Magolor finished his work and sat beside the fallen warrior. The Halcandran used up all the bandages he had to cover the mutilated and dislocated wing. He was not sure how to get the limb back into its socket, but he managed to create a simple splint with a branch to straighten the broken bones. He wrapped it up as best as he could, hoping he was making the right decision. Magolor rested, waiting for any sign of movement. The knight was unconscious, probably from exhaustion and hunger, not to mention intense pain. He gave no indication of waking anytime soon, if at all.

The knight's weapon was moved away from him after Magolor inspected it. Better safe than sorry. Magolor hesitantly rifled through the contents of a tattered shoulder bag as well. The puffball carried an empty canteen, a map of constellations, some broken pencils, and a small sketch book filled with near-professional doodles and to-do lists. Nothing in the drawings or lists struck him as out of the ordinary. The doodles were mostly of forest creatures and birds, and the lists were simple daily reminders such as "travel west for an hour, eat more fruit today, buy a new canteen and more pencils." He seemed relatively normal, despite being dressed as a knight. Maybe he's different? Magolor put the bag aside and looked into the surrounding forests. This new development could throw a wrench in their mission to get the Star Rod as quickly as possible. He needed to find Marx and Taranza so he would not have to deal with this alone. As this thought entered his mind, two familiar voices were chattering away in the distance, right on cue.

Magolor stood up and called out to them, "Marx! Taranza! I'm over here!"

Almost immediately, the Halcandran was ambushed and tackled by his companions. Taranza coddled him, big tears falling down his cheeks as he begged Magolor to never run away again. Magolor sighed in relief that they were okay and not too upset with his rash decision. Marx had not immediately lectured him and instead cast a wary glance at the unconscious knight. His purple eyes expressed concern and mild confusion.

"... What the heck have you been up to, Mag?"

Magolor wriggled out of Taranza's grasped as all three turned to look at the knight on the ground. "I got lost while I was looking around. I found two of these... trap-things." He carefully picked up the one he found and showed it to his friends. "I freed a little rat from one and then this guy... He hasn't moved at all. Do you think he's... about to die? Could he be one of our culprits?"

Marx approached the stranger and nudged him slightly with his boot. "We saw his tracks, so he's involved, one way or another. If he didn't do it, he probably saw who did."

"I searched his things already," Magolor added. "No Star Rod. Or anything suspicious at all. A map, sketch pad, lists, canteens... It looks like this guys just a traveler. That's how it looks to me. What should we do?"

Taranza eyes lit up like newborn stars. "Let's help him! If he's just a regular guy, he might be on our side!"

"We can't trust this guy yet!" Marx argued, stamping his foot in protest. "Guilty until proven innocent, that's what I believe."

The spider frowned and pouted at his companions. "But don't we need all the help we can get?"

Both turned their gazes to Magolor for a deciding vote. He looked down at the ground, trying to focus his conflicting thoughts. They both have good points. If we help this guy out, he might be willing to help us find who took the Star Rod. From the look of those footprints at the spring... he might have been chasing down who did this. This knight could at least point us in the right direction or tell us what to look for. On the other hand, this knight could be really dangerous. He could have hidden the Star Rod somewhere. Trusting him could be risky, but leaving him as he is now could kill him... Why do they want ME to decide?! Magolor stared at the still knight. This was the only lead they had. Otherwise, they would have to go back to square one. This choice could make or break their mission.

The puffball began to stir, and a groan of pain soon followed. His limbs twitched, but he remained on the ground. His breathing was ragged and often hitching with pains coursing through his body.

Taranza dared to get closer. "What's he doing? Is he trying to wake up?"

"Probably," Marx said with a hint of worry. "If we're going to help, we better do something about that wing while he's half asleep. What do you guys think?"

With no more time to think, Magolor nodded. "A-alright. Let's just do it. How can we fix that?"

"I know what to do," Marx replied with confidence. "Mag, get him on his back and hold him still. T, you're gonna have to be my hands here. Just do what I tell you to do."

Taranza saluted, and everyone fell into position. Magolor moved the now squirming puffball as carefully as possible and held on tight. There was a brief struggle, but the knight tired quickly and allowed himself to lay face-first in the dirt. Marx directed Taranza slowly and carefully, knowing that a mistake could be costly. Though Marx preferred to study offensive and defensive magic, he had a faint interest in the healing arts. During his travels, he picked up many life-saving techniques. He could not use most of them given that he could not use magic, but now he could put them to the test.

By the time they were finished setting the wing back in place, the knight was unconscious again, either from the pain or the sum of all his injuries. Despite being unsure, Magolor felt sorry for him.

"He looks terrible... What could have happened to him?"

Taranza pointed out his scratched armor. "I think he was in a bad fight... and lost. Do you think he will be okay?"

"We'll see soon enough," Marx grumbled, not too pleased that their efforts could be for nothing. "Let him sleep for a while. We can't let him sleep for too long, though. It looks like he's gone long enough without food." The jester sighed and looked up at the sun. "Damn. We've killed a lot of time. Might as well set up camp for now."

Magolor frowned at the suggestion. "Shouldn't we take him back to the castle to see a doctor?"

"Are you insane?! We've already got a crazy knight living there," Marx countered with a growl. "Putting two together is a terrible idea. If we're going to help, we do it the smart way, and that usually means my way!"

Magolor was not eager to start another argument so soon, so he opted to follow Marx's directions. The three cleared a few spots to sleep in and dug out a small pit for a fire. Marx patrolled the area briefly to ensure that nothing was living nearby while Magolor tried and failed to start a fire. Taranza took advantage of a small stream nearby and cleaned up the sleeping knight. When the dirt and blood was washed away, the puffball's wings were actually a brilliant white and quite beautiful to behold. After several more failed attempts, Magolor managed to use his newfound powers to ignite a single twig, though it was extinguished by a breeze. Working together with Tranza though, they made a decent campfire big enough to keep them warm when the sun went down but still small enough to control and keep away from the plants. It would be a terrible tragedy to set a wildfire in Whispy's territory.

Marx took the first watch, insisting that he was not tired. He watched the wilderness around him, ignoring his discomforts. It happened here,he recalled. No. Bad thoughts. Bad. Go away. He turned his gaze to the newcomer, still not entirely sure what to think of him. Meta Knight had never made mention of another knight similar to himself or Kirby. He had never seen this knight before, which was unusual. Marx never forgot a face, and the only faces he did not know were Taranza and Magolor... and they aren't from Popstar. Where could he have come from, though? Marx remembered what Magolor had told him of Meta Knight's ultimate goal with the Halberd: get back to his home planet. If they're from the same place, we can't trust him. He'll turn on us, no doubt. I'll bet he's behind all this,Marx thought darkly. There was evidence enough to conclude it... but the knight did not have the Star Rod, which toppled over his theory. Regardless if the knight was trustworthy, they did not know where it was. No one would have any dreams if it remained lost.

There was the bigger problem to deal with as well. Marx tried to make sense of what they saw at the spring. Nightmare came to Popstar and died next to the only thing that could hide it. What could Nightmare have possibly been trying to escape from? The jester drew a blank. Few things were more terrifying than nightmares. So many things were happening on Popstar, and they all seemed to point in the same direction. Magolor came here from somewhere else. Taranza, too. Then there's Meta Knight and Kirby. Now Nightmare and this guy... Where are they all coming from? Marx looked up at the night sky and the billions of stars sending light into the darkness.

There's something horrible out there, and everyone running to hide from it...

That means...

Something is coming here.

One day, one way or another...

-

Pain finally dragged him out of the comfort of sleep. The knight groaned and kept his eyes shut to the morning light, trying to remember what happened. His lids snapped open when the memories hit him full force. He was lying down on his stomach in what looked like a small camp next to a stream. He attempted to sit up, but he quickly realized it was too painful to do so. With a frustrated sigh, the puffball took in his surroundings. It seems I've been spared... for now.

There was a fir pit in front of him, and further evidence around it that suggested that it was a temporary camp. Three areas were cleared and leveled for sleeping. Looking around though, the occupants were nowhere to be seen. The knight merely shrugged. Some travelers must have noticed his struggle and lent a hand before continuing on. He took notice of how carefully he was bandaged. My wing is wrapped and in place again... Someone even cleaned me up... Traveling doctors, maybe? It couldn't be warriors or tourists. I haven't seen a friendly face in years... What's going on?

"HELLO!"

The knight involuntarily jumped up and reached for the lance on his belt when someone yelled in his ears from behind. He realized he had no weapon when he turned to see what he was dealing with. The other party was some sort of arachnid with hover-capabilities. He had a big grin on his face and many innocent eyes.

"You're awake! You were asleep for a really long time. Are you feeling better?"

Doctors, he decided for the moment. The knight spoke calmly and tried to put his bet foot forward. "Somewhat better, yes. I assume I have you to thank for that. I'm in your debt."

"Aww... It's okay," the spider replied blushing in his hands. "Helping was my idea, and my friends and I fixed you up! They want to talk to you when they come back with food. What's your name?"

He noted the information, feeling slightly more hopeful. "I am Galacta Knight. I've been traveling around Popstar, until I ran into some trouble. To whom do I owe the pleasure?"

"I'm Ta- Wait..." He paused, looking troubled. He then shook his head definitively. "I can't tell you yet." He looked off into the forest, probably concerned for his companions.

Galacta could see that he was upset and opted to play it safe. "That's quite alright. I am a stranger to you, after all. I can be patient and wait for your friends to come back."

The smile was back, and the knight quickly found out that it was contagious. He did not know if he could trust this group yet, but this particular member of the trio simply radiated goodness. He was certainly the happiest person he had seen on Popstar. It reminded Galacta of home, being surrounded by curious children who asked a million questions and never waited for an answer. Teaching had been such a joy, and he would give anything to have that again. There's no one left to teach,he reminded himself strictly. Leave the past alone, focus on the present, and prepare for the future. He chose to find a different topic to discuss until the others arrived.

"You wouldn't have happened to see a lance anywhere have you? Or a leather bag?"

The spider nodded and responded, "Yeah."

There was a pause before Galacta encouraged him further. "Do you... know where they are?"

"I sure do!" He said with a smile. After a moment his expression soured, and he glared suspiciously. "But you can't have them right now. We've hidden them." He leaned forward and whispered, "You might be a bad person, so you can't have weapons."

Galacta bit back a smile upon hearing the blunt explanation. "I suppose I can't blame you. I mean you no harm, but I guess that it's your group's decision, not mine."

"Yeah! We're a team," the arachnid proudly exclaimed. In his joy, he let some information slip. "Marx probably won't like you very much, but Magolor might once we-"

"What?" Galacta interrupted, growing tense and rigid. "That last name, what was it? I must have misheard."

Before he could respond, his strange companion turned sharply and stared into the distance. Galacta mimicked his actions, now aware of noise traveling through the forest. Two people were bickering and heading their way, presumably the two missing friends. The knight could just make out part of a conversation.

"-should have told me first! That was horrible," one semi-timid voice complained.

Another scratchy, obnoxious voice responded, "If you had one working brain cell in that head of yours, I wouldn't have to tell which foods you can and can't eat! You are ridiculous. I should have taken T-Bo with me instead of you. Taranza doesn't complain as much as you do."

"I'm not complaining," the other whined in a voice that contradicted him. "Youwere supposed to help me find safe food!"

"I didn't makeyou eat the bug."

"You waited until it was in my mouth to tell me it was a bug!"

"No, I taught you a lesson the old fashioned way: through experience."

"I could have died!"

"At most, you could pick up a disease. Calm down, princess."

"You're kidding. Pleasetell me you're joking!"

Never mind. They're not doctors. The two finally revealed themselves, carrying bags of food. The smart-mouthed one was a small purple creature Galacta was unfamiliar with. He was dressed up in court jester's attire, but his eyes were critical and intelligent. However, the knight's focus was stuck on the last of the three. Undoubtedly Halcandran, decked out in traditional dark blue robes. Galacta couldn't help but stare at the crown. The Master Crown. An object so powerful, so terrifying, it was locked away somewhere secret before its location was lost. How? Why? It's not possible... To wear it without suffering? It cannot be... He knew plenty about the artifact and how deadly it was, but the three paid it no mind. Could the legends have been wrong? He forced himself to look away. There were too many questions to ask, but they would no doubt rouse suspicion. It was obviously stolen, but he could not just say that out loud. If he wanted answers, he would have to be careful.

Taranza waved to his companions and pointed to Galacta Knight. "Look, guys! He's awake! I think he's going to be okay."

All eyes were on him, and the jester's stare was the hardest, though his expression was difficult to discern. "Sleep well?"

"Quite well," Galacta replied calmly, refusing to be intimidated. "You three saved my life, and I should be grateful."

"Should be?" The jester pointed out. "That's right. We've got a lot of important things to do, and we lost a lot of time for you."

The Halcandran glared at him and muttered, "Marx, try to be nice. We still need information."

"Whatever," Marx grumbled as he sat down in front of Galacta Knight. He immediately put on his best smile, though it was just as unnerving as his staring. "So! Pinkie! What's a knight running around the forest for? In such... unfortunateconditions?"

Galacta held his head high and answered honestly, "I've been investigating some strange anomalies on Popstar. I'm sure you've no doubt heard about the lack of dreams. I was looking for the Star Rod when I found one of the suspects. They had a piece of the Star Rod, and they put up quite a fight to keep it."

"A piece?" Marx echoed, looking a bit paler. "It's in pieces?"

The knight nodded and continued, "A creature known as 'Rick' is around here somewhere. I'm under the impression that he and his animal friends have all the pieces. If all the pieces are brought together, the rod can be restored and put back where it belongs."

"Why would they do this?" The Halcandran asked, clearly confused and worried. "What do you gain from pieces of the Star Rod?"

Marx interrupted, "So you say. Why should we believe you? You're obviously a knight, and knight's don't have a good reputation around here."

"Yes, I... I'm well aware of that," Galacta sighed. There was a significant amount of pain in his eyes. "All I have to give is my word that I was trying to fix the Star Rod and that I got overwhelmed."

The three exchanged glances. There was no doubt a close bond among them. Galacta could see that they were considering the situation carefully. He made no movement or sound while they did so. He knew that he was in no position to fight three people. It was wiser to see what they decided and then act. The less violence, the better. They huddled together and spoke quietly, sometimes agreeing, sometimes bickering. They look like brothers,Galacta thought briefly. When he thought this, he noted how young they were. Marx and the Halcandran were barely teenagers, and Taranza could not have been that much older. Do they take care of each other because no takes care of them?

His thoughts were interrupted when the jester faced him again. "Okay, Galacta Knight, we have a proposition for you."

"I'm listening," he responded.

Marx eyed him thoughtfully. "We need to get things back to normal as quick as possible for our own reasons, and you can help us do that. If you help us track down the thieves and get the Star Rod back together, we'll let you off the hook."

"You make it sound like I've done something wrong," the knight said as he glared back at the jester, getting slightly offended.

"Have you?" Marx countered. "You can't do this alone, and neither can we. If you help us, everybody wins. If you don't want to help us or if we find out that you're lying, we can make you pay for it."

After so many years on the battlefield, the threat meant next to nothing, though it made their seriousness obvious. They were just as invested in this case as Galacta, if not even more, suspiciously so. Given their paranoia so far, it occurred to Galacta that they were given some sort of time-frame to find the Star Rod, or perhaps even threatened to do so. After hearing the comment on knights, he had a good guess who may do such a thing. Why, he did not have the faintest idea, but if his guess was right, he would have to be more careful than ever before. He looked each of them in the eyes for a moment before coming to a conclusion. I can't let them do this alone. Not against him, and not if I can help them.

"Alright, you can could me in. I tell you what I've found out so far, and we'll work together from now on."

Taranza smiled and cheered, "Yay! A new team member!"

He roughly shook Galacta's hands while Marx immediately scolded him, "Don't break him yet! We just fixed him!"

The Halcandran had rolled his eyes and relaxed before passing out food to everyone. This was indeed a strange crew. Galacta was admittedly nervous to work with a team again after so long on his own, but it was refreshing in a way as well. They seemed capable enough on their own. Though, their situation worried him. Could they have gotten tangled up in Meta Knight's mess? How did they get the Master Crown, and why hasn't it destroyed them?