It was an hour past midnight, the cool air of the dessert laid across the ground. A sign to all inhabitants that it was time to head inside to stay warm until the blistering heat of midday was upon them. High in the sky, a vesicle could be seen from the ground. It was an average-sized spacecraft but from its look along it seemed it could only fit a few people.

Those that saw it from below assumed right, as three people were currently inside as it flew over the sands of the Dessert kingdom. Its destination was most likely the Mushroom Kingdom.

"Good thing we dropped off Shepherd before picking up your friend." Said Boba Fett in the pilot seat. "Other why's, we wouldn't have much room."

"Agreed." Said Samus from behind.

Across from her was her friend from the Smash Bros Tournament. He had black soulless eyes, a white shell-like head, a pure black body, and a grey cloak covering him. This small friend was Knight.

"So," she said as she clapped her hands together. "what else is in your kingdom?"

Samus had been asking questions about Knight's kingdom of Hallownest. When she and Boba landed, his home seemed dead and miserable. But she was still happy to see his home even if it wasn't what she expected. They found him in (what they assumed) his hometown of Dirtmouth. He and Hornet were eating their evening meal in one of the small houses when they arrived, and he was happy to see Samus. They shared their food with them and got to know more of the others who lived in Dirtmouth. Boba and Hornet, with their blunt attitude, seemed to get along.

Soon after their meal, Samus told Knight of Quirrel and how Peach thought it was a good idea for him to come and meet him. Knight agreed and said his farewells and now was upon Samus's magical ship. Or at least, to Knight it was magic.

Knight wrote with his quill in his Hunter's Journal. He wrote; There's an area named Queens Garden. It was made to honor the queen of Hallownest.

"Oh cool. We got to check that out someday."

"Uh, Samus?" said Boba.

"What?" Samus got up from her seat and joined him at the front.

Samus's eyes went wide at what she saw, Peach's castle was on fire. Burning to the ground and would soon be reduced to ashes. Her heart started to pound. What if Peach was hurt? She thought. She had learned to trust Peach's skills over time, but this was a whole new level. Her girlfriend's home was burning!

"Boba, fly over and release the ship's water tanks."

"Got it."

Boba flew the ship over Peach's castle and released a flood of water over the castle. Most of the heavy flames were immediately put out, leaving only small clusters of fire that weren't effected thanks to some cover in the rumble. Afterward, Boba turned the ship around and went in for a landing. He landed in an open area between the castle and the forest.

"Seems we missed all the fun." Said Boba.

"That's my girlfriend's castle you're talking about." Samus said as she glared at Boba. Before she continued, Knight was pulling at her leg. He looked up at her and said nothing as he pointed in the direction of the ship's door. Samus understood what he said. "Right, just look for Peach."

The three companions left the ship and made their way to the castle. They walked by multiple troops and castle servants as they looked for Peach and Quirrel. Near the castle, they noticed troops using ice flowers to put out wat remain of the fire. The castle thankfully wasn't close to collapsing, but the damage was fatal. There were burn marks shattered windows, and the interior was a whole other story. Soon Samus caught site of Peach, she seemed to be talking to Toad, Toadette and some, bug guy. She assumed it must be Quirrel.

"Peach!" Samus called out. She ran up to Peach and gave her a tight hug. Peach was surprised but was glad to see Samus regardless.

"Hey, Samus." Peach replied.

"Oh my god babe, are you okay? What happened here?"

"I'll explain later. Right now, I've got a castle to fix."

As the two talked, Knight looked around his surroundings. The land he was in was strange, floating blocks, mushroom head people. He remembered seeing them at the Smash brothers Tournament, but only briefly. As he looked around, that's when he saw him, Quirrel.

Knight walked up to him and just stared up at him, he didn't know what to say.

"Hello, my little friend." Said Quirrel. "It's been a while, how have you been?"

Knight brought out his book and quill and wrote. He showed it to Quirrel, it read; Been doing a lot.

"You write now? Good to see we can communicate." He gave the book back.

"You must be Quirrel." Said Samus as she walked up to them both. "Names Samus."

"Nice to meet you, Peach told me about you briefly. She seems fond of you."

Samus blushed slightly. "I'm glad Peach thinks of me that way."

"I see you've met Quirrel" said Toadette. "You should see this guy in action, he knows how to swing a sword and move around easily. He did a great job helping Peach escape the castle."

This got Samus's attention. "Wait, you saved Peach?"

"Quirrel nodded. "She collapsed in the smoke so I-" Before Quirrel could finish Samus was shaking his hand.

"Thank you so much, I owe you." Samus suddenly noticed Knight, who had been just standing and listening. "Oh sorry."

Knight shrugged.

"I have so many questions as to how you got here my small friend." Said Quirrel. "We have a lot to catch up on."

"Indeed." Said Peach as she joined in. "We'll talk once we've found a subtle place to stay. Toadette."

Toadette walked over. "Yes?"

"Do you think we could get our guests a place to stay in the nearby town for a little while? I'd offer my guest rooms but…" Peach looked over to her burnt castle, the rooms would defiantly not be cozy.

"Sure, you guys can stay at my place." Toadette said cheerfully.

"Great, once we're there I'll explain what happened here."

"Sounds good." Replied Samus.

It was 2 am. Peach, Samus, Knight, Boba, and Quirrel were all spending the night at Toadette's house. Toadette had a spare bedroom for Peach and Samus, while the boys got the coach's in her living room. The rest of the castle troops and servants went to their respected homes.

The boys and Toadette were fast asleep while Peach caught Samus up on what happened.

"So, there this, cult?" asked Samus.

"Basically. Grimm seems to think he's doing the right thing by feeding this… heart. But his Grimmkin, as he calls them, have this sinister nature to them." Peach let out a deep sigh as she rubbed her face. "It's all a mess."

"I should've been here."

"What difference would it make?"

"I… I don't know at least I could've been here." Samus hung her head down.

Peach put her hand on Samus's knee. "Hey, you're here now."

Samus smiled. "Yeah…" they sat in comfortable silence before Samus spoke again. "We should get some sleep."

"Right."

Samus and Peach laid down on the guest bed and cuddled up next to each other. With Peach's back up against Samus under the covers. Samus nuzzled her face up in Peach's neck to get stay snug and close to her. After everything that happened while she was gone, she didn't want to leave Peach.

Quirrel couldn't sleep.

He tossed and turned as he laid on the couch. Across from him, the one named Boba Fett slept peacefully. Although Quirrel wondered how he slept with his armor on. Knight was wide awake, he sat upright in the living room chair, seemingly spacing out as he sat.

Quirrel got up from the coach, Knight noticed and looked in his direction. "It's okay," Quirrel said quietly. "Just going outside."

Quirrel opened the front door and sat on the front deck bench Toadette owned. He simply sat down quietly and looked up at the stars. His mind jumping from one thought to the next. Soon he heard the door open and Knight was out with him.

"Do you not require sleep?" asked Quirrel.

Knight shook his head.

"I see."

Knight sat beside Quirrel and looked up at the stars with him. They sat quietly in peace. The only sounds being the crickets chirping in the night.

"Hey… Knight?"

Knight looked at him.

"Why did you leave? Why did you leave me at the blue Lake?"

Knight said nothing before pulling out his book. He wrote I didn't understand the meaning of you being there. I'm still not used to emotions yet.

"I see… you were one of the Pale King's failed vessels. Monomon mentioned that I believe."

Quirrel looked back to stars. He finally understood why Knight had left him. And… it felt good knowing why he left. He suddenly felt something grip around his waist. He looked down and saw Knight hugging him. Quirrel was speechless, this vessel was showing emotional signs that would have disappointed the Pale King. And he was grateful for it.

"I'm glad to see you too my little friend."

Well the gangs all here!
The next few chapters are basically Peach fighting against the Grimm Troupe.
So this story is going to be over soon. Let me know what you think.