A/N: Originally this was apart of chapter 10 but I decided to split it up into parts. Basically all that I said in the previous chapter is carried over so there will be no end notes in this chapter. XD
I also realized that the prophecy foretold by Kabu is only but a story, something that can be fulfilled by anyone who possess the power to seal Nightmare away. If Kirby really wanted to get rid of Nightmare for good he would have just killed or inhaled him in his dream, seeing as he held more power over his dream than Nightmare and that he could make the impossible possible. Simply put, the prophecy is defunct as there are too many variables for it to be limited to just a fight between Kirby and Nightmare. Plus, as said before, it was a farfetched story that so many people believed would happen that it turned into something they thought was great or their salvation.
Black Knightmare
Dawn of a New Past
Though the sunset was nice and the stroll around the city was amazingly dazzling, it didn't last very long and like the prince said he still had a present waiting for him.
" When we reach my domain I suggest you remain close to me or else you could get lost in it" spoke the prince as Aether couldn't call him by his name considering he was, in a sorts, royalty.
For a moment Aether didn't realize how they were traveling until he remember he planted himself on the top of the prince's head. The reason why the thought came to mind was because he had nearly hit his head on a few low hangings signs from small businesses found in any typical city. The fact that demons could start a business and maintain it like any normal being was surreal as he was told that demon beasts had no sense or mercy or humanity.
" It's mostly like Nightmare's but not as complex and not so dark. I thrive better in light than I ever did in the dark" continued the prince as he didn't seem bothered or paid no mind to the added weight upon his head.
" But you can't be in the light forever because then you will never sleep" Aether said with an unknown look in his eyes, maybe it was a mixture of confusion and reasoning.
" Nightmare said something along those same lines not to long ago" spoke the prince as he made a left turn down a busy street, the buildings around them seemed to make the place look like a plaza or an upgraded bazaar made out of steel.
" I'm nothing like him" replied Aether was he was quite sure of himself.
" But you sound and act like him" said the prince as numerous demons tried to attract his attention, some of them looked like normal beings like they weren't demons to begin with.
" What do you mean?" asked Aether as he knew it wasn't in a literally sense.
" It's your own opinion, you have the right to change your views or remain the same" spoke the prince as he spoke of his leader genuinely.
" Whatever" replied Aether as it was best to leave it for a another, better, time.
" Just know that Nightmare isn't as bad as he seems, there are worse things in this world to bare witness to" said the prince as they located another elevator nestled and tucked away in biggest skyscraper of the city.
Aether- Az, did not say anything after that as the floor of the elevator caught his interest.
He could see himself looking back at him and found the discover a little saddening as he looked more and more unlike his former self, the one he had remembered from his dream.
The prince took the opportunity to shift the topic to something less bothersome.
" I think the looks suits you more, shows how far you have come despite the loses" spoke the prince, reading Aether's reflection more than his mind.
" But I liked my more angelic appearance more, it made me feel special" replied Aether- Az, as he sulked.
" Or maybe it was the only thing you prided yourself in, sure it made you different in looks but that doesn't mean it made you special" said the prince which made Aether, Az- angry.
" Well, I don't care what you think because its my opinion over yours that matters the most" replied Aether- Az, irritatedly.
" And that, my friend, is what makes you special" spoke the prince.
" I didn't think you would consider me a friend so quickly, I don't even know you" said Aether as he did have appoint because there was a such thing as stranger danger.
" Then how are your other friends different than I am? If I'm correct they were within your company for little less than a month. Such a short amount of time is hardly enough to forge a strong friendship" asked the prince as Aether took a moment to reply.
There was a huff.
" I guess you have a point, but don't think I will stay longer than a month" replied Aether-Az, as he his small body climbed down from his perch on top of the other's head.
" I bet differ, but still, we might as well try to get along. If you don't like it you still have the option of leaving" spoke the prince as he constantly reminded Aether- Az, of his freedom beyond the metal fortress and how it would lead to his demise.
" When you put it like that it's like your leaving me with only one choice" said Aether, Az- as he stayed relatively close to the prince as the elevator opened and they stepped out.
Beyond them was a void of eerie darkness that made Aether's- Az, skin want to crawl. He grabbed hold of the prince's cape as the darkness was already making him feel like he was lost and he needed something to keep his mind grounded. The prince, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind anything that Aether did as he took the first few steps into the darkness.
" Stay close" spoke the lavender demon to which he nodded.
" A-Are we there yet?" asked Aether-Az anxiously as the hand that held the prince's cape started to shake. It had gotten rather cold the deeper they went and soon enough there was flakes of breath coming from the winged demon's mouth as he shivered again.
" Not quite" replied the prince as Aether shivered upon response, the cold was really getting to him.
With the click of his tongue the prince unclasped his cape and draped it over Aether's back, the warmth that radiated from it calmed his shivering. The winged demon couldn't help but snuggle the cape and let the trapped body heat warm up his face. Aether couldn't remember that last time he felt so warm and was surprised the prince actually lent him his cape. His silvery-white eyes closed in a short period of sunny-felt bliss before opening again, gazing at the prince's back with much thanks. But the more they walked the more frigid it got. The cape had begun to lose its warmth as Aether's body temperature lowered with his breathing. His feet began to drag as he tried his best to stick close to the prince, unaware of the frost form on his body. He was also very tired and his mind started to fog with the need to sleep. Aether could barely breathe passed the cape before he suddenly pitched forward.
He couldn't go on.
He was just too tired.
He wanted to close his eyes.
He needed to rest.
Thankfully, the prince had caught him before his body met the freezing ground. The child was clearly unprepared for the journey as he already went through enough mentally stress for one day. The prince was actually surprised when the guardian tried to free himself from his grasp. " You don't have to carry me, I'm fine now" said Aether. Though he was pretty sure he lied more to himself than the prince because he felt terrible. He was a walking ice block. " You are a terrible liar but if that is what you wish, I will not stop you" spoke the prince as he started to walk again, thought at a much slower tempo than previously. The winged demon said nothing as he shivered and followed the prince, clinging tightly to the cape he was given.
{..}
After some few hundred or so steps later, Aether stopped again. Even though the landscape had not change the temperature had dropped dangerously low. The black metal collar, that he had neglected to think about since his latest visit to the Harena, was frozen to his skin. He could feel it shift and break apart whatever skin that was attached it with each passing hour. How long has it been? because his stomach told him it was possibly as long as four days since he had last eaten anything.
" Can we rest?", his feet were murderous to his health as he couldn't stand to stand not a moment longer. The prince looked back at him and his face was perfectly unharmed by the cold as he was used to such temperatures." It would be unwise but if you must we can" said the prince Aether sat down with the cape underneath him. The only real problem was staying warm while immobile as one would have to generate heat to keep warm. Plus there was anything besides the capes to keep the winged demon warm and he had long since stopped producing enough body heat to keep the cold away.
" How come it is soo cold? asked Aether as he breath came out in puffs of white frost." This part of the fortress is being rebuilt for me in the same manner as Nightmare's domain. The coldness comes from the pockets and holes in the walls yet to be resealed during construction" answered the prince. Aether would have risen an eyebrow if he had one because he hadn't seen a soul in site. " My dwelling is larger than you think but I'm taking you to my temporary replacement until the work is finished. And if I have not mentioned it before, there is someone waiting for you" spoke the prince. The winged demon wanted to ask who it was but before he could the prince stood again.
" If we stay here too long you never know" said the prince as he read Aether's expression pretty well. The guardian pouted as his feet still hurt and he didn't feel an ounce of energy gained from his rest. Then again, it was rather short and he was eager to see who the prince spoke of that was waiting for him.
When the temperature finally stared to rise again, the prince took back his cape and Aether's paw held on to said cape once again. Though he still felt the fog linger around his mind as the temperature change didn't help in the way he thought it would. In fact, it felt like his mind was became heavier and more disoriented as he vision blurred each ten steps. The only thing that hasn't change in the slightly was the darkness. Aether had begun to see shapes because he stared at it for so long, the only colors against the dark was himself and the prince.
" We are almost there" spoke the prince which broke the silence that settled in between them. It filled Aether with joy as he could finally rest his feet and stay and rest his feet. It didn't take long after that until a bright light came into view. When the dots cleared away he saw that they had arrived at a familiar meadow as there was a lot of flowers, a vast amount of green growing from the ground, and an enormous redwood tree. In the midst of it all there was another presence, possibly the one the prince spoke of back at the Harena, but he couldn't see them.
" I have brought him here just as you requested" spoke the prince, seemingly to the air but he was actually talking to the unseen presence.
There was only the sound of rustling grass as a few petals of flowers drifted in the gentle breeze.
One could almost forget that it was a pocket of sunshine in the void of darkness as there was not a hint of imperfection seen nor was there the foreboding dark color when Aether- Az, looked behind him.
By the time he turned around again, the presence of the mysterious third person was right in front of him.
Their made instant eye contact and Aether immediately recognized the third person as the angelic warrior from his dreams that was dubbed the ' Guardian Demon'.
" I thought you only existed in my mind" said Aether- Az, while his body tilted to the side in confusion.
" The mind is a powerful thing" explained the prince as he moved towards the giant tree that loomed in the distance with graceful strides.
" I'll will explain more in detail once we get to the base of the tree" said the warrior as he followed the prince, beaconing for Aether- Az, to follow as well.
The journey to the base of the giant tree was not as frightening as it was the first time Aether had came and he was relieved.
Though he had developed looking beneath him just to see if there would have been beady black eyes of birds looking back at him.
Personally he didn't fear birds but the concept of the gift of flight being stripped away from him because he wasn't natural to the skies like the birds were.
They also reminded him of what his wings used to look like, the only part of his memory that wasn't entirely washed away.
It was actually a little strange to him how he could remember the encounter of Lady Elisa and what he looked like in the past, but he couldn't remember what his purpose was and why he was a 'mistake' if he wasn't a demon to begin with.
Then again, if Sharbon were to tell him everything the moment they met he probably wouldn't believe him or wouldn't understand anyways as he still couldn't piece together everything he was supposed to do.
Once they reached the base of the giant tree they sat in the same patch of roses.
" What is your first question?" asked the warrior as he seemed completely at ease with the prince nearby.
" How does he know you exist?" questioned Aether- Az, indicating the prince as 'he' with a sideways glance.
" I went to him after I came to you, presenting him with the option of taking you under his wing to protect you" answered the warrior as the prince nodded.
" He said that you would be better left alive than dead, he proved correct" added the prince as he too looked more relaxed than he was a few moments ago.
" What is this place? I know it's like my dream but at the same time it isn't" spoke Aether- Az, as the darkness he experienced before didn't feel like the type of darkness one would see or feel when they didn't dream of anything in particular.
" This is a blank slant in the design of the fortress, they are the parts Nightmare wouldn't use or would use if he had a purpose for them in mind. I just happened to need the space for my own dwelling" said the prince as he knew more of the fortress than the warrior.
" So this place is your room?" questioned Aether- Az, looking about himself.
" In a sense, yes" answered the prince as he shrugged, not quite being able to call it a room but not being able to call it anything else.
" And since it is under the prince's jurisdiction, Nightmare does not know what has transpired as the prince is powerful enough to detach objects from Nightmare's eyes and ears without him noticing" added the warrior as he could tell there would be some concern when it came to Nightmare as he controlled everything about the fortress.
" That was why it was a little taxing for me to get you here because you were still attached to Nightmare albeit small" spoke the prince as he absent-mindedly rubbed the back of his neck with a slight grimace.
" However, by coming here you placed yourself under the prince's authority by being within his domain. Luckily, you don't have to worry about anything significantly damaging happening to you" said the warrior as he gave both bad and good news.
But Aether- Az, was still skeptical about the whole thing as he found it hard to trust in words only, then again it had gotten him farther than he thought it would.
" So as long as I stick around with you, I am free from Nightmare?" asked Aether- Az, as he directed his stare to the prince who nodded.
" Pretty much, unless you want to still be chained to Nightmare like a dog on a leash" responded the prince as he made quick glance over Az's collar that remained deactivated or was still frozen solid from the venture- he couldn't really tell.
" Then you agree to being under the prince's watchful eye?" spoke the warrior as a breeze picked up from the east and swept across the grass and flowers.
" I guess so, I got nothing else better that, that doesn't involve me dying in the end" agreed Aether-Az, with a nod.
A few leaves fell from the tree looming over their heads, one of which landed in the middle of their triangle. It was oddly shaped like a golden star that glimmered in the specks of light shining through the tree shade. It caught his attention mainly because he was hypnotized by it.
" Looks like the tree agrees to your decision as long as the prince does you no harm" spoke the warrior as he too looked at the golden leaf, finding some hidden message about it that the other two could not decipher.
" Wouldn't even dream of it" said the prince as he was indeed an odd and strange creature, he was nothing like Nightmare yet still had the same air about him.
" Why are you so different from everyone else? What makes you special?" questioned Aether- Az, nearly spontaneous, as he couldn't help but blurt the question or questions.
" I just want what is best for my kind and my friends, if that makes me special then so be it" answered the prince as his words were honest and genuine as it showed in his eyes and smiley smirk.
" Then,...then maybe I can help you with your cause?" said Aether- Az, as it was more of a question than a statement.
" Are you sure? Because I still must obey Nightmare even as you are no longer under him, and It's not something you were meant to do, you will also be causing many deaths" spoke the prince as the winged demon's words caught him slightly off guard. He didn't expect the navy demon to give him aid and trust so early and easily.
" If it kills hundreds then there will be millions saved too" reasoned Aether- Az, as he knew the importance of sacrifice when it came to giving up a few to receive many in return. He may have lost Lady Elisa but he got his friends and a new-ish life in return, something he got more than he wished for or wished at all.
" Well, if you truly have faith in your words then I see no harm in sharing some information" said the prince as he fooled with his emerald green scarf. " Besides his personal goals, Nightmare is considerate of his actions and where they would lead to in the long-run compared to others' methods. So if he needs me to do something, it is highly probable that it is for something far more important than he intentionally lead on" explained the prince while he tied his scarf into a myriad of things before he setted for a puffy-looking bowtie.
" Really, I think Nightmare does all of what he does because he is searching for something, something far beyond the powers and riches of the galaxy- I just don't know what it is yet" spoke the prince as he began to rock back and forth, apparently not being able to keep still while talking. " Or maybe I do but he just likes to keeps me off the fortress so I can only see the picture and not the details or purpose of it" continued the prince before he leaned all the way back to land softly in the patch of roses, his purple skin nearly devoured in the red of the flora which mingled with his mess of golden blonde hair.
" Sometimes I feel like he doesn't trust me, other times I feel like I'm the one who feels like he can't trust me" said the prince as he started to disgress into casual conversation where he was just voicing his thoughts rather than giving out useful information. But Aether-Az, didn't mind the subtle change in the prince's calm attitude and calm posture as he seemed more... alive when he wasn't being watched by other demon beasts in the Harena and Nightmare in particular
Though, the way the prince moved as he spoke about the dark emporer was not like some demon beasts who feared his power, hated him, or was the evil force that always lost to the good guys. It seemed as if he were talking of a neutral friend and not an enemy. But don't get him wrong, he wasn't going to trust Nightmare so easily as he, honestly admits, he did with the prince because he had yet to cause him any real harm.
The only real thing that he could say about Nightmare was that he gave some good adivce when he needed it or when he didn't think he would beed it at all. The dark emperor simply gave him suggestions of what he could do and even gave him the opprotunity to reject his advice. Though it was rarely up for rejection as it was always too tempting to refuse. And he felt guilty and remorseful when he had agreed to Nightmare's suggestion of eliminating intruders that wished to hurt him because he didn't like uninvited guest in his mind or anyone who went prying about in it. Sharbon just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time when he went for the fight rather than flight response.
But at the same time, he didn't regret what he had done as he deserved whatever the effects of the agreement caused. And if it wasn't for that agreement, Aether was sure that he wouldn't have gotten as far as he would as he still could have been stuck in a cell or on the brink of death by the Harena. So in a way, he was the tiniest bit thankful to Nightmare but thankful nonetheless and it made him once again question if he was going about things the wrong way as everything about his life could have been much worse if he escaped from Nightmare as a demon beast and wind up in an unforgiving world.
It hardly seemef fair that his logical and optimistic way of thinking did not oppose to the idea that staying with the dark side was not as bad as he made it out to be while his heart begged a differ, saying the complete opposite and of what most others would do in his shoes. It was like he was caught in the middle of a moral battle of what he knew was wrong and what he felt was right. To top it all off he couldn't remember what he originally thought of his whole situation. Was he happy? sad? angry? or depressed?
No wanting to think any further of the matter, Aether let out a a low sigh that was followed by an even lower grumble which caught the attention of both the warrior and the prince who had been
" What's the matter? are your feelings and morals conflicting with each other?" asked the prince as he took a not-so-wild guess at Aether- Az's, show of frustration.
" A little, it's just that it is hard to know what I should do or think when I don't remember what I am supposed to do or think and that they are total different from what I think now" replied Aether- Az, as he felt close to attempting a growl.
The warrior gave the prince a look that made the prince breath a sigh and sit up again, undoing his previously made bowtie in the process.
" You figure it out eventually and I am willing to help you since you are willing to help me" spoke the prince as he hesitated to touch Aether- Az, who was watering the roses with droplets of salty water.
When the prince's hand made contact with his head, Aether- Az, looked up at him. It was easy to forget how old he was and how easily it was for a child his age to get overwhelmed. The prince could place him around 3 to 5 years which was the demonic equivalent to 100 to 350 years. Most demons his age and rank wouldn't make pass a day or an hour at the least.
" It's... going to alright, I promise" spoke the prince as he was uncertain if he was saying his words correctly as he wasn't the ideal person in the department of comfort, it was a job more suited for a robotic dog than him.
" Do you really mean it?" asked Aether- Az, as the warrior just watched the scene unfold, he couldn't do much anyway.
The prince didn't know if he was actually growing a heart or that the pure raw innocence present in Aether- Az's eyes were making him feel compassionate and sympathetic. But he couldn't lie or say no to those eyes, it was quickly becoming his only weakness.
" Yes, I really mean it" replied the prince as he risked making another smile, they were actually hard for him to accomplish simply because he lacked the necessary muscles to pull up his mouth into a full-on smile. Nevertheless, Aether- Az, brightened considerably at the prince's words and tackled him.
The pounce surprised the prince as he let out a shocked yelp when the force of the other collided with his stomach, it could be clearly felt through his armor. And that the one giving him a bear hug didn't seem to notice at all as he tried his best to embrace him with his short paws.
As heart warming as it was for the prince to think of returning the gesture, he refrained from doing so. If Nightmare found out how soft he could get when he was in his more chaotic moods then he would surely be punished. But he couldn't blame him if he had to control thousands of individuals and many more operations and plans in one day, it was a wonder he managed to stay sane and calm for so long.
Being a prince, which was a step down from the king, the prince had access to the more personal stuff that made the dark emperor who he was. Nightmare had gone through many trials and hardships, some could even say Death owed him twelve favors. What made the dark emperor seem 'evil' was because of his appearance and what he had done in the ancient past.
Long ago, there was a story that spread throughout the galaxy that developed into a farfetched prophecy and over exaggerated what was only a prediction that could or could not happen or had happened. It was much like the story of the three little pigs and how Az fit into that story was unknown.
The prince knew that he wasn't created to be on par with Nightmare simply to become the next in line. He was created with half the potential of becoming an efficient healer in heightening the power of Aether as a multiplier. It was probably because of his true function that the guardian of the crystal became comfortable around him so quickly and more than willing to trust in his word.
" You are full of surprises" spoke the warrior as he directed his red eyes at the prince, noting how fond the little one was becoming of the dark offspring.
" I try not to be but that is how I am" replied the prince as Aether- Az, seemed to doze off after tackling him. It wasn't all that unusual to neither of them considering all that he had been though up until this point.
" I can see it in your eyes that you are contemplating the future of him and yourself" spoke the warrior as he, being a figment of imagination as far as the prince was concerned, could travel into the memories and thoughts of the prince, or anyone for that matter except Nightmare, as long as he was within a plane of dreams- which the whole metal fortress happened to be.
" It was the main reason why Nightmare put us together, besides being remembered he also wants to stay sane while helping the true light as much as he can" responded the prince as he was certain the warrior knew the light they were plotting against wasn't the same light as the light warrior protected in the days of the ancients.
" Then sooner or later he will have to decide if he will aid the light or nourish the shadows. The latter seems more likely as you are correct, this current light is blinding and cold and that he will have to realize that his role is larger than he original thought" said the warrior as his glaze shifted to the sphere of navy resting on the chest of the prince.
" A man of few words can speak millions unheard, your sheer amount of mystery and knowledge is intriguing" spoke the prince as the warrior chuckled softly at his words.
" If I am a mystery then you and him are walking miracles" said the warrior, paying the prince his first compliment since they first met.
" I wouldn't say that, we are more like living disasters waiting to destroy everything in their path because he could choose to pick the darker side of his purpose and I would have no choice but to go along with it" replied the prince as he started to pet the one on his abdomen absent-mindedly.
" Then make sure that doesn't happen because it the reason I came to you in the first place. If you can't prevent that from happening then I will have to take over" spoke the warrior as his tone was as serious as a heart attack.
" Then answer me this, what are you truly?" questioned the prince as the warrior was on a whole other level between imaginary and reality, it was as if he was literally caught between the two.
" I am his inner self or anima of order and emotion. I organize all of his thoughts and memories, but sometimes I get overwhelmed and I have to shut down his mind to keep it safe" answered the warrior, if Aether- Az, was awake to hear those words he would have been thrown for a loop, luckily of them he wasn't.
" So flames? Are they your doing?" asked the prince to which the angelic warrior shook his head.
" No, but I am put into control when he is threatened or unable to think correctly. Basically, I am responsible for keeping his mind from collapsing" replied the warrior.
Prince looked at him for a second before asking his next question, " So it was you who made him bounce back so quickly, but if you are not the one who controls the flames- who is?"
" The crystal, she has been protecting him physically and has been supplying him with the necessary power to keep him going" answered the Guardian Demon.
" Necessary power? Is he unwell?" inquired the prince.
" He may not show it outwardly but he is very sick. The stress has taken away most, if not all, of his energy and the crystal has been trying to supply him with power to keep him going until they are both purified" answered the angelic warrior as he knew how much Aether was really suffering.
" But I supply him power as well" said the prince as he was basically a walking battery with a will and conscious of his own.
" Only a small surge for what he needs and I thank you for that" spoke the warrior as a sizable amount of silence settled between the two.
" I have one more question, it's purely out of curiosity" said the prince as it slightly bothered him.
" What is it?" questioned the warrior was he regarded the prince with never-wavering keen eyes.
" What is his true name?" replied the prince as all movement stopped.
" Zero"
The prince and angelic warrior froze.
