Chapter Twelve

At first all Samus could see was darkness. It gradually began to get lighter and lighter, until a long stone hall was visible. Voices could be heard.

"Cornelius, it isn't right to do something like this!" a feminine voice pleaded.

"He has to learn! If he can't then I don't want anything to do with him!" angrily replied a deep make voice.

"Please! It's wrong! You'll destroy who he is!"

"If he can't be what this country needs then there is no point to have a son! I don't want someone as useless as him running my kingdom!"

"Dear! You can't!"

There was a slapping noise, and Samus felt a wave of hurt pass through her. Whose feelings were these? She peered around a slightly opened door. The blond froze in shock.

"Stop it! You're hurting him!"

"Shut up wife! You will do as you're told and go to our chambers! Now!"

A beautiful woman with tears streaming down her face burst out the door. Samus almost expected the woman to bump into her but she passed right through.

"Stupid wife. She's supposed to stand there and be pretty not give opinions. Now…back to you."

He said the word "you" as if he was disgusted. There was a soft noise, almost a sob, but not quite.

"I tried! I really did father!"

"Then why couldn't you accomplish it?!"

"I-I can't-"

"You can and you will even if I have to personally teach you with whatever means I need to use!"

There was then a short cry of pain and Samus watched as a young boy who looked to be about eight years old shrink away from a tall blonde man. The man bent down and picked up the boy by the shirt collar.

"Listen Marth. You will do what I say or suffer the consequences!"

"I can't…I can't kill her! I won't kill a slave girl no matter how far below us you say she is!"

"You will do what I say!! Even if I have to force you and break all the measly weak bones in your body!"

He threw Marth against the opposite wall, causing him to land near a still Samus. This was horrible. It was wrong in every way.

The intimidating man stepped forward, grabbing his son again.

"Do it."

"No! I don't…I don't have to rule this country like you did! This is the reason Aritia is being torn apart by war!"

"How dare you!? That is called treason boy!"

"I don't care! You can't do this and you can't force me to do it either!"

Without a word the man's grip tightened, and Samus could see Marth start to squirm in pain. It was wrong. Utterly and totally wrong.


The next place she found herself in was a room much a like to the first, only slightly bigger. It consisted of the same two people shown to her before, although they were both slightly older. The boy was now a teen.

"You cannot show mercy in the battlefield and you cannot falter in your resolve. You must slay your enemy and do it quickly. Understood?"

"Yes father."

His voice was dull and lifeless, lacking any soul at all. He was like a puppet.

"You shall cut through anyone in your way. Don't trust anyone or anything to save you; your destiny is in your own hands. Understood?"

"Yes father."

Samus could feel the empty emotion of pain in her own heart. She knew it must be what Marth had been feeling, just like how Mewtwo had said it would be.

"Pain and comrades are meaningless. Family means nothing. You simply follow my orders. Understood."

"Yes…father."

"I said UNDERSTOOD?"

"Yes father."

"Good. Now, I would like you to bring me five prisoners. Be quick or the punishment will be severe."

"I will do what you ask."

Marth walked briskly out the door, and Samus could see a limp in his leg that she had noted earlier when she first met Marth. In fact the only differences that she noted about him were that he was younger and he didn't have the falchion blade that he now possessed.

"And Marth."

He turned. "Yes?"

"Bring your sister also. I need a word with her."

"Y-Yes."

She could feel his fear.


A voice. A soft voice. Someone was singing. The song felt awfully familiar but Samus couldn't place it. A woman's voice. She sounded so lovely, but darkness surrounded it as if trapped. It was a sad song.


In the next vision there was horrible screaming, a terrible noise that hurt her ears. Marth was holding a man by his shirt collar, his eyes emotionless as he stared into the other man's dark green eyes.

"P-Prince Marth! What are you doing?!" The man asked, obviously terrified.

"Disposing of you."

"W-Why?! What did I do?!"

"You questioned my father. He told you specifically what you had to do."

Marth raised his sword up, but was stopped by the man's shaky but firm voice.

"What happened to you? What happened to the Prince I used to know; the kind and gentle one?"

Marth's grip tightened on the sword, and his arm was visibly trembling. His grasp on the man's collar loosened a bit until he let go altogether.

"Go. Don't ever come back," Marth said hoarsely.

"But Prince-"

"Go!"

The man scurried off, leaving the still Marth behind. Samus could feel a wave of emotions brush over her; anger, hurt, sorrow. Mostly fear.

"Marth! Come here!"

The blunette's head snapped around to the voice of his father, his eyes widening.

"Come here boy."

Marth darted over, his face paling.

"Why did you let him go?"

"H-He-"

"No excuses! Come with me!"

Marth was practically dragged back into the castle, tears streaming down his face. His father was frowning deeply. Suddenly another blue haired woman stepped in front of him with a determined look.

"Father, put Marth down."

"I don't listen to you Ellis."

"Put. Him. Down."

"I told you-"

She had her bow drawn tight, an arrow ready to shoot into his heart. The blonde man faltered, and then laughed.

"You don't have the guts to kill me."

Her arm was shaking and tears sprung to her eyes as her father brushed by. Samus could hear her soft whisper.

"I'm sorry Marth. I tried."


"Ellis! No! You can't do this! You'll be killed! Sister!"

"Live long Marth. I'll wait for you to come back for me. Please, take care of yourself."

Samus saw a door being forced open and a light surrounding Marth and another tall man.

"Sister! Sister you can't!"

In a flash he was gone, away from the burning castle.


"You can't kill me boy!" laughed a hollow and deep voice.

"Where is she?! Tell me where Ellis is!"

"You'll have to kill me to get her back!"

Marth dove at the huge lizard-like creature, falchion glowing in the dim light. The dragon hissed a slunk out of the way, using his tail to knock Marth back painfully against the cold hard wall. The swordsman coughed once and then stumbled out of the way of a heated blast of flame.

"Medeus! Tell me where she is!"

"I already gave you my answer descendant of Anri!"

With an enraged cry Marth darted forward and plunged his sword into the dragon's scaly forehead, gasping in pain as fire licked at his left side. Still he fought onward, pushing his sword harder. The dragon gave a shrill cry and then grasped Marth between his claws.

"I'll kill you, you stupid nuisance!"

Samus could feel a sharp pain in her side as Marth cried out, blood dripping from his right side. He hung there, suspended in the air like a rag doll.

"Foolish mortal. You run blindly into battle just to save your worthless sister. How pitiful."

Marth looked up weakly at the dragon, blood dripping down from the corners of his mouth. His eyes had a fierce light in them that Samus had never seen before. His arm suddenly lashed out and pulled his sword to him, causing the dragon to shriek in pain. He quickly jabbed the sword upwards into the dragon's open mouth, ignoring the teeth ripping through his unarmored skin. Samus winced.

Medeus started thrashing about, his red eyes narrowed in fury. The coal black dragon used another clawed limp to yank Marth roughly away, crushing him under his weight. Marth gasped for breath, clawing desperately at the scaly skin. The dragon just pressed down harder, and Samus could hear a loud crack as red-hot pain entered her chest.

He was losing the battle.

Suddenly the dragon's body went limp, and it fell over on its side with a loud crash. Marth crawled out from under its large forefoot, holding his chest and panting heavily. He collapsed on the ground not to far from the evil beast; blood was everywhere.

"Marth! Marth, don't die! I'm coming for you!" a soft but firm voice called out.

Marth lifted his head a bit, his eyes scanning the area desperately.

"Ellis!"

"Don't move I'll be right there!"

A blue head appeared not to far off. She was a strong looking woman in her twenties; her tanned face a beautiful sight for sore eyes. Her eyes seemed to practically glow with light.

Ellis hurried to her fallen brother's form, instantly kneeling by his side and hugging him into her arms.

"It's okay Marth, I'm going to get you all fixed up. Don't worry I'm here now. We can be a family again."

"E-Ellis…you're…okay…"

"I'm fine, just lay still for me."

Her hand began to glow with a white light, her face set in deep concentration. Marth twitched in pain as she began to heal his broken body, slowly and agonizingly.

"I'm almost done just hang on a little longer Marth."

The memory faded to black with Ellis the last visible object, her kind face outlined by the darkness around her.


The next moment was a sharp pain, which soon faded to a dull sting. There was darkness everywhere.

"Marth, open your eyes."

Light flooded in to reveal a small wooden room. Marth was laying on a bed, a few bandages wound around him. Ellis had his hand in hers, holding it gently but tightly.

"…Ellis…"

"It's all over. You're free now. The war is over, we can be happy again now."

"It's…over?"

"Yes."

She pulled him into an embrace.

"It's all better again because of you. Isn't it wonderful? You led your troops to victory and defeated Medeus. Father…would be proud."

"Do you…think…so?"

"I know so."

Marth painfully sat up even though Ellis told him not to force himself. She grabbed his wrists and forced him to lay back down, her face firm.

"You need to rest little brother. I can't…let anything happen to you. Please."

He stared at her for a few moments and then relaxed in her grip, closing his eyes and laying back on the pillow.

That voice again. She was singing. It was that same sad song.


"Don't leave me Ellis! You can't! You can't!"

Tears wear streaming down Marth's face as he clung to his sister's limp form, her face covered by bloodied hair.

"Ellis! You-You promised me you wouldn't leave me! Don't…don't leave me all alone…"

She didn't answer. Her skin was cold and white, an arrow embedded deep in her chest. An arrow meant for him.

"Why Ellis?! You didn't…you shouldn't have…they need you more then they need me! You're better for this country!"

A few soldiers were hidden nearby, their swords drawn and ready.

"Kill him."

They rushed out, charging towards the tearful prince. Marth's eyes were suddenly aflame.

He picked up his fallen sword and with an outraged cry leaped forward, slashing through his enemies with chilling ease.

"You killed her!" Marth yelled in fury, his grip tightening on his sword's bloody hilt. "YOU KILLED HER!!"

The last of the soldiers fell, and Marth began to sob uncontrollably. Samus could feel all his sorrow flowing through her.

It hurt.

He suddenly picked up his sword and aimed it at himself, to grief stricken to think straight. He would've killed himself had not a red flash grabbed his arms and pried the sword from his fingers, pulling the prince into a tight hug.

"Marth, she wouldn't want this…"

"I can't do it…if I couldn't even protect her I'm not worthy to protect anyone Roy."

"She made her choice. She…she loved you Marth. She was willing to sacrifice everything to keep you safe. Don't throw it away."

"…alright…"


"Traitor! Deserter!" came the shouts of angry people as the jabbed at Marth with hands and swords.

"You are to never set foot in this kingdom again! If you do you will be killed on sight! Do you understand Marth Lowel? You are lucky to be allowed to live after what you did!"

Marth looked at the man defiantly, his face showing no emotion. Roy stepped forward from next to his friend.

"He didn't do anything it was Hardin who killed Ellis! It was Hardin who made Marth leave on that suicidal quest!" Roy shouted angrily.

"Roy and Marth, you are hereby banished from Aritia and thus stripped of your titles! Don't me back or suffer the consequences!"

As the two swordsmen left various rotten fruits and vegetables were thrown at their backs, leaving their clothes stained as they wearily trudged away.


"Soo…where are we going to go now?" Roy asked while trying in vain to be cheerful.

Marth was silent.

"You know I am kind of curious. You used to be this really nice person and now you're all…well…kind of mean I guess."

Marth looked over the redhead slowly.

"I mean, maybe they were right when they said you were turning into your father-"

Roy found himself pushed up against the wall, deadly blue eyes burning into his skin.

"I am nothing like my father was. Remember that."

Marth set Roy down gently, rubbing his forehead with one hand.

"I'm sorry Roy…"

"No, I shouldn't have said that."

A knock suddenly sounded on the door, and both men put their hands to the hilts of their swords. A strange purple see-through figure stepped silently inside, closing the door behind it.

"Please listen to my message Marth and Roy."

"How does it know our names?"

"You are both invited to come to the smash mansion where you will be provided with shelter and food. The point of it is to see who the best fighter is, and the winner will get a great prize."

"Should we go? Sounds like a good deal to me," Roy said with a grin.

Place to go problem solved.

"…alright."

"Here is a map so you can find you way there. Good day."

With that the figure disappeared, leaving a folded piece of paper that gently floated to the ground near their feet. Roy scooped it up and started to read it. His eyebrows raised in confusion.

"This makes no sense!"

"You have it upside-down Roy."

"Oh! That's…better…"


She knew this place. It was where she had first meet Marth and Roy. She saw herself open the door and then the same conversation could be heard.

"This is the Smash Mansion, aye?"

"Yes, it is," Samus replied.

"Yay! We're finally here Marth! Oh yeah, I'm Roy!"

"Hello er…Marth?" Samus asked hesitantly.

He nodded his head. "Hello."

"This is gonna be great Marth! We finally got here…well, thanks to your amazing directional skills!" Roy laughed.

Marth gave him an icy glare.

"So, uh…mister, where do we go?" Roy asked Samus.

Marth interrupted what Samus was about to say, and she felt his embarrassment over Roy.

"Roy, pay more attention next time. She is clearly a woman by the way she walks and her voice," Marth said, looking bored.


Marth watched Samus from a distance, his icy eyes softening just a bit. He seemed to get a faint blush as she walked past. Though she hadn't noticed it and thus Marth turned away, headed back to his room to think.

"I can't believe this is happening to me…ergh…" Marth said in frustration as he shut the door to his room.

"I can't do it anymore Samus. I just…can't…"

"Marth…"

This memory. She could feel all his pain welling up inside of him, ready to burst out at any moment.

"I can't lose anyone else…"

Sadness seemed to envelope him as he looked away.


It was raining; pouring down so hard that Marth was soaked. Samus didn't recognize the area that he was in at first, but then it suddenly dawned on her. It was the meadow. It was in the opposite direction then she had taken, quite a ways from where she had fallen into the river.

It stung.

He hadn't been there because he really didn't know she was in trouble. Why had she gotten so mad?

He sat down in the soggy grass, wrapping his arms around his knees and just sitting there, his face hidden. The rain just continued to pour down like crystal grey tears. The wind was icy, blowing across his skin fast enough to make him shiver. It was a depressing setting.

But why had he run out like that? It wasn't like she had totally embarrassed him or anything. She hadn't even said anything really bad.

Or had she? Maybe she had made him feel uncomfortable by expressing for worry to him earlier. That had to be it.


Marth punched Kin, sending him flying across the room. He started to kick him and then stepped on his chest, bending down low.

"I'll kill you."

Samus pulled Marth off, grabbing his arms.

The bounty hunter who was watching her own actions played back hadn't noticed something before. A dull pain came over her arms like when they were pulled to hard, and Samus realized she had been a little to rough.

The slap. The argument. The other slap. It all came back to her in vivid detail; except it was from a different point of view. But that difference meant so much, and she could finally see how wrong she had been. Kin had crossed the line.


Samus awoke with a start, scrabbling away from the unconscious Marth as fast as she could. Mewtwo floated away with no emotion. The blond ran a hand threw her hair and stood. Looking down again, she knew she had no choice but to carry the fallen swordsman back to his room. Long walk.

So the blond heaved Marth onto her back, cursing the fact that even though he was skinny he was so much bigger then she was. Good thing he wasn't Ike.

It most likely would have looked pretty funny to any passersby, but since no one was around Samus didn't have to worry. That's what she thought.

"Hello Samus."

"Kin, sorry; I'm kind of busy-"

He grabbed her roughly by the arm, causing her to look up at him with venom.

"Let. Go. Now."

"Sorry Sammy, but you have something I need. Tell me, did you enjoy your little trip down memory lane?"

"What? Mewtwo told-"

"He didn't say anything. I saw you."

"You can't-"

"Listen to me Samus. I need those memories that you saw."

"What? No!"

She yanked her arm away, stumbling backwards. Kin just took a step forward to compensate.

"Give them to me."

"Get away!"

Suddenly Kin dashed forward, his hand growing with black light. Her grabbed onto Samus' forehead and held her there against the wall, making her drop Marth. She tried to squirm away but he held firm.

"You won't remember a thing."


Thank you Helga-G-Pataki, x-V. i. r. q. o.-x , Fire Emblem MewMew, and elfenprincess08 for reviewing you guys are awesome hugs for u

The reason for the really short time spaces for each event is that they are based on flash back like times so they are supposed to be short

The reason for me not relaying what happened on the suicidal mission is due to the fact that i hadn't figured out what happened on it yet. i might put it up at a later time

Thank you to everyone who read my story please R&R thank you again