Author's note


It was traduced to English using DeepL Translate., so there may be some nonsense?

I hope you like it. Thanks for reading.


Chapter 1: The Plague!


Pursued by destruction and death itself, an omniscient being who would not rest until his existence was consumed, he believed himself for a time lost, defeated, about to accept God's will. But rumors speak of a miraculous paradise, infinite, protected by a mysterious being. It seems absurd to him that the legends are real, but somehow he knows they are true. That place could be his only salvation.


He slept peacefully, the one who killed the reincarnation of god. Who would dare to disturb him? Although no one seems to know, without the will to think, not even he seems aware of what he was doing, not that he gave it any importance, his only purpose is to feel positive emotions in others and he will do anything to achieve it.

Humbly, he rests on the very green pastures of Dream Land of a planet called Pop Star, a place that has achieved what other civilizations of other worlds long for, peace. Of course, all this thanks to this little being, peace does not happen because if unfortunately, something must bring order and eliminate what threatens it. In a world where everything is random and chaos is the soul of the universe, it is no simple task.

No one sleeps forever, at some point you must wake up. Opening his crystalline eyes, dark as the void and as reflective as diamond, with a deep blue on the lower edge he looks at the imposing sunrise. From lying down he passes to sitting and stretching his arms he yawns deeply, waits a few seconds and then rises cheerfully. Pink in color, more reddish feet and a round shape, he has the perfect appearance to reap good emotions. Today will be another great day.

Being considered a hero is nothing to him, he needs people to love him, not respect him. Luckily he meets several who stand out from the normal population of Dream Land, his friends, well everyone is his friend, but they are more special. How about giving them a gift? It's a great idea, it will make them happy and that's what he's looking for.

He runs towards his home, thanks to his great strength he is quite fast. On his way home everything looks clear, it seems to be a wild world without civilization. Pure air, clean sky and so unreal because of how beautiful it is. Also full of irregularities, there are some ancient trees, celestial lakes, small pointed mountains, huge green ring-shaped mountains and soft spiraling clouds, you are definitely in the Dream Land meadows. You don't see any cut logs or dried plants, just a primitive, thin path. There are some strange glowing star-shaped figures lying randomly, some bigger than others. Finally he arrives. His house is not surprising, it is quite simple. Small, white, circular, with a tiny window and a door, above it protrudes the fireplace. Inside there is only a bed, the fireplace and a small chest where to keep things. He opens it and takes out some old sheets of paper, the few he has left, and proceeds to draw with some colors.

He is not a great artist, but what matters is the intention. Without much skill he uses the first sheet to draw a friend Waddle Dee, he has a small idea of what he looks like, but when he tries to transfer it to the sheet it gets too complicated. It is a brown circle with... blue on top and 2 eyes. He does what he remembered and the drawing is very simple, it doesn't even have the shape of a Waddle, it's literally just a brown circle with some blue stripes on top and 2 little dots. In the end, simplicity gives tenderness, so it turned out well in its own way. Then, she searches within her small memory for a figure that for some reason others react positively when they see it. That symbol is "I love you". She has no reading skills, and of course, she doesn't quite know the meaning of that figure. He proceeds to draw it and that's it - gift for Bandana done! He grabs another sheet of paper and will now try to draw Dedede, then Marx, Magolor etc.

With all the papers ready he puts them in a battered bag and proceeds to deliver his gifts. His friends are usually separated from each other as they have very different lifestyles, one is part of the king's guard, another lives in another dimension, and so on. But today is a special day, nova's destruction day. Why? It was the first time he saved the entire planet and why not say it, he also stopped the conquest of the universe. Prior to this he had already done heroic deeds, but of that caliber had never been seen. It was something unexpected, impressive, and the population celebrated for this. Years later it has become customary and is remembered as the day Kirby, the strongest hero and Pop Star was known as the only planet that had achieved the longed-for peace.

He doesn't understand schedules very well, for him every day is the same and unbelievable, but that specific smell of lots of food and that big noise in the mornings tells him that today there will be a huge gathering.

In theory all his friends, or at least most of them, would come to the festival. So delivering their gifts shouldn't be a problem. With bag in hand he runs in the direction of Dedede's castle as he feels his friends nearby.


"Today will be a great day" said the Waddle Dee optimistically to himself. He looks just like his companions of the same species, but with the difference of having a blue bandana on his head and his mythical spear in his hand, he is known as Bandana Dee, the best guard of the king.

Being a guard is not easy, it is rather heavy, you always have to be attentive and prepared for battle, but today is a special day, the most special of all holidays so he has a holiday. So he leaves his precious spear with the other weapons inside a room of the castle, designed precisely to store them. He goes out to see the sun and finds in the distance many hanging ornaments of different shapes and colors. "They sure are fast" he thought. He heads towards the center of all that visual commotion.

The closer he got, voices and laughter began to be heard. Lights surrounded the surroundings and the smell of delicious food began to be noticed. Upon arrival a great atmosphere of joy hits the usual tranquility of the place. So many different beings gathered just to enjoy each other's company fills your heart. Waddle Dees setting up the tables, Chips and Bouncys jumping around, Bombys exploding little fireworks, Brotins running around merrily, Dee Llave himself carrying a huge key as usual, Dindons ringing their bells, etc. Even the great cook Kawasaki is here to prepare the food, obviously with the help of some Waddle Dees. Finally he meets Chilly, a snowman who mysteriously came to life after Kirby put him together, wearing his typical red necklace where his bronze bell hangs and a blue cap full of crystalline ice.

-You've finally arrived! -says Chilly.

-We have to secure the castle before we celebrate. -Answers Bandana Dee -Have you seen Kirby?

Chilly shakes her head.

-How strange, he's always the first to arrive... I should go look for him -He says pretending to be worried.

-Come on Bandana, it's okay! Being a little late is something that happens to all of us. -He says positively.

-I know, but if we talk about him being late for lunch, it's something worrying, no, more than worrying, it's a miracle! -He says in a humorous way.

Chilly responds with a laugh. The two of them go to look for available seats and say hello to some of their friends. They sit down and wait for the food to be served. At the table is also Taranza, waiting as quietly as ever and on the other side is Adeleine painting something on a small canvas on the table. Looking around you can see Meta Knight in the quietest alcove, just looking deep into the party in a mysterious way. Susie, a genius for technology, pulls out a large square-shaped machine, music starts to play from it. Some, especially children began to dance, but a random Waddle Dee had the song in his soul, as he jumped into the center of it all and began to dance with incredible skill and came out with some never before seen steps!

Kawasaki gives the order to the Waddle Dees to finally deliver the food and Kirby still doesn't arrive. Bandana Dee becomes suspicious, but it couldn't be a bad thing could it? It's Kirby, he's the nicest being she knows and someone very strong, could he be in danger? Ha! it even sounds funny to think about it. Most likely he has fallen asleep. Trying to think of something else he notices something.

-Is Magolor not coming? -Bandana Dee asks.

-I don't know, a few days ago he came to Pop Star with his Astrovelero Lor, I was also hoping he would come. -Chilly says thoughtfully.

-It's all a mystery, I'm curious to know what he does, his magic, why he travels so much and where, I try to ask him, but you know how that magician is, he doesn't like to be disturbed. -He says intrigued.

-Why so much curiosity about him? He is just an alien, something that is not strange here in Dream Land and besides he is Kirby's friend.

-I know, but when I first met him he seemed so vulnerable, so good, he seemed like just another being who needed our help. In the end it was all an act! A big lie! Someone with such incredible lying and manipulation skills shouldn't deserve trust. -He says, raising his tone of voice.

-And Marx? He cheated Kirby too and you get along with him. -Chilly says cheerfully.

-Marx is a different case, you know him, he doesn't seem to be aware of what he's doing. His head is always somewhere else, but Magolor, his dark intentions were real.

-Speaking of the King of Dream Land (King of Rome) - Chilly points to a certain direction in the sky.

Bandana follows the snowman's indication with his gaze and in the distance he sees the Astrovelero, a mostly sky-blue floating ship with a noticeably large sail and 6 bunches on the sides, coming at full speed.

-So he will come after all. -Bandana says, settling back in his seat, relaxing.

-Bandana, it's coming too fast. -replies Chilly, alerting the Waddle Dee.

Bandana looks again and this time notices a red-cloaked mouse on top of the boat and far behind him Magolor can be seen desperately chasing Lor from the ground.

-Oh no... -says the Waddle.

-Daroach! -shouts Chilly.

The Astrovelero passes over them swiftly to the direction of the castle, leaving behind a powerful gust of wind, thus lifting all the tables along with the less heavy beings, the decorations broke and flew away. The music machine fell and broke, and the food was inevitably thrown to the ground. The dust rose so high that a very dense fog was created for a few seconds, many began to cough. A few moments later the atmosphere became quiet again, the dust was affected by gravity again and all was silent.

Everyone was a little surprised, impressed, they did not expect this. Kawasaki, seeing the food wasted on the floor, got angry, left everything and went back to his restaurant, gritting his teeth. Finally Magolor appears on the scene exhausted, weak, trembling and with a weak voice he says "My... ship..." and falls to the ground.

-Calm down," says Bandana taking control of the situation. -The Waddle Dees will investigate what's going on, just wait... -Out of nowhere, the sound of a tremendous explosion interrupts him.

Everyone turns around, many scared, and sees the king's castle in flames and half destroyed.

Bandana, seeing such an unexpected situation, will have no choice but to forget the day off and get to work.

-Everybody go home, -he says, raising his voice. -because of this unforeseen situation we are not sure that the place is safe.

A small Brotín approaches Waddle Dee.

-What about the party? -says the Brotín with eyes shining with sadness.

-I'm sorry, the party is cancelled. -says Bandana.

Many looked down and prepared to leave, but Meta Knight, deep down, burst out laughing at the Waddle's words. Bandana Dee notices his laughter and reacted with annoyance, how can he be amused by such a situation? It seems he will never understand the mysterious knight's intentions.

He calls the other castle guards, then several Waddle Dees appeared ready. Following Bandana they all ran to protect the king including Chilly, but he is slower.

On the way they grabbed whatever they could, some sticks, rocks or whatever they thought might hurt. The weapons are in the castle and for the first time, Bandana will have to go into battle without his precious spear.


Daroach, a gray mouse with huge ears, yellow eyes, 3 huge claws on each of his front paws, with his always red cape and a remarkable hat of the same color, is known by everyone as the one who managed to steal from Kirby himself, and it was not just anything, he was able to take a cake! to the most greedy being in the world, something that would be a death sentence for anyone, but with his great thieving skills he managed to do it. Now Kirby's friend, or so it seems, has just used the Lor's weapons to blow up the king's castle.

-What happened? What happened to half of my castle? And... Where are my guards? -King Dedede shouts sternly.

Big, paunchy and self-centered, this green penguin proclaimed himself the king of Dream Land. He's definitely not going to let anyone make fun of him like that. Among the rubble he searches for the person responsible and finds the imposing Lor, above him he sees Daroach with a cheeky grin, clutching his hat with one of his paws and covering his body with his cape with the other.

-My greetings majesty, -he says confidently. -but it seems unfair that only the king deserves so many luxuries and riches, if you don't mind, I'll take them.

-Shut up, you damned rat! -Dedede shouts furiously.

-I cooperated and there shouldn't be any problem, I suppose you won't risk your life for material things, so I'll be merciful with you. Make sure your guards don't bother us and go away, quiet and ignorant.

-You are the one who must obey and leave! -He says and points angrily at Daroach.

-If that's what you want? Storo!

Then from the Lor's cabin comes out an extremely big and muscular light blue mouse, wearing a red hat and a polo shirt of the same color, with the characteristic of having a patch on his left eye. He jumps and falls to the ground in front of the king, staggering the place. Much larger than Dedede he intimidates him easily. He proceeds to embrace him with his strong arms to hold him down. The king flails trying to free himself, but every effort is futile.

-I order you to let go of me, you rat! -Dedede roars.

Two other mice appear, a small but extremely fast yellow mouse named Spinni, and on the other side, in a small red flying saucer, Doc, a little light blue mouse with a green mustache. So together, the 4 of them form the dreaded group called the Squeaks!

-Hahaha This was a piece of cake! -says Spinni energetically.

-What should we do to him boss? -says Doc flying around the Dedede guy.

-Maybe lock him up? -proposes Storo.

-No, -says Daroach dryly. -hang him up and hang his corpse in the center of town, so they can see their beloved king.

The others react surprised, they did not expect such an order from him. Dedede tries to run away more desperately when he hears this.

-This... is something new from you, boss. -says Spinni thoughtfully.

-Yes, isn't it something... cruel? -asks Storo worried.

-Na! You're joking, aren't you boss? -says Doc cheerfully.

Daroach noticing his teammates' doubts, jumps down from the Astrovelero to cheer them up.

-Come on, team! Do you doubt me? -he asks persuasively.

-Of course not! We would never doubt you boss. -replies the yellow mouse with his high-pitched voice.

-Tell me Spinni, -he bends down to take a better look at the little mouse. -before we met, how did the world treat you?

-I... was a city mouse, an orphan.

-Why are you an orphan? -Daroach asked to advance his story.

-Like any city rodent, I lived in the sewers, hated by the world for being a mouse. We just got overconfident one day and my family ended up poisoned. Alone, I had to be quick, agile, sneaky in order to survive and escape.

-And now, why aren't you anymore? -asks the boss.

-Because you saved me, you taught me that life could be more for a little mouse! -he says with a cheerful voice.

-And you Storo? -asks the boss, getting up and turning to him.

-I was a pet. All my life I knew nothing but a tiny cage. My owner wasn't responsible, so I ended up big and fat. But one night you found me and set me free, you showed me the outside and the wonders the world hides! -says Storo melancholic.

-Doc? -asks Daroach.

-You know boss, I was a lab rat, since I was born I suffered countless experiments, especially brain experiments. My life was nothing but pain and confusion, I wanted to die! Boss, you rescued me, you told me that life is the greatest treasure, something we should fiercely cling to and never let go of! -says the one with the green mustache, proudly flying his saucer.

-Do you see? -The world has told us to surrender! We know its hatred, we suffer its darkest side, it told us that we are a pest, a pet, a stupid laboratory object, but I know the truth, we know the truth. But I know the truth, we know the truth, this is why we are the Squeaks! To show them that we are valuable, smart and proud to be mice!

That's why Daroach was the boss, he was the mouse who said No! to fate and led others to do the same.

-No, you're not the Squeaks, damn you! - says Dedede angrily - You are rather the plague!

Hearing such an insult, Storo reacted by squeezing Dedede tightly and like a boa, he started to choke the poor king.

-Stop! -shouts Bandana Dee arriving just in time.

Behind the Waddle appear other Dees ready to fight. Bandana immediately with a stick in his hand, runs quickly towards Storo, jumps and as he falls, with all his strength hits him hard on his head, breaking the stick. The big mouse drops the king as a result of the powerful blow and is quite stunned. Dedede falls to the ground breathing deeply, finally grabbing his much needed oxygen. The other Waddle Dees start throwing rocks uselessly at the mice. Daroach laughs at the sight of such a pathetic attack.

-How dare you betray the hero of Pop Star! -Bandana asks fiercely.

-What, Kirby? Hahaha," replies Daroach. -I haven't betrayed him little Waddle Dee, we're still friends, this has nothing to do with our friendship.

-You promised Kirby you wouldn't steal again! -emphasizes the Dee.

-I promised you, not him. -says the mouse slyly.

Then Chilly finally arrives and without hesitation spits a huge gust of wind capable of freezing anyone who hits the mice. Now this was an attack to take seriously. The Squeaks went to take cover immediately, Daroach in particular covered himself in his cloak and disappeared, thus escaping the aggressive breeze. This gave enough time for several Waddle Dees to carry the king to safety.

Chilly doesn't have an infinite breath, so after a few seconds he stopped to recharge. Bandana grabs a huge rock from the rubble and stands next to his friend. He visually looks for the mice, but can't find them. He knows it is risky to physically search for them as he might walk into a trap, so he just waits for them to attack first. The other Waddle Dees follow suit.

Daroach appears behind one of the few walls still standing and sees his companions also hiding. Believing that it won't be necessary to make a grand plan by underestimating the Dees, he simply signals Spinni to fetch Dedede's money. Being the fastest and smallest mouse it should be a simple task. He unhesitatingly accepts the order and nods in response. Daroach nimbly peeks out unseen to verify that the entire guard is here. They are all here.

-You make sure that no one interrupts Spinni, -the boss whispers to the other two -I'll be right back, I have to take care of a... a small matter.

Storo and Doc nod without asking. Daroach disappears with his cloak without a trace.

They proceed with the plan. Spinni runs to search, sniff, find some clue to the treasure, as he does so he comes out of hiding and is within sight of the Waddle Dees. Bandana with his incredible reflexes is the first to react and attacks the distracted mouse, runs towards him with all his strength, grabbing inertia strengthening the blow with his rock, but to his surprise, at the right moment he is shot by Doc's laser, the Waddle notices it and instinctively tries to cover himself with his spear, but not having it he misses and is hit, pushing him to the opposite side. He falls to the ground and feels the electricity painfully immobilize him for a few moments. Doc shoots at the stunned Dee again, but Chilly gets in his way, creating a shield with her icy magic, thus blocking the shot. The other Dees attack, not as strong as Bandana, but quantity really makes a difference.

-Are you all right? -asked Chilly, still covering him with the shield.

-Yes, I'll be fine. -says recovering his composure -It won't be easy to fight without my spear.

-You'll do fine Bandana. -He says encouraging the Dee.

The Waddle Dee responds with a gesture of thanks. He stands up and grabs his rock again. He sees Storo and Doc attacking the other guards, then looks back at Chilly and nods in an "I'm ready" manner.

The snowman immediately breaks his shield and the 2 go to attack. Bandana runs around Doc, dodging the little mouse's lasers. Some Dees were in Bandana's path and ended up shot, falling to the ground unconscious. Doc begins to despair, so many turns and in none he hits the Waddle, so nimble, so elusive, it was gutsy, it's like he was laughing at him, he was like a... Mouse? "I'm wasting my time" thought Doc, he ignores Bandana and turns for a moment, he sees Chilly dodging Storo's crushing attempts, skating so gracefully on the smooth floor of the once undestroyed castle. He sees an opportunity, Chilly only concentrating on one, he won't see his attack, so he aims at the snowman and this time he won't miss. Bandana seeing the new intentions of the mouse, immediately prepares to throw his rock with all his strength, but he does it too late.

Unexpectedly, Chilly is hit by the laser and feels the horrible electricity run through his body, he falls to the ground leaving him vulnerable, other Dees immediately run to help him, but they went inside the fall area of Storo, who without hesitation jumps to crush them. And he effectively crushes Chilly and the other poor Waddle Dees.

"No!" thinks Bandana and urgently throws his stone with all his might. The stone flies like a bullet straight at Doc, causing the little ship to crash into the rock and become unstable. Immediately, the Waddle leaps towards Storo and gives him a huge kick in the head. The huge mouse, not expecting great strength from a Dee, falls down in surprise, releasing those below from its weight. Bandana finds several unconscious Waddle Dees and snow scattered all over the place.

"He's smashed Chilly!" he thought shocked, frightened, impressed. Just as his heart was about to fill with sadness, the snow magically came together, forming Chilly again.

-What a scare you gave me! -said Bandana in shock.

-Come on, I'm not that easy to kill, in fact, I don't even know if I'm really alive. -Chilly replies, lifting up his hat and necklace.

Before Bandana could question what he answered, the horrible smell of smoke interrupts him. This was coming from Doc's wrecked ship.

"Damn it" the little mouse said to himself, as he tried to get out of his wrecked and valuable ship. For the first time in a long time he is alone, now he depends on his physical form, something he didn't have very well, so many experiments in a body have not left him in good shape. Frightened, he desperately tries to hide, but is grabbed by the tail by Bandana. Doc in defense immediately tries to bite him, but he is too slow and the Waddle stops him easily. Chilly stands next to him, they seem to have a break for a moment, but Spinni and Daroach are still missing.

Storo, barely getting up from the blow with intentions to continue fighting, are interrupted by seeing his partner Doc stopped, he definitely can't risk attacking and them hurting Doc as a result.

-Let him go! -shouts Storo.

-If you care so much about your friend, they shouldn't risk stealing, especially in a world where evil always loses. -replies Chilly.

-That strength, -says Storo nervously. -shouldn't be in a Waddle Dee.

The one with the handkerchief releases the mouse and lets the other guards take charge of arresting Doc.

-What are you insinuating? -Bandana asks.

-It's like... you're him.

"is he comparing me to...? It can't be. It's impossible for him to know. Deity can't know." thought the Waddle Dee grimly. He, who has always fought and given his life for justice, being compared to a monster frightens him. Chilly notices Bandana's nerves, is there something he doesn't know?

-Who are you talking about, Storo? -asks the snowman, raising his voice.

-Hahaha -Doc laughs -You really don't know? And I thought you were one of Bandana's best friends, or maybe Bandana is not as honest as you think. -He says with a small smile.

-Enough! -Bandana says sternly. -This is just Waddle Dee's business, he doesn't need to know anything.

-Admit it Bandana, you don't tell him no because he doesn't need to, if not, because you know that freedom from that demon is proof that you are a failure as a hero, a coward.

"Damn rat" thought Bandana, but that courage only confirms that what Doc says in a certain part, is true.

Chilly upon hearing such a ridiculous statement, approaches Doc and holds him by the chest, bringing his intimidating gaze close to him.

-How can you say that about Bandana! -He is the most honest and kind-hearted person I know. He would sacrifice everything to save this world and its people, you don't know him.

Doc at such a look full of ice and fury, could do nothing but nod.

-That's too much Chilly, I'm not that special. -Bandana says humbly.

-Of course you are. -Says the ice cream, releasing Doc to the guards and turning to the Dee. -It's not for nothing that you're considered the king's best guard, is it?

The Dee feels a pinch of shame, he doesn't think he deserves those words.

-Is he really such a good hero? -says a sarcastic voice behind them.

Bandana and Chilly immediately turn around and jump back in battle stance, the other Waddle are also surprised and get ready. The voice was Daroach's, who had appeared with his cape floating behind them.

-Daroach, get it over with, I know you don't want to do this. -Bandana said. -Look at your companions, look at Doc how it's over, all because of this nonsense!

The Waddle Dee was sure that the boss cared a lot about his buddies, so he tries to appeal to him in this way. He knows that if he succeeds this will all be over, Storo, Spinni and Doc are not the problem, they are just being loyal to the one they respect and love the most. Somehow he feels identified with them, like Waddle Dee he will always be loyal to the king, although sometimes Dedede did evil deeds which entailed putting his Dees at risk by ordering them to steal food, you knew it was wrong but you just obeyed. Kirby killed many because of this. All because of the selfishness of a king, of a leader.

-If you're so good, where were you when your people were screaming for help, little Waddle Dee? -says Daroach ignoring the Bandana's comment.

-What are you talking about? -asks the Dee without understanding the context.

-I had a great time recently, watching the souls of many disappear in the fire is so... relaxing, you know? I didn't understand the world before, but now that I am that world, it's quite understandable.

-Get to the point, Daroach. I don't like the way you're talking. -Bandana says in disgust and surprise at the mouse's words. -Come on, if you need money, we could put a donation box in the center of town, I'm sure we'll fill in whatever you need.

Bandana thinking some more, risking so much to rob the king seemed suspicious to him. Maybe the Squeaks have gotten themselves into a big debt and needed urgent money, he knows Daroach, he wouldn't steal just because, would he?

-Let me give you some context little one, lean out and look at the sun, it's beautiful isn't it?

The guards turned to the sky and saw nothing. Everything was clouded with dust from the rubble of the castle. Bandana didn't turn around, he knows that Daroach only needs an unseen blink of an eye to steal or hurt. Chilly did and reacted angrily, "Has he mocked us?" he thought. He noticed Doc and Storo also turned around, but to his surprise, they looked surprised, scared.

-What's wrong? -said Daroach looking at their confused faces. -Oh yes, you are not mice, your eyesight is not as sensitive as ours. Let me help you little inferiors.

The mouse, as if it were a magic trick, pulls out a wand, his big magic wand, with which he touches the sky and it clears, letting the Waddle Dees see.

What they see was terrifying. Their worst nightmare has come true.

In the sky they saw black smoke which had its origin in the town, the town was in flames and there was no sign of life. "It can't be" thought Bandana. His chest filled with pain, he had failed as a guard, as a hero... again.

-Aw, you look so sad Waddle Dees -says Daroach smiling -Don't worry, I'll end your sadness with a little magic trick I have for you.

The mouse pulls a bomb out of his cape and throws it on the ground. Immediately, Chilly grabs the distracted Bandana and pulls him down, covering him with his body, but before he could make the shield, the bomb explodes.

The explosion was extremely loud. The Waddle Dees that were closest to the blast zone were blown apart, filling the whole place with Dee blood. Storo was able to resist, but Doc was blown away. Bandana, protected by Chilly, was only very dazed, he opened his eyes and saw everything blurred, a ringing in his ears did not let him hear. As if an invisible force was holding him, he simply could not get up. He could only distinguish a few pieces of snow scattered next to him.

Storo was shocked. So much blood and parts of Waddle Dees everywhere. A paw there, an eye there. A sadistic and horrible scene. He noticed how his boss didn't flinch, it's as if he didn't care about the atrocity he just committed. He turns to see Doc, finds him unconscious. He runs to help him and carries him.

-Doc? -he asked, looking for an answer.

The little mouse was breathing, but not responding. A grief deep in his soul struck his mood. The thought of losing one of his companions, his only family, is very painful for him. He looks at Daroach and Daroach just smiles.

-No, -says Bandana weakly and whispering on the ground -What have you done Daroach?

The boss turns as he listens with his sensitive mouse ears to Waddle Dee. He floats over to him and carries him with his paw. He watches him and admires his vulnerability.

-Now I understand, -Daroach says. -to hold such a small, weak being in your hands. To have his life in your will, to see his fear and the little validity of his existence. It feels so... powerful.

Daroach begins to slowly fit his 3 huge claws to the Dee. Bandana squirms. She feels her skin being sliced, it's an excruciating pain. He screamed and could not do anything else. He tried to save himself, but moving burns him like fire.

-Boss! -shouted Storo.

-What's wrong? -asked Daroach in annoyance.

-W... What are you doing? -he says in a trembling voice.

-Paying him back in kind, Storo.

-No, n... no, Boss! S... We're better than this. Let's not become what we swore to destroy, boss. Remember what you told us? We have to defeat the world by being better than it, not equal to it.

At that moment Spinni arrives.

-Boss! I've finally found the... - he says cheerfully and interrupted by the shocking scene - What happened? -he asks perturbed.

-You know what? You're right Storo. -says Daroach letting go of Bandana, dropping him roughly to the ground. -We're better than this.

The boss approaches Storo, who was sitting down, looking sadly at Doc in his arms.

-He'll be fine, he's strong, believe me. -he says, already close to the big mouse.

Storo looks at the boss and in his eyes he found the mouse that saved his life. For a moment a feeling of security comes to his chest, but he knows that what he has done is a terrible sin. But he loves Daroach very much, he is like a father to him, he simply could not refuse to forgive him. The best he had left was to think that this was just a mistake on the boss's part, a huge and terrible mistake.

-So, where is the treasure, Spinni? -Daroach asked anxiously.

-Uh? Ah yes - says the little mouse - but who did this?

-We'll talk about that later, guide us. -He says cheerfully.

-Wait, what happened to the village? -says Spinni, surprised.

-I said guide us, you damned rat! -Daroach shouted devilishly at the little mouse.

Everything was silent. Spinni hunched over and froze in fear, he hadn't felt like this since he lived in the sewers. He never thought he would return to these feelings, let alone from the boss. Trembling he just looked at Daroach.

-I'm sorry, Spinni. - says the boss -I didn't mean to, come on guide us. - he says calmly, but with a hint of desperation.

Spinni nodded without explanation, but for the first time he obeyed Daroach out of fear. "The boss couldn't hurt me, could he? He saved me, he would never do something like that" the mouse thought repeatedly, trying to calm his instincts that were screaming "Run!".

Meanwhile Bandana couldn't believe what had just happened, it's impossible. Daroach wouldn't do something like that, something definitely strange is going on. He tried to get up, but it was useless, he did everything he could to stop them, but it was all in vain. "I hope you're okay" thought Bandana giving up and looking at the pieces of snow next to him. What hurt him the most was that he was going to let a villain escape again, he had nothing left but to pray for a hero to come and save them.

-Here it is! -says Spinni, pointing to the ground.

Daroach approaches and from the ground he finds a very well camouflaged trap door. He smashes it fiercely with his claws and at the bottom the valuable treasure is visible. The boss let out a look of greed. Spinni and Storo just joined in, sharing their lack of enthusiasm.

-Well, I guess I don't need your help anymore, rats. -says Daroach.

-What? -says Storo in surprise.

And in a moment, Daroach's claws were embedded in his chest. In his last breath he looked at his boss, the one he respected and loved the most, stained with his own blood, ending his life.

"Nooo!" screamed Bandana inwardly, he tried desperately to help them, but he could barely drag himself away.

Spinni panicked and ran. His heart choked with pain and like sometime in his past he ran.

Storo dead, his muscles relaxed letting the unconscious Doc fall from his arms. Daroach simply stepped on him brutally tearing him apart. An artist of surprise, he disappeared with his cloak to appear near Spinni who was still running desperately.

The little mouse felt as weak and vulnerable as before, constantly running away from those who wanted to kill him, but this time it was his own savior. Daroach appeared in front of him, Spinni in panic went to hide and took shape under the rubble. It was useless to run.

To Spinni's bad luck, he could not hide from Daroach's keen mouse senses, who easily found him and grabbed him immediately. On his paw, the little guy tried to free himself, but his strength was useless.

-Ironic, isn't it? -Says Daroach looking at the mouse -You fought for years to leave the city life behind and look at you now, you'll end up just like your family anyway. Killed because the world hates you... well this time it will be because of me.

And in a second, Spinni felt 3 big blades cut his body in 4, finally he was at peace.

-No way, I thought you were better than this, you're a damn monster, Daroach -says Bandana crawling towards him.

The mouse only replies with a smile from above, enjoying his superiority. But that face suddenly disappeared, he heard something coming from afar. That particular sound of footsteps was impossible to miss. It's Kirby.


With his little bag full of letters, Kirby finally arrives in town. But he finds it empty, there was no food, no friends, everything was black. What happened here? Everything smelled like smoke, but it didn't make him suspicious. Now he will have to travel to deliver his little gifts. So he tried to remember, who's closer? Sure, Bandana and Dedede, the castle is next door. He looked and sees a smaller castle than he remembered, more specifically, it's halfway there.

He ran there hoping to see his friends. When he arrives he finds dust, rubble and many unconscious and dead Waddle Dees. Not understanding anything, he just looked on in confusion. A particular smell came to his incredible sense of smell. It smelled like a mouse and it wasn't just any mouse, it was Daroach! Happy, he followed that scent, he will be able to deliver the gift to him and make his day.

Kirby finds Daroach greeting him with a big smile. Bandana is nowhere to be seen. The pink one immediately reaches into his bag for the letter to the mouse, the former boss just walks over, seeing what he was doing.

-Poyo! -he says cheerfully showing his letter to Daroach.

He accepts it, opens it and finds an extremely simple drawing of him, with a randomly placed "I love you".

-Thank you Kirby. -he replies. -That's very sweet of you.

Kirby jumps for joy waiting for Daroach to emanate positive energy, but he does not.

-Poyo? -says the pink one confused.

-What's wrong? -he says smiling to the round one and laughs -Let me tell you something, friend to friend.

Kirby just nodded, the mouse is stained with blood, but he just ignored it, he is so happy to be with his friend. Kirby's heroic deeds were not kisses and hugs, battles are bloody, so he relates it to something normal. Daroach carries the pink one and flies to the highest still existing roof of the half shattered castle, so that the 2 of them could have a good look at the horizon. Kirby drops the bag to the ground in the process.

-You know? - says the mouse. -You are a very strong being without a doubt, someone with a lot of power Kirby, more than you have ever shown. I can feel it. It doesn't seem right for you to use it just to save undeserving beings.

Kirby just watched, he felt comfortable in Daroach's paws.

-That's why I'm here to guide you, look around, all this could be yours. No one could stop you, doesn't it look tempting? You could easily have all the riches you want, conquer cities, destroy worlds, let the whole universe bow down before you! Come on Kirby! Let's show the world what you really are.

The pink one just started sucking on his little hand. He's hungry.

-You don't understand, do you? -Daroach said with an exhale of disappointment, thought for a moment and spoke. -Hey, I heard that a king in the distance wants to steal your food.

The round one huddled closer, not seeming to understand anything.

-Emm... No... yum?

Kirby reacted with astonishment.

-Poyo?!

-Yeah, no yum, we should kill don't you think?

The round one didn't answer, but he looked angry, that was enough for Daroach. Being considered a friend made tricking Kirby a fairly easy task, he may not have understood his intentions, but lying to him to get him to do unintentional evil was all he needed.

Then a huge blast of ice is fired at Daroach, he immediately teleports to save himself with his cape next to Kirby and appears where the source of the attack. He meets Chilly, who seems to have just formed.

-Not so fast, little rat. -He says in a very angry tone.

-Damn. -says Daroach nervously.

Now that Chilly is another friend of Kirby's, he puts him in danger, not because of the doll's attacks, but because of the pink one himself.

-Kirby! Don't listen to him, he's cheating on you, come here! -he says trying to convince the little one.

The round one upon seeing Chilly immediately remembers the gift he owes him. He tries to get loose from Daroach to grab the bag he left lying around. The mouse, sensing Kirby's attempts to free himself, misunderstands the situation and thinks he is obeying Chilly's words. He was filled with fury and quick as lightning, scratches the doll breaking it in 4.

Kirby looks and is surprised, his friend has just been cut to pieces in front of him. Forcefully he abruptly lets go of Daroach's arms and heads over to look at the snowy remains of his friend.

"I screwed up." the mouse says to himself.

The pink one after admiring the snow, turns around angrily, and without Daroach noticing, punches him powerfully in the face, knocking him unconscious on the ground.

Kirby checked to see if the mouse was moving, and when it didn't, he went back to check on his friend. But as we already know, Chilly is capable of forming, so he does it for the third time. The pink one jumps for joy and hugs him roughly.

-T.. Too strong Kirby. -says the doll about to be crushed again by the round one's strength.

Chilly is released and turns around looking for Bandana, but can't find him. He thinks the worst. A few taps on his back make him turn around and he sees Kirby handing him a little card. He opens it and after suffering so much mentally from Daroach's crimes, this small act of kindness gives him some much needed joy. Kirby feels it and is quite pleased. He has made his friend happy again.

-Thank you Kirby. -he says, calming his mind.


Hours have passed, the Waddle Dees who were unconscious have woken up and Bandana Dee is slowly regaining his composure. He was found buried in the rubble, Daroach tried to hide him so that the Dee would not interrupt him in his talk with Kirby, but he forgot about Chilly. The flames in the village have now been extinguished and they are trying to repair the damage as best they can.

Everyone was very discouraged, it was definitely a bad day. Did they defeat evil? yes, but they did it too late. The town is shattered, many died, but some survived. A Waddle Dee bandages his wounds while Bandana thinks. It was still impossible for him to believe that someone so cruel could exist, especially coming from Daroach, he didn't expect it and underestimated him in that aspect. Trying to reason with him was a mistake.

Chilly is next to him and grabs his shoulder, comforting him. In the distance they see Magolor approaching and a very angry Dedede.

-Hey, you! -shouts the king to Meta Knight. -Why didn't you help?

The warrior didn't answer as usual, he laughs and just flies away.

-Ah! Where do you think you're going?! -He screams, but it's useless -This damn mysterious Meta Knight and his damn mysterious way of being. -he complains, gritting his teeth.

The one with the handkerchief just sighs and ignores the scene. Then the wizard finally arrives.

-Thank you little Waddle Dee for rescuing my ship. -Magolor says quickly.

-I didn't do it, the hero here is Chilly. -Bandana says bitterly, not because he was envious of the doll, but because he feels he has failed as a hero.

-Oh, right. -He says now turning to Chilly. -Thank you little doll for rescuing my ship.

Bandana got angry, to damn Magolor he was talking as if everything that just happened was worth cheese to him, in fact, it might be true. Besides he repeated what he said, he's definitely not speaking from the heart.

-Magolor, what's that? You are very... normal, very optimistic. Are you only worried about your ship? -he asks in an annoyed tone.

-Indeed, Waddle Dee. -says Magolor.

"How cheeky," thought Bandana. As he was about to complain to him, the tender screams similar to that of an innocent child were heard in the distance.

-Magoo, Magogogooo! -shouted Kirby looking for the wizard with his little bag.

-Here I am Kirby! -he says loudly so that he could find him.

The pink one runs to him and takes the letter for Magolor out of his bag.

-Wow Kirby, thank you! It's unbelievably horrible, but I'm surprised you can even draw being such a simple, silly being. -says the magician cheerfully.

"How?" thought Bandana, it didn't enter his head how someone could belittle a friend like that, and not only that, the hero of Pop Star, the one who gave him another chance! But still Kirby looked happy and laughed.

-Bandana, the best thing to do is to rest. -said Chilly seeing the Dee's courage. -Relax, we deserve a rest.

He was right, the stress of what happened is about to burst his head, keep thinking about it in this state will not help anything, so he nods and relaxes.

-Do you want a little present too, don't you? -says Magolor playfully to Kirby.

The pink one nods happily. The magician guides him to his newly rescued Astrovelero, as he climbs up Magolor enters the cabin leaving Kirby behind in the bow, at that moment the round one sees a strange small cage next to the cabin door. He felt life inside it, so curious he approaches to see what it is.

Inside the cage there is a rabbit.