.
Disclaimer: we're in the fanfiction Endgame now.
Chapter 36
The Concept of Time : Chronos
versus
The Universal Child of Destiny : Hestia Diaz
XxXxXxXxX
Hestia gazed upon her.
The Concept of Time: Chronos.
A being of unimaginable power.
And her aunt.
Chronos looked at her for a moment, as if trying to decipher who she was.
Hestia merely waited, knowing Time would sync with the Concept eventually.
Bits of it already caught up, especially since she called her niece.
So there is no reason to bring her up to speed.
She would do it herself anyways, all their previous conversations would be tallied...
Hestia calmly waited as she circled her, she felt strands of her now black silky hair picked up and dropped, she could hear the Concept's discontent.
Chronos stood before her again.
Gazing down on the smaller female.
/You're...Hestia...yes, I did call you 'niece'. Strange. Very strange./
The Concept muttered to herself, looking a bit thoughtful.
Hestia slowly closed her eyes at the utterance.
How many times did she hear that as a child?
Countless of times and not just to her, her Sisters as well...
No malice, no sarcasm, just love.
Always.
Her fearsome oranges eyes revealed itself.
"Don't go calling me that." Hestia said flatly.
The Concept raised a brow.
"You lost that privilege; as you can recall!" she hissed.
The Concept blinked at the sudden change in demeanor.
/?/
"Don't play games with me: I know you can. You've told me ages ago." Hestia said coldly.
Chronos blinked.
Seemingly her head began to violently thrash on her shoulder, afterimage superimposed on afterimages.
Then it stopped.
Hestia stiffens, knowing very well this Chronos was different from the one a moment ago.
She glanced over to Musica who still gazed upon the sky.
Uncaring.
Hestia watched as Chronos raise her head slowly, hair parting from her face.
Her impassive face.
She wasn't fooled though: that was Auntie Chronos's patented pissed off face.
/I see. You've been busy. Well, you and your siblings./
Chronos looked at Hestia, waiting for a response.
She stubbornly stayed silent.
/And you must know the rules too. That Chronos told you. Technically: I TOLD YOU./
"I haven't forgotten—Auntie Chronos." Hestia emphasis the last part snidely.
/And you lost the privilege to call me that./
Concept of Time and Time Cop glared coldly at each other.
The former lifting her chin slightly, to give the infamous 'Pathetic' atmosphere.
/You shouldn't be here in the first place, Hestia./
"Aha! That's rich!" Hestia sneered, "I've entered Timelines—"
/When you shouldn't have./ Chronos snapped, Hestia scowled, /I've told you countless times to NOT meddle. The Fates of those in the Timeline isn't your business. I do no care for your reason nor your feelings on the matter. And stop calling yourself a 'Time Cop', what is that even suppose to mean? You don't even follow the 'law'! If anything you break it more than those you deem as 'criminals'!/
Hestia brought herself to full height which wasn't much but all the same she glared at the Concept.
"You don't fool me. No matter how cold you say it, I know—"
/How dare you./
Hestia hesitated sensing the change in tone from Chronos.
The Concept clenched her fists, her scowl deep on her face.
/We've had this conversation countless of times./ Chronos jabbed a finger on Hestia's chest, her eyes traveling to her now black hair, she shook head, tossing her voluminous hair.
/When will it get through your thick skull that the more you interfere the more you goad Fate to strike you down./
"I don't care—"
/I CARE!/ Chronos yelled at her, Hestia's eyes widen as the Concept's hair bristle as her eyes radiated with such brilliance and tears. The Concept looked angrily at her, Hestia pursed her lips at the declaration, hating the fact how guilty she felt whenever the two talked now, unlike before in her childhood.
/Hestia, what are you trying to do breaking into other Timelines? It is not your place to do so!/
"Who will repair the damage that Mother and Father caused from their bickering?"
Chronos looked at her gravely,
/What's done is done./
"I can't accept that! I will not! That is a stain on my family's honor! I don't care how long it takes, I will not have countless lives lost when I could have prevented it!"
Chronos closed her eyes and quietly shook her head,
/It's Fate, Hestia...let it go./
Hestia's face contorted with rage, her long hair catching fire,
"I. WILL. NOT. You saw what happened...my world, my timeline would have been destroyed if Father didn't come and save me. I will not let my other selves and siblings die screaming at the face of oblivion, not knowing why. I resent that. I hate that. No one should be subjugated to it."
The Concept eyed her softly, Hestia stood rigid at her words.
/...you're too kind for your own good, Hestia…
That is why I can never trust you to do what must be done./
"Would you have let my Timeline perish." She demanded.
Chronos looked her dead in the eye.
/You don't want to hear the answer, niece./
"..."
Hestia glared, straight back and proud; just like her father.
The Concept regarded her softly.
Her eyes flick to Marco, his eyes looking still at Hestia, still oblivious to what she would have told her...
/I am warning you: do not interfere./
"You can't stop me."
/Oh. Is that a fact?/
"Indeed..."
Hestia called forth her sword, while Chronos merely walked away from the still beings, only Musica was unaffected by it.
The Parallel Traitor's Sword gleamed hungrily, the Concept called forth her weapon,
/Come to me: Equinox!/
Hestia dropped to a stance and shot at Chronos, she mirrored her niece.
It only took a moment for the fight to be decided...
Chronos crashed into the floor, her sword broken apart at the point of contact.
Hestia did not waste time and spun, flinging her sword, only to have Chronos rewind herself back where she had been previously, without her sword. Hestia was introduced to her aunt's fist and sent flying.
"Urk...I hate that!" Hestia rubbed her sore cheek as Chronos wagged her hand, as if trying to alleviate the pain, "Grrr, Ice Brand!"
Chronos glanced down and saw the floor completely frozen including her feet, Hestia rolled to her feet and raced after the Concept as she easily broke the icing on her and leapt away from the Diaz child. Hestia recalled the sword as Chronos called forth another Equinox sword, jamming it into the icy floor and balancing on the pommel.
Chronos quietly surveyed the area.
She simply snapped her fingers and the ice receded.
It was as if it was never there.
"Oh, enough of this shit!" Hestia let the fire circle her, eyes flashing blue.
FLAME VALYRIE!
Hestia gritted her teeth, seeing Chronos nonchalantly hop off her sword and faced her despite the obvious increase in danger she had become; she was so impassive it was as if she knew she would win. She need not try.
Hestia rocket forth, throwing Fire Darts as Chronos unscrew the pommel of her sword and chucked it at her, smashing the darts easily. Hestia ducked her head but kept her eye on the Concept as she roared,
"Breath of the Sun: Vermillion Cascading Wave!"
She swung her sword, encircling her before a ring of fire flared out.
Chronos pulled her sword to guard buffering through the blast as Hestia bore down on her.
Hestia's blue eyes were hard, the Concept didn't share the same intensity, she quickly sidestep as the Parallel Traitor's Sword sailed across the room.
Hestia blinked.
Before she realized a pommel struck her in the bridge of the nose and she shrieked in pain.
Eyes watering, Hestia blinked tearfully seeing the sword in the wall while she was back where she had started...
Chronos sent her back in Time...but not the sword.
Why can't she—!?
Chronos appeared before her and pulled her tattooed arm, she looked down at her sternly,
/As you can see Hestia, the distance between you and myself is vast, we can do this all day...all eternity and you won't win. Quit this insolence./
Hestia glared at Chronos, her face and words did not match how softly she said it...how sad she said it...
"I—" Hestia's flames flared.
/Enough, Hestia—urk!/
Without warning, Chronos was launched from Hestia slamming into a pillar.
The Concept blinked, realizing she was struck but that wasn't what made her pause,
/I...I didn't see that coming./
Chronos saw Hestia looked over her shoulder frighten,
"WHAT THE HECK IS THAT!?"
/...Hestia?/
"Eek!"
Chronos only saw Hestia cowering, her Flame Valkyrie form all over her: a crown of fire, wings of flames and blazing blue eyes.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
/Hestia, what are you afraid of?/
"You can't see it!?"
/What am I suppose to see?/
"This—thing! It's like Dad's! It punched the Elementals and me! It punched you when you grabbed my arm!"
Chronos patted her cheek a moment before she moved closer, Hestia's eyes roved to shoulder, the Concept looked at the flames noticing nothing amiss.
"Move back!"
Chronos did so before the floor she was on turned into a flaming crater.
She balked at the sight from a crouch.
"You're too close!"
/What the heck! What's attacking me, is it invisible?/ Chronos saw Hestia crying as she hugged herself, /Are you alright, Hestia? Why can't I see it...is it controlling you?/
"No, I think...it's protecting me. Why can't you see it? Why do I and Dad have it?"
/What does it look like?/ Chronos said soothingly, hoping to keep Hestia from freaking out further, she nervously looked over her shoulder.
"...it has the same wings as me, but it's covered in armor, really, really elegant armor. I...I think it's a person."
/And your Father's?/
"Y-you know, it was all buff, had a skull face kinda like the one he uses and was sort of on fire, but in only one eye."
/Huh. I can imagine that./
"I know, right?"
The two giggled.
As abruptly as it started, it stopped.
Hestia glanced back several times as Chronos just quietly observed her.
Whenever they crossed paths they always end up fighting...
It always wore on her.
/Hestia...whatever it is...it's part of you, I don't think you should be afraid of it. I mean if Marco had it then it can be all that dangerous...yet./
Chronos thought to herself, what in the world is this thing...it feels...unnatural. And that's putting it mildly...when in the Timeline...
/Hestia, this fighting is over. I don't want to fight any longer and with that...thing standing by you like that, I'm liable to hurt you./
"...I could too."
/Yes...yes, I suppose you could./ Chronos sighed, she looked at Hestia concerned, /Look Hestia—/
"Auntie Chronos, why did you stop coming to the house? I know Dad said something to you all...is this about Seraph and Marcus?"
/Your brother? A little, she did decide Marcus would be raised in Prima. Thought it would be better for him./
"Heh, well, I never saw Mom get that angry before. She went nuclear in Prima, nearly cleared out the entire place!"
Hestia laughed, showing her youthfulness still.
Still a child.
Chronos ruefully shook her head, not sharing the mirth.
/Not even./ Chronos said drily, /She did clear out the Capital though. That was one heck of a crater. But no. Hestia, I've told you before: you keep meddling. You have to let the Timelines correct itself. I know it's difficult, but you have to. The more you fight, the more you tempt Fate to intervene./
"I can't, you don't understand..."
/Hestia...all the Chronos you have spoken to the past, I remember the conversations, because for all intents and purposes: I was the one you spoke to. And I do understand, Hestia. Because in every Timeline you stepped in, you realized that it could have been yours, but instead you have the one you have. The one you deem the happiest.../
"It is." Hestia firmly pouted, she glanced back and made shooing motions, Chronos sighed no doubt her new friend was sharing her mood.
/Your Father forbade us from interacting with you all. Ignis, was the usual culprit to break that promise.../
"...where is Auntie Ignis? You have always dodged that question."
/You bet I'm going to dodge the question, Hestia. Because I honestly think you would not benefit from it at all. I'd rather talk about this imaginary thing that stands around you and indiscriminately punches people around you. You better get it under control./
"...where is Auntie Ignis."
Chronos stood up.
/This discussion is over, Hestia. Do as I say: stop intervening in the Timelines, go back home./
"What home is there to go back to..." Hestia replied bitterly, "You're not there...Mom and Dad are gone...even my half siblings...they are all gone. I can't just go about my life thinking that this is okay!"
/I will not mollycoddle you, Hestia. You've repeatedly gone to Timeline after Timeline...haven't you had your fill of seeing Marco and Hekapoo? You've spent years in Timelines, watching your parent's fall in love, your sibling too...so what are you truly after?/
Hestia was silent for a whole minute, Chronos could see that she was mustering all she wanted to say,
"I want to fix the damages caused by Mother and Father its just the right thing to do, no one else can but me and my siblings. I want my siblings to see their parents, especially Sunflower who is still a child and never got to know them; there are Timelines where they never had more than me, Marcus would pop up eventually but the rest...aren't so lucky. And I especially want to know why Father forbid you all from seeing us. Somewhere in the vast Timeline...he has done—again."
Chronos's eyes fell on her.
/Hestia. If you continue on this road, it will not end well for you. Do not defy me./
Hestia got unsteadily on her feet, looking over her shoulder again.
"Then tell me why Dad forbid you from seeing us...I know, he's...gone but what could possibly hold up that promise? If you tell me why then when I'm done fixing the Timeline damages, I would have less of a reason to continue."
/Or you can just listen to me./
Hestia frowned.
"Or I can choose not to."
/You really are a stubborn little girl, Hestia./
Hestia called her sword back, she gripped it tighter as she leveled it at Chronos, the Concept pointed a finger at her.
"Breath of the Sun: Unbelievably Fast Body Flicker!" Hestia vanished, Chronos immediately roared,
SUMMER SOLSTICE!
Hestia reappeared just as she reached the Concept, she gritted her teeth and flung the sword, forcing Chronos to duck before she warped to it. In Chronos's mind eye she could already imagine the flaming crater that Hestia's imaginary friend would put in the back of her head.
TIME DYSTOPIA!*
Chronos rolled forward, the flooring exploded, just as she expected.
Whatever power Hestia had awakened, it was incredibly powerful.
The Concept grunted as she was sent skidding on the floor.
Musica chuckled.
Chronos wiped her hair from her face and glared at her sister.
The other Concept shrugged before she nodded to Hestia, frozen in Time however she was gripping the sword with both hands: there was no way she made the crater and struck Chronos in the brief moment of window.
/Look at her face, Sister./
/...is this telepathy?/
/Hardly. I think she's telling the truth, only she can see whatever has been helping her. She said that Marco had it too...could be hereditary./
/Marco never displayed this kind of power before.../
/Could be unique to this Timeline./
/...that's the word I would use, huh./
Musica snickered.
Chronos moved closer to Hestia observing the crater then her.
She moved closer and reached over, as if expecting to find something invisible and solid.
Nothing.
Chronos stared at Hestia for a long time.
She gently caressed her face, even if it was contorted in battle anger.
/She's a lot like you./
/And you, too./
/But she holds too much of a grudge. She is upset with you the most./
/And you're far too old to be holding a grudge like this, Musica./
Chronos didn't bother sparing her Sister a glance.
Her tone of voice said it all.
/Oh, did your boyfriend die today?/
/You're pain and loss is not forgotten, least of all me...but you know the outcome regardless./
Musica scoffed and coldly turned away.
/Why, Chronos? Why'd it come to this? My poor innocent Monster Arm.../
/Hardly even innocent!/ Chronos exclaimed, /And if things had played out, you would have killed it yourself, would that not make it more painful?/
/Better dead upon my warm large bosom than magic from the witch Butterfly./
/I cannot fathom how you came to love it./ Chronos replied in disbelief, Musica shot her a look.
/If you just knew an iota of the depths of my loss and despair, Sister, oh you would shudder to even breath...if you ever fell in love you would know./
/...you dare assume I did not love—!/
Musica paled slightly as Chronos thundered her words at the accusation.
Chronos inhaled sharply and exhaled rather loudly, unbecoming of a lady.
Her temper was sorely tested today.
/Shouldn't you unfreeze our darling niece, Sister?/
/...we will have this conversation; later./
/Any Time./
/...don't./
Chronos walked to Hestia.
Plucked the sword out of her hand.
Then punched her in the gut.
Musica walked forward.
Chronos gave her a look,
/No. She's already getting disciplined./
/Oh, this isn't for discipline: this is for being a brat./
/NO./ Chronos delivered a karate chop right on top of her sister's head, sending her a floor down.
Chronos didn't bother to see if Musica was alright and moved time forward.
Hestia made a face akin to unexpected explosive diarrhea and an angry sneeze.
"OH FUCK! WHY?"
/Language niece./
Hestia fetal position on the floor whilst Chronos shook her head.
It took her a hot minute and some very slow but deep belly breathing before she could stand up and glare at her aunt.
She tried to summon her sword but the look from the Concept made her stop.
"No fair you—"
/Really, Hestia, you're going to use that excuse./
/Exactly./ Chronos rubbed her temples, /Hestia, there are many things I wish to speak to you about but you need to stop trying to fight me. How many times have you tried this foolishness./
"Hundreds of times."
/By the Concepts, Hestia, you are giving me an aneurism./ Chronos groaned.
"...you're going to say I shouldn't tell Marco I'm his future daughter with Hekapoo, right? Because then I would be influencing the Timeline unjustly."
/That's right. You shouldn't be coaxing your parents to conceive you. That is so many levels of wrong. The first time you didn't know any better, but other times I caught you—ugh./
Chronos held out the sword, Hestia silently summoned it back.
Re-sheathing it and looking dejected.
"..."
/Hestia, you can't tell Marco you're his daughter, you can't keep messing with the Timelines, promise me once this ordeal is over...you will go back to your own. You have had enough Timeline jumping to justify your crude namesake. If you want to right the Timelines, you can from your own./
"How can I?"
/...come to Prima...and I'll tell you. I'll tell you everything you want to know. But be assured Hestia, you'll hear and know things you desperately want—and don't want. That is my promise to you, if you stop your 'Time Cop' business./
"You'd break Father's promise?"
/...it was broken a long time ago. I held it up because Marco means so much to me, Musica, my Sisters and especially...no, I say we all have the same amount of love for him./
"But what about my, er, new friend?"
/So long it doesn't sock anyone, I don't see anything wrong with it, even if I can't see it. In time you'll learn to control it...cause problems again. The same old tired cycle you keep perpetuating./
"I learned from the best: you."
Chronos gave her a withering glare.
A lesser child would have looked down, shamefaced.
Hestia stood proudly, puffing her chest.
Her aunt couldn't help but sigh in disappointment.
/You got everything from your parents./ "Sure did~!"
/Hah. Okay. But I guess bust size was not included. Sold separately./ "HEY!"
Chronos smiled even as Hestia tried to look angry.
The former then adopted a somber look.
/Remember Hestia, our promise: no more meddling. This will be the last of your Time Cop fun.
Go back. I know you think there's no more good you can do there, that's why you run to the past, but you can; you know you can./
Hestia clenched her jaw.
Chronos looked at her for a moment before quickly ruffling her hair, it changed back to her usual red bushy hair before she slapped the hand just as she let Time forward once again. Changing it back to silky black and wavy.
HARMONY OF TIME**
Marco looked at Hestia or rather where she had stood before: behind him.
He found her to be standing alongside a timeless beauty, he realized that Chronos was there as well.
He blinked in confusion how the Concept parted his body without his knowledge.
Her Sisters were of the same impression but they kept their distance and stoic faces.
But she was exactly the Concept he need right now, his eyes driving deep into the Concept,
"Chronos! I can't stop the bleeding!"
/Of course not; that's a wound wrought by the Pendragon Sword.
It won't ever heal. You know that./
Chronos replied almost matter-of-factly.
Marco stared at her.
"I don't care!" Marco roared, the Concept frowned, "Use your powers to turn back the flow of Time! Then she—"
/You think—you honestly think that can be done?!/ Chronos snapped, she walked over and turn her hand over Star, many Time glyphs appeared and spun backwards, Marco watched.
And watched.
As the glyphs did nothing.
/That sword Marco: plays for keeps. I can not undo what it has done. I am not that powerful./
Chronos said quietly as she pulled her hand back, cradling it upon her bosom.
Marco's eyes darted to Musica.
Nowhere to be found.
He looked around aghast.
/She's can't help either Marco./
"How would you—"
/Believe me: Musica is powerful beyond reckoning. But that sword is beyond anything and anyone could ever hope to match. And knowing Musica she would have used Bring Me Back to Life./
Marco stood up, his eyes full of emotion; Chronos looked back passively as he drew the sword to her throat, she looked at him coldly.
/Is her life—/
"OF COURSE IT IS!" Marco roared, the Concept wiped the spittle on her face and regarded Marco coldly.
/You're acting like a child, Marco./ Chronos uttered soberly, /You've seen the deaths of many—no, you do not speak over me again, boy. Why is she elevated over the others?/
Chronos eyes looked upon him accusingly, to which Marco could only glare back, jaw clenched.
Higgs took notice of the heated words, feeling an unnatural unease, she looked at Hestia who merely stood off from the three, somehow trying to slip into the background as if trying to take up little presence.
Chronos's eyes harden at the sight of Star whilst the sword was mere inches from her throat,
/Do you know why that wound will not heal, Marco?/
Silence.
Chronos sighed.
/Because you are not Master to the Traitor's Sword. You are merely the wielder. There were only two that were truly Master of the Sword and you are neither. As was Oblivion Pendragon, as was his mother Smile Pendragon and her predecessors. Do you think that sword would betray the wishes of its master? Of course not./
Marco's face contorted with fury at the hard facts presented, the sword point shook dangerously close to flesh, the Concept merely looked on.
/...are you really going to lose two people today, Marco? Star and myself?/
"How can you just—just do nothing!"
Chronos slapped him.
/How dare you, Marco. Do nothing? I am the Concept of Time, I am supposed to do NOTHING. I have no reason, obligation nor nary any pretty words you want to slander upon me./
Marco threw the sword across the room in outrage, sticking into the wall.
He turned his back at her as he held Star's pale hand, feeling the weakening pulse.
"Is there nothing I can do..." Marco asked to no one in particular, he gently cupped Star's cheek she leaned into it weakly, "I'm so sorry, Star..." "Marco..." Star placed her hand on his heart, feeling his heartbeat she smiled as she blinked slowly, Marco's couldn't help but sob over the princess.
Chronos looked on, Higgs couldn't bear to witness to the tragedy unfolding before her and turned her back, trembling at the emotions roiling within her. Hestia fared no better wishing to simply vanish...
The Concept could feel the Time the princess had wilting away...the black tendril tentacle began to spread across Marco's arm again, the Concept quietly contemplated the situation; knowing how rashly Marco would react being this emotionally distressed.
/…what must I do, Sisters?/
Bearing witness to what Marco had been able to do in his Fell rage, the universe would surely pay if he continued to grieve for the princess. Weighing what solution held the most promise with the least amount of backlash, Chronos stopped time again, slowly closing her eyes and communed with her sisters in Prima with her decision.
The immediate screeching from Seraph nearly caused her to stumble.
CHRONOS! APPREHEND HIM RIGHT NOW!
/Seraph. Sister. Please—/
WHAT!? What are you—are you going to plead for his life!?
/You know I would./
NO. HE IS TOO DANGEROUS! SINCE PRIMA! SINCE ECLIPSA! SINCE—
/I do not just plead for his life, I plead for yours! Seraph...why?
...
/Sister, please. This has to stop./
No. What has to stop is the fact you can't follow simple directions. You know what will happen.
/...Marco's in grief is far worse than anything I've seen in recent memory, oh the Eon War was terrible and I still mourn for those fallen but this hurts me just as badly, Sister. I'm sure you've felt it...in his grief he would put the universe to the Fell flames.../
...then take his Time away.
/Has your heart truly harden, Starlight?/
...don't call me that. I made my decision a long time ago.
Chronos looked up sadly, hoping to see Prima but all she saw was the destroyed ceiling of the Butterfly Castle, their occupants and the scorch marks of the Fell Flames...
Chronos; don't.
/Do not think upon me poorly, Sister: for I have made my decision./
...Chronos, you'd doom us all.
/...you suffered enough the first time, Seraph; the scars are so deep that you never were the same. I miss that Seraph, I miss my Sister.../
Chronos cut off the connection.
She sighed in the still world.
Everyone frozen in Time.
She looked at Marco, then to Hestia; her eyes downcast.
/You and I are more alike than I want to admit, niece.
I sincerely hope our Fates will not be the same./
Chronos let time march forward again.
And gently place a hand on Marco's shoulder.
/Marco. Do you wish to save the princess?/
Hestia's head nearly snapped off when she heard the words, her father looked immediately at the Concept, she looked at him with gravely already squashing the notion she was a miracle worker to him,
/Listen well Marco: I can't stop her bleeding; nothing can save for the Pendragon Sword. What I can do is disassociate the princess from the Timeline...that will buy you a small precious amount of Time. However, I'll be vulnerable and I can't lend my powers to you. That said, do you want me to still—/
"Yes! Please, Chronos!" Marco said quickly, the Concept looked at him grimly, she put a hand on his chest and pulled out the Drop of Seraph and Hallow.
/I can make a crystal shell with this, it will help keep her stable. I'm sorry but there's no other way: Seraph and Hallow would never lend me their Blessing for what I'm about to do. Marco, whatever follows: do not fail./
Marco blinked as Chronos pushed him aside and picked up the princess, Marco saw pain cross Star's face and he comforted her.
/Say your goodbyes./
"Star, Chronos will take care of you, I promise. You will be fine the next you wake." Marco kissed her cheek, she smiled but Chronos did not share it.
/Marco. When I bring Star back from my Plane of Existence; I fervently hope you did what must be done./
Before Marco could ask why Chronos was being so cryptic, the Drops of Seraph and Hallow flatten and expanded around her and the Mewman forming a crystal to house them.
/For they shall be come for you./
Marco watched as Chronos vanish and Star slowly rotated, her eyes closed and her hands clasp together and rested on the wound as her clothes drained of blood and became a simple flowing white dress. Her pained face was replaced with one with serene sleep, as if she was simply dreaming inches away from the outside world.
Marco placed a hand on the crystal for a moment before it slowly fades from existence...
never thought youd be such a troublemaker concept of time to risk my wrath
/I...no. The Children of Prima shall fear you no longer./
hahaha thats adorable thinking you are not afraid well see how long that lasts the time
Star would be safe in Chronos's care after all.
Marco gazed longingly where the crystal once stood.
It was cut short when he felt a massive wave of killer intent.
He rolled to the side avoiding a black thorn spike just as Darcy returned.
Foregoing her helm, her face was as fierce as thunder.
"Weak and pathetic!" Darcy yelled, she swaggered across the ruined castle, "I could not believe that the magnificence that is I came from such a subpar being such as yourself."
"You're nothing but a mockery, Darcy. An imitation and a poor one at that." Marco spat, Darcy merely sneered at the insult.
"Imitation? Hah! Alright, then I guess I'll just renounce that part of me that is a joke: my inferior human side, which would make me weak. Just like you. Sobbing like a lil bitch." Darcy roared to the heavens, her voices booming across the ruined castle,
"I REJECT YOU, MARCO; AND MY HUMANITY!"
Marco's fury exploded at her declaration, the Traitor's Sword appeared in his hand aflame.
Darcy's sword grew several spikes along the blade edge and the clone swung sending them flying at the Dark Knight.
Marco brought the sword down smashing the spikes.
The Elementals paused seeing Darcy again before they shot into Marco. And being none to gentle about it either.
Hestia drew her sword while Higgs looked at her empty hands, as if by command FrostFlame appeared at her feet and she quickly picked it up glancing to Marco who looked ready to rend apart the clone.
Marco made a harsh gesture to them to stay back before letting lightning explode from his fingertips forcing Darcy to leap away while throwing more spikes to falter his follow up.
Higgs leapt at the back turn Darcy, the FrostFlame glistening only to split hair tips from Darcy as she ducked from the sneaky slash. Higgs parried the deathblow from Darcy before the clone spun and kicked her back, forcing the Mewman to painfully inhale to stop herself from blacking out.
"ENOUGH OF YOU!" Darcy thundered as she unleashed a high arc to split the shock Mewman in half, seemingly crossing the distance.
Darcy roared in anger as Hestia came crashing in, nearly beheading her with the Parallel Traitor's Sword, snarling at her miss she smote Darcy's side with a blazing fireball, skidding across the floor the clone looked at the three menacingly.
Marco poised the Pendragon Sword at her.
Higgs held the FrostFlame with both hands.
Hestia took a foreign stance, fire erupting all over her.
Darcy sneered at the sight of them.
She pulled Marco's Dimensional Scissors and slashed open a rift behind her and leapt for it.
The three immediately roared,
"COWARD!" "GET BACK HERE!"
"DARCY!"
The clone smirked confidently even arrogantly as Marco had his bulging sword arm cocked back, Higgs shooting ice missiles and
Wait.
Where's the third—
Breath of the Sun: Unbelievably Fast Body Flicker!
Darcy felt one side of her face crush inward as Hestia fly kicked her away from the portal and at the same time wrenching the scissors free from her hand. The clone caught the glimpse of Hestia's triumphant and savage smile as she was laid out on the floor with Marco and Higgs closing in on her…
Hestia slashed the portal close and immediately flung the Parallel Traitor's Sword, slicing through the cells that lined the wall, the cries of the royals alerting the guards to which her flames smote them easily.
"GET OUT OF THE CELLS NOW!"
"But—"
"I SAID NOW!"
Hestia split herself and her clones went to those paralyzed by fear; helping the others to walk and standing guard over them as she went for one prisoner in particular.
Hestia called back the sword and went room to room quickly, the dark underground Hideout was a maze to figure out but what she read from her phone before it was smashed did give her some insight: her mother was here.
Kicking down a door, her eyes fell on a guard, she stared at her bug-eyed, being a bug Monster did not help.
"WHERE IS THE DIMENSIONAL-SCISSOR ENFORCER!"
"Eek!"
"Don't give me that 'Eek!' shit!"
Hestia shoved the guard aside and ran down a hallway.
She stumbled.
Blinking, Hestia looked on and saw an unnatural light coming from a room, her stomach in a twist.
"...no, it couldn't be." Hestia gripped the sword and marched over, with a mighty slash, rend the door apart and stepped in, grimacing she threw the Parallel Traitor's Sword with all her might at the lantern. The broken pieces bouncing off the floor, they glowed faintly but ultimately dulled.
"Effin' thing is here too..." she shook her head and looked at the prisoner within, she held back her overflowing relief at the sight of her hornless mother but her tidal wave of hatred for Darcy grew tenfold; Hekapoo was caged up like an animal and mistreated like one...
"M-Marco?"
"..." Hestia's words were caught in her throat at the sight of Hekapoo's eyes both nearly swollen shut from blows. Hestia stepped forward and destroyed her restraints and caught her mother, she reached out for her and she held her hand for a moment...
"...n-not Marco..." feeling her touch.
"..." oh, how she wanted to say it was her, her daughter come to save her from this torture, "I've come to save you..."
"LIAR! GET OFF ME, MONSTER!"
"Gah!?"
Hestia struggled to hold her Mother even as she beat her with her fists, she could see the panic and pain that Darcy had caused her.
"I'm not her!" Hestia said firmly, "What she is—I despise with my entire being!"
Hestia felt her anger bubble and soon even flames began to pour out of her, she quickly tried to stem the flow but the flames instead seep into her mother.
Hekapoo blinked as the fire swirled within her, feeding her inner fire and she felt her wounds she had endured at the hands of Darcy heal. Her vision clears enough to see a girl with dark hair curtaining her young face holding her gently; she blinked seeing her glowing orange eyes...
"…w-who are you?"
"...who I am doesn't matter." Hestia said quietly, she heft up Hekapoo quickly dispelling her clones knowing they had done their job in releasing the hostages, "C'mon we better get out of here before more goons show up."
Hekapoo didn't argue but she looked at her questioningly, as if trying to ascertain who she was.
"How did you find me?"
"Oof, heavy—Darcy, she tried to run and cut this portal. I beat her to it and took her Scissors—"
"No, its not that bitch's Scissors." Hekapoo snarled, Hestia nodded her head in agreement.
The two continued to move through the Hideout, Hestia made sure her sword had taken a different appearance from her father's own as Hekapoo's eyes lingered on it. Her mother wasn't daft, she could already start connecting the dots but as long as she couldn't be absolutely sure...she was safe.
The two found the hostages huddled up together, the guards thankfully were taken care of courtesy of the clones, knowing the hostages they would vent the torments they suffer upon the hapless goons. While Hestia understood their intentions they could act on it after they were out of the Hideout, Darcy's needs her trump card taken away from her.
"Alright, form up! I'm cutting a portal to a place teeming with Mewman Knights, they will keep you safe until your kingdom or families can receive you." Hestia readied the Scissor.
"T-thank you!" "Bless your heart!" "Gratitude!"
"You honor me—NOW GET OUT OF HERE!" Hestia snapped, without a second thought the hostages ran for the portal she provided.
Hestia made one for Hekapoo, "This should be your home—" "No. No, I'm not going to Forge. Make one for Marco's room at the Butterfly Castle." "...why." "That bed of his is a lot better than the one back home, someone always fluffs it up, so I take my cat naps there."
Hestia paused at the words before she complied.
Hekapoo glanced at the portal then back to her,
"You know...you look awfully fa—"
"You're imagining it."
Hestia pushed Hekapoo through the portal landing her on the bed, she quickly followed through; Hekapoo giving her a look.
"What?"
"—?!"
Hestia blinked seeing Hekapoo's face drop.
She turned to see
The portal sputtering.
And the sky from the window flicker.
XxXxXxXxX
Phew.
Now this fic is finally back up to speed before the rewriting of the chapter.
I decided to change how Chronos and Hestia interacted, fleshing out Chronos and Hestia at the same time and their turbulent encounters and tragic history. Between Hestia obtaining the sword and Hestia entering this Timeline; roughly 1000 years has passed for her. And before Marco saving her? Let's just say a lot had passed since she saw her half siblings, only Marcello Lightningsong-Diazson is still alive. She and her siblings lives on a rather lonely Timeline; hence her Timeline jumping is a great joy and a chance to reminisce.
*Sigh*
Yep, everything is just getting worse and characters are dropping like flies:
Monster Arm. Dead.
Star Butterfly. Time Disassociated [technically dead].
Chronos. Wont be around to help Marco, so there will be no Adult Marco cop outs.
With Death Flags aplenty, who will survive?
As for Marco and Hestia's unusual powers, I'd like to think of it as their fighting spirit personified and given form, from Monster Arm's curse and the Fell influencing it (for the record: still hasn't been activated yet. Yeah, I know, it came pouring out of Marco however I'd like to think of it as an unconscious activation, like with the Timeline where Marco DID activate it, he did it willingly letting the Fell take shape according to his desire/specification. Although, some might have guessed where I got the idea from.)
Marco was just heckin' angry.
Also, I know my fic has been very lore dense and some avid readers have been getting lost (in the sauce).
So, I'll dedicate a chapter solely talking about it; if there's a burning question you want answered PM or review so I'll see it.
Ciao,
I AM NRG
*TIME DYSTOPIA = ZA WARUDO: TOKI WO TOMARE!
**HARMONY OF TIME = TOKI WA UGOKI DASU!
END OF TRANSMISSION