After returning to the ships, they soon took off as they took off into the air to see the planet known as Popstar from a good distance.
"It'll take awhile to search the whole planet for these Dark hearts. But I'm still worried about one guy that hasn't seemed to show up regarding our little problem." Toma said.
"Who, Meta Knight?" Dedede asked. "Naw, I wouldn't worry about him. No way he'd get possessed by those hearts."
"That's true. He is pretty strong with a sword." Erza said.
"If anything, I bet he's out somewhere doing some secret training. You know, stuff like that. No worries." Dedede said.
As they flew in the sky, something small was seen crashing into the Star Speeder.
"What the?" Jexi said turning on the view of the front window where they saw a small creature in a jester cap on the outside.
"Who is that?" Al asked.
"Marx. If you're here, that means this world really is in trouble." Sectonia said.
"I don't get it. Who is he?" Asta asked.
"He's just a cute little buddy." Pinkie said.
"That cute little buddy tried to take over Popstar years ago!" Dedede said.
"Aw come on. Can't we let bygones be bygones? I mean, true I tried to take over Popstar...but in the end, Kirby was the one who fell for my oh so clever plan." Marx said.
"If that's the case, then are you behind these hearts showing up?" Ichiro asked.
"No. I doubt it." Sectonia said.
"I believe he's telling the truth. I think we should let him in." Jellal said.
They let Marx in as he dusted his hat off.
"Ah, that's better. Now, if you must know, I'm not behind the Jamba Heart shards showing up." Marx said.
"Jamba Heart? What's that?" Saaya asked.
"I'm...not telling." Marx said. "I only know their name. Not where they come from." He said laughing creepily.
"Fair enough." Hope said.
"I've got a signal on Meta Knight! He's at the old…" Ciel began.
"No challenging the knight so soon. I think we need more allies before than." Marx said. "Me being one of them."
"Why would you wanna help us? You're a villain, and you tried to conquer Popstar." Hope said.
"Come on. A creature can change. Plus I can do this." Marx said balancing on a ball. "Cute right?"
"Hope, I think we should at least give him a chance and have him prove himself." Ace said.
"Don't mind Hope. He's so quick to judge on these things." David said.
"I see. And besides Marx is actually pretty cute when he does that." Ace said.
"That...and I can do this." Marx said growing a pair of wings as he fired a laser from his mouth.
"Whoa! Easy with that! We don't want any friendly fire here." David said.
"Okay, okay. But, before you go and see Meta Knight, I'd recommend we recruit some new allies. I know of a three man team...A hamster, a fish and an owl." Marx said.
"Rick, Kine and Coo." Dedede said.
"There is also a slime creature I know of as well." Marx said.
"Gooey? That Slime Ball doesn't even know who or what he is, how would he help us?" Dedede asked.
"You will have to see for yourself." Marx said.
"Okay, so where can we find these four?" Betty asked.
"Oh, not just them. I recommend these enemies as well." Marx said showing pictures of a pink bird, a broom creature and a ninja.
"A Birdon, A Broom Hatter and a Bio Spark." Dedede said.
"Gathering all these allies will be more than enough to take on Meta Knight if he's possessed by a Jamba Heart." Marx said.
"Where can we find them?" Connor asked.
"In the Friendly Fields." Marx said.
"Well that shouldn't be too hard, let's go then." Hope said.
"Right. But aren't there other areas around here as well with different allies?" Reflet asked.
"Guess we'll just have to visit them all. Besides, no rush when making our allies." Niles said.
"Yup, by the way Izuku, what was that emblem you picked up back in the Future Universe?" Mari asked.
"You mean this?" Izuku said showing a strange emblem.
"Wait...is that...no way! Why do you have the emblem of the 12?!" Marx said.
"Emblem of the 12?" Mari asked.
"Marx, is this Emblem connected to the Olympos 12 somehow?" Hope asked.
"Yes. It was an ancient law created in order to try and find them. It is said to be able to glow when it is near one of them." Marx said.
"Then could this be a way to locate them, or not?" Mari asked trying to take it only to get shocked.
"Forgot to mention, it automatically imprints on the first to claim it off the ground." Marx said.
"I guess you've gotta handle that thing since we need to find all 12, Izuku." Volta said.
"And since he picked it off the ground." Jexi said.
"I guess so. Hehehe…" Izuku said chuckling nervously as the emblem gave off faint glows.
"It must be Reacting to Lunamon… but the other one… I'm not sure which." Hope said.
"Unbelievable… The titans break out and all of a sudden, everyone is obsessed with them." David said. "We'll look into it later. Right now, we've got a job to do."
"It's not reacting to that thing. It's not even one of them Olympos XII. I think the real reason might be one of them is in this part of the galaxy." Marx said.
"Oh, I see. Now, should we get to gathering our allies?" Illuma asked.
"Right. Let's go." Sectonia said.
At Friendly Fields, they were able to find and recruit a Birdon, Broom Hatter and Bio Spark.
"Well that was fast." Applejack said.
"Now we just need…." Maka said before they saw a strange goo like creature with eyes and a tongue as it was rolling about.
"Well, that thing must be Gooey." Leonis said.
"I remember that thing well." Dedede said. "It may have a bad memory, but boy was it really a nuisance."
"He does seem rather… For lack of a better word, weird." David said.
"Still, he could be a very valuable asset as we continue on." Spectra said.
Sectonia was looking to the horizon.
"Look, I know you're worried about Taranza, but relax. He'll be fine, I know it. He's not one to go down without a fight." David said.
"That I know for a fact. I know this from that monster infestation earlier." Sectonia said.
"He's safe. We know he is." Hope said.
"Yeah, nothing's gonna kill that little spider." Gajeel said.
Sectonia giggles at that. "Not even a lightning bolt to the face. Believe me, I know."
"You were the one that threw it." Hope said as Gooey bounced around them.
"Now all that remains is that animal trio." Dedede said.
"Right...and there they are." Fluttershy said pointing to a hamster, a purple owl and a fish playing with one another nearby.
"How cute!" Kohaku said. "Why don't we go talk to them, Fluttershy?"
"Okay." Fluttershy said going up to them as she talked with them. "They say they are willing to help."
"Well, that's good to hear." David said.
"I think this is enough manpower for now." Guy said.
"Let's go look for Meta Knight. He could be at those ruins we saw earlier, like Ciel said." Roy said pointing to ancient ruins in the distance.
"That's our best bet, let's go!" Zero said as they advanced with Ciel behind them.
"Someone noticed…" Ciel sighed.
After a good flight, they finally reached the ruins. Scaling them, they saw Meta Knight with his back turned with a blade jabbed into the ground. Kirby grabbed it and transformed into Sword Kirby.
"So… you've come." Meta Knight said jumping down and wielding his blade, Galaxia. "Fight me!"
The Lone Swordsman
Meta Knight
"So, this is Meta Knight. He really is as strong as I have heard." David said.
"Poyo!" Kirby said wielding his sword as he lunged at Meta Knight as they engaged in a fierce sword clash.
Meta Knight was knocked back as a dark aura formed around him as his eyes turned purple and he split into four clones of himself.
"He cloned himself?!" Pit asked.
"It must be the Jamba Heart that's enabling him to do this. Be careful, Kirby!" Ace said.
Kirby simply ignored this as he knew within his sword he was capable of battling. He rose his sword as Birdon blew wind at it as it became a bluster sword. Kirby swung the sword sending the four Meta Knights flying. With a final slash, Meta Knight fell to the ground kneeling t as the dark heart fell behind him. As he knelt there, his mask cracked showing a Kirby like face.
"Okay...I can see why he wears the mask." Asta said.
"Do not look. I ask you not." Meta Knight said covering his face with his cloak.
"Look, I understand where you're coming from. Everyone's got something to hide." David said.
"Yes...but I was glad to have that battle." Meta Knight said taping his mask back together. As soon as he donned it, the whole group felt the ground began to shake. "What is this?"
"I think it might be...that." Iida said pointing to a large sort of station as it was descending to plunge into the edge of Popstar.
"What is that thing?"Hope said.
"Some sort of castle? Whatever it is, I'm getting Castlevania vibes from it." David said.
"That is the source of the appearances behind these Dark Hearts." Meta Knight said.
"Then that's our next stop. You're welcome to join us if you wish, Meta Knight." Ace said.
"I was already planning to." Meta Knight said.
"Then let's see what that fortress is hiding. And maybe we can get some much needed answers." Sakura said.
"I was thinking the same thing. Let's go." Sectonia said.
