Not in Dream Land Anymore

Kirby knew hunger. In fact, he wasn’t much beside it. His body was practically a black hole he never quite managed to fill. The mass of humanoid creatures before him however, showed a hunger completely unfamiliar to him. He swallowed one, trying to take on its power, but it only transferred its terrible emptiness onto him, and a horrible urge to join the mass of writhing limbs.

He spew it out as fast as he could, reverting back to the simpler tactic of punching and kicking everything that moved.

Eventually, the foursome managed to fight the army to a standstill, many of the odd warriors falling and broken apart into purple smoke. Suddenly, a buzzing overhead drew Kirby’s attention to a mantled figure carrying a metal orb to the center of the stage. With a loud thud it was dropped, flanked by two robots, and opened to reveal a timer. Mario didn’t hesitate to charge the thing, Kirby following immediately, when a loud blast from an unseen cannon struck Mario, unceremoniously removing him from the fight.

It was a distraction. Getting his bearings, Kirby finally noticed how the mass of bodies had warped into the grotesque form of a giant piranha plant. The thing was all teeth and tentacles, and with his fighting partner gone, he only had the princesses left.

At least, that’s what he thought. Kirby couldn’t quite comprehend what he saw as the two women were consumed by the creature. It was not like when he absorbed an enemy. When he did that, the creature itself disappeared entirely into his mouth, whereas here…

Both of the princesses hung helplessly in the air, arms and legs spread out like a star, completely wrapped up in greenish vines. The things moved constantly, slithering over their bodies into their mouths, even under their dresses, as if trying to find something hidden.

Kirby didn’t have time to stand and investigate, as clearly they were in need of help. Frantically, he started cutting through the abomination, until finally he managed to slice his companions free.

First, Peach rolled onto the floor, barely conscious, next Zelda dropped down as the creature itself slunk over the side of the stage. The princess let herself be helped up, spit out some purplish goo, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and got back in fighting position as if nothing had happened.

“Thank you.”

They were both once again surprised by a sudden attack in the shape of a dark arrow, piercing right through Peach’s abdomen, turning her instantly into a trophy. A short, evil looking man laughed heartily as he emerged onto the stage, picked up the trophy, and swung it over his shoulder.

They sprung into action, giving chase to the mocking cackle, when Kirby noticed the timer running out.

Only with the help of a super star, transporting them with lightning speed from the arena, did they manage to escape the blast of black and purple energy, which expanded like dark bubble, consuming the stage, the arena, and all the innocent souls within.