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He clapped.
Of course he would - he was, of course, genuinely impressed with the group’s handiwork. He hadn’t expected to see the Guardian Angel of Halcandra, Landia, felled so swiftly by a ragtag group of adventurers when he himself couldn’t accomplish such a task when aided by countless magic artifacts and an ancient Starcutter.
But at last, the deed was done.
He took in a breath-
-but hesitated.
Something didn’t feel quite right about this.
What was wrong? Where was the danger?
Memories of a time that hadn’t happened came to him quickly - a sharp pain in his scalp, the rush of energy, electricity stinging down his spine and a taste like rich chocolate on his tongue. Then anger, struggle, a serious bruising; he resisted the urge to flinch in real-time as he recalled a sword swing coming right for him. Then darkness, agony - regret.
Magolor hesitated.
“Bravo, Kirby! You’ve really earned your reputation as a hero, huh?”
He beamed proudly down at the little puffball, whose expression of confusion gave way to a contagious joy as they hopped up to him with a cheer, crashing into him for a hug.
“We did it!”
Magolor had no time to recover before being equally as crushed - lovingly - by Bandana Dee and Dedede, whilst Meta Knight had a good chuckle in the background as he was smothered in affection.
“Okay, okay! Break it up you guys!” he called out with a laugh, being freed from their adorable clutches, “Woo! Your help defeating Landia has been more valuable than you can ever know. Seriously, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay you…”
Magolor looked back down at the literal object of his affection. It glinted temptingly in the firelight.
He picked the Crown up quickly, turning it over a few times in his hand and humming to himself. His company all gathered to look over his shoulder at his find.
Stuffing the artifact into a pocket, he grinned up at them. “That’d make a fine souvenir for my collection, hm?”
Kirby giggled, but Magolor’s ear flicked towards a sound far behind them. He turned to see one of the wyverns stirring, growling slightly in its stunned stupor.
His eyes widened, and with a nervous laugh he gestured for the others to follow him, remarking, “Um, we’d best get out of here before it wakes back up!”
And so the five of them dashed off into the valley below, running to the ship in hopes that there wouldn’t be a hydra in hot pursuit.
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Having dropped off his guests on their home planet, waving goodbye from the deck of his ship, Magolor giggled to himself and withdrew his new toy.
Looking at it still sent shivers down his spine. A shame that he couldn’t make any use of its power…
...or could he?
After all, that bad feeling had only come when he was literally standing a few feet away from a renowned warrior who just defeated Landia, for goodness’ sake, it would be a terrible idea to actively betray them right then and there!
But now, in the privacy of his own ship, in the depths of space?
Magolor stared into the beautiful blue jewel, and it almost felt as though it stared back.
He turned anxiously to his left. Then his right.
Then, with a little flourish for effect, Magolor donned the Master Crown.
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His eyes shot open with a gasp.
He winced - he’d been trying hard not to jerk around as a reaction, but it was difficult to resist the urge. He checked to make sure he hadn’t pulled any stitches before sighing in defeat.
He cursed to himself quietly, alone in the Lor’s medical bay. He wished this task were easier. He wished he wasn’t so stubborn. He wished he didn’t have the worst luck in the universe.
But Magolor had no audience in the form of a Clockwork Star, so instead he once again shut his eyes and recalled the scene of his most fatal error once more.
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He watched with glee in his hiding place as the four dragons fell to the ground in a heap, the glittering golden headpiece he’d sought after for so long clattering to the floor at Kirby’s feet.
He moved to reveal himself-
No!
And froze.
The thought of Kirby and their friends seeing him now made him feel sick to his stomach, or lightheaded, or both. What? Was he getting stage fright all of a sudden? He had won, hadn’t he?
The thought of Kirby’s look of shock at Magolor’s sudden betrayal came quickly, followed closely by the thought of their wrath, the sheer might they’d displayed against Landia being directed at him with full force. He thought of them effortlessly dodging any complex, powerful spell he threw at them, and he actually drew back into his hiding place with fright at the thought of their ultra sword coming down on his head.
No. He couldn’t do this. He felt ridiculous - his flawless plan was so incredibly flawed that it destroyed itself upon completion. Of course, if Kirby could beat Landia like he wanted so badly, then Kirby could just as easily beat him as well. What a waste of time!
He watched solemnly as the group made their way out of the arena and back down the mountain, and Landia arose once more, recovering from the shock and regaining their lost Crown.
Magolor sighed and made to leave as well, empty handed. He’d have to hurry, considering that his friends would be expecting him to be back at the Lor-
He gasped as suddenly Landia dropped right in his path, glaring at him intensely with eight glowing eyes.
Oh no.
Oh, no.
He’d never been able to fight Landia and win alone. The only person who’d ever won against them was now far out of reach. Magolor had no artifacts, no ship, no crew. Just him and the angry - no, furious guardian whom he’d wronged so many times before.
His ears folded back with fright as they began charging a fire blast. Taking a deep breath, Magolor pulled up his shield, shut his eyes, and prayed.
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“No-!” he gasped, then coughed, choking on his words. Blasted. Metaphorically, and literally.
Magolor groaned to himself, putting his head in his hands. There had to be some way. There had to be.
Every time he received these visions - memories, he reminded himself - he’d be able to account for them well. Usually. Sometimes.
If he had a bad feeling about something, he knew to listen. If he had knowledge of what was about to happen, he’d use it. Magolor would never, could never, disregard his gift. If it could be called that. It was really more of an interesting circumstance regarding his existence on a chronologically non-linear ship. But it had been a blessing to him, and he was sure that with enough effort, he could truly change fate!
He wouldn’t have to suffer. He wouldn’t make this mistake. He could fix it. He could…
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With a heavy heart, Magolor cherished the feeling of the Crown in his hands one last time. He sighed with longing, feeling around its intricate pattern and savoring the warmth of the magic in his hands.
He gritted his teeth, held it tight, and then chucked it hard into the endless expanse of Another Dimension.
Magolor fell to the deck of the Lor Starcutter with a barely restrained sob. Why?! How could this be better!? He had the world in his hands, and all he could do with it was let it go. What a cruel twist of fate to behold…
The cries of Sphere Doomers, while normally going ignored, suddenly caught his attention, ears perking up to calls of distress.
He peered over the railing to find one flying erratically as though in pain, something brightly shining in its mouth.
He covered his own mouth in shock and horror as he realized his mistake.
Magolor watched, stunned and increasingly terrified, amazed, and disgusted as claws burst free from the Doomer’s jaws, clutching it tightly and coiling around its wings, an inky darkness starting to take over its metallic feathers...
Until eventually the poor thing stopped struggling, and the thing that once was a Sphere Doomer set its cold, dead eyes on him.
His last coherent thought was that he probably should’ve traveled to Popstar’s dimension before disposing of such a high-energy device.
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He could fix this. He could. He could…
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Magolor shrieked as Landia crashed against his shield. Kirby called out to him in a panic as it shattered before the dragon’s strength and size. They were too far away - no hero would be able to save him now. After losing so many battles to Landia, how could Magolor have thought that fighting by Kirby’s side would make any difference?
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“Aww! But you promised!”
“I’m sorry, Kirby, I just don’t know if it’ll be safe enough on Halcandra for all of you…”
“C’mon!” Dedede crowed loudly, “We took out all them nasty beasts for ya, and now you don’t think we can take on some new place? How bad could it be!”
Kirby, now with renewed confidence, turned to face Magolor again with pleading eyes.
“...Oh, alright… there are some extra Energy Spheres to grab over there as well, so I don’t have much of a choice…” he patted Kirby on the head affectionately, “Plus, how could I say no to that face? Alright! To Halcandra!”
“To Halcandra!”
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Out of the group’s line of sight, Magolor fiddled with his new Crown. He hadn’t expected Landia to get back up, let alone assist them, but the Lor was doing just fine on her own - he hoped it would stay that way. He had a bad feeling about the situation regardless, and he picked at the golden claws of his new headwear. It was too tight, too restricting, and the talons that he once thought decorative were starting to sting… he attempted to pull them away from his head, only to wince as they held on tighter.
His once smug expression gave way to one of concern as a little blood trickled down his face. Would he be able to safely take this thing off? Had he misjudged the situation somehow? Magolor began to pull at the Crown in desperation, trying to fix whatever mistake he’d made in a panic as he felt his control over the situation start to slip away…
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Smirking, Magolor shut the rift behind him as to not be followed. He didn’t think it would be possible regardless, given the speed at which the four of them could fly, but he always trusted his instincts. He soared through the stars in his new form, alone with his thoughts and his plans of conquest… though, something still seemed wrong. Magolor shuddered slightly, feeling strongly as though he were being watched…
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“ Please! ” Magolor cried, “ Please, just let me have one chance! ”
He wept openly now, disappointed again, and again, and again. He just couldn’t win. He just… couldn’t. He had failed to save himself.
Magolor looked around the room. He’d been here every time a mission had gone awry, and yet now it felt unfamiliar in some inexplicable way. He felt so lost.
Trying to recall the past few days again, he found he could no longer remember which memories truly belonged to him. What timeline was he in? What had he really experienced? He could tell he’d worn the Crown… he clenched his fists and shook as he managed to disappoint himself again. He couldn’t even remember who exactly he was anymore. What he’d been through. If he couldn’t trust his memories, what could he trust?
He tried again. Trying to sort through all the memories felt like experiencing microphone feedback directly in his brain. What dimension was he in? What time was it? Had he run? Had he betrayed them, or played nice? When did he put it on? What had he said? What had he done?
Magolor sobbed again, then turned over, curling up on his little medical cot, feeling helpless. Maybe he’d try to get some sleep. No nightmare could be worse than going through that hell over and over.
He ran through all the scenarios again. And again. As long as he was awake, he’d keep trying to puzzle it out. Surely, he could save one. Just one. Let there be a timeline with one Magolor who was happy, safe and free. He desperately needed that refuge, that solace.
Shutting his eyes, Magolor thought back. One more time. One more time.
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.