(If it occurs somewhere in the following chapters, please tell me if I don't get the characters right. I haven't really seen that much of the anime, so forgive me! I've tried to fix some things in this chapter, because this was originally going to be a humour fic. Meta Knight is kind of moody in his flashbacks, but that just because he's younger than in the anime. He's like a teenager! XD)

Disloyalty

The First Attempt

A castle, dark and ominous, stood outlined on a desolate, forbidding landscape. Inside, there were endless passages, winding around the many storeys, most of them leading to the battlefield in front, or to the training arena out back. Only one of these bypassed these popular spots to travel through the castle, past the many laboratories, dungeons, strangely constructed dormitories and up to the Tower. The Tower was Nightmare's own quarters, where his ideas came to him, where many of his creations had started. Where the blueprints of countless machines were first designed, and where only privileged monsters ever set foot.

But, right now it was empty, and Nightmare was down by his arena, waiting for the last of his monsters to file past. Several of his servants were stationed around him, ticking off names on their clipboards. The last few monsters hurried past, and the large iron gates of the arena slammed shut.

"Is that all of them?" Nightmare snapped at the nearest servant. They all turned and saluted.

"Check," said seven of them simultaneously. Nightmare stared at the last one.

"Well?"

The servant jumped slightly and cleared his throat. "Well, your Nightmareness, it seems that one is m-missing."

"Who?" Nightmare replied simply. The servant held up the clipboard. Nightmare's shaded eyes scanned the page and his gaze rested on the last name. It had no tick beside it. It read, 'Meta Knight'.

Nightmare's expression was unreadable.

"When did you see him last?"

The servants, sensing their master's stretched patience, flipped through their clipboards quickly.

"Last night, sir."

Nightmare said nothing, but swept past, the gates wrenching open and closing behind him loudly, startling the already high-strung servants. Nightmare muttered as he swept through the castle.

"Curse that troublesome puffball."

….

Meta Knight was well aware of his master's wrath, but he hadn't expected him to arrive so soon. He was in his room, being Nightmare's most powerful monster to date; his room was one of the nearest to the Tower and one of the furthest from the arena. All of the monster's rooms were specifically designed for the monsters they held; Kracko's had a very high ceiling and a lightning rod to detract his frequent tantrums from the walls. Wolfwrath's was more of a cave, with a fire burning all day and night and servants bringing in raw meat every hour.

Meta Knight was treated differently to the other monsters, and he knew it. That his room was near the Tower, but not so close as to hear anything, was tantamount to Nightmare telling him he wasn't trusted. He was always considered 'too independent', and now, Nightmare could practically sense Meta Knight's growing disharmony with the other creations, as was apparent from his ever more frequent visits and occasional summons to the lab.

Ever since that chance meeting with Carida and Jecra, Meta Knight had tried to find out as much as was possible about the Star Warriors, without revealing the reason for his interest to Nightmare or the other monsters.

Right now, he was staring out of his window, feeling utterly alone and rebellious. So when Nightmare suddenly appeared in his room, he didn't even flinch. Carida's Star Warrior badge was hidden and he felt nothing but loathing for the demon behind him. Nightmare was livid at this sign of disobedience.

"Meta Knight, you seem troubled. Why linger in your room when you can take your anger out on something in the arena?" Nightmare said calmly. Meta Knight turned, and Nightmare was encouraged, but his hopes were dashed when Meta Knight spoke.

"I'm not fighting today."

Meta Knight silently wished Nightmare would leave him; he could almost sense his master's nerves snapping.

"Why do you not take my advice? You must yearn for blood, being what you are." Nightmare pressed. Meta Knight knew his calm voice was just a show. He decided to end it quickly.

"Why do you have to be so controlling?" Meta Knight said, not bothering to hide his anger that had been suppressed for so long. He turned around and his eyes flashed red.

Only then did Nightmare see that they were yellow instead of blood red.

"What have you done?"

Nightmare's voice was laced with venom, and his mind whirred. Something had happened to his monster. Meta Knight must be sent to his lab immediately for tests. He extended a ghostly hand.

"Come with me. Now."

"No."

Meta Knight was standing now, his eyes blazing golden. Nightmare had heard enough. He advanced on Meta Knight hands raised, ready to transport him to the lab straightaway. Meta Knight was ready. He grabbed his sword off the bed and dived under Nightmare. He ran for the door, just as he felt a strong pull behind him. He fought it and saw the door slam in front of him. Undeterred, Meta Knight slashed at it with his sword and reduced it to rubble. He heard Nightmare's cry of rage and sped down the corridor. He wasn't free yet. Nightmare watched his fleeing little body with a cold glint in his eye. Meta Knight focused on the window ahead, his wings sprouting, ready to make the leap for freedom.

But Nightmare still had some power over him. Meta Knight was too strong to be stopped completely, but he wasn't impervious to Nightmare's powers. Nightmare concentrated on Meta Knight's wings, jagged nails tracing a pattern in the air.

Meta Knight leapt out of the window, to soar free of this castle and its rules and boundaries, what he had wanted to do ever since he had heard of the Star Warriors. But in mid flight, his wings froze. Nightmare! Meta Knight felt like shouting in anger. He could no longer see the cursed spectre, but he felt his presence. Meta Knight plummeted to the ground, far, far below. He hit the ground in front of the main gate and everything went black…

….

A voice called to Meta Knight out of the shadows.

"Wake."

He opened his eyes slowly to check his surroundings. A feeling of dread descended on him. He was in Nightmare's private lab in the Tower, lying on one of the cold steel tables. He tried to move, but found to his dismay that his wrists and feet were chained to the table and he couldn't break them. His mask was gone, and so were his sword and armour. He felt so vulnerable. He strained against his bonds once more, using all of his little strength left. After a few seconds, he fell back panting. The voice came again.

"Feeling any different?"

Meta Knight eyes blazed red. It was Nightmare. He felt angrier than he ever did before. He felt new strength and power flow through him, channelled by his rage. Crying out in fury, he tore himself free. He looked around for something to destroy, to take his insatiable hate out on. Nightmare appeared a few feet away, a cruel smile on his lips. Meta Knight's sword lay at his feet. Without a second thought he grasped and held it high above his head. Meta Knight felt a torrent of rage sweep through him and towards Nightmare, and he hardly knew where it was all coming from. He charged at Nightmare, ready to slash that smile off his face and slice him limb from ghostly limb. He brought his sword down without a drop of remorse. But the blade never reached Nightmare. He had teleported across the room. What lay in his place was a single Waddle Dee, staring up at Meta Knight fearfully. But to Meta Knight, it still bore Nightmare's mocking smile. He slashed at it relentlessly, anger controlling his mind and body, until the Waddle Dee's blood dripped from his sword and joined the small pool at his feet.

He stared coldly down at it, panting. His eyes matched the blood; the image of the slaughtered Waddle Dee mirrored in them. Nightmare laughed triumphantly.

"And to think I regretted giving you power."

Meta Knight turned around and looked at Nightmare's face. He was silent; he didn't want to give Nightmare the satisfaction of a reply. Nightmare's smirk grew wider.

"Missing something?"

Meta Knight still didn't reply. Nightmare reached inside his murky purple cloak and pulled out something: a small orb of golden light, almost full. He held it out.

Meta Knight's face softened slightly. This thing was his… He could tell. But what was it? Nightmare noticed his slight change of expression.

"This is your soul."

He corrected himself.

"Most of it. You still have some in you. It is what gives you such strong emotions. Your self-control is in here. Along with all your so called 'good' qualities."

He withdrew the orb.

"And now it is mine."

The door or the lab opened and Nightmare gestured to it.

"The arena is waiting, Meta Knight."

…

Years later…

It was a beautiful, sunny day in Dreamland. The Cappies of Cappytown were making the most of the good weather. Most of them were down by the beach, sunbathing and letting the children run amok in the water and on the shore. Even Dedede was there, laid out flat (well, as flat as possible) on a beach towel, Escargon fanning him relentlessly, sweating under the sun's rays. Parm and Memu were sharing a towel, giggling about what they used to do on the beach when they were young. Fumu, Bun and Kirby were splashing happily in the water. Kirby inflated himself and Fumu and Bun were trying to climb onto his spherical body and failing every time Kirby rolled over. Chef Kawasaki had opened a stall next to the beach selling ice creams, and Chief Bookem was acting lifeguard, but he wasn't keeping a very good watch – as demonstrated by the loud snores coming from his chair. Everyone was enjoying themselves. No monsters to worry about, no adventures, not today.

But unnoticed by anyone else, three residents were missing. Deep in the forest, Sword and Blade were training under Meta Knight's watchful eyes. Their swords lay at their feet, Meta Knight had decided on a different weapon for today. A target was painted on a tree 20 yards away, yet none of Sword's or Blade's arrows had come anywhere near it. Sword held his bow awkwardly, while Blade tripped and accidentally shot down a Waddle Doo who was trying to climb a nearby tree. It landed right in front of him, the arrow sticking out of its side.

"…Oops."

Meta Knight was looking distastefully at the dead Waddle Doo. Blade pushed it away with his feet. Sword tried one more time with his bow, but the arrow stuck fast in a tree several paces away from the one he was aiming at.

"Why are we doing this?"

Meta Knight replied sternly.

"You must learn to use other weapons, besides your sword. Close combat is not always the best option."

Sword was unconvinced.

"But what about using firearms?"

Meta Knight took a spare bow and walked over to Sword.

"Too expensive."

He fitted an arrow to his string.

"This is better practice. Anyone can use a gun, with limited practice-"

He pulled the string taught, always keeping his eyes on the target. Sword and Blade unconsciously held their breath. There was complete silence for a few seconds, then 'twang-whizz-zit.'

Meta Knight's arrow hit the target dead centre.

"-But only trained warrior can use bows."

This show of precision motivated Sword and Blade to try again. They kept up a steady flow of arrows for ten more minutes, and then they began to tire. Meta Knight gave them a much-needed rest. Blade's stomach growled at him.

"I'm so hungry I could eat that Waddle Doo."

Sword nodded, hands resting on his knees.

"I know what you mean. I could eat Dedede himself!"

Meta Knight sat down beside them.

"Well if you're that hungry, we can go get something in town."

"Can we go to the beach?"

Blade looked hopefully at Meta Knight. He rolled his eyes but nodded to the delight of Sword and Blade. The trio felt rested enough to travel to the beach, to give Chief Bookem a hand with life guarding. Sword and Blade walked on ahead chatting animatedly about food.

Meta Knight smiled under his mask.

He gathered up the weapons, surprised to find Sword and Blade's swords discarded. He held them up, testing their weight. He examined Sword's closely, realising how like his old sword it was…

Then it hit him. He was standing in a pool of blood, staring coldly down at the bloodied remains of the Waddle Dee. That terrible anger that flooded his soul, or what was left of it. The two swords fell from his hands and his eyes widened as the whole scene replayed in his mind. Defiance. Escape. Fall. Awakening. But he could not remember his actual escape clearly. His memory of meeting Carida and Jecra felt faint and ethereal. Had it been real? Meta Knight leaned heavily on a log. He sat down on it, shaking. How could he ever have forgotten that? His first attempt at freedom and his first failure. He had escaped after that. He knew he had. He wouldn't be here otherwise.

He held his head in his hands, trying to block out the images. Nightmare was gone. It was just a memory. Suddenly Meta Knight wasn't so sure. He had escaped, hadn't he? Why did that memory affect him so badly? He felt disorientated and swayed on his log. He hadn't felt self-loathing in years, but at that moment a cruel little voice in his head reminded him of his origins. You're a monster…you may think you're a Star Warrior, but you're still a monster. A horrible thought entered his mind. What if Nightmare was back?

…

Meta Knight was gently shaken awake by Sword. Blade was looking fearfully over Sword's shoulder.

"What's wrong, sir? What happened?"

Meta Knight sat up, relieved that he wasn't shaking.

"Nothing life threatening, don't worry. It was just…a memory."

He stood up, secretly testing his strength. Sword and Blade gave him a wider berth. Looking around the clearing, he noted everything from the dead Waddle Doo to the neatly stacked arrows lying against the log.

"How long was I unconscious?"

"About half an hour. We heard you fall, and came running back."

Blade added carefully, "You were moaning. We didn't know what to do."

Meta Knight's eyes shone bright for a moment.

"Maybe I should have taught you first-aid today."

Sword and Blade smiled with relief under their helmets, after hearing that deadpan voice, but it was clear they wanted to know more about this incident. Meta Knight tossed them their swords and bows and gathered his own weapons together.

"Come on. Chief Bookem needs relieving of his post."

The three knights walked out of the forest in silence. Sword and Blade respected Meta Knight's privacy, but they could not help but wonder, what could have caused their leader this much dismay? Why wouldn't he tell them? As the beach came into sight, the sun was already setting in the west, tinting the sky pink and the clouds purple. The Cappies were packing up for the night. Meta Knight walked down to the water's edge, his eyes aquamarine. Sword and Blade took the chance to whisper to each other.

"I think we should keep a closer eye on him."

Blade nodded slowly.

"I agree. He might have another…whatever that was."

"I wish he would tell us what's wrong!"

Blade looked back at Meta Knight's silhouette.

"He'll tell us eventually. He knows that he can trust us."

Sword didn't share Blade's faith.

"I hope you're right, Blade."

Meta Knight sighed heavily and walked past them. They could almost feel his tension.

"I really hope you're right."