The Lor's engines roared as they closed the distance between the two ships. The Halberd's condition was grave, its battered frame spoke of the harrowing ordeal it had endured. While Meta Knight remained resolute in his determination to rescue any survivors, the bleak reality was beginning to cast doubt on their chances of finding anyone left alive. He couldn't let the possibility hold him back.
Magolor expertly maneuvered the Lor closer to the Halberd. The tension aboard the ship was palpable, each crew member holding their breath as the two vessels connected, sealing them safely from the vacuum of space.
"We don't know what awaits us on the Halberd. I want you three to locate and retrieve any survivors," Meta Knight commanded, assembling the crew near the ship's entrance.
"And what about you?" Dark inquired, arms crossed and eyebrows arched in curiosity.
"I'll be tracking down whatever is responsible for this," Meta Knight declared. Before anyone could protest, the door slid open and he unfurled his wings, soaring swiftly through the Halberd.
It was a horrid sight. Debris littered the corridors and the faint sound of alarms echoed through the battered vessel. Meta Knight navigated through the chaos, his senses heightened as he searched for any signs of life amidst the wreckage.
His heart sank as he came across the first casualty lying motionless amidst the debris. Descending from the air, he approached the fallen crew member, kneeling beside the battered form. The crew member's helmet was shattered, his body bearing the marks of a savage attack, with blood staining the surrounding surfaces.
Meta Knight carefully moved aside some of the debris, examining the wounds that appeared to be inflicted by some kind of animal. The thought of creatures capable of surviving in space without the aid of a ship narrowed down the possibilities.
Nightmare sent it. He was sure of that.
With a heavy heart, Meta Knight rose to his feet, pausing for a moment to pay his respects to the fallen before resuming his urgent search through the ravaged corridors of the Halberd.
As he soared through the halls, he heard a faint scream from ahead. He beat his wings harder, forcing himself to fly at speeds he never achieved before, spurred by his need to protect whoever was left.
Meta cut through the door to the bridge, bursting into the room to find a massive beast towering over a small group of civilians. Without thinking, he threw himself between the beast and the survivors, raising his sword to defend against the flaming claws that tore down on him.
The metal rang out, sparking as he held off the creature.
He recognized the fire, the bared fangs, and the bright emerald in it's forehead. WolfWrath.
"All of you, run! The Lor is waiting for you!" Meta called back, bracing his sword against a barrage of claws. They scrambled to their feet and raced down the direction he came, shrieking as they fled.
All adults. The children weren't with them. Meta Knight pushed WolfWrath back and stabbed through its massive paw. He needed an opening. Something that could allow him to search for the children. His heart was sinking deeper into his gut. The mere idea that they could be harmed, he didn't want to entertain it.
Knowing the beast, it wouldn't give him an inch. Wolfwrath quickly bore down on him again, clamping it's dangerous teeth on Galaxia's blade and attempting to wrench it out of Meta's hands. His grip tightened, his gauntlets creaking with the effort of his grasp.
WolfWrath reared back and howled, yelping and whipping around as its attention tore away from Meta. A massive gash split the fur on its back, bleeding into its red coat.
"Are you a moron?" Dark huffed, taking place beside Meta, his sword coated in blood. "You can't do everything alone."
"The survivors, are th—"
"Yeah, yeah, Magolor's rounding them up. Calm down," Dark interrupted. Meta wanted to protest, but there was no time. WolfWrath's glare fixated on the Knight and his shadow, teeth bared, a low, deep growl emanating from its throat. Hackles raised making a ring of spiky fur around its neck.
This was far from the first time Meta Knight had encountered this beast, and he held little hope it would be the last. He eyed the long spires on WolfWrath's back, steeling himself against the surge of anxiety that threatened to weaken his resolve.
He opened his mouth to warn Dark, but his reflection had already charged ahead. With a powerful roar, Dark Meta Knight leaped into the air, his tattered black wings snapping open as he soared over the slashing claws of the beast. Dark raked his sword down WolfWrath's back. Landing on the opposite side, he flicked the wolf's blood onto the ground.
Reckless… but he was stealing attention, which Meta was thankful for. Two Galaxias were better than one, but what they really needed to beat WolfWrath was water. Scanning the area, there were no fires. WolfWrath was about as weak as it could be now. That wouldn't mean it was a push over.
Dark took the lead, meeting WolfWrath's attack head-on. His sword clashed with the beast's claws, each impact sending tremors through his arms. The force of WolfWrath's blows pushed Dark back step by step, the silver blade beginning to chip away under the relentless assault.
WolfWrath roared, lunging with a powerful swipe. Dark barely managed to parry, the force driving him further back. He gritted his teeth, glancing at Meta. "Anytime, Meta!"
Meta shook his head to dismiss the idle thoughts, tightening his grip on his sword. He darted around WolfWrath, aiming for its exposed flank. With a swift slash, he struck, drawing a howl of pain from the creature. More blood spilled from the wounds, painting the floor in crimson splatter.
Enraged, WolfWrath whipped around, momentarily distracted. Dark seized the opportunity, rushing forward and slashing at its legs, trying to cripple the beast. WolfWrath reared back, but Dark was relentless, his attacks fierce and unyielding despite the wear on his weapon.
Meta circled to the other side, striking with precision. Each cut was calculated, aiming for tendons and joints. WolfWrath howled again, its movements growing more erratic as it struggled to fend off attacks from both sides.
"We need to end this now!" Dark shouted, deflecting another powerful blow.
Meta nodded, steeling himself. With a burst of speed, he launched into the air, his cape billowing out. He came down hard, his sword piercing deep into WolfWrath's shoulder. The beast howled in agony, thrashing violently. Meta clung to his sword and WolfWrath, hanging on as it thrashed and opening his wings to keep himself from getting thrown.
Dark saw his chance and lunged forward, driving his blade into WolfWrath's chest. Its thrashing was halted in an instant, weakly clawing for Dark and faltering. The matted fur was beginning to turn black with how thickly the blood coated it. The creature's movements slowed, its strength waning. It let out one final, blood-curdling roar before collapsing to the ground, defeated. A pool accumulating beneath it.
Breathing heavily, Dark and Meta exchanged a glance as they stepped away from the fallen beast. "I can see that look in your eye," Dark huffed, sheathing his sword and gesturing toward the hall. "Go find them already."
Meta hesitated, glancing at the hall. If Dark hadn't rushed in, he wouldn't have taken down WolfWrath at all. He looked at the ground before finally meeting Dark's gaze.
"Come with me," he said suddenly.
Dark laughed, walking past Meta with his tattered cape trailing behind him. "I was going to," he replied, looking over his shoulder. "I told you, you can't do this alone. If we want anything to get done, I'm joining you."
Meta allowed himself a small laugh, then fell into step beside Dark as they marched down the hall.
The further they charged down the halls, the more bodies and wreckage they encountered. Ice marred the walls, water pooled on the floor, mixing with blood from various corpses. Scorched metal and areas still crackling with electricity showed signs of a fierce battle. Kirby had definitely fought hard down this direction.
The door at the end of the hall was smashed open, the room beyond pitch black except for the occasional flicker from broken lights.
"Magolor, please find the children somewhere safe…" Meta muttered to himself, peering into the deep shadows.
"Y'know… We haven't seen Dedede yet either," Dark whispered. Meta grimaced at that, stepping into the darkness slowly, his hand on his hilt. The Knights crept in carefully, feeling through the darkness for obstacles. The silence crackled with tension.
"Kirby? Kids…?" Meta called hesitantly into the darkness. Something tumbled, and the lights flickered, revealing overturned rubble. Meta swiftly drew his sword, glaring in the direction of the disturbance, ready for any movement. Dark stood behind him, back to back, watching the door for anything that might escape.
After a tense moment, something burst from the rubble, roaring as it charged at them. The pair raised their weapons, sparks flying as metal clashed against metal. The lights flickered again, illuminating their assault.
The burning eyes that met them were unmistakably familiar. Meta's eyes widened in recognition.
"Dark, back off," he ordered, holding out his arm. Dark huffed in annoyance but complied, stepping back. Meta cast a quick flick of lightning from his sword to the broken panel, hoping it would make the lights stay on longer than a second.
As the lights flickered to life, the trio looked each other over.
"Sir Ebrum?" Meta blinked in surprise.
"Meta Knight! Thank the stars it's you," Sir Ebrum exclaimed, dropping the pipe he had been using as a makeshift weapon. He grasped Meta's shoulders tightly, as if fearing the Knight might vanish before his eyes.
Seeing the meek man with a weapon was hard to believe. And to see him alone was even worse. Meta's mind was threatening to race without him again. He shook his head.
"What are you doing here? Where are the kids?"
"I have them. Kids! It's Meta Knight, we're safe!" Sir Ebrum called over his shoulder. From under some carefully placed wreckage, Lady Like emerged with the children of Cappy Town. At least they were safe. Dark stood watch at the door, scanning the hall for any danger.
The noble children pushed through the group of trembling kids, rushing to Meta. They leaped at him, hugging him tightly. They began to sob and shout in unison, making it hard to understand either of them. He couldn't imagine how they were feeling after all they've been through. He closed his cape around the trio so they wouldn't feel so exposed and vulnerable.
"What happened? Where's Kirby and King Dedede?" Meta asked, comforting the children with a gentle hand on their backs.
"King Dedede was at the helm the whole time, and Kirby was with us. He never came out, and the monsters chased us away from the helm," Sir Ebrum said, scratching his neck and looking down at the floor. "Kirby was fighting while we ran to hide. If you didn't see him, I don't know where he could be."
Whatever battle Kirby had faced must have been incredibly dangerous, given the state of the ship and the number of casualties. Although it was mostly crew members, Meta worried about the handful of civilians Cappy Town had lost.
"At least you're all safe. Dark, take—"
"I know," Dark interrupted with a huff, waving at the group to follow him. "We have another ship. Follow me." Meta ushered the noble children to take their parents' hands and join the group waiting for Dark to lead them. Dark leaned in, shoulder to shoulder with Meta, and hissed under his breath, "The second I get them to Lor, I am coming back."
"You'll find me at the helm," Meta said. Dark nodded and led the group down the halls. Meta headed in the opposite direction, charging toward the last known location of Kirby and Dedede.
It was eerily quiet at the door to the helm. Meta approached cautiously, studying the broken hand scanner beside the sealed entrance. The door was scorched but intact, suggesting something wanted to keep Dedede trapped inside. Meta stepped back, unsheathing Galaxia and taking aim.
With one powerful slash, he cut the sealed door apart and kicked it open. As he entered, he saw that a fight had just ended. Kirisakin lay collapsed, its blades shattered and its teeth beaten out of its face. King Dedede stood, using his hammer to keep himself upright. He was in bad shape—cut, slashed, and stabbed. Blood soaked his tattered robes, and his puffball hat lay shredded on the floor.
Behind Dedede lay Kirby. Meta Knight rushed to his side immediately, kneeling down to lift him off the ground. Thankfully, there was minimal blood, but Kirby was barely responsive.
"King Dedede... I didn't think you'd put our rivalry aside," Meta muttered, rising to his feet and turning to him.
Dedede huffed, casting him a weak but sour glare. "Thanks," he said, trying to catch his breath. They fought valiantly to protect the people. From Kirby, that was what he expected. A Star Warrior through and through. But King Dedede working so hard surprised him. He knew that was in him somewhere. That was the man he would gladly serve.
"I'm taking you two to the Lor. Come on, the rest of Cappy Town is waiting." He moved to help Dedede, offering his arm for support.
Dedede grunted, leaning heavily on Meta as he struggled to stand. "You saved them?" he asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
Meta tightened his grip, steadying the injured king. "Everyone we could," he replied. "The children are all safe." They started to slowly make their way out of the helm, Meta leading them to the bridge where the Lor awaited them.