The spring day could be no more perfect. It was a delightful warm weather with the sun smiling down upon the citizens of Pupupu Village. The sky was cloudless to show the glorious cerulean color of mid-morning. The village glowed with its bliss, and every color was saturated pleasantly. The village people, known as the Cappys, had already started their day, filling the heart of the village with life and energy. People waved and made small talk. Children played under foot. Businesses opened their doors to start another great day of fulfilling work. Pupupu Village was the poster child for perfection. When it wasn't being attacked by demon hell spawn, of course. The villagers hadn't had to worry about demons for a few years now, and it was all thanks to one little pink hero. The defeat of the evil incarnate Nightmare had let the universe breath a collective sigh. Pupupu Village had been destroyed days before Nightmare was vanquished, and all of Dreamland might've gone with it if the pink hero Kirby hadn't stood up to the wrathful god. The citizens had rejoiced at his death, and rebuilt Pupupu Village from the ground up, making it better then the last one. Life was bliss.

Following the road and up the hill stood proud the palace of Pupupu Village's ruler. He wore the title of King, but others would be quick to describe him as a Dictator. Before the end of Nightmare, the less than regal King Dedede had rained hell upon his people in order to bring about the death of the universes savior. Thankfully, the King was not the brightest star in the sky, and failed to realize with each demon Kirby defeated, it just made him a stronger warrior. Now with Nightmare gone, King Dedede had shifted to less of a threat, and more of a nuisance. He would shout and berate his people for little and unimportant things just because he could, but if you swatted a broom at him a few times, King Dedede would grow annoyed and leave. Despite his high authority, he did not use it well.

Today, one could find the King slumped in his throne with a bored expression clearly etched his features. The throne room looked like any other throne room. A regal red carpet stretched from the grand oak door to his throne. Pillars of marble were symmetrically lined up on the east and west side of the room. The bright gold and plush green throne sat upon a slightly raised stage to give the appearance of a higher standing. The whole lock, stock, and barrel. His castle as well had been destroyed during Nightmares reign of hell, but it had been rebuilt by the Kings army of lackeys, the Waddle Dees. King Dedede had it rebuilt exactly the way before. Not a single stone was out-of-place. Except for one very important difference. His old demon transporter was nowhere to be seen. It had been destroyed the moment his castle was blown sky-high, and keeping it around was just not an option for the King. He missed being able to order demons. Not only did he enjoy seeing Kirby getting mashed and bashed, he just liked ordering monsters who would (mostly) obey what he said. Much different then the Cappys who ignored and disrespected him.

Slipping a gloved hand into his regal sleeve, King Dedede glanced at the door for a few moments before pulling out a tiny device. It was an old cell phone. Although this cell phones only use was to call the Holy Nightmare Corporation to order demons. He quickly flipped the phone opened, and pressed the power button. Just like the thousands of other times he had tried this over the years, the phone did not active. Only a black screen remained, which held a grumpy king in its reflection. This could be the last connection to any demon monsters, and the only thing standing in his way was a dead battery! King Dedede grunted and grumbled before jamming the phone back into his sleeve. One day he would get it to work.

And perhaps today would be that day. The only reason King Dedede had not left his throne room to entertain himself was because he was waiting for his very own partner in crime. The fat penguin king and slimy snail Escargon had decided that today they would get that phone to turn on, even if they had to drain Pupupu Village of power to do so! Little did they know that even if they got the phone to turn on, there would be no one behind the desk to answer them. But the King would not hear of it. He was determined that if Nightmares 'most loyal customer' called in, demons would trip over themselves to answer it. Ignorance is bliss, supposedly.

The King was ripped from his thoughts quite rudely when his lackey barged into the room. In his hand was a long black cord. He had a proud look upon his face and held his eye stalks high with pride. King Dedede shot out of his seat, and started stomping toward Escargon. Dr. Escargon is the correct title. In the years that Nightmare had fallen, Escargon had done some soul searching. While he would never leave the side of his majesty, Escargon had found a love in engineering and chemistry. Instead of using his skills, like before, to build crazy contraptions now and then to destroy Kirby, Escargon was now focusing his talents on, of all things, helping people. Even though he still acted like a huge jerk to people, he still offered his services. (For the right price.) Nothing major. He assisted the towns doctor now and then with medicines and treatments, and sometimes would help out the towns engineer fix up machinery. Escargon had even improved the condition of King Dededes limousine, making it more powerful in general.

But today, Escargon had used his skills to manufacture a charger for King Dededes dead cell phone. Seeing as the cell phone had no visible plug, the charger would connect to the battery inside the phone itself. If it even had a battery. King Dedede would not let anyone touch his precious phone, so Escargon could only guess and hope the phone had a battery.

The charger was ripped from Escargons hands unceremoniously, and the King examined every inch of it. He looked unimpressed. Nothing really impressed King Dedede anyways.

"Is this it?" He asked with malice. Escargon crossed his arms defiantly, and scowled.

"Bigger isn't always better, Sire." He replied while looking at the King and raising an eyebrow. The insult flew right over King Dededes head. "Once you plug the charger into the battery, then it'll work." He reached for the phone. "I just need to open up the phone-" King Dedede turned sharply from Escargon, and clutched his phone tightly in his sleeve. Escargon grunted. "Sire, do you want this to work or not?"

"Of course I do!" King Dedede barked. "But I'm not risking my phone being broken!" Escargon massaged his temples.

"But Sire, we even talked about the fact that I would need to open up the phone to get to the battery." Escargon replied. "And really, if that phone breaks from just the casing being opened, then it's a cruddy phone anyways." It almost looked like King Dedede was going to relinquish his phone, but that hope vanished when he started for the door to the throne room hastily.

"I'll...uh...have to think about it again!"

"But Sire!"

"Don't touch my phone!" Escargon tried calling out for King Dedede, but the penguin was out the door before he could speak the first syllable. So now he had no phone, and no cord. Escargon just stood facing the door, trying to understand what just happened. He finally sighed, deflating slightly.

"This is the fifth time he's done this." Escargon spat under his breath. It was the same song and dance each time. The King would tell Escargon to make something to make his phone work. Escargon would do just that. Then the King would run out of the room at the last possible second. Escargon understood why the King was so antsy about letting someone play with his phone, seeing as it was his last possible connection to ordering demon beasts, but he was so connected to it that there was absolutely no chance for anyone to help him get it to work. It was an endless cycle.

The snail headed for the door, deciding that that he needed a nap. Escargon opened the door, and slid outside the throne room. But he didn't make it more than a few inches before a spot of pink caught his eye a few feet away. It was sitting dazed on the floor with two children helping it regain its balance. Escargon snorted.

"Were you all spying on us?!" He shouted. "I expect this sneaky stuff from you two," He pointed to the children. "but from Kirby? I thought he was supposed to be the good guy." Escargon came to a quick conclusion that when Dedede threw the door open, he must've knocked a snooping Kirby backwards without realizing the little creature was there. It'd explain the bruise on Kirbys forehead, anyways. It was already beginning to heal, thanks to the quick healing abilities Star Warriors were gifted with. The girl put her hands on her hips defiantly.

"Escargon, we weren't spying! We were walking by when Kirby ran towards the throne room door! Then Dedede ran out in a hurry and knocked Kirby backwards!" She frowned angrily.

"I'll have you all thrown in the dungeon for lying!" He shouted back. "Respect our privacy! Didn't your parents ever teach you to respect our privacy!"

"Leave us alone, Escargon!" The girl demanded. "We're busy and don't have time for this!"

"I'll remember this!" Escargon replied while sliding away. "Don't spy on us again!" He turned a corner, and was out of sight. The young woman blew a strand of hair out of her face.

"Aw, just ignore him, Fumu." Fumus brother shouted. She sighed.

"I just can't believe that even after Kirby saved the universe, Escargon and Dedede still treat Kirby like he's a menace." Fumu replied to her brother. "One of these days, Bun, I swear I'm going to do something about it." Bun just shrugged.

"Whatever you say, sis." Now that Kirby was standing, the small pink creature was heading down the hallway like nothing had ever happened. "Hey Kirby, wait up!" Bun ran to catch up with Kirby. "Fumu, come on!"

"There's no need to run!" Fumu realized she was talking to an empty hallway. She rolled her eyes while jogging down the stone hallway. "Those two are so impatient!" She mumbled to herself.

Eventually, all three of the children made it outside the castle together, and were now running down the hillside past the Pupupu village. Their destination was a large canyon. The mysterious Kabu Canyon was at least a dozen times larger than the Pupupu village, and was home to the wise and ancient stone golem, Kabu. He sat upon a large stone plateau surrounded by forever burning torches. Kabu knew many things from living for generations, and because of this the Cappys would often ask Kabu for guidance and wisdom for problems that they could not solve alone.

Today, Kabu was the destination in mind for the three children. It was Kirby, in fact, that needed Kabu the most. He had not told anyone up until a few days ago, but ever since he had defeated Nightmare, he was plagued by horrible dreams every night. Some were just quick flashes of dark images that were easily slept through, but others were filled with blood and despair. Images of his friends being torn apart and devoured by giants. And he could do nothing but watch. These dreams would have him waking up crying. Kirby had never suffered from nightmares before, and for the nightmares to start so soon after Nightmares defeat could not just be a coincidence. The town doctor had suggested it was a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but the wild imaginations of the children did not want to accept something like that for the innocent Kirby. It was Fumu who had suggested they talk to Kabu.

The children made their way up the grand stone staircase, using the torches as their only source of light. Despite it being mid-day, the great canyon was large and deep enough to block out most sunlight. The group of friends kept close to one another. Despite knowing they were perfectly safe in Kabu Canyon, the place still felt ominous. As they got closer and closer to rocky plateau, a voice could be heard at the top that was obviously Kabus. It was a booming voice that held much wisdom. A couple more flights of stairs, and Kabus voice rang out.

"We are not alone. Others approach." The group of children looked between each other. Somebody else was already speaking with Kabu? As they climbed the last few stairs, the last people they expected to see there were the young demon children, Fololo and Falala. But the biggest surprise was that they were there with the master sword fighter, Meta Knight. Both groups just looked at each other with confusion.

"What are you three doing here?" Fumu asked curiously.

"What are you three doing here together?" Bun added.

The blue Fololo started: "We could ask you-"

"-the same thing." The pink Falala finished. Fumu, Bun, and Kirby looked between each other.

"Well...Kirby needed to talk to Kabu. He's been having nightmares, you see." Fumu explained. "He said they started around the time Nightmare was defeated, and we think they might be connected in ways besides PTSD. Besides, Kirby has never been effected mentally by the demons before, so...it just seems unlikely for him to be emotionally scarred by Nightmare." She rubbed the back of her head. Fololo, Falala, and Meta Knight all looked at each other. Fololo and Falala were sheet white, and Meta Knights eyes were a deep green.

"Nightmares?" Fololo asked. "Filled with blood and death and horrible things?"

"Filled with demons and monsters that seem so real you wake up in a cold sweat?" Fololo and Falala held each other. Kirby nodded slowly, all joy gone in his face. The way Fololo and Falala looked at him made Kirbys stomach twist into a knot.

"Kabu." The one who spoke was Meta Knight, who was know facing the great stone golem. "That is now four of us who have suffered from these dreams since Nightmares defeat. What does it mean?" There was silence. Silence that felt suffocating as the group of six waited for Kabus response."

"Nightmare is a creature who feeds off a hatred and fear." Kabu finally started. "When he is defeated, he is never truly gone. He will come back, again and again, for the rest of time. It is the way of the universe." All but Meta Knight gasped.

"So...all of that was for nothing?! Nightmares just going to come back?!" Bun shouted angrily. "That's so unfair!"

"Nightmare will return one day." Meta Knight explained calmly. "But he was defeated with the Star Rod, which will slow his healing. He should not return to full power for thousands of years. Kabu knows this." Meta Knight paused for a moment. "...Which means there's something wrong."

"Nightmare has found a way to regain power. Faster than any other he has tried before." Kabu replied with a mighty boom, confirming Meta Knights muse. "All demons and Star Warriors have the nightmares when the demon god gains enough power. To the demons, it is a call to war. To the Star Warriors, it is a warning. He is not back to his former glory yet, but if nothing is done, he will be, and the cycle will begin again, sooner than ever before.

"How's he regaining power so fast?" Fumu asked while clasping her hands. "A way he's never tried before?...What could that be?" Another long silence.

"I do not know." This confused everyone. "I feel Nightmares power growing and spreading quickly, but I do not know how it is being done."

"Do you know when he'll be back to full power?" Bun asked.

"I do not know."

"Is there anything we can do?! Even if it's just stopping the nightmares-" Fumu stopped for a moment, thinking back to the earlier part of the conversation. Meta Knight had said it was now four people suffering from the nightmares. Kirby was one, and the two demon children and Meta Knight must be the other three. It was a disturbing thought. "-these four are having?"

"The mind of a Star Warrior and mind of a demon will stop the nightmares on their own.. The nightmares are a virus, and like any virus, can be expunged. It is a matter of time, and is different for each Star Warrior and each demon.

"Kabu, do you know how strong Nightmare is now?" Meta Knight questioned. "Do you know where we could find him?"

"Nightmare is weakened, but not defenseless. He can influence those who give themselves to him willingly, but he is not strong enough to attack those who reject him. As for his location, I do not know." Meta Knight nodded, that being answer enough for him. He thanked Kabu, then started for the stone staircase, his business here done. Everyone had noticed Meta Knights eyes were a deep emerald-green.

"What do we do now? We have all this information, but can we actually do anything?" Bun asked the group.

"I don't think there's much we can do, since we don't have specific information." Fumu replied. "We just have to be patient and see if Nightmare shows himself." Bun grinned.

"Then we'll send in Kirby to kick some demon god butt!" He fist pumped. Kirby squeaked with glee. "Well, now that this is over with, let's go play some dodge ball! Kirby gets to be the ball!"

As the group of children made their way out of Kabu Canyon, their conversation with Kabu coming to an end, a conversation at Castle Dedede had just started. King Dedede was talking to himself, pacing back in forth in his room. He had locked himself inside for maximum privacy. His most treasured cell phone sat on his dresser, and the special charger Escargon had designed that King Dedede had swiped had been thrown haphazardly onto his bed. Every now and then, the King would stop pacing, look to his phone, then continue to pace again. The King had a sour look on his face. A shadow cast over his eyes.

He knew nobody would ever understand why he wanted demons so badly. Sure, the idea of eternal hell cast upon them by Nightmare didn't sound too pleasant, but the reason was more personal. Before Nightmares fall, he had wanted the demons because he just did not like Kirby. He felt like Kirby was the reason that nobody respected him. But now, he really thought that. Ever since Kirby had vanquished Nightmare, he would hear day in and day out from the Cappys: 'See Dedede! Kirby's a good guy! Don't you feel silly for trying to hurt him before?' Every damn day! He didn't like being made a fool of, and now he wanted to destroy Kirby for revenge. It was all this pink menaces fault! But his only possible hope for revenge was a hunk of junk cell phone. But he clung to that small beacon of hope.

Right now, the King was having an internal war with himself. Did he dare risk taking his phone apart to try Escargons charger? If he didn't do it right, the King was positive the phone would disintegrate in his hands or burst into flames. Heck, he might get it apart correctly, and then the charger itself could break the phone! But if he didn't try anything, then no progress could be made. But the thought of his precious phone breaking further horrified the King.

"Stupid cell phone." The King grumbled roughly. "Stupid Customer Service guy for not sending a stinking charger. Stupid Kirby for being...stupid. Stupid Cappys!" King Dedede wiped a bit of sweat from his brow. The more he thought about his current situation, the more furious he became. But this was not like his usual fury that would cause him to smack people upside the head or scream threats, it was a silent fury that was most unlike King Dedede to experience. The kind that would fester and grow inside the darkest pits of someones mind until it was all that person could think about. The kind of anger that could consume a weaker man.

King Dedede swiped his phone off his dresser, and held it close enough to his eyes that his nose touched the screen. He glared holes through it, almost like he thought his raw anger would be enough to get the phone to turn on. Obviously, nothing happened, which angered the King. King Dedede was getting dangerously close to just shouting random magic chants to see if that could awaken the phone. But his last shards of dignity kept him from doing so.

His grip strength increased on the phone ever so slightly before he slapped his phone back on his dresser. King Dedede didn't realize he could've just broken the phone until the last second. A quick scan calmed his worries. The phone was still in one piece. King Dedede sighed with relief before flopping onto his bed, not caring about crushing the charger under his girth. He closed his eyes and massaged his temples. His stomach was doing back flips, and his heart burned. This just wasn't fair! Why was Kirby getting all the praise and love? Where was the love for the King? He hated Kirby! He never hated anyone like he hated that pink menace.

A low buzzing noise suddenly broke through the silence, and the King opened his eyes abruptly and looked towards the source of the noise, which was near his dresser. He blinked his eyes rapidly, and rubbed them too. Slowly, he sat up, his arms shaking while looking at his phone.

His phone was lit up and buzzing.

King Dedede nearly fell out of bed to get to his phone. He snatched it from the dresser, and flipped it open. Instead of seeing the face of Customer Service, there was a text message. Strange, he didn't even know his phone could get text messages. He read the message, then reread it, then reread it again! He had expected the phone to do one of many things when it turned on, but what this message said was not one of them. And he still wondered how the phone suddenly came back to life. This time he read the message, and out loud, making sure to speak quietly enough so no outsiders could hear.

'At midnight tonight, stand in front of a large mirror and wait. We will come to you. If anyone should find out about this, silence them immediately.

Kirby will be ours.

~NME

King Dedede looked to the opposite end of his room to his very large full body mirror. He would be standing there at midnight tonight to welcome an unknown visitor. While the tiny voice in the back of his head told him that this was a foolish idea, his angry heart reread that last line over and over again.

Kirby will be ours.

King Dedede slipped his once again darkened phone into his pocket, and left his bedroom. His head filled with wonderful thoughts of hatred and revenge.


So you know how I said that I wouldn't make chapters as long as the last one. Yeah, I forgot about that. But I'm not a fan of short chapters, so I guess lucky you guys?

By the way, this story is going to do the impossible, and combine a bunch of the Kirby games with the anime. I felt this story would be best with the best of both worlds.

Comment, fave, follow, review, like, click, worship, embrace, tweet, pet, and taste test if you like the story! (Just kidding sillies!...Mostly)