(Author's note: It is I, now called Black_Pinion, at least for the moment,
and also the author of "The Meta Journey Saga," now writing my second
reflective fic. Tell me what you think.)
I looked out upon the sea, at the time a dark crimson shade from the fast dying rays of the setting sun. I breathed in the salty air, savoring the brief comfort that the cool breeze offered me. I turned swiftly on hearing the stealthy approach of another. "Who goes there?" I called. I squinted hard, trying hard to discern a shape among the lively foliage of the beach. I made out a masculine form. Pretending not to notice he was there, I turned my back to him, and gazed into the now violet sky, still a rich red wine color on the horizon. I heard my stalker take a few more wary steps towards my position. Smiling, I bided my time. I waited until he was directly behind me. "Ha-HA!" He cried, confident he had taken me by surprise. I ducked and jumped, planting my feet firmly into my attacker's back. We rolled into the surf, laughing madly and wrestling like the children we once were. Wiping sand from his eyes, Tuff sat up. "How are ya, Kirby?" I Chuckled, and started to reply, but cringed from sudden pain. Tuff stood up and carried me back to a dry spot covered in soft moss. He looked suddenly full of remorse. "I shouldn't have done that." I waved a hand at him. "No, no, I'm glad you did. I was starting to think no one was willing to try things like that with me any more. I couldn't tell if it was from my age or the fact so many are reluctant to assault such a seasoned warrior such as myself." Tuff smiled, and did a perfect imitation of his sister. "You know, you should just grow up. You're to old to act that way!" I laughed and got back up, admiring with a sudden notice just how much my dear friend had changed over the years. He was now toned with muscle, and moved without any of his old childish randomness. Every action was graceful and precise, full of purpose. I'm sure he could see changes in me too. My battle scars were like tattoos, shining with the sea brine we had just come out of, bright against my dulled pink skin. Tuff sat next to me and leaned back on his heels. "So what have you been up to, you old food bag?" asked tuff, staring up at the blank sky, which was waiting for the last lingering light of day to leave, that it may show it's stars. I took of my wet cloak, and laid it to dry on a nearby bush. "Not much, to be truthful. Things have been peaceful since my battle days." Tuff nodded quietly. "Yeah, I haven't had much to do. Since Dedede passed away, there isn't really any one to bother except Tiff, but I don't really like traveling that far." That presented a new question to me. "What are you doing on this side of the country any how?" Tuff looked at me. "I was wondering," said slowly, a new look in my eye. "My wife. We're going to have a son soon." I was overjoyed. "A son! How wonderful! When is he due?" He Smiled slightly, and turned back to the sky, and pointed to the pale moon rising over the horizon. "The new moon of next month." I still bubbled with happiness. "I hope your going to ask me to come with you, that I may see this child?" His smile grew wider. "More than that. I want to name you god father to my son." I sucked in a delighted breath. "I would honored." "There is more. I want you to instruct him." I was confused. "Instruct him in what?" "Swords manship, fighting, hand to hand combat. what ever it takes to make him into a full fledged, fighting warrior." I went instantly from happy too solemn. "What do you mean by this? There should be no need to fight any more." Tuff also took on a more serious look. "As you know, the woman I love and married, Clariass, was once a seer. She has had troubling visions of late. I'm afraid that war is going to return to dreamland." I gritted my teeth and frowned. "Soon?" He looked slightly relieved. "No, not too soon. That's why I need you. We have many years. I know of other's that would gladly give their lives to have their children taught under you." I set my mind. I have nothing to lose, no one to leave behind. they may depend on me. "I'll do it." I murmured. Tuff looked pleased. "Thank you," he told me. "We must leave soon. is there any thing you need to bring with you?" I thought hard. "Meet me back here in half an hour. I will be ready to leave."
I stood in front of Kabuu's altar. The blind, long silent being seemed to stir with some small memory. But there was nothing more. I entered the small, dark room beneath the giant altar, and bowed my head in reverent silence. Three majestic graves were spread before me. In the center, my deceased mentor, with his faithful companions and soldiers at his side. The life-sized statue of my teacher, Meta Knight, seemed to stare at me with it's inlaid golden eyes. His own mask was attached to the stone, cracked and covered in dust. I wiped the dust away, and pulled my hand back as I felt a sudden shock. A flood of memories. Then there was nothing else. I took it as a sign of encouragement from the dead warrior. Behind Meta Knight's tomb, laid a small stone receptacle. It seemed empty, but I knew this was a false bottom. With some effort, I pushed away the flat stone. I smiled in reminiscence. Inside was the still proud blade that Meta Knight had always carried with him, and my faintly glowing warpstar. I loosened my now dry cloak, and placed the bright sword into its sheath, and belted it around my waist. I also took my warpstar and deposited it into the soft leather pocket that was set on the belt. I replaced the stone bottom, and left the altar, ready to journey for the far away mountains in where Tuff and his wife lived.
(From the author: don't expect this to be updated regularly. I have to work on several other things, including originals. Review this; send me your criticisms. I will greatly appreciate them. And read the Meta journey saga!)
Tuff gazed solemnly at the dark eastern sky, where the sun would be rising in a few hours. Yawning, he pointed the way towards the mountains.
"We need to make that point by night. My home is closer to the summit, but we'll sleep at the base of the mountain. It will take a whole day to reach my home from the base."
Later on, in the mid day, we where just under half the length from the mountain. Tuff, who was used to walking, even running, many miles, was breathing steadily, but I had taken to a settled life, practically a hermit. I gasped for breath, as we had been trotting for several hours.
Tuff rolled out a large canvas sheet from his travel pack, and sat down. "Come, take a seat. It is time to eat lunch." I gladly sat next to him, and collapsed back wards, struggling to breathe. Tuff patted my shoulder and easily lifted me into a sitting position. He laughed and started spreading out the lunch. "
"Perhaps I'm pushing you too hard old timer?" I Laughed and wheezed from my soreness. "Not quite. You've got a long while before you push this 'old timer' too hard." He handed me a thick and meat filled sandwich. "We will rest after eating. It's always a bad idea to run on a full stomach." I took a hearty bite and agreed. "Indeed."
We finished off the delicious spread of food and both lay back to nap. "Remind me to thank Claris for the wonderful food." Tuff laughed. "It is I you should thank! I prepare most of the food in our household when I am home. I made that entire meal." I patted my stomach. "Well, you did a fine job of it." I watched an aimless cloud drift across the sky and sighed. "It is unfortunate." I said aloud. Tuff rolled around to look at me. "What?" "This. All of it. We can lie here, unworried, and at full calm, in an open meadow. We have no one to fear, no enemies what so ever. And war will disrupt that all over again." Tuff rolled over again so that his face turned away from the sun. "Sleep. I will wake you when it is time." I chose to ignore his dodging of the subject. I undid my cloak and placed it on top of me like a blanket. The sheath of Meta Knight's sword rubbed softly against my skin. I remembered it and patted it lightly. "Thank you, sir Meta knight, where ever you now rest."
Steel flashed like quicksilver under light, and there was a sound like thunder rolling through many valleys. Kirby spun and parried, nervous and excited. He felt a hot blade graze his side, and he dodged to avoid the second attack from his teacher. Kirby stopped, and panted. "Pui, poi oh, too, (pant) much." He pulled the blind fold off and sat down. Meta Knight stood over him. "You have done well for you first bind lesson. Your hearing has improved immensely: I almost felt as though you could still see me coming. But you leave your right side open too much." Kirby looked up into Meta Knight's bright golden eyes, eyes that were still smoldering with pride at his pupil's fast learning. Meta Knight wrapped his cape about him. "That will be all for today. I want you to rest, then practice your side sweep." He left Kirby in the dark courtyard, under the bright moon. Kirby looked up, and thought to himself: "It will be Meta Knight's birthday in a while. . . he was born in the dark of the moon."
Tuff woke me and handed me my cloak, which I had thrown off in my sleep. "My, you've started snoring loudly. I was afraid that you were going to shatter my ear drums." I sat up and chuckled. "I'm nothing compared to your monstrous snores. You sound like a good sized earthquake at times!" We traveled quicker than before, now that the sky was moving steadily towards evening. I found that it was easier running this time, and caught up to Tuff. He turned to me, and smiled. "I see you've decided to keep up this time! I had to slow down to your pace. Do you mind if we speed up a bit?" I called to him, slightly breathless. "No, let's go faster!" Tuff laughed. "If you say so!" He sped his trot to a long striding run. I pushed myself harder to stay with him. "You can't shake me off that easy," I thought, and was soon back on his heels. Tuff laughed, still breathing easily. "At this pace, we'll easily reach the base before night fall. Let's go!" I tried to laugh with him, but couldn't. I decided to save my breath for running. Tuff was right. We reached the mountain base a few hours before the sun was going to set. I lay down on the course grass, and ran my hands through the rough ground. I remembered this place.
"Block! NOW!" Kirby raised his wooden practice sword, and blocked on Meta Knight's command. Sword Knight did a downward stroke, and threatened to bash Kirby's head. Kirby swung about and did a perfect side sweep. CLONK! The two oak blades met with a loud dull sound. Meta Knight clapped. "Excellent work Kirby. You have improved your stroke wonderfully. Sword, thank you for assisting me with today's lesson. You may leave now." Kirby handed his sword to Blade Knight, who was waiting near by. Sword and Blade disappeared from view behind a large boulder, and left. Kirby looked up, and was suddenly amazed by the size of the mountain he found himself in front of. Meta Knight started to leave also, but turned to Kirby. A strange light simmered in his eyes. "It's almost funny Kirby. I too was trained always at the base of a mountain." and he was gone. Kirby sat slightly confused, and reviewed the night's training. "What mountain was he trained under?" wondered Kirby.
I sat up, and wondered where Tuff had gone. He reappeared and presented a large bundle of dry grasses and twigs. He piled them up and got a small flame going. "Watch the fire. I'm going to get some real timber." He went down a small hill towards a group of small trees. I turned to the fire. Tuff's son was to be born in the dark of the moon. Meta Knight's birthday.. I imagined what he would look like. Tuff came back shortly, carrying an armful of split wood. He selected a quart and placed it in the flames. "What is your home like?" I asked him. He looked up into the darkening sky. "Nothing particularly special. it is just my home, where I live, and where I will raise my family." I understood. I myself had never really had any pride in my house. If I had, it might have not been full of Tikori's offspring to this day. I yawned and leaned against a hefty rock. "I'm going to get some sleep." I told Tuff. He nodded. "Good idea. It's going to be a hard climb to my home." And with that, we both laid down to sleep, peaceful and at ease. My muscles were still sore, but I would be able to hike up the mountain. "Good night." I whispered to Tuff, but he was already asleep. "Hmmm." he replied in his heavy slumber. And that was that for the night.
(And so another chapter ends in the most annoying of possible ways! I would like more reviews please. PLEASE! DO YOU HEAR ME? Also, I wouldn't mind some emails. tell me if you have MSN messenger if you would like to talk to me. Thank you!)
I looked out upon the sea, at the time a dark crimson shade from the fast dying rays of the setting sun. I breathed in the salty air, savoring the brief comfort that the cool breeze offered me. I turned swiftly on hearing the stealthy approach of another. "Who goes there?" I called. I squinted hard, trying hard to discern a shape among the lively foliage of the beach. I made out a masculine form. Pretending not to notice he was there, I turned my back to him, and gazed into the now violet sky, still a rich red wine color on the horizon. I heard my stalker take a few more wary steps towards my position. Smiling, I bided my time. I waited until he was directly behind me. "Ha-HA!" He cried, confident he had taken me by surprise. I ducked and jumped, planting my feet firmly into my attacker's back. We rolled into the surf, laughing madly and wrestling like the children we once were. Wiping sand from his eyes, Tuff sat up. "How are ya, Kirby?" I Chuckled, and started to reply, but cringed from sudden pain. Tuff stood up and carried me back to a dry spot covered in soft moss. He looked suddenly full of remorse. "I shouldn't have done that." I waved a hand at him. "No, no, I'm glad you did. I was starting to think no one was willing to try things like that with me any more. I couldn't tell if it was from my age or the fact so many are reluctant to assault such a seasoned warrior such as myself." Tuff smiled, and did a perfect imitation of his sister. "You know, you should just grow up. You're to old to act that way!" I laughed and got back up, admiring with a sudden notice just how much my dear friend had changed over the years. He was now toned with muscle, and moved without any of his old childish randomness. Every action was graceful and precise, full of purpose. I'm sure he could see changes in me too. My battle scars were like tattoos, shining with the sea brine we had just come out of, bright against my dulled pink skin. Tuff sat next to me and leaned back on his heels. "So what have you been up to, you old food bag?" asked tuff, staring up at the blank sky, which was waiting for the last lingering light of day to leave, that it may show it's stars. I took of my wet cloak, and laid it to dry on a nearby bush. "Not much, to be truthful. Things have been peaceful since my battle days." Tuff nodded quietly. "Yeah, I haven't had much to do. Since Dedede passed away, there isn't really any one to bother except Tiff, but I don't really like traveling that far." That presented a new question to me. "What are you doing on this side of the country any how?" Tuff looked at me. "I was wondering," said slowly, a new look in my eye. "My wife. We're going to have a son soon." I was overjoyed. "A son! How wonderful! When is he due?" He Smiled slightly, and turned back to the sky, and pointed to the pale moon rising over the horizon. "The new moon of next month." I still bubbled with happiness. "I hope your going to ask me to come with you, that I may see this child?" His smile grew wider. "More than that. I want to name you god father to my son." I sucked in a delighted breath. "I would honored." "There is more. I want you to instruct him." I was confused. "Instruct him in what?" "Swords manship, fighting, hand to hand combat. what ever it takes to make him into a full fledged, fighting warrior." I went instantly from happy too solemn. "What do you mean by this? There should be no need to fight any more." Tuff also took on a more serious look. "As you know, the woman I love and married, Clariass, was once a seer. She has had troubling visions of late. I'm afraid that war is going to return to dreamland." I gritted my teeth and frowned. "Soon?" He looked slightly relieved. "No, not too soon. That's why I need you. We have many years. I know of other's that would gladly give their lives to have their children taught under you." I set my mind. I have nothing to lose, no one to leave behind. they may depend on me. "I'll do it." I murmured. Tuff looked pleased. "Thank you," he told me. "We must leave soon. is there any thing you need to bring with you?" I thought hard. "Meet me back here in half an hour. I will be ready to leave."
I stood in front of Kabuu's altar. The blind, long silent being seemed to stir with some small memory. But there was nothing more. I entered the small, dark room beneath the giant altar, and bowed my head in reverent silence. Three majestic graves were spread before me. In the center, my deceased mentor, with his faithful companions and soldiers at his side. The life-sized statue of my teacher, Meta Knight, seemed to stare at me with it's inlaid golden eyes. His own mask was attached to the stone, cracked and covered in dust. I wiped the dust away, and pulled my hand back as I felt a sudden shock. A flood of memories. Then there was nothing else. I took it as a sign of encouragement from the dead warrior. Behind Meta Knight's tomb, laid a small stone receptacle. It seemed empty, but I knew this was a false bottom. With some effort, I pushed away the flat stone. I smiled in reminiscence. Inside was the still proud blade that Meta Knight had always carried with him, and my faintly glowing warpstar. I loosened my now dry cloak, and placed the bright sword into its sheath, and belted it around my waist. I also took my warpstar and deposited it into the soft leather pocket that was set on the belt. I replaced the stone bottom, and left the altar, ready to journey for the far away mountains in where Tuff and his wife lived.
(From the author: don't expect this to be updated regularly. I have to work on several other things, including originals. Review this; send me your criticisms. I will greatly appreciate them. And read the Meta journey saga!)
Tuff gazed solemnly at the dark eastern sky, where the sun would be rising in a few hours. Yawning, he pointed the way towards the mountains.
"We need to make that point by night. My home is closer to the summit, but we'll sleep at the base of the mountain. It will take a whole day to reach my home from the base."
Later on, in the mid day, we where just under half the length from the mountain. Tuff, who was used to walking, even running, many miles, was breathing steadily, but I had taken to a settled life, practically a hermit. I gasped for breath, as we had been trotting for several hours.
Tuff rolled out a large canvas sheet from his travel pack, and sat down. "Come, take a seat. It is time to eat lunch." I gladly sat next to him, and collapsed back wards, struggling to breathe. Tuff patted my shoulder and easily lifted me into a sitting position. He laughed and started spreading out the lunch. "
"Perhaps I'm pushing you too hard old timer?" I Laughed and wheezed from my soreness. "Not quite. You've got a long while before you push this 'old timer' too hard." He handed me a thick and meat filled sandwich. "We will rest after eating. It's always a bad idea to run on a full stomach." I took a hearty bite and agreed. "Indeed."
We finished off the delicious spread of food and both lay back to nap. "Remind me to thank Claris for the wonderful food." Tuff laughed. "It is I you should thank! I prepare most of the food in our household when I am home. I made that entire meal." I patted my stomach. "Well, you did a fine job of it." I watched an aimless cloud drift across the sky and sighed. "It is unfortunate." I said aloud. Tuff rolled around to look at me. "What?" "This. All of it. We can lie here, unworried, and at full calm, in an open meadow. We have no one to fear, no enemies what so ever. And war will disrupt that all over again." Tuff rolled over again so that his face turned away from the sun. "Sleep. I will wake you when it is time." I chose to ignore his dodging of the subject. I undid my cloak and placed it on top of me like a blanket. The sheath of Meta Knight's sword rubbed softly against my skin. I remembered it and patted it lightly. "Thank you, sir Meta knight, where ever you now rest."
Steel flashed like quicksilver under light, and there was a sound like thunder rolling through many valleys. Kirby spun and parried, nervous and excited. He felt a hot blade graze his side, and he dodged to avoid the second attack from his teacher. Kirby stopped, and panted. "Pui, poi oh, too, (pant) much." He pulled the blind fold off and sat down. Meta Knight stood over him. "You have done well for you first bind lesson. Your hearing has improved immensely: I almost felt as though you could still see me coming. But you leave your right side open too much." Kirby looked up into Meta Knight's bright golden eyes, eyes that were still smoldering with pride at his pupil's fast learning. Meta Knight wrapped his cape about him. "That will be all for today. I want you to rest, then practice your side sweep." He left Kirby in the dark courtyard, under the bright moon. Kirby looked up, and thought to himself: "It will be Meta Knight's birthday in a while. . . he was born in the dark of the moon."
Tuff woke me and handed me my cloak, which I had thrown off in my sleep. "My, you've started snoring loudly. I was afraid that you were going to shatter my ear drums." I sat up and chuckled. "I'm nothing compared to your monstrous snores. You sound like a good sized earthquake at times!" We traveled quicker than before, now that the sky was moving steadily towards evening. I found that it was easier running this time, and caught up to Tuff. He turned to me, and smiled. "I see you've decided to keep up this time! I had to slow down to your pace. Do you mind if we speed up a bit?" I called to him, slightly breathless. "No, let's go faster!" Tuff laughed. "If you say so!" He sped his trot to a long striding run. I pushed myself harder to stay with him. "You can't shake me off that easy," I thought, and was soon back on his heels. Tuff laughed, still breathing easily. "At this pace, we'll easily reach the base before night fall. Let's go!" I tried to laugh with him, but couldn't. I decided to save my breath for running. Tuff was right. We reached the mountain base a few hours before the sun was going to set. I lay down on the course grass, and ran my hands through the rough ground. I remembered this place.
"Block! NOW!" Kirby raised his wooden practice sword, and blocked on Meta Knight's command. Sword Knight did a downward stroke, and threatened to bash Kirby's head. Kirby swung about and did a perfect side sweep. CLONK! The two oak blades met with a loud dull sound. Meta Knight clapped. "Excellent work Kirby. You have improved your stroke wonderfully. Sword, thank you for assisting me with today's lesson. You may leave now." Kirby handed his sword to Blade Knight, who was waiting near by. Sword and Blade disappeared from view behind a large boulder, and left. Kirby looked up, and was suddenly amazed by the size of the mountain he found himself in front of. Meta Knight started to leave also, but turned to Kirby. A strange light simmered in his eyes. "It's almost funny Kirby. I too was trained always at the base of a mountain." and he was gone. Kirby sat slightly confused, and reviewed the night's training. "What mountain was he trained under?" wondered Kirby.
I sat up, and wondered where Tuff had gone. He reappeared and presented a large bundle of dry grasses and twigs. He piled them up and got a small flame going. "Watch the fire. I'm going to get some real timber." He went down a small hill towards a group of small trees. I turned to the fire. Tuff's son was to be born in the dark of the moon. Meta Knight's birthday.. I imagined what he would look like. Tuff came back shortly, carrying an armful of split wood. He selected a quart and placed it in the flames. "What is your home like?" I asked him. He looked up into the darkening sky. "Nothing particularly special. it is just my home, where I live, and where I will raise my family." I understood. I myself had never really had any pride in my house. If I had, it might have not been full of Tikori's offspring to this day. I yawned and leaned against a hefty rock. "I'm going to get some sleep." I told Tuff. He nodded. "Good idea. It's going to be a hard climb to my home." And with that, we both laid down to sleep, peaceful and at ease. My muscles were still sore, but I would be able to hike up the mountain. "Good night." I whispered to Tuff, but he was already asleep. "Hmmm." he replied in his heavy slumber. And that was that for the night.
(And so another chapter ends in the most annoying of possible ways! I would like more reviews please. PLEASE! DO YOU HEAR ME? Also, I wouldn't mind some emails. tell me if you have MSN messenger if you would like to talk to me. Thank you!)