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"Come on Kirby. It's time for bed."
"Poyo!"
"I know you still want to play, but you need your sleep. You can barely stand on your own feet."
"Poyo."
Meta Knight chuckled to himself at the young star warrior's antics. The kid could nap through the apocalypse and then some, but one mention of bedtime and suddenly he would want to play for a little bit longer.
"You can play with the mage sisters tomorrow. They, along with Hyness, still have to recover from being stuck in that other dimension, and Magalor and Susie wanted a chance to speak to them as well."
"Hooah?"
"No. Bedtime."
Kirby deflated on his perch upon Meta Knight's back, relenting to his elder's command. It wasn't long before the sound of snoring filled the quiet night.
As Meta Knight walked the path to Kirby's house, his mind lingered on his unofficial charge. It wasn't uncommon nowadays for Kirby to be restless before bed. Thankfully, the pink puffball was a gentle sleeper once he was out, but the knight was starting to suspect he might be having night terrors. It wouldn't be surprising, given how many times Kirby ended up facing beings of unfathomable might and darkness.
It never stopped amazing Meta Knight how Kirby, despite being a baby, had done more good to the universe and beyond than he had ever done in his long life. Dark matter, Marx, Dark Mind, Magalor, Star dream, Void Termina, and much more. Each their own branch of terrifying. And yet Kirby faced each adversary, each challenge, with courage and compassion. Better yet, his cheerful optimism had affected the lives of even his enemies, some of them even becoming friends to the pink puffball.
Although the jury was still out on whether Marx was actually redeemed or not.
Still, all the friends Kirby had made over the years really helped in light of the most recent galactic events. Kirby was exhausted after dealing with Void Termina, so everyone volunteered to help clean up the jambastion's mess. This led to them finding Hyness enacting his backup plan, trying to summon the greatest warrior in the galaxy.
Meta Knight had dreamed of his fight with Galacta Knight multiple times. The chance to duel the infamous swordsman.
A chance to finally put an end to his mentor’s madness, permanently.
It was both a surprise and a letdown when that butterfly flew in and annihilated Galacta Knight before Meta Knight even got the chance to face him. What wasn't was the fight that followed. Even when fighting the Mysterious swordsman forty to one, they were barely a match for the being's raw power.
After that fiasco, peace returned to the galaxy, although something was bothering both Magalor and Kirby. Eventually, after much resistance from the two, they returned to the Divine Terminus, where they found a rift into another dimension. Kirby, of course, dove right in, and everyone else followed suit.
The other dimension was more of a gauntlet than he remembered. Many times, he almost believed they wouldn't make it back out alive. But Kirby's determination pulled them through, where they found Hyness, along with the mage sisters, rife with the dark corruption made manifest upon Void Termina's defeat.
It was a grueling fight, but after what seemed like an eternity, Kirby's heart pierced the darkness, freeing their foes from the corruption in their hearts.
Meta Knight was brought out of his musing as he came up to Kirby's house. How a baby was able to become a homeowner, he would never know. He carefully made his way inside, and gently placed Kirby onto his bed. Almost immediately, the kid managed to tuck himself into bed, his sleeping cap nestled onto his head, and a content look on his face.
A wave of exhaustion fell over Meta knight, reminding him that he too needed to rest. He was thankful that his mirror was willing to defend Dreamland during the night; his own sleep schedule had been a mess before then. As he stepped out of the house, he glanced over at Kirby. The star warrior turned in his sleep, a tiny smile on his face. Satisfied that Kirby was sound asleep, Meta knight softly closed the door, and took off into the night.
"Sweet dreams, Kirby."
Kirby hated nightmares.
It wasn't that they were scary. Well, they were, but he faced scary things all the time. Gooey's siblings were very scary. But they rarely showed up in his nightmares.
There was a time where he had nightmares about Marx and Magalor. They were not that scary, at least, not anymore. But the nightmares about them were far from pleasant. Their evil looks would haunt him for days.
The nightmares about Drawcia, Sectonia, and Haltmann still haunted him too. They weren’t scary either, but hearing their pained cries still hurt him more than any sword or spell they threw at him.
No, he didn’t hate them because they were scary. He hated his nightmares because they reminded him of something he didn't want to think about. A fact that haunted him for as long as he protected Popstar.
He couldn't save everyone.
Every nightmare was a reminder of the future friends who couldn't be saved. of weary souls who wouldn't rest. That for the many lives he saved, there could always be someone left behind.
Thankfully, a lot of friends came back, banishing the nightmares, of them at least. He was so happy when Magalor returned years ago, along with the gift of a whole amusement park. Magalor was forgiven right there.
He was very happy when Marx showed up a few weeks ago, dropping in to help fight Grandpa woods. He might put on a tough act, but Kirby knew he was a good boy at heart.
And now, he wouldn't have any more nightmares about the Jam Buddies! He just hoped that they got well soon.
Kirby felt his feet touch the strangely springy floor, and immediately felt a wave of dread wash over him. He didn't need to open his eyes, he knew who this nightmare was about. Around him, the dreaded song hummed to life, and the air became thick with hatred and pain. He opened his eyes, and was met with the familiar swirls of chaos amongst purple, black spots swirling about before reforming into a mirror of his own face. With a raspy breath, Termina spoke one word.
" H̴̶̵҉̨̡̛̼͎̫͓̒́̔ͩ͜͟͠͞͞i҉̧̯̤̙͔̑ͧ̅̔ͦ́͜͟͢͝͠I҉̡̯̺̜̅́͋̃͢͜i҉̧̯̤̙͔̑ͧ̅̔ͦ́͜͟͢͝͠... "
Immediately, Kirby jumped as his mirror barraged him with pellets and needles; cutters and discordant symphonies. Termina had always fought with anger and hate, but something was different about tonight. Before, these attacks were filled with playful malice. Now, there was no play, just fury and rage. Even as Termina smiled, Kirby found it to be... hollow, empty.
Termina shifted from purple to silver, his dark eye taking a peek from deep within for a brief moment, before resuming his offense. For that brief moment, Kirby thought he saw something. Something new, hidden away by that empty smile.
Barely escaping from electrified water, bouncing clones, black holes, and cutter flurries, Kirby felt a shift in the dream. The air lightened, and the song slowed. Once a chaotic symphony, now a quiet plea. He looked towards Termina to see the orb had gone white, the wicked smile almost nonexistent. Then, it opened its eye. As bloody crimson met joyous blue, Kirby understood.
This was more than just a memory of Termina; more than Termina itself. This was Void. And from deep within, Kirby felt kinship, and understood why.
This was him. A Kirby born of hatred and suffering, instead of love and joy. A Kirby that never knew of playtime with friends, of meals with family. A Kirby who was all alone for eons;
Who was now lonely once again.
Void once more commenced their assault, but even though they were fighting harder than ever, there was no more malice in each attack, no more hatred to be shown. Void kept fighting, because it didn't know what else to do.
Because it didn't know how to ask Kirby to stay.
But it didn't need to. Kirby would not allow void to be alone any more. He would be Void's friend. He was determined to do it. And he knew how to start.
"Hi!"
Immediately, Void stuttered, their eye closing as they focused on Kirby with renewed interest. Kirby, encouraged by Void's change in attitude, he waved, before jumping high, accidentally landing on his face. Quickly getting up, he watched as Void shifted faces over and over, but never taking it’s attention off of him. Hoping this was a good sign, Kirby did a little dance, wondering if Void might jump in.
Void did not. Instead, Void’s eye opened once again, two mirrors of energy sliding out like tears. Within their reflections, Kirby saw Void’s past. They were left alone in the universe for so long. And when they finally found someone, anyone in the universe, Void was always met with hostility, fear, and anger. This happened again and again, Void always being cast out, forever alone.
A tingle in the air snapped Kirby back to reality, giving him just barely enough time to dodge the laser reflecting off one of the mirrors.
Recovering from the sudden dodge, Kirby focused himself. Void didn’t play, so what else could he do? As he rolled out of the way of another reflected beam, he caught a glance of his reflection in the mirror left behind just before it disappeared.
And an idea struck him.
As another beam flew past him, Kirby focused on a fond memory of his. His picnic with Adeline, Ribbon, and Dedede. With this memory in mind, he cried out, firing the memory into the mirror left behind by Void’s attack. It landed, glowing brightly before showing the memory within its reflection. Kirby glanced at Void, who seemed to be looking at the memory, even as it continued its attack. So Kirby prepared a second memory, this time of one of his many naps with Bandana Dee, and did it again.
Void seemed caught up as it watched the memories, slowing down in its offense. With swiftness, Kirby dodged the mirrored beams, all while projecting stories of the adventures of his friends and his on the mirrors. For a moment it seemed that Void understood, his eye closing once again.
That hope was dashed when Kirby felt a wave of hot fury pulse from Void, their form flickering darker and darker before blackening as their overwhelming anger set them aflame.
Void charged, flying around the space like a hateful comet, nearly roasting Kirby alive. All the while, Kirby felt ashamed. With each pass Void made, Kirby could feel the resentment radiating from it. All he'd done was just reminded Void of what he never had.
Eventually, Void’s burning rage came to an end, but Kirby was still not getting anywhere. Void didn’t know joy. They had never felt it. How could Kirby share his joy with Void if Void couldn’t recognise what joy was.
Wait, that was it! He just needed to teach Void what joy was!
As Void came down from above once again, Kirby gathered himself. He gathered all his happiness, condensing it into the familiar friend heart. Once it was ready, he threw it, striking Void directly.
Void immediately stopped in place, its face shifting as it looked to Kirby. Void seemed… confused. Did it work? Did he feel joy in that moment? He must have, to have stopped his rampage like this. Emboldened, Kirby waved, calling out to Void, before conjuring another friend heart. This time Void seemed to chase the heart as it flew into itself, as if wanting more. It’s face shifting once more as it felt the new feelings. Finally, its eyes and smile widened, looking like there was now life behind that smile. Kirby readied one final heart, hoping to cement that feeling into Void.
Only to be violently shaken out of it when Void suddenly closed off, its singular eye shut tightly as if it were in pain. Before Kirby could try to comfort it, Void flew into the distance, tears seemingly running down it’s face. Those tears condensed, and Kirby barely dodged in time for the barrage of lasers that came sweeping across.
As Void came flying back, it spun violently, shaking its tears loose in a spiral pattern, forming a cage of beams around Kirby and Void. As the two stared into each others eyes, Kirby faintly heard Void cry out,
“ ...w҉̢̡̹̮͌̄ͦ͜͟͟͞͠͞h̷̶̘̘̬ͭ̏͞͡ȳ̸̵̩̜͔͍̔́͟͟͢͡? ”
Kirby simply stared back as the barrage of lasers ended. Landing on the ground, Kirby stood with confidence and cried back,
“I want to be your friend.”
Void stared back, Its eye wide open as it heard Kirby’s plea. Hopefully, finally, it would understand.
That hope was dashed as Void started to convulse violently. Its face shifting rapidly between pained joy and eternal sorrow.
Kirby didn't know what to do. At this rate, Void was going to tear itself apart! Kirby couldn't let that happen, not without first becoming Void’s friend! But what could he do? His playing didn't bring fun, his stories didn't bring joy, and Kirby couldn't project positive emotions forever, not if Void kept shutting him out.
Suddenly, a faint memory glimmered in Kirby's head. He did not know where it came from, he did not know how long ago. All he knew was that it was HIS joy.
That’s what Void needed. They needed to find their own joy, their happiness, their reason to give life a chance. And so Kirby reached out, and began to sing.
It was a simple tune. A familiar tune. With this tune, Kirby poured out his heart, soul, and dreams. This was his gift to Void, so that they may find happiness on their own.
And Void sang back, in a voice that almost mirrored his own. As their song ended, Kirby looked at Void, and Void looked back, happiness laden in their eyes.
Suddenly, Void rippled, a wave of energy pulsing from it as it gained a look of… understanding?
Then everything began exploding in stars and bright lights, Void shifting rapidly between forms before settling on Kirby’s mirror once more. As the lights grew brighter and brighter, the last thing Kirby saw was Void’s look of happiness as everything burned white.
Meta Knight slowly trudged up to Kirby’s house, vestiges of sleep evident in his steps. It seems his streak of horrid nightmares would not be ending anytime soon.
He hoped Kirby had had a better night’s sleep than he had.
Reaching a hand to the door, he braced himself. It would not be the first time Kirby would immediately leave at dawn right after an adventure. Although, if that were the case, then it would have been brought up to him earlier.
He opened the door slowly, and was relieved when he saw Kirby still fast asleep in his bed. Well, “in bed” was a bit of an exaggeration. Kirby had somehow wormed his way out of bed, and was laying on top of the covers on has stomach, his feet resting on the pillow. His face was quite content, and he seemed to be nuzzling something…
Curious, Meta knight opened the door a little bit more, and all his lethargy was replaced with shock.
Nuzzling up next to Kirby… was another star warrior! Albeit, they looked quite strange. Whereas most star warriors were rather squishy looking, this one looked to have been carved from polished white marble, with shifting cracks filled with pure rainbows. Their face was hard to read, but even with their teary eyes, they looked content as they nuzzled up to Kirby.
He must have not been too quiet, because the new star warrior quickly roused from their sleep, Revealing their deep ruby red eyes. Upon noticing Meta knight peering in, they let out a terrified squeak before crawling behind Kirby.
The commotion seemed to finally rouse Kirby from his slumber. As he awoke, he didn’t seem to fully register what was happening for a moment. Letting out a big yawn and stretch, he turned to the quivering mass huddling next to him, looking a little confused.
The two star warriors stared at each other long enough to make Meta Knight uncomfortable with the tension. His worry was for naught, as Kirby seemed to wake up and seemingly recognize the pale star warrior. With a small “Hi,” the two nuzzled together, with the pale star warrior finally calming down.
It was… touching, to the old knight. A bond that he hadn’t seen in a fellow star warrior since his youth.
He was loathe to break up the scene, but Meta Knight was curious about the new star warrior. So with a small cough, he made himself known to the duo again.
Kirby immediately turned to him and cheered, hopping up and out of bed, his hat flopping off. The other however, stayed frozen, watching Meta Knight like a scared cat. Kirby noticed this, and turned back, where he and the other star warrior locked eyes once more. After a seemingly silent conversation, Kirby raised his hand to the other, which they warily took, and slowly made their way off the bed as well. Kirby then slowly led the pale star warrior over to Meta Knight, joy and confidence evident in every step, with the other nervously following behind.
“So, who’s your new friend?” Meta asked in a clam tone once the two got to him.
“Haya Hoo!” replied Kirby simply.
“...your…sibling?”
“Ha!”
Meta Knight was starting to get a headache. In the middle of the night, his young charge had found another star warrior, and decided they were now siblings? Where did Kirby even find them? Surely he couldn’t have gone on another adventure that fast in the middle of the night. Did they just appear from a dream, or another dimension?
Not that strange considering Kirby’s luck, now that Meta Knight thought about it. And if Kirby was alright with this, then Meta Knight would refer to his judgement for now.
He turned to the other star warrior, who was trying to avoid eye contact. Slowly, he lowered himself to their eye level and asked, “Well then young star warrior, what is your name?”
The pale star warrior paused, mulling over the question. ‘A newborn then’ thought Meta Knight, understanding starting to come to him. Before he could mull over the implications of that thought, the pale star warrior looker to him with nervous eyes and answered,
“P-Payaya.”
Meta Knight hummed to himself. Definitely a much softer name in comparison to Kirby’s name. Fitting for their shy nature, both the true name, and the translation.
“Well then…” Said Meta Knight as he reached over and patted the pale star warrior’s head. At first, they stilled, but quickly leaned into his touch. As Kirby cheered, Meta Knight continued. “I hope you have a nice time here with us, Temmie.”
The newly named Temmie simply smiled, the first since she had woken up.
As Meta Knight pulled his hand back, Temmie huddled back over to Kirby, and held his hand once more.
“Alright then, are you two ready for the day?” Meta knight asked.
“Haya!”
“Ha!”
With a nod, Meta Knight led the new siblings outside. At first, Temmie was uncomfortable with the intense sunlight. But after some light consoling from Kirby, she opened her eyes, wonder filling them as they looked over the fields of Dreamland’s green greens.
With a light nod, Meta Knight watched as the two ran off, probably on some new adventure. Or to meet Kirby’s friends. Or both.
Meta Knight gave out a loud sigh before brandishing his wings and taking off after his two charges.
Things would only get crazier from here. He was sure of it.
And he wouldn’t have it any other way.