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There is only one kind of shock worse than the totally unexpected: the expected for which one has refused to prepare.
—Mary Renault—
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'It won't be long now…' Tiff thought to herself as she hurried through the final preparations.
Tuff and the gang left about thirty minutes ago to get Kirby. They should be back any moment now. The party was extravagant this year. No expense was spared since they had visitors from all over the galaxy to come and celebrate the defeat of eNeMeE on their savior's home planet.
Even Dedede was behaving himself for once, or rather he was preoccupied, Tiff noted. She watched as the self-professed king of Dreamland hovered over the hired D.J., daring him to make a single mistake. He hoped to cash in on the money back guarantee policy if his performance was less than satisfactory.
"Those wires are looking a tad bit crooked, boy," Dedede pointed out with a growing smirk.
"I-I am sure I secured the wires well, y-your majesty!" the D.J. insisted as hurried to finish setting up the stage.
Dedede's eyes slanted deviously. He took his foot and stepped on a wire, yanking it free out of the socket. "Well I sure hope you're right!" he chuckled. "I would hate to have anything to go wrong-"
"Dedede, stop messing around!" Tiff came stomping over. It always made her blood boil to see the King mistreat anyone.
"What?" Dedede fringed innocence. "I was just inspecting his work, that's all-"
"Well, you got more important things to do!" Tiff cut him off, not giving the sleazy penguin an inch. "Escargoon is looking for you!" she told him. "The last of our guests has arrived and he wants you to greet them personally!"
Dedede waved her off with a flap of his glove. "Get the Cabinet Minister to greet them."
Oh no, he was not about to dismiss her like a common Waddle Dee. "He asked for you," Tiff insisted. "And you know Papa is currently busy hosting for the members of the GSA!"
Dedede turned to her with disbelieving sneer. "Then why didn't Escargoon come to get me himself?" he challenged. "If it's oh sooo important that requires my presence?"
Tiff' fought the urge to hurl from his over-inflated ego. "I was passing by when Escargoon asked me to pass on the message. He was sure you would be eager to greet Queen Rona."
Dedede's eyes took an immediate shine. "You said Rona?!" he gasped. "She really is here? I didn't think she ever come since she sent back my valentine gift with a restraining order!"
Tiff felt a little bad to sic the king on Rona, but she knew the queen could handle Dedede any day. "Yes, her ship just docked-Eep!" Dedede knocked Tiff to the ground as he rushed past her. Tiff huffed. What a brute!
"Here," the D.J. offered her a hand. "Let me help you up, my Lady."
"Thanks, and it's just Tiff, please," he helped to her feet. Tiff winched when she saw the grass stains all over her dress. Her mother had this specially tailored for the occasion.
"Oh," the D.J.'s face lit up. "Okay, Tiff." He released her hand slowly, too slowly.
Tiff inwardly cringed. She did not mean to give him the wrong idea. "I must be going now…" she tried to dismiss herself.
"Will I see you around later?" he asked eagerly.
Instantly Tiff had flashbacks to a little fish called Kine. Only this time she was not a child. Now a teenager on the cusp of adulthood. It is evident that she had inherited her mother's good looks. Tiff gave him a polite nod before making a hasty retreat.
The surviving members of the GSA, also known as the Galaxy Soldier Army, were given special seating near the front where the King's table was set up. They were celebrated as Heroes of the Galaxy, along with its champion, Kirby.
Meta Knight sat with Sir Arthur and the other Star Veterans on his right. While his men, Sword and Blade were on his left. Sirica and Knuckle Joe were seated at the ends.
Meta Knight tilted his mask high enough for him to sip at the wine provided. Probably to help steady his nerves. Tiff knew social gatherings were not the Star Veteran's forte. He preferred to remain in the shadows or on the sidelines. But he had a purpose for being out in the opening tonight.
"I intend to take Kirby as my squire," Tiff overheard him say as she neared the table.
The masked knight dressed in golden armor nodded approvingly. "'Bout time you did!" Sir Arthur sounded pleased to hear it. He was the current head of the reestablished GSA and leader of a settlement named Starlit Glade. "If you waited any longer, Meta, I would have taken the little guy for myself!"
Another knight snorted into his drink at hearing his leader's comment. "Then Kirby dodged the proverbial bullet!" Tiff believed his name was Sir Percival. His armor was gray, but what stood out about him was that bright red mohawk on his head.
Sir Arthur turned to him with an irked, "Excuse me?"
"With due respect, sir, but you can get so focused on your duties that you couldn't keep a pet goldfish alive much less be responsible for a puffling's upbringing!" Sir Percival snickered. "Heck, you don't even know where Grande Dame Guinevere spends the most of her free time!"
"...A-Ahem!" Sir Lancelot cleared his throat loudly. The Star Veteran whose entire body was completely enclosed in pale blue and silver armor; failed to look any of them in the eye as he shifted looking increasingly uncomfortable.
The last Knight who was a deep shade of magenta with his bright orange hair pulled back into a high ponytail let out a sigh. "Don't go there, Percival," Sir Galahad warned him with a shake of his head. He reached for a much needed glass of wine. "...just don't go there."
"And what does my wife do when I am not around?" Sir Arthur demanded, his gloved paw settling on the hilt of his sword.
Sir Lancelot tensed again.
Sir Percival merely shrugged. "Probably doing crochet. Well, anyway, let us all agree that Kirby is best off with old Meta Knight here!" he punched the said Knight in the arm. Meta Knight's luminous eyes flickered as they twitched in annoyance. "So, when you want us to do the bonding rites, bro?"
"Tonight, if possible," he answered, eager to get it done.
"Ah, man…!" Knuckle Joe overheard Meta Knight from down the table. "Oi, Meta Knight! Does this mean Kirbs isn't free anymore?"
"Free for what?" Meta Knight wondered.
"Joe and I were wondering if Kirby could accompany us for a while," Sirica explained. "We are trying to root out some of eNeMeE's hidden labs in the Kolako sector. We could use Kirby's help dealing with the demon-beast guarding those bases."
"Hmm…" Meta Knight hummed thoughtfully to himself. "This sounds like a good opportunity for Kirby to travel outside of Popstar. I will consider it a part of the apprenticeship," he stated decisively.
So, it was finally happening. Tiff found it impossible to keep down the sting of disappointment. Little by little Kirby will continue to grow up and eventually outgrow Dreamland-
"Hey, don't look so grim, Tiff!" chirped an amused voice.
Tiff looked over to see Knuckle Joe grinning at her. "We won't run away with Kirby," he winked. "As a bonus, we'll bring him back in one piece!" he promised.
Like the rest of them Joe has grown up too. He finally lost the baby fat that stubbornly held onto his cheeks. He was now taller and brawnier, looking quite the hunk. Sirica sat next to him, looking womanly and beautiful as ever. Her long white hair was braided up in an elaborate style and her countenance was relaxed and bright making her even more radiant.
Tiff managed a sincere smile. She knew Kirby would be in good company with those two. "I'm counting on that, Knuckle Joe. You too, Sirica."
Joe suddenly paused as he stared at her, his eyes widening a fraction. "S-Sure," he uncharacteristically stuttered. "Nothing to it!" He quickly averted his eyes and let out a forced cough. Grabbing his glass of lemonade for a sip.
Sirica nudged Joe's elbow with a smirk. "Since you have her attention already why don't you-"
"Leave me alone, woman," Knuckle Joe growled out the side of his lip.
"Not when I know your secret~" Sirica sang sweetly.
His tan cheeks flushed scarlet. "A-And what secret would that be, huh? HUH!"
"That you like the daises here in Dreamland-"
"Keep your trap shut!"
To Tiff's knowledge the two were just partners now in league with the GSA. It was their job to travel across the universe to hunt down demon-beast and destroy any remaining facilities connected to Nightmare Enterprises. But Tiff would not be surprised if they were something more. Glancing back at Joe she lamented what a pity if that was so-
"Kirby's here!" Fololo announced. "Tuff's back with Kirby!" He and Falala flew overhead to alert the party goers.
"Everyone, please get to your feet and greet our hero!" Falala cheered.
"Sweetheart!" her father, Sir Ebrum, called out to her. "That's your cue!"
"Right!" Tiff picked up the ends of her dress and hightailed it back to entrance. Kirby's eyes gleamed with excitement at the gathering. Fololo and Falala flew up and released the banner that read, "A Very Happy 25th anniversary! Thank you, Kirby!" Everyone applauded and the confetti rained down to the ground like circling snowflakes.
"Kirby!" Tiff greeted him, drawing his attention to herself. "Today is the day 25 years ago we set out on a daring mission to stop eNeMeE and his evil empire. We all chipped in. Cappies and Star Warriors alike, but you managed to do something that no warrior had managed in thousands of years of strife! You defeated eNeMeE once and for all and brought peace to the universe! To commemorate this special day..."
Tiff pulled out the wrapped gift she had stored in her dress pocket and presented it to him. "I have something very special for you!"
Kirby accepted his gift with a thrilled, "Thank you!" He unraveled the wrapping paper quickly and opened the box to look inside. His smile faded at what he saw. "…my warp star?"
"Yes," Tiff nodded.
Blinking up at her in confusion, Kirby asked, "Why did you remove it from Kabu's Shrine?"
Tiff smiled sadly at Kirby. This was such a bittersweet moment for her. "I cannot be with you all the time. So, I think it's best for you to start caring for it now."
"Oh, okay!" Kirby brightened. Kirby did not have clothing or armor to stick it on. Tiff was worried for a moment that Kirby would try to swallow the warp star, but he didn't. Kirby reached up high and stuck it on the side of his head. All the while beaming at his own genius.
Tiff blinked. "Uh… Kirby, why are you putting the warp star on your head like it's a barrette?" she asked.
Looking startled, Kirby asked self-consciously. "Uh, does it look bad?"
"No, no!" Tiff reassured him quickly. "But it looks…" too feminine. "…girly."
Kirby perked up. "Oh, that's great then! I want to look like a girl!" he proclaimed.
"Huh? But, Kirby, why is that a good thing when you are a b-"
"That's enough of whatever you two are talkin' bout down there!" Dedede's voice boomed over the loudspeakers. "Get up on dis here stage already, Kirby!"
"Okay!" Kirby ran up to the front as quickly as his feet could carry him.
Suddenly Blade Knight began to fidget. "Are they really gonna let Kirby on stage near a microphone?"
"As long he doesn't inhale it to become Microphone-Kirby, it's all good," Sword Knight tried to reassure his comrade, but he couldn't keep the uneasiness out of his voice.
"So true…" Tiff could not help but shudder at the bad memories of dealing with Kirby's most terrifying suck up ability that couldn't tell friend from foe.
King Dedede smacked the poor D.J. hard on the back nearly sending the guy flying off the stage. "Do your thing, chump, or I get my refund!" he marched off the stage and took a seat.
The D.J. groaned, obviously regretting taking this gig. When Kirby walked up to him, the D.J. placed his hand over the mic. "Sorry, can you tell me if you're a boy or girl?" he whispered, deciding its best to err on the side of caution. "I'm about to announce you to the crowd."
Kirby smiled. "I am a girl!" Tiff heard him say. She gasped. What was Kirby doing?
"Alrighty then, let's get this party started!" The D.J. took up the microphone. "How ya, doing Kirby!?"
He placed the microphone near his mouth. "It's exciting to be here!" Kirby replied.
"And we're excited you're finally here too! Now!" a drumroll built up in the background. "Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen may I present the Star Warrior of the hour, the hero of the galaxy and our favorite girl, please give it up for Kirby of the Stars!"
The applause lagged for just a moment. The cappies and other guests wondered if the D.J. misspoke, but for Kirby's sake they went on and cheered anyway.
"…what did he say?" Sir Arthur demanded, his intense gaze flashing brilliant silver before fading back to lavender. He threw a look at Meta Knight, who paid him no mind. The Star Veteran's eyes were intensely focused on Kirby.
"AHAHAHAHAHA, REEEFUUNNND!" Dedede yelled out triumphantly.
The D.J. blanched. "E-Excuse me, King Dedede?"
"You donga messed up, goofball!"
"B-B-But what did I do wrong?" he demanded to know.
"You insulted our Star Warrior by calling him a girl! What am I paying you for if you can't even get the gender right?!" Dedede retorted. "I demand a full refund for this outrage!"
Escargoon nudged the King's flabby side. "And an apology!" he hissed, as a front for keeping their real intentions not so obvious.
"O-Oh… yeah!" Dedede agreed. "And an apology to dat there Kirby!"
"B-But I just asked what her-I mean his gender before—!" The D.J. groaned, sounding completely defeated. "…I knew I shouldn't have taken this job!" Nonetheless, he turned to Kirby. "I am terribly sorry for my mistake, Mr. Kirby-"
"But you didn't make a mistake," Kirby remarked, voice amplified by the microphone. "As I told you; I am a girl."
An eerie silence fell over the crowd as they stared dumbfounded. The silence was broken by Knuckle Joe who simply scratched under his nose and remarked, "Well, ain't that a new one…" and then all hell broke loose.
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Next Chapter: The Knights of the Star Table
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