A/N: Yo, peeps! I just got back from my mountain vacation trip, and guess what I got!

Link: What?

STUNG! (shows everyone my swollen finger)

Eliwood: Ouch.

First bee sting I've ever gotten, believe it or not. At least I know I'm not allergic now!

Ed: But... How are you able to type with a swollen finger?

Roy: Cause she's SUPER NINTENDO NUT! 8D

FME: YAY! (blows fanfare)

Link: (throws confetti)

Eliwood: Um... Hoo-ah.

Roy: YEAH! 8D

Okay, onto business. No, this story will not include FMA. That was just a cute little mention and kind of an advertisement to FullMetalEdward's latest fic (which is our continuous RP session).

Ed: Aw, man...

And frankly, I'm not worried about chapter length this time around. I want to keep a chain of events going with this, keep it smooth. And no offense, but I really don't feel others should worry over chapter length.

Ed: It's not about quantity. It's about quality.

...You certainly are the smarter one, aren't you?

Ed: When I feel like it. (starts headbanging and jumping to System of a Down with Roy and FME)

Well, that didn't last long. Oh well. Chappie time.

Dragon Blood: Chapter 3: Challenge

The next morning came once everyone was well-rested. The swordsmen avoided Vanuto during breakfast, for Roy's sake. Once the meal was finished, all Smashers broke off for fighting as usual.

Marth stood by one of the many Screentrons, this one corresponding to the Hyrule Temple arena, as he watched his two friends duke it out. He smiled as it was entertaining to witness Link and Roy exchange blows and taunts alike.

"Greetings, Marth," a voice from nearby greeted, and the cobalt turned to find Vanuto approaching, the usual indifferent look on his face. Marth briefly regarded him darkly for bringing fear to his best friend, but hid his anger behind a forced smile.

"Hey, Vanuto. You've had any matches?"

"Not as of yet. None of the fighters... interest me."

Marth scoffed softly so he couldn't hear, annoyed by the subtly proud comment. The sorcerer stood beside him idly, crimson eye trained on the Screentron.

"So... you said Roy uses fire in his combat...?"

"Oh, yeah, you just gotta wait for it... There! See?" he pointed out as Roy thrust his sword into the sky, striking Link as he fell above him. Engulfed in flames, Link went flying, but not too far as he was able to recover and rejoin the match. But not until after he called Roy a stupid be-otch.

Vanuto was silent in thought before asking, "...Where do you suppose those powers came from?"

"Well, none of us quite know. Not even he knows. My best guess would have to be his blade, the Sword of Seals, but in truth I have no idea."

"Huh." Vanuto's gaze solely trained on Roy as the redhead continued to battle. Was it really the sword? Were his suspicions false? No, it had to be deeper than that. He did not come all this way to live with these freaks and not find the one he was looking for.

"This game's winner is... ROY!"

He would just have to find out for himself.

The two stepped out of the transporters, Roy doing an odd little victory dance while taunting a stiff Link profusely. "Oh yeah! I beat the man in green! Yes!" He poked the elf on the shoulder. "I beat you." Another poke. "I beat you." Poke. "I beat you." Poke. "I beat you." Poke. "I beat you." Poke. "I be..."

Slug. Roy gripped his arm and gave Link a shocked gape. "OW! You bas!" He returned the favor with a punch of his own, which Link instantly retaliated. The two exchanged blows until it progressed into a sissy-slap fight. They broke it off and all three broke into laughter as good friends always do.

Vanuto stood apart from this, constantly glancing at his object of interest. As Roy finally noticed, one could visibly see his look of amusement melt into that of apprehension. Noticing this change, the other two turned to glance at the obsessed sorcerer. Marth did not hold back his anger anymore as a glare crossed his handsome face.

Ignoring the Hylian and Alteanian, Vanuto took a few steps closer, to which the Pherean took a few steps back. "You, Roy." He held out his staff, the sharp point touching his breast armor. Roy's eyes glued themselves to it, sweat coating his face. "I challenge you to a battle, Two Stock, on the Battlefield arena, in ten minutes."

Roy stuttered for a moment, trying to form words. "Uh, uma, hu, um..."

"It would be most dishonorable to refuse a challenge from a fellow warrior, wouldn't it?" he sneered as more pressure was pressed into the armor.

Roy whimpered, but nodded hastily. Vanuto pulled the staff away, gave him a stern glare, and walked away to prepare for the match. Roy stood aghast, that shocked look threatening to be frozen forever on his face.

"What a creep!" Link spat disgustedly. "What's his problem?"

"Bah, who knows..." Marth groaned, then trained his attention on the poor redhead. "Um... Roy, you alright?"

Roy began to feverishly shake his head, beginning to step back in the opposite direction as Vanuto went. "No... N-no way, man, I ain't fighting him...!"

"Hey, whoa, wait a sec!" Marth and Link held him back as he tried to bolt for it, the former of which who spoke. "He's right in some sense. You can't back down from a challenge. You know that."

"I don't wanna fight him!" Roy wailed, struggling as they pinned him against the wall.

"You have to!" Link exclaimed. "It's the rookie's first match, and everyone's gonna be there to watch! If you don't show up, you'll be the laughing stock of SSBM!"

"I don't care!" the youth bellowed, sweat covering his face. Or was it tears...? "I'm not going anywhere near that psycho!"

"ROY!" Marth shouted, causing the Pherean to stop short and stare at his friend in shock. Marth had never needed to raise his voice like that before, and it instantly shut him up like a small child. "You're never gonna conquer your fear of Vanuto unless you confront him! You have to stop hiding from him!"

Roy's gaze lowered in shame as he deeply sighed. Marth was right; there was no sense in running anymore.

"Right." Link lightly hit the side of his arm, a lighthearted smile on his face. "We don't want you to start chickening out on us!"

Roy's bright eyes snapped up, giving Link a glare. "I'm not a chicken!" With that, he stormed away to prepare his match, as there was no point in staying with friends who would only pick on him.

The two watched him go in his rotten mood, and once he was gone, Marth took the opportunity to deliver a sharp slap to the back of Link's head.

"Ow!" the elf cried out, throwing a glare at Marth as he rubbed his head gingerly. "What was that for?"

"Smooth move, Exlax!" the prince growled. "You just had to stick in an insult, didn't you?"

"Well, geez, I was just trying to cheer him up! Goddesses..." he muttered.

Marth chose to give up on scolding Link and gazed off in the direction Roy had gone. That was so unlike him, to actually not want to battle. Was he really that scared? Was Vanuto really so frightening beneath that melancholy demeanor?

"Come on, Link, let's head towards the arena." He began to walk off, Link following and muttering complaints the cobalt chose to ignore. Whatever the case may be, he just hoped Vanuto wouldn't try anything funny...

A/N: Yes, I know that was short, leave me alone.

Roy: (pokes me) Bother! 8D Bother bother bother!

(slug)

Roy: Ow... Dad, she hit me!

Eliwood: You so had that coming.

Roy: Aw...

Link: XD

Ed and FME: (still rocking hard to System of a Down)

Hey, I wanna too! Review, peeps! ROCK ON!