DISCLAIMER: I do not own Kirby or anything related to the Kirby game series. Kirby and any and all related characters are the property of Nintendo and HAL Laboratory. All characters that are listed do not belong to me. All OCs are of my own creation.

*Note: A.D.W. is After Dee War, the conclusion of the first world war between the Dees and puffballs.

PROLOGUE: Out of the Ashes

The world of dreams had finally overcome the nightmare. The world of Pop Star was a hostile place wherever one went. The calming winds of peace was finally lost to the looming storms of war and now the natural order was restored. The Great DeDeDe War had finally come to an end when the hostilities ceased. A truce did not mean that the dust had just settled. The dictatorships that ruthlessly governed both nations were formerly destroyed by the hands of their own people and discarded into the ashbin of history. Their rights as citizens were not being safeguarded and had to install guards for their future security with their consent. But they were soon reorganized under a new leadership. Peace was but a fleeting memory. The war still took its emotional toll on millions of innocents. From *A.D.W. 1984 to A.D.W. 1994, the world long remembered the epic struggle in the history books.

The world was devastated by the growing power struggles of Amerikirb and DeDessia that ravaged much of the planet for over ten years. No longer were they interested in regaining the world-spanning empires like those of the ancient times. Having been emasculated by overextending resources, facing numerous internal political blunders that contested with their constitutions, and dealing with numerous casualties, both sides had to call a draw. The war criminals had to face justice by what remained left of the international community. The elites had waged a campaign of extermination against the undeserving masses that was of their own making. Civilization regressed into the dark ages in a matter of a few years, people reduced to a state of barbarians and animals. Many puffballs, descended from the legendary star warrior known in the myths as Kirby, and Waddle Dees who descended from the mysterious warrior Bandana Dee, saw each other as enemies when their ancestors were once friends. Both races saw themselves as worthy of the mantle of godhood descended by the ancients. That was what supposedly lead to open conflict, until they forgot what they fought about. Now, what justified their superiority over all of the races was based by genetic pseudoscience. They had many unsolved grievances. Anyone who tried to reach across the aisle was openly harassed and suppressed. Eventually, it took a while until both races had reconciled. The gods were unsatisfied with the fact that there were unbelievers still around.

When many looked to religion and superstition as solutions, others chose to pursue the goal of scientific inquiry. By pursuing the goal of progress, their developments caught the wind of government bureaucrats interested in their visions and bold inventions. The elites were willing to oblige and provide grants for their success. Nothing was developed for free. As people always believed in Dream Land, dreams could become a reality. But that was not always true.

Those with the most money in the world, being the business leaders, cared not for the suffering of the oppressed groups. Some of the magnates were willing to advance their preferred causes like promoting entrepreneurship and lower taxes. Others were far more scrupulous. They were willing to do anything that turned a profit. Even war. The greedy arms manufacturers of the past were still more than happy to grease the oil of their new war machines with the blood of the proles. They fattened themselves with the luxurious profits stolen from their owners, even extolling the richest and scrupulous individuals as models for society. Their profit margins were cut off by the devastation of the DeDeDe War, so they financed the cleanup to save face with the people. The ruling classes remained comforted through the storm while the rest of the masses starved in the shantytowns with nothing less to shield themselves from the rain. The environment was devastated with the climate being altered by the devastation. When several super weapons had detonated over the atmosphere, blanketing the planet in radioactive dust, much of the global population was displaced and begging for foreign aid. People were starving. Calls for a post-industrial age brought promises of change for the majority of people. Unfortunately, that hope for reform never came. Barbarism reclaimed the land. Feudal lords were still present in many areas. Illiteracy was very common, and people remained very uneducated. There was the implication that the masters of the country who were all in the public eye and visible to the public were not the real power, but there was a power behind the throne. Rumors of the machinations of secret cabals and conspiracies were growing. Some suspected that the elites of the world they had made deals with the nefarious Nightmare, the devil himself. Other believed they just wanted power for the sake of power. They didn't just decide to sell their souls, but the souls of the masses. Other theories were purely economic. The theories were dismissed as speculations.

By A.D.W. 1991, rampant consumerism was worrying those who cared about their safety. When public rage against the governments of Pop Star had reached a boiling point, there was a push by the uneducated masses to take over the markets and workers pushed pressure on business owners to transfer ownership of industry. The elitists were united in their hatred. Much of the war technology were contracted over from decaying rogue states into the hands of private companies. The largest one and most well-known conglomerate no doubt was simply known as NME, or it was derided with the acronym NightMare Enterprises by its many opponents. They assumed that the devil himself was behind its reckless abuses, even personified it. Governments were installed by its help. The leadership of its board of directors acted almost like a de-facto corporate government in its structure and function. Even it had company towns and vast international development projects. Its CEO even held sway over entire governments, with shares in the international stock market and millions of satisfied customers. It now even is attempting to establish a vast private army to provide security. Known by some for its notoriously shady business practices in weapons manufacturing, unethical experiments, and deals with dictators, NME's highly effective PR machine affirmed otherwise, claiming that it provided many with lasting jobs and economic security. The contradictions were becoming too great to many people, so they decided to take matters into their own hands and sabotage and even attack company personnel. Revolution was inevitable, but the demands that were accomplished were only reluctant half-measures.

NME's clientele and favorship with many governments made it the target of war-resisters. With much of the world devastated by the war, like it was in the anarchic past, those with the most guns held the most sway over whoever had the best ideas for how to govern the people. Business owners were willing to roll back unnecessary regulations to help the economy grow.

Others saw themselves as gods and were willing to go back to the age of kings. Both nations wanted economic self-sufficiency and stopped trading with nations that rejected their rule. Imperialist domains were growing increasingly difficult to maintain and levy taxes without the consent of the people, so the leadership decided to throw out the middle-man altogether.

The age of kings soon returned to Dream Land, with republics and democracies being thrown out. Power rested in the hands of the royal family, claiming that they were descended from the royal bloodline and that were appointed by the gods themselves to right the world according to how they saw fit. Partisan issues were destabilizing and factionalizing, yet the alternative of letting a single entity rule with a specifically established line of succession was seen as a positive good for the common people. The king as the figurehead placed his regards as the only ones worth discussing and allowed for reforms at his consent under a benevolent rulership. Others saw the transition as backward and ultimately dangerous for the world. With freedom of the press allowed in the newly developed monarchist governments, opponents published reports of the abuse of power made by those in power allied with the royal government. Alternative Puffballist and Deeist literature flourished. Fears of tyranny by reformers escalated into protests and eventually downright assaults and murders.

A radical anti-royalist movement made up of all races known by their opponents as the Dethroners had resistance cells all around the country, destined to destroy all kings, sabotage their gatherings, and undermine their institutions by any means necessary. Others resorting to boycotts and obstructing mandatory recruitment were destined to take matters into their own hands, with few even being executed for attacking business owners and blowing up churches.

Anyone who sympathized with the Dethroner movement was left unemployed and shunned. Those who rejected the will of the religious elites were seen as nihilistic and anarchistic who desired no order in their lives. Political parties were reluctantly allowed to exist by the elites.

The age of peace was short lived, bringing an age of scientific discovery and the exploration of natural resources. The age-old empires still sought for new markets and mutual cooperation with their allies. Suddenly, everything fell apart when tragedy struck on the gulf coastal city of Orbranen. A drone bombing attack on Amerikirban-allied oil shipping tankers by drone in the gulf led some to believe that these were the first step in a war that was bound to happen. They were the fault of the rogue nation of DeDenidea, a newly formed monarchy established in A.D.W. 1997. The third world war was destined to break out inevitably. The peace conference failed on A.D.W. 1999 when an attack on the peace summit by an unknown assailant and war was declared soon after. Both key belligerents were building up their military. Amerikirb, the ancients' supposedly destined nation ruled primarily by puffballs, was powerless to stop it. Its other formal rival, DeDessia ruled primarily by Dees, also could not bring the world to the negotiating table. Both states were relegated to the status of a third world country on the planet. The two belligerents were accused of wanting world domination. Poponia and DeDenidea both possessed weapons of mass destruction that threatened peace and weren't afraid to use them to preserve their empires. The leaders could not calm to their senses. They were driven to expand their armies and invest more in advanced technology.

The newly crowned King D6, his formal name being King Dededenos of DeDenidea, or amusingly called Dededededede, was trusted as a hero for the people, a good king who knew how to govern and vowed to escape the fate of his predecessors. The other five kings, heralding from a long tradition of inbreeding, were especially cruel to their people. Feudalism was formally abolished to signal a transition toward economic freedom. Ethnic tensions in the Eulropean regions erupted over emancipation for the oppressed Waddle Dees and Cappies decided to formally grant them rights and protections. He was welcoming to them, despite being a penguin himself. Without a son to rule in his place, he was desperate for loyalty and courted with a female Waddle Dee from another empire to gain their favour. He himself was perceived as an enlightened despot by the puffball race. Poponian ultranationalists were outraged by this royal edict and decided to attack the establishment. The nation was attacked by a series of bombings against the structures of a developing parliament. The King had no choice and decided to suspend parliament and declare martial law. Puffballs were seen as traitors. They had to take an allegiance of loyalty to the DeDenidean empire or face death.

The other leading rival nation, known as Poponia, rather than being ruled by absolute monarchy, elected to have a parliamentary monarchy based off of Great Brikirb with clearly defined rules. The Poponian Parliament was governed by democratic principles. By A.D.W. 1997, they had the largest empire in the world. It also had the strongest military, even eclipsing Amerikirb by the time of its establishment and reclaiming the territory that rightfully belonged to them. The puffballs were perceived as oppressed and given rights. Waddle Dees were seen as traitors. DeDenidean-sympathetic forces were affronted by this edict and took to the streets in protest. Its approach to the world was based on blood oaths and religious piety. Whoever was descended from royal Poponian blood was allowed all of the benefits of privilege in the family, including political and economic favoritism, even through intermarriage.

The country was very conservative in its uprising, extolling the virtues of the nation as great.

The royal servants of the crown were mostly often Waddle Dees who had to renounce their allegiance to the King of DeDenidea. The empire extolled puffballs as superior to the Dees in every way. Dees and other races from the empire were allowed to serve in the royal military.

The death penalty was enacted to ensure that their power held sway, without being absolute.

Both sides were allied with the nefarious criminal underground and many terrorist networks.

The economic forces, the exploitative bloodsuckers and plutocrats, were destined to corrupt them. The two leading empires were growing quickly bound to conflict with one another.

Many people were exiled or fled to other countries for protection from total annihilation.

The war between the two sides had broken out. Both were demanding a lot from their people.

There was no middle ground. The war had gone on for far too long.

When the war had broken out, the Star Warrior Defense Force, being an elite international military defense force made exclusively of puffballs that was tasked with upholding security and ensuring world peace, was forced to side with Poponia. After a series of failures by the membership to rout an effective resistance force against the enemy forces, it was soon dissolved by the new ruling government for fear of reprisal by its own members. Destined Providence, a group of the six most elite Star Warriors on the planet, had mysteriously disappeared for reasons unknown. Poponia as well as Dedenidea now relied on mercenaries. Without them for backup, the war effort would effectively be hopeless.

The world had lost its heroes. Now new ones had to take up the mantle.

It was nightfall in the Poponian Capital of Popoken. The Poponian war effort was going badly.

Prime Minister Poporen, the well-groomed head of the Poponian government and head of the Poponian Business Party, was surprised by what was happening. Poll numbers in support of the war effort were plummeting. The war was going badly for his side shortly after being personally appointed by the Queen to run the country. His party was losing seats to his rivals in the Poponian Labor Party and the war coalition was faltering. Being a purebred elitist, he was especially mad at how the country that his forefathers fought for was now demanding greater government control over industry. He resided comfortably in his fancy chair, smoking his pipe, as he was reading a copy of the latest news from his favorite newspaper, The Daily Puffball, bought out by the press barons to publish any coverage that was favorable to him. He hoped to get his spirits up. His great speech to the nation was tomorrow. He better not screw it up. The nation needed him most of all to be motivated to fight against the enemy.

He twiddled his aged mustache with great interest in the developing conflict. He was well informed on the issues at hand, speaking with a posh attitude typical of the upper class to his personal servant Dee. This Dee was able to speak in the Poponian language rather fluently. His kind was known for their strong work ethic and smart deduction skills.

"My paper, good sir."

The front page of the news bulletin read at the top: LATEST ATTEMPT TO RETAKE GREEN GREENS ENDS IN DISASTER! The disaster on the Euelropean front was devastating. A major defeat for the Poponian forces cost at least 1,200,000 troops either wounded or killed. Their defenses of their allies at Buterington proved fruitless from the enemy's new innovative maneuvers. Now, D6's forces were right on their doorstep. It was suspected that Poponia would be under attack within a week. There were numerous starving refugees pouring into the country. Yesterday's demonstration against him proved especially dire with crowd violence and the death of five bystanders. The radical mass action Anti-Empire League even vowed to stall the economy to get his party out of the lead. He only had to take command of the issue.

"Hmmm...I see!"

"We have the Poponian high command here ready to talk with you, Mister Prime Minister."

"Send them in!"

"Right away Mister Prime Minister!" He gladly opened the door.

"Alright! Come in gentlemen!" He rose from his chair to await his presiding generals. Three puffballs entered the room.

"Mister Poporen. I have bad news. Reports from-"

"I know. We're cooked, I say! But we have something they don't have! And that is the iron will of justice!"

"With all due respect, enough pontificating, Poporen. You're not at a business meeting, sir! We're down to our last few battalions. We're now on the defensive and are only a countryside away from being bombarded off the map. Green Greens needs to be retaken. If you don't get this right, we're through! And we'll find a replacement for you! Remember, you're the one in command of our armed forces here. Our empire is dying! You fiddled while Rosevania burned! We have one option left!"

"Where the hell are the rest of the generals?!" There had to be at least six of them.

"They're all dead! Enemy spies done em' in just a few hours ago! Right in their own headquarters! Here are the pictures." They were utterly indescribable. The confidential images were not yet leaked by the opposing newspapers that would blame him for the deaths.

"We need you to give the go-ahead to initiate the protocol Operation Smash Brothers. This will activate Galaxy Squad and will allow the military to remain in control of all operations with your approval effective immediately. These puffs are among the best of the best to test with our newest weapons. Hopefully, they alone can turn the tide of the war in our favor. They just need one more candidate added to their ranks needing your approval. I think you need it."

"What is Galaxy Squad?! Why haven't I been informed about this candidate?"

"That's classified. Anyway, here's what we have in our records about this character."

"Who?" He was handed a picture of the pink puffball. He looked rather intimidating.

"Pinkobashi. Nicknamed the Pink Blur. Formerly member of the group Destined Providence. Age 30. Rank Corporal. Height 5'8. Skin color pink. He's living here at a home here in the boroughs right by the capital. We have to get to him before Dedenidea and his spy ring does!"

"What if I don't want to? There must be other options!?"

"He was the only one out of 6,000 possible candidates that we selected from our best men. We have no other options. Without this guy, we're screwed. We don't want our project ruined."

"It's your decision!"

"Just get me Pinkobashi! I can't take it anymore!" It was shortly decided.

"Thank you, sir. Your nation is very proud of you." They performed the Poponian royal salute.

"Can I meet him?" The rest of the elites shook their heads in dismay. "No. That's confidential. We haven't scheduled a meeting."

"We have dispatched Alexander as part of our search-and-retrieval mission. He's our best man for the job."

"Fine. You're welcome."

Suddenly, a masked Poponian soldier was standing there right by the office. One could not tell his allegiance outright. He was closely listening to the conversation from the hallway by the door. He watched the three generals exit the room without them noticing. Luckily he was disguised as a soldier on guard duty. There were reports of some guards being killed by anti government revolutionaries but they didn't know it was he himself that infiltrated the palace. There was no use trying to kill the Prime Minister or his servant Dee. He had no chance. He had more important things to take care of. The generals were followed on their way to enter the PC-7 royal military transport plane at a nearby airport as it prepared to take off. He went up to it to affix a small black tracking device on the side of the plane as its engines were starting to rev up. The plane had lifted off the runway and climbed into the dark skies. He knew where they were headed.

The trooper was satisfied by how successful the event was.

He answered the buzzing cell phone in his pocket. Somebody important was calling him.

"The deed is done, milord."

"Excellent work, my apprentice."