Disclaimer: Not mine, story is.
A/N: Some of you may notice that this chapter came out three days early. I usually update on Saturday night. It is Wednesday night. Why? Because I've finished school/exams! Ahem, this is a joy because I can finally write with time on my hands and writing is so enjoyable, never mind that other people may not find it so. I was seriously considering not continuing this story…due to many reasons. But I realised that I've never finished a multi-chaptered fic. So I intend to try and finish this one, at least. I just can't leave it floating in mid-air, now can I?
* This is sort of important… There are two chapters here. The first part belongs to chapter 5. It's the last part…from where you last read. I didn't add it in before because it would have given something of relative importance away too early on and I don't want this to feel rushed. I think you can all figure out where chapter 6 starts… right under the beautiful, beautiful lyrics by the Goo Goo Dolls.
~ A thank you to everyone who reviewed! How nice! Here I'll be answering some questions from the readers and maybe some random ranting…
beckboo: Marth and Roy both have been in a Fire Emblem game but, as far as I know, they've never been in the same adventure. They've each had their own, completely different quests to follow and have actually never met. I've never played the games but I have SSB:M and their trophies state a different adventure for each.
Li Kayun: "hot, flaming cute"?? Hmmm…that sounds funny, in some way. I guess I just wanted to make him different. Actually, I wanted to make all the characters different from what they're usually portrayed as. I guess I just like contradicting people. So I went my own stubborn way and wrote them all differently. I haven't read all fics, of course, but from what I have read… Anyway I guess I have made Link rather 'mopey'…oops. It's strangely hard to keep them in character for some reason…oh well. I'm trying my best. Well, thanks for reviewing!
~ And ah…Men are just so easily overcome by hormones. Don't blame me. They are. Blame them.
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"Please tell me why I'm not surprised to find you here." Marth had gone straight to the training room, perhaps to release some stress, only to find that an elf had beaten him to it. Link whirled around at the sound of his friend's voice, chest heaving slowly from his previous exertion.
"Marth."
"Do you ever tire, Link?"
"I…" Link made a face and sheathed his sword, "what are you doing here?"
"Am I not allowed in here? Or is it reserved only for elves?"
Link bristled and muttered something inaudible under his breath. Marth smiled at the sight.
"Where's Roy?" Link asked casually, approaching the prince. He combed through his blonde bangs with a gauntlet-covered hand. Marth shrugged.
"I don't know. I left him outside but he might be wandering somewhere in the building for all I know," he said. Link frowned momentarily.
"Why did you leave him alone? I'll go look for him…"
"He's not a child, Link," said Marth holding the retreating elf back and letting go slowly, "he's hardly younger than you." Link eyed the blue-haired prince strangely.
"I know…I just wanted to…" but the elf trailed off suddenly.
"You'd rather," Marth crossed his arms in a subconscious act of anger, "be with him than with me?" Link cringed involuntarily. It wasn't that he didn't like Marth's company. He adored Marth's company, actually, now that he thought about it. But the pressure that his friend put on him…that special pressure was too much sometimes and it weighed him down. Roy, on the other hand, was different. He was young and fresh and so full of the light and happiness that Link never possessed at that age. Not that he was that much older… And how to explain it all?
Link placed a hand on his forehead wearily, "Marth…you know that's not true." But Marth just clenched his jaw tighter and stood glaring at the elf silently. He was practically fuming!
"Roy's just… I only… I…" Link stuttered under the silent rage of his friend.
"I see."
Link stared back warily. "What?"
"You're quite taken with him."
"What?" Link couldn't help gaping at the deadly serious look his friend was giving him. He was completely taken aback and had not expected to be confronted with something like this.
"Don't think I haven't noticed!" Marth's strange rant continued, "you're always so protective of him and-" Link, in a sudden and determined move, reached forward to kiss Marth's lips. Marth's hands flew to his lips staring wide-eyed at Link. "And…" The argument was completely forgotten as both swordsmen stood staring at each other in shock.
"I…I'm sorry," Link looked absolutely mortified at what he had done, as if he didn't believe it himself. Then he turned on his heel and sped off away down the corridor connected to the training room. And Marth just stood there, hands on his lips still, staring ahead and not knowing what to do.
* * *
"I don't know what came over me, Zelda!" Link was clutching his head while sitting on the bench of the dining hall's long table. Zelda was pouring some cold milk into a glass and then handed it to him before sitting down next to him.
"I guess," Link's mouth twisted into a bitter smile, "it was to get him to shut up." They were both silent for a while, Link fingering his glass absent-mindedly.
"Well," Zelda said after a moment, "I think it's good that you got it out of your system. It's better than keeping those feelings inside and letting them choke you." Link almost did choke on his milk.
"I mean," Zelda added quickly, realising what Link had thought, "about telling me! Not about the kiss…" Link, in response, sighed heavily and held his head, elbows on the polished surface of the table.
"I was just wondering," Zelda asked cautiously, glancing at Link's slumped form, "if…well, what Marth said was true…" She expected a heated denial or an angry elf jumping to his feet and accusing her. But all she got from Link was another sigh before he turned to look at her, confusion in his cerulean eyes.
"I'm betraying Marth, aren't I?"
* * *
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"…
And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything feels like the movies
And you bleed just to know you're alive
And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
…"
Goo Goo Dolls ~ Iris
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
With the month of January over, everyone was in a frenzy as February was the last month before the tournament officially started. Mario, in particular, was zooming all over the place, tweaking and fixing small details, getting everything ready, preparing options and whatnot. The training room couldn't be used because it was being 'remodelled' and the new version would be a surprise for everyone, according to Mario. And because the tournament was so close at hand, everyone was nervous and jerky. Everyone, that was, except a certain red-haired swordsman.
"How can you look so…calm?" Captain Falcon looked over at Roy in disgust who was reading a book in an armchair and humming to himself cheerfully.
"Hmm?" the boy looked up at the Captain, obviously not having heard him.
"Never mind," Capt. Falcon sat back in the sofa and crossed his arms glumly. Donkey Kong was sitting in one of the farther (and bigger) sofas and seemed to be grunting something to the pokémon, except Mewtwo, whom were listening with rapt attention. Doctor Mario was standing with Luigi and Mr. Game&Watch in a corner of the common room, probably discussing something or other. Samus, who had mysteriously disappeared for a few days, was sitting alone in one of the sofas and was back with polishing her gun-arm. Just then, Fox and Falco burst into the room quarrelling.
"Why do you have to be so arrogant?!" screamed Fox at his team member.
"Me? Arrogant? Look who's talking!"
"The hell do you mean by that??"
"Why don't you godamn think about it!?"
Suddenly, Roy slammed his book shut and stood up looking extremely irritated. "Hey!" he addressed the Star Fox members, "I'm trying to read. Please go fight elsewhere, if you two don't mind." He then promptly sat down and opened his book once more. Fox seemed about to apologise but Falco was shaking with fury.
"Don't tell me what to do," Falco said. Roy shut his book slowly but didn't stand up or even turn to look at the avian. The room had gone deathly quiet. Even Samus had stopped her cleaning ministrations.
"I asked politely," Roy said without looking up.
"Well mind your own business. Keep out of my way next time, kid." In an instant Roy was towering above Falco, sword out and book lying forgotten on the floor. But Falco had whipped out his gun in that sudden movement and both stood glowering at each other, their weapons pointing threateningly at the other.
"Falco!" Fox moved forward to maybe try and separate the two but his friend barked ferociously at him. "Stay out of this, Fox!"
"Now, now, boys…" Doctor Mario held his arms out and was treading carefully over to them as if they were bombs about to explode.
"Shut up!" Falco shouted while still glaring at Roy.
"I would much appreciate it if you'd stopped screaming, bird," Roy said viciously, his sword never wavering.
"Lets take this outside, kid," Falco growled. He knew that Roy detested being called a child and savoured the look of outrage on the boy's face.
"This is getting out of control!" Fox cried raising his arms heavenward in despair. The doctor looked on worryingly as Roy and Falco left the room and exited outside.
"I think someone should go see that they don't get hurt…" said the doctor quietly to Fox but allowed no-one else to leave to see the fight in case it angered them even more. Pichu started whimpering.
"Oh, don't be dramatic," cried Luigi to the pokémon but shut up after an admonishing look from the doctor.
* * *
When Fox ran outside, Roy and Falco were already circling each other and looking murderous. Fox was filled with panic; duelling outside the arenas was completely forbidden as the fights were absolutely real. Pain and everything. Someone could get seriously injured…
"Falco, don't be rash!" Fox cried running forward but stopped abruptly when Falco shot the floor in front of his boots.
"I'm not fooling, Fox," Falco said seriously. Roy was lowering his sword, maybe thinking twice about what he was getting into. "You're not going anywhere, kid!" said Falco turning around and pointing the gun at Roy who immediately stiffened and raised his sword uncertainly.
"Neither are you, bird brain!" Roy's eyes were almost glowing in his anger. Fox stood there, helpless and feeling a headache coming on. At Roy's insult, Falco fired his gun and the burning laser hit Roy's chest with deadly accuracy. Roy cried out in pain and clawed at his blackened breastplate. Not put off by the attack, Roy lunged forward with his sword, managing to nick some of the feather's from Falco's ducking head. Falco was preparing to fire at Roy's cloaked back as he turned to slash again at the bird when Link ran outside, followed by Marth and a concerned-looking Mario. Falco momentarily faltered at the burst of people running towards him but it was too late to stop the fire that shot across the ground at Roy.
Roy was rooted to the spot as Falco's laser hit his shoulder with a thick, burning sensation that made his head feel light and he lost his footing. He fell backwards…only to be caught by Marth and watched as a green-clad elf leapt in front of him to protect him from another blasting fire. Link had no armour to protect him like Roy, and he collapsed to the ground while in the next instant Mario and Fox were upon a half-scared, half-crazed Falco.
"What is the matter with you?!" roared a disconcerting-looking Mario on top of a struggling blue-feathered avian, who stilled when Fox said something to him that wasn't discernable from where the swordsmen were.
"You two could have seriously gotten hurt!" cried the plumber who was now dragging a trembling Falco into the building where almost everyone was peeping out the door or a window. "It is against the rules to battle anywhere else other than the specially-designed arenas!" carried on the plumber, "the both of you are forbidden to leave your rooms until further notice! I will think up of a suitable punishment." Mario then looked over at the crumpled heap of an elf and motioned for Dr. Mario to go help him while at the same time not allowing anyone to go outside. He disappeared inside the building and shooed everyone away while taking Falco and Fox into his office.
Marth and Roy had not moved. The boy was still in Marth's arms but the both of them were paralysed on the spot, staring at Link's fallen body. They seemed to snap out of it when Dr. Mario approached Link and began examining him.
"Can you stand?" whispered Marth to a shocked-looking Roy. The red-haired youth nodded slowly and shakily stood up while Marth let go and hurried over to Link's side. He knelt beside the elf, alongside Dr. Mario, just as everyone (except Mario and the Star Fox members) poured out of the building and surrounded Link.
"Oh, dear goddesses!" gasped Zelda covering her mouth with a gloved hand. Young Link was clutching at her dress and looking terrified. The pokémon were whimpering and even Ganondorf was shaking his head, although he was standing farther away from everyone else. Roy recovered his senses and ran to the suffocating crowd that was looming over Link. He pushed his way through only to be met with a dreadful sight. Link, the strong, stoic elf warrior, was lying on the grass looking broken and vulnerable. It seemed that Falco's blast had hit him right in the chest, just like it had with Roy, but Link's top part of his tunic was burnt to a crisp and his chest was blanketed with blood. It was rising in short, irregular bursts and he was breathing with difficulty, his breath hitching every now and then. Dr. Mario was checking his pulse and carefully removing the obstructing piece of cloth that still covered his chest. Marth was kneeling beside Link and his face was ghastly pale.
Roy was filled with insurmountable guilt and worry. Anger welled up in him at the crowd that was of no help and he began pushing at the nearest Smashers and shouting that Link needed help, not morbid, watching eyes. But no-one listened to him. Link's injury was too much of a shock to them.
"Please make way. I need to get through," a small dainty voice rose above the crowding fighters. Peach, dressed in a white dress (complete with white tights, white shoes, gloves and even a white crown) appeared carrying a stretcher of sorts. The crowd parted to let her though and Dr. Mario hurried over to help her with the stretcher. Together they managed to place Link on top of it and with surprising ease they lifted him up and slowly made their way into the building. Marth blinked and ran up to the waddling doctors.
"Please," Dr. Mario puffed, starting to get red in the face but not slowing down his pace, "it would be better if you didn't get in our way just now. Link needs immediate attention. When we're finished we'll call you, if you wish." Marth hung his head but stopped following them anyway. They turned a corner and disappeared from his sight.
The prince went back outside, only to see Roy backing away from an angry, advancing mob.
"It wasn't my fault!" Roy's deep voice carried over to Marth who now began running up to them. He noticed some of the Smashers had left, probably not bothered with blaming Roy, but Captain Falcon, Donkey Kong and Ness remained. The ape roared something and Captain Falcon grabbed Roy by the scruff, his other hand rearing back, preparing to punch Roy in the face. But before it could connect, Marth dived at Capt. Falcon bringing him crashing down onto the floor.
"We don't need any more injuries," hissed Marth and before anyone else could react he grabbed Roy's wrist and pulled him all the way inside.
"You still need to see Mario," Marth said darkly and pulled a guilty-looking Roy along the many corridors to Mario's office. They were both silent as Marth let go of Roy's wrist and knocked on the door where the plumber awaited.
"Come in."
Marth pushed Roy inside and closed the door behind him. They began talking since Marth could hear muffled voices inside. He paced in front of the door, waiting for Mario to finish his scolding and wondering what he was going to do and not knowing what to think at all. He didn't know if he felt angry at Roy for what had happened or relieved that nothing worse had happened to the boy. But he only thought of Link's bloodied body and he was overcome with nauseating worry. He shouldn't blame anyone so quickly; being a prince he had to keep a cool head and a fair judgment. But still… Falco should never have…
Roy stepped out from the room and clicked the door shut quietly. He looked up at Marth then (who had stopped pacing) and his eyes clearly stated that he was profoundly sorry.
"Marth…I…" Roy made fists and looked at them, avoiding Marth's eyes, "I'm really sorry and…I wanted to thank you…you and Link for…helping me…what I did was…really…stupid…"
Marth sighed, closing his eyes, "hey, you're not to blame. What you did was stupid," he opened his eyes to gaze at Roy warmly, "but when Link and I heard you were in some sort of 'trouble' we just rushed to see you didn't get hurt…I guess we didn't expect…that to happen."
Roy tried a smile but the poor boy looked crestfallen.
"Lets go visit Link…" he said.
"Aren't you confined to your room?" Marth asked, not unkindly, raising an eyebrow. Roy winced and nodded.
"I'll…just go then…" he said, starting to walk past Marth to his room.
"Roy… I'll keep you company," Marth said catching up with Roy. The boy smiled gratefully at Marth. None of them wanted to be alone right now.
* * *
When Link fell into darkness, he readily welcomed it. Maybe he had forgotten the pain in battles- having been so used to being shot, slashed, bitten and whatever without feeling anything in the arenas. And because of that he had been careless. Of course the blast was going to be real. Had he expected a percentage rise only? But better him than Roy…
"Roy's in trouble…" Doctor Mario had said when they went to see what was the matter, having heard a commotion outside. Without another word Link had bolted away, Marth at his heels.
Maybe it had just been instinct to dive in front of Roy and receive the fire. He would have done it for anyone else. It was in his nature…maybe…
And now, eyelids forcing themselves to open, even though Link's mind tried to refuse them, the elf opened his eyes reluctantly. All at once everything came piercing down on him and the searing pain in his chest caused a scream to bubble forth from his lips.
Immediately he felt someone soothing his bangs away from his eyes and looked up to see Peach clad all in white.
"You…" croaked out Link, trying to ignore the abominable pain, "look like a…nurse?"
She giggled. "That's another of my specialties," she winked. Doctor Mario came over to his bed and checked some monitors beside him before placing a hand on Link's forehead and removing it.
"Link, it appears that you will be all right. Peach, I thank you for your help," they both reached out a hand over Link's lying form and shook it. Link looked down to see that all his clothes, except for his hose, were gone and that his chest was bandaged neatly. He pulled the covers up higher.
"I didn't know there was a hospital wing here," Link mumbled from beneath the blankets.
"My, yes!" said Dr. Mario looking around the cosy room, "but we never intended to use it. It was placed in the building, out of the way…we never actually thought we'd really come to need it. I guess it was built 'just in case'." Link nodded sheepishly.
"We were actually quite worried," said Peach, "your wound was rather deep-"
"But you're strong!" the doctor put in with a smile.
"Nevertheless," Peach said, raising a finger, "you must rest in here for a few weeks-"
"Or just a few days, depending on your strength," said Dr. Mario.
"Humph!" Peach eyed Doctor Mario, "anyway. Mario will want to see you in a bit. Rest up, okay?"
"Oh and if you need anything," the doctor pointed at a small red button in the wall next to Link's bed, "just press this switch and we'll come to your needs."
"I'll come bring you your food-"
"And the bathroom's over there," Dr. Mario pointed at a door on the other side of the room, "everything all right?"
Link's eyebrows were furrowed but he nodded nonetheless. Finally they both left and Link had barely begun to drift off when a knock came on his door.
"Yes?" Link choked out. His chest hurt but he could manage it. Mario shuffled into the room and closed the door softly behind him.
"How are you feeling-a?"
"I'm fine…considering. Thank you."
"I'm-a glad. Everyone was worried. Many wanted to come visit you but I prohibited it until you were feeling better."
"Ah…thanks."
Mario nodded, "also. I think that maybe we'll need to postpone the tournament-"
"What? Why?" Link sat up but immediately regretted it at the burning pain in his chest and he flopped back down again.
"Are you OK?" Mario was at his side peering down at the elf worriedly.
"Yeah, yeah…just…you don't need to postpone the tournament!"
"But," Mario looked taken aback, "how can we continue it if one of our players is injured to a point where he can't even stand up??" Link had no reply to that. He felt useless.
"Sorry…but I believe there's no other way. Not until you get better, anyway."
"But…if I get better before the tournament starts?"
Mario looked at Link critically. "That's-a bit risky…you can't start fighting after weeks of rest! You'll be all tender and weak…"
It was looking hopeless to Link. "Then…then…you can postpone the tournament…but not the fighting!"
"What do you mean?"
"Start with different things!" Link was forming an idea in his head.
"Hmm? Like what?"
"Like…having matches…kind of like mock matches where the outcome doesn't really mean anything! Not like in the tournament anyway…matches that aren't looking for one winner. Battles against anyone, anywhere. Just random melees for fun…fighting…just for the heck of it!" Link was staring up at Mario hopefully.
"Sounds interesting…" Mario tapped his chin, "but it might get old soon…"
"Then expand on the original Smash Brother's one player mode! Have a fighter battle his way through different Smashers in their corresponding arenas…with races and small activities like that…"
"I see what you're getting at…I'll propose your ideas to the other Smashers. I'm sure they'll agree if they hear that the tournament has been postponed…" with that, the plumber patted Link's hand and left the room.
* * *
Marth paced the expanse of Roy's room as the boy himself sat on his bed watching the prince.
"You can sit down, you know," said Roy with a touch of amusement.
"Well, yes…thank you but…"
Roy sighed, "I know you're worried about him…but he'll be fine…" Roy started taking off his blackened breastplate gingerly.
"You sure you're not hurt?" asked Marth spotting the damaged blue armour. Roy bit his lip nodding but Marth came over to sit with him anyway when the boy sucked in breath.
"What is it, Roy?"
"N-no, I'm fine, really…" Roy tried turning away from Marth but the prince gently lifted up Roy's shirt and rose his eyebrows at the large, dark bruise forming on the boy's chest. Roy coughed guiltily.
"Oh well," he said pulling his shirt back down again, "I guess I deserve it…"
"Don't say that!" Marth said suddenly, gripping Roy by the shoulder. When Roy flinched in pain Marth crossed his arms and gave the red-haired swordsman a knowing and accusing look.
"Your shoulder is hurt too…" he said.
"I had forgotten," Roy said truthfully, placing a tentative finger on his shoulder and cringing at the contact, "I think the blast got me there…"
Marth stood up, "I'll go get Dr. Mario."
"No! I can take care of this myself. Really, I'm sure it's nothing."
"Roy…"
"Marth, please! I don't want to be anymore…trouble." Roy stared at the floor.
"You're not trouble…you're just stubborn!" sighed Marth and sat down next to Roy again. "At least let me help you… I doubt you'll be able to take your shirt off by yourself," said Marth already tugging at Roy's tunic. But Roy jerked away.
"I'm not a little boy! I can do this by myself!"
Marth sat back and crossed his arms, "fine. Lets see you try."
Roy reached down to pull his tunic over his head but stopped at the pain that flashed through his shoulder. He tried again but again the pain was too much. He tried taking the shirt off by shrinking his elbows back in but the movement set painful sparks off. He scowled in defeat and glared at Marth indignantly. Marth just raised an eyebrow and a small smirk played on his lips.
"Oh, all right, you can help!" Roy sulked. Marth laughed, reaching over and in one swift movement he yanked the tunic over Roy's head.
"See? That wasn't so bad," Marth said, folding up Roy's shirt neatly and placing it on a nearby table. Roy stared.
"You don't need to fold it…"
"Habit, I guess," shrugged Marth. Then he turned his attention on Roy's shoulder.
"Ooh, that looks rather painful," said Marth placing a finger over the burnt flesh. Roy winced. "I think you need to see-"
"No!"
Marth rolled his eyes, "such a stolid child." At Roy's death-glare he grinned, "okay, okay…here, let me fetch some bandages since you refuse to be treated by a proper doctor…" Marth slipped out of the room.
Roy shivered since now all he was wearing were his breeches and his boots. He crossed his room into the bathroom and found some disinfectant in his cabinet. He cleaned his wound at the sink (wincing every now and then) and lay back down on his bed just as Marth came in, bandages in hand.
"First we should clean your shoulder," Marth said.
"I did that already…" Roy grumbled from the bed.
"Oh really? Lets have a look…ah, right, I guess all you need now are the bandages."
"I can-"
"No, I'm doing it," and just like that Marth made Roy sit up properly and gently began to bandage up Roy's stinging shoulder. When he was done he sat back to admire his work.
"How does it feel?" Marth asked. Roy rotated his shoulder a little bit.
"Better, I guess…thanks."
"You're welcome."
They both fell silent then, both suddenly feeling awkward. By helping Roy, Link had been pushed out of Marth's mind. And now they were both wondering, hoping that Link was all right.
"I'm so tired…" Roy laid back down on the bed, his eyelids drooping. It had been a tiring day. Mentally and physically.
"Do you want me to leave?"
"…no."
"Are you sure?"
"…yes."
Marth sat on the bed, watching as Roy drifted off to sleep beside him. For some reason, the sight of a sleeping Roy softened Marth. The boy…obstinate and fiery…but really only a boy. Yet he knew that he wasn't- he was as strong as any full-grown warrior. He never knew what compelled him to, but Marth reached out and placed a hand on the side of Roy's sleeping face. Roy slowly opened his eyes half-way but instead of Marth taking his hand away, he only stroked Roy's cheek softly. The soothing touch caused Roy to close his eyes again and he fell into a deep slumber. Marth continued caressing his skin and his silken, scarlet hair. When Roy sighed in his sleep Marth pulled his hand away, finally. Marth covered his eyes, as if realising what he had done and trying to block the sight of the sleeping boy in front of him. He stumbled to his feet and left the room, a million confusing thoughts running through his head.