Chapter Text
It was the beginning of spring. Life bloomed throughout the city as a magenta knight had his gaze focused on the citizens below him. His hair swayed with the gentle breeze as another person joined him.
“Not fighting, Hoshimura?”
He let out a chuckle as his red irises flickered to a pair of golden ones. “No need to be so formal, Celestino. You may call me Hiroto, I won’t object,” He looked back down on the street. “Galacta works too.”
“Are you sure?” Celestino asked as he wrapped his cape around his body.
“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have said anything. You know that,” Hiroto answered. The man’s mask obscured his smile, but Celestino knew it was there. “How long have we known each other?”
“Almost ten years,” He responded, a part of him not believing so. The other let out a loud laugh before reaching for his mask. Hiroto pulled it down, revealing his face to Celestino. He had already seen it before.
“See? Drop the formalities. You’re not speaking to me because I’m the No. 3 Hero, are you?”
Celestino became silent. Despite his own mask and neutral expression in his eyes, it was obvious that Hiroto had exposed the reason for his formality. At least, just a part of it. The magenta knight’s sharp canines soon revealed themselves as the other man spoke up. “Partially. Now fix your mask before your identity gets discovered by someone.”
“Stern as ever!”
“Same goes for you, Hiroto.”
The magenta hero hummed and stretched his lavender wings. Had they not been friends, Celestino would’ve been even more intimidated by him. Hiroto was a tall, bulky man. His height almost reached seven feet and his wingspan made him appear even larger. Celestino was around 5’5, with his boots on. Although he’d never admit it, he envied the height Hiroto had.
“By the way, how’s Kirby doing?” Celestino asked, then added, “And your nephew?”
“Both boys are growing. Kirby’s a real happy one, just like his mother,” Hiroto replied. “And Keigo? I think I’m his favorite uncle. Most likely due to how I’m not only the No. 3 Hero, but I have the largest wings,” He flapped his feathered wings for emphasis. “Haven’t been around lately, but I heard he got scouted for private hero education. Keigo’s going to be a great hero.”
A smile appeared on Celestino’s face. Unfortunately hidden by his silver mask. “Without a doubt. If Kirby plans to be one when he gets older, then you’re going to have some competition.”
“Oh, so now I have to worry about my son and nephew stealing my placement as well? But won’t that mean they’ll be your rivals too?” A soft chuckle left him. Hiroto turned away from Celestino. “Hope you can withstand their strength. Now, shall we spar at the usual time, Meta Knight?”
He nodded. “As long as you have spare time, Galacta Knight.”
~
Galacta Knight never showed up to spar with Meta Knight.
Hiroto Hoshimura never came back home to his son.
The Aeon Hero never appeared again in public.
With the sudden disappearance of the No. 3 Hero, it caused an uproar throughout Japan. Galacta Knight became a trending topic. Where did the Pro Hero go? What happened to him? Has he passed away? The topic only boomed as evidence of a struggle was reported.
Broken pieces of armor, torn cloth, and lavender feathers were scattered in a desolate area. Cracks and craters appeared on the ground and in the concrete. Detectives showed up as police sealed off the area. The blood left belonged to the magenta knight, but there were no clues of who the man fought. Everything about the current situation was a mystery. Any information about the situation spread like wildfire as fans and citizens hoped for the No. 3 Hero’s return. But unfortunately, Hiroto Hoshimura would never be found.
Before police declared the man as dead, Celestino didn’t hesitate to adopt his son. Hiroto’s wife passed away during childbirth, leaving Kirby motherless. And now, they were officially parentless. Despite running his own agency and working as a Pro Hero, Meta Knight was willing to father the two year old. He was the only one who was close to Hiroto. Celestino would be able to tell stories of the battles Hiroto went through. Any questions the boy would have could easily be answered. With the exception of anything about his mother…
Meta Knight promised himself that he’ll find Galacta Knight, for himself and Kirby. He knew the man wouldn’t have been defeated so easily.