Yet another chapter of Mirrored Eyes! For some reason I got poetic when I wrote this chapter... You have been warned.

Disclaimer: I have never owned the Kirby franchise and I don't really plan to. All I do is write a story using the characters for fun, is that too much harm?

Now with that said... I present to you Chapter 10!
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Caldwell gazed at the book in his hands and then carefully slid it higher on the shelf. She could not see it. No one would ever see it again. That book belonged to several comrades and held many secrets.

He looked back at Fumu, her eyes boring into his. Stranger's moans of pain were dying down and his reckless slumber was growing more peaceful. Meta Knight was pressing a cool rag to Stranger's forehead, who was murmuring quietly to himself in what sounded like gibberish to Fumu. She glanced up at Caldwell and it was obvious that he could understand every word of the unknown language that was passing from Stranger's lips. It was beautiful, almost silky to hear, somehow flowing like a river of rapid waters.

Caldwell began to walk toward the common room then he hastily placed his hand against the wall. Caldwell winced and felt the cool of the wall once more against his hand. His leg was almost unbearable at times but it was an old wound and it was something he'd have to live with.

Sighing he fingered the wall until he came across a small scratch, and then he pulled on it until it swung open. Dust filled his eyes and nose and he mentally cursed his allergies. Holding back a pressing sneeze, he pulled out a long sapphire topped staff. The polished oak of the wood was just as it had been more than 50,000 years ago. He gripped it, reassured, and walked more steadily back to the main room.

"Shadow...I thought you got rid of that?" Meta Knight asked.

"I did and I didn't. I got rid of it when you were 30,000 years of age, that doesn't mean I have to forget about it," Caldwell easily replied. The aged and ancient oak still stood sturdy and strong even after the long years it had endured, guiding him with ease over the hard floor. The sapphire tip was comforting in his gloved hands as he looked about the small base. Stranger gasped for breath behind him, a sharp sound that broke the silence.

"Meta, the poison is almost out of his system, you know what to do," Caldwell murmured softly to his masked friend.

Meta Knight nodded in response and looked back at his comrade. Caldwell hadn't had that staff out for a long time and even now Meta Knight could see the brief flashes of agony before it would quickly be righted. Even after all these years, Caldwell hated to show any sign of weakness. Meta watched as Stranger inhaled sharply, his hand automatically going to his dagger.

Abruptly, Stranger leapt up, placing the dagger against Meta Knight's chest in a series of blinding and fluid motions. The Wanderer's muscles were taut yet loose, ready to fight or flight by whatever means called upon him.

"And you are?" he asked, jutting the dagger closer to Meta's armored chest.

"It is Meta Knight, Stranger. Now remove the knife, you know it's against code," Caldwell's deep, slightly accented voice rang out. It was a strange mixture of British and Irish, but it still sounded mystical nonetheless. He approached Stranger, stepping out of the shadows as he did so.

"Remember me?" Caldwell asked. He kept out of the direct range of the dagger, but he also didn't turn to the offensive. He was mildly defensive and his grip on his staff was a little tighter than usual, but other than that, he looked moderately casual about his approach. He kept his back facing away from Stranger and he kept his hood down. Stranger's eyes flashed green, before sinking back into the yawning shadow from the hood he always wore.

Stranger reluctantly slid the dagger back into its pouch, seeming glare at both Meta Knight and Caldwell. He brushed off his gloved hands, turned his head, and looked unswervingly at Caldwell. Stranger's unseen gaze lingered on the staff before he turned and stepped back from Meta Knight.

"Stranger, you're back!" Fumu shouted, happily going over and hugging him. Stranger stood rigid, before he placed his hand awkwardly onto her back. He then took a step back, his hood once more over his face, the blindfold tied to its rightful place on his belt. The corner of his mouth twitched into a ghost of a smile before it resumed the usual emotionless line that he wore day by day. His head again inclined towards the staff, but this time he held Caldwell's gaze as well. Caldwell didn't back down and he held the gaze, almost trance-like.

Fumu watched as both of them moved in a slightly defensive stance, each holding the other's unwavering gaze. They both moved simultaneously, like lions stalking their prey, as they grabbed their weapons, still circling each other.

In monotone they started saying the same lines at each other, still circling, and still holding their weapons ready.

"When darkness falls over the shattered soul, one shall live the other shall not. A third being will be used as a living sacrifice, imprisoned since birth. When time's lengthy flow comes to a halt, only one can use it to an advantage. A lock will realize its worth, and a light over all. A constant struggle before all is resolved," their voices blended till it sounded like a haunted melody. They stopped circling, but remained in defensive positions, still holding the others gaze.

Caldwell shook his head and blinked, slipping his curved sword back into its sheathe as he did so, after a moment Stranger followed his lead.

The entire time Fumu had watched them in awe. They had been poised to attack or defend and yet they had circled in an almost dance-like form. Their movements had been so graceful but filled with such malevolence that she could feel it radiating off them. She watched as they slowly rearranged themselves into more informal stances. She felt rather composed then saw Caldwell's shoulders sag, and he began to pitch forwards. A rush of ominous wind from an unknown origin blew her hair forwards as Stranger quickly caught his master.

"Shadow!" Meta Knight took a step forwards, his voice escalating with worry.

Fumu saw Caldwell's body wilt more and heard his gasp of pain. His eyes snapped open, but they were not the usual royal purple. His eyes had turned glassy and cat-like, they were glazed over and he seemed to be staring at a place just above her shoulder.

'Crack!'

Meta Knight rushed forward and was stopped by Stranger who looked just as alarmed as his masked friend.

"Relax, I didn't do it. He's having a vision again. We almost certainly won't get him out of it for an hour or so," Stranger reassured. He looked back over his shoulder, where Caldwell lay unmoving on the cool floor. The frown Stranger now wore only seemed to deepen as he looked away from his master.

Fumu looked at the scene unfolding in front of her, sure she didn't trust Caldwell the Shadow, but that was no excuse for her not to be worried about him. Something had cracked and it clearly had upset Meta Knight, and though he tried not to show it, Stranger as well.

Caldwell was shaking uncontrollably, and he was a great deal paler than usual.

"What was that cracking sound?" She asked, looking back at Caldwell as she did so.

Stranger and Meta Knight exchanged glances and Fumu came upon a sense of déjà vu. It was almost a mirror image to when Caldwell had explained why there was a base in the cliff side.

Stranger awkwardly cleared his throat after another span of uncomfortable silence.

"Fumu...that crack was his rib. Whenever he has visions they usually bring harm to his body by the stress it causes or because he is injured within the vision. We're lucky that it's only a rib right now...usually the injuries he sustains are far worse than that."
Fumu looked at Shadow again, then to the staff, before resting on Shadow once more. He limped so heavily and now she knew that he had painful visions that usually ended up bringing harm to his own self. She knew now that he knew both Meta Knight and Stranger, he even seemed to be on friendly terms to them, but was he to be trusted? Could she possibly rely on him as she did Stranger and Meta Knight?

Fumu watched as aqua sparks danced around his bracelet before they were absorbed by his skin. It was a complex pattern of mixing colors and where the sparks would land, they went into a complete frenzy.
From where she could see through the open door of the base, the pulsing cloud overhead gave way, letting loose a downpour of rain over Dreamland. Fumu watched as the sparks lessened in number until she could only see a dim spark every now and then.

"Hmm...must be an important vision, I haven't seen his aura react so violently in so long a time...have you, Meta Knight?" Stranger asked, while he carefully rolled Caldwell onto his left side.

"Not in a long while. Fumu, what is troubling you?" Meta responded. His gaze locked onto the girl's.

"It just seems that even after only meeting him... he gets the worst end of the stick..." She trailed off and looked at Meta Knight, the light seeming to get brighter as she did so.

"Yes. You are right. Caldwell the Shadow has been through a lot over the years," She watched as his eyes turned a glowing green, "He...has almost died purposefully on a number of occasions...that is, until he met Drifter."

"He met... Drifter?"

"Drifter is the chief of the Wanderers' Order. The chief showed him compassion and kindness, probably the first he'd seen in a long time. Caldwell began to learn the way of the Wanderer and even though he wasn't a true member of the Wanderers' Order, he was accepted like a brother. He soon was apprenticed by Stranger and together, they accomplished many perilous missions."

"But...?"

"His father caught up to him again. I am not at the liberty to say anything more on this subject, Fumu. If you seek answers, you'll just have to wait until your answers are given." With that said he walked back over to Stranger and began speaking in hushed tones with the Wanderer.

Fumu sighed and looked back at the bookshelf before shaking her head and walking over to the Knight and the Wanderer. She watched as Stranger made sure that Caldwell wouldn't move much from his position, and calmly begin prodding other areas of his comrade.

"Stranger, what is the damage?"

"Two broken ribs and his wrist was also damaged. His aura also has reached critical levels and I can't get a reading on his emotional state," the Wanderer answered. Then he glanced at his comrade and he felt a rush of air escape his lungs and leave his mouth.

Stranger looked at Caldwell again, before he busied himself sharpening his daggers, honing their already razor edges.

Caldwell jerked and his eyes flew open, exposing the sharp purple beneath. He gripped his shoulder blade before looking Stranger in the eye. He struggled to stand, one hand pressed against his side, but Stranger gently pushed him back down. Caldwell continued to struggle, glaring at Stranger the whole time. He vigorously stood up against Stranger and grabbed his staff from its position on the floor.

"Cal-er...Shadow, your wrist is broken and so are your ribs! With all due respect, sir, I don't think you should be moving so soon..."Fumu trailed off. She watched as his broken hand gripped his staff and his glare pierced through her soul.

"And you speak so rudely to your elders! I've been through worse; a couple of broken bones are not going to stop me from ripping Nightmare's heart and soul utterly. What makes you so special that you think you can tell me what I can and cannot do? Surely, you should apprehend that I can certainly care for myself and that I don't need a kid to do it for me. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to figure out a way to avenge my friend. Thank you so very much for your concerning thoughts about my welfare," he growled, before he stood up to his full height. He turned around and strode out of the room. Fumu stared at the place where he'd been just moments before. She looked at the masked knight and the hooded Wanderer behind her, and noted how Meta Knight's eyes had turned a darker shade of gold and how Stranger gripped his double bow harder. She watched as they sighed at the same time before grumbling about temperaments.

They looked at each other, their gazes fierce and fixed.

"Well, Meta Knight, do you want to check on him or should we let him cool off for a minute?" Stranger asked; his gaze moved to the door that Shadow had used when he'd exited.

"We should let him cool down. It would be best."

"Agreed."

Fumu looked back at the door and then at the cloak that still lay on the hard, wooden, table. He'd said something about avenging a friend, but he also seemed troubled about something that she couldn't see. He also seemed to be aggravated by her trying to help him, which only made her even more curious. She watched the two behind her before she slipped away on light feet. She went to where she thought Caldwell the Shadow had gone. His staff was propped up against the door to the outside and dirt freshly marked the entryway. Fumu looked around until she saw a small button halfway hidden beneath a photographed document. Her hand wavering slightly, she pressed the button and watched as the stone once more moved away to show the glistening ocean that the cliff overlooked. The azure water sparkled in the light, Caldwell easily skipping stones across its surface. Beside him looked to be a small game board with several pieces scattered over its top. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail by a tight, black cord.

Fumu silently approached him, being as quiet as possible. His head didn't even turn as she sat down next to him and he continued skipping the flat stones.

The game board had several figures over it, many she recognized as having the Star Warrior's symbol placed on them. The others had a symbol she couldn't recognize, but most of them were dark colored and seemed to emit a different sensation than that of the Star Warrior's.
His dark colored tunic rustled in the wind, and for the first time since she'd been out here, he looked down at her.

"I'm... fine, Fumu, you needn't to worry about Me."

"Quit lying to your self, Shadow. What did you mean that you had to 'avenge a friend?' You made it sound like someone died!"

"They might as well have. Listen...about what I said earlier...I wasn't myself so will you forgive me?"

"Only if you tell me what it is that's going on."

"As you wish. That vision I had...I think it was trying to tell me something about a friend of mine and his apprentice..."

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is...that I think Sir Thorn, Emit, and Edge were captured and are being led to Nightmare for a sickening event he prefers to call 'The Games'. I don't think that he will let them survive without tortuous results... especially Thorn…"She felt her eyes widen as he trailed off, looking her in the eye the whole time he'd talked.

"D-did you say Edge? T-that can't be! I-if h-he's tortured I-I don't k-know what I'd d-d-do!" Fumu cried out, hot tears spilling out of her eyes and landing on the sand below her. She wouldn't be able to bear if he was killed or tortured into insanity. They had just been exchanging letters! It had happened so suddenly and she felt a fresh wave of tears flow from her eyes. She crumpled to her knees and sobs wracked her body. She heard the sound of the ocean die out as she felt herself succumb to the despairing darkness of hopelessness. Then she felt something rest on her shoulder, opening her eyes she saw Caldwell standing over her, his eyes no longer cold and hard, but now they were warm and understanding, trusting almost, though not quite.

"Hey... he can still be saved...don't get so depressed when visions are not that reliable three quarters of the time, 'kay? He has Sir Thorn and Emit with him, and then he has us, when we depart. Just...please don't get disheartened because of what I have told you, I already have met a woman who does that. If anything... Edge will survive too see your smiling face one last time." He gave her a warm smile, and gently squeezed her shoulder before he let go.
"If they ask, you didn't receive this from me." The next thing he did made her eyes widen drastically as he handed her a carved, wooden, wolf that was howling at the moon.

"It's beautiful...where did you get it?"

"Sorry miss, but I keep my secrets. Now stop crying and be strong. I hate it when people cry; it's the ultimate sign of weakness." Just like that, his eyes turned harsh and cold again, but now they held a confident spark that so far hadn't been there before. He straightened his back and briskly limped back to the cliff's face, briefly placing his palm on the stone before he sighed and began tapping it like that first time.

"For all the stars in the Universe, this thing needs to have its code re-entered. Would it kill this stupid piece of junk to work properly once in a while?" He seethed at the cliff face. Fumu noticed in slight shock as she realized he wasn't holding the side of his chest or avoiding using his wrist like he had been a short while ago.

"Your wrist...and your ribs, don't they hurt?"

"My-? Oh that, I am a naturally fast healer and I trained slightly in the Amasi Warrior's branch of medical related spells, "Caldwell looked behind him after he said this and Fumu felt her blood run cold when she saw his narrowed eyes, far harsher than she'd ever seen them.

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Galacta Knight swiftly avoided the Wanderer's gaze as he entered the base, feeling set of eyes from another present being. The other set of eyes were darker and filled with a far more vile meaning than that of his own, but he couldn't pinpoint its exact location.

He wielded his lance and headed towards the ancient tree of the forest, Acore. Something wasn't right, and he knew that he would have to act soon, or else the seal would snap and everything would go straight into chaos.

The knight walked away from the base, forever Caldwell's scathing gaze imprinted into his mind.

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Today was the day that their armor would be removed, today was the day that that they would hear screams of agony from other prisoners as they were sent to be slaughtered in front of a roaring Demon Beast-filled crowd.

Blade and Sword looked at each other, both thinking the same thing. The armor was what defined them, made them more than just the common foot soldiers or rogues, and they were about to lose it all. Every hard-earned status they'd established with that armor was about to be ripped away from them, taken without warning, and this whole time Kirby and Bun would be forced to watch and endure the games.

They tried not to struggle as the guard forcefully removed their sense of accomplishment, bit by excruciating bit.

Blade's mouth guard was the first to go, soon followed by the rest of the light green armor. Sword's slid off next, his glowing yellow eyes shut against the guards' leers and taunting jeers.

"Worthless! Just another pair of slightly skilled Ivoians! Now what will you do? You don't even have anything to differentiate yourselves from others around you! Scum, I don't even know why my lord even bothered." He snarled, leaving with the armor afterwards.

Blade and Sword were soon thrown into the same room as many others who would face their death the next day. All of them were caged, chained to a wall, and had also been stripped of their dignity. Soon they too were forced into the shackles and locked into cages. Throughout the night, they heard Nightmare's insane cackles, never stopping and filling them with a sense of ultimate dread.

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So, what do you think? No references this time...although I did stop myself from putting 'I pity the fool' in there somewhere.

Enjoy the site; you know why it's out there, so use it for that purpose! Thank Sweey, and Metaknight4ever, this chapter wouldn't have been so accurate without it!