The following month was… weird. Spiral, the weird squid thing, was gone, freeing the real Yevon. All that was left was closing up the other rifts and… yeah, but… I still felt… concerned.
Gilda, after convincing me let Vincent remake Zer into who he was in the Dream World Gilda was made into. It felt weird to see a nice version of Zer… a large part of me still wanted to…
“I hate this.” I said out of nowhere. “I hate this so goddamn much…”
"Considering all Zer did I can say the sentiment is shared." Luna said. She and I sat a ways away while I watched Gilda and Zer tend to some cows we bought… for them to milk and make cheese.
“This is bullshit.” I growled. “Zer get’s a fucking happy ending with the person I love the most and I just have to sit here and just…be okay with that?” I asked, desperately wanting to be okay with Gilda’s choice but knowing this was fucked up in every way possible. “There was no love in their relationship…Gilda was just…abused too hard by him…”
"They were. Yet whatever life they lived with them in that dream world… perhaps rooted itself deep into parts of Gilda's mind they had been trying to repress or ignore." Luna said. "Despite everything, Gilda always was shadowed by their time with Zer, and with a childhood like what they had… it's easy to cling so strongly to any happy memory even if it was tainted over time."
“That’s just Stockholm Syndrome!” I snapped. “Gilda…Gilda needs help…a lot of mental help, cause this is not okay…I don’t care if Vincent somehow gave Gilda that ‘dream world Zer’...this isn’t okay…” I said, fighting back tears with how I felt about this.
"Maybe not. It is unfair, but in the end, the Zer we knew is, for all accounts, dead, this new one is still a reminder. And while this is who Gilda perhaps always wanted them to be, or who before their heart portrayed them as. Cadence would know more on the subject."
“I’m going to ask them.” I said. “Cause this…this isn’t okay…I don’t care if he’s technically a new person…this entire thing became a problem because Gilda was kidnapped while I was gone…” I growled. “Where’s Cadence?”
"Most likely in the library."
With that I got up and ran inside.
Eventually I did find her and the second she saw me she sighed. "You're here about Zer and Gilda aren't you?" She asked as we both sat on the nearby chairs and desk.
“Yes.” I answered. “I know I’m about as obvious as Celestia’s cake addiction, but I need help, and answers, because this shit isn’t cool.”
"It is definitely complicated." Cadence sighed. "Well, ask away."
“This is Stockholm Syndrome, just instead of it being about loving your kidnapper, it’s loving your abuser.” I started. “Am I correct?”
Cadence nodded. "Yes. The moment I saw Gilda I could see the small threads of a tainted love. The unhealthy strands of desiring someone you know does you harm. They were weak, broken and unweaving themselves. And when I saw Zer. I saw the obsession and lust radiate off him like smoke. His craving and desire for Gilda was like an all consuming fire… then they came back with you." Cadence said.
“What happened?” I asked. “Did that magical dreamland just…magically absolve that entire shitty situation?”
"Well, whatever that was, Zer's heart is basically like someone else's. Gone is the obsession, the lust and desire for Gilda. Now rests a flame of passion… similar to your own." Cadence said, making me flinch. "As for Gilda. Well, there is now a healthy thread of love, but I do see the broken threads of the unhealthy one have merged into the new. Like twirling two or more strings together to make something stronger. They're there, but the majority of the new love Gilda has for this Zer is genuine."
I was…actually growing more furious about this, feeling my heart twisting at being told this. “Yeah…cause…cause of course…”
"I don't expect you to accept, or understand it, heck even I don't fully understand it. What I do know is that this Zer is not the one who broke into the house and kidnapped Gilda while leaving Ponyville on fire. This Zer I honestly believe won't ever hurt anyone, especially Gilda. But I do think you and Gilda need to have a talk about this. I know they had to convince you back when Vincent first altered Zer to be only his Dream World self, and you should tell them how much this hurts you."
“I know but…I’m…I’m scared…” I said sadly.
"I'd expect you to be. Gilda is, as it stands right now, the happiest they've ever been in their life. And… you're not." Cadence sighed, more or less summing up how I felt. "You can't ignore or put it off. The longer you do, the worse you will feel later."
“I know…I know…” I sighed. “This…this fucking sucks…” I said, still trying not to cry as I wanted to be strong…for me and for Gilda cause heaven forbid this might just shatter my heart.
"Do you… want me to bring them here?" Cadence asked. "Or later?"
“It’s best to do this now rather than later.” I said. “Cause the longer this takes, the worse it’ll get…”
With a nod Cadence got up.
I waited for what honestly felt like hours but I knew it was only a couple of minutes.
Gilda walked in and they sat at the seat Cadence was. "Cadence said you wanted to talk?"
“Yes…” I sighed. “Yes I do.” I gulped, trying to get the strength to actually have this conversation. “This…this is about Zer…”
Gilda took a deep breath. "I… figured, this was gonna happen. You aren't happy at all… are you?"
“Why should I?” I asked. “This entire situation is bullshit, you are the happiest I’ve ever seen you with someone that never deserved you.” I frowned. “Cadence even admitted that you still have, in some parts, that same Stockholm Syndrome esc feeling’s for him…even if a majority of the love is genuine…” I shook my head, trying to get my thought’s clear so I didn’t just ramble.
"I know…" Gilda said. "Zer is the one that got mind wiped and replaced… not me…"
“Gilda…you’re the greatest person I’ve ever met…and the one I love so truly and deeply…but just…Zer got everything he wanted…and now, he’s just…some ‘brand new person’, and I have to live with the fact that someone I wanted to murder for hurting you in so many ways…” I felt tears brimming in my eyes as I couldn’t finish my statement.
"I never expected you to be happy with this Anna." Gilda started. "I knew from the moment I asked it would… I just didn't have the perfect relationship with them in that Dream World Anna I had the perfect life!" Gilda yelled, their own tears falling now. "I grew up in a real home, with a mother who loved me, a dad who was there! I wasn't prostituted or forced to watch my body push out egg shells and yoke and the small little clump of cells that would have been mine! I didn't watch my brother join gangs and I didn't live being insulted for being who I am! I had a happy childhood. I had a happy family. And I had a happy relationship. And when I woke up for the briefest, the smallest of moments that past was all I remembered as you and my memories of you and all we have came together and I was… so happy… and then the shitty past came back, crashing and burning all that happiness from my mind cause it was all a dream in the end… I wanted just one. Just one peice of that world to stay with me. To have that and you… I knew it wouldn't be that simple or easy but I had to try…"
I started to cry, hearing all this and knowing…knowing they were right. “I’m sorry…” I muttered sadly, hating how I…basically just stole them from their perfect life.
"I don't blame you for feeling this way. And I don't hate you for waking me up from… that… I just hate that you're unhappy. I knew… you wouldn't be. I was hoping maybe if you get to know this Zer. I won't lie, I still remember the old one. I flinch and… get paranoid but, I remember you're here too. And I feel safer. I don't expect you to… like him. Heck I honestly would be surprised if you talked with him but… I know I shouldn't have… asked, and part of me does hate myself for that… I'm not asking you to forget or forgive the old Zer. I just hope you can at least get to know this Zer."
“I suppose I’m…also still reeling with how you wanted to just…’be’ with the Old Zer as well.” I said sadly. “I…I want to be happy for you, cause you are my mate, the light of my life.” I said. “I…I can at least try…”
"Thank you… and, I want you to be happy too. I know it won't make up for or… change the pain I put you through… but, if it helps… you can do that one thing to me."
I had to think a moment before I remembered we had one item on that Kink list we got from Celestia that was… honestly, really really hot but also required Gilda be ready to have babies… or in this case eggs… well, they likely already have Zer's so… adding my own is just a potion and a long bed ride away…
“You…you really want to?” I asked, looking into Gilda’s eyes and still thanking everything that’s good that we can actually work this out.
"It's only fair. Besides, it also makes me lay really fast and a month to lay one egg is kinda bullshit… plus, hey, when you give birth we'll be two overworked moms surrounded by more infants than we should have." Gilda said with a small laugh. "Plus, once you close those last rifts I imagine we'll really need to focus on the family. Both mates and the resulting infants and… all that."
“Oh yeah…” I said, rubbing away my tears. “And you still have a big harem of sexy ladies to lay with Stud…and also me cause we’re both too horny for our own good.” I giggled.
"I blame Celestia and that kink list. She just had to make sex that much more enjoyable." Gilda said, laughing as they also wiped away some tears.
“I’m…so glad that talking thing’s out works.” I sighed with a budding smile. “Cause…I…I don’t want to know what would happen otherwise.”
"Me neither… " Gilda sighed. "I guess I should add some new shit to my therapy next time I go… So… what now?"
“Well….” I started. “A date sounds nice.”
"A date with…?"
“Well…just the two of us hopefully, unless you want to bring someone else.”
"Alright. A date night, you me, that potion… but, tomorrow you have to go on a date with Zer."
“Alright, alright.” I nodded, leaning up and kissing Gilda. “All for you my wonderful griffon.”
My date with Gilda was simple. First we went out and ate, followed by some bowling and ending with a walk through town then home. Once home we… well, used the potion and Gilda had… many eggs laid that night. Potion really did make their egg laying thing really fast.
And so, the next day after spending most of the morning with Gilda and our nine eggs. Ten plus Zer's, I went out for my date with him.
It still felt weird. We walked down the road and he kept looking at me. He was definitely dressed differently. Jean overalls with a white shirt.
“So…” I started carefully. “How have you been doing?”
"Okay." He shrugged. "Sorry for staring I just, uh… never seen a creature like you before."
Wow. He really doesn't remember anything?
“It’s alright.” I said with a raised hand, even though I was mostly surprised with him not knowing who or what I am. “Keep it together, for Gilda.” I thought to myself. “I’m someone new to you, so if you have any questions I can answer them.”
"Well, um… your name is Anna right? Gilda talks a lot about you. But, uh… what are you?"
“Well…in simple terms, I’m human.” I said. “In more complicated terms…I’m a Goddess of Life?”
"Oh… well, that's… unexpected. So, you make like, plants grow and animals… exist?"
“That’s…kinda what I do.” I said honestly. “I haven’t really…tested out what I can do, all I know is that I can Shapeshift into different species if I…absorb Pyreflies, or ‘Souls’ as it were.” I said. “I can turn into Yaks, Minotaurs, Dragons, and a race of beings known as ‘Fiends’, a species of being’s that are…unsent souls.”
"So like, ghosts?"
“Fiend’s can be ghosts.” I said honestly. “But Fiends are more…physical manifestations of souls, where they can be anything from a canine, a bee, to an Iron Giant and many other creatures.”
"Huh. Weird. And how did you and Gilda meet?"
Huh… how can I explain this given his memories are all from that Dream World… actually, how much does he know? Cause from his perception he was ripped from his world into this one right?
“So uh…” I started. “Before I answer that, what do you remember? Like…how you met Gilda?” I asked carefully.
"Well, yeah we met in school." He said. "Kinda? Gilda told me something about me being from some other world made of dreams or something and someone pulled me out so… it's all confusing to me but I remember meeting Gilda in high school."
“Alright…” I said carefully. “Well…I met Gilda…oh how do I explain this?” I groaned, rubbing my temple a bit as I was trying to think of a way to explain it.
"Well, just say it like it happened then I'll say mine." Zer offered.
“Alright.” I nodded. “So…I met Gilda during some recruitment for a new Guard regiment, due to Fiends spawning around the planet and they needed some new strong folk.” I started. “Well, they were beautiful and strong…but well, we didn’t start getting to know each other until I…accidentally saw them changing after I got out of the shower at the barracks.” I said sheepishly, scratching my cheek at the memory and how awkward and…how much of an idiot I was back then.
"Heh. Yeah they have a surprisingly large one down there." Zer laughed. "Took me by surprise. Especially given they dressed like a really pretty girl all the time. No idea how they hide that thing so well."
“It was a miracle it could fit in me that well the first time we did it.” I said honestly. “This was before I became a Goddess…or…maybe I already was one? I don’t know, that whole thing is weird…but boy was it great…” I blushed, before shaking my head. “Sorry, I really didn’t want to get into horny thoughts…”
"Heh, fair I mean… yeesh it was what? Thirty dates, ten blowjobs and just as many boob jobs before I saw what they had down there? I won't lie and say I wasn't shocked but once that wore off I… let them have a turn being the one pleased. Was a bit awkward but… well, I got fairly good at handling and later on… oral."
Wow… surprising. New Zer already doing much, much better than old Zer.
“I’d say it was our…second date before I got to understand the wonder’s of being filled and sticky…and then we could barely keep our hands off each other after that.” I chuckled. “Still one fetish I want to try but know that neither of us will do…damn exhibitionism sounding so good…” I grumbled.
"Oh stars tell me about it. Gilda once was going at it under my desk while we were in detention!" Zer blushed, chuckling. "I still can't believe the teacher never noticed."
“Close we got was either fucking in the woods during one of our patrols, or fucking in the showers at the barracks.” I said honestly. “I’m pretty sure everyone knew…I always had a small limp from that beast.”
"Heh… yeah. My first time… receiving it, well I wasn't sitting right for a while…" Zer chuckled. "Gilda sure is something aren't they?"
“They’re the best.” I said readily. “The love of my life.”
"So… did you also marry them then?"
That one… hurt a bit. Gilda and Zer were married there… and with kids if I remember?
“We’ve been…trying to figure out a good time.” I said. “Cause we’ve been busy with this war…and a lot of monster fighting…” I sighed.
"I guess that would make marriage a pain in the ass to schedule huh?" Zer sighed. "Well… hey, does Gilda still wear those cute cat ears and paws?"
“I have managed to get them to wear it once.” I admitted. “It was amazing and adorable…and I want them to do it again but they say it’s too embarrassing.”
"Did they have the tail?" Zer asked.
“Yes.” I nodded. “It was so cute and…well, I got a bit frisky because of it…”
"Heh. Nice. Okay… hmm… do you also have a box of toys you both use during sex?"
“Yes, even with me shapeshifting there’s still a lot of things you can do with toys.”
"Alright, alright… okay does Gilda still have that OCD thing with their underwear?"
“So that’s why they were always so uppity when it came to underwear placement…” I said in realization. “I just thought they didn’t want to mix up our underwear due to…us having similar pairs due to…reasons.” I blushed.
"Oh no, Gilda has always been OCD. And organizes them by comfort and, their words not mine, Slipability." Zer chuckled. "Basically how easily they can move them over or slide them down and off."
“Oh that sneaky griffon.” I huffed. “No wonder they could always drop it at a moments notice…”
Zer and I spent this date walk mostly just talking about Gilda, the things we've done… where we've done them. I did have to admit, this version of Zer was… good. The whole aura of lust and creepiness was completely absent and he was just a nice guy.
It also made me happy that for the most part his memories of Gilda and Mine were similar in how much we knew the Griffon… save…
"So you haven't met Gilda's parents?" Zer asked.
“Oh…” I hissed. “So uh…remember when…you were told you came from a Dream World?” I asked nervously.
"Yeah?"
“So in your world, Gilda’s parents were happy and took care of them…in the real world, Gilda’s father fucked off and their mother…whored them out…” I said nervously. “As a child…”
"Oh… Oh that explains… a lot…" He said, stopping for a bit. The news seemed to have shocked him deeply. "What about their brother?"
“Well, currently they're working as a hermaphrodite maid to the both of us.” I said honestly. “But…they joined a gang when Gilda was still a kid and…well…thing’s only got worse as Gilda grew up…”
"Fuck…" Zer said, leaning over and trying to collect themselves. "That's… not right…"
“It was…incredibly fucked for most of their life…but then…well, I came in.” I said. “And I helped them be…well, the wonderful griffon they are today.”
Zer stood there for a while processing that information. "And… where was I? Was I not here for them or was there even another me?"
I… I can't tell them the truth…
“Well…due to gang violence…” I said nervously. “You…tried to protect them…that didn’t end well for you…”
Zer looked down, rubbing his arm nervously. "That… makes sense. Why I was pulled from that Dream World then…"
Yeah… I mentally sighed. Applejack would not approve, but some lies are better than the truth.
"Anna? Couldn't others also be pulled?" Zer asked.
I thought about that and… well, technically it doesn't exist anymore but… maybe it does… but why would…
My eyes widened… loving parents… kids…
“O-oh…uh…” I muttered. “I…I don’t know…”
"Is there anyone who might?"
Well, looks like this date is taking a detour.
To my own surprise, I took Zer by the hand and we walked right for Vincent's new place.
He set it up in the Everfree. It was a tall hollow tree and once we were in I found him at a table sorting seeds.
“Howdy Teach.” I said to Vincent.
"Hey." He said plainly. "What brings you here so soon?"
“So…Zer here…wants to know if we can bring Gilda’s parents and…kids to this world.” I answered carefully.
"You mean from the Dream World? Yeah, easily." He said.
“Cool.” I nodded. “So uh…do I need to do anything in return for this or just…you just do it?” I asked nervously, really not wanting to piss off the guy that can revoke my existance.
"Well, tell you what, you find your parents and I'll bring those other ones of Gilda's here." Vincent said.
“That works.” I nodded. “That was the next thing I was going to do anyways…next to finding the rest of the Spira Gang, the pieces of Sombra that I’m missing…pieces of Satan himself…man I have a lot crap to do still damn.” I blinked. “Oh yeah, I also need to…go on a date with Yevon…fuck.” I groaned, rubbing my temples. “Here I thought killing Spiral would have been it…”
"You have a very busy life." Zer said.
“You have no idea.” I groaned. “So yeah…last I remember, was Dad was being kept jailed by ‘The Shadow of the North’...whatever the hell that is.” I said carefully.
I regret making a lifelike copy body! So fucking cold!
I shivered as I trailed through the snow of the Frozen North. Turns out after some investigation there was a newly appeared castle of black ice even further north than Yakyakistan.
"Fucking…even my cold resistant forms are getting cold…" I groaned bitterly, continuing to head towards the new black ice castle.
Eventually I managed to see the black ice castle… it looked like Elsa went full on bad guy.
“Uh…alright…” I muttered. “Hey Gilda? Mind asking Celestia and Luna about a weird Castle of Black Ice?” I mentally asked my wonderful Griffon.
"Uhh… oh~ Oh one moment!" I chuckled. Judging by that response I caught them at a busy moment. Makes sense I basically told Gilda to enjoy the harem while I'm… technically gone. Clone body so I am there but still pregnant so, yeah… "Okay yeah they have no idea."
“Alright, and when I get back I’m gonna be wanting some of that fun…ugh, damn it, I immediately thought of a previous conversation with Zer and exhibitionism…I blame the cold and you being so sexy.” I mentally complained.
"Heh… well, we can do some stuff like thaaaaa~" The connection cut as Imagine whoever Gilda was with got Impatient.
With a shake and a sigh I activated the Kryptonian powers. Turns out I can have them on or off at will. Which is nice. I rapidly flew up and into the ice building. Shit even with the better vision I can barely make anything out…
“Hello?” I called out carefully, carefully moving around the black ice cave.
I was immediately slammed by a shadow Tendril. My Abilities letting me… tank the hit. Easily. I chuckled as I grabbed the tendril and yanked, pulling it and a huge chunk of wall off. Damn!
The whole castle seemed to screech in pain before multiple tendrils flowed out from the remaining walls, ceiling and floor.
Oh this is gonna be fun…
“Alright you, I have a lot of pent up rage and was unable to force it on someone.” I said, cracking my knuckles. “And you are just the kind of thing I need to EXPRESS IT!” I shouted, clasping my hands together in a single fist, raising it up and slamming it down into the ground as hard as I could.
I collapsed the whole castle of ice. When I popped up and out from the ruins I looked up to see a rather tall and giant Shadow pony. Below him sticking out of the ruins of ice was the petrified form of my dad.
“Alright.” I said, walking over to the Shadow pony. “I don’t know who you are, and I don’t know what your deal is, but you’re currently holding my dad hostage.”
They roared at me.
I laser eyed them in The face.
They collapsed and I absorbed all that Darkness and Pyreflies.
… Where the Fuck was this power earlier?! Seriously… Spiral could still kick my ass but this thing gets one shot!?
“Alright…uh…that was a thing…” I said carefully, walking over to my petrified dad and digging him out of the rubble.
Once I did I used my own Unpetrify spell and freed him.
"Ahg- Holy shit it's cold!" Dad yelled as he was unfrozen.
“Yes, it’s really cold dad.” I said. “There’s a lot to talk about, there’s a lot to discuss, but first.” I hugged my dad tightly and teleported back to the Crystal Empire.
"... Now, you know I love you…" Dad said. After a very long explanation and meeting some of my new family, he took about three hours to process it all. "But did you really marry your own browser history?"
"Daaaaad!" I whined in embarrassment. "I did not, and what did I tell you about looking at my browser history?"
"And what did I tell you about leaving your web tabs open?" He replied. Tommy was laughing his ass off and Gilda and the rest were all chuckling around the corner.
"I-i never…UGH!" I lightly slapped my dad's shoulder. "I save your life and this is what I get?" I pouted, crossing my arms in a huff.
"I wake up, find out my daughter is a shape shifting goddess of life, married to a harem and her ideal femboy, and apparently I'm going to be a grandpa!" He motioned to my normal body, the pregnancy belly showing and the crib/nest of eggs… "I clearly missed a lot so forgive my coping mechanism."
"Fine." I sighed, relenting a bit on this before hugging my dad again. "I missed you dad…"
"I'm glad you're happy… just wish I didn't miss all this."
"I know…but there's some things I'm glad you didn't have to experience." I said carefully. "But can we focus on Tommy getting a harem instead of embarrassing me?" I asked. "Cause it's way more embarrassing for him."
"Hmm… nah. That's every father's dream for their sons. Besides, yours is way more funny." Dad laughed.
I huffed. “It’s not funny.” I grumbled. “And of course he get’s off scott free…so, all that’s left is to save Mom…”
"And where is she?" Dad asked.
“Currently, she’s in the middle of the Canterlot Crystal Cavern’s, surrounded by very powerful Fiends that would…normally be endgame encounters for me…and also she’s in a stone statue known as a Fayth…” I sighed.
"Okay. Can you get to her?"
"Did you have to blow up that side of Canterlot Mountain?" Celestia asked me. Dragging the Fayth with my mom inside.
“Yes.” I said. “Cause fuck Labyrinth’s, and all the stupidly strong Fiend’s down there.” I said, having done a quick survey down there and yes, those things are capable of standing up to me in a fight. “Also because I have a lot more shit on my plate considering there are…a lot of loose ends to tie up…which I also remembered, I still have a few…million timelines still in my stomach…”
"So, how are we gonna get your mother out of there?" Dad asked.
"I…don't know…" I said carefully. "Also…why is Yuna in it as well?" I frowned, seeing the Fayth had both mom and Yuna in it.
“Maybe because they’re both summoners?” Tommy brought up.
"That…would make sense." I nodded, seeing that the two of them were holding a summoner staff in a frozen Sending dance. "Wish I knew how to fix this…" I frowned, knowing Vincent could but I really wished I knew how to do it.
“What about Yevon?”
“That…would be a good idea.” I nodded. “Though uh…you might…not entirely like him…” I said nervously, remembering a certain…fact about Yevon that my dad would not be happy about.
“So, who is this Yevon and why does he sound so familiar? He one of the game characters?” Dad asked.
“Well…technically yes?” I said nervously. “It’s…really hard to describe…you’d have to meet him to fully understand what I mean…all I can say is, don’t panic…and don’t try to maul him…”
“Why? I mean, for fucks sake Anna you’re sharing beds with gods and furries and… furry gods. How bad can they be?”
“About that…” I said nervously. “Hey Yevon? You can come out now.” I called out to my Godly Half, knowing he has a weird habit of just appearing behind me and scaring the crap out of me.
Yevon walked through the door, and Dad had a sword to their throat immediately. “What the-!” Yevon yelped as they fell back and on their butt.
“Dad!” I shouted in panic, rushing over to get between the two quickly. “First, where the hell did you get Jecht’s sword, and two, remember when I said don’t panic!?”
“I… don’t know where this came from… and two… I mean, he looks just like him!” Dad replied.
“Um… Hi again.” Yevon said.
“Yes, I know, he looks like a Ventral.” I said carefully. “But he’s a good guy, I promise! He’s…also technically my god fiance.” I said carefully. “However the hell that works…”
Dad pulled the Iconic Sword back but kept an eye on Yevon. Thankfully Yevon knew exactly how to undo the Fayth construction and both Mom and Yuna were freed after a few hours.
“Mom!” I said, rushing over and hugging my newly freed mother happily. “I’m…I’m so glad your back…” I cried, even as Tommy also dog piled onto mom and cried about as much..
It was a long talk with mom who, surprisingly remembered everything. She helped dad and Tommy get back up to speed and now I went back to Vincent.
"Found your parents already?" He asked.
“Yes…it was breathtakingly easy…” I said nervously. “Kryptonian strength is nonsense…and I blew up a chunk of Canterlot Mountain cause fuck maze’s and also fuck those Fiends that are still a challenge to me…” I frowned. “Though I was surprised that Mom and Yuna remembered…everything.”
"Eh. So, who did you want back from the dream world place?" Vincent asked.
“Gilda’s parents and…Gilda and Zer’s kid or kids…” I said carefully.
"Alright." He shrugged. He snapped his fingers and just like that four Griffons, two adults and two kids, appeared laid down on the ground next to us. The two adults, male and female, I could clearly see as being Gilda's mom and dad. Feather colors and all that. The two kids, the oldest looking maybe eleven with blue feathers and fur, and the youngest who looked maybe five or six had brightly golden feathers complimented by a spotted brown. "There you go."
“Thank you.” I nodded. “So…hi there you four…” I said, even though seeing that Zer got to spend eleven years with a child and yet I still haven’t given birth yet…even if I was on better terms with him, it still stung.
"What, where are we?" The adult female asked.
"Where's momma?" The little Griffoness asked.
I smiled a bit at that. Hearing her most likely referring to Gilda as Momma was adorable.
I explained things as best as possible to the adults while the kids, Gallus, who was adopted by the dream world Zer and Gilda at age three, and Gully, who was adopted at barely a year, were occupied by Vincent.
"So… this Gilda is and isn't our child?" Gilda's father, Groth, asked
“Yes…” I said carefully. “It’s a whole thing…and believe me when I say, you don’t want to know what ‘real you’ did…” I said nervously.
"Well, it doesn't matter. If what this world version of us did was bad then we need to be there for them." Gilda's mom, Galla, said. "And our grandkids are here and Anna here says Zer is here too so, it's better than… well, I guess not existing."
"True. Just so strange… and you say This world there's a potion that can change your gender?" Groth asked.
“Yes.” I nodded. “And also…you’re going to be getting…a lot more grandkids…like a lot.” I said sheepishly.
"Well that's fine by me." Galla said with a chuckle.
Needless to say Gallus and Gully wher happy to see their mom again. Gilda, after a minor panic realized these were the dream world parents, kids and Zer and promptly cried tears of the purist joy I could have witnessed.
I let them all catch up and Gilda gave them a tour. In the meantime…
It didn't take a lot to find Gilda's actual birth Mother in this reality. This Galla was clearly ill. Feathers falling out, minor muscle atrophy, a hacking cough and looked older than she was. She reeked of grime, filth and booze.
Part of me almost pitied her. Almost.
I looked at her through her small shabby house window and wondered… what can I do? She's clearly already-
"Busy?" I nearly yelped as I saw Yevon appear next to me.
“Uh…a little yeah.” I sighed. “Also can you please stop that?” I pouted.
"What has you so conflicted?" He asked, looking into the window and seeing her. "Hm. She doesn't have much time left."
“Well…” I started. “I’m not sure what to do with this literal sack of shit…she’s about to die from her own abusive actions…”
"Would you be okay with that?"
“I’d like to because of all the bullshit they forced on Gilda…” I frowned. “I…don’t know sadly…I don’t know if I should step in and just…finish it myself just to spite them…or just let them die from their own mistakes.”
"Would you be able to live with yourself if you did?" Yevon asked.
“I want to, cause I still have a lot of pent of rage from not murdering old Zer…” I frowned. “But this…” I motioned. “This is just sad.”
Yevon nodded, smirking as they sighed. "In a timeline long ago, you once told me rage was the cancer that eats away happiness. I'm not gonna say forgive her or old Zer, but let the rage go. Let it burn itself out. Besides, revenge isn't always something that needs to end in death or violence. Sometimes giving them a second chance is better revenge than following rage." I looked at Yevon, confused until he held out a hand. "Allow me to show you what we can do together, now that Spiral is gone."
Still confused, I took his hand.
It was like a bolt of lightning, the power I felt now that we were linked was like… nothing I could describe. All around me the lines and passing and flow of life I could see it. Yevon pulled my attention to Gilda's mother, and a wave of their hand I saw as she went from the sickly Griffoness to younger, healthier, younger. Younger. Younger, and lastly where she once sat in an old chair now sat an egg.
With that, Yevon let go of my hand, that rush of power leaving as he walked around and into the house.
“Whoa…” I muttered in awe. “That’s…that’s a headrush and a half…”
"That, is our unified power." Yevon said, walking back out with the Egg that was/is Gilda's mom. "Very few entities are born in this or any world as cruel and evil. Many become this way over time. And this power gives us the chance to see them become their best selves. To be better I shackled by the pain of who they were." He said, handing me the egg.
“That makes sense.” I nodded, gently taking the egg and holding it protectively. “And…yeah…hopefully things will start getting better around here…”
The next few months went by quick. Hunting for Lulu, Rikku and Auron.
Lulu was apparently under the sea so that was fun. Bright side, I get a merpony form now.
Rikku was actually in the minotaur lands being used as a statue for decoration. Owner of the factory let me take her for five hundred bits that I threw at his face.
Lastly, Auron was in Yeti country where while I was there I stopped a coup to overthrow the queen and gained the princess there as a herd mate in the process.
With them all done and found I am taking a break. I wanna enjoy my family for a while before finishing up stuff. So, that is what I will do. I need some me and family time.
To be continued...