Chapter Text
It’s been at least a few weeks since the disaster in Subspace and Tabuu was put in his rightful place, all thanks to King Dedede! The celebrations of their victory and return died down across DreamLand, meaning that the heroic trio started to return to their normal lives. Well, as normal as they could possibly be for a King, Knight, and literal God Slayer.
King Dedede roamed the halls of his castle, ensuring the Waddle Dee’s returned to their usual work. There were things to be done, after all! Constructing a new school for younger waddle Dees, for starters, since the old one is crowding. He was also hoping to work more with neighboring nations on trade agreements, which means signing a few bills into law and meeting with representatives- Bah! Annoying! Tedious! So Dedede decided to take a little break to peek in on his favorite knight who if he knows him well enough…
King Dedede pushed open the door of the library, creaking with the slow movement. Meta Knight looked up from his chair, nose buried deep into a book on Chivalry and Knighthood. Of course! “Hey Meta!” King Dedede called as he allowed himself into the library, striding over and plopping down in a chair next to him. “Still hung up on those Fire Emblem Folks ya met?” Peeking at the author of the book, it was just some sword guru from this universe. Knowing Meta Knight, it must be killing him not to have any books or resources on how those Lords handle a sword. He’s obsessed with the pointy things!
“Ike and Marth. They have names, My King.” Meta Knight huffed and closed his book, knowing he wasn’t going to get another page done with Dedede in his company. “They are the very model I strive to be. Poised, deft, and experts of the blade. I simply want to learn all it can from them and the similar men from their worlds.” Meta Knight sighed, looking at the cover of his book. “Unfortunately I do not have the reading material here to do so. Nor anywhere in this Universe. I’ll simply have to wait for the next Smash.”
“Well ain’t that a bunch of Scarfy Crap!” Dedede exclaimed, slamming his fist on his armchair. “If Magolor can travel across dimensions on a boat with wings, and Kirby can travel to see that little blue bloke made of yarn through a sock , then there sure must be a way to get you in contact with those blue haired swordsmen!” Meta Knight stared at King Dedede for a long moment, as though he was stupid. Dedede stared back just as intently, trying not to blink. But he lost that staring contest.
“My King, there world does not exist within our own. It is physically impossible to travel there, and it is only possible to meet those from that world during Smash Events.” Meta Knight explained solemnly and stoically, hands resting on the hook cover. “I appreciate your earnestness to assist, however it simply cannot be done.” He sighed, yellow eyes disappearing behind his mask as they closed. “I can only strive to copy-“
“Meta Knight.” King Dedede cut him off quick, grabbing his knight by the hands and forcing him to look at him. “You ain’t any lesser than those two human fancy-pantses. And you’re way better with that Galaxia of yours! How many times have you beat them in Smash Matches? Countless! Right? So stop trying to compare yourself and force yourself to be more like that lot! You’re plenty better on your own.” Dedede’s cheeks puffed out with frustration, feathers ruffling just a tad. Mega Knight started breathing a little faster. Why was that?
“You think too highly of me, My King.” Meta Knight turned his face away swiftly, despite the entire darn thing being covered with that gaudy silver mask of his.
“No, I think I think of you just highly enough. If not high enough.” He countered, taking his hands back to cross his arms since Meta Knight wants to be so modest. Would it kill the guys to admit he’s the best swordsman in all of Dream Land? Shoot, no, in the entire Galaxy? If King Dedede is too proud, then he surely can give away a little of that to Meta Knight. He’s awesome ! “Look, Meta, I know you’re always trying to be better and all that jazz, but sometimes you gotta admit that you’re pretty great. That’s all I’m getting at.”
“I’m no Hero King.” Meta Knight mumbled, gripping onto the book in his lap. “Nor a Radiant Hero. Those titles…” Meta Knight stopped, the cogs stopping and seeing his dialogue to a halt. It only baffled the penguin king more. Titles? Why does he care? They aren’t a big deal. Are they? “I just want to be the best.”
Okay, now what do you say after a line like that ? Meta Knight sat back into his chair, staring forward with gloom written all over his everything . Jeez, what’s a guy supposed to do to cheer his favorite guy up? Okay Dedede, think. What normally cheers Meta Knight up when he’s glum? Well, normally he isn’t glum. So strike that idea out. Okay but what does he do when he isn’t glum? How about that? Yeah, he’s normally training! Or working with his crew on the Halberd! Or sometimes playing with Kirby even though it annoys him! Sometimes he plays chess with King Dedede too, which was real nice of him. His favorite thing to do is sparring with really strong foes, like Kirby or himself.
“Look, Meta.” He began, trying his best to get his thoughts into words. “I don’t get what you think about those skinny pale guys from some anime game, and I don’t know how the idea got into your head that they’re better than you ‘cause they clearly ain’t. But it’s bothering you. So do you wanna blow some steam with a sparring match? A good ol’ hammer versus sword in the ring? Would that help at all or am I being silly and should just leave you the heck alone? Because I can just buzz off if ya need me to.”
Meta Knight chuckled under his breath, eyes squinted from below revealing through his mask that he was smiling. What? Did he say something funny? “Ness and Luigi were right about you, Dedede.” The king held his gasp, not wanting to stop Meta Knight yet ecstatic that he finally used his name. He’s been working on that for months! “They said your generosity is what saved the world from Tabuu. Specifically with little gold medallions. And it was you who bested the Koopa King and Wario, you who brought us together, and you who were the reason Tabuu was defeated. I never doubted you, par se, but it is just… The revelation at the extension of the Generosity you’ve shown all along…”
King Dedede was at a loss for words. They really said all that about him and his stupid little brooches? Well- they aren’t stupid ! He just never thought that his little revival idea would work at all in the first place. And that people would be thankful to see his face for once. He hoped that Ness and Luigi would revive him, sure, but he never expected any praise for what he did. He just wanted to get the heck outta there! Come home, safe, with his Waddle Dees and eat some cake in Dream Land. Hold up. When did this get about him?! This is supposed to be about Meta Knight!
“Hey don’t change the subject!” Dedede objected, crossing his arms over his chest. “We’re talking about you here.”
“Exactly my point.” Meta Knight slipped off of the chair, placing the book he was reading in the spot he once sat. He dusted off his cape and turned to the king, extending a hand to the prideful man. “Now, I believe you offered a sparring match? I was trying to recall Ike’s signature move and wanted to see if my recollection was accurate.” King Dedede snickered to himself as he took his knight’s hand, allowing him to guide him out of the chair. “I believe it is called ‘Aether’. I wanted to perform it the second I saw it, and a moving target will be exceedingly helpful for my accuracy training.”
“Alright, alright, I know how dedicated you are. I’m following right behind you.” Meta Knight let go of Dedede’s hand and walked forward- knowing his way to the arena by heart. King Dedede felt a phantom warmth in his hand lingering. Looking down at his glove, nothing was amiss. If only he held on a little longer… What?
Huh.
Interesting.
Anyways, Meta Knight doesn’t like being kept waiting long. Especially after getting so excited to try out some new moves he’s been experimenting with. King Dedede would quickly have to fetch a copy of his hammer, but that is easy. He can just get a Dee to do it while he walks to the Arena. Speaking of, King Dedede clapped his wings and soon a Waddle Dee ran forth. He politely asked for his hammer to be fetched as he made his way down the halls, still peeved about the idea that Meta Knight sees himself as less of a hero just because he doesn’t have some fancy shamancy title or whatever. King Dedede can knight him officially with a title and everything if he wants one that bad! It shouldn’t be that big of a deal.
King Dedede’s hammer was placed into his wings at the perfect time, pushing open the door to the arena. Meta Knight stood on the steel beam overseeing the fighting ring, hand already on his sword ready to unsheath. He had a glimmer in his eyes, undoubtedly grinning madly beneath his mask. A much welcome change as opposed to before. There is nothing left to say except “En Garde!” As Meta Knight swooshes down from above, wings spread and attacking down with his sword, clashing against Dedede’s hammer.
This was going to be good.