The sun shone brightly the next day. Just as Blizzard had requested, Meta Knight and Galacta Knight had gone to the palace garden after lunch. The one who didn't show up was Blizzard. They had been waiting for almost an hour now, but neither of them dared to leave and search for the white prince.
"I'm so bored," Galacta Knight groaned. He sat in front of a tree, leaning his back against the trunk. He was polishing his lance with a piece of cloth and was indeed really bored. He tipped his head back and looked up. Above his head, on the lowest branch of the tree, stood Meta Knight and stared into the distance.
"I'm bored," Galacta repeated when Meta didn't even move a muscle.
"I know."
"Then do something!," Galacta demanded, standing up.
Meta Knight's eyes flashed purple in amusement and he replied: "Why should I?" Galacta Knight huffed angrily and spread his wings; a few wing beats were enough to bring him at eye level with the blue Star Warrior.
"How can you be not bored?," he asked.
Meta chuckled: "When did I say I wasn't bored?"
"So you're bored as well, lets do someth-"
"I never said I was bored," Meta Knight cut him off. That was too much for Galacta Knight. Growling, he dove forward and pushed Meta Knight off his branch. The blue puffball easily twisted in the air and landed safely on his feet. Without any signs of aggression, Meta sat down, leaned against the trunk and continued to stare into the distance.
Galacta Knight landed beside him and folded his wings: "That was no fun..." Meta shrugged, but didn't answer. A rustle in the bushes behind them made the pink warrior jump.
With his lance pointed at the shaking leaves, the hot pink warrior demanded: "Who's there? Show yourself!"
'Too bad you don't know Blizzard yet...,' Meta Knight thought and slowly got up. The leaves shook harder and the High Prince of Galora emerged from the branches. Galacta Knight, who didn't realize who it was, dove forward with a battle cry. But Blizzard had good instincts and swiftly blocked the lance with his sword. This took the pink Star Warrior by surprise and he staggered backwards.
Sir Blizzard Knight chuckled and sheathed his gem encrusted sword: "A bit hot-headed, aren't you?" Galacta Knight growled something, but he kept his voice low; he respected the High Prince after all.
Blizzard stepped closer and said in a cheerful voice: "I didn't startle you, did I?" He didn't even wait for anyone to answer and went on: "Lets get started, shall we?" Both Meta and Galacta nodded and the white puffball unsheathed his sword again. The gems glittered in the sun as the flawless steel was hit by the bright light. Blizzard explained: "You two will work together and try to get me unarmed. I will try to block your attacks and get your weapons."
Meta Knight looked toward Galacta. The pink warrior's eyes were fixed on the white one's; Meta could see how his hand was clamped around the hilt of his lance. For a split second Galacta Knight turned and locked eyes with Meta Knight. Both nodded, a silent agreement passing between them and they dove forward.
Blizzard stepped aside, but Galacta spun around and struck. Blizzard quickly shifted position and the lance hit the metal of his armor. Seeing the white puffball distracted, Meta Knight took the opportunity and jumped at Blizzard, sword risen. But he had underestimated the High Prince again. Blizzard Knight brought up his own blade and the weapons clashed. The High Prince of Galora made a fast move and Meta's sword was hurtled away.
The metallic blade hit a near tree and was stuck in the bark. Now unarmed, Meta Knight stumbled backwards and when Blizzard kicked him, he couldn't defend himself. The white Star Warrior aimed for the point just below the protection of Meta Knight's mask. The blue warrior suppressed a gasp of pain and was thrown backwards. He hit a tree trunk painfully, his head growing dizzy from the impact.
After a few seconds, he managed to straighten himself and watched how Galacta Knight fought Blizzard with the skill of long experience in battle. Lance and sword seemed to dance together, hardly more than blurs of pink and silver. Finally Galacta Knight jerked up his lance, hitting Blizzard's sword from below and forcing the white warrior to let go of the hilt. The gem encrusted weapon flew through the air and hit the same tree as Meta Knight's. It dug itself into the rough bark a few inches above the blue warrior's sword, quivering slightly.
Galacta Knight held his lance aimed between Blizzard's eyes, not dropping his guard yet. Blizzard nodded approvingly: "That was good. I wonder why Arthur didn't give you your 'Sir' yet..." His voice trailed off and he looked at the pink warrior expectantly, but Galacta Knight shrugged.
"He has his reasons," he said. Meta Knight noticed how the winged warrior had tensed up.
'So Sir Arthur doesn't trust that half-demon after all,' he thought and reached for the hilt of his sword... Only to be remembered that it was stuck in the wood of a tree. He went across the lawn, grabbed the sword's hilt and pulled it out. It left a deep cut in the bark. 'It looks a bit like Urille...,' he thought, remembering the old demon beast that had died in battle a long time; they hadn't been close or anything, but somehow he remembered him now.
"Daydreaming?," asked a voice from behind him and he spun around. Blizzard had come for his sword as well and now eyed the blue puffball with a risen eyebrow. Meta Knight shrugged.
Blizzard looked at him suspiciously for a few more seconds, then turned away: "As long as you are ready for the next lesson." Meta followed the white puffball back to the spot where Galacta Knight stood. The hot pink warrior leaned on his lance and played with a feather from his wings, clearly enjoying his success.
"For the next lesson," Blizzard instructed, "I want you to fight each other. No serious injuries, but with the intention to get the other's weapon. Any questions?" Both Star Warriors shook their heads and went into position. Meta Knight clamped his hand around the hilt of his weapon and waited for Galacta Knight to make the first move.
He knew the pink warrior would attack him from behind if he, Meta, attacked first. Galacta seemed to be oblivious to the blue warrior's thoughts and ran forward; his lance aimed at the spot Blizzard had hit earlier. Meta jumped into the air and felt the drift the white winged warrior caused when he raced by beneath Meta.
'Now,' he thought and let himself drop. He landed on top of Galacta Knight, making the pink warrior stumble. Just in time, Galacta rose his shield and blocked a blow from Meta Knight's sword. His wings flapped wildly and he managed to throw the blue warrior off him. Meta lied in the grass for a split second and expected Galacta to attack, but for some reason, he didn't.
The blue puffball came to his feet and lance and sword clashed with sparks flying from the metal. 'He's holding back,' Meta Knight realized when Galacta merely blocked his blows, 'But why? He doesn't seem to-'
His thoughts were cut off when the magenta colored lance missed him about an inch. It would have been a dangerous move for Meta, but it wasn't aimed properly. He looked up and searched Galacta's eyes. They had turned into deep crimson color like there was a plan Meta didn't know of.
Their weapons clashed again and again, but then, Meta spotted a weak point in Galacta's defense; and struck. His blade avoided the shield and hit the mask. A small yelp came from Galacta Knight when he was hit.
With his "opponent" distracted, Meta Knight easily unarmed the pink warrior. Galacta Knight rose his hands to show he was beaten: "You win."
Blizzard walked towards them: "That was really good," he gave Meta a warm smile, "It seems like talent can beat experience after all." Galacta Knight gave a slight nod, but Meta was aware of the deep red tone his eyes had. That half-demon was up to something and if the pink warrior's plan – whatever it was – succeeded, Meta Knight would be in trouble.
When they shook hands and prepared for the next battle, Meta Knight knew: There was no way he could beat Galacta if the pink warrior didn't hold back.
The next morning felt like torture to Meta Knight. His body was stiff and his muscles hurt from yesterday's training. All in all he wasn't very happy about the fact that Blizzard would train them again after lunch.
He sighed quietly and got out of his bed. He flexed his shoulders, frowned at the pain it caused and looked around the room. He had slept in one of the guest rooms in the castle – he silently wondered why the upper floors seemed to consist of nothing but guest rooms – and there were no windows hated when he couldn't see the sky.
He wrapped his cape tightly around his body, carefully put his sword in its scabbard and left the room. The hall's high ceiling made his steps echo and the cool breeze coming from a open door leading to a balcony ruffled his navy-blue cloak. He headed toward said door and walked outside. Dawn was almost there, a pale line on the horizon showing Meta Knight that.
Stars shimmered on the indigo sky above as Meta Knight climbed on the battlement and gazed over the landscape. Most people seemed to be still asleep, the windows dark and silent. A sudden flash of white in the palace garden caught his attention.
'Is that...?,' he thought and narrowed his eyes that flashed green. There it was again! He glanced to the right and the left – nobody there. He shouldn't take that risk, but his curiosity won.
He carefully unfolded his wings from his cape; a pair of dark blue, bat-like airfoils. He threw a last glance behind him to make sure nobody saw him, then let himself fall from the balcony. Air stroked his wings gently as he fell toward the ground. Smiling slightly, he made one powerful wing beat to stop his fall and glided gently between the bushes and tree trunks of the garden.
He remained close to the ground, dodging the occasional plant in his way, so he would remain unseen. Finally, he landed gently on the ground a few meters away from the spot where he had seen the white flash. After transforming the wings back into a cape, Meta Knight looked around. The pale line on the horizon had grown larger, but here under the trees, darkness still remained between the trunks.
He could hear voices further ahead slowly went into the direction they came from. One voice was definitely Galacta Knight's, but he didn't recognize the second one. He could see white feathers gleaming between the bushes ahead.
'Who is talking to him?,' Meta Knight asked himself and sneaked closer so he could peer through the leaves. It was Galacta Knight and the second person...
'Sir Arthur?' The GSA-leader was the last person Meta Knight had expected to see. But there he was, golden armor shimmering in the dawn-light and lavender eyes fixed on Galacta who stood with his back to Meta.
The blue warrior didn't dare to move a single muscle. If he was caught, they would ask... questions. Questions that he would have to answer with lies. Not that he wasn't a good liar, but lies tended to complicate things. He mentally yanked himself out of his thoughts and concentrated on the conversation in front of him.
"...don't doubt your intentions, nor your skill," Sir Arthur said calmly.
Galacta Knight seemed to be really angry and he replied sharply: "Then why don't you give me my title? Is it because of what I am?" Sir Arthur was silent, but Meta Knight was sure that he saw a flicker of sadness pass Arthur's eyes.
Galacta Knight's voice went cold: "So it is? Because of something I had no influence on? I never gave you any reason not to trust me."
"Galacta Knight-," Sir Arthur started, but the pink warrior cut him off with a hiss.
"No! If you don't want to acknowledge me, I won't be part of your army anymore!," he said sharply, "I'll quit!" He unfolded his wings and pushed himself off the ground. With strong wing beats, he disappeared from sight. Sir Arthur looked after him, but didn't call to hold him back. With a heavy sigh, the leader turned around sharply and walked away.
Meta Knight blinked and emerged from the bushes once the golden armored puffball's steps had faded. Had Galacta Knight really just left the army for good?
'It seems so,' Meta thought, 'One less thing to worry about.' A white feather slowly came down in front of him. He stretched out his hand and the soft plume landed on his gloved palm. Meta Knight watched it for several minutes, eyes green with thought.
Suddenly, a strange feeling struck him, a bit like a mental shock wave. The forest around him blurred and was replaced by the view of Galora's surface. The planet was constantly growing smaller as he flew away from it. Anger and disappointment rushed through his body like acid, burning his stomach with those hateful emotion.
As soon as it had come, the vision was gone again. Meta Knight was left in the slowly brightening palace garden, the only sound being the chirping of awakening birds. He panted and noticed how his hand had cramped around the feather in his palm and quickly let go. It spiraled down to the leaf covered earth and lied there a few heartbeats before the wind carried it away.
He wished the wind could carry away the uneasy feeling the feather had left as well. The feeling that he had just seen something he shouldn't have. Had he really just seen through Galacta's eyes? And if he had, what was the reason for this?
'Maybe it's because he's a half-demon..,' he thought, but pushed that thought aside. Why would a demon beast suddenly see what a half-demon saw? Except... He shook his head. This last thought was impossible and wondering further would only give him a headache, but no answers.
And now that the feather and the vision were gone, he didn't have to worry about it.
'Like I could stop wondering so easily,' he thought bitterly and finally turned around to walk back to the palace. Behind him, the feather was carried back to the spot he stood on only seconds ago and landed on the leaves once more.
Oh boy... That chapter is LATE D: And I'm not satisfied with it. Not at all -.-"
But well, I was hardly at home. My birthday is coming up, a cat I really liked died and I'm helping my grandmother to repaper her bathroom, so I'm quite stressed :(
Thanks to Flamefox2 and CyanideSpirit for reviewing.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. MK, GK and Sir Arthur belong to their respective owners. Blizzard and planet Galora belong to Flamefox2.
R&R plz!