The cold, frosty air swirled around her ankles as the young woman trudged through the fallen snow. All around her there were barren trees and tiny withered plants, both adding to the deserted landscape that was once one of the most beautiful gardens in the Smash Mansion. Her breath came out in small little puffs of steam as she slowly exhaled the crisp morning air. Yet another breeze came to meet her as she continued walking, tussling her long golden locks and gently kissing her flushed cheeks.

A small giggle escaped her as her hair was pushed forward by this breeze and tickled her nose. She sneezed once, closing her baby blue eyes as she did so, but soon pushed her hair back and adjusted the crown that sat regally upon her head. Her footsteps made small crunching sounds in the snow as she continued to walk, her breathing becoming more and more rapid as she approached a small clearing, where she knew that he waited for her there.

For a moment, she paused and readjusted her dress, making sure it was centred and that her long pink cloak was on just right. Her delicate hands, encased in long white gloves, danced everywhere on her hair, gently stroking it to form the perfect hairstyle. Her wide, innocent orbs shone with undeniable happiness as she finally deemed herself perfect and walked into the clearing.

Sure enough, he was waiting for her, a bouquet of pink daisies clutched in his hand. His dark blue overalls and favourite red shirt were both rather patched and torn from the recent battles he had been in. his dark brown locks and matching moustache were slightly damp from sweat, emphasizing his clear blue eyes and flushed red face. For a few moments, they both stood there, sharing this rare moment of peace. Then, the princess rushed forward, arms outstretched and just waiting to receive him.

"Mario!"

"Peachy!"

The plumber leaped into his princess's arms, trailing kisses down her face. Peach smiled in joy as she squeezed her hero harder, her pale cheeks taking on an even more becoming blush. They stopped soon after and simply gazed into each other's eyes, allowing themselves to be lost in a sea of gorgeous baby blue. Then, they began to lean in, eyes closed, lips puckered. Their faces were merely inches apart now, so close…

"Brilliant! Excellent!"

The plumber and princess stopped abruptly, Peach dropping Mario in surprise. From out of the trees stepped Bowser, a reporter's hat on his head. In his right hand, he carried a notebook and pencil. In his left, he held a steaming cup of coffee, the sweet scent gently turning circles in the air. Behind him came Ganondorf, camera in hand. While the King of Gerudos snapped away at the startled plumber and princess, Bowser opened his notebook and grinned at the two love birds sitting before him.

"Okay, so tell me what it's like!"

"What what's like?" Peach questioned, her brows knitting together in confusion.

"What it's like to kiss!" Bowser said enthusiastically, "Tell me exactly how it feels to be kissing the one you love!"

"Mama mia, Bowser!" Mario commented, getting up from the ground, "Why do you ask such a question?"

"For our story!" Ganondorf answered, pausing to change film, "Bowser and I are both working on Valentine's day stories for the contest!"

"The contest?"

"You mean, you don't know?" the Koopa King asked in amazement, "No wonder why you two are out here instead of working on your stories! I mean, even Samus and Metaknight are already hard at work!"

"We just want to know about this contest," Peach said, "And why is it so important?"

Ganondorf sighed and placed his camera down. "You see, PitFTW and Golfer are hosting writing contests in honor of Valentine's Day. Whoever can write the best romance story wins!"

"What exactly do they win?" Mario asked.

"First place will get to be the main character in a story PitFTW will write!" Bowser told him excitedly, "And if they don't want to be the main character, they can just send in an OC or she can write about their favourite character!"

"Second place will also have a part in that story," Ganondorf continued, "But only as a supporting character. Finally, third place will receive a cameo in that same story!"

"Impressive," Mario murmured, story ideas flowing through his mind.

"But won't those two simply pick their friends to be the winners?" Peach inquired, "After all, that's what judges do sometimes."

"No way! The contest will also be judged by two other authors. Their names are MahNati and Mtaknight4ever. With four people judging, there is no way there will be a single shred of biasness in their judging!"

"And that's not all!" Bowser bellowed, puffing up his chest with pride for remembering, "No matter what, the pairing would not matter as long as it's not yaoi or yuri!"

"Mama mia!" Mario exclaimed, "So does that mean if, for example, a story is… Luigi and Peach, but is very well written as opposed to me and Peach, does that mean that the Luigi and Peach would win over the other one?"

"Of course!" Ganondorf answered, snapping a few more pictures, "It can be Dedede and Zelda for all the judges' care! As long as it's well written, teaches a lesson, and doesn't break the rules, it's eligible for entry!"

"This is so much! When are these stories due?"

Bowser rolled his eyes. "Hey, plumber! It's a Valentine's Day contest! So when do you think?!?"

Mario's blue eyes flashed angrily, but he remained silent. Peach sensed this danger, her blue eyes darting around to clearing to find something, anything, to prevent Mario from losing his temper. Finally, her eyes landed on a certain Hylian couple…

"Look!" she said, pointing in their direction, "Isn't that Link and Zelda?"

Both villains whirled around and stared at the direction the princess was pointing, sure enough, the Hero of Time and the Princess of Destiny were sitting on a small stone bench not far away. Zelda's slim fingers were gently clasped within Link's coarse ones and both were whispering to each other, their foreheads touching. The two villains immediately sprang up.

"Grab your camera, Ganondorf!" Bowser shouted, "We've got a Hylian couple to interview!"

The Gerudo King grabbed his camera and immediately began adjusting the lenses as his partner gathered up his things. "Well, that's just about all we can tell you for now. Good luck in the contest!" With that, Ganondorf turned tail and began running in the direction of the two Hyalins.

"Wait for me!" Bowser bellowed, charging after him.

"Wait!" Mario yelled, "What about the rules? There are always rules for a contest!"

"All that is covered on PitFTW's and Golfer's profiles!" Bowser yelled over his shoulder as he ran off.

The surprised gasps of Link and Zelda were heard not far away, as well as the clicking of a camera and Bowser's cheerful bellows. For a few moments, Mario and Peach simply stood there in confusion, their brows furrowed together at the sound of Bowser's many questions. Finally, Peach broke the silence.

"Well, do you want to get writing?"

Mario looked up at his princess and smiled, stroking his moustache in deep thought. "Yes… and I do believe I have the perfect idea for a story…"

Peach's face broke out into a stunning smile, illuminating her face in a golden glow. "What is it?"

The plumber took Peach's hand and gently led her back to the Smash Mansion, their footsteps in perfect synch with each other, the light of love shining in their eyes. "It should all start with a beautiful young princess in a kingdom far, far away…"

See next chapter for winners!