Well, new chapter! Hopefully I can keep this up...though I wouldn't count on too much this week as I have two eight page papers to deal with. No I did not procrastinate...I just didn't really want to work on them...--

Afterwards though, I hopefully, will be able to keep myself up with this!

As always, Shining Riku, thanks alot for your review! And to everyone else, please review! It's a great motivator when you do that, even if it is to say that you liked it...or if you really had a problem with something (after all, I won't get any better with no criticism)...not to say you have to go out of your way to find something...Anyways...

Dislai-ya'know, I do this disclaimer thing everychapter and I'll bet that not one of you guys read it...well, fine...all characters and locations in this chapter are owned by Nintendo. On with the story

Chapter 22

Desparate Measures

"Welcome to Channel DDD! Your number one source for news and entertainment… because in the end, you've really got no choice." The familiar logo of Dreamlands only TV station, Castle Dedede with three Ds below it flashed across the screen. The picture went to Escargoon and Waddle Doo sitting in a newsroom.

"Good morning Dreamland. I'm Dr. Escargoon."

"And I am Waddle Doo."

"And we have a very important announcement to make today," said Escargoon. "Recently a citizen of Dreamland who goes by the name of Kirby, has threatened Dreamland's very way of life. Kirby has stolen the sacred Sparkling Stars from the Fountain of Dreams threatening the very stability of our planet. He has wrecked havoc open the Whispy Woods, brought down several large structures, and because of his actions, the planet is beginning to tear apart. Kirby must be stopped."

"Indeed Doctor. His Royal Majesty King Dedede is on standby to give a challenge to Kirby."

The picture of the TV went to Dedede standing in the middle of his throne room. "This here is a official challenge on behalf of all Dreamland. Kirby, you may think you're tough, but I will defensicate this land at all opportunity costs! I challenge you to battle here at this here castle. When you're ready to take a pummelin' let me know. I fight for the glorification of Dreamland. Everyone is bein' invited to the showdown, and if you buy your tickets within the next hour for a mere 1000 Deden, we'll throw in a Platinitum Triple D Hygenetics Kit for a additional 9000 Deden. A 10,000 Deden value for only 9000 Deden. Order now!"

"Good Lord, why do we let him write his own speeches?" Escargoon said without noticing that the camera was back on him. "Uh…I mean…glory to King Dedede, the…Hero of Dreamland! We'll be right back after this commercial-"

"Doctor Escargoon we have an urgent situation. Kirby has successfully taken three of the Sparkling Stars," Sir Kibble said over the intercom letting every single person watching in on the mishap.

"Kibble! We're still in the middle…go to commercial idiots!"

"This program has been made possible by the Dedede Broadcasting Foundation and by the generous support from taxpayers like you."

Thirty minutes later, Escargoon, Waddle Doo, and King Dedede were in the throne room trying to figure out their next phase. Sir Kibble and Capsule J were there via satellite. Waddle Dee was sandpapering Dedede's hammer.

"So let me get this here thing straight Sir Kibble. You tellin' me that Kirby completely decimicated Kaboola and that he'll be hear in a few hours? Am I hearin' this right?" said Dedede.

"Yes, Sire," Sir Kibble said. He still held his arm which had been more injured from the crash. "We have been severely underestimating Kirby's power. I must say that defeating him may not be possible. We know that his power level is at least that of Kaboola's…I do not know if there is a limit to his power."

"So, you think we should just give up and throw in the towel then?" asked Escargoon, secretly hoping that they could do just that.

"We can't do that. We still have those alien invaders to worry about," said Waddle Doo. "Speaking of which, Doctor, how is your Sparkling Star weapon coming?"

"Oh right. After Waddle Doo explained the situation to me, I began to study the Sparkling Star to find a use for it..."

"And?" said Dedede.

"I've had it for only a few hours! I don't even know what purpose it served, or how to harness the power inside it? I need more time…and we don't have it."

"Wait!" said Waddle Doo. "Doctor, do you need both Sparkling Stars?"

"No, just the last one we took…why?"

"Sire, I just had an idea…we gotta distract Kirby long enough to let the Doctor make a weapon right?"

"Yeah, so?" said Dedede.

Waddle Doo seemed to get excited over the genius of his idea. "We gotta draw Kirby away from the castle by using one of the Sparkling Stars. That way, we'll by ourselves extra time to get ready for Kirby's attack."

"Won't we just be handing another Sparkling Star to Kirby then?" asked Capsule J.

"I see what you are planning Waddle Doo," said Sir Kibble. "However, if we want to buy a lot of time, we must plan exactly where we take the Star…and how we will defend it. Do you have any ideas?"

Waddle Doo gave a low sinister laugh. "I think I got the perfect place in mind. Sire, I'm going to take the Sparkling Star to Grape Garden."

Waddle Dee nearly tripped over himself when he heard that. "Sorry…but uh, Cuz, you aren't…taking the Star to who I think you're taking it our you?"

Waddle Doo's eye squinted slightly. "That's right, Cuz. Besides, he owes me a favor…and if anyone can deal with Kirby…he can."

Meta Knight had arrived at the Fountain of Dreams. Thing's were worse than he thought. The entire fountain seemed to be shifting in and out of their dimension. The sky was still a sickly green. Thunder hit the ground every once in a while. Small tremors came in and out very quickly. It was strange, because if you weren't actually within the grounds of the Fountain of Dreams, it would have been completely unnoticeable. Meta Knight's crew was all there, aside from Trila. Sword and Blade were at a booth full of complicated equipment connected to Meta-Droid. Butch and Masher were working at another station which was monitoring the Fountain's activity. When Masher saw Meta Knight approach, he left the station to greet him. "Greetings, Sir Meta Knight."

"…What's the situation Masher?"

"…Disastrous. We can contain it for at best two days."

"You'll have the Stars back before the end of today," said Meta Knight.

"It's not that simple anymore, Meta Knight," said Butch, carrying a readout. "Energy levels in the Fountain just spiked again. At this point, the Sparkling Stars will not be enough to contain it. Even if we replace all the Sparkling Stars, we can buy ourselves…a year at most. After that, well, I don't need to tell you what's going to happen, do I," Butch said, trying to hide his anger. "Sir…if I may ask, why didn't you stop them from taking the Stars in the first place."

"You know why Butch."

"…I suppose I do. You've taken a big risk. I hope it pays off for you in the end, because if it doesn't. We're all finished." Butch walked away.

Masher sighed. "Sorry old friend. You know how Butch is."

Meta Knight nodded. "Yes. Butch is a good soldier and after what he's been through, I can understand why he is so bitter."

"Yes…regardless he is right…at this point the only way to contain it is to cut off the Fountain's power."

"That is not yet an option, Masher. We must realize that if we do that, dreams will be cut off from our dimension. That could have a disastrous effect on this planet, and all others."

"I know that Meta Knight…but at this point, it is only a matter of time when we cut the Fountain's power…not if."

"Yes…of course. Masher, after the Sparkling Stars are returned. We will set up near the Fountain. When cutting the power is our last option…I will see to it," said Meta Knight.

"Yes sir…" said Masher, understanding the inner struggle that his friend was going through.

To be Continued

Hope you liked it! Anyways, review and have a great day everyone!