His gaze met with what he hoped to see: Kirby had found a way to slip past the barrier with the Warp Star. Nearly overjoyed at the sight of his friend, the pink puff jumped from the star as it glided down, landing next to the knights with an unexpectedly quiet thunk. His smile vanished at the sight of the defeated puff, replaced with a determined glint in his eyes.

Galacta was calm. He had nearly forgotten the feeling that the ancients tried to preserve by sealing him away, years of nonstop resentment for everything around him overcrowding any possible reflection until this moment. Memories of the knightmare and pink demon had been dulled with scenes of friends enjoying cake together and trying to save the world. He saw the blue knight working to build a giant flying ship, he saw the pink warrior playing with children of a village, and how he was a mere child himself. He saw an overweight penguin and an orange ball helping them to befriend a modern Halcandran.

He saw the blue knight watch over the actions of the pink child, carefully planning his next move to train and mentor him without explicitly showing it. He saw what could have been his life through the butterfly. Peace, calm, fun. The first pings of sorrow the knight had felt in centuries wrecked his mind.

The longer the butterfly stayed with him, the better he could see. This blue knight originally freed him to test his own strength and succeeded, not knowing who he would face. He had no plans of freeing him in particular, which he understood.

He also understood his own feelings of being used by the butterfly. It was trying to subdue him, which he could forgive. It was working, and the rage that was locked within him could finally rest.

He was certain that he would have an aneurysm if he continued to wage his war with the world.

With his unbridled rage, he would surely kill himself. He had been defeated multiple times, yet never faced a permanent end. No amount of lance-swinging could stop the toll of stress in his mind. Perhaps it was the butterfly's invasion that brought the idea to his mind- made him notice the headache and heartache he had suppressed with anger.

He was aware enough to know that he had passed out. The butterfly was sharing a consciousness with him, allowing each other to see everything from their own points of view. When they had fought the knightmare, Galacta found himself moving in ways not quite his own. He had always found himself better suited with a lance than a sword, yet the butterfly had influenced his mind, righting the wrongs in his ill-trained form. They had fused into one- a very confused and powerful soldier.

The butterfly was influenced by Galacta as well, he found the names of more weapons and machines that they could share. NOVA, Lor Starcutter, Master Crown, various swords and rods crossed its mind from the warrior. It gave more memories in return, from the dark matter attacks, modern planets and the hardships faced within, to the jester who abused the power of a NOVA and failed. Both learned from each other, both inched closer to becoming one consciousness.

Both of them were okay with that idea. They had been trapped and were now free. If this were to be the price to pay, so be it.

Kirby coaxed the Warp Star to the ground and assisted Meta Knight with placing the fallen puff on top, minding the knight's red wings as well. There was usually more than enough room for four people on top of the star, yet they struggled to keep Morpho on top and still have room for themselves. Meta sighed and hopped on, using one of his wings to hold the other knight down.

Once the two were settled as best as Meta could manage, Kirby crawled onto the star. Morpho had the center of the star to himself, and Kirby could see Meta's foot dangling off of the side to make room. He decided to do the same despite his smaller frame.

Kirby considered using a friend heart on the black puff, but had the idea shot down by Meta. He explained that Morpho needed to adjust- befriended the usual way. He hesitated to explain his own idea that the knight was afraid of them, eventually giving into the child's pleas of curiosity.

Once their brief conversation ended, Kirby tried to think of ways to help friend the knight. The soft hum of the warp star helped him focus. His mind immediately drifted to food, he always felt better after eating! They could try...

-Going to Whispy Woods for a picnic. (You do that with people you're already friends with… and Morpho might not like apples! Though he doubted it, who doesn't like apples?)

-They could buy Pep Brews in town… (Soda isn't for everyone… Meta said it was an acquired taste..? He liked drinking plain water though! Bleh!)

-Eating with Dedede? (The castle was full of nasty food from his Jamba-driven lunch! There was no way he's eat in there until it was cleaned, especially with someone!)

A few more ideas came and went. Fishing, walking, tag… None of the plans worked for the situation. Maybe Meta could help…

"Meta! What do other k-ights like to do?" The knight glanced over, his eyes shining pink in response to the question.

"It's pronounced 'nights,' Kirby. The 'K' is silent." He smiled when the boy repeated the word, "Well, I don't know." he looked forward again, green drifting across his glowing eyes.

"That doesn't help!" Kirby pouted, sighing dramatically. He looked forward too, noticing Popstar in the near distance. He watched the stars float by, reconsidering his options

"We could talk over tea?" Meta offered, knowing the question Kirby intended to ask. 'How would you friend someone?' How would you friend someone you've fought time and time again- who would have much preferred to flee than ever speak outside of battle? He had no clue.

"That's no fun… but ot-kay." Kirby smiled, kicking his dangling foot lightly. He was alright with the idea, especially since that was when Meta broke out the candy jar!

"I'm sure you'll be able to have fun with him later, but we need to start slow with him. He knows things we do not, I'm sure of it." Meta explained. "He is very weak as well, although you have likely noticed."

The pink puff nodded, glancing over the thin wounds of the fallen knight. He could clearly see their face, unlike Meta's mask, and giggled suddenly, noticing a small trail of drool from between the red plates of their mask. He hoped they would be nice once they woke up.