History Characters / KirbyDarkMatter

* MeaningfulName: A "Nebula" is a cloud of gas or dust in space, fitting onsidering that Dark Nebula is described as a "cloud of smoke". Its japanese name depends on [[EpilepticTrees whether or not one believes it to be connected to the Dark Matter race]].

* PhysicalGod: The English ending of Squeak Squad makes a passing remark that Dark Nebula was the 'Ruler of the Underworld', which presumably means that Dark Nebula is some sort of physical god, though still related to the Dark Matter faction.

* AmbiguouslyRelated: It's painfully obvious it's related to Zero, the question being whether it's ''exactly'' the same character.

* GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere: Aside from its eye peering from the Hyper Zone in ''Dream Land 3'', there is not even the slightest hint of its existence until its actual battle.

* AdaptiveAbility: PlayedWith: After being damamged with a certain element enough times, Miracle Matter will stop using the equivalent form.

* GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere: One of the few major antagonists not foreshadowed in any way except at the very end of the preceding level.

* GenericDoomsdayVillain: Just another Zero, with the exact same amount of character, or lack therof.
* GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere: No real explanation is given for its appearance, nor is there any hint to it existing at all, aside from the ominous ending if the play did not manage to gather all Crystal Shards and [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/kirby/images/4/48/02-kirb.PNG/revision/latest?cb=20190309035142&path-prefix=en the sketch of its false face during the bad ending credit roll]].

* GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere: Its appearance isn't hinted on until late into the game.

* LackOfEmpathy: Attacks completely innocent planets without a care in the world.
* LightIsNotGood: In contrast to Dark Matter, this one's completely white.

* TheSpook: Even worse than Zero in this regard: ''nothing'' is known about it aside from it working for 0[[superscript:2]] and while it contains elements that imply it to have a connection of some kind to the Zeros (white color scheme with red eyes, HiveQueen to a cloud of Dark Matter) and it displays unique attributes including the ability to NoSell any ability it is not using itself, none of this is ever explained or even acknowledged outside of its boss fight.

* LightIsNotGood: It's white, it's got angelic wings and a HolyHalo. Despite this, it's the leading force of evil in the game.

* EvilCounterpart: To Kirby. Both have simplistic, spherical designs, and both are [[spoiler:reincarnations of Void Termina]]. However Kirby was born from [[spoiler:Void absorbing positive emotions]] while Zero comes from [[spoiler:Void absorbing negative ones]]. Kirby's simplistic design highlights his cuteness while Zero's highlights its creepiness. Finally, Kirby is capable of absorbing or even befriending his enemies to help him while Zero will typically forcefully possess others as minions.

* BlatantLies: The Prisma guide states that it’s a benevolent creature who “rarely presents trouble in the cloud levels of Shiver Star”. In actuality, it’s anything but.

* VileVillainSaccharineShow: Infamous for it. Whenever somebody tells you Kirby is "kiddy", show them a picture of this guy.

This page is reserved for the Dark Matter antagonists of the ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'' games. To reach the other character entries, head back to [[Characters/{{Kirby}} the main characters page]].

* TheNightThatNeverEnds: Dark Matter can cover entire worlds like storm clouds as it attempted in ''Dream Land 3''. With no Kirby around, it successfully does so to Ripple Star in ''Kirby 64''.

* TrickBoss: You're only given a couple seconds after defeating Dark Matter before being thrown into Zero's fight.

* DubNameChange: The old [=NoA=] website for ''Dream Land 3'' and English manual of ''Kirby 64'' refer to the clouds as "Dark Matter", leading many fans to believe that it and the villain from ''Dream Land 2'' were supposed to be one and the same; however, the Japanese ''Kirby 64'' manual instead describes the clouds with the far more generic term 「黒い雲」 ("black cloud") similar to the original ''Dream Land 3'' manual, and the name "Dark Matter" instead usually refers to the individual enemy.[[note]]The Japanese-exclusive ''20th Anniversary Hoshi no Kirby Pupupu Taizen'' art book does refer to race as 「ダークマター族」 ("Dark Matter clan"); however, this is referring to the beings in general, as it should be noted that the substance is generically referred to as 「暗黒の雲」 ("black cloud") in the description.[[/note]]

* WarmUpBoss: In ''Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards'', the cloud trio has the role of possessing characters that each found a Crystal Shard and support Kirby afterwards. All three of them are relatively easy compared to the bosses faced later on in the game, which do not appear to be influenced by Dark Matter in this game.

* AllThereInTheManual: According to the official Shogakukan guide for ''Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards'', the three [[YouAllLookFamiliar identical-looking]] cloud spawns that possess Waddle Dee, Adeleine, and King Dedede have names: 「ダーク・リムル」 (Dark Rimuru), 「ダーク・リムラ」 (Dark Rimura), and 「ダーク・リムロ」 (Dark Rimuru), respectively.
* AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs: Done in ''Dream Land 3'' where King Dedede's [[EvilTowerofOminousness tower]] is implied to be claimed by them (as it has [[spoiler:Zero's]] eye on it). Also done in Kirby 64 where Ripple Star's corruption is most evident at the castle. Potentially averted for [[VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand2 Dark Castle]] though.

* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: It is described as a cloud of smoke when it initially appears and is shown possessing people much like Dark Matter. Additionally it is shown to have elemental powers like a (''very'' toned down) Miracle Matter and its Japanese name is Dark ''Zero''. While it ''is'' shown in the ''20th Anniversary Hoshi no Kirby Pupupu Taizen'' for the "Dark Matter clan", it is presumably there since the text mentions it as having an unknown connection to Zero (along with 0[[superscript:2]]).

* TrueFinalBoss: Of ''Dream Land 3''. Collecting the heart stars is required to get the good ending.

* WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds: Dark Matter had no friends to speak of, and it was driven to invade Popstar after growing jealous of the abundance of camaraderie between its many natives.

* AlienInvasion: Arrives from outer space to corrupt Popstar. After failing to conquer the planet, it later sets its sights on Ripple Star.

* GoodHurtsEvil: They are defeated by the Love-Love Stick in ''Dream Land 3'', which is made of the feelings of love and gratitude from all of Popstar.

* {{Leitmotif}}: Whenever it shows up in cutscenes in Kirby 64, it usually has a distinct [[RecurringRiff droning scale of notes]], contrasting with the usually upbeat music. The bad ending is the sole exception, instead using a simmering scale of notes [[spoiler:which is also used in ''Star Allies'' for failing to retrieve at least 100 hearts in ''Heroes in Another Dimension'']].

[[folder:0[[superscript:2]]]]

[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/02_kirby.png]]

The new[[EpilepticTrees (?)]] leader of Dark Matter and TrueFinalBoss of ''[[VideoGame/Kirby64TheCrystalShards Kirby 64]]''. An angelic-looking being, with wings, a halo, and a green cactus-like tail.

* DependingOnTheArtist: Its wings are much more stylized in-game compared to its concept art. Later depictions and references to it, such as Star Allies' pictures, use the in-game wings.

[[folder:Miracle Matter]]
!!!'''Debut:''' ''VideoGame/Kirby64TheCrystalShards''

[[quoteright:189:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/miracle_matter.png]]

A 20-sided die with a red eye on each side. Miracle Matter is a creature of Dark Matter appearing in ''VideoGame/Kirby64TheCrystalShards'' as the FinalBoss, but second to 0[[superscript:2]].

* AdaptiveAbility: PlayedWith: After being damamged with a certain element enough times, Miracle Matter will stop using the equivalent form.
* AllYourPowersCombined: Can use each of the seven basic Copy Abilities of ''Kirby 64''.
* AmazingTechnicolorBattlefield: Though it isn't "technicolor" so much as "near total darkness".
* BarrierChangeBoss: It has seven forms, one for each of the seven basic Copy Abilities of ''Kirby 64'', and the only way to hurt it is by using the element that it's currently using.
* ColourCodedForYourConvenience: The colors of its forms corresponds with the ability it is currently using. This is most obvious with its Needle and Cutter forms.
* TheDragon: While initially appearing to be the BigBad, the true ending reveals it to be this to 0[[superscript:2]].
* ElementalShapeshifter: It displays element-based abilities, but it also has the unique ability to completely change its form.
* EyeScream: Those are ''irises and pupils'' on each of its sides. They explode as you continue to fight it.
* FinalBoss: Though there is a TrueFinalBoss if you get all of the Crystal Shards.
* FinalExamBoss: You don't need all of the Copy Abilities, but you at least need to fire projectiles of the same property as each.
* FinalBossNewDimension: Its arena has shades of this, being fought in a room with nothing but pulsating waves of darkness. It can even be seen from the final room of the previous level.
* GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere: One of the few major antagonists not foreshadowed in any way except at the very end of the preceding level.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: How it's defeated. All of its attacks can be launched back at it in some way, and this is the only way to hurt it.
* NoOntologicalInertia: Averted in the bad ending where the Dark Matter mass it was in charge of simply flees the planet. Played straight on the route to the good ending where it blows up instead.
* PuzzleBoss: Each form can only be hit using a Copy Ability or projectile of the same ability it's using, being the only boss in a main series game since the first to effectively cancel out the Copy Abilities (not counting those that are only fought with EleventhHourSuperpower).
* RedEyesTakeWarning: Multiplied by ''twenty'', with one eye on each of its sides.
* SinisterGeometry: Miracle Matter is an icosahedron (20-sided solid).
* TheSpook: Even worse than Zero in this regard: ''nothing'' is known about it aside from it working for 0[[superscript:2]] and while it contains elements that imply it to have a connection of some kind to the Zeros (white color scheme with red eyes, HiveQueen to a cloud of Dark Matter) and it displays unique attributes including the ability to NoSell any ability it is not using itself, none of this is ever explained or even acknowledged outside of its boss fight.
* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: {{Downplayed}}. Its color scheme is the same as Zero, it seems to be HiveQueen and apparent leader of the invasion of Ripple Star and, on the path to the good ending, the cloud it controls explodes after it's defeated, much like the Hyper Zone did after Zero's demise. However, Miracle Matter's gimmick and fight are very different from Zero's and an entity more closely resembling to Zero appears as a TrueFinalBoss.
* TacticalSuicideBoss: If you don't copy and attack it with the ability it's currently using, it would be impossible to defeat it. Of course, it can't really attack outside of them...
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Dark Nebula]]
!!!'''Debut:''' ''[[VideoGame/KirbySqueakSquad Kirby: Squeak Squad]]''

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dark_nebula_artwork.png]]

The GreaterScopeVillain and FinalBoss of ''Kirby: Squeak Squad'' that was sealed away in a chest. The Squeak Squad believed the chest to be a source of power, while Kirby believed it contained a delicious shortcake that was stolen from him, leading to the events of the game. Only Meta Knight knew the secret of the chest and tried to prevent anyone from opening it.
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* MeetTheNewBoss: It pretty much picks up where Zero left off, namely corrupting planets using Dark Matter. This is assuming [[AmbiguouslyRelated 0[[superscript:2]] isn't just a resurrected Zero]].

[[folder:Dark Matter (cloud)]]
!!!'''Debut:''' ''VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand3''

An amorphous, malevolent, sentient, cloud-like substance seen in ''VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand3'' and ''VideoGame/Kirby64TheCrystalShards'', not to be confused with the boss character also called Dark Matter. They greatly resemble Real Dark Matter, except they are generally depicted as fuzzier and without a ring of spheres.

* AlienInvasion: Arrives from outer space to corrupt Popstar. After failing to conquer the planet, it later sets its sights on Ripple Star.
* AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs: Done in ''Dream Land 3'' where King Dedede's [[EvilTowerofOminousness tower]] is implied to be claimed by them (as it has [[spoiler:Zero's]] eye on it). Also done in Kirby 64 where Ripple Star's corruption is most evident at the castle. Potentially averted for [[VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand2 Dark Castle]] though.
* AmbiguousSituation: As applied to an entire entity; it's not entirely known what Dark Matter ''is''. The name "Dark Matter" is applied to both the entire massive cloud and the various offshoots it spawns (in English, at least; see DubNameChange below). There's also the question of how it relates to the being found in the cloud's innermost depths.
* ArcVillain: For ''Kirby's Dream Land 3'' and ''Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards''.
* BeatTheCurseOutOfHim: In ''Kirby 64'', this is Kirby's way of freeing the possessed. {{Subverted}} in ''Kirby's Dream Land 3'', where, without the [[SwordOfPlotAdvancement Heart Stars]], Kirby cannot exorcise it from its host.[[note]]This may be due to different concentrations of Dark Matter.[[/note]]
* CastingAShadow: It isn't called ''Dark'' Matter for nothing.
* DarkIsEvil: The Dark Matter clouds possess people and cover planets for no adequately described reason at all.
* DemonicPossession: The clouds have an ''en masse'' influence and possess Ado/Adeleine and King Dedede in both games, as well as Whispy Woods, Acro and Pon & Con in ''3'' and a Waddle Dee [[spoiler:and the Ripple Star Queen]] in ''64''.
* DubNameChange: Whereas the English version always referred to the species as Dark Matter, Japan didn't call it that until the release of the ''20th Anniversary Hoshi no Kirby Pupupu Taizen'', while still making a distinction between the character (Real/True Dark Matter) and the species (Dark Matter Clan/Tribe/Invaders), as opposed to the English version only ever [[ADogNamedDog calling both simply "Dark Matter"]].
* EldritchAbomination: No idea where it came from, lots of unanswered questions about how it works, no idea why it does what it does, and Dark Matter does not resemble any familiar life forms too closely. ''Kirby 64'' shows that the Dark Matter clouds are also capable of splitting into three miniature copies of itself. [[spoiler:Even a supercomputer on par with ''Nova'' was only able to partially analyze the data of a particularly noteworthy specimen, and the clone it creates (which pushed the computer to its limits, mind you) is still flawed.]]
* EvilTowerOfOminousness: Another recurring theme with the Dark Matter is that any stronghold they capture is usually a tower of some sort. This leads to Kirby [[ItsAllUpstairsFromHere having to climb it.]]
* GeniusLoci: The Dark Matter clouds are able to join together and become an intangible, giant mass, which is implied to be controlled by Zero. ''Kirby 64'' takes it further by showing that Dark Matter can practically become a ''[[ThatsNoMoon planet]]''. Curiously enough, the purple clouds surrounding Dark Castle in ''Dream Land 2'' do not seem to be sentient.
* GoodHurtsEvil: They are defeated by the Love-Love Stick in ''Dream Land 3'', which is made of the feelings of love and gratitude from all of Popstar.
* HomingProjectile: When Dedede is under its influence in ''Dream Land 3'' and ''Kirby 64''.
* ImplacableMan: In ''Kirby 64'', one of the Dark Matter fragments chasing Ribbon slams through an asteroid without blinking.
* KnightOfCerebus: ''Kirby'' games will ''always'' become darker when these things show up.
* {{Leitmotif}}: Whenever it shows up in cutscenes in Kirby 64, it usually has a distinct [[RecurringRiff droning scale of notes]], contrasting with the usually upbeat music. The bad ending is the sole exception, instead using a simmering scale of notes [[spoiler:which is also used in ''Star Allies'' for failing to retrieve at least 100 hearts in ''Heroes in Another Dimension'']].
* {{Mook}}: Whilst Dark Matter usually takes on a cloud-like form, Kirby 64 heavily implies that the [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute N-Z]] are some sort of offshoot; They fall from the roof in stage 3 of Ripple Star (which has been overtaken by the darkness from Miracle Matter's influence) and they're the only enemies in Dark Star.
* NoOntologicalInertia: Large Dark Matter masses such as the Hyper Zone, Dark Star or the cloud that originally attacked Ripple Star have some kind of leader that functions as a HiveQueen. When the leader dies, the mass usually explodes shortly afterwards.
* {{Oculothorax}}: Commonly depicted as a black blob with a single eye.
* RedAndBlackAndEvilAllOver:
** The Hyper Zone in ''Dream Land 3'' is a massive black cloud with a lone [[RedEyesTakeWarning red eye]].
** Dark Star in ''Kirby 64'' is primarily black with a red sky, though the crystalline platforms of the platforming setions have a bit more color.
* RedEyesTakeWarning: A recurring motif with its cores are that they have a single red eye (or multiple, in Miracle Matter's case). The Hyper Zone from Dream Land 3 also carries a red eye (presumably from [[spoiler: Zero]]) and its used as a sigil on Dedede's tower. Downplayed with the race itself to varying degrees.
* ThatsNoMoon: In ''Kirby 64'', 100% completion leads to Kirby flying out to a planet-sized mass of Dark Matter, called Dark Star.
* TheNightThatNeverEnds: Dark Matter can cover entire worlds like storm clouds as it attempted in ''Dream Land 3''. With no Kirby around, it successfully does so to Ripple Star in ''Kirby 64''.
* TransformationOfThePossessed: The effects of the clouds' possession vary: Adeleine gains [[RedEyesTakeWarning red eyes]] and a SlasherSmile; Dedede's eyes become [[EyesAlwaysShut slits]], and suffers outright BodyHorror whenever you do him enough damage with an [[EyesDoNotBelongThere eye]] and a [[BellyMouth mouth]] emerging from his belly; most bizarrely, the Waddle Dee that Kirby befriends is turned into a Waddle Doo. None of the common enemies and bosses change at all.
* TheUnfought: Unlike Dark Matter Blade or Real Dark Matter, the Dark Matter clouds are never fought outside their host bodies, although other relatives of it do show up as final bosses.
* WeakenedByTheLight: Generally, Dark Matter does the exact opposite and blots out light, but certain sources of light, like Ripple Star's Crystal, hurt Dark Matter ''badly''... but not so badly that it can't shatter these objects, forcing Kirby to reassemble them.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Dark Matter (character)]]
!!!'''Debut:''' ''VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand2''

[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dark_matter_blade_7.png]]
[[caption-width-right:200:Dark Matter (Blade) in ''VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand2'']]
[[quoteright:147:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dark_matter.png]]
[[caption-width-right:147:(Real) Dark Matter in ''VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand3'']]

The lone alien that serves as the main antagonist and TrueFinalBoss of ''VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand2''. To face it, Kirby must acquire the Rainbow Sword and exorcise it from King Dedede. Dark Matter first takes the form of a humanoid swordsman also known as Dark Matter Blade, but after Kirby defeats that form, it takes on its core form also known as Real Dark Matter.
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* AdaptiveAbility: [[spoiler: Its clone shows the ability to utilize the Rainbow Sword's power, due to Dark Matter's memories of it, though whether or not Dark Matter itself can do so is unclear.]]
* ADogNamedDog: A consequence of the English localization of ''Kirby 64: Crystal Shards'' giving the species the same name as the character. The Japanese-exclusive ''20th Anniversary Hoshi no Kirby Pupupu Taizen'' would eventually refer to their species as the "Dark Matter Tribe", though this along with the character being called "Real Dark Matter" in Japanese still distinguishes the two better than the English version.

** Officially, the original Dark Matter character is often referred to as "Dark Matter" and is taken synonymously; however, its individual forms both have obscure names. "Real Dark Matter" was given as the name of its second form, as seen in the Japanese player's guide for ''Kirby's Dream Land 2''. [[spoiler:The True Arena in ''Planet Robobot'' calls the "Dark Matter Clone" based on its first form "Dark Matter Blade", and a closer look at the Japanese version shows it was meant to be "Dark Matter Blade Clone" in full, making it a likely [[SuddenNameChange name change]].]]
** Dark Matter is rarely given a concrete motive outside of the original ''Dream Land 2'' manual claiming that it wants to turn Dream Land into a "DarkWorld" and ''Team Kirby Clash Deluxe'' describing it as plotting to "shroud the world in darkness." A Japanese Kirby book released in 1995, "The Latest Kirby of the Stars Encylopdia", describes it as being lonely and attacking Dream Land after becoming envious of the residents' camaraderie. It also claims that Dark Matter created Dark Castle using magic.

** Dark Matter Blade's eye in its visor also changes a lot: In ''Dream Land 2'' and the armor set in ''Team Kirby Clash Deluxe'', Dark Matter's eye is normal. In ''Planet Robobot'' and unlockable artwork in ''Star Allies'', the eye is orange or red ([[spoiler: Planet Robobot's case might be explained as it being an imperfection of the clone, but that doesn't explain the eye looking fine when it moves to its stomach]]). Meanwhile, ''Kirby Quest'' depicts the eye as a blue, this being the only time this has been done.

* {{Irony}}: [[spoiler:In ''Planet Robobot'', Dark Matter Blade fights Meta Knight using the Rainbow Sword, the same weapon Kirby needed to kill it in ''Dream Land 2''.]]

** In ''Mass Attack'', in Kirby Quest, [[spoiler:if the Kirbys managed to get the Galaxia beforehand, they can use it on Dark Matter afterward to deal massive damage]].
* WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds: Dark Matter Blade (and by possible extension, the species as a whole) had no friends to speak of, and it was driven to invade Popstar after growing jealous of the abundance of camaraderie between its many natives.

[[folder:Zero]]

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/0_0.png]]

Zero is a huge, white mass with a red eye who is revealed to be the leader of the Dark Matter forces in ''VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand3''.

* TheSpook: Virtually nothing is known about Zero other than its status as the leader of Dark Matter. Its motives, backstory, and even its exact goals are all unclear. [[spoiler:''Kirby Star Allies'' does give it a connection that may hint at its nature, but given that said connection is to [[DestroyerDeity Void Termina]]...]]

* BackFromTheDead: Implied to be Zero reborn, but in the sense of a reincarnation rather than an outright revival, to the point that the 20th Anniversary artbook and a RoguesGalleryShowcase in ''Star Allies'' list them as separate characters.

** The bandage on top of its head is commonly cited as the link between Zero and Zero Two, with the implication being that it's covering the wound left by the EyeScream move Zero used in Dream Land 3.
** [[spoiler:Given Void's heavily implied connections to both Kirby and Zero, [[https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/kirb as well as the fairly recent "Kirb" meme,]] it's entirely possible that through its "fake face" at the start of its battle, 02 was trying to mimic Kirby the entire time!]]
* MeetTheNewBoss: It pretty much picks up where Zero left off, namely corrupting planets using Dark Matter. This is assuming [[AmbiguouslyRelated Zero Two isn't just a resurrected Zero]].

* TheStoic: Granted [[DownplayedTrope Zero wasn't exactly brimming with emotion]], but the only time Zero Two's eye changes from its half open-esque state is when it's squinting in pain from having its eye shot. Even when it's withering in pain from having its bandage shot, it doesn't look any more surprised than it does in the rest of the fight. Compare this with Zero who could at least open its eye wide and give off the appearance of emoting in both the Boss Butch game over and secret clear screens.

[[folder:Dark Rimuru, Dark Rimura, and Dark Rimuro]]

[[quoteright:189:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/darktrio3.png]]

A trio of Dark Matter beings who appear in ''VideoGame/Kirby64TheCrystalShards'' as early bosses, possessing Kirby's future party members.
At the start of the game, they split from the greater dark cloud in order to chase after Ribbon and the Crystal.

They look [[YouAllLookFamiliar completely identical]] , so for the reference:
** '''Dark Rimura''' is the one who posesses Adeleine.
** '''Dark Rimuro''' is the one who posesses King Dedede.
** '''Dark Rimuru''' is the one who posesses Waddle Dee.

* AllThereInTheManual: Their names are only ever mentioned in a Japanese guidebook for ''Kirby 64''.
* BeatTheCurseOutOfHim: Unlike the Dark Matter from ''Dream Land 2'' or the Hyper Zone from ''Dream Land 3'', they easily give up and flee upon being beaten.
* CallBack: Dark Rimura and Dark Rimuro function as this, with their hosts being easier versions of their ''Dream Land 3'' counterparts.
* DemonicPossession: Fight Kirby by possessing his friends, and unlike other members of their kind, they never fight him in their true forms.
* ImplacableMan: As they are chasing Ribbon, one of them slams through an asteroid without blinking.
* MookLieutenant: What they appear to be to the likes of Miracle Matter and 0[[superscript:2]], in comparison to the [[{{Mook}} N-Zs]].
* OneShotCharacter: They haven't appeared since ''Kirby 64'' outside of a minor cameo in ''Star Allies''.
* SmallRoleBigImpact: Their appearance is brief, but they are the ones who end up shattering the Crystal, kickstarting the search for the titular Crystal Shards.
* SortingAlgorithmOfEvil: Dark Rimuru is fought first and the easiest to beat, Dark Rimuro is fought last and acts as the actual boss of Popstar. Though their strength likely depends on the body they're possessing.
* TransformationOfThePossessed:
** Dark Rimuru's possession of Waddle Dee is notable for being one of the most drastic changes a character possessed by a Dark Matter-like being goes through by turning him into a [[{{Oculothorax}} Waddle Doo]].
** Dark Rimuro subjects King Dedede, [[VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand3 once again]], to BodyHorror by making his stomach turn into either a mouth or an eye.
* TheUnfought: PlayedWith: They're fought via the hosts they possess, but are never encountered in-game in their true forms, much less fought.
* WarmUpBoss: All three of them are relatively easy compared to the bosses faced later on in the game.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: They are never seen again after they're beaten, even though the cutscene after beating Dark Rimuru implies they escape, rather than being destroyed.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Miracle Matter]]
!!!'''Debut:''' ''VideoGame/Kirby64TheCrystalShards''

[[quoteright:189:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/miracle_matter.png]]

A 20-sided die with a red eye on each side. Miracle Matter is a creature of Dark Matter appearing in ''VideoGame/Kirby64TheCrystalShards'' as the FinalBoss, but second to 0[[superscript:2]].
-----

* AmbiguouslyRelated: Given its Japanese name it stands to reason that it could have a connection to Zero and/or 0[[superscript:2]]. The 20th anniversary booklet does state that their relation is unclear.

* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: It is described as a cloud of smoke when it initially appears and is shown possessing people much like Dark Matter. Additionally it is shown to have elemental powers like a (''very'' toned down) Miracle Matter and its Japanese name is Dark ''Zero''. While it ''is'' shown in the 20th anniversary booklet for the "Dark Matter Invaders", it is presumably there since the text mentions it as having an unknown connection to Zero (along with Zero Two).

* ChekhovsGun: The fact that [[spoiler:the cloned Dark Matter Blade turns into Real Dark Matter (its true form) upon defeat]] becomes important when you face [[spoiler:Sectonia Clone]] immediately after.

** Dark Rimuru's possession of Waddle Dee is notable for being one of the most drastic changes a character possessed by a Dark Matter-like being goes through by turning him into a [[Oculothorax Waddle Doo]].

* FountainOfExpies: It (and its boss by extension) kickstarted the trend of ''Kirby'' final bosses having [[{{Oculothorax}} giant eye]] motifs, which carries on to this day, and later bosses have emulated the species in varying degrees of ways. It thus led to [[FanWank theories]] that the majority of the final bosses are connected to Dark Matter or Zero in some way. [[spoiler:Given the implications of ''Kirby Star Allies''' Void Termina, there may be a degree of truth to that theory.]]

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: They are never seen again after they're beaten, even though the cutscene after beating Dark Rimuru implies they escape, rather than being destroyed. Eyes similar to them appear on the Dark Star as it blows though, so they might have rejoined with it at some point.

* RelatedInTheAdaptation: Or in translation, rather. The 20th anniversary booklet states that its relation with Dark Matter is unclear, but in English information sources related to ''Kirby 64'' the main antagonists are referred as Dark Matter, making it related to Dark Matter as well.

* RelatedInTheAdaptation: Or in translation, rather. The main antagonistic force in ''Kirby 64'' remains unnamed, but in English sources they were referred as Dark Matter beings.

* RelatedInTheAdaptation: Or in translation, rather. Antagonistic force in Japanese version of ''Kirby 64'' remains unnamed and its relation to Dark Matter is unknown, but English sources list this force as Dark Matter, so Miracle Matter ends up being related to Dark Matter in English version.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: They are never seen again after they're beaten, even though the cutscene after beating Dark Rimuru implies they escape, rather than being destroyed.

!Dark Matter