Fox lead Peach back into her room, hand in hand, where the worried pair of Samus and Zelda were sitting on the princess' bed, anxiously awaiting their friend's return.

"If you two don't mind," Fox began, focusing his gaze on the galactic bounty and the princess of Hyrule, "would you go check on Luigi? I'm worried about him."

"We wouldn't mind at all," Zelda responded. She and Samus rose from their places, gave Peach reassuring smiles, and rushed out of Peach's bedroom in Luigi's direction.

Fox then motioned the Mushroom Kingdom's princess out to the balcony; she rushed to the railing and looked down at her own birthday celebrations.

"It's all for you, Princess," Fox voiced with a tone of endearment after joining her. "The balloons, the streamers, that street fair that's happening this evening..."

"The Kingdom Walk," Peach interrupted, "but how is this supposed to lighten my mood?!" Her voice was a lot angrier than she intended.

"It may not be my business," the Star Fox commander commenced, "but what happened?"

Peach proceeded to tell her dear friend and, in this moment, saviour, about Mario's unfaithful deed. By the time she was finished telling her story, two steady rivers of tears had started to flow down Peach's face.

"Mario doesn't know what he's missing," Fox stated. "I mean, who wouldn't be absolutely head-over-heels for you? You're rather beautiful, you care about everyone you meet, you're the best conversationalist in the galaxy, you're an excellent...friend." Fox gently bit his tongue, then let out a sigh. "You're the greatest friend anyone could ever wish for."

Peach looked into the vulpine eyes that belonged to the only guy that had seen her this vulnerable. They were the most calming shade of green, yet there was a sliver of pain visible.

"Is something wrong?" Peach asked, placing a gentle hand onto one of Fox's own. "I can see it in your eyes."

Fox was silent for what seemed like an eternity. "It's nothing, really," he finally answered, then quickly changed the subject. "Let's get the others and enjoy your birthday."

As if on cue, Zelda, Samus, and Luigi walked through the doors connecting the balcony to Peach's bedroom. Luigi had stopped crying, but his eyes were still puffy and red.

After a small assurance that everything was okay, the group of five exited the Mushroom Kingdom's princess' room, traveled down several staircases, and finally made it outside to the festivities.

Around every corner, Peach would get a "Happy birthday" and, quite often, a present, especially if the person in question knew her well enough or was a loyal subject to her, but present or no present, she would get a reassuring smile.

"Thank you," she would say, "but you didn't really need to. I have enough as it is." Her modesty was ignored, however, as each individual would hold out the gift until Peach physically accepted it. By the time the group had arrived at the main fountain where all of the competitors of the "Smash Bros." tournaments were, the princess' friends were each carrying a mass of wrapped boxes. Even Peach herself had enough that she had to peer over her stacks of mystery gifts to see where she was going.

"Happy birthday, Peach!" The majority of the Smashers greeted as she, Fox, Zelda, Luigi, and Samus set down all of the presents.

"That's a lot of presents you got there, Peach," Falco exclaimed, closely observing the vast amount of colourfully wrapped boxes, added with the occasional envelope here and there.

Peach didn't respond. She noticed something, or rather, someone, who wasn't in the crowd when she looked down from her balcony.

Mario. Her boyfriend, the cheater. Her lover, the backstabber. Her Romeo, the Benedict Arnold.

Tears were caught in her throat. She didn't want to cry; everyone else would want to know what was wrong. Yes, Peach was extremely upset with Mario, but her too-kind nature didn't want the rest of the Smashers to gang up on him and make him regret what he did the hard way. Especially Bowser.

Before she could let out a whimper, Peach felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She turned her head, and locked gazes with Fox. His eyes were witnessing her pain; feeling it, even. Peach tried to pull on a fake smile, but Fox was aware, for his eyes spoke to her. "I'll always be here," they said. "It's okay to not be okay. These people are your friends, and they deserve to know."

Peach looked at the other "Smash Bros." contestants, who all had concerned looks on their faces, inhaled deeply, and said, "Mario cheated on me. With Daisy."