In Your Nightmares Chapter 38: Shadows from the Past, a kirby fanfic

In You're Nightmares, Shadows from the Past

By: TheSilverHyena

WARNING! Contains:: Strong Language, Violence, Graphic Description of Gore, and Really, Really Disturbing Moments.

*From that annoying "To Be Continued" spot back in Chapter 36*

As soon as Matilda had been fired, one Stargazer zombie was in pieces on the ground, it's brains quite literally blown out with a pile of gore on the ground beside the fallen corpse. The scatter of the shotgun blast had hit some of the surrounding undead, though it didn't seem to affect them as much as the direct hit.

Next it was Geoffrey's turn, aiming at one of the Bloodtooth mages as she began casting her spell. He may not have been a mage, but he knew a fireball being formed when he saw it, having been around Kautounie and Neo long enough to know. The rogue pulled the trigger of his hand held cannon without hesitation. There was no mistaking the 'BANG' and the muzzle flash for anything else on Horva or in the entire known galaxy.

"Ye-ha!" Geoffrey shouted, as the single bullet had taken the red maned Bloodtooth mage right of her feet, leaving a huge hole in her gut, almost severing her body in half, leaving her blood and guts to spill out onto the ground.

In an instant, her spell fizzled out of existence and her eyes dulled as death took her. Just the sound of that handgun caused the remaining Bloodtooths to flinch.

"My turn!" Meta Knight growled, sending a sword beam from Galaxia, slicing through an undead horse and it's rider.

"If you can avoid it, do not engage a zombie in hand to hand combat!" Kautounie shouted, "Their bite is highly infectious!"

"Looks like I ain't avoidin' it!" King Dedede shouted, slamming his hammer downward.

He may have missed his intended target, a ravenous Bloodtooth ghoul, but as his hammer slammed into the ground, the electricity that had been surrounding it flowed through the ground, frying the undead right where he stood, and also catching one of the live male Bloodtooth zwetoock's in it's path. King Dedede was astounded. He had no idea he was capable of something like that. His previous fear being replaced with courage, the king readied himself for another attack.

Tiff grumbled as she caught a set of four Magic Missiles, fired from the remaining Bloodtooth mage as she scurried about the battlefield, barking orders to the males and the undead.

"I wouldn't recommend going out there yet!" Tiff growled, her temper rising.

The team stayed back where they were, unsure of what Tiff was going to do. Then Kautounie nodded.

"FIRRA!" Tiff shouted, hurling a ball of orange and green flames into the battlefield.

The resulting explosion was what Geoffrey had called 'gorgeous'. Though, it was far larger then Tiff had expected it to be. She screamed, summoning her fire shield over herself and King Dedede, while Kautounie called upon her shield of ice to protect herself, and her brother. Meta Knight had successfully absorbed the remainder of the flames into Galaxia, which glowed fiercely with red hot raw power.

"Wow." Tiff muttered, wide-eyed.

"Girlie... you have no right to call me Dededestructive any more!" King Dedede stated, slamming his hammer into a snarling, incoming stray zombie without even looking, "Shut up!" he muttered to the fallen undead as an afterthought.

"Tiff, when this is over, you and I are going over control again!" Kautounie panted, trying to catch her breath.

Now was not the time to argue, so Tiff just nodded and accepted her fate. Besides, redoing magic lessons with Kautounie was the least of her worries right now. After all, you had to be alive to redo magic lessons! Thankfully, none of her teammates had been hurt from the blast, and a large portion of the undead were charred beyond recognition, and others no more then piles of ashes on the ground. Two of the male Bloodtooths had been scorched from the flames, though the scout leader, the female, was unharmed. With a wave of her paw, the damage dealt to her fighters had been healed and the remaining undead regrouped.

"Time for round two." Kautounie grunted, stepping forward while giving Matilda a solid pump.

She fired again at a ghoul stallion and it's rider. The shot created another hole in the beast's already damaged chest, but did nothing to slow it down. Kautounie pumped and fired Matilda yet again, shredding more of the beast's flesh and shattering bone, yet it still kept coming, even as it's mangled innards spilled to the freezing, dirty ground beneath it.

"Say Meta Knight, that thing looks about the size of a Dire Wolfwrath, don't you think?" Geoffrey mused as he and the star warrior strode forward, pistol whipping a nearby zombie as they did.

"What?!" Meta Knight grunted, flicking sticky, discolored blood off of Galaxia after driving it through a zombie's head, avoiding the vile creature's rotting teeth as he did.

With a smirk, Geoffrey pulled back the hammer of Nivendethas and aimed at the animated horse corpse Kautounie had been shooting at. Seeing what was coming, the zwetoock sorceress wisely stayed out of Geoffrey's way, though she didn't take her eyes off her attacker. Another loud 'BANG', and the animated horse collapsed to the ground, it's head in about five different places. Another pump of Matilda, and Kautounie sent the beast's rider to join him.

"Hmmm, what do you know?" Geoffrey mused, quite calmly given the situation.

While spells and guns were fired and the battle raged on, the Star Warriors gained the upper hand of the fight. King Dedede, with his mechanized hammer, splattered three more zombies with a single swing, though to be fair, he was a tad dizzy after he spun around. Meta Knight, meanwhile, had slain one of the living Bloodtooths, coating Galaxia red with the creature's blood, then whipped up his mach tornado, kicking up ice, snow, and dust as he did. The flames he had taken from Tiff's fireball earlier had also come into play, as the sacred sword effortlessly sliced through the undead, leaving nothing but smoldering ash where they once stood. Tiff hung back from the brawling, focusing on using her healing spells on the others when they showed signs of fatigue, though when another zombie horse and it's rider attempted to run King Dedede down, she took it out using her Ring of the Ram. The summoned ram's head butted right into the beast's chest, knocking it off it's feet, leaving it an easy target for the portly king to finish.

"Fight me!" Meta Knight grunted, pointing his sword at the remaining female Bloodtooth.

She hissed loudly in response, her tail swaying slowly in agitation. Meta Knight paused, his wings quivering. He darted out of the way just in time to avoid being back stabbed by one of the other Bloodtooths, who was holding a short sword that was obviously not zwetoock made. Meta Knight's attacker raised his sword again, but he never had a chance to swing. There was a loud screech and a blur of rusty red, followed by a pained yelp from the Bloodtooth. Upon hearing the screech, Kautounie whipped around faster then the sound of a heartbeat.

"Talon?!" she asked, eyes wide with shock.

"My Sir Meta Knight! You don't hurt my Sir Meta Knight!" Talon screamed as she tore into the Bloodtooth's eyes with sharp, curved claws.

The beast's torment was put to an end when it's body was riddled with several gunshots coming from the same direction in which Talon had flown. Once the beast was downed, Talon flew off, her claws dripping with blood. When she returned, someone was sprinting behind her, gun still blazing. Tiff, Dedede, nor Meta Knight could hardly believe their eyes.

"Sirica?!" Tiff questioned.

With a battle cry, Sirica charged forward, her machine gun shifting into a silver short sword. She cleaved through one of the ghouls that had already been shot full of holes before beheading it. The girl didn't seem to phased by the thick, sticky black and green blood that sprayed her.

"Sirica, you have no idea how happy we are to see you!" Meta Knight called, slicing through a few of the remaining zombies with a fiery sword beam.

"Meta Knight... It's been a very long time!" Sirica said, with a smirk as she withdrew the blade and transformed her weapon back into a gun.

Before long, the undead had been cut down to size, and all that remained were the two Bloodtooth scouts. Knowing there was no way to win this battle, the pair fled, yelping and baying in fear. Kautounie, Geoffrey, Meta Knight, and Sirica all lined up. Geoffrey and the girls fired their guns, while Meta Knight hurled a sword beam. It wasn't certain who hit what at this distance, but what was for sure... those Bloodtooth's were not getting up again.

Satisfied, Kautounie blew the smoke from her shotgun barrel before placing the weapon back into the sheath on her back. Geoffrey nodded once, kissing the handle of his hand cannon, to which Meta Knight rolled his eyes. Humans and their guns!

"Whew, what a mess!" King Dedede exclaimed, taking off his mask, reverting his hammer back to normal. (Well, as normal as Dedede's hammer is, anyway.)

Though to be fair, after that exclamation, the king did look a little nauseous. The smell of dead, rotting, burned cascaras and gore was beyond horrible, after all.

"Good job team... and you too," Geoffrey congratulated, nodding to Sirica.

He looked away, blinked, then realized what he just said, "Wait a sec, where the hell did you come from?!"

"I found her, you silly human!" Talon screeched as she flew overhead, perching on Kautounie's outstretched arm.

Kautounie's mouth was agape for a moment, at a complete loss for words. It was also only now did Sirica realize that she was standing about three feet away from a zwetoock... and it wasn't attacking her nor barking at her either.

"Sirica, my friend,... this one is on our side!" Meta Knight informed, catching hint of Sirica's edginess while sheathing Galaxia and wrapping his cape around himself, "You already know Tiff and his highness, King Dedede. May I introduce Kautounie Redsun and Geoffrey Redsun."

Geoffrey and Kautounie both greeted Sirica in traditional zwetoock fashion, though rather hastily. At Sirica's slightly confused look after hearing that they both had the same last name, Geoffrey once again had to explain that he was adopted.

"Why does everyone ask me that?!" the human grumbled to himself.

Talon puffed out her chest proudly, knowing she had succeeded in her mission. She had found Neo's family. After getting acquainted and briefly catching up, the group quieted to listen to Talon's report.

"Talon... you have no idea how happy I am to see you! If you're here... that must mean Neo's still alive!" Kautounie stated.

"Big sis Kautounie, I've lost communion with Neo. But I do know the way to Felldersai Taa where I last saw them," Talon hooted, flapping her wings, "She sent me, told me to fly with all haste to find her big sis, big brother, and her Sir Meta Knight. Which I have found! I also found the strange girl there called Sirica."

Sirica rolled her eyes; strange girl, that's how Talon knew her and that's how Talon referred to her. King Dedede however found it rather amusing, as was quickly observed by all those hearing his muttered, "Serves you right, little girl." (Which was everyone, I might add.)

Sadly, Talon couldn't tell them exactly where in the fortress Kirby and Neo were being kept nor what condition of health they were in. But at least now they had a guide to lead them to Felldersai Taa, and perhaps an extra fighter to help them out. Speaking of which, how did Sirica, an old acquaintance of Meta Knight's, end up all the way out here?

"Sirica, I must ask, what brings you out here?" Meta Knight inquired.

"I'm not really sure what happened. About a week or so ago I received a strange message that there was a large amount of demon beasts on this planet. But when I reached this place, a surge of energy caused my ship to malfunction and crash land. Shortly after I got out of the wreckage, I was immediately attacked by those... those Bloodtooths. I think I might have landed right in the middle of a fight or something, because at first, those things were attacking others of the same kind... they looked like you, but more... wild." Sirica explained, pointing to Kautounie.

"Sounds like you accidentally interrupted a fight between Stargazers and Bloodtooths." Kautounie commented, nodding her head for Sirica to continue.

"Both sides were riding around on demon beasts, at least, I think they were, though a large portion of those Stargazers as you called them had been captured. Then I saw who was behind it. That bastard bounty hunter named Dusk! Ever since Nightmare's return, I've been on the lookout for him," Sirica spat, "Anyway, I eluded capture and killed quite a few of the Bloodtooths as I did. But everything is kind of a blur from there. Two of the Stargazers started barking at me, I'm not sure, but I think they were in charge. I couldn't understand what they were saying, but they took the hit that was meant for me."

"You killed Bloodtooths. You're a hero in the Stargazer's eyes." Geoffrey stated, "And as far as the Redsuns are concerned."

"Then I spent most of my time wondering around, unable to find civilization anywhere. When I decided to go back to my ship to see if I could rummage up some supplies, I found Talon. She told me about all of you, and that she knew Meta Knight! On the way here, she had also informed me of Kirby's capture by Dusk's hands, as well as... her Neo?" Sirica questioned, hoping that it might mean something to someone, "Talon wont stop going on about Neo, just who is he?"

Kautounie whimpered sadly, "She. Neo, is my little sister... and Geoffrey's."

Now Sirica felt a little bad at how she had referred to Neo. She knew all to well what it was like to have family taken away from her.

Finally, she wrapped things up by explaining how Talon had decided to join her and how the two of them stumbled upon Meta Knight and the team. Then it was Meta Knight's turn to explain the current goings on, including the Halberd, their friends working 'behind the scenes', Dusk's demands, and what they were doing in such a hostile environment.

"Sirica, would you be willing to join us?" Meta Knight asked, urgently, "If we're going to face Dusk and the horrors of Felldersai Taa, we can use all the help we can get!"

"Hmph, you dang near totaled my castle! Some Fellersee Tar ought to be no problem for you!" King Dedede added.

Kautounie sighed at King Dedede's mispronunciation of the prison's name, but didn't do much more aside from that.

"Please, Sirica." Tiff begged, "Kirby and Neo are both in danger!"

Sirica smiled, readying her weapon. Traveling with Sir Meta Knight, Tiff, a self-proclaimed king, a zwetoock sorceress, a crazy bird, and a gun nut to an infamous prison fortress owned by Nightmare Enterprises to rescue the Star Warrior Kirby and a zwetoock cub she had never even met before? Sounded like a good idea to her!

"Meta Knight... None of you need to ask me..." Sirica said at last, "Hell yes I'm coming with you!"

"Wow, now that's a girl after my own heart!" Geoffrey muttered, nodding.

With Sirica and Talon joining them, the team got to regrouping before heading out again, though there was a bit of confusion when Sirica mistook their horses for demon beasts and nearly shot them. It was understandable why the girl was so quick on the trigger. Wandering about the Badlands all by yourself could do that to anyone. Things had also got a little interesting when Talon was more properly introduced to King Dedede. Kautounie was at first unsure whether the touchy owl familiar would accept the penguin's company, but much to her surprise and King Dedede's, Talon took to him like a bird to the sky.

"Hmmmm, I think this could rather work. You know my Neo, yes?" Talon hooted, perching herself on the king's shoulder.

"Ummm, yes, she's a mighty good friend o' mine." King Dedede said, reaching out to stroke the owl.

Talon did not object, in fact she actually enjoyed the king's company. Maybe somehow she too knew he was a bird watcher.

Kautounie and Geoffrey had piled up the carcasses and set them on fire, just to ensure that they would never get up again, while Sirica searched the remains of her ship for any more supplies she could take with her. It seemed as though Dusk and his zwetoock pack had done a thorough job and there wasn't much left, but luckily for Sirica, her new companions had brought plenty to spare. Tiff had even been kind enough to cure Sirica's and Talon's injuries by use of her healing magic, something the young Dreamlander certainly didn't know how to do the last time Sirica had seen her.

After letting Sirica and Talon both have a bite to eat, the team mounted up and left the sight of the wreck behind them. Talon seemed content to stay with King Dedede while Sirica rode with Kautounie on Diesel.

"So Tiff, what's up with... whatever it was you just did a little bit ago?" Sirica asked, curiously, "What did you do? By the way, I like the new look. Reminds me a little of my mother."

"Oh... that." Tiff said, nervously combing through her ponytail with her fingers, "It's kind of a long story, actually."

"As long as we remain vigilant and alert, I'd say we have time for long stories." Geoffrey stated, smiling at Sirica.

"I'm really interested." Sirica prodded, leaning back against Kautounie, getting comfortable on the horse's saddle, "I'd love to hear what made you choose the path of a Star Warrior."

"Come to think of it, so would I." King Dedede muttered.

The group followed Talon's guidance as they traversed the vast, cold, and empty land. Already it was getting dark outside. Evening was fast approaching, and the nights were always dark and full of terrors here. One battle was down, but there were many more to come, that much was for certain. Meta Knight couldn't help but chuckle a little to himself. Traveling into hostile territory to retrieve something of great value. Perhaps not a sacred golden blade this time, but something just as valuable, if not more so. He could see so much of the Lady Garlude in Sirica, she was so much like her mother, just as beautiful, just as brave, and just as fierce. A shadow from the past, and for once, one Meta Knight was happy to see. Indeed, something to help them in the Badlands; Kabu could not have been more right.

*Felldersai Taa, Prison Laboratories*

The prison lab, Dusk really didn't like it in there. At one time during it's prime, Nightmare himself had mutilated many Galaxy Soldiers and Star Warriors into monsters in this very room. Now, it served as a place for Miachang and the other mages residing in Felldersai to work on devising potions, tonics, elixirs, and spells. It was a single, large room with one long table in the center, more counters off to the right hand side, which were lined with burners and all sorts of exotic equipment and components Dusk just assume not touch for fear of being turned into something undesirable. All things considered, the laboratory was one of the better lit rooms in the dungeons. There were two adjoining rooms. There was a lot of activity from the one to the left of the lab, as that was where Dusk was having his Monster Transporter assembled. A Gods awful smell was coming out of the other one. Curious, Dusk chanced a look inside and discovered that the tiny room was where the prisoners' food was prepared.

He groaned audibly, wondering how he was going to keep his captives alive on such swill. Miachang was with him, though she only spat something in zwetoock, then continued with her work.

"If you screw around with the Deva Noirdomak again, you better get used to that smell because that's all you'll be getting." Miachang taunted, with a slight smile.

"Come now, your highness, I'm far to valuable to His Grace for him to just throw me in prison and let me rot." Dusk retorted, exhaling a puff of smoke from the cigarette he was smoking, "Besides, he's killed countless of his own men on a whim. Reginald nearly killed my investments, he had to be punished for it. By the way, the conversation between His Grace and myself was private, how did you-? Oh never mind. What have you got for me?" he asked, flitting his raven wings out so he could more easily jump up onto an empty spot on the counter beside the Bloodtooth princess.

Miachang frowned when Dusk winced again. His wound had already opened once this day, he could not let it happen again!

"Dusk, you need to rest." Miachang growled, "And put that damn thing out!"

"I will as soon as I see to it my cubs are taken care of." Dusk groaned, taking a closer look at what Miachang was carefully brewing in a small bowl over a barely lit burner.

He wasn't entirely sure, given the lingering stench of the place, but he couldn't smell anything coming from the zwetoock's concoction. Even with his training as a Bounty Hunter, he could have sworn that whatever it was the Bloodtooth mage with mixing was nothing more then pure water.

"It is the Milk of the Mothberry, cleansed of it's color and smell. When applied to wounds, it sterilizes them and lets them heal. But when ingested, it's a powerful hallucinogenic, often making the one who takes it see what they want to see... at first, anyway. Until they've had enough... in which case, they will see what we would like them to see. Milk of the Mothberry has another name, Gray One, the Waking Nightmare." Miachang explained, with a devious smile, "You and my husband shall find training the little star and dragon easier, as with clouded minds, it will be harder to resist."

Dusk nodded, "They do have wills like steel. Kirby refused even though we had Neo tortured if he didn't do as ordered. However, I doubt that they could even stand at this time, considering the flogging Prince Zorra gave to them."

"All the better." Miachang snorted, "The Waking Nightmare will need to be administered slowly, in small doses throughout the next couple of days. We need consistency to make the effects permanent. And the best part, there's no known cure for it... unless I decide there is, of course." she added, with a wicked sneer.

Dusk thought about this for a moment. He didn't know exactly when the rest of Kirby's team would come knocking on Felldersai's well-guarded doors, only that eventually, they would find their way here. But as soon as he got the lot, he'd be sending them off to Nightmare. May as well make sure Kirby and Neo were incapacitated and completely helpless. It would make Nightmare's work a whole lot easier, and that might mean a bonus for him.

"Excellent work, your highness. Now we just need to get it into them." Dusk smirked, "Perhaps a slightly more appetizing meal will make the medicine easier to stomach." he suggested.

Kirby and Neo were both incredibly weak due to their prior punishment, but Dusk would see to it that they would eat that night. He vaguely wondered where Gerard and Balor were, as he had not seen their spirits for some time. Maybe they grew bored once Nightmare had cut off communications with him. Worked for Dusk. Come to think of it, he really didn't care where those two were, just so long as they left him alone.

*Felldersai Taa, Dungeons*

For a while, all the psychical pain seemed to vanish as troubled sleep took them, only to be replaced with horrid nightmares. What if Meta Knight and the others never came? What if they were killed, or worse, sent to Nightmare before the others got to Felldersai in time? Or what if their rescuers, their family, were slaughtered on their way, or worse yet, simply abandoned them to their fate. Such horrible and morbid thoughts, easy to think of such things when locked up in the dark for so long. But then the light came on, waking both prisoners from their sleep. It was painful at first, and a precursor to some sort of torment. Maybe their captors figured they had long enough to rest and were here to drag them off to be tortured again.

Kirby and Neo both tried to move, quickly discovering that to be a mistake. Now the pain was creeping back, and every movement caused the dried blood caked on their backs to crack and split, reopening the injuries and turning their dirty bandages dark red. When Neo finally gathered the strength to sit up, she couldn't help but see just how weak Kirby was.

"Poyo... Neo..." Kirby whimpered, struggling just to drag himself closer to her.

He was covered in a cold sweat and began to cough. Gingerly, Neo reached out and scooted the baby warrior closer to her, placing her hand on his forehead.

"Kirby... you're running a fever." Neo whispered, weakly.

"Poyo, Kaabii... not weak..." Kirby moaned as he tried to stand again, but failed to do so.

Come to think of it, Neo wasn't feeling to great either, and it wasn't just the lashes from the flogging. They were both malnourished and in a filthy environment, and it was only a matter of time before their immune systems started to break down. Plus, they were thrown into their cold cell dripping wet. With every passing minute, escape seemed less and less likely, especially now that the two of them were ill.

The two of them consigned themselves to their fate, just waiting for the cell door to open and the torment to begin; though what sport there was in torturing victims who were already injured and sick could be anyone's guess.

"Where are you?" Neo growled, coughing from her parched throat as she did, "Are you... afraid of... -cough-... two sick and injured cubs?"

Kirby and Neo both trembled violently as their cell became colder with each passing second. So far, the door had yet to open, but the fur on Neo's back bristled and she could see both her's and Kirby's breath hang in the stale air. She could feel that there was something else in the cell with them, and she didn't like it. Suddenly, a chilling laugh began to fill Kirby's and Neo's ears, striking their hearts with fear.

"No, no, I'm not at all afraid, child." said a slick voice, "I was just getting a good look at my boy's sis and cuddly pink friend."

Suddenly, the specter that Kirby and Neo had seen back in the main levels of Felldersai stepped right out of the concrete walls and into view. There was no mistaking it, this man was Geoffrey's biological father, at least he was while he lived. Stepping through the solid steel door and joining him was the Alpha Hell Hound that they had also seen during their attempted escape. Kirby and Neo's hearts both began pounding. Ghosts were nothing to take likely, especially considering they were completely helpless right now.

"Y-you... you're... y-you're Gerard Collins, aren't you?" Neo asked, her voice shaking as she swallowed dryly.

The spirit of the assassin smirked, reveling his death injuries to the two prisoners, "That I am. So tell me, how's my boy doing? I hear that while I've been stuck in here, he's been corrupted by you loathsome Redsuns! From what I understand, he's quite a dashing young lad, and has taken up arms for the Star Warriors!"

"Geoffrey... w-wants n-n-n-nothing to... to do with the likes of you, Gerard. He is... he is a dragon, a true Dragon of the Redsun." Neo said, her words shaking with every breath she took.

Gerard just glanced to the alpha hell hound, trying to hold back his laughter. His son, born to a man in service to the most powerful demon lord in existence... a Dragon of the Redsun? A mere human... a prince among zwetoocks? How revolting.

"Heheheh... I told you, Gerard. But you didn't believe me. Now then, don't tell me that you don't know who I am..." Balor grinned, lowering his head down to Kirby's level and grinning.

Kirby violently trembled at the sight of the hell hound's ghost. He remembered that raspy voice all to well. This was the same demon beast that nearly took his mentor's, his father's life.

"A-alpha... -cough-...Alpha... B-Balor..." Kirby whimpered, struggling just to sit up.

Gerard and Balor smiled as they circled Kirby and Neo, examining them, letting their fear give them power.

"You... you murdered star warriors... just for fun..." Neo shuddered as she felt Gerard's hand lightly touch her shoulder, sending a jolt of painful cold throughout her body.

"Is that what my boy told you, then? Hmhm, looks like Geoffrey is capable of telling the truth, after all." Gerard snickered, "I thought I taught him better."

"Poyo, leave... leave Neo alone!" Kirby chided, finally making it to his feet.

Now Gerard's and Balor's eyes landed on the little Star Warrior. As the ghosts advanced, Gerard flicking a spectral dagger out of his coat sleeve as he did, Kirby stumbled back, away from Neo, his breath fast paced, nearly hyperventilating.

"No, Kirby! Leave him alone!" Neo shouted, trying to drag herself to the little star warrior.

Gerard and Balor ignored Neo, their focus solely on Kirby now.

"Well now, aren't we brave for one so small. Look at you. You really remind me of a young prince I once knew!" Gerard purred, placing the dagger to Kirby's belly, "I can tell when someone's been usin' my old dagger. Did you like it? Did you like the feeling of Venomancer in your hands, little star warrior?"

Desperately, Kirby tried to push the weapon away, only to have his hands go right through the blade. However, when Gerard pressed the point of the blade into him, it drew blood, causing the frightened Star Warrior to yelp. Now Gerard grinned with evil glee.

"So you're Meta Knight's apprentice hmm? The one who defeated Nightmare five years ago?" Gerard questioned, "I guess I stopped caring about the bastard after I was killed, but the son of a bitch had done things to me... turned me into one of his monsters and I never even knew it. This is where demon beasts and the completely vile who have been slain go. Forever and eternity. Kind of our own private Ring of Hell."

"Don't think I've forgotten about what that bastard Meta Knight did to me either!" Alpha Balor snarled, "I was meant to win that fight... and from what I understand, Riley's just thrown me away and replaced me with another demon, am I right?"

"Please, stop it!" Neo begged.

The two specters snorted and laughed when Neo began chanting prayers, albeit weakly, and making gestures with her hands.

"The Great Dragon has no power here... daughter." Gerard laughed, "So why don't you just sit back and watch."

"Poyo... no... Kaabii wont..." Kirby said defiantly, struggling to get to his feet once again.

He stopped when Gerard forced him onto his back, pointing the ghostly dagger he carried right at the little puffball's gut.

"I may not have Venomancer anymore, but ever since I learned of your existence, I've wanted to drive one of my knives right into your gut, Kirby of the Stars!" Gerard panted, an insane and evil smile forming on his face, "My days of slaughtering star warriors hasn't stopped, it was merely postponed."

Kirby's eyes filled with tears, looking up into the face of pure hatred, almost as frighting as Nightmare's visage. Neo screamed loudly as the assassin's ghost lifted up his dagger to strike the blow, only to suddenly have the spirit blade unexpectedly fly from his hand and through the cell wall. At this point, Gerard and Balor looked just as surprised as Kirby and Neo.

Then another ghostly form revealed itself, levitating just above Kirby, and matching Gerard's height. Now Gerard found a much larger spectral blade pointing at his throat as he looked into the pale blue eyes of the other spirit. This one was unmistakably a star warrior, the mask alone was a giveaway. All that could be seen of the ghost's face were his two eyes. Once Neo had gotten over the initial shock, she realized that this spirit was of the same elf-like race as Knuckle Joe, or at least he was while he lived. He had the same sort of spiky blonde hair, though he was wearing black plate mail armor, trimmed with silver and a pale green cloak that billowed in unfelt wind. In his left hand, he carried a shield, one both Kirby and Neo had seen before. Come to think of it, Kirby recalled that it looked like the locket Knuckle Joe had once carried and Neo had seen a replica of that exact same shield in Garna's office back at her club. Even more so, Kirby had SEEN this man before; there were some paintings of him in Garna's office as well, and Meta Knight had a photo of this warrior in his cabin back on the Halberd. Could this really be happening, or had both of them truly gone completely insane?

Alpha Balor snarled loudly and shrank back, his ears pinned against his skull. Gerard just grinned, then began to laugh. Kirby, meanwhile, had taken this opportunity to scuttle back to the safety of Neo's arms.

"You always did like murdering Star Warriors while they were injured or asleep, Gerard!" the Star Warrior ghost growled.

"Sir Jecra... you and I never did have a chance to be formally introduced while we were alive, but from what I understand, you're old buddy Meta Knight was the one who cut you down by his own sword!" Gerard snorted, flinching when the star warrior's sword was pressed further into his neck.

"And I'm glad he did! Sir Meta Knight saved me from becoming a monster like you!" Jecra snarled.

Gerard's smile only widened, "Then if your no monster... what are you doing here?"

"Unlike you, Gerard... Alpha Balor... I am where I choose to be right now!"

Jecra's ghost flicked his sword, forming a brand new wound on Gerard. The assassin only sighed, feeling the slit in his throat. Balor had tried to circle around the two of them to get to the prisoners huddled together on the floor, but he quickly thought better of it once Jecra's sword became pointed at him.

"Come now, Sir Jecra. You and I are both already dead. Neither of us can die again." Gerard sighed, whipping out another one of his spectral daggers, "A fight between all of us... we'd be at it all night."

"In that case, I've got plenty of time!" Sir Jecra growled, raising his sword to accept Gerard's challenge, "Bring it, assassin! My days of slaying monsters and demons had merely been... postponed." he added, mimicking the undead rogue's earlier words.

Gerard and Balor just glowered, then retreated back into the concrete walls. Neo and Kirby both yelped as they were thrust into blackness again once the light was turned off, but it was lifted just as quickly once a celestial orb of blue light formed in the palm of Jecra's hand. Kirby and Neo both shivered fearfully as the Star Warrior's ghost approached them, reaching out with his other hand.

Kirby had expected the ghost's touch to be icy and hard. Although it was still cold, Jecra's ghostly touch had helped to dull the pain throbbing throughout his body. The ghost of the Star Warrior gave Neo the same treatment, even lightly scratching her behind the ear, unknowingly getting the sensitive spot, causing the little cub to lean into his hand. Finally, Neo had gathered the courage to speak.

"T-t-thank you... Sir ….Sir J-Jecra." she stammered.

"It's alright... there's no reason for you to fear me." Jecra said gently, kneeling down beside the two frightened captives.

Neo and Kirby both began to relax in his presence, even finding him somewhat soothing. Kirby had even reached out with his stubby pink hand to the ghost. Sir Jecra sighed; he could tell that the two of them were slowly breaking and wearing down.

"Poyo... K-Knuckle Joe's daddy?" Kirby asked.

"That I am... or rather... was." Jecra sighed, his smile hidden by the mask he wore, "You must be Kirby of the Stars... my friend's apprentice."

"Poyo... Medi Kni's son." Kirby chirped, weakly.

"Sir Meta Knight decided to... to take Kirby in as his own cub... only a few days before we were taken to this place." Neo explained.

Jecra nodded, "I always knew that stoic tough guy had a soft spot buried under that hard steel exterior somewhere." he chuckled, "And you, little one. Meta Knight told me about your kind while I lived. By the looks of you, I'd say you must be a Redsun."

"N-Neo Redsun, Milord." Neo introduced, "Second Daughter to the Alphess Tamoko Redsun. Not many in the G.S.A. knew of us, but the Dragon and the Star have been allies since the Great Wars." she added.

Jecra bowed politely, realizing now that he was in the presence of a princess. Death, after all, was no excuse for poor manners, " Forgive me. I-I should be calling you your highness."

"Please, Sir Jecra. There's nothing to forgive. Meta Knight and all my friends just call me Neo." Neo said, blushing slightly.

"Very well, as her highness commands, Neo it is." Jecra stated.

The ghost began feeling fond memories return to him. Meta Knight told some of the most fantastic stories from when he had been stranded on Horva. Not to mention, Neo and Kirby, who were just happy to have a friend, had wanted to tell Sir Jecra how his boy was doing... or ask him if he knew a way out, more importantly. But suddenly, Sir Jecra paused, whipping his head around to the cell door. Instinctively, Kirby and Neo both turned to see what he was looking at.

"Someone's coming!" Jecra whispered, "They cannot know that I'm here!"

"Poyo, wait!" Kirby cried out before Jecra vanished through the walls, "Balor...a-and Gerard... they see you!"

Neo and Kirby both gazed at Sir Jecra fearfully. What if those two alerted Dusk or the Bloodtooths?

"Everyone here, especially Dusk, knows Gerard is a professional liar! Who's going to believe him?" Jecra asked, before fading away, grudgingly leaving the two cubs in the dark once again.

Kirby and Neo both sat quietly, staring at the wall where Sir Jecra had materialized into.

"Good point..." Neo muttered, managing a weak smile.

Once again, the dim light bulb hanging in their cell was turned on, though the two cubs had a much easier time adjusting themselves to the light. Neo and Kirby pressed themselves into the far corner of the room as the door opened. Much to their surprise, it wasn't bored guards, but Dusk and Miachang. The two of them walked inside, Miachang carefully setting down a tray that had what Neo guessed was their evening meals on it.

Dusk eyed both prisoners. They were both very weak. Finally, Neo spoke.

"Please Dusk... Kirby is sick. He needs water and medicine." she pleaded, softly.

"Oh, well we can't have that, can we?" Dusk purred.

Miachang hissed in the arcane tongue, forming leather shackles around Neo's wrists while conjured chains pinned her against the wall, propping her into a sitting position and forcing her to let go of Kirby. While Neo screamed, struggling weakly to break free, Dusk had sat down on the ground next to Kirby, taking the smaller batamon in his lap. Kirby's breathing became labored and forced as he looked up to his captor's orange eyes.

"I didn't want to punish you, but a father must do what he must." Dusk said, his voice frighteningly gentle as he stroked Kirby's head, causing the little one to shudder.

"Kirby!" Neo cried, going limp against her bonds.

The two of them had expected Miachang and Dusk to start torturing them again. Already Neo's heart was pounding wildly as she wriggled and sobbed, pressing herself against the stone wall and curling her tail between her legs. But instead, their captors just brought the tray closer. There were two bowls of gruel, though it looked considerably better then the slop Kirby had been fed earlier that day, and two cups filled with water.

"Just as I thought." Dusk observed, noting the lack of resistance.

Kirby flinched and closed his eyes when he felt Dusk move as the bounty hunter held him firmly, but instead of pain, he felt a spoon filled with the gruel gently press against his mouth. The little warrior squealed as he tried to roll out of Dusk's grip.

To be fair, this was more frightening then being thrust into the dark and left to starve, or even being flogged by the Bloodtooth prince. Why were these two all of a sudden being so tender and gentle with them? Kirby curled in on himself and eventually took a few licks, feeling his stomach churn from the fear. He thought he might throw up again. When he opened his eyes, he could see that Miachang was trying to feed Neo in much the same way.

"Come now, my little warrior, you need your strength." Dusk sighed, putting the spoon back in the bowl when Kirby turned his head away.

Next, he raised the cup to the pink puffball's mouth, letting him slowly sip the cool water inside. It wasn't like the stagnant water from earlier, it was actually clean and refreshing. Soon enough, Kirby's thirst got the better of him, and half the water was gone before Dusk set it down. Kirby coughed, some of the water dripping down his chin.

"Easy now, little one." Dusk said, gingerly propping Kirby up a bit more so he could eat easier.

Neo closed her eyes and turned her head away, shaking violently from being so close to Miachang. This was unnatural. Bloodtooths were never this kind to Redsuns, not even to the cubs. However, Miachang patiently sat next to her, waiting. Neo's stomach growled when the scent of the food reached her nose. For once since they arrived at Felldersai, a hot meal was brought to the two of them.

"Eat, little dragoness." Miachang commanded, holding the bowl under Neo's chin.

Eventually, Neo couldn't hold out any longer. She was starving. The young Redsun lapped up the porridge, quickly swallowing it. Sure, it wasn't the best tasting food, but it was better then that rotten meat she had been fed earlier, and it wasn't stale or spoiled either. Dusk smiled darkly once Kirby had begun eating as well. At first, the little star warrior gagged, but he began to settle down and accept the feeding.

"That's it. There's a good boy." Dusk purred as his captive ate without resisting, "There we go."

About a quarter of the way through their meals, both Kirby and Neo began to feel lightheaded, their senses slowly slipping away. Kirby began to cuddle against Dusk's side, smiling weakly. He could hear Meta Knight's silky, accented voice and felt his cape being draped over his shoulders, providing him warmth.

"M-Medi Kni? Daddy?" Kirby chirped, laying back in his captor's arms.

His vision swam and wavered as he was fed another mouthful of gruel. Kirby could see the familiar face of his friend, his father. Those white gloved hands were holding Kirby gently, cradling him. The little star warrior relaxed, licking the side of his mouth.

"Yes, my little warrior... I'm here..." he could hear Meta Knight say.

"Poyo... daddy..." Kirby sighed, right before being silenced with another mouthful.

Kirby was now limp in Dusk's arms, completely unaware of where he was anymore. His liquid blue eyes were half closed, staring up at what he believed to be his father's visage. The more he ate, the clearer he could see his beloved Meta Knight. And Kirby wasn't the only one seeing things. Neo blinked a few times, her eyes dilating from the powerful drug she had unknowingly ingested.

"Kautounie...is... that you?" Neo asked, her tail lightly thumping on the ground.

Miachang smiled. The effects of the Mothberry Milk were stronger then she had anticipated. She glanced to Dusk for a moment. They had used the late Captain Reginald's stupidity and neglect to their advantage. Spoonful after spoonful, the two weakened captives became more and more compliant, truly believing what they were seeing. Neo could clearly hear her elder sister's voice in her head and felt the warmth of her fur against her body.

"Just stay here... everything will be fine, you'll see, little sis."

Neo slowly nodded, accepting another spoonful of the drugged gruel. Soon enough, there wasn't anything left. After the prisoners had finished eating, Dusk and Miachang stayed a little while longer, just to make sure the drugs were working properly. Kirby had already snuggled into Dusk's cape, cooing happily and chirping Meta Knight's name in his own, unique way.

"Miachang my dear, a success, I should think." Dusk congratulated, clipping off his cape and wrapping it around Kirby.

The Bloodtooth princess smiled, then released Neo from her shackles. Neo moaned softly as Kirby was placed back in her arms. As the two closed their eyes, they could both hear Meta Knight's and Kautounie's voices, gently soothing them.

"We will be back for you. Just sleep now."

"Mhmmmm..." Neo moaned, nodding her head and holding Kirby closer to her.

Dusk and Miachang left the cell to let the drugs settle firmly into the prisoners. Sure Dusk gave up his cape, but he had some spares. Once out of the dungeons and without any warning, Miachang suddenly plucked Dusk up off the ground and carried him towards his room.

"Hey! Your highness... what's the big idea?" Dusk demanded, clearly startled at suddenly being manhandled in such a manner.

"Now that the little ones have been cared for this evening, you will go to your den to rest! And you will stay until you are fit for battle, or looking after the little star and dragoness, or the Deva Noirdomak calls upon you." Miachang ordered, firmly, "Gray One, you too will need your strength when the Dragons and Stars come to Felldersai Taa.

Why did such a primitive dog have to make such good sense? Indeed, Dusk was better, but he was not fit for battle. Once in his room, Miachang laid the gray batamon on the bed, still in his armor, covering him with one of the fur pelts. Dusk didn't resist. He closed his eyes, letting sleep take him. All the while he thought about what happened down in the dungeons. Part of him liked what it had felt like, making it all the sweeter when Meta Knight would find out. Dusk would almost regret sending Kirby off to Nightmare. Almost... the bounty hunter was only protecting an investment, that was all. Love for a child, even a little, was something he could not afford.

When Miachang turned to leave, she couldn't help but notice another presence in the room with her. She let out a low growl, her fur bristling. When nothing showed itself, the Bloodtooth princess muttered something, flicking her hand, then left, unaware of the ghostly masked Star Warrior, watching her from the walls with narrowed eyes.

Author's Notes:: To sum things up, we have the conclusion of the zombie brawl, complete with Sirica's epicness! Meanwhile, Dusk and Miachang are cooking up a rather nasty and vile plot to shatter both Kirby's and Neo's wills. Those two young ones are strong, but even the mightiest warrior has his/her limits. Yet, even in a place of death and despair, they have a friend in their midst, an old friend and fellow warrior of Sir Meta Knight's, the Legendary Star Warrior, Sir Jecra... but... he's dead, isn't he? Well yes, of course he is! How did the old Star Warrior's ghost get into Felldersai Taa? Well I'm not going to tell you that, it would ruin the fun, but I will say this, I adore Sir Jecra, I think he's awesome, even though you don't see much of him in the Kirby Anime. I for one think he'd be fun loving and mischievous (Hey, his kid's got to get it from somewhere!), yet he can also be cordial and polite when it suits him or downright dangerous and serious when the situation calls for it. Needless to say, even in the protection death gives him, Gerard would rather not cross blades with Sir Jecra's ghost. One thing I will let you in on, and this is important... Ghosts are f***ing NASTY opponents, be they bad or good. Hope you all enjoyed this one as much as I did.