Chapter 9

Warp Star flew through the sky with its passengers in tow, Kirby controlling it as the group headed south. Sword, Bun and the two children all clung on for dear life as the star cruised at a slower speed than usual, crowded uncomfortably close together on a "vehicle" clearly not made to fit five people. Fumu nudged Bun's foot away in annoyance, which was digging into her side.

"Reminds me of a crowded bus trip..." Fumu grumbled.

"Are we there yet?" Bun asked.

"It's only been ten minutes, guys" Shieldmaiden noted, beating her white wings harder to fly closer to Warp Star as she spoke. Her blue eyes narrowed as she peered into the small machine she had been using to track relics, which was about the size and shape of a tablet. "And according to this radar we have about another...oh...four hours."

"Four HOURS?" Bun sputtered. Sword groaned.

Meta Knight coasted forward, flying side by side with Warp Star. He gave the group a sidelong glance. "Better than being back at the castle."

Fumu shut her eyes. Being scrunched up in crowded seating with Bun like a bad family road trip was nothing compared to what Dreamland's denizens were going through. She felt a lump form in her throat as she again thought of Parm and Memu; at least Dark Matter didn't kill its chosen vessels. They were alive. They'd be okay. She fell silent for the remainder of the ride, watching the clouds go by.

Warp star and the two fliers continued their journey, guided by Shieldmaiden's tracking device. Underneath the group, the sea stretched out in an endless expanse of blue. After a couple of hours, the sea finally ended as they approached the land on the other side of the water. A short stretch of beach soon gave way to a thick carpet of green, impenetrable trees. Bun couldn't help but notice that from their viewpoint up above, the trees looked like broccoli.

In time, the trees changed shape. The clouds appeared to hang lower and lower beneath Warp Star and the winged Star Warriors until it looked like it was snaking through the greenery itself in thin wisps. The ground became more rugged, rising up towards them in the form of small mountains. The sun began to fall as the afternoon progressed, its rays no longer beating down directly above them.

"Stop!" Shieldmaiden called suddenly.

"Poyo-poy!" Kirby cried in surprise, easing up on the speed of the Warp Star until it stopped completely. Despite Kirby taking care not to jerk his passengers around, the star's momentum was still enough to cause everyone on board to get yanked forward and lean dangerously towards its edge.

Shieldmaiden pointed directly below her, eyes glowing brighter. "Directly below us is where the sight of one part of the relic is...according to this thing, anyway."

Meta Knight nodded, and the two then folded their wings and dived toward the ground. Though he'd never admit it, Meta Knight was deeply thankful that they had finally arrived. Even though his wings were magically induced from his cape and not directly tied to his muscles they still required energy expenditure, and flying for hours was incredibly taxing.

"Woo! Thank goodness" Bun cheered.

They all descended, their speed gradually slowing as they began to enter the thick jungle's canopy. They veered slightly off their exact target to land in a tiny clearing, the only possible place to land that wouldn't get them tangled up in the jungle's impenetrable wall of treetops.

The second Warp Star landed everyone stumbled off, sighing in relief. Sword arched his back, arms on his hips as he bent backward, while Blade reached his arms as far up as his spaulders would allow to stretch his sides. Bun fell to the ground, rubbing his hands in the grass as if he wanted to give the earth itself a hug, while Fumu slowly looked around her with her green eyes widening.

Fumu couldn't believe it - the jungles of Popstar, a place she had read about only in books, was there right before her. The calls of exotic birds and animals she didn't recognize rang in the air, the trees that surrounded them a few feet away in every direction came in a mind-boggling array of size and shapes. A heavy perfume of blooming tropical flowers filled the air. If their reason for visiting wasn't so dire, she would be loving every minute of it.

Meta Knight and Shieldmaiden landed close by, Meta Knight's wings immediately reforming into a cape. Shieldmaiden's wings drooped at her sides slightly, too tired to even be folded up properly, as both Star Warriors panted from exhaustion.

Fumu looked at all of her friends, smiling slightly; as long as she had them, and Kirby, she'd be safe. Her eyes bugged. Kirby! She hadn't seen him since Warp Star first touched down on the ground.

"Kirby? Kiiiirbyyy!" Fumu cried out into the jungle. "Kirby, where are you?"

"He ran off that fast?!" Blade asked, turning his head frantically.

A distant "Poyo" responded, echoing through the trees. Seconds later, Kirby returned. A huge banana bunch towered over him, held up over his head by his two stub-like arms. He put the bananas down triumphantly, grinning.

"Wow, Kirby, you're a natural! We've only been here for like five minutes!" Bun exclaimed.

"He sure is! Good job, Kirby" Fumu said, patting him on the head.

"Poyoyo!" Kirby said in response as everyone began to gather around for a much-needed meal.

Meta Knight's eyes glowed green thoughtfully as he peeled one of the fruits. "If Kirby was able to find food that fast, that must mean that this region has plenty of things to eat. Good." He lifted his mask quickly, sliding the banana up under the disc to take a bite.

Shieldmaiden nodded. "The jungle will bring with it its own challenges, but at least hunger shouldn't be one of them."

Kirby patiently waited until everyone took a banana before inhaling the entire rest of the bunch in one gulp, nearby discarded peels included.

Fumu blanched. "With Kirby around, we'll need all the food we can get."

Meta Knight glanced westward while wrapped in his cape, yellow eyes glowing softly as he faced the sun. It was falling lower and lower in the sky, indicating that sunset was near. He then turned towards the group, throwing his cape aside.

"We have to make a shelter for nighttime" Meta Knight stated. "Night in the jungle is very dangerous, and heavy rain in this environment is inevitable. We will need wood, good wood that isn't waterlogged, and broad leaves. Hopefully we can get a fire going."

The others nodded.

Meta Knight turned his steady, expressionless gaze to Sword and Blade. "Blade, take Fumu and find us as much food as you can. Plantains and coconuts are likely to grow here, and we already saw bananas. There will probably be seeds and berries as well. Fumu, be very careful when grabbing unfamiliar berries or mushrooms."

Fumu nodded, smiling reassuringly. "I'm aware, Sir. There's most likely poisonous stuff out here."

Blade saluted his leader. "We're on it! Come on, Fumu."

Meta Knight's yellow eyes followed the two as they walked into the dense underbrush. He then turned to face Sword.

"Sword, take Bun and Kirby. Grab lumber for firewood, and any plants that could be useful as kindling. We need dry, firm wood that hasn't been soaked by the rain around here if we want to get a fire going."

"Yes, Sir" Sword responded, saluting him. "Let's go, boys" He said, waving to Bun and Kirby.

"Poyo, poyoyii!" Kirby said with a big grin, running off with Sword and Bun so fast that he quickly outpaced him. A lush, warm place full of yummy fruit and things to explore – Kirby was in paradise.

Shieldmaiden's blue eyes rose to meet Meta Knight's, her wings folding more tightly as she tried to appear less fatigued than she really was. "How may I assist, Sir?"

Meta Knight locked eyes with her for a second before looking away. His yellow eyes scanned the ground around him slowly. He then gestured with his gloved hand out, gesturing at the area around them.

"We're surrounded by young trees in this clearing. Good windbreaks." He began. "We should focus on building a shelter."

"At once, Sir", Shieldmaiden responded.

The female Star Warrior gently set her shield down and walked towards the a smallish tree. With her spear out, she used one of its sharp edges to begin severing the stalk. Using the long weapon as a glorified pocketknife was awkward, but efficient. Meanwhile, Meta Knight set his sights on a nearby tree of similar build. With a movement so swift that it caused the nearby birds to screech in alarm he sliced the bark with Galaxia, easily felling the thin tree. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye as he bent down, picking up the severed lumber.

His smile was hidden behind the mask.