OFF: How long has it been? Months, plural. Inspiration was killed something fierce and many other projects which I wanted to work on and finish, including one small video game.
Now that I have finished my game, I have a gap in my free time for fanfics. Likewise, my recent acquisition of Kirby Dream Collection allowed me to immerse myself in the setting again, re-igniting my inspiration spark.
First, replies to reviewers.
Mcpetikas: Zero is using Kirby as her host body. Marx attempted to hijack Zero's power and she simply allowed him to shoot himself in the foot. As for the video, Zero knows that Kirby is a trans-galactic symbol (since he defeated Kirby) and thus used his image to destabilize the worlds and open them to a surprise attack.
Lunara the Ara: Yes, Zero is using Kirby's body as her 'gateway' into the universe. As for it 'going too fast', to be fair, it was specifically the battle. The battle mirrors the games' version, with Marx's power crafting a solid field of stars on which most of the fight takes place. Oh and yes, this is nowhere near the end ; more like the half-way point.
Now, I will admit that I am unsure if this chapter will be up to par ; part of why my inspiration died was that I was unsure if the scenes in this chapter flowed well. I really hope that it will have proved to be worth the wait.
Enjoy!
HONOR THE PAST
CHAPTER 7:
A Mask from the Past
The blue puffball was looking so peaceful as he slept. Although it was many hours since it was over, the celebrations still continued in his own mind. The rush had been... wonderful. To see so many waiting for him, to see so many cheer for him, to see so many care for him and appreciate him, it had given him strength. Even though the damaged Warp Star had not flown straight, even if he had ultimately crashed it, it hadn't mattered. He had forgotten all the pain, forgotten all of his injuries, just basking into the smiles he had brought to so many.
He had repelled the Dark Matter Collective's invasion, destroyed that infernal transporter machine once and for all, and foiled Marx's plans for galactic domination. He had finally done it. He had finally managed to protect somebody, to stop bad guys from taking from him what he cared about, from bringing misery to those he cared for.
In a corner of his mind, he knew it was not over. Even though Knuckle Joe and Silica hadn't explained anything yet, he suspected this was only the beginning. Nightmare was not behind this, he had made sure of this for good. But he felt like he could take on anything, on anyone.
As he finished replaying the short-lived but festive celebrations that marked the destruction of the transporter and the safeguard of Dreamland in his mind, his dream wandered off.
He had failed so many people, ran away so many times, got hurt so much. So many images of warped, twisted, charred bodies... the bodies of those he had called his friends, only Blade and Sword escaping the carnage. When he had recognized figures in his dream, he hadn't known what to think, what to say... but as he saw the figure of Jecra, sitting in the shade of a tree with Kirby standing at his side, Mety had smiled to the images of his friends.
"I... I've done it. Marx and Nightmare are gone." he had felt himself choking up.
The images of his two friends approached the blue puffball. There was a smile on the older Star Warrior's face, the humanoid-like one nodding in approval. So did Kirby, grabbing and holding one of his paws. He... he smiled back at them. It was so... easy, so much easier than frowning. He... he just had to let his heart flutter, to let that rising weightlessness in his soul take hold and just to let his face move on its own...
"We know."
"Meta! Meta hero!"
The blue child glanced at the town, illuminated in the night by the lights of celebration. He... yes, he finally was one. He looked back to his friends, feeling tears welling up. He didn't even notice it, he just felt... he felt...
"I wish you had been there to see me..."
"We saw you, Mety. You honored your duties. I always knew you would be a magnificent Star Warrior."
"Meta! Poyo! Meta has friends now!"
Yes, so many friends, so many... no one fearing him, no one hating him. Playing with them, living with them, protecting them, accepting them...
So many figures, numberless in the shadows. Some he recognized, others he didn't. So many Star Warriors, so many dead. Nightmare is gone, they have all been avenged. He saw Jecra marching off to join them while his counterpart lagged a bit behind, waving good-bye at the blue puffball. Mety waved back. He... had lived in shame for so long. But at long last, he had avenged them and he had gained friends and a home. He was a true Star Warrior now...
The figures all vanished. It was as if they had never even been there. With the past finally at rest, Mety turned back to Cappy Town. He wished to join them, to move forward. He ran, ran toward his friends, toward the place where he belonged. No shame, no Nightmare, no Marx... just his friends and the future. Regardless of what it would contain, he'd face it. He was worthy now, he had honored his duties at long last.
Mety stopped. He blinked a few times as he watched off the road, in the shadows of some bushes. For a second, he thought he had seen...
No, the Star Warriors are all dead. And Arthur would be proud if he knew.
Near Mety, on a shelf in the room where he slept, the Star Rod glowed faintly, its warm light soothing the child as he snored slightly...
The Waddle Dees moved with purpose, with speed, and with greater coordination than they ever achieved before. This didn't surprise the command unit as he knew that, being possessed by his Dark Limba minions, he was relaying his orders directly into their minds using the great hive mind of the Dark Matter Collective, not needing to bother with such bothersome, slow, and clunky methods as speech or radio.
Still, part of the repairs included the great communication device. The systems had been damaged in the destruction of the transporter and as Chimeras, being half-breeds, did not have a complete connection to the hive mind like true Dark Matter entities, he would still require the use of the communications system. Still, the repairs were going just as planned and the Waddle Dees were proving to be exceptionally convenient hosts, having a very low level of resistance and a very high level of synchronization once their individuality was removed. There was also the fact that they were plentiful, which was always a plus.
Dark Reaper frowned slightly. His host body had great potential and it was baffling him that the NME had never thought of possessing this being or making a pact with it. But then, he reminded himself, Nightmare and his crew had never been really known for being clever. Still, this body would require a few adjustments before it was in optimal shape. Dedede had never cared much about exercise and it shown in his rather portly frame. This would not do and Dark Reaper had already come up for a few exercising programs and a new diet to take care of that.
Then of course, there were the improvements. In order not to raise suspicion, he'd lower himself to use a hammer just like his host had done when it had free will but still, he'd make sure to modify it a bit. Hollowing out the head, putting a few kinetic amplification systems, maybe even a thruster and a small fuel cell to really boost its power, re balance the weight for increased precision and better distribution of force upon impact... he'd definitely improve that weapon.
One of the Dark Limbas sent the command unit a thought. Something about the blue puffball's knaves making a round. It wasn't exactly a threat. After all, the walls had been repaired and were confirmed soundproof. Likewise, that blast door Marx had installed had been kept into place ; the days of the locals spying upon their king were now over completely. Still, it was good discipline for him to be kept aware of developments. Who knew what could happen at any moment, after all?
Dedede's eyes suddenly went blank as he fell into a state of deep trance, the Dark Matter command unit feeling the sudden, cold touch of his master's overwhelming, all-encompassing mind. He slumped into the throne, allowing his master to fill his mind, to make it his, to intertwine it with his.
There was no need for words, even mental ones. The master took his recent memories and perceptions and, seeing that all was going according to plan, became content, the calmness of the master's superior mind washing over Dark Reaper's own.
Escargoon was right at the side of the king. There was no need for spoken words, no need for their hosts to speak. The Dark Matters intertwined their minds and through the power of the hive mind, discussed.
The ruse had worked perfectly. Marx had been a fool. He had believed that because he was not completely in the hive mind, being a Chimera, no one had known of his actions. He had ignored even to the moment of his death that the Collective had been watching him the whole time and had predicted and took advantage of every move he had made. Dark Reaper couldn't help but chuckle, letting the short, acid, monotone laughter escape the beak of his unfortunate host. As if Marx could have seriously outsmarted and usurped Zero! Sure, Nightmare had managed to do this in the far past, countless millennia ago but that had been back when the Fountain of Dreams had been an unknown factor. That jester had been a total buffoon to believe that the master would allow such a scheme to work twice.
Still, Marx had done exactly as they had required him to and now, thanks to his efforts, the Dark Matters controlled this planet, every figure of authority that matters being infested by Dark Limbas while he, himself, is one with the king. Sure, there are a few locals like the mayor or those ministers that still retain their free will but they will not matter in the long term.
Escargoon had some pretty good questions, still. What now?
The blue Star Warrior was a growing threat. Somehow, the shame that should have debilitated him was fading and as it faded, his power was beginning to grow at an exponential pace. Sure, he was still very weak and little more than an insect that the Dark Matter Collective could swat at any moment but it was still bothering the Dark Limba possessing the snail.
Fortunately, the master had the perfect plan. Yes, Meta Knight had cast away his mask and became more than everyone had expected but he remained fundamentally, well, Meta Knight. As such, he had a fundamental mental weakness and one that both he and the master knew of. This weakness could be exploited to make him do what the master required. Once that final plan is completed, eliminating the blue puffball will be trivial... given he survive the ordeal to begin with.
Dark Reaper's mind spoke into that of his advisor and the lesser Dark Matter understood. It was a good plan, one that would accomplish several objectives all at once.
The two joined their minds and amplifying each others' powers, broadcasted their will across space and into the hive mind. Thousands of minds responded, hearing the call. It was time to lure the blue Star Warrior into position...
"So if I understand you well... basically Meta Knight was unmasked, went nuts, and then finally accepted who he was also killing Nightmare once and for all in the process?"
The two Demon Hunters definitely looked skeptical but after the almost alien behaviour that the knight had displayed, a part of them was still willing to listen. Still, this was... hard to believe. And Fumu realized it was. But then, just so much had happened that the other party had thought unbelievable. They all needed to know.
"If this helps convince you, after he ran off to pursue Nightmare, we organized a search party. We found him in a surreal-looking location that had not been recorded on any known map."
"And you truly believe this was not some trick? That he just ran off like that, achieved what hundreds of Star Warrior generations could not do in the space of a single night, and then just dozed off as if nothing had happened?" Silica was very skeptical Sure, Meta Knight was the wielder of Galaxia but this was... farfetched.
"We found the Star Rod just next to Mety when we found him alongside with the ruined remains of a fountain of sorts. Some sort of energy seemed to flow within the fountain's waters." Fumu said. "I still remember the feeling the Star Rod had when Kirby wielded it in his battle against Nightmare. It's the real thing. Its power drained somehow but it's the real thing. You must have felt it when you saw it too."
And that was the argument that couldn't be refuted and made this all the more disturbing. The Star Rod, a mythical weapon that was said to be the source of all dreams... Meta Knight was found with it dirtied, dropped into the mud near him. Likewise, the fountain seemed to have a shape in its top, as if the central part was meant to have something inserted into it... like the Star Rod, for example. But if this was true then...
"So all along, the source of Nightmare's immortality was on Pop Star, unprotected?" Silica still couldn't bring herself to fully believe it. It was just too incredible. Even after seeing the Star Rod itself, it was just hard to believe that the very source of Nightmare's power had been on some backwater planet, unprotected and ignored, all that time along when the entire galaxy burnt with the flames of war all around it.
Then that Meta Knight would lose his composure and just start acting like this... it was such a difference, he was almost a different person!
"Still, you mentioned that the enemy who attacked Dreamland was called the Dark Matter Collective, right?"
The change of subject was obviously welcome. It was time to bring up the main subject of this meeting. Knuckle Joe nodded at the two adults and their daughter. "Not too long ago, some kind of organization called the Dark Matter Collective announced their intentions to conquer the galaxy, calling to everyone to just surrender to them. They..."
The moment of hesitation was very noticeable and very awkward. Why had the two Demon Hunters just paused like this, looking at each others? To say the truth, in the aftermath of the Dark Matters' failure to conquer Dreamland, the two had sat down and discussed at length about how to bring up that particular point. But it was funny, even though they had agreed, they still hesitated at this very moment...
"Well, they claimed Kirby was leading them. Then they showed Kirby giving a speech... and then inhaling and copying something to prove it was genuine."
Fumu's reaction was about the same as that of every other single person who had learnt of it. Kirby was leading the enemy force? This was ridiculous, laughable! He is dead, buried on Pop Star! But then, that the Dark Matter Collective could engineer a false scenario in which their lookalike would copy something was... disturbing. As the young girl's jaw dropped at the news, the Demon Hunters continued their explanation...
"We all know it's fake, it has to be for very logical reasons but it still paralyzed and shocked everyone long enough to give the Dark Matters the opportunity to strike. We've all seen the situation on Pop Star, with the enemy flooding from the transporter. It's even worse out there. There are enemy fleets, huge ones, of liquid-like spherical black ships bombarding and overtaking planets, one after another. The Galactic Star Soldier force is paralyzed and still trying to make head or tails of what's happening. I think it's best not to lie. The situation is very ugly out there."
But as Knuckle Joe finished, the female armored hunter's gaze focused upon the other girl. She was shocked, even horrified by the news... but she was taking it well, too well. Then there was the fact that she had asked them to confirm that the foes were indeed the Dark Matter Collective. She knew something and it made the huntress cross her arms... but she decided to remain silent for now.
"So it was just as I had feared. This is not Nightmare's doing but a new enemy's..." it was mostly a remark for herself but Fumu still said it aloud, catching the two others' attention. She then nodded and elaborated. "Remember when I said that I went to see Kabu after Marx humiliated Mety? When I spoke to Kabu, he told me that he didn't know of a Demon Beast known as Marx but that he did know of a Chimera with the same name, a minion of the Dark Matter Collective. I was too shocked then to ask more questions and I was too worried about Mety but I guess this confirm what I had feared. The Dark Matter Collective is not some cover for the NME, it's a whole new enemy."
And that was another disturbing point. Sure, Nightmare had told everyone upon his defeat at the hands of Kirby that as long as fear exists in the hearts of people, evil will live on. But the cycle, as per the prophecy, was meant to repeat every millennium, not a mere few months after the collapse of the NME! Where do this new enemy come from, where did it get all its resources? This cannot be a branch of the NME that survived the collapse ; the strongest one was led by Yamikage and monitored very carefully and even it was unable to be a real threat. Likewise, if this Dark Matter Collective was indeed a branch of the NME, it wouldn't have led Meta Knight to Nightmare's core and allowed him to destroy it.
This brought forth a big question. The Fountain of Dreams is smashed, the Star Rod has lost its powers, Nightmare is dead for good now. What will happen regarding the cycle? Will there be everlasting peace after this new enemy is gone or maybe was the cycle there to protect them from... something? What should be done now?
Fumu and her parents had gathered the most important people in town and had begun to discuss it a bit. It had been agreed that the Fountain of Dreams was probably an important location and that they should probably try repairing it. Likewise, the Star Rod needed to be hidden from the new enemy so that if it returns, the sacred weapon does not fall into their hands. How to protect it, where to hide it? With Mety's rampage, the strange surreal land where it had been hidden was now exposed so it probably wasn't a good idea to rebuild the fountain there. But was it a good idea to rebuild it anywhere else? After all, who knows what strange effects the Star Rod could have. Maybe it will transform Cappy Town if they rebuild the fountain here...
And of course, this brought up the question of that enemy. What to do with it? She could already guess why the Demon Hunters had not departed to help the Galactic Star Soldier forces despite the urgency of the situation.
"So you want him to come." she said, breaking the silence and interrupting everyone's thoughts. Judging by the two's gazes and silence, she had guessed correctly and knew she had.
"With the transporter gone, the Dark Matters will have to get to Pop Star the long way. Besides, the base near here was one of the few that were spared from the great attack. Pop Star is safe for now. But there are many planets that are in complete disarray and the situation can be best summed up as complete pandemonium. Meta Knight is the last of the Star Warriors and the wielder of Galaxia. Even if he doesn't fight, just showing up will help rally the allied military fleets and Demon Hunters to repel the Dark Matters."
It was a good point. Mety is unneeded on this planet now and if the two are right, and Fumu didn't doubt them for a second, the situation was indeed warranting for Mety to go on a trip. But still, she couldn't help but feel a bit sad and uneasy about this. Mety had rediscovered his true nature and embraced it so little time ago and already, duty called to him. But then, she told herself, he had always wanted to protect people but had not dared to do so before, hiding behind his identity as Meta Knight. He was finally doing what he wanted to do and already, he had saved Pop Star.
"I get it. I think... it's alright." she said, a bit reluctantly. "I know I have control over the Warp Star but I think I'll stay with my family and help everyone. Whatever that Fountain of Dreams was, I think it might be best to repair it as soon as possible. Besides, we need to hide the Star Rod in case Mety needs it. Can't let the Dark Matters get a hold of it."
The two hunters understood very well and nodded. Fumu was maybe the youngest of the three but neither Knuckle Joe nor Silica were very old either. They knew of the stress that fighting evil brought and well, despite her hidden power the girl didn't have the training that either of the two had. Her place was not on a battlefield.
"It's alright. You have things to do as we do. Just give us a call if there's any hint of the Dark Matters sneaking past the defenses okay?"
She nodded, smiling. "Yes. Take care of Mety, okay?"
This made the two hunters smile. She was always worried about Kirby and Meta Knight. In a way, it was kind of cute and heartwarming seeing how many people cared for the knight. They nodded to show that they'd indeed make sure that he'd come back in one piece... not that he really needed their help but well, they'd still make sure.
As the conversation ended and the two left the room, Silica stopped in the door frame, not following the other hunter. She remained there, her gaze lowering as unease gnawing at her mind. She turned back to look at the other girl, still sitting there, watching her, waiting for her to leave...
"You're hiding something."
"Huh?"
"You're not saying something. I can tell." repeated the huntress, her gaze turning serious for a moment. "There's been something you've not been telling us."
Again with the strange unease. Ever since they had returned, Fumu had acted strangely. Not as radically as Meta Knight but it had been increasingly obvious. Then there were just some bits of what had happened that didn't make sense. How come Fumu attempted to call the Warp Star at all when the knight asked her to? She knew very well that Warp Stars are user-locked, that only Kirby can use it, control it. Yet when he had asked her, she had agreed to. And then, against all odds, it had actually worked. It was very suspicious to say the least...
The two girls found themselves in a short staring contest of sorts. The younger girl just looked down, glancing at the older one from time to time, as if hoping she'd lose interest. But she didn't and it became obvious that she wouldn't walk out with an answer. The hesitation and distress in Fumu's eyes... what exactly was she hiding that could make her be that way?
"You're not going to leave without answers, aren't you?" Indeed, she had guessed. She still hesitated, as if stalling for time, her gaze distant, somewhat haunted, as if she wasn't seeing the older hunter. "Do you remember... Kabu's prophecy? The one of the Star Warrior?"
The huntress nodded. "Yes, I remember. That a Star Warrior would arrive on Pop Star aboard a starship, that his name would be Kirby of the Stars, and that he'd protect the planet right?"
She nodded. Yes, that was the one.
"I asked Kabu if Meta Knight was truly a Demon Beast, just to make sure. It was... kind of silly, unimportant. And well, it just confirmed what he had told us. But then, I got curious and asked Kabu about if he knew if the pink Star Warrior, Kirby, was also a Demon Beast."
At that moment, Silica crossed her arms. "And he said he was one too? Is it what disturbed you so much? You know, if it doesn't matter for Meta Knight, then it shouldn't matter with Kirby too."
Fumu shook her head quickly. "No no, I know that! That isn't what bothered me. In fact, I had kind of guessed it, since I asked. No, the real problem was the way Kabu replied. He told me... that he never said that Kirby would be pink. Only that he'd be a Star Warrior, arrive in a starship, and be called Kirby."
For a moment, it didn't register. Kabu didn't say that Kirby would be pink? Did this mean that the pink puffball was not the Kirby of the prophecy but rather just what everyone assumed him to be? But then, who fitted the description? It wasn't as if any other Star Warrior puffball had arrived on Pop Star in a starship and... and...
...and Meta Knight. Star Warrior. Puffball. In a starship.
"...oh." There was nothing else she could think of.
"I... do not know what to think of it. I... I just... Look, can you keep this secret for now? Mety is still shaken up from what happened and well, he's so... happy now. I don't think he needs this kind of shock. Not now. Especially not now." pleaded the younger girl.
The huntress stood there. Slowly, her mind restarted to function as she took in the implications. She now understood why Fumu had kept this to herself all this time or why she had accepted to attempt to summon the Warp Star. It still didn't make much sense in many ways but for now, she guessed it was better to just proceed. Maybe, in time, they'll deal with this but not now.
"Alright then. I'll take care of Meta Knight..."
"Please call him Mety..."
"... Mety." she said, finally bothering to try and use the name she had insisted upon.
With that said, the huntress turned around and left the room, leaving the younger girl with her thoughts. There was much to do and everyone would soon be very busy...
The blue puffball's eyes scanned the room, feelings and memories gently stirring and mixing within his young mind. Although the restaurant was empty, he could still hear the laughter of his pink counterpart and the voice of Chef Kawasaki as he tried his best at cooking. He remembered his own visits to this place. Kawasaki was a poor chef and despite his best efforts, his lack of talent shown in his dishes greatly. He had known this, the townspeople had warned him more than enough about it back then but he had been curious, wishing to see it for himself... and secretly hoping they'd be wrong. He remembered his own times in this place, knowing the dishes were always failures and yet, not unlike Kirby, not really caring. In a way, his appetite as a puffball made him ignore this. And in a way, it was amusing.
He had spent so little time on Pop Star in comparison with his time in space and yet, the memories of this planet were so strong, so important. It made the young Star Warrior smile as he took a seat at one of the tables, reflecting upon it all. The contrast between Dreamland and the Galactic Star Soldier force couldn't be stronger in his mind. His time in space, in the war, had been characterized by shame, by fear, by despair. Fighting endless battles against an unending horde over pointless rocks knowing that all they were doing was merely buying time for the prophecy to come true... and of course, the fact that his nature brought forth hatred, suspicion, distrust. In Dreamland, no one had cared. They had found him borderline funny in his armor, with his big cape and his mask. They had just treated him like one more person and when his mask had been removed, they had embraced his nature. Rather than tell him to straighten himself and to think of his duties, Fumu and her friends had simply accepted him as one of their own, all playing together as if nothing had happened...
And of course, the memories of Kirby, his counterpart, his twin. So innocent, so happy, so pure... untouched by shame, untouched by the obsession for duty, untouched by prophecies, a child who lived his childhood as he should have. When he thought of it, Kirby had been lucky. His ship had crashlanded ahead of time, stranding him on a peaceful world where he was able to experience the joys of life, to truly understand what his duties revolved around. The blue child suddenly thought of all those other children who would awaken in bodies too large and too old for them, surrounded by monsters, expected to fight to survive and stop only with death. Suddenly, it made the puffball frown and it made him think of his own life. It suddenly seemed so... pointless, so cruel. The Star Warriors were meant to be the guardians of the universe's dreams and light yet they, themselves, were denied the right to dream. They fought and died without ever experiencing or even understanding the feelings they were meant to protect.
A child should not be as world weary and scarred as he is, thought Mety to himself. With time and distance as well as the acceptance of his true nature, the Star Warrior faced his own memories and upbringing. Nightmare had been an insane, evil monster and his NME forces were just as pointlessly cruel as he was. Yet, somehow, Mety did not hate them. He hated their acts and would never hesitate to fight them ever again but strangely enough, he didn't harbour actual hatred toward them. His heart stirred differently for the Galactic Star Soldier force ironically. A mix of confusion and deep sadness filled him. Why had the Galactic Star Soldier force been like this? Things had been bad, true... but it just seemed somehow... insane to him. What had Arthur been thinking? Why had he done such things?
The young child jumped off the chair and marched out of the restaurant, having finished his visit of the town. He had said good-bye to all those he knew, discussed with them, played a little while with a few, got various gifts from others. He had set out to simply say good-bye and it had turned into a journey through his memories, meeting and discussing with everyone he knew one last time before departing. He had promised them he'd return and as he found himself outside, staring at the blue skies of Pop Star, he found himself really wanting to honor that promise. He had a reason to fight for now, a reason to live and to return. It was... a pleasant feeling, one that made his duties feel suddenly much more important.
As he found himself walking toward the edge of town, his steps swift, a warm feeling making his entire frame feel so light, he couldn't help but be surprised by the number of people who had gathered to wave him good bye. He recognized so many of them...
His knaves were also waiting. They had waited patiently for him and for a moment, a hint of doubt entered the child's mind. For he was indeed a child. One who had beaten off an invasion and defeated the dreaded Marx, avenging his fallen counterpart but nonetheless, a kid. He stopped, watching the two, wondering what they were thinking of him. They had been loyal for so long... had the events that had happened change this?
The two nodded silently to show him their respect and the blue puffball understood. He had been their lord for so long, had protected their lives just as they had protected him. From the times back in the Galactic Star Soldier forces, to their adventures on Pop Star, Mety had been their lord and this, no matter his nature. The bond between them was true, always was.
The blue puffball spun and raising himself to the tip of his feet, waved energetically with one paw, smiling at all of his friends. They all responded as one, their messages blending from so many voices. All wished for his return. He would indeed return.
With this gesture done, he turned back to his knaves and begun the trek to his allies' starship. More adventures awaited him in space.
How long has it been since he last soared the depths of space? Actually not that long ago due to the whole deal with that battle at the NME base during which he launched the Halberd to attack Nightmare's base alongside with the ragtag bunch of Demon Hunters that now formed the revived Galactic Star Soldier force.
Still, it brought him back to those dark days, back when he was under the orders of Arthur, those darker days when he was hiding under his mask. To say the truth, he had pondered about maybe putting back his uniform. The armor and the mask were symbols of the Star Warriors and he did not doubt that none would recognize the strange blue child that would show up. But Mety was determined. He would never put that stupid thing on his face ever again. He would never hide under it again. When he will show himself to the defenders of the galaxy, it will be as himself, not as some faceless survivor of a defeated has-been force that was made of interchangeable faceless knights.
There was little to be said during the trip and as such, everyone was silent as the blue puffball's eyes begun to wander. Sure, he remained determined and serious-looking for the first few hours... but as the ship continued its repetitive journey through the sea of stars, Mety's attention drifted to the endless void just beyond the ship's shell. Space was vast, vast beyond the wildest imagination. A single planet can take a lifetime to explore and yet, is little more than a tiny fragment of a solar system, itself nothing but a tiny fragment of a cluster, which is itself a tiny drop within a sector, which is nothing but one of millions within the galaxy. The concept of infinity was almost frightening. And it reminded him of just how large the NME had once been to be able to threaten such vastness.
Of course, this also made him think about how large the Dark Matter Collective must also be to cause even half the havoc it is apparently wreaking across the universe. But then, the NME had been gigantic beyond imagination and had collapsed within the space of but a few mere years, a single tiny pink puffball bringing down a monstrous war machine that had consumed billions of civilizations all by itself. It was almost unreal now that he thought about it... yet it had happened. But then, hadn't he just booted the Dark Matters off of Pop Star?
The first sign that things were serious was when the ship begun to approach the area within which the local Galactic Star Soldier base was located. The base close to Pop Star was the oldest one yet ironically, it was one of the smallest. Just a small ferry station, forgotten by most. For all of the fact that it was the first, Mety could understand that it had been forgotten, in a way. Pop Star was a distant star, far from the center of the galaxy where most of the main civilizations lived. No one needed to go around here.
But things had changed radically recently. The Dark Matters had struck hard and fast and with so many planets burning and so many bases destroyed, the Demon Hunters and fleets of the various allied species floundered in confusion. The local star base, once ignored, was becoming a great rallying point from which millions of warships would gather, get information on what was going on, and then be sent deeper into the galaxy to fight. The starship's radar was blanked out with signatures, the transmission system flooded with conversations from the myriad of ships of so many designs and technologies interacting. Mety could only imagine how busy and tired the poor people on that base must be, trying to keep head and tails of that situation...
The fact that this was not their final stop was even more telling of the situation. The confusion had to end, a proper defense had to be organized. To be fair, Mety didn't really expect to take part in that... but he'd need to show up, to help undo the damage the Dark Matters had come. They were passing by the area merely because that it was the first step in their journey toward the main base where the generals of the allied forces resided. This was their intended destination.
It would still take a long time before they reached it...
"Sir?"
It was a simple word but it was enough to bring the puffball's attention out of the screens that shown the exterior of the ship. In a way, the two brothers did not know what to think of their lord or of this whole venture to begin with. Space held so many bad memories, so many memories that both of the brothers wished to forget.
While Blade had been mentally preparing himself the younger brother had observed the child. He was a paradox and in a way, it caused a great gaping emptiness to engulf the knave's heart. He was so much like the young Kirby in so many ways and yet, all of that endless fighting had scarred him in ways that couldn't be masked. It was as if bringing him back to space had changed him back to the masked figure they had known only, without the armor to make him look bigger, Mety had nothing magnificent about him now.
The war with the NME had been a meat grinder, one that had taken loved ones from everyone. Both knaves were adults and had been affected by this. To lose a loved one is a difficult reality, one that left scars that, on many people, never healed. Mety had been exposed to such horrors while he was a mere child and for a moment, the two knaves found themselves doubting once more the sanity of Arthur. Chosen by destiny, no one could have denied it but had the original leader of the Galactic Star Soldier force truly been so wise? Sealing Kirby in that starship, constantly training Mety while shunning his nature and forcing him behind that infernal mask... had it truly been for the best?
But then, this was the past. They no longer lived in the shadow of the Star Warriors, standing as the blue Star Warrior's true friends and allies rather than cannon fodder. Sword wanted his lord to know that his own past is, just as theirs, just what it is, merely the past.
It had been a single word, just to get his attention but the child had seen his two friends and knew at that moment that he wasn't alone. Regardless of what happened out there, whenever it turns out badly or not, he will never live in shame again. The puffball's smile was everything Sword had wished to see once more and with this done, went back to waiting for the long journey to end.
How long had it been since he had walked into the great council room? Not that long actually, all things considering. Still, the last time he had entered inside, it had been inside of the station near Pop Star and it had housed representatives from only a few solar systems and back then, those representatives had mostly been the more diplomatic members of the Demon Hunter clans that had taken part in the final assault on Nightmare's base. Now, the room was so much larger, with more seats than he could count and most of the representatives were actual politicians now too. This was both good and bad, if his memory served him well.
Of course, back then, he had stepped inside with his mask and armor on, hiding his true nature. Now, he would walk in as himself. In a way, he realized that it would not change that much but he could not help but smile at the fact that probably, no one would care.
He was still a bit difficult as he found himself shaking from time to time. But the deeper he made his way into the base, the more confident he found himself. The reassurances from his trusted allies were ringing truer by the minute as he found that no one seemed horrified by his appearance. In fact, many of the civilians had even called him cute! It made him smile and feel so... strange. And everyone was still recognizing him as a Star Warrior and calling him 'sir' too! No need for a mask or anything...
Still, it didn't change the fact that he would soon speak with an awful lot of people and that the situation was really bad. Marx is gone but he was only but one of many. He had not heard that much but apparently, the Dark Matters were something bad. There was a little point he was still wondering about... but then maybe speaking with everyone and learning of what's happening everywhere in the universe will help him understand.
His friends wished him good luck and there he was, walking through the sliding double doors leading to the great chamber. There had been no waiting, no having to spend time in the various waiting rooms and cafeterias of the great station. The council had been expecting him, wishing for him to come. As he was the last of the Star Warriors and the one who had brought them to victory against Nightmare, they probably expected great things from him...
With some luck, he'll be able to repeat the miracle.
As he stepped in the middle of the great amphitheater-like room, every gaze from every seat from every direction locked upon him. Their gazes were hard but serious. They were worried, expectant...
"Meta Knight, Star Warrior, one of the founders of the new galactic alliance. We have been expecting you." said a tall, strange figure, the chairman of the assembly. "Before we begin any debates, I and all of us are curious. What exactly happened on Pop Star?"
He knew it was coming. So he spoke. "The Dark Matters had infiltrated the planet and launched a direct assault. They attempted to use the old NME teleportation network to access the heart of Dreamland and attack where it hurt most. Thankfully, I and my knaves repelled the assault and destroyed the transporter. I also faced and defeated Marx in direct combat."
"Well, it's nice to see at least some worlds have managed to drive the things back." spoke one of the representatives, an insectoid-like creature colored purple. "The Dark Matters sent a fleet of what seemed to be giant ships of black liquid. They've been tearing through our colonies and our fleets have been barely able to slow them down. And the ground engagements... they're more like living tidal waves than proper armies. Even in the worst days of Nightmare's reign, the Demon Beasts did not attack in such great numbers."
Mety could understand this. He remembered the massive living walls of blackness and eyes that had risen up in the castle. So many of the things, attacking him from so many sides... and then the fact that it probably meant that the Demon Beasts he had fought earlier and that had almost killed him had also been Dark Matter creations. And all of this from a single transporter. He found himself shuddering, picturing how bad it would have been if the Dark Matters had arrived in a proper invasion ship.
"You found them difficult to defeat? The Ghanthynad Republic repelled the Dark Matter Collective's ships at relatively little cost. Our weapon technology proves superior."
As the argument begun, he knew it was time for him to do his thing. Just as he had done when the time had come to face the NME, he raised one of his limbs high and spoke up. His throat squeezed and his tongue paralyzed as nervousness gripped him for a second. The first time, it had felt like the worst thing ever, like plunging straight into the coldest waters while simultaneously being shocked. Back then, he had been afraid of being noticed. Now, he was afraid once more. But it was more that without the mask, without the change to his voice it brought, they would not stop.
"Everybody!"
And the eyes all shifted, the voices stilled. Relief washed over him as they all watched him. He was the last Star Warrior. He did not know if he would be able to repeat the feat he accomplished on Pop Star anywhere else but he knew he could unite them again.
"The enemy is obviously seeking to divide us. The propaganda, the sudden attacks, it is all to keep us separated." his voice gained in confidence and volume with each word. He had been afraid that his true, child-like voice would fail to catch their attention, fail to make them pay attention to him. But everywhere, he saw reverence or if he saw doubt, it was at the impact of the Star Warrior, not at him being a child.
Before long, he felt like on the Halberd. In command, in control, finally ruling his own destiny rather than ruled by it. "We must rally our forces and strike the Dark Matters, fight back, boot them out of all of our worlds. No matter how strong they may be, they can only destroy us if we allow them. We must counter-attack."
"I do not think so."
His entire body turned to stone, the blood draining from his face instantly. He felt as if a long, icy dagger had pierced his back, preventing him from moving. His eyes were widened, his heart pounded, his throat was dry. He couldn't even turn around to face the source of the voice.
"We should not act this rashly."
This noble voice, deep and oozing confidence and bravery... he knew it, he could never forget it. Never. Ever.
"Nightmare is a clever opponent. That he would build a decoy to fool people into thinking he can be destroyed permanently is perfectly in his style, as is the rapid evolution of his demons. The Dark Matter Collective are most definitely a cover for a new operation of the NME. As such, we must act cautiously. All of the Galactic Star Soldier Force's members should retreat to their worlds and wait. The prophecy shall come to pass and Nightmare defeated once more. Attacking recklessly will achieve nothing but pointless death."
The golden armor couldn't be mistaken. Neither were the dark blue eyes that glared at him like daggers, narrowing at the sight of him. Mety felt as if he was suddenly the size of a mouse before the legend himself.
"You are out of uniform." Anger and disgust dripped from every word, striking into the puffball's heart and washing him all over with the bitter feeling of shame. He couldn't even look down to his feet, hypnotized by Arthur's glare. "Leave. And put back your uniform."
Feelings tore at him. He felt like crying, he felt like hiding, he felt like screaming and kicking at the armored being. Couldn't he see what he had done? Couldn't he see this was not a scheme of Nightmare? Why? How could he be here, alive? He had never heard of him escaping from the final battle's scene! He...
"Now."
The blue puffball took off running as fast as he could. So fast that he turned back to the exit simultaneously with his running, causing him to trip over his own foot and all straight on his face. It didn't matter as he instantly brought himself back on his face going on a mad dash away from the golden Star Warrior.
His mind was blank, his heart pounded. He barely saw the exit, did not care about where he was going. He... just ran. And ran. And ran. And ran. And-
WHAM!
He missed a corner and slammed straight into a wall. He was not in the room anymore. He did not know where he was and he did not care. How was this possible? How did Arthur get here, let alone survive for all of those years? Thoughts, questions, feelings, so many things swirled and raged inside him and in his confusion, he felt exhaustion grip him and wash it all away. It was just too much of a shock to him. So he allowed the darkness to grasp his mind as he just laid there, his mind vacant...
When Mety recovered his wits, he finally became aware that he had run all the way to the central station of the complex. A simple hub, shaped like a park, which connected the various sections of the gigantic space station together. The blue puffball berated himself for what had happened back at the meeting. He couldn't believe he had let the shock of seeing Arthur grip him like this and make him run like an infant!
...well, he is an infant technically but that was not the point. He had united them once, he was doing that again. Sure, he had never expected to see the one who had raised him returned but he shouldn't have reacted like this. The emotion had just... torn through him, not allowing him to act rationally.
Still... how had his mentor survived and why was he here? He had interrupted him and... wait, did he really believe that Nightmare was behind this again?
It was then that he noticed the gold armor. Again, his stomach knotted and his throat dried as he saw him approach. His entire frame tensed but this time, he took control of his breathing as much as he could. To be fair, he was not sure what to think. He was the one who had raised him and yet, that glare... sure, he remembered it but had Arthur's glare always felt like this? He was... not sure.
The older Star Warrior stopped in front of him, staring at him. For a long time, he seemed to survey him. It occurred to Mety that he was leaned forward in a rather odd stance and that it wasn't proper of a Star Warrior so he straightened himself, trying to stand tall before his old mentor and father figure.
"Meta Knight. Where is your mask?"
There were many ways he could have answered. He found himself hesitating between so many possibilities. But he had to answer fast or Arthur would be angry. It had to be near instantaneous in fact! What is he doing not speaking?
"I did not bring it with me, sir."
"You did not?" the Star Warrior was obviously displeased. "Meta Knight, the mask is a Star Warrior's symbol. One must never be without it."
"I..." The truth was... he hadn't thought of it that way. All that he had thought was that he hated that mask, hated everything it represented and wanted to throw it away, never to wear it again, never to even look at it. But how could he tell his mentor that he saw what was a sacred symbol of the Star Warrior in such a way?
He... oh! There is an idea! "Sir, the mask has become unreliable in light of the improvement of my skills. I have found that fighting without armor is more effective nowadays."
It instantly felt like a cheap excuse, which it was. This was a diplomatic meeting, why would the mask be a liability in it? He regretted using the excuse as soon as he brought it up.
"And how would it be a liability in a diplomatic meeting?" he had called it, indeed. Now he was in for a scolding. "The mask is the sacred symbol of our order! It is unacceptable that any Star Warrior would be without it and this, both when meeting allies and on the battlefield."
Arthur stared at his pupil further, as if confused for a moment. The blue puffball blinked, not remembering that his mentor would show such signs of surprise. But the second he truly looked at his father figure, the hard look was on his face. Maybe he had imagined it? He probably did. And it was for the best too.
"Meta Knight, you must fetch your mask and put it on as soon as possible. You already shamed your title and insulted all of your fallen allies by throwing it away. But even more importantly, you must not be seen without it."
His gaze became hard, piercing. The golden Star Warrior approached him, making the blue puffball step back, shrinking before the towering figure of the Star Warrior of legend.
"It is the symbol of what you should be. When you wear it, you are one of us. Do you understand?"
Of course he did. He always did. By wearing the mask, he hid that he was a monster, that he did not deserve to be here, or even to exist. It was also something that everyone had told him was not needed. That he had the blood of a Demon Beast did not matter. In fact, if it mattered at all, Galaxia would have rejected him long ago. Yet the sacred blade was still in his possession. He did not need the mask anymore.
"Yes I do. But I do not need the mask anymore."
The golden Star Warrior stepped back as his former pupil stepped forward, confidence returning and washing away the childish confusion that had filled his white eyes. His stance was determined, his gaze fearless.
"I know it may sound strange but I was a coward before, I ran away. As Meta Knight, I failed. But now I'm different. I've destroyed Nightmare and saved Pop Star. I will honor the names of my friends. I'm Mety, the wielder of Galaxia, and-"
"You are being arrogant!"
Mety stopped mid-tirade to stare at his mentor, unsure what to say, suddenly very confused as to the situation. Arrogant? What did he mean?
"Yes, you are a coward. You ran away when your fate was to fight, as per the prophecy. You deserted and ran away. Now, because of some minor victories, you believe yourself to be different? You are letting your twisted nature infuse you with undeserved pride!"
Arthur clenched his fists. "You even brag about wielding Galaxia as if it belonged to you! Who are you to believe yourself unique? Do you believe to be some kind of hero? The duty of a Star Warrior is to fight and follow the prophecy, protecting the universe from Nightmare and the eternal darkness. Through the mask, you surrender your identity and accept the honor of a Star Warrior, the instrument of destiny against Nightmare. Who are you to believe yourself some hero!"
Mety winced as the golden Star Warrior backhanded him, sending him reeling.
"Who are you to imply that a mere mortal, and a Demon Beast at that, could possibly destroy the eternal darkness, Nightmare! It is not your place! You are completely out of your mind, Meta Knight!"
Mety trembled as he massaged the cheek that his mentor had struck. It was a simple slap, nothing comparable to the type of injury he was used to receive from the various Demon Beasts and yet, somehow, it stung enough that he felt almost like crying. He managed to keep the tears from flowing but the words stung him.
"I asked around when I got on this station. A Fountain of Dreams... and then destroying it killing Nightmare once and for all? Let me laugh! The very fact that the worlds are under attack are the proof that it was a trick from the ancient enemy. It is likewise the proof that you were a fool and brought Kirby with you in your folly! Fighting Nightmare? It was not his destiny! All you did was make things worse!"
That did it. The blame of Kirby's death upon him by his father figure, the insults, and the doubts... had this been a trick by Nightmare? The Dark Matter Collective was a new enemy, right? It... couldn't be a new breed of Demon Beast brought by Nightmare's body being destroyed ahead of the prophesized time? Kabu had said they were not related to the Demon Beasts! And now... now...
"The final battle... no one survived..." he held on to that question with all of his strength. He did all he could to keep his composure.
"Destiny is the sharpest sword of all. It was not my fate to die on this planet and thus, I didn't. You deserted. You ran away. You ran when you were meant to fight. You have failed as a Star Warrior."
It was enough of an answer to him and with it and the statement of the truth, the truth which he knew more than anything else, he broke into tears. He did not care that he was a Star Warrior. He was just so ashamed, so sad. He had failed to save his friends, all he had been able to do was run. All...
"There were... we... were too many of them! I couldn't... I couldn't stay! I had to run! I had to!"
"You abandoned your duties. I should have you executed for treason. But you're not worth my time. Next time I see you, I want you with your uniform on. Understood?"
It was not a question. He turned away and walked away, not caring about an answer not that the worthless child who thought himself a Star Warrior would give him one. To think that this pathetic, cowardly blue puffball thinks itself a Star Warrior! To abandon his comrades when the time of destiny come, to fall so easily for one of Nightmare's tricks, and now to try and get everyone pumped up for a pointless counter-attack? To think he wasted centuries raising and training that sorry excuse of a Star Warrior! He should have known that a Demon Beast, even one created from a top-secret NME project, would make a poor, incompetent Star Warriors. After all, like all Demon Beasts, he is a coward.
Still, it did not matter. If the inhabitants of this space station care so much about that cry baby sobbing like a baby, then it's their loss. He wasted enough of his time on someone who proved he isn't deserving of attention or respect. For now, he got a galaxy to prepare against the onslaught of the NME.
TO BE CONTINUED...
