#battyfics

"I didn't think you'd be one for sweets," Hairi said, sitting beside Mahito on her couch and handing him a cone. Mint chocolate chip—her favorite and the only flavor she had on hand. He lounged in the corner of the couch, an arm draped over the back while he propped a leg up on the cushions. Hairi sat at the opposite end, keeping her distance.

There was music constantly playing in her home, set to a low volume to act as a soundtrack to her life. It was playing calm lo-fi as she went casually about her day, as per her routine, but it was now horribly out of place. Nothing about the situation matched the tune and it grated on her nerves.

"I'm not one for food in general, but I get curious," Mahito shrugged, holding the cone over his face as he leaned back, letting it drip onto his tongue. Hairi grimaced and looked away, hoping mint ice cream would clean easily out of linen.

Hairi watched him, tense. His presence was not a pleasant one. How he was able to get in without her noticing was unknown. Surely she should have sensed his arrival. But if he remained civil, she would. She wasn't equipped to fight a Special Grade on her own, but she could be hospitable at least.

"What do you want?" she asked, a bite in her tone. Mahito never visited without a catch, and they both knew it.

He ignored her for a while, watching the green soft serve slowly melt. After catching another drop, he looked down at her and grinned.

"Can't I just visit a friend?" he asked slyly.

"We'd have to be friends first," she grumbled.

Mahito's laughter echoed through the room, a sound that made Hairi's skin prickle. He sat upright and rested his arm on his knee.

"Touché," he said, licking another drip of ice cream. "But, you know, we're not so different. We could be friends."

Hairi raised an eyebrow. "Friends don't usually show up unannounced and uninvited."

"Isn't spontaneity the spice of life?" he leaned forward, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Besides, I think we both know there's more between us than just animosity."

She scoffed, taking a defiant bite of her own cone. "In your dreams."

"Actually... in yours," he purred, his gaze lingering on her lips.

That made her pause. She turned her gaze down to the floor. Maybe it was just some lucky guess, but the thought that he might actually know about her moment of weakness against her own mind made her fidget. She was alone that night... as far as she knew.

"You intrigue me, Hairi. Always so guarded, yet here you are, sharing your favorite ice cream with me," he hummed like some sort of gotcha.

"Only because you showed up out of nowhere," she retorted, shaking her thoughts off. "It's not like I had a choice."

"There's always a choice," Mahito said softly, his tone suddenly serious. "You could have turned me away, but you didn't. Why is that?"

Hairi hesitated, the question catching her off guard. She looked down at her cone, the mint green starting to blend with the chocolate in a messy swirl. She wasn't a strong sorcerer, but her ability could have gotten her away from him, she knew that. But she didn't flee. He appeared here and she didn't bother to leave or tell him off or anything. Her phone was in her pocket, she could have called Nanami. Fear was never the feeling inside her. Not once.

"Maybe I was curious too," she admitted in a small, nervous whisper.

Mahito's smile widened. "See? We're getting somewhere."

"Don't get your hopes up," Hairi warned, though the edge in her voice had softened. "This doesn't mean I trust you."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Mahito replied, shifting closer. Hairi's breath hitched as he closed the distance between them. His presence was magnetic, a dangerous pull she couldn't entirely resist. She was already at the far end of the sofa, moving away pressed her more against the armrest and bent her backward.

"You're infuriating," she muttered, more to herself than to him.

"And you're delightful," he countered, his voice a low murmur. Hairi was too focused on the closing distance between them to notice the large mint glob dropping onto her shirt. She yelped at the sudden cold, grimacing at the mess.

"Good enough to eat, really," he snickered.

Before she could respond, Mahito's fingers brushed a stray lock of magenta hair from her face, the touch sending a shiver down her spine. His eyes locked onto hers, a challenge and a promise all at once.

His hand trailed from her face down to her shirt, dragging a finger through the cream mess and licking it off of his finger. He took her shirt off, leaning down to lick clean the remaining ice cream from between her breasts. Hairi shuddered, her face blooming red with blush.

Mahito allowed his treat to drip all over her, taking hers from her hand and smearing it along her neck. He created a second set of arms to undress her completely, leaving her bare beneath him to spill the cold mint cream on. Her breasts, her stomach, her legs, all covered in cold dapples that made her shiver and whine. Her nipples perked from the cold and goosebumps prickled her skin. He held her still, tongue exploring her flesh as his second set of arms caressed her, kneading her thighs.

Her noises were soft, a hesitant gasp at each warm press of his tongue on her skin. The mint and the cold making her tingle along side the echoes of his touch with every caress.

Gentle. Achingly so. Mahito was an enigma, certainly. Hairi could never predict what he'd do next. Though she did daydream once... or twice about an encounter like this, she always assumed she was being too hopeful imagining something soft and sweet. But here he was. Gently lapping at the mint cream he dappled on her pale skin.

A cold set of fingers suddenly pressed her clit, making her gasp and tense. They circled her, rubbing her slow before dipping into her moistening slit and returning to the circles. Hairi squirmed, unable to control the noises that escaped her as he pressed and kneaded her sensitive button. He pressed his palm into her, pushing a pair of fingers deep inside and thrusting them. Gradually, they warmed, the shudders and goosebumps falling away as she melted into his touch. She closed her eyes, grinding desperately into his hand.

The dapples of mint cream eventually came to an end. Mahito snaked around her to clean every last drop, not once faltering his pace. The second set of hands were put away and he ceased his caressing, his torso elongating to wrap around her and hold her in place. Hairi struggled slightly, unable to loosen his grasp.

"Aw, All gone," he hummed, slithering further down her body and pushing her thighs open. Hairi's leg dropped off the side of the couch and her struggles only made the snake more interested. "Looks like I'll have to start eating something else."

Mahito purrs, lulling his tongue out of his mouth and lapping at her wetness. She stifled her moans, focusing on trying to unravel him from around her.

"What are you-?"

She was stopped by a sudden and rough intrusion. His tongue pierced her, thickening and writhing deep inside. It pressed and massaged her walls, forcing itself all the way to her inner wall and making her cry out loudly. The writhing pressed all her buttons, his grip tightening on her until she could barely move more than bucking into his mouth. She couldn't keep quiet if he tried, moaning, whining, she felt hot all over. A coil wound itself in her core, tighter and tighter while he tongue fucked her roughly.

"You've always wanted this, haven't you? Fantasizing about me all night... touching yourself," he chuckled, gliding his teeth over her thigh as he teased her. "Did you imagine your little fantasies would come true so easily? I know you'll only crave more."

Mahito bore sharpened fangs, pressing his teeth dangerously against her skin until he was satisfied with her trembling. Not too far yet. Scaring her off so soon would ruin his fun.

Hairi yelped and whimpered as his tongue prodded her walls, bullying her sensitive spot until the coil finally snapped and she fell apart. Her pussy clenched on his tongue, her body tensing and arching as a shuddering gasp escaped her. He pulled away. Hairi was thankful for a chance to finally breathe in peace, but he refused to let her go even now.

Mahito pulled her underneath him, his hair falling around his face and making a bunched curtain of messy gray strands. There was an intensity in his eyes. Wild, feral, hungry.

"I can give you much more~" he held her face in his hands, licking her juices from his lips. "All you have to do is bind yourself to me."

I FINALLY GOT THIS DONE, YEESSS

What Once Was

She had deep indigo eyes.

Pale as the moon and frail… Every time he spotted her in the training yard, he wondered how she made it through the first trial at all. Maybe Sir Arthur saw something in her and made an exception?

Meta often arrived at the yard just as she was finishing her training. She’d leave discouraged and exhausted, not even noticing him half the time and giving a half-hearted greeting the other half. Her presence was like a ghost, there but not truly seen, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her.

This time, he arrived at the same time as she did. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden hue over the training yard. She stood at the entrance, her small frame dwarfed by the large wooden gates. She looked as though she hadn’t slept, carrying dark circles beneath her eyes.

Meta hesitated for a moment, watching her. She seemed lost in thought, staring at the practice dummies with a mixture of determination and dread. He took a deep breath and approached her, his boots crunching softly on the gravel.

She dropped a heavy bag beside her, filled with supplies and half secured. Meta cleared his throat so she would hear his approach.

“Good morning,” he said, trying to sound as friendly as possible.

She jumped slightly at the sound of his voice, turning to face him. Her expression was guarded, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. “Oh… good morning,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Meta offered a small smile, hoping to put her at ease. “Sorry to startle you. I’m Meta, another squire. I’ve seen you training here often.”

She nodded, returning her attention to the dummy ahead of her. She took the basic sword off of her hip, bracing it in her hands. “I’m not very good at it… I’m Velka.”

Her name… I’m almost surprised I recalled it at all. I can barely recall my own name before I was Knighted.

Meta frowned slightly, sensing the depth of her self-doubt even through the mask she put up. He stepped aside, giving her room to practice. “Everyone starts somewhere. It’s about perseverance, not just skill.”

Velka looked up at him, her indigo eyes searching his for any sign of insincerity. Finding none, she gave a hesitant nod. “So I keep hearing. I’m doing everything I’m told but it never seems to work.”

“Do you want to train together today?” he offered. “Maybe we can help each other improve.”

She seemed taken aback by his suggestion, a mixture of surprise and suspicion flashing across her face. “You’d want to— ? But I don’t think I’d be able to teach you anything?”

Meta shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “Why not? We’re all here to become Star Warriors, aren’t we? I would like to help either way.”

For the first time Meta had seen, a small smile tugged at the corners of Velka’s lips. “Alright then. Let’s give it a try.”

After that… It’s a blur of countless days where we were at the yard sparring and practicing various techniques. It’s hard to make out many details.

Meta noticed that while Velka’s movements were often hesitant and lacked confidence, she had a natural grace and agility that could be honed with practice. He offered gentle corrections and encouragement, doing his best to boost her morale.

Beyond that, I can’t grasp anything else there, I have to leave the training yard.

Through their training they had began to talk more. Despite her frail appearance and the doubts of those around her, Velka was determined to become a Star Warrior. She spoke of Sir Arthur with the fervor of someone meeting their greatest hero. He who had seen potential in her and had given her the chance to prove herself.

“I want to prove that I can do it,” she said quietly during a break. “I want to prove that I can be a Star Warrior too. But sometimes, I wonder if I’ll ever be good enough.”

Meta placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “The most important part is your passion. The rest will come with time and effort.”

“It’s just difficult. I feel like I’m somehow incapable of grasping what they teach us. No matter what, it just… it rolls off me,” she shook her head and dropped it in her hands. Meta frowned, folding his hands on the table and flickering his eyes between her and her standard sword.

“We’ll find out what works for you…”

“Eventually… Well, what about you? Why did you want to be a Star Warrior?” Velka asked, moving the topic away from her for her comfort. Meta straightened his back and looked ahead with a stern and determined expression.

“I want to face the strongest Knight in the galaxy,” he nodded sharply.

Velka’s eyes were wide, blinking in surprise at him. “You want to fight Sir Arthur?”

“No, no. Sir Arthur leads the Star Warriors, but he’s not the strongest. That title belongs to a Knight from a long time ago. Back when there were still Ancients,” Meta’s tone was hushed, as if letting her in on a secret. He leaned in to keep their conversation covert. “He was called Galacta Knight.”

“Ooh…” Velka whispered in awe.

“I believe I’ll beat him one day… I believe we both will achieve our goals,” Meta said with conviction, his optimism infectious. A smile gradually grew on her face and she brightened, the determination to succeed blooming inside her.

She was always trying so hard. Where did it change? Why did she take this route?

-----

For a while, they were inseparable, finding comfort and strength in each other’s presence. They worked together on tasks and training, even taking some of their courses together when they had the chance. Meta was far more advanced than she was, but he was willing to hang back to help her.

However, as time passed, Meta’s focus grew sharper and more intense. His ambition to become the best drove him to train harder and longer, often losing track of time and everything around him. He became consumed by his desire to surpass even the greatest warriors of the past, and his relentless pursuit of perfection began to take its toll on their friendship.

Meta spent hours every day perfecting his techniques, losing sight of anything that wasn't in favor of his goal. Before this moment, he hadn't known how he could ever face Galacta Knight. He was content just being named the next strongest through his efforts.

That was until he learned of something grand. A place that was known to grant wishes and make dreams come true. A planet called Popstar. His goal became something far more tangible now and gradual achievement wouldn't cut it. He needed to push and progress more and more every day.

Velka joined him every morning, it had become their routine by now. Bt She was left there without warning whenever Meta finished with his work. She struggled to keep up and match his pace, pushing herself far beyond her limits. But no matter how hard she tried, Meta was far ahead of her. Lost in his own world of tunnel vision self improvement.

There was a point that Meta lost track of her entirely. Traversing the memories, he found little else of her. A pleading look, a practice sword clutched in hand. Increasing amounts of bruises and cuts.

A voice cut through his session, pulling him from his focus. He grumbled softly and lowered his weapon, turning to find Velka at the edge of the yard. She appeared in awe, though there was a wrinkle of concern in her brow.

“You've been training for hours. Don't you think it's time to take a break?” her voice was tinged with concern and desperation.

“No. I need to get this right,” he said, turning his back to her gripping his weapon in both hands.

He hadn't been so short with her before. But he had no time to dally. His training continued alone. Days turning into weeks. Meta’s obsession with improving only grew. Velka’s only companion in the program moved on without another word to her.

Without another word? No, there has to be something, I wouldn’t have left it there, would I?

Meta struggled to think. He could only find one more instance of interaction between them. He was leaving the yard, where else would he be? And as he left he was carrying an armful of broken practice swords.

“Meta,” a soft voice chimed as he passed. “Can we talk?”

He paused, finally turning to face her after so long. Though once he could disconnect from his tasks and relax, he was too distracted for warmth and companionship. He looked at her with a distant, determined fire.

“What is it?”

Velka hesitated, scanning his face for a moment. “I… I heard you were going to be in the next Knighting ceremony.”

Meta nodded. He continued past her, taking the broken pieces somewhere to be tossed. “I will be. I can’t get any better without a real battle. I’ve learned everything I could here.”

“Well… I admire all the progress you’ve made. I wanted to ask if you would… If you’d train with me one last time? Before you left?” Velka said. She didn’t appear very prepared. Meta didn’t give it any thought at the time, but now he was sure that she simply wanted to spend time with him after so long of being cast aside.

He dusted his hands off and looked aside. His expression softened for a moment, fighting with the determined fire that burned in his chest. “I really have to go.”

Velka stammered, struggling to find the words to explain what she really wanted. “B– Meta, please. I–”

“I’m sorry, Velka. You’ll get better eventually, you don’t need me,” he urged. 

“H-How about you visit sometime? I want to see you after you become a Knight, hopefully I’ll be one too? Please, just come back to visit. Once?” Velka begged, dropping her practice sword to clasp her hands together, stepping up to him. Her eyes started to sparkle with sorrow and desperation, tears threatening to slip. 

“Alright… I’ll try to return,” he sighed. It was the last thing he said to her, leaving her at the yard in the fading twilight. She watched him as he left, he could feel her eyes on his back.

As soon as he was Knighted, a war broke out. Meta was swiftly set out to battle against Nightmare’s forces for the first time. And not a thought of Velka ever crossed him again. He could make the excuse that he was young then and too ambitious for his own good. He could say the war changed so much at once… No matter the reason. He forgot her. 

You didn’t get a lot of time to yourself. Your job sapped a lot of energy, so on the few days you weren’t working you were normally recharging at home. Though, rarely, you would have energy left over to go out and enjoy yourself. Finally, one of those days had come.

You were walking along the streets of Tokyo with a bag in hand and music playing in one ear. You had visited a couple stores by now and you were sure you had the energy for a couple more before you called it a day. Treating yourself always felt pretty nice, though you knew it’d be much more enjoyable if you had a friend or someone to enjoy it with. Maybe to hold you back from your impulse purchasing a little too. You chuckled softly to yourself.

Poking around the stores and looking at all the different merchandise was enjoyable. Though, you were simply window shopping at this point. You didn’t have much room left to carry anything, let alone afford some of these things. Luckily, window shopping was just as nice.

As the day moved on, you noticed the sky growing darker. It was a bright, clear day when you started. Now the sky was sad and gray with cotton clouds and the increasing smell of petrichor. You frowned and started your trek home, searching for the nearest station. You knew you should have headed back once the clouds gathered.

You didn’t make it to the station in time. The clouds broke and rain poured down on you. You yelped as the cold water soaked your skin, holding your bags overhead to shield yourself. The downpour momentarily blinded you, making it hard to see where you should go for some shelter. Your floundering didn’t go unnoticed. A firm hand took hold of your arm and pulled you along until you were finally free of the weather. You tightly wrapped your arms around yourself and shivered, blinking away the last of the rain in your eyes and looking around for whoever aided you.

Beside you stood a tall gentleman in a tan suit. Though it appeared more brown from all of the rain that seeped into it. There was something familiar about him. His stern face, his stoic demeanor. You couldn’t name it, though. And the longer you looked in order to figure it out, the more you realized how much his wet clothes attempted to cling to him.

He pushed his blond hair out of his face and met your lingering gaze. When he raised his brow you realized that you had been staring too long. Heat reached your cheeks and you averted your gaze, picking your ear bud out of your ear and snapping it back into its charging case

“Thanks.” You said, keeping your eyes away.

He didn’t respond. Seemingly waiting for something. But you simply wrapped your arms around yourself and watched the rain. It fell in a misty curtain. The thick clouds growing darker still. Then a roll of thunder rumbled through the sky.

“Eeesh…”

“The storm won’t let up for at least a few hours.” The man stated simply. You sagged your shoulders.

“That figures…”

That voice sparked some recognition in you, looking him over once more and tilting your head.

“…Is your name Kento by any chance? Kento Nanami?”

“It is,” he nodded, “I was beginning to believe you had forgotten me.” You shook your head with a nervous laugh. You had forgotten. But only momentarily.

You had actually thought of Nanami more than a few times over the separation. Not only him, but your other classmates as well. Gojo was a little easier to keep contact with, you just followed his Instagram and he was always updating it. Ieiri would call you on occasion to catch up. But Nanami was hard to contact. You assumed he didn’t want to be found.

Yet now he was standing beside you after whisking you out of the storm. Even outside of high school, he never stopped being somber and formal, it seemed. A smile pricked at the corners of your mouth. You always liked that about him. 

The two of you stood sheltered from the relentless rain and a mix of emotions filled you. It had been years since you last saw Nanami. You couldn't help but feel a bit guilty for letting so much time pass without reaching out. Once you got your job, time became a melting blur that was difficult to decipher.

“Sorry I never reached out. I tried to, but I didn’t want to pester you.” You scratched the back of your head. Nanami’s expression was unreadable and he waved your apology off with a nonchalant hand.

“No need for apologies.”

“Well, then, how have you been?” You asked as you drifted your sight over the area. You had been walking for so long today, a moment off of your feet would be great. But there was nowhere to sit and leaning on the wall would barely help the growing ache in your legs at this point.

“Busy. As usual. I was on my way to meet with someone.” He said. 

“Ah. I’ve been busy too. Finally had a day to myself,” you lifted your bags to show him, “too bad the rain is keeping you from work. I know you hate distractions and such.”

Nanami went quiet for a moment, looking down at you as you searched for someplace to sit and wrapped your arms around yourself to brace against the cold that seeped into your bones. You held yourself and shivered. Your clothes clung to your curves, your deliciously full figure catching his eye and making it hard to look away.

“Some distractions are fine.” Nanami’s expression softened towards you. You felt heat rise to your cheeks and you nervously giggled. The rain showed no sign of letting up anytime soon, but a short hop away was a nice, warm, cozy looking coffee shop. A bit full since every one was avoiding the weather, but hopefully better than staying outside.

You pointed to it and hiked one of your bags up on your shoulder.

“Hey, want to get a coffee and catch up? We can make a quick sprint over there.”

“They seem a bit crowded,” he hummed, “but that sounds like a good idea. Maybe we could stop at my place instead, dry off, etc.”

“Wh— uh… don’t you have someone you needed to meet with?” You asked, fixing your hair and feeling the terrible heat burning your face.

“He can wait. I’ve wanted to see you for years.”

You blinked in surprise at him, tightening your hold on yourself. His eyes flickered down at your shivering body, lingering a moment before returning to your gaze.

"We should get going. You're shaking."

---- ----

The rain pattered on the windows as you sat on Nanami's couch, a thick blanket wrapped around you and Nanami away in the kitchen preparing coffee. You were thankful for the respite from the weather and standing. You hadn't realized how much your legs ached until you finally got to give them a break. You breathed a sigh and nestled into the couch. It was so comfortable, you were so close to falling asleep.

"You can turn something on if you're bored." Nanami chimed, startling you. You lifted your head and wondered if you should before laying back down and humming lazily.

"It's alright. If we get too comfortable you'll probably get reprimanded later."

"Don't worry about that," he sat beside you and set the mugs of coffee on the coffee table, "It's past 5. It will wait." He leaned back. At some point he changed into dry clothes. Simple slacks and a casual long sleeved shirt. He definitely wasn't planning on heading out again. You wiggled yourself out of the blanket and grabbed your mug, blowing over the drink and dispersing the steam rising in your vision.

"You're pretty hard to find, you know. If we hadn't run into each other, we might never have seen each other again." You said, looking at your reflection in the dark liquid.

"We always had a friend connecting us. I assumed one of them would give you my number." He said, folding his arms. You slanted your mouth and looked aside. Hindsight and all that. You probably should have asked one of them. You felt silly about it now.

"At least fate let us meet up." You laughed faintly. You pulled the blanket tighter around you, shivering slightly. You were almost jealous that he could change into dry clothes. You hated the way the fabric stuck to your skin. And you were beginning to feel bad that you were getting one of his blankets wet. But he offered it to you, so it couldn't be unexpected.

"Are you still cold?" He asked, breaking you from your thoughts. He must have noticed the discomfort on your face.

"Kind of. I wish I had something to change into." You watched the steam finally peter out and enjoyed the mild, nutty taste of the brew.

"I don't have anything to lend you." He stated. You nodded. You were a bit thicker than he was, it would be hard to use any of his clothes. But he had thought of something else. Once you were done with your drink momentarily, setting it back on the table, he wrapped his arms around you and pulled you into his lap. You squeaked with surprise, hiding your face in the blanket as you were settled into his warm embrace.

It was a nice and firm hold. Ensuring you sat comfortably, leaning against his chest. You were stiff, nervous. But the radiating warmth made it hard to remain still.

"You can relax." He said. You could hear the faintest notes of amusement in his voice.

"You sure? I'm not... too heavy or something?"

"Of course not." He shook his head. You pursed your lips and reluctantly rested your head on his shoulder. You slowly let yourself relax, turning slightly into him, one hand resting on his chest and the other tugging on the blanket.

The room was quiet. Just both of your breathing and the patter of rain on the window. You kind of regretted not turning on the TV. Not that the quiet and the calm wasn't nice. It just made you feel awkward.

"You know... I've thought about you holding me a lot in school." You muttered.

"Is that so?"

"What? Is that weird to admit?"

"I've thought of holding you a few times too." He admitted, his voice soft and low. You smiled and rubbed your arm nervously. He brought a hand up to caress your cheek, his touch ghosting your skin.

"Really?"

"Mhm... I'm glad we ran into each other. I don't want to miss this chance." His voice was a sweet hum that graced your ears. You shivered a little and he tightened the embrace. Your eyes flickered from his gaze to his lips and back again. You could feel your body warming up greatly.

"T-this chance?" You asked softly. He gently took your chin, lifting your face. His eyes half lidded and glittering with want as he leaned in close to you.

"May I kiss you?" He whispered. You swallowed. You weren't expecting him to be so close. Nor were you expecting him to ask that. You took a deep breath, not realizing that you were forgetting to breathe.

"Y... Yes."

Nanami pulled you in, pressing his lips against yours. There was a spark that ran through you once your lips touched. The feeling made you flinch and grip his shirt. Nanami hugged you tightly against him, pulling away slowly before going in with more force and fervor. His hand on your cheek trailing down the side of your neck and resting on your nape. You took his shirt in each hand, gripping him like you might float away. It took you both some effort to pull apart again.

You'd be lying if you said you weren't hoping to kiss him one day. For it to be so soon surprised you.

"That was nice." You smiled, a little awkward.

"It was," he chuckled, holding you by your back and your thigh, "it'll be a while before the storm passes."

Standing in the Way

The space around NME’s headquarters was just as crowded and dangerous as Lor’s screen had shown. Destroyas filled the void, blocking out any stars and casting the area into an oppressive darkness. The Halberd sputtered, its engines struggling before finally dying, leaving the ship to drift the last hundred meters toward the starship.

As it approached, the tension aboard was palpable. The pair knew well the danger they were getting themselves into and they stood tall in the face of it. The Destroyas loomed closer, their menacing silhouettes an encroaching and impending danger.

The second the Halberd ventured too close, the Destroyas took aim. Several sights centered on the Halberd’s ragged frame. In a coordinated attack, they unleashed their fury. Beams of energy and missiles converged on the Halberd, engulfing it in a blinding explosion.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. The ship was torn apart, the soundless vacuum of space amplifying the sheer devastation. The Halberd's once proud structure was obliterated, transformed into a cloud of smoldering debris. Shards of metal and tangled wires spun outwards, remnants of the vessel scattering into the void.

The Destroyas scoured the wreckage, their sensors sweeping for any sign of the Knights. The distraction granted Meta and Dark precious seconds to zip between cover, inching their way toward the primary ship. As individuals, they were far too small to be detected—an advantage that required flawless coordination and timing.

Something a duo of Knights could do.

Meta and Dark flew through the void of space on their own wings, hiding beneath the ships or wherever they could reach, searching the tall, sheer walls of the starship for an opening. They didn’t have a lot of time to go searching, whatever they found would have to do.

An engineer hatch hung open, conveniently unattended, the lights dim inside. Meta signaled to Dark and dove for it, the shadow following suit. Whether it was a stroke of luck or a deliberate trap was irrelevant—they were inside the ship.

The hatch shut shortly after, a timed mechanism. Meta grimaced and pulled his wings close, retracting them into his dimensional cape as he landed heavily on the metallic floor. Dark nearly blew past him, rolling to a stop and slinking back into the shadows.

“What is it?” Dark asked.

“Ahead,” Meta nodded towards the dark clearing at the end of the dimly lit hall. It was ominous, foreboding, and undoubtedly purposeful. “An ambush, surely.”

Dark studied the area and frowned. It was an obvious setup. Their adversaries must have thought little of the two Knights to prepare such a blatant trap. But there was no alternative route—the hall was narrow, and the hatch was sealed.

“We’ve got no other choice. We’re in their territory now. We’ll just have to work harder to get to the end,” Dark said with a heavy sigh.

Meta and Dark steeled their nerves and stepped towards the end of the hall, resolute as they continued forward to the center of the arena. Their heads held high, their hands on their swords, marching in tandem to the center.

Lights flared to life, momentarily blinding them. Tall windows surrounded the room gazing out into the vast space and its glittering, distant lights. Not a Destroya in sight. Scattered in their search possibly. There was no way for the Knights to know. Their eyes took time to adjust.

A single adversary stood at the other end: Arcta Knight.

She looked over the pair, her gaze fixed on Dark with an unsatisfied grumble. Her stare was unnervingly steady, piercing through him.

Dark unsheathed his blade and glared back, standing beside the motionless Meta Knight, a fire burning behind his eyes.

“I have a friend for you, so you won’t distract us,” Arcta said, her gaze still on Dark. She flicked her wrist, signaling the door behind her to open. Silence hung in the air for a moment before distorted, deep laughter echoed from the area. A long tongue lashed out at Dark.

Dark slashed at it, deflecting the attack as the creature cried out. The force of the blow sent a shudder through the narrow hall, the creature recoiling momentarily before preparing to strike again.

Meta stiffened, recognizing the sound. His eyes widened with urgency. “Don’t kill it, Dark. That’s one of our own!”

Dark hesitated, his grip tightening on his blade as he took a step back, assessing the situation. “What? But it’s hostile!” He glanced at Meta, confusion and frustration mingling in his expression.

The creature lunged again, its long tongue whipping towards Dark with fierce speed. Dark dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike, his blade ready to counter.

Meta’s voice was urgent, filled with a mix of command and desperation. “If you can, save him. Break th—!”

Before Meta could finish, the creature’s muscle wrapped around Dark, constricting him with a sudden, powerful yank. Dark struggled, his blade slashing at the coils, but the force was too strong. He was pulled into the other room, the door sealing shut just as he was taken away.

Meta clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. She was so adamant to face him alone. Fine. One on one was his preferred method of battle anyway. His eyes locked onto Arcta Knight, the memories of their past encounters, the wound sutured but stinging in his side fueling his resolve.

He took a deep breath, steadying himself as the weight of the confrontation settled in. Every fiber of his being was focused on this moment, on the opponent who had evaded him for so long. The air between them crackled with tension, the silence only broken by the distant echoes of the other battle in the ship.

Meta stepped forward, his voice unwavering. “I won’t let you escape me again, Arcta Knight.” With a swift, practiced motion, he drew Galaxia from his hip, the blade gleaming with a deadly promise. The sword felt reassuring in his hand, a familiar extension of his will.

“There’s nowhere to go now,” Arcta said, her tone solemn. She looked out the tall windows, the galaxies beyond their reach. For a moment, the cold, vast expanse of space seemed to reflect the emptiness inside her. She closed her eyes and took a breath, unsheathing her sword.

Meta tightened his grip on Galaxia, watching her closely. “No more tricks, no more running. This ends here.”

Arcta nodded, her voice low and resolute. “It will.”

Meta braced Galaxia in both hands, his eyes narrowed. There was a second of hesitation in Arcta before she snapped into action, lunging at him with a ferocity that caught him off guard. Her attacks were precise and vicious, each stab aimed at his vitals, each slash targeting his limbs. It was clear she wanted to ensure her attacks were lethal this time.

Meta deflected her blade, stepping back from each advancing move until he reached the edge of the arena. Their swords met, grinding against each other with a screeching of metal and a shower of sparks as they struggled to hold their ground.

Arcta’s movements were different, more intense, and her eyes seemed to burn with an unnatural fire. There was something almost otherworldly about her determination, as if driven by a force beyond her own will. Meta noticed this change, feeling a chill run down his spine. This wasn’t the Arcta he battled before. Her power, her speed, her resolve were all far stronger than their last encounter. It was an intensity that felt influenced.

He pushed her back with a powerful shove, his wings separating from his dimensional cape and lifting him into the air. Arcta followed suit, her own wings bursting forth in a flurry of feathers as she cast her cape aside. She launched after him, their swords clashing with loud metallic clangs, each strike echoing through the vast chamber.

They danced through the air in a deadly dance, each maneuver more desperate and forceful than the last. Meta’s eyes flickered with determination as he parried another fierce strike from Arcta. Her eyes showed an intensity that bordered on madness. The cold, calculating warrior he had encountered seemed overshadowed by something darker and more relentless.

Meta grunted, blocking another of her powerful blows. “What happened to you?”

Arcta’s eyes flashed with something unrecognizable, a mix of rage and sorrow. “You don’t understand, Meta. This is my fate.” She struck again, faster and harder, pushing him to his limits.

Meta gritted his teeth, feeling the strain in his arms as he countered her assault. He had to find a way to break through to her, to understand what had twisted her into this relentless force. But for now, survival was paramount.

He’d curse his need to understand, but he couldn’t handle another curse on his shoulders. Not until he had dealt with the first of her unknown identity.

With a sudden burst of speed, he darted to the side, narrowly avoiding a lethal thrust and retaliating with a sweeping slash. Their blades met again, sparks flying as they locked eyes, each determined to see their mission through to the end. The air around them crackled with tension.

Arcta pulled back to strike again and Meta used the motion as an opportunity to quickly slash at her mask. The mask cracked and the slash sent it flying until it landed heavily on the floor in two pieces. She cried out, holding her face and backing away.

“Show me who you are!” Meta barked.

Arcta looked at him through her fingers, she tensed and her hands flexed as she seemingly fought some need to come at him tooth and nail. The struggle resonated through her arms, making the hand gripping her sword tremble until she stopped hiding her face to steady it.

She had deep indigo eyes.

Escape and Sacrifice

The hall felt emptier with the farewell given. A hollowness opened in his chest, one he couldn’t afford to dwell on—not yet. His shoulders slumped as he closed the door behind him, leaving Kirby and Dedede in the infirmary. A heavy sigh escaped him.

Dark leaned against the wall by the door, his cape pulled close around him. He gazed at the ceiling, avoiding direct eye contact with Meta.

“So, it’s happening, hm?” Dark asked, his tone indifferent.

“Yes. The time has arrived…” Meta replied solemnly. The Knights marched to the Halberd in silence, each step bringing them closer to certain doom. They knew the risks, yet they were determined to face them head-on.

They approached the helm, Magolor and Marx awaiting them to see them off. Magolor’s ears and shoulders drooped, his eyes silently pleading for them to reconsider. The decision was not made lightly and wouldn’t be wavered so easily.

“I sent the directions to Halberd’s computer,” Magolor said in a weak voice.

“Thank you. You’ve been a great help,” Meta said. He couldn’t blame Magolor for taking the parting hard. If Captain Vul were there, he’d ask Magolor to join them on their mission. More warriors would make their chances somewhat better. But no one else is able to fly the Starcutter.

Marx balanced on his colorful ball, seemingly unaware of the gravity hanging over the rest of the trio. That was fine. As long as he remained to help protect the Cappies, Meta didn’t ask anything more from him.

“Once we leave…” Magolor started, unable to finish his thought. Meta simply nodded, clapped his shoulder, and turned to leave. Dark gave them similar and followed behind him.

The doors sealed with a final, resonant thud, severing their connection. The faint hum of machinery indicated the ships were beginning to disengage. Metal groaned and shuddered as the vessels drifted apart, their once intertwined fates now diverging.

Meta watched from the observation deck, his eyes fixed on the Lor. A sense of profound finality washed over him. The oared starship hovered momentarily, its engines flaring to life. The shimmering portal of a star-shaped rift opened, its edges crackling with energy.

For a brief moment, the Lor hesitated at the threshold of the rift, as if saying its own silent goodbye. Meta's heart ached at the gesture. The unspoken words shared between them then and now were enough to break him, a shudder of sorrow rippling through him. He balled his fists to keep himself sturdy.

With a sudden burst of light, the Lor sailed into the rift, its form dissolving into a trail of luminescent particles. The portal closed behind it, leaving nothing but empty space in its wake. It vanished without a trace, taking with it the hopes and dreams of those aboard.

Meta stood there, the silence of the void pressing in on him. The enormity of their mission and the sacrifices yet to come loomed large in his mind. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the battles ahead.

Turning away from the windows, he walked towards the command center of the Halberd. It was just the two of them now. NME far outnumbered them. Their chances were solidified and there was no turning back. The Halberd shakily came to life and started for the journey ahead.

The closer they got, the tighter the knot wound in his stomach. Everything unanswered, all the people lost, he would regret everything he should have done better. He wasn’t as diligent as he should have been. If he had been smarter, faster, maybe his crew would have survived. Maybe the Cappies would never have needed to evacuate.

He didn’t do anything right…

-----

The trek was slow. The Halberd could only do so much in her condition, yet she carted them along diligently. Meta Knight brushed a hand over the top of her control panel. If she could hold out until they got closer to NME’s ship, they could manage the rest on their own.

It was a Knight’s duty to protect their kingdom through any means necessary… this sacrifice would not be in vain.

“We’re going to encounter Arcta Knight again,” Dark broke the silence, arms crossed over his chest. The name made Meta’s jaw tighten.

Meta took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing. “And this will be the last time. We are going to defeat her, I swear it,” he said, nodding sharply.

Dark agreed with a determined snort, his eyes reflecting the same resolve. “We’ve learned from our past encounters. This time, we’ll be ready.”

Meta’s gaze drifted to the star-filled void outside the viewport. Memories of his previous battles with Arcta Knight flashed through his mind. She had always been a formidable opponent, her icy demeanor and relentless attacks leaving a trail of devastation. He had long accepted that he’d never get his answers. He didn’t care about them now.

As long as she was dead, that was all he needed.

“We can’t afford any mistakes,” Meta continued, his voice steeled. “Every move must be precise. We’ve lost too much already.”

Dark uncrossed his arms and stepped closer, his voice low but firm. “Our strategy is sound. We’re prepared. We’ll strike her down and put an end to her destruction.”

Meta nodded, appreciating Dark’s unwavering confidence. “And once we’re through with her… we move on to Nightmare.”

His thoughts were heavy. Arcta Knight was more than just an enemy; she was a symbol of their greatest failures and their deepest fears. But this time, it would be different. This time, they would triumph. They had to. She wouldn’t have the chance to flee. If she struck him, she had better kill him. No more questions. No more wounds left behind.

His eyes flickered, tearing away from the stars and void, turning to his companion. “This day could be our last, Dark.”

“I know.”

Meta hesitated, searching for the right words. “Arcta isn’t your enemy. You don’t have to--”

“What? Trying to kick me out now? After all of this you think I’d run away now?” Dark’s expression hardened, his eyes meeting Meta’s with unwavering resolve. “If you die, there’s no point, right? I can’t get revenge on a corpse.”

Meta felt a mix of gratitude and concern. “I understand, but this battle is personal for me. You have no obligation to risk your life.”

Dark stepped closer, placing a firm hand on Meta’s shoulder. “We’re in this together. I’ve made my choice. We finish this fight side by side.”

Meta nodded, a sense of camaraderie and determination strengthening his resolve. “Then I’ll make sure we both come out of this alive.”

Dark smirked, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. “Agreed. We’ll show Arcta the strength of a true Knight.”

The tension of the upcoming battle hung in the air, but the bond between Meta and Dark was unbreakable. As they prepared for the final confrontation, they knew that together, they could overcome any obstacle.

With a final look at the stars, Meta took a deep breath and hit the Halberd’s accelerator. The sooner they arrived, the sooner they could get the battle won.

They will win. They must.

Goodbyes

Meta Knight stood on the bridge of the Lor, his thoughts a tangled storm. He gazed out the large window into the vast, empty darkness of space, the stars glittering and the colorful dust of the galaxy swirling slowly. The silence of space was both a comfort and a reminder of the isolation they faced.

He had done all he could for the Halberd's repairs. There was no news, little progress on King Dedede and Kirby’s injuries. All he could do now was stay vigilant and wait.

The quiet was broken by hurried footsteps. Magolor raced up to the stoic knight, his eyes wide with urgency. He didn’t have the breath to speak and he didn’t need to.

Meta heard him approach and turned sharply, his cape billowing with the movement. "The headquarters? You found it?"

“I finally locked onto their signal,” he gestured for Meta to follow him back to the massive computer. Once there, he quickly brought up images of distant space on the monitor. “We were looking for a planet, but that was the wrong approach. It’s a space station. And, well… you’re not gonna like it.”

“What do you mean?”

Magolor’s ears drooped slightly as the screen revealed the space station and its surroundings. “It’s… surrounded,” he muttered, “and heavily guarded inside and out.”

Meta stood tense and silent, glaring at the screen. Destroyas, powerful starships built for destruction, littered the display. At the center sat the fortress itself. Even with everyone at their best, this would be a suicide mission. He couldn’t drag anyone else into this. Not again.

“We still have the Galactic Nova,” Magolor suggested.

“We can’t waste any time. Collecting the stars… we lost that chance when the Halberd was attacked,” Meta Knight replied, his tone firm.

“Th-then we’ll call in more allies. We can get Daroach and Gooey and Taranza! O-or Susie or Adeline—!”

“We already tried that, Magolor. We contacted everyone we could. No one else answered,” Meta Knight said, the solemnity in his voice causing Magolor to wilt. He typed and searched for something more that could be done. The more he looked, the smaller he made himself, unable to offer more.

Meta placed a hand on Magolor’s shoulder and shook his head.

“We’ll take care of it. Trust me,” he said in a softer tone than before.

“This is impossible, Meta Knight!” Magolor cried, whipping around to face him. His face was red with frustration as he grabbed Meta’s cape and pulled him down to his level. “I can trust you with every fiber of my being, but I can’t believe this will work! Two people can’t take down an entire fortress on their own.”

“Then collect the stars,” Meta said firmly. “We will keep their attention for as long as we live. And once we’re gone, you summon the Nova to wish for NME’s demise.”

“Don’t say that,” he hissed.

“You’d prefer we give up here?”

“We’re all escaping, right? Just come with us. Cappy Town can all make a new home in my dimension! Surely we can find some… parallel Popstar or something?”

Meta Knight’s eyes softened behind his mask. “It’s not that simple, Magolor. My world, my people… they need a fighting chance. And sometimes, sacrifices must be made.”

Magolor’s grip on Meta’s cape tightened. “Don’t you dare martyr yourself. Was this your plan the whole time? To just drag Dark out there with you to die?” Magolor’s frustration came to a head, his fists clenching on the cape until his gloves started to creak and shake. His ears were pinned back as flat as possible.

“Why would you tow us along if you were planning to kill yourself like this?!”

“This was not a light decision,” Meta gently pried Magolor’s fingers from his cape. “Last they saw, Kirby was defeated. If we go in alone, they will have no reason to hunt for you all. I know what I’m doing… I chose this path, my friend. And I will see it through to the end.”

A heavy silence fell between them, the gravity of the situation settling in. There was no talking him out of it, Magolor knew it was the best chance for Dreamland to be spared entirely with Meta Knight’s plan. There was no other way.

Magolor’s voice trembled as he spoke again. “Just… promise to try to live. They need you.”

Meta Knight nodded, a small but determined smile forming. “I promise.”

He turned and left, his cape fluttering behind him as he walked down the hall. It was time to separate from the pack. Meta’s hope of giving Kirby some parting words was slowly diminishing. This would be his last visit. Whether Kirby was awake or not, he’d have to bid him goodbye.

His walk to the infirmary was slower than ever before, lingering in the halls to postpone the inevitable farewell.

There was a small hum of conversation as he approached. Dark wasn’t one to make small talk, but Dedede was more than happy to listen to himself talk. After so long alone together Meta was honestly surprised they didn’t go at each other’s throats already. This hum was something else. Soft and patient chatter that was too low for him to make out until he reached the door.

Meta’s heart leaped in his chest at the sight. Dedede sat on the infirmary table, in his lap was the bright and wide eyed star child.

Kirby looked over at him and smiled brightly.

Meta had to fight the tears threatening to blind him, which left him unable to combat the burst of energy that made him scoop up Kirby and hug him close.

“You’re awake!” he cried, forcing himself to keep the hug loose so he didn’t hurt him.

“Meta Knight!” Kirby exclaimed in return, his small arms wrapping tightly around Meta’s neck.

Meta pulled back slightly to look at Kirby’s face, relief washing over him. “I didn’t think I’d get to see you awake again. I was so worried.”

Dark had resumed his demeanor, standing at the far wall with his arms folded as he leaned on the wall. He could pretend he wasn’t just as worried, but Meta and Dedede would know the truth and keep his secret. This time at least.

“He woke up a couple hours ago. We still gotta heal so we’re stickin’ around,” Dedede said as he stood and lightly stretched.

“I visited just in time then. This is actually…” Meta paused and cleared his throat. “Dark, meet me in the hall.”

Dark raised his head. He cocked a brow but said nothing, cape following him as he stepped outside.

“How are you feeling?” Meta asked.

“I’m fine! That monster was really strong,” Kirby said. He was as bubbly as ever. There wasn’t a hint of sadness dulling his bright eyes. Though he winced often at the many injuries scattered on him. “We hafta go get it!”

“Dedede dealt with it already. Don’t you worry,” Meta shook his head. Dedede chuckled and pumped a fist.

“It was no sweat,” he grinned. Kirby laughed and Meta looked aside. Fibbing aside, he was glad to see Dedede feeling better as well.

“Now you just have to get better, okay?” Meta returned his attention to his task at hand.

“But I’m fine,” Kirby pouted.

Meta Knight shook his head and set Kirby on the infirmary bed, earning a slighted look from Dedede. “You’re hurt. You need to rest.”

“But I can help!”

“No, I— It’s alright. Dark and I will take care of everything, okay?” Meta said, his voice softening.

Kirby’s pout deepened, but he nodded reluctantly. “Okay...”

Meta Knight took a deep breath, knowing this was his moment. He placed a hand on Kirby’s shoulder, his expression serious but tender. “Kirby, I need you to listen to me. You’ve always been the bravest, most capable little warrior I’ve known. But right now, the best way you can help is by getting better.”

Kirby’s brows furrowed and he folded his legs. “… really? But… what about NME?”

Meta struggled to keep his voice steady. “There are some battles that I must face without you. I need you to stay here, safe, and recover. Promise me you’ll do that.”

He searched Meta’s expressionless helmet. The eyes beyond were beginning to quiver. A small part of Kirby understood that this was important, but he couldn’t yet tell why. He nodded. “I promise.”

Meta Knight smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. King Dedede grimaced and stepped beside the bed. He searched the Knight for a moment before scratching at his neck.

“Am I hearin’ what I think I’m hearin’?” he asked in a somber voice. Meta night nodded slowly. Dedede nodded as well, gaze falling to the floor as he tightened his arms around his chest. The hold wasn’t enough to calm his fraying nerves.

All he had to say was a simple, “I see…”

“Remember, no matter what happens, you’re never alone. You have your friends and allies with you.”

With one last lingering glance, Meta Knight turned and walked towards the door, his heart heavy but resolute. As he reached the doorway, he paused and tensed his shoulders. “Goodbye, you two. Stay strong.”

Kirby watched as Meta left, a mix of emotions swirling within him. As the door closed, he muttered, “Bye...”

Dedede watched him go, breathing a soft, “be safe.”