After Story BETA Edition Chapter 2

        Kirby of the Stars: The After Story Chapter 2 - The Rainbow Islands


Kirby slowly opened his eyes. Where had the wind carried him off to? He sat up carefully the looked to his right. There was a sign that said “Grass Land”. He must have landed at one of the Rainbow Islands. Fumu’s words echoed in his head.

“Kirby has to save Dreamland, poyo.” He said quietly. “For Fumu, for Bun, for Gooey, for Dedede poyo!”

With newfound will and strength, Kirby ventured onwards into Grass Land.

(www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f7qgr…)

After a few minutes, Kirby ran into a small cave. It was somewhat dark, but he could still see. He could hear something that sounded like muffled shouts. He looked directly above and saw a large brown sack tied to the ceiling. Then a figure jumped out from the shadows.  A round black creature with spikes and yellow eyes lunged towards Kirby. Kirby quickly dodged and the being hit the wall behind him.

“Owowowow. Why you do that to Efreeti?” it mumbled. So the creature’s name was Efreeti. Kirby noticed a discarded umbrella on the ground, then inhaled it to become Parasol Kirby.

“You try to take Efreeti’s dinner? Efreeti will burn you!” he charged towards Kirby again in a ball of flames. Kirby jumped just as he passed Kirby, then smacked him on the head with the umbrella. After repeating the same process two more times, Efreeti was defeated.

“Owowow. Efreeti will remember this! Efreeti will go for fear of the object with the handle!” He yelled as he bolted from the cave.

Kirby floated to the sack on the ceiling then untied the rope. From the sack emerged a furry creature with white and orange fur. “Rick! Rick!” Kirby bounced.

Rick the hamster dusted himself off. “Kirby thank you! I was taking my daily walk when that thing jumped me and stuffed me in that sack! If you hadn’t showed up I might have been…never mind. So, what are you doing here anyway?”

“Saving Dreamland, poyo. Saving Rainbow Bridges.” Kirby replied.

“Saving Dreamland again, eh? Hmm, you have quite a ways to go all by yourself. Why don’t I come along? I can travel across any treacherous terrain and I’m pretty strong.”

“Okay poyo! Rick go with Kirby!” Kirby picked up his umbrella and raised it high into the air as the two stepped out of the cave and further into Grass Land.

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(www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wdI5E…)

“I can do this. I can so do this.” Gooey said in determination.

After Kirby had flown off somewhere by the wind, Gooey was given the task of watching his house until he came back. If he came back.

“No no! Kirby will come back! No ‘ifs’!” Gooey reassured himself. Kirby was going to come back and everything would be hunky dory again.

“I’ve got this.” Right at that moment he backed into the bookshelf and knocked it over. The bookshelf collided into the shelf on the wall, then the shelf piece unhinged and flew across the room knocking a lamp to the ground.  The lamp then caused a few bricks from the fireplace to fall out.

“ Waah, I’m not good at this at all! Worrying makes me clumsy!”

“Gooey is everything okay in there?” Fumu asked from outside. When had she shown up!? Gooey had to stall her!

“ Hey there!” He greeted when he flew out of the house and slammed the door before Fumu could peer inside.

“Hey Gooey. Are you taking care of Kirby’s house?”

“Yup yup! Everything’s hunky dory! Sunshine and rainbows!” he chuckled nervously, eyes darting in different directions.

“ Gooey, you did something, didn’t you?” She said, stepping closer to him.

“Everyone does something. You do something. I do something.”

“Gooey, what have you done?!”

“Why are you asking so many questions!?” Gooey yelled, close to a breakdown.

“Hey sis. We need you over here!” Bun called out to his sister.

Fumu glared at Gooey for a moment, then turned around and walked in the direction her brother’s voice came from.

“Whew that was a close one! At least this is as messy as I’ll allow it. No more accidents!” As soon as those words left Gooey’s mouth, the door fell off the hinges.

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(www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f7qgr…)

The duo of Kirby and Rick trekked further into Grass Land. Kirby whacked a few blocks out of the way with his umbrella then sat down. The long walk was taking it’s toll on the pink puffball and he knew they had to traverse the other six islands too.

“You getting tired? I could give you a lift if you need it.” Rick asked. Kirby shook then stood back up. Now was not the time to think negatively. They had to press on. Kirby walked a few more steps, then tripped over something.

“Are you okay buddy?” Kirby nodded, the breath knocked out of him from the impact. Kirby looked at the object that had caused him to fall. It was a small treasure chest. Kirby slowly sat up and opened the chest, because the proper thing to do when finding a treasure chest is to open it.

Inside the chest was a beautiful stone that shined with all the colors of the rainbow. Kirby noticed a note inside the chest, however he couldn’t read it. He handed it to Rick.

“Rainbow Drop No. 1. Keep separated from others.” Rick read. “ I don’t know about you, but I think this might be very important.”

Kirby nodded in agreement. Somehow, just looking at the Rainbow Drop gave him the strength and determination to get back up again.

“You know what this means, don’t cha?” Rick asked Kirby.

“Treasure hunt, poyo!”

“That’s right!”

“Poyo!”

The duo charged off with newfound energy and willpower, ready to face whatever challenge awaited them.

After a while of walking, they finally stopped at a big tree. Not just any tree, but a tree that talked and was wearing swirly glasses and a doctor’s mask.

“Who dares trespass in my land?” The tree boomed, then proceeded to throw an apple at Kirby. Kirby was not expecting such an action, so the apple hit him on the head.

“Whispy, why would you throw an apple at Kirby, poyo?” Kirby cried, holding his forehead in pain.

“That’s not Whispy Woods, Kirby. It’s Whispy Woods.” Rick explained.

“Poyo wha?” Kirby said in confusion.

“This isn’t the same Whispy Woods.”

“But, Whispy and Whispy look the same, poyo.”

“It’s sort of like the Nurse Joy situation in Pokemon.”

“Enough of your meaningless talk! Turn back the way you came or I’ll force you out!” Not Whispy Woods bellowed. It was no use. They would have to fight Not Whispy Woods. Several apples fell from above them, but they managed to dodge most.  Kirby charged at Not Whispy with his umbrella, instead getting struck with one of the roots below.

When Kirby fell to the ground, Rick managed to kick Not Whispy in the face, then Kirby jumped up and smacked the root with his umbrella.

Not Whispy’s mask and glasses fell off. He blew gusts of air at the duo in an attempt to be rid of them. They easily dodged his attacks and dealt the final blow. Not Whispy was unconscious and they continued on their way.

Suddenly, the Rainbow Drop they obtained earlier began glowing, and returned the Rainbow Bridge. The bridge would lead them to Big Forest and to the next Rainbow Drop.

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The Rainbow Island Big Forest was exactly what the name implied. A big forest. Kirby and Rick ventured through the large expanse of trees, until finally coming to a clearing.

They could hear muffled sounds coming from above, and noticed a brown sack tied to a tree limb. Something felt eerily similar. Then something jumped out of the bushes. It was a strange creature with the body of a brown umbrella and one foot wearing a sandal. It had one dull looking eye and it was sticking out its tongue. Whatever it was, it was one of the strangest things Kirby had ever seen.

“That’s Jumpershoot.  I heard he’s sort of a big shot around here.” Rick whispered to Kirby.

Jumpershoot rocketed toward the two. Kirby and Rick dodged the attack, then Kirby inhaled a Spikey that had decided to attack him from behind. Kirby sent a few needles Jumpershoot’s way, stunning him for a moment. The angry umbrella creature jumped up, then sent his sandal flying into Rick’s face.

“Hey Kirby, I have an idea. Jump on my head.” Kirby jumped onto Rick’s head. Jumpershoot charged toward’s them, then the fur on Rick’s back stuck out similar to a porcupine. The collision was enough to defeat Jumpershoot. The umbrella creature babbled angrily then hopped of into the forest.

Rick climbed up the tree, then untied the brown sack. A purple owl flew out on a frenzy.

“Coo? You were kidnapped too?” Rick said in slight surprise.

“Yes, that ruffian called his henchman and they stuffed me in that sack and declared that it was for getting in the way of Nruff.” the wise owl explained.

“Nruff? Isn’t he like the boss around these parts?” Rick asked.

“A few months ago Nruff and his Nellys took over and Big Forest hasn’t had much peace since then.”

Kirby chuckled. He thought that sounded very similar to King Dedede. Then he remembered the state he was in at the castle. Kirby suddenly grabbed Rick’s paw and started pulling.

“Hey, what’s got you in a hurry? I know we have to find the rest of the Rainbow Drops, but why the sudden rush?”

“Have to save Dedede, poyo!” Kirby cried, pulling harder.

“Save Dedede. What for? Did he run out of snacks and throw a tantrum or something?” Rick chuckled.

Coo looked at the sudden serious look on Kirby’s face.

“Kirby, something happened to the king. What is it?” Coo asked gently.

Kirby explained as well as his limited speech could allow what had happened to King Dedede.

“What?! You didn’t mention that part earlier!” Rick shouted.

“Hmm. Kirby, if this is true then the Rainbow Bridges being destroyed has more of a sinister purpose behind it.” Coo said, deep in thought. “We need to collect the rest of the Rainbow Drops. The very fate of Dreamland depends on it.”

Rick tilted his head. “We? Then does that mean-”

“I’m going with you.”

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(www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMgcgR…)

The trio traveled onward through the dense forest until they ran into a block formation similar to the one in Grass Land. Kirby re-equipped the Needle ability then sent the blocks tumbling down.

“That must be the Rainbow Drop. I didn’t expect it to be as easy this time.” Rick mused.

Kirby picked up the treasure chest, but was rammed into by a small boar creature. The treasure chest was sent flying into the air and landed in front of a larger boar creature.

“Kirby! Are you okay?” Rick lightly shook Kirby.

“Nruff! What is the meaning of this?” Coo angrily called.

“Bringing outsiders into Big Forest. That’s against the rules.” Nruff had a deep intimidating voice with a slight southern accent. “Wasn’t Jumpershoot supposed to be watching you?”

“Kirby beat him. Now we really need that box.” Rick said.

“This box I assume was closed up for a reason. I don’t know what’s in it, but it’s going back where it was.”

“You don’t understand. The very fate of Dreamland lies in that chest.” Coo tried in a futile effort to reason with the boar.

“A bunch of outlaws like you don’t deserve it.”

“Outlaws?! What have we done ‘officer’?” Rick crossed his arms.

“You’re outsiders entering the forest, attacking a high ranking officer to free a prisoner, destruction of forest property, attempted theft, and mocking the ruler of Big Forest. That’s against the rules.”

“You’re not the ruler. You arrived and forced everyone to serve you. The forest belongs to everyone, not just you.” Coo glared at the boar.

Nruff stomped his hoof. “Resisting arrest!”

“Get ready Kirby, we might have to fight this one out.” Rick whispered.

“The rest of Dreamland may be chaos, but in my forest there will be order.” Nruff grunted, then kicked the treasure chest to the side, A herd of Nellys came to his side. One of the Nellys grabbed the chest and ran into a hole in one of the two trees. The trees had two rope bridges with three large holes in each tree. Nruff and the Nellys jumped onto one of the bridges. Kirby and his friends jumped on the other side of the bridge.

Nruff began by running into one of the holes. Then he charged out of the one behind them and trampled the trio. Kirby and friends sat back up.

“I understand his strategy now. Nruff is trying to confuse us. Kirby, stand on this bridge. Rick, stand on the bridge below.”

Coo flied above the two bridges. “I’ll watch which direction he’s going and can point him out from the Nellys. The Nellys can’t take orders without a leader.”

The two nodded. The fate of Dreamland was on their shoulders.

“Kirby, Nruff is charging from your right.” Kirby used his Needle ability and Nruff’s face was scratched. He growled and changed direction.

“Rick, he’s coming in from your left.” Rick jumped up, causing Nruff to collide into a Nelly.

Coo’s strategy worked for a few turns, then Nruff began to catch on. He charged towards Kirby on the left, then at the last second jumped on the bridge below. Rick was thrown into a Nelly and was bucked into a tree. He tried to stand up only to fall back down. Coo flew down and latched onto Rick, picking him up and placing him under a tree out of harm’s way.

“No, I can still fight.” Rick mumbled.

“You need to rest. Kirby and I can handle this from here.”

Another idea had began formulating in Coo’s mind. He swept in and grabbed Kirby.

“Kirby, I’m homing in on Nruff. When I drop you, use your Needle ability.”

“Poyo!” Kirby knew the plan.

Coo dropped Kirby directly over Nruff. Nruff bellowed in pain and hurled Kirby. Coo swooped in and grabbed Kirby then they heard a loud creak. The bridges collapsed with Nruff and the Nellys falling into the bushes below. The chest with the Rainbow Drop fell in front of Kirby.

Nruff grunted. “You can’t escape punishment. I am law!”
“Not anymore.” Coo retorted.

Kirby opened the chest revealing the Rainbow Drop. It shined and glowed, revealing the next Rainbow Bridge. Rick was back on his feet again, perhaps by the power of the Rainbow Drop. The trio walked a bit further until they decided to set up camp. They had too much excitement in one day and needed to rest for the trip to the third Rainbow Island tomorrow.

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(www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycgYyc…)

“Whew, it took seven hours, but Kirby’s house is finally fixed!”

Gooey was proud of himself. He had cleaned the house all by himself without Fumu knowing. Bun had done him a solid and kept Fumu distracted long enough to make the repairs. The sun was just beginning to set, but he felt too tired to stay up any longer.

Gooey sat down in the pile of blankets Kirby gave him the night of the sleepover. He could have slept in Kirby’s bed, but it seemed like taking advantage of Kirby’s absence. Which is rude.

He sighed in content, relieved to finally rest after a rough day of being on edge and fixing everything himself. Gooey could have asked the village kids to help him, but he made the mess so it was his problem.
He didn’t like asking others to help fix his mistakes, he was afraid of being yelled or laughed at.

“The important thing is it’s fixed and I can get some rest.” At that moment a soccer ball crashed into the window, breaking it into several pieces.

“Waaaaaah!!!”