A Shooting Star ~Kirby and Sonic crossover~

Chapter 45: Letting Go

Dedede dodged an arcing sweep from Amy's Piko-Piko Hammer with a short hop, counterattacking with a blow to Amy's side. Amy yowled in pain as the wooden of his hammer collided into her, her fingers around her hammer loosening as she breathed heavily, glaring at Dedede. There was no hate in her eyes: only fierce, relentless challenge. Her body was tense, and her lips were pursed in concentration, forming a thin, red line across her muzzle.

"You're much better than I thought, Dedede," she panted, her eyes flickering with admiration. "I didn't think you'd be this hard to fight."

Hidden pride settled at the pit of Dedede's stomach. He puffed up his chest, unaware of the sudden movement Amy had created as she sped towards him, the brushing wind only giving him seconds of warning. "Of course I am! I am a kin'—"

He was cut off when Amy slammed her hammer into his flank, and he gasped, the air escaping out of his lungs with a pop. Colours sprung in front of his eyes, leaping and dancing, and his vision swam in a muddle of sights. He shook his head blearily.

Amy's triumphant figure was watching him closely, her chin lifted high. She visibly relaxed.

"What was that?" she teased.

Dedede's feet were about to give in, and his body reeled from the blow. He could feel each individual bruise Amy had inflicted on him, and he yearned to close his eyes and lie down. So... sleepy... The atmosphere felt so thick, so heavy, it was almost similar to the warm, inviting blankets of his bed back in Dreamland.

Tsk.

But there was something stopping him from fainting—a voice, calling out to him. From the haze, Dedede thought he could see a penguin identical to him standing over his fallen body, a large hammer clenched in one of his gloved hands. Eyes of the deepest parts of the sea flashed, and his elegant beak curled into a slightly mocking, yet supportive, grin.

It was like staring into a mirror, except this mirror was even more good looking than his usual reflection.

Who... are you?

His attractive lookalike took a marching step towards him, ignoring his question. Down already? Come on, you can't go making me look bad!

The penguin prodded Dedede lightly with his hammer. A warm tremor coursed through Dedede's body, like the slow trickling of lava, and a rush of flaring adrenaline erupted from his belly, roaring inside him like a volcano. It was all too familiar; he embraced the sensation with a toothy grin.

Show her what your hammer can really do!

It felt as if all the pain from his body had disappeared. His vision restored, Dedede rushed at Amy; the pink hedgehog's eyes widened in surprise, and she brought her Piko-Piko Hammer close to her, attempting to parry Dedede's hammer with her own. But Dedede was too quick for her, and with a sly twist and curl of his fingers, he gently let go of his hammer, watching as his weapon went flying in Amy's direction.

Amy stumbled back with a bemused look on her face—just as Dedede predicted she'd do. Extending his arm to retrieve his hammer, he jumped high in the air and brought down the final blow with a hammer swing, knocking Amy down onto the ground. The mobian forfeited with a slight bow of her head, her arms in the air. Although she had lost, she looked excited as sweat dripped from her brow, sliding down her cheek.

"That was amazing, Dedede!" Amy praised him. She held out her hand, and Dedede took it, giving her a respectful handshake.

The adrenaline that had once blazed now gone, Dedede was suddenly aware of the exhaustion that protested his limbs, and he took a seat on the matted grass, relishing the cool breeze as it brushed around him, kissing his skin.