Marth hated couples, or at least he heavily disliked them after the previous events. Not only was the only woman he had feelings for taken, but it seemed as though all his friends were too. With the upcoming White day festival, it seemed as though each of his close friends was pairing up with a female.

Ike found comfort in the blonde Robin's presence, the two joking about their slowness. The blue-haired general compensated with pure strength. And the master tactician had over-powering tomes that essentially allowed her to blast a laser across the entire map. However, the two were terribly slow, Robin actually being the slowest character in the game – including Ganondorf.

Pit's joining with Peach was obvious with his ever constant flow of complaints. Of how the princess annoyed him to no end whether she was present or not.

Even the newer fighters, such as Shulk, were able to secure dates for the White Festival. Palutena ever the nice goddess, she agreed to Shulk's questioning.

Marth's female descendant, from the far-far future where she attempted to impersonate him, he learned, was paired as well. Having a close relationship with Rob – the male Robin – the two competed as a duo due to their past experience and were on incredibly friendly terms. The two constantly deny any romance, however it is evident that feelings are shared between them.

Marth was happy for his friends.

But he also hated them.

Still moping around, but not to the same extent as before, Marth trained alone in the dark while the other fighters enjoyed the evening fireworks. The tournament was the day after the White Day Festival, and the additive festivities were kicking off in celebration.

Marth was pulled out of his reverie by another angel, "The way you've been acting the last few days," Dark Pit started, "Is pathetic."

Marth only turned around to glare, before setting his sword down on the nearby bench. Using a towel on-hand to wipe the sweat, he spotted his regular clothes across the room. Clothed in a tank and athletic track pants, he looked completely different.

"I'm just saying." Dark Pit continued, "If I liked a girl and she was dating someone else, I'd just show up in her room one night. Covered in nothing, but oil and—"

"It's not like that." Marth interrupted, not wanting to hear the rest of his plan, "If she's happy, than I'm happy for her."

"And you can't make her happier?" Dark Pit slyly asked.

This froze Marth, and he was unable to answer. Would she be happier with him? Her love for Link transcended their lives now, and went on beyond his own lifetime. Of course she would be happier with him instead, they were fated to live together for literally forever. However, that also meant that she had many more lifetimes to love Link, and could spend one of those lives loving Marth. Feeling that small hope in his heart, Marth attempted to squelch it.

"No, I can't." He answered dejectedly, sitting on the bench and staring thoughtfully at the floor.

Dark Pit paused, and looked at the clock. Noticing that he only had a couple seconds for his plan, he asked, "Did you love Zelda?"

"I don't think so."

"So there's a possibility?"

"… Maybe."

"Answer me yes or no."

"Yes."

A small gasp was heard at the door, causing Marth to snap his head up and spot the said Harkinian princess covering her two hands over her mouth. Dark Pit only smirked, muttered a whoops, and left the two to deal with the drama on their own.

That meddling asshole! Marth screamed in his mind, clenching his fists before he ran after the dark angel and punched his squarely in the face.

"How much of that did you hear?" Marth asked first.

Zelda did not answer, but instead neared the Altean prince, and sat down next to him. She put a hand over his and tried to capture the gaze of the blue-haired swordsman. Refusing out of guilt, he looked away until she gently used a hand under his chin to guide him to face her.

"Two years ago you were my best friend. You helped me deal with my heartbreak." Her spoke softly, "And it pains me that I put you in this position now."

Marth only looked at Zelda in remorse, she continued saying, "Please know that Link makes me happy. And you do too, just in a different way."

"I think it's best," Marth started, "if we don't hang-out together for a while."

Zelda only gazed at him in surprise and horror, the idea obviously breaking her heart in a different way. "If space is what you need, I'll give you it." She rubbed his hand beneath hers before pulling away, "I'll miss you lounging around my dorm, and our weekly lunches together. Remember that you're one of my best friends, and I'll always be there for you."

"Maybe not just space. I don't think we can even be friends." Marth looked away.

Zelda could only heave out in disappointment and anguish, sad she was losing such a close friend. "Even friendship?" She pleaded out.

"If I spent time with you, it'll just be harder to heal." Marth got up, ready to grab his clothes and leave before the princess cried – and he knew her well enough that she would – and he would be tempted to care for her.

"Okay, just tell me when you're ready." She voice wavered between words, "If ever." She added before hugging him from behind. Knowing this would be the last hug after so long, she clung tightly. His erratic heartbeat was evident, and she clenched for a few seconds before realizing he was not going to hug back.

Sad at losing her friend, Zelda let go of the swordsman before letting out a small sob. If he wanted to end their friendship, he would have to leave first, she resolved. Marth, unable to ignore the princess, turned around and observed her glossed-over eyes. His own heart lurching for her, he wrapped his arms around her petit body.

"So this is goodbye." She stated against his chest, remembering another distant memory where she was in the same positon.

"Link? Really?" Marth joked from above her, where Zelda currently was encased below his chin. "How cliché. The damsel in love with her hero."

"Shut up." She muttered back. The two sat on her bed, the time of day shown by the darkness outside.

"On a separate note," He pushed her off slightly, getting a good look at the princess, "You look beautiful. He's an idiot to not reciprocate your feelings." Lightly pulling her back to mutter against her forehead, "You're worth many more heroes than simply he."

"Thanks Marth." She flashed her mesmerizing smile up at him before turning slightly serious, "You better not tell anyone about this."

"Your secret is safe with me." Marth, savoring the moment, cuddled her closer.

Outside the room, the sound of a door opening was clear, and it was clear on the two royals' faces that they were surprised someone was home.

"Peach and Samus would be expecting details." Zelda sobbed out, reminded of the previous rejection she received.

"I won't leave, and they'll never know you're even here." Marth explained.

"You sure you want to stay the night?"

"I have to watch over you, it's my duty." He stroked her hair, before adding, "And there's no harm in gracing Smash's most exotic, beautiful princess' bed."

"Shut up." Zelda groaned out lightly, before snuggling again in his presence.

That memory only furthered Zelda's deep wound. He was such a good friend, and it was simply torture to lose him. She snuggled again into his chest, for one last time. Glancing up toward the prince, she smiled lightly at him.

Her smile, of all things, was the most tempting. It emphasized her clearly happy disposition, and showed how perfect she could be for him. Knowing this may be the last time, Marth stared deliberately at her face, memorizing her features before it was too late.

The two continually gawked upon each other, before Marth took a last Hail Mary attempt.

And he kissed her.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Smash Brothers Campus, Peach asked her bounty-hunter friend, "Marth has been acting weird recently, right?"

Samus looked at the toadstool princess, unsure if she knew the truth or was simply sniffing around for details. "So you know why?"

"I have a small inkling of an idea." The two girls stared at each other before, Peach yelped out, "Okay Pit told me all about Zelda! But how do you know?"

"I found Marth that day, but I didn't tell anyone."

"No wonder you disappeared. I was looking for you, you know." Peach accused.

However, Samus only smiled back saying, "Looking for me in Pit's arms? Sorry you didn't find me in his mouth." Peach only blushed profusely, unable to deny her kissing Pit as opposed to looking for her friend.

"Well anyway," Peach continued, "We should think of a way to make him happy again."

"Like what?" Samus asked.

"Maybe you can ask him to the festival." Peach suggested.

Samus wasn't averse to the idea, and instead agreed with a, "Sure, why not?" Smiling at her new objective.