Knight Errant
Part 5
Marx: I hate waking up at this time.
The communicator he carried had its alarm set to midnight. It was a silent alarm; only the holder would be woken, which was just what he needed. Summoning up all of his energy, he slowly climbed out of bed and made his way over to the kitchen.
*Marx sets his communicator down on the counter and starts looking through the cupboards*
Marx: Let's see; we have flour, sugar, eggs, baking soda, butter and salt. Luckily I had this room stocked with all the ingredients I need to make cookies. Oh, I almost forgot!
*Marx snickers and pulls out a vial*
Marx: A smidgen of Vipader venom. If five drops can fell the strongest Star Warrior, I can only imagine what a whole pint would do!
*He pours the entire vial into the cookie batter*
Voice from the Communicator: Marx!
Marx: Aah!
*He drops the vial, it hits the floor and shatters. Marx hastily runs over to his communicator, both annoyed and startled by the interruption.*
Marx: What were you thinking, yelling like that? You could've woken him up!
Voice from the Communicator: Killing Kirby is not part of the plan. Dispose of that poisoned batter immediately.
Marx: Nightmare, sir, why shouldn't we wait to kill him? I thought you said Kirby was your number-one enemy!
Nightmare: Because there are better uses for Kirby. If I wanted him dead, I would've killed him a long time ago. I feel that he could be far more useful alive than dead.
Marx: Such as what?
Nightmare: You'll find out in time. For now, it's your duty to keep Kirby in a position where he will be useful to me. As an employee of NightMare Enterprises, it is your job to obey my orders without question.
Marx: Yes, but-
Nightmare: Do you remember the deal we made all those years ago?
Marx: *somewhat grudgingly* Yes.
Nightmare: You had just been defeated by Kirby. You were floating in space half-dead when I appeared to you.
٭٭٭
Marx: Where am I? Am I dead?
Marx opened his eyes to find himself in the vast, barren vacuum of space. He looked around, finding himself completely surrounded by darkness and stars.
Nightmare: No, you're not dead yet. This is only a dream, but I can improve your reality.
Marx: Who are you, and what do you mean by that?
Nightmare: I am Nightmare, founder and owner of NightMare Enterprises. I see that you are an enemy of Kirby, and we could use your services. Kirby is our enemy, too. It's prophesied that he will destroy NightMare Enterprises, so I want to do everything in my power to stop him. If you help me with that goal, I will let you keep the "soul" form that NOVA granted you-forever.
Marx: So what exactly do I have to do?
Nightmare: You'll find out in time. Though be warned; if you join NightMare Enterprises, you join for life. If you go against my orders, it will be the last thing you ever do.
Marx: Okay, I'll join.
Nightmare: Someday you will be able to get your revenge on Kirby. I can guarantee that.
٭٭٭
Marx: I get your point, sir.
Nightmare: So have you learned anything from Kirby?
Marx: Yes, yes I have! Your long-time adversary Meta Knight has retired. According to Kirby, he went blind.
Nightmare: Meta Knight retired? I doubt he did that of his own volition. I'll put that information to good use someday, but for now there are more important things to attend to. Is Kirby a knight yet?
Marx: No, he hadn't finished his training when Meta Knight retired.
Nightmare: I need to go; I have things I need to do. But, remember this: if Kirby dies, so will you.
*the communicator turns off*
*Marx sighs and puts the batter in the garbage*
Marx: It must be quite late now; I ought to get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a busy day.
*He gets into his bed, and looks over at the other beds.*
Marx: Wow, Kirby sure is a heavy sleeper. Thank goodness, too.
The Next Day
Spark: Hey, Marx! Wake up! We're leaving soon! Geez, it's almost noon! Get up! Get up!
Marx: *groans* Okay, I'm up. I just didn't get much sleep last night.
Kirby: Good morning, Marx! Rise and shine! I can't wait to get to the Star Warriors' main base! I'm soooooo excited!
*Kirby bounces up and down on his toes as he eagerly waits for Marx*
Spitfire: Come on, you two! We'll eat there.
Kirby: Don't worry about me; I'm not super hungry. The garbage can works as a breakfast source for me if there's nothing else. I'm not a picky eater!
Spark: Not hungry…? Kirby, I thought I'd never hear you say that.
*he sees a look of horror on Marx's face*
Spark: What?
Marx: What…what was in the garbage?
Kirby: I don't remember. I don't keep track of what I eat. I eat too much to remember it all, anyways! Oh! There was this cookie dough in there. I don't know why it was thrown out; it tasted fine to me.
Marx had to summon all of his strength to keep himself from fainting right in front of Spark, Spitfire, and especially Kirby.
Spitfire: Whatever. Let's go!
Spark *in a whisper*: Marx, what's eating you?
Marx: I don't want to talk about it.
*Nightmare's words echo in Marx's mind.
If Kirby dies, so will you. *
Spitfire: While you were asleep, I brought the star ships to the Warp Path.
Marx: Thanks.
Spark: Let's go!
*All four climb in*
The small ship-with Kirby's star ship in tow-was quickly engulfed in a dark spiral, much like entering the Warp Shelter, but on a much smaller scale.
Spitfire: This is it!
*Kirby looks out the window*
Kirby: Wow, this place looks a LOT different than it used to!
The Star Warriors' main base was massive, around the size of a small planet. It consisted mostly of spires protruding from a base in all directions, but there were individual areas not attached to the main structure. Kirby could make out countless ships moving in and out; there was a constant stream of activity.
Marx: We updated it some time back, after NightMare Enterprises' most recent attack. It's a lot more secure now.
Kirby: Meta Knight told me about that; it was over a hundred years ago that happened.
Marx: There was another attack, but Sir Arthur wanted to keep it under wraps. At this time, parts of the galaxy were starting to lose faith in us, so it was for the best. More recently, we've been adding on all sorts of extra things. The entire base got a huge upgrade. That must be why it looks so different to you.
Spark: Spitfire and I will bring your ship to the hangar to get it fixed. Marx, why don't you show Kirby his room?
Kirby: That would be great! I'm feeling a little woozy.
*Marx gulps*
Kirby: Don't worry, I'm sure it's just a tummy ache. Funny, I almost never get tummy aches; the last time I had one was when I was little.
Later
Kirby: This is my room?
Kirby found it hard to conceal his mild disappointment with his new sleeping quarters. The room was small and plain, far plainer than the room he had stayed at the Warp Shelter, and it was very narrow. Every inch of the floor was filled up by bunk beds, each three or four layers high.
Marx: Most likely. Our brigade has four other rooms like this. This might be a really small room, but it's not like you're in here very often. I'm only in here when I sleep at the main base.
Kirby: It's too small! I wish it was bigger!
*He sits down on one of the bunk beds*
Kirby: The beds are hard, too.
Marx: You'll get used to it.
Kirby: By the way, I feel better now. My tummy ache's gone.
Marx: Thank goodness!
Kirby: You sound really relieved. It was just a little tummy ache. Tiff-a friend of mine back in Cappy Town-said I don't get tummy aches very often because I have a very high tolerance for poison. Do you wanna hear how she found out?
Dedede: All rahght, girly, what have you and yo' brother been doin' with the cleanin' supplies? This is the third tahm this month Ah've had them restocked, and they's already gone!
Tiff: How would I know?
Tuff: We haven't used them; that's for sure!
Escargoon: Well, whether you have or not, you're going to help us look. This is getting really annoying.
Dedede: Besahdes, y'all always seem to be at the bottom of trouble in this heah castle.
Tuff: *in a whisper, to Tiff* He says.
Dedede: Ah have all the Waddle Dees searchin', too. *calls out* Waddle Doo! Havin' any luck?
Waddle Doo: Sorry, Your Majesty, we haven't seen anything.
Dedede: Where's Meta Knight at?
*Meta Knight steps out from behind the group*
Meta Knight: Right here, sire.
Dedede: Wha…? Ah could've sworn you warn't there a moment ago. How d'ya do that "pop-outta-nowhere" thang anyhow?
Meta Knight: I have my secrets.
Escargoon: You have too many secrets, if you ask me.
Dedede: And how about them squires of yo's?
Meta Knight: They are investigating as well.
Dedede: How d'ya know this stuff without me tellin' you?
Meta Knight: How would I not? The Waddle Dees have been running about the castle all day looking for evidence. I sent Sword Knight and Blade Knight around an hour ago to see what was amiss.
Tuff: Hey, has anyone seen Kirby?
Waddle Doo: I saw him! He came in earlier. Maybe you should ask him if he's seen anything suspicious.
Dedede: That nuisance is heah?
*He pulls out his hammer*
Dedede: Ah'll show him not to mess with mah castle!
Meta Knight: We have no evidence that Kirby is responsible; you cannot blame him so quickly.
Sword: Sir!
*He and Blade run down the hall to the group.*
Sword: I found out wot's been appenin' to all the cleaning stuff 'round the castle! You 'ave to be quick; we couldn't stop 'im!
Meta Knight: What do you mean by that?
Sword: You'll see, but we'd better look now!
*The group hurries down the hall farther, until Sword stops them at a doorway. Sword opens the door*
Sword: Wot? 'E woz in there a moment ago!
Tiff: What was Kirby doing…?
*She glances around, seeing the empty containers scattered on the ground.*
Tiff: Oh, no.
Tuff: Don't tell me he ate all of those!
Tiff: We need to find him before he eats any more!
*She runs out the door to the next supply closet*
Dedede: See? Ah knew that pink pest was behahnd this! Let me at him!
*Tiff, who is ahead of him, opens the closet door.*
Tiff: Kirby, stop!
Kirby: Puy?
The little Star Warrior was sitting happily atop a large pile of empty containers that took up most the floor. Upon hearing Tiff's voice, he dropped the container he was holding, letting thick blue liquid drizzle out, and hopped down the pile to the floor.
*Kirby stares up at her*
Kirby: Puyo?
Tuff: Don't drink that stuff, it's poisonous! *to Tiff* Funny, he looks okay to me.
Tiff: You're right, Tuff. Kirby seems fine.
Meta Knight: Kirbies have extremely strong digestive systems, which can break down even the most toxic of substances. You have no need to worry about him.
Tuff: Wait, how do you know that?
*He turns around, only to see that Meta Knight, along with Sword Knight, is gone)
*Kirby looks upset*
Kirby: Puy puy puyo.
Tiff: It's fine, Kirby. Just don't do it again, okay?
Kirby: Puyo!
Marx: Interesting. Oh! I almost forgot! Sir Arthur wanted to talk to you as soon as you arrived.
Kirby: Why?
Marx: He didn't tell me exactly why, but it must be important.
Last summer, I decided I wanted to challenge myself by writing something COMPLETELY different than anything else I've ever written. I've written other fan fictions before, but this is my first Kirby fan fiction as well as my first time writing in script format. It's fun, but it's very challenging for someone who usually writes the standard way.
I'm not sure why this was, but formatting this was absolute hell. When I realized there were a few formatting errors when I uploaded this, I kept trying to fix them, but the changes never saved. I tried everything including reuploading the story, pasting the text into another uploaded document and editing it, and resaving the file and reuploading it, but the changes STILL never saved! I was able to (sort of) fix everything except for the "***" at the end of the second flashback (which I had to replace with an awkwardly conspicuous line). The DA version is correctly-formatted, though.
I don't think anyone was hugely surprised by Marx's actions in this part, but there's a LOT more to the story than what it seems. A lot.
Coming up next:
Kirby gets to meet all sorts of new faces, but how will this change things? And what exactly was Marx doing?