Alright, so I know…oh wait, I mean hi.

I know the prologue was VERY Fire Emblem heavy, but I'm just trying to establish a decent background for Marth. For those of you who have played Fire Emblem, this happens between Book 1 and Book 2 of Fire Emblem 3. Or rather, two years after Fire Emblem: Dark Dragon and Sword of Light. And for the record, I know "Altea" can also be used as the name for Marth's home, but "Aritia" seems better to me, and seems to be used just as often.

So this chapter should drift away from Fire Emblem into actual Super Smash Brothers. Since this is my first fanfic based on either game, do tell me if I screw up. And general constructive criticism is appreciated.

Thanks for reading (unless you skipped that bit, in which case I'll have to send the Tails Doll after you).

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Chapter 1: Footsteps of Fate

The recovery from darkness was no different than waking up in the morning. In fact, Marth even found himself lying down on a pile of leaves near what looked like a burned out bonfire.

"Did I do this?" he thought groggily, unaware of the situation. He appeared to be in a forest somewhere, though it looked no different than the ones near the castle. Marth probably would have thought he was near the castle, if not for one thing…

"Falchion?" Marth said aloud, staring at the sheath buckled to his belt. "Actually, why am I in my armor?"

Than it came back to him; the voices, his self-moving body, waking up the Sword of Light…and something else. A bright light engulfing him right before the blackness.

"What just happened to me?" Marth wondered, getting onto his feet.

Dusting off his cape, he looked at the proud symbol of Aritia it bore. How it had given so much hope to people during the Dark War, simply because they knew it was Anri's descendant who wore it. That's what he was; a descendant of a great hero.

But what was he now, having battled the Dark Dragon?

Or did he still not compare to Anri?

What would he be without the Falchion? Would they still call him their hero?

And why was there dirt in his mouth?

"Dirt?" Marth thought, snapping back to reality. Suddenly, he became aware of a sharp pain the back of his head, and the fact that he was lying face down.

"Still alive?" a voice sounded behind him. An…unnatural voice. Almost metallic. Someone…or something had attacked Marth.

Gripping the hilt of his sword, Marth spun 180 degrees as he stood on his feet, ready to strike. And yet he found himself frozen in his attacker's presence.

It appeared to be a human, at least in shape. Nearly six feet tall, this human figure was comprised of purple crystals held together by a thin wire frame. Apart from piercing red eyes and bulging muscles, it bore no human details. Marth had to wonder where the voice came from…

"You are not him." it continued, looking Marth up and down. Its eyes stopped at the Falchion. Fearfully.

"Who are you?" Marth demanding, pointing his blade at the being.

"Fighting Wire Frame #65. I can't let you leave now." it answered, beginning to rush the king.

"No weapons?"

#65 threw a punch at Marth, who lifted the Falchion to block. The blade clanged as the blow struck, pushing the king back a few inches. Its fist was stronger than any axe Marth have ever fought against.

"I've got to find an opening, but this thing is too fast." Marth realized, blocking each attack. They weren't getting any weaker either, and the swordsman was having trouble keeping his balance.

The attacker switched suddenly from jabs to a kick, nailing Marth in the stomach. Despite his armor, the king nearly doubled over as his breath escaped him.

"Definitely stronger than any axe." Marth gasped, falling back onto his heels. With a quick push, he darted past the Wire Frame, landing a quick cut as he went.

"Die already." It exclaimed, running after him. Despite its attacking speed, it didn't seem to be a great runner. Which meant it was probably not good at stopping.

Marth turned to face the enemy, sliding slightly into his stance as #65 nearly ran into him. Yet somehow, he brought his arms up to block Falchion's thrust. Throwing the sword back, it returned to its punching onslaught.

Dodging now right and light, Marth decided to avoid blocking completely. Now he would have more time to react with a counter-slash. One cut at the neck and it would be over. One little opening…

"There it is!"

Ducking under #65's jab, Marth stepped forward and swung his Falchion, slitting through the crystallized fighter's throat.

"Im…possible…" #65 cried, its head falling back. It dissolved into crystals, fading before Marth's eyes.

"What in the world was that?" Marth exclaimed, grasping at the one of the fading crystals. To his surprise, a thin wire frame of a human body lay fleshless on the ground.

He bent down to examine it, Falchion still glowing in his hands. Marth ran his hands over the wire frame, and snapping it in his grasp. It didn't seem unnatural in any way, or even borrowing from the magic arts. This was basic steel, possibly silver around the forearms. Whatever animated it was in those crystals.

This was definitely not Akanea. That much was certain. Now there was just that task of figuring out how to get back. Or rather, at least getting away from the dead body, as it was sure to bring…

"65 was defeated?"

Reinforcements. And more Wire Frames from the sound of it. This time Marth was ready. With his sword in both hands, turned once more and prepared to block the oncoming attack.

…only to see another Wire Frame fall to an arrow through the neck.

From the corner of his eyes, Marth saw an archer clad in green atop a nearby hill. It was no wonder the king didn't spot him earlier; his strange tunic allowed him to blend into the forest surroundings. His eyes met Marth's briefly as he reached back to his quiver.

The forest seemed to spring to life as arrows continued to fly, sending metallic shouts into the air.

"Sounds like a lot of them." he thought, turning to the hill. And while he didn't know who this archer was, he at least appeared to be on Marth's side. Better than some crystal fighters trying to kill him.

Realizing only where he had started was a clearing, Marth rushed into the trees to avoid pursuit. In the case that he was followed, he would at least have a better chance of survival in the forest. Unfortunately, the archer's cover wouldn't be too helpful here.

"So I do have someone after me."

Marth swung behind a tree as a Wire Frame flew by with a punch, hitting thin air. Before it could react, the Falchion had been thrust through what should have been the heart. But Marth was about to learn a valuable lesson.

Wire Frames had no hearts. Literally.

The stabbed Wire Frame aimed an elbow at Marth's face, but the swordfighter pulled out his blade in time to block. Pushing back the attacker's arm, he struck in the only place he knew would kill; the neck.

One slit later, another frame of a body lay on the ground, and Marth had disappeared into the trees once more.

From the openings in the trees above, Marth noticed more arrows raining down behind him. Strange, glowing arrows. They almost reminded him of the Falchion's glow.

"Maybe they have legendary arrows instead of a legendary sword. Although that seems like a bit of a waste."

Ahead of him, the ground began to slope up into a clearing. Hopefully it was leading to the archer, but Marth couldn't be sure of his direction after the last fight. For all he knew there were more Wire Frames waiting for him.

An arrow just sailing past his ear told him otherwise. Easing into a walk, Marth raised his sword in a sign of respect.

"I am not your enemy. I just want to thank you for your help," the swordsman said, walking towards the archer. He already had another arrow loaded in his bow, but his grip slackened at the site of Marth.

"Behind you!"

The archer turned suddenly and fired his arrow, nicking the Wire Frame that jumped out at him. Before the attacker could touch the ground, Marth jumped and slashed its chest, dissolving it.

Opening his mouth to speak, the archer suddenly reached for a sword on his back. He managed to put away his bow and whip out his sword in a second; Marth couldn't help but be amazed at his speed.

Although this was not the time to be amazed, as a ring of Wire Frames now surrounded.

"They followed me?" Marth questioned, holding the Falchion with both hands. As he concentrated his mind, the sword began to glow. Time to use its true power.

Around the two swordfighters, a blue aura appeared, resembling a crystal itself. The Wire Frames stepped back at the sight of it, and some began to run. But it was too late for them.

The shielding crystal twisted, revealing the hundreds of small crystals that formed it. With the sudden speed of an arrow, they all fired out around the swordfighters and towards the Wire Frames. None of them escaped without at least three blue crystals digging into their bodies, and the hill was soon scattered with at least twenty dead frames.

"What was that?" Marth exclaimed, turning to the archer.

"I call it Nayru's Love," a voice answered from afar. And yet it seemed so clear."Oh, you must not know where I am. One second."

Before Marth, a human figure materialized. But it was not a Wire Frame; this was a human. A girl, probably not much older than Marth. She wore a dull pink dress, yet it was obviously one of royalty. The triangular earrings hidden in her orange hair also hinted at royal status.

"I am Princess Zelda of Hyrule." she smiled, bowing her head slightly. "Who might you be?"

"I am Lord Marth of Aritia." the swordsman replied, glancing at Zelda's strangely pointed ears. "Forgive me for being abrupt, but where am I exactly?"

Zelda exchanged looks with the archer before answering.

"Come with us."