Angelic Wings Mask a Demon's Heart
Chapter 1
In the Beginning
Darkness. Why was darkness so threatening? He wondered. It seemed peaceful and calm. Soothing, almost. Yet even in that complete darkness, something felt… off. He couldn't place it. Just a feeling he had, a tugging in the back of his mind, like he had felt this somewhere before. But where? It didn't matter. Floating in endless darkness like this, nothing mattered. His thoughts could run in whatever direction they wanted, or stop all together, he didn't care. It was over. But a bright light disrupted this peace. A shining orb, bright as a new star. But somehow, this light was not at all comforting. It seemed too… powerful, not gentle like a light should be. But again, he felt as if he had seen this before. He had, he knew he had. But where? Something so important, so life-changing, and he had forgotten. It was so unlike his character. This bothered him. But there was nothing he could do. This world's time had run out.
Dreamland, finally free from the cold grip of war. Fresh air and beautiful landscapes, it truly was a fantasy in reality. Rolling green hills shared the land with thick, lush forests and clear blue lakes. The animals roamed wild and the sun shone bright. In the heart of the rural country was a quaint little village, Cappytown, a small and humble assortment of houses and stores. Behind the town stood a mighty castle upon a proud hill, protruding out over the waters of the foamy sea. It now looked so much happier without the weight of war and death threatening the very existence of this planet. Now it thrived and shone with no care in the world.
The bright morning sun shone cheerily through the silk curtains hanging before the open windows. A light breeze rustled the drapery encasing the soft bed. The room was quiet, peaceful. Too quiet. Meta Knight opened his eyes and stretched. This must have been the first quiet morning since the war began. Meta Knight was grateful for the peace, undoubtedly, but something about it seemed… off. Since the war had ended, and the Nightmare had been defeated, a still peace had blanketed Dreamland. The Cappies in the village were relieved. They likely felt as if a heavy shadow had been lifted off of the town, but Meta Knight sensed something different. To him, it almost seemed like the eye of a hurricane. The calm before a storm. But he simply acknowledged this feeling as his tensed nerves adjusting to the lack of turmoil. Still, it felt off.
It was understandable though, thought Meta Knight as he swung himself out of bed. He began dressing himself as he drifted further into his thoughts. It was to be expected that he was as up-tight as he was. He had experienced things no mere civilian could handle. The war had raged for hundreds of years, and it was for hundreds of years that Meta Knight had fought. The war had turned the beautiful planets adorning the solar system into ashen clumps of rock. Even his own home planet… No, he could not reawaken those memories. It was too painful. The war had done more than damage planets. It had torn apart families, as thousands of warriors rushed into battle, knowing they would not return. Without realizing, Meta Knight ran his hand over the long gash marks on his chest. He felt the uneven ridges where old scars had not healed properly. He jerked his hand away when he felt a sharp pain rip through his body, then dull into a subtle burning. Blood seeped through his uniform, staining the purple cloth. Meta Knight cursed and wiped it away. It seemed some wounds had not yet healed.
Meta Knight paused, and thought for a moment. Should he? Maybe it had changed, maybe it was different now… he raised his hand to the cloth that was draped over the mirror. It covered the glass, so that no reflection looked back. Just maybe… but no. He had not the courage. He lowered his head in defeat. His greatest weakness, and he could never escape. He turned sorrowfully to the silver mask sitting on the edge of the bureau. He held it up, disdainfully studying the scratches and scuff marks worn into the metal. Without a second thought, he pulled it down over his face and blinked, adjusting the strap around his head. He wished he didn't have to wear it, he wished that once, just once he could go outside without it. Sadly, it was not possible. He could not risk exposure.
Suddenly, a loud crash and a thump tore Meta Knight from his memories. He turned to look at what had made the noise. A black and white ball rolled to a stop at his feet. He picked it up and glanced out the window. Of course. This was Tuff's ball. It had come soaring in through the open window. Meta Knight sighed, and tossed it back into the castle courtyard. He decided he should go down there, just to make sure the children were all right.
Meta Knight turned and swept his cape over his shoulders, tying it in the front, and fastened a brown leather scabbard to his side. The hilt of a sword glanced out, its golden sheen reflecting the sun. With a final flourish of his cape, Meta Knight disappeared down the corridor and into the castle walls.
As soon as Meta Knight stepped out into the sun, he felt… lighter, as if all his worries had been washed away. This did not last long. Approaching the courtyard garden, he saw the very antithesis of positive. The King.
King DeDeDe was a ruthless ruler, his mouth almost as big as his waistline. His ego, though, beat both. He was extremely proud and arrogant, and certainly not the brightest. He had been cruel to his subjects, taxing and bullying them without mercy. His advisor, Escargoon, was not much better. But lately, DeDeDe had been much quieter. He had worked alongside Nightmare for some time, and after its destruction, had no purpose, it seemed. He spent much of his time silently watching the children play, and even helped rebuild some of the village after the attack on Cappytown. Meta Knight felt he was asking for forgiveness, but wasn't sure it should be given to him.
Then, there were the Cappies. Like their ruler, not the brightest bunch, and Meta Knight often found this infuriating, though he refused to show it. But despite their intellectual shortcomings, they had heart. The Cappies were some of the kindest creatures in the solar system. They never turn down a soul in need.
Meta Knight had never despised these people, per se, but did not like their influence on Kirby. The young pink-haired Star Warrior had been the Hope promised in the Prophesy passed down through generations. He was the greatest Star Warrior, with the ability to take down an entire army by himself. He was the one chosen to destroy Nightmare. And here he was, playing soccer with the Cappy children. Meta Knight did not blame Kirby or the Cappies for this childish behavior. In fact, Kirby himself was just a child. He arrived too early, 200 years too early, in fact, and was underdeveloped and untrained. But he was smart, and learned quickly. He listened to every word Meta Knight said to him, and was exceling well in his training. But this bothered Meta Knight. He was afraid Kirby would become too powerful. He would allow himself to be turned away from light, and to the dark Nightmare. Meta Knight was bitter; he felt he should have been the chosen one. He was much more experienced and responsible, older and wiser. But the Fates had chosen, and Kirby had beaten Nightmare, like they said.
Meta Knight watched as Kirby kicked the ball to Tuff, who passed it to his friend. The ball soared back and forth, blurring with intense speed. Suddenly, the ball hit a rock and flew into the air, straight at Meta Knight. Without a hesitation, he raised his hand and caught the ball in midair, stopping its short flight. Tuff ran up to him, breathless. "Heh, sorry, Meta Knight. I guess I lost control of the ball." Meta Knight only nodded, and tossed the ball back. "We haven't seen you around here lately. Is something wrong?"
"Where is your sister? There is something urgent I must speak to her about."
"Oh, you're looking for Tiff. Yeah, she's down in Kabu Canyon, waiting for you, I think. She was all worked up about something."
"Thank you. And Tuff, try not to break any more widows. I wouldn't try what little patience the king has."
Tuff turned bright red and nodded. Meta Knight turned and strode away. Kabu Canyon was quite a ways away, he wouldn't want to keep Tiff waiting.
Kabu Canyon was a desolate gorge, carved into the rock by an ancient river that flowed through thick woods. That river was long gone, and in its place stood a towering tiki, with hollow eyes and a gaping mouth. Once, long ago, the eyes would sparkle at the approach of a Star Warrior like Meta Knight, but this was no longer the case. Meta Knight approached the statue, expecting, hoping to hear the deep, throaty voice of the Kabu, but nothing happened. Sorely disappointed, Meta Knight climbed down into the shallow cave at the base of the statue.
Tiff was already inside. She was holding a bright little star, caressing it, watching it glow in amusement. That star was Kirby's Warp Star. It would come whenever it was called, and grew in size until it dove down and picked up its little master, allowing him to guide it wherever he wished. Now it sat, waiting for the chance to swoop in and save the day once more, but until then, here it stayed.
Tiff had been entrusted with its care. She was the first to befriend Kirby when he arrived in Dreamland, and was his closest friend. She was smarter than the other Cappies, her intelligence impressing even Meta Knight. She was very bright and friendly, and made friends easily. In fact, based on the way she acted around him, Meta Knight had the impression she actually cared for him, if that was even possible. She respected him as a teacher, and knew him as a friend.
Now Tiff turned to him, smiling slightly. "The Warp Star seems to have repaired itself. The explosions didn't damage it too badly. Kabu, though…" She was interrupted by a loud groan that echoed in the small cave. Some silt fell to the ground. "Kabu doesn't look so good," She continued. "There are cracks everywhere, and he hasn't said a word since that last attack. He was pretty badly damaged. You don't think…"
Meta Knight raised his hand to silence her. "Do not fear for Kabu. He has survived much worse than this. All he needs is time. You must be patient, Tiff."
Meta Knight turned away from Tiff and placed his gloved hand on the stone pillar that held the Warp Star. He could faintly feel a pulsating energy, the drop of life barely clinging to the ancient stone tiki. "Kabu, do not worry," He whispered. "If there is a way to fix you, I will find it, I swear it."
"I know you will, old friend." The deep, throaty voice of the Kabu echoed off of the cold stone cave. The pillar began to faintly glow, intensity growing and lessening rhythmically like a heartbeat.
"Kabu! You're okay!" Tiff cried, tears brimming in her eyes. Her friend was still alive.
"I am not completely repaired yet. Soon I must return to my sleep, and I do not have long. But there is something I must tell you. A great threat approaches, you must prepare yourselves."
"But, Kabu, what is it?" Tiff asked. "Is the Nightmare back? Is it an army of monsters?"
"It will come as a cloak of darkness over the land, then a bright light will shine through it. The light will purge the darkness, but do not be persuaded by its beauty. This light is evil. It will be the destruction of the galaxy. Heed my warning, do not lower your guard for this creature. You have been warned." Almost as abruptly as it began, it stopped. The voice ceased and the cave became deathly quiet.
Tiff shuddered. "A threat? Darkness, light? He couldn't mean… Nightmare, could he?"
"No. The war is over. Kabu should know this better than anyone. I don't… oh, of course. I should have known." Meta Knight shook his head.
"What? What is it?"
"If a Kabu is damaged, it can become confused. It will begin spouting nonsense. Do not pay mind to Kabu's warning. It means nothing." But Meta Knight wasn't sure. Perhaps this was the bad feeling he had had all along. Maybe this wasn't just nerves.
"Alright, whatever you say," Tiff sighed, glancing out of the opening above her at the open sky. "It's getting dark already? Well, I guess that means I should get home. Mom's going to be really mad if I don't get back before dinner. See you later, Meta Knight!" She scurried up the rocks and out of the cave, whistling on her way down the path. But Meta Knight lingered for a moment. Something was rubbing him the wrong way, he just couldn't place it. No matter, Meta Knight sighed and leapt out of the cave. Only then did he notice how dark the sky had become.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning and a clap of thunder sent the woodland creatures scurrying for their dens. For a moment, Meta Knight remembered his nightmare, and how familiar it seemed, and then the Kabu's warning. Suddenly, his thoughts were dashed by another shockingly loud clap of thunder. But there, behind the thunder, was another sound. An echo. Shattering glass. The sound was so familiar, but the memory was not there. As hard as he tried, Meta Knight simply could not remember where he had heard that sound. But as the rain began to fall harder and harder, he decided it wasn't important. Besides, the war was over, the threat destroyed. What power was left that could tip the balance? Actually, Meta Knight did not want to know. But he had a bad feeling that he would soon find out.