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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

Las Lindas and other products set in the same universe are all owned by Chalo/Chalosan and SoulKat.

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Chapter 27: Solving the Issues

Beta-reader: Ant0nius

Taffy was looking incredibly perplexed.

Since today was her day off, it was easy to find and walk with her to a private spot in town. The park was pretty much our usual rendezvous when we needed to discuss anything, so she didn't suspect much from this little encounter.

The real problem was that the reason that pushed me to seek her was quite… messy.

I couldn't exactly blame her for being unsure about the story I told her, the one depicting the truth behind my amnesia and before that singular event.

I could've been a little less blunt and more attentive to soften up the blow instead of being this impatient over the matter. I was nervous since this important development brought up the true motivation that saw me unconvinced of forming a proper relationship with the kind Bunny Prime.

"Do you… really mean it?" She slowly inquired, her light-green eyes on me as she pondered over my explanation.

Nodding at her words, she seemed a little bit surprised and then… interested.

"That's so… Cool!"

Wha-

Before I had the chance of commenting about this unexpected reaction, she gave me a warm hug, staring up as she smiled happily.

"Taffy-"

"That would explain the secrecy and why you couldn't drag the memories out without hurting yourself," She interjected again, her eyes glimmering in relief and fascination at the circumstance. "And- you're one of the most renowned figures during the War Era! Even my grandfather was a fan of your story."

I blinked, frowning at that last bit. "Really?"

"He used to recount the tales he could remember from the journal – your journal – when I was younger," The girl elaborated happily. "Of course, most of those were narrated in a sillier way, but I pretty much loved these stories."

"I'm… glad."

It was at that moment the girl realized how awkward this situation was becoming.

"S-Sorry, it's just that the Grand Knight was one of my favorite heroes during my childhood," She apologized carefully and I waved my hands appeasingly.

"I understand. The thing is that… I was expecting you to be more shocked rather than… happy," I admitted calmly. "You know, the news felt as big as it did in my mind and to just deliver it to you so suddenly- it felt a little too forward and-"

"Argh, I thought we both agreed to tell each other the truth whenever possible." The Bunny Prime pointed out, sporting an unexpected irritated look at my response. Yet, as I returned her reaction with a confused look, she breathed a sigh of relief. "At least I now know that your personality hasn't changed now that you've regained your memories."

I huffed. "What were you expecting? A different Matt?"

"Most of the time, idols tend to turn out… worse than they are portrayed," Taffy replied with a tone that mentioned experience on this particular scenario. "And I'm not going to lie, I'm glad you're still a dummy about dealing with social situations."

"Not… always."

She snorted, finally releasing me from that hug and giving me a curious look.

"I hope you told Mrs. Diana and the others about it," The girl inquired, getting a nod out of me.

"I wasn't exactly planning to keep it a secret to those I can trust," I muttered in return. "I don't have really a reason to keep it a secret anyway."

"You're right," The Prime hummed, but before she continued that topic, her attention finally noticed something tiny, curious, and incredibly bored was now peering over my shoulder and staring right at her.

"Is that..." She blinked, surprise swelling as I noticed only in that instance her reaction and staring at something behind me. "Archie?"

Just as I turned to greet the impatient Nanozell Spirit, the now-smiling being floated over my head and smiled at the awed young woman.

"That's me! Nice to meet ya!"

The girl giggled. "Likewise. I remember reading that you were a mischievous prankster."

"Absolute rubbish, lovely girl!" He rebuked loudly and with an old-ish tone. "I'm a wise, mature, and magnificent State of Art Nanozell-born Spirit!"

I shook my head at the little 'self-portrayal', causing Taffy to giggle once again at that comment.

"You forgot 'incredibly smart' to your list," I commented dryly. "By the way, can you come here for a second?"

He blinked, nodding happily as he complied with my request.

"Sure thing, boss. What do you need to tell me-aahhhhhh!"

Despite the centuries gone by since I last did this, I soon remembered how gullible Archie could be when his ego was stroked with a non-threatening tone.

Pinching his cheeks, his face gained a tiny bit of red born from the little pain born from my action. He shook a little bit, whining like a brat as I pinched him for a while.

"Bwass- let mwe go!"

"That's just a reminder to not do anything awkward, Archie. I know you well enough to expect a prank around the corner," I remarked neutrally. "I swear, I'll always regret leaving you under the care of Ambar when we first reached Earth."

At that point, Taffy hummed with some interest. "You knew the Crest of Wisdom personally. I suppose you knew other crests too."

I sighed. "Kind of difficult to not know about the others when a large part of the crew was made by some."

She looked ready to speak some more, but paused as her mind fully registered my reply. She gawked, her mouths opening and closing multiple times without a word being uttered… and then she frowned.

"You- your crew was made by Crests?"

"I mean, I'm shocked that the little 'censorship' I had applied to hide their identities despite centuries of the journal being around, but yes."

Releasing the whining Spirit, Archie finally shifted his attention to the topic of the conversation.

"I should still have a picture with everyone in it," The flying 'imp' pointed out, materializing a thin object in his hands and offering it to Taffy. "Here."

I looked over the frame and blinked at the sight I was bestowed. My mind perfectly remembered that final picture, one of the last ones taken before the final fight.

A small request from Addie, the young Queen asked to have a full picture with those that became part of her newer family.

She was smiling brightly in that photo. I was mirthfully holding her tightly and closely, with both Carmesi and Grace pressing on our side as we looked at the camera.

Geecku was happily latching onto my back, her head peeking with a blissful look while her more innocent 'sister', Xeánica, held a hand over her smile at the sight.

Pulsar and Howl were smiling widely as they both were hanging one of their arms over the other's shoulders. They both developed an odd bromance the very moment they met.

-d-d-d-d-

"Aren't you squeezing me a little bit too hard?" I asked with a hint of confusion and surprise.

"Nope," Carmie muttered mischievously, while Grace merely giggled.

'Dangit.'

Geecku merely snuggled on my cheek, while Addie pressed for a tighter hug.

-d-d-d-d-

Kayin and Minos both sported grimaces as they reacted to the 'instant before disaster struck' situation happening right nearby their position. Bengala was flexing and posing with Kate's swords much to the latter irritation and fury from the murderous scowl the blonde was displaying so happily.

Sem and Feather were holding each other, having proclaimed to becoming an item just a few days before the shot . The celebrations were a mix of happiness, amusement, and embarrassment when the influence of the alcohol faltered.

Lastly, Ambar was grinning giddily as she was holding quite tightly a cheeky-looking Nanozell Spirit.

Scoffing, I stared up at Archie, and the little guy had enough shame in his brain to actually turn away at my accusing look.

"Can you tell me their names?" Taffy asked quietly. "I can recognize a few there. Like… this is Grace and Kayin, they were friends with-" Her eyes widened. "That's Minos!"

"I suppose you weren't expecting him to be 'that' old, weren't you?"

"N-Not truly," The Bunny Prime admitted. "But… he's a Crest, isn't he?"

I nodded. "The Crest of Earth and… I think you might have known him as the affectionately named 'Captain' from the journal."

"He- He was-"

"He's no longer a baddie," I assured her with a nod. "He has made a long and guided path to redemption thanks to Grace. He's not a threat."

The young woman looked relieved by that guarantee. "I just can't imagine him being… that man. He always sounded so angry..."

"Leading elite forces and getting beaten from time to time from an 'under-equipped' and weaker group can get the worst of tempers from anyone," I pointed out mirthfully, remembering the various adventures caused by the encounters with Imperial forces. "But I bet you can't get around the fact he is quite chill now."

"He is a brilliant painter! And that hobby takes so much patience to get it done to that level," She rebuked. "But… yeah, that's truly unexpected and… kind of a shocker."

"I can see that," I agreed with a nod. "But I suppose you want to learn a little more about the others, right?"

As she nodded eagerly at that proposal, I started to list out the people in the picture with some comments about their personalities.

The descriptions got more and more giggles out of the deeply-amused Taffy, especially when Archie would help me deliver some punchlines over certain 'unknown' elements about the High Prime and Minos.

We were sitting by the soft grass, with the girl giving utmost attention to the words leaving my lips as I offered her some more stories about the past that weren't listed in the journal.

Simple tales that really didn't leave much of an impact, but in their quantity became quite the funny attachment to what turned into an adventure of the lifetime.

It was a nice trip to memory lane, one that was softened and rendered beautiful by Taffy's curiosity, almost childish in its wondrous display.

Archie eventually started showing more pictures, each of those going further back in time as the people shown decreased more and more.

The crew continued to 'lose' members up until the Nanozell Spirit ended up revealing a picture I…

That I actually thought long lost.

I blinked, a flabbergasted look plastered on my face as I forgot about this tiny photo.

"Are you sure we aren't being chased?" I asked nervously, looking at a distracted Archie as the Spirit quickly checked all of the detection systems on the starship.

"None that the devices here can spot, boss. I think we're finally free from the pursuit."

At least I wasn't going to deal with any of the crazy stuff that happened just a few hours ago.

I still felt cold, dreadfully so as I walked out of the cockpit and right towards the living quarters.

My mind felt heavy as my uneasy thoughts were clogging my capacity to think straight over what I was supposed to say to… her.

I failed her. And her mother.

I didn't need to see her now to know she hated me for what happened.

And I couldn't fault her for it. I was the one that caused that scene. The one that got her mother killed.

I could've prevented it… maybe?

Perhaps.

My brain scrambled in a conflicting state of self-accusation and meek defense. I was drained, our lucky escape having taken a mental toll on my poor mind as we managed to evade the clutches of this 'Empire'.

It reminded me too much of Star Wars… but with anthropomorphic people.

Primes. Apogeo mentioned that they weren't more animals than Humans.

Except for the fur, and the horns… and some other key features in their appearances.

Sighing, I shook my head as I stopped in front of her room.

Adela. Was she going to attack me if I entered inside?

I gulped nervously while I knocked at her door. Two quick knocks, enough to get the sole occupant's attention.

Silence followed as I waited for an input. Either a foul word or a reluctant permission to enter.

I was regaled with neither of those, and I frowned at the lack of a response.

"A-Adela-" I muttered, knocking again. As I was denied a reply once more, I reached for the handle and pushed it down. "I'm- I'm coming inside."

'God, that sounds so indecent!'

I carefully opened the door, bracing myself for the worst to happen and… I was met with a sudden flash.

A bright light forced my eyes shut, my hands reaching for my face as I tried to rationalize what was going on.

A giggle filled my ears, and soon I was given back my sight as my eyes adjusted back to the normal illumination.

My stare locked onto the smiling Adela, her attention directed at the camera she was holding in her hands.

"That's sure going to be saved up for later," The Coyote commented with a mirthful tone, her attention turning back at me. "And sorry for the little prank. I just wanted to see how you would've reacted to it and… it was hilarious."

I allowed an uneasy smile. "I-I guess."

Blinking curiously at my reply, the young woman frowned at me. "Are you alright?"

Am I- Am I alri-

How could she just forget about what happened just half a day ago? How?!

Her mother died. It was my fault, and here she is looking as if nothing had happened.

"Adela-"

"Don't give me that look," She reprimanded sternly. "Don't you dare give me that guilty look."

...What?

"B-But I- I wasn't able to-"

"To fight three Elite guards and defeat their leader? Do you really know how silly that sounds considering how untrained you are?" The girl remarked tiredly. "I think we've already established that it isn't your fault that… it happened."

She tensed up, clearly unnerved by the reminder and I took a step closer to her.

Blinking, her stare quickly returned to me and she sighed. "Do you really think I'm so fragile? You would be wrong if that's what you think of me."

I flinched, planning to make a few steps back at that response.

But while her words said one thing, Adela closing up the gap between us for a hug offered a different look at the situation.

My eyes were wide as she grasped me tightly, prompting my arms to wrap around her neck as tight as her own were around my waist.

"You promised me that you would never allow this to happen ever again," The Coyote Prime reminded. "You're my knight. You're my protector. I… I know my mother didn't make a mistake. I refuse to believe that."

…

"Adela-"

"Addie," She firmly interrupted. "I refuse to be called otherwise by my paladin."

…

"O-Okay, Addie."

A smile adorned her face. "See? Even though you're a dummy about dealing with social situations, you can manage some good answers," She admitted. "You are still upholding the promise you got from her. The one where you need to keep me safe, and to help me reclaim my birthright."

"Addie-"

She huffed. "I think we should go train now. You might need to put on some muscles before the Empire starts to actually search for us."

"W-Wait-"

"What?"

…

"Why are we already talking about..."

"Training?" The young Queen guessed. "Do you want 'that' to happen again?"

I suddenly tensed up at that rebuttal, and I shook my head on instinct.

"No!"

"Then we're both going to train now," She pressed on fiercely. "You did good in saving me and got us to this point, but we can't base our survival rate on only mind tricks and luck."

To be fair, Joseph Joestar had brawn to complement his brain. The issue was mostly his arrogance in most of his fights.

Her words were legitimately compelling, but while I was enticed by the idea of not screwing up again and maybe getting myself a bulkier body, I felt somehow reluctant as she started to explain that we needed to cut 'shortcuts' to avoid getting caught on unexpected predicaments.

She pulled me around the ship, ignoring my efforts to remind her that I was capable of walking on my own. The girl looked too happy to be deaf about my words, and after a while I found myself going silent.

"And then we will share a shower since… you know, saving resources."

"Wait, what?!"

"You look very… bruised," Taffy commented as she glanced at the picture.

Blinking, I found myself pulled out of that memory and back on the present.

The photo had Adela and I grinning eye-to-eye at what had been the first of many training sessions spent together. It was rough at first, but then I got the hang of it and started to pick up the pace.

It was easy to pass Addie's own training regiment since her main priority was sharpening her bow and arrow skills to a higher degree. Her body needed to be nimble, quick to react, and flexible enough to distance herself from her opponents.

The sword 'chose' me, and it was something that continued to live on even now that I didn't have one.

"Addie was a sadist when we trained. I don't know who trained her first, but whoever it was they will always have my unquenchable hatred."

The Bunny Prime giggled. "Angry much?"

"With a burning passion," I replied while nodding. "It was so frustrating how much of a teasing minx she was back then."

The girl nodded. "I guess you were tight with her."

"Incredibly so," I confessed easily… only to realize that the young woman was giving me an odd look.

"You've yet to tell me what happened to her," She pointed out. "Of all the people you mentioned, Addie was the one you held back the most from mentioning. Is there a reason why?"

…

"Yes," I said before sighing. "And… I need to say something important to you after I tell you this."

Confusion flashed from her eyes, but I didn't allow her to inquire about the matter as I finally dropped the truth.

"Addie was- is the current Queen of Prism," I answered with a nervous tone. "Her full name is Queen Adela of Prism."

…

"What?! You mean that you were close to our queen? The one that left the main rule to the High Prime and-"

"Yes," I interrupted her little surprise rant, getting her shock down a notch or two. "And I think the reason why she ditched her duties was… me. Or rather, my disappearance."

"That's- surely that couldn't be the reason for-"

"I made a promise to her. One that was as solemn and serious as putting my life on the line to make sure she was safe, and protected," I interjected again. "I was her protector, I was her knight- I was her friend and family."

…

"Do you… love her?" Taffy finally asked, her tone growing quieter at the topic. "Like… beyond friendship?"

…

"Yes."

…

I sighed. "But this… this isn't the reason why I couldn't return your romantic affection. And I wish to say this because I know you want the truth about the matter."

The girl nodded and I prepared to give a genuinely difficult conversation.

"Have you noticed that the Crests and the handful of people close to them managed to live this long?" I inquired calmly. "That the Queen is still alive and well despite the fact centuries had gone by ever since she first took the crown?"

The sad-looking Prime offered another nod, this one slower than before. Her mind was working on these questions and… I dropped the truth before she reached that conclusion on her own.

"Taffy. We are immortals," I muttered with a strained tone. "We can't die from old age."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "S-So, you didn't want to… to..."

"I can offer you care, trust, love, wisdom and kindness in equal amounts as you can offer me in return," I replied tensely, my throat tightening. "But in the end, you wouldn't find normalcy in that relationship. You would be unable to find the joy of love with someone that you can live the rest of your life with, with someone you can share precious years with by doing what you love and care about. Which is why, I have to tell you this with a heavy heart, that I can't allow you to make this mistake. Not when you deserve so much love and care from the world. The kind I can't offer you now."

…

"M-Matt," I noticed a few tears already forming by the edges of her eyes, and I quickly reached her for a strong hug. The Bunny Prime didn't resist, her sobbing finally unleashed onto my shoulder as I held her close and tight.

The world grew silent for once, and Archie allowed us some privacy as he kept himself from quipping about the matter.

"I'm not… going to let you go either," I promised quietly. "Many would just depart and… let this wound heal slowly and painfully but… you don't deserve that. I can't allow you to suffer like that."

She snuggled closer, her sobbing lessening a little bit. "I-I'm sorry."

Sighing, I held her even closer in that intimate embrace.

"Don't apologize," I muttered. "You're not at fault for anything."

I felt her shifting, with her head lifting up from her current nestling close to my chest.

I barely reacted as her lips crashed onto mine. I was surprised, confused, but somewhat… calm about it.

I allowed the kiss to last a little while, just enough for the girl to pull out on her own.

A blink, then two. Her eyes were still puffy after the crying, but she looked like she had calmed down just enough to keep a proper stare at me.

"What if… I don't want to let go?"

...What?

"Taffy-"

"What if I- I want to? Is it wrong?"

"It would damn you-"

"Then I guess I'll still try."

I sighed. "Taffy, I really don't want to burst your bubble-"

"Then you will have to if you truly don't believe it's possible."

…

"How about we make a… deal?" I proposed with a slightly uneasy tone. "One that I want to make with you because I understand your current plight and… I really don't want to hurt you."

She nodded way quicker than I expected, further making me grimace at what I was going to say.

Hopefully this wasn't going to blow up in my face when I get to see Addie again…

"I can… make an exception. For you. I know how much you care about this and… I can concede to come and visit town from time to time," I elaborated with a strained voice. "Whenever you call me, I will be there to see you. Archie can teleport me back and forth with ease, and while I might be unable to visit when I'm busy with something extremely important, I will always make time for you."

The young woman frowned in confusion. "A-And that means?"

"Dating, loving, and spending time together. But it wouldn't be a legitimate relationship," Archie replied for me. "It's… something that was once mentioned by Addie a long time ago about a similar case. Back then boss refused but… I can see why he wouldn't want to genuinely give up on you."

"But wouldn't the queen be… angry at this?" Taffy asked with a nervous tone. "I mean, I think she returns Matt's feeling and-"

"She would want to know you first, but I can already say she would be cool with it," The Nanozell Spirit interrupted. "While one can easily be fooled to think that Adela is prim and proper all the time, you would be surprised how much of a fiery lady she is. In fact, she kind of tried to get boss to accept another 'fiery' individual with their closeness. It was… awkward considering how stiff boss was about it all."

"And I still am. Mostly," I admitted with a sigh. "I don't do well with these kinds of situations."

"And yet, you're still going to do it for Taffy," Archie pointed out, silencing me quickly enough. "Which is why, compared to the previous case, I'll respect your decision about it."

I nodded and, as I turned to the Bunny Prime, I found my lips taken away again by the greedy girl.

"S-Sorry," She said after briefly retreating from the kiss. "It's been a tough week a-and I think you still have some time left before going back to the farm, right?"

"T-Taffy, we can't just-"

"It's kissing- only kissing. I need some lovin' right now," She replied erratically. "Just… a few hours of this and I will be fine."

I was surprised by her forwardness, having never seen her be this forward with her affections.

And while we were lost in that incredibly long session of kissing, Archie stared at us from above, a giddy smile on his face as he knew that he had just stumbled on some good blackmail material.

Still, I couldn't help but feel that something else was happening while I was busy with Taffy. That something- or 'someone' familiar was now nearby.

I found myself stopping at the entrance of Las Lindas as I saw a golden-colored jet sitting on a small clearing near the fields. The shape was oddly familiar, but I couldn't exactly remember where I first saw it.

Proceeding carefully towards the house, I arrived at the porch without meeting anyone there. I could hear a few voices speaking inside, some of which I couldn't recognize from this far.

Entering inside the building with a curious frown on my face, my eyes scanned around as I made my way through the hallway until I found out where the voices originate from.

Peeking from the doorstep that led to the kitchen, I found myself locking eyes onto the table where Diana and Alejandra were currently talking with a familiar individual, and another I was less familiar with. Randal was working on the stove, preparing something to serve at the visiting guest and the new arrival.

Ambar giggled as Diana finished telling an embarrassing story about her children's childhood. The Cow Prime was in the brightest of mood as her daughter, Mora, was hugging her tightly as she continued to speak.

The younger Linda had yet to notice my arrival, and the only ones that actually saw me enter were Alej, Diana, and… Ambar herself.

The Crest of Wisdom turned her head the moment I peeked inside, a wide smile on her lips as she greeted me.

"Long time no see, Matt," She muttered mirthfully.

I tensed up at that unexpected greeting, but I managed to nod back at her.

"Ambar. I hope things are well at home."

"As good as it usually is. The paperwork is still a nightmare," The Bear Prime conceded and I nodded in agreement as I could only imagine the burden that is to keep an entire nation working.

But just as we exchanged these few words, I noticed Mora letting go of his mother for a moment and finally turned to glance at me.

Her eyes were brighter than Diana's, and her horns were slightly shorter than hers too. Mora looked 'younger' by all means compared to her mother.

Her ears were also long, quite an odd detail to find in a Cow Prime, but one that was perhaps connected to her father's appearance.

No sign of marks or of the curse, which was odd considering that any child of Narakhan should inherit those.

She took a step towards me. "You're… Matt?"

I nodded, ignoring her surprise as I had thought that she would've mistaken me for a Prime. I guess it's a bit of a shock that I was actually a human.

"That's my name. And I can tell you're Mora," I replied happily. "I'm happy to finally meet you."

Blinking, her eyes went wide a little bit. And then… she moved forward once again.

"Thank you for… for helping here with Mom, Randal, and at the Farm."

I felt surprised as I was pulled into a sudden embrace, but I carefully returned it with a warm smile on my face.

"It was only the right thing to do," I rebuked kindly. "There's no need to thank me for-"

"You still did something worthy of a 'thank you'," Mora remarked fiercely. "Just accept it. You did good."

I snorted. "Well, I guess I did but-"

A loud giggle interrupted me, and Mora and I both turned to see Diana regarding the sight with the highest amount of amusement I've ever seen reflected across her face.

"C-Children please… don't bicker about this," The mother said between her giggles.

Mora held back her own snort and I shook my head at this-

And we both stopped as we noticed our reactions to that silly comment.

"So… mom adopted you too?"

My lips twitched at that. "Yes."

…

"Older or younger?"

I briefly glanced at Alej, the Cow Prime strangely enough looking away as the query reached her ears.

"Older. Sorry, Morita."

She pouted, but that 'defeat' was quickly shattered as we stared at each other quite intensely and… we started to chuckle at our 'serious faces'.

"I-I guess you're not half-bad, Matt," She pointed out with an amused tone.

"And I really want to know you more now that we've the chance, Mora."

Ambar smiled at the scene too, but I could tell that her visit here wasn't just one of courtesy.

AN

Mora is here.

And I'm here too.

Just briefly. You will obtain a bigger role later in this trilogy.

Oh, come on!

Sorry, mah'lady.