So, yeah...have an update! And look! It actually has Marth and Ike! Sorry no MK with them...*sigh* Gotta work on that...

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: HA….as if it's mine.

Bonds Will Not Break

Sum: He smiled at the laguz. "We're going to save him." (An explanation of sorts for Ike's descendant being in FE:A.)

~ ~ ~ Us ~ ~ ~

That morning when he woke, Ike expected it to be another day of Smashing.

And then he saw the letter sitting on the desk. It happened on occasion. A letter or package would appear, sent from their friends or family back home. Master Hand and Crazy Hand were very careful about fan letters though. Their reason was twofold. One, due to the sheer amount Smashers would receive. The vanguard grimaced, remembering the amount of paper he, Marth, and Meta Knight received before their hosts had the chance to implement the barrier. And two, for the hate as well. Kuro was a prime example of this.

The vanguard brushed those thoughts away, dressed and picked it up, intending to read it as he waited for Marth to finish his morning shower. Meta Knight had already left, presumably for his morning match. He tore into it just as the Emperor of Akaneia exited the adjoining bathroom, clothed, and running a hand through his semi-dry hair. "Ready, Ike? Oh. A letter?"

The emperor frowned watching the other's face darken.

"Ike?"

The vanguard gripped the paper, crumpling it in his hands, and left. Startled, Marth took a few moments to gather himself before rushing after his fellow swordsman.

"Ike?"

The Crimea native kept walking, either preoccupied or completely ignoring him. The emperor doubted the latter and tried again.

"Ike, what's wrong?" He questioned. The vanguard handed him the wrinkled letter, before immediately continuing on his way. The Emperor of Akaneia followed, careful not to collide with his friend as he read it.

Ike,

Soren's fallen ill. I don't think he's going to make it. A week…maybe less.

You should come home.

Ranulf

Marth felt his heart clench and silently followed his friend up towards the top floor of the mansion. There was a short hallway at the top of the stairs and a single door.

Ike yanked open the door to Marth's strangled cry.

A sigh greeted them. "It must be important for you to come without a simple knock."

"Master Hand, I need a few days off." The Crimea native stated.

"Off..." The hand echoed, floating over his desk. "...No doubt it has to do with the letter you received today." He morphed into his human form, and held out his newly acquired hand for the paper. Marth glanced at the vanguard. Ike nodded and the emperor gave the letter to their host. Master Hand read the short letter, before gently setting it on his desk. He studied the Crimean native. "You will be temporarily discharged from the tournament." Master Hand returned to his desk, pulling a draw open. "Nine days, in your time." He produced a Smash Coin. "When your time is up, this will teleport you back here. It will begin to glow when the date draws near. Should you wish to return earlier, simply press the two faces together."

Ike accepted it silently, storing it in one of his pouches. "When can I leave?"

"Today if you wish."

Marth squared his shoulders, "Master Hand, I would like some time off as well."

He frowned. "You wish to leave with him?"

"If Ike will have me, yes." The Emperor of Akaneia turned to his friend. The Crimea native nodded.

Their host hummed, brow furrowed. He turned back to his desk, eyes focusing on Ike's letter.

"Very well. You will be discharged for nine days as well. When it is time to return, you and Ike need to be in contact with each other, be it a hand on the shoulder, holding hands, whatever pleases you. Go prepare yourselves and return here; I shall summon a portal for you."

~ ~ ~ Us ~ ~ ~

They appeared a yard or so in front of Ike's home. It was a modest house and Marth felt it fit his friend perfectly. Suddenly the door opened revealing someone new to Marth's eyes. He was slim in build, but tone, with mismatched eye color; however the most startling were the pointed ears and the tail frantically swishing back and forth. The Crimean native didn't hesitate. He immediately closed the distance and pulled the other into a short, warm embrace.

"Ike." Was the muffled greeting.

"Has anything changed?" Ike asked, pulling back.

"Not much." The mismatched eyes locked on Marth. "...hey...that's the guy from your magic painting."

"Yeah," the vanguard turned a little.

When he'd gotten close enough, the Emperor of Akaneia extended his hand. "Marth."

"Ranulf."

They shook hands, then the laguz waved at the door. "Alright, come inside...uh...would you like some tea?"

"Yes, thank you." Marth replied. Ike immediately made his way towards the east side of the house, eager to see Soren.

"I wish we had met under better circumstances." The emperor's eyes lingered at the hallway where the Crimean native vanished.

Ranulf nodded. "Yeah...don't we all...Make yourself comfortable." He ducked into the small kitchen, returning with another cup.

"What is the illness?" He asked the laguz, keeping his voice down.

"At first I thought it was just a simple cold." Ranulf filled the new cup and passed it over to the emperor. "He did have a slight fever about a week ago, but it passed after some medicine…and then about four days ago he fainted."

The Emperor of Akaneia added some sugar. The illness sounded familiar; something he'd heard of before, though the timing wasn't exact. Marth hummed.

The laguz gave him a curious look and waited. The swordsman sipped at his tea and then slowly asked, "Did...did he have shakes at the beginning?"

"...yeah." Ranulf refilled his own cup. "Then they went away for about two days so I thought he was fine." He stirred in some sugar in before taking a sip.

He mentally crossed off the remaining possibilities.

The laguz set his drink down, "Then he just collap-"

"Collapsed."

"...yeah..."

"With a very high fever. It only lasted a day maybe two at most before immediately dropping to what would be defined as a manageable fever...he's probably experienced some numbness too…" The Emperor of Akaneia trailed off.

Ranulf slowly put his tea down. "How did you know?"

Marth frowned. "It's an illness we have in my world."

"You have it to?" Ike asked, having returned from the back room.

A nod. He knew what it was Soren had. The deadly part was the numbness. It would eventually creep up until it would hit the heart and then the patient would die. Though it was possible to catch it before, and leave the patient alive. Crippled, but alive.

"Some things are universal I guess." The laguz commented, picking his drink in his lap, hands wrapped around the warm tea.

The Crimean native looked haggard, and the Emperor of Akaneia moved to him, tea forgotten. The way the two were talking the emperor could only conclude there wasn't a cure.

At least, not here.

"How far along is he?" Marth quickly asked. "Where is the numbness?"

Ranulf frowned. "Earlier this morning he said he couldn't feel his toes."

"Ike, get Soren..."

The vanguard nodded, trusting the other, and rushed back into the sage's room.

Ranulf stood up, "What?! Why?!"

"We're leaving."

"Huh?! We? Where?"

"To my world." He smiled at the laguz. "We're going to save him."

~ ~ ~ Us ~ ~ ~

When they returned to the Smash mansion, the ragtag team found themselves in Master and Crazy Hand's office.

Master Hand, who was surprisingly still in his human form looked up from his papers. "Back so soon...with company." He walked over. "Marth, Ike…what is the meaning of this?"

"Master Hand, I apologize for the unexpected company, but I must request you to open a portal to my world." The Emperor of Akaneia replied.

"...I see…would this reason happen to do with the young man in Ike's arms?"

"Yes."

The host waited. Marth pursed his lips, realizing Master Hand wasn't going to act until more details were shared. "He's going to die." There. The words had been said. He didn't dare look behind him at Ike and Ranulf. "However, I can save him. In my world there is a cure an-"

"Enough...You two ca -"

"With or without your help, I will save him." The vanguard interrupted, voice calm and steady. Marth glanced back at his friend.

"Ike..." Their host trailed off.

"I will save him."

Master Hand studied the vanguard. "Very well. The consequences of your action, noble and selfless as they are, will be forever yours."

~ ~ ~ Us ~ ~ ~

They appeared in one of the courtyards. Marth released a breath he'd been holding and thanked the Gods and Goddesses no one was currently around.

"Come. We need to head inside…"

Master Hand nodded. "A moment if you would." They heard some hushed words, even too soft for the laguz's superior hearing, and a mist appeared around Ike, Soren, and Ranulf. "Proceed."

The emperor glanced around, getting his bearings, and muttering "We're in the south west end..." He headed off. "This way." Ike shifted the sage in his arms, while Ranulf's ears twitched at the various noises he was picking up.

"My Emperor?"

Marth paused at the voice. He'd barely taken a step into the castle hallway when he had been spotted. He turned to see a maid near a vase; no doubt she'd arranging the flora as she held a stem of foxglove. "Ah, yes..."

"..." she blinked, eyes widening. "My Emperor do you need assistance?"

The Emperor of Akaneia glanced behind him to see Ike, and it dawned on him. With Soren cradled in the vanguard's arms, no doubt she thought the worse. In a way she may be right. Ranulf had slunk behind both Ike and Master Hand who had a sage's attire on. "…yes, do you know where ar-"

"Emperor?"

Marth mentally huffed at the interruption however the irritation vanished seeing one of his trusted knights and a familiar face.

"Cain! Gordin? Is that you?"

"Si-Emperor!" The archer smiled. But the two citizens' of Altea spotted the four new comers.

The red knight frowned, "What are you doing back so earl-" He paused eyes resting on Ranulf. "What!? A demon? Some sort of dark magic?" Instantly, his sword was out of its sheath and Gordin pulled out a small dagger.

"Marth, quickly get behind me!"

The green haired archer shouted out, "Milady, inform the other guards immediately!"

Ranulf groaned. "Oh come on!"

Ike, while holding into Soren stepped in front of the laguz. Master Hand remained impassionate at the whole ordeal.

The Emperor of Akaneia quickly intercepted Cain. "Wait! Please, they're friends. Milady, there's no need to sound the alarm." He felt a twinge of guilt as the young woman was clearly frightened and confused.

"Emperor...! He's got…ears! And a tail! A half human, beast!" Gordin replied.

"Cain, Gordan, please, go get the Chief Healer. We'll meet him in the healing quarters." Marth raised a hand. "Wait, is my sister still here?"

"...yes my Emperor."

"Please bring her there too."

The Bull nodded, obviously distrustful of the strangers, but followed his emperor's order. Gordin was slower, but trailed after the other.

"My apologizes, milady for the intrusion and fright." The Emperor of Akaneia addressed the maid, who flushed.

"Please my Emperor, do not apologize..." She quickly left the hallway after curtseying.

A whistle filled the air. "Ladies man over here…"

The emperor shook his head, "Pardon?" He spared the laguz an unamused look.

Ranulf raised his hands in mock surrender. "Nothing, Emperor..." Master Hand barely held back his laugh.

"Enough. We need to get going." The vanguard reminded them, his voice tight.

"Ike's correct. This way."

~ ~ ~ Us ~ ~ ~

"He'll make a full recovery." Elice smiled at her brother. She and the Chief Healer had administered the first dose of medicine to the dark haired sage.

Marth sighed in relief. "Thank you, sister."

"Of course, Marth." She hugged him. "He's lucky. Another two days or so and he would've lost the use of his legs."

"You didn't tell them that did you?"

"No. I felt it best not to. I did inform them there is a potential of relapse…he needs to stay so we may monitor him should his recovery deteriorate." The bishop relayed. "Marth…who are they?"

"Friends...and I will explain more later."

She sighed. "I understand...please send word when you are done here. Merric and Lilan would love to see you off."

The emperor nodded. "I will. Where's Shiida?"

"She's currently visiting a small village to the southwest. She'll return this evening." She gave him a knowing smile. The bishop took her leave, taking one last glance at the trio. Marth also focused on them, smiling. Soren was sleeping, the illness having sapped what little energy he had. The vanguard and laguz were quietly talking to each other careful not to wake their companion as they hovered by the bed. Ranulf gave a toothy grin, before playfully shoving his friend. The Crimea native threw an arm around the other's shoulders, whispered something, and turned away. The Emperor of Akaneia chuckled as Ranulf's tail swatted at the other on his way out. Ike slipped out of the room, and Marth reached to pull the door close only to be yanked away. "Wha?!" He found himself wrapped in strong arms.

The vanguard whispered, "Thank you...thank you...!" Marth was taken aback by the ferocity of the hug. Once the surprise wore off, which was quick, the Emperor of Akaneia returned it with just as much strength. "You're welcome. And please, however long you three need, you are more than welcomed to stay here."

Ike pulled away. "Are you sure?"

"Well, Soren will need at least a few weeks to recover..."

"Right...Your sister mentioned a relapse. I appreciate that Marth...we appreciate it." Ike chuckled. "We owe you a lot and we'll find a way to repay you."

"Nonsense Ike. I'm your friend. I require no payment."

The vanguard shook his head. "We'll discuss this more," and nodded towards the bed, "once Soren is up to health."

"Until then, we'll provide a room for Ranulf and yourself which you may use." No doubt Ike would like to spend their days off with them.

"I suppose it's up to me to watch over our guests."

Marth spun at the voice, beaming. "Kris!"

Ike sized up the new man with a critical eye. He was an inch or two shorter than Marth, with medium blue hair, and an average build. He carried a sword at his side and looked travel worn.

"My friend! It's been too long!" The Emperor of Akaneia embraced the other, who returned it.

"My Emperor, it's a pleasure to see you once more." Kris replied, a small smile on his face. "It seems you've been busy since my departure."

Marth laughed, "Yes. There's much you have missed. Come, I wish you to meet a dear friend!" He pulled the other man over to the vanguard. "Kris, this is Ike."

The man held out his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise."

"And what about your other companions?" Kris asked, eyes drifting towards the room. "My Emperor, Cain and Gordin informed me of a human like beast in the castle with ears and a tail similar to that of a cat."

"Hey, they got it right!" Ranulf praised, coming out of the room. "That would be me. And get it right. I'm a laguz, not a beast. Laguz." He grinned. Marth noticed the pointed teeth. "...a beast in human form?" Kris muttered softly, though it was meaningless as Ranulf's ears heard his comment.

"Wanna see how 'beastly' I can be?" the laguz's grinned widened.

Marth wasn't sure if he was teasing or not. He cleared his throat, "Kris, this is Ranulf. And the one in the bed is Soren. They are both my guests. Soren is recovering from the numbing illness. As for our third companion...Ike, we should go see him."

"Oh, yeah."

~ ~ ~ Us ~ ~ ~

They found their host admiring one of the large paintings. Marth recognized it. It was one of his favorites as a child. It depicted the hero Anri defeating Medeus. He would spend hours reenacting the fight, giving it flourish and silly conversations and different celebration parties at the end.

"Master Hand." Ike called out.

"Is he cured?"

"Yes. And thank you." The vanguard added.

"You're welcome." Master Hand merely turned his head. "...By jumping dimensions like this...you've denied his fate...and he is no longer welcomed in Tellius."

"What do you mean?"

"Should Soren return to Tellius, his life will be forfeit. He was fated to die in Tellius. And die he will upon his return." He turned back to the painting. "If you wish for him to live, he can never return to Tellius."

Ike scowled, unable to respond. He'd condemned his friend to this new world without his permission.

"Ike…His life is far more important." Marth interrupted the vanguard's thoughts. "I'm confident that Soren holds no ill will towards you. You saved his life."

A nod. "Yeah..." He took a deep breath. "Yeah..."

"I'll make sure he's taken care of." Marth assured. "I promise."

"Yeah...I know you will." The vanguard glanced to the side. "It's just...his only friends…have been me and Ranulf...he's not the easiest person to live with or understand…"

"Ike…it's just an idea…but please think about the consequences before you answer." The Emperor of Akaneia glanced at Master Hand. Their host was still staring at the painting. "If there is nothing tying you...you and Ranulf to Tellius...perhaps you would like to stay here?"

The vanguard paused.

"Don't answer right away. Talk it over with Ranulf." Marth quickly assured.

"If you stay, you should learn the language."

"Eh?" Both swordsmen turned to their host.

Master Hand walked away from the paintings to them. "Marth's birth language is not English." He held a hand up, halting any rebuke from Ike. "Yes, I know you can understand them and they you. That is due to a spell I had placed when we arrived. It's only a short term solution."

The two exchanged glances.

"Lessons?" That single word told the emperor what Ike's decision was. He smiled at the vanguard. Of course Ike wouldn't leave his friend behind.

"Lessons." Marth agreed.

"...Kris?"

"Kris." The Emperor laughed, with a small bit of pity for his friend. "We'll continue your lessons during the tournament."

Ike smiled. Marth was too kind. And he was so glad they were friends and now, they wouldn't have to say 'Good-bye' when the tournament came to a close.

He would be joining Marth, his emperor, when the time came.

And there you go. Just my own weird explanation regarding Ike's descendant being in FE:13 (Fire Emblem Awakening) or Marth's world. Those of you who've played FE13, know that Priam is a descendant of the Radiant Hero who is Ike. I have heard it might be possible Priam is actually a descendant of Boyd/Mist, but the problem with that is Boyd and Mist have to be together. And in FE10 (Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn) it isn't necessary to have the two paired. So...yeah.

Anyway, ummm...this was really long. It's like 10 pages in Word...geez...I'm not too happy with the ending and it seems so cliché, but I didn't want to extend it too much. 10 pages. Ten pages...TEN PAGES! I think it might be my longest one yet...?

Anyway, this had been partially completed for a looooooooooooooooooooooong time. And then I got back to it...so there's been a gap between it. Hopefully, that's not evident.

I didn't mention Roy at all in this one…mostly because I'm unsure if I want it to be before or after, so I'll leave it up to you, fair readers, to determine if it's before or after Roy's return.

As for me, things are coming along. Still very busy, so updates will still be far and few. SO! Thank you to those who still are interested in these oneshots! I really appreciate it!

With many thanks, ZeroGravityDog says bye!