Marth uneasily paced around his room. His jagged shadow on the walls imitated his movements. A small, lit candle, the only source of light, was a waving orange flower.

Upon returning to Castle Town, Ike grudgingly told Link that he and his friends will leave to Hollow tomorrow morning. As he heard his best friend say that sentence, Marth could sense the remorse in his voice. Like his friends, Marth did not want to leave. He wanted to stay in Hyrule, and enjoy the bright sunlight, dreamy landscapes, and the free, blue sky, the qualities Hollow did not have.

But, if he stayed in Hyrule, he would risk getting kidnapped by the Risen. This would contribute to the end of many lives, as the Risen would use him to revive their leader Medeus!

Marth sighed loudly, flopped onto his bed, and looked up at the blank ceiling. However, his friends could protect him! He also knew how to defend himself! Besides, as long as he stayed behind the protective castle walls, the Risen would have a frustrating, hard time to capture him!

But, that might place a burden on his friends and the residents of Hyrule... Marth looked at the nightstand, where the mysterious thick-covered book was sitting. He got up and opened the book, turning to the page with Prince Marth.

What would Prince Marth— or his past life's self do? Marth sat back down on his bed and thought. Princes were meant to succeed their father's roles when the time was right. Although they had loyal allies, they could not be selfish. Their role was to protect the people!

Looking at the illustration of Prince Marth one more time, Marth closed the book and set it onto his bed. He rose as he finally made his final decision.

He decided to leave, as he felt that Prince Marth would do that to protect his people, even though it would leave them helpless without a ruler. That was what princes were supposed to do, sacrifice their needs to protect their beloved kingdom.

Before departing, Marth dressed in a black, shadowy cloak in hopes to blend in his dark surroundings. After packing his things in his backpack, Marth quickly wrote a short note to Ike and set it on his nightstand, next to the candle. Sure that he was ready for his trip, he put on his backpack and silently left his room.

Marth's cloak blended in with the hallway's dark shadows. As sneaky as a fox, the bluenette slipped on his hood and quietly yet quickly strolled down the hallways. Although he assumed that everyone was asleep, his senses told him to slow down and make sure no one was watching. However, Marth ignored his feelings, as he thought they were trying to convince him to stay.

Yet, his senses were right. A certain redhead silently watched Marth flee from the castle.

Meanwhile, Ike was quietly lying in his bed trying to fall asleep. Yet, his rowdy, loud thoughts refused to let him drift to sleep. They tried to convince Ike to stay! Deep in his heart however, Ike denied them. He and his friends needed to leave! They were supposed to leave after returning Link to Castle Town! In efforts to soothe himself to sleep, Ike rolled onto his right side and watched the little flame on the candle wave eerily.

Just as when Ike was about to finally wall asleep, a soft yet sudden knock jolted his senses awake. With a grumble, he shouted, "Yes?"

Link quietly entered Ike's room.

"Sorry to wake you up." he said.

"It's ok, Link." Ike sat up in his bed. "What do you need?"

"Princess Zelda wants to perform a ritual with you and Marth." Link explained. "Before you and your friends leave, she wants to try to extract the pieces of the Triforce of Power from both of you."

"Now?" Ike asked.

"Yes." Link said, leaving Ike's room. "Tell Marth and meet us in the throne room."

As soon as when Link left, Ike quickly dressed in his casual clothing and left. His footsteps echoing down the dark hallway, he approached Marth's room. Although there was a silent, calm atmosphere surrounding the hallway, Ike felt that something was wrong. Hesitating for a few moments, Ike shakily reached for the door handle and turned it.

"Hey Marth, sorry for waking you." Ike spoke out loud as he entered Marth's room. "Princess Zelda really needs to— Marth?"

Marth was nowhere to be seen. At first, Ike thought that Marth temporarily left his room to use the bathroom. However, that innocent thought diminished when he noticed a small written note sitting on the nightstand. The last time Ike checked, the note was not there. Maybe he...? Feeling fear slowly filling his heart, Ike took the note and read it carefully. The note read:

Ike, I'm sorry. If you're reading this now, I'm in Hollow. I understand that you and the others really want to stay in the Surface. Because I'm the incarnation of Prince Marth's spirit, I need to leave, or I'll risk getting kidnapped by the Risen.

I know that you guys are required to leave with me, but please stay in Hyrule and live happily with Link and his family! I know that you guys are much happier living here, not in Hollow! Don't worry about me! I'll just live out my days in Hollow! I'll take care of myself!

Marth

Ike's fearful suspicions came true. Tightly squeezing the note, he continuously reread the writing, hoping that he was just seeing things. Sadly, the words were set in stone. Marth departed to Hollow moments ago.

"Why...?" Ike could only say, in total shock. He felt horrible. Just because Marth was the reincarnation of a prince did not mean he needed to live away from Hyrule! He didn't deserve to live without his friends!

"I need to alert the others!" Ike thought to himself. He quickly exited Marth's room and hurried to the throne room.

Link and Zelda, who were waiting for Ike and Marth, quickly turned at the sound of the doors suddenly slamming open. Ike hastily entered the room, his face white with panic. Clutched in his hands was Marth's note.

"Ike, what's wrong?" Zelda asked worriedly. "Where's Marth?"

"Marth fled from Hyrule!" Ike answered, trying to calm down.

"He did?" Zelda replied. "Why?"

Ike showed Zelda and Link the note. "Because he is in danger of being kidnapped by Medeus's followers, he left without us. He knew that the rest of our friends and I don't want to return to Hollow. Marth just wanted us to be... H-Happy without him..."

"Without him, we can't perform the ritual and unite the Triforce..." Zelda sighed. "However, that does not matter now! Since Marth left on his own, he is in danger! The Risen can easily capture him!"

"Do you want us to find him and bring him back?" Link asked.

"Yes." Zelda answered. "Mount your pegasus and fly directly to the entrance of Hollow. If you find him, bring him back as soon as possible!"

"Yes, we understand." Ike replied.

"Ike, let's bring the others so we can find Marth quicker, ok?" Link suggested.

"Great idea!" Ike smiled at the Hylian. "Let's get the others!"

Strolling down the dark, frightening forest, Marth carefully looked around for any signs of Risen. The Noctowls' bellowing hoots echoed into the never-ending darkness, sending a shiver down the bluenette's spine. The surrounding trees' jagged branches seemed to be reaching for Marth, ready to grab ahold of him. There were no glowing Illimises and Volbeats and singing Kricketunes, making Marth feel awfully lonely.

The abrupt, hoarse screech of a Murkcrow caused Marth to jump and cautiously look around. He shakily pulled his sword out of his sheath and peered at the shadows, monsters that took the appearance of shades of gray. His cerulean eyes widened as he tried to stand the torturous pressure.

"W-Who's there?!" Marth asked out loud, trying to stay brave.

Marth's question was answered by the sound of something crawling on the trees' branches. Sensing something dangerous, Marth looked around for one last time and hurried away. His running feet loudly thumping the ground, Marth looked behind him for any danger. His heart was beating rapidly in his chest as the air whizzed in Marth's azure hair.

Finally, Marth's legs gave out of him, causing him to collapse onto the forest floor and gasp loudly for air. His chest feeling tight and his mouth feeling as dry as a dessert, Marth dizzily looked around the forest. All he could see were shapes, silhouettes, and tones of gray.

Marth sat against a tree and shut his eyes in exhaustion. A sudden ray of gold light caused him to snap his eyes open.

Marth watched the Triforce of Power shine on the back of his left hand. As he gazed at it, his tears of frustration blurred his vision, depicting the jagged, gold triangle as a blur of gold before its light finally died out.

Unable to hold in his tears, Marth finally let his water flow out of his cup. He began to weep quietly to himself, feeling ashamed that he, the reincarnation of a great prince, was crying. Princes did not cry! They withstood their pain and agony for their people with a hopeful smile!

"Out of all the people who could've been the incarnation of Prince Marth's spirit, why did it have to be me?" Marth asked himself, blinking his tears away. "I just wanted to live normally with my friends!"

A rustle from a bush snapped Marth out of his thoughts. Wiping his tears, Marth quickly took out his sword and readied himself for battle. What was it? Probably a group of Risen! If that was so... Marth immediately gotta his feet and prepared to flee.

"A-Ah!" a voice exclaimed from the bushes. "Stupid thorns..."

"What the—" Marth started. "Is that...?"

Marth's question was answered by Roy clumsily tumbling through the bushes. The redhead ungracefully fell onto the ground with a thud.

"Roy!" Marth exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing here?!"

"I was looking for you!" Roy said as he got up.

"You saw me escape from the castle?" Marth asked.

"Yeah!" Roy answered. He went up to Marth and sternly looked at him. "Marth, why did you run away?"

"I can't stay here." Marth explained, walking away from Roy. He turned his back against him. "I need to go back to Hollow, or the Risen will capture me and use me to revive their leader Medeus!"

"Wait, Medeus?" Roy asked in confusion. "Who is that?"

Marth told Roy about the history of the Surface, from the Demons' and Earth Dragons' defeat by the heroes, Prince Marth's and Prince Ike's war against each other, and their relation to him and Ike. Upon finishing, Roy did not seem to be shocked. However, he was a little bewildered.

"That's why I need to leave." Marth concluded solemnly. "If I stay in Hollow, you, Ike, and the others can enjoy living on the Surface without any worries."

"Marth..." Roy softly began. His eyes narrowed into a serious glare. "You know what, Marth? I'm coming with you!"

"Eh, why?!" Marth completely did not expect Roy to say that. "Don't you like it here?"

"Yeah I do, but I don't want you to be alone for the rest of your life!" Roy replied.

Marth was speechless.

"When we arrive back home, you can live with me and Dad!" Roy continued. "That way, you won't be lonely!"

"Roy, you don't need to come." Marth replied. "I'll be fine knowing that everyone else is better off without me!"

"I'm still coming!" Roy protested.

"Why?" Marth asked.

"Because, I'm your friend." Roy concluded with a hopeful smile. "That's what friends do."

Marth was a bit stunned by Roy's answer. "Well..." he started. He smiled back at the younger male. "Let's go, Roy."

Roy quickly trailed Marth and the two were about to head deeper into the forest when the sound of wings flapping caught their attention. The two male's quickly froze.

"Who's there?!" Roy whispered to Marth.

"I'm not sure..." Marth softly replied.

"Marth! Roy!" Ike exclaimed as he landed his pegasus.

"Ike?!" Marth shouted in surprise as he and Roy went towards Ike. "Were you looking for us?"

"Yes." Ike set both of his hands on Marth's shoulder, which tensed up. "I'm taking you two back."

"No, Ike." Marth calmly disagreed, gently shoving Ike away. "I need to return to Hollow for the safety of Hyrule. Roy wants to come with me."

"Marth, don't." Ike protested, his voice rising.

"Look, you heard what Tiki told us!" Marth argued. "If I stay here, the Risen will try to kidnap me and use me to revive Medeus! I'm doing this for the sake of the future!"

Marth clutched his fists. Roy and Ike could only watch.

"I'm just trying to be Prince Marth, or you can say my past self." Marth continued. "I'm leaving to protect the things I love."

"Hey, princes don't run away from danger!" Ike retorted calmly. "They don't flee from their kingdoms and leave them without a leader! Marth, do you want to neglect your friends?"

"I don't want to burden you guys." Marth responded.

"Friends are supposed to stick up for each other!" Ike explained. "Technically, that makes the others and me your knights! We fight for each other until the end!"

Marth could not argue against that statement.

"Marth, please return to Hyrule!" Ike continued. "If anything happens, we will always be there to defend you!"

"Ike..." Marth spoke quietly. He looked at Roy.

"Hey, even though I can't really fight, I'll do my best to protect you!" Roy said. His vow did not sound like a lie.

"Roy..." Marth looked at Ike and suddenly embraced him. Ike returned the embrace. "Ike, I'm coming back."

Roy hugged the two older males. For that moment everything was peaceful...

"Well, what a heartwarming scene." a dark, sneering voice suddenly spoke.

Clutching each other protectively, the three teens looked at the source of the voice. They spotted Wolf and his men surrounding them.

"N...No..." Ike could only say in fright.

Author's Notes: Ike fights for his friends...?

Well, I'm glad that I could upload this chapter! had a problem with uploading files a few hours ago, but it seems ok now!

Just a quick note that there might be slower updates. I have a few tests coming up in school and I would like to take more time studying than writing.

Also, I just uploaded a new fanfic. It's called the Price of Respect, so please check it out if it seems interesting!

Story Questions:

If you were Marth, would you stay one the Surface, or return to Hollow?

What do you think is going to happen in the next chapter?