I hate paperwork. Greed and I were going through all the new supplies the former Nexus people were delivering on mass, endlessly since last week and… it doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon…
“Jesus fuck, how much crap does Nexus even have?” I asked, shaking my furry hand as I wasn’t really used to this amount of paperwork. “Seriously, this is three times as much as what I normally do minimum.”
"Clearly when an organization dates it's foundation back to the days of the admin war it can gather many trinkets." Greed said, counting the…. Four hundred billionth digital storage box filled only with iron. Four hundred billion boxes, each holding a centillion amount of a several million pound ingot… all only for iron so far!
“The actual hell do they need this much iron for?” I whined. “I know if you make it right, Cold Iron can do wonders against certain magical factions but fuck…”
"Just built up over time my Lord." Greed said, starting on the next box.
I left. I need a break and I'm taking it in the one place I can really relax.
I was enjoying the hot milk bath with Rarity. We made this a fairly regular thing since that first day and I have not regretted it. "So we just sit in warm milk?" Heart asked. I figured since Heart has never had a normal life back on earth and most likely never experienced the bliss of a spa, it would do them well.
“Listen, I’ve never experienced a spa before until Rarity and others forced me here but...this milk bath, while a little weird that it’s with milk, is honestly a lot better than just a normal water based bath.” I explained.
"It smells divine and since the liquid is milk, the more shy can feel a sense of security in the tub." Rarity added.
Heart just shrugged. All in all they looked… unphased. Not relaxed and not stressed. I frowned at that as they looked around the room rather than just enjoying it.
“Have you...never just relaxed in a hot bath before and just relaxed?” I inquired.
"I never got a full right hours sleep until I was sent to Equestria, and even then it took a few months before I did." Heart stated. "Being born as public enemy number one tends to do that to you."
"Why that's just dreadful." Rarity stated.
“Sadly, that was his life back on Earth, way before all...this happened.” I sighed out. “But then...Heart’s life has been weird...and so has mine...life is just fucking weird the more I think about it.”
"Eh. At this point I mostly just embraced it. The only real relaxing I ever did was when the girls and I, well, screwed." Heart said.
"So you feel more comfortable relaxing through sex?" Rarity asked.
"Basically. In case you two haven't noticed I don't have many hobbies, especially after beating Kingdom Hearts 3 on critical mode with all those restrictions."
I still can't believe he did that. And in a week! Took me two months...
“You still need a hobby.” I said honestly, trying not to get upset at how he beat something a whole lot harder to me.
"Is sex a hobby?"
"In this family, no. Sex in this family is more like our jobs before, during and after saving the realms." Rarity said. "Fun and enjoyable, oh yes. A hobby, no. Sadly."
“I...wouldn’t call it a ‘job’...” I said sheepishly. “But that’s just me being a horny bastard half of the time.” I said sheepishly.
"Would you prefer I call it your career darling?" Rarity asked, giving me a sly smile.
“I wouldn’t call it my career but...well I am really good at it.” I shrugged. “So anyways, how have you two been?”
"Well, when I'm not rutting with someone I'm sending keyblades to their wielders or giving birth or… that's about it these days." Heart said.
"Well, The other Rarities and I have been working on a line of casual armor. Clothing that looks ordinary but is as bullet resistant as vibranium." Rarity said.
“Neat.” I nodded. “I have been...busy with a whole lot of things...there’s counting all the Nexus inventory, the new recruits...preparing to fight Clockwerk as Kite...a whole lot of shit at the moment.”
"Wow. You keep busy." Heart said.
“Also I learned that Vincent is a physical manifestation of Grey...so there’s also that.” I said. “Which...that also involves Grey being a creation of Vincent’s...the original Vincent...bastard just wanted to either look like Vincent or took control of him, not sure which at this point…”
"Okay… you bring that up because?"
“Because it’s both important, and it involved one of the things I did today.” I said honestly. “Like how I fused with Cript and all my weapons become overpowered as shit.”
"I thought the Override ability made a proper fusion impossible?"
“How we fixed that is...a double edged sword.” I sighed out. “So in conjunction with me now owning all of Nexus that was going to get murdered in that Nexus Purge a long time ago...if Grey could cherry pick his own motley crew of people through time, I got to have a scroll full of a vast majority of his knowledge from all the ages he clearly remembered, and one of the things was Code Stitching.” I explained. “So we did a thing, and Cript no longer has the Override ability...which I also forgot I’m gonna need to do that to a lot of other people if that hasn’t happened yet.”
"Okay. Anything else you wanna add to that?"
“I’m sorry, I’ve been really busy...I need to vent a little.” I sighed out. “But...anything else to add…”
"What about the kingdom? Anything new there?" Rarity asked.
“Well…” I started thinking back on stuff in the kingdom. “Well, things are running smoothly at least, the photoshoot Kat, mine and Rarity’s fusion here, had is still making it’s rounds throughout the kingdom, and a few other things here and there.” I shrugged.
"Nice. So, aside from soaking in warm milk what else are we gonna do here?" Heart asked.
"After this is the full body massage, followed by a steam room, then a nice meal, ending with a full body wash and pampering." Rarity stated.
“And trust me, all of those feel amazing.” I said happily. “Might be a bit more of my feminine side coming out on that, but even if I was a normal guy I’d still be super pleased with it.”
"If you say so." Heart shrugged.
“I know so.” I said honestly.
The milk bath was going well. I took a nap and woke up some… hour later, seeing only Heart in the tub with me now. Heart was now looking relaxed at least.
“Where’d Rarity go?” I yawned.
“Take a guess.” Heart said, their tail emerging up from the milk. “Had a quickie, and my insides honestly are a better spa treatment than bathing in warm milk.”
“Why didn’t you wake me up?” I pouted.
“You looked so peaceful. Besides, Rarity still wanted you outside to make sure I actually went though the rest of this spa treatment.”
“True.” I shrugged. “So we should be ending our milk bath soon, I forgot how long we’re supposed to be in here...also sorry for falling asleep...I’ve been really busy…”
“Eh, you needed it.”
After about thirty minutes later we were taken out of the milk bath and dried to enjoy a full body massage. As I was enjoying the stress getting massaged out of me, I looked over at Heart’s treatment… The staff seemed to be having trouble...
“What’s wrong?” I inquired to the staff.
“We can’t quite… push into the knots…” The masseuse said. “It’s like trying to massage stone. So much stress.”
Heart shrugged.
“We’d have better luck along the scales.” The other masseuse trying to work on Heart’s lower back said.
“Need me to help out or cast buffs?” I asked curiously. “Cause I can do both if need be.”
Needless to say after some of my best buffs, cast multiple times, and some help from me, the Dark monofilament that is the stress knots in Heart’s back, neck and arms were finally removed. I looked in amazement as I saw Heart bending their arms in ways that should be impossible, and even turn their waist around a full 360 degrees. “Wow, I haven’t been able to do that since I was ten.” They said, turning back to normal.
“Uh…” I blinked. “How...why...and seriously?”
“Ventral thing, not sure, and yeah. Guess that’s when my stress really started building.” Heart said simply.
Up next was the steam room. Heart really got to stretch out in there and seemed to enjoy going completely nude while in there. “Heh, this kinda reminds me of my trips to Brazil.”
“Why is that?” I asked curiously.
“The warm humidity mostly. Was just like the… do you wanna know or shall that secret stay a secret?”
“I’d like to know.” I said honestly.
“It’s a lot like the nazi bunkers we’d stockpile every summer.” I stared at them. “You wanted to know.”
“Well...I suppose.” I said nervously. “But really?”
“Yeah, and hey, you enjoyed Apple products, right?” Again, I stared at them. “I’m not joking.”
“Are...are you serious?” I asked carefully.
“Yes. Apple was backed by the Nazi’s in brazil. Steve Jobs was the one they sent out to use america’s capitalism against them by using the Apple company to fund their second coming. Why else would a phone that costs like forty dollars in parts cost up to five hundred dollars on the market?”
“Uh...huh…” I started. “Sure...why not.”
“Wonder if those bunkers are still there?”
Next was the meal. The buffet was as I remembered it and- “Sweet, food.” Heart said, going for the… unique foods. The ones that talk, and ate them all rapidly.
“Sure are hungry.” I said in honest surprise at how rapidly Heart was eating.
“Naga, remember?” Heart said, shoving one of those plant ladies down their gullet. “Besides, I’m sure Rarity will enjoy the company in there.”
“That’s...also true.” I nodded, taking my time and enjoying my delicious food.
After we were done in the buffet it was time for the bath and pampering. All was going well until it was time to clean Heart’s teeth… needless to say, the staff lost that game of tug of war and now they are also keeping Rarity company while Heart bathes themselves in their tub. The staff was washing me keeping some distance from Heart.
“You know, it’s a lot better when your not shoving the staff into your stomach.” I pointed out.
“What, they can pamper Rarity in there and it’s not like they aren’t enjoying it in there. Besides, when cleaning a naga, be cautious if you’re cleaning the teeth.”
“It’s not the first time a guest does that.” The lady washing my tail said. “Bright side, when it does we get a small bonus for the trouble.”
“Extra if they don’t let us out before leaving.” The one washing my head said. “A lot of extra.”
With the watching done and after a while Heart did let the staff out, the pampering was finished and we headed off. I felt and looked amazing and Heart looked great, though they’d look even better if they didn’t keep the staff inside them for the bath part of the pampering.
Heart and I returned to the cozy room of ours where we quickly got to cuddling, Heart was rather affectionate right now.
“While I really enjoy the affection, why so affectionate right now?” I inquired my floof noodle love.
“You work too much.” Heart said simply, giving me a sloppy kiss and getting as close against me as skin and our… rather large assets allow. “And… if I’m honest… I don’t want to fight anymore.”
“Which kind of fighting?” I asked curiously.
“Pretty much all of it.” Heart sighed, nuzzling into my neck. “Something Cript and I have in common is that we’re tired of the fighting. Battles… I know there’s still a massive war going on, but… I’m pretty happy like this. Sex, birth, babies, keyblades to weilders, repeat. Not necessarily in that order mind you.”
“I understand.” I nodded. “All this fighting for this war is stupid and pointless...but it’s fighting that needs to be done to make sure future generations can live free and happy.” I said honestly.
“Between you, Eclipsa, Cript and the others, I’m pretty sure I can get benched. Unless I’m really needed.”
“You’ll always be needed.” I said honestly.
"Maybe. Til then, shall we enjoy each other's company?"
"Yes." I smiled, nuzzling my sweet Floor Noodle wife.
I have to admit, I enjoyed this greatly. Heart and I typically would swap who rutted who after every climax, but this time it was after every four. They had an unfair advantage with that tail though, but I had ways of getting them back for that.
At one point we managed to set ourselves so we both got inside each other at the same time and I won't lie, this is so far my favorite position.
When we finally took a break Heart got nice and cozy between my knockers and used their tail to wrap us both up in it. I managed to wrap my arms around Heart so we were in a comfy little cuddle ball.
"This is nice." I cooed happily.
"Way better than a spa day, but that's just my opinion." Heart said. "So, ever give some of the things from Lyra and Rune's book a try?"
"A few." I shrugged. "But after that...no."
"Heh. What about number 88?"
Number 88. If memory serves me right that one is… body possession?
“No, I haven’t done that.” I said honestly. “Seems a little...strange.”
"It's a bit interesting. Kinda like shapeshifting but you merge into your partner and feel their body as they wood, and of course, they also see, feel and all that you do while at the wheel. Can talk to you too, kinda like being Symbi in a way I guess. It's an interesting take on Dom and sub play."
“Interesting.” I said honestly. “Don’t know if I’d do it but it’s interesting.”
"Chicken." Heart huffed. "How about body swapping?"
“Freaky Friday much?” I joked.
"What? It's not all that different than Shapeshifting into one another. Single gendered sex?"
“Way ahead of you on that way before I became this.” I chuckled. “And also true.”
"Heh. Never tried pet play did ya?"
“I tried, but it just...feels weird when we’re literally animals.” I said honestly. “Kind of hard to explain really.”
Heart rolled their eyes. "You think too much."
“Maybe.” I shrugged. “But you love me even if I overthink things.”
"Yeah, but not gonna lie, a bimbo version of you sounds really hot. Bet Bimbo King would be up for possession and pet play~"
“That’s not going to happen.” I softly patted Heart’s head. “I may fit two of the three criteria for it, but I’d like to keep my smarts thank you very much.”
"Not like it's permanent. I've let Symbi do it to myself a few times. Gotta say being a stupid hot girl somehow made the sex better since it's about all I'd think about while like that. That and acorns. Those kept popping back up in my bimbofied brain." Heart said, looking about as confused as I was at that statement. "But fine, no hot bimbo king for me… unless…"
“Besides...acorns being a really confusing thing for you to randomly think of, what do you mean ‘unless’?” I inquired.
"Well, we are Admins. It won't be you, but a sexy bimbo copy of you sounds fun. More open to some of the wilder sex and I bet you've had sex with yourself, don't lie, so this time you won't have to focus on being both top and bottom of that situation."
“Well...if it means I don’t have to force myself into something I might not like, then why not.” I shrugged. “Also...we could have just done that before with Starfish Clones though.”
“Eh, so, if you make a bimbo you, I’ll make a bimbo me and we rutt each other silly?”
“Sounds fair to me.” I nodded.
So we did. I brought in a starfish clone, one of each of us, and set their minds to bimbo. Not quite brainless mind you, they still have enough of a personality and smarts to hold a conversation. Not gonna lie, seeing the now completely bimbo version of me groping their own breasts… was really hot.
“Damn…” I blushed a bit. “That’s...really hot...is that what you guys think whenever I do that?”
“Among other things~” Heart said, already groping their bimbo copy’s body.
We gave them some personality physically to help tell us apart. Heart’s bimbo copy, we named Heat, cause why not, had pattern blue and black scales along their tail and upper body fur. Mine, we named Bing, yeah, creative I know, has neon blue hair along their head, ears, tip of their tail and at the bottom of their legs and arms.
Eventually I took Bing’s hand, pulling them close. They smiled, blushing madly and looking at me with a strong need. “Please?” They begged softly.
Hot fucking damn no wonder Heart want’s me to do this kind of stuff.
“Okay Heart...I can see why.” I admitted.
Heart didn't reply, already tongue deep in Heat’s mouth kissing as I soon did the same to Bing. I enjoyed this a lot.
After some of the more wild sex I’ve ever had. I ended up enjoying that pet play a bit given… Bing was the pet. Maybe next time I will take up that offer to a round of pet play with Heart and Eclipsa.
After what was arguably a marathon of sweat, grunts and sexual enjoyment, Bing and Heat went to getting it on with one another and Heart and I enjoyed the show. “I told you that would be fun.” Heart said, head resting atop my sticky breasts.
“I know I know.” I chuckled.
“So, next time I ask, wanna hold the leashes or wear a collar?” Heart asked, moving atop me, looking me right in the eyes with a loving smile.
“Holding the leashes.” I said honestly, giving Heart a quick peck on the lips.
“Good, Eclipsa will be thrilled~” Heart said, kissing me back.
We kept up this kissing session for a long time, long enough for us to get absorbed in the mess of sex Bing and Heart were having. A not so quick orgy later Heart went to take Bing and Heat to the others, where I imagine Lyra and Rune will thoroughly enjoy their company.
I took a nice bath to wash off the stickiness in my fur, and was off to find someone else to meet up with.
King arrived in the nursery, one of his favorite places to be when not doing anything or someone. As he admired the infants within the cribs, all were sleeping soundly. As King walked along the way he spotted a familiar, identical Den Mother Wolf, Ophellia.
Walking over, he spotted them over and noticed they were looking over Heart. Their Heart, still an infant and sleeping as well.
“Hey Ophelia.” I said softly. “How are things going for ya?”
“Good. I’m a bit concerned though.” She sighed, rubbing the sleeping Heart along their body. “He hasn’t woken up. He feeds, burps, all asleep. No dreams, and a dive to their heart shows nothing.”
“That’s...not good or correct.” I said worriedly. “How can Ezekial be...effectively in a coma? Being reborn should have fixed everything.”
“I don’t know. Back before we rediscovered a lot of research and knowledge the original Admin of Heart never bothered writing down. The only thing similar to this is when a heart gets fractured and a piece is removed. But his heart is whole.”
“Maybe...we’re looking at this the wrong way.” I started. “He can move around fine, he can eat and do other things, but he’s still asleep...remember when we drowned?” I asked Ophelia carefully. “Way back, when we were like...I don’t know, seven or something? At the beach.”
“Yeah… we only…” She looked down at Ezekial. “Missing his soul… That… might be it. Ezekiel has always been… fragile in how they exist. One missing piece, and they’re broken entirely…”
“That’s Heart for ya.” I sighed out. “Now...the only problem is, where’s his soul? And how do we get it, cause I can’t tell where it is, and our domain is supposed to be about the Soul.”
“Given when I… Most likely when he… his soul died as an admin would, reduced to base code…” Ophellia said, tears quickly forming and falling. “But… one, or rather, thirteen people might be able to help us.”
“And luckily for us, their basically in our backyard.” I said with a smile.
Ophelia gave Ezekial a quick kiss on the head before we rushed off. Arriving in the arena the Mushroom Thirteen made above the castle, the inside was different than I expected. It was all… empty, save for a single, rather tall Mushroom Thirteen, Number… zero? “Hello Champion.” Ophelia said.
The tall Mushroom Thirteen nodded. “King, no, you go by Ophelia now. Timelines, am I right?” They asked with a chuckle. “I was wondering how long it would take for you to seek my help.”
“We...well, Ophelia needs your help.” King said to the special Mushroom. “Also...who are you? I don’t remember finding you and...well I kind of think Mother told me about you, being the Admin of Challenges but...never formally met.”
"Correct! I am Champion, the Admin of Challenges. Nice ta meet ya other Ophelia, er, King. Heh, Timelines. You two are here about Ezekiel's Soul."
“Yes we are.” King nodded. “Cause neither me nor Ophelia can sense Ezekiel’s Soul, which should be impossible due to several reasons.”
"Heh, silly puppy, nothing is impossible. You've restored his body and his heart but his soul is quite unique, even for a Cript." Champion said, now walking in a small circle. "Most Cript bodies and souls stay together, be them in parts or as a whole. Not Ezekiel's. Like a windup clock one gear missing renders the others immobile and useless."
“So what does either me or Ophelia need to do to get his soul back?” King inquired to the mushroom.
"Well, as you can guess I already have it. All you need to do is win it."
"I'll beat whatever challenge you throw at me...as long as it means I can save Ezekiel." Ophelia stated.
I'd expect nothing less. Now, is your younger self over there joining in as well or will she be watching it?"
"While I'd like to help...I think Ophelia's got this." king said honestly.
Nodding, Champion snapped his fingers. I found myself in a small boxes room. The scent of various snack foods hitting my nose as the wall before me showed Ophelia standing alone on a station of awakening. It depicted the Nobody symbol, stained red, crimson red.
"Popcorn?" I turned, seeing Champion sitting on a large, comfy looking chair eating from a jumbo tub of popcorn. An identical chair was next to him. Behind those was a snack table loaded with various theatre based foods and drinks.
"Sure." King nodded, grabbing a bag of popcorn to enjoy the upcoming show.
On the platform, Ophelia took a long, deep breath as she held out her hands, in a flash, Lunatic appeared. The claymore now looked more like a sword than before, the tip of the blade showing the image of the moon reflected within it's metal.
"Wow." King said honestly. "Didn't think Lunatic would look like that for her."
The arena was silent for a time, Ophelia prepared for anything and everything Champion might throw at her, and soon a portal opened up fifty feet away from her and out...came Grey the Naga and Jake the Dullahan. "Wait, hold on what!?" Ophelia yelped in surprise at their sudden appearance.
"Wait, isn't that her Eclipsa and her second in command?" King asked curiously, wondering why the hell they were here.
"This is where the fun begins." Champion said happily, starting to eat more popcorn.
Ophelia took a step back, the one thing she wasn't prepared for was her challenge to be against the one she loved and her most trusted advisor...and another thing she wasn't prepared for was Grey putting a hand on Jake as he turned into Hearts X-Blade form. "How!?" Ophelia panicked at the sight.ght of Heart’s X-blade form in Grey’s hand.
“Excuse me?” King asked in both confusion and concern, seeing his older self start to shake from repressed emotions suddenly making their way into her mind.
“I...I…” The older den mother tried to get to grips on what she was seeing, only to block a sudden powerful swing coming from the Naga, the ground cratering underneath the immense power. “I can’t…”
“You have to.” The older version of Eclipsa told her coldly. “To save Ezekiel, you’ll have to beat the both of us.”
“But...but I…” Ophelia teared up as she managed to knock them back. “Why does it have to be you two?”
“Because we’re the only ones to knock some sense into you.” Grey said, rolling her shoulder as she started to get back into the swing of things. “Are you going to stand there and take it, or are you going to take a stand?”
“I don’t want to fight you…” Ophelia stated.
“But you were so happy to rip apart our-” Grey started to taunt, only to block Ophelia’s rage fueled swing.
“I did what I had to to save you damn it!” Ophelia roared, kicking the Naga in the stomach and knocking them into the far wall. “I knew I was condemning myself to whatever pit of hell for doing that to him, but it was to make sure the same mistakes wouldn’t happen again! Where...where you were safe…”
"You were too blind to your own grief to notice his. All he had after was you… and you betrayed him."
“I already betrayed him by not saving you!” Ophelia barked at her. “And now he’s in a coma without a soul, and I have to fight one person I trust and the one I love...what sick joke is this?” The den mother growled angrily, thinking Jake turning into an X-blade was more so coincidence or just to fuck with her.
“What about all the times he told you it’s not your fault?” Grey countered. “How many times did he tell you not to blame yourself because I sacrificed myself to keep you and our family safe and sound?” She asked, dashing forward and swinging at Ophelia, the wolf dodging but getting knocked to the ground hard by the Naga’s tail smacking them hard.
There was a faint crack. Nothing broken, but cracked almost to breaking. Ophelia got up, clashing blades with Grey. "Selfish bitch." Grey growled, using their tail and wrapping it tight around Ophelia's neck.
“I...gave up...everything…” Ophelia growled. “To fix my mistakes, and now that I have the chance…” Ophelia growled, Nothingness pulsating from her. “I’m going to fix it, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me!” Ophelia barked, grabbing Grey’s tail and pulling it away from her neck just enough so she could open her mouth, an orb of energy forming before a Howl Blast shot towards Grey’s face.
The naga did what naga's do best. Ate a majority of the energy, what didn't get sent down her maw burned the flesh at the edges of their mouth and neck. Grey retightened their grip around Ophelia's neck, throwing her high into the air and launching herself up to her. Grey poured energy over their weapon, and when it clashed with Lunatic, the echos of warped metal rang loud as Lunatic bent and distorted, but did not break. Landing, Ophelia looked the claymore over, the blade now twisted and deformed to barely a quarter of it's true length and glory. She growled, disbanding it for Sky Splitter.
This blade, King noted, looked far more like a tomahawk, the grip now longer and the blade much smaller. Yet, still, the blade seemed forged of pure energy.
“Jeez, they are really going at it.” King said nervously, seeing Ophelia swing Sky Splitter down and...damn near cleaving a hole through reality as a bladed shockwave rushed towards Grey. “But...question, why did Jake turn into an X-blade? Just coincidence or something important?” King asked Champion as they took a swig of their complementary drink.
“Well, since they can’t hear us.” Champion said as Grey dodged the swing and charged after Ophelia. “Way back when Ophelia first came here, she needed a strong enough heart to force the time travel but keep her body.”
“So she stole Heart’s, yes.” King nodded.
“Now here’s the kicker, if Eziekial had his body transformed into that keychain and used the power of his heart to funnel the time travel, what happened to his soul?” Champion asked.
“Well...it would either go off to whatever afterlife he was allowed to go to or his soul would go somewhere else.” King answered.
“And why do you think that suit of armor that Grey is wielding looks so eerily familiar?” Champion asked, looking at King as their eyes widened in realization.
“There’s...there’s no way…” King stated breathlessly, seeing another earth shattering clash between the trio. “That...how?”
“Right now, this match isn’t about who will win in a fight.” Champion stated, his voice sounding less jovial and more serious, seeing the clashes continue. “This challenge is about Ophelia getting past her sins, seeing that she still continues to hurt herself, and believes that she’s unforgivable when all she wanted to do was see her Eclipsa’s and Heart’s smiles again…” He explained. “Even though her Heart continued to support her even as a suit of armor.”
“Jesus…” King muttered. “This...is a lot more than just fighting each other…”
“All you’ve done is hurt more than you’ve helped!” Grey shouted as she parried another swing from Ophelia.
“You think I don’t know that!?” The wolf countered. “Everything I’ve done is to see your smiles again, to see you all happy, even if it means I wouldn’t be apart of it.”
“That’s the problem you moron!” Grey shouted as she tripped the wolf over. “Why do this!? Why any of this!?”
“Because you’re worth all the pain damn it!” The Den Mother dodged a tail slam as she tackled Grey to the ground. “Everything I’ve done to this point was to bring you back! Everything I’ve done was to make Zeke stop crying! Our Children will stop crying! To...to make myself stop crying…” Tears hit Grey’s face as she saw Ophelia crying, but the wolf tried to swing her weapon again, only for her to get knocked off quickly.
“You admit you’re at fault, when you still blindly deny it, as per usual.” Grey growled. “How many times have we told you we’re here to help?”
“You weren’t here, and Zeke was so far gone I didn’t hear from him in years!” Ophelia countered.
"Think, you're supposed to be smart!" Grey yelled, swinging down atop Ophelia, who used Sky Splitter to block. It did, Grey's blade stopping halfway down the handle. "Ezekiel isn't just one person, you always forgot that!" Grey picked harder, snapping Sky Splitter in two.
Disbanding it, Ophelia brought in Frozen Pride, the shield very much resembling the original form, but a lighter blue and as clear as glass.
“You mean his light and dark half that weren’t there either?” Ophelia countered. “Or what else did you have in mind for him?”
"Miles." Ophelia froze. "Unum. Core. Guts. Vincent. Mors. Grathon. Raga. Xehanort. Peccator. Trixie. Simon. Starlight Glimmer. Tokoyami. Clementine. Meliodas. Raven. Eran. Alucard. Should I add the dead who's hearts rested within his? The keyblades awaiting wielders?"
“Then...why didn’t any of them help?” Ophelia asked carefully, staring at Grey in the eyes. “Why did none of them take over Zeke’s body when he ran?” She growled. “Why didn’t any of them help me bury our children!? WHY WAS I THE ONLY ONE TO DIG AND MARK THEIR GRAVES HUH!?!” She shouted in pure rage and despair. “You know me...I wouldn’t have done this unless I was truly lost…”
“You think it was only Heart who was hit by that grief? Countless exist as one within him, and one, single, powerful emotion sent them all into a chain reaction of despair and grief, tell me, in that chaos can even you break free and give comfort when the negativity of nearly an eternity of hearts, Keyblades and twenty equally powerful pieces all suffering from the same negativity, could you have imagined what that was like for them!?”
“I don’t have to…” Ophelia started, only to shake her head. “First up, how the hell do you know all of this? You appeared in this timeline, and I never told you any of this…”
Grey simply put her X-blade down. It shifted back into her right hand, who stood up, removing their helmet, revealing… nothing inside… That nothing soon formed a face Ophelia last saw, when she ripped his heart out. “Hell… can not come close to what I went though.” Ezekiel said. “Tourture, and death, would have been a blessing. Compared to that!”
Ophelia took a step back. “B-b-but...how? You’re...you said you were Jake, a Dullahan Nobody…” The wolf stammered, her eyes starting to blur from even more tears forming.
“I needed time. I needed to… calm, and subside the chain reaction from within. More importantly, I needed… her advice, her words… As a soul, I could only do so much. Even with Admin powers. Thankfully, I had means of achieving it.” Ezekiel said, summoning No Name and Gazing Eye. “I went back, took hold of this armor, and assumed the identity. My heart and body left in the present to heal and recover, the others could keep the body together. By the time I… had to return, I knew what I had to do. Had to… help us heal. When I returned, and began to finally bring everything down to stable levels… you showed up, and killed me.”
“And...why…” Ophelia stared at the Dullahan. “Why didn’t you say anything sooner? Why just...go along with what I did? Why!? WHY!?!” She shouted at him .”You could have done anything, anything to try and make me think things through, not continue with what I did! I keep pushing off that the entire point of me doing any of this shit was pointless and a waste of time, why just now tell me the pointlessness was even more pointless!?” She shouted, pain and grief fueling her words. “What’s your excuse this time!? HUH!?”
“I think we should stop this…” King started nervously, having a bad feeling about where this was going.
“Even after everything that’s been happening…” Ophelia said. “I...I hoped with you being born again...could help me fix all my mistakes...help try and give you a life you always wanted…” Ophelia cried, as she brought out No Heart. “But...holding onto hope for something better for me was a mistake…” She said, bringing the blade up and flipping it around, pointing it at her chest. “Just like I’ve always been…” She said, the pain and grief she’s been holding back with anything and everything in this new world, with some shred of hope that things could get better, seemingly fully rushing into her mind as she believed there was nothing left for her, when the two people she cared for most told her she was a mistake. “I’m sorry…” Ophelia cried as she tried to impale her keyblade.
In an instant, No Heart was on the ground as Grey and Eziekial held her tightly. “The actual hell are you doing!?” Grey said in honest panic.
“Just...paying for my mistakes?” Ophelia asked, completely weak and defeated, not having anymore energy to fight back.
Grey and Ezekial stood up, looking at her. She shrunk, then yipped as the two of them suddenly brought out spray bottles and sprayed at them on her. “Bad Ophelia.” Grey said. “We do not suicide.”
“The hell!?” Ophelia snapped in shock. “We’re having an important conversation, why spray bottles?” She pouted, her eyes still red from all the tears she shed.
“Cause when you get like this, snapping you out typically involves something random and unexpected.” Ezekiel said. “Ophelia, I’m not mad… okay a little mad you killed me. It hurt… a lot…” They deadpanned. “The reason I never did anything while back in time is because Grey asked me not to.”
Opelia turned to Grey, who nodded. “If I was to sacrifice myself to save you all, I’d do so over, and over again with no regrets. You’d do the same, the… lengths you’ve gone through so far prove as much. What you forget is that, like how you’d have wanted us to live and you’d take my place, we’d want the exact same thing. It’s not healthy, I was hoping when Ezekiel went back to his time, you two could heal, move on, and rebuild. While it didn’t happen like I hoped… it all worked out in the end.” Grey said, kneeling down to Ophelia. “You love me too much to let me die. I love you too much to let you die.”
“Same goes for me.” Ezekiel said, kneeling now also. “I’m… sorry, I couldn’t get to you sooner. I had two hundred years when I got back to my time, but the grief was just… multiplying on everyone within me. Keeping it from affecting the hearts of the living was hard enough, healing and calming it was another headache entirely. Every one of my pieces love Grey, and you, just as much as I do. Being in a world without her… was a nightmare. Still, I returned to my body, and worked to fix them, so I can fix myself…” He lifted Ophelia’s chin. “So I can help fix you. My only regret is that I didn’t get back sooner. If even by just a day, an hour, a second… none of this would have happened.”
“You...you two really...but...everything I’ve done…” She started sadly.
“Ophelia, this is us we’re talking about. Remember that time Grey bet we couldn’t populate a galaxy’s worth of planet with one round in the sack?” Ezekiel asked.
“Or the time you got sad when this one traveler you were watching died in a fall so you altered the afterlife to give them a chance to return to life, then helped them do just that?” Grey asked.
“Or the time you took up a role with the Grimm Reapers Society and kept un-deathing all the children and infants regardless of how they died, since you kept fixing their bodies to full health.”
“Or the time you went about granting wishes and ended up with that sexy pet bird lady cause she wanted to be your plaything?”
“Or the time you rewrote all existing books to ‘fix’ any spelling or structure errors and somehow just ended up writing out porn of every book in existence, even the already pornographic ones?”
“Or the time-”
“Yes yes, I get it.” Ophelia started. “But I’m talking about in recent times...you two are...willing to forgive me?”
“Well, we are, but there will be conditions to start off.” Grey said.
“This timeline, is not ours. We are just, well, lucky to even be alive or, well, existing here. So from this point on, we exist as part of it but can’t help shape it. Leave that to this timeline’s versions of us, okay?” Ezekiel asked.
“We may not be able to help shape it, but we’re going to have to help deal with the...overarching problem.” Ophelia pointed out. “No matter what timeline we’re on, the Big Bad here will cause all of it to disappear.”
“In time.” Grey said. “Second, we can help teach and show this, and some other timeline versions of us what they can do, but we can’t help them train at it.”
“Seems a little strange when...we’d be doing that exact thing by teaching them but sure.” Ophelia nodded, not wanting to get too into semantics as she’d just sooner go home with these two and just cuddle for the next...eternity.
“Third, when I return to my body, the one you birthed, I… won’t remember anything. Not at first anyway.” Ezekiel sighed. “I’d basically be reincarnating into, well, myself. While my soul still has the memories, my mind and heart are blank slates. I will be, well, a baby, and grow into who I am, but I have no idea when or even if my memories will return. If they do, we celebrate the way we know how. If not… then I’ll be Ezekial, your son.”
“B-but…” Ophelia started.
“You can still have him as a lover if you want! Me, Eclipsa and Heart already did stuff like that before.” King called out.
“Wait what?” Ophelia looked at her younger self in confusion.
“It was a thing a while ago, Heart’s idea to try out a new life, it’s a whole thing.” King called out.
“Well… that aside, yes. If I don’t regain my memories, then that is that. If I do, then we can be just like before, but even as parents, lovers… or both as King there stated, context or not that’s a tad odd… I will still love you. That will never change.” Ezekiel said, giving Ophelia a kiss she melted into. When it parted, she was left smiling. Sad it was over, but smiling. “That is a promise.”
“Please…” She said, her tail wagging in pure joy. “And...I’m sure there’s a way to make sure you get your memories back...how, not sure at the moment but...well I’m just glad you're both forgiving me…”
“Now, onto the final condition. You have to wear it FOREVER.” Grey stated, growing a smile.
Ophelia frowned, confused at first then her eyes went wide, ears folding back in pure fear.
“No! We promised none of us would ever where that again!” Ophelia said in panic.
“That was more you than us.” Ezekiel said with a chuckle.
“It’s the final condition Ophelia, come on, you know you enjoyed having them on~” Grey teased.
“Not forever, and only during bed stuff.” Ophelia tried to compromise.
“Forever and you never leave the bedroom~ Well, aside from feeding and caring for the infants, but even then you leave them on!” Grey quipped. “Final offer no negotiations.”
“Everything else was fine until we got to this part.” Ophelia grumbled. “I want to be forgiven but...that’s legitimately asking too much by ‘wearing that forever and also never leaving bed’...this isn’t negotiations, that’s just a fact.”
“Consider it the price you pay for your actions.”
“And we both know when you wore them, Grey was extra perky with you. Is it that bad of a final condition?” Ezekiel asked.
“Wearing it forever and never leaving the bedroom, which part didn’t tip off that it was a bad final condition?” Ophelia deadpanned.
“Are you saying you don’t want to cuddle and rutt with me forever?” Grey asked, giving a mock hurt tone.
“I never said that.” Ophelia countered. “And...really? That’s...all we’d be doing?”
“Well, at least until we made up for lost time~” Grey teased. “Once we have you can reach out to everyone else in the family, and we can finally go on those trips you were always too busy for because of this or that or ect.”
“And you’d be raising me so, you can take me to parks or theme parks or wherever really.” Ezekiel added.
“I get to choose my wardrobe when we go out to more public outings.” Ophelia brought to the table. “There is a lot of outfits in this timeline I would love to wear on our outings...plus there’s a lot to add to the bedroom to be honest.”
“Okay, but you keep them on while wearing them, but you can cast illusion magic to make them invisible to anyone outside the family.” Grey offered.
“That would be a tad uncomfortable with all the fur but...I can at least try.” Ophelia said. “I just…” She grew back to full size and hugged the two of them. “I just want things to go back...where we’re all happy again…”
“Then all is forgiven.” Grey said, she and Ezekiel hugging Ophelia tightly.
When it was over Grey brought out a bag, Ophelia sighing as she accepted her fate. Grey adorned around Ophelia’s neck a hot pink leather collar, the tag reading, from top to bottom, Horny Girl Ophelia Baby Maker. Next came a fairly large hot pink bow, velvet stitches spelling out Bottom Me Only visible to anyone who looked at the hair bow.
Champion burst into laughter, while King blushed, sharing in Ophelia’s embarrassment yet also wanting to take up the bow and collar’s offer on their wearer.
“No, I don’t want that, that’s just the writer.” King grumbled, shaking his head quickly.
“Gods...this is so embarrassing…” Ophelia muttered. “And how the fuck did we get from me trying to kill myself from a deppressive outburst to this shit?” She frowned.
Grey simply gave Ophelia a kiss. "You are adorable when you're flustered, you know that?"
“You didn’t answer my question…” Ophelia grumbled, hugging Grey again. “I’m more than just...this ya know?” Ophelia pouted cutely.
"We know, but this is your only real punishment for killing me." Ezekiel said.
"And going bad shit crazy after I died and not considering how others were affected and going back in time to kill your past self, which makes no sense, in an effort to save me. Seriously, how did you expect that plan to even work?" Grey added.
“I was going to kill Jericho in this past, not King.” Ophelia deadpanned. “Or at least, make sure my mistakes weren’t repeated...and thankfully they weren’t...by also making this entire trip pointless on principle, but...well I still have you two at least.”
"That's my sweetie." Grey said, hugging Ophelia.
"Guess I'd better get reincarnated then." Ezekiel said, the armor around him falling off, showing the soul bound to it. He gave the two a hug as well. "See you both later, okay?"
“See you later…” Ophelia hugged Ezekiel’s soul.
With that, Ezekiel faded, leaving behind a small cluster of lights that too soon faded away.
Grey took Ophelia's hand. "Let's go home."
Four Days Later
I was nursing Ezekiel for Ophelia, who just barely got out of her and Grey's 'making up for lost time' session. The poor den mother was completely unable to walk, but still had a large satisfied smile on her face despite the… heavy redness of her rear, crotch and, well, everywhere really.
“How Grey hasn’t broken your hips or...anything else.” I shook my head at seeing the mess of a Den Mother.
"Oh she did… several times."
“Good lord.” I shook my head. “You’re gonna need a break sooner or later to make sure it doesn’t go overboard.”
"You kidding, with all that I did and how Much I missed her, I'm enjoying it." Ophelia said with a smile and a sigh. "Even if I get resized down there…"
“Well...at least you're having fun.” I nodded. “But...I didn’t think...it would have been that rough for you...I mean, I had an idea but...didn’t truly know.” I sighed out.
"Just be glad you will never have to go through what we did." Ophelia said, sighing as she took out a healing potion. It was fairly potent and after drinking it she looked back to perfect health. She then took Ezekiel from me, feeding him herself now. "God I missed this part more than anything."
“I understand that feeling.” I chuckled. “So...what now with you? Just gonna...continue this?” I asked, motioning to her outfit as a reason.
"Heh, for a while. There are a lot of things I will be doing, and as part of the agreement I will help teach you things by showing you what you can do. But mostly I'll just be helping around the nursery or take up some other hobbies."
“Sounds fair.” I nodded. “You do you, and as long as you're happy, then that’s all I could ask at the moment.”
"Thank you. So, what about you? Got anything planned for the moment?"
“No idea, cause I’m just...wanting to take a break from all the current shit going on.” I sighed out.
"Then do so, or you'll miss out on so much."
“But I have no idea what to do, cause there’s a whole lot of stuff to do.” I frowned.
"Hmm… how about… a walk?"
A walk… huh.
I sighed, smiling as I took in the fresh air. I took the form of my original human self for this, not many people know me like this so it fits and I started walking.
I was enjoying the sun, some music playing from my assistant right into my ears. Walking amongst the people without getting mobbed by them was a nice change of pace.
“It’s been forever since I last was just a human…” I muttered to myself, feeling a little weird not having any fur but just happy to be in casual clothes and enjoying the nice warm day.
It had been forever since I saw my original face too. Seeing it in window reflections was almost surreal. As I walked along I stopped inside a mini mart, getting a soda and chips. It was nice, to enjoy the simple, casualness of it all.
Eventually I found my way to the library, finding a vacant table and grabbed the nearest book off the shelf and started reading. It was a story about a viking, traveling across the seas to battle Thor. It was simple, but enjoyable.
“This is the life.” I sighed out in bliss, just enjoying the finer things of being inside library after so long.
I finished the book, moved onto another, and five books later I got up and left, finding a pizza place and eating a few slices before making my way to a park where I sat on a bench, watching everyone of all kinds of races interacting, kids playing and smiling at it all.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" I looked to my side, seeing Cript sitting on the bench next to me, smiling.
“Howdy.” I nodded. “And yes, yes it is.” I said warmly.
"How long has it been since you last got to enjoy the little things?"
“It’s been...too long honestly.” I sighed out.
"They say those who fight for peace never get to experience it. I'd say that's true enough." Cript sighed, slouching now. "When I was traveling back when I was just a mage, I'd often sit in parks like this and just, just watch everyone in it. Thinking about who they were or what they did."
“Yeah…” I nodded. “It’s...really tough when you’re so busy all the time...but we need to enjoy the little things.”
"Or we risk forgetting why we fight for it." Cript added.
“Yes.” I nodded. “All of this...is for them.”
Still in my old human body, I decided to take a walk around a place I haven't been to in ages. Ponyville. It was a merge of, well, every Ponyville in existence so the 'small town' was only as small as the multiverse and timelines variations of them are when merged into a single location. Still, it was nice to see the odd yet familiar place. Sugar Cube corner for example was considered a chain now with all the, well, Cakes banding together to make the store stay a popular site to eat. The same went for the Golden Oaks Libraries, Quills and Sofas, ect.
I stopped by Sweet Apple Acres. It has been a while since I last spoke to AJ and honestly found it funny how out of all of us the only one to get AJ in their family was Heart.
"God it's been forever since I've walked this road…" I muttered to myself, feeling like I'm walking in a dream given how long it's been.
I walked up to one of the many identical farm houses on the property. Thanks to the Assistant this makes knowing which farm house is the one I know, I knocked on the door, greeted by… woah. Apple Bloom had her hair brushes flat entirely, bow still atop her head though and her figure was just like Applejack's. She grew up, and we'll too. Last time I saw her she was half my height causing trouble in pursuit of her cutie mark… now she's an adult.
"Well ah'll be a Griffons Uncle. That you King? I haven't seen ya in years. Let alone in that body."
"And look at you AB...you've grown so much I barely recognized you." I said, my heart slightly pained as I thought back to so many things. "How's life?"
"Well, ya know that new thing with how aging works?" I shook my head. "Heh, well basically we live… a lot longer now. I'm actually gonna turn four hundred and ninety seven next month." My eyes widened. "Some new Thing Cript did to everyone. Way back, and honestly a lot of us enjoy it. Not much worry about lacking time anymore."
Hearing her say her new age...it honestly hurt me to know it's been that long and I just...missed so much. "So...how's Joy and the rest been?" I asked carefully, trying to push back my pain.
"Pain in the rear, but that's mostly just in the bed." She said with a laugh. "All in all things have been quiet. The girls and I are all grandparents several times over now, and most of the time when Joy isn't up at the castle helping ya'll out he's here with us helping the farm, ya see how big it is right?"
"Yeah, it's gotten huge." I said honestly, still trying to wrap my head around everything I've missed.
"You wanna come in? I got some nice Zap Apple Cider in the fridge."
"Please." I nodded. "I'm gonna…need a drink…" I sighed out.
Once inside Apple Bloom poured me a mug of Zap Apple Cider. Part of me was so very happy the inside of this place hasn't changed at all. "So what brings ya here?" Apple Bloom asked, taking a sip of the cider from the other end of the table.
“Just taking a walk.” I said honestly, taking a sip of my own cider. “Trying to take a break from...everything, relax and relearn what I’m fighting for...only to realize everything around me has jumped a couple hundred years…”
"Heh. Time waits for no one. A lot has changed."
“A whole lot...and all I’ve been doing is...well making sure it doesn’t implode or explode.” I said honestly. “It...honestly hurt a bit to hear how long it’s been…”
Apple Bloom shrugged. "To be honest I still find it strange, wake up in the morning and see the same face for almost five hundred years now. So, I take it you'll want a recap of any notable events?"
“Please, considering…” I sighed out. “I haven’t talked to Joy outside of work so much…”
"Heh. Well, when we first got the news about us all gonna live as long if not longer than Celestia and Luna, we were around seventeen at the time. Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo were the first of us three to have kids with Joy. Gabby had about six by that time. Frisk, Chara and Asriel, four each. Lovely had two by then and Tiara so far hasn't had any."
“Why hasn’t Tiara had any? Also...surprised Jenny wasn’t the first one to have kids.” I said honestly.
"She's just barely gonna have her first. It's due in October. She figured that, given how pregnancy works for us, she'll only birth one at a time and raise them to adults, then birth another after. As for Tiara, well, given her job she ironically can't make the time to be a mom. As is, she's barely able to make time for us."
“Well that sucks.” I said sadly. “But...how’s Joy been outside of work?”
"Pretty good. Sometimes he'll go out and drink with some friends or with us. Or both. We go out to eat on date nights, and thankfully our sex lives have been fairly constant."
“That’s good.” I nodded. “I...need to have a day with Joy...even though way back when he was in my head...he’s my little brother...and I haven’t spent any time with him...”
“Life’s been keeping everybody busy. As your general Joy often just either does paperwork of checks on the troops that head out to the front lines. With that deal ya made with Vincent the forces on Nexus’s side are finally slowing. Soon that front line won't be that anymore.”
“Yeah but…” I sighed out. “Worse things are going to happen...also wait, Joy told you that?”
“I am one of his wives, he talks. It’s a thing partners do to keep involved in one another's lives and not worry them with secrets and lies. Ya know, a healthy marriage?”
“I know I know…” I looked down. “It’s...all this work just keeps me from enjoying everything…” I grumbled, my shoulders slumping in bitterness. “Even with clones and that special place each of us hang out in...it can only do so much when...this is missed.” I motioned to how AB looks. “I...don’t even remember the last birthday I’ve either had or been apart of...hell I don’t even know how old I am!” I flung my hands into the air.
“Heh, fair enough. Do you at least remember what day your birthday is on?”
“December 8th.” I said readily.
“Hmm. Too early in the year right now. Tell ya what, how’s about you come along later tonight and we can have a little get together. You can meet everyone and catch up personally.”
“That...would be great.” I said with a tired smile. “I...need some normalcy...like...none of what’s been going on is happening…” I sighed out. “Just a simple part in Ponyville with my family and friends.”
“We all need some return to simpler times. Remember when your biggest worry was Core, now he’s part of the family with his wife and all that.”
“Oh yeah.” I nodded. “And when Psychopaths were actually supposed to be a threat, and now they're...really not.”
“Yeah. Why don’t you and sis head into town while I get everythin together. She should be upstairs. Be right back.” Apple Bloom said, rushing to the stairs.
I finished my cider, enjoying the unique taste Zap Apple’s gave to cider. Starts off real strong and sour, then ends with a sweet honey like aftertaste.
After a minute, Applebloom came back down with her older sister. To my pleasure the mare hasn’t changed since I last saw her… helping with her zap apples since they had a unique reaction to the realm of Nothingness. “Howdy King.” AJ said, tipping her hat to me.
“Glad to see someone I haven’t seen in a while hasn’t changed.” I sighed out thankfully. “How you doing AJ?”
“Been fine. Working alongside a million others of me has been interesting, but work gets done. Come on now, Bloom’s gonna get this get up started so we gotta skedaddle.” The farm mare said, taking my hand and the two of us left, heading back into town. Now, given how big Ponyville is, you’d think that walk would take an eternity. Normally, you’d be right but there are portal stops set up everywhere to make getting around simpler. One portal later we were in the center of the town. “So, what ya itchen for partner?”
“A date? So soon?” I asked in mock surprise. “Why AJ, it’s only been...forever and a half since we last talked...you know this would work more if I knew how long it’s been since we last talked.” I frowned.
Aj laughed. “From what Rarity tells me that’s not a deal breaker with ya.” She said, poking my nose, making me laugh too. “Nah, not a date, more a proper meeting. We didn’t actually talk much before, and even after Bloom joined up with Joy I got to know that pup more than I got to know ya. Figure it’s about time I remedy that.”
“True.” I said, looking around as to where to start. “It’s...been so long…” I said, nostalgia hitting me as I saw the same humble and lively town and it’s denizens milling about...while it was good nostalgia, it still hurt a bit at how much I missed this. “Well...I don’t know where to start honestly.”
“Come alone. I know just the place.”
It was a short walk to a little nook in the middle of nowhere. Or rather, in the middle of two larger, fancier places sat a simple brick building. The sign saying Bar, and nothing else. Entering the place the inside was rather nice. Snazzy and well kept, but completely empty. Save for the Barkeep, who wore a nice and fancy suit. To my surprise, he looked human to boot. “Glad to see ya back AJ, fancy the usual?” The Barkeep asked.
“Make it two.” AJ said as we took our seats at the main bar table. Soon two mugs of a golden and foamy liquid were before each of us, accompanied by a bowl of mixed nuts and pretzels.
“So what is this place?” I inquired. “Cause this place is most...certainly not your average bar, if the innate magic in this place has anything to say about it.” I brought up, so used to having my senses active at all times I couldn’t help but notice there was something special about this place.
“I’d expect nothing less from the Admin of Nothingness.” The barkeep said. My eyes widened as he said my title. He winked, code flashing from his fingers as they then made a large bottle of wine.
“Eyup.” AJ said. “King, meet Barkeep, the Admin of Liquor.” Applejack said, taking a drink of her booze.
“Pleasure.” Barkeep said.
“So that’s why…” I muttered. “So, what brings you here specifically? Or is this your own special bar that just teleports anywhere?” I took a wild guess there as I took a sip of my drink.
“Kid, this bar is as omnipresent as you with your Starfish clones. Everywhere and yet nowhere. More of a paradox but my point still stands. I’ve been doing this since the Admin War ended.” Barkeep said, looking through the various bottles along the shelves behind him. “I may have invented booze but you people. Heh, you embraced and refined it, brings a tear to my eye.”
“Well, when the drink is addictive to hell, some people have got to try and refine it so it won’t completely destroy someone’s liver and also not taste like gasoline.” I shrugged. “Seriously...some alcohols are just bad…”
“Ah now that is just your opinion on the matter kid. Every race in this existence has different biologies, different pallets, and different and unique tastes for each and everyone. What you call crap could be another’s Rothchid. Point is, don’t diss the drink cause the body you have can’t handle the flavor like others can.”
“I can, and I’m not the only one that does it, but fair.” I said with a raised hand. “But anyways, what is this drink? It’s pretty good.” I said while taking another sip of my drink.
“Rogathian Honeyberry mead. Grown in the fall, brewed in the winter and aged for thirty years to perfection in copperwood kegs.”
“Nice.” I nodded. “So, what brings you to our neck of the woods if I may ask? Just because we were looking for a drink?”
“Bit of both. My bar is always here, but sometimes it’s not. Still, it’s always here for the people who need a good drink and a good talking too when somethings got them troubled, then and only then can they see and enter my bar. Course, regulars who are just good company like AJ here get a free pass on the regular.”
AJ reached inside her hat, pulling out a pamphlet, showing the bar from the outside on the cover. “Been coming here every so often for the past two hundred years or so.” AJ said, putting the pamphlet back.
“That pamphlet is the key to always getting allowed in my bar, problems or not. Ya only get it if I like ya.” Barkeep said with a chuckle.
“Cool.” I nodded. “So...how long have you ‘been in business’ as it were?” I asked the old admin.
“Like I said, after the Admin War.”
“Well...yeah, sounds about right.” I nodded. “Gonna need all the booze in the world to forget that from what I’ve heard about it.”
"I didn't participate, so I wouldn't have known." Barkeep stated. "Just hunkered down here and waited it out. Whole thing was pointless as far as I'm concerned."
"Fair." I nodded. "Why fight when you can share a drink?"
"Here here." Barkeep said, picking up a flask from his suits inner pocket and taking a swig.
"So, anything in particular you wanna talk about partner?" AJ asked me.
"Well…" I started. "Who have you met over these long years?"
"Met, nobody really. Sure I've had a fling or two here or there but nothin serious. Big Mac on the other hand is married. Sweet little thing named Sugar Bell."
“That’s...not what I meant but sure.” I shrugged. “I meant what people have you met from them coming here for a drink?”
"Heh, all sorts of folks. Met this one guy from a place called Yharnam, talked about beasts he killed and monsters from the moon. Another fella called himself Jecht, some old sports star from what he was boasting about. Then I met that little blue monster again, Stitch. Most interesting was this one kid, was suited up head ta toe in a funny blue jumpsuit with the number 13 in yellow on his back. Only bought water and a whiskey ta go."
“Interesting.” I said honestly.
"There was this one gal I had a good talk too, some witch, or so she said, long black hair and a real fancy figure. Then there was this one guy, said he worked studying bugs and such to help solve crimes. Lot of folks come here."
“Cool.” I nodded. “Whole lot of people from all around.”
"Yup." Barkeep said.
"So aside from who I have met while being a regular here, anything else you wanna talk about?" AJ asked.
“How...do you also keep track of things outside of work?” I asked carefully. “Like...I know I’m really busy, but also have starfish clones but...when I got to Sweet Apple Acres and saw Apple Bloom grown up I just...felt like everything just kind of slipped away from me, so busy with running the kingdom, dealing with this war, and a whole host of other things.”
"Well, I didn't catch everything." AJ said. "A'h missed the birth of my first nephew from Bloom, their first goofball game. Wedding… fact is King, you can't catch everything. Something is always gonna slip through your fingers. But as long as someone was there to tell ya all about it, with pictures or video to boot, you can catch up on what ya missed, and ya can make up for that missed time later."
“But...before, I felt a lot...closer to all of it, like ‘darn I missed it’ rather than ‘I didn’t even know which of Joy’s wives had kids’.” I sighed out.
"life goes on. All we can do is make up for the lost time with what we have before us."
“I know…” I sighed out. “But it also sucks when one of them is your daughter and you haven’t heard from her in a while…”
"Jenny, right?"
“Yes.” I nodded. “Jenny...we’ve talked a few times before because of work but...I don’t remember the last time we had ‘parent child’ time as it were…”
"Joy and Bloom tell me she's working on the front lines. Sniper, got nicknamed Jam Gun Jenny."
“And not a single day goes by when I’m not scared for her safety…” I sighed out. “But yeah, she’s a real good shot from the reports I’ve heard. And...hopefully with me now owning Nexus, a majority of this fight will end.”
"In time."
“That’s all we have, even though Time doesn’t fully exist anymore.” I brought up.
"Something to drink on." AJ said, raising a mug. I did the same and we took a swig each. "Still not used to seeing Granny Smith looking as young as me though."
“Must have been one hell of a day when Granny figured that out.” I chuckled.
"She went out dancing and drinking for three days straight… and now we got a new grandpa." AJ said with a laugh. "Still, she's happy and now we have a lot of new aunts and uncles."
“Always remember...your grandparents were hot once, as some people have weirdly mentioned to me.” I said honestly. “Don’t know why...but they're probably laughing at being proven right.” I shrugged. “So besides talking about how Granny Smith got laid...what else do you want to talk about?” I asked AJ, wondering if she had any questions for me.
"Well, how's been royalty?"
“Still a massive hassle.” I grumbled. “Still too much paperwork…”
"Yeesh. And I thought the paperwork on the farm was bad. How's Twilight? Haven't seen her in a few… dozen years or so."
“She’s doing well.” I nodded. “She’s certainly enjoying all the new things to learn and study and a bunch of other things she’s still into after all this time.” I chuckled.
"Heh, sounds about right. Surprised she ain't a teacher yet."
“She’s brought it up a few times, trying to figure out how to considering one of the other reflections we managed to bring here had a ‘Friendship School’ that Twilight owned.” I brought up.
"Wow. Heh sounds nice. What about Celestia and Luna? Whole lot a new generations are growing up and learning about how Celestia and Luna USED to raise and lower the sun and moon."
“Honestly, the day they learned that nature finally took control of the sun and moon cycles, they both cheered for a good twenty seconds, and then went to bed.” I chuckled. “Celestia may claim she’s a morning person, but Luna’s more of a morning person unless Celestia get’s her morning Coffee.”
"Heh, funny. So, how's been your own kids?"
“It’s going well, always a wonderful time taking care of my kids, seeing them grow up happy and healthy and raring to go for whatever life outside the war throws at them.” I said honestly.
"That's nice. How about Your parents? Heard some stuff on the news and… not sure what's true and what's not?"
“Well, my original birth parents are having a blast in this world, enjoying their new dire wolf forms, enjoying the truck loads of grandkids and great grandkids, and is overall just enjoying life.” I said honestly.
"And the ones from Cript's side?"
“Den is doing well, finally got done showing her some of my favorite games cause...well when the world is really far in time, a whole lot of previous games I enjoyed finally got sequels and remasters so there’s that.” I shrugged. “And even if she might not enjoy it...well she’s just enjoying learning something that I enjoy.”
"And the rumors about you all having kids with each other?"
“Well…” I thought back .”It was one hell of a Mother’s day that’s for sure.” I chuckled. ”Both of them were okay with it, and given how the family’s...biology works, no harm done to the kids because of it.”
"A'h figured. Apparently they now teach that while incest is still a social tabboo, biologically, now anyone can do it. Seriously, walked in on some very, very awkward situation." AJ said, taking another swig from her mug.
“My first thought was Big Mac getting too drunk with Granny Smith and I don’t know why...” I started nervously.
"Thankfully that didn't happen, was more amongst the teenagers." AJ said, shivering.
“Sounds about right.” I nodded.
"Aside from that little bit of awkwardness every now and then, life has been really good. Apples are growing all year round, even in the winter, same with Zap Apples and we expanded to all kinds of wild and crazy new apple types."
“Cool.” I nodded with a smile. “What kind of apples you got?”
“Magic Apples, Jack Apples, Maple Apples, Iron Apples, Golden Apples, Seedless Apples, Cloud Farmed apple, though I would not call them apples personally, and a whole lot more my buzz can’t get me to list off at the moment.”
“Fair.” I shrugged. “But got a whole lot of apples to make into all sorts of food, drinks or booze.” I said honestly, taking another swig of my drink.
“Heh, eyup.” AJ said with a smile. “So King, mind if I ask ya a bit of an odd question?”
“Go ahead.” I nodded. “What’s this odd question?”
“Well, how come you never… offered, offered me I mean. I… place, in yer herd…” She said, turning a bit red now. “Fluttershy has Discord, and Rainbow Dash has Spike, I was the only odd mare out.”
“That’s...honestly my fault.” I sighed out. “I never visited as much as I should have, or even talked to you all that much.” I explained bitterly. “But...I can rectify that mistake if you want.”
“Honestly, I dunno. Part of me thinks it would be nice, but the other is scared of changing how my life here is. I’m content, but I still want somebody to be with. Though, given what I hear about ya, that might be a simple thing to pull off.”
“Starfish clones are a hell of a thing.” I chuckled. “And I’m happy with whatever you want to do.”
“So, just you and I here? Heh, sounds nice.”
“Best consider how to set up your new life though.” Barkeep said, cleaning a cup. “While not many know or remember your human face, you really can’t go out in your wolf forms either. Best bet to live a normal life, the Admin Game. Make a new life, and from there, live and experience the reasons why you fight.”
“That’s...a good point.” I said honestly. “Would be interesting to say the least.”
“And nobody would know either.” AJ added. “And technically, it’s not a lie if yer body is that of someone new entirely.”
True… I… everyone, doing that, can live and experience normal lives while still being the heads of the kingdom… The combinations of who and where are pretty much endless there, but given that’s not really an issue either… Only question is, am I a Unicorn, Pegasus or Earth Pony?
“Question, do you want me to be a pony or something else?” I asked AJ real quick.
“A stallion is fine, as fer what kind… surprise me.”
I nodded, standing up and thinking. Given I’m likely going to be helping out a lot on the farm as well, I went for an earth pony, just an inch taller than AJ’s height. I’m going generic in regards to body type but that will improve later on. Colors for my mane, tail and coat were… hmm… I went with a midnight blue for my mane and tail. Feels weird having that and not being able to move it. My coat color is a dark purplish red, and lastly my eyes I kept the normal blue of my wolf form. For clothes I gave myself a basic white shirt and jeans with black shoes.
AJ gave a whistle. “Looking good partner, all that’s left is your name.”
“My one weakness.” I frowned. “Cause I sure as shit don’t know how to name properly besides looking it up on the internet.”
“Well, how’s about something that gives away who ya are, but only to those that know ya?” Barkeep offered.
A name that’s an inside joke? Hmm… Got it. “Pale Paladin.” I said.
AJ chuckled. “Whoo that was a long time ago you went by White Knight. Good choice.”
“Literally only my family would know this joke to be honest.” I chuckled. “So I think I’m gonna be pretty safe from unwanted attention.”
“Save mine, right?” Aj asked, giving me a smile.
“You are wanted attention.” I said warmly. “And I’m here for you and only you AJ.”
Walking back from the bar, it felt nice to walk anywhere and not get mobbed. Especially with a lovely lady on my arm. This body has only… about .5% of my total powers. Enough to keep me sober after the booze but sadly AJ did have a buzz on her. "Heh, thanks for this K- heh, Pale." AJ said.
“No problem my fair lady.” I said with a warm smile.
AJ blushed, giggling in her buzzed state. "Lady, heh, haven't been called that since I lived in Manehattan."
“I believe you were visiting your family...I don’t remember what fruit they were though.” I said, remembering that episode briefly but not fully.
"Oranges."
“Oh yeah.” I nodded. “Now I remember.” I nodded. “But you’re my lady now AJ, and I’ll treat you right.”
Once we got back to the farm and the family there was made aware of who I was and what I was gonna do, it gave everyone ideas and quickly it began spreading through the family.
While AJ was being helped sober up by Big Mac I got to meet his wife, Sugar Bell. She was a unicorn, to my surprise, about average height with a thin build and so far is the only one who doesn’t know who I actually am. While Big Mac does, she doesn’t. “So how did you and Applejack meet?” Sugar Bell asked.
"Met up at, coincidentally, our usual and favorite bar." I said honestly, which wasn't technically a lie. "We talked, we drank...I made sure to not do anything wrong I promise." I added quickly.
“Even if you tried, drunk AJ can still hold her own against most people. So, what do you do for a living?”
“He’s actually gonna start work on the farm.” Big Mac said to his wife. “Starting tomorrow. Things have been well and given he is dating AJ that makes him family, so he’s helping on the farm.”
“Oh, that’s great. A new face for the farm is always nice. I mostly just bake the apples and such into pastries.”
“And they sell just as well as they taste hun.” Mac said, earning a smile from his love. Daw.
"Adorable." I chuckled. "But I hope to live up to the Apple Family's work ethics."
“So long as ya get the jobs done, you’ll be fine.” Big Mac said.
“So where do you come from if I may ask? Are you one of the pop ups or a resident?” Sugar Bell asked.
Let’s see… pop ups are people who lived in their realities towns or ect and residents mean you are from that world/town ect before the merg.
"I...suppose I don't remember, I've just been traveling a whole lot, doing what I can for the people, all that and more."
“Oh? Were you a guard? Or something like that?”
"Well...kind of? My name is Paladin after all so there's that." I shrugged. "It's just been...a long time really." I said sheepishly.
When my conversation with Sugar Bell ended I walked over to Joy, who upon seeing me just chuckled. “Heh, sup?” Joy asked. He didn’t look so young anymore. I’ve known this but now I was really taking it in. He looked like an adult, no longer someone so young. Matured and strong, and more male than female, but the herm that they are still showed. A little.
“Sup.” I nodded. “It’s...been a while huh?”
“Well, we see each other at work about every day.” Joy countered.
“It’s different.” I told him. “It’s...a whole lot different…” I sighed out. “So...how’s life been?”
“Pretty good. Sad Tiara is always busy with the Time Walkers and I’m happy Jenny is at least finally able to take leave from the front lines. Frisk, Chara and Asriel are all taking a trip to Saddle Arabia, knowing those three I expect them back before the week is over, banned from those lands entirely.” Joy said with a laugh. “Scootaloo, after finally learning to fly got a job as a professional stunt double in movies, Sweetie Bell became a pop star, one of many versions of her to do so, apparently. Fun part is everyone knows Sweetie Bell of The Family, is a pop idol but A, there are a lot of her in this family, and B, there are even more not in this family so when a concert of hers comes around nobody is sure about which one is a part of the family or not. Kinda fun to watch people try and figure that out. Lovely actually works up in the Crystal Empire as a Marriage Counselor, and Gabby works for the post office here in town. Lastly, Bloom stays here on the farm where I help after work or on my days off.”
“I’m glad to hear everything’s been going well.” I said honestly, Joy knowing full well by my tone I wasn’t feeling well about something important.
“Oh stop it.” Joy said. “I know that tone, I was your emotion for a long time so I know when you are upset about something. Let me guess, you didn’t realize how much time had passed since you last talked to everyone?”
“Yeah…” I sighed out. “I’ve been so busy that...finally taking a break and seeing everything’s changed by...damn near four hundred years is...honestly a bit painful…” I stated. “I mean...it’s probably been longer but I only guessed by AB’s new age.”
“It’s a fair guess.” Joy said with a nod. “A lot has changed, but, it’s still us and it’s still Ponyville. Manehatten was completely rebuilt. Bigger and better than before.”
“Which I’m still thankful...and still saddened to this day…” I sighed out, remembering the first statue that was built in Manehatten, of my old male dire wolf self holding Book of Retribution with all the dead inscribed in it’s actually movable pages, and then a second statue of my Den Mother form to commemorate how, even after so much bad things happened, I was there to help foster new life into a once destroyed heap. “Even after all this time...still felt like I could have done something about that Titan...still have no fucking clue how or why it appeared there besides ‘barrier weakened’ maybe crap…”
"Wasn't it that Psychopath version of you?" Joy asked, handing me a beer I took and drank readily.
“Most likely.” I shrugged. “But...since I probably haven’t noticed, how is he doing? Did he finally marry that one Ventral girl he was really into?”
"Married, had kids and all of them are in a super max prison built specifically for dangerous magical or God and above their threats. Cript called it The Vault I believe."
“Ah, yes...you’d think that version of me would have been smart enough to, you know, not do that shit…” I frowned.
"Yeah, well in any case with that aside in terms of issues there haven't been much on the residential side. Few basic robberies and thefts, some usual crime stuff."
“There’s literally systems in place to make sure that robberies and thefts wouldn’t need to happen, either on the living part or the ‘I want shiny’ spectrum…”
"Yeah well not everyone in the merge liked the idea of being governed by a single ruling crown so they declared independence from us. Not wanting to go through a short and dumb civil war we allowed it. So while we have no governance in those places we can still aid as part of a more international organization. Dumb I know but people aren't all the same."
“Ah, yes, the old classic ‘why should only you have all the power and make actually good, well documented, and well thought out decisions when we can do everything just fine’.” I said, mimicking the diplomat that quite literally told that to my face. “Little did the bastard know, three years later the country that person wanted to start joined back with us...seriously.” I shook my head. “That’s what you get for making your entire economy based on black jack and hookers and have zero self awareness to basic infrastructure…”
"Funny enough I hear he is trying that again elsewhere. In any case there are many well off self sustaining places that trade with us for the, ya know, better tech and all that. I hear Cript kinda liked how a lot of these places had their own unique laws, reminded him of his days traveling. Odds are he'll do something dumb yet fair."
“Sounds about right.” I nodded. “In some cases I can be fine with it...but when my first few instances of it were people trying to act tough, only to come back to us has kind of...ruined actual good attempts at it for me.”
"Well in any case, most aren't so bad. Save the fucking Puritans."
“How they still exist I have no fucking clue.” I said honestly. “Seriously, have quite literally everything that proves their shit wrong in dozens of ways, they don’t even bother facing reality…” I shook my head.
"Pride and stubbornness go hand in hand. As long as they aren't causing trouble they have their land and they can do them." Joy said with a shrug. "At least they trade, which is better than not. Some allow tourism but it's restricted based on bullshit mostly."
“And at some point I’ll have to put the hammer down on them before they start thinking they're better than everyone else.” I growled.
"At some point you need to remember that just because we have the power to do as we please, doesn't mean we should. For better or worse people deserve their freedom to do what they want, think what they want. Otherwise we go from leaders to dictators and invaders. I already talked to Cript about it. As far as he's concerned, unless they start a war or threaten lives they can think they're gods for all he cares."
“That’s when they start thinking they're better than everyone else.” I stated simply. “But...I know…” I sighed out. “I’d just...rather not have bad things happen because some people decided to abuse our good faith.”
"That's the beauty of being basically all powerful." Joy said, reaching into their pocket and pulling out a small, tiny statue of themselves. He placed it on the table. "Lot of people worship us. Strange as it is, but there is some use in that. Gives us eyes and ears in places. Even in the Puritans cities. People there sell these as trinkets or as collectables. Their leaders know this and know what we can do with a simple snap of our fingers. Words and good faith are best backed by power when dealing with a nasty diplomatic solution, and power we have, power they don't and could never hope to achieve."
“That makes sense.” I nodded. “I...remember that whole thing to.” I said, bringing up my Assistant and bringing out my old, hand carved wooden statue of Den. “Way back when Den told me she couldn’t visit anymore...she told me to make this if I ever wanted to talk to her...couple hundred years later, Mother’s day happened.”
"Yeah… that video still sells like crazy." Joy said with a chuckle. "Pervert."
“It’s not my fault that both of them were perfectly fine, and even wanted to promote it…” I blushed brightly. “Also...mom was the one that wanted to record it, not me.” I coughed. “Besides, Jenny also gave me...a proposal of lewd things between parent and child...I’m not joking either…”
"That doesn't surprise me…" Joy said with a sigh. "So, your just gonna focus on farm work while living here with AJ?"
“I’m going to live a life outside of work and the constant mob...so I can see what I’m truly fighting for that isn’t just my family.” I said honestly.
"Yeah… definitely should do that myself then. Pale Palidain's little brother, Smile." Joy said with a laugh.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you wanted to little bro.” I said, moving over a bit and ruffling their hair like old times. “You’ve grown so much…”
"So have you. I seem to recall once upon a time you would talk to yourself about how you don't deserve love."
“I’m not that depressed anymore thankfully.” I said honestly. “But...so much has changed since we first started…”
"Change is good."
“Yes it is.” I said honestly. “How are the other council members doing? Since you keep track fo them better than I do outside of work.”
"Genos still can't beat Saitama. Dante and Vergil are on speaking terms. Sonic is off training inside the speed force. He also still can't beat Saitama. I'm not so sure about the others though. Most keep their personal lives private while at work."
“Fair.” I shrugged. “But as long as they’re living good lives I suppose.”
Seeing everyone was… nice. Sweetie Bell rivals her sister Rarity in terms of her figure and shape. Scootaloo while still on the.. .smaller side of the spectrum wasn’t easily dismissed either, especially with her hair.
Seeing Jenny made me smile. She was a fully grown woman now, her belly easy six months along and honestly, seeing her in loose, casual clothing was both so weird and adorable all at once. “Sup dad.” Jenny said as she and I sat on the couch.
“How have you been Jenny?” I asked. “And...you’re fully grown now…”
“Physically, yes, mentally, that’s debatable.” Janny said with a chuckle. “Honestly even with everything changing I don’t feel all that different.”
“Still my little trouble maker huh?” I asked with a smile.
“When I can.” She said with a prideful nod. “As I’m sure you know, these days I only cause trouble for Nexus on the front lines. Ironically being there makes me more at ease than being here…”
“Fighting makes you feel more comfortable than being here being with family?” I inquired.
“Well, kinda. I’m used to fighting for my life, being anywhere when it’s calm just makes me on edge, waiting for the storm to kick back up. In the storm I can focus and predict what’s most likely going to happen if I do this or that… when it’s calm I don’t know what to do or if what I do will bite me later on.” She sighed. “I know that’s not the case anymore, but even hundreds of years later I can’t shake the habit or feeling.”
It’s like Heart then, adjusting to a calm life is harder for them cause of how they lived back on earth.
“Just like Heart used to be…” I sighed out. “Funnily enough, Heart’s finally coming around to...just wanting to be a cuddle bug rather than fight, so relaxing into a new life is possible to say the least.”
“I know. It’s why I figured, if I have a kid, or kids, Griffons can lay up to four or five eggs at a time. Rare but it happens and of course, Wolves like us can lay more in puppies so, not sure if I got one or five or ten even growing in here. I figured having kids will finally help me slow down, and maybe refocus that edge waiting for something to happen to keeping them safe.”
“I understand.” I nodded. “Kids can...certainly change people for the better, that’s for sure.”
“Yeah. That’s what I am hoping for.”
When the party began to end and everyone either was heading for bed or taking leave, I headed outside to look out amongst the stars.
It was about here I looked down, seeing a Time Walker stepping out from the orchard towards me.
“Hi.” I said to the Time Walker. “How may I help you?”
“Hey there.” I knew that voice. I smiled as I walked over to them. “Been a while. Coming from me actually means it has been a while.”
“How’ve you been?” I asked warmly to the Time Walker.
“When, where, everywhere across time and space mostly.” They said with a shrug. “The work keeps me busy.”
“Fair.” I nodded. “So what brings you here specifically in this time and place?”
“Quick visit, and, a job.” She sighed.
“What’s the job?” I asked Tiara. “And I thought you would have thrown yourself at Joy real quick after work instead of talking to little ol’ me.”
“Well I’m on the clock actually… You might wanna shift to your normal form for this.” She sighed.
I nodded and turned back into my original form. “I was getting used to Pale Paladin honestly.” I said, softly taking a hair off my skull helmet.
“It won’t be long, once we’re done you can shift back.” She said.
She snapped her fingers, everything went monochrome and time… stopped around us. Wo-ouch! I crashed into the house. Time being stopped somehow made it like slamming into a rock wall as I hit the roof, bounced over it and landed on the other side. I looked up, seein Tiara with both No Name and Gazing Eye equipped in her hands.
“Rude.” I said, standing up and rolling my shoulder. “And what brought this sudden fight on?” I asked, summoning No Heart and preparing myself for the fight.
“Sorry about this, but The Time Walkers just want to make sure you’re progressing accordingly, or… well, there won’t be much of a future.” Tiara said.
In a blink she was behind me. I spun in time to block but she swung first with No Name, Clashing with me and then swinging up Gazing Eye and hitting me in the chin, blasting me into the atmosphere.
Thankfully I regained my… footing? Floating? In the air and blocked the next attack she gave when jumping up to clash with me again.
“Alright Tiara.” I started. “If you want to fight, then so be it.” I said as I suddenly slammed Skysplitter into her side and sending her flying away, only for me to kick off the air after her. “Grand Cross!” I shouted as I raised both Skysplitter and No Heart up and swung down powerfully, a massive cross slash made of pure energy and enhanced by nothingness rushing towards her.
She recovered, swinging both Keyblades- How!?
I watched in awe as she deflected the attack away from herself, then suddenly there was… one… five… sixteen… forty… fuck!
I summoned Fodre and rapidly began avoiding the sudden army of Tiara duplicates trying to slash at me.
“Excuse me, what the fuck!?” I shouted, punting one Tiara that got close to me. “What does this have to do with literally anything going on right now?”
“If you can keep up with me like this.” One copy Tiara said, nearly missing a swung across my back.
“Then you’re progressing properly for the final conflict that decides if we all live or die.” Tiara copy two said, barely nicking my tail in a downward swing, getting only hair thankfully.
“Of course it’s one of those…” I grumbled, as I shifted into my True King Valor Form. “If you really want to fight, then so be it.” I growled, swinging No Heart as it knocked away a ton of Tiara’s just from the shockwave alone. “Do we really need to do this? I’d rather not hurt you…”
The only response I got was all the copies backing up, forming a circle as they raised No Name, and struck down their Gazing Eye keyblades, foming blue lights that formed a massive clock under and above me… yeah that doesn’t look good!
I started to lightly panic...but then I noticed something, the timer just started and...I had just enough time. “Time...Space…When All Things come to an End…There stands the Final Being of the Lonesome World.” I chanted, my words echoing power as I started to shift into my ultimate form. “The True Ruler of Nothing, In this existence of a Nobody like me…” I growled as I donned my True King armor as the timer was close to expiring. “True King form…”
I shifted into True King Form, the attack hitting right as I did, the damage was bad but survivable. Rapidly I brought out Foudre and was behind each of the copies, cutting each down fast. When that was done the real Tiara popped back in, and we began swinging. Even in this form she was keeping up a good defence and offence while I was attacking, both with weapons in hand, copies and the weapons themselves attacking on their own.
“Even in my True King form, you’re still keeping up.” I pointed out. “What do the Time Walkers give you kids these days?”
“Vitamins.” Tiara replied jokingly as she and I clashed. All my weapons hitting her blades at once. I was amazed they weren’t broken, or cracked. I kept pressing down hard, trying to win this stalemate- ouch! I looked up, seeing Tiara had summoned a lot of Darkness as now Dark Guardian floated behind her, his knuckles spiked with natural, bone looking pikes as he began punching at my head.
“Rude.” I said, my helmet shifting as I bit down on one of it’s fists that tried to punch me again and bit it off and spat it back into its face.
The missing limb regenerated as fast as I bit it off, looking thicker and harder than before and they repeated punching at me. At some point of ripping its hands off it finally reached a point where when I bit the limb it didn’t break off, my teeth didn’t break on contact but it was a stalemate there.
“Okay, so far we’re at a stalemate here.” I said. “Unless I do this.” I said as I brought back my fist as Code started to surge through it as I slammed it straight into Diamond’s stomach. “Symbi? Mind giving me four extra arms?”
I gained four extra arms and grabbed several of my weapons, flowing code over them and managing to slam Tiara back down to the ground. I rushed back down, seeing Tiara laid on the ground. She jumped up, and clapped. “Good. You are progressing well.”
“So why this?” I asked carefully, still ready to continue fighting her if she got up.
“Like I said, the Time Walkers wanted to make sure you were progressing properly for the battle of fate.”
“Wow, that leaves too much to the imagination given that I’ve heard that at least four times before.” I rolled my eyes.
“Hey, I can’t say much or else something will go wrong.” She said with a shrug. She snapped her fingers and time regained flow. I went back to Pale Paladin again. “But you are doing well power wise.”
“Good t know.” I said honestly. “But...seriously, I’m getting tired of all this fighting…”
“Don’t worry… When it’s all said and done, you’ll be enjoying your retirement like you’ll be enjoying life here as Pale Paladin.”
“If you say so.” I said honestly. “Let’s just...hope for the best.”
Tiara gave a nod, taking her leave and walking back into the fields. I headed back inside. I am going to cuddle, and possibly rutt, AJ.
“Hopefully things will go alright…” I muttered to myself, hoping everything will end well. “And hopefully AJ’s in the mood...cause I need some stress relief…”
To be continued...