Chapter 6: Marx's Dilemma

(At the Squeak Squad's hideout)

Daroach was sitting in front of a treasure chest and counting the gold coins he had stashed in a treasure chest.

Daroach- 257…258…259…ok, they all seem to be accounted for. For a moment, I almost thought some of the Squeak Squad were pilfering from my personal stash.

Suddenly, a bright light was shining from his body.

Daroach- That the?!

Then Daroach vanishes right where he stands.

(In Floralia)

Taranza was pacing the pacing the throne room that used to be Sectonia's as he pulls out a locket from underneath his scarf. Inside was a picture of Taranza with what appeared to be a female version of Taranza.

Taranza- Oh Sectonia…I know that helping Kirby and putting you down was what needed to be done, but…if only there could've been another way to save you. One that didn't leave me heartbroken…(cries)…if only I hadn't given you that stupid mirror!

Taranza walks up to the Dimensional Mirror hanging on the wall and spits at it.

Taranza- And believe me, you ****ing mirror…if I could destroy you, I would. Make you suffer for how you made me suffer for twisting the mind of the woman I loved!

Then Taranza turned his back to the mirror and looked out the window.

Taranza- And here I am…talking to myself again. Maybe I need someone else to talk to in order to help myself feel better.

Taranza opened up a phonebook and looked through the pages.

Taranza- Well what do you know, Kirby has a birthday happening. Maybe Kirby wouldn't mind if I paid him a visit and I guess a birthday would help get my mind of off…

Then Taranza realized there was a bright light shining from his body.

Taranza- Huh…what is this light?!

Then Taranza disappeared where he stood. But after he vanished, a pair of red eyes became visible through the Dimensional Mirror.

Mysterious figure- This presence…something…calling to me…

(Back at the Dream Palace)

Kirby, Donkey Kong, Ash, Pit, Pikachu, King DeDeDe, Tiff, and Tuff were at the Dream Palace, awaiting to see who the Dream Rod would summon next.

Tiff- Ok, looks like we got it working again.

Tuff- And someone's coming, just like with Rick, Coo, and Kine.

King DeDeDe- Wish I brought some shades. This is too bright.

When the light faded, Daroach and Taranza appeared in the Dream Palace.

Kirby- Daroach! Taranza!

Taranza- Kirby?

Daroach- Hey! What gives, Kirby?! I was having some private matters and now I suddenly find myself here!

Kirby- I do apologize for the sudden summoning out of the blue, but I need your help with something important.

Daroach- What's so important that you'd call us?

King DeDeDe- Uh…Kirby…that rod of yours…it's still glowing…

Then the Dream Rod flashed again and another figure emerged from the light.

Mysterious figure- Strange…what has brought me here from out of nowhere?

What appeared in the Dream Palace appeared to look like Meta Knight. However, he appeared to look more edgy than Meta Knight. His mask and cape seemed colorless compared to Meta Knight's, his sword was completely white, the tips of his cape looked tattered, and a carved dent near left eye frame of the mask he wore.

Donkey Kong- Meta Knight?

Palutena (telepathically to Donkey Kong)- No…that's not Meta Knight!

Then this stranger looked as saw Kirby.

Dark Meta Knight- YOU!

Then Taranza looked at him and realized something familiar about him.

Tranza- YOU!

Tranza lashed out at Dark Meta Knight, but Kirby and Daroach held him back.

Tranza- Let me go! I'm gonna kill him!

Dark Meta Knight- As if you actually could, spider mage.

Ash- Ok…who is this guy if he's not Meta Knight?

Palutena (telepathically to Ash)- That is Dark Meta Knight, a darker reflection of the real Meta Knight from another dimension.

Pit- So what you're saying is…he's like another version of Pittoo?

Viridi (telepathically to Pit)- Message for Pit from Dark Pit. He says not to call him that.

Pit- How did he…

Viridi (telepathically to Pit)- He's actually standing right behind me as I'm telepathically speaking to you.

Pit- He looks like Meta Knight…but that voice…

Donkey Kong- Sound like it belongs on that Sonic. EXE monster Sonic and I fought a while ago.

Taranza- He's also the one who corrupted Sectonia!

Dark Meta Knight- That was not my fault. My power simply remained in the Dimensional Mirror after Kirby destroyed my master, Dark Mind. You were the one you broke into the Mirror Dimension and stole the Dimension Mirror before offering it to Sectonia. My power might've infected her the more she looking into the mirror, but it was you who gave her the infection to begin with. Now…why was I called from the Dimensional Mirror? Tell me now or I might decide to cut your heads off.

Tuff- You don't think…

Tiff- Him…a Dream Friends…you've got to be kidding me!

Then Kirby explained the situation with the Jamba Hearts and how they're corrupting everyone on Popstar and about how Kimberly formed the Dream Friends 1,000 years ago.

Dark Meta Knight- Interesting. These Jamba Hearts sound like they have a connection with Dark Mind. I must know more about them. Count me in…for now…

Doroach- So Kirby, these Jamba Hearts are crystals, right? How much are they worth?

Kirby- They're causing everyone who comes into contact with them to go crazy and corrupts them to attack anything they see! Not to mention power them up! Like how DeDeDe suddenly got huge muscles!

Doroach- Sorry, but if there's a profit in it, I can't help myself.

(Outside the Dream Palace)

Adeleine, Robbin, Marx, and Gooey were making their way back to the Dream Palace. Suddenly, a large mechanical mouth crept from the bushes and grabbed Marx from behind. It quickly pulled him in before he could scream. After Marx was pulled behind the bushes, he was lying on the ground, but Infinite and Fawful were standing above him.

Marx- Oh…hey guys!

Infinite- Hello indeed, Marx.

Marx- You sound upset. Is something wrong?

Fawful- Fawful tell you what wrong! After we separate, Fawful and Infinite look for Marx and find him with Kirby! Not attacking, but working with!

Infinite- Care to explain why you're working with our enemy? Because if Tabuu found out, your ass is as good as his!

Fawful- And Marx remember what happened to last traitor!

Marx got himself off the ground and held both of his wings out, like he was trying to shield himself.

Marx- Look! I can explain! I got into a bad situation and Kirby helped me out, so…

Fawful- You decided to help Kirby out? That so stupid and…

Then Infinite placed his finger over Fawful's mouth and cut him off.

Infinite- Hold on…I think he might be on to something! They heroes are busy with this little sideshow. They're not expecting for anything from Tabuu right now. And if Marx continues to earn their trust…he can lure them right into a trap.

Marx- Uh…Yeah! Sure! I can make it work out!

Fawful- Marx better! Master Tabuu has been questioning your loyalty for while now. Ever since you mention Jayx to him. And it be shame if Marx get the Bob Barker like Mephiles did when he refused Master Tabuu's generous offer.

Adeleine's voice- Marx? Hey Marx, where'd you go?

Infinite- You heard the girl. Don't keep them waiting. We'll be talking to Master Tabuu about the trap. We'll notify you once it's ready. Keep them busy and unsuspecting until then.

Then Infinite pushed Marx on the shoulder and out of the bushes where he saw Adeleine, Ribbon, and Gooey looking for him.

Ribbon- Marx, where did you go?! We're supposed to stick together!

Marx- Oh…uh…I heard something in the bushes…and I…thought I'd see if it was a Jamba Heart!

Adeleine- Well come on. We have to tell Kirby that we found out where Ty is.

Adeleine and Ribbon continued moving towards the Dream Palace, but Gooey smelled sweat coming from Marx for some reason.

(Inside the Dream Palace)

Yoshi, Rick, Coo, and Kine escorted Pick to the Dream Palace.

Pick- Are you sure I'll be safe here?

Rick- Kirby says so and I trust me mate Kirby!

Then Yoshi heard his belly rumbling.

Yoshi- Yoshi feeling hungry…

Then an apple rolled over to Yoshi.

Bandana Dee- Here, Yoshi. You can have one of the apples I keep with me to make apple juice.

Yoshi looked behind and saw Bandana Dee, Magolor, and Susie returned to the Dream Palace as well.

Yoshi- Thanks!

Yoshi wrapped his tongue around the apple and ate it one bite.

Susie- I see you summoned more allies with that Dream Rod.

Kirby- I did, but I'm curious about Dark Meta Knight.

Magolor- I agree. That does sound a bit awkward.

Dark Meta Knight- You do realize I can hear you.

Kirby- Anyway, did you find any Jamba Hearts?

Bandana Dee- We've gathered as much information and there appears to be at least one on each star corner of Popstar.

Magolor- That's not all. Witnesses claim they saw Sonic running by the beach, Link near the glacier, and Shantae near the volcano.

Ash- What about Mario, Luigi, and Ty?

Pikachu- Pika.

Adeleine- Actually, we've located Ty and he's pretty close by.

Then Kirby saw Adeneine, Ribbon, Marx, and Gooey return to the Dream Palace.

King DeDeDe- Adeleine!

King DeDeDe rushed up to Adeleine and gave her a hug.

Adeleine- Oh…it's nice to see you too, DeDeDe…

Ribbon- And DeDeDe is here because?

Kirby- It's ok, he's agreed to join us for now.

King DeDeDe let go of Adeleine and Adeleine noticed Dark Meta Knight standing in the back of the crowd.

Adeleine- Wait…is that Meta Knight?

Dark Meta Knight- I am Dark Meta Knight and I do not like to be confused with my counterpart!

Ribbon (whispers to Kirby)- Uh…where did you dig this grumpy guy up?

Kirby- The Dream Rod.

Ribbon- Oh dear…

Adeleine- But there are some friendly faces like Taranza and Daroach.

Marx- Hide your valuables, then.

Daroach- Hey!

Pit- You mentioned you found where Ty is?

Ribbon- Yes. People told us they saw a Tasmanian Tiger with a red aura around his body in an area not far from here.

Donkey Kong- Ty must be using the spiritual power he got from the Bunyip Realm while under the Jamba Heart's control.

Kirby- And if he's closest, we should start with him. Where is Ty?