There's something about the ice that feels…alluring.

Everything from it's shape to the way it feels is just mystifying. The cold chill of the surface immerses me into a state of complete relaxation. The ice is the only thing that puts me at ease. I took up figure skating to stay in a place where I was actually…

Happy.

The way my skates hug my feet, the sharp and precise cuts the blades carve into the ice, and even the chilly air that hits my face as I skate— Everything about it is captivating. At first, it was just for fun, but a friend of mine got me into competitive skating. I never thought that I'd actually become good in competitions. I just did whatever felt natural to me. I genuinely enjoyed the sport. I gained the nicknamed, "The Blue Butterfly". It was…feminine, but just "Marth Lowell" didn't seem right. In a way, the name brought me closer to the ice. Figure skating was my life, and nothing could take my passion away from me.

The ice was my kingdom, where I would forever reign.

Chapter I

The lights were out.

The ice was perfectly resurfaced.

"Perfect." Marth's lips curled into a smile as he peered through the glass door of the arena. He slowly ran his fingers through his hair, removing a bobby pin that held stray strands of hair out of his eyes. He bent down, inserted the bobby pin into the lock, and twisted it around until he heard a click.

"Got it!" Marth slid the pin back into his hair, opened the door, and ran towards the bleachers. He sat down and wasted no time as he began changing into his ice skates. He laced them up and hobbled over to the ice. He took a few steps towards the middle of the rink and sighed, enjoying the complete silence. No cheering crowds, no loud music— It was just him and the ice. He stepped out with one foot, and pushed off with the other.

One foot… other foot

One foot… other foot…

He began sliding across the ice at a slow pace. Marth progressively picked up speed as he skating, going faster and faster around the rink. He closed his eyes, a faint smile on his face. He felt at peace on the ice. He bent down slightly and propelled himself into the air. He crossed his feet at the ankles and counted the number of spins in his mind.

1, 2, 3….

He landed on his left leg, and extended his right out and to the side. Marth continued skating, his mind focused on his footwork. He bent his leg, lifted it up, grasped his foot with one of his hands, and began skating in a figure eight pattern. He let go of his foot, skated a lap around the rink, and began spinning with one foot on the ground, and the other in front of him. He closed his eyes, letting all of his inhibitions leave his mind. Everything just seemed…

Perfect.

"Hey, you!"

The sudden disturbance snapped out of his concentration, causing him to fall over. He scrambled to get back on his feet, repeatedly apologizing.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Marth stood up quickly and hung his head down in shame. "I just wanted to—"

"You were a bit shaky on your spins there."

"…Come again?"

"The form was good, but you hesitated slightly."

Marth looked up slowly, only to see his coach sitting in the bleachers. He blushed furiously and looked back down to his feet. He slowly walked back to the bleachers, sat down, and hide his face in knees.

"Marth? You alright?"

"….I'm sorry, Coach Caeda! I can do better, I promise!"

"Stop being so apologetic. You're fine! Didn't have to break into the building though…"

"I just wanted to warm up before I started practicing today."

"You're not supposed to be here for another 2 hours!"

"I was overexcited about it…"

"I appreciate your enthusiasm…" She sighed and placed on his shoulder. "But please try to at least warn me before you break into the rink, alright?"

"My apologies, ma'am. I just wanted to get away for an hour. Or 3…"

"Your parents still causing issues?"

"Mm... My mother's the one who's paying for my lessons, so it's more so my father. I don't understand. There's not a financial issues, because I get money for placing in competitions anyway. I would say it's more gender oriented, but there's plenty of male figure skaters— They have a whole division for them! I just don't get it, Caeda, I really don't…" Marth began unlacing his skates, a look of melancholy on his face.

"Marth. Do you enjoy figure skating?"

"Well, yeah."

"Do you really enjoy it?"

"I love it. I want to keep skating until I can't even stand up anymore. It means the world to me."

Caeda firmly placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled softly. "Then keep pursuing your dreams, kid. Don't let him stop you from having fun. As long as you enjoy what you're doing, then go for it."

"Why do you think I came in so early?"

"At least show up an hour before practice. Not 4."

"Understood! Thank you, Caeda!"

"Now, get out there and show me what I've taught you."

"But I just took off my—"

"Let's go, let's go! Get to it!"

"Yes, Coach!" Marth yelped and began lacing his ice skates once more, his fingers trembling as he tied. Caeda smirked and patted him on the back.

"You come early, we're gonna work until you have to leave!"

"But-"

"Hey, you wanted this. Now you got it."