Chapter 2: Let It Rain…Hearts
(Subspace)
Marx woke up from his bed and he seemed very different than usual. Almost like he was feeling sorry for someone.
Marx- So…that's the last time I'll get to see Jayx in my dreams…that was a very sad story he told, but at least he had a happy ending. Still…I can't believe he went through all that…and was still able to be forgiven by the one he thought he hurt most.
Then Marx jumped out of his bed and looked at his left wing, only to see Tabuu's mark had not been rebranded yet.
Marx- But could that same thing that Jayx showed me really come back? But even if I did want to leave Subspace before Tabuu puts his mark back on me again…I can't really exit Subspace on my own, since it is technically another dimension.
Suddenly, there was a loud scream coming from the library of Tabuu's palace. It sounded like a high pitch squeal, but the volume was as loud as a volcano erupting. Marx put his wings over his ears as he tried to block out the noise.
Marx- What the hell?! What's going on here?!
(Tabuu's library in his palace)
Fawful, Infinite, and Sir Grodus were covering their ears at the sound of the loud screaming. Turns out, it was Zero2 who was making that high pitch scream. Zero2's eye was opened up wider than ever. You almost couldn't see the white shell of his giant eye at the front. Bloodshot vanes could be seen from his eye and anyone could tell that Zero2 had a look of horror in his eye, even if Zero2 had no face. Zero2 was also trembling as if he was terrified.
Sir Grodus- ZERO! Will you please stop!
Infinite- You're screeching so loud, everyone in Tabuu's palace is gonna hear it!
Fawful- Including Master Tabuu!
Then Marx walked into the library while still covering his ears.
Marx- What's going on here?!
Fawful- It Zero!
Infinite- Something apparently gotten his spooked! And now he won't stop screaming!
Marx- Weird, because he's just a giant eyeball and doesn't have a mouth. Or a face in that matter.
Sir Grodus- But we need to get him under control before Tabuu…
Tabuu's voice- What the **** is going on in there?!
Fawful- Too late…we doomed…
Then Tabuu slams the door open with Hades right behind him. The door also made some cracks in the wall after it hit when Tabuu forced it open. And apparently, Tabuu was still covered in bandages, especially around his left hand where Marco impaled with his sword. As soon as Tabuu entered, Marx, Fawful, Infinite, and Grodus immediately pointed at Zero2 who was still screaming.
Hades- Well, for an eyeball, Zero knows how to get our ears! Hehehe…
Then Tabuu poked Hades in both eyes with his fingers.
Hades- AAAAAAAAHHHHH!
Tabuu- That was by far your lamest joke yet, Hades! But I don't have time for this.
Then Tabuu approached Zero2 and punched him through the wall and into the hallway. Zero2 stopped that screaming, but his eye was still open with that same look and he was still trembling a bit.
Grodus- Uh…brutal as always, I see, Tabuu…
Tabuu- Well, I have a new recruit to our rankings. And I'm trying to negotiate the terms of her becoming one of my followers. And I don't need Zero here having a panic attack due to reliving something from his past!
Marx- Wait…something from Zero's past?
Tabuu- I could tell in the look in his eye that he had a very unpleasant experience with something in the past that clearly traumatized him. He senses whatever it was that he's so afraid of is returning and he went into panic mode. Surprising that Zero could be afraid of something more than me, though.
As Zero2 was lying on the ground after Tabuu punched him through the wall, the camera zooms in on his unblinking eye.
(Flashback 1,000 years ago)
A bandit was brought to some throne room with heavy chains shackling his arms behind his back. Behind the bandit was a mage in a white robe.
Mysterious mage- My lord, I have brought the one who led the attempt to kidnap your daughter.
Then a large dark titian emerged from the darkness as it glared down at the bandit.
Dark titian- You!
Then the dark titian grabbed the bandit by the neck and looked like he was choking the bandit.
Dark titian- You have no idea…how much damage you've done to me! You and your gang killed my beloved…attempted to abduct my daughter…and now my little girl is lost somewhere out in space!
Bandit- Why don't you…just kill me…like you did with the rest of my men…
Dark titian- Oh, believe me! Nothing would make me happier than to crack you head like an egg like I did with those other bandits you use to lead. But I let you live for a reason. I have something special in store for you. And I intend to use it to assist me in my search for my daughter that you took from me…Hyness…the crown please…
Then the mysterious mage in the white robe brought out the Master Crown from "Kirby: Returns to Dreamland" and places it on the bandit's head. Suddenly, the bandit's body was changing after having the Master Crown put on his head. Eventually, the bandit was transformed into a single floating giant eyeball.
Mysterious mage- I see our test with the Master Crown was a success.
Dark titian- Now then…you have been transformed into a substance known as Dark Matter. You now have the power to expand your consciousness into billions of collective forms that you can simultaneously control with just a mere thought. In short, you can search billions of locations at once, which should make looking for my daughter a little bit easier. Find her and maybe I'll change you back. But if I see you again and you haven't found my daughter…
Then the dark titian reaches out and removes the large mask on his face and revealed something that terrified the bandit that had just became Zero.
(End of flashback and back in Tabuu's palace)
As Zero2 continued to lay on the ground, Hades began poking him with a stick.
Hades- He's out cold, but clearly still thinking whatever made his scream in terror. And chances are, he'll go back to making that screeching sound when he wakes up.
Tabuu- (Groan)…****! I don't have time for that!
Then Tabuu snapped his fingers and Zero2 was now in a soundproof glass box.
Tabuu- There…problem solved. We won't hear him scream while he's inside of there. You can let him out when he finally shuts up.
Marx- But Tabuu, aren't you going to figure out what Zero was so…
Tabuu- I already said I don't have time for that! I have a new follower I'm trying to make a deal with and I don't want to keep her waiting.
Just then, Marx saw the puppet that looked similar to him again. It was lucky that Zero2's body didn't crash into it when Tabuu punched him through the wall.
Marx- You again…
As soon as Marx picked up the puppet, the fourth string snapped, leaving only one puppet string left. This startled Marx and he knocked over a crystal ball that was placed on a bookshelf behind him. Fawful reached down to pick up the crystal ball, but it showed an image that immediately caught Fawful's attention.
Fawful- Master Tabuu! Look! Mario's! All gathered at once!
Then Tabuu took the crystal ball from Fawful and looked in himself. What Tabuu saw Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Link, Ash, Sonic, Ty, Pit, and Shantae on planet Popstar. They appeared to be preparing for a party or something.
Tabuu- That's strange. The Super Mario Brothers' Team…all gathered in one place…
Infinite- What could this mean?
Tabuu- I'm not sure…but like I said, I don't have time for this. I'm still trying to convince the Empress Siren to join with me.
Then Tabuu looks at Infinite, Marx, and Fawful.
Tabuu- Hmm…you three will do. Do down to Popstar and see if you can figure out what Mario and his stodges are up to and see if we can use this to our advantage. Report back to me once you do.
Infinite- Us…go to Popstar?
Marx- And while the entire Super Mario Brothers' Team is there?
Tabuu- You're not going to battle. You're going to spy on them and not to engage them until I give you the order. As for you, Grodus, keep an eye on Zero while he's in that soundproof box until he's calmed down from his little episode. And you and me, Hades, will get back to our little guest.
Hades- And I can continue to smooth the lady with my fabulous dance moves.
Tabuu- You do remember that Empress Siren threatened to twist your nuts and bolts if you tried to dance the tango with her again?
(Popstar)
Luigi was holding a ladder while Link was trying to tie one end of a banner to a tree. Mario was standing near where they were as he read the banner which said "Happy Birthday Kirby" and gave Luigi and Link a thumbs up.
Mario- Ok, that should do it.
Sonic was dashing around nearby picnic tables as he quickly tied balloons to them.
Sonic- Got the birthday balloons ready.
Then Shantae walked in with a large strawberry shortcake.
Shantae- And I got the cake. Technically, Kirby likes everything, but I know his favorite is strawberry shortcake.
Pit- This sure is a lot of work. Hope Kirby appreciates all the work we're going through to setting up this birthday party for him.
Palutena (telepathically to Pit)- Don't speak like that, Pit. Kirby is your friend after all.
Viridi (telepathically to Pit)- I just think Pit's feeling sad that he's not getting all the attention this time.
Pit- Shut it, Viridi! No one is asking for your opinion!
Mario- Kirby is one of us. He risks his life to protect his home just as much as we all do.
Ty- Don't worry, because I'm sure we'll throw you just as big of a party on your birthday, mate.
Then they heard the sound of someone being slapped. And when they turned towards where the sound came from, they saw Ash scolding Yoshi with Pikachu on Ash's shoulder.
Ash- How many times do I have to tell you, this food is for the party!
Yoshi- Can't Yoshi have just one?
Ash- No, because your idea of having one is to eat the whole thing in one gulp. And believe me, I know your appetite is just as big as Kirby's. Please wait until the party can before digging in.
Pikachu- Pikachu.
Donkey Kong- And where is the Star Warrior of the hour?
Mario- Tiff, Tuff, Bandana Dee, Adeleine and Ribbon are bringing him here from his house as we speak. Once they arrive, we can start this birthday party.
(Castle DeDeDe)
King DeDeDe was standing out the balcony of his castle and looking through a telescope with Escargoon standing behind him.
King DeDeDe- Well this is an interesting find. It appears the entire Super Mario Brothers' Team has gathered on planet Popstar.
Escargoon- The Mario's?! Here?! Sire, what for?!
King DeDeDe- Hang on…there appears to be banner that reads… "Happy Birthday Kirby?"
Escargoon- It's Kirby's birthday?
King DeDeDe- Hey, this gives me an idea! Since all of those heroes are gathered in one place, let's set up an ambush and give that Kirby a birthday present he'll never forget!
Escargoon- Yeah…except I think you might need Bowser and the rest of Bowser's Team before trying something like that, sire.
King DeDeDe- Bowser? I don't need that jerk! Not to mention, I'm still pissed off that we went through all that trouble for his Immortal Wedding Ritual just to get our asses handed to us again and leave empty handed. So if anything, Bowser owes me before I'm willing to work with him again. And I'm sure K. Rool, Ganondorf, and Giovanni believe the same thing since they came along for that failure with me.
Escargoon- I know you're still upset that the whole Immortal Wedding Ritual failed and you got nothing out of it, but do you really think you can handle all the heroes at once? You can hardly handle just one on your own, sire.
King DeDeDe- Well…ok, Escargoon. You have a point. Get Bowser and the rest of his team on the line.
(In another part Popstar)
Marx, Fawful, and Infinite arrived after exiting a portal from Subspace. Infinite snapped his fingers and a large bush was created from the Phantom Ruby. Large enough for the three of them to hide behind. After they got behind the bush, they saw Mario and the others setting up a birthday party for Kirby.
Marx- So, it's Kirby's birthday today?
Infinite- It appears so.
Fawful- And we have all Mario's in one location! We can launch attack when least expect! HAHAHAHAHA! I have fury!
Then Infinite punches Fawful in the head.
Infinite- Would you not shout so loud, Fawful? You'll blow our cover!
Marx- Not to mention, my ears are still aching from Zero's screaming! But weren't we supposed to report to Tabuu or something?
Fawful- He busy with new follower. Fawful say we enough.
Infinite- But…do we even have a plan of attack? Even we don't stand a chance against all of the Mario's at once.
Fawful- Uh…give Fawful minute…
(In space near Popstar)
A giant floating space fortress was flying just within view of planet Popstar called the Jambastion Fortress. At this one particular wing of the fortress, a large purple heart shaped crystal was placed on some kind of pedestal. But even stranger was there were four pink heart shaped spears piercing this crystal. Then we see a mysterious mage wearing a white hood began ascending the stairs leading up to the heart shaped crystal. As this mage moved closer to the crystal, three other mages were seen staying at the bottom of the stairs.
Mysterious mage- At long last! After 1,000 years, and after he was betrayed by his own daughter, our lord shale finally return to this world! I can hardly wait!
The mysterious mage approached large purple heart shaped crystal at the top of the stairs before looking down at the other three female mages.
Mysterious mage- Is everything ready on your end?
Mage in red- Yes, Lord Hyness.
Mage in blue- We're ready to begin as soon as you give the word.
Mage in yellow- Now let's us free our lord from his prison, the Jamba Heart.
The mysterious mage then turns to look at the heart shaped crystal.
Mysterious mage- Yes…let's get this party started…
(Back on Popstar)
Kirby was wearing a blindfold as Tiff, Tuff, Bandana Dee, Adeleine, and Ribbon were leading Kirby towards where Mario and the others were.
Tiff- Ok, just keep moving forward, Kirby.
Kirby- Are we almost there?
Ribbon- Just about.
Bandana Dee- Just a little bit further and you can take off the blindfold.
Kirby- Ok, but why the blindfold?
Adeleine- Hehe! It's a surprise, Kirby. But don't worry, because all of your friends will be there.
Then Kirby just continued to follow his friends while keeping the blindfold on. Eventually, Tiff, Tuff, Bandana Dee, Ribbon, and Adeleine brought Kirby to where Mario and the others were.
Tiff- Ok, Kirby. You can take of the blindfold.
When Kirby took it off, he was very surprised at what he saw.
Mario and the rest of his team (at the same time)- Surprise! Happy Birthday, Kirby!
Kirby- Oh…you guys.
(Back at the Jambastion Fortress)
The mysterious mage walked up to the heart shaped crystal and a magic circle suddenly appeared on the floor surrounding him. His hands, despite being covered by his white robe, were also glowing with this light as he raised them into the air and began chanting.
Mysterious mage- Rise! Oh, Dark Lord of Despair! Crush the stars! Lay waste to care!
The purple heart shaped crystal began to light up, almost as if it's reacting to the ritual.
Mysterious mage- Rise and cover the land in sorrows! May your emptiness bring the end of all tomorrows!
Then the same magic circle appeared around the crystal as well and the heart spears sticking out of it were starting to shake like crazy.
Mysterious mage- Rise! Oh, Dark Lord of Despair! Crush the stars! Lay waste to care! Upon your wings, dark judgement bring! May your symphony of tragedy cause the end of everything!
Suddenly, the magic circle around the crystal shattered and the four heart shaped spears impaling it were suddenly removed. However, the heart shaped crystal shot itself into the sky and exploded in a bright light that could be seen all the way from Popstar. Possibly even from Earth as well. Before the light faded, the mages saw that the crystal shattered into several smaller pieces and began to scatter across the all of the other planets in Popstar's solar system. Several of them were even heading towards Popstar.
(Back on Popstar)
Whispy Woods was looking up at the sky and enjoying the nice weather. But then he saw what appeared to be several small purple stones falling from the sky.
(Somewhere else on Popstar)
Meta Knight was dusting off his sword when he noticed the strange objects falling from the sky.
Meta Knight- What the…?!
(Castle DeDeDe)
Bowser, King K. Rool, Ganondorf, Giovanni, Doctor Eggman, Boss Cass, Medusa, and Risky Boots arrived through a portal.
King DeDeDe- Glad you could all come so soon after receiving my call.
Bowser- Not in the mood for idol chat. You said you had some information about Mario and his team?
King DeDeDe- Yes. Take a look at this.
Then Bowser looked through DeDeDe's telescope and saw Mario and the others celebrating Kirby's birthday.
Bowser- The pink blob has a birthday?
King DeDeDe- Apparently so.
Medusa- And all the heroes are gathered in one single location. A perfect time to take them all out when they least expect it.
Risky Boots- Better be, because I really hate having to travel through space to another planet!
Then Eggman looked up after catching a glimpse of something shining through his peripheral vision. When Eggman looked up he saw something in the sky.
Eggman- Uh…does planet Popstar have unusual rain, DeDeDe?
Then everyone looked up and saw the purple stones falling from the sky. One of them hit the castle and almost crashed where DeDeDe was standing. When the smoke cleared, a large heart shaped crystal was seen on King DeDeDe's balcony.
King DeDeDe- What…is that?
Ganondorf- DeDeDe, I don't think you should be getting close to that!
Too late. DeDeDe gazed at the strange heart and a dark aura surrounded his body while looking like the pupils in his eyes were being altered to look like hearts.
(Over at the bush near Kirby's birthday party)
Fawful, Infinite, and Marx were still hiding behind the bush as Fawful was thinking of a plan of attack.
Fawful- Ok, Fawful think Fawful have it. We wait until Mario's have fill of party and…
Then Fawful looks up and sees something strange falling from the sky.
Fawful- Infinite, Fawful didn't say it time to attack!
Infinite- Trust me, Fawful…this isn't me!
As soon as Marx saw those heart shaped crystals, he began to realize they looked familiar.
Marx- Those are…the same that Jayx was telling me about…
Suddenly, one fell and almost hit them, knocking the three to the ground.
(Over at Kirby's birthday party)
Kirby was enjoying the birthday party with Mario and the rest of his friends. Kirby and Yoshi were even trying to see who could eat more cheese burgers.
Luigi- Come on, Yoshi! I bet a lot on you!
Sonic- Sorry Luigi, but I think the birthday boy has this one in the bag. His belly is literally a black hole.
Tuff- Yeah! Go Kirby!
But then Mario looked up and noticed the sky was starting to become filled with dark clouds.
Mario- That's strange…
Tiff- What is?
Mario- Those dark clouds…covering the sky…
Tiff- That is strange. The weather reports said it was supposed to sunny all day…(GASP)…
Then everyone looked up and saw the strange heart shaped crystals raining down from above.
Luigi- What's going on?!
Pit- Not sure, but this doesn't look good!
Shantae- And they seem to be heading right for us!
One was about crash right into them and Marco tried stop it by drawing Marco's sword and swing it at the heart shaped crystal. However, when Marco's sword and the crystal clashed, the entire area was engulfed in a bright light.
(Back at the Jambastion Fortress)
Mysterious mage- NOOOOO! ****! How could this have happened?!
Mage in red- Excuse me, my lord. But perhaps you made a mistake in the resurrection and…
Then the mysterious mage glared down at her and the mage in red immediately stopped talking.
Mysterious mage- I don't make mistakes! I have been a master mage for thousands of years. Taught all of the ancient secrets by our very lord who we've been trying to revive. But now his heart has been scattered across the galaxy. You three, go now and find all the pieces of the Jamba Heart at once!
All three mages (at the same time)- Yes, Lord Hyness!