Marth: Chapter 3. Sorry for the long wait…I've been busy doing studying for a test I have coming up in a month or so. I really hate studying too…I have horrible study habits and I've always been the kind of guy that can take a test and pass without studying…but I don't think it'll be this easy this time.
Barose: Alright…That's enough, you'll bore everyone before the story even starts...
Marth: *shoots a glare at Barose*
Barose: *throws his arms up* Ok ok...Nevermind...

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fire Emblem or LoZ.

After the blinding light had dissipated, the group looked around trying to see if they could tell where Dark Link had escaped to but he was no where to be seen and it couldn't be told exactly which way he had escaped to.
"Crud…He got away…" Link stated, annoyed.
"So…Uhh…Link, right? What was that all about anyway?" Marth questioned.
"Somehow, Dark Link has returned…" Link replied. "He was dark version of me, created by Ganondorf to try and stop me when I was in the Water Temple. But apparently, due to the help of this 'Necrosan' he has escaped and has come after me once again."
"Hmm…I see…I don't know who Ganondorf is but this isn't the first I've heard about Necrosan…A moblin that had come to Altea through a portal in the woods mentioned him."
"A portal?" Asil questioned.
"Yes…There was a portal in the forest where I came from and when I fell through it I appeared in a lake out that way," Marth stated, pointing in the direction of the lake he had fallen into.
"Lake Hylia?" Asil asked.
"Ummm…I guess…That's where I first saw Dark Link if that's any help." Marth stated.
"You saw Dark Link earlier!?" Link asked.
"Yes. At the lake…He came out of a doorway under a small island with a single tree and some odd platform," Marth replied.
"That's definitely Lake Hylia then…" Link stated.
"That doorway you speak up must have been the entrance to the Water Temple," Asil added.
"I wouldn't know for sure, but I would venture to say so since you seem to know based on what I have stated." Marth said.
"Well…There is nothing more we can do here since Dark Link has escaped…Let's clean up hear and help any of the Kokiri that have been injured," Link stated.
"Yes, let's…" Asil agreed.
Marth nodded in agreement as well and sheathed his Falchion before walking with them toward the injured Kokiri. Asil used the same magic she had used on Marth, Link used a couple fairies and red potions, while Marth used some minor curative magic he had learned from the priests in Altea. After a while, the Kokiri were all healed and thanked, Link, Asil, and Marth for their help.
A little later in the day, after resting a bit, the group was peacefully standing near the ranch, talking a bit about the day's events.
"So…Marth? What brings you to Hyrule anyway?" Link asked.
"I was in pursuit of one of those moblin creatures in the forest of Altea when it suddenly vanished. Upon inspection, I realize he had gone though a portal. While investigating, I was startled by a wolf that had pounced a rabbit that had appeared and caused me to trip and fall into the portal that came out at…Lake Hylia, I believe it was. It had come to find the Fire Emblem…a powerful treasure of my land that gives power to my sword…Falchion. If it were taken, then the Falchion would lose it's power. I am sure that they had other intentions for it than to just weaken the power of my sword," Marth explained.
"Hmm…I see…Well, I must admit that there is no way this could be a coincidence considering your appearance at just the right time and the fact that this…'Necrosan', is involved in both the attempted theft of your Fire Emblem and the revival of Dark Link. I must of course thank you again for your help with fighting back Dark Link…And you as well, Asil," Link stated.
"And I also extend my thanks to you Asil. If not for you, I would surely have had a much harder time considering my injury that you healed," Marth added, taking her hand and bowing slightly to her. It was quite apparent that Marth had actually gained a slight liking for Asil quickly.
Asil smiled and gave a little laugh catching on to the fact that Marth seemed to like her, "You are quite welcome; however, though I am quite flattered to receive such a compliment from a prince, I do not believe my boyfriend would be too happy with your actions."
"Oh…I…Uhh…Hmm…So you have someone, I take it. Understood," Marth stated, slightly embarrassed that his actions were so easily read.
Link gave a slight look of surprise upon Asil stating that Marth was a prince and decided to continue asking a few more questions, trying to learn as much as he could about what was going on.
"A prince you say…Now this IS quite interesting," Link stated. "So…You're the prince of you land then, I take it. You would probably know Zelda then?"
"That name does ring a bell for some reason…I just don't know why…" Marth said.
"Not surprising, she's traveled to many countries all over the world being the princess of Hyrule," Asil said.
"Princess…Wait a minute! Now I remember! Princess Zelda! She's visited my kingdom a few times. And now I know why so many of the names have been so familiar to me!" Marth exclaimed. "You're the Hero of Time…The one who defeated the evil Ganondorf! I have heard tales of your exploits. You've quite the reputation."
"Hmm…Seems tales of my actions have been told even in far away lands," Link stated.
"Quite…"
"So, Marth…How about you show us the portal you spoke of at Lake Hylia," Asil asked.
"Hmm…Of course. Let's go," Marth replied and started heading toward Lake Hylia.
Link quickly grabbed his shoulder. "Let's take the easy way."
"Easy way?" Marth said, confused.
Link gave a smile, pulling out his ocarina and playing the Serenade of Water, teleporting the trio to the pedestal beside the old tree.
"Whoa…That felt weird…And we're at the lake!? Uhh…A little explanation, please?" Marth questioned, quite confused.
"The Ocarina of Time," Link stated. "It has special powers that, when the right song is played, can do many things like teleport me to different locations, change the time of day, or even cause it to rain. It is a very special item given to me by Princess Zelda."
"Ah I see…Most intriguing."
"So, Marth, where is this portal you spoke of?" Asil asked.
"Right over there," Marth replied pointing to the strange purple oval floating slightly over the edge of the water about 10 yards away.
Link and Asil waded through the water to go over to inspect it. "Hmm…Interesting. It looks very similar to the portals created by Phantom Ganon when I fought him in the Forest Temple…With only a few minor differences…"
"I've never seen anything quite like this myself…It is very strange…" Asil mentioned before reaching out to touch it only for her hand to go through it feeling the cool forest air on her hand as it appeared on the other side. "Wow!? What in the!?" She quickly pulled her hand back in shock, not expecting what had just happened.
"Considering it was likely created by this Necrosan person, I would suggest not messing with it myself." Link stated, very skeptical of it.
"Normally, I would agree with you on that," Marth started, "however, I need it to return to Altea, so until I find a more suitable form of travel back to my kingdom, or it is no longer there, I shall be using it."
"Hmm…Yes, I understand…I personally just don't trust it myself is all…" Link restated.
"I see…Well…It's getting late," Marth stated looking into the sky as the sun began to set. "I really should return to the castle…"
"Hehe, well I could fix that but ever since defeating Ganondorf, I've been just letting time takes it's course," Link joked.
"Umm…Ok?" Marth questioned, giving Link a very confused look.
"Don't worry about it." Link replied.
"Are you should you should go back now since it's getting so dark? Why not just stay here and return in the morning?" Asil asked. "I have extra room."
"Thank you, but I must decline I'm afraid. I'm sure that people are probably wondering already why I have not returned and I must rally my soldiers and assign the daily tasks as I always do each morning," Marth explained.
"Ah ok."
"I will most likely be back though, I feel that this is far from over and since the moblins came from here were sent by Necrosan and Dark Link was also brought back by Necrosan, it would appear as though things seem to have originated here so I am sure that this is not the last time I will be here."
Link and Asil nodded in agreement. "Then I guess we shall see you later then, Marth." Link said.
"Certainly," Marth replied with a smile. "Goodbye for now." He gave a quick wave before jumping through the portal.

After a moment, he appeared back in the Altean forest, falling down as he landed, not use to traveling through a portal. "Well…That was interesting…But I must find out who this 'Necrosan' is and find out what this is all about. I feel there is something more to this than just trying to get the Fire Emblem…And I intend to find out what." Marth thought to himself as he began to walk through the forest. The sun had already set in Altea, so trekking through the forest was much harder than normal. There was just enough light emanating from the moon to allow him to make his way though the forest with little trouble. When he had reached the edge of the forest and he could see the town in the distance, he walked at a slightly faster pace. Upon making it to the gates, he called up to the guards to make his presence known.
"Sire!? You have returned! We were beginning to wonder what had happened. His Majesty, the king, was getting ready to prepare a search party," the guard said.
"I am sorry to have worried you all, but I am back now. Please open the gate so that I may return to the castle."
"At once!" the guard stated, as he and the other gate guard opened the gates.
Marth entered the town and began to make his way back toward the castle as the guards quickly closed the gate. The streets of the town were dark as many of the townspeople had retired to bed by that time. Marth quickly made his way toward the castle, but on his way, he was suddenly cut off by someone and bumped into him.
Marth stepped back and nodded to the person, "Excuse me good sir."
"Looky here…The mighty prince is out at night all by himself…" a raspy voice stated.
"How foolish," another voice stated from behind him.
Marth turned to find another person had come up behind him and after a moment many more people began to appear from the shadows. It wasn't long before Marth found himself surrounded by a gang of bandits.
"Say boss! What should we do with him?" one of them asked.
"I dunno…Wasn't really expectin' the prince to be out like this," the raspy voiced one stated.
Marth quickly grabbed onto the hilt of his sword, not quite knowing what to expect from the bandits. "I would suggest leaving now. I do not wish to harm any of you if I do not have to…"
"I don't think so…This ain't the castle…Yer on our turf now," the leader of the bandits stated. "Get 'im!" With the call of the leader, the bandits began to move in on Marth.
Without a second thought, Marth drew his Falchion. Two of the bandits leapt at Marth and he quickly disposed of them with little effort. Two more attempted to strike at him from different sides. Marth quickly side stepped to avoid one strike, and brought his blade up to block the other and pushed the bandit back with ease.
"Come on ya buncha oafs! You gonna let this prissy little prince get the best of ya!" the leader snapped.
"I haven't the time for this…" Marth sighed before charging up the wind spell and out in all directions from him, blowing the bandits off their feet. A few moments later the patrolling guards showed up, hearing the commotion, and came to see what was happening.
"Uh oh…The guards are here…Let's scram!" the leader said and ran off into the shadows as the other bandits did the same.
Marth sheathed his sword and dusted himself off as the guards came up to him.
"Hey you there! What's going on here!?" the guard called to Marth, not knowing it was him.
Marth turned to them as they immediately froze in their tracks and bowed upon realizing who it was.
"Y-Your Majesty!? I apologize for my insolence…I did not know it was you!" the guard apologized for not addressing Marth correctly.
"Do not worry…It is dark, it was hard to tell that it was me," Marth stated.
"Y-Yes, your majesty," the guard stated. "You should return to the castle, sire. It is not safe to be out at night like this."
"Yes…I know. I am on the way to the castle now. Please continue your patrol." Marth stated before turning to return to the castle.
"Yes sir!" the guards stated before bowing once more.
Marth quickly made his way back to the castle. Upon entering, he could here his father, King Cornelius, shouting from the assembly hall.
"And I want him found and returned before day break or else!" his father shouted.
Marth sighed and thought to himself, "Overreacting…As usual." He made his way to the assembly hall before his father could threaten the soldiers anymore. He entered the assembly hall, making sure that he did it in a way that would catch his father's attention. If he had not, his father probably would have never noticed and continued on his rant. His father looked over to the door as it opened and upon seeing Marth he immediately went over to him.
"Where the hell have you been!? Your mother and I have been worried about you!" his father shouted.
"I am sorry. I will explain everything in a moment…But let's allow the soldiers that are not on night duty to return to their quarters," Marth replied.
His father nodded and turned to the soldiers, "Those of you not on night duty may return to your quarters. Those who are, return to your posts immediately."
"Yes sir!" the soldiers called out in unison before breaking up and going to their respective places.
Marth and his father walked into the throne room and Marth proceeded to explain to his father what had happened that day.
"I must say…That all seems a little farfetched if you ask me…" his father stated after he had finished.
"I do agree that it is quite unbelievable to say the least, but it is what happened. And I do intend to go back there to try and find Necrosan and find out what he's up to," Marth said.
"Hmm…I see…Well I guess we will have to expect you to be out for a while from now on…"
"Yes, and it is quite possible that I could be out for days at a time, depending on the situation. If that is the case I will make sure to find some way to make give notice of it. Princess Zelda has been here before so I believe she would know of a way to get a message here if need be. And I am almost certain she wouldn't mind helping."
"I do not believe she would mind either. I would suggest that you have Jeigan accompany you."
"I am fine. I needn't bother Jeigan with this affair."
"I still think you should have Jeigan accompany you, however when you make your decision it is hard if not impossible to change your mind so I will not press the matter. If you see that you will need his assistance however, do not hesitate to send for him."
"I shall do that father. But it is late and I have had quite the long day. I think I shall retire for the night."
"Yes of course. I believe I shall do the same."
Marth nodded. "Goodnight father."
His father nodded back, "Goodnight."

Marth: And chapter 3 is complete. It's almost seems like a filler chapter since nothing really happened.
Barose: Hmm…In a way, I guess. But then next chapter should be much better.
Marth: Yeah but can't say what it is…Don't want to give it all away. Hehe.
Barose: Everone will just have to come back to see!
Marth: *nods* Yes...So until then! Please don't forget to review!