Chapter Text
Ever since Meta Knight had met that pink Star Child, Kirby, he had changed as both a warrior and individual. Though the change in question didn’t happen overnight. In the beginning, Meta used to see Kirby as nothing but a lazy boy who spent too much time eating junk food and napping. However, one thing stood out to Meta. The child’s lifestyle was sedentary but his natural ability to fight? Unprecedented. Meta could tell that Kirby is a Star Child that Popstar desperately needed. A Star Child from a younger generation that would grow into a prospective Star Warrior. Meta knew from fighting many battles a thousand years ago that the war wasn't over. He refused to retire even when his age crept up on him and health slowly began to deteriorate. He continued to soldier on, aiding Kirby against challenges and foes, while still testing the boy’s skills.
Meta also protected Kirby, taking him under his wing like a father would to a son.
In the present, Meta sits beside Kirby’s bedside and reads a book, a grand story about a brave Star Warrior fighting for justice. The boy hangs onto each plot point and character. They take turns reading chapters. Kirby takes extra time sounding out the words.
"What does this say? It's a hard word. I dunno if I can read it." Kirby squints at the page.
"Of course you can, Kirby. Try breaking the word down," Meta is patient and waits for Kirby to make an attempt.
"Hm. Uh...ch...chiv...chival..." Kirby hesitates to finish. What if he messed up Infront of Meta?
"You're getting better. Just one more part."
Kirby pauses to think. He perks up. "The last part says 'rous' It says chivalrous! Uhhh, what does that even mean?"
Meta nods.
"Chivalrous refers to someone who is fair and honest. The knight in this story wants to have a fair fight."
Kirby's eyes widen with wonder. "The knight is just like you! I think you're chiva..."
"Chivalrous," Meta smiles under his mask.
After placing a bookmark between the pages, Meta tucks Kirby – the very same Star Warrior who took down his warship over a year ago–into bed. The Meta Knight a year ago would've laughed at the mere thought of being paternal. No matter. That's all in the past.
Yet, Meta Knight had his own secrets Kirby did not know. Despite getting closer to Kirby as both a mentor and even a father figure, he had the same old habits. He kept a fair distance from Kirby unless they were practicing. Meta refused to show his face. The child also loved hugs, yet the mere thought of hugging made Meta grimace.
Kirby asked Meta about the mask once. If they're friends, why does Meta want to hide? Why does Meta run after his mask breaks? How could Meta not like hugs? This always led Meta to changing the subject. The mask hid Meta’s origins and above all, aided in giving him the presence of a formidable and honorable warrior. He had left that life laboring under Nightmare behind, and started anew.
“Good night, Kirby,” he says, and dims the lights. “I’ll be back tomorrow for training.”
“But Metaaaa,” Kirby yawns.
“Hm?” Meta looks around. Did he forget something? No, the boy’s night light is on. Tea had been made. Kirby had also cleaned the room too, after persistent reminders.
“Tomorrow’s your two-thousandth birthday…and you wanna spar with me?”
“Yes?” Meta says, confused at Kirby’s question.
Kirby hops out of bed and pouts. “Birthdays are for parties, pizza, and cake! You also get to hit a thing called a pinata with a baseball bat and a bunch of candy falls out. It would be so much fun!”
Meta knew of pinatas, but he had thought the objects only existed in fictional stories, as the idea of them sounded so outlandish. Then again, he’s never gone to a birthday party that has used one as part of the festivities.
Kirby continues. “I even wrote your birthday on my calendar!”
Meta Knight’s attention goes to the calendar in question. Kirby had marked the date by drawing his mentor’s M-shaped symbol in crayon. Meta did not like discussing such an unimportant occasion. It was merely a day which so happened to be the anniversary Nightmare created him. Nightmare, a wizard he hesitated to call father. Meta didn’t see his creation as something worth celebrating, and it baffled Meta to no end that Dreamland’s residents celebrated such days with parties.
Nightmare made demon beasts, monstrous beings that followed orders. The residents of various planets suffered from nightmares in part from Meta’s doing. Nightmare gave the order. Meta had been told the planets needed nightmares to restore balance. As a child, Meta believed Nightmare and ‘helped’ everyone he could. Why would a grownup lie? Meta looked at the starry-eyed boy and remembered how his own eyes once had the same shine.
“Yes, tomorrow is just another day,” Meta turns his back to Kirby.
Kirby frowns. “I think it’s a special day. ‘Cause that’s when you were born! I’m so happy you’re here!”
I’m so happy you’re here.
Meta Knight’s hand is on the doorknob, and he is so ready to close the door and end this uncomfortable conversation. Long ago, Nightmare had said almost the exact same thing to a young and naïve Meta.
Be happy you’re here. Be grateful. I saved you.
Meta clenches his free hand into a tight fist. “Thank you, Kirby, but I would rather not celebrate. Be ready at nine o’ clock tomorrow morning for training okay?”
His voice comes out far more abrupt and stiffer than intended–and he closes the door, leaving Kirby stunned and puzzled. The action was performed smoothly; Meta is much more used to closing doors than opening them.
Meta Knight lived to make up for the Star Child he once was. All of the planets he helped Nightmare destroy couldn’t come back. Shiver Star comes to mind, a now barren tundra overrun by hordes of monsters and Nightmare’s factory. Knowing this, Meta didn’t want his life to go to waste when he could act to make things better. He makes his way back to the base on one of the Halberd’s many jets, and fails to see a Dark Matter with a single eye that had been watching him the entire time, seeking out a new host. The dark creature blends into the night sky as it crawls upon the orange-tinted sand after Meta as he lands and silently shadows the knight’s every step.
Upon returning back to the Halberd’s base, Meta mumbles quick greetings to the soldiers and crew, and goes straight to his office, claiming he had important duties to attend to. Meta, still preoccupied with thoughts of his past, doesn’t notice everyone hiding gift bags and presents behind their backs. The soldiers and crew planned on visiting Castle Dedede tomorrow to help with any additional preparations for Meta's surprise party. They huddle together, exchanging ideas. Their commander must have a perfect celebration. One fit for a knight of his caliber.
He reaches on the shelf for a book called Wizard of EarthSea. The last chapter left on a thrilling note when an evil shadow begins to chase the protagonist, Ged, to possess him. Ged runs for a few chapters but finally decides to face the shadow–and his fears–head on. His personal phone begins ringing right when he opens the book. Kirby's name pops up on the screen. Meta sighs and shoves it in a drawer. He felt guilty for ignoring Kirby, except the child would likely pester him with more personal questions.
The Dark Matter sees Meta's frustration as an opportunity. The shadowy mist on the floor turns into the Dark Matter's usual form, a black, floating sphere with one oversized eye. It clings onto Meta like a magnet and begins sinking into his body. Meta curses under his breath. Where in Hades did it even come from? How'd it find him? Kirby defeated them all, including the leader, 0². How're they back? Meta hits the creature in its eye with the book.
This buys the knight enough seconds to draw his sword to finish it. However, regardless of the reddened irritation in the Dark Matter's eye, it refuses to let go. It becomes stronger, leeching off of Meta’s growing negativity and fear. It grabs Meta’s wrists and knocks Galaxia out of his grasp. It makes sure Meta is aware of the past and brings old memories to the forefront.
Meta remembers Nightmare. He remembers being held in cold arms and being read stories about the dangers of dreams. He remembers being stuck in classes which taught about their enemies, Star Warriors. He remembers trying to please Nightmare until he realized the wizard’s goals. Nightmare saw Meta as nothing but a chess piece to a bigger plan, and Meta wanted no part of it. The negative thoughts consume him and so does the darkness. Once again, the knight is a pawn.
The sound of racing footsteps echoes down the hall and men clamor. His soldiers.
“Sir,” Axe Knight says, “Are you...alright?"
Meta keeps his voice calm between labored breaths. He leans against his desk, eyes flicker from their normal yellow to red and back again. “We have a Code Silver. Evacuate immediately. Set the alarms.”
Now, Mace speaks. “Sir, what is wrong? Where is the intruder?"
In his last bits of resistance, he tells them again, "Run!"
An alarm blares, the piercing sound echoing through the entire ship. Meta's yellow eyes fade into red.
With one furious motion, he grabs Galaxia back off the ground and slices the metal door open. Pieces scatter.
"I told you to run, soldiers.”