Episode 13: Shadows Within

A/N : Oh god! Please don't kill me! I didn't think I would end up putting off this episode for so long. I didn't think my English summer assignment would take that long... Maybe I should stop with the excuses, huh?

Anyways, thank you guys so much for reviewing, you beautiful people give me the strength to continue writing, even on my darkest days. You've helped me so much lately. *Starts shedding tears of joy*

Oh and this has been long overdue, but I guess it's better late than never.

Wolf girl811: Thanks for being one of the first reviewers I've ever had. You've been loyal to this series since the beginning and for that I thank you! :3 oh and yes, he is very hug-able, and you can expect him to glumped by Nia again in the near future. She may have respect for his personal space now but none can escape their fate for long. :D

Cloey22: Glad you loved this story and I see I'm not the only one who shares that opinion. You don't know how much your review helped me when I was already working on the 8th episode. Your words really helped me back then. :D

Shannon-ninja-of-animals: Glad to hear it. It took me a long time to try and figure out how to get Dark Meta Knight in this story when an idea suddenly came to me. Though that meany of a knight wouldn't sign his contract unless he got a major role in one of the episodes... He really is a jerk sometimes that Dark Meta Knight but a least we struck a deal. =_='

greenone15: :D well then you wait is over 'cause the new episode is officially out! :3 You know your one of my favorite Authors so it's an honor to see you here.

Ema t tiger: You don't know how much your review moved me. Honestly I don't know what to say. *sniff* And yes, you can expect to see more of my stories in the future. I just have to make sure I know what I'm doing when I write them.

starpower9000: XD I knew someone was going to say that eventually. Anyways I'm happy you liked my story,and just like greenone15, I'm honored that you reviewed. I love your story you know, and I can't wait for the when you next update and don't worry I will be continuing no matter what, even if I get banned from my laptop I'll find a way (though I seriously hope that doesn't happen).

I feel so loved now 3. Anyways, without further ado, episode 13... Oh and sorry if it's a little short.

"Frederik. What happened?" Kayla asked, pressing her lips into a hard line.

"I don't know. She seemed sad about something last time I saw, so I thought maybe I could share a drink with her. Maybe find out whats wrong." He motioned to a cup on the dresser. "When I came in, this is what I found." He replied blankly, staring at the floor. Glass fragments with small traces of water littered the room.

He felt a light pressure on shoulder and turned to find Natalie smiling warily at him. "By the way Frederik, why were you in her room in the first place?" she asked, playfully narrowing her eyes. He flinched in surprise, not really knowing how to answer.

His face slightly flushing in surprise. "Again, I just wanted to talk to her." he growled, relived no one could see his face.

"Oh? Really?" she chirped, pestering him further.

"That's enough Natalie." Amberlin looked up from where she knelt, angry at the two for disturbing their investigation with their racket. Meta Knight, also trying to keep to his work, sighed in annoyance, managing to calm himself before they could notice his red eyes. It was bad enough they had been foolish enough to fall for Nightmare's tricks but now they had to make things worse by fighting among themselves.

"You don't think we were really that horrible to her, right?" Natalie suddenly asked within earshot of the knight as he walked back into the hallway. He paused for a moment, considering something before shaking his head.

"No, she's not one to take another's words to heart. She judges people by action and action alone." He assured her. A spark of doubt flared within him, taking him by surprise. One can only take so much... "I doubt words could push her towards such extremes." he quickly added, pushing away the thought.

"Huh? What are you guys talking about?" Frederik asked in confusion, obviously lost. Everyone looked at him in surprise when they remembered he was the only one among them who had not been present when Meta Knight became aware of Nightmare's new scheme. Kayla shot him an apologetic glance.

"We'll explain everything later, but right now we have to find Jessica, she might be in trouble." His shoulders fell in frustration but nodded. He knew she was right.

"I still don't understand why she would leave. Meta Knight's right, Jessica would never leave over something so small as an insult let alone a comment. What could have happened?" Amberlin said aloud, forgetting the others in the room.

"She heard." Startled by the voice, they all spun around. A pink haired child stood at the end of the hall. Her now dull eyes staring directly at them.

"She left... Because she heard everything..."

I jumped back, narrowly dodging the blade as it almost touched my chest. His eyes flashed, completely vanishing from my sights as I tried to regain my balance. Panicking I whirled around frantically, hoping to spot of him.

Suddenly the world was flipped upside down as I was thrown into the air. I spun in midair, trying to land on my feet and regain my balance when I was kicked from behind. I face planted onto the floor, wheezing in pain. My muscles cried as I strained to pick myself up again. I had to get back up before-

"Never take your eyes of your opponent " He chided, holding the sword to my throat. I held my breath in disbelief. He stared at me a moment longer before lowering the sword. "That is all for today." he continued, tossing his weapon aside as he turned away.

"I can still fight!" I spat, getting to my feet. "Don't count me out just-"

"Enough." He growled, his startling red eyes sending shivers down my spine. "I do not like to repeat myself." We made eye contact.

"But-"

"Do I make myself clear, Jessica?" I shivered at the hostility in his tone.

"Yes, Meta Knight." I whispered in defeat, gripping my wooden sword in anger as he left. I heard the slow closing of a door from down the hall, confirming the end of today's lesson. I glared at the discarded practice weapon on the ground in front of me before throwing my own weapon across the room in frustration.

The sound of rustling leaves echoed throughout the forest. The cool night breeze sending them spiraling down onto the earth below, coating the brown forest floor in a dark green. The light of the pale moon shined brightly overhead, illuminating the darkness beneath the branches.

I stood in the middle of that light, watching the shadows dance along the wind. Watching as they surrounded me before finally landing at my feet. I smiled at the scene, finding it ironic. While my heart laid in tatters, everything around me knew peace. I found it unfair, yet, I found it hard to complain. It wasn't my right.

An honorable warrior from another universe... A lowly human girl... A story of two who should have never met...

" I really am a fool aren't I? To think things could end differently." I murmured, catching a leaf in the palm of my hand. "To put so much trust in a stranger, even if you think you may know them... " I contemplated it for second before allowing it fall from my fingers. "Maybe this is punishment for my arrogance." I took a step out of the light. "I've outlived my welcome here..."

Sighing, I continued to walk further into the undergrowth, the distance between me and the people who caused my pain growing with every stride.

Pitiful... A human girl who wanted to play hero, jumps head first into a war she can't fight. Promising things she can't do. In the end, no matter how hard she tries, they simply all break, leaving no one to blame but herself.

Who was I to make those promises in the first place? Who was I to think I could actually make a difference? That I could literally save the world. Nothing more that false hopes. A dream and nothing more. A dream created to drive away the boredom of the average day... A dream to give my life meaning... And for a second, I actually thought it was true.

Maybe I should just disappear...

"Will you really abandon your comrades?"

"Who's there?" I called, scanning the surrounding trees for the voice. Did I imagine it? I shook my head, No, I know what I heard! I told myself.

"Who's there?!" I called again. I could hear my heartbeat within the eerie silence. I could also hear the quick exhales and inhales from my breathing as I waited for a reply.

"A friend."

Well it wasn't as long as my other episodes but its something until I can get back to my old updating schedule. Getting back to school really put my hole in my plans but I'll be fine after a while. I just need to adjust again.

Okay, well hope you enjoyed the episode and feel free to review in the little box below. I'd love to hear how I'm doing so far. Hopefully it won't be a month before we see each other again. Bye!

P.S.: I might be able to get the old skits up and running again in a few chapters but I don't know whether you guys would like that or not so I'll leave it up to you guys to decide. The poll can be found on my profile page if anyone is interested.