Meta Knight stood on a darkened battle field, watching warriors and demon beasts alike battle each other. "What's going on?" he asked himself as he walked across the field. Involuntarily, his legs stopped moving. In front of him stood his father, Linus, sword at the ready, staring at something Meta Knight could not yet see.
A roar came from behind him and a blood red wolf jumped over his head, causing young Meta knight to shriek and duck. Linus instantly began battling the wolf, who had begun to spit fire balls at its opponent.
Linus intricately dodged the fire but one caught the hem of his cape and it smoldered a bit before he stamped it out. "Damn dog," he muttered under his breath before he flung himself at the beast swing his sword at the beast's unprotected stomach.
Wolfwrath just batted the star warrior to the ground and lunged at him while he was down.
"Dad!" Meta Knight yelled but it fell upon deaf ears as he watched his father go still. Wolfwrath bounded away, revealing a fang imbedded in his father's chest.
Meta Knight awoke, tears sliding down his face. He had just witnessed his father's last moments. He rolled over on Onyx's bed, who's owner decided that she would sleep on the floor until they found Meta Knight permanent quarters.
-the next day-
"Onyx, Diad is in sight. Are you landing this piece of metal?" Sir Arthur asked, a half eaten piece of bread in his hand.
"Yeah, sure, let me get some coffee first." Onyx later returned with a Styrofoam cup filled with coffee, "My god this stuff is terrible but at least it's coffee," she took a sip and shuddered, "Yup, nothing's changed."
Diad became more detailed as they neared the planet. It was about 70 shades of green. Meta Knight turned to Vlad, "Is it possible to land there?"
"Hm? Oh heck yeah! It takes a pretty expert pilot to so though. That's why we have Onyx."
As if on que, they started to descend sinking below the foliage until the sky was completely blocked out.
"You said there were strongholds here. Where are they?" Meta Knight asked Arthur, "Well, the nearest village is about a miles trek from here.
Only a few exited the ship. Sir Arthur, Onyx, Vlad, Falspar, and Dragato. Meta Knight wanted to tag along too. "No! you are not going with us!" Onyx insisted as she pried Meta Knight from her pant leg
"Please!? I won't be any trouble, I promise!"
"Onyx, let the kid go. All we're doing is stocking up and the Diadians are a relatively peaceful people." Vlad assured and pulled the kid off her.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Meta Knight squealed, now hugging Vlad's pant leg.
"Ok, if we want to get to the village before night. Who knows what creatures are lurking here," Falspar said, unsheathing his sword and cutting through the vast undergrowth before them.
…
After about 20 minutes of walking, they came upon a wall of spikes.
"Oh yeah, they're totally peaceful. When was that last time you were here Vlad?" Dragato quipped, shooting a quick glare in Vlad's direction.
Something jumped them. They all backed into a circle, Meta Knight in the center, their swords pointing outwards.
"Who are you and why are you here?" demanded on of the figures, who sounded female with a slightly Russian accent, she and her comrades held pointed spears in the group's direction.
Arthur stepped forward, "We are the Galaxy Soldier Army and we were hoping that we could replenish here and then be on our way,"
The woman jabbed her spear in Onyx's direction, "And what about her?"
"What about me?" Onyx asked, faint annoyance in her voice
"Are you with them?"
"Yes she's with us, why do you ask?" Dragato asked
The spears lowered as the woman and her soldiers stepped into view. She was unlike anything Meta Knight had ever seen. She might have passed for human except for the fact that her neck, cheeks, for arms, and calves were a scattered array of black crow feathers. They wore skins of animals that none of them had ever seen before and carved into their spears was calligraphy that was lost to the ages.
"Come with us to the village, your men are not safe outside it," another Diadian said, also female in fact, the entire ambush was made completely of women, a few carried tattoos but all of them had the black feathers growing out of their skin.
As they arrived at the village, it also seemed to be made completely of females. As Onyx passed though, they glared at her, a few ushering children inside.
They reached something of a huge longhouse and stepped inside. There were beds and food and bunches of Diadian women caring for the sick and injured.
"Where are your male soldiers?" Falspar asked, looking around the room
"They were taken by the creatures," said the Diadian, lowering her eyes
"But what are the creatures?" Onyx asked
"Harpies. They lure men with their siren call and feast on them afterwards."
Meta Knight's stomach churned and he stumbled forward, into the eyesight of the Diadian, who's face seemed to soften, "What a cute little pup you are. I am Iyseth, queen of the Diadians."
Meta Knight nodded, not sure what to say. It felt odd having those eyes stare at you. They were like an owls', staring deep into your soul.
"Iyseth, is there anything we can do to help your people?" Sir Arthur offered. She shook her head, "You are men. You would not last a minute after dark if not for the guards we have at the edge of our village."
"I am sure we are capable-," but he was cut off by the queens sharp tone, "No! You are not sure! You haven't the faintest idea of what these things are like. Once you hear their songs, nothing else matters, not even your lover!" Iyseth's eyes were now brimming with tears
Sir Arthur stood speechless, not sure if he should say anything to counter her comment, or just shut up.
"Excuse me Iyseth, but would I have a chance of killing them?" Onyx asked meekly, and it was unusual for her to be meek. But something about the Diadian queen made her feel small and helpless.
"You may have a chance. The Harpies' songs do not work on females. I shall accompany you if you are willing to go." Iyseth said, turning her spear. "We shall go tonight. If we are not successful, I will have my guard's escort you back to your ship,"
"Wait! You're sending Onyx but not us?!" Dragato blurted out only to have Iyseth get close, her nose almost touching his (if he has a nose) a fire burning in her eyes, "Did you not just hear me ignorant warrior?"
-That night-
Onyx had changed. She now wore all animal hide, her mask had been removed to be replaced with one that was not unlike Yamikage's.
"The animal hide will help mask your scent," Iyseth assured, she wore almost exactly the same attire as Onyx's, "Take your bow, it will be more trustworthy than any sword," She handed Onyx and ivory bow and a quiver full of arrows.
"Why not just use a sword?" Vlad asked, furrowing his brow,
"Because star warrior, a Harpie can crush your sword as easily as you would a piece of paper, but stone, that will work better than any steel." Meta Knight watched from afar, wondering if his plan might actually work, or whether they would notice him.
"Good luck Onyx," Vlad said, clapping her on the back
"Thanks. By the way, where's Falspar?" Onyx looked around for the star warrior
"Don't know. Probably off doing something or other."
Onyx nodded as she and Iyseth walked past the wall of spikes and out into the jungle, not knowing Meta Knight was trailing close behind.
…
Half an hour into the trek through the jungle, Meta Knight began to become careless. He leaned against a tree for a moment to catch his breath.
The tree moved and Meta Knight jumped away as an enormous snake appeared right were he had been moments ago.
Despite himself, he let out a shrill scream, causing Onyx and Iyseth to turn.
"Meta Knight!" Onyx yelled as she pulled an arrow from her quiver and shot it at the snake.
The stone bit into the snake's side as it turned, gave a hiss, and slithered off into the trees, leaving a trail of blood behind it.
"Meta Knight! Why the hell did you follow us! You could get yourself killed!" Onyx almost screamed.
Iyseth gave him a cool look, "She's right pup, this is no place for you,"
"I'm sorry. I wanted to watch you fight the harpies, I didn't know I was going to get caught," Meta Knight apologized, not daring to meet either of the warriors' eyes.
"There is nothing we can do now. We are too far away from our village and too close to the mountain," Iyseth said, staring into the distance.
"Fine, but Meta Knight, when we gat to the mountain, you will stay behind. I am not losing you to these things," Onyx said sharply, following the Diadian's gaze.
"Ok," Meta Knight said, only slightly put out
They walked in silence, Iyseth occasionally stopping to listen to the jungle around them.
Eventually, the trail came to an end and a steep mountain sat in front of him.
"We will have to make the rest of the way on foot," Iyseth said, sliding her bow across her shoulder
"Ok. Meta Knight, I command you to stay here." Onyx said, imitating the Diadian Queen.
"We cannot do that," Iyseth said suddenly
"What? Why not?" Onyx asked, confused
"Because he has no protection to the creatures on the jungle floor. He will have to travel with us."
"Ugh… fine." Onyx leaned over to allow Meta Knight to scuttle on her back.
They started climbing. Going higher and higher with each step. Meta Knight made the mistake of looking down and swallowed seeing the distant floor beneath them.
Eventually, they came to a large, flat ledge and Meta Knight dropped of Onyx's back, relieved to be on solid ground again.
"We will have to be very quiet. We are nearing the harpies' nest." Iyseth commented, putting an arrow in her bow.
Onyx imitated her, "Meta Knight, stay here and wait for us to come back."
Meta Knight nodded, his fingers crossed behind his back.
They started walking along the ledge, leaning against the wall were it became treacherous.
Just as Meta Knight's feet began to tire, they stopped and he stood completely still, as if it would make him invisible.
The girls turned a corner and Meta Knight followed them, astounded at the sight that lay before him.
Sitting in what looked like an enormous birds nest, looking either completely drunk and/or sedated, was Sir Falspar, surrounded by what Meta Knight assumed were 5 harpies.
