Ch. 7

Meta Knight soared through the air, fear and anger roiling within him. What if he was too late? The one question tormented him ceaselessly as he made his way as swiftly as the winds and his wings could carry him. Anger carried the knight and all sense of time was lost. The next he knew besides his anger was the sight of pillars of smoke rising where Cappy Town was. Everything constricted within him and he put on an extra burst of speed.

Meta Knight spotted the Town Square now filled with people. The sounds of their panic rose, filled his ears. He landed amongst them causing shrieks of startled fear in some of the citizens.

"Meta Knight!" Meta Knight whirled around as Fumu charged through the crowd and stopped just in time to avoid slamming into him.

"Where is she?" Meta Knight growled.

"F-fighting Kirby…courtyard," Fumu panted out. "You have to hurry!"

Without another word Meta Knight took off, his gaze intent on the castle. There was a bright flash of light that nearly blinded the knight as he flew as swiftly as he was able fearing what he would find.

The courtyard spread out, empty but for two figures. Orlaith stood in the centre her arms raised and more light gathered around them. Kirby darted forward with a kick and impacted into her midsection. The light flickered and died as she staggered back a step from his kick.

"Stop. I have no wish to harm you, young one, but if you interfere with my mission any longer, I will have no choice."

"No! You stop! I don't want to hurt! Don't wan' anyone to be hurt." Kirby exclaimed staring at her with wide eyes.

"Then you must be removed before you interfere."

Kirby gave a squeak of surprise as a beam of light shot towards him. His clenched and he braced himself for the hit. It never came.

"You!" Orlaith's voice took on an angry note. Kirby opened his eyes in time to see Meta Knight skidding back as her light attack impacted his sword.

As soon as the light faded he launched his attack. She side stepped and he came to a stop just past her. She blocked his next blow with her glowing rapier. They danced back and forth and attacking and blocking, neither able to gain an advantage. Meta Knight ducked back and paused searching for anything that could him the advantage. Orlaith gazed at him coolly and started to step forward to press her attack. Kirby jumped in the way his legs out in a drill kick. She shifted away and swatted at him with her free arm. Caught by surprise, Kirby tumbled through the air and hit the ground. Meta Knight shot straight up into the air until he was well above Orlaith. He then folded his wings and plummeted down with his sword out and pointed down. Orlaith looked up and a small smile formed on her face.

"Nooo!" came a female cry. Orlaith raised a glowing hand as Meta Knight plummeted toward her moving far too quickly to pull out of his move. A small shimmering figure slammed into Orlaith's upraised hand knocking it aside. A white gold beam shot off into the distance splintering a tree into two halves. Orlaith staggered sideways and Meta Knight slammed into the ground beside her. He flipped himself up yanking his blade up and out of the ground.

"Cait." Orlaith said coldly. "I told you to stay. What is the meaning of this?"

Cait hovered her in the air her eyes wide and fearful. "My Lady. Please. Stop this!"

"We have discussed this."

"We had no quarrel with you. Let this end now." Meta Knight said coldly.

"You must be destroyed."

"Poyo!" Kirby said angrily. "Evil as Nightmare."

Orlaith's eyes flashed. "You dare compare me to that monster? I thought you at least could understand!" Orlaith stalked forward her rapier out, its tip pointed at Kirby. "How dare you think to oppose me in such a manner?"

Meta Knight stepped in front of Kirby and there was a loud ringing sound as his and Orlaith's blades met once more.

"No, please don't do this!" Cait yelled fruitlessly, as the pair began their deadly dance again.

"Help!" Kirby said and launched himself into the fray.

Orlaith let loose a growl and abruptly spread her arms. A flash sent both Kirby and Meta Knight flying back, though they both landed unharmed.

A shiver ran through Meta Knight as he regained his balance. He was tiring and faster than he was accustomed to. He gripped Galaxia and prepared himself for another attack. He had to end this soon before he weakened too much.

"It hurts you," Orlaith stated as she looked down at Meta Knight. "The light always destroys darkness." She stepped forward and an inner glow seemed to form within her before expanding. "It is time to destroy you."

Meta Knight tried to back away and stumbled. He heard Kirby give a cry of alarm but his stare remained fixed on Orlaith. He attempted to raise Galaxia, but his hand shook and he nearly lost his grip. The glow around Orlaith coalesced into a single glowing orb.

"No!" The orb shot toward Meta Knight and before he could move Cait flew across his field of vision. There was a brilliant flash and Meta Knight was launched off his feet. He slammed into a tree and slumped as pain and exhaustion overwhelmed him. There was squeal as darkness claimed him.

"K-kirby…" Meta Knight murmured before passing out.

"Meta Knight!" He floated in warm darkness. "Meta Knight! Please!" The darkness faded and the world came blearily back to view. Meta Knight leaned against a tree. Cait stood in front of him tapping him with her tiny hand. "Ah, damn your mask!" She exclaimed and raised her hand again. "Ah!" She gasped as Meta Knight caught a hold of her hand and stopped her.

"You're awake! I'm so sorry!" Cait said hurriedly. Meta Knight released her hand and pushed himself to his feet quickly taking in his surroundings. They were still in the courtyard, but…

"Where is she?" Meta Knight demanded. "Where is Kirby?"

Cait trembled. "S-she's gone. She took Kirby. I'm so sorry! I couldn't stop her."

"Taken…How? Where?" Meta Knight asked quickly.

"Most likely to our vessel. It's in orbit around Pop Star. She stunned Kirby and took him."

"Why? She could have killed me."

"She wanted to…" Cait shivered. "I managed to protect you…briefly. I think she decided that she would rather take Kirby th-than fight me."

"You can defend against her?"

Cait shook her head. "Only briefly and it's very tiring. She's far more powerful than I am."

Meta Knight studied the fairy. Her face was wan and her eyes dull. "Thank you," he said quietly. "I am in your debt."

"I couldn't let her kill you," Cait murmured staring at the ground.

"I must go. I cannot allow Kirby to remain captured by her."

"L-let me help you!"

"You will be opposing your lady, your friend."

"I know. But…as her friend I must do what I can to undo the wrongs she did! And, and just maybe I can still get through to her. I've stood by too long. Please."

Meta Knight met her eyes steadily. "Very well. You may come." He let his hand drift to the hilt of his sword. "But if you betray us, I will show no mercy."

Cait nodded, her own gaze meeting Meta Knight's. "I understand." She frowned. "But, how do you intend to reach her? I can only transport myself. I can't take you, and even if I could, she would know when we arrived. I already fear to go by myself now after what I did."

"Follow me," Meta Knight said and started to lead her through the courtyard and away from the castle towards the hills.

"Meta Knight!" Meta Knight stopped as Fumu's voice rang out. His eyes darkened as he turned in her direction. They didn't have time for delays.

"What's happened? Where's Kirby?" Fumu stopped in front of Meta Knight.

"Orlaith has taken him. Return to Cappy Town. We will bring him back."

"She…No! Why would she…? Let me help you!"

"No. You will only get in the way," Meta Knight said harshly. "If you wish to help then return to Cappy Town and let us continue."

"Kirby is friend. Let me help him!"

"Lady Orlaith is too dangerous," Cait said softly. "Please listen to Meta Knight and return to town."

Fumu stared at Cait with wide eyes. "Who are you?"

"I am Cait, but we don't have time for pleasantries. Kirby is in danger."

"Which is why I want to come!"

"You cannot fight," Meta Knight said. "Go home Fumu. Your family needs you and your help will be welcome there."

For a moment she quailed as she met Meta Knight's eyes now tinged with red from anger, but then she drew herself up. "No," she said flatly. "If nothing else I can call Warp Star. Or I can be some kind of diversion, or or something! If Orlaith is as dangerous as she seems then the more help you have, the better. I'm coming."

Meta Knight turned away from her and started walking again. "Come." They were wasting time arguing. He answered Fumu's cry of thank you with silence. If it were not for the fact that they were in a hurry he would have argued more. He would not forgive himself if something happened to the foolish girl and he would not forgive her if her presence caused them to fail.

A tense silence hung around the trio as Meta Knight led them into the hills and stretched before them until Meta Knight finally stopped in front of a cave entrance.

"What is this?" Fumu asked quietly.

"You will see." Meta Knight said shortly and stepped into the cave.

The cave was a small one, comprising of only one chamber. Meta Knight ignored Fumu and Cait's questioning looks and ran his hand along one wall. There was a click, loud in the silence and then rumbling. Fumu gasped as a hole opened in the floor revealing a staircase.

"Come."

They crept down the narrow dark stairs until they came to a stop in darkness. Meta Knight stepped forward and lights flared up from torches along the walls revealing a long hall. A huge metallic ship stood in the hall gleaming in the torchlight.

"What is it?" Fumu breathed.

"The Halberd," Meta Knight replied softly with a note of pride. "I've kept it hidden from those who may wish to take advantage of it and only use it when my need is great."

Author's Note: I apologise for the delay on this one and hope this chapter isn't disappointing for the wait. I've had a lot of stuff occupying my time but finally managed to find some of the elusive stuff to sit down and write this. I may be playing things a little loose with the introduction of the Halberd, but they need a ship and I really wanted to use it. Hopefully if something is wrong, it's at least not jarringly so.