After about 15 minutes more of walking I try for what feels like the hundredth time to ask where we’re going.
“We already told you, we’re just headed somewhere that might help us understand what’s going on. I’m not going to say any more because you’re already angry enough,” Meta Knight says. I’m definitely getting on his nerves at this point.
“You’re right about that. I’m angry because you won’t tell me anything and then turn around and expect me to say everything about my past!” I thought I’d calmed down, but everything starts bubbling back to the surface.
“Because we need to know what you remember to figure out what to do next!” Dedede snaps back.
“What if I need to know where we’re going to remember?!”
“And that’s why we’re not telling you! You’re gonna h-“
“Stop.” Meta Knight freezes in his tracks. “Bandana Dee, Dedede, Kirby, all you come over here for a moment.”
“You just can’t say anything in front of me? I’m not as fragile as you think!”
“Meta Knight, I think I should stay behind. You can catch me up later.” Kirby sits down, not waiting for an answer.
“If you’re sure…”
“I am.” He watches them walk off. “It is annoying, but trust me, they know what they’re doing.”
“Why should I trust you? All you’ve done is confuse me more!” I don’t sit next to him. Ever since remembering Zero I’ve been angry at Kirby even though I know it makes no sense. I should be grateful for him not letting me destroy, but I can’t let go of these grudges that I don’t even fully understand.
“We’re just trying to help! It’s not my fault that your memories aren’t the best!”
“You’re the one who defeated me every time! You sometimes had help, but it was always you!” Guilt floods me with every word, and yet I keep talking. “It IS your fault.”
“And that wasn’t a good thing? You seemed pretty appalled at how evil you were.” I can tell that my accusation hurt him, but he’s putting on a strong face.
“I’m not the same now, but it’s not fun to get killed multiple times! You were an enemy, and we both need to accept that!”
“I agree! Listen to yourself. You promised you weren’t going to attack us, but now you sound like you want to go back to how you were. That’s not accepting anything.”
That stumps me. I don’t want to go back! Why would I ever want to? I struggle to think of a response, but before I can come up with anything, I see Dedede walk back into view, followed by Bandana Dee and Meta Knight. Without even saying a word they continue in the direction we were heading. At this point, I give up on talking. I’m not going to get a response.
Over time, I stop stewing in my head so much and actually take in some of the scenery. After leaving the lush fields we’d been in, we travel through a warm, calm beach. I look down into the water and see what seems to be paths that you could swim along! Further on, it gets colder and colder until we’re on snow-covered mountains. I almost slip a few times, but the beautiful ice formations make up for it. Then it warms up again and we come across what seems like some ruins made of cracked stone bricks.
“How come some of the walls look like they were broken more recently than others?” I ask, my voice feeling odd because I haven’t spoken in a while.
“I flew through here recently on a flying ship thing and it was a little more destructive than I expected,” Kirby explains, sounding like he’s in a much better mood. I realize how calm I’ve felt since the beach. I wouldn’t be unhappy just staying here, but we keep heading forward. In fact, Meta Knight seems to have sped up a little.
“Hey Meta Knight, why are you walking so fast?” I run a little to catch up with him.
“This place recently got attacked so I flew out to help and ended up getting taken over by some sort of dark force,” he answers pointedly.
“Oh, weird.” I stop moving for a second so I can get back to standing behind everyone else and notice what looks like a giant fortress in the distance. A wave of foreboding hits me. “Wait, is that where we’re going?” I point towards it.
“Yep. It looks scary but we have a plan,” Dedede says confidently.
“That’s right. And about that plan, Kirby, you weren’t there when we discussed it, but we think you should go in first and ask where the leaders are,” Meta Knight instructs.
“That sounds like a good idea.” Kirby runs ahead to enter the building.
“And we can just wait here.” Meta Knight sits down and the other 2 do the same.
I can’t think of any more questions, or at least any that would get answered so I just sit with my eyes closed. It’s not going to be a happy time, but I can try to savor the last few moments before I have to go into that fortress. If only I could keep the moments of peace…
“I’m back!” Kirby walks back up. “They said the leader should be in one of the halls, and they don’t know about the other 3.”
“Good. Let’s head in,” Meta Knight says flatly. He’s obviously unhappy to go in, but doesn’t seem panicked like I am.
The reality of being here starts to sink in. There’s an aura of dark magic around the entire station. It feels faint and old, though, so I continue. We finally arrive at the gates.
“Now that I’m here, there’s no point in keeping this a secret anymore. What is this place called?” I ask.
“Welcome,” Meta Knight extends his arm, mocking a grand reveal, “to a Jambastion.”