Ashore
I hear you calling out
Our ship is going down
Were sinking and I can't let you go
I couldn't understand
You wouldn't take my hand
I watched you fall into the ocean below
It's a fight to survive
Do or die and keep it alive…
We gotta wake up, we gotta save us
So baby hang on
I'm coming after you, I'm diving overboard
Any moment we could lose it
I'm coming after you, I'm diving overboard
S.O.S
I'm diving overboard
Off the edge
I'm diving overboard
I'm diving overboard
I'm diving overboard
It's all or nothing now
It's time we figure out
Or well be going back and forth to the end
Cause every time we touch
We fall right back in love
Just to break apart like waves in the wind
Out of breath, ship is wrecked
In distress, but well fight for what's left…
We gotta wake up, we gotta save us
So baby hang on
I'm coming after you, I'm diving overboard
Any moment we could lose it
I'm coming after you, I'm diving overboard
S.O.S
I'm diving overboard
Off the edge
I'm diving overboard
I'm diving overboard
I'm diving overboard
I'm rushing out, coming now
Take my hand
I'm reaching down,
Don't let go
I'll get you home
Lay you in a safety zone
Hold you in my arms embrace
Never let it go astray
Storms will fade, sun will rise
Baby we're gonna be be alright!
Breathe in, breathe out
There's still a heartbeat pounding
Don't give up, open your eyes…
We gotta wake up, we gotta save us
So baby hang on
I'm coming after you, I'm diving overboard
Any moment we could lose it
I'm coming after you, I'm diving overboard
S.O.S
I'm diving overboard
Off the edge
I'm diving overboard
I'm diving overboard
I'm diving overboard
—Manafest, "Overboard"
It was a subdued scene in the Smash Mansion the next morning as everyone sat down to breakfast. They'd been roused by the commotion last night and knew that something awful had happened to Kirby. Unfortunately, they didn't know the details just yet.
Fox sat with Dorf and Koopa, poking at his food. He could feel the glares from the other Smashers—Luigi, in particular. Even he sensed that he'd taken things too far the other day. The vulpine could feel something—his conscience, perhaps—roughly shaking him by the shoulder and telling him to wake up. And maybe he was waking up—waking up from a pride-induced stupor.
A Wireframe strode into the cafeteria. "Smashers," they said.
The Smashers fell silent, turning to look at the Wireframe.
"Master Hand would like to see you in the auditorium immediately after breakfast," announced the Wireframe.
The Smashers nodded to show that they understood.
The Wireframe cast Fox, Koopa and Dorf a piercing gaze before leaving.
And Fox's stomach dropped.
…
All of the Smashers quietly filed into the auditorium and took their seats. Now, Fox could feel everyone's gazes stripping him bare. Alarm bells started ringing in his head. He began to realize that he'd crossed a line, and now Kirby was suffering because of it.
God, I hope he's okay.
Master Hand warped into the room, and everybody could tell that he was not happy. The Hand of Creation spoke calmly and clearly in an indoor voice, but his anger was palpable.
"Good morning, Smashers," he said.
"Good morning, Master Hand."
"I'm afraid I bring—grim news," said MH. "Last night—Kirby was rushed to the infirmary."
Gasps.
"Is—he okay?" asked Peach.
"He's—recovering," MH replied, "thanks to Luigi and Pikachu's timely response."
"What happened?" asked Ness.
MH swallowed. "Luigi and Pikachu—they found Kirby in his room, bloodied and covered in slashes."
"Actually, I sensed that something had happened," said Luigi. "I broke down the door and discovered him in that condition. Pikachu walked in and wanted to help."
"Master Hand—who would do that to Kirby?" Zelda wanted to know.
MH cleared his throat. "There's not an easy way to tell you this," he said, "so I'm just going to tell you. Those slashes—were self-inflicted."
Horrified looks were exchanged.
"How long…?" Falcon asked.
"There's no way of knowing at this time," MH replied, "but I do know why." His voice hardened, and Fox felt sick.
"No—they didn't—they wouldn't," growled Young Link.
"I'm afraid so," said MH. "This tier-list nonsense has gone on long enough. I thought the perpetrators learned their lesson two years ago, but obviously, I was wrong. What makes you think that it's okay to torment someone just because of a piece of paper? Is it fun to you? Because it as sure as Hell wasn't fun for Kirby."
Falco, Fox and Marth shifted uncomfortably. Dorf and Koopa were stone-faced.
"As for those who are responsible for this, you're lucky that Kirby's alive and on the mend. I won't name names, but you know who you are, and you know what you did. When Kirby is released, you owe him an apology."
Marth muttered a prayer in Japanese, his face pale. Falco buried his face into his wings. Fox crossed himself.
"I suppose I must share some of the blame as well," said MH, "for putting that d—n list up to begin with. Had I known that some of my Smashers would treat it like some social scale, then maybe I wouldn't have. But I will only say this once more—that tier list is for tournament purposes only. I hoped that it would help serious tournament players—not give my Smashers an excuse to push others around and derive joy from it. And if I had paid more attention to Kirby's situation and been more proactive with defusing it, then maybe this wouldn't have happened."
"Can we see him?" Jigglypuff piped up.
"Maybe later. Dr. Mario and I want him to rest," replied MH.
Whispers and murmurs.
"Would you like me to cancel today's matches?" asked MH.
"No thanks, Master Hand," Luigi tightly replied. "I have a feeling we could use them."
"I shall take steps to ensure that something like this never escalates this far again," said MH. "That being said, anyone caught subjecting another Smasher to bullying of this caliber may be subject to dismissal from this tournament. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Master Hand."
MH nodded. "You are dismissed."
Looking distraught, the Smashers headed out of the auditorium and toward their rooms to begin the day's matches.
Falco and Marth found Fox bent over a trashcan, retching. The bluenette put a comforting hand on the vulpine's shoulder.
"Oh, God," Fox raggedly gasped. "I'm a monster. Look at what I've done to poor Kirby!"
"We're just as bad," sighed Marth, "because we joined in."
"I'm supposed to be a team leader and protect people," said Fox, "and yet I drove someone to harm himself because—what kind of leader am I, Falco, if I think I'm above everyone else because a piece of paper says so?"
Tears came to his eyes.
"Douglas was right—everyone was, but I didn't wanna listen. And now…"
"I know, Fox," said Falco. "I know."
"We have to make this right," said Marth.
Fox nodded. "Like MH said, we need to apologize to Kirby," he said, "but I honestly don't know if that will help."
Silence.
"One way or another, I'll fix what I've broken," Fox went on. "That's a promise."
…
In the infirmary, Meta Knight and DDD sat at Kirby's bedside.
"…and Tiff placed an order for a gift basket," said DDD. "I'll bring it straight to you when it arrives."
"Poyo," said Kirby.
"Promise us, Kirby," said Meta. "Promise us that you'll never do something like that again. Because that's not the solution."
Kirby looked at his mentor. "Poyo," he replied.
MH appeared in the doorway. "Knock-knock," he said.
"Hi, MH," said Meta.
"Hello," said MH. "Dr. Mario told me that Kirby's doing a little better."
"He is," said DDD.
"Poyo poyo poy," said Kirby.
"It's good to see you, too," said MH. "Listen, Kirby—I'm really sorry. I should've paid more attention to this, but I didn't."
"Poyo poy poyoyo poy poyo," said Kirby.
"I still can't help but feel responsible, because I was the one who put up the tier lists. I thought everyone had learned their lesson."
"Poyo poy," said Kirby, "poyo poyoyo poy poyoy poyo poyo."
"Pikachu's finally coming around, huh? It's about time he did," said MH. "Fox, Koopa and Dorf have been suspended for their actions, and I've ordered them to apologize after you're discharged."
Kirby scowled. "Poyo poyo poyo poyo," he snapped.
"You don't have to forgive them right away," said MH. "Just—hear them out, okay—should they decide to apologize. I don't believe in grudges in my tournament."
"If things hadn't turned out so happily, then it wouldn't have ended well for them," growled DDD. "Where are they, anyway?"
"Getting violent with them won't help matters," warned MH. "Kirby's recovery should be your main focus. Leave Fox, Dorf and Koopa to me."
"Maybe I should stay here for a few days," said Meta, "look after Kirby."
MH nodded. "I'll have a guestroom set up for you by tonight. DDD, would you like a room, as well?"
"Please," said DDD.
"We're gonna get you through this, Kirby," said MH, "but next time, don't be afraid to talk to me if someone is harassing you."
"Poyo," Kirby agreed with a smile.
Ever since that tier list was put up, the Star Warrior felt as if he was treading water, and at one point, his head had gone under the waves. But Luigi, and now Pikachu, DDD, Sir Meta Knight and Master Hand were guiding him toward shore. In his mind's eye, Kirby saw himself finally stepping onto dry land.
He would make it through.
And then he would prove those bullies wrong.
