Chapter 2

Two more years had passed since Eliwood, the Marquess of Pherae, died in his sleep, and Roy took his place. The people of Pherae didn't necessarily dislike Roy, though it didn't seem as if they were partial to him, either. Even though his people did not mind him, Roy was still depressed about his new role over the kingdom. The fact that he was constantly weighed down by so many demands from his people, and all of the paperwork that required his signature…it was tough for the young, newly appointed Marquess.

Not only that, but he was still heartbroken over his father's and Wolt's passing. Every night, he twisted and turned in his sleep, dreaming of his only parent and his best friend. He always woke up in a cold sweat, tears threatening to fall from his eyes.

From there, his depression worsened when his people began to express that they wanted him to produce heirs for his kingdom. He'd never admitted this to anyone, not even to his father, but…he was actually gay. When he was just a child, he'd questioned his sexuality, and during his teenage years, he'd discovered with absolute certainty that he loved other males. He decided against saying anything however, to prevent a riot within his kingdom.

One day, the twenty-year-old Marquess was in his chambers, working on his never-ending pile of paperwork. His eyes were droopy, and they were also puffy and red. Lately, he wasn't getting any sleep due to the pressure of the his new responsibilities. Sighing, he signed yet another paper when he heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" he said.

"It's me, Master Roy," a voice from the other side said.

Roy smiled slightly, recognizing Merlinus' voice. "Come in, Merlinus."

A man with a blue mustache wearing green robes entered the room. In his hand, was a yellow envelope. Roy tilted his head, curious as to what could be inside it.

"Master Roy? How are you doing?" Merlinus asked.

"I am…doing okay," he lied, still staring at the envelope that was between Merlinus' fingers. "Merlinus? What is that?" he asked.

Merlinus handed him the envelope. "It's an invitation from somewhere…something named Smash Bros.?"

That caught Roy's attention. He stared down at the now-familiar envelope as memories began to flood his mind.

Five Years Ago.

In a situation not so different from the current one, fifteen-year-old Roy was given an envelope by one of his subjects. When he opened it and pulled the single sheet of paper out, he raised his eyebrows as he read it.

To Roy of Pherae:

Congrats! You have been invited to join the Smash Bros. Melee Tournament! There, you will meet new friends, hone your skills in fighting, and have a grand time!

I hope you consider joining us!

-Mario.

Roy hummed, wondering what this "Smash Bros." was. Intrigued, however, he decided to pack his bags. Before he left, he asked some of the servants in his castle to watch out for Eliwood and the grounds. He then hopped on his horse and rode off.

It took a few weeks of hard riding for him to find a strange portal at the edge of the forest. He brought his horse to a halt and stared at it, wondering where it would lead to. Though he was hesitant, he knew that the reason he left the castle was to answer the invitation, and so, he rode into it. The trip in the portal was dizzying and strange. He flew through until he saw the other end of the portal. Once he was free and back on solid ground, he looked up and saw that he was in front of a large Mansion, its façade beautiful and foreign.

Roy dismounted and climbed the steps leading up to the front door. When he entered, he was greeted by many new faces, all of them excited to meet this "newcomer" (as he heard a fat man with a red cap called him). After the necessary introductions, he set off for a self-guided tour of the mansion. While he was wandering around, he ended up bumping into someone.

"Excuse me, miss," Roy apologized, looking up at the person he had accidentally bumped into.

The person laughed, and that was when Roy realized that this person was not female. Well…"his" features looked feminine: the thin build, the long, blue hair, the tiara on his head.

"Do not worry, sir," the person said with a smile. "It is all right."

Roy blushed, realizing his mistake. "S-sorry for calling you 'miss'," he said, smiling sheepishly.

The male shook his head, a smile still on his face. "Do not worry. I have been called female many times. It happens."

Roy stared at the male. He seems…nice.

"I am Marth Lowell," the other male introduced himself, holding out a hand for Roy to shake. "I am the prince of Altea."

Roy smiled at him, and he shook Marth's hand. "I am Roy, Duke of Pherae. Nice to meet you, Your Highness."

Marth chuckled. "You don't have to call me that, Roy. Marth is fine."

Roy chuckled alongside the prince.

After a few days in the strange place called the "Smash Mansion", Marth and Roy quickly became good friends. The two had a lot in common, and they enjoyed sparring together. Roy looked up to Marth like an older brother, as Marth was a younger brother to him.

Roy, however, grew to like Marth…as more than that. However, he said nothing, knowing that Marth was a prince, and his sexuality could offend Marth's political stance.

By the time the Brawl tournament came around, Roy was given a message by Master Hand.

A war had broken out in Pherae, and Roy was needed.

Roy, saddened to leave his friends behind, knew that he had no choice but to fight in this war. However, he knew that Marth would be heartbroken if he did leave.

When Roy was packing his bags, Marth walked into their shared room, and saw that his good friend was collecting his things.

Marth raised an eyebrow. "Roy? Where are you going?"

Roy jumped, just now realizing that Marth had walked in. Staring at his friend, he sighed.

"I…I have to leave."

Marth's eyes widened. "What? Why?"

"M-my people need me. A war broke out in my country, and I have to be there."

Marth frowned. "Roy…" He gulped. "I'm sorry…"

Roy placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Do not worry Marth. I will come back, one day."

Before Roy knew it, Marth hugged him, sobbing on his shoulder. "I-I'll miss you, R-Roy…I…" Marth sniffled.

Roy smiled, though the tears in his eyes threatened to fall. "Marth…don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

When Roy let Marth go, he grabbed his bags and smiled at his friend.

"Goodbye Marth. See you soon."

Marth smiled back, tears still falling down his cheeks. "Goodbye Roy…"

After their farewells, Roy walked out of the Mansion.

Roy frowned as he stared at the envelope, the flashback fading from his memory.

"Master Roy?"

Roy snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Merlinus' voice, and looked up to see the other man staring at him. "Ah! Sorry Merlinus. You are dismissed."

Merlinus nodded, and he walked out of the room.

Roy's eyes were still locked on the envelope as he studied it. Deciding that it was now or never, and that he'd rather know what was inside, he opened the envelope and pulled out a yellow letter.

"To Roy:

You are invited back to the Smash Mansion for the Fourth Tournament! Like always, meet new friends, fight to hone your skills, and enjoy life!

We all miss you! I hope you come back and have a grand time!

-Mario.

Roy stared at the letter, reading it over and over again. As the letters swam back and forth on the paper, he was struck with a single thought: he wanted to be stronger after his father and Wolt's passing. He decided that re-joining the Smash Tournament would help him do that.

With that, he pocketed the letter and began to pack his bags. When he was done, he bolted out of his room and through Pherae castle, but he was stopped by Merlinus before he could reach the front door.

"Master Roy, where are you going?" Merlinus asked.

"I...I have to leave. There's somewhere I need to be," Roy responded.

Merlinus stared at him. "Leave? But your kingdom?"

"My subjects in the castle will take care of it. I need to be there."

"Where is this 'there'?" Merlinus asked.

"...The Smash Mansion," was all Roy said, before he hopped on his horse and rode off.

There, on the edge of a river behind a village, was the same portal. He gripped his reins tightly in his hands, and this time, without hesitation, he rode into it.

Constructive criticism is welcomed!

Beta reader: h34rt1lly