwing his hands in the air. "You want a different song? Fine! But why choose the least popular one?"

"I don't care! It was a request from another table, so why don't you go ask them what they want—" As the argument rose, the Waddle Dees suddenly turned their attention toward Kirby, who simply waved and smiled in response.

"Oh... is that...?" one of the band members blinked in disbelief.

"Yes," said the waiter with a stiff but polite smile, "Mr. Kirby requested that you pick a song to share with the customers. As a restaurant focused on atmosphere, we have an extensive music collection, including every album you've released—even the re-issues."

"Hey, Kirby!" Bass Dee shouted. "Which song do you like?"

"Please say B-L-A-H-B-L-A-S-T..." muttered Keyboard Dee next to him, earning a playful pat on the head. Kirby, unsure of what answer would satisfy the entire band, glanced over at Ribbon.

"…Don't they have a song called 'Something Stupid'? Even though it's a cover?" Ribbon finally spoke, her voice stronger than before.

Kirby blinked in confusion—he remembered hearing that song in an ice cream shop once, struggling to make sense of the lyrics. What about the song resonated so much with Ribbon?

"No... I'm not saying you said something stupid. That's the name of the song," Ribbon said quickly, misreading Kirby's confused expression.

"I'm just curious, Ribbon," said Kirby, and then he told the waiter their final decision, which prompted a cry from Keyboard Dee: "Not the song from our newest album—I'm burning that thing when I get home!"

Moments later, rhythmic claps filled the air, followed by the soothing plucking of strings and Drum Dee singing softly about how sometimes, it's silly to say "I love you."

Kirby watched Ribbon closely throughout the song. At first, she pushed her empty glass aside, seemingly lost in thought. Then, she covered her mouth with one hand, as if grappling with a sudden realization. As the final notes hung in the air, she began to weep.

Oh, poyo. I've done something stupid.

Kirby gently pulled her into his arms, whispering, "There, there." She buried herself in his embrace, her tears soaking into his side.

Ribbon didn't speak for the rest of the day. Only as she left Merry Magoland did she murmur a faint, "See you tomorrow."

The next day, Kirby arrived at the bustling arena, the air thick with the smell of popcorn and the hum of excited chatter from the audience. The first familiar face he spotted was Magolor, already dressed in his commentator outfit. It resembled his usual manager attire, but this time, the top hat had been swapped for a blue newsboy cap. A black monocle perched over his left eye added an old-fashioned touch to his look.

"Ya! Kirby!" Magolor exclaimed, clasping Kirby's hands warmly, "Before the tournament starts, I've got two quick updates for you. First, your battle's in the second round, so you should head to the prep room about ten minutes after the first round ends."

Magolor waited until Kirby nodded, then he continued, "The second thing—you've got access to a participants-only snack buffet in the basement. Just swipe this to get in." He handed Kirby a small, white card.

"Just don't share it with anyone outside the tournament, alright? Treat it like your favorite snack! I'd recommend you check it out if you haven't had breakfast. You can watch the battles on TV while you snack." said Magolor with a smile in his yellow eyes.

"But I'd rather eat after my battle, Magolor..." Kirby grumbled.

"Kirby, I'm begging on my figurative knees here," Magolor dropped his hands in mock exasperation, "You don't know how many people have told me the same thing. I'm starting to think Dream Land's famous snack-lovers are a myth! This is a high-end, business-conference-level buffet. You'll love it!"

"Meta Knight will probably swipe all the affogato after his match. Don't worry, poyo," Kirby said with a grin, "But fine, I'll go check it out."

"Thanks, Kirby!" Magolor grasped his hands again. "I need feedback, or else I'll never know if the buffet's any good. Now, excuse me, I've got to commentate the first match."

"Have fun!" Kirby waved just as Magolor floated away, offering a quick wave in return.

Kirby headed down to the basement alone, swiping in with the white card. But before he could even admire the lavish desserts spread out on the table, a familiar voice called from across the room:

"Oi, Kirby! Come join us! They're about to start!" yelled the King.

King Dedede and Bandana Waddle Dee waved him over warmly from their spot in front of the TV. Dedede balanced a plate stacked with pancakes, while Bandana held up a glass of apple juice in the air.

"Meta Knight is up against Susie? But I haven't grabbed my—"

"Don't worry, Bandana's got you covered," said the King before Kirby could finish, as Bandana lifted two plates piled high with cakes, macarons, and cupcakes, showing them off like they were part of a weightlifting routine. Kirby's eyes lit up at the sight of the dessert mountains, and he dashed over, cheering with pure joy.

"Kirby, could you help cheer up His Majesty?" but then Bandana sighed, handing Kirby a plate of sweets. "He's been saying things like 'I'm gonna feast like a king before I go down like a nobody.' It's upsetting! I keep telling him he'll be fine, but..."

"It's not upsetting, Bandana. It's called coming to terms with reality," Dedede said, his mouth still stuffed with pancakes.

"Your Majesty, please have more faith in yourself! I do!" Bandana waved his hands in distress. Kirby decided to lighten Bandana's mood by secretly slipping him a macaron.

"…Wanya," Bandana muttered, slowly chewing on the macaron as his frown began to soften.

"Let's cheer for Meta Knight, even though he definitely can't hear us down here!" King Dedede declared, raising a slice of pancake like a toast. Kirby and Bandana followed his lead, lifting a cupcake and a glass of apple juice in unison.

Dedede quickly shushed the others as soon as Magolor's voice boomed from the TV: "The first round of the primary round~Begin!" The reverberating sound of a bell echoed through the arena. On the screen, Susie tapped her remote, summoning her iconic pink-and-white Business Suit, while Meta Knight raised his golden sword, Galaxia, and took a defensive stance.

Kirby knew this battle meant a lot to Meta Knight. He remembered the time Haltmann Works Company had tried to conquer Planet Popstar, like so many invaders before them. Meta Knight had been captured and turned into a cyborg soldier against his will. Kirby didn't know exactly what happened back then, but knowing Meta Knight, he probably fought the entire company single-handedly until he was overwhelmed.

"Go, Sir Meta Knight! You can do this!" Bandana Waddle Dee cheered, clapping excitedly as Susie and Meta Knight shifted into position, circling each other warily. Without warning, Meta Knight launched three swift golden sword beams at Susie, who responded by firing four drill-shaped projectiles from her mech.

Meta Knight's sword beams sliced through the incoming missiles, destroying them one by one. But one drill remained. Meta Knight sidestepped, slashing the final missile in half before stretching his bat-like wings. Susie leaped into the air, spinning her mech's arms, preparing for a crushing downward strike—but Meta Knight was already airborne, soaring above her.

"Friendly reminder for all participants who can fly—which is everyone, by the way—we've got magic sensors to detect if you fly out of bounds! Please be mindful!" Magolor's voice chimed in as the battle raged on.

Meta Knight unleashed a rapid volley of golden sword beams, aiming at Susie below. In response, Susie summoned an array of bronze, Susie-shaped drones that rotated and flew at Meta Knight like a squadron of ballerinas. The sky was filled with explosions of drones and clashes between sword beams and metal, one could imagine the sharp smell of gunpowder just from the sight on the TV.

Kirby watched as Susie tapped several buttons on her mech, causing its arms to detach slightly from the main Business Suit, revealing a large muzzle on the side. Meta Knight halted, raising his sword to brace for the next attack. But instead of a projectile, streams of drifting Haltmann dollar bills shot out, obscuring the view for the audience, cameras, and even Meta Knight.

"Oof, all these ex-president's attacks, poyo..." Kirby muttered, reminded of Susie's tearful rant a while after the failed conquest of Planet Popstar by Haltmann Works Company.

Just as Kirby assumed Susie was only replicating her former president's tactics, the muzzles suddenly discharged a shockwave of blue-purple sparks. Kirby gasped at the unexpected move, but Meta Knight had anticipated it, gracefully performing a Shuttle Loop in mid-air to evade the shockwave.

Kirby's eyes then caught the yellow-green sparks emitting from Susie's headphones, reminiscent of the elemental combinations she once used to help defeat Hyness. When did Susie learn to imbue herself with elements on her own? Kirby wondered.

Meta Knight landed, ready to launch a more powerful series of sword beams. But before he could, Susie fired four spark-enhanced drill missiles alongside another wave of her Susie drones, spinning through the air for yet another slam attack. Despite her relentless assault, Meta Knight stood firm, unleashing three dark-blue, fire-like sword beams slicing through the air, covering half the arena as they surged forward.

The three waves of dark-blue sword beams sliced through Susie's drones like butter, striking the Business Suit. At the same time, Susie slammed the ground, sending yellow sparks in every direction.

However, the smaller, spark-enhanced drills dodged the beams and homed in on Meta Knight. He spun around with his sword to defend himself, but one drill managed to strike him in the back before he sliced it apart.

"Sir Meta Knight!" Bandana cried out, nearly spilling his apple juice in panic. Kirby quickly grabbed his arm, stopping the glass from toppling over.

Meta Knight remained unfazed by the blow, small sparks flickering off his armor. As Susie's yellow shockwaves rippled toward him from her slam, he raised his sword again, poised to block. Meanwhile, Susie reattached her mech's arms, though the three deep slashes leaking oil and white smoke made the condition clear.

—Wait, is he preparing for the Galactic Counter? Kirby recalled Meta Knight teaching him the art of deception, especially how the stance for preparing Galactic Counter looked identical to a simple block.

Just as the shockwaves were about to collide, Meta Knight deftly reeled back, dodging them, then dashed forward, landing a clean, decisive strike on Susie's mech.

"Ah!" Susie cried out in frustration as her mech sputtered and failed. Forced to abandon the machine, she pulled a gun and aimed at Meta Knight in a last-ditch effort. But with a single, graceful move, Meta Knight turned, dodged the bullets, and knocked the gun from her hands with the sword's hilt.

With a sigh, Susie let out a wry smile, raising her hands in surrender, a glint of amusement in her eyes despite the loss. Meta Knight pointed the tip of Galaxia at her, ensuring the battle was truly over.

"Yes! Meta Knight wins! Woohoo!" Not waiting for Magolor's announcement, Kirby, Dedede, and Bandana leaped up in excitement, exchanging high-fives. A distant voice from the staff warned, "Please be careful not to knock anything over at the buffet, thank you!" But Kirby was too busy celebrating Meta Knight's victory to care.

Kirby glanced at the TV: Magolor's lighthearted announcement signaled the end of the first round, with Meta Knight and Susie shaking hands after their intense brawl. Despite their complicated history, they showed genuine sportsmanship, which made Kirby smile. He was relieved that Susie seemed to enjoy herself, even in defeat.

"Let's all win in the primary! Even if you two face each other, I don't care! Just have fun—cheers!" Dedede raised his plate of pancakes in another toast. Bandana held up his nearly-empty glass, while Kirby lifted a half-eaten cake. It was their last toast before the next round of battles began.

As Dedede witnessed Kirby and Bandana leave the buffet, a pancake still in his hand, his phone buzzed with a new message. He glanced at the screen:

From Meta Knight: AFFOGATO. (Also, no sweat.)

Chapter Text

If Ribbon wins against Gooey, and I defeat Blade in the quarterfinals, we're doomed to meet in the semifinals. That's not good, Zero Two thought, watching the arena from a corner of the audience, alone.

He had already devised a quick strategy to defeat King Dedede, aiming to conserve his strength for the later rounds. It wasn't that the penguin king posed a formidable challenge—it was more the misfortune of the battle arrangements.

Or is this fate, really?

If he had just followed his instincts and convinced Ribbon to sit with him on that damned roller coaster, things might have been easier—the suffering would have been shorter. Perhaps Ribbon was right all along—he did have a habit of blaming things beyond his control.

As he sat there, the weight of impending matches loomed over him, reminding him that every decision had led him to this moment of isolation. Perhaps signing up just for his own pride as a member of Dark Matter was a mistake.

He didn't want to use the white card for the participants-only buffet. The idea of meeting others while trying to calm himself with dessert felt repulsive; Running into the Queen of Ripple Star was equally unappealing, especially since Ribbon would likely be by her side; He doubted Kirby would be anywhere but the buffet or the preparation room, surrounded by his friends; Even the prospect of encountering Dark Matter Blade or Gooey didn't appeal to him.

He hesitated before dialing the Queen's number, the unread message notifications glaring at him from the corner of his screen. He swiped past them, determined to avoid the conversations he'd been dodging for days. It's just a short phone call, then I will go back to ignore the messages altogether.

"…Ribbon's with you?" he asked as soon as the ringing stopped.

"Yes. And Void, too. We're in the front row having popcorn," the Queen replied, her warm voice tinged with concern.

Yeah, I'm doomed to be alone today.

"Thanks. Enjoy your popcorn," Zero Two whispered before hanging up. He barely caught the Queen's faint plea: "Wait, we can talk in private—"

The plea didn't stop him from ending the call, even though he knew it brought pain to them both.

Refocusing on the arena, Zero Two saw Bandana Waddle Dee and Kirby already stepping onto the field. The two friends waved cheerfully at each other, like they were about to set off on a road trip. For a moment, it almost made him forget that this was a tournament.

Zero was right—he would never truly be part of Kirby's world. He couldn't imagine a scenario where Dark Matter Blade and he could wave to each other with such friendly ease before a battle.

Then something struck him: Did Kirby really not bring any ability essence today? The pink puffball stood on the stage with no special attire. Back in Zero Two's day, Kirby didn't have the stylized hats that came with copy abilities, but from what he'd seen in more recent battles, Kirby often donned a hat that matched his power.

If Kirby's fighting without abilities, how does he plan to attack? Bandana Waddle Dee is a pure melee fighter, relying on his spear. Without an ability, Kirby won't even have ammo to inhale and spit at him. Air bullets won't be enough, Zero Two thought. How does he intend to handle this?

"Begin!" Magolor's voice snapped Zero Two from his thoughts. Bandana spun his spear above his head, performing a Waddle Copper—using it like a rotor to fly.

Kirby remained still, watching Bandana closely as he prepared for a downthrust. Then, in one swift motion, Kirby opened his mouth and inhaled, pulling Bandana in effortlessly.

Oh, right… Bandana Waddle Dee's small enough to inhale. But why does this scene remind me of the foolish things I said during that cursed camping trip a month ago? Zero Two thought, but a sudden pang in his head pulled him from his musings.

"Wait, what?" Even Magolor sounded confused, but Kirby had already spat Bandana out, sending him flying across the arena, stuck on the star bullet Kirby had created. As soon as Bandana hit the boundary and the magic sensors rang, Magolor announced Kirby's swift victory.

Bandana Waddle Dee was lodged in the arena wall, slowly sliding down with a look of defeat. Kirby ran over to him, gently picking him up and patting his head to cheer him up.

"Kirby, I knew you'd pull something like this again, but I was hoping for an actual fight, Wanya..." Bandana Waddle Dee muttered, shaking his head with a shy smile.

"Sorry, Bandana. I just wanted to have a little fun before… well, you know, Meta Knight insists on dueling me with swords," Kirby said, giving Bandana a quick hug.

Zero Two wondered briefly, If I were Kirby's opponent in the semifinal instead of Meta Knight, how would he describe our next round to Bandana?

With his match against King Dedede approaching, Zero Two turned and headed straight for the preparation room.

Zero Two couldn't believe Dedede was still eating a pancake, even as they both stood in the arena awaiting Magolor's signal. Maybe that was part of the odd charm of this self-proclaimed king.

"Why aren't you eating anything from the buffet?" Dedede asked, his mouth still full.

"…Why are you still eating?" Zero Two shot back, amazed by how ridiculous Dedede could be sometimes.

"Well, I gotta feast like a king before I go down like a nobody," Dedede said, stuffing the last bit of pancake into his mouth and wiping his face with his hand.

"Fair enough," Zero Two replied, giving an awkward nod.

"Meta Knight said he never gambles, but for this tournament, he bet on how long I could last against you. Pretty rude, right?" Dedede mumbled, still chewing.

"Oh? Do tell me how long he bet. I'd love to not match his guess," Zero Two said, narrowing his eye.

"No way! I know you'd do just that, meanie," Dedede smirked, his carefree attitude making Zero Two want to land a hit on him much sooner.

"Fine."

"Begin!" Magolor's shout was followed by the sharp clang of the bell. Zero Two hovered just above Dedede, crossing his wings to make it seem like he was preparing for a melee assault. In truth, he was baiting Dedede into using his signature Hammer Flip, planning to possess him after the inevitable miss.

But to Zero Two's surprise, Dedede didn't take the bait. Instead, he played defensively, holding his hammer in front of him to block any of Zero Two's incoming strikes.

Fine, I'll keep attacking until you mistakenly think you've found the moment for the Hammer Flip, Zero Two thought.

He retracted his dark red, claw-like feathers, preparing to extend them later for a surprise strike. Then, with a sharp motion, he darted toward the king, swinging the base of his wings. Dedede held his defensive posture, spinning his hammer as he slowly backed away. Unbothered by the hammer's spins, Zero Two saw an opening. Between each rotation, he stretched his dark red feathers, managing to slice a small cut across Dedede's cheek.

"Running away like some scared recruit in a losing war—is this how a king fights in Dream Land?" Zero Two taunted, though inwardly, he was surprised by Dedede's caution. He had only intended to bait the Hammer Flip.

"Hah! Says the Dark Matter who couldn't possess me in the first ten seconds we met!" Dedede laughed, clearly unfazed. His confidence made Zero Two pause. Is he trying to bait me into attacking too?

"Well… let me have some fun before you become my puppet," Zero Two replied, watching closely for any hint of fear in Dedede's expression as he implied that possession was on the table. He noticed a brief tremble flicker across Dedede's face, lasting only a second as the threat sank in.

Perhaps Dedede's strategy isn't all that detailed, Zero Two mused. Maybe Kirby's king has simply matured over the years—unlike mine.

With no deeper or more philosophical reasoning behind Dedede's defensive stance, Zero Two decided to step up his offense, slashing at the king with greater intensity. Dedede spun his hammer, occasionally unleashing the Hammer Cannon—the hammer equivalent of a sword beam—but the cuts on Dedede grew, while Zero Two remained untouched.

Zero Two quickly noticed the Hammer Cannon had a brief charging period before firing. It wasn't as long as the Hammer Flip, but it might be just enough time to execute his possession strategy. As the clash of wings and hammer drove Dedede toward the arena's edge, Zero Two knew he was close to victory—one more push and the king would be forced out of bounds.

Sensing Dedede's weakness, Zero Two retracted his feathers and surged forward, baiting the king into firing a longer Hammer Cannon. Dedede raised his hammer, a faint red glow forming on its surface. Just as he swung, Zero Two darted upward, narrowly dodging the beam, and dashed to Dedede's left side.

"Ah!" Dedede cried out, panic in his voice as he swung wildly, trying to land a hit. But before the king could react, Zero Two shifted into his Dark Mass form, like formless and pulsing black clouds. As he slipped inside Dedede's body, a stark white void consumed his vision.

Inside Dedede's mind, he could hear the screams of the King's deepest insecurities echoing. For a fleeting moment, Zero Two felt a pang of guilt for using possession against him.

"Do a head slide," Zero Two commanded, before swiftly exiting Dedede's mind.

When Zero Two re-emerged into the physical world, Dedede had already slammed face-first into the ground, his momentum carrying him out of the arena. The magic detectors at the boundary flared to life, ringing like sirens.

"Uh-ah… it's… it's the possession!" Magolor's voice cracked with fear. After a few seconds, he composed himself and announced, "Pardon me. The winner of this round is Zero Two!"

As the victory was declared, Zero Two looked up. A thousand faces glared down at him from the audience—masks of impotent rage, yet too powerless to act. Their silence cut deeper than any roar, a wordless judgment cast against him for every dark deed he had ever committed.

He knew that possession was a shadow looming over Dream Land, a weapon of conquest wielded by many evildoers, himself included. And beneath that impotent rage, Zero Two could feel it—their fear. Cold, deep, and undeniable. It was the only thing that rang true to him in their sea of helpless anger.

But in this galaxy, there was only one girl… Her rage was so powerful, Zero Two knew it would repel any attempt at possession.

"Took you long enough," meanwhile, Dedede muttered lazily as he stood, brushing the dirt from his outfit.

"I did have some fun, I guess," Zero Two replied with indifference before floating out of the arena.

When Zero Two returned to his dark corner in the audience, he noticed a plate of matcha cake, a paper cup of black tea, and a small note on his seat. The note read:

"To Zero Two:

I brought this matcha cake from the buffet for you! The Deedly Dees is scheduled to perform two songs after your match, so you still have time to check out the buffet if you want!

Kirby."

…That pink puffball is too kind, Zero Two thought as he set the note aside. He moved the cake and cup of black tea next to him. Sitting down, he closed his eye and leaned back in the chair. All he wanted now was to pretend he was a forgotten corpse in the dark corner, quietly resting.

The Deedly Dees, a four-member rock band of Waddle Dees, had taken the stage and greeted the crowd. Just then, his phone buzzed again, one of many notifications piling up. He glanced at the screen before answering—it was Zero, not another one of the messages he'd been ignoring.

Zero Two and Dark Matter Blade had made an agreement, even if Blade was reluctant: Never let Zero find out about Meta Knight Cup Ultra, and certainly never mention they had joined the tournament. They'd even assigned other Dark Matter clan members to handle chores while they were gone, with cover stories ready for every stage of the match. For the primary round, the excuse was that they were off fishing.

"Hello," Zero Two answered, picking up the call.

"Afternoon, Zero Two. Mind telling me which of you geniuses assigned Miracle Matter to dishwashing? They don't have hands, and they're causing chaos… without you here to control them," Zero's voice was filled with irritation.

"Blade probably forgot," Zero Two replied, unwilling to admit he might have been the one to mishandle the task.

"Blade hates your 'masterpiece,' but I doubt he's that petty," Zero shot back.

"I said he forgot. I didn't say it was on purpose," Zero Two countered, imagining the havoc Miracle Matter might be causing, "Miracle Matter was 'programmed' to listen to you too… so, maybe you handle it."

"…Are you trying to command your king?" Zero hissed.

"No. But I'm a bit busy. Blade wanted to learn fishing, and I told you we'd be out today," Zero Two said, rolling his eye slightly.

Meanwhile, The Deedly Dees' singing blasted through the arena:

"Welcome your new overload!

Do not struggle, do not fight

Though you quelled the work shift's might

You're no match for the Blue Monday's night!"

...Whoever wrote these lyrics deserved every award in existence—maybe even a toy Master Crown—since the real one was nothing more than a torture device in disguise. Zero Two mused, waiting for Zero's response.

Speaking of the Master Crown, Zero Two mused—was Zero still sitting on that cursed yet comfortable sofa as they spoke?

There was an odd similarity between them: the Master Crown, offering limitless power at a devastating cost, and the sofa, with its quiet comfort, perhaps meant to lull its occupant into a kind of subtle surrender. Both, it seemed, had been crafted with a hidden heaviness, their creators intent on leaving sorrow in their wake.

"Woah, those are some god-awful lyrics," Zero finally commented, as Bass Dee shredded on the bass guitar, shaking their head violently.

"I think it's quirky, to be honest," Zero Two replied indifferently.

"Actually, what kind of port lets you fish and listen to that weird music?" Zero asked, probing further. But Zero Two had already prepared for this. He trusted Blade would stick to the cover story if Zero called him too.

"Onion Ocean," Zero Two answered smoothly.

"Heh, no wonder you like that place—though I still think you and Blade smell fishy, no pun intended," Zero mocked.

"I appreciate that you at least acknowledge it wasn't the best pun," Zero Two shrugged.

"Silence," Zero barked. After a brief pause, he added, "Bring me back scallops if you're wasting your day by a port."

Zero Two was about to say something indifferent to keep Zero from suspecting anything, but the line had already gone dead—Zero had hung up on him.

"Tsk..." Zero Two set the phone down, thinking about where he could grab a random bag of scallops once the tournament's primary round was over. Or maybe he'd lie and say they were out of stock.

The thought of lying to Zero stirred up long-buried pain within him. He heard a whisper in his mind, echoing in his own voice again: "Born for our king, live for our king..." It served as a reminder that he was irrevocably tied to the Dark Matter clan, bound to Zero.

Exhausted from the call, Zero Two picked up the plate of matcha cake and took a small bite. Well, at least that tongueless snake Magolor hadn't lied about the buffet being top-notch, Zero Two mused, lost in his thoughts and The Deedly Dees' performance.

Chapter Text

Ribbon recalled the day Kirby invited her and Adeleine to Merry Magoland, "So Magolor could have some faith in his masterpiece," in Kirby's words.

She had her doubts. After all, she wielded one masterpiece crafted by her ancestors as her weapon, and seven years ago, she had made another with her own hands—her little dark secret, not even Kirby, Adeleine, or the Queen knew.

Anyway, it was shortly after their battle to protect the galaxy from Hyness and his cult. Ribbon didn't have the best opinion of Magolor—the one who had betrayed Kirby for his selfish desires. Now, here he was, acting as if he were above it all simply because he had "repented."

"Ya! Kirby and ladies! Welcome to my amusement park!" that day, Magolor greeted, clasping hands with each of them in turn, his smiley yellow eyes gleaming. So this is your charm that make Kirby fall for your callous lies when you crash-landed in Dream Land, Ribbon mused.

"Poyo! I'm so happy for you, Magolor! This place looks amazing!" Kirby rushed forward, hugging the embarrassed, egg-shaped mage tightly.

"Ladies, which attractions catch your eye?" Magolor asked with a dramatic bow after gently setting Kirby down. "We've got quick-draw shooting games, smash rides, booming blasters…"

"I didn't know a chocolate egg like you had a playful side, Magolor," Adeleine said, eyes wide with awe at the grand scenery surrounding them. Ribbon, not wanting Kirby to know she was only there for moral support, pretended to read the manual she'd picked up near the entrance.

"Ribbon, are you interested in the quick-draw?" Kirby asked.

"Kirby, I'd rather… uh, I mean, I'm fine with whatever," Ribbon replied, though deep down she just wanted a break from anything remotely resembling her usual weapon.

"Then Magolor, take us to the nearest restaurant!" Kirby said, turning to Magolor with a raised hand.

Magolor's smile faltered as he let out a slightly irritated, "What?"

And the mage continued, "Kirby, this is an amusement park, not a food court!" he threw his hands up in mock exasperation.

Kirby's smile faded as he kicked the ground lightly, muttering a disappointed, "Aw…"

"Why don't you give us a tour first?" Adeleine suggested, "That way we can decide which attractions to try out."

"Let's go!" Kirby chirped, leading the way.

As they toured, Ribbon couldn't help but be impressed by Magolor's talent. How had someone managed to imagine a place so full of joy and actually bring it to life? Even if I still can't fully trust him, she thought, his passion is undeniable.

They eventually came across a souvenir stand, where a Waddle Dee employee was selling masks that immediately caught the trio's attention.

"Whoa… did you make these masks based on us?" Kirby asked, tilting his head curiously at the Waddle Dee. Then, spotting an Adeleine mask, he grinned. "Look! They even made one of you!"

Ribbon leaned closer to Adeleine and whispered, "Did you give Magolor permission for this? Turning you into a mask?"

Adeleine responded with a wry smile and a slight shake of her head.

Ribbon hovered over to Kirby's side, noticing some intriguing choices among Magolor's mask collection: familiar faces like Adeleine, multiple versions of Kirby in different color palettes, and even Ribbon herself. There were also past allies whom Ribbon had only met briefly—Taranza, Susie, and… was that a female version of Taranza? She couldn't recognize some of the others, like a kingly lion or a small creature that looked like a chinchilla.

But one mask caught her attention: Zero. The leader of the Dark Matter clan who ruled over Zero Two—the one responsible for inflicting so much pain, not just on Dream Land, but on Zero Two himself as well. The white circle, with a single crimson eye in the center, sent shivers down Ribbon's spine. It reminded her of the nightmare she could never escape.

And then it struck her—Where is Zero Two's mask? If Magolor was so shamelessly eager to profit off anything, how had he skipped that?

"Magolor, if you don't mind, can I ask you something?" Ribbon asked.

"Go ahead, Ribbon."

"Why did you make a mask of Zero, but not Zero Two? I mean, you even included Dark Matter Blade and Gooey. The Dark Matter family doesn't feel complete without their second-in-command."

Magolor's shoulders sagged slightly. "Oh… well, that's because I'm deeply afraid of Zero Two. It sounds weird, I know, but I'd rather not risk doing anything that could draw his wrath."

So this is your moral code now? Ribbon thought. You're not worried about doing what's right—you just care about avoiding retribution.

"Why fear Zero Two but not his leader?" yet Ribbon pushed further.

Magolor hesitated, "His vibe, or aura. He probably has the most terrifying vibe of anyone on Popstar right now."

"Ah, he's actually a silly guy once you get to know him!" Adeleine waved her hand with a smile. Ribbon always admired her artist friend's quiet kindness, though she would never say it aloud. But Magolor just kept shaking his head in response.

Ribbon could tell he wanted to drop the subject as fast as possible. A proclaimed mage like Magolor should have had a better reason than something as vague as a "vibe." But Ribbon pretended to accept his answer. She glanced at her own mask, wondering how Zero Two might react if he saw it.

In a way, she understood Magolor. The mask of Zero was creepy enough to belong in a haunted house. But in her mind, a mask of Zero Two would radiate nothing but infinite hatred—just as he had when trying to destroy her and Kirby in that fateful battle.

Perhaps she should have defied the Queen's mercy, granting the monster death and the wounded girl in her mind some peace.

Now, Ribbon gripped her Crystal Gun tightly in the arena, facing off against Gooey in the primary round. Her mind was crystal clear: she wasn't here for anyone but Zero Two. Just force my opponent out of bounds, like Kirby and Zero Two did earlier, she thought to herself.

But Gooey seemed distracted, glancing around with a confused look before extending his tongue to scratch his head. Knowing Gooey, he was probably thinking about collecting little rocks once the tournament was over.

"Begin!" Magolor's voice echoed as the commentator, and Ribbon dashed forward with her Crystal Gun at the ready—until Gooey's words stopped her in her tracks.

"Ribbon, where's the food?" Gooey asked, wearing a puzzled expression.

Ribbon froze mid-air, the Crystal Gun still aimed at him. When did Gooey become a master of verbal manipulation like Zero Two? she thought. Is he trying to bait me into making a mistake? But then again—this was Gooey. How could this be happening?

"What do you mean, Gooey?" Ribbon asked cautiously, her mind racing with possibilities.

"Last time, King Dedede held a speed-eating race in his castle. Meta Knight's his friend and he likes snacks, too. So I thought Meta Knight was hosting another race today," Gooey explained slowly, looking deflated, like a popped balloon.

Ribbon's thoughts froze. Could he really have confused this tournament for a speed-eating race? Yet, there was a nagging suspicion of trickery lingering in her mind.

She took a deep breath, locking eyes with Gooey's innocent expression. If Zero Two is possessing him, the power of the Crystal should've detected it and acted now. But all she wanted was for Gooey to admit it to Magolor, so the sponsors could handle the situation.

"...Can you say that louder to Magolor, so he can help you?" Ribbon asked, almost too calmly, her grip on the Crystal Gun tightening as she unintentionally moved it closer to a shrinking Gooey.

Gooey, I don't want to use this on you. I'm sorry.

"Postpone!" Magolor's urgent voice cut through Ribbon's conflicted thoughts, "Apologies, everyone! It seems our participant Gooey has misunderstood the nature of the tournament. Please stand by! And while we sort this out, don't forget to grab some popcorn at the stamps! Thank you!"

Ribbon lowered her Crystal Gun, casting a glance toward the commentator's room. Meta Knight, still holding a glass of affogato, rushed in alongside King Dedede. The three of them whispered together for quite some time, while Gooey—apparently unbothered—turned into his Stone form to pass the wait.

"Ribbon, Gooey is sorry… I misunderstood this competition," came Gooey's sad voice from the blue stone in front of her.

"It's fine," Ribbon replied, trying to sound reassuring, "But didn't you watch the first three battles of the tournament? What happened?"

Gooey deactivated his Stone form and, with his long tongue, fished out a wrinkled piece of paper. "Brother Blade and Gooey were drawing before the match. Gooey didn't know what happened." He showed her the paper, which featured a rather crude drawing of Kirby, Gooey, and Dark Matter Blade holding hands amid some white flowers.

"I see," Ribbon nodded as she struggled to find a compliment to soften the misunderstanding. Just then, Meta Knight landed between them, his bat-like wings stretching as he touched down.

"Sir Meta Knight," Ribbon greeted with a nod, though his sudden appearance startled her slightly.

"Magolor and I have reached an agreement," Meta Knight said calmly, "This round will be a Gourmet Race. However, the winner will still have to face the victor of the quarterfinal—either Zero Two or Dark Matter Blade—in a traditional combat match. This round is an exception, but the next will return to the standard rules. Understood?"

Gourmet Race?

"Since Miss Ribbon is not from Dream Land, allow me to explain," Meta Knight continued. "It's a race with a twist. You earn one point for every piece of food you eat, and three points for every Maxim Tomato. Reaching the finish line first awards you a 30-point bonus. The participant with the highest score wins."

"Understood," Ribbon replied curtly, though her attention drifted to Gooey, who was smiling warmly. It seemed the sponsors had bent the rules just to accommodate his mix-up.

"I love you, Meta Knight," Gooey said, waving his tongue in excitement.

"I love you, too. But I'm not a fan of tongues," Meta Knight replied, his voice deadpan, "Now, if you excuse us, we'll set up the course. Thank you." With that, he flew off swiftly.

The staff moved desserts from the participant-only buffet, while Magolor busily set up spikes and Gordos along the course. King Dedede had the important task of hugging Kirby tightly to prevent him from sneakily snatching food. Ribbon's gaze fixated on the dessert offerings, particularly the Maxim Tomatoes, which granted three points each. However, she struggled to keep track of her mental calculations once the numbers climbed above ten, quickly losing count.

To be honest, Ribbon had indulged in some popcorn while staying with the Queen beforehand, and she wasn't much of a big eater to begin with. Her best strategy was to focus on the Maxim Tomatoes and sprint toward the finish line, grabbing a few small desserts along the way to widen the score gap between her and Gooey. There were only three Maxim Tomatoes; she needed to charge for them before Gooey could get a chance.

"Okay, the temporary course is ready. Now, the two participants, please prepare yourselves—"

As Magolor's announcement rang out, Ribbon gripped her Crystal Gun once more, ready to utilize its power to speed up her flight.

"Let's do our best, Ribbon!" Gooey beamed, his dopey grin brightening Ribbon's mood slightly.

"You too, Gooey. You too," Ribbon replied, turning to him with a strained attempt at a smile.

"Begin!"

At Magolor's command, Gooey launched forward, transforming into a blue fireball with his Burning ability, speeding straight toward a pudding surrounded by spikes. Ribbon, meanwhile, held her Crystal Gun and glided toward a plate of macarons a little farther ahead.

She quickly snatched the macarons and ate them, her eyes already searching for the first Maxim Tomato, which was guarded by four circling toy buzz saws. Scanning for smaller desserts before reaching the tomato, she found only more substantial treats like pancakes and cakes. Thankfully, non-Maxim Tomato treats only granted one point—otherwise, she would surely be "defeated" here, Ribbon thought with a wry smile.

"Gooey~!" came the cheerful shout from behind as Gooey, still in his Burning form, barreled toward a strawberry cake near Ribbon. Undeterred, she stuck to her plan, soaring toward the buzz saw-guarded Maxim Tomato.

With the grace of a dragonfly skimming the water, Ribbon seized the Maxim Tomato just as the buzz saws moved away. Though her refined fairy upbringing protested inside, she had no choice but to devour the tomato mid-flight. Forgive me, Your Majesty. This is all for the road to victory.

Luckily, two plates of cookies lay between her and the next Maxim Tomato, which rested on a circular conveyor. Ribbon quickly calculated—if she grabbed the cookies and then the second tomato, she'd have nine points. She glanced back—just as she expected, Gooey was happily preoccupied with cakes farther behind.

As she neared the first plate of cookies, she paused mid-air to chew, taking the opportunity to scan the course ahead. The last Maxim Tomato was positioned in a tunnel lined with Gordos, and between the remaining tomatoes were sandwiches, barbecues, and cupcakes.

I'll need to grab as many cupcakes as possible, even if they're more filling, Ribbon resolved. She followed her plan meticulously—stopping at the second plate of cookies to finish them, snatching the second Maxim Tomato from the conveyor, and eating it while flying toward the cupcakes. She managed to eat a few while leaving some room for the final Maxim Tomato.

Before approaching the Gordo-guarded tunnel, Ribbon checked on Gooey again—there was no sign of his usual chipper self-encouragement, which reassured her that she was way ahead. The nagging doubt that Gooey might score more points by devouring everything left lingered, but she stuck to her original strategy.

I don't think I'll want to eat anything after this, Ribbon sighed inwardly as she struggled to finish the last Maxim Tomato. She glided toward the finish line, the magic detector buzzing to signal the end of her race. Although Ribbon had already reached the final line, the crowd erupted into cheers—for a full ten minutes, they cheered Gooey on as he happily devoured the remaining desserts, celebrating his gluttonous determination.

"Why are you all still cheering? It's been eons! My ears hurt!" Magolor complained, rubbing his temples. Clearing his throat to regain his professional commentator tone, he continued, "Ladies, gentlemen, and every cosmic entity in between, now that Gooey has crossed the finish line, let's announce the final score!"

"Gooey is satisfied!" Gooey chirped with joy, reminding Ribbon of Kirby after a big feast.

"Gooey, with 39 points from normal food, and no bonus points, ends with a total of 39 points!" Magolor announced as the crowd erupted in another round of thunderous applause and cheers.

Magolor then moved on, "And Ribbon, our participant from Ripple Star, with 6 points from normal food, 9 bonus points for 3 Maxim Tomatoes, and 30 bonus points for reaching the finish line first, has a total of 45 points—the winner of this round is Ribbon!"

The cheers grew even louder, almost deafening. Gooey leaped into her arms for a hug, and Kirby dashed into the arena, tossing confetti, with the Queen and Void following behind him. Dark Matter Blade floated over as well, looking like he intended to collect Gooey. But instead, he scratched his head with the hilt of his sword awkwardly.

—Why is the crowd at its most excited for such a wacky round? Ribbon wondered, but Kirby's sudden hug quickly banished all of her swirling thoughts.

"Kirby…!" Ribbon could feel the sudden warmth rise to her cheeks.

"Good game, Ribbon. I'm so happy for you!" Kirby said brightly, taking her hands in his.

—Oh, Kirby. You always say something stupid to leave me doubting my feelings for you, don't you? she thought. But before she could respond, Kirby pulled out a party popper and yanked the string, showering both of them in a burst of colorful confetti.

The Queen leaned down slightly, gently patting both Kirby and Ribbon with a smile. Meanwhile, Void—still learning, as infants do—kept repeating "Begin!" It seemed they'd picked up the phrase from Magolor's commentary, but at least it was useful.

Just then, Ribbon felt a familiar gaze upon her. In the front row, near the exit, Zero Two was watching, his expression unreadable. Wait—had he witnessed the chaos of this whole round? What would he think of me now, knowing I made it to the semifinals through… something as unconventional as the Gourmet Race?

As Ribbon began to drift into her thoughts once again, Zero Two lifted a paper cup in a slow, deliberate toast. Then, without a word, he hovered out of the arena, disappearing from view.

—Fine, I'll take that as you acknowledging the legitimacy of this round. And maybe I'll even forgive that unsettling confession you made when the Queen and Kirby weren't around… about whatever disturbing thing you told Kirby during that camping trip. Just for now.

Chapter Text

Two days after the primary match was the scheduled quarter-final. That morning, as part of their routine, Zero Two prepared a simple breakfast for the Dark Matter family before heading to the arena with Dark Matter Blade.

Just as Zero Two was about to leave the kitchen with Blade, Zero appeared in the doorway, looking slightly tipsy and holding a plate of scallops in his comically small hand.

—Is he for real? Drinking alcohol in the morning again?

"So, you two are off to bowling today, huh?" Zero asked. The "bowling" excuse was a story Zero Two had concocted for the quarter-final to hide their true destination from Zero.

"Yes," Zero Two replied curtly, hoping to avoid further questioning.

"Be mindful not to mistake other customers for bowling balls, or you'll get banned," Zero warned, swallowing a scallop from the plate.

"It sounds like you're speaking from some rather... painful personal experience, but I'll keep that in mind," Zero Two quipped, immediately regretting the retort that might provoke Zero. Why do I always have to say something snarky whenever he spouts nonsense? He spouts nonsense all the time, Zero Two thought.

"If I wanted to throw someone like a bowling ball, you'd be at the top of the list—right next to that pink brat," Zero muttered, rolling his eye as he chewed.

"Real talk. Those scallops weren't as cheap as you think, so could you not eat them all?" Zero Two pointed at the plate, choosing to ignore the threat. The scallops were from two days ago, when Zero had grown suspicious of their "fishing" story and demanded proof in the form of a seafood purchase. Zero Two had rushed to the nearest seafood market right after the tournament's primary rounds to keep up the lie.

"I told you to buy a bag of scallops for me, not for the whole apartment," Zero snapped, placing the plate down with a loud clatter.

"Okay."

"But fine, if you want your king to share, then I shall show my benevolence," Zero declared, picking up a scallop and turning toward Blade. "Blade, you first. After all, someone needs to learn a lesson in patience."

Zero then shot a pointed look at Zero Two, who just shrugged his wings.

"But, Lord Zero, I..." Blade stammered, blinking in confusion.

"It's an order, Blade. Eat it," Zero growled, pressing the scallop against Blade's face. Blade chewed weakly, murmuring, "Thank you, Your Majesty..."

"Now, Zero Two, here," Zero said, picking up another scallop and slowly approaching. He's going to eat it himself before I can react, isn't he? Zero Two thought, extending his right wing slightly to take the scallop. Just as expected, Zero absorbed it the moment Zero Two reached out, pulling the food into his white mass effortlessly.

"Begone. Go bowling," Zero said, casting an icy stare at the pair. Blade simply nodded, trembling like a stray cat in winter.

"See you," Zero Two muttered before taking Blade by the hand and leading him toward the door. The familiar pang returned, accompanied by the cursed echoes in his mind: Born for our king, live for our king...

As the pair made their way to the preparation room, Ribbon stood in their path, arms crossed, waiting.

That damned fairy. Zero Two's mind fumed. Sure, I said something awful when I admitted I signed up for the tournament, but did I really deserve all the punishments you've thrown at me since?

"Zero Two, can we talk in private for a moment? It won't take long," Ribbon asked, though the animosity in her sapphire blue eyes hadn't softened.

"Oh, now you want to talk in private? Funny, you didn't let me have a moment alone with Kirby that day in your Queen's place," Zero Two shot back with a sneer. But Ribbon remained unfazed by his retort.

"Fine. I'm just here to remind you to check your messages. It seems like you've been ignoring your phone for a while," Ribbon continued, her tone steady.

Tsk, she knows. Zero Two clenched his fists. I've been avoiding my phone just to avoid Ribbon bringing up... that cursed camping trip. He knew deep down, it was his fault for spilling the truth when it was just the two of them, him and Kirby. But still...

"Why should I?" Zero Two narrowed his crimson eye.

"Kirby said he sent you one after the primary rounds ended, and you never responded," she whispered, her voice lowering slightly as she averted her gaze.

Oh. Poor guy got caught in our pointless cold war.

"I haven't sent you a message since then. Anyway, that's all," Ribbon said curtly before flying away. "See you in the semi-final."

"...Rude," Blade muttered once Ribbon was out of sight. Meanwhile, Zero Two pulled out his phone and scrolled through the unread messages. It was a mess. Nearly every Dark Matter clan member (except Zero and Miracle Matter) was questioning why Zero Two took Blade "fishing," with some even begging to join next time. These messages flooded his inbox.

Then, two unread messages stood out. The first was from Kirby:

"We're going to have dinner after the primary rounds! Come join us at the buffet. If you feel like it, of course."

But the second was from Gooey. Zero Two felt his hand tremble slightly as the name appeared on the screen.

Wait... The message was sent during the primary. Knowing Gooey, it's probably some low-quality photo he sent to Zero, Blade, and me. If that's the case, why didn't Blade warn me?

Zero Two opened the message—it was a selfie of Gooey, Blade, and Kirby, sitting in the audience seats of the arena. Gooey held a crumpled doodle in his tiny hand, Kirby beamed at the camera, and Blade shyly averted his gaze. Below the photo, Gooey had texted: "Will I become Adeleine of the Dark Matter family one day?"

Zero Two felt himself dying inside. Now he understood why Blade hadn't warned him about Gooey's message exposing their true whereabouts—Blade was in the photo, meaning Gooey had likely only sent it to Zero and him.

This wasn't good. Their lie was probably blown. Zero had no doubt seen the same message, realizing Blade wasn't "fishing" as they had claimed.

"What did that pink demon say?" Blade asked, noticing the tension on Zero Two's face.

"Nothing important," Zero Two replied vaguely, even as the imagined alarm in his head rang like a delirium. He couldn't bring himself to tell Blade, not when it would surely affect his performance later.

"Heh. But that fairy looked urgent," Blade said, tilting his head slightly.

"Just head to the preparation room before Magolor scolds us like a grandma fussing over her grandson's wardrobe," Zero Two muttered, dashing down the long hallway. He tried his best not to think about the inevitable wrath of Zero that awaited him.

When they finally reached the preparation room, Magolor, with slight annoyance in his yellow eyes, reminded them: Since their match was the only one scheduled for today, the buffet would stay open for an hour after it ended. After a few minutes, they followed the staff's instructions and entered the arena, awaiting Magolor's signal. The sting in Zero Two's head and the whispers in his mind still hadn't faded.

"Lord Zero Two, I'll go all out," Blade said with quiet confidence, sword at the ready. Perhaps Blade was right—members of the Dark Matter clan spoke more fluently through the language of violence.

"Same," Zero Two nodded, though he knew this would likely feel more like a sparring match than a real fight—much like when Zero, out of boredom, would sometimes ask them to spar even after they'd moved into Dream Land.

Recalling Blade's motivation for joining the tournament—to better understand the citizens of Dream Land through combat—Zero Two found it cruel that Blade, having been seeded in the primary rounds, now had to face his own kin. A bitter twist of fate for such a pure intent. Magolor truly had a talent for "crafting" matchups.

The worst part was that he and Blade used to spar every day before the failed conquest began. And after they moved in, they still did so sometimes just to entertain Zero. What... what was even the point of this fight for Blade now?

"Ready? Three, two, one, begin!" Magolor's voice echoed.

As soon as the shout rang out, Zero Two stretched his wings, gliding in a circular motion around Blade, preparing to fire his energy spheres. Blade, in turn, lowered his sword and pointed it toward Zero Two, drifting in the opposite direction to keep his distance.

As the clan's combatant, he'll be tough to bait out of the bound tactically, Zero Two thought. Forcing him to yield is probably out of the question. If they both returned to the apartment bruised and battered, Zero would definitely uncover their lie. The best plan for them both was likely to knock the other out of the bound with one decisive hit.

Zero Two fired several scattered energy spheres, trying to pin Blade in one spot. In response, Blade shot three dark lasers from the tip of his sword and summoned four small orange spheres—not to counter the incoming energy blasts, but aimed directly at Zero Two. As expected, Blade was going for a similar tactic. Realizing this, Zero Two quickly performed a barrel roll to dodge the attack, weaving through the air.

Briefly glancing upward, Zero Two spotted Blade already above him, poised to strike his halo. Another barrage of energy spheres forced Blade to retreat, but he dodged them all, closing in for a strike. Zero Two raised his wings, their dark red, crystal-like feathers bracing for impact. The clash came swiftly, Blade's sword meeting the wings in a flurry of blows, while Zero Two fired more energy spheres at any opening he could find.

Clang—one energy sphere struck Blade's mask, causing him to flinch for a brief moment. Seizing the opportunity, Zero Two swung his wings, smacking Blade hard enough to send him flying backward—though not quite far enough to knock him out of the arena.

"Tsk," A small sting in his right wing caught Zero Two's attention—a cut from Blade's sword when he'd gone for the knockout blow. Now only steps from the boundary, Blade raised his sword, concentrating as a dark orb began forming at its tip. Just as Zero Two hesitated, rethinking his approach, Magolor's voice echoed: "Looks like Zero Two could use a trip to ophthalmology Waddle Dee with all that eye mucus going on!"

—I can't believe this tongueless snake is full of such colorful metaphors, but I can't let him distract me right now.

Zero Two raised his wings for Blade's dark orb attack, but Blade held his position, letting the orb grow larger. Is he trying to bait me into going melee? Zero Two thought, cautiously firing more energy spheres. Finally, Blade unleashed the orb, clashing with Zero Two's spheres in mid-air, causing an explosive collision.

I need to overwhelm Blade now, or else this fight could drag on. Without waiting for the thick white smoke from the explosion to clear, Zero Two continued firing energy spheres in the direction of Blade's last known position. He mixed in some stronger energy balls, each requiring slightly more time to charge.

To Zero Two's surprise, Blade responded more aggressively than expected, sending a barrage of dark lasers and orange spheres his way. Zero Two darted upward to dodge, edging closer to the boundary while maintaining his offensive.

As the smoke began to fade, Zero Two caught sight of Blade, who was already preparing another massive dark orb with his sword. Seizing the opportunity, Zero Two slashed at Blade's side with his left wing, hoping to knock him out of bounds. But Blade dispelled the energy orb in an instant, countering with a swift sword strike aimed directly at Zero Two's halo, the sound of impact like glass cracking.

"…Ouch," Zero Two muttered, feeling the halo's faint crack spreading, its color shifting from the normal color of yellow, to a sickly yellow-green. Sensing Blade attempting to maneuver behind him, Zero Two swiftly retaliated with a close-range barrage of energy spheres, followed by a wing slash.

"Ah!" Blade's mask flew off, revealing his gray eye. Knowing this might be his best chance to end the fight, Zero Two flapped his wings again, delivering a strike strong enough to send Blade just outside the boundary. The magic detectors at the arena's edge signaled the end.

"And after a series of intense, short-to-middle-range exchanges, Dark Matter Blade is out of bounds! The winner of this round: Zero Two!" Magolor declared. The audience's applause was brief—an improvement over the fearful silence that followed Zero Two's win against King Dedede, but still far from the enthusiasm that other rounds had drawn.

"Nice try on that bait, Blade… I mean it," Zero Two said, as Blade bent down to retrieve his mask.

"Wait—your halo. I didn't mean to hit it, but Lord Zero will definitely notice," Blade whispered, mask back on.

"I know. But at least the participant buffet's still open… Maybe some dessert will fix it," Zero Two sighed.

"And if it doesn't?" Blade asked. The confident warrior he was in the arena now replaced by a nervous subordinate in Zero's shadow.

"Then I'll tell Zero you hit me with a bowling ball," Zero Two said, half-joking, already aware that their earlier lie was likely exposed.

"Ah… Lord Zero would laugh at me for a month… But… I guess?" Blade's voice dropped, clearly uneasy.

"He mocks me daily, and you're his favorite. You'll be fine."

"…Thank you, Lord Zero Two," Blade murmured, following as they left the arena.

As soon as Zero Two entered the buffet—it was his first time using the swipe-in card—he instantly regretted it. Nearly every participant, except for Ribbon and Meta Knight, was present, and the space was filled with their chatter. When the automatic door opened, the entire crowd fell silent, all eyes turning toward the Dark Matter duo.

For a brief moment, there was nothing but awkward stillness. Then, Kirby started clapping.

It was like a set of codes had been input into a machine—once Kirby started clapping, the rest of the buffet followed suit, almost mechanically.

"…Huh?" Zero Two blinked, bewildered. He glanced at Blade, who looked equally confused.

As the applause gradually faded, Kirby stepped forward, holding out a plate of matcha cake with both hands. "Congrats on advancing to the semi-final, poyo!" he said cheerfully, offering the cake to Zero Two with a big, innocent smile.

"Uh. Thanks…?" Zero Two muttered, still thrown off by the crowd's unexpected reaction, and unsure how to respond to the gesture.

This is weird, he thought. Of the four semi-finalists, only two were here. The rest of these people had been eliminated, yet they were all clapping for someone they barely knew. Zero Two tried to imagine himself in their place—if he'd been knocked out in the primary rounds, the friendliest thing he could see himself doing was watching Gooey doodle or helping Kirby snag extra cakes while he was in the restroom.

—Wait, Gooey is here. Maybe I can stop him from sending Zero any more selfies that include Blade or me.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, Susie, the CEO of Haltmann Works Company, approached. Blade, noticing her, quickly averted his eyes and ducked behind Zero Two.

"I didn't expect the halo could be damaged. Your clan truly is full of surprises," Susie remarked, eyeing the yellow-green halo on Zero Two with curiosity.

"Oh, you'll see it shatter when I face Ribbon in the semi-final," Zero Two laughed, though it carried a self-deprecating tone. Internally, he bristled that this was Susie's opening comment.

"Excuse my manners. Allow me to introduce myself…" Susie began with a bow.

"Susie, CEO of Haltmann Works Company," Zero Two finished for her, sarcasm creeping into his voice. He added dryly, "And I'm Zero Two, Gooey's weird uncle."

"Hee-hee," Susie giggled, though Zero Two couldn't tell if it was genuine. She quickly composed herself, "And the second-in-command of the Dark Matter clan, correct?"

"Yes," he replied, his attention wandering briefly to Kirby, who was busy balancing a tower of macaroons on Gooey's spinning parasol.

"I've heard you expressed some interest in random number generators on the day of the battle arrangements?" Susie inquired, maintaining her polished, professional tone. Zero Two knew he could never maintain such a façade like Susie or Magolor. His own mask always seemed to crack at the wrong moment, driven by a need to prove something he wasn't.

"It's more about the ideology than the terminology itself," he replied cautiously, trying to gauge how much Susie knew about his conversation with Ribbon.

"I had no idea the Dark Matter clan harbored such intellectual curiosity," Susie giggled again, but Zero Two could sense the falsehood behind her words. His shallow understanding of technology probably made someone like Susie cringe inside.

"There are people much smarter than me," Zero Two said with a shrug.

"Oh? Like who?" Susie leaned in, clearly interested.

"Kirby?" Zero Two said jokingly, forcing out a hollow laugh. He just wanted to end this conversation, suspecting Susie was only here to glean information for her own purposes.

Suddenly, Kirby and Gooey's tower of macarons collapsed, causing Kirby to gasp in surprise. Susie shot a quick, annoyed glance at the commotion before turning her attention back to Zero Two, who remained motionless.

"Well, it's nice to meet you," Susie said, her smile returning as she extended a hand toward Zero Two for a handshake.

"You too," Zero Two responded, gripping her hand briefly before releasing it quickly. As Susie walked away toward the doorway, Magolor floated into the buffet and headed straight toward him.

"Do you have any plans after the match? You finished quickly, so we've got time before lunch," Magolor said, his tone unusually serious.

"Why?" Zero Two wondered if Magolor was about to invite him to lunch, but he much preferred a simple meal with Blade and then going home.

"…Look, I know you and Ribbon aren't exactly best friends, but I need you both to negotiate… about the tournament," Magolor's shoulders slumped.

"You're afraid we might kill each other in what's supposed to be a friendly match?" Zero Two probed, feeling a twinge of guilt. His clashes with Ribbon had clearly weighed on Magolor.

"Yes, honestly… but that's not what the negotiation is about," Magolor straightened, locking eyes with Zero Two.

A negotiation? Whose idea was this?

"Kirby will be there, too. In fact, Meta Knight and I agreed that you, Ribbon, and Kirby should have a private discussion to work things out. Once you've come to an agreement, you'll report the result back to us."

Kirby will be there?

Zero Two's eye widened as realization dawned—this was about the cursed camping trip, the time when his worst instincts had gotten the better of him. But what did that have to do with the tournament?

"You have to attend. Blade can come, too, and I've invited Gooey in case Blade doesn't know who to talk to," Magolor added, glancing at Blade for a second. "Meet me at the Merry Magoland VIP Dining Room at 12. I'll treat."

Chapter Text

The conversation was from around three minutes before the match was supposed to begin—it was postponed due to Zero Two's late arrival.

Ribbon sat across from Kirby, carefully scooping a small portion of the red, translucent jelly from the parfait. The dessert sparkled under the dim-lit light, its layers of fruit and nuts suspended between glassy, jewel-like sheets of jelly. It reminded Kirby of The Fountain of Dreams reflecting a rainbow after a brief rainstorm, vivid and fragile.

The glossy surface of the parfait looked smooth to the touch, but it was a pity Ribbon only seemed to have the appetite for a single bite.

"He's probably reading your message now… if he even realized how rude it was to ignore you for two days," Ribbon whispered, setting the parfait down beside Kirby.

"It's fine. I don't want him to feel guilty again, poyo." Kirby felt a little embarrassed, that Zero Two's ghosting had spurred Ribbon into rushing off to the preparation room earlier. Besides, it had just been a simple dinner invite, he had half-expected Zero Two to ignore it.

"I'm sorry, Kirby," Ribbon murmured, averting her gaze. An uncomfortable silence stretched between them.

Kirby broke it, "Do you think it's possible to convince him to… withdraw from the tournament?" He watched Ribbon's reaction through the glassy layers of jelly.

"'To prove myself a worthy member of the Dark Matter clan, I have no choice but to sign up.' That's what he said, word for word." Ribbon didn't answer directly, instead quoting Zero Two's ambitious but unsteady declaration.

"Gooey's probably not a worthy member of the Dark Matter clan in Zero's eyes, but he's doing just fine," Kirby muttered, resting his cheek on the table.

"He told me, 'We all choose our own prison.' I guess he's already chosen his," Ribbon sighed, "I can honestly see myself doing something just as foolish if I were in his place."

"Then if you were him, what might make you withdraw from the tournament?" Kirby asked, bracing himself for the possibility of hearing "nothing."

"…Realizing my king has taken everything I've done for him for granted all these years," Ribbon replied after a pause. "But I suppose that would never happen for him. The hollow idea of being a 'glorious' member of his clan… it's in his veins. Or else, why would he have said those things to you a month ago?"

Kirby lifted his head from the desk, staring at Ribbon in disbelief.

Zero Two had told her? He'd shared the things he said on that camping trip with Ribbon, the one he had the most complicated relationship with? Oh, poyo… this tournament must've triggered something irrational in him.

"Now, it would be a lie if I told you I don't blame him… and an even crueler lie if I said I could just let it go," Ribbon continued, gently taking Kirby's hand, "But I'll withdraw from this ridiculous tournament too, if you manage to convince him."

"Uh… Ribbon, you really don't have to—"

"I joined this tournament for him and no one else. He stood before the Queen and had the nerve to say he signed up only for his own pride—after everything he put her through, after everything she's done for him," Ribbon said, her voice steady, "If he realizes his folly and withdraws, then so will I."

…Maybe this would be for the best. Maybe I can stop them from unnecessary bloodshed in the semi-final. Even if Meta Knight—who doesn't know their history—might be disappointed by this outcome.

"I'll talk to Magolor after he commentates this match," Kirby said, turning his gaze to the TV on the wall, where Zero Two and Dark Matter Blade were already in position. "Maybe we can work something out."

Now, in the VIP dining room at Merry Magoland, Magolor had reserved a table completely isolated from the rest of the guests, creating the perfect setting for their negotiation. He held his hands as if some invisible weight was on his shoulders, a stark contrast to Meta Knight, who casually pulled up a random bench—clearly not from Merry Magoland—and sat beside him. Kirby and Ribbon took their seats on Magolor's right, while Zero Two sat silently on his left.

"So, I will briefly explain the deal—And Zero Two, I know you probably have a lot of questions, but please hold them until we finish," Magolor began. It had been a long time since he spoke with such formality.

"...Please go on," Zero Two replied, gesturing for Magolor to continue.

"The deal is this: Ribbon would like to withdraw from the tournament, on the condition that you withdraw as well." Magolor leaned forward, watching as Zero Two's crimson eye slowly widened.

"...No," Zero Two muttered, which clearly frustrated Magolor. Meanwhile, Ribbon exchanged a quick glance with Kirby, as if to say, I told you so.

"Please, I understand you might not take this deal, but Kirby insisted on it. We agree to let you discuss this privately after we sponsors… give you our perspectives," Magolor said, throwing his hands up in exasperation, though his tone remained calm and polite.

"...Pardon me for my manner just then," Zero Two said, but Kirby couldn't quite discern if he was being genuine.

"Now, what I'm about to say is mainly directed at you, Zero Two," Magolor continued, slightly extending his hands as if making a business presentation, "When Meta Knight first mentioned the tournament idea, I was suspicious of his plan until I recognized the opportunity for diverse entertainment. Yes, you can call me a shameless businessman if you like, but that's just who I am."

Oh, Magolor, I've told you the people you've wronged the most have forgiven you, Kirby thought with a frown.

"Perhaps I haven't suffered as much as you to earn my position, but I believe no sinner should be denied their chance at happiness. That would be hypocritical of me, wouldn't it?" Magolor tried to place a hand on Zero Two's wing, but Zero Two barely tolerated the gesture, "Please, I speak not as a sponsor, but as someone who may share a similar past—take the deal. You're only punishing yourself. "

"I heard you. I will consider it," Zero Two nodded.

"Excuse me, Magolor. May I speak to Zero Two now?" Meta Knight raised his hand as if he were a student in a classroom, turning to Magolor.

"...Why didn't you take a comfortable chair for yourself? And where did you even get that bench? But never mind, please go ahead," Magolor said, narrowing his yellow eyes in confusion, with a twinge of irritation.

"Okay, I would like to speak as just Meta Knight, rather than the sponsor of this tournament," he continued, turning to Zero Two, "Don't take the deal; listen to your heart. Kirby is not thinking clearly."

"Meta Knight!" Kirby heard himself scream in horror before his mind could catch up. What is Meta Knight saying? But Ribbon held Kirby's hand firmly, silently reassuring him: It's alright.

Kirby glanced at Magolor and Zero Two: Magolor seemed shocked, his ears bending down; Zero Two flinched for a mere second before looking at Meta Knight without a word.

"I must admit, I don't know much about the so-called Dark Matter ideology, even though Kirby has tried to explain it to me on many occasions. But from my understanding, you seem to have entered the tournament to prove yourself. Am I correct? Please correct me if I'm mistaken," Meta Knight said, a strange mix of admiration and intensity lacing his voice.

"Or for my own pride, in others' words," Zero Two curtly replied.

"Pride is like the sword spine of a good sword, supporting its strength. We all have it to bolster our resolve, but a sword is more than just its spine," Meta Knight mused, indulging himself in his philosophy of combat once again. Kirby could sense Magolor shrugging at him frantically, as if to say, Someone please shut Meta Knight up. He glanced at Zero Two again, who frowned in confusion.

"Uh… Meta Knight… pardon me, but I thought you were here to convince me to take the deal…?" Zero Two slowly raised his wing, scratching his head in bewilderment.

"I know. But I can't be silent when someone is eager to prove themselves. It goes against my code," said Meta Knight, while Magolor slumped on the desk in resignation.

The knight continued, "As for the safety concerns that Magolor and Kirby have regarding your matchup with Miss Ribbon, I'll say it's not a big deal. Our rules clearly state that the winning condition includes completely knocking out one's opponent, so Magolor would declare either of you the winner when the other is out of action. I trust you both have the restraint to stop when the condition is clear."

"...Thanks?" Zero Two sounded utterly confused.

"Okay, then I'll let you three discuss. Please tell me your final decision today, because the semi-final is the day after tomorrow," Magolor said, standing up and signaling Meta Knight to leave. "And Kirby, remember to press the call button on the table for lunch. Make sure to only press it when you're done discussing."

"I will, poyo," Kirby replied, raising his tiny hand in an attempt to ease Magolor's mood, even though he felt a bit furious at Meta Knight's words himself.

Magolor nodded shortly in return, leaving the room with Meta Knight, who still held that random bench. As the two closed the door, Kirby could hear a faint "You are a fool; they are going to kill themselves in the semi-final!" from Magolor.

Kirby checked on Ribbon and Zero Two, who had already reached for the menu and started reading.

"...Uh, Ribbon…" Kirby wanted to remind them to discuss the deal, but perhaps they were a bit hungry after listening to Magolor and Meta Knight?

"Zero Two, can I ask you about that halo? Is it normal for it to stay in a slightly damaged state for that long? Can't you just regenerate a new halo?" Ribbon shot an indifferent glance at Zero Two, who looked equally unfazed.

"Maybe it will recover after lunch; I don't know. Blade hit it pretty hard," Zero Two replied, then leaned slightly toward Kirby. "Uh, Kirby… I'm lost in the menu. Can you pick something for me?"

"You two! We have to discuss the deal first, poyo!" Kirby stood up from his seat, lightly hitting the table with his small hands.

Deep down, he knew Zero Two would probably not take the deal, but… Kirby just wished they could resolve some issues before going into the semi-final.

Yet Ribbon shared a look with Zero Two and slowly poured Kirby a glass of lemon water.

"...Ribbon?"

"No, I'd rather let Ribbon execute me on the spot with Crystal Gun than take that ridiculous deal," Zero Two said, turning his gaze back to the menu. "Sorry, Kirby."

"I need to apologize first, Zero Two. I didn't expect Magolor to treat this like a business meeting," Ribbon said calmly as she handed the glass to an utterly stunned Kirby.

"It's fine. I'm at least pleased with his budget for this pointless meeting," Zero Two muttered, "Plus, he probably had nightmares about us bleeding out as our souls go straight to..."

"Shush. Phrasing," Ribbon interrupted, glancing briefly at Kirby.

"Forgive me, then," Zero Two said, meeting Kirby's gaze. Silence settled over the table as Kirby anxiously looked between them, his gaze bouncing like a ping-pong ball.

"...For what it's worth, we probably should've just settled this with some mini-games in Merry Magoland, if you're still thinking about the deal," Ribbon broke the silence first, her tone regretful.

"We'd end up getting sued for property damage by Magolor. I'd rather just… stick to the legalized violence approved by Meta Knight," Zero Two replied, shattering what little hope Kirby had for the conversation.

"Honestly, same," Ribbon shrugged before turning to Kirby and whispering, "Uh, can you pick a random dessert for me? I don't think I can finish the whole meal."

For the rest of the meal, Kirby only remembered the awkward silence—and the burnt caramelized sugar layer on his crème brûlée, leaving a bitter taste that lingered far too long.

In the stillness of the meal, Kirby's mind drifted back to the camping trip about a month ago—the one that had gone wrong. That night, under the starry sky, Kirby and Zero Two had set up their tent, sitting across from each other near the crackling campfire. Zero Two held a bamboo stick, his gaze fixed on the marshmallows slowly charring at the tips.

"Give it a try! It's wonderful!" Kirby chirped, eager for Zero Two to take his first bite.

"...Why me specifically?" Zero Two lowered the stick, asking the same question he'd asked too many times during this trip.

"Because I just wanted to spend time with someone from the Dark Matter apartment. We've met a lot at the Queen's afternoon tea parties, and I thought this would be a nice way to get to know you better," Kirby replied patiently, though he wasn't quite sure how to make Zero Two believe that this trip was a genuine attempt to grow closer.

"I figured you just tolerated me there," Zero Two murmured, his eye reflecting the soft flicker of the campfire.

"I'm not like that, poyo!" Kirby puffed up slightly, waving his tiny hands in protest.

"So you actually see me as your friend? Or… like a brother?" There was a faint tremble in Zero Two's voice—an emotion Kirby found hard to decipher.

"I don't have any siblings, but yes, I saw you as my friend the moment you stopped your conquest all those years ago," Kirby nodded firmly. But Zero Two gave no reply but silence.

"Would it be strange if I said I've always seen you as some kind of distant sibling… like Gooey?" Zero Two's voice was soft, but the way his eye blinked betrayed the storm of emotions he kept suppressed.

"Not at all, poyo!"

"…You should know, the Dark Matter family functions like paramecia… born to consume, even devour their own kin," Zero Two whispered, his tone unnervingly flat. The lack of emotion in his words unsettled Kirby far more than their content.

What in the Dream Land is he talking about?

"A miserable, inescapable cycle. When one can no longer endure this unforgiving world, another is expected to grant mercy… to end them. And consume their remains."

"Wait…what… what do you mean?" Kirby stammered in horror, but Zero Two seemed lost, spiraling deeper into his monologue:

"A fallen brother lives on through the blood of another, until their time comes as well. It never ends… Blood makes us more, binding us tighter than any so-called love…"

"Stop."

Kirby commanded, his voice firm despite his trembling feet—a fear unlike anything he had felt on the battlefield. No enemy had ever made him quiver like this, yet Zero Two's words pierced through him effortlessly.

"…Sorry," Zero Two murmured, lowering the marshmallow just below his crimson eye, letting the burnt sugar melt slowly. Kirby, sensing the weight of his companion's dark thoughts, quickly grabbed another bamboo stick and began threading marshmallows onto it, trying to keep Zero Two's hands and mind occupied.

"If my time comes…" Zero Two spoke again, his voice trailing off, and Kirby felt his heart skip a beat.

"No," Kirby cut him off, his focus fixed on the marshmallows in his hands.

"Perhaps I would prefer to live on in your blood, until one day, it's your turn…"

"I said no!" Kirby slammed the stick down, frustration boiling over. He spun to face Zero Two, who stared back and startled. "Just stop it, Zero Two! This miserable cycle—end it already. If I ever become part of this curse, I wouldn't wish that kind of suffering on anyone, not even my worst enemy!"

Yet, beneath his anger, Kirby couldn't help but feel a deep sadness for Zero Two. Is this why the Dark Matter clan never truly changed after coming to Planet Popstar? A pointless cycle of violence, driven by a hollow belief that "blood makes us more?"

"Kirby, I'm sorry…"

"...Zero Two, you must've been in so much pain to hold onto an ideology like that!" Kirby's voice cracked, and he burst into tears.

"What? No… no, I never…"

"I don't… I don't like it…" Kirby quickly wiped away his tears, trying to regain control, but the sorrow was too much to bear, " I planned for us to go flower-viewing tomorrow, so we should sleep now. It's late!"

"Kirby, wait—"

But Kirby was already retreating into the tent, burying his face in his pillow. He cried quietly through the night, the empty sleeping bag beside him only amplifying his loneliness. By morning, he woke to tear-streaks on his face and a blood-written note waiting for him:

"Kirby,

Forgive me for the foolish words I've said. I have to go."

"Zero Two, your halo," Ribbon broke the silence after the drinks were served. The three turned their gaze to the halo above Zero Two's bandage—after the quarter-final, a small crack had formed, turning its usual bright yellow to a dull yellow-green. But now, the crack was gone, and the yellow had returned to its original brightness.

Kirby, still lamenting that they had thrown away a chance for peace, remained silent.

"…I'm surprised you're happier than I am about my recovery from the quarter-final," Zero Two remarked, his eye fixed on Ribbon.

"Am I?"

"…Never mind," Zero Two muttered, lowering his head to stare at his empty glass of soda. It was the last sentence spoken during the awkward meal before they parted ways.

Chapter Text

The deal was blown. The semi-final match remained on schedule.

Kirby lay in bed the night before, staring at the darkened ceiling, trying to fall asleep. There was nothing he could do now but face Meta Knight as originally planned, so at least Meta Knight would get the battle he craved.

As for the other semi-final match… Kirby could only hope Magolor could keep things under his control, making sure they didn't get hurt too badly.

Was Meta Knight to blame for the broken deal? If anything, Kirby blamed himself for being too stunned to stop Meta Knight's whole speech. Still, he wanted to smash Meta Knight's mask as hard as he could and shout, "It's all your fault!" just to vent his frustration. After the fight, he'd bury himself in King Dedede's arms and pour out all his woes.

I should probably check on the Queen during Zero Two and Ribbon's match, Kirby thought. It was his last conscious thought before drifting into a dream, where the three of them sat eating cakes with Void, who could finally speak a few simple sentences after all their efforts.

The next morning, Kirby arrived at the arena an hour earlier than scheduled, hoping to catch either Zero Two or Ribbon before the match began. But Magolor called out to him in the hallway.

"Morning, Kirby. Hope you got some good rest," said Magolor, doing his best to maintain his usual carefree tone.

"Poyo!" Kirby nodded firmly.

"Let me update you on two things. First is the knockout rule. Today, I'm going to strictly enforce it for both matches," Magolor said, raising a finger as he explained.

"You mean if a fighter is out of action? Isn't it just about checking which one gets knocked out first?" Kirby tilted his head, thinking back to his previous friendly matches.

"Yes, that's part of it. But this rule is mainly for the other semi-final… still, I need to explain it to you," Magolor continued. "If any part of a fighter's body—other than their feet—touches the arena floor, I'll start a countdown from ten. If they can't get back on their feet or return to their usual battle stand—which, for Zero Two and Ribbon, likely means staying airborne—by the time I reach one, the other fighter wins."

"Oof… that sounds a bit complicated," Kirby frowned, picturing it. "Will this rule apply in the final too?"

"…I doubt either of them will last two minutes in the final after today, but if Zero Two makes it, probably yes—because he's a blockhead," Magolor sighed, his shoulders slumping.

"I… I understand."

"The second thing is, the pair we're worried about is at the buffet…"

"Poyo!" Kirby raised his tiny arms, a mix of relief and concern washing over him.

"They're civil, but… it's like watching two veterans in a trench, sharing a silent understanding as they gaze into the inferno ahead—Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate. Uh, you can decide if you want to talk to them. They both probably need it," Magolor said, narrowing his yellow eyes, and Kirby could easily imagine the nervous sweat running down his back.

—What kind of metaphor is that? What… what magic spells did Magolor just say after that? Magolor's too wordy sometimes, Kirby thought. All he really caught was where they were.

"See you, my dude. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to drown myself in energy drinks before I start working," said Magolor, a wry smile in his oval eyes as he floated away. Kirby waved goodbye, but this time Magolor didn't wave back.

Now that he knew where they were, Kirby wasted no time, running straight to the basement. Kirby swiped his card to enter the basement, where he spotted Zero Two and Ribbon sitting together against the wall. Zero Two looked like he hadn't slept all night, holding a cup of hot coffee and sipping it slowly; Ribbon, meanwhile, was fixated on a small box in her hands, her expression just as tense.

Kirby walked closer to them, but they seemed oblivious to his presence. He overheard Ribbon quietly say: "You sure you don't want to see Her Majesty before the match? She's been worried about you since then."

"Did she bring Void?" Zero Two asked, taking a sip of his hot coffee.

"...Yes. But you shouldn't be afraid of them learning anything inappropriate from you now. The Queen has fixed many of the inappropriate phrases he picked up before, so…" Ribbon replied, hesitating as if unsure whether to finish her thought.

"Those inappropriate phrases were from me anyway, so no," Zero Two said bluntly.

"Before I go, is there anything you want to tell the Queen?" Ribbon glanced at Zero Two, who remained focused on his cup of coffee. "Other than that hollow 'sorry' because… we're both going to shatter her heart in the end, anyway."

"…I think anything I'd want to tell her would just sound like excuses to you," Zero Two said, sharing a quick glance with Ribbon that hinted at blame.

"Because it is. But I will still let her know."

"How do you have the nerve to say that when you see me as nothing but your enemy?" Kirby caught, for the rare instant, Zero Two's usual deep voice cracking.

"...Would you like me to recite your statement to the Queen that day? I can do it word for word…" Ribbon shot back, her tone icy.

"Just to prove you resent me that much, you remember every minor mistake I make when I just want to be… normal?" Zero Two whispered. His usual bass voice returned, but it sounded so powerless that the noise from the kitchen almost overwhelmed it.

"...One day, I wish I could forgive... No, forget everything you've done, so I can be 'normal' as well," Ribbon breathed, as if trying to accommodate Zero Two's weak voice.

"Oh, Ribbon. I doubt you would, even when we're both gone and forgotten by this world," Zero Two replied, his voice returning to its usual volume.

"...Say your message to the Queen," Ribbon said, her voice strained as if holding back tears, though her expression remained composed, like an unbreakable mask.

"The Bureau permitted Void to live a few blocks away from Kirby just yesterday, and I have the document… And if I don't make it, please forget that I ever existed in your life. Thank you."

Kirby found himself weeping uncontrollably, despite trying to hide it to better hear their conversation.

"Probably hand that document to Magolor and tell him to give it to Kirby, since Kirby is probably in the preparation room or on his way," Ribbon interrupted, her voice trembling.

"Or just give it to you so the Queen can pass it on to Kirby?"

"...Yes. Good idea. Thank you," Ribbon said weakly, and Kirby watched as Zero Two handed a piece of paper to her.

"...Anything else?" Ribbon pressed.

"No." Zero Two nodded, and the entire buffet fell silent, save for the sounds of the kitchen and Kirby's occasional sniffle.

"I will let her know. Good luck later," Ribbon whispered, clutching her small box as she flew out the doorway. Zero Two gently set his cup down on the desk beside him and closed his eyes for some rest. Kirby remained hidden in the corner of the buffet, a heavy weight like a shadow in his heart as he left for the match.

The arena itself was a magnificent and charming spectacle, and especially on that day, viewed from the heart of the building under the fresh light of dawn. The brown brick floor bore faint cracks, catching the sunlight on their worn surfaces. Rows upon rows of audience seats were filled, their eyes gleaming with anticipation for the semi-final. Even the sword Meta Knight had offered stood out, planted firmly in a crack in the ground like a proud dancer.

But Kirby was not listening to, looking at anything of all this. The joy around him—the morning light, the birds, the flowers—felt distant, unreachable. In the vastness of the arena, his thoughts fixated on one thing.

Meta Knight's mask.

Break it. Then I'll tell him, "This is all your fault."

Kirby grasped the sword, a green cap appearing on his head. He could almost feel Meta Knight's satisfaction beneath the steel.

"Kirby, I'm glad you made the right choice," Meta Knight said, gripping his Galaxia tightly. Kirby couldn't tell if he was referring to entering the tournament or the "decision" made during their negotiation.

"Let's get this over with," Kirby muttered, waiting for Magolor's signal.

"Three, two, one… Begin!"

As Magolor's voice faded, Kirby sprang into action with an Overhead Slash, charging at Meta Knight. As expected, Meta Knight quickly evaded with a smooth circular movement, sidestepping to counter with a slash of his own. The clash of their swords filled the arena, the sharp metallic sounds the only thing Kirby could hear as they circled each other, exchanging blows.

Suddenly, Meta Knight spread his bat-like wings and took to the air, executing graceful Shuttle Loops. Kirby quickly assessed the situation—Meta Knight was using his aerial speed to his advantage, sending sword beams from above. Keeping his distance, he raised his sword, charging up a Spin Slash. The sound of energy building in the blade reminded him of the bubbling waters from the Fountain of Dreams.

He knew the charge would slow his movement, but trusted his ability to dodge the incoming beams and strike when Meta Knight touched down.

But then Meta Knight pointed his sword downward, a blue glow enveloping the golden blade—Downward Wave Shot. Kirby's eyes widened. A mistake! But he kept charging the Spin Slash.

With a slam of Meta Knight's sword, four pillars of blue energy burst from the ground. One struck Kirby, nearly knocking the sword from his grip. Gritting his teeth, he saw his chance—Meta Knight was momentarily stuck. Kirby unleashed his Spin Slash, wave after wave of circular strikes hitting his opponent.

"I applaud your courage for sticking to your plan, Kirby, but when it comes to the finer nuances of swordplay, you still have much to learn!" Meta Knight declared, his voice rich with pride, as if the blow had only heightened his enjoyment. Kirby had grown used to this reaction over time.

Meta Knight retrieved his sword from the ground, leaping backward as he prepared to unleash a stronger version of his sword beams. The blade vibrated with a fierce energy, the sound reminiscent of roaring flames. Kirby knew that after those powerful beams were fired, Meta Knight would slow down just enough to expose an opening. Without hesitation, Kirby slashed forward, desperately trying to close the gap—even as Meta Knight swung his sword, sending a massive wave of dark blue flames surging toward him.

Kirby quickly raised his sword in a defensive stance, blocking the attack. The impact sent him skidding backward, his feet scraping against the ground with a sharp, unpleasant noise. That hurt—even though I blocked it perfectly, Kirby thought grimly. As Meta Knight sent another dark blue beam hurtling toward him, Kirby jumped into the air, floating just above the attack. He flapped his arms to get closer, noticing that Meta Knight hadn't yet adjusted to his new position. The third sword beam, aimed too low, missed entirely.

Kirby exhaled and touched down, landing right beside Meta Knight. Sensing an opportunity, he swung his sword with all his strength. Meta Knight blocked with a well-timed slash, the clash of their blades creating a shockwave that cracked the ground beneath them. Kirby braced himself as the force pushed him back slightly, while Meta Knight was sent flying. Yet, in an instant, Meta Knight recovered, performing another Shuttle Loop.

After recovering from the shockwave mid-air, Meta Knight aimed his sword and glided swiftly toward Kirby. Kirby countered with an Upward Slash, their blades clashing once again. But this time, Meta Knight swiftly pulled back, extending his sword and spinning into a bladed tornado. Kirby anticipated the move, dodging and rolling out of its path just in time.

As Meta Knight's spinning attack came to a stop, Kirby dashed forward and leaped, slamming his blade toward Meta Knight's mask. He heard his opponent gasp in surprise. Meta Knight raised his sword to block, the two weapons straining against each other as Kirby pushed with all his might, determined to slam Meta Knight into the ground. Finally, with a surge of effort, Kirby succeeded, sending Meta Knight crashing down, a small crater forming beneath him.

"Ten!" Magolor's voice echoed through the arena, beginning the count for the new knockout rule.

Meta Knight whispered, "Oh right, new rule," before kicking off the ground, immediately springing back to his feet with Galaxia in hand.

But Kirby was done with this fight. He wanted it to end. Now. Gripping his sword tightly, he focused all his frustration—anger that had simmered since Meta Knight announced the tournament, frustration at the failed negotiation two days ago… Even though Meta Knight wasn't truly at fault. He channeled it all into his next strike.

Normally, Kirby's charged sword beam would glow with a soft pink light. But this time, even Kirby was startled as a blood-red glow emanated from the blade.

It wasn't supposed to go like this! Kirby could hear himself screaming in his mind. But Meta Knight seemed unfazed by the shift in Kirby's emotions. Instead, he began charging his own sword beam, dark blue energy gathering around Galaxia. Amid the roar of the two charging swords, Meta Knight shouted, "Good! Kirby! Let your emotions flow through your blade, as it becomes an extension of you!"

"Shut up!" Kirby shouted, enraged by Meta Knight's words, even though deep down, he knew Meta Knight was simply too enthusiastic about the fight. Guilt darkened the crimson glow of Kirby's sword even further as their blades swung in unison. Their sword beams collided mid-air with a piercing screech, like the wails of a thousand wild birds.

For a moment, the beams struggled against each other—then Kirby's blood-red energy overwhelmed Meta Knight's dark blue, shattering the opposing beam and slamming into Meta Knight. An explosion followed, sending a mid-sized mushroom cloud billowing upward.

Kirby quickly raised his sword, bracing himself in a defensive stance. He knew Meta Knight was tough enough to endure the blast, and he couldn't let his guard down—Meta Knight might use the smoke as cover to launch a surprise attack. As the haze cleared, Kirby spotted Meta Knight emerging, Galaxia raised, mirroring Kirby's own stance.

Relief washed over Kirby; the attack hadn't caused serious harm to his mentor. Yet a part of him was drained—emotionally and physically—by the battle. Just as Meta Knight swung his sword to strike again, his mask split cleanly in half, tumbling from his dark blue face.

The battle is over. Kirby thought, watching as Meta Knight, now exposed, covered his face with his cape and flew off, exactly as Kirby had predicted. A moment later, the faint buzz of the magic detector sounded from the arena's boundary.

"…Is that out of bounds? Yes, Meta Knight is out of bounds… But why...? Why left...? Oh, anyway, ahem," Magolor sounded perplexed. Then he cleared his throat and announced, "Meta Knight went out of bounds, which means the winner of this round is… Kirby!"

Yet Kirby hurled the sword to the ground and dashed from the arena, leaving the cheers of the audience behind. He needed to find the Queen of Ripple Star and offer her comfort before the next match.

As Kirby ran through the hallway, Ribbon caught up to him, holding a plate of strawberry cake.

"Ribbon?" Kirby felt a surge of relief seeing her, especially after the tense conversation with Zero Two. But he wondered why she was still here, "Don't you have to go to the preparation room now?"

"I know, but I just wanted to… uh, check if you're okay," Ribbon replied, slightly scratching her head in embarrassment.

"Oh, don't worry about my injury, poyo," Kirby said, raising his tiny hands as if to show he still had strength. Deep down, however, he longed to find King Dedede and cry in his arms when this was all over.

"…No, I mean the sword beam," Ribbon sighed, averting her gaze from him, "I… I remembered it being pink? Or is my memory just failing me?"

"…I think it has more to do with the sword itself, since, you know, Meta Knight offered it to me," Kirby replied, gently taking the plate of cake from her and crafting small white lies to lighten the mood.

But Ribbon seemed to see through his attempt at reassurance. She chose to keep her thoughts to herself, and a heavy silence hung between them.

"Kirby, I have to go," Ribbon whispered, kissing him on the forehead, just like that time back in Ripple Star. As Kirby stood stunned, his eyes wide from the sudden kiss, Ribbon grinned and said, "The Queen is in the first row with Void. Wish me good luck."

"Ah…"

Before Kirby could formulate a sensible response or something fitting for the kiss, Ribbon hovered away toward the end of the hallway.

Chapter Text

Adagio - Allegro non troppo

The Queen of Ripple Star recalled an event from roughly six months ago. Adeleine had brought her a hard drive with a wry smile, explaining that Susie Haltmann had insisted she accept the gift. According to Susie, the hard drive contained "something beautiful" from her supposed home planet, Shiver Star. For Adeleine, however, the planet only evoked memories of her adventure with Kirby and friends—the warmth of the sun, the softness of the clouds, and the darkness in the depths of a factory.

Since Adeleine had no computer to access the data, she turned to Ripple Star for help. The Queen remembered Ribbon suggesting that they buy a computer from Meta Knight, as Ripple Star still relied mostly on ancient fairy magic. Over the next few days, she let the girls explore the contents of the hard drive.

Ribbon seemed to pick up the "technology" surprisingly fast, assisting Adeleine in uncovering what lay beneath the layers of program: thousands of pieces of music, along with corresponding sheet music and background stories.

"I must admit, even with Susie's translations, I can't make sense of these terminologies…" Adeleine confessed, her face planted against the table in front of the screen.

"Uh... it seems like people from Shiver Star use a very different notation system than ours," Ribbon murmured, nervously skimming the sheets. She shot a quick, uncertain glance at the Queen. "Your Majesty, if this is just Susie's way of showing her gratitude, wouldn't it be rude if we don't understand it?"

"No, dear. It seems that Miss Haltmann simply wishes to share the beauty of the music, nothing more," the Queen replied.

She felt a pang of guilt for the unintentional pressure she had placed on Ribbon for so long, though the kid had a habit of taking on more than necessary.

"…Speaking of which, Susie seemed to understand how overwhelming all this data could be, so she included a random number generator on the hard drive. We can just press a button and let the computer choose a random piece," Ribbon moved the mouse. A soft click emitted from the computer, and the sober first notes began to play.

The Queen glanced at the screen: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 "Pathétique." The opening notes were low, reaching into the deepest range of many instruments. The trio listened as the slow build-up, led by bassoon and basses, gradually unfolded, allowing the strings to guide them toward an emotional climax. Yet, even within the beauty of the melodies, a shadow of fatalism lingered.

Perhaps it's a symphony you'd love—elegant yet each note carries its own tragic tale.

"Pardon me, I'm just too curious," Adeleine whispered awkwardly mid-music, reaching for the mouse and clicking the "Background Stories" button. As the music continued, the Queen became absorbed in the tale displayed on the screen—a man who poured his soul into his final work and died just nine days after its premiere, scrolled down by Adeleine.

This is the man's final work—the last words written in rhythms. The Queen's thoughts drifted as she read the words. She imagined a figure whose fingers were bloodied from playing, offering one last farewell to the world.

Regarding the cause of death, the data revealed that the composer's family had attributed it to an illness—an unlikely affliction for someone of his wealth. Many, however, suspected suicide, as the composer had already attempted to take his own life once before.

The reasons? The composer had struggled to hide his sexuality in a harsh and unforgiving society. What a tragedy for such a gifted soul... Like many I've known before, the Queen mused.

"...I didn't realize my species were once not cool like that," Adeleine murmured, her face twisting slightly in disgust as she read the same part as the Queen.

"Your Majesty, I know this suggestion sounds… bold, but do you think Zero Two might somehow know how to read Shiver Star's music notation?" Ribbon asked, turning to the Queen with flickering eyes.

"I can call him tomorrow, if you don't mind," the Queen replied with a wry smile. She was well aware of the tension between Ribbon and Zero Two—Ribbon was still struggling to let go of the trauma and grudge she'd harbored for all these years.

"Sure," Ribbon muttered, her gaze drifting back to the screen. "As for this piece... I can't imagine what his lover would think, knowing this was his final symphony."

Allegro con grazia

"Yes, that is middle C. Ribbon, please get that awful music notation of your planet out of my sight."

The next day, Zero Two arrived at Ripple Star, pointing at a note on the screen's music sheet.

"Can you please not disrespect our culture? That is incredibly rude to Her Majesty," Ribbon snapped back, holding up a Ripple Star music sheet in front of Zero Two.

"Ribbon, I don't mind…" the Queen intervened, attempting to defuse the tension once again.

"Oh, this is some monstrosity," Zero Two muttered with a frown, turning away from Ribbon's sheet. Then, he slowly looked toward the Queen and whispered, "Why are flats and sharps written that way on your planet?"

"See? Ribbon, he's just unfamiliar with our notations," the Queen reassured her with a gentle smile, watching Ribbon slowly lower the sheet, muttering a quick, "I'm sorry."

"It's fine..." Zero Two sighed. His eye brightened as he noticed something on the screen. "What's that random number generator button for?"

"There are around ten thousand pieces in the hard drive, so Susie designed a button to randomly play one," Ribbon explained.

"Oh, but... why not just label these pieces properly?" Zero Two asked, narrowing his singular eye. Ribbon merely shrugged in response. Zero Two then turned toward the computer and pressed the button—Tchaikovsky's last symphony played again, the same piece as when Ribbon pressed the button earlier.

Is it all fate?

"…How did you manage to get the same piece as I did yesterday? The odds are literally thousands to one," Ribbon asked in disbelief.

"There are plenty of events with even lower odds that still happened—like me trying to befriend you, Ribbon," Zero Two replied with sarcasm as usual. The Queen, however, knew it was just a mask.

"…Friendly reminder, you can click the 'Background Stories' for more information about the piece," Ribbon said, choosing to ignore his attitude as she pointed to the screen.

"Your 'friendly' reminder sounds far from friendly, my friend..." retorted Zero Two.

"Alright, little Zero Two," the Queen intervened before the exchange could escalate further. Zero Two quickly whispered an apology and turned his attention to the screen, reading the tale of Tchaikovsky as the brooding melody continued to play.

"…Did this poor man actually die for a greater cause, rather than because of his secret, as the background story suggests?" Zero Two mused after finishing the story. "I feel like I'm hearing something far grander than what's written on the page."

Allegro molto vivace

The Queen now held Kirby tightly in her arms. The kind soul offered comfort right after his own grueling semi-final battle.

Had it been a mistake to let all three of them—Ribbon, Kirby, and Zero Two—sign up for the tournament that day? Yes. Absolutely yes. But when Zero Two had declared that "to prove myself a worthy member of the Dark Matter clan, I have no choice but to sign up," the Queen had begrudgingly allowed it. It seemed like he needed it—or perhaps, he had simply convinced himself that he did.

She had tried to convince Ribbon to withdraw, knowing that Zero Two was far too invested in his ideology that "the only way to prove himself is through violence." But her efforts were in vain; Ribbon was only willing to step back if Zero Two did the same. She had heard they attempted to negotiate this before the semi-final, and she could only imagine how awkward that conversation must have been.

Perhaps her indecisiveness as a leader had harmed them the most, more than their own inner turmoil ever could. Why are we all doomed to repeat the same mistake?

Before the match, Ribbon had sneaked a small box of macarons from the participants-only buffet for the Queen. She mentioned that she'd seen Zero Two there, who had barely answered any calls since the tournament began.

Ribbon had also delivered Zero Two's messages: that he'd secured permission for Void's housing from The Bureau on Planet Popstar (a message the Queen passed to Kirby the moment he arrived), and, more disturbingly, that "if he doesn't make it, please forget that he ever existed in her life."

The thought of Zero Two saying those words aloud was already horrifying and heartbreaking. But hearing Ribbon's voice relay them, as though they were her own final words, made the Queen's heart ache even more.

The only thing she could pray for was that they would show some restraint. She watched grimly as the two hovered into the arena, staring each other down as if ready to tear one another apart.

Suddenly, Kirby squeezed her hand tightly. She glanced down at the kind boy in her arms, and he returned her gaze with a slow, resolute nod.

"Thank you, Kirby," she whispered, forcing a smile.

"Magolor will make sure they aren't hurt too badly, poyo," Kirby reassured her quietly.

Kirby had once told her that if he and Ribbon had been any less aggressive in that fateful battle with Zero Two, it might have been too late—Zero Two could have drawn more power from his own suffering, since that was how his power worked.

True, the fight had lasted only around five minutes, but those were some of the quietest yet most intense minutes in Kirby's life as a galactic hero—or so he'd told her.

She turned her focus back to the battlefield. Ribbon slowly raised the Crystal Gun, a weapon designed by the Queen's... "Old friend" to defend Ripple Star from threats, settling into a battle stance. Her voice was cold as she asked, "…Anything else you'd like to say before the match? To me?"

"…I want you to know that everything I've said to you isn't an excuse for my past crimes, but rather something in my veins," Zero Two replied, his voice devoid of emotion—more like a formal statement than a reflection of his inner turmoil.

"We've had this same conversation over and over again. I know," Ribbon's tone softened, if only slightly.

"And you? Anything you want to say to me?" Zero Two asked, his voice curious rather than threatening.

"…I'd like to say the same to you," Ribbon replied, her voice trembling, "It's everything that's wrong with us, but there's no way to rid of it."

"Even death?" said Zero Two.

"...Even death."

"Understood." Zero Two narrowed his singular crimson eye, and the Queen could feel him charging his energy balls in preparation, his crimson eye subtly beaming ominously.

"Good luck," Ribbon said softly, her final words before Magolor signaled the start of the fight.

"Three, two, one, begin!"

Ribbon immediately soared high into the sky to dodge the incoming energy balls, aiming her Crystal Gun at Zero Two's eye. After unleashing a barrage of scattering energy balls, Zero Two backed away from the center of the arena, continuing to fire back. Light blue crystal projectiles rained down from above while white-blue energy balls raised from the ground, creating explosive collisions between the two.

The Queen caught a glimpse of Zero Two flinching for a brief moment as a crystal bullet struck just below his eye, leaving a long, bleeding scratch. In response, he stretched his dark-red crystal-like feathers into claws, following Ribbon through the air. He extended the feathers to attempt a melee strike, but Ribbon quickly adjusted her aim at his right wing, causing a fraction of it to shatter under her attack.

"...What a foolish mistake on my part," she heard Zero Two mutter bitterly as he retreated to charge more powerful energy balls, shifting his strategy to long-range attacks. Ribbon kept firing her Crystal Gun, maintaining an unending shower of light blue crystals. The Queen watched as Ribbon struggled to time her dodges while keeping up her aggressive pressure, barely evading the powerful strikes. From a distance, she could see droplets of blood flying from the scratches on Ribbon.

"They barely have any sense of self-preservation, poyo…" Kirby said with concern. The Queen held him tightly, watching as Zero Two's halo began to break under the relentless crystal barrage—transitioning from bright yellow to green-yellow, green, blue, purple, and finally red, before disappearing completely.

She recalled Zero Two telling her privately that he could extend his tail into a thorn form even while his halo still existed, but if he wanted to harness the power of the poisonous gas from the thorn tail, the halo had to be broken first. The greater his pain, the more toxic the gas he could produce.

This was the manifestation of his misguided belief: Violence made him more; Suffering made him stronger.

"Be afraid, friend!" Zero Two let out a demonic yell, flipping slightly as he extended his thorn tail to grab Ribbon, dark green gas swirling from it. Ribbon evaded his grasp, but judging by her pained expression, she had already inhaled some of the toxic gas. She circled Zero Two's tail and spiraled downward, adjusting her aim at the tail itself.

"Tsk!" After a moment, Zero Two could no longer endure the pain from the barrage. Tears of blood streamed from his eye as he retracted his thorn tail back to its normal short white form, going limp for a brief moment before crashing to the ground.

The Queen suddenly became aware of a ringing in her ears, almost enough to give her a headache. Only now, as the exchange of energy balls and crystal bullets had paused, did she fully realize the deafening impact of those clashes. Now, all she could hear was the uncertain murmur of the audience—someone whispered, "Is it over? Did that fairy actually defeat him? I thought Zero Two would make it to the final, Wanya…" Alongside the crowd's whispers was the faint hum of Ribbon's Crystal Gun as it released a self-healing spell and the shared, exhausted groans of both fighters.

The self-healing technique was something the Queen believed Ribbon had developed only recently, a skill that ran counter to her natural affinity since her powers manifested as a branch of the Ranger Ability on the Crystal. Ribbon had never mentioned her doubts about using a spell outside her affinity, yet the Queen knew she must have worked hard to make it effective for this battle.

And the Queen had to admit—using the knockdown ten-count itself as an opportunity to self-heal was clever. Not only did it make Ribbon appear respectful to the honor code, but it also allowed her to channel her mental energy toward recovery. From afar, the Queen could see the cold rage in Ribbon's sky-blue eyes, even as exhaustion began to show. Those eyes loomed over Zero Two like silent judgment.

"Ten! Nine! Eight!" Seeing Zero Two go down, Magolor immediately started the knockout countdown. But Zero Two flapped his wings, rising into the air once again. His halo returned to its rightful place atop his head, now glowing bright yellow once more.

The Queen watched as Zero Two's halo reformed, he growling painfully. With such strength and relentless willpower, she couldn't help but wonder why he still doubted himself—why he couldn't recognize that he had nothing to prove to anyone anymore.

Ribbon tightened her grip on the Crystal Gun, shifting swiftly from self-healing to attack mode as Zero Two returned to his stance. He leaned forward, using his forehead—a relatively durable part of his body—to absorb the incoming hits, each impact opening bleeding holes across his pale skin.

Enduring the relentless barrage of Crystal shots, he crossed his damaged wings and summoned a swirling red-black energy field around himself. Surrounding him, two wheel-like black rings spun ominously, their movement accompanied by a roar like the chaotic snapping of hundreds of cello strings. As soon as the transformation was complete, Ribbon ceased her relentless shots, appearing to study her opponent's current state. She had hoped and tried to stop Zero Two before he could tap into a more powerful form, but it was clear he had traded his forehead for this new, enhanced state.

"Pi... It's the same energy field as seven years ago, but stronger," Kirby whispered from within the Queen's arms. "He used it back then, drawing power from the pain of being... expelled from you. Now, he's even more damaged, so... Poyo. But surely, Zero Two can't last that long, right?"

Is this what Ribbon dreams about whenever she has those nightmares of the past? The Queen pondered as she watched Zero Two's aura grow increasingly intimidating. She had been possessed by him long ago, and in that seemingly endless dream, all she encountered was darkness, punctuated only by echoes of Zero Two's voice.

She had to admit, Zero Two looked far more terrifying in battle than he ever did while possessing others.

Zero Two thrust his wings forward, quickly summoning a Dark Mass cloud—a formless, pulsing entity of pure darkness that seemed to absorb the light around it, pulsing with life. The disturbing sight did nothing to deter Ribbon; she steadied the Crystal Gun and aimed for Zero Two's eye once more. However, the Dark Mass cloud absorbed a barrage of crystal bullets, vanishing into the air like a wisp of smoke.

Zero Two's eye glowed again, and his wings began to summon a relentless stream of Dark Mass bullets. Between each barrage of dark orbs, he mixed in a few stronger energy balls. Ribbon focused on destroying the Dark Mass bullets with crystal shots while dodging mid-air to evade the energy balls. But the Queen could hear Ribbon's silent screams in the chaos.

Even as the battle shifted against her, Ribbon refused to give Zero Two the satisfaction of hearing her beg. But deep down, the Queen knew Zero Two wouldn't have wanted that, anyway.

…Please, stop this already. The Queen felt her heartbeat falter as she clutched Kirby tightly once more.

Zero Two unleashed another stream of Dark Mass bullets, suddenly drifting in a circular motion toward Ribbon's back. Ribbon clearly understood Zero Two's tactical intent, yet her gaze—ping-ponging between the oncoming barrage of Dark Mass bullets and the gliding Zero Two—revealed her hesitation about the next move.

She held the Crystal Gun tightly, allowing it to emit a strong blue light that enveloped her while she maneuvered through the air with her wings. It seemed she fully anticipated being hit by the impending attack, so she concentrated on self-healing and dodging.

As she evaded the relentless Dark Mass bullets, Zero Two closed the distance, positioning himself behind her with a murderous glint in his eye. Ribbon was aware of his presence but was too preoccupied to mount a proper counterattack.

"Test me, Zero Two!" she shouted, her voice laced with both fury and despair, just as he slashed her with his fractured crystal wing. In response, Ribbon swung the Crystal Gun like a melee weapon, cleaving through Zero Two's claw-like feathers and scattering red crystal shards into the air before the force sent her crashing to the floor, away from him.

Now featherless on his right wing, Zero Two retracted it in pain, struggling to stay airborne as Ribbon struck the ground hard. The Queen observed her dear guardian, who apparently fought against the encroaching darkness of unconsciousness from Zero Two's melee attack. The wounds from the energy balls and Dark Mass bullets marred her petite frame.

Please, Ribbon. Don't push yourself too hard. This time, Kirby turned to hug the Queen tightly, leaving her feeling nothing but regret.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six…" Magolor began the knockout countdown once more, and Ribbon struggled to rise.

"Five, four…"

Just as the Queen began to feel a glimmer of relief, thinking this nightmare was finally coming to an end, Ribbon pushed herself up, using the Crystal Gun for support as she braced herself to stand.

"Stay down!" Zero Two's voice was laced with rage, yet a hint of begrudging admiration flickered in his war cries, almost rendering the threat as a plea. He leaned forward, thrusting his halo out and extending his thorned tail toward Ribbon, while waves of Dark Mass bullets soared through the sky. It was as if Zero Two had turned himself and his attacks into a massive, living maze, designed to engulf Ribbon entirely.

"It can't be…" Kirby gasped aloud, and the Queen instinctively returned his hug. The intention was clear—Zero Two was inviting Ribbon to strike his halo so he could unleash the poisonous gas from his thorn tail and end the fight swiftly.

But Ribbon saw through the bait. Gripping the Crystal Gun, she soared high once more, charging at Zero Two with full force, even as the Dark Mass bullets left several red marks on her. As she closed the distance, the trail of her flight resembled a shooting star that struck Zero Two from the sky—a blend of cyan fairy dust from her translucent wings and blood dripping from her wounds.

With a fierce stab, she drove the Crystal Gun into Zero Two's thorn tail, snapping it in half. Gritting her teeth, she thrust the weapon forward, even as the green liquid from the wounded tail splattered onto her.

"Po-poyo…"

Just as a trembling Kirby gasped again, a scream erupted from Zero Two, so loud and terrifying that it sent shockwaves of fear through the audience; many covered their ears and braced themselves.

"Ah!" Zero Two's demonic scream was followed by Magolor's, his voice filled with pure horror, as if he needed to shout just to counter Zero Two's sheer volume. The Queen knew Magolor had commentated on countless fights before this, yet during this match, he'd remained unusually silent, speaking only when required to initiate a knockout countdown.

The Queen witnessed that Zero Two went limp, collapsing to the ground as Dark Mass bullets scattered around him, leaving him vulnerable and powerless. Ribbon hovered just above the ground and appeared to be on the verge of losing consciousness. She struggled to hold the bloodied Crystal Gun for self-healing while using her spare hand to wipe her face, smeared with blood and the green liquid leaking from Zero Two's tail.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven…" Magolor's trembling countdown grew increasingly concerned. In a desperate move, Zero Two crashed his head against the floor, shattering his own halo into oblivion. Then, as if controlled by invisible strings, he jerked upright like a lifeless puppet of his own stubborn will, before soaring back into the air.

"…Before either of us goes down, I just want to let you know... you're truly deranged," Ribbon's weak voice pierced the oppressive silence that had settled over the arena after Zero Two's terrifying scream, the only sound not trembling amidst the muted, frightened whispers of the others.

"Good!" Zero Two laughed through his sorrow, his voice twisted like a prisoner finally breaking under the torture of a jailer. The simple one word pierced the Queen's heart. He began charging a massive energy ball in front of his eye, while dark green gas seeped from his broken thorn tail that still dripped with goo-like liquid.

Ribbon raised her trembling right hand to cover her nose, coughing as she struggled to block the toxic gas, while her left hand stayed on the trigger. Her aim, however, faltered with each shot, a clear sign of her deteriorating condition as she fought to keep Zero Two in her sights.

All the Queen could do was watch from the audience, powerless, as she witnessed: under the accumulating damage to Ribbon, the once vibrant fairy faded, and a disciplined, well-trained war machine rose—broken and on the verge of malfunction, driven by nothing but duty and hatred, her only remaining thought to pull the trigger at her target.

The Crystal that was meant to protect the realm, had now become the deathtrap of meaningless bloodshed for a young fairy.

As Zero Two charged his energy ball, he lifted his left wing, preparing for a final strike. Both Kirby and the Queen noticed the scattered Dark Mass bullets on the floor suddenly rising as his wing moved.

"Ribbon!" The Queen's panicked cry echoed across the arena as she realized Zero Two's ploy. Helplessly, she watched as Ribbon raised the Crystal Gun in a desperate defense, only to be mercilessly struck from behind by the barrage of Dark Mass bullets.

Upon impact, Ribbon instinctively tightened her grip on the Crystal Gun, a final act of defiance. Yet, she let out a heavy cough, flecks of blood escaping her lips and scattering in the air. Her breath was ragged before her wings sagged and her body went limp, plummeting from the sky.

The Queen didn't wait for Magolor's countdown. It had been enough. In a frantic motion, she knocked over the box of macarons Ribbon had brought earlier and tried to climb the barrier separating the audience from the battlefield.

Ribbon's faint groan broke the silence as she hit the ground. Then, a sound like the wind cutting through the air reached the Queen's ears. Zero Two narrowed his eye, bloodied tears streaming down his face as he prepared to unleash his final energy ball, as if pouring the last damaged remnants of his soul into that one final attack.

"…Zero Two!" The Queen cried out in desperation. His head snapped up at the sound of her voice, and in an instant, he dispelled the charged attack, his eye clouded with regret and sorrow. In that moment, the Queen noticed that the once-pure white of Zero Two's body had been overtaken by a deep, solid crimson, with blood and green liquid seeping from the tip of his damaged short tail.

"…One," Magolor's horrified voice completed the countdown. "The winner of this round is Zero Two. Please hold on… Medical Waddle Dees, team!"

Ribbon lay motionless as the Queen and Kirby rushed to her side. In the vastness of the arena, her thoughts fixated on one thing—to hold Ribbon tightly.

Meanwhile, Zero Two collapsed for the third time, slack and unresponsive. One of his subordinates—a participant eliminated in the quarter-finals—hovered over him anxiously with a medical kit.

How foolish I was to let them suffer for my mistakes.

As the Queen and Kirby approached, they heard Ribbon whisper, "Not like this... no..." while struggling to push herself up from the ground, trembling and panting.

"Ribbon, it's… it's over. I'm so sorry I put you through this again…" The Queen embraced Ribbon, releasing a pure white healing aura from her hand, her vision blurred by tears. She could hear Ribbon's shallow, irregular breaths. Slowly, as the healing energy flowed through her, the weak breaths steadied.

Then she heard a soft clink as the bloodied Crystal Gun lightly touched the arena floor. It seemed Ribbon had been gripping her weapon with the last of her strength even when she was barely conscious, only releasing it once she realized the battle was over.

"Kirby! This is for you! Zero Two is… in critical condition. Go to him!" Magolor urged as he arrived with the medical Waddle Dees. The news hit the Queen like a tsunami, but she steeled herself, knowing she had to remain strong and calm for Ribbon. Magolor tossed Kirby a white Copy Essence, which he swallowed, instantly gaining the Doctor ability and donning a doctor's suit.

"Poyo!" Kirby dashed to where a pool of blood and green goo was forming around Zero Two. Magolor then turned to the Queen, casting a supportive purple healing energy over Ribbon.

"…Never ask me to host something like this again," Magolor muttered with a heavy sigh as he floated beside Ribbon, "Ribbon, can you hear us? Please, if you can, let us know."

Ribbon's eyes fluttered open, her pale blue gaze meeting the Queen's.

"…I finally understand," she whispered, her voice ragged. "Maybe my motivation was just as foolish as Zero Two's…"

A faint, wry smile tugged at the corner of her lips, bittersweet and fleeting, as she gave a weak, shallow breath. The smile lingered for just a moment before her eyelids fluttered and she slipped into unconsciousness. The Queen pressed herself against the floor, listening to the faint rhythm of Ribbon's heartbeat as she poured healing energy into her.

But the sorrow became too overwhelming, and the Queen collapsed beside her.

This battle was just Tchaikovsky's final symphony, composed in the rhyme of blood.

Finale: Adagio lamentoso—Andante

Moments after the Queen collapsed beside Ribbon, while Magolor busied himself handling the aftermath, a message appeared on the Queen's phone:

"From Adeleine:

Your Majesty! (Heart Emote)

Sorry I've been MIA—I'm completely absorbed in my latest art project! You know how it goes; once I start painting, it's like the universe disappears. Maybe that's why I've missed so many of Kirby's other adventures since you tamed Zero Two, hahaha!

But seriously, did I miss something major on Planet Popstar or... the entire galaxy? Kirby's been dodging my calls, and when I messaged Ribbon, all she replied was, 'Adeleine, forgive me. I am on duty right now.'

And Zero Two? That soft-boiled egg of a reformed war criminal mistook me for one of his subordinates when I texted him! At least King Dedede picked up. All he said was, 'Running Dream Land is as nuts as saving the universe!'

If you have any news on those three adopted kids of yours, please let me know. I hope everything is smooth on Ripple Star!

Love you,

Adeleine"

Chapter Text

What have I done? Did I really kill her? It wasn't supposed to end like this…

Zero Two lay in a pool of blood beneath him, struggling to stretch what remained of his shredded wings toward the far end of the arena. His vision blurred further as the Waddle Dee medical team, Magolor's and the Queen's healing energy fields, and an approaching Kirby blocked his view.

"Lord Zero Two, please don't move, you're making this harder for me..." Dark Matter Blade whispered nervously as he fumbled with a tourniquet. The poor swordsman was clearly shaken—this brutal match must've been his first time seeing the devastating power of the Crystal Gun, Zero Two thought as their eyes met briefly.

Wait... our cover story to Zero. Whatever excuse we come up with, my condition will make it obvious we were lying.

"Sorry, Blade," Zero Two rasped, "Looks like our lie is about to... you know." Each effort to speak sent sharp pain through his body, threatening to paralyze him.

"To be honest, maybe we should've just told him the truth from the start…"

"Blade, can you help hold him steady?" Kirby had arrived, now dressed in a doctor's suit and holding a bottle filled with a bright, yellow liquid, "I'm going to… uh, force-feed him this."

"Kirby…" Zero Two murmured weakly, but before he could finish his apology, Kirby was already shoving the bottle into his face, pouring the liquid down and letting it absorb into him.

No… my consciousness is fading… Kirby…

"And then we press a towel against his wounds—Zero Two!" Kirby's panicked voice was the last thing he heard before darkness swallowed his vision.

With a heavy sense of resignation, he braced himself for an eternal dream of regret—the regret of having sabotaged his chance to move on from the past, all because of his fragile pride. Yet in that darkness, all he could see was the faint shadow of a nameless Waddle Dee beneath a Bodhi tree—a distant memory from nine or ten years ago. Zero Two chose to cling to that hazy illusion of kindness, the only light he had to fend off the immense powerlessness.

Zero Two slowly opened his eye, the bright ceiling lights stabbing into his vision like the brutal rain of Crystal Gun bullets from Ribbon. His surroundings were a blur, but he could just make out a curtain floating beside him and, on a small desk near the bed, a paper cup and a vase of flowers—Zero Two tried to suppress his ability to sense the artifact within the vase, wary of aggravating his wound. Yet, even the delicate scent of the Myosotis flowers proved overwhelming. He had to fight the urge to cough.

Where… am I? His mind struggled to catch up, sluggish and aching. Did I survive...? The weight of the battle still lingered, pressing down on him. Why does living feel worse than dying in that brutal fight?

"Yo. Did you lose a big bet when you… I don't know. I've got nothing. I've never played pool—Since this was the cover story you two were going for two days ago."

Zero Two turned toward the mocking voice. Zero stood by the door, a bag of popcorn in his tiny hand.

Oh, right. You are the reason surviving feels worse than dying.

"You know... when you bought those scallops, I almost bought your callous lies too," Zero sneered, tossing a popcorn kernel onto his surface and slowly absorbing it. "Until that traitorous, worthless Gooey sent me a picture of him with the pink brat. Want to guess who else was in it?"

"Leave Blade out of this. It was my idea," Zero Two interrupted, his voice barely more than a whisper.

"Blade's grounded for the next two weeks, and it's all your fault," Zero growled, stepping closer. "Now, explain yourself."

"Well, I thought you'd complain less about me if I brought you a trophy. You know, use it like a cup filled with the blood of your enemies?" Zero Two wasn't sure if he was even being serious as he said it.

"And then you nearly died to a little girl? In front of hundreds of useless, inferior creatures?" Zero squinted his eye.

"Yeah, that did happen... just like how you got beaten by something that looked like a secondhand toy for little girls happened a long time ago... Ouch." Zero Two's attempt at sarcasm was cut short as pain shot through his head, and those familiar voices returned, chanting the same old Dark Matter gospel.

"And Blade? Did you convince that fool to join this dumpster fire of a meaningless tournament?" Zero's voice was thick with anger.

"I said, leave Blade out of this," Zero Two replied, his voice softening, trying to avoid provoking Zero further.

"Oh, I can't wait to 'borrow' your Miracle Matter when you're stuck in this filthy hospital," a sadistic smile crept into Zero's single eye, "They're coded to obey my command, too, aren't they?"

Zero Two stared back powerlessly. For Blade's sake, it was best to stay silent for now.

"You remember, Blade was 'selected' by the same philosophy behind your Miracle Matter—Suffering. Makes. Us. More," Zero spat out each word deliberately. Zero Two could already imagine the sheer torment paved in front of Blade over the next two weeks, and it was entirely his fault.

He recalled telling Miracle Matter to be nicer to Blade, as he'd promised. The emotionless response from that machine forged by his fallen kin's flesh—"Memory update"—echoed in his mind. Now, that same Miracle Matter would be twisted into a tool of torment after his hollow promise.

"I just can't understand you. I never will, Zero Two," Zero said, his voice edged with frustration. "Aside from our nature to bring harm to everyone around us, we have nothing in common. And it drives me mad. You're my second-in-command only because you're still a part of me… technically. Can't you do something sensible for once?"

"Define 'sensible' for me, then," Zero Two shot back. Yet those words stung like a thousand barrages of crystal bullets. Am I forever your writ small, just as fragile, just as spiteful, burning every bridge for my pride?

"For Nova's sake, abandon your dream of being part of that pink brat's world!" Zero screamed, knocking over the popcorn in his tiny hand. Zero Two flinched at the sudden outburst. "When we moved in, I said, 'We're going to embrace our new era,' but not like this! We're not meant to be a part of them, never! Why do you think I told Blade to buy the house in the countryside, away from other citizens?"

"If you're so furious at us, still daydreaming of conquering the galaxy, then why don't you throw Kirby like a bowling ball like you always say? Huh? Be the hero of our family for once—talk the talk and walk the walk. The only red liquid that's ever 'made you more' is the ketchup on your hotdog, not blood..." Zero Two was fed up with Zero's rant, and his need to feel superior to his king got the better of him, once again.

Then Zero's eye slowly widened in a strange amusement, and Zero Two realized he'd made a huge mistake.

No, Zero, don't take my words literally, that was sarcasm...

"You're a genius," Zero said, sounding genuinely amused, "I'll do exactly that. Just wait. And make sure to hit that pink brat harder in the final."

"No..."

But before Zero Two's weak plea reached him, Zero had already left the room, leaving him alone with his regret. A minute later, there was a gentle knock on the door. Magolor entered before the exhausted Zero Two could respond.

"Well, that was a heartwarming family reunion after the semi-final, I suppose," said Magolor, his usual oval yellow eyes narrowing into thin, frustrated lines.

"It's fine. We've talked like this for years..." Zero Two replied, still reeling from Zero's words.

"...Anyway, let me get to the point. First, Ribbon survived, so don't worry. Second, you did win that round technically, so the final will be you against Kirby—if you don't withdraw," Magolor said solemnly, "Now, the final was scheduled for tomorrow, but considering your condition, we've postponed it to three days from now. We can't delay it any further due to the contract with many other sponsors."

"Understood."

"Meta Knight may or may not visit you later. He's on his way to apologize to the Queen of Ripple Star... mostly for overlooking the danger in this tournament. He might still try to convince you to stay in the final, but... I'll be honest," Magolor continued, his ears drooping, "Please, just withdraw. You probably won't even last half a minute, even with the extra three days of rest."

"...No," said Zero Two, despite the searing pain that pulsed through every fiber of his body, protesting his irrational decision.

"You have nothing left to prove... Your fight against Ribbon, brutal as it was, impressed many. If you withdraw, everyone will understand. I can even arrange for a band of four Waddle Dees to perform some new songs, and we'll call it a day..." Magolor pleaded, his voice nearly breaking, "Please. You're trying to impress someone who will never appreciate you for who you are. Just stop. It hurts me, even though I've never liked you."

Even if I decided to hurt myself for everything I've done, it's not your place to feel sad for me. Zero Two thought to himself with unexplainable sorrow and rage as he buried himself in the sheet.

"Just… just let me take Kirby's punishment, so I can finally be at peace..." said Zero Two bitterly, burrowing into the sheet deeper.

A heavy silence followed, and Magolor seemed momentarily speechless at Zero Two's reply.

"You, sir, are absolutely vile for wishing punishment from Kirby, when Kirby has shown us nothing but love and forgiveness..." Magolor finally spoke, though his voice sounded almost tearful. Zero Two glanced at him, but Magolor maintained his usual expression. For a brief moment, Zero Two nearly mistook his stoic face for Ribbon's silent judgment.

"But I heard you." Magolor sighed, slipping a piece of paper under the vase of flowers. "Just in case... here's my number, if you suddenly decide to withdraw." Despite his attempt to maintain his businessman persona, Zero Two could hear the strain in his voice.

As Magolor floated toward the door, he left with a regretful: "Take care."

"Wait, what about Zero..." Zero Two called after him, but Magolor responded with, "I'll tell Meta Knight about it, don't worry," before disappearing from sight.

"From The Queen of Ripple Star:

Pardon my intrusion at a time when you should be resting. I simply couldn't help myself. Sir Meta Knight has informed me that your condition has stabilized, thanks to the efforts of the Waddle Dee medical team, which brings me great relief. As for Ribbon, she has survived, thanks to Magolor, but she remains in a coma. I believe she just needs some time to rest, so all I can do now is wait for her recovery.

Regarding your message... No, I don't think I could ever forget that you existed in my life. However, I won't remember you as someone who has harmed me, but rather as an unexpected friend. I also overheard the conversation you had with Ribbon before the match. I heard you. It's important to acknowledge your progress and cherish it, no matter how small it may seem. Perhaps you can try to practice this from now on, especially when you feel as though everything you say is just an excuse. This is a lifelong lesson for everyone, myself included.

Lastly, Kirby says he will do his best, as he wouldn't want to disrespect your ambition to prove yourself. Take care, and stay safe.

Sincerely,

The Queen of Ripple Star."

After reading the message, Zero Two spent about half an hour burying himself in the quilt, repressing his sobs while feeling an overwhelming sense of shame. Wiping away his bloody tears, he decided to dial the Queen's number.

"…Little Zero Two! Are you alright?" came the surprised, almost ecstatic voice from the other end of the line.

"Mending," Zero Two replied, trying to sound stronger than he truly felt, both physically and mentally.

"It's good to hear from you again…" the Queen whispered, her voice trembling.

"Same," Zero Two responded, forcing himself to ask despite the guilt threatening to crush him. "…How is Ribbon?"

"She… is still in a coma. Kirby is taking care of her now." Zero Two could sense the heartache in the Queen's tone.

"I'm sorry…"

"I know." The conversation fell into silence. After a moment, the Queen broke it. "Do you mind if I mention something about Ribbon?"

"Please, go ahead," he said, lowering his head as he imagined how awkward it would be if he and Ribbon reunited after that grueling battle.

"She said… 'I finally understand; maybe my motivation was just as foolish as Zero Two's,' before she lost consciousness," the Queen said after taking a deep breath. "I hope she finds forgiveness and healing after this… I think she knows, from what she said."

Oh, her last words before passing out sound… much more meaningful than mine. Mine were just mutterings about how my lies might be discovered. Zero Two suddenly felt a surge of shame flooding his cheeks again.

"If she decides to move on, good for her—or else we'll just end up tormenting each other in purgatory for eternity when we're both gone," Zero Two sighed heavily, doubting whether it was sensible to say such a thing. It probably wasn't.

"Give her time, and give yourself time too," the Queen replied gently, making Zero Two feel undeserving of such kindness.

"…I will," Zero Two muttered uncertainly, torn over whether to confess the truth. At this point, he wasn't staying in the tournament for his pride as a Dark Matter, nor for Zero's lofty, unreachable expectations, but as punishment—for the crime of simply being himself, for the crime of bearing the name of Zero Two, and for the crime of all his life choices.

"Please forgive me for being so selfish…" he said weakly. "After I told Magolor I'm still staying in the tournament, that tongueless snake had the nerve to call me vile… He, of all people, after betraying Kirby… Ouch."

The anger swelled inside him, making his wounds ache.

"Mr. Magolor has endured much, not just for you two, but for the others as well. Please forgive him for his words," the Queen's voice was soft, almost soothing.

"I know. It's just… he was right, and that's the worst part," Zero Two admitted. "You know, Ribbon was right. Magolor is a self-righteous piece of work."

"But he saved Ribbon, so perhaps… let it go. It might help you feel better," the Queen said, concern evident in her voice.

"I know."

The silence hung heavy between them.

"…Please tell Kirby to hit me with his strongest attack," Zero Two finally broke the quiet.

"Hmph, I will. Stay safe, and take care," the Queen responded with a sorrowful giggle.

"I will. See you."

"From Zero Two:

Blade, I don't know if Zero took your phone, but if Miracle Matter was used as a torture device against you:

1. Try to crouch or shield yourself when they're in Spark Mode, depending on how you're restrained.
2. In Needle Mode, pretend it hurts more than it actually does. That's the least painful, and I tricked Zero into thinking it was worse the last time I was punished.
3. If it gets unbearable, strike back when they're in Bomb Mode. They're the most fragile in that state.

I'm sorry I'm such a useless second-in-command. I can't protect you right now. Stay strong. Please… forgive me.

—Zero Two"

Chapter Text

Cold.

In the hazy border between Ribbon's consciousness and subconsciousness, there was nothing but a faint, washed-out blue—like the color of an old wall, its paint chipped away by the passage of time.

Is this it? Am I dead?

She slowly raised her hands. The wounds, which had spread across her pale skin like a web of red silk, were miraculously gone. Yet now, even her once-bright red dress was muted, covered by the same strange blue filter that colored everything in this world.

She had fought, and it was over. In the desolate landscape that she imagined as her afterlife, a towering structure of yellow rock stood before her, the only thing untouched by the blue haze. At its base was a wooden sign that read: The Message. From the unreachable peak of the tower, a rope dangled down to the ground, as if beckoning her to climb.

It can't be. Even my afterlife is mocking me with that sign.

Ribbon tried to fly toward the top, but a sharp gust of cold wind beat her down as she spread her wings. Undeterred, she grasped the rough rope and began to climb, slowly and steadily. The ascent was cold and unforgiving, but she reckoned there was nothing better to do in this so-called afterlife.

With each pull, regret weighed heavily on her. Not for losing the tournament, but for not backing out when she had the chance. Yet, strangely, resignation overtook her. She knew the odds had been overwhelmingly against her, and still, she had fought—she even cut off Zero Two's tail, fulfilling one of her darkest desires. Maybe she had already said everything she needed to say—to her Queen, to Kirby, even to Zero Two.

Her only real regret was… she hadn't had the courage to tell Adeleine about the tournament. Adeleine would have laughed, though without any malice. The idea of proving her points through violence would have seemed absurd to her artist friend. So Ribbon had told a small lie instead, saying she was "on duty," leaving it at that.

What a callous lie, Ribbon thought, as a few drops of blue blood slipped from her hands, staining the rope as she continued her grueling climb.

In the vast, muted world of blue, the cold wind's whispers and the memory of her conversation with Zero Two were the only voices that accompanied her. She could still recall, after his dramatic yet unstable declaration of entering the tournament, how the Queen and Kirby had slipped into the kitchen for some sugar.

"Never say I crave violence like you ever again," she remembered saying, her voice strained.

"You're nothing but a cog in that miserable, inescapable cycle. At least Kirby told me to end it…" he had replied, refusing to meet her gaze.

"What miserable, inescapable cycle?" Ribbon had pressed.

"Fine, I'll tell you—just like I told Kirby on that camping trip," she could still hear the sorrowful lilt in his laughter. Looking back, she should've seen through the gleeful mask and recognized the broken shell beneath.

"Try me," she had shot back, choosing provocation over understanding.

"For us, the Dark Matter family, when one can no longer endure this painful world, another is expected to grant the mercy of death and consume their remains…"

"You told Kirby this too?" Ribbon remembered the rage that had surged within her. "You expect him to do the same with you? After everything he's done for you?"

"I told him because… I see him as my brother. You will never understand..." Zero Two had averted his eyes, the mania in his voice dimming.

"I will never understand?" Ribbon had seethed. "You know that cycle is nothing but a grinding wheel of sorrow and blood, and yet you still dragged Kirby into it? What part of that am I missing?" In her painfully clear memory, she could hear herself speaking each word slowly, deliberately, as though pulling the trigger on her Crystal Gun.

"The campfire made me make some questionable choices, I suppose…" Zero Two's voice had softened, laced with guilt.

"Questionable choices?" Ribbon still remembered the effort it had taken to hold back her growl, to keep her tears from falling. "You've ruined my life, you monster!"

"Kill me in the tournament if we meet, then! You'd be doing me a favor, Ribbon!" In an instant, Zero Two had shifted into his fake-eye form—that unnerving, artificial smile plastered across his face. "I told you, you crave violence just like me, you hypocrite!"

Just then, the footsteps of the Queen and Kirby had interrupted them, silencing their argument. They had returned to their seats, pretending nothing had happened. That was the last meaningful conversation they'd had before their full-on hostility during the tournament.

When Ribbon was drowning in regret and the memory of that bitter argument, something pulled her from her swirling thoughts—a sight ahead. She could see the end of the yellow rock tower.

A faint sense of hope gave her the strength to keep climbing. The top was shrouded by blue-filtered clouds, yet she could make out the vague shape of a statue. Ribbon suspected it was probably another cruel joke, mocking her foolishness, but she had to see it for herself.

When she finally reached the top after the long climb, the pain and weariness in her body sank in. She turned her gaze to the statue—and laughed.

It was Zero Two's severed wing, with only the middle "finger" of the wing raised, pointing toward the faint blue sky. The red and white colors of his wing remained, standing out starkly against the muted blue world, as if declaring his defiance. It screamed of pride, even if that pride felt hollow. Next to the severed wing sat a Myosotis flower, quiet but present.

Oh, this afterlife is full of irony, isn't it? she thought. Is this what that sign below was hinting at? The message—a severed hand from my worst nightmare and killer?

She felt she ought to despair, to see her climb reduced to nothing. But the resignation she had felt after that brutal fight had taken over again. Now, she only found it absurd. A part of her even wanted to applaud the humor of it all.

Wiping away a tear from laughing too hard, she chose to sit beside the giant severed wing, leaning against it as she gazed at the sky, muted and blue. If this was the end for her, then she accepted it—perhaps she deserved it. Still, she found herself a bit curious: why was there no symbol of the ones she had cared about in this purgatory?

Then she recalled that fateful day, when she declared to Zero Two in that gem apple garden:

"I'm glad you live, so I can forge my flesh, my blood, and my soul, to become your personal prison. So I can make sure you atone for your sins every day of the rest of your life."

…Well, I got what I deserved as I'd already doomed myself seven years ago. Ribbon thought, closing her eyes to embrace her fate.

Ribbon slowly opened her eyes, the warm ceiling lights blinding her, like the afterimage left from staring too long at Zero Two's energy balls. Her surroundings were hazy, but she could just make out a curtain drifting beside her and, on a small desk near the bed, a glass of water—and an asleep Kirby sitting close by.

Where… am I? Wasn't I just on top of a yellow rock tower, next to Zero Two's severed wing? Her mind lagged behind, sluggish and throbbing. Wait, how did I survive the battle? The memory of the fight weighed heavily on her, pressing down like a lingering wound.

"Miss Ribbon, you're finally awake! Thanks Nova!"

Ribbon turned toward the relieved baritone voice, seeing a mask-less Meta Knight—wait, was that just a dark blue Kirby? She thought, but the knight was groveling on the ground.

Am I alive… somehow? Why is Meta Knight here?

"Sir Meta Knight, what are you doing… ouch," Ribbon asked, confused and shocked. Please get up. Aren't you a knight of honor and pride? Yet, the pang in every fiber of her body reminded her that it would be unwise to push herself too hard. The pain did remind her: Yes, Ribbon, you survived again.

"…Sorry, I'm just horrified by my own mistake," said Meta Knight, finally rising to his feet. "I… I'm here to apologize to the Queen for how I underestimated the danger of your match against Zero Two. And to make sure you're okay after the fight."

"It's fine. Even without the tournament, we would've found an excuse to tear each other apart anyway…" Ribbon whispered, watching as Meta Knight swiftly put on his metal mask.

"Well… Kirby seemed upset with me, even after his fight," Meta Knight said, his voice returning to its usual stoic tone, though Ribbon could sense the tinge of remorse beneath it. "I must admit, my sword speaks more eloquently than I do. I'm still learning to appreciate things beyond battle. So, again, please forgive me."

"You mean the negotiation…?" Ribbon replied with a wry smile. "No… this disaster is the result of many things, not just your enthusiasm, Sir Meta Knight."

The room fell silent as Meta Knight slowly bowed his head.

"Since Kirby is still asleep, I need to confess something," Meta Knight broke the silence. "I admire you, even… even if it's for reasons you might find wrong. A warrior fights for his cause and is willing to die for it. That's how I see the world, though Kirby told me it's also why you would… well..."

"I hear you. And no, I don't blame you at all," Ribbon said, offering a weak grin. She was just relieved Meta Knight had opened up. For a moment, she wondered: What if Magolor had come to check on me? It would've been a hollow story after another, lacking any real substance to soothe the worst parts of herself.

"You don't? You… you truly are a kind soul," Meta Knight replied with a short nod. "I have to return to Planet Popstar now. Please take care."

"You too," Ribbon said, watching as Meta Knight quietly left the room and gently closed the door behind him. She turned her gaze to the still-sleeping Kirby, who looked almost like a doll meant for comfort. If only I had the strength to reach out and hug him, she thought. The recent events must have worn him down, too. But she lacked the energy to even try.

"Ya! Ribbon!"

Just as Ribbon was about to close her eyes and get some rest, Adeleine and the Queen entered the room. Adeleine looked like she hadn't slept in a week, yet her spirit was as high as ever. The Queen, though tear-streaked, still wore a warm smile.

"Adeleine…" Oh, right. My awful lies about being on duty… "Listen, I am sorry—"

"You survived against that reformed war criminal, you absolute madman—I mean, mad fairy? Is that even a word?" Adeleine rambled, trying to sound like her usual lighthearted self, though the concern in her tone betrayed her. "Tell me, Ribbon, did you show the whole arena Zero Two's wacky weak point—his ridiculously long tail?"

Cough! Ribbon couldn't help but cough in response. How does she manage to say something so absolutely hilarious yet still steer clear of being insensitive?

"Ribbon!" The Queen gasped, immediately alarmed by Ribbon's sudden coughing. Ribbon shot her a reassuring glance, signaling that she was okay.

"I… I think he showed that thorn tail twice during the fight," Ribbon replied, carefully choosing her words. She didn't want to reveal too much—it would only hurt the Queen more. Her Majesty still cared deeply for Zero Two, after all.

Wait, what about Zero Two? Crystal Gun had posed an incredible threat to him, and there was still the possibility that he'd won by technical knockout but died after the match...

"Your Majesty, may I ask... Zero Two...?" Ribbon hesitated, seeing the Queen's conflicted expression—it was like staring into a mirror.

"He was in a coma for two days after the fight, but he's... fine now. He woke up yesterday. We spoke briefly over the phone," the Queen replied, her voice soft but steady. "He did complain that Mr. Magolor persuaded him to withdraw, though."

Oh, of course. Ribbon felt a fleeting moment of pity. She then asked. "The final was postponed, right? Did Kirby mention when?"

"The day after tomorrow," the Queen answered, gently picking Kirby up from the desk and cradling him in her arms. What did Kirby do? Ribbon wondered, suddenly concerned about his unusually long slumber. Just as the question crossed her mind, the Queen's soft whisper provided the answer: "Kirby… wake up. Meta Knight's just returned to Planet Popstar."

"Poyo?" Kirby's eyes fluttered open, a hint of sadness lingering in them. He quickly scanned the room before locking eyes with Ribbon. "Ribbon! You're finally awake! I... I almost thought Magolor was lying again when he said you'd be fine…"

Oh no... Kirby's been blaming Meta Knight for what happened to me, and now he's even doubting Magolor's reassurances? Guilt settled deep in Ribbon's chest as she reached out to gently pat Kirby's head.

"I just want this tournament to be over... It even made me use that blood-red sword beam," Kirby admitted, shaking his head like a child confessing to breaking a toy. But then, forcing a smile, he tried to lighten the mood. "Ribbon, just think of all the things we can do after this ends! When you're better, we can take Void fishing if you want! King Dedede's sent some social worker Waddle Dees to look after them, and Gooey's been helping too. So don't worry, poyo, just focus on resting!"

"Kirby..." Ribbon was too moved by his words to find the right ones. Her hand stilled as she became overwhelmed by his kindness. A part of her felt unworthy of such friendship, but she knew it would be wrong to leave his gesture unanswered.

"I... thank you," she finally managed, her voice quiet but sincere. Kirby responded with a soft, comforting hug.

"Wait! Speaking of Void!" Adeleine suddenly chimed in, digging into her purse. She squatted down, pulling out a book with a warm, pink cover, adorned with a painting of Void and Kirby sitting together on a grassy hill under the sunlight. It was the custom-made textbook for Void.

The simplicity of the sight was striking—almost too beautiful. Ribbon could only recall Adeleine eagerly explaining the artistic choices behind each page, Kirby nodding in slight confusion, and the Queen embracing her gently from behind.

After the group had left her to rest, Ribbon found herself alone in the quiet room, leaving her with the stillness she needed. Then, her phone rang.

"…It's me. I… let's keep this short. We both probably need rest more than… chatting."

Zero Two's voice trembled over the phone, as if speaking was draining the last of his strength.

"I'm here," Ribbon replied, her tone flat—though it was certainly an improvement over the full-on hostility they once shared.

"I… I'm glad you survived," Zero Two whispered.

"If I say I feel the same, would you take it the wrong way?" Ribbon asked softly.

"…I still think you want me to suffer in this world, Ribbon, like how you cursed me years ago. Only the dead get the luxury of closure—not the living. I believe you… cough, you know that as well," his voice carried a weight of pain that Ribbon could almost feel.

"I think we can agree that after the fight… just before we lost consciousness, all that was left was emptiness," Ribbon said, though memories of crafting the dark masterpiece with scarred, callused hands resurfaced. Her dark secret had never faded.

"I now regret not taking your advice to settle things in Merry Magoland," Zero Two replied weakly.

"That advice was sarcasm. I learned from the best," Ribbon said, imagining the equally conflicted emotions in Zero Two's eye.

"… Don't take this badly, but if you were my kin… I would've raised you as my successor." The words hit Ribbon harder than she expected. It wasn't something he said often—in fact, she could count on one hand the number of times she'd heard him say it. And each time, though she suspected it was meant as high praise, it always felt more like an insult.

"Heh." She didn't have the energy to be offended this time.

"… Can't believe I got away with that," Zero Two muttered.

"I'm just tired. Aren't you?"

"…A bit. Cough…" His voice was growing weaker.

"Please get some sleep, or you'll be on the receiving end of the most humiliating defeat in tournament history," Ribbon said, uncertain how genuine she was.

"… I'll try. See you." And with that, the line went dead.

Chapter Text

One day, right before the tournament final.

"...Mirror," Ribbon said numbly, sitting on her bed with a half-eaten piece of toast, still weak from the devastating semifinal. "You could've just used any other more straightforward abilities to defeat him. Why bother with a defensive one?"

"Because he needs to confront his own struggles and inner turmoil through the mirror... I think," Kirby replied with slight hesitation, raising his tiny hand. "When I brushed my teeth—well, a similar structure—this morning, I found inspiration when I looked into the mirror, poyo!"

"...Kirby, he literally still bears the wounds from our battle," Ribbon said, burying her face in her spare hand. "The more pain he feels, the more power he gains. That's why we had to finish him quickly seven years ago. Once the battle begins, he'll immediately pull out his most powerful moves, even when severely injured."

"That's the point!" Kirby pressed, unyielding. "I want him to realize how harmful his own line of thinking—his philosophy of battle—is to himself!"

Ribbon's pale blue gaze darted around Kirby, as if she were lost in her own thoughts. The room fell silent as Kirby hoped Ribbon would see his point.

"So what will your primary attack be if you use Mirror?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"There are so many, Ribbon, and that's the catch," Kirby said. "I can create my own copies for both attack and defense, depending on his strategy tomorrow. And if he decides to engage in melee, I can use my wand to cut him! Despite it being mainly a defensive Copy ability, it's... it's more complicated than it looks at first glance, poyo."

Ribbon chuckled softly, then whispered, "No, it definitely sounds like you want to defeat him using the reflection of his own attacks."

"Correct!" Kirby exclaimed, pointing his small hand at Ribbon as if he were a teacher in a class for little Waddle Dees. Perhaps he was mimicking Meta Knight subconsciously? He couldn't be sure, but Ribbon just smiled in silence.

"Good luck, I guess?" After a few seconds, she finally spoke, though Kirby could sense the complicated emotions in her faint voice.

"Thank you!" Kirby replied, offering a gentle, careful embrace. Ribbon set her plate down on the desk beside her and hugged him back.

On the day of the Meta Knight Cup Ultra tournament final, Kirby arrived at the arena an hour early, as he always did, hoping to catch a glimpse of Zero Two. As expected, Magolor found him first, before he could run into any other familiar faces.

"Hey, Kirby! Good to see you again—it's been five days since… well, the disaster that was the semi-final," said Magolor, folding his hands together.

"Thank you for everything, Magolor! And I'm sorry I even doubted you when you said Ribbon would be okay..." Kirby replied, the shadow of that day still looming in his mind.

"Your gratitude means the world to me, Kirby," Magolor said, locking eyes with him. Kirby sensed there was more emotion behind the words than he fully grasped, but Magolor quickly switched to his usual manager persona, explaining, "Now, today’s the final, and you're an hour early—just like your opponent. First thing: the 10-count knockout rule is still in effect. Remember, no hitting once the count starts."

"Poyo!" Kirby nodded. He was pretty sure that, even during the chaos of the semi-final, neither Ribbon nor Zero Two had broken that rule until the very end.

"Second," Magolor continued, his tone turning serious, "we've received word that Zero—Zero Two's king, master, abusive father figure… or whatever you want to call him—may try to attack the arena after the final. But don't worry, we've stepped up security."

Kirby's eyes widened slightly. Zero? The last time he saw Zero, he'd just been hanging out at the community house, even though he'd taught Void a few questionable phrases, but that was mild comparing to his deeds before his defeat long time ago.

"Does Zero Two know?" Kirby asked.

"Yes, and he wants you to finish the battle quickly," Magolor sighed, his weariness evident. "If you're badly hurt during the final and Zero attacks, just leave it to us."

"I trust you," Kirby replied, though he wasn't entirely sure how to feel about all this.

"Good," Magolor murmured before moving on. "Lastly… since Zero can possess people, and we can't risk him sneaking in by impersonating anyone, the participant-only buffet is closed today."

"Aww…" Kirby's shoulders slumped, and Magolor looked briefly panicked. Kirby understood the decision, but… he just wanted some macarons before the fight! They were so good!

"We've moved the buffet to the preparation room," Magolor added quickly. "It'll just be you and Zero Two, and I'm confident you're the two least likely to be possessed…"

"Yay!" Before Magolor could finish, Kirby leaped into his arms, squeezing him tightly—My macarons! Magolor is the best organizer!

Magolor blushed slightly as he gently set Kirby down.

"There, there, you gluttonous little pink demon," Magolor teased, a wry smile playing in his yellow, oval eyes. "And… this is just a personal question. Not as the event organizer, but just as Magolor."

"Uh-huh?" Kirby tilted his head.

"What's this ability?" Magolor's gaze shifted to Kirby's hat—a shimmering blue and purple jester-like cap, its flowing fabric glimmering like a starlit sky. A large, golden jewel sat prominently at the front, framed by a bright blue band encircling Kirby's forehead like a crown.

"Oh! It's a rare one. You didn't see it during our adventure," Kirby grinned. "It's called the Mirror ability! Not as powerful as something like Hammer or Sand, but it's got its own interesting tricks. Just wait!"

"Like Dark Meta Knight?" Magolor squinted, his eyes narrowing into two thin yellow lines.

"Sort of. He uses a mix of Mirror and Sword, while mine is just pure Mirror," Kirby explained, though he doubted his words fully captured why he had chosen this ability today.

"Hmm... well, I have a vague idea of what to expect then," Magolor grinned before turning away with a casual wave. "Good luck, my dude!"

"See you, Magolor!" Kirby waved back, then made his way to the preparation room. The small, familiar space had four plain white walls and a TV mounted on one of them. A small desk held a selection of snacks.

Zero Two, still wrapped in bandages like a Mumbies from Raisin Ruins and only slightly recovered from the brutal semi-final, leaned against the wall, sipping an energy drink. The two exchanged a brief glance before Zero Two gave a quick, weary nod.

"Are you alright?" Kirby asked, forcing himself to ignore the mountain of macarons and focus on his opponent's wellbeing.

"...Could've been worse," Zero Two muttered, avoiding eye contact.

"No, I mean about Zero, poyo!" Kirby pressed, noticing a flicker of pain pass through Zero Two's eye.

"I'm an idiot, and so is he. Now he's threatening to attack you after the final," Zero Two sighed, taking another sip of the drink. "Just end the fight quickly with whatever ability you're using. I'm begging you."

"It's called Mirror, not just whatever ability, poyo!" Kirby huffed in mild protest.

"...Why am I even bothering with psychological warfare when I'm doomed to lose anyway?" Zero Two seemed irritated by Kirby's response. "Anyway, do your best. That's all."

"Poyo, and you too," Kirby said with a determined nod. But Zero Two responded only with silence.

For the next hour, Kirby busied himself with his mountain of macarons while Zero Two quietly finished the energy drink and drifted off into a nap.

When the time finally arrived, Kirby stepped into the arena and immediately noticed the four tall pillars newly installed around the battlefield. Atop each pillar stood an eliminated participant from the tournament. Is this what Magolor meant by stepping up security? Kirby wondered.

Susie stood on one of the pillars, holding a remote in her hand. Her technological headphones now crackled with the power of the Sizzle element, faint gray smoke curling from small flames at the edges. Bandana Waddle Dee gripped his iconic spear, his eyes set with unwavering determination as he stared off into the distance. King Dedede, by contrast, appeared the most laid-back of the four guardians, lazily leaning on his massive hammer, basking in the morning sun. Meta Knight, however, was as intense as ever, tightly clutching his Galaxia. Even from below, Kirby could feel the sharp, vigilant weight of Meta Knight's gaze.

Wait… four guardians, two finalists… that means there are three other participants left, Kirby thought, slowly doing the math in his head.

His eyes scanned the audience. Ribbon, still bandaged from her injuries, sat beside the Queen of Ripple Star. But Gooey and Dark Matter Blade were nowhere to be seen. Why are the Dark Matter members the ones missing at such a sensitive time?

"…Do you see what I see?" Zero Two's voice came from beside him, also watching the four guardians on the field.

"Gooey and Dark Matter Blade are missing?" Kirby responded bluntly.

"Blade's been grounded for two weeks because of me," Zero Two muttered, guilt lacing his rasped voice. "Zero probably intends to use him as a weapon. As for Gooey… I just hope he's turned himself into a stone, hiding quietly on some forgotten street, far away from this madness…"

Kirby, sensing Zero Two's anxiety, decided to speak up, his voice firm. "Hey. I know you're worried about them… but don't forget—you signed up for this to prove yourself."

Zero Two turned, his gaze steady but softer now. "Earn your crown from me, Kirby," he whispered.

"Three, two, one… Begin!"

This is it… the final battle! As Magolor's signal faded, Kirby swiftly drew his crystal-like wand and slashed at Zero Two, testing his opponent's tactics. Zero Two immediately backed away, crossing his still-damaged wings. A red-black energy field flickered to life around him, while two wheel-like black rings formed at his sides. With a sudden spread of his wings, a cloud of pure dark substance coalesced into a helmet, resembling the "eye" of Star Dream, complete with two massive cannons on his back.

Is he trying to mimic the Mecha ability with his own Dark Mass manipulation technique? Kirby wondered, gripping his wand tightly.

But the most haunting part? He wore that pure dark Mecha helmet like a forced crown. Kirby realized that Zero Two had assumed his fake-eyes form, complete with two purely decorative beady black eyes perched atop his real crimson one. He narrowed his true red eye into an upward crescent moon shape, resembling a creepy smile. His Dark Mass Mecha elongated the fake beady eyes into more oval shapes forcefully, just like Magolor's.

Kirby remembered describing Magolor's soul form after his betrayal when Kirby tearfully questioned whether Magolor would survive wearing the Master Crown. He hadn't dared to tell Magolor himself, as it would have been emotional torture. And now, Zero Two's very first move mimicked the embodiment of the consequences of chasing hollow power. Did he not recognize the irony of this action, or was he genuinely proud of his so-called psychological warfare?

Zero Two charged his attack, releasing two huge black fireballs from the cannons, which rained down toward Kirby.

Looks dangerous, but the charging time is slow. No wonder he didn't use it against Ribbon, Kirby quickly analyzed. Using his Mirror Body form, he split into two copies, narrowly dodging the black flames as they scorched the ground around him.

I need to bait him into using his signature energy ball, Kirby thought, dodging gracefully as his Mirror Body expired and he reappeared at his original spot. That's the only way to reflect the attack with Reflect Force. Yet even with his evasion, a few remnants of the black flame singed his arm, leaving faint scorch marks.

Suddenly, Zero Two soared into the sky, his damaged wings fanning out like curtains of red crystal. Kirby reacted instinctively, raising his spare hand to summon Reflect Guard, a multicolored bubble shielding him from the impending barrage. A rain of energy balls fell from above, mixed with Dark Mass bullets. The Reflect Guard held firm, deflecting some of the projectiles, turning them into blue-green bullets that flew back toward Zero Two.

Zero Two quickly raised his wings to block the reflected shots, but as they contacted, scratches appeared on the white portions of his wings. The bandage on his right wing began to bleed, the fresh wound reopening from the impact.

In the face of his reopened wounds, Zero Two flinched his real crimson eye but quickly glided toward Kirby, a deafening noise emanating from his cannons and the "eye" of his helmet. Here he comes! Kirby realized Zero Two wanted to test the effectiveness of a melee attack against his Mirror ability. If that failed, he would resort to the powerful attacks of the Dark Mass Mecha.

Just as anticipated, Zero Two extended his dark red feathers, stabbing them into the ground. Kirby dodged effortlessly, activating Mirror Body – Ring to counterattack. The mirror copies of Kirby surrounded him, producing sounds like shattering glass as they collided with Zero Two's feathers. Kirby heard Zero Two's muffled grunt of frustration.

Oh, poyo. You're using this final as your own punishment, aren't you? Kirby thought with a frown. Is that why you're fighting for show rather than efficiency, so unlike your usual style? A part of him resisted his friend's suffering, yet another part understood Zero Two's deep-seated, darker urges.

Maybe that was why Kirby had chosen Mirror for this fight—to reflect all those darker impulses back at his opponent, forcing him to confront his own folly.

Feeling the heat radiating from Zero Two's Dark Mass Mecha, Kirby quickly shifted back to dodging to evade the impending powerful attacks. This time, four black fireballs erupted from the cannons with thunderous roars. Kirby remembered that the flames would linger on the ground, so he carefully danced through the sea of black fire, utilizing his magical sliding technique.

He noticed the "eye" of Zero Two's helmet glowing ominously, prompting him to grip his Mirror wand tightly. Suddenly, the "eye" fired a bright yellow laser beam, reminiscent of the Spark form of Miracle Matter. Trusting the reflection ability of his wand, Kirby extended his hand, reflecting the laser back. He watched as the bright yellow beam transformed into a tainted glass-like blue, striking Zero Two in his short, white tail.

"Ouch!" Zero Two yelled, the critical damage from the previous battle on his tail evident despite it being in its normal form. He went limp, crashing to the ground. Wait, his halo isn't even broken, yet he's already struggling with his stamina? Kirby thought, still gripping his Mirror wand and preparing for the knockout countdown.

"Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six!"

As Magolor counted down to six, Zero Two flapped his wings, regaining his airborne position. However, the small stream of bloody tears from his true red eye betrayed his exhaustion.

"Continue?" Kirby asked, his concern evident as he watched Zero Two pant and tremble.

"...Kirby, you don't understand. I have no choice but to tough it out," Zero Two whispered, charging a more powerful energy ball in front of his eye, as his fake, black oval eyes remained soulless and motionless. The "eye" of his helmet emitted a dark red light.

Kirby knew that Zero Two's powerful attacks, though devastating, required significant time to charge, even longer than his more powerful energy balls—especially in his less-than-ideal condition for this fight.

Or perhaps this form—elaborate in spectacle yet devoid of Zero Two's usual tactical complexity—was prepared specifically for me? Kirby mused.

Undeterred, Kirby slid toward Zero Two, performing multiple Mirror Body – Sky maneuvers in quick succession. The lines of copies sent fresh pangs through Zero Two's wounded tail, evident in the trembling grunts that escaped him.

"Reflect this, Kirby…" Zero Two breathed out, still maintaining that horrifying fake "smile" akin to Magolor's soul form's, releasing a massive energy beam from his crimson eye. Kirby slid to the side just in time to avoid the explosion and the debris flying from the impact.

Kirby glanced quickly at Zero Two's helmet eye—it tracked him and unleashed four blood-red lasers that circled around Kirby. Lowering his head to evade them, Kirby performed a Reflect Force to test whether the lasers could be deflected. However, the glass particles emitted from his wand shattered upon contact with the red lasers, confirming that reflecting them was not an option.

Even if this is risky, I have to deal some damage to Zero Two, or this fight will drag on. Kirby thought as he slid, narrowly evading with Mirror Body and blocking attacks with Reflect Guard. At every opportunity, he slashed at Zero Two's tail with his wand. In this dangerous dance of blood lasers and wand strikes, Kirby felt he had landed some decent hits on his opponent, but the lasers left their mark, leaving scratches on Kirby as well.

Suddenly, Zero Two extended his tail, transforming it into its even more damaged thorn form. Kirby felt a wave of concern; he feared Zero Two might intentionally damage his halo to unleash toxic gas from his tail. Just as this thought crossed his mind, the cannons of the Dark Mass Mech fired two black flame fireballs, aimed directly at Zero Two himself, shattering the halo immediately, and his fake "smile" undeterred yet pained.

This means Zero Two has reached his limit, and his attacks will become more reckless. I have to play defensively and let him exhaust himself! Kirby backed away from the approaching thorned tail, using Reflect Force to transform the green toxic gas into blue particles that flew back at Zero Two. However, the gas was too thick to be completely reflected, and Kirby felt his body gradually grow numb and sluggish.

As he tangled with the dark green gas and the thrashing tail, he could hear Zero Two growling in pain and determination, charging what might be his final attack with his crimson eye, helmet eye, and two cannons. This is his last gambit, but what if I turn this against him, tanking just a small portion of the massive attack to secure my victory?

Kirby quickly slid between the tail, carefully avoiding the gas as he aimed to gauge the trajectory of Zero Two's desperate attacks. Judging from the movement of the cannons and the helmet eye, Zero Two was tracking him with his own real crimson eye and commanding his Mecha helmet to follow suit. To use his final attack against him, I need to get close to his tail at the last moment!

Kirby inhaled and floated right next to Zero Two's tail. He then exhaled and touched down, bracing himself with the multicolored bubble shield. Here came Zero Two's final beam assault—a roaring, gigantic dark laser emitting yellow sparks—shot directly at Kirby. He crouched down, minimizing the impact as the bubble shield trembled under the overwhelming force, reflecting a smaller light blue beam back at Zero Two's tail.

But then, the bubble shattered, immediately smacking Kirby down, while Zero Two collapsed once more, and his fake beady eyes finally disappeared.

"Ten! Nine…"

"Pi!" Kirby screamed in pain. In his blurred vision, he saw a light blue copy essence flying into the sky. No! My Mirror copy essence! Disoriented, he heard Magolor's countdown and staggeringly rose to his feet.

"Five! Four…"

Yet Magolor continued the countdown. Kirby turned to Zero Two, who lay motionless on the ground, closing his eye as if the pain had finally brought him down.

"Three! Two!"

"Thank you…" In the midst of the countdown, Kirby heard Zero Two's whisper.

"One! We have the winner of the tournament! Congratulations, Kirby!" shouted Magolor. Despite the daunting task of hosting this event, Kirby was glad to see Magolor finally express his true joy in that final announcement.

But then, Kirby heard Zero Two whisper once more: "Watch your back..."

Zero.

Kirby spun around, locking eyes with a massive white figure—Zero—five times his size, a red singular eye staring soullessly at him. Instinctively, Kirby glanced toward the four guardians on their pillars, and they immediately raised their weapons in response. He quickly checked the audience, where Ribbon had shakily pointed her Crystal Gun, though it was clear she was in no condition to fight. The Queen of Ripple Star held Ribbon tightly, trying to prevent her from risking her life again.

"Yo, Zero Two. Wake up," said Zero, his voice devoid of emotion.

"Kirby... leave it to your friends... You don't have to suffer for my folly again," came Zero Two's weak voice from behind, as Kirby, still battered from the final battle, instinctively moved to shield him.

What do you mean by 'your folly?' Kirby frowned at the strange phrasing.

"No! He pressured you into this tournament, didn't he?" Kirby shouted, glaring at Zero's soulless eye, even as Zero Two lay motionless. "And now he wants to punish you by hurting others. I won't let that happen. Never."

"Hello, dear audience!" Magolor's voice cut through the tension as he suddenly appeared, stepping away from the commentator's room. His usual cheerful façade seemed strained, with undertones of fear and anger. "Just to be clear, there's no secret final boss in this tournament!"

"Fine. I was going to say, 'Let's go bowling' with our second-place finisher, Mr. Zero Two," Zero responded with an exaggerated eye-roll. "It's just so hard to conquer Dream Land with two traitors and a fool in my army."

As soon as he finished, Zero hurled a Stone-form Gooey and a bewildered Dark Matter Blade straight at Magolor. Magolor barely caught Blade but was about to be struck by Gooey. In a flash, Susie descended, her helicopter unit whirring as she caught the Stone-form Gooey mid-air with one hand.

"Mag! Who wants to play bowling? This uneducated savage eyeball?" Susie smirked, her sky-blue eyes glinting as she exchanged a comradely glance with Magolor.

Above them, Meta Knight spiraled through the air, repeatedly executing Shuttle Loop after Shuttle Loop, as if to say, "Don't you dare," with each swift arc of his sword and wings. Bandana Waddle Dee performed his Waddle Copper maneuver, with King Dedede clinging to Bandana's left foot, swinging his hammer wildly.

"I'm out! See you, idiots!" Zero bellowed, before floating away from the arena, slowly shrinking into a spot in the blue sky until he disappeared completely.

"Gooey… cough, cough… Blade…"

Still reeling from the shock of Zero hurling his "family" as weapons and feeling a surge of gratitude for his friends' help, Kirby reacted slowly to Zero Two's barely audible cry. He turned to find Zero Two crawling across the floor, his damaged wings dragging behind him, leaving a long, crimson trail of blood.

"Zero Two, if you're in any shape to talk," Magolor interjected, irritation edging his voice as he tapped on the stone form of Gooey in Susie's arms, "Can you tell me how to get Gooey out of this state?"

"Give him to me…" Zero Two stretched out his trembling right wing. Magolor gently placed Gooey onto th e bloodied wing, and, in an instant, Gooey returned to his normal form, blinking in bewilderment.

"Brother Zero Two, this morning Brother Zero told me we were going bowling," Gooey said innocently, his eyes wobbling in different directions like a pair of googly eyes on a toy. Overcome with relief, Kirby immediately embraced his friend, who responded by wrapping him in a hug with his long, floppy tongue.

"Blade was just in shock," Zero Two muttered, glaring at the dazed Blade, whose gray eye blinked vacantly. "He'll be fine… Members of the Dark Matter clan can endure injuries like this… cough…"

"Right, now both of you stay put and let Medical Waddle Dees do their job—you too, Kirby!" Magolor snapped, shifting his attention to Kirby, who was still wrapped in Gooey's enthusiastic affection. "You've been through enough. This 'redeemed' stubborn fool hit you harder than you want to admit. Now quit playing the hero and lie down!"

"Poyo! But I want to keep hugging Gooey…"

"You can do that later!" Magolor threw his hands up in exasperation, while Susie chuckled softly beside him. Kirby, watching them, caught a flicker of something in Magolor's yellow eyes—a flash of regret, perhaps, as the mage softened his tone.

"If Zero Two fought so hard to shield you from his own mistakes, then I should do the same."

"Poyo—"

"Now, for my sake, just lie down and let me take care of you properly!" The regretful atoner faded, and the cheerful mask returned in full.

AN:

It's still Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards' anniversary in American/Europe, so here's my anniversary art for Kirby 64:

Also since the tournament arc has concluded, I'll take a break for a while. Thank you all for your reading, your kudos, comments, and bookmarks really mean a lot to me. See yall next time.

Chapter Text

A week after the tournament's finale, Zero Two was ready to check out of the hospital. Near the reception desk, he saw Zero waiting, two pieces of luggage by his side.

This is it. Here comes my punishment, one last time before my name is reviled among the clan.

"Yo," Zero said flatly. "Just sign the paper, and you're out."

Zero Two exchanged a glance with him before picking up the pen. He noticed the Waddle Doo handling the paperwork trembling. Feeling a twinge of pity for the Waddle Doo, he whispered, "I'll be quick, don't worry." After signing out, the two floated to a shadowy corner behind a pillar.

"...Do you remember how Gooey was exiled?" Zero whispered, his voice cold and emotionless.

"Before the exile, he had only two eyes. But when we—no, when you exiled him, he grew a mouth just to scream." Zero Two's memory was hazy, but he recalled that. He had already told Zero how his "thousand years wandering through the galaxy" was blurred—until one year and six months before he assaulted Ripple Star. His memories sharpened that day, beneath a rainy sky on Planet Popstar.

"Heh." Zero smirked, briefly closing his eye before reopening the crimson orb. "Now it's your turn to grow a mouth to scream your sorrow, Zero Two. You are free—free from me, from the clan. Thank you for your years of service, but the second-in-command I once knew, who blanketed Ripple Star in darkness and terror... he's long gone."

Zero Two had expected this since he warned Magolor, but the words still cut deep. The old wound on his head pulsed, and the whispers of the Dark Matter ideology—the old gospels—echoed again.

"...At least be kind to Blade," Zero Two murmured, enduring the stabbing pain in his head. "You'll need him now. He may not have been the only one doing the chores, but he will carry most of the weight… without me."

"Oh, I'll have to undo what you did to him, you callous, traitorous piece of work." Zero's eye narrowed as he growled, "You think you'll somehow find peace one day, like Gooey? That failure of a product? No! Never... Even if you do things differently from me, I'm still a part of you, and you're still a part of me."

"I expect nothing but suffering in exile, my king," Zero Two whispered. The sarcasm usually in his voice was gone, leaving only exhaustion.

"Remember this: from now on, your name will be synonymous with treachery in the clan." Zero spat the words before turning his back and floating away, leaving Zero Two with nothing but the echoing chant in his mind: Born for the king, live for the king.

"...I hope you don't mind me overhearing that sensitive conversation."

Zero Two turned, finding Magolor at his side, clutching a small trophy. Tsk, this nosy egg, he thought.

"Forgive me," Magolor began, his voice trembling, "but hosting this tournament took a huge toll on my mental health. I had to take a break to recharge, which is why I'm only handing you your second-place trophy now."

For a moment, Zero Two questioned whether Magolor's fear was real, but then again—why would he lie? He did look exhausted after the tournament.

"Why didn't you trust anyone else to give this to me? It's just some metal and plastic," Zero Two asked, genuinely curious.

"Because I wanted a word with you, even if you find me annoying." Magolor tilted the trophy toward Zero Two, revealing some coupons tucked inside. "The prize for second place is coupons for restaurants and attractions in Dream Land. Since you've just been exiled, why not treat yourself? Though, um... the restaurants and attractions are more tailored to Meta Knight, because I thought he'd be the one in second place instead of you... I made the mistake of preparing the prize before the battle arrangement."

"Can't you just give the coupons to Meta Knight? I don't need them, nor do I want them," Zero Two pressed, completely disinterested.

"I figured you'd say that, so I asked him already. Meta Knight said he doesn't want anything he didn't earn," Magolor replied, his shoulders slumping.

"I see," Zero Two said.

"...As for giving them to Kirby—probably not. He came in first and already has the same prize, just with twice as many coupons." Magolor continued, "And if you're thinking of passing them on to Ribbon, she has also declined. She told me she's more focused on teaching Void new vocabulary these days."

"Heh," Zero Two let out an exhausted grin. "She's alright?"

"Same boat as you, physically." Magolor nodded briefly. "And I assume you'd want to hide your exile status from them, right?"

"Ideally," Zero Two admitted.

"I have no interest in spreading gossip about your exile," Magolor said. "The drama of the Dark Matter clan offers me no benefit. And you're no enemy of mine." Despite his tone, Zero Two could sense Magolor's underlying fear.

"Anyway, have you heard of Susie?" Magolor then asked.

"Yes, the businesswoman at the tournament?" Zero Two recalled their brief conversation, suspecting that her approach was purely profit-driven.

"She's interested in discussing something with you—in person." Magolor handed Zero Two a slip of paper: Susie's business card, with an address scrawled beneath it. "When you've settled into your exile, consider paying her a visit."

"But why?"

"She entered the tournament for her own reasons. I'll let her explain," Magolor replied, tilting his head, the grin in his yellow eyes widening. "Good luck."

Zero Two headed to Void's house, hoping to see if there was space for his personal belongings. The house was modest, a half-sphere structure much like Kirby's. He knocked gently on the door, surprised when Adeleine answered.

"...Adeleine?" Zero Two's eye widened slightly. Oh no, does that mean Kirby and Ribbon are here?

"Hi, soft-boiled egg! Congrats on your recovery!" Adeleine grinned mischievously. "We're playing with Void right now. Want to join us?"

"I… I…" Zero Two tried to peer around her. Inside, Kirby and Void were building a toy brick tower, while Ribbon napped peacefully in the Queen's arms.

Do I want to join them now? With all these pieces of luggage?

"Okay, you're hesitating, which means you want to join but are too shy to admit it—let me help with these!" Adeleine quickly grabbed one of the pieces of luggage from Zero Two's wings and started back toward the house, calling, "Kirby! Zero Two's here!"

"Poyo!" Kirby raised his arms cheerfully, while Zero Two just wanted to stash his belongings somewhere out of sight. Thankfully, Adeleine rolled the luggage into a random, unused room, and Zero Two followed.

"What's in these packages?" Adeleine asked, shaking her hands dramatically. "It almost killed me moving all that heavy stuff, you know."

"...Gooey sent me some packages of small rocks while I was still in the hospital," Zero Two quickly lied.

"Classic Gooey." Adeleine didn't bat an eye and led him back to the living room, greeting the Queen. "Your Majesty! He's here!"

"Glad to see you, little Zero Two," the Queen smiled warmly, while Zero Two raised a wing in greeting, his gaze briefly flicking to Ribbon, still asleep.

As Adeleine joined Kirby and Void in building the toy tower, Zero Two slowly sat down beside the Queen, leaning against the wall.

"...She hasn't regained her strength?" Zero Two asked, his tone tinged with guilt as he tried to avoid looking at Ribbon's relaxing expression.

"Ribbon's recovered well," the Queen replied softly, gently stroking Ribbon as if she were a delicate doll. "It was just the vocabulary lesson earlier that wore her out. Let her rest."

For all their intense verbal arguments, the brutal semi-final, and the mutual damage that they had done, Zero Two had nearly forgotten how small Ribbon really was.

"Hmm," Zero Two murmured, trying to focus on others' happy expressions instead. "I'm sorry I haven't done much for Void. I guess I'm just not cut out for parenthood."

"They have a warm home because of you. Please, give yourself some credit," the Queen replied softly, placing a hand gently on Zero Two's wing. "Ribbon told me about the housing situation. It must have been quite a chore to handle."

"...No, all I did was sign my name," Zero Two admitted, slowly rolling his eye. The Queen was giving him far too much credit.

"Still, thank you," the Queen said, her tone becoming more concerned. "How are things in your clan? Blade is your subordinate, isn't he?"

Oh, no. Should he tell the Queen how Blade had been tortured by Zero? But what good would that do? How would it help Blade?

"Oh, didn't I mention? There's only one of Zero's direct subordinates in the apartment—that's Blade," Zero Two said, his eye flickering with hesitation. "He was punished, mostly because Zero wasn't happy about us joining the tournament."

"Even though he's the one who called you 'weak' in the first place?"

"...I guess his standards are just impossible to meet," Zero Two replied, struggling to avoid dwelling on the grim reality of his exile. Sensing his momentary vulnerability, the Queen gently caressed his back.

"If you need anything, please... don't hesitate to ask," the Queen pleaded softly. Her purple eyes, filled with genuine concern, made it hard for Zero Two to meet her gaze.

"I will," Zero Two said quietly, watching as Void stretched their wings, accidentally knocking over the toy brick tower. Yet Kirby and Adeleine cheered as if Void had accomplished something remarkable.

As for Ribbon, she slept through lunch, completely unaware when the Queen gently lifted her to return to Ripple Star. She remained limp in the Queen's arms, her tiny wings motionless, still lost in her peaceful slumber.

Kirby had taken Void for a walk around Dream Land, but Zero Two had declined. Now was the time to check what Zero had packed for him in the luggage. As he unzipped the suitcase, he saw some familiar items: books he'd collected over the years—Literature in Dreamland, History of Planet Popstar, Galaxy Magic, and Simple Calculus, among others.

In another piece of luggage, he found clothes that the Queen of Ripple Star had gifted him, though he rarely wore them. But there, on top of the pile, one piece stood out—

It was a sharp, tailored suit in deep shades of black and crimson, accented by a striking red tie. The fabric had an otherworldly sheen, exuding a sense of kingly pride. It looked like something even Zero might covet, an outfit worthy of commanding attention.

If I'm going to meet Miss Haltmann, perhaps I should wear this out of courtesy, Zero Two mused, slowly slipping into the suit. However, the clothes had been carelessly stuffed into the suitcase by Zero, and the suit was creased. Zero Two stood before the mirror, attempting to smooth the wrinkles, but his efforts were in vain.

Magolor said she joined the tournament for her own reasons, Zero Two thought, letting his mind wander to the other participants: Kirby, pressured by Meta Knight; Ribbon, driven to duel him; Bandana and Dedede, likely there just to accompany Kirby; Gooey, who had hilariously mistaken it for a fast-eating contest; and Meta Knight, who simply sought a good fight.

And Blade… poor guy, Zero Two's eye flickered with guilt. All he wanted was to make new friends, through the only means he knew. But instead, he got seeded in the preliminary and faced me, his own kin. And then he was punished… for lying to Zero about the tournament.

It's all my fault, Zero Two admitted silently. I shouldn't have told him to lie to Zero. Maybe then he'd have only been mocked, not tortured.

He found himself wondering how Blade was doing. Taking out his phone, Zero Two stared at Blade's contact, hesitating. Is he still grounded? Still tortured? The fear of Zero looming around Blade, ready to catch any slip, made Zero Two pause.

But then Kirby's words at the end of the tournament echoed in his mind, the memory of the boy's exhausted yet determined expression as he tried to protect Zero Two:

"And now he wants to punish you by hurting others. I won't let that happen. Never."

I have to check on Blade. It's my duty… as his family. Taking a deep breath, Zero Two pressed the "dial" button, anxiety swirling with each beep.

"Lord Zero Two!" Blade's voice came through, bright and cheerful, almost uncharacteristic for a member of the Dark Matter clan. This only amplified the guilt that twisted in Zero Two's chest.

"Blade! Please… tell me you're alright," Zero Two's voice trembled despite his effort to stay composed.

"I… I won't lie, Lord Zero's never hit me that hard before," Blade admitted in a hushed tone, his voice cracking just a little. Zero Two could picture him averting his eyes, trying to downplay the severity of it. "But I understand. We lied, and I was punished for it."

"…I'm sorry, Blade." Zero Two clenched his fist, wishing he could apologize in person, face-to-face.

"And you, Lord Zero Two?" Blade's tone softened with concern. "Now you're like Gooey… exiled from the clan."

"Well… I'll just sleep wherever I find space," Zero Two replied, his voice dismissive. No need for anyone else to know about my exile, he thought, knowing he'd keep using Void's house as a hiding spot for now.

"But… isn't it humiliating for someone of your status? Second-in-command of—"

"Ex-second-in-command, Blade," Zero Two interrupted sharply. "There's no point in holding on to that hollow title anymore. I am now just the traitor of the clan."

"…Lord Zero Two," Blade whispered, his voice filled with a mix of sadness and helplessness.

"Are you still grounded?" Zero Two asked, wanting to shift the focus back to Blade's wellbeing.

"No, not anymore, but… Lord Zero's been in a foul mood lately. Still, it's fine," Blade's voice was weak, tired.

"…I'm sorry you're suffering because of my folly."

"It was our decision, Lord Zero Two," Blade corrected, a breath of resignation in his voice.

"…Try assigning more chores to Dark Nebula, even if they usually just piss off Zero by slacking off," Zero Two suggested, uncertain whether this advice would help or lead to further trouble for Blade. "At least it might take some of the load off you."

"I can try that if I get desperate enough," Blade replied, though his tone remained weary.

"…Good luck," Zero Two said, the words heavy like the whole world falling on him in exile.

"Good luck, Lord Zero Two…" Blade's voice was filled with sorrow before the line went dead.

Chapter Text

"Void, what color is this?" Ribbon asked, pointing at a red cloud on the page of the textbook.

"Cheesecake?" Void blinked slowly, following the direction of Ribbon's fingertip.

Ribbon smiled, crossing her fingers into an "X" shape. "Hmm, try again?" she said gently.

"Sizzle?" Void responded, referring to the elemental power they once wielded as the so-called world-destroyer.

"Yes, and what color is Sizzle?" she said.

Void tilted their head, "Poyo?"

"It's red. Red," Ribbon said patiently, slowing her speech as she pointed at the cloud once more.

"Red!" Void chirped, raising their wings in triumph. The sight no longer filled Ribbon with fear. The wings, once so reminiscent of those of Zero Two, now seemed shinier, softer, and more innocent. They reminded her of how infants reach out to grab the world around them. Void stretched their wings not in malice, but in curiosity.

"Very good… cough," Ribbon quickly covered her mouth with her sleeve, the lingering effects of that brutal semi-final still weighing on her body.

Though most of her wounds had closed, the deeper ones remained bandaged, and the Queen had warned her: the magic used by both the Queen and Magolor to heal had drawn heavily from her own life energy. While it sped up the process, full recovery would still take time, and the toll it had taken on her vitality was something she couldn't easily ignore.

"Cough?" Void mimicked Ribbon's soft cough, their face a mask of confusion. Kirby was quick to step in, patting Ribbon's back with care. Meanwhile, Adeleine held out a bottle of water, offering it to Ribbon with a warm, reassuring smile. Ribbon gave her a weak nod and took a small sip.

"That… is not a vocabulary word today," Ribbon said with a wry smile, crossing her fingers in an "X" again.

"Ribbon, maybe we should call it a day?" Kirby whispered, leaning close. "You can rest here before heading back to Ripple Star."

"Sure… but what about Void?" Ribbon asked as Adeleine, sneaking behind her, scooped her up in a playful, careful hug.

"Toy bricks!" Kirby cheered, holding a box high like it was a chest of treasure. Ribbon, realizing she couldn't continue the lesson, nodded weakly and slumped back into Adeleine's arms.

"What a cute little quick learner," Adeleine whispered with a pleased smile. "I'm just glad the customized textbook seems to be working."

"Indeed," Ribbon agreed, though her brow furrowed in thought. "But… why did Void say 'cheesecake' when they saw the red cloud? I told them it was 'red' just 15 minutes ago." She couldn't help but liken Void's responses to the randomness of a number generator.

"Maybe they're hungry?" Adeleine answered without hesitation.

"Usually, when they're hungry, they start saying 'poyo' and 'wanya' urgently to Kirby… cough," Ribbon's voice faltered as her body suddenly went limp. Adeleine instinctively tightened her hold, keeping her steady.

... This is the consequence of my stubbornness, Ribbon thought, a heavy sigh escaping her. The memory of clutching the Crystal Gun shakily flashed before her eyes—the moment Zero attacked the arena briefly, and how powerless she felt in the face of that overwhelming presence.

No. She was aware of how much she resented the sense of powerlessness. It was her shadow that no amount of cheap, temporal violence would wash away.

"Rest, Ribbon. You need it," Adeleine murmured, her voice soft as she stroked Ribbon's back. "Maybe focus on how cute Kirby and Void are, playing with the toy bricks?"

Ribbon's tense shoulders finally relaxed as she let Adeleine's arms support her fully. Her gaze slowly drifted toward Void, who was attempting to balance a brick on top of a shaky tower. Predictably, the tower collapsed. Instead of crying like they once would, Void glanced at Kirby nervously, almost as if asking for help. Kirby responded with a gentle pat on their head, guiding Void's hand to start rebuilding from the base.

That's what makes Kirby so special, Ribbon thought, a soft laugh escaping her lips as she buried her face against Adeleine's shoulder. He's a fierce warrior who can protect the entire galaxy, but he's also a source of comfort—even to those who were once his enemies.

Her peaceful moment was interrupted by a knock at the door. Kirby answered it, revealing King Dedede, holding what looked like... coupons?

"Hello, ladies," Dedede greeted, waving to Adeleine and Ribbon. Ribbon gave him a small nod in return as Dedede made his way toward Kirby, who was still guiding Void's hand.

"Kirby, may I have a word with you?"

"Poyo?" Kirby gently released Void's hand, allowing them to try rebuilding the tower on their own.

"Kirby, I can't let my student Waddle Dees have your coupons from the tournament," Dedede sighed heavily, slapping the stack of coupons onto the desk. "The kids don't understand why they were suddenly gifted these, and now they're taking them for granted. Some even argued over who had cooler coupons in class."

Wait, coupons from the tournament? Ribbon blinked, recalling that the prize was reserved for the first and second-place finishers. Magolor had once asked her, "Would you accept it if Zero Two gives away his share to you?" She had replied, "I don't have the luxury to enjoy them. I just want to help Void catch up in their vocabulary class."

Why are the first and second-place winners so eager to give away their prizes? Ribbon wondered.

"But Magolor gave me way too many, and I don't know how to use them!" Kirby said, his small hands fidgeting as he shook his head nervously. "I even tried giving some to Meta Knight when I apologized for blaming him for things he couldn't control, but he told me I earned these coupons..."

"Look, you can still share them with your other friends—just not with my students. They don't even appreciate how hard you worked to win them!" Dedede puffed out his chest, crossing his arms.

"Poyo! These are my prizes, and I just want to share them with everyone!" Kirby puffed right back, and for a moment, Ribbon almost laughed—seeing them argue like children instead of a king and a warrior. Then Kirby's expression softened as he lowered his head, poking his fingers. "Everyone's been so busy lately... I just wanted to use the coupons to eat and enjoy the scenery with my friends, but... I don't know who's available."

"Hey!" Adeleine chimed in, her tone bright. "I've just finished that big project—the textbook—so I'm available for some fun!"

"See, kid?" Dedede raised an eyebrow. "There are people out there who deserve those coupons more than my random students."

"Oh... sorry, King Dedede," Kirby mumbled, glancing at Adeleine before turning back to the king. "I didn't mean for the Waddle Dee students to fight over them."

"It's fine," Dedede said, playfully swatting Kirby on the head with a smile. "I'm just too lazy to explain the importance of gratitude to those kids." Then, as if a new idea struck him, his face lit up. "Hey! Why don't we distribute these coupons together? I can give some to my guard Waddle Dees at the castle!"

"Yeah!" Kirby threw his hands up in excitement. His attention shifted to Void, who was still struggling to balance bricks in a wobbly tower. Kirby patted their head gently, whispering, "I'll check on you, okay?"

"Kirby, how about I go help Void, and you take care of Ribbon?" Adeleine suggested, exchanging a glance with the exhausted fairy. Kirby nodded and carefully approached Ribbon, taking her into his arms.

"Ah... thank you, Kirby," Ribbon whispered, her voice barely audible. Kirby responded with a gentle pat as he sat down beside Dedede.

"Maybe you should take a nap, Ribbon," Kirby said softly, placing her on a cozy bean bag chair. As her eyelids grew heavy, and her vision began to blur, she could faintly hear Kirby's voice: "Hey! When you feel better, maybe we can use those ice cream coupons first... Ribbon? Oof, she fell asleep..."

When Ribbon opened her eyes, she found herself still in the classroom where Void had been learning. But instead of building a tower of toy bricks, Void, Kirby, and Adeleine were now stacking themselves—with Void happily balancing Adeleine on their shoulders, and Adeleine holding Kirby aloft in her arms.

"Wait, wait… that's dangerous! What are you doing?" Ribbon gasped, forcing herself up from the bean bag chair.

Just as she spoke, Adeleine lost her balance atop Void's head. Ribbon's heart skipped a beat, but Adeleine managed to catch herself just in time, her feet finding solid ground before disaster struck. The two girls exchanged a glance, and Adeleine winked playfully before hopping down from Void.

"Phew! Disaster averted, all thanks to my amazing artist's instinct!" Adeleine said with a grin, her tone lighthearted. Kirby gave her a sheepish smile, and though Ribbon wanted to chastise them with a "please don't play with your lives like that," a deeper part of her whispered: Ribbon, you almost destroyed yourself in the tournament, consumed by hatred. Who are you to scold her?

"Did we wake you, Ribbon?" Kirby asked, tilting his head.

"No, I'm fine… I think I need to be heading out soon."

Just then, there was another knock on the door—this time more urgent, the kind that hinted at impatience. Kirby answered it, and to everyone's surprise, it was… Zero Two, dressed in a black suit with a red tie?

Why does he look like some bodyguard outside the casinos on Resolution Road? Ribbon thought, stifling a laugh. Even though she knew she should feel awkward—this was their first face-to-face interaction since they'd tried to kill each other.

"You look so handsome in that suit, poyo!" Kirby exclaimed, his eyes lighting up.

"…Uh, Kirby, why did you ask me to come here, saying there was a surprise for me?" Zero Two's discomfort at the praise was obvious as he quickly cut to the point.

"Because I want to invite you to dinner and fishing!" Kirby said, holding up a handful of coupons, "These are from the tournament, and I figured—"

"Kirby, I have my share. Second place gets half of what you won," Zero Two replied, sounding like a weary father indulging a child's endless requests. His expression practically screamed that he'd rather drown himself in something strong than entertain this conversation.

"But I just wanted to invite you!" Kirby pressed on, jumping and waving his tiny arms. "You can even share your coupons with… well, the Dark Matter family if they want to come!"

For a split second, Ribbon caught a flicker of something like pain in Zero Two's eyes.

"So... that's the surprise?" Zero Two asked, scratching his head with his still-bandaged wing.

"I know you have your own share and plan to distribute them, but it's still Kirby's invitation," said Ribbon, trying her best not to sound too condescending.

"Uh… I know. I just feel like someone else out there deserves these gifts more than me," Zero Two replied, his tone softened but still a little defensive.

"Ah, quit talking about who deserves it more—just go to dinner already, right, Kirby?" Adeleine cut in, giving Kirby a playful pat on the back.

"Ribbon, do you... do you want to join?" Kirby asked, waving his hands awkwardly. "I know you probably still need to rest..."

He seemed unsure if his invitation was appropriate, considering Ribbon's condition and her complicated relationship with Zero Two. It was likely just Kirby's natural friendliness coming through, forgetting the nuances of the situation.

If I decline, I'd be a hypocrite, Ribbon thought. I just scolded Zero Two for rejecting Kirby's kindness, so who am I to do the same?

"...Let me quickly ask Her Majesty," she said, pulling out her phone and dialing the Queen's number. Zero Two stared at her with an unreadable expression. Just as Ribbon was about to meet his gaze, he looked away.

She moved to the window, hoping not to disturb others.

"Ribbon?" came the Queen's warm voice on the other end.

"Is there anything you need help with on Ripple Star? We just finished the vocabulary class," Ribbon asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Oh, the time you were unconscious after class was shorter today. That's progress!" The Queen's cheerful tone made Ribbon wince in embarrassment, burying her face in her free hand. Is my fatigue that obvious? But the Queen continued, "Things are peaceful here, my dear. What's going on?"

"Kirby and the others invited me to dinner, and I thought it would be rude to decline... but if you need me back, I'll head out soon," Ribbon whispered.

"I'm not busy right now, so go ahead and enjoy yourself," the Queen replied warmly. Ribbon could almost hear her comforting smile. "But please take care—you're not fully recovered yet."

"Understood. Thank you, Your Majesty. See you," Ribbon said, nodding even though the Queen couldn't see her. After hearing the Queen's gentle "See you," she hung up and returned to Kirby.

"She said yes?" Kirby asked, looking like he was ready to dash out of the room, coupons in hand like they were precious collectible cards.

"Yes, Kirby. So, where's the restaurant?"

"Overload Ocean!" Kirby explained, practically bouncing with excitement. "But it's more like a port. Using the coupon, we can rent a boat, and a Driblee will take us out to the middle of the ocean. We can fish, but they still have seafood ready on the boat, so we don't have to worry about catching anything."

"Kirby, Ribbon just barely recovered from the tournament. Can't you pick something less exhausting?" Zero Two interjected. Ribbon couldn't tell if he was genuinely concerned or if this was his subtle way to say, "No, I don't want to fish for my dinner."

"She can relax and enjoy the scenery, and I'll fish for her!" Kirby declared with confidence. Ribbon felt her cheeks grow warm at his words and tried not to blush.

"Uh, Adeleine, can you fish?" Zero Two asked, his expression showing growing exasperation.

"You have my BBQ tongs!" Adeleine said dramatically, raising a random pen from the classroom like it was a mighty sword.

"...Kirby, I have to admit, I can't fish," Zero Two said, turning back to him. "This is a bad idea. Please pick somewhere else."

"But I promised Void we'd go fishing..." Kirby's enthusiasm faltered, his head drooping. Then he perked up and glanced around. "Maybe we should vote? Who wants to change the dinner spot?"

Zero Two and Ribbon immediately raised their hands. Ribbon thought to herself, Zero Two's right—fishing sounds fun, but probably not the best idea right now.

"Who still wants to go to Overload Ocean?" Kirby asked, raising his own hand. Adeleine and Void followed suit, though Void seemed to be merely mimicking Kirby. Kirby didn't seem to realize this, either.

"That's one more vote, so I guess, sorry, Zero Two and Ribbon?" Kirby teased with a mischievous grin.

"Why does Void's vote count?" Zero Two asked, narrowing his eyes in irritation.

"Because they're coming?" Kirby tilted his head, clearly missing the point of Zero Two's complaint.

"Void can barely speak full sentences..."

"It's fine, Zero Two," Ribbon interjected before the argument escalated. "Just... take care of the BBQ station if you can't fish."

Zero Two muttered, "Whatever," and followed Kirby, who was now busy holding Void's hand as they headed out.

Once the group boarded the ship and sailed into the ocean, the sky and sea became one, shrouded in absolute darkness. But if one turned back toward the shore, the city's golden lights shimmered, casting a soft glow across the skyline, like sprinkles atop a dark bowl of ice cream.

Kirby and Void sat together at the top of the deck, each holding their fishing rods. Kirby kicked his feet playfully, humming a cheerful tune, while Void, confused, shook their rod as if unsure what to do. Meanwhile, Ribbon leaned against Adeleine's shoulder, letting the cold wind brush through her hair, the breeze soothing her tired body. Zero Two stared absently at the spread of shrimp and clams on the BBQ station, seemingly lost in thought.

"Hey, isn't that the suit the Queen bought you?" Adeleine asked, gently tightening her hold on Ribbon. "You don't usually wear clothes, just like Kirby doesn't. So why today? Got a date with another Dark Matter?"

"I just want to say that's both disgusting and cursed," Zero Two responded dryly, slowly rolling his singular red eye. "But to answer your question—no. I wore it because I like it."

Ribbon couldn't help but suspect Zero Two was wearing the suit to hide his bandages, given they'd both only recently recovered from the tournament. But the mention of dating among Dark Matter sparked a thought—perhaps she could ask him for advice on how to teach Void new vocabulary. After all, why had Void said "cheesecake" when they saw a red cloud in the textbook, despite Ribbon explaining the context just fifteen minutes before the pop quiz?

"Zero Two, can I ask you something?" Ribbon ventured cautiously.

"I told you, I'm wearing it because I like it," Zero Two responded curtly, not even looking up.

"No, that's not what I meant," Ribbon interrupted, her voice slightly sharper, "I wanted to ask how you educated the young Dark Matter."

"…This isn't exactly dinner conversation," Zero Two replied sharply, his voice tinged with irritation. "Especially not after we nearly killed each other in front of those who care about us." He quickly lowered his head, poking at the clams with the BBQ tongs.

"I mean, how did you and other Dark Matter learn to speak?" Ribbon pressed, keeping her tone measured. "I don't believe you just… emerged fully equipped with sarcasm and eloquence from the moment you were born."

Zero Two's eye flickered, and his hand stilled as if searching through distant, long-buried memories.

"…Ribbon, do you remember our very first meaningful conversation after I was defeated, a few years ago?"

"…Yes." Ribbon recalled herself leaving Zero Two tearfully that day, convinced the Queen had made a grave mistake by sparing a criminal full of excuses.

"Was I eloquent back then?" The sarcasm in his voice was gone, replaced by a quiet, genuine curiosity.

"You were. But I'm not in the mood to recite every excuse you spouted," she replied, closing her eyes. The memory of that conversation was even more taxing than speaking itself.

"Well…" Zero Two put down the tongs, pausing for a moment before continuing, this time looking at Adeleine instead. "I don't know how you teach Void, but… I learned more complex ideas from living things, even those far from our old ideology. Like the image of a blackbird soaring through the sky, or a flower withstanding a heavy rainstorm."

"And what did those images teach you?" Ribbon asked, curiosity creeping in as she imagined a younger Zero Two staring at the scenes he described.

"…That even in the midst of heart-wrenching pain, brilliant flowers can still bloom."

Ribbon was surprised by the unexpected sentiment. She hadn't anticipated hearing something so… spiritual from her once-sworn enemy. She could still remember in all these years of verbal argument, his vile, cruel, and unforgiving words—sharp echoes of Dark Matter ideology—that lingered in her mind like scars. Yet now, he was offering something far gentler, something she might even take to heart as a personal mantra.

Before she could fully process this, Kirby's excited outburst shattered her thoughts. He was now cheering and jumping up and down, cradling a massive salmon—easily ten times his size. The salmon thrashed in his grip, its gleaming scales reminiscent of a socialite's precious gown. Void clapped their segmented wings, bouncing up and down in sync with Kirby, while the sailor Driblee scrambled in a panic at the sight of the colossal fish.

"…See? Bad idea, Adeleine," Zero Two muttered, picking up the tongs once more, while Adeleine simply stared in awe.

"I wish I had brought my painting board to capture that beauty," she said, wide-eyed.

Ribbon remembered how the rest of the trip unfolded: Kirby and Zero Two painstakingly gutted and scaled the fish, as the sailor Driblee flatly refused to touch it. The salmon, once prepared, tasted rich and full of texture. But Zero Two didn't eat any. He quietly worked through a few shrimps and said dryly to Kirby, "I hope you're proud of yourself," as Kirby basked in his accomplishment.

She recalled how Zero Two slumped back in his chair, still holding the knife, even before she eventually drifted off to sleep in the cool sea breeze.

Chapter Text

"So… Mr. Zero Two. Quite a file, hmm?"

In a vast office with a red-and-black carpet sprawling beneath them, Susie Haltmann sat in a modest chair. Across from her, Zero Two was seated in a matching chair, with two untouched cups of coffee resting between them.

"I'm Susie, though I'm sure you remember me," she said, her expression polite, though her cool, light-blue eyes remained impassive.

"I suppose so, considering how you caught Gooey that day—like a sports player—after my drunken older brother decided to use him as a bowling ball." Zero Two attempted to sound casual, though sarcasm crept into his tone. "Not that I'm ungrateful or anything."

"You're welcome." Susie nodded, the movement mechanical, reminding Zero Two of the heavy hammers from the deserted factory in Shiver Star—precise and cold.

"Magolor said you wanted to speak with me. In person," Zero Two added, unsure if he sounded as unrefined as how he felt in his ill-fitting black suit.

Susie folded her hands, tilting her head ever so slightly. "Before we get to that, allow me to tell you a story, if I may. About two, maybe three years ago, I met someone who left quite the impression. He was strong and full of confidence, a knight of the highest order."

Meta Knight? Zero Two's mind leaped to the obvious conclusion.

"I was so impressed that I gave him a complete remodel," Susie continued, her tone unflinching as if such a statement was entirely mundane. Zero Two fought to maintain a composed expression, though the familiar whispers in his head taunted him. Why are you so weak, flinching at something so trivial?

"So… you were looking for this 'special someone' in the tournament?" Zero Two asked, his head still aching slightly. "Is that why you've been approaching my kin?"

"Yes. I like how you put it—' that special someone,'" Susie replied, clapping lightly as if she were amused by his phrasing. She pointed at him then, and Zero Two's mind raced. Remodel. What exactly did she mean by that? Was she planning to harm him after this conversation?

"Let me ask," Zero Two ventured carefully, "am I the 'special someone' you've been looking for, or do you want my help finding them?"

"Do you have any experience using a personal computer?" Susie asked, not answering his previous question directly.

"I've seen someone use one, but no, I've never had the chance," Zero Two replied, recalling that one time Ribbon had bought an old computer from Meta Knight just so they could "enjoy" Susie's gift—a hard drive full of Shiver Star's music. He had clicked the mouse exactly twice.

"Would you like to learn?" Susie pressed, seemingly intrigued.

"Miss, have you seen my wings? I'd probably shatter the thing," Zero Two muttered, not liking the direction this conversation was heading.

"Hmm, but you managed to hold a paper cup at the buffet without crushing it into a useless wad," Susie remarked, poking her own blushed cheek. Zero Two couldn't tell if she was trying to leverage her apparent cuteness to mask something more calculated.

"Are you looking for an employee?" The thought struck Zero Two—Meta Knight was probably remodeled to serve her company's agenda. Was she now gauging his own usefulness? He knew he was being blunt, but the words escaped him before he could soften them.

"A new QC supervisor, to be exact."

"…Excuse me, what?" Zero Two felt a genuine pang of confusion.

"Quality control," Susie clarified with yet another brief nod. "To oversee and monitor the inspection and testing of materials, parts, and products, ensuring they meet our established standards. Any questions about the position?"

"Uh… what products, exactly?" Zero Two asked, scratching his head with a bandaged wing.

"Primarily our mechs and holographic security systems. Did you happen to see my battle against Meta Knight during the primary round?" Susie blinked, as though proud of her performance, despite having been eliminated.

Oh no. How honest should I be with Miss Haltmann? Zero Two stared at the rippling surface of his untouched coffee, searching for the right words.

"I guess… It's impressive that you held your own against someone as skilled as Meta Knight." After a ten-second pause, this was the best he could come up with.

He couldn't help but wonder how Susie and Meta Knight managed to remain so civil with one another. They clearly shared a complicated history—similar to Ribbon and himself—yet their match hadn't escalated into an attempted murder, unlike his own semi-final.

"That was a fun rematch," Susie said with a playful lilt before slipping back into her no-nonsense demeanor. "The purpose of our company has always been prosperity, and our products are irreplaceable tools to achieve that goal. Now, I understand that, given your background, it might be difficult for you to align with the company’s core values."

"If I may be blunt, then yes. I probably don't understand the kind of 'prosperity' you're talking about," Zero Two decided to speak his mind.

"But I believe you could be loyal—for the right price," Susie countered.

Loyal. The word made Zero Two flinch. He tried not to think about the possibility of Magolor betraying him by revealing his exiled status to Susie. That tongueless snake couldn't keep his mouth shut for mere minutes after hearing others' misfortune.

"Miss, may I ask… what would my daily routine look like, if I were to become your… employee?" he asked cautiously.

After all, he was an outcast, a traitor, exiled from his clan. For the past three days, he had slept under Void's bed, spending his days reading old books to pass the time. If joining another organization could give his miserable existence some sense of purpose, it might just be worth it, even though he would end up serving another empire instead of his old one.

"Does the Dark Matter clan use a check-in system like a company?" Susie asked, avoiding his question yet again. Despite this, Zero Two found himself tolerating her, sensing that she was seriously considering him for the role.

"So this was my daily routine as second-in-command… back when the Dark Matter clan was seriously attempting to conquer the entire galaxy," explained Zero Two. "I'd report to Zero, my superior, right after breakfast—around 6 a.m. in Ripple Star. Uh, would you mind if I explain a bit first? It might take a while."

"I don't mind at all. We need to be on the same page, after all," Susie nodded.

"Around 7 a.m., it was my direct subordinates' turn to report to me. Mostly updates on Kirby and Ribbon—where they were, what they did the day before, any info on the Crystal Shards they were trying to collect so we could stop them, and adjustments to our strategy," Zero Two continued. "That report usually lasted about an hour, which was… inefficient, to be honest."

"Pardon me, but you were running a galaxy-conquering operation. One hour seems far too short," Susie interrupted, though she bowed politely before speaking.

"I disagree, but let me continue." Zero Two gave a brief nod. "My main job was to… maintain control over the Queen of Ripple Star, to keep the planet in line. We didn't want a revolution breaking out while we were at war. I followed her schedule—meeting her subjects and such."

"Do you still remember the exact schedule?" Susie asked, intrigued.

"Not really. Possession took a lot of strength, and I'm not particularly skilled in it. Some of my subordinates were better at it than me, honestly." Zero Two spread his bandaged wing slightly. "If there were any emergency reports, my subordinates would inform me. If not, I'd follow the Queen's routine until 9 p.m., when I'd report back to Zero after dinner."

A silence fell between them as Susie processed the information.

"You'll have a lighter workload if you work for me," she said, taking a sip of her coffee. "As a QC supervisor, you won't hold nearly as much power. You'll check in at 9 a.m., and I recommend eating breakfast beforehand. I dislike when my employees are distracted by hunger when they should be focused."

"Understood. But how exactly do I check in? Do I report to you in your office?" Zero Two asked.

"No. It's a bit different here. Someone will show you how to use our check-in machine," Susie replied. "After checking in, you'll have an hour of your own time to prepare documents or do whatever you need. At 10 a.m., you'll have a two-hour meeting with your group—the designers and engineers behind the products."

"I see," Zero Two muttered, wondering what kind of organization required a two-hour meeting.

"From 12 to 1 p.m., you'll have a lunch break, though your assistant will handle your order," Susie continued. "Then from 1 to 2 p.m., you'll supervise the products physically. Think of it like facing an army of King Dededes—if that helps."

"Oh," Zero Two said, finally understanding why he was chosen. Supervising products physically? That sounded like something she might've once used Meta Knight for.

"From 2 to 4 p.m., you'll write your report. I suggest learning to use a personal computer ASAP," Susie counted the steps on her fingers. "At 4 p.m., you'll give me a brief report on the day's progress. It could take five minutes or half an hour—depends on the day. You're free to leave at 5, but don't try packing up beforehand. It doesn't set a good example for your subordinates."

Zero Two blinked. How am I supposed to leave at 5 if I can't pack my personal belongings first?

"But if you decide to work for me," Susie spread her arms slightly, offering a reassuring, though somewhat shallow, nod, "your assistant will help you get acclimated—understanding company culture, getting used to the technology, and so on. Please do your best with your subordinates. I expect you to be polite. After all, you're the most eloquent member of the Dark Matter clan."

"You don't like Blade?" Zero Two raised an eyebrow, remembering Susie's encounter with the guy during the battle arrangements.

"To be honest, you weren't exactly my first choice, given your… rather hostile interaction with Ribbon," Susie said bluntly. The statement stung, as Zero Two regretted not backing down in that negotiation—he'd hurt Ribbon just like she had in return, and it still pained him.

"Understandable," Zero Two's voice came out as bitter as the untouched coffee in front of him.

"Until your semi-final," Susie added, maintaining her polite but cold tone.

"My near-defeat at the hands of a little girl changed your mind?" Zero Two asked, attempting to mask his sarcasm to keep his genuine curiosity from being lost.

"It was your rematch against Ribbon, wasn't it? Even though she had Kirby by her side before," Susie answered. For a fleeting moment, Zero Two thought he heard a hint of genuine admiration beneath her mechanical tone. "Magolor told me your story. You fought a much tougher rematch than Meta Knight."

"I did it far less honorably than Sir Meta Knight did, so perhaps you should reconsider hiring me."

"I said it was a much harder rematch than Meta Knight's." Susie's voice stiffened for just a moment, catching Zero Two off guard. Then she returned to her usual professional tone. "Your decision to keep fighting in the final, despite the toll the semi-final took on you, sealed the deal for me."

"Funny, because Mr. Magolor called me 'vile' for not withdrawing," Zero Two let the sarcasm flow through his deep voice.

"He wasn't looking for a QC supervisor, was he?" Susie shot back with casual ease. "Now, may I ask: how long did it take you to get here today?"

"Uh... I haven't been able to fly for long recently since my wings haven't fully recovered, so I took the bus here, which was..."

"We'll arrange for an employee dorm," Susie cut in, matter-of-factly. At her words, an image formed in his mind: a modest, clean room with a single bed, well-lit, so unlike his old, dim quarters back in the Dark Matter clan. A small desk with a pot of green plants sat beside the bed, and a bookshelf filled with books leaned against the wall. Those books would be his main companions.

Oh, to have the luxury to even dream as a member of Dark Matter!

But the thought pained him. He was just an exile, having spent three days stuffed under someone else's bed. Now, he'd be fitting himself into another organization, trading his services for a place to sleep. The clearer his vision of that imaginary room became, the more certain he was that Magolor had betrayed him. Otherwise, why would Susie mention the dormitory first, instead of his salary?

"As for your salary," Susie continued, "you'll start with around 80 percent of the usual pay for this position while you're still adjusting. Once you've familiarized yourself and proven your capabilities, I'll give you the full amount. Understand?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Understood."

"If things proceed smoothly, your dorm will be ready in three days. Please remember to file your personal information downstairs after this. One of my employees will assist you," Susie added, offering a brief bow. "Now, do you have any other questions?"

Zero Two didn't hesitate. "When you decided to talk to me in person, was there a 'special someone' who gave you their opinion about me?" He wanted confirmation—confirmation of the betrayal.

"Magolor certainly had... some negative opinions of you, but he said he believes you'll eventually overcome your… rather unproductive line of thinking," Susie answered. Her usual cold, professional tone seemed to soften for a moment.

"What unproductive line of thinking?" Zero Two asked, making an effort to sound non-threatening. He was genuinely curious.

"Your old way of living," Susie replied without hesitation. Just as Zero Two cursed Magolor's betrayal in his mind, Susie's tone shifted. She frowned slightly, and for a fleeting second, her voice grew sad. "Mr. Zero Two, we're all sinners in some way. Sometimes, you don't need endless atonement. What you need is something more... beautiful."

"...If I accept that I deserve such a luxury, it would feel disingenuous to those I've harmed," Zero Two murmured, lowering his head as cursed echoes filled his mind: Born for our king, live for our king...

"And how much of Ribbon's trauma do you think you can really heal?" For a brief moment, Zero Two thought Susie was angry. He blinked, only to see the same calm, businesslike mask on her face. "She has to live with everything you have done for the rest of her life, even though you wish to erase it."

"But..." Zero Two stammered, uncertain why Susie's words unsettled him so much. He just knew they did.

"I've detoured too much. Pardon me," Susie sighed, easing the tension in her shoulders before regaining her usual composure. "Please keep an eye on your phone. Stay in touch. Your job will start in three days once you've settled into the dorm."

She stood up, offering another polite bow. Realizing he needed to follow suit, Zero Two got up from the chair and returned the gesture. Then she extended her hand and, in a whisper, said:

"You're the right person for this. I look forward to working with you."

"Thanks," Zero Two replied curtly, shaking her hand briefly before letting go.

Chapter Text

But fix thine eyes below; for draweth near

The river of blood, within which boiling is

Whoe’er by violence doth injure others.

(Dante, The Divine Comedy, Inferno, Canto XII)

It was the weekend, meaning no literacy class. Kirby had told Ribbon he was taking Void for birdwatching, so she could stay at Ripple Star for some well-deserved rest. After reporting for duty, she asked the Queen if there was anything else she could assist with. The Queen simply smiled, gesturing for Ribbon to come closer.

"Sit, Ribbon," the Queen said, patting her lap. Ribbon blinked in confusion but decided to comply. As she settled into the Queen's lap, she felt the Queen's arms gently wrap around her.

"…Your Majesty?" Ribbon tilted her head up slightly, meeting the Queen's soft smile, though something more complex lingered in her purple eyes.

"Can you help me with one little thing today?" the Queen asked softly.

"…Your wish is my command?" Ribbon replied, unsure of what to expect.

"Today, your job is to sit here with me and let me hold you," the Queen said, tightening her embrace. Ribbon understood now—the Queen wanted her to relax—and she slowly melted into the warmth of her arms.

"I hope I'm not in your way while you're working," Ribbon offered a wry smile.

"Not at all," the Queen responded, patting her head playfully.

"Should I close my eyes in case I see something I'm not supposed to?" Ribbon asked, knowing it was a silly question but feeling the need to say it anyway.

"Pfft, you can close them if you want a nap. There's nothing secret in these documents," the Queen chuckled softly, continuing her work. Ribbon could feel the faint vibrations from the movement of her hand.

"But it's still morning—too early for a nap, isn't it?" Ribbon looked up again, but the Queen only laughed softly in response. After a moment, Ribbon decided to quietly try to read the words on the documents, if her eyes could catch any.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door, and a fellow fairy entered after the Queen said, "Please come in."

"Your Majesty, Zero Two is waiting in the reception room, and his rental spaceship is parked in the same spot as before," said the fairy, a twinge of fear in her expression.

Zero Two? On the weekend? And he initiated the meeting? Isn't he usually doing grocery shopping for the clan on weekends?

"Thank you. I will meet him shortly," the Queen said politely, before turning to Ribbon. "Would you like to stay here and rest? Or are you up to coming with me?"

"Uh… well, he's been behaving himself ever since that ridiculous tournament, so… yes, I'll go," Ribbon said, trying to rise from the Queen's lap. But the Queen's grip tightened slightly, and their eyes met in an awkward moment.

"…Please, Your Majesty, at least let me pretend I'm fine in front of him," Ribbon whispered, her heart racing. She wasn't sure if it was pride—ironic, given how much she criticized Zero Two for the same exact sin—or if it was concern, knowing that showing weakness would only burden him with guilt.

"…I understand," the Queen replied with a heavy sigh, releasing Ribbon. Together, they headed toward the reception room.

Zero Two, still wearing that ridiculous black suit with the red tie, sat next to the host's seat, his wings crossed on the table. Ribbon couldn't help but notice the suit was wrinkled and dirty, the faint smell of his fishing trip two days ago still clinging to it. Does he have to ruin every gift from the Queen? she thought, eyeing the bandage still wrapped around one wing—the lingering injury from that close-range Crystal Gun strike.

"I saw your message this morning," said the Queen, taking her seat at the head of the table.

"Pardon me, but… I felt like… I needed your help," Zero Two replied, glancing at Ribbon. "Though there's really only one person on this planet who can help me."

"Uh… Zero Two, if you're looking for a heart-to-heart after… you know, everything, I think we'd be better off somewhere more… informal?" Ribbon said, unsure of what he was getting at.

"That can wait… I mean…" Zero Two scratched his head, visibly lost in thought as he set down his bandaged wing. "I need someone to teach me how to use a computer properly, but… the only two other people I know who are tech-savvy are Meta Knight and Susie. And… I'd rather Ribbon teach me."

What do you mean you'd rather ask me for help, the one you tried to murder two weeks ago? Ribbon thought, though the unusual request stirred a thousand other questions in her mind.

The Queen silently cast her gaze toward Ribbon.

"The only thing I can do on Meta Knight's computer is read data from that ridiculous hard drive, so I'm probably not the best teacher for this," Ribbon said, focusing on the Queen instead of Zero Two, though she knew she should be meeting his eye.

"Uh… how about typing?" he asked.

"…Like how you type on your phone," Ribbon replied, recalling how she had learned to type on a computer keyboard.

Sure, the systems were different. On their phones, the alphabets were distributed across nine buttons corresponding to numbers 1 through 9, while Meta Knight's computer had a key for each letter. But it wasn't an entirely different skill set—both involved pressing buttons, after all.

"Do you still have Meta Knight's computer? I… I need to try," Zero Two asked.

Does he really want me to teach him, even after I explained why I might not be fit for it?

"You locked it up in storage, Ribbon. I can have someone bring it here," the Queen offered.

"Thank you," Ribbon replied shortly. As the Queen stepped toward the doorway to summon one of the fairies, she left Ribbon and Zero Two alone in the room. Again. Just like that disastrous conversation before the tournament.

Perhaps that conversation—and everything that followed—had been too… traumatic. Ribbon found herself silent, and Zero Two seemed to follow, saying nothing until the Queen returned with the old computer.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ribbon said, taking the bulky computer from the Queen and setting it down carefully despite its weight. She powered it on and opened a new memorandum file before turning the computer slightly toward Zero Two.

"Give it a try—like how you type messages on your phone," she said. Zero Two raised his left wing and placed it on the keyboard, both wings lacking their extracted feathers.

78o9iu, said the screen. What… what is this, some kind of dark magic spell?

"…Ribbon, I… you know most of the buttons on my phone are at the edges of the device, so I can just nudge them with my wingtip," Zero Two said nervously, his tone reminding Ribbon of a stuttering student rather than the prideful second-in-command of the clan. When was the last time he'd sounded like this? She couldn’t remember, or perhaps she didn't want to.

"So, you were trying to press 'I,' but your wing hit the surrounding keys?" Ribbon asked, staring awkwardly at how his wing hovered over the keyboard.

"Exactly."

"…The computer might break, but have you thought about extracting your feather? Like using claws?" Ribbon suggested, immediately cursing herself for the foolish idea. They exchanged a glance, then simultaneously looked to the Queen, who merely offered a wry smile. Their gazes returned to each other.

"I don't want to break your computer," Zero Two said, shaking his head.

"That's on me. I suggested something incredibly stupid," Ribbon admitted, recalling how rarely Zero Two extracted his dark red feathers unless he was flying. Suddenly, an idea struck her. "Wait—how do you press the 5 on your phone? You know, the middle button?"

Zero Two sighed and pulled out his phone. Ribbon and the Queen leaned in for a closer look. He positioned the edge of his wing on button 6, holding his wing almost vertically over the device. Then, he bent his wing toward the left, pressing down on the 5. Ribbon noticed his wing trembled slightly as he did so.

"That looks uncomfortable," Ribbon remarked, unsure if she should be amazed or horrified at such an unconventional method.

"I need the edge of the device to support me in reaching the middle button, which I can't do on a keyboard where most of the keys are in the middle," Zero Two explained as he put his phone away.

"Wait, how does Zero even use a phone?" Ribbon suddenly realized that using a phone must be a disaster for members of the Dark Matter clan. If Zero Two—a rare case with physical wings—struggled so much, what about the others, who were just… flying eyeballs?

"Have you ever seen Gooey grow a tiny temporary hand?" Zero Two frowned as if mentioning Gooey brought him so much pain. "There are only four of us who can't do that: Dark Nebula, Blade, Miracle Matter, and me."

"…I can't imagine Zero with a little white hand," Ribbon stifled a laugh at the absurd image. A giant white eyeball with a tiny hand like Gooey's? How small would the hand be in comparison to his size?

"Oh, you should see him holding a bag of popcorn with that ridiculous hand—it's a sight to behold," Zero Two said, a gleeful smile reaching his crimson eye, though Ribbon could sense a trace of sorrow behind it.

"Little Zero Two, why don't you tell us how the other three manage to use phones? Maybe we can think of an alternative," the Queen suggested gently.

"Here's the thing—Miracle Matter doesn't even own a phone. They were created solely for combat, so we avoid assigning them other complicated tasks," Zero Two replied, the sorrow in his voice deepening. Ribbon wondered, Didn't he once call Miracle Matter his masterpiece, his pride? Why did talking about something as simple as using a phone seem to chip away at that belief?

"And Dark Nebula?" Ribbon asked, vaguely recalling stories about the ruler of the underworld from her studies as the Queen's guardian.

"They have permanent hands like me," Zero Two explained. "As for Blade… he uses a weak telekinetic field to hold things. And I know what you're thinking—why doesn't he just use that to control enemies in combat? The answer is simple: it's a weak field."

"Uh… can he even use telekinesis to press buttons?" Ribbon asked, now understanding how Blade "held" his sword, even though it always appeared disconnected from his body.

"Yes, it's weak, but precise enough for small movements, like pressing buttons. In fact, he probably has the least trouble with a keyboard. He can just lean against it and use telekinesis," Zero Two said.

"I see." Ribbon nodded, amazed at how each member of the Dark Matter clan adapted to daily life. She began picturing how they used phones based on Zero Two's descriptions, piecing together ideas for how Zero Two might be able to use a keyboard more effectively.

But all she could recall was how the clan members hilariously tried their best to adapt to daily life. Like during the tournament's battle arrangements, how Zero Two had pissed off Magolor with his way of playing rock-paper-scissors—raising the "middle finger" part of his wing to make it obvious he meant scissors rather than paper. Ribbon was so used to his method, but it just rubbed Magolor the wrong way.

Oh, that battle arrangement was a comedy goldmine, even if I was drowning in hatred back then, Ribbon thought to herself. She remembered an irritated Magolor finally telling Zero Two to sit next to King Dedede, while Blade, Gooey, and herself were left to play. The two other Dark Matter members, who lacked fingers, used the cards Magolor had provided, though Gooey always just turned into his Rock form instead of using a card.

Come to think of it, Ribbon had to admire Magolor's quick thinking in creating those cards. Yes, he's a liar, a traitor, and a fiend, she mused, but he's also smart… and he saved my life. I still haven't thanked him properly.

Then the thought struck her—The cards. They were simply tools, not extensions of their bodies. Could she find something similar to help Zero Two press the buttons more efficiently? Ribbon glanced at him, watching as he awkwardly balanced his oversized wing on the keyboard, just like how he had pressed the number 5 on his phone. The screen was filled with a chaotic mess of letters and numbers.

She tried to imagine herself in Zero Two's place, bearing those dark-red feathered wings. But all she could recall was herself, around seven years ago, smoothing wood with a spokeshave meticulously after Zero Two's defeat.

"Ribbon, would you mind if I step away to get some documents? I've been neglecting them recently," the Queen whispered with an awkward smile. "Don't worry, I'll bring them here."

"Not at all, Your Majesty," Ribbon replied with a nod, watching as the Queen left toward the doorway.

Wait… what about a pen?

Ribbon quickly reached into the desk drawer and pulled out a pen. Zero Two was still struggling with the keyboard, pausing occasionally to caress the bandage on his right wing, letting out a weak groan.

"…Try holding the pen and using it to press the buttons instead?" Ribbon suggested. Zero Two slowly widened his red eye.

"I must be an idiot for not thinking of that—thank you," Zero Two whispered, a hint of shame in his voice. He took the pen and started pressing the keys. Ribbon watched as he hit the backspace key, erasing the chaotic mess of numbers and letters on the screen.

"How did you know what that button was for?" Ribbon asked.

"Look, Ribbon. I may suck at life, but I'm not that foolish," Zero Two said, narrowing his eye. "But if you must know, I figured it out after accidentally pressing it."

"I never said you sucked at life—though, that's not entirely wrong," Ribbon retorted, instantly regretting her choice of words.

"Whatever," Zero Two rolled his eye and cleared the screen of his failed typing attempts. Ribbon decided to silently watch as he attempted to type again. The room felt eerily still, like the universe had reached its theoretical heat death, leaving only Ribbon, Zero Two, and the slow clicks of the pen on the keyboard.

I am sorry, said the screen.

Ribbon gasped softly, the words sinking in before she could fully process them. "No… no. You did well for someone with wings like that…"

I am sorry for the harm I have done to you, especially in the tournament. Zero Two typed slowly, then placed the pen down, lowering his head in shame.

"I…" Ribbon hesitated. On one hand, yes, he should have apologized for nearly killing her in the tournament; on the other hand, so should she.

The most unsettling part? This was the first sentence Zero Two had chosen to type. Not something simple like "Hello, I am Zero Two" or a basic test message, but something like this.

Sensing Ribbon's hesitation, Zero Two sighed and held the pen down on the backspace key, erasing his apology until the screen was blank once more.

"…Who saved you after you went down? Do you remember?" Ribbon whispered.

"A team of Waddle Dees. I gave them part of my second-place prize when I got it from Magolor," Zero Two replied, still fixated on the keyboard.

"That's good to know, I guess…" Ribbon felt a pang of guilt, realizing Zero Two had shown more gratitude than she had. After a heavy sigh, she said, "I shouldn't have called you a monster that day. And honestly, everything I did after that was just vile."

"…But I did ruin your life, one way or another," Zero Two muttered, setting the pen down again.

"Does that justify what I did?" Ribbon asked, her voice cracking despite her effort to stay composed.

"I guess it's… reasonable," Zero Two's voice was barely audible.

"Reasonable? We both almost died," Ribbon said, burying her face in her hands. Then, wanting to steer the conversation away, she added, "Just… type something else, I beg you."

"Okay," Zero Two replied in a flat tone. The quiet click of keys filled the room once more, and Ribbon held her breath, waiting for the next sentence—

Nag Kirby for his first-place coupons later or not? I want to see what stupid activities he'll drag us into.

"You know you got half as many prizes as he did, right?" Ribbon struggled to stifle her laughter at the absurdity of the request.

"But it's like a mystery box if we ask him," Zero Two remarked, rolling his eye slightly.

"The Queen will probably tell you not to, so no," Ribbon replied, watching as Zero Two returned to typing random phrases on the computer. Things like "This is a madman screaming silently, maybe I shall name it Madman Dairy," "No one can silence me even I don't have a physical mouth," and even "What should I eat for lunch?"

"Pfft," Ribbon finally burst out laughing, which earned a silent, annoyed glance from Zero Two. Just then, the Queen returned, carrying a pile of documents and two small boxes of cake.

Ribbon kept her growing list of questions about Zero Two's sudden desire to learn how to use a computer to herself, nibbling on her cake while watching him continue to ramble away on Meta Knight's old machine.

Chapter Text

Kirby hadn't seen Taranza in ages, and it was a relief to see the spider look so happy during their first face-to-face meeting since he'd helped stop Hyness' plan. Sure, they'd had a few phone calls, but it did not feel the same as seeing him in person.

Today, Kirby was still on his quest to distribute his tournament prize, and he had decided to take Magolor, Susie, and Taranza to Glacial Preserve Park in White Wafers—a beautiful snowland famous for its auroras. He had originally planned to invite Void, too, but both Ribbon and Zero Two strongly advised against it.

"Uh... it sounds unfair to all three of them, but I think maybe wait until Void has matured a bit if you want them to meet him," Ribbon had said. Kirby could still remember the hesitation in her voice from the other side of the phone—she even asked for Magolor's phone number after sharing her concern, apologizing several times.

Zero Two, who had been sleeping under Void's bed for a few days, expressed his thoughts more directly: "I know Ribbon and I aren't exactly stable mentors, but please, keep Magolor away from the kid. I'll tell Gooey to take care of Void while you're having fun," and then promptly returned to his place beneath the bed.

"Why do you and Ribbon distrust Magolor so much? He's reformed! He treated everyone well during the tournament!" Kirby remembered protesting, but Zero Two simply replied, "I'd rather kill myself than trust that tongueless snake again," unsettling Kirby.

Kirby puffed his cheeks slightly and refocused on the scenery before him, pushing the memory aside. Now, adorned in winter clothes, they stood at the entrance of Glacial Preserve Park. Taranza had even brought cups of warm flower tea for everyone.

"Thank you, Taranza!" Kirby chirped, holding the cup in his hands, savoring the warmth spreading through him.

"You're welcome, Kirby. Just remember to give me back the paper cup once you're finished. You won't want to harm this beautiful snow-and-ice wonderland, will you?" Taranza replied with a polite smile.

"And we'd be charged a lot of money if we just littered our cups," Magolor commented dryly before taking a sip.

"If they at least used proper technology to manage the resources here, then the fine would make sense," Susie added.

"Not every place needs technology, Susie!" Kirby raised his hand in mild protest, yet Susie shrugged it off. After an employee of the Glacial Preserve Park checked their coupons, they strolled along a cobblestone path. In this vast snowfield, there were only a few withered trees crowned with fresh snow, scattered igloos, and towering snowman sculptures built on simple tree branches.

Kirby was captivated by the breathtaking scenery, but memories crept in—those memories of his time searching for ship parts for Magolor in this very snowland. He chose not to mention the past. It would ruin the fragile beauty of the place.

Kirby reflected on why he had chosen these three to share his Glacial Preserve Park coupons. For Susie, it was because he wanted her to experience the raw beauty of nature, something she seemed to overlook; For Taranza, the spider who had spent most of his life in the kingdom atop the clouds, Kirby wanted him to see something entirely different from his usual surroundings.

But why Magolor? Magolor had experience traveling afar beyond Planet Popstar, and his stories of those traveling often changed during their heart-to-heart talks. The only thing Kirby was sure of was that Magolor had seen many beautiful places in his life, and compared to that, the snowy expanse of White Wafers might seem ordinary. So why White Wafers?

It had to be tied to those memories of helping Magolor, even if it had all ended in betrayal, right? Kirby mused, letting the cold wind wash over him.

"Mag, what do you think?" Just as Kirby was about to ask Magolor his thoughts on the scenery, Susie broke the silence, folding her arms.

"No, I still think Shiver Star suits you better," Magolor muttered under his breath, sipping his flower tea.

Suits her better? Kirby tilted his head, confused.

"Kirby, want to hear something unforgivable about these two silly creatures?" Taranza suddenly whispered as he snuck up behind Kirby with a mischievous grin. Kirby glanced at Magolor and Susie, who were now frantically shaking their heads and waving their hands.

"Let me guess!" Kirby raised his hand, trying to lighten the mood. "Uh... They secretly put something funny in my food during the tournament? Like, at the participant-only buffet?"

"Kirby, those exquisite desserts were from my royal kitchen. Magolor and I struck a deal," Taranza replied, but Kirby could notice something was off in the spider's eyes. Magolor, meanwhile, dramatically wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead.

"Oh! They were fantastic!" Kirby beamed, seizing the chance to steer the conversation away from meaningless gossip. "You've got to teach me how to make those macarons someday! I know you're busy ruling your kingdom, but even King Dedede finds time to relax. It'd be good for you, too!"

"Of course I relax! I am a being of culture, after all," Taranza said with a wide smile, smoothing his silver hair proudly. "And I'm the best pianist on Planet Popstar, am I not?"

"You cheat with six hands," Susie scoffed, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes. "Try playing with just two hands like the rest of us next time!"

"Dear Susie, that's where you misunderstand the essence of piano playing," Taranza replied with a mocking bow, "It's not just about hitting the right notes, but the performance, the strength of your hands, and—"

Magolor interrupted, narrowing his yellow eyes. "You have six hands, Taranza. Even if we understood all that subtlety, we wouldn't stand a chance."

"… Zero Two?" Susie whispered suddenly to Magolor. "His wings are shaped like giant hands. If we taught him..."

Zero Two? Kirby blinked.

"Uh... wouldn't his feathers damage the piano? They're strong enough to almost paralyze Ribbon with one hit... even though Ribbon is like, around half of my size…" Magolor responded, tilting his ears slightly.

"Oh? That angel of Dark Matter?" Taranza asked, intrigued. "You think his wings are made for piano playing?"

"His wings are huge!" Kirby stretched out his arms, trying to illustrate. "When he doesn't extend his red feathers, they look like palms with just three giant fingers. But when he does, they spread out like branches. They can even do melee damage like the Quad-Shock attack from my Ninja ability! Would that help him play the piano?"

"Kirby... try to imagine playing the piano with your Ninja katana—no, with six of your Ninja katanas—that's the image I'm getting," Taranza said with a wry smile. "But it's fine, because music is like a feast: even if you can't play it, you can still enjoy it."

"Exactly!" Magolor chimed in, pointing his finger at Susie. "I warned you this wouldn't end well. Just wait and see."

"Oh... now I have a vision," Susie chuckled softly. "That would be something beautiful. Want to bet on it?"

"That would be the tenth time you've wagered with me this month, Susie," Magolor replied with a shrug, ignoring her quiet "Come on!"

"How about we build some snowmen?" Kirby interjected, not entirely sure what in Dream Land the two were talking about, but eager to change the subject—partly to keep Taranza from gossiping any further.

"No! Kirby, you're not seriously asking these two... crafty mages to build snowmen, are you?" Susie raised her voice slightly, though Kirby couldn't tell whether she was teasing or annoyed. He glanced at Magolor and Taranza, who exchanged an excited, mischievous look. Then the words "crafty mages" clicked in his mind—Oh, they'd just build snowmen with their magic!

"I've got an idea, Susie," Kirby said, raising his tiny hand. "How about you pick one magician, and you give them the idea for your snow sculpture? Then they can bring your vision to life. I'll do the same with the other magician. Does that sound fun?"

"Oh... you mean Mag's power is mine to command?" Susie grinned. Magolor waved his hands, protesting, "Kirby! No! I don't want to build whatever Susie tells me to build!"

"Poyo? Why?" Kirby raised an eyebrow at the duo.

"Because, Susie... Look, Kirby, you know how Adeleine can bring her paintings to life, right?" Magolor explained patiently. "Imagine if one day, Adeleine's paintbrush came to life, and suddenly had its own opinions about art. That's the issue."

"You can always discuss your vision with Susie! That's the fun part," Kirby suggested, trying to picture what Magolor described. Instead, he imagined Ribbon in place of the paintbrush, and the two working things out after a friendly discussion, as how teamwork should've always been.

"But I'd just end up imagining something like my amusement park!" Magolor exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. Kirby, however, had already turned his attention to Taranza, eager to see how he would bring the imagination to life.

Magolor, if you want something different from your amusement park, why not embrace Susie's vision? Kirby thought.

"Kirby, remember, I can manipulate objects like puppets, yes?" Taranza smiled as he leaned toward Kirby, two of his hands spreading out as they emitted a dark purple glow. "But don't forget, I can also summon flowers at will. So, even though I'm not as powerful as Magolor in battle, when it comes to creating beauty? This is my domain. I want you to take full advantage of my flower power."

"Poyo... Would it be uncreative to suggest a garden made of snow flowers and real flowers?" Kirby pondered for a few seconds, rethinking his vision. Initially, he was going to ask Taranza to create a giant cake covered in buttercream, but Taranza's words gave him pause.

"Why not start with your original idea?" Taranza dispelled his magic with a graceful gesture, as if his hand alone could summon a city as grand as Raisin Ruins.

"A cake so tall it makes King Dedede's castle look small by comparison!" Kirby declared with enthusiasm, stretching his arms wide. But then his tone grew a bit more serious. "How would you use flower power in our snow-building?"

"Let's start with the base of this cake, shall we?" Taranza said, releasing a pink-purple aura and spinning a regiment of spider silk like a yo-yo, accumulating snow onto it. The snowball gradually grew larger. "Tell me, Kirby. What flavor would you like the cake to be?"

Meanwhile, faint sounds of an argument drew Kirby's attention. He turned around to find an irritated Susie tearing down a snow mansion with her bare hands, shouting: "This is not up to Haltmann Works Company standards!" Magolor stood nearby, holding his head in stunned silence.

"Kirby?" Taranza called gently, the base of the cake now complete—it resembled one of the older designs of Dedede's castle, during the time Dark Matter family still posed a major threat to the galaxy.

"Po-poyo! I want a strawberry cake as always!" Kirby turned back, grinning.

"Oh... no wonder Ribbon brought you one that first day we gathered at Dream Palace..." A hint of grief slipped into Taranza's smile.

"She's thoughtful, right?" Kirby noticed the fleeting sadness but kept his usual cheerful tone. Taranza is thinking about Sectonia again, isn't he?

"I'll use vines for the buttercream decorations and flowers to represent strawberries. Petals for white chocolate chips, and the light snow as frosting on top," Taranza spoke confidently, his many hands forming a purple magic circle as he discreetly wiped away the hint of grief from his smile.

Vines spiraled up the snow-castle base, pink flowers blooming along the branches, while glowing petals drifted through the air. With a dramatic flourish, like the grand final note of a symphony, Taranza waved his hands, and the petals settled on the cake, forming an elegant artificial flower crafted from the remnants of other flowers, atop the snowy masterpiece.

"Oh no, we're outmatched! Taranza's cheating again with his six-handed magic circles!" Magolor groaned, holding his head in exaggerated exasperation. Kirby turned to see the cityscape that Magolor and Susie had created: a sprawling city of snow and ice, skyscrapers lining an icy river with fluffy clouds—supported by Magolor's purple magic energy—hovering above the snow-concrete forest. Kirby searched for a Haltmann Works Company logo—this was Susie's vision, after all—but found none.

"You two did a great job too, poyo!" Kirby cheered, trying to lift Magolor's spirits. He glanced at Susie, who silently stared at the snowy city, her expression unreadable.

"Perhaps you're right, Shiver Star does suit me better," murmured Susie. Before Kirby could fully process her words, she turned with smiling eyes. "Taranza, I must admit, you've surprised me with this new use of your flower magic."

"I have Kirby to thank for giving me such a simple yet interesting idea!" Taranza beamed, gently patting Kirby on the head. Kirby returned the gesture with a warm smile.

"A flowered cake... hmm, that sounds like a profitable addition to the menu at Merry Magoland," Magolor mused, tilting his ears curiously at the sight.

Susie's gaze lingered on the cake before she spoke again, her voice softer, more distant. "We each have different visions of building something so beautiful, it could wash away our sins and take us to another paradise... No, Kirby, I wasn't talking to you." Her words stirred a memory in Kirby, reminding him of that tearful night when Susie had vented about her company's failed conquests.

"Your new QC supervisor might not share that ideal," Magolor muttered under his breath, seemingly in response to Susie.

QC supervisor? Kirby wondered, puzzled by the unfamiliar term. And who will work for Susie?

"He'll come around," Susie said, with a rare hint of hopefulness in her tone.

As the night deepened, the aurora danced across the sky, casting its glow on the flowered snow cake and the sprawling snow and ice city. To Kirby, the aurora seemed to freeze their creations in time, elevating them to eternal works of art—an icy time capsule illuminated by the shimmering lights.

Kirby snapped several photos of the sculptures, some with the group, some without. He sent the pictures to Ribbon and Zero Two, hoping they might see what he saw—that the likes of Magolor, too, were capable of creating something refined and beautiful. Perhaps, he thought, it wouldn't hurt to trust him just a little more.

As Kirby made his way home, his phone buzzed with two new messages, each arriving separately.

From Zero Two: Oh... I see. Something beautiful?

From Ribbon: Why did Susie build that city from Shiver Star?

The following art is me imagining what Kirby's diary entry would be for that day.

Chapter Text

Zero Two crammed himself into his tiny seat as the new QC supervisor, typing out the report with a pen—like how Ribbon had taught him—while glancing at the handwritten notes from the meeting.

"Sir, may I ask… why do you type like this?" asked a nervous Plugg in a suit, his personal assistant at Haltmann Works Company.

"My computer will break if I use my hands," Zero Two said dryly, still poking the keys with his pen.

"We could customize one for you, if you'd prefer. This is, uh… not ideal. Pardon me for being blunt," the Plugg said, lowering her head.

Zero Two glanced at her, and turned back to his screen. "I don't mind my assistant roasting my terrible tech skills all day. How else would I know where to improve?"

She blinked, confused by his tone, and stood there without saying a word.

He sighed, breaking the silence. "I mean I don't mind the blunt part. Do I seem like a supervisor who enjoys being surrounded by sycophants to you?"

"Then I would definitely recommend having the Materials Science team customize something for you," the Plugg replied.

"...Uh, just use the newest Mecha Knight prototype's armor. The second layer. That part was harder to break, so I guess it's usable," Zero Two recalled the earlier session where he'd "tested" the prototypes, trying his best not to think about the atrocities Susie had inflicted on Meta Knight.

"That would be our newly developed oxyfluoride nitride alloy, Sir," the Plugg said, noticing Zero Two's frown at the term. She quickly added, "Don't… don't worry about the name. We have an index for that."

"Evening, Plugbecca. Evening, Zero Two," Susie greeted as she approached with a tablet in hand. Wait—it's around 4 p.m. already? Zero Two glanced at the clock on the wall, fifteen minutes left until the deadline of his daily report.

Zero Two was relieved to hear Susie call his assistant by name—Plugbecca. He'd been relying on eye contact to communicate with her all day, dodging the awkwardness of not remembering her name.

"Evening, Susie!" Plugbecca replied, her tone noticeably more casual than when addressing Zero Two.

"Evening," Zero Two muttered, raising his handwritten notes in acknowledgment as he briefly met Susie's gaze. But she stepped around him, observing him poke at his keyboard with the pen.

"I'm honestly amazed you managed to type eight hundred words like this," Susie whispered, a hint of suppressed laughter in her voice as she watched his unusual method. Zero Two tried not to take her tone as a mockery, or else he knew he might say anything to armor his pride and regret those words later.

"Right? That's why I suggested customizing a computer for Mr. Zero Two, Susie," Plugbecca chimed in, her expression reminding Zero Two of how Bandana Waddle Dee would nervously advise King Dedede on his diet.

"I can't just hand you this, can I?" Zero Two said dryly, lifting his handwritten notes again. Susie tilted her head.

"May I take a look?" she asked, extending her hand. Zero Two handed over the notes and watched as she scanned them.

"Your handwriting is surprisingly neat for an ex-galaxy conqueror," Susie muttered nonchalantly.

"I'm going to assume you're implying Magolor has atrocious handwriting," Zero Two narrowed his single eye.

"Magolor's is neat, too," Susie replied, handing the note back. "But don't you think a tablet would work better for you?"

"Uh... I know a tablet is like an electronic notebook. If I write my reports on it, will that be acceptable?" Zero Two asked, eyeing the tablet in Susie's hand.

"The software in our tablets converts handwriting into typed text. With your acceptable writing, it'll work flawlessly," Susie explained, demonstrating by writing the word "Prosperity" on her tablet, which instantly transformed into neatly typed text.

"Understood," said Zero Two.

"Susie, I'll head to the storage for a tablet, shall I?" Plugbecca called from the doorway. Susie gave a brief nod, and Plugbecca was gone.

"See you at 4:30. You'll need some time to get used to the tablet," Susie waved dismissively and left the room, not waiting for a reply. Zero Two returned to poking the keyboard with his pen.

Sure, he'd start learning the tablet when Plugbecca returned, but for now, he wanted to push the limits of Ribbon's idea of using a pen.

His mind drifted back to Plugbecca's quick tutorial when she returned. She had spent only two minutes before leaving him to transfer the handwritten content onto it himself. And yet, the concept of a tablet—a modern, electronic notebook—felt oddly comforting.

As if, in this new world of technology and his life in exile, the tablet was the one thing welcoming him, opening its arms to him. The touch of holding a pen in his massive hand gifted him a sense of control, as he at least had a say in the emotions behind those strokes.

It was 7:45 p.m. when Zero Two finally returned to his employee dorm, carrying his suitcase and a dinner box. The reason for his late checkout was largely due to Plugbecca's technology lesson, which followed his report to Susie. The lesson, however, had been unexpectedly interrupted by Susie herself.

"Plugbecca, if Zero Two has overtime duty, I'd prefer he does something productive rather than things he can learn from our manual. I'm paying him to work, not to be a student," he recalled Susie's slightly exasperated tone. Plugbecca had quickly apologized to both of them before cutting the lesson short.

Zero Two surveyed the dorm. A single room with a bed, a clean desk, and an empty bookshelf—simple, yet exactly what he'd envisioned for his personal space. A small part of him felt pleased by the sight, though he couldn't help but wonder how Susie had understood his preference for such minimalism. But then he tried imagining how Magolor might've arranged it if the traitorous mage were his employer. In that alternative scenario, he might have received an overly large room cluttered with too many gadgets.

He placed his suitcase on the bed and the dinner box on the desk before switching on the warm light of the room. As he slowly stripped off his black suit, his eyes wandered to the bandages wrapped around both his right wing and his white tail—reminders of the battle with Ribbon. The wounds, inflicted when she matched his desperate madness with her own, would take time to fully heal.

Sitting down, he opened the lid of the dinner box and began absorbing the expensive food, hardly registering its taste. He turned on his phone to check for missed calls. Two appeared: one from the Queen of Ripple Star, and the other from Dark Matter Blade.

He decided to return Blade's call first, dialing the number. But after several rings, there was no answer. Perhaps Blade was still busy with chores, or he had called during a brief break. Zero Two sighed heavily and ended the call.

He dialed the Queen, and this time she answered quickly.

"Little Zero Two! Is it your turn to do chores in your apartment today?" the Queen asked gently, though he could detect a hint of concern in her voice.

Oh, right. No one shall know about my exile—except my own kin. Not even you.

"Yes. Sorry I didn't pick up earlier. Is this... about the afternoon tea party invitation?" Zero Two replied, guilt weighing on him both for not answering sooner and for lying, as heavy as the never-healed wound atop his head.

"Yes, but I understand. You're always a dutiful clan member, no matter what Zero says," the Queen reassured him. Her comforting words felt like a knife twisting in his heart, reminding him of Zero's parting words during the exile: "From now on, your name will be synonymous with treachery in the clan."

"...I'm far from dutiful, at least compared to Ribbon," Zero Two whispered, putting down the spoon he wasn't really using. "I suppose you're lucky to have her as the Crystal's wielder… That bloodline is almost extinct in your species, after all."

"I'm grateful I met her that day in the rain... Oh, perhaps we should leave this for another time. I need to focus on my work later, and I'd rather do it without tearful eyes," the Queen said with a wry, sorrowful tone.

"I'm sorry for bringing it up," Zero Two said regretfully. I nearly wiped out a sacred bloodline... again, during that tournament. "Uh... How is she?"

"Aside from occasional fatigue, she's doing well. She did mention your absence this afternoon, though," the Queen replied, softening her sorrow with a gentle chuckle.

"Tsk," Zero Two rolled his eye, picturing Ribbon's rant while Kirby blissfully enjoyed a strawberry cake. Yet such an image offered one of the rare moments, he felt more like a living being rather than a dead man walking in exile, or a to-be cog in a cooperative machine.

"Hehe, don't worry. She only complained a little. Relationships always have their ups and downs," the Queen said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Oh, we definitely have ups and downs—mostly downs like Magolor's roller coaster," Zero Two's sarcasm slipped out, though he knew it might trouble the Queen.

"It's been getting better, hasn't it? Like that dinner trip," the Queen continued, ignoring his self-deprecating remark. "Even after everything, she stayed with you on the boat. I know you had other friends there, but my point still stands. That's progress."

"She spent most of the time leaning against Adeleine. I doubt that had anything to do with our relationship improving," Zero Two muttered, lowering his head.

"Pfft," the Queen laughed softly. Then, she asked, "Is there anything I can help you with? Or do you want to talk about your recent daily life?"

"It's fine. Blade is learning how to cook," Zero Two lied smoothly, masking his true exile status. "I guess it's good for him to learn something besides swordplay."

"Oh! Would you ever bring him here? Blade seems like a decent kid... Is he young enough for me to call him a 'kid'?"

Why does my lie always come back to bite me? He signed inwardly.

"I'll have to ask him. He's more interested in stalking King Dedede, as far as I know," he said, using this known truth to cover the lie.

"I see. Well, it's totally up to him," the Queen replied, but Zero Two could sense her disappointment.

"I know," Zero Two whispered. "I guess that's all for now. I... I should finish my dinner box. So, see you."

"Oh! I'm sorry! See you, little Zero Two," the Queen said nervously, and he hung up as soon as she finished.

He picked up the spoon to finish his dinner box when his phone buzzed again—this time, a message from an unknown number:

"From (Unknown Number):

Please forgive my informality, Mr. Zero Two. This is Plugbecca, your assistant at Haltmann Works Company! Since Susie mentioned you don't have a personal computer outside of work, I thought messaging you directly would be more convenient.

First off, don't forget to read the manual! And feel free to reach out with any questions. It covers everything from data security to lab protocols. Oh, and be sure to clean yourself thoroughly before entering the testing area—technician Waddle Dee will demand I buy him a drink again if any contamination issues come up, haha.

Secondly, while it's not your main responsibility to memorize all the technical jargon, you're welcome to apply for a Haltmann Library card if you're interested. The collection there is even bigger than the one King Dedede set up at the Royal Library, thanks to some generous sponsors.

Lastly, welcome to Rhythm Route! I know you're from Cookie Country, so navigating the city must be a bit tricky. I've attached maps, including the MRT routes, a guide to local restaurants, and more. Oh, and if you're interested, we have karaoke sessions every Friday night—Susie is a big fan, by the way.

Once again, glad to have you on board as our new supervisor!

Best,

Plugbecca"

Hmm. What a diligent lady, Zero Two thought as he saved Plugbecca's number in his phone. He quickly typed a response:

"From Zero Two:

This is Zero Two. Thank you, I've received your message. I'm not sure if Miss Susie mentioned it, but I was once a war criminal, so forgive me if I operate a little differently from my predecessor. I'll do my best to become a capable supervisor once I figure out all these new systems."

After finally finishing the dinner box, Zero Two placed the books packed by Zero onto the empty shelves and began his laundry. Later, he spent two hours reading the manual and taking notes. Just as he was starting to settle into his solitary routine, his phone buzzed again.

Oh, now who is it? He sighed, contemplating answering in Susie's professional tone just for the irony. But when he saw the name on the screen, any desire for such mockery vanquished.

It was Ribbon.

Wait, why is she calling me directly instead of going through the Queen?

"Zero Two speaking," he answered cautiously.

"…The King told me Blade isn't learning how to cook," Ribbon's voice came through, calm but strained. "Why would you lie to the Queen?"

Right. Blade sneaks off to Dedede's castle sometimes… would he let slip that I'm in exile?

"Did Dedede ask him directly?" Zero Two deflected. "If so, Blade probably didn't admit it. He actually tried cooking rice today, but, well… he burnt it."

"How do you even burn rice?" Ribbon sounded genuinely puzzled.

"Bad rice-to-water ratio," Zero Two quipped.

"But… don't you mainly live on takeout? You've told the Queen before that your clan's best culinary effort is instant noodles. And when you get seafood from Onion Ocean, you just boil it. Am I wrong?"

Oh no, the lie's unraveling.

"Look, Ribbon. That cursed tournament changed a lot of people. Blade included," Zero Two pressed on, sticking to his story. "He's trying to find life beyond violence, and that takes courage. Give him some credit."

The silence on the other end told him she wasn't buying it.

"I'm still not convinced, but now I'm more curious why you're lying in the first place," Ribbon finally replied, guarded.

"What doesn't add up? People change, Ribbon. Even you…" Zero Two felt his voice falter slightly.

"Did I?" Ribbon's tone remained tense.

"At least you didn't open this conversation by threatening to make me relive the day my conquest failed," Zero Two admitted, knowing full well he was manipulating her guilt to cover his own dishonesty.

"Right. So now you're into computers, Blade's suddenly a cook, and what now? Zero's taken up gardening? If that happens, I expect a picture." Ribbon's sarcasm stung, a mirror of his own deflections coming back at him, like a phantom in his own form.

"I'll give it a try—assuming Zero doesn't swing his watering can at me," Zero Two shot back, though the humor faded quickly as the remark dredged up memories of the punishments Zero once dealt him.

"…I'm glad for you," Ribbon whispered, her tone quiet and hard to read.

"Huh?" Zero Two blinked, his single eye widening in surprise.

"I mean, if you and Blade really are trying to explore life beyond violence, as you claimed… then I'm glad," Ribbon continued, seemingly irritated by the need to explain such feelings to him. Then an awkward silence filled the gap between them, thick and lingering.

"…I'm hanging up." Ribbon finally broke the stillness, her voice flat before the line went dead. Zero Two didn't have time to respond before she was gone.

"Tsk." He set the phone aside and returned to the manual, though his concentration had clearly left him. He told himself it was the exhaustion from the tournament and the weariness of exile—but not Ribbon's call.

"From Zero Two:

Blade, I saw that you called. I'm sorry I didn't answer in time. But I need to ask a favor—can you pretend you're learning how to cook? I used that as a cover when lying to others about my exile. I know lying isn't exactly your thing, but I'm asking you to do this for me, just one more time. I know I was a horrible second-in-command, but please.

Next time, try calling after 6 p.m. if you can. Stay strong. And forgive me.

—Zero Two"