Tiers and Hopes, Book 2

Lifeline

"Stay with me, Kirby. We're almost there."

Luigi raced down the corridor, Kirby still in his arms. The Star Warrior drifted in and out of consciousness. He imagined himself resting on a crescent moon, wearing his sleeping cap and wrapped in a blanket, gently floating through a sea of stars. Luigi's voice spoke to him from all around, soothing him, and he zeroed in on that voice like a lighthouse beacon, guiding him toward shore.

I hope Dr. Mario's still in, thought Luigi, his blood beating in his ears and his face sticky with sweat. Worriedly, he looked at Kirby, whose eyes briefly focused.

"Poyo..." he slurred.

"Oh, Kirby—why would you do this?" asked Luigi.

"Poyo...poyo...poy..."

"Kirby, that's not true. You could've come to me. You could've come to Mario or Peach or Sir Meta Knight or DDD—or any of the other Smashers."

"Poyo...poyoyo...poyo..."

"Of course, we'd understand, Kirby," Luigi said gently. "That's what friends do."

Tears welled up in Kirby's eyes. "Poy..."

Luigi shushed him. "Save your strength," he pleaded. "It's gonna be okay. I promise."

Sensing he was no longer alone, Luigi whirled.

Pikachu and Pichu stood there, horrified at the sight of the semiconscious puffball in Luigi's arms.

Pichu covered his mouth with his paws. "Pichu!" he gasped.

Pikachu steered Pichu toward his room. "Pika pika pi," he instructed.

Nodding, Pichu darted back inside, closing the door after him.

Slowly, cautiously, Pikachu approached Luigi and Kirby. "Pika...?" he asked.

What happened? While you were getting on my case about my side special, Fox and his pals have put Kirby through the worst Hell imaginable! But Luigi held his tongue, knowing that this wasn't the time or place for hostility.

As for Pikachu, it was as if he'd been roused from a dormant state. He'd been so fixated on proving the Green Missile's lack of originality that he'd put everything else on the back-burner—including his relationship with Kirby. He'd heard people talk about how he was being targeted over that stupid tier list, but he'd barely paid attention. If he had, then—well, Kirby wouldn't be wrapped up in bloody tourniquets in Luigi's arms, now would he?

He remembered listening in on Marth's talk with Kirby earlier that afternoon before things took a dark turn. He remembered hearing Marth lament that he'd left Roy to face harassment on his own because the bluenette was busy doing the exact same thing to Kirby. Pikachu couldn't even remember the last time he asked Kirby how he was doing.

Well, that was gonna change. Starting tonight.

Luigi studied the remorseful look on Pikachu's face, and his own features began to soften. "Pikachu," he said quietly. "He needs us. Both of us."

"Pi," Pikachu agreed.

"I'm taking him to the infirmary," said Luigi.

"Pika pi pika," said Pikachu.

"Dr. Mario's office? Even better," said Luigi.

Pikachu scampered down the hallway as Luigi followed.