The Xiphos touched down on the castle's courtyard, kicking up a generous amount of dust. The roar of its engines cut out, and the staircase slowly descended. The sleek jet looked horribly out of place among the lush gardens and bejeweled décor. Dark darted out of the cabin door and raced down the stairs, running to the edge of the courtyard and falling to his hands and knees. The sound of his retching greeted Meta's ears as he exited at his own leisurely pace, spinning the keys to the Xiphos around his finger.

"I would have never thought you of all people would possess a strong gag reflex," he quipped, walking over to Dark after locking the aircraft.

"Fuck you! You were rolling the plane!" Dark snarled, wiping the drool away from his mouth. Meta shrugged.

"Just some necessary maneuvering," he said, folding his arms behind his back and leaning over Dark.

"Bullshit," Dark croaked. Meta chuckled maliciously and set his hat back onto Dark's head, straightening it in a patronizing manner.

"Are you finished?" he asked, smirking beneath his helmet. Dark flipped him the bird and staggered to his feet, still woozy. He allowed his head to stop spinning before straightening his jacket and brushing the dust from his knees.

"If we didn't have such important business I'd be kicking your ass up and down this courtyard," Dark snapped, jabbing a finger into Meta's chest. Meta responded by grabbing Dark's wrist and painfully twisting it before using his foot to shove the man backwards.

"Do not touch me," Meta hissed. Dark quickly recovered from the shove and rubbed at his wrist, grimacing.

"You're back on the shit list," he spat.

"I was unaware that I had ever left it," Meta deadpanned, crossing his arms. Dark opened his mouth to say something but was quickly cut off.

"There you guys are!" Dedede said, walking up to the two men. Meta immediately strode over to meet him, with Dark trailing behind in a dejected manner.

"I apologize for the delay. Is Taranza waiting within the castle?" Meta asked. Dedede nodded.

"Yeah. DMK better be careful; he seems angry," he responded. Dark put his hands on his hips, scowling.

"My kingdom is at stake! I don't have time for vendettas!" he huffed, gesturing angrily as his eyes tinged red. Meta walked quickly towards the castle, not even glancing at Dark.

"Then do not create them," he intoned. Dark resisted the urge to stamp his foot into the soil in a distinctly bratty manner, instead choosing to put his hands on his hips. Dedede just glanced between the two, a strange look on his face. Dark caught his gaze and rolled his eyes.

"Is he always this bitchy?" he muttered.

"Watch it, he's my friend," Dedede shot back. He then mulled over the question. "But yes, yes he is," he amended.

"Wow," Dark murmured. The three made their way to the castle doors and Dedede pushed the massive slabs of rock and metal filigree open with ease. The high-vaulted ceiling hung far above their heads, somewhat obscured by the myriad of floating jewels held in mid air by some sort of magic. Ornate flower pots and antique vases lined the walls and flanked the doors to the throne room, all of them overflowing with vibrant plants in every conceivable color. Dedede and Dark both continued walking, being used to extravagant castle décor, but Meta hung back, surveying the greenery.

The flowers were totally alien to him, though botany wasn't his strong suit in the first place. They were nothing like the sea-salt worn scrub that dotted the sandy hills around his base, but they bore a distinct resemblance to the orchids that Sailor Dee tended to in her free time. A sharp whistle broke through his thoughts.

"Meta, hurry up!" Dedede called out. Meta jogged over to the two now impatient men, turning red underneath his helmet. Being caught gazing at flowers whilst a potential crisis brewed wasn't the best look.

"This isn't the time to stop and smell the roses," Dark teased, though there was a distinct undercurrent of irritation in his voice.

"Alright, Taranza's just ahead," Dedede said, cutting off Meta's incoming insult. The two Knights went to push the door open when a broad arm halted Meta. "Just Dark."

"Unfortunate," Meta said flatly, backing off. Dark pressed a hand to his chest in mock infatuation.

"Worried about little old me? Oh Meta..." he tittered, swooning dramatically. Meta's eyes narrowed into slits.

"Unfortunate that I do not get to witness you shattered due to the results of your own hubris," he growled. Dark only feigned a pout in response, before slipping through the heavy doors. He shut them quietly and took a deep breath as anxiety bubbled up within his chest. The throne room was wildly different from when Dark had last seen it, with potted plants filling the perimeter. Taranza stood before the throne, humming quietly.

"So you came," Taranza said, his gentle voice still managing to unnerve Dark. His four enchanted free-floating hands set down the empty watering cans they had been holding as he turned around, his two ordinary hands still clutching a full pail of water. He delicately set the pail down beside him and walked forward to properly greet Dark.

"I need that shard. The Mirror-World is in danger," Dark said, his tone devoid of his usual mischief. Taranza nodded and gestured behind him.

"It's right here," he said, and Dark followed his motions to gaze at the throne. The shard lay leaned up against the ornate golden structure, but something else caught his eye as well. A hauntingly familiar flower sat in a pot resting upon the throne. Dark reached out with his magic, and just barely felt the thrum of a distinct aura.

"Is that...?" he whispered, pain evident in his voice.

"Yes. It's all that's left," Taranza responded, his voice taking on a hollow quality. Dark tilted his head up slightly to prevent the tears misting up his eyes from rolling down his cheeks.

"Could I...?" he reached out in the direction of the flower. Taranza's expression hardened.

"No," he said lowly, positioning himself between Dark and the throne. Dark bristled.

"I loved her as well. I only want a proper farewell," he snarled. Taranza clenched all six of his hands.

"You wanted to corrupt her. That isn't love," he hissed back. Dark took a step forward so that he was toe-to-toe with Taranza.

"I never wanted this! I wanted to help her!" he growled, baring his fangs with every word. Taranza took a few deep breaths and backed away slightly.

"I just want to know why," he murmured.

"I loved her. I wanted to help her become the ruler she wanted to be. I never told her to mutate herself..." Dark responded. He then shook his head as if he was trying to rid himself of the memory. "I never knew that the ritual I lent my power to would do that..."

"You did that?!" Taranza roared, conjuring a ball of magic and blasting it into Dark's chest. Dark was sent flying into a stone column, landing in a heap. Before he could even register the pain, a spray of spider silk engulfed him, sticking him to the pillar. Dark coughed a few times before regaining his voice.

"I didn't know!" he choked, a tear rolling out of his good eye. Taranza strode over to the downed man, fury in his eyes.

"Do you even comprehend what you have caused? The years and years of grief you made our kingdom go through? I am still in mourning, Dark Meta Knight, but you aren't," he hissed. Dark's eyes went pure crimson as he thrashed against his bonds.

"Of course I'm still in mourning you stupid fuck! I miss her every goddamn day! But I have a kingdom to run, and I can't afford to act like a mopey piece of shit!" he spat.

"I have a kingdom to run as well. And eliminating you is imperative to our safety," Taranza said coldly, creating another larger ball of energy. Dark braced himself for the impact and his inevitable shattering, shutting his eyes tightly. But it never came.

"Pardon my intrusion," Meta said, deftly pushing Taranza back with a soft kick.

(Transferring this over slowly. Full story is on my AO3)