One year goes by. It's June 23. What is usually the happiest day of the year is now the saddest day. Because today is Sonic's birthday. And this would be the first year he won't be there to celebrate it.
Mario was outside, standing near Sonic's tombstone. He was drifting through his memories. He remembered when he first met Sonic when he was very young. He didn't like the kid at first, because he saw him as a threat. Mario was afraid Sonic would steal his popularity and did what he can to prevent that from happening.
But over time, he began to like the kid. Sure, he was annoying at times but he was genuinely a good kid. He was sweet, nice and could make an entire room laugh with his jokes. So it's no surprise that Mario was devastated when Sonic died, especially since he was there to witness it. If only he was there just a second early. Maybe he could've stopped.
"Happy birthday Sonic" Mario said to the grave. "I wish I could've been there sooner" He puts his head down.
Suddenly there was a big bang. Mario looked up at the noise. He stared at the mansion, where he saw everyone running out in panic. Mario made a running start towards the mansion.
As he gets to the mansion, he sees a group of fighters huddled together, some crying.
"What's going on?" Mario said
"We heard a gunshot," Roy said. Mario nodded and ran into the mansion. He went upstairs to the fighter rooms and saw Palutena and Shulk by the halls. Palutena was crying and Shulk was frozen in fear.
"What's going on?" Mario said.
"It's Snake," Shulk said. Mario opened the door to Snake's room. And what he saw scared him.
He saw Snake on the floor, blood leaking out of his head. And in his hand, a gun. Next to Snake was a note. Mario picked it up and read it:
"I'm going to apologize to Sonic. I don't plan on coming back. I'm sorry everyone. -Snake"
Mario dropped the note. He knelt down on the floor. He couldn't believe it.