Began Typing: 6:18 PM 6/18/2008 -

Posted: Later-ish again

At Sixes and Sevens- Chapter Four (Hardly Worth my Time)

Unfortunately, the feelings persisted. He spent the next day stalking his own body, watching somberly as it cried in a few deserted corners. He simply met him back in the room, sitting on the bed in the dark. The door opened and Ike entered, shutting it behind him. "Marth." Marth stated.

Ike looked to him. "Oh...I did not see you there, Ike."

Marth stood, walking over. "We need to talk."

"?" Ike blinked. "What about?"

Marth opened his mouth to speak and halted himself. The prince was already wounded. He should let the previous wound heal before he pulled the poor boy's organs out of his chest like an explicit horror movie scene where the psycho takes complete advantage of his prey and sacrifices them in an ancient Aztec-like ritual...minus the "taking complete advantage of" part. Now Ike was afraid. He had finally achieved what his entire mercenary division said he would never be able to do. He had an attack of conscience. Oh my God. "Come here.

Ike inched over and Marth gave him a hug. "I'm sorry." He whispered. "I've been a total ass." If only the mercenary division could see him now...

"OH!" A female's voice came from the doorway. "I-I'll just be..."

"It's alright, Peach," Marth stated, "we were just finishing up. What is it?"

She smiled, her hand wringing at the hem of her dress nervously. "Marth, you have a visitor."

"Oh?" Marth asked. "Who?"

"Don't ask me, go see him!"

Ike suddenly sprinted from the room, definitely out of Marth's arms, the hugger giving chase. When Ike halted, he was in the foyer and stood generally at the back. "It IS him!" He was beside himself with joy. "Go say hello for me?"

"Who's HIM?" Marth asked.

"Marth!"

Marth looked over to the boy who was at least a head shorter than him but made up the rest in hair height, equaling Marth's height (meaning he was two heads shorter than himself). His flaming hair bobbed as he lunged and gave Marth a large hug, their polished chest armor grinding together and making Marth grit his teeth slightly. He HATED that noise..."Aren't you happy to see me?!" He asked gleefully, still not releasing the prince's body.

Marth looked to Ike curiously. 'DO I?' He mentally cried. Ike nodded just on cue. "Uh...yeah?" Marth guessed.

The boy blinked, the smile being wiped from his face and his posture slouching even more than it already was. "Marth? Some thing's different about you..."

"Really? Like what?"

"Like...what's my name?"

"Th-that's not an answer to that question!" Marth attempted to stall for time. Unfortunately it was caught by the shorter male.

"I thought we were bestest friends! Fine! I see how it is! Well, in that case, I'm leaving and I'm taking my half of me with me!!" He turned around, beginning to storm away.

Ike caught his arm, worry carved on his face. "ROY-!"

The boy named Roy grinned widely at Ike. "Heya. I thought something was off here. Hey! Have you been working out? Can I call you...Big Blue?"

Ike sighed exasperately. "Do not scare me like that, Roy. I thought you were really mad at me when it was just this joker..."

"Hey!" Marth interjected.

Roy grinned widely. "'Course not. So, whose body is that?"

Marth rose his hand. "Mine. The name's Ike."

"...you guys want to tell me how this happened?"

Ike chuckled. "We'll tell you...as soon as we figure it out."

Roy suddenly pounded his fist in his other hand triumphantly. "Oh yeah! We have some unfinished business!"

The next odd occurrence in Smash Manor played out as Roy gave Ike a really, really, really. REALLY big hug. Ike gasped for air when he was released. "I missed you too, Roy. By the way, why are you not participating in the tourney this year?"

"Oh, my father's still a bit ill. I convinced Marcus to watch him while I came down to visit and see your next match!"

Marth and Ike looked at each other questioningly. "Next match?" The asked simultaneously.

"Well yeah! I got the news in 'Competitors News Daily' magazine (sponsored by your friendly hands at Super Smash Brothers Inc. If it's from us, it HAS to be true!)."

"The hell's that?" Marth asked, more than slightly confused.

Roy shrugged. "I dunno. It just kinda showed up outside the castle last month...Anyways, Marth, you're fighting Kirby and...sorry Ike...didn't check for you."

"How the hell am I gonna fight in the princess's body!?"

Ike, for once, didn't seem to mind that he had been called a princess again, and chimed in with his own question. "How long will you be staying, Roy?"

"Eh...I'm not sure. Marcus and Lowen told me to come back tomorrow, but I'm sure I can hang around until my dad figures out i'm gone. Marcus can't distract him forever, after all. I'll see you guys in the stands!" And Roy raced off.

Marth and Ike spent the next few hours before the battles attempting to learn each others fighting style. Unfortunately, they were highly unsuccessful and had to split up, Marth's round against Kirby about to begin. He was already prepared, on his way after Ike threatened to pummel him if he screwed up. He was just about to enter the teleporter, when he heard, "Wait! Marth!!"

It was, predictably, Peach and Zelda. They skidded to a halt in front of him and between the teleporter, catching their breath for a moment as he stared at them in near mocking silence. "Marth!" Zelda exclaimed once she had caught her breath. "Peach told me what she saw with you and Ike this morning! What was going on!?"

"...I..." He felt like he was being mugged.

"What were you thinking!?" Peach added abruptly.

"I...I think I...liked him..." Marth found himself blushing.

Zelda and Peach began to giggle. "I knew it!" Zelda cried, hugging his arm.

"K-knew what?" Marth questioned.

Zelda looked up at him, smiling. "Your hate was just an expression of your love!"

"What!?" This chick had read far too many romance novels.

"It's so cute! Does he like you?"

"I...I dunno-!"

"I'll ask for you!"

"No, please, that's not-!"

Suddenly, there were gone and the final call for him to enter the arena resounded. He had a bad feeling about this...but what could he do other than enter the portal to who knows what beyond.

In a far away, distant land known as the break room-

Ike sat in the center of the couch, taking up most of the room. The reflective box was experiencing what was called "Live Feed" to show them the battles. Marth and Kirby were currently shown, preparing to begin their fight on the stage. Ike felt antsy...he hoped Ike would be okay in his body. Wait, since when did he care about Ike? Oh yeah, since they had an out-gaying contest a few nights ago. Well...Ike didn't need to know he felt that way. He would probably reject him anyways. He still couldn't help but feel anxious as Marth withdrew Falchion. All he could do was pray he would be alright.

Enter the battlefield-

Marth couldn't help but feel ominous dread overwhelm him. He had no idea, still, how to wield this sword, Zelda and Peach would tell the real Marth how he felt any second, and he was on some foreign stage with a giant tree, apples and dangerous looking boxes with several bombs planted throughout them. Today was not his day. He decided that it would be a good idea to take his priest's advice (like he never did) and began to pray. He clenched his eyes hoping for the best.

This is getting annoying, huh-

There were no lights, no sparks, not a choir of angels singing in ear-shot, but to Ike there were. When he reopened his eyes, he sat on the sofa between an irritated Ganondorf and the red-capped Pokemon Trainer. He glanced up at the reflective screen where he could clearly see Marth looking at his hands, sword and hair. He seemed incredibly pleased, soing a small victory dance on the screen for all to see. "I'M ME AGAIN!!" Ike cheered, hopping off the couch and dancing around much more spastically than Marth did on the screen.

Granted, this made no sense to anyone else in the room, earning him everyones' looks of utter confusion. Ike didn't care. He felt golden. Hell, he could tell Marth exactly how he felt right now!...Well...he wasn't going to, but you get the point. He was back in his own body, and not a moment too soon, because Peach and Zelda suddenly burst through the door, grabbing him by his arms and dragging him into the hallway. "Please, don't take my lunch money!" He begged sarcastically, backed up against the wall.

"You are such an ass!" Peach exclaimed. "Zelda, can't we just kill him?"

Zelda gave her a dirty look. "No. Ike, what do you think of Marth?"

"What, the little princess?"

"He's not a princess!" Peach fumed.

Zelda shushed her by elbowing her in the stomach. "Seriously, Ike, hear us out. We don't like it, but Marth is developing feelings for you."

Ike tried to look surprised. "What?!"

Zelda suddenly had a needle to his neck and Peach held a frying pan like a baseball bat at her side. "If you hurt him," Zelda hissed, "we will make the rest of your life total misery. Do we understand each other?"

Ike gulped and nodded slowly. "Y-yes." Who would've thought female nobles could be so scary.

"Ike!" Marth suddenly called, charging at him down the hallway.

Peach and Zelda were gone, but still watching from around a corner out of both males' eye shot as Marth leaped onto Ike. "I'm me again!"

Ike winced. "I noticed."

"Ah, this is great!"

"Did you win your match?"

"Why? Were you not watching? I already had your lazy ass in front of the television!"

"Is that what it's called?...No, I couldn't watch. I was being mugged."

Tension surrounded the room. Marth hadn't ceased his hug on Ike yet, which he realized and released Ike as soon as possible. "S-sorry. I am going to find Roy, tell him I am not you!"

Ike sighed after Marth was gone. The prince would never understand whese feelings he had for him. Suddenly, he realized he wasn't alone. "I'm not you?" Peach quoted, giving him a suspicious look over. "What was that supposed to mean?"

"Inside joke?" Ike guessed, hoping they would buy it more than he did.

"We're not idiots, Ike." Zelda stated matter-of-factually as Ike rose an eyebrow. "Now, were you Marth when we asked you if you liked Ike?"

Ike delayed his response, looking off down the hall the way Marth had run off. "Yes..."

"Aw!" Peach suddenly interrupted. "Unrequited love! What does Marth think of you?"

"Probably that I'm a total ass with no manners and lack of proper etiquette."

"Bingo!" Peach exclaimed.

Zelda elbowed her in the ribcage angrily. Ike looked crest fallen, thoughtful almost. "I'm not that bad of a guy, you know..." He began, facing the girls. "...I have a younger sister."

Their eyes widened. "You do?" Peach asked. "What's her name?"

"Mist. She's been in the stands watching the whole time. She actually snuck onto the bus with me on the way here...anyways, she got really made at me after my team battle with Marth. To tell you the truth, I was kind of mad at me..."

"Okay!" Zelda interrupted. "It's decided!"

"?" Ike blinked. "What's decided?"

"I'm going to help you win Marth over!"

Ike backed up defensively. "Whoa, whoa, no! He already hates me..."

Zelda didn't seem to take no for an answer because the next thing he knew, he was in her room whie Peach went to fetch Samus and make the team into a dangerous triad. He sat on the bed. He had never been in a female's room before...other than Mist's, not that little sister's count. Zelda paced back and forth and Ike was reminded of the inquisition. "What did he say he didn't like about you?" She interrogated.

"Selfishness, ego, no manners, total ass, no etiquette, barbarian tactics, ruffian, mercenary, non-romantic, no morals, brute, dastard, unawareness of others' feelings, annoying, demanding, cheapskate, animal-hater...need I continue? This is only slightly self-beating for me..."

"That's not true..."

"Okay, so I don't know about the animals...but I'm sure there's more. Anything else?"

"Well...let's start with selfishness. All you have to do is share. Like...you guys bunk together, right?"

"Well...yeah, but he has half the room to himself."

"What do you mean?"

"Well...we had some trouble and he claimed the desk first..."

"What'd you say to that?"

"Uh...I think I called the couch, and then he-!"

"NO!" Zelda cried, making Ike jump.

Peach suddenly entered, pushing Samus in. "Sounds like we've got work to do." Samus grumbled under her breath.

"What?" Ike questioned. "He was being-!"

"Ike, stop for a minute." Zelda began. "Who cares what he was being? Instead of restricting him and yourself more, ask why he won't share with you. Chances are, he doesn't have a good answer."

"B-but..."

"You HAVE to kick that attitude of yours if you ever want him to like you."

"A-alright. I'll share the whole room. What if I'm still restricted from the desk, though?"

"Ask him why. He'll probably give it back. What's next?"

"Ego."

"Oh...well, a healthy ego is good, by try not to brag too much around him. He's modest and bragging tends to hit him sorely, no matter who it is. What else?"

"Manners."

"Well...we'll help you with that as we go. Here, put this on." Zelda held out a crisp white tux, smiling profoundly.

Ike looked at her, insulted. "You're kidding...right?"

"No. Go put it on. We're going to help you impress him today."

Ike groaned, taking the tuxedo and disappearing into the restroom. He came out moments later, looking highly uncomfortable, but very handsome all the same. Peach tucked a flower into his chest pocket. Samus removed his headband and Zelda gelled back his hair in spikes, smiling at the result. "See how handsome you look in a tux!" Peach cried.

"I...guess...I can hardly move though!"

"Well...it was Mario's...it's probably too small on you."

Ike tried not to let himself broil over. "If you knew it was too small," He groaned through clenched teeth, "why did you make me try?"

Peach handed Ike a bouquet of flowers, grinning. "He'll love these. Now, just walk in there and say, "I got these just for you, Marth." Watch your tone inflections, though. Sound like you mean it. Go get him, tiger."

The girls pushed Ike ruthlessly from the room and into the hallway, Link spotting him first and laughing his ass off at the now formal mercenary. "Shut up, elf." Ike hissed, heading off to the room.

He stood outside now. He took a deep breath and knocked. No response. "Marth?" He asked, rapping the oak with his knuckles roughly. "C'mon, open up."

Still no response. Ike tensed. Something was wrong. Marth wasn't so rude as to keep a roommate waiting. Ike jiggled the door handle. Locked. He banged on the door several more times, calling, "MARTH!?"

Finally, he came to the understanding that if he wanted in, he would have to break the door down. Crap. That might be categorized as rude. He unbuttoned the constricting tux so as not to tear it (it was only a loaner, after all), leaving his chest almost totally exposed. He pulled back and rammed through the door with his shoulder on his first try. Granted, now it throbbed slightly and the flowers looked disheveled, but the room was unnaturally dark for being supposedly occupied. Ike turned on the lights and glanced around. No one. Maybe Marth was in the bathroom...

Unfortunately, Ike was right. He knew Marth was in the bathroom when he opened the door and a male voice yelled, panicked, "Ike!! GET OUT!!" and a bottle of shampoo broadsided his head.

Cliffy! Yeah! -.- You probably hate me, but I'm enjoying Ike's stupidity as much as you guys are. He made it worth writing the story! I hate the spell checker on this thing...makes me feel like a moron. Oh well, I'll get over it. Doesn't own anything in the story.. I.E. Marth, Ike, Roy, nothin SSBB, Herbal Essence shampoo...nothin.