Chapter 32: Dark Meta Knight

The Mirror World, a strange yet beautiful realm comprised of the reflections of the residents of Dreamland. One such figure was Dark Meta Knight, the warped reflection of the original honorable knight. He was currently in a bad mood, a common occurrence. The reason for this was that he was waiting for a certain mirror puff to show up.

"He's late. What's taking him so long?" He complimented as he kicked a mirror pebble.

Suddenly, he felt himself being tackled in a hug.

"HIIIIII DARK!" a familiar child-like voice exclaimed.

This is Shadow Kirby, the mirror reflection of the original Kirby. Unlike Dark, Shadow was much closer in terms of personality with the original Kirby.

Dark groaned. "About time you showed up. What took you so long?"

He gave a timid giggle. "I kinda slept in and lost track of the time!"

"I thought I told you to stop staying up so late to patrol around." He said, still annoyed.

"Yeah, but I can't help it! I wanna make sure that our home is safe, y'know?"

The shadowy knight rolled his eyes. "When was the last time our home was in any danger?"

Shadow Kirby took a moment to think. "Um... when those Jambastion guys were looking for the heart things!"

"I guess, but that was more of a problem for those fools out there."

The child pouted. "It would be our problem if the universe was destroyed because of it!"

"Well, it didn't get destroyed, so it doesn't matter. Anyway, why did you want to meet up today in the first place?"

"I thought you'd never asked!" The puff giggled. "I wanna spend some time with you today!"

The black knight squinted at him. "You're in a good mood, more so than usual."

"Oh, that's because I'm excited to spend time with you!"

Dark just stared at him, as if he just said something weird. "...I guess it's been a while. Fine, whatever."

Shadow gave a smile. "Alright, so what do you wanna do?"

"I don't care what we do. You pick."

"Why don't we go into town? Surely there's a lot of fun stuff to do there!"

The black knight gave him an odd look. "Town? You've never wanted to be seen in town before."

Shadow hesitated to speak for a moment. "Well, it's not fun being cooped up in here, right?"

"Cooped up on the top of a mountain?"

"On a mountain in a rundown mansion."

"Whatever. Let's just go."

Shadow smiled as he took Dark's hand and began to head down the mountain.

"Did you touch something wet, Shadow? Your hand feels wet." Dark remarked.

"Ah, sorry! I splashed some water on my face to keep me awake!"

"I keep telling you to sleep at better times, kid." He complained.

"I know, but someone has to do patrol, right?"

"That someone doesn't have to be you, you dolt. You can't help anyone if you're always tired."

"But you always seem to be busy, so I don't ask you."

"Ask me anyway, it doesn't matter if I'm busy."

Shadow blinked for a moment, but then nodded. "Ok!"

"For someone so tired, you sure are energetic. Whatever, I'd gladly take this over that aggravating nuisance Dedede."

"Come to think of it, where is he anyway?"

"Who cares? What that idiot gets up to is none of my concern."

The puff seemed to nod in understanding.

"If I had it my way, he'd never get reconstructed whenever he breaks..."

Shadow didn't respond.

"But it doesn't matter. He's not around so I'll just stop thinking about him."

"Yeah, this is time for just the two of us."

"Yeah, yeah. Just hurry up will ya?"

The child giggled as he dragged him much more quickly and harder than before.

The town of the Mirror World was much like the town in Dreamland, just mirrored. For a denizen of the Mirror World, it was easy to navigate. This was why Dark found it unusual that Shadow was being so careful while walking around.

"Kid, seriously is something up? I doubt it's just you being tired."

Much like the original Meta Knight, Dark was attentive, even when he didn't want to be.

"Oh, uh... it's nothing!"

"Ordinarily I would accept that answer, but you've been acting strange today."

"Don't worry about it, it's nothing!"

"...Right."

With a nod, Shadow looked back at the town.

"Hmm... where should we go...? There're so many cool looking places here!"

"Don't ask me. I already told you to do whatever you want."

The child looked around and began to stare intently at the very stores in the area.

"Oh, a weapon store! Let's check it out!" He said enthusiastically.

Dark just scoffed, however. "I already have a powerful weapon. Why would I need another?"

Shadow frowned. "...Maybe you can find something that will beat Meta Knight?"

That seemed to immediately catch his attention.

"Let's go."

The child giggled, knowing exactly what buttons to press to make Dark go along with what he wants.

The weapons store turned out to be a lot larger on the inside than it was on the outside.

"See, isn't it cool!?"

"I guess it is..." Dark grumbled.

However, Shadow could sense an aura of excitement and happiness from him.

"Well, are you going to buy something, Dark?"

"Let me look around first! I'm not sure!"

"Really? But you're always so confident and sure of yourself."

"Just give me more time to look around, ok?!" The shadowy knight huffed.

Shadow nodded while laughing.

"What are you laughing at, kid?"

"Oh, I'm just having a good day is all!"

"That better be all!"

"You worry too much, Dark."

He huffed once more. "I'm not worried about anything!"

This just made Shadow laugh even more.

"Oi, what're you laughing at me for!?"

"Because you're funny."

"I am not!"

"Yes, you are."

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are."

"No, I'm not!"

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I am!"

"Excuse me, sir. Can you and your child go outside if you're going to argue like that?" The store clerk asked.

"He's not my child, you fool. If anything, he's an annoying brother. And what makes you think you can speak to me like that?" Dark said, pointing his sword at the clerk.

"Ahhhhh! Dark, calm down!" Shadow exclaimed in a panic.

"I'm perfectly calm. If I wasn't, he would be nothing but shattered glass already."

"Really? You still seem angry."

"You've known me long enough to know this is my default. If I was angry, this whole store would be nothing but ash."

"Oh, that's right! I guess I'm a bit off now!"

Dark just gave him a strange look and sheathed his sword. "Let's just get out of here kid."

The child nodded and followed after him.

"Well, now what do we do?" The small mirror puff asked as they got outside.

"I don't know, you're the idiot who wanted to come to this town!" Dark growled.

Shadow pouted, prompting Dark to poke him.

"No pouting in my presence, kid."

"Then where do you want to go?"

"I don't care. Just pick some place to eat. It's around your lunch time anyway."

"Hm... what do you like to eat, Dark?"

At this Dark just sighed.

"Shadow, you sure you're alright? We eat lunch together almost everyday, how can you forget what I like?"

"It just slipped my mind! That's all."

For a moment, Dark looked skeptical and then, to the child's surprise, he walked over and put a hand to his forehead.

"...what are you doing?"

"Checking to see if you have a fever, or worse, a crack on you."

"I shouldn't. I haven't been hurt too badly at all recently."

"That means nothing. Cracks can form from stress. Something I know you keep getting because of your self-imposed guardian job."

"Oh, it's nothing that bad!"

"If you don't consider memory loss bad, then you're crazier than I am kid."

Shadow blinked. "Maaayybeee I had a concussion."

Dark picked him up, much to Shadow's confusion.

"What are you doing?"

"Carrying you. I'm not about to let you act as dead weight. Now pick a restaurant already before I do it myself."

"Um... that one!" He pointed to a random restaurant.

"The burger joint? Guess you do remember what I like."

"Uh-huh!" The child replied happily.

The dark knight didn't respond and just kept walking while carrying Shadow on his shoulder.

The duo ordered their meals and sat down at a table.

"So kid, anything interesting going on with you or whatever?"

"Not much, hanging out with Boxin and the others for one thing."

"Who? Oh yeah, them. What about your counterpart? I know he likes showing up randomly to see you."

"He's been showing up a lot more recently to play as well!"

"I still don't know how you two get along so well. You're supposed to be opposites."

"We just seem to resonate well with each other." The puff replied.

"I know, which is the weird part. But that other Kirby seems to become friends with everyone he meets, so I guess it's not that weird."

"Of course it's not weird!"

"Yeah, yeah. Consider yourself lucky kid. Most mirror folk have conflicted feelings for their original. Even the ones that weren't made with the corrupted mirror."

"I think I've noticed that actually." Shadow replied.

"Yup, so by my viewpoint, it's weird. But whatever makes you happy I guess."

The child only replied with a giggle. "What do you think of the other Kirby, Dark?"

The shadowy knight seemed to glare at him. "Tolerable."

"So, you like him then. Because when you call someone tolerable that means you actually like them."

"I do not! Where do you get those stupid ideas from anyway?!"

"From you!"

"Now you're making things up!" He huffed.

"And you always say that when I'm right."

"No, I don't!"

"Yes, you don't."

"No, I do! ...Stop that!"

Shadow giggled again as Dark somehow visibly blushed despite wearing a mask. "Just eat your damn burger kid."

The child nodded before returning to his meal. "Hey Dark, I don't think I've asked this before. Why do you wear the mask if you don't have image issues like Meta Knight does?"

"You're right, you haven't asked me before."

The puff tilted his head. "Then why do you wear it?"

"I would think that would be obvious, Shadow. It's because it looks cool on me."

"Is... that it...?" He asked bluntly.

"What other reason would I want to wear it?"

"Um... to protect and not expose your face to the world...?"

"I'm not like that idiot faker."

"Then why do you also run away when your mask is broken?"

"Because then my face is vulnerable and easy to stab. My mask is my shield. If my shield gets destroyed, then so will I."

"Oh, I see!"

"You better see. And you better remember that I'm way better than that faker."

"Right, right."

"Oi, at least sound convinced, kid."

"Don't I sound convinced?"

"No, otherwise you would have only used one "right". Using two makes you sound sarcastic."

"Really? I didn't know that!"

"You should, I've told you this before." He said, squinting his eyes at him.

"I forgot!"

"...No more late-night patrolling for five weeks. I'm not going to be hanging out with dead weight."

"Fine."

"Whatever." Dark said, finishing his burger in one bite, without removing his mask.

The two continued to eat in silence. Dark sat up and started walking.

"Follow me kid. We're going somewhere else."

The child nodded and followed after him.

On their walk, Dark never mentioned where they were going. Every time Shadow asked, he would get the same response of "You'll see." So instead, he decided to ask something else.

"Are we there yet?"

"No. We'll get there when we get there."

"Dark, come on, why are you being so secretive?" Shadow asked, forcibly stopping himself from pouting or else Dark would just poke him again.

"Because it's a surprise."

"A surprise that's taking us all the way out to Radish Ruins?" He asked.

"Yes." The dark knight replied with a sigh.

Thanks to the two's vast knowledge of the Mirror World, getting to the usually hard to find Radish Ruins was mere child's play. Quite literally, in the case of Shadow.

"Are we there yet?" The child asked once more.

"Would you stop asking that? We'll arrive when we arrive. No amount of asking is going to speed up time."

"Is there a way I can copy the Wheel Ability around here then?"

"Do you see any Wheelies or whatever they're called around?"

Shadow Kirby began to look around carefully for one. "Oh, there's one! No wait, that's just a wheel shaped rock."

"Then the answer's no. Come on." Dark grumbled as he picked up the puff and unfurled his cape into wings. "If we're gonna speed up, we're doing it my way."

"I thought you weren't in a rush?"

"I'm not. I'm just tired of hearing you whine."

Before Shadow could respond, the knight took off.

Soon they got out of the ruins and found themselves at a grassy plain with the sun slowly setting, illuminating the whole area with light.

"Woooow... it's so pretty!" Shadow exclaimed.

"I guess. Anyway here, take this, kid." Dark said, handing over a chocolate bar. The child blinked for a moment before giving a big smile.

"Thank you, Dark!"

Dark just sat down, staring at the sun. "Tell me, Shadow, why choose to be the guardian of this place? Like it's rarely ever in danger or in need of saving. Why devote yourself to that?"

The puff blinked. "The reason I'm the guardian of this place... it's because it's my home and the home of all of my friends! Yes, it's rarely in danger or in need of saving, but that doesn't mean it won't happen, right? If I stop being the guardian of this place, there's a chance some baddie will come along and destroy it! And... that really scares me."

The shadowy knight scoffed. "Kid, you have a good heart, something I definitely don't have, or want to have. But you're going about being a guardian all wrong."

Shadow tilted his head. "Then how should I go about it?"

"First of all, stop patrolling 24/7. Say that there is a threat that comes here. The hell are you going to do if you can barely move or stay awake? Nothing, the answer is nothing. Secondly, quit acting on your own. You aren't the only one capable of protecting this stupid place, stop pushing all the responsibility on yourself. You're just going to shatter under the pressure and depending on when or where it happens, I may not be able to reconstruct you."

For a moment, the child looked a bit afraid by that thought, but then he nodded. "Thirdly, this is my world, too, kid. I might hate a lot of the people on it, but it's still mine. So, learn to rely on me. Got it?"

The small puff smiled. "Got it."

"Good. I hate repeating myself. And you better remember this conversation, you hear me?"

"Alright!"

Dark nodded. "Kid, why do you like me anyway?"

"Why shouldn't I?"

"Answer the damn question, with more than just a single sentence."

The child blinked in surprise at the almost hostile response to that.

"Don't give me that look. I don't like my questions being answered with questions. I want actual answers."

"If I'm honest, will you get mad with me?"

"I demand honesty, kid. So just say what you have to say."

Shadow took a deep breath in and spoke. "Despite what you may think, there's still a bit of goodness in you."

"...You like me, because I'm a little good? Surely, that's not the only reason."

"Um... it might be weird to hear this, but I feel safe around you."

"Of course you do, I'm the strongest there is."

"Yeah! And that's another reason! I also like how blunt you are. You never try to sugarcoat anything you say."

"Why should I? I say what I want, when I want. I don't mince words, only people."

"You're asking what I like about you, right? That's why I'm telling you!"

"...I know, I'm just saying why should I sugarcoat things."

"Yeah!"

"...You're weird, but I'll accept those answers for now."

"Now my turn! Why do you like me?"

"Because you're the only person I know that actually likes me."

The puff nodded in understanding.

"...Well? Say something kid."

"Is that all?"

"I believe the fact that I publicly call you my brother should tell you what you want to know."

The puff smiled. "Thank you."

"Yeah, whatever. Let's get walking, I'm already bored of this damn sun."

"Ok!" Shadow hopped to his feet and followed the dark knight along. "Shall we go to the constellations? They are very pretty." He then suggested.

"Whatever." Dark rolled his eyes. Despite this response, the child knew his answer was a "yes".

"Yay! Maybe the hands will be around too."

"Sure, let's get going then." Dark picked up Shadow and started walking.

"Uh... Dark? I can walk on my own you know?"

"I don't care." He then unfurled his wings and took off.

As they were flying, Shadow Kirby started to ask more questions.

"Hey Dark, if you could do one thing, that isn't killing Meta Knight, what would it be?"

"...of course you would pick a difficult question like that..." he growled.

"Oh please, it can't possibly be that hard."

"What if it is that hard?"

"Then just say the first thing that comes to mind."

"IT IS LITERALLY TO KILL META KNIGHT!"

"Then the second thing that comes to mind."

"I don't know!"

"Fine, then let me ask you this. Why do you want to kill him? Wouldn't simply beating him be enough?" Dark scoffed.

"No, if I kill him then that's the end. I would prove to be the best and he could do nothing about it."

"But you'll die!" Shadow yelled, remembering how if the original dies, their Mirror World counterpart would too.

"And I would die a winner."

"But does that matter if it means I'll never get to see you again?!"

Dark fell silent. Truthfully, he never considered that before. He made his goal way before he befriended Shadow, so the little puff was never a factor. Until now.

"Kid, I'm an arrogant idiot. Regardless of what you say, I'm going to stay true to my convictions. Even if my victory ends in death, even if it's a hopeless endeavor, even if I make myself the greatest fool to ever lived, I'm still going to do it. We all die someday, and I'd rather go out on my terms. But I guess I could delay my ultimate victory for a few more years."

Shadow's eyes sparkled happily. "Really?!"

"Yes really, don't make me repeat my long monologue."

The child tackled him in a hug. "Thank you so much, Dark!"

"Hey, don't do that while we're flying!"

"Ah! Sorry!"

"Whatever. We're almost to Candy Constellations anyway. Who named these places after food anyway?"

"I dunno!"

"That was rhetorical." He replied.

"Oh." Shadow giggled in reply.

"You've never been good with sarcasm or rhetorical questions. Guess the concussion didn't effect that part of you."

The child nodded as he sighed. "I don't think I'll ever be good at that."

"Good, sarcasm is my thing. You just stick to being annoyingly cute."

"Okaaayy!"

Dark sighed as he landed.

Candy Constellations was, as the name described, was a place filled with beautiful stars all around.

"Wooow! Look at this place! Isn't it pretty!?" Shadow exclaimed happily.

"It's not ugly." Dark said. Shadow giggled, knowing that was just Dark's way of saying yes.

"Hmm... what constellations are out tonight?"

"As if I know anything about constellations...That one up there is known as the Sagittarius."

"And what's that one over there!?"

"The little dipper. It's a lot like you."

The child tilted his head. "In what way?"

"You're little and always hanging around the big dipper."

"Oh, then you're the big dipper then?"

"No, I'm a ham sandwich." He replied sarcastically, making the child laugh.

"Then what would Shadow Dedede be?"

"A pain."

"I never heard of that constellation before!" The puff laughed.

"I don't know enough about constellations nor care enough about that moron to give an actual answer."

"I think he would be Cetus! It's big, but pretty dim!"

"Shadow Dedede is more than just pretty dim. He's completely dim."

"Then it works!"

"Then what about that other nuisance? Bandana or whatever."

"For some reason, I think Taurus."

"Bullheaded. Yeah, that fits him."

Shadow smiled.

"Anyway, now what? Shall we go pay those hands a visit, assuming they aren't off hosting another tournament."

"Yeah! Let's go!" Shadow took running, much to Dark's annoyance.

"Oi, this place is like a maze. Don't just run off by yourself, you brat!"

"But I know this place like the back of my hand!"

"Oh, like your memory is particularly good today, huh? You're staying next to me, got it?"

"Okaaayyyy..." Shadow pouted.

"Stop pouting."

The child puffed up his cheeks as he continued pouting, making him look, in Dark's own words, annoyingly cute.

"What? Do you not want to be by my side? Or was that stuff about you being my friend just bullcrap?"

"What!? No! Of course not!"

"Then quit pouting, kid."

"Ok..."

"Stop, there's nothing wrong with taking it slow."

The puff then began to fidget. "...if that's so, can I have a hug, please?"

"Whatever."

With a happy squeal, Shadow hugged him.

"...You seem more touchy-feely than normal. Not that I care, but is something or someone messing with you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You usually don't make a big deal about hugging and usually you don't even ask. You only ask when something's up."

"Oh, I'm perfectly fine!"

"Perfectly fine with a concussion. Yeah, right. What's going on, Shadow?"

"Nothing's wrong!" Dark groaned, remembering just how annoyingly stubborn Shadow could be. But something feels off to him, he just couldn't place it. "Shadow. I'm going to ask you a question, something only you would know."

"What is it?"

"What is the name of my battleship?"

The puff was silent.

"Well? Surely you can answer this?" Dark pressed on.

"...you don't have a battleship. You always told me that you didn't want to be tied down to something like Meta Knight is." Shadow answered.

Dark gave a hidden smirk. "Correct."

The child smiled back.

"Took you a bit though. But I'll let it slide this time."

He nodded.

"Now stay by me as we go."

"Ok!"

The two ventured forth, with Dark eliminating anyone that tried to attack them.

"Dark, do you have to shatter all of them?"

"They challenged me, they knew the risks involved."

"...fair enough."

"You'll just reconstruct them later anyway when you think I'm not looking."

As the two arrived at the area where the hands usually were at, they noticed that no one was home.

"...looks like the hands aren't home after all." Dark said.

"Aww... well, let's get going!"

"That won't be necessary." A voice similar to Dark's said from a distance.

Shadow immediately jumped. Dark glared at the source of the, in his mind, unwelcome voice. It was Meta Knight who was gently floating down from the sky.

"What do you want, Metty?" He growled.

If Meta Knight was intimidated by that, he certainly wasn't showing it.

"Stand down, Dark. I'm not here for a pointless battle."

"Then tell me what you're here for."

The noble knight reached into his cape. "To return this to you." He said, pulling out... Shadow Kirby? Dark only stared, as if he was taking time to process what this meant.

"What...?"

He looked at the Shadow next to him and at the Shadow with Meta Knight. They were completely identical.

"What is the meaning of this?"

The other knight sighed. "Kirby, I think it's about time you revealed the truth."

The Shadow Kirby next to Dark nodded and drenched himself in some nearby water. His eyes widened as he saw gray paint come of off "Shadow", revealing that it was actually Kirby. The child seemed to brace for an angry reaction, but was surprised to see there was none.

"I had a feeling this was the case. Shadow, explain to me what you and him were up to."

The mirror child chuckled nervously. "We... we thought it would be funny to switch places for a day and see how you two would react."

Dark sighed. "Whatever. Metty, when did you catch on to this stupid prank?"

"The moment I met up with him. The fact that he didn't tackle me with a hug the moment he saw me was all I needed to figure it out."

"Really!?" Kirby shouted in surprise. He was so sure Shadow would have lasted longer than that.

"Yes, really."

Shadow simply scratched his head in embarrassment. "I guess I was much too calm."

"You were. The real Kirby is more or less a ball of hyperactive energy that can be barely contained."

"That explains why you were so hyper and your 'memory' problems." Dark said.

"I assume that he said he had a concussion?" Meta Knight asked.

"He did."

The knight shook his head. "He did, too, but he backpedaled on it the moment I said I would take him to see my head nurse."

Dark groaned. "Well, I guess I should thank you for bringing the troublemaker back here. Alright, kid, go back to your home." He said, staring at Kirby.

"Okaaayy! Thank you for today, Dark! I had a lot of fun!"

Dark rolled his eyes, but Kirby could tell he had fun too. "Just get going already."

The puff nodded and began to walk away with his mentor. The real Shadow slowly walked up to Dark, nervously chuckling.

"Hi, Dark."

The shadowy knight wrapped his cape around himself as he glared at him.

"...I guess you're mad, huh?"

"What do you think?"

"Don't ask me, I have a concussion." He joked.

The knight squinted his eyes and began to walk away without another word. Shadow ran up to him.

"Wait, Dark, I'm sorry. I really am."

"If you're sorry, then why did you do it?" He asked coldly.

"Because you seemed pretty lonely and distant lately, so I thought maybe spending time with Kirby would help make you feel better."

Dark stared at him for a moment and sighed before he wrapped Shadow in his cloak.

"Not that I care, but you seemed cold. Next time, just come to me as yourself. Not that I like being with you or anything."

The child gave a smile as he giggled. "Ok, Dark!"

"Yeah, whatever. Shadow, be honest with me. Do you think me wanting to kill Meta Knight is stupid? I know that kid's thoughts, but I want to hear yours."

"It is." The puff replied in the bluntest way the knight ever heard.

"So, I take it you'll be sad if I died?"

"Not just sad! I'd be devastated!"

"Is that right? Then I won't die."

Shadow gave a smile as he hugged him. "Thank you!"

Dark smiled, but of course it went unseen. "Whatever."

The child giggled, as if knowing what that response meant.

"Let's head to town kid, I'm starving."

"Me, too! You wanna grab some cheesesteaks?"

"Sure, it's been a while. You're paying though. And Shadow?"

"Yes?"

"I'm going to tell you what I told that other kid. This is my world too, so don't think you have to be a guardian all by yourself you hear me? I don't want you shattering on me."

The child cried tears of happiness. "Thank you!"

"Quit with the crying, kid. Come on, let's go."

The puff nodded.

"Never pull that kind of stunt again... brother."

"I won't!" He replied with a smile.

Dark grunted and picked up Shadow and flew off towards town.

That's another chapter completed. I very much enjoyed writing this, so I hope you all had fun reading it.