Smash: The alternative Brawl
Chapter 7: Marth
Couple days later…
In a white room, Marth and Ike were both training with Marth consistently pushing the offense by stabbing, slashing and triple combinations by sending Ike into the air but whenever Ike would try to capitalized on him, Marth would reflect his move.
"Never keep your eyes off of your opponent. Things like this." He released a devastating charged up stab which instantly KO Ike off the stage which made him reappear hovering the middle of the platform. "Or else things like this will happen."
With Ike breathing heavily wanting to continue. Marth simply placed his hand out to have him to stop and to try again tomorrow. Although Ike did not like this one hour of sparring. He understood that he needed to take a break or else he will overdo himself.
"It's been a while since the last time I have sparred with someone. Do you think I will be able to release my final smash before the second in command tournament?" Ike asked.
"I'm hoping so. If not, then for sure to make you strong enough so you do not have to learn it but even then, I'm hoping I can teach you your final smash." He said.
"Tell me something. Why are you helping me out anyway?" They both started exiting the training room into the beautiful crisp air of Spring.
"Because I see potential inside of you and since you are already a leader from the time line you originate from, why not?" Although sounds reasonable but he couldn't help but feel like something is missing.
"Then how is it that you can help me release my finisher?"
"In Smash, the difference between our world and Smash Brothers is more training, means more experience and with more experience, only you can sense your release. Once you do, you can strengthen your power until you can hit your highest ability. For me, I was finally able to release it a couple weeks ago going against a few AI's. Now, all I have to do is strengthen my power."
"Do you have a name for it?" Ike asked while stepping through the garden passing Mario and Luigi talking amongst themselves. By the looks of it, they look like they are reminiscing possibly about their past adventures.
"I do not like talking about my abilities but if we're going to be partners, I guess I can tell you." Then with a him taking a deep breath of fresh air with butterflies flying around, he continues to speak. "It's called (Critical Attack.) I'm trying to train myself on releasing a devastating move which would leave them crippled, dead, or in Smash terms… eliminated."
"Sounds critical enough when you say it like that." He gave out a hollow laugh with distaste.
"Well, at least I will not have to use it until we find out who stole Meta Knight's ship." Marth said.
Oh yeah." Ike remembered about some roomers of some kind of potential stolen ship but it's been hidden away from the media and for a great reason too. If reporters get a hint about this, Master Hand will never hear the end of it. "Well do we know who is doing some research behind the scenes of the missing ship?"
"If I am correct but don't tell anyone I am telling you this because this is classified information I was given from last night's meeting but I think it is Samus."
"Make sense." Ike agreed. "If they are law enforcement, only they will have the information besides Meta Knight himself but if I may ask, how did he get here in the first place?" Before they stepped through the mansion's door, Marth looked around the hallway and when he glanced around his surroundings knowing he was clear. He opened the door for both of them and as soon they stepped in, Ike spoke in whispers.
"If I am correct, Master Hand teleported him to join us but as soon as he told him the absence of his ship he would be bringing with him, Master Hand immediately called out for Samus and to see what they can find and I guess she was able to find a trace where his ship was going."
"Now my last question is, who is Samus? Are they actually a robot?" Ike said.
"For all the years for me being here, I can only believe there's a human underneath that bulky power suit because I have seen a pair of eyes from their vizier before but I do not know if it's female or male. Most likely its male because stories say they have blown up about a couple of planets filled with Space Pirates which are affiliated in their universe. So, tell me, what kind of psycho female will try to accomplish a mission like that? It's unheard of."
"You sound like you would be impressed if it is a her." They continued down the hallway of section D with Marth able to spot Link and Zelda leaving the diner.
"If tails are true and if they are a she, I will be pretty impressed but that day like they say about total solar eclipse are a rare occurrence. I will not be seeing that anytime soon."
Stepping through section C with Link and Zelda fixated on the hallway in front of them, Marth started to get curious but before he trailed them, Ike spoke up and said, "I'm going to head upstairs. See you later man."
"Really quickly, have you register for the tournament?"
"Yes, I did." Then with a nod, Ike started walking up the stares with Marth slowly creeping behind their trail and as they turned left down the hallway of section B, he instantly noticed they were heading towards Master Hand's office. "interesting."
Head Office…
With Link and Zelda standing in front of Master Hands desk with him glancing up to stear towards them, Zelda apologized for disturbing him and told him about Link's troubles of performing his final smash and that she thinks something is preventing him from releasing because of his hand keeps flashing like if it trying to tell him something.
"I do think something is going on because for you Link, you have been hearing since the very beginning and the mastering of your techniques during your battles has certainly shown through the tournaments but for you being able to release your final smash, I have a feeling your powers need to be forced out because something or someone had dormant them." With Link trying to stay cool, deep inside, he knew Master Hand was right. Ganondorf placed something inside of him but he doesn't know what it is. "Is something wrong Link?" He saw sweat starting to form on his forehead.
Of course." He lied with a pathetic smile.
With a sigh, Master Hand said, "Link, you are a horrible liar."
Please, don't tell anyone." Then Zelda rolled her eyes towards Link. "A hundred years ago, I was fighting Ganondorf in an epic battle so I could save Hyrule Castle but since I did not know how to use my master sword, I failed my mission." With Marth listening to the muffles, he couldn't believe what he was hearing because all of the years he knew Link, he was always a strong opponent but loosing from the likes of Ganon, he could emphasize.
"So, what should I do?" Link asked. "I don't want to be useless, I want to be able to feel confident with my abilities, and I don't want anything to happen to Zelda. I just…" he started to stutter knowing she was listening to what he was saying even though she already knew what he was going to say next. "I just want to be a commander either lieutenant or captain. I don't care whoever takes me, just as long I can get rid of my unfortunes from my past."
"Although I understand everything you are saying, but only you can affect the future Link. Meaning, no one else can help you with your past, no ones able to train you how to use your final Smash, and for certain, no ones going to guide you towards your direction except you."
"But…" He tried to grasp his breath which was lodged in his chest. Then Marth barged into the office without himself thinking ahead on what to say but after getting himself together, he said," I will assist Link on training him on how to use his final smash."
With Both Link and Zelda giving a gasp of surprised with Marth's intrusion although Master Hand didn't seem amused. He was the first one to speak up, "Isn't this a surprise. So, Marth, how long have you been listening in?" Although Master Hand didn't seem any what fazed of his interference. The most terrifying thought about all of it was that he knew the whole time he was behind that door listening in and with him asking that question, he can't help but feel that he found himself in a trap.
"I… uh… it doesn't matter about that. Whatever I have heard, it will not leave my lips. I know how important this is to him and so, I will help him out on releasing his final smash."
Although this was the bold way of approaching a conversation except busting through the door like Kool-Aid man busting through the wall, glancing around the room with different frames, trophies, and ribbons which showed "Super Smash Brothers, the greatest invention ever!" He seen Link's face pail knowing he has been discovered but Zelda placed a hand on his arm which gave some reinsurance.
"How admirable but if I have heard correctly, you're also training Ike?" He asked.
"I am, but as a captain. I need to enhance my abilities and with me training with both of them can help train both me and them. I don't know if I can train him on how to use his final smash, but I am going to push him to his limits because I heard in order to create something new, you must break them so they can reinvent themselves. Then from there, they'll become a lot stronger."
"And where did you hear that?" Master Hand said. When Marth heard his question, he knew it wasn't disrespectful but more curious than anything.
" A master of mine. He's the one who made me the man I am today." He said with confidence.
" I'll go with your word but remember, it's not guaranteed but the person who you need to ask if he would accept your training is Link himself." Glancing towards Link who seems to have found his confidence. Link spoke up and said, " Yes, I will like to work with Marth. If there's anyone who I trust with my training is Marth himself because ever since Melee, his techniques are superb and since him and I are friends, it makes everything a lot easier."
With Zelda's facial expressions, she was neutral but underneath her mask, something just felt off but she couldn't understand why and with Link jumping into action without thinking things over, she cannot help but feel disappointed. Again, she doesn't know why she feels like this but as long Link was happy to learn about his training with Marth, everything was alright with her but she can't help but feel that dark feeling she sensed when they had that confrontation with Ganondorf. It's like… it's hard to place but it's like the dark aura which Ganon had placed in her too is growing like an egg. Although she wants to bring it to his attention but she's scared on how he would react to the sudden news especially somethings growing inside of him.
"Sounds like a deal. We'll start the day after tomorrow since tomorrow is the dance." Marth said.
"That reminds me." Master hand started to speak. " Make sure to bring some snacks for the visitors to the D building because we're expecting some outsiders from Nintendo land." With all three of them giving him a nod. They also gave him a solute and left the room.
With Link and Zelda heading towards the staircase, with Marth leaving towards the C building, from a side entrance with no one looking. Marth walked in to a shaded hallway and with a large dark shadow hovering over him, the dark and menacing voice asked, " So, did you get any information?"
" Yes, I did." Marth said.
" Great. Your one step closer from upgrading your sword. All you have to do is take their powers and once you do, your Critical Hit is 100% lethal."
" Thank you master."
" One more thing Marth." The dark voice asked.
" Yes?"
"Once you form your Critical Hit, can you… place it through Link's chest?"
"Hmm?"
"Can you? It's the only way to open him up so he can use his finisher."
" Yes. Yes, I can." He slightly stuttered.
"Perfect. Come with me and tell me everything that happened." The dark shadow issued Marth into the room.