The robot didn't give much warning before swinging its large claw around at the two knights.
Meta Knight flapped back out of the way, taking Galaxia out of her sheath. "Galacta Knight, we can-" the Bat stopped, realizing the claw had caught the pink warrior and managed to throw him some distance away.
"..."
He turned back to the bot as a light flashed green on its underside before shooting a laser at him. Meta Knight jumped back again but quickly discovered the laser followed him. Placing Galaxia in front of him to deflect the beam, it shot straight back at the robot and it clanked back, damaged.
Taking the momentary distraction, Meta Knight flew lowly to the downed warrior, landing beside him. "Are you okay?" he asked, keeping an eye on the robot.
Galacta sat up with an annoyed growl. "What's with your cape?! It wouldn't let me spread my wings out!"
"The cape keeps them stored. You'll have to stretch them further than usual to use them. It works better if-"
White feathered wings sprouted out successfully, "Great, thanks." Galacta mumbled, "Now, move!" he flew straight up and avoided the two missiles the robot shot at them. Looking down, he felt relieved to see Meta Knight had jumped to the left in time.
He looked back up, focusing on the attacking robot.
Fight...
What other choice was there?
Galacta flew straight at the large robot, taking out his lance...
No, wait. He looped in the air expertly, doubling back as the robot swung upwards toward him.
Damn Nova...
Galacta glanced at the hidden weapon on his shield. Perhaps...
"Galacta Knight!" the Bat called from the ground.
The flying warrior's eyes darted down to the bat. It was a bit hard to hear with the wind picking up. "What?" He shouted back.
"I'll take him from the rear!"
Galacta faltered. "Watch your fucking wording, you stupid bat!" He shouted, enraged and flustered. He lifted his shield and it began to glow brightly.
"What..." Meta Knight's eyes widened, "I'm-! It's yours and Sailor's fault you take what I say that way!"
"Who the fuck is Sailor?!" He emphasized the last word by hurling the shield at the robot. It embedded itself into the black underside, just below the metal frame, and sent a shock through the entire body of the attacker.
Meta Knight rolled his eyes, ignoring the last bit. It figures Galacta wouldn't have bothered learning the Waddle Dee's name.
The robot was stunned for several seconds until the electric course the shield had in it ran out. Meta Knight sent out a sword beam, dislodging the shield easily before the robot's claws headed towards him from both directions. He flew straight up to avoid it.
Galacta dove down and caught the shield in midair. He strapped it back as the robot turned to him and shot the green laser. Holding the shield in front of him, Galacta felt the force of the shot push him back some. He growled lowly, flapping harder and focusing on the shield.
It began to glow. Galacta glared and pushed the shield forward, sending out a beam toward the robot. It hit the metal frame, but didn't seem to even dent the armored plating.
The winged warrior was about ready to dive towards again when Meta Knight joined him in the air. "It seems like we can only damage its underside. Our best bet would be attacking the darker area." he said.
Galacta looked from the rusted metal and the inky black of the machine's underside, contemplating. "Fine."
Meta Knight stared at him for a few seconds. "Take it easy. This robot isn't much of a challenge. You're just going to get yourself hurt."
The warrior's grip tightened on his shield. "I don't need you telling me how to fight."
"You definitely need someone telling you to calm down. Perhaps you could have avoided the crystal that way."
Galacta glowered at him, seething. "Well, since you just know everything, you can fight that thing on your own!"
Meta Knight was taken aback as Galacta landed on the snowy ground several feet away. He narrowed his own eyes in annoyance.
If he wants to act like a child, then so be it.
The Bat dived towards the robot aided by the strong wind, his golden sword gleaming.
One of the claws swung at him, but he swiftly swerved aside the range. He ran his sword along the metal before plunging Galaxia into the bot's vulnerable underside. The blade gleamed and he shot out a Sword Beam before pulling back as the machine recoiled.
Landing in the snow, Meta Knight readied his stance as the robot glared down at him. The claws opened, acting as shears. Meta Knight stepped back as he repeatedly slid his blade off the quick claws. He heard the tell-tale sound of whirring from the robot that it was preparing a few more missiles.
Rolling out of the way, the bombs flew past him. Immediately after he dodged those literal bullets, the robot aimed the green laser at the knight. Meta Knight hopped back and took to the air once again, darting quickly to out-speed the beam.
With the howling wind of the impending blizzard, he had to flap twice as hard just to avoid it.
The bat gasped to catch his breath, and the cold air stung his lungs. Meta Knight squinted past the snow to the machine, wondering how he would beat it if he could barely even see it.
He glimpsed pink some distance away and knew that infuriating warrior was watching every second of the fight.
...Although...it was partially my fault, Meta Knight mused, Why would I say something about the crystal if I'm trying to save him from it?
("Focus,") Galaxia warned him. ("It's bad enough that the flurry limits your vision...")
Before he could answer, Meta Knight rose her to clash against the sharp pincers of the Heavy Lobster lookalike in the nick of time. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the dim green light charge up and he barely managed to fly backwards as it shot past him. The claw clamped shut and followed him, looking to throw him out of the sky.
All he needed to do was avoid this and he could get close again. When the robot was distracted, he could-
Meta Knight only realized the machine's second claw was waiting for him outside his field of vision when he felt a sharp pain at his back.
He had flown straight into the pincer.
The Bat winced as it dragged up and spliced into his wing, letting out a short cry before being flung to the ground by the open claw.
As he hit the snow, his blade fell out of his hand and tumbled away from him, out of reach. "Galaxia-!" he reached for her but the machine's other claw slammed down in front of him stopping him in his tracks. Instinctively, he tried to fly but flinched at the stab of pain.
Meta Knight scrambled back, his heart beating fast as now he stared up at the approaching robot.
Okay-okay, think. I can't attack, or fly...
His eyes darted over to Galacta, who was standing now, glaring furiously straight at him.
Swallowing his pride, Meta Knight called out to him. "G-Galacta! Please..."
Meta Knight's heart sank as the warrior spread his wings and took off out of sight.
He was just waiting for the first chance to leave.
The robot lowered slightly, aiming its last two missiles at the grounded bat with the low whirring noise.
Meta Knight shut his eyes and turned away, bracing himself.
I couldn't even get what I needed for Popstar...
Seeing the Bat fight someone else was impressive...not that he'd say it out loud. It did make Galacta itch for another battle with him though.
Especially so, since he just had to bring up the crystal situation.
He glared at the bat fighting easily against the mechanical attacker.
If he were the one stuck in that crystal, he wouldn't have said that. If he were the one pressured into fighting...
Galacta's red eyes followed the Bat as he dodged the missiles easily and flew into the air to escape the green laser.
If he had his sword taken away, he wouldn't be so confident...
The warrior laughed lowly.
He'll see what we do when he begs for help.
Gazing back up, Galacta paused when Meta Knight hovered backwards to escape the swinging claw only to get cut deeply by the second claw behind him. The Bat was slammed to the ground, and he saw the gleam of the sword escape his hands.
Ha. No sword.
Galacta stood, clenching his shield tightly.
That robot had hurt his bat. His bat.
You can escape now.
Not now.
Galacta glared furiously at the robot, and made brief eye contact with Meta Knight.
"G-Galacta!" the bat called out with desperation.
Now's your chance! Didn't you want to escape?!
Not Now.
The warrior spread his wings and took flight. He only had a few precious seconds to set up what he was planning. He stopped in midair where he had a clear view of the Nova-damned piece of...
The warrior unlatched the dagger hidden in his shield and flipped it to hold it tight. He focused on it, using his anger to propel the energy faster.
Being stuck in the crystal, being summoned just to be used as a tool, being dragged along against his will...
That robot hurting his bat.
The dagger's point burned brightly, and Galacta glared down and stabbed it into the air, creating a rift in the sky. He slightly struggled to drag it across a good distance-he was used to the reliable strength of the lance-but it didn't faze him for too long.
The inter-dimensional beam shot out and enveloped the robot in its blast. Even with its tough armor, it stood no chance against the full force of the pink laser. The missiles that were ready to fire detonated, destroying the hatch they were stored in and making the bot rumble dangerously.
It blew apart, sending shrapnel every which way. Galacta glared darkly at the explosion, and his venomous gaze traveled to where the Bat lay.
Was he injured...? Could he be saved?
Why do you care...you had the chance to be rid of him, you idiot...
Galacta frowned. There was still a chance...
Meta Knight lay on his side, eyes barely open. The missiles...?
The blast wave of the explosion had thrown him back several feet, and he could barely keep a single thought for longer than a fleeting moment.
Breathing was difficult too. The cold air was irritating to his lungs and the wound at his wing.
His wings...
He tried stretching them out absently. Did they even move...
He abruptly stopped when pain shot through him. He let his wings lower to the ground slowly.
Moving causes pain. Don't move.
Breathing was getting easier now, it seemed. His eyes stared at the ground before him.
Relax...
The snow...cold, numbing...he could hardly feel...anything now...
It feels nice...
The knight slowly closed his eyes, the white becoming blurry until it was gone.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Snow...someone walking...
Yellow eyes cracked open at the sound. He needed...sleep...
Silver sabatons was heading his way.
Silver...
There was a low laugh. "How are you the strongest warrior...?"
Galacta Knight...
Keep your guard up. He's dangerous.
The Bat pushed himself to sit up, "Stay away!"
He wants his title back.
Galacta paused, but continued after a few seconds. He knelt and reached out slowly.
The knight scrambled back forcefully. He swung wildly and flailed his wings in an attempt to scare him off.
"Don't move now," Galacta warned. He grabbed his arm firmly.
MOVE!
He struggled violently against the grip, attempting to break free.
Survive!
He couldn't get away.
Fight!
Galacta Knight let go of his wrist and grabbed his face to steady him, and stared straight into his eyes. "Meta Knight."
He froze.
"...Charmed." He muttered blankly, smiling slightly. The fight left him.
Safe...
His wings slackened, and his body went lax. His eyes slipped closed as he fell.
Galacta reached under him, tenderly avoiding the wound. Adjusting himself so he could pick up the Bat in his arms, he stood up and stared at the sky.
He spread his wings and took off in the direction of the factory.