When the lab rats had declared their intent to ‘relax and chat’, a layer of astonishment poked up beneath the disdain Aza had felt over being outsmarted by Twilight Sparkle. Here they were, an infinity away from home, with the possibility of danger literally at each and every moment. Of course, Aza had figured overcoming all of its challenges unscathed would instill a strong sense of confidence into them, but to so casually disregard the omnipresent danger and just socialize like acquaintances?
Amazing. Truly astonishing.
The group was currently amassed on and around the cropping of rocks in the clearing. With the exception of Kirby, Pikachu, and the creature — the former two choosing to attempt to communicate with the latter, to little success — everyone sat or lay down on the rocks in various relaxed positions, taking turns recounting tales from their pasts and commenting on others’, sometimes earning a shocked gasp or chuckle from the group.
“A magic mirror that creates creatures of darkness,” Twilight said, slightly shuddering. “Sounds terrifying for sure.”
“Not so terrifying now that it’s smashed into a million pieces!” Pit said, lightly pumping his fist. “No monster generator can withstand an angel’s power!”
Palutena giggled. “Yes, Pit, you’re that strong.”
“It still sounds incredibly fascinating,” Twilight continued. “Even the Magic Mirror Pool can only make exact duplicates of living beings. Anything that can give a clone some semblance of individuality is fascinating.” She smiled at Pit and Palutena. “The more I hear about your world, the more I’d love to see it for myself.”
Twilight’s eyes took on that studious glint that Celestia recognized as her student’s academic curiosity bubbling to the surface. While Pit and Palutena returned the unicorn’s smile and gave their thanks, Celestia found herself staring down at the rock, only sparing a brief, furrowed gaze at the divine duo.
“You’re jealous, aren’t you?”
Celestia turned to her side where Ryuk lay on the rock on his side, head propped with an arm as he stared up at her with his awkward, fish-like gaze. His low whisper meant that nobody else heard him while they listened to James recount a story of his own; something about a high stakes card game.
A small, barely noticeable hint of red adorned her cheeks. “I don’t know why you say that,” she replied, turning to face toward Twilight. Seeing her student rapt with attention for James’ story made her lips lift into a little smile. She’d truly come a long way from the socially distant, apathetic mare she’d once known.
“Well, that look you were giving Miss Goddess and Angel Boy didn’t look very friendly,” Ryuk calmly replied, never turning his gaze away from Celestia. “Or are shows of tolerance different for magical talking equines?”
Celestia took a moment to rub her temples, attempting to stifle the resulting headache before it ever stood a chance of forming. “Why do you care, anyway, Ryuk?” she asked.
Ryuk shrugged. “Divine rivalry sounds like an interesting thing to see.”
Celestia paused. Her stare became unfocused as she momentarily mulled over Ryuk’s words, and the insinuations behind them. Jealous? Her? No, how could she be? Twilight’s interest in Pit and Palutena was simply her studious spirit at work. Their grievances since arriving in Aza’s twisted little game had been resolved, for sure, so what reason could she possibly have to be fearful that Twilight forget her for them?
Celestia came out of her reverie and turned to stare at Palutena. The green-haired goddess was resting her chin on her hands, listening intently to James’ story and keeping a small, but genuine smile on her face. Every so often she would react with a soft, kindly giggle, everything about her behavior sounding like she was wholly interested and excited to listen.
Realization hit her like a ton of bricks. Everything about Palutena; her kindness, playful demeanor, and all around benevolence — it was like staring at her reflection in a spiritual mirror.
“Um, Princess?”
Celestia shook her head, coming out of her thoughts. Looking up, she saw Twilight looking at her with a worried expression. Everyone else was still listening to James’ story, paying them no heed.
“I’m sorry, Twilight,” Celestia replied. “I just spaced out for a moment.”
Twilight tilted her head. “Something on your mind?”
“You could say that,” Celestia said with a nod. She then stood up and approached Palutena, drawing her attention, followed by everyone else a moment later as James paused his story. “Might we talk privately for a moment?”
Palutena blinked. She then turned to see everyone else in a similar shared state of confusion. “Um, sure, I guess,” she replied, before standing up and following Celestia off the rock formation.
The pharaoh turned to Twilight. “Is something bothering Celestia?” he asked.
Twilight shrugged. “She seemed out of it for a second there, but I don’t know what could be bothering her, especially after everything we’ve already been through.”
Ryuk chuckled, drawing everyone’s attention to him. “Oh, I’m sure she’s fine,” he said, a playful air to his words. “In fact, I’m thinking things are gonna get a bit more interesting when they return.”
Everyone just stared at him, completely silent.
“... Anyway,” James said, breaking the silence, drawing everyone’s attention back onto him, “that’s about it for my story. Who’s next?”
Everyone looked between each other, silently confirming that they’d all had a turn telling a story. All but one.
“Thomas hasn’t had a go yet,” Twilight said.
Everyone turned to the blue engine, anticipation written clearly in their features. Thomas spent a few moments thinking about what this group of diverse and bizarre creatures might be interested in hearing from a simple little tank engine like him. His mouth turned up into a cocky grin when he settled on one story in particular that he’d heard soon after first arriving on Sodor.
“Once an engine attached to a train, was afraid of a few drops of rain…”
While they retreated to a spot in the clearing wherein she was sure they’d be out of earshot, Celestia thought about how exactly to voice her concerns to Palutena. Ryuk’s insinuation that Palutena was a rival to her own leadership did indeed resonate with her concerns, and, while she hated to admit it even to herself, jealousy was indeed a part of it. But not entirely.
As shown by the encounter with Stay Puft, Palutena was also the leading type; as befit a goddess, indeed. The last thing Celestia wanted was for them to be dueling for leadership of the group, so she resolved to get the two of them on the same page to avoid any warring between them.
Once she felt they were far enough away from the group, Celestia stopped and turned around to Palutena, who stared back with a neutral gaze. She opened her mouth to speak–
“So you’re worried I’m going to upstage you?”
Celestia blinked. Her mouth hang open, frozen mid-movement as her mind processed Palutena’s words. Eventually, she sighed and nodded. “How’d you guess?” she asked.
Palutena’s lips lifted into a coy smile. “It doesn’t take a Goddess of Wisdom to figure that out. Why else would you single me out for a talk right after we almost butted heads taking down that giant marshmallow man?”
Celestia couldn’t help but chuckle, lifting a hoof to her mouth. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Her face fell into her practiced formal expression, the one she always wore when dealing with foreign diplomats to appear professional and business-focused. “So, yes, we must learn to act as co-leaders if we are to survive.”
Palutena cocked a skeptical eyebrow. “Normally, I would agree wholeheartedly with that mindset, but this,” she gestured all around them, “isn’t the type of situation where that belief holds water. Aza can throw whatever it wants at us whenever it wants, leaving us without time to deliberate and put together a course of action.”
Celestia paused to mull over Palutena’s reasoning. “... That is true, I suppose.”
“I’m not saying you’re ill fit to lead, Celestia,” Palutena continued, smiling softly. “Far from it, you’re obviously a great leader if Twilight speaks so highly of you. But in these circumstances, action is more valuable than words, and taking action is something Pit does better than anyone with my guidance, which I’ll happily share with everyone else.”
Celestia paused for a few moments, before looking down at the ground with her teeth gritted.
Palutena frowned. “Are you alright? My sincerest apologies if that came off as rude. I didn’t mean to insinuate that you–”
“It’s… alright.” Celestia returned her gaze; Palutena almost thought she saw the beginning of a tear in her eye. “Actually, you’re absolutely right, the burden should be on your shoulders.”
Then Palutena saw that, yes, Celestia had a tear in her eye. It fell from the alicorn’s eye and gently rolled down her cheek, falling to the ground before more tears began forming in her eyes and she started lightly crying. It was a shocking sight to Palutena. In the little time they’d known each other, never once did she envision the solar alicorn as being capable of losing her composure in the presence of equals. It didn’t take much to deduce the reasoning behind the princess’ sudden breakdown.
“There’s another reason why you value your leadership position, isn’t there?” she asked.
Celestia sniffed and rubbed her eyes with a hoof, before nodding. “Sorry, sorry,” she said, “I lost myself there.” She took a moment to recompose herself, taking a deep, calming breath before fixing Palutena with a solemn gaze. “Is it that obvious?” she asked.
Another coy smile. “Goddess of Wisdom, remember?”
Celestia giggled softly. “Right then.” She shifted her attention back to the group, where everyone was huddled around Thomas as the tank engine seemed to be taking his turn at yarn-weaving. Twilight, as she expected, was rapt with attention, listening intently with those wide, studious eyes she loved so much. “Twilight and I are very close, as I’m sure you’ve deduced.”
Palutena nodded.
“Back home, I like to take ponies under my wing from time to time, raising them to be sort of third wheels in the Equestrian government. Sometimes they even ascend to alicornhood. It’s one of many ways that I try to endear my subjects to me, to alleviate any fears they might ever have about being ruled by the one pony that controls the sun itself.
“Being my student, Twilight is very special to me. She hasn’t made it a secret how much she idolizes me. I’m not perfect, but I want to set a good example for her, just like all of my subjects, so I do everything in my power to show her that I’m a good leader.”
Palutena nodded again. “And that applies even here.”
Celestia nodded. “Not to the same extent as back home. We’re all equals here, after all.” She turned her attention back to Palutena. “But still, I need to be Twilight’s role model, for her sake.”
“And you’re afraid I’m going to replace you in that regard?”
Celestia looked to the side. “Perhaps a little bit,” she whispered.
Palutena shook her head, before walking forward and placing a hand on Celestia’s withers, causing her body to tense. When she spoke to the alicorn, it was with the same kind, motherly grace that Celestia always tried to retain for her subjects, to help quell their fears of her.
“You’d be surprised how much I can relate to you, Celestia. In reality, Pit’s just my Guard Captain, but I hold him as dear to me as a mother does their child. I don’t know if you think of Twilight in the same light, but our bond is strong like yours. Unlike you, however, I’m not responsible for the well-being of an entire race of people, at least not directly. Pit’s the one who takes down bad guys, I just give him advice and the power needed to accomplish that.
“But like you, I’m very mindful of how Pit perceives me. Truth be told, there’s a lot of things I keep bottled up because I’m afraid he’ll lose faith in me if I say them. Pit’s loyalty to me is strong, but his strength comes from his genuine belief that I have the best intentions. If I let slip the wrong thing, that strength could falter, and considering Pit’s the glue that holds my army together, losing him would be a huge problem.”
Celestia frowned. “So you want to be the leader for the same reason as me?” she asked. “To retain your role model status for Pit?”
“That’s one reason,” Palutena answered with a nod. “But I honestly believe that the burden of leading this group should be mine. Again, I don’t doubt your capability, but it’s for the best this way.”
Celestia furrowed her brows. “If you believe I am capable, then why is it for the best that you lead? I can take action when the situation calls for it just fine.”
Palutena held her hands up in a placating manner. “Again, I don’t doubt your capability. But the Goddess of Wisdom is best suited to lead the charge against unknown threats that can pop up from anywhere and everywhere.” She lowered her hands and tilted her head, smirking a little. “But if you think you’re suited to the task, then why don’t we settle this impasse fairly? Leader to leader?”
Celestia tilted her head as well. “And… how are we to do that?”
Palutena shrugged. “I d’unno. Have you got any ideas?”
Now it was Celestia’s turn to smirk. “You’re the Goddess of Wisdom, not me.”
“Oh, you,” Palutena said while puckering her lips.
”I can help you with that.”
The two ladies turned around to see Aza’s puppet floating above the ground, facing toward them if the way its top sphere was tilting down at them was any indication.
Their attention shifted to below Aza’s puppet, where something was forming out of thin air. Looking closer, they noticed the new objects appeared to be some sort of cushions, one colored green and the other yellow. They had slots built into one side that Palutena figured one’s hands would go in. Once fully materialized, they dropped to the ground with soft thuds.
Celestia and Palutena shared a confused look before looking back up to Aza’s puppet, which merely pointed behind them. Turning around, they saw a large, wooden platform standing a few inches above the ground near the rock formation. The rest of the group hadn’t yet noticed, still busy listening to Thomas’ story.
”The rules are as follows;” Aza continued, drawing their attention back to it, ”the two of you will battle 1v1, sumo style, as you try to knock each other off the platform. No magic or divine powers or flying or anything other than your pure raw strength is allowed. Whoever wins becomes the de facto leader of my lab rats. Sound fair enough for you two?”
“A rather uncouth contest,” Celestia noted, cocking a curious brow. “Also, how do you expect me to participate if I can’t use my magic to move the cushion?”
“I’ll allow that much.”
“It’s not quite what I would’ve expected, but I suppose it’s as good a method as any,” Palutena said, and turned to Celestia with a slight smirk. “How about it, Princess?”
Celestia adopted a similar smirk. “Let’s do it, Goddess.”
With that, they picked up their respective-colored cushions and made way toward the wooden platform.
“... And so, they ended up having to use, of all things, a passenger’s bootlaces!”
The group erupted into various levels of laughter, with Pit and Twilight’s being the loudest while the pharaoh and Samus just smirked, laughing more so internally.
“Ah, another splendid story,” James remarked, giving a slow clap, which was soon followed by everyone else. “Never would I think that a talking train would have such engaging tales to tell.”
“I’ll say,” Twilight agreed with a nod.
Thomas smiled and closed his eyes, letting the praise soak in. Whether it was shunting trucks or spinning yarns, he was really useful at everything.
Any further commentary was cut off when Aza’s puppet materialized in front of everyone, making them flinch back in surprise.
”As great as storytime undoubtedly is, please direct your attention over here.” It pointed with its right sphere limb behind Twilight. Turning to look, the group saw the wooden platform set onto the grass, before their attention was drawn to Celestia and Palutena approaching it, carrying cushions of sorts.
Everyone adopted looks of confusion as they glanced back up to Aza’s puppet, prompting Aza to explain.
”As those two have a bit of a friendly rivalry brewing, I decided they should settle it in a manner that befits two ladies of such divine stature.” It paused for a moment. ”...That being sumo-style wrestling.”
No one said anything in response. The casual tone with which Aza announced the unfolding activity conflicted with how utterly absurd said activity was for Palutena and Celestia. Even they themselves paused in their preparations to stare deadpanned at Aza’s puppet.
Finally, Twilight spoke up. “That’s, erm… interesting, I guess.” She rubbed the back of her head, looking sheepish.
“Hey, wait a minute,” Pit spoke up, pointing at Celestia. “Wouldn’t Celestia have the advantage, being four legged and having telekinesis?”
Palutena giggled. “Oh, don’t worry about me, Pit,” she assured. She jerked a thumb over her shoulder at the solar alicorn, donning a playful smile. “Princess Sunbutt over there’s gonna be sunny side up when I’m done with her.”
Celestia matched her playful smile. “You wish.” She stepped onto the platform, readying her cushion.
“I do wish, Princess.” Palutena stepped onto the platform herself, readying her own cushion.
“Princess?” Twilight spoke up with a frown, earning Celestia’s attention. “Are you sure about this?”
Celestia paused for a moment. Her gaze went downward for a moment, losing herself to her thoughts. When she returned her gaze to Twilight, the playfulness in her features was mixed with ironclad resolve. “Don’t worry about me, Twilight,” she replied, and turned back to face Palutena. She held her cushion up to her face, her eyes narrowing with focus. “Just sit back and enjoy the battle.”
Twilight shifted nervously on the rock. “If you insist…”
“Are you feeling okay, Twilight?” the pharaoh asked from next to her.
Twilight sighed. “I’m fine,” she said. “I guess… I’m just not used to seeing Princess Celestia like this.”
“Seeing her engaged in close combat?” Samus asked from behind her.
“Yeah…”
Their collective attention was drawn when Ryuk chuckled from his spot on the rock. Turning, they saw him still lying with his head propped on his hand, looking down at the two battlers with his never-changing gaze, yet, the three of them could sense his enjoyment of the proceedings.
“This is gonna be very interesting,” he said. “If only I had some apples…”
At that moment, Aza’s puppet rematerialized above their heads. ”That reminds me…”
Everyone’s attention shifted as something began materializing next to the rocks. Looking over, they noticed the emergence of a water dispenser, like the kind one would find in a building lobby, filled with clear, sparkling water.
Everyone only stared at it, confused, for a few moments before casting their collective gaze back up to Aza’s puppet. “Mind explaining what that’s all about?” Pit asked, as Pikachu and Kirby joined the rest of the group up on the rocks, curious of the proceedings.
”It doesn’t concern you, Pit,” Aza replied. ”Nor does it concern Celestia, Palutena, or Ryuk, or any immortal. The water in there,” the puppet pointed at the dispenser, ”is from a ‘fountain of youth’; one of many that exist throughout the multiverse. I’d suggest that the rest of you take a couple of gulps as soon as possible, because I’ve just imported the flow of time and won’t be changing it back now that you can keep yourselves from aging while here.”
Aza’s words took a few moments to register in everyone’s minds. When they did, their eyes became dinner plates as they glanced back to the dispenser. The suddenness of Aza’s announcement was enough that everyone was too shocked to make a mad dash to grab a cup.
Finally, Twilight broke the silence, taking a deep, relaxing breath. “Well, thanks for being considerate, Aza,” she said, before lighting her horn.
”Of course, Twilight.”
The lavender glow of Twilight’s magic surrounded the water dispenser, levitating it off the ground and bringing it closer to the group. Twilight’s magic then pulled out seven cups from the cup holder and filled them up, one by one, passing them to every mortal of the group, even ones she could only assume were mortal: Kirby, Pikachu, and the creature– the latter still locked up in Palutena’s cage.
“How often do we need to drink this water to keep from aging?’ James asked, looking down into his cup with a raised brow.
”One cup every day,” Aza replied.
Pikachu sniffed his cup, tilting his head curiously. “Pika-chuuu.”
“I don’t suppose I could bother you for a water tower, if you’re being so generous?” Thomas asked.
A moment of silence passed.
”There.”
Thomas arched a brow, shifting his gaze from side to side. “Where?’
”Back on the tracks.”
Thomas’ face drooped.
“Wait a minute,” Samus spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention. She turned all around the group, her expression confused and slightly fearful under her helmet. “Where’d Ryuk go?”
Everyone turned to look where Ryuk had previously been, seeing that, indeed, he had disappeared. Looking around the clearing also revealed no evidence of the shinigami.
“Where’d he run off to, Aza?" Twilight asked.
The puppet made a ‘crossing arms across chest’ motion with its black and white spheres. ”I’m not telling,” it sing-songed.
Twilight briefly scowled before returning her attention back to Celestia and Palutena. The two were still poised with their cushions held in front, their features both full of determination as they stared each other down, like a couple of cowboys in a stand off.
”I’ll reiterate the rules for everyone,” Aza spoke up. ”Our two combatants will square off against each other, using only their cushions to attempt to knock each other off the platform. No magic, divine powers, wings, or any bodily contact is allowed. Whoever wins will be the de facto leader of the group. And as for the loser...
Everyone turned their collective, curious gaze to the puppet.
”... they’ll be sent home.”