Disclaimer: I do not own Meta Knight or the Kirby Universe. I own only this story.

Sweey: Well, as I told you all, I'm editing this awesome story of mine. :) Enjoy the alternate beginning! ^_^

If you're new here, HELLO! :D I hope you enjoy this story. It is the time BEFORE Meta Knight becomes a Star Warrior as well as his grim, cold self. It explains his mask and many other important viewpoints. The beginning is slow but I'm working on fixing that up for you! :) So please, enjoy! I also accept anonymous reviews so give them to me! This story took me three years to write so if you find anything wrong or anything that concerns you, let me know. :) ^_^ Chapter 35 is a reference chapter that has information on species, plants, character profiles, and other such matters. So that should come in handy. :) Anyways, the first thing you need to know is the species:

There are several species in my story that are based off of those in the anime. I strictly refrain from calling Meta Knight's species kirbies or puffballs. :, To me it's too cliche. Not to offend anyone who does use it though. I just feel it would make my story feel less professional. Therefore there are two different "puffball" species in my story. The Cathicans and the Satisans. The Cathcians are exactly the same as Kirby and Meta Knight. The Satisans are different by only one trait: their Satisans (if you are familiar with Kirby's epic yarn and the anime) either have eyes like Silica, Fumu, or Knuckle Joe, or eyes like Prince Fluff. None of them have oval eyes like Kirby or Meta Knight. The other quality that makes their eyes so significant is that their right eye always glow (like Meta's but instead it's only one eye) and are often covered by a half visor. The Satisans are also frequently called the Satisan shape-shifters as they can shape-shift into other people and species to hide their identity (kinda like Mystic from the Xmen. Not exaclty, but similarly) but cannot turn into animals, while the Cathicans can swallow enemies and house their abilities (like kirby). Though both of the abilities of the Satisans and Cathicans have become rare and almost unheard of. Especially the Cathican's ability to steal their enemies powers but the Satisans are working hard to restore their ability among their people.

Now, as for "cappies", I will refer to two basic planets, Ivo and Elibis. a few for example (some characters you'll meet in the future): Thorn, Edge, Cat, and Erratima. These are species like Fumu and Silica. Humanoids if you will. As for Knuckle Joe's species, there are the Ironcladdians who live on the planet Ironcladd. In my story, Nightmare's home base is beneath a mountain upon a deserted planet called Efurd. If I haven't already scared you all off with this incredibly ridiculous AN... I think it's time we get started. These first few chapters are really sappy... :3 so get over it! haha :) This was my first story... ^_^ So, without further ado, I present to you,

The Past of the Masked Knight Part 1: The Masquerade

~The Rude Interruption~

"Captain Kolat! General Ciran would like to see you."

Kolat lifted a solid gaze to the Satisan soldier that had been sent to report to him, his right teal eye glowing with irritation. "Tell him I will be present in a moment," he replied stiffly.

The soldier nodded then left the room without another word.

Kolat sighed, he hated war, but war was his leader's favorite pastime. He glanced over at the mirror, rubbing his tedious, teal cheek that so contradicted the dull brown that his round body was colored. His hair was shaggy and jet black, often sticking out between openings in his vhelmet that rested atop his head and branched down in a clear visor that covered his single, glowing, right eye. Two feathers, one purple, yellow, and teal, the other as black as his master's heart protruded from his helmet. He sighed grouchily and dragged himself to his green-blue tinted feet.

"Best go see what the big shot wants now," he mumbled.

As he made his way down the long corridor of the ship, many of his fellow Satisans bowed to him in respect. He just rolled his eyes and walked on until he entered General Ciran's office.

"Look who finally decided to show." Ciran growled. He had matted black hair that had grown into a pair of unkept sideburns and a helm that was similar to Kolat's own. His skin was blue-gray and his feet a tan-white. All in all, Ciran was not exactly the brightest crayon in the box. The one thing that contrasted with his dull appearance was Ciran's bright, pale, yellow eye that now glared at Kolat as though the old general was about to send the crooked spear in his right hand flying through Kolat's gut.

"I had a few things to take care of," Kolat lied casually. He had never been intimidated by Ciran and probably never would be.

"Well, glad to know that you have a heart for important things," Ciran growled sarcastically. He held his mitten-clad hands together, "Now, what do you say about an ambush on Castle Cathica?"

Kolat allowed a sinister smile to pass his lips, "Sounds like a plan."

...

"Meta Knight!" a voice called out, echoing through the vast woodland.

Startled, Meta jumped from where he'd been asleep, dropping the book he'd just been reading. His white eyes darted around, then he shrugged, figuring that he must have been imagining things. So he resided to sitting back against his favorite old oak tree that had taken root upon a cliff side and once again began reading the book.

"Meta Knight!"

This time he knew it wasn't his imagination. He slipped a nearby oak leaf in his book and stood up on his two purple feet.

"Yes?" he yelled in reply.

"Where are you?" the voice yelled back.

Meta Knight couldn't seem to locate where the voice was coming from. His eyes darted about the trees in search for the source but saw no one. Then he peered down from the cliff he stood upon. It was at that time that he spotted her, green eyes glistening with worry as she searched for him, her white, silk gown flowing in the wind, dancing with her every move. Her round body was a soft shade of yellow and her feet a reddish pink.

"I'm up here!" he laughed.

"Well, come down here then!" she laughed in return, "Don't make me come get you!"

"I think I… might heed your warning," he joked, "but what if I don't want to go down there?"

"Then I suppose I'll have to come get you myself!" she answered. Even as she spoke, her flowing, silk gown curved into a pair of fair, angelic wings. Then jumping up she took flight and darted up to where Meta stood, but before she could seize him, he darted away on his own pair of leathery, bat-like wings.

"You can't catch me that easily!" Meta teased as he swooped to the side, just out of her reach.

"Don't get your head in the clouds Meta or you'll likely get smacked down!" she laughed, "Perhaps by me!"

They darted and looped for what seemed like a lifetime until finally she caught him, or perhaps he let it happen, and like a feather floats slowly to the ground, they drifted down together to the plush carpet of grass below. They lay on their backs in the tall grass, looking up into the darkening sky watching as the stars began to peak behind the veil of scattered clouds. Already the moon was drifting slowly above the horizon saying its goodbyes to the sun who was setting for sleep.

"Athenya?" Meta whispered.

"Yes?" she looked into his eyes, her own glistening with curiousity.

"Nothing," he said smiling, as he stared deeply into hers.

Athenya grinned and cuddled closer to Meta. She knew what he really meant and she felt the same.

"Hey look there! You can see Popstar tonight!" he said pointing towards its place in the sky.

"Where?" she asked, even though she knew exactly where it was.

"Look from that old pine, and count five stars up, then go two stars left," He directed her, "See it now?"

"Oh!" she exclaimed, "I see it now!'

"Good," Meta whispered softly while still gazing up into the deep night sky. Then something unfamiliar caught Meta's keen white eyes. It looked like a cloud at first, but he could distinctly see the outline of a ship high above them.

A Satisan ship, and it was headed for Castle Cathica.

Unexpectedly a large snap sounded behind them breaking Meta out of his thoughts. At once Meta stood up and drew his sword, Sighta, standing between the sound and Athenya. He held the strange, silver sword by it's hilt made of black iron. It's blade started thick then as it came to a narrow, sharp tip formed an acute triangle.

"Who goes there?" he said with authority and sternness in his deep voice. His white eyes flickered crimson as if to warn the unknown infiltrator that he was indeed dangerous.

"Put your sword down young one!" a voice demanded which was thick from an exotic accent, "I mean you no harm!"

"Kindle?" Athenya said stepping forward, "What on earth are you doing here?"

A round, orange Cathican tumbled clumsily out of the thicket. He had dull, boring features and his brown, graying hair was combed neatly back without a part down the middle. A short apron was tied around his spherical body and he shifted

"The king went mad when you didn't come to the ceremony today. He's worried sick! And you know how he gets when it's regarding you. His temper stews over and he makes abrupt, hasty decisions. He sent search parties all over the kingdom looking for you. I snuck out and came here, as of course, this is where you said you'd be. I can see now why you fritter away so much time out here now days," Kindle eyed Meta Knight suspiciously, then his eyes twinkled as he recognized him, "Why you're the young fellow who was knighted a few months back! What exactly did you do to attain such a lofty class?"

"The typical way," Meta replied.

Kindle mumbled something to himself about the king's hasty decisions in naming knights.

"He slayed the Javali at the Mountain Pass," Athenya said breaking the conclusion Kindle had set himself upon.

"What? Well then sir!" he said with a sudden change of heart," I must say! I'm delighted to meet you!" turning to Athenya he said," But we really must be going now! Say good-bye to your knight and let's be off!"

"Wait! I'll come with you!" Meta protested, "Besides; there are thieves and monsters crawling everywhere at nightfall. It'd be unacceptable for me not to escort you."

"Alright, but we need to hurry," Athenya agreed grinning with glee.

Kindle pushed them forward as they began following the now barely visible path that lead out of the forest. A few minutes later they came upon the stone road that would take them to the castle. It was much easier to travel on than the tapered, swerving path in the woods.

"Halt!" a stern voice demanded from behind.

The three turned around finding themselves face to face with a party of soldiers mounted upon wheelies. They eyed Meta suspiciously as he moved himself between them and the princess.

"Sir David?" Athenya said in disbelief peeking from behind Meta's shoulder.

"The one and only!" David laughed as he dismounted.

"Oh it is you!" she said frolicking up to him and throwing her arms around him.

Meta Knight flushed as he felt his skin crawling in infuriation. This David touched her just a little too tenderly for his liking. Kindle noticed Meta's eyes as they faded from their bright white to pink with slightest trace of crimson. He was trying hard not to show his anger.

Kindle leaned to Meta and whispered, "I don't like him much either."

"Who is this?" Sir David said gesturing to where Meta stood, ignoring the trenchant glare that was thrown at him by Meta's fierce eyes.

"Oh this is Meta Knight!" Athenya said cheerfully as she returned to Meta's side. Meta never took his eyes off David as he put his arm around Athenya.

She continued, "He slayed the Javali!"

"Did he now?" Sir David snickered, "I am fortunate to have met you tonight!" He held out his hand though Meta merely glanced at it. Athenya slightly pressed her elbow in Meta's side and he finally gave in, though his grip on David's hand was none too gentle.

"Well, then... I just got back from a short battle with the Satisans on our northern border. I think they're finally backing off," Sir David explained as he tried to hide the dull pain Meta had caused his hand, "Anyways, we'd better start heading towards the castle, we mustn't make the king wait!"

"You're right, we shouldn't," Athenya concurred. She turned to Meta, "After we arrive we should go to the library."

Meta nodded, smiling at her, "That would be excellent."

When they arrived at the castle everyone hurried forward and greeted Athenya relieved that she hadn't been harmed. Then they all came to a halt when King Galin of Cathica rushed into the room and hurried to his daughter's side.

"Where in the whole kingdom were you?" he bellowed worriedly, his voice echoing in the cavernous hall, "Are you hurt, do feel alright?

"I'm fine, really. I am." She said, soothing her father's worry.

"Well, where were you?" he demanded.

"I was in the woods… with a friend," Athenya replied carefully, returning again to Meta's side.

"And who is this, friend?" theKing Galin asked, eyeing Meta Knight suspiciously.

"Meta Knight," she replied as her hand quietly fell into Meta's.

King Galin noticed this motion and looked over this "threat" with a fine eye. Anybody who was this close to his daughter he considered as a "threat".

"I see," he said. Then his voice had a sudden change to it as he recognised Meta, "Why, you're the young fellow I knighted just a few days past! The one who defeated the Javali in the mountain pass! Well done! I never did get to thank you properly."

The corners of Meta's mouth turned slightly forming a small side smile. He bowed saying nothing and then stood in silence still locked onto the king's eyes. The king gazed back into those eternal white eyes.

'He looks blind, but I can sense his sight, interesting.' The king thought. The question began nagging him as they stood there in an awkward silence.

"I don't mean to come off as rude," King Galin started, "but are you blind?"

A little startled by the king's question Meta took a moment to grasp it.

"N-no your majesty," he replied, a little confused.

"But why then are your eyes white?" Galin queried.

"I don't know anymore than you, your majesty," Meta replied ingenuously.

"Hmm… interesting," Galin thought out loud," Would you care to join us for dinner?"

"Oh would you Meta?" Athenya pleaded eagerly.

"There's no reason to why I should not!" Meta said smiling at Athenya.

And so they all went on to eat and merry make without a care in the world. Or so they thought.

Suddenly, the roof of the ball room collapsed and five round figures lept into the room, their right eyes glowing distinctly.

"Satisans!" Sir David yelled in shock, "Soldiers! Defeand the castle!"

All was chaos then suddenly... the five unnamed Satisans vanished, leaving the room in silent tension.

Meta breathed in deeply as he lowered his blade and searched for the Satisans. A flash of glowing light caught his eye and he immediately knew what it was. "There!" He pointed to the false figure in the room with his blade, Sighta, "A Satisan shape-shifter!"

Sweey: I still am not satisfied... well, anyways, it's all pretty now. :) so please, if you haven't yet, review! ^_^