Phazon: I don't know, due to work and such, if this will be updated as quickly as most would want it to be, but I'll get as much done as I can, and I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: The characters, storyline, setting and all of that in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards belong and are the sole property of Nintendo and HAL Laboratories only, and I don't have them locked away in chains anywhere. Best to get the legalities out of the way before someone tries to sue. I aim to give the readers something to enjoy, but not have my story deleted by an NOA executive.

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All Is Well?

Prior to Ribbon's accident

"Where is it? Where is it? WHERE IS IT!"

Known hero to all and sworn fighter for the defenseless, his name was well known through Pop Star. Small and pink was he, but the villains weren't laughing when they were sucked in by a powerful gust of wind. The little but valiant pink puffball had the ability to absorb the powers of his foe and use them against him, but he hadn't learned yet how to control them.

"Why did I go out on that midnight star ride?"

Giving in and accepting the fact that his star rod was not on Pop Star, Kirby sighed and put the huge stone boulder back into place. A few nights ago, he traveled on his Warp Star for a sweep through the planets, but on his journey back, he lost his rod somewhere past Ripple Star. Now he couldn't travel between the planets himself, at least not for now.

"Cheer yourself up," he said to himself, "it's a beautiful day, the air is crisp, and you've got all the time in the world."

A grin found its way across Kirby's face as he set off to enjoy his day.

---Later that Night---

Night had fallen on Pop Star. The darkened sky was now illuminated with the lights of millions of tiny stars. On starry nights like these, one can hear water lapping down rivers and canals, the chatter of critters echoing throughout the forest. The cool air kept Kirby calm, as he remained perched upon the tiny hill he sat on, observing the wonderful night sky.

Kirby sighed to himself, taking in all of the exhilaration. "A beautiful night," he mused to himself. His gaze moved over to the abnormal amount of shooting stars that were shooting throughout the stratosphere. Kirby hadn't seen this before. Normally it was only one or two shooting stars, but this night, you'd think that someone had cut the stars' strings and threw them for miles. Kirby stood up and tried to see if any of the shooting "stars" were heading his way, and it was this that divided his attention. A tiny fragment of the now broken Crystal Shard fell from the heavens and landed atop Kirby's head, startling him a little.

"What in the…" the puffball muttered as he picked the shard, "Yes, I've heard of these before from that heart planet. When all pieces of the Crystal Shard come together, the power is tremendous. But…what's it doing here?"

He was too interested in the texture of the shard and how it continued to glow in his hands. Something else interrupted Kirby's peace, but this time in the form of a wailing screech.

Before Kirby could react, a tiny fairy fell from the sky at lightning speed, luckily bouncing off of Kirby's head and landing some ways from him, the shard never leaving her grasp. Two minutes passed, as she believed she was dead, but was surprised to see she landed in a safe haven for now. She landed safely on the yellow shaped planet and realized that the Dark Matter was no longer pursuing her.

"Thank goodness," but unfortunately for her, all hope was lost.

"My queen, I'm sorry I failed you, but I seriously tried," Ribbon muttered desperately, hoping her voice would reach her queen, but it was inevitable. She felt tears nearing her eyes, and despite the ever glowing Crystal Shard fragment, nothing was cheering up the little fairy from Ripple Star.

"Hey, hey, you! Did you drop this here?"

Ribbon's despair was interrupted by the words of a tiny pink puffball that was standing behind her. She didn't pay him much mind, but when he picked up the fragment he had found, her eyes lit up with sudden hope and joy. Flying easily towards him, Ribbon put forth her crystal shard and Kirby mirrored the action. A reaction began to occur as the two shards levitated before the two, the mystical glow growing even stronger by the second. At last, a brilliant flash blinded both Ribbon and Kirby, and when their vision had returned, Ribbon saw through the blur that the shards were now one, joined in a union and stronger than either individually.

Not completely understanding the situation, Kirby cheered ecstatically and hopped up and down into the air, Ribbon also smiled for the very first time, but there wasn't time to celebrate. Ribbon quickly grabbed the shard and began to speak to her newfound chum.

"I am terribly sorry for the intrusion, but we haven't been properly introduced. My name is Ribbon and I…used to live on my home planet, Ripple Star."

A light bulb went off in Kirby's head. "Yes, you all are responsible for the fabled Crystal Shard which has the power to combat all evil and darkness."

Ribbon wasn't so excited to hear about darkness again. She moved warily away from Kirby as she continued her tale of woe. "That is true, but our planet was recently overtaken by this Dark Matter, and my queen insisted that I be the last defense by giving me the Crystal Shard and sending me to get help. She sacrificed herself to save me, and now I believe the worst has happened."

"But isn't the Crystal Shard much bigger than this?" Kirby asked the fairy.

Ribbon pointed towards the night sky, where fragments of the Crystal Shard were still flying at rapid speeds towards other planets. "During my escape, I was ambushed and the shard is now broken into many pieces scattered across the system. It is my duty to restore order to Ripple Star and conquer this evil darkness, but I am just one young fairy. I do not believe I can do this alone, so I am at a lost. I've failed my planet…and my queen." Ribbon struggled to hold back her tears.

Kirby plucked up courage and came to Ribbon's aid. "I'm going to help you! I don't know much about this Dark Matter or where we'll begin, but I will do what I must to help save your planet just as I've had to do for mine."

These words to Ribbon felt as if her prayers had been answered, that she had someone looking down on her, or rather right in her face. Her face lit up with excitement and joy, the sorrow tears faded, the young fairy girl smiled at Kirby and agreed.

"Thank you and I promise you that we will save my home! But…I don't think I've gotten your name."

"I'm Kirby, the little pink powder ball that could. Don't be fooled by my size, you won't believe what I'm capable of doing."

Ribbon chuckled at Kirby's innocence and childlike behavior. "Did you just adlib that little opening?"

"Did you like it?"

"It was fine, but I think it's time we press on. But, this horrible journey has left me horribly famished. I don't believe I can go on now."

Kirby looked at Ribbon, then towards the night sky again and came to a conclusion. "You'll room with me at my place for tonight, and bright and early tomorrow morning, we proceed."

The fairy nodded her head in silent agreement.

Ribbon floated alongside Kirby as they walked down the lonely pathway leading to Kirby's cabin near a lagoon.

"It's not your typical accommodations," he said as he gave her the grand tour, "but it'll do for the night. Your bunk is right there next to mine."

Ribbon clutched the shard tighter. "All right, but I'm sleeping with the shard."

Kirby shrugged whatever he called his shoulders and smiled. "Aww, there's no problem here. This cabin's so isolated that barely anyone notices it when they pass by."

Confident that the Crystal Shard was safe, Ribbon removed her little shoes and socks and settled into the unexpectedly comfortable bed she settled into. When she turned over to bid good night to Kirby, he wasn't there. Suddenly, the feeling of darkness overcame her and she trembled in her bed, sweating bullets once again as she hid under the safety of her covers.

An oval figure materialized outside her sheets, furiously poking at her body until she cracked. Frantically trying to save herself, Ribbon kicked and kicked and wailed and screamed, hoping the figure would go away.

"Save me, queen!" Ribbon sobbed. "I don't want to do this alone! I'm afraid and don't leave me alone here to die!"

In the midst of her hollering, the covers came off of her, revealing Kirby standing over top of her with a slice of chocolate cake. Her screaming subsided as he looked at her with his big innocent eyes.

Kirby set the plate at her side. "I figured you were a bit famished from your travel, so I brought you some food to calm your nerves."

Acting out of herself, Ribbon grabbed the plate and began to devour the cake, small crystal tears still flowing down her face. Kirby consoled her.

"I know this is a new thing for you, being separated from your home and not knowing how to go on, but I'll protect you. I'll cover your back, and you'll be there for me. Just trust yourself and trust me, Ribbon. If we're together and we trust, the Dark Matter will never touch this Crystal Shard and we'll save your planet."

Kirby could tell his words had an effect on Ribbon, because her tears soon subsided and a huge grin came over her face as she realized how scrumptious and delectable the cake was.

"Did you cook this yourself?"

Kirby patted his stomach. "You learn a lot when you get to be like me. Glad to see you're feeling better."

"I'm sorry, but I guess I'm still a nervous wreck. But I suppose a night's rest will get me back to full order."

It was Kirby's turn to agree, as Ribbon settled in under the covers once again, this time she easily settled into a deep sleep.

Kirby watched Ribbon as she slept so peacefully, like an angel that had fallen from the sky, which is sort of how he saw it as. Comfortable in knowing that she was alright, his gaze turned towards the night sky through his windows.

He let out a sigh as he saw shards still scattering, careening to who knows where. "Well, looks like we're in for quite an adventure."

The puffball now settled into his respective bed and cut the last source of illumination off. He then drifted off into a deep rest just as Ribbon had.