Chapter 46: Lucky Power #7

"Star Warrior," said the enchanting voice inside Kirby's head, "you now have six star rod shards and you need only one more to complete the collection. But the last piece will not be easy to obtain. You must seek a new ally. Without her help, the last piece will evade you forever. Look for a friend who is pink, like you. You will only find one and your opportunity for friendship will be short. Choose your words wisely.

"The last star rod shard is located somewhere in Rainbow Resort. You will face many trials on your way to your destination.

"Beware of deception, Star Warrior. You must be very careful. However, trusting certain individuals is essential. Among the individuals are these: one: the pink ally, and two: the traitor who you will soon be in contact with again.

"The power of the sixth star rod shard is this: you can now summon, at any time, any primary infinite-use ability you have used before and you can also combine them to create any combo ability, even unused ones. You will need a new ability to spike through this stone prison you're in. Good luck, Star Warrior. May you shine forth like a star."

Kirby, sensing the hint in the voice's words, summoned Needle and Stone abilities to become Drill Kirby! Kirby became a huge drill that burrowed diagonally upward through the stone surrounding him.

The drilling was fast. Kirby flew along the passageway. Up and up he went until–

He broke out. He was back in Big Forest. The fire was out. The devastation caused by it was all around him. Carbon dust was getting in his eyes. Kirby trashed his Drill ability to view his surroundings more clearly.

He could see the unsinged part of Big Forest far in the distance, but the place where he stood looked like a wasteland.

He looked up into the sky. Kracko and the metal bird were gone, but something else was flying towards him.

It was the owl.

"Good day," it said, landing in front of Kirby.

"Uh... hi," said Kirby.

"Here is a possession of yours," said the owl, producing something from his feathers. "It was lost in the fire. I found it in the ash and am returning it to you now."

It was Gooey's cell phone.

Kirby stared at it, his mouth hanging open.

"The attack on Ice Dragon was successful," continued the owl. "He will sleep for 1,020 more years, according to the Odnetnin calendar. I invite you to join us for our celebration in Rainbow Resort. Come to 608 Sack Boulevard."

The owl flew off into the sky.

"I hope to see you there!" it said and was gone.

Kirby picked up the phone. At first, he just held it in his hand. He was unsure whether or not to speak into it. At second, he slowly brought it to his mouth, dryly parted his lips and said...

"Hello?"

"KIRBY!" exclaimed Gooey. "YOU'RE ALIVE!"

"No thanks to you," said Kirby, feeling a strange emotion rise in him.

Kirby's memory sparked. Kracko was laughing at him. He was being called a loser. His emotion hole had been filled. His eyes were narrowing. The sides of his mouth were curling downwards. He was shaking.

"Kirby?" said Gooey in a small voice.

"What?" said Kirby harshly. The anger was consuming him again.

"Please, forgive me. I am so sorry. I should have done my job and not thought only of myself."

"You don't care about me do you?! You just care about your stupid job!"

"No, it's not like that."

"You abandoned me! The Meta Clan could have killed me if it wasn't for Kracko!"

"I know! I know! Just, trust m–"

"You don't deserve to be trusted, you traito–"

Kirby stopped. He had remembered something else, something more recent.

"Trusting certain individuals is essential. Among the individuals are these: one: the pink ally, and two: the traitor who you will soon be in contact with again."

"However..." began Kirby.

Gooey didn't answer. Kirby imagined he was very confused.

"...a little voice in my head told me to trust you," he finished.

"Really?" said Gooey, sounding shocked at this sudden change of heart.

"Yes," said Kirby, his anger ebbing away.

"Kirby this really means a lot to me. You don't know what I've been through."

"Nor do you know what I have been through."

"No, you don't understand. Kirby, Marx is evil. He stole your phone! The Meta Clan didn't capture him until later. I had to endure hours of him gloating at me. It was agony. Then the Meta Clan got him and they threatened to trace the call, revealing my secret hideout, unless I cooperated."

Kirby considered saying something along the lines of "You deserved it", but then he remembered that all that had happened before Gooey had "abandoned" him. Kirby decided to disregard Gooey's story and change the subject.

"Well I've been through Cavios," he said smugly.

"No. Really?"

"Yes."

"What happened down there?"

Kirby told him.

"So now you can summon powers! Very cool," said Gooey after Kirby's story.

"Yup," said Kirby in the same smug voice.

"Well, I'm proud of you," congratulated Gooey. "By the way, where is our next destination?"

"Rainbow Resort," answered Kirby. "Oh, and an owl has invited me to a party."

"What? This is great. Where is it?"

"608 Sack Boulevard."

"I know where that is. I'll send a warpstar right away. I hope you'll accept my thank-you-for-trusting-me-again gift of a maximum tomato."

"Yes, Gooey, I will."

For the first time since Marx had stolen the phone, Kirby smiled.