Mallow Castle was exactly as described. The old castle looked like it had been left untouched for ages, and it was in a state of disrepair. The walls were crumbled somewhat and some parts of the floor had plant life growing between the cracks. Even though it was in daylight, the castle still had an unsettling atmosphere.

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"So…this is Mallow Castle." Blade surveyed the building.

"The name is really misleading. It sounds like a colorful cheerful place, not a place that looks like it hasn't seen civilization in decades." Sword commented, swatting a spider web away.

"It once was. Mallow Castle once had a king and royalty." Meta Knight informed. "But that was long ago. Something in history changed that."

"But what? As far as I know, there weren't many wars that ever happened on Pop Star." Sword wondered aloud. "But of course there are other reasons that a king's rule could end."

"The answer was lost in the flow of time. There are theories, yes, but only a small trace of information can be found. It certainly is puzzling for a thriving castle to suddenly become so dilapidated."

"You don't know either, Sir Meta Knight?" Blade asked, somewhat surprised.

"I do not have the answer to everything. I simply read in my spare time and hear rumors often." Meta Knight chuckled softly. "You both hold such high respect for me."

"Well…you always seem to know what to do…" Blade responded. "You're wise, courageous, strong…"

"And you're always so calm too." Sword added. "You don't panic or get scared during times of crisis. You're the strongest warrior in the galaxy."

"Now, I wouldn't go that far." Meta Knight responded sternly. "There are certainly others that are far superior than I."

"Like who? Who could possibly be better?" They asked with interest.

Meta Knight frowned. "Sir Arthur, of course. I thought you would have known that."

"Sir Arthur? I mean, yes he does have interesting armor…but what has he done that was so spectacular?" Sword inquired.

"He created the GSA. He stood up against Nightmare in a time where fear reigned. There were others before him that formed small armies, but failed. No one came so close to victory than Sir Arthur against Nightmare. He is the ideal warrior."

"That is quite spectacular…" Sword agreed.

"What was he like as a leader?" The red haired knight wanted to know more.

"He truly was and still is a father to his men. Sir Arthur is patient and understanding, if there was ever any conflict among the GSA, he would listen to both sides before coming to any conclusion. He was incredible in battle, and he's fought hordes of Demon Beasts single-handedly. He does have a few…odd quirks, but he is still an exceptional warrior."

Meta Knight's eyes were glowing blue the entirety of his explanation, much to the amusement of his knaves. The blue Star Warrior's fondness for his leader was actually how they felt towards him. But seeing their lord like this…was certainly something new.

"Sir Meta Knight…there's been something on my mind…but I haven't been sure how to ask." Sword began somewhat nervously.

"What would that be?" Meta Knight could sense his knave's hesitation.

"Well…actually never mind. I'll ask when I can word it better." Sword waved his hands. "I don't really know how to ask it at the moment…"

"…Very well then. When you are ready, I will listen." The blue knight nodded, but inwardly felt quite curious as to what Sword wanted to know.

Meta Knight began to walk ahead through the damaged castle with his knaves trudging behind.

"What were you going to ask him?" Blade whispered.

"…I'll tell you later."

As they continued through Mallow Castle, the scenery became less and less lighted. They were going to explore the castle thoroughly before they left for Candy Mountain. Perhaps it was nostalgia, but Meta Knight wanted to investigate the old castle. Exploring places and discovering things unknown was one of the tasks given to solders in the GSA in the past. It made the blue knight remember those times.

"Sir Meta Knight, criminals do come here sometimes, right?" Blade asked.

"So I've heard. Are you worried?"

"N-No! Well, a little." Blade admitted.

"Any criminal that resides here will not be a challenge for us." Meta Knight's hand rested on Galaxia's hilt.

"Well, I meant more for you. You have been acting a little off lately…so you might actually get hurt…" Blade fidgeted.

"I assure you,I am fine." The blue puff said sternly before continuing his search of Mallow Castle.

The two knaves exchanged worried glances, but nevertheless remained silent.

"Help! Please! Someone help me!" A female voice cried out.

"Did you hear that? It sounded like someone yelling." Sword looked around the room.

"It's coming from upstairs!" Blade said, running towards the stairs.

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The three arrived upstairs to find a Waddle Dee tied to a pillar of the castle. Tears were running down her eyes as she struggled against the ropes. Her entire body shook with fear, but she didn't seem to be harmed.

"Please! I heard someone, is anyone here?! Help me before they get back! Please! I just want to go home! They're going to hurt me! Don't leave me here!" The Waddle Dee cried.

"Miss, are you alright? Don't worry, we're here to help!" Sword called out.

The Waddle Dee seemed to relax, then turned towards the knights. Her gaze fell on Meta Knight and her brown eyes widened. Her eyes were filled with fear.

"No… Y-You're the man that tried to take over Dreamland! Oh no, please don't hurt me! I'll give you whatever you want, just don't hurt me! I have a husband and child! Please have mercy!" She was nearly in hysterics.

Meta Knight's eyes turned grey for a split moment, guilt clawing at his insides. This woman was terrified of him, perhaps more so than the horrible scoundrels who kidnapped her. The fact that he was feared more than the criminals by this innocent Waddle Dee was almost enough to make him choke up.

"Miss…I am not here to harm you. I will not lay a hand on you." The Star Warrior spoke in a gentle voice.

The Waddle Dee's body still shivered, but she seemed to have calmed down. Meta Knight withdrew Galaxia, causing her to squeak in fright. She closed her eyes, tears flowing down her cheeks.

She waited…was he wanting her to open her eyes before he struck her? She opened one eye halfway, the knight's sword was at his side and the ropes were in bits around her. The knight had cut her ropes, freeing her.

Meta Knight held out his gloved hand towards her. She almost touched his hand, only to draw her own back quickly and stood up . Perhaps it was the Waddle Dee's imagination, but the blue knight's eyes almost looked hurt.

"Miss…who was it that took you hostage?" Blade asked.

"…They wear black uniforms, armor. They steal from others, and demand large sums of money. If you don't give them what they want…those men will make you regret it. They revel in violence…"

"…Have they hurt you, miss?" Meta Knight asked in the same soft tone of voice.

"No…but, they would have…Oh, they would have…I was on my way to work when they surrounded me…they wanted my wedding bracelet. I told them no…and they took me here."

Meta Knight eyed the Waddle Dee's bare left arm. She wasn't wearing a wedding bracelet. She noticed his gaze and squeaked in fear.

"They took my bracelet…and then they demanded money that I didn't have because I refused to give my bracelet to them. I couldn't pay that much money…I don't know anyone who could have that much money on them…"

The woman began to sob. "I-I can't believe I lost something so precious though…my husband gave me that bracelet, he worked so hard to afford it…and…I lost it…"

"Miss, it's all right." Sword tried to comfort the crying Waddle Dee. "The important thing is that you're safe and unharmed."

"But…they'll just come find me again! I know it! I can't go home or I'll endanger my husband and son, I'll have to hide! Those men said that when they got back they were going to throw me off the top of the castle as many times as they pleased! And if they catch me again, they'll either do that or something worse!"

The Waddle Dee's body shook all over as she cried into her small paws. This woman truly did nothing to deserve this, and yet she was being subject to something so cruel and heartless…did her husband and child even know where she was?

"No." Meta Knight responded, withdrawing Galaxia.

The woman trembled with fear and gave a small gasp at seeing the weapon. Meta Knight faced her and his knaves with his grip tight on the hilt of the sword.

"No, that will not happen. Because we will fight them if needed, anything to keep you safe from them, and we will find your wedding bracelet."

"Y-You will…?" The Waddle Dee asked in shock. "You must be insane."

"I would rather be deemed insane than to stand by and allow these unsavory men the freedom of committing heinous acts on the innocent." Meta Knight remained firm with his decision. "Now, do you have any sort of idea where they could have taken your wedding bracelet?"

"…It's most likely on them…they might have sold it off to the black market…" The Waddle Dee explained.

"Well then, guess we'll just have to wait for them to come back." Sword groaned.

"No." Meta Knight turned to the Waddle Dee. "Your husband and child must certainly be worried. We will escort you to your home, then we will find the criminals. After we have obtained your bracelet, we will return it."

"I'm afraid you won't be doing anything now…" A low voice said.

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The four turned around to see five humanoid armored men standing at the doorway. Their armor was colored black, and a large red X created by two swords tainted with red was on their shoulders as a symbol.

The leader sneered. "So, you think you're gonna get away? Say, Waddle Dee…know what I said would happen when we got back? Now I guess I'll think of something worse. Heard what you said about your husband and kid…"

"No…" She whispered, hiding behind Sword and Blade.

"Mhmm…" The leader grinned, showing gross yellow teeth. "Would be a shame is something happened to em'…or you…maybe we'll have a family reunion here. They can watch every moment of it, hear every screa-"

"I have heard enough." Meta Knight held Galaxia with a firm grip. "You…are not in the position to make such threats. It takes a low person to hurt the innocent…but you, you go beyond low. There are no words to accurately describe your worth."
"Oh, and you think you're gonna stop us? Do you know who we are? We're the Blood Knights. We can do what we want, and nobody's gonna stop us. 'Specially not a hero wannabe like you. So, what's it gonna be? You be quiet and maybe we won't hurt ya as bad as the lady there…"

The woman gave a soft sob, eliciting chuckles from the Blood Knights. Sword and Blade stood in front of the Waddle Dee protectively, anger welling within them.

"Sword, Blade. Keep her safe from harm. I will deal with these fools." The Star Warrior instructed.

"Sir Meta Knight…" Sword said quietly.

"Yes, Sword?"

"Slaughter them."

"You want this?" The criminal twirled the bracelet around his finger. "Come an' get it!"

Meta Knight ran towards them, the five opponents drew out their own swords and tried to stab the knight. With one wave of Galaxia, the blades were sliced off of their hilts. All five. The leader chuckled and pulled out a bulky axe.

He swung at the blue puff, but missed each time. Meta Knight looked at him in the eyes with such a cold glare it could have frozen fire.

"You dare refer to yourselves as knights?!" He growled, almost beast-like. "A knight protects those that are weak, not exploit the innocent for your own selfish gain! You…have made a mockery of such a title."

Meta Knight swung Galaxia, slicing the handle of the axe in half. The axe clattered uselessly on the floor. The five scoundrels quivered at the masked knight, now fully aware of what he was capable of.

The blue knight yanked the leader down to his height by the collar of his shirt. He threw him to the ground and held Galaxia to his throat. The criminal trembled, eyes wide with terror as he looked into Meta Knight's own eyes. They were a solid red.

"The fear that runs through your body…remember it. Remember it well. For it's the same fear that you made this innocent Waddle Dee endure."

He lifted Galaxia from his throat. "I will spare your life. Remember that fear, and you will never commit another heinous deed. Should you forget, should you stray to the life of miscreants once again…I will find you. I will find you, reignite that fear, and bury you."

Meta Knight held out his hand. "Now, I believe you have something that doesn't belong to you."

The criminal practically threw the bracelet at the blue knight before scrambling out of the castle, his four henchmen following suit.

The blue knight carefully picked up the jewelry, then placed it in the Waddle Dee's arms. She stared at him speechless, a few tears welling in her eyes. However, these weren't anguished tears, they were out of happiness and relief.

"Thank you…Thank you so much!" She sniffled, though the Waddle Dee didn't have a mouth, anyone could tell she was smiling.

"Now, it's time for you to return home. Lead the way."

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The Waddle Dee nodded happily, the three knights behind her. The rest of the walk went smoothly and soon they arrived at a small round house. Another Waddle Dee ran outside of the building when he saw them approach.

"Dear…where have you been? What happened? Are you alright?!" He ran to her, embracing his wife.

"I'm alright…but if they weren't there, I certainly wouldn't be standing here…"

The other Waddle Dee eyed them, whispering. "Isn't that…the blue knight that led the invasion?"

"He's not violent. He saved me. He's not like The Blood Knights." She reassured.

"Did they…The Blood Knights?! They took you?!" He nearly cried, then turned towards Meta Knight. "You…you defeated them? There isn't a scratch on you. …What are you?"

"I am simply a knight that follows a code of honor."

"No, there's something else." The husband mused. "I just…can't thank you three enough. Nobody could do anything about them. Then suddenly…you showed up…you're something supernatural. That's the only explanation I can think up." The Waddle Dee chuckled.

"Mama, is mama back?" A small Waddle Dee peered from behind the house's door. "Mama!"

The child ran towards his mother. "Mama! Where were you? We missed you!"

"It's alright…I'm fine." She whispered, smiling. "We're together now, and that's really all that matters."

Sword sniffled. "I'm gonna cry…"

Meta Knight gazed at the reunited family with glowing blue eyes. He turned to his knaves. "Come, we need to continue. Candy Mountain is our next destination."

-

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Jecra sprang up from his bed. "Meta Knight, did you hear that?"

"The beast is outside."

Jecra struggled to put on his armor while Garlude threw open the door.

"It's here! Hurry up, Jecra!"

Meta Knight was one step ahead of them. He jumped out the window, landing directly behind the armadillo-like creature. Unaware of his presence, it's weak spot was unguarded. The blue knight stabbed it's tail.

It shrieked and hissed, then kicked Meta Knight with one of it's hind legs. He skidded across the ground, creating a large dust cloud. Villagers ran away from the scene, desperate to get away from the violent creature.

"Sir Meta Knight!" Garlude arrived by his side, along with Jecra. "Are you alright?"

"Nothing seems to be broken…" The knight managed to get back on his feet.

"We need to get to it's tail…" Jecra said. "But we need to keep it from doing that rolling thing."

"Here's the plan." Garlude whispered. "Jecra, it can't reach it's back. You need to leap on it's back and cut off it's tail. Sir Meta Knight and I will keep it distracted in the front."

"Gotcha!" Jecra gave a thumbs up. "Oh no! It's doing the rolly thing!"

The Demon Beast curled up and charged towards them, the three dodged the attack. The beast turned around and uncurled, shrieking at the soldiers. With it's claws, it slashed at it's prey. Meta Knight blocked the blow, giving Jecra an opportunity.

"Now, Jecra!" Garlude shouted.

Jecra jumped into the air, the beast stopped and swatted the blonde away with it's claws. Jecra landed to the ground with a thud. The beast turned away from the soldiers with disinterest, instead showing interest in the villagers.

The civilians ran from the Demon Beast, knowing full well what would happen if it caught them. A little Noddy tripped in the crossfire, her eyes widened as the armadillo beast lunged towards her. Too petrified to move, and no arms to aid her, she awaited her end.

The blonde swordsman quickly stood up and dashed in front of the Noddy, his sword raised in defense. The beast's claws went through his mask, tearing off a piece of the metal. A large cut was on the soldiers cheek, but still he stood in front of the little girl, unflinching.

Meta Knight and Garlude jumped behind the Demon Beast. Meta Knight stabbed the creature's hind legs, stunning it. Jecra disabled it's front legs, leaving Garlude to cut off it's tail. With one last wail, the Demon Beast slumped against the ground. It's red eyes dimmed as it stopped moving.

-

"Should we bring it back to the headquarters?" Garlude asked.

"We would have to haul it to the ship once it gets here." Jecra answered. "And that thing must weigh a ton…and it stinks."

"We will report this to Sir Arthur, regardless of whether we take it's corpse or not." Meta Knight added.

"True…" Jecra said. "But to be on the safe side, maybe we should burn it. Just in case it can regenerate limbs or something."

That's…actually something reasonable, Jecra." Garlude said, impressed. "Yes, we should tell the villagers to burn it. We never know if any of these things can repair themselves…"

Meta Knight noticed that Jecra's cheek was still bleeding. Yet the blonde showed no sign of concern over his injury.

"I just wish that we killed it before you got hurt, Jecra." Garlude sighed. "That looks like a really deep scratch. It might leave a permanent scar."

"It's alright, Garlude." Jecra grinned. "I wouldn't mind. Because whenever I, or anyone else saw it, it would be a permanent reminder that I saved a girl's life. So…I feel no shame in having this scar."

The purple skinned woman smiled. "You always are looking on the bright side, aren't you?"

"I misjudged you." Meta Knight turned to Jecra. "There is more to you than meets the eye. …Perhaps you were meant to be a Star Warrior. For your actions tonight, I give you my respect."

Jecra beamed like an excited child, getting far too close for comfort. "So this means we're friends, right?!"

"No."

Author's Note: I'm amazed, I'm really producing chapters faster than usual.

Anyway, writing the part with the kidnapped Waddle Dee was really uncomfortable at some parts. I know, this is coming from the same writer who offed Marx in one of the most tearjerking, gutwrenching ways possible. But it was a bit different. It was an accident on Kirby's half, while the Waddle Dee's torment was on purpose on behalf of the criminals.

I have to admit, I think Meta Knight's speech there was probably some of the best dialogue I've written. Meta Knight has a strong sense of justice, even though he can appear cold sometimes. Although being around Kirby has warmed him up some. And it's my personal headcanon that Meta Knight really has kind of a sempai respect towards Sir Arthur. You read how he went on and on talking about Arthur's achievements, and he probably would have continued if the opportunity arrived.

Meta Knight is being pretty cold towards Jecra, but he's starting to respect him a little. You're getting there Jecra. He'll wear down eventually.

So, next chapter is already underway. In chapter 45, four ladies of a certain sector will return. I'm happy to know they were so well received, so we'll get to know a little more about them next time.

So leave lots of reviews or else if you want the next chapter! Just kidding, but I do love getting feedback from my readers. It gives me the will and strength to write, letting me know that my work is making people happy.

Leer Justice, out.