Chapter 6: Commitment

The Warp Star landed in Whispy Woods' Forest, west of Vegetable Valley.

"Okay, here's your first trial, Popopo," said 'Gooey' as the Dream Lander stood up, rubbing his face where it had impacted the ground. He had fallen again when the Warp Star stopped. "The first Star Rod shard is no doubt being guarded by Whispy Woods. However, his location changes frequently, as his face can inhabit any tree in this forest, which means that I don't know where he is and you'll have to search for him."

Popopo was scared again. "I was warned never to go into Whispy Woods' Forest! All the trees are said to look the same. And once you get lost, there are Grizzo and tribal Waddle Dees in here that eat Dream Landers!"

"You'll be fine," said 'Gooey' unconcernedly. "If you get lost, the phone has a tracking device in it, so I'll always know where you are. Also, you can defend yourself now! Remember, inhale enemies and spit them back out at other enemies. You have to get used to fighting. You'll be doing it a lot. Always use lethal force; your life is currently the most important one on this planet."

Popopo couldn't believe what he was hearing. Nothing in his life had prepared him for this at all.

"You can't be serious! I'm not... I don't... Why? Why are you saying this?"

"What do you mean?" replied 'Gooey'. "Everything seems perfectly clear to me. Dark Matter is taking over and you're the only one who can do anything about it. You need to fight your way to the seven shards so you can reassemble the Star Rod."

"Why me...? This isn't me..."

"Yes it is," said 'Gooey' flatly. "I got this job a long time ago. Destiny is a very convenient way to look at a lot of things in my life, and now the same will probably be true for you. You would do well to remember that. Popopo, you have to do this. Cooperate and it won't be too difficult. I'll be here every step of the way."

'Gooey' seemed to have an answer for everything. Popopo opened his mouth to respond, but couldn't think of anything to say, so closed it again.

At that moment, two Waddle Dees emerged from between the trees. Waddle Dees looked a lot like Dream Landers, but they had no visible mouths, and their faces (and smaller feet) tended to be a different color than the rest of their body; the ones present had brown bodies, with tan faces and feet. These two were carrying spears, which they quickly aimed at Popopo, ready to throw.

"It's..." squeaked Popopo.

"If anything tries to hurt you, inhale it!" shouted 'Gooey'.

As the Waddle Dees threw their spears, Popopo inhaled. The spears entered his mouth and he immediately shot them back. The star shaped shot hit one of the Waddle Dees, which disappeared in a burst of stars. The other one looked at Popopo for a moment, and then ran back into the trees.

Popopo stood there for some seconds, not knowing what to do, stunned at what had just happened.

"Two Waddle Dees just attacked me," he said quietly, unable to get past what he had done, "and I..."

"...eliminated them, by the sound of it," interrupted 'Gooey'. "Good job! Now, go in the direction they came from."

"You mean, f-follow the one that I didn't... kill?" Popopo could barely believe he was saying this. The scenario didn't make sense.

"You let one get away? In the future, attack enemies without hesitation. That Waddle Dee is no doubt going to tell the others of its tribe that you killed one of them. The whole tribe will be after your skin!"

"What? NO! They're coming after me? What do I do? What do I do?"

"You'll have to fight them," said 'Gooey' sternly. "This will be good practice for you."

Popopo was shaking with fear.

"This isn't... You can't... I can't... Not..."

"Popopo!" shouted 'Gooey'. "Don't lose focus! You have a job to do and you're going to do it! You will fight these Waddle Dees and you will win! What do I have to say that will get you to accept your fate? It wasn't by chance that you didn't join your fellows at the rally. You can do this! You have to!"

But Popopo was only barely listening. Waddle Dees were beginning to emerge from the spot where the first two had.

One of them threw a spear. Popopo inhaled almost out of reflex, and shot the thrower with a star.

"They're here, aren't they?" said 'Gooey' stonily. "Inhale, Popopo. Suck them up!"

The Waddle Dees seemed to decide against throwing more spears. The rest of them charged at Popopo, ready to run him through or pound him with their little fists.

"INHALE NOW!"

Popopo did as he was told, drawing a gigantic breath that slurped the front few Waddle Dees into his mouth. He shot the dense star back at the rest of the tribe, blasting it apart. The remaining Waddle Dees threw their spears, and he inhaled again, shooting them back as stars. When only a few Waddle Dees remained, they looked like they were considering retreating, but Popopo ran forward and inhaled the rest of them. With nothing to fire at after that, he swallowed. The Waddle Dees were gone.

A few seconds of silence followed. Popopo had never experienced anything like that before. He felt strange, different; he couldn't describe it.

"Did you win?" asked 'Gooey' hesitantly.

"Yeah," answered Popopo. "I... I did."

Silence.

"I think... I can do this."

"What?"

"I'll look for Whispy Woods, like you said," said Popopo. "I want to save my friends."