Chapter 10

A cactus or two grew from the burning sand. Their green, prickly bodies stood proudly in the baking sunlight, unaffected by the heat. The sloshing contents of the canteens strapped to the knight's side tempted him. Great pillars of rock that were gradually worn from sands and time towered above him. In the distance, obscured by rippling heat waves and dust, a wall of rock rose high above the expanse of sand and scrublands. It was carved by an ancient river that had long since disappeared, leaving behind a desolate world.

Meta Knight clutched his stomach as it ached and grumbled. Fortunately for him, he was nearing his destination. He brought his intact wing over him to block the sun, but only until his dark skin heated did he need to retire his wing for a while. Sweat ran down his face and his mask was in his gloved hand, being dragged in the sand beside him.

He came upon a short, steep slope that dipped down into a flatland where fissures littered the hard ground below. Rugged rocks were plentiful as were half buried bones and skeletons. Reluctantly he sat and slid down the slope. He was careful not to allow his injured wing to drag behind and be damaged further. After getting to his feet, he unscrewed the cap of his canteen and took a few gulps of water then continued his trek.

Up ahead, a commotion startled him. Large black birds pecked at skeletons and hissed at each other over cracked bones. Their feathers shimmered in the sunlight as did their grey beaks and feet. The mouth of the canyon stretched up just ahead, past the squabbling crow-like vultures. Struggling back up the slope to go around wasn't an option. As the knight approached, some of the birds continued to fight over scraps while the other stopped to watch the traveler near them with unblinking eyes. They craned their necks and turned their heads to the side to get a better view of him while examining his form and sizing him up.

Meta Knight kept the birds in the corner of his eye as he strapped his mask to his face. He slowly withdrew his stolen dagger and held it in a tight grip. One bird hopped over a few skeletons and perched itself upon a tall rock. It's head darted about as it stared at him. The knight paused to glance at the carrion bird. Its eyes were red and the regions of its body that weren't cloaked in shiny, ebony feathers appeared metallic. The bird gave a strange screech and twitched its wings. He backed away from the bird and continued to pass through the bed of skeletons and torn fabric.

The metallic creature's beady eyes followed the knight. It twitched its wings and lowered its head briefly, then clicked its talons. Meta Knight froze as the bird gave out a shrill screech and lifted into the air. The puffball swirled around in time to examine his surroundings and dodge out of the way of the demonic avian. The bird landed on a rock and hissed. The other feathered beasts joined the fray. One dove at the knight but gave a wail as his blade cut it down from the air.

The downed bird scrabbled about the cracked dirt, kicking up dust and ruffling its feathers. Meta Knight briefly disregarded the crippled foe as more of its kind readied to attack him yet again. He swiped his stolen weapon at the airborne demonbeasts. Talons grabbed at his wings, puncturing holes in their membranes while breaking his footing.

"Get away from me!" Whipping around he punched his original attacker in the side of the head.

The bird yowled and collapsed with a huge dent in its skull. Feathers rained from its wings and sparks danced from its jammed jaw as it attempted to cry out to its kin. Black liquid leaked from its neck and stained the ground. With a drone, it crumpled to the ground and the gears in its body groaned then fell silent.

The birds growled and hissed. They bit at his wings and scratched at his arms. A pair of talons scored into his mask, giving out a earsplitting shriek. His ears rang and the birds continued to scream at him with their metallic cries. He swung his blade at them, cutting feathers, and slicing off talons and toes. Two more birds fell and screeched, but were soon to be silenced Meta Knight thrust the dagger into their backs.

The last remaining pair of avians scowled at him from their rocky perches nearby. He slowly stepped past their fallen brethren in hopes he'd be left alone. The bird nearest him hissed and charged him with a flap of its wings and click of its talons. The other took the sky as well. Meta Knight swiped the air with his weapon only for the creature to latch onto it with its talons. With unexpected strength, the bird wrenched the blade from his hands and tossed it beyond the skeletons. The puffball sidestepped a pair of talons as they clawed the air. A sharp beak stabbed at his head as he went for a new weapon. He skidded to a halt as the second bird landed before him and denied him access to the small sword nearby.

The two birds bit and clawed at his skin, eager to knock him down and end him. The knight, however, was not soon keen on such an idea. With nothing more to defend himself with, other than his fists, he grabbed rocks and threw them at the avians. They dodged fairly quickly and were somewhat warded away. Intent on their prize, they persisted and continued to attack. Meta Knight gave a cry as his broken wing was grasped and jerked at by one of the demonbeasts, while the other cut at his arms and unsuccessfully tried to claw at his face through his visor. The retired Star Warrior snagged a bone off the ground as he was dragged to the side. He proceeded to beat at the carrion bird, earning many screeches and annoyed hisses.

"Let – go!" He hit the bird in the head and flung the bone at the other.

Dazed, the birds released him and flew about, soon charging him again.

Backing away, the knight tripped over a rock and fell backward into a pile of bones. He looked around him. A shredded leather jacket with damp blood encased a ribcage. The arms of the skeleton were sprawled out and in one of its hands was a pistol. Frantically, he grabbed the gun and cocked it. As the two birds came into range, he pulled the trigger and shot down both birds. Black liquid spurted out of their chests and bits of metal flew about the air. The two creatures groaned and twitched violently, their bodies sparking before going limp and silent.

Meta Knight tossed the gun and lied back with a sigh of relief, "Thank the stars."

He sat up, uncapped a canteen and took a long drink from it. Sealing the liquid container, he got to his feet and made for the mouth of the canyon. The large rock walls stretched over him and cast a great, cool shadow upon his small form. Striding down the gently slope that dipped deep into the ground, he paused and scanned the canyon walls. The red rock was rough and old with many stripes and jagged cracks. The sand upon the rocky flooring was fine and soft with footprints stretching well beyond his range of sight. Should he follow the prints, he'd reach another town beyond the carved rock. He had a different place in mind.

Picking his way to the leftmost wall, an old path carved in the stone caught his attention. He made his way up the path, high above the canyon floor, until the path turned into the wall. A gap in the stone, wide enough for one to slip through, greeted him. Passing through the gap, the knight brushed a clump of dirt off his elbow and descended down a narrow tunnel. It eventually opened up into a wide pocket with soft red sand blanketing the ground. Looking around, he went to the wall and sat, leaning into the stone. He hadn't much farther to go, but rest was greatly needed. He listened to the low droning grumble in the distance filled with faint clanks and clicks. That was a sound he wanted to hear.

Tendrils of ice spread from each step he took. His form melted into the shadows while his eyes were like two pools of blood that foretold one's fate. A Mirror World Abomination bellowed in the distance, not that he cared. His focus was set upon the bright glow above the rubble that was Cappy Town. Upon reaching the town's remains, he easily glided up to the ancient artifact and touched his gloved hand to the mirror's reflective surface. He floated before it.

"Come, you two," He grinned behind his mask as two forms began to materialize behind the ripples of the mirror.

Sword and Blade, but not as they were, stared with dark expressions. Their armor was cracked, worn, and dented. The metal was dark grey and bore tiny dark splotches. Dark Meta Knight floated back slightly and brought his hand to his side.

"Deal with your doppelgängers. I have no further use for them now that you are here." A chuckle escaped his lips. "Tell them...they have been replaced."

The knight's apprentices bowed in acknowledgement. "Yes, my lord."

The two emerged from the mirror and descended. Landed upon the ground with a loud clank of their armor, they turned and made for the castle, their swords brandished. The darkly knight returned his attention his attention to the mirror yet again as another form began to appear. It was small and grey.

"Ah yes, my son, you may come as well." The knight touched a hand to the artifact, briefly giving it enough power to allow the next Mirror to arrive.

Shadow Kirby blinked his eyes curiously and emerged. Dropping to the ground with a quiet thump, he regained his footing and looked about with wonder. To him, this world was no different than the one he had been birthed in. No color, no warmth, dwindling life. Both were dying worlds. Dark Meta Knight watched as the boy stood still before scampering off somewhere.

The mirror began to shake and grumble as a dark maroon form tried to take shape, but swiftly faded. Dark Meta Knight watched with interest. A dark grin plastered itself to his face.

"It won't be long now. This planet will be a wonderful extension to my kingdom."

Dark Meta Knight gave a chuckle. With a wave of his cape around his body, he vanished.

A/N

I really don't have much to say about this chapter. Dark is gathering his forces and is about to take it up a notch. Meta is almost where he needs to be to find that ally of his. Edits/revisions are soon to be made on the first few chapters.

Writers like reviews! I appreciate and encourage constructive criticism!