"Sunshine..." Aqua said as his sound echoed in the silence of that cave "What is this place?"
Earlier, the two of them had been ambushed in the Everfree Forest while being escorted by a convoy to an outpost away from Ponyville, as recent movements from the enemy had given their relatives reason to be concerned for their safety. However, a task force of the Nameless One's forces had attacked the convoy, mostly Changelings. Pinkie Pie, who was leading the convoy, had ordered the two foals to flee and save themselves from the attack, instructing Sunshine to hide away in an area only the two of them in the convoy knew about. And that's where they were now.
"The cave of the Mirror Pool," Sunshine answered, pointing to a pool of water that seemed to glow in the cave. "Almost nopony knows about this place. Aunt Pinkie once used this to make a ton of clones of herself to try and keep up with her friends, but it ended in disaster." She sat near the water's edge and looked to her reflection. "I would suggest not falling in."
"Oh," Aqua said as he gave her a nod and sat beside her "Don't worry, I'll keep that in mind..."
Sunshine nodded and looked to their reflections. She knew the rhyme that would cause a clone of themselves to appear, but she was smart enough not to try it; the clones weren't the best at following orders, according to Pinkie Pie.
"How long do you think it'll be before rescue?" Sunshine asked.
"Hmm..." Aqua looked towards the reflections in silence for a moment before he spoke. "I'm not sure but... I think the rescue can take a few hours or hopefully less... but I hope that it'll be as early as possible."
Sunshine nodded and then for a moment was silent. Then she seemed to realize something.
"Uh oh... Aqua..." she spoke while blushing. "I'm... feeling a bit hungry at the moment, and not the one type. The other."
"What do you... you mean the kinda hunger for...?" Aqua blushed as he looked towards her. Knowing that she was a Changeling, he could guess which hunger she was talking about.
"Yes..." Sunshine admitted. "I could take some right now... but it'll drain you if it's not given to me willingly and... I don't wanna hurt you."
Aqua blushed a little more as he gave her a nod. "What if... I'm willing...?"
A slight smile was appeared on his glowing muzzle.
"Then... it won't hurt you," Sunshine answered.
"Then..." Aqua said with a reassuring tone as his blush went deeper. "I... I guess, I am... willing, so don't worry. I'll be alright."
Sunshine smiled and then her horn glowed softly as an aura of some kind surrounded Aqua and he felt an energy surge leave his body and enter the Changeling's. Yet it didn't feel like any negative effect had occurred when this happened. If anything, he felt slightly stronger. As for Sunshine, she was beaming a big thankful smile towards him.
"Thanks, Aqua," she said. "You're the best."
Aqua smiled as he brought his muzzle closer to hers for a lovely nuzzle. "It's okay... darn me if I deny a request from my... best filly friend."
Sunshine seemed to be surprised to hear this at first, then she snuggled up closer to him and he could hear her humming sound once more. Now that he thought about it, it was almost the equivalent of an insect themed purr. He also noticed by now that she only ever seemed to make this sound when she was around him. Nopony else ever seemed to get the same response from her.
Sunshine..." Aqua called her name softly, not feeling upset at that moment. "What are these comfy hums I hear from you?"
"Aunt Pinkie Pie says that Changelings make that sound when they're happy," Sunshine answered. "But not just happy... when they're with somepony... special to them.
She blushed hard upon saying that and looked away slightly while still smiling.
"Somepony special..." Aqua seemed to realized what she was saying. "Oh..." At this, Aqua couldn't resist but blush even more. "You mean like special- special...?"
"Special somepony?" Sunshine finished. Aqua passed her a nod with a reassuring smile while his aqua blue cheeks were glowing red.
"Yes, that..."
Sunshine blushed some more. "Well... I've never had... a special somepony before..."
"Me, neither..." Aqua said in similar manner, while tilting his head to the side out of habit. Sunshine giggled a bit and looked down at the ground, unsure of what to do now. Aqua too was not an expert over such situations, but then he recalled something which his mother told him, about how she had confessed her love for his father.
Should I... do that...? Wouldn't this be rude? he thought as he looked towards her face. A face in which he could see something more than eight eyes and a jagged horn. He could see a beautiful heart, a brave filly, and... an accepting friend. A sigh of hesitation escaped his breath as he brought his muzzle closer to her, until she felt their muzzles touch.
Sunshine's eyes widened in surprise as she felt a near-overwhelming sensation sweep over her. It was the warm fuzzy feeling she had felt around him from before, but never had it come as fast and as strong as this. She could also feel the love within him surge from him into her body at a rapid pace, yet for some reason it never drained him. It was an endless source that he was willingly sharing with her. It was almost intoxicating... yet she didn't want it to stop. Slowly, her eyes closed in bliss and the humming sound from her body became a little louder and more rhythmic.
As he heard and also felt her hums once again along with the feeling of nuzzling her, Aqua felt a surge of that strange yet, amazingly comfortable feeling and closed his eyes as well as he brought himself closer and closer to her. From the moment he pressed his lips on her's, time had seemed to slow down around them. Nothing he had ever felt could come close to the feeling he was experiencing then. The comfort and safety he was feeling at the moment was of a whole different level.
It was not too big a kiss, but it was still enough for them to realize what they felt for each other. When they pulled apart, Sunshine looked slightly giddy or tipsy.
"Wow..." she finally managed.
"That... was..." Aqua was feeling a little dazed as well, due to such overwhelming emotions.
"Does... that happen... every time?" Sunshine asked aloud. "I think I almost got drunk off of love... but it was so worth it!"
"I... don't know what to say," Aqua said with a soft giggle. "I feel... a little sleepy..."
"Oh..." Sunshine replied, then felt a yawn escape her. "I think I'm sleepy too..."
Aqua also let out a yawn at this. "So, does that... happen every time?"
"I dunno..." Sunshine looked out towards the cave entrance and noticed it was still late at night. A gust of wind blew into the cave and she shivered a bit. Aqua noticed this and went closer to her, keeping himself as close as she felt comfortable with.
"Is this alright?" Aqua asked. She nodded, then leaned up against him fully, giving a small happy sigh.
"Hmm! Your fur is so smooth..." she complimented. Aqua smiled with gratitude at this.
"Your... skin feels... warm as well," Aqua blushed. The Changeling blushed herself and nuzzled him a bit, snuggling closer to him in the process.
"Goodnight..." she yawned as she felt sleep overcoming her and closed her eyes.
"Goodnight..." Aqua replied as another yawn escaped his lungs and he too closed his eyes, snuggling closer to her as they slept.
"They're close. I can feel it!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she led TD, Twilight, and Joy through the Everfree forest.
"Oh, I hope they're alright," Twilight muttered.
"They'll be fine," TD tried to reassure them. "Sunshine's a smart girl. She's probably found themselves a nice place to hide out in."
"I hope so," Joy said with concern. "Bubble is worried sick about both of them."
Pinkie suddenly jerked upwards and she made a slurping sound.
"Mmm! Tasty!" she said, then looked to the others as she pointed to a cave almost hidden away by the overgrowth. "They're in there!" "Okay... but why slurp the air?" TD asked.
"Because I just sensed a lot of love from the cave!" Pinkie answered. "That and I was hungry."
"Pinkie, did you said lots of love...?" Joy asked, and then without thinking much about this he took a sigh of relief. "Anyways, let's go get in there."
The Changeling monarch nodded and led them into the cave, where they came across a cute sight. The two foals were sleeping next to each other, snuggled up closely as their quiet snores filled the cavern.
"Oh my gosh! That is so cute, I almost don't want to wake them!" TD whispered as loudly as he dared. Joy's smile widened as he looked towards them as he made a muffled giggle of surprise.
"Oh, so that's how Cadence had felt, all those years ago..." Joy muttered to himself. They were sleeping so peacefully, he didn't even wanna make a sound to disturb them. TD looked to Twilight and she too was smiling. They exchanged a nod, and then TD made a gesture with his hand and the two of them levitated over to the adults, still snuggled up closely to each other. He then snapped his fingers and a small bubble appeared around them.
"Soundproof," he explained, no longer in a whisper. "They can't hear us. We'll let them sleep a bit longer as we return back to base. They look exhausted." He then noticed the time of day. "I'll raise the sun today."
Joy gave a small nod at this. "So thoughtful of you William," he said with a smile and then looked towards the children. "Thank goodness they are alright. Thank you so much Pinkie."
"Anytime, anywhere!" Pinkie exclaimed happily.
"Now we should head back..." Joy said. "The others must be waiting for us..."
"Ain't that the truth," TD agreed, then snapped his fingers and they all disappeared.
Twenty miles outside of Manehatten, Equestrian soldiers were preparing a defense for the city, as they had gotten a report not too long ago that an attack was scheduled by the Nameless One's troops to hit the city and steal some resources located underneath it. The civilians, luckily, had been evacuated long ago and the soldiers were all that remained, both voluntary and professional.
Tempus grunted as he paced around, his eyes flickering between his regular green eyes and the glowing red eyes of his dark personality as he muttered to himself, his voice constantly switching between his two personalities.
"This will never cease to amaze me," Tempus's Luna said to Star Seeker, who shrugged.
"Eh, I've written about weirder things," The unicorn said, before chuckling. "Although, this does make the top five weirdest things I've seen."
Joy and Bubble were also there along with the group. Joy was trying to stay aware as much as he could. Bubble trotting alongside him, worried deeply inside about the safety of her husband and others. A sigh escaped his breath as he looked around.
"Bubble," He suddenly called her.
"Yes, Joy?" Bubble replied
"Do you also feel like... that our troubles aregonna just get... bigger...? I mean..."
Bubble passed him a smile. "I don't know, but whatever happens, I hope we'll make this through..."
"Enemy sighted on our twelve!" a pegasus called from above. "I'm seeing heavy armor, artillery, and even some anti-air! Over one thousand plus foot soldiers so far as I can see."
"Speak of trouble..." Joy said as he transformed and summoned his weapon getting himself ready for the battle. Bubble gave a sigh of frustration and then made a determined expression as she passed him a nod. Nightmare growled as she glanced at Chris, who nodded once before his helmet shut, and his armor rippled as its cloaking function turned on.
"We aren't allowing them to get past us!" Tempus yelled. "Everypony fights their hardest! We will emerge victorious, and show these motherbuckers what Equestrians are made out of!" He shot a glance at Joy and where Chris had been and added. "And humans, no offense you two."
"None taken," Chris's voice said dryly out of thin air.
"I've counted myself as an Equestrian for twenty years, so no offense here either..." Joy smiled with a shrug. The enemy army continued to advance until they were just withing range and stopped. A robot walked to the front and addressed them in a loud voice.
"Equestrians, you are outmatched and outclassed! Disperse, or be destroyed!"
"Never!" Tempus yelled, before closing his eyes and opening them to reveal glowing red cat eyes tinged with green. His coat darkened slightly, and the next time he spoke, his voice had a darker echo to it and his teeth were jagged.
"We'll never surrender!" he yelled, before snapping off an order. "Task Force Omega, advance!"
"With pleasure," His world's Crystal Shard said as she pulled the Harmony Axe off her back, charging towards the enemy along with the rest of the squad as Chris presumably flew through the sky overhead, his suit cloaked. Joy grunted in anger as he flew above along with Bubble., as they both looked towards the army. Joy's eyes started to glow as Bubble charged her horn on full intensity once again.
"You chose the hard way! Open fire!" the robot called, then all his forces fired at once at the Equestrian army.
"Not on my watch!" Chris yelled, before he slammed into the ground in front of the Equestrian forces, his suit becoming visible once more as he pulled a rod from his arm and threw it on the ground, a force field erupting from it, extending across the ground and blocking all the enemy fire.
"What the- since when did they get an upgrade?!" one of the enemy humans shouted in alarm. Joy and Bubble took the advantage of their distraction and launched their attacks on the enemies within their range. Joy gave a loud shout, exploding a shock wave towards them, while Bubble shot a powerful energy beam towards the army. Their aim was true and much of the enemy front line fell before them. This seemed to make the leader get rather angry.
"Kill them! Somebody kill them!" he shouted.
"But what of the forcefield?" another solider asked.
"Switch to melee and break through to them!" he ordered. The men nodded, then started to rush towards the forcefield with laser swor- fine, Red. Lightsabers and electric batons.
"THOU WILL NOT TAKE US!" Tempus's Luna suddenly shouted in the Canterlot Royal voice, before she charged at the enemy, her horn flaring. "Eh, guess I should go too..." Star Seeker said, before racing after her, pulling a Pyrunian gun from his saddlebag and powering it up, holding it aloft with his magic as he began to fire. Joy and Bubble looked towards each other and passed a smirk before they held each other's hoof and hand, launching a powerful energy attack of their combine force towards the enemies.
"TAKE THAT, YOU PIECES OF USELESS JUNK!" Bubble shouted in her Royal Canterlot voice. The enemy was thrown aside by the attack, but more kept pouring in towards the forcefield. The Equestrians did find themselves with one particular advantage at that point; the forcefield forced the enemy to be funneled in towards them, reducing the enemy's advantage in large numbers and giving them a fighting chance. So far, without support from the artillery and the anti-air, the enemy was falling.
But that soon changed when the large flagship appeared on the horizon. Tempus stared at the ship, before glancing at Chris.
"Fire the artillery!" He yelled, and the human nodded, pressing something on his suits arm that caused several massive Pyrunian canons to raise up from out of the ground, turning towards the ship before firing at once. The shots hit the ship and it started to go down. But as it got closer, they noticed that a large single figure jumped from the ship and landed on the ground in front of the enemy army. All stopped to acknowledge the four-armed, orange eyed robot who was giving a smirk at the ponies before him. He was at least a foot or two taller than TD, and the way he was designed made him almost seem like a robotic recreation of a human. A human with four arms.
"Impressive!" the Nameless One chuckled, now fully healed and pointing an electrified sword at Chris. "I have not encountered Pyrunian technology since my first rise to power."
As soon as the exotic couple noticed that figure, their smiles completely vanished. Joy gave a grunt as he and Bubble came into more defensive position.
"This can't be good..." Joy muttered as he looked towards Bubble.
"That is- that same robot who tried to kill us in our Equestria!" she shouted. Chris was stunned for a few seconds, before he narrowed his eyes, shooting into the sky high before his suit suddenly opened, ejecting the human into a free fall just as another suit shot towards him, opening up and closing around him in time for him to land. The human raised his arms towards the robot, Pyrunian tech sparking to life.
"Then I'm sure you'll like the Mark II suit," he growled, as Tempus walked forwards, his eyes glowing silver.
The Nameless One chuckled again. "Pyrunians were quite the impressive race, as well as their technology. Too bad they were all effortlessly creamed by one you call 'friend.' Some friend he is, if you ask me."
"TD is a friend I shall stand by to the end," Tempus said as a cold breeze rushed through the air. "And not all Pyrunians were creamed."
Without any warning, a solid spike of ice shot towards The Nameless One as Michael Watcher appeared out of thin air, the Sword of Death aimed at the robot as the blade steamed with frost. The Nameless One looked to him, then smirked.
"Ah, the weakling of the bunch upon your planet's destruction," he scoffed. "I always thought William was too soft for his own good."
"I am no weakling." Michael said as his eyes glowed brightly. "I am Michael N. Watcher, son of Greyshadow and Shademist, Ice Elementalist of the highest degree, the speedster Shadowspeed, wielder of the Sword of Death, and the most powerful Pyrunian in existence."
"Basically, you're bucked up big time," Star Seeker said as he stepped forwards beside Tempus's Luna, his weapon aimed at The Nameless One. Joy and Bubble nodded to each other and flew towards their friends to help them. As Joy grunted in anger, the blood red aura washed over him as his wings changed to the same color, and his weapon, bathed in a bloody red glow, appeared in his hands, while his eyes on the one single enemy. The Nameless One.
"AND FOR THE RECORD, NO ONE SPEAKS OF WILLIAM LIKE THAT!"
"Oh, so it's introductions, is it?" the Nameless One asked with sarcasm. "Very well... They call me the Nameless One, because I have no name. I am the leading dictator of my planet and of my empire, which spans across ten galaxies. I have single-handedly defeated the poorly-named Terror of Dimensions in single combat; a villain who surpasses you all in power." He grinned. "Though I often wonder... is he really your friend, or is he just recruiting you for his own causes? Or perhaps, he's playing the fox, waiting for the right moment to strike once again...?"
"YOU WILL STOP TALKING OF OUR FRIEND LIKE THAT!" Luna yelled, blasting a beam of power at the robot. The Nameless One simply twirled one of his swords wickedly fast, and it somehow deflected the beam off his sword and harmlessly into the air.
"Do you honestly wish to challenge me?" he taunted. "I so do enjoy a challenge..."
"We both challenge you," Star Seeker said, and he raised his gun as Luna and him stepped forwards together. "And we'll defeat you."
"YOU BET YOUR METAL FLANK WE DO!" Joy taunted him as he appeared suddenly in front of him with his weapon prepared to launch a powerful strike on him. However, as soon as Joy had fully appeared, one of Nameless's fists suddenly lashed out at too fast a speed for Joy to anticipate, and he was sent flying back a few yards.
"Stay out of this, boy!" he yelled. "You're lucky the last time we met it wasn't personal and I was simply working for someone else as a contract!"
"You done talking?" Star Seeker growled as he opened fire, Luna taking to the air and beginning to fire beams of her magic at the robot. The Nameless One deflected their attacks with ease.
"You were working for someone...?" Joy asked as he was recovered from the strike, and stood up again and looked towards him with anger. "I DON'T CARE WHO THE TARTARUS ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT! WILLIAM IS MY FRIEND AND I WILL FIGHT BY HIS SIDE!"
Saying this he hovered towards Nameless once again.
"Come on then," he taunted as all four arms now held a weapon. "Show me what your worth is..."
"Gladly!" Joy took a deep breath and then launched a loud Shout towards the Nameless in hopes to startle him. The Nameless One just chuckled and tanked the Shout like it was nothing. Luna narrowed her eyes, before she charged up her horn and dove towards The Nameless One, hoping to attack him with her spell at close quarters. Seeing this, The Nameless One swiftly dodged to the side, and before she could pull out of the dive and away from him fast enough, his swords swung at a rapid pace towards her and she abruptly crash landed. It was only then that they realized that her wing had been cleaved clean off, the edge of one of Nameless's swords covered in blood and a few feathers.
"LUNA!" Star Seeker yelled, before he charged forwards, his eyes narrowing as his gun started to glow brighter and brighter as he fired at a faster pace, actually beginning to smoke slightly. Luna slowly stood, staggering slightly as her wound bled, but still determinedly ignited her horn and charged the robot. Joy was shocked with rage as he saw this; even though she wasn't the Luna he called his aunt, he still began to burn in rage once again, as his breath became more sharp. He started to glow more violently as he charged his weapon and hovered towards Nameless, while full of rage.. Nameless quickly parried Joy's attacks while shifting positions until both Star Seeker and Luna were on opposite sides of him, then waited until he knew that Star Seeker's weapon would fire. Right when it was about to, he vaulted over Luna's form, leaving her within the blast zone of Star Seeker's weapon, and presumably Joy as well.
"WHAT?!" Joy soon realized his intentions and started to feel a tight feeling in his stomach as he raised his hand in an attempt to create a forcefield bubble. "YOU BUCKING PIECE OF CRAP!"
"NO!" Tempus screamed, leaping forwards as his horn flared with magic, teleporting Joy out of harms way before trying to teleport Luna away, only to watch in horror as the shot struck Luna, then Star Seeker's gun exploded. The Guardian of Time quickly threw up a shield spell as a wave of energy slammed into it, rebounding off and dispersing a few seconds later.
"I COULD PROTECT MYSELF!" Joy shouted to Tempus in rage. "WHY DIDN'T YOU SAVE LUNA?!"
"NO!" Tempus rushed over to where Luna lay, falling beside his sister just as Nightmare Moon materialized beside Luna as well, her cyan cat eyes full of tears.
"Guess... guess I got... good..." Luna said, coughing weakly. "Nightmare... you... you..." Failing to find the right words, the lunar princess used her magic and removed her crown, setting it on Nightmare's head before touching her horn with her own, her magic disappearing into the other alicorn just as a stream of magic started to be sucked into Tempus, and the Guardian of Time turned to see Star Seeker smiling weakly at him. As the last of their magic disappeared, the two slumped to the ground, their eyes glazing over.
"No..." Tempus said, before screaming. "NO!" A massive shockwave of energy shot outwards from him, and he turned towards The Nameless One, his eyes glowing red. "YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT YOU MOTHERBUCKER!"
"I'm sure I will," The Nameless One remarked. "But why don't you prove your own worth and take me on yourself?" He then focused on Joy for a moment. "Or are you too chicken to save the rest of your friends?"
"Don't. Ever," Tempus began as he walked towards The Nameless One, the air around him beginning to crackle with power as he drew on his Alicorn magic, Guardian magic, and Chaotic magic all at once. "Call me. A. Chicken!"
And with that, he sent a blast of pure power and magic at the robot, his eyes glowing bright red. The Nameless One actually seemed a bit surprised at this attack, but still attempted to leap out of the way. Even so, he was still affected and it was clear he was in pain when he stood up again. He grimaced, then snarled as he threw two of his swords at Tempus and the other two at Joy, each sword connected to a long chain. With a snarl, Tempus's eyes flared silver, and the swords froze in midair, frozen in time.
But then, to his surprise, The Nameless One looked to him with a growl, unaffected by the time stop. He gave the chains a firm grip and they suddenly started to fly through the air again. Joy by then had thankfully created a forcefield around him to save himself from the impact of the swords as he gave Nameless a very bitter look.
It's important to stop him, otherwise who knows how many other lives this monster will take... he thought to himself.
"I don't care whether I die today!" Joy charged his weapon once again. "I will rather die fighting!"
Saying this he began to channel more magic in his weapon as a smirk came upon his face.
"So, you want to pull a William, ey?" Tempus sneered, his glowing red eyes narrowing as his dark personality scoffed. "Luckily for me, I found an effective combo against William's immunity to time magic a while back."
"Then by all means," Nameless chuckled as he pulled the swords back abruptly by their chains, "do your worst!"
"Trust me," Tempus snarled as his eyes turned pure red, no whites or irises left in them. "I plan to."
Without warning, around a thousand swords and spears materialized around The Nameless One, hovering far enough away as to no be cut out of the air yet. With a snort, Tempus sent them flying through the air towards the robot.
The Nameless One managed to deflect a majority of the blades Tempus had sent at him, but still at least five managed to find a mark and struck him in his legs and chest. He groaned and stumbled backwards a bit as a kind of blue goo-like substance started to ooze out from one of his wounds; his blood.
"How does it feel?" Tempus sneered, his voice getting even darker as the air around him began to crackle with power. "I'll make you suffer the pains of a thousand deaths for killing my sister and friend."
As soon as Nameless had fallen, he barely noticed something swiftly coming towards him while glowing slightly with red energy. Throwing up two of his arms, Nameless just barely managed to block Blazing Edge flying through the air, but it still knocked him to the ground. Cursing, he quickly started to pull out the blades sticking into him and rose to his feet.
"I... underestimated you, Tempus. And you too, Prince Joy Star," he growled. "It would seem that you have gotten more powerful since your previous data records."
"You're smarter than you look!" Joy scoffed him as he raised his hand to summon his weapon back. "Aren't you?"
Tempus barked a harsh laugh, his eyes glowing a harsh red.
"You have no idea how much more powerful I am," He growled, as he aimed his horn at The Nameless One. "You'll find out though."
Without waiting for a reply, Tempus released another attack, combining his Alicorn, Guardian, and Chaotic magic. This time, however, Nameless actually dodged it successfully, and even managed to deflect Joy's weapon with precision mid-dodge. He smirked.
"You may have the power, but you don't need magical powers to win a war," he remarked. "True power comes to those who can control money, empires, soldiers."
"Soldiers do nothing," Tempus growled as his eyes flared red. "If they're dead."
Without any warning, half of Nameless's forces collapsed to the ground unmoving. Tempus grinned wickedly.
"And luckily, that happens to be one of my areas of expertise," he sneered. Michael shot a worried look at Tempus, before there was a blast of icy wind and the Pyrunian vanished.
Nameless sighed. "Guess that's another reason why you don't send humans to do a robot's job."
"Whatever!" Joy scoffed him once again while giving him a bitter look as he began to change his weapon once again, while exploding a shout towards the enemies in his range, damaging many of them.
"These robots?" Joy couldn't help but give a small chuckle. "I can fight them the whole day; they're a simple target for my shouts."
"You mean the Shouts you learned from the one I defeated?" Nameless scoffed himself. "You may have what he's taught you, but you'll never be as good as him. He will always be the more powerful."
"And sometimes power is all it takes!" Tempus screamed as he shot another blast of power at The nameless One. However, before it could reach the robot, there was a blast of icy wind, and a beam of white magic struck the energy, causing it to disperse into mist.
"Tempus, enough," Michael said, as he flicked a hand at their enemy and surrounded the robot in a sphere of metal with six-foot thick walls. "You need to calm down. This isn't you."
"I'll calm down when that bucker is dead!" Tempus screamed at his friend, his horn igniting with magic. "And I'll go through you if necessary!"
"I know you'd go through him, but would you go through me too?" another voice suddenly asked as TD appeared before Tempus.
"If I have to, I will!" Tempus snarled, no sign of his other personality present.
"I'll restrain him, you snap him out of it." Michael said telepathically to TD, before swooping down and sending a blast of magic at Tempus, freezing his legs to the ground. Tempus snarled, before beginning to choke as Michael landed beside him and grabbed his horn, also slipping an arm around his neck.
"NOW TD!" The Pyrunian yelled, straining to keep the alicorn still.
"Tempus, you need to regain control," TD told him. "Strike a balance with the two side of you, and COME BACK!"
Combo of command spells and explaining.
"Oh, shut up Author!" TD yelled. "Now is NOT the time!"
"He... needs... to pay!" Tempus screamed, forcing himself free from Michael's grip. "He killed my sister and friend!"
"Becoming a murderer won't bring them back Tempus." Michael murmured. "You know that."
"Tempus, if you kill him like this, you'll be no better than he is," TD reasoned. "They wouldn't want you to be like that. And I know that you're not like that..."
This all caught Joy a little off guard as he saw what was happening. Nevertheless, he was ready to strike another attack on the enemies as he began to charge his weapon once again. Tempus seemed to freeze, and slowly his eyes reverted back to having whites and a pupil, albeit still glowing red.
"But... my sister..." he murmured, before his eyes went back to green and the alicorn collapsed, starting to shake as the grief he had hidden by letting his dark personality take control came out, and he started to cry, not caring who saw him. TD was silent for a bit, letting him release his sorrow before turning back to the metal sphere the Nameless One was residing in since then... only to realize that he could no longer sense his presence within the metal prison.
"Um... guys, we might have a problem," he said aloud. Michael hissed, muttering a few Pyrunian curses.
"Where'd old tin can go?" He asked, turning in a circle as he flared his wings out, his sword in hand. Joy started to get upset as soon as he realized what TD was implying. Clenching his weapon in his fist, he began to look around trying to stay as much on guard as he could possibly be. Suddenly, TD looked in Joy's direction and his face went wide with horror.
"JOY, LOOK OUT!" he shouted impossibly loud, and not even a second later the Robot Master burst out of the ground from behind the other human, his blades poised for the kill. He had tunneled under the ground and was now ready to land a killing blow on the prince. Joy was too surprised to react to the attack; there was no possible way that he could survive that hit. As he looked behind, only a gasp of shook escaped his mouth as his eyes closed, ready to embrace his death. As soon as he heard the sound of a blade slashing into flesh, he opened his eyes to see blood dripping on the ground... but the sword hadn't even touched him. His eyes widened with shock like he never felt before and he felt like time had slowed down as he saw who's blood it was.
"C-Coward!" Bubble snarled at The Nameless One before coughing out some blood. Joy's eyes began to blaze with anger as he grabbed The Nameless One in his aura grip and rose him into the air before smashing him on the ground. He quickly looked towards Bubble, and grabbed her in his arms.
"I told you to stay in cover!" Joy yelled in panic. "Why can't you listen to me?"
Bubble just passed him a smile as she caressed her hoof on his cheek. "I- I love you... too."
Tempus snarled, and his eyes flared, turning into the eyes of his unified personalities; glowing red cat eyes tinged with green.
"Let's see how well you fight us when we stand together," Tempus spoke, his voice having a dark echo as two swords appeared beside him, and he charged towards The Nameless One, only to skid to a stop as Michael held out a hand.
"No. I'll fight him," The Pyrunian said as he raised his sword and advanced on the robot, his eyes narrowed.
"No, you'll die too!" TD protested. "Besides, this is my fight."
"How about this? I choose for you!" The Nameless One suddenly remarked as he rushed over to TD with blinding speed... only to stab thin air as TD teleported near to his friends, a look of surprise on his face.
"I should not have been able to avoid that," he said aloud, then grinned as he looked to the glowing amber stone of a ring on his finger. "Thanks, Diego! Combined with my Shadow powers, that was almost too fast!"
"TD, I appreciate the concern, but I can hold my own," Michael said as with his left hand he pulled a silver coin from his pocket, and flipping it he caught it, a very familiar axe appearing in his hand.
"Why Bubble?" Joy asked her. "Why did you get yourself hurt?"
"That monster was going to kill you..." Bubble manged to say. "I just couldn't let myself see that..."
"Your wound..." Joy said, looking towards where the sword had been slashed into her. "Oh no! It's oozing so badly..." he exclaimed before removing his shirt and ripping it into small pieces, before placing a piece on her wound and then wrapping some pieces around her torso to stop the blood from flowing out.
That shouldn't have happened... Joy thought as he tried to hold himself together. Tempus walked up beside TD, glancing at his friend.
"Michael is better at fighting then you know William," The alicorn said softly. "Let him show our friend Mr. Tin Can just what he can do."
TD sighed. "With all due respect, you don't know him like I do."
"Enough already! I don't have time for this!" The Nameless One shouted impatiently, then to his men (or what was left), "Fall back to Canterlot."
The remaining enemy soldiers saluted and made their way back towards Canterlot as The Nameless One just stood there for a while, as if unsure whether to attack or try to talk.
"Buck yourself... you bucking son of..." Joy muttered as he gave the Nameless One another look of fury and rage. Tears started to flow from his eyes rapidly as he noticed how bad the wound was. "Don't worry Bubs... you'll be... alright..."
"Now would be a good time for my powers to return," TD muttered under his breath.
"William," Michael said as he turned to face him. "You don't know everything about me. Let me do this and show our enemy just what he's fighting against. Trust me."
Tempus hurried over to Joy and Bubbles, looking down as he ignited his horn, scanning the alicorn to see if there was anything that he could do to help.
"Your alicorn friend cannot be saved from her wounds," The Nameless One spoke up. "My blade was specifically tailored for magical beings right when I attacked." He sighed, sounding a bit sad. "Though... she was not my intended target."
"Oh sure," TD scoffed. "NOW you're sorry."
"Tempus..." Joy muttered as he looked towards him. "We need to help..."
"I can hold back death, but I don't know if I can prevent it... although doing this will cause me to have to be carried around until I end the spell..." Tempus said, as he ignited his horn before bending down and touching Bubble's head, almost immediately collapsing beside her as the spell took effect.
"William, let me fight him," Michael said firmly. "I'll be fine."
"But... I..." TD stammered.
"Nobody is going to be killing anybody anymore today," The Nameless One remarked. "The hour is now late according to the time of my homeworld and on this day... it would be my darling's birthday." He sheathed his swords. "And a tradition I hold to heart is to honor her by sparing all others upon hitting the thirteenth hour of my planet."
Bubble took a deep breath right when Tempus used his spell. "J-Joy... I don't think... that'll-"
"No, don't say that... we'll find a way to save you..." Joy said with a hopeful sigh.
"Know that we'll be meeting again Nameless." Michael said as he sheathed his sword, hanging his axe by his belt. "And next time, I will end up fighting you."
The Pyrunian quickly hurried over to kneel beside Joy and Bubble, picking up Tempus and slinging the alicorn over his shoulder.
"BE CERTAIN!" Joy shouted, giving a warning look to the Nameless One. "NEXT WE MEET, THAT'LL BE YOUR END!"
"That is quite... debatable," The Nameless One remarked, then he started pushing some buttons on a control device on his arm.
"Nameless," TD spoke up, causing him to pause. "Before the sun sets on my own homeplanet, I WILL end you once and for all."
The Nameless One gave a smile that almost seemed friendly. "Until we meet again... my old enemy."
He pressed a final button and a beam of light engulfed him and caused him to disappear. TD gave a sigh when he did, then frowned as he noticed something. That frown soon turned into a scream.
"REALLY?! Now my powers return, AFTER he's gone!?"
As Michael adjusted Tempus, the Pyrunian looked over to where Nightmare was still standing still, not having moved once since Luna had passed. He glanced at TD and jerked his head towards the alicorn, making it obvious TD should go over to her. TD nodded and walked over to Nightmare.
"Nightmare... Nightmare!" he yelled, snapping his fingers in front of her face for a reaction. Nightmare blinked, glancing at TD, her cyan cat eyes full of tears as she used her own magic to levitate Luna's crown off her head.
"I.. I... I'm not ready for this..." she murmured. "Luna... she... she's given me so much responsibility..."
"Nightmare," TD interrupted gently so as to keep her attention. "You can do it. She would not have chosen you if she thought she couldn't rely on you." He gave her a small reassuring smile. "I believe in you, just as she believes in you. Now you have to believe in yourself."
"But... I'm nothing like her TD... What if the inhabitants of our world don't accept me as the new Lunar Princess?" Nightmare asked, her voice shaking.
"You're right, you're not her," TD agreed, startling her before he continued. "You are you. You are unique and special in your own way, and you don't need to be exactly like someone else to be a good leader. And after all you've done for her and your friends, I'd say that anyone who wouldn't accept you is a hypocrite who knows NOTHING about what makes a good leader. Your past does not define you, no matter what anyone says. All that matters are your choices now in the present."
"Thank- thank you TD," Nightmare said, smiling as she put the crown back on. "That's... that's exactly what I needed to hear."
"I try," TD replied with a shrug, then his face became serious again. "Now, let's check up on Bubs."
"And my brother," Nightmare added, hurrying over to check on Tempus. Joy was still holding Bubble close to himself to comfort her. Her wound was covered with the pieces of the Joy's shirt. It stopped the blood from flowing at the moment, but her condition wasn't looking too good.
"William, her wound is too bad... we need to do something, quick!" Joy shouted.
"And Tempus has basically exhausted his magical stores trying to hold back death, but he won't be able to keep it up for long," Michael added.
"Uh... I can't do much in healing spells," TD remarked. "But I know someone who can help. We need to get them back to Everfree!" He then looked to Bubble's wound. "This wound is beyond the skill of our own medics, for it is not any normal sword she was struck with."
"But... you know we can do something, right?" Joy asked in so much of worry "Zecora, she can find a cure for her, right?"
"I sure as cus hope so, Joy," TD answered, not making any promises. He then turned to Nightmare and Michael. "Bring Tempus to Discord's castle to rest. In the meantime, Joy and I will get Bubble over to the castle of Friendship while we alert Zecora. Red may be able to keep her alive long enough for Zecora to arrive." He then remembered something and added, "If you happen to find Plank or Hummingbird in the forest, tell them to alert Zecora ASAP. Godspeed!"
He then snapped his fingers before any more words could be exchanged and disappeared with Joy in a flash of light.
"Well, that was... interesting," Michael said, before him and Nightmare disappeared in a gust of icy wind.
"And I guess we stay to defend the outpost." Tempus's Crystal Shard muttered as she flicked her tail and called Task Force Omega back to the outpost.
As soon as the new dawn arrived, the rays of sunshine coming through the window were the first thing Aqua felt, besides a strange fragrance he felt over him, and the feeling of being in the warm embrace of his filly friend on a soft and comfy mattress. He made a grunt of discomfort as he pulled the covers of a blanket over his face.
Wait! Bed? Blanket? Aqua was a little surprised and he took a moment to realize that they weren't in the cave anymore.
"How...?" He took a yawn as he was still lying in the bed, snuggled close to Sunshine, "...did we get here?" he muttered. Sunshine stirred and slowly, one by one, her eyes opened up and looked over at Aqua.
"Oh... it wasn't a dream," she said happily and nuzzled up to him a bit, then frowned as she too realized they weren't in the cave anymore.
"Did they find us while we slept?" she asked aloud.
"I... guess so," Aqua replied as a blush appeared on his face.
Just then, a door opened nearby and they realized that they were inside a cottage of some kind. More specifically, the cottage of Zecora and said zebra was trotting about the room while her pegasus friend Hummingbird was walking in with some kind of herbs.
"Rise and shine, little Aqua and Sunshine," Zecora greeted. "You slept well last night, despite your previous plight."
"Aunt Zecora?" Sunshine was confused. "How did we-?"
"Some of your family passed on by with you, and I didn't have the heart to wake you two," she replied. "So I laid you down in bed, and did not disturb you sleepyheads."
"Oh, so that's why we're here..." Aqua said with a giggle.
"It makes sense," Sunshine agreed. She then noticed they were still snuggled close and she blushed a bit. As if noticing this, her humming sound came again, low and soft. Aqua just gave a light blush at this and sighed in relaxation, as he heard that sweet hum once again. Zecora gave a smile.
"Young love is beautiful to see, and more lovely than my best of teas," she remarked.
"Mhm!" Hummingbird agreed, the closest she seemed to get at speaking, as she set the herbs down near Zecora's cauldron.
"Ah, thanks?" Aqua said with a confused smile.
Zecora chuckled, then asked, "Are you hungry? It may seem late, but it's still only half-past eight."
Sunshine thought for a moment. "I... could go with something. Aqua?"
As she asked, Aqua's tummy made a grumble loud enough to be heard by everyone in the room. A sheepish smile came upon his muzzle. "Umm, yes please..."
"Then let me see what I have in my tree," Zecora replied and trotted off into a different room. Hummingbird, meanwhile, looked back to them and gave a giggle. Her eyes gave a clear message that seemed louder than words: "You two look so adorable together."
Aqua passed her a smile of gratitude at this, as a blush appeared on his face. Then he looked towards Sunshine and asked, "You sleep well, Sunshine?"
"Mhm!" she answered. "Best I've slept in weeks."
"Me too..." Aqua replied. "It was so cozy... like sleeping with mommy but... different."
Sunshine giggled and gave him another nuzzling, earning another hum from her in the process. Aqua nuzzled her back as he smiled while hearing her sweet hums. In a few moments, Zecora came back with a steaming plate of toast and eggs.
"I'm afraid today there wasn't much to spare, so I hope that you two can share," she apologized.
"It's okay Aunt Zecora," Sunshine reassured. "Changelings don't eat much solid foods anyways. We'll manage."
Aqua gave a nod in reassurance. "Thanks Aunt Zecora."
"You are welcome," she said, which somewhat surprised Aqua that she didn't follow up with a rhyme. Sunshine explained it to him though.
"Sometimes, it's hard for her to make things rhyme all the time, so she often takes a break," she said, using Celestia's magic given to her to levitate their breakfast to a small table near the bed.
"I see," Aqua said with a giggle as he looked towards the breakfast.
"Oh, you can take first choice," Sunshine assured him. "There's not much I can have on it... except for the yokes."
Really?" Aqua asked as he levitated a levitated a pieces of toast towards him. "Why so?"
"Well, Changelings usually aren't born able to eat solid foods, except for Pinkie's hive," Sunshine explained. "It's kind of like how mosquitoes can only drink liquids as their food." She gave a shrug. "Only we feed off love instead of blood and such."
"Oh," Aqua nodded in understanding, as he took a bite and munched on it for a moment before swallowing. "Actually, I am still learning about changelings..." he said sheepishly.
"Really?" Sunshine looked interested at this topic. "Well, there's not much I can tell you about my own species, but in general we survive off of the emotions others give off, although we can also drink liquids like other ponies." She then blushed a bit. "To be honest, I'm kinda feeding off you right now. It's a passive thing we can do. The only time it can be harmful is if the one being fed off of is unwillingly having it taken or if they're unaware that the one taking the love from them is a Changeling. That's what the disguises are supposedly for, but I've never had to use it much for that reason nor do I want to."
"It's a good thing, you know..." Aqua said with a blush. "You look best the way you are...no matter what any selfish and mean pony say..."
Sunshine's eyes widened in joyful surprise. "That's... the nicest thing any colt has ever said to me."
"I really mean it." Aqua said with a reassuring tone, as he tilted his head and passed her a small grin.
"I know you do... and that just makes it much sweeter," she answered, giving him a small hug. "Thanks."
Aqua smiled reassuringly, then focused back on his breakfast again, as he finished off the first piece of toast and took another after that. Tere was no more conversation during the rest of breakfast. After breakfast was over, Zecora asked if they could help her clean up her tree's interior, which was a bit dusty. They spent the rest of their morning dusting down the place. Sunshine especially was a great help, walking along the walls to reach areas that otherwise were unreachable before. In no time, the place was looking spic and span. Sadly, that's when trouble came knocking... again.
The door flew open and the form of a Timberwolf was seen in the doorway, whining and barking desperately at them.
"Plank?" Sunshine asked, giving her head a 180 turn to get a better look at him from where she currently was on the ceiling. Even in such a manner, despite how disturbing some may have thought it to be, it was clear that she was concerned. Plank whined again and barked, making Zecora's eyes widen.
"Princess Bubble Heart has been terribly wounded!" she shouted.
"WHAT?!" Sunshine exclaimed, falling off the ceiling in her surprise.
"WHAT?!" Aqua shouted in shock. "Mom!"
Zecora looked to Hummingbird.
"Grab my supplies and let's hurry along! This may be Bubble Heart's last song!" she ordered urgently. Hummingbird gave a quick nod to acknowledge that she had heard her, then rushed into another room to find the supplies. Zecora looked over to the two foals.
"You will have to come with me, for it's not safe to be alone in my tree," she told them.
"Okay," Sunshine managed as she stood to her feet, then remembered her head was still not on straight. She fixed it with a quick twist of her neck.
"Mom!" Aqua had already started to cry. "Sunshine... will she be alright?"
Sunshine gave him a hug. "I don't know..." she admitted. "I'd hope so..."
Hummingbird came back in the room with many herbs and a first aid kit, the latter being an odd sight in her tree. Zecora placed them in a satchel she had strung over her back, then they all stood close to Plank, who was whining impatiently.
"Patience my friend, her life is not yet at an end," Zecora told the Timberwolf, then pulled out what seemed to be a strange looking garlic bulb and threw it to the ground in front of them. When she did, it caused a flash of light to appear, and then they disappeared. As Aqua opened his eyes again, they were seemingly in the Friendship Castle's med center.
"Zecora, Hummingbird you're here!" Joy exclaimed as he saw the two of them along with the children. He was kneeling beside a bed which Bubble was currently lying in, not looking too good for wear. TD came into the room just then and looked between them.
"Oh, Zecora! Glad you're back!" he remarked.
"Tell me what has happened," Zecora demanded.
"She... was attacked by... The Nameless One," TD answered, sniffing a bit. "The rat recovered from his wounds and stabbed her!"
"Buck him to the deepest pits of hellish Tartarus!" Joy muttered in anger, as he was standing close to her bed, knelt down while he was continuously stroking her mane. "Trust me Bubs, you'll be alright," Joy spoke to her as a sob left his breath. "And look, our little foal is here."
Bubble looked towards where Aqua and Sunshine were standing and smiled.
"Mom!" Aqua trotted to his mother's side while Sunny and Bold were already standing there. Both looked like as they were trying to hold back their tears.
"You both are... here..." Bubble giggled slightly to see her youngest son and his filly friend, and she used her wing to grab him in a hug. "I'm... so glad to see that."
Aqua returned the hug where he was.
"Princess Bubble... are you going to be okay?" Sunshine asked her. Zecora, meanwhile, was inspecting the wounds on Bubble and her expression was grim, even as she and Hummingbird were dressing the wounds with some of their medical supplies. Plank gave a whine and looked to her with a pleading look in his eyes.
"I'll be-" a cough interrupted her "-fine..." Bubble said as she looked towards her "...while you all are here."
Zecora inspected the wounds more thoroughly, then sighed in sadness.
"She will not survive sadly, for she is wounded too badly," she muttered.
"Are. You. Serious?" TD groaned. "How many have to die?!"
"My sweetie," Bubble spoke as she brought her hoof towards his face and wiped a few of his tears. "Is this... sad face is the last thing, you want me to see..." Bubble whispered to Joy with a pleading tone.
"Please don't say this as..." Joy whispered as his eyes began to shed tears rapidly.
"What-" Bubble giggled as she brought her hoof closer to his nose for a boop. "Can't... have fun while I still have time?"
TD couldn't help but give a small smile when he saw this, then he knelt down at the bedside.
"Bubble..." he said. "I know I wasn't the best of friends to you or your family..." He sighed. "So... if I ever did anything to offend you... I'm asking now if you'll forgive me for my actions..."
"I... don't have any grudge... over you," Bubble gave a sad smile "And if I ever had... I forgive you..."
"No!" Aqua suddenly cried. "You'll be alright... I will not lose you... we'll find a way!" He looked towards the others, who all wore a saddened expression on their faces. "Why doesn't somepony say something?!"
Joy began to shed tears once again as he saw this.
"Joy... Bubble..." TD spoke again. "I promise you, by my word as a Guardian of Existence and by the powers vested in me..." He sighed before he finished. "I will end this once and for all, and you shall be avenged."
There wasn't any respond gievn at the moment, as everypony there was still trying to hold their sobs in, most of all Joy and his foals. Plank whined again and walked over to Bubble's bedside and gave her a small lick to the face as if to reassure her or comfort her.
"Oh Plank..." Bubble giggled as a cough escaped her lungs once again bringing all concerned looks at her once again. "You're sad too..."
The Timberwolf made another small whine and laid his head on the bed beside her, close enough for her to pet his head if desired.
"Hmm, you want to be pet...?" Bubble smiled as she weakly brought her hoof to pet the sad Timberwolf. "Is it... good?"
Plank's eyes gave a sad smile and his tail wagged slightly in answer. Joy kissed Bubble's hoof as he stroked her messy mane away from her right eye.
"Bubs, I truly wish I..." Bubble placed her hoof on his lips with a sad and reassuring smile.
"None can decide... how that's supposed to happen..." She whispered as Joy eyes began to fill with tears all over again, and so did Bubble's. Aqua was still sobbing while snuggling close to his mother's side, while Bold and Sunny were standing beside their father while still sobbing and shedding tears. Then Bubble gave TD a questioning look, which was clearly implying only one bitter question.
"How much time?"
"I'd say a few more minutes at most," he answered telepathically, the tears forming in his eyes as well.
Bubble gave a weak nod at this and spoke. "Sunny."
"Ye-yes mom..." Sunny said
"Come here, my little sunshine..." Bubble said and Sunny went closer to her mother. Bubble looked towards her daughter as her horn started to glow along with Sunny herself, and after a moment the glow on Bubble's horn ceased along with the one around Sunny's body.
"It's gift from me... a legacy that... I hope you'll carry on after..." Sunny didn't let her mother finish before she and Bold literally wrapped her in a hug with their hooves. Bubble wrapped them in return. "There- there..." she whispered "Be- strong my foals... you daddy needs you..."
Sunshine felt herself crying as well and walked over to the bedside to look at Bubble, all eight eyes focusing on the alicorn.
"Princess Bubble..." she said tearfully, "I know we haven't known each other for long... but I'm gonna miss you..."
"Well, guess... it's never- too late..." Bubble was clearly having a little trouble with breathing now. "I still- have some... room for you..." She said, opening her wing towards her, on the same side as she grabbed Aqua in a hug as well, who was saying. "I'll never get angry anymore... please don't leave me..."
Plank made another whimper and gave a slight howl as well. TD gave the Timberwolf a pat.
"Hush Plank," he said softly. "Don't cry. Stay strong... for them..."
Sunshine hugged Bubble along with the others, the tears splashing down thick and fast from her eyes as she felt their combined sorrows wash over her in waves.
"Sunshine..." Bubble whispered as she focused her attention towards the Changeling filly, "Please... take care of... my little foal for me... and... if he gets... cran- cranky... don't be harsh... on him..."
Sunshine's eyes widened slightly upon hearing this, then she gave a small nod.
"I- I promise... I'll take... care of him," she answered. Bubble sighed with a sob and nodded as she released all of them from the group hug and looked towards her husband.
"My sweet beloved," she smiled sadly as Joy came closer to her while still holding her hoof in his hand.
"...A little closer..." she said while her breath started to get a little more upset, and Joy brought his face more closer to her. Then her horn started to glow as every one in the room started to hear a quite melodious yet sad tone, but that music wasn't coming from anywhere outside. It was as if it was coming from within themselves and from all around them at the same time. Joy recognized this tone very clearly, but instead of being full of happiness, this time its rhythm was slow. Joy took another sob as he heard this. Plank whimpered again and TD started petting him to try and comfort the Timberwolf the best he could, but he too was struggling with his tears. Sunshine was already quietly sobbing, unable to contain her grief any longer.
A flashback of all the memories with Bubble rushed in her mind as he heard that tone and remembered that song.
-Flashback- (Italics are lyrics to the son)
So, you can give me your heart
"Joy, I've wrote a new song for you!"
I won't let it torn apart
"Did that royal jerk said something to you again?! Now he's done for!"
I'll cherish this for me
"There is only one star who's my favorite! And that's you, Joy Star!
And I'll cherish this for you
"UNCLE BRIGHT! If you can't respect him, then you can forget that you have a niece either!"
And when you call my name
"The most special day of my life is today! Oh! I feel like the happiest mare in whole of Equestria!"
I won't be far away
"I'll never leave your side because... a wise mare always keeps an eye on her husband."
Wherever will you go
"This is such a beautiful night, isn't it."
You'll never be alone
"I guess I can use something sweet right now."
-End of flashback-
Joy noticed that they both were kissing once again, being obscured by Bubble's wings as for one last moment she wanted him all for herself. That kiss lasted for more then a few moments before they pulled away and Bubble gave a final look to Joy's sad smile... and then her wings dropped... lifeless on her side. Plank gave a long and low howl of sadness right about then, while TD helped close Bubble's eyes all the way.
"Addio, Bubble Heart," he said in Italian, for whatever reason. "Trova la pace nella morte."
Sunshine was also crying aloud now, for yet another friend had been stolen from her because of this war. It was a terrible, terrible experience for her. Joy, Sunny, and Bold was now crying aloud as well, but Aqua's sorrow was beyond compare. He was shedding tears while still snuggling close to his mother's form.
"No!" Aqua shouted. "Mom, please say something!" His rage began to trigger as he broke to unstoppable tears, as Sunny went closer to him to comfort. He hissed as he looked towards her while his eyes were again now a fiery orange. The only one in the family who knew how to comfort him was Joy, and today he himself needed comfort badly, as he was crying while nuzzling his face in her wing.
"Aqua..." Sunshine spoke, placing a hoof on his shoulder and causing him to turn her direction. Once he did, she suddenly gave him a hug before he could react to anything else. He showed a slight resistance as she did this, but then within a moment his eyes reverted to normal. As he realized that Sunshine was hugging him, he sobbingly returned the hug.
"Sunshine..." Aqua whined. "Why did this happen?"
"I don't know..." she admitted, hugging him tighter. "But... we'll get through it together... I'll always be there..."
TD couldn't compose himself any longer and started crying himself. So many had died, so many had been lost... all because of a mistake he made so many years ago. It wasn't fair! And the Nameless One was still out there. He'd still kill more of them off. Unless...
TD clenched his fist and started to walk off. Plank noticed this and gave a worried bark, for he knew that it was never good news to see his master act this way.
"Sleep well, my sweetheart..." Joy muttered as he caressed his hand on her wing with affection for one last time, before folding this back to her side, and looked down for a while, still kept shedding tears. TD stopped at the door meanwhile and then he spoke.
"I'm sorry... this is all my fault," he managed between tears. "If I had only stopped him for good the first time... this would never have happened. If I hadn't been so selfish and if I hadn't been foolish enough to believe he was dead the first time... this never would have happened." A sigh escaped him. "But I'll never give up. I will finish what I should've finished years and years ago... for all of you."
There was obviously no response at the moment, but the demise of his dear beloved had begun to stir something bitter deep within Joy's very soul. In some dark corner of his mind, he saw himself looking towards a pair of glowing red eyes. This was something which was enclosed within him since the day he was born, something which was only held passive because of the love shared to him by his very sweetheart, who sadly was no more. Then suddenly a very dark chuckle was heard as Joy suddenly looked up, wondering what that was.
"I thought..." Joy said, then he shook his head and looked towards the lifeless form of Bubble once again. "It doesn't matter... my sweetheart needs her last rights..."
TD nodded. "I'll leave you be with her for a while."
He then left the room with Plank following after him out of a sense of curiosity and concern. Meanwhile, Sunshine kept hugging Aqua, almost as if she'd lose him too if she did.
I lost my Mommy and I lost many of my friends, she thought to herself. Please, I don't want to lose him too...
Joy sighed deeply as he looked towards his beloved's form for one last time before he made a final decision.
"So, she'll be alright until we take her back to my own world."
"Well, yes that's the plan," TD admitted. "I know a guy who can preserve her body until it's ready to be brought back."
"I don't know..." Joy said caressing his own hair in distress "I... okay... my beloved's form will get the respect she deserves... and I think... I'll be fine with this whole preserving thing..."
"Good," TD answered, then to himself so Joy wouldn't hear, "He is absolutely going to despise me when he hears this."
"You want me to do what?" Chuck asked. Not exactly enthused to be in the presence of them or be adhering to a request from them.
"Preserve Princess Bubble's body with that... goo stuff used to preserve Cocoon and the other monarchs in this hive, until she can be brought back to her own world," TD stated. "It's not hard to catch on to what I was talking about, Chuck."
"You want me to put someone with no connection to the family that's been lying there for all this time just among them? Ha!" He laughed bitterly. "Sure, sure, and while I'm at it, why don't I just open it up for the public?" he replied snidely.
"That was actually gonna be my first request, but Pinkie beat me to it about a week ago," TD admitted.
"Listen to me Chuck!" Joy suddenly spoke in a somewhat intimidating, yet sad voice. "I'm not that amused by the thought of preserving my sweetheart's form instead of... but I don't have a choice..." Joy then wiped a few of his tears before he continued. "I know we don't know each other very well but... IF YOU DON'T DO WHAT WE'VE SAID WHILE WE STILL HAVE TIME, YOU'D BETTER HAVE SOME PLACE IN THE PRESERVING CHAMBER FOR YOURSELF!"
"Is that a threat, you little brat?" Chuck replied, gritting his teeth. "Despite the insolence on BOTH of your accounts, I will do it. Not because I like either of you, but because having suffered loss, I can at least pretend to care or at the very least understand," he concluded
"Pretend to understand?" TD said with a sarcastic tone. "Oh, you understand, buddy. Don't try to pretend you don't." He looked outside and added, "Well, I'd better get going before the cavalry gets in here and Pinkie accuses me of threatening to end your life."
He walked out of the hive without another word, grumbling to himself the whole way, mostly seeming to direct it at Chuck.
"Thanks..." Joy's voice died down as he heard this and he came towards the monarch. "I promise, I'll repay you however I can..."
"I can really hate that self righteous little bastard sometimes," Chuck muttered, just audible enough. "Don't worry about repaying me. I don't need anything," he spoke to Joy on a lighter note.
"Still, what you're doing for us..." Joy said leaning to the monarch's level "...meant to me and my passed away beloved so much... and I apologize if I lost myself for a while. You're a nice Changeling, Chuck," Joy said as tears began to shed from his eyes once again, and he stood up. "I don't we should wait anymore... I'm no expert but..."
"You're very right. There's no time to lose," he replied.
-Time skip-
Some time later, Bubble's body was brought into the hive and encased in goo that hardened up for preservation. Her peaceful smile could still be seen on her face even from outside the cocoon she was placed in, giving her a look that made it seem as if she was asleep rather than dead.
"Alright. That should do it," Chuck remarked. "It's good that we did it when we did. We were almost too late."
Joy didn't reply to his statement. Instead he just passed him a nod, as he caressed his hand once again on the cocoon, looking towards the peaceful smile on her face.
My sweetheart, Joy thought as he began to sob once again. I'll never forget you, and no mare can ever replace you, ever. I still love you as much as I did while we were young... A few more sobs were made by him. I'm sorry that I couldn't protect you... Then he finally wiped his tears.
"Alright," Chuck said. "I'll have some men transport her to the burial chambers. Now, we had better leave," he said to Joy.
"Alright..." Joy replied as he gave the cocoon one final look. "Goodbye..."
Some Changelings entered the room with some solemn looks and gave Chuck a small bow.
"Everything is prepared, my king," one of them stated.
"Good," Chuck nodded. "Take her now. We must be leaving." He ordered. "Um, please," He added, starting to leave.
"I always feel bad," he explained to Joy. "I mean, I'm the king of these guys and giving orders is my job, but I mean, king or not, gotta say 'please and thank you;' that's something a lot of monarchs forget."
"Good to know," Joy said as he was still sobbing. The monarch noticed this, and sighed quietly.
"I know," he said. "Believe me, I know."
Joy passed him a nod in sympathy and began to leave. Then he remembered what Bubble had told him, even before the war had started.
"And even if something happens to tear us apart... promise me, you'll never give up hope... promise me."
"She knew that this was coming..." Joy muttered to himself. "SHE KNEW!" Joy shout in grief as he looked towards the horizon. "Nameless One, you hear me!?You're dead! DeadI tell you! For what you've done to my sweetheart! I'll make you suffer!"
Oh dear... Joy seems to be headed towards a dark path.
So, I thought I should bring this up just in case there were questions: Sunshine and Aqua are a bit young according to human standards to be dating. Well, not according to pretty much all Equestrian standards I've seen in other stories. Seriously, in one story it talks about getting married at an age as young as fifteen. It makes sense to me, given that in real life, animals tend to be "grown up" much sooner than humans. So it makes sense that the Equestrians would be on a different calendar of maturity than we are on. Please don't give me any negative over that; that's just my logic for explanation.
Big thanks to Admirer Boy, Darkstalker728, and Impressionsguy for helping out with this chapter! I'll cya in the next one!