GK
Pop Star had a generally temperate climate, and to the people that live there it always seemed to be summertime. Endless days of warmth and sunshine stretched on through the year, with the occasional rainstorm to ruin someone's picnic, of course. With such lovely weather all the time, it's a wonder that the people don't live outside all the time. But there are always those days where it seems everyone is outside enjoying the sun and the gentle breeze.
It was one of those days it was one of those days, and the streets were unbelievably crowded with street vendors, tourists and townsfolk alike as Kirby wander through Trial City. He couldn't be sure if there was a festival going on or what today; perhaps everyone just decided to go outside. But Kirby's mind was still preoccupied with his catastrophic battle with Meta Knight.
"Hey, Kirb!" Kirby's thoughts shattered like glass with a rock thrown through it when he heard a familiar voice call out to him. Turning to see who had interrupted him, Kirby saw his friend Dee hurrying towards him.
"Oh, hey Dee," Kirby mumbled distractedly.
"Kirb, I hear this new bakery just opened up in the Star Tower Mall," Dee bounced excitedly at the thought of all the new pastries waiting for them in the currently unexplored bakery. "Wanna check it out?"
Kirby studied the Waddle Dee in front of him with an almost disdainful look. The two had been friends since they traveled together years ago on a quest to find the shards of the Crystal of Ripple Star. However it always seemed that Dee was the most chipper when Kirby was brooding; a most annoying habit. It had been a fun journey with their friends, though. Kirby let himself reminisce about the old days for a minute. Dee was the one who asked what the crystal was for. Ribbon told him that-…
…Ribbon…
Kirby's thoughts trailed off.
"Kirby?" Dee's worried voice snapped him back to reality.
Kirby averted his gaze and watched a flock of birds saunter lazily by over his head. "I'm really not in the mood, Dee."
"Wanna go to Machine Passage, then?" The Waddle Dee never got discouraged, and sounded as hyper as ever, even after one disappointment. "I just bought a new Turbo Star. Man, it's awesome. It's the new model with the-"
"I just wanna go home, Dee,"
"What's wrong?" Dee's face scrunched up almost comically in confusion. "It's such a beautiful day. I mean, it's always a beautiful day, but-"
"It's that bastard Meta Knight!" Kirby growled angrily, punching the wall of the nearest store and scaring the wits out of some nearby tourists. "I can't beat him in a spar! And he treats me like a child! I already know how to use a damn sword, why can't he remember that!?"
"Why don't you have a master train you?" Dee suggested tentatively, edging out of Kirby's range.
"What?" The pink hero turned his gaze to Dee quickly.
"You know, a Swordmaster."
"You mean like the Trueblade?"
"That's a bit too wishful. I'm talking about Swiftblade."
"Swiftblade?"
"Yeah, he just came here recently." Dee explained, a little more comfortable now that Kirby seemed to have calmed down. "Apparently, he's a master swordsman from a far-off land. I heard he trained a great hero to use the sword. Maybe he could help you."
Kirby let the thought marinate for a moment. Dee watched him eagerly, hoping good news would put Kirby in the mood to see that bakery after all. A 'great hero', huh? Kirby thought. This Swiftblade guy must really be all that. If he could train a great hero, why not me?
"Alright," Kirby's sudden reply startled Dee from where he'd been dozing off in the warm sunshine. He looked up at his friend and was a little alarmed to see an almost evil glint in Kirby's eye as a sly smile spread across his round pink face. "Where can I find this Swiftblade?"
GK
Credit where credit is due
Original concept: Darkurai
Primary drafting: Darkurai
Editing and final draft: peofun1
Kirby, Meta Knight, and all other characters and concepts from the Kirby series of video games are copyright Nintendo and HAL Laboratories. Darkurai, the writer, does not hold or claim any ownership to these characters.
