Kirby and the Haunted Halberd, Ep: Abandon Ship!!

        “42, 43, and finally 44, that’s all of them including Meta Knight’s crew, General!” Admiral Doo said over a Star Phone to General Dee.

        “Good and what about Kirby’s company?” General Dee asked as he ruffled some papers over the phone.

        Admiral Doo sighed and paced back and forth in a worried state.  “I’m not sure, they haven’t surfaced yet, but I hope to see them soon…,” he finished as he placed his nub of a hand on the deck’s railing.

        “Gah, those kids better hurry!” General Dee said growing anxious.  “I have my War Train ready to fire its Combo Cannon on that thing, but I’m not giving it a go until Kirby’s party is clear!”

        “Yes General, I’ll give you the signal as soon as they are clear,” Admiral Doo said regaining his calm.  “This is Admiral Doo, over and out.”


        “No way, it’s been you this whole time?” Dedede shouted as his jaw dropped in disbelief.  “It can’t be!”

        “Long time, no see King Dedede!” said the voice in a very polite manner.

        “Wait, what’s going on, here Dedede, who is this?” Tiff said as she turned her head back to Dedede.

        “It’s… it’s the Salesclerk that I purchased all those monsters from!” Dedede explained.  “You know from Holy Nightmare!”

        “What, hey, you’re… you’re right!” Tiff said as she recognized the voice.  “But how, he perished when we destroyed the base!”

        “Absolutely, but don’t get me wrong…,” said the spirit of the Salesclerk through Meta Knight.  “I’m not here all alone, because the big boss himself has been here with me as well!”

        The place shook violently with a moan and unintelligible whispers.  Tiff reviled as she stepped back in horror.  “No, Nightmare has returned too?!!” she gasped with a complexion like a ghost.

        Kirby readied himself with a determined expression glued to his face while is other party members took a step back in fear.  “I’ve heard terrible things about Nightmare!” Ribbon claimed as she brought her fists close to her chest.

        “No way, I heard he was destroyed!” Waddle Dee said in a cold sweat.

        “Did he come back from the depths of the Underland?” Adeleine asked curiously as she clenched her teeth.

        “Since the big guy is still getting ready, I’ll let you know all about our magnificent transformation!” said the Salesclerk as Meta Knight’s body went limp.

        A spirit began to emerge from Meta Knight’s being in the shape of a dark red and purple cloud.  It quickly took shape as its tail end clung to Meta Knight.  It was definitely the Salesclerk from Holy Nightmare’s monster delivery service.  However, he was changed considerably.  His hair was spiked upward and was changed to a yellowish orange color.  His two long bangs curled upwards making them appear like he had a pair of devil horns on his head.  His skin was pale white and it clung to his cleft chin and high cheek bones in a manner that made him seem like a mannequin.  His suit was all black save for the undershirt which was a sickly white.  His most frightening feature however was his eyes.  No longer did he wear his trademark sunglasses.  His eyes were dark as coal and sunk deep into his head.  Only two little pin pricks of red light took the place of pupils.  He smiled at the party with his shiny jagged teeth.

        A sudden pause was broken by Dedede, “I ain’t payin’ you no more of my money!” he said flatly causing everyone to face palm.

        Salesclerk laughed, “Oh don’t worry Sire, I don’t accept coins as currency anymore I deal in souls instead!” he said as his long tongue lashed about.  

        Tiff stamped her foot down.  “Now wait just a minute, how did you come back from the dead anyway?!” she asked irately.

        “Well, it started when the magnificent Overlord Zero entered the Realm of Dreams using those wonderful Dream Stones of yours!” Salesclerk started with an evil grin.  The party was shocked at the information he had.  “You see, both Nightmare and I are ‘cut from the same cloth’ so to speak.  We can be reborn from the power of nightmares and bad dreams over time.  However, with what Kirby did to us, it would have taken many centuries for us to be reborn that way.  Luckily for us, when Overlord Zero stepped into the Realm of Dreams, every single sentient being that has the ability to dream was given a powerful ‘Nightmare’ upon seeing him and his transformation.  The energy released from your battle not only allowed me and my master to be reformed, but we are completely brand new altogether!  Now, Nightmare is more powerful than ever!  This is the Nightmare Soul!” he explained with a nasty grin.  “Now, while the boss gets ready, I’m going to have some fun of my own!”

        With that, Salesclerk Soul retreated into Meta Knight’s body and Meta Knight brandished a new weapon.  It was a very devious looking darkly colored double bladed axe and it seemed to have a wicked aura around it.  “What’s that?!” Tiff said astonished.

        “Glad you asked!” Salesclerk Soul said through Meta Knight.  “A little gift I gave to Meta Knight, the Shadowmaul Axe!  It’s a weapon that’s used by executioners and it gets more and more powerful with each successful strike!” he finished as Meta Knight came close to Tiff at blinding speeds in preparation for an attack.  He took a swipe for Tiff’s head, but she managed to dodge and Kirby’s party dispersed.  Tiff managed to back up far enough to put some distance between her and the possessed Meta Knight.

        “That was close, but I can tell that he can’t use Meta Knight’s body properly…,” Tiff said quietly to herself.

        Ribbon flew higher and began thinking on what to do, “We got to get rid of the Salesclerk Soul.  But how…, hiding in Meta Knight will keep him safe and we’ll just harm Meta Knight by trying to attack.”

        Waddle Dee placed a Wapod Jar behind a crate and the limbless spirit of a Waddle Dee floated from it, hovering only inches above it.  “I really hate to ask, but could assist me?” Waddle Dee said as he asked the spirit to help him.  It nodded slowly and closed its eyes as it let loose a weak sad sounding moan.  Suddenly, the room was filled with a blinding fog that made Meta Knight squirm.  It seemed to have an acidic quality to it.  

        As ‘Meta Knight’ squirmed and growled in discomfort, Kirby and Adeleine came up with a plan.  They spoke quietly as they flew closer to the unsuspecting Meta Knight.  Using their ghost powers they decided to try and posses Meta Knight in an attempt to fight Salesclerk Soul from within.  Ghost Kirby and Tedhaun Adeleine succeeded in a bright flash and entered into Meta Knight’s mind.  As soon as they gained their bearings, they realized that the confines of Meta Knight’s mind were constructed like an abstract maze.  No matter how abstract however, Salesclerk Soul was in plain sight and did not seem to notice them as he was dealing with Meta Knight’s pain from Waddle Dee’s attack.  Adeleine approached quietly with Kirby close behind and when the timing came, “Now Kirby!” shouted Adeleine as they breathed ghostly blue flames at their enemy.

        Salesclerk Soul was caught by surprise as his backside was engulfed.  He screamed loudly, “GAHH, why you little, how did you, oh wait never mind…,” he started as he turned around and realized the answer before finishing his sentence.  He grinned widely and summoned Will-O-Wisps of his own.  However, before his attack followed through, Adeleine’s and Kirby’s possession wore off and they left Meta Knight.  

        Outside, Waddle Dee’s fog lifted and Meta Knight began to attack and land superficial wounds on Waddle Dee.  The axe, Shadowmaul was growing in strength with each successful hit no matter how powerful.  Soon it had gained enough power from hitting only Waddle Dee, “This is insane!” Waddle Dee shouted as he took more and more damage.  Tiff and Dedede rushed to Waddle Dee’s aid as fast as they could, but Meta Knight brought his new weapon up and it glowed with a sickly light blue light.  

        “Now it’s time for the ‘Execution’!” Salesclerk Soul announced as he attempted to defeat Waddle Dee with a fatal blow.  However, something mysterious occurred.  Just mere seconds before Shadowmaul struck Waddle Dee between his waiting eyes Meta Knight seethed in pain and froze solid.  His body repulsed itself from Waddle Dee as it gleamed with a faint indigo light.  Waddle Dee also gleamed with an orange light.

        Waddle Dee looked over his body and was puzzled.  “Um…, what is this?” he asked as his allies took notice with astonishment.

        Kirby and Adeleine noticed Meta Knight was vulnerable and decided to attack again.  “Come on Kirby, we gotta see what this means!” Adeleine shouted.  Kirby agreed as they entered Meta Knight’s mind.  What they found placed them in a state of awe.  The Indigo Knight, albeit formless, attacked Salesclerk Soul causing him and Meta Knight extreme pain.  “I don’t believe it,” Adeleine gasped, jaw agape.  “The Indigo Knight is intervening…, but why?”

        The Indigo Knight turned to Kirby and Adeleine and stared them down with its large eye.  It spoke with a whisper, “The Rainbow Knights… shall not, cannot fatally wound one another… we… cannot self terminate…”

        “Of course, I forgot about the Rainbow Knights!” said the Salesclerk Soul as he regained his composure.

        With that, a new voice, deep and evil addressed the suffering Salesclerk Soul.  “Peddler… leave this Knight, he is no longer useful under our control.  Return to me and we will eliminate them a different way!”

        Salesclerk bowed, “Yes Master!” he replied.  Kirby and Adeleine’s possession wore off and everyone gathered around Meta Knight as Salesclerk Soul emerged from him once more.  “Well kiddies that’s about enough fun for me!  Nightmare is ready to take his revenge!” he continued as he left Meta Knight.  He then retreated to the crystalline power core with a devious laugh and the entire Halberd began to shake violently.  

        Meta Knight wearily regained his composure and everyone came to his side to check on his well being.  “Curse that Nightmare Soul and his puppet!” he shouted angrily.  “Kirby, I see the ghost Demon Beast gave you occult based weapons.  They are ‘dark’ in case you haven’t noticed.  That means we can’t beat Nightmare Soul with these weapons,” he said as he gazed at the Shadowmaul.

        “Big deal, we’ll just swap weapons and clobber him!” Dedede said strongly.  However, as he attempted to do so he found that he could not remove the mask.  “What’s going on, why can’t I disable this weapon?”

        “It’s a part of Nightmare Soul’s strategy…,” Meta Knight said with a calm fury.  “He can ‘lock’ our current equipment on and he had Tedhaun hide out and tell you lies until he could convincingly give weapons to you that are effectively useless on Nightmare Soul.”

        “So we’ll have to adapt somehow…,” Ribbon said with a determined demeanor.

        “I new trusting that ghost was a bad idea!” Dedede said as he stopped his foot in anger.

        “How did he get you to take Shadowmaul?” Tiff asked curiously.

        “He disguised it as another antique weapon,” Meta Knight claimed.  “I realized it though as I grabbed it and the illusion faded.  Once that happened that wretched puppet grabbed hold of me.  We are fortunate however, thanks to the Rainbow Knights, we can’t kill one another.”

        Waddle Dee wiped sweat from his forehead nervously, “Yeah, you sort of almost did me in back there,” he said with unease.

        “I do apologize for that Waddle Dee, my foolishness in grabbing this weapon nearly got you killed,” Meta Knight said with lament.  “Thankfully though, it did not turn out that way so I don’t have to break the news to General Dee as to why I slaughtered a hero to his people.”

        “I HAAATE YOOOUU!” echoed the voice of Nightmare Soul as he emerged.  He had changed drastically since his last appearance.  The base of Nightmare Soul’s ‘body’ was a torrent of energy not unlike a tornado.  His long pale skinny arms stretched out from underneath his deep purple tattered cloak.  The cloak was adorned with heavy armor on the shoulders that covered his now hunched back.  He wore a crown of flames and devil horns and his face was now uncovered as opposed to having the shaded visor over his eyes.  His eyes were as the Salesclerk’s; deep dark pits of nothingness save for two tiny pin pricks of light set in the center.  He brandished a staff that was designed almost like the Star Rod but far more evil looking and the star on top was inverted and black as coal.  It emitted a sickly purple light.  At the center of his being lies the Halberd’s power core.  “NOW THAT I AM REBORN, I WILL EXACT MY REVENGE AGAINST YOU INSECTS!!  I WILL DRAW YOU ALL IN THE UNDERLAND!!!” Nightmare Soul shouted as he pushed Kirby and his party back with a wave of unholy energy.

        Kirby’s party regrouped in order to think of some kind of plan.  “Okay, here’s what we do, we fight Nightmare Soul while I try to contact the Argent Lady.  Hopefully, she can help us out before he kills us…,” Ribbon said nervously.  “In addition, I say we aim for the power core in his chest it looks like a weak spot!”

        The party agreed in unison albeit nervously as the fight had quickly turned into one of survival.  The party broke and split up from each other to make them more difficult to target.  Waddle Dee cast his Phantasmal Fog and covered the room in the same thick fog as before.  It did not seem to do anything to Nightmare Soul however.  Its only use was to keep them covered.  Kirby and Adeleine flew high and used their ghostly fire breath on Nightmare Soul who only laughed in return.  Dedede cast forth shadow copies of himself that had his other weapons with them, but no matter how many times they struck Nightmare Soul’s core it did absolutely nothing.  Tiff summoned Skullers and Mumbies to serve her but as expected, they could do nothing against Nightmare but provide a distraction or a shield from his attacks.  Meta Knight’s new weapon was also just as useless.  Despite being able to instantly beat any Demon Beasts that Nightmare Soul summoned with one shot he could not damage Nightmare Soul with it.

        “We’re overpowered, we can’t beat him!” Tiff said despondently.

        “We can’t beat the devil with his own power…,” Meta Knight followed trying to think of something.  Then Meta Knight came to a conclusion, “The power core is made from a very tough material so it guards Nightmare Soul’s only weakness.  The only way to damage that crystal is with high frequency energy blasts.  The Star Rod qualifies, but with Kirby using Ghost, he can’t transform his Warp Star.  We have to become the Rainbow Knights…, I was hoping to not do that, but it looks like we have no other alternative.  The next question is…, how we are going to do that exactly…?” he thought ponderously.

        The battle raged on as Nightmare Soul bathed the room in bone chilling ice magic, summoned undead and threw down unholy sorcery.  Then, Ribbon finally got a hold of Sylvanya.  “You guys, Sylvanya said that Tiff’s Medium ability has a way out!” she informed loudly as this caught Tiff’s attention.

        “BAH, NOTHING YOU DO WILL WORK, FACE IT, YOU ARE FINISHED!!!” Nightmare Soul laughed.

        “Tiff, you can make a sacrifice with that ability!” Ribbon began urgently.  “You can sacrifice and ability or weapon either you or your friends are using in exchange for health or even a barrier!”

        Kirby floated down to Tiff and she realized that Ribbon was right.  “All right I hope this works!” she said as she began a chant.  Within seconds Kirby was relieved from his Ghost power, but Tiff on the other hand was harmed by it.  She moaned in agony and was brought to the ground, coughing.  

        “Tiff, are you okay?!” Ribbon shouted with obvious concern.

        “It must be because Ghost was a poor sacrifice…,” Meta Knight said with deduction.  “Quickly Kirby, you must defeat Nightmare, we will tend to Tiff’s well being.”

        Kirby turned to Nightmare Soul and brought out is Crazy Cog ability.  Once he transformed he began to store energy by spinning.  Nightmare Soul giggled softly as he allowed Kirby to do so.  With great force, Kirby took off and used a piece of disheveled floor as a ramp.  Surprisingly, Kirby hit Nightmare Soul’s crystal and it bounced him off with a powerful wave of energy that knocked him out of his transformation and destroyed his Crazy Cog ability.  Kirby, frustrated as he fell back down, transformed into Fireworks Kirby and the moment he landed on his feet he began hitting Nightmare Soul’s core with a barrage of colorful bombs.  When the smoke cleared Nightmare Soul was unscathed and laughing triumphantly.  Nightmare Soul retaliated with a mouth beam of unholy energy.  Kirby was hit with it, causing him to loose his Fireworks ability.  Kirby rolled to the ground beaten and battered as a voice came to him from within.  It was the Red Knight, “Use us…, you know you want to…,” was all it said.  Kirby could feel the Red Knight tempting him but believed there was another way.  As he opened his eyes he could see a large bulky green knight that was gleaming with a rainbow of colors and resembled Blade Knight.  Kirby realized that this knight was much like the Super Wheelie he had inhaled before on deck.  Kirby picked himself up and Super Inhaled the knight with all his might.  Kirby’s party was astounded at his new transformation.  His green floppy cap that he normally wore with his Sword ability now had multiple knife-like adornments on the sides of the crown with a star at the center and Kirby himself was gleaming with a rainbow of colors.  “Ultra Sword Kirby, pure destructive power!” Kirby shouted strongly.

        “WHAT IS THIS?!!” Nightmare Soul asked curiously.  “NO, NO, NOOO!!!”

        With a gaze of determination, Kirby leaped up at Nightmare Soul’s core and he brought out the largest sword imaginable.  With multiple powerful swings, Kirby cut Nightmare Soul to pieces as he screeched loudly.  After the attack ended, so did Kirby’s new ability.  As Kirby fell back down Tiff gave a shout, “Kabu send the Warp Star!!”

        Kabu did just that as the Warp Star came to Kirby’s aid from its location and he inhaled it.  Kirby transformed once again, taking his Star Rod.  He then regained his balance and with a powerful flash of light, Kirby used the Star Rod’s power to engulf the pieces of Nightmare Soul in a massive pillar of golden light that was encircled by star shaped lights.  Once it had subsided, Nightmare Soul’s screams were also gone with it.  The Halberd began to shake violently as it made its descent into the sea below.  Meta Knight faced the party, “Everyone, abandon ship!  Our work is done here!”

        With that, everyone began making their way to the elevator which they found to be out of order due to the extensive damage.  Kirby however was able to encase is friends in a barrier with the Star Rod and together they began to float quickly upwards.


        “Admiral Doo here, it looks like we won’t need the War Train General!” Admiral Doo said, speaking into his phone.   “Its hit the ocean now, right at the center of the Secret Sea!”

        “Where are Kirby and the others?!” General Dee asked worriedly.

        “Um, they have not, I repeat ‘have not’…!” Admiral Doo said as he was cut off by Kirby and his party emerging from the Halberd’s bridge in a magical barrier.  “Scratch that, they are clear of the danger zone!  They just emerged!” said the Admiral jumping happily.  Kirby and his friends landed safely on the War Blimp and quickly put away their occult abilities hoping they would not cause a stir.  The Halberd 2.5 bubbled and gurgled in the ocean until it vanished under the waves of the Secret Sea.  “Yes, General Dee, all captives and allies have been successfully evacuated from the enemy vessel.  In addition, enemy vessel is completely destroyed!” Admiral Doo finished with relief.

        General Dee could be heard sighing in relief as well on the other line.  “Ah, well then, that’s a wrap, mission complete!  Return to base!” he commanded.  “Drat, I’m never gonna get much use out of this War Train!”

        Sylvanya greeted Kirby’s party with a warm smile.  “I am so relieved you have returned I had faith you would.  Nevertheless, let us return for much needed rest!”

        Kirby and his friends cheered at the idea as did the scientists they rescued while Meta Knight gazed into the ocean wondering what would become of the Halberd 2.5 now that it was headed to the bottom of the ocean.


        Kirby and his friends alongside Meta Knight’s old crew stood before General Dee as everyone was debriefed about the events that took place.  “So it was Nightmare that caused all this?” General Dee said astonished.  “And by extension the Dark Matter Overlord…?”

        “At any rate I hope nothing else was disturbed by the battle in the Realm of Dreams,” Admiral Doo stated worriedly as he typed away on his computer.

        “I really hope we never see Nightmare again…,” Captain Vul said as his head sunk.

        “Be at rest Vul, even if he does return again, we know Kirby can defeat him,” Sylvanya said reassuringly.

        “I suppose your right, but what about the Halberd?” Vul asked worriedly.

        “Not to worry, we can always build a new one,” General Dee stated.  “And I mean brand new, no salvaged parts!”

        Chapman stepped forward with a large suitcase, “And I am more than capable of funding its construction,” he said with a smile.

        Captain Vul perked his head up, “Will my crew be of any assistance?”

        “Of course Vul, there is no reason to keep you and your men out,” Admiral Doo stated.

        “Thank you, this means a lot to us,” Captain Vul said happily.  “I hope the Mekkai are up for it as well.”

        As they spoke of the Mekkai, Admiral Doo received a message from them and it seemed urgent.  “Um, take a look everyone,” Admiral Doo said as he placed the message on a much larger screen at the back of the room.

        GIM spoke clearly, “Greetings Pop Star world leaders, we have recovered from our ordeal and we have received data about a strange phenomenon.  It originates in an area known as the Popopo Islands.  Won’t you have a look?  Our sensors have picked up the emergence of a new island that has strange gravitational effects.  The Popopo Islands are most interesting!”

        “Ah, that’s right near my trade route, let’s have a look!” Chapman said with interest.

        As most of the world leaders returned to their affairs General Dee dismissed Kirby’s party.  “Well kiddies, that about raps up this little incident, we have to get back to our ‘adult’ affairs!” he said calmly.  “Oh, one more thing…, I understand you guys came into contact with occult style weapons,” he said to the party quietly.  “As my laws dictate, they are not allowed here in Cloud Park.  However, if you donate them to our science team we can study them and get valuable information on how to counter them.  We could really use the info for some protection against Waddlelorn if they ever decide to attack us.  Just head below and speak to Gadget Dee or Gizmo Doo, they can help you.”

        Kirby and his party agreed on the statement and headed down to the workshop where Gadget Dee was busy writing down notes and plans.  “Ah, did you guys come about the uh…, you know what?” he said as he turned to Kirby.

        Dedede stepped forward first.  “This Shadow ability is too creepy for me, here take it!” Dedede said as he handed over his weapon.  Gadget walked over to a containment capsule and set it safely inside.

        Tiff followed with chills up her spine, “I don’t like summoning undead, so here!” she said handing over the gear.

        Waddle Dee also handed over his weapon, “I can’t use this…, I just can’t,” he said handing over with guilt.

        Meta Knight placed his Shadowmaul into a containment capsule on his own, “Due to its negative nature, it is unsafe for me to keep to myself.  I’ll store this here.”

        Due to the nature of Kirby’s, Ribbon’s and Adeleine’s being simple information in their minds or a transformation, they had nothing to donate.  They did however vow to not use them again while in Cloudy Park or any other ally territory.  Tiff turned to Kirby, “All right, let’s head home, back to Cappy Town!” she said with a smile.  Everyone cheered at the thought of returning home.


        Late that night everyone turned in for some much needed rest.  Meta knight however, paced the halls, restless.  He was alone hoping a nice walk through the cold halls of Castle Dedede would clam him and make him sleepy.  As he trekked down a dark hallway he caught a glimpse of a shadow out of the corner of his eye.  Suspicious, he followed it down the direction it was viewed from.  It was only visible for a second at the end of every hallway Meta Knight followed it to.  Eventually, he was led to the roof tops of Castle Dedede.  However, he seen nothing but a calm starry night sky and a gentle autumn breeze.  Then he heard a very familiar voice come from behind him.  “Nice night for a walk?” said the voice.

        Meta Knight chuckled a bit.  “Kryl, so where have you been hiding?  Further more, what do you want?” he asked quizzically as he turned to face him.  Kryl was covered in black cloaks showing only his eyes and parts of his Violet Knight’s armor.

        “Oh you know, wandering this wretched rock or to be more specific, the Popopo Islands,” Kryl said weakly.

        “And what were you doing there?” Meta Knight interrogated calmly.

        “Tch, none of your business, but if you must know, why don’t you travel there for yourself?!” growled Kryl as he transformed his cape into raven wings.  He took off laughing, “Yes, the Popopo Islands are a mysterious place, so come if you dare!”

        Meta Knight gave in to some silent thought for a moment, “Hmph, he probably wants nothing more than another duel.  I wonder if he’s aware we can’t fight each other because if the Rainbow Knight’s curse?  Either way, I have a bad feeling about this.  Just allowing Kryl to wander the planet this way…, but whatever game you’re playing Kryl, will have to wait…, at least for a little while.”