I’m horrible.

I can see this story falling apart at the seams. But I must finish it!

Anyhow. Here it is. At long last. Chapter twelve.

This is probably getting worse and worse. Otherwise it’s just me. But brawl has caught me again, so maybe the next chapter won’t be as long a wait. (lies)

And to everyone who have been reading and leaving reviews- thank you!! You’re the ones keeping this showboat alive! Yes, you know who you are!

Without further ado, I present to you, chapter twelve. In all its glory!

Discalaimer as always. I only own what I own. And I apologize for any plot holes this chapter may bring up.

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Couldn’t remember because I didn’t know what to remember?

I let out a huff as I sat back down on the ledge, turning back to the fish and letting my fingers dip into the water. Who is he to say that I’m not allowed to die? Why does he care so much anyway?

My chest clenched painfully and my eyes started to sting. I jumped in shock when I felt cold air hit the tear which had snuck down my cheek.

“Wh-what is…?”

I wiped the tear away to find I couldn’t stop them. I brought both hands up to wipe my eyes as my sight got blurrier and blurrier, and the pain in my chest never went away.

“Wh-why a-am I c-crying??” I sniffed in confusion, putting my hands into my lap and hunching my back, pulling my legs up to my chest as I hugged myself. I silently cried. I don’t know why. I just felt so…so miserable.

Ike. It has something to do with him…I...I just know it.

My mind slowly drifted back to before, back when I was yelling at him. I remembered the way Ike flinched, how his sudden sadness would turn into plead-like anger. And then he gave up and left…

Guilt isn’t something I’m very used to. Well…I think so anyway. But now I felt even worse and I can’t stop crying, even if I wanted to; clenching my teeth and burying my head into my arms I tried to muffle my sobs.

“I-I-I sh-shouldn’t have y-yelled at h-him l-like that!” I heard myself sob, “He-he’s trying his best! A-all he w-wants i-is me to remember!”

The voice uttering those words seemed so different, I know I didn’t think of it, but I could feel my lips moving, and then I could hear it- and then I knew that that was the truth.

I shouldn’t have yelled at him. He isn’t trying to control me. He’s worried. He wants me to remember. He desperately wants me to remember.

I wiped my tears away and attempted to control the hiccups breaking through as I tried to think.

“You can’t remember because you don’t know what to remember.”

What does that mean?? He…He’s saying I can’t remember him, because I don’t know what to remember to remember him?

I slipped off the ledge and turned to the fountain, cupping my hands in the water and splashing it in my face. Get it together! I have to figure this out!

I pouted and shook my head, flicking droplets in every direction. I stared down at my reflection. The tired, puffy blue eyes stared back at me. “What can’t I remember? There…There’s something I’m missing.”

Think back…he must have dropped clues for me. So I thought. Back tracking today- “A promise…what was it??” I muttered, trying to think, but the blurs only became even more distant.

Something about a promise…something…I frowned angrily as I thought harder. Back at the tree…the tree…it was so peaceful back there…focus! What were we talking about?

I snapped out of my daze as two brightly coloured fish drifted right under my vision. One was bigger than the other, bright orange, while the other was small and had very beautiful pink and blue specked fins.

“Do you know what love is Pit?”

I blinked. Love? That’s right…

“So you’ve never fallen in love?”

The shock didn’t come at all; nothing. But I suddenly felt empty. Love?...the very word seemed foreign to me.

D…did he mean that I couldn’t remember…because I didn’t know? Was he saying…I can’t remember him…because I can’t remember…

There was a numb sensation in my hands and I spared a glance down at them. My knuckles were white from the force I was gripping the jagged edge. I pried them away and took a few hesitant steps away from the fountain.

“Why can’t he tell me Marth??”
“He can’t, because it will hurt him.”

I must have caused Ike such grief. But still, I felt nothing. With the speed of a drunken cat, I turned on my heels and half ran- half stumbled through the maze from where Ike left.

I need to find him…I need to ask him…this can’t be right…if it was…why do I still not remember??

The dead sensation in me slowly turned to panic as I turned this way and that, running as fast as my feet could carry me, trying, but failing, to find the man.

It was a few more frantic turns before I crashed. I flew backwards from the force, no doubt also sending the other person back too. My forehead stung angrily from the impact, and the sound…

Rubbing my head in pain I glanced over through tearing eyes.

“Oww…”

I could recognize the prince from a mile away. He sat there clutching his nose in pain, pushing himself up into a clumsy sitting position.

“Pit?” The tones in his voice varied from ‘watch where you’re going!’ to ‘what’s wrong??’ But I was up at him before he had time to choose his reaction.

“Where’s Ike?!?! Did he come this way?!” I nearly yelled in his face as I shook him back and forth from the front of his tunic. My hands were shaking. Why? It wasn’t panic…it…was it…fear?

Marth put his hands over mine as he got up, staring me in the eyes with confusion, baffled at my reaction. “Yes- well, no… I heard him before- but Pit, what’s wrong?” He asked, still unsure which tone he should use to emphasize his words.

I was immediately running again. Marth’s calls were soon faded and echoing through the layers of green which surrounded me.

I stopped in a panic. I’d lost all sense of direction. I turned this way, than another- I couldn’t remember where I’d just come from, and suddenly these branches were starting to look oddly familiar.

I can’t have been going in circles, could I?? I looked up at the sky. It must be just after midday- it was cooling down and the sky was bluer than before. If I could, I would have just flown over the maze instead of running around like a guinea pig.

I wouldn’t have been able to anyway. Who am I kidding? I can’t fly.

What’s this feeling? What was the word for it…cl…claustrophobia? Yes…that’s it.

I sunk to my knees. I didn’t realize how tired I was, and the green around me made me feel as if I was trapped, suffocating me. I felt the pain, the same as before, but I wasn’t there while I screamed in agony. My mind wasn’t there.

Then black.


--------Ike’s P.O.V.--------

One bottle. Two bottle. Three bottle. Wait...isn’t it ‘bottles’? Oh, who cares?

It must be late. It sure as hell is dark. Man this bed is comfortable. This wine is really good too. I wonder how Link knows this stuff?

Urgh…starting to feel a little sick…I know the cure for that; More alcohol.

“I’m a pitiful swordsman.”

“No you’re not Ike; you’re one of the best I know.” It never occurred to me that the two other guys…Red..and..Link…could be such good drinking buddies.

“I am pitiful. Look at me. Here I am…drinking my problems away.” I must be pretty drunk. Even I couldn’t understand my words anymore.

“Everyone needs to drink the pain away sometimes.” The trainer took another swig from his own bottle. He was still on his first and was pretty out of it too.

“You guys suck at cheering yourselves up.” I glared at the elf-guy. He was a mean guy when he’s drunk.

Is he even drunk? I don’t think so actually...

“Then what do you suggest we do, fairy boy??” My voice was slurred and changed pitch. Heh. Funny.

He scowled at me and stood up. Why is he upside down? Hmm…everything is, now that I think about it.

“Ike, get up off your ass. I know you’re not drunk. You’re depressed- I’ve seen you take down more than this at the last Christmas party!”

I waved my finger in the air as I tried to find my voice, “But, dear Link. Alcohol is a depressant, is it not?” I asked. He rolled his eyes and walked over to me.

The world was spun back upright and I felt nausea wave over me. Link stared me in the eyes. “What happened? I’ve never seen you this…well, drunk, for one thing…and well, depressed?”

“I’m not telling!” I slurred, pouting and crossing my arms, I could hear Red moan in complaint.

“IIIkeee, come onnn. Is it something to do with Pit?” I flinched and shied away. “Telll uss what happeeeenned.”

I could feel myself breaking down as I reached out for the hyrulian boy, wrapping my arms around him as I buried my face into his neck. “Oh Link! I don’t know what to do anymore!”

Link rubbed my back in a soothing, yet awkward way. “Tell us what happened.” He repeated, but he didn’t sound as sure of himself as Red did.

“Wh-what if Pit never remembers me? What if he hates me?” I cried, Link sighed.

“Ike, Pit’ll remember you. You guys had something special. And even if it’s dug deep, its still there.” Link soothed.

I kind of regret telling them everything now.

“You really think so?” I let go of the boy, who almost immediately scooted away from me.

He was right about me not being drunk though, I may feel a little woozy- but before must have really just been the depression. “But…You didn’t see the way he yelled at me.” I murmured.

Link huffed, “He’s just confused at the moment. If you give up now- He’ll never remember on his own.” He reasoned.

I shrugged. Maybe he’s right. But I’m going to need a hell of a lot more booze running through me before I admit to his face that I was wrong.

“Here you are!!”

I looked up at the storming prince and smiled weakly at him.

“Here I am.”

“Don’t give me that!!” Marth snapped. Red whimpered and attempted to crawl away while Link slithered out of the room quickly. Marth glared at me with a kind of cold which sent a chill down my spine.

“Why are you so angry?” I asked, frowning. Marth eyed the empty liquor bottles around Link’s bed before giving me a stern glare.

“While you’re in here drinking yourself happy, I’ve been trying to find you to help me out!!” He probably would have thrown something at me then. But just to be sure- dive.

“I’m not drinking myself happy! And help out with what??” I wined as the pillow hit me smack in the face.

“Pit’s gone missing!”

I froze. As much as I fought it, the sudden need to protect the angel captured me. “Wh..what?”

Marth grabbed me by the wrist and led me in a full fronted sprint down the halls, “He found me in the maze and said he was looking for you! More like yelled it really- but then he ran off again! It’s taken me hours to get out of there, but when I checked around, I couldn’t find him!”

My face blanked, “You don’t suppose…that he’s lost in the maze somewhere?”

Marth snorted and drastically rolled his eyes, “No, idiot. That’s exactly what I’m supposing! Or worse!”

Worse. Meaning, that he could be dying as we speak?

My legs finally caught up with the Prince’s, and I wasn’t relying on him to pull me along.

We were gaining on the maze, I could see it now. The entrance beckoning a safe trip, but also a trip we may never get out from. Whoever invented the maze should be shot.

“Wait.”

Marth stopped instantly, and as a result, my arm tugged back painfully by the wrist. “Why did we stop?!”

Marth gave my arm a warning tug, and I looked over to see a very familiar, calm yet concerned face.

“Lucario?” I asked. “What do you want?” I was in a hurry, and it probably came out different than I wanted to- but darn it, I had to get a move on or Pit..!

The blue Pokemon walked over, its red eyes piercing into mine. “I’ll lead you.”

Marth frowned in the same kind of agitated eagerness I felt, “What do you mean??”

The Pokemon shifted its head towards the maze. “I could hear him. I can lead you.” It explained in the fewest words.

Oh. Right. He could sense auras. Or…something I thought, mentally slapping myself, “Then lead the way!” I nearly yelled.

The Pokémon obviously knew I didn’t want to wait around, as it instantly took off full pace- head long into the maze. Marth quickly followed while I tugged at his arm. He was so slow!!

The green passed by us. Every new turn we saw the tail and legs belonging to the one leading us, and knowing that if we lost sight of him, we might get lost was what kept me running faster and faster to keep up.

“I-Ike-! I-can’t!” I felt Marth’s arm slip free from my hand and heard a small thud. I quickly turned back to see Marth on his knees, panting harshly, forcing air into his chest.

I was torn on the spot, forced between a rock and a hard place. If I left Marth, he would no doubt get lost in the darkness, but if I dwelled any longer, I would loose Lucario.

Marth looked up at me and panted out ragged breaths, “J-just go! I’ll wait- here for you!” He panted out as menacingly as possible. His eyes told me he wanted to say more, but his body told me he couldn’t.

With a quick nod I turned on my heels and took off.

I could faintly hear the padding of paws over the gust like winds picking up. It was freezing. And nearly pitch black. The faint outlines were hard enough to see and I found myself running straight into the hedges on more than one occasion.

“Ike!”

I took the sharp left and ran a few more feet before collapsing next to the Pokémon. Its eyes held too many questions for me to answer, so instead I turned my whole attention to the body crumpled and lifeless on the ground.

“Pit!” I called, lifting his head onto my knees as I turned him on his side. He was frozen, as anyone would be staying out in this weather in the getup he wears, but I had more important things to check than the temperature of his skin.

I could barely see anything, but with some quick fumbling, my fingers pressed against his throat. I moved them around until I found the vein- slow, faint heartbeats, accompanied by shallow breathing.

“Lucario?” I asked, not quite sure what I was asking as I looked up at the Pokémon. It glanced at me before crouching.

It raised its paws in silence and a strange, purple flame emitted between them. I remembered this…he uses this as an attack in brawls if I remember correctly.

In the new light, I shifted Pit into my arms to check his wings. The feathers were dissolving at a rapid pace- at least two thirds of his wing was now a chilling white, only the bone remaining.

I picked Pit up carefully. I had to get him inside so we could hopefully revive him- I had to. Even if he hates me.

I still love him.

“This way.” Lucario breathed as he took off. I followed his lead, and on the way back, we picked up Marth- who shadowed me to the very end of the maze.

When we had finally had passed through the glass doors bidding entrance to the mansion, the sudden warm air bit against my face. It stung, but was soon washed away.

We carried Pit to the lounge. ‘We’ meaning Marth couldn’t keep his hands off his ‘child’ any longer.

“Do we get Mario?” Marth panted as he took the blankets offered to him by the quiet Pokémon. I shook my head.

“No, it won’t change anything. The pain won’t go, and there isn’t a cure. All Mario will do is tell us to leave while he checks what he can do.” I replied almost bitterly. Marth sighed and dropped one of the blankets over my head.

“Then what are we going to do Ike?” He asked. I tore the blanket off of my head and watched as Marth gently draped one around the angel, pulling him up as he sat on the couch, resting his head on his legs as a makeshift pillow.

“We have to wake Pit up.” I muttered. Lucario glanced to me, a silent question raised. I glanced back, “His wings are still eroding. He could die if we don’t stop it.” I answered the pokémon’s thoughts.

Marth ran his hand against Pit’s cheek, his face distraught with worry. I hauled myself up onto my knees as I bent over the angel. His forehead was in a permanent crease of pain, every now and again his breathing hitching as his fingers twitched.

“Pit.” I called softly, running my hand through his hair. The boy didn’t stir.

“Pit, Pit, you’ve got to wake up.” Marth attempted, his voice betraying his endeavor to hide the tears. Pit’s eyelids fluttered as he softly groaned.

“Pit, you need to wake up!” I called gently, but urgently, cupping his cheek.

It was a few moments of silence before the boy stirred once again, his eyes sliding open a crack as he shifted. “Pit!” I breathed in relief.

Pit groaned breathlessly as he blinked his eyes open. “I-Ike.” He stated in a quiet groan.

Marth helped him shift so he was sitting- Pit taking a few moments to close his eyes, his face paling from the motion, while my eyes stayed locked on his every move.

Pit opened his eyes and locked them with mine. There was a deep sadness amongst fear as he stared tiredly. “M-marth?” He asked, looking away.

“Yes Pit?” Marth asked, putting an arm around his shoulders in an effort to comfort the boy. Pit glanced to Lucario.

“C-could..Could me and Ike…talk alone…for a while?” He breathed. Marth seemed to hesitate while Lucario merely nodded, leaving the room. Marth slowly got up, giving us both a worried glance, before leaving with a pained slowness.

When the room was finally empty save for us, Pit looked back, pulling the blanket tight against himself.

“You wanted to talk?” I asked quietly. I had to watch what I was doing. I had to keep my every move in check. In my state, and in his- I was unsure what I might do.

Pit nodded silently and glanced everywhere but at me. “I-Ike?” He asked, glancing at me for a few seconds before looking away. I waited in a polite silence, my eyes willing him forward.

“I can’t remember….because I don’t know what to remember. Is that right?” He asked in a wavering voice.

I nodded and moved to sit next to him on the couch; Pit froze and pulled into himself, shifting a little away from me. “Yes...That’s right.” I murmured, looking away sadly.

“Di…did y-you…mean…that…” Pit stopped and swallowed thickly, the motion I didn’t notice as his face became distressed.

“Go on.” I said blankly.

He glanced at me with large, scared eyes. “D…did…did I…” He was tripping over his words as he began to shake under my gaze. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and looked down at him. His jittery nerves were only making me more worried about his state.

“D-did I…I…l-l-l-lo..l-love…” He looked away quickly as he blushed, pulling the blanket tighter around himself, but I already knew what he was asking. “D-d-d-o…you…l…l..”

“Yes.” I cut him off. He whipped his head to me, his eyes wider than I’d ever seen them. The expression they held cut deep into my heart.

“Y..you…we…?” He couldn’t find himself. I sighed and ran my free hand through my hair.

“I..I did love you. We…we were…” I stared at the painting across the room, counting every leaf on the trees it portrayed. Pit was silent next to me, stiff under my arm.

“Do..do you still…love…me?”

His words pierced through me. I looked down and gripped his shoulder. “…yes…”

There was a new silence between us. Pit knew now. I had no idea what he felt. I wouldn’t look up to him. I couldn’t.

“T..that’s why…” The angel’s soft tone caught me of guard. It was a tone of disbelief.

Slowly, I turned to look at the boy. His eyes were closed in concentration, once again his face portraying pain. “I…Ike…I’m sorry…”

Why can’t he remember?! The frantic anxiety took hold of me and I turned my head away, pulling back my arm as I stared across the room. I heard Pit shift in surprise.

“I’m sorry Ike! I really am!! I..I just…I can feel it! But…I..” The hopeless plea tugged at my already shattered heart. “W…why?!” The angel sobbed, hugging my arm to himself, desperately seeking the answer.

Involuntarily my eyes drifted down to him. The way his hands gripped at my sleeve as if it were the only shred of hope left, the way his tears coursed down in a never ending stream of guilt.

My heart clenched as I hooked my finger underneath his chin, turning him to look at me. His eyes bored into mine, searching for the reason; the answers to everything.

“Pit.” I said quietly, fearing if I spoke any louder, I would break down in front of him.

“Ike?” He replied.

My face turned grim. “I won’t let you die. I care about you too much; I worry about you too much. And I love you too much, that if you were to die, I would die too.”

Pit didn’t fight against me as I pulled him close. He didn’t push away when our lips met in a silent kiss.

The moment lasted longer than it should have. And it hurt us both equally, for the feeling was not there.