A Strange Presence

Artist Comment:

September 9, 2021

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I promised myself once I revealed Null's secret, I would post this. x) So here it is!

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then you must've missed the updated comic page this week (DfTP Page 12) that talks about the truth of Null and Shieff.

Spoilers below for those who aren't caught up in the comic. AND major spoilers for Gooey's backstory. This is also going to be filled with A LOT of personal lore I've written for Gooey. Enjoy!

Part 1, the beginning:

So I mentioned that not only Null and Shieff were once Guardians, Gooey is too! =D Gooey, before being corrupted, is the Guardian of Kirby. (If you look at the family tree, you can see how they looked like before the corruption.)

Kirby's Guardian is Dyna Blade. Dyna died as a young chick while under the care of Kana. (Kirby's first caretaker.) Both Dyna and Kirby ended up getting severely ill one day, and while Kana rushed them to the hospital, Dyna died. Kana also thought Kirby died as well because his Warp Star dimmed, and cracked. (A common sign that signifies the death of a Star Warrior) While Kana was mourning alone in the forest from the loss of her two children, the Star softly illuminated and the crack healed itself. She realizes Kirby is still alive. She left Dyna and so she could get help for Kirby. Once Kirby was stable, she returned to the forest for Dyna's body to properly bury it in Pop Star's Star Warrior temple, but was shocked to see that the body disappeared. Kana has no idea what happened to Dyna's body, and she never figured out who took it.

In truth, a Dark Matter took the body so they could possess it. A VERY important thing to remember about Guardians is NO Dark Matter should be able to possess one. Guardians were created by the Great and powerful NOVA. They are the only being that can withstand, and overpower pure darkness. This was mentioned in Chapter 9, Page 5 of Guardian of The Stars. So when Dark Matter tried to possess Dyna, the exact opposite happened and Dyna ended up coming back to life by absorbing the life of Dark Matter.

Please note that anytime a Guardian becomes corrupted, it's NEVER a smooth transition. There's always repercussions, and Dyna (Now Gooey) ended up losing their memory of ever being a Guardian as well as being able to properly speak. While Gooey can't remember anything, he does have a strong reaction when he reunites with Kirby again. Gooey can't understand why he feels a strong connection to him, but they end up becoming best friends, and he was eventually adopted by Meta and Kes. Kirby is the only one who can understand Gooey. No one can explain why, not even his parents.

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Part 2, the transformation:

Okay, time for a time skip!

So, how did adorable little blob Gooey get his new form? (The one drawn on the illustration above.)

WELL! You can thank this guy below for it! Yup, Dark Matter Swordsman! He attacked Kirby after luring him in to the Star Warrior temple to fight.

DMS battles Kirby, and overpowered the little Star Warrior quite easily. When DMS was going to deliver the killing blow to Kirby, Gooey stepped in to block the attack. Something inside Gooey awakened once the attack made contact. DMS's attack should've killed Gooey, but to his surprise, Gooey was unharmed.

Gooey remembers now. HE is the Guardian of this Star Warrior. He is a Guardian, and it is his sole duty to protect his master at all cost. Gooey viciously attacks DMS with everything he has. Despite being much smaller, Gooey eventually overpowers him, and absorbs its power to transform into his new form! When Kirby wakes up, he's amazed to see Gooey! Grabbing some discarded armor scattered on the floor of the abandoned temple to dress him (Cause Kirby claims he looks silly without anything), the pair heads home while Gooey informs him about everything.

So yes! The eye on Gooey's stomach belongs to DMS. DMS is dormant in Gooey and can't really do anything except maybe glare at Kirby from afar. XDD

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Part 3, The Sub Zero attack

Let's have another mini timeskip! This is when Tulok is around 8 or 9, for reference.

Kirby has noticed Gooey is acting really distant. Not really talking, always avoiding the family, and he spends most of his time alone in his room. Kirby isn't stupid and knows something is going on with his other half despite Gooey telling him it's okay. Kirby doesn't believe him, but drops the subject and just keeps a close eye on him when he's able. Unfortunately, things take a huge turn for the worse during Tulok's birthday. After eating dinner, cake and cerebrating, it was time for Tulok to open his gifts.

While opening the large pile of presents, a great surge of pain suddenly strikes Gooey, and he quickly backs up while clutching his head in pain. Everyone is suddenly focused on Gooey, worried and concerned. Tulok gets a bit too close, and Gooey strikes him hard with his tongue by accident. It sends Tulok flying across the room- Meta and Kes quickly race to their son while Kirby puts himself between his family and Gooey them to protect them. He looks at Gooey and notices tears falling from his face for a brief moment, before Gooey races back to his room. Kirby quickly follows behind, and kicks the door down after several seconds. Once he enters, however, he notices Gooey is no where to be found.

Kirby goes back to the living room to make sure Tulok is okay, before telling his parents something, or someone is hurting Gooey. He tells them he's leaving and isn't returning until he brings him back. Meta and Kes understand- they know Kirby knows Gooey better than anyone, and they trust he'll be able to bring him back safely. They also know Gooey would NEVER hurt anyone, especially Tulok. He's basically a second brother to him.

Kirby then leaves with Galaxia in hand and promises to return soon.

So, WHAT happened to Gooey?

Gooey is a Guardian, but he's also a Dark Matter. My headcanon with Dark Matter is they are a small part of a VERY large entity. All Dark Matter is connected by a singular Mass- Zero.

Zero is the creator of all Dark Matter, and is able to control them when they step out of line. I like to think Zero is the mastermind of Dark Matter. A Hive- being able to control those who to ensure their species thrive.

Kirby defeated not only Zero, but his resurrection form- 02. In my series, however...Zero is still alive after the fact. It now goes by the name Sub-Zero. A picture of him can be found below, and size comparison. (You can see Kirby down on the bottom right) Sub Zero is HUGE!

Sub Zero is trying to control Gooey. Gooey has been struggling to fight it off for weeks, but once he attacked Tulok, Gooey knew he couldn't stay. He had to go back to his home and try to defeat his creator. Kirby catches up with him, but before they could talk, Sub-Zero locked on to Gooey's location and began controlling him. Gooey tried to resist, but ended up losing his will and started to attack Kirby, and Kirby only. No one else mattered, and Kirby, being friends with Gooey, refused to fight. Kirby ended up getting severely wounded and had to be taken to the hospital (Which is RARE since Kirby is considered one of the strongest Star Warriors)

Kirby runs away not even a day later. He's injured, but he doesn't care. Gooey needs him, he senses he's still alive....but just barely. Kirby uses their Warp Star to try to track their location, and eventually gains access to the dimension where they reside in. He knows if he doesn't win, he and Gooey will be killed.

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Part 4- The Fight and Death of Gooey.

This battle not only scars Kirby, but he had to medicate (Atticus providing a strong sedative for him to sleep properly) for a short time due to the traumatic things he saw that day.

Sub Zero is massive. Massive and absolutely terrifying. The dead husk of the creature he once defeated is alive and fueled with revenge. He takes control of Gooey once more, and again- Kirby doesn't fight. He tries to break Gooey out of it's control- he tells him their bond as Star Warrior and Guardian is stronger than any Dark Matter. He tells him to remember when they were just kids. Non of them knew that he was his Guardian, but they were STILL able to find each other despite the memory loss. Nothing could ever separate them, and if he has to die in order to break him out of this trance, then he'll do it. If a Guardian is willing to sacrifice their life to protect their Star Warrior, then a Star Warrior will do the same.

Gooey stops before he's about to strike Kirby. He doesn't move for what seemed like an eternity, before he tiredly rests his head on Kirby's shoulders to hug him. Kirby tearfully embraces his other half before they turn their attention to Sub Zero. With Gooey now back on his side, the two attack. Sub Zero is powerful, being able to easily deflect their attacks, but with Kirby being one of the strongest Star Warriors of his generations, the pair manage to slowly overpower him.

Sub Zero then focuses all his attacks on Gooey out of spite- Gooey can't keep up and ends up collapsing out of exhaustion. Before Kirby can aid his friend, Sub Zero grabs him, and sees the eye in his stomach. Without hesitation, he rips the Dark Matter out to free it. Gooey falls where he lays lifeless next to Kirby's feet. Seeing his friend slowly bleeding out from the open gash in his stomach causes the warrior to snap. He charges with absolute rage and fury with Galaxia in hand. He doesn't care what happens to him, he doesn't care if he gets killed in the process- all he wants now is to destroy Sub Zero for killing his friend. Sub-Zero is basically a husk with SOMETHING inside of it, so Kirby dived in and confronted the core of Sub-Zero. The core is surrounded by darkness, negative thoughts- and it's so powerful to the point where anyone could've succumbed to such a presence. Kirby didn't allow himself to become engulfed by it- using his Warp Star to penetrate the darkness before trying to destroy the large vortex of madness in front of him.

Sub Zero doesn't die, but escapes as its extremely wounded and injured. He swears to return more powerful than ever to finish what he started.

With the threat finally gone, Kirby kneels next to his dying friend and cries. He apologizes for not being able to save him in time. Gooey doesn't respond, his breathing starts to slow, and Kirby knows there's nothing he can to do save him.

A voice calls from behind, and Kirby turns around and spots Dark Matter Swordsman...though in this case he's just a small little Dark Matter blob. It quietly hovers next to Gooey much to Kirby's hesitation. DMS tells him to drop the tough guy act. If not, he's not going to save his friend.

Kirby looks at him confused, to which DMS tells him if he fuses back with Gooey, that should be enough to save him. Kirby asks why he would do such a thing. He thought he hated him, especially Gooey for sealing him in the first place. DMS doesn't have an answer for it as he doesn't understand as well. He just says it's the right thing to do. He then fuses back with Gooey, and thanks Kirby for showing kindness to him while he was sealed. (The reason why DMS showed kindness has been explained in the latest comic page's description- DfTP Page 12)

Gooey, still weak and injured opens his eyes, but yelps out in pain when Kirby embraces him. Gooey doesn't understand why his friend is so emotional, but allows his friend to cry until he feels well enough to head back home.

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Part 5- Aftermath and timeskip.

Kirby still struggles with that day, and he talks to Atticus for reassurance many nights as he's unable to sleep. Things are slowly going back to normal, but the fear of Sub Zero returning always keeps him on edge. Many years have passed, and no threat has ever resurfaced. Gooey can't sense Sub Zero and tells Kirby it probably succumbed from its injures after its battle from Kirby.

For now, Gooey will continue to live with, and be by Kirby's side. Although his form is a Dark Matter, he sees himself as his Guardian. Kirby doesn't care what form he takes. As long as he has him by his side, looks means nothing in his eyes.

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I thiiiink that's all I have to say about Gooey. I hope you enjoy reading a little bit about the adorable Dark Matter blob that is Gooey!! ^o^

And yes, I know Dyna Blade is a Girl in the game. Dark Matter technically doesn't have a gender in my series, and usually takes the gender of the creature it takes over. The Dark Matter who possessed Dyna Blade previously possessed the body of a male for half a century before it left when it sensed a frail Star Warrior nearby. (Baby Kirby and Dyna) When fused, Gooey identified as a male despite the Guardian being female. (And not to mention at that point during the fusion, Gooey forgot about ever being a Guardian, so he had no idea to begin with) So just a little FYI just in case someone asks. >v<;;

Um, okay that's it! Thanks for reading!! =)