A/N: Hey guys, look who's back from the dead! XD Yes, I've finally come back after a two year hiatus with big news (hopefully): I want to get back into writing about Meta Knight and his loyal sidekicks. A lot has happened since then, including my computer packing up and ergo losing all back-ups of the stories and drafts. But who cares about that.

Oh, and did you know that the subs are back in town? Yeah, major shock for me.

All that aside, I finally present this chapter upon request of Medalis and IEatFood. Apologies for the very late update, and hope that it's worth your time :D This takes place between the ring being with the burglar and it being on the sheep. Sorry it's a bad update - I'm still getting the hang of things.

/\/\/\/\ Episode 17 – The Ring Story of Parm and Memu /\/\/\/\

The days were few when Meta Knight went into town purely because he wanted to. He rarely went out of the castle unless he felt Kirby would benefit from what he had to say. That was just the way he was – there was no room for aimless wandering whilst knowing that trouble could strike at any time, and keeping an ear out for the delivery system was the best way to be prepared.

Today was different. And it was beyond anything that Blade was used to.

"Remind me again why we're in town?"

Meta Knight didn't need to hear him to know that Blade was getting impatient. After all, he hadn't given any sort of explanation for the sudden excursion. All he said was "Let's take a walk" and that was exactly what they did, no questions asked.

In actuality, he had overheard (by accident, of course) Dedede giving orders to Escargon and was slightly concerned about how events would unfold. After all, it had involved the village itself rather than the usual mission of 'Eliminate Kirby'. He personally didn't like doing investigations and getting his hands dirty, but it was beneficial in this instance to be ahead.

Meta Knight lowered his head somewhat. "It didn't feel right in the castle."

Blade and Sword both exchanged looks at that point. Their superior did occasionally have hunches, and questioning about it more wasn't always the best thing to do. Not only because it was very difficult to predict his mood, but also as he had a habit of testing them. Anything they said could set off a lecture.

"Seeing things from down here may be better," he elaborated after the short silence. "Approaching things exactly how the townsfolk would. Perhaps in this way, we can anticipate his Majesty's motives better."

"From Kirby's perspective, you mean?" Sword replied thoughtfully. After a while, it was very easy to know exactly what was on Meta Knight's mind. As an ex-soldier, he had undergone all sorts of training Sword and his colleague couldn't possibly imagine. With an analytical approach to both friends and foes, it was necessary for him to gauge everything that went on in Pupupuland simply for peace of mind. From Dedede's habits to what Kirby was able to do, he had it all mentally mapped out and extrapolated.

To understand his leader more, Sword had to pretend he had undergone training in the Army as well.

The three continued down the back alley. There was a ruckus of sorts on the other side of the houses, which continued to elevate as they went on. It sounded like an eventful day in the town square, albeit there being no festivals or any real reason for the commotion.

Meta Knight looked up slightly. "Did either of you see that?"

Blade instinctively shook his head, but the taller knight knew better. "We'll investigate immediately." He had to give Blade a small nudge before the latter realised what was going on.

"So, did you see it?" Blade asked once they were out of earshot.

Sword made a small sound in his throat. "I'm not sure if it's the same thing Sir Meta Knight saw, but there was a small clink somewhere around here."

With that as the only real clue to finding the source, the two looked around the pavement and on the window sills. Mercifully, there wasn't too much in this part of the village, so it didn't take long for Blade to find a small object.

He was still turning it in his hands by the time he approached his leader, who hadn't moved an inch. "The gem on this thing's massive."

It was Sword who put his face closer to the ring. "You're right. It's so big it looks fake." He furrowed his eyebrows a little, although no one could actually see the action. "Can anyone around here make fake jewellery?"

Meta Knight let the question slip. "Let's all assume that it's real. What do you make of it?"

"It's worth a lot of money?" Sword contributed. "Therefore his Majesty might be after it."

At the suggestion, Blade rolled his eyes. "In any case, it's valuable. It has to belong to someone around here. Mabel, for example; we all know that she likes this sort of stuff." To emphasise his point, he waved the ring.

"Correct. And, considering the situation at hand, what would you both do with said property?" the puffball asked next. Although his mind went at considerable speed, he often tried to get his subordinates thinking with him.

Blade clung onto the ring tighter. "Finders, keepers."

"Find the person who owns the item and return it?" Sword suggested as Meta Knight continued to stare at them. At the pointed silence, he decided to elaborate. "Ask around."

"Really." Meta Knight lowered his head as continued to walk. Momentarily stumped, the other two knights followed in his wake. "In this case, I side with Blade."

The shorter knave nodded modestly whilst Sword didn't take the statement so graciously. "Isn't it cruel?"

The puffball laughed softly. "Yes it is. It's also the way the world works. People are selfish, and if you ask around to find out if someone's lost a ring, chances are it will get claimed. Whether it's by the right person is a completely different story."

Blade's grin grew wider. "Does that mean I get to keep this?"

The answer was swift. "No."

"No?" he repeated incredulously.

"You are to place it somewhere it can be found by someone else. I would appreciate it if you don't hide it on your person," Meta Knight ordered. "I would like to see first-hand how these Cappies behave when temptation is brought to them."

Blade took one look at the ring before putting his whole hand round it. Knowing that it wasn't his made it unbearable. Even more to know that he was indirectly going to give it to someone else for research reasons.

Sword folded his arms. "You don't trust them."

"Perhaps you're right." The Star Warrior turned his head minutely. "Although, had it occurred to you that perhaps I have faith in them regardless of typical behaviour?"

Even after all this time of them being together, it was still difficult for either Sword or Blade to get things right. It just proved that they still had a lot to learn.

/\/\/\/\ End /\/\/\/\

A/N: And then the ring was put on the sheep and you know the rest. So then, what do you guys think? It's not exactly humour this time round, but I would appreciate your views in what you would prefer.

Next chapter will be Episode 18: Pink Puffball of Sleeping Forest as requested by Mind Seeker. Please stay tuned, loyal readers!