A/N: Next chapter is up! So this one takes the story back in time a little bit, so I hope the flow is alright. It will answer the question of just who came to Link's rescue XD Special thanks to all my readers!

silverheartlugia2000: For the purpose of a story I totally agree, damage does stay consistent after all. Thanks for the review!

BatmanSwiss: I hope your right in your guess XD thanks for the compliment and the review!

Mew29240: I'm glad you liked it; it warms my heart to hear X3. Don't worry; Link will get a chance to give Eroc some well deserved comeuppance.

Chapter 6: The Difference Between Them

Marth woke feeling as worn-out as he had been when he had gone to sleep the night before. He cut his tired eyes to the left to look out the window and saw by the position of the sun that it was past noon. Despondently, he rolled onto his uninjured side, facing away from the window to stare blankly at the wall by his bed. He pulled his blanket up further over his shoulder though he was not cold. He let his breath out in a low miserable sigh.

He was distracted suddenly by a knock at his door. Rolling onto his back again and sitting up slightly, he called rather unenthusiastically for whomever it was to enter. The door opened and Toon Link let himself in. His young face was scrunched in an almost pensive expression.

Marth watched him silently, his eyes following the little swordsman as he made his way over to the chair by Marth's bedside and clambered on it. He sat with his legs spread out before him, hanging slightly off the edge of the chair as they were too short to touch the ground or even then chair bar for that matter. He placed his hands on his lap, his feet swinging slightly as he fidgeted.

The young swordsman made no attempt whatsoever to explain either himself or his presence and Marth blinked and raised his eyebrows in question. Toon Link took a breath and then let it go in a short puff upwards that ruffled his blond hair. He looked straight ahead of him, the pensive look still there. The silence soon turned awkward for Marth and he sat up a little more and turned slightly to better fix his attention on the boy sitting next to him.

"Hello," Marth said finally, the hint of a question in his voice.

"Hi," the boy replied, the word coming out in an almost sigh.

Marth was about to try a different tack when Toon Link suddenly turned dark green eyes on him.

"You're a good person and I like you," he took a breath. "You've helped me out before and I was wondering if you might do it again…. Though, you were the one hurt by all this and so you might not want to." Toon Link stared shrewdly at him, "But, in being a prince, I'd bet you've probably had to make choices that were hard, without adding your own feelings into it—choices that are harder than black and white?"

Marth found himself rendered momentarily speechless at Toon Link's unexpected spiel and show of intuitive logic. Though normally quite able to fit inside the bounds of a normal twelve year old, the young hylain hero sometimes showed startling flashes of perception and intelligence that surpassed his years. He thought just a little differently from those around him.

"I'm having a big problem and I don't know what to do. I can't decide what is right and I was wondering if you could help me."

"I will definitely try to, if I am able," Marth said genuinely.

The boy's face broke into a grateful smile.

"Thank you!"

The young green clad swordsman moved from the chair he had been occupying and invited himself onto the bed so he was sitting on the opposite end of it, facing Marth as if they were talking over and invisible table. Without any further preamble, he launched into his question.

"Is there a difference between fairness and justice? In Hyrule we have this saying, 'an eye for an eye,' and that might be fair, but that's not justice by itself is it? If a man lost and eye and then hunted down the person whose fault it was and did the same thing, that would be more like revenge than justice wouldn't it? I feel that doing something like that is not right, it feels wrong to me, but I don't know why, not in words anyway. Why does it matter that fairness and justice might not be the same thing?"

"To clarify—does this person, the man who lost his eye, live in a place where there is a court of law that would provide a fair trial?"

Toon Link thought for a moment then nodded. "Does it matter?"

"I would say it does; because that means that there is a higher power or a community that they are both responsible to. It means that there is a person or group who's duty is to take action for all the people according to their laws. If there wasn't, then the lines would be a bit more blurred, to me anyway. Because, in that situation, if the man wronged did not take action then there would be no one who would. However, even then something like that is more like revenge or lynch mobbing than a system that is fair for everyone."

Toon Link thought for a moment, his eyes troubled and thoughtful. He warped his small arms about his knees and waited for Marth to continue.

"What I think is this, and this might be why you think that it is wrong," Marth said finally. "If the person wronged loses sight of his own morals and principles to get revenge for himself then, in a way, he has let himself become exactly the same as the person who first wronged him. Following that line of thought—if he is exactly the same as the person who wronged him first, then he has lost the right to claim himself as better, as righteous… The person he got revenge on would be well within his own rights to get revenge himself, creating a cycle that leaves everybody blind. "

Toon Link's eyes brightened. "Yes! I think you're right! You know, when it comes to advice you are a good as Ike, Zelda… or Link…"

Ike? Marth thought with a slight smile, only partially surprised.

Toon Link seemed upset at the mention of that last name, then squared his small shoulders, the sadness and pensiveness in his eyes tuning into resolve and purpose.

"I think I know what I should do now."

A small flicker of warning began enter Marth's tired mind as he had the sense to wonder if he hadn't just persuaded Toon Link to do something foolish or dangerous.

"You never told me, Toony, what caused you to want to ask this question, and why did you think that, because I've been hurt, I might not be able to help you in an unbiased way?" he already had a sneaking suspicion by the nature of their conversation and the way that Toon Link had been acting that it probably had something to do with Link.

The young swordsman had climbed easily back down to the ground and then stopped, his green eyes locking with Marth's light blue ones.

"Well, you see, Master Hand and his friend have decided that Link shouldn't just be kicked out for what he did. They think it would be more fair to everyone, especially you, if they make Link go though the same thing you did. They are going to put him on a stage without weapons, with overwhelming odds and breaking shields. I didn't-" Toon Link got no further.

"What?!"

Marth shot straight up into a sitting position and then wished he hadn't. His exclamation was lost in a half-cry of pain as his sudden motion wracked his still healing injuries. He lay back, trying to breathe though the sudden pulses of agony. His weary mind was now fully awake and, after flitting uncertainly through many different emotions for nearly two days now, finally settled on one—and that was anger. As the pain began to die down, he became vaguely aware of Toon Link's concerned voice.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to hurt you. I knew that it was too personal to ask you, but I didn't know who else to ask, Ike's locked up and-"

"When?" Marth managed to rasp out one word, cutting off any further apologies or explanations. Somehow Toon Link understood what he meant.

"In about five minutes," he replied and then took a step back when he caught sight of Marth's angry expression as he did not know who the anger was directed at-:him, Link, Master Hand? However, he stopped backing away when he saw Marth's expression calm slightly.

"It's alright, I'm not angry at you. None of this is your fault." He took a breath. "Do you think you can do something for me?"

Toon Link nodded.

"Can you figure out how to open a warp gate?"

"I've watched Master Hand do it before, I think I can."

"Find a way and I'll meet you there. I might also ask to borrow your sword, and have another minor job for you if you are willing."

Toon Link's almost scared expression turned hopeful. "You mean to help me?"

"How could I be a man worthy of trust if my words never matched my actions?" Marth asked in answer.

Toon Link smiled then and ran out the door. Marth rose slowly, testing his balance and pain. He painstakingly made his way across the room to where his tabard and armor lay neatly piled. He cursed the slowness of his pace.

He reached for his blue tunic and eased it over his head and bandaged torso, ignoring the sharp lances of agony that pulled with the motion. He repeated that move twice more with his gold edged blue tabard and again with his breastplate and shoulder armor. By then, his breath was coming in shuddering hisses through his clenched teeth. His boots lay on the ground nearby and he bent carefully to put them on. He then tied his belt around his middle and placed his regained sword within its proper resting place at his side. He could not go where he indented to unarmed and unprotected.

Last of all, he straightened his hair and placed the gold half circlet atop his head and turned towards the door. If one intended to tear down a regime one had to look the part. As he walked, he once again cursed the slowness of his movements and the limp he had developed due to the knife sharp pain in his middle. He reached for the doorknob.

Nurse Joy was making her way down the hallway. Though her position here was mostly to tend wounded pokemon, she often worked as a nurse for other patients if Dr. Mario was short handed. Many of the Smashers, doctors and pokemon alike were at this moment watching Link's… she didn't know what to call it. However, she did know for a fact that she would rather watch over the wounded prince then watch someone get hurt. It went against her principles as a healer, but it was not as if she could stop it.

She pulled the door open with a low sigh and was shocked into stillness for a few moments when she saw her would be patient standing before her. His damaged face was frozen in an expression of surprise very similar to her own. Not only was he out of bed but he was fully dressed, armed, and armored, it also appeared that he was trying to leave. Her moment of shock passed and she put her hands on her hips and graced him with her best withering glare.

"Exactly what do you think you're doing?" she demanded.

The prince seemed annoyingly un-withered and instead of backing away or apologizing, his face set in determined lines.

"Leaving," he said simply, his features set in an impatient angry frown.

"Oh no you're not, you are going to lay right back down and stay put, I will not have you bursting your stitches or-"

Marth drew himself up to his full height.

"No, milady, I will be leaving," his voice had grown angry and he was not controlling it well, though he appeared to have tried.

"You will be doing what I say or I will call Master Hand or his friend to make sure that you do. You are not cleared to leave and-"

Whatever she was about to say ended in a frightened squeak as Marth, his face twisting from an expression of worry at her threat to utter fury, drew his sword, took a step towards her and pointed his blade at her throat in one fluid motion.

"I will be leaving, and you will not be getting in my way. I will be walking out of here and you will not so much as breathe a word of this to anyone. Am I making myself completely clear, milady?" he hissed at her. It was a bluff; he would never harm a helpless person, but she didn't know that and he needed to get past her wihtout Eroc or Master Hand being alerted, and had no time to convince her properly.

Nurse Joy looked up in shock at Marth's face. His eyes burned with a passion she could not identify. It was just so different from his usual cool anger. She swallowed hard as she felt the control she, as a doctor, should have over a patient dissolve into nothing.

Marth was known for being a fairly hard person to anger; he almost never lost his cool. However, it was common knowledge that, on the rare occasion when he did, it was more calculated than impassioned. Instead of taking a step forward when enraged, he would take a step back. As terrifying as that was, this was somehow worse and its uniqueness spoke volumes to his deathly seriousness.

"Y-yes," she stammered.

"Then, if you please, step out of my way," he snarled, though somehow still managing to make himself sound cultured and well mannered.

Well, it was a well mannered as someone could possibly sound when half blinded by rage and threatening someone severe bodily harm if they did not comply with their wish.

She stepped back and let him pass, trying to still the tremor that had taken hold in her hands.

Marth limped down the hallway, his free hand pressing gingerly into his aching side. All his injuries had stiffened horribly because of all the time he had spent laying idle. However, as he adjusted to this, he began to be able to move more surely and at a greater speed. By the time he reached the bend in the hallway, at the end of the dormitory wing, he was almost at a normal walking pace.

Grimacing, he pushed past the hurt and focused his mind only on his set objective. It was a trick that had kept him alive and fighting though many a battle on his quest to reclaim his kingdom and fight evil from his land. Every step took him closer to the Mii stage control room, closer to Toon Link. He had no time to spare.

~x~X~x~

Link stared up in surprise, chest heaving as he tried to regain his breath and focus. The world still swam before him for a moment before it stilled. His attackers had paused in shock and the whole stadium had fallen silent. Link's dark blue eyes focused upon his unexpected savior.

"Marth?" he managed to gasp in surprise.

He became suddenly aware of Master Hand calling to stop the flow of enemies, but there was nothing he could do about the ones already on the stage.

The Kritter, recovering from its initial shock, re-gathered itself and struck forwards again. Marth was ready for it and employed a graceful counter attack. Link rose to his feet, placing his back against that of the prince in order to guard the rear as best he could. However, without a weapon and hurt as he was, he feared he would not do so well. Marth pushed the Kritter back and, during the brief calm period, pressed something into Link's hand without fully turning around.

It was the Master Sword, but not his Master Sword. This one belonged to Toon Link and it was more like a short sword in Link's hand. But it was a weapon and a weapon he could use well. Soon the stage was totally clear, all enemies flung to safety by their protective shielding.

Link turned to look at Marth, but the prince was no longer at his back. He was at the foremost edge of the stage, obviously anticipating the entreaty that would most definitely come. They did not have long to wait. The voice of Eroc boomed over the speaker.

"Marth, as glad as I am to see you on your feet, I can't say that I am glad to see you where you are now. Link's fate has already been decided and you need to get off the stage. Link has a debt to be paid and I need to reset things from where we left off."

Math flung his head back, his bruised face twisted into such an expression of anger that it took Link slightly aback.

"Saseru monoka!" He all but yelled at the observer's box. "I will not let you!" he repeated in the common tongue.

His chest heaved slightly with ragged breaths. Link had hardly ever seen Marth so incensed.

"What do you think gives you the right to act as you have?" he demanded, his voice and temper more under control, but still livid.

"It's the only fair thing to do to him considering. Not to mention the fact that this is done for you, for you to have some retribution for what was done."

"Fair? This isn't fair, this is cruel!" he swung his arm outwards and to the side in an angry gesture that seemed to cut off any other explanation then the one he had given.

His brows lowered further and, when he spoke again, his tone was much quieter and it had the effect, perfectly timed as it was, to draw those watching inwards as they leaned forwards to better hear his words. Angry or no, Link could not help but admire Marth's skill as an orator.

"Don't you dare say that this is done in my name or for me," he almost hissed. "I never asked for this; I never would have!"

"But you are a prince, a ruler of a nation, a veritable king if you will. What would have happened to your kingdom your people if Link's scheme had claimed your life? Your country would be plunged into turmoil, your people left to suffer! An attack on a king deserves retribution!" Eroc shouted.

"King?" Marth's voice was soft, but less angry as he recognized Eroc's words for what they were. He shook his head with the faintest of smiles. "But, Eroc, when I am here I am no king, I have no subjects merely comrades at arms all serving with me towards the same aim. There are no captains, no leaders, amongst us smashers. I take a position no greater and no less than that of my companions.

"King?" he repeated, his voice once again on the verge of angry, "you said that merely to serve your own ends. In calling me a king you never actually sought to give me the authority that comes with such a name or twice and with more power I would have sought to defy your plan. The thing is, Link didn't kill me. My subjects are in no danger here and I find myself able to act and speak in the freedom of my own conscience. How can you say that this retribution is needed when I, the one wronged, seek no such recompense?"

This may not have been the best time to make such an observation but Link could not help but notice that, if you ever wanted to know if Marth was truly angry, all you had to do was listen to his words. His speech became more formal more complex the angrier or more uncomfortable he was. Link also decided that it would probably not be advantageous to go up against him in any sort of debate. Eroc had yet to make a statement that was not instantly refuted and shamed by Marth's eloquent logic and reason.

Link looked towards Eroc, who was beginning to look uncomfortable, and waited expectantly to see what he would say to try and worm his slimy way out of Marth's argument.

"I don't understand Prince Marth; why would you seek to help a criminal avoid punishment? You want him set free, unhindered, to do his vile deeds to others? Why would you do this? He is guilty!"

"It doesn't matter whether he is guilty or not! I would seek justice only, and this," he gestured passionately around him, "This isn't justice, it borders on tyranny. This is not how I would have handled this is my own kingdom, I would never give out a sentence like this. I don't believe in torture, and what you have set up here could easily be considered that.

"However, since he attacked me here—a place of commerce between all our peoples—it is true that I have no power to decide or act, but neither do you Eroc, or you Master Hand. There is no law, statute, stipulation or article in Master Hand's rules here that states that a person can be condemned or punished in any way other than expulsion from the mansion and being handed over to the authorities of their own country. All countries in participation signed that agreement—I know because I was one of them! Considering this, Link deserves to be turned over to and tried by his own people. There is no other action you can take."

"I believe that would be far more just than this tyranny that you have set up here. True justice, should be a system that is built to be fair for all people all the time—not fair to a few in the heat of an angry moment! This is my position and why I am standing here now and I will not sit down or step aside! I might be the only one here who believes this way and, if I am, then so be it; however, I do not think I am," he addressed the smashers now.

He wasn't the only one. Link's heart, which had felt as if it had been torn in several places by the feelings of broken trust and abandonment, began to mend slightly as he saw familiar faces in the crowd begin to stand up with hardly any urging from Marth. They stood in silent support of Marth's position, and for him: Lucina, Fox, Samus, Pit, Peach, Mario, Luigi, Pikachu, Captain Falcon, Falco, Sonic and followed by all the pokemon and Yoshi.

Then the Wii Fit Trainers stood with Little Mac, Lady Palutana and Rosalina. Kirby and then Meta Knight tried to add support as well though the difference between sitting and standing for them was almost negligible. Junior Bowser and his crew along with Bowser and even Wario seemed to be moved.

Link found himself mildly surprised to see Ganondorf numbering among those standing. Though it was not a totally unsurprising occurrence, Ganon did have a warlord's code. He believed that differences and problems should be solved in the field of combat, a duel between the two aggrieved, for that showed true power and strength, unlike a lynch mob.

Soon there was not a single smasher who remained seated. In the case of a few other villains, Link was not sure whether they did it out of true feelings or just a shrugging stance to follow the majority—though it did not especially matter to Link why they stood, just that they were standing.

Marth had provided the foundation they had lacked. He had also provided the opportunity to let them all stand together if they chose, so they could not be picked off one by one. Master Hand might be willing to expel a few of his fighters, but he could hardly expel them all.

Eroc took an involuntary step back. "Don't fall for the Altean's clever words, he just wants Hylain law to handle the matter so Zelda will go easy on Link!"

"That is an unfounded statement. Zelda is a princess, well known throughout her kingdom and others for being a just ruler, she wouldn't let biases get in the way of the law, or what's best for her people."

"Yeah!" Captain Falcon agreed tuning towards Eroc, "now it just sounds like you are fishing for excuses!"

"Cast away then," Samus added. "You won't be catching anything."

It was then that Link knew that Eroc would have to back down, for he had lost all momentum with the crowd. Sure enough, he addressed all the smashers.

"Master Hand and I will hold a short council," he said finally and they moved back to the part of the observer's box furthest from view.

Link felt his heart near burst with gratitude for his friend's timely intervention. He took a step towards Marth, his once despondent eyes now bright with a thankful joy, a genuine smile spread across his face. He reached a hand towards Marth's shoulder, words of thanks already on his tongue.

Marth caught Link's motion in his periphery and whirled to face him, his sword held diagonally across his body in a position that was halfway between an aggressive and a defensive stance.

Assuming it to be a reflex reaction, Link smiled again, holding his arm out in order to clasp Marth's hand. Marth flinched noticeably and stepped back into a more aggressive stance.

Link's grin fell. "Marth?" he asked quietly.

"I bought you time and a reprieve, but it all depends on you now. I cannot help you or stop your fate again should you try anything violent with so many witnesses." His voice had become almost emotionless, his face expressionless, but his eyes were less so: anger mixed with sorrow, hurt, and confusion and all that was all overlaid by determination.

Link tilted his head to the side in confusion for a moment, until his gaze followed where Marth's eyes were fixed—the short sword held ready in his left hand. It was a mere force of habit never to lower his weapon when there was still a hint of a threat in the air. It was not even something he particularly considered anymore.

He looked from the weapon to Marth's bruised face and lowered it. He held his arms upwards and out to his sides to show that he meant no harm. He was still puzzled though—surely Marth knew him better than that.

At his motion, Marth flinched again, though not as noticeably this time. High hopes and joy began to crash to pieces. His heart sank as he realized what was wrong with is friend.

"You believe that I'm the one who sabotaged the game, don't you?" he said slowly, painfully.

As soon as the words left his mouth though, the pain was instantly replaced by awe and his small smile returned.

"You believed that I'm the one who hurt you and yet you still came to my defense?" he shook his head in amazement. "Marth…" he let out a short airy laugh that was almost a sound of near disbelief. At a loss for words, he bent to one knee skillfully moving his hold on Toon Link's weapon from the hilt to the blade itself and offered it to Marth pummel first in a loose grip.

"You have my upmost respect…" Link said finally. "I wasn't going to attack you, all I wanted to do was thank you for what you did, if not for you…" he winced and Marth suddenly became aware of the lines of red staining his tunic front and the slight tremor of his arm as he offered the sword.

Marth was taken slightly aback by this. He had expected a totally different reaction. He would have expected embarrassed unease, unrest or just all out hostility. Someone who disliked him enough to hurt him as badly as they had done, wouldn't kneel before him, offer their only weapon… would they? For the first time, he looked into Link's eyes, searching.

"I swear I did not take your sword and sabotage the game. I would rather have taken your place then seen you like that at the end of that match."

In all the time Marth had known Link, he had never lied to him, and his eyes weren't lying now either. The longer he looked, the more this whole thing didn't feel right. Marth slowly lowered his own sword, his mind filling with doubt that brought with it a sense of pure relief, which in turn brought a sense of healing in its wake.

Link smiled crookedly at him, his eyes sparking with that familiar friendship and mischief.

"I would never hurt you Marth… not unless, you know, you really deserved it."

Marth raised an eyebrow at that, but could not keep the faintest of smiles from growing on his lips.

"It wasn't you," he said finally, feeling all the tension drain from him. He regarded Link then with over-exaggerated poise. He leaned forward slightly and then replied in a soft almost whisper. "Though, even if I did deserve it, I still have my doubts that you could reach high enough to cause any actual damage."

"Oh, is that a challenge?" Link asked with a laugh straightening to his full height.

"No, just a fact."

"You are quite on your way to deserving it Marth."

The pair of them grinned at each other and clasped arms, before Link pulled the startled prince towards him in a light hug.

"Thank you," Link whispered again.

"It wasn't you," Marth found himself repeating, as he held his friend at arm's length, joy filling his heart with the admission. "I'm sorry I ever doubted."

Link looked about to reply when a voice brought all their attention to the stands.

"Marth is right! It wasn't Link!" A female voice said loudly. All eyes in the stadium turned towards the sound and focused on Robin standing on the observer's platform opposite the one Eroc and Master Hand were in. By this time Master Hand and Eroc seemed to have finished their discussion. The tactician took a few heavy breaths as if she had just run several miles to get there, and perhaps she had, Marth thought. Once she had her bearings, she repeated herself.

"It wasn't Link, and I can prove it!"

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Feedback is always appreciated.

I'd like to thank some sneaky politicians for this chapter who, during their campaign, used the word fairness in place of justice and had the nerve to think that there would be people who wouldn't realize that there sometimes is a difference and that that difference can be very important. They gave me some good writing material.

Question: Is there any Smash Bros character you like to play with, but are not very good at using?