Chapter Text
At long last, I finally did it! I managed to find a way to get my closest friends together! It took FOREVER but it was worth it!
Bandee was anxious about being able to find someone or even multiple people who could take his place and take care of the castle, especially since the plan is for both him and King Dedede to be away from the castle the whole day. Said they needed someone who knew what they were doing and not “rough up the place” (King Dedede’s words) while they were gone. But that didn’t compare to Meta Knight. It's difficult to get him to promise a time. He always has something going on; a fight to do, a place to be, supplies to get. It can get a bit annoying. But after much diplomacy (and getting his brothers to needle him off the Halberd), I finally managed to get Meta Knight to agree! And when he agrees to something, he never backs out! Today is that day!
Gonna be honest… I might’ve gone unprepared. I got so excited about meeting them, I forgot to prepare anything for when we got together! I can’t believe I forgot to plan anything from sheer, unbearable happiness! I’ve never been much of a planner, I suppose. Nobody was all that upset about it, anyway. King Dedede was content as long as we all got food at some point, Bandee was happy that they were invited, and Meta Knight was content watching from afar and reading a book. I felt a little sad about Meta Knight, but I didn’t let it show.
It was a perfect sunny day, with a lovely breeze blowing by. Not much different from most days, but today in particular feels so much more perfect! The sun was perfectly warm and the breeze was even sweeter than usual here in the Heartful Plains. Not sure when it happened or how, but at some point we got into an odd game of tag with a slice of strawberry shortcake. I carried it above my head, laughing as I ran with all my might. King Dedede just behind me and Bandee in the back.
“Gimme that cake, ya pink troublemaker!” King Dedede called out playfully. “You owe me one!”
“First you gotta catch me, slowpoke!” I called back.
He feigned harm, “Oh! Slowpoke! You dare call me that, short stack!?”
“Weeeeee!” Bandee called out. Enjoying the run behind us.
I risked a glance at Meta Knight. He was looking our way too, coincidentally. It was hard to tell what he was feeling with the mask he always wears, but I can make it out faintly. Despite not being part of the game, he seems content. I think.
Suddenly, a bright light shined in the sky. What was that?
The other two bumped into me when I stopped, knocking the cake out of my hands. Aw, the cake…
My eyes were drawn right back to the light again when I noticed another shift. From the swirling light, a star appeared. And emerging from the star was a ship. A beautiful ship, unlike any other, with its light blue hue and majestic glow.
It was crumbling the second it came out. Nose dipped down as its oars struggled to keep itself in the air. Tiny orbs containing gears scattered far and wide as it dived to the ground.
Clang! Snap! Crack! Parts of the ship broke off and formed giant spheres of their own. Flying far into the distant corners of the planet. The earth rumbled as the ship crash landed. By then, the four of us were already running over to the scene.
Upon arriving at the mysterious star ship, it suddenly formed an opening and a ramp. A blindingly bright light at the entrance. I covered my eyes with an arm on instinct. I was quick to notice the light wasn’t hurting my eyes, and I let my arm down. Peering into the glow. I couldn’t make out a thing… Guess we’ll have to check inside.
I turned to the others. They stared pensively at the glowing opening. Eventually, they all turned to me. I pointed to the doorway, nodding with a determined expression. The others nodded back, though a bit anxious. One by one, we went inside.
The place was almost overwhelmingly bright, but it was tolerable. Everything looked to be in shambles. Parts had fallen out and scattered, there was static all over the place, and the central screen was red with some kind of warning on it. Right in front of the screen was something far more concerning.
A person was in here! He was an odd looking guy, wearing thick clothes and a hooded robe of blue and white, along with yellow gear patterns. He wore a hood that covered his ears and face. You could hardly see what was underneath as a result, though I think I see dark brown or black fur. The only exception was the eyes, colored a striking yellow. He was passed out, laying on the ground. I was about to approach closer when his eyes fluttered open.
Suddenly, he was up and about! Glancing around the place, at us, then rushing (or really, floating) over to a giant screen with a levitating control panel just beneath. Muttering to himself about “my precious lore” or something, it was difficult to make out with his rapid talk. He clicked a few buttons and the giant screen showed a meter with a large image of those gear orbs showing next to it. The bar dropped to zero, flashing a red X mark. The next image wasn't much better, showing the ship fragments that broke off earlier being shadowed with Xs of their own.
The hooded stranger gasped at the sight. Letting out a sigh as he leaned forward, ears drooping.
“What now…?” He mumbled to himself.
I can’t just stand by.
I rushed to the stranger’s side, giving his shoulder a tap. “Hey there.” I said gently. He turned my way, eyes wide with shock.
I thumped my chest proudly, “I can help you get those back!” He stared into my eyes for a long moment, blinking. Seemingly shocked from all the events, including me volunteering so suddenly.
Not long after, King Dedede and Bandee rushed up next. “I’m joinin’ in too!” “Me three!”
Finally, Meta Knight came forth, bundled in his cape. “I shall join as well.” He said in a controlled tone.
For another moment, he looked around. Taking in all the people eager to help him. He grabbed my arms and bounced, letting out a relieved laugh that sounded like music to the ears.
“Oh, thank you, thank you so much!” He cried. Then he turned to the screen once more as he pressed some more buttons, pointing to it. “These are the pieces of my ship that I need! They are quite the distance away, but the one with the most ease of access seems to be the oars in this forest area. Do you believe you can get the task done?”
I backflipped with energy, “Absolutely! I’ll get all of those pieces! Let’s do this!” The three joined in unison as well; Bandee hopping and raising a paw in the air with a cheer, King Dedede raising his hammer and letting out a joyful yell, and Meta Knight’s wings bursting out of his bundled state with an eager grunt.
With conviction, the four of us rushed out the ship. Focus locked on Cookie Country. Away, to the first piece we go! To adventure!
We had run down the path for a bit before we heard a yell from behind. “Hold!” Meta Knight called, causing the rest of us to come to a screeching halt. Stumbling into one another again.
“What is it, metal face?” King Dedede said, disgruntled.
“Where exactly are we going?”
“To the woodland turf, of course!”
“Tell me specifically: where?”
King Dedede opened his mouth, but whatever he had to say disappeared. Stopping to press a hand to his chin as he rested his hammer on the ground. Slowly, it donned on me.
“We have no clue where to start.” I said.
Oops.