Toby's POV
"Is it really fat free?"
"Ooh, look at that. It's on sale."
"Mommy! Mommy! Could I get that action figure?!"
Man, I could never get tired of the sounds of chattering Cappy customers. I may like some quiet times on occasions, but I still like shopping.
"Do you want some chocolate, Kirby?" Falala asks.
"Sure thing. Do you think I should bring some chips with us as well?" I ask.
"I'm sure the others won't mind." Fololo said.
For those that haven't guessed it by now, I am at Tuggle's grocery store. Me, along with my friends, Fololo, Falala, and Tuff are out picking up some goodies to take with us for a picnic me and Miku planned. It has been a few days since we stopped Dedede's plot to destroy the Rainbow Coral Reef. Miku thought it would be great if we all went out and throw a picnic party. Tiff and Miku are out getting the plates and other stuff we need while we are getting the food. I'm really looking forward to this as it is a nice day outside.
"I don't really care. Besides, what's a big deal about a picnic?" Tuff said taking no interest to today's activity.
"Picnics are cool." Fololo said.
"Especially if Kirby is making the meal." Falala adds.
I chuckle sheepishly. "Oh, come on, guys. I'm only good at cooking because of my mom. If you tried some of her meals, you would go for her instead."
After a while of getting some of the supplies together and purchasing them, we start walking out of the store.
Vroom!
Only to be cut off as the infamous goons of the hour swerves around the corner in their tank and stop in front of us four.
"Kirby!" King Dedede greets me.
I sigh. "What do you want, Dedede? I got plans today."
"Well, you better reschedule them." Escargoon said.
"That's right! Because there is someone here to visit you!" Dedede points to me.
Me and my friends look at each other before looking back.
"Um... who's visiting me?" I ask as I put my grocery bags down.
The penguin and snail look at each other for a moment before looking at me with fiendish smiles.
"Oh, nobody in particular... except maybe a few monster friends!"
Dedede pushes a button in the tank and the container of the vehicle opens up. Soon, a whole bunch of mini monsters come jumping out. They all look like the generic monsters from the Kirby games. They all hop around rapidly as they start trashing the streets around us.
"What the heck?! What's all this about?!" I shouted.
"This is my way of getting back at ya for disrupting my undersea castle construction and destroying my submarine!"
I see the small monsters terrorizing random Cappies and causing property damage to some of the houses, including Tuggle and Gengu's store windows. Both Cappies are currently trying to swipe them away with mops and brooms. I look back at the King miffed.
"Well, I hope the money you spent on these monsters were worth it because we're about to do some pest control."
"That's right!" Falala said.
"Yeah! No meanies come around causing a mess in Cappy Town!" Fololo joins in.
Though, before my two mini monster friends could join my side, Tuff pushes them aside.
"Relax, guys. Kirby can totally take care of this." Tuff confidently.
Fololo and Falala look at each other unsure.
I spoke. "Uh, actually, I would like some help with-"
"You got this, Kirby! These monster got nothing on you."
I look at the group before sighing. I guess I'm not gonna be receiving assistance.
"Fine. I guess I'll take care of this myself then." I said as I take a stance.
I open my mouth and began inhaling. Soon, all the enemy mini monsters are being sucked up into my guts along with some broken debris they created.
"Kirby! Look out!" I hear Falala warned.
I look ahead to see Dedede throwing a familiar orange monster at me. It was Noddy the sleeping monster! I try to cancel out my inhaling, but I was too late as Noddy goes down my throat with the rest of the baddies.
"Oh, no! Kirby!" Fololo shouts.
Before I could say anything, I began to feel very very sleepy all of a sudden. The sounds of my friends shouting for me and the goons' laughing are the last things I hear as darkness consumes me.
Miku's POV
Me and Tiff ran as fast as we can with Falala floating above us towards the local clinic. We were just ready to go out and meet the others at the spot for our picnic when Falala came to us and told us that something bad happened to Toby, or in this case "Kirby".
"I hope Kirby is okay!" I said as we ran.
"I hope so too, Miku!" Tiff replies.
After a while of nonstop running, we made it to the clinic. I was the first to burst through the doors of the waiting room and right into patient's room. I see my soulmate laying on an operating table fast asleep. Tuff and Fololo are in the room too with a Cappy doctor. This Cappy is named Dr. Yabui. He is Cappy Town's only doctor/dentist. He wore a doctor uniform with a stethoscope and large glasses. He also has large bushy eyebrows and mustache.
"Dr. Yabui!" Tiff said as she too enters the room.
"Well, hello, Tiff and Miku." The old Cappy greets.
"Is my brother alright?" I ask as I go to Toby's side. "Kirby!"
Alas, Toby does not wake up as he just snores softly undisturbed.
"Dr. Yabui, what's wrong with him? Why isn't he waking up?!" I nearly shouted.
"It appears our friend Kirby here has inhaled a Noddy monster and has caught a case of Sleeping Sickness." The doctor explains.
My eyes widen in shock.
"Noddy? Kirby warned me about those monsters. They can put people into a deep sleep."
Dr. Yabui nods sadly. "Indeed. I'm afraid Kirby could be asleep for a very long time, a century at worst."
"A century?!" Tiff exclaims.
"Ugh! We should of helped him when we could!" Fololo said.
"But Tuff told us to not to!" Falala points.
We all look at the green and orange haired boy. Said boy just looks away with his arms crossed.
"Yeah, so what?" Tuff answers.
"He was the one who said that Kirby didn't need our help." Falala continues.
"Is that really true, Tuff?" Tiff asks.
"You bet. I figured that Kirby could just suck up all the monsters like he did with the others. No problem." Tuff admits without guilt.
"You call yourself a friend. It's your fault that he's asleep!" I shouted.
"How was I suppose to know that this would happen!" He snaps back.
Dr. Yabui gets between us.
"Now, children, stop fighting. Blaming each other isn't going to help Kirby."
"Is there anyway to help him, Doctor?" Tiff pleads.
"Well... there is one thing that we could try." Dr. Yabui said as he goes over and opens up a book. "The Pookie Flower."
"The Pookie Flower?" We all, except Tuff, repeated.
"The Pookie Flower is a golden bloom found in the wilds of Baba Kihara. Legend has it that one whiff of this magic golden blossom is enough to stir one from even the deepest of slumbers."
"Well, I guess it's worth a try." Tiff sighs.
"That is the ONLY cure." The Doc clarifies.
The mini monsters suddenly look worried.
"Baba Kihara? I heard of that place." Fololo said.
"No one who goes there has ever come back." Falala adds.
Tuff looks away again.
"Well, I'm not going there. That's for sure."
We look at the boy.
"But don't you want Kirby to be better again?" Tiff questions. "It is your fault after all!"
"I'm not going, Tiff! You can't make me!"
"You owe it to, Kirby!" Tiff turns to the mini monsters. "And so does the both of you. Go out there and find the Pookie Flower."
Fololo and Falala look off nervously while Tuff pouts. I however had enough of this crap.
"FINE THEN! YOU ALL CAN BE COWARDS ALL YOU WANT! ME AND TIFF WILL FIND IT OURSELVES!" I shouted as I ran out of the clinic.
I ran a few distances away before stopping. I couldn't hold back the tears any longer as the let them fall down my face. Just then, I hear Tiff coming towards me.
"Miku, are you alright?" Tiff asks when she notices me crying.
"I... I'm just so worried about Toby." I sniffed. "The others won't help my soulmate. I can understand that Fololo and Falala doesn't want to go because they're scared, but your brat-of-a-brother, Tuff... I can't believe he wouldn't take responsibility and help Toby after everything we all been through."
Tiff sighs before coming over to me and giving me a reassuring hug.
"Don't worry, Miku." She said tenderly. "We'll cure Toby ourselves. I'm sure everything will work out."
I sniff one last time before returning the hug.
"Thanks, Tiff... you're a real friend. I can see why Toby really likes you."
"What do you mean?" Tiff asks curiously
"Uh... nothing. Come on, let's go get some supplies for the trip."
I let go off Tiff and started heading my way towards my house to get some power-ups.
About half-hour later, me and Tiff are packed up and ready to go on our expedition to the Baba Kihara jungle. We got our supplies packed up in a canoe along with my soulmate who is strapped securely in between me and Tiff. We were just about to make our departure as Tiff's parents along with Katherine arrived to see us off.
"Please be careful out there you two." Sir Ebrum said.
"Be sure to watch where you are going." Lady Like warns.
"We will. I'll be sure to keep your daughter safe." I nodded.
Katherine comes closer to us and hands over a small brown bag.
"Take this with you. These are a few firecrackers I've put together for your trip. They are useful in scaring away dangerous animals."
"Wow, thanks, Kat." I said as I take the fireworks.
"By the way, where is your brother, Tiff." Sir Ebrum asks.
"I'm afraid you'll just have to ask him yourself." Tiff replies.
With that said, we were off as we start rowing our way down the river with the others wishing us good luck.
"Did you made sure you brought everything we need, Miku?"
I look back. "Yep, I brought enough food for at least two days, some rope, and a few power-ups I could use if things get ugly. We even got a better chance since Kat gave us some firecrackers."
Tiff nods. "Good, now, I've already studied the map Professor Curio gave me and I think we can make it at least halfway there by the end of the day-"
Vroom!
My blonde friend was interrupted by the sounds of a vehicle. I've been around long enough to know who it belongs to. We both turn to see none other than King Dedede and Escargoon riding along side near the bank of the river.
"Hope you're not on a trip to Baba Kihara!" Escargoon teased.
"Yeah! And if you are, then it's going to be a one way trip, girly!" Dedede adds mockingly.
Tiff just ignores them as she continues to row. I, however, didn't take it lightly as I inhaled some water from the river and squirted right at the stupid goons. Escargoon ended up driving them right into the river when he got sprayed in the face.
"As funny as it was, you didn't have to do that, Miku. You could of just ignored them like I did." Tiff said.
"They started this whole mess in the first place. They deserved it." I reply as I go back to rowing.
Thud
"Whoa!/Gah!"
Splash~
Just when I thought there weren't be anymore distractions, Tuff of all people suddenly jumped down from a tree and lands right on our boat. The sudden weight shift was enough to throw both me and Tiff off the canoe and into the water. I see Tuff take one of the paddles and starts rowing away with Toby and our supplies.
"Hey, hold it!" Tiff shouts.
Tuff looks back. "Huh? Whats the matter?!"
"Wait for us!"
"You're the one who said I should help, Kirby, remember!?"
Just then, Fololo and Falala also appeared as the join Tuff.
"We're coming with you!" Falala declares.
"We owe it to, Kirby!" Fololo adds.
Tuff smiles. "I'm going to find that Pookie Flower and Kirby will be just fine!"
The boy and mini monster then continues off down the river and left us behind.
"Tuff, Fololo, Falala, wait for us!" Tiff yells as she tries to swim after them.
I shake my head at the predicament we are in. It seems that brat finally decided to help out Toby, but he wants to do it by himself. A very foolish thing to do, especially since he's going to some place really dangerous.
'That boy is going to get himself and the others killed. We need to stop him.'
I take in a breath and floated out of the water. Before I could go over and help Tiff, I see, to my surprise, Meta Knight in a tree with a rope lowered down for Tiff to grab. Soon, we are all settle down on the bank.
"Meta Knight? What are you doing here?" I ask curiously.
"I have heard what the King has done to Kirby and what you two were planning. I thought I could offer some assistance on your journey when I saw the others took off with Kirby instead." He replies.
"Thanks for the help, Meta Knight." Tiff thanked.
Meta Knight nods. "Come, we can follow them close by."
True to the dark knight's words, we followed Tuff and the mini monsters all the way to the outskirts of Baba Kihara. The three of us are hiding a few feet away behind some bushes.
"There they are." I whispered.
Tuff and the mini monsters docked the canoe before unloading the supplies. Tuff puts Toby in a makeshift backpack Tiff made for carrying my soulmate. Fololo and Falala packed up some of the food in their own backpacks they brought with them.
"Okay, guys follow me." Tuff said as the group head off into the dangerous jungle.
Once the three were out of sight, we come out of our hiding spot. I go over to the canoe.
"They left half the supplies we packed behind. They only took the food with them." I said.
"We need to stop them. They can't survive on their own out there." Tiff adds.
However, Meta Knight stops us.
"Wait, I think we should leave them be."
"Huh?/What?" Me and Tiff responded confused.
"If Tuff wants to help Kirby this badly, then I believe we should give him a chance to prove how much he truly cares."
"But what if they get into danger?" I questioned.
"Then we will intervene when necessary. For now, we will follow them and hide in plain sight."
I look between Meta Knight and the direction of where the other group went to before sighing.
"I'm not entirely on board with this plan, but I'll go along with it for now."
I go back to the canoe and pull out a sack that contains all of the power-ups I brought along. I put my blue stubby hand in and pull out a claw piece. I lift it up and swallow it. I flash a bright light before changing to my new form. I was now Animal Miku.
"Whoa... Miku, you look majestic." Tiff said in awe.
I look at the reflection of myself in the river. I've seen Toby's Animal form before. While he was brown with a large white mane, I am grey with soft white chest fluff. I couldn't help but feel a little flustered.
"W-What the heck?" I stuttered. "I thought I would get a mane, too."
"I don't know. You do look cute, Miku." Tiff giggles. "Plus, your voice isn't as rough and scratchy like Kirby's when he's in that form."
I sigh before handing over the bag to Tiff.
"Well, whatever. Come on, we should catch up with the others."
So far, everything has been going smoothly... well, for the most part anyway. We have been following Tuff and his group for awhile now. Nothing bad really happened, but it seems Tuff might be having a bit of a problem keeping up with Fololo and Falala as he struggles to carry Toby on his back. The mini monsters notice this and they tried offering some assistance, but Tuff refuses the help.
"Come on, let us carry Kirby for awhile." Fololo keeps offering
"Yeah, let us help." Falala joins.
Tuff just grunts as he gets a better hold of my soulmate.
"I said I'm fine." The boy said stubbornly.
Though, it seems the boss monsters a really persistent in helping carrying their load. Fololo floats over and tries to unhook Toby.
"Come on, let go-"
"NO! Let go!"
"Let us help!"
The two continue to fight over carrying Toby until the Star Warrior himself falls out of the backpack goes tumbling down a slope.
'Oh, no! TOBY!' I thought.
"Great, look what you did." Tuff grumbles. "Let's go get him."
The three of them make their way down the slope where Toby fell. The three of us follow behind as we keep out of sight. However, when we get to Toby, I nearly gave us away when I gasped loudly. Toby's sleeping body was stuck in a huge spider web.
"Kirby, how did you get there?" Tuff questions.
'He's asleep, Tuff! Toby isn't going to answer!'
Just when I though things couldn't get any worse, the creator of the web slowly emerges from the trees. It's a giant spider!
HISS!
The three-eyed bug hisses as it crawls over to Toby and starts wrapping him up in webbing.
"GAH! That thing is wrapping Kirby up like a taco! Kirby, wake up!"
Tuff's cries didn't do nothing as the spider was getting ready to feast.
"I need to save him!" I said as I extend my claws, ready to pounce.
"Wait." Meta Knight stops me.
"We need to stop this!" I growled.
"I have an idea."
Meta Knight picks up a rock and throws it. Just in time too as Tuff tried to hit the spider with a stick he thrown, however it missed. Meta Knight's rock made a direct hit as it hits the spider in the face, driving it away. Though, Tuff seems to believe it was him who scared it off.
"Ha Ha! I did it! I did it!" Tuff cheers. "Fololo, Falala, I did it! I scared the spider away!"
Tiff turns to the dark knight.
"I don't get it. Why do you want Tuff to think he scared off that spider?"
"It is better for Tuff to believe in himself right now." Meta replies.
"Well, he sure has messed things up a lot today so far. Who knows what will he mess up next?"
We all look back at the group from our spot. Fololo and Falala managed to get Toby out of the web and bring him back down.
"He's okay." Fololo and Falala both said.
"Okay, Kirby. Let's get you unstuck." Tuff said trying to get Toby out of web bindings.
Toby just snores softly in reply as Tuff wraps the webs into a ball.
"Still sleeping like a baby."
Fololo and Falala lift Toby up and put him back into the backpack.
"Did you guys see me beam that spider? It's because I've got perfect aim!" Tuff smiles confidently.
Fololo and Falala look at each other.
"Yeah... sure." They sighed.
"I think they know we're here." I whispered to the others. They nodded back.
Tuff catches the mini monsters' doubt though as he reels back the web ball.
"Hmph, watch! I'll do it again!"
Tuff goes right ahead and throws the ball at the mini monsters. He misses them, but ends up hitting a beehive instead.
'Nice going, genius!'
The three of them scream in fright before running away from the angry swarm of bees. Our group follow behind and found our way to a swamp. We see Tuff and Kirby tumble down a steep slope and land right into the murky waters. The bees swarm above them before leaving, thinking they perished. Fololo and Falala come out of their hiding place.
"Tuff, you can come out now!" Falala said.
"Yeah, those bees finally buzzed off!" Fololo adds.
Tuff emerges from the water and gasps for air.
"That was close." Tuff looks around. "Hey, where's Kirby?"
"Over there!" The mini monster point.
They were right as Toby's light body allowed him to float above the water. He was still sleeping.
"Oh, there you are." Tuff said as he goes over and grabs my soulmate. "Let's go."
However, Tuff starts having trouble moving as he grunts. Soon enough, he starts panicking when he begins to sink.
"AHH! Help! I think I'm in quicksand!"
Fololo and Falala gasped before they try to fly over to the rescue. Though, I was quick to act as I slashed at a tree with my claws and had it come falling down near them. Tuff manages to grab a hold of the log and keeps himself from sinking further. The three sigh in relief.
"That was excellent reaction, Miku." Meta Knight says to me.
"Yeah, well, the whole point of this trip was to help, Kirby. Not let him perish." I reply crossly.
It was night time as Tuff and the others have set up camp to rest up for the night. We were a good distances away to avoid being seen, but close enough so that we can jump into action if need be. After all, there might be wild animals hunting at night in this damn jungle.
"I don't know how Tuff is going to find that flower if he's just going to make a mess of everything." Tiff comments.
Meta Knight was perched in a tree above us.
"He might not be too smart, but his heart is in the right place."
"His heart might be in the right place, but at this rate, it'll no longer be beating by the end of this trip." I said while carving a wood piece with my claws.
Though, I felt their eyes on me. I look up to see Tiff looking at me in shock, while Mete Knight... well, I couldn't see with this mask on, but I could tell he did not approve of my comment.
"That's a terrible thing to say, Miku." Tiff nearly shouts. "That's my brother you're talking about."
I huff irritation before throwing down the my wood piece.
"Yeah, well, that's my brother your sibling is carrying around on his back. You said it yourself. Tuff is going to mess things up even more. Heck, we had to step in two times already."
"Be that as it may, Tuff needs to learn to take responsibility for his actions. If he truly believe he could help Kirby, then we need to let him try. Otherwise he will let others fix his problems instead." Meta Knight explains to me.
I was silent for a moment before sighing. I curl up into a ball of fluff in sadness.
"I just don't want anybody to get hurt." I said softly. "Not, Kirby, nor my friends."
I felt a hand pet me. I look to see Tiff petting me.
"Don't worry, Miku." She said reassuringly. "Nothing bad will happen to them as long as we have anything to do with it."
I smile as I press into Tiff's hand.
"Thank you, Tiff."
Tiff stops petting me as she yawns. Meta Knight notice.
"You two should get some sleep for tomorrow. We are getting close to the location of the Pookie Flower. Things will get more dangerous."
"What about you?" Tiff questions.
"I will stay awake and keep watch. Do not worry about me. I have spent many nights without sleep before back in the Monster War."
Tiff nods before she goes over and lays down. She rests herself onto my fury form.
"I hope you down mind, Miku." Tiff asks blushing.
I couldn't help but blush too, but my fur hid it well.
"I don't mind. Besides, it seems a lot better than resting on the hard ground."
For just a second there, I swear I heard Meta Knight chuckle at this.
The next morning, we have finally made it to what seems to be the location of the Pookie Flower. Tuff and the others made a stop at the front.
"Is that it?" Fololo asks.
"It must be." Falala answers.
"Let's go!" Tuff
The group make their way into the ominous looking cave while we were still outside. I couldn't help but feel that something was off here. Tiff seems to be thinking the same thing.
"Uh, Meta Knight, how can the Pookie Flower grow in a place that is dark and creepy?" Tiff asks.
The was indeed dark and creepy as the sun was blocked out in this area and the cave itself looked more like a melted face with the mouth being the entrance.
"Maybe we should go in."
"Shh!" Meta shushes her.
Before I could question the dark knight, we all heard screaming. We look ahead to see the others running out of the cave as fast as they can.
HISS!
Just then, a giant yellow Cobra snake comes slithering out of the cave in pursuit of the kid and mini monsters.
"We got to help them!" I shouted.
Before Meta Knight could stop me, I already began to follow the group as I ran on all fours. Up ahead, I see the snake was about to jump at my helpless friends.
'Oh no you don't you scaly bastard!'
I pounce forward and slammed into the reptile. We both tumble down a slope and into a shallow pond. The snake was the first to recover as it hisses angrily at me. I get up to and growl menacingly.
"You want something to eat? Then come and get some!"
The snake curls back and springs right at me. I jump out of the way and sink my claws into its' hide as it passes me. The snake gives out a load hiss in what I presume was pain. It now had a long bloody claw mark along its body.
HiSS!
The snake was even angrier than ever as it lets out another loud hiss. It curls up and lunges at me again. This time, it whirls around and whips its' tail at me. I was too slow to dodge in time as I get slammed right into a tree. I groan as the tree falls over.
"Ah, d-dammit!" I grunted.
I look in time to see the snake's gaping mouth coming right at me. Though, instead of biting me, it bit onto a log that came swinging out of nowhere. It suddenly zipped away and off into the distance.
"That was so close! Are you alright, Miku?"
I turn to see Tiff and Meta Knight come out of some bushes.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Tiff." I said brushing myself. "How did you guys made that trap so fast?"
"A had a friend who taught me how to make traps for hunting." Meta Knight answered. "Though, we'll talk about that later. Right now, we need to catch up with Tuff and the others."
I nodded before we all started our way back to the group.
"Thanks for saving my brother, Miku." Tiff whispers to me.
"No problem. I wasn't going to let that beast have our friends for lunch.
In short time later, we made it back to the others as we tail them deep into the dark cave. The only source of light was the burning torch Tuff made.
'I've got to be honest, I have to agree with Tiff that something is not right here. How can this Pookie Flower be able to grow in a dark cave like this?' I thought. 'I mean, maybe it's some sort of nocturnal flower? I'm not sure.'
"Miku, look." Tiff whispered.
I shook my thoughts away as I look ahead of us. My eyes widen in surprise as I see a large cactus-like plant sitting in the middle of a now bigger part of the cave. It had many thorny leaves and pods around it.
"That's it! That must be the Pookie Flower!" Tuff said in awe.
"It sure is beautiful." Falala agrees.
The three go down further into the cave as they get closer to the large plant. Though, when they were close enough, something amazing happens. The cactus suddenly begins shaking before opening itself up. It soon reveals a large beautiful flower with pink petals.
"Amazing." Tiff gasped at the sight.
While a part of me was agreeing with the blonde, my police-in-training instincts were telling me that something was wrong about this.
'I may not know much about plants as much as Katherine, but isn't it strange suddenly revealed itself to Tuff and the gang when they got close. Plus, something about those pods aren't rubbing me the right way.'
"Now we could wake Kirby up!" Falala cheers.
"Yeah! Let's go!" Tuff said as he leads to group to the plant.
However, just when they took a few steps forward, the pods suddenly lunged out and caught all three in their vines. Tiff gasps while Meta Knight stiffens as he pulls out his sword. I couldn't help but growl to myself in anger.
'I freaking knew something was up! Why did I let my guard down?!'
ROAR!
"AAAAHHH!"
I'll have to kick myself later, right now, my friends are in danger! With a feral growl, a pounce onward with Meta Knight quickly following behind. Just when one of the carnivorous flytraps where about to consume Tuff, I swoop in and cut its' vine clean through with my razor sharp claws. Meta Knight takes out the ones also holding Fololo and Falala. Tuff lands to the ground with Toby still hooked up to him while the mini monsters float down to safety.
"Hey, Tiff? What are you, Miku, and Meta Knight doing here?" Tuff questions.
"I followed you. I couldn't let you go by yourself." Tiff answers.
Me and Meta Knight landed in front of them with a thud.
"This was a trap." Meta Knight said. "One sent by King Dedede."
The others gasp while I growled.
(2 Days Earlier)
Third Person View
Within the throne room of Castle Dedede stood both King Dedede and Escargoon.
"This plant plan is starting to grow on me." Escargoon snickered as he held a plant encyclopedia book.
"Yeah, that Pookie Flower is one bad blossom." Dedede smiles. "It pops out them Noddy fairies, the critters gobble them up, and their owns can't wake them!"
"They think a whiff of the Pookie wakes them up, but the Pookie eats them up!"
"And now it's time for Kirby."
"Lunch time."
Both the villains laugh as they thought of the pink Star Warrior ending up in the jaws of the plant monster. Although, unbeknownst the them, a certain dark knight was listening in on their diabolical plot from behind a pillar.
(Present)
"You followed me all the way!?" Tuff accuses as he learns that he was looked after the whole journey.
"I felt it was my duty." Meta Knight answers.
"We need to make sure you and the others were safe." Miku joined in.
"Tuff, listen to them." Tiff tries to explain, but her brother wouldn't listen.
"Why should I?!" He demands.
"Because they saved your life four times today, and Kirby's too."
"So you tell me it's MY responsibility to find the Pookie Flower, but then you brought Meta Knight and Miku because you don't trust me!"
"Look out!"
The two siblings turn to see Meta Knight and Miku in battle stances as they charge right at the plant monster. The knight slashes at the whipping vines while she-wolf claws viciously at the flytrap heads that come near.
"You could do it, Meta Knight!" Fololo cheers.
"Go, Miku!" Falala also joins.
Tuff looks at the two fighters battle it out with the snapping vines before unhooking "Kirby" from his pack and started heading the way out of the cave. The mini monsters notice this as they float over to their friend.
"Tuff, where are you going?" Falala asks wondering why the boy was leaving.
"What differences does it make?" Tuff dejectedly.
"What do you mean?" Fololo questions.
Tuff sniffs as he tries to hold back a tear.
"Meta Knight and Miku are the real heroes."
Tiff hears this as he runs to the group.
"Oh, Tuff, are you feeling sorry for yourself?"
"Well, why shouldn't I?!"
"Did you came all this way just so you could brag about how brave you are?"
Tuff turns around and faces his older sister as he starts shaking in anger. Tiff takes this as a yes.
"I can't believe you did! You don't really care about anything about Kirby!"
"Tiff..."
The sound of the sleeping Star Warrior's voice catches their attention. Toby was talking his his sleep as he snores softly with a smile.
"Tuff..."
Tuff couldn't help but feel something strange within him. As if something was telling him to do the right thing.
"ARGH!/GRR!"
The gang suddenly heard grunting and groaning. The turn and their eye widen at the sight before them. Meta Knight and Miku were now struggling for life as they were finally overwhelmed by the hungry flytraps. Meta Knight was holding a flytrap head open as he dropped his sword while Miku was trying to undo a vine that was wrapped tightly around her neck like a leash ironically. That finally drove Tuff over as he straightens himself.
"Well, I may not be a hero, but I can at least try to help some!" Tuff says before he charges straight towards the plant monster to the others' shock.
The boy runs over and tries to pick up the fallen sword, but he wasn't fast enough as one of the flytraps grabs it and flings it into the ceiling. The plant lunges to take a bite out of its' prey, but misses as Tuff rolls out of the way before running. Tuff was about to reach Miku when he soon gets wrapped in another set of vines. He shakes around in panic as more flytrap heads come around and start taking bites out of both trapped fighters. Meta Knight grunts while Miku howls in pain since she wasn't wearing armor but fur. Bits of blood were trailing down where she was bitten all over.
"Hey! Leave them alone!" Tuff shouts as he doubles his effort.
"Tuff! Look out!"
Tuff turns to see Tiff throwing a set of firecrackers at his direction. He manages to dodge as the fireworks go over within the base of the plant. Said plant flinches as it gets stunned from its' sensitive spot. The cause it to lower the vine Tuff was wrapped in close enough to the petals of the Pooke Flower. Tuff takes the chance and plucks a petal.
ROAR!
That seems to make the monster feel even more pain as Meta Knight was able to break free from one of the gaping mouths.
"Tiff, catch!" Tuff shouts before throwing the large petals at his sibling. "Give it to Kirby! Hurry!"
Tiff didn't waste time as she runs over to Toby's sleeping form
"Kirby! Come on, you have to wake up!" Tiff yells as she waves the petal near Toby's face.
Soon enough, the scent of the Pookie Flower starts to wake up Toby as he groggily opens his eyes.
"Tiff? Is that you?" Toby asks as he yawns. "What's going on- ACHOO!"
The Pookie's smell was getting a bit too strong for Toby as he lets out a big sneeze. He ends up coughing up the Noddy that was in his guts. Unfortunately for the Noddy it ends up in the monster's instead as it gets launched right into one of the flytraps mouth that was about to eat Tuff.
"Egh! That was something I didn't want to see!" Toby said in disgust as he was fully awake now.
He was soon surprised to see Tuff and Miku wrapped up in the monster's vine now that he has fully takes in his surrounding.
"Miku! Tuff!" Toby shouts in shock.
The Star Warrior wasn't sure what was going on or how he ended up in the cave that he was in, but he knew he has to save his friend and soulmate. Toby puffs up and begins inhaling. Soon, some of the needles from the cactus came loose and goes down the Toby's throat. He flashes as he changes to his new form. Toby's skin was now orange as he wore and very spiky helmet.
"He is now Needle Kirby!" Meta Knight announces as the others look on in awe.
Toby didn't waste time as he runs to the monster.
"Needle Burst!" He shouts as he fires a round of orange needles from his hat.
The needs fly and shot at the flytrap heads, cutting them up to pieces. Tuff and Miku were now free from the monster's grasp. Though, Toby wasn't done as he sprays another round of spikes as they peel open the cactus open. There was one head that managed to survive and tried to chomp on Tuff, but Miku was quick to decapitating it. Tuff immediately gets up and runs over to Tiff as the two hug each other tightly. Toby goes over to Miku.
"Miku, are you alright?" Toby ask very concerned. "What the hell happened? Why are you covered in blood?"
Miku rubs the back of her head as she laughs sheepishly.
"Uh, we'll explain everything when we get back." Miku turns to the dead plant monster. "Though, before we go, I think it would be best if we harvest this thing."
It was evening by the time everyone made it back home. Miku went off to deliver the remaining of Pookie Flower to both Dr. Yabui and Katherine. One can use it for medicine for future patients while the other can make herbs out of the petals. The others, including Meta Knight surprisingly, were having dinner over at Toby's house. Toby is currently cooking some steaks as Tiff finish telling their adventure.
"You guys really went through all that trouble to help me?" Toby says as he starts putting the steaks on a plate. "Wow. I didn't know you cared that much."
"Of course we care about you, Kirby." Tiff said as if it was obvious, which is it. "You're our friend and we couldn't just sit around and let you sleep forever."
Tuff sighs. "Kirby it was my fault you swallowed that monster, but now that rescued you, we are now even."
Toby rolls his eyes playfully before setting the plate down on the picnic mat everyone was sitting on.
"Shouldn't Miku and Meta Knight get a thank you too?" Tiff teases.
Tuff flinches. "Ah! Gimme a break will you!?"
"Tuff, you are right to be proud." Meta Knight chimes in. "You are indeed a noble and fearless warrior."
Tuff couldn't help but chuckle sheepishly from the compliment.
"Wha... who? Me?"
The disguised teen too chuckles as he settles down next to the boy.
"Look, Tuff. I want to let you know that I appreciate all the trouble you gone through even if you didn't wanted to. I want hold you against that."
Toby holds out his pink hand to form a fist.
"We'll always be friends."
Tuff looks at Toby before he smiles and fist bumps him.
"Thanks, Kirby." Tuff looks at the plate of steaks. "Now can we eat?"
"Tuff!" Tiff scolds.
Toby just lets out a laugh.
"Sure thing, buddy. Sure thing."
_Author's Notes_
Hello, everyone! It's me, The EnderPony Master.
I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for not posting a new chapter for a month. I was caught with both college and part-time job. Not to mention with family that came to visit me during the Thanksgiving holiday. It was quite rowdy at grocery stores that week. I promise I'll try to work on the other upcoming chapter more on my spare time.
Anyway, has a bond grown stronger between Toby and Tuff? What other evil plans is King Dedede planning? When will Miku become a real police officer? Will Toby make another friend in the future? Find out next time on "Toby Right Back At Ya!"!
Happy Late-Thanksgiving everyone! LOL (^_^)"