Began Typing: 8:26 PM 7/22/2008

Posted: PM 7/22/2008

Return of the Sixth and the Seventh: Chapter Two (Welcome to Subspace)

Marth shook his head. Was that...possible? That being in front of him... Gordon's loud voice interrupted his thoughts. "A statue?"

Marth took a step closer. It was, without a doubt, Ike. Except he was frozen in time, his body a deep rock-like grey. Marth reached out shakily and touched Ike's cheek. Stone cold. Ike's whole body appeared rigid and tense and he seemed to be glaring, his arms around a small female who his her face in his chest. His great golden sword was at his feet. "No..." Marth faced Kirby. "What happened to him!?"

"Poyo..."

Marth clutched Ike's headband in his pocket, attempting to calm down and feeling guilty for having snapped at poor Kirby. It was just Ike...why was he so worried? Marth frowned. Ike...the man who had remained at his side even though he continued to push him away. Well...now it was his turn. Marth faced Kirby and Gordon. "Remember this place. We're going to figure out who runs this place and teach them a lesson about messing with our homelands!"

"Poyo!" Kirby pumped his little fists into the air in agreement.

"We?" Gordon asked, following the prince as he and the puffball stormed off.

Marth seemed to be lost in thought as they trudged along, Gordon unable to help the feeling that he should do something to

cheer him up. "So...uh...what's this Ike guy like?" The archer attempted to get Marth to talk.

The prince let a faint smile show on his face. "He's a complete idiot."

"...Any redeeming qualities?"

Marth shook his head. "That's about it."

Gordon continued walking, unable to get Marth to continue talking for another several minutes. He finally gave up, looking around. "Haven't we...been here before?"

"Poyo!"

Gordon glanced around, spotting a familiar sight in the distance. "But...isn't that Ike?"

Marth glanced over, frowning. "Yes...Hm...Something isn't right here...Let's walk a bit more...see what happens..."

Unfortunately, things did not change for the party of three. No matter how far any direction they walked, they continually found themselves staring at the statue of Ike. Gordon grumbled, his legs sore. "Can't we stop for a bit?" He finally asked. "My legs hurt..."

Marth sighed, nodding. "Fine...We'll take a moment to rest."

The three sat down in a circle, Ike's statue included. Marth couldn't keep the frown off of his face as he stared at it, conveniently located across the circle from him. Ike was such a strong person. For something to petrify him in such a way...Marth couldn't help but worry for his group. What could be so powerful as to turn Ike to stone? Gordon, after several minutes, finally convinced Marth to set up camp in the empty grounds. Currently, Gordon lie with Kirby in his arms under a sleeping bag, snoring loudly. Marth, however, could not sleep. He simply stood, surveying Ike as an art collector would a piece in the museum.

Cords in his heart pulled. His brain's synapses shot so swiftly, he was unsure what he was thinking. Was Ike afraid before he fell? Was his last thought about him? Marth couldn't help but let his eyes water, resisting his hardest to not let the tears fall. Ike was once so strong, so powerful, fool-hardy, headstrong, egotistical...now he stood in uncharacteristic silence, a scowl engraved on his always rough features. Marth stepped closer curiously staring at Ike's eyes. Something had to be hissing behind them...

Marth, still unable to figure it out after a few minuted, glanced up, realizing his lips were just before Ike's. Was this how...the mercenary felt?...That day in the hospital...maybe he should...

Marth winced. What was he thinking? He was a prince, such thoughts should be void from his mind and shunned. But that only made him want it more. Marth typically played by the rules, but breaking them just this once would be his pleasure.

The prince's lips met the stone cold embrace of stone. Ike did nothing in return, not that Marth expected him to. It was his first kiss. Well...by his accord anyways. Marth's kiss did not last long, he pulling back after a few moments. His hand grazed over Ike's cheek. If only he'd told him before...that he thought he was a total jerk and he loved him. He just...the fear of losing another close to him was far greater than his love and hope at this point. He wouldn't let that happen again. Ike would be the last he lost.

Marth stepped away from the statue, lying down in his own cape by Gordon. He only packed one sleeping bag and since Gordon whined so much, he let the archer have it. Marth attempted to shake off his thoughts of Ike, eventually drifting off to sleep.

He suddenly became aware of small arms gripping his back tightly. He felt like she'd been there forever, but now she shook like a leaf. He wouldn't release until she was unafraid. He kept his eyes aimed at her auburn hair, ignoring how incredibly stiff his joints were and how moist his lips were. Her voice finally spoke up, resounding in the empty area. "B-brother?"

"Yes?"

"A-are we alive?"

"I would assume so. I always thought heaven would be brighter."

His protective arms left her and he straightened his back, grunting irritably as it cracked. Hazel eyes stared at him curiously. God his kid-sister could be annoying..."What?" He huffed.

"This doesn't look like Crimea..."

Indeed it didn't. In fact, it looked like a wasteland. Darkness stretched out for miles before them, the floor an unnatural blue and pink. "Weird..."

"Ike, look! There's people here!"

"What?" The mercenary looked at her. "Where, Mist?"

Mist pointed behind him, looking fearful. Ike turned, blinking. A boy with poofy green hair seemed to be dreaming, wrapped up in a large fluffy bed sheet. Behind him was a lump covered by a cape...a long blue one at that. Ike couldn't help but think it looked familiar. "Who are they?" The little girl in a yellow sundress asked.

"Like I know." Ike grumbled.

The large mercenary walked over by the forest haired boy and shook the sleeping male roughly by his shoulder. "Hey." He beckoned. "Wake up."

"Not now, milord..." He grunted, turning over. "Princess Ellis...mad at you if...ball on Saturday...with flying cheese."

Ike shot a questioning look at his sister, she giggling. "He's not scary at all!" She laughed.

"Nope." Ike agreed. "Just retarded. Hey you, wake up!"

The boy's eyes finally opened after Ike kicked him sharply in the side. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" He screamed when he spotted the mercenary towering over him. "Attack! Attack! Temple knights, go on without me! Save Lady Ellis and-!"

Ike covered the young archer's mouth. "Quit yelling." He whispered. "Geez...you're a loud one, huh?"

Ike did not remove his hand from the boy's mouth, waiting for Mist to approach, which she did rather abruptly. "Hi there." She greeted. "My name's Mist and this is my big brother, Ike."

Ike let go of the boy's mouth, allowing him to respond. "My name is Gordon." He responded. "I'm an Aritian archer. I work for the prince."

"Who doesn't now-a-days?" Ike teased.

Kirby suddenly popped out from the sleeping bag and, spotting Ike, cried, "Lollipop, poyo!"

Ike laughed, patting Kirby's head. "Lollipop, huh? Yeah, okay, Kirby..."

Kirby bobbed over to the lumpy cape, punching on it slightly. "Poyo, poyo!" Kirby squeaked.

"Not now,Kirby..." A tired voice grumbled. "Go bother Gordon.."

"Poyo! Goo' moning pwincess!"

Ike's eyes widened and he stood up, stepping around Gordon. "Sir!" Gordon called. "You really shouldn't do that-!"

"It's not very nice to ignore Kirby, y'know." Ike mumbled, squatting down by the cape, pushing it with his index finger slightly.

Wait a minute...that wasn't Gordon's voice! Marth threw his cape off of him, staring aghast at the mercenary. "I-Ike!" He stuttered. "You're okay!"

"Hah!" Ike boomed. "Like some dark bubble could hurt me!"

"Big brother!" Mist called. "Aren't you gonna introduce me?"

Ike held a hand out, pulling Marth up to his feet. "Marth, this is my younger sister, Mist. Mist, this is princess Marth."

Marth shook his head. "I'm a prince, you idiot."

Ike grinned. "Old habits die hard."

"Well. As you probably already know because he's incredibly talkative, this is Gordon, my childhood friend."

"You wound me Lord Marth."

Marth smiled at Gordon. "I tease."

Gordon shrugged. "So," Ike glanced around, "What're you guys doing here? In fact, where IS here?"

Marth shrugged in return. "Gordon and I are here because a dark mass overtook Talis castle. It was either drown or come here. Where here is, I'm not so sure. You dropped your sword."

Ike grinned, picking up Ragnell, the large golden sword that had scared Marth the first time he saw it. Mist was suddenly looking up at Marth, her eyes wide. "You're a prince?" She asked in awe.

"Uh...yes."

"Did you ever rescue a princess?"

Ike felt a blush coming on his cheeks. "Mist, those stories are just fairy tales. Leave poor Marth alone."

Mist huffed, puffing up her cheeks and glaring at Ike, stomping her foot. "They are NOT just stories! I'm sure he's saved tons of princesses! In fact, I bet he's married, or at least engaged!" She turned to Marth. "Well?"

"Well..." Marth ransacked his memory for information. "I did save princesses Ellis, Sheeda, and Nina..."

"See?" Mist had a triumphant look on her face, Ike looking rather surprised. "What'd you save them from? A dragon, right?"

"Actually, yes. A dark dragon that possessed Princess Ellis."

Gordon laughed. "She was sure mad you had Cornelius's sword, Lord Marth!"

Marth shook his head, gazing down at Falchion. "A sister's rage is truly scary, Gordon. You would've run too."

Mist clasped her hands together in hope. "Did you have a big wedding with the girl of your dreams and sweep her off her feet onto your large white horse and carry her off into the sunset as the church bells rang!?"

Marth's eyes were as wide a dinner plates. Ike felt anger and something else boiling under his skin...jealousy? Gordon suddenly burst out in laughter, falling to the floor. "Lord Marth isn't even married yet!"

Mist stuck out her bottom lip. "Is the prince engaged?"

Marth rubbed the back of his head, Gordon's laughter continuing. "Well...uh..."

"Dating?"

Marth sighed in defeat. "Let's just say the prince is available."

Ike felt relived. It was nice to know that Marth wasn't already taken by any psycho princess..."Hey!" Mist exclaimed. "I'm available, too!"

Ike's eyes widened and he grabbed Mist by the front of her collar. "No you're not!" He interrupted. "Not while i'm around you're not!"

Marth couldn't help but laugh a little. "Let her finish, Ike."

Ike grunted begrudgingly, releasing Mist. His little sister grinned, looking up at Marth. "I would make a good queen!"

Ike immediately pulled her away from Marth. "Mist!" He cried. "You can't just come onto someone like that!"

Mist crossed her arms. "Why not? You do it all the time!"

Gordon walked over to Marth, patting his back. "Don't take it personally, Mist." Gordon laughed, rubbing Marth's shoulder. "He doesn't deal well with affection."

Marth winced. "Sorry..."

"In fact," Gordon continued, "the only other time I've ever seen him show any sort of affection to anyone out of the family was-" Marth's eyes widened. Gordon hadn't seen that, had he? "- when he kissed your brother."

Immediate silence followed Gordon's statement. Somewhere, one thousand miles away, a pin dropped, it sounding like an explosion. Then, just as if the silence were the calm before the storm, Ike and Mist cried at the same time, "You KISSED me!?" and "My brother's gay!?"

Marth winced, turning to Gordon. "Gordon, what the HELL!? I thought you were asleep!"

"I couldn't sleep with you up and wandering around! Sheesh!"

Ike suddenly interrupted. "Marth, what's going on? Is what Gordon said true?"

Marth took a step back. "I-i'm sorry, Ike..."

"And YOU were mad at ME!"

Gordon and Mist's eyes widened at the words. "You mean..." Mist began. "You've kissed BEFORE?"

Marth glared at Ike. "When I was unconscious!"

"Like when i'm petrified is any better!"

"Well, no one asked you!"

"Don't pull that on me! You friggin KISSED me!"

Marth shook his head, crossing his arms. "I don't hear you complaining that you didn't want it!"

"That's because it's implied!"

"You probably don't even know what that word means!"

Ike shook with anger. "You're so stubborn!"

Gordon and Mist were rather afraid to enter the conversation. Neither had seen their traveling companions so mad and it scared them stiff. Marth rolled his eyes. "And you're a moron!"

"Everyone knows that! You're like a broken record!"

"Ugh! I can't stand you!"

"Then maybe we should split up!"

"Fine! Come on, Gordon, we're leaving!"

Gordon jumped slightly, grabbing the sleeping bag. "Y-yes Lord Marth..."

Ike clutched Mist's wrist, beginning to drag her away the opposite direction. "Fine! Come on, Mist!"

Kirby watched as the two blue-haired swordsmen parted ways. The world didn't make sense to the puffball. Ike had kissed Marth, meaning he liked him. This made Marth mad. Marth had kissed Ike, meaning he returned Ike's affection. This made Ike mad. If they both returned the affection, why were they so mad at each other? "Poyo?" Kirby blinked, running off after Ike.

The horror continues. ZOMG, Marth kissed Ike! It's about time, too. Hope you liked it, cause there's more where that came from! Woo!

Disclaimer: I don't own SSBB, Fire Emblem (due to the presence of Gordon and Mist), or anything Nintendo does. There.