Kirby nodded at Naijaās plea and was off like a pink blur, racing toward the warp elevator. It inhaled deeply, inflating into a round balloon. It fluttered up to the elevator control pad and jabbed in a 4 and a 9. It exhaled its breath on a sudden spurt. The marshmallow deflated and dove into the elevator to be warped away on a white light. It appeared, hopping out of the elevator on the 49th floor.
āEY!ā Kirby called. There were droids flying about the lab with welding tools attached to their robotic arms. They flew about repairing electronics and machinery. Kirby tried to wave the machines down, but they ignored it, continuing in their programmed tasks. Growing frustrated, the pink ball glanced about the floor and found a bolt to chuck at one of them. With a
clank and a spark, one of the droids stopped and whirled as though enraged. It gazed upon Kirby.
āEy!ā it cried again for help. The droid only responded with threatening pops and sparks tumbling from its welding tool. Kirbyās eyes grew in fright as it started to run. The droid chased it, trying to stab the marshmallow with its tool until an old man with a cloudy-white beard held up his hand to halt the machine.
āNow, now, leave the little fella alone,ā the old man told the droid. The droid seemed to understand. With an electronic buzz sound that sounded like a
hmph! it turned and left the puffball hiding behind the legs of the old man.
He was Dr. Light; and he gazed down at the odd pink sphere at his feet. He then crouched as Kirby scrambled to stand before him. Throwing up its nubby arms, Kirby attempted to explain what was happening.
āEy! Wah!āDr. Light pinched its red dimpled cheek and tugged on it surprised when it extended out as though made of rubber. Releasing Kirbyās cheek as it snapped back against its face, Dr. Light blinked in surprise.
āFascinating. Iāve never seen anything like it.āKirby rubbed its cheek and then narrowed its eyes at the doctor.
āEy!āāAre you trying to tell me something little one?āāEy!āKirby turned toward the elevator waving the doctor along. Dr. Light stood and stroked his beard curiously.
āWhatever youāre trying to tell me. It seems urgent and Iāll follow you.āThe doctor followed Kirby to the elevator and together they were warped back to the reception hall. Kirby raced over to Naija and Rosalina informing them in the only manner he knew how that he had brought someone. Dr. Light was stunned to see Guile in the arms of Rosalina.
āGood Gracious! What happened?ā the doctor gasped as he briskly walked over to assess Guileās condition. He watched as his wound seemed to repair and disrepair over and over again.
āIf this were one of my prototypes, I would have suspected a computer virus of some sort. I have never seen anything like this.āGuile rasped,
āHis swordā¦if not for Rosalinaā¦I would be dead.āāHis sword you say? Could this be caused by nanites? I donāt think a mere sword could cause this kind of damage.ā Dr. Light looked to Naija and Rosalina.
āI came upon Dr. Solus unconscious in the lab. My droids had him moved to the infirmary. This woundā¦ā He frowned in contemplation.
āThereās a cryostasis capsule we could put him in.āGuile snagged Dr. Lightās arm.
āNoā¦if you freeze me. I may not wake up.āDr. Light frowned sadly in concern.
āIā¦wellā¦ā He shook his head and frowned in determination.
āWe have a rejuvenation chamber. That should keep you alive. At least long enough for me to run some tests.ā He looked to Rosalina and Naija and said,
āWe must hurry! Your Lumas appear to be tiring.āRosalina gazed up at her children whose eyes were half-lidded as though they would pass out any moment from using so much recovery magic.
āPlease donāt give up. Just a little longer,ā she pleaded to them.
One of the stars raised its pointy limb in a determined salute before it resumed healing Guile. Rosalina attempted to heft Guile but even his arm seemed heavy to her.
āHelp me please,ā she asked Naija.
Dr. Light also offered to lift the large soldier to his feet.
āThis way!āāEy!ā Kirby echoed, clutching Guileās pants leg as though it were making an effort too!
Rosalina heard the call over the comms from James.
āJames, weāre headed to the lab with Dr. Light. Nothing is working to seal Guileās wound so we are going there. Please meet us there!āMeanwhile in Platform Cityā¦
Hunter stared at the monkey girl who wound up turning into a human (or appeared at least), and then the floating eyeball who appeared after her. Pointing at it with his thumb, Hunter asked,
āWhatās with the eye?āAgreed! The best plans are made in a saferoomā¦or a safe room, but rarely on roof tops! See you at the castle!Hunter blinked at the wheelchair turtle and pointed to his vanishing figure next.
āWhatās with the gimp turtle?āSparks watched as the others were racing onto the castle and glanced between Hunter, Naija, and Charger.
āWeāre gonna get left behind. It seems like something crazy has happened!āJust as Sparks had said that, the massive shipās engines ignited and it started roaring away like a rocket into the cosmos. Hunter and Sparks watched it leave. The catās ears were raised in surprise.
āThere goes my ride!ā His green eyes then darted over to Sparks.
āWell, our ride I suppose. If you guys are saying that you know of another way to get to Dragon Land, then I have no choice but to follow you.āSparks nodded.
āYeah, these are good guys Hunter. They saved me from Gnasty Gnorc!āāGnasty Gnorc? These guys took on Gnasty Gnorc?āSparks nodded proudly.
āMhm! Come on Hunter. Letās go with them.āHunter sighed softly. This adventure was just getting bigger and bigger. The cat sprang to all-fours and followed after Taric and the wheelchair turtle.