Ok, if you're still Reading this, i thank you… what i was trying to go in the previous chapters… was more or less a Little taste of how distinct each world is to one another… and how that will bear ill will sometimes, the out of carácter moments… are my fault… and no, evaristus is not perfect, in fact, he's one of the most flawed characters… so i wish and hope i can write these two chapters, covering the theft of four of the six artifacts… guess who shall be the thief…
and yep, shelly's confidence is returning to her… and dream land, let's just say it starts to take a proactive approach from now on to the rising conflict.

CHAPTER 3:

Alliances of dreams, nightmares of strife

Breezegale, phantomille at night…
the night stage theme for adabat plays here…
in the dead of night, the windmills still spun, impulsed by the gente winds of breezegale's finest skies…
unbeknownst to everyone, a theft was ocurring beneath their noses…

Riding a red horse with devilish appearances, a hooded man made his way through the streets, heading to the old ruins of the wind, what Little could be seen of that man, his right eye was bloody red, corrupted in crimson sin, while he wielded two scythes, both of which were bathed in blood…

Who was keeping track of this man? The prince of the moon kingdom of cress; huepow.

In the middle of a night, he had a nightmare, involving his friend klonoa being involved, and actively fighting in a war, the opponent: a man clad in red armor wielding a spear… when he woke up, he could feel the disturbance in phantomile's ecosystem, the animals were running in fear, round-armored creatures started to appear, behind them, a humanoid lion, who emitted an aura of despicable intent, of cruel power and authority… this was tenebrae hue, the soldiers were the nighty-knights…

But he then felt an unnatural prescense, a being who was no dream traveller, but was neither a resident of phantomile… he transformed from a humanoid form wearing a green bodysuit and a moon shaped crown into a ball like being with a star on top of him, and two limbless hands

This pressence, feels odd, as if wanting bloodshed, but at the same time wishing for humanity's future… what could he be searching… better hurry and call klonoa… but first, i've better hurry to breezegale… (he spotted the scythe wielding man) that man clearly is up to no good. -He muttered

Evaristus's perspective…

As the dead of night looms over him and his crimson steed, evaristus ponders on the ancient ruins jessie, leon, nita, bibi and bea found and explored…
-ok, first of all, those ruins, they are similar to the architecture of the ancients of dream land, the nature of their architecture, the state of the marble pillars, and the moss within the walls, give me a vibe that they are a thousand years old… and with the 6 gateways and pedestals, i can asume they were meant to ease dimensional travel…

He then ponders about the gateways, the murals and the pedestals…
(flashback)
leon: on those ruins, I saw a cat-rabbit like creature wielding an oversized ring with powers over wind… seems odd, but awesome.
jessie: and the other murals, depicted a great battle, one fought between two armies on the ruins of a japanese castle, if i recall…
end flashback

Humph, those kids weren't lying, but to think klonoa and the sengoku era were depicted… i suppose those murals picture the present of each of the worlds involved… an interesting tought, but what were their plans for them…
he unveils a tome, with the symbol of a hand doing the peace sygil, the hand, however, was similar to that of a penguin…
it seems i will do good with the akashic records those waddle dees sell… (takes a peek on the ancients section) ok, here it says that after the ancients sealed fecto elfilis, and it tried to escape to claim revenge, they used it's power to open rifts to another worlds, hoping they could survive and prosper there…
too bad they didn't account for the villains of each world, the dark star from the mushroom kingdom was out on that time period, but the shadow queen wasn't… and by tec-XX's words
tec-XX: negative, the scan reveals that these ruins were built as a foundation for a civilization, by using that data, we can theorize that the ancient ruins of rogueport and these ones were the result of a collaborative effort of the ancients from here, with the ones of dream land… the shadow queen regretably ended both civilizations with her rise to power…before the four heroes of yore sealed her.
evaristus: then there was the guardian godess marle, who could feel the evil and ambition of the ancients, and could see their past acts, not letting them enter the puyo dimension, lunatea had the King of sorrow, phantomile had the song of rebirth and both had the noctis sol to keep them outside, as intruders to the dream worlds aren't allowed to stay, and i'm sure orochi decimated them back on the world of strife, they were scientists, not warriors, and that costed them dearly, but this would leave starr park as the outlier, as dream land was in clear dark matter war back then, especifically, shiver star was invaded, and that decimated the remaining humans… luckily, one family survived, the family of a painter who's good friends with Little kirbs…

Now, we have to theorize: were the crystals strong enough to corrupt or repel the ancients who tried setting foot in the fields that would soon become starr park, or was it there other fiend even stronger than them?
evaristus lost track of time, before his steed stopped, he arrived at his destination: the ruins of the wind…
better hope those hooligans do a greater job taking the elements of lunatea, we have to see which Works better for the ancient machine: the noctis sol, a magical sun which gives power and shape to the dream worlds, and can control the reality of klonoa's world, and the dreams and cognitions of others, or the elements of lunatea, representations of the five rulling emotions of the land: joy, tranquility, fury, doubt and sorrow… WHAT WAS THAT?!
he could sense foot steps, someone was coming here, and he suspected it was for the same reason he did: to claim the noctis sol…
evaristus grins, he wanted a good challenge, and these guys were going to do just fine…
outside…
the impossing figure of tenebrae hue was in sight, escorted by the nighty knights, he wanted the noctis sol to rule over the dream worlds, and possibly the entire universo of the dream traveller, but outside of that, he didn't knew of the multiverse.

Tenebrae: troops, today is the day the dream worlds crumble before our might… once we claim the noctis sol, nothing shall stop me from rulling over all, now, prepare the nightmare missile, the remaining troops shall capture the dream traveller… and my elite guard shall acompany me to claim what's RIGHTFULLY MINE!
evaristus: so many claim… but is the world truly yours to rule?
tenebrae was a Little surprised, then he was enraged.
tenebrae: just who do you think you are to refer to me as a commoner.
evaristus: sorry, it's just many try the conquest game… but seem a Little too short on resources and will power to carry it through…
tenebrae: it seems you're a veteran of war, why do you seek the noctis sol… (he sees his scythes) do you seek to kill this world?
evaristus: WHAT!? Nope, quite the opposite, i want to fuse many worlds together, and then declare war… (only then will they start to walk on the right path)
tenebrae grins… seeing opportunity.
tenebrae: our goals align, as i want to use the noctis sol to open portals to many worlds to conquer them… but why should i trust you, you're a mysterious man, an unknown figure…
evaristus smiles, knowing what happened next: would you want to waste many troops of yours fighting me, or i let you go claim the noctis sol, so then i can take it to use it myself, then after that's done, it's yours to claim…
tenebrae: you have nerve opposing the nightmares… but i admire your valor, very well.

We shall unite forces… but if you dare betray me… i will trap you on your worst nightmare.
evaristus: trust me, my nightmare is failing to achieve my ambition… and to do so, that would go against my creed, as evil as i am, i am a man of Word… sinful Word.
tenebrae: excellent… but to seal the deal… your name.
evaristus: gladly, evaristus… evaristus grand.
huepow arrives
huepow: HEY! WHO'S HERE?
tenebrae: we got company… nighty knights prepare for battle… (he then spots evaristus running) are you a coward lion?
evaristus: on the contrary, i'm a tactician, and i know fighting him will result in unnecesary loses for our cause… even if he's one, the cornered beast fights like a demon, easily vanquishing many… so i will go for the noctis sol, you in the meantime, retreat to the outskirts of breezegale.
tenebrae doubts him: take some of my nighty knights, they will help on taking over the noctis sol (and ensure he doesn't betray me)
evaristus: thanks for the man power hue… TIME TO RUN! (he hurries to the top of the ruins

Rivals- showdown starts playing here…
huepow is angered: come back in this instant… hey!
tenebrae raises his hand… the nighty knights unveil their lances…: STRIKE AT HIM.
the nighty knights rushed to attack, huepow however, had some tricks up his sleeve, as a spirit of the wind ring, he kept some powers of the sky, namely, summon tiny tornadoes, create powerful gusts, and spin into a tornado…

he then started launching tornados, dispersing the attackers…
however, while launching a wind gust to repel more of the nighty knights… he then saw tenebrae hue ride a White horse… courtesy of evaristus.
tenebrae: impressive… yet easily gullible, knights… WITHDRAW TO THE AGREED LOCATION!...

huepow: HEY! COME BACK, why are you here? Who are you?
huepow created a powerfull windgust, which was pushing tenebrae hue backwards, threatening to topple him of his steed…
tenebrae however, was amused and annoyed, while he's impressed with the powers cress's prince holds, now was not the time to fight head on, so conjuring the essence of nightmares… he cut through the wind… nay, slashed it with pinpoint prescision… the energy then pushed huepow back.
huepow: GAH…
tenebrae then raised the saddle of the White horse…: first, i am tenebrae hue, LORD OF NIGHTMARES, second, i'm here to claim the noctis sol… and rule all worlds.
huepow: you're wicked, i won't let you- and explosión cut him off, as evaristus's unit started igniting the nightmare missile…
evaristus's perspective.
evaristus was enjoying this, he saw the Little showcase given by huepow… but was also confident this was a secured victory for his side…
what's a kid doing against an army? He might have powers but- he stares at the nighty knights- lacks the man power to get anything done, shame… but anyways… hurry my steed, we're almost done.
the nighty knights were able to keep up with him, even when carrying a missile through seemingly endless staircases, that despite the years of decay, still remain strong and durable…
atop the ruins of the wind… evaristus was in awe.
-there it is… the noctis sol
the mysterious sun was cosmic blue in colors, the flames surrounding it were cyan, and when evaristus saw it, he could feel the dreams emanating and flowing into it…
-sorry pal, but as wonderful as you are… i must Split you up.
the nighty knights prepared the missile… rather than being a missile of destruction, it was a pocket dimensional trap, meant to contain and seal the noctis sol into a snowglobe, one with the power to travel between dreams…
huepow: stop right there.
evaristus: typical… bring it on, prince of cress.

Evaristus pulled his two scythes, the blood red blades reflected huepow's soul, every sin commited, while minimal in cuantity, were of more neutral terms when judged by their gravity… evaristus however, didn't have all the knowledge to start deciphering the sins…
huepow: i might not know you, but i won't let you harm phantomile.
evaristus: speak with your might… NOT YOUR MOUTH!
wind clashed with scythes, evaristus rushed ahead, huepow summoned a gust of wind… which grand countered by stabbing his scythes on the ruined floor, then like an alpinist, he alternated stabs with his scythes, approaching slowly… before rushing to strike huepow down… huepow was no slouch however, and created a wind barrier to bounce evaristus grand.
grand: yeouuch… nicely done, but that won't save you…
huepow: i wouldn't speak so soon...
the windgust which formerly was the barrier threw the nighty knights off balance, disrupting the missile… however… it also picked up a big Boulder from the pile of dirt evaristus created in his attempt to approach… and the Boulder impacted the missile… triggering the self destruct sequence…
huepow: oh no!
evaristus: this is bad, knights… WITHDRAW. (the nighty knights did as told and escaped the vicinity… leaving huepow and evaristus alone) this is really bad, the missile could destroy the noctis sol, and the damage dealt could be catasthrophic, and there's no way to turn of the launch protocol…
huepow then had an idea: maybe we could aim it somewhere else… like the sky.
evaristus: brilliant idea (note to self, start taking lessons in patience and stress endurance)
huepow used most of his wind powers to create a tornado bellow the missile launcher, spinning it to face the othe direction, evaristus was aiming… and then…
evaristus: FIRE!
the missile blasts off, exploding into multiple fireworks that iluminated the sky of phantomile.
huepow: pheww… now that leaves you.
he creates a wind barrier… which evaristus cuts.
evaristus: while i thank you for helping… i have to guide some troops to the retreat point… sorry for the problem.
huepow: not this time (he approaches evaristus) you're going to tell me who you are, and what do you seek.
evaristus: fine, i'm evaristus grand, and i seek the noctis sol, just for it's power.
huepow: really?
evaristus: now that i told you everything (he shatters the wind barrier with his scythe) i must leave… bye.
mounting his steed, evaristus blasts of into the distance, leaving huepow utterly confused about his intentions…
huepow: he's odd… i know he's up to no good, but what does he plan? (he sees an envelope on the floor) first him, now this, i'm sure something bad is going to happen… just in case, i better warn phantomile.
afterwards
the windmill song (breezegale's theme) plays here

Evaristus: that went badly… regrettable, just when victory seemed at sight, no matter, nighty knights, give this letter to master hue, tell him i failed thanks to my own carelessness (huepow was a great foe, but i was reckless too)… now, however, i must depart, you follow the road, i'll go to soemwhere else…
(for creatures born from nightmares, they seem to understand loyalty… impresive indeed) he ponders…
returning to the warp pipe that took him there, he entered it, returning to the shrine that allowed him to enter, atop la-lakooshka in lunatea… and alongside the pipe leading to phantomile, there was a pipe taking him back to the ruins, perfect for him, as that would be the key to escape.
evaristus: for a first day, not too shabby of an effort, even if it went in vain, now, time to return to starr park…
he jumps into the warp pipe, as morning arises on the worlds.
here plays hall of the thousand year door

Rogueport ruins, the rainbow ruins's sanctum.

Morning's light was iluminating the forsaken chappel, the diamond star atop the fountain shone brightly, as if giving hope for another day.

Evaristus, while still a Little angry over the loss of the noctis sol, still had hope in succeeding…
he knew that shelly and friends would be away, that could give him the perfect time to rest, and study what drives the brawlers to fight…
meanwhile, before the confrontation in phantomile, in starr park…

Shelly finds an odd letter, one with the symbol of a blue hand giving a peace sign…
colt: what's that about?
shelly: i dunno, only one way to figure out... (she opens it, revealing the letter)
"to the hero of starr park, good morning, i am king dedede, you can say i rule over a land of dreams, i wanted you to bring leon, jessie, nita, bibi and bea, and bring three more of your liking to dream land, as they know, in the mysterious ruins, the pipe with a star sign shall be your way to go…
hurry, for i know a great evil threatens to rise to destroy us all… but i know that with your help, we can strive to deny him that machiavelism…
sincerely… the King of dream land."

Elsewhere, in lunatea…

Lolo and popka were gathering flowers, it was their free day from tending to her priestess duties and enjoy life, her pink shirt flowed seamlessly with the wind… and she was unnusually cheery.
popka, however, wasn't surprised, as klonoa would be arriving, after their misadventures to save lunatea, lolo and klonoa grew closer… even if they were terrible at handling their feelings… popka, on his end, respected the cabbit, it's just that seeing two people who clearly have a mutual crush can be an annoyance, however, there was more to klonoa's visit.
popka: remember lolo, klonoa ain't just visiting to catch up with us for a reunion, he's also coming here thanks to important dream traveller business…
lolo: of course, at least i'm glad he's visiting, unlike you (popka: WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT?!)… but the great priestess hasn't felt any ill, and her mastery over light meant her body and soul were atuned with the world, so what could be menacing lunatea?
in a flash, on the sea of tears… klonoa was trying his hardest to swim… he hated rivers and lakes for that reason… but when you're carrying an envelope with a letter, there's EVEN LESS reasons to stay in the water.
lolo: KLONOA! (she pulled him up, and then hughed him)
klonoa: lolo… (the two out of akward feeling of the moment, reuniting after a while) so how have been things here in lunatea?
lolo: they are going great, leorina and tat are rebuilding the kingdom of sorrow, la-lakooshka is being restored to it's glory, volk ain't in a civil war… it's overall nicer than when we travelled together…
popka however, was focusing on the envelope… and snatches it from klonoa.
popka: well, ain't this interesting.
klonoa: oh, i forgot about it… that's why i arrived, that very letter arrived to my house… and in a flash, i was travelling here…
popka: what are we waiting, let's see what it is.
as popka opens the letter (his claws serving as a makeshift cutter) they admire the envelope, the sigil of the hand doing the peace sign, the mixture of reds, yellows and oranges, but what called their attention the most… was the letter itself:

"to the dream traveller:
if you're Reading this letter, then it means that a new evil has risen, one that menaces many worlds, including your own, and while we've been trying to find ways to defeat it, time's not being kind… so i want you to join an assembly between worlds held at dream land,( one could say that is the capital of the multiverse… heheh), one that hopefully, will find out the identity of our enemy, so that we can save our worlds from it… and your good friend huepow is also arriving, as phantomile's representative, so please… hurry…

Sincerely: the King of dreams…

Postdate: just to ensure that you can ACTUALLY arrive here in dream land… i packed a warp star for you to ride on…"

Klonoa: a warp star? Wonder what it is…
popka: sounds like candy.
lolo: wait… why the envelope is flashing?!
and from the envelope, the warp star emerged.
lolo: woah… what a beautiful star… and it seems it wants us to ride it.
popka: neato… i'll take drivers seat to ensure you two don't make a mess.
lolo: but wait, we have to tell the high priestess-
leorina: that won't be necessary.
from the skies, a plane of red and blue was seen in the distance, a majestic flight, the pilot? The sky pirate leorina, accompanied by tat, a twin colored, ying yang cat… who was covering the high priestess's eyes.
tat: meow… what do we have here? Klonoa, i'm happy to see you… but it seems that letter found you first.
lolo: tat… how are you? (lolo had a Little of a grudge with tat, mainly due to her being a persistent threat on their journey through lunatea, taking the element of joy, and blocking klonoa's path to volk's reactor room)
tat: fine like a spring breeze.
leorina (annoyed): CAN WE FOCUS ON THE MATTER AT HAND?
lolo and tat: of course.
leorina: good, now back to the envelope…
high priestess: that envelope also arrived in the temple, from a star shaped portal… and it told me of an upcoming evil, and due to the way that King of dreams wrote it, it seems lunatea runs a great risk by letting it go unnoticed, so i'm allowing you, who saved lunatea once to voyage to lands unknown, including you lolo.
lolo: thank you high priestess, i won't disappoint lunatea, nor our goddess claire.
just as she was about tos ay farewell…
popka: HURRY UP, or' ill depart alone.
lolo: ok, bye…-WOAH! (she unluckily tripped… and then tackled klonoa)
klonoa: WAAH!
and then took leorina and tat with them…
leorina: why?
tat: NONONO!
and the big ball of mishaps landed neatly on the warp star, as a dimensional rift, shaped like a star started opening…
leorina: hang on tight, this will be a trip to behold.
klonoa: sorry to not be able to stay a bit longer, but i'm glad to see you again high priestess, good luck keeping everyone calm…
high priestess: and good luck to you…
and just as they parted ways, the warp star blasted of into the horizon, onto the unknown edges of the cosmos…
here plays waddle dee town's theme

Back in starr park… at the exit.

Shelly was back in her game, after the mess of the ruins and introducing evaristus to everyone, she was back in action…
trading blows snipes against willow, she celebrated her victory with the acrobatic sisters janet and Bonnie…
of course, she was also inviting them to join them into their Little voyage to a land unknown…
janet: well, i would gladly join, but even so, there's a risk in leaving everyone alone… and while i'll gladly explore the world with my sister… i rather not return to a destroyed starr park.
shelly: yeah… so i decided to call some back up.
mr. P. and gale show up.
mr. P: ok, here are your things packed up, and a Little list of adendums: no brawling near the ruins, no brawling inside the snowtel, barley's is neutral terrain, and destruction of any property will be punished, with community service… is that enough to keep them in check?
shelly: enough indeed, just don't go too far, outside the snowtel, you're in charge, but not the leader.
mr. P: trust me, i know how to be a supervisor, tell those dream landers about my business.
shelly: of course.
gale: ok boss, shall we leave to prepare everything?
mr. P grins, for once, everyone would listen to him, in the form of the addendums, and expanding his business to other worlds seems a good enough investment.: of course, gale, lou, prepare… because we're in charge, for about a day.
janet: ok, guess it's time to part, well Bonnie, we're going to another world, ain't that exiting?
Bonnie: yippie, i've always wanted to explore the cosmos, even though it wasn't because of my cannon and skill, i can at least conform to the journey at hand.
janet: that's the spirit, now imagine us expanding our act to other worlds…
stu: b-e ca-r-r-refull o-o-out there, who knows what problems there could be… thanks for the fix jessie.
jessie: don't worry, and besides, we somewhat need a way to keep track of what happens in starr park.
leon: after all, one day of brawls can change the place massively… and we don't want mandy and chester's fights to derail to our homes.
bo shows up, his Eagle cap and toy bow, modified for hunting in hand, he is leon and nita's brother.
bo: seems like destiny already has plans for you.
leon: nothing too big a deal, we can deal with it anytime.
bo: the confident lion strives… but knows when to be humble.
jessie: considering your reputation leon… i better ready scrappy to keep you in check.
pam: i'm proud of you jessie, you're exploring the multiverse, the ultimate frontier… just return home safely.
jessie: ok mom take care.
bo: guess it's parting hours, show the new world what you've got, make friends, but be wise of foes.
nita: thanks bro, but it seems this is good bye, for the moment, may the spirits guide you.
leon: bye bo, keep that bow straight.
shelly: ok, everyone's ready?
we cut to bibi and bea teaming up to carry a camp tent, some Wood and pots.
bea: now we're ready.
bibi: even with mister bat at hand… better play it safe.
colt: well then, to dream land we go…
shelly: ok, then in three…
Bonnie: two…
colt: and one…
shelly: to a new world we go.!
the crew entered the warp pipe, as reality unfolded on the steel pipe, they entered a somewhat astral plane…
shelly: woah… this is truly amazing

Colt: gives cosmic marvel a new meaning, still, i look better up close…

Bonnie: this is amazing, so many stars, the cosmos is wittin our reach…
janet: calm down Bonnie, we better focus on the task at hand…
leon: guys… we're reaching the end of the pipe…
jessie: great…
1.2.3.
everyone: WHAT?!

before they landed in dream land… they already were in a panic… and then, from the other side of the star shaped pipe, the brawlers entered dream land…
well, shelly, colt, janet and Bonnie gracefully landed.
leon and jessie hughed each other… and felt face first (leon and jessie: ouch…), bibi spun out, before catching bea in a waltz like grab… only to fall to the floor dizzy, and nita… well, she felt on top of leon.
leon: nita… great, another headache for today.
and in front of them… was the penguin King of dream land… with a grin of gold, and a pink puff, as well as an orange waddling head with a bandana…

King dedede: WELCOME TO DREAM LAND. EHEHEHEH.
kirby: it's nice to see new faces, i'm kirby, and this is bandana dee. (bandee: Hello)
shelly: well, call me surprised, a penguin is dream land's King…
dedede: well… if that's what you call surprising, then the wonderful land of dreams beyond green greens shall be a wonderful adventure… but we're lacking our other guests.
leon: other… jessie: guests?
bandana dee: yeah, a dream traveller named klonoa, he was supposed to be here.
bea remembers the murals: wait, THAT klonoa, as in the cabbit depicted on the murals?
dedede: of course… but personally i would consider him more rabbit than cat.
however… just before they could introduce themselves…
klonoa: HUNYAAAH!
lolo: SOMEBODY HELP US!
popka: THIS STAR WON'T BUDGE!
the lunatea crew passed by… crashing into whispy's Woods.
dedede: that's… clearly an entrance if i've seen one… let's go help them.
shelly was eager to know more of dream land… as were the other brawlers: count us in.
dedede: nice, i like your enthusiam… but why?
colt: they seem like nice people, and besides, vehicle crashes aren't funny, even if they are magical stars…
bandana dee: fair enough, come on kirby, we have a misión in hand.
kirby: and to think i hoped this would be a peaceful day, no matter… new adventure here we go.
however, they weren't the only parties involved… as evaristus made his way through the forest… only this time, he was leading his army, the proudly named army of hatred… or the sinful Alliance.
evaristus: ok here's the plan, we need to sneak through whispy's forest, that way we can easily take the rainbow bridge to the rainbow islands, from there, we gather each rainbow drop, and reforge the rainbow sword with them… that should make the artifact of dream land… (then the crash happens…)
evaristus: but it seems fate won't be kind… troops, to your battle stations.
the liutennant of evaristus shows up.
henrik leichter: boss, this is risky, we don't know what awaits us, and with that crashed warp star, dream land's heroes could arrive at any moment…
evaristus: fair point leichter… however, life always throws curveballs and dificulties for one to surpass… but in any case, i shall lead a small 5000 man troop, you set a fire attack nearby, a CONTROLLED ONE.
leichter: right, we don't want to destroy whispy's forest… but maybe an ambush would be better…
evaristus: seems you're learning, now HURRY, they're approaching.

Elsewhere
leon: while i admit this forest is cool… it's also too calm for my liking…
shelly: true, but for once i appreciate the calm atmosphere…
dedede: well, this is a wonder unique to us, whenever whispy Woods decides to cooperate, that is.
nita: whispy who?
kirby: whispy Woods, the guardian tree of the forest, while we are in coo's Woods, the deeper edge of the forest belongs to whispy, he's usually benevolent…
bea: neat, a living tree… but why the mostly?
bandana dee: evil tends to target him first.
colt: eliminating the strong to open the weak link… i suppose.
dedede frowns: worse, they possess him, corrupt him into a champion of darkness.
the brawlers are shocked.
bibi: WHAT DO YOU MEAN POSSESS?!
shelly: just what's wrong here… to possess a tree and turn it into a demon?
kirby: believe me or not, while i easily surpass him, he's no slouch, and for a tree, he's tough as the Wood from his Woods.
leon: so, we hope he ain't corrupt?
dedede: simple.
leon spots the star…
leon: HEY LOOK, it's them… (he points at the fallen warp star, the others turn to see it, he then starts running)

Leon tought: this is my chance to impress this King of dreams, all we have to do, is save those who crashlanded…

He smirks: first to them wins.

Bibi: not so fast leon.
nita: i'm in…
dedede: WAIT!

But it was too late, they already went ahead… a mistake they would soon regret.

Leon and bibi arrive first…

Only to find a figure that would traumatize them…
dedede oh no…
in front of the kids, was a figure in a crimson cloack, pieces of samurai armor would be seen in his legs and arms… what was of note, was his crimson red eye, one that pierced souls, and in one hand, he ha done scythe, the other was sheated… but in his right hand… he took a katana, and atop his crimson steed… he prepared for battle.
leon: who…,
bibi: are…
nita: you…
evaristus (fate's vessel): you could say i'm a vessel for fate, and it was fated that we would meet… leon.
leon was shocked: how did you?-
evaristus: simply say, a good friend told me, and you wish to save those who crashed here?
bibi: what if we are, you have no right to ask (she pulls her bat)
evaristus: ever the confident bibi (bibi: what the-) but that won't help, for this is not your struggle, not your own at least… for you're trying to impress the King.

Leon: you'd knew?
evaristus: a sinner sees all… but enough talk (drawing his second scythe, a despicable sight, it's blade was crimson, polished and bathed in blood and sin, while the other, of bluish tone, seemed sacred, as if forged in holy water)… let us clash, sinner versus brawler… let's see what you can do.
leon: you got it… punk.
nita: i'll show you the beast.
bibi: time for mister bat to show you pain.
evaristus: good… confidence is the first sin one must VANQUISH FROM THEIR SOUL.

Here plays sad duel (the supreme king's theme)

Leon opens the battle by throwing shurikens folded from candy wraps… evaristus simply spinned his scythe and slashed them.
leon: there goes my attack.
evaristus: if what you consider an attack, others consider pathetic, Young kid.
leon: who allowed you to speak.
the following clashes were more vivid, as bibi kept swinging her bat, recklessly… but with intent, nita, on her end, summoned bruce, and seeing how the hooded man mounted his horse like a steed, she decided to mount bruce.
nita: together, we'll show him ur wrath, ROAAAAAAAR!
evaristus grins: too bad a beast, has no compassion or apathy to guide their strikes…
the claws of bruce were met with blade slashes from the katana, leon threw more stars, hitting the hoofs of his steed.
evaristus: now we're talking… but it's time to get serious.
as he jumped of his steed, something changed, the aura he exuded, was one of despair and hatred… yet resolve and fury.
nita felt the changes, her spiritual awareness she developed when befriending bruce, somehow was backfiring on her…

Nita (furious): GRAH, JUST STOP DODGING!

as for the first time, she was feeling emotions that didn't belong to her, something evaristus exploited… claw swipe after shockwave, no matter what nita and bruce did, evaristus was one step ahead… always parrying blocking and dashing ahead…until he stopped, nita, seeing the chance, ordered bruce to attack, hatred fogging her mind…

he wanted that.

In an unexpected move, he went forward… and slided bellow bruce.
nita: YOUU-
but it was too late, he then slashed bruce with his scythe, while merely a scratch, the momentum he had, combined with the fact bruce was landing from pounce, toppled the bear… and nita with him.
nita: GAAAAAAH…

Evaristus then rushed into nita, now unconscious from the impact with the floor… and placed his scythe at her neck…

Evaristus: sorry to say miss nita… but it seems your fate is sealed… regretable, but such is life… now-
leon: NITA!... that's it, no one messes with MY SISTER! (leon was enraged now, for the first time, his confidence became a hollow, vengeful rage)…
bibi was annoyed: if you mess with me, that's one thing, messing with my friends is ANOTHER ONE!.
chanelling her hypercharge, and using sticky gum, she blew two bubblegums… and launched them into the air.
bibi then took her bat, and prepared to swing.
bibi: and here's a Little thing for you to know, no one escapes my bubblegum blast… hay… YAH!
with a precise swing of mr. Bat, she sent the two bubbles straight at evaristus.
evaristus: for real?
he then nonchalantly swung his scythes, and popped the balloons, bibi was banking on that, as the bubblegum spread through, trapping him…
bibi: gotcha.
evaristus: that's a foolish assumption.
bibi: WHAT NOW?!
evaristus recovered, using his scythes as anchors for his steps… he then went into the offensive, taking out his katana to strike bibi…
bibi: watch it, punk.
bat met blade, it was a struggle, bibi's swings were fast and contundent, yet reckless, evaristus's were more prescise, while slower, he eventually took the upper hand.
bibi: uh oh…
and he grabbed her.
bibi: HEY!
and stabbed her… bat, only to use the handle of his scythe… to swing her out.
bibi: WHY… you…

The scene painted, scared leon, who was trying to go for a sneak attack with his invisibility.
leon: bibi, nita… are you ok?
the fact he saw a friend of his and his sister injured gravely because of his recklessness… made a deep scar.
then, evaristus shows up, in front of leon… who tried to make himself invisible… only for the blades to trap him…
evaristus: while i commend your audacity, i'm afraid i must condeem your pride, you thought you could surpass me, that you could fight and win… and here we are, your sister is injured, so is your Little punk friend, and had it been for you, maybe jessie too.
leon: DON'T BRING HER INTO THIS…
evaristus: you don't understand… you're the one who made them suffer…
your Little cocky attitude, thinking you can sneak your way out…

Life doesn't work that way, and i asume you use yor invisibility to hide from the demons within your soul…
leon is nervous…: that's not true.
evaristus was annoyed: then what about the countless times you stole from mandy, driving her mad… or the countless pranks, face it leon… you're not worthy of your namesake… you're a coward… ONE WHO DESERVES TO DIE!
raising his scythe, evaristus was about to deliver the final blow…
until something unexpected happened.
he felt… pain, a claw… nay, a human hand, sharpened by strife, slashed his back.
evaristus: GAAAAAAAH…
only for a bat to swing his scythe away.
bibi: and that's what you get…
nita: for messing with my bro.
evaristus was… impressed: i'm glad you won.
nita: wait… what do you mean? (nita was confused)
even when facing death, the end of all… even when all odds were against you, even greatly wounded, you still stood for your family and friends… a true warrior can see another, and i'm proud… as for him… (he points at leon… scared) his pride was vanquished unnaturally… while yours was surpassed… but i will return, for i still have the drive to fight… just like you, tokugawa.
bibi… was shocked, scared and shaken by such a reveal…
bibi: oh nonono, you clearly must be joking…
evaristus: i'm not, by the way you fight, your slashes remind me of tadakatsu honda… and playing possum, feinting a painful wound, is a brilliant strategy worthy of the tanuki… don't go hidding your past, for it will find you.
bibi just couldn't believe it… her father's lineage… he KNEW IT…
bibi: but… how do you?-

Evaristus: a sinner knows by the nature of their link to the sea of souls… after all, divine forces are what judge our willingness to atone.
as for them… (he points at an unconscious klonoa, lolo, popka, leorina and tat), winner's keepers, and i'm a man of sinful Word.
those words seemed familiar for leon…
who was just happy nita and bibi were alive.
leon: i'm glaf you're alive and well (he hughs bibi and nita, bibi: keep the sentimentalisms for later. Nita: can't breathe) sorry… for getting you into this mess, had i known i was risking your lives… perhaps i could have waited…
bibi: leon… (bibi knew what was happening… the man broke him down)
nita: bro, you're not the kind of brawler to wallow in despair, chameleons are tricky and confident…
leon: BUT WHAT IF THAT CONFIDENCE KILLS SOMEONE YOU LOVE?
nita felt a cold, distant despair, one similar to that of the hooded figure, words that her brother wouldn't mutter… became natural to him… she was scared, she didn't knew her brother anymore, for the man in crimson, broke his soul…
dedede: there you are kiddos, nearly killed me of shock.
shelly was angry: What have i told you about…- is leon ok? (even she could see just how scarred he was)
jessie: hey, leon, are you ok?
leon: not in the mood, King, there they are… unconscious, yet alive, take them to the castle… i will return home…
dedede was not having it.: NO.
leon: what?
dedede: you're not returning home… just look at you, you look like you've seen a ghost… and i don't even know you to asume… you faced your demons…
jessie: leon… what happened… tell us, we can help.
leon… just broke into tears…: i tried to impress the King, tought we could get this done… and then, we fought a mysterious man… he NEARLY KILLED NITA AND WOUNDED BIBI… and i was POWERLESS, a witness to their tragic end… are you really expecting me to be smug… that victory was no tours… if anything, we just got spared from dying due to mere luck.
shelly just couldn't believe it… leon, a confident, capable and sneaky brawler, was thorn in tears, almost regretting his life…
then the King spoke: the fact you've danced with death and survived is proof enough you have potential… but it also proves your mortality, for you've seem to have forgotten the cold grap of the end… and with it, your fears… the fact your demons stroke you down… only means they are allowing you a chance to surpass them…
leon: what… what do you even mean?
jessie: he means you have to stand up, you cannot let that man scare you that easily, you must accept that loss, and grow, if not for you… then for the ones you love… can't believe i'm saying this, but i miss the old you… the confident, sneaky, snarky one… a nihilistic man is what i see, not the leon i know…
leon: but what if you were there… what if you got hurt… what if YOU DIED THERE?
jessie wasn't expecting that… a cold, disonant possibility…
dedede however was: can't dive into the past… for it is past… the future is still a mystery, but so long as we have the present, we can enjoy and make our lifes and dreams… don't let death take that away.
leon however, was still crying…
shelly was a Little dissapointed in leon's grief, but when the King left him with jessie, bibi and nita… she somewhat understood…
shelly: why do you let them mourn… they don't deserve it.
dedede: they need a reminder of grief… let's just say from experience, even the most brave heroes need to grieve from time to time, ponder on their life…
shelly: but, they're just kids…
dedede: kids who had to face the demons of war… and if you wish to help them, let them grieve… for if we don't stop that hooded man… then war shall truly began…
kirby: i'll ready the warp star…
bandana dee: won't be necesary, waddle corps… (a thousand waddle dees appeared), carry our unconscious guests back to the castle, nurse them.
the waddle dees carried lolo, klonoa, popka, leorina and tat gently, yet with an alarming prescision of warfare.
shelly: nice army you got… i just wish i could've helped.
dedede: one cannot predict their friends, one can help them learn from their failures, but like them… you need to not ponder on the past too much, or the present shall flee.
back at the clearing…
leon: you don't understand jessie, he fought to kill, this was no brawl… and for a moment, i tought my sister and friend would both die… i don't want to think what would've been if you showed up…
jessie: stop mourning, i'm here, and i'm with you… don't worry about that… or maybe… i should be worrying with you… my mind ain't clear… you and your existential crisis is making me have one…
nita: what do you mean…
jessie: brawls were friendly, frantic, and fun battles, to see a person fighting to kill, fighting to gain something… and use deadly force… am i really one to tell leo to relax… or is he right and maybe we're out of our league?
bibi: alone, maybe… but together, we can win…
jessie: but what if he tries to kill you again?
nita: we will have to cover for the other… no matter what…
leon: heh, thanks guys… but maybe i should cry…
jessie: at least i'll cry with you… (maybe our grief is one in the same)
bibi: let me join too, he just made me doubt myself…

Nita: he's my bro… and besides, i carry part of the guilt…

Bea: and besides… we're together… in happiness and grief.

And so… outside whispy's forest, five friends share dan experience that broke their beliefs and past mentalities, while a soft showcase of the horrors of war… they wouldn't walk out of that the same…
elsewhere…

Evaristus: why i was so CRUEL… i should've just holded back, but no, i had to threaten their lives… even though i would never have landed the killing blow… to make such a threat… even for a mere showcase, a demonstration of what they're getting into… you have done a horrible sin grand…

Leichter: boss, are you ok?
evaristus: no, but you must progress were i falter… give pam junker and bo flora compensation Money… they will need it… and tell them, their kids are formidable… im proud of them… as for the star rod… let's reschedule it for tomorrow
leichter: as you wish… let me guess, you've overdone your routine…
evaristus: a simple mistake, one with grave consecuences…
leichter: don't worry boss, besides, they won… they managed to bounce back… and kirby, knowing him, shall help them…
evaristus: let that be one of the few times evaristus grand must become a demon, to ensure the peace of all…

End of CHAPTER...