Content warning: Suicidal thoughts
XO
"AAAAHHHHHH!" The sound of Roy screaming echoed throughout the whole building.
"Geez! What are you trying to do, deafen us!?" Richter moaned, covering his ears.
"Hold still Roy, stop squirming. It's only a little cut, for Shine's sake. You're acting like a toddler." Mario scorned as he began tending to the deep cut on the swordsman's cheek. He was dabbing a damp cloth on the injury, but was getting annoyed by how much Roy was moving around. After the second round, Mario had found medical supplies in the lounge left by the mysterious 8. Included was medicinal alcohol for sterilisation, band aids and bandages of various sizes and lengths, painkillers in tablet form and a defibrillator for emergencies. There had also been some more food left in the dining room, though barely anyone had touched it. Naturally, Kirby had devoured a good potion of the buffet, though a few others like Pit had eaten too.
"But it hurts!" He whimpered, fighting back tears. Mario just sighed in resignation and pulled the cloth away. He opened the alcoholic rub bottle and soaked a brand new cloth to sterilize the wound.
"I'm going to be applying the rub now."
"When are you going to-?"
The sound of a pain-filled scream filled the house. Roy was crying now, his cheek in agony. Mario ignored him and placed a covering over the cut.
"There, it's over." He curtly said, putting away the supplies. Roy whimpered a thank you and sat on an adjacent sofa. Mario began packing away the medical supplies when he started to hear a myriad of banging and thudding from the foyer. He face-palmed and loudly groaned, knowing exactly what they were trying to do. He exited the room and saw Bowser, DK, Captain Falcon, Simon, Ridley, Incineroar, Little Mac, K. Rool, Kazuya and Dedede all punching the steel walls in an attempt to make some damage occur. Some of the others are watching. Mega Man was shaking his head, as he crossed his arms in disapproval.
"Give it up guys, that wall isn't going to break." The robot said.
"Don't jinx us! If we keep at it, we'll get through!" Incineroar roared.
"Yeah, stop being a party pooper and leave us to be the heroes of the day!" Bowser jeered. Mega Man took him a sharp inhale of air to defuse himself before walking away. He went into the lounge. Mario followed him.
"What a load of meatheads." The robot master groaned.
"Si." Mario agreed.
"And I thought Zeke was an idiot." Mythra groaned, brushing her long golden hair with her fingers.
"Don't talk about our friend like that, Mythra. That bluntness is one day going to get you in trouble." Pyra softly told her. She flicked her hair in defiance and mumbled an apology.
Peach was also watching the guys before deciding to leave them to it. She walked past one of the bedrooms and saw Lucario curled up on his bed, hugging a pillow. His ears were flopped against his skull, his tail lying across his body. He was letting out soft little whimpers. Peach sat on the edge of the bed and stroked his appendages.
"You doing okay Lucario?" She kindly asked, concerned for his wellbeing. He shook his head sadly. "Anything from Sonic yet?" Another shake. She continued the stroking. "None of this is your fault. Nobody thinks that. It was a freak accident. He'll be okay soon, just watch."
"I hope so. I miss him..." He croaked, wiping his tears with his paws.
"I know, he's your best friend."
"He's more than that. I...I love him." Peach was a little surprised, but chuckled.
"That's something you need to tell him as soon as you can." She advised. He blushed a bit.
"I want to, I really do, but what if he doesn't feel the same? Things would be so awkward, or he could hate me..."
"I would tell him before the next round. You might not get a chance. The vote was close last time."
"You didn't vote him, did you?"
"No, I voted Ganondorf."
Lucario sat up and nodded. "I'm glad you didn't."
"There are two types of crimes: accidental and intentional. Sonic's was in the former group. If I rejected Mario, I bet he would do the same as Amy."
"But still, Arceus knows how hurt his psyche is..." His ears suddenly pricked up. "Do you hear that?"
"Hm? Hear what?" She stayed quiet. Both heard distant crying. "It might be Ai, you know how the little one is. She's struggling to cope."
"Ai is downstairs with Isabelle, isn't she?" Lucario remembered seeing the two pass his door. He got up and followed the sound. It was coming from Sonic's room. He peeked in and saw the bed vacant. He also hear gentle shushing. He saw Meggy, the Inkling, hugging Sonic, who was a sobbing mess in the corner. Lucario was relieved to see the hedgehog awake, but his heart broke. Meggy smiled at him.
"Lu is here." She told Sonic, petting his head. He looked up a little bit. Lucario smiled gently and opened his arms. He instantly accepted the hug and snuggled into his fur. His face was very wet.
"I'm here Sonic, I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here." He whispered into his ear as he attempted the calm the traumatized teenager. Meggy decided to give them some space, though Lucario gave her a nod of gratitude. She did a happy "woomy!" before leaving. Sonic stayed next to Lucario even after his tears died up. "Are you okay?" He shook his head. "That's okay, I know you went through a lot."
"It's all my fault..." He whispered before breaking down again. "I killed my own friend..."
"You didn't know that would happen. We all do things without thinking. You weren't trying to hurt her, were you?"
"W-well, n-no...of course not. She had just been badgering me for a date for years, but I've tolerated her obsessive methods. She never wanted to hurt me, but her love for me was because I saved her from Metal Sonic. I just had enough of her antics. I just wanted her to know I just wasn't interested in her. I was a bit angry so I got aggressive. I didn't mean to seriously hurt her feelings. But i-it's too late now, s-she's dead...it should have been me..." He let out a heartbroken whine. Lucario tightly gripped him close, fear gripping his heart.
"Don't ever say that, I don't ever wanna see anything tragic happen to you..."
"Does it...really matter to you? I'm just an egotistical annoying rodent."
"You're not that at all! You're special to me." He took a deep breath. "There is something very important I need to tell you." He saw Sonic glance up at him. He blushed a bit. He was too damn cute! "I...really like you..."
"...I know you do, stupid. " He flicked his nose. "You're my friend, so of course you like me."
"I know that, but... " A lump formed in his throat. "I like you...more than a friend."
He saw Sonic staring at him with tiny scared eyes. Memories of his argument with Amy flashed through He head. Lucario realized this and sharply gasped. He waved a hand in front of his face, but got no response.
Shit, maybe now wasn't the time! I'm a huge idiot!
He gently picked him up and wrapped him in a soft blanket to try and help him come back around. He heard rapid footsteps. He saw it was the Wii Fit Trainer, Wilma.
"Another door is opening downstairs." She announced. Lucario nodded in understanding.
"Do you want to go?" He gently asked Sonic. It took a moment for the question to register but he nodded. Lucario took his hand and they headed downstairs where they saw another metal and barricaded door unlock before their eyes. Inside was what looked to be a library. It was massive.
"It looks like we unlock a new room after every round..." Marth mused. He saw a few of the group already looking at the books. Rosalina had already found a fantasy novel that suited her tastes, while Lucas had found the graphic novels. Ai picked up a children's book with pop-up pictures, and Isabelle began reading it to her. A few of the guys were stacking as many action and thriller novels into their arms and were shipping them to their rooms. Lucario looked around for Sonic, seeing him looking at the comic books. He smiled and helped him take one from the top shelf, since even on his tiptoes, Sonic couldn't reach.
"You like the Marvel ones, don't you?" Lucario smiled.
"Well remembered." Sonic smiled back a little, though both could feel how awkward the atmosphere was. Sonic was a bit more nervous, not really knowing what to say next. He tapped his foot a bit, biting his lip. Lucario was doing the same, avoiding eye contact. A few others noticed the tension.
"Did you two fight or something?" Jigglypuff asked. Neither answered her.
"I'm not surprised with what happened in the last round." Came a scathing remark from Dark Pit. Lucario bared his fangs and stormed up to the black-winged Angel, his aura swirling around his paws.
"Say that again, I fucking dare you." He threatened, grabbing his tunic. His eyes were dark with rage. The angel just chuckled.
"Everyone thinks it. He's a-"
Lucario punched him hard in the face.
"Don't you dare say anything about Sonic!" He felt someone hold him back. He saw Sonic clinging to his arm, looking at him in fear.
"Lu, please stop..." He begged. Lucario glared at Dark Pit before sighing.
"Sorry...I...sorry..." He felt very thuggish. The angel got himself up, dusted himself off and left the library in a huff. As the pair headed out, the door slammed shut. Sonic saw vents in the ceiling open up, releasing the sleeping gas. Lucario held him close as they lay close to the floor. As both started getting drowsy, Lucario gently held his hand. "I'll...protect you..."
Sonic sleepily nodded. "And I...l-love you too..." It was the last thing he said before he fell asleep. Lucario blinked and teared up a little, smiling as he blacked out.