Heroes of Dreamland, Book 6: Kirby and the Fountain's Fate (OLD)

Fighting Our Reflections, Part 3; The Fountain's Fate

Meta Knight's POV:

Breathe in. Breathe out. Focus, I order myself as I soar towards the Time Pedestal. It has been a long day, and I have a feeling it is going to just keep getting longer. It feels like days ago that Sakura came back, but in reality, it has been just short of twenty-four hours. In that time, Shadow has gotten lost and been found, the king and Escargoon were captured and set free, Tick-Tock Clock and Fancy Free were finally rediscovered, the Time Pedestal has spoken for the first time in probably centuries, and we've learned that there is yet another threat to Dreamland out there. My premonition of coming danger just keeps growing stronger, and not just because my dark copy is determined to kill me.

After what feels like an eternity but is actually only a few minutes, I land in front of the tall clock and cautiously look around. Although I fold my wings in some, I do not turn them back into a cloak. After all, I have no way of knowing when I might need them next.

Certainly, I will admit that I am dreading this battle. Even if my own dark side and a lack of Galaxia hindered me in my first battle against my Mirror self, he was also much weaker that time, it sounds, and yet he still defeated me fairly easily.

I suppose I will finally have the answer to the question I have pondered so many times over so many years... Am I stronger than my dark side? Or is it too powerful for even I to control?

"Finally, you arrive. I was growing rather impatient," a voice chuckles quietly from up above. Immediately I look up to see Dark Meta Knight standing on a ledge higher up on the building, his cloak wrapped snugly around himself to guard from the chilly night. Although, with a soul as cold and calculating as his, I can't help but wonder if this weather actually bothers him at all.

It is cloudy out, blocking the glow of the stars. The only light is the pale glow of the moon that manages to penetrate through the dark gray blankets that cover the sky. The breeze whistles along through the ruins of a once-great city in a mournful manner, making a chill run through me. Even so, I do not allow myself to show any sign of emotion. This, more than ever, is a time when I must be a stoic soldier.

Nodding once, forcing myself to keep my temper under control, I answer, "A knight of true honor never ignores a challenge."

He snorts, looking down at me with disgust. "All these things that you hold so dear, that I truly cannot see a purpose for. Honor, chivalry, honesty, reverence... So many little trifles that you claim to follow so you can somehow feel better about yourself, and yet you are no better than I."

With a quiet growl, I continue to make myself maintain an outward appearance of mostly calm. I will not give him the satisfaction of an angry response. "That is a lie. I have never been as evil as you have become."

He laughs again, sounding rather amused, as he lets go of his cape and unsheathes his sword. "Oh, but you could have been. You still could be. We both know the beautiful Darkness that hides in the corners of your heart, writhing and waiting for any chance to be awakened, as it has several times over the decades. After all, to a great extent, we have the same heart, only the two of us have chosen to allow different pieces to have command. Perhaps you are only an inferior version of myself, but if you would only embrace that Darkness, then you might just make for a worthy opponent- or, at least, a worthier opponent than you are now."

Although some of his words ring true, I refuse to let them get to me. He is only trying to make me so upset that I cannot concentrate on fighting, and I will not let him. I cannot afford to let him. With another deep breath, I point my sword up at him. "You sent me a challenge, and I have come to answer it. Please do not hinder me anymore than you must; I have other matters to attend to."