A True Hero

37 - Masks and Roses

Meta Knight

"Meta Knight, I must speak with you," The Sage said urgently as I walked toward Arthur's room. He had called me to speak to him about Magolor.

"Sage," I greeted. "What is it?"

"Something is wrong with Nicolette," he whispered, then looked around him nervously, like he was looking for a ghost. His star glowed brightly on his forehead. "She is acting strangely, and her aura does not feel the same. Surely you have noticed."

I nodded. "Yes, she's acting differently, but there are many explanations for that. She did just have herself copied, realized it was her birthday, and discovered one of her best friends has a child. It's been a long day for all of us, and we're all acting a little strangely. What real thing has she done to deserve your mistrust?"

The Sage sighed and suddenly looked tired. "I knew about Jecra and Amai, but I didn't think you'd fall, too," he whispered, almost inaudibly.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my eyes flashing red.

"You cannot let your feelings cloud reality," The Sage scolded, pulling his cape around himself like I often did. "There is something much more wrong with Nicolette than you let yourself see. I know you care for her, but don't become oblivious to warnings! There is an evil at work with her!"

"Do not accuse her," I warned, my eyes burning red, and before The Sage could reply, the door to Arthur's quarters opened and he stepped outside.

"Ah, Meta Knight, you're here." He gave The Sage a strange look, then beckoned me inside. "Come. And Sage, you're welcome to stay, too. You're advice is always appreciated and needed."

The Sage looked at me, then back at Arthur. "I'm afraid I cannot stay," he apologized. "There is an urgent matter I must investigate."

"What's going on?" Arthur asked, looking worried.

"I fear something is wrong with Nicolette," The Sage replied, looking at me crossly. "She is acting strangely, and I want to investigate it."

"Are you implying she's turned on us?" Arthur gasped.

"No," The Sage corrected, "I am saying something is wrong with her. I will not accuse her of being a traitor until I see solid evidence. I think there is an evil force that has done something with her. For now, though, I am going to look into it. I will report back when I find news."

"A-alright," Arthur said, and The Sage turned to leave. I watched him walk down the hall, then walked past Arthur into his room. Arthur looked worried.

"He's a wise old man, but he's a little quirky, sometimes," he laughed quietly as he shut his doors. "Crikey, he does things like this a lot. Random investigations, private work. But he's always efficient and resourceful. He picked up on Nicolette's fear about Rose and helped her report it. I don't doubt his findings now."

"Interesting," I said thoughtfully. I thought about what The Sage said, and I couldn't help but feel defensive. My feelings were in check. I could see Nicolette clearly. Her behavior with Richard was very odd, but her treatment of Magolor was normal. Even with Ren, she acted normal. That was the last I had seen of her.

Perhaps Richard just told her something personal, I thought, and that was why she is acting strange. She never did respond well to people opening up their hearts to her. I suddenly felt sick, and I wondered if the thought of Richard opening his heart to Nic didn't resonate well with me, either.

"So, about Magolor," Arthur said, interrupting my thoughts. I nodded. "You trust him now?"

"I do, sir. He did save us when he did not have to. He could have blown us to pieces and joined Dark Mind. But he chose to fight with us and helped us flee." Arthur shook his head and sighed.