Boulderon shook his head groggily as he slowly woke from slumber, the chirps and calls of Pidgey and Starley echoing through the air. The mighty golem jerked up in his bed, wiping at his eyes with a massive hand. He was aware of the bright sunlight shining through his window, and yet he could barely find the strength to crawl out of bed.
He reached for his alcohol flask, only to find it completely empty. A casualty of last night's binge-drinking. He grimaced, rubbing at his eye with an enormous hand. He could feel the bile in the back of his throat, yet had grown so accustomed to it that it barely bothered him at all.
He could deny it all he wanted, but he could see clear as day the reason for getting drunk on a work-day. It was the tenth anniversary of Fluttershy's death.
He felt his chest tighten as he looked at the picture propped up on his desk, the picture of him and Fluttershy at the opening of his partner's sanctuary. It was next to a worn brown book, the journal of the Element of Kindness. The sheer emotion that coursed through his chest left him almost unable to breathe.
Two oruguitas
In love and yearning
Spend every evening
And morning learning
To hold each other
Their hunger burning
To navigate a world
That turns, and never stops turning
Together in this world
That turns, and never stops turning
"I'm sorry, Flutters…" he whispered, remembering the fateful day that Discord and Dharak had delivered the bad news to him.
Grabbing the Crusher Mace from his bedside along with a bouquet of fresh flowers his Pikachu had picked for him, he rapped on the wall twice, a portal of purple energy appearing in front of him as a result.
He gave a dry smile, his friendship with Dharak providing some clear benefits, Discord's guardian being more than willing to sacrifice half his energy to make sure he could access Equestria whenever he needed to.
He stepped through the portal, determined to mark his partner's tenth anniversary in a positive manner.
Two oruguitas
Against the weather
The wind grows colder
But they're together
They hold each other
No way of knowing
They're all they have for shelter
And something inside them is growing
They long to stay together
But something inside them is growing
A few hours later…
Boulderon panted as he collapsed to one knee, kneeling heavily on the hilt of his Crusher Mace as the last Diaboromon, its head flattened into unrecognizable paste, fell to the ground in a broken heap.
Strewn around the great golem were the corpses of dozens of Dark Seekers that Lucemon had sent, their broken, dismembered remains giving the normally serene glade a grisly feeling. Erected proudly in the middle of the glade was the massive oak tree that Boulderon had given his all to defend, its light pink leaves fluttering gently in the breeze.
Ay, oruguitas
Don't you hold on too tight
Both of you know
It's your time to grow
To fall apart, to reunite
Wonders await you
Just on the other side
Trust they'll be there
And start to prepare
The way for tomorrow
Just outside of the grove was the massive ravine the golem had created with his final strike against the leader of the group, the guardian of the mysterious alicorn that had been spreading discord throughout Equestria, Battle-Axe Vladiator. It separated the glade from the Equestrian mainland, providing a sort of island to buoy the sanctuary.
The reincarnation of his former partner, Fluttershy. Boulderon chuckled lightly under his breath, despite the agonizing pain that coursed through his ribs whenever he moved. Fluttershy had always wished to be reborn as a tree, despite the laughter that wish had elicited from her friends when she first mentioned it.
It was here that Boulderon had carried the body of the dying mare after she had lived a long, fruitful life, after having run a thriving animal sanctuary for decades with help from him and Discord. They had saved so many helpless animals during that time, along with taking in a new generation of young ponies and Guardians, teaching them to be the future caretakers that Equestria so desperately needed.
It was here that Fluttershy took her last breaths, the mare gently cradling the sobbing Discord's cheek with one hoof while holding a grieving Boulderon's hand in the other.
"Don't cry… I've lived a full life, please, do not forget what I have taught you both…" she had whispered, passing on with a smile on her aged face.
Ay, oruguitas
Don't you hold on too tight
Both of you know
It's your time to grow
To fall apart, to reunite
Discord had used his magic to transform her body into the tree, as per her wishes. Her branches had provided shelter for all kinds of animals since that fated day, from squirrels to nesting birds, aiding in the perseveration of the world she loved even in death.
Boulderon visited the glade every now and then when his duties as the park warden in Vestroia were less busy, bringing a bouquet of flowers that he laid at the tree's base each time.
Alas, he did not know that it was to be his final resting place as well.
Wonders await you
Just on the other side
Trust they'll be there
Start to prepare
The way for tomorrow
Flashback…
Vladiator laughed mockingly as he towered over the grievously wounded Boulderon, his massive battle-axe gleaming in the sunlight. Their tremendous battle had left each other with considerable damage, yet it was obvious that he had won.
The mighty golem had collapsed to one knee, blood and sparks crackling from the mangled stump of his right arm, cleanly severed by a mighty blow from Vladiator's axe while attempting to pivot to a more manageable position. The gaping wound across his chest from the other guardian's energy attack still bled profusely, sapping his strength with every second, the dark flame emanating from his wound continuing to flicker.
"You couldn't protect your home, you couldn't protect your partner's legacy, you couldn't protect anything. You are weak, golem, a pale imitation of the mighty Attribute of Subterra you once were. After I kill you, I'm going to cut down your partner's tree and burn it in front of that feckless draconequus she called a friend!" Vladiator gloated.
Two oruguitas
Cocooned and waiting
Each in their own world
Anticipating
What happens after
The rearranging?
Boulderon's remaining hand suddenly shot out, grabbing Vladiator by his throat. Shocked at the sudden display of strength by the dying golem, the evil guardian did not have time to react as Boulderon hefted him closer so that they were staring directly into each other's faces, Boulderon's remaining cerulean eye glaring into the very depths of his soul.
With a mighty heave, Boulderon tossed Vladiator into the air, a white bubble of concentrated seismic energy forming around his fist as he drew back his arm. As Vladiator plunged downwards, memories of the time spent with his dear Fluttershy echoed throughout Boulderon's mind, the golem swinging his arm in a powerful arc.
A booming crack echoed through the air like shattering glass as Boulderon's fist smashed into Vladiator's side, white cracks spiderwebbing from the epicenter of the blow, rapidly spreading and widening like veins across skin.
The very land split and broke under them as the effects of Boulderon's final and most powerful quake went into effect, a fault forming and rapidly widening into a vast canyon as blood gushed out of Vladiator's mouth from the sheer power of the blow.
And so afraid of change
In a world that never stops changing
So let the walls come down
The world will never stop changing
(Never stop changing)
(Never stop changing)
(Never stop changing)
Utterly broken, Vladiator's body fell to the disintegrating ground with a pathetic plop as Boulderon stood straight, his eye glowing with a steely conviction even as the mortal wound in his chest continued to flicker with Darkus flame.
"Damn you, damn you to Tartarus, golem!" Vladiator screamed as he slid down the crumbling ground, completely paralyzed. The evil knight vanished into the depths of the earth, screaming obscenities all the while, his battle-axe following its master into the abyss as well.
Boulderon simply watched from atop the thin silver of rock he stood on, staying silent as the very earth boomed and rattled beneath him.
It was over…
Ay, mariposas
Don't you hold on too tight
Both of you know
It's your time to go
To fly apart, to reunite
Wonders surround you
Just let the walls come down
Don't look behind you
Fly till you find
Your way toward tomorrow
Flashback over…
Boulderon used the last of his failing strength to crawl to the base of the tree, his back falling against the trunk as he leaned his head against the wood, the pain coursing through his broken body making it hard to focus. He placed his mace against the tree as well, lacking the strength to continue carrying it.
A ghostly form gradually materialized in front of him, his eyes widening as he realized who it was.
Fluttershy.
The mare looked just as sprightly and beautiful as the old days, before they had been forced to separate. Her pink mane fluttered gently in the breeze as she floated down to the golem's side, placing a hoof to his cheek as a soft smile touched her cheeks.
Boulderon attempted to speak, to say her name, yet his rapidly failing body made it difficult to do so. Silver tears flowed down his cheeks.
Ay, mariposas
Don't you hold on too tight
Both of you know
It's your time to go
To fly apart, to reunite
Wonders surround you
Just let the walls come down
Don't look behind you
Fly till you find
Your way toward tomorrow
Memories coursed through his mind, rendering him almost unable to think straight. The first promise he had made to her when they met all those years ago, that he would protect her no matter what. Even if he had to carry the entire world on his shoulders, he would do so to make her happy. All the times they had laughed, cried, comforted each other in their times of need…
It's alright, Boulderon, Fluttershy's voice spoke to him in his mind as if by telepathy. I'm here now. Her words gave him the strength to speak to her.
"Fluttershy…I know it's…my time, but…I want to keep…protecting you. Please…let my soul be…a part of the tree too…give my strength to it…to protect your friends' homes and families…We can do it…together." Fluttershy smiled sadly but lovingly before pressing her forehead gently into his.
If that is your final wish to me, then I accept. Boulderon smiled softly as he started to fade, golden sparkles floating from his body to seep into the tree that started to glow a bit.
"I've missed you…Fluttershy…"
I've missed you too…Come home, Boulderon. So Boulderon kept fading, the sparkles kept flying from him to the tree, and the tree kept glowing. Soon, Boulderon had vanished, and the last of the sparkles have disappeared into the tree.
Ay, mariposas
Don't you hold on too tight
Both of you know
It's your time to go
To fly apart, to reunite
Wonders surround you
Just let the walls come down
Don't look behind you
Fly till you find
Your way toward tomorrow
…..
Princess Twilight Sparkle, Discord, and Dharak watched as their friend Boulderon began to fade into golden sparkles floating into the tree. Twilight would've stepped up to help them, but Discord stopped her with a gentle paw on her shoulder and a solemn look to tell her that it's time. She understood and watched.
When Boulderon and the sparkles all vanished into the tree, it started to glow gold . As it glowed, it grew taller…thicker…more vibrant. When it finally stopped, even the trunk, branches, and roots are now golden-colored. And more butterflies and small tree-dwelling creatures are approaching it to see if there are more spots for homes in the branches.
"Incredible…" Twilight said in awe.
"Boulderon gave up his form to be with Fluttershy again," Dharak explained. "His love for her was so strong that his last wish was to be with her…giving her his strength and power. The golden trunk is a sure sign that even a powerful axe from the enemy won't be able to make a small dent in it."
Twilight believes that it's a Guardian's senses, but she only smiled at the tree with small tears.
And so the two caterpillars that flew apart after becoming butterflies have reunited. May you watch over us always, my friends…
Song is Dos Oruguitas from Disney's Encanto.