Chapter Four: Unexpected accidents

It wasn't how the prince planned his day to be. Not in the slightest.

"Ike, I'm starting to get the feeling you are mostly the reasons of my negative mood lately." Marth announced to his roommate Ike, who was shining his sword.
"What makes you say that?" Ike asked without as much looking at Marth. The prince sighed and continued, "Well, it always ends up that you are somehow related to my items being taken, and you are the one that keeps planting ideas in everyone's mind that I'm more feminine then an average male. Just because I'm not as masculine as many men here that does not make me feminine! I'm 16 for crying out loud!" Marth argued. He waited for Ike's reply, but received nothing.

"That's it! I'm done taking your disrespect! You treat me like I'm just a nagging girl! At least answer me, but that doesn't matter now. I'm requesting a room exchange." Marth finally announced, tired from Ike's constant silent answers and not paying attention. But this time, Ike stood up, "Don't you think that's a little extreme?" He put down his sword, and tried to cooperate with the frustrated prince. "You don't have to go bother Master Hand about this, we can settle this like adults. Right? You're what, 19? 18? 20?" Marth gave Ike a look of complete anger, "16." Marth said forcefully, "I said a minute ago I was 16." The mercenary looked surprised, "Oh, you're 16...okay. Let's talk about this before you go bother Master Hand." Ike tried again, but Marth scoffed, "I'm not changing my mind at all. I'm going." Before Marth could reach the door, Ike grabbed Marth's arm.

"How about a little wager then?" Ike said. Marth turned and pulled his arm from Ike's grasp, but his strength was not enough. "A wager?" Marth asked.
"You beat me in a brawl, and you can go fill your request. If not, then you have to wear anything I choose for a month." The prince scoffed, "No deal! Obvious this victory is one sided, If I win not only can I fill a request, but I can take whatever I please from this room, AND humiliate you in front of the audience. Accept now?" Marth spoke, Ike smirked, releasing Marth's arm. "It's a deal. Let's go request a brawl." Marth nodded and the two swordsmen left for Mater Hands office.

"Go knock on the door." Ike said plainly, Marth glared at Ike, "No, you go knock on the door." Ike sighed and muttered a small, 'weak' and pounded on the door. "How about trying to knock instead of trying to break his doors." Marth commented, but before Ike could come up with a comeback, the doors opened, to reveal Master Hand.

"Yes Marth and Ike? What may I do for you two?" Master Hand's booming voice echoed through the hallow halls they stood in. Ike elbow Marth to speak, and Marth stepped forward. "Ike and I have a problem to resolve and would formally request a brawl today." Master Hand stayed silent for a moment then replied in his booming voice, "You may have your request brawl in 30 minutes go prepare until then." Ike and Marth nodded in union and left Master Hand, and began to walk down the empty hall, hearing the door slam shut.

-Ike's preparation-

"You challenged Marth so he could stay in your room?" Link asked in disbelief, as he let Toon Link jump on him.
"Yea, I don't know why. I just, felt like I had to." Ike mumbled as he practiced some hits and moves. Toon Link interrupted the awkward silence,"I think you must really care about Marth!" Ike scoffed, "Why would I?"
"Cause he's your friend Ike." Link said, then though for a moment, "No, he's more like your best friend." Toon Link gave his advice a second time, "Nah, more like a one-sided friendship! You treat Marth like he's just there. Marth is the one that does things for Ike." Ike shot a glare at Toon Link who quickly understood what Ike was trying to say and continued to play with Link.

"As much as I know it would displease you, my little brother is right. You treat Marth like he's a rag, and just rarely ever treat him like a friend. Maybe that's the reason why he wants to move. Maybe he's planning to switch rooms with Lucas or something. I mean, Marth and Lucas actually get along a lot better then you do. Heck even Sonic is more friendly toward Marth." Toon Link nodded in agreement, as Link sighed knowing Ike was going to get irritated.

"I don't treat Marth like a rag! I treat him the way I treat the other guys. And Sonic is definitely not friendlier toward Marth than I am." Ike shouted then mumbled, as he continued to practice, yet he saw that Link has a disbelieving expression along with Toon Link.

"Hope you guys get knocked out the stage so many times you'll be in the hospital ward for a week." Link and Toon Link scoffed at Ike's attempt to threat them.

-Marth's preparation-

"I don't see why I can't resign my roommate and get Link instead. I mean, Link is my best friend. Or maybe even you, Lucas. I heard Toon Link was stuck with Sonic." Marth told to Lucas. Lucas nodded, and offered his advice, "Maybe Ike cares about you enough that he doesn't want to feel replaced." Marth scoffed, "Yea right! Ike treats me like he doesn't like me at all." Lucas sighed, "I guess trying to change your point of view about Ike's action is not going to work huh?" Marth turned to Lucas and forgot for a second that he shouldn't use his native tongue to others who he is unsure knows Japanese. "Gomennasi..." He muttered, Lucas replies pretty fluently, "Iie, iie. It's alright." Marth turned to Lucas surprised at his fluent tongue. "You actually understand me?" Lucas laughed but gave a timid nod. "I'm also Japanese. But I learned to read and write English since a very nice tutor taught me." Marth was smiling, "Finally, someone who could understand me!" Marth felt sudden sense of irony in that statement, as though, Lucas wasn't the only one who knew Japanese.

"I should start to practice for the Brawl. Thanks for listening anyways Lucas." Marth said, with gratitude in his voice, Lucas nodded and waved goodbye as he left the room. Marth huffed, and decided to head to the training room to train.

-30 Minutes later-

"May Marth and Ike attend to the brawl stadium to begin their scheduled brawl."

All the other brawlers heard the announcement and some decided to watch from the living room, while everyone decided to see how the brawl would turn out. Marth arrived first with Ike right behind him. They glared at each other, then chose a stage to fight in. They chose the default stage and prepared for the stage to be prepared.

"You ready?" Ike asked, Marth gave him a look of uneasiness, "This is the first time we actually scheduled a brawl to fight each other..." Marth mumbled. Ike smirked, "You want to back down now?" Marth roughly shook his head, "NO! Definitely not now!" He tried to reassure himself that he would win. The doors slowly opened and they appeared at the opposite ends of the stage, as they done their signature openings.

Ready?

Marth prepared his sword to attack, and so did Ike.

Go!

Ike ran straight toward Marth, but he managed to jump and dodge the attack. Ike knew he would jump so he attacked upward. Marth winced in quick pain, but managed to land on the higher platform. When Ike landed right behind him, Marth grabbed him and kneed him a couple of times. Ike winced in pain, but ended up being thrown back down the platform. "Ugh!" Ike said as he landed, Marth smirked, "Come on I thought you were better then that!" Ike stood up and jumped up the platform, but before Marth could grab him, Ike hit hard with his sword sending Marth landing in the bottom platform.

"Ah!" Marth shouted, he landed on his back, but quickly got up. "I see." Marth whispered. He prepared an attack aerial, but Ike managed to attack him when Marth jumped causing the prince to be shot back a few feet. Marth stopped for a moment and thought what he should do next. Then he smiled, he ran to the other side of the stage, and by the time Ike turned Marth hit him managing to get to the bottom platform. he noticed a capsule was dropped, and as a interesting combo, throw the capsule at Ike, and charged in for a 3 hit combo before jumping backwards to avoid any attacks. Ike quickly recovered and headed toward the prince but he quickly missed as the prince was waiting in the top platform once again.

"You have to be a bit more quicker then that!" Marth taunt, as Ike managed to catch Marth off guard and hit him to get him hanging on the ledge of the bottom platform. Marth jumped back into the platform and thought, "Where's the smash ball? It should be here by now!" Ike scoffed, "If you're wondering why there's no smash ball yet, It's because I personally asked Master Hand to exclude the smash ball for this battle. Don't want a cheap now do we?" Marth glared at Ike, and shouted, "I don't need a smash ball to defeat you!" Ike smirked, "Better hurry then, we got a minute left." Marth used Ike's taunt as a time to strike earning him the satisfaction to see Ike launched away to the ledge. "Better not be the one to talk when you're losing." Marth taunted as he lowered himself to the bottom platform, but had to react quickly when Ike pulled himself up. The timer began,

5...

Marth tried to jump to the other platform. So did Ike.

4...

When Marth thought Ike was about to attack he jumped to avoid the attack, little did he know, Ike planned that and deliver a deadly blow downward.

3...

When Marth landed, everyone expected to hear a crash, but they heard something else.

2...

Everyone grew silent.

1...

*CRUNCH* No one said a word...

Game!

Marth shouted in pain, and held his leg. Ike quickly abandoned his thought of victory and went to check up on Marth. He was pushed aside by Mario, and Link. In fact, by everyone, even the ones that were in the living room.

"Mario, what happened to him?" Ike asked, Mario checked his leg and shook his head. "The poor fellow landed on his knee somehow and ended up breaking his whole leg." Everyone whispered, then were hushed as Link and Peach left to get the stretcher from the hospital ward. Marth laid on the floor grunting from the pain. Pit turned to Ike, "Geez, what attack did you use on him?!" Ike didn't know how to respond, all he knew was he had see if Marth was going to be alright. "There hasn't been a case like this since the Olimar incident!" Zelda whispered to Samus. Peach and Link came with the stretcher and received some help onto gently placed Marth onto the stretcher. They left the stage, as everyone followed, some giving disapproving glances at Ike.

-In the Hospital Ward

The Hospital ward were separated into 3 wards. The first ones were for small incidences like burns or a small cut. It held a small bed for them to rest as they were examed, healed, then allowed to leave. It was used multiple times, but the second ward was rarely used. The second ward was used to heal lasting injuries. It included a more comforting bed, a few magazines, and a table to place valuables. The third ward was never used. No one knew what was inside. Not even Mario who was in charge of the Hospital Ward due to having experience as Doctor Mario. Marth was placed in a nice room in the second ward, supplied with a small button to press in case he needed something.

The first two days were both enjoyable yet irritating. The cast they placed on his left leg was a bit itchy but nothing unbearable, but it was the amount of boredom he had. Some of his friends visited, but were limited due to 'visit hours'. He was served breakfast, lunch, and dinner by Peach and always thanked her kindness. But he was always so upset. Very upset. It was one thing that ruined Marth Hospital experience these first two days. Ike never visited him once. On the third day, Lucas visited him for the third time. As they spoke of the usual, Marth dropped the question, "How is Ike?" Lucas looked a bit uncomfortable, but answered, "Ike kept to himself ever since you broke your leg. He wouldn't come out of his room. There's been rumors saying that he filled out a room exchange request." Lucas said, Marth grew silent.

The silence lingered for a while, "How is Ness and his camera?" Lucas smiled a bit, "Well, he made a surprise for you. He'll bring it in later." Marth smiled at this, he was glad that Ness wasn't too upset about his broken leg. Lucas looked at the cast then turned to Marth, "How long do you need to wear that?" Marth sighed, "Mario said that the wound would fully heal in a month or so. Guess who's stuck in this room for an entire month..." Marth rolled his eyes at the thought of being here for a month. Lucas laughed a bit, "It could be worse. At least you can walk a little right?" Marth nodded, "But it takes a long time for each step." Lucas nodded, but Mario came in. "I apologize Lucas but your visiting hours are over." Lucas nodded, and waved a timid goodbye as he left the room. Marth sighed to himself. He doesn't care if Ike is ashamed, showing his face to Marth once in awhile would be a good start. Marth thought about what Lucas said, "He requested a room exchange without me...?" Marth thought, maybe it wasn't worth it anymore. They should've settled this like adults.

"Marth! I made you this!" Ness came in excited as he placed a pot of flowers on the desk with a small note attached to it, on top of the side table. Ness handed Marth a small book but the pages were very thick. Marth smiled to Ness, and began to turn the pages. The pages contained pictures of brawlers and Ness taking a silly picture with a note next to each picture of all the brawlers saying "Hope you feel better in there own way." He strolled through the pictures ad chuckled on a few,

"Hope you get up and run around again buddy. Let's have a race when you're better. -Sonic."

"This small letter is filled with hopes you get better! -Lucas"

When he reached the last letter,

"I believe your the coolest guy here! I know you'll get better in no time! -Ness"

He didn't recall Ike being in the small book of get well letters and pictures. He turned to Ness with a worried expression, "Ness, did Ike-" Ness looked a bit guilty, "Ike wouldn't agree to it. He said he rather do it in person..." Ness mumbled. Marth looked upset, and felt betrayed. But he smiled regardless, he was surrounded by truly kind people. "Ness, make sure to tell everyone who was involve, Thank you very very much." Ness smiled, "You liked it?" Marth nodded, "I love it!" Ness smiled in triumph. "I knew you would like it!" Marth laughed at Ness' childish victory smile, but still couldn't help but feel sad. Very sad.

"Ness. Why do you love taking pictures so much? Honestly, He..." He stopped mid-sentence. His small laughter with photogenic PSI user was short lived, who was 'he'? Ness stared at Marth, "He..." Ness thought about the memory he received when he had that painful headache. "Taking pictures reminds me of him."

Marth looked at him shocked. "I can't...shake the feeling." Marth mumbled, but he looked at the photo album Ness made him. "Never mind. I shouldn't ponder on such thought." Ness nodded and waved fare well to Marth. Leaving Marth alone. He looked at the plant, and read the note attached, "Get well soon!" and smiled. He...Marth whispered to himself, "Whoever 'he' is...I have a feeling you want me to find you." He stared at the slightly opened door, and saw a digital clock in the distance, "6:35 PM, Peach will be here at 8:30 PM to serve dinner." He thought. Mario would be in the first ward, creating clones of himself to watch while he's gone. Marth looked at the door with determination, he has to find 'he'.

He grabbed his broken leg and gently placed on the ground. He used his other leg to support his body. Luckily, Marth wasn't wearing his cape. He looked around and found nothing of use. He sighed, and continued to lift the broken foot forward and move the other closer to the door. He held the bed to hold his balance, but he noticed something sticking out from underneath the bed. He pulled it put to reveal it was a stick that was long enough to act as a walking stick. He stumbled to the door, but some how made it.

He looked out the door, and received chills down his spine when he saw the Third ward completely dark, except for the window doors to the first ward lit up. He felt no need for the second ward, but he had a feeling about the third ward. "Maybe 'he' wants me to go there." Marth struggled to limp to the third ward door. To his surprise it was unlocked. When he entered, he was surrounded by complete darkness, he searched for a light switch to finally feel one and flip the switch. The lights from the ceiling lit up one by one down the eerie corridors. There were about 10 rooms on each side. He limped to the halls, but found himself mesmerized when a piece of paper laid on the floor. He managed to pick it up, and it read, "You should lock the door first Marth." Marth's hand shook and he ripped the paper in half. He tossed the paper on the floor and continued on. The first room was locked. So was the second. When he tried the third, he opened gladly for him, and he began to explore the content of the room. There was a chair, and a small table next to it. Marth turned on the lights, and examined the table. There were only a needle that had very little sap inside it. He picked it up and looked at it, it was blue. He turned the needle to see a name has been taped to it. "Marth". Marth gasped and almost threw the needle. He placed it down, and looked for other items.

He checked the row of counter tops at the end of the room, and found all the drawers were locked except for one. Inside this one drawer was a envelope. He turned to see his name, "Marth". Marth swallowed, but opened the letter. Inside was a small key, golden yet with an interesting design, but it was attached to a necklace. He placed it around his neck, and saw there was also a letter. He opened it and read it's contents,

Dear Marth,

When you receive this letter it's probably too late. I'm sorry. But finding this letter means that you remember if only somewhat. That's good. But Marth, you mustn't tell anyone! Keep this letter hidden. The key it cam with will help unlock the truth. I hid 5 keys in total. 2 small keys, 1 big key, and one silver key. I hid these because you are the one who will most likely remember. Only you can find the keys. Please find and unlock the hidden chests and door I prepared for you to solve. The reason I had to make it a hunt is because if they find out they will destroy everything. You can't tell a single soul about this! I'm sorry, but I must end here. There will be other letters. This is the latest letter. The others reveal more.

Your's truly,

...

Marth's hand shook. He held the letter close and placed it back in the envelope and stuffed it in his pocket. He continued to look around, but there was nothing of interest. He exited the room fairly quickly, and found only one other room open. He gave a deep sigh and entered the room. It was exactly the same as the other, but when Marth checked the needle that also had a little bit of sap left, it wrote "Ness". He checked each drawer to see if he could find another letter, but all the drawers were locked this time. Marth mumbled, but head out the room. He noticed there still the last door all the way at the end. It was two huge doors with no window like the second ward doors. Marth limped over, with only the sound of the stick tapping against the shining floors. He reached for the doors and opened to find an empty void. He closed it immediately. He had a strong pain in his chest. He couldn't bear it. He started to head for his room, but when he finally passed the 20 empty rooms he heard a scream. It caught him off guard, causing him to trip. Marth was unable to stand up and started to scream for help.

"Help! Help!" He heard footsteps rushing towards him, when the door suddenly burst open, revealing Peach and Mario, along with Link.

They picked him, as Link carried his walking stick, and placed him on the bed where they said he belonged to. Mario scolded Marth saying the third ward was off limits. Marth frowned when he saw Mario leave and lock the third ward. Link stayed and helped Peach serve Marth his dinner. They asked if he was okay, and began to care for his broken leg. He mumbled a "I'm fine."

"Where's Ike?" Marth asked for the third time already. Peach sighed, as Link gave a frown. They didn't answer. Marth looked down at his served food, a steak made just for him, with a side of soda. Marth began to eat, ignoring the awkward silence that appeared. If Ike was so ashamed to see him, then so be it. Marth thought.

-10 minutes later-

Peach and Link cleaned up the dinner and left Marth alone for him to sleep. Marth just laid on the bed, unable to sleep. He heard the first ward doors open, then the second. "Why was Mario or Peach coming to him?" Suddenly, the door to Marth's room opened, and Ike stood there. The two did not speak, they just stared at each other.

"I'm sorry."