#blinding shadows

His mom- That horrible maggot-infested smoke-snorting son-of-a-toad... She was the one who was going to pay. He was going to take every ember of fire to the face, but he didn’t care about the pain, just as long as it meant he’d get to rip Victory in two. But he would need a little help. And he knew someone who was perfect for the job: Someone else who wanted Victory dead. And hopefully, just this once, they could put aside their differences and come to an agreement, for the sake of revenge.

The point of this post is to just let y’all know that I still plan on doing these series, just kind of recuperating for the moment before I can go full blast on them again.

After a while, he decided to go with everyone else, because why not. Not like he had anything better to do. He was choosing to ignore what just happened for his own sake, otherwise his brain might melt. He had to run a bit to catch up with Goose, because otherwise he’d have no idea where they were going. You’d think that, as a guest, they’d TELL him where they were going. Then again, most of the people in the group didn’t know him, one didn’t like him, and one was his best friend. And then there was Goose. Who is DEFINITELY NOT his friend, because that spot was reserved for Kirby. But he was better than most people. He didn’t really know what to call Goose. He skidded to a halt right next to said green shape, who flinched. “Hey. Do you know where we’re going?” He asked. “No? I don’t know where anything is around here. We’re all new here, remember?” Goose answered. Somehow, Marx had already forgotten this massive detail. Oops. “I’m just following Kirby.” He added. Dear Nova, he better not have heard too much back there... Or in general. “Don’t worry, I didn’t.” Goose suddenly said, startling Marx. “You don’t have to worry about controlling your every thought, because frankly, your brain is a mess and is hard to read.” Goose explained. GOOD, he yelled in his head. Goose snickered. Suddenly, Goose took a turn, and Marx recognized where they were going. “To the Castle? For lunch? Really?” He said. Goose shrugged. “I saw Kirby go this way, i’m just following him.” Marx had been to the Castle before. Once. For a party. He normally was never invited to parties at the Castle (Or anywhere, really) for obvious reasons, but on one occasion, Kirby asked the King if Marx could come. And the King, being a giant mushball, caved in (Not that Marx could blame him). That was his first time being at a real party. And that was also how he learned he HATED parties, despite the Jester attire. The concept sounded amazing, but one thing was stopping him from enjoying it- The crowds. It was bad enough with him having no idea how to talk to people, but it was made worse due to nobody liking him. It was also way too loud and the lights were blindingly bright. He only stayed for the food. And Kirby. MOSTLY FOOD. They approached the Castle’s near-comically large entrance and entered. The place actually didn’t look half bad. Or maybe that was just because there were less people then the last time he went. Of course, there were the Waddle Dees that always scurried around the halls, but they were fine, since they were quiet. Marx continued to follow Goose, who was following Kirby around the place. Does that big oaf just let ANYONE waltz right into his Castle? He’d heard of hospitality, but this looked more like carelessness than anything. They entered a new area he hadn’t been in before. Last time, the guests were limited to the main room, the big one. He assumed from the very long table and the gazillion chairs that surrounded it that they were in some sort of dining room. That fancy one way in the back must’ve been for the King. No, it HAS to be- Just look at the support on that thing! Perfectly made to hold something large and heavy.  He spotted Kirby sitting down, and quickly went to sit next to him. He paused when he noticed that Goose was following him. “What are you doing?” He whispered harshly, so the echo of the large room didn’t catch his voice. “Are you planning on trying to read my mind?” He asked defensively. Goose’s wings tensed around him anxiously. “N-no, I just... You’re the only person I kind of know here, and I don’t feel comfortable sitting next to strangers... I’d feel a lot safer if I had someone I know sit next to me.” Goose explained nervously. “Well, if you plan on trying to rebuild your reputation with the locals, then I doubt sitting next to ME will help.” Marx pointed out. Goose shook his head. “Even if that is true, I... I’d feel so much better if I could sit next to you. Please? I promise, i’ll stay away from your thoughts.” He pleaded. Marx let out a defeated sigh. “Fine, I GUESS you can sit next to me.” He responded. Goose smiled a thankful and warm smile that made Marx feel all weird, which made NO SENSE, because that only happened when he was with Kirby! Marx sat down next to Kirby, with Goose sitting on his other side. “Oh, Marx! You came!” Kirby said in his sunshiney voice. Before Marx could return the greeting, Kirby noticed Goose sitting next to him. “Oh, it’s you! You’re the guy who saved Meta Knight!” He chirped. Goose tipped his head down and looked at Kirby. “You mean Eclipse? Yeah... I guess I kind of did, didn’t I?” He said thoughtfully. Kirby looked at both Marx and Goose. “Are you guys friends?” He asked. Marx answered “No.” Quickly. The two exchanged a glance. “I mean- He never walked up to me and specifically asked to be my friend! And- Besides, you’re already my friend!” He explained awkwardly. “Well, why can’t he be your friend, too? You can have more than one at a time, you know-” Kirby was suddenly cut off when Meta Knight and his group sat down at the table with them, Scarlet and Diamond sitting directly across from the three of them. Both were eagerly looking at a very tense Goose, Scarlet holding a notepad. “Tell me everything about your powers!”

Before he could agree, Marx was interrupted by an angry Meta Knight. “What were you thinking?!” He scolded. “You were supposed to wait for me! She could’ve killed you!” Marx hissed at him. “Oh i’m sorry, was I SUPPOSED to just stand around and do nothing? If I waited for you, she’d have been halfway across the planet!” He argued. “Besides, why do you care? It’s not like you to care about me. It’s almost touching.”  Meta Knight growled, folding his wings. “You know what? You’re right. What do I care? If she did kill you, it wouldn’t be my fault.” Marx was about to say something back, but Kirby stepped in. “Meta Knight!” He cried, visibly upset at the Knight’s harsh words. Marx wasn’t that hurt by it. I’ve gotten worse. “Don’t say stuff like that!” He continued. “I’m gonna guess that you two aren’t the greatest buddies.” Grandeur remarked. “That’s the nicest way of saying it.” Marx huffed. “But it’s not me! HE’S the one who’s being all butthurt about- About something that happened a long time ago!” He cried, almost giving himself away. Meta Knight violently turned his attention back to the jester, his wings tense. “What you did those few years ago was unspeakable! You-” Marx quickly cut him off. “-WHAT’S IMPORTANT is that I didn’t actually pull it off, and YOU’RE throwing a fit for no reason! Besides, I’m TRYING to be better- Which I remind you ALL THE TIME- But you can’t even appreciate that i’m trying!” Marx argued back truthfully. He was about to bring up more valid arguments before Kirby stopped him by gently tapping him with his wing, which made Marx go quiet. “I’m sure Marx had good intentions. He was just trying to stop Vic- My mom- Just like you, right?” He pointed out. Meta Knight grumbled something under his breath that Marx couldn’t hear (But was positive it was something NASTY), then turned to the group silently. “Are you ok?” Kirby asked Marx quietly, concerned. Marx’s heart jumped. “Whuh? Oh yeah, i’m FINE.” He answered quickly as his chest did that annoying fluttery thing it did sometimes. “You didn’t HAVE to stand up for me, you know! I TOTALLY had that!” He tried to say casually. “I know, you say that a lot, but... Are you?” He asked again, this time more sincere. Marx flinched. “Yes!... Maybe. Actually- I don’t know. I mean- I feel fine... ish? I mean, I’m used to hearing things like that, so...” He shrugged. Kirby’s wings drooped. “I know, and that’s why i’m worried about you.” He sighed. “You’re... Worried? About- About ME?” Marx echoed. “Yes!” Kirby cried, making him jump. “It’s not right, the way people treat you. The fact that you hear things like that so much so that you’re used to it- It’s awful. I know you, and I know that you really don’t deserve this.” Kirby suddenly hugged him, making him tense up. “It’s not fair.” He sighed. Marx was frozen. He wasn’t sure if Kirby was hugging him too tight, or if his lungs just stopped working, but he could barely breathe, as if he’d forgotten how to. He had no idea how to respond to any of this. Before he could even try to react, Kirby pulled back. “Well... Are you coming with us? For lunch?” Kirby asked. “I, uh- Yeah...” Marx responded, still dazed. Kirby waved as he went to go catch up with Meta Knight and his group. Marx stared after him, his thoughts starting to clear up. What was THAT. He was shaking, and he didn’t know why. “Um. Are you ok?” Goose asked from behind him, making him screech and nearly jump a mile. “DON’T SNEAK UP ON ME LIKE THAT.” He shouted. Goose blinked at him. “Did I? Sneak up on you?” He said. “Well, sorry if I did. So...” He started awkwardly. “Your, um, friend-” He cut him off. “YEAH WHAT ABOUT HIM?” Marx interrupted. Goose gave him a curious look. “Nothing! It’s just... I’ve never heard such a violent reaction to a hug...” When Marx gave him a weird look, Goose tapped his own head to remind him of the mind reading. Marx flared his wings defensively. “That’s- I just- We’re not-” He stammered. Goose raised his hand. “It’s fine!” He said. He looked over in the direction everyone went. “Well... I’ve got some explaining to do. I’ll see you there, ok?” He said as he brushed his wing against Marx’s, then leaving. And Marx stood alone, in the middle of the grassy plains.

The crowd all seemed to move as one, all turning to look at the source of the commotion. Marx followed their gaze to see a clearing in the crowd, in which two figures were fighting while bystanders struggled to stay out of their way. One figure was pink- Not pink like Kirby- but more of a red-orangey firey pink, like a sunrise on fire. The other was much different- Much bigger, and the deepest shade of blue Marx had ever seen, With massive bat-like wings that seemed in pretty bad shape. Marx instinctively inched closer to get a better look, and nobody else dared to do the same. They were probably looking at him like he was crazy behind his back. Which was something he was used to seeing from the locals, so he didn’t care. Well, THEY don’t know what I can do! I bet I could kill both of them if I wanted to! ...Ok, now THAT was the kind of thought he would NOT share with Kirby. The two roaring combatants fought like stray cats, kicking up dirt around them furiously. The blue one lunged at the pink one, but the smaller figure was fast and moved like a blur, swiftly dodging blow after blow, attack after attack, all while landing sudden blows to the blue one like lightning. Suddenly, the larger being disappeared before everyone’s eyes. What the-? Marx looked into the air. Nope. She wasn’t in the crowd, either. Where’d she go? WHAT is going ON? He thought. Did these new people have weird magic powers? No. That was impossible. Nope. He was not liking that idea. He was not LISTENING to that idea, either! LA LA LA. ALIEN MAGIC ISN’T REAL. The pink figure screeched in rage. “Neptune!” She roared, flapping her wings against the torn-up ground. “You coward! Stop hiding and fight me! I want to look you in the eyes as I kill you!” She hissed into the air. Suddenly there was a loud SHOOM, followed by the sound of something heavy hitting the earth. The pink one was now on the ground, flailing her wings and growling furious curses. She looked like she was being crushed- Or rather, being held down by something- Or someone. And then, as quick as she had vanished, the blue one, Neptune (Which was apparently her name), had reappeared, and was now holding down her opponent with one talon. “Would you like to say that again?” She snarled. “At least then your last words would be amusing.” “Wait!” A familiar voice cried. Marx turned in a heartbeat to see Kirby pushing through the crowd desperately. “Neptune, wait!” He called again as he pushed his way into the clearing. Marx tensed up, ready to murder everyone if they even LOOKED like they were thinking about hurting him. “Please don’t kill her!” He pleaded, sounding like he was on the brink of tears, which made Marx’s chest ache. Neptune looked down at him. “I’m sorry, but if you thought Cirrus was bad, Victory is hardly any better. Besides, she can’t be trusted. She’ll put everything you know and love in peril. And she’ll almost certainly try to kill Eclipse at any opportunity she gets.” She added, pointing at Meta Knight. Wait... Eclipse? But that’s Meta Knight! What- And then it hit him. Eclipse must be Meta Knight’s real name. He suddenly felt VERY dumb. It was so OBVIOUS! I mean, really! Think, Marx, what kind of parent would look at their kid and think ‘Hmm, I think i’ll name them Meta Knight!’ SERIOUSLY. While Marx was having this realization, Kirby continued. “I know, but- Please just don’t kill her, I know she’s probably not great, but she’s still my mom.” Kirby pleaded again, his voice more steady now, though it sounded strained. Marx’s head was spinning. That’s his MOM? Her? Kirby was definitely WAY too nice to have came from THAT. But it does explain where he got his colors from, and also his really pretty looks, and also his- SHUT UP THOUGHTS! King Dedede walked over to them, Magnificent Following close behind (Who, according to Kirby, was the Princess of these strangers, but handed them over to Dedede for him to rule over). The King opened his beak to speak first, but Magnificent beat him to it. “Hold on- The child has a point. We should keep Victory alive, for now. We could pry some information from her... I need to know just how much mother was hiding from me.” She nodded up to the King. “De- Your Majesty- I assume you have dungeons, correct?” Dedede nodded. The Ex-Princess bowed her head. “We’ll put her there for now- And put a few guards on her as well. I’ve witnessed firsthand what she’s capable of, and you mustn’t underestimate her.” She added, a hint of fear in her voice. Dedede said nothing but nodded again in agreement, and ordered for some of his nearby guards to handle Victory. “Ah, and one more thing- Dedede?” She said to the King. “What’s wrong?” The King asked gently, as if he noticed something in Magnificent’s expression that Marx didn’t. “Um... Would you be so generous as to allow me to spend my first few days on this planet within your castle? I am not sure if the citizens I once oversaw would allow me to live among them- Especially considering I am responsible for the deaths of some of their family and friends... Even if I explained my situation, they would probably still hate me, though their feelings would be completely justified.” She said, with a graceful bow. Dedede gave her a reassuring yet soft pat on the back. “That’s fine. Spend as long as you have to Maggie, I got plenty of room to spare!” He said warmly. Magnificent blinked up at him with a surprised look, before quickly straightening her position and bowing her head gratefully. “Thank you.” She said. Marx broke away from the crowd. Well, I’m not gonna help- Because i’m horrible at things and I break everything I touch. Also, I’m tired. He thought, trying to justify his own thoughts so he wouldn’t feel selfish and then think of Kirby looking at him with a disappointed expression. I’ll go back to my hammock, where everything makes sense, and there’s NOBODY to confuse me or make me think too much. However, when he got there, his space was already occupied.

“You want me to help you?” Meta Knight said skeptically. “I don’t trust this. What are you plotting?” He demanded. Marx rolled his eyes. “Nothing! You’re just paranoid!” He argued. “Listen, if you want to go by yourself and get killed, go right ahead! I won’t stop you!” Meta Knight glared at him. “While I do agree Victory is a major threat and needs to be dealt with, I don’t trust you to fight alongside me.” He explained. Marx huffed. “SO?” He snapped. “I can still be useful! You know what I can do! I bet she’ll never see it coming!” He protested. He had a million reasons why he should come! What was so hard about this? The Nova thing happened years ago, and this old fart still wasn’t over it! “Yes, I am well aware of what you can do, and that’s exactly why I don’t trust you.” Meta Knight continued. “How am I supposed to fight with you if I can’t trust you?”  Marx groaned loudly. You CAN. It’s not my fault you’re stubborn and old! It made NO sense. Meta Knight tried to take over one time, too! Or maybe he’s just jealous that I did it better. But sometimes Meta Knight acted as if Marx had done something personal, although Marx didn’t remember ever doing anything like that directly to him. Maybe just a prank or two, but never anything that would cause THIS level of irrational anger. “So I take it Victory really has escaped, then?” Said a new voice from behind Marx. He whirled around to see a massive blue figure had materialized behind him, making him jump. It took a second for him to realize that he’d seen her before. He couldn’t quite remember her name. “Neptune?” Said Meta Knight. Oh yeah. Neptune. Neptune nodded. “I see you were unprepared to handle her power.” She frowned. “I assumed your dungeons would be readily equipped to handle such things. I apologize for that.” She finished as she walked to stand next to Escargoon. It wasn’t until then Marx realized just how big Neptune was- Her body was as big as Escargoon’s shell. She examined the snail with her one eye. “I see Victory used one of her favorite tricks.” She said, pointing at the arm of the unconscious mollusk. “She usually grabs her victim’s wrist, burning it severely in the process, and then throws them to the ground. You’re very lucky she stopped there.” Neptune explained. Marx looked at her. How did she know all that? She knew exactly what Victory had done to the snail, in great detail. Was this just another thing these people could do BESIDES weird fire and invisibility magic? Meta Knight looked just as confused. “What- How-” Neptune waved a hand. “Of course I know the tactics of the person the Queen replaced me with.” She said dismissively. Meta Knight subsided, but then spoke again. “Wait- If Victory can just cloak herself in fire like that, then... How come she didn’t use it on you?” He asked. Marx had to admit, he was also wondering that. “Well, naturally she wouldn’t display her powers to a bunch of strangers. She wanted to surprise you when you’d least expect it.” She answered. “I know Victory. She strikes back the second someone strikes her. That fire? That was an act of vengeance for locking her up. Of course she wouldn’t just break out and leave without punishing the people who stood against her.” Neptune eyed Meta Knight, and pointed at him. “You are in the most danger. Victory hates to be made a fool of. You’ve escaped her twice, Eclipse, and she won’t let you live to tell the tale. And in addition to escaping, you also managed to kill her queen, even if indirectly. And that’s not even the reason I ordered her to be contained.” She finished. Meta Knight looked at her. “If that’s not the reason, then why?” He asked. “It’s a long story. Are you certain you want to hear it?” She asked. “Every detail. Please.” Meta Knight requested. Neptune sighed and began to speak. “Magnificent didn’t want to rule, even before that cursed necklace. The queen gave me that necklace and ordered me to give it to the Princess as a gift. I knew Vengeful wouldn’t just give a gift to her daughter with no rhyme or reason. I was thinking there was no way it could be enchanted, since Stelloses with the magic ability are so rare. Skies above, even just having an ability at all is rare, and what was the possibility the queen got her claws on one without me, her closest advisor, knowing?” Neptune sighed and rubbed her forehead. “But out of sheer curiosity, I put it on. In just the first second my head ached with all the queen’s venomous thoughts flooding into my mind, it was all so overwhelming. I practically ripped it off, horrified. I was disgusted. Vengeful was always cruel, but this... This was the worst i’d ever seen. The Princess’s life was already heavily monitored by her mother, but now she wouldn’t even be free in her own thoughts. It was the first order I had to refuse... And also the last. She swiftly replaced me with her second strongest soldier, Victory. Unlike me, Victory did not refuse this order, though i’m unsure if she knew the necklace was enchanted or not. The queen planned to force her daughter to be her puppet, but Victory had her own plans.” “Victory knew that Magnificent didn’t want to rule. She was probably waiting for the Queen to have an unfortunate accident, and then she’d kill Magnificent, Vengeful’s last and only heir, discreetly, and thus she would have to be made Queen, as a last resort.” Neptune looked up, her eye glossy. “Now the Queen is dead... But now Victory has a new obstacle. The King of this land.” Meta Knight’s eyes widened slightly. Neptune noticed this, “But for now, killing you is her first priority. The king is probably her 3rd.” She added, though this did not help Meta Knight calm down. Neptune turned to Marx. “You, Fool- Go with Eclipse. I don’t know anything about the history between you two, but you must put aside your differences. You’ll need every claw and tooth to combat Victory.” “And I don’t care how you do it. Victory must die.”

Meta Knight leapt into the air and soared away in the blink of an eye. Marx followed, not caring if Meta Knight didn’t want him to. Mom or not, Marx knew they were dangerous to Kirby, and would rip her in two if he had to. It felt like just a few seconds, but they were already at the castle. Inside, the Waddle dees were frantic, and it felt like being inside a beehive on fire, with all the commotion. Marx followed Meta Knight, having no idea where he was going, but soon enough they were in what seemed to be a dungeon. Meta Knight stopped at one cell that was different from the rest. The bars were all melted, and it looked like something went right through it. Two waddle dee soldiers lay motionless on the stone floor, the smell of what Marx assumed to be burnt flesh lingering in the air. Meta Knight cursed under his breath and ran back up to the first floor, Marx following close behind. He wasn’t sure if Meta Knight knew he was there or was just ignoring him. Now he was certain Kirby’s life was in danger. “Dedede! Grandeur!” Meta Knight shouted! “Victory has escaped!” The King and Escargoon (Who was also there) were looking as panicked and dazed as everyone else was. Grandeur looked the same, but her eyes were determined and she looked ready to fight for her life. “Where is she?” She said, fear rising in her voice. Then she paused, and lifted her head to the air, sniffing. “Is that... Smoke?” She said. Marx could smell it too. It smelled like a campfire, or something plant-like burning. Escargoon suddenly shrieked. “The Gardens!” He cried, his eyes now glazed with terror.  All of them ran until they came to a large doorway. Meta Knight grabbed the handle, but instantly retracted his hand with a hiss of pain. The handle looked as if it was glowing from heat. Dedede quickly stepped up and bashed the doors down with his hammer. A wave of head swept over all of them, making Marx’s eyes sting and water. He forced himself to look at what was ahead. What stood before him was what remained of what looked like an indoor garden. It was ablaze with flames that touched the glass roof, smoke spilling into the hallway they were in. Inside stood the burning but very much alive shape of Kirby’s mother. Escargoon ran in recklessly, like a purple blur. “Stop!” He cried, reaching out to Victory. “Escargoon, no-!” Meta Knight shouted through the flames, but it was too late. The flaming shape stepped aside and grabbed Escargoon by the wrist. Escargoon let out a soul-piercing scream of agony. The flesh on the snail’s wrist under Victory’s grasp began to burn, the screams getting louder. The smell of Escargoon’s burning flesh smelled sickeningly good, and it was horrible. Victory then threw Escargoon to the floor, him writhing in pain and sobbing loudly. Meta Knight let out a roar the should’ve brought the castle down as he charged at Victory. But before he could reach her, she cloaked herself in a ball of fire and shot through the glass roof, the shards falling to the floor like sharp rain. Meta Knight growled in rage, but turned his attention to the mollusk curled on the ground, the flames creeping closer to the both of them. Meta Knight gabbed him and hurriedly dragged him out of the inferno. Meta Knight began shouting orders to the Waddle dees, trying to get them to stop panicking and to help put out the hopeless remains of the once-beautiful lush garden. Marx stood there. Still. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t do anything. He could barely think. Tears fell, but not from the smoke this time. He didn’t know what to do. Everything was happening around him and he couldn’t do anything. He just wanted to disappear. He wanted to not be here, and the world to forget he existed and vanish. He stood there, terrified and confused, but time moved without him.  Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed his shoulders and shook him back to reality. “Marx!” A voice cried. “You have to get out of here! Come on!” His eyes adjusted again, and the voice’s form stood before him. Kirby. He wanted to do what Kirby said, but his feet were trapped. His mind refused to move. “I...” Marx said weakly. He felt so weak. So powerless. A mouse trapped in the endless maze that was his head. Kirby grabbed his hand and ran, pulling Marx as he followed without a thought in his head. All he could do was follow. Unable to think of where. Everything blurred. Or did it? Reality and emotion mixed together, And it was horrible.

Marx circled above the spot he was last near Kirby. It looked as if some of them were already trying to rebuild, not far from where they landed. He could see the tiny multicolored specks, all scattered on the grass below him. At least now it was less overwhelming-looking, now that they were more spread out. But there was a new problem: How exactly was Marx going to zero in on Kirby with all these colorful and orb-shaped people around? Because surely Kirby wouldn’t be the only pink one around here. Great. This is fine. It’s just like finding a planet in a sea of stars without a telescope. Maybe he’d be helping the people who’d started reconstruction? Probably. He WOULD. He landed in the area where a few tents were being made. Let’s see... Purple, green, blue, orange, orange again, red, yellow, white, blue, blue again- PINK! And SMALL! He walked closer, squinting. If this wasn’t Kirby, this could be VERY awkward. “Uh... Kirby?” He said, unconfidently. They turned around and YES! It WAS HIM! Marx nearly smiled, but caught himself and forced it down with a scowl. “Oh, hi Marx!” Kirby said cheerfully, causing many weird infuriating emotions that didn’t make him mad. So weird! “Hi. I came here to see, uh, stuff. Yes.” He said, trying to sound bored. “Well, i’m glad you came! Do you think you can help?” Kirby asked. THAT was the question Marx was PRAYING not to hear, but it was hard to be mad when his mind was focusing on ‘I’m glad you came’. What is WRONG with me?! “Yes.” He answered quickly, which was NOT WHAT HE WANTED TO SAY. “Thanks! There’s tent right there that could use help. The owner is green.” Kirby said, pointing to a tent behind him. Marx deflated (Hopefully not visibly), but nodded. He headed towards the tent with the Green guy and- Oh COME ON. It was the guy from before! The one who was in his hammock! And that CHILD. “What are you doing here?!” Marx cried, bewildered. The green person looked up at him with an absurd look on his face. “I should be asking you, you’re the one who came here!” They replied. Well, they were right. But still. WHAT. “What a wild twist of fate.” They mused. You’d BETTER not be in my fate! Eurgh. They made a face. “What?” Marx snapped. The stranger looked alarmed for a second but quickly readjusted his face. Weird. “Nothing! Just funny we ran into eachother again.” They paused. “Still sure you don’t want my name?” Marx growled. “FINE.”  “Goose.” They said. Marx blinked. “Uh... Frog?” He tried. Maybe this is a weird alien game. They looked at him, before bursting into laughter. “No, no! My name! Goose is my name!” Goose laughed. “Oh.” Marx said quietly. He quickly recovered “No way. Your name is GOOSE?” He huffed. Seriously! GOOSE. That was an even weirder name then ‘Escargoon’!” Goose shrugged. “Pretty sure I know my own name.” He said. “Why would ANYONE name their kid after a dumb bird that does nothing but poop everywhere? Yuck.” He said. “Yuck!” Squeaked the blue menace from behind Goose. Oh NO. It BETTER NOT start talking! It wobbled and tripped into the grass, sneezing from getting a nose-full of dust. Well, don’t put dirt in your nose then, KID. Goose face always moved weirdly, like he didn’t know what face to make. Like a WEIRDO. “What are you doing here?” Asked a familiar harsh and cold voice from behind Marx. Oh, just what I needed. Meta Knight stood there, his sharp eyes fixated on the jester. “Helping. What are YOU doing?” Marx answered defensively. Meta Knight snorted. “Helping? You?” He asked. Marx straightened up. “Yes. So go stick your nose somewhere else.” Marx said in a mocking tone. Preferably, in a cactus. He added internally, since saying that out loud would probably get him decapitated. “As much as i’d love to get away from you, I feel as if I need to stay here to keep an eye on you, clown.” Meta Knight explained. “Ok, FIRST OF ALL, I am not a CLOWN. I’m a jester. And Secondly-” His rant was cut short when a waddle dee collided into Meta Knight. Marx would’ve laughed, but then he saw something that made him stop. The entire half of this waddle dee’s face had a horrific burn scar across it.  Meta Knight reacted first, grabbing the waddle dee soldier by the shoulders. “What happened? Hey! Stay with me!” He shouted frantically. The soldier spoke in a raspy and scorched voice. “The prisoner... She escaped...” And then quickly collapsed. Meta Knight began to shout to the people around him, but Marx was lost in thought. Prisoner? The big pink one from before? Kirby’s mom? He began to feel worry crawl up his spine. Is Kirby in danger?