It was a brand new day in Dreamland. The sky was blue, the grass was green, and Tuff was kicking the soccer ball back and forth with Kirby. Several years have past since the fall of N.M.E. Kirby had grown and learned to talk finally. His personality grew more and more making himself into his own person and not just a star warrior. Tuff grew older but was still stubborn about some things. His hair grew a little longer and his bangs were finally cut where you could see his face. The outfit changed into a vest and pants as well. Tiff watched the two play in the clearing behind the castle walls. She too grew older and wiser over the years. Her hair shorter and her cloths a little like sleeves and the designs on them. She became even more book smart as she read, feeding her mind with new things to learn. Everyone were at ease except for one. Meta Knight was also watching with tired and drained eyes. He felt like he hasn't slept in months when in reality it was weeks. The dreams came more and more in depth with each time. The same one over and over again with more information revealing itself as it went. The dreams were robbing him of his sleep and the knight couldn't do a thing about it. As he watched the kids he began to wonder. Why was he having the dream? Was it trying to tell him something? Something he had forgotten? It worried him. What if it was important? What was he to do? There had to be a reason this. Closing his eyes memories of his past come to him calmly as if the dreams weren't even happening. Slowly stress began to creep up on him as he tried to sort through his memories. His body began to shake from his attempt making the knight feel sick and a little dizzy. His past wasn't pretty nor were his experiences in the war. The war against N.M.E had been horrible. Watching his friends and comrades die as the Monsters roared by. Meta Knight tried to fight off that dreaded feeling while the memories came to him but lost every time. Something else was bothering him as well. He felt uneasy for some reason. Yes there was peace but there was something else out there. Something that was long had been forgotten during the war. While the older veteran was deep in his thoughts two other figures were watching him with worry in their eyes. Sword and Blade Knight wanted to urge their leader to go and rest. The nightmares made themselves known even to them. They could hear Meta Knight wake up with a start and even crying out but did their best to show it didn't disturb them. The only thing is that this has gone on far to long.
"Something's wrong with him Blade. He's never acted like this before," Sword looked at his friend. Blade nodded in agreement.
"Meta Knight never lost sleep do to Nightmares... I never even heard him having any until recently..." he continued. The knight griped his own sword.
"What can we do? You know how stubborn he is. The guy won't sleep if he feels there's dangers." Blade put his hand on his friends shoulder. He could understand Swords concern but even he knew how hard it was to get Meta Knight to do what he should to keep himself healthy. The two sighed and kept looking at the one they followed for years.
Meta Knight was acting strangely and this was making the two feel like something was going on that they don't know about. Blade and Sword never really fought in the war, but knew what had gone on and understood the danger that was involved. Sword understood that he doesn't have any special abilities as Meta Knight did, but he could sense the uneasiness in his leader's pose. He finally gathered up the strength and courage to go up to his master. Sword walked out from his hiding place and approached Meta Knight.
"Is something wrong, Sword Knight?" Meta Knight asked without turning around. After being together for so many years, Meta Knight was able to recognize who was approaching just from the sound of their footsteps. Looking to the skies he waited for the question to come out. It was bound to come sooner or later. Something like this is far to hard to hide from those who care about you.
"Meta Knight, we're worried about you. We know about your bad nights and that you're uneasy about something. Please tell us what's bothering you. Maybe we can help you," Sword said. The sound of worry was heavy in his voice. It was obvious about how much the two cared for him. After all, Meta Knight saved their lives and let them follow him around. The deed helped the knight find their paths and gave them other than themselves to care about.
Meta Knight was silent for several minutes. The clouds moved slowly today and were a bright white in color. However, the feeling of peace was not running down like rain like it was in the beginning.
"I'm afraid even I don't have the answer to that... This is something that is deeper than just dreams... Something is out there... I'm afraid Nightmare isn't entirely gone yet." he said looking to face Sword. It was almost painful to look at Meta Knight in the eyes. It was like he aged a hundred years in about a week. The bright yellow was now dimmer and his stance was far to loose. The poor man was close to falling asleep where he stood.
"Lord Meta Knight, maybe you should turn in for the after noon. Go back to the room and rest since you haven't been sleeping well." Blade finally suggested. He had to at least try to get his master to rest. Even if it meant for Meta Knight to just sit and watch the TV.
Meta Knight was about wave it off and say he was fine when suddenly he became faint and memories from a forgotten past started to flood in. Pieces from when he first join and faces of those that were dear to him who were long gone were in front of his mind making his stagger. Frightened both of his followers rushed to his sides to help steady him.
"Meta Knight! Are you okay?" Sword quickly help Blade lead Meta Knight to a near by beach chair. Meta Knights whole body was shaking. They never saw their leader scared or in any kind of distress before and this scared them.
"Meta Knight?" Blade was as concerned for him as Sword was.
"I think you maybe right... I need to go and try to get some rest..." his voice was so tired and shaky from what just happened. He had to admit, even he was scared from just happened. Something like was very rare and the fact it was happening when there was peace was never a good sign. After sitting in silence for a few minutes he got up to start to walk to his room. He felt older than he actually was and he could feel something deep with in himself turning. Maybe it was his lack of sleep playing with his stomach. Walking slowly, Meta Knight headed in side.
"Meta Knight?" Sword said reaching his hand out a bit.
Meta Knight stopped and stood in front of the entrance to the dark hallway.
"If you need anything. Lets us know. " he continued. Quietly Meta Knight nodded and disappeared into the darkness. Sword sighed in frustration. He wanted to help Meta Knight to become normal again but there was only so much he could do. He turned to Blade.
"Let's keep an eye on Kirby for Meta Knight," he said. Blade nodded and the two friends headed down to the courtyard. They still thought about Meta Knight's problem but still tried their best to do their job well.
Meta Knight walked wearily down the hallway. All those memories were zapping his strength from him. As he walked he let his mind wonder back to when Kirby first came to dreamland. A small chuckle came from him as recalled the time the king planned to get the small star warrior fat so he could inhale. Even though they were fighting for freedom Meta Knight had to admit, there was some good times. A sigh escaped him as he reached his room. The looked like it was getting darker as the he walked in as fatigue was over powering his senses. Maybe the dreams wouldn't come to him this time. Maybe he'd be able to get some sleep and this will all just go away. All dreams were unwanted now, not even pleasant ones. The bed came closer and closer before it stopped in front of him. Meta Knight stared at it as he started to thinking about maybe taking off all his armor. No one has ever seen him without his mask on and it could cause unwanted attention Sudden;y it came to him, the closed door he had locked away in his mind. It was no longer locked and now the memories of is first year in the army making themselves known. The weight that he felt in his chest was suddenly lifted and now he felt at least a little bit better. Now that he figured it out he decided to take the chance and take off the mask. He deserves to sleep comfortably now that the mystery was some what solved. Putting a hand to his shoulder pad, Meta Knight unbuckled the heavy mask from it. A cling rang through the room and it was even louder in his ear. With the other hand it repeated the same motion letting the mask just drop to the floor. It was moved to the night table next to the bed before Meta Knight pulled himself on top of the mattress then pull the covers over him. Rolling to his side, he looked to the bare wall before closing his eyes and fall fast to sleep.
Darkness filled his sights and feeling that long forgotten filling his being. His body start shaking and soon he could hear voices that sounded familiar. The urge of wanting to see what as going on forcing its way through the fear. Light peak through as the eye lids started to part.
"He's finally opening his eyes. You scare him good, Brigade." a figure stood with the Young Meta Knight and the dragon looking creature. He was stocky and tall. A pair of horns sprouted from the top of his head but waved back. The color of the skin was light blue green with reddish hair. The clothes were leather with a brown color to it. A large belt kept the pants up while a zipper kept the vest close. Large green should pads with spikes protected the warrior shoulders. Snorting the large head lowered to Meta Knight to get a closer looked at him.
"The little runt survived the battle? Are you sure this isn't a Demon Monster spy?" his voice was deep and gruff. Much like a farmer who saw hard times. Meta Knight stared at the other being until the soldier turned to the other. This was his chance to try and get away but when he turned he quickly noticed he was in a room. When they moved him Meta Knight had his eyes closed in fear which was his first mistake. Now he was stuck there with two beings that looked to him to be monsters.
"What do you think it is, Bruno? It can't be a Demon Beast it isn't even a threat." Brigade put his hands on the hilt of his swords that hung on his sides. He was much larger than his smaller companion Bruno. He wore black armor with a cape draped over his shoulders. What really made him look intimidating was his long neck and reptile like head. Tusk like teeth protruded at the corners of his mouth while his ears came out from behind his eyes and spread out almost like smaller pair of wings. A mane of hair started in the middle of his neck and went up spreading wider becoming longer just behind the ears and top of his head. The bangs reached out and covered his eyes some. His eyes looked down at the small blue ball that was looking to escape.
"I don't think it is... Maybe we should just drop it off at a village and let them take of him." Bruno scratched the back of his.
"I have a better Idea... Why don't we take him." Brigade lowered his head to Meta Knight. The little young one eeped and backed away.
"Come again? We're in a war, we can't take care of a kid. All we can do is raise him how to fight." Bruno crossed his arms and watched the two. This was starting to get annoying. His friend was doing nothing but picking up strays from the battle field. Yeah the army was growing because of it but now they had more inexperience fighters on the battlegrounds and it was some what hurting them.
"What do you say little guy? Why don't you stay here with us. It's safer and there's food." Brigade said to little Meta Knight. Now that he was closer the child could see his eyes better. They were no longer scary but soft with kindness. Silence filling the room as Meta Knight thought about it. He was scared even in this place but at least there was others that could help him when Demons attacked. He turned to the window as if trying to look for the answer outside.
"You don't have to stay if you don't want to." Bruno finally added. This caught Meta Knights attention as he looked to the soldier. Before Bruno was protesting it and now he seemed alright with it. Maybe it would be better for him to stay here. With a nervous nod Meta Knight agreed.
"Welcome home, what do we call you friend?" Brigade smiled and lifted his head back up.
"M-Meta Knight..." the blue ball stuttered.
"Hold it, sorry but knight is something you earn. You just call yourself that." Bruno said.
"Thats what I remember though..." Meta Knight stepped back feeling more nervous.
"Don't worry about. Thats just how our ranks work. For now, we'll just call you Meta. Meta will be your name." Brigade smiled. His hand lifted itself into the air before descending. Meta closed his eyes and braced himself waiting for an attack but instead felt it gently resting on his head. Opening his eyes Meta looked up to meet Brigades calm expression. The feeling of fear faded and the feeling of relaxation came to him. No more running from Demon beasts. No more hiding in fear. This was a place that was called home and now he had something he didn't have before, friends and just maybe a family.