Chapter Nine: After the Bitter Month
Not much had happened the past month. Ness didn't try to find the other key since it was too risky without Marth, and eventually the Grand upcoming ceremony is about 3 months away. It was time to prepare whatever the ceremony has in store for them.
Marth on the other hand did not have a welcoming month. Being stuck in the room was bad enough, but to put it bluntly, he had read the accursed book 'Wreath' so many times in his spare time, he memorized the whole book. He was treated well, and luckily his broken leg was healed very quickly. Thus, he was allowed to leave at the end of the month.
"Is everything alright, Marth? Do you feel any pain at all?" Peach questioned as she helped the prince return to his feet.
"Not really, just a bit numb. Thank you very much Peach for taking care of me this past month." Marth replied trying not to fall flat on his face, he still wasn't used to it...
"It was my pleasure, Marth. But keep in mind that you'll be allowed to brawl again in 3 days. That would give you enough days to get used to the lack of movements throughout this month." Peach spoke as though she recited a textbook definition. Marth bent his leg and stomped it around a bit, trying to get whatever feeling he can receive that wasn't the tingling sensation that felt like he was stepping into needles with every step he took.
When the whole ordeal was done, Marth put on his boots and left the hospital wing as fast as he could, waving goodbye to Peach. He stopped mid-way, returning to receive the book. "Peach, I remember telling you I would lend this to you after I completed it." Marth handed Peach the book and bolted out of the room he was very sick of seeing.
.
He wasn't expecting so many brawlers to stop and have a conversation with him; maybe they were shocked that he recovered so fast?
"Prince Marth! It's such a pleasure to see you walking freely after a tedious month in the hospital wing." Zelda greeted, as she stopped in her tracks to speak with Marth.
They stood in the hallway, exchanging their days during the months while brawlers came and gave Marth's 'congrats' and pats on backs. He just left the hospital wing from a minor injury not survive a death match. Oh well, Marth couldn't complain. Well, until he went to the living room..
"Marth is back! Marth is back!" Toon Link shouted upon seeing Marth casually enter the room. Toon Link, Lucas, Pit and Ness were casually sitting on the couch watching a live brawl against Ike and Link, as Samus was discussing with Fire about something with Snake reading something in the background. The small group of kids ran towards Marth showering him with hugs and giggles.
"Glad to see you're better, Marth." Samus said, with a sincere smile on her face. Fire waved at Marth, "Hey Marth!" Snake gave a small wave, not daring to turn his gaze form the book.
"Ness! Did you bring the camera?" Pit questioned, Ness nodded quickly pointing towards the camera laying alone on the counter near the couch. "Samus do you wanna take a picture with us?" Pit questioned as he hovered quickly to retrieve the camera. "Well, I guess I don't see why not." She did not let the smile fade from her face, and walked next to Marth. "Glad you're back, the mansion wasn't really the same with your constant complaining princess." Samus joked, Marth gave her glare; yet he still laughed.
"Say Cheese, guys!" Pit said, aiming the camera. Ness who stood next to Lucas, and in front of Marth, did his iconic peace sign. "Fuzzy Pickles!"
Lucas smiled sheepishly, as he also gave peace sign, albeit a very timid one. "C-Cheese!"
Toon Link sat proudly between Lucas and Ness joining in the peace sign.
Marth and Samus were not one to join the peace sign trope, but since this was a special picture, they kneeled down next to the two, and joined in. "Cheese," they spoke in union.
A flash came from the camera, Marth and Samus stood up. "Can't believe we let ourselves do such a childish pose," Samus scoffed, still smiling. "Well, I am finally free from the clutches of boredom that was the hospital wing." Marth remarked, as Ness and Lucas huddled up with Pit to see the picture. Fire entered the kids excitement about the picture, as Snake still did not even pass a glance.
"Winner, IKE!" The Television announced as everyone, including Snake turned to face the Television. "Oh no! We've missed the fight! But, how did my big brother lose?" Toon Link complained, as he decided to go somewhere else.
"Toon Link, where are you going?" Ness asked, Toon Link replied, "To ask my big brother how it went."
Lucas waved good bye, Pit and Ness said there good byes and returned their focus on the picture.
"So, Marth. I was wondering if you weren't busy, you'll like to spend luck with Link and I, I prefer to have my lunch with friends, not just with one person." Samus asked, Marth nodded, "Alright. I wouldn't want to be eating alone today either."
He didn't want to stay any longer in the living room, and decided to visit Link or maybe even Ike. The hallways weren't cramped, but wasn't abandoned either; but Marth did not appreciate being stopped every 5 steps to be told 'Congratulations for leaving the Hospital Wing'. It was usually from the people who haven't really been giving him attention before the incident. Were they paid to do this or something?
It really wasn't his right to tell people to back off, in the end, they probably did cared about him...Or maybe they really were being paid..either way goes for him.
"Marth? Marth! Glad to see you're finally out of the hospital. Listen,...sorry for.." Marth turned around and shushed the person who had stopped him this time, "Ike, It's alright. You don't need to apologize. I'm just glad to be out." Ike sighed in somewhat relief, walking beside Marth.
"So, about this whole starting over business...Does this also mean forgetting about the bet?" Ike spoke jokingly, Marth laughed. "I said it before Ike, I would gladly keep my end of the bargain. I mean, the worst that can ever happen is that I don't like the clothes."
"Then my guess would be that you wouldn't mind wearing *ahem* someone else's outfit? Am I right?" Ike questioned slyly. He smirked and he saw Marth gulp. "By the gods, I can already tell this is the worst mistake I would ever make this month..." Marth whispered to himself. He just crossed his fingers, and prayed to the great divine gods that Ike wasn't going to make him wear something that would destroy whatever dignity Marth had...I mean, they were friends starting over.
Eventually they reached their room, and entered the similar environment that Marth admittedly missed very much. "Glad to have you back." Ike said as he went over to the closet. "Glad to be back." Marth muttered back, as he let himself fall onto his bed. Suddenly, his face had meet with the strange soft feeling of fabric.
"Huh? What is this?" Marth said, sitting up looking at the clothes that was tossed to his face. It seemed to be clothes of that of a priest, no, a bishop.
"I asked my comrades back at home if they could send over something for a friend. This was one of the things I got that remotely fits your size." Ike explained, standing there with arms crossed. Marth pondered on that in confusion.
"What else fit my size?" Marth questioned nervously. Ike answered reluctantly as he took out two other outfits. "Some of them were traveling, and brought back some...strange choices. Apparently, these are the outfits for a Mercenary." He held it up to show, and Marth felt his face grow very red.
The top was long, like his, but there were no sleeves. There seem to be a blue skin tight shirt you have to put on first then the thin light brown armor that only covers the shoulders and the stomach like a jacket. Right above what should be the hip, is belts, and the top part seems to continue till the thigh. Ike also held the bottom part, blue tights, with steel boots sitting on the floor.
"What is that?! That is for a woman! Not for a man!" Marth shouted, refusing to wear such an outfit. "I'm not telling you to wear it!" Ike shouted back.
"Of course you will not! A Prince doesn't wear that type of attire!" Marth scolded loudly, as he stood up. Ike sighed in irritation. "If you keep pushing your prince status in my face, I'll be sure that this is the out fit you'll be wearing everyday." Ike threatened, making Marth silent and quietly sit back down. "What is the other outfit?" Ike tossed the mercenary outfit aside and held up the other one.
"This one is apparently for some class I forgot the name of." Ike muttered. This outfit wasn't that bad. The top was very long, when it reaches the hip the front and back part split at the side. The front reaches all the way to the knee, as the back part can be used as a cape seeing as it's practically touching the floor. It was blue, like Marth's usual outfit. It had a heavy dose of belts on the stomach area, one was lazily hanging by the front, as another one was connecting the shoulder armor to the stomach belts. This outfit had loose pants, and long boots with fur on the top.
"I actually prefer this outfit. I mean, It looks more suitable for a male." Marth explained. Ike nodded, "Oh, and both came with these." Ike held up two pairs of cloth meant to be worn on the lower part of the arms.
"So, which is this one?" Marth held up the one that was tossed to his face. Looking at it more closely, it was white and very long. Ike took it and held up the other way. Marth sighed again.
The part he saw was the cape, and the front was what seemed like a dress. It looked strikingly similar to a mage, but it had blue cloth tied to the section just above the hip. Despite it still looking a little bit like a dress, it wasn't as feminine as the first outfit.
"This was from one of my friends...She was a bishop." Ike commented. Marth sat quietly, waiting. "What is it?" Ike asked, Marth looked bored. "I'm waiting for you to pick the outfit, I have lunch with Samus and Link. If you want to come too, you better hurry and select my outfit for the day."
Ike scoffed, and tossed the second outfit. "Here then, I'll put away the others." He also left the arm cloth, and fur boots next to Marth, leaving the room for him to change.
.
"Well, I will admit, it's quite comfortable." Marth walked out the room and had a sheepish look on his face. He left his tiara on, but almost everything else was changed. Marth had the loose shirt, the belts, the pants, the boots, the shoulder armor, and even the arm cloth. They started to walk down the hallway, with Marth receiving a lot of strange looks and even others shouting "Atta boy Marth! Now you look like a man!", while others shook there heads, "Ugh, you still look like such a woman."
"Mart- What are you wearing?" Marth turned to see Zelda. She had a mix of confusing and approval. "I like your change but, maybe a little less...barbaric." Zelda commented as she continued to walk away. "Wow, there's a lot of people who like the change." Ike smiled, Marth sighed. He already missed his old attire.
They reached the lunch and easily spotted Samus and Link.
Samus was speaking to Link about useful strategies that they could use for their next brawls, until a certain prince caught her eye. "Hello, Samus." Marth spoke timidly, as he quickly sat next to her. "Oh..uh..Hello Marth. Nice...outfit..?" Samus was a bit at a lost. Link didn't mention anything, but still looked at Marth with confusion.
"It was a bet Samus, I apologize for not informing you. Let's continue on with our lunch meeting." Marth spoke nervously, not liking the attention he was receiving. Samus nodded and continued to discuss about brawls, adding Marth and Ike into the conversation.
Author's Note:
Hello, this is Nai Honda speaking. I wanted you all to know that I am truly sorry for the lack of update. For all of you that had been loyal and been reading the story, I promise to try to update as much as I can. I actually had just started school a few weeks ago and I wasn't able to go on my computer for some time, but now I can and I was able to muster up the inspiration to continue this :D and everyone who sees the outfit that Marth wears (The male mrymidon class one) just imagine Marth walking around in that...For all of you who thought I would make Marth wear a dress, sorry! Got the wrong chapter, and maybe fic altogether :) .
Outfits:
The first one that Ike should was that of a female mercenary in Fire Emblem Awakening:
Link ( wiki/File:Mercenary_ )
The second one that Ike forgot was the male Myrmidon class in Fire Emblem Awakening:Link ( wiki/File:Myrmidon_ )
The last one the Ike showed, that was also thrown towards Marth's face was Laura's Bishop outfit:
Link ( wiki/File:FE10_Laura_Bishop_ )
So, please review! And thank you for reading this far.