Somewhere in the vast world is a Kingdom.
Above this Kingdom, high in the air rests a truly magnificent sight. A massive airship known only as the Flying Machine, a truly unique piece of technology kept afloat by numerous powerful propellers.
And the owner of this grand vessel was none other than Propeller Knight.
The Gyroscopic Jester, who had just a few months ago counted himself amongst his compatriots, the late Order of No Quarter in service of the also late Enchantress. The group of eight knights had been beaten by Shovel Knight in the Tower of Fate and has since been disbanded.
Even to this day Propeller Knight, or any of the Order had no idea what had happened to the Enchantress, but some of them were satisfied with the simple answer that she was no more.
The Knights all parted ways, each going to deal with their own walks of life. Well, except King Knight who was still serving his punishment for overthrowing the true King.
No one cares about King Knight.
Propeller Knight was amongst those of the Order who no longer bore ill-will towards the master of the Shovel who had bested all of them as if it was nothing. He had no reasons to. Since his defeat he had simply enjoyed his life, even holding small parties on his vessel.
But not today. Today Propeller Knight simply lay on his very luxurious quarters, on his very comfortable red silk couch to be specific. While his quarters were on the glamorous side, at least he didn’t overdo it like King Knight did.
Again, no one cared for King Knight, the pompous brigand!
Everything in his quarters was fine, well crafted and top quality. From the dark mahogany tables and drawers to his golden chandelier and green felt carpet. All paid by the gold he had pillaged over time, but that’s just how a sky-pirate works.
But we digress, so back to the point. Propeller Knight was feeling something he hadn’t felt in a long time.
He was bored.
No, bored was too light a word. Weary was more like it,though it failed to encompass everything. He didn’t feel like throwing a party. The mere thought made his muscles feel heavy and turned his breath stale.
This was a most unfavorable thing for the Knight. He didn’t want to feel this way but he couldn’t help it. He wasn’t even sure why he was feeling so utterly miserable… No, no. Miserable is a bit too strong.
Still, there he lay, sighing heavily.
“What to do?” Propeller Knight wondered out loud. “This feeling, it radiates from my soul. But why?”
He kept asking himself that, but never could grasp the answer, even when it felt like it was just within his grasp only to be whisked away. A truly demonic game fate was playing to him, but it was not like he didn’t deserve it.
No, Propeller Knight was more than aware of his misdeeds. While he had some regrets he most cherished living life a day at a time. What you do in that day is up to you and you alone. He wasn’t a bad person, no. Was he a good person?
… Ehh.
Now finally getting frustrated the elegant Knight sat up, bringing his palm on his helmets visor as if massaging his temples. “No, this won’t do. This feeling, it must seize!”
He got up and walked in a circle for a while with his arms crossed behind his back. While not the most productive it did give him time to ponder.
“Why? Why is this feeling present?” He questioned himself. “Why can I not feel it anymore? That feeling of living. What is wrong?“
“Something is off, but what? Why cannot I see?” He blabbered on and on, trying to make sense of his predicament. “What in the world is wrong?”
… A spark.
“Hold on...” Propeller Knight said, something dawning to him. “Yes, maybe that is it. My life has grown dull, so spice it up I must.”
He broke the circle he had been walking and went to his mahogany desk and pulled out a piece of parchment. It was a map of the Kingdom. On it was the land he had come to know, surrounded by endless reaches of water. Or so it would appear.
“This world, this land is all I’ve known.” Propeller Knight muttered. “But this map, it tells an incomplete tale. The seas and what’s beyond… Yes.”
He could feel a fire light in his chest, a fire he had thought gone forever. The fire of adventure.
“... Yes, this is what I must do.” The Gyroscopic Jester said surely. “To break free of this monotonous life I’ve lived. To go and discover what is beyond the magnificent blue!”
His mind was set. Propeller Knight swore on his name that he would do this! His ship could carry him anywhere but his mind thought of something else. What he was about to do was more than likely a long voyage, so perhaps he should ask one of his former compatriots to accompany him?
And Propeller Knight most certainly, most absolutely didn’t want to invite Plague Knight. Goodness knows that’d lead to disaster sooner or later. And he doubted having Treasure Knight around would do good to his possessions, the greedy brute. Spectre Knight was just a drag to be around.
King Knight was out also. His punishment was still ongoing.
No one likes King Knight.
So that only left…
“Sorry, but I’ve got some things going on. There’s a big dig going on and, since I’m such a great digger, I thought I might go try my hand at it.” Mole Knight explained why he couldn’t go.
“Travel? None sense! I am far too busy to trifle with such humbug! Now shoo, I have work to do!” Tinker Knight said, launching Propeller Knight out with a well placed floor catapult. Good thing he could fly.
“... Hmph!” Polar Knight ignored Propeller Knight’s suggestion.
“...”
“...”
“... Nay.”
Propeller Knight groaned just slightly. “Come now, Shovel Knight, my friend. The past is all water under the bridge, as they say.”
“I believe I made myself quite clear.” The cerulean Knight said dryly, holding his weapon, his shovel on his shoulder.
Propeller Knight sighed. “Well, pardon me then. I was just thinking of how grand it were if you and I, former foes were to join forces for something magnificent.” He spoke, almost pleadingly. “My compatriots refused, those who I dare ask anyway. I even tried that nice young sir with the boomerangs, but to no avail. Are you sure you-”
“Not happening.” Shovel Knight said bluntly. “Besides, we have plans for the time being.”
“We?” Propeller Knight asked, brow raised inside his helmet.
“Hey, Shovel Knight!” The feminine voice of Shield Knight called from a distance, the red clad Knight calling for her companion. “Finish up there or someone will beat us to the ancient crypt!”
“In a minute!” Shovel Knight shouted back, turning to his former foe. “Propeller Knight, if your soul truly yearns for adventure then do not let such minor details bother you and just go and do it. You’ll never get anywhere by worrying over minor details. Company is always a plus, but what matters most is the adventure itself!”
Propeller Knight stared down at the spade wielding warrior, pondering his wise and somewhat encouraging words. “... I… Understand.” He said, just a tinge awkwardly. “Thank you, Shovel Knight.”
“Just stay out of trouble.” Shovel Knight said before bidding the Knight a brief farewell before following his companion to an adventure of their own, leaving Propeller Knight to embark on his own.
Back at his ship, the Flying Machine, Propeller Knight was glancing down at the land he had traversed all his life. Then he turned away and faced the seemingly endless sea the reached the horizon.
He drew his trusty golden rapier and pointed it at the looming horizon. “May this ocean know, whatever you hide behind yourself I, Propeller Knight will surely find it!” He shouted with passion. “Flying Machine, onwards to the unknown!”
And so his vessel began moving, propelling forwards, leaving behind a familiar land. His path was set to the reaches of the world yet untapped!
Unknown to him, he was not alone on his vessel.
A lid of a barrel somewhere opened slightly.
“My, what great idea, hee hee! Why wasn’t I informed sooner? This will be… Hee! Most amusing!”
“... GASP!” Princess Celestia sprung awake suddenly, as if waking up from a nightmare. She was laying on her bed, in her personal quarters. Her coat moist and beaded with small amounts of sweat. She shook her head to gather her bearings from what she had seen…
Only she could not clearly remember it anymore. Whatever jolted her awake was in her mind no longer. But Celestia could not shake the feeling that what she dreamt of was important. But no matter how hard she tried to remember it just slipped away.
She groaned and checked the time while she was at it. Almost an hour before she should wake up to raise the sun. This day was not starting pleasantly.
And why the hay did she remember an outrageous accent?