Chapter XVII: A "Knight" to Remember Part II
Luigi and the kids walked through the fields of Dreamland looking for the keyhole. They began their search at the Green Greens area. As always the heartless attacked, coming at them in numbers. Sora used a cool new move known as "Stun Impact" which created a giant red energy wave that paralyzed any heartless in his track. Luigi used F.L.U.U.D to shoot waves at the bad guys. Yoshi also learned a new move called "Evolution" which also allowed him to recover his allies in battle. Kirby also sucked up the monsters with his mouth and spat them back out at others. Kirby also absorbed a Red Space Pirate which transformed him into Fire Kirby.
"I've never seen anyone copy abilities like that before." Sora said impressed.
"Kirby has a ton of different abilities he can use." Tiff said. "He sends them right back at 'em."
Kirby shot a giant fire wave at a group of the heartless destroying them easily. Everyone cheered for the little pink puff ball as he destroyed them. Yoshi became jealous again.
"Yoshi can do way better then Kirby." Yoshi thought with a grumble.
"Nice job, Kirby!" Tuff cheered. "You sure showed those losers!"
Kirby burped from eating the large amounts of heartless and giggled. Luigi slid his back down a tree and sighed.
"Tired, tortellini." He sighed. "That keyhole could be anywhere."
"He's got a point." Sora agreed. "That keyhole could be anywhere in this world."
"Well, Sora." Tiff began. "Do any kind of strange things happen when you look for this keyhole?"
"My keyblade seems to respond to it when we're close by." Sora said turning to Tiff. Just then, his keyblade began glowing. "Hey, guys! I think we're on to something! My keyblade is responding!" The keyblade pointed to the left of the area.
"Hey!" Tuff cried. "It's coming from Whispy Woods!"
"Then let's go!"
"Hold on!" Tiff said stopping everyone. "Whispy Woods can be dangerous if you're not careful. "We'll guide you through it."
"Kid, danger is my middle name." Luigi laughed proudly. "I don't need any help. I'll go in there and find that keyhole faster then you can say mozzarella milkshake." Luigi turned to leave. "Come on! Let's go!"
Luigi, Yoshi, and Kirby left to head towards Whispy Woods while leaving a confused Sora, Tiff, and Tuff.
"What's a mozzarella milkshake?" Tuff asked Sora.
"Easy. You mix mozzarella sticks in a blender and voila!" Sora explained with a chuckle. "
"Ew! Gross!"
The kids then started laughing just thinking about it.
"Just picture that combination!" Tiff giggled.
"You sound a bit better." Sora said to Tiff.
"Well, I guess this adventuring took my mind off my dad for a little while." Tiff told Sora. "I'm glad you and your friends came to Cappy Town, Sora."
"Thanks." Sora blushed. "Come on! Let's go to Whispy Woods!"
The kids headed off and caught up with the others. As they left, two figures were watching them. Those figures were Fololo and Falala. They turned to each other and nodded. Unknown to them, a mysterious figure was also watching. He was about the same size as Kirby. He wore a giant blue cape in the back and had on a white mask over his face. He muttered something in his foreign accent.
"We shall fight soon." He muttered.
He walked away as his cape blew in the wind. Sora's group arrived at the entrance to Whispy Woods where they met a old purple owl.
"Greeting Tiff, Tuff, and Kirby." He said. "Glad to see you. What brings you to Whispy Woods?"
"We're looking for something called a keyhole, Coo." Tiff said. "Have you seen one around?"
"Hm, not a keyhole, but something very strange." Coo responded. "It was something of some value."
"Whatever it was, where did you see it?" Sora asked in a excited tone. "Cause we'll take any lead to finding the keyhole!"
"Goodness, calm down young man!" Coo cried. "It was right by Whispy Woods himself."
"Wait a minute!" Luigi asked puzzled. "There's a guy named Whispy Woods with the same name?"
"Well, Whispy Woods is a tree and the ruler of the woods." Tuff explained.
"Since when do trees rule over something?"
"Luigi, since I've been visiting all these worlds, I've learned that anything is possible." Sora whispered.
"You got a point kid." Luigi nodded.
"Heed my warning though." Coo said in a eerie voice. "He hasn't been the same ever since those dark creatures appeared. He might strike you when you least expect it."
"Oh, no." Yoshi whimpered. Yoshi then stopped and thought about something. "Wait one minute! This might be chance to proof to everyone that Yoshi better then Kirby." Yoshi made a brave look in his eyes. "Stand back! Yoshi afraid of no tree! Yoshi find item and be back before Yoshi can say dinner!"
Yoshi ran into the woods leaving a baffled Sora.
"Yoshi?" Sora baffled. "I've never seen him act so strange before."
Kirby followed Yoshi into the woods.
"Kirby! Come back here!" Tiff called to her friend. "We have to go after them!"
"Okay!" Sora nodded.
The kids ran into the woods leaving a nervous Luigi.
"Um, I'll just wait out here and admire the beautiful scenery of Dreamland." Luigi said nervously.
Sora came out and grabbed Luigi by the back.
"Come on, Mr. Dangerous." Sora groaned grabbing Luigi.
The group ran through Whispy Woods calling out their friends name. Coo just sighed and rolled his eyes.
"This young generation." He sighed. "Never thinks, just always acts!"
They searched high and low everywhere in the forest. They finally arrived at a middle part of the woods where they saw Kirby standing next to a frightened Yoshi. He had his eyes closed and was down on the floor.
"Thank goodness they're all right." Tiff sighed. She ran over to Kirby and hugged him. She then turned to see Yoshi shaking. "Whoa! I guess Yoshi got too scared in here. But luckily, Kirby was brave enough to help out."
Yoshi looked up and blushed. "Aw, Yoshi just pretending to be scared. Yoshi just do it keep Kirby entertained because Kirby was scared."
"Funny, but I noticed that you were the one who was scared." Luigi smirked.
"Was not!" Yoshi argued.
"Was too!" Luigi argued back.
Sora shook his head slowly and then turned to Tiff. "So, where can we find Whispy Woods?"
"He shouldn't be too far from here." Tiff said thinking for a second. "Let's try taking..."
Just then, tree roots came out of the ground surrounding our heros like a cage. Luigi and Yoshi embraced each other.
"Oh, Yoshi sorry." Yoshi whimpered.
"Me too, kid." Luigi said.
Sora got his keyblade out ready to fight and Kirby joined him.
"Who dares disturb my neck of the woods?" Called a giant voice.
"Boy, this guy's got more bark then his bite." Luigi joked. "Get it? Bark? Bite?"
"Silence!" The voice shouted.
Luigi jumped into Yoshi's arms screaming.
"Whispy?" Tiff asked curiously. "Is that you?"
"Who are you and why have you come here?" The voice roared.
The group turned to see a tree with a face looking down at them.
"That must be Whispy Woods." Sora gulped.
"Ya figure kid?" Luigi groaned.
"Whispy? Don't you recognize us?" Tiff asked in surprise.
"The only thing familiar about you is that you're a brat on my territory." Whispy responded. "And you punks are going to have to be destroyed."
"Let's take him down!" Sora cried.
"Wait!" Tuff shouted. "Whispy may be acting weird, but he's still our friend. Don't hurt him."
"Okay, we'll let him pound us into an early grave." Luigi said sarcastically. "That sounds like fun."
"He doesn't mean it like that!" Tiff snapped at Luigi. "Maybe he's under some sort of spell."
"If he is, then how can we break it?" Sora wondered. He then looked to notice something glowing behind Whispy. "What is that?"
"Maybe it what making Whispy kooky." Yoshi assumed.
"Then I'll go for it!" Sora said bravely. "It might be our only chance!" He then turned to Kirby, Luigi, and Yoshi. "You three distract him!"
The three nodded and got ready.
"Be careful, Sora." Tiff said worryingly.
Sora nodded and then charged at Whispy with Kirby, Luigi, and Yoshi. Whispy shot white wind objects out his mouth which the group dodged. He also shook his leaves which caused apples to fall. Kirby and Yoshi ate the apples and spat them right back at Whispy. Luigi sucked up the apples and also knocked them back. Sora dove right past Whispy Woods and got behind him to see a glowing star. Sora picked it up and looked at it funny.
"Where have I seen this before?" Sora asked himself. Shrugging it aside, he pocketed it and rejoined his friends, hoping that the spell was broken. "Did it work?"
"Take a look for yourself." Luigi gulped.
Sora noticed that Whispy Woods was making an evil glare at them.
"I'll take that as a no." Sora gulped.
"Well, I'm making like a tree and getting my butt out of here." Luigi said nervously.
"Luigi!" Sora groaned. "It's leave! It's make like a tree and leave! You sound like an idiot saying that!"
"Whatever!" Luigi said grabbing Sora. "Let's just get out of here!"
Luigi pulled Sora out of the area and Kirby followed.
"What about Whispy?"
"Forget it, sis." Tuff said grabbing his sister's hand. "Let's just get out here!"
The group ran leaving Yoshi behind.
"Yoshi no scared!" Yoshi cried bravely. "Yoshi big, brave..." He then noticed Whispy growling at him causing him to gulp. "...coward." He ran through the woods and caught up with his friends.
Moments later, they arrived out of Whispy Woods and stopped to catch their breath. Coo approached them concerned.
"Are you all right children?" Coo asked concerned. "I could hear you run all the way from the woods."
"We're fine, Coo." Tiff sighed. "You were right about Whispy though. He has been acting weird. Just like dad, I wonder why he's been so grouchy?"
"Beats me." Tuff shrugged.
"Goyo?" Kirby said blinking in confusion.
Sora hugged Yoshi tightly. "Yoshi! What happened back there? I was so scared! I thought I lost you!"
"Yoshi sorry, but..."
"Kid, you scared us!" Luigi snapped at Yoshi. "We thought you got hurt or worse..killed. Don't ever wonder off like that unless me and Sora are with you."
"I sorry." Yoshi said sadly.
"Don't be so hard on him Luigi." Sora said turning his head to Luigi. "He's a baby. This was a first for him." He pulled away from Yoshi and put his hands on Yoshi's shoulders talking to him softly. "Just don't wonder off by yourself again unless you're with a grownup or myself okay?"
"Okay." Yoshi nodded. He then licked Sora's face. "I promise."
"Sora, did you find out what that thing behind Whispy was?" Tiff called to Sora. Sora went through his pocket and pulled out the glowing star. He handed it to Tiff who observed it.
"Where have I seen this before?" Tiff asked curiously.
Kirby took the star out of her hand and looked at it. He smiled and then ran away into the fields.
"Kirby!" Tuff cried. "Come on!"
The gang left and chased after Kirby again. Coo was left in confusion.
"Did I miss something here?" The old bird asked, slightly tilting his head.
The gang ran back the same direction they first came in. Kirby was far ahead leaving everyone else in the dust.
"Man, this kid should enter the Olympics." Luigi panted. "Where is he leading us?"
"I think we're heading back to the castle." Tiff assumed. "It looks like Kirby may know what to do with that."
"Wow, he's pretty smart." Sora said impressed. "He has a good instinct. Not bad for a little guy."
Yoshi grumbled growing jealous of Kirby again. Kirby and the gang were almost to castle Dedede when Kirby stopped and looked strangely at a tree.
"Kirby?" Tiff asked concerned. "What's wrong?" Tiff turned in the direction of where Kirby was looking and saw they mysterious capped figure walk out of the shadows.
He looked at the group with his glowing eyes. He didn't pay attention to Kirby's group but stared at Sora.
"So." He said in his foreign accent. "It's true then."
"Hey! It's Meta Knight!" Tuff said happily. "What's up?"
"You know this guy?" Luigi said turning to Tuff.
"Yeah. You see Meta Knight is a Star Warrior like Kirby." Tiff explained. "He came from another world after battling a monster named ENeME and with Sword and Blade, they pretended to offer their services to Dedede."
"So you came from another world?" Sora gasped to Meta Knight. Meta Knight simply nodded causing Sora to whisper in Luigi's ear. "See! They know he's from another world. So why can't we tell where we're from?"
"Kid, this guy is young and foolish." Luigi responded. "He obviously doesn't follow the rules of the world order. We however are smart and play it safe."
"Why are you here?" Tiff asked turning to Meta Knight. "Do you know why those black creatures are attacking?"
"It is ENeME's vile handy work." Meta Knight responded. "They are sending these creatures here. I have feared that this day would have come. Soon he might strike and Dreamland will be in grave danger."
"Don't worry." Tiff smiled proudly. "Kirby will take care of them!"
"Yeah! He's one bad dude!" Tuff cheered.
"Goyo!" Kirby cheered.
"I'm afraid it is not that simple." Meta Knight said shaking his head. "As you know, thousands of us battled against him, but we couldn't even win. I was the only surviving one."
"This guy must be brutal." Sora assumed.
"Yes, but he is more powerful now because of this darkness." Meta Knight continued. He then took out a golden sword with wavy edges. "That's why I must test the power of the one who holds the key. To see if he can defeat it."
"You wanna fight me?" Sora said.
"Meta Knight?" Tiff asked in surprise. "But..."
"En garde!" He cried charging at Sora. He thrust at Sora who spun out of the way.
Sora took his keyblade out and slashed at Meta Knight who deflected the attack away. Sora clashed with Meta Knight rapidly attacking. Meta Knight blocked the attacks with his sword. He then swiped at Sora's feet who jumped up and over the attack landing behind him. Sora sent a kick at Meta Knight who blocked it with his right arm and pushed it up flipping Sora over who landed on his feet. Meta Knight and Sora rapidly clashed again, attacking and dodging through the rapid sword fight. Luigi and the others followed as they began moving away from them. Meta Knight jumped up and sent flying kicks at Sora who blocked them with one arm. Meta Knight brought his sword down and Sora did a one-handed cartwheel to avoid the attack. Sora attacked with a vertical swipe but Meta Knight did a one-handed back flip over the attack. Sora attacked and Meta Knight clashed again. They both struggled with each other and then both jumped back.
"Wow!" Tuff cried. "Sora's good!"
"Impressive." Meta Knight said. "Your spirt is strong my friend. But your feet are big."
"For that, you're going down big time." Sora said insulted.
Meta Knight fired green blade waves which Sora dodged. Sora then charged at Meta Knight and attacked causing him to jump over the attack. Meta Knight spun his body and swung his sword vertically at Sora like a chainsaw. Sora bent his back and narrowly missed the attack. Meta Knight kicked against a tree and flew back at Sora. Our hero did a back flip over Meta Knight's attack and landed on the ground. Meta Knight and Sora clashed again causing sparks to fly from their attacks. It seemed like the fight could last forever when Sora finally knocked the sword out of Meta Knight's hand which caused him to fall back. Sora grabbed the sword and pointed it at Meta Knight.
"Give up?" Sora smirked.
"I...I...surrender." He groaned.
"Whoa! He really is good." Tiff said amazed. "Kirby could barely stand up against Meta Knight and Sora just took him down without even getting hit.."
"Well...this kid likes to fight a lot." Luigi said. "He was only warming up against your friend."
"Cool." Tiff and Tuff said together.
Sora handed the sword to Meta Knight who stood up.
"You truly are a great fighter." Meta Knight said impressed. "And a good sport as well.
"You too." Sora nodded. "That was fun."
"But I'm afraid this is a serious matter." Meta Knight pointed out. "You may have the strength to put a stop to ENeME. We can only hope."
"Okay." Sora said confused. "Whatever you say I guess."
"Look!" Tuff cried. "Kirby ran off!"
And sure enough, Kirby did run off.
"We have to go Meta Knight." Tiff said. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"I'm fine but it's the citizens of Dreamland that I'm worried about." Meta Knight responded. "I'm also questioning your father as well. He hasn't been himself."
"I know." Tiff agreed. "He's..."
"Come on, sis!" Tuff called to his sister. "Kirby's getting away!"
"We'll see you later Meta Knight." Tiff said with a smile.
Tiff ran to catch up with her friends leaving Meta Knight behind. He turned away from the castle and left.
"I must go see that the Fountain of Dreams hasn't been overrun by the heartless." Meta Knight said to himself.
He then left in the shadows. Sora's group returned back to Castle Dedede where they saw Kirby enter through the back entrance. The group followed until they reached the secret room that Tiff showed them a while ago.
"I wonder why he led us back here." Sora wondered.
"I'm not sure." Luigi shrugged.
Kirby walked into the room with the star and the others followed. Kirby jumped up and down pointing at a star symbol which was engraved on the wall.
"I get it!" Tiff exclaimed. "Kirby must think that the star goes on that engravement."
"Try and see what happen." Yoshi said.
Tiff took the star and put it on the engravement. At first nothing happens, but then it started glowing. The group looked at it with oohs and awes. Just then, the door slammed open and the gang turned to see a very upset Sir Ebrum with the twins.
"Dad!" Tuff cried nervously. "Wh-what are you doing here?"
"And how did you find out about this place?" Tiff added suspiciously.
"Fololo and Falala told me." Ebrum responded.
Tiff gasped and sadly looked at the twins. "How could you?"
The twins made guilty looks at their friend. "We're sorry, Tiff."
"You don't have to be sorry." Ebrum said. "You had the right to tell me. Tiff, you disobeyed me again! I told you not to leave the castle!"
"It wasn't her fault!" Luigi said. "It was..."
Kirby sadly walked forward and put his head down.
"So, you were the one who put my daughter in grave danger Kirby?" Ebrum asked. Kirby sadly nodded. "Then get out of my sight! I don't want your pink face around my daughter anymore!"
Kirby walked out of the room sadly.
"Kirby!" Tiff said with tears streaming down her face. "Daddy! Why?"
"I'm doing it for your own safety." Ebrum said
"My own safety?" Tiff scoffed. "You're tearing my friends away from me and you call that safety?"
Before Ebrum could respond, he saw the crystal star on the wall. "And what is that?"
"It's this weird crystal star we found." Tuff said.
Ebrum walked over to it and then without speaking grabbed it and was ready to throw it.
"Daddy, no!" Tiff cried. Ebrum smashed the star onto the ground sending it into pieces. Tiff looked at the smashed crystal star and then broke into tears. "Why are you doing this to me?"
She ran out of the room crying and Tuff followed.
"Sis, wait up!" Tuff said.
"I draw the line from here!" Sora said angrily. "What right do you have to treat your daughter like this? She told me that you would trust her with your life. Obviously, Tiff understands the dangers, but I'm sure she would have proceeded with caution. Besides, it wasn't Kirby's fault, but even if it was, you shouldn't just ban him from seeing Tiff. It was our fault for letting her out of the castle."
"It was?" Luigi asked giving Sora a double look.
"Young man, I would call your parents but it would be too long of a distance to reach them." Ebrum responded.
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"You're not from Ice Cream Mountain. Aren't you?" Ebrum said. "You're not even a resident of Dreamland. You're from another world!" The trio gasped upon hearing that. "And you lad must be the key bearer."
"But how did you know?" Sora asked in surprise.
"I've seen hundreds of other world visitors and those Cappy disguise aren't exactly fitting." Ebrum said commenting on the group's present form. "Including the one with the big nose." Yoshi growled at Ebrum and turned away. "You can't fool old Ebrum. As the key bearer, you must already know that one should not meddle in the affairs of other worlds."
"Trust me, I hear that all the time." Sora said referring to Luigi. "But still..."
"I am the Court Official and I know all the laws." Ebrum interrupted. "You have violated this principle. The only thing a key bearer can bring is chaos and destruction. You were the one who was endangering my children and our homes."
"Sora not like that." Yoshi protested. "Sora stop bad guys."
"He even saved a bunch of worlds mister!" Luigi added. "So you can't assume anything."
"That's quite enough." Ebrum snapped. "The law is the law. I thank you kindly for protecting my children. But there is no room for you or that giant key."
Ebrum walked out the door leaving a concerned Sora who was looking at his keyblade.
"Do I really cause destruction?" Sora asked Luigi.
"No, Sora." Luigi said softly patting his friend's back. "You've done too many great things already. You brought piece to Isle Delfino and cleared my brother's good name. You've given the Kongs a good-nights sleep because they don't have to worry about the Crystal Coconut as much. With Ganondorf out of power, the people of Hyrule can build a new and better world. There's just that one person out there who has a different opinion. Not everyone is going to agree with what you're doing. Even I don't agree with the fact that we've been meddling in the affairs of other worlds, but we have no chose in the matter. Why don't we just get out of here then?"
"But I want to make sure Tiff and Kirby are okay." Sora said.
"Listen, we've gotten into enough trouble already." Luigi pointed out. "Let's just go while we still have a chance. Come on, Yoshi." Yoshi nodded and left the room. "Stay around if you want kid. It's really not my problem."
"No, no." Sora sighed. "I'll come."
The trio left the room in silence. Meanwhile, Kirby was sitting on a tree stump alone looking up at the sky. He knew that he would never be able to see Tiff again. It brought back memories of when he first met her, how he saved her life when she fell from a cliff, how she hid him from King Dedede's goons, how they used to play skip rope. As Kirby walked through the fields of Dreamland he saw a spot where Tiff and the entire town of Cappy Town helped build him his very own tree house. As he entered a little half egg-shaped house he remembered how she also built this house for him. As he laid down on his bed his mind wondered off into memory lane. He remembered when she got him a toy pet and of course he remembered that only someone who loved him could hold onto his warpstar. And that someone was named Tiff. He sadly got out of bed upon hearing a knock at his door. He answered it to see Escargoon looking down at him. Next to him was Sword and Blade who had some weird collars around their necks. Kirby tried to run but Escargoon grabbed him and put him in a bag.
"Nice try, pinkie." Escargoon said. "But his highness requires your presence at once." He then gave the bag to Sword. "Take him to the throne room."
"Yes sir." The Knights said.
The three then proceeded back to the castle. They finally arrived moments later to see Dedede waiting for them with a gleeful look.
"Good, you guys got him." Dedede smirked. "Bring him to the throne room."
The Knights bring the bag into the throne room and place it on the ground. Kirby jumped out of the back and looked around curiously. He then saw that Dedede was approaching.
"Goyo?" Kirby said slightly confused.
"Kirby my dear friend." Dedede said in a nice tone. "How are you buddy? Hungry? I could get you some food." Kirby shook his head. "No? Well, I overheard your dilemma and you could use some help."
"What?" Escargoon exclaimed. "You're actually going to..."
Dedede then smacked Escargoon aside. "Quite, numbskull!" He then turned back to Kirby. "Sorry about that. So, your little friend Tiff wants to see other worlds with you, right?" Kirby nodded. "Well, I could make that arraignment. As King, I do what I want, when I want and how I want. Besides you, Meta Knight, these two gents Sword and Blade came from another world. As well as your new friends who just came to Cappy Town."
Kirby gasped realizing that Sora, Luigi, and Yoshi weren't from Dreamland at all, but from another world.
"So, we can help you Kirby." Sword said. "But your going to have to act for us."
Kirby then looked at King Dedede with a look telling he didn't trust the big king.
"You don't trust me?" Dedede asked. "I've turned over a new leaf Kirby. From now on I'm going help those in need. And if you want to help Tiff then you'll do it."
Kirby hesitated at first, but then complied and left with the greedy King. Meanwhile, Tiff was in her room crying on her bed. She sadly looked up and sniffled her tears away. She sat up on her bed and looked out the window.
"Kirby, if only I could see you one last time." She sniffled. Just then, the door opened and Kirby walked in. "Kirby!" She ran over to him and gave him a hug. "I'm so glad you're here! But you need to get out of here before my dad comes back."
Outside of her room was Dedede and Escargoon with sustained giggles and laughs.
"Escargoon, you ready for operation get-me-the-star-rod-faster-then-you-could-say-turkey dinner?" King Dedede whispered.
"Um, sire...don't you think the name is a bit long?" Escargoon whispered back. Dedede then conked him on the head. "I'll take that as a no."
"Now pudding head!" Dedede shouted at him.
Escargoon projected his voice towards Kirby and talked in a cute voice. "Don't worry Tiff, everything is going to be okay."
Tiff gasped upon hearing Escargoon speak. "Kirby! Was that you?"
Knowing what was going on, Kirby mouthed what Escargoon said. "Yes, it was I Kirby."
"Oh, Kirby!" She cried hugging Kirby. "You finally spoke!" She then curiously then pulled away. "How can you speak perfect English?"
"Um, well, I was studying the way everyone spoke and finally I understood it." Escargoon said.
"But why are you here?" Tiff asked.
"Because I can take you away from all the pain." Escargoon responded. "Away from your father, away from that good looking snail Escargoon and away from that fat tub of lard Dedede." Dedede then bonked him on the head with his mallet. "Ow!"
"Kirby, why are you saying ow?"
"Oh, um, I got heartburn from that tomato I had this morning." Escargoon chuckled.
"Since when does Kirby get heartburn from eating food?" Tiff thought. "But how can you take me away from Dreamland? That fruit for brains Dedede destroyed your ship. Remember?"
"Fruit for brains?" Dedede hissed. "Why that little..."
"Calm down, crowny!" Escargoon whispered. "We'll get her later." He then projected his voice again. "Anything is possible Tiff. Besides, our new friends came from another world."
"What?" Tiff gasped. "Sora, Luigi, and Yoshi are from another world, too?" Kirby then nodded. She was in shock that those three Cappy creatures were in fact visitors from another world as well. Usually, Tiff would have used her good judgement to decline the offer, but with everything that has happened she was ready for a change in her life. "Kirby, tell me what we have to do."
"I'll explain on the way to the Fountain of Dreams." Escargoon said.
Kirby and Tiff left the room with the while the villains ran ahead. Sora's group were on their way to the Toad Express. Sora was still concerned about his new friends but slowly began to rub it off. As they finally reached Cappy Town, they heard a familiar voice.
"So, giving up already chico?" Called a foreign accent. Sora's group turned to see Meta Knight in front of them.
"Meta-Knight?" Luigi said jumping in surprise. "What do you want now?"
"I'm afraid the darkness has gotten worse since you have left the castle." Meta Knight responded. "Soon, ENeME will strike unless we don't stop..."
"It's not our concern." Luigi disagreed. "You and I both know that we can't meddle in the affairs of other worlds. It's a rule!"
"Si, you are right about that, but rules can be bent." Meta Knight nodded. "The keyblade master who defeated me is backing down from a challenge?"
"I'd never do that!" Sora said bravely.
"Sora never quit!" Yoshi agreed.
"As the one who must defeat the heartless, it is your destiny." Meta Knight said. "You must also seal the keyhole to bring peace. And because of those heartless, they manipulated Sir Ebrum and King Dedede."
"I knew it!" Sora exclaimed.
"Sir Ebrum is the nicest person I've ever met." Meta Knight continued. "He would never have been so mean to his daughter. He puts one-hundred percent trust in her."
"How do you know all this?" Luigi asked curiously. "I mean about the heartless, the keyblade, and the keyhole?"
"Because your brother told me this." Meta Knight.
The trio was shocked upon hearing what Meta Knight said.
"You know my brother?"
"Yes." Meta Knight nodded. "Awhile back, we have discovered that ENeME was working for a force higher then himself. Sword, Blade, and myself traveled to other worlds in search of a man named Ansem who may have known something. I've heard stories about this legendary ruler and hoped we could speak with him. Our travels brought us to a place called Isle Delfino where the creatures you call the heartless ambushed us. We fought with all our heart but we couldn't defeat them. We were a glimpse away from our demise when this Italian man with blue overalls saved us."
"That's my brother all right." Luigi chuckled. "The pasta pulverizing plumber!"
"What does pasta have to do with anything?" Sora asked Luigi.
"Kid! Pasta has to do with everything!" Luigi snapped.
"We were in his debt, a debt that could not be repaid." Meta Knight continued ignoring the argument. "He told us about the keyblade and the keyhole. That's when I knew that the only way we could stand a chance against the heartless was to find this keyblade." He then bowed his head before Sora. "Please keyblade master. Please bring an end to ENeME and protect the ones I love. Young Tiff and Kirby have shown me something no one has ever shown me before. Friendship! I've never admitted this but they're like family to me. I wish not to lose then nor Sword and Blade."
Sora turned to his group. "Well, guys?"
"Why not?" Luigi nodded with a smile.
"Yoshi rock and roll!" Yoshi cheered.
"You can count on us." Sora smiled.
"Thank you my friends." Meta Knight said softly. "There's no time! Kirby and Tiff are in danger as we speak. Dedede is leading them into his hands. We have to get over to the Fountain of Dreams!"
"Then let's do it!" Sora cried.
Sora's group and Meta Knight left together and headed to the Fountain of Dreams, hoping they were not too late.
To Be Concluded...