'This shall be a night to remember.' thought Meta Knight, and a night to remember it would be. As he sat on a plush chair in the lounge of the Halberd, soft, radiant eyes stared astute at the small human child in his arms. The now-unnamed girl was fast asleep, wrapped up in his silk Dimensional Cape. The six-months-old child had come like a comet in the evening. Someone had sent her off in the stars to here of all places. Now, she was to become the child of a band of knights with no knowledge of childrearing.
He was the one she had imprinted on, like a mother duck and her hatchlings. He had wanted to get rid of her the moment he'd found her. Meta Knight and his crew simply didn't have the time and resources to raise a child, let alone a human one. However, when arriving at the nearest town and finding a residence that seemed fit to care for the child, he found that the little girl couldn't let go. The masked knight left her on the doorstep and turned away, but the child cried out for him. Meta took a few steps and her cries grew louder and more urgent. He found he didn't have the heart to leave her there alone. He found that the little girl couldn't let go, and neither could he. So, he took the child in his arms and flew back to the Halberd, bat-like wings cutting through the air.
Now here he was, left to care for this child with the help of his, albeit small, crew. They hadn't decided on a name, though, titles containing any bit of wordplay were to be quickly shot down. The one thing they did know was that their child would be given the maiden name of Knight. Why Knight? Well, everyone already had the title of knight, aside from Sailor Dee and Captain Vul, so it would only be fitting to give her this name.
The child shifted in her sleep and clung to Meta Knight's hand, then, she yawned. Then, Meta Knight did too. It was a typical response and it happened all the time, but, this time, it felt exceptional for whatever reason.
"I do say, " Meta Knight began to get comfortable, "You'll be quite the adorable child for the time being, maybe even for a bit longer. I'll miss these days when you've grown too mature for our most likely incessant banter and pampering."
The masked knight continued to look over the small child and her traits, frizzy brown hair, small hands, rosy cheeks, and a small button nose. All somethings he'd noticed in this time, but, that one thing still plagued him. What would be her name? Wordplay was what his mind scampered to but, 'No, this isn't how you're meant to play the game!' Meta thought. But, it was no game, it was a serious matter that would affect this child's life.
The door to the lounge creaked open as a soft robotic voice chimed in. "Sir Meta Knight, can I come in?"
"Yes, but, Mace, be quiet. Child is asleep and I don't want it to cry anymore." Mace Knight stepped into the lounge and settled down near Meta Knight and the child. He stared at her for a bit and if he had a mouth, Meta Knight was sure he would have been smiling.
"Where is it going to sleep?" Mace asked, finally averting his gaze from the child, and to that Meta Knight hadn't thought of it.
"I... don't- I don't know. I could have it in my quarters and pad out a cabinet with blankets and cushions for it to sleep in."
"That's not adequate."
"It's temporary."
"Any names?" Mace asked, hoping for something other than 'I don't know.'
"Not yet, I'm still thinking. I'm sure something to do with errr... where are humans from, again?" Meta Knight asked, cutting himself off as he realized he had blanked on where humans hailed from.
"Earth, sir."
"Thank you. Something to do with Earth, then." That was the first suggestion of many from the crew to come. As the rest of the crew funneled in and out the lounge for the next few hours, many names were thrown around. From Eartha to Venus, they all couldn't decide, until...
"Waitwaitwaitwaitwait... What about Gaia, the ancient goddess of Earth? I like it, certainly fits, don't you think?" suggested Blade Knight, and the name stuck.
"Hold on, I've got another one. Terra, Latin for Earth. Her first name could be Terra, then Gaia, and last name Knight! Aye?" said Meta Knight, and that stuck too.
"Alright, Terra Gaia Knight. That's her name now. I'm getting some sleep, it is 3 am. Goodnight." murmured Vul, getting up and leaving for bed. It was due for the lot of them to sleep. So, the lot of them left, and the now-named Terra Knight and Meta Knight were alone again. The small child was well awake now, brilliant blue eyes on display.
However, something bothered the masked knight during this naming ceremony of theirs. What was Terra's original name? What her life like before this? What was it supposed to be? What was the catalyst that came into her life had gotten her sent to space? Meta felt awful for whoever was in charge of her then. Their little girl was gone because of this and now Terra was here away from what should have been her parents. It felt awful. He felt awful. He hoped these thoughts would go away in time. He hoped.
"Maybe I can sleep them off, right, Terra?" He turned to her but the rhetorical question merited no response. Meta Knight paid no mind and scooped Terra up, noting her unexpected weight. Walking down the dark hallways, he made his way to his room. Opening the door quietly, he set the little girl down on his bed, got a blanket and draped it over her. He then took off his armor and mask and stretched a bit before climbing into bed and dozing off to his first full day of parenthood.
Hello there, dear reader! I made an introduction to my OC Terra! I might make this a full-blown series if people really want it, but for now, it's just a one-shot. Thank you for reading!