Nighttime in Dream Land. Crickets chirp as a cloud covers the red moon. The camera pans down to Castle Dedede, where King Dedede is reading the Night Mare Enterprises catalog.
King Dedede: The catalog says this monster's super dangerous.
(He activates the Monster Delivery System.)
King Dedede: (laughs) I'll clobber that Kirby for good, thanks to the most fearsome monster I ever ordered! (Laughs again.)
(Erasem materializes. Dedede is baffled by its small size.)
King Dedede: Hm?
Erasem: Erasem! (It flies away.)
King Dedede: Huh? (Erasem goes through the door.) That was no monster. Something's wrong.
Erasem floats over the corridors of Castle Dedede. Sword and Blade notice it. Erasem goes through another door.
Sword Knight: What was that noise?
Blade Knight: (garbled) Was that a firefly?
Sword Knight: No...
Erasem enters Escargoon's room, where he is sound asleep. It lands on and enters him. He wakes up, startled.
Escargoon: Boy, I'm so tired even my cheek's asleep.
(He yawns and goes back to sleep.)
Theme song
Morning in Dream Land. Escargoon wakes up and stretches.
Escargoon: Ah, what a spectacular morning!
(Escargoon washes up and brushes his [facial hair].)
Escargoon: Yeah!
Castle Dedede throne room. Dedede comes in.
King Dedede: I hate mornings. (Yawns.)
Escargoon: Good morning, Your Majesty!
(King Dedede is shocked. Escargoon dusts the throne.)
Escargoon: I trust you had a pleasant sleep last night.
King Dedede: (in stupor) What's a snail doin' in my castle? (He starts inspecting Escargoon.)
Escargoon: (laughs) Somebody isn't a morning person.
King Dedede: You get outta here, stranger!
(Escargoon is shocked. Erasem reveals itself to the viewers.)
Erasem: Beware of Erasem, I'm fearsome, but you won't remember. Whoever is attacked by me is destined to be forgotten forever!
Escargoon: (laughs) Stop kiddin', you know who I am.
King Dedede: Look slug mug, I ain't never seen you before in my life!
Escargoon: (shocked, but then laughs agaon) Oh, you're some practical jokester there, Majesty, for a minute you almost had me fooled.
King Dedede: Yeah, you got that fooled part right. (Grabs Escargoon by his [moustache].) What're you doin' here, anyhow?
Escargoon: I'm just doing my job, helping you out like I always have.
King Dedede: I've got plenty of half-wits workin' here and I sure [as hard knuckle] don't need another one! (He throws Escargoon across the room.)
Escargoon: I don't understand why I'm being treated so shabbily after all my years of shameless grovelin'. Why, I even pretend that you've earned my respect and admiration!
King Dedede: It's "adiós, amoeba[sic]" for you, stranger! Where're my guards?
(Captain Waddle Doo comes in, hastily marching with the Waddle Dees following.)
Captain Waddle Doo: Hup, two, hup, two, hup, two, hup, two!
King Dedede: (pointing at Escargoon) Toss this intruder out now!
Captain Waddle Doo: Right.
(The Waddle Dees point their spears at Escargoon.)
Escargoon: You, toss me out? Do you simpletons really think you can push me around?
(The Waddle Dees nod.)
Escargoon: Well this is the last straw. I'm sick and tired of your practical jokes. That's right, I'm gone! (He leaves.)
Waddle Doo: He seemed a bit unstable, Your Majesty.
King Dedede: That fool's nutty as a pistachio.
Castle Dedede corridors.
Escargoon: You won't have me to pump up your ego anymore, you [overstuffed peabrain]! (To Sir Ebrum and Lady Like) Sir Ebrum, it may interest you to know that a certain snail has decided to dump his cruddy dayjob to set off on a more rewarding career trek. (He keeps walking.)
Lady Like: Who was that?
Sir Ebrum: Er, I've never met the chap.
Escargoon: (pushing through Waddle Dees) You won't have Escargoon to push you around anymore! (Dramatically crosses the drawbridge.)
Cappy Town. The mayor's place. The sheep are bleating.
Escargoon: How's it going, mayor?
Mayor Len: Huh?
Escargoon: It sure is a beautiful day to look for a new job.
Mayor Len: (takes his hat off) Sorry, have we met someplace before?
Escargoon: Ah! You don't know me?! But I've been tormenting your town for ages now!
Mayor Len: How interesting.
Escargoon: You really don't know me?
Mayor Len: No, sir. (The sheep bleat.) I'm very sorry. Maybe you're confusing me with the mayor of another town.
Escargoon: So you've never seen my face before?
Mayor Len: No.
Escargoon: (saddened) Then maybe it's me who's all mixed up.
Mayor Len: If you're lost, sir, you can always visit our police station, and the chief will assist you.
Escargoon: (suspicious) This is some kind of mind game, isn't it? I bet you're in cahoots with His Highness!
Mayor Len: I'm sorry, I...
Escargoon: Look, buster, I wasn't hatched yesterday, you know, so unless you want trouble with the [incomprehensible], I suggest you drop [incomprehensible] now.
(The angered sheep ram into him, and Escargoon is sent flying to the middle of the town.)
Escargoon: Now that's what I call a sheep shot!
(Escargoon realizes that everyone is looking at him. Honey hides behind Spikehead.)
Escargoon: Hey, why are you guys staring at me like that? (He gets up, laughs and clears his throat.) Now I know you twerps know me as the snail you love to hate, right?
(The kids look at each other.)
Tuff: None of us ever saw you before.
Escargoon: I give up.
Tuff: Cheer up!
Escargoon: (interrupting) I don't want your pity! Don't forget who it is you're dealing with! I can make your life miserable, you know. (He looks ahead and brightens up.) Kawasaki will know me.
Kawasaki's. Escargoon enters and makes his presence known.
Chef Kawasaki: Oh, good morning! Grab a seat, there's plenty of room.
Escargoon: I'm so stressed out I could even eat your food.
Chef Kawasaki: (serving water) Hah, I get slack from regulars, but a first-timer complaining about my cooking?
Escargoon: What? Agh! (He slams the table.) I got sick here lots of times! And now you're gonna pretend you don't know me, right? (Baginging his hand against the table) His Highness has the entire town in on this sick practical joke of his!
(Escargoon leaves, sobbing.)
Cappy Town streets. Escargoon heads down as everyone watches him in confusion.
Cappy 1: Hey, who's the snail?
Cappy 2: Must be from outta town.
Cappy 3: Maybe he's a tourist.
Cappy 4: I don't know, he looks shifty to me.
Escargoon: What? Oh, give me a break!
Police headquarters, where Chief Bookem is sleeping with a book on his face. Escargoon storms in.
Escargoon: Wake up, Bookem!
Chief Bookem: (disoriented) Reporting for duty! (He notices Escargoon.) Is there something I can do for you?
Escargoon: Hey, at last we're getting somewhere. (Points outside.) Go lock up everybody in town, they're all conspiring against me.
Chief Bookem: Oh! (The curious Cappys disperse.) Sounds serious.
Escargoon: I just knew I can count on our [crime-savvying] chief of police!
Chief Bookem: Hm, now let's see, first you'll have to file a report.
Escargoon: I really appreciate it, chief.
Chief Bookem: Just doin' my job. What's your name, sir?
Escargoon: Why you two-faced donut-hoarding hairy-lipped double-crossing no-good!
Chief Bookem: Uh, how do you spell that?
Escargoon: (screams) Just forget it! (He leaves.)
Chief Bookem: Hm, well I guess I could just mark the name down as "John Snail".
(Escargoon runs down the streets of Cappy Town, hysterical.)
Outskirts of Cappy Town, over a bridge.
Tiff: The king ordered a monster last night?
Meta Knight: Yes, but I haven't noticed anything wrong today. Have you?
Tiff: Everything seems pretty quiet around here.
Meta Knight: Hm...
(Escargoon reaches them, panting. Meta Knight reaches out his arm to shield Tiff.)
Escargoon: Now look, Tiff! And you too, Meta Knight! Don't tell me you're plotting against me with the king, too!
Tiff: Oh, don't worry. We wouldn't help King Dedede to hurt anybody.
Meta Knight: We will do everything in our power to assist you, my friend.
Escargoon: (relieved) I knew I could count on you guys, even though we've had our differences in the past.
(Meta Knight and Tiff look at each other, confused.)
Tiff: Just tell us what's wrong.
Escargoon: (sobbing) Everybody knows I'm Escargoon, but they pretend that they don't know me.
(Meta Knight and Tiff look at each other again.)
Tiff: Come on, you don't have to cry. We can help ya, okay? (She approaches him comfortingly.)
Escargoon: Thank you, I'm so grateful you guys know who I am, I thought I was losing my mind!
Meta Knight: Uh, excuse us a moment, Escargoon. Tiff, come here.
Tiff: You wait here, we'll be right back.
Escargoon: (nods) She's such a sweet kid, I promise I'll never be mean to Tiff again!
Meta Knight: Tiff, have you ever met that snail before?
Tiff: Never! I was just being nice to him 'cause he seemed so upset.
Meta Knight: Hm, we never met, but he somehow he knew both of our names.
Tiff: I think the guy's missing a few marbles.
Meta Knight: Maybe so, we better keep an eye on him in case his condition worsens.
Tiff: I wonder if his name really is Escargoon.
Escarhoon: (overhearing) Oh mercy, this is the darkest day of my life! (He walks away, crying again.)
Meta Knight: Tiff, are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Tiff: Yeah, he might need our help.
(They turn to address him but find that he's gone.)
Escargoon heads up a hill, where Kirby is having a stroll.
Kirby: Poyo, poyo.
Escargoon: Oh please let me run into one person in this loony-skew universe who knows who Escargoon is!
(They bump into each other.)
Escargoon: Kirby!
Kirby: Poyo, (he rolls onto his feet) poyo!
Escargoon: Kirby, do you recognize your old pal Escargoon?
Kirby: (happy) Poyo.
Escargoon: Do you mean you really know who I am?
Kirby: Poyo, poyo.
(Escargoon reaches out his arms, and Kirby jumps into his embrace.)
Escargoon: At least I've got one friend. I can't afford to be picky.
Kirby: Poyy!
The beach. Seagulls are cawing.
Escargoon: The sea is peaceful, and the sky is clear.
Kirby: Poyo.
Escargoon: Has my entire life been for not? What does it all really mean?
Kirby: Poyo, poyo...
Escargoon: To be or not to be? Could it really be that my life was so lacking in substance that in a flash I've been totally forgotten?
Kirby: Poyo, poyo!
Escargoon: But why me? I'm no worse than [the next slob].
Kirby: Poyo!
Escargoon: I don't wanna be a nobody, I wanna be remembered!
Kirby: Po-yo!
Escargoon: That's it, I'm turning over a new leaf!
Kirby: Poyo, poyo!
Escargoon: (hugs Kirby) Will you help me, Kirby?
Kirby: Poy-
Escargoon: I wanna be a good guy like you now. I'm sorry I did all those mean things to you in the past. Can you ever forgive me?
Kirby: Poyo, poy-yo.
Escargoon: Wow, it's like I'm becoming a somebody already.
Kirby: Poyo.
Escargoon: (puts Kirby down) Kirby, will you help me become a positive member of the community?
Kirby: (nodding) Poyo, poyo.
Escargoon: Ah, it's my second chance.
Kirby: Poyo...
Escargoon: With your help, I'll stop being such a miserable, low-down troublemaker.
Kirby: (compassionately) Poyo.
Escargoon: So long, forgettable life. From this moment forward, no-one is ever gonna ask "who is that guy?"
Kirby: Poyo.
(Kine swims out from the sea.)
Kine: How're you doing, Kirby?
Escargoon: Hey!
Kirby: Poy!
Kine: Hey, Kirby, who's that guy?
(Escargoon screams and faints. Kirby holds him up.)
Cappy Town police headquarters. The Cappys are gathered around a table with photographs of Escargoon.
Mayor Len: Here's another photo of that guy.
Cappys: Oh!
Chef Kawasaki: That's one, too.
Mayor Len: Here's a mystery for you, chief: how did that stranger end up in all these pictures?
Chief Bookem: (observing a picture of King Dedede and Escargoon in the Royal Racecar) Well, um...
Professor Curio: And look at this one. There we are fossil-hunting, but I sure don't remember it.
Chef Kawasaki: And here, I'm sure he never threw a plate at me.
Chief Bookem: Hm... That stranger must have forged these.
Mayor Len: Chief Bookem, his next picture better be a mugshot.
(The rest nod.)
Castle Dedede throne room. King Dedede is looking at a photo album.
King Dedede: (laughs) I sure am dedede-lightful-lookin'. I bet I could even be one of them super-models. (Laughs and turns a page, where Escargoon is in a photo with him.) How'd that nutcracker get himself in this here picture? (He turns over more pages.) Huh? This just ain't possible! There's somethin' mighty goofy goin' on here. (He closes the album.)
(Cut to the N.M.E. transmitter.)
King Dedede: What d'you mean you sent a monster?
N.M.E. Sales Guy: Yes, our records show you received a monster last night called Erasem.
King Dedede: What d'you say? I never got it. I ain't payin' for no merchandise I never got. Now send me a real monster before I sue!
N.M.E. Sales Guy: Erasem is one of the tinier monsters in our inventory. Try searching the castle with a magnifying glass.
King Dedede: Huh, a what? (He stares at a photograph of Erasem in the catalog.)
Castle Dedede corridors.
Meta Knight: What? You saw a floating light enter a room last night?
Sword Knight: Yes.
Blade Knight: It's [incomprehensible]
Meta Knight: But... Whose room is this? I don't remember.
Tiff: What's going on?
Meta Knight: I'm afraid we may be facing a small but fiendish foe, a monster known as... Erasem.
Tiff: Is it very dangerous?
(Blade Knight and Sword Knight exchange looks. The grouop heads through the corridor.)
Meta Knight: Erasem attacks its victims by blotting out all memories of their existence.
Tiff: Of course! That stranger we met.
Meta Knight: Exactly.
Castle Dedede courtyard.
Tuff: You mean that crazy snail-looking guy? Yeah, I saw him. He's hanging out at the beach with Kirby.
Said beach.
Escargoon: (sighs.)
Kirby: (sighing) Poyo... (He looks at Escargoon curiously and back down.)
Tuff: Hey, Kirby!
Kirby: Poyo?
Escargoon: Gee, it must be swell to hear someone calling your name like they know who you are. Just to hear someone calling "Escargoon!"...
Tiff: Escargoon!
Escargoon: Hey, did I just hear my name? Is somebody calling me?
Tiff: Hey, Escargoon!
(Tiff and Tuff run over. Escargoon is overjoyed.)
Escargoon: You really did just call my name!
Kirby: Poyo!
Tiff: I sure did, Escargoon.
Tuff: If you want, I'll say your name, too, Escargoon.
Escargoon: Doesn't it sound wonderful? "Escargoon" is such a lovely name.
Kirby: Pyo, Po-yo!
Tuff: I bet you're pretty hungry.
Tiff: Come with us! We'll have some tea and cookies, Escargoon.
Escargoon: This is great! So you finally remembered who I am, huh?
Tiff: Uhuh! We just needed a little help.
Escargoon: You don't really know who I am, you're just pulling my tail. I'm not fooled.
Tiff: M-mh. Escargoon, you're so silly. In our family album we have this picture of you and Kirby playing.
(She shows a photograph where Escargoon "plays" with Kirby. Escargoon and Kirby celebrate.)
Castle Dedede. Tiff, Tuff, Kirby, Meta Knight and Escargoon are gathered at a table.
Tiff: Help yourself to the cookies.
Escargoon: They sure smell great. Yum!
Kirby: (eats his cup) Poyo!
Escargoon: Okay, admit it, you still can't remember anything about me, can you.
Tiff: Not really, only from the pictures.
Tuff: But at least we all know that your name's Escargoon.
(Kirby tries to reach out for the cookies but fails.)
Escargoon: (sighs) Well, it is a beginning, I guess.
Tiff: And soon we'll remember everything. Now dig into the chocolate-chipped cookies.
Escargoon: Don't mind if I do.
(Tuff and Escargoon prepare to grab a cookie each, but the frustrated Kirby inhales them all along with the tableware.)
Tiff: You need to learn table manners.
Meta Knight: Escargoon, tell me, did you notice anything strange last night?
Escargoon: Let's see...
(Flashback to the scene in question.)
Escargoon: Wait, there was something weird! I had a nightmare that a tiny light was floating around in my head.
Meta Knight: As I feared.
Escargoon: As what you feared?
Tiff: You have got a monster inside of you.
Escargoon: Huh?!
Meta Knight: Which means that somehow, my friend, we've got to find a way to get that monster back out.
Escargoon: Not true, there can't be a monster in me!
Meta Knight: Its name is Erasem, and unless we remove it immediately, you will be forgotten forever.
Escargoon: Forgotten forever? Not even a scheming thing like me deserves a fate that awful!
Meta Knight: (slowly) Uh, the cure could be painful.
Escargoon: Huh? How painful?
Meta Knight: (his eyes glow green) Erasem will not leave willingly, it will require all of your courage.
Tuff: What happens if he chickens out?
Escargoon: Just get rid of it! I'm gutsy enough to handle it.
Castle Dedede dungeon. Sword Knight and Blade Knight, Tuff, Tiff and Kirby watch. Meta Knight activates a device that grabs Escargoon by his shell and starts spinning him.
Escargoon: (screaming) [Oh help!] [Mama! Help me, mama!]
(As he keeps spinning, Erasem flies out. Everyone cheers. Meta Knight stops the machine, and Escargoon hits a wall, flat like a pancake.)
Tiff: Escargoon?
Tuff: I remember you.
Meta Knight: So do I.
Blade Knight: [incomprehensible]
Sword Knight: Me too.
Kirby: Poyoyo!
Dedede: (barges in) Hey! What's goin' on down here? Huh? Escargoon? Sleepin' on the job?! Then it's time to [punch out]!
(Escargoon cries of joy as Dedede whacks him with his hammer, leaving a large bump on his head.)
Escargoon: Your Highness, I'm so thrilled [that] you recognize me! It's the happiest day of my life. Thanks, all. (He falls sideways.)
King Dedede: Huh?
(Erasem hovers next to Dedede.)
Meta Knight: Look out, the monster!
King Dedede: What monster?
Tiff: It's Erasem!
Tuff: Watch out, it makes everybody forget who you are!
(The group fends off against it and gives chase.)
Meta Knight: We must send it away before it strikes again.
Blade Knight: [incomprehensible]
Tuff: [Run], Kirby!
Kirby: Po, poyo!
King Dedede: (looking around confused; to Escargoon) Get up! We gotta catch the monster before they send it away. (He drags Escargoon with him.)
Escargoon: It's so great to be your disgruntled henchman again.
Cappy Town police headquarters. The Cappies continue observing the photographs.
Chief Bookem: Hey, I recognize this guy, his name is Escargoon.
Mayor Len: That's Escargoon alright.
Chef Kawasaki: Yeah, but how come we're standing around looking at pictures of Escargoon?
(Screams are heard outside.)
Mayor Len: Oh dear, that sounds like a mob.
Cappy: It's a monster!
Chief Bookem: A monster?
Meta Knight: Keep away from that light!
Tiff: Hey, that thing is dangerous, run away!
Hana: Get inside, get inside!
(Erasem has the police station door shut in its face, and it turns around.)
Meta Knight: This way!
(They run behind a tree. Dedede arrives in the Royal Racecar.)
King Dedede: Outta my way, that monster's mine!
Gus: Hey, there goes Escargoon.
Samo: Escargoon!
Gangu: Escargoon!
Mayor Len: Escargoon!
Chef Kawasaki: Escargoon?
Escargoon: (waving from the car) Hey, everybody, I just wanna thank you for recognizing me.
King Dedede: [incomprehensible]
Tiff: Now what?
Kirby: Poyo!
(Erasem hovers right over Escargoon.)
Escargoon: Get away from me, I don't wanna go back to being a nobody again!
Tiff: Quick, Kirby, suck it up.
(Kirby runs ahead and inhales Erasem.)
Tiff: Way to go, Kirby!
Tuff: Great job!
Kirby: Poy, poyo poyo! (He glows purple.)
Tiff: Hey, what is this little pink thing doing here?
Kirby: Poy, poyo...
Tuff: I never saw him here.
Kirby: Poy, poyo!
Meta Knight: What an odd creature.
Escargoon: Did you order this thing, sire?
King Dedede: That sure ain't no monster of mine.
Mayor Len: Where do you come from, stranger?
Chief Bookem: What brings you to Cappy Town?
Kirby: (looking around) Poyo, poyo poyo!
Tiff: What's your name, mister?
Kirby: (gesticulating) Poyo? Poyo, poyo!
Tuff: How come [he] can't speak?
Tokkori: Yo, what's goin' on? I hate when I just show up at the end!
Kirby: (jumping, happy to see Tokkori) Po, poyo! Poyo, poyo, po!
Tokkori: What is that? It looks like a reject from a kickball factory.
(Kirby blinks and falls back.)
Kirby: (desperate) Poyo, poyo!
(The screen goes black. The Warp Star circles around Kirby, unable to recognize him.)
Kirby: Poyo, poyo! Poy, poyo! Poy... (He grabs the Warp Star and stretches it wide. He ends up spitting out Erasem.)
Erasem: Bye, Kirby!
