Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
Odyssey of Dreams
Chapter 2: A Fortress Amongst the Brush
Kirby and his friends, now aboard the Warp Star, flew gracefully out of Dreamland to begin their journey. Thanks to the speed of the Warp Star Dreamland was almost out of sight and nothing but plains with tall grass and moderate hills could be seen for miles.
Waddle Dee noticed a nice patch of land with little grass next to a small plateau, "Hey, why don't we take a break, I could really use a quick nap," he said with a yawn.
Tiff responded, "I think that's a good idea. I need to look at our map anyway. Kirby take us down there, please," she asked politely.
"Poyo, okay," Kirby said in agreement. Kirby landed his Warp Star and they all began to relax. Waddle Dee built a small camp fire and Tiff began looking intently over the ancient map.
Waddle Dee, tending to the fire, looked curiously at Kirby, "Hey Kirby, since we're going on a long trip where do you plan to keep all the extra things we'll have to carry? You don't even have a backpack…," he asked curiously.
Kirby smiled and suddenly spit up an apple that was in pristine condition, "Poyo!"
Waddle Dee gasped, "Oh wow, you mean you can keep all your belongings in your stomach?!"
"Poyo, stomach useful!" Kirby nodded joyfully.
"I don't know whether to be impressed or grossed out…," Waddle Dee said with a cold chill.
Tiff spoke up with an idea, "Hey guys, it seems as though there's a decently large village at the heart of a Green Greens. I think that's where the compass is pointing," she informed.
Waddle Dee responded cheerfully, "Oh, that's Vegetable Village, it's a humble farming village that provides many places with produce and it lies at the center of Vegetable Valley. I'll bet you that Marx is headed there," he informed. "I wouldn't worry though, he won't be able to find the Dream Stone without our compass, so let's call it a day and turn in for the night."
"Hey Waddle Dee," Tiff called out.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"What were you coming to Dreamland for anyway?" Tiff asked curiously.
"I was coming to Dreamland in hopes of serving the great king!" Waddle Dee said cheerfully.
Tiff's jaw nearly dropped to the ground, "What, you mean King Dedede?!" Tiff asked in shock.
"Why yes, I was hoping I could get a job, my cousin Waddle Doo told me it was a great job," Waddle Dee explained.
Tiff thought to herself with disgust, "I think you may have been told a fib…" With that, the group gathered around the fire and became comfortable as they quickly fell asleep.
*Early the Next Morning*
Waddle Dee fearfully took in his surrounding as he found himself in the middle of nothing but a dark void as his heart felt nothing but dread, panic and overwhelming fear. Whispering voices spoke nothing but gibberish as evil emanating eyes stared him down. He then felt a breeze touch his back and he fearfully turned to see what it was. He found that he was faced with his very own reflection except the eyes were off white. The reflection began to speak saying only gibberish at first, and then it escalated becoming angrier and fiercer until the reflection morphed into a hideous monster that attempted to swallow him whole, until…
Waddle Dee woke up in a cold sweat to the sound of thunder, "W-what was that about?!" Waddle Dee noticed that it was morning and a dark storm brewed over the horizon in the direction of Cappy Town.
Kirby and Tiff also awoke and Tiff immediately noticed the black clouds, "That's some storm, I hope everyone's alright."
"Tiff that is no storm, I'm afraid that is the Dark Matter that Meta Knight said was headed here!" Waddle Dee said nervously still aggravated by his nightmare.
"What are you sure?!" Tiff said stricken with fear.
"Poyo, look," Kirby said as a large eye opened in the center of the large black cloud.
Waddle Dee shivered in fear as he rubbed his eyes. Tiff noticed something was bothering him, "Are you okay Waddle Dee?" she asked quizzically.
Waddle Dee moaned, "I-I had a nightmare…, so no not really…"
Tiff showed even more concern for him, "Tell me about it, you'll feel better…" she said trying her best to comfort him.
Waddle Dee started albeit reluctantly, "I-I think it was… some kind of message… from, from 'Them'…"
"You mean…, the Dark Matter?" Tiff asked fearfully.
"Yeah, it used my own reflection and… it was talking to me…," Waddle Dee told.
"What did they say?" Tiff asked nervously.
"Nonsense… at first…, but… they know my people's language, I only caught two words… one was, 'Wanya'ya'yan' and the other 'Naa'ya'…"
"Forgive me Waddle Dee, but I only know bits and pieces of your people's language," she said with a slight chuckle.
"Wanya'ya'yan means roughly Waddle Dee and Waddle Doo or more specifically, 'Waddlekin' for you, meaning my people as a whole family and anything that pertains to them," Waddle Dee explained. "The other 'Naa'ya' is the equivalent of the word 'Never'."
"What did they mean by that?" Tiff asked alarmed.
"I don't know…," he responded with a cold fear. Waddle Dee then turned to Kirby, who was listening intently to his story, "Kirby, its best if we go on to the village by foot, if we use the Warp Star this close to the Dark Matter it may notice us and send some scouts after us."
Kirby and his friends regrouped and found a trail that lead to a descending valley. The team stood at the base of the valley, "Well, here's Vegetable Valley, the fields here descend from the plains of Green Greens and are flat so they are used mainly for agriculture. Vegetable Village should not be to far now," explained Waddle Dee. As Kirby ventured through the vegetable filled crops of Vegetable Valley he and his friends encountered hostile vermin such as Bronto Burt, who attempted to eat the fresh veggies. As Kirby and his team cleared out pests and other vermin Kirby's eye caught sight of a peculiar entity.
"What's wrong Kirby, did you see something strange?" Tiff asked with worry.
Kirby nodded and he took off in the direction that the blur went with his friends in tow. After sifting through stalks of corn, Kirby found what he was looking for. It was a strange clown-like creature wearing a blue outfit with yellow buttons, a frilled white collar with yellow mittens, yellow curl tip shoes, a blue floppy hat with a white pom-pom and white trimming around the crown, balancing on one foot atop of a bright red apple. He had his back turned and was quietly mumbling to himself in distress. At his side were two smaller versions of himself.
Kirby's presence seemed to draw his attention, "What the, where did you come from? Oh, I'm so angry right now! That stupid Marx sent me out here to find the Dream Stone, but I have been lost for hours!" he said with frustration.
"Who are you anyway and what have you got to do with Marx?" Tiff asked strongly.
"He's probably one of Marx's groupies…," Waddle Dee stated quietly.
"Isn't it rude to ask someone else's name before presenting your own? Oh well, it doesn't matter, I'm called Poppy Bros. Sr. and these guys here are Poppy Bros. Jr.," Poppy Bros. Sr. turned to Kirby. "Your name wouldn't happen to be Kirby would it?"
"Poyo, Kirby, Kirby!" Kirby replied joyfully.
"What's a Poyo? Oh, whatever, you want a bomb sandwich?" Poppy Bros. Sr. asked with irritation.
The party raised their defenses as the junior's charged at them. The Junior's tossed bomb after bomb causing the party to split apart. Waddle Dee and Tiff made quick work of the junior's, but Senior was another problem altogether. Dodging multiple bombs, Kirby finally got in close to Senior. Kirby unloaded a barrage of punches and kicks. Senior did not know what hit him as Kirby finished with a strong side kick that knocked senior to the ground.
"Alright, alright I give in, Marx didn't pay me enough for this! Let's get outta here guys!" Senior said as he and the Juniors ran off. He left an unlit bomb as he scurried off. Kirby inhaled the bomb and became Bomb Kirby. However, Kirby did something new with his Bomb ability. Kirby suppressed it and kept the power in his stomach for later use.
"That was quite easy actually," Waddle Dee said rather dumbfounded.
"Kirby what did you do just now?" Tiff asked surprised.
"Kirby save for later, Bomb safe inside stomach!" he claimed.
"I didn't know you could do that. That will definitely be of some help," Tiff agreed.
Kirby nodded cheerfully and the party went on their way. After fighting more baddies and wandering the vegetable rich fields the party finally came to Vegetable Village. The village was large, but quaint. Farming equipment littered the area and a large mansion sat at the northernmost edge of the village. The village was bustling with Cappy traders and merchants buying and selling goods for good produce.
Tiff proposed an idea, "Let's split up you guys, we might be able to find someone that knows something about the Dream Stone." The party agreed in unison and aptly split up to begin their search.
*Waddle Dee*
Waddle Dee soon found the town's convenience store and the clerk was humming a tune as she stocked her shelves. Waddle Dee approached the cheerful clerk, "Um…, excuse me," he said timidly.
The clerk turned around, "Why hello there, something I can help you with?"
Waddle Dee stammered, "Um, would you happen to know anything about something called a Dream Stone somewhere in this town?"
The clerk pondered for a moment as she placed her hand delicately under her chin, "Sorry, I've never heard of something like that before…"
"Uh, okay," Waddle Dee said nervously. Waddle Dee turned his attention to a troubled customer standing in a corner.
"Is there something troubling you miss?" Waddle Dee asked concerned.
The female Cappy sighed as she spoke, "My son has gotten food poisoning and this store doesn't seem to have any medicine in stock for it."
"That's unfortunate, is there anything I can do?" Waddle Dee asked.
"Well, I came here hoping they would have some Brambleweed Blooms. If I get six of those from the Big Forest up north then I can make a home remedy," she informed.
"Brambleweed Blooms, what kind of plant is that?" Waddle Dee asked.
"Well, they exist in Big Forest, but they are only found near Brambleweed Fortress. I used to go there when I was a little girl and pick flowers, but I don't think anyone's been in that fortress for centuries," she explained.
Waddle Dee struck an idea, "Wait, Big Forest, I wonder if the compass was pointing there and not the village…," he thought. "Don't worry ma'am, me and a few friends are headed to the forest anyway so I'll pick some of those Brambleweed Blooms for you!"
Her mood quickly lifted, "You mean you would do that for me?"
"Sure, I'll have to let my friends know though," he assured. Before Waddle Dee took his leave, he stocked up on supplies, bought some new equipment and sold off any unnecessary goods.
*Tiff*
Tiff managed to locate the town library. Tiff decided that a library might have some info on the Dream Stones. The library was small, but was packed with books. There were very few Waddle Dees and Cappies reading silently. A young Cappy girl was pacing back and forth in a worried state. Tiff went up to her, "Are you okay?"
She was startled and spoke nervously, "I am right now, but I won't be once my boss finds out what I did!" she whispered loudly.
"What did you do?" Tiff said softly.
"I'm the assistant librarian here," she said adjusting her thick glasses. "I was reading an old book and it mentioned a fortress called Brambleweed Fortress deep in the Big Forest. I went there to see it for myself and I was attacked by monsters. I ran away and I must have forgotten the book in the forest. My boss is going to kill me when he finds out its missing!"
"Brambleweed Fortress?" Tiff said softly to herself. "Do you know anything about a gem called a Dream Stone?" she asked.
The girl adjusted her glasses again, "Dream Stone? I come across that artifact in some text books, but I thought it was just a myth. If you're looking for treasure Big Forest is a great place to look, but if you're thinking of going to the fortress itself then you'll have to speak to Mayor Silverleaf."
"Thanks," Tiff said as she thanked her and left the library. "I have to find the guys!"
*Kirby*
Kirby meandered throughout town looking hungrily at all the food that was out for sale. Kirby walked up to a tomato stand and picked up a fresh farm grown tomato and put it into his mouth. The salesman noticed and walked up to him, "Hey kid, you gonna pay for that?"
"Huh?" Kirby replied with confusion.
"Ah-ha, so you're the little thief, eh?" he accused. Kirby shook his head in disagreement. "Huh, so you claim you're not the thief? Even when I caught you red handed?"
"Poyo, poyo, Kirby not thief!" Kirby said defensively as he held up a copper coin.
"Oh, my apologies, you do look a little young to be some grubby thief, sorry about that kid…, tomato's on the house," the salesman said as he walked back to his post completely forgetting about the tomato.
Kirby left and continued to wander the town until he seen Tiff walking around in a hurried fashion. Kirby cheerfully waved to her, "Poyo!" he said.
"Oh, it's you Kirby, there you are!" Tiff shouted as she ran up to Kirby. "Did you make any new friends while you waited on me?" she chuckled.
"Hi guys, what's up?" Waddle Dee said as he approached from Kirby's other side. "Hey Tiff, I think I know where we can look for the Dream Stone!"
"Let me guess, Big Forest right?" Tiff asked.
"Oh, you got the same info too?" Waddle Dee asked.
The vegetable clerk from earlier caught the conversation, "Hey, did you fellas say you were going into the forest?"
Tiff retorted, "Yeah, we're thinking about searching the Brambleweed Fortress."
"Well, good luck, you'll need to get the key to that place from the Mayor and I doubt he'll give it to a bunch of youngin's," he stated.
"Not to worry, we're stronger than we look!" Waddle Dee said cheerfully. With that, Kirby and his friends headed towards the mayor's manor.
The mayor's manor was not much larger than the other houses, but it was much nicer and well kept. Kirby and his companions entered the manor and walked up to a nearby maid.
Tiff spoke strongly, "Hello, we need to see the mayor. Is he in?"
The maid retorted, "Yes, please go to the path to your left and please don't touch anything I just finished cleaning!"
The manor was filled with priceless paintings of ancestors and other family members as well as other odds and ends one might expect to find in a mansion. Kirby and his friends entered a back room and it was apparently the mayor's study.
The mayor quickly noticed the intrusion, "Oh, now what's all this then?"
Tiff took the spotlight, "Excuse me, mister mayor, we have a favor to ask!"
"Please, call me Mister Silverleaf," he said kindly. He resembled Mayor Len of Cappy Town, but had a short bushy beard and black tux.
"Okay, well, my name's Tiffany Ebrum, and this is uh, Waddle Dee and Kirby. We want to ask you about Brambleweed Fortress," Tiff stated.
Mayor Silverleaf looked puzzled, "Now what business do you have there? It's dangerous you know?"
"Yes, we are well aware," Waddle Dee noted.
"Please sir, I came from Cappy Town and I am searching for something very important that might be inside that fortress!" Tiff pleaded.
"Dear me, did you say your last name was 'Ebrum'? And that you came from Cappy Town? Are you by any chance Sir Ebrum's daughter?" he asked curiously.
"Yes, why do you know him?" Tiff asked quizzically.
"You're father and I go back along way. He tells me all about you and your brother when we have a chance to talk," he went on nostalgically. "He tells me you're a very responsible little girl and you're quite a lot of help to a Star Warrior named Kirby, I take it that little guy is him then?"
"Yup, Kirby's a Star Warrior alright!" Waddle Dee interjected.
Mayor Silverleaf approached a wall and moved a painting that revealed a hidden safe. He then proceeded to put in the combination and it clicked open. He reached inside and pulled out an ancient looking key. He then began to walk over to Kirby, "I suppose there's no harm in letting a Star Warrior take a look inside the fortress."
"Poyo, Kirby thanks you!" Kirby said as he tried reaching for the key.
However, before Kirby could grab the key from the Mayor's hands the Mayor pulled back with an uneasy smile, "Um, before I give this key to you, may I ask you for a small favor for it? After all I just can't 'hand' it over…"
Kirby and his friends grew confused, "What kind of favor?" Tiff asked quizzically.
The Mayor cleared his throat, "Well, shortly before you arrived, I got a call from the farmers out in the field. They were telling me something was wrong with the irrigation system that we use to water our crops. They say that the irrigation system has been damaged by an unknown force. Now ordinarily, this would have nothing to do with you, but the farmers say that they've seen a strange monster prowling around. If you're truly the Star Warrior you claim to be, may I ask you to take care of the monster so we can repair the system?"
Kirby's party agreed strongly, "Kirby fight monster!" Kirby replied bravely.
"Yeah, we'll get rid of it for you, come on guys let's move!" Waddle Dee urged.
"Don't worry we'll be back soon!" said Tiff confidently as she and the party left the mansion.
*Outside the Village*
Kirby and his friends headed off to fields' irrigation system. Waddle Dee stopped the party for a second, "Hey guys, while I was searching for info, I stocked up our supplies and even bought some new gear. When we come to new places like this we should keep all our gear and supplies updated as much as possible. Here, I bought some running shoes for everyone they're light so we can move faster in them. It's too bad they didn't sell any body armor though…," he said glumly.
Kirby and his party traversed the fields, speaking to the farmers and looking for clues, until they finally came to the water pump that lies at the center of the irrigation system. Small pipes and gauges were attached to control panels that once pumped intervals of fresh water to fields of parched vegetables. However, just as Mayor Silverleaf said, something was amiss. A large water leak spewed from the lower portion of the tank. Waddle Dee inspected the damage, "Something hit the side of this water tank really, really hard, but it doesn't look like it was caused by an explosion or anything…"
Tiff followed with further insight, "Hmm, you know, this damage doesn't look intentional, and it looks like someone 'accidentally' smashed into it…," said Tiff as she noticed Kirby inspecting the ground. "What's up Kirby, did you find something?"
Kirby looked up at Tiff, "Look, tire tracks!" Kirby said excitedly.
"Wow he's right, the water washed the closest ones away, but, what is this?" Tiff asked confused as he took a closer look. "What kind of machine has only one wheel?"
Waddle Dee answered comically, "It most certainly can't be a unicycle…, hmm, perhaps a Wheelie passed by?"
Tiff thought hard as the realization suddenly dawned on her, "It has to be…!"
"Mecha Kirby…," Kirby said flatly as he recognized the track marks to be like his own Wheel Ability's.
"What, isn't Mecha Kirby that robot that destroyed Cappy Town before we left?!" Waddle Dee asked with terror.
"Mecha Kirby has Wheel power!" Kirby stated strongly.
"Alright, can someone explain to me what or who Mecha Kirby is… um, exactly?" Waddle Dee asked still a little in the dark.
Tiff took the moment to explain, "Mecha Kirby is a monster created by King Dedede's friend Escargoon to get rid of the original Kirby. Kirby fought three different versions of him just before we ran into you."
"Oh, but why is the King trying to get rid of Kirby?" Waddle Dee asked quizzically.
Tiff sighed heavily, "It's a long story, we'll fill you in on that later, but right now, I'd like to know why it came back, Kirby threw it off a cliff!"
"Do you think it became self aware and is holding some sort of grudge?" Waddle Dee asked curiously.
"I hope not, we don't need another enemy prowling around!" Tiff said with worry.
Waddle Dee continued the inspection, "Well, getting back to the case at hand, it looks like he hit the tank…, and then just kept going. Hmm, it also seems a valve wheel is missing, but that almost seems unrelated…"
Many thoughts ran through Tiff's mind, but then suddenly, something caught her eye. "Hmm, what was that?" she said catching the glimpse of a small blue creature no larger than Kirby. The creature retreated behind the tank as Tiff approached with her friends in tow. Tiff was rather confused at what she encountered. A small blue wide eyed creature with no arms, a trunk and a mane of bubbles lining its backside.
Waddle Dee recognized the creature, "What's a Bubble Head doing here, don't they usually hang around lakes and other natural sources of water? Actually, I wonder if it was drawn because of the water leaking from the tank."
"A Bubble Head, that can't possibly be the monster the farmers was worried about," Tiff said with relief.
Suddenly, behind the Bubble Head, came a much larger monster covered completely in a veil of bubbles. Waddle Dee instantly drew everyone's attention to it, "A Bubble Head may be little more than a nuisance, but a Buboo is much more of a problem!"
Tiff examined the bubble veiled creature, "Hey look, the valve wheel is encased in one of its bubbles!"
"Well that answers the question of the missing valve," Waddle Dee stated flatly.
"Kirby let's get it!" Tiff urged strongly.
Kirby attempted to inhale Buboo, but only managed to inhale a bubble instead. Kirby became acquainted with a newer ability, "Mysterious bubbles capture so much, Bubble Kirby!" he announced. Kirby wore a blue and periwinkle shower cap with bubbles on it and he wielded a bubble wand.
"I've never seen this ability before!" Tiff said surprised.
The Buboo launched an attack featuring nothing but a bubble stream. Bubble Kirby countered with a bubble stream of his own. Tiff and Waddle Dee attacked the creature from both sides. As Waddle Dee and Tiff approached, the creature used a different attack that launched an onslaught of bubbles in every direction. Waddle Dee took cover behind his Parasol while Tiff popped the bubbles with her fists. Kirby realized his stream matched equally to the Buboo's stream and rolled to the side to break the draw. When the bubbles cleared somewhat, Kirby used another stream and it connected before the Buboo could react. Unfortunately, the Buboo's veil regenerated as fast as Kirby could destroy it.
Waddle Dee turned to Kirby, "Hey, I got an idea, follow my lead Kirby! Tiff, wait for me and Kirby to make an opening, then you hit it hard!"
Everyone nodded in agreement as the Buboo began loading up for another attack. Waddle Dee took his Parasol and closed his eyes for a moment as he began tapping his foot. He seemed to be listening to a song within in his own mind. Then, Waddle Dee approached the Buboo as he majestically and gracefully dodged its attacks. When he was close enough he began performing a strange dance that involved harsh physical assaults with his parasol. Kirby followed with his bubble streams careful not to cause friendly fire. When Waddle Dee's attack had ended his breathing was labored and the Buboo's form was revealed to be a crustaceous creature. Tiff saw her opening as Waddle Dee said and she leaped into the air, performed a front flip and landed an ax kick on the creature's carapace. The Buboo shivered with fear and pain, but instead of attacking, the timid crustacean ran away crying and hid behind the tank.
"Oops, I guess it wasn't a monster after all…," Waddle Dee said glumly.
"Aw, I didn't mean to make it cry! Now I feel terrible!" Tiff said sadly.
Kirby ran towards the Buboo's hiding place and attempted to appease it by giving it some food. The Buboo inched from its hiding spot as Kirby pushed the food closer. The Buboo came out and gave it a taste and seemed to enjoy what it was eating. Kirby then began to gently shower it with bubbles which it seemed to greatly enjoy. Waddle Dee picked up the valve it had dropped and rushed to the controls. After placing the valve wheel, he managed to shut down the water causing the tank to stop spilling water. The Buboo was calmed as it once again covered itself in its veil of bubbles. The Buboo and the Bubble Head calmly left the area to return to its natural habitat. Waddle Dee was relieved, "Well, I'm glad we got that sorted out peacefully. For the most part, um anyway..."
Tiff approached Kirby who discarded his Bubble ability, "Thanks for that Kirby, I guess we need to learn what 'is' a monster and what isn't!"
"Well, let's head back to Mayor Silverleaf's place, his farmers should be able to handle the repairs!" Waddle Dee suggested.
"That won't be necessary!" said the voice of the mayor. Mayor Silverleaf and a group of farmers came up to Kirby and his friends with a great smile.
"Mayor what are you doing here?!" Tiff asked wide eyed.
The Mayor chuckled, "I decided to shorten your trip, by coming out here myself. It's really too bad the 'monster' was only a Buboo and a Bubble Head, we could have taken care of that if we had known, but seeing as how you did, that proves your capabilities to me. Here's the key as promised…," he chuckled as he handed Tiff the old rusty key.
"Thanks Mayor, I really appreciate it!" Tiff said happily.
Kirby and his friends regrouped and began to leave as the denizens waved, "Thanks we can handle everything else, you kids be careful now, oh, and Tiff be sure to tell your dad I said hello!" the Mayor shouted.
"Thanks I will!" Tiff said as she ran off with her friends. As the party ran towards the forest, Tiff turned to Waddle Dee, "Waddle Dee, what was that attack you used against Buboo?'
"Oh, that, I call that move, 'Rain Dance'!" he said cheerfully. "It's a dance-like combo move used with a parasol it's really quite strong so it's useful in tight spots!"
"Wow, I envy you guys, you have special attacks!" Tiff said with jealousy.
*Entrance to Big Forest*
Ascending from Vegetable Valley, existed the edge of Big Forest, the plants and trees were humongous in size. Kirby and his friends approached the shady trail and entered the forest.
"Well, here we are, Big Forest," Waddle Dee said. "Its kinda dark in here, anybody got a flash light?"
"I don't think we'll need one there's plenty of light," Tiff said confidently. Kirby and his party quickly trekked through the large and slightly foggy forest. Big Forest was known for its winding paths and extremely large plant life. Kirby and his party traveled through the brush and foliage with minimal effort and after fending off many forest dwelling critters the party found a wide open space with a small clear pond.
"Let's take a minute to rest," Waddle Dee suggested.
"Yeah, I wonder if this water's safe to drink," Tiff said as she said as she cupped her hands. She dipped her hands in the water and it was sparkling clean. Tiff decided to take a sip and she felt refreshed as did Kirby and Waddle Dee.
After refreshing themselves, the party continued onward. Deeper into the forest, it was revealed that crude wooden structures that scaled the trees and deadly traps, most of which had already been sprung, were in motion. Kirby spotted something strange on one of the platforms and decided to take a look. Kirby floated to the platform and Tiff and Waddle Dee followed by hanging onto Kirby's feet. Kirby rushed up to the object and picked it up.
"Hey, it's a book I'll bet this is the one that the librarian told me about!" Tiff said happily. "This must be the place where she dropped it. I see now why she was in a hurry!"
"Maybe we should read it!" Waddle Dee said anxiously. "It might tell us something about the Brambleweed Fortress!"
Kirby opened the book while Tiff and Waddle Dee looked in from his left and right sides.
"Ah, here's something!" Tiff said with joy. "Brambleweed Fortress was a stronghold for ancient Cappy soldiers approximately 300 years ago. It is located in the heart of the Brambleweed Brush which can only be found by traversing into the depths of Big Forest. One knows they are getting close to the Bramble Brush due to the notice of large thorny vines. If one follows these vines they will end up at the Brambleweed Fortress."
Waddle Dee looked around and noticed some very large vines tangled within the trees, "Well if that book is accurate we are getting closer!" he said strongly.
With that in mind, Kirby and his party followed the vines hoping that it would lead them to their destination. Soon, as they traveled, the canopy of the forest became shrouded with vines letting only little sunlight through. They soon found themselves running out of ground to walk on and decided to walk on the vines all while avoiding the thorns. Beneath them lay a large lake that was crystal clear and littered with plant life.
Finally in the center of the natural structure sat a not so natural structure. A large stone made building, Brambleweed Fortress, came into view. Waterfalls, spilled out the sides of the fortress walls and a large iron bar gate was open, but seemed to be destroyed long ago.
"Wow, this is quite a piece of masonry!" Waddle Dee said impressed. Kirby and his friends took a moment to take in the beautiful scenery and then decided it was time to go hunting for the treasure that brought them there.
*End of Chapter*