The dark waters of Olive Ocean were totally still this far down, the only movement being the shadowy figures of ocean creatures flitting about. Waves roiled and crashed into one another at the cliff base above, but here a deathly calm reigned. The gloom of the depths was broken somewhat by a golden frame that lay wedged face-up between several obsidian boulders. Large glass shards lay scattered about the seafloor around it, gleaming in the darkness.

Suddenly, a man clad in blues and purples slipped from the frame, the shock of the cold water causing him to suddenly inhale, drawing the icy liquid into his lungs. Meta panicked, trying to push himself towards the surface, following the bubbles in their journey. His cape melded into his wings, which he then unfurled and flapped furiously as he pushed at the water. Meta watched the surface draw closer, but it was still so far away. Darkness began to encroach on the edges of his vision as his lungs screamed for air. His movements began to slowly falter.

A hand soon crept through the frame as well, recoiling slightly at the shock of the icy water. It slipped back into the shattered mirror before another figure surged through, deftly pumping his arms and legs in tandem with his tattered wings. Dark shot upwards through the gloom, thankful that his naturally lower body temperature would buy him a few more minutes in the freezing currents of Olive Ocean. His eyes widened as he spotted Meta drifting motionless above him, and he grabbed the man as he continued to swim upwards, barely slowing at the additional strain. The churning currents began to buffet him as he ascended, and he grit his teeth at what he was going to have to do.

Dark didn't stop beating his wings as he broke the surface, propelling himself with some difficulty above the turbulent waters with his unconscious cargo in tow. He quickly lurched sideways as he spotted a nearby alcove, his strength draining with every flap of his damaged wings. Dark inched lower and lower as he approached his destination until Meta's legs were skimming the water. He scowled at this and spent his final reserves of energy on a few final powerful flaps of his wings. The action practically hurled the two men onto the small beach, sending them head over heels until Meta's limp body came to rest atop Dark.

Dark pulled himself up and shook Meta. After garnering no response, he gently pushed the man off him, taking a closer look. His blood chilled as he noted the lack of movement in Meta's chest.

"Fuck fuck fuck..." he breathed, kneeling beside Meta and pulling off the man's helmet, preparing to begin CPR. It only took a slight push to Meta's chest for the man to begin violently coughing, and Dark rolled him onto his side as he began to vomit seawater. Dark let out a heavy sigh of relief and patted the man's back as he continued to retch and cough, murmuring words of encouragement. Several minutes passed before Meta caught his breath and rolled onto his back, still panting. His lips were tinged blue, and his eyes had a hazy quality to them.

"What happened?" he wheezed. Dark gave him a patronizing pat to the chest.

"You didn't bother to check the other side of mirror before jumping through, dipshit," Dark teased, though there was an odd undercurrent of anger to his tone. Meta's skin tone was steadily improving, and his eyes were becoming more focused.

"You saved me?" Meta asked, turning his head to peer up at Dark. Meta looked so vulnerable like this, shivering and sprawled in the sand. His hair was soaked and splayed over his face, obscuring his eyes. Dark resisted the strange impulse to brush it aside.

"Yes, I did indeed drag your soggy, sorry ass to shore," Dark sniffed. Meta managed to sit up with some effort, slumping forward slightly as he endured another coughing fit. He then went silent and gazed out over the wave-worn shore.

"Thank you. I have never been a capable swimmer," he mumbled, startling Dark. He turned to look at the man, and Dark reddened slightly at the intense gaze.

"You live by a goddamn ocean and you can't swim. Incredible," Dark huffed, chasing away the strange feeling in his chest. Meta narrowed his eyes, scowling.

"I am capable of swimming. I merely happen to not be the most proficient at the activity," he snapped. Dark rolled his eyes.

"You weren't breathing when I pulled you out, moron. Get better," he drawled. Meta blinked, and then squinted at Dark.

"...Were you...Concerned about me?" he asked incredulously. Dark stiffened, his smirk falling away into a thin frown. Why was he so concerned? He did need Meta's help to take back his kingdom, but the panic that had gripped him when he noticed that Meta wasn't breathing came from something else.

"A corpse can't help me take back the throne! And if you die, then I can die, remember?!" he snarled, the words coming out louder than intended. Meta snorted derisively, red tinging his irises.

"Of course. I am only a means to an end," he hissed, gritting his teeth. Was that disappointment in his tone? Why did Dark hope it was?

"Fine, I'll admit I was worried about losing my favorite person to torment," Dark amended, acutely aware of his warming cheeks. Meta gave him a long look, the tinge in his eyes turning to green.

"Do you consider me an ally?" he asked quietly. Dark's cheeks were burning now, and he was certain that Meta had to have noticed. He looked down, tracing a pattern in the sand as he thought.

"Do you?" he muttered, bracing himself for a sharp-tongued retort. When none came, he glanced at Meta. The other man was gazing at the sky, deep in thought.

"Somewhat," he said cryptically, donning his helmet and standing, "And you?"

"I mean, after all the help you've given me, it sort of has to be a yes," Dark mumbled, standing as well but keeping his gaze away from Meta.

"Hm," Meta responded, turning towards the cliffs behind them and looking up. Dark let out an indignant yelp as Meta suddenly grabbed his wrist and yanked him closer.

"The fuck?!" he squawked. Meta ignored him as he scooped the man up, thankful that the man was a flying creature like himself and thus just as light.

"Hold on," he said, unfurling his wings to their full span. A few powerful wingbeats sent them aloft, and Meta rapidly ascended the cliff face as Dark clung to him in terror. His damaged wings prevented him from reaching these speeds, and he felt his stomach churn as the two continued to rocket upwards. Finally, Meta cleared the cliff's edge and slowed, gently touching down amongst the sea spray worn scrub. He set Dark back on his feet and watched with amusement as the man nearly toppled over.

"Give me a warning before you do this shit!" Dark cried, still swaying slightly.

"If I gave you ample warning, you would have worked yourself up in anticipation," Meta replied, scanning the horizon. It was night here, but the moon was full and cast a bright silver light over the landscape. "Where do we head now?"

"Through the Radish Ruins," Dark said, regaining his balance. He pointed out over a lush forest, towards several crumbling towers jutting out above the canopy. Meta gazed at their destination for a moment before nodding.

"Then let us begin," he intoned.