Chapter Thirty Six

Episode Twenty Eight, Part 1

Longing for Reason, Jigglypuff's POV

A month passed since I had dreamt of Meta Knight being a demon, and as usual, I disregarded my brawl record for June. I knew for certain I lost every match in the last month so there was no use even looking at it. When I slept, I experienced similar dreams about Meta Knight, still a demon with the exception of not removing the mask. Even if I am conscious, out of the world of my nightmares, the thought of seeing him unmasked terrifies me. Would he become a demon and try to kill me like in the dream?

It was unhealthy for me to be stressed out over a dream, but for it to persist me over and over again does nothing to help me sleep. Ever since the first time, I've learned to hold in my tears and if I couldn't, I would leave the room so Meta Knight wouldn't hear. Had I been constantly dreaming of him because...impossible. If that was true, they would never be twisted into horrible visions. I only started experiencing these nightmares when I had been curious about Meta Knight's past. I could only suspect he was hiding something from me, but too afraid to admit it.

I'm one to talk. I can't even talk about my Master or the abuse I endured before I came to Super Smash Brothers. I'm no better at voicing my past aloud than he is, no, I am worse. I was in tears when he had asked me, but when I questioned him, he always stays calm. No wonder he survived during the war.

Why do I feel so strange though when I'm around him? The urge to lie in his arms once again grows stronger with every moment I spend with him. He kept his word not to ask me about my past until I felt ready to tell him what happened. When I recall our afternoon together last month, when he told me about losing all his friends, I did hear emotion in his voice; sorrow.

When he seems so calm, is he really upset deep down? To be calm all the time, it is a façade. I cannot imagine Meta Knight being emotional over anything, so why would he not be calm? I got out of bed, knowing I couldn't sleep. I spent a few moments gazing at Meta Knight, who was still asleep. At first, he seemed calm, but when I continued to watch him, it appeared to be the opposite. His hands gripped the blanket tightly and I found the courage inside myself to reach out and touch his shoulder hoping he would remain unconscious. I almost gasped when I touched him. He was...so tensed up. Was he this stressed all the time?

When I attempted to pull away from him, I found that I could not. His presence was addicting. Before I could stop myself, I laid down next to him on his bed, snuggling against his cape. What was I doing? He'd kill me for sure when he wakes up. A second later, I found myself thoroughly exhausted and fell asleep against Meta Knight. Before the void of unconscious took me over, I could have sworn he wrapped his cape around my body.

**

"Why so afraid? Is this not what you wanted?"

I sat up, disoriented, not knowing where I was. The voice, I immediately recognize, is the same demon deluding my mind. Glaring resentfully in his direction tempted him to continue. I wouldn't talk to this demon any longer than I had to.

"Deciding to ignore me...I think not. I know how you feel about him and if you resist your destiny any longer, he'll be no more, I promise you. As you can see, I am in a bad mood so I'd be very careful how you talk to me."

"Fine, I'll listen to you, but believe me, I'm in a bad mood too. If you dare threaten or even mention him again, I'll kill you. I can shut you out of my mind. Think I won't do it?"

"Do you not understand, you foolish girl? I am him, what he really is. He tries so hard to disguise his identity and might I say, it is appalling." The demon took notice of my shocked expression. "Oh, he never told you the truth? Did you really believe he was always the chivalrous, mysterious knight?" I heard laughter echo, and it continued to repeat itself in my mind.

"Leave me alone. I know you are nothing but an illusion. The Meta Knight I know would never hurt me no matter what. You, however, would kill anyone who gets in your way!"

"If I were to leave you alone..." the demon spoke. "Your boyfriend would no longer exist. I am part of him, the part he hides from everyone. Decide now, dearest Jigglypuff. Do you truly want him to die? I am the same, the part of him you see is nothing but a trap. If I leave, you'll never see him again."

Tears flowed down my face. "A-All right...you can stay."

"Very good." His laughter rang out vividly and by that time, I was sobbing.

"Purin!"

I opened my eyes, remembering that I fell asleep against him. When his hands touched my cheeks, I realized I was crying again. Ashamed, I looked down, unable to even glance at him.

He stayed quiet, but continued to hold me close. I forced any remaining tears back, not wanting to dwell on my dreams any longer. I needed to find out the truth. "Are you all right?" he asked me, clearly worried.

"No, Meta Knight. I'm not." My response surprised him. Normally I am always in a good mood, but now, I felt like that part of me died. I continued to live, but inside, it felt like death.

"What is wrong Purin?"

"I cannot even sleep!" I said, almost to a shout, unintentionally. "Every time I try to rest, I have the same dreams every time! I need to know the truth!"

"What truth?" He asked.

"Who are you really?! Every time I dream, it is always about you, except you are a demon instead! You are hiding something from me, and if you don't tell the truth...!" Surprised about my outburst, I clung onto Meta Knight, the tears flowing again.

"I am sorry Purin, I really am." I heard sadness in his voice, unlike his usual serious tone. "I never realized it would hurt you so much if I kept quiet. If I did tell you, you'd hate me...and I..." He stopped speaking, and I immediately felt guilty for nearly shouting at him.

"Meta Knight, if you told me the truth behind my dreams, I would never think of you any differently," I told him in a gentle, comforting tone. "Why do I keep dreaming of you being a demon?"

"I....I..." He struggled so hard to speak. I never heard him sound so distressed. "Purin, I...am...a demon." His eyes flashed grey, a colour I never saw before.

I didn't know how to react. My mouth hung open though, shocked my suspicions were confirmed. He didn't look my way, instead, burying his masked face in the pillow. Heart aching, I hugged him as if to say 'It's all right. I still care about you, no matter what you are.' He understood and sat up, continuing to return the embrace.

"I'm so sorry Meta Knight," was all I could manage. He nodded instead of speaking to acknowledge my words.

"You should get some sleep. You look exhausted," he told me, yet I immediately understood he was trying to be evasive and drop the subject.

"Meta Knight, I can't sleep. I'll keep dreaming of you being a demon. He told me if he leaves my dreams, I will never see you again. You'd die!" I protested. His eyes widened.

"Purin," he began. "They are only dreams. Do you truly believe that demon? You should not worry about your nightmares any longer. It will be all right."

I sighed. He did have a point after all. How could a mere dream kill Meta Knight? Inside, I felt completely stupid. "You don't mind if I sleep here?"

"No, I don't mind." Before he lay back down again, he hugged me. He didn't have to say anything. I could feel it in his posture he felt relieved I still thought of him the same way, even though he was a demon. The one in my dreams isn't real. Feeling better than I did before, I drifted into unconsciousness again.

"Back so soon? I'm glad you kept to your word. Like I said, I disappear and so does your boyfriend."

"He is NOT my boyfriend!" I shouted at him.

"But you love him, don't you?"

"Well...um..." I blushed, fidgeting nervously with my hands. "Yes, I do."

"You are more oblivious than I thought you to be from when we first met, exactly a month ago. Is he trying to tell you not to listen to me, because he knows I speak the truth, one in which he continues to hide from you."

"He did tell me he was a demon. Isn't that enough!?"

"He briefly told you a fact. He never really told you about himself that much, did he? Or about any experiences he had in the past?"

"That's a sensitive subject! It bothers him to talk about it."

"How can you be so sure? How can you be certain Meta Knight isn't lying? I'm the one who knows the truth. If you wish to live, you will obey my every command. Don't listen to him Jigglypuff. All he wants is your blood. He wants it so badly, he'd do anything to succeed, even if that means betraying you."

"Liar!" I screamed at him. "You're nothing but an illusion. Can't you let me sleep in peace, at least once!?"

"Hmmm, if you asked more politely, I might consider it, but would that be good for you, I'm unsure. If you want to sleep peacefully, don't listen to your precious Meta Knight anymore. Maybe then I'll leave you for one night."

"What-"

"See you tomorrow my dear Jigglypuff."

I awoke, again sweating, but not emotional as Meta Knight was still sleeping. I got out of bed and quietly crept out the door into the dark hallway. The moon was still shining brightly in the sky when I went to the roof to stargaze. What if the demon was real and...no, I refuse to believe it. I can't let that nightmare control my life. Meta Knight does not want my blood, he wants me safe and happy. That is how I view him and not even that stupid demon can change my mind.

As crazy as it may sound, for as long as I can, I will no longer sleep. If I remain awake, he cannot haunt me.

At least, that's what I want to believe.

... Meta Knight, I love you...