Hear Me Roar

Luigi visited Kirby during lunch, and once again when the day's matches were over. The pink puffball's condition had improved, and how. That familiar bubbliness and energy was returning, he was less pale, and he was hooked to less machines. Dr. Mario told him that Kirby would be completely off the machines tomorrow. But what touched Luigi the most was the big smile on Kirby's face when he greeted him.

"Poyo poyo poy!" Kirby said cheerfully, expressing his desire to get back in the game.

"I can't wait to see you back on the battlefield, too," smiled Luigi.

Kirby smacked a "fist" into his "palm". "Poyo poyo poyo poy poyoyo poyo!"

"Language, Kirby," admonished Luigi.

"Poyo poyoy poyo poy poyo!" Kirby stated hotly.

"It's not just about getting revenge on your tormentors," said Luigi, "because revenge isn't the answer."

"Poyo poyo poy," said Kirby.

"I know you want to get back at them, but I know a better way than simply beating them to a pulp."

"Poyo?"

"Prove them wrong. Use their words as motivation and turn their own weapons back on them."

"Poyo poyo," vowed Kirby. He was done with feeling sorry for himself. He was the freaking Hero of Dreamland, for God's sake! So what if he was ranked unfavorably in some tournament?

Plus, Pikachu had finally seen the light, and Luigi was always by his side, so he didn't have to fight these battles alone, did he?

"Poyo poyo poyo?" he asked.

"Definitely—I wanted to get back at Fox and Falcon and those spectators for what they did," said Luigi, "and I did just that—by practicing every morning and mopping the floor with every opponent I was faced with. Heck, I won against Falcon by doing absolutely nothing. It didn't take long for the audience to stop jeering."

Kirby smiled at Luigi's words. Now he really couldn't wait to get out of the infirmary. The Star Warrior dared to imagine the looks on the faces of Fox, Falco, Koopa, Dorf and his other tormentors when he roared back into Melee. They wouldn't be so quick to toss reproaches in his direction then.

"Poyo poyo poyo," he mused.

"You're right," said Luigi. "Things are only gonna get better from here."

He gave Kirby a kiss on the forehead. "I'll see ya round."

"Poyo," Kirby replied.

Luigi smiled, turned on his heel and left the infirmary. It was almost time for dinner.

Two days later, Kirby was given a clean bill of health and released from the infirmary. All of his bandages had been removed, and all of his cuts had healed, save for some barely noticeable scars. To make things better, he was released just in time for breakfast. The puffball signed his discharge papers with a flourish and strode off to the cafeteria.

The first thing he saw was Fox, sitting there with Marth and Falco. But the Star Warrior didn't even acknowledge him; he was starting fresh. Instead, he sought out Luigi, finding him at a table with Peach, Mario, Yoshi, Ness, Falcon, Samus, Zelda and the two Links.

"Poyo!" he greeted.

"Welcome back, Kirby!" Luigi said brightly as the puffball dashed into his arms. "Thank God you're all right."

The two separated, and Kirby tottered over to get his food.

"I usually don't do this," said one of the Wireframes manning the cafeteria, "but I'm gonna give you an extra donut today."

"Poy!" thanked Kirby as the Wireframe placed the additional donut on his tray next to the rest of his food.

Kirby puffed his way over to Luigi's table, but was stopped by a gentle hand on his "shoulder". It was Fox.

"Hey, Kirby?" Fox hesitantly asked, and his voice was gentler than the last time they "talked". "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Kirby had a cold look for him. "Poyo poy poyoyo popoyo poy poyo," he said.

"I'm really sorry for what I've done," said Fox. "Truly, I am."

"Poyo?" Kirby narrowed his eyes. "Poyo poy poyoy popoyo poy poyo poyo poyo. Poyoyo poy poyoyo poyo poyo poyoy poyo. Poyo poyo poyo poy popoyo poyo."

Fox was speechless as Kirby puffed himself away from him and made himself comfortable at Luigi's table. Then, he turned to his tablemates. "I f—ed up, guys," he said. "I f—ed up big time."

"Give him time," Marth said wisely. "We did a lot of terrible things to him."

"You weren't there that afternoon," Fox said regretfully. "I nearly killed him. And when MH told us what he's been doing and how he landed in the hospital, I…" He trailed off. "I'm sorry, Falco."

"What for?" asked Falco.

"I've been a lousy leader. Blind—to what I have. So many people look up to me, and I let that get to my head until I forgot that it came with a prerequisite. I've disgraced you, disgraced myself and disgraced Star Fox. I don't think they'll keep me in the program. I wouldn't keep me in the program. So drunk was I in the fame that I forgot why my name became known in the first place."

"Oh, Fox," said Falco. "The Lylat Disciplinary Council is firm but forgiving. I'm sure if we put forth enough commitment, then they'll give us another chance. In the meantime, our best course of action is to just—let Kirby be. We'll know in our hearts when he's ready to hear us out."

"I let you down," said Fox. "I let Slippy down, I let Peppy down, and I let Krystal down. Can you ever forgive me?"

"Yes," said Falco. "That's what friends do."

Fox sighed heavily. He had a long, hard climb ahead of him.

There was relative quiet in the room as the Smashers enjoyed their breakfast. Then—

"Lookee here, Dorf! If it isn't that filthy casual!"

Heads snapped up. Ganondorf and Koopa stood in the cafeteria, smiling smugly.

Don't take the bait, Kirby told himself, keeping his eyes on his delicious food.

"Welcome back to the real world, Kirbs!" Koopa went on as he and Dorf strode further inside. "Hope that hospital food wasn't too hard on your palate!" He guffawed, and Dorf laughed with him.

Luigi felt his cheeks turn red. He reached over and held Kirby's hand in support.

"I must say, when MH told us what you'd done, we were floored," said Dorf. "Who knew such a little puffball could make such a big mess?"

They laughed again.

"My God, you carved yourself up like a Thanksgiving turkey!" chortled Koopa.

"Hey," Fox spoke up. "Take it easy, all right?"

"What's the matter? The top tier fighter is jumping ship?" Dorf mockingly asked. "You were really going to town on Kirby that afternoon!"

"Yes, and I regret doing it," Fox said firmly.

"Well, you shouldn't—you did an awesome job putting that low-tier trash in his place!" said Koopa. He and Dorf now stood at Kirby and Luigi's table. "Ah, Kirbs—it was about time you realized how worthless you are. Just save a little bit for us next time, yeah?"

Luigi's free hand was now in a fist.

"Don't do it, Bro…" Mario cautioned.

"Oh, and a word of advice," sneered Dorf. "Try going a little deeper, would you?"

He high-fived Koopa, the two of them chortling as if they'd told the perfect joke.

Kirby just kept eating, refusing to even look those two in the eye. Luigi, however, had heard enough.

The man in green stood to his feet and faced the two villains. "I've got a better idea," he growled. "Why don't you try picking on someone your own size?"

Dorf and Koopa looked bewildered for a second—only to burst out laughing even harder.

"Won't you look at that?" chuckled Koopa. "The green bean is trying to play Kirby's hero? Has he proclaimed you his champion?"

"Try?" snapped Luigi. "I will stick up for Kirby! And I've had about enough of you antagonizing him! He spent three days in the infirmary because of what you did! Don't you even care?"

"Sure, we do," said Dorf. "We would've cared more if he'd ended it all!"

He and Koopa laughed once more.

"You've beaten him down," Luigi said, his voice a mixture of anger and disbelief. "You've knocked him to his lowest point, but you still won't stop! You're just gonna keep going and going until you rip him apart! Have you no shame?!"

"Apparently not," murmured Samus as Falcon nodded in agreement.

"You two need to realize when enough is enough," Luigi went on.

"Who do you think you are, telling us what to do?" scoffed Koopa. "You're not the boss of us."

"Perhaps we need to remind you of your place, as well," Dorf said menacingly.

"Touch a hair on my brother's head," warned Mario, "and you'll regret it."

"Big Bro—I've got this," Luigi said reassuringly. Turning back to the villainous duo, he continued, "As for you, I already know my place. It's right here—between you and Kirby."

Dorf snickered. "A second-banana scared of his own shadow wants to protect the low-tier loser?" he taunted. "You won't stand a chance."

As if to underscore his point, he delivered a brutal Warlock Punch to Luigi's face, sending him crashing onto the table.

Luigi recovered quickly, seeing Mario and Kirby prepared to jump to his defense, the latter drawing his sword. With a gesture, the man in green stopped them.

The rest of the Smashers watched the scene intently.

Luigi wiped the blood from his face and spoke in a calm, clipped voice. "Everyone here will bear witness to the fact that I'm acting in self-defense."

He stepped over to Dorf and tapped him on the shoulder. The King of Evil turned and smirked when he saw Luigi standing there in an old-school boxing stance.

"Okay, little green man," said Dorf. "You asked for it!"

He lunged at the plumber, only to be stopped with a mighty straight punch to the face, and then another and another and another. Luigi's fists flew swiftly and crisply, battering Dorf all over his face. Dorf growled and swung back, only for Luigi to dodge his hammy fists and retaliate quicker and sharper than ever. An uppercut smashed hard into the base of Dorf's chin, followed by a one-two punch to the solar plexus.

"[Bleep] him up, Luigi!" cheered Zelda.

Falcon bit his lip. The scene was starting to bring back some repressed memories.

Dorf managed to get some punches of his own in, sending Luigi staggering. But the plumber heard Kirby's voice, joined by Mario's voice, spurring him on. He thought back to the mansion incident on that fateful October night last year and knew that he couldn't give up now. Luigi straightened, took a deep breath and re-engaged Dorf, peppering him with flurries of powerful punches.

It was Mario who saw Koopa sneaking up on Luigi, hoping to attack him from behind. "Oh, no you don't!" he shouted, and just like that, Mr. Video Game Himself was now in the fight. Koopa's claws flashed, internally jumping for joy at the prospect of throwing down with his sworn enemy.

"It's on now, you pesky plumber!" he roared, the two archrivals going at it without further prelude.

While select Smashers yelled for Mario as he battled the Koopa King, the clash between Ganondorf and Luigi remained center stage. The Gerudo had no qualms over fighting dirty, using kicks and breakfast trays to try and even the score. But it was no use. Luigi relentlessly chipped away at the bearer of the Triforce of Power, bouncing back from everything thrown at him. Unlike his brawl with Falcon in 1999, Luigi kept his anger carefully controlled, simmering just under the surface. Thanks to this tactic, he was less likely to lose his head and make crucial mistakes. The audiences' cheers still had the same effect on him, though.

"Where did you learn to fight like that, you good-for-nothing…?" Dorf started to ask.

"I boxed during my college years," Luigi said evenly, cutting Dorf off with a spectacular left cross. "I keep my skills sharp in the gym every week." He cannoned another left cross into the Gerudo. "How do you like those apples, buddy?" He sent a right hook sizzling into Dorf's jaw.

Luigi kept dancing around his opponent, lashing out fast, sharp and enviously precise, now mixing in open-hand strikes with his punches and favoring his forward smash attack. Dorf quickly found himself overwhelmed by the agile and athletic man in green, but he wasn't someone who went down easily. His swings were slow, but they could hurt like Hell whenever they found their mark. He even tried to aim below the belt, but Luigi was simply too fast. Gloved fists continued assailing him from seemingly everywhere. To make things worse (for him, at least), Koopa was similarly tied up with Mario, the little man dealing some serious pain with his fists, fireballs and signature stomp. As such, he was unable to help his friend. The Bros had their respective opponents on the ropes, and everyone knew it.

Especially Kirby, who ate it up like a chocolate cake with raspberry filling and buttercream frosting. It was more appetizing than his breakfast, and that breakfast contained an extra donut, to boot. Greedily, he lapped up the sight of Luigi socking it to Dorf and Mario socking it to Koopa, cheering wildly for them both. That'll teach them some manners, for sure! Maybe they'll try picking on someone their own size after today!

Luigi's blows kept thundering into Dorf, and they only increased in power as the green-clad man grew more and more worked up. Scenes of Kirby on the floor of his room, covered in bloody slashes, clicked through his mind like a macabre viewfinder. Images of the puffball being belittled, heckled, hassled and otherwise abused flashed across his mindscape. People dumping food on him and smashing cake in his face. Those bullies dunking him into a trashcan. Fox pouring hot coffee on him. So much anger and frustration was behind every strike, so much wondering about what he could've done more. Luigi was now Kirby's avenging angel, clad in green and blue. And nothing, not even MH's stupid rules, was gonna stop him.

For the grand finale, Luigi wound up and smashed a Super Jump Punch into Dorf, returning the favor of sending him into a table. Various breakfast foods and beverages wound up splattered onto the Gerudo King, and Luigi hoped that at least one hot beverage was among them. As the audience sent up a huge cheer, Luigi wheeled about and saw Mario still locked in combat with Koopa. Unhesitatingly, he dashed in to help.

Together, the Super Mario Brothers delivered a cathartic clobbering that Koopa would remember for at least a week. Mario's aggression and Luigi's cleverness and caution went hand-in-hand as they cornered the reptile, pounding him to their hearts' content. Finally, they both grabbed Koopa by the tail and swung him around a few times before launching him into an empty table, chairs scattering everywhere.

The rest of the Smashers were on their feet, applauding Mario and Luigi. Koopa and Dorf struggled to their feet, only to wind up slumping back to the floor, dazed. The victorious Bros acknowledged the cheering spectators with a nod before walking over to the Wireframes that just arrived on the scene.

No good deed went unpunished, of course, as the Wireframes escorted the duo straightaway to MH's office. Luigi explained the situation to the giant glove, offering no excuses for his actions. While MH assured him and Mario that additional time would be added to Koopa and Dorf's current suspensions, it didn't change the fact that the Bros still broke the rules, and that Luigi disobeyed him. After reprimanding them, the Hand of Creation suspended them for three days each for their misconduct. While they couldn't fight in any matches during that period, they could still spectate matches and use the Smash Mansion's other facilities. Despite their punishment, the Bros exchanged a smile.

It was worth it.

Kirby emerged on the Yoshi's Story stage, his gaze locked on his opponent. The usual jeers greeted him, but he just closed his eyes, blocking them out. He sensed Luigi in the stands, along with Pikachu and Jiggs, an antithesis to the hate. Then, his eyes snapped open, lancing the opponent with a hard stare.

MH started the match.

Calling forth his most legendary abilities, the Star Warrior sprang into action. He used his Burning ability to barrel into his foe. He used his Fighter ability to pelt them with punches and kicks. He used his Sword ability to slash at them. And of course, he used Inhale to steal their special moves to use against them.

No more was he thinking about the tier list. Now, he was thinking of the monsters he'd defeated, the denizens of Dreamland he'd saved time and again, the showdowns with DDD—and the people he knew were in his corner. He was beginning to work things out with Pikachu, and this morning, he'd witnessed Koopa and Dorf receive the beginnings of their long-awaited retribution. Also, he couldn't help but notice that Fox, Marth and Falco were softening up towards him, but it didn't change how they used to act. It would be a few days, maybe more, before he could even think about speaking to them again. But he'd dwell on that later.

The heckling and reproaches bounced off of Kirby's rotund, rosaceous body. His face was set, his bean-shaped eyes blazing as he floated and dipped about the stage, attacking his opponent when they least expected it. Slowly, the taunts and shouting quieted. The spectators began paying attention to this new side of Kirby. Off the bat, they noticed his improving performance and his new tactics. And they looked closely at his face and understood that terrible things had happened to him over the last few days.

Kirby's opponent lost one stock, and then another and another. The audience was now speechless. The worst fighter in Melee now had a chance of winning! How could this be?

"You're gonna do it, Kirby!" shouted Luigi. "You're gonna do it! Don't give up!"

Kirby homed in on Luigi's voice, pushing past the clutter of painful memories. The recollections of insults were now translated into power on the battlefield. He brandished his trusty Hammer, swinging it with full force and using his foe as a piñata. Sometimes, he'd use the Hammer to finish a combo, and other times, he'd use it to attempt a K.O. The other Smasher could barely land a clean hit on the pink puff. Kirby of the Stars was back with a vengeance, and everyone in the Smash World was gonna know his name!

He forced the opponent to the edge of the stage, grabbing and pummeling them. The audience could hardly breathe as they tried to deduce what he was about to do.

Glaring at his struggling foe, Kirby narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip, pulling them close.

"Poyo poyo poy," he hissed.

And then he performed a Suplex off the platform, taking his opponent with him.

"GAME!" announced Master Hand.

Complete silence had fallen over the arena.

Kirby, the so-called "filthy casual" of Melee, had won his first Smash Battle in a long time!

Luigi, Pikachu, Ness, Samus, Falcon and the rest of Kirby's friends were on their feet, cheering like crazy. The others exchanged looks before filing out of the arena to contemplate what they'd just seen.

And in the Reception Area, Kirby did one of his cute little dances as MH officially declared him the match's victor, finishing with a wave. His eyes scanned Fox, Falco, Marth, Koopa and Dorf, practically begging them to ruin this moment. The vulpine, the avian and the Altean prince were awestruck, while the two villains were sullen. But Kirby didn't give a [bleep] what they thought anymore.

It was the beginning of a new age. Kirby was now the little pink puff that could. Everyone who spat on him and called him names was about to eat their words. He'd show them all that he was far from trash, even if he was a low-tier fighter. They'd made their beds, and by God, they were gonna lay in them!

I am Kirby. Hear me roar!

Well I thought I knew you, thinkin' that you were true
Guess I, I couldn't trust called your bluff time is up
'Cause I've had enough!
You were there by my side, always down for the ride,
But your joy ride just came down in flames cause your greed sold me out in shame!

After all of the stealing and cheating you probably think that
I hold resentment for you,
But uh uh, oh no, you're wrong!
'Cause if it wasn't for all that you tried to do, I wouldn't know
Just how capable I am to pull through,
So I want to say thank you!
Cause it

'Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder,
It makes me that much wiser,
So thanks for making me a fighter!
Made me learn a little bit faster,
Made my skin a little bit thicker,
Makes me that much smarter,
So thanks for making me a fighter!

Never saw it coming, all of your backstabbing,
Just so you could cash in on a good thing before I'd realize your game!
I heard you're goin' round playin', the victim now,
But don't even begin feeling I'm the one to blame
'Cause you dug your own grave!
After all of the fights and the lies cause you're wanting to haunt me,
But that won't work anymore, no more,
It's over!
'Cause if it wasn't for all of your torture
I wouldn't know how to be this way now and never back down,
So I want to say thank you!
Cause it

'Cause it makes me that much stronger,
Makes me work a little bit harder,
It makes me that much wiser,
So thanks for making me a fighter!
Made me learn a little bit faster,
Made my skin a little bit thicker,
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter!

How could this man I thought I knew
Turn out to be unjust so cruel?
Could only see the good in you
Pretended not to know the truth.
You tried to hide your lies, disguise yourself
Through living in denial,
But in the end you'll see
You won't stop me!

I am a fighter and I
I ain't goin' stop!
There is no turning back;
I've had enough!

'Cause it makes me that much stronger,
Makes me work a little bit harder,
It makes me that much wiser,
So thanks for making me a fighter!
Made me learn a little bit faster,
Made my skin a little bit thicker,
Makes me that much smarter,
So thanks for making me a fighter!

You thought I would forget,
But I remember,
'Cause I remember,
I remember!
You thought I would forget,
But I remember,
'Cause I remember,
I remember!

'Cause it makes me that much stronger,
Makes me work a little bit harder,
It makes me that much wiser,
So thanks for making me a fighter!
Made me learn a little bit faster,
Made my skin a little bit thicker,
Makes me that much smarter,
So thanks for making me a fighter!

-Christina Aguilera, "Fighter"


Please R&R.


I am currently rewriting Book 1 of this story, fleshing out certain characters and plotlines. You can find the rewrite here: s/13515584/1/T-H-Luigi-s-Story

Or just type "T&H Luigi's Story" into the Search Box.

Check it out!