A/N: Okay, I know I promised I'd work on ROTHOT, but I wanted to fit in one more chappie from this story before I get back to ROTHOT. Sound good? Hope so. Anyways, this chappie will open up a few more details needed in the plot, and will include more interaction with Link and Luigi. Me hope you likeys!

"Never opened myself this way.

Life is ours, we live it our way.

All these words I don't just say,

And nothing else matters.

Trust I seek and I find in you.

Every day for us something new.

Open mind for a different view,

And nothing else matters." -Nothing Else Matters, Metallica

Brother Squadron: Chapter 4: P.O.W.

The moon hung high in the sky as the late hours of the night took their course. A hush filled the hollow in the mountain as the Nintendians had flocked into the caravans for sleep after their bonfire had snuffed out. Most of them, anyways.

Link sat on a high ledge of the cliff, bathed in the shadows of the wall behind him. His mask-like face stretched in a wide yawn, tired eyes glancing over his camp as he sniffed a breath of air through the nose. Many thoughts ran through his complex mind, but he was too exhausted to fully comprehend any of them. His body screamed for sleep, but he wouldn't have it. Not until his lookout shift was over.

His tired eyes caught a moving figure within the camp, and he instantly became alert. Upon adapted reflexes, his hand reached for his revolver, but he stopped when he took a closer look. Luigi was laying on the roof of his caravan, facing the sky and gazing at the moon and stars. His arm were folded behind his head and a foot rocked lazily up and down as he hummed a soft tune to himself. Letting out a deep sigh of exasperation, Link dragged himself to his feet and approached the van, glancing up at the new recruit and crossing his arms in authority.

"What're you still doing up?"

Startled, Luigi sat up and glanced down at him, grinning bashfully. "Well… to tell you the truth, Link… I ain't tired."

"Don't give me that. You need your sleep."

"I'm telling you, I ain't tired." He considered something, then turned back to his leader with an offer. "How 'bout you get some sleep and I'll take over as lookout?"

Link considered this briefly, liking the idea, but quickly shook his head. "Nah, I'm fine." He climbed on top of the van and took a seat next to him, gazing up idly at the stars.

Luigi regarded him somewhat levelly as he spoke. "You lead this squadron all by yourself. Don't you ever stop to rest and let a co-leader take over?"

Link slowly shook his head. "I created this squadron. It's my responsibility."

"Or are you afraid that co-leader might take over permanently?"

Link's azure gaze turned to him, and Luigi snapped his eyes away as if he had made an offense to the elf, which he probably did as he realized what he had said. Both were silent, and the subject was dropped.

As the silence became unbearable, Luigi turned back to Link when he felt it was safe to do so. "Hey, Link, I got a question."

"Shoot."

"What're those dog tags for?" he asked. "Are they identifications for the squadron, 'cause everyone's wearing them…"

Link sighed and smiled at his innocence, then shook his head. "Nope, 'fraid not." He held one of the tags in the palm of his hand and motioned it towards Luigi. "Take a look."

Encouraged by the offer, Luigi took the tag into his own hand, careful not to pull at Link's neck. The flat piece of steel metal rested on his bare palm as he read the contents etched on.

Link Alben Gaiden

214365887

"What's that?" Luigi pointed at the complex of numbers.

"My inmate number."

Luigi's face twisted in a cringe of realization. "Oh, now I remember… They're IDs for the… prison camps…"

Link nodded slowly. "Yep. Every single one of us were prisoners of war at some point. And we all escaped." He grinned wily. "Guess those cocksucker Frames can't keep us held up for long."

Luigi returned the grin feebly, letting the dog tag go as it rested against the elf's chest once more. He turned back up to the stars.

"Say, where're your tags?"

"Oh, I lost them during my escape."

"Mmm." Link's gaze then too focused on the twinkling stars above them. There was silence once again, then to neither's surprise, Luigi broke it.

"You guys must be pretty damn tough…"

"You too," Link commented briskly, getting Luigi to turn back to him in puzzlement. "The Rome Camp is one of the worst out there, second only to the Warsaw Camp in Poland."

Luigi was quiet, the name sounding strangely familiar. But he stayed quiet as Link continued.

"That's where I was held. Cruel place, that. If you stayed there for too long, they took you into the execution cells where you'd be killed soon after by guns of gas chambers. I watched a couple of my friends being sent there…" He paused, brows furrowed. "Couldn't take all that shit anymore, so I got out. Rounded up some other Nintendians and finally formed the squadron."

"How long have you been out here?"

"A couple years. We're pretty damn lucky when we find other Nintendians like you. And to be surviving alone in the Badlands for two months… You're pretty damn tough yourself."

Luigi blushed slightly, as he had never considered to be "tough." He wasn't as brave as his brother, and neither was he badass like these Nintendians. "Thanks…" he smiled, and both brought their gaze back up to the stars once more.

Then Link suddenly smiled at Luigi, beginning to climb down. "Follow me. I wanna show you something."

Not wanting to be rude, Luigi climbed down as well and followed Link inside the caravan. A few precious supplies including blankets, guns, and ammunition were stacked in neat crates close to the walls. Fox slept soundlessly in a makeshift hammock, headband slipped down in front of his eyes. Captain Falcon laid in a corner, wrapped up in a makeshift blanket and giggling sleepily. Luigi silently questioned his sanity before he approached Link and gazed at the wall before him.

The wall was almost completely covered by a collogue of Wanted Posters, all crudely yellow with age. Each held the glowering face of a Nintendian, most Luigi recognized and some he didn't. Names and inmate numbers were blotched with black ink below each black and white picture. Luigi gawked in awe.

"Wow…"

"Impressive, huh?" Link spoke somewhat proudly. "Don't ask why we collect them. Kind of a tradition." He grinned at Luigi. "When we find your poster, we'll put it up with the rest."

"You think they've got one of me yet?"

"Kid, they slap your mug on a poster two seconds after you bolt."

"Oh…" Luigi gazed at the empty spot on the wall. Two posters could've fit there. "You think if we find Mario's, we can post it up too?"

Link grew slightly pale, hesitant in answering.

"You okay?"

"Mmm…?... Oh, yeah, I'm just tired…" He pinched his forehead, then regained his composure. "But yeah, if we find your bro's mug, we'll post it up with yours."

"Cool." Luigi then yawned and stretched his arms up above his head. "Ooh… I think sleep's caught up with me…"

"Then get your rest. We'll be leaving early in the morning." Link told him, bringing out a blanket and tossing it at his chest. Luigi laid upon his side in the center of the floor, eyes gently shutting and breathing hushed and calm. Link watched silently as he yawned in his sleep, snuggling into his blanket for warmth. The Hylian smirked at the innocent look the new recruit took in his sleep. His face and clothes were still caked in dry mud, and his tight and knotted muscles showed that Luigi must've been on his endless journey longer than he had told them. Link sighed and was about to leave for his post, when a groan made him turn back. Fox's internal alarm was set off as he slowly awoke, swinging his legs over the hammock's side and stretching his arms tiredly. He looked up, and his flint jade eyes met with Link's sapphire orbs.

"What're you doing here?"

"…" Link sought an excuse. "…Just coming to get you."

Fox gave his leader a skeptical look. "Sure, Link. You know I have to get you from the post. It's the rule."

"I know, I know," he sighed, plopping his behind next to Fox and massaging his face, his golden and violet bangs drooping over his eyes and emphasizing his fatigue. "I'm just so fucking tired…"

Fox smiled and patted him on the back. "Alright, I won't tell on you this time," he joked, standing up and checking his rifle. Satisfied with the ammunition, he propped it against his shoulder. "Just get yourself some shut-eye."

Link nodded, swinging his legs up and lying in the hammock tiredly. As Fox was beginning to leave, Link turned his head towards him and spoke. "… Fox?"

The vulpine turned at the doorway, a hand resting on the railing. "Yeah?"

Link opened his mouth to speak, but stopped himself, rethinking. "… Never mind."

Fox looked at his leader oddly, then shrugged indifferently and stepped out into the night. Link yawned again and stared at the olive green ceiling with several more thoughts clogging his mind. Exhausted, his eyes fluttered until they creased shut.

"In the dark, see past our eyes,

Pursuit of truth, no matter where it lies,

Gazing up to the breeze of the heavens,

On a quest, meaning, reason,

Came to be, how it begun,

All alone in the family of the sun,

Curiosity teasing everyone,

On our home, third stone from the sun…" -Through the Never, Metallica

A/N: Yes… The fourth chapter has now been read by you… That was random. XD Anyways, keep an eye on Captain Falcon as his mental state develops, as well as most of the others. And don't worry, these people aren't the only Smashers I'll feature. There are some that aren't in the squadron or haven't been mentioned yet. So, with that said and done, review!