A Tale Of Two Brawlers Chapter 3
Anyone watching the small group traversing the Smash land would surely think that they were the strangest band out there. For one, there was the princess – she was breathtakingly beautiful, but at the same time the gaze she fixed you with made you feel there was something more sinister underneath. Than there was the angel – he had a bright, cheerful aura about him, but from the way he subtly kept hold of his daggers, you knew he would be prepared for anything. And lastly there was the prince – he had a determined fire in his eyes, something that could either cause great inspiration or inspire great fear.
The three heroes were currently making their way through Delfino Plaza in their quest across the Smash land. And a duo of youngsters in parkas was watching them, making the same observations as the ones listed above.
"Um… are you sure those are the ones?" asked the youngster in the blue parka.
The youngster in the pink parka nodded. "Yes, Popo. He clearly told us to look for the princess, angel, and prince."
The youngster in the blue parka, Popo, shifted anxiously on his feet. "But they seem so powerful, Nana!"
Nana sighed. "Come on, Popo. We need the money. And besides, how tough could these three be? As long as we fight together, nothing can stop us!"
Nana's words inspired Popo. "Yes! The Ice Climbers will not be stopped!" A mysterious man had wanted them to find and defeat the three heroes. Initially, they had refused, but the amount of money being offered was too high to refuse. They could finally launch that expedition they had been dreaming of. And that greed found them where they are now.
Pit, meanwhile, was starving. "Come on, Zelda! Aren't you even a little hungry?"
Zelda stuck her nose in the air haughtily. "Pit, we have no need of rest for the weary!"
Pit sighed. "Marth, back me up here! Even angels have to eat!"
Marth chuckled. "Well, Pit, personally I'm hungry as well." He looked towards Zelda as he said, "But Zelda is the one in charge of this mission. We listen to her."
"Thank you, prince Marth," Zelda said, cracking a smile.
Marth bowed his head. "Zelda, I have pledged my sword and life to protect and serve you. I will follow you to the ends of the earth on nothing but a day's rations if that is what yo request."
Not wanting to be outdone, Pit chimed in, "Yeah, me too!"
Zelda started to laugh, but than she froze abruptly in her path. Froze being used literally – the princess was now encased in a giant ice sculpture.
Her two protectors turned around to face their foes, Pit raising his knives and Marth drawing his sword. "Who hast the audacity to attack a women, lest of all a princess, lest of all from behind?" Marth called out.
The Ice Climbers revealed themselves, and Popo giggled. "He talks funny!"
Nana clubbed him over the head with her hammer. "Focus! Part one, immobilize the princess – check. Part 2, deal with her protectors – commencing."
Pit looked ready to strike at them, but Marth put a hand on his shoulder. "Pit, I shall assault our assailants. You try to defrost Zelda."
Pit looked as if he wanted to argue, but he couldn't fight with Marth. The prince said things with such conviction you almost wanted to believe that everything he said was true.
The angel nodded and said, "Good luck, Marth."
The Ice Climbers drew closer to Marth, their hammers raised. Marth pointed his sword up into the sky before charging at them.
Although initially caught by surprise with the direct assault, the climbers quickly recovered. Popo raised his hammer to deflect the blow of Marth's blade, and Nana used her hammer to smash into Marth, propelling him back into the air.
Marth gracefully landed and than ran full tilt back at the Ice Climbers at speeds that would've impressed Captain Falcon. The climbers didn't have time to prepare a counter this time, and Marth quickly slashed his sword in a forward arc, knocking Popo back several hundred feat and a good three dozen feet into the air as well.
"Popo!" Nana cried angrily, raising her hammer towards Marth.
Marth sighed. "You were clearly outmatched." Marth than lunged his sword at her feet, knocking her to the ground.
Before she could struggle to get up, Marth held his sword point at her neck. "Don't even think about struggling."
Her face paled. "I… wouldn't dare!"
The sun shone directly above them, such a happy sight for such a sad scene. "Now, you will answer my questions."
Nana gulped. "Of course, whatever you say."
"Why are you attacking us?"
"Well… Popo and I were approached by someone to take out the princess and whatever accomplices she had. We initially refused, but then he offered us such a hefty sum. We needed funding for our newest expedition, so we took it."
"Well, what foul beast would have hired mercenaries to take out a beautiful maiden?"
Nana squirmed. "We didn't get his name, or a good look at him. It was dark out, you know? All I know is that he's tall, and he has a beard. And he carries a lot of weapons."
Marth removed his sword. "Now leave, beast. May I never see you or your accomplice again. And remember the mercy of prince Marth, for if I was not so merciful your pitiful life would not be."
Nana ran away just as Pit and the defrosted Zelda came over. "What happened with them?" Pit asked Marth.
Marth turned towards Zelda. "Princess, we might've hit a snare in your journey."