What is Dead May Never Die
The Smash World was being turned on its ear.
Round little Kirby, who'd spent the majority of Melee being belittled and tormented over his low ranking, who'd come so close to being dragged under, was coming back with a vengeance. Fueled by nothing but positive thoughts and the support of friends old and new, the Star Warrior faced off against those who'd laughed at and sneered at him and effectively silenced those sneers and that laughter. Spectators were stunned into silence as he soundly thrashed his opponents using his abilities, his sword skills and his cleverness, turning the weaknesses that had sent him to the bottom of the tier list into strengths. And if someone tried to get on his case about his ranking, then he'd just ignore them. Gone were the days of sitting in his room and moping, or trying to drown his sorrows with a carving into his skin with a shard of glass. All of that was over for him. Socially, he opened himself back up, inviting people to share a cake or two. He talked about his situation with DDD, Meta Knight, Tiff, Tuff and Luigi—especially Luigi. The man in green was the one who'd pulled him out of the water, patched up his emotional wounds and gave him a reason to fight another day. He'd also shared Kirby's suffering, and while the verbal and physical attacks against him weren't as severe, they still left a mark on him. Now, he was using his own experiences to help Kirby survive his own proverbial trial by fire.
What of him and Pikachu? Well—the electric mouse knew how to melt Kirby's heart all over again. Two days after the pink puff's release from the infirmary, Pikachu rented out the ice cream parlor and recreated their first "date", banana split and everything. Then, the Wireframes brought out a big cake with pink and yellow frosting, with figurines of Pikachu and Kirby on top and at least four sparklers. As they ate, Pikachu apologized to Kirby, in his own language, of course, for being too ensnared in a petty feud to pay attention to him, promising to help him through future hardships from that day forward. It was an exquisite—and yummy—gesture, and it was enough for Kirby to let Pikachu back in. They waited for about a week before publicly announcing their reconciliation, though.
Fox, Falco and Marth continued to demonstrate remorse for their actions, voluntarily deleting all of the hurtful posts about Kirby on the Smash Blog and sending him cards, flowers and slices of cake. Kirby knew that they were genuinely sorry, but they could expect him to just turn around and throw his arms around them after what they'd done. They deserved to squirm and sweat for a bit before he even entertained the idea of renewing his friendships with them. He needed to face them on the battlefield, or watch one of his friends face one of them on the battlefield. And just like Luigi before him, while he'd eventually forgive his tormentors for what they did to him, he'd never forget it.
But—
They weren't his top priority right now. His current focus was pulling himself out of that rut and playing with the big boys once again. He took more pages out of Luigi's playbook and took to the blog to vent his feelings. He sparred with Wireframes and Smashers alike or pounded Sandbags. He invited Pikachu, Luigi, Jiggs, Pichu, Ness, the Ice Climbers and others on regular lunch dates. And he cooled his heels in the Gaming Area, where he learned to play games like Scrabble and taught his friends to play Kirby's Air Ride on the GameCube.
Through his hours in the Training Room and his tenacity, Kirby developed a groundbreaking technique that soon became his signature. When his opponent was on their last stock, or at a high damage percentage during a one-stock match, Kirby would maneuver himself toward the edge of the stage, grab the foe, pummel them a few times and then perform a back Suplex into the blast zone, taking the opponent with him. It was a high risk, high reward move which had tongues wagging at the brazenness of its execution. Who would've thought that a Smasher would choose to deliberately sacrifice a stock to try and win a match? The move also grabbed MH's attention, and he acknowledged that this was the first time one of his Smashers thought outside of the box. Once he got over his surprise, the Hand of Creation gave Kirby the coveted Thumbs Up for this amazing new move, which would eventually be dubbed "Kirby-cide".
Unfortunately, Koopa and Dorf continued to display a blatant lack of remorse for their actions and tried to tear Kirby back down, but the pink puff would have none of it. He'd puff right on by them as if they weren't there, anticipating the day he got to face them on the battlefield. Even the incident in the cafeteria wasn't enough to discourage them—it only spurred them to try and bother Kirby when MH and Luigi weren't around. But Kirby could handle himself pretty well, thanks to his renewed self-esteem and confidence. Dorf and Koopa's words stung less once Kirby remembered that they routinely got their [bleeps] handed to them by an elf and a common plumber, respectively.
…
As Luigi and Pikachu helped Kirby get back on his feet, however, Kirby decided to help them in return. The conflict over their side-Bs had mostly simmered down, but they had yet to properly talk things out. Kirby knew that they had to address the matter before it flared back out of control. His best bet was to get the two in a room together an in a comfortable environment, so that both could say what needed to be said without losing it.
So, one day, Kirby closed one of the restaurants near the Smash Mansion to the public and invited Pikachu and Luigi over for one of his lunch dates. When the two arrived, the Star Warrior was nowhere in sight. The restaurant employees escorted the two to a private table where two bottles of sweet wine on ice sat. Next to the ice bucket was a note that read, It's time. :)
"What's going on here?" asked Luigi as a team of servers set platters of deviled eggs and various other appetizers on the table. "Where's Kirby?"
"I'm afraid Kirby won't be joining you this afternoon," said another server as they uncorked one of the bottles of wine and poured the beverage into two wine glasses.
"Then how come he invited us?" Luigi wanted to know.
"Because he understand that there's a deeply personal matter between the two of you," explained the host, giving the duo a menu each, "and he wants us to help you resolve it."
Luigi and Pikachu exchanged a look. They knew exactly what the host was talking about.
"Take as much time as you need," said the host, "and for goodness sake, no scenes, if you please."
"Pika," said Pikachu.
The employees departed, leaving Pikachu and Luigi alone with their food.
Pikachu raised his glass. "Pika," he said.
"Cheers," said Luigi, and then they toasted.
Using the tongs provided, the two filled their plates with appetizers. Music began playing on low as they slowly ate their food, silently contemplating the best way to broach the subject.
Eventually, Luigi opted for the direct, rip-off-the-Band-Aid approach. "What was the big deal, anyway?" he demanded of Pikachu.
Pikachu couldn't answer right away, as his mouth was full. He swallowed before replying, "Pika pika pika pi."
"Why would you think I was copying you? It's not like I didn't know about the Skull Bash beforehand," said Luigi, "and furthermore, why would you antagonize me over such a small thing?"
Pikachu shrugged. "Pika."
"I don't know how this got started, either," said Luigi, "but it needs to end. Today. Look what's happened because of it."
"Pika pi pika pi pika pika," Pikachu said regretfully.
"While you were getting on my case about the Green Missile and insisting that I was trying to imitate the Skull Bash, Kirby was put through the worst Hell imaginable," said Luigi. "You say that you love him, but how come you weren't there for him? Were you not aware of what was going on? I'm sure you've been on hand to witness some of it."
"Pika," Pikachu said quietly.
"You were sitting in the cafeteria when he was trash-canned. When he had all sorts of food dumped on him. And instead of comforting him, you decided that ragging on me about my side-special required more of your attention." Luigi was doing his d—ndest to keep his voice steady and at an indoor volume. "You prioritized a needless grudge match over the well-being of someone you claim to love. I can't believe that you would do that."
"Pika pika pi pika pi," said Pikachu. "Pika pika pika."
"Well, by the time you snapped out of it, things had gotten so bad…" Luigi swallowed back the image of Kirby on the floor, bloodied and slashed by his own hand. "What if I'd been too late? What if he had died?"
"Pi," said Pikachu.
"While he was struggling to stay afloat," said Luigi, "you were putting up signs like these everywhere." He held up one such sign. "You tried to turn the other Smashers against me. You even got Pichu aboard. And you gave Dorf and Koopa another excuse to harass me."
"Pika pika pika pika," said Pikachu. "Pi pika pika pi."
"Hm. Good to know that you have standards," said Luigi, "but I just wanna know why? Why would you think I'd want to steal your thunder? I'm already considered Mario's clone, which I'm trying to escape. So what would make you think I'd benefit from copying another Smasher?"
"Pika pi."
"Nobody here is judging us for our side specials. There's no reason to try and make yours better than mine. It's already perfect."
Pikachu bit his lip. "Pika pika," he acknowledged.
"I was dumped on for being bottom tier, and I was dumped on for being the second banana," said Luigi. "I certainly didn't need more dumping from you."
"Pika pika pika pika pi pika pi pika pika," sighed Pikachu. "Pika pi?"
"It's not what you did to me that upsets me the most," said Luigi. "It's the fact that you neglected Kirby. He was left twisting in the wind, which is why he turned to…"
"Pika pika pi," offered Pikachu.
"You should know that Kirby is also one of my closest friends. Two years ago, he didn't abandon me, even though he was a top-tier fighter. He was the one who tried to bring us all back together. So when he was placed in my situation, I wanted to help him. But I needed your help, too, Pikachu. Just as he needed you, and you were too concerned about our side specials to be there."
"Pika pika pi pika," said Pikachu.
"Marth helped you see the light? How so?"
Pikachu told Luigi about the conversation he'd overheard between Marth and Kirby, in which the bluenette apologized for his behavior and mulled over how he let his relationship with Roy fall by the wayside because of his ego.
"Pika pi pika pi pi pika," said Pikachu, explaining how Roy was facing similar mistreatment over being low tier. After Marth had defended the Red Lion against one such attack, it had given him a wake-up call. Even before Kirby was rushed to the infirmary that night, the Altean prince had vowed to change his ways.
"When Fox, Koopa and Dorf were…" Luigi knew that saying "attacking Kirby" would be a serious understatement, "then why didn't you do something then?"
"Pika pi pika," Pikachu said softly.
"It would've been nice if you'd saved Kirby first and then given yourself time to think later," said Luigi.
They paused in their conversation to order their main courses.
"Pika pika pi pika," said Pikachu.
"I'd like to start fresh, too," said Luigi, "but it's gonna be so hard. I'm always gonna remember what you did, and what Kirby was going through while you were doing it. I'll have to live with that for the rest of my days, don't you get it?"
Pikachu nodded. "Pika pika pi pika," he murmured.
"Just promise me you'll be there for him from now on," said Luigi. "Promise me that you won't let a silly old feud come between you ever again. Promise me that you'll always be in Kirby's corner, no matter what. Promise me."
"Pika," Pikachu solemnly affirmed.
Luigi smiled. "Thank you, Pikachu," he said. "Thank you. After today, I know that we can put all of this behind us."
"Pi!" said Pikachu, also smiling.
Their main courses arrived, and the two instantly dug in, continuing to talk things out. The restaurant staff happily watched the electric mouse mend fences with the plumber. Then, the host picked up the phone to tell Kirby that his mission was a smashing success.
…
That lunch date helped Pikachu and Luigi work out the worst of their animosity, but some tension remained. Their friendship was unlikely to return to "normal", and they both knew it. However, at least they could approach each other and engage in a civil conversation.
However, Pikachu wasn't the only one repairing his relationships. Fox was doing all that he could to atone for his actions and restore his reputation as the honorable and fearless leader of Star Fox. One afternoon, he walked into a burger joint to find Captain Falcon seated at a booth, waiting for him.
"Thanks for meeting me here," said Fox.
"Of course," said Douglas, shaking Fox's hand.
They took their orders from the server before getting down to business.
"You were right, Douglas," Fox said solemnly. "You were right. But I didn't want to listen because…"
"I feel you," said Douglas. "I was there, too."
"And I was right there with you," sighed Fox, "making absolute fools of ourselves, bossing around Polygons—not to mention the [bleep] we put Luigi through."
"Not just Luigi," said Douglas, "but Ness, Link, DK—and Sam. I still feel horrible for putting her on the spot."
"And I still feel horrible for ridiculing Link," said Fox, "but that was nothing in comparison to what I did to Kirby. At least we didn't get physical with those five. Well—we kinda did, but not as badly as…"
"Well, I did most of the physical stuff, especially with Luigi," said Falcon. "The brawl in the lounge, the altercation in the hallway…"
"It still doesn't excuse me," Fox cut him off. "At least you saw the folly of your ways. I jumped right back into it, thinking it was a new slate because it was a new tourney."
"When I found out what you did to Kirby that day, I was appalled," said Falcon.
"I blamed him for our friendship falling apart," said Fox. "I was angry and selfish and in my little bubble. But that night, I felt a twinge—something telling me that I'd taken it too far. And then, I heard Luigi break down the door to Kirby's room and shout something about going to Dr. Mario's office. When I heard that—I knew something horrible had happened. I just wasn't prepared for MH's announcement the next morning. Now, I feel like everyone hates me, and they should."
"I don't hate you," said Douglas. "I just hate what you did."
"What about the others?"
"About the same," Douglas assured him.
"I let everyone down," said Fox, "but what's worse is that I let myself down. Wh—what can I do?"
Douglas smiled. "You're already doing it," he said. "You're reaching out to me, and you're trying to reach out to Kirby. But what everyone needs right now is space—to cool off. Like—with the first tournament."
"Yeah," said Fox. "After we realized that we weren't so high and mighty after all, we stepped aside and gave the Smashers we hurt some time to heal. And it worked. We were able to win them back over."
"And I'm confident that you'll do the same with Kirby and his friends," said Falcon.
"Hey, Douglas," said a voice.
Samus strode toward them and slid into Douglas's side of the booth.
"Hey, Sam," said Douglas, giving her a quick kiss on the mouth.
Their food arrived, Douglas sharing his meal with Sam.
"Rebuilding some bridges, I see," said Sam.
"Indeed," said Douglas.
"Fox, I must say—we're all glad that you've come back to your senses—again," said Sam as she popped a French fry into her mouth, "but that doesn't mean we'll simply rush back into your arms as if nothing ever happened."
"I don't expect you to," said Fox.
"You spared nothing with Kirby, and he did nothing to deserve it," said Samus.
"I know," sighed Fox. "I'm gonna make it better, I promise."
"Would you have done that to Luigi?" asked Samus.
"Sammy…" Douglas began.
"It's okay, Cap," said Fox. To Samus, he replied, "No, Sam—I honestly wouldn't have. And Falcon probably wouldn't have, either."
Falcon shook his head. "At least, not something so extreme," he said.
"Because he's older and stronger than Kirby, am I right?" asked Sam.
"Yes," Falcon and Fox said in unison.
"And even so, I feel bad about getting physical with Luigi in the first place," said Falcon. "I feel bad about the pranks I pulled on him. I feel bad about the whole d—n thing."
"Me, too," Fox put in.
"If you wouldn't treat Luigi like that," Sam wanted to know, "then why did you think treating Kirby like that would be fine?"
"Well—I…" spluttered Fox.
"I thought you learned something from the business with Luigi," mused Sam.
"So did I," said Falcon. "That's why I tried to pull you back, and when you wouldn't listen to me, I had to distance myself from you."
"You didn't want me to drag you back into that life," said Fox.
"That's right," said Falcon. "I didn't."
"Douglas—it was wrong for me to snap at you that day. It was wrong for me to relapse into the way I acted in 1999. It was wrong for me to nearly send Kirby off the deep end." Fox looked into Falcon's and Samus's eyes. "What's it gonna take for you to forgive me?"
"Besides time?" asked Samus. "Maybe you putting in more effort to change—for good. Maybe not paying attention to that stupid tier list anymore. Maybe remembering that the tier doesn't make the fighter—only practice does."
"She's right," said Falcon. "It'll probably take a little more for Luigi and Kirby to forgive you. L still bears the scars from our past actions, and Kirby—you've got to remember that in Star Warrior terms, he's technically a child—a child you tortured and tormented."
Fox blew out air between his lips. "I made a big mess," he said, "and I'm gonna clean it up. Not just for me—but for Kirby and for Luigi. For all of you."
Falcon laid a hand over Fox's. "I know you will, Fox," he said. "I know you will."
"You and I—are we…?" asked Fox.
"We never really had a true friendship," said Falcon. "We just spent our time strutting and bragging together. But hopefully, we can enjoy a healthier friendship."
Fox beamed. "I'd like that," he said.
The vulpine and the racer exchanged friendly smiles. Currently, the bridge between them and the bridges between Fox and the other Smashers consisted of charred, blackened wood. But Fox was gonna roll up his sleeves and rebuild those bridges with better materials, so that they'd be stouter and stronger than ever.
This much was certain.
Please R&R.
