Chapter 2

Marth's family was a bunch of nobles or more precisely, a political family. They maintained a good reputation and their servants loved them. However, enemies were inevitable in their line of work. His parents were on a business trip when they died in a road accident. According to police reports, there was a malfunction of the engine that the vehicle went out of control and crashed. Marth, his older sister and even the servants mourned at the loss. His sister had doubts if what happened was truly an accident and she was determined to investigate it. Marth had warned her of her actions as it would lead to her discovering something sinister.

They were exceptionally close that when she did not return after supposedly meeting a man who claimed to have evidence, Marth fell extremely devastated that he blamed himself for not being persistent enough to persuade his sister to stop. She kept it a secret from Marth but he knew. He wished that she never existed for if she was still alive, he would be tormented with horrible thoughts and if she was dead, his guilt would bore even deeper.

The last memory he had with his sister was him trying to convince her not to leave only for her sister to lie and left forgetting the tiara-like headpiece that she always wore.

Ike was young and his sister was an infant when his father came home drunk and went on a rampage in their house. The furnitures were all over the place and the sound of ceramic crashing filled the room. They were having financial problems and this caused his father to be depressed. Ike's mother tried to calm her husband but was shoved harshly causing her back to slam the wall. An agitated Ike attempted to fight his father causing his forehead to get cut and got knocked unconscious. The sight of his son and wife motionless on the floor and the sound of a baby crying caused him to snap and return to his senses.

The spinal cord of the mother was injured and was paralyzed as a result. The expenses for the treatment was too much and she didn't want to be a burden to the family. Her condition was not improving and she suffered from pressure sores, contractures, and insomnia. It was when the complications reached her respiratory system which caused her to get contracted with pneumonia that her body finally gave in. The father was filled with so much regret that he promised to his children that he would never repeat it again. Ike found the scar on his forehead to be hideous as it reminded him of the terrible experience and the loss of his mother that he covered it by wearing a thin piece of cloth around his head. Their lives started to return to normal and the scar began to fade but Ike still wore it nonetheless as he got used to it. However, the tragedies weren't over as his father got into an argument with one of his co-workers and was shot.

Ike and his sister would then be raised by their aunt whom they are not related by blood. It was not out of pity nor did she feel she was obligated to do so. She was a friend of Ike's father and had feelings for that man.

"You're beautiful." Ike said in a flirtatious tone.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Marth retorted still focused on his task.

"It means what it means." Ike sighed. He was getting impatient. They were still in their dormitory. He was standing near the door with his hand already on the knob. Marth was taking too long in wearing his clothes and fixing his hair. Even though Marth was the first to wake up and had a head start, Ike was the first to be prepared. "Are you done?"

"Almost." Marth said as he did the finishing touches of his hair. There was a persistent strand of hair that refused to go limp. "We need to at least look presentable on the first day of school you know." He wore his headpiece and stood up. Ike opened the door and Marth exited the room and Ike followed.

They headed to where the opening ceremony was held. Along the way, they met Link who was also a member of their club and went with them. He was one year ahead of Marth and not quite the talkative type. He was always clad in a green shirt that they wondered if green was his favorite color.

The students were sorted by what college they are currently in. Ike and Marth were in the same college but different courses so they chose to seat next to each other.

The two talked in the middle of the ceremony. The president of the university was giving a long speech. They pointed out that he always moves his hand for every syllable he utters. A trait that they found funny as it exposes his white gloves. As to why he wears it, they don't know.

"You still remember our first encounter?" Ike asked.

"Yes. Why you ask?"

"If you didn't make a sound back then, I would have dated you on the spot." Ike let out a faint laugh when Marth playfully nudged his arm.

"Quiet you. Let's pay attention to his speech."

The ceremony ended and Marth had plans on taking part of the activities. Ike had nothing to do so he went along. However, just as they were about to leave, they encountered some members of the Swordwielders Club and just as Marth feared, he was pleaded again to guard the stand. He initially declined it but changed his mind when Ike offered to take his place.

"Why did you change your mind?" Ike asked but received no reply. "You don't trust my looks?"

"It's not like that." Marth stared at Ike as if he said something ridiculous. It was a joke but he had to admit, Ike was good-looking. Marth had once showed Ike the other club he was involved and the members were intrigued about Ike especially Peach. She commented that Ike looked unsociable whose blunt manners would give others the impression that he doesn't care. It turned out that Ike was very friendly and caring. He didn't just give off that vibe. A trait that she described as charming even though she found him intimidating at first. "I'd feel selfish if I just left you here while I stroll around."

"Don't be. It was my decision."

"Even so-"

Marth stopped talking as three students approached their stand, two females and one male.

"Good morning!" The white-haired female greeted with enthusiasm. Her hair was split and swept sideways unevenly and kept in twin tails. "We want to join this club."

"The three of you?" She nodded. Marth was startled at the fact of three people joining at the same time and two of them were girls. The members would finally stop nagging him, he thought. "Here." He gave her a pen and she began to write her name including the other two.

"Are you guys twins?" Ike pointed at the white-haired male and female. Their faces were similar.

"Fraternal." She replied. "I'm older than him by the way."

"Yeah and you'll die five minutes earlier than me." He looked annoyed. It seems that she repeatedly mentioned that fact to anyone they encountered.

"Oh, don't be so sour." She held his arm and pulled him closer to her. "He still refuses to call me big sister."

Ike and Marth laughed. They were a lively bunch. They looked at the paper and noticed something odd. There were two identical names in the list.

"Uhm... both of you are named Robin?" Marth raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"Yep." Robin, the male one shrugged. His hair was messy but refreshing to look at. "Our father's ability to give children names is worth lamenting."

"What sort of parent names his twins the same name?" Ike raised his voice in disbelief. Marth wished Ike could have toned it down a little. He was concerned if the two Robins might get insulted but apparently, they seemed undisturbed and even hummed in agreement.

"An evil one." Female Robin answered. She remembers those times when they were still young and their father would call one of them to do an errand and they would have to argue which one of them did their father referred to.

"And you would be... Lucina?" Marth was the first to remind them of her presence. She has been silently standing for a while. They were enthralled in their conversation that they almost forgot about her.

"Yes. Nice to meet you." Her tone was polite and she spoke eloquently. She was different from the two. While they were outgoing, she was composed and almost princess-like. Overall, Marth thinks she is pleasant. She placed her hand on her chest. "I'm their friend and neighbor."

Suddenly, female Robin noticed something. "You guys look interestingly alike." She was referring to Lucina and Marth. Lucina sported a bluish hair and was like Marth in terms of shade. What prompted her to think so was the headpiece they were wearing. It wasn't completely identical but it nonetheless sparked something in common.

Ike eyed the two of them. "You're right." He said in an amazed tone.

"You guys think so?" Lucina blushed faintly and was feeling uneasy from all the stares she was receiving but was still able to let out a smile. She considered it to be an honor and a compliment. Ike thought she looked cute. Marth appears to be unaffected.

"You might be his future descendant." Male Robin japed.

"Sister is fine." Ike remarked on how silly and overboard it sound. He noticed that Marth seems fazed. "You alright Marth? We're just joking."

Marth snapped out of his trance. "I'm fine." Ike was not convinced even with the reassuring smile Marth was giving.

The two Robins were good at engaging in pleasantries that their conversation dragged on until noon. They talked about how boring the speech of the president was and how hilarious it was to address the two Robins. It ended when Lucina reminded them that it was lunchtime. They left to eat somewhere. Ike and Marth were left alone in the stand, hungry.

Link arrived just as they left. "I'll guard the stand this time." Relief was evident in their faces. "I already ate. You guys go."

"You sure? I mean I don't want you to feel-"

"It's fine." Link interrupted Marth. "I saw you guys with those three. There are girls now so you don't have to worry."

"That's not what I'm worried about." Marth complied.

"It's okay Marth." Ike assured him. Marth didn't get the point.

Link wanted them to go around instead of trying to grant their clubmates' request. If anyone was selfish, it'd be the members, he thought. Marth was too kind for his own good and besides, Link was tired of roaming around endlessly. He figured he could sleep in the stand.

They said their thanks and left the stand even though Marth was reluctant to do so. While still having no idea where to eat, they saw some kid who appears to be lost. They approached him.

"Excuse me, are you lost?" Marth asked patting the shoulder of the kid. He had to bend down a little. The 'kid' slowly turned only to glare at them. It was a familiar face. "Oh! I didn't know it was you Pit. I thought you were..." Marth stopped right there. He knew Pit was sensitive when it comes to his appearance.

"You thought I was a kid who's trying to find my mommy huh?" Pit asked in an annoyed tone. Marth didn't answer and was only able to let out a sheepish grin. He was short and baby-faced in which he considered it as a curse. He was often called names such as 'cupid.' It started when he wore a white tunic with wings attached to his back last year and was bringing with him a bow. It was a presentation to celebrate the school's anniversary. The students remarked on how angelic he looked and it suited him and that image etched on their heads for a very long time. Nonetheless, he didn't bore any grudge from it.

"Sorry about that." Marth said. Pit can't blame him. He was wearing shorts and a cap. No wonder Marth mistook him.

"I thought you were guarding the stand." Pit asked. He was also a member of their club. He joined at the same year as Ike.

"Link took our place for us." Marth swore he felt his stomach growled. "We have to get going now. We haven't eaten yet."

"Alright. See 'ya!" Pit walked a few distances away from them and waved them goodbye.

"I still can't believe a midget like him is in the same year level as me." Ike said but almost sounded like a whisper.

Marth snorted. He never thought that he could actually make that sound. He hoped Ike didn't hear it and blamed him for not wording it a little better. "Don't tease him." Thankfully, Pit was already far away for him to hear it.

"I'm not." Ike said nonchalantly.

"Well, it's hard to tell!"

Marth suggested to eat at a minicafe that his other club had set up. They only open when the school has big events going on. It didn't take a lot of space and only four round tables with three chairs for each table were placed. They were lucky to still have a vacant spot for them.

"So... our club finally got girls in it huh?" Ike's voice was slightly inaudible as he talked while he was still chewing his food.

Marth didn't answer directly and talked only after swallowing his food. He didn't like this behavior of Ike talking while the food was still in his mouth. He wanted to lecture him but decided to save it. "I doubt that had something to do with your looks."

"What?" Ike sounded dope when he said it. Then he understood what it meant. "Hey! I never thought of that!" He protested and took another bite of the cake. "Speaking of looks," He paused to chew his food. "you and Lucina really look alike."

"In what way?" Marth sounded partially intrigued.

"It has something to do with that tiara you always wear." Ike answered. Lucina wore one too even though it wasn't identical. "I always wanted to ask why you wear that."

Marth preferred not to call the headpiece he was wearing as 'tiara' but he can't deny the fact that it does look like one. "Oh this? It's from my sister." He said pointing at it.

"A gift from her?"

"No." He said in a low voice that it was almost sounded like a breath. "It's a keepsake."

"A keepsake? You mean she's?" Ike wished it wasn't what he thought it was then he remembered how Marth looked disturbed when they were comparing him and Lucina and the stupid statement he just carelessly uttered. Sister is fine. He felt so bad for failing to regard Marth's feelings that he wanted to punch himself. "Oh god. I'm so sorry Marth. Earlier, I-I didn't mean to... god." He grimaced. "I feel like such a jerk."

"It's okay Ike. I'm not that weak." Sensitive was a better word. He may want to forget it but it will inevitably come back to haunt him. He wore the headpiece in memory of her sister but was still secretly clinging to that hopes of her sister, alive and have found a new life. "My sister has been missing for a long time. I've come to accept the fact that she's gone. I'm not saying that I gave up on her. It's just... I don't know, difficult?"

Ike wanted Marth to stop talking but decides that the best thing to do was probably listen. It was a good thing that their plates were already empty since he just lost the mood to eat.

"But why wear it? Does it not remind you of the past? The pain?" Ike questioned, conscious about his choice of words.

Marth was startled at the question. He took off the headpiece, hair slightly adjusted, and stared at it. The ruby gem that was embedded on it was polished that he could see his reflection faintly. It glistened. Why was he wearing it? Is it not the source of his maudlin? He realized something. "I don't know." He could have hidden the tiara somewhere he couldn't find or thrown it away but he can't bring himself to do so. "It's precious to me."

Ike was quiet. He admired Marth for his tenacity. Unlike him, Ike chose to hid his tragic past rather than confront it. To him, Marth's choice to wear the tiara even with the constant reminder of sadness was a sign of strength. The strength to remain stable despite the tragedy he faced. "You're great Marth." It came out as a mumble.

"...what?"

Ike took a deep breath. "How do I put this?" He struggled to search for words. He wasn't poetic and was aware of his rather infancy manner of speaking. "You chose to confront it rather than hide it." Ike grinned in an effort to comfort Marth. "Unlike me."

"Unlike you?" Marth was definitely surprised. Ike was trying to make him feel better and it was working, if not, a little. "What do you mean?"

Ike removed the thin piece of cloth worn around his head and shifted his hair upwards to reveal his forehead with a few strands remaining. "I had a scar here back then." He said pointing at his forehead. It was hardly visible since it was fading but it was there, a faint mark of what appears to be a cut. "It brings back horrible memories every time I see it so I cover it by wearing this."

Marth was beginning to understand what Ike was trying to say. Both experienced losses but had different ways of coping with it. It wasn't exactly comforting but for some reason, he finds himself at ease. It didn't really matter who had the heavier burden. "I hope she's doing well... somewhere." Somewhere meant a lot of things to Marth and he chose not to clarify. "Thank you, Ike."

Ike had no idea why would Marth thank him but he figured he'll just go along with it. "You're welcome, I guess." Ike stood up, took the headpiece from Marth's hands, and placed it on Marth's head. "So, wear it with pride." He said and then returned to his seat. "Even if it makes you look even more feminine."

Marth froze there for a second and then chuckled. "Even more?" He thought it was just the headpiece that made him look like that. And just like that, the mood shifted to the better. He hoped he could have a moment just a little longer.

"Well, you have a pretty face, your hair looks smooth, and your body re-"

"Okay! That's enough!" Marth waved his hands in abashment. He had to stop Ike right there. He was getting flustered from all the comments. He did not need to hear a lot of information.

It startled Ike at first but eventually covered his mouth in a muffled laughter. "I wasn't teasing you!"

It was hard to tell since Ike usually says his words in a monotonous tone, let alone his face keeping a straight expression. How Ike managed to do it Marth wanted to know. "Then it's supposed to be a compliment?" Ike nodded. It was just a rhetorical question and Ike was not supposed to respond to it.

"Seriously Marth, you are."

"I get it!" Marth hissed no longer sure if he was supposed to be flattered or annoyed. He wasn't the type to like praises. His face, puce from the 'compliments' earlier was starting to return to normal. "I suppose you being blunt is a good thing."

"You really think I'm blunt?"

"Pretty much." Marth made it sound like it was the most obvious thing in the world. It was ever since last year.

Ike smiled and then looked at the blue sky. It was a calming sight and the clouds looked feathery. "Well, there are some things that I can't be blunt about." He said, his tone, serious.

Marth awed. "Really? What co-"

Marth's voice trailed off from him. Ike was looking rather fondly at him. Suddenly, he felt conscious, too conscious as to why Ike was staring at him that way.

"What's wrong?" Ike casually asked. "You seem distracted."

Marth, unaware that he was in deep thought, finally returned. "It's nothing."

They both shrugged it off and did what Marth has been planning. They roamed the whole school and stopped in their tracks whenever Marth saw some games or activities in some stands and would partake of it. Ike would just watch but would occasionally join when interested. They also happened to pass by the stand of their club and witnessed a blonde boy who wanted to join enthusiastically proclaiming that he was really feeling it.

"So… tired!" Marth exclaimed has he plopped on his bed. His body was drained from actively trying a lot of activities.

Ike adjusted the curtains to peek outside. It was already nighttime and the moon was hardly visible. There was a faint light behind the clouds that covered the moon. It reminded him of that time, the sky was also dim. Covering it with a cloth was useless as there were other factors that can remind him. However, he didn't really mind it now. He started to see things differently because of Marth.

"You had too much fun after all." Ike turned to face Marth as he said it.

Ike was right and Marth was amused of himself for being outgoing. It felt real nice not to worry about the upcoming lessons that will storm them soon and have fun.

Ike moved near to his own bed and took off the piece of cloth worn around his head.

Marth, who was watching him, suddenly caused the events that happened earlier to come running to his mind. Ike did mention that his parents were dead. Marth had no idea why but he presumed it was tragic enough that Ike wanted to forget it.

So, wear it with pride...

Those words suddenly rang on Marth's mind. However, it wasn't because of the gravity of those words but the action that took place. When Ike approached him, and crowned him, it felt oddly intimate for two normal friends. Marth was too surprised to move or even react. Why'd Ike have to do it? Marth can do it on his own. He wondered if that was some gesture of comfort from Ike. There were other ways to do it such as a pat on the back so why?

Well, there are some things that I can't be blunt about.

Suddenly, Marth felt a mixture of uneasy and flutter. He was trying to figure out what could that be but it seems like something he'll regret if he found out or perhaps the opposite.

Marth had trouble sleeping trying to shrug the thought.

Author's Note:

Marth has a sister. I watched the Fire Emblem OVA which consists of two episodes only. I made a parallel version of their pasts here. I did not mention the names of other characters (since I planned to have SSB characters only) so I just described them. I hope you could get the slightest idea of who I am referring to.