Chapter Text
Isabelle was in her room, putting everything related to Halloween and Thanksgiving into boxes, pushing them forcefully to the back to forget them in a corner, at least until she would use them again the following year. Today, she was wearing a green secretary uniform instead of her usual white shirt with a green striped vest.
"Perfect, now that December is almost here, it's time to prepare to decorate the whole house until it smells like Christmas spirit," smiled the Animal Crossing secretary as she pulled out a clipboard with a list of things to do that day.
Isabelle headed to her desk and sat down in her chair before grabbing a pencil and preparing to make some changes to her list. But before the ink could even touch the paper, someone knocked on her door, causing her left ear to twitch as she turned to face it.
Confused, Isabelle stood up and walked to the door. When she opened it, she was surprised to see Shulk on the other side.
"Oh, hello, Shulk," she smiled. "Can I help you?"
"Hey, Isabelle," the human greeted awkwardly. "Hey, do you have a moment? I need to talk to you about something important."
"Sure..." was all she said before Shulk gently pushed her inside the room.
"Great," he said, closing the door and locking it. "Because what we need to talk about is really important."
Isabelle was somewhat surprised by Shulk’s sudden appearance and his serious attitude, something that was rare for him. Still, her kind expression returned instantly, curious about what could be so important that he came all the way to her room at such an unusual time.
"What’s it about?" she asked, with a slight smile, but knowing that something important must have been going on for Shulk to seem so determined.
Shulk took a deep breath and began walking slowly around the room while speaking, hands in the pockets of his jacket.
"It’s about Pyra and Mythra..." He paused for a moment, as if the words that came next were heavy. "It’s just... well... how do I say this without sounding like a jerk?"
"Well... with words?" Isabelle questioned. "Cut to the chase, what’s going on with them?"
Shulk took a breath before saying what he needed to.
"They... they've never had anything like a birthday," Shulk said, his voice a bit low. "I don’t know if you’re aware of their history, but they spent a large part of their lives thinking the world would be better off without them, and that they were a burden to others."
"Oh no! That sounds horrible..." she said, her ears drooping.
"I know. And although they’ve overcome that part of their lives, it’s clear they’re still haunted by it, even if they don’t say anything. To make things worse, they’re Blades, and on top of that, Aegises. It means not only can they keep living even if Rex, their Driver, dies, but they’ll never physically age because they’ve looked the way we know them since they woke up from their Primordial Crystal. What I’m getting at is that..."
"They don’t know what it’s like for someone to celebrate the simple fact that they... exist..." Isabelle finished for him. "It’s... so sad to think they’ve never had a celebration, something as basic as a birthday, after everything they’ve been through."
"And that’s exactly why I came to see you," Shulk said. "I have to admit, I’m... terrible at surprises, I’m not good at them at all. But I know you’re the right person to ask when it comes to doing, well, something in general for celebrations, so..."
"You want me to do something for Pyra and Mythra?" she finished again, this time smiling.
"And the sooner, the better," Shulk nodded, now smiling a little. "I hate asking you like this out of nowhere, but let’s say December 1st is the day Pyra and Mythra became Rex’s Blade, or at least that’s what they both say, and I think it would be the perfect day to do something for them."
"Hmm... like a birthday party?"
"If you want to label it that way, although it’s not really about celebrating the day they were born, but... celebrating them as people."
Isabelle smiled widely, as if the idea was exactly what she needed to make her day much more interesting. Despite the holiday rush and the Christmas plans she already had, she couldn’t deny that these kinds of things made her feel a special kind of joy.
"That sounds perfect!" she exclaimed, hopping with excitement. "Sure, a party, an event for them, to make them feel special. It doesn’t matter if it’s not a traditional birthday, what matters is that it’s a day for them, and we’ll celebrate it properly!"
Shulk sighed with relief, noticing Isabelle’s positive energy.
"I know you’ll do an amazing job, but..." he said, thoughtfully. "I’m not sure how to bring it up with them. I know Pyra and Mythra aren’t the most expressive when it comes to emotions, especially something like this kind of celebration."
Isabelle smiled at him, her tone calm but with a touch of confidence.
"Leave that to me. I can be sneaky when I need to. My plan is to do something intimate, something that makes them feel like we truly value them. Nothing flashy, just something small with lots of love. And I know exactly how to do it."
Shulk seemed more at ease now, though still a bit concerned.
"So... how do we start?"
Isabelle walked over to her desk and began pulling out a sheet of paper, quickly sketching out a plan with her pencil. Her mind was already full of ideas for what could be an unforgettable afternoon for Pyra and Mythra.
"Well, first off," Isabelle said as she wrote on her list, "I’ll need some help. We’ll have to keep everything a secret, of course. Maybe we can get a few others to help us, but we can’t make too much noise. We need to be as discreet as possible about this."
"Leave it to me," Shulk assured, smiling determinedly. "I know just the distraction to keep them occupied."
At a spa in Smash City, the atmosphere was relaxing and gentle, with the scent of essential oils floating through the air and a soft instrumental melody accompanying the murmur of the water fountains. The light wood walls and the green plants decorating the space gave a sense of complete peace. The dim light from the lamps created a cozy environment, perfect for an afternoon of relaxation.
Pyra and Mythra were lying on massage tables, both receiving a back massage, something they had never experienced before. The two Blades seemed completely out of place in this calm environment, but at the same time, it was clear how their bodies were beginning to relax, as if the tension they’d carried for years was finally easing.
"I didn’t know how much I needed this..." Pyra said with a slight smile, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the massage.
Mythra, beside her, couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
"I’ve had 500 years of built-up tension, so it’s not surprising it’s disappearing..." she joked, her tone relaxed but with that playful spark that always defined her.
Peach and Zelda, who were nearby, watched with soft smiles as they were attended to. However, something caught Zelda’s attention: from one of the windows of the spa, she saw Pikachu, staring at her from outside. A subtle wink from Zelda signaled that the signal was ready.
The Pokémon nodded, and since the spa was on the ground floor, Pikachu looked down at the ground and wrapped his yellow electric tail around it, signaling to Sonic, who was watching from below. Giving a thumbs-up, Sonic quickly shot off in the direction of the mansion.
In the kitchen of the Smash Mansion, Isabelle was explaining to Link, Luigi, and Min Min what she had in mind for cooking, just as Sonic arrived and peeked through the door.
"The Aegises are in position," the hedgehog commented. "They have at least two hours before Peach and Zelda’s distraction runs out."
After saying that, he sped off back to the city.
"Thanks, Sonic!" Isabelle called out before turning back to the three cooks. "As I was saying, we need to keep all of this very secret. We need a menu that’s not too formal, but something special for them, so they feel comfortable. Something simple, but with that personal touch that makes it memorable."
Link, with his usual calmness, nodded.
"What do you have in mind?" he asked, as he went over the options Isabelle had written down on her list.
"Well, something that reminds them of home, of their people. Pyra loves anything with vegetables, and she adores a tea from Uraya called Jenerosso Tea. Mythra’s crazy about a dish from Mor Ardain called Crab Croquette, but what she loves the most is desserts. And before you ask, here are the recipes for the tea and the croquettes; I’ll leave the rest to you three to surprise us."
Isabelle handed Luigi and Min Min the recipes for the tea and Crab Croquettes, respectively.
"So, we need to make everything perfect, right?" Luigi asked, with a focused expression as he chopped the vegetables.
"Exactly," Isabelle replied, her tone calm but filled with excitement. "We want them to feel appreciated, like never before. And for that, we need to make everything as warm and personal as possible."
Min Min, who had been thinking of an idea, raised her hand, earning the attention of everyone.
"What if we prepare a special little dessert for them? Something simple but meaningful... Maybe some cookies decorated with the colors of their outfits? Something with a personal touch."
Isabelle smiled, delighted by the suggestion.
"That would be perfect! Cookies with the colors of Pyra and Mythra. That’ll make them feel special, like everything was made just for them."
As the kitchen team got to work, Zelda and Peach, at the spa, continued to keep track of the time. The Blades were still enjoying their massages, although something seemed to be on their minds. Pyra opened her eyes for a moment and glanced around the relaxing environment, as if receiving something she had never had: a real break.
"It’s funny..." Pyra said, sitting up a bit to stretch. "I feel like I’m receiving a gift for no reason."
"Maybe it’s because you’ve never allowed yourself to receive a gift, Pyra," Mythra replied with a gentle smile, looking at her friend. "Sometimes you just have to let yourself be pampered."
Pyra smiled slightly, but didn’t say anything more. There was something in the air, something warm, that made her feel like something was about to change, although she didn’t know what.
In the distance, Zelda and Peach exchanged a knowing glance. It was time to take the next step. Without the Blades noticing, both began making small movements, as if preparing something bigger, something that would surprise them.
By the time the two hours of spa treatment were over, everyone else in the mansion was practically ready for the surprise for Pyra and Mythra.
"Everything’s ready. They don’t suspect a thing," Shulk said, smiling confidently.
Isabelle nodded, but she knew there was one more important detail to attend to.
"We need to make sure the decoration is perfect. It can’t be too flashy, but it should be just enough to make them feel at home, like all the effort was for them."
Luigi and Min Min, who had already made progress with the main dishes and desserts, shared a look of complicity.
"I’ve got the tea part done," Luigi said, grinning from ear to ear. "And Min Min took care of the crab croquettes."
"Everything looks amazing," Min Min commented, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. "And the cookies?"
"I still need to finish the details on the decoration," Isabelle replied, as she started putting the finishing touches on the decor. She took some small colored lights and carefully arranged them on a table, surrounding it with pine leaves and some dried flowers. "Something subtle, but with style."
The table was now set, and the aroma of the tea and croquettes filled the kitchen, but there was still something else to do. Isabelle looked at everyone involved and gave them a satisfied smile.
"I think we’re ready. Now, we just need to wait for them to arrive."
Just then, Sonic returned to the mansion, this time with Pikachu on his head, although the poor Pokémon was a bit dizzy, probably from the speed at which Sonic had brought him.
"The girls’ treatment is done. Peach and Zelda will be back with the Aegises in about 10 minutes if the Uber guy’s fast enough," the hedgehog said.
"Perfect!" Isabelle exclaimed, clapping her hands together with enthusiasm. "Everyone, final positions. This has to look completely natural when they walk in."
Luigi swallowed and nodded. Min Min took a deep breath, like she was about to enter a fight. Link just nodded with his usual calm, veteran hero demeanor.
Shulk, for his part, sat in a corner of the living room with his arms crossed... and visibly nervous.
"Relax," Isabelle said, giving him a small tap on the arm. "If you’re tense, they’ll notice."
"I know, I know..." Shulk massaged his neck. "I just... hope this goes well. Those two have been through too much for something as simple as a surprise to go wrong."
"It won’t go wrong," Isabelle reassured him, with the confidence of someone who could plan a wedding in ten minutes if asked. "Trust me."
Outside, Peach, Zelda, Pyra, and Mythra walked along the path to the mansion. The sky was painted with the soft orange of the winter sunset, while a cold breeze gently rustled the leaves.
The two princesses walked on either side of the Aegises, chatting about anything to keep them distracted.
"And how was the shoulder massage?" Peach asked with genuine interest.
"Surprisingly relaxing," Mythra replied, rolling her shoulders slightly, as if still processing it. "I feel... lighter. I didn’t think something so simple could help so much."
"Yeah..." Pyra added, holding a lock of her reddish hair by habit. "It was... very nice. I didn’t know a spa could be like this."
Zelda and Peach exchanged another short glance, one of those silent moments that only people who truly understand each other can communicate. Perfect. They’re in the ideal state for a surprise.
"Hey..." Mythra suddenly said, narrowing her eyes with suspicion. "You two have been... acting strange today. I don’t know what it is, but you’re hiding something."
Peach let out a nervous laugh.
"Us? Strange? Noooo..."
"Peach," Mythra said, crossing her arms. "That’s your 'I baked a cake and don’t want them to try it yet' tone."
Zelda cleared her throat.
"Well, we’re almost there. We’ll go in through the side door, okay? They’re doing a deep clean at the main entrance."
Pyra raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but said nothing more.
Inside, the entire mansion seemed to hold its breath.
Luigi quickly blew out the last decorative candle and hid behind the table.
Min Min, Link, and Isabelle positioned themselves strategically to make everything look like just a casual gathering.
Shulk, who originally wanted to hide, ended up sitting in a chair, holding a cup of tea that he wasn’t even drinking.
Sonic, Pikachu, and even some small Spirits hid behind furniture, curtains, or conveniently ajar doors.
"They’re coming," Sonic whispered, peeking only one eye through the window. "They’re coming up the side stairs."
"Are... are we sure we shouldn’t turn off the lights?" Luigi asked, trembling slightly.
"This isn’t a Halloween scare," Isabelle whispered dryly. "It’s a nice surprise!"
Link placed a hand on Luigi’s shoulder to calm him. Min Min rolled her eyes with a smile.
A second later, the knob of the side door turned.
The door opened.
Peach entered first.
Then Zelda.
And behind them, the two Aegises: Pyra and Mythra, both with their hair still gently curled from the spa steam.
When they saw them enter, Isabelle stepped forward and raised a hand.
"Welcome back," she smiled with that warmth only she could project. "Come in, come in. We wanted to greet you with something special."
Pyra stopped right at the threshold, staring at the decorated table, the soft lights, the flowers, the delicious smell of food... and above all, the cookies decorated with red-black and yellow-white tones, perfect imitations of their colors.
"What is...?" she started to ask, but her voice trailed off.
Mythra stepped forward quickly, narrowing her eyes as if trying to figure something out.
"Is... this a dinner? For no reason? In December?" she asked, confused. "What is this supposed to—?"
Shulk slowly stood up.
And although he seemed like he was going to stutter, he spoke firmly.
"It’s not 'for no reason.'"
The two Blades turned toward him.
Shulk swallowed, but continued:
"Today... is the day you two joined Rex. The day you entrusted him with your strength. And... even though you never celebrated something like a birthday, we thought... it was a good time to celebrate something more important: that you exist. And that we are so grateful that you’re here."
Mythra blinked.
Pyra placed a hand over her chest, as if she had just been struck by an emotional blow.
Isabelle took a small step forward.
"Today, we’re not celebrating the day you were born," she said softly. "We’re celebrating you. Pyra and Mythra. Who you are, what you’ve done, and what you mean to all of us."
A warm silence filled the room.
Pyra put a hand to her mouth, suppressing an emotion she rarely let show.
Mythra tried to say something… but her voice cracked the moment she opened her mouth. She cleared her throat and tried to compose herself, but it was useless.
"You..." Mythra whispered, with a weak smile... vulnerable. "You didn’t have to..."
"We wanted to," Peach interrupted her gently.
Zelda nodded.
"Because you deserve it."
Pyra, with watery eyes but a soft smile, finally spoke.
"Really... thank you."
Mythra let out a sigh that seemed to carry centuries of tension trapped in her chest.
"Alright... I guess I can accept this," she said, pretending to be arrogant... though the emotion in her eyes betrayed her completely. "Just this once."
Isabelle smiled.
"Then... shall we begin?"
Pyra and Mythra exchanged a full, deep look... one that said, "I don’t know how to process this, but it feels like something we’ve never had."
And together, they stepped forward.
Inside, everyone was waiting with sincere smiles.
It was the first day of December.
And the first day, in their entire lives, that anyone celebrated the Aegises simply for existing.
End of Chapter 131.