Me: OKAY DONE! I am SO SO SO sorry! I know I promised I'd post this chapter the next day, but I got sick... Honestly! I wouldn't lie about this. Plus, I wanted to tweak quite a few lines. Alright, enjoy, and sorry about this.
...
OH YEAH! I'm warning you now, this chapter contains some yaoi. There, I said it. Not saying who, just warning you now. This is that thing I mentioned in the summary, so heads up! Okay, go!
With a spin of his heels, Lucas took off, begging his knees to not give out. He didn't dare look back. As he sped down the hall, he heard the sound of glass shattering back in the ballroom. He meekly screamed as he hurried, heart racing. He could already tell the killer was following by the sound of quick-paced footsteps behind him. The blonde burst through the next double door, into the foyer!
The exit was so close. Right there.
But Lucas was halted when the killer suddenly popped up in front of him, face still concealed.
"WHA!" The psychic blond fell back, crawling backwards away from his chaser. He backed up, only for the robed figure to follow slowly, until Lucas sat in the light let in by a large hold in the ceiling.
"Wh-Who are you?" he finally managed to squeak. "Why did you...you kill Nana?"
The killer came out of the shadows, axe in one hand, and Nana's Hammer in the other. He looked down, his black hood covering most of his face. He looked up, a bang of dark raven hair covering half of his face. A violet eye glared straight into Lucas's.
"N-Ness?" Lucas squinted in disbelief. "It was y-you?!"
"Yeah, it was," Ness replied in a nonchalant fashion.
Ness circled Lucas, grinning. Ness took out Popo's Hammer, and Toon's Master Sword, then threw them down. Lucas's blue eyes widened in fear and despair. Both weapons were stained with some blood. They looked fresh.
"B-But why?" he heard himself ask Ness. "Why would you do this?"
Ness gave a sigh. He continued circling Lucas, staying silent for many moments. Finally, he spoke. "I'm so tired of bottling up my feelings from fear. I've been bottled up for the last few freakin' months! Do you know how painful it was, being so so CLOSE...to you? And not being able to express myself? But I was scared, honestly. I didn't know what you'd think of me. I... I was scared...of you leaving me if you knew how I felt..."
Lucas couldn't speak, or move, or anything. He was paralyzed in shock. He was hoping it was a cruel joke. Of course it wasn't.
"But then it dawned upon me. I had to act soon, or the others would STEAL you away from me... I didn't want that to happen. I don't know what I would do if someone were to steal your heart away..."
"N-Ness?" Lucas squeaked. It was as if he were staring at a completely different person. Ness was never this cruel or psychotic or poetic or desiring!
"So I did what I had to. I know you'll understand Lucas... I did this all because..."
Ness stopped in front of Lucas, a serious look in his eye. His face changed from poker faced to soft with worry, suddenly changing composition. He took a deep breath, his fists trembling and eyes closed. Ness then faced Lucas. He approached him and embraced the blond, all while tenderly pressing his lips against his own.
"I love you... That's why..." Ness whispered. Lucas couldn't comprehend what he felt. It was terrifying, and he felt as though he was about to be sliced in half by Ness's axe, being so close to him. But at the same time...it felt strangely pleasant.
"Mmn..." Lucas mumbled. As much as he wanted to break away and run for his life, he couldn't bring himself to do it. This was his best friend. This was the guy he shared all his secrets with. And now the two of them were kissing. It was weird, for sure. But Lucas actually...enjoyed it. Unconsciously, his hands wrapped around his raven-haired friend, pulling him closer.
"Yech, Valentine's Day," Ness scoffed, as he and Lucas watched a display of Link and Zelda kissing, among a few other couples in the square.
"Mm..."
"Anything wrong, Luke?"
"What do you think... It feels like?"
"What?"
"Y-Y'know, to kiss someone?"
"Huh... I dunno. But I bet it feels amazing."
"I've always wondered... Would it feel any different kissing someone you're not meant for, as opposed to someone you ARE meant for?"
"Pssh. Quit worrying about this stuff, Luke. Let's NOT worry about this stuff for a while."
Ness laughed, and Lucas followed.
"You'll be mine forever..." he could hear Ness mumble under a moan. "And no one else can take you away..."
Lucas backed away, shocked. He felt like he suddenly woke up. This boy was a murderer, and they were just...just...a few moments short of making out! What was wrong with Lucas?! Ness, this killer, was his best friend. A killer! He accepted a killer's kiss?! This can't be happening! "U-Uhm..."
"Please come with me, Lucas. I want to take you to a faraway place where we can live happily together. Please! I promise we'll live far, far, FAAAR away from everybody else! And I'll treasure you from your own little cage, and I'll do anything to make you happy!"
Ness extended a hand, to which Lucas replied by staying still, then shaking his head. Ness laughed, slipped behind Lucas, and hugged him from behind. Lucas struggled within his tight embrace.
"Lucas, come on! You think you can just refuse? After all I've offered, and after I summoned up all my courage?! Hehehehe! Don't make me use this!" Ness wiggled the axe he gripped in his hand. "Hehehe! Don't worry! I wouldn't dare use it on you, just those who deserve it. Seriously though. Come on, will you accept my offer?!"
Ness laughed louder, as Lucas fixed his eyes on the axe. If he was going to get out of here, he had to take it away! He struggled to get a grip on the axe in Ness's hand! Ness struggled as well, trying to keep the axe in his own grip. The two boys fought each other in a tight embrace before Lucas finally grabbed the handle!
"Stop it Ness!" Lucas shouted over their struggling. "You've changed and I don't like it! What happened to you?!" Tears formed in the corners of his eyes again.
Ness looked up, grinning ear to ear. Tears streamed down his cheeks as well. A chuckle escaped his mouth. Then, it grew louder and louder, into a chaotic, maniacal cackle.
"NOTHING'S HAPPENED TO ME!" Ness screamed. "I LOVE YOU! I WON'T CHANGE! I'LL TAKE DOWN ANYBODY IN MY PATH IF IT MEANS BEING WITH YOU! I'D KILL EVERYONE EVEN IF YOU LOVE ME BACK, JUST TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE MINE FOREVER! THAT'S HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU!"
"Y-You're insane, Ness! You're insane!" Lucas cried out, starting to despair. His strength was failing him, and Ness was still stronger. Ness fought harder, yanking the handle out of Lucas's fist and stretching his axe-wielding hand away while keeping Lucas in his other arm. Lucas gritted his teeth, freeing his left hand and using both hands to snag the weapon away. "You're nothing but a psycho now! Please stop! I beg of you to stop!"
"I'LL NEVER STOP IF IT MEANS I GET TO KEEP YOU!" Ness screamed back like a maniac. Lucas grunted, and with every ounce of strength he had, pushed himself and Ness's body backwards, into the wall! The raven-haired psychic groaned against the unexpected impact of the wall colliding with his head.
"AH! Ness! Are you okay?!"
"Urgh..." Lucas kneeled down beside his friend, helping him up.
"Ohh... I'm so sorry! I didn't think I'd hit you so hard!"
"I-It's okay, Luke! I'm fine! I know you didn't mean to hurt me, so it's okay!"
"Y-You mean it?"
"Yeah! I know you would never hurt me."
"Let me go, Ness! LET ME GO!"
"Urgh...! NEVER!"
Ness's left arm constricted Lucas tighter, still strong. The blond kept pushing back, slamming the psycho into the wall repeatably, each time harder. His sobs grew louder, tears clouding his vision as he screamed.
"STOP IT! STOP IT! PLEASE NESS! I NEED YOU TO STOP! STOP IT! STOP!"
Ness's face softened with every slam, slowly turning from maniacal anger into a look of sheer horror and pain. But his eyebrows furrowed slowly, his eyes regaining their insane glare again. But it was enough time for Lucas to finally grab the handle of the axe.
"NO! Stop!" Lucas struggled furiously in Ness's arms, yanking the silver axe away forcefully, then elbowing the raven-haired boy hard several times, kicking his legs, and finally breaking away through a strong shove. Lucas tumbled away, as did Ness.
Silence. The robed psychic breathed heavily, shaken up. "I swear to Giygas, Lucas..." he began, panting. "If you dare leave me here after everything I've done for YOU... I'll make sure everybody back at Smash World gets it... But first... Lemme offer you this one last time. You can either TRY to escape, and I'll catch you, and I'll kill everybody in Smash World... OR... You can come with me. You can drop the axe, and I'll take you to a safe, new place where I can treasure you foreeeeever." His violet eyes glinted as he looked up. A sinister, crazy grin took over Ness's face. "What'll it be, Lucas?"
"I-I... I..." Lucas couldn't speak again. He took a deep breath, tears still dripping. He hated to admit it, but Ness would catch him again right away if he tried to escape. To make it all worse, everybody else at the Estate was at risk. And if Ness could take out Toon and both Ice Climbers with little to no trouble... Would the other Smashers be able to handle him? Lucas didn't want to risk any other lives, no matter who it was, or even if it was just one life.
Ness got him. It was an offer he couldn't refuse, if it meant everybody else's safety.
"I-I'll go with you..." Ness's grin widened, if that were possible. Lucas dropped the axe to the ground, filling the air with a clattering sound. He embraced Lucas, and for a moment, Lucas remembered the old Ness.
It was the old Ness he was embracing. It was the Ness that had become Lucas's first friend in Smash World. It was the kind, caring, and considerate Ness that was Lucas's friend.
"AHH!" CRASH!
"Hey! Knock it off! Leave him alone! Hey! Are you okay?" A boy about Lucas's age helped him up.
"Y-Yeah... I'm okay."
"You sure? Man, those guys, you gotta watch out for. I'm Ness. Who're you?"
"I'm L-Lucas."
"Lucas...? Hey! Look here! We're assigned roommates! C'mon! Why don't we go settle in?"
"Coming!"
"Huh? Oh, here, why don't I help you with those?"
"I got i-ACK!"
"Nonsense! Let's go!"
"..."
"You okay?"
"Ah... Yeah. You're, um, really nice, even though I don't know you."
"Well, we're roommates, so of course I would want to be your friend."
"Really?"
"Well, why not? I would stick up for anybody, really. And you, I've heard a lot about you. So, wanna be friends?"
"S-Sure!"
WAS. He WAS Lucas's friend.
"I love you very much, Lucas..." Ness whispered, for once tender.
"But... Can you promise me that you won't hurt anybody?" A long silence followed. "Ness. Look me in the eye and tell me you won't hurt anybody."
More silence.
"... Hehe. Don't worry about them anymore, Luke. Come on, let's go." Ness smiled sweetly, and took the blond's hand.
'H-He's lying... I can sense it,' Lucas thought.
The two started to walk out. As they did, Lucas glanced down to where he dropped the axe. It sat right next to them, right where he could pick it up.
Everything slowed down. Lucas glanced down at the axe. He made his decision. He had to do it. He had to, for the sake of eveybody else, and for the sake of himself as well. With a great amount of force, the blond yanked away his hand and rolled over to the silver axe!
"Huh?" The robed psychic turned around in surprise, to see Lucas raising the axe with desperate look in his teary eyes. "I'M SORRY NESS!"
"What?! Lucas?!" Ness cringed. "No! Lucas...!"
"YAAAHHH!" Lucas closed his eyes, regretting everything he had to do before it happened. His eyes shut themselves tight, and his arms felt as though they were moving on their own, even though he wanted them to stop.
"AH...! NO-" Ness's cries erupted as Lucas could feel the axe tear through Ness, lightly at first. But the swings became more painful with every second.
Lucas couldn't do anything else. He couldn't stop. His mind flooded with every good and enjoyable memory of Ness, making him feel even worse. The flashes of memories ended with one last, memorable one.
"Ness, please don't be so sad..." Lucas pat his friend's back as he lied on his bed. "I don't get it, though! Why would Paula break up with you?"
"She said she wanted to be 'just friends.' It did always feel like she didn't really like me. I bet she liked someone else," Ness coldly remarked. "I don't wanna be HER friend anymore, though."
"I'll... I'll be your friend, Ness!"
"You...will?"
"Yeah! You're my best friend! You'll always have me and the others to be your friends, so don't worry, okay?"
Ness turned to Lucas, his face, at the time, unnoticeably pinkish. "You mean... No matter what I do, no matter how wrong it is, you'll still be my friend?"
"I always will!" Lucas smiled, without a moment of hesitation.
He was throwing them all away, killing the one person he shared them with.
"I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry, Ness. I'm so sorry, so sorry! I..." Lucas stopped swinging, and fell to his knees. "Ah... N-Ness...!"
...Silence fell. The axe in Lucas's hand pulled away from Ness slowly. Then, it fell to the ground. He didn't dare look at the mess he made. But he forced himself to. He was horrified. Ness stared back at Lucas with empty eyes, shocked.
Ness's left shoulder sported a long gash that ran down to nearly his chest. The were two smaller cuts along his abdomen. Ness held his arms, as if hugging himself. Many tears along the sleeves indicated where Lucas had slashed him. One of the especially terrifying marks was near the base of his neck. But the most terrifying one was the last one on Ness's chest, deep and gushing red liquid.
Ness fell to his knees, one hand on the ground, and the other gripping his chest. He coughed, weak. Tears appeared in his eyes. Blood slowly seeped through the wounds, his hand trying to cover them all up. Ness closed his eyes and gritted his teeth in pain.
"W-Why...? I-It...hurts..." Ness softly whimpered.
"N...N..." Lucas erupted into tears, then embraced his friend tightly. "Ness! I... I'm... I'm so sorry...!" Ness looked up, crying as well.
"... Lucas..." Ness took his hand off the wound on his chest, wanting to embrace Lucas back. He embraced tighter than ever, his face buried in Lucas's sleeve. "I love you Lucas..."
"I... I didn't want this Ness," Lucas whispered. "I promise. But you...you killed our best friends! You were gonna kill everybody even if I went with you!"
"Yeah... I-I'm sorry... I... I didn't realize how much they...ah...meant to you..."
"I can't forgive you Ness...! I...don't think I can ever forgive you... But y-you're my best friend... You were always th-there... I'm so sorry... I d-don't deserve your forgiveness either... B-But... I'm sorry too..."
Ness tilted his head, so his face was pressed against Lucas's cheek. "I... I understand, Luke... I know you didn't mean to hurt me... You had to, r-right?... But...please tell me, why?"
"Why what?"
"Why don't you feel the...same?"
"Ness, y-you're my best friend! You did everything to m-make me feel special, but... I just don't feel the same... I'm sorry... I didn't know you felt like this... I-If I could do things differently, I wish I could've kn-known... So I could stop all this... 'C-Cause now you're dying...and it's all my fault!..."
"No no, Luke... Don't cry... I know you can't forgive me... But I'm still sorry... Thank you for...freeing me..."
"Ness?"
"I-I..." The robed boy's breathing started to slow, his voice becoming barely audible. "I'm going to where the others are... Bye... Luke..."
With that, he slumped in Lucas's arms. Lucas sobbed into his shoulder, still embracing him. With little strength left in him, he laid Ness down against the wall, before looking up to the silver axe on the ground, coated in the red liquid.
His friends were gone. He just killed his best friend.
He was ALL alone.
All alone. Everybody he cared about in this world was GONE.
That's right. GONE.
Lucas wiped his eyes, then looked down at Ness once again. He embraced the body, all while cherishing their memories together. Then, he looked down at Toon's sword and Popo and Nana's Hammers. The blond boy picked them all up.
They were all he had left of them. Finally, Lucas picked up Ness's Axe. Opening the creaky double doors, he left the mansion, head hung, not turning back, unsure what to do.
Me: There you have it. This fanfic went through a lot of changes since it first started. Like, Lucas was gonna go insane at the end. I'm not sure if I SHOULD end it off here, or make an epilogue chapter. So if I get a few comments saying I should anyway, I will. But for now, it ends here. Yay for first actually finished story! Whoo! Please leave a comment! :D