Fallen Stars: A New Age - Act 2 - Chapter Six

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Dream Journal #2 – Entry 2

I don't know why I am plagued by all of these visions. I just don't know.

But I do know one thing.

These visions are memories. That, I am sure of. More specifically, mine and Meta Knight's memories. And that leads me to the vision I had last night.

The reason why Meta Knight got sick in the first place. And it's all my fault.

Last night's vision was, to say the least, fucked up. But it wasn't blurry, or unclear, like all the others before it. This one was clean, like I was really standing there… I actually remember that day, from the vision. It was ten years ago. We were sparring as usual on the beach, a late evening thing we had planned earlier that day I think. It was a friendly fight, you know, the kind we always did. But at one point, our swords met, and I completely blanked out afterward. I think… what I saw in that vision, was what actually happened. It was all in our heads, but… somehow, for some reason, we connected. I don't know how else to describe this, but that's what it felt like to me. I recognized that place, it was my sanctuary, my pocket Universe as he called it. We 'connected', and something went wrong… and I feel it's my fault. I don't know what exactly I did, but…

I need to find him. Everything's falling into place and telling me I need to find him now. I can't wait for him any longer. I fear that if I don't find him myself first… there's a chance I might never see him again… 

Kirby held his breath as he splashed some icy cold water on his face, immediately feeling his cheeks react to the sudden freeze. He shook his head, and looked up at his reflection in the mirror. He looked simply awful; bags under his eyes, a dim sparkle in his deep blue eyes, a scar on his cheek that appeared much redder than usual, and, as everyone kept repeating him, a pale skin that desperately needed the sun. He sighed.

He had awoken this morning to a very worried Azure, who told him how he ended up in his bed. Now the Wolfwrath was waiting for him outside, listening to the comforting melodies coming from Hailan's shamisen. Kirby sponged his face with a towel, hoping his face would look better when he put it down… but alas, it wasn't that easy to look presentable.

He had changed his mind.

He would accompany Ribbon to Ripple Star.

If it would give him a chance to leave Popstar without the Agency knowing it, he would take it; plus, he thought long and hard about Ribbon's prophecy dream, and found that, the more he thought about it… it wasn't too far from his own visions. He had no reasons to deny her his trust. He had planned to tell her first thing in the morning, and that is what he would do.

Taking a deep, solid breath, Kirby put on his gloves to hide those weird, stubby paws that were growing on his hands, and walked outside. It was a beautiful day, as it usually was in Dreamland, except, there was a clear difference; the air smelled of smoke and ash, and as he turned to the distance, he saw the big reason why. The Halcandran's ship, which he learned was called the Lor Starcutter, was resting in the distance, nestled against the grassy hill it had crashed into. The villagers had spent the night controlling its fires, and now, under the morning sun, the ship remained calm and silent. Poor Magolor… From what he had heard from the Halcandran, he had mostly built this ship himself. He wasn't sure if it would be repairable in this condition, but the Halcandran had smiled widely and had said:

"Honestly? It was in worse shape when I first found it. Can you believe it was sitting inside a volcano? I've gotten pretty good at digging up volcanic rocks! I think I'll be able to repair it… I think. I hope."

And Kirby hoped, too. After closing his door, Kirby backed away from his house and looked at the roof, upon which sat Hailan, playing a jolly tune to lighten the mood. As always, his music had its effect on him, and Kirby felt a little bit more confident than he did in front of his mirror. Still playing, the ninja's antennas raised and curved forward on his head, as greetings. Kirby waved his hand at him, then felt a dry nose rub against his arm, making him turn. Azure forced his head in his hands, requesting those sweet snuggles he always loved, and as he recieved them with a laugh, he said:

"Are you ready to tell her?"

"As ready as I can be, I guess," the Star Warrior answered. "I bet she'll be happy."

"Galacta Knight won't be."

"Eh, he's my Shield, it's his job to protect me," Kirby replied back with a shrug. "You know he'll be following me anyway."

"As will I, Master."

They both turned to Hailan, who had silently jumped down from the roof and was now bowing lightly to Kirby. He straightened back up quickly.

"I have dealt with fairies attempting to attack Sir Meta Knight in the past," he said almost in a casual tone. "I will be watching them closely, My Lord. None of them will brush a single finger upon you."

Kirby smiled at him and nodded in gratefulness as he wondered how many assassination attempts Hailan and his team must have prevented in the past; it was most likely thanks to them that Meta Knight survived this long with his grand reputation. Truly, Kirby had nothing to fear with both him and Galacta Knight at his side, not to mention Azure. Three bodyguards? He wouldn't say no to that.

As a group, they all took the road from Kirby's house toward town, and with each step, Kirby's heart began to beat faster and faster. His eyes would dart back and forth across the streets, searching for that unmistakable red dress, fluttering somewhere in town. However, when he appeared in the main plaza, he found it to be way more active than he would have thought; even after such a long night of work, the cappies were already back here, cleaning the tables and the general mess of last night's banquet.

Kirby sighed. After thinking a long time about it, he had assumed his attitude from the night before was unacceptable, and so, he decided on the spot to go and help them clean up, offering his strong arms to carry stuff. While Azure sat on the sidelines, not once interested in offering his own help, Hailan did the same as Kirby and offered help in taking away the long tables, joining a group of cappies attempting to lift it. For his help, Kirby was rewarded with something he felt he hadn't seen in a long time; true, thankful smiles from villagers he deemed his friends. It made him feel much better, somewhat, and he smiled as he carried a large bag of trash over to the nearest trashbin.

"Ah, Kirby, there you are!"

The young Star Warrior turned to the familiar voice and smiled at Fumu, as she and a new group of friends arrived in the plaza. In that group, Kirby noticed, with a heart that remembered why it had been so nervous, was Ribbon. While he swallowed down his nervosity, Fumu came over to give him a warm hug, saying as they separated:

"You're just in time, you know!"

"In time for what?" he asked with an inquisitive glance.

"Your birthday present," she answered as if it was obvious. "We didn't get to give it to you last night because of… well, you know. So, are you ready to receive it?"

Kirby was surprised. He had honestly completely forgotten about that gift he never received. Last night had been such a mess for his head… Now he felt bad, but still he gave her a large grin and nodded his head, saying:

"Oh! You're right, I never did see it. Is it here…?"

As he spoke, he turned his head to look behind her at the group of cappies… only to see that they were pulling and pushing something very large and wheely into the plaza. It was wide and tall, and covered with a huge white drape to keep it hidden, and Kirby took a few steps toward it as they stopped at a very specific spot in the plaza, amazed by the sheer size of it. Fumu walked ahead of him, a large, knowing grin glowing upon her shining face, and she said, as the cappies all grouped together around the large thing, all with the same knowing faces full of eagerness:

"Are you ready, Kirby?"

They were so eager, they didn't even wait for a response.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" they all cheered together as Fumu pulled on the white drape, revealing what lay underneath.

If Kirby's jaw could drop even lower, it would go through the ground to Popstar's core.

Before him stood a statue. Not just any statue; oh no, it was a statue of him! He was depicted with all of his armour, striking a dynamic pose with his hand raised to the sky, and in that hand was his Warp Star, held as if a beacon. The cape flowed around the statue's base so smoothly, it looked almost made of solid liquid, and the more he stared, the more details he could find. The statue didn't look or feel fierce, it felt… amicable, and gentle. The face that stared back at him was kind and warm, even though it was cold stone. He had to blink multiple times to make sure he wasn't dreaming this. They had a statue made in his honour… He couldn't believe it. He simply couldn't. He could think of many reasons why he didn't deserve it… and at the same time, he could think of other reasons why he did deserve it… and in the end, he didn't know what to think.

"Well?" Fumu asked as she walked back over to him, looking back at the statue with him. "Pretty good, huh? I made sure to have the sculptor make it look exactly like you."

"I-I-It's," Kirby stammered, shaking his head as he fumbled for his words. "It's amazing! It's just… wow. I can't… Nova, but…"

He looked at the cappies, who looked all very happy with his shocked reaction and were congratulating each other about how they managed to keep it secret until now, and he looked back at Fumu.

"But why…?," he asked in a lower tone, as if loosing his voice suddenly.

Fumu cocked her head to the side, looking like she couldn't see his confusion, and kept smiling at him like it was the most natural thing to do.

"Because you deserve to be recognized," she answered. "You're our hero, Kirby. Whether you believe it yourself or not..."

Kirby's eyes trailed to the side… A hero… He was… their hero…

"You spent your childhood fighting," she spoke softly. "Even today, you keep fighting, on and on, and no one really stopped to ever truly thank you. This-"

She pointed a finger at the statue, receiving the nods of the villagers around it as confirmation of her words.

"-is our thanks. Take it as a collective 'thank you', from all of us in Dreamland and Popstar. Thank you, Kirby. For everything you've done…"

Kirby felt his eyes tingle at those words, and in order to not let anyone know that he was about to cry, he immediately closed the gap between him and his sister and hugged the daylight out of her, taking her almost by surprise. However, she smiled warmly, and embraced him back, under the claps and acclamation of the crowd surrounding them. People began to sing 'Happy Birthday', and while the sounds of everyone's voices resounded in the plaza and beyond, Kirby whispered, to Fumu's ears only…

"Thank you, Fumu… I really needed that…"

Her smile grew, knowingly.

When they separated, Kirby had taken the time to calm down, but still Fumu caught him sniffling very lightly, blinking any tears away from his eyes. He gave her a quick smile before turning to the crowd and thanking them properly, his smile wide and sincere. As the cappies clapped at his words, Kirby did something that surprised everyone that day; he turned, and walked over to Ribbon, who had been standing on the sidelines watching. The fairy stood with her mouth slightly agape when he stopped in front of her and put his right hand on his chest, saying with a short, polite bow:

"Ribbon. I've, uh, changed my mind. I'll accompany you to Ripple Star."

Ribbon stood still for a moment, the words resounding through her head… She blinked and raised her hands to her chest, her wings fluttering suddenly as she exclaimed:

"W-wha- Really?! You'll do it?!"

"EXCUSE ME?!" they both heard from the side before either could say anything more, making them turn to Galacta Knight, who had his hands on his hips and appeared very unpleased with what he had heard. "Are you for real?! You want to go there, even after what we told you?"

Kirby's only answer… was a shrug.

"Can't be worse than a little trip to Nightmare's Fortress, eh?," the Star Warrior answered in an almost joking tone. "At least as far as I know there's no Lord of Darkness over on Ripple Star, just a bunch of angry fairies. Come on, Galacta, cheer up a bit! It's gonna be fine!"

"Oh no, this is not going to be 'fine'," Galacta replied angrily as he stumped his way over to them, wings flapping in disaproval. "I swear, you and Meta are the same! Always jumping into hot lava instead of laying back! I had to endure him, and now I have to endure you! You are not going anywhere, Kirby, not on my watch!"

"Ugh! Sir Galacta Knight!"

All three of them turned back to face Fumu, who was also making her way to them in the same manner Galacta Knight did, except her glare was directed at the knight instead.

"Let him do what he wants to do!," she exclaimed. "Kirby is experienced enough to know what he's getting into."

"Miss Fumu," Galacta spoke almost through gritted teeth, "I am sorry that my seventy-five thousand years of living aren't good enough experience for you, - especially compared with Kirby's meager eighty years - but I also happen to know what he’s getting himself into."

"Guys, c'mon now, is this really the-," Kirby tried to say, only to be interrupted by Fumu, who most likely hadn't heard him at all.

"Well, if you, Mister Big Shield, actually did your job correctly, and actually protected him this time around, maybe, just maybe, nothing bad will happen to him!"

"Oh, are we going there? That was one time! Kirby's over it, why aren't you?"

"Guys, can you please not talk for m-"

"Because that was irresponsible of you! Leaving him alone like this in Dark Matter territory, what were you thinking?!"

"I had orders!"

"Oh, it's orders now! Your excuse changes every time we mention it!"

A very tired Kirby was rubbing his temples when he felt someone lightly tap his shoulder, making him turn back to Ribbon, who gave him an apologetic gaze.

"I'm sorry," she said softly over the arguing pair. "I really didn't mean to cause all this…"

"Nah, it's okay," Kirby replied with a sly smile and a wave of his hand. "They're always like this when it's about me."

Out of the corner of his eye, the young Star Warrior noticed Az coming their way; the older Kiridan completely ignored Galacta Knight and Fumu and went straight for Kirby and Ribbon, smiling at them as he bowed a bit forward.

"If you need some more protection," he said, "I would be happy to accompany you there, lad."

Those words were spoken loud enough for the arguing pair to hear, causing them to stop and look over in shock. While Kirby answered Az with a wide, agreeing grin, the elder turned to Galacta and crossed his arms, saying:

"You've changed a lot, Galacta. Where's your adventure sense!"

"Gone down the shitter when it cost me my job and my honour, that's where," Galacta grumbled, making Az tap him lightly on the back. "Why are you agreeing with this? This is just ridiculous!"

"I must agree with Miss Fumu, lad," was Az's answer. "Kirby is the Star Warrior. The same way it was Meta who decided back then, now it's up to him to say where we go. Besides…"

He turned back to Kirby and Ribbon, and cast a glance toward town, perhaps toward someone else…

"…I have a feeling we were all meant to be here, right now. I'm already knee deep in this, so might as well stay for the ride!"

As if his words had a strange effect on his nephew, Galacta did not answer back this time, and merely kept quiet, staring ahead at the ground as he seemingly thought this over. Kirby heaved a quiet sigh of relief; it was a good thing Az was here, otherwise he was sure Galacta would have never allowed him to leave Popstar. The young Star Warrior looked at his Shield, raising his eyebrows in an inquisitive manner, and he asked:

"So? Can I go?"

Galacta heaved a deep, loud sigh, clearly showing his contempt toward this idea, but he ended up nodding his head.

"You do you," was his answer, before he turned to the fairy girl. "But, Miss Ribbon, I will be watching your people very closely. I've had too many close calls with fairies to trust them completely, even if I have your word."

"Don't worry, Sir Galacta Knight," she gave them all a light smirk, her hands joining in front of her. "I can guarantee Kirby's safety in the capital. I, uh… Well, I mean, uh… They listen to me. The guards, I mean."

Kirby gave her another inquisitive look, but before he could ask her what she meant by that, he heard Bun's voice coming from behind them, making them turn; the cappy knight was walking toward them, crossing his arms as he said:

"Hey, are you guys planning stuff without me? What's the deal?"

"Yes," Galacta Knight answered in a clear tone. "That's because you're not coming."

"What?!" Bun exclaimed, full of disbelief. "Why not?"

"Because there is no way I am telling Sword and Blade that you're going on a hostile world while you're supposed to be on vacation with Kirby," the knight answered back. "So you're going to stay here, and pretend that Kirby is still, in fact, here. Understood?"

"Besides," Kirby spoke up before Bun could stammer a reply, "Magolor's gonna need help to repair his ship. So I think it'd be best if you stayed here."

Instead of complaining, Bun closed his mouth and crossed his arms again, drowning in disappointment; he had expected an adventure, and he would be here, digging molten lava out of a broken ship. Nice. Kirby smirked; a reaction like that was nothing new from Bun.

"Don't worry," he told him. "We'll be back real soon!"

"When do we leave?" Az asked, making him turn back.

Everyone looked at Kirby, who took a short moment to think about it. His only answer was a shrug.

"How about today?"

Galacta almost choked.