Hidy-Ho! Not much to say. So, let's get straight to it, yah?
Important Info:
1) Meta Knight is based on the anime Hoshi no Kaabii, where he's more of a father/teacher figure to Kirby
2) Lucario is female and Greninja is male.
Disclaimer: Not mine, and I apologize if I totally ruined someone's dreams of me owning it! XD (pshh...as if...)
Edit: Fixed a few errors. I don't think anyone else noticed one of them, but I needed to fix it after seeing it myself. Overall, just some changing of titles to be consistent. A 'cosmetic' change if you will.
The Young Lion
Sum: "Don't forget about me!" A voice echoed through the stage.
~ ~ ~ Us ~ ~ ~
Ike woke up to the sound of their door closing. His initial thought was 'Who left?'. The native of Crimea partially opened his eyes to see Marth fully dressed and ready for the day. He blinked, still groggy from sleep, and could've sworn he saw the other slip some paper in his belt loop. But the vanguard couldn't be sure for when he finished rubbing the sleep from his eyes, the emperor was empty handed.
"Good morning, Ike."
"Mornin'..." He yawned. "You're ready earlier than usual."
"Ah, yes...I suppose I am."
Ike waited for more, but it was apparent the other wasn't going to supply more. He shrugged, and went about his morning routine.
Finished and dressed, Ike swept a towel through his tresses. "What's on the agenda for today?"
Marth smiled, "Well it seems we are to be in a Free-For-All with Lucina and Robin."
"Time or stock?"
"Time."
"Stage?"
"The Coliseum." Marth held out the other's headband.
The native of Crimea quickly tied it around his head. "When?"
"At 8:50."
"Huh, odd time...usually Master Hand likes matches every quarter." He slipped out of their room, watching as Marth closed the door.
"Yes, it is a little odd...maybe he's letting Crazy Hand schedule them...?"
"Ugh...it better not have any custom rules..." The vanguard grumbled. "I hate those."
The Emperor of Akaneia chuckled, but understood his friend's hatred. "Let's not dwell on it. After all, we won't know until the match."
~ ~ ~ Us ~ ~ ~
Much to Ike's relief, it was a standard match. The announcer shouted out "GO" and the four began.
Robin cast rapidly Thunder hoping to catch the emperor off guard, but Marth swung Falchion backwards, letting it absorb the magic. Meanwhile, Lucina having anticipated her ancestor attacking her leaped away. While Marth didn't target her, Ike had. He charged forward swinging his blade in a wide horizontal arc; an attack that Lucina had unintentionally dodged.
The swordswoman saw an opening and pulled her Falchion back over her head. The Crimea native slowly pushed himself back into a standing position and turned ready to face the Princess of Ylisse. He recognized her pose and threw up the shield in the nick of time as she unleashed her attack seeing she had lost the element of surprise. "Haaaahhh!" The tip of Falshion connected with the barrier.
Unfortunately for her, it held. Ike dropped his shield and rushed her, swinging his sword diagonally upward, but Lucina was quick on her feet and jumped back from danger.
Meanwhile, Robin and Marth took dodged past each other. Both leaped into the air with the tactician unsheathing his Levin Sword. He swung behind him in a horizontal strike. The Emperor of Akaneia twisted his body to avoid the magic sword. Ylisse's tactician swore under his breath as his momentum carried him closer to Marth. He quickly flipped the page, his tome changing in color. It was a simple mechanic Master Hand had implemented into the tomes so Robin and Bubbles wouldn't carry four different spell books. Very impractical.
"Elwind!" He aimed the first magic blasts downward at a slight angle to change his direction. The emperor used his second jump to follow the tactician having expected it.
Ylisse's tactician threw the second magic blast down, continuing his retreat. Marth extended Falchion vertically and quickly slash upwards. The tip of the blade missed the other and the two descended quickly to the ground, each hoping to catch the other unguarded.
The white haired male landed first and twisted around casting "Arcfire!" The Emperor of Akaneia dashed under the magic, though he could feel the heat from it pass over his head. Robin slipped behind Marth who swept Falchion out horizontally. Ike jumped avoiding the attack originally meant for Robin, and landed behind the emperor. At the same time, the tactician also had jumped high in the air, in order to give himself more time to prepare a magic attack on Lucina and Marth. The native of Crimea drew Ragnell over his head preparing to attack. Lucina saw this as an opening, betting on her quick reflexes and hopped over her ancestor, pulling Falchion back in preparation for two rapid attacks. Marth turned, quickly evaluated the situation and reversed his grip on Falchion.
Robin was ready to release an Elhunder upon landing however the Princess of Ylisse slammed her blade into him, sending him right over the vanguard who swung just a second too late to hit the tactician. Instead, the blade collided with the swordswoman resulting in her also flying in the air, but Ragnell also caught Marth's blade. The Emperor of Akaneia countered, lashing out at the vanguard and throwing him towards Robin.
The Princess of Ylisse charged her ancestor while Ylisse's tactician and the native of Crimea recovered as quickly as possible.
"Don't forget about me!" A voice echoed through the stage. The four Smashers paused all searching for the source, expect for Marth. The emperor smiled, turned and stared straight at a figure on a floating platform that normally brought Smashers back from being KOed. Before the other three could identify who had interrupted their match fire erupted on the stage. The intruder jumped down behind the flames then jumped through them in a blur of blue, purple, and a bit of red.
"Wha?"
"Is that-!?"
"The Young Lion!"
Marth's grin widened.
In the blink of an eye, the red haired swordsman swung his blade using a reverse grip. "I've returned at last!"
He dashed forward shouting at them, "This match is only getting started! Ready your blades!" He pushed off the ground a little, swinging the Sword of Seals. Marth jumped backwards, while Lucina gave him a wide berth and positioned herself far behind the lord. Ike had chanced it slipped behind Roy. The Lord of Pherae didn't even blink as he grabbed Robin and chucked the tactician to the ground. Robin recovered quickly only to find himself between the Hero King and the Radiant Hero.
Robin swung his Levin Sword, but the emperor had read him easily. Marth countered the blade and swung Falchion out. "There it is!" The blade hit the tactician.
"Damn!" Robin flew back and collided with the recovering Lucina. The two tumbled in the dirt as the tactician's momentum didn't slow with the impact. However, the Emperor of Akaneia's victory was terribly short as Ike had jumped into the fray.
The vanguard grinned at the emperor, his reaction time impeccable and countered Marth's attack on Robin. Ragnell slammed into Marth, and he flew backwards just over the head of the Lord of Pherae who had dashed in. He offered the vanguard a smile, before switching to a reverse grip. "Hah!" The Sword of Seals caught the end of Ike's attack. Roy instantly flipped his hold on the blade, and swung diagonally down, flames seemingly to erupt from the steel.
He stood up, blue eyes observing Ike, Robin, and Lucina.
"Let's finish this."
~ ~ ~ Us ~ ~ ~
The native of Crimea crossed his arms, watching Roy converse with Robin and Lucina. The two had wide eyes and smiles.
"Sore about your lose?"
"No." He replied evenly. Ike gazed at the emperor and frowned. "You knew he was coming?"
Marth nodded, "Yes..." He fiddled with his belt before producing a folded piece of paper. "I had received this yesterday."
The vanguard took it and read the short letter.
Marth,
I have incredible news! Master Hand has recently visited and I can inform you with jubilation that I am to return to the tournament on the morrow! I look forward reuniting with you my friend.
Well wishes,
Roy
Ike handed the note back to the emperor. "And you planned for him to enter our match? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Yes, earlier today I met with Roy and I suggested this." Marth lost his smile. "I wanted it to be a surprise."
"Well it certainly was..." He frowned and re-crossed his arms.
The emperor huffed. "So, you didn't enjoy it. Sorry..."
"You certainly don't sound sorry..."
Marth glared. "It's hard to sound sorry, when you don't know why you're apologizing and when you don't feel like you need to apologize. What's wrong? Why are you acting like this?"
"Nothing's wrong!" Ike replied, his voice rising. "And I don't know what you're talking about!" He grabbed Ragnell, hefting it over his shoulder, and left the transportation room.
~ ~ ~ Us ~ ~ ~
The Lord of Pherae walked down the hallway, creating a mental layout of the mansion. It was incredibly larger than the previous one; necessary to house the many Smashers.
After their argument, Roy saw his old friend leave. When he inquired to his new whereabouts the emperor stated "Multi-Man Smash" and left. The lord simply watch Marth storm off with Lucina close at his heels. When the two were alone, Robin quickly asked, "Why aren't you following him too?"
Roy replied, "Marth will work through most of his agitation."
The tactician fiddled with his tome. "And the remaining amount?"
The lord didn't answer and left to search for Ike. He didn't make it far when he found someone to question about the native of Crimea's whereabouts.
"Pardon me, milady." Roy inclined his head towards the woman. "Did Ike happen to walk by here?"
"Ike?" The woman hummed, tapping her wand against the palm of her hand. "I haven't today." There was a sudden childlike giggle and the lord blinked seeing six floating creatures pass by him and circle her. She held out her hands and the red one happily collapsed into them. The black colored one with sky blue eyes spoke, "I believe I saw the young man head towards the large training room."
"May I inquire as to where it is located?"
"Of course," the thing replied. "Your destination is on the first floor on the east side of the mansion."
"Thank you for your aid." He redirected himself, over hearing one of the creatures comment how pleasant he was. Roy smiled. In the hallway were various other doors and opened archways, but he ignored all in favor of the double doors. The Lord of Pherae hovered by the doorway, eyes following Ike who was pacing and muttering to himself. Roy closed the doors with a bit more force than he would've if only to indicate his presence. The vanguard immediately honed it on him, cursed and rubbed a hand over his face. "What?"
Roy strolled deeper into the room. "Just curious as to what that argument was about."
Ike flinched at the words. The Lord of Pherae watched as the other opened, then closed his mouth. Then, "You heard...I'm guessing Robin and Lucina heard too."
Seeing as the native of Crimea decided not to avoid, or worse...lie about it, Roy said, "You're his friend, why are you holding this against him…?"
"That's just it! I'm his friend...and I just..." Ike growled. "I feel like he should've told me..."
Roy studied the vanguard who had begun pacing again.
"It's stupid! But I can't help but feel he should've told me...I thought that we were close...brother...and...and..."
"...you feel betrayed."
Ike stopped, flushing. "...it's really stupid...I mean...I don't share everything with him...but I won't lie if he asked me..." He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm really stupid."
The Lord of Pherae tentatively laid a hand on the other's shoulder. "You're human. It's nothing to be ashamed of. We all do and feel something that in hindsight is ridiculous. However, it's important to take the time to understand why we did it or felt the way we felt at the time and how it affected our actions."
The vanguard locked eyes with the lord for a brief moment and then looked away. Roy let the other mull over his words in silence. He could only pray that the native of Crimea took them to heart. He heard Ike's breathe hitch, which was immediately followed by coughing.
"Are you alright?"
Ike nodded, eventually calming down his breathing. "I'm fine...fine..." He absently rubbed the back of his neck.
The lord partially believed him. Whatever Ike had concluded it was enough to shock him. Curious, but suppressing it, Roy nodded. "It's also important to mend any bonds that may have been strained."
"In other words, I should go apologize to Marth."
"Yes. And preferably soon."
Ike nodded and quickly headed towards the double doors, hefting his blade as he went. He paused as he opened one of the doors. "Hey, Roy?"
"Yes?"
Ike turned around, locking eyes with the Lord of Pherae. "Thanks. I look forward to another match."
And then Ike and Marth made up and there was sunshine and rainbows and all of the fire emblem people linked hands and skipped off into the sunset...!
But seriously, Ike did come to an interesting conclusion about his actions and what not, but I didn't include it for two reasons. One being the fact that this oneshot is long enough thanks in part to the action sequences (it's like seven pages in Word...). And two this is focused on Roy and trying to establish his character. As stated before in 'You, Me, and Him' Chapter 52-Flowers and Swords, Roy is cunning, thoughtful, etc. So I'm trying to show his personality and making it different enough from the others and where he fits in our band of merry Smashers.
I may try and slip his thoughts in another oneshot...I don't know. I mean, it could lead to some interesting dynamics for a while...I'm not sure. At the same time it could be cliche and what not. He's going to be more perspective when compared to Ike (about the same level as Marth) and less emotionally attached when it comes to the hard decisions unlike what I picture Marth to be.
On another note, Roy's very vocal in his attacks...! I mean...whoa...seriously...he shouts like in almost every attack...it's amusing. I enjoy playing him!
Hey! Anyone know what Roy says when he counters? I found what Marth (potentially) says when he succeeds in a counter, but I couldn't find Roy's.
Most of the fighting was based on the Nintendo Direct. I had to add a few paragraphs in order to transition from one scene to another.
Like I stated in the previous oneshot, I'll have something for Ryu. But it's going to take me more time simply because I have to research him since I'm not familiar with Street Fighter at all.
Farewell, guys and gals!
ZeroGravityDog is out!