And I'd get him to swap our places

He rested his head against Clay's chest. That heartbeat that almost stopped completely, now beating strongly with a healthy rhythm in his ear. As rhythmically was the sound of Clay's breathing, even and relaxed. He sighed contently at the sounds, tightening his hold around his newly minted lover.

"You seem to be comfortable," Clay spoke, his voice rumbling through his chest, his hand rubbing Apollo's back tenderly.

"You are comfortable," the lawyer answered, a bit of a blush forming on his cheeks. "I can't believe we waited so for this. I... I love this, Clay. This feels... just like heaven on earth."

"I agree." Lips was pressed on Apollo's forehead. "This is beyond my dreams..."

~*~*~

{Do you think they'll get married?}

Phoenix was glad he wasn't drinking anything, because that would've been the perfect moment for a spittake. He turned to Gallade. "I'm sorry, where in the Reverse World did that came from?!"

{Please, after what happened last year, it wouldn't be a surprise,} Gallade noted. {That they're officially boyfriends means there's a possibility of them marrying, and I personally think it's a matter of time.}

"You really think so, don't you..." Phoenix tried to put his mind into it, but... it was rather strange. Sure, Apollo lived and became an adult without his influence, but he can't help feeling... fatherly when it came to the younger lawyer. That Apollo was actually Trucy's older brother didn't help much, either.

Thinking of Apollo marrying in general... it made him feel old.

Clothing color scheme: Green -> Blue-ish green (Pine green?)
Hair color: Red -> Gold-ish
Eye Color: Blue-Green
Hair length: Shorter! ->Cute AF
Artstyle: Anime
Alter Ego: Yes -> To go around places with Link unnoticed.
Magical Powers: Magical Combat Arsenal
Body Type: Athletic And Lean
Skin Undertones: Neutral -> Tanned
Story Role: Protagonist (Solo) -> She and Link are childhood friends
Age: Young Adult
Parents: Mother -> Had good relationship with both parents (before dad kicked the bucket) -> Mom Royal, Dad guard captain
Siblings: Two Siblings
Raised By Impa: Yes
Height: Tall for her age -> Taller than most Hylians
Mischief: Rulebreaker when it suits her
Triforce piece: Wisdom
Hair texture: Loose curls
Visible Triforce: In eyes when using powers
Royal Dress Skirt Length: Ankle Length
Fighting Style: Battlemage
Cape: Capelet
Instrument: One used in a prior game
Pasttime: Horseback archery
Royal Dress Headwear: Hair half-covered veil
Romantic Interest: Bi/Pan
Gender: Non-Binary
Is Zelda actually "Zelda": Zelda is a ceremonial name for royal/religious purposes
Unique physical characteristic: Freckles
Glasses: Yes
Dominant Hand: Ambidextrous
Sidelocks: Short bound
Casual Outfit: Tunic
Royal Dress Shoes: Fancy Leather Boots
Royal Dress Sleeves: Long
Ear Shape: Long & Pointy
Royal Dress Jewelry: Hylia materia with cool colored stones
Aware of Bad Times: Totally Aware

and when the madness stops

Epilogue 1's title is taken from "Break Me, Shake Me" by Savage Garden

I love it when the song you use as story titles has the perfect epilogue one. It really makes it full circle.

And we have ending blurbs in this like in the game! There's this sense of finality with that. So most of my commentary will be on the differences from canon.

I love the little mentions of stuff we added into the story, and having Cecil think of her former first Platoonmates was really sweet.

Then we have our OC trio! I love all of their endings, it fits with their characterization. Also I love their titles! Sara and I made good choices, I feel!

KATARINA AND RHIANNON AAAAAAAHHH I LOVE THEIR HAPPIER ENDINGS. Those two deserved it.

We also updated Marisha's ending! Mostly because Marisha's canon one made us sad. XP Also WARREN/CATRIA IS CANON, we might as well give Catria some happiness too.

Minerva/Palla was revealed in a sidestory, so it was great to properly confirm here.

AND THE TALYS CREW. I'M GLAD THEY'RE STILL AROUND TO HELP OUT MARTH AND CAEDA.

The Julian/Lena crew is fun! I love the changes to Matthis and Rickard- I suggested the changes for the latter because I knew Marth could see legal potential in lockpicking skills.

Archanea and Sirius... I love they eventually have happy endings. And I love the Horace/Nyna implications, too.

Ah, and we switch ending roles between Minerva and Michalis. That change makes the whole War Monk/Cleric thing in Awakening make more sense.

Other changes I wanna point out are Abel/Est and Navarre/Phina, I love them very much. AND AURELIS UGH. The Wolfguard makes me sad.

Now, we've reached Altea. ...Do I really need to comment on Altea? It's what to expect with how the narrative went! Even Kris! ...The only thing that confuses me is that Marth is "Prince of Light" instead of "Hero-King", but he was known as "Prince of Altea" in the canon epilogue, so I'm okay with that choice.

friend of mine stay alive don't you leave me here

Chapter 34's title comes from "Friend of Mine" by Eve 6

Don't know the band, but the lyrics were perfect for this chapter.

Oh, we're going straight for the Wolf/Sedgar. Everyone can see it except them. XP With more battle planning, of course.

And more lore! Ange might have nightvision but doesn't always like using it, Jugdrali torch staves... as for the circlet that was gifted to Maia, guess which alt of Marth in Heroes wears said circlet. (Hint- three that doesn't have it are Default, Child and Engage Marth.)

NAGI! I love her and I'm glad she's back. But of course Wolf brings trouble again. So how many swords does Ange have by now? (Answer: Three- Ladyblade, Killing Edge, and Armorslayer.) Also I love that Nyna was being a firm, reasonable leader for a scene- she got to be badass in this story in her own way.

And then we get a scene with Wolf and Sedgar. Like Marth said, everyone obviously wants to chew out Wolf for his recklessness, but only Sedgar is the one who can get through him. I recall seeing the sentence part "Give them the full degree" in one of SRW30's DLC missions and thought it would make sense to write that in this part. BUT YES, START THE SHIPPING, FOCUS ON THE ANGST, IT'S AWESOME.

And Gotoh makes his last appearance. :/ Side stories involving him would be cool to write.

shadow, won't you stay with me? nothing's ever what it seems

Chapter 32's title is taken from "Into The Mist" by Eivør

I love Eivør's music, and the English version of her album "Slør" is just as fantastic as the Faroese version. I was glad I was able to use some of her lyrics for this project!

Eyup, that's how we start- a post-passion wake-up moment with Marth and Caeda. Considering they had to kill one of their wedding VIPs, I don't blame them for needing something to ease their pains, even if temporarily. God I love the angst.

...Ah, yes. Ange being a mom to Wolf. I really wanted the "chip off the old block" vibe that she's much more similar to Maia than one thinks, and this was a good opportunity. Also her seeming to quote Hardin is because she gets Wolf and knows exactly how to get him to do what he needs to do.

And Xane proceeds to flirt with Ange. Which gets her off guard. Which is so cute. :3

Spreading some seed on reasons why Nyna gave the Archanean throne to Marth in this AU. It also makes sense in canon as well (coughLangcough) but it makes the more sense in here. Also yes, there's that joke about humans being yummy with ketchup for dragons. XP And now, we began the showdown with Eremiya.

Ange has nightvision as a Sea Dragon, which is why she can see in low light. (Yes, there is a comment further in the story where she complains about the darkness. Just because she has nightvision doesn't mean she enjoys it, and sometimes it annoys her. Not here.) And hooooooly shit is Marth pissed at Eremiya. And oh, did Ange added a middle name to herself? "If Marth can have one, so can I!" And yes, she chooses her Poppa's first love. That's how much Ange cares about his life, and the life he didn't have.

Yeah, Sara changed the whole 'brainwashing' thing with Eremiya. Makes a whole lot more sense. As for Ange suddenly glowing, well, she did use something similar back in Break/Shake to help out Julian and Lena... remember?

And yes we have the knockoff tomes. ...I just realized Aura doesn't come back in Awakening.

even the voice that condemned me can no longer be heard; but beyond the door I could still feel you

Chapter 30's title is taken from "Again" by Lost Universe

Again, more battle planning, which is always fun. Also yes, they did picked up the second Iote's Shield, we forgot to mention it beforehand. And yes, it's the return of tea in a tankard- what, you think Marth stopped doing that? XP

And we're following canon in getting the Wolfguard. I love this group because of how they demonstrate different forms of loyalty... and Wolf is such a tragic character. I think leaving Wolf to Sara was a pretty good idea, she really knows how to write someone like him to the nines.

Yep, no interaction with Mannu in this fic, but at the very least Pyrathi's part of the battle in Pales, they're mentioned; unlike in canon, where they were just a random nation of dragons that you had to attack and they never come back in the story. Hell, Pyrathi is completely skipped in Book 1 of Mystery! So even if there's no dialogue, I'm glad to bring in Pyrathi in this.

AND WE FINALLY HAVE MARTH AND ELICE TALK AGAIN. I missed writing those two together, so I'm glad we get to have them talk again. ...And yes, for a while I wanted to talk about my headcanon aunt for them, Mared. Since it was strange that Cornelius wasn't following the "Mar" motif of the Altean Royal family, I headcanon that Marth and Elice had an aunt that left the continent because of Cornelius' attitude. (Game canon-wise, she left for a different reason that I still haven't figured out yet.)

don't let yourself go; your last chance has arrived

Chapter 28's title is taken from "Butterflies and Hurricanes" by Muse

Ooooh, I just love the juxtaposition of Sheena's thoughts and Marth's plans. It just shows how Marth's kind-hearted nature bleeds into his strategies and how it catches people off-guard. As Lucina says, "Rescuing your allies and driving back your foes in one fell swoop! Beloved not only by his comrades, but known to charm his enemies as well." I still wanted to keep that across.

Also, Ange tends to handle the Fire Emblem when Marth isn't using it, because of how Anri communicates with it. AND I BROUGHT BACK THE CARNYX. It's because I love ancient stuff. Also lol at Navarre wanting to spar with anyone. Why would he spar with Ange when she's a girl? Because he's not stupid- he's seen her in action, she knows how to wield a blade, she can clearly take care of herself, she's an exception for his women rule.

AND WE GET SHEENA AND SAMSON. Back when I was playing Heroes, Sheena was one of my favorites because her Res was practically equal to her Def in that game. She was a freaking rockstar so I'm glad we finally have her in the story!

Frost makes me laugh a bit, so I added on with Ange being absolutely blindsided by his arrival. God I love little silly scenes like this.

AND WE'RE PLANNING ON TAKING BACK ARCHANEA AND STOPPING GHARNEF'S HOLD ON HARDIN. Marth isn't happy this had to come to pass, but in the end, it's his duty as Hardin's friend to do the unimaginable. Which ties in with Masou Kishin and the Super Robot Wars EX Masaki Route events. God I love making stupid voice actor connections.

I'm following up on Sara's lead and did a Break/Shake inspired journal change! I even redid my super-ancient icon of Marth and look at it! It's so pretty now and now I'm very tempted to make a Break/Shake Marth muse journal. XP

i get knocked down, but i get up again, you're never gonna keep me down

Chapter 25's title is taken from "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba

I purposely called Altea 2: Electric Boogaloo because honestly, it feels like a re-hash of Break/Shake, except that Tiki and the newcomers are with them. There are some differences, however!

Like the whole thing with Est and Abel. We reversed the roles than in canon because in my head, having Abel as the prisoner instead of Est made more sense since he's the Altean, and because it's our story- we can change shit! I love writing Ange as a voice of reason, mostly because she's usually the silly one. XP

Also this is where I get to use cool stuff I learned online- the carnyx is this ancient celtic war horn, and I thought it would be cool to include it into Macedonean lore- in this case, they announce a hostage rescue.

AND THE BULL AND PANTHER ARE REUNITED AGAIN MY BROOOOOOS.

...Yeah, chapter is chapter, I guess. XP

maybe now you have figured it out; that's what bein' a friend is about

Chapter 23's title is taken from "Bein' Friends" from the Mother Soundtrack

I WILL ALWAYS GRAB A LYRIC FROM THE MOTHER SOUNDTRACK IF I CAN. THAT SOUNDTRACK IS SO GOOD.

...I missed an opportunity to make a Yuri Lowenthal gag and have Marth yell out "Holy hard nipples, it's cold!" Because Persona 4 Animation had some hilarious dubbing. Oh well, at least Marth isn't the only one complaining about the weather. Also love the reminder that Arran is ill, and YAY DRAGON LORE I love adding dragon lore!

Yep, like before, we smooshed two chapters into one, mostly because narrative-wise it worked for both of us. Also somehow I think we started the Ange/Xane ship here because of Ange's reaction, because she wasn't expecting that from Xane. XP

So, you thought that we were going to let Clarisse die? OH HO HO NO, REMEMBER MARTH'S VOW? I just love how this part turned out, because it reveals so many layers of lore in a reasonable way! And I love that Marth uses the word "evacuated" because THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.

And yes, I wanted more Welsh names and Rhiannon is such a pretty name!