The Dream Traveler's Visit

Synopsis: Angel Grove's newly-built Dreamland Twinkle Star Park (a counterpart to the Japanese one seen in "The Mysterious Stranger") is open to the public, and receives three special surprise guests - Kirby from planet Popstar, NiGHTS from Nightopia and Klonoa from planet Phantomile.    

Chapter 1--Opportunity for Fun

Somnibot found her new line of work both challenging and rewarding.  She had plenty of free time to be around her family even though robots age much faster than human beings and are only so immortal as their power supply demands.   

‘Hey, this is Gloria.  I was just wondering if you could come in and herald the opening of Dreamland.   You were such a tremendous hostess the last time.’, Gloria questioned. Somni rapidly pulled up her schedule on her Iphone and noticed she didn’t have any insomniacs to help currently.   Her weekend would be completely free.

‘I’d like it if the others could join me.’, Somni suggested.   

‘They’re free to attend with you.   I have VIP lanyards for all of you.’, Gloria replied in a bubbly, eager tone.

‘How were you…’, Somni began.

‘I have connections.’, Gloria said, chuckling.   It was rather short notice but Somni and her best friends packed their bags and were on their way to the location where the amusement park was to be built.   It was to use the facility that was once a very popular mall but it had fallen into disrepair. At least the mall would be getting a facelift and a totally new lease on life.  

Chapter 2--Putting on the Final Touches

When the gates were opened for their bus, the Rangers found a place to park.   Like the original Dreamland, all the parking lots were based off tropes based off the ideas and inspirations that only reveries could bring.  They parked at the REM Wave C lot. Avidly, they exited and began their journey toward what would become the most attended, popular and largest Twinkle Star Park in the history of amusement parks.    This particular park would be known worldwide for record crowds and the most unique brand of mascots. Of course, it would be the favorite of dreamers, wishers and hopers alike.

Gloria guided them through all of the amusements that were in progress.

‘In a couple weeks, this will all be complete. It just needs to be tested and we were thinking maybe you could be the first to ride the Shooting Star.’, Gloria said.

‘I’m definitely game for that.   Look at that drop. That’s got to be at least an 80 to 90 angle straight down and plummeting into a set of loop de loops.’ Adam observed.   

‘Very astute.  You know your coasters !’, Gloria praised.   Zach was pretty stoked to be riding the Star as well.    There were plenty of other rides to be seen and actually tested.   They were more than prepared to have a day full of excitement and fun.    

Meanwhile..

King Dedede flung a potion together.   

‘Using energy from unsuspecting people will be easy once I can frighten them in Dreamland’s Fun House’. , he thought, rubbing his hands together greedily.   A portal emerged from his cauldron, undulating and rippling as it spun counterclockwise.

‘Now to fight my foes once more.   This time I’ll be victorious.’, Dedede thought.   The only thing he didn’t know was he had picked up characters from other video game dimensions such as Klonoa from Phantomile, Nights from Nightopia and of course, his old nemesis, Kirby from Dreamland.    

Chapter 3--Blending in with the Mascots

Dedede fit in so perfectly with the theme of the park no one seemed to notice that he didn’t have a zipper in the back of his neck.   The Rangers and the bots were the only attendees but Pepper found the fact there was a zipper missing rather suspect.

‘Wait a minute !  You’re that insane king from before !   I remember you !’, she said, her jaw dropping slightly.    The younger robots went slightly agog at seeing King Dedede in person.   Jibo asked if he was dreaming. Another neonate bot answered, rather plainly, ‘No, and we’re definitely not in Kansas anymore.”

Dedede sneered and scoffed.  

‘I have a little extra oomph this time.   Good luck trying to get the upper hand on me !’, he said, casting a new spell.    The Rangers began to feel incredibly sleepy. No matter what they did they couldn’t fight it off.    Before they knew it they were in a dream realm totally unfamiliar. The sensation of fear was starting to creep in and unsettle their nerves.

‘Don’t give in to anxiety.  It’s what he feeds off !’, Jason warned.   

‘How did you know that’s what he’s going for ?’, Tommy questioned.

‘I don’t know about you but I’m sure Jason feels the negativity bursting from Dedede’s aura.   It’s thick and pungent.’, Trini stated, noting the putrid odor of sardines emanating from Dedede.   This was a different Dedede than the one they had faced before. He was stronger, more prepared, and definitely more confident.   They were going to need all the help they could get in this nightmarescape if they wanted to free others from the hypnosis of Dedede’s incredible new necromantic abilities.   

Chapter 4--The Cavalry Arrives

Klonoa had fallen through the portal just like Kirby and Nights.  

‘What on Earth is going on ?’, he asked.  He had bumped his head and it swelled slightly from impact, but he wasn’t hurt.   Kirby seemed confused. Nights knew exactly where they were. It was a place called the Neitherverse.  They would have to be cautious here, since chaos had full reign and Dedede’s power was increasing by the second.   

'Where are we?', Nights asked. She got up and dusted herself off.   

‘I thought you would know !’, Klonoa stated, a bit irritated.   

‘It doesn’t matter.  These poor souls need us.’, Nights responded obviously.   Kirby pointed ahead at Dedede and glowered. ‘Oh, it’s on like Donkey Kong !’, he said in his native tongue.  

‘Kirby must be ready to fight too.  I know that evil King anywhere.’, Klona said.  All the while they were having this conversation, the Rangers and their friends were preparing for battle.    

‘I’m searching for weak spots and he seems to have one right underneath his heart.  Use your weapons and aim for that spot !’, Alpha said, after running a full-body scan of Dedede.   King Dee hadn’t even realized that Alpha had gotten those vital stats since he was so stealthy and light on his feet, especially for a robot.  

Puppet Blaster took aim and the rest of the Rangers began to fire on King Dee.   Dee laughed, being tickled by the onslaught. With a spell he grew his hand to massive size and easily swatted them away like unwanted gnats at a picnic.  

‘Please !  If all you’re gonna do is make me laugh then I’ve gotten you beat.   Speaking of beating…’, Dedede said. Out of his neverending magic pocket, he pulled out a gargantuan mallet and reared back.  

‘NOW !  FIRE AT HIS CHEST NOW !’, Billy yelled.    It was a once-in-a-lifetime shot and quite a difficult one to nail, especially since Dedede had gathered momentum from his leap.    

Nights aimed with a Starlight Ray of her own.   Klonoa used a simple jump technique heroes often have in video games to defeat their foes.   It was registering damage, much like a Final Fantasy counterattack.

‘I certainly am getting in my work out for today, but this foolishness ends NOW !’, Dedede said, fueling on many park attendee’s fear, anxiety and unease in the park.   There were plenty of nubile worrywarts to suck energy from and he only grew more formidable. That is, until the weapons broke through and hit their target.

Chapter 5--Onslaught and Awakening

It was like something out of Into The Badlands only even more epic.   Dedede’s feights were matched only by the Rangers and bots striking back intensely.    All the attacks against Dedede proved to be too much but fortunately, he had cast a shrinking spell that would give him the ability to respawn after his defeat.    The Rangers, bots and the travelers thought they had won, especially since they had awoken from their nightmare.

‘That sleep spell certainly was potent…’, Somnibot commented, yawning a bit.    Jiba noticed a tiny ant running away but thought nothing of it. Though, it did sound a terrible lot like Dedede.    Before she could react, the ant had bubbled itself and disappeared.

‘Oh !  I let our villain escape !’, she said a bit sadly.  

‘It’s alright.  We’ll get him next time.’, SICO said, putting her arm around the young bot to assuage her fears.   

Kirby and his friends savored the diversions of the park as well as the treats that were gratis for the time being.

‘I can take them all back from this point.   Maybe we’ll team up some time in the future. Who knows ?’, Nights said.   Klonoa gave them all star-shaped communicators via the help of his fairy-like companion.   It would give them connectivity across the Multiverse.

Epilogue

After their short trip the bots and the Rangers were tuckered out from a long day at Twinkle Star.   All the way home they rested on the bus until they came to HQ.

‘It was great to see Kirby again.   But boy, it was swell to have Klonoa and Nights fight on our side.’, Herman admitted.  

‘I almost thought we’d let fear get the better of us.’, Pete stated, honestly.   

‘We’re too tough for that.’, Alexis agreed.    

Somni had set out the sleeping bags for the night. She didn’t even need to prompt anyone for a good night’s rest.   As soon as everyone’s heads hit their pillows they were out like lights, dreaming of the park that would become Twinkle Star.   Once it was open, Somni would work as a regular there. She still had gigs advertising and helping insomniacs so she was making excellent income for her family.   Morpheus couldn’t have been happier for her. For now, all of them were rowing along the dreamy shores of the land of Nod, slumbering peacefully until the morning light.

The End