Shades of Grey - Chapter 8
The Monster Transportation Device landed the righteous group in a small building. The children were moderately surprised, as they had presumed that the building they were currently inhabiting was going to be part of the main fortress when in fact it was but a mere substation. It was empty, as the monitor had shown. The air was thick with tension. It was just…not right. Where were all the monsters?! Meta-Knight turned to face the group.
"The Nightmare Headquarters is only a quarter mile from here," the old soldier explained. "Kirby and I will go there first, to draw their attention and their fire."
"We'll wait about a half-hour or so to give you and Kirby time," Joe said as he rubbed his nose. The young fighter turned his gaze to Blade, Lalala and Tuff. "When we get there I'll show you the location of the air vents. After that you're on your own, 'cuz I don't know where the device is exactly."
"We'll find it!" Tuff said as he puffed out his chest arrogantly. "You don't have to worry about that!"
Joe then turned to face Lololo and Sword, "Afterwards I'll lead you to the secret passage and we'll have to take it from there." His teammates responded with a simultaneous nod. Meta-Knight walked over to the only door to the substation, which lead outside. Placing his hand on the knob, he looked to his young disciple, who returned his gaze.
"Are you ready, little one?" Meta-Knight asked, his voice soft. The little star warrior nodded in response. The old knight looked over to his companions and nodded to them. "Good luck. Don't allow yourselves to get hurt. I hope to see you all again." Finally his gaze once again rested on Kirby. "Lets go."
Meta-Knight pushed the door open and the two star warriors ran out of the substation. The others watched them leave with the hope that the two were not departing towards their own doom…
As the group had discussed their plan of action and the duo departed, no one noticed the eyes that watched their every move. Like a chameleon the figure blended into the emptiness and followed the two warriors…
Tiff sat down on the floor next to the Monster Transportation Device, hugging herself in the process. The room…the entire castle was so silent. Not even a day prior the keep had been anything but silent… but now it felt as thought time itself stood still. She hummed softly, just so that she could hear something other than the deafening silence…
A gasp escaped from the children as they looked outside and gazed upon their new surroundings. They currently stood before a vast wasteland. The sky was tinged red, as if the clouds themselves were condensed by blood. The ground spawned no grass and there were no traces of life - plant or otherwise. The adults of the team had already known the landscape and were not surprised by the ghastly scene they currently inhabited.
Joe noticed the morbid expressions of Tuff and the twins. "Not a pretty sight, is it?"
"This…" Sword said as he gestured to the crimson sky. "…is what war creates." Lololo whimpered, floating just behind Tuff. The thought that the blood of star warriors had been shed over this very ground brought a haunting image to the mind of the little creature. The tainted soil that the group currently stood upon was a ghastly reminder of the many legions of star warriors who had fought and died in their valiant attempts to protect the universe from the hell-spawn monsters.
Thousands of years star warriors have died over this soil, as well as the soil of many other planets.
Lololo placed his small hands on his head.
Thousands of years star warriors have been losing the war against monsters.
Thousands…
"If so many star warriors died here, how are we supposed to survive?!" Lololo cried, his voice bordering on hysterical. "We can't do this! We're going to die, just like all of those star warriors did! We can't do this! We can't do this!"
"Stop it!" Tuff yelled.
"Lololo!" his sister grabbed him roughly by the arms and shook him. "Listen to yourself! You can't think that way, or we're doomed to fail for sure!"
Sword looked up to the floating duo. "This is probably the only chance we have. Nightmare is reviving deceased monsters, which means that they must be desperate. If we can destroy the device they use, all of the monsters revived will fall along with it. Then while they're weakened, we along with Meta-Knight and Kirby will finish them."
"Do you hear that?" Lalala cried, giving her brother another shake. "We can win! And if we win, we can end the war for good!"
"Right…end the war…" Lololo spoke softly. He slowly shook his head. Lalala released him.
Joe gave the two a sympathetic look. Despite their previous bravado, the twins were too young to be in such a scenario. They were thinking too much. During war, it is dangerous to think too much because then you become aware of just how dangerous a situation you have found yourself in. You begin to realize that within a given moment your life or the life of one you love could be snatched from your grasp. He looked up at the bloodstained sky. Soon it will be time for them to follow in their departed comrades' footsteps and there will be no more time for thought.
Meta-Knight ran alongside Kirby as the fortress began to show on the horizon. The fortress was so tall that despite the distance that still had to be covered, it could already be seen in the distance. His wings were pressed against his sides as not to slow him down. While the old soldier was getting much more used to his new appendages, he didn't want to depend on them too much. The antidote had taken effect, as he no longer felt the influence of the Behemoth Serum. However the wings were one of the direct effects of the serum and Meta-Knight didn't know whether or not the wings would fade away along with the other symptoms.
His glowing golden eyes watched his young partner running alongside him. Despite the little star warrior's endless enthusiasm and determination, Meta-Knight felt great apprehension. The old soldier never had the chance to properly train him and could only hope that his failure would not spell destruction of them all…
Tiff hummed softly to herself and slowly began rocking back and forth. The dead silence was nerve-wracking and she did everything she could to forget just how empty the castle was.
Suddenly she heard something. The young girl stopped her humming and strained her ears to listen. She was about to question her senses and sanity when she heard it again. It was a very feint moan. She found it frightening yet relieving at the same time. Hopeful that there was another sign of life in the castle other than herself, Tiff sprang onto her feet and ran towards the direction of the sound…
Tuff was sitting down just inside of the substation, Lololo and Lalala sitting on the ground beside him. Sword and Blade quietly watched the children. Not long ago they were playing, laughing, worry free. Now they sat there, quiet, melancholy, as if they had the weight of the world on their shoulders. Unfortunately, they were right.
Joe was leaning back against the doorframe, his arms crossed and his eyes never leaving the tainted sky. Finally he turned to face the others. "It's time."
A dense forest of decaying trees surrounded the fortress. The limbs were bare and the ground showed no signs that the trees had ever been blessed with leaves. They were like mangled claws that reached toward the crimson sky. The two star warriors stopped just before the forest, looking into the vast depths. Kirby whimpered, hiding his face against his mentor's mask.
Although he didn't want to rely on his wings too much, it would be a waste of time as well as an unnecessary risk to travel through the forest by foot. Meta-Knight gently rubbed Kirby's head. The scared little creampuff looked up at him.
"Don't worry, Kirby. I'm going to fly us over the forest." Kirby smiled with relief as Meta-Knight picked him up and flapped his wings. He propelled up into the skies and began to fly over the ghastly forest. He had barely flown a few feet when he began to hear the sounds of fighting emitting faintly from within the western side of the forest.
Fighting? Why would there be fighting?
Meta-Knight gasped. What if it was the others? What if they left too early, or were found? Holding Kirby close to him, he dipped one of his wings and turned to the direction of the sounds…
Unbeknownst to them, their trail was closely by the mysterious camouflaged stranger…
Tiff ran through the empty hallways, the hoarse and wretched moans slowly increasing in volume as she drew closer to the victim to whom those cries belonged. The wails began to echo through the hallways, almost as eerie as the silence that had previously inhabited the empty castle.
The source of the wails appeared to come from one of the guestrooms. Tiff ran in to find that the room had been completely ravaged. A lone figure was slouched over one of the many overturned chairs that scattered the room.
"Escargoon!"
Kirby looked up at his elder as they glided over the bare forest. Meta-Knight's eyes flickered with worry.
What if it was Joe and the others?
What if something went wrong?
What if they're dead?
If something happened to them, the plan would be ruined.
They would all die.
The war would continue.
"Don' wowwee…" Kirby mewled. Meta-Knight looked down at the small creature. His speech had definitely improved dramatically within the last few days. From barely being able to utter his own name to being able to create short sentences… the old knight couldn't help but feel proud of his young disciple. Even if their plan is to go awry, as long as Kirby lived there was still hope.
Hope for a future.
"Escargoon!" Tiff cried as she ran to his side. "What happened to you?!!"
The snail slowly lifted his head, "T…Tiff?" He pushed himself into a standing position, Tiff grabbed onto his arm to hold him up. "T-Tiff! Th.. Thank God for you… Don't…don't condemn.. him, Tiff…"
Multiple wounds covered his body, his blood was splattered all over the chair and floor. Tiff blanched a shade of white at his grim visage. "Who did this to you?!"
"It…wasn't his.. ..fault…"
"Whose fault, Escargoon?!"
"King Dedede…"
Meta-Knight flew above the sounds of fighting, but within the mass of deadened trees he could see nothing. Kirby too looked for the source of the sounds but his findings also came up short. There were occasional screams, but none of the voices sounded as if they belonged to Joe or the others; the old soldier was grateful for that.
A blow to the back surprised and disorientated Meta-Knight. He tumbled through the skies, his wings unable to steady him. Clutching onto Kirby protectively he crashed heavily into the tainted soil. Meta-Knight pushed himself onto his feet and examined Kirby, who looked startled but unharmed. Afterwards he drew his sword, attempting to find the source of the unexpected attack. The sounds of fighting could still be heard nearby, but neither star warrior could see them through the dense, decayed forestry.
Meta-Knight's keen senses detected a figure landing behind him and Kirby. He whirled around to see Biospark, the ninja that had betrayed the star warriors so long ago…
Joe and the others stopped before the large, decayed forest that surrounded the headquarters.
Lalala cringed, "Meta-Knight and Kirby went in there…?"
"They probably flew over it," Blade concluded as he looked up into the crimson sky.
"Do you think they've made it to the Headquarters yet?" Tuff asked.
"Well, there's only one way to find out…" Joe answered with a rub of his nose. He walked into the foreboding woodlands, the others following in close pursuit…
"You're the ninja who betrayed the star warriors," Meta-Knight said softy, his sword in hand. Biospark responded with a laugh, which surprised him and Kirby.
"You dare to label me a traitor? Preposterous!" Biospark hissed. "If anything you're the traitor! Your hands are stained with the blood of comrades no less than mine are! Yet you disguise your treachery behind a veil of righteousness! I think even you are blinded by your own heroism!"
Kirby stood baffled by the cryptic accusations the ninja made against his mentor. Meta-Knight's eyes flared up with rage.
"You talk nonsense!" the old knight spoke, his voice just a pitch higher than before.
"Perhaps I do," Biospark's eyes glowed brightly in sadistic pleasure. "But you can't disguise your own essence forever. Soon everyone you ever cared for will see you for what you really are. Unfortunately it will be over your prone carcass!" With those words the ninja dashed forward, katana in hand. Meta-Knight too charged forward. With a clang the swords clashed between them.
Kirby watched the exchange with a mixture of confusion and worry.
"King Dedede?!" Tiff cried. "How… how could he do something like this?!"
"For…forgive him…" Escargoon coughed. Tiff picked up one of the other overturned chairs and placed it back in upright position. Grabbing onto Escargoon's arm, she gently helped him to sit on the chair. "M…Meta-Knight… he was…he was …right.."
"What do you mean?" Tiff asked tenderly. She looked around the room for a first aid kit. Finally finding one in one of the broken cabinets the young girl pulled it out and started cleaning and bandaging the snail's numerous injuries.
"Night…Nightmare Enterprises …be…betrayed him… betrayed us all…" Escargoon placed his hands on the seat to steady himself. "The…King created more…of the Behemoth Serum… the NME Exec… came himself…to take the serum. But…once …once he got it… he took one of the syringes… and stabbed Dedede with it!"
"What!?" Tiff could remember how little it took to influence Meta-Knight. "How much was injected?"
"The entire syringe…"
Sword, Blade and the others managed to make their way through the deranged forest with relative ease. The huge fortress was apparently made of stone. Despite its massive size the only windows were located at the very top, most likely for the flying monsters. They had emerged from the forest near the front-western side of the fortress. There were two large, lizard-like guards standing before the grand entrance, but otherwise the fortress appeared to be unoccupied.
"Lord Meta-Knight and Kirby must have drawn their fire!" Sword said, grinning underneath his mask. "I knew they could do it!"
"I wouldn't get too excited," Joe said as he led the group towards the back of the fortress. "I doubt every monster in the entire fortress left to chase them. We should keep an eye out to make sure there are no monsters here guarding the headquarters." The others nodded in understanding. Suddenly Joe stopped and looked up. The rest of the group followed his gaze and found an air vent a few feet above them.
"Time for us to split up," Blade said as Lalala floated above them to pull the screen off from the vent. The young knight picked up Tuff and pushed him up so that the child could climb in. Afterwards Blade jumped up, grabbing onto the ledge and pulling himself up.
"You guys gotta make sure you make it to the device incase we fail!" Lololo called to them.
Tuff turned and looked down at Lololo, Joe and Sword, "None of us are gonna fail!" the young boy declared, his arrogance once again flaring up. "Whoever makes it to device first gets a pizza party when we get back!" With that said he turned around and ran into the vent, Sword and Lalala following.
Joe smiled at Tuff's words, then looked to his current companions. "C'mon you guys, lets go find the secret passage."
Kirby could only watch as his teacher clashed swords with his treacherous adversary. The ninja dodged the assault and threw a handful of shurikens, which Meta-Knight dodged.
"No! Stay back!" Meta-Knight ordered as Kirby stepped forward to help. The little creampuff stopped in his tracks. The veteran didn't want to risk Kirby getting injured in this heated battle.
I don't have time for this! We still have to get to the castle and draw their fire!
He flapped his wings vigorously, the currents of wind causing Biospark to stagger. Meta-Knight then charged forward, his sword before him with the intent to impale his enemy on the blade. At the last moment Biospark strafed aside and sent the blunt of his blade into the side of his head. Meta-Knight crashed heavily on the floor. Before the old soldier could surmise a counter-attack, the ninja dashed forward with his blade in hand.
Meta-Knight had no time to react as the ninja dashed forward.
Suddenly, a flash of light emitted between the fallen soldier and the charging ninja. The light formed into a figure, who blocked the enemy's assault with surprising ease. The figure was cloaked in crimson, his glowing eyes the only thing visible beneath the cloth. He looked so familiar, yet Meta-Knight couldn't put his finger on it.
"Ninjaschool!" Kirby cried as he gestured to the figure.
The form looked over to the little creampuff, his eyes glowing gently, "Hey Kirbster! Glad you could remember me! But call me Dagger from now on, ok?"
Meta-Knight was confused at Kirby's statement at first, then realization hit him like a blow. His savior was the young warrior from ninja school…
Joe felt along the eastern side of the wall while Lololo and Sword kept an eye on the entrance to make sure the guards weren't aware of their presence.
"I know it's here somewhere…" Joe mumbled to himself. Suddenly, his hand grabbed onto one of the stones and it pulled down. The wall he leaned against pushed forward and he fell through with a yelp. Upon hearing the yell and a thump, Sword and Lololo ran over to see their comrade sprawled out face down on the floor. Grumbling a few words not meant for young ears, Joe pushed himself onto his feet and sheepishly glanced at his companions. "I found the secret passage…"
Sword chuckled, "Ah, we noticed."
Lololo looked into the passage, which looked like a very, very long hallway, "Um…do you know where this passage leads to?"
The young fighter rubbed his nose, "Well, not really… I've only seen monsters go in and out, I've never actually used it myself…" A sweat drop formed on the brows of his teammates, "What?! It's an entrance to the fortress, isn't it? I don't think they would make a secret passage that led one to an insignificant part of the headquarters!"
"Well, we'll never know until we look," Sword concluded as he walked into the passageway. Joe and Lololo looked at each other before following…
Dagger deflected another blow from the elder ninja and jumped back. Meta-Knight had not known the young student long, but from what he had previously seen the ninja was extremely inexperienced. He must have studied and applied himself much harder since then. Dagger's improvement was definitely admirable.
Biospark growled as rage threatened to overcome the usually steel-nerved warrior. He was not to be bested by some brat! The young ninja looked over to Kirby and Meta-Knight. "Go! Get out of here and do your thing! I've got this guy covered!"
Kirby smiled brightly. The little puffball felt proud of his friend for his obvious increase of skill.
Meta-Knight's eyes flickered. "How did you know we were here to begin with?"
Biospark hurled a line of shuriken at his current threat. Dagger strafed out of the way and retaliated with a handful of shurikens of his own. "My whole ninja clan is here. They're currently fighting with the monsters as we speak. Drove them out of Dedede's castle they did. I stayed behind incase there were any monsters that we missed. That's when I saw you guys. I decided to follow you incase you needed any help."
"That would explain why there were no monsters in Dedede's castle…" Meta-Knight said softly. "Are there any monsters left in the fortress?"
Biospark dashed forward and clashed his katana with Dagger's.
"I really don't know," Dagger answered. Meta-Knight glanced over to his young disciple, worry flickering in his golden eyes.
"We must get there as soon as possible, just in case!" the old knight determined.
"Be careful," Dagger warned, "There's one monster that's been giving my comrades a hard time. They were able to drive it out of the castle as well, but I'm not sure where it is right now."
"Are you sure you can handle him?" Meta-Knight asked.
"I got it covered!" the young ninja declared, further angering his adversary.
"I'm not that easy to cover, you little runt!" Biospark roared, his reason clouded by rage.
"Alright! Kirby, lets go!" the old veteran ran over to Kirby and picked him up. Casting one last glance at the dueling ninjas, Meta-Knight once again took to the skies.
"Buh-bye!" Kirby mewled as he was carried away…
Escargoon's statement sent a cold chill through the young girl. Barely any of the Behemoth Serum had been ejected into Meta-Knight and yet it still took effect. If only a small amount could do so much, the thought of the effects of an entire syringe…
She couldn't even imagine the type of monster that would create.
"Tiff… do… do you have any of the antidote left…?" Escargoon asked.
Tiff couldn't answer, she could only shake her head. Escargoon hadn't made much of the antidote to begin with, and she had used it all on Meta-Knight, she had never imagined something like this happening to someone else… "I… I could make some more, if you give me the formula…"
Escargoon shook his head, "No…we …we don't have …enough time… his majesty must… must be stopped…now…" He pulled himself out of the chair, using it for support. "You must… take me to him…"
"What?!" Tiff cried, taking hold of his arm again. "You can't go anywhere in this condition! Besides, we don't even know where he is!"
"He…left with… the other monsters… using the Monster… Teleportation Device…" Escargoon stepped forward. Tiff pushed him back into the chair.
"You can't go like this!"
"Are you… going to help me or not?!" Escargoon snapped.
Tiff sighed in frustration, seeing that the injured snail's resolve was not to be swayed. "Alright."
Blade, Lalala and Tuff walked through the air vents. The vents were small, but fortunately just large enough for all three to walk through. The trio were beyond lost, and could only hope they were heading in the right direction.
"Wait a sec!" Tuff suddenly said as he tilted his head. The other two stopped in their tracks. "Did you hear that?"
There was a long pause. Blade's hand strayed to his hilt.
"What is it?" Lalala whispered.
"Maybe it was nothing…" Tuff finally concluded. "But I could have sworn I heard something…" Blade looked down and noticed that their shadows were in front of them. That meant that the light source came from behind; that was strange because the only light source the air vent provided were the outlets to the other rooms. Blade turned around to see what was causing that light source.
The light source was a huge fireball coming their direction.
The secret passage was merely a hallway that never seemed to end. It continued to twist left, then right, then left again, but never appeared to end. Fortunately there were no alternative routes provided, so the ragtag group could at the very least find comfort in the fact that they must be going in the right direction.
The hallway was massive in size, most likely it was supposed to fit even the largest of Nightmare's monsters. Sword looked up and mentally measured the diameter of the hallway - it was at least ten by seven or so feet. He would hate to see a monster large enough to fit those measurements.
Suddenly, two figures could be seen up ahead. Before anyone in the group had a chance to identify them they had already been seen. There wasn't exactly any place to hide.
"Remember," Joe whispered to his two companions, "I'm still supposed to be one of them. So I'm gonna pretend you're my prisoners and they should let us right through."
Sword and Lololo nodded in understanding.
One figure's entire body glowed a bright golden. He looked like a small version of the sun. The other was a dark blue creature in the shape of a crescent moon.
"Halt! Who goes there?" The bright golden one asked.
"It's me, Knuckle Joe!" the young fighter snapped. "I gots me some prisoners for the great Nightmare!"
The two monsters glared at the two prisoners. Lololo swallowed a whimper and shifted uncomfortably.
"Haven't you noticed that there is a battle going on just outside our doors?!" The moon-shaped creature inquired, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"There's a war being fought outside?" Sword asked, his mask hiding his smile.
Meta-Knight and Kirby must be making one hell of a scene!
Joe punched Sword in the back of the head, breaking his train of thought. "Don't speak unless spoken to, prisoner!" He then glowered at the two monsters. "If there's a battle going on just outside our doors, then why aren't you two participating in it?!"
The two creatures looked at each other. Joe spat, "Cowards! If you get out there now I won't report your cowardice to the master!"
"Y-yes sir!" The sun-shaped monster stammered. "Right away!" The duo ran the way Joe and the others had come. After they were long past hearing range, Joe placed one hand gently on Sword's shoulder.
"Sorry, man," Joe said tenderly. "I had to put on a show to make sure they fell for it. Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm ok," Sword said while rubbing the back of his head. "You did a good job at convincing…"
"Yah," Lololo nodded, "You almost had me convinced!"
Joe laughed softly. "Guess I shoulda took up actin'!"
Sword nodded, "Yeah. Maybe you could do that after the war." That statement brought a somber look to the young fighter.
"We need to get going," Joe said softly. "We don't have time to waste.
Meta-Knight approached the fortress, there was not much more ground left to cover. Kirby hugged his mentor, gazing down at the wretched trees that twisted upwards.
Dagger and his clan's appearance had been a godsend.
Maybe, just maybe, despite the setbacks their plan might actually work.
Maybe this war really will end.
Suddenly, the old veteran's train of thought was broken when a huge monster rose from the forest. Meta-Knight had to swerve to avoid collision. The old soldier's eyes brightened as he gazed upon the brute that stood before them.
The huge, slathering beast was covered in onyx scales. Large, bat-like wings stretched behind the back of the creature. Its eyes glowed a deep crimson that matched the bloodied skies. The monster landed and stood before the fortress like a giant guardian.
What kind of creature is that?!
Meta-Knight landed with semi-grace and placed Kirby on the ground. He then drew his sword. There was no way the two were going to be able to pass the creature without a fight. Kirby jumped back as his elder charged forward, sword in hand. The creature swung a massive claw, which by sheer mass Meta-Knight was unable to dodge. Upon collision, a huge crack resounded and Meta-Knight flew back into one of the claw-like trees.
"Medanigh!" Kirby cried as the only living star warrior other than himself fell forward and landed facedown. Meta-Knight slowly pushed himself onto his feet, his wings drooping alongside him. His mask had a diagonal crack from right above his left eye across his face, almost splitting the object completely in half.
The huge creature opened its jaws and sent a huge blast of fire. The old soldier's eyes widened in horror, the memory of his first battle with Wolfwrath replaying in his mind. In his mind's eye he could see the fire approaching, almost feel the fiery mass engulf him. However this time, the fire didn't connect. Instead, it strayed off its path…right into Kirby's vacuum-like maw. After absorbing the stream of fire, the little star warrior jumped into the air and transformed into "Fire Kirby."
The young disciple returned the fiery blast with one of his own, and the heat melted the scales on the creature's chest. With a horrific roar, the monster swung its claw through the flames and sent Kirby skidding back into a tree.
"Kirby!" Meta-Knight cried, shaking himself from his mental imagery. His eyes flared up and the old soldier charged forward. The monster breathed fire at the veteran, but before the flames could connect Meta-Knight's wings propelled him up into the persimmon skies. Kirby shook his head and slowly climbed onto his feet, using the gnarled tree for support.
Meta-Knight dived down and stabbed his sword into the melted scales of the large creature. However the scales, despite their previous damage, were still too strong for the sword to cut through. Suddenly, a huge blow landed on the top of his head and sent Meta-Knight crashing to the tainted floor. His dimly glowing sword dropped from numbed fingers…
The monster raised one foot to put an end to the old star warrior when a blast of fire deterred him. As the beast staggered back, Kirby ran to Meta-Knight's side and dragged him away.
"Medanigh…?" Kirby mewled, gently giving his elder a shake. The old knight's eyes were as dim as his sword. "Medanigh..! Medanigh!"
The creature finally regained its composure and gave an earth-shattering roar. Kirby ran forward and spewed a line of fire. The monster blocked the attack with one of its massive wings and ripped one of the decayed trees from the ground. It raised the tree up over its head before hurling the thing at his young adversary. Kirby grabbed Meta-Knight and jumped out of the way. He then closed his eyes and began charging up. The monster lunged forward. Right as the beast was about to connect Kirby's entire body lit up. As fire engulfed the little star warrior, he dashed forward and slammed into the creature's massive chest, which was already damaged by his previous fire attack. The scales shattered and the monster reared back with a cry of agony.
Meta-Knight shakily pushed himself up, having watched the entire exchange. "K…Kirby…!"
The little puffball fell limply to the ground, the attack spending his strength.
The beast swayed painfully before glowering down at the exhausted Kirby. It opened its maw, fire gathering within.
Meta-Knight tried to will himself to move, but his body wouldn't comply fast enough. "K…Kirby…! …No!" He dug his fingers into the contaminated dirt and closed his eyes tightly. "No…!"
Kirby could only watch, his body lacking the strength to respond.
The monster's eyes glowed brightly, but before the fire could erupt a small figure jumped out of nowhere and latched onto its neck. The monster staggered, the fire missing its target. Meta-Knight finally managed to climb onto his feet and identify the figure - Escargoon?!!
"Escargoon! Be careful!" Tiff cried, making her way through the trees and onto the scene. Her eyes widened as her gaze rested on the exhausted Kirby. "Kirby!" She ran to his side and gently picked up the little creampuff.
"Tiff…!" Kirby mewled happily.
"Tiff? Escargoon?" Meta-Knight exclaimed. "What are you doing here?!"
"I found Escargoon at the castle," Tiff answered. "That monster you're fighting is King Dedede!"
"What?!" Meta-Knight's eyes widened.
"No time for talk!" Escargoon roared, holding onto the thrashing beast with waning strength. "You've got… to stop him… Meta-Knight! Please!" The old soldier hesitated. Despite his discontent with the tyrant he didn't necessarily wish death upon him. "Do it, Meta-Knight! I can't…hold him much longer…!"
The old star warrior nodded solemnly and picked up his sword. After that he dashed forward and impaled his sword through the monster's chest - through the ravaged scales. The monster roared as blood sprayed from the gaping wound. Meta-Knight pulled the sword out and staggered back. The beast hurled Escargoon off and collapsed forward onto the ground with an earth-shattering crash.
Escargoon slammed heavily into the ground…and didn't get back up.
"Escargoon!" Tiff cried as she and Meta-Knight raced to his side. Kirby squirmed out of her grasp.
"Heh…you were right…Meta-Knight…" Escargoon murmured. "We…shoulda listened…to…you…"
"That doesn't matter now," Meta-Knight said softly.
"Don't…be mad…at the King…" Escargoon voice began to fade into a whisper. "Despite…his selfishness…he really did…have good…intentions… he allied…with Nightmare…to protect… the castle…and.. the… village…"
"I understand," the old knight responded. "Thank you, Escargoon. You saved us both."
"Heh…I always…wanted… to… ..be… …a …….hero…" Escargoon breathed as his eyes closed.
"Es…Escargoon?" Tiff cried. "Escargoon!"
There was no response.
"You are a hero…" Meta-Knight said as he lowered his head.
Kirby mewled softly and hugged Tiff, who returned his embrace. The three stood in silence when the ground abruptly began to shake.
Meta-Knight raised his head, "What was that?" Before he or the others could evaluate, the ground gave way under them. With a strangled cry the three fell into the dark chasm below…
Author's Notes: This chapter was extremely long. It was difficult trying to remember who was doing what at what time - so many things were going on it was hard to keep track. LoL. I hope it wasn't difficult for you to follow. I was going to cut it off earlier, but I wanted to end this chapter with MK, Kirby and Tiff falling into the chasm. This chapter is considerably darker than the others, and this story may end up having to be pushed up to R. (Right now I think it's still PG-13, but if any of you think it should be pushed up to R just tell me and I'll do it.) I hope you enjoyed this chapter, that it wasn't too long and that it managed to maintain your interest despite of all the chaos.