Inside Royal Road's castle, Taranza is laying on a hospital bed as his wounds are being treated.
The hospital bed isn't usually there, as it was brought in. It was brought in by the Haltmann Works Company paramedics that Susie instructed to show up.
It is currently evening time, as it's six hours ago since the fight happened. Six hours ago since Susie helped Taranza get back to Royal Road. When they were making their way towards Royal Road, she called her paramedic employees on the phone to come. They are Haltworker robots trained to heal people from injuries.
Ten paramedics responded to Susie's request. The Haltmann Works Company workers are capable of fast interstellar travel, so even though the company's home planet is a bit far away from Popstar, they were able to show up at the planet in thirty minutes.
However, when they arrived at Popstar, they were then clueless about where Floralia was. Susie told them to go to Magolor's place at Nutty Noon, as she then called Magolor and asked him to guide them to Floralia. He did so, as he directed them to where Floralia was, showing them that it's the set of islands floating above Dream Land, and that the one they needed to go to was the top one with the castle on it.
When they arrived, they brought medical equipment with them that included first-aid kits and IV supplies. They also, of course, brought a hospital bed with them to have Taranza lay on as they treated him. Taranza requested a hospital bed to be brought into the castle, as he didn't want the blood from his injuries touching the sleeping beds.
They treated him by washing his wounds, as well as applying bandages and dressings. Thankfully, his wounds never started having any sort of infection, as he hasn't quite been sitting out long enough with them before his treatment.
However, the injuries were overall rather on the severe side. Taranza's fight with Dark Meta Knight was vicious. He got slashed a bunch by that bastard's sword. Even though Taranza had mostly dominated the fight, he certainly didn't come out unscathed. It would've been a terrible idea to have him just sit out these injuries.
Thankfully, Susie's paramedics have been doing their job well enough in helping Taranza heal from his wounds. Even now, six hours after the incident, they're sticking around in Royal Road's castle as they want to make sure he heals well enough before they leave.
Susie herself has also been sticking around the entire time, just to keep Taranza company and provide as someone to talk to for him. Periodically, she's been calling Magolor and the Mage Sisters to keep letting him know on Taranza's status as he recovers.
Right now, at this current time, Taranza feels capable of getting up from his hospital bed. He's had time to recover since the HWC paramedics have given him treatment.
"Ahhhh..." he said as he gets up. "Well, Susie, these guys have been doing really good for me! I must say, thank you very much for all of this."
"You're more than welcome, my friend." replied Susie, as she is still in the room with him. She then turns around to face him. "Oh, my! You're up! It looks like you're already starting to recover from our treatment!"
"Y-y-yeah! But I think I might lay back down soon." said Taranza. "I just wanted a moment to get up."
"Not a problem, I can understand that." said Susie, as she approaches him.
A few moments before either of them said anything else, Susie gave him a smile by happily squinting her big eyes, as she patted one of his hands.
"You know I tried to kill him." said Taranza. "I wanted to avenge Sectonia. That motherfucker ruined everything. He put her through all that misery and pain, and he irrevocably shattered it for me and her forever. To think that all her suffering happened because of him..."
"Trust me when I say that I understand. I don't blame you in the slightest for wanting to kill him." said Susie, as she now holds onto Taranza's hand, the same one she was patting, in an effort to put him at ease.
Taranza took a relaxing breath as his hand was being held.
"If there was a person that was responsible for ruining my life, I'd want to kill them, too." Susie continued, in an reassuring tone. "I'm saying this because there are times that I wish I was the one that destroyed Star Dream. I do truly appreciate Kirby for doing it, but truthfully, I wanted thing destroyed long before it went haywire at the end, because it was the culprit ruined everything for me and my dad. So I completely understand you wanting to kill Dark Meta Knight, as he ruined everything for you and Sectonia. In fact, that's what I anticipated you wanting to do ever since we first told you about it."
"If I ever see that piece of shit again, I'm actually going to kill him for sure, and make sure he dies." said Taranza.
"To tell you the truth, Taranza? He's probably still going to die from what happened earlier today. He sustained much worse injuries than you, and I certainly won't have my paramedics help him, as he doesn't deserve it. I'll bet that he either ends up bleeding to death, or his wounds become infected enough to make him bite the dust. He might still die a slow, painful death!"
"If that happens, I'd be delighted." said Taranza, with his tone now becoming more of confidence. "Hopefully, a miracle can happen for sure..."
Hearing those last several words got a giggle out of Susie, as she's heard him say those words before. She then releases his hand and holds onto another one of his hands.
"Either way, he's essentially screwed. He'll spend the rest of his life in pain, consequently for what he did until he potentially dies from his wounds." she said. "Overall, I'd say that you did good today, Taranza!"
Taranza did not immediately give a verbal response, but he did manage to put up a smile. He really did beat the absolute shit out of Dark Meta Knight. He really did give him some serious comeuppance, even if he hasn't immediately died just yet.
"I think I'm going to lay back down." he said moments later after what Susie said, with his tone becoming more tiring.
"Okay!" replied Susie, as she released his hand. "I'll still be right around here if you want to continue to talk."
"Thank you, Susie. You don't know how much this means to me."
Taranza then laid back down. Susie gave him one last smile before she moved over a little bit to give him some space. She would've given him a hug, if it weren't for the fact that she was worried it might interfere with him trying to heal at the moment.
About twenty-five minutes of relaxing occurs until something new happens.
"Hello?" said a new voice that echoed across the castle.
Both Taranza and Susie were able to hear it.
"Oh... well, it looks like I'm getting a visitor!" asked Taranza. "Susie, would you mind getting them for me?"
"Not a problem." she replied.
She then went towards the direction of the voice.
"Is good ol' kick-ass Taranza here?" said the echoing voice.
"Yes. Yes, he is!" Susie echoed back, being loud enough to make sure the voice can hear her. "He's doing okay!"
Taranza began to recognize the voice when it spoke again. It's one of the other star allies. Someone he saw today.
But... this one doesn't normally come visit him here in Floralia.
Still, he's cautiously optimistic. He's assuming that the one coming here is simply to check in on him and see if he's doing alright.
"Ah... Daroach?" said Susie. She's a bit further away, but Taranza is still able to hear her clearly. "I'm taking it that what you're here for has to do with the fight that happened?"
"Basically. But I also got some news to break!" replied Daroach.
"Oh? Well, at any rate, I'll lead you to Taranza so you can inform him about it." said Susie.
Admittedly, it was a bit perplexing for Taranza at first.
Daroach wasn't someone that Taranza was close to. They haven't really been close enough to be considered genuine friends with each other. In fact, there was a point where things got rather rough between the two, as Daroach and his squad of squeaks tried to steal things from Floralia before, which of course upset Taranza. But it was quite a while ago when that last happened, to where Taranza hasn't really needed to worry about it anymore. Plus, they did have nice interactions before.
There hasn't been a time where Daroach came to Floralia as a friendly visit before this, though.
However, Taranza remembers that Daroach was the one that dragged Dark Meta Knight out of the conference building to take him back to the mirror world. So he's assuming that whatever Daroach wants to disclose has something to do with what Dark Meta Knight's condition is.
He's cautiously optimistic, as he also remembers Daroach scolding Dark Meta Knight before he left the meeting, making him think that the rat will be on his side for what happened.
In just a couple moments, Susie comes back, with Daroach following behind her. As Taranza is still laying on the hospital bed, he turns his head around to see them both.
"Daroach is here to see you!" said Susie, as she and the rat approach Taranza.
"Taranza!" Daroach greeted the spider. "What's up, man? Is she helping you recover from the fight?"
"Good evening, Daroach, and yes she is." replied Taranza. "I also heard you talking with her over there. So there's something that you want to reveal to me?"
"Correctamundo. I believe you'll quite like what I have to say here, too!"
"Oh?" asked Taranza. This is something he'll quite like? "Go on, then! I look forward to hearing it!"
Daroach tips his hat again before he begins. Susie stood back a little bit in preparation, and while Taranza doesn't fully get up from the hospital bed, he raises his head up as he pays attention.
"Dark Meta Knight is basically toast if you ask me! When I took his rotten ass back to the mirror world and sat him down at what I believe is the place that Kirby fought him, someone showed up and assured that he'll perpetually taunt that edgy fuck. I was watching him already start taunting. Dark Meta is having a bad time. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't last too long at this point."
Taranza and Susie were both taken aback by this revelation.
Somebody is going to be taunting Dark Meta Knight until he dies? That's certainly interesting for the both of them to have heard that.
It raises questions for them.
"Can you tell me the name of the guy that's taunting him, if you know?!" Taranza asked curiously. "If they're really actually going to finish off what I started, I'll give them all the handshakes in the universe!"
"It's the mirror world's version of Kirby!" replied Daroach. "He goes by the name 'Shadow Kirby'. He looks like our pink hero, but instead of pink, he's of a nebulous shade. And he got fully white eyes!"
That stunned them both. Kirby's mirror world counterpart, which is apparently named 'Shadow Kirby', may do the honor of finishing off what Taranza started?
It made them want to ask more questions, because they're interested in this individual that he's speaking of.
"I'd be interested in meeting this 'Shadow Kirby'. He'd already make himself quite the hero to finish off the person that hurt Taranza." said Susie. "Since you said he's the mirror counterpart to Kirby, I take it that he's able to copy abilities like our Kirby can?"
"Funny you ask that! As I was leaving the mirror world, I saw in the corner of my eye that Skirby was wearing a green hat and held a sword on his hand, like he was about to use it on Dark Meta! Oh, and by the way, 'Skirby' is what I like to call him for short. I've already met him before today, as I've been to the mirror world a few times. Because, y'know, I used to be Dark Meta's friend."
Taranza then fully gets up from the hospital bed again.
"What's he like?" the spider asked, still curious. "I mean, he'll already get a complete thumbs up from me if he kills Dark Meta Knight. But aside from that, what could I expect from him if I were to meet him? Is he anything like our Kirby in how he acts?"
"Ooohhh... let me tell ya, he's actually shockingly different from Kirby in personality." said Daroach. "He ain't a totally pure sweet boy like our pink boy is. He's much more of a troll by comparison. Unlike Kirby, Skirby is also pretty vulgar, as he's willing to say curse words, hahahaha. He also likes to prank people."
A version of Kirby that's mischievous? A version of Kirby that loves to pull pranks?
Wow. That sounds similar to some other familiar folks that Taranza and Susie know all too well about.
"Going by the description you've provided, I'm sure Magolor and Marx would love him." said Susie. "He'd probably immediately join them when they do their mischief sprees!"
That got a laugh out of Daroach.
"That's literally what I thought before!" said Daroach, as finishes up laughing. "Skirby would absolutely fit right in with 'em! I like Skirby a lot. We get on well. I'd be curious to see you interacting with him."
If Taranza had to be honest, he's not sure the mischief aspect would matter too much to him, for one particular reason.
"You know what? If he kills Dark Meta Knight, then I'll totally like him no matter what!" replied Taranza, in a confident tone. "He could act as obnoxious as Marx for all I care, but he'll already have my full appreciation if he finishes what I wanted to do! I said that because, well, I don't like Marx. But if Skirby kills the motherfucker that hurt me and Sectonia, then he's already way better in my books!"
"I feel the same way." said Susie. "He'll already have my respect if he finishes off Meta Knight's savage of a counterpart. He should absolutely take Dark Meta Knight's place as a star ally. If that becomes possible, that is."
As Daroach was listening to both speak, he tipped his hat a few times with a smug look on his face.
"I'd say you'll end up liking Skirby in that case." the rat says. "He fuckin' despises Dark Meta! The two have been having friggin' bad blood with each other for a long while now. I know because I've witnessed the shit during my visits to the mirror world. I wouldn't be surprised if Skirby has been wanting Dark Meta dead. Back then, when I was friends with Dark Meta, I was like 'whatever' about their doggone beef, but now I'm totally with Skirby. I think Skirby's certainly going to kill that bastard eventually, although knowing him I think he'll taunt and humiliate Dark Meta Knight for a little while first before ultimately finishing him off. He'd probably want Dark Meta to be miserable and wanna die first. You already did most of the work in tearing Dark Meta to shreds, so Skirby won't have to do much when he gets to actually killing him."
Taranza and Susie both had some chuckling and giggling while Daroach spoke.
That definitely sparks a lot of confidence. It's also pretty funny how the mirror world counterparts of Kirby and Meta Knight are at bad blood with each other apparently, as that's quite a big contrast to how the normal versions of Kirby and Meta Knight are each other.
After the rat finished, Taranza then reached out his hand to him, signaling he wants a handshake.
"Thank you so much for coming here and informing me on this, Daroach!" he says. "I know that we haven't really been friends, but I really appreciate what you've just done. You've made me hopeful into believing a miracle will happen. I'd like to shake your hand as a thanks."
Daroach accepts, as he shook Taranza's hand.
"Well, I'm glad to have made ya feel that way, man!" said Daroach. "Not gonna lie, I freaked the FUCK out when Dark Meta first admitted to his involvement in corrupting your queen yesterday. But thank Magolor! It made me so dang relieved to know that he overheard it, so I was saved from gettin' hurt when everyone else found out. And it really crossed the line for me when Dark Meta mocked your queen. That was fuckin' rotten."
"Everyone was absolutely disgusted when he did that." said Susie. "He deserved every single hit that Taranza landed on him, and more. Shadow Kirby will be doing a huge favor if he rightfully finishes that savage off."
Daroach tips his hat after finishing shaking hands with Taranza. "I could maybe bet that Skirby has already killed him by now as I speak. It's been hours ago since I left the mirror world, and my squad wanted me for a bit before I got the chance to come here. And speaking of which, they're probably waiting for me to come back. So I think I'll begin to skedaddle on outta here now. Later, folks!"
"Goodnight, Daroach!" said Taranza. "Thank you for this visit. You made me feel better knowing what's going on with that son of a bitch."
"See you later." said Susie.
After they said their goodbyes, Daroach tips his hat one last time as he then leaves Royal Road.
Taranza then laid back down on the hospital bed. Susie approached him more closely.
"Hey, I think Sectonia is going to be avenged from the sound of it!" she said, as she holds onto one of Taranza's hands again. Her voice grows emotion.
A moment before he made a response. "It was really, really painful to see her spiral like that. It must've been so painful for her, too. To this day, I still can't imagine what must've been going in her mind to have spiraled so badly to the point of needing to be put down. It's so disheartening to have to think about. And to realize that all of the hurt inflicted on both me and her was caused by Dark fucking Meta Knight. If this 'Shadow Kirby' that Daroach was talking about really does finish that piece of shit off, then I've got to meet him. He'll have done a great service to both me and Sectonia."
"Since it sounds like he's also been having a grudge against Dark, I think he'll do what you're hoping." said Susie. "Also, if you want me to be honest with you, I think you have basically killed Dark Meta Knight. By that, I mean you've hurt him badly enough to where he's essentially done for. Do you remember the moment when it looked like he was about to die? It was a surprise that he didn't! I think he'd literally need to be put on life support if he were to have any chance of having his eventual death be prevented from what you did to him. He might be on a timer! Like I said earlier, he'd probably already bleed to death even if Shadow Kirby doesn't make the final blow on him. I'd say that you've ensured his death, and thus you've done your part well enough! Shadow Kirby would probably just be putting him down at this point."
Taranza smiled. "I hope that motherfucker has been realizing what hurt looks like. It's what he deserves for hurting both me and Sectonia." he said smugly.
Susie let go of his hand, and then patted it. After patting it, she then held onto his hand again.
"I'm sure he is, Taranza." she said. "You've shown him what hurt looks likes. You did really good today! I'm so sorry for how you were feeling last night, my friend. But hopefully you've been feeling better now after what just happened! You really deserve to relax for a while!"
Her words got another smile out of Taranza. She then releases his hand again as she then moved a bit further away to let him chill out some more.
Peace occurs for the two. Susie iterated that she'll spend another night here at Royal Road.
After an hour of this peace, nighttime now begins to occur.
Another visitor shows up. This time, it's King Dedede.
Dedede has been meaning to check up on Taranza, but has been waiting until night time to do so. This is because he figured it would've been for the best to let Taranza be and recover for a little while until he comes to visit.
When he showed up, he was delighted to see Susie stick to her word and have him be healed by her company's paramedics. He thanked Susie for helping Taranza, as he then expressed his sympathies to the spider like usual.
At one point, they sat Dedede down and told him about what Daroach revealed. It stunned him at first, but then he took well to the revelation. Dedede had never met 'Shadow Kirby' yet, but he's already agreeing with the notion that he should replace Dark Meta Knight as a star ally.
Taranza still wasn't really up for hugs just yet, so he decided to shake hands with Dedede right as the king was about to leave.
"Take it easy there for the rest of the night, Taranza!" said Dedede. "I'm glad that freak Dark Meta Knight has been gettin' what he's deserved! I'd be more than glad to have that shadow version of our favorite pink rascal to take that scumbag's place in the alliance! Anyways, peace!"
Dedede then left Royal Road as he went back to his castle.
Funny enough, it's not long until more visitors show up, despite it being nighttime.
Two visitors show up at the same time: Magolor and Kirby, as they both got up here with a warp star. Apparently, they've been planning to do this before it becomes the next day.
They brought food with them for Taranza and Susie to have. There was ice cream included in the food they brought, since they knew Susie has been up here taking care of Taranza with her paramedics.
The four of them hang out, as they eat. Taranza comes out of his hospital bed during this hangout.
Magolor and Kirby were glad to see Taranza recovering, and also glad that Susie has indeed been taking care of him like she said she would.
It's also been revealed that Kirby hasn't felt good all day, as Magolor spent an hour with him before they both came up here. All that foul language that occurred during the fight wasn't good for Kirby to hear. Of course, he understood why Taranza had no filter in his language during the fight, as his rage was unfettered, but that didn't stop Kirby from still feeling stressed out to hear it all. It's just not something he's used to.
Kirby also did honestly believe that Dark Meta Knight deserved what came his way, but he was also worried that Taranza could've damaged his own mental health from all the rage he was releasing.
It made both Taranza and Susie feel really bad to hear about how poor Kirby has been feeling, and Taranza then made it clear that he's been feeling better ever since Susie helped him get back up here at his home.
Taranza apologizes to Kirby for having made him stressed out to hear all that foul language, but Kirby forgives him as he understands why he acted the way he did.
The four's hangout has gone on for about an hour until Taranza and Susie begin talking about how they've been informed of 'Shadow Kirby'.
It heavily piqued Magolor's interest to know that there's another version of Kirby out there that exists, but Kirby had something to say about it.
"I know Shadow Kirby!" said Kirby. "I know him! I met him when I was in the mirror world. He was my friend!"
"You should go find him and tell him that we all want him to replace Dark Meta Knight as a star ally!" replied Taranza.
Magolor and Susie concur with what Taranza said.
"Hey, Kirby, I have a question for you if you don't mind." said Magolor. "Has Dark Meta Knight ever even made up with you like we have? Did he ever even become your friend before he joined the star allies? I'm asking this because I've never seen or heard about you hanging out with him, like you have with us!"
Kirby breathed for a moment before he makes his response.
"No." he said. "No. He didn't. He never made up with me!"
Magolor, Taranza and Susie all gave each other glances for a couple of moments.
Dark Meta Knight never even reconciled with Kirby in the first place.
They never became friends before Dark Meta Knight joined the star allies, and were still never friends afterwards.
Dark Meta Knight is the only star ally that Kirby has never been friends with.
He is the only one out of the formerly 'villainous' star allies that has never reconciled with Kirby.
All the others did. Daroach, Magolor, Taranza, Susie and Marx did. Even the Mage Sisters did, when they were being accepted into the alliance. But Dark Meta Knight never did.
Even to this day, Dark Meta Knight has still never reconciled with and befriended Kirby, while everyone else has.
Quite fitting that the one star ally that everyone else is now clamoring to have be kicked out of group is the one that Kirby never befriended, huh?
It raised a question for the three ex-villains.
"What made him decide to join the alliance, then?" Susie asked Kirby. "Did you ask him why he joined?"
"I did, and he said it was because he wanted to see the dark hearts." replied Kirby. "But I didn't really trust him, because he never apologized to me! I was about to reject him from joining until Adeleine and Daroach insisted that he stays, as they grew to like him. So I just took their word for it!"
"But they don't like him anymore, as you've seen after the fight!" said Magolor in a relieving tone. "I mean, at the time, they didn't know he caused Sectonia's corruption, so I couldn't fault them for having wanted to like him back then. If we all knew about it beforehand, though, I don't think any of us would've allowed him to join!"
Taranza's mood starts to worsen a little bit, just thinking about it.
"I personally would've made sure that he couldn't join if we knew about it from the start!" Taranza hissed. "I can't believe I literally adventured with the one that hurt me and Sectonia. It... ugghh... it makes me want to throw up!"
It really feels like a salt in the wound for Taranza to think about how he had the absolute misfortune of being on the same adventure as the one that ruined everything for him. He didn't even know about this salt in the wound until recently!
The other three had sad looks on their faces after what Taranza just said. Susie had patted his hand again.
"Don't worry, friend. We're all here for you!" she said as she holds onto his hand again.
"At least that sucker finally got his karma, though!" said Magolor. "As far as I'm concerned, he's out of the team now!"
Susie, Magolor and Kirby all took a few moments to give Taranza some more comforting. Thankfully, his mood does improve after that sudden little outburst of stress.
"Now I think about it, I don't know why Shadow Kirby didn't show up to join the star allies!" said Kirby. "Unlike Dark Meta Knight, Shadow Kirby was actually my friend! I think I'll go to the mirror world soon to find Shadow Kirby, I think you should all get to meet him if we can make that happen!"
"I'd be very interested in getting to know him!" Magolor said delightfully, as he claps his hands a few times. "Another Kirby! That sounds fun! I wonder how much different he'll act?"
"Oh... Mags, according to the details that Daroach gave us, I'll think you'll really like him!" said Susie. "Apparently, he's mischievous, and he likes to pull pranks. That sounds like someone you'd love, I bet. You and Marx might have a new companion to do all your sillies with if he meets you!"
Needless to say, that stoked Magolor. He's already excited at what he's hearing about.
"That's... actually right." said Kirby. "Shadow Kirby pranked me once in the mirror world!"
"OOOOOOHHHHH! Hahahahahahaha!" laughed Magolor, as he became even more stoked by Kirby's confirmation. "I've got to meet him, then! It'd be amazing if he were to join our team!"
"Yes. Let him replace Dark Meta Knight! It's what he deserves if he assists in further punishing the freak." said Taranza, cheerfully.
Given how everyone has turned on Dark Meta Knight hardcore after the fight, they might easily welcome Shadow Kirby. From the sound of it, he'd already get along way better with everyone else than Dark Meta Knight ever has, even before Dark Meta Knight's involvement in corrupting Sectonia became disclosed!
The four hang out for about another hour until Kirby decides to finally make his leave.
"I have to go now! It's getting really late!" said Kirby.
"Okay, Kirby! Good night!" said Susie, as her eyes happily squint. "I'm really sorry that today was a difficult day for you, but at least it's over with. Tomorrow should hopefully be better! My vacation here is still going on for four more days, so I'll still be around here if you want to see me tomorrow!"
"Good night, Kirby!" said Magolor. "Come see me if you want to have some fun tomorrow! I'll be open for it, buddy!"
"Hey, Kirby..." said Taranza. "Thank you so much for coming here. Really, thank all of you. For your support. For everything. I can't describe how much it means to me. I wouldn't trade any of you for the universe. Kirby, I know it's hard for me to have a hug right now, but you are welcome to try to hug onto my side if you would like. And after that, please get a good night's sleep!"
Kirby attempted to hug Taranza onto his side. It worked.
When he was done hugging onto Taranza, he gives hugs to Magolor and Susie as well.
After hugging all three of them, Kirby then uses the warp star that brought him up here earlier to get back home. He waves at them goodnight as he leaves.
Now, it's just Magolor and Susie that are remaining up here with Taranza.
"You know, I was going to leave as well..." Magolor began speaking. "But honestly? I'm now... starting to think of maybe spending another night here. Unless you don't want me to. But I'd like to!"
"Actually, I'd appreciate it if you do!" replied Taranza. "Thank you for sticking with me through a lot of this struggle, Mags. But quite frankly, thank the both of you oh so much."
As he goes back to laying on his hospital bed, he gets his hands patted by both Susie and Magolor, showing how much they care about him.
The three essentially continue to hang out here inside Royal Road's castle up.
Susie called for her paramedics to return back to the Haltmann Works Company's base of operations, at her home planet. Taranza said it was okay for them to leave as he's recovered enough, although he still wanted the hospital bed to stay. Susie allowed that to happen, as there's a large supply of hospital beds in her company's medical faction anyways, so it was no big deal to leave this one behind. Taranza can get rid of it once he's done using it.
Before the three of them go to bed, they say a few particular things. As Taranza lays on his hospital bed, Susie and Magolor come right up to him to say some words before they go to sleep.
"Good night, Taranza!" said Magolor. "You did awesomely today! You destroyed that son of a bitch! We're all proud of you! I'd say that you deserve to have a break now, so I think you ought to take it easy tomorrow."
"I concur with Mags!" said Susie, as she then holds onto Taranza's hand for a little bit. "Try to get a good night's sleep, okay? I'll spend time here in each of the four remaining days of my vacation. But even when I do leave back to my home, you're always welcome to reach out to me on the phone! You truly are wonderful! I'd say you did a real service to your queen by wrecking the freak that corrupted her! Shadow Kirby should have finished him off by now, and I'm hopeful we'll get our chance to meet him. Anyhow, good night, Taranza!"
"Good night to the both of you!" said Taranza. "I love you both. And I've become proud of myself for what I did today. I'm going to try to fall asleep now. Thank you both so much! Good night!"
And just like, Susie and Magolor go to the beds they intend to sleep in. Taranza goes to sleep on the hospital bed.
Compared to last night, Taranza has a much easier time sleeping tonight, knowing that he did well in punishing the person responsible for all his trauma.
Susie is right that Taranza basically 'killed' Dark Meta Knight, even if it wasn't immediate. He crippled that horrible excuse of a knight really, really badly. Dark Meta Knight will die if he doesn't get medical help, which it sounds like he's not going to. He's done for, even if Shadow Kirby doesn't finish him off. But it sounds like that Shadow Kirby will finish him off if he hasn't already, according to what Daroach said about him.
Dark Meta Knight should be really feeling the hurt if he hasn't died just yet. It's what he deserves, after everything he did to both Taranza and Sectonia, especially when he had the disgusting audacity to mock Taranza during the fight.
All in all, Taranza essentially got his revenge. He destroyed Dark Meta Knight, rendering him to be doomed to die, and thus he avenged Queen Sectonia.
And a massive, massive thanks to Susie, Magolor, and just about everybody else that showed support for Taranza in this recent struggle.
But most especially thanks to Susie. There's a reason Taranza considers her to be his best friend. Since she herself had similar struggles, she has a greater understanding of what he's been through compared to how the others get it. For him, that's especially comforting. And when she noticed the similarities that her tragedies have to his, she's been able to really feel for him, unlike how she feels for almost anyone else.
That she got her company's paramedics to heal Taranza up after the fight certainly shows how much she's grown to care about him.
Of course, Susie certainly won't ever be 'replacing' Sectonia. Nobody can. But it really did help Taranza out quite a bit when Kirby had him meet Susie. Her existence alleviates his pain, and vice versa.
Everyone that has given Taranza grace do deserve a round of applause, though. Every. Single. One. Of. Them. The spider doesn't feel capable of being thankful enough for them, honestly.
Taranza sleeps well tonight. He's already having good dreams.
Good night, Taranza!