The next morning, Kirby and friends woke up early to start their journey to the next Rainbow Island.
"No, oh no." Rick said suddenly when he realized which island was next.
It was Ripple Field. Rick and Coo couldn't travel with Kirby through the water.
"Kirby, this is something you'll have to do alone. As soon as we find a way, we'll meet at the next Rainbow Bridge." Coo said, not liking the idea of leaving Kirby to fend for himself.
Kirby watched Rick and Coo head another way, then Kirby plunged into Ripple Field.
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The water was clear with little to no waves. Kirby dived under the water and noticed a small cave with light streaming in. Kirby swam in the cave and noticed a brown sack hanging from the ceiling. Who's been kidnapped this time? A strange green creature that looked like a squid lunged towards Kirby. Kirby has had enough of this hair-brained madness. He simply inhaled Master Green and obtained the Spark ability. Kirby untied the brown sack and out popped someone familiar.
"Hi Kirby. How's Fumu-san?" Kine the Ocean Sunfish asked, not even bothering to tell his adventure of being kidnapped. Kirby explained to Kine what has happened so far.
"I will go with you Kirby. Traveling in the ocean can be dangerous without someone to guide you." Had Kine forgot he had been kidnapped? Nevertheless, Kirby needed someone who was familiar with Ripple Field.
The two swam through the ocean with little to no trouble. Then it became darker.
"The more we swim towards the seafloor the darker it gets. Did you know that there's actually a better map of space than the ocean floor?" Who knew Kine had trivia knowledge of the sea?
It had become so dark that the two could no longer tell where they were going. Kirby suddenly had an idea. He grabbed Kine, then used his Spark ability. Kine began to glow like a light bulb, illuminating the once dark ocean floor. Kine and Kirby eventually arrived into an air pocket.
Kirby ventured forward into the small cave and noticed a familiar pattern of blocks. However, he couldn't break the blocks with the Spark ability. He inhaled a nearby Rocky and obtained it's ability. Kirby used his Stone ability and the impact was strong enough to decimate the block structure. Kirby walked over to the treasure chest that revealed the Rainbow Drop.
Kirby switched his Rock ability for the Spark ability, then went back the way he came to Kine.
After swimming for about an hour, the two had to pass through a trench. The trench was dark, even with the Spark ability. In the distance, Kirby could see a soft yellow glow.
"Kirby, no! Don't get close to it!" Kine called out.
Out from the shadows emerged a large brown angler fish with green-yellow fins. It had a menacing appearance and continued to stare at Kirby and Kine for several more moments.
"That's Sweet Stuff." Kine murmured. "He's a vicious hunter and has most of Ripple Field in his fin."
Sweet Stuff wasn't going to let them pass by peacefully it seemed. Sweet Stuff was surrounded by Squishies and Tincells. Suddenly, a red spark was fired at the duo from Sweet Stuff's lure. They barely missed being shocked. One of the Squishies made a beeline towards them. Kine smacked the Squishy with his tail, sending it towards Sweet Stuff.
Sweet Stuff sent an arrow-shaped laser beam in their direction. The two dodged with ease, then sent a Tincell back to Sweet Stuff. This method of attack succeeded, and Sweet Stuff fled deeper into the trench. Kirby and Kine swam up to the surface, then the Rainbow Drop revealed the next Rainbow Island.
The next island was Iceberg, a cold region with ice and snow. Kirby noticed Rick in the distance. Kirby waved, but noticed Rick was alone.
"Where Coo, poyo?"
"I think he might have flown ahead of me. He's probably already on Iceberg." Rick looked across the bridge to Iceberg.
"There are two options you can take, Kirby. You could take the sea path and swim with Kine, or you can go with me and travel on the land."
Kirby thought the situation over. Going with Kine meant swimming in ice cold water and could be very dangerous to his health. If he went with Rick, he would be traveling in a way familiar to him. Also, Rick had warm fur that could protect Kirby from the elements.
"Kirby will go with Rick, poyo." Kirby decided.
"Oh, that's okay I guess." Kine was sad that he wouldn't have Kirby's company, but knew that this was the best choice for Kirby.
"I'll be swimming to the next island. I'll see you there." Kine called and swam off.
Kirby and Rick headed to the next island, prepared to find the next Rainbow Drop and one step closer to saving Dreamland.
Gooey could cry. He could seriously cry.
He had spent the night trying to fix the broken window, and was so tired. Next time Kirby went on an adventure, he was going with him. Kirby's adventures couldn't be this tiring and heartbreaking.
He wonders if it's the house's structure, or if it's just his dumb luck. It was almost as if a being was writing out his misfortunes as a form of comedy.
Maybe it would be best if he stepped out for today. He was hungry, but he refused to eat any of Kirby's food he has stored here. That would be taking advantage of Kirby, which is wrong.
Gooey didn't have any form of currency. No money means no food, and he wouldn't beg someone for food either. He could get a job, but what was something that he could do that was useful?
Then he remembered, he was the best at fishing. He could eat the fish, catch it and sell it for more food, he could start a business! A fish market!
After a quick nap, he could catch a bundle of fish and strike a proposition to the village. Then he could get money and buy a house in the village close to Kirby!
The bleak and dreary situation of being homeless suddenly held a new window of opportunity. His entire life could take a different direction. Ending up in this village was probably the best thing to have ever happened to him.
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Kirby knew that they had to keep going, but the cold makes him so sleepy after long exposure to it.
As much as he loved the snowy landscape, looking at nothing but white for a while can drive someone bonkers. After more walking, they had finally run into something that wasn't snow. Ice.
The moment Kirby stepped onto the frozen lake, he lost his balance and fell on his face.
"Poyow…" he mumbled.
"Here, climb on my back. I can cross this no problem." Rick said confidently.
Kirby complied and Rick stepped foot on the icy ground. Rick didn't even slide a little. He continued to go in a straight line, not allowing Kirby to slip off of his back.
Across the ice was a cave. The two entered in caution. They looked up seeing a very familiar sight. A brown sack. Then a noise was heard on the other side of the cave.
"Ugh, not you two again!" Rick buried his face in his palm in frustration.
"Efreeti said Efreeti would remember this, and found a jumping friend like the object the pink one used against Efreeti!"
Efreeti and Jumpershoot were now a team against Kirby and Rick. They wanted their revenge.
"Efreeti and jumping friend found a tasty purple bird in icy land. Tasty purple bird will make great housewarming dinner."
"You took Coo again?!"
"You will not take Efreeti's dinner this time! Efreeti and jumping friend will make sure of that!"
Kirby quickly grabbed a piece of ice and inhaled it, becoming Ice Kirby.
Kirby breathed an icy wind on the two enemies, turning them into blocks of ice. Kirby simply kicked the two out of the cave in their icy prison blocks.
"That was anti-climactic." Rick said as he untied the sack.
Coo emerged from the sack in a flurry.
"Being kidnapped again! This has been most embarrassing. At least last time Jumpershoot was only supposed to watch me. That ruffian Efreeti wanted to EAT me!" He ruffled his feathers.
"I was on the dinner platter first." Rick said matter-of-factly. Coo's only response was a disturbed face.
As the reunited trio caught up with each other's adventures, they noticed a small island of ice in the distance with a familiar block pattern. Then they noticed a familiar fish swimming by.
"Kine! We need you for a moment!" Rick called out. "We need you to carry Kirby over there."
Kirby hopped on Kine's top fin to stay out of the frigid water. Even in Ice Kirby form, that water would still be enough to hurt him.
"Actually, the water is actually much warmer than it used to be." Kine said, as if he knew Kirby's thoughts.
"Why, poyo?" Kirby asked.
"I don't know. Flamers have started moving into Iceberg. It could be because of the Rainbow Bridges or whatever is happening to Dedede. Maybe they're related. Maybe he's trying to build another private resort for himself." Kine grumbled the last sentence.
The ice blocks couldn't be kicked or knocked down by Kirby. Kirby then noticed a Flamer close to him. He discarded the Ice ability, and inhaled the flamer to become Fire Kirby.
He spit little flame bursts at the blocks. They melted instantly, revealing the chest they were trying to conceal. Kirby grabbed the Rainbow Drop, then hopped back on Kine.
"Thank you Kine. We couldn't have gotten the last two Rainbow Drops without you." Coo said.
"Your welcome! I'm glad I can help Dreamland!" The ocean sunfish swam away, waving his fin at the trio. Kine was going to swim to the next island. He had never been there, but Dreamland was at stake and he needed to learn as much as he can for Kirby.
The trio went further into Iceberg until they were stopped by a peculiar being. It looked like a tuskless walrus with light blue cheeks, dark blue overalls, blue shoes, and white fur. It's first response to seeing the trio was to create a block of ice and chuck it in their direction.
"Why is everything trying to attack us on this adventure?!" Rick shouted in disbelief.
"Some Dreamland residents are very territorial. Take Nruff for instance." Coo replied.
"Try just about everyone we've encountered so far on the Rainbow Islands!"
Mr. Frosty sent another ice block their way. Kirby kicked it, sending it hurling toward's Mr. Frosty's face.
Kirby blew a small stream of fire at their enemy. Mr. Frosty patted the flames away and hurled one more block of ice at the trio.
Kirby blasted a flamethrower at Mr. Frosty, the walrus creature ran away with his bottom on fire.
"Wow Kirby. You handled him by barely even moving. We haven't really helped you much on this adventure. We've just gotten kidnapped." Rick said sadly.
"No true poyo! Rick help Kirby against Not Whispy and Nruff. Rick help going across ice. Coo help fight with Nruff. Kine help Kirby swim in ocean." Kirby protested.
"Aww. You're a sweet little guy." Rick patted Kirby on the head. "Now come on. We've got a boss to beat up."
"Why do you think we will need to fight someone?" Coo tilted his head.
"Everywhere else we had to fight, so why not here?"
"That is the proper logic on this quest."
The trio stopped at a very large den. There was a large amount of cold air coming from the mouth of the cavern. They cautiously peered inside to find…an Ice Dragon. A small Ice Dragon.
Kirby had fought an Ice Dragon before, but the one before was much bigger. This was going to be a piece of cake! Kirby wondered if after the adventure was over if they could all order one big cake together. He would bring that idea up later.
The Ice Dragon noticed their presence and fired icicles in their direction.
Kirby spewed his flame breath, melting them before they could reach him. The Ice Dragon blew a frosty breeze at Kirby, while the pink puffball sent a fiery breath in return. The fiery inferno was overpowering the Ice Dragon.
Kirby released one last fire blast and the dragon was felled. The dragon gave on last roar, then retreated somewhere far into Iceberg.
The Rainbow Drop they obtained earlier glowed, then the next Rainbow Bridge appeared, leading them to the next island. The trio decided they would set up camp at the beginning of the next island, Red Canyon.
Gooey had done a good job today. He looked at his bundle of fish that he intended to sell to the town. He hopped with the bundle on his back towards the mayor's house.
Then he noticed Dedede's Castle. It had an eerie look to it now that a dark ominous cloud was floating above. Gooey continued on his way.
Dark ominous cloud? That wasn't there before! Gooey couldn't stand around worrying about fish when the people of the town could be in grave danger!
He knew that dark, cold, unforgiving cloud meant impending doom. It's pure uncontrolled chaos. Gooey could only wonder…
"Have they found me?"
I'm sorry if Ripple Field seemed to go by too quickly, but nothing much happens there in-game, and that place reminds me of The Water Temple from The Legend of Zelda. Poor Gooey's been through enough accidental property damage, so I decided to give him a break. There's only so much you can break in a house that small anyway. That blue blob seems to be hiding something...