Welcome to 'Wolf and Pit: Dearly Beloved'.

As I stated in the last chapter, the greatest Brawl of them all is about to begin. Please note that the battles will feature intense situations, ranging from emotional trauma to brutal battles. The safety barriers of the Brawl world won't apply, and so our heroes will be subject to a great deal of injuries. I'm considering the loss of two Brawlers lives now, instead of just one. No hints on the chosen ones. XD I will say this, though. If you'd like to gain extra insight on the adventure, just think of the climax for each Sailor Moon season. Use another anime's climax if you're unfamiliar with that one.

For those of you that were wondering, Merlee did play a significant role in the downfall of several relationships. She was not alone, however. The Dawn Goddess sent Merlee into Delfino Plaza, knowing full well that she'd bring two Brawlers to their breaking points. Can any of you guess who the Goddess is?

Thank you, as always, for reading!


"I value all life."

He received those words during a critical point in his life, and he never forgot them. They plastered themselves onto his mind, forever locking themselves within his fingers. They had engrained themselves onto his soul, forever locking the face of their deliverer within his mind. As soon as those words were spoken to him, a massive jolt occurred inside of his heart. His life had changed for the better, and his heart went out to the one that liberated him. It was rather ironic, though, to know that his liberator had been his target. He had been sent out to destroy the very same one that rescued him!

He had spent his life as a paid mercenary, following those that wished to utilize his battle prowess. For years on end, he devoted himself to meaningless tasks and empty wishes. He was every bit the perfectionist, making sure everything went according to plan. He demanded the greatest pay, but gave no hostility towards his superior. If anything excited him, it wasn't the money. The money was merely used to fill an empty void. The adrenaline stood as his sole inspiration, pushing him into missions he shouldn't have engaged in. Thus, his position in the Star Wolf team. He allowed adrenaline to lead him by the hands, never looking or paying heed to anything else around him.

Sure, he'd pick up things from time to time. Sure, he expelled Pigma Dengar for his selfish behavior. Sure, he was thoroughly annoyed with the devilish pig's intentions. But he paid no heed to his own decisions, when they were made outside of a mission. When it came to matters of the heart, he was pretty much deaf. He knew nothing of smiles, didn't know what it was like to cherish a real family, and certainly knew nothing of love. But when those particular words came along, all of that changed.

He didn't know how to identify it at first. As a matter of fact, he still didn't know how to identify it. To him, love was an arduous series of pangs. It throttled him, choked him, held him by the neck and wrestled him to the ground. It caused his chest to burn at times, blurred his vision and filled his mind with a vicious rainstorm. It made breathing difficult at times, which would irritate him to no end. It had a series of irritating side effects, but when it came right down to it, he couldn't live without it. He couldn't live without the flame that dwelled deep within his heart. And so he knew he had to protect it. At any cost.

Which explained his descent from Ganondorf's chamber. He knew he couldn't side with Link's lifelong villain any longer. The beast might have been able to bring his dreams to life, but there had to be another way. There had to be a different way to capture a certain someone's heart. Besides, if he didn't appreciate Pigma's ways, why should he treat Ganondorf differently? The King of Evil was far worse than the bitter, scornful swine. The monster's intentions were devilish, pretty much demonic. Through his hands, the greatest calamity was going to fall-and it was going to affect every other Brawler in the worst ways imaginable. Two Brawlers, in particular, were in mortal danger. Their names weren't Link and Zelda, either.

To top it all off, he had given Ganondorf his assistance. He had taught the King a few things, giving him a hand in his matters. So, due to his efforts, Ganondorf had grasped the ability to revive the worst beasts imaginable. He shuddered, thinking of how he had helped Hyrule's hated magician. 'Shame' was a poor word when it came to how Wolf O'Donnell felt. Something greater than regret was pouring through him, and he would have given anything to shake it off. How could he assist someone-something-so cruel? How could he help someone unleash bloodshed and calamity? It was too much to think about-almost too painful to think about.

There was a silver lining to this, though. For the first time in his life, he was allowing his conscience to hold the reigns. Power and wealth were no longer of any importance. All he could think about was the horror he had assisted, a particular sentence and a certain face. Escaping from the enigmatic, dank realm of Ganondorf was an excruciatingly difficult task, especially when his mind was clouded by frantic thoughts. No longer could he be a paid servant. No longer would he stand for any of this! He had to help the others!

Leaving was tremendously difficult, unfortunately. The King had sentinels at every corner, and they weren't your run-of-the-mill security guards. They weren't even human. Cloned beasts they were, bearing massive sets of red eyes and slimy bodies. Ready to kill at a second's notice, they awaited prey with ever glowing eyes. Tongues rolled from their mouths, waiting to pick up the scent of crimson rainfall. Wolf couldn't stop shuddering, catching the looks on their faces.

I don't believe this. They're excited! They're actually excited about killing! And to think that I brought all of this to the surface! I helped him bring all of this to life!

Sneaking about the halls, he expressed silent appreciation towards his training. His skills were parallel to a certain pilot's, giving him the ability to stand as an effective spy. Much to his surprise, though, the sentinels weren't picking up his scent. Surely creatures like that could smell fear. As much as he wanted to hide it, Wolf couldn't conceal the existence of anxiety. For all he knew, Ganondorf was right around the next corner. Or he could possibly be at the exit. It would have been his great luck kicking in.

Twenty minutes. Ah. At last, this harrowing experience would come to an end. The exit was right in front of him, with no obstacle in sight. The harrowing rows of sentinels had come to an end, leaving him to himself. His ears rose, carried into the air by excitement. "Hold on, dear rival of mine." he whispered, eyes twinkling with anticipation. "I'm comin' for ya."

And so, Wolf O'Donnell forgot one of the most important rules of all: always expect the unexpected.

In no more than a few seconds, a colossal entity fell in front of him. It wasn't Ganondorf, but it might as well have been. As soon as his eyes fell upon it, his heart rocketed to the pits of his stomach. Ears fell flat, and eyes widened to their limits.

The creature possessed five sets of fangs, a titanic tongue and black wings. The entity's entire body was black, shining with the demonic magic of an obsidian moon. It was difficult to see its eyes, but one with half a brain could detect its excitement towards killing. Wolf could certainly smell its ecstasy, and realized his position. If the creature cried out, it would bring about a great deal of its friends. Or possibly Ganondorf. Either way, the future wasn't too bright.

Seconds passed. The entity roared-he pulled out his gun and fired off a few rounds-the beast knocked his weapon out of his hands-and he found himself pinned to the ground, head suffering from an intense wound. How did he come to receive it? One could not even wonder the possible answer, since its delivery had come about in a blur. Several more wounds were added to that, as the creature began to explore the body of his prey. He grunted, feeling its claws pierce his insides. Seconds passed before those grunts transformed into cries, which were issued against his own will. Never before had he allowed himself to cry out, and now he couldn't help it. Couldn't stop it.

So he gave in. Gave in to the beast's hands of fate. Gave into the cries that were torn from his wrecked, bloodied body. Gave into the emotions he had ignored his entire life.

And thought of only one person: Fox.

"Unleash that creature, unholy vermin, or you shall feel my wrath!"

Stunned by the presence of another, the creature removed its attention from the mortally wounded Wolf. Wolf, through small slits, eyed the one that had spoken. He was looking through clouded sheets of crimson rain and pain, but somehow he managed to capture a meek glimpse of his rescuer. It was obviously male, for the words were spoken in a rather deep voice, and he had a white glow about him. There was a smaller one at his side, enshrouded in its own aura. The two of them appeared to have some sort of tail...it was hard to see, especially since his eyes were closing...couldn't stay open any longer...

The next thing he heard was a 'mew'. Exerting every last bit of energy, he eyed the creature at his side. It gave off another happy 'mew', then covered his body in white light. Before he could inquire about its movements, he felt himself falling straight into a blanket of white darkness. The last thing he saw was a certain pilot's smile, and within his mind's eye, he spoke these last words.

Prince Marth...Solid Snake...

Fox...

I'm sorry.


"It pains me to even think that you've given your heart to a mortal. A heartless one at that! It shames me to say this, but I believed you possessed a greater depth of wisdom. These circumstances have proved me wrong, Pit, and I do apologize. I apologize for placing so much faith into my lifelong captain!"

Pit cringed, standing before the one and only Palutena. He had requested an audience with her, due to his overwhelming distress with a certain swordsman. For a moment he actually believed she would assist him with his predicament, but as soon as he stepped inside of her throne room, every bit of enthusiasm vanished. He was now a shivering child, standing before a parent that bore no ends to their anger. The parent, in this particular picture, was rather disgusted by the picture that stood before her. She had placed a hand on her forehead, giving greater depth to her frustration.

"Do not get me wrong. I do love you, my dear Pit, and hearts shall always be one. I am merely shocked at your choice for a lover. I truly thought you'd choose an individual with better qualities. I was also hoping that you'd give your heart to one of your fellow angels."

Tearful, Pit opened his mouth to speak. He sought for a suitable response, but was left with none. Sadly he closed his mouth, wings sagging and heart falling further in a black abyss. Seeing the look on his face, Palutena softened her tone. "Do you not know of his past, little one?" she said soothingly, not at all comfortable with her captain's demeanor. He lifted his head at those words, eyes filled with both shock and confusion.

"He's hiding himself due to a broken love. He believes not in the light you possess, but in the light of solitary confinement."

"Wait a minute! What are you talking about, my lady?! What happened?! What happened to Ike?!"

She laughed. Pit was always an excitable one. The Dawn Goddess made a good choice when she invited him to Peach's castle. "He wasn't raised in the arms of loving parents, my dear captain. He knew nothing of the light we carry, due to the environment he was born in. He had no mother, but only a father-and that guardian gave him no sign of affection. He was taught to conceal all emotions from the eyes of others, for he believed emotions held no significance to the greater scheme of things. They were empty, meaningless, shallow devices that only intercepted in the ways of war. Those were the beliefs of Ike's father, and so Ike inherited those same values."

By this point, Pit was absolutely horrified. Her heart melted at his facial expression, and she read his thoughts. "How?" the captain said, his voice barely above a whisper. "How? How could he...how could that happen?" he repeated, falling to his knees in tears. "That's not...that's not fair! That's not fair at all! That's not even true!"

"Your mortal cherished a childhood friend, but hesitated in giving his heart to the other. Once he attained enough strength to confess his feelings, their unborn love was killed...right before his very eyes. He was forced to hold the body of his dying lover, broken and left alone in the rain. He vowed to never again open his heart...regardless of the circumstances."

A hiccup fell out of Pit's mouth. He lowered his head, then buried it between his knees. His wings lost every bit of their light, clinging to his cold frame. "So...there's no hope." he said, dewdrops falling out of his eyes. "There's no hope. He...he won't...it won't happen. He'll...he'll..."

Palutena put forth more laughter. "He'll never see you? Oh, I'm not so sure about that. His heart wishes to find yours, little one. He does love you, but at the same time...he wishes to push you away. He believes you'll suffer the same fate as his first lover and father."

There were more words to speak, but Pit popped right up from the ground. "It won't happen!" he vowed, speaking not only to Palutena but to Ike as well. "It won't happen! I promise it won't happen! I'll be careful! I can take care of myself, and I'll protect him as well! I'll...I'll..."

Tears overwhelmed him, causing him to cover his face in his hands. "Ike..."

Ike...Ike...why didn't you just say anything? You could have said something...and I would have listened! Why did you lie to me?! I would have helped...I would have...I wouldn't have left!

I won't go away, I promise! I won't die! I'll be near you, always! I can love you, Ike, and you won't have to worry! Ever! Even if I...even if I...

"So easy to read." a female said softly, her voice even more gentle than a Summer breeze. "You wish to become mortal, do you not?"

Without the slightest bit of hesitation, tears overflowing, Pit nodded.

So much courage. You have the greatest courage, my beloved captain. Here you stand before me, in a world you've always known, and yet you're ready to forfeit everything. All for the one you love.

"I pose a challenge to you. If you bestow the kiss of true light upon your heart mate, your rights to the angelic realm will be nullified. You shall earn the capability to share your life with Ike...as a human. Please remember this, my dear Pit. The kiss must contain every ray of light that resides within your heart. If there is anything less, your dreams will not come true. This can only be performed once, but that should be all you need."

Eyes radiant with a combination of hope and feverish excitement, Pit opened his mouth to speak. Palutena shook her head, then playfully brushed off his words with the wave of her hand. "I tire of this." she said wearily, then executed a sigh. "Go now. Leave me to my existence, and shed your light elsewhere. Give it to the mortal you seek. I need no more of it!"

"Okay! I will! And...thank you...Mother. I love you...always. Thank you."

She gasped, but found that her captain was already making his exit. With a cheery 'bye!', Pit, withdrew himself from her chambers...leaving her with a sorrowful smile.

"I fear...that your heart might be broken."

I love you too, Pit. I shall always love you.


He rubbed at his eyes, returning to a world of ivory white walls. Cobalt blue bed linen sat upon his frame, conjuring thoughts of a bed. That's right. He was still inside of the sick bay. He had been in there for quite some time now, sobbing his eyes out. Crying, sobbing, wondering, hoping, contemplating, dreaming. Dreaming of someone he missed. Dearly.

With gentle whimpers, he continued to rub at his eyes. His eyes fluttered open, and his hands slowly dropped to his sides. He was immediately welcomed to a world of giggling Waddle Dees, who were clearly amused with something. And as always, their leader was trying to shut them all up. But something was different this morning. It was like the Waddle Dees were trying to keep...some sort of secret?

"How many times do I have to tell you all to keep your yaps shut?! For cryin' out loud, we can't let him suspect anything! You're all no good at keeping surprises! Remind me to never share details on Kirby's birthday party with you!"

A smile blossomed across his warm, ethereal features. Although his heart was still burdened with much pain, he couldn't resist a bit of happiness. "What are you all trying to keep?" he asked, surprising the daylights out of King Dedede. "Can I be let in on it? I do love secrets!"

"NO! YOU'RE THE LAST PERSON WE NEED TO TELL! YOU CAN'T KNOW ABOUT ANYTHING BECAUSE IT'S TOP SECRET!"

Prince Marth put on a frown that drenched the room in syrup. King Dedede patted at his mouth, just to make sure his teeth were still there. "Phooey on you, then." the prince pouted, folding his arms.

The bird sighed, shaking his head with a smile. "How are ya feelin'? Any better, Your High and Mighty Majesticness? I sure hope so. You've been cryin' even in your sleep!"

Marth's melodious voice was soft. Gentle.

"That's because I've...I've been..."

I've been missing him.

Whimpering, tears rising, he closed his eyes. A second passed before large hands patted his tears away, accompanied by a glowing smile. "Come on now." the bird said merrily, using his hands to form a smile on Marth's face. At the touch of his friend's hands, the prince chuckled and playfully pushed them away.

"No more cryin'! I'm surprised you haven't flooded us out by now, for cryin' out loud! And besides, he won't like to see so many tears when he comes back! He likes it when you smile!"

"When who comes back?" Marth asked, eyes holding the aura of a bewildered infant.

"Oops! Never mind that. Slip of the tongue, that's all! Hahahahaha!"

Another frown fell upon the Altean's face, and King Dedede wasn't comfortable with it.

I've heard of this. I did my homework on this guy, and his Brawl profile told me everything I need to know! The last season's recap helped plenty, too! I remember everything I read! Marth's sugary-sweet, full of cuteness and hates being left out of the loop! I shouldn't have said anything! Me and my dumb mouth!

Marth said a few more things, pretty much drowning the entire kingdom in sugar. King Dedede continued to beat himself over the head with his own hammer, and then the Altean presented a question.

"May I see him?"

"Him? Him who?!"

"You know, silly. Him. I'd...I'd like to see him, please. I'd...I'd like to talk with him. I need to see him." the Altean explained, wrapping his arms around himself. A pitiful replacement for a certain pair of arms, but it was all he could do.

Waddle Dees stopped their laughing, placing all of their eyes on their exalted leader. King Dedede wilted under the pressure, frantically searching for a response.

"Well...uh...you can't. That's right-you can't!"

"Why?"

"Because he...uh...he's...out on vacation! That's right!"

At those words, the Waddle Dees broke out into another fit of uproarious laughter. Marth put on a gentle scowl, playfully glaring at the sick bay's chieftain.

"What?! Don't believe me?! He really is out on vacation! I swear! Cross my heart and hope to die! He is he is he is! Honest!"

"Don't take me for a fool. You're nervous. And your assistants are laughing! What's so amusing about a vacation?"

At that very moment, Red walked straight into the fray. Ready to ask for a batch of Pokemon food, he looked right at King Dedede-but the bird turned him to face Marth. "Help me!" the bird whispered into the Pokemon Trainer's ears.

"Red, can you tell me where my beloved Snake is? Please? I'd like to see him, very much! My other comrades refuse to help me!"

"Well...uh...I...he...he's...he went out to...uh...play tennis!"

"Nice going." a certain bird groaned, nudging Red in the ribs. Red scratched the back of his neck nervously, laughing.

"That's right! He's out...uh, playing tennis! We've got some nice courts here, and uh...um..."

The softhearted prince bristled, eyes aflame with determination. "That's preposterous. Solid Snake's not the type to engage in that form of sport!"

"Anyone wanna take classes on how to lie better?" King Dedede whispered to his helpless comrade.

Standing right outside of their room, another Brawler waited for his chance.

Via the Great Fairy's wishes, the little Brawler was about to aid the prince in his wish.

Marth wouldn't be left out of the loop much longer.


Who's the Brawler awaiting Marth's presence?! It certainly isn't Ness or Lucas! How's Marth going to react once he finds out about Solid Snake's trials?! Just where is our band of brave knights going?! Will anyone survive the ordeals?! Will Pit give Ike 'The Kiss of Light', or will Palutena's fears come to life?! What about Wolf? And who were Wolf O'Donnell's rescuers?! Mr. Game and Watch is going to assist another Brawler. Just who is it?!

Stay tuned for more action, ladies and gentlemen!