Kirby grabbed a sword and the dual began. Swords clashed and sliced one another. The wounded Halberd continued its decent down and down, soon to be part of the Orange Ocean's seabed.

Atlas, when the two had exhausted their limits, Kirby made a finishing blow. Meta Knight's mask flew off as the knight skidded harshly across the floor. And once again, in the same fashion as before, Meta Knight's life seemed to have ended and lost all of its purpose.

"Meta Knight!" Captain Waddle Dee hopped down, eyes teary.

"Meta Knight, I'm sorry." Kirby hopped on a loose Wheelie bike and swiftly rode towards the exit. His eyes, too, were full of tears.

"Meta Knight, Meta Knight, Sir!" the Waddle Dee frantically shook the Knight.

Meta Knight merely looked up at him with blurry eyes. Waddle Dee brought over his mask and reattached it back onto his face.

"Meta Knight, please, you have to make it out of here alive! Kirby rode towards the ramp exits! Please… don't die!"

Meta Knight sat up and asked in a low voice, "What does it matter to you?"

Captain Waddle Dee stood nervously, then quietly stammered, "W-well, you see... Meta Knight, well-um, you are like my family. And I don't want you to suffer or die. You- you see, you are the only family I have."

Many feelings surged into him, then his vengeful thoughts and plans returned. He would give it one last shot!

And without so much as a thank you Meta Knight raced off to find Kirby.

Good luck, Meta Knight…

Meta Knight saw him, close to escaping, then his fury multiplied as it had never done before.

THIS IS FOR MY FAMILY!!! I SHALL NOT FAIL!

"You'll never escape!"

Meta Knight's cape suddenly turned into a pair of vicious bat wings, allowing him to fly. He dove and shot after Kirby. The ocean was coming closer and closer to the ship, and soon the ship and all of its contents would never feel the air again. Meta Knight spun in spiral directions, but it was not good enough. Kirby was close to the end of the ship, eyeing a small strip of rock to land on!

And with all of Meta Knight's rage and revenge built up through all of the years, he charged at Kirby.

"Any last words, Kirby?!?" Meta Knight's voice sounded like a demon. Kirby shuttered and became flustered, and could only cry out one thing.

"What would Fumu say?"

The Knight gasped a pained and saddened breath. His charge completely vanished as he tumbled to the ground. Fumu! She… she…

The old knight never knew he could ever shed so many tears. But as he gave up all hope, Kirby pulled up beside him.

"Meta Knight, let's go." Kirby, with difficulty, picked up the Knight and set him on the back of the Wheelie Bike. Meta Knight barely had enough will to hold on to Kirby's back as he made his escape. Now the ship impacted the water, covering half of the deck in a wet layer. Kirby pressed on, now close to the final jump where he would land on a strip of land a few miles away.

As Kirby braced himself, taking a final jump off the sinking Halberd. Meta Knight noticed how far Kirby still was to shore.

He will never make it at this rate! Kirby will be swept away in the ocean and die! Meta Knight suddenly felt frantic.

Fumu… what would you say?

"Protect and cherish the things you love to the very end." Yes, you loved the land and all people very much…

"May we learn to set aside our differences so that one day we may live in harmony."… but they murdered you… they didn't even help you…

"No matter where you go or how hard things get, no matter how good or bad the decisions you make, no matter how far or near you are… I want you to know… I love you, Meta Knight."…Fumu… Meta Knight's voice was feeble and soft as he whispered to Kirby.

"I'm sorry Kirby, for everything."

And with a deep breath, Meta Knight jumped off of the Wheelie Bike. His wings struggled to find power to flap and glide over the wind currents. He didn't know where to go, he didn't know if it even mattered. But through his sorrow and loneliness he thought of Kirby, who was a very different person when he first arrived on Pop Star.

Fumu… you taught Kirby well. His wisdom exceeds his age… and I am an old fool.

Kirby instantly realized what the knight was doing when he jumped off of the bike. Kirby landed safely, but feared Meta Knight's fate. He watched as the ship sunk, and in the distance, he thought he saw Meta Knight fly off. The sun was setting, and the ocean was orange. Kirby rode off, for he saved Dream Land. But what of Meta Knight? Sadness burned inside Kirby. I'm going home, back to Pupupland where I belong.

Meta Knight, please be okay…

He drifted on the beach and keeled over, tired and heartbroken. He wished for a family like Sword and Blade and Fumu.

As he gazed out into the ocean, he noticed a strange floaty out in the middle. He gathered up enough strength to fly over, and when he did, he was shocked. Meta Knight quickly dove in and rescued Waddle Dee, who was holding Sword and Blade's helmets. He had saved them!

When Waddle Dee came to his senses, he was very grateful. Although he was glad to be alive, Meta Knight could tell of his sadness.

The two sat in silence for a long while, watching as the sun sunk under the horizon. Finally, Meta Knight made his decision.

"Waddle Dee, would you like to travel with me? I'm tired of war and revenge. I want to be a peaceful person of Dream Land once again.

"Y-You mean it!" Waddle Dee cried tears of joy, ran over, and hugged Meta Knight.

"But…" Waddle Dee had considered things for a moment. "Where will we go?"

Meta Knight looked over the ocean, took a deep breath, and answered.

"Home."