Chapter Text
PROLOGUE ONE
Long ago, an evil presence dominated the multiverse. It was a ruthless and cruel figure, the very essence of evil. But fortunately, one day, a creature of light managed to defeat it, finally bringing peace to the multiverse.
But this came at a great cost for the creature of light, which sadly died. Its essence shattered and scattered across the various worlds, reincarnating into the heroes of those worlds.
Meanwhile, the evil creature remained sealed and trapped in an eternal slumber. But this was not enough to stop its dark power, which contaminated the worlds, creating creatures consumed by evil.
However, the heroes of those worlds, thanks to the light of the creature of light, managed each time to defeat the forces of evil in their worlds. These heroes are called the Guardians of Hope.
For thousands of years, balance was maintained across the worlds.
But one day… the evil creature awakened and was ready to finally be free.
But it could not escape on its own.
To break the seal, it was necessary to possess the same power as the one who had sealed it long ago. And a great amount of energy was needed…
????: Hehe… after all these millennia, I will finally be free.
The time has come to unleash my chaos. Once I have gathered enough light energy from the heroes of the worlds, I will finally be free… and evil will dominate the multiverse forever!
Many years have passed since Enemy was defeated, and peace reigns over Dreamland. Everyone lives their lives happily, in normality. Kirby, meanwhile, is playing with Fumu and Bun: he laughs, jumps, eats… everything seems as always. However, from afar, Meta Knight watches him. The veteran Star Warrior knows that very few of their kind remain, and after the defeat of Enemy, it has been almost impossible to leave Dreamland, because his ship, the Halberd, was destroyed, so they have had no further contact with other Star Warriors. Even if for Kirby it does not seem to be a problem—by now he can face anything on his own, he has mastered his powers and is ready to defeat any threat—but in recent days Meta Knight has noticed something strange: Kirby often looks at the sky. At first he did not pay much attention to it, but now it happens too often; once he stayed staring at it for almost an entire day. Although he is not able to speak, Meta Knight understands that within him there is the spirit of a Star Warrior: by nature they always seek adventure to train and become stronger and stronger. But this time it is different. It is not curiosity, not a desire for adventure. It is as if he feels something: a warning, a force in space, a corrupting force. And in Kirby’s gaze he perceives a slight fear every time he looks at the sky. Meta Knight tightens his grip on his sword slightly. Something is wrong. Kirby, unlike him, is much more peaceful: he loves to sleep, eat, and play with his friends, but he also knows his spirit well. They are the same. And in fact, lately Meta Knight is not at ease either: he perceives a strange presence, much fainter, perhaps because his power is not as strong as Kirby’s. This peace feels too utopian, as if something is about to arrive.
In the Glade of Dreams, it is a beautiful day. Betilla has stayed home studying some ancient runes, while Rayman is outside, under a tree, staring at the landscape. It is not unusual for him to be in nature, especially in times when nightmares do not disturb the glade’s peace. But lately Rayman seems melancholic, and Betilla has noticed: he does not sleep, wakes up too early, and sometimes stays shut inside the house. What worries her the most is that she has not seen Globox for almost a week, and this is not normal. Rayman has always been a ray of sunshine, even in the darkest moments, and he was always with his friends, yet now he seems dimmed. So one night she decides to talk to him. At first Rayman denies everything and says he is fine, but Betilla insists, knowing how stubborn he is, especially when it comes to his health. In the end, she asks him a strange question: if there are others like him. Betilla does not understand immediately, but then she realizes. Rayman, since he was little, has always felt different: he loves his world, but sometimes feels as if he does not belong to it. He loves being a hero, but it scares him, as if he always has to be ready. He is unique, not only because he has no limbs—since there are others of his kind—but because he is the only one not created by Polokus. He was born with the purpose of fighting evil and protecting the glade. In the end, he tells her about the nightmares he has been having for a week: he remembers nothing, but feels a terrible presence that is coming, and this time he cannot do it alone. He fights and fights, but it is useless; it feels like facing the Robo-Pirates, but a thousand times worse. Rayman trembles as he speaks, pure terror in his eyes, then he tries to calm himself:
“Maybe they’re just dreams… I will protect everyone…”.
Betilla understands but says nothing; she is between shock and fear, but she hugs him. Rayman grumbles because he hates being treated like a child, but then he smiles, because that hug calms him. Betilla tells him that he does not have to face anything alone, that everyone is there for him and that he can always ask for help, even if they are just nightmares. Then she adds that it is probably just stress and suggests going to Globox, sure it will do him good. Rayman looks at her a bit puzzled, because his mother does not seem entirely convinced, but then he thinks that, being a nymph, she would have told him if there was danger. Maybe she is right, it is just stress. He thanks her, tells her he loves her, and decides to go out: he needs some air and wants to play Kung Foot with Globox, since last time he won 90 to 0 and Globox wants a rematch. He leaves smiling and waves goodbye. Betilla is happy to see him return to his usual self and waves back, but as soon as he leaves, her smile fades. She runs to her room: something is wrong. Those nightmares are not normal, she knows it. Usually she hides nothing from Rayman, especially regarding threats to the glade, but seeing him so scared and dim did not allow her to tell him the truth. She cannot ignore it, she must find out what is happening. She opens an ancient book and the runes begin to glow. A terrible sensation runs through her. Rayman was right: something is wrong. And then she realizes: Ray went out. Clutching the book, she runs outside calling his name, but it is already too late. She must find him immediately, while continuing to check the runes…
Abe, Alf, and Toby had managed to find shelter together with other Mudokons, telling the great adventure they had lived through. But something had changed. Abe was different. He stared at the moon. He trembled. He had panic attacks. He was the only Mudokon who did not talk about what had happened, even when the others praised him and invited him to tell his feats. Each time, however, Alf intervened, saying that Abe was very tired and interrupting the conversation. Big Face had understood. Something had happened. At first, he tried talking to Alf: he told him the whole adventure, but nothing relevant emerged. He concluded that perhaps Abe was just shaken by discovering the truth about Sam. But Alf said there was a place he did not know, and that every time he tried to ask Abe about it, he turned pale and pretended not to hear. Furthermore, he had confessed that for days now he had been more agitated than usual, had constant nightmares… but did not want to talk about it. Alf asked Big Face to investigate: it was really strange, and he was worried about his best friend. Big Face accepted. He knew, however, that talking to Abe was useless. If he could not open up to his friends, let alone to him. He had to know what had happened down there, in the place forbidden to common Mudokons. He had to reach Necrum. There was a problem: Necrum had no teleporters. The only way to reach it was to cross the eternal desert. Big Face asked Alf how Abe had managed to get there. He replied that it was thanks to Toby’s help… and a train. The problem was that Abe had used the train to gather supplies for other Mudokons. If he got on with Toby, it would raise suspicion. But Alf said he would handle it… So, the next day:
Abe: “An expedition…?”
Alf: “Yes. Big Face said he needs the train to reach a very distant place.”
Abe: “Big Face!? If you want, I can come with you.”
Alf: “NO… no, you can’t.”
Abe looked at him suspiciously.
Abe: “Alf, are you hiding something from me?”
And there Big Face had to intervene: Alf was not very good at lying.
Big Face: “Abe, the shamans contacted me for an important mission and explicitly asked me not to bring anyone. Toby will accompany me only because teleportation does not work there. I’m sorry, but you cannot come with us. It is something that concerns the ancient sages.”
Abe: “But…”
Big Face: “No ‘but,’ Abe… your task is to take care of the other Mudokons. This does not concern you.”
Everyone remained silent.
Abe: “Okay… if it is necessary, then I will go… to bring some food to my brothers. They must be starving…”
He let out a nervous laugh.
Big Face felt guilty.
Big Face: “Abe, I’m sorry… I know you are going through a difficult time.”
Abe: “What? No, I’m really fine.”
“As Alf said, and the others too… I’m just tired. A little rest and I’ll be fine…”
The last sentence came out with a strange tone. Alf and Toby looked at each other, shocked and worried. Alf had known him all his life… and only now was he noticing the deep dark circles under his eyes. How long had he not slept? But insisting was useless. So he decided to distract him.
Alf: “Hey, listen Abe, how about we go grab something to drink later? I made one of my own and I want you to try it.”
Abe: “Alf, I don’t think that…”
Alf: “Nope, I don’t want to hear excuses! Come on, let’s bring the food and go!”
He said, pulling him away.
Abe: “Wait Alf, slow down!”
Alf signaled the others: you go, I’ll handle this. Big Face and Toby nodded and left. The journey was not too long, fortunately. Big Face told Toby it would not take long and, to reassure him, promised he would do everything to help Abe. Toby, happy, hugged him. He did not want to show it, but he was very worried about his older brother. Abe and Alf had always been kind to him. At first he was a bit hesitant, but Alf had spoken well of Abe, and in the end they bonded immediately during the journey. The two “brothers” had been impressed by his knowledge of trains. He had been alone for so many years… Now he was happy to have someone to talk to, play with, live with. And yes, sometimes even argue—especially with Alf. But lately… since Abe had changed… he felt as if he had gone back to working in the boilers. He did not talk to the other Mudokons. And Alf was often absent. He understood Abe—he was his best friend forever. But this was also distancing him from him. He had tried to talk to him, but without result. Abe kept saying he was fine, even though it was clearly not true. Big Face watched him, astonished. Shamans were not inclined to displays of affection. They devoted themselves to the spirit, and nothing else. Yet he was different. He loved being with other Mudokons, smiling, having fun. He was more empathetic. For this reason, the other shamans looked down on him. Sometimes they openly criticized him. His duty was to serve the gods, train the messiah, guide him to his destiny… no matter how cruel. They had to save the Mudokons, they said. But it was the shamans themselves who were the first to push away their own brothers for being different. Big Face comforted Toby, saying everything would be fine… even if he was not sure. Toby smiled. After a while, Big Face reached Necrum. It was difficult to get there, even for a shaman like him. But in the end he reached the entrance… and was immediately stopped by the guardian. She recognized him, despite being blind. Shamans had a different energy. But that was not enough: no one entered Necrum without a reason. Those who did so out of curiosity… met a bad end. Big Face wasted no time.
Big Face: “It concerns Abe.”
The guardian hesitated. Big Face looked at the temple… the place where Abe had received the mark… and said:
“Lately Abe has been behaving strangely. He changed after coming here. I want to know what happened to him.”
Silence. Then… she told everything. The depths. The stone. And the rot… which had shown Abe the truth of the Mudokons, deceiving him. Big Face clenched his fists. It was madness. Showing him that truth… in that way. A truth that he himself had not yet had the courage to reveal. Now he understood. He was about to scold her… but stopped. The guardian was crying. She had not wanted to do it either. It had been an order. From the shamans. She had stayed there… waiting for the messiah. She could not tell him anything. Abe had to discover the truth by himself. He had to face the trials. It was his destiny. But she had not imagined it would be so devastating. She hid behind a column, asking for forgiveness. She had seen him collapse. She had seen his panic. She had tried to calm him. She had taken him in her arms. She had accompanied him outside. The guilt was destroying her. But it was her duty. Silence. Big Face looked at the temple. The statues. The circle. What hypocrisy. He had done the same. He had told himself he was helping him. That he was guiding him. But deep down… he knew. He was obeying a blind order. He had placed an immense burden on someone who was just trying to survive. He had made him suffer. He had marked him. And then… he had left him alone. After Rupture Farms. He had not been there for him. Never truly. He approached.
“You have nothing to apologize for… in fact, you did more than I did. You were there for him. I… was not.”
He lowered his gaze.
“Maybe I do not deserve to be a guide. Nor a shaman. How can I guide him… if I do not listen to him?”
The guardian interrupted him.
“Do not blame yourself. Abe grew up in a cruel world… and his destiny is just as cruel.”
She pointed to the cells.
“We are all victims of the Glukkons’ betrayal. We are trying to do what is right… but there is no perfect answer.”
She paused.
“Now we must help him. Make him understand that, if he loses himself… he will not be alone.”
Big Face nodded.
“Thank you, guardian.”
She smiled. Then—darkness. A vision. Abe. Trapped. He screamed… but without sound. The vision vanished. The guardian trembled.
“This vision…”
Big Face looked at her… and understood. It was not normal. It did not belong to their world. It was… something else. He turned.
“I must find Abe. Immediately.”