Queen of the Crystal

It was all a blur.  She’d been going about her day like any other- meeting with her sparse castle staff, hearing her people’s concerns, nothing out of the ordinary.  Then...some kind of attack?  A shadow...no, a light...?  It was something and it bore down on them with incredible speed, barely giving her time to react before bursting through her window and overwhelming her...and then she awoke, lying on the floor, her crown and glasses having fallen a short distance away.  Her head was hazy, and it seemed neither herself nor her subjects could remember what exactly had occurred.

She resumed her reign in silence for the next few days, the unexciting yet happy life of the kingdom picking back up.  Then one day, a whisper in her ear from another fairy had her hurrying down the halls, barely avoiding colliding with some others.  The castle’s doors would open not too much longer afterward, and the frazzled fairy would fly out, quickly spotting him and making a beeline toward him.

   “I agreed with you on the hypothetical situation. I don’t need you to fight on my behalf!” Tsch!

… He actually just didn’t her to get hurt or go out of her way way because of something so pointless.

“Oh...yes, of course!  I must have been a bit over-eager to give him a piece of my mind after what he did to you- it didn’t even occur to me that you’re much more of a fighter than I am.”

“I agree.”

“Oh, King Dedede!”

“I’m sorry, I...I’m not sure where that came from, honestly.  A dark place I suppose...

“Of course, of course! If someone like me could get better with combat, I’m sure you, too, can grow stronger! I don’t know exactly how you’re going to defend but you can do it, miss Ripple!”

A genuine smile is offered in return – one he hasn’t had for quite some time. But he’d offer it to a queen like her.

“Heck, I could send a detachment of Waddles off to Ripple Star if you ever need them to patrol for you. They’re very good at their jobs, I can assure you. Anything to keep your land safe.”

“Ah, I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to do it either...I doubt I have the potential to be very physically strong.  One of the legends of the Crystal says that some fairies learned to harness its magic in ways to defend themselves and Ripple Star from dark forces.  Any practice of this magic, if it’s true at all, has been phased out, but perhaps it can be learned again?”

She was glad to see him smiling back at her like that.  She secretly hoped he might do it more often around her.

“… W-well.”

Oh dear, that’s a bit of a blush on his face. The king turns away for a bit before regaining his composure, at least as much as he can, anyway. “Friends, of course!” Even being considered a friend by Queen Ripple was an honor to the King of Dreamland.

At her praise, however, his blush returns and deepens. Brave? Him? Of course! Absolutely the bravest king! It takes major effort on his part to stay stoic-faced.

“Just remember, you can always call on the residents of Dreamland to aid you if you need it, miss Ripple. You’ll always have King Dedede as an ally, I swear it. And I know you can become stronger – we all can.”

“Ah, good!  I would have felt somewhat awkward if I was the only one who felt that way, ahahah...”  In all honesty, if either one of them should have been so formal toward the other, it should have been her.  With him having been one of the ones to help save her world, she felt like maybe she should have been more inclined to put himself above her.

Ripple felt a blush of her own rising to her cheeks when he spoke to her with such confidence.  He really thought that she could become stronger?  She’d had such problems being sure of herself, but to hear him be able to see something like that so easily...it made her even more grateful for everything he had done for her and her people.  Though her cheeks were still pink, she found herself smiling warmly at him.

“It feels more formal…” Dedede mutters, folding his arms across his chest and sighing.

“It’s good to hear you’re well. I, ah, still have constant issues with some monster-of-the-week attacking Dreamland. Just recently got into a scrap with one, but I’m doing alright! Hopefully it’s more peaceful back on Ripple Star.”

“Well, we’re both equal as monarchs...and I’ve considered us friends, too.  Even if we aren’t, I’m not sure formality’s necessary when we’re alone, but I won’t push it anymore.  Call me what you wish.”  She didn’t expect him to be so concerned about being formal with her, but it was his business, not hers.

“N-not to say that Dedede hasn’t always looked good enough to me before, but...

“Of course, of course! And I’m one of the best bodyguards you could get! By the way, miss Ripple – how have you been? I’ve missed you…r company, eheh.” 

Smooth. Just keep that crush a secret, Dedede.

“Please, you don’t need to keep calling me “miss”- just Ripple is fine.  I’ve been quite well lately, thank you.  What about yourself?”

“The implication’s bad enough! But don’t worry, miss Ripple. I’ll smash any Dark Matter that even tries to get close! You don’t deserve to go through that again.”