Part 9
As dawn began to break over Dreamland, Sword and Blade both sighed in relief and exhaustion. “I’m beat” Blade said, keeping his voice low to not wake the children. “Me too,” Sword agreed, “its been awhile since we stayed watch all night. I just hope Meta Knight’s ok.”
Meta Knight himself paused near a window to watch the sunrise. A night of hunting for Wolfwrath had left him with no leads. After the confrontation in the hallway he had lost sight of the beast. He silently hoped that his comrades and the children were unharmed. After the sun had finally appeared over the horizon did the knight continue his search. He had taken a few steps when he heard someone approaching form behind. Hand on his hilt he turned to find Sailor Dee walking toward him. The Waddle Dee was holding a small fox in his hands. Meta Knight relaxed and approached the Waddle Dee, who held out the fox to him. “Sailor Dee, what are you trying to say?” The fox started to squirm in Sailor Dee’s arms and the Waddle Dee struggled to hold onto it. Eventually, though, the creature broke free and ran down the hallway. Sailor Dee quickly ran after, but stopped when he realized that Meta Knight had not joined him. He walked back to the knight and saluted him before pointing at the way the fox had gone. “do you wish for me to follow you?” Sailor Dee nodded. “Very well. Sailor Dee, lead the way. The two ran down the hall after the fox.
Sailor Dee and Meta Knight were around the kitchen area when they heard odd crashing noises coming from the room. They both peered in to see the fox knocking over pots and pans and chasing the few Waddle Dees out of the kitchen. After it was all alone did it begin to munch on some food.
After a while, Tiff, Tuff and Kirby had awoken. “Glad you kids are ok.” Sword said. “Any sign of the monster?” Tiff asked. Both knights shook their heads. “Last we saw it, Meta Knight was chasing it in the direction of the castle.” Blade said. “The castle!” Tuff cried out. Tiff added, “our parents are there! They could be hurt! We’ve got to go check on them!” “Then let us lead the way and protect you,” Sword offered. “Also, we might be able to find Meta Knight,” Blade added. Tiff happily nodded “yeah! Thanks.” “Its our pleasure, Tiff,” Sword said as they headed for the castle.
Meta Knight was about to ask Sailor Dee about the fox when a call came from behind “Meta Knight!” The star warrior and the Waddle Dee both turned to find Sword, Blade and the children running towards them. Meta Knight was about to speak when a roar interrupted his thoughts and Wolfwrath jumped out of the kitchen and faced the group. A second later Meta Knight, sword and Blade were charging at the beast, swords unsheathed. Wolfwrath snarled at them before turning and fleeing down the hall. The knights attempted to chase it, but the creature quickly fled from sight. Keeping Galaxia by his side, Meta Knight turned to his soldiers “Wolfwrath was not in the kitchen before now. Sailor Dee and myself were watching a young fox. Yet somehow Wolfwrath appeared…” “did you say a fox, Meta Knight?” Tiff asked. The star warrior looked at her and nodded. “That sounds like what Kirby found,” Tuff called out. Tiff nodded, “you see,” she explained, “we were walking down the hall when a baby fox came running up to Kirby. It seemed to take a liking to him. We went to Whispy Woods to try and find his parents…” “…and that was when the monster showed up,” Meta Knight finished. Startled, Tiff looked at him and nodded. Meta Knight continued, “Interesting. Would that also mean that the young fox was in Kirby’s house when Wolfwrath attacked?” “We didn’t see any sign of him by the time we checked.” Tiff said. Tuff added “We just thought he ran off.” “I see…” Meta Knight responded, lost in thought. Without another word he turned and walked down the hall. Sword, Blade and Sailor Dee silently followed.
Later that afternoon, Tiff, Tuff and Kirby were in the library. The door opened and Meta Knight and Sailor Dee walked in. “Hi Meta Knight!” Tiff called out, looking up from the book she was reading. “Tiff, Tuff,” Meta Knight replied, looking to each as he spoke. Tiff pushed the book she was looking at down the table to Meta Knight, who glanced at it. It was one of the monster catalogs that Dedede used.
“I was thinking that maybe the baby fox and Wolfwrath are the same monster, since they both show up when the other is missing, and always in the same place.” Tiff explained. “I see.” was all the Knight said. “The problem’s in finding the monster,” Tuff said, “me and Tiff looked through a lot of those books, but we don’t know what to look for!” “So far we haven’t found any monsters that look like baby foxes and can change into monsters; and I don’t know what a shape-shifting monster would even look like!” Tiff exclaimed. Meta Knight thought for a moment before Tuff interrupted his thought, “hey Meta Knight! Why is that Waddle Dee followin ya around?” “Tuff!” his sister scolded. “It is alright Tiff,” the Knight answered, looking at the Waddle Dee “this is Sailor Dee. We worked together once and it was not until recently that we had met again.” The kids smiled “nice to meet you Sailor Dee.” Tiff said. “Cool that you and Meta Knight used to work together,” Tuff added. Kirby walked over to the Waddle Dee and they stared at each other for a minute before Kirby happily shouted “Poyo!” and patted Sailor Dee on the shoulder. Tuff laughed while Tiff said “looks like Kirby’s made another friend.” Meta Knight nodded before turning to Tiff, “I will have Sailor Dee help you in finding the monster while Sword, Blade and myself will guard the castle.” He walked over to Kirby and Sailor Dee. “Sailor Dee, stay with these children and help them in any way you can.” The Waddle Dee saluted him and the knight walked off. Sailor Dee walked over to the table while Tuff gave Tiff another book. This book she handed to Sailor Dee asking, “you can read, right?” The Waddle Dee nodded and Tiff smiled, “good. Look through this book and let us know if you find any monster than can shape shift.” Sailor Dee nodded and went to work, while Kirby curiously flipped through the pages of all the books they’ve already gone through.
