I've been rather slow in updating this, haven't I? Don't worry, I'm not planning to quit this story! I actually have like, two more chappies in progress before the actual ending, which might end up being another couple chappies...
Anyways, this is definitely longer than the first novel. From 64 at finished to 74 but still in progress... I guess you could say that the length is only going to keep growing ;P
Chapter Seven: Invisible Ties
Link wasn't sure what frightened him more.
He was so sure that a well timed shot from his bow would be enough to relieve Ike of his struggles. Apparently not.
The Hylian contemplated the risk of using a bomb, but figured that it was just as likely to kill Ike rather than help. That left him one option.
"Ike, prepare yourself!"
Grabbing the Gale Boomerang, he tossed it, sending a small whirlwind towards the two mercenaries. It succeeded in its job of loosening their grips, but at the cost of sending both flying to who knows where.
"Oops. My bad."
Cloud wanted to take a break.
Unfortunately, the prince didn't seem too keen on letting him have just ten seconds of rest.
Grumbling to himself, he dodged another volley of blasts, wondering how in the world Marth was able to keep track of all their movements.
Taking a quick peek over to Lucina, he noticed that her movements seemed to be slowing, the exhaustion becoming apparent as Robin used an Elwind to get the two of them to safety, the mage looking apprehensive since his tome only had so many uses left.
"Give it up. Your puny strength is nothing compared to the power I have gained," Marth taunted, laughing as Lucina barely dodged a spike which would've impaled her, had Cloud not been watching and light on his feet.
"...Lord Marth. You need to stop. Why do you desire our deaths so? If you wanted us to leave you alone, you could've just asked," the young exalt said, in an almost desperate manner, but she wasn't going to go down without a fight.
"You don't understand, and you never will. Better kill you off like the rest of them… Making him happy when I couldn't be…"
"Then tell us! HOW CAN YOU EXPECT US TO UNDERSTAND IF YOU WON'T EVEN TELL?!" Cloud yelled, that one shred of reasoning fueling his anger. "You just attack us without meaning, telling us how you aren't happy… How do you expect us to change if you stand idly by? People don't kill each other for fun, you know?"
This caused him to falter, and Cloud took advantage of that. With a single swift motion, he leapt into the air, flying so that he was eye-level with Marth.
"Do you hear me, Marth? Tell me… why?"
The teal-haired royal was in shock, clawing at his head, eyes unfocused.
"I… I don't want… ugh..."
"Listen to me. I know you're still in there. Where is the kind, caring prince all of us loved and respected? Do you really want our destruction?"
"Gah… mustn't… I…"
Cloud lowered his sword, as the noble in front of him seemed to be struggling against something, and it caused the prince to let his guard down. "My friend… I'm sorry. Robin, now!"
The mage swiped out what appeared to be a green book. "Rexcalibur!"
The gale of wind surged upwards, hitting the prince and knocking him out. Cloud dove just in time to catch the unconscious royal, before strapping his sword onto his back and regretfully pulling a thick cord of rope from his belt.
"Robin… Help me with this, will you?"
Back at the mansion, the Young Lion was keeping guard over the 'clones'. When a certain blue haired warrior came in, he greeted her.
"Hey Lucina."
"Hello, Lord Roy. I was just looking to speak with… my father."
Nodding his head at Lucina, Roy gestured for her to join him.
"So, what's this beef you have with uh, the evil version of your dad?"
"I don't have any roast cattle with him, and he isn't evil. Trust me on this one."
Roy was perplexed at the young warrior's strange behavior. Nevertheless, he pointed to where the Risen King was being kept, and she made her way in.
Carefully, she unlatched the bar and walked in, the Parallel Falchion ready at her side in case things went badly.
She took slow steps, approaching the prisoner warily. When she had deduced that the chains around his wrists would prevent him from causing any harm, she gently removed the gag around his mouth, making sure to not hurt him.
"Father… tell me, is that really you?"
The Risen King in front of her blinked his eyes slowly, his expression neither a smile nor a frown.
That was when she heard footsteps behind her. Glancing back, she saw that it was Chrom, the counterpart to the one in front of her.
"Luci, I just came to check on you. Are you sure that you'll be okay on your own? I don't want you getting hurt… from him."
"Father, I'll be fine. He is you… from the world I came from. Or shall I say, the timeline I came from… I won't get injured, I promise you that."
"Alright, if you say so."
Lucina didn't miss the dagger-eyed glare that her father shot at his counterpart, a warning. She rolled her eyes admirably at him, before turning back to the corrupted king in front of her once the door slammed shut.
"...Lucina…"
She couldn't help but feel pleasantly surprised, for this was the first thing he had said to her since being captured.
"Father… You understand how I speak, no?"
"Of course, I don't forget that easily. After all… it was I who raised you, am I not?"
Scarlet eyes widened when the princess assaulted him with a hug.
"So it really is you… my father… I…"
The Risen King was unsure of how to react to this. The bluenette was crying, and he wasn't sure if they were tears of joy or sorrow.
"Lucina…"
"Please forgive me! It's just… you were harming my comrades, other people that I cared about. I don't want you to feel like I've betrayed you or some sort!"
"Lucina, I… I should be the one apologizing."
"What are you-"
"I was the one who attacked you… I was hoping you would follow in my footsteps and serve the Fell Dragon… but you left. Grima and I got rather upset over this… You did betray us, intentionally. And now you live with…"
Lucina held her parental figure close to her, letting him express whatever emotion he was trying to. His voice did seem rather cracked, but it was hard to tell the expression of most Risen, being that they don't act as normal humans did.
But his hunched over posture said enough. She had seen it enough times after Chrom had lost a match against somebody.
"Father… This may shock you, but… I never stopped missing you. That other version of you, albeit younger… cares about me just as much as you did. When Grima killed you and brought you back like this… That's what drove me to stop it from happening in the first place. I didn't want to see you die again, Father!"
Not a word was said after, but it seemed like the Risen King was feeling a little better. For the next hour or so, father and daughter merely sat next to each other, enjoying each other's company.
"Father… I know I have no right to ask anything of you, but… perhaps, could we fight alongside each other, instead of against each other?"
The Risen King seemed to ponder this over for a couple minutes, before turning to Lucina with a smile on his face. It wasn't a condescending, wicked one like he had worn in the previous battles; no, rather it was softer, as if he was relieving a pleasant memory.
"Of course, sweetie."
"Thank you father!"
"How long do you think that'll hold him?"
"I would estimate around ten minutes at most when he wakes up. If he wakes up."
"How did-"
"I tested how long it would take Ike himself to break the rope we had. He ripped it in like ten seconds. Then I gave him the steel chains and told him to break them. They took him around five minutes to snap. And then I enhanced one of the chains with magic, strengthening it while giving a burning sensation when somebody tries to struggle out of it. Apparently, it only feels like mild tingling to the Radiant Hero, and around half an hour later, he handed me this." Robin pulled out what looked to be bits of metal, glowing orange in the light.
Cloud rolled his eyes. "Well, but that's Ike. Not this other… weirdly enhanced person."
"Assuming that the chaos energy multiplies his strength by a factor of anywhere from 2 to a thousand; and I hope that those legends about it are major exaggerations, it would take somewhere from fifteen minutes to 1.8 seconds for the other him to break it."
Cloud didn't bother to check the mage's calculations. "Great. I'm personally hoping that he doesn't wake up. I heard that the bars are mere iron, it wouldn't take long for him to break them down."
The two never noticed as Link approached them.
"Uh, guys, is it alright if Pittoo talks to the other me? He said that they have some business to settle."
"Wait, Dark Link is the one who wants to talk or Dark Pit?"
"Dark Pit."
"Oh, then fine. Just tell him not to undo the chains. Don't want him stirring up more trouble."
"Mkay, thanks."
Robin pulled out a clipboard, and began scribbling down something, Cloud peeking over his shoulder, trying to get a glimpse.
"Cloud, if you want to see, you can just ask. I'm merely doing some more calculations for the scenario in which we are able to catch Crazy Hand. Also, you might wanna go check on Marth, stop Ike if he's trying to 'help' him."
When Robin glanced back over his shoulder, Cloud was gone.
Well, at least he's busy now. Better go tell Professor Byleth the day's events.
"Byleth! Robin's calling you again!"
"Alright, I'm coming."
Joker handed the phone over to the professor again.
"Hey Professor. Just wanted to tell you how things are going over here."
"That's alright, Robin. I just finished reading that Nosferatu Tome you lended me."
"Oh! Great! Anyways, we had a run-in with a couple evil copies of ourselves. I've tried using binding spells to strengthen a couple chains, just to keep them from harming us. They're strong, but they don't last."
"Of course they don't, they wear off within a day or two, unless you're using a relic to strengthen the spell."
"You see, there aren't any relics in the SM right now, the closest being Falchion, and I doubt Falchion could cast spells. Is there any other way of keeping evil urges away from them? I don't want to sap my magic too much."
"Have you tried verbally conversing with them? Reach a compromise. They don't attack you, you won't attack them, or something along those lines."
"Oh. I… I hadn't thought of that. Thank you, Professor Byleth."
"As always, no biggie. Anyways, Joker and I will pay you a visit soon, hope you don't mind. I'm going to inspect these 'other you's'. It could be a rather helpful research project…"
"Ah, okay then. Talk to you later now, I hear Lucina calling my name."
Byleth hung up, putting the phone on top of one of his many bookshelves.
"What's with these constant calls? Are you like, a study gang or something?" Joker asked, slightly curious.
"I guess you could say that. I mean, Robin himself is a tactical genius, and he's been helping me achieve some more, foreign knowledge that may come in useful someday."
"...If you say so…" Joker said with a smirk.
"Don't get me started. By the way, I hope you've prepared for the science exam I'm going to give you tomorrow."
"What!? You never told me that!"
The professor resisted the urge to smile at Joker's wide-eyed, completely shocked face. Guess he caught him off guard.
"It's called a pop quiz. We're going to be going over a couple, simple microbiology topics. After all, I can't let your education deteriorate. You are still a high school student. Must I remind you?"
"But what if I don't take it?"
"Then I will personally drag you out on one of my fishing trips."
Joker could only groan, remembering how Byleth would spend hours looking eagerly over the water, fishing 'for fun'. He knew that the weather that day wouldn't matter, because Byleth would sit there, fishing line in hand, chatting with Steve about the types of fish and rewards that could be caught.
"Fine…" In defeat, the leader of the Phantom Thieves pulled out a large, thick, orange textbook from under his bed, slowly flipping the dreaded pages, reviewing the many concepts that Byleth had drilled into his brain.
Levitating silently, Cloud drifted down the steps, entering the basement of the mansion.
As his eyes adjusted to the dimness, he found the person he was looking for.
"Ike."
Said mercenary turned and looked up. "Oh, Cloud. Did you come to check on Marth?"
"Mostly you, since they didn't want you to break his chains.. But yeah, I came to check on Marth."
He came closer, peering over at Marth. His body was still in it's twisted, darkened form, but for some strange reason his tiara had turned back to its original golden color.
"He's happy…" Ike murmured.
"What do you mean? How do you even know that? And who exactly are you referring to?"
"Marth is… I think he knows that he's here… with us."
Cloud wanted to say something, but was left speechless. He often wondered how Ike was able to get these strange readings.
"Uh, Ike, I don't want to burst your bubble, but Marth is asleep?"
"I know. He's… peaceful, and his hands aren't clenched. I think that he's at least thinking about us…"
The Ex-SOLDIER gave a small smile. "I think that too… I hope that when he wakes, he'll at least have a neutral opinion on me. Damn, he sure can be toxic when he wants to."
"That's how royalty is," Ike replied with a small grin. "By the way, how is the- er, other me?"
"Oh, him? Robin said that he'll be a real *BLEEP* when he wakes up."
"Ouch. Well, I expected it."
The two sat there in silence, neither having anything to say to the other.
That was, until Ike jerked back, before getting to his feet. Cloud was confused, but he was able to read the brightened expression rather easily.
Almost delicately, Ike reached to touch Marth's hand again, and to his delight, the prince finally opened his eyes.
"Ungh… Huh?!"
"Marth! You're awake!"
"A...Aiku? You… you're alive…" The prince sounded relieved, his blue eyes twinkling with love for the two in front of him.
"Careful Ike, we don't know his condition right now!" Cloud warned.
Marth then seemed deliberately confused. "What's going on?!"
"Hey, uh, Marth? Is it really you and not the crazy you?" Cloud asked hesitantly.
Marth raised an eyebrow. "How exactly am I supposed to explain this? Well, I can tell you I don't hate any of you, and I don't want to kill you… Does that clarify me as the regular me?"
The two in front of him broke into massive grins, before they both crushed the royal in a hug.
"Marth! You're back!"
"Ike… are you crying?"
"N-no?"
Cloud rolled his eyes at Ike's awful attempt at fibbing, but Marth gave a genuine, kind smile.
"Ah… please get off of me. The other me is still screaming at me for 'being a moron, weakling,' among other things."
Like the strike of a match to an explosive, his closest friend instantly erupted in rage.
"WHAT? TELL THAT NO-GOOD, BODY-STEALING DEMON THAT HE'S THE MORON! Marth, my friend, you are nothing like he describes. You are amazing the way you are, and we love you for it."
The pair of azure eyes glanced at him fondly, a small smile spreading, before Marth's eyes flashed red and his expression turned into a scowl.
"Shut your mouth, you filthy commoner. I can HEAR you. Now, do us all a favor and die!"
"YOU DIE!"
"Hey, Ike. Can you do me a favor and uh, calm yourself?" Cloud asked.
"Hmph…" Reluctantly, the mercenary closed his mouth, although he felt like it was supposed to be the perfect time to yell at whatever harmed his friend.
"Oh and, I'm giving you a chance now… er, Marth 2.0?"
The demon scowled at him. "Why would you? I'm not going to get out of this form, and you can't make me!"
"Uh, actually… I just wanted to talk."
The Dread Prince was stunned to silence, and Cloud thought it would be safe to continue.
"Like I was saying, we can't help you feel happiness if you aren't willing to cooperate. Tell us what's making you upset so that we can resolve this."
'Demon' Marth didn't answer, and the Ex-SOLDIER wondered what exactly he was thinking, hoping that his tone didn't sound threatening or demanding.
Maybe I was wrong…
I thought that you knew that my friends were nice people. As I would do anything in my power to help them, they would do the same. If you really are me… if you are just another part of myself… then that applies to you too.
...This is purely unreal. How do they not detest me for what I have done?
Well, I think Ike hates you, and he has every right to because you did technically try to kill him. But Cloud is more patient than he is; I had no doubt that he would try to help. Surely, in the least, you could respect him?
I suppose he isn't as despicable. But I make no promises.
Marth mentally sighed. Hey, at least his shadow was being slightly more cooperative.
Just don't try to kill them again, not that you can since you got my body chained.
Again, I can guarantee you nothing. I suppose the blonde one doesn't deserve to die. I ought to murder the blue one again though; such filthy manners!
...He's a mercenary. What can you expect? He would be more polite if you didn't try to internally shred his body apart, while attempting to cook him alive via dark magic. Or maybe if you didn't attack Link, since the two of them are friends. Or maybe if-
I've heard enough from you. Now be quiet!
Alright then.
The prince decided it would be best to leave the quarreling for some other time. He didn't want to keep harassing the voice in his mind, and to him it seemed that the shadow was slowly growing to respect him. Telling him to shut up in a polite manner is one way, he thought.
"Uh, hello, are you still awake?"
"Of course I am? Who do you take me for, a sloth?"
Cloud didn't let himself get bothered by the prince's sharp tongue. Nevertheless, he asked the question again.
"So… how can I help you help me?"
"What do you mean?"
"What compromise can we reach here? If all you want to be able to do is feel joy, then there may be something we can do."
"What do you know about people like me, huh?"
"That you're still human."
Marth fell silent, and Cloud could tell that he was biting his tongue.
"Marth, er, Demon Marth? I hope you know that we don't care about what you are, what abilities you have, or anything like that. We only care about who you are, as a person. So please, tell me, how can we help? What did you long for so much? Was it companionship, maybe?"
Ike's eyes darted between the two, in a way of pity and yet sympathy.
"You know… if you really are Marth, even just a part of him, then I can't hate you. The only thing I can hate is the way you treat and talk about us; when you don't even know us personally. Not everyone has to be an enemy," he said, almost in a soft manner. Cloud's eyebrows raised at this, but he kept quiet.
Ike is really nice once you get to know him as a person. Give him another chance, maybe?
So he really does care about you…
Well, I guess we're two halves of the same whole. He loves you two, you know.
Easy for you to say. I… It's not like I care about him
I don't blame you for trying to deny it. Just a quick question though; do you and the other him have something going on?
THAT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, FOUL VERMIN!
I beg your pardon? I am a fabulous person, so that makes you one too.
"I… what do you propose? Eradicating me to free your friend?" the shadow sneered, but Cloud heard a pang of hurt in his voice. Ike seemed a little concerned and worried, which he thought was rather cute, so the Ex-SOLDIER let his friend answer instead.
"If you are who you claim to be, then you already are my friend. Come, let us do something worthwhile together instead of pretending to hate each other."
Trying to keep his stoic expression, Cloud glanced back over at Ike, and gave a slight nod to show that he consented. He didn't question when the lord undid the chains that bound Marth, hiding a small smile of satisfaction when they clicked off.
"Alright then. First we'll start off with a couple activities that the 'original' Prince Marth enjoyed. Follow my lead."
With that, Cloud turned and glided back up the stairs, taking a single glance back to make sure that the other two followed.
Okay...
1. Yes, it's my headcanon. I love the idea of the Risen King being Lucina's real "dad". Dead but still caring :D
2. No, I am not going to get into any more dirty details with any possible secondary 'hinted at' relationships. And no, I am not going to imply a second relationship between the counters. They are all going to stay single, the way I like them :P
3. I may have implied way too much IkeMarth in this. But does it look like I care? I will make sure their ship sails in 2021!
4. You read all the way down here!? Neat! I wonder why people still read this kind of stuff. Well, word/imagination vomits need to go somewhere, amirite? ;D -Asheris