Next chapter up! A super special thanks to KitzyKat for reviewing! I really felt proud of that last chapter, so I was hoping someone would review!
Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter too!
Galacta spotted the factory after several minutes of flying against the wind. It seemed run down, so it should be the one the Bat was describing. He targeted the tallest tower, since that would be the most secure.
He landed on the sill of the broken window and scanned the room before entering. It looked like it was just an old storage room that was abandoned years before the factory was.
Galacta didn't trust any of the dust-coated surfaces or heavy fabric here so he placed the Bat carefully against a wall, making sure his wing wasn't touching anything. He glanced at his glove, which had been coated with the Bat's blood from his wound.
"...Meta Knight," he mumbled, shaking him urgently. "Wake up. You're going to..." The warrior paused, staring intently. The Bat stirred lightly with a groan. Still alive.
But he won't make it if I just wait around until he does wake up to bandage the cut.
Galacta looked around. What could he use...
Getting an idea, he straightened up. There was nothing here to use to bandage the wound properly except...
The warrior swept the borrowed cape from his shoulders. It's a shame to rip it, but right now, stopping the bleeding was more important.
His shield...he had placed the dagger in his shield again. He'd use it to cut the cloth into even strips instead of chancing it.
Okay. The warrior unlatched the dagger from the shield, noticing that it was a bit smudged. Possibly due to overheating in the inter-dimensional beam attack...
Hm...
Galacta grabbed a white rag from the dusty pile of fabric nearby. He glared as the blood from his glove began to soak into the fabric. Shaking it off, he walked over to Meta Knight as he cleaned the dagger.
He should get started now.
The Bat shifted once more, eyes opening dully. The first thing he saw was Galacta walking toward him, wiping a knife down with a smeared red rag.
"Good." the warrior uttered. "You're awake."
Meta Knight recoiled and his eyes darted, looking for a possible way to escape.
"Oh, we're in the highest tower. Nobody can reach us." Galacta explained.
The Bat shuffled back, but hit his wing on the wall behind and he winced.
"Stop moving," the warrior ordered, kneeling down next to the knight. His hand moved toward him...
No, toward the ground.
Meta Knight stared blankly as Galacta picked up dark blue fabric and rose the dagger up to it, ready to cut into it.
Shimmering, gorgeous dark blue fabric.
He finally found his voice. "That's mine. My cape."
Galacta paused and looked at him. "That's right?"
Meta Knight blinked. "Don't cut into it."
Galacta sighed impatiently. "It's to dress your wounds. You're bleeding out." He rose the dagger again, beginning to cut into the rare fabric.
"No." Meta Knight replied. Galacta ignored him. Upon hearing the Dimensional Cape start to rip, he reached out in a panic. "No!"
The warrior grabbed his hand and pushed him back. "Stop moving." he growled.
"I...but-give-!" Meta Knight stumbled over his words before finally managing a coherent sentence. "There's a first-aid kit in the cape. If you cut it apart, everything in it is lost."
Oh. Makes sense, he supposed. Galacta began to reach into the cape before thinking back to the whip. He was not touching that by accident. He bundled up the cape and pushed it toward Meta Knight.
"Here, then."
Meta Knight accepted it quietly. He spread open the cape and dug inside, fishing out the kit. Setting the cape aside, he flipped open the box and took out the bottle of alcohol.
Twisting open the cap, the Bat leaned slightly to attempt cleaning the cut. Where was it located exactly...? Turning too much proved to irritate the wound.
"Hmn," Meta Knight wondered how to go about this. He arched his back while stretching his good wing.
Galacta watched with increasing frustration before finally snapping. "You look ridiculous!" he shouted, snatching the open bottle from the Bat. "Let me do it!"
"Oh...okay." Meta Knight said. "Thank you."
The warrior shook his head, muttering under his breath. He scooted forward, and tipped the bottle over the Bat's wing.
Meta Knight grunted lowly at the sudden rush of the disinfectant, but otherwise remained quiet.
"Wimp." Galacta scoffed, then ordered him, "Now pass me the gauze."
The Bat reached over, and grabbed the first soft white thing in the kit to hold back.
"...Baaat. I said gauze, not cotton." Galacta pointed out lightly.
Meta Knight slowly brought back the item he held to look at it. "Oh," he reddened a bit, placing it back in the kit and picked up the bandages. "Sorry."
Galacta didn't answer right away, focusing on the task at hand.
"Don't move now." he told him, starting to wrap the base of the wing.
Meta Knight stared distantly at the far wall, waiting patiently for the warrior to finish. It felt well-wrapped. He wasn't surprised that Galacta was adept at treating wounds. Although, while it'd be enough for now, they would have to get back on Popstar for professional treatment. The Bat knew he wouldn't be able to fly until-
He tensed up.
"What's the matter?" Galacta asked him, "You can't be tense while I'm wrapping your wing."
"...Right, I..." the Bat blinked, lowering his wings. "I know that."
Galacta stifled his laughter by clearing his throat. "Then stop tensing up."
Probably due to embarrassment, the Bat didn't answer. The warrior smirked.
So that's what it was.
Making sure his giddiness was kept under wraps, Galacta continued dressing the wound.
Don't do it too often. He'll start to suspect.
He couldn't help but glance at the Bat's back every so often anyway.
Now?
No.
...
Do it!
No.
Just once more.
Focus on the wing.
Between the wings!
Stop.
But it's right there!
...
...
Okay, fine. Now.
With all the excitement of...well, whatever thing was exciting, Galacta brushed against the spot between the Bat's wings again, making sure it was more than a fleeting touch this time.
The warrior was pleasantly surprised to hear the low groan the Bat gave out. However, he didn't mask the short chuckle this time and Meta Knight spoke up with a twinge of annoyance.
"What are you doing?"
Keeping a straight voice, Galacta shrugged. "Dressing your wound?" he paused to sound convincing. "Sorry. Did I hurt you?"
"...Yes." Meta Knight mumbled, "Watch your...hands."
Galacta turned away, biting down on his gloved hand, barely holding back from a second burst of laughter. "I will." he 'promised.'
Meta Knight slowly let a breath out at that.
It won't happen again. Don't think about it.
To distract himself, the Bat focused hard at a pile of fabric some distance away.
There's...so much dust. This is an abandoned factory so I shouldn't be surprised.
The knight tried to think of some other thought to distract himself with to no avail. He was extremely aware of every shift, graze, and tug Galacta made on his wings now.
Stop thinking about it. This is just to help my wing heal. Nothing more.
He kept this thought process up until Galacta was nearly finished with the bandaging.
The warrior had one final chance left, however, and he took it without hesitation. As he finished the final tie on the wrappings, he placed his palm between the Bat's wings, smoothly and briefly stroking it. Immediately afterward, he cut off the extra gauze and waited eagerly for the reaction.
Oh. The Bat didn't do anything this time...Perhaps he's tired.
"I'm done now. Rest up." Galacta told him, deciding to let up on the teasing. For now, at least.
Meta Knight barely nodded, but didn't move aside from that. "Thank you."
The warrior didn't question this but patted the silly bat on the head as he stood up. "I'll be right back. I'm gonna go destroy some things." he said, grabbing the dagger and his shield.
Meta Knight nodded again, without looking back. "Have fun." he replied in a monotone voice.
...Galacta was a bit disappointed that the 'thanks' was all he was getting, (not even a 'wow, you're the best Galacta?') but was okay with the fact that he had something else to laugh about.
The warrior flew out through the window, and finally burst out into laughter outside of the factory.
Meta Knight barely heard it. His face was completely flushed red and he stared intently at the space in front of him.
Don't think about it...
It might have been perpetually cold on this planet, but the heat didn't go down for a while.
He was trying his best.
Meanwhile, after he got over laughing at the Bat's predicament a few minutes ago, Galacta flew along the snowy planet, once again feeling light after not flying for so long.
He sighed contentedly. The sky was infinitely better than being in a cramped ship or dusty factory.
...But...
Galacta slowed to a hover a bit of distance away from the factory. He couldn't go too far now.
Why not...
He supposed here would be a good place as any to practice a bit.
What good is it without your lance?
He has the dagger. He can use that...
Absent-minded, the warrior returned the worn-out dagger to his shield. He wanted to keep it, since he was surprised that it was actually able to handle the inter-dimensional beam.
Or maybe not...?
Just destroy something already.
Galacta scanned the mostly barren field of snow. There were a few trees here and there. But with what?
Lance.
I don't have that.
Dagger.
"I just put it up." Galacta said in annoyance. "I'll use my shield. It's just as handy."
No, it isn't.
The warrior sighed. That was true.
But it's better to practice with it, now that you don't have the lance.
Yeah. Okay.
He landed, and began focusing on his shield, targeting the closest tree.
After managing to calm down after several minutes, Meta Knight laid back against the wall. He should try and sleep. The sudden awakening for the crash land, and the fact that he had a weird dream during the night didn't help.
Something about a bird with a big head bothering me...?
Meta Knight sighed. At least he was able to sleep comfortably in the end.
If only he were able to get comfortable here.
...
The Bat blinked at the realization that it was silent.
"Galaxia?" he asked aloud, sitting up and looking around. His eyes landed on his cape.
No, she wasn't in there. He was fighting when...
Oh, he had dropped her in battle against that rusted robot. He'd have to get her soon...
His wings spread slightly, but then he winced.
Later.
Thinking of the fight and its outcome, Meta Knight thought back to the events of it.
Galacta Knight. Quite odd. He had left, and taunted me when I was defenseless.
The memory of faintly being aware of anything that happened after that large explosion except pure fear unsettled him.
The knight flinched slightly when he heard a distant crash outside the factory, but relaxed when he deduced that it was likely only Galacta making good on his statement from earlier.
He could have let me die...
Meta Knight shuddered. He loathed to think what would have happened if...
He didn't let me die. That's what matters. Maybe I've just been too harsh on him.
The knight mused this for a while longer before finally feeling tired enough to try and doze off, despite his injured wing...
Galacta sighed as another shield blast landed on the large tree's trunk and sent it crashing down. Now he remembered why he stopped using the shield beam.
It's not as satisfying as destroying planets.
"I meant that it's not effective."
Not effective at destroying anything.
The warrior ignored that voice, annoyed.
Just go back to the factory now. It's getting cold.
That sounds better, Galacta decided.
He spread his wings and started to head back to the factory.
The warrior made it to the open window again and landed somewhat heavily.
Meta Knight, who was just beginning to doze off, jolted up again at the landing.
Galacta scowled. "You're supposed to be asleep."
"...It's difficult to, with the injured wing and you stomping everywhere..." Meta Knight muttered, squinting at the arrival.
"..." the warrior stomped forward purposely.
The Bat groaned. "What did you want?"
"For you to go to sleep! I took care of your wing for a reason!"
"Then be quiet long enough so I can do that." the knight replied. "I'm trying to sleep, but my wing still hurts. It also isn't so comfortable leaning against the wall..."
Galacta thought for a few seconds.
The Bat does like his comfort. It's cold, run down and he is leaning against his injury on a wall...
Meta Knight sighed. "Well, never mind. I am just complaining."
He looks tired...
"...Don't you have anything that'll knock you out or something?" Galacta asked, "In that fancy kit of yours."
"Oh, that's right." Meta Knight realized. "Just hand me the first aid kit again, please." He pointed to the box a few feet out of reach.
Galacta swiped up the kit and, as he walked over, noticed the 'M' insignia and the Bat's stupid imprint of his mask on it. He rolled his eyes and shoved it to the injured knight.
"They better not be weak painkillers that last half an hour."
"They aren't." Meta Knight assured him as he took off his mask and set it aside. He opened the med-kit and took out a bottle. "I should be asleep the entire night, so don't cause any damage."
Galacta didn't promise anything.
The Bat sighed, knowing what that silence meant. "Fine, then don't wake me up." He twisted the cap off and shook out two pills.
"Finally something reasonable from you."
Resisting a sigh, Meta Knight opened his mouth to take the first pill.
Galacta blinked and looked closer. Was that...? "You have fangs?!"
Meta Knight reddened, instantly closing his mouth. "No." he spoke lowly after swallowing.
"Let me see," Galacta insisted, leaning forward.
"No. Leave me alone-"
The warrior put his thumbs on the corners of the Bat's mouth and forced it open.
"Whoa..." Galacta marveled, eyeing them closely. "Lucky...that looks cool." He seethed with envy.
Meta Knight blinked in surprise.
Is the knight who tried to kill me the other day actually doing this...?
He blinked again.
Complimenting me?
He blinked once more before he pushed Galacta away and turned, covering his mouth. "Don't do that...please."
Time to be tactful. "Don't you have to take the other pill too?" Galacta asked a bit too eagerly, then added, "Let me see!"
"...No." Meta Knight took the other pill while facing the other direction.
Galacta's wings drooped in disappointment and didn't reply.
After a few seconds of trying to ignore the recent conversation, Meta Knight spoke up again, partly to change the subject and gather his thoughts.
"When I wake up, I'll head out to find the ship and Galaxia."
"Who the fuck is Galaxia?"
"Oh, my Sword. I left her out in the snow."
"You refer to your sword as a she?"
Meta Knight didn't reply, deep in thought.
After that, the trek to the ship is quite a bit away. I suppose I can return here after getting Galaxia back but that would just waste time. But with my wing out of commission, there's nothing I can really do except take care of it until I can fly. Unless...
Galacta cleared his throat and Meta Knight blinked, losing his train of thought.
"I think you should go to sleep already." he told him.
The Bat let out a short sigh, looking aside at the pile of fabric from earlier. "Yes...you're right."
Perhaps if I head out early enough...No, the wind never dies down here. Think harder. I have my cape, and I need Galaxia and the ship. I also have the wound that hinders me. Even if the cut was wrapped for now by Galacta, it needed to be treated properly as soon as possible. On the Halberd, there was...
Meta Knight blinked.
Galacta could help me. He's proven to be reliable enough to not let me die when given the chance, but the reason I got injured enough was because he abandoned me in the first place. Would he even be willing to go out with me into the cold for a few hours?
"Ugh, Bat. Go to sleep." Galacta rebuked.
The knight slowly turned back, still contemplating the difficult decision.
Just sleep on it.
The pills were beginning to take their effect. Meta Knight gave a drawn-out sigh. "I'll worry about the ship tomorrow, then..."
The warrior barely nodded, a bit annoyed.
He shouldn't even be thinking about moving.
"Oh, and Galacta Knight..." the Bat leaned his head against the wall, staring at the high ceiling of the room.
The warrior grunted, annoyed.
"...Thank you for saving my life, and tending to my wound." Meta Knight spoke up after a few seconds. "I didn't thank you properly before."
Finally, some recognition.
"Thank you." Galacta said. "Wait, I mean you're welcome." He paused, "You better thank me."
Meta Knight assumed a strange answer was the trade-off to not having to wait for an answer from Galacta.
He began to drift off. "Good night," he mumbled sleepily.
There was a pause, but then Galacta responded quietly. "...Good night."
A few minutes later, the Bat was soundly asleep. The warrior stared for a few seconds longer before giving a low sigh.
He's uncomfortable.
So? He deserves it.
For what?
Stealing your title. Dragging you along. Existing.
He...
He doesn't mean any harm.
Does he?
The pink warrior kept his eyes on the sleeping Bat.
Either way, the knight wanted to work at getting them off planet again when he was right there.
He can work himself to death. Let him be.
Galacta's gaze moved to the cape that still laid on the floor.
You can do something nice for him...
I can...The Bat would surely overwork himself if given the chance. Galacta would just have to make sure everything was done by the time he woke up to prevent that.
What did he say? The ship, his girly sword, and that he wasn't comfortable...
Ah, got it!
Galacta stepped over carefully, picking up the Bat's cape. He began to rummage through it, faltering upon feeling the cord of the whip but ignoring it otherwise. He was sure that the Bat...
There we go.
The keys to the starship. Galacta mused for a few seconds. Didn't the Bat say something about...?
'If you cut it apart, everything in it is lost...'
The warrior blinked and laughed.
"That would have been a problem." he said in amusement, throwing the keys up and catching them.
Okay. Get to the ship and drive it here. Next, get the sword. When you return, you can find something comfortable for him.
Why not get the comfortable thing now?
He's asleep. How can he thank you for that?
Oh, yeah. Okay.
Galacta swept the cape around him, feeling dashing and cool once more.
Time to go.
He walked to the window and spread his wings before pausing.
Hmm...
Walking back to the sleeping Bat, he knelt next to him quietly.
The warrior rose a hand to Meta Knight's face and carefully stroked his cheek...
Grabbing the corner of the Bat's mouth again, he opened it and stared at the fangs in marvel. He had four, two on the top and a smaller set on the bottom.
"Nice," he commented to himself before stepping off. "Okay, off we go now."
Spreading his cape-enveloped wings, the warrior took off toward the direction of the remains of the robot.