Just A Robot (Dedesuka)

Curiosity Killed The Penguin

Escargoon sat in the small room, face covered in tears. "What have I done? I left him. I-I caused all of this. Why couldn't I have just stopped him from leaving? I could have saved him, I could have saved all of us." Escargoon wept, reminded of a memory he did not want to remember.

"I'm going Escargoon." Dedede made his way to his private balcony. "Wait, you can't go! What if it's a trap? They'll kill you!" Escargoon approached his husband. "I have to! If we don't solve the tension between our planets we could all be killed! I'd rather talk it out than have them declare war." Dedede placed his gloved hand on Escargoon's shoulder. "And what kind of king would I be if I ran away from my problems?" Escargoon gazed into Dedede's beautiful blue eyes. He sighed. "Yeah, you're right. I just want you to be safe okay? I don't want to lose you. I love you Dedede." Dedede chuckled. "I know, and I love ya too Escargoon but I gotta protect my planet. I'll be careful, don't worry 'bout it." Escargoon smiled."Y'know Dedede if you're going to go I should at least go with you-" "Out of the question. I'm not going to risk your own life for nothing. You're staying here." "But Sire-" Dedede pushed Escargoon up against the wall and kissed him passionately. Escargoon squeaked but eased into the kiss easily. They lovingly kissed as minutes felt like hours. Dedede broke away leaving Escargoon a bit disappointed. "I love you Escargoon and I'll always be with you. Never forget that." Escargoon smiled up at Dedede. "I won't. I swear on my life." Dedede held up Escargoon's hand, gazing at his wedding ring. "And if you ever do feel alone, just remember me with this." Dedede then kissed the ring. Escargoon blushed happily. Then they started laughing. "That was a little too corny wasn't it Goonie?" Escargoon giggled. "Awww it wasn't that bad. I thought it was kinda cute." Now it was Dedede's time to blush. They both burst into laughter. Dedede pulled Escargoon into his arms as they snuggled up close. They spent hours hugging, laughing, kissing and enjoying each others company. It was late. The moon shone bright and each individual star sparkled. Dedede and Escargoon watched the stars twinkle from the balcony. "Hey Dedede?" Dedede looked at his wonderful snail husband. "Promise me you'll come home, alright?" Dedede sighed. "I promise ya." Escargoon gave the big penguin one last kiss before they parted ways.

It had been weeks since Dedede had left. Escargoon was starting to get worried. Shouldn't he have heard something by now? Dedede would never go silent for this long. Escargoon kept the castle clean and lively while his royal husband was away, but on the inside he was scared. "What happened to him?" Escargoon didn't have time to answer as Sir Ebrum, Waddle Doo, and a small group of Waddle Dees entered the throne room. "Your Excellency, there is something we need to discuss immediately." Escargoon was confused. What could possibly be worth discussing on a fine day like this? Sir Ebrum pulled out a small envelope. Escargoon's curiousity was peaked. "Could it be a letter from Dedede?" Escargoon thought as Sir Ebrum handed the letter to Escargoon. Escargoon ripped the envelope open and scanned its contents. Sir Ebrum and Waddle Doo turned away, knowing, fearing what would happen next. Escargoon dropped the envelope, as the only thing that could be heard was the delicate piece of paper hitting the floor. Silence. No one dared to say a word. Escargoon blinked, allowing the waterworks in his eyes to start flowing. 

Escargoon screamed. Tears flowed down his cheeks as all could be heard were the loud weeps of the mollusk and his tears hitting the ground. Escargoon collapsed to the floor, unable to control his emotions. Sir Ebrum tried approaching the snail but Waddle Doo pulled him back. "Leave him be. Let the information sink in a while. You'll make him feel worse if you try and comfort him." Sir Ebrum sighed as him and Waddle Doo left the throne room, leaving Escargoon to cry. Escargoon didn't know what to feel, the tears just kept coming. "How.....how could he be gone? I should have made him stay. This is all my fault. Dedede, please this can't be true, you can't be dead. What will I do without you? I LOVE YOU!" The mollusk weeped even harder. "I love you." Escargoon uttered those three words over and over. He hoped that somehow, some way that if he did, Dedede would come back. But there was nothing. Nothing but silence.

Escargoon was alone.

Escargoon holed up in Dedede's room for days. Only letting the occasional Waddle Dee come in and bring him food. There was a knock on the door. Thinking that it was another Waddle Dee, Escargoon opened the door only to see Kirby. Before he was able to shut the door Kirby grabbed onto his arm and dragged him out of the room. "Kirby what are you doing? Let me go ya pink puff!" Kirby pulled even harder and guided Escargoon to the courtyard. Kirby and Escargoon entered the courtyard to find everyone in Cappy Town along with everyone living in the caslte gathered there. "What is this all about? Why is everyone here?" Sir Ebrum approached the two. "Escargoon, as you already know King Dedede has recently passed away." Escargoon winced. He didn't want to think about Dedede right now. Sir Ebrum continued. "While we are all devastated by the news we must continue strong and move on from it. However, with King Dedede's reign behind us and since he had no heirs we are without a king." Escargoon was annoyed by the whole situation. "And?" "Well since he had no blood relatives the next closest thing would be you Escargoon." Escargoon jumped. "You want ME to be king? Theres no way. I can't do that!" "You are all we have left! We need a king to rule Dreamland. Dedede would have wanted you to take his place." Escargoon was angry. How dare he bring Dedede into this. "You don't know that! He wouldn't have wanted anyone to replace him." Sir Ebrum sighed. "Well what if I told you I found this in his room?" Sir Ebrum motioned towards Waddle Doo who brought out a small piece of paper. Escargoon took the paper and gasped. It was a note. He recognised the messy handwriting immediately. Dedede only had recently learned how to write so his handwriting was almost unreadable, but it was definitely his. Escargoon scanned the messy handwriting. "He knew. He knew about all of this. He planned out everything." Escargoon was in shock. Dedede had known the risk of trying to make peace, he knew that it would cost his life, and yet he did it anyway. Escargoon hugged the note, keeping it close to his chest. "Will you accept the role then? Escargoon, will you be Dreamland's new king?" Escargoon looked at the note one last time.

"Yes. I will be the new king."