"Dad, can we get a pokémon?"

"Maybe when you're older."

"What's the harm, grandpa?" Bowser nudged Ganodorf in the ribs. "I had one when I was his age."

"What kind?" Zelda asked. She was sitting at the living room table and sweeping up the crumbs of the cake Peach had brought over.

"A Charizard. He was unstoppable!"

"I had a Bisharp," Samus interjected.

"I had a Flygon," Peach said.

They all looked at Zelda expectantly.

"I had a Gengar," she finally said.

"A cute princess like you?" Bowser raised an eyebrow.

Zelda crossed her arms over her chest. "I was actually a really serious trainer."

Peach snorted laughter. "Girl, don't front. Serious trainers don't hide behind status effects."

"Oh yeah? You want to go settle this at the gym?"

"You're on, sister."

Samus clapped her hands together. "The loser pays for drinks!"

Ganondorf and Bowser watched as the girls jumped down off the veranda and disappeared into the alley between their houses. Link had picked up his foam sword and was waving it at Junior, who batted it away while pretending to roar like a dragon.

"Didn't you have a pet as a kid?" Bowser asked.

"I've got one now," Ganondorf smirked, rubbing the back of Bowser's mohawk.

Bowser scowled. "Hey Link!" he called out. "Your dad just asked me what sort of pokémon you want!"

"I want a Pikachu!" Link yelled, launching himself at Ganondorf, who caught him before his feet could land on his stomach.

Junior walked over and climbed into Bowser's lap. "Can I get a pokémon too?"

"I don't see why not. Which one would you like?"

Junior considered the question. "A Bulbasaur, maybe."

Bowser hugged him and tickled under his arms. "Fine choice!"

Junior shrieked and jumped up. "I'm going on a pokémon quest!" he announced. Link ran after him, shouting, "I'm gonna be a hero!"

Ganondorf gritted his teeth. "What have you done."

"Calm down. Now you've got something to promise them if they're good."

"Do you think those two terrors will ever be responsible enough to go on their own jouney?"

"It doesn't matter. Responsible or not, kids need adventures."

Ganondorf leaned over and touched his lips to the line where Bowser's beard met the skin of his throat. "Adults need adventures too."

"You wanna go somewhere?"

"In a manner of speaking."

Bowser turned his head and brought his mouth down against Ganondorf's.

"Can we go get our pokémon tomorrow?"

Link and Junior were standing in the doorway. They wore knotted bath towels around their necks and had drawn war paint on their faces with magic marker.

Ganondorf waved his hand at them. "Fine," he grunted. "Go ride your bikes." They cheered and ran outside, slamming the front door behind them.

Bowser laughed under his breath. "Now you've done it. You're in for a world of trouble."

Ganondorf smiled and placed his hand on Bowser's belt buckle. "I know all about trouble."

Bowser slid a claw down Ganondorf's chest, slicing his shirt open. "Those kids aren't going to stay small and cute forever. Do you think you know enough about trouble to keep them in line?"

"Are you volunteering to stick around and help?"

Bowser lowered his hand. "I can help with all sorts of things."

Ganondorf covered Bowser's hand with his own and forced it over his head as he pressed his knee between Bowser's thighs. With his other hand he began unbuttoning Bowser's shirt. "Then join me. Live here with me."

Bowser looked up at him, challenging him with his eyes. "That sounds too easy. Aren't we the bad guys?"

"Together we will outlive more heroes than you can imagine," Ganondorf said, and kissed him.