A couple things before this begins...

- It wouldn't let me write R.O.B. a load of times, so where you see R. it's R.O.B.. Or meant to be anyway.

- I have no clue whether Master Hand is a he or she (though it is BLINKING OBVIOUS) so I called it an...it. Can hands have genders?

Ike winced as the sunlight bled through the thin curtains. He reluctantly sat up, bringing a calloused hand up to run through his bed-tousled hair.

"Another day of this madness…" The mercenary mumbled to himself, looking up at the clock on the wall.

Super Smash Brothers, when the letter was written to him, had looked like just what he was looking for. Advertised as a tournament without hostile intentions, it deemed the perfect opportunity to show the other worlds what he was capable of. Even as his sister begged him not to respond, he did. He had to. Too long had he gone without a decent job, it was finally his chance to feel the heat of battle once more.

Having managed to coax himself out of bed with the prospect a decent of breakfast, Ike strode over to the wardrobe and pulled out each of his garments. Dressing had become a chore to the mercenary; he preferred not to see the long scars he had obtained since making the mistake of entering.

'At least there are a few things that made this a good decision.' He mused, redirecting his gaze from the mirror to the large bed stretching to the middle of the room. As the teal-haired figure shifted, Ike quietly made his way to the bed. Sitting on the edge where Marth's legs were not, Ike carefully laid his ungloved hand onto the Prince's forehead.

"Mn...Ike?" The prince groaned, slowly opening his eyes to look at the figure above him.

"Its okay," The mercenary smiled, trying to conceal his worry for the other. "You're looking much better today."

Marth sat up in the bed as Ike lifted his hand away, pouting with folded arms. "Ike, as I told you last night, I'm fine! All Wario did was pass wind. Its nothing to keep me in bed about."

Ike couldn't help but laugh, giving the prince a knowing look. "Marth. You were out cold for 6 hours." He stood up, walking over to the same wardrobe that his own clothes resided in, and pulled out Marth's usual garments. Handing them to the prince, he gently kissed his teal fringe. "And I find that worrying."

As Marth quietly dressed, Ike not being the one to look away, a dial tone rang through-out the manor. The deafening tone, not after damaging some ear drums, gradually faded out, becoming replaced with a tinny voice.

"IKE WILL REPORT TO MASTER HAND'S QUARTERS IMMEDIATELY. THAT IS ALL."

Both Fire Emblem protaganists continued their activities, Ike watching Marth with an exasperated expression. Fastening his cape, the Prince gave him a stern look. "Ike...I know how you feel, we all feel the same, but please, don't argue. Last time, you came back unconscious-"

Marth was quickly interrupted by a kiss to the lips, Ike not letting go despite the other's swats. He refused to back down to the gigantic hand, even if it could rip him apart in a matter of seconds.

"Onegai..." The Prince whispered against the mercenary's lips, unafraid of showing how frightened he was for him.

With another quick peck, Ike gripped Ragnell and exited the bedroom, making the trek through the large building to the wing Master Hand reserved for himself.

Ike stood between a few R., who were, obviously, escorting him to the room. His weapon had been confiscated some time ago, it was clear that Master Hand had identified him as a powerful force, and even more, a threat. The R.O.B behind, constantly shoving him to go forwards without warning, was more than enough of a trigger for him to melee his way out of the confines.

"..Dah!" Ike jumped forward as one of the R. electrocuted him, causing his body to convulse involuntarily. The flock left him curled on the floor, in what seemed to be an office. Everything, as Ike managed to regain control over his body, was a highly varnished brown; its highly sophisticated look diminished by the giant floating hand sitting at an office chair. The mercenary tried his best to look attentive, he'd just healed from his last meeting with Master Hand, he didn't want it going south again.

"Ike." The hand's ominous voice echoed around them, showing who was the superior in the room.

"I've been observing your 'friendship' with the Prince Marth. Both of you seem to be...'close'. So much to the point of sharing a room."

The hand tilted forwards, as though leaning toward the mercenary. "And I know that he cannot take as much pain as you can."

He wouldn't dare. He would not fucking dare.

"How about, if you were to upset me, I unleashed that frustration on him instead? Hm?"

Ike's hands balled into fists, repressing the disgust in his gut to reach his face. As ready as he was to lean forward and spit into the hand's finger, 'You can fucking well stuff that offer up your glove hole, bastard.' He couldn't. Marth's pleas rang in his ears like bad memory. He wasn't being threatened any longer, the object of his utmost affection was.

"Don't hurt him. I'll stop."

"No more helping other contestants in battles?"

"Alright."

"Not even the children."

"...What?"

This brute wanted him to let Ganondorf, Bowser, Wolf and Wario beat up kids without him doing anything about it?

"That is going one too far bastard. You expect me to stand aside and allow your goons to batter children? Well, guess what Master Hand. There is no way on this earth tha-"

Ike's rebellion was quickly cut short by a violent backhand across the room. After flying through the air, the mercenary's back smacked into a nearby wall, dropping onto the floor below heavily. He roughly coughed, gathering himself onto his hands and knees. Master Hand doesn't just wind you, he wretches all air from your lungs in one swing. Also having sliced his arm on one of the swords on display, Roy's sword no less, Ike slowly got to his feet. This time, he was unafraid to show his disgust for the creature.

"You know what I am capable of Ike."

"Alright...fine. W-whatever. Just..." He took a long breath, gradually refilling his organs of oxygen. "...Don't even think of touching Marth."

Ike quickly turned on his heel and walked toward the exit, Master Hand commenting as he opened the door.

"You'd do well to follow Ganondorf's example. Maybe he could turn you into the blood-thirsty warrior I was looking for. And stop you from leaving my office bleeding like a tap."

Ike grimaced in disgust, proceeding through the door with a bloodied hand placed over his wound.

He didn't know how, or when, but he was going to get everyone out of there.

Oh dearsy me.

Who can guess why it has Roy's sword? :D