Began Typing: 2:22 PM 11/01/2008

Posted: 4:55 PM 11/01/2008

Murder Among Us: Chapter Fifteen (Ike Liberation Squad)

Ike let his body thunk down on a bench on the other side of the hospital doors between Snake and the collapsed Pit, awaiting 's report on Marth's condition after the operation. Of course, it was worth the wait, but it was now 4 in the afternoon, the operation beginning at noon, and he was hungry, as was Snake. Oh...and bored. Snake had already speculated that Marth would be in critical condition and it wasn't likely they would be allowed to visit him for a few days, Ike sighing when Snake had to remind him that Marth had just had his intestines practically ripped from his stomach. "I'm here!" A voice called from the staircase. "What'd I miss?!"

Ike blinked, looking up at the Hylian. "Link? We asked for your help four hours ago! How're you just getting here now?!"

Link crossed his arms, plopping down on the bench next to the KO-ed Pit. "Excuse me! I was off grounds at the time! sent me out to go get some suitures for some of his other patients. When I got back, you won't believe this, someone's HEAD fell into my hands!"

Ike smiled as Snake looked to him with a suspicious look. "You don't say?" Ike tried to sound surprised.

"Yeah! After that...uh...everything is kinda blurry. I think I passed out. Anyways, I got up here as soon as possible! Samus told me about Marth. What's going on?"

Ike sighed. "We're waiting to hear if he's going to survive or not..."

"Mmh...?" Ike scooted closer to Snake as Pit's head nuzzled into his side, smacking into the bench afterwards. "Ouch!...Hey guys...where's Marth-sama?"

Link laughed, giving Pit as big hug and messing up his hair. "That's our Pit! Let me guess...you passed out from seeing the blood?"

Pit shrugged. "Probably. I must've hit my head, too, because I don't remember."

The four relaxed on the bench, sighing simultaneously. Pit was the first to speak again after several moments. "I guess we can't be the Ike Liberation Squad anymore..."

Ike blinked. "Any why not?"

"Well...Ike-san, you are not in trouble anymore. We can't free you if you're not captured, can we?"

Ike grinned. "I'll tell you three what. Your contracts with Marth are filled, yes?"

"Well...verbal contracts, anyways." Snake agreed. "Why?"

"How about you work for me? You'll be a special organization, all right?"

"But Ike-san...what will we do?"

Ike smirked. "I've got just the thing."

A light shone brightly before him, the pinky flesh of his eyelids illuminated. It seemed his mind had finally decided to register his new sights. He opened his eyes, half-expecting to see winged creatures with trumpets floating on clouds opposite the pearly gates. However, the sight was familiar. A hospital that reeked of anesthetics and fluids to the gentle cadence of a cardiac monitor that syncopated with his own heart. Was he...alive?

He attempted to sit up, only flopping back down after a moment's effort. His body was weak, his muscles and joints probably stiff and aching from who knows how long he had been in bed. Maybe...maybe Tabuu entering was just a dream. It was so hazy when he tried to recollect it...It WAS possible it was just a nightmare and he was still lying in the hospital, waiting for Snake to return with news of Ike's chemical swapping. His eyes glanced around him curiously.

Vases of many flowers crowded his nightable, he realizing another had been brought in to hold a few more vases from the standard hospital table at every cot and propped up 'Get Well Soon' cards. He pulled himself up using the handrails, relaxing against the headboard. What had happened while he slept...?

His eyes moved to an opening door, catching Snake entering with a bouquet of about two dozen red roses. It had to be the largest yet. "Snake?" He moaned, pressing his palm to his forehead. "What...happened? I feel like I just got run over by a landmaster..."

The spy smiled at the reference. "Oh, you're awake. Good morning."

Marth blinked. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Two weeks now. Oh, these are from Ike, by the way." Snake proceeded to put the flowers into a vase by the prince's bedside.

"Ike?" Marth asked. "Is he okay? Did you switch the fluids?"

Snake pulled a chair over, sitting down at Marth's side. "I did that a long time ago. Samus discharged Ike for his "crimes" yesterday. There's supposed to be a "freedom" party for him downstairs."

Marth sighed, relieved. "That's good...now, why do I have dressings all over my body? I look like a mummy..."

Snake shook his head, kneading his fingers nervously. "You don't remember anything from that day, do you?"

Marth reached over to the bouquet of roses, pulling one out and sniffing it. "...no." He responded after a moment.

"Well, after you told me to replace the chemicals, I left you alone. Apparently, in the time I left you alone and Samus left Tabuu alone, he escaped from imprisonment. By the time I found you, he had already carried out his sick fantasies. I apologize, Marth. I should not have left you alone."

"It's fine, Snake. Where's Tabuu now?"

Snake linked his fingers beneath his chin, smiling. "Captain Falcon got Samus to release Ike. He came as soon as he could and chased Tabuu to the roof. No one really knows what happened up there, as Ike won't give an official statement, but Link was returning from some errands and caught his head. A torso was collected almost a week ago. Marth...Tabuu's dead."

Marth nodded rather coldly. "Snake, if you wouldn't mind, I would like to see Ike."

"Oh, of course not. I'll go get him."

Snake turned to leave, but found his sleeve caught by a rather firm grip. Marth tugged on it slightly, getting him to turn back around. "I want to go to HIM. Will you help me out of bed?"

Snake could only imagine that Ike would kill him if he did agree, because Marth was injured and really needed to stay in bed, but Ike would kill him if he figured out Marth was awake and he didn't even TRY to reunite them. Snake shrugged, approaching the bedside again, picking Marth up and placing him softly on the floor, the hospital gown reaching his knees. Snake kept Marth's arms around his shoulders, supporting the majority of the prince's weight as they headed for the doorway. "Thank you, Snake." Marth huffed out, struggling to support himself on his slashed tendons.

The spy resisted the urge to choke and gag as the arm Marth had around his shoulder fumbled around his neck as the prince lacked support from the lower regions of his body. Snake was all the support he had, and it was simply improbable that the prince would be able to stumble down the stairs on his own, so Snake was just going to have to comply. Usually, the spy found the prince incredibly light, as he had to carry him on many occasions when he was unconscious, but he now found him excessively heavy, probably because he was resisting the help he had asked for. "Marth, why did you ask me to help you if you didn't want it?!" Snake growled as they continued down the hall.

Marth's cheeks were tinted a brilliant pink from the effort he was exerting to grope for footing down the hall. "No! I DO want your help, Snake. It's just...I...I can walk."

"No you can't, Marth. Now just shut up and lean on me."

The prince made a pouty face, but distributed his weight more to Snake, the spy not bothered in the slightest by the extra weight, but incredibly relieved at the lack of stress on his neck. He could do this. All was fine...until they reached the stairs. Snake halted before the tumbling steps, glaring down them. They would be his next opponent. "...Why're we just standing here?"

Snake sighed, giving Marth a somewhat dirty look. "Why do you think? Think genius. How the hell am I going to get you downstairs?"

Marth frowned, finally catching up on the train of thought Snake was on. "Er..." He couldn't very well be carried down the stairs like this...it would be too much work.

Snake smirked. "I have an idea! Marth, you're going to have to try and work with me here."

"Okay, what do you need me to-" Marth screamed as Snake picked him up by his waist and set him on the railing with a smile. "-Snake! What're you-!?"

"Hold on, Marth. You're going to slide down the rail and i'll meet you at the bottom to catch you."

"B-but..."

Snake released Marth and the prince slid quite elegantly down the rail, rather tense at first but gradually more relaxed, watching in amusement as Snake raced him down the stairs. Marth squeaked as he fell into Snake's arms at the bottom of the stairs, the spy setting him down gently on the floor. Marth glanced around, finally realizing exactly what Snake meant when he said there was a freedom party downstairs. Every smasher was there, including ones who had left after the tournament. "What're they doing here?" Marth whispered to Snake, the pack of visiting smashers facing a mounted platform in the center of the room where Samus stood speaking into a microphone about something Marth wasn't listening to.

Snake watched as Marth seated himself on the last step of the stairs, he himself leaning on the railing with little interest. "After the final attack, a lot of people came back to testify for Ike, even those who hadn't seen Tabuu at all. They came here for sheer support. They're only staying now because all the excitement has the related people not wanting to leave until their whole group does. Mario, Luigi, Peach, Wario, and Bowser haven't left yet because they won't leave Yoshi again, and Yoshi won't leave until he sees you."

Marth smiled. "It's good Ike has so many people willing to put themselves on the line for him..."

"Especially you." Snake grinned at Marth's blush. "Come on, Marth. It's obvious how you feel. Why don't you just tell him?"

"Marth-sama! Snake-san!" Pit cried, pulling Link through the crowd behind him. "Marth-sama, you're okay!"

Marth nodded. "You espected less?"

Marth finally had a moment to register what the angel and the elf were wearing. Pit wore a golden toga with golden sheaths over his wings, and Link wore a golden tunic and boots, smiling. "Do you like our outfits, Marth-sama?" Pit asked, turning around and showing off his outfit.

Marth blinked. "I...I suppose. Who'd you have to kill to get them?"

"No one!" Pit laughed. "Oh, I hope you don't mind, but we're not a part of the Ike Liberation Squad anymore. Sorry..."

Marth looked to Snake. "The WHAT now?"

"The Ike Liberation Squad." Snake stated. "It's what they called my working for you to help keep the dumb mercenary alive. They considered themselves members."

"Ah." Marth smirked. "That's all right, Pit. Now, why ARE you and Link wearing gold?"

The group had to stop talking for a moment as their voices were drowned out by the crowd of smashers cheering. Afterwards, Pit resumed. "Oh, it's part of G.R.A.S.S.!"

Marth blinked. "Grass?"

"Yeah! Greil's Reserve of Aritian Special Scouts!"

"The whats now?"

Snake pat Marth's shoulder. "Ike's actually paying us, too."

Marth blinked again, still confused. "Paying you to what?"

"Protect you."

Marth's eyes widened along with his blush. "Wh-what?"

"Yeah. The mercenary got pretty worried about you after the Tabuu incident, so he's sponsoring GRASS. He let Pit and Link collaborate on the rules. So far, all they've got is the name and the colors; gold and silver."

Marth smiled. "That's flattering...in a creepy way."

Samus's voice finally caught their attention with her last begrudging statement. "And now, I would like to award Ike a medal of bravery from the sponsors of this tournament. Ike...please come on stage..."

Ike was trying really hard not to laugh as he began making his way to the platform. Samus did REALLY not want to do this. She was already sore about having lost a perp, having been wrong, and being duped by Snake in her attempt to kill him, so presenting an award to him HAD to be the last thing on her to-do list...which is probably why the Hands made HER do it. Ike tried to supress the grin that was plastered on his face as he stood on the stand across from Samus, his arms behind his back. The entire crowd looked on with vague interest. Samus bit her upper lip irritably and shook her head. "Ike...we in the Association of Smashers would like to...to present you with a reward for your bravery in assisting with the capture of Tabuu...we want to thank you for your work...and I would like to...apologize."

Ike took the medal from Samus's extended hands and tucked it in his pocket carelessly. "Thank you Samus. Are you sure there isn't something else you'd like to say?"

Samus grit her teeth. "No."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely not."

"But..."

Samus pulled her arm back and socked him in the face, Ike holding the bridge of his nose where her fist had collided. Although the crowd looked on in mild concern, Ike merely laughed as he descended from the podium. The crowd began to clap questioningly, wondering if Ike would really be okay. By this point, he had to be enjoying the party as much as everyone else, or at least as much as Ganondorf and Wolf who stood nearby sipping darker wines as they spoke. Ike let out an exasperate sigh as he reached a table full of food, grabbing a handful and shoveling it into his mouth. His thoughts were wandering over the injured prince in the hospital upstairs. He was still in a deep coma, and it was all he could hope for that the prince would wake up soon. The party would be meaningless if he didn't, and he was sure if the prince were there he would be enjoying the party with him, as they collaborated against Samus.

Ike pulled at his golden cape gently, it reminding him of all his close friends, the GRASS members. He couldn't help but grin as he spotted them across the room, seeing Pit and Link facing Snake, who stood on the steps. Ike began to worm his way through the crowd, thanking everyone who pat his shoulder and offered him a congratulations or two. Ike grinned when he finally arrived behind Pit and Link. "Hey guys." He stated, smiling. "Did you see Samus? She looked pissed..."

Ike nearly dropped the drink he had picked up on the way over in disbelief, catching sight of Marth sitting on the steps by Snake. He allowed his jaw to do what his drink threatened to do, letting it fall. "M-Marth!? You're awake!?"

The prince smiled. "I can go back to sleep if you'd like."

Ike pushed his way past Pit and Link, pulling Marth into a hug. "I was so worried about you!" He laughed. "How've you been!?"

"I'm still a little confused." Marth admitted, Ike setting him down on the steps again gently. "What did you do to Tabuu."

Ike sighed, looking around. "This really isn't the place..."

"We can talk in my hospital room." Marth stated. "But I'll need your help getting up there again..."

"No problem." Ike pulled Marth up into his arms what one would call bridal style, walking up to the hospital room.

Marth blushed slightly, but he had to admit, it was better than being practically thrown down the stairs by Snake, as Ike's chest was incredibly warm and his heart-beat was more reassuring than ever to the fact that he was actually alive and not dead by lethal injection or slashed to bits by a psychopath. Ike reached the hospital and lay Marth down on the bed softly, Snake and the rest of GRASS having followed them to the door. Ike grinned. "Pit's been really worried about you."

Marth chuckled. "I can imagine...now, what happened to Tabuu?"

Ike shook his head. "I took care of him. He won't ever come back to hurt you, I promise."

Marth's lips twitched up into a slight smile. "Thank you, Ike." The prince's left hand reached up, wrapping around his cape. "Gold...is this part of GRASS?"

Ike blushed. "I...I guess Pit told you that, huh?"

Marth nodded. "Yeah. Are you part of it?"

Ike grinned. "Somewhat. I let them help me, but protecting you is my job. I promise...no one will ever hurt you again. I'll make sure of it."

"How?" Marth asked, releasing Ike's cape. "You're not always going to be around, you know..."

Marth's heart skipped a beat in surprise as Ike's lips collided with his own, pressing against him with decent force. Marth couldn't help but let his eyes drift shut as Ike's lips continued to massage his own, wrapping his arms beneath Marth's body and around his back, pulling him closer. The prince moaned softly as Ike nipped pleadingly at his lower lip, demanding entrance into his mouth. Marth complied a bit too enthusiastically, Ike's tongue venturing deep into his mouth and eventually dancing with his own.

After a moment or...you know...six...Ike released Marth's lips from his own's embrace, stroking the prince's cheek with the back of his hand. "I'll be around forever, Prince Marth."

~EL FIN~

Completed: 4:45 PM 11/1/2008

Author's Note: X3 Yeah, that last part was a bit of fan-service for my abuse to those two. Well, that's the story...yep, it's finished. And, as I don't have anything prepared, it'll be a little bit before I have everything ready to post again. Yeah...I hope you enjoy this one! It took a lot of time and work, so pweasw no fwames. I haven't really gotten too many yet, and I appreciate that, but I would like reviews! Yay reviews! Thanks for reading, everyone!

Disclaimer: Yay! The final disclaimer!