Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
Odyssey of Dreams
By: ChronoWeapon
Chapter 34: Turning Tables
Kryl stood with a cold sweat running down his face as he stood before the Rainbow Knights. Kirby's party waited patiently for something to occur between them. The Red Knight, no larger then Meta Knight or Kryl, came forward, "Ah, Kryl…," he spoke with a deep majestic voice. "I am glad to see you actually have a Dream Stone in hand this time."
"What is that suppose to mean?" Kryl said irritated. "I have this situation under control, why did Zero send you clowns?!"
Red Knight chuckled, "I see…, you have everything under control eh? Is that why Kirby and his little fellowship over there have put you down…, err, what was is now…, three times? Honestly, I have to give you credit for persistence. However, you almost let Kirby make a wish with those Dream Stones. If you had arrived a little bit later than you did, we would have had to have sped things up a bit."
"What do you mean 'sped things up'?" Kryl asked annoyed.
"Isn't it obvious?" Red Knight mocked. "Even if you didn't get to that last Dream Stone in time we could have simply done the job ourselves, but we decided to give you one last shot. Unfortunately, you ran off with your tail between your legs like a small plush animal. Oh and by the way, Overlord Zero is none too happy about your little betrayal shenanigan back on Dark Star. You left before proper punishment could be administered, so we have been sent to take your place and take the Dream Stones. I will deliver them to Overlord Zero personally. As his top soldiers, that should not be a problem for us!"
"Top soldiers?" Kryl asked mockingly. "You morons? Please, you twits are like any other Nightterror that sits in Zero's lap! The only difference between you and those beasts he let loose on this planet, is that 'you' dimwits happen to be his favorite!"
"Your incentive remarks do nothing to hide your unease Kryl," Red Knight said smugly. "Simply hand over the stone you have and wait here until we've taken down Kirby and his little friends… After that is done, I'll take you back to see Overlord Zero. Who knows Kryl, he may be so preoccupied with the Dream Stones he may forget to punish you!" he finished with boastful laughter.
"I have another idea!" Kryl said as his anger began to rise. "How about you losers take off, I take the Dream Stones from Kirby, then destroy the Dark Star and Zero with it! Then I'll be free to do whatever I please!"
"You're mad Kryl the chance of you succeeding in any part of that plan is absolutely zilch!" Red Knight chuckled.
"Well you can't blame me for trying now can you?" Kryl said with a smirk. "I guess you nitwits are going to have to take the Dream Stone from me by force! Why is that, you might ask? Because…, I have no intention of handing over to you!" Kryl said in a rage. Kryl then turned around to face Kirby and his friends. "Get ready kiddies, this is going to be one heck of a ride!"
"You're serious, are you switching sides or something?!" Meta Knight asked astonished.
"Don't get all 'happy go lucky' I just happen to hate them 'far' more than I hate you!" Kryl stated as he gritted his teeth. "This doesn't mean I won't attack you, but it does mean that I will be attacking them! You're all in my way!" he said drawing his cleaver. Kryl's sword was still segmented and had the properties of both a whip and a sword just like before.
"I see, so you won't back down from this decision then?" Red Knight asked. "Well then, kicking your butt all over this tundra will be a fine punishment for you! Then we'll haul your carcass back to Overlord Zero!"
"Try me!" Kryl taunted as he lunged for Red Knight. Kryl's sword landed on nothing but air and the icy ground as Red Knight avoided it within the blink of an eye.
"Too slow Kryl!" Red Knight taunted. "Violet Knight, take care of Kryl won't you?"
"Yes, Red!" Violet Knight responded with a whispering voice. Violet Knight was a female and had a build reminiscent of a common adult fairy. She wore a violet crown on her head and heavy armor over a violet dress and her face was hidden under armor as well, but like any fairy she preferred flight over walking. She brandished a large two-handed scythe and her long purple hair reached her feet.
Ribbon gazed at Violet Knight, "That's a fairy all right, but I sense no righteousness left in her. Almost as if no part of her was 'good'. D-did Zero 'create' a fairy knight of his own?" she thought intensely.
Violet Knight rushed Kryl and immediately put him on the defense as she swung her two-handed scythe with only one hand. With ease, Violet Knight put Kryl on the ground. Kryl rose with raw anger behind his eyes, "Curse you fairy blight!" he snarled. Before Kryl could think of a counterattack, Violet Knight raised her other hand into the air and collected violet colored light particles in her hand.
Ribbon's eyes grew with fear, "Everyone back up, I know that attack!" she warned.
"Violet Fairy Flare!" chanted Violet Knight as she unleashed her violet colored flames upon Kryl. The flames unleashed an explosive level of strength that Kirby and his friends manage to retreat from.
Suddenly each knight teleported themselves behind one member of Kirby's party. Kirby could feel the heavy cold breath of Red Knight behind him. Red Knight's helm had three Mohawk crests on top and the Dark Matter insignia on his shoulder pads like all the other knights, "Greetings child, I understand you have something of importance to me," he said. Kirby performed a back kick that Red Knight easily avoided. Kirby positioned himself so he could view Red Knight closer and peered deep into Red Knight's helmet. Red Knight's face told Kirby that both he and Red Knight were of the same species. Red Knight then pulled back his arm and hit Kirby hard with a straight punch. Kirby flew back down to the frozen tundra below crashing into the ice and permafrost. Kirby quickly recovered and transformed into Savage Beast Kirby.
Tiff was confronted by Yellow Knight, who obvious to her was a male Ebbrian with similar color flesh as her own but only slighter lighter and stood almost as tall as her dad. Just like the other knight's, Yellow Knight was so heavily armored his face was not visible and his helmet had curled horns. He wielded a large broadsword that was nearly the same as the one the Argent Lady had with her. Like the Argent Lady he was able to wield the sword with only one hand. "What's the matter little girl, never met someone as handsome as me?" he taunted with a sense of vanity.
"Hmph, as if!" Tiff sneered as she equipped her Trident gaining her Mermaid ability.
Waddle Dee was face to face with Orange Knight. He was only slightly larger than he was and his helmet had breathing grates in it, with a single Mohawk-like blade on top and a shield on his back with the Dark Matter insignia engraved ion it. Waddle Dee equipped his Storm Bow and took a solid stance. "Ahh, I remember when I used to use a bow when it came with arrows!" Orange Knight said reminiscing.
"Are you…, by any chance a Waddlekin…?" Waddle Dee asked curiously.
"More of a Waddlekin than you know!" he said with an evil chuckle. Suddenly, his armor shifted as if his flesh underneath was moving in a monstrous manner. A single eye emerged from the visor, the eye belonging to a Waddle Doo, "Much more…," said a deeper, different voice.
"Y-you're both Waddlekin in one body?!" Waddle Dee said freaked out.
The eye retreated under the safety of the visor, "Now!" said the Waddle Doo's voice. "Fight us!" said the Waddle Dee's voice as he drew a mean looking orange colored halberd.
Adeleine was faced up against Green Knight whose build was by far the most mysterious. He had no feet and disembodied hands with magical bracers where his wrists should be. His body was spherical and his helmet had demon-like horns on it. In addition to his armor, he wore strange robes and a scarf with unknown markings on them. Like the rest of the knights all features were covered in armor. He spoke in an illegible language, but thanks to the Dark Matter it was translated inside her head, "…I am Halcandrian…," moaned Green Knight.
"Halcandrian, that's weird I've never seen this species before. I wonder what he is…," Adeleine thought quietly. Adeleine painted her face and transformed into her Ice Dragon form.
King Dedede was up against the robust Blue Knight. He gave the impression of being a Cappy under that armor and his helmet had massive bull horns on it. He sat a large blood covered battleaxe over his shoulder. "Hee, hee, hee…, my axe thirsts!" he said malevolently.
"Oh great, give me the blood thirsty one!" Dedede said nervously. "Wait, I rule over a bunch of Cappies, I can take this guy!" he said as he equipped his Platinum Mask and his Plasma Saw.
Meta Knight and Indigo Knight stared each other down. Unlike the other knights, Meta Knight could not discern what species lay underneath the indigo plate armor, but he could tell the knight was male. However, he heavily resembled a knight known to Meta Knight as 'Sir Kibble'. Like any Kibble his helmet had a curved sword just like Cutter Kirby did. "I know who you are…," he said eerily.
Meta Knight perked up, "Hmm?"
"You're really the 'leader' here aren't you?" Indigo Knight accused. "Most people think that Kirby and Ribbon are the leaders, but you're the one who's really pulling the strings in this party aren't you?"
"Excuse me, but you aren't by any chance a Kibble are you?" Meta Knight asked curiously.
"You're pretty good at dodging personal questions…, but dodging them only confirms the answer," Indigo Knight claimed. "To answer your question however…, the Kibbles are a quite an interesting race. I'll say this to you, let's just say that a Kibble was the last warrior that managed to kill Indigo Knight!" he claimed eerily.
"What…, what does that mean?!" Meta Knight asked puzzled.
Violet Knight gathered the Diamond Prism from the rubble as Kryl rose angrily from beneath the ice. "Give that back, I stole it first!" Kryl roared loudly. Kryl raced towards Violet Knight using his wings. Kryl swung his sword at Violet Knight and the two traded blow after blow. As their weapons clashed they created violent showers of sparks as the parried one another. "Hmph, it seems that the Dream Stone doesn't work for you either!" Kryl snarled.
Violet Knight broke the supersonic volleys of parried strikes. "It does not have to…," she spoke softly.
"The Dream Stones apparently don't work for a thief!" he said with a smirk, thinking Violet Knight's ambition to be in vain.
"When Kirby and his allies are defeated, it will, but not for me, it will work for Overlord Zero…," Violet Knight claimed calmly.
As the battle raged on many of the duels began melding with each other. Red Knight taunted Savage Beast Kirby and swatted him to the ground. Before Red Knight could hit Kirby, Waddle Dee managed to punt aside Orange Knight with his bow and he shot a lightning bolt into Red Knights backside allowing Kirby to smash him sending him into the air. Kirby followed his target with a massive leap as Waddle Dee dodged an incoming halberd attack from Orange Knight.
Suddenly, Tiff collided with Waddle Dee from behind and his lightning bolt went flying as it hit Blue Knight, saving Dedede from a harsh axe swing and allowing him to counterattack. Orange Knight and Yellow Knight grabbed the dazed Waddle Dee and Tiff and threw them straight into the air. The knights then followed in pursuit using their wings. In the air, Yellow Knight and Orange Knight juggled Tiff and Waddle Dee and even smashed them into each other. Before the two knights could make their final swings, Orange Knight was interrupted as Blue Knight collided with him and they began to tumble in midair. Yellow Knight was countered by Waddle Dee via a lighting arrow as he recovered allowing Tiff enough time to regain her composure and suck both Orange Knight and Blue Knight into her newly gained Maelstrom spell for her Mermaid ability. Yellow Knight attempted to confront Waddle Dee but Adeleine in her Ice Dragon form, smashed into him. Adeleine managed to freeze him as she landed and kick the ice block containing Yellow Knight into the approaching Green Knight.
As Blue Knight and Orange Knight fell onto the tundra it threw snow in the faces of Meta Knight and Indigo Knight who seemed to endlessly trade supersonic attacks as they parried each others weapon strikes. The ice block containing Yellow Knight and the dazed Green Knight slid in between the two combatants, breaking them apart. Indigo Knight charged at Meta Knight only for him to leap into the air as he heard Kryl's war cry and Violet Knight was jettisoned, flying toward him. Meta Knight grabbed Violet Knight from the air and kicked her into the charging Indigo Knight.
Savage Beast Kirby unleashed his primal wrath unto Red Knight who was able parry many of his claws using his crimson bladed magical sword. "You and your friends are not as weak as we were expecting…," Red Knight claimed with an intrigued chuckle. "However, we haven't the time to really play with much longer," he finished. Red Knight caused Kirby to fall to the ground with a broad slash. As Red Knight readied his sword to impale Kirby, King Dedede appeared from behind Red Knight and slashed at him with his Plasma Saw. Unfortunately, Dedede missed as Red Knight back flipped over Dedede and landed behind him. Before Red Knight could accurately counter, Dedede jumped into the sky and Kirby leaped under Dedede's jump and cracked Red Knight over the head. The attack sent him sailing into a snow bank.
Red Knight leaped nearly unharmed from the snow. "Rainbow Knights regroup!" he shouted loudly. Then suddenly, each Rainbow Knight leaped from their downed positions and lined up next to Red Knight all not even suffering in the least. "I think we've had enough fun for one day, it's time to get what we came here for!" Red Knight announced strongly. "Rainbow Knights, attack!"
Once again the Rainbow Knights went on the offense. They attacked even more violently and aggressively. Each knight attacked a member of Kirby's party and Kryl. The knights smashed Kirby and each of his friends into the air. Meta Knight attempted to use the Amethyst Aggregate, but before his wish was vocalized Blue Knight hit him in the back ousting the jewel from Meta Knight's hand and it was caught by Indigo Knight. Indigo Knight then charged Meta Knight and hit him with a volley of cutter strikes. He then took the Peridot Pyrite from him and kicked Meta Knight into a snow bank. Indigo Knight laughed triumphantly.
Green Knight attacked Adeleine with the speed of his magical palm thrusts that made his hands seem invisible. Adeleine tried to counter with her ice breath but only accomplished in shrouding herself in an icy cloud. Without warning Tiff flew through the fog and hit Adeleine and both dropped the Dream Stones they were carrying; the Emerald Amber and the Sapphire Pearl. Green Knight and Yellow Knight caught the two Dream Stones as they were free falling.
King Dedede matched wits with Blue Knight as they clashed their weapons. Indigo Knight rammed Dedede in the back with such force he dropped the Citrine Sandstone and his Plasma Saw. Dedede was then grabbed by Blue Knight and batted with the blunt side of Blue Knight's axe sending him soaring. Dedede soared straight for Waddle Dee who was able to leap out of the way before Dedede collided with him. This however was enough of a distraction to let in Orange Knight. Orange Knight scooped up both Dedede and Waddle Dee and juggled them with his halberd. Then, Orange Knight flung Dedede away and grabbed Waddle Dee. He then proceeded to throw Waddle Dee to the ground. Waddle Dee lost his Storm Bow and the Sunstone Schist.
Savage Beast Kirby clawed at Red Knight hoping to cut him down to size only to miss his target every time. Red Knight suddenly countered by grabbing one of Kirby's arms and threw him to the ground. He the then started slashing Kirby up with multiple sword slashes until he kicked Kirby hard in the stomach. Kirby coughed up his Savage Beast power and the last Dream Stone the Ruby Pumice.
Kryl was thrown across the battlefield by Violet Knight and it was apparent he was weakening. Then suddenly, behind Violet Knight, Meta Knight emerged from the snow bank he had been jettisoned into and slashed at Violet Knight's hand causing her to lose the Diamond Prism. Violet Knight then immediately turned to Meta Knight with the intent to cut him down. As she raised her weapon Kryl gained an evil smirk on his face, "Gotchaaaa!" he shouted as he attacked Violet Knight with a surprise attack. Luckily for Kryl, the attack followed through and his sword cut Violet Knight in half. She lay silent as Dark Matter consumed her body and she vanished.
"Violet Knight!" shouted Red Knight in raw anger. "Curse you Kryl!" he continued as he dashed straight for Kryl. Before Red Knight reached Kryl and enormous presence made a horrifying entrance. Once again, Overlord Zero showed himself on the field of battle. Everyone was stunned. Red Knight stammered, "O-overlord Zero, sire!"
"Silence, Red Knight…," bellowed Zero.
"Great, what is he doing here?!" Meta Knight thought with a cold sweat.
"I have seen…, enough of your…, antics Kryl…," said Zero. "You are coming back…, with me now…"
The Rainbow Knights ended their assault and came to Zero. They all bowed graciously before him and offered the seven Dream Stones to him. Zero took the Dream Stones into his hand and stared deeply into them. "Red Knight…, one is missing…," Zero said angrily.
"My deepest apologies, but Kryl interfered he killed Violet Knight!" Red Knight explained nervously.
"Hmm…, do you forget…, your special ability…, Red Knight?" Zero began. "Or the abilities of…, your comrades?"
"N-no master…!" Red Knight said as he was enveloped by a violet colored aura.
"Red Knight…, would you take…, the last Dream Stone…, from Meta Knight?" Zero asked malevolently.
"Yes sire…," he said with reinforcement from Violet Knight's power. "Rainbow Knights, kill Meta Knight!" ordered Red Knight.
"Not good…," Meta Knight said worriedly as the Rainbow Knights rushed him. Meta Knight suddenly made a wish on the Diamond Prism. Like Crystallossus foretold, the Diamond Prism stopped the Rainbow Knights in their tracks by stopping their personal time. The Rainbow Knights were frozen in place unable to move.
Zero laughed with an odd tone, "Impressive Meta Knight!"
"You, just what do you intend to do with the Dream Stones?!" Meta Knight asked strongly. "Your immortal, you have no need for these magical artifacts!"
"If I told you that…, that would spoil…, my plans…," Zero said eerily as he rustled the seven Dream Stones in his hand. "You've made such…, an impressive run…, through all those…, ancient strongholds. I do have to…, thank you and Kirby…, for collecting these for me."
"Why would you need someone to collect them for you?" Meta Knight asked puzzled. "Especially if all these beasts keep showing up, 'after' we claim one. You can't be making a mistake every time if those creatures are so powerful!"
"You are correct…, my precious Nightterrors…, are not placed…, mistakenly…" Zero said with a labored laugh that followed.
"I knew it, why are you sending so many?" Meta Knight began. "I get the Rainbow Knights; they even claimed to be a Nightterror! These beings were strong enough to collect each stone on their own, why follow us and send so many beasts?" Meta Knight finished.
"I suppose I…, can tell you that much…," Zero started reluctantly. "Those other beasts…, were sent after you…, accomplished your task…, because they are…, anchoring my Dark Star…, to your Pop Star!"
"What, anchored?!" Meta Knight gasped. "For what reason?!"
"After my Nightterrors…, destroy the bastions…, they have cornered…, Pop Star will be…, added unto Dark Star…, making my planet larger!" Zero revealed.
"What, but you don't need the Dream Stones for such a task!" Meta Knight claimed still a little puzzled.
"True…, but the Dream Stones…, are for another plan…, entirely…," Zero claimed coldly.
"I suppose that's the part your silent on?" Meta Knight deduced.
"Oh…, the Dream Stones are…, for a more personal… experiment… you would not be…, interested," Zero said casually.
"Where is Queen Fairy?" Meta Knight asked curiously.
"Enough…, you need know…, no more," Zero bellowed as he rose his hand. "If my knights… can't move… then I'll terminate you myself!"
Zero appeared a mere breath from Meta Knight within the blink of an eye and brushed him aside with his hand and he flew far into the distance. Meta Knight then caught himself in midair by opening his wings. He then felt Zero appear behind him. Before Zero could strike again, Meta Knight attacked, "Flames of Galaxia…, full power!" he said as he used the power of the Dream Stone. In a bright flash, a spherical fireball illuminated the sky. The flames engulfed Zero as Meta Knight dropped back down to the tundra below. Unfortunately, the seven Dream Stones were no where to be found. As the flames subsided and the atmosphere grew cold once more, Zero was nowhere to be found, but two objects landed in front of him that let off steam as they hit the snow. Meta Knight dug through the snow and found the two objects, believing them to be two of the Dream Stones. One was a melted piece of gold with jewels melted into it. The other was a lens similar to the one Zero dropped back in the Realm of the Elementals. Quickly stashing the strange objects, Meta Knight regained his composure. Kirby and his friends then approached him.
"Wow Meta Knight, way to unleash the beast!" Waddle Dee complimented.
"Yeah, but Zero now has seven of the Dream Stones!" Tiff said sadly.
"What do we do now…?" Dedede said losing hope.
"Kryl high tailed it…, he's gone…, and we better get and find a place where we can think of our next move before those Rainbow Knights unfreeze!" Adeleine urged nervously.
Ribbon had tears in her eyes as she approached, "Wait…, all hope isn't…, lost yet…, we still have…, the kingpin of the collection!" she said trying not to outright cry.
"Ribbon, I assume you heard everything Zero said…," Meta Knight claimed. "Zero was simply letting us get where he wanted us…"
After that Ribbon began to cry uncontrollably. "It happened anyway!" she cried furiously. "We played into everything he wanted us too! I couldn't help anyone after all! Every plan, every move we made…, none of it mattered!"
Meta Knight turned to Ribbon, "Ribbon get a hold of yourself!" he barked. "First off, let's go back to Rainbow Resort. When the Rainbow Knights unfreeze, like they are bound to do any second now, we have to be ready to face them they still want this last Dream Stone."
"B-but!" Ribbon cried out.
"I have a plan…, just trust me, I witnessed a few flaws in their attack styles but we need to prepare ourselves and be ready to defend Rainbow Resort," Meta Knight said strongly. "Then we can make another plan from there!"
Ribbon wiped her face on her sleeve. "So you think we can still win?" she asked hopefully.
"If we play our cards right, I hope so, now, let us hurry to Rainbow Resort!" Meta Knight urged.
*Rainbow Resort, Inn*
Kirby and his friends gathered around Meta Knight and began to listen to his plan. "There's only one thing we can do now, we have to face the Rainbow Knights," Meta Knight said sternly. "It seems that we did quite well the first time, but these opponents were trained to work as a group. I think we can beat them if we can get them to split up."
"I know what you mean!" Waddle Dee said confidently. "I could have defeated Orange Knight if his other buddies would have backed him up!"
"I know, how irritating, one minute I gain the upper hand against Yellow Knight then one of his allies or even my own friends smashes into me!" Tiff complained.
Ribbon came forward, "Meta Knight…," she said softly. "Um…, you used the Flames of Galaxia on Zero didn't you? Was that the full power version? Do you know if you managed to hurt him?"
"Hard to tell…," Meta Knight claimed. "That reminds me, he dropped something, or more like he threw me something as if he wanted me to have it, perhaps you know what it is?" he said revealing the clump of melted gold and lens.
"Hey, I got something like that too, back when we fought him in the Realm of the Elementals!" Tiff said revealing that she too had a lens.
Ribbon took the strange items. "Hmm, I don't really know, they are too dam-…! Wait, these lenses belonged to a pair of glasses! Which means this melted chunk of gold and jewels were a…, a crown!"
"But who did they belong to?" Meta Knight asked curiously.
"These belonged to…, Queen Fairy…," said Ribbon tearing up. "He must have been keeping them…, keeping them as a trophy for defeating her!"
"That would explain why she is absent and Zero's still around…," Meta Knight concluded. "All right we don't have much time, let's make our trips to reacquire all our lost equipment and anything else we might need. Plus, we owe that Shaman one more book!"
*Rainbow Resort*
Kirby and his friends quickly ventured to the Museum to restock their equipment and drop off a few artifacts. "Hello, do you need something my child?" said the Curator addressing Kirby. Kirby handed over the Glass Slippers, "Oh my, these are a pair of ornamental slippers, no one actually used them for walking in, unless you're a fairy of course then you don't have to walk!" he chuckled. "Here you can have this in exchange!" he said handing over a painting of a monstrous animal.
Adeleine was inspired by the illustration and scribbled something down on a small piece of paper. She then painted her face and transformed into a large feminine blue animal. "I believe this animal is called 'Gao Gao'," Adeleine claimed. "It's one of the most muscular beasts around!"
"Oh, do you have something else?" asked the Curator. Kirby handed over the Truth Mirror. "I must say you sure have an eye for treasure little fella. This item is known as a Truth Mirror and as its name suggests it reflects a person's heart rather than their actual image. Here you can take this!" he said with a smile as he gave Kirby a powerful looking silver broadsword. "Now child, this Mystic Broadsword is used by Ebbrian Paladins. I see you have an Ebbrian friend, perhaps she would find it most useful?" he finished. Kirby gave the Mystic Broadsword to Tiff who transformed once she gripped its hilt. She gained a helmet exactly like the one the Argent Lady wore and she felt a massive power surge through her.
"This is incredible, I've never felt this powerful before!" she said strongly as she thrust the sword into the air with only one hand.
"Would you like to make another donation?" asked the Curator. Kirby handed over the Goblet. "This is a very nice piece. This Goblet was used for ceremonial purposes during rituals among fairies. Here you can have this as a token of my gratitude!" he finished as he gave Kirby a silver hammer and a spiked mace. "Those two weapons are dual wielded by a Waddlekin Crusader. Waddlekin Crusaders are part of the Argent Lady's Clergy. They didn't become crusaders until she brought her spiritual practices to them. In addition, the shield they wear on their back side is reflective like a mirror and reflects attacks back to the attacker."
Waddle Dee took the hammer in his right hand and the spiked mace in his left. He transformed gaining a set of armor not unlike his Storm Knight gear, save for the helmet and shield on his back were red with gold trimmings. "With a hammer of justice and mace of righteousness, I serve the Goddess Palutena and fight for the freedom of the downtrodden! I'd like to see Orange Knight handle THIS!" roared Waddle Dee.
"Would you like to make another donation?" asked the Curator. Kirby gave away the Stone Scepter. "Now this is the rarest piece I've ever seen! However, I think this magical weapon would find more use in your large friend's hands. Here this is the Orichalcum Mask that actually goes with this! This Icerock Scepter was used by large animated crystal golems and can turn anyone into a frigid ice statue or even something as simple ice candy!" he stated.
Dedede took the Icerock Scepter and placed the Orichalcum Mask on his face. The scepter came to life with a faint glow. "Wow, why didn't I invest in some magical weapons before?" Dedede asked puzzled.
"Young lad, I heard that you have been donating artifacts all over the planet, and thanks to you, we have a full Museum so we can teach others about the past!" said the Curator with a joyful tone in his voice. "I'd like to give you this purse of money as a token of our unyielding gratitude!" he finished as he handed a large sum of money over to Kirby. Kirby wondered if he could even count that high.
Kirby then purchased replacements for all his friend's weapons and even chose some abilities to copy. Kirby gathered four compound abilities he found most useful; Cleaving Crescent, Shimmering Sword, Grandmaster and Snare. He then found an ability he had not copied yet. As he inhaled the caped creature standing on the pedestal he transformed and he gained a red cape and a winged golden circlet on his head, "Hi-jump Kirby, a hero has made his debut!" he said bravely. He then combined Hi-jump with Fighter and transformed yet again. His outfit changed very little only gaining a red bandanna over his eyes with two circles to see out of. "Super Hero Kirby, pulverize enemies in the name of justice!" shouted Kirby.
Kirby and his friends bid farewell to the Museum and outside found Grill's cohorts. "Hello Kirby, did you find something for Grill?" asked Pepper. Kirby gave Pepper the last coin. "Well, Grill will be happy that she has the entire collection now! Here Kirby, this Platinum Ring is for all your trouble," finished Pepper.
"The Platinum Ring doubles the speed of anyone who wears it!" claimed Sugar.
"Give it to someone who values speed!" Salt suggested. "Or you just make a large slow person much quicker on their feet!"
Meta Knight took the ring and he chuckled. "Indigo Knight is finished…"
Grill's cohorts left with a puff of smoke and a heartfelt farewell. Kirby left and found a Waddle Dee mailman that was looking for them. "Hi there, finally found you, I have a package for an Ebbrian girl named Tiffany Ebrum?" he asked looking for confirmation.
"Yes, that's me!" responded Tiff. The mailman handed over the package and it said it was mailed from her parents. "I wonder what this could be?" she said opening the box.
Inside a letter from her mother read, "Dear Tiff, I know you and Kirby are fighting hard for all of us, but your family wants to pitch in too! Two Waddlekin Spies that serve General Dee gathered some things from Dream Land during their survey missions. They made a trip through Cappy Town and even the King's castle. As a result, I have enclosed my old Titanium Boxing Gloves and foot guards in this package. I used to use them when I practiced kickboxing, but I think you could use them more than me now sweetheart! Your fisticuffs will pack much more of a whollop with these on! Take good care of yourself sweetie! We are all cheering for you! Love…, your mother and everyone in Cappy Town.
Tiff wiped a tear from her eye and took a good look at her mother's old gear and was very surprised that her mother once had such a dangerous set of weaponry, but she equipped them anyway.
Kirby and his friends had only one more stop to make before the Rainbow Knights would arrive. Luckily, the Shaman remained at the front of Chapman's Skyscraper. "Ah, is it time already?" asked the Shaman.
Meta Knight stepped forward, "Yes, here's is your final book, now give me, what you gave to them!" he said handing over the book.
"In a hurry I see, well here you go, but thank you for returning my cook book!" he said as he snapped his fingers. Meta Knight's eyes turned from yellow to white and in a sudden burst of force Meta Knight unleashed his hidden strengths. "Wow, you're the most powerful person I've unleashed yet!" laughed the Shaman.
Meta Knight contained his power, "Now using the Flames of Galaxia is mere child's play!"
"Well, I suppose that's all of you now isn't it?" said the Shaman with a sad tone in his voice.
"Wait, hold on, just who are you anyway?" Meta Knight asked curiously. "You didn't really need those senseless books to unleash our hidden talents did you?"
"Now the time has come, I was hoping you would ask!" said the Shaman cheering up. "Your right, I didn't need those books and as a matter of fact, the very word, 'N'or' in my language means 'Nonsense'! It's time for Crystallossus's prophecy to come to pass!" he said pulling down his hood. Beneath the hood was the head of a male Fairy, but unlike any Fairy encountered before this Fairy was downright beautiful, his head and body was made from living crystal instead of flesh and bone.
Ribbon was astonished, "I don't believe this…, you're a…, a Crystalkin Fairy! I thought that was only a legend!"
"What is this?" Meta Knight asked curiously. "Crystalkin Fairy?"
"Yes, we are the ancient ancestors of the current Fairies that live on Ripple Star!" the Shaman explained.
"How can living crystal have kids?" Dedede asked while scratching his head.
"Well, a long time ago, Crystallossus created the Fairy race as living crystal…," the Shaman began. "Then, after some time the Fairies began to develop their own ideas and philosophies. Some no longer wanted to worship Crystallossus and he let them be. Eventually, a war broke out and Crystallossus left Ripple Star regretting the creation of the Fairies. There were those, such as myself who left Ripple Star with him. We came to this world to live in solitude in this frozen land. I am the only one left here I'm afraid. Crystallossus created the Dream Stones to counter the Dark Matter's threat and help mortals create a better world. As for the Fairies that were left on Ripple Star, without Crystallossus to watch over them, they had their first war with Dark Matter. During the first war with Overlord Zero he transmutated all of the fairies with his alchemy into flesh and blood creatures to make them easier to corrupt."
"So the ancient legends are all true then…," Ribbon said in shock. "But how did Crystallossus end up as the guardian of the last Dream Stone?"
"I have lived here on this planet ever since the day we came here," the Shaman continued. "After the Dream Stones were created, he assigned powerful creatures to guard them and as the Crystalkin Fairy populace depleted, I myself entrusted each Dream Stone to a specific sage on this planet. I told those sages to create a fabricated legend centered on them and never spoke of the full truth of the stones."
"Wow, that's some story!" Waddle Dee said astonished. "So how did you know to meet us?"
"I came out of hiding and traveled to Sand Canyon where I would be able to intercept you. When the Dark Matter came I knew someone would rise to take them on and so I let that entity gather a few of the Dream Stones so I could see for myself who it was. That's when I met all of you in Citrine City. I decided to test your mettle by gathering the useless books I scattered around the world long ago," the Shaman explained.
"Well how about that, I guess that's one big mystery solved!" Tiff said with a cheerful smile.
"I have one more gift to give you, or more specifically to Ribbon!" the Shaman told as he pointed at Ribbon. Ribbon seemed confused as the Shaman snapped his fingers and her body unleashed a small torrent of pink energy. When the energy subsided she was speechless for a moment.
"The True Fairy Flare…, this spell belonged to the Crystalkin Fairies…, I get it now!" Ribbon said with renewed vigor and hope.
Then suddenly, Ribbon felt the Rainbow Knights approaching, but before she could respond, the Shaman did it for her, "I believe the fight for your planet is about to begin… the Rainbow Knights have arrived to fight you for the Diamond Prism. Do not give up because Zero has the other stones, he cannot achieve his desire without all eight."
Kirby and his friends gazed up into the skies above and six colored trails of energy headed for the center of the city. "They're here…," Waddle Dee said nervously.
"Well, shall we go?" Meta Knight urged. "We have a planet to save…," he finished as Kirby and his friends agreed with a cheer.
*End of Chapter*