#error is typing

togekiss: the togepi line is all about happiness and blessings + it evolves with friendship. also can you imagine kirby surfing on togekiss's back kinda like the warp star? LOL

bewear: a cute guy who turns out it's extremely dangerous (as in, bewear gives deadly hugs). thats literally just kirby

sylveon: another friendship evolution + sylveon's dex entries talk about it being in touch with its trainer's emotions. also these two are both trans icons and cmon, sylveon literally has kirby's color palette sorta

jumpluff: this one just reminds me of kirby, really. round happy little fluffy guy

gallade: the ralts line talks about it can sense people's emotions and it even approaches those who are positive. i gave them gallade specifically to lean into the fighting, swordsmanship side of kirby (and the sword copy ability is iconic lets be honest)

minior: little pink guy that came from space. need i say more

appletun: bro likes apples what can i say. i chose appletun over flapple because it's the more defensive of the two, which references how waddle dees arent usually fighters + how they serve and defend dedede

ninjask: originally nincada "the trainee pokemon" that evolves into a very skilled fighter! if you wanna push it, its pokedex entries talk about "its cry leaving a lasting headache" and something something waddle dees screaming wanya lol

goodra: evolves from goomy, who's the weakest dragon type, into a defensive powerhouse (same reasoning as appletun). goodra is friendly but gets picked on for being meek, which i think fits a lot with bandee

sirfetch'd: more so because bandee uses a spear and sirfetchd also has a weapon it's known for. but also, it evolves after "surviving many battles" (dex entry) which proves it's worth as a fighter, kinda like how bandee proves it's place on the dream team? or something

arcanine**: i actually put arcanine here based on growlithe's dex entries that state it's extremely loyal, i just didnt want to give him an unevolved mon :p

falinks: little guys following orders? literally waddle dees in a nutshell. the dex entries also mention how the brass's orders are absolute, as are dedede's to the waddle dees

**EDIT: i ended up replacing arcanine with armarouge! still representing loyalty (and now, also chivalry), and to serve as a counterpart to meta knight's ceruledge which i think is a fun thought ^-^ especially considering the armor (used to evolve) belonged to "a distinguished warrior" and i love the thought of bandee following in meta's steps and eventually becoming a knight!! this is 100% bias!!

empoleon: a penguin and an emperor, it's literally dedede. if you want a second reason, empoleon's dex entry states how "it will decimate anyone that hurts its pride" which i think is fitting lol

tinkaton: big hammer!!! corviknight's natural enemy (this will make sense with mk's team)!!! need i say more!!!

pyroar♂: leader, king of the savannah, all that stuff. specifically the male one because it's said to be lazy usually x]

snorlax: a lazy glutton who's created disasters by eating entire villages' worth of food? thats literally dedede prior kirby + "children use its belly to play" YOU CAN LITERALLY JUMP ON DEDEDE AFTER DEFEATING HIM ON KATFL

tyrantrum: referencing his past as a tyrant + its dex entry stating how it couldn't be stopped and so, it behaved like a king. also tyrunt, the pre evo, throws tantrums when it doesnt have what it wants lol

braviary: is known for its pride and bravery. it will also fight nonstop even if injured for the sake of its friends. very noble if you ask me ☝️

corviknight: literally The pokemon i think of when i think of meta knight. scary flying knight? thats him bro (also i might be a lil biased because i love corviknight 🫶)

aegislash: well. mk has a sword. + its dex entries say aegislash can find innate qualities of leadership! also something something galaxia and aegislash being "possessed" swords

ceruledge: IT HAS SWORDS FOR ARMS, YOU CANT TELL ME META KNIGHT WOULDN'T HAVE ONE ON THE TEAM. and if you want the angst, the armor (used to evolve charcadet) has the whole "lingering resentment of a sword wielder who fell before accomplishing their goal" and oooo anikabi garlude

crobat: a bat + flies quietly and fast + four wings in reference to demon beast/knightmare because i love that hc sm ❤️

bisharp: not kingambit! cuz meta is not a king! known to be a fierce fighter that will do anything to win. also it commands a group of pawniard around, metaknights reference!!!