Okay so I know I said this chapter was supposed to finally get you down to Hallownest, but after working on this chapter I realized it was impossible to introduce Hallownest here.

So this won't be the chapter that gets you down into Hallownest, but it's a prelude to that.

I had to delete a lot of scenes and rewrite some too so this took a while.

Even with that I hope you all enjoy reading this.
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We find ourselves in a tall tower over a sea of lava in the center of a volcano.

At the top of the tower was a chamber and in that chamber was a woman, a woman with pink skin in a pink dress, sky blue eyes and a glum expression.

This was Princess Kirby.

The poor Princess doesn't know how long she had been trapped here, all she knew was that it was a very long time.

She couldn't just leave as a fierce beast was guarding the entrance, a fierce beast who had killed any and all who had tried to rescue her.

Princess Kirby was in absolute misery up here, she longed to see the world, longed to experience the outside world, longed to be free.

But it seemed her desire would be nothing but a dream.

She didn't even bother looking out the window anymore.

What was the point if all she could see was lava and rock?

The poor Princess was ready to give into despair and accept her fate when suddenly, a sound reached her ears.

The sound of the beast that guarded her prison Roaring.

She had heard it roar before, many times whenever it fought any who tried to save her.

But this roar...the beast sounded like it was in pain.

The sound was accompanied by the tower shaking and soon after the beast let out another scream of agony.

Princess Kirby held her hands to her chest in anticipation as the sounds and quakes continued.

Then suddenly it all came to an abrupt stop.

She clutched her chest and let out a surprised gasp as she picked up the sound of footsteps coming towards her chamber.

It was over, the Beast was dead and whoever killed it had come to save her.

She awaited with baited breath as the sound of footsteps came closer and closer before finally stopping.

The door to her chamber opened and in stepped her savior.

A knight in black armor donning a white mask and wielding a large blade.

Princess Kirby with tears of joy in her eyes saw the brave knight before her bow on one knee before her.

"G-get(sniffle)...up." She ordered choking up a bit and the knight did exactly that.

The Princess then suddenly tackled the knight, enveloping him in a tight hug.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou." She repeated overjoyed as she embraced her rescuer. "Thank you so much!"

The knight hesitantly returned the embrace and hugged the princess close.

"Thank you brave knight, you have no idea how grateful I am!" Princess Kirby yelled looking into the black eyes of her savior.

Most would find it unsettling, but the princess could stare into them forever.

As she gazed into his eyes she felt her heart race and her cheeks turn red with a blush.

She gently placed a hand on her savior's mask and her savior placed a hand on her shoulders.

"My Savior, may I see your face?" Princess Kirby asked shyly as she placed both hands on his mask awaiting his permission.

The Knight's grip on her shoulder tightened in response to this telling her that he was uncomfortable with her request.

However, he did nod and the princess thanked him.

After all, the Mask would get in the way of the kiss she planned to give him.

Princess Kirby slwoly began removing his mask, excitement building up within her as she was eager to gaze upon the face of her future lover.

However, all her excitement died when her savior suddenly tripped her causing her to fall face-first onto the ground.

IN REALITY:

Kirby let out a groan as she had fallen off the bench and Elderbug's lap and landed face-first on the ground.

"Owie." She moaned in her usual childish manner as she got up and rubbed her head.

"I hope you slept well." Elderbug chuckled as Kirby looked up at him.

"What happened?" Kirby asked rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she looked around and noticed you and Elfilin were no longer there.

Which disappointed her, she was kind of hoping to wake up next to you.

"Well your small friend left to go dry off after the pale one tossed him into the lake." Elderbug explained surprising Kirby a bit.

"Wait, so that guy..." Kirby stopped herself before sighing.

She was really hating having to call you "That guy" or "This dude" feeling it was a bit offensive to you.

"We really have to find a name for him." She sighed covering her face.

She once again turned to Elderbug and asked him:

"So Elfilin was tossed into the lake?" Kirby asked and Elderbug nodded clarifying it was you. "Is he okay?"

"A bit wet and irritated, but otherwise he is alright." Elderbug chuckled remembering how poor Elfilin flew off, his fur wet and dripping.

"Okay good." Kirby said relieved Elfilin was okay.

"You're quite the heavy sleeper aren't you?" Elderbug asked and Kirby simply rubbed the back of her head while sticking her tongue out in a smile.

Kirby understood she was a major heavy sleeper, she remembered all the times she slept through big events.

She's been trying to work on it...but as you can see no progress has been made.

"Oh heh...so where did the pale guy go?" Kirby asked while sighing internally at having to call you that.

"He did not say." Elderbug said and Kirby nodded.

"Of course he didn't." She muttered dusting herself off realizing it was stupid of her to ask that.

"Kirby!" Came the voice of Elfilin making Kirby turn to face the flying chinchilla creature.

Upon seeing him however Kirby immediately covered her mouth to prevent her laughs from slipping out.

Elfilin hovered towards Kirby and his fur was puffed out to a ludicrous degree.

He was like a floating ball of fluff with a tail and eyes, Kirby found it hilarious while Elderbug did his best to chuckle softy so that Elfilin couldn't hear.

Though it did not help as Elfilin's ears twitched under all the floof indicating he heard the chuckles but he seemingly ignored it.

"Kirby, there's someone new in Waddle Dee town." Elfilin informed trying his best to make his fur go down and back to normal.

"Oh, another new friend?" Kirby asked excitedly.

"Looks like it." Elfilin shrugged rubbing. "I mean he seems friendly enough."

"Great, can't wait to meet him." Kirby squealed excited at meeting another new friend on the same day.

"Well he's at Waddle Dee Cafe right now hanging out with the other guy." Elfilin informed and Kirby perked up knowing exactly who the "other guy" was.

"Thanks Elfy." Kirby thanked with excitement in her voice before bouncing off towards Waddle Dee Cafe, eager to see you...and the new friend, but mostly you.

As Kirby bounced off towards Waddle Dee Cafe, Elfilin sighed and sat down next to Elderbug.

Once settled the little chinchilla/mouse thing began trying to push down his fur into their natural state.

As Elfilin did this he shot Elderbug a glare when he heard the old man let out a light chuckle.

"Oh don't look at me like that, let an old man have a laugh every once in a while." Elderbug chuckled making Elfilin growl cutely as he kept trying to push his fur down.

"Can you not laugh at my expense?" Elfilin asked depressingly.

"I'm afraid not." Was the old man's simple response and Elfilin merely sighed and tried to push his fur down as soon as possible.

Meanwhile:

You tilted your head as you stared up at the man known as Quirrel who was currently chatting with Bandana Dee and Meta Knight and Dedede.

You, Quirrel, Bandana Dee and King Dedede were all sitting at the table on Waddle Dee cafe's roof, your eyes were fixated on the mask atop Quirrel's head.

Meta Knight was sitting on the edge of roof.

"So you got Amnesia?" Dedede asked with a raised brow as he munched on his fries.

Quirrel nodded in response.

"I remember nothing of my past your majesty." Quirrel stated with a shrug.

"Okay, so why is Spooky staring at you?" Dedede asked shooting you an uncomfortable look as you kept your eyes on Quirrel.

Quirrel raised his brow at you and removed his mask and held it with one hand and began moving it around slowly, all the while you kept your eyes glued on it, moving your gaze to keep looking at it.

"Oh he's just looking at my Mask." Quirrel said placing his mask back on his head. "As to why he's doing it, I have no idea."

"I don't know why he's looking at the mask, the person who's wearing it is quite nice to look at." Bandana Dee giggled and everyone except you turned to look at her with different looks.

Meta Knight and Dedede both looked confused by her sudden flirtation and Quirrel blushed a bit.

This was the first time anyone has ever flirted with him ever, as far as he could remember and he felt rather flattered.

Bandana Dee finally seemed to realize what she said and her face went as red as Quirrel's.

"Th-thank you." Quirrel stated shyly hiding his face behind his mask while Bandana Dee pulled the bandana over her mouth higher to cover her crimson cheeks.

From there an awkward silence hung in the air as everyone just stayed silent while you just kept your eyes firmly planted on Quirrel's mask.

Bandana Dee meanwhile felt extremely embarrassed as she face-palmed internally at her words.

Thankfully the awkward moment was interrupted by none other than Kirby who had jumped onto the roof suddenly and in her oh so familiar voice greeted everyone present.

"Hi!" She exclaimed thankfully putting a stop to the awkwardness.

And hearing her voice actually caused you to turn away from Quirrel's mask and look at Kirby.

"O-oh hey Kirby." Bandana Dee greeted shyly.

"Hey Kirby, thanks for coming...seriously." Dedede said sounding grateful which confused the Pink Star Warrior a bit.

"Um...no problem." Kirby said before locking eyes with you, and she noticed you were looking at her and she couldn't help but blush and giggle.

However, she shook her head, remembering why she came here and looked at Quirrel who had stopped blushing and waved at the pink star warrior.

"Greetings." He said cheerfully, a greeting Kirby returned.

"Hi, so you're the new friend Elfy told me about huh?" She asked.

"Elfy?" Quirrel asked a bit confused.

"He's a friend." Kirby replied taking a seat by the table. "He's a floating blue chinchilla."

"Oh..." Quirrel said rubbing the back of his head as he remembered seeing a floating blue creature in the town, it looked wet though. "I assumed it was some kind of pet."

"He kinda is." Dedede said with a shrug.

"No he's not!" Kirby stated offended on Elfilin's behalf. "He's a friend."

"Well it's nice to meet you, my name is Quirrel." Quirrel introduced himself and Kirby did the same for herself.

"I'm Kirby." She responded cheerfully. "It's nice to meet ya too."

"Oh, so you're Kirby?" Quirrel asked. "Your friends told me quite a bit about you."

Quirrel raised his brow as Kirby approached the table and took a seat next to you.

"She doesn't look as strong as they say she is, but I know looks can be deceiving." Quirrel thought and decided to hold off any Judgement until he saw her in action.

Normally Quirrel could tell if someone was strong or an experienced warrior, but he couldn't really sense that from Kirby.

How odd.

"So Quirrel, why are you here?" She asked curiously. "In Waddle Dee Town I mean."

"Oh well I'm an Explorer, I have a fascination with Ancient Artifacts and Civilizations." Quirrel explained.

"Apparently he received word of an Ancient Kingdom in the area and that's what he's here for." Meta Knight stated making Kirby raise a brow.

"Ancient Kingdom?" She asked scratching the top of her head.

After a while of thinking Kirby simply shrugged.

"Well the closest thing I found to that is that castle I fought Dedede in while he was being mindcontrolled...again." Kirby said making the King groan in shame, pulling his hat over his eyes.

He was still clearly ashamed due to another mind-controlling having to be added to the list.

"But I don't think that counts as an Ancient Kingdom though." Kirby said with a shrug. "Sorry."

"That's quite alright, I'm sure I'll find something here." Quirrel stated with certainty. "I can tell there's something here, calling for me to come find it."

"Well, we could ask the Beast Pack if they know something about some kind of kingdom." Bandana Dee offered after managing to recompose herself. "I mean they've been here longer so they should know something."

"Yeah only problem is they're all gone right now, they're busy finding the other people who used to live here." Dedede reminded and Bandana Dee nodded.

"That's perfect!" She said sounding a bit too happy.

Everyone present stared at the Bandana wearing warrior with differing expressions ranging from confusion to curiosity, except you who kept your eyes on Quirrel.

Bandana Dee realized that she may have sounded far too pleased upon hearing that news.

She thanked her lower bandana for hiding her blush though she was pretty sure others could tell she was.

"Um...Y-you know...you could stay and rest..." Bandana Dee suggested tapping her fingers together. "I mean you came such a long way, so maybe we could just hang out before you have to go."

Quirrel blushed once more and scratched his cheek.

"I suppose I could stay here for a while." He said with a shrug and that's exactly what Bandana Dee wanted to hear.

"Okay, come on there's a lot I wanna show you." Bandana Dee said taking his hand and pulling him off.

Bandana Dee really was eager to be alone with Quirrel and many present could tell why.

"O-okay..." Was all Quirrel could get out as he was dragged off to explore the town with Bandana Dee.

You attempted to follow but you stopped when Kirby suddenly grabbed your hand stopping you and making you stare at her.

"Hold up, don't go running yet." She said pulling you back to sit back down.

You tilted your head but complied and sat down with Kirby next to you.

"Yay!" She cheered happy that you're actually staying for once.

"Okay guys, there's something important that needs to be done now." Kirby said seriously as she slammed her free hand on the table.

This got Meta Knight and Dedede to stare at each other before turning to Kirby.

"What's that?" The King of Dreamland asked curiously.

"We need a name for our new friend!" Kirby declared pointing at you as you found yourself staring at your hand still being held.

"I wouldn't exactly call him a friend." Meta Knight muttered under his breath.

It was clear Meta Knight did not trust you, especially after hearing about your so-called "death."

And hearing the details of your "death" and "resurrection" only raised Meta Knight's suspicion even more.

However, you did help Kirby and Bandana Dee fight that Beast and save Elderbug, he couldn't deny that.

"What are you?" Was a question he would often ask himself and it seemed he'd never get an answer.

"META KNIGHT!" Both Kirby and Dedede yelled snapping Meta Knight out of his thoughts.

"Hm?" He asked looking at Kirby who was still holding your hand.

"You kinda zoned-out there." Kirby said a little worried for her friend.

"Do not worry about me." The Knight said crossing his arms. "Just thinking."

"Okay...about what?" Kirby asked curiously.

Meta Knight stared at you once more as you kept staring at your hand being held in Kirby's.

"Kirby...I know you like this...thing, but we know nothing about him." Meta Knight said but all Kirby heard was:

"I know you like him."

The words hit her like a truck.

So much so that she simply froze and she squeezed your hand tighter making you look at her.

"Kirby?" Dedede asked waving his hand in front of her face and got no response making him worry a bit. "I think she's broken."

Everyone kept staring at Kirby who was still processing what Meta Knight had said to her.

Eventually her brain caught up and her face quickly turned red and steam erupted from her face.

"Wh-wha...?" Kirby asked stuttering up a storm as she tried to form a coherent sentence much to Dedede's amusement.

"Don't try to deny it Kirby." Dedede chuckled teasingly. "You're still holding his hand."

Kirby realized she was indeed still holding your hand and her blush got worse.

"Uh...um...y-you...I-I...uh..." The poor girl was unable to speak clearly as she let go of your hand making you tilt your head as you stare at your now empty hand.

You turned to look at her for a bit and Kirby immediately turned away out of embarrassment.

You blinked at her and stood up before much to everyone's surprise, bowing to them before turning and walking away.

Kirby tried reaching out and saying something to stop you, but the words were stuck in her throat.

All she could do was sigh and look down in shame.

"Hey, look on the bright side, at least he didn't pull away when you held his hand." Dedede said headpatting Kirby in an attempt to comfort her as Kirby slumped down in a depressed manner.

"I guess..." Kirby groaned covering her face as she let out a loud sigh absolutely embarrassed at having her feelings revealed.

Kirby groaned and looked to Meta Knight absolutely appauled.

"Why did you have to tell him?" Kirby asked puffing her cheeks out angrily. "Now he probably thinks I'm weird."

"I don't think you gotta worry about that Kirby, he don't look like he got a thought behind those eyes." Dedede stated and Meta Knight nodded.

"Indeed, if he can think, he doesn't show it." The Knight stated with a shrug and Kirby was offended on your behalf.

"He can think." She said crossing her arms defensively. "He risked his life to save me...even though he didn't need to."

Kirby stated and Meta Knight nodded.

"Bandana Dee informed me of what he did, pushed you out of the way of that creature's attack." Meta Knight stated with a sigh.

The Knight paused for a moment, he knew since Kirby loved you she'd defend you, so he only had one more thing to ask.

"Okay Kirby...I just want to ask one thing..." Meta Knight said in a serious tone making the Star Warrior tilt her head.

"What?" She asked.

"If that guy does turn out to be evil, if he turns out just like Marx and Magolor..." Meta Knight paused before leaning in close. "Will you be able to kill him?"

The question hit Kirby hard, so hard her heart nearly stopped.

She had no idea how to respond, the thought of fighting and killing you, of fighting you...it was unbearable.

Normally she would have easily responded with a "Yes," but not this time.

The Star Warrior clenched her hands into fists on the table as she struggled to say anything.

Dedede looked extremely worried for her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Meta Knight simply sighed and sat back.

"You can't answer can you?" He asked and got a nod in response from Kirby. "I understand..."

Was the Knight's response.

"But Kirby, if he turns out to be evil, if he does something unforgivable, then I will kill him." Meta Knight stated making Kirby look up at him, her mouth open, but no words came out.

"I won't prosecute him for anything minor I assure you." He stated letting Kirby know he would treat you fairly and leave you be for now. "I'll give him a chance for now, so if there's nothing evil about him you need not worry."

Kirby took a deep breath and nodded.

"O-okay..." She stuttered looking down, a bit relieved but still very much worried.

Worried about you, worried you might turn out just as bad as Marx or Magolor used to be...or worse.

Dedede could see Kirby's distress and so he had to try and comfort her.

"Hey Kirby, don't worry about it too much, I'm sure he's okay." Dedede stated in a comforting voice. "Heck, he did save you didn't he, even if he didn't really need to."

Kirby looked up at the King of Dreamland and gave a small smile.

"Y-yeah...I hope so..." She said taking a deep breath before nervously tapping her thumbs together. "I really do like him, I like him a lot."

Kirby had never felt this way about anyone before, there was a brief moment where she had a bit of a crush on Ribbon, especially after the fairy kissed her on the cheek.

But it didn't feel this intense.

"Hey, you said you wanted a name for him right?" Dedede asked. "So let's come up with a few and have him pick one...if he can."

Kirby perked up a bit and nodded.

"Maybe type the names out on your phone and show it to him, maybe he'd have an easier time picking if he read them rather than hearing them." Meta Knight stated remebring you seemed to have a problem with hearing people out. "And I say your phone because your handwriting...is subpar to say the least."

"Hey...I've been improving!" Kirby said crossing her arms a bit offended...even if what he said was true.

All Meta Knight could do was chuckle as he recalled the last time he saw Kirby's attempt at handwriting.

"Very well, let me get you a piece of paper then." Meta Knight said about to get up.

"B-but...I have my phone here anyway so might as well..." Kirby responded holding her phone out, an obvious blush on her face.

Kirby wasn't the most book smart individual but she learned to read thanks to Susie.

However her handwriting still needed work.

Poor Susie and her late night lessons did little to improve Kirby's handwriting.

But she's trying her best.

"L-let's just come up with some names now!" Kirby said clutching her phone close to her chest wanting to change the subject.

As Meta Knight and Dedede chuckled at the Pink Star Warrior they all had no idea of the events that would follow.

As beneath this very land something...bright...almost blinding was beginning to stirr.

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There you have it.

This chapter wasn't the best in my opinion and I'm sorry this took so long.

Honestly feels Like Filler, at least to me.

I just felt like it was appropriate to end things here or the chapter would have dragged on.

I did at least want to get to the Well that leads to Hallownest for this chapter, but I'm afraid that will have to be for the next chapter.

Sorry guys, I've been going through a lot lately and I hope to do better in the future.

I hope you enjoyed anyway and I wish you all the best.