Tiers and Hopes, Book 2

Ashore

It was a subdued scene in the Smash Mansion the next morning as everyone sat down to breakfast. They'd been roused by the commotion last night and knew that something awful had happened to Kirby. Unfortunately, they didn't know the details just yet.

Fox sat with Dorf and Koopa, poking at his food. He could feel the glares from the other Smashers—Luigi, in particular. Even he sensed that he'd taken things too far the other day. The vulpine could feel something—his conscience, perhaps—roughly shaking him by the shoulder and telling him to wake up. And maybe he was waking up—waking up from a pride-induced stupor.

A Wireframe strode into the cafeteria. "Smashers," they said.

The Smashers fell silent, turning to look at the Wireframe.

"Master Hand would like to see you in the auditorium immediately after breakfast," announced the Wireframe.

The Smashers nodded to show that they understood.

The Wireframe cast Fox, Koopa and Dorf a piercing gaze before leaving.

And Fox's stomach dropped.

...

All of the Smashers quietly filed into the auditorium and took their seats. Now, Fox could feel everyone's gazes stripping him bare. Alarm bells started ringing in his head. He began to realize that he'd crossed a line, and now Kirby was suffering because of it.

God, I hope he's okay.

Master Hand warped into the room, and everybody could tell that he was not happy. The Hand of Creation spoke calmly and clearly in an indoor voice, but his anger was palpable.

"Good morning, Smashers," he said.

"Good morning, Master Hand."

"I'm afraid I bring—grim news," said MH. "Last night—Kirby was rushed to the infirmary."

Gasps.

"Is—he okay?" asked Peach.

"He's—recovering," MH replied, "thanks to Luigi and Pikachu's timely response."

"What happened?" asked Ness.

MH swallowed. "Luigi and Pikachu—they found Kirby in his room, bloodied and covered in slashes."

"Actually, I sensed that something had happened," said Luigi. "I broke down the door and discovered him in that condition. Pikachu walked in and wanted to help."

"Master Hand—who would do that to Kirby?" Zelda wanted to know.

MH cleared his throat. "There's not an easy way to tell you this," he said, "so I'm just going to tell you. Those slashes—were self-inflicted."

Horrified looks were exchanged.

"How long...?" Falcon asked.

"There's no way of knowing at this time," MH replied, "but I do know why." His voice hardened, and Fox felt sick.

"No—they didn't—they wouldn't," growled Young Link.

"I'm afraid so," said MH. "This tier-list nonsense has gone on long enough. I thought the perpetrators learned their lesson three years ago, but obviously, I was wrong. What makes you think that it's okay to torment someone just because of a piece of paper? Is it fun to you? Because it as sure as Hell wasn't fun for Kirby."