Chapter 2: How to say Thanks 37 ways

After the scene of the hug between Ike and Marth was caught by Pit, Marth always made sure to lock the door or at least close it. The next day, the sun's light bathed the room in a warm sea of light. Marth's bed was right beside the window, so his entire body was warmed by the sun's ray. He stretched his arms, and yawned. He noticed that Ike had not awaken yet, and made sure to keep that way. Marth removed his bed sheets and began to walk over to the dresser. He picked out his usual attire but without the extra shoulder armor and cape. Those were just for the brawls.

He changed quickly and left the room. A R.O.B came to him and asked for permission to clean the room. Marth granted R.O.B permission, and headed to the kitchen. Ness waved violently, shouting Marth's name. With no other choice except ignore him, Marth sat beside Ness. Toon Link was also at the table, he was eating a sandwich, while Lucas who say beside him was enjoying an omelet. Ness began eating a dish of eggs and bacon. Eventually, they were all served orange juice, as Marth was served pancakes. "Ness, how about you tell Marth about what you did..." Lucas said, as he placed a piece of omelet in his mouth awaiting Ness' answer. Ness sighed and mumbled, "I'm sorry for taking your headband." Lucas moved his wrist in a circular motion as to signal to continue. "And, I'm sorry for taking a picture of you and Ike without your permission, but it wasn't even me! That was Pit! oh, whatever." Ness mumbled to himself as he continued, Marth placed his hand on Ness' head and said, "I forgive you Ness." Ness smiled and hugged Marth, thanking him for not being mad.

Breakfast was very enjoyable for Marth. At any moment a brawl can appear, so it's best to train. Through the halls, almost nobody was here. Only Zelda and Samus who were enjoying a stroll. The large digital gate was near him. The sign on top gave him assurance that he was in the right room. "Training Room"

The door opened, and Marth selected his enemy for this training, 3 Links. He entered the room, and awaited for the enemies to spawn. Suddenly, three Links appeared running toward him, and Marth realized the only way was up. He jumped to the next platform, and got on attack on one of the Links. It continued like this, until he began to hear someone else. Was someone else was training here? Marth let his guard down was attacked by one of the Links. Marth fell from the platform, but instead of hitting the hard ground, he landed on someone.
"Get off of me!" the voice sounded restrained. Marth realized what happened and quickly got up and grabbed his fallen sword. "Sorry."

Ike was the one he landed on. "Geez, be more careful. I was just coming in to see who else was training." Ike was about to leave, but Marth suddenly shouted, "Ike! I just wanted to say thank you again." Ike turned and said, "You can pay me back later." and left. Marth returned to his training, with the Links hot on his trail.

Lunch came around, and Marth exited the training room exhausted. From all the fighting he had done with Links, he was positive that there were improvements in his strength. Pit flew past him in a hurry, with Sonic behind him. It wasn't long till Pit was caught by Sonic, and all Marth could manage to hear was, "Stop taking my pictures!" Ness appeared suddenly in front of Marth, along with Lucas. "Hey, Marth, were you training?" Ness asked eagerly. Marth answered yes. Ness looked at Lucas then at Marth, "They're picking who's fighting!" Ness and Lucas ran toward the large gates of which the selected brawlers go to for a fight, but when none are expected, the brawlers are allowed to schedule their own brawls.

Everyone gathered at the gates, Master Hand spoke in his booming voice, "Welcome! I shall wait for the judges to choose who shall fight." Everyone waited eagerly as they saw the hands moving across the board with their profile. One of the hands labeled P1, selected Kirby. The pink ball came running to the front, doing his usual cheer. The second hand selected Zelda, as Zelda herself magically appeared before everyone in the front. The third hand selected Game and Watch. Game and Watch came up beeping and booping. The final hand circled around the potential brawlers, everyone staring down on who this judge will select to experience a thrilling fight. Finally, the hand selected the brawler it wished to see fight. And in the front, stood Ike, with his sword clutched tightly. Ready for the fight.

The rest who were not selected, were allowed to view the brawl from the audience. The stage selected was the Pokemon stadium.

Ness, Lucas, and Toon Link eagerly ordered a snack and found good seats to seat at. Trainer Fire joined them, and invited Marth to use the last seat available.

The 5 waited for the brawlers to appear. "You know, I remember there was this world famous champion. He used to have pokemon battles all the time." Fire began to say as they waited. Marth did not pay that much attention, but Ness was easily fascinated in learning about other worlds. "What was he like, Fire?" Ness asked, but before Fire could answer, the announcer announced the names. Ness sat back up his seat, Lucas watched with much interest, while Marth tried to find where Ike would appear.

"Kirby!" Suddenly, Kirby crashed into the stage in his flying star but landed unharmed.
"Zelda!" Zelda appeared suddenly in the stage, with determination in her eyes.
"Game and Watch!" He appeared on the LCD screens from his game until he appeared on the actual stage.
"Ike!" Ike appears by warp magic and slashes his sword.

"Ready?" All the brawlers got into fighting stances.

"GO!"

Zelda began to head towards Game and Watch, as Ike heads toward Kirby. Kirby stands prepared, and when Ike was about to attack, Kirby swallows Ike and spits him out. Kirby suddenly looked like a Kirby version of Ike. Zelda attacked Game and Watch but her victory was very short lived, as Ike dodged one of Kirby's attack and ended up hitting Zelda. Game and Watch and Ike began to attack each other, while Kirby intervened and sent Game and Watch flying with a slash with Kirby's version of Ike's sword. Zelda came behind of Kirby and began a close battle between the two. In a silent agreement between Zelda and Ike, the two ran toward Kirby ready for attack. Game and Watch re-spawned and landed in between Zelda's attack. Ike was successful though, but Kirby managed to make a counter. Game and Watch tried to attack the distracted Kirby but ended up being hit by Ike. Zelda jumped over the two, but suddenly the ground shook. A large mountain grew between Ike and Game and Watch. Zelda ended up on the other side, and Kirby stared from a distant platform. With a perfect opportunity, Kirby used rock and smashed Game and Watch. Ike and Zelda tried to climb the mountain that suddenly appeared, as Kirby came and knocked Zelda with his hammer. Ike saw as Zelda flew so far, a small star shined on where she was flew off to. Kirby aimed for Ike next, but Game and Watch intervened. Ike knew one hit from Kirby's hammer will also send him flying, so he prayed that the landscape will change soon into something that can help him. The mountain changed into a rock field. A small item fell from the sky, as Zelda landed safely on the ground. They stared at the item, it was a heart container, but who would donate this to the brawl. Ike knew it was Marth who bought and donated the item. 'That's one way to thank me,' Ike thought to himself as he rushed toward the item. He grabbed it, and felt the wounds go away. Relief filled Ike knowing that he has a better chance of surviving the blow from Kirby's Hammer. That relief was short lived as Zelda turned to see the mystical ball, called the 'Smash Ball'. In a struggle for power, Kirby held in his breathe to try to reach the Smash Ball, Zelda transformed into Sheik and jumped trying to reach the Smash ball. Ike was almost there, when Kirby appeared and smashed the ball. The little pieces of light from the Smash ball fell into Ike's hands, as Kirby received a strong aura around him. Everyone turned their attention to Kirby, but all was too late when Kirby suddenly had a pot of boiling water, and got Sheik, Game and Watch, and Ike into the batter. Kirby stirred, as Ike, Sheik, and Game and Watch were getting burns. They were released along with other foods. Ike and Game and Watch couldn't withstand the burning pain, and flew into the distance. Sheik was badly burned but managed to grab a few of the foods Kirby cooked. Ike and Game and Watch were re-spawned as the landscape transformed into a windy field. Ike was pushed slightly by the strong wind, as with Game and Watch. Sheik challenged Kirby in a one on one. Ike and Game and Watch struggled to get used to the heavy winds, as Kirby began trying to hammer Sheik, but Sheik's fast movements helped her avoid the attempts. Tired of missing, Kirby tried to hit Sheik and swallow her so he could get her abilities. But that also proved to be fruitless. The timer called down the remaining time,

5...

Sheik attacked Kirby, and finally sustaining enough damage to knock Kirby out of the screen.

4...

Sheik turned toward Game and Watch, and Ike.

3...

Both prepare to fight.

2...

Sheik makes a running start for Ike, but Game and watch goes in for an attack.

1...

Game and Watch manages to launch her a few feet away, and tries for another attack.

END!

Marth, Ness, Lucas, Toon Link, and Fire head out. They began to talk about how the battle was actually really fun to watch. Ness offered Marth to go see the brawlers along with Fire. Lucas waves good bye to the three and heads back to his room with Toon Link.

Fire started telling Ness about the world famous trainer, Red. "He's so cool! I only met him once, but in a way,...you can say he saved me." Fire started. Marth peeked inside the brawler's room where they usually head after a brawl to cool down. Ike is in the corner looking at the scores, he won third place. He noticed Marth, Ness and Fire waiting outside the room. Marth notices Ike is coming and backs away from the door. Ike stands right in front of Marth and smiles. Fire and Ness looks at the two swordsman staring at each other smiling. Ike said, "Thanks Marth, I guess that's one way you can say thanks." and walked away. Marth looked after him and said, "Don't worry Ike, I got plenty more ways to say thanks." Fire and Ness looked at each other then at them. They still have no clue what they are talking about. Ness tried to understand, but he couldn't. Maybe that was how their friendship worked? But one thing for sure, Ness thought, Marth was still smiling at Ike.