The man currently marching through the halls suited his title well. Nightmare's second in command, he held an oppressively menacing air about him. The light streaming from the windows seemed to stop short at him, unable to penetrate the darkness. His footsteps echoed harshly and malevolently glowing eyes gazed out from behind his dark visor. No bodyguards or backup accompanied him, as he was more than capable of destroying nearly any threat that could arise. He pushed open two heavy, lavish doors, his cape swirling with the energy within it.
"I believe you have a debt to pay" he intoned, voice haunting and rough. The larger man sitting in the throne before him froze, and returned the harsh gaze.
"I told ya I wasn't paying for what ya sent me!" Dedede snarled. Meta only chuckled darkly, moving even closer. There was danger reflected in his piercing eyes.
"You aren't in any position to be making demands" every word dripped with unsaid threats. Most other demon beasts had weaknesses, and very little in the way of intelligence. Meta was incredibly intelligent, extraordinarily deadly, and utterly callous. There was no negotiation and no way out if he personally came for you. His cape swirled turbulently around his feet, wisps of energy dissipating into the surrounding air.
"Those things you sent nearly killed me!" the king snapped. Meta crossed his arms, smirking. Metal claws adorning his gloves harshly reflected the ambient light.
"You got exactly what you payed for" he said evenly. "And what you payed for were the bottom of the barrel rejects."
"You never said anything about-"a blade composed entirely of Meta's dark energy slammed itself directly into the throne, narrowly missing Dedede. Many more stood poised to strike, flanking the man. Meta leaned closer as the first blade dissolved away.
"You are to address me with respect" he said, gritting jagged teeth. A sudden flash of light and the object accompanying it slammed into Meta, sending him skidding across the floor and scattering shards of his energy blades. He was back on his feet within seconds, shadowy wings forming from his cape. A pink haired child stood at the opposite end of the room, clad in green and wielding a silver blade. The Warpstar returned to his side.
"You alright Dedede" the child called out, never breaking eye contact with Meta. The king nodded and scampered behind his savior. He was no match for Meta.
"You insolent whelp!" Meta snarled, flinging a multitude of blades at his foe. Kirby stood his ground, shattering the projectiles with his sword. "So you wanted to lure me in did you?" he continued, ground cracking beneath his feet. He darted towards Kirby, bringing a large dark blade down on him. Kirby blocked it, and Meta leapt back as it shattered and dissolved away. He glanced at Dedede. "Don't think I've forgotten about you, you spineless imbecile" he growled. Kirby felt an energy envelope him, before he was flung with great force into the king. "I'll kill you both" Meta snarled, an undercurrent of cold, determined hate coursing beneath his anger. Kirby recovered quickly, paying no mind to what was certainly a wicked bruise forming on his side.
"He's going to murder us" Dedede wheezed, scrambling to his feet. Kirby steeled his expression.
"No he's not" Kirby said, marching back towards Meta. He hopped onto the Warpstar and flung himself back into the fray. Meta blocked the strike and sent several dozen more razor sharp projectiles after him, all of which dissolved once they were in proximity of the Warpstar.
"Are you even attempting to fight here?" he mocked, forming a small portal above his side. A plasma cannon dropped from it, and Meta swiftly jammed a heel down onto the fire button. An enormous blast narrowly missed his opponents and left a smoldering crater in the side of the castle. Kirby swiftly attacked before he could fire a second time, his metal blade clashing with another newly formed energy blade. They exchanged several rapid blows that Kirby only barely managed to stop. What Meta lacked in brute force, he more than made up for with blinding speed.
"Why are you even working for him?" Kirby gasped, managing to briefly catch Meta's blade. "Didn't he… hurt you?" Meta landed a vicious kick to the child's stomach, pushing him back.
"You know nothing of me, child" he growled. He approached Kirby, dark energy spilling over the floor. The distinct cacophony of metal being crushed stopped him in his tracks. Dedede hefted his hammer back to resting on his shoulder, the sparking remains of the cannon at his feet.
"Oops" he chirped, eyes betraying genuine fear. Meta turned slightly to the king, eyes alight with fury.
"You irritating-"he was hit with a massive blow that sent him sprawling. In the split second before he hit the ground, he cursed himself for allowing the little distraction ploy to work. Meta hit hard and tried to roll onto his feet, but his damaged leg wouldn't allow him. The injuries that had accumulated over the past year were finally catching up. He kneeled and wrapped one wing in a protective shield over his injured limb. Fear flickered in his eyes. If he lost another battle to this irritating wretch… he wouldn't survive another punishment.
"You're hurt" Kirby said. The genuine concern in his tone confused and infuriated Meta.
"No shit" he responded, summoning more projectiles. They flickered weakly, and he became acutely aware of the warm wetness seeping down his side. The stitches…
"Watch yer mouth" a foot slammed Meta down to the floor. Dedede looked at Kirby.
"I can't believe that worked" he said. Hatching the plan to incur debt to lure the man was easy enough, but the king was sure that they'd end up as meat confetti. Kirby dashed past him and knelt beside Meta.
"He's bleeding" Kirby mumbled, noting the crimson smears originating from the man's side. Meta grit his teeth against the pain. How ironic it was, that the remnants of Nightmare's punishment for failure would cause him to fail again.
"Kill me" he snarled. His vision was beginning to blur. He didn't want to die at the hands of his tormentor, snuffed out like a pawn. He became dimly aware of being lifted.
"We gotta get him help" the voices were muted now.
"Are you kiddin me? He'll kill us" came the response. There was a long sigh, and he was lifted further. "Fine, fine… it's your funeral."
"Hurry!" every slight movement brought more blinding pain, and Meta welcomed the creeping comfort of unconsciousness. He fell into a dreamless sleep, his racing thoughts slowly melting away into darkness.
(Author's note: This is just a massively self indulgent AU born from my general affection towards calculating villains and love of what-if scenarios. The plasma cannon is supposed to be an homage of sorts to the cannon aboard the Halberd. Hope you enjoy! -Poecilotheria)