A Shooting Star ~Kirby and Sonic crossover~

Chapter 48: Within the Emerald

"So you want to visit the Master Emerald?" Knuckles blinked at Meta Knight and peered down at the unconscious Kirby in his arms. His eyes were closed peacefully, and his lips were curved in the shape of a satisfied smile. "Why couldn't you do that when you last visited?" Surprisingly, the guardian didn't seem mad that they had strayed on Angel Island again—in fact, he seemed almost...happy, and even curious.

Meta Knight dipped his head politely. "Knuckles," he greeted. "It is good to see you again." Knuckles nodded awkwardly, looking as if he had no idea what to say. He kept glancing at Kirby, a glimmer of respect shining in his eyes. "We were not aware that we would need to run into you again. However, we have recieved an order to visit the Master Emerald."

He'd thought that Knuckles would have been furious to see the Dreamlanders and mobians return to his floating island, but surprisingly, the echidna didn't seem to mind having them so close to his emerald. Instead, he seemed friendly, going as far as to offer a healing poultice for Meta Knight's smaller wounds, as well as food. An exhausted Dedede immediately began snacking on the fruits, and the traveling party agreed to take a short rest before visiting the Master Emerald. The glow from the gem was close, casting an ominous green flicker around them.

"What kind of order?" Knuckles' voice was high with suspicion, and he glanced at Sonic. He frowned. "This isn't some prank, is it? I have a duty, you know." His gaze settled back to Kirby. Meta Knight found himself tightening his hold on his son. Why was the echidna staring at him so strangely? He tensed, preparing to bring Galaxia out of its sheath if he had to.

Sonic took a deep breath. He was lying down on the grass, head facing the sky, legs crossed. "No, this isn't a prank. But if you have to know..." He went on to tell Knuckles about how Kirby, Meta Knight, and Dedede could all possibly be reincarnations of past warriors. Knuckles listened closely, his eyes glimmering thoughtfully. When Sonic finished, he muttered, "Aha. That makes sense." He looked a lot more relaxed, as if a question that had been nagging him had finally been answered.

On their way to the temple, the mobians had told Dedede how he was, like Kirby and Meta Knight, a potential reincarnation of a past warrior. To their surprise, Dedede seemed to accept the fact, going on to describe the things he saw in his mind's eye and the skills he possessed when he held a hammer. Meta Knight silently wondered if the king secretly had more of a connection to his past life than the two Star Warriors.

Shadow's ears twitched, and Meta Knight focused back on the present. The black and red hedgehog's eyes were narrowed. "What do you mean?" He probably thought that Knuckles would have a more shocked reaction, and Meta Knight couldn't help but feel the same way. "Do you have something to add?"

Knuckles gazed silently at Shadow before letting out a long sigh. He pointed to Kirby, and the pink puffball yawned, turning over in his sleep, paws churning in the air. A trickle of drool escaped from his mouth. "The Master Emerald spoke to me," Knuckles spoke in a low murmur, violet eyes slitted. "Just after you guys left. It said that it was created by someone named Kirby of the Stars. Now I know that it was referring to the warrior inside Kirby." He fumbled with his dreadlocks, twirling them slowly. "It said that it was created when Kirby of the Stars defended Mobius from the leader of the Dark Matters, Zero."

At the mention of Zero, Sonic's ears pricked, his sapphire fur standing on end. His expression was frozen with shock. Meta Knight could almost hear the question running inside his head: How did Knuckles know about the leader of the Dark Matters?

Knuckles turned to look at Sonic, and he gave him a toothy grin when he noticed his horrified look. "You know, I think I know what's going on," he reported smugly, just as Sonic was about to speak. Sonic stared at him, his panic evident, as Knuckles went on. "I've been thinking about it, ever since you guys left."