A/N: I wrote this story back in 2008 out of my love for Revenge of Meta Knight and excitement for its remake in Kirby Super Star Ultra. Looking at Meta Knight's exploits over the games, most of them can be explained in a way that makes him out to be a misunderstood anti-hero; a good guy whose actions are misunderstood by the naïve Kirby. Revenge of MK stands out, though, in that Meta Knight displays no benevolent reason for trying to conquer Dreamland. This intrigued me and at the time I'd been creating a continuity that blended the games, anime, and other Kirby sources into one cohesive timeline, so you'll notice traces of that in this. I'd explain it all if I had the time, but it's been years… so anyway, enjoy!
A lone warrior walks purposefully through the castle hall. He passes intricate blue tapestries with hardly a glance; his gaze is focused on his goal. His hand brushes the hilt of his golden sword as he rounds a corner and continues down the hall. While his purpose remains fixed on his destination, his thoughts dwell on an earlier age . . .
15 years ago.
Fireballs streak through the sky as a group of knights move furtively across the scarred, rocky terrain. Not long before, Olive Star had been a pleasant place, full of vegetation and animal life. One year's occupation by the Nightmares soon took care of that. Now it is a wasteland, and the Star Warriors have come to liberate it.
Or at least what's left of it.
The head knight waves for two others to scout ahead. He holds his position as the two dart forward and out of sight. The warriors behind catch up with the leader and turn to cover all directions. Fires blaze in the distance. The ground has a thick coating of ash. Dark smoke blots out the sky.
One of the scouts scurries back, sword clenched in a white-knuckle grip. "Report," the head commands.
"It- it got Pierce. I barely escaped. It's about a mile past that ridge and moving toward our position."
The leader signals and the group moves closer together. The thudding approach of the enemy shakes the battlefield. A growl echoes through the air as two large mandibles appear beyond the ridge. The mandibles lower and then a large creature soars high and swoops over the group.
"Strike when it comes near!" the commander shouts as the knights anxiously track the insect's movement. It swoops in again and grabs one knight. At the apex of its flight it hurls its prey and turns back to the group.
As the knights brace for another strike, a sudden flurry of arrows fills the sky and the insectoid plummets to the ground. A charge follows as the archers responsible move in to finish their target. Their commander stands solemnly on the ridge, golden sword as his side. "General Meta Knight!" the captain of the first group calls.
The general approaches him. "What happened to your archers, Colonel Lancet?"
The colonel is taken aback and instinctly salutes. "S-sir! We, uh, had only one archer: Corporal Pierce."
"And what happened to him?"
"I, uh, sent him scouting. That bug got him."
"Bugzzy Beetle," Meta Knight corrects. "Always know your enemy. And never waste an archer, especially if he's your only one."
Lancet hangs his head. "Sorry, general."
"Forgiven. Continue your report."
"The East Sector is secure, general. All enemy installations have been shut down. We were en route to an installation in North Sector when Bugzzy attacked."
"I've just come from said installation," the general replies. "We have captured it. Tell me, is the enemy's Western Outpost still operational?"
"To the best of my knowledge, sir-"
"Good. We will take it."
"But sir! My men! They haven't rested in days!"
Meta Knight raises a hand. "Enough. They shall rest when we reach our destination. Come! We cannot allow the enemy to move without our knowledge." With that he turns and waves for his troops to follow, leaving Lancet to explain the situation to his own soldiers.
The Present.
Meta Knight's march down the hall ends as he turns to enter his private chamber. There is no bed or furnishings in the room; a knight does not need such things. There is a single bookshelf in the small room which holds a few manuscripts, and on the opposite wall hang swords and shields from past battles. The knight closes the door, gathers his meager possessions, pushes the shelf aside, and enters the secret passage behind.
The winding tunnel leads to an underground hangar. A large metal warship sits in the center of the room and the sounds of tinkering workers fills the air. Meta Knight boards the ship and places his belongings in a storage closet before continuing to the bridge.
Pistons hiss as the metal door slides open and Meta Knight enters. "Status," he speaks not as a question but as a command for information.
"All systems online," a technician at a terminal reports. "External plating construction complete. Major construction of internal systems complete. Piping in sectors D-3 and 4, as well as F-2 remains unfinished-"
"Unnecessary amenities." Meta Knight waves a hand as if to brush them away. "Continue."
"Power grid fully functional. Awaiting startup of Wheelie Generator."
"Good. Have it prepped and ready when I return." Meta Knight turns to the door and presses a button.
"Sir?" the technician inquires as the door hisses open.
Meta Knight turns slightly, but not enough to show his masked face. "It is time to break off our relations with the king. His purpose has been served."
