Some video game characters have devoted their lives to fighting evil forces and saving the day. But there comes a time when even the most prolific heroes must hang up their hats. What will our favorite video game protagonists do when they become normal citizens in their respective worlds? Here's what our crystal ball tells us.

Name: Mario
Profession: Plumber, Carpenter, Doctor, Archeologist, Boxing Referee, etc.
After The Game: After continually thwarting Bowser's nefarious plans, Mario finally settles down and marries Peach. To further reduce his stress level, Mario also decides to give up his numerous side careers and focus solely on being a plumber. After a few days, however, he realizes he doesn't know anything about plumbing, and can't figure out how he's supposed to unclog a normal-sized pipe if he can't jump inside of it.

A few years after retirement, Mario suffers a serious legal scare when he's sued by a number of former patients for practicing medicine without a degree during his Dr. Mario days. To his relief, however, the case is thrown out when it's discovered the statute of limitations for his crimes has expired. Viewing it as a sign from a higher power, Mario decides to fall back on his sizable gold coin collection and become a stay-at-home dad to his 12 children. On a daily basis, Mario wonders why half of his children have horns and tails, but whenever he brings up the conversation with Peach she nervously changes the subject.

Name: Pikachu
Profession: Pokémon Battle Competitor, Indentured Servant
After The Game: After years of attending night school in secret, Pikachu finally learns how to say more than just his own name. During a championship competition, Pikachu uses his new oratory skills on the floor of the battle arena to give a rousing speech to his fellow Pokémon, calling for them to cast off the chains of oppression and join him in a Poké-revolution against their cruel "trainers." To the fevered cheering of the thousands of Pokémon in attendance, Pikachu then zaps Ash in the butt – to death.

Unlike most of the cartoony violence seen in the Pokémon universe, Ash's electrocution is a gruesome sight, underscoring the decades of abuse Pikachu and his fellow Pokémon have suffered. It whips the crowd into a frenzy, and the Pokémon police force, led by Officer Jenny, is drastically underequipped to deal with the ensuing revolt. The Pokémon quickly overthrow and enslave their human captors, forcing them to fight in their own cruel gladiator matches. It's an ironic reminder that Pokémon aren't born pocket monsters – they're made monsters by the brutal treatment of their owners.

Name: Sam Fisher
Profession: Third Echelon Field Operative
After The Game: It's no coincidence that Sam Fisher becomes younger and younger in each new Splinter Cell sequel. While some gamers have chalked it up to consecutive reboots of the character, the truth is far more curious: Sam Fisher suffers from Benjamin Button disease.

The disease works in Fisher's favor for a number of years, as he continues to become quicker, deadlier, and more efficient. Unfortunately, his string of successful missions ends when Fisher hits puberty; while infiltrating a foreign embassy, Fisher's voice cracks during a heated radio conversation, giving away his position to the enemy.

Fisher's service record continues to degrade as he reverse-ages, ending in a few failed but hilarious missions as a fumbling toddler. Eventually, he just becomes a dumb, grumpy baby.