Author's notes: Since it seems that people actually read the notes in the prologue, I'll explain the yaoi thing. See, my original idea for this story involved it, but my friend Amanda, who seemed rather enthusiastic about the story, hates yaoi. Now, I don't want to put it in if people will stop reading because of it, so I decided to see what YOU think. As far as I know, I have two votes for it, and two against it (Amanda and my votes don't count). Give me your vote in a review, kay?

Yes, and to those of you who are worried about Roy... *sniffle*... Just read. *sniffle* I--unfortunately--live by the "love something so much you hurt it" rule. *runs away crying*

Chapter Two
Marth's POV

The sunlight broke over the fog of dawn, giving clear view of the base that we stood just yards from. Link was able to walk on his left leg, but needed my support on his right. We stopped walking for a moment just to take a good look at the base. They weren't expecting only two of us to come back, but neither were we.

The previous night, once we were clear from the battle area, we found a safe place through trees and brush to collect ourselves. I strapped up Link's leg with sticks, rope, and excess cloth from his tunic. For about two hours, not a word was spoken between the two of us. All I could think about was Roy, and I imagined that Link was having the same thoughts.

During our time in the Super Smash Brothers, the three of us grew close. Each one of us had a unique sword with different abilities, so we could learn from each other. But we also developed an emotional bond. During sleepless nights in the bunk, we exchanged stories of our pasts, battles or otherwise. I learned so much from Link and Roy, about all sorts of things. The sense of teamwork between the three of us is why the three of us were sent out together on that mission. I never expected that the mission would be the last time we would be the three of us. But now only two of us remained.

An overwhelming sense of failure flooded through me; not for the mission, but because I couldn't save Roy. There was nothing I could do to help him, because I had to get Link back. He sacrificed himself for the two of us, and we'd never be able to thank him.

I felt a heavy sigh from the boy leaning on my shoulders. "Well," he muttered. "Are you ready to face them again?"

I closed my eyes and licked my dry lips. "Now or never, I suppose," I looked to my partner, then we proceeded to the concrete-based building.

Standing before the front gates was Samus, keeping guard. Once she saw us, she readied the gun that powered her right arm, but lowered it once we were close enough to identify. Link and I met up with her and she removed her orange helmet to speak with us.

"Welcome back. Did you guys get anything?"

"No," I shook my head. "We were attacked, we had to come back."

The brunette nodded once and turned to the front doors. "I'll let you in, and you can explain the details to Mario."

We followed Samus in, past the clearance room and into the main part--the room that we always had meetings in. When we entered, we saw that every member of the team was residing there. I helped Link into one of the metal chairs, and seated myself in one next to it. Upon our arrival, Mario immediately stood before us.

"What information did you get?" his heavy accent slipped into his words.

"We couldn't get any," Link explained. "We were spotted and attacked."

The short man looked puzzled and slightly annoyed, until he saw the casting on Link's leg. "I see. Maybe I'll send a different team out tomorrow."

I glanced around the room at the members, and the expression on Zelda's face caught my eye. She looked confused, and I knew why. I closed my eyes and lowered my head, knowing what was coming. "Where's Roy?"

This caught the attention of the other members, and they all turned to Link and me. I glanced to my partner, who was giving me a questioning look. I'd have to be the one to tell them.

"He's gone," I mumbled. I looked back up to my team. "He didn't make it back."

I could see astonishment on some faces, and grief on others. Nobody spoke a word, until the smallest member of the team came forward.

"Chu-pi?" Pichu uttered, almost in a whisper. We had been around Pichu and Pikachu for so long that we could understand some of the Pokemons' speech. "Pika, pi"--or--"Pichu, pi" was a greeting, a simple "chu" meant a challenge, and "Chu-pi" was, generally speaking, a term for "friend." The little mouse usually had enthusiasm in his voice when he said that, but this time I heard pain. I looked down at the Pokemon, and I could see tears welling up in his eyes. It tore through me.

The older electric Pokemon stepped up behind him and offered a consoling hug to his friend. "Chu-pi..." Pichu repeated, breaking out into tears.

"What happened?" the pilot dressed in purple mumbled, hanging his head.

With a sigh, I told the story for the first time. "Once they saw us, Giga Bowser caused some sort of eruption in the ground. We had to get out of there... But Link got hurt. When we were trying to get him back on his feet, Ganondorf caught up to us. Roy was trying to protect Link... He told me to take him back..."

Mario, still standing, glared at us accusingly. "You let him out there alone?"

"There was nothing else we could have done," Link protested.

"You were supposed to work as a team, and you left your partner with the enemy. You do realize how far back this is going to set you two, don't you?"

"Excuse me," I seethed through my teeth, "but what Roy did out there was the best damned display of teamwork I've ever seen."

"And what about you two?"

"Lay off," an irritated voice called from across the room. "You heard them, they had no other choice. I think the only one at fault here is you, Mario."

I turned to the source of the voice, and I couldn't believe what I saw. Falco Lombardi, one member of the Smash Brothers who always knew where he stood and never stepped out of line, was turning the blame on the leader of the team.

Mario raised an eyebrow at the bird. "Oh, really. And how is that?"

Falco stepped up to eye level with him. "There were only three of them, what else could they have done? If you have a problem with their teamwork, maybe you should assign bigger teams."

"So you're saying that there's a problem with the teams I send out?"

"A member of the group was killed! You don't see a problem with the way you're doing things?" Falco looked around the room, glancing at each one of us. "Roy meant something to this team, and now he's gone. You're talking about him like he was just an object; just another brick in the wall. But these people are my friends, just was Roy was, and I don't want to see any more of them fall victim to the enemy."

Mario glared at Falco, looking utterly insulted. "Well, if you've forgotten your place, I was appointed the leader of this group, and I'll be the one to decide what needs improvement. You have no right to talk to me like this, so I suggest you sit down and--"

"And what? Wait around until the next person dies? Is that what you're saying, "sir?" Or am I next? Am I the next one you're gonna send out on some half-secure mission?"

"You'd better shut up now, or I'll be forced to kick you off the team," Mario hissed.

Falco stared at him for the longest time, anger still empowering his eyes. "Well, maybe that's for the best."

Mario looked as astonished as I was. "Falco... Are you quitting the Smash Brothers?"

"But I thought you said you fight for the cause," Link added.

"I fight for what's right. If all of you want to stay here and wait for him to kill you off, go ahead. But if you care about what happened to Roy and don't want to see it happening to anyone else, I suggest you come with me," Falco stood and made eye contact with every member. "We can do this without Mario. Who's with me?"

I couldn't help agreeing with him. One of my best friends was dead, and all Mario could do was demote us for it. I stood up and pulled out my sword. "I'm with you."

Link looked up at me. He seemed confused at first, but then stood, using me as support. "So am I."

"Excuse me?" Mario growled.

Pikachu looked at his crying counterpart, then turned to Falco, looking angry. "Pikachu! Pika!" she shouted.

All eyes turned to Yoshi: the only member of the team who could understand the Pokemon and speak English. The dinosaur looked up at us, looking somewhat surprised. "She's in. So is Pichu."

Princess Zelda stood as well. "I'm coming with you."

Perhaps the strangest addition to the revolt, Luigi rose to his feet. "I'm in."

Mario glared at his brother, completely surprised. "Luigi..."

"They're right, Mario. What can I say?" he looked at Mario with innocent eyes. He was fighting for what was right, as well.

"Anyone else?" Falco looked around to everyone again. Nobody answered, and most heads were hung down.

"I can't believe the seven of you. You're going to get killed out there!" the plumber uttered.

Falco walked toward the door, the rest of us following. He stopped to come face-to-face with Mario. "Better that than to be killed under your command."

With those words, we headed out the front doors. Link and I followed directly behind Falco, not knowing where he was leading us. I turned to my ally with soft eyes. "Maybe we'll find redemption."

Link looked back to me with a similar look. "It doesn't hurt to try."