Important Info: This Meta Knight is based on the anime, Hoshi no Kaabii, where he is more of a father/teacher figure to Kirby.
Disclaimer: Still not mine.
Always in My Heart
Sum: It's always bittersweet to say goodbye.
~~~~~~~~MarthIkeMetaKnight~~~~~~~~
Meta Knight stood staring at his beloved Halberd. "Three hundred, sixty-five days..." He wondered out loud.
Today...
There were no matches.
The stadium would be closed.
The shops would be barren.
The mansion would be quiet.
Today was the last day for the Smashers.
Tomorrow...
He would be home.
Sword and Blade would greet him.
Fumu and Bun would hug Kirby.
Escargon would welcome King Dedede.
Tomorrow he would be home.
The Star Warrior turned away from the ship, and slowly walked away.
Tonight...
~~~~~~~~MarthIkeMetaKnight~~~~~~~~
Ike leaned sat on the ground. The waves were crashing against the sand rhythmically. It was almost soothing.
Almost.
He wouldn't see the ocean for a while. Maybe not ever again.
He wouldn't be able to enjoy roof top conversations.
He wouldn't hear that steady, fatherly voice.
He wouldn't hear the soft, soothing voice.
No.
He will be surrounded by forests, stone buildings.
He will stare at the ceiling above him that is familiar but not.
He will hear the reliable, monotone voice.
He will hear the motherly, warming voice.
The mercenary brushed off some sand and trekked back to the mansion.
Tonight will be...
~~~~~~~~MarthIkeMetaKnight~~~~~~~~
Marth climbed up to the rooftop, needing no aid. It took a moment before he settled down and stared up at the darkening sky. The sun was setting. He closed his eyes.
He saw Ike napping by the tree.
He saw Meta Knight laughing in their room.
He saw the two fight.
He saw...
He saw his sister.
He saw Jagen and Cain.
He saw Shiida.
The prince opened his eyes and sighed. A wistful and remorse filled sigh. He stood back up and climbed down.
Tonight will be their last night.
~~~~~~~~MarthIkeMetaKnight~~~~~~~~
Meta Knight opened the door to see Marth removing his boots. The citizen of Altea locked eyes with the puffball but didn't say anything. He didn't need to.
His eyes said enough.
Blue eyes flickered up.
The Popstar resident glanced behind him to see Ike. He shuffled inside, allowing the mercenary to do the same and close the door. Meta Knight thought the sun set all too soon. The puffball removed his armor and mask, setting it down next to Marth's own accessories. The mercenary's fixings joined the other two. Ike sat down next to Marth on the prince's bed and Meta Knight joined them wordlessly. The citizen of Altea picked him up and sat him in his lap before leaning against Ike's shoulder. It was a little cramped, but they knew it would be fine for one night.
The mercenary was the first to fall asleep followed by the prince. Meta Knight carefully hopped out of Marth's lap and made his way towards Ike's bed. Gasping the blanket the puffball pulled it off and returned to his two friends. It took some maneuvering around on his part, but the Star Warrior was able to wrap them in the blanket, with himself once again in the prince's lap. He soaked up the warmth emanating from the two; not just physical, but the emotional warmth that he would always connect to them. The puffball glanced up at the two, wondering what the future would bring.
He prayed Marth and Ike would be there.
~~~~~~~~MarthIkeMetaKnight~~~~~~~~
Morning came and the three idly chatted as they gathered their things. But as the day wore on, they slipped into silence again.
They could hear the other Smashers running around, some being loud (mostly the Kid Smashers) and others smiling and laughing, some even crying. Princess Peach was in tears as she hugged Fox, much to his embarrassment. The vulpine awkwardly returned the embrace.
Meta Knight walked to his ship, knowing that Kirby and King Dedede would be waiting for him. They would be returning home on the Halberd. Ike and Marth followed, shadowing the Star Warrior like two well known squires. The native of Crimea smiled at the thought. The three ran into Lucario and Jigglypuff as they strolled through the hallways. The balloon pokemon said her goodbye first, nearly bawling and hugging the Star Warrior tightly. Marth wondered if he and Ike would have to pry her off, but luckily Jigglypuff released Meta Knight without their interference. She gave one last teary 'Jiggly', a short sweet smile, and walked off. There had been a look in the jackal pokemon's eyes and Ike thought she would follow the other's lead (tears and all), but she merely said goodbye and after a short embrace walked off to catch up with Jigglypuff. The two pokemon would be joining Red and Pikachu for their trip home.
The Popstar resident watched them walk away, though Marth wondered if the knight was sadder to see one over the other leave.
They meet up with Lucas who thanked the knight again for his help so long ago at the plains. The puffball smiled fondly and patted the boy's head. And then the Ice Climbers crashed into him, smothering him in a few tears and a long hug. The siblings also gave Marth and Ike a hug each before waving goodbye. Mario also appeared, along with his brother and the plumbers wished them good luck and good health. Luigi awkwardly held out a small basket. "I um...baked a cake and pie...you know...for the trip back home."
Meta Knight smiled beneath his mask, eyes changing to blue for a second. "Thank you." He took the basket and the three bid the brothers farewell. They didn't meet anyone else, and the Halberd was suddenly before them. Ike stared at the marvelous ship, suddenly feeling very sorrowful.
The prince took a deep breath, before gazing at their small companion.
"...It is an honor to have fought beside both of you." The Star Warrior slowly stated.
The native of Crimea nodded. "...Yeah..."
The knight looked up at them and placed the basket on the ground. He then held out his arms to them. Ike took a split second to realize what Meta Knight was offering before he kneeled down and swept the puffball in his arms. "Stay well, kay?"
The Star Warrior squeezed the other in return. "Always, and to you as well."
Marth took the mercenary's place, embracing the puffball. "I'll miss you."
"And I you, Your Highness."
They pulled away. The knight hesitated, pulled of his mask and smiled at them. "Thank you."
Ike and Marth smiled back. The Popstar resident replaced the thin metal, picked up the basket and flew to the wheelhouse. The native of Crimea gently pulled the prince away. "We should get going too."
The citizen of Altea nodded, letting the other lead him away.
Master Hand would be opening portals back to their own worlds while Crazy Hand would be closing them. Those with ships would be amongst the first to leave. And as Marth glanced back, he could see the two floating hands in the air, with the Great Fox passing through a portal. The right hand hovered away, towards the Halberd, while the left hand sealed the gate shut once the ship passed through. They still had time before Master Hand opened up their ways home. They still had time for a final goodbye.
Ike sighed, feeling a deep sorrow settle in his heart. He chanced a look at his fellow swordsman. The prince gazed at him.
"I guess, this is it..."
The citizen of Altea nodded. He shuffled his feet, and then embraced Ike. Surprised, the mercenary stumbled but regained balance and returned it, fiercely.
"I'll miss you..." The prince finally said, words muffled by the other's tunic.
"Same..." The native of Crimea replied, holding the other close. "But...maybe we'll see each other again..."
He had no idea if he would be invited to the next tournament, but that slim chanceā¦he would hold onto.
Marth seemed to agree. "...again..." The citizen of Altea breathed deeply, resting his forehead against the other's shoulder. "And Meta Knight...they wouldn't leave him out."
"Not a chance." The mercenary could picture the three of them together again, sitting underneath that same tree, with Pikmin singing that strange song. He smiled.
"Are you ready?" Master Hand questioned, his voice uncharacteristically soft.
Ike let go of the other, and the prince nodded. "We're ready."
"Very well. You first, Prince Marth." The hand requested. His brother floated down, surprisingly subdued.
"Fare thee well, Your Highness. May the beings who watch over us, keep you safe and well."
The citizen of Altea blinked, surprised by the left hand's docile personality. None the less, he offered the appendage a soft grin. "Thank you, and to you as well Crazy Hand." There was no sound, when the portal appeared; colors swirling, mixing, dancing. Marth stared at it, feelings overwhelming him.
He would be going home.
A few tears pricked at his eyes, and he wiped them away. They would meet again.
The prince would cling to that with all his heart.
He gave the mercenary once last smile. "Goodbye, Ike."
"...I'll see you again, Marth." Ike replied. He watched as the prince stepped through the gate. A moment after he vanished, Crazy Hand sealed it closed.
"Are you ready?" The right hand questioned.
Ike took one last look at the Smash mansion. It looked the same from the outside, as if nothing was changing. As if Peach would throw one of the windows open and wave to him. As if Yoshi would come charging out of the back doors, with Kirby and the Ice Climbers at his heels. As if Olimar and Falcon would come back from the strolling the grounds, talking about who knows what. As if Marth would be beside him, asking if he would like to spare for his upcoming match. As if Meta Knight would be going on about the planets he's visited.
A deep breath. "...Yeah. I'm ready."
Be on the lookout for an update in about four days.
ZeroGDog
