Away in Dreamland (Kirby fanfiction)

Gloomy

The day's were suspiciously calm. It hadn't been so perfect in ages or even eons.

As usual, the castle was alive with hustle and bustle as the residents got on with their day. The Ebrum family would split off, the children going to play with their friends as their parents stayed in. All of the maids were hard at work, cleaning every surface necessary and talking with one another. The monarch and his sidekicks were in the throne room, merrily chatting away and the Knights patrolled the castle, being wary in case there was any danger.

Not much had happened in the past few days, aside from Galacta Knight getting sick. The past year was a completely different story entirely. Much had accumulated and it would make for a great story. With all the enemies that had attacked, the heroes had been left very little time to relax together and settle down. So much had happened; Stella returned, Susie and Haltmann struck, Hyness tried resurrecting Void Termina and recently, Magolor had tried tricking them into claiming the Master Crown for himself, only to destroy their universe.

Surprisingly, they were still all mentally afloat. Even after everything had happened, they refused to give in to insanity. Perhaps the day that they could finally settle down was around the bend.

No, it was too early.

The Star Warrior propped himself up against a rock. Though it has been months since he had last played, he just didn't feel in the mood to. Something urged him to train, but he didn't know what it was exactly. Usually, he was reluctant to train and Meta Knight would have to bribe him with something such as a watermelon. Now, after so long without playing and nonstop action, he was put off playing. (Y/n) approached the puffball and smiled at him, though he didn't return one.

Sitting down besides the gloomy warrior, (Y/n) started up a conversation to lift the mood. "Hey, how are you?"

They got no response.

"Kirby, is everything alright with you? You'd usually come play with us and jump rope." (Y/n) said, a pitiful tone in their voice.
"No, no, I'm fine. I don't feel in the mood for playing." He murmured, gesturing them to leave.

Getting up, (Y/n) hesitantly left him be.

He sat there, drowning himself in guilt. All those years he had spent merely playing when he could've been training. If only he were a bit stronger, a bit smarter, a bit more courageous..

"H..hey.." A maid meekly stammered,"You're sat all alone here, mind if I join you?"

He gave no protest, meaning she could join him in his misery.

Taking a seat, she plopped herself on the other side of the rock and stared upwards at the clouds. "You know, you remind me of myself sometimes. How you feel, it's not healthy. Blaming yourself for things isn't a good thing to do. 'I should've been stronger, I should've been braver, I should've been smarter' those thoughts aren't right. You forget you're only a child, right?" She spontaneously stated, making Kirby turn to look at her.

Smirking, she confidently carried on,"I know how it feels to be down like how you are now. It sucks, it really does. I don't want you to feel alone in this. Being a hero isn't as dandy as people make it out to be. I've heard from a few others in the castle that leading a heroic life has gotten a bit out of hand. They've been through a lot; they've lost loved ones, been called a villain, been treated as if they were an outcast, had to see things and do things they regret."

He knew exactly who Trixie was on about, it was obvious. "I know, but I got a childhood and I shouldn't have." He mumbled.
"Okay, look here. You deserve a childhood. Just because you are a hero and all doesn't mean you are denied a childhood. Don't throw away the opportunity of a childhood all for what? It's not worth whatever prize you're getting from this. Being more mature isn't what you want, you want to lead a life that you enjoy most moments of." She lectured.

This seemed to brighten up the puffball 's mood a bit. "Go on, go play with the others." She ushered.

And so, he did as she had told him to.