Chapter Text
All had begun as a surprise Isabelle wished for her Mayor. Ever since his induction into "Smash" events, his time had been scant. Between managing his campsite and combat, his town fell by the wayside. Though Isabelle ran it in his absence, he longed to return to it eventually. However, her own presence in "Smash" only complicated their issue.
While she was glad to reunite with her Mayor, her absence further impacted their town. She had prepared as best as she could, leaving detailed plans and notes. Tom Nook also stepped in, overseeing the town's routines. However, Isabelle's worries lingered, feeling chaos would befall the town. The Villager shared her concerns, consoling her in turn.
To aid her, he'd set up a method to "watch" the town remotely; Their Villagers helped as they could, reporting on its status and their own virtually. The ability to watch their town online eased her concerns a bit; The Villager studied such footage with Isabelle, glad for his residents' aid. Their town remained standing, despite some minor issues.
It'd been rather self-sufficient, to their surprise. However, their absence made itself clear through their villagers' tales. While Tom Nook cared for the town's tasks and utilities, he lacked their personal touch. His management lacked the care that their pair was known for; As such, their townsfolk wished for the best, hoping their Mayor would come home.
Even Tom longed for their return, his own weariness aside. He could admit his own failings, aware of his public perception. Despite his best efforts, the townsfolk craved their Mayor and Isabelle's presence. It made their town feel "alive", bringing all together in joy and harmony. Without it, their town was like any other possible in their realm.
To consider it made the Villager and Isabelle's hearts ache in return; While their work in "Smash" satisfied them, it wasn't the same. Both longed for simpler times on occasion, as they had in their town. Given this "Smash" event's length, they knew they'd be about for a while; However, it didn't keep them from yearning for home whenever they could.
Such desire came to its peak as a hallowed event drew closer; Their anniversary approached, of both their meeting and town's formation. The Villager and Isabelle regarded it fondly, glad to have come together. However, both were tied to "Smash", keeping them from their town. They cursed their luck, wanting to see it again.
Despite the Villager's dismay, Isabelle kept hopeful, seeking compromise. Even if they couldn't return, they'd make the most of it. She assured her Mayor of that, leaving him to his own work. As the Villager dashed away, Isabelle thought on the matter. A celebration was in store, honoring their town's survival, as well as their own.
However, she knew not how to personalize it then. It felt like parties were commonplace in the Smash Facility. She understood why, given the recent glut of "guest" fighters. They were to be welcomed warmly by all present; Most had some sort of celebration to induct them, as she and her Mayor had. However, they usually involved greetings, then dinner.
Isabelle wished to do more for her Mayor, aware of such celebrations. In turn, there'd been talk about another "Newcomer" joining them. Given Mario's glee regarding them, their entrance would surely be grand. However, Isabelle kept to her plans, still at a loss for answers. In addition, she wished to surprise her Mayor when their anniversary came.
That alone would make it stand out from their other festivities; The thought comforted Isabelle, tight against her heart. She held onto it, still musing as she ate lunch one day. Shulk joined her then, as did Corrin. All had picked the seared tuna, served with avocado and corn salad. As her companions dug in, Isabelle poked at some tuna listlessly.
"Is something troubling you, Isabelle?" Corrin asked, to which she peered back. Despite his return, she was unfamiliar with this Corrin. She knew his counterpart, her ways kind and playful. While he seemed as she was, his presence still struck her. Isabelle nodded back, setting her fork down. She discussed her town's anniversary, all that it entailed.
"So, I'm just stuck with what to do," Isabelle admitted to him. "I want to make it really special for him! How can I make this shindig stand out?" She caught Shulk's attention while Corrin mused on the thought. He sensed Isabelle's intent then, given how many parties he'd attended lately. He was even the center of his own, a welcoming banquet.
As Isabelle and Corrin sat in silence, Shulk considered some things. "What does Mayor Thomas like, Isabelle?" he asked her. Her gaze shifted to his own, as kindly as always. "Perhaps you could bring them for this party." Isabelle's face lit up, glad for his notion. She scoffed to herself, amazed that she hadn't considered it earlier.
"Well, he loves being with our townsfolk," Isabelle replied. "He likes going around, just chatting with everyone, helping them out." She paused, now feeling dismayed. "But he won't, unless we bring everyone over again." As she relished that memory, Corrin gave her a blank stare. Shulk shook his head and explained their Valentine's Day experience.
The Villager had invited his town's residents to their festivities then; Though stunned, Isabelle was overjoyed to see them again. Corrin nodded to himself, just as glad for her. As he and Shulk watched Isabelle, she spoke up. "I can't ask that of them again," she admitted. "But, the Mayor has other interests! He loves to fish and go bug catching-"
Shulk and Corrin nodded, silently encouraging her. " Oh, and he loves music!" Isabelle exclaimed. "He's a huge K.K. Slider fan, like me! He likes lots of genres, but he just likes to dance to it. If he can, it's good enough for him!" She laughed to herself as a thought came to her. "But he just loves the 'Village People', fittingly enough!"
As she kept laughing, some other fighters peered at her. They'd also come in for lunch, now drawn in by her chatter. Joker and the Mii Brawler were among them, curious about her celebration. Morgana joined his "master", resting in his arms. He was intrigued by the plates below, catching their salty scent. He jumped down, rattling their table a bit.
Isabelle paused in shock as Morgana stepped to her plate. "Hey, what's goin' on, guys?" he asked her group. "Wait, is that tuna?! It's not fatty, but it'll do!" Without warning, he dropped down and nibbled at her food. Isabelle recoiled, only to pull her plate away. She growled, to which Morgana hissed back.
As he swiped at her, Joker dragged him away. "Please forgive him," he said, swatting Morgana. "We just got back from a match, and he's starved. But what's this about your Mayor, Isabelle?" As she explained all to Joker, Morgana stared at her plate. Fed up with his behavior, Corrin slid his plate to the creature. With glee, he dove into its contents.
As Morgana ate them, Joker tore his gaze away from Isabelle. "Hey, couldn't you have waited for me?!" he asked Morgana. "You know I'll feed you, too! You didn't need to take Corrin's food from him!" Morgana kept silent, too occupied with his impromptu lunch. As Joker groaned to himself, Corrin got up to console his beloved.
Within moments, he stood beside Joker, falling against his left side. "Oh, it's fine, Ren," he said to him. "I got some already. Besides, I'll just pick off of your plate-" Corrin gazed at Joker, pleading with him silently. With a resigned nod, Joker went to get his own food. As he stepped away, the focus of all returned to Isabelle.
"Well, anyway-" she noted to herself. "As I was saying, I want to do something really big for our anniversary! You only celebrate it every so often, you know!" As Corrin and Shulk agreed in turn, the Mii Brawler kept silent. He wondered if he could help her, given all she claimed. Through her talk, he had a sense of what she wanted.
"So, he's a music lover?" the Brawler asked, to which Isabelle nodded. "Why not have a special thing for him?" She tilted her head, now puzzled. "Like, get some singers, make it a dance party." Isabelle's eyes lit up, glad for such a clever notion. As she clasped her paws together, the Brawler nodded with pride.
"And you can base it around those 'Villagers' as well!" Corrin piped up. As their group stared at him, he shook it off. "Oh, you know what I mean! I know he'll love it, since he loves their music already. Wouldn't you say so, Isabelle?" The focus of all switched to her as she sat about. Her right paw rose up, only to fall against its matching cheek.
"Oh, I do, Corrin," she replied, growing lost to thought. "I think it'll be a fun idea. It's going to take a lot of work, though! Gosh, I have to find singers, get them appropriate costumes, it's so much!" In turn, Corrin tilted his own head, asking of such matters. "Well, we've got some roles to fill, like a cowboy, construction worker, a cop-"
"Well, count me in, then-" Joker said, to the surprise of all. None knew of his return, lost to their discussion. Much like his proper arrival, they'd never seen him coming. However, Corrin merely invited him to sit down. Joker obliged and sat down while Corrin did the same. As he set his food down, Corrin plucked some of it for himself.
As he nibbled some potato wedges, Joker peered at Isabelle. "I don't know what's up," he said with a sly grin. "But it can't be worse than some of the stuff I've seen. I'll be the 'cop' here." She nodded with vigor, grateful for his support. As their group applauded him, Shulk thought on the issue. He wondered if he could aid Isabelle, as Joker had.
He turned to her, asking what other roles were needed. With a nod back, Isabelle spoke of them. As she prattled on, an idea rose within his mind. Meanwhile, the Brawler's gaze fell upon him, hit by a similar notion. He went to Shulk and caught his attention. With a wry grin, the Brawler asked if Shulk wanted to also be involved.
"Well, I can be a 'Cowboy' real easy," he admitted to him. "I got the gear already. How about you? What's on your mind, man?" Shulk peered back, speaking of the other roles Isabelle needed. With a particular armor set of his, he believed he could pull it off. The Brawler nodded in approval, to Shulk's own. "Good on ya, this is lookin' great already-"
"Don't you mean it's looking 'cool', Saul?" Corrin asked, to which all peered at him. "Or is that only for 'Joker'?" As Isabelle and Joker laughed, Corrin glanced at Morgana. He'd eased away from Isabelle's food, having gotten his fill. As he lay on his side, Shulk shook his head and collected Isabelle's plate. Meanwhile, Corrin peered back to Isabelle.
"Either way, who else do we need?" he asked her, to Isabelle's intrigue. "I suppose Luigi could be the worker, if he wishes to. But then there's-" As his voice trailed off, all joined his consideration. In their interest, they'd silently agreed to her plan. While it demanded much effort, all dove into it, curious to see how it'd pan out.