It was a beautiful summer afternoon in Dreamland. The sun was shining high in the clear blue sky, and Kirby and his friends were outside Castle Dedede, enjoying the warm weather. While Joe, Sirica, Tuff, Iro, and Spikehead played soccer, Honey made a flower crown, and Tiff sat under a tree, reading to Kirby, who was sitting beside her.

Before long, Meta Knight passed by with his two apprentices, Sword and Blade, in tow.

"Hey, Meta Knight! Hey, guys! How's it going?" Tuff waved to them.

"Fine," Meta Knight briefly turned his attention to the kids before he and his apprentices continued on their patrol.

Tuff then approached his sister and told her: "Hey, sis, there's something up with Meta Knight. I get that he's a busy guy, but he'd typically talk to us for a little while longer. His eyes were also gray, which is also kind of weird."

"Poyo?" Kirby looked up at him with confusion.

"You're right, Tuff," Tiff told her brother. "He's been like this for who knows how long. And I know his eyes change color with his mood, but I've never seen him with gray eyes."

"As you guys already know, my dad and Sirica's mom were comrades of his," Joe explained. "Maybe he's still trying to get over their deaths."

"You sound so sure about that, Joe," said Spikehead.

"Captain Vul lives on the edge of Cappy Town," replied Joe. "He's been there for us since our parents left, and he's a close friend of Meta Knight's. My gut tells me he might have some answers about that."

"I'm not sure," replied Tiff. "Vul doesn't seem like a talkative person, but I guess it's worth a shot."

Joe led his friends to Vul's house on the edge of the village. The lawn was beautifully decorated with flowers, and birds soaked themselves in the birdbath.

Tiff knocked on the door. A few seconds later, Vul answered. He was a cormorant who wore a sailor's uniform. "Yes, what do you want?" he snorted.

"Lay off of them, Vul," said Sirica. "They just have some questions."

"Fine," Vul sighed. "What is it?"

"By any chance, do you know Meta Knight, Sir?" Tiff asked nervously.

"Of course I do," replied Vul. "That blue puffball with the mask and cape. Why?"

"It's just that we think that Meta Knight is still getting over my dad's death," Joe explained. "He seemed to want to shut us out, and his eyes were gray."

"Maybe, but your guess is as good as mine. We seldom see each other. Your best bet is to go and talk to him. One more thing, you two," Vul stopped Joe and Sirica as they turned around to leave with the other children. "Remember to be back to dinner,"

"Will do," they answered simultaneously.