Chapter 12: A New War for Survival part 3
Super Smash Bros.[ Fire Emblem: Awakening, Plegia; Fire Emblem, Coliseum ]
[play The Task at Hand FE: Radiant Dawn] Deep in the woods, our 7 heroes hid themselves near a campfire away from the enemies tracks. Lucina, Robyn, Marth and Dillon sat around the spit whereas Robin and Ike nearby it. Falcon stood away on a nearby tree focusing on the group and listening in on any useful info he should hear about for his own good.
"These creatures of the Dusk Templar are not native to our realm as you have explained." Stated Robyn logically. Honestly she still felt sceptical on the whole mess she and her brother are involved in. It's not everyday an alien invasion occurs in Ylisstol or anywhere on the continent.
"Correct. And contrary to any of your beliefs, they are not here for conquest." Marth said to his descendants party intending to make them understand the situation. "As of now even I still find the reasons beyond me. But we been informed it's for some collection game they are entranced in."
"We have no idea how many, but the majority of the Super Smash Bros. are currently missing and it's safe to assume that the remainder are still being hunted." Said Ike. The swordsman looked far more burly than Marth, wearing slightly tattered red cape scarfed around his neck, a favored left shoulder and forearm armor, blue, and also blue greaves. The leather armor around his body varied over tanned pants along with somewhat spiked knuckle protection. One of the most distinguishing traits of his was his green headband, his blessed sword of a goddess, Ragnell, and his Fire Emblem royalty/ protagonist signifying blue hair.
"So anyone that's had involvement in the Smash Tournaments are being hunted like game huh?" Asked C. Falcon with his arms crossed.
"Primarily. Their have been reports of other kidnappings as well as certain items being collected." Responded the Greil Merc.
"Well Isn't this just dandy."
"Well this sick game has cost the lives of some people I've cherished and many other allies!" Lucina blurted. "I don't see that this could possibly be easily forgiven for those they've made suffer for their ignorance." Robyn placed her hands upon her shoulders to calm her. She faced back to Ike and Marth.
"Who exactly are these Smash Brethren, and has been informing you of this vital intel?" Marth straightened himself to further explain to his new comrades. Surely Master Hand wouldn't mind have a debriefing on the history of this amazing fighting tournament be spilled to someone outside of it with him not around (wherever he was).
"The Super Smash Bros. is a tournament of warriors and heroes across our knowledge brought together to determine our skill against one another and prove ones mettle. It's highly exclusive and combatants are personally chosen by our head, ironically, Master Hand. He is the mind behind all our creation and the host of these tournaments as well as our realms guardian." This news gave the 3 Shepherds conflicting feelings about this Master Hand being. Lucina and the Robyn's (taught for their amnesia) accepted the worship of Naga as their deity, not some pagan creator. Controversy can be said that Master Hand's creativity can be linked to the Smash World's organization and not the entirety of Amiibo, but that can be up to debate. But with the advent of the Dusk Templar, maybe it could be found believable. "And as for our powerful informant, he is the equivalent to Naga in another world. A Pokemon God named Arceus."
"I know you're the great Hero King of old, and are worthy of high esteem. But I don't suppose you have proof for any of this?" Questioned Robin in reluctance. The last thing he wanted to do was insult Lucina's bloodline, however the whole tale seemed too far-fetched for even Hero King Marth to be a part of.
"I'm just enough proof to answer those questions pal." Snarked C. Falcon. "And I told you schmucks I told truth. What!" He raised his arms up in a 'get some' manner.
"Thank you Cpt. Douglas." Said Marth."
"Whoa, easy their pretty boy. No need for formality."
"Tell me again how you know this buffoon?" Asked Robyn with some annoyance about the racer.
"Who're you calling a balloon sweetheart? That's Jigglypuff."
"Okay enough!" Interrupted Lucina. They were getting off track. "Please, continue on about these invaders."
"Well." Began Ike. "Arceus has seen first hand on the destruction they have done in his world. Not much different as what they are doing here."
"Go on."
"However he has met with another celestial and they have been currently enlisting members of the Smash Bros. to reassemble. Hopefully we can join forces like when the Subspace Emissary attacked."
"The Subspace who?" Cut off Robyn.
"That's another long story. But me and Marth merely came here in search of him." Ike pointed to the racer, having him stupidly point back to himself for reassurance. [end BGM]
"Me? Uh, no way. Their isn't a Smash Tournament this time. So why should I go back to this little 'Dream Team'?"
"Because if you don't this whole world and all the other worlds connected will be nothing but wastes when the Dusk Templar are through with it!" Marth let out his temper, which really showed Lucina and her tactician guards a new look on the esteemed Hero King. "I understand we have our own roads to follow, but when a common foe involves all of our roads, all of our very livelihoods to the brink of damnation, then their is no choice that we have but to stand together and fight against this oppression. I know you have some good behind that money grubbing bounty hunter persona because we've fought side-by-side before, so why not show us your heroics and stop this threat before it gets out of hand!" Said bounty hunter closed in near Marth.
"You really think your little pep talk will get me full throttle in all this." Falcon asked masking his anger. "As fun as all those little brawls we had in the past were, I don't see any cause for me to be involved in any more Smash nonsense without that Hand's force so give me a gosh darn good reason for me to help that doesn't involve your water-works with a side of foot up your ass!" Falcon's uproar had Ike pulled out Ragnell in case of any uneeded violence followed by Robin and his sister, while Dillon looked up to the ruckus with one open eye.
"Stop this!" Lucina got up in hope of mediating the heated discussion. "What use is being at each others throats when their is a literally larger enemy out there!?" No one made a move, but they were ready for the slightest twitch of hostility. "Look, those monsters have my father. If they wanted to kill him, they would've done it right in front of us, but they didn't, so that means he must be alive in their main ship." She looked to Ike, still battle ready. "If what you say is true, then their are many others imprisoned upon that monstrous vessel and it is our duty to rescue them." Ike didn't say a word, but that didn't mean he disagreed with her. "And you. Mr. Falcon. Since you do have but a sliver of justice upbringing then why not ally with us for the greater good. For when your world falls next on their genocide list, who will come to your aid when all other allies are gone. Surely you don't intend to win against them all?"
"I could try." He smirked at the girl. She shook her head.
"Unlikely. So would you please help as long as you can, we couldn't ask for a better companion." Marth and Ike couldn't believe that Lucina would even go as far as to convince the great Cpt. Falcon to join their ranks. In the Smash Bros., he's seen as a brash, loud, sometimes annoying heavy-hitter with many iconic showy moves. Some smashers would go to great lengths to avoid this man at any costs finding it hard to tolerate him. I guess being with them let's out an inner social butterfly he isn't usually shown as when bounty hunting or racing in hectic F-Zero Grand Prix's. However, her coaxing seemed to have worked on the racing legend for he sat back down when he had gotten near them to intimidate Marth.
"Fine. I'm not doing this just because she batted her lashes out at me. ONLY because it's in my best interest to keep these Templar dastards away from my realm." He crossed his leg, relieving himself of his past hostility to the Smash swordsmen. It was a relief to have everyone back on the same side. "Heh. I knew you and I would become great friends."
"Don't count your life on it. She is of royal blood you plebeian." Robin interjected in defence.
"Ey, it's nothing like that. If anything that's your circuit bro." Robyn's ear perked when she heard of this discovery. And yeah, she understood what that meant.
"WHAT!" [play 'Agh! Won goph in mah mouph! Blech! Ptooey!' FE: A]
"Oh. I guess that's not exactly exclusive. Sorry bud." Falcon cheekily pronounced.
"What's he talking about brother? Is their something going on between you two?" Robyn urged her brother to admit to these lecherous rumours. He was at a loss of words.
"Huh? No! Of course not. Why would their ever be anything going on. And what exactly would go on anyway Robyn?" He defended against the accusation.
"And why not Robin?" Lucina joined in on cornering the male tactician. "Do you find something awfully unappealing about me?"
"No! It's just..."
"Just what? I'm dying to hear. I am not good enough for your distinguishing tastes?" Where was this coming from. Was she feeling like a 2nd place wench being leveled by some lecherous man, or was their a certain hint of something else.
"No, it's just your my best friend's daughter. Do you know how strange that would be? I know i'm not the only one here?"
"Don't you lie to me!" Robyn was really getting in on his case now. "I know how you are. Favoring her whenever you see fit. I know your not doing it just to get in good with Chrom now are you? All that training, bah!"
"Of course not. Sis I would never be that underhanded. Besides, Chrom personally requested I spar with her. It meant nothing."
Now Lucina got a little pissed. "It meant nothing!" And why would some measly chatting mean anything before/during/after an innocent spar is what anyone would think at that.
"Please! The scandal of it all! I can't be the only one to think that such a relationship is wrong?" Robin looked to the other guys for some help in this dire situation. If help didn't come, he could be in for two worlds of pain.
"I don't see anything wrong withit. I mean she is a grown woman after all?" Was Ike's response to the situation at hand, gaining an incredulous look from all 5 of them, excluding Dillon who pretended to be resting to avoid involvement in this trivial matter. [end BGM] Robin and the female companions resumed their argument, so C. Falcon and the other Smash Veterans went back to the fire.
"So how have you boys been. Reliving your adventures over and over again?" Falcon has a knowledge that their worlds are stuck in a sort of time warp, never really changing unless a new adventure were to change their lives. One would say that the biggest example of this theory is the World of Pipes. Mario and Gang have been their way for ages yet they haven't been touched by the grasps of age or boredom as the A Reality dimension would feel (Spoiler: A Reality is the universe where these characters and worlds are mere videogames for humanity to enjoy themselves to aka the real world). However it didn't seem to bother the two males one bit.
"If that is what you would call it, we have much more urgent matters than jesting Falcon." Marth responded with utmost impatience. "We do expect you take this seriously. This isn't like what happened in the past."
"I get it. But how did you two first hear of this great calling for justice and survival crap?"
"Marth was told of this first. Then he came to me with divine calling." Ike said activating the flashback to the Fire Emblem swordsmen reunion.
*Flashback*
To an unnamed stadium in the Fire Emblem Domain, crowds cheered for Greil Mercenaries representative and current leader Ike as he defeated another warrior in gladiatorial combat. His new friends he helped out in his latest quest, Sothe, Micaiah and others of the Dawn Brigade cheered him on in the crowd seeing him make in far in the ensuing battles. Ike raised Ragnell above his head and looked out to the crowd, relishing on their praises and cheers.
"Haha! Yes!" He bellowed out, full of unbeatable pride. "What more could the people want! Give them what they want to see, and let me satisfy! Is this all they can send at me?! Give me a real fight and a real show!"
Coming out of the other gate opposite of Ike, a blue haired swordsman came into the blazing sunlight, dressed regally and furnishing a glorious blade. Ike saw this new foe and scoffed like he would seeing another mook attempting to take his life. But when the figure came closer, the almost girlish {sorry Marth} man made Ike reminisce on the days he fought alongside the friend. "Careful their. Don't want all that going to your head. It'll make the loss all the more embarassing." Called out Marth, ruler of Altea and old buddy of Ike's during ye olde SSB Brawl days.
"Well, well, well. A highborn like yourself is not common to these parts of the kingdom."
"You know as well as I that back at my home, I've participated in a few arena battles myself." Marth encouraged the playful banter between the two. It's certainly been a while since these two have seen each other noticing changes in their appearances. Marth was inwardly jealous on how much more robust Ike had become, whereas Ike saw how less womanly Marth had gotten.
"Indeed. But since no one here knows of you, expect them to jeer at a common noble." As if on cue, some booing can be heard from the crowd upon seeing Marth being of noble birth considering his high quality attire.
"Heheh. Right you are old friend. But I didn't come just to best you in battle. I came to recruit your aid." That last thing about Marth besting him was of most significance to the mercenary leader.
"Is that so? Their is only one way to prove your point their." Ike positioned his Ragnell in fighting position hoping Marth would make the first charge. "Prepare yourself!"
"Ike, I'm being serious. The only way I came here is from a higher power sending me to deliver you to a noble cause." Marth continued to try and convince Ike that he had come to seek aid from the Radiant hero, however, he would have to try harder.
"Look, I really don't have the time for these, international debates. So tell you what. I'll listen to whatever you have to say, if you can actually beat my Ragnell. Rematch of the whole Domain. Falchion, vs. Ragnell. Which will be superior?" As long as Ike was in the zone right now, Marth understood that his adversary was too into the concept of duelling to pay attention to the urgent news. So he had no choice but to comply with the innocent challenge.
"Very well, but we're wasting precious time sparring against each other." Marth readied the Falchion for a duel of the ages. Both Fire Emblem legends poised for an quick fight but in reality would end up being a sword clashing showdown of their lives to determine which heavenly blessed blade could be deemed superior. They scooted around the arena silently urging the other to come at them at full potential. The sheer suspense had the crowd going wild to see if this mystery challenger would put Ike at the ropes, roaring out any other sound the swordsmen would have heard on the side. Beside focusing on their opponent, the deafening crowd was their only distraction from the standoff, but only the best of fighters could truly show off mastery amongst distractions as loud as this. And in a mere change of the wind, both bolted from their standings and rushed at breakneck speeds probably dubious to the crowds eye.
*end Flashback*
"Aw, really? That's as far as it goes?" C. Falcon whined at the sudden stop towards the flash back. It certainly would've been good to write the description for Ike/Marth's duel, but the flashback end was intentional for comedic reasons. Not because I was too lazy to type it (for the most part ;p). "And right when it was gettin' good."
"Well it was like any old generic sword fight between two great swordsmen." Ike said with modesty. Of course Ike was never one to be pompous and egotistical about his abilities, however he's shown some hint of pride and over estimation of his opponents. And let's not forget his behaviour at that arena around his peers at home, let that not be an exception.
"However," Marth added. "Their was a part when some leopard-chimaera's were released to spice up the battle. Along with other machinations to change the terrain. But it was no great deal." One can assume the fight was intense as shit. One Cap wouldn't mind listening about.
"So who won?" Marth and Ike exchanged glances then back at Falcon, waiting for an answer.
"It ended as a tie."
"Wha?! For reals? I don't buy it. I'm mean sure one of you wouldn't be here if one of you won, but I don't believe that one of you let up until the other was disarmed or at least outclassed."
"Let's leave it at that. We still have much more important things to discuss." Ike appealed to the F-Zero racer. With the answer left undiscovered, C. Falcon let it go, rather than hassle them like an over curious child with the really real danger lurking around them.
"So what about the Sonic wannabe? How'd you meet him?" Dillon tilted his head away from them as if he heard C. Falcons wisecrack.
"Well we met him when Arceus assigned us to look for you. We're not sure if he has other agents at his disposal, he said that another celestial like itself is participating in the assemblage of the Smash Brothers." So their's another high entity in on this? Very ominous however it's for a good purpose. "What makes you so defiant on the coming back to the organization?" A good question.
"That's a question." That's what I said!? /:( "That's a question." C. Falcon tried to relax yet he had the vibe that he was embarrassed to tell. I guess he didn't want to hurt anyone with his opinion.
Falcon sighed. "Well I don't want to be the mean one but all of this is just it for me. Maybe I just want to chill in my own world. Hell, if another tourney was to begin I probably would turned it down."
"But Falcon. We don't have a choice this time." Marth appealed to him.
"You think I had a choice before?" Falcon snapped quietly to Marth. "Every time this Smash thing happened, something bigger was lurking behind the curtains. Some fate of our world crap having us work together to stop it. It's getting fricken old now."
"But was it all so bad?" Marth didn't show it, but he felt a little disheartened by Falcon's resolve. He thought the SSB were like friends partaking in a friendly brawl or 2, meeting together like an outing. In fact if it wasn't for the Super Smash Bros., the other worlds would've lived oblivious to all he others along with all the friendships and alliances forged through intermingling of outside forces. This made Falcon think again about his want to isolated from the outer dangers of his world. What makes a villain more dangerous is allying with another big bad from another world for catastrophic outputs.
"No. It wasn't." He admitted. He thought over what it felt like to take his comment.
"Besides," Ike added. "This calamity started without a Smash Tournament. And it's bringing all the worlds into this fight, so it calls for the alliance of great warriors to face this challenge. Like Lucina said, if this menace spreads to far, it would be too much for an individual hero to face on their own."
"Yeah, yeah. Put out the fire before it becomes too wild to contain. Got it." Falcon finished.
"So I guess that means you will join us." Marth said to the grand racer, smirking back and giving one of his trusty salute taunts he does to confirm this.
"Yeah this is all honky-dory good time now." The resting armidillo broke into the conversation between the Smash Vets. "Yet I want to know if y'all ready to leave back to home base?" C. Falcon has been recruited, their main objective accomplished, so now it's time for them to find a safer area to be warped out.
"Ah yes, but what about the other three?" Falcon looked motioned to the bickering Shepherds, starting to cool off from earlier.
"I'm sorry, but Arceus did not give instructions on what to do with others encountered." Marth said, truly sorry about the matter. He had to admit, the cobalt haired girl did have a striking resemblance to himself, but he was sure to follow his directive. "I sincerely wish we could bring them too, but I'm not sure he'll allow refugees to take up room?"
"It's too late. These kids are too involved to be left behind. And if I'm not mistaken, isn't it the right thing to save anyone from these Dusk ass-wipes? They're as good as dead out here and it looks like they won't stop until they're sure everything is dead out here." Ike and Marth considered this. It would really eat at them later if they left innocents behind in this havoc, but they were not instructed to rescue stragglers.
"Well it didn't say we couldn't try and save them." Declared Ike. "Boy Falcon, I didn't know you cared that much?"
"Come on. You're not the only one with an obnoxious conscience."
"Um, sir Marth." The Vets. glanced toward the fire only to look at Lucina standing amongst them. "I just want to apologize for my friend's ignorance before. I just want to say that it is an honor to be in your presence."
Marth didn't want to make her feel unwanted by their urgent matters, if she was to be considered a worthy ally for their excursion. Besides, he didn't have to worry about disruption space/time or anything working for history, if he can be pulled out of his world, why can't others. She was indeed gracious to him and his colleagues. "Why thank you, Lucina?" The princess inwardly squealed upon hearing her name from her childhood hero then brought back her composure.
"Yes, you must know that your bloodline is in a generations care, my grandfather did put it in questioning, but rest assured that my father and I will bring back the glory of the Exalt." As good as this sounded, the info on his family was dubious about her grandfather tainting it. What could her family have done to ruin his bloodline in such a way? Did they usurp and slander the royal name? Marth was considering what his female look-a-like meant but Ike and Dillon found out thanks to being confirmed by Falcon's explanation to Lucina's relationship to Hero King Marth.
"Um, yes well... I'm sure your family has taken care of succeeding my dynasty, yet we have more..." Before he could finish, Ike whispered in his ear on who Lucina is and to clear up any misunderstandings before they forget. "Oh..." He took a long look at Lucina, observing the traits passed down from common lineage. "(Hmm, so that explains the good looks.)" Sure Marth, whatever.
"Um Lord Marth. Sir Ike." Marth, Ike, and Falcon faced their attention to Robyn who had requested some attention for the time being. "So your mission to retrieve this Captain Falcon character is officially accomplished yes? Is their any possibility that her highness and my brother and I accompany you to meet this Arceus. Perhaps we could be of assistance to the goal he is trying to achieve."
"It did not specify rescuing civilians, but I understand you are not and you wish to help. I say if you wish to, hope that Arceus is willing to warp you to his secret sanctuary." The three Shepherds were overjoyed to hear that they would be brought along on an adventure to fight the Dusk Templar.
"Don't worry father, we'll return to free you and anyone else being held captive." Lucina vowed quietly.
"Oh please pay no mind to the only non humy around here. I just voluntarily signed up to rescue you slops." Dillon snarked back to the others disregarding him. Ike and Marth did not mind his comment finding it understandable in some way, but the others were not amused by his specist attitude toward them. It's not like they intentionally ignored him. He was rather quiet, not giving much to the conversation.
"Now Dillon..." Marth was interrupted by said armidillo shushing him and examining the senses he used getting up from his relaxing position.
"Excuse me? You do not disrespect the Hero King..." He shushed Lucina's angered statement as well. He looked to the West, staring long and hard at the direction. His eyes widened upon him dodging a heavy blast that obliterated the camp fire they had gathered around.
"Oh sniff, they've found us!" Dillon rushed to the opposite direction of the shot in hopes of leading his group away from the danger. [play Menace (Intro) FE: A] "Run!" However some Rabitoid mechs and a knight burst from the flourish and attacked the heroes. Ike and Marth counter-attacked by hacking away the baiters while also avoiding being torn by the large rounds from the giant's gun. A minute later 2 more knights came out of the brush opening fire upon them, making the harsh situation all the more dire.
"Damn. Never expected them to find us this far in." Ike held back more mechs, almost dismembered if it wasn't for Dillon ramming into the sneaky foe. Robin fired an Elthunder at a nearby knight, dropping it's weapon.
"Elthunder! Their must be reinforcements from the previous knight they slew. We can't stay here for much longer." Stated Robin.
"What we need is mode of transportation." Falcon fiddled with his wrist device to contact the Falcon Flyer. "And I know just the ride. However, if we want to leave without it being shot down,we should leave our tag-along posse."
"Agreed, but with our size differences, we can't hope to outrun them." Robyn's fact made Marth consider the options they had and very few had them getting out successfully. Their was one possibility where they would escape, but with one less. He looked over to his descendant fighting alongside her bodyguards to keep the Dusk Templar warriors off them. He couldn't bare to have his furthest bloodline be deserted with these marauders to be harmed or worse by these vile monsters. Perhaps if they had something to appease their hunt...
"Ike!" The Hero King called to his ally. "Follow Falcon to the Flyer and get everyone to safety. I'll try to hold off what's left here."
"Don't do this Marth." Ike had successfully maimed a Dusk Templar knight finishing it with great prejudice (it would have done much worse to all of them). "Don't be a hero. We can finish these bastards together!"
"It's alright. Their's not that much left. Just take them to the transport and I'll meet you all there. Besides, I got to live up to my title. Now go!" Ike didn't want to leave Marth behind, but judging on how many foes were left, he could trust his friends judgement.
"Alright. Let's go everyone! Falcon take us to your ship!"
"Well all right! Ladies and germs, follow your man here!" Falcon rushed through the trees following a safe zone he had the Falcon Flyer stay out of enemy range.
"But what about Marth!" Cried Lucina. "We can't leave him alone!" Robin urged Lucina to come with them seeing Marth perfectly handle himself by climbing around a knight and lacerating it.
"It's fine Lucina, he'll join us momentarily. We have to go." He pulled the girl with them to evacuate the area. Marth looked back to his friends and descendant, relieved that they would be safe. In reality, he knew that their were much more Dusk Templar coming to take them, and lied that their weren't much left. Yes, he wanted to ensure his future granddaughter would be safe and protect his legacy and prosper. It would have been nice to get to know her more, fulfilling many questions a young relative would have for their respected elder. How he would've loved to meet his royal family Lucina had the privilege of being with, a family he had started with his reign. Perhaps he could meet the people who helped them through the harsh trials like his army did for him in his glory days. As much as a setback this would be for Arceus and the main objective, he wanted to give his family a good chance of survival and maybe see the Smash family he had met imprisoned on the Dusk Templar flagship. Soon more knights arrived to challenge Marth, but then a surge of watery force ripping apart trees from his left. He was bombarded by the shards of what was once plant life and thrown backwards.
"Aurgh!" When he looked up, he saw a Dusk Templar floating in mid-air carrying a trident weapon that glowed of the blue energy. Close up it looked like a cybernetic seahorse with a humanoid torso and a merman-like tail to keep it afloat. It's eyes glowed of the same blue aquatic surge from his weapon, gnarled teeth potruding from the mouth stretched away from it's face. Marth stood up to face the threat, only now realizing the impact from the blast had him bleeding from his head, covering one of his eyes. The knights and the... Hippocamp warrior closed in on the groggy swordsman, knowing full well that their master wants this one to brought to him alive. "Very well. You want to take me, I'm going to take down more than it takes to restrain me. I am ready! So come on!" The Hippocamp bellowed out at Marth, accepting the threat from the punin. He had enough strength left in him to kill off more knights and their minions, but for how much longer?
Our 6 party members rushed through the brush franticly keeping proximity to C. Falcon, for it was his ship they were hoping to escape in. "Mr. Falcon, how much farther is your flying ship?" Robin called out to the leading racer.
"I had to move it farther with those bastards near us." Falcon yelled back. He suddenly stopped, giving the others time to catch up to him.
"Why are we stopping!?" Questioned Ike. "We should find your ship and get out of here!"
"Perhaps he's waiting for Marth to reach us." Lucina rationalized Falcon's action. "Is that right?" Falcon held up his hand to get some silence. He listened carefully. Very carefully. Then as if he had gained some falcon-like keen hearing, he heard thumping tracks from behind them
"Shit! They're tracking us!" [end last BGM and now play Menace, FE: A] The others looked behind them and saw large hyena shaped Dusk Templar units bolting after them with blood in their eyes. These animals must be the dogs used to flush out prey and/or hold it down when the hunters arrived to snag it. "Let's move!" The others didn't need to be told twice for just getting a better look at the beasts was close enough. The rabid monstrosities were closing in on the group with their quadruped bodies propelling them faster toward their prey. It wouldn't be long before they were in the jaws of these feral beast. The next thing they knew was that one of the Dusk Templar flying craft is hovering over the treetops firing hot rounds upon the runners. If they could dodge the blasts, they would still have to deal with the massive hunting beasts chasing them down. The next best thing for them to do is have Dillon roll up into a ball and lead the mongrels off their trail. Which is what he had in mind.
"Hey! I'll see if I can get these things off us." Dillon suggested to Ike. He let Dillon do as he said, for he had no time to think of a better strategy. Dillon stopped behind them and charged up his signature rolling attack. He charged it up and launched out to hit between the trees, ricocheting off the trunks then back to the fiends giving them chase. The hounders took notice of the rolling object and gave chase. Dillon's rolling prowess was indeed something to reckon, but he was not used to moving through a forest of trees, because where he comes from, it's primarily a dessert with very little vegetation. The chase he was in had roll past bushes and make phenomenal sharp turns, with the hunting beast fast in tow. He had to get out of his rolling form for it could not last forever and charged up again only this time so much, that it had him floating above the ground. Before a mongrel could get it's bone shattering maw on him, Dillon sped past the attack rolling through the forest once more. He ricochetted off more trees with harsher force than before eventually hitting him out of the tree tops and bouncing above. The others desperately tried to lose the fighter craft, but it persisted on the chase. Suddenly Dillon's rolling force arrived and smashed through one of the wings of the invaders craft making it lose momentum and falling down into a fiery wreck. Dillon unwound himself and looked back at the ship he destroyed, tipping his hat and spitting at the crashed craft in disrespect. The other allies looked at amazement at the feat done by the armadillo. This made Lucina consider something, since the enemy is coming at them in much more power.
"Marth. We have to go back!" As much as everyone would agree, Ike had to oppose to this idea.
"No. It's too dangerous. We have to get to Falcon's ship."
"He's still back there! I'm going back whether you want to or not!" Lucina felt like marching back and cutting down any Dusk Templar that got in her way from her ancestor and father being held captive. Robin and Robyn hurried to hold Lucina back, trying hard to convince the struggling princess to come with them.
"Lucina! Please stop! We have to go!" Robin persisted his grasp on the future Exalt who put up quite a fight.
"I'm not losing another part of my family! Past or present! Let me go, let me go!" She wasn't making things easy on them.
"Stop this!" Robin helped his sister successfully drag the forlorn princess back with the 3 other guys. "It's too late. He told us to retreat! We can't let his decision go in vain!" Lucina suddenly stopped struggling from the tacticians' grip, pulling herself out of it and dashed to where Falcon was supposedly leading them, prompting the rest to follow her away from the crash site and into a much larger opening in the forest. Falcon took the lead in front of all his posse, taking a quick peek to see if the coast was clear.
"Well Cpt. Falcon. Where is this great Flying Falcon you have in store for us?" Mocked Robyn feeling foolish in believing that the supposed racer had a flying ship to rival that of the Dusk Templar. As a response to her smart-assery, he lifted up his right hand looking back at his fellows like he was going to show them something coolmungous.
"As a matter of fact, my lady. It's right in front of you." On cue to his entrance, a golden falcon faced vessel materialized before their very eyes above the space in front of the illustrious racer of F-Zero. The cloaking field rippled away in their line of sight. Such a decorated machine took the attention and curiosity of Robin and his twin gazing with wonder how such metallic machinery could levitate . They didn't care much for the phenomenon of how the Dusk Templar ships flew like a pegasus or wyvern could because they were too hostile to stare and wonder.
Back at the crashed fighter craft ,aka a Venx, the bloodthirsty hound monsters barked and snarled at the fire having the smoke lose their scent until the rest of the hunting group arrive at the crash site. They seemed angered at the loss of one of their ships most likely because such lowly creatures would shame them by doing so. Growling in their foreign tongue, they pushed the curs aggressively until the hounds got back on the scent and proceeded to follow the trail. Their snarling could be heard all the way back at the Falcon, putting the chase back on. "Alright, gawking time is over, get in!" Falcon lead the crew up a bridge to still functioning ship right as the hunters reached their line of sight. Ike being the last one to board got caught by one of the beasts attempting to climb on board. Dillon and Robyn struggled to pull him back in with the mongrel scratching its way to stay aboard. Ike could not get his sword to reach the beast for he was being pulled back by his comrades in a tug of war against its claws cutting into Ike's calf. Cpt Falcon got back to the opening, leaping at the hound to deliver a powerful knee strike to its maw, having it squirm off his ship and fall to the ground. With the extra weight off it, the Falcon Flyer could take off to the air more quickly yet wobbly with the knights firing hell upon its hull.
"Get us the hell away from here!" At command, and after closing the doors, the medium sized vessel turned away from the fiends and blasted its engines skywards. (End BGM)
Finally out of reach of the giants, Falcon and his passengers could take a breather meanwhile the tacticians tended to Ike's wound as much as they could. Lucina remained quiet from the very beginning of the voyage, keeping to herself on a stool. Everyone, save for the Captain remained in the garage where the world renowned Blue Falcon sat luxuriously on a engineering platform like it had been worked on. The pride and joy of Cpt Falcon was another piece of futuristic technology unfamiliar with the Shepherds nor Dillon, constantly tinkered with like a man with his little car project only this project is a high speed racing vehicle in a dangerous racing sport that despite the accidents had, the primary racers have returned for almost all the F-Zero Grand Prix's. Over the in the intercom, the catchy tune of Sugar by Maroon 5 played in the silence, unfitting toward the mood of loss and the relief of escaping with their lives. No one had anything to say with the loss of Marth. His importance to the mission was irreplaceable, not improving the scales set between the resistance and the Dusk Templar. However we still had one bumbling Smasher to ruin this moment of silence for a valued comrade and friend.
"Phew! Alright, alright, alright. Now that we're in the clear, it's nothin' but smooth sailing from here on out." Nobody responded to Falcon, who stuck hs thumg up and grinned to his passengers in a assuring attitude, making him frown at all the sad sacks. "Well let's not all just say anythnig at the same time. And you're all welcome."
"Not now Falcon." Ike struggled to say, picking himself up after being bandaged up at his wounds. "We may have accomplished our main mission, but we lost something of the same value."
"Oi! He wanted to stay behind. That's not my problem."
"Well at least show some respect for 'em. The least we can do for he bought us some time." Dillon said to the ungrateful package. Honestly, perhaps they should've thrown him to the wolves, it wasn't worth going into enemy territory to save him.
"Cheah, barely any time. We could've made with him any how. He just had to be a hero."
"Maybe it was better to go back and at least help." Robin considered what Falcon was coming at. If Marth had really intended to buy them some time, maybe it could've been more for them to run to this ship without too much trouble.
"But we didn't. It was decided to follow that misjudgement." Robin heard Lucina's whisper. It was filled with the assumption that she was blaming Marth's capture on the tacticians, wanting to fall back without going back to aid their past Exalt. He couldn't imagine having the princess put this on his head. Of course she was upset with the rest of the cast and their decision, it wasn't worth the sacrifice.
"I don't know what to tell y'all. But i'm afraid Arceus is not going to like this when we come back." Said Dillon.
"Warning! A unknown anomaly is occurring in our vicinity!" Blared a computerized voice through the intercom. Cpt Falcon tapped into his helmets transceiver to communicate back to his automated pilot to his ship.
"What's that Murphy!? What're we heading into?" Falcon's response made Ike's brow raise.
"Murphy?"
"Yeah it's my auto pilot. What I had to name it something. Beats talking to myself." This statement did not matter much to Ike, but he felt like divine intervention is the cause of the computers assumption on the miraculous event.
Sorry for the wait. Just a got my first job, that and my chronic writers block preventing me from thinking of better things to type. I sort of had to rush the ending, but I'll be sure to rewrite everything when this story is done. Thank you for the patience dear readers. More trophy descriptions to come, just you wait. I'll try not to keep anyone waiting and/or disappointed. Until next chapter.