Chapter Text
The sun on Aqualiss was much nicer than the sun on Rock Star, which was strange, because Jecra was almost certain that they were one and the same. He didn’t think much more about it as he laid back on the sand, shielded from its heat by the cape he’d spread over it. His cowl made for a suitable pillow.
“Ya know, MK, I was thinkin’ we been overdue for a break. Ya sure do know a nice vacation spot.” He said, sighing contentedly.
“Speak for yourself.” Garlude righted herself, leaning heavily against a palm tree. The hair around her pale face was messy. She tried awkwardly to fix it with one hand, the other holding her stomach.
Meta Knight, standing with arms crossed atop the leaves of another palm, glanced over his shoulder at her. “Perhaps a pause was in order, although I would have preferred that you warned me of your motion sickness in advance, Lady Garlude.”
“I don’t get motion sick.” Garlude grunted, planting a hand against the tree and looking over her shoulder at him. “I’ve glided effortlessly through windstorms, careened down the deadliest peaks, been aboard ships that threw the most hardened sailors overboard. I just- hrk - I didn’t know you guys were aliens! ”
“Ya know, to us, you’re the alien.” Jecra said. He felt the glare from where he laid, and cleared his throat. “It’s okay, Gar, lotsa places don’t got space travel. You’ll get used to it.”
“Indeed, Lady Garlude, you will find in our travels that despite Jecra’s piloting skill, navigating an interstellar craft is a simple matter. At least, compared to what else we will be facing. I trust you will rise to the challenge.” Meta Knight faced forward.
“You can just call me Garlude, you know.” She said, wiping her mouth and pushing away from the tree. “You may as well if you’re going to see me like this.”
Jecra opened one eye, looking in her direction. “Nah, ya shoulda got woikin’ at that when ya met. He’s gonna do that ‘til some big dramatic moment when it’s all meaningful to call ya by yer casual name. Trust me on that one.”
Garlude sighed.
“Yer gonna be waitin’ a long time, prolly. I mean, can’t imagine there’s gonna be a dramatic moment during a vacation-”
“I did not intend this solely as an opportunity for rest.” Meta Knight interjected.
“...Ya what?”
“I am aware that there is a small NME stronghold not very far from here. While we are grounded I would like visit it.”
“So you had an ulterior motive for stopping here?” Garlude asked, crossing her arms. “Somehow, I’m not surprised.”
“If you are no longer ill, I trust you are satisfied enough.” Meta Knight replied, jumping from his perch.
“I think I’d be more satisfied if we were here for vacation.” Jecra mumbled, sitting up.
“We cannot have true peace while there remains a threat to the universe.”
“...MK, the universe is really big! ”
“Perhaps if we can at least clear the galaxy-”
Jecra threw his arms out in exasperation. “Galaxies are also really big.”
“When you agreed to follow me you agreed to sacrifice some comfort.”
“Well yeah, but yer not gonna stand there n’ tell me that ya nevah rest or take a break sometimes...right?”
The knight was silent.
“If there’s a stronghold nearby, we should move quickly.” Garlude said. “I don’t like the idea that we could be ambushed.”
Jecra sighed, pulling himself to his feet. He gathered his cape and cowl under one arm. “Fine, but I’m gonna complain the whole time.”
“That is a given.” Meta Knight said, walking ahead.
The trio walked along the coastline, the sound of waves calming their nerves even with the prospect of a battle on the horizon. On their route, shadows of sea creatures drifted near the surface, as if curious about the newcomers on their shore. The sand got rougher as they went, until eventually they reached a sandstone peninsula, extending toward a tiny island made of the same material, topped with grass and a single palm tree.
The trio leapt one-by-one from the point to the island. From there, they got a full view of the surrounding underwater environment. Various structures made out of stone mottled in various shades of blue extended out from the island, and the clear water allowed the three to see the creatures beneath the surface.
“Wow.” Garlude breathed.
“Sure is somethin’.” Jecra remarked.
“If I am correct, and I suspect that I am,” Meta Knight said, “then we will need to traverse these tunnels to find the stronghold.” He pointed directly ahead of them at a small range of massive sandstone mountains. “It should be on the other side of this atoll.”
“Yer sayin’ we gotta swim under those things?” Jecra rubbed his nose apprehensively.
“I guess, if the only other option is climbing, or going around and possibly being seen,” Garlude mused, “it should be much easier. Although...I have to wonder if underwater cave systems are as complex here as they are on Earthfall.”
“It is likely.” Meta Knight replied. “A difficult means of entry and a strong land boundary make for an ideal location. And though the Isle of Nanalan is its kingdom’s capital, its population is small enough that little resistance would be encountered in a takeover.”
“So we should expect the woist?” Jecra asked.
“Indeed.”
There was a brief pause before Meta Knight unceremoniously jumped into the ocean.
The other two looked on with wide eyes before squeezing them shut, inhaling deeply, and following suit.
It did not take Garlude long to realize that keeping her eyes closed was going to make it infinitely harder to navigate, and that her armor and weapons would only make it worse. However, she found that she wasn’t sinking with the speed she expected. She was so confounded by this that she didn’t think twice about opening her eyes to inspect the situation. The water didn’t sting. Whatever sediment floated in this ocean was gentle on the eyes. She looked to Jecra, who seemed to be coming to the same conclusions.
In front of them, Meta Knight tread water, looking around the mouth of the cave. He spotted a small group of red and yellow fish and swam up to them.
Jecra couldn’t help but notice that the fish were wearing snorkels. He swam to Meta Knight’s side, trying to figure out how to ask him about this without opening his mouth.
Meta Knight didn’t seem to notice him, crossing his hands over the bottom half of his visor. At specific intervals, he slightly lifted his hands to allow bubbles to escape. The fish responded in kind, occasionally conferring with each other before answering him.
Once he was satisfied with the conversation, he swam toward another entrance, Jecra in tow. Garlude, closer to the entrance, waited for them to meet her as the current leading into it tugged lightly at her cape.
As they entered the cave system, the light from the outside world began to give way to the dimmer yet more distinctive glow of turquoise crystals about the walls. It was their only means of navigating the twisting passages, a hefty task as they encountered abrupt turns and seemingly endless caverns with no clear exit. Jecra tried to focus on Meta Knight, who seemed to have the easiest time maneuvering it. This focus also helped take attention off of the burning sensation in his chest. He wanted to ask how much longer they’d be swimming, but wasn’t so stupid as to try, which was almost as irritating as not being able to breathe.
Every stroke made him more aware of exactly how much energy it took to propel himself through the water, and just how painful it was to have that energy depleted. He was in a strange state of mind-- he wanted to go faster, because it meant that they’d be out of there faster, but he also wanted to take it easier, because it meant that he wouldn’t get as tired.
Garlude noticed the symptoms immediately. She was aware that in places like this there were often pockets of air or bubbling cracks that could supply it. She saw none. Jecra could see that her face was getting a bit darker. He couldn’t imagine what his looked like. He chose not to think about it.
Meta Knight didn’t slow nor look back. Not that he could do much if he did.
They finally came to an opening where the light was brighter. Distinct beams of sunlight diffused through the water ahead. This was when Jecra opted to swim faster.
He was patently aware that he was staring at the sun, causing his eyes to burn now, too, but while it was up there he knew there was a way to get to the surface and he knew that the surface had to be up there because the sun was there and so he had to keep staring at the sun because where there’s the sun there’s air wow it was so bright man this stuff was DEEP man man MAN-
The second he felt a bare part of his arm hit air, he inhaled. Water directly filled his lungs before his face broke the surface, causing him to choke.
He felt a few hard thuds against his back, sending warm, now-slightly-acidic water back to into the ocean. He gasped and, coughing and gulping air, turned to see Garlude, gasping herself and staring at him with concern.
“Th-thanks.” Jecra croaked. “I-I needed that…”
“D-don’t mention it.” Garlude replied. “Y-you probably would’ve been fine. I j-just know from experience that that...process can be slow and un-plea-sant.”
In front of them, Meta Knight bobbed to the surface, facing them. “You two have done well. I am impressed.” He said, no hint of struggle or breathlessness in his voice. “I was concerned I would have to pull someone to the surface.”
“...That was an easy time for ya, huh?” Jecra asked.
“Of course.” Meta Knight replied, turning to face the island a short distance away, one dotted with palms and small, stilted houses.
“There is the Isle of Nanalan.” He said. “It does not seem armed, but we should proceed with caution.” He swam forward.
Jecra and Garlude exchanged tired glances before following suit.
The three arrived on the island to little fanfare. A person with smooth, somewhat-shiny skin and short hair that looked almost like tentacles stared at them, a crab struggling in his hand.
“Excuse me,” Garlude called. “Are there, uh, monsters here?”
He said nothing and shrugged.
“Can he...understand us?” Jecra asked, rubbing his nose.
“He is of no help. Let us proceed.” Meta Knight said, continuing on.
The person stared as they walked past, returning to his task when the crab pinched his hand.
It wasn’t long before the trio encountered more people conducting their business through a bustling town. Some spared aside glances at the newcomers, but didn’t interact much further and went about their day. Others paused a bit longer, staring, squinting at Meta Knight.
This made sense to him. If they were overtaken by NME, it would be no shock that the townspeople would react strangely to the presence of a Star Warrior.
“So, uh…MK.” Jecra shifted uncomfortably, “Any idea where those monstahs might be? We prolly gotta be fast, seein’ as we’re drawin’ so much attention n’ all.”
“Indeed, I suppose that this was inevitable.”
“It’ll happen when three people who don’t look like anyone else randomly emerge from the ocean.” Garlude said.
“...I suppose there is that, too, yes.” Meta Knight nodded thoughtfully.
“Anyway,” Jecra cut back in. “Can we get where we’re goin’?”
“We may.” Meta Knight nodded. “...As soon as we find the post.”
“...So no. Ya don’t have any idea where it is
“If I did not have an idea, we would not be here. It has been some time, this place looks much different than it did when I first became aware of it.”
“We’re gonna have to ask for directions, then?” Jecra looked around. “...I don’t think that’s gonna be easy.”
“Excuse me!” Garlude hailed a resident with several books in her arms.
The long tailfins that made up the resident’s hair flared in surprise as she was startled out of her thoughts.
“O-oh!” The Islander said, looking Garlude up and down.
“Hi, I’m sorry to bother you, I know our appearance must be very strange to you. We mean no harm, we’re just looking for the monsters who’ve probably been roaming around here.”
“Monsters…?” The Islander asked, a strange look on her face, one that was quickly replaced with an awkward smile. “Ah, right, of course I understand what you mean! They’re probably, uh…” She looked around, spotting a side street nearby. “Down that way!” She beamed and pointed.
“Very good, thank you.” Meta Knight said, nodding and turning toward the street.
As he turned, the light from his badge glinted, catching the attention of the Islander.
“Oh, uh, hold on a second…” She said.
Meta Knight looked back toward her.
“Would you happen to know…?” She squinted, cocked her head to the side, then sighed. “Nevermind, probably not.”
“...Very well.” Meta Knight said, some suspicion in his voice.
In the distance, a bell sounded with a dull tone.
The Islander’s fins straightened again, her eyes wide. “Oh, sorry, I have to go. Good luck with the, uh, monsters!”
“...Thanks.” Garlude replied, watching her run off.
“...Huh.” Jecra said, cocking his head to the side and rubbing his nose. “That was...kinda...helpful…?”
“It is more than we had before.” Meta Knight said, starting down the street. “But we should be wary of a trap.”
Partway down the lane, as if on cue, Meta Knight shot his arm out to the side, catching a small object that had flown at him from between a small cluster of houses. He upturned his hand, revealing a brightly-banded marble.
“Hey, Weirdos!” Came a high-pitched voice from the space.
“Yeah, you guys are the Weirdos, right?”
“ Of course they’re the Weirdos, Port. You can tell by looking at them!”
“Oh yeah, Nacre, guess ya can…”
The trio turned to face their callers, two girls, one with white-tentacled hair and one with black, wearing wrinkled white blouses, cream-colored vests, and plaid skirts that had traces of wet sand stuck to them.
“Okay, Blippy!” The girl with white tentacles called over her shoulder. “We got the Weirdos’ attention!”
“Good job, guys!” A slightly lower voice answered back. From behind the girls stepped a boy wearing similar clothes, with rolled-up navy blue pants instead of a skirt. The short red and yellow fins about his head waved curiously as he looked them over.
“Yep, that’s gotta be them.”
“You know, if you had called our attention normally, we would have answered you.” Garlude said, crossing her arms.
“How’re we s’posed to know?” The boy-- Blippy-- asked, shrugging with a telltale smirk. “It’s not like we know ya. You’re Weirdos, ya know? We just had to make sure.”
“Ya know,” Jecra said, rubbing his nose in irritation. “Where I’m from, you guys are the w-”
A marble hit him in the forehead.
The black-tentacled girl snickered, taking another marble from the pocket of her skirt, tossing it in the air, and catching it.
“H-hey, lemme see ‘em!” Another voice called. A taller boy with larger white tentacles on his head pushed in-between Blippy and the black-tentacled girl. The suction cups on the undersides of his tentacles popped against, but did not stick to, his skin as he shook his head. “Man, yeah, those are Weirdos if I ever seen any.”
“Did you seriously just call our attention so that you could mock us?” Garlude asked, scowling.
“Whaaat? No, nothing like that!” Blippy said, still smirking. “We just wanted to talk, ya know? We heard you guys’ conversation with Miss Marine.”
“Yeah! She, uh, she totally sent you guys on a...aw man...oh yeah!” The white-tentacled boy said, snapping his fingers. “A wild gull chase!”
“...A what?” Meta Knight asked, his tone betraying impatience that his face didn’t.
“Ya know!” The white-tentacled girl cut in. “When someone lies cuz they wanna get rid of you!”
“She’s a real nice teacher,” the black-tentacled girl said, shrugging. “But I guess being accosted by Weirdos freaked her out a little too much.”
“What, n’ we’re s’posed to believe you guys?” Jecra asked, rubbing his nose a little harder.
“Well yeah.” Blippy said. “Duh.”
“And why should we do that?” Garlude’s patience was running thin.
“Cuz we know where the monsters come from!” The white-tentacled girl said. “But, ya know, for real.”
“Where is it, then?” Meta Knight asked.
“Oh, ya wanna know, huh?” Blippy’s smirk grew into a full grin. “What’ll ya do for it?”
“Find it ourselves.” Meta Knight answered. He turned on his heel and began to walk away, his companions in tow.
“Hold on, wait, wait!” Blippy ran into the street.
“Y-yeah hold on, uh, wait!” The white-tentacled boy followed.
“We’ll tell ya, it’ll be real easy, promise!” The white-tentacled girl waved her arms
“It won’t take long! Seriously!” The black-tentacled girl called.
“All ya need to do is beat us at a game, and you’ll get all the info ya need!” Blippy shouted.
Meta Knight stopped in his tracks, causing Jecra to walk into him.
“ Oof , MK…?” He asked. “What’s up, my guy?”
“...A...game?” Meta Knight looked back over his shoulder.
“...No, no you’re not seriously considering- ” Garlude started.
“Yeah, a game.” Blippy replied, his smug demeanor returning. “Ya know, a thing you play, and you either win or lose? One of those.”
“I...am aware.” Meta Knight’s tone was curt.
“MK, what? ” Jecra threw his arms up. “Are ya seriously considerin’ takin’ these guys up?”
“It is...crossing my mind. Perhaps...if we are victorious…”
“...Oh my g-! No! No, why are you even considering this? Why is this taking up any space in your mind!?” Garlude threw her hands to the side.
“There is a possibility it could be useful. Perhaps they have more, better information. We could obtain this if we best them.”
“...Hold on... hold on… ” Jecra smirked. “MK...hold on...you, a stoic kinda guy who don’t let anything get to ya...MK.” He couldn’t help but laugh. “But ya can’t turn down a challenge , can ya?”
Meta Knight did not reply, instead turning to walk back toward the children.
“You can’t be serious!” Garlude shouted. “They’re probably lying!”
“Sea’s honor, Ma’am.” The black-tentacled girl, beaming, put one hand on her chest and other in the air. “We’re not lying at all! Promise!”
“Ya know, I hate this as much as the next guy, but this’s gotta be the funniest thing evah.” Jecra wiped a tear from his eye. “MK’s one weakness: kids playin’ a game.”
“What is it we are playing?” Meta Knight asked flatly.
“Well, ya see, we’ve been trying to organize this tournament for a little bit, and we need some extra players to fill in the bracket-” Blippy said.
“Why do you want us to play in your tournament so badly?” Garlude cut him off. “You should be in school! ”
“W-well, uh, ya know, uh, if you ask our parents...we are!” The white-tentacled boy said, laughing sheepishly.
“Nacre,” Blippy said, looking to the black-tentacled girl. “Tell ‘em about optics.”
“Really,” Nacre said, not leaving space for Garlude to interject. “A school day is the only reasonable day to hold an independently-run event. There’s little supervision, allowing for maximum flexibility, and any deadlines you’re pushing off by planning and playing get moved by default, with no blame pushed onto the students.”
“Also, day-offs are great because school kinda sucks.” The white-tentacled girl added, nodding.
“What is your game?” Meta Knight asked with more insistence.
“Ah, my fine Weirdo, I’m glad you asked.” Blippy clapped his webbed hands together, then gestured down the gap between houses. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll be happy to explain.”
“Meta Knight, don’t- ” Garlude didn’t finish before Meta Knight followed the group through the gap.
“Somethin’ ya might’ve guessed by now, Gar, but MK can be kinda...set in his mind once he’s decided to do stuff.” Jecra sighed.
“I’m. Noticing.”
“I mean, ya know, you can always go off n’ search by yourself.”
“No. If this is part of a trap, I’m not leaving you guys behind.”
“...Ya think these kids...are a trap…?”
“Maybe not by themselves, but if they’re keeping one of us in one place, it could play into one.”
Jecra blinked several times. “Gar…”
“Come on, let’s get this over with.” Garlude followed the group down the path, Jecra not far behind.
/*|*\
The group finally arrived at a small cul-de-sac, at the center of which three circles were drawn in the dense sand. Against one of the houses, a tall boy in the same school uniform as the others leaned, sunglasses on his face and a dorsal fin extending from the top of his head.
“Ladies and gentlemen!” Blippy shouted, extending his arms as if he were greeting an audience that was much bigger than the one he had. “It is my joy and honor and distinguishment and whatever to welcome you to the first ever Nanalan Tippy Top Tops Tournament!”
The children around him erupted in applause, the sunglass-wearing boy clapping much more slowly than the others.
“I’m your founder, competitor, and beloved host, Blippy!” Blippy continued to yet more applause. “And here are our players for today!”
“In this corner, quick with a quip and cold as ice in the ocean! She knows all your secrets and how to use ‘em, it’s Port!”
Port stepped forward and posed, holding the top stem of a purple-striped top between her fingers while the others clapped, though Nacre made it a point to shake her head firmly as she did so.
Blippy picked up on the action. “Oh, wow, looks like the competition’s heating up!” He said, gesturing toward her. “In this other corner, we’ve got a girl who’s wise beyond her years. She’s been best friends with Port forever, and she’d say she’s her better half! She wanted to play marbles but got outvoted, it’sssss Nacre!”
Nacre stepped forward and took a marble from her pocket, then sighed, reached back into it, and replaced the marble with a magenta-striped top, which she tossed up and down in her hand.
“Standin’ over there, we’ve got the burliest, chillest fella this side of the sea. They say nobody’s ever seen his eyes! Never scared and totally not scary, it’s our boy Megalo-John!”
The boy with the dorsal fin, Megalo-John, adjusted his sunglasses, then crossed his arms and continued to lean against the house.
“And finally, last but actually the most,” Blippy said, throwing an arm around the lanky, white-tentacled boy. “He can barely get through a sentence without stuttering, he’s got a heart of gold and a stomach of dried seaweed. But nobody better mess with him, cuz he’s always gonna come out on top. My best bud ever, Squish!”
Squish chuckled nervously, fiddling with the green-and-yellow top in his hand.
“Th-thanks, Blippy.” He mumbled. “I’m gonna do my best.”
“I know, man, I know.” Blippy replied quietly before clearing his throat and raising his voice again. “Then, of course, we have the Weirdos, our lovely volunteers!”
He gestured toward the Star Warriors, none of whom seemed particularly pleased. Megalo-John finally stood and approached the group as Blippy continued.
“Please, oh gracious Weirdos, kindly introduce yourselves to this grand competition.”
Meta Knight sighed. “Fine. My name is M-’
“Marshmallow.” Megalo-John said, his voice deep and relaxed. He nodded to Blippy, who snickered and nodded in return.
“...I beg your pardon?” Meta Knight asked, tensing.
“Our first player on the Weirdo team, we have Marshmallow! He’s small, dark, and puffy!”
“That is not my name.”
“According to our bracket, it is!” Blippy shrugged, his smug grin staying on. “Sorry, Marshie, them’s the rules.”
Me- er, Marshmallow, unfolded his arm from his cape and began to make a move, one that was promptly stopped by Jecra grabbing his arm.
“Don’t.” He hissed.
“Onto the next Weirdo, he’s got the height, he’s got the might, but can he keep it tight?”
“...Uh...yeah. My name’s-”
“Carrot Head.” Megalo-John said, nodding.
“Iiiiit’s Carrot Heaaaaad!” Blippy concurred.
“Aw, c’mon, kid.” Carrot Head grumbled.
“Aaaand finally, we have…!”
Garlude stared at the children, arms crossed, refusing to utter a word.
“...Finalllyyyyyy...we haaaaaave…!!!” Blippy urged.
Garlude continued to hold her ground.
“...Man, you’re no fun at ALL. Know what? You’re Girl. That’s you. You’re Girl now.”
“I won’t be answering to that name.” Girl replied.
“I introduce to you all, Girl.” Blippy announced flatly. “Who is she? She’s Girl. She’s purple. She’s got a crown. Isn’t that cool? Yeah. She’s Girl. Woohoo.”
Girl rolled her eyes.
“Aaaanyway,” Blippy cleared his throat and instantly regained his showmanlike demeanor. “The players are here, the bracket’s filled, ladies and gentlemen... it’s time to play some Tops!”
The children exploded into cheers, all gathering around their leader before quieting into murmurs and whispers. Squish knelt on the ground and took a stick from a pocket, drawing a bracket in the sand. The Weirdos couldn’t quite read the markings being inscribed beneath the lines.
Once he was finished, Squish looked up and nodded to his friends. Blippy clapped his hands together.
“It’s decided!” He announced. “The first round will pit Megalo-John and Marshmallow against each other!”
Megalo-John stared down at Marshmallow taking an unpainted top out of his pocket with one hand and extending the other stiffly toward his opponent.
Marshmallow stared back at Megalo-John, then at his hand, and reached to shake it.
“Oh, yeah, hold on, we’re fair here.” Blippy cut in. “Here.” He shoved a black top and launcher into Marshmallow’s hand. Marshmallow fiddled with the setup, figuring out how it worked within seconds.
“Now we want a good clean fight out here!” Nacre said, crossing her arms. “Hands to yourself, only tops in the circle, first to stop spinning or get rung out loses. Got it?”
“I understand.” Marshmallow replied, loading the top into its launcher.
“Three, two, one, go! ” Nacre called, making a downward chopping motion with her hand.
Megalo-John and Marshmallow released their tops into the ring, both spinning at blinding speeds and moving directly toward each other.
Yes, collision was imminent.
Chook!
The second the tops made contact, Marshmallow’s was struck and flew into the air, landing outside the ring.
Marshmallow froze, almost not seeming to comprehend what had just happened.
Carrot Head fought valiantly to suppress the laughter trying to escape his throat.
Girl pinched the bridge of her nose.
Marshmallow tried to form words as Megalo-John extended his hand once more.
“I would like...to go again…” Marshmallow uttered, his voice strained.
“Nope, sorry! It’s one round!” Nacre replied.
Marshmallow was silent for a long while before he shot his hand into Megalo-John’s, shook, and stiffly walked away.
“A crushing defeat for Marshmallow! In all my years as a tops officialinator, I haven’t seen a shorter game!” Blippy bellowed, Nacre trying stifling laughter nearby.
“Didn’t ya say this was the first game ya ever hosted?” Carrot Head asked, rubbing his nose and raising an eyebrow.
“AAAaaanyway,” Blippy continued, “Since he so graciously volunteered, our next round’s the battle of the chatterboxes! Carrot Head, Port, get over here!”
Carrot Head rolled his eyes as he and Port approached the ring. Blippy shoved a maroon-capped top and launcher into his hand. Carrot Head fiddled a bit longer than Marshmallow, trying to remember how exactly his friend had loaded it before. Once he got it sorted, he extended his hand over the ring, prompting Port to shake it.
“Okay!” Nacre called, arm poised. “Do we need a refresher on the rules?”
“Only if it means telling my rival that there’s no sore losers allowed~” Port said with a smirk.
“Yer a riot.” Carrot Head replied, readying himself.
“Ya got that right!” Port readied herself.
Nacre counted down and sliced the air, and the two launched their tops.
This time, the tops made much more contact with each other, tapping and circling about the ring. At one point, Port’s top struck Carrot Head’s and pushed it dangerously close to the edge.
“That’s a big shove!” Blippy cried. “Could this be the end for Carrot Head? Is he goin’ the way of Marshmallow!?”
“Jecra,” Marshmallow said, his tone flat as it usually was, “I urge you, you must succeed where I have so calamitously failed.”
“Jeez, my guy, chill out. It’s not that serious.” Carrot Head replied, his tone betraying more tension than it usually did.
Slowly, Carrot Head’s top began to make its way back toward the center, its motion obviously slowing. Port’s top circled back to his. In one last strike, Carrot Head’s top began to wobble, tipping its edge toward Port’s, and launching it out of the ring on contact.
The crowd went wild.
Carrot Head let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding.
“A breakout win for up-and-coming Weirdo Carrot Head!” Blippy shouted, throwing his hands in the air.
Port glared at the ground, pulling back her foot as if to kick at it, before Nacre took her by the shoulder and led her away, muttering to her and patting her on the back as she escorted her to another circle, where Marshmallow waited.
“A stunning upset!” Blippy announced. “What fight’s gonna follow that one up!?”
“W-well, uh…by the looks of it…” Squish muttered, walking toward the bracket from the third ring, meant for practice. He stared down at it before the tentacles on his head flared out in shock. “O-oh, it’s you!”
“Oh, me, huh?” Blippy walked to the bracket and stared. “Yep, that’s what it says! Looks like it’s me n’ Girl, ready to tear it up in an epic battle for the chance at the championship! Will I take one for the team, or will Girl stick it out for the Weirdos? We’re gonna find out!”
“No, we won’t.” Girl replied flatly.
“...Yeah, we totally will!” Blippy said, trying not to grit his teeth.
“I never agreed to be part of this, and I don’t want to keep wasting our time. The person who did want to do this lost immediately. Do we really have to keep going?”
“... Ugh. You’re such a grown-up, it hurts!” Blippy cried, roughly running his hands through his fins. “Fine, Girl, whatever. I’ll figure something out for our round. In the meantime: Squish, Nacre, go ahead. Let’s do this.”
The three children surrounded the main ring as Girl approached her companions.
“Are we ready to leave?” She asked.
“Ya sure ya weren’t a lil hard on ‘em, Gar?” Carrot Head glanced at the kids, whose mood seemed dampened even as the tops clashed in their ring.
“She was soooo totally the bad guy.” Port chimed in, smirking as her top smacked Marshmallow’s out of their ring.
“...Do ya mind?” Carrot Head sighed.
“Yep.”
Marshmallow cleared his throat, gathering his top and loading it again. “Lady Garlude, we are here for a reason-”
“Yes, for information, and because you can’t turn down a challenge no matter who poses it.”
“Have we received that information?”
“No, but this island is small enough where we can just as easily seek out that stronghold for ourselves. I can’t imagine the benefit to wasting more time than we already have.”
“Uh, not to be the normal guy here…” Carrot Head said. “But…maybe it’s just kinda…fun?”
“...For you, maybe.” Girl crossed her arms.
“Aw, c’mon, Gar.” Carrot Head rubbed his nose, gesturing with his other arm. “You ain’t even played a round yet. It’ll be faster than tryin’ to search, n’ besides…” He paused, looking around as if the environment would give him the right words. “...We all almost died not too long ago, like for real d-e-a-d, and these kids, man…they just wanna play a game. That’s all they’re troublin’ us for in the first place. Is there really anythin’ wrong with tryin’a kick back for a second before we fight another batch of monstahs?”
“Jecra raises a good point,” Marshmallow said, launching his top. He sighed as, moments later, it was once again knocked out of bounds. “I am as eager to eliminate the threat as you are, perhaps more so, but if the obstacles we face can be made simpler, it is reasonable to take such an option.”
“I think maybe Marshie might just be tryin’ to get a win.” Port snickered.
“Yeah, maybe.” Carrot Head replied, “But the point’s solid, so we’ll take it.”
Girl glanced back at the ring, where Nacre was pumping her fist in the air with one hand and shaking Squish’s hand with the other. She sighed, then nodded, approaching the main ring.
“Oh. Girl. There you are. You don’t have to give a lecture or anything, I heard ya loud and clear.” Blippy waved his hand at her as if to shoo her.
“...I want to compete.”
Blippy’s face lit up, first with shock, then with excitement. “Oh…oh yeah?? Not a trick or anything, right?”
“No, this isn’t really the kind of trick I play.”
“I gotta ask about those , then.” Blippy retrieved a gold top, its paint chipping, and handed it to Girl, grinning with determination. “But maybe after I beat you.”
“I guess we’ll have to see.” Girl effortlessly loaded her top into its launcher.
“Squish!” Blippy called. “Your turn!”
Squish approached the ring alongside Nacre, wringing his hands. “Y-yeah, um…this is an epic fight! Because it’s between Blippy and G-Girl! Blippy’s a big champion but, uh…Girl…she’s a little scary! So, uh, really, I guess…it’s anyone’s game. Tops is democratic like that.” After finishing his speech, he chastised himself under his breath.
“Yeah, I’m pumped! ” Blippy said, readying his top.
“Let’s get it going!” Nacre cried, raising her arm. “Three, two, one, go! ”
At the signal, the two launched their tops. They struck once, twice, three times, all grand collisions…
Chack!
The children watched, slack-jawed, as on the fourth strike, Blippy’s top was knocked off-balance, wobbling itself out of the ring.
“... Whoa. ” Squish said. “She, uh…she won.”
“...Good game, Girl.” Blippy said, extending his hand with a grin. “Guess maybe I shouldn’t have pushed ya to compete after all.”
“It was…a valiant effort. I’m…glad I participated.” Girl replied, shaking his hand. “Regardless of whether or not I’d won.”
“Th-the Weirdos are, uh, making good ground and stuff!” Squish said, making jazz hands to add effect.
“They sure are, buddy!” Blippy replied, throwing his arm around his shoulders.
“I wish you’d won, but I’m kinda glad you lost.” Squish admitted. “That means I don’t have to try to announce again…”
“You’ll get used to it! You’re an ol’ rising star-fish.” Blippy patted him roughly on the shoulder. He cleared his throat and raised his voice. “Alright, folks, we’re headed into the semi-finals! It’s gonna get real rough from here on out, so make sure to fasten your belts and hold on to your pearls!”
The kids (and Carrot Head) cheered.
“For our first match-up, let’s get Carrot Head and Megalo-John back here!”
As requested, the two competitors got to either side of the circle. Nacre stood between them, a serious expression on her face as she raised her arm. “I know we’re near the finals, but I still want this to be all good and sportsmanlike, okay?”
They both nodded.
All eyes were on the ring as she counted down and dropped her arm.
Chook!
Carrot Head watched with wide-eyed shock as his top flew out of the ring with one hit.
The kids cheered as Megalo-John extended his hand. Carrot Head sighed, but politely shook. “Good run, big guy.”
Megalo-John nodded and walked away.
“There goes Megalo-John, proving to be the fella to beat today!” Blippy said. “For our next round, we’ve got a battle of the girls! Welcome back to the ring, Girl and Nacrrrrre!”
Girl and Nacre stood on either side of the circle, Squish and Blippy between them. Port, casually sending her opponent’s top flying out of its ring one last time, stood behind Nacre.
“C-clean fights, and all.” Squish muttered, raising his arm. “No sh-shoving, you’ll know when you lose, so please do it gracefully.”
“Naturally.” Nacre replied, focusing carefully on the position of her launcher.
At the signal, they both launched, Nacre’s top just below Girl’s, causing Girl’s top to tip out of balance.
“Oh man!” Blippy cried. “Nacre comes right out of the gate with a strategy! Guess that’s what you’d expect from our resident genius!”
“Oh-hohohohoho!” Nacre chortled. “The game’s all in the aim. It’s really not too different from marbles after all, is it?”
Her top struck Girl’s once more, giving it more spin but with even less stability.
“Oooo, looks like beneath those smiley smarts, Nacre’s got a mean competitive streak!” Blippy said.
“I’m so proud!” Port added, pretending to wipe away a tear.
“Wow, this really does mean a lot to you, huh?” Girl asked, her tone flat as she balled a fist at her side.
“It’s the passion that gets the victory!” Nacre said, staring with a wide-eyed, earnest grin at the ring. Her top got closer to Girl’s ever-slowing one.
“Good bye, my brave Weirdo opponent!”
Chack-a!
Nacre froze in place as her top, bouncing off the flat end of Girl’s, spun out of the ring, less than a second before Girl’s rolled on the ground and stopped.
“...It was close, but…Girl definitely won.” Squish mumbled, Blippy nodding in agreement.
“...I guess all the strategy in the world can’t counter luck. You come to learn that with experience.” Girl shrugged, extending a hand to the still-frozen Nacre.
Port nudged Nacre, prompting her to clear her throat and shake Girl’s hand, her eyes beginning to wetten.
“G-good game. I’m…I’m glad that…I made it this far.”
“You sounded like a cartoon villain.” Port chuckled, putting her arm around her friend’s shoulders and leading her away. “And it was kinda awesome. Next time.”
“Whaaat an upset!” Blippy cried, clapping several times before calming down and clearing his throat. “It all comes down to this, folks! Megalo-John, our local tops hero, versus our skilled Weirdo, Girl. Two worlds coming together, competing for allll the marb- tops!”
Megalo-John walked to the other side of the ring, shaking Girl’s hand and wordlessly aiming his launcher at the ground.
Nacre took her place back as referee, still sniffling. “I-it’s all down to this. M-my call is final. P-please don’t be upset if you lose. There’s always next year.”
“Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.” Girl replied, aiming her launcher.
“It’s the final round. One-hit wonder M-J and three-hit ace Girl. One may be smaller than three, but we never know where the cards will land.” Blippy said, his tone hushed.
Nacre raised her arm. “Three…two…o-o-o- one! ”
The tops flew and landed, circling briefly before making one strike…and launching each other to the edges of the arena.
“She passed one hit!” Blippy whispered loudly, gripping Squish.
Behind Girl, free of any distractions, Marshmallow and Carrot Head stared intently at the ring.
“Gar…you’re doin’ amazing!” Carrot Head said, watching as the tops struck and threw each other again.
“The speed and angles seem perfect.” Marshmallow mused. “Our fate is in your hands, and I sense it will be hard won.”
“Are ya still talkin’ like that?” Port said, putting her hands on her hips.
The tops struck once more, each beginning to wobble.
“They’re not giving up!” Blippy cried, gripping Squish harder.
“I-I didn’t think a game could be s-so exciting…” Squish mumbled.
The wobbles got more intense as the tops struck again.
Girl and Megalo-John stared wordlessly but intently at the ring. Carrot Head gripped her shoulder, releasing it with an aside glance from Girl. In lieu of being able to hold her shoulder, he gripped both of Marshmallow’s. Marshmallow sighed.
In three quick strikes, the tops collided, wobbling more and more, until finally the dust settled. The tops rolled along the ground, and finally came to a stop.
Blippy, Nacre, Port and Squish remained still for a moment before hastily turning away and huddling up. There was a hushed, heated discussion for several minutes.
“It’s real close, Gar…” Carrot Head mumbled.
“Hm.” Marshmallow added pensively. “It is difficult to see who stopped moving first, although, if I were to make such a decision, based on my observations rather than preferences, it would be-”
“Girl!” Blippy shouted. “By split decision and intense rock paper scissors, the winner is the underdog, the unlikely, the ponytailed-Weirdo who could, GIRRLLLLLLLL!”
Carrot Head immediately proceeded to whoop and holler, shaking Girl’s shoulders.
Megalo-John nodded and extended his hand once more. “Good game. Best game.” He said, the traces of a smile on his face.
Girl appeared perplexed…then smiled.
“Wow, I don’t know what to say.” She shook his hand. “You weren’t too bad yourself.”
He nodded, then let go of her hand and gave her a hi-five before turning and joining his group of friends.
“Next year, buddy!” Blippy said.
“Yeah, you’ll smoke the next gang of Weirdos that comes through here!” Port added.
“The odds are in your favor, for the most part!” Nacre nodded.
“A-and maybe…we could…invite the old Weirdos…to, uh, officialate?”
“Yeah, maybe…” Blippy mused, looking over the trio.
“We have great pride in our teammate.” Marshmallow said, wrapping himself in his cape and nodding.
“Wooooo Garrrrr real MVP!” Carrot Head cried.
“Thanks, but let’s remember why we’re here?” Girl said, clearing her throat. “It’s an…honor, to claim victory. With the title of champion, we were promised the location of a monster outpost.”
“Ah, yes.” Marshmallow concurred, clearing his own throat. “That is vital to our mission here.”
“Wow, you guys really do just talk like that all the time.” Blippy chuckled. “I won’t like, I kinda didn’t believe someone with a star sign didn’t know where it was.”
“...A…star…sign?” Marshmallow asked, cocking his head to the side. “Should I have known?”
“Well yeah! All the star sign people know where it is. But if you’re lost, it’s whatever. It’s just outside town over that way.” Blippy pointed in the distance behind him.
“It shouldn’t take you long to get there.” Nacre added. “The route’s a little winding because of houses, but if you keep in that direction you can’t miss it.”
“Whatever ya wanna do there, hope ya have fun or whatever!” Port said, waving. “It’s pretty boring honestly, but by the way you Weirdos act you can prolly make a day out of it.”
The trio nodded, slightly off-put by the tone the children used regarding the very dangerous monster outpost.
“Let us proceed.” Marshmallow said, nodding and starting off. The other two followed.
“Oh, hey, one more thing!” Blippy called.
They hesitated, then turned back.
“...Thanks.” He said.
Carrot Head and Girl smiled.
“Hey…don’t mention it.” Girl replied, waving.
/*|*\
The way to the outpost was calm, if unnerving. As the trio went, they happened upon fewer and fewer islanders. At first, they were beginning to suspect that the information they had was faulty.
Then they saw the splotches.
As they got closer to their destination, faded splotches that seemed to have once been bright green and pink became apparent on the gradually-more-dilapidated houses along the route. The farther along they traveled, the more varied the colors became.
Instinctively, Marsh- er, Meta Knight, drew his weapon, the other two doing the same.
“It’s quiet…” Jecra muttered.
“Disturbingly so.” Garlude replied.
“...You’re supposed to say…nevermind.” Jecra sighed.
They recognized the stronghold when they saw it, a stout building, only slightly taller than the houses around it, made of pure concrete, with a single, wide entrance. Two metal doors were smashed in on either side of the doorway. Though the structure seemed plain, the massive rainbow-smattered coat on the outside lent it an intimidating air.
“It is possible that we will be ambushed.” Meta Knight said, inspecting the area before leading the way inside. “Proceed with caution.”
The trio crept into the outpost, their collective apprehension settling on top of them. The inside of the building looked similar to the outside: slightly ruined, mostly stone, splats of color everywhere. Not too far in, they found a hallway lined with open rooms and proceeded down it.
“From my experience in infiltrating strongholds,” Meta Knight said, “I assume that the room containing the monster transporter will be at the end of this passage. Prepare for resistance.”
The other two nodded and, once they reached the end of the hallway, crouched. On Meta Knight’s cue, they jumped into the room at the end, prepared to strike. It would have been a half-decent surprise attack…were there anything to attack.
Indeed, the room at the end of the hall did contain a monster transporter, illuminated by the sunlight filtering through a hole in the ceiling. However, it was half-crushed, a young palm sprouting through a massive crack its center. The monitor where an NME service contact may have appeared was cracked, connected to the wall by one wire. Pieces of the control panel were scattered about the room. The debris and the room itself were almost entirely covered in purple.
Garlude and Jecra lowered their weapons, looking about the room in awe.
“Looks like there was a fight before we got here.” Jecra said. “Whaddya think, MK?”
He looked to his side and found that Meta Knight was no longer with them, instead walking toward the tree.
“Meta Knight, did you find something?” Garlude asked.
In response, Meta Knight reached behind the tree and pulled sideways, revealing a light blue flag with a coral-colored sea star emblazoned on it.
“I agree with your assessment, Jecra. This battle is old.” He said.
Garlude stared in amazement. “Do you think the people who planted that were…?”
“I have no doubt.” Meta Knight replied, nodding. “We are so varied, we tend to make it easy to identify ourselves when we fight enemies with equal diversity in their ranks.”
“Looks like they beat us to the punch, huh?” Jecra added, crossing his arms.
“You make it sound like a bad thing.” Garlude said, raising an eyebrow at Jecra.
“So, it looks like you found your way here, after all.” Came a voice from behind them.
The trio turned around, weapons raised, only to meet the now-panicked gaze of Miss Marine, holding a large messenger bag in front of her.
“I-I’m sorry, I hope I didn’t interrupt.” She said, slowly lowering the bag. “I’d been trying to find you since class got out today. I realized that I must have seemed very rude and wanted to help you find what you were looking for.”
“Well, uh, I guess…mission accomplished?” Jecra shrugged as he and the others sheathed their weapons.
“I guess so.” Marine chuckled. “I have to assume by the badge that you’re aware of what this place used to be.”
“What we assumed it still was.” Meta Knight replied.
“I suppose word doesn’t travel fast amongst your ranks.” Marine paused, then sighed, looking at the ground with a blush. “If you’re aware of all that, then maybe you’ll understand if I explain myself.”
“There’s no need. I can’t imagine you were expecting visitors like us.” Garlude assured her.
“No, please, I insist. It’s only right.” Marine looked back up. “As you can imagine, this place is something of a…grim reminder to the town. The events that took place here are still fresh in many of our minds. Please understand, the last time that creatures who looked so radically different from us arrived unannounced, it was a catastrophe.”
“...I understand.” Garlude said, her voice soft, her nod slight.
“It became clear that you didn’t intend harm, but when I saw that badge…” Marine paused, took a breath, and continued. “I became…worried. I thought that something like that was going to happen again, and that’s why you were here. I just wanted you as far from me as possible.” She put a sheepish hand behind her head. “I know it sounds irrational, but I have a very…personal connection to this ordeal.”
“The person you were going to ask me about.” Meta Knight said.
“...Yeah.” Marine stared past them, her gaze fixed on the flag. “When things started to look bleak, a group of people from our kingdom came together. They said that the stars guided them here, like ships to shore, and they all unified around that idea. As you can imagine, a few hailed from here themselves. And among them…was my sister.”
“Whoa, that’s…kinda heavy.” Jecra said, fighting the urge to hug her.
Marine chuckled again. “It’s all old news now. As you can see, things turned out well for us, all thanks to them. We owe them…everything, but they didn’t ask for anything. They said it was just their duty. And then…they left.”
“They left?” Garlude asked.
“They left. They said there was more work to be done. Luna…she asked me to come with her…but…” Marine looked back down at the ground, clutching the strap of her bag. “I’m not…a fighter. I wasn’t then, I’m not now. I didn’t have the drive that they did. If the stars in the sky really said something to them…they didn’t to me. And besides…I had my own work to do here.”
“Oh yeah, those kids said you were a teacher.” Jecra said.
“Kids…?” Marine looked back up, perplexed. “Classes just got out…although there was a small group of students who were absent…did you see some of them today?”
“...We met in passing.” Garlude said.
“...I hope they’re well.” Marine sighed. “They better not have been playing around here. It’s dangerous for them. Not that you can ever tell kids that. It’s exasperating but…it also means that even without whatever destiny those fighters had…mine serves just as well.”
“I suppose education is important.” Meta Knight chimed in.
“Even beyond that…this fight, it happened years and years ago. Those children…they wouldn’t remember it at all. They’ve only heard stories.” Marine beamed. “And really…that’s how it should be. All that matters is that they never have to see the things that we did.” Her smile softened. “Despite its dangers, it’s better that they see this place as somewhere to explore rather than somewhere to fear. People like me…we’re meant to foster that curiosity and courage. That’s my destiny.”
“...MK.” Jecra said, his voice wavering. “Gar…hold on a second. I gotta- I’m gonna- jeez, lady, that’s-”
Garlude sighed and put an arm around his shoulders.
“Did…did I say something wrong…?” Marine asked, putting a hand over her mouth.
“No.” Garlude replied, her voice gentle. “I think it just…resonates.”
Jecra sniffled, putting one hand around Garlude’s shoulders and the other on his pendant.
Meta Knight looked back and forth at his companions, then at Marine. “Do you need anything else?”
“N-no, I guess not. I hope I wasn’t too much of a nuisance earlier. You understand…right?”
“You were, but it is understandable, yes.”
“MK!” Jecra cried.
“...R-right, uh…I suppose…I’ll take my leave now. I hope whatever you’re looking for, you find it.” Marine turned to leave, then stopped and looked over her shoulder. “Oh, and…if you ever hear from someone named Luna, or anyone else from the Splat Platoon…please send them my best. Make sure they know it’s from Marine.”
“Of course.” Meta Knight said, nodding.
Marine smiled and turned back.
“Thank you.”
Once they were alone, Jecra took the time to regain his composure. “That…that was a lot.” He said, his nose rub doubling as a nose wipe.
“It was, but…I appreciate it, personally.” Garlude said, shrugging with a small smile. “It’s good to remember that wars end, and…that there are purposes outside of fighting them.”
“...Perhaps.” Meta Knight replied, turning to stare back at the tree and flag with deep green eyes.
There was a long pause, which Jecra interrupted.
“So, MK, where to next? Got a route all plotted out or what?”
“Mm.” Meta Knight mused. “I do. But…for now…I am considering briefly extending our stay.”
“...Eh?” Jecra cocked his head to the side. “Why?”
“...I have been thinking…that perhaps we could do with a bit more rest.”
“Yooooo!” Jecra bellowed, shaking Garlude’s shoulders before being shoved off of her. “MK says vacation rights! I knew you’d come around!”
“I said brief. Do not expect anything grand or expansive.”
“From you? Never.” Garlude chuckled. She turned to Jecra. “Are there many beaches where you’re from?”
“Nah, not really, but, uh, if I’m bein’ honest, the ocean kinda gave me a bad foist impression.”
“You’ll get used to it, promise.”
“If ya say so, Gar. I’m holdin’ ya to it.”
Meta Knight sighed, his mask obscuring a half-smile, which quickly faded as he turned back toward the flag and tree. He folded himself into his cape, his grip on the fabric unusually tight.
“C’mon, MK, let’s get goin’!” Jecra grabbed his shoulder and pulled him along, unfurling his arm to grab that instead.
“Mm?” Meta Knight mumbled, only half aware of what was happening.
“If we’re only here for a short time, we may as well make the most of it.” Garlude said, following Jecra’s charge.
Outside, sunlight diffused through the sky, painting it orange. Jecra’s whoops complimented that of the seagulls flying above. The breeze lifted Garlude’s hair in a wave behind her.
The second he felt open air on his skin, Meta Knight inhaled, sea air filling his lungs. He looked to the hidden Stars above, then, feeling his friends’ pull, to the golden horizon ahead.