Welcome to 'Epilogue: Socii Sunt Mihii'! The second part of that title translates into 'he is now next to me', and that line is featured in the epic theme of 'Super Smash Bros. Brawl'! Speaking of that particular theme, that is the inspiration behind this chapter.

Now that 'Brawl' is at an end, the wheels are churning for a new tale of angst, love and adventure. While I could use an extensive amount of time to work out details, I'd rather not fly solo. I'd love to attain input from my dear readers! XD

The upcoming project will be detached from 'Brawl'. Our beloved heroes will emerge on completely different paths, and endure brand-new adventures. Fox and Falco will remain as a couple, and so have no fear there. Prince Marth and Solid Snake will remain as a lovey-dovey pair of doves, unless they're outnumbered by other possibilities (check my poll for options). They're just so cute together though! XD

Since the Ike/Pit pair is hideously common, I'd rather not have it featured in the next tale. It (once again) depends on my poll though. So the only couple that's cemented is Peach/Mario! XD

Assistance is not only needed for pairings. I also need it for story elements. I'm striving to include elements of 'Final Fantasy X' (especially if Marth and Snake remain as a couple), 'Kingdom Hearts II' or 'Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles'. If you know of another RPG I could unite with Brawl, please mention it! Let's work with whatever ideas we can cook up! I will be on break after the ending of this tale, and I shall use that break to configure the details for our next amazing adventure!

Note: The Star Festival is featured in 'Super Mario Galaxy'.

Three days followed the return of the Brawlers. Both the Delfino Plaza and Mushroom Kingdom were glowing with elation, more than pleased to witness the return of their heroes. The sun itself seemed to be singing upon their arrival, and at the moment, it had launched itself into a self-made symphony. Both lands had taken on the attributes of musicals, and notes weren't even leaving the mouths of their inhabitants. Hearts were doing all of the singing, and it wasn't because the season's first Tournament was in a few minutes. The cancellation was met with a great deal of sadness, but once the reasons behind the cancellation were revealed, would-be audiences became ardent well-wishers. There wasn't a single soul that didn't express concern. Store owners and families alike put forth their hope, holding hands and sharing their heartbeats.

Sonic the Hedgehog's friends returned to their respective homes, wishing their newfound friends the very best. Falco Lombardi was pleased to see that they left on good notes, thinking of his last encounter with Bill Grey and Wolf O'Donnell. Mewtwo made his silent departure with Mew, ensuring the survival of his friendship with Meta Knight and Lucario. Following their departure, it didn't take too long for the Falcon Flyer to land at Princess Peach's castle. The Brawlers (with the exception of Marth and Snake, who were silently holding each other throughout the trip) practically bounced out of the vehicle with happiness. They were still euphoric over the return of Solid Snake, and therefore the return of solid joy. Pit and Samus carried out the sleeping couple, treating each of them as though they were sleeping newborns.

As the mercenary and prince were placed into their suite, Wario remarked on how they were making silent fireworks. Bowser, as he always did whenever Wario spouted off a seemingly-crude comment, shared a high five with Mario's rebellious sibling. Normally Samus would have thrown her favorite weapons (Smart Bombs) at them, but she merely gave them a smile. Pit did the same, and even said he'd make his own fireworks with Ike (who had also slept throughout the trip, due to emotional exhaustion).

Solid Snake awakened in Marth's arms, and was instantly greeted by loving kisses. The lovers silently showered each other in affection, sharing kisses and an immortal embrace. Once a five-minute long kiss came to an end, Snake launched into descriptions of his slumber. While his body regained its strength, Merlee (the one that had caused his separation from Marth) gave to him the events of Subspace. His mind's eyes caught everything that occurred, including the battle with James McCloud and the loss of Midna. As soon as that explanation came to an end, he emitted tears of the deepest appreciation. The words he said moved the prince to tears.

"I've got a family now. For the first time in my life, I've got a family. A family that needs me. A family that wants me around. A family that loves me. I've also got an angel at my side."

Sobbing, the Altean blanketed him in even more kisses.

Which (inevitably) led to some pretty loud fireworks.

Once the two of them emerged, their friends began a celebration. All of them waited for the couple's arrival in the throne room, and as soon as the two arrived, the Brawlers immediately launched into a world of cheers. Not a mouth was silent as all eyes focused upon Marth and Snake, celebrating their return to full-blown happiness (and firework shows). As the cheering died down, Snake fell into another fit of tears. Bowser remarked on how 'weepy' he was, unable to believe that a 'big, bad tiger' could be such a 'crybaby'.

Mario and Samus blasted him out of the ceiling.

The sobbing mercenary expressed his gratitude towards the others, utterly thankful for everything they had gone through. Unable to believe that they were willing to sacrifice everything, just to secure his life, he sobbed his heart out. Due to Midna's passing, and Zelda's unborn triplets (yep, Merlee revealed that itty-bitty secret), Link and the Queen received a great deal of tears. Link and Zelda merely shrugged off their efforts, saying that they were more than happy to fight for a friend. They would have loved and cared for their children even in death, and their family would have inevitably met in the heavens. That alone sent Yoshi and Captain Falcon into a pit of tears.

Pit was the next to receive a sorrowful ocean. Learning that he had sacrificed his lifetime with Ike made the mercenary none too happy. Tugging upon the angel's chest, repeatedly apologizing for the usage of his sacrifice, Solid Snake was inconsolable. Prince Marth was no more than two feet away from him, simply smiling with every bit of his heart's light.

"Don't cry anymore. It's okay! Really! I'm going to be just fine, Snake! Ike and I are going to be just fine! We're going to be okay! We'll find a way to live together, I promise! And I told Ike I'd never leave him! I don't break my promises, and besides...I love him as you love Marth. You wouldn't let anything tear you away from Marth, now would you?"

"N-n-no..."

"See? So everything's all right. Don't cry anymore, dear friend. We're all going to be okay. I promise. Our light will keep us together, no matter where we are."

Snake could speak not another word. The other Brawlers rushed to create a group hug, seeing the mercenary fall to his knees in tears. As the others showered the mercenary in profound affection (which included Yoshi slobber and Pikachu's thunderbolts), Marth simply shared a smile with Pit.

Pit looked as though he had merely baked them all cookies, just as cheerful as ever.

The Brawl celebration, which had been placed in Diddy Kong's capable hands, was due to occur during the Star Festival. It was said to be one of the most romantic nights of the year, filled with the greatest cheer and shimmering displays of golden stars. Prior to the entry of Subspace, only one wedding was due to occur upon the festival. In the course of tradition, those that wished to marry during the Festival were meant to give silver star gems to their loved ones. Zelda had received a silver gem from Link.

Two hours following the baths of Yoshi slobber, Marth received one from Snake.

Both Altean and mercenary spent most of the night in tears. They would have spent the entire night in tears, if it hadn't been for fuses and a long period of separation.

Three days followed their blissful show, and another celebration was due to begin. Balloons and floats alike were streaming through the air, all of them shaped into the beloved Brawlers (Bowser and Snake shared laughs over a certain bloated mercenary). Stores were crowded with souvenir requests, and children were dying for ice cream floats inspired by their favorite combatants. The stadium was packed to its rims with excited spectators, with all of them hardly able to stand still. As for their beloved heroes, all of them were awaiting the emergence of their first match. Pit and Ike were being pitted against Marth and Snake, with both teams being placed on Yoshi's Island.

Pit was still smiling like a child licking an ice cream cone. "May the best Brawler win, as they say!" he sang cheerily, wings flapping in merriment. Marth, lovingly wrapped in Snake's arms, supplied him with another smile.

"There won't be any contest. I'm afraid we're going to win, plain and simple."

"Don't count your gold before it's actually in your hand, Prince." the cool and calm Ike said, also smiling. "You two are not the only ones enabled with the power to unleash thunder. As you might recall, Pit and I have recently joined your nightly parades of unbridled passion."

"So I guess we're in for a treat." Solid Snake declared, then shared a two-minute kiss with Marth. "If the four of us can call down thunder, this should be a pretty exciting battle."

Not too far away, Li and Kirby (wearing his Snake impression) were conducting an orchestra. The orchestra was composed of Delfinians and Toads, and all of them were singing one blissful melody.

Audi famam illius.
Solus in hostes ruit
et patriam servavit.

Audi famam illius.
Cucurrit quaeque tetigit destruens.

Audi famam illius.
Audi famam illius.

Spes omnibus, mihi quoque.
Terror omnibus, mihi quoque.

Ille
iuxta me.

Ille iuxta me.
Socii sunt mihi.
qui olim viri fortes
rivalesque erant.

Saeve certando pugnandoque
splendor crescit.

I've heard legends of that person.
How he plunged into enemy territory.
How he saved his homeland.

I've heard legends of that person.
How he traveled the breadth of the land, reducing all he touched to rubble.

I've heard legends of that person.
I've heard legends of that person.

Revered by many--I too, revere him.
Feared by many--I too, fear him.

Now, that person
Stands by my side.

Now that person stands by my side.
Now my friends are with me.
Some of them were once heroes.
Some, my mortal enemies.

And as we face each other in battle, locked in combat.
We shine ever brighter.

The gentle Captain Olimar, who had volunteered to care for the mother-to-be Zelda (Link was a frantic volunteer, but his fiancee wanted him to enjoy the Brawl season), was a proud garderner. His Pikmin were at his side, cheering at the top of their little lungs.

And in the skies above, flowers soared from their resting places.

"Well, it looks like our job here is done." Olimar said, wiping off his brow with a sigh. "I'm glad every flower made it out all right. And look! That tiny green one really turned out to be the most beautiful flower of them all!"

That green flower had started off as the world's ugliest flower. It was now soaring amongst the skies, drifting upon the surface of an invincible lake. It truly was a fantastic sight, glowing with euphoria as it soared amongst its companions.

As the other flowers had been named after respective Brawlers, the green flower had been named the 'Solid Snake' flower.

At its side was a sapphire blue flower, and it never detached itself from the green flower once.