Author's note:

I should come up with some kind of good explanation for not updating as early as I said, but I don't have one. But seriously, this chapter was so difficult to write because of this: When I wanted to write, I didn't have time. When I had time I couldn't write; seriously, nothing came to my mind. I even started to wander around the house, and people were staring. But enough about that—it's here now (Finally!).

This might be kind of jerk move but...It will be quite some time before I will make a new update. I won't go on a 'hiatus', but I won't update this story until, hmm...Let's say after Easter. I blame school and spontaneous family trips (Seriously, I woke up in the morning and suddenly had to go on a two hour walking trip). I don't like it but I think it's the best, because otherwise I'll just end up with a major writer's block and have to go on an actual hiatus. Do not want.

Edit: Beta-ed/Corrected

Nintendo owns the Super Smash Bros. Series

Chapter Three

It had been a couple of weeks since that incident Ike witnessed happened. Neither Snake nor Samus had seemed to notice anything different in Link's behavior, so he must get frequent visits from those people. But who were they?

During those two weeks he got really well acquainted with the class. Ike especially liked the P.E. classes, mostly because of how he could taunt the students...Well just one, actually.

The second time they had P.E., Ike decided that they were going to have a cooper test, much to the students' dismay.

Roy had been jogging in above-average speed; there were about four minutes left. His feet started aching, and his breath became shallow. Ike had been taunting him, telling him to run faster, stressing him by rapidly clapping his hands. Man, cooper test sucks. Why couldn't they play some kind of sport, like soccer? Roy was pretty good at that, but now he was jogging, not kicking a soccer ball.

Roy managed to jog up to Pit—not that it was that much of an accomplishment, considering that the slightly shorter boy wasn't a sporty guy at all.

''Man, this sucks.''

Pit didn't answer; instead he just nodded. He was way too tired and out of breath to talk.

''Hey Roy! If you're able to have a social conversation with Pit, then you should be able to run faster.'' Oh, how Ike loved to taunt Roy—well, he actually just wanted to pay Roy back for that one little stunt he pulled the first week.

Roy didn't only put salt in his coffee, but he had somehow managed to make it icy cold. Not only that, but Ike was wearing a white shirt! Wasn't that just dandy… Ike, from that moment, decided to make Roy's life as miserable as possible, but at the same time having fun doing so. Hence why Roy was getting a little extra 'attention' in P.E. class.

They were currently having their second cooper test. Ike wanted to see how much improvement they made in one week, much to the students chagrin.

Ike didn't taunt Roy more than necessary this time around.

All of them were wearing their gym clothing, shorts, t-shirts, and gym shoes. However the first day of the week it was announced that there was going to be a fire drill that very same week, but they didn't know when. Until…

Ring! Ring! Ring!

The school's fire alarm told all of the students with its booming voice, echoing through the entire school, to get out as fast as possible, or else.

Ike took a quick glance at his wristwatch. Was the fire drill set today, or did some students accidentally—or not so accidentally—set the fire alarm off? He had to check to make sure. Ike wasn't going to send all of his students out in the cold rain. He did care about them very much.

''Stay here. I'm going to check up on this. If this is a real fire, it's not my fault if you guys burn in.''

Ike started walking towards the gym's exit, leaving the teenagers to fend for themselves in case there was a real fire (which was highly unlikely).

Some of the students started laughing, albeit quietly. They all had started to get used to their teacher's more sarcastic humor. Even though they hadn't known each other very long, it was long enough for them to form a decent teacher-student relationship.

Roy started to walk towards Link, who was standing right next to Pit and talking to him.

''Got to say; Ike sure does care about us, even though we don't know each other that much. What a nice guy.'' Pit spoke over the fire alarm.

''Please tell me you were being sarcastic.'' Link had his hands shoved down in his pockets, his entire body slightly damp with sweat. He had just finished his cooper test, and he was soon going to be

very grateful for that.

Before Roy got to have a single word in their very pointless conversation, Ike came back telling them all to get out of the gym. The huge hall had its own exit, so the students could get out into the cold rain much faster than the rest of the school.

While they were standing outside in the cold rain, some in just their socks, most of the comments that were spoken were as follows: "This better be a real fire."

Samus, from day one, was very fond of the thought that she was going to read a book to the class.

Everyone needed some good literature in their life. Unfortunately for Samus, her students did not entirely agree with her.

Every time she tried reading for them, they were either drawing, sleeping, or having their attention focused on something completely different. That was why she wasn't completely devastated when she heard her own voice almost completely gone when she woke up the next day.

Samus had to call in sick that day. Not only was her voice almost gone, but she had nausea, dizziness, and a high fever. No way was she going to work. But who would step in? Who would willingly take her spot in her little 'reading sessions'?

''How did Snake convince me to do this again?''

A flashback containing a Snake on his knees, clinging onto his legs for dear life, begging him to take over Samus' class, came back to Ike. The young man shuddered at the thought; Snake became especially bothersome when he started to shake Ike's legs to the point where he almost lost his balance.

There were some eyes still watching him, but most of them had lost their interest long ago.

Ike turned the book, his eyes scanning the book's title. Its title and author was unknown to Ike. He tried reading the summary, but no; the cogs in his brain didn't even budge.

He flipped through the book, finding the page where they supposedly left off. Ike's eyebrows rose in surprise as his eyes met with a familiar name. What a coincidence.

Ike started reading out loud, catching a few of the teenagers off guard.

''I was walking towards the school, Jenny by my side. School was so boring, but there was always something I was looking forward to.''

While Ike was reading, Roy couldn't help but snicker at his teacher. The book they were reading was a horrible one. A forty-year-old woman tried to see through the eyes of a teenage girl, and not only that, but that woman wrote a book about it. The main character was the perfect stereotype of what the adults thought of the girls around their age.

''Roy.''

Roy's smile faltered at the mention of his name. ''Huh?'' Small laughs could be heard, when one died down another one started.

''You guys have to remember that the Roy I am going to talk about now is the Roy from the book. Remember, don't confuse these two.'' The laughs came back to life, annoying Roy once more.

''We had a test today. It was so difficult, and I used up almost all of the time we got. Roy, on the other hand, was finished really early. He was so smart, and he was a quick learner too, not to mention talented; he could do almost anything—Remember this is the Roy in the book we're talking about, but that's probably very obvious.''

No matter what, even if it was the last thing he did, Roy would get back at him. One way or another.

There were five minutes left, it was the last class of the day, and it was Friday too. Many, if not all, of the students started to become antsy to get home. And Ike was determined to keep them locked in the classroom until the last minute had passed.

Ike kept reading. He had read through a few chapters, most of them containing the main character's thoughts about her crush named Roy. The hotheaded, shorter and seemingly less smart and talented Roy was not pleased; the way his name was being mentioned and the fact that Ike declined all his suggestions about leaving a few minutes early annoyed him.

''Come on. Be nice, it's Friday after all.'' Roy had his whole upper-body slumped over his desk, a grim and tired look adorning his face.

''There are two minutes left, and I don't do nice.'' Ike stared back at his redheaded student, a mental battle going on between them.

''Of course you don't do nice. You do guys, or guys do you.''Roy thought bitterly. He once tried to get back at his teacher by blabbering out his sexuality to the whole class.

Ike had joked about how Roy and Pit were constantly chatting with each other, telling them to 'stop flirting'. The whole class started laughing, much to the two boys' dismay. While Pit tried to laugh it off, Roy had an entire different way of dealing with Ike's comment.

''If someone is flirting with guys, it would be you.'' Ike's face flashed a few seconds with surprise, and Roy thought he had finally gotten back at him. Oh, how wrong he was.

Ike made a comeback by replying. ''Maybe, but I'm certain I can do better than you two.'' The class started laughing again. What? He was comfortable with his orientation? And he dared to mock them at the same time? His teacher openly said that not only was he, in fact, gay, but he was also above both Roy and Pit. Dear lord, the plan backfired, and the damage was multiplied by three when it came back.

Getting a sarcastic jackass for teacher was almost as bad as when Link had to start tutoring Roy in most of the subjects they had—snarky comments, a smirk that refused to get wiped off and annoying corrections. It was bad enough that almost every single student in the class had corrected Roy at least once, but now another teacher was added to the list, and this one corrected him every single time they met. What a pain in the ass.

''What about now?'' Roy asked while having a pleading look on his face.

Ike took a quick glance at his wristwatch. ''No, there are still thirty-seven seconds left.''

Roy put both of his hands over his head, his face pointing down towards his desk while groaning in annoyance. Why did he have to be so ridiculously accurate about the time?

''Oh and I want you to stay behind after all the others have left.''

''WHAT?'' Roy's head shot up from the desk, and he started to glare as harshly as he could at his teacher. Ike jumped by Roy's sudden outburst; he stared back, but not as harsh as the redheaded boy.

''Why me? Why is it always me? It's like favoritism, except it's the exact opposite.'' Roy's voice died down as his eyes looked around him and saw that the whole class was staring at him funny. ''What?''

''He was talking to me smart-ass.'' One of Link's eyebrows rose while he crossed his arms. ''And by the way—why do I have to stay behind?''

''If you stay behind, I'll tell you.'' The school's bells rang just as Ike finished that sentence.

The young adult folded his hands and leaned forward, onto his desk; his eyes silently asking the blond student 'What will it be?'.

As the bell's chiming died down, two blue eyes lit up. Roy's eyes pleaded for freedom. Why couldn't he just take the weekend already? Oh, right, a blue haired prison guard was standing between him and his freedom, and he had the keys to the bars.

With an approving look, the guard tossed the keys to Roy; letting him taste his sweet freedom.

''Yes! Freedom, weekend, no school. Pit we're outta here.'' The redhead was dragging the brown haired boy out of the door by his black t-shirt, much to said boy's dismay.

While the last of his classmates were walking out of the door, Link couldn't help but feel a little more nervous than he would have been if it were Snake or Samus who asked him to stay.

As the classroom started to feel more empty—actually almost too empty—Link started to doubt his decision to accept Ike's request. Why did he do this again? Something bad was going to happen, he just knew it.

Link was now alone, save for Ike of course.

What had he done, or what had Pit and Roy done? Why didn't he just ask for one of them to stay behind? Why was he nervous? Link hadn't done anything wrong—well, a few snarky comments had passed his mouth, but nothing else. He did get a nice punch in the stomach and a kick to the groin, but that wasn't so serious. Pit on the other hand…he got stripped down to his underwear and was forced to go around the school half-naked, and his only comment was:Wow, it's just like that dream

I had not long ago.

''So...You're probably wondering why I asked you to stay. Aren't you?'' Link flinched because of Ike's voice and his sudden closeness. Since when was he standing right next to his desk?

Link didn't answer; he was too busy recovering from the shock. There were only a few people who were able to sneak up on him, and the last thing he wanted was another teacher being one of them.

''Let me ask you something first. Has something been on your mind lately? Do you want to tell me something?'' Ike took a nearby chair and sat down right next to Link.'It's okay if you don't want to tell me now. I can wait until you trust me, but I will know what's going. No matter what.'

''No, I don't have anything to tell you. Why do you ask?'' Link's blue eyes scanned around him, looking around him in case there were other people there.

Ike remained silent; he just kept looking at Link's facial expression.

''If that was all that you wanted, then…Can I go now?'' Link started to become even more anxious.

Did he know? No, that was not possible, but what if it was?

Ike grabbed Link's shoulder and pulled him back down when he tried to walk away. ''Who are these people who you have been meeting these last few weeks? The ones who have been talking to you in the parking lot after schoo-" Ike stopped talking as soon as he saw and felt how tense his student was.

When Link heard Ike's voice stop and the hand on his shoulder disappear, he finally started to relax. He hung his head low, his hands placed lazily in front of him. He suddenly tensed up yet again; two strong arms wrapped themselves around his body and his face crashed into a broad chest.

''I-is he hugging me?''Link's body was left immobile while both of his hands were firmly pressed up against Ike's abdomen.

Ike started to rub Link's back soothingly. The last time he had to hold a person like this was when he was nothing more than a mere teenager. At a young age his mother had fallen ill, and she grew weaker by each passing day. The day she died, his father was not present because of some work related matter, so he was left alone watching as the nurses took his mother away to prepare her for her funeral. He wasn't entirely alone; he had his sister by his side, but she didn't help to lighten up his mood. While the nurses were moving their mother's sickly thin and pale, lifeless body, his sister was clutching at his side while burrowing her face in his shirt. Crying, sobbing, weeping over the loss of their beloved mother.

Why? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why?

Ike could clearly remember hearing Mist say those words over and over again. He was holding Link, just like he held Mist all those years ago.

When his father came home, he was overwhelmed by guilt for not being there for his family. He failed his wife by not being by her side when she needed him the most. He was quick to ask for a more stay-at-home job, one where he knew he would spend the weekends and the end of the days with his kids. He may have failed his wife, but damn it, he was not going to fail his children. He was going to protect them until the day they were considered adults. He wasn't able to do exactly what he wanted, but he knew they would manage. Ike was under Snake's guidance (On second thought maybe there was a chance they, or Ike, would not be able to manage) and Mist had left for a highly respected school in Europe.

When Ike came back from his trip to memory lane, Link had wrapped his arms around Ike's waist—well actually Link just had them lazily slung around the older male, but he was still hugging back—and the blond boy was now more relaxed in Ike's embrace.

Ike pulled back and tried to look into Link's eyes, but his head was hanging low. Link brought one of his hands up to his face, but Ike wasn't able to see why he did it.

Their eyes met, and Ike still had a firm grip on both of the blond's arms. Had Link's eyes always been this shiny?

''If you ever want to talk, no matter what, you can always talk to me. Even if you just want a hug, don't hesitate coming to me.'' Ike gave Link's arms a light squeeze. Link nodded in response, eyes looking down and refusing to meet Ike's.

Ike stood up. He put the chair he had been borrowing back to its original place. He turned around and spoke to Link before leaving to get his stuff and get home.

''It's okay. This will be between only you and me. You can trust me.''

Link's eyes narrowed and his brows furrowed. They were here, and their timing was as perfect as always. Why couldn't they just leave him alone?

Link really wished he had a car just to drive past those people. He would have easily passed the written test—heck if Dark was able to pass it, then so would he. All Link needed was some experience from actually driving a car.

He could always call Dark. Although…Dark might have passed the driver's test, but Link wasn't willing to risk his life by letting Dark control the vehicle they were in.

''Please, can't somebody help me get through without 'them' knowing? I really don't feel like meeting them today.''

Ike was walking out of the school. He had over twenty different articles written by his students and the chapter test they had in Science a few days ago. He was going to be busy this weekend.

When Ike was going to retrieve his papers, he couldn't help but notice a tiny splotch on his shirt; it wasn't difficult to notice since there was a small wet spot on his shirt. It was damp, and not very noticeable, at least not to other people.

It wasn't a big deal anyway—it had dried up before he even got to the parking lot. But why was Link just standing there, not doing anything? Talking to someone, talking on his phone, walking away—he didn't do any of them.

''Aren't you going home?'' Link turned around in surprise. Again, that man managed to sneak up on him again.

''I..uh, well.'' Link scratched the back of his head in frustration. It had only been a few weeks, and Ike was already closer to knowing Link's problems than Snake was in the two years they'd known each other.

''I can drive you home if you want. Come on.'' Ike beckoned Link to follow him.

Link sighed in defeat. Well, it was better than having a little chat with 'them' again. He sat himself in the other front seat in Ike's car. It seemed a little too modern and expensive to belong to such a young person as Ike. Said man turned around in his seat so he was facing Link. The engine was on, and they were ready to go.

''So, where do you live?''

Author's note:

Link! Didn't your parents teach you to never, and I say never, accept rides home from strangers?

I was considering having Ike and Link go a step further into their relationship in the next chapter, buuut I changed my mind. The reasons are: One, I want Ike and Link to have more development before 'something' happens. Two, I just got a few new things for Ike to do to Roy (and Pit). Just love writing about their little fights. And is this one's great, oh man I gotta write this one down before I forget it. Too bad you guys have to wait a long time for this one this time around.

Even though I'm out on my little vacation from posting/updating/writing, that doesn't mean you guys should have nothing from me. I will ask you a question. If you get this one right you'll get...A one-shot? A request? Influence to this story? A cookie? I don't know? Well anyway, here's the question:

In the next chapter I will have one of the main characters speak a foreign language. The question is:

Which character and what kind of language?

Answer through the reviews. I will tell if you got it right or wrong. I may give a hint, but only after a few things. I'll say more about it when I answer reviews.

Reviews are appreciated, especially the ones with constructive criticism and answers. See you at the end of Easter.