This is a Christmas one-shot for Sarstar98, featuring three of her characters! The first half of this was initially posted as her fic, "Family from Another Life," but I decided to merge both of ours into one so other readers won't have to change sites. This also takes place the year before most of the other Third Gen events take place.
Around this time of year, across many worlds, would be a time for families and friends to gather around in celebration of a very special day. Though not all adhere to the more religious aspects of the holiday, many people from different walks of life still come together to engage in the festiveness of the occasion. Hearty and filling dinners would be eaten, gifts to be given amongst loved ones, beautiful decorations to be admired, and a joyous round of social bonding to be had for all. Truly, a happy period amongst the general populace. Including those not of 'average' backgrounds, but a rather more unique quality.
Sapphirlynas Palace
"Astere, could you come give me a hand?" Dimentia spoke loudly, a monochrome-colored woman with long jeweled hair and a pair of golden feathers on the sides of her head. Her eyes were purple, though her left sclera was yellow in color. She was dressed in a purple and white gown, gold trimming, and glowing display of spatial imagery patterned across the fabric along with matching earrings. On her head was a purple gem with purple and white feathers, pinned on the front left side of her head. "And please, put that book away."
"Okay, Mom." The young voice of a girl responded. She was seated on a plush sofa with a pile of books on a nearby table. She had monochrome hair like her mother in two long twin tails with her own head feathers, but her father's light-peach skin tone. The girl wore a white and purple dress as well, only it cut off at her knees, and showed off a pair of purple kitten heels. Asterellite closed the book she was holding, and placed it on top of the others beside her. She then briskly walked to her mother.
The main hall they were in was decorated with many festive Christmas ornaments. The sofas were fluffed up for the guests that would be arriving. A few tables had been set up with delicious looking food; some were savory while the majority had been an array of sweets and treats. Amongst them were a few bowls of punch, though none would have any inebriating effects for the sake of the kids. Those kinds of drinks would be held for later.
"I just need you to help me hang all these decorations." Dimentia gestured to some star-shaped lights and ribbons. They both waved their hands as they brimmed with purple energy: the decorations were warped and reappeared along the ceiling and upper walls. Some ribbons and tree accessories were also cleared by them, before settling neatly on a nearby Christmas tree. "That should be everything." Her mother smiled.
Astere proceeded to walk back to her books, only for her to be halted by a hand placed on her shoulder.
"Not so fast, young lady." The monochrome woman halted her. "When I said 'take a break,' I meant doing something fun."
"But, reading can be fun, too." The girl said, turning meekly towards her mother.
"Yeah, reading. But not things like textbooks, or mystic manuals." Dimentia shook her head. "I know studying is important, but taking breaks and having some fun is good for you, too. Why not try reading some storybooks, or maybe go out and play with your brothers more often?"
"Mmm, but then I'd just end up getting into a lot of trouble like they do." Astere puffed her cheeks. "And I doubt being yelled at would be fun."
"Heh, that's true." Dimentia glanced off to the side, her head feathers, Plumuxas, drooped slightly. "But, it's not like they're always causing problems." She then squatted down to her level. "You should see how well they do in team sports, or even when they're competing in any singles competitions. If it weren't for the blue, I'd have thought they were from the Power group."
"Even still, I'm not really up for all that competitive stuff."
"Then you can just… hang out?" Dimentia suggested. "Doesn't have to be anything sporty, like having a conversation or maybe even sharing some of that knowledge you've been working up. That could be fun, too, and you might even find some friends who'll share your interests along the way."
"I guess, maybe someday." Astere said, though not that convincingly. "But not right now."
"Okay… then how about just the storybooks then?"
"I'm not so sure." The girl pondered out loud. "I don't really get what's so enjoyable about them."
"Oh?" Dimentia asked.
"Well, how do I put this?" Astere put a hand on her chin. "I just don't wanna care about them, I'd rather read something useful or informative. Something that I can learn, and then make something productive out of it."
"Hmm, well I can't fault you for that." Dimentia sighed. "Maybe it's because, we might have different opinions on what we might find fun. But, I just can't help worrying that you might end up spending too much time buried in those books." She then stood up and huffed. "Sometimes, I think you take too much after your dad."
"And that's a bad thing?"
A hand pinched her cheek teasingly, its owner belonged to a blue eyed man. His blue gem hair was long and tied at the back, on his head were a pair of Plumuxas. His outfit consisted of a white and blue uniform, with gold trim, and a regal cape.
"Aah, Plex! I'm sorry!" Dimentia panicked at the action. The man let go of her, whilst the woman rubbed her pinched cheek with a playfully puffed look. "Hmm, alright then, you can go back to reading." She said to Astere. The latter hurried back to continue her reading while Dimentia turned her attention to Plex. "But still, you know what I mean. Can you gladly say that you've had fun sitting at that desk for days?"
"Admittedly, I can't say that I have. But why worry about that now? I thought you usually let your kids make their own choices?"
"Only when it came to the KND, and even then they already had a good handle on life that I didn't need to wonder if they could live well." Dimentia put her hands on her hips. "I mean, they already had a group of their own friends from kindergarten, and even each other. But Astere, well, I hardly ever see her speak with her brothers, let alone having anyone outside of the family to spend time with. I guess the only plus side is that she isn't doing Druri or Xanxi's homework, anymore." She sighed. "You'd think I'd already have plenty of experience. But it just goes to show that, even after a million-and-a-half years, you'd still never be prepared for every outcome." She rubbed her head tiredly.
"At least you have experience. I'm still trying to figure out how to handle all of this." Plex said. "I am proud that she's taken such innovative steps in her studies. But, perhaps I was too forward in teaching her how valuable an education was."
"Maybe, but I think you did the best you could." Dimentia placed a hand on his shoulder in comfort. "After how much those boys liked skipping out on class (and all the complaints from their teachers), I can't really blame you for wanting Astere to be more responsible."
"Still, I wish I could've understood all this parental teaching a lot more." Plex sighed, placing his own hand on Dimentia's in acceptance.
"Heh, well, it isn't exactly something you'd be able to learn from a book." Dimentia chuckled. "No matter how highly they rate it for a bestseller."
"Hehe, if anything, I guess I can understand now how my parents felt about me."
"Yeah… I remember how she used to make such lovely trinkets." Dimentia reminisced.
Several years ago
In Plex's office, Dimentia had taken it upon herself to clear away some of the paper stacks that had accumulated. There had been a recent rush of reports that needed signing, a portion of which needed to be delivered in-person on Plex's part. His wife had been more than happy to help out, especially given that it gave her something to do during the more quiet periods with the Phoenios.
However, silent times like these had also allowed her mind to sometimes wander back to her previous life in the Gameverse. Particularly, because she once had to deal with similar paper-sorting, when she was once a principal at the Galaxia Elementary School. It was then that thoughts like these would eventually drift to her former family.
Her actions slowed a tad, whilst she couldn't help but think about how her children were faring in life currently. All the milestones in life that she couldn't be there for.
Their own graduations.
Eventually starting their own families.
And any get-togethers they would be having alongside other friends and family.
It was then that she heard the doors open slightly. Dimentia turned towards them and expected Plex to walk through. But instead, it was a 5-year-old Astere, who peeped in.
"Oh sweetie!" Dimentia brightened up, her disheartened state already cleared up for her. "What brings you all the way here?"
"Umm…I wanted to give you something." Astere walked up to her mother, something shiny cupped in her hands.
"Oh? What is it?" Dimentia squatted down to her eye-level.
"It's something to make you feel happy!" Astere opened her hands, which revealed a bright purple gem. She then placed the gift into her mother's hands, which were extended to receive it. "I know sometimes, you get sad when you're alone. So, I made this myself, using the magic that I learned, so don't be sad, Mommy!"
Dimentia looked at the gem, its smooth surface was already a welcomed feeling on her palm. As she held it longer, she felt a kind of soothing sensation that calmed her mind. Though it couldn't immediately wipe away all her inner pain, it at least gave her mind a sense of peace. "It's amazing, Astere, I love it. Thank you so much." She gave her a loving pat on her head, then hugged her warmly. She may not be able to enjoy the happiness that she could've had with her previous family, but she'd absolutely be there for her current one.
"Yay!" Her daughter gave a joyous smile and hugged her back.
Present
"She'd often spend such long hours making those things, and then I'd help make them all into more wearable jewelry, just so we'd be able to carry them around more easily." Dimentia mused. "Even if most of them have lost their powers, I still wanna keep them all safe."
"Me, too." Plex agreed as he brought both their hands into a hold.
The two were silent for a bit, until Dimentia perked up once more.
"Anyway! Maybe things will turn around soon, we've got that trip coming in and it could be what she needs." Dimentia said enthusiastically. "This'll be a great experience, her first time outside of just the Spirit World!"
"I only hope her first visit with Nebula and the others will help her out." Plex said. "I'm worried since I won't be able to join them for the introductions. Especially with Druri and Xanxi's tendency to start ditching their escort, every chance they get."
"Well, Astere is more responsible than they are. So, I'm sure she'd be able to keep things together, plus I'm sure they wouldn't leave her behind either."
"Hm, true." Plex smiled assuredly.
But it wasn't maintained for long, when he spotted said boys, who appeared to be making illusionary treats for the nearby refreshments table. One had white-blue hair whilst the other had black-blue hair, both had Plumuxas and almost shoulder-length hair. They were both wearing similar clothes as their father, though in a mirrored fashion. They soon stopped, as they noticed their parents who stared back at them.
"Looks like we gotta split!" Xanxi, the black-blue twin, said to his brother.
"Evasive split maneuver!" Druri, the white-blue twin, exclaimed.
They both seemed to split into different clones of each other, and ran about through the different exits of the hall. Some had even run circles around their parents, long enough to confuse them for the real twins to make their escape.
"Speaking of responsibility…" Plex sighed.
"Don't worry, I've got this." Dimentia readied herself. "No matter how far they get, I'll always find them." She then warped away to wherever they hid.
"Heh, some things never change." Plex chuckled to himself, as he prepared to dispel his sons' illusions.
Star Haven, an hour later
Whenever Christmas was held on Star Haven, the Star Children would hold a contest to find the best decorations to add to the great Star Tree that would grow during that month. The winner of the contest would become the star that tops the tree. The trunk grew out from the bottom of the island and would stretch and curve out to grow behind the island.
"And when Christmas is over, the tree naturally dissolves into stardust." April Goldenweek said as she and her son painted the tree. She wore a sweater depicting a snowy night. "And the Star Kids have to bring those items back where they found them."
"Sounds like a real chore." Gabriel replied.
"It is."
"Looks like His Highness is here." April's husband, Jerome acknowledged. "Nebula said he was bringing some special guests along."
"I just hope the house doesn't get too noisy." Gabriel said.
Ordinarily, a black-colored, white-boned carriage would signal the arrival of the Demon King, lit with a spirit flame and skeleton horse. But to celebrate the holiday, the carriage was green with candycane, a menorah on top, and drawn by skeletal reindeer. "Kid knows the menorah isn't part of Christmas, right?" Jerome asked.
"Yeah, but why do you think he chose it?"
"They're here, Star!" they heard the woman of the house call. "Let's go meet them!"
It wasn't often Star Winkiebottom got to see his father, so he wasn't especially close. He was almost growing indifferent about seeing him in general. As the carriage landed and turned its side, they could only expect the black-robed Demon King to calmly-
"HEY!" Two boys with shiny hair suddenly POOFED on Nebula's sides! One had black skin and the other white, with matching superhero tights, which were white with blue boots and capes. Their hair was half-blue, with the other half matching their skin tone. "You must be Aunt Nebula!" the black one said.
"Or is it Cousin Nebula?" followed the white.
"'Guess that means this kid's our nephew!" They faced Star.
"Young man, you better listen to us or no treats for you."
"AH! Mom, who the heck are these two?!"
"I-I dunno!" Nebula answered, taken aback by their sudden introduction. "But that hair looks like…"
"I'm Xanxillisite, and I look a sight!" the black one posed.
"And I'm Drurillirite, ain't that right?" the white posed.
"Together, we blast off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or you're in for a fight!"
"Didn't you two promise to behave yourselves?!" Death the Kid stomped off the carriage in a less calm manner than he planned.
"That was an illusion!" Xanxi cheered.
"Our mouths never moved!"
"Heck, maybe they aren't moving now!"
"Maybe we're over there!"
And with that, the twins disappeared and reappeared holding Gabriel up. "Look at this big ol' dolly!"
"Is this popular on Zathura?"
"Hey, here are even bigger ones!" Druri slid between April and Jerome. "Ooo, this one's real pretty!" He looked April over and rubbed along her stocking. "What's it made of?"
"Flesh, bone, and blood." April answered. "Like my son here."
"I knew we should've gone to Uncle Gary's!" Gabriel shouted.
"Uh…mind explaining, Kid?"
"Right!" Kid perked up with a tiny smile while frustration lingered in his eyes. "Star, I'd like you to meet the spirits of your ancient ancestor-cousins!"
"Aaaaaaahh, I get ya." Nebula replied, not quite over the suddenness.
"I guess Gabriel and I won't be drawing together…" Star sighed. "…? There's another one?"
A younger girl stepped out of the carriage. She had monochrome hair, peach-colored skin, and a white dress and boots with gold edges. She also had purple hanging streamers with diamond-shaped ornaments on their tips, matching her purple eyes. "And this young lady is Asterellite." Kid said. "Perhaps you'll find her pleasant company."
"Hey there, Astere!" Nebula greeted. "It's good to meet you!"
"You, too." Astere smiled. "You're a pretty as Mom said you were."
"Aww, it's nice of my ancient great-grandma to be so fond of me! Your brothers seem fun!"
"I hope you're being ironic."
"Fun in short periods of time!"
"Hey, Auntie-Cousin-Granddaughter Nebula!" Xanxi called from atop the house's roof. "You got anything fun to do around here?"
"Chasing these little things is pretty fun!" Druri flew like a superhero and chased the Star Kids.
"We have the whole island to ourselves, so feel free to go nuts!" Nebula said.
"TREE CLIMBING IT IS!"
The Star Children would then play a new game: catching the ornaments as they were shaken off the tree from the twins' reckless playing.
Fortunately, the Star Kids kept the twins busy outside, leaving things more relaxing in Nebula's house. While dinner was on the verge of finishing, Star and Gabriel practiced drawing Hyrulean races. "Check this one." Star showed his sketchbook. "Heard that shaman Gorons tattooed their bodies like this."
"Cool!"
"Nebula, I brought your favorites~" Kid uncovered a plate with a pyramid of semlas.
"Ahhhh, symmetrical semla!" Nebula pecked him with a kiss of gratitude. "I suppose we'll have to eat them in exactly the right way?"
"No, nonsense! …Though it would bring out their flavor… better…"
"Oh, the true flavor lies in the frosting!"
"So, how are things at home, Kid?" Jerome asked. "(Or should we call you Man…)"
"We've been facing some concerns." Kid answered. "Some of the Demon Lords have closed off their territories, and we fear they're up to something. I should inform you guys that, next November, the Day of the Demon will take place again."
"Wasn't that the day when Malladus's forces attacked?" Nebula asked.
"There's going to be a strong Blood Moon that will weaken the barrier between the Mortal and Underworlds… and we suspect the Demon Lords will take advantage of it."
"You should tell that to Star."
"Mmm…he's enjoying himself now." Kid looked over. "It can wait until after dinner."
April treated herself to a pre-dinner cracker, delighted to see her son and nephew drawing peaceably. However, the girl occupying the chair across the room seemed lonely with her eyes in her book. Curious, April approached to examine the book's title: Battle Strategies of Omniverse Age 7. "Oh, is that a fantasy?"
"Hm?" Astere looked up at her aunt. "No, it's a history textbook."
"Every fantasy starts off as history!" April reasoned, smiling smartly. "Mind if I have a look?"
"Sure, I guess."
Astere handed April the book, the woman skimming the open pages. It described part of a battle between alien-sounding cultures. April didn't quite get the technical details, but as she flipped back a couple of pages, she grew fascinated by the depictions of these species. "Hey, Jerome! Can you come here and make a Space Block?"
"A Block?" Jerome approached. "What for?"
"Just make a long wall from here to here."
Jerome shrugged and made a wall that touched the walls to Astere's sides. With her paint supplies ready, April proceeded to give life to her own vision of the described battle, crafting a detailed, colorful, and fantastical amassing of the aliens and their weapons. "Um, that isn't accurate…" Astere said, her mind becoming mesmerized by the hypnotic mural. "They didn't… use those… weapons…" Yet, she slowly forsook the error and began to actually think she were present there. Aliens hacking, slashing, and shooting all around her in an epic fantasy war.
"I used my imagination to fill in the gaps." April tapped her head.
"Boy, Gabe." Star gazed in awe, growing hypnotized himself. "Your mom's still got it."
"Yeah, it's a given."
"Let's see what else we can find in here." April flipped through the book. "I'd kind of like to draw more than battle scenes…oh! This is something." There was an image of a stone twister being drilled into a planet. "Let's go outside and paint it. Boys, help me with the gravity."
Jerome created a wide and tall Space Block, and the boys helped connect April to it with gravitybending. She painted the side of the planet in the book at the bottom of the wall, then painted a perspective of them gazing up at the drill. "That drill is a powerful weapon…" Astere moaned, "that was used to destroy…" Yet, April didn't paint it as a devastating weapon, but a majestic, surreal, towering mountain that could have marvelous wonders at its peak. Astere felt the urge to climb it and… "Ahem, this weapon killed billions of-"
"But it was stopped and became an extension of the planet!" Nebula interrupted. "Millenia passed and everyone forgot its origin! So, it became a marvel of mystery~"
That wasn't true, Astere wanted to say… but somehow, she couldn't get her mind off such an idea. The art was meant to convey a feeling of wonder, not despair… and such intention hypnotized the viewers with that feeling.
"I hate to interrupt this art show," Kid said, "but the food's ready. Shall we head back inside?"
"Nah, let's just eat out here!" Nebula decided. "It's not like it's cold out, anyway."
"Yeah, it's like we're camping out under Death Drill Mountain!" Gabriel said.
"And it's just across from the Great Clown Tree." Star looked over in disbelief.
Having knocked down all the decorations, Xanxi and Druri had redecorated the Christmas Tree into a circus, with small illusory dolls of the Daemonis putting on performances with zany clown faces. Varcrutis was acting like a dolphin with fish being tossed in her mouth, Cellensriole was pedaling a rotating unicycle and juggling balls, and Certae was cartwheeling on a tightrope. "Waaaaahhh!" the Star Children cried. "They ruined our treeeeee!"
"We're the stars tonight, baby!" The twins sat on a rotating, monochrome star that topped the tree.
"Whaddya think that drill's digging for, Xanxi?"
"It's drillin' into that planet's noggin, that's what!"
"Star, you mind helping me with some art of my own?" Gabriel asked.
"Yeah, I think it's time we settled those two down."
…
Dimentia was joyed to see such a look on her daughter. Astere had never looked so enthralled, even when researching art books. "I suppose if nothing else can get her out of the books, it's hypnosis." Plex figured.
"Is it, though?" Dimentia grinned. "Or maybe her sense of wonder is finally awakening."
"Miss Goldenweek has always had impressive hypnosis…"
"Well, it's the right kind of hypnosis! When they get back, let's take them on another trip. Maybe now she'll feel like looking up."
"Got anywhere in mind?"
"I'll think of something. …Hm hm! And we might have a solution for those two, too."
"I told you we already passed by that clown house!" Xanxi yelled.
"It's a different clown house! Look, the eye is slightly more closed, I swear it is!"
"It's the SAME eye, that's the SAME house, and that's the same smashed Whoopee cushion beside it!"
"Fine, then let's head past that nostril cave." Druri pointed at a giant nose. "Pretty sure there's a secret path beside it."
"Good an idea as any." Xanxi followed that path. "We can't really go in there without a tissue-"
"BUUUUURRRP." Upon passing the nostril, a giant soda can shot out from the secret path and burped in his face.
"AH, BLOOMIN' BROCCOLI! That's it, I'm askin' directions from the kitty crackhouse!"
"No! I'm tellin' ya they're gonna shake you for arm hair! We ain't old enough for arm hair, dummy!"
"Then YOU tell me what we should do!"
Leaving them secluded inside the painted Space Block, the rest of the family enjoyed Christmas dinner under April's mural, and the Star Kids were able to rebuild their tree. "That's quite the imagination you have, son." Jerome said.
"It takes too many brain cells to use it too much."
"You mind if we take that box with us?" Astere asked.
"All yours if you can carry it." Gabriel agreed.
"Hey, Astere." Nebula spoke, smiling at her half-sister. "Thanks for coming. I bet your mom was real happy to have you guys."
"Mom seems to hold you and Jerome in higher regard. She talks a lot about you two, and she's shown me your feats. When she wanted us to come here… I wasn't very excited, to be honest. I get the impression that she wants us to be like you…"
"Don't be silly. You're the newest members of our family. She wanted us to meet so we could get along, I'm sure of it."
"It's flattering that your mother thinks so highly of us," Jerome followed, "but I feel that you're misinterpreting her intent. Your mother wants you to make the right decisions, but I highly doubt she wants you to mirror us to the detail. So long as you become good people in your own rites, Mom—I mean, your mother will be proud."
"Hmmm…" Astere had no doubt in his words… but she remembered the talk she and her mother had before coming here. Learn to take breaks… have some fun… Maybe she should learn to do these things to make her mom proud. "Astere faced up once more at April's mural. "But beyond that… this visit was quite fascinating and unexpected."
"Hmhmhm!" April giggled. "If you have any more books, feel free to visit me sometime. My husband and I live down in the Philippines. Drop by if you're a fan of my art~"
"Yes… I just may."
"You ever feel like you're totally missing out on a bunch of context?" Star wondered.
"It's not like we studied everything about our parents' history." Gabriel reasoned.
"Boys, shouldn't you bring Xanxi and Druri their food?" Nebula wondered.
"Sigh…yes, Mom/Aunt Nebula." And so, the boys hesitantly warped to brave the nonsense of the Goofy Box.