So MinxyJynx (The Author of Dreamland No Denetsu) submitted a mermaid AU to the tumblr blog Kirbyandstuff about a merman Meta Knight and Ningyo (think Ponyo) Kirby. This cutenes got a few of us thinking more about it, and here's my take on it.
I really need practice at writing, so this works. That's why the chapters are short too. Please review this, it would mean a lot to me!
Dreamland was a tiny little kingdom by the sea. Up on a cliff overlooking the sea sat Castle Dedede, home to the monarch of Dreamland. Dedede was not the nicest fellow. He'd been very selfish in times of famine, but eventually, his heart lead him down the right path. His change in heart rejuvenated the kingdom's relationships with the neighboring kingdoms, and they came to his aid. To thank them for their generosity, he'd invited the royals to the annual Summer Solstice festival. This year, it would be a ball for everyone to attend.
Currently, the blue-haired king was trying on his celebratory robes.
"Too...tight…" The king squeaked. His face was wrinkled up like a tan piece of silk. "Any way… we can… get this….off?"
"Calm down sire!" Escargon, Dedede's right hand man, waved his arms in front of his face in an odd attempt to calm the king. He was short, but lanky, and had mint green hair and a mustache and goatee. Round glasses adorned his pale face. He was wearing a purple tailcoat and trousers, with a pale green undershirt.
"Dedede's face seemed to be turning purple, which frightened Escargon. Escargon then grabbed at one of the fur-trimmed sleeves and started tugging it. "Bandanna please, come help!" He pleaded, his words running together.
Bandanna Dee, the king's young attendant, ran up to the king's back. He slipped under the flowing robes. Escargon dropped the sleeve, eyes wide.
"What are you doing? We can't play hide and seek!" He said. Suddenly, Dedede let out a sigh of relief. Escargon's facial features relaxed. Dedede took the outer robe off, and Bandanna appeared from under it.
"Buttons." He said. Escargon sighed.
"Sorry. I panicked," He said. "I was just so worried about him and… well… I'm going to go get some tea." He walked out of the room and closed the door behind him. One of the tails of his tailcoat got stuck, so he reopened the door to free it.
Bandanna Dee looked at Dedede. "Well, sire, I think you might have gained weight since you last wore these…" He said. Dedede frowned. He looked down at Bandanna, who had bright blue eyes, tanned skin, and freckles. His curly orange hair was matted beneath his signature blue bandanna. He let out a mischievous smile. "I think you should go walking from now on. Down at the beach. After all, it's right there, and walking in sand burns more fat than regular walking."
Dedede frowned. "Can't we just make new clothes?"
"That would require too much time," Bandanna replied. "Besides, exercise is good for your health."
"Fine."
"Alright, follow me." Bandanna Dee started walking. He went out the door and down the brightly lit corridors. Dedede, now in his casual clothes and sandals, followed. Dedede could see his reflection in the glass of the windows. He was portly. Maybe Bandanna was right. Even then, Dedede knew Bandanna and Escargon liked him the way he was. They just wanted him to fit in his clothes and take up a better hobby than "watch Marx get hit by his own props 24/7".
Bandanna Dee turned back and stood facing Dedede. "C'mon, sire. It'll be nice, I promise."
Bandanna Dee showed Dedede a staircase that lead down the cliff. Dedede poked the wooden steps with his foot, and they creaked. He recoiled in fear.
"It's safe, I promise. Fumu and Bun use it when they come down here, though they usually go to the beach near the village." Bandanna said. "Anyways, I have to go attend some business with the other Dees. See ya!" Bandanna Dee walked back towards the castle's back door, waving. Dedede tried to get his attention, but Bandanna didn't notice. Dedede knew Bandanna wanted him to be brave, so he slowly stepped onto the first step. It creaked noisily, and Dedede started to sprint down the steps. Once he made it to the bottom, he almost collapsed.
After sitting there for a few minutes to regain his breath, he started walking along the coastline. He started to think about the ball, and how he was going to impress the other kingdoms. Ripple would be easy; he'd known the Queen since they were children. The others, however, weren't going to be so easy. King Haltmann was known for his high standards, and Queen Sectonia of Floralia was known for throwing extremely extravagant parties. How was he gonna-
Next thing Dedede knew, he was face down in the sand. He had tripped on something. He pushed himself out of the sand and sat down. In front of him laid a man. He had very pale skin and a silver mask covering his eyes. His hair was messy, and seemed to be so dark blue it was almost black. His shirt was torn, and looked like it had been something a prince might wear before it was ruined. He had lots of wounds, and needed medical help.
Dedede thought for a second. Had this man been attacked by pirates? There was a gang that sometimes sailed in these waters. Dedede tried picking him up, but dropped him when he noticed something odd.
The man had a dark blue fish's tail instead of legs.
Dedede stared in shock until the man came to. He had golden eyes, which Dedede had never seen before. Everything about this man was odd.
The man tried to fight back, but was too weak. Dedede reached his hand out.
"Hey, uh… do you need some help?" He asked.
The merman grimaced, and started to crawl back into the water. Dedede grabbed his tail.
"Hey! I can help heal you… we have bathtubs so you don't have to worry about drying up…" He pleaded.
The merman turned his head back. "If you want to help me, let go!" He said. Dedede let go, and the merman managed his way back into the water.
Bandanna and Escargon were not gonna believe this.