(Plotted starter for @bladesfromthedark!)
Meta Knight watched the shadowy stranger from afar, sheltered within the canopy of a tree some distance away from the other. It had been a few days since the invader was first spotted in Dream Land, their presence alerted to the King by Bandana Dee, who had then passed the information along to him.
This was not the first time a being like this had come to this planet, he knew. Years ago, they and their kin had brought a great calamity upon Popstar—something he, regrettably, had not been around to protect it from.
Now, however, after all this time, a member of that same species (...Dark Matter, he believed it to be called?) appeared once more on the normally-peaceful planet, for reasons unknown. And this time, he was ready. No matter what the stranger had planned, he was prepared to strike them down the moment they threatened any harm to Popstar. Until then, he would become the creature of shadows’ own shadow, keeping a careful eye on them at all times as he watched for any suspicious behaviour.
Though… He would be lying if he claimed he did not also have… ulterior motives.
He did not typically wish to think about Haltmann Works’ attempt at mechanising the planet. However, seeing the being before him now, Meta Knight couldn't help but recall his encounter with Star Dream during that time. The supercomputer had summoned a number of foes that it had handpicked for him to fight, claiming them to be the strongest warriors Popstar had to offer. Among them was an artificial creature supposedly modelled after a “sword master”, who bore a form remarkably similar to the invader he now monitored.
He had fought and defeated the swordsman's clone before. But how did that clone measure up to the real deal? He had to know.
Currently, Meta Knight had followed the other to an open field (save for some vegetation on its edges), which they appeared to rest roughly in the middle of. Perhaps it was because all this surveillance work these past few days had prevented him from being able to train to the same extent that he was used to, but…
Frankly, it was the perfect place for a duel.
He couldn't wait any longer.
It was already well into the night at this point, but whether he was fighting under the stars or a bright blue sky made no difference to him.
The masked knight lept into action, bat-like wings bursting out from beneath his Dimensional Cape as the fabric faded into the aether. He soared through the sky, Galaxia gleaming in his grip like a shooting star. Taking a sharp dive, he landed a few feet away from the fellow warrior and pointed his blade.
He had occasionally seen the other accompanied by a shining blade of their own in the past. And, of course, a true swordsman always keeps their weapon on hand in case of emergency (or, in this case, an impromptu sparring session). However, he could also provide them with his backup sword if need be.
“Fight me.”
