=Helios 16= >The spittoon rang out through the town as your Taffy Tobaccy lands in it. >You sat with your feet propped up on the railing outside The Applebarrel. >They didn't really have a sheriff's office here, and you did most of your thinking at the bar anyway. >It was the day after your meeting with Cadence. >You had spent the entire night thinking about what she said afterwards... >"Perhaps I don't need to?" And said with that smile of hers. >She had been talking about you and Celestia, if there was any mutual love between the two of you. >You admit, you cared about Celestia, and you were worried about her not using a bodyguard. >But still... >Your SOULS were linked, that was weird even by your standards. >And you slept with a horse who raised the sun. >You had spent the entire evening just sitting on your bed, trying to figure out what your tipping point was. >Would you go back if you realized you were wrong? >What if the griffins attacked again? >Or Blueblood got out? >Would you need to save face? >Would Celestia even take you back? >You lean back in your chair and blow a raspberry. >This was harder than it was last night... >The rapid sound of someone galloping down the street caught your eye, it was Saloon Scalper. >He looked nervous... >"Changelings! Out back by tha' General Store!" >Oh hell! -Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckPfk3Lu8PU- >You dash down the main road to the general store. >Peeking through the window you see Mayor Buckington and Tornado Dancer staring down a trio of Changelings. >They couldn't take them on their own, you were the only one who knew how to fight in this town. >Not to mention it was your job. >You hop up on the railing outside the store and pull yourself onto the roof. >They were talking. >"Where is it!? Where do you keep it!?" They asked with their flanged voiced. >"What in tarnation are you talkin' 'r you talkin' about!?" Tornado shouted. >You heard what you assumed was a grunt from another Changeling. "They don't know! I say we turn this town upside down to find that reservoir!" >Not on your bloody watch. "Here's your reservoir!" >You leap off the roof of the store, hoping that the sun behind you will give you an advantage. >Fist meats exoskeleton as you land in front of the first Changeling, the other two looking on in surprise. >You turn back to Buckington and Tornado.[spoiler][/spoiler] "Go! Get out of here!" >The two stallions ran off as the other changelings lunged at you. >You sidestep and grab it by its horn. >The Changeling spins around and around as you pivot on your foot, eventually flying through the air and hitting the side of the general store with a loud "WHAP!" when you let go. >The third Changeling jumped onto your back as the first one recovered and latched on to your leg. >You lifted and stomped your foot rhythmically, hoping to catch the first Changeling under your boot. >At the same time, you yanked and pulled the Changeling on your back off, it's hooves wrapped around your neck tight. >The Changeling was finally caught underneath your stomping boot, sending teeth and spittle onto the ground. >At the same time, you reversed the headlock the last conscious Changeling had, putting him in a sleeper hold so he could join his fellows. >His limp body hits the ground and you look around. "Huh. Not too bad for being out of practice." >Two of the Changelings were over your shoulders as you dragged the other one along the ground. >You had started to book it once you heard them waking up, you were gonna make it to the edge of town just in time. >They flopped over the ground near the hills as they regained consciousness. "Howdy." >The lead Changeling was the first to his feet, instantly taking in his surroundings before glaring at you. "Why were ya'll in my town?" >Silence. >You spit. "Whatever. Show up again and I won't be bringing you back here, least not alive." >The other two Changelings get to their feet and begin sniffing at the air. >"This guy is the reservoir! We can take him here!" One said. >"Be my guest. I don't want to get stomped again!" Said the other. >Okay... "Reservoir?" >The Changelings stop their bickering and glare up at you, their anger barely contained. >That was creepy...how they did that in unison... >These Changelings were pretty creepy in general. They seemed to always move in unison and they were constantly drooling some translucent liquid. >The lead one stepped forward, only coming up to your calf. >"We Changelings feed on love, as you are no doubt aware." >You nod. >"The three of us abandoned out hive after Queen Chrysalis' failed attempt at the Equestrian throne. We came to this place on the scent of a mass of love the likes of which none of us had ever seen...and it seems that you are the source of that love, biped." He said. >You...? >A love repository...? "Uh...love for who?" >The three of them close their eyes for a moment. "We...cannot tell. All we see when we look into your heart is a rather blinding light." >That...didn't make your day any easier. >The sun was high in the sky as you sat back out front of The Applebarrel. >You had your feet planted on the ground and your chin in your hand, lost in thought. >So...apparently you loved Celestia. >...The mare who linked her mind with you and let all of her overwhelming affection in... >Uhg. >The bar doors open up and a familiar stallion trots out. >"Hey Anonymous,...Y'all okay?" Braeburn asked. >You keep your gaze affixed straight ahead.[spoiler][/spoiler] "Hey Brae. Just thinking." >"What about?" >... "...Remember the reason I told you I came here?" >Braeburn's face falls a bit. "About that wizard? And your soul?" "Yeah..." >Braeburn knew that someone who loved you bound your souls and scared you off. >What he didn't know was that it was Celestia. >"Well what's up?" "I...think I love her." >Braeburn's smile explodes. "Well shoot Anon! That's great news! "But what about..." >You point to your head. "That?" >Braeburn scrunches his face. "...Does that matter?" >Wot? "What." >"Well...Yeah. It's pretty obvious you care, and that she cares, and if you both care and both feel it then it's just a big ball of care aint it?" >That was...certainly a unique way of looking at it. "But...am I still me? If the link is going and stuff?" >Braeburn shifts on his hooves. "I didn't know ya before ya came here Anon. Do YOU think you're the same guy?" >You felt like you sat there for an eternity. "I...don't know." >"Well...I think you should go to her Anon..." Braeburn turns and trots away. "Y'all won't feel any better till ya do." >You were on the train. >The scenery outside was speeding by too fast to see. >On the horizon the sun was beginning to inch its way down. >Your mind wandered back, way back. >About how melancholy you had been these last few weeks. >You thought it was just because of how mad the situation was when you left, not because of heartache. >Uhg. You had uprooted your life over this mindlink... >Life in Canterlot was one of chaotic routine, one with friends and warmth and direction. >Even when you were new to the guard, your day was always comfortably scheduled to the second. >But all that had changed with Celestia... >Suddenly your days could be spent either walking around the city or on diplomatic missions to Zevera. >And suddenly your training got put more to use. The Princess had many enemies. >You sigh and lean back. >It was hard for you to imagine your Equestrian life without Celestia. >She had been a constant. From when you first appeared here and she deemed you safe to when you had left for Appleoosa. >Even in the guard there wasn't a day you didn't see her around the castle or performing her sun spell. >You cherished those memories. >But... >Was that simply devotion talking? Or was it affection? >You sigh against your seat. >You don't know anymore... >What did Celestia say she was doing? "Going with what felt right?" >Can't hurt... >You stood just inside the castle gates. >It was past dark now. >You had...no idea what you were doing... >...Fuck. >You slide your hands in your pockets and start walking. >You walk and walk until you find yourself in the castle gardens. >Up above you on the side of the castle hung Celestia's balcony. >The place where she rose and lowered the sun every day. >You knew that balcony well, you saw it almost as much as she did. >Any plans you had to make this right didn't seem to amount to much... >You sat down on a nearby bench and tried something... >Reaching out with your link to see what you could feel. >There was... >Sadness...the crushing sadness that came with loss. >Following that came the inky blackness of depression brought on by helplessness >You felt terrible for causing that feeling. >Dammit, all of this was your fault. >The blackness gave way to the cool blue of...intrigue? >"...Anon?" >Shit. -Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPdNFZ-p7hQ- >You opened your eyes just in time to see Celestia jump off her balcony and land some feet away from you in the garden. >"W-what are you doing here?" She asked wide eyed. >You scrambled to your feet. "I...decided to come back." >Celestia cants her head to the side as a smile tugs at her mouth. >"Why? I-I thought you had made your choice..." "I thought about it...our "situation" that is." >Felt a bit awkward, either from the link or just yourself. >You didn't really care...not after all the crap recently. >Celestia trotted over to you, talking the entire way. >"Anonymous I understand why you left an-" >Your words come pouring out as well. "I shouldn't have left like I did, it was stupid an-" >"Telling you how I felt right after the other news-" "Stupid and immature of me." >The both of you snap your mouths shut. >Celestia clears her throat. >"We seem to be..." "Tripping over each other." >The silence stretches from here to Appleoosa. >You flex your fingers at your side. >Celestia shuffles on her hooves a bit. "I-" >... >Oh... "Fuck it." >You gently place your hands on Celestia's face and pull her close, satiating the hunger for her velvety lips you had felt since you saw her. >The two of you stand unmoving save for your mouths for a while. >When it's finally decided that you want to breathe more than kiss, you break away from each other. >Wow... >That felt... >Good. >And not just because of the link, even if that was nice too. "I enjoyed that..." >Celestia's cheeks take on a rose hue. "Likewise Anon..." She said with a smile. >Well... "...Now what?" >You admit you were at a loss here. >Celestia continued to stare at you with eyes unblinking. "I...don't know Anon..." "I guess...we could do what you want?" >Celestia almost barreled over your words, leaning her head forward. "Anon, I have everything I've wanted for a while now." She said faster than you have ever heard. >Heh...that was pretty cute. >You looked around the garden as the moon moved across the sky. "We should probably avoid being seen. Is your room-" >A bright white light took your vision from you, returning it to show Celestia's room greeting you. >The Sun Princess hadn't moved an inch, her face still almost brushing up against yours. "-an option?" >You meet Celestia's eyes again... >...And the two of you stand there together. >You felt...apprehensive, the both of you. >You may have to wing this again. >Your hand on Celestia's chin, you guide your mouths together once more. >The kiss before had been one of hunger, the result of not seeing each other for so long. >This kiss was far more tender. Celestia and your lips in constant motion as you both tried to take as much of the other in as you could. >You break again in the harsh shadows of the fireplace. "Shall I stay with you tonight your majesty?" >Celestia flicks her wing and sends a rush of air to the fireplace, extinguishing it. >Heh... "As you wish."