Tiers and Hopes, Book 2

Balancing Act

The next day...

Master Hand was typing away on his computer when he heard a voice.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

MH looked up at the masked puffball, a blue cape wrapped around his shoulders.

"Sir Meta Knight," he gasped. "I didn't hear you come in. Would you like a seat?"

Meta Knight hopped onto the proffered chair and accepted the glass of wine offered to him. "I understand that Kirby is—having problems in this tournament?"

"Kirby's at the bottom of the tier list—which, I might add, isn't his fault," said MH. "A lot of people are harassing him over it."

"So, I've heard."

"Luigi told me that he contacted you."

"I'm happy he did. We've been friends since I followed his blog back in 1999."

MH took a deep breath. "I don't know if Luigi already told you, but one of Kirby's fellow competitors violently attacked him one night. He had to go to the infirmary. And after that, people started ganging up on him, using him as a ball and dunking him in trash cans. They even started forcing cake down his throat. I—I'm at my wit's end. My punishments seem ineffective, but if I'm too harsh..."

"I understand your predicament," said Meta. "Discipline must be tempered with kindness. But if things get to the point where you have no choice but to expel the offender, then maybe you should. Because that person is both dangerous to and a bad influence on the other Smashers."

"I really hope things don't have to come to that," fretted MH.

"Me, too. But Kirby and I have forged a close relationship. I'm his mentor, his tutor. Remember that in Star Warrior terms, he's still only a child. A child shouldn't have to go through that horror."

"Luigi's trying to help him."

"He told me that Kirby's starting to push him—and his other friends—away."

MH's heart nearly stopped beating. "I..."

"It's time you talked to him and considered increasing the severity of your punishments. I cannot stomach the thought of those pendejos hurting him any longer," said Meta.

"Uh—I'll see if I can get him to open up." MH started feeling sick to his stomach. "Thank you for telling me that, Sir Meta Knight. And thank you for visiting."

"De nada. I understand that you're trying to be benevolent, but there are times when you must assert your authority. I'm sure they'll understand. Por favor, you must help Luigi help Kirby. Because if anything happens to my pupil, then I will not hesitate to avenge him myself."

"I'm positive things won't..." MH blinked and trailed off. The mysterious masked knight had already disappeared.

...

Purposefully, Master Hand floated toward Kirby's room, his thoughts racing, and knocked on the door. "Kirby?" he asked. "Are you in there?"

"Poyo!" Kirby's voice sobbed from within.

"I just wanna check on you," said MH. "Sir Meta Knight visited me and said that—your situation has deteriorated."

"Poyo poyo," sniffled Kirby. "Poyo poyo poyo poyo poyo popoyo poyoy poyoyo poyo poyo."

"Kirby, I know you're hurting, but you've got to let me in," exhorted Master Hand. "When people shut others out, that's usually a bad sign. If need be, I'll expel Fox and the others."