In Your Nightmares Chapter 6: Revelations, a kirby fanfic

In You're Nightmares, Revelations

By: TheSilverHyena

WARNING! Contains:: Strong Language, Violence, Graphic Description of Gore, and Riley Being a Total Bitch. (Yeah, there's a f***ing surprise.)

*Castle Dedede, throne room*

'How did it come to this, again?' Geoffrey found himself thinking as he stood, facing the shocked and angry group that stood before him. 'Oh yes, it might have something to do with you holding Pop Star's favorite celebrity in your arms with a gun pointed at his head! Idiot, what were you thinking? Oh... right, I wasn't!'

"What is this treachery?!" Meta Knight snarled, his eyes blazing deep crimson red.

"She wants him alive, I'm making sure she doesn't get him that way. Nothin' personal. It's the family business." Geoffrey stated.

Tiff was beyond furious. How could he? She trusted him.

It only took a harsh glare from the human to make her think twice about attacking him. If any of the others had thoughts of doing anything, they were quickly dismissed by Geoffrey lightly squeezing the trigger, just enough to prove he was serious.

"Meta Knight, I suggest you back off," the thief warned, turning his gaze to the furious warrior, "can you swing your sword faster then I can pull this trigger? You so much as touch me, this gun goes off. Are you willing to gamble with Kirby's life?"

Meta Knight thought about it for a minute. He steeled his gaze, looking up to the human he had started to consider a friend. He raised Galaxia, but couldn't bring himself to strike as he looked into the eyes of his terrified apprentice.

Meanwhile, King Dedede and Escargoon found themselves wondering where this guy was five years ago. They could have used him then. But now, the two of them found themselves terrified for the pink puff's life.

"Kautounie, that goes for you as well. Point your magic finger elsewhere." Geoffrey growled.

Hissing audibly, the elder zwetoock lowered her hand slowly, although the spell contained within was not canceled.

Riley on the other hand threw back her head and laughed.

"Honestly, I would have expected this from Meta Knight. But I guess all those years with the little one has softened his heart and made him weak. Then again, Geoffrey, you are a Collins. It's wonderful to see you turning into a psychopathic murderer just like your father. Go ahead, pull the trigger. See if I care!" she dared, calling the rogue's bluff, "Will you kill him in cold blood in front of your sisters? In front of your friends? You're a good liar, Geoffrey, but not as good as your father!"

"Geoffrey, what do you think you're doing?!" Neo hissed, fighting back the tears stinging her eyes.

'She's right. What the hell am I doing?' Geoffrey thought to himself.

A small smile spread across Geoffrey's face as he gave a small wink to Meta Knight, then began speaking in the zwetoock native tongue.

"I know you hate me right now, Sir Meta Knight, and for good reason. But we're still on the same side. I could never bring myself to pull this trigger on one whom I call a friend and become my father. Listen, I'm not sure if we're going to get out of this fight unscathed, but we can at least give Kirby a chance.'

Ever so slightly, he could see Meta Knight's posture change. Neo and Kautounie flicked their ears and nodded their heads. Riley had a look of pure confusion on her face. She knew they were communicating, but what, she didn't know, since she didn't speak the Zwetoock Tongue.

"Sword, Blade," Meta Knight whispered, "when you see the signal, take Kirby and Tiff and run. Find a safe place and wait for us there." he ordered quietly.

The two knaves looked baffled, but their leader knew something they didn't. Meanwhile, Kirby trembled in fear, completely terrified and confused as to what was going on.

"Everything will be fine, young one," Meta Knight assured his apprentice.

"Well, go on, what are you waiting for?" Riley taunted as she sauntered closer, "Gerard would have taken the shot by now. You're weak, Geoffrey! Nothing more than a thief in the night who plays with dogs!"

Hmph, a thief who plays with dogs. She was one to talk!

"You know, maybe I will take the shot," Geoffrey stated flatly, flashing a cocky smile.

He felt a horrible twinge of guilt tug at his heart when he felt Kirby shaking in his arms. The frightened puffball looked up to the rouge with tear filled blue eyes, quivering with fear.

"Kirby, please forgive me..."

With a sudden turn, Geoffrey pulled the gun away from Kirby and instead fired at Riley, nailing the witch at close range. While she stumbled backwards momentarily, Neo and Kautounie both cast their Dazzle spells at the same time, hurriedly encouraging Tiff to do the same. Geoffrey turned around, using his own body to shield Kirby against Riley's blindly cast spells while Meta Knight and Dedede charged the fiend.

"By the grace of Sundar, kid, I'm so sorry..." Geoffrey whispered softly to Kirby, who was still shaken by this ordeal.

Sword hastily took Kirby from Geoffrey's hands, and he and Blade did as Meta Knight had ordered. While Riley and her remaining fiends were blinded by the flashes, Neo and Kautounie urged Tiff to follow after the knights as they took Kirby to a safer place.

"You've done beautifully Tiff, but Kirby will need you." Neo explained, "I think Geoffrey's right. I'm not expecting we're going to win this battle," she added, quietly.

*Castle Hallway*

Tiff didn't even think to argue. She wouldn't admit it out loud, but Riley terrified her. She ran past the witch and her hounds as fast as she could to catch up with Sword and Blade. All she could hear were the loud battle cries, screams, and the clash of metal and steel coming from inside the throne room. Out the corner of her eyes, she caught the flash of spells being cast. Tiff didn't like leaving the others behind, but it wouldn't do any good to go back now.

"Come on, Tiff. Hurry!" Sword urged.

With a heavy sigh, Tiff joined the two knights and Kirby.

"Sir Meta Knight gave us strict orders to find a safe place to hide you and Kirby until he returns." Sword Knight explained.

Knowing Meta Knight, he had a way of homing in on Kirby. No matter where they went, when it was safe, the tough blue puffball would be able to find them. If only the thought could have been more comforting. Even as the sounds of the battle were drowned out from the distance and the storm raging outside, it sounded like her companions were loosing the fight.

"What? Kirby's not even here! Where did you send him?!" Riley's angry voice rang out, "Glasya, find him now!"

Tiff stopped with a start and looked over her shoulder. The sound of claws scraping against stone echoed through the castle halls. Haunting barks from the hell hounds and a savage roar from Wolfwrath told the small group that their pursuers were not far behind.

From the second floor of the castle, they could see Fluffy sniffing around the courtyard, occasionally breathing a puff of fire to re energize herself.

"They can't have gotten far!" Glasya barked, her voice growing closer.

"Our quarters aren't too far away. We'll be safe there." Sword suggested, glancing over his shoulder to Tiff.

The three of them quickened their pace as the stench of the hell hound smog became stronger. Finally after navigating the torchlit halls and going up another flight of stairs, they came across a large wooden door with a brass handle. Meta Knight's emblem, an M with a sword down the middle of it, was painted in the center. Blade opened the door, ushering everyone inside. He closed it just in time. A few minutes later, whimpering and scratching could be heard on the other side. During that time, Tiff flipped through the pages of her spell book, Neo's wand still clutched tightly in her hand.

"What re' you doin', Tiff?" Blade asked, in a hushed whisper, making it even more difficult to understand him.

"There's a spell I found in here last night that Kautounie must have forgotten about. It might help make those demon-beasts overlook us." Tiff whispered back.

She turned to the right page, made the somatic gestures using the wand, and spoke in strange words, 'Udonnaceemie.' she whispered.

Thankfully, by using the zwetoock's wand, Tiff no longer lost all her stamina after casting a single spell.

Suddenly, the scratching stopped, and all there was to hear were yips and barks of confusion.

"What the? Why are we standing around here?" Spitfire asked, his voice muffled by the door.

"Don't know, but we better keep up the search, or Glasya's going to be pissed. Mistress Riley better have a good reason for all this shit!" Lucifer grumbled, "Damn, I could have sworn there was a door right there..."

The two hell hounds glanced to each other, shrugged, (if that was possible), then shuffled off elsewhere.

"Wow, where did you learn how to do that?" Sword asked, as he set Kirby down, "I don't recall you doin' fancy... eh... stuff like that before."

"Ummm last night, I was sort of hanging out with Kautounie and Neo and they talked me into trying out a few of their spells." Tiff sputtered, quickly, "Then Kautounie gave me her old spell book, she thought I could make good use of it."

She still felt a little bit odd and uncomfortable, and was quick to explain that she could only cast any spells when she had the spell book with her. The wand just provided a much needed boost, but she had to remind herself not to get too attached, as Neo would probably be wanting it back.

"Poyo?" Kirby asked softly, nuzzling against Tiff.

Tiff knelt beside the little warrior, comforting him in her arms. So many thoughts ran through her mind. If Riley was taking over the castle, what would she do to her family? That witch had already mercilessly slaughtered many of the Waddle Dees and even the Waddle Doo General. What was happening back in the throne room? The horrifying truth about Geoffrey, the rogue's bluff, what Neo had told her. It was too much. She felt tears forming in her own eyes.

Feeling Tiff's fear, now it was Kirby's turn to comfort her. His small arms went around the girl as far as he could make them, and he spoke softly. Even if she could only guess at what he was saying, Tiff knew that whatever it was must have been right. She had to be strong for Kirby, for Meta Knight, Sword, Blade, and yes, even King Dedede.

Then the young girl noted the blood coating her hand. Kirby was still bleeding, and he had some new cuts from where Geoffrey's claws scraped him. She cast a Light Cure from the pages of her book, then set about finding anything in Meta Knight's quarters that could be used for a makeshift bandage. Luckily, Meta Knight kept everything neat and organized, from his desk, to the small but comfortable living space, to the sleeping quarters. While Sword and Blade guarded the door, Tiff had taken Kirby into the small bathroom to clean and treat the remainder of his injuries. The warm water washing away the filth and gore of the battle felt soothing to Kirby, and with Tiff's gentle touch, it didn't hurt at all. Finally, she wrapped up the pink puff's wounds with a handkerchief she had found while searching the barracks before setting Kirby down on one of the beds in the sleeping quarters. Kirby gratefully snuggled up against the soft pillows and blankets. At last he could get some much needed rest.

"Don't worry. They'll be back." Tiff said, reassuringly as the little puff closed his eyes and let sleep take him, "at least I really hope so." she added to herself quietly.

Once Kirby was asleep, she left just long enough to give Sword and Blade some medical treatment for their lesions before returning to the puffball and taking a seat on the bed beside him. Now all they could do was wait.

*Vs. Riley, round 2*

Riley hissed hatefully as her vision returned to normal. With her free hand, she yanked the bullets Geoffrey had put into her out of her body and crushed them in her hand. It didn't look as though too much damage had been done. She only looked angry. Angrier still when King Dedede's two ton hammer collided into her side. The witch shouted in pain, but before she stumbled backwards, her body shifted into black ad red mist, then reformed with flourish.

Then she took a look around. Kirby was nowhere to be seen, nor was the child or Meta Knight's two squires.

"What? Kirby's not even here! Where did you send him?!" Riley shouted.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Meta Knight snorted.

"Glasya, find him now!" Riley ordered.

Without a second glance, Glasya took off with Lucifer, Spitfire, and Wolfwrath in tow, leaving their mistress to take on these warriors alone.

"No matter, this was just to wear you all down." Riley smirked, "I'll have that child one way or another!"

"Over my broken corpse, demon!" Meta Knight shouted, twisting through the air like a drill, Galaxia held in front of him.

Meta Knight, Neo, Kautounie, and Geoffrey all attacked together in unison. First, Riley twirled her staff out in front of her, deflecting the shots from Geoffrey's now empty gun. Kautounie wielded her blood stained machete, and Neo her bow. A flick of the hand, and Neo's arrow clattered harmlessly across the floor. A swing of her serpentine staff absorbed Kautounie's strike. The clang of wrought iron and the golden blade Galaxia echoed throughout the entire throne room. Riley gazed upon Meta Knight with pure loathing in her glowing red eyes.

Just as King Dedede found the right moment to take another swing, Riley shouted in the demonic tongue, summoning huge, ghastly, boney hands from beneath their feet. The smell was the first thing that hit them. It was nauseating, like rotting corpses. Then the pain. As one of the hands clenched itself around Meta Knight, pinning his arms to his side, he couldn't help but yell in agony. Kautounie was next to be ensnared, followed by King Dedede, Neo, and last, Geoffrey.

Riley delighted in the chorus of pain sung all around her.

Whimpering from the pain, Neo struggled to cast a spell with her free hand, only to be punished by a violent squeeze and a wave of intense nausea that washed over her. Weakened too greatly, she slumped to the floor and blacked out.

"NEO!" Kautounie howled, still struggling against the summoned hand grasping her, "leave her alone!"

The more Kautounie fought against Riley's hold, the more Riley punished the others trapped in her merciless grasp.

Riley looked to each of her prisoners in turn. Come to think of it, someone other then Kirby and the before mentioned knights was missing. The snail, perhaps? No matter, Glasya and her hell hounds would find him soon enough.

First, the vile sorceress stooped over King Dedede. The once regal ruler was on his knees, with two skeletal hands, covered in rotting flesh forcing him into a bow. Slimy claws tore through the king's fine robes.

'Well, at least Escargoon got away, maybe he'll be able to get some help,' thought King Dedede.

"The only reason you are still alive, majesty, is because I find you mildly amusing." Riley taunted.

"What do you want, Riley? To torture us? To break our spirits? Guess what, you can take away everything we own, but there are some things you with all your power cannot have!" Geoffrey shouted.

The human seized up when what felt like fire shot through his body, putting him into complete agony.

"Oh, I intend to have everything you own. Your spirits, your courage... your honor..." Riley sighed, shifting her gaze to Meta Knight, "you know, Geoffrey, I was going to send you all to the Gateway of Hell back in that forest on Horva. But now that I think about it, you're already there."

The half-demoness held out her hand, and an ancient looking scroll appeared within it. She knelt down to the blue puff's level, for which he gave her an indignant and angry glare.

"You see this? You can thank those three for fetching it for me. Thanks to them, you're worst nightmare is soon to come to life, my little knight." she taunted, waving her hand and causing the scroll to vanish.

Before Meta Knight could speak, Kautounie was already hurling as many insults and curses as she had words for, in the common language and in zwetoock. Even when her bones began to fracture from the pressure being forced upon her and the sickening feeling weighed heavy in her stomach, Kautounie would not stop fighting.

Not giving up. That was a pretty good idea. Meta Knight still had Galaxia in his hand, although his arms were still pinned to his side. Despite the nauseating feeling creeping into his stomach, the Star Warrior focused what remained of his strength.

"For... Kirby..." Meta Knight grunted.

With all his might, he snapped the flesh covered, bony fingers that restrained him. Galaxia sliced through the monstrosity like a hot knife through butter.

"Yeah, get her, Meta Knight!" King Dedede cheered, only to wince when sharp, filth covered talons dug into his fleshy body painfully.

"Oh, you wouldn't hurt a lady, would you, Sir Meta Knight?" Riley asked, in a mocking voice.

"You, Riley Prescott, are no lady!" the star warrior barked.

Meta Knight advanced, stumbling slightly due to the growing sickness in his stomach. Galaxia collided with Riley's staff, sliding down the shaft and cutting into Riley's hand. With a startled yelp, Riley backed off. It wasn't like the annoying pricks from Geoffrey's bullets or the mild sting of Kautounie's spells. Galaxia really hurt, even with such a little cut.

'Bad move, sissy.' Fey whispered.

'Shut up!' Riley snapped to herself, looking to her now ruined manicure, "You son of a bitch..."

Instead of focusing her power on Meta Knight, she instead focused on tormenting those still trapped in her snare, causing them to writhe from the pain. Even Neo, who had finally came too, was punished by Riley's powerful entrapment. The harder Meta Knight battled, the harder Riley tortured her victims, and the stronger she became. Meta Knight became so exhausted it was a battle just to stand.

"You're defiance was amusing at first, but it gets old real fast," Riley sighed, holding up her left hand.

Meta Knight had a moment to see the three rings on the witch's hand, one depicting a dragon, the other a lion, and the last, a goat. With a flash of energy, ghostly projections of the three beasts formed around the sorceress and rammed into Meta Knight, knocking him to the floor and sliding right into a waiting, taloned hand. When he tried to get up, the ghoulish appendage snared Meta Knight, forcing him onto his back and held him prone.

"Meta Knight..." Neo whispered, so softly he almost didn't hear it.

"I thought that would have been enough to quiet you down, but I must admit, you've got some spirit. Very much, shall I enjoy shattering it!" Riley snarled.

Every time anyone made a move to escape, they were met with a painful jolt. Eventually it got to the point that even when they were still, she'd torment them anyway, just for fun. Neo had blacked out again, followed by the King and Geoffrey. Only Kautounie and Meta Knight were left to put up a fight, but Riley was quick to sap the last of their strength.

"It would be so much easier if you just went to sleep like the others." the half-demoness sighed, holding her staff above Meta Knight.

Kautounie snarled loudly when the witch raised her staff above her head, about ready to beat her severely weakened captive. Then she paused. Meta Knight may not be controllable, but he was still worth more to her alive then dead, much like Kirby. An idea began to form in her mind. Yes, it was perfect. With a well aimed strike, Riley butted the end of her staff into Meta Knight's temple, knocking him out. (finally). She gave Kautounie the same treatment before dragging her prisoners off to the castle dungeons.

*Castle Dungeons*

The cursed undead hands, six all together, levitated in the air behind Riley, each one dragging a different captive, except for Dedede which required two. It wouldn't be long now until the dungeon was full of the castle's inhabitants. She couldn't help but snort when she passed by the TV studio near the bottom of the stone staircase. The red 'On Air' sign above the door was turned off and there were some fresh blood stains on the floor. Riley turned a sharp left, opening a heavy locked door with a barred window with a flick of her hand.

The dungeon cells were unoccupied at this time, except by vermin that scurried out of her prescience. Riley motioned to her summoned ghast hands, and at once they dumped Geoffrey, Neo, Kautounie, and King Dedede into the largest and sturdiest of the cells. With another mental command, the chains mounted on the walls sprung to life all by themselves, shackling the unconscious prisoners. The levitating hands searched the captives, taking away any weapons, ammunition, and anything else of value they found. Riley picked through a few of the trinkets, taking a keen interest in a small vial of transparent blue fluid she found in one of Neo's pouches.

'This will be very useful,' Riley though to herself, hiding the vial within the folds of her dress.

While her animated ghast hands forced some sort of strange, foul smelling liquid down Neo's and Kautounie's throats, Riley motioned to the hand still clutching Meta Knight in it's slimy grasp, ordering it to follow her.

Riley could hear slight moaning coming from the Star Warrior.

"Shit, he's waking up already?"

Meta Knight's eyes flashed a brilliant gold as he was slammed onto the cold, stone floor. Frantically, he reached for Galaxia, only to find his scabbard empty. When he tried to sit up, the repulsive hand pushed him back down.

"Looking for this?" Riley taunted, levitating the sacred sword in front of her, "a horrid thing. No matter how hard I try, I just can't destroy it. Oh well, guess it'll just have to go into my collection of pretty relics to collect dust." she sighed, forcing the sword into the stone ceiling, (with some difficulty,) with a wave of her staff, out of Meta Knight's reach.

"Why are you doing this, Riley?" Meta Knight inquired.

"Simple, because I can." the sorceress snorted, taking the opportunity to pound the bottom of her staff into the Star Warrior.

Meta Knight recoiled, but did not give Riley any satisfaction of his pain. The witch could see his small, armored body quivering. Even with everything he had endured, his spirit still had fire within.

"If it is my pride and honor you want, you're not going to take it. Torture me all you want, demon beast."

"Hmhmhmmmm, only half, sweetie." Riley scoffed, kneeling beside him, "You're a failure as a knight, my little friend. You failed to protect your king, and now you're going to fail to protect Kirby. With your help and Kirby's, Holy Nightmare will return."

She began looking at him all over, at different angles. At her touch, Meta Knight jerked to the side, only to be put back in place by the ghast hand that continued to hold him. It was beyond undignified, the way he was being pawed and manhandled by this horrid woman, if she could even be called that. As she scanned Meta Knight with a critical eye, Riley stripped him on his cape and armor, save for the mask which he refused to let her take. Fine, he could keep his identity, for now. Besides, it would be more fun to humiliate him by unmasking the knight in front of his friends. While she searched, Riley had found an ornate key, hidden under one of the shoulder guards. 'A mundane, but pretty trinket nonetheless,' she thought to herself, sending the key gods know where in a puff of smoke.

"Yes, this will do nicely. I cannot control you... so... "Riley trailed off as her form began to shrink and reform itself.

The sorceress became shrouded in black fog, then she was gone. In his groggy state, Meta Knight could have sworn he was looking into a mirror. Everything from the form of the armor, the fine cloth of his cape, even his battle scars, Riley had turned into an exact doppelganger.

"I'll just have to be you instead,"

It was quite sickening to hear that evil woman's voice come from his body, well, a copy of his body, anyway.

"Strange... certainly different. How do you fight so well in this soft, cuddly body, anyway?" Riley asked, wrapping her cape around herself in the same fashion Meta Knight would.

"What... are you going... to do, Riley?" Meta Knight growled, his eyes burning deep red as he fought against the corporal hand.

He coughed violently when roughly picked up and thrown into an empty cell by himself. Groaning in pain, he tried to get up, only to find himself bound in chains as they wrapped themselves around him, shackling his hands behind his back. The cell door slammed shut and locked itself, after the levitating hand had exited. Even in a different form, Riley could still use her magic.

"I want all of you to bear witness to the nightmare I'm going to bring upon this universe. Now then, I need to find your – wait a second – my apprentice. You escaped see, sadly, the others didn't make it out alive. Tragic, but I'll let little Kirby down easy," Riley explained, turning her back to the real Meta Knight, "By the way... has anyone ever told you that you ought to be on TV with this accent? Mhmhmhmmmmm..." she laughed, mimicking the Star Warrior's voice perfectly.

Meta Knight was mortified. He could only watch as the doppelganger swept out of sight, leaving him with his torment and thoughts for company. He had been warned that the odds were against them, but nothing could have prepared him for this. Hopefully, should the worst happen and Riley found Kirby, his little apprentice would be smart enough to see through the witch's illusion. His eyes dulled deep grass green as he immersed himself in thought. Were the others really alright? Riley had separated him from them for a reason. Why exactly, he did not know. They better have been alive, especially Geoffrey, just so if need be, Meta Knight could kill the human himself, or at least give him a good piece of his mind.

All he did know was that he could not give up. The old warrior shifted, trying to move his hands from behind his back. The corporal hand banged on the cell bars, then wagged a finger in the air, telling Meta Knight 'no'. Well, Meta Knight wasn't one for taking no for an answer, he was going to escape, for real.

Riley glanced to the cell containing the other four prisoners. She had to stand on the tips of her armored shoes to get a better look, she just wasn't used to being so short. They were still alive, albeit out cold and not in the best of health. Oh well, it was enough to satisfy her. She had carefully set up her animated hands as guards, unlike the hell hounds, they couldn't back talk and for the most part were quiet. However, as Riley started up the stairs, a voice stirred in the back of her head,

'Excuse me, sissy, but aren't you just a little bit too clean and tidy for an escaped captive?" questioned Fey.

'Alright, you two had better not screw this up!" Riley hissed inwardly, stopping in her tracks, 'Meta Knight does not have two obnoxious siblings yapping inside his head all the time!'

'Tehe, no. But you'll have a hard time selling your story if you start strutting about looking all fine and dandy like!' Fey giggled.

She hated to admit it, but Fey was right. So, with a groan, Riley began to smudge the dirt and filth of the dungeon floor over her armor, hands, and cape, then proceeded to tear her cape until it looked like it had been legitimately tattered in a scuffle. Next, a few illusionary cuts and dried blood finished the look.

'You ought to see yourself, Riley. It looks terrible on you!' Weston teased.

'To Hell with you, Weston. You're still going to be punished.' Riley grumbled, slowly making her way up the stairs.

*Castle Dedede, random corridor*

It was awkward in this puffball body, she felt more like a plush toy than a warrior. Riley was used to her long, tall legs, not short stubby ones with large feet. (Come to think of it, did puffballs have legs, or just feet?)

'So you can walk and fight flawlessly wearing those impractical stiletto boots, but when given the proper pair of armored shoes you nearly trip over your own feet?" Weston questioned.

This time Riley didn't dignify her brother with an answer. Granted, she knew she couldn't shut out her siblings forever, but for the time being, she was going to try. She wandered about the castle, confident that her disguise would work. If Kirby was wondering around, he'd be more than eager to rush into the safety of of his mentor's protective grasp. But come to think of it, it had been a while, and none of the hell hounds had anything to report. She could only assume that the denizens of the castle had either fled or were joining her enemies down in the dungeons. Needless to say, it was awfully empty without the Waddle Dees.

Fluffy had already turned the once beautiful courtyard into a raging bonfire, enjoying the comfort of the flames. Riley rolled her golden eyes at the sight, but at least the Wolfwrath was ignoring her. The Gods only know what would happen should a demon beast see her in this form. Regardless, having that beast at the front gate of her new abode was certainly a good "Keep Out" sign. However, when the sorceress started up to the second floor, she stopped in her tracks at the sound of a low growl from behind her. When she looked over her shoulder, Riley could see Glasya, a look of pure shock on her face.

"How did you escape, you bastard? Orders or not, you're dead!" Glasya howled, as she leaped forward.

"Glasya, it's me, you idiot!" Riley hissed, using her actual voice.

The Alpha Hell Hound skidded to a halt, stopping about an inch from her mistress. Her mouth hung open uselessly as her working eye scanned the armored puffball before her. It certainly looked like Meta Knight, but her mistress' voice had come out of him. Silently, Riley lifted a gloved hand, shutting Glasya's mouth before she started drooling.

"You would defy my orders, Glasya?"

"What... what are you... doing in that wretched body, milady? Can I even call you that?" Glasya balked.

"I'm a witch, figure it out! You don't need depth perception to use your brain! I just escaped from the dungeons and slaughtered the guards, now I'm looking for my poor little apprentice." sighed Riley, with an annoyed huff.

"We have not been able to find Kirby or his guards yet. There might be some sort of secret room or tunnel that we haven't found yet."

"Then find it, Glasya! Also find that damn snail and have Spitfire and Lucifer round up anyone left in the castle while you're at it. When you're done, go play dead or something, it can't look good if Sir Meta Knight is caught having a chat with a demon beast. Scram!" Riley snapped, shifting her voice back to Meta Knight's before ascending the stairs.

Still baffled, Glasya stalked away. If that was the attitude she was going in with, good luck convincing anyone that she was Meta Knight. Why did Riley insist on keeping her captives alive for as long as possible? The Greater Hell Hound wanted nothing more then to feel Meta Knight's blood on her paws while she tore him apart, but with Riley controlling her, that wasn't going to happen.

The Alpha female paused, then looked down one of the many dark, empty hallways. She cautiously took a couple steps forward and sniffed the air, tilting her half blinded eyes to get a better view. Nothing but darkness. Snorting a plume of flame and smoke, Glasya continued to patrol the lower levels of the castle for her quarry.

*Dark "empty" Hallway*

Thank the stars he had listened to that shady human's tips, and thank anything else that happened to be around at the time that for a snail, he could run pretty fast. Escargoon wiped a bead of sweat away from his forehead, keeping his back against the wall. That was too close.

He had been dodging the hell hounds for about an hour, after being spooked from the castle library, his chosen place of hiding. He carried no weapons, and his shell would provide little protection against the savage fiends. These certainly were not like the monsters Nightmare Enterprises had once used to rip off the king.

"Now that spell flinging hooligan has transformed herself into Meta Knight? And I thought one of him could be bad enough." Escargoon muttered quietly to himself.

Escargoon's mind raced. He had no idea where Kirby was hiding either, and had been searching for him in the hopes that he would find the pink puffball before Riley's minions did. But then he thought about the others. The dungeons! Riley had mentioned the dungeons. If his king, Meta Knight, and those kids were still alive, that must be where the sorceress was holding them. The sneaky snail mentally praised himself for having made copies of all the keys to different places in the castle, right under King Dedede's nose. If he couldn't find Kirby to warn him about Meta Knight's new evil twin, then perhaps he could assist King Dedede and the others in a jail break.

Well, time to start dodging monsters again...

*Castle Dedede, upper levels*

Riley had searched the entire second floor, turning up empty handed. Most of the rooms had already been thoroughly trashed by the hell hounds, anyway. Speaking of which, she'd have to summon more of those things. Making a mental note to herself, the she-devil-turned-Meta Knight climbed up another staircase, navigating through the darkness of the castle with ease. She was becoming more used to this new body. Perhaps when the plans were completed, she could modify it into something more suitable for herself. A red cape would be much more her.

The Meta Knight doppelganger snapped herself out of her fashion thoughts, stopping in front of a large, wooden door. Or was it a door? Did she even see it? It was the strangest feeling. But then, golden eyes narrowing, Riley held out her hand and whispered a few strange words. A smile spread underneath her mask as the Unnoticeability spell faded away, revealing a door with Meta Knight's insignia on it. Oh, she would have to give the kid an 'A' for effort on that one. It was a cleaver trick, but not cleaver enough.

'So, this is where you've been hiding, hmm? Well, say hi to your old pal, Meta Knight.' Riley thought to herself, pointing her hand at the door to open it, like she usually did.

She stopped. Right now, she was Meta Knight. Meta Knight didn't use his thoughts for mundane tasks. So, before Weston or Fey could correct her, Riley instead tested the handle only to find that it was locked. Usually, she'd just break down the door. But she wanted to keep the charade up. Then the doppelganger remembered. She had taken a key from the real Meta Knight while she searched him, and it looked very much like it would fit in the keyhole under the doorknob.

*Meta Knight's quarters/hiding place*

Sword had no idea how much time had gone by, only that every minute felt like an hour. It was impossible to tell if it was still afternoon or evening with the storm outside. Occasionally, a flash of lightning illuminated the darkened barracks, followed by a rumbling roar of thunder. So far, it appeared as though Tiff's little magic trick had worked, as Riley's demons had left them alone.

Blade came out of his and Sword's room, where Tiff and Kirby were currently resting.

"How are they doin'?" Sword asked.

"Coul' be etter'. They're asleep in you're bed." Blade answered, "Any ign' of Sir Meta Knight?"

Sword simply shook his head.

"There's been nothin' outside for a while. The only noise I've been hearin' is that Wolfwrath, Fluffy, throwin' itself a party below us in the courtyard."

Blade cautiously stepped to the window and pulled back the curtain just enough to see the giant, wolfish monstrosity below, curled up on a bed of coals of it's own making, shrouded by billowing smoke.

The two knights were somewhat startled when they heard something shambling into the main space, but relaxed when they saw it was only Tiff.

"What are you doin' up, Tiff? I thought you were resting." Sword stated, concern heavy in his voice.

"I couldn't," sighed Tiff.

There were times she really envied Kirby. No matter what, he found it possible to rest in some very odd situations. Like falling asleep during his first ever duel with Meta Knight. The girl smiled at that memory. Granted, when it happened, she was both worried sick Meta Knight would have just cleaved the pink puffball in half, and in shock. How could anyone fall asleep in the middle of a sword fight? Well, Kirby had certainly found a way. Now it was a fond memory, how far all of them had come together. Suddenly, everyone in the room tensed as the brass door handle jiggled softly, shortly followed by what sounded like a key being inserted into the keyhole.

Sword and Blade hastily drew their weapons, motioning for Tiff to stand back. While the two knights raised their swords, ready to strike whatever unsavory creature dared come through, Tiff flipped to the Magic Missile page in her spell book and raised Neo's wand. There was a creak from the old wood of the door, and to their shock, a familiar form stood before them. He was battered and bloody, but very much alive, his tattered cape wrapped around him.

"SIR META KNIGHT!?" all three questioned, in complete shock.

Author's Notes:: Okay, I'll admit it, I love Riley. She's just oozes evil, she's so much fun to write. Anyway to sum things up, Sword and Blade escort Tiff and Kirby to safety while the others stay behind to keep Riley distracted. The ghast hands were just something I came up with, thinking about the D&D spell Spectral Hands, but making it much more nasty and demonic. Needless to say, Geoffrey is still on Meta Knight's shit list. Gee, and you thought Dark Meta Knight was bad, huh? I couldn't resist that "You ought to be on TV with that accent" bit. I love Meta Knight's accent, I swear!