Chapter 13: Epilogue

"Hey…" Peach said suddenly, looking around, "where's the little mousey?"

"Pi?" Pikachu asked, confused.

"Not you, the other one," she clarified.

"Pichu!" Shadow realized suddenly. "Where's Pichu?"

The smashers looked around, calling for the small Pokemon, to no avail. Finally, Falcon uttered a sad cry, and the smashers gathered to see Pichu's corpse.

As the smashers mourned, the small group of remaining action figures gathered to grieve the death of their leader.

"I can't believe he's gone!" Jean Grey sobbed.

"I know," Spiderman comforted. "He was like a father to me."

"He was like a father to all of us," Superman put in. "How are we ever going to replace him?"

"I think I may have an idea," Juvenor replied.

The smashers, meanwhile, had finished mourning and burying Pichu and went on to find Master Hand, who had been unconscious since Morphshadow had knocked him out. In a large pile of rubble, they eventually found a white finger sticking out. DK, Bowser, and Ganondorf hurriedly removed all of the rocks. Master Hand groaned.

"Wha-what'd I miss?" he stammered. Noticing the lack of a gargantuan battle in the background, he asked, "D-did we w-win?"

"Yep," Mario responded happily. "Area you OKa?"

"Not really," the glove answered. "Where's everybody?"

"Over there-" Ness began.

"They're celebrating," DK replied gravely.

"What's wrong?" Master Hand asked, noticing DK's somber tone.

"Apocalypse," Zelda began, but could not finish.

"He's dead," Falco stated.

Master Hand floated still in shock for a moment. "Dead?"

"Yes. Anomaly's final attack drained all of his life energy, which was enough to deplete Apocalypse's as well," Clyne reported.

For probably the first time, Master Hand was speechless.

"Congratulations, guys," Juvenor said to Balendin and Gerick. "You fought very well considering your lack of practice."

"It's natural," Gerick replied, grinning. "You were pretty good yourself."

"Not good enough," Juvenor shook his head, looking at the other toys. "I just can't believe he's gone…"

"Hey! What's your great idea?" Emperor Zurg shouted angrily.

Juvenor turned around angrily. "I'll tell you, if you'll be patient!" he shouted.

"So what will you do now that the war's over, Master Hand?" Fox asked.

"I don't know," Master Hand replied. "I guess I'll just hang around my dimension."

"Just don't get bored and hold another tournament!" Link joked. The smashers laughed.

Master Hand looked around gravely. "It'll be hard to find a leader like Apocalypse. Oh, hello, Juvenor."

Clyne turned to see Juvenor approaching the glove and the smashers.

"Juvenor," Clyne greeted. "Sorry about before."

"It was understandable," Juvenor replied. "Don't worry about it."

Then, the gun-toting action figure turned to Master Hand.

"I don't know you as well as the other toys around here, Master Hand, but I've seen you fight, and I've seen you talk to the smashers. I can't think of anyone who is better suited to be our leader."

Master Hand was stunned. "Me?"

"Of course, you," Shadow said, approaching. "You kept Sonic from killing me; what other qualifications do you need?"

After enjoying a good laugh, Master Hand continued, "Well, I'm flattered, but-"

"What but?" Marth protested. "You just told us you had nothing planned!"

"You didn't let me finish. I'm flattered, but I'm going to need a vice-leader."

Shadow stepped forward. "I recommend Juvenor," he said frankly.

"Me, too," Master Hand said with a smile in his voice. "Juvenor, would you?"

"I'd love too," came the reply.

Shadow raced over the group of survivors. He cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention. "Presenting…the new leader-"

"And vice-leader," Juvenor whispered.

"-And vice leader, of this dimension: the greatest father-and-son team in our history: Master Hand and Juvenor!"

Loud cheers erupted from the crowd, as the smashers applauded happily.

"Well, back to mountain climbing," Nana sighed. "Popo, you're coming with me, aren't you?"

"Of course!"

"Well," Game & Watch sighed, "Back to Flat Zone."

"Isn't it boring there?" Knuckles asked.

"Extremely."

"So stay here! We've got…lots of room,"

Game & Watch nodded happily in reply.

"Well," Link said, grinning widely, "Back to beating up Ganondorf."

Ganondorf glared as the other smashers laughed. "In your dreams!"

Mario turned to Samus. "I guess we won't get to see each other much anymore," he whispered, without his accent.

"You never know," she replied. "Evil has a tendency to pop up every so often."

"Mario!" Peach shouted. "Come on, we're leaving!"

"Alla right, alla right," Mario sighed. "Goodbye, everyonea!"

Clyne extended his arms, and all of the smashers (except Game & Watch) returned to their own dimensions.

"What about you?" Tails asked meekly. "You're not a toy,"

"I don't have anywhere to go," Clyne replied. "Besides, you're going to need some help rebuilding, and I'd like to spend some time with my friends," he added, looking at Juvenor.

Master Hand turned to the cheering crowd. "From now on," he shouted, "there will be no more fighting here! We'll rebuild and live peacefully, and let the smashers deal with wars!"

The cheering intensified.

"Do you really believe that?" Juvenor asked, after Master Hand and he retired to their new offices in the central building.

"Not for a moment," Master Hand replied. "But for the time being, we need to start rebuilding, again."

The End

(A/N: Well, there you have it. The war is over, and everyone is happy. However, I don't feel like waiting for the next SSB to write another fic, so the happiness may not last for long!)