Meta Knight stood on the bridge of the Lor, his thoughts a tangled storm. He gazed out the large window into the vast, empty darkness of space, the stars glittering and the colorful dust of the galaxy swirling slowly. The silence of space was both a comfort and a reminder of the isolation they faced.
He had done all he could for the Halberd's repairs. There was no news, little progress on King Dedede and Kirby's injuries. All he could do now was stay vigilant and wait.
The quiet was broken by hurried footsteps. Magolor raced up to the stoic knight, his eyes wide with urgency. He didn't have the breath to speak and he didn't need to.
Meta heard him approach and turned sharply, his cape billowing with the movement. "The headquarters? You found it?"
"I finally locked onto their signal," he gestured for Meta to follow him back to the massive computer. Once there, he quickly brought up images of distant space on the monitor. "We were looking for a planet, but that was the wrong approach. It's a space station. And, well… you're not gonna like it."
"What do you mean?"
Magolor's ears drooped slightly as the screen revealed the space station and its surroundings. "It's… surrounded," he muttered, "and heavily guarded inside and out."
Meta stood tense and silent, glaring at the screen. Destroyas, powerful starships built for destruction, littered the display. At the center sat the fortress itself. Even with everyone at their best, this would be a suicide mission. He couldn't drag anyone else into this. Not again.
"We still have the Galactic Nova," Magolor suggested.
"We can't waste any time. Collecting the stars… we lost that chance when the Halberd was attacked," Meta Knight replied, his tone firm.
"Th-then we'll call in more allies. We can get Daroach and Gooey and Taranza! O-or Susie or Adeline—!"
"We already tried that, Magolor. We contacted everyone we could. No one else answered," Meta Knight said, the solemnity in his voice causing Magolor to wilt. He typed and searched for something more that could be done. The more he looked, the smaller he made himself, unable to offer more.
Meta placed a hand on Magolor's shoulder and shook his head.
"We'll take care of it. Trust me," he said in a softer tone than before.
"This is impossible, Meta Knight!" Magolor cried, whipping around to face him. His face was red with frustration as he grabbed Meta's cape and pulled him down to his level. "I can trust you with every fiber of my being, but I can't believe this will work! Two people can't take down an entire fortress on their own."
"Then collect the stars," Meta said firmly. "We will keep their attention for as long as we live. And once we're gone, you summon the Nova to wish for NME's demise."
"Don't say that," he hissed.
"You'd prefer we give up here?"
"We're all escaping, right? Just come with us. Cappy Town can all make a new home in my dimension! Surely we can find some… parallel Popstar or something?"
Meta Knight's eyes softened behind his mask. "It's not that simple, Magolor. My world, my people… they need a fighting chance. And sometimes, sacrifices must be made."
Magolor's grip on Meta's cape tightened. "Don't you dare martyr yourself. Was this your plan the whole time? To just drag Dark out there with you to die?" Magolor's frustration came to a head, his fists clenching on the cape until his gloves started to creak and shake. His ears were pinned back as flat as possible.
"Why would you tow us along if you were planning to kill yourself like this?!"
"This was not a light decision," Meta gently pried Magolor's fingers from his cape. "Last they saw, Kirby was defeated. If we go in alone, they will have no reason to hunt for you all. I know what I'm doing… I chose this path, my friend. And I will see it through to the end."
A heavy silence fell between them, the gravity of the situation settling in. There was no talking him out of it, Magolor knew it was the best chance for Dreamland to be spared entirely with Meta Knight's plan. There was no other way.
Magolor's voice trembled as he spoke again. "Just… promise to try to live. They need you."
Meta Knight nodded, a small but determined smile forming. "I promise."
He turned and left, his cape fluttering behind him as he walked down the hall. It was time to separate from the pack. Meta's hope of giving Kirby some parting words was slowly diminishing. This would be his last visit. Whether Kirby was awake or not, he'd have to bid him goodbye.
His walk to the infirmary was slower than ever before, lingering in the halls to postpone the inevitable farewell.
There was a small hum of conversation as he approached. Dark wasn't one to make small talk, but Dedede was more than happy to listen to himself talk. After so long alone together Meta was honestly surprised they didn't go at each other's throats already. This hum was something else. Soft and patient chatter that was too low for him to make out until he reached the door.
Meta's heart leaped in his chest at the sight. Dedede sat on the infirmary table, in his lap was the bright and wide eyed star child.
Kirby looked over at him and smiled brightly.
Meta had to fight the tears threatening to blind him, which left him unable to combat the burst of energy that made him scoop up Kirby and hug him close.
"You're awake!" he cried, forcing himself to keep the hug loose so he didn't hurt him.
"Meta Knight!" Kirby exclaimed in return, his small arms wrapping tightly around Meta's neck.
Meta pulled back slightly to look at Kirby's face, relief washing over him. "I didn't think I'd get to see you awake again. I was so worried."
Dark had resumed his demeanor, standing at the far wall with his arms folded as he leaned on the wall. He could pretend he wasn't just as worried, but Meta and Dedede would know the truth and keep his secret. This time at least.
"He woke up a couple hours ago. We still gotta heal so we're stickin' around," Dedede said as he stood and lightly stretched.
"I visited just in time then. This is actually…" Meta paused and cleared his throat. "Dark, meet me in the hall."
Dark raised his head. He cocked a brow but said nothing, cape following him as he stepped outside.
"How are you feeling?" Meta asked.
"I'm fine! That monster was really strong," Kirby said. He was as bubbly as ever. There wasn't a hint of sadness dulling his bright eyes. Though he winced often at the many injuries scattered on him. "We hafta go get it!"
"Dedede dealt with it already. Don't you worry," Meta shook his head. Dedede chuckled and pumped a fist.
"It was no sweat," he grinned. Kirby laughed and Meta looked aside. Fibbing aside, he was glad to see Dedede feeling better as well.
"Now you just have to get better, okay?" Meta returned his attention to his task at hand.
"But I'm fine," Kirby pouted.
Meta Knight shook his head and set Kirby on the infirmary bed, earning a slighted look from Dedede. "You're hurt. You need to rest."
"But I can help!"
"No, I— It's alright. Dark and I will take care of everything, okay?" Meta said, his voice softening.
Kirby's pout deepened, but he nodded reluctantly. "Okay..."
Meta Knight took a deep breath, knowing this was his moment. He placed a hand on Kirby's shoulder, his expression serious but tender. "Kirby, I need you to listen to me. You've always been the bravest, most capable little warrior I've known. But right now, the best way you can help is by getting better."
Kirby's brows furrowed and he folded his legs. "… really? But… what about NME?"
Meta struggled to keep his voice steady. "There are some battles that I must face without you. I need you to stay here, safe, and recover. Promise me you'll do that."
He searched Meta's expressionless helmet. The eyes beyond were beginning to quiver. A small part of Kirby understood that this was important, but he couldn't yet tell why. He nodded. "I promise."
Meta Knight smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. King Dedede grimaced and stepped beside the bed. He searched the Knight for a moment before scratching at his neck.
"Am I hearin' what I think I'm hearin'?" he asked in a somber voice. Meta night nodded slowly. Dedede nodded as well, gaze falling to the floor as he tightened his arms around his chest. The hold wasn't enough to calm his fraying nerves.
All he had to say was a simple, "I see…"
"Remember, no matter what happens, you're never alone. You have your friends and allies with you."
With one last lingering glance, Meta Knight turned and walked towards the door, his heart heavy but resolute. As he reached the doorway, he paused and tensed his shoulders. "Goodbye, you two. Stay strong."
Kirby watched as Meta left, a mix of emotions swirling within him. As the door closed, he muttered, "Bye..."
Dedede watched him go, breathing a soft, "be safe."