All he wanted to do was help that starving kid sleeping under that tree. It was the one thing he finally thought he could do on his own...

But things never worked out the way he wanted them to.

He was standing there frozen as those black armored troops marched in, yelling loudly and ransacking houses. He saw his parents come out, weapons in their hands, as they confronted them. He couldn't make out the words, as he was rooted to the spot, watching as the soldiers swarmed in around them.

He saw one of them barrel right into his mother, who fell down as a large piece of metal...the medallion she always carried around, went flying. His father saw it fly through the air and his hand went up to catch it on reflex.

He saw his father's eyes open impossibly wide as he gripped the medallion, blue flames emitting out of it. The soldiers shouted something else, but before they could do anything, half of them were already dead. His father moved impossibly quick, moving from soldier to soldier as he severed life from their bodies. Before any of the soldiers could lift their weapons, his father had already cut them down.

When all the soldiers were dead, he thought it was over...but then...his father advanced on the townspeople.

He was like a statue, frozen in fear of drawing his father's wrath to him, watching in horror as his father killed everyone before they could even scream...the events were seared into his mind, and he dared not move a muscle or even breathe. Such was his terror.

Finally, he saw his mother get up, an expression of serene calm on her face as she strode over to his father, giving him a warm smile...before she impaled herself on his blade, grabbing the medallion out of his hand. Soon, both of them collapsed admist the stench of blood and death, as the blue flames of the medallion raged on...

He saw two men run up, horrified that they were too late...they checked his parents' bodies, saddened that the blue haired woman was killed, holding the medallion in her hands. He heard his sister run up and talk to them, wanting them to bring their parents back to their small house...but...

His sister took the medallion, keeping it near her chest. She came up to him, wanting to see what was wrong. He couldn't breathe, couldn't speak! He was afraid...afraid that the man he called his father would leap up and kill him...!

The long haired man gave him a look of pity as he raised his staff, and a blinding light filled his vision. In his mind, he was forced to relive what had taken place only minutes before; a large man cutting down everyone in his sight, a manic grin on his face. A beautiful, blue haired woman, smiling as she killed herself on his blade. The numerous bodies falling down onto the ground in heaps...

He did the only thing he could do.

He screamed.

Ike immediately woke up, his body lifting off the bed as his eyes widened, breathing heavily. "The same nightmare again..."

Groaning, he rubbed his head as he looked at the time. 4 AM...Well, at least he managed to sleep a little bit this time.

Ever since the seal on his memories had broken, he had been plagued with visions he thought he had left behind. At first, they were only small memories; times of his family together, times of meeting the laguz...times of happy memories. He remembered meeting Soren for the first time that day and giving him his lunch, because he felt it was the right thing to do. He was his first friend that day...

But the visions got darker over time. He could now clearly remember everything that happened on that fateful day when his father touched Lehran's Medallion, driving him into a senseless rage. All the townspeople, the ones that helped them and hid them, died by his father's sword. The only thing that snapped him out of it was his mother driving herself onto his sword, looking at him while doing so. The image of her holding his father as the blade was driven through her body was burned into his mind; now it was so clear as if he was standing right there at that very moment.

He took a look out the window near his bed, gazing into the night. The nightmares were getting worse. Each time, he would suddenly awaken after his blood-curling scream, drenched in sweat. At first, he didn't know what it meant. He didn't know what his dreams were trying to tell him, what they warned of in his future.

However, it became clear over several nights. Several people in his life had remarked how much he looked like his father as he grew, and as he watched his father in his nightmares, he realized how right they were. The bone structure, the lines of his face...almost identical. But they didn't know how right they were.

Slowly, as if he was dreading it, he let his gaze settle on his arm. He squinted, as if he was looking for something specific...there!

A brief flicker of blue flames had materialized around the length of his arm for but a moment, before vanishing as if it never existed.

Ike let loose a sigh, looking solemn. "Time's running out...I just wish it didn't have to be this way."

Gods...what a joke.

Pit knew there was something wrong with his lover...but he couldn't tell what.

Everyone else around him thought he was normal. He was still talking in his cold, blunt way. He still shrugged off whatever his opponents threw at him, giving back as good as he received. His fighting style was still in top shape, his form never wavering in the slightest All in all, he was acting normally.

But to the angel, who had hung around the mercenary since the day he arrived, he immediately knew when something was wrong. His fighter's instincts were screaming at him, telling him that Ike was straining his muscles in battle, as if he was trying to hold his monstrous strength back. There was also a lot more hesitation from him as of late, as if he was trying to distance himself from everyone. Even though Ike wasn't a people person, he did make the effort to at least be friendly. The way Ike was acting was worrying him, especially when the mercenary brushed off any attempt from him to find out what was wrong.

Well, he was going to get answers...one way or another.

"Pit." The angel jumped as he was shaken from his thoughts, the man he had been thinking about already behind him.

"Ah...Ike," he said, giving the mercenary a quick hug. It had been a while since he had been so close to him, because lately, Ike had secluded himself from everyone for no discernible reason. "You finally ready to talk again?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

Ike frowned, studying the look on the angel's face. There was no doubt that he was angry with him, with good reason. He had stayed away from everyone to have time to think...time to plan on what was going to inevitably happen. "You could say that..." he started slowly, sighing. "There's been a lot of things I've needed to think about."

"And?" Pit asked impatiently, tapping his foot for emphasis. "Ike, I've been worried! You're not acting like yourself at all, and you look like it's getting hard to hold yourself back in fights for some reason. Why?"

Ike fought the urge to flinch. Despite whatever people thought, Pit was very sharp (he'd have to be; he was a general!). He really hated having to act this way, especially around the angel he had gotten to know so well over their time together, but it was necessary. "Don't worry, I'll tell you in time."

Pit closed his eyes and let a small smile come to his face. "You'd better," he said softly, leaning up to give him a quick kiss. "I have a match now, so I'll see you afterwards, okay?"

The mercenary nodded. But before the angel could leave, Ike grabbed his arm. "Could you...meet me under the big tree by the lake? I'll tell you everything there." he asked lowly, staring directly into Pit's eyes. The angel looked confused, but nodded anyway as Ike let him go. "Alright, I'll see you there. Good luck, Pit."

And as Ike walked away, Pit could not shake off the profound sense of sorrow he felt coming off of the mercenary. He wondered if he should skip the match and just run after him at that moment, but then shook his head. Ike promised to tell him later, so with a sigh, he started to make his way to the arena.

Ike, what in the goddess' name has got you so scared? This isn't like you at all...

The sun was setting, giving the horizon such a beautiful look...almost like it came alive from a painting. Ike waited under the giant tree, listening as the wind made the leaves rustle. He always liked coming under here, listening to nature...it calmed his nerves and allowed him to focus on the happier times in his life.

This was a far cry from one of those times. Within his hand, he held the very same medallion his parents had died to protect...the Fire Emblem. The chaotic power within it long since unsealed, the goddess within it freed of her prison. Mist had given it to him to keep as a memento...to always remember her, no matter where he was. Now he was glad he was far away from her as possible, considering everything that was changing within him. Mist, forgive your stupid older brother just this once...

He let out a breath of relief as he heard Pit approaching, looking over his shoulder to see the angel heading right towards him. He knew that what he was about to do was going to change everything in their relationship, and he couldn't help but feel nervous about it. He didn't want this at all, but it was the only way. "Hey."

Pit nodded back, eyes softening. "You certainly chose an odd place to meet, you know." he remarked as he took a seat beside his lover, making himself comfortable.

"This is the place I come to so I can think," Ike explained, leaning back against the trunk. "This view reminds me of back home, when I was a kid..." he sighed, smiling at the memories.

"So, are you going to explain what's been up with you?" Pit asked, glancing at his partner. Ike scratched his chin, as if he was contemplating something.

"Tell me, Pit..." he began cautiously, trying to delay the inevitable as long as possible. "What do you know about my life?"

Pit blinked at the question, somewhat suspicious. "You are the leader of your mercenary group, "Greil's Mercenaries". You took over after your father was killed, and then led an army to liberate the nation of Crimea from Daein control," he said slowly, drawing on all of his conversations with the blue haired man. "Three years later, you fought in another war which eventually turned into a struggle against Ashera, the Goddess of Order. With the help of the Goddess of Chaos, Yune, you led an army against her and slain her yourself. After that, you left the continent and eventually made your way here."

Ike nodded, a small smile on his face. Pit was confused. "And that has anything to do with your current moods?" he asked skeptically.

"Pit, the truth is...I haven't totally been honest with you," he admitted, ignoring the shocked look on the angel's face. "I've told you of what I've done in my world...but I haven't told you of some specific events, have I?" He saw Pit shake his head no, so he continued. "What I'm about to tell you are things that I've kept hidden from everyone, including my own sister. Suffice to say, it is very serious."

"When I was a child, we were on the run from the Daein army. My parents held an item that Ashnard wanted...the Fire Emblem," He held up the medallion he held in his hand for emphasis, letting Pit take the image of it. "Of course, it also went by the name of Lehran's Medallion. Anyway, we settled in a small village in a country called Gallia. The townspeople were very nice; they took us in and hid us from whoever was tailing us. For a time, we led happy lives."

Pit could guess what happened next. "They found us," Ike continued, the angel hanging onto every word. "Luckily, Mist was far out of the way, but I was there, watching. They surrounded my parents...and then the next thing I knew, the medallion went flying, and my father touched it...and then..." Ike found that his voice choked at this point, the memories still being too much to bear. The angel was surprised, but held his lover's hand, urging him to continue.

The mercenary took a deep breath and kept going. "My father went berserk. The medallion at the time housed the Goddess of Chaos, Yune, but no one knew that at the time. All that was known was that if anyone touched it, they went insane from the energies of it. In my father's case, he killed everyone near him. Soldiers, villagers...and even children," He then closed his eyes, willing himself to finish. "And then...my mother, who had held onto the medallion for so long, did the only thing she could do; she impaled herself on his sword and took the medallion from his hand, snapping him out of his senseless rage."

Pit took in a sharp take of breath. "How do you know all of this?" he asked shakily. In all of their time together, Ike never spoke more of his parents than necessary. He felt it was a touchy topic with it, but to know this...

"I know because on that day, I was standing there. I saw everything...seared into my memory forever," he said solemnly, looking away. "It was only by the quick work of a traveling priest that I wasn't traumatized that day. He sealed my memory of that day...which only broke around a year ago."

Pit didn't know what to say. "Ike..." he muttered. His worries doubled as he listened; the fact that Ike was totally opening up to him was cause for both alarm and relief. "Please, tell me why you're telling me this."

Ike looked hesitant before nodding. "Lately, I've been having nightmares about that day. Each night, I can remember it in more vivid detail; I can actually see everyone's faces and remember them as if I had only seen them yesterday. Every time I have this nightmare, I see my father's face as he kills everyone...I can literally feel the air around me get stagnant as he slaughters anything around him; the energy empowering him was that immense."

"Remember, when I faced down Ashera, Yune gave me all of her available power so I could kill her. It worked, and Ashera was gone from the world. However..." Ike trailed off as Pit stared intently at him, sighing in resignation. "It might be better if you look closely."

Pit did so, and for a few moments, he couldn't see anything. But then..."Whoa!" he cried out in surprise as for a very brief moment, Ike was immersed in blue fire, the flames enveloping him. "Ike, what was that?!"

Despite his fears, the mercenary remained calm. "Pit, tell me...my soul leans towards Chaos, like my father was. For a time, the power of the Goddess of Chaos and myself were one. To have that power all contained in one person so strongly aligned...what would happen?"

He really didn't like how the question was phrased. "With such a powerful being, some residual power is left behind, but..." Pit's eyes widened as he fully grasped what Ike was saying. "No...!" he whispered.

Ike nodded, a bitter smile on his face. "Yes. That day when I left the tower, I held part of Yune's power within me. Perhaps it grasped onto my soul...because I know Yune would never allow this to happen if she knew. Over time, the power has grown stronger within me."

"But..." Pit sputtered, his mind already thinking over everything Ike had said so far. "If the medallion's power was Yune's power itself, and it has the ability to make people go berserk, what would happen if the power of it was inside a person in the first place...?" He then gasped, shaking as all of the pieces fell into place. "No...no! Ike, you can't mean...!"

Ike smiled grimly. "Exactly. Even now, I can feel the power of the blue flames growing each day. Seeing my father like he was scared me...so what will happen to me?"

Pit was scared now. He knew exactly where Ike was going with his current explanation, and the thought of seeing him lose himself completely was something that terrified him beyond all reason. "We can get help!" he shot out, not wanting to give up. "We can get the Hands...my Goddess Palutena! They can help!"

Ike shook his head. "Have you forgotten? The Hands cannot do anything outside the Final Destination as their power is based there. And you told me yourself...Palutena cannot directly interfere with mortals, even one such as myself."

Pit visibly wilted. "There has to be something we can do..." he said helplessly, clutching Ike's arm closer to himself. He didn't want to lose his most precious person...!

"Pit...there is something I want you to promise me." Ike said with a tone of finality, scaring Pit even more. The mercenary looked pale and actually looked scared, which sent alarms blaring in the angel's head.

"What...?"

Ike took a deep breath. "Before the power of Chaos turns me into a berserker...before I turn Ragnell on everyone at the mansion..." He didn't realize he was shaking at the moment, but he had to say it...

"I want you to kill me."

There was total silence as Pit stared at Ike in disbelief, unable to even say anything. "You can't be serious..." he finally managed to choke out, unaware of the tears flowing down his cheeks. "Tell me! Tell me it's just some sort of joke! Please...!"

Ike shook his head slowly. Pit suddenly got angry. "Damn you, Ike! Why?! Do you even know what you're asking of me?! How can you expect me to kill you?! How can you even ask this of me?!"

At that moment, he looked at Ike's face, and was taken aback. Ike...was crying. "Pit...I ask you this because I trust you above all others. I ask that you kill me because I love you," he said softly, eyes watery. "I don't want to become a monster. I don't want to lose control of myself...that's why when the time comes, I want you to be the one to end my life."

"Stop..." Pit sobbed, not wanting to hear any more. "I can't! Stop talking like I'm going to kill you! We can find another way...!"

"Pit!" Ike said sharply as he forced the angel to look at him. His tears were coming freely now, making their way down his cheeks. "Believe me, I did not want to ask you this if I didn't have any other choice. We are out of options, though..." He then took a deep breath. "You're the general of your own soldiers. I know that even if you kill me...you'll cry, you'll mourn, and then you'll survive. You're so strong...so please, wipe your tears away, and hold your head up high. That's the person I fell in love with."

Pit got his breathing under control as he stared at Ike. He finally realized...Ike was scared out of his mind. He was scared of what was going to happen to him, what was going to happen to everyone, scared of everything tumbling down around him. But he was not afraid to die if it would save everyone. "I'll do it..." he whispered, wiping his tears away. "When it comes to it...I'll kill you. I promise."

"I'm sorry, Pit..." Ike whispered in his ear, holding the angel close.

"No..." he mumbled, his head furrowed into the mercenary's chest, hearing his steady heartbeat. "Don't. Just...don't say anything. Let's just be alone for now...I don't want to think of anything else."

For the rest of the night, they sat there in the other's arms, trying not to let the thoughts of the future overtake them. They fell asleep with each other, holding the other close and not letting go for fear of that time arriving.

As they slept together, the blue flames flickered around Ike, growing ever brighter...

A/N: Yeah, another of my Ike/Pit stories that I'm working on. This time, it's angst.

I highly recommend knowing about Radiant Dawn's ending and PoR/RD's general plot, because that's a huge factor in this story.

Anyway, not much to say. The next chapters should be out soon.