Welcome to 'Ike and Snake: Apologize'! This chapter is a tribute to OneRepublic and Timbaland's song, 'Apologize'. It depicts the emotions and dilemmas of the angst-ridden characters, standing as the perfect follow-up to their horrid night. Hinder's 'Better Than Me' came in at a closer second.
I would love to extend warm hugs to you all. I'm glad the last chapter turned out to be a hit, and I'm even happier about the overall reaction to this tale. Please continue to enjoy, and I'll continue to do my best!
Note: The name of the Pokemon Trainer is 'Red'.
Aspects of Solid Snake's background will be instilled into this chapter, emerging from his 'Metal Gear Solid' adventures.
Falco's background is purely from my imagination. He was never associated with assassins during the 'Star Fox' saga. They were created to explain his absence from the Star Fox team.
Soren hails from Ike's first adventure, 'Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance'. Greil, Ike's father, also hails from that adventure.
As quickly as it had come, happiness soared right out of every window. Not even the vivacious fireworks could soften the explosions of pain, all of which were born in surprising degrees. Kirbys had shut themselves off from joyous expressions, only emitting tiny 'o's whenever they saw fit to do so. Koopa Troopas sheathed their bags of confetti and other party favors, either retreating to the insides of their shells or hanging their heads. Pokemon walked about with wilted spirits, ears and tails dragging against the castle grounds. The unexpected eruption of sorrow had crushed the existence of jubilation, leaving no room for a promising night.
A tearful Lucas, escorted by the doting Princess Peach, informed the Brawl Committee of the night's occurrences. The news fell into the duteous maiden's hands, and it spread like wildfire. The upcoming Tournament, which would have been the first Tournament of the Brawl season, was instantly cancelled (by a rather reluctant, aggravated Daisy). Further Brawls were placed on hold, eliminating any excitement or hope towards future matches. Action-packed battles might have supplied the kingdom with adrenaline, but the conditions of the Brawlers surpassed the importance of matches. Much to her chagrin, the spirited princess acknowledged the disorder of her Brawlers. Two contestants had vanished, without notifying anyone of their destination (if they even had one). A certain pair of lovers fell apart, right in the center of Peach's throne room. That alone was enough to cause an uprising of disarray, considering that particular couple appeared to be cemented in time.
After his report to the Princess Daisy, Lucas was whisked into Peach's loving arms. Sobbing his heart out, wanting all of his friends to stay together, he cried himself to sleep. The princess and her plumber assumed the positions of his parents, making the decision to care for him through the remainder of the night. Ness fretted over his inconsolable companion, realizing that he would need a roommate for the evening's remainder. And so a slumber party was created, with a group of Yoshis as his friends. The mood might not have been light, but it was certainly comforting. I'm glad they're with me. the pride of Onett thought on more than one occasion, even as he listened to their never-ending lullabies.
Red and his loyal Pokemon made an attempt to reach Marth, instantly turned away by a slew of Waddle Dees. Samus, Captain Falcon and Meta Knight tried to comfort Solid Snake, but the mercenary refused to see anyone other than his precious swordsman. Fox McCloud had left without a trace, leaving Lucas as the last Brawler to see him. Pit left in a similar fashion, giving not a clue to his current whereabouts. A certain swordsman, as he always did, spent the night on the castle's rooftop. His pain was softened with the sight of a silent companion, who kept his eyes out on the moon. The swordsman couldn't resist the eruption of a small smile, due to the other's demeanor. It was none other than Lucario, who had been scarce ever since the season's beginning. His disposition towards the others created awkward situations at first, but then another Brawler softened the Pokemon's heart. Nevertheless, the blue being had never been a fan of lively environments. He was also not a fan of severe emotional turmoil, obviously needing the space for quality meditation. Realizing they both shared the same desire, Ike settled himself down with a smile. Pokemon and warrior exchanged a solitary glance, then returned to their matters of inner disorder.
Their hearts eliminated the need for verbal communication.
Morning rose over the Mushroom Kingdom. Golden luminescence poured into their suite, draping itself about their bodies. Despite the warmth of his beloved world, though, he found himself shivering. Tears rushed from his eyes, speaking of his heart's distress. His body trembled, even though it was immersed in the warmth of his lover. He couldn't keep himself from shivering, suffering from the cold clutches of overpowering fear.
"Don't leave...don't leave me. Don't leave me, Marth...please..."
Soft, heavenly eyes gazed straight into his face. Hands of gentle, warm silk cupped his face, and then a long kiss was delivered to the bridge of his nose. "Don't be silly." a voice purred. Fingers rubbed at his cheeks, sending soft strokes to his beard. He sent his dulcet laughter into the air, eyes twinkling with their special magic. "You know I'd never leave you. I adore you, dear knight."
Those words, so soft and sweet, were followed by deep kisses. Their recipient shivered at their delivery, blushing and whispering his frantic plea. Lips continued to fondle him, and an entity of pure light warmed his cold frame. "I'm not leaving you." were the words that poured into his ears, falling into his heart in the form of a whisper. Accompanied the softest kisses he had ever felt, they were continuously repeated. Despite the warmth of his beloved world, though, he couldn't calm down. He couldn't stop crying, couldn't stop whimpering, and couldn't erase the aches of his heart.
"Don't leave me...please don't l-l-leave. Don't leave me, Marth. Don't...don't go..."
A hand tugged on his leg, urgent yet gentle. Tears continued to fall from his closed eyes, and his hands continued to squeeze the life out of his pillow. The recognition of reality came about in a flash, though, and he returned with blurred vision. Tears threatened to overwhelm his existence as he looked about, piecing the events of the night with the morning's puzzle. It was intolerably difficult to register his environment for a few minutes, but then everything became clear. He was no longer in the suite he once shared with Prince Marth. Somehow, in one way or another, he had found his way back to his own room. Must've been magic.
Kirbys, as they had done for the other Brawlers' rooms, dressed Solid Snake's room in the fashion of his home world. For a reason they weren't introduced to, the room's sole inhabitant asked them to refrain from their designs. Instead, he wanted his room to be a blank slate. He had been excited about his decision, leaving the team of interior designers to flounder in momentary confusion. Adding personal touches to your living space was never a crime. Perhaps Snake wanted to play 'interior designer'.
That had been the truth. Keeping his reasons to himself, the mercenary was almost ecstatic about decorating his own headquarters. At the beginning of the Brawl season, he gathered as much memorabilia as he could. Posters, cups and other pieces of décor were painstakingly placed, creating a room that was equal to Fox McCloud's haven. Perhaps both of them shared a deep fondness for family matters. Fox would have admitted to that in a heartbeat, but it would have taken some prying on Snake's end. The reasons behind that were intricate.
He had come to love his room, and all of his newfound belongings. Like a child embracing a new storybook, he had fallen in love with every scrap of the Mushroom Kingdom. And now, as much as it pained him to admit it, everything around him felt cold. His own room, once a sanctuary for childlike innocence, had become a foreign bed of pain. He had used it prior to his first fireworks show with Marth, and that fact was enough to break his heart. He could no longer recognize anything, even though he had used his own hands to acquire it.
Pearly raindrops continued to descend from his eyes. Whimpers ripped themselves from his heart, coming from the pain that resided deep within his chest. Every part of his body was dying in a wave of fire, and so breathing had become a mystifying task. Basic senses were now mysterious exercises, and so it took several minutes to acknowledge his room's other inhabitant. The hand that had tugged at his leg belonged to none other than a pink Yoshi, whose face was wreathed in sadness. The mercenary stared at the creature, clearly puzzled and unable to completely comprehend the other's presence, but then noticed an item in the other's hand.
Tears still falling from his eyes, he studied the little item. It was a small piece of paper-an invitation of some sort.
'I've heard of your misfortune. Meet us on the rooftop. Your presence would be appreciated'.
A small chuckle escaped from his lips, followed by a smile. The smile was far from happy, though, and it broke the Yoshi's heart. It fell right onto the little creature's face, failing to soften any of its whimpers. "Well, it was nice meeting you." the mercenary said, struggling to uphold his smile. For what felt like the first time in eons, he had actually allowed a smile to shine forth. Here was the horrid detail about that particular smile, though. It wasn't genuine.
"I've gotta go now, okay? Thanks for giving this to me."
The Yoshi covered its face with its tiny hands, whimpering. Large tears gushed from its eyes, radiant with incalculable sadness. Several of those tears were caught by gentle hands, but the owner of those hands eventually made his exit. The sobbing creature was left alone, unable to enjoy the sunlight that poured through Solid Snake's windows.
For the very first time, Princess Peach's castle was silent. Snake found that out as soon as he departed from his room, eyes falling upon none of the magic he had become accustomed to. They weren't any prancing Kirbys, showering the room with stars. Wario and Waluigi weren't strolling around, sharing their 'nyahs' and plans for world domination. Bowser wasn't chasing after Princess Peach, who would normally be showering the castle in her morning grace. Pichus weren't running around Pikachu, singing of their admiration for Samus' best friend. Captain Falcon wasn't speaking in third person, singing of his own praises and tormenting Samus with his stories of 'the olden days'. Lucas wasn't trailing behind Ness, who would normally be carrying a mountain of pancakes. Sonic wasn't running around on his beloved sneakers, spouting off lines like 'let's do it to it!' and 'let's have a way past cool day, gang!'.
His world, the world he had come to love, had left him.
His Marth had left him.
The journey to the castle's rooftop had been a painfully long one, despite the familiar distance. Under much lighter circumstances, the trip would have been as simple as reciting the alphabet. He eventually found his destination though, none too happy with his condition. Tears had temporarily ceased their descent, but he knew greater seas would emerge. His insides were still on fire, but pain had temporarily simmered. He had attained enough strength to face the near future, despite the absence of enthusiasm.
Sunlight spilled upon him, bringing him into his chosen destination. Two familiar faces instantly fell into his sight, giving birth to another false smile. "Heh." he said, scratching the back of his neck. "Ike and Falco Lombardi. What a pleasant sight you two make. I expected two men in black robes."
"With a guillotine, no doubt." the blue-haired warrior said. His head was lowered, speaking of his shattered heart. A simple glance would have betrayed the truth of his inner turmoil, for his eyes spoke of the deepest sorrow. He looked as though he hadn't slept in ages, body covered in his yellow cape. "I apologize for my lack of sympathy. Perhaps it would have been preferable to end our lives this very morning, instead of coming together in this fashion. Once again, I apologize."
Tears erupted in Snake's green eyes. On one end, he was happy to be in the company of fellow Brawlers. At the same time, though, it pained him to see that they weren't the least bit happy. They were just as miserable as he was, heads lowered and eyes engraved in a whirlpool of pain. He wanted to jump out and embrace his two companions, but saw that embraces wouldn't have been effective. Nothing could soften their pain.
He took his place next to the silent pilot, bearing the disposition of a timid school child. Awaiting the advent of a cryptic future, he drowned in mournful silence. "I take it you're the one that delivered the invitation." the mercenary eventually said, thoroughly uncomfortable with the lack of voices. The recipient of those words, the swordsman named Ike, nodded.
"You're quite astute. You're not the only one that received a beating last night. Falco and I have endured our fair share of tribulations as well. I thought this little gathering would initiate some sort of healing process, but I'm sorely mistaken. I've done nothing but drive stakes further into our hearts."
Warmth lit up Snake's eyes. He couldn't resist draping an arm about Ike's shoulders. "You're quite the pessimist." he chuckled, earning a soft glare from the blue-haired Brawler. "I had a glimpse of what happened to Falco, but what happened to you? What are you being executed for?"
It pained Ike to think of his own tale. That was apparent, due to his facial expression. For the very first time, Solid Snake witnessed the outbreak of emotion on Ike's face. Every inch of it was covered in thick, heavy sorrow. "Apparently I'm a cold, unfeeling brute." were his first words, hoarse and frail. "I don't have the ability to connect with another soul, human or otherwise."
"Before you even ask, I'm an idiot." a certain bird put in, gaining the attention of both Ike and Snake. "I hid myself from someone I care for, and now he wants nothing more to do with me."
"So we're the same." was the mercenary's instant response. His face attained the brightness of a Christmas tree, but it was tainted by his heart's fragile rhythm. "You and I are the same! We're both idiots! How about that, huh?"
Falco Lombardi intended on giving him a glare, but it turned out to be the frown of an alienated soul. "I take some comfort in that, but not much." he said, then released a sigh. "It's nice to know that we've got something in common, but I would be much happier if that something wasn't stupidity."
Snake looked into Ike's face. The swordsman said nothing, succumbing to his own thoughts. "Mind giving us the details?" the mercenary said softly, noticing that his voice was about to break. Speaking had become a horrid task, which was a rather ridiculous thing to admit. Something that had been so easy was now excruciating.
"Sure. Why not? I've got nothing to lose. I've been in love with a certain someone for two years, but never said anything. I thought I'd push him away...if I told him my entire story. I thought I'd scare him off...by telling him everything that stood behind my name. And so I kept my life a secret, hoping that I'd always keep his smile near. Hoping. Hoping that he'd never leave my side, and I'd always be able to protect him. In the end, though, I have been left alone. I wanted to bring him closer to me, but I ran. I ran away from everything I had to give-from everything he had to give."
Snake and Ike exchanged glances, both of them acknowledging a solitary fact.
All three of them had something in common.
"What were you hiding, pray tell?" the swordsman asked softly, issuing his words in a cautious, soothing manner.
"Oh, nothing of any significance. Just my connection to a band of intergalactic assassins, who were out to take over the Lylat System. I'd rather not dive into every detail, but I will share this with all of you. After a long series of events, I was forced to sign a contract. Through that contract, I gained the title of bona-fide criminal. I did nothing with that particular title, bringing a thousand sessions of punishment on my own head, but I couldn't find a way to escape. Not for the longest time, anyway. The details of my escape are a bit blurry right now, but somehow...I managed to emerge from those dark bonds. I haven't been able to share anything with him, though, and that's because...I'm afraid. I don't want him to know...and so I pushed him away."
None of them said a word for five minutes, and then Snake took the baton. The words 'I understand' were written in his eyes, warm and gleaming with acres of regretful sunshine. "I didn't want him to find out my background." he began, trying to uphold a smile. "I didn't want him to find anything out about me. I wanted...I just wanted...things to stay the way...they began. I didn't want the truth to come out. At the same time, I didn't want to hurt him...but...I didn't want him to see who I really am. I didn't...didn't want him to find out that...I'm not even...human."
At this point, his voice had become even more fragile than an angel's feather. Shivering, he allowed himself to issue every last tear inside of his heart. "I didn't want Marth to see me." he sobbed, burying his face in his hands. A second later, though, they were gently removed by Ike. Ike's firm, immortal eyes burrowed deep into his perpetually tearful ones. "I didn't want him to see me." the mercenary repeated, clearly unused to giving off raw emotion. "I don't know how it happened, but somehow he found out. Somehow...he found out everything he needed to know. And I knew. I knew...something like that would happen. I shouldn't have let him go, but I did...and I lost him. He thinks I lied about everything, but that's not true! That's not true...not true at all!"
With his thoughts broken by tears, Snake fell into an overpowering vortex. "He's different!" he cried out, taken into the arms of both Ike and Falco. "He sees me as a liar, but that's not right! I...he's different from the rest! I didn't lie to him! I love him! I really, truly love him! The others meant NOTHING to me! I'll say it a million times if I have to! I just want him to hear me! I just want him to know that I DO love him, and I WASN'T lying! I wasn't lying and I'm sorry! I don't even deserve him but I'm sorry! I DID love him!"
Minutes passed, with only the mercenary's tears for a melody. Ike closed his eyes while holding his friend, thinking of an angel that had vanished on him. Falco dove into his own thoughts, thinking of a certain someone's smile. Their friend sobbed in the protection they offered, with the two of them exchanging their own thoughts through glances. Snake regained the capability to speak after five minutes, but oceans were still making their way from his eyes.
"You know, I'm glad. I'm glad the Committee invited me here. I'm glad Peach welcomed me into her castle. I'm glad I got to meet all of you. For my entire life, I was surrounded by people that couldn't have cared less about me, and so I didn't know. I didn't know what it was like to have...a real family. I didn't know what it was like to have a home."
I didn't know what it was like to be in love.
"I've come to love it here. I thought I could stay here. I thought I had actually found a place to call home, but...I was wrong. I...I don't even belong here."
At those words, Ike's heart dropped a million miles. Those words pressed some of the swordsman's buttons, smashing his heart into innumerable pieces. "I can't stay here." the mercenary said, his words instilling themselves into the hearts of his friends. "I don't belong here. I was an idiot for even accepting my damned invitation. Who was I to think that the cloned son of a bastard could actually fit into a place like this? And why don't either one of you care? Why hasn't anyone shot me down because of what I am?"
"That's an easy one." Ike replied, giving off a rare smile. "My friend, those with pure hearts were invited to dwell within the castle. Pushing my own preferences for sleeping arrangements aside, those with pure souls were brought together by the hands of the Committee. While we all carry our own burdens, we all hold one similarity-and that is light. We all hold the light that comes from dreams, broken or newborn. We all hold the ability to love, promise and hope. And so we sense no evil in you, Solid Snake. On the behalf of all Brawlers, despite my current position as an outcast, I would like to say that I sense no evil in you. Your heart is just as pure as the heart of a Pikachu. And if you want to throw dirt on someone, throw your dirt on me. At least Marth knows of your past! Pit knows nothing of mine!"
At those words, all three of them burst into a session of laughter. "Fox doesn't have a clue about my past either!" a particular pilot declared, tears flowing from his eyes. "So Ike and I share a stronger connection, Snake! It seems like you've got the upper hand in all of this! We are the idiots! You're the noble beast hiding himself in his own castle!"
"And do not forget, my friend, that I too was a mercenary. All three of us were burdened with our own contracts, it seems! I too hid myself underneath meaningless tasks, going in every direction without a prayer to my name! You weren't the only one bogged down with orders!"
"At least you two were born into real families! I had 'The World's Biggest Prick' as my biological father, and don't even ask me about my mother! I'm surprised I even know what a mother is, hahahahahahaha!"
"I remember nothing of my mother, you knave, and my father bestowed little affection unto me! We only connected during his last seconds within the mortal coil, and I had the honor of holding his lifeless body in my arms! What's more, I had the opportunity to protect him-but failed to do so! Not to mention that I lost the first one I ever gave my heart to! I'm much more pathetic than you are, Sir Snake! The same applies to you, Falco Lombardi, so stop feeling sorry for yourselves! You're wasting your time!"
"For your information, selfish wretch, I don't remember my parents. The only family I had was a bunch of assassins! Did you all take 'bad memory pills' this morning? I just told you I was drafted into a band of intergalactic killers! I didn't have a mother or father either!"
"Oh, I forgot. I forgot I had a brother, hahahahahaha! He went by the name of Liquid Snake. We spent our lives trying to kill each other, and all because he thought I had stolen his birthright! Dad sold him short, and I got the better end of the deal! That's what he thought, anyway!"
At those words, the trio's laughter became uproarious. It was an awful thing to acknowledge, but the three Brawlers came together underneath the same sun...and underneath harsh circumstances. All three of them laughed at their own misfortunes, tragedies and heartache, enjoying each other's company immensely. They couldn't have been happier to be near each other, despite the heaviness of their respective burdens.
"Right after I confessed my love to my dear Soren, he was killed right before my very eyes! And I held him in my arms, crying my soul out! Hahahahahahaha! I swore to myself that I'd never love again! What a wretched fool I am!"
"I poked jokes at Fox's dead father so many times, I actually thought he'd kill me!"
"I was created to destroy, not love! I've slept underneath a box, lived in the jungle, and I've even been tortured! I'm a beast, all right! I still can't over the fact that I'm not even human!"
The laughter continued for minutes on end, tying the three of them closer together. As soon as the laughter subsided, though, sadness returned to all three of their hearts. It formed another fragile, shaky smile upon Solid Snake's face. "I needed that." he said softly, lowering his head. Concern broke out on Ike's face, and Falco winced.
"Heh. Thanks guys. I've never laughed like that before. It may not have been over a barrel of real jokes, but...I needed that. Thanks. That's why...I love it here. I'm...surrounded by people that actually listen to me. It's too bad I don't belong here."
"Who says you don't? Come on! Didn't you hear what Ike said? We're all friends here, regardless of our differences!"
The swordsman, pilot and mercenary exchanged glances. That voice wasn't a part of their trio, but it was awfully familiar.
"Come on! Get it together, you guys! You've got to keep stiff upper lips if you're gonna get your lovers back! I'm not gonna drag around sour faces. That's not my style!"
Ike and Snake exchanged their own glance of astonishment. In mere seconds, a familiar blue figure bounded into their view, brimming with his own brand of energy. Emerald green eyes brightened their entire world, and red sneakers seemed to glow with their own fire. "Right on target, you guys!" the hedgehog declared happily, giving the trio a 'thumbs-up'. "It's none other than everyone's favorite hedgehog, and the coolest Brawler of the bunch!"
Falco frowned, shaking his head. Snake glanced at the disgruntled bird with an affectionate smile, chuckling. "So. What are you doing here, oh way past cool one?" he asked the hedgehog, eyes twinkling.
Sonic the Hedgehog dusted himself off. "That's easy! The Committee sent me here, and it's not the Committee you're thinking of!"
What Committee is Sonic representing? What is our trio in for? Will their shattered love lives be repaired, or are they doomed to devastation? And how will Lucas fit into all of this?!
Stay tuned to find out more!