Fateful Meeting

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"Nnng..."

Clutching a gaping wound at his side, a cobalt-haired swordsman glared at his opponent, a warrior with hair and eyes of a deep blue. Marth winced as he watched the blood dribble through his fingers, staining his leather gauntlet a dull crimson. He had not expected this fight to drag out so long, but his foe had the strength of a bear, not to mention seemingly endless stamina.

Ike panted heavily; he knew that both he and his adversary could not last for much longer. Exhaustion made his whole being ache with fatigue. He not expected the pretty challenger to be so damned fast! Hearing his opponent shift, Ike braced himself and summoned the last of his strength as Marth charged a final time.

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-- Six Hours Earlier –-

Alone at his table in the Super Smash Bros Compound cafeteria, Ike picked at his breakfast uninterestedly. Ike had been dubious when he received the important-looking letter. Super Smash Brothers the fancy parchment had read; it explained the glory of joining the honourable group of fighters and how he should count himself among the lucky to even be considered. Enough things had happened to him already, with losing his father and carrying the fate of an entire nation on his broad shoulders. He didn't need this. In fact, he had almost refused, but his princess...no, she was queen of Crimea thanks to him, had urged him to take the opportunity.

Two weeks had passed since his coming to the Compound, and he had yet to compete. To be honest, Ike was becoming bored. He really didn't care how much glory or honour this place offered; he wanted some excitement if he was stuck in this place. But while he was here, no matter the extent of his boredom, he was determined not to lose his edge. Discreetly, Ike gazed at the other combatants, taking silent notes of how they moved and acted. A green dinosaur was jibbering happily at a pink puffball with red shoes, who was somehow able to understand every word of the jolly reptile's high-pitched prattle. A humanoid fox and falcon were laughing in a far corner, comparing the sizes of two formidable-looking weapons. Across the way, Ike spotted Mr. Nintendo himself chatting merrily with his brother and a blonde princess. Ike wondered in mild interest how any of these people (or creatures) could possible be fighters. No one in the room really exuded fighter's spirit...

...Until he walked in.

He had entered quietly, yet Ike instantly sensed him. His azure eyes calculating and wondering, Ike studied the silent stranger. A sword hung from his lean hip and a look of disinterest was on his pretty face. Shutting his icy blue eyes, the stranger strode gracefully toward the breakfast bar. Ike couldn't pull his eyes away; the swordsman was gorgeous and he was embarrassed to admit it. Feeling his face grow warm, Ike finally looked away, confused about these new feelings that had overcome him.

--

It wasn't often that Marth ate in the dining hall, but couldn't always breakfast in his room. Refusing the desire to rub the sleep from his tired eyes, he meandered towards his morning meal. Marth was exhausted. He had not slept properly in weeks. When his closest friend and ally was banished from the Compound, his life had turned upside down. Nightmares had plagued him for weeks, and the deficiency of sleep and his mind's ease was beginning to get to him. Thinking of the loss of his comrade and the time they had spent together made his brilliant blue eyes prickle. Shaking his head, Marth forcefully cleared his mind, focusing instead on his current surroundings. More or less back to normal, Marth noticed that something was amiss. To him, if felt like someone was...watching him. Not just your normal look; someone was staring.

Reaching the buffet table, Marth shot a glance behind him, the feeling now gone. Looking around cautiously, he noted nothing out of the ordinary until his eyes landed on a lone figure in a barren corner of the room. The man held his head in his hands and appeared deep in thought, seeming to be rather perplexed over whatever thoughts ran through his head. Realizing the man's predicament, Marth smiled sadly to himself. He understood how the man felt; indeed, because Roy was gone, he too was alone. Marth frowned. Quickly making up his mind, but not exactly understanding why, Marth grabbed his plate and marched toward the lonely warrior.

--

What is this...? This feeling... It's familiar... But...he's a... man... I'm not...like that... Last I checked I mean... I'm just...tired... Bored...? Tired. Yeah... I'm just tired...right?

Ike's mouth went dry. This is the last thing needed- more anxiety. Groaning as he rubbed his throbbing temples, he jumped at the clack of a tray being placed right across from him. Looking up quickly, Ike's eyes widened as they landed on who had taken a seat opposite him. Not more than four feet from him sat the beautiful swordsman, slowly eating a small bowl of fruit. Ike felt the slight warmth creeping up his face as he looked at the handsome bluenette, and grew irritated with himself.

What is wrong with me today? Why does some man I've never met affect me like this? This is stupid...

Wiping his mouth daintily, the Smasher finally looked up at Ike, his icy azure eyes quickly assessing him. Ike could almost feel the tension choking him before the stranger spoke.

"I saw you," he stated simply. Ike disguised his horror. This guy had seen him gawping at him like a child at a zoo?!

Good job Ike, you great lump.

"Well, you see...uh..." Ike stammered. The cool swordsman held up his hand, obviously not wanting an explanation.

--

Marth noted how tense the tall warrior was. He had not remembered being so on edge when he was alone, but he supposed it differed from person to person. As Marth gazed into his deep blue eyes, the man seemed slightly unnerved and averted them. Hoping he was reading the stranger's feelings correctly, Marth placed a reassuring hand on the swordsman's broad shoulder to calm him. He settled down, and again met Marth's gaze. His eyes were absolutely gorgeous. Leashing his thoughts, Marth ignored them and spoke again.

"I... I understand."

The man looked taken aback. Marth continued.

"You're confused, you're alone, and you're not sure how to go about handling it. Am I correct?"

--

Sighing in relief in his mind, Ike's grim expression eased.

Yeah... That's what's wrong with me. For a moment I thought...

He was calmed by the gentleness in the slim warrior's quiet voice, though he tried not to admit it to himself. Still a bit confused, he slowly nodded an affirmative. Ignoring the peculiar feeling in his stomach, Ike looked up at the Altean, and was shocked at what he saw. Genuine concern lay in those icy beautiful eyes. An understanding and compassion like this stunned Ike. This man was nothing more than a stranger, yet he was already empathizing with Ike and caring about how he felt. The pretty warrior smiled softly before he spoke.

"It's alright. I know how you feel. I've been there too..."

A faraway look flickered over his pale face before he continued.

"I know it sounds horribly cliché, but just try to keep your head up. This place isn't so bad..."

The cobalt looked so young, but he seemed so wise. Ike saw something in his eyes that reminded him of something he saw in his own reflection. A true understanding of pain lay behind them. Ike opened his mouth to respond, but his words stuck in his throat as he glanced around the room. Every Smasher in the cafeteria had gone silent and had fixed their attention on the two of them. The silence was deafening; you could cut it with a knife. Colour rushing to his face, Ike jerked his shoulder of the lean swordsman's grasp and got to his feet with a screech of his chair. Ike cast a deadly glare toward the others, scaring them back to what they were doing.

--

Marth bit his lip as the Crimean stared daggers at the crowd of Smashers. The other man's face was flushed with embarrassment, but he was still frightening to behold. He turned and faced Marth again, his face twisted with a scowl.

"I...I don't need your help..." he growled. Marth saw anger on his face, but in the troubled warrior's eyes, a grateful look of thanks. Marth then realized just how sensitive this handsome stranger was. He was gruff and almost painfully blunt, but he appreciated someone just taking the time to talk to him. Swiftly turning on his heel, the flustered man stormed away without another word. Knocking his chair over in his haste, Marth leapt to his feet.

"Wait! What's your..."

But the swordsman was already gone.

"...name...?"

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