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I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING (besides the story)

Chapter 6: Finding Ike

The four heroes stepped into the purple void before being shrouded in darkness. The young prince tensed in his spot, before he felt a reassuring hand on his own. "We're okay Marth. We'll find Ike."

"That's not what I'm worried about Roy, I know we will. I'm more worried about the two of us."

"Why us?"

"You know Zephiel better than I do, so you might not be as worried as I am but...Even you don't remember when he learned some of the things he does now."

"True. I don't remember him learning magic. But that's nothing to be scared of. Zephiel's not getting to either one of us."

"He's right," the young angel nodded, a soft white glow forming around his body. "Now come on, I can't stand it in here, it's too eerie."

"Are you going to be alright Pit? This is the opposite of your powers," the young prince asked as the four heroes set out into the darkness.

"I should be. I should have enough light radiating off of me to survive here for a few hours."

"Alright, but if you start to feel weak, just let us know," Roy commented as the young angel nodded. A few hours should be all we need though. Zephiel isn't tormenting my friends any longer.

Ike sat in the chilling darkness he'd known for so long. He felt weak and heavy from the vast amount of dark magic all around him for so long. He let out a loud sigh as he heard footsteps from not far ahead. He didn't bother to look up, since he already knew it was Zephiel coming to torment him again. "Come Mercenary. I need you again." Ike grunted again but didn't stand.

"I've had enough of your totmenting Zephiel. I'm not doing it."

"A stubborn mercenary are we? I was going to give you a chance to see your friends but-" That got Ike's attention. My friends are here? After all these years. He smiled to himself as he stood, his smile fading as he did. "Now that's a good mercenary. Now come along and I'll tell you what you need to do." Ike followed Zephiel down the never-ending hallway of dark before Zephiel handed him a sword, not as good as his own, but still a sword. Ike grabbed, sighing at the familiar grip in his right hand.

"What am I to do with this?"

"Do the task I tried to do some many years ago that ended with you!" Ike intensified his grip on his sword. Zephiel wanted him to hand his best friend over to him. "So...what do you say mercenary?"

"...I-"

"Ike!" Ike abruptly turned to the sound of the voice to see flaming head hair. Before Ike could reply, Zephiel whispered in his ear: "Remember...I want him." He then disappeared, leaving Ike in the center of the darkness.

"Ike!" The voice was louder than before. Ike looked up and smiled, the sword gripped in his hand.

"Prince Marth! Roy!" He jogged forward before greeting his two friends with a smile. Marth simply smiled and ran up to the mercenary himself before hugging him tightly.

"Aiku! Watashi wa futatabi anata o miru koto wanaidarou kowa gatte imashita!" Ike replied by gently rubbing the prince's back, the sword gripped tighter in his hand. His eyes flashed back to see Zephiel gesturing for the mercenary to bring the prince, but Ike only shook his head.

"I can't believe you guys actually came," he smiled before looking at the other two males. "Who are they?"

"Oh," Marth gasped as be stepped away from Ike. "These are Pit and Link. We met them on the way here."

"It's a pleasure." Pit waved and Link simply nodded his reply before Ike got a creepy feeling on his neck. He turned for a quick second before shoving Marth out of the way just as a purple beam of magic shot through the air. Marth gasped as he hit the floor and froze, looking around for the unknown source.

"You have one job Mercenary. Just one. Now do it!"

"I won't" Ike growled before he threw his sword the opposite direction. The group of five then heard a growl, but Ike was the only one who didn't react. Then silence hit the scene for a good while before another beam hit the scene, this time aiming towards Ike.

"Ike, look-" But before Ike could heed Roy's warning the magic had already wrapped around hia torso, dragging him closer to the unknown voice at breakneck speed. He slammed into an invisible wall or darkness before crashing to the floor, his breath heavy.

"Aiku!" Marth tried to run forward, but was quickly gestured by Ike not to.

"Pit was it? Please, whatever it takes...get Marth out of here! He's not safe here!"

"Aiku?! What is the meaning of this?!"

"You'll understand in due time Prince Marth. But for now," He then stood to the best of his abilities, leaning against the invisible wall for support. "The rest of us will stop you in you tracks."

"Please. You all underestimate me...but it's one of you more than the rest." The voice then revealed himself, causing the young duke to grip his sword tighter.

"Zephiel," he growled through gritted teeth. "I don't know what you have in store...but I've beaten you once and I'll do it again!"

"This is exactly what I mean, my young duke. You underestimate me. Now my creatures! Attack!" One that cue, tens of hundreds of creatures sprouted from the ground, all ready to attack the three heroes. On that note, Pit grabbed Marth's hand and ran towards the gateway as fast as he could.

"And where do you think you're going? Wall of Shadows, conceal thine enemies!" Unbeknownst to what was going on, the trio hsd no idea what was going on until it was too late.

"Prince Marth! Pit! Look out!"

"Wha-" But before either one of them could react, wals of black fire sprouted from the ground and billowed around the prince, releasing the grip of Pit's hand before one formed around him. Then, they both turned to pillars of black crystal, concealing the prince and angel. Pit banged on the crystal, hoping it would break, but sadly, nothing happened. "Let us out you-"

"I don't think that's going to happen my sweet prince. But I will release the angel." With that, Zephiel took the black crystal down fom around Pit, but kept the one around Marth nice and strong.

"Marusu!" Roy called his back turned from Zephiel. Marth continued to bang on the glass, but his face showed a look of determination more than fear. He took out his sword and tried to hit the crystal, only for it to bounce off it lik a ball. Marth's face th n resembled a look of fear as he desperately hit the crystal containing him. "Aiku! Tasukete!"

"There's no need for to waste your time Mercenary. None of you have swords strong enough to break the cyrstal." He then looked at Ike before smirking. "At least no anymore." Ike tensed before he let out a growl and charged towards Zephiel. "You'll pay for this!"

"Aiku, matte! Amarini mo kikendesu!" But Ike wouldn't listen. He charged at Zephiel, who with magic, was able to freeze Ike in his path.

"Ike!" Roy cried before lowering his sword. "Let him go Zephiel!"

"I'm sorry my young duke but, I'm afraid I can't do that." He then launched a black ball towards the duke. He let out a startled gasp, catching the attention of Link, who was tending to an injured Pit. In one quick motion, he put Pit down, ran up to the duke, got his shield, and placed it in front of him and Roy before the magic could touch him. The magic bounced back at Zephiel, causing the magic to disappear around Ike, who quickly stood and turned towards the duo. "Roy! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. But what about Marth?" Both of them then turned towards the blue-clad prince, who was beating the glass with something, but Ike couldn't tell what. He ran towards Marth, who noticed the tiny crack he hsd created. He gasped happily before reeling back, the item in both his hands before he charged forward, causing the glass to break, and causing Marth to fall out with a gasp and thud.

"Marth!" Ike was able to catch Marth just beforr the rest of his body hit the floor. Marth stayed in Ike's arms, too scared to move. "Are you alright?"

"Yes." He whispered in Ike's chest beforr he heard a startled gasp. Marth whipped his head around and stood, only to see two shadowy tentaclesz Roy in one of them.

"Roi-kun!" Roy gasped for air as the tentacle wrapped around his neck, his legs kicking for freedom.

"Roy!" Pit had called as he shakily stood, leaning against Link a little for support.

"You seem to have forgotten that dukes are royalty too." Roy squirmed, his eyes fixed on Marth, begging for help.

"Leave him alone Zephiel. It's me that you want."

"Very well Prince Marth. I'll just have it take you as well." With no time to react, the other tentacle reached and grabbed Marth by hie neck and dragged him as well. He gasped for breath as he dropped the item he had used earlier, hoping to be able to pry himself from the tentacle.

"Marth! What now?" Pit asked, looking between the other two males. Link kept his eyes fixated on the tentacles and struggling royals, unsure of what to do. Ike on the other hand, looked at the object that Marth had dropped. He smiled to himself before picking up his sword. "Ragnell," he whispered to himself. "Glad you're back." He then looked back up at Marth and Roy before looking at Pit and Link. "Do you think you guys could grt him with a barage attack while I go up and atack thr tentacle?"

"That all depends," Link replied before looking at the angel. "Are you up for it?" Pit replied by readying his Palutena's Bow, followed by Link, to ho sheathed his Master Sword and got hiw own bow and arrows. "Alright Pit. One...two...three!" On cue, Link and Pit both released their arrows, hitting Zephiel square in both his shoulders, just inches from his vitual veins. He cried out in pain before firing another magic, though Link grabbed Pit by the arm and shielded him before anything could hit him.

Seeing his lowered defense, Ike charged forward with Ragnell in hand and slashed at the tentacle, but it replied with anothrr tentacle shooting out snd hitting Ike square in the stomach, sending him back. "Aiku!" Marth cried out before gripping his sword. He had had it up to here with Zephiel and tormenting Ike, and he wasn't going to let it happen any longer. He stabbed the tentacle, casuing it to let go and Marth to plummet to the floor. As soon as he hit solid earth, he charged towards the recovering Zephiel and pressed his blade against his neck. "Sorede oshimai! Watashi wa anata to issho ni sore o motte ita! Ima shinu!" Marth swung at Zephiel's chest, striking his heart and instantly killing him. Becuase of its creator's death, the tentacle let go of Roy, who was caught in Ike's arms before he could hit the floor. When Ike put him down, Roy instantly returned by hugging him, much to the mercenary's suprise. "You scared me you idiot," he laughed as he let go of Ike. "Don't do it again."

"Alright...Your Highness." Ike laughed, along with Roy before they both hrard a gasp and saw Link catch Marth in his arms.

"Marusu!" Roy cried as he and Ike ran up to him, unaware of his best friend's physical status.

What? Two chapters in one day? It's a pre-Christmas miracle. But yeah, this is the second to lsst chapter of this story, and I'm happy that it's coming to a close. Wait until my next update to find out what happens. See you guys l8tr!