Bayonetta buried her hands in her hair in frustration. Her mind was a clusterf- fustercluck of thoughts and emotions, and she utterly hated it. The constant beeping of the heart monitor didn't help, either.
Beep
Was Lucario alright?
Beep
How could she let her anger take control like that?
Beep
Why didn't she save Kirby?
Be-
She slammed a fist into the machine, sending it reeling across the room and crashing against the wall. Sparks flew from it momentarily, and eventually fizzed out.
What if Kirby was...?
Bayonetta stopped herself from continuing the question.
This was what she was afraid of. It was the reason why she wouldn't- No, couldn't let herself get close to a mortal. She couldn't handle the heartbreak and loneliness that would've been ruthlessly thrust against her. Kirby had his whole life ahead of him. He didn't deserve to die.
. . .
...No. Kirby was a child, but he definitely wasn't a weak one. If Dedede survived, why couldn't Kirby? They were healed using the same medium, after all. Surely it wasn't too long before Kirby woke up? But still, glancing at the puffball unsettled a flicker of doubt in her mind.
"Bayonetta."
Bayonetta looked up to see Meta Knight standing in the doorway, his cape wrapped around him. The action was probably the only thing she wanted to do to acknowledge him.
"Master Hand would like to see you."
"For what?" She replied flatly.
"I am not certain, but he will meet you in his office, yes?" Meta Knight kept his voice monotone.
Bayonetta let out an exaggerated sigh and got up grudgingly. She wanted to stay with the little one, but at the same time, she wanted to get out of the room. The atmosphere in there was intoxicating, not because of the weird hospital smell, but because it reeked of despair. As she left the room, she heard footsteps following her, presumably Meta Knight's.
Without turning around, Bayonetta snapped icily, "I don't need an escort."
The footsteps stopped, and Meta Knight disappeared. Bayonetta felt a twinge of regret, but folded her arms and walked to Master Hand's office in silence.
Sure enough, Master Hand was in his office sorting papers like he always did. He didn't seem to notice Bayonetta at the door, partly because there was a barricade of stacked paper on his desk. She rolled her eyes and sneaked up to the table. She rammed her hands against the wall of paper, scattering them throughout the office and making Master Hand recoil in alarm.
Hey, it wasn't her fault that she felt so destructive today.
"Let's get this over with." She hissed.
"Oh, uh, right." Master Hand stammered and floated to the back of the room.
He pressed a finger onto a hidden button on the wall, revealing a flight of stairs leading to a vault door. Master Hand gestured for her to follow him, so she did. There was a large scanner-looking thing beside the door, which Bayonetta assumed was for unlocking the vault.
Lasers flared from Master Hand's fingertips, onto the scanner. Surprisingly, it didn't shatter, but instead, the screen turned green in response to the them, unlocking the vault door. Master Hand pulled it open and they entered the room, which was much larger than what Bayonetta expected.
"This, is the trophy room." Master Hand said as he closed the vault door behind him.
A vast array of life-sized trophies of all the Smashers were laid out in front of them. They were surprisingly accurate, Bayonetta could tell from their texture from where they stood. They seemed to be mapped out specifically...
Bayonetta connected the dots with growing discomfort. Master Hand was an actual, floating and animate hand, and in front of them were trophies of the Smashers. There was some weird-ass puppetry shit going on here, and she didn't like it. She should've known something was up! A random hand just swooping in and bringing you somewhere else was incredibly unsettling (Not to mention unbelievable). How could she just let it slip by so casually?
"This is where I find out whether the Smashers are alright in the Smash Universe. Whether it be their health, emotions, friendships or even hatred towards each other. Whenever something notable occurs to a Smasher, energy will surround their trophy, depending on the emotions they're feeling. The trophies will shift on their own whenever bonds are created, or lost. If one feels sorrow, their trophy will become darker. If one feels positive, an electric field will surround their trophy. The stronger their emotions, the more intense the electricity will be. Of course, your life source doesn't depend on these trophies, so if Crazy decides to screw things up in this room, you won't be affected." Master Hand explained. "Also, don't worry about touching the electricity. It's just an indicator, so it's harmless."
Oh.
Master Hand hovered towards Ness, Lucas, Toon Link and Villager trophies. They were closely grouped together, with a green electric field surrounding them.
"As you can see here, these children are close friends, and generally happy, too. Then again, they are children. Nothing ever gets them down."
Master Hand then pointed to the edge of the room, where a Ganondorf trophy stood boldly by itself. A Bowser trophy was nearby, but not as close as the children.
"Ganondorf, on the other hand, isn't particularly close with anyone except for Bowser, but is still in perfect condition. Well, aside from his... villainous desires."
Normally, Bayonetta wouldn't have much of a care for long speeches, but this was interesting.
Then, Master Hand hovered towards Kirby's trophy. He was grouped closely with King Dedede, Meta Knight and of course, Bayonetta. The three trophies were duller than the rest, Bayonetta's trophy being the dullest. Dark orbs circulated around Kirby, which Bayonetta guessed was the illness he was inflicted by. There was also faint green energy radiating from the little one, seemingly trying to overrun the dark. An electric net, coloured a brilliant shade of blue, connected the puffball with the witch. The electricity pulsed fiercely, fiercer than any other nets Bayonetta had seen in the room. She couldn't help but place a yearning hand on the puffball.
"Of all my years in the Smash Universe, I've never seen a bond as strong as yours with Kirby."
Bayonetta's heart lurched.
"I know things are looking grim for Kirby, but I want you to know this. With a bond as strong as yours, he will pull through. I'm sure of it. A bond as strong as this..." Master Hand paused (for dramatic effect) and turned to the blue net of electricity, "...is definitely worth living for. "
Bayonetta stared at their trophies and went silent for a solid moment, her expression unreadable. And when she spoke, her words were genuine.
"Thank you, Master Hand. ...I needed some enlightenment."
Master Hand did a gesture which was equivalent to saying, "You're welcome."
Bayonetta hesitated for a while before asking, "Before I leave, I want to know whether Lucario's alright. I feel terribly guilty."
Master Hand pointed to the trophy of the Pokemon, "Go ahead."
Bayonetta walked over to the trophy, which wasn't radiating anything. It looked completely normal. She reached a hand out towards the trophy, and it started trembling. She pulled her hand away, and the shaking stopped. Fascinating.
"Looks like I owe him a proper apology." Bayonetta thought to herself, already devising a plan in her head.
As she turned around to leave, she shot a remark at the floating hand, her usual sass already returning, "Oh, by the way. You need to work on your telepathy. It hurt like absolute hell."
Master Hand let out a sigh, "I know..."
He decided not to tell her that his telepathy worked completely fine on Smashers with much more... healthier states of mind. Crazy's, on the other hand...
While Bayonetta exited the room, heels clacking against the floor steadily, Master Hand watched her trophy regain it's colour. If he could smile, well...
Now was the perfect time to.
By the time Bayonetta returned to the infirmary, it was already night. How long had she been brooding for? She didn't want to answer that question. A new heart monitor had been placed there, making her groan inwardly. She passed by the puffball, who still hadn't moved at all. She couldn't help but feel a pang of distress. She tried to ignore it. After all, she trusted every word Master Hand had said.
"Alright, little one. Don't keep me waiting."
Kirby stirred and opened his eyes groggily with a soft (and adorable) groan. Where was he? The last thing he remembered was a bunch of black goo swallowing him up while he thrashed about helplessly... He shuddered at the dreadful memory. He blinked a few times and glanced around the room. This wasn't his dorm. The walls were a boring old white and a heart monitor beeped noisily beside the bed, along with other weird equipment. Worst of all, he was starving. Bayonetta was there, too, sleeping soundly on a single couch. For the first time in a long while, she looked peaceful. As much as she made his heart flutter, Kirby decided to let her rest. He looked out of the window and his eyes gleamed in delight, completely forgetting about his empty stomach. Pushing the covers away from him, he skedaddled out of the infirmary.
Kirby dashed out of the Mansion through the back, where seemingly endless hills of grass spread out as far as the eye could see. He sped towards the tallest hill and planted himself on its highest point. Kirby's eyes sparkled with the reflection of the countless stars in the sky. He stared at the glowing specks, his mouth agape in wonder. He was too engrossed in the scenery to notice the footsteps heading towards him.
"The stars are beautiful tonight, little one."
Kirby snapped to attention and swung his head around, facing the tall figure in the night.
"Bayo!" Kirby exclaimed and leaped into Bayonetta's open arms, where he almost got severely squished as she hugged him tightly.
"Don't you ever make me worry like that anymore," she cooed, her tone heavy with relief.
Kirby seemed to understand her concern. He tapped her shoulder comfortingly, making Bayonetta let out an affectionate chuckle. Suddenly, Kirby wriggled out of her arms and averted his stare towards something in the far right. Bayonetta followed his gaze and sat down beside him. The puffball pointed at a star significantly larger than the others. It was a five-pointed one, an unnatural shape if you consider what actual stars are like. It was shining ever so brightly, outshining the other countless specks in the sky.
"Pop... star." Kirby breathed. His voice was precious. Too precious, perhaps, because Bayonetta could've swooned right there and then.
"Popstar?" Bayonetta repeated curiously.
Kirby nodded eagerly.
Bayonetta glanced at the larger star in the sky. "Is it a planet?"
Kirby nodded again, this time more vigorously. His awestruck expression never seemed to falter.
If Bayonetta didn't know any better, she would have assumed that the puffball was just really fond of stars. But she knew that Kirby had strong connections with them. She remembered something Meta Knight told her about his 'heroic heart', as daft as Bayonetta thought the name was. His heart was an actual five-pointed star. It wasn't farfetched to assume he lived on one as well.
"Let me guess. That's your home?"
"Poyo poyo!" Kirby chirped happily. Bayonetta took it as a yes. He twirled around and pointed heroically at the planet, his face of sheer pride was priceless.
Bayonetta tipped her head to the side and observed the little one with evident affection.
"Come here, you." she cooed fondly as she dragged the puffball onto her lap. Kirby was a comfortable weight on her legs, radiating warmth in the cold night air. She didn't know how a seemingly empty pink sphere was able to weigh anything, let alone provide warmth, but damn, was it pleasant.
The two watched the stars in comfortable silence, relishing the cool night winds blowing over them.
Bayonetta realised something about the warmth he radiated, "...You're not still sick, are you?" she asked anxiously.
Kirby shook his head.
"Splendid." was her simple reply. Bayonetta lowered herself onto the grass and rested her arms behind her head. Kirby waddled over and snuggled up to her side, begging her to wrap an arm around him.
Bayonetta's lips curled into a sly smile as a cheeky thought slipped into her mind. She slid an arm around the little one and stroked his head, making him purr in delight. The purrs soon turned into uncontrollable laughter as Bayonetta unleashed a flurry of fingers onto his soft little body.
"Po- Poyo- Ahahaha!" Kirby protested, or rather, he tried to protest.
Bayonetta stopped for a while, laughing light heartedly. Kirby stumbled out of her reach and flopped onto the grass.
"Aw, don't be like that, little one. I was just having fun. You did plan on having fun with me, right?" She stretched the word 'right' like a rubber band, her delicious English accent oozing from every syllable.
Kirby's eyes widened and he shook his head madly.
"Ooh... Was that refusal I saw?" Bayonetta asked rhetorically, a wicked grin plastered on her face.
She pulled a lollipop out from her summon void and waved it teasingly at the puffball. His eyes sparkled and he dashed towards the treat.
"You're making it easy, little one," she thought with a smirk and popped the piece of candy into her mouth. She grabbed Kirby right before he had time to turn tail and tormented the puffball once more. His wild laughter filled the night.
"You'll have to stop being so cute if you want me to stop,"
Kirby didn't seem to hear her over his laughing, but even if he did, he couldn't have done anything to stop those infuriatingly dexterous fingers of hers.
Bayonetta might have gotten carried away with the tickling just a tad too much, because Kirby actually managed to escape by curling into a ball and rolling down the slope.
"Oh shit."
The puffball tumbled down the hill, rustling the grass which grew taller at the bottom of the hill for some reason. Bayonetta summoned Madama Butterfly, and her arm reached out from a demonic portal, grabbing the little one in her palm.
If Gomorrah was annoying, then Madama Butterfly was a pleasure to be around with.
Kirby stayed in his ball form, not that he wasn't already a ball to begin with. The demoness flung Kirby towards Bayonetta, a little too forcefully, though. Then again, she was an infernal demon. The puffball let out a yelp as he flew through the air, landing, once again, in Bayonetta's arms. He flailed around feebly in an attempt to prevent any more laughter escaping from his mouth.
Bayonetta laughed, "Alright, alright, I'll stop now."
She pulled out another lollipop from out of nowhere, and stuck it into his mouth. It seemed to calm him down enough.
Madama Butterfly hadn't returned to Inferno, instead looming her upper body out of the portal, "Precious one, isn't he?"
"Very." Bayonetta purred.
Kirby faced towards the demoness and waved innocently, the lollipop stick poking out from his mouth. Bayonetta cast the Infernal a smirk that was the perfect embodiment of the phrase, "I told you so".
Madama Butterfly's gaze softened, "You certainly don't see this in Inferno. I could do with more cuteness down there."
"Knowing you demons, anything 'cute' would turn out to be a manipulative soul stealer."
"True." And with that, the demoness disappeared into the portal, leaving the duo to themselves, illuminated by the stars in the sky.
"So, little one. What's next?" Bayonetta glanced at the puffball, who yawned adorably. Frankly, she wasn't surprised. All the tickling had definitely tuckered him out. She smiled, plucked the lollipop stick out of his gaping mouth and tossed it behind her nonchalantly.
"To Dreamland it is, then."
She sat down on the grass, cradling the little one in her arms.
Bayonetta didn't sing often, but she made an exception tonight.
Aaand cue Fly Me To The Moon!
Anyway, author notes.
-For the record, I imagined the heart monitor as Karen from Spongebob, so you might wanna reread that part if you thought of an actual heart monitor.
-It's kind of a stereotype that Master Hand gets stuck with the paperwork while Crazy is probably out frolicking in the fields somewhere, so that's what I went with. Of course, I don't really know what he's doing with all the paper...
-The trophy room was just a random concept I came up with one day. The reason for all the security measures for the room? Master Hand didn't want anyone (specifically the troublemakers) to snoop around and possibly cause a rift between the Smashers by invading their privacy. Yeah, Bayonetta is pretty sly, but with everything going on, sabotaging others was the last thing on her mind.
-It's also incredibly tempting to end the chapter at "Oh shit."
More King of Dreamland in the next chapter. It'll be Dededelightful!
