So I've been writing some pretty dark material with Demon Snake and Wasteland so I decided to make something a little more light-hearted. This draws a slight inspiration from an OLD story you can find in the Smash Bros section called Cardboard Therapy. It was a really nice and fun story that had a lot going for it but sadly went dead. I say slightly because the only concept I'm using is Snake helping people get through their problems, which is something that's a part of his character in the series. Snake's character is something I try to get across to the reader in my other stories. I really don't like him being portrayed as an old perverted soldier that's stalking Samus. It's just a really poor representation of the character. There's a lot to him and one of the things he has going for him is wisdom. He's always willing to offer the younger characters advice on how to improve their lives, and his advice definitely has influence. So I really like the idea of him giving advice to the characters in Smash, many of whom are much younger than he is. Enjoy.

It was the middle of winter. Princess Peach was travelling up a mountain, alone, in the freezing weather. The very idea of doing so sounds horrifying, but Peach had no fear. She had a reason for doing so, and this wasn't her first time doing so. Finally she found what she was looking for, a small log cabin located not too high on the mountain. She approached the door to the cabin and knocked three times. Just a few seconds later, the owner of the house opened the door. It was Solid Snake, a legendary soldier and Smash fighter now living in retirement. The grizzled veteran smiled as he saw the princess.

"Oh, I didn't realize it was that time of the week again." He laughed. "God it's freezing! Hurry and come inside." He insisted and let Peach into his humble abode. The place was very similar to the home Snake lived in during his time in Alaska. It wasn't very big but it was cozy, and Snake was happy to call it home.

"Lucky for you I had just finished making some hot coco. It's on the table, you can have it to warm yourself up. Though it's definitely not nearly as good as anything you can make." Snake laughed, as did Peach. She took a sip of the drink, and was pleased with the taste. "So how was it? Did I screw it up again?" He asked.

"No! Actually this was very good! You've gotten a lot better at this." She complimented him.

"Well I've been practicing ever since you taught me."

"Be sure to keep it up." She giggled.

Peach then made two cups of her famed tea, for the both of them. She sat with Snake in his living room next to his fire place. This wasn't the first time though, this was actually something Peach started doing once a week since a few months ago. After not being picked up for the fourth tournament, Snake decided to hang it up. No more fighting, be it war or Smash. He retired and was now living a simple, comfortable life. And she knew that if anyone deserved such a life, it was him. He had a very hard life, and had almost every reason to be bitter at the world and to the people around him. Yet he never allowed his hardships to get to him, and now it seemed that was paying off. But Peach didn't want him to just be isolated up in this mountain. It couldn't be good for anybody. So she came to his house one day and had a visit with him. Then another one the next week, and then it became a tradition. She promised to pay him a visit once a week so they could catch up with each other. But she didn't do it just for his sake, she just really enjoyed talking to him. Not just because he was a good friend, but because unbeknownst to the others, Snake was full of wisdom, wisdom that he was more than willing to share. When she had a problem, she'd tell him about it. And somehow he would always have an answer to make it all better.

"So what's new Peach?" He asked and took a small sip of his tea.

"Quite eventful actually. Three new fighters have joined in. One's already arrived, his name his Cloud Strife." She said and handed Snake a picture of him. Snake looked at the picture of the blonde man and his eyes widened. Peach noticed it. "What is it Snake?"

"Okay…I remember being very surprised about Ike being able to wield a greatsword with one arm, but I just went ahead with it since Ike's a pretty muscular guy. But this! Look at his sword! This shit is unreal!" Snake ranted, making Peach laugh again. She told him the names of the other two fighters, Corrin and Bayonetta, but her knowledge of them was very limited so she promised to tell him more when she could.

"So how have you been Snake?" Peach questioned and sipped her tea.

"Well you know me. Not much. Just a little bit of work, gathering some food, going to the forest every so often for some wood. I am thinking about picking up a Christmas tree like you suggested." Snake said, giving Peach a glowing smile.

"Can I help you decorate it?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way." He smiled.

They talked a little more, going back and forth, but during the conversation Snake was picking up on something. He could tell that something was bothering Peach, and she was trying her hardest to hide the fact.

"What's on your mind Peach? You can tell me?" He asked in a more serious tone. Peach sighed, she really couldn't keep anything from Snake could she.

"There's been some instances of fighters arguing. They argue over the most trivial stuff but I still don't want them to fight. It's uncomfortable to me and to everyone else around me. So…"

"Let me guess. You try to play the peace-maker right?"

"Yes but I always fail! I can never get them to stop arguing!" She said sadly.

"Peach, you can't fail at something that's not you're responsibility." Snake said. Peach looked to him perplexed to his meaning.

"The reason you feel like a failure is because you think that it's your responsibility to keep the others in line. But it isn't, it's Master Hand's. So I suggest that you go ahead and tell him that you shouldn't be trying to do his job for him." Snake advised her. "Bottom line is, it's not your fault if you can't resolve a situation that you weren't apart or is not in your control. Do you understand? C'mon...I don't like seeing you upset." Snake begged.

Man I've really gotten soft over the years haven't I?

Peach snapped out of her saddened mood, motivated by Snake's words. "Yeah, I understand." She smiled.

"Hey! There's that smile back!"

After a couple of hours, their little visit was about over and Snake led Peach to the door. He gave her a thick coat before she went out.

"Here. This'll be a lot more useful for you than for me. You can keep it as long as you want."

Peach gave Snake a sweet smile and gave Snake a small kiss on the cheek, surprising Snake as his body temporarily locked up.

"You know Snake, there's a whole side of you that the others don't know about. One that's filled with wisdom and the will to help others. There's so much advice you have to offer. I wish the others could see it."

"Heh, maybe someday. Goodnight Peach."

"Goodnight Snake."