Knight Errant
Part 11
Kirby: Why would they do that?
*Marx rolls his eyes; Kirby doesn't notice.*
Marx: You got me.
Kirby: I think my star ship is still here from when I led some troops to attack from behind. We can use it to get back!
Marx: Good idea, Kirby! How do you plan to punish them?
Kirby: I dunno. I'm not much of a "punishing" guy.
*Marx stifles a retort.*
Kirby: There it is!
*Kirby opens the top of his star ship and the two climb in.*
*Marx eyes the gas gauge, which is flashing red.*
Marx: Kirby, we don't have much gas. We won't be able to fly far.
Kirby: That's okay! I was just looking at the map, and I know just what to do!
Later
Marx: Kirby, with all due respect, do you really know where we are?
Kirby: Of course I do! We won't be able to get back to the base on this tank of gas, so we're stopping to refill the tank. I was just looking at the map, and I know just where to go!
The star ship approached and descended towards a small, colorful planet. As it flew over, Kirby looked out over the quilted fields and woven seas beneath him. As it descended, the distinctive textures that defined the planet became more and more visible.
Marx: Where are we? I've never seen a planet like this before!
Kirby: This is Patch Star!
*The star ship descends, landing in front of a cloth castle in a cloth town.*
*Marx looks around in awe as he climbs out of the star ship.*
Marx: Wow! So this is why it's called "Patch Star". The buildings are made out of cloth! The ground is made out of cloth! Even the sky and the clouds are made out of cloth!
Kirby: Isn't it awesome? I've been here a number of times.
Marx: So, do you have a plan for getting some gas for the star ship?
Kirby: I know who can help us; follow me!
Later
Kirby: It's great to see you again, Prince Fluff! I haven't seen you at least a hundred years!
Fluff: Actually, I'm King Fluff now. How are you doing?
Kirby: Ooh, congratulations! I'm doing fine. I'm not living in Dream Land anymore; once I came of age I went to live at the Star Warrior's base. I haven't been knighted yet, but I think I'll get knighted within the next ten years or so. I'm getting close!
Fluff: Since you're here, maybe you can clear up a little confusion. You wouldn't believe the rumors I've heard about you-I've heard from multiple sources you've-
Marx: Kirby, have you forgotten why we're here?
Kirby: No, of course not! *to King Fluff* We're here because my star ship is low on gas and we didn't have enough to fly back to our base. My brigade mutinied-I'm the commander of my brigade!-and Marx and I got stranded!
Fluff: They mutinied? Kirby, what did you do?
Marx: He made a number of "tactical blunders".
Fluff: Tactical blunders? What did he do?
Marx: Let's just say most Star Warriors don't like pink battleships.
Kirby: I'm sure they didn't mutiny just because I painted that battleship.
Marx: Well, there was a lot more to it than that. That was the tip of the iceberg.
Fluff: *to Kirby* As I was saying earlier, I don't know what to believe about you now, Kirby. Did you really de-
Marx: You can ask him tomorrow; it's getting late. Kirby, let's go!
Kirby: You're right; it is late! *to King Fluff* We need to get some rest before we head out tomorrow! See ya!
Fluff: Good night! Oh, and I had your star ship's fuel tank refilled!
*Marx and Kirby head out of the room.*
Marx: We're leaving.
Kirby: Why? I thought you liked Patch Star!
Marx: I do, but we need to get back to our base before there's any more trouble.
Kirby: Good point. I'm really tired right now-I can hardly stand up! We can't leave tonight!
Marx: Okay, then we'll leave first thing tomorrow morning, before your friend wakes up.
The Next Morning
Marx: That went better than I thought it would. We got out of there surprisingly fast.
Kirby: Yeah, but I wish I could've talked to King Fluff more. Did you really have to be so rude to him?
Marx: We were wasting time. We need to get back to the base before word gets out about the mutiny. It would be best if you were around to explain yourself to Sir Arthur.
Kirby: I don't think Sir Arthur will be too angry with me; he never is. Sabre Knight might be a little annoyed, though. Good thing he wasn't on that mission; he might've been stranded there with us! Either way, you were a jerk to King Fluff. Why were you in such a rush, anyways?
Marx: Because you have important things to sort out! You need to make amends with your brigade, in addition to deciding patrols and who goes on what missions. Without you, the brigade plunges into chaos! There's nobody in charge of anything!
Kirby: I bet some other Star Warrior would take charge; there are plenty of experienced Star Warriors in my brigade.
Marx: That's not the point! It's your responsibility to lead them!
*Marx glances at the dashboard.*
Marx: Kirby, we're going in the wrong direction!
Kirby: We're not going to the base yet! We're close to Pop Star, so while we're here let's take this chance to meet up with my old friends. I haven't heard from them since I left Dream Land many years ago! I'll introduce you to them, too!
*Marx's eyes widen in horror as Kirby speaks.*
Marx: Absolutely not!
Kirby: But why? Look, I know you had a rough past, but I think you'll be forgiven, if they even remember at all-
Marx: It's not about that!
*He grabs the wheel, turning away from the approaching star-shaped planet.*
*Kirby pushes him away.*
Kirby: No way! This is really important to me! I need to go there! I promise it won't take long! You can even wait in the ship if you want to!
Kirby shifted his weight to one side as he simultaneously tilted the ship, sending Marx flying off him. The Noddy hit the glass dome of the star ship, and blacked out.
Kirby: I'm sorry, but I need to get my feelings sorted out! I hope I didn't hurt you!
*Kirby glances out the window.*
Kirby: I'm already through the atmosphere! I need to prepare to land!
*He hits a few buttons on the dashboard.*
Kirby: That's better!
Kirby glanced out his window. Scarlet water sparkled beneath him, spreading as far as the eye could see. At the edge of the horizon were rolling deep purple hills and forests.
Kirby: I know where I am! I just passed over the Orange Ocean! Dream Land is nearby! It feels great to be back on Pop Star!
An Hour Later
Kirby: I see King Dedede's castle below! Down I go!
*Kirby plunges down toward the castle.*
Kirby: Maybe I should stop in downtown Cappy Town, too. I'll do that after!
*Kirby lands his star ship on the helicopter pad on the roof of the castle.*
Marx: Kirby…where are we?
Kirby: Yay! You've woke up! I'm really sorry about that; I didn't mean to kick you so hard!
Marx: It's okay.
*He gets up and looks around.*
Marx: We're in Dream Land! Kirby, why did you land here?
*Meta Knight, Sword, and Blade come onto the roof.*
Meta Knight: It is Kirby! Come here!
*Tiff follows them out onto the rooftop.*
Tiff: Kirby, what are you doing here?
Kirby: Huh?
The next few parts of the fanfic are unique in that they all continue directly from the scene the previous story ended with. This won't be the case for the rest of the story, but these next 2-4 (depending on how long I drag out the plot) parts will all continue directly from the previous part (as opposed to skipping years in between like earlier in the story)
On a side note, I took a look back at Part 1 and I must say, I've gotten vastly better at writing in this format.
Coming up next:
Now that Kirby's in Dream Land again, he can finally sort out the mixed feelings he's been having for a long time. It won't be so easy, though...what events have transpired in Kirby's absence? And what's with the chilly reception?