[A/N] I know I said that, in a sense, "In Another Life" was my first fanfic - but this was my first intentional fanfic. I wrote this about a year ago when I was rediscovering Super Smash Bros. Brawl and, as a consequence, reading way too much fanfiction about the game.

All of my SSBB overload got me thinking. I have never really been fond of the Mario-Peach pairing; it's okay, but it's not my cup of tea. Snake, on the other hand, is my favorite character to play as in-game and Peach is probably a close second. They also happen to be pretty much polar opposites... which is probably why I think they would make an interesting couple.

Unfortunately, almost no one else has written Peach-Snake fanfiction. Therefore, I'm writing some. :) Enjoy!

[DISCLAIMER] I do not own SSBB or any of its characters or related trademarks, etc., etc. If I did, I would make the soundtrack available.


CHAPTER I - The Party Pact

Princess Zelda of Hyrule surveyed the rapidly filling ballroom with satisfaction and more than a little awe. Under the direction of her good friend Princess Peach and herself – and with the help of a crew of volunteer Smashers – it had been completely transformed for the celebration.

The long velvet drapes were drawn back from the open floor-to-ceiling windows, letting the cool evening breeze float in and toy with the crystals on the stately chandelier. Pit and Meta Knight had draped cobalt and hunter green streamers from the wooden beams of the high, vaulted ceiling. Six circular tables with chairs were set up on the floor, each with a small vase of flowers in the center. The long buffet table was piled high with delicious appetizers, and of course, the massive layer cake that was traditional for the end-of-tournament-season party. A platform at the far end, constructed by King Dedede and some Waddle Dees, hosted a microphone and three gleaming trophies for the third, second, and first-place winners of that year's tournament. On the stone wall behind it, three enormous banners of those victors – Donkey Kong, Sonic, and for the first time, Luigi – hung proudly.

Zelda snapped her fingers and a scroll of paper materialized in her hand. She unrolled it and carefully consulted her last-minute checklist. There was one item left:

Make sure that the warning sign is hung in a prominent place by the bar.

At first, the princess had been wary of allowing the bar (a recent addition to the establishment) to be open during the celebration. There were, after all, quite a few minors in attendance and she had shuddered to think of what would happen if Ness, Lucas (or worse, Toon Link), consumed alcohol. But she and the would-be drinkers among them had come to an agreement that a sign reading "Humanoids Must Be 21 or Older to Order or Drink Alcohol" was to be posted.

She strode over to the small corner bar, her heels tapping on the hardwood floor. A bow tie-wearing Lucario was behind the counter, polishing shot glasses with quiet grace. Fox and Falco, both looking dashing in jumpsuits and high-collared jackets, were whirling around on two barstools, chatting animatedly.

(Zelda was pleased to see that the sign was securely taped to a piece of wood paneling on the back bar. She conjured a fountain pen and crossed the item off her list.)

"Well, if it isn't the good-lookin' lady who made all this possible." Falco let his spinning stool come to a stop and leaned back against the counter. "How goes it?"

"Everything's looking good, thank you. Did you and Fox finish wiring the microphone and the speakers yet?"

"Less than five minutes ago," Fox admitted. "Someone –" he stared pointedly at his avian friend "– misplaced a screwdriver by the dessert tray and we had to get Kirby to cough it up."

"For the record, I redeemed myself!" Falco put in. "I was the one who convinced the marshmallow to give it back!"

"In any case," Fox continued. "Everything's working now... hopefully. Our volunteer DJ, Mr. Game & Watch, wanted to set up his own equipment, so I can't make a solid guarantee that it'll work."

"Thank you for the warning." Zelda glanced at her list and crossed off another item. "By the way, do either of you know if there are any Smashers who won't be in attendance tonight?"

"Well, let me think..." Falco said thoughtfully. "Other than Snake, who almost never shows up for these things, I believe everyone else is coming."

"No, Olimar left early this morning for Hocotate," Fox interrupted. "Apparently, he had some family business to take care of. Jigglypuff and Bowser are still in the hospital wing. And Wolf may not be coming simply because we're here."

"And because he got utterly crushed by Pikachu in the third round," added Falco gleefully. "I'll never let him forget that one."

Zelda smiled to herself. "Thank you for your help." She crossed out the last item on her list and the paper crinkled itself up, flying into the wastepaper basket behind the counter.

"Anytime, Princess." Falco winked and raised his glass.

Zelda turned around and scanned the scene behind her. Most of the Smashers were in the ballroom by now, mingling on the area that had been cleared for a dance floor. The princess was relieved to see that most had paid attention to the note she had made on the invitations:

Formal Dress Only

Because of this added variable, it took a little longer than usual for her to pick out Smashers from the crowd. Most of the males had opted for tuxedos or more formal variants of their usual outfits. Even Wario had made an effort to squeeze himself into a garishly checkered suit and a matching boater hat, and Ganondorf looked more menacing than usual in a dramatic, silk-lined cape and black armor inlaid with silver.

As for Zelda, she was wearing a gown of regal purple satin. The fabric of the full skirt had been artfully gathered into bunches held by rose-shaped clusters of pale gemstones, and a leaved branch made of the same stones extended across the chest. Pale gold opera gloves covered her arms, and the matching choker around her neck was fastened with a jeweled brooch in the shape of the Triforce. The princess's hair was elaborately curled and had been put up in a cascade of brunette tresses with a few strands framing her elegant face. A small golden circlet on her brow held the whole thing together.

Thinking about her attire made her remember a conversation she'd had just the previous day with Peach and Samus…

"Have either of you made up your mind about what you're going to be wearing tomorrow night?" Zelda took a delicate sip of her tea. A little too warm, perhaps, but just what she needed to start her morning off right.

Samus sighed and stretched, lithe and catlike. As usual, more than a few heads turned towards their customary table on the terrace. "No. I was thinking I'd head over to the mainland today to find something."

"Why the delay?"

"I haven't decided whether I'll wear a dress or my good Zero Suit."

"You always wear that to the celebrations," Peach said, looking up from filing her nails. "Why not a dress? You'd look amazing in one."

"That's the problem. I'd rather not be ogled even more than I already am."

Zelda saw her point. With the three of them being the only eligible females on the (recently restored) Isle of the Ancients, there was a lot of competition between the male Smashers for a date. The Hylian princess had solved that problem long ago when she and Link started dating, but for the curvaceous Samus, it was still a hassle.

"I can't believe that someone like you can take on Space Pirates and all manner of terrifying enemies, but can't even wear a dress without fear," chided Peach playfully.

Samus didn't take that very well. "You're one to talk. Modest pink ball gowns hardly count as 'daring.'"

"Enough, you two." Zelda held up one hand jokingly – but then the gesture turned into something a little more serious as an idea took hold of her. "How about both of you branch out for tomorrow night? Peach: you're not allowed to wear anything remotely like your normal garb. And Samus: it has to be some kind of dress."

"Promise that you'll wear something different as well?" asked Samus.

"Of course. I already have it in my closet."

The bounty huntress nodded. "Sure. How about you, Peach? I never thought I'd ask this, but…" she grimaced "…will you come shopping with me?"

"Of course." The blonde princess smiled. "Maybe you can help me find something."

"It won't be as hard as you think. I don't think anyone other than you even wears puffed sleeves on full-length dresses anymore."

Zelda smiled gratefully into her tea.

"Zelda!"

The princess jerked herself out of her thoughts and looked up to see Samus Aran striding towards her on six-inch burgundy pumps. Her exaggeratedly hourglass form was clothed in a skintight ruby dress with long sleeves and a short hemline. Long, straight blonde hair, out of its customary ponytail, fell around her exposed shoulders in a glossy wave and chandelier earrings glistened within it.

"Samus!" Zelda hugged her friend and then stepped back to admire her outfit. "You look absolutely stunning."

"Thanks." The tall blonde glanced over her shoulder. On the edge of the crowd, a white- tuxedoed Captain Falcon (Zelda was mildly surprised to see him without his helmet) was blatantly staring at her shapely legs. "As expected…"

"I've noticed. But trust me: it's better than the Zero Suit for this."

"You're probably right," Samus admitted as the two made their way to an unoccupied table. "As clingy as this is, the fabric's a hell of a lot more breathable." She sat in a chair and crossed one leg over the other. "You look nice. Less elf-y."

"Thank you," Zelda said dryly. "It took a lot of effort. To find the dress, I mean."

"I can believe that." Samus grimaced. "Who knew dress shopping was so difficult? I had to try on more than twenty dresses and that was just to find one that fit me in the chest and hips. This one –" she gestured towards her frock " – had to be taken in at the waist, but I think it was worth the extra money."

"It suits you, though." Zelda suddenly remembered the other Smasher that she had dared yesterday. "How did Peach fare?"

"She gave me some great input, but she was too thin for most of the dresses in the boutique." The bounty huntress shrugged sympathetically. "She went off on her own while I was waiting for the tailor to finish with my dress and came back with a package just before I left."

"What did it look like?" The princess leaned forward eagerly.

"No clue. I wanted to see it, but she wouldn't let me. I have a horrible feeling that it's some shade of pink."

"Are you doubting that she'll fulfill her side of the bet?"

"Kind of. Don't get me wrong," Samus amended, seeing Zelda's shocked expression, "I can't deny that Peach is a very kind and caring person and... unusually patient, but she's not exactly one to take risks –"

She turned her head a little and suddenly gasped in astonishment. The princess followed her gaze and froze in wonder.

Peach stood under the arched doorway of the ballroom. She wore an strapless ivory lace dress with a contrasting bustier of black lace, tied at the waist with a ribbon of the same color. The skirt fell to her knees, but tapered at the back into a small train. On her feet were peep-toe kitten heels of ebony leather. Her blonde hair was swept back behind her ears and was partially held up by a delicate clip that was set with pink diamonds. All of her jewelry – the stud earrings, the small necklace, the bracelet around one slender wrist – matched her hairpiece.

She looked startlingly beautiful and as the petite princess hesitantly minced into the ballroom, all eyes were on her.