Falco thrust himself off the ground. This was it…One more blow from either him or the Ice Climbers and the Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament would be over. But only one could be victorious. It's gonna be me, Falco told himself as he jumped determinedly towards Popo and Nana. They, too, leaped towards Falco. They met in midair; Falco gave the strongest air-kick of his life before the Ice Climbers could get their hit off. Across the stage they flew, wailing a high-pitched scream as Falco smiled triumphantly—if it is possible for a bird to smile. The match was over; the Ice Climbers had lost all of their lives; Falco had won.
After the match, reporters swarmed Falco, pressing him with questions.
"Mr. Lombardi, how does it feel to be the Super Smash Bros. champion?"
"Oh, you know," replied Falco gladly, "I kinda expected it, not to sound prideful or anything."
"Wasn't that last match riveting?" asked another reporter.
"Yeah, I have to admit, those Ice Climbers put up one heck of a fight!" He laughed.
"What do you plan on doing with the prize money?"
"Probably put it in savings or something," Falco replied tentatively. "I don't really need it."
"And you will be coming back next year—of course—won't you?"
"Nah," he replied and the reporter gasped. "I've had my fun…time to move on to bigger and better things."
Falco answered a few more questions, but soon grew bored. As he got up to leave, he noticed Fox. "Hey," Falco said.
"Hey," Fox replied weakly. "Congrats."
"Thanks."
"How 'bout that last battle? Pretty intense."
"I know," Falco agreed. "For a few moments I thought…" He drifted off.
"Thought what?" Fox pressed. "You, Falco Lombardi, thought that you were going to lose?" He laughed.
"Whatever," Falco said as he playfully punched Fox. There was a moment of somewhat awkward silence. "Well," Falco said, "I won't be coming back next year."
"What?" Fox said in disbelief. "Why?"
"Like I told the reporters, I've had my fun. I'm gonna explore the world, make a discovery, do something exciting!" Falco had an adventurous twinkle in his eye as he said this. He looked down at Fox. "But I'll contact you."
"Yeah," Fox said sadly.
Don't cry…Don't cry…Falco told himself. Fox was his best friend, and he wasn't going to see him again for who knows how long. It was all he could do to hold back the tears.
"So I guess I'll see ya," Fox said awkwardly.
"See you," Falco replied, with effort resisting the tears that were beginning to well up in his eyes. He shook Fox's hand and ran off into the night, wondering when—or if—he would see his best friend again.