Chapter 5: meeting the local goddess
(The underwater coral labyrinth, kitty with his catfish whiskers, Luna in usual apparel [being immortal and living on the moon for a millennia means that she doesn’t need to breathe])
“So what do think about this place?” he asks, munching on sea bread
“It’s beautiful! Like an eternally changing night sky… is this realm for me?” she asks, eyes reflecting pinpricks of light
“Well, because no sunlight permeates this realm and how it reminded me of a beautiful night sky like your mane, it only seems fitting that this should be a world naturally sculpted for you” he replies, then he looks down “There is a local deity in the center of this maze, her name is Otohime, want to meet her?” he runs a sand comb through her mane, causing her to sigh and go limp
“Y-y-yes but first, I have a question”
“Shoot”
“Do you enjoy messing with others’ emotions?”
“Pardon?”
“You hug me, kiss my forehead, brush my hair, shower me with complements, and talk to me with frankness! All of those intimate things! And when you do, my heart flutters, threatening to jump out of my chest!” she yells, the noise being magnified by water
“You have subjects who love you, big Macintosh, Pipsqueak, and the doo family! They love you in their own ways, Mac speaks to you through the moon, pip plots the destruction of celestia’s rule to make you princess, ditzy has given you her heart, to dinky, you are a role model, idol, and teacher in the ways of magic, and to sparkler, you are like a knowledgeable aunt! My ‘love’ is only respect and friendship, not romantic, I am flattered by the idea, but I like you for who you are, not because of an attraction. Besides, I am over 68 billion years your senior!”
“… Pip Is plotting that, isn’t he; and ditzy has bore her heart to me… even though it’s damaged by betrayal… I’ve been blind towards my subjects… but I sense that they forgive me” luna whispers, down trodden, her mane fading
“Close your eyes” the cat says, she complies
(Kiss!)
Her eves shoot open and she sees a skeletal smile and a finger in front of her nose “Boop!” he pokes her nose
“Why is your face missing?!” she shrieks
“Ancient curse, if I kiss or I am kissed, my flesh melts away, it’s quite painful” he replies, his muscles and skin growing back
“Why did you do that?” she asks
“To make you feel better”
“It didn’t” she blushes
“What? Then the film industry has lied to me once again!” he face palms
(Distant bell chiming)
“Did you hear that? (Pulls out sonic multi-tool) hmmmmm… oh dear, DUCK!” he yells, dropping low
“A duck underwater? Whe-” Luna begins, then drifts off
“Luna? Are you okay?” he asks, unsheathing his sword
“Oh we feel just fine, why don’t you submit to your princess, hmmmm~~~<3?” she replies, swaying her hips and donning a sultry look
“PROWL! KURONE- GUH!” he grunts, having been knocked back by a bolt of magic into the hull of a sunken ship
“If you don’t finish the incantation, it won’t work” she whispers, standing on his elbows and chest
He smirks, “No, I say it ‘cause it’s fun!” and the sword turns into a giant black claw and pushes the princess away
He dusts himself off and Luna attempts to pants him “Ha! I wear a jumper! That won’t-(RIIIIP!) aw horse apples” he pulls his other half up and uses the sword as a belt
In a clearing, her feints a slash and trips himself “Sorry Luna” and kicks the underside of her head, which knocks a small ball of light out
He pulls out a transporter and beams it away
“W-what happened?” Luna mutters, rubbing her jaw
“Sonic emotional entity, it causes an increase in the affection based hormones, meaning it causes lust. They appear from time to time, but if not expelled, which involves half hour isolation, causes a chemical imbalance which then results in a non-convulsive stroke” he explains, hefting her up onto his back
(Center of the maze)
“OTOHIME! Where are you; you slimy old hagfish?!” he yells
“Hm? I thought that was you, stop calling me that! My name is aqua regia!” a voice replies
A long sea pony covered with gold bracelets and body rings embedded with jewels and runes carved into them
“Luna, meet aqua regia, the local deity and one of the best wielders of water magic I know”
She bows “Hello, I am Princess Luna of the moon and canterlot, how do you do?”
“…I thought you hated formalities” aqua says, looking at the cat
“I’m sorry, it’s just that I’ve never met a deity before” she looks to the cat for help
“Just talk to her like you do to me” he replies
“Okay…” she mutters