Knight Errant
Part 18
*Kirby swerves rapidly to avoid an incoming projectile.*
Kirby: I've gotta get to the treasure before the Squeak Squad does! Maybe this will throw them off my trail!
*Kirby steers his ship under the water to dodge.*
Kirby: Thank goodness I got that upgrade for underwater travel while I was on Mekkai! I had a feeling I would need it on Aqua Star!
*Kirby maneuvers his ship around and through a large coral structure.*
Kirby: I think I lost them! I wish I'd thought of going underwater earlier! They've been tailing me for hours! It's a good thing I got away from them; I was starting to run out of gas!
*Kirby continues piloting his ship through the water.*
Kirby: I've encountered the Squeak Squad a couple times before-they had these ships the third time I fought them-but I don't remember them being so great at using them! I'm glad I was able to escape! I don't need a fight right now! Still, I wonder how I got away so quickly; I thought it would take hours more.
Now that Kirby wasn't being attacked, he could have a chance to look around at his surroundings. The ocean on Aqua Star was a very pretty cerulean shade of blue. The seascape was mostly open water, dotted with various rock formations and the occasional coral reef. It made going through the water in a ship very easy.
Kirby: I remember going to this part of Aqua Star a long time ago! Ribbon was with me! I wonder where she is now and how she's doing?
Later
Kirby: I forgot how beautiful Aqua Star was! I'm glad the treasure's hidden on a pretty planet like this! I also got to refill my water supply!
*Kirby looks around more closely at his surroundings.*
Kirby: I think I'm pretty close to the treasure!
Kirby looked up rapidly from his sightseeing as the radar on his ship beeped. Something was approaching-but what?
Kirby: I'd better get ready for an attack! And I know just the right maneuver!
*Kirby rapidly turns his ship around 180° and fires.*
Kirby only paused long enough before turning back to see the cloud of smoke from the missiles he fired-and a huge creature emerging quickly from behind it.
Kirby: Yikes! He looks angry-and a little familiar! I think I've fought him before!
*Kirby pilots his ship around a coral reef and through a narrow hole in a rock formation.*
Kirby: Now I remember! His name's Acro!
Kirby heard a loud thud as Acro slammed into the hole. Sand floated away from where the rock was struck. Seconds later came a barrage of thuds against the rock.
Kirby: He's smashing through! I'd better act quickly!
As Acro broke through the thick wall of rock, Kirby aimed another blast at him before speeding off.
Kirby: I really don't wanna fight him-I think I would win, but my ship would get damaged! That's the last thing I need!
*Acro fires a slew of projectiles from his mouth at Kirby.*
Kirby: On second thought, I don't think I have a choice!
*Kirby fires another missile and takes off into a nearby reef.*
Kirby: He swims faster than my ship can move! There's no way I can escape him in open water, but I can outfight him!
*Kirby fires another projectile as Acro approaches the reef.*
Kirby: A direct hit!
*Acro fires more projectiles and smashes the reef.*
Kirby: That was too close! I narrowly escaped that!
*Kirby looks around at the water surrounding him.*
Kirby: I know how to beat him!
Kirby leapt out of his ship and let go of his Water ability. As his skin returned to its normal magenta, he inhaled forcefully, sucking in all of the water he could. Soon a whirling vortex formed in the water.
*Acro struggles desperately, but gets pulled into the vortex.*
Kirby spat out the water with tremendous force. He was knocked back by the jet of water leaving his mouth, and Acro was propelled forward with even more force. By the time all of the water left Kirby's mouth, Acro was nowhere to be seen.
Kirby: That was a bit risky! I hope Acro didn't recognize me! Now that that's done, I need to gain back an ability in case anyone else sees me!
*Kirby inhales some of the water around him and swallows.*
Kirby's body faded from bright magenta to translucent pale blue liquid. Now he was Water Kirby again.
*Kirby swims back to his ship.*
Kirby: I need to find the treasure fast! I hope nothing else attacks me!
*Kirby climbs into his ship and takes off.*
A Short Time Later
Kirby: The map directs me to a grotto. Hold on, I think I see it!
*Kirby steers his ship over to the grotto and goes inside. *
Kirby: What a cool grotto! I've never seen anything like this!
The grotto was narrow, too narrow for Kirby to pilot his ship beyond the entrance. It seemed to go on for some distance; Kirby couldn't see the end of it. The entire grotto glowed with a soft white light cast from the glowing coral that covered the sides.
Kirby: I guess I need to go in farther. I hope I don't need to dig at an "X"! I'm feeling really tired!
*Kirby continues down through the grotto until he reaches a small cave.*
Kirby: This must be the end of it! Wow!
Kirby's blue eyes fell on a magenta lance and a set of armor that shone like pearls in the glow of the coral. Both were in perfect condition, completely unharmed by the water's corroding effects.
Kirby: These must be magical! I can't wait to use them and see all the cool stuff they can do!
*Kirby lets out a loud yawn.*
Kirby: I'm really tired! I'll have to look at them tomorrow. I can't wait!
*Kirby sets the sword down and falls asleep.*
The second half of Knight Errant is going to differ quite a bit from the first in the plot and tone of the story. Maybe you've noticed that already. Even though it's still technically part of the same fan fiction, it functions as its own autonomous story. That is, you don't need to read the first half to be able to understand and enjoy it.
Yes, this part is really short, especially in comparison to the massive Part 16. Most the parts will be in between these sizes.
This is definitely one of the more action-packed parts of Knight Errant. It's well-timed too; the next chapter will be almost entirely dialogue. It'll be one of the major turning points in the plot of Knight Errant!
Coming up next:
What kind of powers do Vorpal and the matching armor have? Some familiar faces will appear in the next part...but not in the way you're expecting.