Hi there! Seems I'm really in the Kirby mood at the moment despite only getting into it properly a couple of months ago. I'll be in the Kirby mood until I go back to uni again which then will bring any writing to a screeching halt. Lots of work and stuff. -_-

I actually started writing this one a couple of months ago, before uploading on here, in a class where I do note-taking for a student (it's a great, little part-time job, especially as I can do most of my work, and write these fanfics in the staff-room!). When individual tasks or debates/discussions are taking place, I don't need to write anything down so I thought I'd start writing most of chapters 1 and 2 on paper. My writing hand got knackered many times but I think it was worth it. :)


Wings Of Change: Part 1

It was nearing the end of the evening when Kawasaki took the last orders, concluding what had been a very profitable day.

"Just the desserts to take out and we're finished!" Kawasaki trilled. "Thanks for your help, Kirby. I think your presence always brings in more customers and of course, that fabulous cake recipe you gave me!"

Kirby smiled tiredly. "No problem." Though Kawasaki had actually improved his cooking over the years, people were more liable to come into the restaurant if Kirby was helping out, the young Star Warrior actually being quite an accomplished chef; unsurprising, when one considered his love of food.

Kawasaki piled a number of dishes into the pink puffball's hands. "Just these for table one. Oh, could you help me out a little further as well? I've got a complimentary tea set for Sir Ebrum and Lady Like for the favour they did me last week. If it's not too much trouble, could you take it over for them tonight?"

If it's not too much trouble. That was the line they always used when people wanted Kirby's assistance and he often felt guilt-tripped into doing things for them. The pink puffball hadn't planned to go to the castle tonight, feeling rather exhausted, but it seemed like he had no choice.

"Sure," Kirby agreed amiably, as he always did. "I'll tell them they're from you."

The young Star Warrior, when he wasn't training, studying or undergoing missions, often helped out the people of Cappy Town when he could, most frequently at Kawasaki's now that people had had a taste of his own recipes and thus demanded his presence more. He groaned when he realised how little time he had for himself nowadays and considered refusing the next plea for assistance he got. Yet when people came to him with requests, he simply couldn't turn them down; he'd feel guilty if he did.

He went back into the dining room. There were a few Cappies still there, animatedly chatting and sipping their drinks. He headed to the table occupied by Mayor Len, Hana and their great-grandchildren and set the tray down.

"Thank you, Kirby," said Hana, putting aside her knitting. "Oh, these smell wonderful! You simply must give me the recipe at some point."

"A chef can't give away his secrets, ma'am," he replied easily.

"Oh, I'm only teasing you, dear! I know that's one of the golden rules of being a cook."

"This chocolate pudding is divine!" Len cheered. "Kawasaki's place has definitely improved since you came in." Their great grand-children (their grandchildren now grown up with kids of their own) agreed completely. "Oh, by the way, Kirby, I've heard dreadful news about some demonbeasts taking residence on the border of Dream Land and that it's quite possible they'll come here. You'll have to take them out before they hurt someone. I think they're some kind of ice monsters so you'll probably want to use fire. You better hurry or they might destroy our watermelon crop!"

"I'll need to report it to Sir Meta Knight," Kirby reminded him whilst simultaneously thinking: please don't tell me how to do my job.

"I'm sure you should be able to take them out yourself without referring to Meta Knight," Len said. "You've been doing it long enough. But then, I suppose you're still a youngster."

"It's for our records. But Sir Meta Knight is better told this directly by the people themselves."

"Oh, records. Such a pain but they must be done I suppose," said Len knowingly. "And anyway, it's easier telling you, Kirby, because you're around more and you're much more of a people-person than Meta Knight. He isn't the most approachable, I'm sure you'll agree."

Kirby didn't bother pressing the issue. "OK. Um, was there anything else, sir?"

"No, no," Hana answered for her husband. "That's all, thank you, Kirby."

"OK. Enjoy your meal."

As he collected empty glasses from another table, he was still within earshot to hear Mayor Len say, "It's just as well we have Kirby here. Imagine if we had to do such horrible business ourselves!" He shook his head and soon enough left the restaurant carrying a large box. You don't have to do such horrible business because I do it all for you. He gave a wide yawn. The first thing he was going to do as soon as he got home was crash into bed and sleep until dawn.

"Hey, Kirby!"

The pink puffball turned around at the source of the voice. "Oh, hi, Chief."

Chief Bookem hurried up to him, panting slightly. "Did you hear the latest demonbeast report?"

"Yeah, Mayor Len just told me about the ones at Dream Land's border."

"No, no!" he waved his hands frantically. "The other one!"

Kirby looked dumbfounded until Cappy Town's only officer explained himself further. "I'll report this to Sir Meta Knight though it's better if people report directly to him," Kirby said not for the first time. "It's easier if he can get the relevant information straight from the source."

"Maybe, but I thought you knew about it anyway. That's your job, isn't it? Finding out about this kind of stuff?"

What am I, telepathic? "We need the public's help as well. That way, we're more efficient."

"Oh, right. Well, at any rate, it's look as if these monsters are getting out of hand. You better hurry up and beat them or we might think you're slacking on the job."

Kirby's cheeks burnt. He had been doing nothing but work for quite some time now. "Don't worry, I'm not slacking. I better get going. See you later, Chief."

Haven't I got enough to do? Kirby grumbled to himself as he made his way along the winding path to Dedede's castle and crossed the drawbridge. I'm shattered.

Kirby greeted the Waddle Dee guards as he entered the main doors and they waved cheerily back. He liked those guys; they had always been friendly to him. He thought about perhaps heading down to the castle kitchens afterwards for a snack when he was surprised by his mentor's sudden appearance.

"Kirby, I would be grateful if you would come directly to my quarters as soon as possible. We have matters to discuss." With a swish of his cape, Meta Knight then made his way back down the corridor in Dedede's castle and soon vanished from sight.

Kirby sighed; this was turning out to be a long day indeed. He hurriedly ran upstairs to the Cabinet Minister's place and dumped the gift on the sofa before dashing back down. It would not do to keep his mentor waiting.

He very much liked Meta Knight and he certainly respected him. He had been looking out for him, guiding him and organising his training since he was an infant. Some of the townspeople were still wary of the Star Warrior though – not because they thought he was a danger or anything – they knew he had their best interests, and especially Kirby's, at heart. They knew also that Meta Knight was not an especially willing servant of King Dedede although he did undertake many diplomatic missions for the king, being the best-qualified person for the job. But Meta Knight was still in many ways an enigma. He preferred to keep himself to himself and only interacted with the locals sporadically. He did not get involved in matters unless he had to and his constant stoicism was almost unnerving to the general populace. However, he was very much a pleasant character once you got to know him and Kirby had enjoyed many a session with him in and outside of training.

But when Meta Knight said those words, a long, serious lecture was always bound to follow.

Kirby just hoped that it was not going to be 'The Talk' now he was more of age. He had heard this a few years ago when Sir Ebrum and Lady Like had lectured Tiff and Tuff on the matter. He hadn't been able to look at them for weeks and people kept asking why his cheeks were burning bright red, his blush stickers more pronounced than normal.

"Thank you for coming promptly. Please lock the door and sit down."

Slightly nervous, Kirby did as he was told. He couldn't see Sword or Blade about; presumably they were out training or on a mission. Or perhaps they had been told to amuse themselves elsewhere for today. Clearly, this was going to be a private conversation.

"Kirby," said Meta Knight, his eyes glowing blue, "it barely seems like five minutes since you arrived here in Dream Land, merely an infant. You possessed fantastic potential and excellent abilities even then and you have grown exponentially. You will no doubt continue to improve as a Star Warrior in the future. I am proud of you."

Kirby's eyes would have glowed blue with pride as well if he had the same ability as Meta Knight. His eyes lit up anyway as he replied, "thank you, Meta." His mentor was seldom overtly affectionate, and so it made Kirby feel very warm inside every time that rare event did happen. But of course, his cynical side thought, he had not been asked to come here in order to be praised.

"Of course, you are no longer an infant. You have endured many trials, challenges and battles. You are maturing fast and as such, your body will go through certain changes."

Kirby squirmed uneasily in his seat. It was going to be The Talk wasn't it? This would be far more embarrassing from Meta Knight, the most stoic being there ever was! He wanted to interrupt but he knew better than that.

"I refer to the fact that one day you will grow wings."

"Wings?" Kirby repeated feeling rather relieved. "Like yours?"

"Indeed, though they will take some time before they reach the same size and strength as mine, of course." He unfurled them now with a quiet rustle and fluid movement to demonstrate this fact.

Kirby had seen Meta Knight's retractable wings a few times which was more than anyone else had: Sword and Blade had only seen their master's wings twice and on both occasions they were only used because they had been caught in an incredibly dangerous situation. None of Dream Land's other citizens knew of their existence at all, not even Tiff, who had become a confidant of sorts over the years.

The wings appeared bat-like with three, thick membranes running down each wing to a jagged end. The top of the middle membranes possessed a curved claw although what their purpose was Kirby wasn't too sure. The exterior was shaded deep purple while the interior appeared pale pink, indicating the thin skin. Though delicate to the touch, the membrane's tissue was able to regrow, repairing small tears very quickly.

When Kirby had been given permission to touch his mentor's wings on a previous occasion, he had been surprised by their warm, leathery feel and how thin yet flexible and strong they were. Each wing was made from a higher collection of bones than most birds and, coupled with their thinness, allowed Meta Knight to fly with more lift and less drag, and also with a greater accuracy than said birds. The minute receptors on his wings, covered with tiny hairs, allowed for even greater sensitivity concerning air movement so that he could adjust his wings in response in order for more efficient flight.

The powerful lungs possessed by Kirby and Meta Knight's species also significantly helped their ability to fly, being able to take in large amounts of oxygen in order to sustain what was a physically-demanding and taxing activity. As such, the wings held a large and highly-complex structure of blood vessels to ensure the best possible distribution of oxygen throughout.

What was most curious about these wings, however, was that in their dormant shape, they changed into the form of a cape. What everyone simply took to be Meta Knight's cape, believing it to be a part of his formal uniform, were actually his wings lying inactive. No wonder he was never seen without the cape then.

Even better, when in closed form, the cape, or the Dimensional Cape as Meta Knight had once called it, granted limited teleportation abilities. By wrapping the cape tightly against oneself, one could warp a short distance away for a quick escape or to catch an assailant off-guard for a surprise attack. Likewise, the cape allowed the bearer to ebb out of reality for a few seconds before reappearing, again, to deliver an unexpected attack from behind. Truly their species possessed a wonderful and almost frightening range of powers. Kirby remembered the first time he bore witness to this mentor's wings several years ago:


Meta Knight and Kirby finished another one of their training sessions. Today's focus had been on the Wing Ability and improving upon the various moves the ability granted Kirby such as Dive Bomb which generated shockwaves when he landed upon an opponent headfirst. Meta Knight had insisted he practice that one over and over again until he had perfected it. His mentor was not one to make any training session easy.

Panting with exhaustion, Kirby removed his elaborate feather headdress and feathery wings before flopping down next to a tree. He felt somewhat dizzy, having crashed into the ground numerous times whilst struggling with using Dive Bomb. He gratefully accepted the apple that his mentor threw him knowing that today had been especially intense.

"I have no issues with your ability to air dodge," Meta Knight remarked, walking over to his student, "though we have had plenty of opportunities to practise that. You seem to be making good progress in using the Shuttle Loop though you need to remember not to flap about too wildly as you are doing so. Your speed has also considerably improved in this form. I believe you have extended your maximum speed from 17mph to 25mph even whilst using the Feather Gun. But of course, you must be able to fly even faster when you are chasing speedy demonbeasts and I know you are capable of it."

Kirby groaned. "Not right now, right?" His head was aching. He was always being pushed to his limits and sometimes even beyond them. It was a little much at times. He swallowed the apple in one but he knew that wasn't enough to fill him up. "My Wing Ability isn't the easiest one to use."

"Practice makes perfect, Kirby. It will become natural to you in due time beyond the sudden realisation that you can use such moves when you gain an ability." He referred to the sudden understanding Kirby's mind gained when he possessed a new ability, knowing instinctively what he could do without ever being able to use such moves before.

"How do you know about this stuff anyway, Meta Knight?" he challenged. "It's not as if I've ever seen you fly."

"I am observant," his mentor said, his mask hiding a slight smirk.

"Oh, come on! No-one's that observant! How are you supposed to teach someone else to use these moves if you've never used them yourself? You can't get that from observation alone. You can only do that properly if you've used them yourself."

"Hmm. You may be right." He spread his cape out carefully, letting it flutter in the wind. "What would you say if I suddenly took to the skies now?"

"Er, that I probably wouldn't be surprised because you're always hiding a lot of stuff?"

"An acceptable answer."

Before Kirby's eyes, he saw Meta Knight's cape fluidly transform into a pair of bat-like wings. He spread them out fully, much for the effect upon his student as it was for catching the air. With a single leap, Meta Knight took off and soared into the sky at a tremendous speed. He glided for the most part, only beating his strong wings occasionally. He spun through the air and performed a series of Shuttle Loops, now plainly showing off. He unsheathed Galaxia in mid-flight and let the sun catch his blade so that it shimmered brightly, a veritable beacon.

When he landed, Kirby was open-mouthed.

"I thought you said you wouldn't be surprised," Meta Knight smirked. He always loved being able to amaze his student.

"You just did all that!" Kirby gasped, practically squeeing. "Like it was nothing! That's so cool! I wanna do that!"

"That's what practice is for. And one day, you'll have wings like mine without the express need for a Copy Ability. Your Copy Ability will serve you well for the time being but even when you gain wings, it will still be useful for providing extra power or when your normal wings are grown exhausted." Meta Knight's wings then reverted back into the form of a cape, a cape that Kirby had always seen permanently attached to his mentor's back.

Kirby looked confused. "Has anyone else seen your wings? You always have them like a cape. How they even do that anyway?"

"Sword and Blade are aware of my wings though that was out of necessity. Neither would have survived the fall if I did not fly," he said, referring to a past mission. "As for how they transform between these two states, it is referred to among our species as 'reversible metamorphosis' although do not ask me to explain the concept in its entirety; I am not a biologist. By the way, Kirby, you are the first person outside of the GSA I have revealed my wings intentionally to."

Kirby felt honoured, believing this to be a good sign of their close relationship. He couldn't help but wonder though why his mentor had never revealed his wings before. Meta Knight answered:

"These wings are similar to what you might find on particular kinds of demonbeasts and in places where they have seen much violence from such monsters, to have such wings is to practically be a demonbeast yourself. On other planets, Star Warriors with similar wings to mine have been treated with suspicion and have even been assaulted by certain species because of them. In many cultures, they have been seen as symbolic of monsters and of evil. While some may have revised their opinion on this, the older attitude may prevail still in many areas.

"When I first arrived here, I thought it best to keep my wings hidden in case it unnecessarily alarmed the locals even if I was sure that such wings were not a kind of taboo in their culture. It may not be such a problem now as we do not see so many monsters. It may be that the people are perfectly comfortable with the idea since I have lived so long amongst them and do not represent a threat, but I have always preferred to err on the side of caution. Besides, I thought it best that the less King Dedede knew about me, the better."

King Dedede. Meta Knight did not need to say anything more.

"I would appreciate it if you kept quiet about this," his mentor continued. "Like I say, it may not be such a problem now but if they are to be revealed, I would rather do so on my own terms. I have hidden them so long that the idea of my showing them off to the world feels a peculiar one indeed."

"Of course," Kirby promised. He would never break Meta Knight's confidence. "Uhh, would you be able to show me some more flying some time though?"

"Certainly. It will help you out and besides, it does feel good being able to fly properly for once."

"How good?"

Meta Knight let out a breath of satisfaction. "Exhilarating."


Meta Knight had then shown Kirby his ability to teleport, manipulating space to do so. His mentor never ceased to amaze him. He hoped to be as accomplished as Meta Knight someday, particularly as at times, he felt as if he could never be quite as good. Meta Knight commanded respect and always appeared effortlessly sophisticated no matter where he went. Kirby, in comparison, was more often than not underestimated and overlooked while he went on Star Warrior missions despite his impressive skillset and backlog, presumably because he appeared child-like still and was far younger than anyone else undergoing similar missions. He also felt awkward and clumsy, contrasting against his elegant and refined mentor. All because he was getting older.

He had been having a lot of doubts about himself recently but he couldn't quite pinpoint exactly why. He wondered at times if he was good enough to be a true Star Warrior despite the things he had already accomplished. His vast range of powers at least helped him in his role as a Star Warrior mind, and Meta Knight always encouraged Kirby to improve himself.

The pink puffball then remembered something important.

"But Meta," Kirby prompted, "I thought it took years until our species grew wings. You said you didn't get your wings until you were 80 or something." The pair's respective species lived a long time and so matured at a slower rate. While 80 years might have been considered middle-aged by some species, but usually very old for many others, Meta Knight was considered unusually young for his wings to start growing even though wings were meant to be the last stage of maturation in their species, long after they were considered old enough to pursue romantic relationships.

"Well-remembered, Kirby," his mentor acknowledged. "But I mention this now because you have been forced to develop your powers much earlier than normal because of Nightmare Enterprises and other dark entities, and you have needed to keep up your training in order to retain that power and skill. You have been placed in highly dangerous and life-threatening situations countless times and have thus been required to fight back and defend yourself. Because of this, your mind is forever expecting to be on guard from attack and may try to accelerate various areas of growth so you may better protect yourself. As your wings are excellent in the role of combat, this would be the most likely area to develop first, at a much younger age than usual."

"Huh? You think I'm going to grow wings any day now even though I shouldn't yet?" Kirby confirmed. Hell, his voice hadn't even broken yet and it wasn't going to do so for a very long time. He had only grown an inch or so since his arrival in Dream Land and otherwise displayed no other signs of aging which occasionally led to him still being treated like a small child. Kirby was too polite to say how much this irritated him.

It would be very difficult to place exactly how old Kirby was but, as he was certainly an infant when he crash-landed into Cappy Town, it was decided by common consensus that in Dream Land's terms, Kirby was now more or less 16 years old. 16 years plus at any rate.

"Possibly. I could be mistaken, although I wish for you to be informed about this in due time. You would lose the ability to float; an inconvenience at first I know," he added with a slight smile at Kirby's horrified expression, "but you would considerably gain in aerial combat abilities, not to mention speed and strength, especially when you do not or cannot have access to the Warp Star."

Kirby tried to imagine himself soaring through the sky with wings like Meta Knight. Perhaps it would be fun. And Meta Knight would certainly teach him how to use his wings properly.

"However," Meta Knight said quietly, "there is a certain… painful element to this process of growth."

Kirby grimaced. There was always a downside. "How bad?" he had to ask.

Meta Knight looked a little… uncomfortable which was, to Kirby, a worrying notion. Meta Knight must have realised this as he recovered himself and said, "it can be very painful as your wings start growing at a far quicker rate than other species, usually in the course of one day, but sometimes two, and that causes considerable stress and strain on the body. It is not so surprising when you think that the body is being asked to grow something so complex in such a short space of time. Some have found the pain to be very overwhelming indeed, even with pain relief which I'm afraid has little effect during this process. Generally, the younger you are, the more painful it can be, owing to the greater stress. It is the price we pay for our power."

Kirby sighed heavily. If that was the case, then he wasn't looking forward to it at all. High power like his inevitably demanded high prices. That power made him completely different from everyone else and sometimes, Kirby felt very much out of place in Cappy Town. Matters were not helped by the fact that his early-developed powers meant he had missed out on much of his childhood as he was forced to fight those intent on killing him.

Wings would make him stand out even more from the crowd.

"Your training will help you with this," his mentor continued calmly. "And I, of course, will guide you through the process. If you feel a prickling sensation in your back, where your wings would sprout," he indicated the exact spot, "and then a feverish, burning sensation, come see me immediately, or, if you cannot do that, at least call for me. You will know when it happens."

Kirby nodded. His mentor had been through this before; he would make sure he was alright. It might well not happen for years yet anyway. He tried not to worry about it.

"And now," Meta Knight concluded, "I feel it is my duty, because you are of age now, to inform you of other matters in life namely, er, adult relationships." His eyes shone quite pink.

Kirby turned red and desperately wished for a monster to suddenly attack them. And he hadn't even given his reports yet.