Heroes of Dreamland Rewritten, Book 1: Stars Amidst Lightning

Chapter 12

Kirby Dee | カービィディー

After that, I spend the rest of the afternoon wandering around the castle, thinking hard about everything that's happened in the past several weeks. It's so hard to believe that less than two months ago, back in spring, I was just a normal Waddle Dee. It feels so much longer ago than that, for some reason.

Sighing, I pause by one of the semi-circle open windows found in all of the outer halls of the castle and rest my new gloves on the ledge, looking out across the castle grounds. There's no glass in the windows; they're just holes cut in the stone wall, mostly there to let breezes in to cool the castle during the sticky tropical Dreamland summers. It'll start getting hot out before I know it. It's already Earlsummer... where has the time gone?

Speaking of time... How much time do I have left before that monster I'll have to fight shows up? The prophecy promised that I'd have a 'time of peace' to be trained first, but it never said how much time I'd have, and that makes me anxious. And when the monster does show up, who are the 'friends' that are going to go with me? Hopefully Meta Knight and Kirby, for sure. I'd much rather Bandanna Dee than Dedede... I don't know. I guess that'll work itself out when the time comes.

On top of all of that, there's my worst fear, too. When the monster comes, will I be able to stop it? Will I be strong enough? Even with others helping me... 'She will weaken him, but never destroy him.' Will someone else destroy him, or am I doomed to end up coming up short, leaving all of Dreamland to live in 'darkness as it has never known before' forever?

Turning around, I pull my plain, small practice sword out of the simple leather sheath on my back that I use to carry it around. I call it a 'practice' sword, but it's sharp enough to cause someone real harm, especially the sharp, pointed end. Last night, during the stupid prank I and the two smaller guys played on the King, I didn't have it on me, even though Meta Knight gave it to me expressly for the purpose that I wouldn't be confused for a regular Waddle Dee by anybody and scolded for not slaving away with the others. Of course, I didn't have it on expressly for the purpose that I wouldn't be recognized as the Kirby Dee. Apparently, Dedede and Escargoon hadn't been made aware of my existence (or maybe they had been, and just didn't care enough to listen or remember), but I know it's common knowledge among most of the castle inhabitants by now.

Sighing heavily, I swish my sword through the air in a faux attack a couple of times, and then thrust it into an imaginary enemy, my other glove held behind me for balance. Having gloves is so weird, but at the same time, I really think I like it. It's easier to have a solid grip on my sword's hilt, and it somehow makes it feel less heavy than it does in my stubby, short paws. It'll be pretty fun to try dueling Meta Knight again tomorrow. Somehow, I have a feeling I'll do even better than I have been most of the time lately.

Closing my eyes in a sudden feeling of exhaustion, I lean against the wall and slide down into a sitting position. Slowly opening my eyes again, I hold my sword out in front of me and tilt it back and forth in the sunlight that beams through the window just above me, studying the way the light plays along its sharp, heartless beauty in fascination. A moment later though, I grow sad. Will I ever be able to use this as an actual weapon, when it comes to it? I've never actually hurt anyone with any weapon, whether spear as a Waddle Dee or sword as a Kirby Dee, excepting one time about a month ago when I somehow managed to hit myself in the head with this sword's hilt. I had Warp Stars floating in front of my eyes for hours, that time. The memory makes me give a weak giggle, but the jovial moment passes quickly, leaving me feeling as sad as before.

Now, though, Meta Knight's kind words earlier only make me more anxious. In a quiet voice, I murmur, "Am I really the one meant for this quest? I guess I am the only girl Waddle Dee, but still. I'm... I'm..." Not wanting to admit it out loud, even when I'm the only one listening, I pause a moment before getting out in a hoarse, tiny voice, "I'm scared."