Night had fallen by the time Kirby and his friends had returned to Ripple Star. Much to their surprise, they were greeted with fireworks and a face they didn't expect.

"QUEEN MARY!" Before the Warp Star landed, Ribbon jumped off and tackled the queen of Ripple Star.

"We thought you had…" Ribbon sniffled.

Queen Mary returned the pink fairy's embrace. Kirby and his friends were very confused at this development.

"Queen Mary, poyo…How are you still…" The pink Star Warrior didn't know how to word the question.

"I though I was gone too." Queen Mary chuckled. "The Crystal of Joy just knocked me out for a while. Forcing Dark Matter from my body was too much for me to stay conscious."

"Waaah!" Ribbon squeezed her queen and bawled, this time from pure relief.

"So, are you upset that you don't have the throne anymore?" The queen fairy joked.

"Uwah! How can you even kid around about something like that?!" Ribbon squealed.

After Ribbon calmed down and everyone was reacquainted from the imposter fiasco, the queen led them inside her castle.

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"Ribbon, if you would." Queen Mary said.

Ribbon handed the Crystal of Joy to Queen Mary. The crystal was held up into the air by the queen and it floated above the throne room's flag.

"Queen Mary…I'm sorry this turned out to be a disaster…" Ribbon apologized.

"Ribbon, if the crystal didn't shatter, you never would have found someone to save us! Ripple Star would have been under control by Dark Matter forever possibly."

"Queen Mary…it took so much to save Ripple Star and the crystal." Waddle Dee trundled next to Ribbon.

"And it didn't come without a price to pay…" Queen Mary finished.

"So…you knew when it happened." Adeleine said.

"Yes, my wish was for everyone to be happy…but I didn't consider the fact that the Dark Matter themselves weren't happy… it was when I was possessed that I truly began to see in their eyes."

Dedede spoke up. "But it wasn't your fault that this happened. Sometimes things turn out different than what you planned."

"Still…I could hear their singing. I could feel the love for their creator. They attacked because they didn't know what else to do. Maybe the Crystal of Joy could have helped Zero Two…"

"That's something that we'll never know." The penguin shook his head. "If Zero Two had gotten the crystal, but it didn't help him, he would've had a tantrum when it didn't work and a powerful object to help him with his revenge."

"Maybe Zero Two's poor soul can rest after being tormented so long…" Queen Mary sighed.

The queen clapped her hands together. "We don't need to focus on such dreary things. We can't change the past, so we might as well look forward to the future!"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Anyway, it's time for your awards ceremony!"

"A-awards, poyo?" Kirby scratched his head.

"But Queen Mary, you didn't have to…" Waddle Dee blushed.

"Oh, but the fairies of Ripple Star and I want to. You said that it took so much to save Ripple Star, so you deserve awards!"

-

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Kirby, Waddle Dee, Adeleine, and King Dedede stood in the queen's throne room, presenting each one with a crystal medal. The fabric of the medal was red and white stripes, similar to Queen Mary's dress. The crystal looked similar to the shards they found on their journey.

"I am truly honored, your highness, to be presented with such a gift." Dedede said as the medal was put around his neck.

Kirby and his friends rolled their eyes at Dedede's attempts to make a good impression.

"It's so beautiful! I'll treasure it forever!" Adeleine was absorbed by it's beauty.

"I-I'm flattered. Thank you very much…" Waddle Dee rubbed the back of his head. The medal was too big for him too wear, but still delighted by his medal.

"Queen Mary, poyo. You didn't have to give me such a wonderful reward." Kirby smiled.

"It's the least we could do!" The queen clasped her hands together. "We want to do so much more, but we can only provide so much at this time!"

The fairies in the castle cheered, eager to show their appreciation to the four heroes.

King Dedede cleared his throat. "Now if you'll allow me, I have something to say to a member of our team."

"Oh?" The queen tilted her head in confusion. "Very well." She was as curious as everyone else at this development.

The penguin king stood in front of Waddle Dee.

"Err, yes sire?" Waddle Dee asked.

"Now, when this whole adventure started, I thought that you were just another Waddle Dee. Throughout this crazy adventure, you continuously proved me wrong."

Kirby, Ribbon, Adeleine, and Queen Mary stood on the sides in confusion. All equally wondering where this was going.

"You've shown nothing but support this entire time. You've helped make some daring escapes. You've been thrown out of box boats, mine carts, and bobsleds. You took boulder to the foot in stride! You kept going! You fended off a horde of Dark Matter with a rock on a stick!"

"Great King, you don't have to announce my deeds aloud…" Waddle Dee blushed.

"No, let me finish." Dedede held up his gloved hand. "You've changed my thoughts on Waddle Dees in general, and told me a lot about 'em too. You're a one of a kind Waddle Dee."

"Aww…" Adeleine whispered behind Dedede's back.

"However, starting tonight you're not Waddle Dee anymore." Dedede had his hands in his robe pockets behind his back.

"Huh? Great King, what do you mean?" Waddle Dee was slightly worried, as were his friends.

"Stay still." Waddle Dee closed his eyes, not sure of what the king was doing. His friends couldn't see what the king of Dreamland was doing.

"From now on…"

Dedede moved out of the way. Waddle Dee opened his eyes and felt something on his head.

"You're Bandana Dee!" Dedede proclaimed proudly.

The bandana on his head was a royal blue color. It made him stand out among the other Waddle Dees.

"Great King…" Bandana Dee's eyes sparkled.

"Well, when we were here the last time before the possessed queen thing started up, one or the fairies was selling hats so I bought that bandana for you. I won't be able to tell you apart from the other Waddle Dees back at the castle if you don't wear something."

Bandana Dee gasped. "Back at the castle?! Great King…"

"From now on, you're part of Team Dedede. You'll be in charge of the Waddle Dees along with Commander Waddle Doo."

"Sire…I…" Bandana Dee squeezed the king of Dreamland. To say that the bandana-clad Waddle Dee was delighted was a drastic understatement. The king flinched a little, but awkwardly returned the hug.

"Aww…" The fairies along with Kirby and his friends squee'd. Dedede had forgotten everyone else was there.

"Erm…nothing to see here. Move along…" Dedede mumbled.

Adeleine went to Bandana Dee and held her hand up. "Congratulations on the new job Waddle De- er, Bandana Dee!" Bandana Dee returned her high-five with his arm stub.

Ribbon floated to Kirby. "So, it's finally over. Our adventure, I mean."

"Yeah, poyo…but we have to meet again sometime! Unless if you forget to…"

"Of course we will! How could I ever forget you?" Ribbon giggled.

A moment of silence occurred between them, until Ribbon suddenly coughed.

"Um, Kirby. Stay still…"

"Why, poyo?" Kirby asked.

"Just do it!" Ribbon blushed.

Kirby did as the pink fairy ordered. Did Ribbon get him a bandana too?

Ribbon flew closer to the pink Star Warrior, much to his confusion. She closed her eyes and gave Kirby a quick peck on the cheek. His eyes widened, then closed as his face glowed a deep red. He felt at that moment, there was no anger or hatred anywhere in the galaxy. There was only peace and love.

Ribbon covered her cheeks and blushed. "I-I didn't know any other way to thank you! You've been so kind to me, and- Kirby?"

Kirby teetered around in a happy love-stricken daze. He grabbed Bandana Dee and spun him around cheerfully.

"Love is the most beautiful thing in the world!"

The pink puffball let go of his startled friend, hearts floating above his head. Adeleine and Queen Mary giggled at the scene. Then Kirby slipped and tumbled down the steps, still in his daze. He continued rolling until he was outside the castle doors.

After the initial shock had worn off, Dedede turned to Ribbon. "I think you broke him."

-

"We can't thank you enough for everything you've done." Queen Mary stated.

The group was about to leave on the Warp Star. A comatose Kirby was slung over Adeleine's shoulder, occasionally twitching his foot with a goofy smile still in place.

"I think we might have to come back soon." Dedede scratched behind his head. "Kirby would go into depression if he didn't see Ribbon after a while."

The queen giggled. "Or maybe we should visit you instead!" She playfully poked Dedede's beak.

"Uh…uh…uh…Well maybe…whatever works for you…"

"Are you going to just stand there with your mouth hanging open, or are you going to help drive this thing?!" Adeleine yelled.

"Uh, ignore her." Dedede climbed on the Warp Star.

The fairies of Ripple Star, Ribbon, and Queen Mary waved as the Warp Star ascended into the air. They continued watching until the heroes were out of sight.

Ribbon and Queen Mary continued to look at the sky long after the others had left.

Ribbon clasped her hands together. "We'll meet again. I know we will. Don't forget about me until then."

-

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Kirby and his friends arrived on Pop Star not too long afterward. Kirby had mostly come out of his kiss-induced coma.

"It's been fun, getting to save the world and another. We should do it again sometime." Adeleine joked.

"Ugh, I'm tired of this hero stuff. I don't know how you do it Kirby." Dedede grumbled.

"You get used to it, poyo." Kirby yawned.

Everyone said their goodbyes. Adeleine headed to where she calls home. Kirby had to tell Fumu and Bun about the rest of his adventure, He was sure Fumu was worried since that abrupt call. Dedede, Bandana Dee, and Kirby walked to the castle.

"Hey Bandana Dee. How's your foot?" Dedede asked.

"Well, it still hurts a little, but I'll be fi-Hey!"

Dedede swept Bandana Dee onto his shoulder. "It's dark and you might step on something in this light."

Back at the castle, Escargon was surprised to see Dedede back.

"Sire, you've been gone for so long! Why did it take so- Why are you playing dress up with the Waddle Dees?"

"Escargon, do you know who this is?" Dedede motioned to Bandana Dee.

"A Waddle Dee with a bandana and a broken foot. So what?"

"No! He's not just a Waddle Dee! This is Bandana Dee!" Dedede held Bandana Dee in Escargon's face.

"He's in charge of the Waddle Dees along with Commander Waddle Doo from now on. He's gonna get his own room, and he's gonna eat at the table with us. Do you understand?!"

"Ye-Yes sir!" Escargon scurried away.

"Great King, you don't have to-"

"It's about time that you got the respect you deserved, kid. Maybe with you around, the Waddle Dees will get some inspiration or something. Now scuttle to your room. We've been sleeping on the ground this entire adventure and my back hurts. That foot of yours won't heal without rest."

Dedede walked down the halls to the kitchen, deciding to eat a snack before bed.

Kirby was in Fumu and Bun's room, telling his tale of the final battle against Dark Matter and Ripple Star's ceremony.

"So…they're finally gone." Fumu sighed.

"But…what a way to go…" Bun shook his head. "I kinda feel bad for them."

"Well, I'm not sure if they get my sympathy yet." Fumu huffed. "But…I guess they won't get a chance to prove themselves now."

"Well, I forgive them, poyo. They were only trying to help Zero."

"Kirby, how could you forgive them so easily?! Think of all the destruction and mayhem they've caused in less than a year!" Fumu yelled.

"If Dark Matter didn't exist, then Gooey wouldn't exist, poyo."

"You can't argue with him there, sis."

"Besides, Dark Matter taught me something important, poyo. Sometimes, you have to do what you have to for the people you love, even when everyone else is against it, poyo. They did everything they could to help Zero's pain, even if it cost them their lives."

The siblings grew silent.

"I want to do everything I can to protect Dreamland, Popstar, and everyone I love, poyo. Even if it means getting hurt along the way."

"Hey, speaking of love, do you love Ribbon?" Bun teased Kirby.

"I-I Bun it isn't fair to ask that!" Kirby squealed.

"Aw, look sis! He's turning red again!"

"Bun, stop teasing him. He's had a long day." Fumu scolded.

Kirby yawned loudly. He said goodbye to his friends before heading home to his little house. Kirby flopped onto the bed with his head full of thoughts.

He thought about Dark Matter, hoping that whatever happened to them, at least they could be at peace.

He thought of his friends along his adventure. He would visit Adeleine soon because he knew she gets lonely often. He would be seeing Bandana Dee a lot now that he had a job at the castle. Kirby hoped that after this adventure, Dedede could be friends with Kirby like he hoped.

He thought about Ribbon. Just thinking about her made him turn red again. He hugged his pillow and looked out the window at the sky. He looked at the stars as if searching for planet Ripple Star.

"We'll meet again, poyo. I know we will. Don't forget about me until then."

Author's Note: Well, it's the end of the arc. We've had some laughs, some tears, and some frights. Now it's time to move on to the next arc. It's been fun readers and reviewers, look forward to the next story arc. Visit my DeviantArt account's journal if you want information on the next arc.