Chapter Five:
The Dark Entity from Beyond the Stars
Spinning, shrinking, twisting and falling.
Kirby, Meta Knight and Dedede spiraled through the void, screaming along with their feline allies, Furrnutso and Fuzzyton. All around the heroes, the darkness was contorting and spinning violently. Unknown dimensions formed, stars went by and various shapes took form. Bright red eyes appeared from the mist; something was watching its prisoners.
Flaming meteors streaked towards an unseen surface, large and chunky, the void felt endless until a light flashed and Kirby's eye-sight briefly darkened as he and the others felt themselves hit solid ground with a gentle thump.
"It seems we're in my palace." Furrnutso meowed.
Kirby opened his eyes and stood up on his feet, grasping the Magical Furry Star Staff hard as it nearly fell out of his hand, Meta Knight adjusted his mask and King Dedede sneezed, blowing his nose afterwards and rubbed his head.
For a while, the group took their time to recover from their ride through the void as their vision was hazy after going through that mist even though it seemed that Fuzzyton and Furrnutso could see everything just fine.
Once Kirby's eyesight had cleared up and he could see just fine, the puffball took his time to fully observe and take in his surroundings, seeing the location that he and his allies were in. They all stood in a massive chamber, surrounded by stone walls, red curtains and stain glass windows. Jaguar symbols highlighted the curtains on the wall, baring sharp teeth and growling ferociously.
A large metal chandelier dangled down from the ceiling, attached to a strong hinge that prevented it from falling as lights flickered and a cold chill that engulfed the room.
"Well, I'll say..." Dedede said to Furrnutso as he observed the area, "If there's one thing you're right about, Prince Furrnutso, we are in your palace, also, it looks real intimidating."
Meta Knight closed his eyes and shook his head in disagreement, "No, Dedede. I don't think the cats intentionally designed the palace with an intimidating feel in mind. If this place looks and feels intimidating somehow, it's probably because of something sinister here."
"In all honesty," Furrnutso said, "The interior of my palace was lovely and perfect until the day Doofustacar Barkleyastum Toneygus and his dark powers changed everything. There is more to our crazed tyrannical friend than meets the eye and he's around here somewhere..."
No sooner than the cat prince had meowed those words, thunder rumbled, and a cold gust of wind blew through the room. Red curtains slowly descended over the windows, blocking out the sunlight, and ushering in darkness as ominous cackling filled the room.
Kirby held the Magical Furry Star Staff in a defensive stance, Dedede hefted his hammer and Meta Knight swung his sword dramatically as he got into a combat stance.
"Who's there?" He shouted, "Show yourself, you laughing monstrosity!"
"I WELCOME YOU TO YOUR GRAVESITE, MY FRIENDS." A voice boomed, "THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE YOU SHALL BE DECIMATED!"
A blinding flash filled the room, followed by a puff of black smoke. A massive lion made his appearance, wearing a cloak with red eyes and baring sharp yellow teeth with a snarl. His mane billowed in the after-breeze of the explosion generated by his thunderous appearance. The beast stared at the heroes as Fuzzyton and Furrnutso hissed angrily.
"Doofustacar Barkleyastum Toneygus, correct?" Kirby asked.
Doofustacar boomed in response, "That is correct, young warrior. I am Doofustacar Barkleyastum Toneygus of the cat kingdom of Furrizianygus Putzifurrusatalaka. For generations, my clan has desired to rule the entirety of the kingdom and the rest of the planet. As of now, I have led my family to greatness AND I WILL NOT HAVE MY REIGN SHORT-LIVED..."
King Dedede stepped forward. "Sorry to ruin your mood..." He said, "But I don't think you're fit to rule and you look like a loon. Kirby, think you can fix that with the magic wand?"
Kirby nodded and held up the Magical Furry Star Staff, making his wish as hard as he could. Doofustacar saw the item in hand and his eyes were wide with shock, he stepped back in surprise and let out a ferocious roar. Suspense filled the room and Kirby gripped the magical staff firmly. And then, he swished it and pointed it at the lion warrior.
A bright blue light shot forth from the Magical Furry Star Staff's tip and blasted Doofustacar, causing him to screech in pain as he felt the brunt of the staff's power. The self-proclaimed king of the cat planet fell over and the red glow in his eyes faded.
Just when it seemed like it was over, a dark shadow loomed over the lion's body and an eerie cackle echoed throughout the castle, surprising Kirby and the others. The shadow became bigger and flashed bright red, the unconscious body of Doofustacar Barkleyastum Toneygus disappeared and something else took form in his place.
A shadowy being with red eyes stared down upon Kirby, Dedede and their companions, holding a jagged trident in its dark hands, and wearing an ominous cloak while black flames ignited atop its head and acted as hair.
Fuzzyton meowed and Furrnutso hissed with fear, Kirby held the Magical Furry Star Staff steadily while Dedede prepped his hammer.
"I am Shadow Matter..." Shadow Matter spoke ominously, "...and I am a powerful being of darkness from beyond the stars. I came to this world to conquer it before I attack other worlds.
"That lion was only a puppet. I shall ensure my dominance over this planet and then invade all other worlds beyond these stars! Neither of you will live long enough to witness my victory, fools!"
"You're not hurting or enslaving anyone or anything else, you monster!" Meta Knight declared.
"SLAY HIM!" Fuzzyton hissed.
Shadow Matter's eye glowed and he raised his trident. The edges of his weapon flashed and fired bolts of dark energy at the heroes. Kirby brought up the Magical Furry Star Staff and a shield formed around him and his companions, protecting them from the dark power of the enemy.
Kirby stepped forward, holding the Furry Star Staff firmly, and Shadow Matter fired another blast of his power, only for the magic of Kirby's weapon to deflect it. Shadow Matter howled with rage and kept attacking, trying to wipe out the heroes, and unleashed a storm of darkness which the Magical Furry Star Staff dispelled with its divine glow.
The vile entity snarled and raised his trident, but Kirby flicked the staff and great bolts of energy struck Shadow Matter. The Magical Furry Star Staff glowed, and the light became stronger over the dark...
