Chapter 145: The Ultimate Life-Form's Sorrow
Seeing the sky back to normal, Sweetie Void descended to the ground to simply breathe.
Despite all her previous adventures with Kirby, this was by far one of her most challenging and intense battles against a Big Bad Final Boss in her relatively short life as an adventurer. And that was after she got this strong and with powerful allies!
A shiver ran down her spine, imagining how it would have been had it only been her, Kirby, Meta Knight, and Dedede, like in her more traditional adventures in the Dream Universe. She already saw she would have needed to go Soul Mode had Void not intervened.
But that was all behind her now, and she could begin to relax now that Fecto Elfilis was no more, having been absorbed by Elfilin and all…
Ok just so she can be sure this time…
"Hey Elfilin!" Sweetie void called for him, and he floated down to her.
"We all saw what was left of Elfilis enter you. Just to be completely clear, you…?"
"Don’t worry, I am in fact me," Elfilin reassured her. "That single piece was truly all that survived of their Soul. It didn’t really come with… a consciousness left." Elfilin said, struggling a bit to say the last words and Sweetie Void understood the meaning behind.
Fecto Elfilis was truly gone now.
Still, if not the consciousness…
"Then, what did they leave you with?" Sweetie Void asked, but before Elfilin could say anything a loud voice howled.
"OHHH YEEEAH!" Gilgamesh, having finally come from the rush of battle, shouted in celebracion as he dismounted from Sweetie Void. "Another grand victory delivered by yours truly!"
Sweetie void just looked at him with a look between annoyed and unimpressed.
Gilgamesh noticed her and quickly faked coughing on his fist, "...and of course, with the help of REALLY formidable allies. Thanks for acting as my steed back then, it was…quite the pleasant experience." He said. Sweetie Void just huffs before returning to her original filly self.
Then in came Kirby and Void, followed by the others. Sweetie Void extended her hoof and Kirby met it with his pink numb.
"Once more, you and your friends prove your might against the ghosts of my past. Thank you and sorry, again," Void said but Sweetie waved him off.
"It’s all fine. But Honestly now, we would REALLY appreciate you telling us beforehand about the threats of the Dream Universe and not just before the final battle against them," Sweetie Void said a bit annoyed. "Are there ANY more of your rogue children out there, trapped somewhere they WILL break out?" Sweetie void asked with an inquisitive look, making Void flinch a bit.
"Uh…I don't believe so? N-not that I remember at the moment. Even after all this time, there are still some blank spots in my memory, especially from the time I was corrupted. I can’t guarantee there will be no more threats made by me out there, but I do promise to be more transparent with anything I manage to remember," Void sincerely answered Sweetie Void, who just sighed tiredly.
"Honestly? Good. I don't have the mental energy to deal with it right now," Sweetie Void said, then though a bit before saying, "We should head back to Equestria with the others. No doubt a Victory Party is already underway."
Gilgamesh promptly showed interest. "Oho! A Victory Party! I love those! May I also come? Could use the rest before resuming my travels"
Sweetie Void looked at him up and down before smiling and shrugging. "Of course! You did good back there."
She then opened a portal to Equestria that Gilgamesh crossed, followed by Kirby, Void, and the others.
"Elfilin!" Sweetie Void called, stopping him in his tracks when he was about to follow. "...After the Party, if you’re up to it we…should have a talk."
Elfilin stood there, floating for a moment before quietly nodding and crossing the portal.
Back when Sweetie Void asked him what it was that Fecto Elfilis left him, she managed to feel something that…troubled her.
Since Elfilin absorbed that piece of Soul, she was able to sense how a latent psychic power came off Elfilin. She was able to tell that some if not all the power left from Fecto Elfilis had been in that piece of soul, but she's been calm since it seemed Elfilin had it in control.
What worried her was how after she asked Elfilin what his counterpart left him with, that psychic energy spiked, as if her words had alerted Elfilin.
"...No use in worrying about it, better to just enjoy the party for now and relax before confronting Elfilin about it," she said as she finally followed to Equestria.
She really hoped her friend was fine.
Closing the portal behind her, Sweetie Void looked up at the familiar sight of Twilight's castle.
"Wow, pretty castle you folks got! I’ve been in bigger ones, though. Not bad still," Gilgamesh appraised.
"Maybe you’ll find the one of the royal sisters in Canterlot more to what you’re used to, then. Or my own back on Popstar," Sweetie replied pointing her hoof at Canterlot in the distance.
"Mmm, indeed it seems more impressive-hol'up, you got a castle!? You’re some kind of princess too?"
"Queen-in-waiting, actually."
Around Twilight's castle she could see various Waddle Dees from Waddle Dee Town around, all seeming to be relatively unharmed. Various of the heroes were there too, Donkey Kong, Ness, Poo, Jeff, Link, Sonic, among others. The executives of the Beast Pack were also there.
They were attended by a pony who was currently looking over Leongar, Clawroline near him looking worried. So Sweetie approached the pony to ask about the state of everyone and him when their appearance made her stop on her tracks.
It was a blue Earth Pony mare, with a dark red and brown mane that was made into a single long braid that sat tall atop her head. On her midsection, she wears a green long skirt that covers her lower-half, leaving only her hooves visible. On one of her front ones, she had a single bracelet, made from copper if Sweetie had to say from the color, and another bigger one around her neck.
But what Intrigued her the most was the yellow and blue bird mask that she was wearing.
"I could swear she seems familiar, but from where…?" Sweetie Void muttered to herself.
“Mmh…” Phantom observed the pony. “Wait a minute… Could it be…?” she muttered.
In the end, Sweetie concluded she might as well directly ask her instead of just wandering around.
"Heya! Who are you? I don't think I have seen you around here before," Sweetie asked casually as she approached while the mare kept attending the great lion.
"Mmm, well that wouldn't be surprising. I haven’t been around in quite a long time…" the mare said, speaking with an accent Sweetie Void couldn’t quite place.
The mysterious mare looked at her and took out her mask, revealing her face and her greenish blue eyes.
"I believe you might recognize me in this era as… Mage Meadowbrook."
Recognizing the name, Sweetie Void, Phantom, and Apple Death got stunned for a moment.
But now that they did a double-take…
"Ah, the mask! I knew I saw it somewhere! And you…certainly resemble the images in the History books…b-but still! Wow! One of the Pillars of old Equestria here? How?"
At that moment, a familiar light shined and from it appeared none other than Sweetie’s Twilight Sparkle, having teleported.
She looked around until her eyes spotted Sweetie and she rushed to her side.
"Sweetie Belle! Thanks Celestia you’re alright!" Twilight said relieved, "The heroes that arrived here before already briefly filled me in on what happened. Good thing you seem to be fine. I suppose everything is taken care of then?"
"Sure is! Now though, I suppose I wasn't the only one in an adventure here," Sweetie said looking over at Meadowbrook.
"Ah! Of course! You wouldn't know about the Pony of Shadows! Come inside the castle, we will explain everything there."
"Hey! Excuse me, but I am looking for a party over here." Gilgamesh said on the side.
Twilight looked at him and smiled, "Of course, Mr…?"
"The Great Gilgamesh Sama!"
"....Great Gilgamesh…Sa-ma? The Pinkies are in Ponyville arranging it all near Sugarcube Corner. Everyone there knows the way," Twilight points at Ponyville behind her castle.
Grinning from ear to ear, Gilgamesh took off to the town. "Man, I hope they got some good alcohol there…"
Once he was gone, Sweetie Void looked at Twilight, "His name is just Gilgamesh. I don't think adulating him is a good idea."
"Mmm… maybe, he didn’t seem that bad," Twilight responded.
"Anyways, tell me more about this Pony of Shadows…" Sweetie Void said while entering the castle followed by everyone else. Mage Meadowbrook looked at Kirby, Void, Galacta Knight, and Elfilin with curiosity but she remained behind to continue to attend to everyone outside.
Inside the castle, Twilight Sparkle led Sweetie Void and the others to the throne room where the three sets of Element Bearers (minus the Pinkie Pies who were busy preparing the party), Sweetie Void’s Starlight Glimmer, and who Sweetie assumed were the remaining Pillars of Equestria as well as a seventh pony that she didn’t recognize were gathered, talking to each others.
First was a huge cyan Earth Pony stallion, even bigger than Big Mac. He had a lighter patch of fur forming a stripe from his forehead to his muzzle, and he had gamboge mane and tail as well as a beard and mustache with gold stripes running through them. A bit of his mane was braided, and he had grayish blue eyes. He was wearing brown leather clothes on his chest and legs and there was a metal plate tied around his chest. Finally, he had a headband on his forehead and another tying the end of his tail. His Cutie Mark was of a geometrical figure forming three superposing gray triangles.
His size was a huge giveaway of who he was. Sweetie Void remembered from the history books. This pony was none other than Rockhoof.
Then there was a light scarlet pegasus mare with a dark arctic blue mane and tail with turquoise stripes, and she had grayish blue violet eyes. Her mane was cut into a bob and was covered by a headdress of white fabric with a golden headband ornated with a crescent moon. Two more golden headbands tied her tail, one at the middle and one at the extremity. As clothe, she had a transparent veil cloaking her back, wrapped by a golden belt with holes for her wings. Sweetie Void couldn’t see her Cutie Mark which was hidden under her wings.
No doubt, she was Somnambula.
Next was another pegasus, this one a stallion with ember fur, red mane and tail, and turquoise eyes. He had light armor composed of mail and a gray helmet, including a red scarf, and he had a shield that seemed to be copper with a winged four-branched star above a laurel on it.
Flash Magnus. The one and only.
After him was an old unicorn mare. Right away, Sweetie Void noticed the long curved horn that ended at a point. Same for the ears. And she had cerulean eyes, light mulberryish gray fur lighter at the hooves, and a mane and tail that looked like the mist of the mountains, flowing behind her like a river current. She had a grayish green shirt with a lighter collar and a grayish yellow and blue belt with… whatever was that thing on it, and there was a turquoise flower pendant. Her Cutie Mark was a seagreen cloud.
The legendary Mistmane.
And last but not least, an old gray unicorn stallion with a white and gray mane, tail, and beard and a white crescent mustache. The mane and tail curled at their extremities, and he had blue eyes. A blue cloak with stars, crescent moons, and bells covered most of his body, and he also had a blue wizard hat also with stars, crescent moons, and bells.
Starswirl the Bearded.
As for the seventh pony, he also was a gray unicorn stallion with a very thin build, with short blue mane and tail with lighter stripes and blue eyes, wearing a brown cloak.
Starswirl noticed Twilight and Sweetie Void entering the room and addressed them. "Ah! You must be the young one we have heard so much about."
He, along with the rest of the Pillars and the pony she didn’t recognize walked over and stood in front of her.
She had to say, she never would have guessed that she's gonna get the chance to meet the most legendary heroes of Equestria's History in the flesh.
"Wow, it’s an honor to meet you all! The name’s Sweetie Belle. Although for certain reasons you may call me Sweetie Void instead."
At that, Flash Magnus snorts. "That should be our line kid, if what we’ve been told of you is to be believed."
"The tales of your might sound nothing short of a myth! Yet our friends here affirm it to be nothing but the truth. I myself had serious doubts that such an amount of power even existed," Rockhoof said next.
"Celestial beings able to re-shape the very cosmos and with power beyond comprehension defeated by you… It goes without saying your exploits far surpass anything we ever faced," Starswirl praised
Sweetie Void actually rubbed the back of her neck slightly embarrassed. Sure, she was aware of her achievements, but being praised by figures she grew up hearing tales about as if they were legends felt good anyways.
"Hehe, thanks for your words…" Then suddenly she remembered something. "Oh yeah, I've heard about all of you… except for him. Who's he?" she asked, pointing at the gray stallion that shrunk a little at being addressed.
"Ah, of course. It figures you would've barely heard of him before. His tale isn't quite the pleasant one…" Somnambula said.
"Indeed. You see young one, he is none other than the former vessel of the Pony of Shadows miss Sparkle surely mentioned to you on your way here," Mistmane said, surprising Sweetie Void who looked at the gray pony again.
Sighing, the gray pony seemed to steel himself and stood upright in front of her.
"My name Is Stygian. Long ago in the past I used to assist the Pillars in their endeavors, but due to some…misunderstandings I've ended up meddling with dark forces and almost doomed Equestria," he said, looking down after finishing. But then he felt something rest on his shoulder and turned to look at Starswirl who had put his hoof on his shoulder and was giving him a reassuring smile. The Pillars sported similar looks at him.
"Indeed. Due to my misplaced distrust and stubbornness the Pony of Shadows took hold of him, his power too great even for us. We had no other option but to banish them both to a limbo but we all also got dragged in, disappearing from the face of Equus. Due to the nature of the limbo, all of us retained our age at the moment, surviving even for thousands of years," Starswirl recounted.
"That is, until we freed them," Twilight said, proceeding to tell Sweetie Void all about said Adventure.
15 minutes later…
"Mmm, interesting indeed. I'm glad everything worked out in the end!" Sweetie Void expressed.
"Right? We are all already making plans to free the Pillars of our own Equestrias. And with the knowledge of this tale, we will be able to greatly speed it over!" Phantom Sparkle said.
"It sure would be fascinating, having two more of each of us. The things we could accomplish together…" Starswirl said, and all the Pillars started wondering about it.
Sweetie Void, for her part, smiled. The more potential allies, the better. They’re gonna need it.
Oh, right.
"I have to ask, were you all told about the current situation?"
At that, The Pillars looked at her, their faces becoming serious.
"We were told that a great calamity the likes Equestria-no, Equus as a whole has never faced before in its entire History. Also that you’re the one that could explain it all better," Flash Magnus said.
Sweetie Void sights. "Right, ok there it goes…"
Thus, Sweetie Void laid all she knew down to the Pillars. About the Multiversal Army and the Gods of Light and Darkness.
Another 15 minutes later…
By the end of it, the Pillars and Stygian looked positively worried, minus Somnambula, the ever-hoping legend maintaining positivity through it all.
"Our foes do sound mighty, but I'm sure your plan of uniting allies across worlds will bear fruit, Sweetie Belle."
"Thanks, If only I was able to convince multiple of our allies of the same…Since Master Hand's proposal spread, multiple factions are having second thoughts about the whole thing! I'm honestly not sure how to calm things out," Sweetie Void said with weight on her words.
"Do you want my honest opinion?" Chromatic Bolt, her Rainbow Dash, said as she approached and sat down besides her, one front leg wrapped around Sweetie Void.
"You need to relax first. You just came from yet another dangerous adventure away, so right now why don't you rather focus on the incoming party? It will do you good!"
Sweetie Void smiled at her and nodded.
"Yeah, You’re right. I sure need it," she said.
And right on cue, from the entrance of the room came in the three Pinkie Pies.
"Listen everyone! We announce the double Victory Of Sweetie Void Party/The Pillars Return Party has begun!" they announced.
At the same time, in perfect synchron.
"...Alright. Oh! I almost forgot! Before we go," Sweetie Void said as she turned to Kirby, Void, Galacta Knight, and Elfilin. The first three were content listening to both the story of the Pony of Shadows and the re-telling of the entire situation of the Subspace Army while Elfilin learned all that with worry.
"These are some of my friends from Dream Land. They’re Void, the Progenitor God from there. Kirby, his Youngest, Galacta Knight, his Second eldest, and Elfilin, his… We aren’t sure actually. His eldest? His grandchild?" Sweetie Void introduced the little family of deities to the Pillars who approached curiously, having eyed them up since they stepped in the room.
"Fascinating. So you truly are a foreign God! Do you mind some questions?" Starswirl asked Void, who smiled.
"Sure, just as long as they’re not too fast," Void replied, not-so-subtly looking at the Twilights who all at some point questioned him at speeds he wasn't exactly comfortable with. For their part, all three looked away embarrassed.
"Huh, I’ve also heard of your feats of strength alongside the ones of the filly. If you would, as much as I might be out-classed, I would like to test you to see it myself!" Rockhoof excitedly challenged Kirby.
"Poyo!"
Galacta Knight for his part just chuckled. "I would greatly advise against it, unless all of the beings here on this planet see themselves harmed for it."
Still, Rockhoof didn’t seem discouraged by his words.
"Well, Kirby can control his strength so it will be fine if he doesn't overdo it," Sweetie Void reassured all the ponies present. "Let's go to the party now, everyone should be waiting for us there," she said as everyone walked out of the Castle to go to Ponyville.
Outside the Castle, all the other heroes seemed to have recovered and left for the party already, having been told by the three Pinkie Pies on the way. They encountered Mage Meadowbrook who, with the help of Clawroline who searched and fetched her everything she asked for at literal blinding speed, had healed Leongar so now the big lion was both conscious and standing, although she warned him that he really wasn't in condition to do anything rash just yet. The Beast Pack executives celebrated the recovering of their leader regardless, leaving the healer with a satisfied look.
Thus, accompanied by the Beast Pack executives that Sweetie Void formally invited to the party too, everyone made their way to Ponyville.
Upon arriving, Sweetie Void took in the scenery of the party already in motion.
The party, thanks to the assistance of the Waddle Dees, the entire party-planning might of three Pinkie Pies and even the habitants of Ponyville, ended up expanding to practically include the whole town in celebration, making it seem as if a whole festival was taking place instead of just a party.
As the group traversed the streets, ponies and Waddle Dees and other Popstarlings could be seen interacting and partying among other members of the Beast Pack like Awoofys and Bernards, among others.
The group then finally reached Sugarcube Corner, the building and its surroundings being the heart of the party. Already multiple heroes could be seen partaking in multiple activities or chatting among themselves.
Sweetie Void's group then decided to branch out to different parts of the party, leaving her free to explore the party for herself.
She saw some groups already forming: there was Link talking with Meta Knight and Dark Meta Knight, the latter, as typical, seemed to be antagonizing Meta Knight.
There were also Marx and Little Ghost in some corner, looking at the entire party and acting real shady. She wondered whether to stop them or join in whatever prank they’re gonna come up with.
Donkey Kong and Gorimondo unsurprisingly were hitting it off well now that they weren’t fighting on opposing sides. They were chatting alongside Diddy and Dixie.
And then, surprising and not at the same time, there was Gilgamesh with none other than Berry Punch, both drinking straight out of barrels with what she guessed was wine.
And many others were interacting between them and overall having fun, Sweetie Void decided to look first at what the first group she spotted was doing.
As she approached, the conversation became clear.
"All I'm saying is that if you want to learn some really strong style, I would be better," Dark Meta Knight boasted, making Meta Knight roll his eyes.
"Oh yeah, really strong huh, that’s why you definitely won a duel against me before. Totally happened."
"Grrr, shut up! You and your rules, 'honor' and 'code' nonsense would only hinder the boy's potential! With me, he shall learn how to properly exploit his foes' weakness and become a way better warrior than if YOU teach him!"
"Don’t make me laugh, you lack way too much in proper technique and rely too much on strength alone. Besides, a proper hero like him surely would appreciate the ways of a true knight, unlike a berserker like you."
For his part, Link looked uncomfortable with the two discussing and because he got curious about Dark Meta Knight's teachings. He did value honor, but he couldn’t deny that when push came to shove it was better to bend things to secure a necessary win. He couldn’t really decide who he should go for and didn’t really want to lose the chance to learn from either.
Luckily for him, he saw Sweetie Void approaching and didn’t doubt she could come up with a solution!
"Alright, what is it with you two now?" Sweetie Void asked.
"Young Link and I were discussing the details of his incoming training when he came and, quite rudely I should say, butted his head where it wasn’t called," Meta Knight answered.
"Oh stuff it, I just overheard a bit and immediately gagged at how boring you were making it all sound. The kid doesn't need your rules, what he needs is to be taught all there is to REAL fighting!"
Seeing the two weren't gonna finish anytime soon, Sweetie Void sights.
"Alright, simple: just both of you teach him."
"What!?" Meta Knight said surprised.
"No way! I am not working with him more than I am forced to already!" Dark Meta Knight immediately protested.
"You don't have to: from Sunday to noon on Wednesday, Meta Knight can teach Link and past noon of Wednesday until Saturday it will be Dark Meta Knight's turn. You’re good with that, Link?" Sweetie Void asked the young hero, who nodded enthusiastically. Then she looked at both of the knights, who in turn looked at each other with contempt before both looked to the opposite sides.
"...I suppose it does sound like the fairer agreement," Meta Knight said.
"...Tch, whatever," was all Dark Meta Knight responded.
Friendship problem solved, Link thanked Sweetie Void before she walked away to her next objective of the party.
It seemed like Marx and Little Ghost locked the target on poor Flamberge, likely deducing her reaction to whatever they’re gonna do is gonna be the most hilarious.
In the end, rather than stopping them, Sweetie decided to go along. She deserved some mischief after all that happened.
Quietly approaching from behind, Sweetie Void got close without getting noticed.
"Boo!"
"AHH!-"
Marx panicked, thinking he got busted. Little Ghost however, who had done the same trick countless times had a way tamer reaction.
"Oh, hi Sweetie! Wanna join the fun?~"
Sweetie Void giggled at Marx, who in return pouted at her. "Yeah, I could use some harmless pranks for a good laugh. So, what are you guys up to?"
Little Ghost pointed at Flamberge and said, "We were thinking for a bit and came to the conclusion that dear Flamberge over there was just a bit too hot-headed, so we agreed that it would do good to help her 'cool down' with a refreshing bath~"
"Hehe, yeah! Just follow our lead!" Marx says, taking to the air with his wings to fly just on top of Flamberge.
Then, he spat an ice ball from his mouth which Little Ghost caught in her telekinesis.
Seeing this, Sweetie Void used her powers to augment its side about three times.
And finally, Little Ghost melted it, forming a rather big bubble before letting it resume its fall.
Flamberge, who was simply talking with her sister Zan Partizanne, didn’t notice the ominous shadow above her, contrary to her sister who simply dashed back as to not be affected.
SPLASH!
"GWAAA!"
Flamberge exclaimed, getting all wet over. Briefly panicked, she looked everywhere.
"W-we are under attack! Sister, warn everyone!-"
But instead, she was met with the giggling image of Zan Partizanne.
Then she remembered seeing her getting away just before she was splashed, her mind catching up.
"You traitor! You saw it coming and didn’t stop it or saved me! My own sister!" Flamberge said, angry and just a bit over dramatic.
Then she heard more voices giggling behind her, and turned around to see none other than the responsibles of her disgrace behind some bushes.
"Grrr, you want to laugh!?" She said as fire surrounded her, already evaporating the humidity in her wet clothes while she cracked her knuckles. "I'll give you a reason to laugh!"
What she planned to do to them wasn't, in fact, something to laugh for.
Marx and Little Ghost stopped laughing.
"Hey, Sweetie Belle, do you mind helping to calm-" Marx was saying before he and Little Ghost noticed that a moment after, Sweetie Void wasn't anywhere to be seen.
"Huh, I would be more hurt if it wasn't actually some really smart move," Little Ghost commented before she and Marx noticed the increasing heat, product of an angry Flamberge approaching them.
The two looked at each other for a second before taking out to the sky, flying and, to the frustration of Flamberge, laughed all the while.
"YOU JUST WAIT I GET MY HANDS ON YOU GOOD-FOR-NOTHING RASCALS!" she shouted, chasing after them.
Being lucky on not having gotten seen, Sweetie Void continued enjoying the party.
She was getting a bit hungry, so she decided to enter Sugarcube Corner and get something.
Inside, on the various tables she saw some interesting groups.
There were Void, Starswirl and the trio of Twilights conversing around a table, the later asking questions to their life-long idol at a (thankfully) moderate pace.
Also, in a quiet corner, Krystal was talking with Ness, Poo, and curiously enough, a NESP that seemed to have befriended them.
Then the rest of the tables were occupied by the trios of her sister's friends and her own sister accompanied by her counterparts talking about their interests. The Fluttershys talked about animals, the Applejacks about their lives on the farm and of course, her trio of sisters were talking about fashion and gossiping among them.
There also were the three Pinkie Pies who were coming from the kitchen, carrying all kinds of sugary treats to distribute outside.
Phantom Pie wordlessly gave Sweetie Void a slice of cake on the way outside.
"Thanks!" Sweetie Void said, accepting the slice.
Inside Sugarcube Corner there were also Magolor and Susie, who seemed to be looking up some holographic schematics.
Curious as to what they were working on, she approached.
"Hey guys! What's up?" Sweetie Void asked.
"Ah! Hello to you too Sweetie Belle!"
"Greetings."
Magolor and Susie greeted Back.
"Mmm… Aren’t you supposed to, y'know, not bring work to parties?" she asked the two.
"As much as I would like to indulge, it so happened that we were busy on a project back at New Halcandra," Susie replied.
"But since Void himself took the time to send a copy to tell us about it, we wanted to be present to the celebration!" Magolor said. "Plus, we were going to take a break from our main project to look at the world where the Humans that supplied the Ancients of their dimensional travel came from anyways."
"Yeeeah about that… I don't think there's much left to salvage back there."
"Oh we know, we were told the details of the quite destructive battle. Void already said he was going to look into simply reversing the destruction," Susie reassured Sweetie Void.
Right, they had a literal God on their side.
"Right. So what are you working on again?" she asked again.
"Nuh-huh huh, that would be telling~. I promise though, the wait will be worth it!" Magolor playfully waved a finger, with Susie nodding behind him.
"We can, however, tell you about what we’ve come up with for our new allies, this 'Beast Pack' we were told about," Susie said, intriguing Sweetie Void.
"Oh? What about them?"
"You see Sweetie Belle, in a effort to prepare for the war against the Subspace Army, and after, the one against the Gods of Light and Darkness, on New Halcandra we’re working on a program to better both train and weaponize Dream Land inhabitants, and this Beast Pack, more notably their executives, seems to have some unexploited potential."
Sweetie Void thought about it. Certainly, they could hold their own against some of the less powerful heroes, but it’s clear the difference they got compared to the bigger shots in the alliance. Still, she could tell that nobody in the Beast Pack ever had any kind of real training, and while the same could be say for some of her allies, they were still heroes that already got good experience, having go trough their own adventures whereas she doubted the Beast Pack had that much opposition before they arrived. Maybe some internal conflicts in the past but little else.
"Alright, sounds interesting. Have you thought of something?"
At that, Magolor and Susie changed the hologram of the schematics to instead display various statistics, with a holographic image of Clawroline.
"Thanks to the descriptions provided by Krystal, Donkey Kong, and the rest of the heroes earlier in the party, as well as what we gathered observing the executives when they arrived here, we were able to quickly determine possible ways we can capitalize on their strengths to make them more effective," Susie presented to sweetie Void. "This individual denominated 'Clawroline' for example shows formidable capabilities in both speed and agility, not to mention a capability with weaponry with her throwing knives and her natural extensible claws, without forgetting her ability to disappear in puffs of smoke. With the use of better weaponry as well as refining her agility she could prove quite the capable fighter."
"Which is why we have thought the best course of action would be to offer her to learn Ninjutsu under the tutelage of the Biosparks!" Magolor continued. "She seems particularly smart compared to her peers so it shouldn’t be complicated for her to learn her way through the weapons, her natural agility should make it so she doesn't have that much of a hard time with their trainings and the overall versatility Ninjutsu techniques provide would make her a fearsome foe!"
Sweetie Void let out a whistle at all that. "Impressive. Alright I’ll make sure to talk to her about it. What else have you got?"
Changing the holographics to now show Gorimondo, Susie continued the presentation.
"After discussing a bit, we opted to keep it simple with the big guy: the fact that it would just storm again and again Waddle Dee Town without even as much as really changing his strategy already shows it would be difficult to really teach him complicated combat techniques, so we scratched any of that. Instead we capitalize on his absurd willpower, resistance and strength. We are going to design a battle armor to enhance him physically and provide something easy and powerful as a weapon. Our Prime choice is a warhammer he would create powerful shockwaves with."
"Simple and to the point!" Magolor supplied. "With a combination of technology and brawn, we build him into a juggernaut capable of holding the frontline even if it's all by himself! We won't have to actually test that if we are lucky though."
This time, Susie changed the hologram to show Leongar.
"For him, we decided on the rather shocking data we received about him from Apple Death. Sweetie Void, did he truly get his soul torn apart into three hundred pieces and yet you were all able to bring him back alive?" Susie inquired.
"And without any mental sequels?" Magolor also asked.
The three looked out through a window of Sugarcube Corner and quickly spotted the enormous lion outside.
One of the Pinkie Pies, Surprise, was offering him cotton candy, which the lion gratefully took.
Then he gives it to Clawroline that was with him, the leopard eagerly biting into it with a content expression, which in turn made him smile too. Then Surprise offered him another cotton candy, surprising him a bit, but he took it nonetheless.
"... That’s not really something a normal being can achieve. Even just having your soul ripped into three or five pieces is potentially harmful in a permanent way, never mind three hundred!" Magolor said.
"Well to be fair, we do believe Fecto Elfilis was somehow keeping the pieces stable."
"Still an impressive feat nonetheless. We believe he could be adept in Soul Power, so we arranged for him to be trained by Knuckle Joes and other Popstarlings adept in the art. Their martial arts should also combine pretty fine with his powerful physique."
Finally, they showed the holographics of Sillydillo.
"And then him… It’s still a work in progress," Susie confessed.
Sweetie Void quirked an eyebrow at that.
"Huh? How so?"
"You see, there are various qualities he seems to possess, yet nothing seems to stand out. His back provides good defense, but his front is more vulnerable and heavy armor would hinder his mobility too much. He has good strength, but compared to Gorimondo or Leongar he doesn't really compare, and while he can be quite fast when he rolls, Clawroline still is faster and more agile, plus she can freely use her speed instead of having to roll," Susie elaborated.
"But that’s not to say it’s all bad! At least like Leongar, Sillydillo also doesn't have any major weaknesses like the lack of attack potency of Clawroline or the lack of speed of Gorimondo. You could say he is a Jack of all trades," Magolor said.
"Which also means he is a master of none, making it difficult to come up with something truly optimal for him," Susie said with some frustration.
"Eh, I'm sure you guys will come up with something. That was great! I'll make sure to tell them all to talk to you two with Elfilin as an interpreter," Sweetie Void praised the pair.
"That would be much appreciated," Susie said, bowing slightly.
"Well, I’ll get going and continue seeing the party around. It was nice seeing you!" Sweetie Void said goodbye to the pair who waved back and went out in her way.
Exiting Sugarcube Corner, Sweetie saw how the party progressed.
Now alongside Gilgamesh and Berry Punch was Rockhoof, he and Gilgamesh boisterously laughing, likely about tales about their adventures.
At some point, Vinyl Scratch had appeared and started animating everything with her music. This enthused Donkey Kong and Link, Donkey Kong taking out a pair of bongos and Link joining in with his ocarina. Vinyl nodded and expertly re-adjusted her music to be in tune with them, everyone quickly gathering to dance.
Smiling, Sweetie Void quickly joined in too. She even reunited with Phantom and Apple Death, along with the other CMCs of the other Equestrias and they all had fun together.
The party lasted long, everyone relaxing and celebrating. Eventually though, some started to get tired and retired and the party started to wind down.
Gilgamesh took a last gulp of his gourd. He, Berry Punch, and Rockhoof having finished the last drop of both wine and alcoholized cinder there was.
"Ahhh, now THAT’S how I like my parties~" he said, his voice slightly slurring.
"Indeed friend! There was nothing like a good feast and drink after a grand victory back in my homeland!" Rockhoof agreed.
Besides them, Berry Punch already laid sleeping.
"Well, it’s about time I take my leave," Gilgamesh said, standing up and saying goodbye to Rockhoof.
He then spotted Sweetie Void and walked up to her.
"Well I must say, this was all really fun! You people do know how to have fun around here," Gilgamesh said.
"Thanks! Do you want me to open you a portal?"
"Nah, it’s fine. I got my own way of getting around." he said. "Y'know, you told me that you’re all going to be fighting against some really busted multiversal army, right? I may know some people that would undoubtedly lend you a hand. Great warriors like yours truly, too," he offered.
"Oh, that definitely would be a great help! The only problem is that I don't precisely control the next universe I'm gonna land in. There's a chance I still meet them though!" Sweetie Void said.
"Mmm, indeed! After all, I do believe we coincided in the first place for a reason. Well then, may we cross paths again out there. Oh and if by chance you encounter a warrior named Bartz, tell him the Great Gilgamesh desires to duel him again and that I will definitely beat him! Until next time, Gilgamesh out!"
And with that, Gilgamesh left for the time being.
Sweetie Void then went to gather the Beast Pack executives and Elfilin to talk with Magolor and Susie who, with the help of Elfilin, communicated about the training plans.
All the executives were enthusiasmed at the idea of getting stronger, so all readily agreed.
Then she was approached by Fox, a serious expression on his face.
"What’s the matter?" she immediately inquired upon seeing him.
"We are having a reunion back at Twilight's castle. We are taking the chance of everyone being reunited to assert the current situation of the alliance as a whole in the brief days that have passed since Master Hand's proposal," Fox dutifully informed.
Upon hearing him, Sweetie Void’s face hardened and she nodded. "Alright, let’s go."
Thus, she and Fox walked back to Twilight's castle and into the Throne Room.
There, all the heroes were gathered around the Cutie Map, alongside the Pillars and the three Celestias and the three sets of Mane Six. Susie and Magolor also were here and from the Beast Pack only Carol was here (Clawroline who, with the help of Elfilin, revealed her true name) since she was the only one that didn’t took too much space and she also revealed that she was the one in charge of the Beast Pack's entire line of communication anyways.
Once everyone was confirmed to be present, Sweetie Void’s Twilight raised her hoof.
"Before anything else, I quickly want to address something. As some of you might know, I and the alternate versions of myself and my friends go by different nicknames to differentiate each others alongside bandanas of different color that we wear, so I wanted for a last time both re-introduce the nicknames that you may already know and the ones that you may not starting from my own."
Twilight then pointed at herself. "I go by Dream Warper. The me with the yellow bandana is Sparky, and the me with the blue bandana is Phantom Sparkle. My friends from my universe, who all wear red bandanas, are Rarity Void, Surprise for Pinkie, Chromatic Bolt for Rainbow Dash, Jackie for Applejack, and Timid for Fluttershy." She pointed at each ponies as she presented their nicknames. "The ones with yellow bandanas are Rareté, Smile, Zapp, Applebot, and Plushy. The ones with the blue bandanas are Phantom Rarity, Phantom Pie, Phantom Dash, Phantom Applejack, and Phantom Fluttershy. Oh, and let's not forget Phantom and Apple Death. Phantom is Scootaloo from the blue bandana universe, and Apple Death, Apple Bloom from the yellow bandana universe."
Everyone nodded in understanding as she finished.
That done, Fox then placed a device on the deactivated Cutie Map, an holographic device made by the Tails based on their phones, and from it, the holographic figures of General Pepper, Professor Oak, and Chairman Keaton were displayed.
Seeing everyone, Sweetie Void spoke.
"All right, now that everyone’s present I declare this reunion of the Alliance (name still temporary) started! Well then, who got something to report about the state of their universe?"
Sweetie Void’s Celestia spoke first. "All of the three Equestrias still hold our position of wait-and-see."
"Ditto from our Mobius too," Present Sonic said, his past counterpart nodding.
Chairman Keaton was next. He let go a heavy sigh. "Despite my best efforts, it seems that a considerable part of my peers still argue about whether to stick with this Alliance or to move on with the Subspace Army instead for a more guaranteed safety and I fear the discussions will stop being so civil in the near future…" he said.
Sweetie Void tsked. There went the first bad news of the evening.
Link talked next. "From what I remember just before I left, Zelda told me that the King was seriously considering joining them, but she managed to talk him out of it. Now they also are waiting and seeing. I also don't think the Future Hyrule is gonna want to get involved at all, as they’re still recuperating from Ganondorf's reign."
"The Mushroom Kingdom and the rest of its world are on the same boat as Future Hyrule," Apple Death also informed.
"Same goes for us, sadly. The damages the Rainbow Rockets did worldwide were not minimal and reparations are still underway," Oak added.
"And with Corneria that makes four factions unwilling to take any part on the conflict for the time being due to reconstruction," General Pepper said.
"Heh, you got lucky. Having an important political figure in your universe backing you up," Jeff spoke to Link, his eyes downcast. "Ever since what happened to Ness' hometown, our world is particularly terrified of the Subspace Army and rather than risking with us, they want to try to appeal to their mercy and join them. If we don’t show them something definitive that shows that we can beat them, there's nothing to do to stop them."
Sweetie Void pondered on this. Truly, if all they needed was an even greater show of power, that could be arranged.
"I see, what more?" she asked for the next representative to talk.
"Well, we on Popstar are firmly sticking with you!" King Dedede loudly proclaimed.
"No matter the odds, we refuse to back down," Meta Knight added.
"Indeed. I have total trust that my creations will pull through, and I will support them until the end," Void finished.
"Poyo!" Kirby let out with determination. Magolor and Susie also nodded firmly.
Sweetie Void gave them a grateful smile, and they all returned it with looks of conviction.
Now all the present had finished updating the state of their universes excluding Captain Falcon’s one since it had yet to be approached to join in, leaving Sweetie Void to think.
All in all, things weren't looking good. She should have known, maintaining an alliance this massive wasn't going to be easy by a long shot. She idly thought about how she understood more how the Celestias often seemed to get overwhelmed just managing Equestria. And now, like her, had this on top of that.
"Mmm, it seems there's not much we are able to immediately work on," she said.
"Understandable if you ask me. It has only been a few days since Master Hand's ultimatum was delivered," General Pepper said.
"True. However, there is something that we should address promptly before it worsens," Sweetie Void said.
At that, the most insightful in the reunion immediately turned to the one that reported the most dire news so far.
"Chairman Keaton," Sweetie Void addressed. "Your Galactic Federation is so far one of our greatest sources of military might. If that is compromised, it would be a blow too great. We need to prevent that."
"Agreed. From what I know, yours is one of the only factions here that has developed into space-travel, and currently the one with the largest army," General Pepper said.
"Thanks for the compliments. Indeed, sooner or later, I fear I will have a civil war in my hands. If that happens, our universe will also be out of commission, or at the very least, heavily weakened, with a great part of our forces cut and more strength for our enemy," Keaton said.
"Mmm…this is all because there isn’t enough trust that we will be able to stand in front of the Subspace Army, right?" Magolor asked
"The Subspace Army plans to sacrifice billions in order to realize their ambitions! Isn’t that enough?" Present Sonic said outraged, which made Phantom huff.
"Not everyone is this shiny beacon of justice like you are, Sonic," she rebutted him.
"Precisely, sadly. At least with the Subspace Army, many prefer the idea of making a great sacrifice to save the majority instead of risking the destruction of everything to the meager chance we would be victorious" Chairman Keaton confirmed.
"So in a nutshell, the alliance's current top priority is to convince and reassure everyone that we can indeed win this," Sweetie Void stated, and everyone in the room nodded.
"...Well, guess there's no option then," Magolor said, looking at Susie. "We will have to speed up the presentation of our projects."
"Yeah, it seems like it," Dedede agreed with him.
Discussions then started, and everyone ended up coming to a conclusion.
"We need to hold some kind of exhibition to the other factions about our advances. Both to convince those with doubts and to reaffirm everyone else that we got nothing to envy to the Subspace Army," Sweetie Void concluded.
"That sounds about right," Chairman Keaton agreed.
Then a date was set where the universes in the alliance will all showcase their might to the rest.
"And I guess that we will postpone the big meeting we had planned to after this exhibition, once we're sure that the alliance will stick."
Everyone agreed.
"Another thing is that I think that this could also be the perfect chance to start things right with Captain Falcon’s universe's own Galactic Federation," Sweetie Void added.
"Indeed," one of the Celestias said. "We were in deep thought about how to go about it since Master Hand's proposal, but this should be a good way to make them willing to join."
"Then it’s settled. Everyone, make sure that all of the scientists and researchers of your factions are made aware of this. The future of our universes depend on it! A showcase will be held, where we will then broadcast to the leaders of all the factions that doubt us just who the Subspace Army is dealing with!" Sweetie Void said with a conviction that was widely accepted.
"Well then, anything more that anyone wants to add?" she asked, waiting for a bit for anyone to say anything.
"Well then. With the permission of everyone present, I hereby declare this reunion of the alliance finished!" she said, and everyone cheered a bit, before starting to say their goodbyes to everyone and mobilize outside the castle to retire to their universes. The holograms of Chairman Keaton, Professor Oak, and General Pepper shut down and Fox retrieved the device.
"Good job! You made it great, considering this was one of the first reunions we undoubtedly will still have in the future," Fox congratulated Sweetie Void before he and Krystal were gone.
"Indeed Sweetie Belle," the Celestias approached her next, and Sweetie’s Celestia spoke. "It was really impressive the way you handled yourself throughout the whole meeting. Why, it seemed as if you already had a good deal of experience on it!" they all agreed.
"Hehe, that’s our future fellow royal to ya!" King Dedede proudly stated.
"Aww shucks, thanks!" Sweetie Void said a bit embarrassed by the praise. "Although, to be honest, I think I was lucky that things weren't all that heated or tense. After all we do have a good time left before the deadline Master Hand gave, so no one was particularly desperate for actions or decisions.”
"Mmm, true enough. Still an impressive demonstration for a leader so young," Apple Death's Celestia said.
"I still think I have a long way to go before I can properly call myself a leader of something like a kingdom or an entire alliance by myself, but thanks! I will try my best," Sweetie Void said sincerely.
"I'm sure the opportunity to prove yourself a really capable leader will come, my little pony," Sweetie Void's Celestia reassured her.
In the background, the three Pinkie Pies giggled for some reason.
Next, the three groups of Mane Six exited, both to help clean up the party and to return to their universes. Then the Pillars followed to seek where to stay for the time being. Twilight offered them some of the empty rooms of the castle.
Sweetie Void then looked around and spoted Elfilin and Kirby together with Void.
She knew what was coming now, knew she had to confront him about it.
Saying goodbye to the Celestias as they were gone, she approached Elfilin and co.
"Elfilin…" she quietly called him and he turned to her. "Are you ready?"
Elfilin looked at her. "I…Yeah, okay. It would be better if you all know now."
Magolor, who was just about to get out with Susie, turned around curious. "Oh? Something to reveal?"
"Well, yes. It has to do… with Fecto Elfilis."
That picked up the interest of everyone left in the Throne Room, who were all from Popstar by now.
Void in particular seemed interested, for understandable reasons.
Everyone gathered around Elfilin who looked a bit nervous at those around him. Sweetie Void gave him an encouraging smile, and with that, he decided to start.
"...When what was left of their soul united with me, Fecto left me with the last of what remained from their own self, the most persistent and enduring part of their being. That is…their memories, and their feelings. Feelings so profound that they refused to die out no matter what and memories that refused to be forgotten," he said.
However, just at his last words, something immediately worried everyone.
Elfilin, sweet and caring Elfilin, practically spat that last word with a particular bark in his tone. Everyone exchanged glances but let him continue.
"...I remember it, now clear as day, when I- them. They were born," Elfilin said pleased, as if nostalgic. "In the beginning, there was only Void and them, they were happy, they were content. They had all the attention and care of Father to them, and at the time, were truly at peace," Elfilin said with a wishful expression.
"Then," and the expression was gone. "Along came his first creations, the first life-forms after me, and before Galacta Knight and the others. At first I was happy. I truly was. The concept of brothers once filled me with such joy, even if we were… different. I… Elfilis was made to remain at Void’s side while these life-forms were made to spread out, to eat each others, to give birth to more life-forms, and some eventually began to form the first civilizations, well before what you now call the Ancients. At first, there weren’t many. These times were some of the more pleasant memories along with those with Father. But then, more came.”
There it was again, the uncharacteristic bark on his voice.
"Father was a young God. Filled with creativity and ever so eager to create. Soon, he filled out our universe with many more of his children, these life-forms, and said children then filled the universe on their own. That’s when everything changed. When they took-wait, that couldn’t-but they did-no! Err, g-give me a minute, everyone…" Elfilin said while he closed his eyes with a frown, everyone looking at him with concern.
"... The emotions. Fecto Elfilis' emotions are conflicting with Elfilin's," Magolor noted.
"Elfilin, hear my voice. Focus, and calm down. Remember those aren’t your own feelings," Sweetie Void said with a calm voice. Sure enough, Elfilin seemed to come to his senses.
All the while, Void remained very quiet.
"T-thanks. I umm…gonna continue now," he said. "... At first, it wasn't too bad, admittedly. 'Sure, let me finish this quick', 'sure, just a moment.', 'of course! As soon as I take care of this'. Little by little, as everything in our universe expanded and our brothers expanded, father became more occupied. He still had time for them, but soon all started to shift into 'sorry, I can’t right now', 'sorry, there's a problem in…’, ‘sorry, can't we leave it for another time?’ Sorry, sorry, sorry sorry sorry sorry stars-forsaken sorry‐……I even started actively helping him manage the universe, and for a moment it worked, again he had time for me- them, time for them again. Yet eventually, that too, wasn't enough."
As everyone listened, everything suddenly started to fit.
"I… I had no idea they felt that way," Void started. "I am truly sor-"
"If you dare finish that sentence, stars help me I SWEAR-" everything in the room started vibrating as if an earthquake was happening, but quickly, Elfilin closed his eyes, putting his paws over his head while shaking it.
"Breathe… Calm down… N-not my own feelings, not my own…" he repeated quietly, and sure enough everything started to calm down.
Sweetie Void wordlessly floated beside him and petted him reassuringly with her hoof. He looked at her with gratitude in his eyes.
"Thanks, I'm… better," he said. "... Eventually they, too, became so occupied with keeping the universe that they barely had time to do little else. And I think…that’s when everything started to go downhill. When the separation started."
Everyone got curious at what that meant.
"... The separation into two. What occasioned that Fecto Elfilis became Elfilin and Fecto Forgo respectively," Meta Knight quickly realized, and Elfilin nodded.
"Yes. When I too started to take care of other living beings, it was the first time the Heart and the Mind were at odds," Elfilin said with an ominous tone.
Void, who had been silent since he tried to apologize, spoke up. "To clarify, when I created Fecto Elfilis, they had two cores I built their body after: the Mind and the Heart. The Heart would fill them with love and kindness, make them a compassionate soul, while the Mind would give them unrivaled intelligence and wisdom, making them able to guide and teach without equal. It was the perfect synergy. The Heart would prevent the Mind from growing detached and uncaring, too cold and calculative while the Mind would shield the Heart from dangers it couldn’t detect, and would always find the best solutions when the feelings clouded a just judgment."
"But you failed," Elfilin harshly retorted. "When it came to your creations, they still grew distant with each other."
"I…" Void didn’t know what to say.
"As eons blurred in, the other children grew more and more. Always more complex in the way they were and acted. And soon enough, there began to be conflicts. Every time, it was as if the moment they solved anything, five more problems spawned across the universe. Then ten, then twenty, then forty, then more- and Father just wouldn't stop coming up with even more creations, despite the work they gave him. And the worst part was that despite it all he still looked so happy. How could he? The two of them barely had any time anymore for just themselves, and these… these usurpers were always so conflictive, always arguing and fighting over such meaningless things. What was it that kept them so content? This, all of this, was what the Mind couldn’t understand."
By now, everyone was completely entranced with the tale while at the same time growing more concerned for Elfilin.
How, exactly, could all this be affecting his sanity?
"The Heart, however, understood their Father: every time their siblings discovered and learned new things, every time they looked up to them with admiration-the same admiration they themselves looked up to Father… it filled them with pride, and every time they contently showed them their advancements and discoveries, it absolutely made their day. This all was what the Heart could understand," Elfilin kept narrating.
"More and more, the Mind grew jaded, wondering when will be the time everything would be back to what it was, when they would be free to play with Father again, when they could rest of taking care and resolving conflict after conflict. And soon enough they became resentful with it all: with the monotony, the conflicts, the siblings, Father-everything. And one day, it couldn’t take it anymore. They SNAPPED."
By Celestia… Sweetie Void couldn’t help but think for herself.
"B-but…why didn’t they say anything!? Surely, if they had-"
"THEY TRIED! They tried COUNTLESS TIMES! But every single TIME they did all you had for me were fake reassurances, empty promises! You would give me barely a spec of your time before something else took your attention off of ME!
"'An accident' they said, 'it wasn't on purpose', 'they just defended themselves' they tried to reassure themselves. But soon they came to realize it was anything but. It began simple enough, just yet another irritatingly petty conflict…or at least, that’s what they believed. Turns out, the inhabitants didn’t see it that way. They don’t even remember exactly what it was all about- Something about some piece of dirt-... Uh, territory I think. One that had held quite the value to both sides. They tried to convince each sides to make peace, searched for every diplomatic solution, but the greedy pests just wouldn't let go of even a single inch of their stupid land-err, I-I mean both sides seemed to regard it as a really, really important piece of their culture and identity! So yeah, no one seemed to ever be content with any arrangement. And since Father still was occupied with other things, they couldn’t consult him or ask him help. Then… then the worst happened," Elfilin said with a somber tone.
"As no solution seemed to come, both sides decided they had enough of pointless negotiations. War broke out, without Elfilis managing to do anything to stop them. Yet still, in my foolishness I still tried to help, still tried to get them to stop even in the midst of combat. They even resorted to actively holding them back, using their psychic powers to disarm and restrain. But then… then… Then one of them snuck from behind, and the TRAITOROUS VERMIN tried to strike ME! It didn’t do anything, predictably. But the sheer audacity, the sheer INSOLENCE. I was the firstborn of Father- I was smarter, stronger, I was SUPERIOR. Wasn't it enough I had to entertain your squabbles? Wasn't it enough that you robbed me of my happiness? That's it. No more. Not a single damned moment more…..S-so, they turned around and…and…"
"We can figure out what happened, no need to push yourself," Sweetie Void said.
"Alright…as you can guess, what happened…wasn't pretty. And the party that was the most horrified for it all after the victims themselves was none other than their own Heart. Every time they struck one of their siblings in the light of Father, their Heart ached with pain. Yet in the wake of their bubbled up anger and resentment, they didn’t care and pushed forward until the whole planet was barren of life at all, such was the extent of my wrath… O-of course, after all had passed, they were horrified by what they did! They didn’t know what to do! But they couldn’t reveal to anyone what they had done. So while the eyes of Father were away, they… Uh, disposed of the evidence-namely, blew the planet up and its debris- and hoped for the longest time it would go unnoticed. But ever since that fateful moment, nothing was the same: some time after, another conflict involved one particular individual as its root. If nothing was done about them, another war that this time would involve multiple planets would break out. So believing it would be for the best, they… consumed it. No one knew, and the war got averted. The nagging guilt of the Heart was ignored. And little by little, it became more frequent and they consumed more life-forms, it was… so horrible… So efficient… And eventually, they simply no longer cared. If someone was giving problems, they consumed them. If someone broke the rules and laws, I consumed them. And if they begged clemency, they squashed the Heart under their thumb and consumed them regardless."
While all this was told, Elfilin found himself surrounded by multiple arms, all hugging him.
Tears streamed in a constant flow from his eyes all the while.
"o-of course, w-with so many disappearances, it wasn't long until they were discovered by Father. Try as they might, they simply weren't rival for his might. Once defeated though, Father didn’t find it in him to just dispose of their firstborn, so they banished them instead. Battered and weakened from the fight, they wandered across whatever place they were banished. Eventually however, they soon found something they didn’t expect-a planet with life. they didn’t hesitate and quickly consumed until the last trace of life on it. Recuperated, they quickly traveled the new universe searching for any more life to consume. The universe they were in was Godless. If the God was eliminated, trapped, simply away for a time or just abandoned their creations-they didn’t care, they just relished in the fact all those weaklings were easy prey-... Eventually they almost ripped the entire universe barren, and only a single planet remained. They already were making plans to return to their own universe and have revenge when they landed on the blue and green planet of the yellow star. However things didn’t go as they expected, those little scummy bald primates were infuriatingly clever-the humans were more intelligent than they expected, and taking advantage of their hubris and confidence they trapped them."
"Then…the experiments began. Always pulling, probing, touching and testing-didn't they know who they were messing with!? To keep their FILTHY apparatuses to themselves!? Ohh but the worst wasn't that."
Over the course of the story, Elfilin had let out sporadic burst of potent psychic power both Sweetie Void and Void found themselves in need to suppress with magic and equal psychic power respectively, but now this one was getting particularly potent, making them put more effort in countering it.
"The WORST were THE VISITS. Every now and then in would come more of those PESTS accompanied by their even more repulsive offspring! They would point their flashy 'cameras', and exhibit me as some kind of ANIMAL! They would GLOAT and proclaim I 'was contained' and wasn't 'of no danger'. It was so degrading… And the voice, the stars-forsaken VOICE. 'aNd hErE wE aRe!' I wanted nothing more than to just reach with my powers and just make the head of that woman-.... Uh, y-yeah. It… wasn't pleasant. O-one day during experimentation, the humans discovered the cores, the Mind and the Heart and well-like the foolish beings they were, started messing with them-and well the… incident happened. That day I, Elfilin,The Heart, got divided from my other half Fecto Forgo, the Mind. After that I don't recall how much time passed, but eventually all the humans just…disappeared one day-The vermin migrated to another dimension using the power they ROBBED me, because apparently they were so much of a plague that they worned-out their own planet-and well… you might guess the rest-I was left behind, left to root in that stupid container, my other half missing and wandering the outside while I remained alone, abandoned, FORGOTTEN."
At that last part, Elfilin suddenly broke away from everyone and hovered at the side.
"Seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years, millenia, eons. Left alone, abandoned, FORGOTTEN."
Everyone was shocked. Elfilin's voice… There was now a second one talking in unison with it.
"... Guys, these memories, these feelings… I, they’re… mine too?" Elfilin said in his own voice, bewildered as if not understanding it himself. "Did I…also feel this alone before?"
Everyone was puzzled over Elfilin's voice switching between his normal one and his dual one.
"... Now I remember, yes. For the longest time… I felt incomplete. I traveled far and wide, without much of a purpose really. It wasn't bad, but I always still felt as if something was missing. And deep down I had always searched for it, longed for it, yet I didn’t really know why or what. Now I… I realize. I never really 'fit in'. I wasn't like any other creature. My colors were unnatural, I had capabilities that no one else shared, and I never fully resembled any creature I met," Elfilin said, looking at his paws contemplatively. "I didn’t fit in, and as such, even when others were friendly enough, I never felt quite pleased or comfortable with a group. Even during our adventure with all of our friends, I still felt like that-it’s just that over the years I’ve learned to live like that. I got so accustomed to that feeling it was really like it wasn't here, but it was. It was always here."
After that, everything fell into a sepulchral silence. Elfilin remained floating to the side, with his back turned to everyone.
It took a moment for everyone to get their bearings after hearing such a tale.
"...Wow, that’s one brutal backstory," Marx eventually said.
Sweetie Void then quietly and carefully approached Elfilin.
"…Elfilin, I think I know of something that could help settle all this."
Elfilin turned with curiosity.
"Really? You mean it?" he asked with hope in his voice.
"Yeah. It's a song that allows a soul to heal from their grievances. Maybe with it those emotions and memories of that piece of soul can stop hurting you so much and help you accept them to move forward," she offered him, and Elfilin nodded.
"I’ll try."
Sweetie Void nodded, and her horn lit alive with a powerful amount of magic as she closed her eyes and sang.
She sang the Song of Healing that helped her friend Link save Termina, recreating the power of the Ocarina of Time with her own.
"La la la, la la la, la la lala laaaa~.
La la la, la la la, la la lala laaaa~."
As she sang, everything banished around Elfilin, replaced by a black void.
Confused and a bit scared, Elfilin tried to look around and search for everyone.
Then, in the distance, he saw them.
His other half, in their incomplete form, was floating in the void across him, their piercing blue eyes glaring at him.
Immediately, Elfilin felt the need to run away, but then…
"La la la, la la la, la la lala laaa~."
Something was compelling him not to. Something told him that despite everything, he shouldn’t run away. Not from them.
"La la la, la la la, la la lala laaa~."
In fact, the more he heard the voice, the more he was convinced he should instead approach his other half.
So he did.
As he came closer, their glare seemed to intensify, and all at once Elfilin felt a wave of negative emotions assault him.
Resentment.
Fury.
Envy.
Hate.
It just kept coming more and more in greater volume the more he approached, and for a moment he thought he couldn’t keep up.
"La la la, la la la, la la lala laaaa~."
But despite all, he persisted, coming closer and closer. Eventually, he was just in front of his other half, their eyes glaring as if they wanted to murder him.
Yet the emotions that now were pouring from them…
Resentment.
Fury.
Envy.
HATE.
….Helplessness.
Abandonnement.
Sadness.
Loneliness…
".....” Elfilin looked at them, not uttering a word.
Then, quietly, he floated closer and closer…
And hugged them.
At once, the flood of emotions emanating from his other half stopped dead in its track. Then it shifted to only one.
Confusion.
Yet Elfilin kept hugging them, not letting go.
...Pain.
Shame.
Regret.
Understanding.
Their eyes ceased their glare.
A single, solitary tear rolled from each.
Elfilin felt his counterpart moving his own arms to embrace him back, and both of them closed their eyes. And at that moment, both let each other feel only one thing.
Acceptance.
Without Elfilin noticing, Fecto started to shine with a yellow glow, a comforting aura filled them both as light filled the void around them.
"La la la, la la la, la la lala laaa~"
Everyone looked on as Elfilin suddenly started shining, every time brighter and brighter as Sweetie Void kept singing.
Everyone shielded their eyes as the light became too brilliant to bear, and Sweetie Void, feeling she no longer had to, stopped singing.
When it subsided, everyone looked to see what happened to Elfilin.
Just to come face to face with Fecto Elfilis in their perfect form.
Everyone was silent and a little wary at the sight, not sure if it would suddenly attack them or something.
Sweetie Void looked at them, and seeing how they were just here without doing anything she tentatively asked, "Elfilin…?"
They blinked, then looked at themself-amazement quickly taking over their features as they looked at their whole body over. Finally, looking at them, they (he?) responded.
"Uh, Yes. It is I, indeed," Elfilin said-their voice was suddenly more mature and grown-up. He had a certain finesse in it too.
No one said anything for a moment.
"IT WORKED!" Marx loudly cheered and immediately everyone did.
All piled up on Elfilin for a group hug (even the edgelord Dark Meta Knight eventually gave in) at which his only response was to hug them back-with his new hands and arms, as well as his now way bigger ears. He embraced them all.
Eventually, everyone let go, and Elfilin then looked up at the only one that didn’t join.
He and Void looked at each other and for a moment everything was silent.
Everyone looked expectantly at the silent exchange with some tension. It was as if they were exchanging a million words with their gazes.
Then Void smiled, Elfilin seemed to cheer up, and both embraced each other.
The entire room erupted in cheers.
As they separated, Sweetie Void smiled at Elfilin.
"It’s good to see you are fine now," she said.
"And you have my gratitude for that," he responded. Then once again he looked at himself, at his outstretched hand. "... For the longest time, I've always had this unknown hollowness dwelling inside me, and the only thing I looked forward to was simply the next day. To just survive in a desolate land by myself even when eventually other creatures that could understand my words emerged. And looking back at the memories of my other half I realize that they, too, failed to properly enjoy their existence and lost themself to hate and envy. That’s why…" Elfilin said, clenching his hand into a fist and looking ahead with determination. "That’s why not only for me, but for them too, I will make sure to cherish this new life. I will keep seeing new sights, explore new lands, feel new experiences, learn new things and… make new friends to laugh with. In their memory, I will keep moving forward!" he promised to himself, and Sweetie Void could feel tears tearing at the edge of her eyes.
Again, she hugged Elfilin. “Together.”
Kirby raised an arm, agreeing. “Poyo!”
Everyone then separated, returning to their worlds. Elfilin decided to live with Kirby, and in order to fit into his house, he had to shapeshift and take back his smaller form.
Is it me, or did something feel new in the writing?
The night passed, then school.
Not long after the end of school, Sweetie Void received a message on her phone from Mario.
Mario:
We were told that your adventure ended, and that a lot happened. You seem like you need some time to de-stress, so Princess Peach invites you and your friends to have some tea at her castle. Apple Death, Phantom, and their friends are also invited. I'm sending the same message to them. Answer if you agree to come.
Sweetie Void smiled. Beside her, Black Apple and Shadow Speedster nodded.
"Ah'll have ta ask mah family, but Ah won't mind coming," Apple Death said.
"Same," Shadow Speedster said.
Sweetie Void nodded and answer the message.
Sweetie Void:
We agree to come. We should be there in an hour. See you quickly.
Just as she sent the message, she received another, this time from Red.
Red:
Very bad news. Giovanni's Mewtwo escaped. It's now somewhere in the wild.
Sweetie Void groaned. "Well, let's hope that it will remain by itself and not cause problem..."
"Ah wouldn't bet mah hoof on that," Black Apple warned.
Sweetie Void sighed. "I know."
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Many people say Fallout Equestria is one of the longest fanfics ever written.
This Fanfic: Hold my Cider.
11630916
Lol. Apparently, my story is far from being the longest on this site.
If only because Devourer shenanigans mean she could no longer time travel. If it were still possible for her to visit the distant past, she's pretty sure she inevitably would have.
That's a caveat I've given for a bunch of characters you're obligated to use that would otherwise be nowhere near where they needed to be. Or a demon contract brokered by Bayonetta, in Little Mac's case (I figure Giga Mac should be a thing and that seems like the best way to make it make sense).
Enthused, pretty sure. It sounds less silly, not that sounding silly is really a problem in this context.
Can you do that? Can you tired twice?
I think this is trying to be a form of "vagrant" but it's not a word and I genuinely don't know what to replace it with. Sorry.
11631032
Unless time is rewinded (the only time travel that still works), or she happens to find an alternate Equestria still at the time of the Pillars (not really time travel but still works).
I will have to find the comment where you gave these. I forgot some. For Little Mac, he will need a reason to get a contract with a demon, and I can't think of any.
Corrected. Thanks.
Ah. I think that it's wandered. Thanks.
Your story is one of the longest, more if we add the prequels, but I'm not sure if it's the longest, even so, it's a great job.
11631096
Well, I look at the longest stories and I see this nice story which has almost 1000 chapters, over 4 500 000 words. My Little Pokémon.
11630916
11631096
https://www.fimfiction.net/stories?order=words
The longest story by that measure hit the limit of 1000 chapters, and its "sequel" is still longer than this story. (Scare quotes because, if it hadn't been for that limit, they probably would have just posted it on the same story).
Also notable: Project Horizons, the fan sequel to Fallout Equestria which has several times the length, didn't even make it to the first page.
No "almost"; it shows 5 chapters on the display and 995 hidden, which adds up to exactly 1000. The site won't actually let you add more than that, so it has a sequel to contain more of the story.
… Normal rocket mewtwo?
… so the exhibition is ether Melee or brawl
Adventure incoming
11631100
If we put all the stories together, it give
680821 + 115399 + 24058 + 91213 + 81423 + 57584 + 66700 + 617849 =
1.735.047
That put you almost at the end of page 2 of words, of course, there could be many other stories that have sequels and are not in there but a million and 3/4 of words is great
Click blue words! (Had to dig way deeper into your blogs than I expected, so I don't blame you)
11631245
Melee.
11631499
It really didn't feel that much when I wrote all that. I thought that I had written 1 million at most.
11631655
Thanks.
11631664
The biggest pushowers are this and Sweetie Dreamland, between the two you have more that a million
11631664
If melee is coming up what about the Ice Climbers?
11631864
They will appear, but I'm not sure of how I will bring them to the hero team yet.
11631880
Not every world will need an epic journey. Why not have Sweetie appear as the Climbers are starting another of their climbs, and they invite her to join? And during the climb, she sees how skilled they are which leads her to inviting them to join. It would take 2 to 3 chapters at most, but that's all they would need.
11631897
I was thinking the same about not every world needing an adventure, but I was still thinking of having something. I can't say more without spoiling however.
11631904
Well then, how about adding to my idea by having the Subspace army invading the Climbers world in the middle of their climb with Sweetie?
11632318
That was my idea, excepted that it won't be the Subspace Army.
11632567
How's the next chapter looking by the way?
You know the Song of Healing Sweetie Belle was sing to Elfilin almost has the same feeling of Meloetta’s Song of Sunset https://youtu.be/Mm6mlWO85zg?si=j-LjPwWCCt58TKgr
11703166
And they are both beautiful.
Putting that in Rarity's color, becasue I am unsure if you meant Dixie and misspelled it, or if you unironically mean The Great and Powerful Trixie Lulamoon is talking with the three apes for some reason.
11710121
I'm not sure. Justalad wrote this part, so I'm not sure if he really meant Trixie or Dixie. Dixie seems more logical, so I changed it.