Me: THIS IS THE END!

Pittoo: *strums gitar*

Me: THIS IS THE END! ...ENJOY!


All I Wanted for Christmas…

Christmas Day.

Christmas was in full-swing. Smashers everywhere shouted and sang for joy. The kids attacked their presents and ran off to play with their toys. The villains grumbled about nuisances but nevertheless put on a "good" face for Christmas. Peach indeed got everybody a present (I stored away my new game before Pit could see). I was forced by Pit to come down and "join the celebration". Despite my protests of being down for dinner and Secret Santa, he still dragged me downstairs.

Ness ran to where I was sulking on the couch, "Dark Pit! Thanks for the baseball bats!" Lucas, wearing Lucina's gift of a blue baseball cap, followed his friend and nodded his thanks to me as well. I snorted in response. Then a green sweater with the words "Dark Pit" in a red heart appeared in my face. I leaned back in surprise. "We made this for you!" the two kids chorused, still holding up the horrid thing.

I couldn't help my eye from twitching. Was I supposed to wear that? I turned away, "No thanks."

"But…" Lucas said nervously.

"It's all right, Lucas!" Ness smiled. "I got this!" Hearing his tone made me suspicious. I looked back at him to see him holding the sweater out. It floated a few centimeters away from him. Ness held up his arms dramatically, "PK SWEATER!"

At once the sweater disappeared. I felt something warm wrap tightly around me. I looked down to see that I was now wearing the freakin' sweater! I jumped up and bonked Ness on the head, "I don't want this!" The PSI kid just sniffed from the cold and smiled. Taking Lucas's hand, he ran off laughing. I clenched my hand in anger at him before settling back on the couch. Despite my saying of not wanting the sweater, I was a little touched that Ness and Lucas actually got me something. I just wished they didn't use a heart (which was probably Lucas's idea…). A few Smashers walking by snickered at my sweater. I just glared at them.

"Nice sweater, Dark Pit," Roseclere smiled. She was not spared from my scowl. She held up her hands, "No, I really mean it. I saw how hard Ness and Lucas worked on it. I think it's nice that you decided to wear it."

"Not by my choice," I muttered. The tactician's smile grew wider. She held up a puzzle book I got for her and Robin.

"Thanks for your presents. Robin and I enjoyed solving these."

"You're welcome."

"Did you like your drums? Robin and I were pretty sure that's a better instrument than an oven."

"Hey, it was that carrot's fault for blowing up the oven, not mine."

"I know. But it's still nice to know that you like your present."

I snorted in response. I looked over to where my idiot twin was amusing everybody with his new trombone. I couldn't keep the disgust off my face at his ridiculous get-up. Pit was wearing his usual wing-mittens with their golden bells (he found my silver bells and forced them on me too). However, Palutena also got him to wear some reindeer antlers complete with a red nose.

Speak of the dev-I mean, goddess. She walked towards me. Roseclere waved good-bye before heading off. Palutena smiled at me, unaffected by my scowl, "Why so doom and gloom, Dark Pit? Lighten up! It's Christmas!" (I didn't want to show it, but I was grateful for the Raptor Claws she gave me.)

"Yeah. Can't wait for it to end."

"The exact opposite of Pit. He wished it would never end."

"Whatever, I'm leaving," I jumped from the couch to retreat to my haven. However Palutena stopped me with her hand on my shoulder.

"Dark Pit, please. Just…stay. It won't be the same without you."

I brushed her hand off, "You have Pit. You don't need me."

"We have Pit, yes. But we won't have you. It's not the same."

"It'll be the same if you have either or. Just forget about me," I muttered.

"Pittoo!" cried another voice. Pit came running towards us. He grabbed my arm, pulling me towards the other Smashers, "Come on! Diddy Kong just got new dart guns!" I tried to protest, but Palutena also pushed me from behind. I glared at her, only to have her smile back.

"Go on, Pittoo! Enjoy yourself! Oh!" Palutena planted a Santa Hat on me, "I almost forgot! Wear this!"

"What?! Why would I wear it?!"

"It's Christmas and it suits you!"

"No, it doesn't!"

"Come on, Dark Pit!" Pit laughed as he continued to drag me. "Just wear it!" I couldn't protest any further nor could I take off the hat as some Smashers began to call out greetings. They wouldn't let me take the hat off. Each time I did, a Smasher would put it back on my head. I eventually had to give up my futile efforts. I regretted giving the goddess a gift. She didn't receive it yet, but she would during dinner (Pit had to wait too, even though he pestered me all day about his gift). Gods, I wished I could take everything back.

I ended up hanging out with the other Smashers (despite how my mind was screaming at me to stop) until dinner. When dinner rolled by, I reviewed my plans. Eat dinner, give Lucina her present, escape to my room.

"Poyo!" Kirby sighed happily. I resisted the urge to shoot him. Thanks to him and King Dedede, most of our Christmas dinner ended up in their bellies. Despite Master Hand's preparation of extra food, the two Dream Landers kept eating everything. It became a mini-game trying to swipe a morsel from one of their suctions. Eventually Master Hand somehow managed to stop the two from eating everything, leaving the rest of the residents to actually fill their stomachs of a Christmas dinner.

We pretty much sat wherever we want on the rectangular dining table. Unfortunately, Pit wanted to sit next to me. I tried to leave, but Robin stopped me from going. The usual group of Ness, Lucas, Roseclere, Toon, and Lucina joined us. I waited until Pit was satisfied with his full belly before dropping a large bag of cookies on his plate. Without a second thought, Pit dove for them:

"COOKIES! THANKS, PITTOO!"

"Stop calling me that," I snarled. He ignored me and ate his cookies. He smiled brightly.

"They're delicious!" he began distributing them among our group. After taking a few bites, they also chorused their praise for the Christmas treats.

"Wow! They're really good!" Ness chomped on his third one.

"Where did you get these, Dark Pit?" Lucina asked. I shrugged.

"Wherever. Happy with your Christmas present, Pit-stain?" I crossed my arms. Pit nodded enthusiastically.

"Yup! Tastes like floor ice cream!"

"Princess Peach!" Master Hand boomed, catching everybody's attention. "Would you please present your desserts?" The Smashers all murmured in anticipation. It was obvious that everybody was looking forward to it. Their expectation made me swallow nervously. The princess nodded happily. She clapped her hands. Her Toad subordinates soon entered the room, carrying four plates of cake. Each one had a different-colored ribbon and texture, signifying different types of cake. The Toads placed three of them in front of Master Hand to cut. For the last cake decorated with a green bow, the Toads placed it in front of Palutena. She looked at the ambrosia cheesecake in surprise.

"Why is this here?" she asked Peach.

The princess giggled. Ack! Peach, don't-! I shook my head quickly at her, hoping she would get the hint.

"Pittoo made those cakes!" she revealed. Right then and there, I wanted to run up to my room and hide. An uproar rose at the new development, the Smashers clearly surprised at this new turn of events. Peach's smile widened, "In fact, I only helped him!"

"WHAT?!" every voice in the room shouted. My face turned beet red at my exposed secret. I tried to cover my face from everybody, slumping in my seat. Pit stared at me in shock.

"I didn't know you could bake, Pittoo!"

"I can't!" I tried to deny it. Nobody would believe me.

"Those cookies…" Roseclere pointed at me. "You made those too! Gods, why were you hiding this from us!? They're delicious!"

"If his cookies are this good, I can't wait to try his cake!" Toon cheered. The Smashers around me nodded in agreement, making my fear grow.

"There's a misunderstanding! I can't bake!" I held out a hand to convince them. However, nobody would listen to me. They were all too busy digging into my cakes. Peach giggled at their enthusiasm. I covered my face in shame as I heard positive reviews all around me:

"This chocolate, vanilla torte is delicious!"

"I can't get enough of this gift box cake!"

"I like the mixture of red velvet and cheesecake!"

"Give me some of that!"

"Hands off my cake!"

"Hey, Palutena! Share yours with us!"

"Nope! This is my cake only, from my sweet little Pittoo!"

"You ate too much already! Leave some for the rest of us!"

"Poyo!" hearing that statement, my head snapped up. My eyes widened in anger as Kirby started his infamous sucking. I raced over to bonk him on the head. I made it just in time; all four cakes, including Palutena's, were inches away from residing in the alternate universe known as Kirby's stomach. He looked at me with tears in his eyes. "Poyo!"

"Leave some for the others," I growled. The little puffball edged away from me. At my action, the Smashers began to laugh:

"Pittoo's being mean!"

"Haha! Dark Pit doesn't want Kirby hogging all his cakes!"

"Ah! He cares about us!"

"Shut up!" I pushed the cakes back towards them. It wasn't effective in stifling their laughter as they continued to indulge in my cakes. Frowning, I had returned to my seat after stopping Dedede from trying to suck the desserts. I was a bit ashamed, but I felt a tiny spark of happiness watching my fellow Smashers enjoy my surprise. However I soon extinguished that spark. I wished that Peach didn't reveal my involvement in baking the cakes. I thought she was going to keep her promise! She further fueled my guilt of trying to "belong". I regretted risking this stupid idea. I never should have done it. I was the lowest of clones, finding ways to "belong" on a holiday that was supposed to be celebrated by family and friends, groups I'm not a part of. How could I be so stupid?

Despite how Peach and I made the cakes as big as possible, they were soon reduced to crumbs (Kirby and Dedede tried their best to moderate their eating so that they could continue). Even Master Hand seemed satisfied (while keeping Crazy Hand from a sugar rush). He sighed and began another speech:

"Well! I think we can all agree that Dark Pit's cakes were very delicious." He was interrupted briefly by murmurs of agreement. He waited before continuing, "It was a very delightful surprise. On behalf of everybody, I would like to thank you, Dark Pit, for making this Christmas a bit more special." A couple of Smashers began to clap.

I turned away, my face still red. "Whatever," I muttered. Stop feeling these emotions, Dark Pit. Stop this right now! You shouldn't be doing this! Not if you know what's good for you and everybody else! Just give it up!

"Since dinner has been officially closed, I say it's time for our Secret Santa! EVERYBODY, to the Great Hall, please!" His please didn't sound very compromising. The Smashers rose from their chairs to follow the glove's orders. A few walked up to me, thanking me for the cakes. I looked away, avoiding their eyes. They shouldn't be doing this…no one noticed that I didn't eat any cake. I baked those cakes so they can have a nice holiday without me. I didn't even want to be around when dessert was served, let only be exposed as the "mastermind" behind it all. I felt somebody pat my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Dark Pit. But I had to," Peach smiled at me albeit a little sad.

I glared at her, "I never should have baked those cakes then."

"Don't think like that, Dark Pit! Everybody loved it!"

"Which means I never should have done it," I replied. Before she could respond, I raced to my room to get Lucina's gift. I swallowed a lump in my throat. I regretted saying those things to Peach, but I couldn't help. I had to. It was like I baked those cakes to feel like I belong, which was wrong of me to do...clones never belong.

I gently picked up the wrapped box from my desk. I took a deep breath to calm myself. Okay, just give this to Lucina and it would be all over. You can give up the false hope of "belonging" and return to the reality of a "worthless clone". Got that, Dark Pit? It's only right. It's how things were supposed to be. Know your place, Dark Pit.

I had to wipe my eyes before I could head back down for the Secret Santa.