Shades of Grey - Chapter 1

Just outside of King Dedede's castle, Kirby and Tuff were playing their version of soccer. Tiff was sitting under the shade of a tree, peacefully engrossed in a book. The young boy and star warrior kicked and head-butt the ball to each other, oblivious to the eyes that followed their every move. Yet they had nothing to fear. The eyes that followed them belonged to their protector and friend, Meta-Knight. The war veteran could feel a vague sense of dread. The long and horrific war between the Nightmare battalion and the star warriors had ended in favor of the monsters. None of the star warriors had survived the Great War, or so the monsters and their leader, N.M.E., believed. However Kirby's growing strength had caught their attention, and Meta-Knight feared that the war might be rekindled before the young warrior was ready. Kirby could not yet sense the monsters' growing unease, as he had not yet developed that skill. The elder warrior on the other hand could feel their distress all too well, and so he took it upon himself to keep an eye on Kirby. Nothing could happen to the young star warrior, for he was the only hope.

Meta-Knight closed his eyes. He could still remember the ghastly visage of his brethren as the monsters had outnumbered and out mastered them. He could still feel the lives of his comrades slip from his grasp, the final breaths of those he tried so hard to save. Valiantly Meta-Knight and the star warriors fought, but they were swept down in waves until he was the only one left. Upon the realization that he was the only one alive, the elder warrior had to flee. Every step that carried him further away from the ghastly battlefield was an almost physical blow to his conscience. Deserting the battlefield was an immense violation to the knightly code of honor that he so clung to. Yet he knew that if he stayed he would have only been throwing his own life away. Despite his wish to stay and fight the vile monsters to the death, he knew that the rational thing to do was to find other star warriors and regroup. What he didn't know at the time was that not only was he the only star warrior standing in that battlefield, but the last of his entire race.

Throughout the universe he searched, trying to find even a hint that he wasn't the only living star warrior, but his findings always came up short. However upon nearing Dreamland he could sense a higher concentration of monsters. Meta-Knight figured that if he could sense their presence so strongly there, other star warriors would be able to as well. Yet after two years of waiting Meta-Knight had almost given up all hope. Kirby's appearance had been a godsend, and Meta-Knight vowed to protect him at all costs.

What the old veteran couldn't understand was how could the Dreamlanders and the few regular soldiers that did survive fancy him such a grand warrior? If he was so great than he would have been able to save his comrades from the clutches of death. If he was so great than he would have been able to defeat the monsters on his own. If he was so great than he wouldn't need Kirby. Yet everyone seemed to overlook his failures and view him as a great warrior, a hero even. He shook his head to the thought. Kirby was to be the real hero, but Meta-Knight feared that he was too young and inexperienced to fulfill the enormous task his predecessor had placed on him. Training Kirby was an option, but Meta-Knight decided to refrain until it was completely necessary. He did not want to rob Kirby of his childhood, to deny him the ability to have fun and enjoy life. Yet now with the war brewing, Meta-Knight knew that he would soon have to start training the little creampuff.

A hand landed on the old warrior's shoulder, startling him out of his thoughts. He whirled around to see his two subordinates, Sword and Blade. Blade withdrew his hand upon the realization that he had startled his leader.

"Sorry sir," Blade said as he bowed his head.

"No apologies necessary," Meta-Knight waved his hand. "What's wrong?"

"Sir, how about letting us watch Kirby for awhile?" Sword offered, his voice tinged with concern.

Meta-Knight sighed, exhaustion settling in. "Alright. I'm going back to the castle. If anything happens come and get me immediately."

"Yes sir!" Sword and Blade said with a simultaneous salute.

Meta-Knight didn't really want nor intended to let Blade and Sword watch the children initially. It wasn't that he didn't trust his soldiers, for many times have they proved their bravery and loyalty. His soldiers were valiant, but they were also young, sometimes reckless and didn't yet have enough experience on the battlefield. However all of the preparations and worrying had proven taxing, and had he stayed much longer he would not have been much help if something did happen.

As Meta-Knight slowly treaded down the distant hallway, he heard two voices chattering enthusiastically from the throne room. He easily distinguished Dedede's loud voice and figured that the lower tone belonged to Escargoon. If they had something to feel eager about it certainly couldn't be any good. While Meta-Knight was King Dedede's captain of the guards, he felt no loyalty to the vain and spiteful dictator and knew all about his association with Nightmare.

Despite his growing wariness he decided to eavesdrop on the two and find out just what they were up to. He edged up closer to the door and blended into the shadows…

King Dedede and Escargoon were talking to the Nightmare Incorporate Executive.

"It's only a matter of time until the old war's going to restart," the executive explained. "Even the monsters here can feel Kirby's increasing strength."

"I toldja that Kirby is a menace!" Dedede bellowed. "That's the whole reason I bought monsters from ya in the first place! But you gave me crappy and weak monsters and now look what's happening!"

Meta-Knight stood silently by the door, cloaked in shadows.

The executive raised his hands. "Don't worry Triple De. The big bosses are even considering having an alliance with you."

"An alliance?" Dedede rubbed his pudgy hands together. "Tell me more."

"Well…due to your extreme wealth and the fact that you have the last star warriors living so close makes you a candidate for consideration. If you do join with us then we would send you monsters for free, as well as ensure your safety during the war," the Executive scratched his chin. "Yet, we're not so sure. We can't just let anyone ally with us."

"Really now? I'll tell ya what'll make me your prime candidate! Escargoon, get the syringe!" Dedede ordered. The snail grumbled incoherently as he retrieved a large syringe with an orange liquid inside. "This here, is my patented Behemoth Serum!" He took the vial from Escargoon and held it up to the monitor. "It turns ordinary creatures into monsters! I created it a short while back but I haven't yet been able to test it on anything but small worms due to Kirby's constant interference!"

Meta-Knight scowled beneath his mask upon seeing the vial. He thought it was completely destroyed when Dynablade smashed the first syringe, but apparently Dedede either made more of it or had some in storage.

The executive looked at the vial with unrepressed enthusiasm. "That would surely help us and if it does work you'll be accepted as an ally for certain. But why test it on creatures when you could test it on an actual star warrior? Perhaps turn one of them into a monster?"

"I can't test it on Kirby," King Dedede growled. "If he was that easy to catch I woulda done it by now!"

"I didn't say anything about testing Kirby…" the executive smiled sardonically as he raised one hand and pointed straight at Meta-Knight. "You have a star warrior right there to test it on."

King Dedede and Escargoon whirled around, their scornful eyes landing on the captain of the guards. Meta-Knight had blended in perfectly with the shadows, how could he have been spotted so easily?! Yet now wasn't the time to question, he was seen and he had to do something about it. He stepped out of the shadows.

"Lord Dedede," Meta-Knight began. "If you join Nightmare you will be making a horrific mistake. What makes you think that they will not betray you? That when they destroy everything that you will be spared? They will use you, majesty, and as soon as they're done they'll throw you away!" But his words fell on deaf ears.

"Get em'!" Dedede roared. The soldiers stormed the room, eager to fight even their own superior to advance themselves in the eyes of their king. Meta-Knight drew his sword threateningly and the soldiers all backed off for the moment. Even they knew of Meta-Knight's legacy and did not wish to test his skill first-hand. Despite his aggressive stance, the old soldier knew that he would not be able to defeat so many soldiers with his increasing weariness. Nevertheless he could also not let himself fall, for if he did there would be no one to guide and protect Kirby. Suddenly all at once the soldiers attacked him, but he fought back with a keen and disciplined hand. The soldiers' swordsmanship skills were sub-par and Meta-Knight's abilities far outweighed even the eldest and most disciplined of Dedede's warriors. Even so his fatigue was beginning to outweigh skill and Meta-Knight knew he could not last. One young soldier locked swords with him, and Meta-Knight pushed him back heavily. He whirled around and leapt over two charging soldiers. Landing behind them, he turned to run out the door and found himself face-to-face with a large wolf-like monster. The creature's eyes glowed brightly, and Meta-Knight recognized the maroon behemoth on sight.

"Wolfwrath?!" Suddenly Meta-Knight felt something sharp stick into the back of his shoulder. He immediately spun around, swinging his sword in an arc. The blade caught Escargoon in the chest and knocked the syringe out of his stubby hand. With a cry the snail staggered back.

"You…you…you cut me!" Escargoon roared, clutching his chest with his other hand. Meta-Knight kicked away another approaching soldier and retreated out of the room as fast as his feet could carry him.

By the time he reached his quarters he was way ahead of Dedede's soldiers. He quickly ran into the room he and his two subordinates shared and slammed the door shut. Afterwards he pressed his back against it and slid down to a sitting position. Meta-Knight braced himself expecting a barrage of blows to the door, but none ever came. The soldiers had given up their chase, for reasons he wasn't sure. He touched his shoulder where he had been stabbed, it had already healed. That was one of the powers of a star warrior; minor injuries are quickly rejuvenated. Yet that left him with a chilling question. How much of that serum did Escargoon inject? The needle had penetrated only seconds, how much was that snail able to inject in that short a time? How much would it take to do the job? What if Dedede's soldiers decided to attack his subordinates instead? What was that monster? Could it really have been Wolfwrath?! So many questions plagued the old warriors mind. He had to warn Kirby, the children, Sword and Blade! They all could be in danger! But…fatigue had finally won out over his senses, he couldn't even draw the strength to stand and everything slowly faded to black...

Author's Notes: When I first heard that there was going to be a Kirby anime released here on Fox, I was very excited. The entire time I hoped that Meta-Knight was going to be in it, for he had always been my favorite character throughout the Kirby games. (I have a tendency to like masked and mysterious villains) Yet when I started watching it, I was disappointed. Half of the bad guys in the games were good in the show, from Lololo and Lalala to Meta-Knight. I was especially disappointed with Meta-Knight because I found him out of character, he never did anything and yet seemed to know everything, and finally because his voice makes him sound like a vampire. However I kept watching it, hoping for it to get better. Upon watching it for a few weeks many of the characters grew on me. Although Meta-Knight is different in the show than he was in the game he was still my favored. I found Lololo and Lalala cute, and I think Tiff's cool too. Yet I still hoped to find an actual cool episode. The came last Saturday. I thought the episode with Wolfwrath was awesome! It portrayed Meta-Knight as cool and powerful as well as showed that he was not invincible, and Wolfwrath is now my favorite monster from the show. Since then I've made a challenge to myself to write a serious Kirby fanfic and see if I can actually keep in canon to the show, in character and interesting. Of course Meta-Knight would have to be the star of my fic since he's my favorite =D How is it so far? Please read and review. Thank you very much for taking the time to read my story.