Disclaimer: Kirby belongs to Nintendo and HAL Laboratory.
The next day passed and Hyness was halfway through enchanting the runes he constructed. Outside, Vesa watched as Fecto Elfilis practiced their combat techniques with their spear. Kirby, Bandee and Elfilin watched on the sidelines. On the other side of the makeshift battlefield, Meta Knight had his sword at the ready. For a moment, Meta Knight and Elfilis lunged and clashed their weapons. Holding their spear steady, the ultimate life-form cast spells at their opponent, magic based projectiles launching at their target. The veteran knight thought fast and leapt out of the way.
Still, Elfilis kept pelting Meta Knight with energy blasts at range, even when he weaved out of the way. The ultimate life-form pulled on their magic a bit more, honing their projectiles to start seeking him. Meta Knight managed to block a projectile with his blade. Elfilis created a half circle in midair, which morphed into projectiles, launching them at the veteran star warrior again. Meta Knight dodged each coming projectile and prepared for a lunge.
Also at the sidelines, Dedede was stretching his arms. As nervous as the nearby Waddle Dees were when they saw Elfilis and Meta Knight clashing their weapons, the veteran star warrior gave them a reassuring glance. Meta Knight made his lunge. Elfilis teleported their lance in front of him, slamming him with the blunt end. While the veteran knight stumbled, he immediately rolled back up, and took to the air.
Flamberge tilted her head towards the horizon. The fire mage spotted an Awoofy from afar, approaching the gate. Elfilis, sensing the approaching company, lowered their spear. Meta Knight also paused in their tracks. He put away his sword and rushed to the gate.
"Meta Knight?" Flamberge asked, "should we do something?"
A few more Awoofies followed close behind along with a couple Rabiroos and a Buffahorn. Kirby and Elfilin raced to the gate. Vesa approached Elfilis and reached out her hand.
"Elfilis?" she whispered.
Fransisca and Zan came to Flamberge's side as they observed the oncoming entourage. Meta Knight stiffened the instant Gorimondo came into view.
"It doesn't look like they're preparing for an attack," Meta Knight observed.
Even Hyness paused what he was doing while Dedede and Bandee came to Meta Knight's side. Elfilin perked his ears up when he spotted Clawroline. His larger fragment, not moving an inch, fidgeted nervously. Elfilis should be relieved the Beast Pack had no hostile intentions, but they still had doubts. Vesa sighed and gently grasped Elfilis's hand.
"It's ok," Vesa whispered, "I'm here."
All the while, Elfilin happily did a back flip when Leongar also appeared in the horizon.
"It's Clawroline and Leongar!" Elfilin chirped, "they're here to visit!"
Elfilis lowered their head.
"I don't want to be here," Elfilis sighed.
Elfilis still felt bad and felt they should take responsibility for all what their other version did to the Beast Pack. Though, the creatures were initially unintelligent and quadrupedal before their other version changed them, so what would happen next was uncertain. Elfilin raced out the gate while Vesa embraced herself to Elfilis. Leongar and Clawroline spotted the small chinchilla and their faces lit up with joy.
"Hi, Clawroline!" Elfilin chirped, "it's so good to see you!"
Clawroline extended her paw and meowed. Elfilin took that as an invitation to nuzzle her cheek, eliciting purrs out of her. Kirby rushed out to meet the Beast Pack. The pink star warrior and Leongar exchanged glances, the former happily waving his arms.
"Hello, Kirby."
"Poyo!"
Leongar let out a soft growl and grinned.
"Hey, Leongar!" Dedede called, waving his hand, "long time, no see! Eh?"
Kirby and Elfilin led Leongar and Clawroline towards the gate with the rest of the Beast Pack following close behind. The penguin and the lion shook hands.
"Dedede," Leongar replied, "I've been doing quite well myself."
Leongar shifted his gaze to Meta Knight, who gave a deep bow of respect.
"I heard you are about to return to the land of dreams," Leongar explained, "so I suppose we'd come here to see you off."
"Yes," Meta Knight agreed, "the portal will remain open, to my knowledge, so people can come and go as they please when it is finished."
Leongar nodded and placed a paw on his chest.
"I'm most honored to hear that."
Leongar's eyes soon locked onto Elfilis, who had their ears folded inwardly in shame while Vesa tried to soothe them with her embrace.
"Now," Leongar mentioned, pointing at Elfilis as they tried to look away, "what do you know about those two? One of them seems…familiar to me."
Meta Knight glanced behind him for a brief moment.
"Well," Meta Knight said, "that's a bit complicated."
Meta Knight went on to give a brief summary of the events which went down. Elfilis twitched their feelers and gave the veteran knight an irritated expression. Vesa turned her head and stared at Leongar and Clawroline in awe. All the while, the rest of the Beast Pack began chattering with the residing Waddle Dees while Gorimondo simply stood by and kept watch.
By the time Meta Knight finished his explanation, Elfilis blushed in shame. Leongar placed a claw on his chin.
"And the Great One hasn't harmed anyone since then?" he clarified.
"For now," Elfilis muttered, glaring at Meta Knight.
Meta Knight chose that moment to vanish. Vesa swallowed a nervous lump in her throat as she released Elfilis from her embrace, though she still stood by their side as the lion approached them both.
"And who might you be?" Leongar asked her.
Vesa sweated nervously as Leongar fixated his eyes on her.
"Uhh, Vesa Krasniqi," she said, "you can just call me Vesa."
Leongar tilted his head sideways.
"Am I frightening you?" he asked.
"N-No," Vesa shook her head, "I'm just surprised you're standing upright, even for a lion."
Leongar let out an amused chuckle, ruffling both Elfilis and Vesa's heads. Elfilis still looked away. The only comfort they could offer to themself was that their previous angered self at least granted the local animals intelligence and accelerated their evolution…not too similar to what they did to Vesa to save her life. Once the lion withdrew his paws a minute later, Vesa took a moment to straighten her hair and put her hat back on.
"A-Aren't you mad at them?" Vesa blurted.
"I should be, but that won't fix the bad that's been done," Leongar shook his head, "as for you, how would you describe your people from long ago?"
Vesa took a moment to think over the question.
"I believe," Vesa answered, "we're probably a mix of saints and jerks. But, I would hold the fraction of people who mistreated Elfilis accountable for what they did."
Vesa shifted her gaze to Elfilis, hesitating as she held her hand just inches before them. As soon as the ultimate life-form returned their gaze, she placed her hand on their shoulder.
"It's ok," she whispered to them.
"Sorry, I…wasn't in control of myself. I barely even remember anything that happened back then…"
"Apology accepted," Leongar purred, "let us move on from this and look forward to what the future gives."
Vesa gave Leongar another bow of respect.
"Thank you," Vesa said.
Leongar nodded before he turned to approach Clawroline. Kneeling in front of her, the leopard gave him an affectionate headbutt. Elfilis sighed in relief. The ultimate life-form and Vesa shifted their gaze to Kirby, Elfilin and Bandee as they were chattering with the Mage Sisters. Vesa took a moment to adjust the straps of her backpack.
By then, Hyness finished arranging the runes. He turned around and approached Dedede.
"The preparations are complete!" Hyness announced, "now I just need to turn it on and we can all head home."
"Thank you," Dedede rubbed behind his neck, "I'm feeling better myself."
"Well, that's good to hear, although I think we'd all rather just head home. It's been an interesting week for me and I'd really like to show my child our new home."
Dedede made a brief glance at Elfilis and nodded in agreement.
"Elfilis," Hyness called over, "do you have a moment?"
Elfilis snapped out of their thoughts and approached the Main Plaza, examining the runes arranged on the ground. A portion of their body liquefied into the form of a dagger which rested in their hand. The ultimate life-form used it to slice open a tear in space, the runes stabilizing the portal.
The Mage Sisters, Kirby, Bandee, Vesa and Elfilin gathered around the Main Plaza and the latter four stared in awe.
"So amazing," Elfilin chirped.
"It's not anything too advanced," Zan shrugged, "you could probably do this if you wanted to and had the skill."
Kirby and Elfilin stepped towards the main plaza with Vesa following close behind. Elfilis stuck their paws into the cut in space and pulled it open on both sides, gripping the fabric of reality as if it were a physical object. Just as the ultimate life-form finished their work, Dedede's Waddle Dee servants showed up with luggage in their possession. Elfilis took a step back. Kirby and Elfilin turned to face Leongar and Clawroline.
"Well," Elfilin said, "I guess we'll be getting ready to leave soon."
The small chinchilla floated over to the nearest resident Waddle Dees who waved at him.
"We'll miss you!" a Waddle Dee replied.
"Poyo!" Kirby waved his arms.
"You guys do know that we aren't leaving forever, the Waddle Dees aren't going to be far either, plus they won't be able to stay away from Dreamland for long, that is where their King is and they are way too loyal to stay forever. They might make this their home for sure, but they won't stay away long."
"Yeah," Elfilin tilted his head sideways and blushed, "we'll come by to visit sometime!"
As the Mage Sisters and Hyness approached the portal, Vesa watched as Kirby and Elfilin waved goodbye to the Beast Pack high command. Elfilis didn't look back as they stepped through the portal. Vesa glanced over her shoulder for a brief moment.
"Uh, we'll meet up with you in a bit," Vesa called Hyness.
Vesa turned and sprinted towards the portal. Once she was close enough, she jumped in. Her vision went blurry for a few seconds while her body felt strange. Upon reaching the other side, she landed on her knees, her hands planted on the ground. She took a moment to catch her breath. Seconds later, she pushed to her feet and scanned her surroundings. Beyond the horizon, flowers decorated the grassy plains, and the right amount of sunshine came with a pleasant breeze. The hills appeared oddly shaped. Stones which resembled wafer cookies stuck out of the ground. More hills were topped with greenery decorated with yellow stars.
Vesa located the dirt path as her eyes wandered until they locked onto Elfilis, who was on their hands and knees, panting softly. She approached them and knelt by their side.
"Hey," she said, "how are you feeling?"
"A little better," Elfilis breathed.
Vesa tilted their head until her eyes met theirs. She noticed as tears were welling in Elfilis's eyes. Soon enough, the others emerged from the portal and gave an awkward stare. As soon as the ultimate life-form noticed, they let out a panicked squeak.
"E-Elfilis!" Vesa blurted.
Vesa stood back up. Much to her shock, Elfilis had already vanished. Vesa let out an exasperated sigh and turned to face Kirby and Elfilin.
"I-I am so sorry!" she exclaimed.
"Poyo," Kirby reached out his arm.
"Not to worry," Hyness told her, "we could show you where our home is."
Vesa blinked twice, shifting her gaze between Elfilin, Kirby, Bandee, Meta Knight, Dedede and the Mage Sisters.
"So which way?" she asked.
"Erm," Hyness answered, "I think it's this way. Does anyone have a map?"
Flamberge let out an irritated scream.
"Didn't we just go through this?" Zan grumbled.
"Here," Fransisca gave the map to Flamberge.
"Thanks! You're a lifesaver!"
Flamberge let out a sigh of relief, but her anger accumulated into a soft huff of flame which incinerated the map. Vesa covered her ears as the fire mage had another fit. Fransisca snickered and handed Hyness another map. This didn't seem to be the first time this had happened.
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