Chapter 29: Wester

The local juice bar in Dreamland wasn't particularly busy, but there was a sizeable number of customers. One of these was Wester, the self-proclaimed treasure hunter. Soon, he heard a loud voice.

"Hiiiiii Wester!" A childlike voice called out. This of course was the hero of Dreamland Kirby, whose face was doing a terrible job of concealing his excitement.

"Hey, Kirby. Do you need something?"

"Oh, I'm just wondering if you wanna hang out today!"

Wester looked at Kirby somewhat disinterested. "What do you have in mind?"

"A treasure hunt!"

With those simple words Wester was now giving the puff his full attention.

"What kind of treasure?"

"Um... all kinds of treasure! It seems to be similar to the Great Cave, but it's not exactly the same. Well, except for the fact that there's still a ton of treasure!"

Wester was now excited. While he did like hanging out with Kirby, the prospect of finding rate treasures with his friend was thrilling to the treasure hunter.

"Well then, lead the way, partner."

The puff nodded as he began to walk with his friend out of the juice bar.

As they walked through the town, they discussed this new cave.

"So, where exactly is the place, we're heading to? I'd like ta have a good idea of what we'll be having ta deal with."

Kirby took a minute to think. "Well, it's cave around where Dyna Blade's mountain is. I didn't explore too much so I can't really say if there's anything to look out for."

Wester nodded. Caves were tricky for a variety of reasons, mainly confusing layouts. At least they wouldn't have to deal with booby traps. Then, as if reading his mind, Kirby added.

"By the way, I get the feeling there might be traps, but that's only because I only explored a bit of it."

His friend smirked as he adjusted his hat. "Well, having a lot of traps equal high-quality treasure. Or at ta very least, something worth finding."

"Yup! I thought so, too!"

Wester nodded at his friend's response. "So, what made ya want to come get me for this? Not tat I'm complaining, I'm glad you asked me ta come."

"I thought you'd be interested in it!"

Kirby couldn't see his friends face due to the bandana wrapped around him, but he knew Wester was smiling because of the thoughtful gesture.

"You're a swell guy, Kirby."

The child gave a timid giggle. "Thanks, Wester!"

"Not a problem. Here, take this."

The hunter said, handing Kirby one of his spare whips. The puff inhaled it and copied the Whip Ability.

"Say, do you know why hats just appear on your head after absorbing something? I nevah really thought about it before." He asked, looking at Kirby's cowboy hat.

"I dunno!"

If Wester was surprised by that answer, he didn't show it. "Well, regardless, dat hat suites ya."

"Thanks!" Kirby then summoned the Warp Star, something that got Wester's blood pumping.

"Time to go fast, I take it?"

"Yup! The sooner we get there, the sooner we can explore, right?"

His friend seemed to grin. "Dibs on the right side of ta star."

Kirby nodded as the two jumped on. "Alright, Warp Star, full speed ahead!"

As if responding to his command, the star jetted off into the distance.

When they arrived at the location of the cave, Wester fell off the Warp Star, clearly very dizzy from the intense speeds.

"Hey, Wester, are you ok?" Kirby asked as he jumped down.

"I will be." He mumbled as he took out a bottle of hot sauce and took a swig of it, immediately jumping to his feet. However, the puff only smiled at this, glad that his friend was fine.

"Ok, let's go!"

With an energetic nod, the two waked in. Instantly, Wester was impressed by how large the inside of the cave was. There was even a massive waterfall nestled in the middle of the cavern!

"Woowhee! This place is bigger than I imagined."

"I know! I was surprised when I saw it, too!"

"Well, time to explore." Wester said, using his whip to get to the other side of the waterfall, using stalagmites to swing around.

Kirby copied Wester's movements and followed him. Yes, he could have easily floated across, but swinging around just seemed like so much fun!

Once they safely landed, they both agreed to come up with a strategy for the rest of the way.

"We should be sure to walk around carefully, just in case there are any traps in this here place. Dat alright with you, Kirby?"

"Yup! There's no need for us to rush our time here."

His friend nodded in agreement as they began to explore the cave. To help the time pass, Wester decided to make small talk to his pink friend.

"So, how'd ya even find this place, Kirby? Did you accidentally fall into it?" He asked, half serious half joking. The child blushed furiously in response.

"...yes..." Kirby replied, causing Wester to turn back towards him and gaze at him in surprise.

"You are somehow super lucky and unlucky at ta same time."

"Oh, well... thanks?" The puff said, unsure about how to take what he was told. "Oh, Wester, I have a question. What made you want to be a treasure hunter? Was it the fame? The riches?"

His friend took a moment to think. "I don't care much for fame and as much as I love getting rich, that's not why I started. No, I became a treasure hunter for the excitement. Ya can understand what I mean, right?"

"Yup! That's why I started hunting for treasure myself!"

The two high fived over the shared excitement of treasure hunting. Then the puff thought of another question.

"But what do you do with the treasure you find, Wester? I think you know that I like to donate mine to the museum!"

His friend gave a shrug. "I keep 'em. I reckon that since I found em, their mine to keep. Is that wrong?"

"Honestly? I don't think so! You were the one who found them, so you should do what you want with them!"

Wester gave a good-natured laugh. "You have a great mindset for treasure hunting, partner."

Kirby smiled at the compliment, but also had another question on his mind. "Is there a bad mindset for a treasure hunter to have?"

"Uh... I guess murderin' the people you're trekking with to keep everything for yourself is one..."

Kirby looked visibly disturbed by that. "Well, I'm glad neither of us are like that, huh, Wester?" He replied in an awkward fashion.

"Yuuuup."

"Um... what's another bad mindset? Hopefully something less, disturbing." He replied with a nervous giggle.

"Well, making others do all the hard work and then taking credit for everything is pretty darn bad, I reckon."

"Yeah, that also sounds pretty bad. Anything else?"

"Those are really the only bad mindsets that I can think of. Just don't do anything nasty ta others."

The puff nodded. "I agree! Even outside of treasure hunting, you shouldn't do anything bad to anyone!"

"Well, yes. Also, look out." Wester calmy said, pulling Kirby towards him, saving the puff from a falling chunk of rock.

The puff blinked for a moment. "Ahh! Thanks, Wester!"

The hunter nodded. "No need to thank me. Just make sure to keep an eye above ya."

"Alrighty!" Kirby exclaimed as he carefully walked down the path once more.

Wester chuckled. "I'm darn glad he doesn't have n' ounce of negativity in him." He thought as he walked after his friend.

The duo proceeded through the cave, and it was mostly an uneventful trek.

"Where could that darn treasure be? I know there's some here. I can smell it." Wester mumbled.

"You can smell it? What does it smell like? Oh, I hope it's chocolate!"

"It's a figure of speech."

Kirby gave a slight pout, but it was clearly in a lighthearted way.

"Well, if we keep going forward, we're bound to come across something right?" He then asked.

"Yeah, but I'm starting to get a bad feeling. Like something bad's gonna happen."

As he said that, Wester tripped over some nearly invisible trip wire.

"Ah! Wester! Are you ok?!" The puff shouted.

"Don't worry about me! Look in front of ya!"

Kirby looked forward and saw a barrage of arrows coming towards them. With a panic, the child quickly dodged the oncoming arrows.

"Someone's definitely booby trapped dis place. Kirby, can you float us up?"

"Ok! Hold on!" Kirby said as he began to float up towards the ceiling.

Then another arrow was shot at them, but Wester was able to block it with his whip.

"Kirby, can you throw me in that direction? I think I saw da guy who's responsible for these dang arrows!"

The puff gave a nod and tossed him in the direction he was told. Wester went soaring through the cave and crashed onto something that helped cushion the impact.

"Next time, I should tell him to reign in his strength a bit." He whined and then he noticed he was on top of someone, presumably the arrow shooter.

"Get off of me, knave!" The figure said.

One look at them was all it took for Wester to see that it was a Spynum.

"Ah! Wester! Did you see who it is?" Kirby shouted as he floated over to where his friend was.

"I'm right on top of him. He's not going anywhere."

The child landed on the edge and let out a puff of air. He then began to examine the perpetrator.

"Hey, Spynum, what's the big idea! Why did you attack us like that?"

"Do you think he wants treasure?"

The Spynum flinched at the word treasure. This didn't go unnoticed by Wester.

"Either he's after the treasure, or he's guarding it."

"So, which is it?" Kirby tilted his head innocently.

"We'll know when we get him to talk. So talk already varmit!"

The archer remained silent.

"Let me get him to talk!" The puff said.

Wester nodded. If anyone could get someone talking, it's Kirby.

"Go ahead."

Kirby walked up to the downed archer. "Hey, where's the treasure? Is your name actually Spynum or is that a code name? Oh, are you a secret agent protecting a dangerous weapon? Hey, did you set up that trip wire? That wasn't very nice of you, you know? And neither was the arrows!"

As the puff kept rambling, the Spynum's patience was draining quickly.

"Or are you-"

"OH, FOR NOVA'S SAKE, WILL YOU SHUT UP!?"

Kirby blinked. "Hey, did you know that I actually met Nova?"

"Alright, alright, I'll talk! Yes, I'm guarding the treasure."

Kirby smiled. "Great! Now was that so hard to say?"

The guardian growled. "Now that I have told you, get out of this cave already!"

"But why?"

The Spynum look flabbergasted by the question. "What do you mean why? I'm the guardian of the treasure, it's my job to keep thieves out of here!"

"But what if we don't want the treasure?"

"A likely story! I overheard you two talk about treasure hunting!"

"Oh, that's before we knew what it was. If it's that important to you, I rather you keep it!"

Both Wester and Spynum were surprised by that.

"Yeah, that's a very you thing to say, Kirby."

The child gave a timid giggle in response. "Well, it wouldn't be right to take something that's so important to him, right?"

Spynum was in disbelief. Not just because of what the child said, but also because of his name. "Hold on. Your name is Kirby? Like that Kirby?"

The puff blinked. "Um... yeah, I guess? Unless you know any other people named Kirby. I'm the only "Kirby" that I know of." "

You're a great hero! Why are you trying to be a thief!?"

"Not a thief. A treasure hunter!"

"Aren't those the same thing?!"

"They aren't! A thief steals things that don't belong to them! A treasure hunter looks for things that no one owns!"

Wester smiled at that but quickly became serious again. "Look, I get that you just want to protect your treasures or whatever, but you shouldn't just attack people like that. What if it were a group of cave explorers that stumbled upon your trap?"

Spynum didn't know how to respond to that question. "So, I should just let people steal my treasure?"

"No, but you shouldn't just attack people without knowing what goals they got. And why are you keeping such a valuable thing in a cave like this? Wouldn't it be safer in a, I dunno, a safe!?"

The archer took a moment to respond. "...I ...can't."

Both Kirby and Wester looked confused.

"Why would you put magic on it that prevents it from being moved?" Kirby asked.

"...I didn't."

"Then who did?"

"...I don't know. Most likely the person who originally owned it."

"So, you don't know who owned it?"

Wester glared at the archer. "Let me guess, you found it but couldn't move it, so you decided to attack people to drive them away while you figured out a way to move the treasure. Am I right or am I dead right?"

The archer flinched.

Kirby frowned. "So, it's not actually your treasure then?"

In Kirby's mind someone can only claim ownership of a piece of treasure if they can do anything they want with it. Spynum began to sweat.

"Uh..."

"Just be honest already will ya?"

"...ok, ok, yes!"

Both Kirby and Wester looked at each other and nodded. "Well, since you don't actually own it, that means Wester and I can have it!"

"But...but...!"

"Didn't I tell you? I only take treasures if no one owns them!"

Wester then picked up the would-be treasure hunter. "Now, go on, get!" He yelled, tossing the Spynum away.

"Well... shall we go after that treasure?" The puff asked.

"Well, it is ours for the taking now."

Kirby nodded. "Alright then, let's get going!"

Wester gave him a thumbs up and took out his whip.

"Now that we know this place has traps in it, let's be extra careful."

"Ok, so then we'll just have to do this slowly." The puff said in agreement. "Do you think that guy will come back to try and stop us?" Kirby asked his companion.

"Probably. But we'll be ready for him."

As the duo continued through the caves, Kirby decided to make conversation.

"So, Wester, what do we do if we can't move the treasure? Whatever the treasure actually is."

"Let's figure that out when we get there."

"Well, alright. Say, have you ever been chased by a boulder on one of your adventures before?"

"Twice, I think. What about you?"

"Including my none treasure related adventures? I've lost count!"

"Really? Do tell."

Kirby scratched his head. "There's not much to tell. It seems like I always come across at least one boulder during an adventure."

"Wow, really?"

"Yup! Boulders, giant snowballs, a bunch of Waddle Dee's put together in the shape of a ball. I've been chased by a lot!"

His friend gave a chuckle. "It's no wonder why you're so fit for your age."

"Well, I am pretty active, I guess. Meta Knight's training helps with that. And all the competitions Dedede keeps challenging me to."

"Yup, that would do it."

Kirby nodded and a certain thought entered his mind. "Have you explored planets other than Popstar?"

"A few of 'em. Probably not nearly as much as you have."

"Yeahhh, I've lost count of that too."

"I thought so. You're quite lucky, Kirby."

"Lucky how?" Kirby asked, unsure what was so lucky about it.

"Well, you get to go to more planets than some people can only dream of going to."

"Well, that's true, I guess. I never really thought about it to be honest. Every time I go to another planet is to fight some evil force or track down some powerful force. I haven't really explored a planet for pleasure I guess is what I'm saying."

"Well, would you like to do that at some point?"

"Sure! That would be fun!"

"Then we'll plan for that once we get out of this cave!"

Kirby happily nodded, however his happy expression changed to concern as he heard the familiar sound of something rumbling coming from behind him.

"Oh no, speaking of which... RUN!"

Kirby and Wester kicked it into high gear and ran as fast as they could. Unfortunately, it looked like they were about to reach a dead-end. Almost immediately, the puff began to look for a way out.

"Hold on, I think I found something!"

"Well, it make it fast partner! That boulder sure ain't gonna wait for us!"

With a quick reaction, Kirby tossed his whip above him and grabbed his friend, using the momentum from running to dodge.

"Man, that was as dangerous as a snake eating an acorn." Wester said, laying on the ground.

The puff tilted his head. "Why would a snake eating an acorn be dangerous?"

"It's an expression that my grand pappy told me. I don't even know what it means myself."

"Ooooh. Ok."

"So anyway, I have a feeling we must be getting close. Boulder traps are always used near the treasure."

"Yeah, we'll probably have to be even more careful then."

"Not exactly. Come on, we're going to look at where that boulder crashed."

The puff nodded as he floated back down to examine the area. It didn't take long for Kirby to see what Wester meant. The boulder's impact opened up a pathway that wasn't there before.

"Wow! you're right! Let's go!"

Wester grabbed Kirby before he could walk any further. "Look out for more trip wires. As unlikely as it might be, there could still be some around."

"Yeah, I know!"

"Oh yeah? Then what's that right next to your foot?"

The puff looked down to see a trip wire. "Oh, I just didn't notice!"

"I know." Wester said with a laugh.

"So then, let's go...but more carefully!"

His friend smirked and spun his whip around fast enough to float up into the air, getting rid of the need to look out for wires. The puff stared up at his friend, pouted, and followed his actions.

"Um... Kirby, you can float. Why are you copying me?"

"Because I want to."

His friend sighed, but in an amused manner. "Suite yourself. Let's get a move on then."

The child nodded as the proceeded deeper into the cave.

After the duo safely landed, Kirby asked a question.

"So, Wester, what made you want to learn how to fight with a whip?"

"Nothin' really. I just thought it looked cool." His friend replied with a shrug.

"You chose to use something as difficult as a whip because it looks cool?"

"Yup. Haven't you mastered an Ability because it's cool?"

"Well, I think all of my abilities are cool, so yes, I guess."

"...you know, that gives me another question. Is there any Ability that is difficult for you to use?"

Kirby took a moment to think. "Um, not really if I'm being honest."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Though some are harder to master than others. Like I haven't fully grasped Whip yet, but it's not like I have a hard time with it either."

This made his friend curious. "What was the hardest for you to master?"

"Um, I believe that would be Archer. But only because I'm not the best with precise projectiles. I prefer bigger, more flashy projectiles!"

"You mean like those energy shots in your Fighter Ability and the Sword Beam?"

Kirby nodded. "And bombs."

His friend nodded along. "I can imagine that it was also pretty hard for you to master Archer because of your mentor. The guy doesn't look like he picks up a bow and arrow often."

The puff gave a slight sigh. "I've never seen him use any other weapon before. That didn't stop him from teaching me though."

"Really? How well did that go?"

Kirby chuckled nervously. "Let's say it's a good thing that Meta Knight has multiple cloaks. But at least I got used to archery by the end of that day."

"So, you hit his cloak with the arrow multiple times? I can imagine he was really mad about it."

"He was mad yeah, but he was also happy that I got used to archery. He did make me learn how to repair holes in clothing though."

For some reason, Wester appeared to be surprised. "Really? I thought that cape of his was magic."

Kirby looked confused. "Yeah, but it's not invincible."

"Wouldn't it be able to repair itself?"

"I don't think that's how that works. Unless he kept it damaged on purpose to teach me a lesson."

"I wouldn't be suprised. He seems like the type of person who'd do that."

Kirby really couldn't deny that accusation. "So how about you? Did you learn how to fight from someone else?"

"Mostly my pops."

"What's he like?"

"He's kind, but very strict."

"Is he a treasure hunter like you?"

"Yup. He's retired now, but he was one of the most famous in the business."

Kirby was clearly impressed by the sounds of that. "So, did he teach you everything about treasure hunting?"

"Yup, he's why I got so interested in it in the first place."

"So, which of you is the better hunter?"

"I am." His friend replied proudly.

Kirby smiled. "Somehow I'm not surprised."

"You shouldn't be!" He said with a huff.

"...But I'm not."

"Good!"

Kirby was about to say something in response, but out of the corner of his eye he saw something shining. "Hey, I think the treasure is over there!"

"Then let's go see!"

Carefully the two walked over, keeping an eye out for any traps.

As they got close, they finally saw what the treasure looked like. It was a chalice made entirely out of diamond.

"Oooohhhh! This is really pretty!" Kirby said in amazement.

Wester nodded but had a feeling that things would only get tougher from here. Slowly he walked up to it, only to be stopped by an invisible barrier.

"This must be the magic that varmint was talking about."

"Yeah... so now what should we do...?" Kirby uttered aloud.

"Do you have an ability that could break it? Or maybe even phase through it or something?"

"Hmmm... I can probably teleport through it if I had ESP..."

"Well, I doubt we'll find anything that'll give you that in this cave. Do you have any Copy Essences on ya?"

"I have a few in my backpack. Let me check what I can work with."

The puff then opened up his backpack and began to rummage through it.

"Let's see here. Bomb? Nope. Wrestler? No. Sword? Maybe. Oh, Ninja! That might work!"

The child took the item and copied the Ninja Ability.

"Well, here goes nothing." Kirby said as he threw down a smoke bomb.

Seconds later, smoke appeared on the other side of the barrier with him in it. "Alright, it worked!" He then turned to his friend. "Do you want me to see if I can find a way to let you in?"

"Naw, just grab the chalice and teleport back here."

The puff nodded and just walked up to the chalice and grabbed it before teleporting back with a smoke bomb.

"You know, normally when a treasure is removed from a pedestal a big ol' trap activates. But nothing seems to have happened."

Hearing that put Kirby more on guard. There was no doubt that a trap was going to activate in his own mind. Kirby's worries would soon prove to be true as the cave began to rumble. Before they could react, an older looking wizard appeared in front of them... or rather a projection of a wizard.

"Congratulations on getting pass my barrier. The chalice is now yours, but you must make haste. I rigged the cave to collapse five minutes after the chalice has been removed. Have a good day, young and or old adventurers."

The image of the old wizard disappeared after it was done speaking.

"Well, I think you know what we have to do know, don't ya, partner?"

Before Wester could hear a response, he was grabbed by Kirby, who then began to run out of the cave.

"Do self-destructing caves happen a lot too you Wester?" The puff asked as he dodged falling debris.

"Yes! It has! Can't you call the Warp Star or something!?"

"Good idea!" Kirby yelled, frantically trying to summon said star.

During this, Wester was starting to get more worried about the collapsing cave.

"How long does it take to get here?!"

"It should be instant!"

"Then why isn't it coming!?"

"Maybe it got hit by some debris! The warp star is surprisingly fragile!"

"Then we'll just have to run out of here on our own!"

"That's what I've been doing already!"

"I know!" Wester shouted as he began to run even faster. Just then, an arrow narrowly missed Kirby's face.

"Give me the treasure!" The culprit was the Spynum from before, looking desperate for the treasure.

"We don't got no dang ol time for this malarkey! Get outta the way before I act like a weasel in a fireworks factory!"

The archer only continued to fire arrows at the duo. Thinking quickly, Kirby tossed a few kunai at the archer. Either he was too slow to react or just didn't care, the archer was hit dead on and dropped his bow.

"Nailed him!" Wester said with a fist pump. "Now then..." He picked Spynum up and wrapped him up with his whip.

"What are you doing!?"

"You might be dumber than a rock trying to fly but I ain't gonna let you get crushed by a collapsing cave!"

The archer became silent upon hearing that, but that only allowed the duo to focus on their escape.

"Kirby, how much time has passed!?" Wester quickly asked.

"Uh... I think maybe two minutes?"

"Alright, so we have three more minutes... how close are we to the exit, do you think?"

"I think I can hear the waterfall from before! We must be getting close!"

The puff nodded and began to pick up his running. The roaring of the waves became louder and louder the closer they got.

"I think we're almost there..."

"Wait, Wester, how are you going to get across the fall if you're carrying him?" Kirby asked in concern.

"What? Ya don't think I can't use my whip like this?"

"Wester, you have your whip tied around him. How can you swing with a in use whip?"

"I have a spare, of course!"

Kirby nodded but looked unsure. "Wait, hold on." He thendiscarded his ninja ability and put on his wrestling mask. "I'll just throw you both across!"

"Wait, but what about you!?"

"...Wester, I can float."

His friend blinked. "Oh, that's right."

Soon they reached the waterfall, noticing a lot more debris falling from the ceiling.

"Alright, I'm gonna throw you both now, alright?" Wester nodded as he prepared to be thrown.

"Wait, I didn't agree to this!" The archer complained.

"Too bad! Kirby, toss us!"

The puff nodded and used his Wrestler Ability to toss his friend. Wester and Spynum safely landed, or rather Wester safely landed on top of Spynum.

"Ow! What was that for!?" The archer shouted.

"What do you mean what was that for? You think I have control over how we land?"

"You could at least try to not land on top of me!"

"We were thrown at the same time, you idiot! Now quit complaining unless you want to be crushed into smithereens!"

The archer only became silent as Kirby floated over to them.

"Ok, let's keep going! The entrance shouldn't be far from here!" The puff excitedly said.

With a nod, his friend followed after him.

"Hey, could you untie me now!?"

"Not until we get outside!" The archer groaned as the duo rushed outside.

As soon as they got outside, the entrance crumbled completely. Both Kirby and Wester let out a sigh of relief.

"That was way too close. At least we made it out, huh, Kirby?"

The puff let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Yeah..."

"Yes, yes, we almost died. Now untie me!"

The two of them looked down, as if just now realizing they still had the Spynum still with them.

"Aight, I'll let you go. On one condition."

"...what?" Was the hesitant reply.

"Don't try going after our treasure you hear me?"

The archer hesitated for a moment before giving a sigh. "Ok, fine..."

Wester glared at him. "That means the moment I let you free, you better skedaddle."

The archer nodded in understanding.

"Alright, good." Wester flicked his wrist, undoing the whips grasp on Spynum. "Now get."

Almost immediately, the archer scrambled to his feet and ran.

"Well, I guess we should get a good look at that chalice now. You do still have it right, Kirby?"

The puff nodded as he pulled it out of his backpack. The diamond chalice was thankfully undamaged, which put a smile on both of their faces.

"Well, according to the tradition of treasure hunting with me, now we have to name it!" The puff exclaimed.

"You can name it then. I'm awful with names. Besides, we only have it because of you anyway."

The child nodded. "Hm... now to think of a good name..."

Kirby looked at his friend. "You sure you don't have a good name?"

"Best I got is "Diamond Chalice". Which ain't that creative."

He nodded. "How about... Crystalized Thirst Quencher?"

Wester looked at Kirby with an odd look but shrugged. "Yeah, that works."

"Now, do you want to keep it?"

His friend looked surprised. "You want me to have it?"

"If you want it, sure! You already know I usually donate everything I find to the museum!"

Wester had to think about it. On one hand he did want it, but on the other hand, he wanted Kirby to decide what happened to it.

"Well, if you're offering it to me, then I suppose I can take it."

"Alrighty then!" The child smiled as he gave him the chalice.

Wester examined the chalice and smiled. He then pulled out a camera from his backpack.

"I have a tradition of taking a picture of myself and the treasure. So come here Kirby, time for a group photo!"

The puff happily nodded as he ran over to his friend.

"Alright. Three. Two. One and smile!"

With that Wester took a picture of them smiling happily with the chalice they worked hard to get.

"Thanks for inviting me to this Kirby. It was fun, minus the almost dying part."

"No problem! I had a lot of fun as well... of course, minus the last part!"

The two shared a laugh, content with how the day ended.

Thank you for your patience!

I know it has been over a month since the last chapter of this was published, but that was because the Task Force Zettaepisode of Let's Be Friends Extra was taking much longer than I expected to finish. It's also because of college stuff, so I appreciate you being paitent and waiting for this chapter to be released.

Next will be the Dream Friends and other allies.