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

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

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PROLOGUE: Out of the Ashes

The world of dreams had finally overcome the looming storms of war and now the natural order was restored. The Great DeDeDe War had finally come to an end. The war still took its emotional toll on millions of innocents. From *A.D.W. 1984 to A.D.W. 1994, the world no longer saw the light of freedom.

The world was devastated by the power struggles of Amerikirb and DeDessia that ravaged much of the planet. Having been emasculated by overextending resources, numerous internal political blunders, numerous casualties, and a ruined capital, the DeDessian military leadership had to surrender. An Amerikirban-allied loyalist faction was put in place to replace the revanchist regime and bring the war to a ceasefire. The war criminals who engaged in wanton brutality faced justice by what remained left of the international community. Civilization regressed into the dark ages in a matter of a few years. Many puffballs, descended from the legendary star warrior known in the myths as Kirby, and Waddle Dees, descended from the mysterious Bandana Dee, perceived themselves as righteous enemies. Both races saw themselves as worthy of the mantle of godhood. As people always believed in Dream Land, dreams could become a reality. But that was not always true.

Pop Star saw the rise of two mighty empires that spanned much of the planet. The newly crowned King D6, his formal name being King Dedenodosos VI of DeDenidea, was trusted as a hero for the people among Waddle Dees, yet he was perceived as an enlightened despot by the puffballs living in his country. Poponian ultranationalists were outraged by this royal edict and decided to attack the establishment, causing the King to immediately suspend parliament and declare martial law. Puffballs were seen as traitors. They had to take an allegiance of loyalty to the DeDenidean empire or face death. King D6 consolidated power and mustered his military to engage in a bloody civil war with insurgents, resulting in a decisive victory for the central government. The other leading rival nation, Poponia, elected to have a parliamentary constitutional monarchy headed by King Poponiana and heralded as a paradise for puffballs. By A.D.W. 1997, they had the largest empire in the world, even eclipsing the strength of the former Amerikirban empire within a few years with its dramatic technological advances. Led by Conservative leader Prime Minister Poporen, the Poponian Parliament had a dysfunctional democracy at best and an oppressive oligarchy at worst. King Poponiana's rise to power involved the centralization of decision making power, yet the Prime Minister still had to pay fealty to the royal family. The puffballs were perceived as oppressed and given rights in DeDenidea, while Waddle Dees were treated to the same effect in Poponia. Waddle Dees who did not sign the loyalty oath in Poponia were seen as traitors. DeDenidean sympathizers in Poponia were affronted by this edict and protested which escalated into violence and eventually civil war. Waddle Dees who did not sign the loyalty oath were denied government jobs and were treated as second-class citizens. The Poponian approach to the world was based on blood oaths and aristocratic virtues. The royal servants of the crown were mostly often Waddle Dees who had to renounce their allegiance to the King of DeDenidea or face death. The empire extolled puffballs as superior to the Dees in every way. Dees and other races from the empire were allowed to remain citizens and serve in the royal military. These two leading governments were foretold to become the main belligerents in the ensuing conflict. King D6 was treated as a just and strong world leader among the many republics surrounding his domains, yet his great investment in building a strong military presence in the Rainbow Islands archipelago which had trade relations with Poponia alarmed the international community. To make matters worse, both governments possessed weapons of mass destruction.

The age of peace was short lived, bringing an age of great scientific discovery and the exploration of new natural resources. The age-old empires reeling from the previous war still sought for new markets and mutual cooperation with their allies. Suddenly, everything fell apart when tragedy struck on the gulf coastal city of Orbranen. A drone bombing attack on Amerikirban-allied and DeDessian oil shipping tankers led some to believe that these were the first step in a war that was bound to happen. DeDenidea was targeted as the culprit behind the attack with evidence of DeDenidean-produced munitions being supplied to insurgent proxy forces. Poponia was also singled out with evidence of its own troops arming and supplying the drones for the terrorist movements that directly attacked the harbors. Fears of a proxy war forced the two superpowers to intervene and push for an immediate ceasefire. The peace conference failed on A.D.W. 1999 when an attack on the international peace summit by an unknown masked assailant provided the spark that caused the powder keg to erupt. This terrorist attack that killed several innocents became known in the public eye as the Red Palm Incident. The assassin was linked to members of the Knights of Spatha, an elite international mercenary group with the high-minded aim of forming a militaristic society dangerous to the interests of both governments. The Knights of Spatha had mysterious motives, yet their legendary status under the command of its elusive leader Spatha could not be underestimated. The Knights of Spatha were designated a terrorist organization and rumored to have infiltrated the armies of both nations. Within forty-eight hours of the Red Palm Incident, followed by the sinking of naval vessels near the Rainbow Islands, both nations declared war.

When the war had finally broken out, the Amerikirban-led Star Warrior Defense Force, being an elite international military defense force made exclusively of puffballs that was tasked with upholding international security, was forced to side with Poponia. After a series of damaging failures by the membership to rout an effective resistance force against the enemy, it was soon dissolved by the new ruling government. Destined Providence, a legendary group comprised of the six most elite Star Warriors on the planet who were veterans of the Great DeDeDe War, had mysteriously disappeared for reasons unknown following their reactivation. They were sent on a secret infiltration mission to gather intel on the secret DeDenidean superweapon project Sundowner near the enemy capital of Deecapita and halt production. While deep in enemy territory, they were compromised and lost contact with high command. With the mission unsuccessful, the puffball nation was put at a great disadvantage. The leading military minds of the Poponian empire recommended a last-ditch effort employing their own elite soldier program modeled after the best of the Star Warrior Defense Force to make up for their outnumbered military. There was the assumption that if the Poponian nation fell, all of the puffball race would be annihilated.

Poponia faced numerous defeats against the overwhelming onslaught of the DeDenidean military machine that was far more numerous and advanced even with employing the resources of its mighty empire to stop it on many fronts. Entire allied cities on the Eastern front were devastated by the looming air raids and invasions that came without warning. Massive factories and imperial fortifications were constructed in the place of the ruins. Rumors of new weapons being unleashed on the battlefields by D6's forces were always circulating among intelligence. All seven of the Rainbow Islands had fallen in a matter of weeks, cutting off the Poponian empire from securing vital resources in the great ocean a continent away from her mainland. Much of the Euelropean continent was under the influence of a literal despot, with Waddle Dees given the right to take anything they wanted and have the most loyal of them govern their several puppet states. Poponian puppet governments were set up in Minreca. Amerikirb and DeDessia were unable to intervene, yet would provide material support when they came under attack by DeDenidea and her allies. Millions of lives were lost. After a few grueling years with few successes, Poponia was sapped of 50% of its military strength. Now, it was on the brink of annihilation.

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

Popoken. Capital of Poponia and largest city with a population of 10 million inhabitants. Home of the Poponian Parliament. Chief Residence of the Prime Minister.

Popoken, Poponia. 2200 Hours

Prime Minister Poporen, the well-groomed leader of the Poponian government and head of the Poponian Conservative Party, was surprised by what was happening. Poll numbers in support of the war effort were plummeting. Being personally appointed by the Queen to run the country was a great embarrassment to the nation. His party was losing seats to his rivals in the Poponian Labor Party and the war coalition was faltering. His approval rating was bound to be the lowest in Poponian history. He resided comfortably in his fancy chair, smoking his pipe, as he was reading a copy of the latest news from his favorite newspaper, The Daily Puffball. He hoped to get his spirits up. He twiddled his aged mustache with great interest in the developing conflict. He was well informed on the issues at hand, speaking with an elitist attitude typical of the upper class to his personal servant Dee. This Dee was able to speak Poponian rather fluently. His kind was known for their strong work ethic and smart deduction skills.

"My paper, good sir."

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

"Hmmm...I see!"

"We have the Poponian high command here ready to talk with you, Mister Prime Minister. They're due for the situation briefing."

"Send them in!"

"Right away Mister Prime Minister!" The servant Dee gladly opened the door for his superior.

"Alright! Come in gentlemen!" He rose from his chair to await his presiding generals. Three wisened red-colored puffballs entered the room dressed in decorated military attire.

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

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

"With all due respect, enough pontificating, Poporen. You're not at a political rally, sir! We're down to our last few battalions. We're now on the defensive and are only a countryside away from being bombarded off the map. This very government is bound to be decapitated in a matter of weeks. Green Greens needs to be retaken as soon as possible. If you don't get this right, we're through! Remember, you're the one in command of our armed forces here. We have one option left!"

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

"They're all dead! Enemy spies done em' in just a few hours ago! Right in their own headquarters! Here are the pictures." They were utterly indescribable.

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

"What is Galaxy Squad?" The prime minister appeared dumbfounded.

"That's classified. Anyway, here's what we have in our records about this character." One of the three generals showed a picture of Pinkobashi, among other images of possible candidates. Another general showed a picture of one female yellow-colored Applsian warrior of equal status and rank.

"Who is this?" The prime minister grabbed one classified file with a colored photo of the legendary pink puffball and a list of his accomplishments. Pinkobashi looked rather intimidating with his look on his face, baring his teeth. The others did not show the bravado that he had.

"Pinkobashi. Nicknamed the Pink Blur. Formerly a member of the group Destined Providence who served in the liberation of the Eastern Euelropean front a few years ago. Age 23. Corporal Rank."

"He was the only one out of 6,000 possible candidates that we selected from our best men. Only he and a few dozen were able to muster enough prowess to present themselves as suitable soldiers for our empire. We have no other options. We don't want our project ruined. They're our only hope for winning this war!"

"It's your decision!" The other general coaxed the prime minister.

"Just get me Pinkobashi!" It was shortly decided.

"Thank you, sir. Your nation is very proud of you." They shook hands.

"Can I meet him?" The rest of the generals shook their heads in dismay. They did not want him to know of their asset right away.

"No. We have dispatched Alexander as part of our search-and-retrieval mission. He's our best man for the job."

"Fine. You're welcome." The four puffballs readily performed the Poponian royal salute after the Prime Minister signed the agreement.

"Glory to the empire!" the group asserted.

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

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

"The deed is done, milord."

"Excellent work, my apprentice."