Author's note:
Well I haven't been here in forever and a day. Oops.
But you should know that this is a story I've been working hard on. For this story I studied, yea, I STU-DIED. I've laid more work in this than most of the assignments I get in school.
And I have to say even though I haven't posted anything, since I was working on this, there was a certain absence of IkexLink fics out there. I may have had a break from writing, but I'll never take a break from reading. Oh well, can't change the past. On with the story.
Edit: This is now beta-ed (Is that what it's called?)
Super Smash Bros. Brawl/Melee is owned by Nintendo
Chapter One
It was the first day of school. Ike adjusted his shirt for the tenth time in the last five minutes. He sighed and kept telling himself not to be nervous. A slightly shaky hand reached for the handle on one of the huge double-doors in the school.
When Ike opened the door, most of the students turned their heads around, giving him their full attention. He froze, and he started blinking, wondering what could have brought attention to him.
''Oh yeah! Senior year! Just one more year and I'm outta here!'' A teenager with alarmingly red, spiky hair was pumping his fist in the air while yelling out as loud as he could, which was really loud. Right next to him were two brunettes. One of them was jumping up and down with a dangerously high enthusiasm, considering the fact that it was the first day of school. The other had his eyes shut in annoyance and was pinching the bridge of his nose.
Ike breathed out in relief. One, it wasn't him everyone was staring at, and two, it seemed like the twelfth grade was filled with idiots...or at least two.
''All right! Since we're seniors, that means that we are the oldest ones!'' The brunette who yelled began...Dancing with the redhead?
''We are seniors! We are seniors!'' They sang in a slightly mocking tone. Their elbows were locked together while they were skipping around each other in circles.
One by one, the rest of the students began to lose interest, since the two only sang while dancing around each other; however, all of their heads perked up when another one walked in, using the other door right next to Ike.
The blond looked at the two with wide eyes, but his brows were furrowed. He looked shocked, but at the same time not.
''You've got to be kidding me.'' Link glanced over to Red, who just stood there while rubbing his temples. ''You two actually started dancingandsinging 'cause we're seniors now.''
The redhead and brunette stopped dancing and gave their slightly taller friend some of their attention. ''Well of course, I mean there's not much they can do now. We're almost out of here.'' The redhead jerked his thumb towards the huge double-doors, a huge smirk adorning his face. Link gently closed his eyes while knitting his brows, and a smirk appeared on his face, mirroring the one that was on the redhead's. ''Heh. You just said it yourself, we'realmostout of here, which means we've still got a whole year, three-hundred and sixty-five days of required school.''
''Well, unlike you and Red, Pit and I are not nerds with a big N.'' Roy glared daggers at Link, trying to intimidate him, but the blond was not affected by his attempts to glower.
Link gave a blank stare while crossing his arms. His gaze wandered over to Red, who was trying to discreetly walk away; however, Pit had his arms around his waist, preventing his escape. ''You don't need to be a genius to know that there are three-hundred and sixty-five days in the year.''
While the four students were busy bickering, Ike managed to escape, getting through the masses of students who were enjoying some free entertainment. He was now walking in the temporarily empty—because of the 'argument' happening in front of the entrance of the school—halls.
''Where could the teacher's lounge be?''
At that moment, Ike saw a door to his left that said 'Teacher's Lounge'.
''Huh. Well lucky me.''
The exterior seemed normal, with the teachers' calm faces speaking to each other, drinking coffee, and preparing for their first class of the year. However, if one were to look closer, one would see their slightly knitted eyebrows, the small twitching in their fingers, and the deep breaths. Being a teacher was probably not as easy as it looked—it didn't even look easy to begin with!
''Did you hear that Roy Pherae and Pit Icarus have already started a ruckus?''
''Yeah, those poor people who have to even come near that class.''
''I was their substitute for one lesson. I don't understand how anyone can teach them anything at all.''
''Come on. I've been one of their teachers for two years, and I hardly ever have any problems with them,'' said a fit, well-built brunette with a scruffy face.
''Well, you obviously don't remember the first year we met them.'' A thin blonde woman said, her hair set up in a ponytail that showed her slim neck.
''Oh yeah, I remember that! What a bunch of psychopaths. That reminds me—where is that poor bastard who's joining our duo, or should I say, trio?'' Snake rested his hands behind his head, completely oblivious to the fact that the "poor bastard" was standing behind him, hearing every single word.
''Ahem!'' Ike cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention. ''Hi. Here's the poor bastard you were talking about.'' He waved while smiling mischievously.
Snake quickly turned around, looking like a deer caught in the headlights. Not even a second later, his eyes lit up in epiphany. ''No way. You're the new teacher who's joining us.'' A genuine smile plastered itself onto the older man's face. ''What a pleasant surprise.''
Samus started casually walking towards the two men, who apparently knew each other. ''So, why don't you two tell me how you met.'' Her eyes widened, and her eyebrows rose in surprise. ''Hmm. Looks like I'm not the youngest teacher now. What brings you to our school, or should I say our class?'' She threw a playful smirk towards Ike while folding her arms.
''Heh, maybe it's because this school is infamous for having one of the most hellish classes in this entire country. You people know me; I love challenges. Maybe I just wanted to work with the only teachers I know who haven't taught me or haven't successfully managed to do so.'' Ike started to chuckle.
''Hey. You seem to have forgotten everything I taught you while you were under training.Iwas the one who had to look out for your sorry ass. Oh, I miss the days when you had to address me as 'sir'.'' Snake smiled while the memories hit him from his days in service, as well as the memory of the day when a slightly younger Ike was sent there for special experimental training.
When Snake was a lieutenant colonel—which wasn't that long ago—he was surprised to find out that he had gotten a new recruit, one that needed special training.
Usually it was the captains who were assigned to teach the recruits; however, because of an earlier traumatic experience, he was also allowed to do so.
Ike Greil was the son of a close friend and a senior officer he met in his earlier services. Snake knew that he wanted to slow down with a wife and kids. He had already met the boy, but then Ike was just a little kid—four years old to be exact. Snake was glad regardless, for this time he could train a Greil, and not the other way around.
Snake was shocked, to say the least, when he heard that the kid was not considering a career in the military, but in education instead; the kid was going to become a teacher. Snake had to teach him about discipline and how to deal with disobedience. He knew that Ike always loved challenges, so it wasn't such a big surprise that he aimed for the more 'troublesome' classes to teach.
Snapping back to the present, Snake had missed Samus' story about how she and Ike met, but he felt that he had a responsibility over the younger man. He had to teach him about the devils whom he was going to be tutoring for the next twelve months.
Snake cleared his throat while tapping his wristwatch.
''Okay, I'm usually not the one who says this, but,'' the older male showed the watch located on his wrist, which displayed the numbers '7:19', ''we're kind of pressed for time. And that's considering that I have to teach you everything you need to know about 'them'.'' Snake hooked his arm around Ike's elbow and started dragging him out of the teacher's lounge, leaving Samus with a raised eyebrow, silently laughing to herself.
''Old man Snake better give him some god damn good advice, or else he's practically pushing him into a battlefield with neither armor nor weapon.''
Walking into the classroom, Ike kept repeating the tips Snake had given to him.
Watch out for Pit and Roy. Those two only want to provoke you, and they will succeed if you don't take them down. Remember, hit them quick, and hit them hard.
Ike had had experience on how to deal with disobedience. As an experiment, they—or his future bosses—sent him to the military for one year so he could learn how to deal with especially troublesome students; hence he was assigned to this particular class. Ike learned a lot of useful things, but the one skill he would probably use the most was his trained ability to read people. The human mind was amazing, being able to pick up such small signals. That skill only increased with Ike's training. The physical training was also a major plus, since Snake was getting tired of barking around orders on that particular subject—Ike was probably going to take over P.E. too.
As Ike opened the door, he prepared himself for the worst. He had, after all, received a brief encounter with the two worst troublemakers; however, only two people wouldn't be enough to make almost every teacher in the building fear this class. Ike started to think back to earlier in the day. Yeah, there were a couple of other kids with them, but they didn't seem like the kind to hang out with people like them. The others seemed too mature. Maybe they knew he was going to be their new teacher and were just acting...
''Woah! Time to stop the paranoia now. Relax, Ike, they're not even eighteen yet, and you have handled people far more intelligent than a bunch of kids in high school!''
With the door wide open, Ike got a good look at the people he was going see almost every day for the next year. What he saw was absolutely shocking. Each and every student was sitting in their respective seats...with their hands folded in front of them. They all looked so innocent, too innocent.
Hit them quick, and hit them hard.
Snake's words echoed in Ike's head. But how could he disarm an enemy of whom he had no knowledge? All he had in his disposal was Snake's advice, and that wasn't much considering they hardly had any time to speak. Why did Ike have to have the first lesson of the day? He needed a clue, a sign, anything! He needed something that would tell him about these kids, or at least the worst of them.
''Okay. My name is—"
Ike was abruptlyandrudely cut off as a redheaded—and unfortunately familiar—boy stood up, gaining everyone's attention.
'' 'Kay, I think I speak for the entire class when I say this: No matter what your name is, I don't think you're any more special than any of the other teachers who tried to 'educate' us. You'll probably be out the door very soon,'' Roy said while air-quoting the words 'educate'.
Eureka. It was just what Ike needed! His brain cogs started turning; thank God for human mind study.
''Interrupting someone of my occupation like that indicates little to no respect; He's used to getting away with his behavior. Using that gesture says that he doesn't take education seriously; He probably has moderate to low grades. His clothing tells that he comes from a middle-class family, maybe upper middle-class; Having successful parents means that grades are important to them. He's got expensive electronic equipments; He's an only child. In short, he's got a huge ego. And the bigger ego there is, the more fun it is to crush.''
A smirk appeared on Ike's face. Roy returned this with a raised eyebrow, both in question and amusement.
''Oh, but I beg to differ.'' Ike walked towards Roy, arms behind his back—a habit from the military. ''Unlike the other teachers who tried to 'educate' you, I'm not leaving, and with that I have the authority to fail you in all the subjects you have with me—thus disappointing your parents. That's not good, especially considering that you're an only child. Now, why don't you go sit back in your seat and listen to me like the good little boy your mom and dad think you are. Don't you want to know the name of the man you will be having as a teacher for the next twelve months?''
Roy stood there, mouth agape and eyes wide. No one talked to him like that, no one. It was the first time in many years that a grown-up had made him speechless, a complete and utter shock. What now?
The redhead sat down, but not before giving Ike a look that clearly said 'Don't think this is over.' A victorious grin spread out across Ike's face, his doubt leaving him completely and utterly.
Hit them quick, and hit them hard.
''Now, does anybody else want to add something? No? Okay. As I was saying, my name is Ike Greil, and I will be your teacher for the rest of high school. And no, that does not mean any of your old teachers quit or went out the door.''
Roy mustered up his nastiest glare. That new guy was going to get it one day, Roy promised himself, the class and the new guy.
''But I will be taking over a few classes. They are as follows: P.E., science, and English. I might take over a few extra classes, just so I can get to know each and every one of you.'' Groaning was heard (mostly from Roy), and Ike couldn't help but smile a little internally. He'd managed to show them, one of the most feared classes to teach, that he was not to mess with.
''Now I only have one question: Do you guys want us all to introduce ourselves properly—more than just names—or do you want me to start right on...let's see...the human nervous system?''
Pit was quick to stand up. He did not want to start a lesson, especially not on something as complicated as the nervous system, on the first day of school.
''My name is Pit, Pit Icarus, and I am a computer nerd. My favorite lesson is lunch, and I am really bad at science, unless it's technology, as in machines and stuff.'' Unless one was blind, it was obvious that this Pit kid was into machines; wearing a black t-shirt with some sort of binary code written in lime green said it all.
What a great start. Why was Ike so worried for just a few, not hours, but minutes ago? If each student introduced themselves like that, it would be a piece of cake to analyze and learn about every one of them. ''That was good. Lunch is not a lesson, though, but good. So, who's next?''
''I might as well be next, but may you tell a little about yourself, pray tell?''
''Hmm. Classy language. Didn't expect to see or hear that here.''
''Okay. What do you want to know, Mr…?'' Ike stared lazily at the one who acted and looked a little too mature to be still in high school.
''Marth. Marth Lowell. I presume you are able to present the same amount of information as Pit did.'' His eyes were half-glaring at the older one's, analyzing them with skepticism. ''Roy is a stubborn little moron, there's no way he would've backed away that easily.''
Seeing that intense x-ray gaze, Ike immediately knew that this was one of those people; the type you, no matter what, did not want to be an enemy with.
''Well aside from my name, I guess you could know that I skipped first grade, and I'm acquainted with your two current teachers. I've been in the military for one year, and yes, this is my real hair color. Now, your turn Lowell.'' Ike smiled, for he had just made a clever move in their mental game of chess.
Marth kept his gaze and face stern. ''As you know, my name is Marth Lowell, I have above average grades, I speak three languages fluently, and I am the president of the student body council.''
''Well, nice meeting you,'Mister President'. Okay, who's next?''
For the rest of the class, it went pretty smoothly—one of them sounded a little sadistic, though. When Ike asked Roy to tell about himself, all he got back was a 'You already know more than enough 'bout me.' Ike couldn't help but smile, internally and externally, which succeeded in making Roy's mood even worse. Now there were only two students who had yet to introduce themselves to Ike; it was the two from before, from earlier that morning (Excluding Roy and Pit).
''Now, that wasn't so difficult, now was it…'' Ike had to remember the student's name. Her name was pretty unusual, so it shouldn't be so difficult. ''...Peach?'' Who in the world would name their daughter after a fruit? Oh wait, that's right, that girl's parents would. ''Now why don't...you do it.'' Ike pointed at the brunette from before. He was wearing a red hoodie, pale blue jeans, and a red cap.
The red cap looked up lazily with drowsy eyes. Had he been sleeping all this time?
A sigh escaped his lips. ''Fine.'' His eyes grew more focused, and his posture straightened up. ''My name is Red, and well, my favorite color is red.'' Red's copper-colored eyes became duller while he slumped back into his chair. Ike didn't get much, yet at the same time enough, information about Red. He was calm, quiet, and a little anti-social, but he probably had a more childish side of him—a very well hidden one.
Ike turned himself around so he was facing the last one, Link.
Link wore an open black jacket, a forest green t-shirt, loose-fitting jeans, and...a headset.
Ike was about to walk over there and tear off that black hairband made out of metal and plastic, but Link looked up before the teacher even started moving. He removed his headset, albeit slowly, which ticked off Ike a little.
Ike heard the faint sound of the song the blond student was listening to.
~I said please don't slow me down
If I'm going too fast
You're in a strange part of our town...~
''My name's Link.'' Link said. He then proceeded to put the headset back on, isolating him from the class and the rest of the world.
Ike took a deep breath, calming himself down.''This kind of behavior is more annoying than that redhead's.''He found it more agitating because when they hardly told or did anything, he couldn't analyze it as effectively as he could if they had. He checked his watch; there were still twenty minutes left.
''O-kay, it seems like we've got twenty minutes to spare. You can do whatever the hell you want, as long as it follows the law, and if any of you got any questions for me, feel free to ask.'' Ike sat down at the teacher's desk. Oh, how good it felt to be the one in charge, seeing a classroom from a teacher's perspective and not a student's. Ike's dark blue eyes scanned the room, trying to see who hung out with who.
Roy took a seat next to Pit, who was pulling up his laptop. ''Man, what a jerk. Who does he think he are?''
''Is,'' Pit said without looking away from the screen, his focus set on full.
''What?''
''Who does he think heis. No wonder you get D's in English.'' Pit started tapping impossibly fast, his eyes scanning each and every letter.
''Well, you don't get much better.'' Pit shrugged, mostly ignoring Roy's words. ''What are you doing?''
Pit pointed at a picture of Ike in a uniform. Roy's brow rose in interest. What could that be?
''Military. Some sort of general? Does it mean we have to salute him every time we see him? Snake tried that once, and it did not end well for either of us.'' Roy thought back to the time when they were freshmen getting their heads dunked in toilets, getting taped to the flagpole, being mummified in toilet paper. Such memorable years.
''Nah. He's too young.'' Pit started mumbling to himself. His typing picked up speed—if that was even possible—while he knitted his brow. Roy, seeing how his friend was concentrated and giving even more effort than in any test or project the school gave him, couldn't help but take a peek at the screen. Several windows were open with small text. A new window opened up before Roy managed to read two words.
Pit gave a half-smile. ''Come on, just a little more.'' Roy started to put the pieces together, but he still couldn't see the larger picture.
''What are you doing?''
''You know the new teacher?'' Roy nodded, a frown crept itself onto his face.
''First I did a little research. It seems like he's been in the military for some reason—"
''—You mean it's something different from what people usually go there for?''
''Yes. I tried to find out what, but I'll need my stationary computers. Myonelaptop is not enough.''
''So what are you doing now?''
''Every teacher has their own laptop, correction, every person has their own laptop, or at least the ones over fourteen.''
Roy cocked his eyebrow. He didn't get his laptop before he was fifteen, and he knew some people who didn't even have their own computer.
''Okay, another correction, every person has access to a computer.'' Pit held out his hand, stopping Roy from saying another word. ''Long story, long debateandlong explanation short: I am hacking Mr. Ike Greil's laptop.''
A malicious grin spread itself on Roy's face. It was payback time.
Marth rose from his chair, walking towards where Link and Red sat. Rolling his eyes at Roy and Pit's cackling (they sounded just like those wicked witches you heard about in fairytales), he was mildly surprised to hear that Link and Red were not talking about the new teacher, but instead what the two shorter individuals sitting in the back of the room—still cackling like maniacs—were doing.
''What do you think they're doing?'' Link had taken off his headset and was now mindlessly doodling in a little book.
''Being idiots...as usual.'' Red said without tearing his eyes away from the book he was now holding in his hands. Suddenly, he slammed the book down on his desk, making Link jerk up his head. ''Or maybe they're hacking the Pentagon and planning to take over the world. You never know with those two.''
Link started to giggle. Ike stopped trying to listen to the conversation and directed his attention to the giggling student. A boy at the age of what? Seventeen, giggling like a little girl in first grade. He couldn't figure out anything, for all the signals he'd seen so far contradicted each other. He would remember to ask Snake about…Link, wasn't it?
Link's laughter (or girlish giggle) died down. ''Nah. They're probably trying to find out something about the new guy.'' He jerked his thumb in the direction of the teacher's desk.
''Yeah, he's probably right...Say, is it just me or does it feel like he's staring at us?'' Marth sat backwards on one of the chairs.
''Who's he...Oh...He's probably staring at Link for giggling like an idiot. And you wonder why people think you are effeminate," Red said while looking at Link from the corner of his eye.
''Hey! Do you never listen to me!''
Everyone's attention turned to Pit, who was standing up and pointing at Red almost accusingly. Staring intensely, he took a deep breath.
''Only real men giggle!''
Marth pinched the bridge of his nose, Red shook his head, Link smiled in amusement, and Ike, well, Ike could only think one thought.
''I am indeed in a strange part of their town.''
The last minutes went by fast, for some not fast enough, and for some too fast.
Ike was still puzzled over the blond student's behavior. It told him something and nothing at the same time. It was infinitely frustrating, and it only further agitated him when he thought he saw Link smiling at him. A smile that said: 'Are you smart enough to find out?' When Ike said they could go five minutes early, he could hear his own voice being more frustrated than normal. Luckily, it seemed like none of the students picked it up.
Roy was walking backwards with Pit's laptop in his hands. Pit was still typing, his eyes fastened on the screen.
Link was the last student to exit the room, but not before singing loud enough for Ike to hear.
~You sound so angry
Just calm down, you found me~
Ike's eyes widened in surprise. He had to talk to Snake about Link. Yes, he remembered his name. He waited until Link's voice died down.
~I said please don't slow me down
If I'm going too fast...~
Silence finally filled the room, but not for long, for it was soon filled with Ike's own footsteps. He had to find Snake, and he had to find out more about the class, even though it went very well; Roy and Pit's cackling and the enigma known as Link bugged him.
Speak of the devil.
''Hey, Snake! Got a minute?''
Link was there too, but he didn't stay for long.
'' 'Kay, see ya later.'' He flashed Ike a smile and started to whistle the all-too-familiar song.
''Hey, I need to ask you someth—''
Snake raised his hand, telling Ike to stop talking. The brunette's index finger and thumb formed a tear shape while the other three fingers were straight. His right hand went over to the left side of his face and placed the tips of his thumb and index finger in front of the left side of his mouth. He dragged it over to the right side slowly, smiling the entire time.
His lips were sealed.
Ike's brow turned up in confusion.
Was it Roy and Pit who were the ones who drove the other teachers insane, or was it Link?
Author's note:
Link be trolling. Oh well *shrug*
Edit: I should probably say that the song Link's been listening to and singing is Reptilia by The Strokes
I need your help. Some of you might have noticed there are certain characters who lack a last name; that is because I am really bad at making up names, so I need suggestions from you people who read. Thank you, that is all.
The next chapter will be about the rest of the day.
Please leave a review, it is highly appreciated.