"Congratulations, Sir Arthur!" Dragato said to the new captain. "You're the youngest member to receive such an honor."

Arthur blushed as he glanced down at his shiny badge, which signified his new rank."Somehow, I feel like I don't deserve it…" he muttered as he recalled the easy mission he accomplished. "I had to work much harder for my other promotions…"

"Just don't let your fabulous success get to your head." was the response.

Arthur looked thoughtfully at the older knight. Over the last couple of weeks, Dragato had become a sort of helper and adviser to him. Something like a father he never knew. Arthur had lost both parents at a young age and there was scarcely anyone to take their places. The young knight's fists clenched; he was determined not to let baby Meta down. However, even though he had promised he would be everything a good father could be, he knew that the toddler needed a mother.

The golden knight was dragged out of his thoughts as he heard high-pitched shouting.

"Stand in my way, I'll make you PAY!"

Arthur bit his lip. That voice definitely belonged to Athena. She was quite a hot-head and very difficult at times but, even though he hated to admit it, he had quite the crush on her. He only wished she would quit causing trouble all the time.

"Wonder what it is now…" Dragato muttered. "We'd better find out."

Arthur nodded. He hadn't told the female knight about his promotion yet and he was hoping that she would be proud of him.

The two knight arrived at the end of the corridor only to find the restless girl shoving poor soldiers out of her way.

"Calm down!" Dragato ordered. "What did I–what did we all tell you about assaulting our men!"

The impulsive knight stopped short. She was still red with fury but managed to calm down enough to mutter: "Oh, sorry. I get in a flurry when I'm in a hurry."

Dragato rolled his eyes. She had a strange habit of rhyming randomly without even knowing it. "Do you want to be expelled for bad conduct or what!"

"Well, it's not my fault that everyone is such a slowpoke around here." She mumbled, her eyebrows lifting as she finally bothered to glance at Arthur. "I'm just trying to deliver these documents. And it's not like I enjoy being a messenger!"

"You can complain to someone else. As for now, I'll deliver those notes." Dragato said as he relived her of them. "Make sure this doesn't happen again." he ordered.

Seeing the corridor was completely emptied by Athena's fit, Dragato threw a wink at Arthur and was promptly on his way. The golden knight pretended to ignore the wink as it was clear that the older soldier was setting him up.

"So…What's up with the fancy badge?" Athena walked up to Arthur and inspected it.

"I'm a captain now and in charge of my own division."

"Well, good for you!" she smiled. "As a matter of a fact, I didn't know you had the stuff in you."

"You'd probably be sharing my rank if you didn't involve yourself in so many fights." Arthur frowned disapprovingly.

"I don't need to hear it from you–" she cut herself off, remembering that Arthur was now a rank ahead of her."What I mean to say is, I'll try harder to keep it down."

Arthur nodded and started to walk down the hall with her. "I have something to show you."

"So, what did you do to earn your spurs?" she pried, curiously.

"Nothing, really. Sir Falspar just made a big deal about my findings at an enemy factory."

"Wait a second there! Are you saying you went with THE Falspar and invaded an enemy factory and it's no big deal!" She stopped short with a look of amazement carved on her face.

Arthur was quite taken back at her reaction."It really wasn't too much work and Sir Falspar, not the slander his name, isn't actually as great as they say."

"Oh, really. Well, Galacta Knight is sure going to be jealous when I tell him about the whole ordeal tonight." she said more to herself.

This time, Arthur stopped short. "Don't tell me you've been dating him again!"

"Oh, come on, green isn't your color." she laughed after that as Arthur's skin was indeed green underneath his armor. "Don't worry, it's just in good fun. And I don't have to pay for my meals."

"Athena! You shouldn't play on other's feelings! Besides, I wish you'd stay away from him. He… scares me."

"He scares me a bit too…" her voice suddenly turned serious and her amber eyes glowed intensely. "Arty, I'll cut you a deal. I'll keep my temper in check and stop flirting. But, now that you are a captain, you must promise me, that you won't accept any mission to great and challenging for you."

"Athena…" Arthur tried not to stare at her.

"I'm serious! I worry about you, a lot."

"In that case, I promise, on my word of honor." he solemnly responded but he felt his heart beat fast.

"Good" she smiled" Now that that's taken care of, what is it you want to show me?"

Arthur smiled as he opened Iacrea's spare room. Sleeping soundly in a tiny crib, was Meta. The lad had grown quite a bit and was in perfect health. As the two adults peered in, the baby came to consciousness.

"Gabu." he muttered, sleepily.

"Precious!" Athena whispered. "But when did you–"

"No, he's not mine. I found him abandoned in the wreckage at Planet Popsicle."

"Oh. Well, he's so adorable." she cooed as she stroked the infant's cheek.

"His name is Meta. I was wondering if you could help take care of him while I'm out on not-so-dangerous missions."

"Okay, will do!" she responded.

Arthur smiled as Meta fell back to sleep. Visions of last night filled the young knight's mind…


"Exhausted!" Arthur said to no one in particular as he climbed into his bed. Almost as soon as his head hit the pillow, dreams started to cloud his mind.

"Poyo…poyo…POYO!" baby Meta whimpered as he struggled to get attention. As it was not working, the infant resorted to crying, loudly.

"Almost forgot." Arthur rubbed his eyes and hopped out of bed. He preceded to mix a bottle together. Meta wouldn't drink though but smiled and stopped fussing.

"That's a good boy." Arthur gave him a pat and returned to bed. Not more that a minute later, Meta was at it again.

"Alright, alright." Arthur stumbled out of his cozy bed and checked the baby's diaper. It wasn't in need of changing, and Meta quieted down once more.

No sooner than Arthur pulled the covers over himself, the blue baby started to weep again.

"This is the last time I'm getting up tonight." the knight muttered angrily as he pulled a spare blanket down and covered Meta securely. A third time Meta quieted down but even before Arthur could step into bed, he started fussing again.

"So, you're not hungry, you don't need a diaper change, and you're not cold. What is it! Why are you still crying!" Arthur was running out of ideas but he knew that he needed to quiet Meta down or else the whole dorm would be wakened. "Do you just want attention?" Arthur frowned. "No, I got it. You're scared. But how do I unscare you?" An idea formed in the knight's mind and he quickly pulled the baby into bed with him.

Immediately, Meta quieted down and muttered 'papa'. Arthur couldn't help but smile. "My little troublemaker…" and they both peacefully fell to sleep.


A/N: Athena belongs half to me and half to Vulaan Kulaas. We kinda made her up together ;)