Finally... I have not updated this story for TOO long! And before you guys get mad at me, I have good reasons for this.
First of all, my PC ran out of battery power and won't recharge. According to a tutorial on YouTube, this means that either my charging cord needs to be replaced, or my battery is a bit wonky. It's probably the latter, since I kept it plugged in a lot even when it was at full battery (like an idiot). And since I cannot afford either currently, that means I need to get up off my lazy bum and find a job for once. Secondly, the school spring semester has started up again. I don't think that needs any further clarification, so I'll leave it at that.
I understand that it may seem at times like I've abandoned my works, but I assure you I have not. They'll simply be majorly delayed at the most. Until then, please enjoy what I can post and be patient please. All good things come to those who wait...
The fighting had finally come to an end. The Nameless One's forces had all been defeated and what little remained were either hunted down or (if they were humans) imprisoned to be put on trial in the future. To the Equestrians, it finally looked like a lasting peace was coming to their planet.
But for TD and his friends, they figured that this could possibly only be the beginning of fights to come. And it didn't look good. So TD had gathered them all together to discuss matters in the meeting room of Canterlot that he had established almost twenty years ago. And as usual, he had increased its size to accommodate everyone present.
"Order in the court, please!" TD ordered, slamming a hammer, or whatever those things are called, on his end of the table.
(Gavel. I only just found that out AFTER this scene was posted. RIP)
"Hey, you stole my line!" Red complained from his end. Tempus rolled his eyes as he sat in his spot, his dark personality sitting to his right while to his left sat the Crystal Shard of his world. The Alicorn had decided that she would be the only member of Task Force Omega present for the meeting, due to how well she had taken charge during his absence.
"This isn't a court TD," he said. "Just get on with it and stop goofing around."
"Here here!" Chuck called, nodding his head.
"Alright everyone simmer down now," Blade said, while Onyx just shook his head. Joy looked around towards everyone who were present there at that time, and then looked back at TD.
"So, what's the situation now?" he asked getting to the point. "What's your proposal to prevent such havoc in future?"
TD gave a sigh. "I've been thinking about this, and I happen to know a bit of a spell that can work to stop, but it comes at a bit of a price. I suggest... a ban or restriction on inter-dimensional travel."
"Say wha?" Red suddenly looked over at TD with a serious expression.
"The idea is that, with the spell active, no one can enter or leave their world and end up in another's without the express permission of that world's Guardian. For each world, that may vary. I, for example, represent this world's Guardian, Joy represents his world along with his mother, Tia, and Tempus his world. You can do the math from there. It can keep enemies out of our worlds for as long as it's active, but we won't be allowed to jump between worlds so easily like before." He stood up a bit and then added, "If you have something against this or if you'd like to say something regarding this decision, say it now please."
"What you're essentially suggesting is a border wall?" Chuck arched his brow. "Gee, haven't heard that one before," he said sarcastically.
"Hm... What if Soublade needs me if there's something wrong with the dimensions; is that okay TD?" Blade asked.
Virin then asked TD, "So, that means I can't come and visit this universe or its world with Discord's help again?"
Tempus glanced at his dark personality, and the two seemed to be having a conversation mentally. The Guardian of Time then turned to his Crystal Shard, and the two began talking to each other in muted tones so nobody could hear them. After a few minutes, the unicorn commander of Task Force Omega nodded, and Tempus looked at TD again.
"I can agree with that," he said. "We'll have to tell Chris he can't use his technology to jump between worlds, as well as inform those from my world who can jump between worlds, but otherwise there is nothing I have against it."
"A ban?" Joy asked with some surprise, "It doesn't seem like a bad idea," he said thoughtfully and then asked, "But, is this really the best idea we can come up with?"
"Everyone, slow down please. I can't process all your authors' responses at once..." TD pulled out some paper, read something off it, then looked back to his friends. "In the order that I heard them... Border wall my boot, Chuck; it's a protective field. If Soulblade needs help and it's an emergency, you can override it. No, Discord will not be able to send you back here on his own, Virin. That's good to hear Tempus. And as far as I know Joy, it is the best idea I can come up with."
"Did you consider the possibility that this... essentially quarantining concept will do little more than spread unneeded fear and paranoia of the unknown?" Chuck remarked. "Because in all honesty that's the only thing I can see coming of this."
"Chuck, they were scared of the unknown even before this," TD argued.
"Actually... I'm with him on this one," Red suddenly spoke up, looking very serious; something not seen too often with him. "You can't just lock us up like that. I say, this is a stupid idea and completely absurd."
"At least I can count on Red for thinking with a sense of rationality," Chuck mumbled beneath his breath.
"My world will finally be able to have some peace if we do this!" Tempus snapped. "My world got invaded by villains from another world a while back! This will give us the chance to finally recover from the losses fully. TD, you have my full support on this."
"What if," Virin began, "...there might be another Tournament of Power in my dimension? Can I still be able to enter it for strength and prowess, to test myself against my universe's strongest?"
"Well my home world is still at peace. That's because I use an Anti-Portal Field in my universe." Everyone just stared at Blade. "What?" he asked.
"Virin, if you have a tournament, then you'll have to think of it as a security checkpoint they have to go through. Otherwise, knock yourself out," TD remarked.
"I'm down for it," Diego remarked, then added, "But only because things in Remnant are getting to the point where I have to focus on the problems there for the time being. If it wasn't the case, I'd be against it like there's no tomorrow."
"Thanks... I guess?" TD shrugged. "At least one of my personalities agrees."
"And what if one doesn't?" Red demanded.
"You're entitled to your own opinion, but ultimately the choice is not yours to make," TD remarked. "That much became obvious when I said who's in charge of keeping people in and out of their universes."
Joy took a deep sigh as he thought of his beloved once again, and felt the urge to cry once again, but he kept himself composed for the sake of this meeting. The only thing Joy wanted for now, was to not let his friends, family, or anypony else suffer such tragic deaths as they had suffered during this war. But could this ban really guarantee that such events would not occur in the future? At least, it seemed so.
"I agree," Joy muttered. Virin started to think in deep thought of this decision. If he want to at least enter a new tournament, then he might as well go through with this.
"Alright," he said. "I'll agree to this."
"I do not agree," Chuck said with a stoic expression. "However I do see how little my point of view matters."
"I agree with you William," Phantom said.
"Yeah, that will be good," Blade agreed.
"I don't agree either," Red snarled. "And if you put this up-"
"Not if, Red. When," TD corrected. "And I'm sorry if this interferes with your own dimensional travels, but this isn't about you-"
"I'm not doing this for me!" Red argued. "I'm doing this for others who clearly are not up for this at all!"
"Chuck's vote is not enough to sway my decision," TD stated bluntly.
"THIS IS NOT ABOUT CHUCK!" Red shouted, his voice suddenly amplified. "THIS IS ABOUT PEOPLE WHO WILL NEVER SEE THEIR FRIENDS AGAIN IF YOU DO THIS! AND I'M GOING TO BE THE ONE WHO HAS TO BREAK IT TO A CHANGELING AND HER SPECIAL SOMEPONY THAT THEY MAY NEVER SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN!"
Joy's eyes shot up and he looked towards Red with a thoughtful, yet slightly shocked expression as he realized what he was talking about. Joy now partially regretted agreeing to this without asking or even telling this decision to his son for once.
"Aqua...?" Joy couldn't help but give a slight sob at this, as he rubbed his forehead in distress. "Sunshine... why didn't I...? No... this isn't fair to them."
Even TD now looked a bit doubtful of his decision.
"Yeah, never crossed your minds, did it?" Red snapped. "How some may be torn apart by this thing. But, no. Do your thing, by all means."
"Red..." TD started.
"No no!" Red interrupted. "Keep your little ban for all I care." He then got a steely and defiant glare on his face. "But as of now... you have an inter-dimensional criminal on your hands."
Without another word, Red shot out of the room, despite TD calling for him to come back. When that proved futile, TD looked to his remaining personalities, who were silent for the most part, until Bill spoke up.
"TD, my job is self-explanatory by my title alone: Guardian of Mobius," he stated. "Normally, I'm not supposed to care about the welfare of any other world except for my own. But even I can agree... this. Is. Too. Far. Your ban passes in my world, but let it be known that I may not enforce it."
The fox sighed and jumped down from his seat, and then slowly walked out of the room without another word.
"A tree falls the way it leans. Be careful which way you lean," Chuck said as he stood up. "Fare thee well, William."
With that, he too was gone. TD watched him go, then gave a sigh and placed his face in his hands, not even hearing the others make their own agreements or disagreements.
Oh, who am I kidding? It helps some, but it hinders others, he thought to himself. I may be making the wrong call... but it's all part of a bigger picture. To kill two birds with one stone. Especially since it involves an old friend...
-Flashback-
TD sat in a circle made by many different glyphs and symbols on the floor, each of them glowing red and pulsating with power. They all were of different languages combined: Egyptian hieroglyphics, Elven runes, runes in the Black Speech, Dragon runes, and various other glyphs. The spell he was conducting would be highly restricted and not considered legal, but TD was willing to make that risk. Due to how much power and space he needed, TD had used his chaos magic to alter the interior's size beyond it's normal levels and had now made it big enough to fit several creatures of immense size, such as giants. He was now chanting as the spell went underway. He was so close...
Without any warning, a female voice split the air, sharp and crisp, with an undertone of firmness.
"What are you doing Chaos?"
"Gah!" TD (or Chaos, as he was known then by) fell over on his back, his concentration on the spell being broken. From his position on the floor, he gave her a relieved look.
"Jules! Don't scare me like that," he pleaded. "My poor heart is still recovering from that Land Serpent attack."
Jules crossed her arms over her chest, her emerald-green eyes narrowing at him. She was wearing what she usually wore: jeans, a white T-shirt, white sneakers, and a light blue jacket. Her waist-length brown hair was pulled up in a ponytail today. By her side, her sword hung in it's sheath, the slightest bit of light escaping from where the hilt touched the top; the only indicator of the blade's brilliant radiance when it was drawn.
"I'll ask you again Chaos," Jules said, her voice coming in measured tones that hid her emotions, something she excelled at. "What are you doing?"
"Oh! Working on a new spell," Chaos replied, standing to his feet. "Should it work... I'll be able to jump between worlds with little to no energy consumption. Might come in handy someday."
Jules's eyes narrowed even farther, and one of her hands clenched, before relaxing.
"And why does this spell seem to have such a sinister feeling?" she asked, her voice still hiding what she was feeling.
"Sinister?" Chaos gave her a confused look. "Jules, I just- I thought it'd be neat! You know how much I just love breaking the rules of reality. It's kinda my thing." As he spoke, he broke off a hunk of the floor somehow with one pull, which resealed itself in a flash. He then took a bite of it and smiled. "Mm! Chocolate cake! Want some?"
"Don't try to play dumb with me Chaos," Jules snapped. "I'm the Guardian of Order. I sensed an imbalance between good and evil around here, which is why I came. So, stop trying to avoid my question and answer it."
Chaos gave her a look, then chuckled.
"Isn't it obvious?" he asked. "I'm trying to do a spell, hoping it works, so I can do what I plan to do. Something I should have done with these powers long ago." Red flames appeared in his hand for a moment before snuffing them out with another chuckle. "I always did wonder what it was like to be a villain. They've always had some kind of appeal to me. Better theme songs, brilliant mast plans, ambitious goals... How can ya not like the guys?"
"Because they cause me a whole lot of pain with trying to shift the balance of good and evil," Jules said, her hand instantly dropping to the hilt of her sword as she summoned her armor, which formed around her immediately, the white gold glowing with a soft radiance of white light. "I don't want to fight you Chaos. Consider your next move wisely."
"Fight me, Jules?" Chaos cackled, then gave her a daring look. "You ain't got the nerve to fight me."
Jules didn't answer verbally, instead drawing her sword. The blade's blinding radiance flooded the area around her with white light as she spun it by her side in a tight arc.
"Try me," she finally said, her voice steely and sharp. Chaos's confidence turned to surprise at her remark, then he seemed to sigh in defeat.
"Fine..." he said and walked forwards a few steps, before suddenly smirking and saying, "Prove it!"
A glowing red fist slammed into her and sent her flying through the door, shattering it completely and flinging her into the halls behind it. Jules climbed to her feet, before growling as she charged, seeming to fly across the ground as she covered the distance between her and Chaos, yelling a defiant battle cry as her sword sliced through the air, the blindingly bright blade headed at Chaos's head. Chaos's eyes widened in surprise, barely conjuring up a shield in time to avoid her attack, then expanding it to push her back. Jules knew why he did this though; Chaos had always preferred ranged over physical attacks. Getting in close would eliminate one of his advantages and force him to fight on her turf.
Sadly, Chaos knew this too, and was planning to keep it in his favor for as long as possible. With a cackle, he made a flick with his wrist and the walls around her suddenly shot towards her quickly, attempting to crush her. Jules sighed as with a flick of her wrist the walls returned to their normal locations, Chaos's attack completely negated.
"Typical of you Jules," Chaos chuckled. "Can't let a guy have his fun, can you?"
"Not when you're upsetting the balance," Jules snapped, before she fired a blast of her Guardian power at him, the energy focusing into a spear-like shape as it flew through the air. Chaos chuckled again, clearly enjoying the fight. With a blink of his eyes, the spear disintegrated into nothing and he gave her a taunt.
"Come on then. Show me what you've got," he challenged. "Or shall we continue the game of canceling one another's abilities?"
Jules narrowed her eyes, before her form shone with white light as she turned into her Guardian form, which was a giant white-furred wolf with silver eyes. Her fur shone with power, and with a snarl she fired a blast of her full Guardian power at Chaos. Chaos snarled and fired his own Guardian power at her, transforming into his own part way: a dark dragon creature with red eyes. Their blasts collided midway and created a massive explosion between them, throwing both backwards a few feet. Jules landed on her feet and immediately raced forwards, her silver eyes glowing as she howled, energy swirling through her fur as she started an endless barrage of attacks on Chaos, not holding back anything. Chaos fought back as hard as he could, but it was clear he too was giving it his all. They were just too evenly matched, balanced in power like they should be. As such, the fight was virtually pointless. But he would not give up. Not when he was so close...
"What's going on here?" another female's voice demanded, more timid sounding than Jules's, and they both turned to see three more figures in the room; a female human with purple eyes and a violet flowing dress, a wizened old man with a robe that had several clocks and watches stitched into the patterns, and another male wearing a suit of armor like he was some kind of Medieval knight.
"Rogue Guardian!" Jules yelled as she blocked one of Chaos's attacks, responding with a blast of power.
"Rogue Guardian?" the female, Mercy, was confused. "There's no such thing!"
"It would seem there is now," the elderly one, Time, remarked.
"Forsooth! We must rush to her aid!" the knight, Chivalry, announced. Jules rolled her eyes, before letting out a loud howl as she sent another beam of her full Guardian power at Chaos, hoping to actually do some damage.
Chaos, however, teleported out of the way this time and tried something risky; he appeared right next to her and struck with a glowing red fist. Seeing this, Chivalry started to rush forward.
"Wait!" Time called to him. "Chivalry, stop!"
But the knight paid no heed as he continued forward. Jules blocked the attack and without pausing changed out of her Guardian form and swung her sword, the hilt leading her attack as she smashed it into Chaos's shoulder, before reversing her grip and swinging her sword blade at him. Chaos gave a cry of pain, and as such was too distracted from this to see the sword blade coming. It hit him in his neck and he gasped, gripping at it and pulling it out desperately as blood trickled down. All of the other Guardians stopped in their tracks with horror at what they had seen, including Chivalry. Chaos, however, still had time to taunt her as he fell back on the ground.
"Never... took ya for... a rule-breaker... Jules..." he managed, then seemingly laid back and breathed his last. Jules narrowed her eyes as she flicked the blood off the blade of her sword, which still shone brilliantly.
"Nobody approaches him," she snapped, glancing at the other three Guardians. "I don't believe that one with magic like his could be brought down like that so easily."
Her tone was once again measured, hiding whatever she may have been feeling at the moment.
"Order, what did you do?" Mercy cried. As the Guardian of Mercy, she obviously didn't like killing things, and this shocked her to no end. On top of that, Jules had unintentionally broken one of the most sacred laws of their order: never kill a fellow Guardian. Jules raised her gaze to look Mercy right in the eyes, her emerald green eyes glinting dangerously.
"I did what I had to keep order in balance," she said flatly, sheathing her sword and cutting off its blinding light. "You can hate me for it all you like, I'm just doing my job."
She turned and walked away from Chaos's body, her back to the other three Guardians. As she did, Time got a look in his eyes that warned of danger. He fired a blast of energy at Chaos's body... only to have it disappear in a flash. An evil laugh rang out and they looked around for him.
"I guess... he wasn't dead?" Mercy said with a timid tone.
"He's beyond my sight," Time muttered. "I can't detect where he is, not even with future sight."
Jules drew her sword, glancing around her warily as she used her magic to search for him.
"I can't see him either," she growled, her eyes darting from one place to another. "Everyone be on alert."
The air went unbearably silent, then at last something caught their eye: a beam of power going straight for Mercy. She wasn't the more powerful Guardian, so such a blast would surely kill her. Mercy was frozen with fear and unable to move as it barreled closer. At the last second, however, Chivalry rushed in front of her, and placed up a shield trying to protect her. A noble deed, but he had miscalculated the power Chaos had put into that blast. In just a second, even as the others turned to try and attack Chaos, the beam broke through the shield and stuck Chivalry, enveloping him in light. An unearthly scream came from his body, and when the light cleared all that was left was a charred suit of armor, with nothing inside of it.
"CHIVALRY!" Mercy cried, dropping to her knees and breaking down into tears over the fallen Guardian's remains. Jules let out a growl, before she slammed the end of her sword into the ground, the tip piercing the floor as she sent a shockwave of her Guardian magic searing through the air, formulating it to not effect Mercy or Time, only Chaos. A yelp was heard, but as it rang out, they all suddenly felt something that filled them with dread. Even for everyone else was not a Guardian of Order, they knew what it meant.
"Jules..." Time said to her with a grave tone. "The balance... has shifted..."
"I know," Jules grunted. "I can feel it. And I don't like it!" The last part came out as a scream as she flooded the area around her with her magic, pulling her sword out of the ground as the blade shone with blinding light.
"The balance has shifted?!" Chaos's voice rang out, then with a laugh he appeared before them in a burst of fire. "Yes! YES! It's happened! It's finally happened! Thanks to Chivalry, I am now the strongest being in all of Existence!"
Jules took a heavy breath, before closing her eyes as she began to take deep breaths, calming herself as the power around her began to increase.
"Order I control, and order I embrace," she said calmly, before opening her eyes and releasing a beam of magic at Chaos. Chaos gave a smirk, and then a shield appeared in front of him, blocking her attack and surprisingly holding out against it. No longer was it evenly matched.
"Aw, what's wrong Jules?" Chaos taunted. "Lost your spark?"
Jules narrowed her eyes, before slicing the air with her sword, a flash of light engulfing her. When it cleared, the Guardian of Order was nowhere to be seen. Chaos looked around and chuckled, then started to walk back into his room.
"Chaos!" Time called, but Chaos flicked his wrist and sent the old man flying.
"Not now, Time. I have a date with destiny," Chaos chuckled, then walked back over to his circle of runes and began chanting once more. The air suddenly began to swirl with power right above him, before Jules materialized above him, the Guardian of Order firing a beam of energy from her sword. This attack however, wasn't directed at Chaos, but instead was her entire power concentrated into a beam the width of her sword, directed at the runes composing the circle. Chaos, realizing this, snapped his fingers- or pretended to- and a clone of himself appeared and deflected the blow.
"You can't beat me, Jules," the clone taunted. "I will get what I've wanted for so long. Nameless was right about one thing; chaos is a power I should have taken advantage of long ago!"
Jules frowned, before she landed.
"One day, the balance shall be restored," she said as her sword's blade began to glow. "Until that day, as long as you threaten the order, you shall not defeat me, nor tip the scale in your favor without there being some event that cancels out your victory. Search for me all you like, for you will never find me!"
With that said, she sliced the air with her sword again as a blast of white flames engulfed her. When the fire died down, the only indicator the Guardian of Order had been there was the engraved symbol of a pair of balanced scales on the floor where she had been standing, glowing with white light. Chaos chuckled, as right then the spell was complete, filling him with a newfound energy. His clone disappeared and he tested his power. With little energy consumed by doing so, a portal suddenly appeared, and he gave a laugh.
"It worked!" he grinned, then looked back to where he knew the other Guardians would be arriving soon. "Chaos is no more. From this day forward, all Existence will know me by a different name. I will terrorize all dimensions until I get what I desire." He pondered this. "Say... that's not a bad name... Be prepared, for I am the darkest of days come to blacken the sky, the worst of nightmares to haunt your dreams, and the darkness that will not be extinguished. I. Am. The Terror of Dimensions!"
He gave one last chuckle, and then walked backwards into the portal, having it close behind him as he did, smirking wickedly all the while...
-Present Day, Equestria-
TD sighed sadly as he recollected that terrible day. The day he first became the Terror of Dimensions and betrayed his friends. Especially the one who had trusted him the most.
"I was such a fool..." he whispered with emotion cracking his voice, too low for anyone to hear him. Her voice played itself in his mind over and over again.
"...Search for me all you like, for you will never find me!"
TD looked up at the meeting room where the verdicts and possible arguments were being made still.
"I know you said it's pointless... but I'll keep trying anyways," he said to himself softly. "I WILL find you again, Jules... and when I do, it won't be as an enemy, but as a friend again. A friend in need of forgiveness... and atonement..."
"This is not right," Red angrily said aloud as he sped across the lands of Equestria, not once stopping for a moment's notice. All he wanted was to get as far from TD as he physically could. Red had a few reasons why he was running; it helped to clear his mind, it provided an excuse to explore areas he hadn't explored yet... and it kept him from rushing over to TD and punching him in the face. It wasn't just Aqua and Sunshine that Red was feeling angry about the ban for, but for the worlds that would be affected by it. Red had been created in an environment that, despite even the smallest efforts to make it feel homey, had always been a prison for him. Hearing TD make the decision he did made the artificial hedgehog feel that the chaotic entity had finally succumbed and was turning into the very thing Red had vowed to destroy since he first broke out of the lab he had been trained and engineered in.
He sighed at the thought. He would wait for a while longer before making that decision. Even if he had plans for whenever any of his friends or family ever turned on him, Red always felt guilty keeping it hidden from them or even to think of using it on them, and rightly so. He shouldn't think in such a way about those he trusted, but some twisted broken part of his mind kept that tradition alive from age to age, always making him question his sanity. He knew his mind was broken and would probably remain so for the rest of his life... but how broken was it? How long before it made him become something he was not? Before it destroyed him mentally?
Red's pace slowed to a walk when he heard something up ahead from a forest of some kind, something only his unnaturally high senses could have picked up: a child's cries. He quickened his pace to a jog and entered the forest, following the direction of the cries.
"Hello?" he called out. "Hello?"
The cries stopped, then a small voice answered, "Dad? I- is that you? I'm scared..."
"Just hang tight! I'll come to you!" Red called, heading in the direction of the child's voice. After about a minute, he saw the child in question huddled beneath a tree, and it made him feel all the more confused. The child was a female Kirin foal, something he had never seen before in his life. Her coat was a lovely summer-yellow, her lion-like mane and the end of her tail were a sky-blue color, and her eyes were a vibrant green. She didn't seem to have much of an antler-like horn yet; just a tiny stump barely visible in her mane. The Kirin looked up at him with some amazement and also some fear, so the hedgehog held out his hands in a friendly manner and approached her slowly.
"Easy, little one," he said gently. "I'm not gonna hurt you. What are you doing so far from the Peaks of Perils?"
"I- I can't remember..." the foal answered him timidly. "I- Mommy and Daddy- why did they not come for me? Where are they?"
Red went silent as he pondered this, then subtly tried to read the Kirin's mind. But all he got were some broken and vague memories that didn't give him much information on how she got there. The only thing that did seem clear was that her parents had either died or were well-beyond their reach at this time.
She must be suffering from amnesia, he realized. The poor thing... I can't leave her here like this.
"Hey, don't cry," Red said to her as he knelt before her and wiped some tears away gently. "It's gonna be okay. I'll look after you. I promise."
The Kirin looked up at him with a questioning expression. "You will?"
"Of course," Red nodded. "No one deserves to be left alone, especially you." He then asked, "Why don't you tell me your name, little one?"
"S- Summer Melody," the Kirin answered, managing a small smile. "Do... you have a name?"
Red smiled warmly. "They call me Red. Red the Hedgehog. It's not the best name, but it's one I've grown attached to."
Summer smiled a little wider, then she asked him, "Are... you like my new dad now?"
Red's heart skipped a beat at this notion, even though he knew what his answer was from the start; the decision had been made the moment he knew about her condition.
"Yeah... I guess I am," he replied. The Kirin nodded to imply that she understood, then she gave him a small hug which he gently returned as a familiar feeling welled up inside of him; a feeling he had first felt when Serena had been born.
I think you'll fit right in, little Summer, he thought to himself as he gently lifted her off the ground and held her close as he left the forest at a leisurely walking pace, the Kirin filly nuzzling up close to him in the process. TD may have wanted to keep Red from traveling between worlds, but before he left he'd make sure that someone that deserved some care was given a new home. He may not have been the best of parents, but he could not in good conscience leave Summer out here to fend for herself, and Sonata and Serena both would certainly love the newest addition to their family.
Besides, she clearly didn't have anywhere else to go, and why turn down an opportunity to show an act of kindness to another?
Sunshine stared out from the Canterlot Palace's balcony, looking to the sun out on the horizon. With a glow from her horn, the sun slowly set below the horizon and made way for her Aunt Luna's stars and moon. It was a beautiful sight as always, but it also was a painful reminder to her about what tomorrow would bring; the start of the goodbyes. Aqua would have to return to his own world, and she could not follow. She had her mother's responsibility now, and when she came of age, she'd have the royal duties too. Plus, both were still too young to try and stay in the other's world, unlike Mortem and Sunny who were both old enough to make that decision themselves. It made the Changeling lower her head in disappointment as she reentered the throne room and climbed up onto one of the walls until she was on the ceiling, not really caring where she was at the moment.
Red had dropped the bomb on her and Aqua unexpectedly that afternoon before rushing off to cool off, and needless to say it broke their hearts. Sunshine especially felt sorrowful over this detail, for she knew that it would have happened sooner or later anyways. She could not abandon her world now that Celestia was gone; Equestria still needed a Solar Princess, and like it or not she had to stay and play her part when the time came. In that regard, she could forgive her uncle TD, and perhaps she still could in time; but for now, all she felt was some anger and disbelief in his choice.
Sunshine's mind fell back to some of the short, but beautiful moments she and Aqua had shared during their time together, then to the realization that it was all being taken from them just as quickly as they had found it. And unlike Aqua's big sister Sunny or Tempus's son Mortem, she wouldn't be able to follow him; she'd have to wait for however long it took for the ban to be lifted, and for all she knew it would stay up well past her lifetime. The thought made her eight eyes fill with tears.
And in the quietness of the throne room, the Changeling wept over the unfairness dealt to her and her lover by the universe.
Meanwhile...
"It's not fair..." Aqua sobbed as he was heading towards the throne room. "Mommy... passed away, and now- now I have to leave her too... It's so not fair..."
When he entered the now-darkened room, he could hear almost silent sniffles of sadness from above his head, towards the ceiling. As if to confirm what he was hearing, a few drops of water- no, tears- splashed on his head and the end of his muzzle from above as a quiet sob was heard right after. Looking above towards the ceiling he noticed a little bit of light shining off from a rainbow colored figure. Aqua didn't need to look twice to recognize her. A sob escaped his breath as he called to her.
"Sunshine...?"
The sobs momentarily ceased and eight red glowing orbs suddenly appeared as Sunshine looked down at him, slowly turning her head at a 180 to get a better look. For most, a bit of a disturbing scene, but for the two of them their own current state of sorrow didn't allow for any such thought to ring in their heads.
"Aqua..." she answered, then he heard another tear hit the floor beside him.
"Sunshine... you're crying?" Aqua asked and couldn't help but sob himself as well.
"It- it's just not fair!" she remarked tearfully. "Tomorrow you have to go back home to your world and... I have to stay behind! It's not fair!"
"I know that it's not fair..." Aqua let himself cry without holding back. "I... don't wanna return, and leave you..."
"And I don't want... to stay and let you go..." Sunshine bawled, her tears now falling a little faster this time.
"Sunshine..." Aqua sobbed. "Can you... come down from the ceiling... so I could see you more clearly...?"
Sunshine gave a nod as her head turned until it was back on straight and she walked down to where the wall met the ceiling and walked down it until she was almost at floor level while still on the wall itself. Her eyes turned to him, all eight focused on the unicorn before her. Aqua trotted towards her and sobbed once again as he made a sad squeal.
"I'm gonna miss you, Sunshine..." he said. She finally climbed off the wall and gave him a big hug.
"And I'm gonna miss you too Aqua... so very much..." she told him, feeling an almost inaudible hum escape her as if triggered by the hug itself.
"I'm gonna miss looking at your lovely face... feeling your beautiful hums,... and I'm gonna miss waiting for time to raise the sun so I could sit beside you... I'm gonna miss you badly... after all you're such a friend I never had before..." Aqua let out whatever came to his mind right then as he hugged Sunshine even more tightly.
"I'll miss the sound of your voice... the kindness you've shown to me... and simply being a companion to me during this time," she cried, hugging him back just as tightly. "You're the best friend I could have ever asked for... and more than that... I'm gonna miss you every second you're away..."
"I don't even know how I will hold myself together... when you're away, I- I've never felt so weak... and helpless before..." Aqua cried in response. The Changeling seemed unable to reply for the moment, as she started to cry some more. Sunshine was feeling both their sorrow and pain flowing through them like a dam that had burst apart and was overwhelming them with emotion. As such, she could not find any words to speak. Aqua just continued to sob as well then without saying a word. This was really a moment of intense sadness for them, and none of them wanted to let go of each other from the embrace in which they felt the comfort, care, and love for each other altogether. Eventually, the sobs soon subsided as they ran out of tears to cry, but still they refused to let go of each other even then.
"Aqua..." Sunshine began. "Can you promise me something?"
"Yes, anything..." Aqua replied as he ceased to sob for a moment. "If you ask, I'll even stay here... no matter what my dad says..."
"Then... promise me that no matter how long it takes... you'll wait for me..." she pleaded. "I promise I will do the same. Can you promise me that?"
Aqua was paused for a slight moment... before he raised his hoof and placed this on his chest, as he began to do a gesture that was very familiar to both of them.
"Cross my heart... hope to fly... stick a cupcake in my eye."
Sunshine managed a small smile, then repeated the gesture as she made the promise herself. "I promise the same. Cross my heart and hope to fly... stick a cupcake in my eye."
Aqua smiled slightly as well, and stared into her eyes once more as he brought himself closer to her for an affectionate nuzzle. Sunshine returned the nuzzling, her purr-like humming sounding off when she did, as she once more felt their love shared between them and the comfort of being close to the one she loved with all her heart. Aqua then brought himself even closer as he raised his muzzle slightly to change that nuzzle into an affectionate kiss. Sunshine returned his kiss hungrily, which was fitting for a creature that fed off love, but it was also out of a sense of trying to have as much of him as she could get while their moment still lasted. She wanted to prolong this for as long as she could, savoring it for as long as it could possibly last.
Aqua didn't want this to end either; if anything he deepened the kiss even more... as for one last time, he wanted to spend these moments as close to her as possible. They were so close to each other, both could practically hear their heartbeats together as well as feel them, each beating in rhythm with the other just as Sunshine's hums were in rhythm with the two of them during their moment of passion. Like two parts of one whole, made for each other. The words from all the languages in the world wouldn't be enough to describe how they were feeling right then. This was something one could only feel in such moments, but could not express in words. But neither of them needed any fancy words at the moment to describe how they were feeling right at that moment.
It was only when the need for air became too much to ignore that they finally pulled away, taking a few breaths while still staring into each other's eyes. It took some time before their breaths returned to their normal rate again. They could see the blushes on each other's muzzles, and they were still close enough to feel each other's breath and heart beat, still in a rhythm with Sunshine's blissful humming sounds. Sunshine was the first to return to the kiss, this time with a deeper passion than before as her hums started to come a little faster than before. Aqua welcomed this rather quickly and returned the kiss with equal passion and affection, letting himself lost once again in the sweetness of her hums and the comfort of their embrace. Eventually, after what seemed to be an eternity for them, they finally pulled apart once more, albeit reluctantly as they continued to keep within their embrace.
"Everypony's going to sleep now it seems," Sunshine remarked, one of her eyes looking to the night sky outside as she spoke.
"Mmhmm," Aqua gave a nod as a small yawn escaped his breath. Sunshine looked back to him.
"You know... you could sleep with me," she said, then added hastily, "Not in that way, but... we could snuggle."
Even the mention of that seemed to make her blush. Aqua looked at her for a second before giggling in somewhat understanding.
"Sure..." He said, tilting his head to the side. Sunshine giggled herself, then released him as she started trotting towards one of the doors.
"Come on, my room's this way," she said, leading the way.
"Alright..." Aqua said as he trotted right after her. She led him through some of the halls to a room that was close to Celestia's old room. The interiors were, surprisingly, not as lavish as one would expect from royalty; save for the large bed and its blankets, everything else in Sunshine's room looked... normal. The Changeling evidently didn't care too much for decorations, which was somewhat understandable for her kind. A smile came upon Aqua's face as he looked around in the room. There was something which he liked about this room. Then another yawn was made by him as he smiled slightly, indicating that he was more sleepy than he realized.
"Come on sleepyhead," Sunshine chuckled as she climbed into the bed herself. "Let's put you to bed."
Aqua gave a small giggle as he heard this and passed her a nod.
"Right," he said and climbed into bed beside her. Sunshine snuggled up close to him and a yawn of her own escaped her, followed by a low and soft humming sound.
"Goodnight... my special somepony..." she whispered as she started nuzzling him while already half-asleep.
"Goodnight to you too... my special somepony..." Aqua whispered in reply as he nuzzled her back in same half-asleep manner. It wasn't long before the two of them were fully asleep, snuggled closely to each other throughout the entire night. Sunshine's hums could still be herd long after she was asleep, purring in rhythm with their snores.
The reason I was even able to get this in as soon as I did is because we managed to get more than halfway on the chapter, but then things crawled almost to a still due to the holidays and all the other stuff. But I keep rolling along! I will not give up, my friends!
Thanks for reading this far! I hope you enjoyed it! Stay tuned; you never know when I may post again!