Equestria. Canterlot. Day.
A new day had come for this world. The beauty of the Sun would flare in the azure skies once more. As for who was raising the Sun, well typically, it was Princess Celestia. But that was the case when the two worlds were separated. Now, it goes further than that. And the appearance of the Sun backed that up as something was amiss with it that no one had noticed up until now.
"Doesn't the Sun look bigger now?" Moondancer would be the first to notice something different about the Sun. She prompted her friends to look up as this was indeed true. The star in the sky was much larger than how it always appeared for both worlds. Now, in this combined universe, the Sun reached a new size.
"Oh, you're right! Did the two suns merge as well?!" Minuette gasped. That was a very probable outcome. After all, it wasn't just the world that was bigger since they merged, but the entire universe as well. They all had separate universes with their own respective planets, stars, galaxies and such. And of course, their own Sun.
Now, that was no longer the case. Now they all shared one Sun and one Universe. And it was vastly larger than what they both previously had while still keeping everything in check.
"That's a bit worrying..." Another pony said. "There's alien life up there...Do you think that..."
"They got caught up in it? Nah, Nah. I don't think so." Minuette shook her head before scrunching her face. That was also a possibility. "Uh...Maybe the planets are bigger too since we all shared similar planets, right? Yeah, that might be it."
"But what about the Sun? Princess Celestia still moves it but can it move on its own?" Moondancer needed an answer to that. For both worlds, they had their own ways of raising and lowering their respective Suns. The Pokemon World did it traditionally while Celestia did it herself in her world. As seen by how she raised the Sun today, yesterday and the days before that existed during this unified world, she had the power to move this larger star.
"Hah..." But after raising the Sun, Celestia would lay back on her throne. It wasn't just raising this Super Sun that tired her out but everything else. The new locations that have popped up, reaching Magehold and rescuing Yveltal and finding Reshiram were on her plate. Thankfully, because of Rosa Maledicta, knowledge of the Dread League had been shared with her.
"Great news, your majesty. Now we have the definitive map of the world. Starmap has given us another update."
"Great to hear. That's one issue done with." Celestia was relieved to hear that. "Just a bit more to go. I wish I could find Reshiram next. It's been so long since we've seen him." Celestia thought about the Vast White Pokemon, wondering just where he could be. All she knew was that he was currently resting in his stone form, potentially unbothered by anyone.
"About the Dread League, your majesty. Have you found a reasonable way to reach them without using...you know...That." The guard nudged his head, referring to Daybreaker.
"Well, yes. I have found a way. Fittingly, Reshiram's involved and so is Zekrom. Daybreaker had the means to reach her universe's Magehold and I refuse to use that power. So, Reshiram and Zekrom can make up for that. But we only have Zekrom and he might be enough. Hopefully. If not then maybe two can fix that. For now, we just have to get past the Hyperborean Island. According to Mellifera, if we were to enter, it would be unforgiving to us much more than it was to her and Chrysalis when they entered."
Reaching Magehold was harder to find it since its location was known. And at the Hyperborean Island, a chilling force would be waiting for Celestia and those on her side. It was already cruel to Chrysalis and Mellifera despite the fact that they were changelings. Celestia feared what that island would do to her or any of her allies.
"I was thinking of using my own magic without having Daybreaker show up. As much as I hate to admit it, we're identical so I can do what she does. But maybe with a little less mass destruction behind it." Celestia aimed to break that protective magic with her own magic instead of using Daybreaker's magic. Although, technically, it was still her magic even if an alter-ego was involved. "I-"
"Hi, Great Aunt!" Interrupting Celestia was none other than Flurry Heart. Both of them. She would fly in but not by her own volition. Instead, she was tackled by a Skitty who managed to gather enough force to push this young alicorn along with her infant self as they both slid on the floor.
"Oh, Flurry Heart." Celestia stood up. "Ah, seeing family does ease things up for me. If you're here, then so are Cadence and Shining Armor.
"Just outside." Flurry Heart would raise her younger self and Skitty into the air, laughing with them. The presence of Princess Flurry Heart from another universe had its own story. Due to the absence of gateways, she also had no way of returning to her original universe. Therefore, in this universe, there were now two Flurry Hearts. The infant that was still growing in this world and the one who comes from another universe.
"I see you've caught your own Pokemon now. A Skitty. Truly an adorable choice." Celestia pointed out the Skitty that was with this young alicorn.
"Mhm. We met a few years back, actually." Flurry Heart added. "So we already knew each other pretty well. What about you? Any new Pokemon aside from Kommo-o."
"Ah, no, no. No one yet." Celestia shook her head. "But you never know when that opportunity comes."
"Oh...What about Reshiram?" Flurry Heart questioned, bringing up the Vast White Pokemon. "Don't you think he's a great choice as a partner? I always thought you two were partners."
"Reshiram? Uh...No. Not at all." Celestia shook her head before looking down, putting on a mild smile that was tempted to form into a frown. Thinking about Reshiram did that to her. "But...it wouldn't be a bad idea. I wouldn't mind that at all. Reshiram has helped out a lot in Equestria.
"Right, right?" Flurry Heart flew over, holding her younger self.
"But, unfortunately, it wouldn't last. Reshiram will one day have to return to his respective world, much like Giratina. The only problem with that is that we have no way to reach the other worlds now."
"That's a shame. On the bright side, you get to stay with Reshiram longer. W-When you find him. But on the even brighter side, there's always Cobalion."
"W-What do you mean by that?!" Celestia pulled back after that response, nearly falling off her throne.
"You know what I mean. If not Reshiram, then maybe Cobalion. After all, mom already saw it working out. She said that you could totally catch Cobalion and it would work out."
"Ah...That's what she meant. Hahaha..." Celestia giggled, getting the wrong idea.
"Mhm. It's because you two are together." But she didn't interpret it the wrong way. Instead, it was the correct way, making Celestia freeze for a moment. "Are you two still a thing by the way?"
"Oh. Cobalion and I are...well, it's a wonderful thing that we're both novices to love, don't you think?" The Princess of the Sun nervously chuckled, rubbing her ethereal mane. "Could you imagine if one was better than the other? That'd be awkward. But since that's not the case, I thankfully don't have much to worry about when it comes to being around Cobalion. We're taking it slow anyway."
"Hm-hm. I see." Both Flurry Hearts nodded. "That's probably for the best, even if it's slow. I guess that way, no one makes that many mistakes, right? And when you both really share each other's feelings at last, you should totally call it official."
"Getting there..." Celestia scrunched her face. "I haven't seen him in a while either. This larger world means that we're at greater distances from each other. That's very annoying..."
"Yeah, that's a shame. But about that official thing. How about this?!" Flurry Heart used her magic to make a large chart that was made out of a magical aura, drawing Celestia's attention to it along with the guards here. "Ahem. I'm proud to call myself my mother's daughter cause I'm a bit of a love expert."
"Are you now?" Celestia had her doubts about that, especially considering how young Flurry Heart was. She doubted that with her upbringing in her respective universe, it would be that easy to fully understand love much like her daughter. This universe's Flurry Heart doesn't even fully understand it either.
"My mom even recommended this. You should use a Poke Ball as a ring. Just imagine it!" Flurry Heart's eyes lit up before then using her magic to show Celestia a projection of how that could turn out. She perfectly replicated Celestia and Cobalion's appearances as it felt like Celestia was looking inside someone's mind. In this case, it was Flurry Heart's young mind. "It'd be a double whammy! You would hold out your Poke Ball to him to declare that you'll catch him. But really, that's a double meaning for you marrying him!"
"Is it now?" Celestia watched it play out, seeing her magical protection hold out a Poke Ball. The Poke Ball would open up, showing a ring in it. Unfortunately, that ring was not big enough for either. "I'd like it to be the other way around though..."
"Silly auntie!" Flurry Heart nudged her great auntie. "A Poke Ball can't catch ponies! That doesn't exist!"
Unova. Ghetsis' Kingdom. Day.
"Achoo!" From a stark distance, Colress felt that. He sneezed the moment Flurry Heart mentioned the impossibility of such a Poke Ball existing. Fittingly, he was making copies of that very Poke Ball that solely existed to catch ponies. "Ugh..." A great disturbance was definitely felt by him.
"But if it did then that would be just as, if not more romantic!" Flurry Heart gushed. "Then after the Poke Ball opens up, Cobalion would poke it and immediately go in. It'd be an instant catch too! No shaking at all."
"That is amazing..." A few of the guards here were guardsmare. They reacted to Flurry Heart's idea with flaring eyes, high-pitched screams and flustered faces. The male guards didn't exactly react the same way but they were already writing this down, taking what Flurry Heart said and planning it for the future. "How romatic! Aaaah!"
"Write that down. All of it." The guards said to each other, making preparations for that special day.
"Of course...it'd be pretty weird if you're married to someone that goes inside a ball, but Cobalion's not gonna stay in it all the time." Flurry Heart shrugged. "I mean, unless you two would stay in the same room then that could work but he's too outgoing for that, right?"
"You have no idea how wonderful it would be for him to be in my room...!" Celestia closed her eyes as her hoof was trembling. Thinking about it made her rather agitated that it hasn't happened yet.
"But it can. Just take my advice, great aunt. Oh, but if Cobalion's so outgoing...then that means..." Flurry Heart's projections would change once again, showing Cobalion walking away from Celestia after being caught. "It'd be a long-distance engagement, wouldn't it? That's what they call it! You'd never see him that often."
"Well, that's how it always is though..." Celestia added before being drowned out by Flurry Heart's next words.
"It's worse if you have someone to take care of!" Flurry Heart pulled her mane. "That'd be the worst...A child never knowing who their father is!"
"Hold on! I'm not planning on having-" Celestia gasped at that concept, holding her hoof out. But yet again, Flurry Heart drowned her out. A projection of a hypothetical child showed up, standing next to Celestia and away from the already distanced Cobalion.
"Ghhh! It'd be the worst! What would happen to that child?! Ah, but it's fine. If they're being raised by you, they'll turn out great...but might hate Cobalion for that! And when they reunite when Cobalion shows up again, they could be jaded from each other!"
"Why'd it suddenly turn out like this?" Celestia questioned as she didn't expect this result. Suddenly, Flurry Heart was essentially playing out an entire story, even thinking about the worst possible outcomes.
"It would take forever to patch up that relationship! And then...and then-" Flurry Heart was beginning to project a horrible outcome that Celestia picked up on. Now was probably the best time to stop this.
"Okay, I think that's enough daydreaming." Celestia would use her own magic to remove the projection, putting an end to Flurry Heart's rambling. But it got to everyone else, making the guards tear up at that possibility.
"Please don't let them grow apart, your majesty!" The guards cried out, getting a bit into it to the point where they believed it already happened or feared that it had a high chance of happening.
"I haven't even done it yet," Celestia uttered before shaking her head. "But thank you for thinking ahead, Flurry Heart. Way ahead, actually."
"Gee thanks. I try my best!" Flurry Heart put on a beaming grin. "It'd be even better if mom was telling you what to do. Then we'd solve it easily.
"I'd love to get engaged to Cobalion. Very much so. The times we spent together when our worlds were separated were wonderful, especially when it came to visiting different locations."
"Mhm! Mhm!" The young alicorn frantically nodded her head.
"But...maybe not very soon." Celestia's next words would shock Flurry Heart, making her expression change drastically. "I don't have time for it, unfortunately. Not right now anyway. There's too much to focus on."
"Not enough time? Aw but..." Flurry Heart pouted. "But it won't be too long, right?"
"With how things are, I'm afraid so. I've only just recently sorted out maps of this new world. But that was the easy part." Celestia would approach the windows, looking out at it to gaze at her subjects and the wonderful time they were having under the Equestrian Sun. "I still have to reach Magehold and put an end to that Black Crusade plan for the safety of everyone in this world. Not to mention finding Reshiram and even your parents from your respective universe. That's another problem that overlays it. Getting to the other universes is harder than ever with only one gateway around when I also need to one day return Reshiram and Zekrom to their respective worlds."
"Well, when you bring all of that up..." Flurry Heart said, realizing the mountain of issues that the Ruler of Equestria had to sort out before she could properly spend time with Cobaliion to further grow their blooming relationship.
"And even more so, I have my counterpart from another universe, Daybreaker to deal with and that whole Necrozma issue and to this day no one has managed to find Universe 11 where she can be found. And she's with Team Plasma, who are always a thorn in our side that will keep coming back. And who knows what the Rift is up to along with the disappearance of Galaxy Master?"
"Yeesh. That is a lot, isn't it." Flurry Heart looked at her younger self and Skitty as they nodded in agreement.
"So, I'm afraid that will all have to wait until I've finished everything that needs sorting out. I don't have time for Cobalion. Unfortunately..." It hurt Celestia to say that.
"I get it. I should've thought about that too. Well...at least Cobalion lives for a long time too, doesn't she? So, it can be long-term? Maybe?"
"Maybe. Just not anytime soon." Celestia would then face her fellow alicorn. "Thank you so much for thinking about us though. But perhaps you should also start thinking of your own future."
"Ah, right. Well, I'll head out now since you're busy. Come on, you two." Flurry Heart would bring her older self and Skitty along with her, leaving the throne room.
Once she left, Celestia would take some time to stay silent. More importantly, some time alone. The Canterlot Guards would also leave the throne room, seeing the look on their ruler's face. After everything that was said, Celestia thought about Cobalion and her future with him. Once everyone was gone, Celestia could have some alone time to herself. But surprisingly, it wasn't in her throne room. Instead, Celestia would prefer to be elsewhere as she teleport herself out of the throne room.
Rather, the Canterlot Gardens are where she wished to be. It was a tranquil place. Then again, most of Canterlot is tranquil, especially the castle. But in the case of the Canterlot Gardens, it was closer to nature, adding to that peacefulness. Plus the bench here was always nice to sit on.
Celestia would prefer here, sitting under the glorious Sun that she raised. Surrounded by the lush beauty of the Canterlot Gardens, Celestia would continue to think about Cobalion.
"Ah...What do I do about this?" She said to herself. "That's another problem for me to handle but...it's not much of a problem in the first place, is it?" She grinned before using her magic on one of the large grass pillars in this garden.
Celestia would take the time to dabble in some artistry, using her magic to trim the hedges into a specific shape. Of course, that shape was of the one who she couldn't get out of her head. Cobalion. She managed to make Cobalion's shape perfectly. How could she not, considering how much affection she has for him?
After making this Cobalion hedge, Celestia took the time to gaze at its wonder. Making art about the one she loves was definitely satisfying to her. And yet, it couldn't change what currently was. Celestia sighed, knowing that her chances of seeing Cobalion were slipping away.
Even if she would handle one problem, a new one was bound to pop up. It was expected by this time. Peace was impossible to reach with these constant situations. But it was all a matter of making things better for everything. Such was the role and responsibility that the Ruler of Equestria had. Especially in a world that has more to offer thanks to this unity.
"Responsibility before anything else." Celestia knew that her position was far more important than what she had with Cobalion. "That's what really matters anyway."
And saying that was rather crushing to Celestia. Though she knew what was important, the fact that it meant being away from Cobalion was a rather painful trade-off. But for the betterment of the future and a chance to keep seeing Cobalion, she had to do this.
But before she could do anything else, the Princess of the Sun would stay here at the Canterlot Gardens, taking some time to slow down. Minutes passed. Hours passed. The Sun and its radiance move along in the blue skies while the distant sounds of her subjects went off, barely reaching the Canterlot Gardens.
Everyone got on with their day while Celestia hasn't done much at all. And with all of this time passing, Pokemon from nearby would show up. Mainly from the Deerling Forest and even the Pikachu Highlands. They all came here to play in the Canterlot Gardens, finding it to be an enjoyable and relaxing area. Celestia always allowed Pokemon from near and far to come to the Canterlot Gardens. They were always welcome. Some of the most calming moments come from here. As calming as they get whenn the Pokemon play around.
A few Pokemon would surround the Ruler of Equestria, recognizing her instantly. But by now, Celestia relaxed herself so much that she looked like she was on the verge of clocking out this early, having her eyes half-closed to even notice most f the Pokemon close to her.
"Tired?" A voice called out to her.
"Mhm...Just a bit but..." Celestia grumbled, replying to this voice. It didn't take long for it to register for her. This voice was all too familiar to her. Enough to make her wake up and toss away any form of exhaustion she had. "Wait!" Turning around, she saw the one who was on her mind hours ago. "Cobalion!"
"You've been here for a while, haven't you?" Cobalion spoke. "Good afternoon, Celestia."
"Oh...Was it that long? The Sun is still up though...then again, I haven't lowered it yet." Celestia groaned, holding her head.
"Well, not long enough for nightfall to arrive anyway. I came here via the request of my student." Cobalion referred to Shining Armor. Celestia recalled the method that Shining Armor and Cobalion use to call out to each other. All it took was a form of light from either side. Mainly Shining Armor and Aegislash would start it off and wait for a response if they could even see it. "Oh...That. Is it really that effective?"
"It's only effective on my part. My sword can reach a brightness so strong that many can see it from a great distance." Cobalion explained. "This was also a request from your great niece. I came here as soon as possible." Cobalion revealed that Flurry Heart was also behind it. But that wasn't that surprising to Princess Celestia.
"Was it now? Well...I didn't expect you to show up so soon. Unless you run exceedingly fast." Celestia was rather surprised that Cobalion showed up so quickly. It wasn't even a new day by now. "And you came here for me?"
"I did. But to tell you the truth..." Cobalion cleared his throat, prepared to reveal something while looking to the side. "I was rather close. Around the Deerling Forest to be exact."
"You were? You were there at this time? Why's that?" Celestia squinted her eyes, curious about Cobalion's reasoning for being so close to Canterlot.
"Well...You know by now about the unruly Pokemon that are bothered by how their homes have been affected in this larger world. The other Swords and I took notice of this, doing what we can to prevent any conflict from sparking up. And well...I figured that I would show up here next just to make sure nothing happened to you."
"Oh..." Celestia put on a cocky smirk once Cobalion revealed the reasoning for being so close. "And it hasn't been that long since we've unified, hm?"
"Only a month by now. It does me pleasure that you're safe. Well, in terms of physicality. But everything else is a different story, isn't it?"
"Mmm. It is. So much on my plate but that doesn't bother me at all. What does bother me is...well, our chances of quality time have dropped, haven't they?" Celestia looked down, twiddling with her hooves. "I suppose this is natural for couples from what I've heard. In all my thousands of years, I've never had um...a long-distance relationship as they call it. I always manage to see those around me with my status but..."
"Don't fret." Cobalion spoke. "I'll be honest. I have grown to enjoy our quality times together. It's my duty to protect others as a Sword of Justice. But at the same time, you've shown me what lies beyond that and the enjoyment I can have. Much like you, I was gutted when I realized the lack of time we could have with how things have turned out."
"But your face doesn't show it, does it?" Celestia teased Cobalion for his singular expression.
"Correct. I do wish I had a more varied face but it is what it is." Cobalion chuckled along with Celestia. "Well, this our newest quality time in this new world. So I wouldn't say we can't have these moments."
"They just won't be frequent at all. That's a shame. But...when I finally manage to sort everything out...that can change. I'm not sure when or how long it would take but I'm hoping it's soon. And when that happens..." Celestia scrunched her face, feeling a bit hesitant to say her next batch of words. "Well, I'm not sure you want to settle down. You'll be too busy out there, right?"
"I can't settle down at all. I'm sorry." Cobalion apologized. It was impossible for him to settle down with the type of Pokemon he was. Always moving. Always working. Especially as the Leader of the Swords of Justice.
"It's fine. I saw that coming anyway. But we can still be together forever, don't you think? Our future together is still up in the air." Fittingly, Celestia would also look up in the air, staring at that bright ball of fire in the sky.
"That's up to us to make that future possible. Especially when we're on different sides of the world. However, I can promise you one thing. When that day comes, I'll be there."
"What day?" Celestia questioned.
"The day the engagement happens. What else?"
"GAH!" Celestia gasped after Cobalion casually brought it up. Not once has she ever considered it. She's mostly stuck to just a non-marital relationship. But in reality, marriage was an extension of that. If anything, it was the ultimate form of that relationship. Naturally, Celestia got heavily flustered by that, stumbling and stammering on her words while also trembling. "W-Well...I-I didn't have any plans for that! I haven't had any plans! Or anything beyond that! I mean, Flurry Heart considered a lot of things! From how I'll propose and well...when we...have...you know....!"
"Let's hold off on that until now." Cobalion calmed her down. To do so, she caught her off guard once more. This time, by putting her head against Celestia's. Celestia stayed silent with her eyes lighting up in wonder. Her horn connected with Cobalion's despite the different shapes that they both had, creating a gentle touch. Everything about this was gentle.
"R-Right..." Celestia smiled as her eyes had an incandescent sparkle. She would then close her eyes, taking the time to keep this horn connection steady. "Well....you'll be leaving now, right? I have a lot I need to do as well."
"Mm. And I'll be helping from afar. Just say the word, Celestia and I'll be there. I promise." Cobalion replied as they both separated heads.
The Leader of the Swords of Justice would then take his leave. And thankfully, he left Celestia in a pleased mood. Gutted that she couldn't see him again, this was the best moment for her so far. Celestia giggled with excitement, looking forward to that bright future as she would prance around. The Pokemon would join her in her gleeful prancing, sharing Celestia's enjoyment.
It was safe to say that the future was looking bright for both of them. It was all a matter of what they both could do. The promise for the future had been made. A promise that would guarantee true happiness for them both.
As the journey continues.
Chapter 44 End.