Darkness Over Dreamland- Chapter 8

"It's Dark Nebula."  
Meta Knight froze with that one sentence, getting a questioning look from Galactic Knight as he did.

"What's wrong?"

"Dark Nebula is almost worse than Zero Two.  Whatever they've planned, it can't be good.  I think we may have just walked directly into a trap."

"It's surprising how often you can be right, Meta Knight.  Unfortunately for you, this time you have figured it out far too late."

DOD

"I'm not pickin' up anymore signal from anyone, Dedede.  I don't think we've got too good of a signal in the basement."
The set had just barely managed to hear of the developement on Dark Nebula being involved, but they hadn't been able to come in contact with anyone else after that message.

"Or maybe no one ain't talkin', Joe."
Knuckle Joe stopped for a moment to think about that.  It was an option he didn't want to consider, but it might have been the truth.  Neither of them knew what was going on in the rest of the castle, despite the radio giving somewhat broken updates.  The fighter took out the radio and pressed the talk button.

"Anyone, come in.  Anyone at all."  
He took his finger off the button, yet nothing but static answered him.

"I think somethin's gone wrong."
He ignored Dedede and pressed the button again.
"Someone come in.  Please."
Once again, the crackle of static was the only response.
  
"For once, I think ya might be right, Dedede."

DOD

"What's Dark Nebula, Kirby?"
  The pink puff sighed.  

"I had to fight him after the incident with the Squeak Squad.  He can possess people, take them over, even enhance their powers.  I'll honestly never forget having to fight Daroach under his control- it was one of the more terrifying things I've been through."

"So, this is a really bad thing?"

"Exactly.  I'm sure that Zero Two and Dark Nebula have a very dark plan in store for us."

"You would be correct, Kirby.  It almost pains me to see that you've figured it out far too late."

DOD

It didn't take long to collect all the groups in the throne room, each of their weapons now lying in a heap.  Those without weapons earned the extra watchful eyes of the multitude of Dark Matter that seemed to inhabit each corner of what was formerly Dedede's castle.  It was quiet as the last duo- Knuckle Joe and King Dedede- were chained up to the rest of the group, Zero Two watching in his usual unemotional way.  After the self proclaimed King was chained, the entire group continued their silence, looking expectantly at Zero Two.

"What are you going to do with us?"
Kirby spoke up, and Zero Two turned his attention to the pink puff.

"You always have been a brave one, Kirby.  You are quite a respectful adversary.  However, you are without the crystal you used on our previous encounter, so I'm a little surprised that you are so calm.  What did you expect to beat me with?"

"Anything we could, Zero Two.  You've destroyed most of Dreamland, killed many people, including most of my friends, and now you're probably planning to kill us."
At that moment, a group of Dark Matter came in carrying a familiar treasure chest.  They placed it near Zero Two, who took no immediate notice of it.

"I congratulate you all on being brave enough to believe that you could just waltz in here and destroy me.  But, your crusade ends here.  I will be the emerging victor in this battle, and then I will truly have Dreamland as my own.  Or, as planned, half of it will be mine."

'The other half will be mine.  I believe it is the time to show exactly what they will truly be facing, Zero Two.  The time has come to take down what pathetic remains there are of the opposing force.'  
  The eery voice from the chest seemed to echo and whisper around each occupant of the room, making most of the shudder involuntarily, subtracting Zero Two and the hordes of Dark Matter.

"I believe it is time as well."
He signalled to the Dark Matter nearest to the chest, and they moved quickly to the chest.  After a few moments, it was open, and the black star surrounded by a purplish aura known as Dark Nebula emerged.  However, the figure, familiar mostly to Daroach and Kirby, was only briefly visible- it soon faded into the pure white form of Zero Two.  For a few moments, a dark purple-black aura shielded the two villains from sight.  Finally, the form came back into sight.  There was collective gasp at the sight now before them.  Zero Two's originally white body was now a deep shade of purple, with some hints of white still in place.  His formerly golden-yellow halo was now a pure black color, and as a whole, he was surrounded by a purple-black aura much like the one that had shrouded the two villains during their transformation.  The only thing that had not changed was the pure blood red coloring of Zero Two's eye.  

"I am Dark Zero Two."
And it was at that moment, as the distinctly fused monotonous voice of Zero Two and the eery, whispery voice of Dark Nebula echoed around them, that even Kirby began to fear they might not make it out alive.