The ship left under the supervision of Meta Knight. He watched as it took off, his cape fluttering in the turbulent wind. Kirby was with everyone aboard and leaving Popstar, a protector should they run into something out there. Meta Knight felt some relief. It would be one less thing to worry about, allowing him to focus on his mission.
Kirby was still young. He had a lot to learn about being a Star Warrior. But Meta knew he would pull through when it came down to the wire. He always did.
Dreamland was eerily quiet. Not a soul around and the Halberd far behind him. Meta Knight stood alone on a balcony outside Castle Dedede, still as a statue while looking out over Dreamland. It was a crawling few days spent waiting for Arcta Knight to return. He stood on the balcony, the wind dancing with his cape to fill time. Waiting for the assailant to return was nerve wracking. Even for Meta.
What was taking her so long? Didn't she want to enact her Lord's will? Whoever that ended up being. Meta Knight was sure he would find out soon enough. There was something about her that struck him. No matter how long he dwelled on it, he couldn't figure out what about her gave him that weird notion of familiarity. Her mask was too unconventional for him to simply forget… but it wasn't the mask that gave him the sting of lost memory. It was the voice. The determination. Not even the eyes struck him. They seemed not to fit. Like some other entity was parading around in a body that wasn't their own.
The ringing of the video phone in the throne room stole him from his watch. Meta blinked and shook the thoughts from his head. He rushed down to answer it, his cape fluttering behind him as he quickly moved. He wasn't used to using the king's set up but he had used plenty of technology before. He sat back in the throne and scanned the remote on the armrests for the button to answer. Pressing it once it was found.
The screen flared to life, a familiar figure glowering at him. It was a mask much like his, but a large crack scarred the eye line. The eyes behind it were cold.
"Trickery isn't like you." He said, his voice a low rumble and the yellow lights of his eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"This is no trick, Dark." Meta said. The severity of the empty castle should be enough to prove that. Dark Meta Knight eyed his counterpart's surroundings and leaned back, folding his arms. He seemed unimpressed. Apathetic. He rolled his head to one side, sighing heavily. His gaze moved to a screen outside of the camera's view. Meta could only assume he was eying the bounty he had been sent.
Wanted:
A wielder of frigid powers has laid waste to Dreamland and decimated our army. Meta Knight, under authority of King Dedede, issues this call to all capable warriors:
Description:
- Alias: Arcta Knight
- Name: Unknown
- Allegiance: Unknown Lord
- Star Warrior Status: Illegitimate
- Abilities: Ice manipulation, exceptional swordsmanship, and agility
- Attire: Diamond harlequin mask with a sinister grin, small horns, navy blue hair, golden armor, fur cape
Bounty:
A generous reward awaits the warrior who can bring an end to the menace that is Arcta Knight. Any affiliated or unaffiliated warrior is called upon to unite against this common enemy. As of now, Arcta Knight and her master's goals are unknown. If left to their devices, the safety of the galaxy could be at stake.
To Add:
- Additional smaller bounty is available. Submit any intel on Arcta Knight's whereabouts, motives, or identity
- Exercise extreme caution: Arcta Knight is agile, magically adept, and lethal
Meta Knight sent this bounty to every warrior in Dedede's contacts. Every person he had clashed with in the past, every Knight he could remember, he wasn't going to let Arcta get away so easily. Not if he could help it.
"What could I possibly gain from this?"
Meta grimaced and tightened his jaw. This situation was too dire for him to let any warrior of note slip through his fingers. Luckily, Dedede left him some leverage for bartering.
"What would you want?"
Dark turned his gaze back to Meta's, silent for a moment. The glint of amusement that flickered over Dark's eyes was rare, but not unknown. The tension that tugged on Meta's shoulder was against dealing with Dark on such open terms. He had to force it out of his mind to keep himself steady.
"My… desperate, are you?"
"I haven't offered anything, I'm asking your price. It's a negotiation."
"Of course, of course," Dark raised a hand to stop Meta and leaned back in his seat, "I'm sure you know what I want, but I'll make it clear for you. I want my revenge and I want my freedom." He tightens his fist, his gauntlet creaking. Meta lifted his head at that. It wasn't as bad as he expected. Certainly nothing he couldn't handle.
"We can arrange your freedom from Mirror World." Meta Knight nodded.
"And my revenge?"
"That rests on you. If you think you can defeat me. I can only arrange your release."
Dark seemed annoyed at that, leaning forward until his helmet filled the majority of the screen. The fire of rage burned in his eyes and he grabbed the camera as if he were attempting to throttle Meta through the screen. Meta stood firm against his intimidation tactics. Unmoved by his display.
"Don't get cocky, bastard," Dark hissed. He glanced aside and straightened, "fine. I'll accept. If she gets to you first I won't have what I want, anyway."
"I thank you for your cooperation."
"Kiss my ass." Dark huffed and hung up on Meta, the screen reflecting Meta back at him once more. He sighed and lifted his helmet to rub his temple, turning away from the screen. He knew getting assistance was for the better, but he dreaded the thought of dealing with more past enemies to get this done.