NOTE TO THE READER: This is it. If you ever had any uncertainty concerning Meta Knight's true intentions, this chapter will clear it up.
Chapter 76: The Mutant Behind the Mask
Silence.
Meta Knight slowly unfolded his wings. Galaxia was already unsheathed and in its true form.
Kirby prepared himself to make a dodge on his warpstar. His mind was frantically searching for a good ability to summon.
Meta Knight jumped from his crate and made a horizontal slice in the air. A crescent-shaped sword beam flew at Kirby, who dodged by ascending.
Meta Knight fired more sword beams, some horizontal, some vertical, and some diagonal. Kirby kept dodging.
Then Meta Knight suddenly shot at Kirby like a bullet, but Kirby dodged this as well. Meta Knight soared past him, then made a u-turn and came for him again.
Kirby, in a split-second decision, summoned Fighter and Sword abilities to become Samurai Kirby. As Meta Knight came at him, Kirby struck Galaxia on the side to parry the attack.
A sudden duel in the air erupted.
Slicethrustparryparrysliceparrythrustslicesliceparrythrustparryparrysliceparryparryparrythrustslicethrustslicesliceparryparrysliceparrythrust! And during all those swishes and clangs, the two aeronautical swordsmen performed amazing dodges and maneuvers that they could never have hoped to accomplish on land.
But then Meta Knight flew above Kirby and made a powerful downward slice with his sword. Samurai Kirby blocked with his katana, but the tremendous blow caused it to shatter.
Kirby lost his ability and Meta Knight made another quick slice, missing Kirby, but severing one of the points of his warpstar.
The missing point fell to the ground and exploded. Sensing that the whole warpstar was about to do the same thing, Kirby jumped off and threw it at Meta Knight, who dodged. The warpstar flew to the ceiling and blew up.
Kirby got an idea. He summoned two Spark abilities to become Aura Kirby! Once more colored in swirling rainbows, Kirby closed his eyes and stood still.
Meta Knight rushed in, but was hit by a powerful bolt of lightning from Kirby. The severe shock blasted him across the room and into a wall.
Meta Knight got up. He was slightly singed in numerous places.
"It's going to take a lot more than that to kill me, Kirby," he said.
"Why do you want to take over Pop Star?" asked Kirby, still standing with his Aura ability. "Where did you come from?"
"You should have guessed by now," answered Meta Knight. "You've seen my face. In truth, I was once like you. I was once just another pathetic Dreamlander. But your ways... Pah! They disgusted me. All you do is eat, play and sleep. Such a lazy lifestyle has no purpose! It's going nowhere! I thirsted for more! So, I snuck into Castle Dedede to see what I could find. There had to be more than just appearance to this "king", for I had never once heard the term "law" up until that point. But what I discovered... My findings revealed to me the secret of the Protecting Companies. Unfortunately, I was caught. King Dedede could not let me divulge this information to my fellow Dreamlanders. As for my punishment, it was worse than death. I was brought down into the dungeons and mutated into the form I have today. Ostracized from my own kind, I fled to the caves on the western side of Vegetable Valley. That was where I first met Meta Sword and Meta Blade, who had been training in those parts. They taught me to swordfight, but I quickly became more skilled at it then they were. With new hope in my life, I swore to one day overthrow King Dedede and rule Pop Star. Then Dreamlanders would all know the words 'discipline' and 'progress'. That was when I changed my name. I dare not utter my former title, for it is vile and a mark of the race that excluded me. I took on the forename of my two new comrades and added an ending to suit my new life's mission. I was, from then on, Meta Knight. The original Meta Clan was formed."
Silence.
"Oh," said Kirby.
"You, on the other hand," continued Meta Knight, hopping down off the crate he was on, "continue to thwart my plans at world domination. What do you have against me? I could improve life for all Dreamlanders!"
"Us Dreamlanders like life just as it is," replied Kirby. "You would be helping no one."
"You only like it because you don't know any better," retorted Meta Knight. "Once you see my ways of business, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them. Besides, you'll be returning to the lifestyle of your intellectual ancestors. I know the history of Dreamland. I know that the Dreamlander race used to be highly intelligent. You were the ones that put the mine carts in Cavios. You were the ones that mined Bubbly Clouds. You were the ones that built the machines that turned me into what I am today!"
"What?!"
"Yes, Kirby. King Dedede was simply using Dreamlander technology to banish me. Since long ago, Dreamlanders have devolved, turning slowly into the pathetic creatures you are now. I can bring you back. I can open your minds. Soon Pop Star will be the most advanced planet in the Milky Way!"
"I've already told you," said Kirby. "Dreamlanders don't want to change. Ever think maybe we don't need super-smarts to survive anymore? And what about Neo City? You were fully prepared to destroy that entire place and everyone in it in order to gain power!"
"Some sacrifices must be made..." replied Meta Knight, "for the good of all."
"But you're still a ruthless killer! How could you hope to rule an empire? All Dreamlanders would hate you just as much as they ignore King Dedede!"
"Is that all I am? A ruthless killer? Kirby... You yourself have enjoyed changing. What with all these powers you have, you're barely even a Dreamlander anymore. Even you have changed your name. It can't possibly have been Kirby from the beginning. We're actually rather alike. We both changed our names when we got powers. We both want to liberate the Dreamlander race from some sort of oppression. And we're both destroying anything that gets in our way!"
"Stop that!" shouted Kirby. "Stop! You're messing with my mind! I'll never submit to you!"
"And that is why I must kill you," finished Meta Knight.
Meta Knight held Galaxia downwards in front of him. It began to glow. Meta Knight drove it into the floor and a strange blast smashed Kirby upwards. Kirby lost his ability.
Meta Knight rushed in once again, but Kirby summoned Bomb and Fire abilities to become Firework Kirby!
As soon as Kirby fired off the first explosion, Meta Knight used the same technique that Bugzzy had employed in this situation. He spun his sword very fast in his hand to create a protective air current against the colorful explosions.
A glowing yellow orb appeared around Meta Knight's free hand. Meta Knight pointed that arm at Kirby and shot the orb off. The orb hit Kirby and exploded, blasting Kirby to the ground.
"What the..." said Kirby, getting up. "Where did that come from?"
Meta Knight conjured up another orb.
"Not all my powers come from swordplay, Kirby," he said. "My mutant abilities cannot be disregarded. But, while I'm on the subject, you should know that I am the greatest swordsman in the Milky Way. Wielding Galaxia gives me the ability to perform any magical sword attack used anywhere in the galaxy. And, in order to prove it, I'll say each one as I perform them."
Meta Knight shot off the second orb. Kirby dodged and it exploded on the floor.
"Round trip!" shouted Meta Knight, throwing his sword at Kirby.
Kirby dodged, but the sword changed direction to follow him. Dodge! Dodge! Dodge! Thinking fast, Kirby summoned Spark and Sword abilities to become Darth Kirby.
Kirby used his double light-saber to knock Galaxia away. The sword subsequently returned to Meta Knight.
"Impressive," said Meta Knight, holding his sword out in back of him, "but no light-saber can protect you from..." Galaxia began to glow. "Hurricane Spin!"
Meta Knight performed a spin-attack with his sword... but the spinning didn't stop. He kept whirling around and around! Then he flew at Kirby, still spinning wildly.
Kirby jumped out of the way, but the more Meta Knight spun, the faster he seemed to get. The great swordsman circled the room on the crates, smashing those that got in his way.
Kirby inflated and flew upward, but Meta Knight made a jump.
Kirby deflated and Meta Knight missed him by less than an inch, but the slices kept coming. Meta Knight was now one continuous sword slice.
On landing, Kirby planted his double light-saber in the ground and vaulted over Meta Knight, who sliced into the light-saber, destroying it. Kirby lost his ability.
Kirby ran to hide behind some crates. Meta Knight, however, seemed not to care where Kirby went. While still spinning, he unfolded his wings and flew slowly upwards.
"Tornado of Blades!" shouted Meta Knight.
Swirling winds surrounded Meta Knight and a gigantic tornado appeared in the center of the room with him at its top.
Peeking out from his hiding place, Kirby's eyes widened.
Suddenly, hundreds of daggers began flying out of the tornado. Kirby ducked back behind the crate as two of the daggers stuck in it. The little things were flying everywhere!
Thinking that he'd need something big to stop this barrage, Kirby summoned Bomb and Stone abilities to become Dynamite Kirby!
Kirby pulled out some Dynamite, lobbed it over the crate, and hid in his helmet.
The explosion blasted Meta Knight from the sky. All the daggers disappeared. The explosion also reduced every crate in the room to flaming rubble.
Meta Knight got up. He seemed relatively okay. Even his cape was still intact.
Kirby could tell that Meta Knight could not see him through the flames. Meta Knight turned and pointed his sword in a random direction.
"Masamune Form!" shouted Meta Knight.
Galaxia extended to twelve times its original length and its four side-spikes multiplied to forty-eight.
Now Meta Knight performed a simple spin-attack. Kirby jumped to dodge. That attack had swept through the entirety of the room they were in.
Meta Knight conjured more glowing orbs on his free hand and shot them all over the room.
Kirby dodged the ones that came his way, but one slightly brushed his foot, burning it.
"YOW," said Kirby in pain, but then immediately wished he hadn't. Meta Knight now knew where he was.
Meta Knight swung his still-lengthened sword in Kirby's direction. Kirby dodged. Meta Knight made more slices, but his sword was too big. Kirby could see the blade coming and dodge it easily.
Galaxia shortened. Meta Knight drew his cape around himself. He seemed to melt into the cape, becoming nothing more than a wrapped-up stick. Kirby assumed that this was another of Meta Knight's mutant powers.
Suddenly, the cape (which presumably had Meta Knight wrapped up tight in it) flew at Kirby.
Kirby backed away, but Meta Knight burst from the cape in a sword-oriented jump-attack.
"Shield-Breaking Shards!" shouted Meta Knight, bringing his sword down.
Kirby dodged easily, but Galaxia shattered, blasting pieces of itself everywhere.
Kirby's left side got cut by one of the pieces and another stuck in his foot. He screamed in pain and ripped the shrapnel from his foot.
Galaxia reformed on its hilt and Meta Knight used it to fire a vertical sword beam in Kirby's direction. Kirby dodged as best he could, but the beam cut off the tip of his already-injured foot.
Kirby's eyes widened larger than ever as he stared at his mutilated foot.
At that instant, something snapped in Kirby's brain. His anger had returned.
Kirby's body shook as he summoned two Fighter abilities to become Saiyan Kirby!
Meta Knight fired another sword beam, but Kirby disappeared. He reappeared behind Meta Knight and punched him.
Meta Knight soared through the flames to hit the opposite wall.
Kirby flew over and pummeled into Meta Knight, who used Galaxia to block each punch.
But then Meta Knight turned Galaxia's blade toward Kirby. Kirby made another punch, but his fist met with Galaxia's edge.
Now Kirby had a gash on his right hand. In the split-second that Kirby was paralyzed by the pain, Meta Knight conjured another orb and punched Kirby with it.
The explosion blasted Kirby high into the air. He landed hard a ways away. All feelings left him. He simply lay there, unable to move or think.
"You cannot defeat me, Kirby," said Meta Knight, starting to walk over. But then he stopped and it was obvious why.
The entire room had begun to shake. Chuchu raced over to Kirby. The invisible barrier had clearly somehow been destroyed.
"What's going on?" growled Meta Knight.
The floor in the center of the room turned red and melted.
Kracko, surrounded by his "cloud garment", with electricity sparking everywhere, huge as ever, rose into the room.
"Who dares disturb my thunder?" thundered Kracko.
"No!" shouted Meta Knight. "You always turn up at the worst times!"
"That is my purpose, Lord Meta Knight," replied Kracko. It had clearly healed from its insanity. "I was put here on Pop Star as an obstacle for the companies you know so well. If they wanted to dominate Pop Star, they must get by me first!"
A warpstar with a maximum tomato on it flew down to Kirby. Chuchu had spoken quietly into the phone for Gooey to send one. Now she pried Kirby's mouth open and shoved in the maximum tomato.
Kirby's wounds healed.
"What happened?" he said groggily, getting up. Then he noticed the large entity that was towering in front of him. "Kracko?!" he shrieked. "What are you doing here?!"
Kracko turned.
"As for you, Star Warrior," it continued. "You are no different from the rest. You have risen up from a Dreamlander colony and fought against some overlords. You are an anomaly in the system and must be destroyed."
"I don't know what system you're talking about," replied Kirby. "but you've been wanting to kill me for a long time. Now I'm gonna get rid of you!"
"Use Needle plus Sword, Kirby!" shouted Gooey.
Kirby summoned Needle and Sword abilities to become Lance Kirby! Before Kracko could react, Kirby had thrown a huge javelin right through its eye.
The spearhead poked out Kracko's backside. Blood trickled out of its eye.
Silence.
Kracko began to laugh. It began as a slow chuckle, but then climaxed as a roaring (yet low-pitched) cackle.
The lance disintegrated and the wound healed.
"I cannot die, Star Warrior," said Kracko. "Weapons can only hurt me, not kill me. I can heal myself with time."
"I beg to differ," said Meta Knight.
Kracko turned back around.
"Galaxia can destroy anything," continued Meta Knight. "Now that I know you cannot die by any other weapon, this shall be your end."
CRACKAPOW! Meta Knight was, once again, struck by a lightning bolt from Kracko. But, this time, Meta Knight retained consciousness.
"Ignorant fool!" rumbled Kracko. "No mortal has ever challenged me and lived to tell the tale!"
"You yourself are mortal, Kracko," said Meta Knight, weakly. "Nothing can live forever. Your life ends here."
Galaxia extended again and the point shot right through the center of Kracko's eye.
Silence.
"Okayyou'rerightI'mdead," squeaked Kracko in a small high-pitched voice. Then the great eye suddenly exploded.
Kirby and Chuchu were already on their way out on their warpstars. The explosion jostled them a bit, but they escaped easily. Meta Knight, however, had not moved.
Galaxia was again its normal length, but the once crate-filled room had split down the middle and Meta Knight's half was threatening to fall forward. Not only that, but the explosion had injured one of Meta Knight's wings. He wouldn't be able to save himself if it collapsed!
Then... out of the sky... soared... Big Wheelie?
He landed in front of Meta Knight.
"Need a lift?" asked Big Wheelie, the seat reappearing on his top.
Meta Knight climbed on and Big Wheelie throttled towards an opening in the side of the room. He jumped... and landed... on top of the arsenal ship.
Once back inside, Meta Knight told his last remaining comrades of the fall of the others. Because of Meta Knight's wounds, Sasuke went up to the cargo car and got him a Peppy Tonic.
"Don't worry, Meta Knight," said Sasuke. "Once we destroy Dark Matter, the others will be released from its spell."
Tap, tap.
"Look!" said Sasuke, glancing over at the front windshield. "There's one of them now! Oh, wait... Oh, no. Not him."
Meta Drone was outside, tapping on the glass.
"The only survivor of our flight is Meta Drone?!" exclaimed Meta Knight. "No! How can this be?!"
The air lock opened and Meta Drone flew in.
"Hey, dudes," he said. "Didja miss me?"
"No," said everyone else.