Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

(Author's note: I know this first chapter is SUPER long and bulky, but please bear with me, y'all =w=)

“...”

“...ro…”

“...He…ro…”

Ally glanced around, hearing the odd, yet gentle and patient feminine voice as it echoed. “Hm…?” She hummed quizzically, glancing at the dirt path both behind her and in front of her, looking into the trees of Grimp Forest, scanning the shrubs and bushes… Where was that voice coming from…? Was she even hearing it at all…? Her confusion only grew as the voice spoke again, referring to her by name.

“Ally…”

“...Hero of Love…”

“Please help me…”

“You’re my… only hope…!!”

Now simultaneously worried, confused, and even a little scared, as this voice bounced around in her head, Ally anxiously took a step back, double-checking the area around her. “Wh…Who’s there?!”

Then… there was a flash of white light behind her! Ally whipped around, watching as there now stood a woman… Her eyes widened, seeing the unfamiliar figure approach her with steps that were so light and delicate that they nearly seemed like they weren’t touching the ground at all. The woman had very pale blonde hair, done in a peculiar way, with her bangs in an odd shape and the rest of her hair pulled into two, bubble-like ponytails that connected in the back, creating a circle. She wore a short, sky blue dress with a white trim that made a circle pattern on the bottom, white tights with a blue, interconnected circle pattern, and simple black shoes. 

Ally calmed down a bit, but she still took a step back from the strange girl regardless. “...Um… Who… Who are you…?”

The girl gave a polite nod and a shy wave with one of her hands, which were covered in white gloves. “...N…Nice to meet you~♪.” Her voice… it was the same one Ally had just heard earlier…? She then muttered, “Th-Though it doesn’t quite feel right to say that…”

Ally tilted her head in confusion. “Why do you say that…? It’s a perfectly reasonable greeting for someone new…”

The girl flinched, tugging at her gloves a bit, but she quickly regained her composure, taking some deep breaths. “R…Right.”

“Anyway…” Ally loosened herself up. This girl didn’t seem like she wanted to cause any harm. If anything, she seemed shy. Maybe I should introduce myself… ease the tension a little bit. Ally thought to herself. She then smiled. “My name is Ally. What’s your name, stranger?”

“I’m Marle.” The girl perked up. “It’s… It’s my sworn duty to watch over many, many worlds from all across space-time… I-Including yours, I might add. …I’ve been trying my best to look after you, Ally… to keep you safe… ♪” 

Ally raised her eyebrows, bringing her hands up and resting one on her cheek. “U-Um… I’m sorry, Ms. Marle… but… I’m… I’m having a hard time… understanding…”

Marle sighed. “As expected… I-It’s alright, Ally. I understand it’s a lot to take in at once, hehe…” She then beamed a bit, covering her mouth with her hands as a grin spread across her face. “... All… All I want you to understand is that… I’m… I’m so thrilled to finally be able to meet you…”

Still trying to mull all of this information over in her head, Ally just glanced this strange woman up and down. “Um… Thank you, miss…”

“Now, then…” Marle took a deep breath. “...Th…There’s a bigger reason why I came here to meet you… I need to ask a favor of you.”

Ally, giving up on understanding everything else she was just told, shook her head to get herself to focus before responding. “Y-Yes, of course! Uh, anything for someone who needs it… Wh…What do you need…?”

“...I need your help.” Marle got a distant look in her eyes. “...Arle and the others need your help.”

Ally flinched. “A-Arle…? As in… Great Hero Arle ?!”

Marle nodded, smiling. “I see you remember her… and I’m assuming you remember everyone else, too? Amitie, Ringo?”

“Y…Yes, I do…” Ally nodded, still trying to sort her thoughts. It then struck her. “They… They need my help…?”

Marle nodded. “Yes… and that’s why I’m here, to allow you to help them. Your power is needed more than ever.”

“My… power…?” Ally perked up.

“Yes. Your power of love.” Marle clarified. 

Ally thought this over for a bit. She was needed once more… Needed to spread her love as much as she possibly could. The mere thought of extending her love beyond her world to aid the heroes who helped that love grow in the first place… It sparked something within her. A small smile spread onto Ally’s lips. “This… feeling… The mere thought of my love being able to rescue the friends I hold so dearly to my heart… It’s… filling me with love ~!!”

Marle’s grin only grew. “I knew you’d say that…! I need to carry your love into battle against Squares… who-”

Ally didn’t even need to understand where her love was going to go. “As long as my love is able to reach Great Hero Arle, lovely Amitie, and Ms. Ando in order to rescue them from peril, then I’m gladly and undoubtedly allowing my love to overflow straight to you, Marle~!!”

“Oh!” Marle seemed a bit shocked by the sudden surge in energy from Ally, but she smiled regardless. “...So, you’ve made up your mind? You’re.. going to help me…? You don’t… find me suspicious …? At all…?”

Ally gave a bright grin. “No, of course not~...!” She spread her arms out wide. “...I… I can feel it! I can sense the love deep in your heart, Marle!!”

Not seeming to expect this comment, Marle reeled back in shock a bit. “Wh-Wha…? How did…?”

Ally closed her eyes, now beginning to clearly feel the love radiating from Marle’s being. She smiled, identifying it. “You’re… trying to save someone. Someone you love with your entire heart. You want to protect them, I can feel it…” Ally opened her eyes yet again as they shone with hope and love! “You’re bursting with love, Marle~!! Bursting with a bright, whimsical, and bubbly love~!!!”

Marle seemed surprised, her lavender eyes wide, as she covered her gaping mouth with her glove. She was utterly speechless.

“Tell, me, Ms. Marle~!” Ally brought her arms back to her body, pumping her fists energetically in lovely excitement. “What am I to do with all of this love~? Now that it’s all ~ built up like this, I simply cannot let it remain trapped inside of me!! I must free it~!!”

Her shocked expression slowly turning to one of awe and wonder, Marle regained her composure. “...Your… Your powers… your love… Please, share them with me!” She stepped towards Ally, gently taking her hands into her own, gloved hands. “Let’s begin.”

Ally’s heart suddenly jumped, as Marle’s soft, silky gloved hands interlocked with her own. They were as gentle as they were warm. It felt… good… to hold them. Ally didn’t have much time to think about this, however, as Marle closed her eyes, and a white light suddenly grew around them. “E-Eh?!” Ally yelped in surprise as the magic suddenly rushed around the two of them.

A strange feeling pulsed through Ally, one that stunned her mind and shook her heart. A familiar sensation… the one she got whenever she channeled the power of the Tower of Color and used it to cross into another world. This was the feeling of leaping across space-time!!

Once the lights faded, they had wound up somewhere… familiar. “Woah…” Ally remarked, looking around as Marle let go of her hands. Ally craned her neck, looking at the towering buildings around her. The stone and metal constructions peppered with glass windows, reflecting the afternoon sun. Ally tapped her feet against the concrete walkway, glancing at the black stretch of road with metal machines rolling around every which way. It was then that Ally remembered where she was. “Suzuran…?” Her gaze settled back onto Marle.

Marle nodded. “That’s right. The home of Ando Ringo…”

“Why did you bring me here…?” Ally tilted her head, still feeling her newly risen love flowing with her beating heart. 

“This is one of the few places I must take you in order to properly engage your power.” Marle explained. “Here, your love is going to flow differently than it normally does, and I need to be able to intertwine it with the threads of space-time that exist here, stretching far, far into where Arle and the others are.”

Ally paused, trying to understand what Marle just said. While she couldn’t quite wrap her head around what Marle told her, she felt as though she could comprehend it through her love. “...Okay. I’ll do it! I’ll express as much love as I can~!!”

“Atta girl~! Now, it’s time for your first trial~!” Marle clapped her hands together, creating the outline of a board with her light-based magic. 

Ally smiled, recognizing the puzzle board used for channeling magic, approaching it. “You want me to pop some Puyo?” 

Marle shook her head. “Nope. Watch this.” She snapped her fingers, and the board fully formed. Instead of the usual round blobs that Ally was expecting, some strange shapes made out of four squares each began to descend onto it!!

“Kyah-!! Wh… What are those?!” Ally raised her hands, manipulating the shape with her magic, rotating it and moving it side to side. 

Marle stood beside Ally, watching her. “Those are tetromino blocks. This is a game of Tetris! When you stack up those shapes, you clear lines. When you clear a line, it gives a burst of magic just like popping Puyo. Channel that burst alongside your love!”

Ally nodded, starting to understand. She manipulated the blocks falling onto her board, paying attention to how the different shapes fit together nicely, with Marle giving some pointers on what to place where. 

“Try to make sure that your stack doesn’t have any holes you don’t want. Then, you can’t complete that line.” Marle advised.

Nodding again, Ally placed a block in place, and she cleared a line. “There!” She felt the magic surge through her. It was unique, but she managed to channel it the same way she could with Puyo Puyo, releasing the magic in a burst of her love. “Like that…?”
Marle nodded. “Exactly like that~!! Keep going, now!”

Ally began to gain confidence, sticking out her tongue and smiling as she started to focus and flow with this new set of rules. She began stacking up more and more blocks, clearing them cleanly. She acknowledged the existence of the long, straight block, creating a slot just for it. Once it came around, descending onto the board, she proudly stuck it into the slot! She became filled with a powerful surge of magic, and she let ler love burst !! “Wow…!! What was that?!”

“When you clear four lines at once, that’s called a Tetris!” Marle pumped her fists in excitement. “Tetrises are powerful, as you probably just felt. The more lines you clear at once, or even the more lines you clear consecutively, the more and more power is released~!! Just focus on getting as much power as possible, Ally~!”

Ally nodded, grinning. “Got it~!!” She continued to play the game of Tetris, picking up the pace. She made a few mistakes here and there, but with Marle by her side, she didn’t even feel the need to fret over it, confidently fixing the mistake with a few extra line clears, and her slot for a Tetris was free once more. The power that surged through her when completing a Tetris even lead her to let out her voice alongside her love, calling out a “Tetris~!!” as she let her love flow cleanly and strongly. 

Eventually, the blocks stopped falling onto Ally’s board. Marle waved her hand, giggling. “That’ll be enough for this trial, Ally~!” She channeled her magic, and the board, as well as the blocks on it, disappeared into sparks of light. 

Ally took a deep breath, panting as she had released a fair amount of energy. Once she caught her breath, Ally giggled as well. “I… I did it~!! May the love that flows from my heart reach those who need it~!” 

“Amazing~!” Marle beamed, clapping her hands. 

“My heart’s pounding~...!!” Ally commented, waving her arms. “It’s still absolutely brimming with love~!”
“Good, good~!” Marle nodded. “Let’s move on, then. Our next destination will be a bit out of the ordinary.” She took Ally’s hands yet again. 

Ally nodded in curiosity as Marle closed her eyes yet again. The same white light swirled and shimmered around them, and they jumped worlds yet again. 

As the light faded, Ally’s eyes widened in awe. Surrounding them was a gorgeous night sky. Or, was it even the sky?! They were surrounded by seemingly endless stars, all glittering in every direction. Even below…? Ally looked down to realize that the ground they were standing on a surface that was barely visible, and it rippled with every step each of them took, as if it was completely made of some otherworldly magic. Some of the stars seemed linked with lines of light, creating all kinds of shapes that almost seemed to reflect different kinds of animals, or even objects. 

Ally’s eyes sparkled in wonder. “Wooaahh… There are stars as far as the eye can see… perhaps even farther! It’s… beautiful … And those shapes scattered about… I’ve… never seen anything like this.” She smiled, a dreamy expression falling onto her face. “This… This is starting to get so much… fun! Exploring places beyond space-time like this… discovering all kinds of new magic… It’s so much fun …! Don’t you think so, Ms. Marle~?” She glanced over to Marle, who perked up.

“Oh…!” Marle seemed to go from a wistful expression to one that was caught off-guard.

Ally tilted her head again. “Hm? Did I say something wrong, Ms. Marle…?”

Marle stammered. “N-No, not at all… You just… You said you’re… having ‘fun’...?”

Smiling, Ally responded, “Yes, absolutely~.”

“Well, then...” Marle gave a smile that seemed to be more crooked. “Good. I’m… glad to hear it.”

Ally’s eyebrows furrowed in worry. “...Are you okay, Ms. Marle…?”

“H-Here, just… It’s time for your next trial!” Marle shook off her strange expression. “Try expressing your love magic out here…!”

Ally paused for a moment before smiling and nodding. “Of course. This well of love shall never run dry~!!”

Marle clapped her hands again, forming another board. “Wonderful. ♪” She took a deep breath. “...I’m counting on you.”

Tetrominoes began to fall onto the board yet again. “More Tetris~?” Ally called.

Nodding, Marle gestured to the board. “Try to clear twenty lines as quickly as you can.” 

Ally nodded back, beginning to manipulate the blocks. She was a bit slow to get started, but picked up much quicker than last time, thinking on the fly just like she would with Puyo Puyo, stacking up the blocks and fitting them where she desired each of them to go. She set up her slot for getting Tetrises, and continued to play as quickly as she could, building up both the power and her love to let it flow amongst the stars, spreading it into the beautiful shimmering void all around her. 

“...Aaaand… twenty!” As Ally cleared her last lines, the board froze in place before disappearing yet again. 

Marle applauded her again. “Well done… I can’t thank you enough for helping me with this, Ally.”

“Hehehe~!” Ally giggled in response. “I could do this all day~! Where to next~? I still have so much love to share~!!”

“Sure…” Marle muttered, approaching Ally again. 

Before Marle could take Ally’s hands, Ally took a step back. “Um… Ms. Marle… You didn’t answer before… Are you alright…?”

Marle paused, her smile faltering. “...”

“Ms. Marle…?” Ally repeated. 

Marle shook her head. “L-Let’s move on, shall we…?”

“Already…? Why?” 

“Let’s see…” Marle mused. 

Ally’s expression grew serious. “Hey… please don’t ignore me… Why are you making that face…?”

Marle sighed, glancing into Ally’s eyes. “...It’s… It’s just… I’ve never seen someone with so much pure, untainted love… It’s almost too much for me…”

“You mean it…?” Ally’s voice softened. 

Marle paused again before nodding. “Of course… N-Now, let’s continue.” She grabbed Ally’s wrist, closing her eyes yet again.

“W-Wait…” Ally tried to protest, but Marle had already begun transporting them.

When the light faded, the two were in a place surrounded by trees. The sky was clear, and the sun was shining down on the park that they were standing in. Ally gazed down the stone-plated road, then back to the large fountain beside them. The area was decorated with various Puyo-themed playground equipment, including an arch. 

Ally’s eyes lit up as she recognized this area as well. “Primp…” She smiled, attempting to lighten the mood. “It’s always fun around here, too~...”

Marle’s eyes sank. “Yes… fun…”

Pausing yet again, Ally gazed at Marle. “...” After breathing for a moment, she gave Marle a kind smile. “...Ms. Marle…?”

Marle perked up, glancing at Ally. “...?”

“...I may not know exactly what it is you’re going through, but…” She clasped her hands together, nodding in affirmation. “...What I do know is that… there’s someone you love with all of your heart.”

“E-Eh…?” Marle flinched. “Wh…Why do you say that…?”

“From the moment I met you,” Ally explained. “I could tell that someone very important to you was on your mind. I could also pick up on the fact that you’re willing to do anything to help them. That, Ms. Marle… is love .”

“Ally…” Marle raised her head.

“That’s exactly why I’m going to help you.” Ally nodded again. “So you can save that one you love… And so you can allow my love to save Great Hero Arle and everyone with her. I’m going to let my love reach everyone .”

Marle’s smile widened. “I… I don’t know what to say…”

“Just promise that you’ll support me… okay?” Ally responded, softening her gaze. 

Marle nodded, giggling. “I promise.”

“Now, then…” Ally took a deep breath. “Bring on the next trial, please~!”

“Coming right up!” Marle responded, creating another board.

“More Tetris?”

Marle shook her head. “No, not this time. It’s time for Puyo Puyo!”

Ally beamed as the familiar blobs began to descend on the board. However… “Uwah, they’re tiny~!”

“Tiny Trial time!” Marle announced. “Build your power with miniature Puyo!”

Ally giggled, beginning to stack Puyo as she usually did, though now with a much larger space to plan for chains. Being much more experienced with Puyo battling, she stacked them quickly, linking colors and planning ahead for her setup. “Here we gooo~!!” 

Marle watched in awe as Ally stacked higher and higher, preparing to let it all chain in order to release as much of her love as possible. Marle prepared herself as well, ready to take it all in. And then…

“It’s time!!” Ally placed a yellow Puyo in the right spot, triggering the large chain she had set up! The Puyo began to cascade down, group by group popping and bursting magic. Magic began to build and build, filling Ally up, and allowing her love to flow to its fullest!! One by one, she let her spells fly from her fingertips as their names spilled from her throat! “ Emission!! Melody Scale!! Star Rain~!! Brave Heart~!! Love Shine~!!! ” Her love took shape, glowing and shimmering as bright, colorful lights, as they burst and spread out far around her.

Marle’s eyes glittered, in awe, as the magic flowed around her. A smile then spread across her face. “That… That was magnificent…!!” She dismissed the board, approaching Ally again. 

Ally panted a bit, a little exhausted from releasing so much energy, but she composed herself, chuckling. “Thank you, Ms. Marle~... Thank you so much~!!”

Marle placed her hands on her chest, humming as she seemed to feel the love that Ally had given her beat through her heart. “No, Ally… thank you .”

Stepping closer, Ally scratched the back of her head, catching her breath. “Ehehe~!”

Marle then reached out her hands to Ally. “Now, then… that about does it.”

“What…?” Ally’s smile faded. “You mean… it’s over…? Already…?” She donned a saddened expression. “...What about us…? We’re… splitting up…?”

Marle recoiled. “Um… well… You’ve already done so much for me… I… I don’t want to trouble you further…”

“It was no trouble at all! I mean it!” Ally called, starting to get desperate.

“I appreciate you saying that, but…” Marle gripped her arm. “It was selfish of me to ask you to do so much…”

Ally gave Marle a sad gaze. She then offered her hands to Marle. “... Ms. Marle… It’s okay, I-...” 

Grabbing her hands, Marle sighed. “H…Here… allow me to take you home…”

After yet another surge of light, they were back where they had begun, on the dirt trail within Grimp Forest. 

Marle muttered, glancing away. “... I really need to keep to myself sometimes, I know… It’s just… your love, it’s… um… It’s hard to explain, but… I-I just feel… more whole when I’m able to feel it within me… I… I should’ve dialed back a b-bit on the trials, though, I o-overdid it, I keep forgetting to b-be gentle, um, um…”

“Hey, hey, hey…” Ally approached the shaking Marle, leading her to flinch and glance back up at Ally. “...You’re overwhelming yourself, Ms. Marle… Your heart… as much as it’s full of love… it’s also so full of sorrow and regret … I can feel that now…” 

Marle began to calm down, trying to hold back some small tears that had welled up in her eyes. “...Y…You can…?”

Ally paused a bit, then smiled. “...I know what will cheer you up, Ms. Marle. Let’s…” She spread her arms out again, eyes shining. “...express our love for one another~!!”

“Wh-What-?!” Marle flinched, taken aback. “What do you m-mean…?!”

Ally simply couldn't hold it back any longer. Her love had swelled so much during this adventure. It was cascading through every inch of her body, and her emotions had begun flowing along with it. At the top of her lungs, she cried out to Marle with all of the love she had, “I… I!!... I LOVE YOU, MARLE~!!!”

Gasping, Marle stared in shock. “M…Me…?!”

Ally calmed down a bit, getting serious. “I know something’s been bothering you. I’ve seen the sadness in your eyes.”

Marle nodded solemnly. “...I… suppose…”

A gigantic grin spread across Ally’s face as her eyes began to shine with wonder and love. “Right~. And you want to know something~...? There’s no better way to fight sadness than with~... THE POWER OF LOOOVE~!!!” Ally, now under the complete influence of her own love, carefully took Marle’s hands and gently pulled her closer to herself. “When you love someone… you trust them! And trust is so incredibly, lovingly special~. I helped you because I trust you, Ms. Marle~!” She softened her gaze. “Do you think you can find it in your heart to trust me, too~...?” 

Marle’s eyes sparkled as she glanced into Ally’s. Gazing into them, Ally felt her love only jump further. There was something about Marle that made Ally’s love feel warmer than usual, more sparkling and vibrant than usual. Stronger than usual. And Ally could see by gazing into Marle’s eyes, that she felt oh, so much of the same. Marle then gave a small nod. “...I trust you, Ally. I trust you with my whole heart.”

Ally grinned, letting go of Marle’s hands and backing up, giggling. “It’s settled then. Let’s battle! In the name of love~!!”

“Battle…?” Marle echoed. “With Puyo…?”

Ally nodded again, preparing her magic. “It’ll only make our love ever, ever stronger~!! Come on~!!”

Marle giggled as well, preparing her own magic. “If you insist…!” 

The two then formed their boards. “Puyo Puyo battle~!!” They called in sync as the blobs began to fall on both of their boards! 

Ally began to build up her chain, occasionally glancing over at Marle, who seemed to be going a little slower, as if she was holding back. Ally took note of this, preparing herself for a battle filled to the brim with love. Ally was the first to unleash her chain, channeling her love as much as she could before letting it all out to Marle!! “ Emission! Melody Scale! Star Rain~!! ” Her bursts of magic began to strike Marle’s board, and Marle giggled in response. 

“Here, Ally~... I want you to feel my light~!!” She called before setting off her own chain, countering Ally’s. “ Annulus! Round Dance! Pastel Circle~!! ” She redirected the damage as she called, “This really is fun, isn’t it~?”

“Kyah!” Ally was surprised about such a quick redirect, and a couple of nuisance Puyo fell onto her board. However, there was still room to stack and chain, so Ally continued to build up her Puyo. Though, she thought about that magic that Marle had unleashed… It was unlike anything she had felt before. It was something that seemed far beyond the scope of her own world. And yet… despite its otherworldly nature… Ally began feeling drawn to it. It sparked her love, and began to cause it to grow…!

Ally composed herself, taking in the sparks of light that Marle emitted out to her, and continuing to stack her Puyo higher, connecting colors together and preparing to release more power! “This is exhilarating!!” Ally exclaimed. “My power…  it’s on the rise…!! I’ve never had a battle like this before!!”

Marle grinned. “Is that so~? Please, let it grow further, Ally!” She continued to stack her Puyo, seeming to be moving just a bit faster. “Lend your love to me~!!” She then set off her chain first, building her whimsical light and unleashing it out to Ally with the spell, “ Shiny Bubble~!!! ” 

Thankfully, Ally was able to set off her own chain just in time, beginning to counter Marle’s! She let loose her love, only feeling it swell and swell!! “ All is love~!! ” She successfully redirected her opponent’s spells, then slung more of her own!! “ Brave Heart~!! LOVE SHINE~!!! ” Marle’s light flooding around her only began to fuel her. She began to have more and more… fun !! 

Marle jumped back a bit, popping a few extra chains to lessen the damage done to her board, but she only giggled as the nuisance Puyo fell onto it. “Ahahaha~!! Good, good, good!!”

I’ve never felt my love reach this level before… Ally thought to herself, feeling her heart pound as her eyes locked onto Marle’s overjoyed face. Her… Her smile… the softness in her giggle… the purity in her light and sense of fun… Her heart was beginning to do more than pound… it was fluttering like a butterfly. It was starting to soar, gliding with the updrafts of light and love on golden wings… What… What does this mean…? She let off another chain, gathering her love to great extent to unleash it in another powerful attack! “ LOOOVE…!!! SHIIIIIINE~!!!! ”

Marle attempted to counter it, but the power of the spell ultimately overwhelmed her, and her board disappeared as the nuisance Puyo filled it to the top. Marle staggered, becoming dizzied by her defeat, but she got a hold of herself, and fell over, laughing! “Ahaha~!! Ahahahahahaa~!!!” Her cheeks were rosy with joy, and Ally could sense that her heart was filled up with the love she had given her.

Ally turned her attention to her own heart, and she could feel the light that Marle had let out reaching the depths of her own love. She could feel her face grow warmer as an unerasable smile fell upon her lips. Wow… She waved her hand, her own board disappearing as well, as she giggled, approaching Marle. 

She held out her hand, and Marle took it with glee. “So~...?” Ally called as she helped Marle up. “How do you feel now, Ms. Marle~?”

Marle composed herself, taking some deep breaths from the laughing she had done earlier. “I… feel so… so warm inside…!” Marle held onto Ally’s hands, taking deep breaths. “Your love… I can feel it filling every fiber of my being~...”

“That’s good~... It’s exactly what you wanted, right?” Ally gently rubbed her thumbs over Marle’s warm, soft gloves as she responded. “Please, cherish and nurture that love inside of you. I can assure you that it will only grow~. Use that love to share my power with the ones who need it! Especially the one in your heart~.” She gazed deep into Marle’s sparkling, lavender eyes. 

Marle gave a quiet giggle, gazing right back into Ally’s own eyes. “I promise to put it all to use. Everyone will be safe... even my own loved one… thanks to you.”

Giggling again, Ally nodded, inching closer to Marle as she held her hands. Her smile faltered just a bit as something dawned on her. “...I’m… I’m sure you have to leave now… don’t you…?”

Marle’s own smile shrunk just a bit. “...Yes, that’s correct.”
“...Will you come visit again…?”

“...” Marle paused, breaking eye contact as she thought. “I’m sorry… I can’t say for certain…” She perked back up again, looking back at Ally’s eyes. “But… I can promise you that I’ll always watch over you. You’ll always be safe under my watch, I promise.”

Ally smiled. “I’m honored, Ms. Marle.” She slowly, hesitantly let go of Marle’s hands. “... This is goodbye, then…”

Nodding, Marle responded, “Indeed it is. I can assure you that I’ll spread your love as far across space-time as I possibly can. I’ll cherish your love… and I trust you to cherish the pieces of my own love and light that I’ve given you as well… If we do that… We’ll never be alone. We’ll always have a piece of one another in each other’s hearts.”

Ally nodded back. “Right. … Farewell, Ms. Marle.”

“Farewell…

… Ally.”

Chapter Text

“‘Ally’… ‘Ally’… ‘Ally’…” She muttered to herself, pacing around her room. “… That’s the last thing she said to me, I just know it…”

Rafisol, who was sitting on Ally’s bed, was watching her in confusion. “What… exactly are you doing…?” 

Ally then sat at her desk, picking up her pencil and staring at the blank journal paper yet again. “I’m honestly not entirely sure…” She sighed, exasperated. “It’s just… for the past couple of days, I’ve been having this… feeling inside of me… It’s… really difficult to describe… and it’s been bugging me for the entirety of the week…”

Tilting her head, Rafisol asked. “…Can you try to describe this ‘feeling’…?”

Ally leaned back in her chair. “ Well …” She began, staring at the ceiling and tapping the pencil between her fingers. She closed one of her eyes, really trying to focus on the strange sensation in her own heart. “…Uhhhh…”

“…Is it love?” Rafisol suggested, trying to help.

“Well… some form of it, maybe…” Ally responded. “It definitely has that lovely warmth, but… Ohh dear, what’s the word… It’s… It’s…”  Ally snapped her fingers, trying to jog her tangled thoughts. She began to gesture with her hands, from tapping her chest to reaching out in front of her to standing up from her chair and putting her hands on her head. She stuttered. “Like… It’s like… that sort of feeling… um… you feel… the sort… where you… when… you get that… this feeling in your… your feelings… the…” 

Eventually, she groaned, exasperated, and she flopped back onto her chair. “Gahhh, it’s no use…” She sighed. “My mind and heart are way too tangled together about this, it’s impossible to tell!”

Rafisol nodded. “I see… and this has been going on for the past week, yes?”

Ally nodded, looking defeated. “Everything I can possibly make out from this mixed-up web of feelings and love is that it’s all tied to someone … someone who I don’t know… It… It almost feels as though I never knew this person… which is impossible, considering I believe that, whoever they are, they are the cause of this feeling…”

“Hm.” Rafisol nodded. “Have you told any of the others about this?”

“No, not really…” Ally muttered. “It’s not really a big deal, I haven’t had a reason to…”

Rafisol stood up. “Ally. Of all people, you should remember that you taught me that things can be better understood through the assistance of others.” She gave Ally a small smile. “Even if they end up as confused as you are, you taught me that everyone’s mind flows differently from one another. I am sure you will eventually come across people who can start giving you clues in one way or another.”

Ally sighed, smiling back. “…Y…You’re right, dear Rafisol. I suppose I became so wrapped up in unraveling my own emotions that I forgot that I have other people to talk to about it, ehehe~.”

“That certainly seems like the case.” Rafisol chuckled. “So, where to go first?”

“Best to start where we always do.” Ally responded. “Grimp Village.” 

Rafisol nodded, stepping forward towards Ally. In a flash of magical light, Rafisol disappeared into the purple pendant around Ally’s neck.

Ally nodded back, gathering her journal and pencil and stepping out of her room, heading downstairs. She collected a small leather bag in which she placed her note-taking tools, and even decided to pack a few snacks, being a group of ginger snap biscuits and a small bunch of freshly picked ribbonberries.

Once she was all set, she stepped out of her cabin and into the brightly lit scenery and cool, rich air of the forest. She started down the dirt road, humming to herself nonchalantly.

On her way through the forest, she heard the familiar cries of the forest’s monsters echoing around. The quivering “ ~Waaaiiii, waii~!!~ ” of Rammits, the curious “ Wheeeeee~! ” of Wheeloos, the lazy “ Hammu~haaa~ ” of Hamtas, and the rumbling “ Hieeee-tah! ” of Woodtles. She felt the cool breeze as it brushed against her face and streamed through the leaves on the trees as she wandered down towards the village. 

  As she arrived, she was met with welcoming calls from the citizens. Smiles fell upon the faces of those who caught Ally’s eyes, waving her with hands and paws alike.

“Heya, Ally!”

“It’s nice to see you, Ally~!”

“Ally, welcome back!”

“G’day, friend!”

Ally giggled, waving back to the villagers in response. “Hello, everyone~!!” She slowed her pace, scanning the buildings for the familiar faces of her friends. 

A loud, gruff voice then caught her attention. “Oi, Ally~! It’s been a couple of naps in th’ sun since I’ve seen ya!”

Turning her head, Ally glanced over to where the voice came from. Seeing the familiar scaled face of the lizard greengrocer, her face lit up. “Mr. Stonefang!” She approached his stand, which had a colorful display of various fruits, vegetables, and other plants. 

Mr. Stonefang grinned, his fangs drawing Ally’s attention for a moment before he spoke. “What brings ya down here in the middle of the day? Don’t ya usually stop by in the mornings?”

“That’s true…” Ally glanced over the produce on display. “...I decided to take a walk down here for a while because… well, it’s pretty complicated…” A warmth seeped into her chest. Glancing down, Ally could see the pendant softly glowing. Rafisol was encouraging her. Taking a deep breath, she continued, looking into Mr. Stonefang’s eyes. “For the past week, I’ve been fretting over this inexplicable feeling inside of me… It’s caught somewhere between a hundred tangled thoughts and feelings, I simply cannot make sense of it.” She sighed. “I came out here because I realized that there’s absolutely no way I can figure it out on my own. I’m looking to get some advice.” 

Mr. Stonefang nodded, bringing his claws underneath his rough snout. “Hm… I see. Well, ya’ve made a good choice comin’ to get some outside help. Good on ya for recognizin’ that ya need it; I know what it’s like tryna to be stubborn ‘bout doing somethin’ on yer own, ha~.”

“Ehehe~.” Ally giggled. “Thank you, Mr. Stonefang. Anything else to note?”

“Hummm…” He mused. “Sorry, Ally. Nothing’s comin’ to mind. I ain’t the adventurin’ type, I’m no expert on weird magical happenin’s, haha~!”

“That’s quite alright.” Ally nodded in acceptance. “I suppose I’ll be continuing on my way, then~.”
Before she could turn to leave, Mr. Stonefang stopped her. “Hold on, Ally~! If it’s gonna be a long journey ahead of ya…” He reached in front of himself, grabbing one of the sunlick apples from the stand before tossing it to Ally, who caught it on reflex. “It’s all yours, no price!”

Ally tilted her head. “Are you sure? I have some snacks already!”

Mr. Stonefang waved his claws dismissively. “Ahhh, it’s nothin’! Think of it as somethin’ I can give ya that isn’t advice~. Oh! And, if you wanna look for Elric, he’s patrolin’ down the path to th’ Peaceful Forest.”

Giggling, Ally nodded. “Alright, then. Thank you, Mr. Stonefang!” She started her way down the eastward road, waving a farewell to Mr. Stonefang, and he chuckled, waving back.

As Ally walked down the road, exiting the town and starting towards the Peaceful Forest on the eastern side of Grimp, she started getting lost in her thoughts. What truly is this feeling…? Her eyes wandered, watching the blades of grass, keeping notice of her feet as they padded across the soft dirt, then being drawn to the bright, blue sky, with only a few white clouds peppering her line of sight. That gaze is where it stayed, as Ally fully immersed herself in her own thoughts and lost track of what she was actually looking at.

This all started last week… what happened, that day it began? She thought back to that fateful day, attempting to envision her path. I woke up… had some sweetbread for breakfast… tidied the house… washed… dressed… did my morning walks… … … Her mind trailed off. There was a sudden fog covering her consciousness. Trying to imagine herself walking down Grimp’s road on that particular day just led herself to walking right into a fog so damp and heavy that she could barely even see her own hands in front of her. She continued to run her memories forward, and, just like every time she’s thought back to the previous days, things seemed clear for the most part, but she was getting all kinds of mixed up. She was forgetting events, mistaking some events for happening on other days, mixing up places and time… Her mind almost began to ache, the memories and feelings twisting, knotting, tying Ally right back into that web of confusion and incomprehensible emotions, of twisted memories and indecipherable love, of… light and magic…? 

Ally paused, opening her eyes. Through the thick fog and ensaring web of disoriance… she saw something… some one. The silhouette of a figure was made out… with oddly-shaped hair and a round dress… A pair of eyes opened up on the figure, shining through the fog. A pair of… beautiful … lavender eyes…

A voice pierced through, striking Ally’s very heart. 

“... Ally… ”

The voice was as familiar as it wasn’t. It came from everywhere and nowhere at once. It spoke again, fading…

“ Ally… ”

“D…Don’t go…!” Ally muttered, reaching forward into the fog, struggling against the strings of her consciousness tied around her. 

“ Ally… Ally…”

“...Ally! M-Miss Ally-!!” Huh…? The voice… it isn’t feminine anymore…? “Y-You’re starting to scare me, miss Ally…! P…Please answer me…!!”

“Eh…?” Ally shook her head, snapping back to reality. The fog and string around her was gone, and she was standing now surrounded by the trees in the quiet Peaceful Forest. In front of her was the armor-clad, anxious knight of Grimp, who had a greatly worried look on his face. Ally flinched. “S-Sir Elric!”

Elric heaved a sigh of relief. “Hahh, you’re okay… Y-You just kept staring off into space like you were in… like you were in some kind of trance…! You even walked right into me…!”

Ally flinched again, bowing. “Ah-! I-I’m so sorry…!! I was just so lost in thought…”

Elric smiled at her as she stood back up straight. “It’s okay, Ally… it happens…”

Smiling back, Ally perked up. “Thank you, Sir Elric. I’ve just been in a… strange headspace recently.” She paused for a moment, noting Elric’s tilted, curious head. “...Shall we walk a bit? I’ll talk with you about it.”

“Oh, of course!” Elric nodded. “I’m always happy to listen.” He started down the dirt path, and Ally followed, trailing alongside him. “So… what’s been going on?”

“You see…” Ally glanced up to the canopies of the trees, thinking back to how she explained it earlier. “... It all started last week, where… I think I met someone who I don’t know, even after meeting them, and ever since then, my mind’s been a confused mess of tangled memories and feelings… There’s definitely traces of love laced within it, too, but I can’t tell what kind of love is, nor what exactly brought forth that love… It’s all a big mess.” She sighed again. “I came out looking for some advice on the matter, even if you aren’t sure exactly what’s going on.”

Elric nodded. “So, what you’re saying is that your mind… is all jumbled up?”

“In a sense, I believe so.” Ally replied. “What’s even more curious is that my memories of all of the days succeeding that strange meeting are getting all mixed up, too. I keep forgetting events that happened these past few days, I mix up what happened when, and I sometimes even completely forget where I am, despite my adventuring across every single corner of this world… It’s almost as if I’m losing track of time and space itself whenever I try to think about those foggy memories…”

“Hm…” Elric mused. “I… I sure hope it’s no condition of some kind… I-I wouldn’t want you to lose all of your memories-!!” 

Ally muttered to herself. “That certainly wouldn’t be a favorable outcome… B-But, despite things all being jumbled up, I doubt any sort of memory has been lost … it’s all just caught somewhere in this thick fog and web of confusion…”

Elric took a deep breath. “That’s a relief, at least.” He paused for a little while, but before he could talk again, another voice interrupted him, one that was much younger. 

“Whatcha guys talking about?” It rang.

Elric jumped a mile high, hiding behind Ally. “ AAAAAAAAA-!!! Wh-Wh-Who goes there-?!”

A young wolf boy jumped out of the bushes, holding a yo-yo in one of his paws and wearing a stylized hoodie. “Chill out, Elric! It’s just me!!”

Elric anxiously glanced around Ally’s side, looking down at the small figure in front of them. He took a breath. “A-Allan…”

Grinning, Allan nodded. “The one and only!”

Ally donned a mildly stern look as she looked down to Allan as well. “Young Allan, you can’t scare Sir Elric like that! You should know that he gets easily spooked!”

Allan sighed. “Alright, alright… I’m sorry, Elric…” After giving an apologetic look, he stood back up straight, tilting his head in curiosity. “Sooo… what were you guys talking about…?”

“Ally’s mind is all messed up…” Elric explained.

Nodding, Ally added, “I keep getting all of my memories and feelings all tied together, in a sense. It’s practically impossible to tell one thing from another!”

“That’s freaky…” Allan muttered. “How did it happen?”

“That’s precisely what I’m trying to figure out…” Ally responded. “All I’ve been able to figure out is that this feeling has been caused by someone…”

Allan gasped. “You were cursed by a witch!!”

Elric flinched. “W-Wait, what…?! It…It does make sense…”

Strangely, Ally felt an urge to defend this potential “witch”… “I wouldn’t jump to conclusions so quickly…”

“Well, witch or not,” Allan huffed. “I still bet you have some kinda weird curse on you!”

“A curse is certainly one way to think about it…” Ally put one of her hands to her chin, in thought.

Elric’s face then lit up as an idea came across his mind. “Ah, Ally! Maybe you should head down to Purplune! There’s all kinds of strange magic there. You might be able to find a clue about your condition if you go over there, whether it’s a curse, or some wild magic, or something else entirely!”

“Oh! That’s a lovely idea, Sir Elric!” Ally beamed. “I’ll have to meet up with lady Lucilia, and perhaps we could scour the library for answers.”

Elric smiled, nodding with a bashful blush. “Th-Thank you…”

Allan hopped up in between Ally and Elric. “I was the one who thought of the curse idea, so you should thank me, too~!”

Chuckling, Ally gave Allan a pat on his furry head. “Ehehehe~. Thank you, young Allan. Your wisdom has saved me again~!” She spoke the last sentence with a playful demeanor, and Allan chuckled in response.

“Why, of course, Ally~!” Allan returned with an exaggerated bow. 

Ally giggled one last time before continuing to walk down the dirt road, waving to the two of them. “Farewell for now, Sir Elric! Young Allan!”

The two waved back as Ally continued on her journey.

On her way to the docks, Rafisol spoke up from the pendant, a message only Ally could hear. “So far, so good.” 

Ally nodded. “Indeed~. I now have a bit of a clue as to what exactly is going on… Whatever’s happening, it certainly seems magical.”

“Magical indeed…” Rafisol mused. “A magic that is beyond the scope of what we can understand…”

“It certainly is quite an enigma, hm…?” 

“No, you misunderstood, Ally…” 

“Eh?” Ally perked up, curious. “What do you mean…?”

“…I sensed a bit of that magic weighing over your mind…” Rafisol explained. “It… It belongs to something far beyond our comprehension… This small piece of magic is… overwhelmingly powerful…”

“Is that so…?” Ally murmured. 

“I believe so…” Rafisol responded. “…I would continue with this adventure with an air of caution. We do not know what we might be dealing with…”

Ally thought for a moment. “…Whatever happens… I have a feeling everything is going to be okay. There’s something about this magic that… that… … I… ugh… I can’t describe it, but… it can’t be all bad… right?”

Chapter Text

Marle cradled the crystalline orb in her palms. She hummed dreamily as she laid on top of the large bubble, keeping perfect balance on her back as she gazed into the sphere. Within it, she watched over the world within that storybook… the world of The Chronicle… Ally’s world. 

Such a beautiful, pristine world~. Marle thought to herself, giggling. So full of ancient secrets, mysterious magic, and~… She sighed wistfully, blushing as she looked into the sphere, which she manipulated to reveal a view in which she could see… The prettiest, most gorgeous treasure in all of the worlds~… one that cannot be bought with gold, one that cannot be found hiding away in a beast’s hoard… the treasure is no coin, no gem, no magical item… it’s the loveliest adventurer I’ve ever met~… an adventurer named~… Ally~.

She brought the orb closer to her face, dreamy eyes fixated on the girl in green as she sauntered down the dirt road, weaving between the tall forest trees. Such dainty, yet sure movements… vibrant orange-brown hair done with bubbly curls in the back… shining, minty green eyes that were filled to the brim with life and love… and a smile… oh, that smile! … that could melt the coldest hearts, light the darkest rooms, and bring life to the most hopeless of souls. 

Marle giggled, cheeks flushing yet again as she held the orb to her chest, feeling the magical warmth pulsing from it and reaching her body. She envisioned that warmth as Ally’s warmth. She imagined being flooded by Ally’s love like she was that time ago, being wrapped neatly, tightly in her loving arms… She imagined being told not to worry, not to cry, being told that everything is going to be okay, all in Ally’s soft, sweet, comforting voice… She envisioned gazing directly into Ally’s sparkling eyes yet again, holding her hands and pulling her closer to herself… She wanted to lean closer, closing her eyes, and…-

“Playing favorites yet again, Marle~?” 

“ UWAAAAH-!!! ” A stoic, focused voice, with a tone that seemed to be teasing her, invaded her daydreaming. Marle leaped up, spooked so badly that the bubble popped beneath her, and she fumbled the sphere, which just hovered in the air once it escaped her grasp. Thud! Marle fell flat onto her stomach. She was stunned for a moment before hurriedly shaking it off and scrambling to stand back up. “S-S… Squ-Squares-!!” She snatched the orb out of the air and hid it behind her back. “U-Um!! I was, just… you see, there was, uh… hum, I, well, if you, you just-!”

Squares chuckled, shaking his head and raising his hand, bringing Marle’s stuttering to a halt. “I thought your days of hiding things from me were behind us~.” He rolled his eyes, a sarcastic grin accompanying it. 

Marle’s face became as red as a late sunset. She knew that Squares knew exactly what was going on. She took a deep breath, revealing the sphere behind her back. “Y…Yeah, I suppose so…”

Squares approached, leaning down to follow the position in which Marle was observing Ally, watching the girl of love for a few moments before folding his arms, tilting his head as he gazed at Marle. Marle averted her eyes, embarrassed. “I remember you telling me about your past infatuations. This girl…” 

“...A-Ally…” Marle mumbled, shifting her weight from one foot to the other in a guilty swaying.

Squares nodded. “...Ally. She’s different this time, right? She’s the first one you’ve actually met.”

“M…Mhm…” Marle sighed. “I… I don’t know what I was thinking… there were plenty of others across the Puyo multiverse I could’ve drawn a special power from…” She finally looked back up to Squares, lowering the sphere. “I-I feel bad, Squares…! She misses me… but… she can’t remember me…  It’s not like the others across the worlds where they’ll see me and forget me once I leave, moving on with their lives… Ally… she… her… Ally is…”

“Her heart is actively longing for your return?” Squares finished the sentence for his sister.

Marle sighed, pausing before nodding, a saddened look in her eyes. “...Yes… Despite not remembering me… There’s something that’s binding her heart to mine…”

“Perhaps that something is the love that she shared with you?” Squares suggested, gently taking the orb from Marle’s hands to watch Ally as she approached the docks at the edge of Grimp. 

“Oh, that’s, without a doubt, it…” Marle pressed her now free hands to her chest. She could still feel the faint beating of a trace of Ally’s love that remained, even after that battle, where she used up so much of it. It was almost as if that love was stuck to her. A piece of Ally’s magic, Ally’s heart,  was now secure inside of her own. “... I just don’t know what to do from here, Squares… I-I’ve never been this deeply obsessed with someone before…! It’s more than an infatuation… it’s… it’s…”

“Love?” 

“...Love. True love…” Marle nodded, cheeks getting rosy once more. However, she shook her head, focusing. “...B…But… I don’t know how to express all of this love… Ally, she does it so effortlessly… once she knows how she feels, she pours out that feeling to everyone and everything… I know exactly how I feel… b-but I can’t possibly just go call it out to her!”

Squares tapped his chin, curious. “How come?”

Marle paused, opening and closing her mouth a few times before sighing, her shoulders slacking. “...I don’t know.”

“Then you should go talk to her again.” Squares presented the orb to Marle, who flinched.

“Heh-?! N-No! No, no, no, no way!!” Marle jumped back, waving her gloves frantically. “I-I’m nowhere near ready for that yet-!!” She glanced around before taking a deep breath and scurrying off. “I’m gonna go unwind in my hideout…!”

Squares turned around, watching her leave. He chuckled to himself, calling out. “Take your time. I’ll make sure Ally’s safe until you’re ready~!!”

Marle muttered incomprehensively under her breath as Squares said this, her face flushing once more, but she took a deep breath and shook it off. It’s going to be okay… I just need to figure things out… 

After skipping through the ethereal, geometric landscape of the Edge of Two Worlds for a little while, Marle made it to one of the entrances to her hideout. She waved her gloved hand, raising it in front of her before lowering it, manipulating the ground to lower in front of her, creating a staircase into the long hallway. Once she stepped down the stairs, she raised her arm again, and the ground shifted back into place. 

Marle was now alone in her beloved hideout. Peace, but… not necessarily quiet.

    Tick... tock… tick… tock…

                                                                    Ring! Whirrrr…

                                                                                                   Hummmm~...                                                              Prring, prring!

                          Shuffle… shuffle… 

                                                                                                                                                Chk-chk-chk-chk!        

Zzzzzzzzz… 

                                                          Brrr, brrrrr, clack, clack…

…tick…tock…tick…tock…

The clamorous, yet comforting ambient noises of the various knick-knacks scattered throughout her hideout echoed all the way to Marle’s ears. She walked down the hallway, glancing around her shelves. She smiled, slowing to pick up a few plastic toys. Some were still figures, others had moving joints. Some fit between her fingers, others required both hands to operate. 

She pulled on drawers, leafing through the works commissioned by artists, then reading back on a couple of special notes signed by those Marle befriended all across several different worlds, then glancing through the world maps of planets both near and far, chuckling as she thought through the memories associated with them. 

Past the drawers were more shelves, lined with rocks and minerals from vastly different universes. Pristine diamonds, black glass forged by erupting volcanoes, stones that glistened, rocks with colorful layers, and crystals holding remnants of lives that once were.

Marle ran her hand across the wall absolutely coated with stickers, large and small, featuring designs so incredibly far and few inbetween, from abstract and simple to immensely detailed and carefully crafted. 

She brushed by the technology section of her immense, inter-universal collection. Marle stopped by her favorite little radio, and she decided to let some music join the whimsical cacophony of noises her hideout brought. She flipped the switch to turn it on, then adjusted the frequency to catch the radio waves echoing across existence, even farther than the worlds themselves reached, and…

A bright and upbeat song began, an old rock guitar playing the main melody with vibrant drums backing it up. Marle bopped along, recognizing it. She hummed to herself as she continued to the next section of her hideout as the lyrics kicked in, sung by a feminine voice in a language nearly lost in the world it originated from. 

♪Wuaru tchia~ wheru mi~♪

♪Venafa mo~... Nu~waaal~!♪

Marle chuckled, skipping into the section where she kept her massive amount of plush toys, blankets and pillows, rubbing her hand across some sequins as the song continued from the radio.

♪Soramo hino, febura tuhanano natoki wo~...♪

♪Mavufa hiwe, maruki wo donaki runa~...♪

Marle bobbed her head to the rhythm, standing up straight and starting to bounce with her whole body as the song slowed a bit, building up…

♪Maera tchala lale iwii no~ verua naleteru wa~♪

♪Warano werarowai rola tchola shiaaa~!♪

Now here comes the chorus! Marle swept up a large, feathered stuffed creature and danced with it as the chorus came on!

♪Huanni va~!!♪

♪Hereda talu tchu urwa, vefalu nui~♪

♪Sarase go~!♪

♪Tchigaku ruda vulureadawo,♪

♪Nu~waaaal~!!!♪

Marle giggled as the instrumental break occurred, and she slowed down a bit, carrying the plush with her down the hall as she sauntered into the next section of her hideout. Her favorite section, even… the section where she did all of her arts, crafts, and other creations!

♪Nilu norni~ yarokira~♪

♪Fushi datchi~... Nu~waaal~!!♪

She ran her hand across the silky dress she was working on sewing, then checked on the resin sculptures she made a while ago, and even poked at ceramic sculptures, opening a drawer to ensure that her clay was acceptably damp, all as the radio continued to play that song.

♪Vuana navide wo, natchio savo larevoti~...♪

♪Muwuiivari, vakio sowa ti utee~...♪

She hummed, stepping to the rhythm, checking out her shelves upon shelves of supplies, starting to form an idea…

♪Virema nili heneno~ nirano welime wami~♪

♪Sugana urawa hirala varateeeo~!♪

Joining into the song, she sang along to the final two chorus stretches, spinning the plush around as she approached her work desk.

♪Varlo wo~!!♪

♪Nilani iiwa miruto nuwa hiruo~♪

♪Velmi va~!!♪

♪Faluro nuwa huavalivari huwa,♪

♪Nu~waaaal~!♪

She continued to giggle, singing the song with a louder voice, letting herself become immersed in the melodies.

♪Huanni va~!!♪

♪Talara hirulu tchu urwa, woami nui~♪

♪Sarase go~!♪

♪Hiragu nanuta vaale velawaa~♪

♪Vulomi tosa valo~, nilani~iiwa~♪

♪Varoara nae rafale, wowo~♪

♪Nu~waaaal~!♪

♪Nu~waaal~!!♪

♪Nu~waaaal~!!!♪

The song reached its final instrumental stretch, and Marle stopped dancing with the plush, glancing back at her art desk. She tilted her head as she studied it, glancing down at the plush in her hands as well.

Her eyes lit up as the song finally ended, and Marle cast her magic to manipulate the radio, adjusting its frequency to capture some radio waves carrying some nice instrumental music, letting it play through the radio. 

“ Atchi. Kolu ti tchala heriwo- ” Marle cleared her throat, realizing she was still speaking in the language presented by the song. “... I have an idea.” She muttered to herself, as she set the plushie down on the desk, off to the side, as she sat down. “Maybe… Maybe I need to practice expressing my emotions… my love! … I could do it through art, maybe?” She began glancing around. Her eye caught some of her sewn projects, tiny dolls of herself and her closest friends, meant to be reminders of the bonds she shared with them; the memories on either end. A smile fell onto her lips. Maybe I can start with a plush of Ally… I can practice talking to her, perhaps… Though, it’ll certainly be easier to look into a pair of eyes sewn to merely represent the beauty of her loving gaze, hehe~... It’ll be better than nothing, however… Let’s do it!  She stood up, directing her magic to her art supplies, using it to manipulate a drawer, opening it up to pull out fabrics of various colors, laying them out on the desk, and pulling her sewing machine closer. She then brought a bunch of cotton to the desk as well. She rubbed her hands together, giggling with glee as she prepared. 

Powering on the machine, she matched fabric colors to the image of Ally in her mind. A brownish orange for her elegant, sun-soaked hair; a peachy tone for her skin, tanned from outdoor adventures; black, white, and mint for her eyes, so full of life and love; silver and violet for her mysterious pendant, shining with otherworldly energy; various shades of natural, leafy and grassy greens for her elegant dress and boots; and finally, gold and yellow for her clothes’ highlights, shining with as much warm love as the rest of her does. 

She gathered previous dolls she made before, attempting to envision the pattern for the Ally doll she was about to make. Once she had all of the stitches in mind, she began to mark where she needed to stitch and cut with a pencil. She began to get to work, humming as the songs echoed from the radio down the hall, joined in with the other ambient sounds of her hideout. Now, her sewing machine has joined in too!

Wrrrrr… Wrrr, wrrr…                        ♪~

                                           ♪~                               Bzzzzzzzzzzt…

                                                                                                                                    Chk-ah….chk, chk, chk…                              Ting-ting-ting!

                                ♪~♪~                                                                      Wrrrrrrrrrrrr~...

                 “Hmm~♪ hm~hm~♪ hmhm~hm~♪, hm~♪ hmmmmm~♪♪”

                                                 Wrrrrr~...

          ♪~

                                                                                                                                                             Clack-a-clack-a-clack-a…

                                                                          Wrrrrr-wrr-wrrr…                                    ♪~

Tick… tock… tick… tock…

. 　　 · 　˚ ✧↶*ೃ˚.✿❃ ↷ ˊ-✧ ˚ 　· 　　 .

After time had passed - Marle never could quite tell how much time passes while in the Edge of Two Worlds - she had finished. Checking for any holes and ensuring the doll had just the right amount of fluff between the soft, fabric layers, she shut off her sewing machine and held her new project in her palms.

Her eyes shimmered as she glanced down to her newest creation, grinning with whimsy and excitement. She took a deep breath, lowering the doll onto the desk, and propping it up as if it was sitting down right in front of her. As if Ally herself was sitting down right in front of her. 

The doll glanced back towards Marle, sewn eyes shining right back.

Marle sighed dreamily. “Hello, Ally~...” She then suddenly perked up, shaking her head. “Augh, what am I doing…? Just by looking at a doll I’ve made of her, I can’t help but think of the real girl and swoon…!!” She gently pressed her forehead with the bottoms of her palms. “Focus, Marle, focus… …You really have to figure this out, girl…” She opened her eyes, looking longingly at the Ally doll yet again. “...Figure out… how to let loose your true love …”

Chapter Text

“Nice ridin’ with ya again, Ally!” The old fisherman wolf nodded as Ally got off his boat, arriving at Purplune’s dock. 

Ally nodded back, returning with a pollite wave and smile. “Indeed~. Have a lovely day~!” She then stepped forward, fully entering the darkened city of Purplune Town, illuminated by the perpetual stars and moon above and lanterns lit through golden flames of magic below. 

Just by letting the cooler, saltier air touch her skin, she could already sense the mysterious magic tingling through the air, a sensation common for anyone entering this division of the world. She took a deep breath, stepping forward across the stone road. 

The residents of Purplune gave her polite nods of acknowledgement as she passed them by, and she did so in return, a smile on her face. Her eyes wandered to the glittering windows of the town’s buildings, reflecting the stars above. As she wandered down the main street, she even caught sight of the Tower of Color standing strong and proud in the distance across the ever-mysterious ocean of the world. Her mind began to drift as her eyes did, pondering the events as what has become usual for her, but just before she could descend into trance again, an unfamiliar voice called out to her.

“Hey! You’re that Ally kid, right?” Ally perked up, turning her head to a tall cat person wearing dark brown and blue leather robes, and black fur as she approached her.

Ally nodded, politely addressing the stranger. “Indeed, that’s me. What can I help you with, madam?”

The cat woman nodded towards her. “Aren’t you able to tame the monsters well?”

“I suppose so…” Ally tilted her head. “People have told me that I understand them in a way others don’t… Why do you ask?”

“We have a bit of a Rammit problem on the western side of town.” She explained. “We need someone to corral them back out of town before they block more roads.” 

A smile fell onto Ally’s face. “I’d love to help out!” 

The woman clasped her paws together, nodding. “Thank you, Miss Ally! Here, I’ll show you the way!” The two started the path towards the westward road, crossing the central plaza to pass through towards west. 

As they did, Ally began to pick up on the overlapping cries of a whole group of Rammits, and a lot of them, too. Once they made it, Ally looked over the dozens of jelly-like monsters with waving ribbons, all in various colors. A majority of them were purple and yellow, but the rest were either green, red, or blue. They were all blocking the road ahead, congregating as if they were looking for something. 

“Well, here they are… Can you help?” The cat woman turned down to her. 

Ally placed her hand on her chin, observing the motions of the Rammits. “Hmm…” She watched them as they were wandering around the area, slowly moving ahead in a group, their little eyes glancing to and fro. “...I believe that they’re searching for food.” She then perked up as an idea came across her. “I brought some ribbonberries with me! I could lure them back outside the town, where they’ll have a much better chance of finding a good bite to eat, ehehe~!”

The cat woman beamed, clasping her paws together. “Amazing… it’s true what they say about you, miss!”

Ally blushed bashfully, scratching the back of her head as she giggled. “I’m honored that so many people see me in such a high light~... Ahem! Anyway~!” She cleared her throat, focusing, before approaching the small monsters while digging through her bag. She then pulled out the bunch of ribbonberries, presenting it to the hoard. The Rammits began perking up quickly, eyes locking on Ally and the treat she was holding. Ally grinned, nodding at them. “That’s right~! You’re hungry, huh? Well, I know where you can find lots and lots of yummy food. Follow me, I’ll show you~!” 

She began stepping around the interested little fellows, and once some of them began to understand that she was going to lead them, they stepped aside and let her go down the western road, following behind her as she went, holding the bunch of ribbonberries into the air. She giggled as they curiously pawed at her ankles, though keeping their distance from her footsteps, avoiding getting injured. 

Eventually, she had the whole crowd of Rammits padding and hopping alongside her, going westwards, towards the wilds of Purplune. She led them off the road and away from the town, chuckling. “This is more like it, isn’t it~?” She began tossing ribbonberries out into the rich, grassy fields, leading some Rammits to bound forward in excitement. “See? Just right over there!” Ally gestured to the edge of the extensive Dimlight Woods, where she caught a ribbonberry bush from the corner of her eye. “Go on, little guys~!” She tossed the rest of the ribbonberries out to them, cluing them towards the bush, finally leading them away from the Town and back into the wilds.

Ally took a deep breath, sighing in relief as the Rammits safely retreated into the woods, collecting their fill of sweet, round, pink berries. “There we go. All better!”

“Still the community’s favorite beastmaster, huh, Ally~?” A familiar femminine voice called from behind Ally. 

Ally gasped joyfully, perking up and turning around to spot the black cloth robes, purplish-black hair, and pale skin of the dark spellcaster with a kind heart that she was ever so fond of, Lucilia. “Lady Lucilia~!” She trilled, greeting her close friend with a lovely hug. 

Lucilia giggled, hugging Ally back. “Ally~!! It’s good to see you again!” The two pulled apart, and Lucilia smiled at Ally. “It’s been a little while, huh?”

Ally nodded. “Indeed, heh… I’ve been…” She paused, breaking eye contact with an awkward chuckle. “...I’ve been in a bit of a… strange situation…”

Her smile falling a bit, Lucilia’s eyebrows furrowed in worry. “Oh…? Have you been okay, Ally…?”

Ally gave a shy shrug. “As alright as I can be, I suppose…” 

“Well, let’s head over to my place.” Lucilia nodded. “I’ve been reading a couple of books on magical phenomena and potions, so maybe we could find something that’ll help out!”

“Yes, please, that’ll be good…” Ally responded. “On our way there, I’ll tell you more about it.” 

“Please do!” Lucilia stepped forward, gently grabbing Ally’s shoulder and leading her forward.

“Well…” Ally began. “It all started about a week ago… I met someone, and ever since then, I’ve been losing track of all sorts of things… memories, time, places… it’s all been in a giant jumble, a web of mixed-up thoughts and unrecognizable emotions… Any ideas of what it could be…?”

 Lucilia began to think. “Hm… Did the person you meet cast a spell on you?” 

Ally shook her head. “No… not that I remember, anyway. Almost the entire day is just shrouded in a thick fog, I hardly remember a thing. And everytime I try, I just twist myself more into this tangle of confusion…”

“I see…” Lucilia mused, guiding Ally to a smaller house in the residential area of Purplune and leading her inside. “It definitely seems like you were cursed somehow…” 

“That’s what young Allan and sir Elric assumed as well…” Ally responded as she stepped into Lucilia’s house, closing the door behind her. “Though, I personally don’t think it’s a curse … or, at the very least, it wasn’t inflicted onto me maliciously …”

Lucilia pulled out some books in her bookshelf before setting them down, gesturing for Ally to grab one. “What makes you say that…?” 

Ally grabbed a book about magical phenomena, sitting down at a couch. “I don’t know, in all honesty… It’s just a gut feeling. This ‘curse’... it… it just doesn’t feel like a curse, y’know…? I’m not sure how much sense that makes, but…”

“Really, now?” Lucilia turned towards Ally, opening up a book of potions. “I guess it makes sense, but… there’s not really a way to find out unless we study, huh?”

“Indeed there isn’t… Let’s get to work.” Just as Ally opened up the book, her pendant shone, and Rafisol appeared out of it in a flash of light, grabbing a book for herself as well, leaning against the wall. 

“I will help as well.” She nodded, opening up the book of dark spells. 

Ally giggled. “Thank you, dear Rafisol.” 

The three collectively began studying the books, flipping through pages of potential answers. Ally skimmed through explanations of wild magic, cursed items, and out-of-control spells, and as she tried to link the symptoms she was feeling to the effects of each magical happening. Though, as she tried to think, her mind only began to cloud more and more, leading her to blankly staring at a page, unable to continue reading even despite her desire to. 

Thankfully, it didn’t take long for Lucilia’s voice to snap Ally back to reality. “Well, I didn’t find anything that could’ve caused your weird status, but I did find something that could help you out!”

“O-Oh!!” Ally stammered, shaking her head to orient herself. “Yes! Lady Lucilia, go ahead and share…!”
Lucilia presented the page she found to Ally, which showcased a deep violet potion with a glittering shine. The title at the top referred to it as a “memory retrieval potion.” Lucilia smiled. “It says that once you drink it, it’ll completely clear your mind for a whole minute! You’ll be able to remember anything as clear as day, despite all of the weird magical tangles going on.”
Ally beamed. “How lovely~! What are the ingredients?”

“Let’s see here…” Lucilia pulled the book back, reading the ingredient list and approaching her own collection of ingredients. “We need… river water, sun crystal powder, a couple drops of dew, petals from a greater purple starbloom, and metal shavings from a Platinum Vuragon.”

“What do you have available?” Rafisol placed down the book she was holding. 

“Everything…” She checked her shelves once more. “... Except for the greater purple starbloom petals. We’ll have to go harvest one from Dimlight Woods.”

Ally nodded, setting down her book as well. “Sounds like a plan! Let’s go!”

Lucilia smiled, putting down the potion book with the page to the memory retrieval potion still open. Rafisol walked up to Ally, re-entering the pendant with a nod. Ally and Lucilia, after gathering their things, left the building, and started down the path towards Dimlight Woods.

They entered the dark forest, which was only illuminated by the stray twinkling of magical lights and the bright bioluminescence of the blue, turquoise, violet, and pink aurora mushrooms. As they searched for a patch of starblooms, Ally took in the enchanting scenery of the woods, the whimsical lights illuminating their path. The lights… are… so pretty… Ally thought to herself, slowly losing her focus yet again. So magical… I can never get tired of seeing them. They’re so enchanting… so… magical… so… … warm… She could almost see some other form of lights… one not normally emitted by Dimlight Woods… one that was so alluring… one that made Ally’s heart flutter… A trace of a light laced within her heart shone clear for just a fleeting moment. …I… I feel… so… so…!

“Ally, watch where you’re walking, you’re gonna-!!” Lucilia’s voice suddenly cried. It was too late, however, as Ally caught her foot on an aurora mushroom, falling to the ground!

“Kyah-!!” She cried out as a cloud of glowing spores suddenly puffed up from where her foot had kicked the mushroom. 

Lucilia gasped, hurriedly covering her mouth and nose with her left hand before grabbing Ally’s arm and pulling her up to the best of her ability. Ally managed to get a hold of herself, covering her mouth and nose as well as she got to her feet and followed Lucilia further down the trail, away from the cloud of spores.

Once they were far enough, they removed their hands from their faces and Lucilia turned towards Ally. “Are you okay, Ally…? Did you inhale any spores…?”

Ally nodded. “I-I’m alright… I don’t think I inhaled any… th…though…” Ally began to sway, and the world began to spin around her. “...O…O-Oh… per…haps… I did…”

Lucilia flinched. “Uh oh…! Stay awake Ally, stay awake…!!”

Muttering incomprehensibly, Ally fell against the nearest tree, sliding down its trunk and landing on her rear as the world got darker around her, and Lucilia’s voice only lost its volume…

“Ohh, come on, Ally…!! Stay strong, okay…? …Ally…?”

It all…

“Ally … !! …Ally… ”

…faded…

“... Ally. ”

…to black.

╔ ──── ╝ ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* : ☆ﾟ .  ╚ ──── ╗

“Nnghhh…” Ally groaned. As she slowly opened her eyes, she saw a black void ahead of her. She glanced down, noticing magical ripples below her, as if she was being suspended on a surface that wasn’t truly there. Squinting her eyes in confusion, she pushed herself off the ground… floor… whatever it was, grunting as she slowly stood up. 

She glanced around, seeing that there wasn’t a single bit of light to be seen all around her, aside from the lights from the ripples at her feet. “Wh…Where… am I…?” She muttered, her voice echoing around the empty plane. 

After a few moments of hesitation, she tried to walk, but whether it was forwards, left or right, or even behind her, she couldn’t tell in the slightest. The only clue that she was moving at all was the ripples lingering behind her as she walked. 

Then… she heard something. A rumble… a clash of some sort of energy. It echoed from somewhere in that strange void… Ally paused before cautiously stepping forward again… Another rumble was heard, this time causing the ground to shudder. Ally flinched, holding her ground as her head whipped around, trying to pinpoint the source of the ominous noise…

Then, a giant rumble shook the area, and Ally stumbled as a giant crack suddenly erupted ahead of her! Spilling out of the fissure was a petrifying, purple-colored energy, and the rumbling only continued, the fissure splitting open more and more. Ally didn’t have enough time to react as the crack spread between her legs, and an entire section of the ground began to crumble, knocking her off-balance!

“ Uwaaaaaaaaaahhh-!!! ” She cried as she fell onto the crumbling surface, tumbling down the fissure as the split wider and wider open and chunks of the once completely flat floor she was standing on were breaking off and crashing all around her. She tried to find something, anything to grab on for support, but it was too late, and Ally fell right down the gaping hole that had split open beneath her.

She eventually came crashing down to another floor, where she nearly had the wind knocked out of her as she landed on her back. Though, after struggling to stand yet again, managing to catch her breath, she glanced ahead at the scene in front of her. “O…Oh… Oh dear...”

Her eyes widened as she glanced around the scene. There were glowing cracks everywhere, littered across the floor and streaking through the air. They were spreading, as if it were an unstable building on the verge of collapsing. Between the cracks were remnants of what seemed like a beautiful, ethereal throne room far up in space… but everything was nearly in shambles.

Then, Ally heard a cry of pain. A shout of anguish. A call of frustration, overlapping shouts of determination, and continuous blasts and flashes of magical energy… It was a battle, and a desperate one at that. Ally flinched, stumbling forward as quickly as she could. Her despair only grew as she began to make out some of the figures who were locked in this battle…

“G…Great Hero Arle…?! Lovely Amitie?! Miss Ando?!” She glanced around fearfully as the friends who had helped her so much in the past were now being mercilessly and continuously attacked by a force that Ally couldn’t quite make out yet. Ally couldn’t care less about that force, however, as a beam of energy struck Ringo, sending her flying backwards and towards Ally.

Ally perked up, crying out, “I’ll save you, Ms. Ando!! Hold on!!” She rushed forward to help her downed friend up, but… Her hands just phased right through Ringo. Ally flinched. “Wha…?” 

Ringo didn’t even seem to notice Ally as she tried to struggle to her feet. 

Then, a stern, yet concerned young man’s voice spoke up. “Ringo!!”

Ally glanced over to see a male figure with worried purple eyes, silvery white hair, and a white, black, and purple jumpsuit. He kneeled to Ringo’s side, and she noticed him, rather than Ally. 

“Are you okay?!” The boy began helping Ringo up.

“Y-Yeah…!” Ringo responded, accepting the young man’s help. 

“Come on… it’s not over yet!”

“Right…!”

The two then charged back onto the battle. Ally decided to follow, watching as all of the faces around her, both familiar and unfamiliar, paid no attention to her. They even ran right through her, as if she was an invisible ghost. An outside observer looking into a battle she never experienced herself. She continued inching forward, watching as Puyo were being popped left and right, and she even spotted some oddly familiar blocks, which were being interlocked and cleared, seeming to provide magical energy the same way Puyo chains did…

Then… a chilling roar reverberated through the air. Ally flinched, turning towards where it came from. She finally noticed what everyone was attacking. It seemed like a person… or, was it some kind of malicious creature…? It had a humanoid body, but it was shrouded in a dark, shadowy energy, a flowing mane of long hair, and piercing, glowing yellow eyes with a wild flare in them. 

Ringo charged out from Ally’s side, rushing towards the dark figure with a loud cry of, “INTEGRAL!!!”. She blasted her magical energy forward, but the dark figure defended itself, grabbing Ringo’s arm and slamming her onto the ground.

“No-!!!” Ally cried out. 

The dark figure reached down, grabbing Ringo’s shirt and lifting her up. Ringo barely even struggled, stunned and injured. The figure drew back one of its clawed hands, charging another energy blast.

Ally flinched, realizing what was about to happen. It was at that moment that she bit back her fear for just a moment. She stepped forward, drew forth her courage, then shouted desperately at the dark figure. “STOP!!!”

Then… to Ally’s immense surprise… the figure listened. The energy blast it was charging disappeared, and its wild yellow eyes shone right towards her direction.

Ally, after taking a few shaky breaths, demanded, “Put her down!!!” while pointing her finger at the body of the terrifying creature.

The figure paused for a moment… before unfurling its clenched hand, causing Ringo to collapse onto the ground below. The figure’s eyes didn’t break contact with Ally’s, however, and it turned its towards her. It then began to approach, eyes full of power and an otherworldly glow of madness. 

It was at this moment that Ally’s fear tore right through the remnants of her courage. Her face paled as she began to backpedal, body shaking uncontrollably as the dark figure drew closer, yellow eyes unblinking. “U-U-Um… Oh d-dear, oh dear… a-ah, uh…” She stuttered, eyes frantically darting around for an escape, but her heart nearly stopped as she tripped over her own feet, falling to the ground. “Kyah-!!” The figure continued to approach, and Ally desperately tried to push herself backwards, wide eyes locked onto its own. 

Then, her back touched something hard… A pillar of an unknown substance protruding from the broken and displaced ground around it. Ally’s stomach dropped as she realized that she was cornered. The shadow walked right up to her, leaning over her, yellow eyes almost seeming hypnotic from how Ally couldn’t draw her own gaze away. It then began to charge an energy blast, as if intending to fire it at Ally! Ally gave a frantic, shaky gasp, finally managing to tear her gaze away from those glowing yellow eyes to curl into a defensive ball, squeezing her eyes shut as she braced for impact.

However… BOOM!!!  

Despite the noise of a magical blast sounding, Ally felt no sort of pain. She cautiously opened her eyes to look around, and the shadowy figure was no longer standing over her. She perked up, hearing a frustrated grunt, and glanced to the side to see the figure had been struck by something, winding up farther away from Ally, lying prone on the ground. Surprised, she looked towards the opposite direction in which the figure was sent, and she was met with an awe-striking sight… 

There was another figure… Instead of being shrouded in dark shadows, this figure gave off a radiant light, a pair of soft lavender eyes showing through. The figure of light turned towards Ally, approaching her. Then… it spoke. 

“... Ally… ”

Ally flinched. This figure’s voice was… familiar. A delicate, feminine voice that echoed from everywhere and nowhere all at once, reverberating through her mind. It immediately began to bring a comforting sensation to her body, easing her fearful shaking. The figure then spoke again.

“ Please… stand up. ”

Despite her fear and confusion, Ally felt obligated to listen. She slowly rose to her feet, attention completely on the new bright figure. The figure continued to approach, the light around her fading just a bit to reveal some of the figure’s form beneath her aura. Ally drew in another breath. This figure was getting more and more familiar…

The figure stood in front of Ally. 

“ Ally… I need your love. Channel it as best as you can! ”

Her eyes widening, Ally winced. Though, she nodded, complying. She began to focus, building up her love. Though, she opened one of her eyes to look at the figure in front of her, and she watched as the figure raised up her hands, and light began to build up as well.

Ally flinched, eyes snapping open all the way, as she noticed her love starting to grow far more than what would happen on her own. A warmth planted in her chest was beginning to swell and swell, causing her love to grow to heights it never could on its own…! Her shocked expression slowly evolved into a pleasant grin, as she almost completely forgot about the danger earlier, and her love and power only continued to build… It was more love than she believed she had ever felt in her life… In fact… it was starting to get a bit too much…!! 

Suddenly, Ally began to shudder a bit. Her smile faded, and she could feel as the love within her began to feel far too powerful for her own body… an ache began to sting in her chest. Ally stumbled, beginning to feel dizzy as the pain started to intensify. Although, the bright figure’s voice cut through her panicked thoughts.

“ Fear not, Ally. Take my hand. ”

Ally perked up. The figure had extended her hand out towards her. Ally reached back, grabbing the figure’s hand. Immediately, her pain began to subside as a warm wave of light rushed through her body. Ally gasped… The light began to intertwine with her love, stabilizing the immense power within her, and interconnecting her previously out-of-control love to a point where she was able to safely handle it. She stared, wide-eyed, at the figure. The figure’s hand was incredibly warm and soft… comforting to hold and embrace. 

The figure seemed to smile. That smile… it enchanted Ally. It sparked her love, causing the immense amounts of it to shimmer throughout her body. 

“ Channel this love, Ally… Join with me, and our combined power will seal the fissures torn throughout space-time!”

Ally paused, unsure of her capabilities with this newfound level of love. Though, the figure squeezed Ally’s hand a bit, filling her with confidence. She then gave a smile, nodding. She glanced forward, standing with the figure. She watched as the dark figure ahead was being held back by all of the determined, familiar faces of Ally’s dear friends, buying her and the bright figure more time to channel their magic to immense heights. 

The two raised their free hands high above their heads, their other hands still interlocked, and they began to channel their magic. Ally felt her heart pound as all of her pent up love flowed from her body and into her fingertips, gathering into a ball of light. The figure was doing the same with her own light, and soon, two beams of light energy burst from either of their palms!

The beams twisted around each other as they climbed into the air, eventually becoming one, powerful beam… and then! It exploded like a firework into several smaller tendrils made of light!! The tendrils zipped around, piercing through the floor and sky, pulling through the fissures like threads about to seal a tear in fabric. Once all of the threads were in place, the figure and Ally glanced back at one another, then nodded in unison. They brought their magic to their highest, taking a hold of the threads, then pressing their free hands forward, pulling the threads tight. As the threads were pulled forward, the fissures were pulled closed!!

Ally’s heart was racing with excitement. She had never been in control of so much sheer power before. With the help of the bright figure, she was repairing holes in space-time itself with the sheer force of her love and an otherworldly light… It was an experience unlike any other. 

Once all of the fissures were sealed, however, the immense love and light within Ally began to sink back down. Once the figure let go of Ally’s hand, everything returned back to normal. Ally stumbled backwards, a little fatigued, but standing strong nonetheless. She chuckled, smiling. “That was incredible~!! I’ve never felt so much love before, I-!”

Though, the figure cut her off, standing in front of her with her arms outstretched. 

“ Thank you, Ally… but, I can handle things from here. You’ve been an incredible help, and I’ll never forget you. Now… please, return home.”

Ally’s smile faded. She opened her mouth to protest, trying to step forward, but a force was pulling her backwards, her feet sliding uselessly across the floor. “W..Wait.. h-hey…!! No, I don’t want to go, not yet-!!”

The figure turned her head towards Ally, a bittersweet twinkle in her soothing lavender eyes. 

“ Don’t fear. We’ll always have a piece of one another in each other’s hearts. ”

That last line… It stunned Ally. It was more familiar than anything else that had gone on in this strange sequence… Though, everything continued to get farther away, despite Ally’s desperate attempt to stay. She tried moving forward, but she fell backwards, tumbling into a new fissure…! The last thing she saw before everything went dark yet again was the figure’s kind eyes looking over her shoulder towards Ally as the fissure closed in front of her, leaving Ally in complete darkness…

“Wait.. no-!!” Ally cried out, reaching forward. “C-Come back…!! Come back, please…!! Don’t go, don’t let me go…!! No…! No-!! … MARLE-!!! ”

╚────╗ ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* : ☆ﾟ .  ╔────╝

“ Maaarrllle … Mmmaahhh…mmnnn… … ugh…” Ally’s eyes slowly fluttered open. She groaned, a massive ache plaguing her head. A pair of blurry figures were standing over her. She blinked, and she managed to make out the worried faces of Rafisol and Lucilia.

“She’s awake…” Lucilia sighed, seeming greatly relieved. 

“What… happened…?” Ally rubbed her forehead. 

Rafisol donned a worried expression, holding Ally’s nearly limp hand. “You tripped over an aurora mushroom and inhaled the spores… We are just thankful that you only fell asleep…”

Lucilia tugged nervously at the sides of the brim on her hat. “Thank the Goddesses that you weren’t poisoned… or parylized… o-or magic-drained, or-!”

Ally weakly waved her hand. “Y…Yeah… I get it… sorry…”

Lucilia nodded, sighing again. “Sorry for your headache, though… While you were out, Rafisol watched over you while I went and grabbed the starbloom we needed. We brought you back here, and I started brewing your memory retrieval potion. I also added a dash of oasis aloe gel to hopefully ease your headache…”

“H…Heh… thank you, Lady Lucilia…” Ally weakly smiled. 

Lucilia helped Ally sit up, and the three then sat down on the couch together, cuddling close with Ally in the middle in order to support her. 

“You seemed as though you were having a dream while you were asleep.” Rafisol noted. “Can you remember any of it?” 

“Umm…” Ally murmured. “...I just remember my love skyrocketing to a level it’s never been before… and not much else…”

Rafisol nodded. “I see.”

Lucilia perked up. “Hey, wait a minute! Speaking of remembering things… Rafisol, you normally hang out in Ally’s pendant, right?

Rafisol tilted her head. “That is true. I only leave it if prompted by Ally or to satisfy my own needs. Why do you ask?”

“That means you were there when Ally met that mystery person!” Lucilia called out, pulling out a pen and note paper. “Do you remember anything?”

Ally perked up. “Oh my… you’re right, lady Lucilia… I never thought to ask you, dear Rafisol… why didn’t you say anything…?”

Rafisol glanced towards the ceiling. “Well… that is because I remember even less than Ally does.” She brought her head forward, resting her cheek on her hand, the elbow of which being propped up on her thigh. “Every time Ally mentions having lost memories, I do not have the same sort of ‘foggy’ thoughts that she does. That day where Ally met that strange person… it is completely blank to me, not foggy like Ally’s memory of it is.”

Lucilia tilted her head. “Huh, interesting…” She touched the pen to her lips. “I wonder what’s different about Ally, then, especially since you don’t remember this person, either…”

“Indeed…” Ally muttered. 

After a few more minutes, Lucilia perked up. “Oh! The potion is done brewing~!” She stood up, putting down the pen and paper, approaching her brewing setup, where she snuffed out the heat below a potion that looked similar to the one pictured in the book; a deep blue, somewhat viscous liquid with trails of glittering particles inside of it. She took it off of the burner, then swirled it around, using an ice bath she had set up beside it to chill the boiled liquid. 

“Aaaand… it’s ready!” Lucilia announced, drying the glass bottle with a towel as she carried it to Ally. “Here you go, Ally. Drink it up, and tell us what you find out!”

Ally nodded, gently taking the bottle into her hands. “Well… you know what they say… ‘sometimes you need to leap first and look later’.” She brought the bottle to her lips, then leaned her head backwards, drinking the potion in one go. Once it was all gone, she gave a deep sigh as she handed the bottle back to Lucilia. Ally smacked her lips, processing the odd taste of the potion. “Tastes a bit strange…”

Lucilia shrugged. “Not much I can do about that, but it should at least taste a little better with the aloe gel.”

“Ahh, right, right…” Ally giggled. “I remember you’ve always been trying to put inert ingredients in your potions to improve their taste, ehehe~.”

Lucilia nodded, then gasped. “Ally! You’re remembering things!!” 

Ally gasped as well. “Oh my, you’re right!! The fog over my memories… it’s… it’s clearing…!” She leaned back, closing her eyes. 

“Tell me what you see!!” Lucilia called out to Ally.

“I see… I… see…” Ally trailed off… she could see herself standing in the forest of Grimp as the fog cleared around her. She glanced around herself, recognizing this as the day that all of this began… “... I see Grimp…! This is the day it all started…”

“Go on…” Rafisol murmured.

Ally continued to follow through this now vivid memory, walking down the dirt road… When suddenly, she came across a figure. A figure that was shining through the fog that was still clearing. “I see… a figure… They’re still a little foggy, but…” She stepped forward… the fog continued to lift, and the figure was becoming more and more clear. “...The figure… is feminine… but… I can’t make out her body… she’s coated in an aura of light…” The figure of light took Ally’s hand, and… Ally’s memory was still getting a little fuzzy, but… she made out locations… places beyond her world that this figure was taking her. She could feel her love gain light and shimmer with a new strength as she spread her love far across these new realms… She muttered all of this information to Rafisol and Lucilia the best she could, trying her best to keep from trailing off… 

Eventually, she took a deep breath, and everything became coated in a thick fog yet again. She shook her head, snapping back to reality, sighing. “...And that’s all I saw.”

Lucilia nodded, finishing her notes. “Alright… got it. So, this mysterious figure of light took you to a bunch of different places?”

Ally paused for a moment, before shrugging. “I suppose… I don’t quite remember much anymore.” 

“Well, it’s good enough for now.” Lucilia patted Ally on the shoulder. “Why don’t you head back to Grimp and get some rest, Ally?” She handed her the note paper. “Your poor mind has been through a lot, haha~.”

Ally took the paper, nodding. “Mhm… Well, I’ll see you later, then…?”

Lucilia nodded back, standing and helping Ally up as well. “Yep! You better update me when you figure out more. This seems like something out-of-this world~!!”

Chapter Text

“Hello, Ally~!! … Heeelloooooooo~ … How’s it going? … What’s up, Ally?! … Gahh… ” Marle groaned, setting the plush down and burying her face into her hands. “Why is this so hard…? I can barely even talk to her… and this is only a plush of her… Ugh, I need a new strategy…”

She glanced at the Ally plush, drumming her fingers on the work desk, resting her cheek on her palm. “I need to be able to handle her love… her overwhelming… warm… sparkling love… I need to learn more about her love… w-without talking to her about it, of course…” She mulled over her thoughts as they crossed through her mind one by one. She gave occasional glances to the Ally plush in front of her, desperately grasping for a plan, any sort of plan. 

…Then, it hit her. “Wait just a moment…!” She stood up, picking up the plush recreation of Ally. “I may already have a piece of her love embedded in my heart, but… there’s places I can go where I can experience her love without having to talk to her…!” A grin descended on her face as she thought it over. “Yes, yes… that just might work…!! During the battle with Squares, I intertwined my light with her love, and I scattered it throughout space-time in order to seal the holes that he created with his out-of-control power… Her love must remain embedded in the threads of space-time! I could visit wherever it is, and be able to understand her love more!! Ahahaha~!!” She laughed with glee, spinning on her toe as she held the Ally plush close. She then slowed down, collecting herself. “Okay, okay… let’s put this plan into motion.” She carried the doll under her arm, then began bounding through her hideout, leaving the comforting clamoring behind as she opened up the stairs once more and ascended them, beginning to skip weightlessly across the geometric void of the Edge of Two Worlds.

Marle carried the Ally plush with her, and as she made her way to the place of the battle, she passed by Squares, who perked up, glancing at her.

“Heading back to Grimp?” He asked.

“Not yet!” Marle responded, showing Squares the plush. “I’m going to see if I can get used to her love… Since I used it to seal the holes ripped in space-time, it should still exist somewhere out there. I’ll be able to learn more about her before I come into contact with her again!”

Squares chuckled. “Are you sure this is easier than just going to talk to her?” 

“Ehh-...” Marle’s face flushed red. “I-I… I mean…” She glanced down, mumbling. “... N-No, but… I just… I just can barely handle even the thought of her… I want to be able to talk to her again without breaking down into an anxious mess… I was only barely able to muster up the courage to talk to her last time, and now… my love for her has just grown too strong for me to just jump blindly into things again…”

Squares brought his hand to his chin. “I see. Well, in that case, go on ahead. I suppose this is as new to you as it is to me, so…”

Marle perked up a little, giving a shy smile. “Thanks, Squares…” She then turned and continued leaping across the realm between worlds. 

She eventually came to an area that began to dip downwards, growing darker. She entered the area that was beneath the ground of the world between worlds, becoming immersed in the dark void that was peppered with colored nebulas and twinkling stars, and she continued to skip along until she reached the area in which the battle had taken place. A little area that Squares had created himself to ponder and observe the worlds in peace and quiet. She glanced at the throne-like seat he had made, which was surrounded by faint, colorful energy taking the shape of rectangles. 

“Alright…” Marle muttered, her voice echoing throughout the area. “Here we go…” She closed her eyes, holding the Ally doll close, beginning to channel her magic. She built up the light inside of her, and began to gently spread it outwards. Her magic began to seep into the fabric of space-time, allowing her to sense its movements and the positions of each individual point. She pulled this sense throughout the area, and she began to sense the areas in which space-time was severely damaged in the past. She felt around for all of the individual tears that have since been repaired, and she managed to count seven major points in which space time was damaged most.

She then opened her eyes, with her sense still active, and she raised her hand. She summoned a couple of disks of light, and maneuvered them in front of the previously damaged areas, marking them. “There. Now, it’s time to draw out Ally’s love!” She squeezed the plush a little, giggling as she approached one of the disks. “Let’s see here…” She channeled her magic across the area in which the threads of space-time had been redone to repair the holes. She perked up, gasping as she sensed the twinkling of the threads that she had used for repairs. “I knew it!”

After taking a moment to feel around for the light and, especially, the love, she had sewn through the tears, she nodded. “Alright… it’s not as strong here… I’ll need to travel to the other side of where this tear may have led.” She took a deep breath. “This may be a bit tricky…” She raised her hands, waving them over the tear. She then channeled her magic through the tear, molding space-time to her will in order to create a portal. “Here we go.” She took a deep breath, clutching the doll, as she stepped through the portal and into the world whose very sky was once torn apart. 

. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣ ⋅ .

She blinked, eyes adjusting to the new world. She glanced around, seeing a turquoise-blue sky above her decorated with wispy white clouds, and she was surrounded by floating islands covered in thick forests, waterfalls draining off of them, falling beneath the sea of clouds and fog below. The world was bright and brushed with blues and greens, and she could feel the mystical magic that belonged to this realm twinkling through the air and tickling her skin like an electric current. 

Marle shuddered due to the tickling sensation, holding on to the Ally doll as she gave off a small “ah- choo-!! ”, covering her nose with her glove. After getting a hold of herself, she took a deep breath, looking around and closing the portal behind her. 

“Ahh… I remember seeing this world. Lots of fae nonsense, hehe~.” She stepped forward, levitating herself upwards with each step landing on air, leaving a ripple of magic behind as she ascended into the air. “Alright… let’s see if I can find that love…” She skipped through the sky, watching the world’s bizarre creatures as they fluttered by her with silvery wings and flapping fins, giving strange calls that echoed throughout the air and rang within the clouds. Marle giggled, watching them go by. 

Eventually, Marle made her way to an island above her. As she climbed up the air, skipping by a waterfall as its cool mists blew her way. As she made it onto the short grass on the top of the island, startling a few furry, grazing creatures into the safe underbrush of the forest. Marle leapt up above the tall canopies of the trees, reaching into the sky, where she flinched, gasping. “There! I feel some of it…!” She felt a unique, bright warmth radiating alongside the usual twinkle of the world’s magic. She raised her gloves, feeling around the sky and using her magic to make clear a long, winding trail embedded into the air that was made up of intertwining light and love! 

Her face lit up. “Here it is… A piece of Ally’s love!” She glanced down at the doll in her hands, giving it a hug before raising her hand to the magical energy. “Alright… time to draw it- woah-!! ” Marle yelped, as the moment she began to dip her hand into the magic, the love began to resonate, flooding around her. Marle backed up, dazed. She paused, feeling the love that still lingered in the air. It was so full of energy, as if it came from the purest depths of Ally’s excitement. Marle giggled, shaking off her shock. “Wow…” She stepped towards the trail of magic once more, and stuck her hand into it once more, drawing out more of that love, letting it burst as Marle contacted it. 

This is truly… a piece of her love…! Marle thought to herself, taking a mental note of the warm energy as it greeted her with powerful and excited bursts. It’s so warm~... and so full of energy!! Is all of her magic like this…? Marle then couldn’t help but laugh out loud, leaping up further to contact more of the lovely energy! How does she even manage to sit still with such energy pounding through her heart~?  

As Marle traveled further down the path, though, something changed. At the tail end of the trail of magic, she caught a wisp of Ally’s love that had less energy. It wasn’t bursting with warmth, yet it still lured Marle closer. “Wait… is this love… different …?” She tried contacting more of this new kind of love, but the path had ended. “...I’ll have to check the next world!” 

Clutching the Ally doll close, she leapt back down to the island below, causing some of the odd creatures poking out of burrows that lined the cliff-like sides and undersides of the floating islands to watch with curious, multicolored eyes.

Marle returned to where she had begun, opening a portal once more, and stepping through, returning to the throne room underneath the Edge of Two Worlds. 

▓ ▒ ░ . ⋅ ˚̣ ✧ ▭ – ▫ ○ ▫ – ▭ ✧ ˚̣ ⋅ . ░ ▒ ▓ 

“Okay, that’s one tear down.” She waved her hand, and the marker she placed on the first once-damaged area disappeared. She glanced up afterwards, checking the other markers and smiling. “... Six to go.” She stepped forward, levitating up to reach the next repaired fissure, and morphing space-time once more to enter into the next world.

. ⋅ ˚̣ ■ ∎✧☴▮◪ ⭒ ▪ ⭒ ◩▮☲✧∎ ■ ˚̣ ⋅ .

The next world was dark. Well, at first, anyway. As Marle fully stepped into the world, she was met with the bright neon signs, illuminated windows, and moving headlights of a bustling city at night. She smiled, watching all of the unique species of the inhabitants as they passed by each other. She took note of the level of tech and consistent themes of commercial space travel and exploring the cosmos, and that’s when she nodded, recognizing the city as one of those stops from far-off planets that brought entire galaxies together in a colony that was a gigantic mashup of extraterrestrial cultures and life that was once alien to all of these people.

Marle’s eyes glimmered. “I always loved this city…!!” She murmured to herself as she stepped forward, holding the Ally plush to her chest as she stood over the edge of the building she had wound up on top of, glancing down at the intergalactic unity below. She perked up. “Ah, focus!” She turned around, closing the portal and beginning to search for the sealed rift in the air. She used her magic to conjure a dark cloak in order to draw less attention to herself as she leapt down the side of the building, catching herself on the edges of the fire escape stairs, eventually planting her feet onto the ground within the alleyway, edging forward and brushing herself off as she began to walk down the sidewalk, attempting to act natural. 

As her eyes wandered around the city, and whenever she caught the eye of a stranger, she offered a wave and a nod, either being ignored or receiving one of the two in return. Okay, good… so far, so good. She peeked into different alleyways, until she eventually came across one that was blocked off with caution tape. She perked up, orienting herself to it.

I sense magic from there…! She glanced around the area that was blocked off, noticing some very strange markings struck through the buildings nearby, as if there were very faint marks of cracks and, oddly enough, tears. Marle nodded, stepping forward to enter the area, but she bumped into someone crossing in front of her.

“A-Ah-!!” Marle stumbled back a bit, nearly dropping the Ally doll, but holding it firm. 

“ Bu… xhelra ener ea buheorld… ” A tall, blue-skinned figure with a long face and large, yellow eyes muttered in a deep, grumbly voice as they dipped their head a bit apologetically. 

“It- ahem… Juludes! ” Marle nodded, accepting the apology in the same language the figure muttered in. “ Deilur ea ener somaxela; seat bu lamune, xexe~. ” She giggled, waving her hand dismissively as she wished the figure a nice night, apologizing for her own misstep. 

The figure gave a polite nod. “ Juludes. Seat bamu. ” With a wave, they continued on their way. Marle sighed in relief, continuing to slip through the caution tape, ensuring that no one else had seen her, making it to the path of magic. Here it is~... She thought to herself, reaching her hands forward to channel the love within it, sighing silently and dreamily as she began to identify it. 

It was more of that lower-energy love, calmly flowing towards Marle and embracing her with a gentle, focused kindness. Marle stifled a giggle, following the trail to note the soothing, respectful energy it brought, as if embracing something fragile, or something of power that deserved such a gentle reverence. This… is a different kind of love, isn’t it…? A love that’s given to something or someone who must be taken far more seriously, or gently…  something as fragile as a flower… or as powerful as a king…  It started making sense to Marle. So unlike the first one, so full of energy… It was exploding with the excitement you would get from seeing a close friend, someone equal to you… someone who you’re comfortable with on a casual level!

She nodded, levitating up the building to follow more of the trail, beginning to recognize that her own light was intertwined with this love, and even split into different kinds of it as well. Marle skipped up and onto the top of the building, beginning to noice something a bit more… She didn’t detect another kind of love this time around, but, she instead noted something unique about the points in which Ally’s love and her light were intertwined… 

When interconnected like that, they both seemed to grow stronger … Ally’s love was resonating with Marle’s light, and vice versa… creating what almost seemed like a brand-new kind of magic that was warm, full of light and love… packed with a unique energy that Marle hadn’t seen anywhere else in the nearly infinite worlds she had watched over. 

“... Wow… ” She cooed, just about to get closer to it, when she was startled by an exclamation down below of,

“ Exhatra!! Vea tralurn xa!! ” 

Marle flinched, recongnising this as an announcement from a city guard to stay where she was. She got a quick glance down, seeing a pair of figures in uniform pointing up to her from the alleyway below. Marle put her hands to her head. Right, right, I’m trespassing… Agh, I’m gonna feel bad for this…!! She took a deep breath, stepping back from the edge, then rushing forward and leaping to the next building, continuing to run, her dark cloak trailing in the wind.

“BA!! Seat xel autranei!!! ” The echoes of the city guard called from below as Marle made her way back, slipping through a portal once she made certain she was out of sight, and winding up back home.

▓ ▒ ░ . ⋅ ˚̣ ✧ ▭ – ▫ ○ ▫ – ▭ ✧ ˚̣ ⋅ . ░ ▒ ▓

Marle quickly closed the portal behind her, sighing as she removed the marker and flopped onto the floor. “Ugh… that was close…” She took a deep breath, making sure she still had the plush of Ally with her as she snapped her fingers and dismissed her cloak disguise. “...They’ll forget me soon… they barely even saw me…”

She stood up, dusting herself off yet again. She shook herself off, perking up. “Okay… it’s going to be okay… It’s time for the next one.”

⎯. ⋅ ˚̣ ╼ ✧◄╡ ❖ ☰ ❖ ╞ ►✧ ╾ ˚̣ ⋅ .⎯

Marle arrived on a cloudy day hanging over what seemed to be a nearly abandoned library. The area around it seemed packed with rubble and the same odd tear-like markings around the sides. She glanced around as she closed the portal, taking note of the humble, quiet town with stone buildings painted with warm autumn colors. There were very faint traces of natural magic in the air, unlike the last world, which had nearly none. It seemed that this library was blocked off, but no one was around to observe it, as if the catastrophe that once took place here scared the locals off for a while. 

Marle sighed in relief, knowing that she wouldn’t have to face any close encounters this time around, and she stepped into the library. There were books strewn about across the floor, a shelf or two had fallen over, and there were even some remaining holes in the walls and windows, letting in the light that was faded from the covering clouds. She sifted through the area before spotting where the rift had appeared back then, once tearing through the backmost wall of the library and splitting the sky above it. She approached the area, feeling for the magical energy.

She smiled as she sensed the same kind of gentle, reverent love from earlier radiating from this repaired tear as well. She nodded, continuing to feel around, until she encountered a new kind of love. 

The love transitioned into another low-energy love, but instead of being gentle towards someone or something else, it didn’t quite reach towards Marle as much as it remained to itself, as if it was meant to be a love to be carried inside of one’s own heart instead of letting it out to others. A specific love meant to offer your own self, hm…? Ehehe~, that’s so sweet~. I suppose Ally has just about every kind of love one would need at her disposal! Marle levitated to the top of the nearest bookshelf, leaping up to the roof of the library to study the last bit of the path of magic. She caught a bit of a new kind of love at the tail end of it as well, but it wasn’t enough to identify it.

“Well, then… onto the next world, then~.” Marle trilled to herself, giving the Ally plush a little snuggle before heading back.

▓ ▒ ░ . ⋅ ˚̣ ✧ ▭ – ▫ ○ ▫ – ▭ ✧ ˚̣ ⋅ . ░ ▒ ▓

“This is so exciting~! Seeing what Ally’s love is like to such a deep level~...” Marle giggled, dismissing the next marker. “It’s definitely making it easier to understand her… with an understanding of so many different kinds of love… it’s no wonder she’s able to get along with just about anyone~.” She glanced down at the plush in her palms, beaming. “Onwards~!!”

. ⋅ ˚̣ ⋆ ~ ✧ ✿〚 ⭒ ❁ ⭒ 〛✿ ✧ ~ ⋆ ˚̣ ⋅ .

She began drawing her focus solely towards discovering more about Ally’s love and how it interacted with her light, interwoven with the threads of space-time. She came across a mountainous forest mid-spring, with the leaves on the trees replaced with stunning colors of fruiting flowers.

She hovered above the colorful canopies, skipping across the flowers that were reaching towards the sky. After leaping over a rock formation that was peaking over the tops of the trees, Marle discovered the next sealed rift.

She discovered a piece of Ally’s love that seemed to be a love for plants and animals. A love for things that may not be able to understand her words, but understand her expressed love and care. The love resonated with the tiniest of insects and smallest of seeds, to the most massive of beasts and tallest of trees. Marle admired this particular love, as she, too, felt as though that all living beings deserve such love. 

Marle gave a giddy giggle as the love sparked around her, pausing for a moment longer before reaching the end of the trail and continuing onwards to the next world.

▓ ▒ ░ . ⋅ ˚̣ ✧ ▭ – ▫ ○ ▫ – ▭ ✧ ˚̣ ⋅ . ░ ▒ ▓

. ⋅ ˚̣ ༻✧ :  •~❅✦❅~•  : ✧༺ -˚̣ ⋅ .

The next world greeted Marle with a plummet in temperature. She had arrived to a city that had been abandoned hundreds of years ago, now overrun with ice, snow, and the thick-furred wildlife scouring the forgotten streets for plants adapted for the cold. 

Marle giggled as the cold air caused her breath to become visible, and she skipped across the air, arriving at a clocktower whose gears were frozen still. The clock hadn’t ticked once for hundreds of years, and yet, its grand stance stood the tests of the harsh weather, continuing to provide the scene of being a gorgeous landmark now long left behind. She skipped in front of the face of the large clock, landing on her tiptoe on the base of the hands of the clock, as she began to study the love left where the rift once was. 

This love had picked up a bit in energy, but wasn’t nearly as energetic as the very first encounter. This love was full of optimism, and it seemed to be very, very long lasting. It seemed to be held closest to Ally’s heart, almost ingrained with her very being, as if it was meant to be permanent. It was a love for life as a whole… a hope that things will be okay as long as there’s love… an unshakable belief that love exists throughout all worlds, and channeling her love was her key to making the people of those worlds and beyond feel the same, lovely and hopeful way. This love… it’s a state of being and belief! Marle remarked to herself, chuckling.

She drew out the plush again. You really are something special, Ally… Your love is just so… well, lovely~! I’m honored to have this opportunity to be one with it…! What else do you have in store~?

▓ ▒ ░ . ⋅ ˚̣ ✧ ▭ – ▫ ○ ▫ – ▭ ✧ ˚̣ ⋅ . ░ ▒ ▓

✺. ⋅ ˚̣✳ ┅ ✧ : ˚*❋ ⊹ ❋*˚ : ✧ ┅ ✳˚̣ ⋅ .✺

The next location was a traveling fair beginning to set themselves up. Tarps were being drawn out, rides were being pieced together, vendors were figuring out where to put their stalls, all during one early summer day, the dew on the grass making their work a bit more damp. 

Marle slipped behind a nearby tree, feeling around for the next rift. Once she found it, she discovered much more of the love she discovered in the previous world, the love for life itself, but at the tail end, she came across a new, mysterious love… It was similar to the love and light mixes she had encountered earlier, however, it seemed that this love was oddly actively attaching itself to Marke’s light…? Marle tilted her head, trying to explore more, but realized that the trail ran dry. 

Before jumping to the next world, she quietly snatched a small wrapped treat from the industrial crates that were being used to hold them, later to be given to children as prizes in games. Sorry~... Marle thought to herself, giving a playful snicker as she teleported once more.

▓ ▒ ░ . ⋅ ˚̣ ✧ ▭ – ▫ ○ ▫ – ▭ ✧ ˚̣ ⋅ . ░ ▒ ▓

. ⋅ ˚̣ˏ⸉ˋ‿̩͙‿̩̩̥͙̽✧ ·͙*̩̩͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩̥͙ – ༺♥༻ – *̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩͙‧͙ .✧‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˊ⸊ˎ˚̣ ⋅ .

The final world was a beachside village. There was a gorgeous sunset that was mirrored in the slowly stirring waves over the horizon. The tan-skinned people of the village were all gathered in some kind of community feast, giving Marle the opportunity to quietly sneak by without being noticed, eventually stepping onto the soft, nearly white sand of the pristine beach.

Marle located the rift, lifting her hand up against the slow, salt-ridden breeze… and as she did… she almost felt something take her hand. The sensation of something ever so gently touching Marle’s palm and wrapping invisible, ethereal fingers around her hand in a caring grip… it sprung up from the love intertwined with this part of the fabric of space-time! Marle flinched, not expecting this at all, but she slowly calmed down, beginning to explore this love more…

This love… it swayed dreamily with the ocean breeze. It flowed slowly and whimsically, as if it was in the midst of an elegant dance. It was met with such a warm rosiness and glittering passion… so much so, that there could be only one kind of love that it was attached to. 

Marle blushed a bit as she came to this conclusion. Is… Is this… Ally’s romantic love…?!

This particular love… it seemed so new… Could it have been recently awakened within Ally…? Marle then came to another conclusion, which made her blush even more. W-Wait a minute…!! This love is so… drawn to me… it’s as if it’s trying to embrace me, and hold on to me… She covered her face with her palms, quietly giving a squeal under her breath. DOES SHE… RETURN MY FEELINGS TOWARDS HER?!? She felt lightheaded, stumbling in place. She almost fainted, but she stood her ground, shaking herself off. 

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear … Marle panicked for a split second, but she perked up, heading back towards the Edge of Two Worlds.

▓ ▒ ░ . ⋅ ˚̣ ✧ ▭ – ▫ ○ ▫ – ▭ ✧ ˚̣ ⋅ . ░ ▒ ▓

Marle’s shocked, embarrassed expression slowly evolved into a giddy grin. She became overwhelmed with a fit of giggles, and she skipped around the area, spinning around with the plush in her arms. “Ally loves me, Ally loves me, Ally loves me~!!!” She called out, eventually stopping, perking up. “Okay, okay…” She took a deep breath. “Ohhh, my heart is fluttering~... …hm, ‘fluttering’...  Hey~...” She glanced around, placing her gloved hand beneath her chin. “... I think I have an idea of what to do with Ally next~... Her love… it grows stronger when she’s having fun! And what better way to have fun… then to experience something thrilling, yet completely safe? An experience that she’s never had before…”

Marle glanced up to the sparkling void above her. “An experience… that can allow her love to spread its wings~!”

Chapter Text

Marle paced back and forth, eyeing the sphere floating in front of her. The sphere reflected the path through Grimp forest, right in the middle of Ally’s morning path. 

“This is it, this is it…” She muttered to herself, trying to take deep breaths. “...I’m going to see Ally again…! I need to calm down… hurrghhhh…” She groaned, unable to still the butterflies in her stomach. 

Squares approached her from behind, folding his arms. “If you wait too long, you’ll miss her walking by.” 

“I-I know. I know…!!” Marle fretted, tugging at her hair a little bit. “H-How am I supposed to do this…?!”

Squares gave a sly grin, snapping his fingers. “Just do it.”

Marle flinched as a surge of energy flared up from behind her, and before she could protest, Squares gave her a gentle shove, causing her to stumble backwards and through the newly created portal! Marle fell onto the dirt and grass, arriving in Grimp. “ S-Squares-?! ” She yelped.

“Good luck~.” Squares gave a wave, closing the portal and disappearing. 

Marle jumped up, hurriedly dusting herself off. “Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear-!!” She stammered, glancing around anxiously. 

Though, she eventually got a hold of herself, closing her eyes and taking deep breaths. “Okay… okay… come on… focus…” She exhaled, opening her eyes. “... There’s no backing out now…” She walked up to the top of the grassy hill just a little farther down the dirt road, and at the peak, she was able to look above the humble trees, and further down, she spotted the simple village in the center of Grimp. Marle smiled, turning around. “Alright… here we go…”

She waited patiently, standing on the dirt road as the early morning sun slowly rose over the horizon, shortening the shadows and brightening the sky. Then, Marle perked up, noticing the familiar figure as she made her way down the road, unknowingly approaching Marle.

Marle took one last deep breath, trying her best to fight against grinning like a fool and blushing uncontrollably. Soon… Ally perked up. Her shining green eyes locked onto Marle’s own, and Ally appeared to gasp.

Marle gave a gentle wave, inviting Ally closer. Ally approached, a curious, yet somewhat cautious look on her face, and Marle did her best to stay still. There she is, there she is, there she is, there she is… She’s coming closer to me…!! Oh dear…!!! Her thoughts ran wild, but they all went silent at once when Ally finally reached the top of the hill alongside Marle.

“...G…Good morning, ma’am…” Ally muttered, seeming to be lost in her own thoughts.

Marle smiled at her. “Good morning… I apologize for interrupting your day…”

“O-Oh no, it’s… quite alright!” Ally shook her head, attempting to regain her composure. “Um… you seem… oddly familiar…”

Tilting her head, Marle nodded. “Is that so?”

Then, Ally’s eyes widened slightly. “Wait… Wait, wait, wait…” She made heavy eye contact with Marle, mouth open slightly with a hint of recognition. “D…Don’t tell me your name…!” She withdrew herself a bit, placing her fingers on her forehead and maneuvering her other hand in front of her mouth, letting it hover just in front of it. 

Marle watched curiously as Ally seemed to be connecting all sorts of things in her head. Her eyes were wide as recognition seemed to flood her senses. Then, she perked up all the way, giving a deep gasp. 

“I… I remember-!!” She stepped backwards, looking at Marle up and down. “You’re… You’re Miss Marle …!!”

Marle’s face lit up. “You do remember, Ally…!” This was a very pleasant surprise for her!! It usually takes people tons of visits from me to even remember my name, much less the experiences we may have had together…!! And yet… this look on Ally’s face… underneath that surprise is such a deep sense of recognition… I can see it in her eyes… She really remembers everything we’ve done together thus far!!  

The shock on Ally’s face slowly faded into a smile. “Miss Marle… It’s so lovely to see you again…!” She bounced on her toes, eyes glittering with joy. “I can’t believe you’re here again… You really came back, you came back!!” She was overcome with excitement, and Marle couldn’t help but giggle.

She’s really this excited to see me…?! Ohhh my, I’m going to melt…! Marle reached out her hands towards Ally, who calmed down a bit. “I’m so happy you’re glad to see me…!”

Ally nodded, giving a hearty chuckle. “Yes, yes~! Of course~!! Ohh, now that you’re here, what should we do…? Ah, could I take you down to the cafe at the edge of Grimp Village for a drink and brunch, perhaps?”

Marle shook her head. “Actually… I had something else in mind.” 

“Oh…?” Ally perked up, listening intently.

“Ally…” Marle murmured, stepping forward slightly and giving Ally a shy smile. “...Um… have you ever wanted to… fly …? Like a bird…?”

Ally’s smile faded, replaced by a look of awe and curiosity. “...Fly…? Well… I suppose everyone without wings dreams of flying… It seems so full of freedom and adventure…” She giggled. “Flying certainly seems like it would be quite the experience… Um, why do you ask, Miss Marle…?”

Marle’s face flushed a little bit. “Well~... um… you see, Ally… I had a bit of an idea, and… … Ah, perhaps I should just show you!” She giggled, clasping her palms together and closing her eyes, building her magic. She manipulated the sparkling light throughout her body, concentrating on her upper back. The light builded and builded until… FWOOSH! … A pair of white, feathered wings made out of a magical light burst out from her shoulders, flapping idly to the side before being pulled inward and folding. 

“There~.” Marle sighed, opening her eyes to face Ally’s awed expression. 

Ally raised up her hands, giving a small smile that was as shy as it was full of wonder and awe, muttering to Marle. “...May I…?”

Marle perked up. She noticed Ally eyeing her newly formed wings, and she understood what she was asking. Marle nodded, offering one of her wings to Ally. “Of course~!”

Gingerly taking the outstretched wing into her hands. Ally slowly and carefully raked her dainty fingers through the soft, warm feathers. “This… This is incredible…” Ally murmured, overtaken by a joyous shock.

Marle pulled her wing back, approaching Ally even closer.. “If you think this is incredible… Then, perhaps you’ll allow me to give some to you as well~?”

Ally gasped, glancing up at Marle with yet another shocked expression. Marle seemed to be full of surprises for Ally yet again, huh~? “You… You can do that…? You can… give me wings …?!”

“Ones that you can soar the skies with.” Marle clarified, lifting up her palms. “This is why I asked earlier… I… I wish to fly with you, Ally! I want to experience some pure fun alongside you~!!”

“Fly… alongside me…?” Ally looked on, a look of disbelief, yet with a hint of longing, appearing in her eyes. She paused, seeming to think this over for a few seconds full of a suspense that hung over Marle.

Ohhh… please say yes, please say yes, please say yes…!! Marle gulped, her thoughts beginning to anxiously race yet again as Ally hesitated. 

Though, to Marle’s great relief, Ally eventually smiled, and gave a nod, raising her fists towards her chest in determination. “I… I accept your request, Miss Marle! It would be lovely to fly with you~!!”
Marle beamed, eyes gleaming with pure joy. “Great~!! I promise we’ll have lots and lots of fun with this, ehehe~! Thank you so much for accepting!!”

Ally gave a joyous chuckle, slightly covering her wide grin with her hands. “Ahahaha~! Of course, Miss Marle~!! How could I pass up such a lovely opportunity~?” 

“You’re right, ehe~! Now, then!” She stepped back a bit. “Could you please turn around? This may be a bit strange at first, but in a moment, you’ll have your own pair of wings as well!” 

Ally did as she was instructed, turning around and orienting her back towards Marle, slightly swaying in anticipation. 

Marle built up her magic once more, letting sparks of light radiate gently from her fingertips. Then, once she was ready, she reached forward and lightly pressed her hands  into the backs of Ally’s shoulders.

When Marle’s palms contacted Ally’s body, Ally immediately froze, stiffening up, presumably as a surge of unfamiliar magic linked to her. Marle muttered words of reassurance. “It’s going to be okay… Just calm down and let it flow through you. Hold still~...” With some surges of magic, Marle began to mold a pair of wings just like the ones she had on her. However, despite them being white, she colored them a radiant jade green with golden markings, to match Ally’s humble adventurer’s clothes. She carefully wove together every last thread of this magical spell, ensuring it was properly linked to Ally’s body. And, eventually…

“There! All done.” She waved her hands out, dismissing the magical light, and Ally’s wings were complete! However, due to Ally’s apparent inexperience, they immediately flopped to either side of her, now seeming nothing more than an extra fancy blanket draped over her shoulders. 

“Oh… my…” Ally glanced at both wings, eyes wide with a flabbergasted gaze. She gently grabbed the tops of each wing, lifting them as they dangled limply, the large feathers gently brushing the grass and dirt as she turned to face Marle yet again.

Marle giggled, seeing this. “Do you like them?” Her own wings fluttered a little, feathers fluffing. 

Ally wasn’t able to respond at that moment, glancing back up towards Marle with a glimmer in her eyes. 

“Here,” Marle stepped forward. Ally slowly let go of her wings, letting them flop to her sides again as Marle gently took her hands into her own. “...Allow me to help you adapt to your wings~.” She let go of one of Ally’s hands, pulling her arm back and lifting her wing alongside it. “It’s sort of like moving another pair of arms!” She moved the two limbs in sync, showcasing how the joints of both of them align. “Now, you try. I’ll hold onto your hands so you move your wings instead of your arms.”

Ally hesitated for a moment before nodding, allowing Marle to hold her arms still. Marle watched Ally close her eyes, beginning to focus. After a few moments of anticipation, Marle’s eyes were drawn to Ally’s new wings as they began to twitch and wiggle. She took in a breath, watching as the glittering jade and gold wings began to rise off of the ground, spreading out to either side of her. Marle watched in awe as the sun’s rays shimmered across each individual feather, only elevating Ally’s immeasurable, lovely beauty. 

Marle was taken out of her thoughts as Ally spoke up. “Am I… doing it…?” She opened up one eye, looking at Marle.

“Yes… you are~.” She nodded, and Ally slowly perked up, glancing at her new wings with a shocked glance that slowly formed into a smile full of wonder. 

Ally opened her mouth to speak, but just didn’t have any words, ending up expressing an excited giggle, her own wings beginning to flutter. 

Marle raised her hands to catch Ally’s attention. Once Ally tilted her head, paying attention, Marle gestured to her wings , beginning to slowly flap them up and down, guiding Ally. 

Following, Ally mirrored Marle, nodding in understanding.

Marle then flapped her wings harder, lifting her feet off of the ground and hovering for a few moments before landing, gesturing to Ally to follow.

She did as Marle instructed, wobbling a bit at first, but Marle held onto her hands, holding her still as she ascended upwards, and eventually hovering back down, giggling in awed disbelief. 

Marle nodded, then turned her back towards Ally, reaching back one of her hands and nodding towards Ally. Ally slowly reached back, grabbing Marle’s outstretched hand, and Marle began to lead Ally forward, spreading her wings.

Ally followed, slowly outstretching her wings as well. Marle paced forward faster and faster, beginning to let the wind catch beneath her wings, eventually giving a strong flap to push her into the air, pulling Ally behind her! The two began to ascend into the air, and once they grazed the treetops, Marle glanced back at Ally.

Ally was beginning to follow along, mimicking the movements of Marle’s wings to begin to push air beneath herself as well. A wide grin filled with joyous astonishment was on her face, and it was clear that she was already having lots and lots of fun. Pure fun filled with magic.

As Marle began to lead Ally higher, she slowly loosened her grip on Ally’s hand. Ally seemed startled at first, but with a nod of encouragement from Marle, Ally cautiously let go, keeping her wings spread wide, now gliding just behind Marle. Marle giggled, nodding in praise, flapping her wings and further propelling herself forward, watching as Ally did her best to follow along, gradually becoming more and more at one with her wings.

The air rushing from beneath the pair’s wings blew through the treetops, kicking up loose, sweet-smelling leaves and causing them to swirl around, up until Marle led Ally even higher, all until they had breached the edge of the forests, soaring past the beach, and now gliding over the ocean. 

Marle took in the salty air, letting the breezes that danced atop the forming waves become caught beneath her feathers. She peered back at Ally to ensure that she was doing alright. She seemed to have trouble catching the breezes, so Marle backed up a little, drawing Ally’s attention towards her to provide an example of the best positions to angle her wings in order to fly with the winds rather than against them. 

Mirroring her movements, Ally slowly edged ahead, learning bit by bit of how to control her wings, allowing them to become more of a fluid part of her being. Marle watched her take the lead, seeing as she gained more confidence in her flight, propelling herself forward. As the excitement and wonder on her face evolved to ecstatic giggles, fluttering her wings alongside each one.

Marle felt her cheeks grow warm as a smile spread across her own face as well. She’s having fun… and so much of it… She thought to herself, carefully catching up to Ally. I can sense her love… how each and every one of those different layers of it are all becoming one, intertwining…! She’s emitting so much warmth and joy right now… and I only want to help her elevate that love, wonder, and fun even further now!!  

Pulling back ahead of Ally, Marle angled her wings, performing a roll as she led Ally to turn around back towards the island. Thankfully, Ally caught on quickly, managing to make a turn as well, giving a joyous laugh full of pleasant surprise. 

The two grazed the treetops once more, eventually sweeping across Grimp and making it to the other side, swooping over the ocean once more on their way towards the town covered in a perpetual night. Marle led Ally downwards, skimming across the tops of the ocean’s waves. She lowered her hands into the water, kicking up misty clouds of seafoam which glittered in the sunlight. She heard as Ally did the same, catching up and now flying alongside Marle.

They followed the path of the rising and falling waves, letting the droplets cool their faces and glisten atop their feathers, all as the area grew darker, the stars and moon above Purplune beginning to shine. Marle then began to flap her wings, ascending higher, allowing Ally to follow suit. 

They climbed into the cool air above the purple-toned town, watching the lanterns shine below. Marle did a fanciful twirl around Ally, winding up flying beneath her with her back to the ground. Ally giggled as the two faced one another, and Marle couldn’t help but giggle as well, slipping out from Ally’s underside and flipping back right-side-up as they ascended right past the Tower of Color. 

They climbed higher and higher, eventually soaring past the borders of Purplune, the early morning sun shining down on them once again. It was then that Marle formed an idea. She turned back towards Ally again, extending her hand towards her, and Ally drew closer, grabbing Marle’s outstretched hand. Marle then faced forward, extending out her other hand as magic began to build around her, twinkling at her fingertips as she began to mold space-time ahead of them. 

Eventually, she formed a portal in front of them, keeping a tight grip on Ally’s hand as she pulled her through!

. ⋅ ˚̣ ୭ ⋆ ☁ ⁺˖ *:༅ ༄ؘ  ┈ ༻✧༺ ┈ ༄ؘ ˑ༅:* ˖⁺ ☁ ⋆ ୭ ˚̣ ⋅ .

A surge of air laced with the frost of a staggering altitude suddenly caught beneath the pair’s wings. Marle felt as Ally began to shiver because of the sudden plummet in temperature, but as she glanced back to check on her, she watched as Ally seemed to be able to warm herself back up by embracing the immense love that was only continuing to swell within her. Marle’s eyes shone with pride, letting go of Ally’s hand to allow her to soar ahead. 

It was then that the scene around them became clear. They were high above a sheet of tall, cotton-like cumulus clouds, slowly shifting and changing in the wind. The sky was decorated with a brilliant orange as a sunset full of life and light illuminated the area, the rays licking the wispy edges of each and every cloud, bathing everything in a glow that danced off of their wings and cradled their hearts.

Ally began to fly in more complicated patterns, quickly understanding how to turn in all sorts of directions, creating a waltz with every hill of glittering white clouds, watching as they swirled in response to the wind moved by her wings, tickling her skin with the cold droplets of water. She laughed, unable to control her lovely smile. 

Marle smiled as well, feeling her face warm yet again. She soared forward, beginning to perform some elegant maneuvers as well, dipping in and out of the blanket of cotton as the wisps trailed behind the tips of her wings. She twirled and spun, eventually catching up to Ally, who was watching with awe. 

The two locked eyes for a moment, soon beginning to fly side-by-side, following one another’s movements in a dance unlike any other. They weaved around and through the clouds, braiding trails of mist between their feathers as they exchanged wind to one another’s wings, winding and pirouetting in a way no two lovers had quite done before. 

Marle was in bliss, being able to share such a special moment with Ally. She could sense Ally’s love as it was expressed through the giggles and starstruck glances that she gave her, and Marle just couldn’t help but return each one. Though, Marle’s thoughts were interrupted as she noticed the blanket of clouds beginning to thin and disappear up ahead. She grinned, knowing what was coming up, as she caught Ally’s attention and gestured ahead. 

The two glanced down, watching their winged shadows as they raced across the tops of the clouds, soon gliding across the edge, the sky becoming clear, and…

They were greeted with an all-new view. They were suddenly surrounded by a range of towering, snow-capped mountains, cradling a lake of ice in between ornate, traditional structures of what seemed to be a long forgotten culture, with gates and walls splashed with hues of red and gold, and tattered banners and flags waving in the high-altitude wind. Despite the structures seeming old and near ruin, the area seemed far from uninhabited, with the echoes of odd vocal cries and whistling calls from mysterious, out-of-sight creatures beginning to bounce off the snowy cliff faces. There even seemed to be a distant whisper of melodic plucking of strings, blowing of horns, and tapping of keys. 

Marle glanced at Ally, observing her face as she took this new sight in with the same look of awe and wonder she expressed so many times earlier. Marle giggled, catching her attention, before leading her in a downwards swoop into the valley below. Marle lead Ally through a tall gate, soaring along some low, snow-ridden fog across a winding path of tall walls. 

As the walls lead them along, eventually parting to reveal a wide stairway which lead up to a temple-like structure ahead. A flock of small, white birds whose feathers were illuminated with a gentle light soared alongside them, urging them along. Once they breached the top of the temple structure, they were met with an ancient citadel, a coiling structure made of towers, arches, and stairways, spiraling around a curious, yet grand structure in the middle suspended by seemingly nothing. The structure was a series of golden rings, circling and spinning around one another like a giant gyroscope held in the air by magic alone. 

Marle lead Ally along, letting her take in each and every sight ahead of them, all as the white birds flew all around them in great numbers. Ally flapped her wings, soaring ahead, catching up to a group of odd creatures that caught her eye. The creatures looked like large stingrays, flying instead of swimming. They were colored the same radiant white that the birds were, though the tips of their tails, fins, and faces were highlighted with brilliant gold markings. Ally flew alongside them, gently stroking her hand across the fins of one, and it made a long, whistling trill in response. Ally giggled, completely enamored by the unique creature. 

Following along just behind, Marle suddenly stopped, eyeing the spinning structure of golden rings aside her. As Ally ascended to the top of the citadel with the ray-like creatures, Marle dove below the structure. 

Just as she made sure that Ally was watching, Marle began to fly through the rings, avoiding each axis as it spun around the core. Ally gave a worried call at first, but Marle gracefully weaved through each section of the structure, finally twirling around straight into the air above it, giving a triumphant cry as she swirled back around to Ally, leading her forwards once more. Ally bid her farewells to the creatures as she followed along towards another, larger temple structure ahead. 

The pair fluttered above the roof of the structure, where Marle landed daintily on top of it. Ally’s landing wasn’t as graceful, stumbling forwards, but managing to catch her balance and stand next to Marle. The two took a moment to catch their breath, previously having been exhilarated by their flight. Ally especially, who had never flown before.

The pair sat down on the roof, looking ahead at swirling clouds cradling floating arches and housing more of those bird and ray-like creatures. They glanced at one another, offering overjoyed giggles in between heavy breaths. Managing to finally ease their pounding hearts, the two calmly took in the scenery around them.

Marle took a moment to sneak a glance at Ally as she was observing the new world around her, her hair and feathers being gently brushed by the wind. Ally was full of bliss, having experienced such a pure amount of fun that she never had before, truly an experience she knew she wouldn’t forget.

…Well… at least, she thought she knew. Marle’s smile fell just a bit as she remembered seeing how much Ally struggled with her memory of their first meeting. Was she going to forget again…? Was she going to become entangled in a web of incomprehensible thoughts and emotions again…? …I can’t keep putting her through things like this… it’s one thing to stop by and hang out, but…  

However, before Marle could continue her thoughts, a rumbling was heard beneath them. Marle yelped a bit, leaping to her feet, and Ally followed suit, equally as startled and confused. Marle glanced to her side, noting a series of stone gears turning, pulling ropes with it. The rousing cheers of a crowd just out of sight began to echo louder and louder among the clouds. Marle stood at the edge of the roof, glancing down to realize that a group of doors beneath them were opening. It was then that it clicked. The Flying Race! She thought to herself.

She glanced at Ally once more, and in response to her confusion, she slowly reached out and grabbed Ally’s wrist, catching her attention. Marle nodded to her, spreading out her wings. Ally hesitated, but nodded, mirroring Marle. After a pause, the stone doors finished opening with a deep groan, and a pair of metal gates were lifted. Marle jumped forwards, leading Ally with her, as the two took flight alongside a blur of several other flying figures with all kinds of colorful, light-bathed wings. 

Vibrantly glowing fragments of light became scattered across the path, and the winged figures all split into their own paths, collecting the fragments as they passed by them. Marle flapped her wings, speeding up and beginning to collect light for herself. She dove through a floating arch, glancing back at Ally as she quickly began to catch up as well, her smile returning as she mimicked the crowd in collecting light as well.

Marle shook off her worries, her smile returning in full as the pair began to race along with the crowd. They began to swoop around the clouds, just like before, though catching the strong winds to fly quickly, maneuvering around ancient structures that both flotated in and peeked through the clouds, all while gathering light. 

Marle folded her wings to slide through a long corridor, snow kicking up at her feet, before leaping up out of the other side with Ally swooping beneath a bridge, slowly catching up below her. The two wove around fallen towers and walls that only barely still stood, threading through pillars and more floating arches all while the winged figures did the same. Marle even noticed a smaller member of the crowd beginning to waver and fall behind, when a taller figure with more vibrant colors and elaborate clothes quickly swooped backwards to grab the smaller one’s hand and pull them forward. 

Marle continued to soar, keeping curious eyes on the winged figures surrounding her, as she turned a corner in the path to be met with a series of floating rocks; the most difficult part of the race. She flapped her wings, confidently building up more speed as she began to expertly dip, turn, and hop over the hovering stones, being mindful of the space both her body and wings took up. She finally dove through the arch at the end of the rocky obstacles, even winding up in the lead of the race, laughing triumphantly as she glanced behind her. 

Then, a sudden realization drained the joy and triumph from Marle’s face. She spread her wings, hovering in the air and glancing around frantically. Where was Ally?! She watched through the rock-covered path, seeing as the other figures began to slip through one by one, but no Ally was seen.

Marle nearly panicked, just about to fly against the wind to search for Ally when her eye caught a glimmer of jade and gold. There she was!! Marle could barely make out the startled fear on Ally’s face as she began to approach the rocks, even trying to slow down a bit. Marle’s eyes widened, anxiously clenching her fists as Ally hesitated. 

She resolved to go after Ally, but something changed… Ally’s expression of fear seemed to turn to one of determination and focus, and she began to fly through the rocks alone, not even with any winged figures to guide her.

Marle watched, her anxiety slowly turning to awe, as Ally began to weave through the rocks just as expertly as she did, not even brushing a feather against a single stone. She had truly become at one with her wings, expertly pushing through the obstacles just as a bird born with its wings from the start could have. 

Before Marle knew it, Ally soared right beneath Marle, rushing by in a gust of wind and a blur of glittering magic. Marle shook off her admiration, turning and following, soaring above Ally only to start making her way downwards towards her, catching her attention. 

Ally perked up, her surprised, clearly thrilled expression turning to joy and relief as Marle came into her sight. Marle couldn’t help but smile back, laughing with a great amount of pride in Ally’s newfound skill. Ally laughed as well, her face becoming a bit rosy as Marle gave her a proud gaze. Marle flew alongside Ally, and the two gave each other a glance, both of their faces full of awe and a twinkle full of… love. Love had begun to spark between them. Marle flinched just a bit, hiding her face with an embarrassed chuckle, and Ally only giggled in response, as the two began to dive downwards, following the path through the clouds below.

As they dipped beneath the clouds, they were met with another round of cheers as a tall, snow-covered hill came into view ahead of them. They could see the winged figures landing, sliding down the snow on their feet. Marle and Ally followed, with Marle barely able to stabilize Ally as she began to slide, nearly falling backwards. The two leaned forward, beginning to increase in speed as they collected the remaining fragments of light.

One by one, they managed to pass by each member of the crowd that was racing with them. They swerved together, folding their wings tight against their bodies, keeping their eyes on the giant stadium ahead. 

They managed to pull completely ahead, sliding into a long hallway as fireworks began to go off to either side of them, the roar of the crowd reaching its clearest as they made their way into the stadium’s field, arriving there first as a pair! The race wasn’t over yet, though, as more fragments of light began to appear, and Marle and Ally separated, skating across the icy lake in the middle of the stadium to collect the remaining amounts of light, now being joined by the rest of the flying racers, as they all began to circle the center. 

Ally and Marle crossed paths as they completed their individual circles around the center, leaping into the air as they passed one another, and… Marle paused. Time seemed to slow down as she stared into Ally’s eyes, so bright and completely filled with every sort of love she housed. Her pleasant grin turned to one of complete awe, soaking in Ally’s sheer beauty as the sunset illuminated the area around them, glittering off of the ice and snow below. The spark of love returned, and Marle’s heart began to flutter. 

This…  is…   … love . Was all her mind could muster before she and Ally landed, slowly stopping their sliding, as time suddenly flowed as normal yet again. Ally looked back towards Marle with a similar expression that she wore, one full of awe and wonder, as the two slowly began to approach one another. They got closer… and closer… but…

Their paths were suddenly interrupted as a stream of light fragments came between them, and they were snapped back to reality as the light collected by all of the racers began to gather together in the center, swirling into a bright ball in the middle… before it launched up into the air, and dozens of firework-like explosions went off into the air, beginning to rain down glittering sparks of beautiful, sparkling magic down on the racers. A pair of tall, red doors between giant, golden statues just ahead opened up, leading into a large temple. 

Marle glanced around as the winged figures gathered the sparks of light raining down on them, forming them into small white candles which they stored quickly. She then looked back to Ally, who gave a giggle, clearly greatly satisfied about the adventure that  had just happened. Marle opened her mouth to speak, but a couple of the winged figures approached them, curious white eyes glowing through simple, yet unique masks. Some of them even seemed to offer a candle to the pair, but Marle chuckled, waving them off and shaking her head. Ally made a similar gesture, and one by one, the winged figures put away their candles and continued ahead, through the tall doors. 

Marle and Ally took another look at one another, before Marle extended her hand out and Ally took it. Marle took off yet again, leading Ally into the sky and opening another portal, flying through.

. ⋅ ˚̣- *⑅❀ ✧ ︵‿୨ ⭒ ♡ ⭒ ୧‿︵ ✧ ❀⑅* -˚̣ ⋅ .

The cold temperatures of the mountainous valley gave way to the warm, welcoming midday sun of Grimp as the two appeared back over the forest, skimming the canopies once more and finally landing on the very hill where they began, hovering down with some flaps of their magical wings. 

Once they finally landed, feet touching the grassy ground again, they stared at one another with deep breaths and glittering eyes, smiles wide with the satisfaction of an adventure well spent.

After a few more moments of silence, Ally finally broke it with her first words in quite some time. “...That…was… EXTREMELY LOVELYYYY~!!!” She shouted, almost taking flight again as she bounced up and down joyously. “I never would’ve thought the feeling of flying would be so… so… … Actually, I’m not sure if I have the words for it… I was just so mesmerized!”
Marle giggled. “Isn’t it so much fun?! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it~. Ah, shall I remove our wings?”

“Oh, please, if you don’t mind!” Ally exclaimed, spreading her wings. “As indescribably wonderful as they are, their size must make them awfully inconvenient for being indoors, ehe~. I much prefer having them on special occasions.”

Giggling, Marle nodded in agreement. “Yes, you speak the truth, ehehe~!! Now, hold still…” Marle closed her eyes, channeling her magic in order to unlink the wings from Ally’s body, disconnecting them and, with a wave of her palm, causing them to disappear into a swirl of sparks. She then did the same to her own before looking back at Ally. “...Well… I suppose this is goodbye again.”

Ally’s smile faded. “...Oh, dear… I don’t want you to leave, Ms. Marle, but… you must be so awfully busy…” She cradled her cheeks in her palms, pondering.

Marle nodded. “I wish to stay, too, Ally… but… I really have to go…”

“Will you come back again…?” Ally murmured, gently taking Marle’s gloves into her own hands. 

Hesitating, Marle glanced away for a few moments. I want to, I really do… Ohh, I wish I could live with you, Ally…! But… alas… She took a deep breath, looking at Ally with a sincere smile and a bittersweet whisper. “...I’ll try my best.”

Ally perked up by a little bit, hearing this. A bittersweet twinkle crossed her own eyes, and a small smile carrying a trace of hope fell upon her lips. “...Thank you. I only ask that you indeed do try.”

“Thank you as well, Ally…” She was just about to let go when Ally squeezed Marle’s palms tight, keeping her still for a moment.

“B… Before you go, though…” Ally gave a nervous shuffle in place. “... Can I have something… anything… to remember you by…?” 

Marle looked back at Ally, knowing exactly what was going through her head. Ohh dear… you poor, poor thing, Ally… you don’t deserve what’s going to become of this… Marle held back her emotions to nod. “Y-Yes, of course, Ally…” She closed her eyes, slipping her palms out of Ally’s hands to cup them together, focusing her magic. Conjuring together threads of her magic, she partially rebuilt a piece of her own and Ally’s wings - A sky-white feather and a jade feather with a golden tip. She passed them slowly to Ally, who took them equally as patiently, brushing her fingers across the soft fibers. 

Ally smiled, nodding in satisfaction. “Thank you once again, Ms. Marle… I promise to cherish these as long as I possibly can.” She held the pair of feathers close to her chest.

Marle smiled back. “Of course, Ally…” She stepped back, raising her hand. “... I… I’ll see you later, Ally. …I promise.”

Ally perked up a bit more, nodding. “Thank you… Thank you, Ms. Marle…”

And, with one final concentration of her magic, Marle snapped her fingers, and, just like that… 

…she had returned to the Edge of Two worlds…

…and a single tear escaped her attempt to hide the emotions welling up inside of her.

Chapter Text

“Ally… wake up…” A familiar voice muttered as Ally felt a pair of gentle hands nudge her arm. 

“Hmm…?” Ally’s eyes slowly fluttered open, and the haze around her room gradually parted to reveal the concerned gaze of Rafisol, looking down at her as she laid in bed. “Rafisol…?”

Rafisol seemed a bit relieved at Ally’s awakening. “Is… Is there something wrong, Ally…?”

Ally sluggishly sat up, rubbing her eyes. “Not really… Why do you ask, dear Rafisol…?”

“You never sleep in this late…” Rafisol’s eyebrows furrowed in worry. “It is long past sunrise…”

“What…?” Ally’s eyes widened a bit, glancing to her other side and leading her gaze out the window. Just as Rafisol had said, the sun was well over the forest, rather than there just being a few beams of early morning light peeking through the leaves. “Oh… Oh dear… did I really sleep in that long…?”

Rafisol nodded. “Yes… are you feeling ill…?”

Ally shook her head. “Not… Not really… I’m just a bit tired…” She paused for a moment before turning her body towards Rafisol, a realization descending upon her mind. “...Dear Rafisol… … What… happened yesterday…?”

Rafisol opened her mouth to reply before closing it, eyes widening slightly. “I do not remember… it is completely blank…” She tried to think. “... Did we take that walk down to Purplune to meet with Lucilia…?”

Ally shook her head. “N-No, that was the day before… Wh…What happened yesterday…” The more she tried to think, the heavier her mind seemed to get, slowly bringing in an aching pain and an odd, shapeless sorrow… She winced, pressing her palms against her forehead. “ Ohhh… ” She groaned, her eyes beginning to sting with tears.

She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay, Ally…? Do you need me to get you some water…?”

Ally gave a silent nod, and she glanced over as Rafisol hurriedly made her way out of the room and downstairs. Ally’s lips tightened as she felt this heavy sensation beginning to press down on her. Wh…What’s going on…? The thought to herself. What happened last night…? I know it was something, but… was it good…? Was it bad…? All I can tell is that it brought forth some powerful emotions in me, and… She paused, her eyes catching an ambient glitter on her desk.

She perked up slowly, lifting her hands from her forehead just enough to observe the strange new trinkets at her desk. It was a pair of feathers, one as radiant and white as pure, rainless clouds, and the other as shimmering and green as polished jade, decorated with a bright, golden stripe at the tip. 

She lethargically slid out of bed, her feet touching the wooden floor, and she slowly swayed her way forward, weight shifting to one foot each as they scuffed across the floor. She leaned against the desk for balance, picking up the feathers in one of her hands. They certainly weren’t any sort of monster’s feathers… 

Though, her thoughts were interrupted by a set of light footsteps as Rafisol came back through the door, carrying a small ceramic pot full of water and a handful of ice. She handed the pot to Ally, who placed down the feathers. 

“Thank you…” Ally croaked, taking the pot into her palms and bringing it to her lips, sipping at the icy water. 

Rafisol seemed even more concerned. “You really do not sound well… It is no wonder you were sleeping in… Perhaps you need to rest more…?”

Ally sighed as she finished drinking, placing the pot down on her desk. “I… I don’t know if I even can at this point… I have a headache coming around… I doubt I could get a wink of rest if it gets any worse…” She wavered in place, shrinking into her shoulders. “Not only that… there’s this great amount of sorrow inside of me… I have no idea why it’s there nor exactly what sort of sorrow it could be, but… I feel like anything could push me to tears…” Her eyes watered a bit already, but she quickly took another sip of iced water to calm herself once more. 

Rafisol nodded in understanding, stepping closer to Ally. “I see… … Perhaps we could pay a visit to Blueo Village? The hot cocoa shop always helps to ease your mind… At least, if you believe you have the strength to…?”

“Well…” Ally hesitated, her eyes falling upon the feathers once more. “... I’d say… it’s worth a shot.” 

“Okay. I will assist you on your journey there.” Rafisol responded with a nod, taking the water pot from Ally and turning to head out of the room. As Rafisol turned her head, Ally grabbed her travel bag, and was just about to pass by her desk when the feathers caught her eye once more. She picked them up, sliding them around in her palm for a few moments, before eventually deciding to bring them with her, placing them securely in her bag before she fumbled towards the door.

The two eventually began sauntering down the dirt road of Grimp, making their way back towards the dock to cross into the frozen over realm of Blueo. Ally wavered with every step, swaying from side to side due to the heavy fog weighing over her head. She shuffled behind Rafisol, who eventually reached her arm back towards her. 

“Ally… please take my hand…” She murmured worriedly. Ally gave a vacant nod, reaching her hand back towards Rafisol and letting her squeeze her palm. Rafisol even pulled Ally closer to herself, and Ally instinctually began leaning against Rafisol, laying her head on Rafisol’s shoulder with a groan. 

“...I am sorry this has to happen to you, Ally…” Rafisol gave a small pat to Ally’s hand as she led her along. “I hope we find who is doing this to you… I wish to lift this burden off your shoulders… The same way you lifted off my own burden off mine… I just want to repay the favor…”

Hearing these words, Ally perked up just a bit. “D…Dear Rafisol…” She muttered, surprised. “... I… don’t believe you’ve expressed this much concern over me before… You’ve cared for me, but I’ve never seen you this actively worried for me…”

Rafisol nodded. “I suppose that is true… I am not sure what has changed within me, but… all of a sudden, seeing you hurt like this… it brings pain to my own heart as well. You have taught me to care for others, and I have observed you acting the same way over your own friends… Perhaps I am simply just echoing what you have done for others… but, regardless… I am… ‘worried sick’ about you, as one would say…”

“Rafisol…” Ally’s eyes widened, an awed shine within them. She then laid a little more of her weight against her, taking a deep breath and letting Rafisol support her. “...Th…Thank you…”

“You are welcome, Ally…” Rafisol gently gave Ally a few pats. “... It is the least I can do, after all you have done for me…”

After crossing the sea once more, the temperature of the air grew colder, and islets covered in ice and snow passed them one by one. The boat they rode on weaved between the large ice chunks, all as Ally laid close to Rafisol, feeling more ill by the minute. 

Once they made it into the dock, Rafisol helped Ally onto the path into Blueo’s village. “Here we are…” Rafisol murmured, holding Ally close. “How are you feeling…?”

“... I…It’s hard to tell…” Ally stammered, wavering as her boots gently crackled against the compressed snow on the road. “I… I feel that headache coming on…” She winced, her eyebrows furrowing in pain.

“Oh…” Rafisol held Ally even closer. “...Stay strong, okay…? Come along…” 

The two trudged along the icy path towards the village of Blueo, all as Ally felt weaker and weaker… Eventually, Ally felt as though she couldn’t take another step. Concerned, Rafisol hurried her over to a nearby wooden bench, letting her sit down.

“There…” Rafisol gently helped her down. “Please rest here for now… I will go ahead and ensure that the shop is prepared for you. Will you be okay without me…? I promise to be swift.”

Ally gave a weak nod, curling up into herself. “...I-I… I’ll d-do my best…”

Rafisol nodded back before rushing off, levitating off the ground as she disappeared around a corner. 

Shuddering, Ally whimpered to herself, pressing her palms to her forehead again as she felt the heavy weight of this unknown burden pressing down, down, down on top of her… A piercing cold breeze stung her face… and Ally felt an odd sensation on her shoulders. A ghost of a feeling she never experienced before brushed by her… She slowly opened her pained eyes, glancing around the snow. 

Everything was now bathed in the orange glow of a sunset, a sunset too brilliant to have been shining over that cloudy day over Blueo… Entranced, Ally stood up. The snow at her feet was no longer snow, but a swirling mass of fog. The cold air was filled with light and magic, rushing by her as if she was moving. …Flying, perhaps? She took a few shaky steps forward as shadows soared by her, winged figures flying above her, beckoning her. Especially…

Ally’s eyes widened as she turned around, spotting an angelic figure flying ahead of her. There she was… the cause of all of this confusion. For just a fleeting moment, Ally’s headache cleared. The tears she had been holding back were gone. She was no longer heavy, burdened by memories she couldn’t comprehend. Instead she was as light as a feather, soaring after this figure. She wanted to stay like this… so light and full of love. Though, the figure began to disappear among the clouds.

Reaching forward, Ally cried after her. She tried to say her name, but despite feeling her voice cry something, all she heard was the whirl of wind and flapping of wings. The orange glow faded. The clouds returned to snow. All of the weight that Ally escaped returned all at once, causing her to collapse down into a pile of that snow. Cold, cold, snow. 

Collapsed on the ground, she saw nothing but the gray, white, and blue-tainted blur of gentle Blueo snow, clouded even further by pools of incomprehensible tears. “...R…Rafisol…?” She croaked, her voice barely louder than the needle-ridden breeze surrounding her. Strained breaths shook from her frozen, sorrow-choked throat. She desperately urged her limbs to move, but she couldn’t manage anything more than a pitiful shudder, curling her body closer together. 

She couldn’t hold back anymore.

Her face grew warm as she let out a series of whimpering sobs, the tears streaming from her eyes burning against her snow-ridden cheeks. Her thoughts fled her, her sense of the world around her escaped… There was nothing more than the strained cries of a forgetful heart and the tears of a lost and lonely adventurer. 

She didn’t know how much time passed, but it felt like hours; hours full of nothing but sorrowful weeping. 

Though, these heavy sobs were put on pause as a familiar voice cut through the harsh, icy wind. “ Ally-!! ” 

Ally shakily lifted her head just enough to see a new blur approach her, one colored purple and blue. 

“Ally, Ally… are you okay…?!” The blur laid next to her, and Ally felt a warm hand touch against her face, wiping away her tears and revealing the deeply concerned face of Rafisol. She even looked like she was about to cry herself at the sight of Ally’s despair. 

Ally caught up with the world around her, realizing that she had just wandered a few steps off of the path, winding up in a pile of snow in an alley between two village buildings. She turned back to Rafisol, shuddering and breaking eye contact to curl into herself again. “...N…N-No… I… I’m not… … I’m not okay…” She sniffled, her voice only barely comprehensible between the cold stuttering and the tearful whimpering. 

“Ohh… C-Come on, the shop is ready for you…” Rafisol responded. Ally felt a pair of careful hands slide beneath her, and before she knew it, she was curled within Rafisol’s arms, carrying her through Blueo. 

Ally froze a bit, a little shocked, but quickly let herself sink into the caring, familial embrace that Rafisol offered.

Rafisol’s body wasn’t normally this warm.

Opening the door to the hot cocoa shop, Ally felt a welcoming warmth wash over her, paired with an air laced with the scents of fresh soup, pastries, and, most notably, hot chocolate. Rafisol carried her into the warm haven, and the concerned voice of the shopkeeper came over the two as the fluffy, old sheep person approached them. 

She touched her gentle hoof against Ally’s face, muttering with sympathy. “You poor dear… You’ve been through a lot, hm? Come, come… you simply must get some rest in the room of healing…” 

The woman guided them to a room that was quiet and calm, illuminated by scented candles and an inviting fire within the chimney nearby. It was packed with pillows and blankets, one of which Ally was gently set onto, and quickly embraced into a soft, fluffy blanket. Rafisol quickly cuddled next to her as well.

The sheep woman nodded in satisfaction as Ally began to warm herself. “May I offer you some fresh soup, dear…?”
Ally shook her head with a sniffle. “J…Just some h-hot cocoa, please… w-with some whipped cream…”

The woman nodded. “Coming up, darling. Rest well…” She stood and walked off into the kitchen. As the door shut behind her, Rafisol turned towards Ally.

“...How are you feeling…?” She murmured. “Are you okay now…? Or… even just a little better…?”

Ally paused for a moment, looking back towards Rafisol. “I…I… feel a little bit better…” She dipped her head. “...I-I’m sorry for troubling you…”

Rafisol shook her head. “No… it is okay. I want to be troubled for you… I want to feel concerned for you the same way you were concerned for me. That gentle kindness… I want to share it with you as well… You deserve it, after all of the same that you have shown me…”

Ally perked up. “... Really…?”

“Of course…” A small, kind smile developed on Rafisol’s face. “...Heh… I still remember when I would ask you the same question… ‘Really?’ ‘Am I truly deserving of love?’ I asked then… and you would insist on responding the same way every time. ‘Yes, you deserve it.’ ‘I know you can.’ ‘I know you do.’ ‘You are much more than what you think you are, Rafisol.’.”

Hearing her own words repeated back to her in such a gentle way led Ally’s anxious heart to still. Ever since Rafisol was first born from the pendant… she knew that there was something within her. A spark of light amidst the raging darkness that once attempted to consume her. Ally put all of her faith, patience, and love into that spark, in hopes of allowing Rafisol to achieve what she didn’t know she desired most; love. And now… it was evident now. She had done it. By raising Rafisol like a family member… she had been gifted a sister who deeply cared for her. Rafisol could love… because of her. And now, Rafisol was trying to repay all of the work that Ally had put into her… and repay it tenfold. 

Ally, admittedly, never expected Rafisol to reach such a level of concern, gratitude, and hope… Seeing her like this now… it brought more tears to her eyes. This time, however, she knew exactly where they were coming from. She let herself loose once more, quiet tears full of sincerity and gratitude fell down her face. “R…R-Rafisol… I…”

Rafisol’s smile grew, a soft chuckle coming across her voice. She opened her arms to Ally, and Ally didn’t hesitate to lean into them, letting her sister embrace her. “It is okay, Ally… I am here for you…”

Ally felt a special sort of warmth swell in her chest, a certain warmth she hadn’t felt in a long, long time. She let a smile fall upon her lips, giving this warmth and love to Rafisol as Rafisol was doing the same to her. 

Family.

That’s what Rafisol was to Ally. And Rafisol finally knew it.

The two embraced one another for a little while before pulling apart. Ally wiped her eyes dry with her sleeve before speaking. “Thank you… I-I’ll never be able to thank you enough, Rafisol…”

“Neither will I be able to thank you enough, Ally.” Rafisol chuckled. 

The sheep woman came back into the room, carrying a colorful ceramic mug steaming with the inviting, chocolatey creation. She carefully handed it down to Ally, who accepted it with a nod. “My, it looks like you’re feeling better already! Your skin is still a bit rosy, however, so please drink up, dear~.”

Ally nodded gratefully. “Thank you so much, ma’am…” She brought the mug to her face, softly blowing against the steam and white foam to cool it off before taking a small sip. She hummed with delight, smiling as she savored the pleasing sweetness of the cocoa, easing her heart even more so.

The sheep woman nodded, taking her leave. “I will be in the kitchen if you need me, dear.”

“Thanks again…” Ally cuddled into her blanket, drinking more of her soothing beverage. 

After some more moments of delightful silence, Rafisol spoke up. “How do you feel, Ally…?”

“Better~.” Ally responded, going for another sip when she paused. “Hey, wait a moment… My headache is gone, too… and my sorrow!”

Rafisol perked up, smiling. “Is that so…? Perhaps all you needed to do was let out all of that pent-up emotion?”

Ally giggled, turning to Rafisol. “No, more than that… I needed love. Your love. I’ve been so wrapped up in chasing after a distant echo of love that I haven’t stopped to take in the love around me, hehe~.” She sipped on her hot cocoa before continuing. “I certainly can’t do this alone… With your help,” She smiled, closing her eyes. “That faint vision of whoever started this quest for love will just get clearer and clearer~.” 

“That means you saw her again today, did you not?” Rafisol asked, tilting her head curiously. “That woman… Did you get another vision of her? Is that why you stood up and fell into the snow?”

Ally nodded. “Yes, that’s correct. She soared by me with beautiful, pure white wings. …Actually…” She dug into her bag, pulling out the white and jade feathers. Rafisol’s eyes widened, seeing them. “... These feathers… I… I remember… I remember that she gave them to me!”

Chapter Text

“What was I thinking…?” Marle muttered to herself, flopping her head onto her arms, which were resting on the desk. “I mean… that outing was so much fun… but now… she’s forgotten everything… and even got even more sick… …I… I can’t do this anymore…”

She closed her eyes, feeling her eyes water and nose tickle with the sensation of anticipating sorrowful tears. She sighed, the sight of the items scattered across the desk blurring as she laid her head in defeat. She closed her eyes, letting a couple of tears trickle down her cheeks, as she tried to listen to the hubbub of her hideout to calm herself. However, it just wasn’t enough to quell her regret.

“...Why am I even fretting over this so much…?’ She murmured. “...This is barely a fleeting moment compared to how long I’ve lived… I’ve encountered so many people before… Yes, I’ve felt a bit lonely every time I’ve been forgotten by them… but… why does this feel so different…? I’ve been in love with people before… …but…”

“You’ve never talked to any one of them. Not until now.” 

Marle jumped, startled yet again by the curious voice of her brother. “Eek-!!”

Squares frowned, tilting his head. “You’ve been moping around in here for a while now.” He pulled in a chair from nearby, sitting next to Marle and lowering his head to meet her own lowered gaze. “... What’s wrong, Marle? You haven’t talked to me much at all as of recent...”

“...” Marle paused, glancing into the sincere, bright golden eyes of Squares, before sighing once more. She propped her elbow up on the desk, placing her cheek on the raised palm. “... It’s… It’s Ally. I-I mean… you know that… … But, I just… … I don’t know what to do now… I love her… and I want to take her on more adventures to let her love just grow and grow… …but…” She paused, looking back to Squares. “... She keeps forgetting me… and trying to remember… just makes her hurt…”

Squares nodded, understanding. “I see.”

“...What do I even do at this point…? Do I try to meet with her again? Leave her be? Confess my love for her…? She’s already confessed her love for me… and no one has ever done that before… not in trillions of years… ” 

“Hmm…” Squares put a hand to his chin, thinking. “Well, I’m just as clueless about this topic as you are, so I don’t have any direct advice. However, I think it would be wise to clear your mind so you can at least think more clearly. You’re so overwhelmed with your thoughts of Ally that you can hardly think of anything else.”

Marle paused, then nodded, sighing. “That’s a good idea… How do you suggest I do that…?”

“Well, you could always play some Puyo Puyo.” Squares suggested. 

Marled perked up. “Oh…! You’re right~! Just watching Puyo pop-pop-pop away always makes things so much more clear…  Heck… it even worked while in Ally’s presence, while I was playing against her, too~.” She stood up, and Squares stood up as well. “Thank you, Squares.” She hugged her tall little brother.

Squares chuckled, hugging Marle back. “Heh. Of course. Want me to play alongside you? Perhaps you can tell me about your thoughts and ideas as they come by.”

Marle smiled. “Yes, that would be lots of fun, thank you~.

Once the two stepped outside of Marle’s hideout, they built up their magic. Marle set up a board for stacking Puyos while Squares began to stack Tetrominoes. They took their time, focusing more on brainstorming than the game itself. 

As Marle organized her Puyo into colorful stacks, she thought through her current bond with Ally, or at least what remained of it. “Let’s see here… I am an immortal… in love with a mortal. That’s the situation at ground level.”

“To be more specific,” Squares interjected. “It’s more like an eldritch being in love with a mortal. Ally can barely comprehend you after every time you meet, you’re nothing but a blur to her whenever you’re not right in front of her.”

Marle sighed, sorting out more of her Puyo. “Right…” She muttered for a bit before popping a chain of Puyo. Seeing the colorful magic surge around her, her thoughts started to fall in place just like the Puyo. As she thought of where to place what colors of Puyo, her mind started to clear into a single train of thought. 

“Love has bloomed before, between beings beyond time and the mortals they find more endearing than the others…” Marle muttered, thinking back to all sorts of tales of masters falling in love with and freeing their wish-granting genies and jinns, Gods and Goddesses being charmed by the kindness or affection of mortal, and even some less powerful immortals such as vampires seemed to find lovers over the many years of their lives. “Hmm… What drives a mortal to wish to fall in love with an immortal…?” She made another chain, which Squares neutralized without a second thought through a quick T-Spin combo.

“Well…” Squares began, stacking his Tetrominoes as he went into his own thoughts. “... I’d say it's a sense of humanity. A lot of mortals only meet immortals that are unapproachable Gods, ever-living beings beyond comprehension, and even if immortals don't have much power, they still gain reputations as monsters and fiends to stay away from. However…" Squares dropped an I-piece in place to strike up a Tetris. "When love does bloom between the unlikely pair, it's often due to the mortal seeing a hint of mortality in their partner. A passion over things that most immortals deem irrelevant, perhaps a quirk in the way they spoke, or an imperfect shy attitude… In summary, things that make the mortal forget that whoever they're talking to is immortal, and rather see one another as equals."

Marle perked up hearing this, cleaning up the Nuisance Puyo that had fallen onto her board. "Equals…?" She echoed, her cheeks flushing pink. "...Does… Does Ally really see me… as an equal …?"

Squares nodded. "It seems to be so." He tilted his head, slowing the progress on his game. "Quite a few people that you've befriended across space-time see you as an equal as well. Why is Ally a surprise to you?"

"She’s seen my power first-hand…" Marle muttered, eyes wandering across the colorful Puyo lining her board. "She’s watched me mold space-time… she’s seen the power behind my spells, even if I was holding back… I've even altered her own body by granting her the miracle of flight… and yet… she still loves me and sees me as equal …?"

"I suppose it helps that her memories about you keep getting twisted." Squares responded.

Marle flinched, looking somewhat offended. "W-Well-!! Um… You're… not wrong , I guess, but…b-but…!! I-I’m just desperate that she'll even want to love me after all I've put her through-!!" She set off a massive chain she had been building, which caught Squares off-guard and quickly obliterated his board of Tetris. 

After Squares gathered his composure, he stepped towards the upsetted Marle. 

Marle whimpered, dipping her head down, her face flushed slightly with her emotions. “I… I just wish I could see things at her level… I understand her power, I understand her love… but… I just can’t wrap my head around her …”

Squares sighed. “The best way to get to know her is to talk to her, Marle.”

“... I know.” Marle muttered, fidgeting with her gloves. 

“... So,” Squares looked down to Marle. “What will you do?”

Marle paused, glancing into Squares’ eyes. “... I… I wish I knew…” She dipped her head, giving a melancholy sigh. “... Her love is just… so much … … I might just have to give up… I don’t want to, but… Do I have a choice…? I keep hurting her… she keeps forgetting me… …Maybe I should just leave her alone…”

“...” Squares bent down, meeting Marle’s eyes. “...Marle.”

Marle gave a shy glance up, keeping her head lowered.

“... You taught me something important.” Squares nodded to her. “It’s that whenever you feel like giving up, you start over, and try a new tactic from square one. If you really love Ally,” He offered an encouraging smile as Marle raised her head to make more direct eye contact with him. “You shouldn’t give up. All you need is a new tactic; a way to start from the lowest level and work back up.”

Marle took a deep breath, smiling at Squares’ advice. “...Y…You’re right. You’re right. Ehehe~... Thank you, Squares, but… what exactly could be ‘square one’ in a situation like this…?”

“Hmm…” Squares thought for a moment. “Maybe… ‘meeting her again’, somehow? As if you were a different person?”

Marle thought for a moment, then perked up. “Squares, you genius!! I could disguise myself! But… as who?” Her creative gears now turning freely, she snapped her fingers. “I got it! It won’t be a case of who , but rather, what ! I’ll turn myself into a Rammit! That way, I can interact with her without her even knowing! I can get used to being around her that way and build up courage to talk with her again!!” She pulled Squares into a full-force hug. “Thank you, Squares~... You always know the right thing to say.”

Squares chuckled, patting Marle’s head as he hugged her back. “Of course, Marle. I owe it all to you.”

“Ehe~!” Marle giggled, beaming, before pulling away from Squares and bounding off while building her magic. “It’s time to look at love from a new perspective~!!”

. ⋅ ˚̣- *⑅❀ ✧ ︵‿୨ ⭒ ♡ ⭒ ୧‿︵ ✧ ❀⑅* -˚̣ ⋅ .

The trees rustled in the breeze, carrying the echoes of multiple chirps and cheery cries of nearby creatures. The smell of wood and dew-redden grass, as well as fragrant moss and flowers, was wafted along gently, paired with the damp air. Marle looked around, taking in the vibrant green leaves and ground, as well as the enchantingly bright sky yet again. She drew in a deep breath, grounding herself in Ally’s natural neighborhood of Grimp Forest. “Okay… Here we go.” 

Marle built up her magic, engulfing herself in an aura of white light. She shrunk her body down, manipulating the shape of her body until, once the light disappeared, she was level with grass, the world around her seeming much bigger from the lower point of view from a little Blue Rammit. She wiggled her body, shaking off little particles of light as her body fully morphed into a jelly-like substance, becoming quadrupedal with tiny little paws on each stubby leg, all with a blue ribbon protruding from her back. 

Alright, transformation complete~. Marle thought to herself. She started to bound through the forest as any Rammit would, planning out her next course of action. 

She wandered through the forest, straying off of the dirt path and slipping through bushes, taking in the area with this new perspective.

It wasn’t long before she heard a few familiar noises; the noises of other Rammits calling to one another. Marle perked up. Oh! Maybe I could  blend in along with these other Rammits! 

She hopped along, eventually finding a small crowd of Red and Green Rammits. She stood out just a bit with her blue body, but there were less common colors that still occurred naturally, so she didn’t have to worry. …Or, at least she hoped she didn’t have to worry. 

The clan of Rammits chattered idly to one another, not seeming to mind Marle joining their clique. She listened to their warbling “~waiii~” noises, muttering one or two herself. She has such a way with monsters … Marle thought as she started to wander through the forest with the wild Rammits, unable to keep her mind off of Ally. I know hundreds upon thousands of languages… but the language of beasts and monsters has always been on I could never wrap my head around. And yet… it’s almost like Ally can understand every word. Heh… I suppose it helps that she’s grown up in a forest for so long. 

She glanced up, looking at the trees gently cradling rays of sunlight between their leaves and branches, feeling the unique, natural magic of Grimp as it whispered between the trees and echoed between every living organism within it. Marle went deep into thought, pondering the time she’s watched over this world… The time she’s spent studying its magic and history… And the fact that this whole situation with Ally was just so… sudden compared to it all. The two weeks between first meeting Ally and now were absolutely nothing in the face of the eons Marle had lived. And yet, in such a short amount of time, so much can change. 

Marle knew better than anyone else how a single person can change the entire course of your life. She never considered this happening to herself, especially after so long of building her own identity and sorting her ideals, she thought nothing could change her. And yet… a single species of butterfly gone missing in the ecosystem could cause total environmental collapse. Though, it was sort of a reverse in this situation. A new species of butterfly has arrived into the ecosystem of Marle’s life… and everything is becoming more lush, more diverse, becoming richer and more vibrant. 

What a funny quirk of fate, this whole thing was. All things are bound to change… and before Marle had even known it, the butterfly had landed right in her palms.  

Marle was suddenly brought out her thoughts as the group of Rammits began to give louder calls, bounding forward with a bit more energy. Marle perked up, looking ahead to see what they were running towards, and… There she was. 

Sitting beneath a tree not thirty feet ahead was… Ally. She seemed to be in a dreamy state, quietly reading a book that was propped up between her legs. 

Marle’s heart raced. This is it… She took a deep breath to calm herself the best she could before following along with the other Rammits. 

The small crowd gathered around Ally, pawing at her legs and dress while calling out their little noises.

Ally gasped, snapping out of her own thoughts as she brought her eyes down to them. “Oh-! Why, hello, there~... Come to say ‘hello’? Hehe~!” She reached down her hand, giving the Rammits little pats one by one as she put her book to the side.

Marle watched intently, seeing how gentle she was with each and every one of them. She backed up to let a few more Rammits divert Ally’s attention from her. 

“It’s nice to see you all… Perhaps you’d like a snack?”

Seeming to recognize the word, the Rammits all began to crowd even closer, jumping up and down in excitement. Marle giggled to herself, seeing the commotion. 

Ally dug into her bag, pulling out a few nuts and berries native to Grimp Forest, and beginning to offer the Rammits a little treat each. As she passed them out, some tried to climb on top of her, leading her to laugh in amusement. “Ahaha~! That tickles…!! One at a time, please~...!” The Rammits backed off once they got their treats, starting to eat away at them. 

Marle watched this happen, giggling to herself again as Ally gifted the Rammits. However, as her attention was diverted, Ally’s voice spoke up, startling her.

“Oh my, you’re quite a bit more shy than the others… That’s okay, I have some for you, too~. Thanks for being patient!” She held out some of the small treats out to Marle.

Marle flinched a bit, not knowing what to do at first. However, Ally spoke to her with a soft voice that soothed her right down to her very soul…

“Hey… It’s okay, little one. I won’t hurt you.” 

She paused, looking up into Ally’s eyes. Her kind, enchanting eyes… Ally smiled down at her with a soft sort of look that absolutely charmed Marle, even more than usual. Marle carefully took the offer of snacks, cradling the pair of berries in her little paws before drawing them close to herself, beginning to eat them as well. 

Ally continued to unknowingly speak to Marle in a gentle voice. “You’re a lot quieter than the others… Are you new around here?”

Marle moved her little head, unsure of how to respond. 

Ally giggled at this. “That’s okay. You must be a bit shy then, hm? I don’t mind~.” She leaned away from Marle, turning to the other Rammits, but her words stuck with her.

‘You must be a bit shy then, hm? I don’t mind~.’ Those words echoed in her head. Was Ally really willing to be patient for her…? Er-, well, she couldn’t know of Ally’s feelings for her true self, but Ally’s words still resonated with her.

A little nervous, Marle consumed the rest of the little snacks Ally gifted her, then slowly approached Ally again. She had picked up her book again, turning to the other Rammits. 

“Why don’t I tell all of you a story?” Ally beamed, flipping through the book. “This is an old favorite of mine, it’s a big book full of lots of little stories. Maybe you’d like to hear one?”

Almost like a class of little kindergarteners, the little Rammits gathered in a circle around Ally, sitting still. Marle took her spot as well, huddling alongside the small monsters. Her eyes sparkled with awe. Her connection with them… It’s so deep…!

Ally cleared her throat, flipping through the pages until her eyes lit up on a particular one. “Ah! This is a lovely one! It’s called ‘The Bird and the Fish’.” 

Marle allowed herself to listen in, immersing herself in the story.

Once upon a time… There was a beautiful bird whose beauty in appearance and talent charmed all of the other forest critters who saw her. 

“I heard her feathers sparkle like morning dew!” Said the squirrels. 

“I heard her song can put a wolf pack to sleep!” Claimed the deer.

“I heard her dance lead flowers to follow!” Added the butterflies.

“She must be the most wonderful creature in the forest!” They all believed.

However, as wonderful as the bird was, she was awfully lonely. People came to see her feathers shine, they came to listen to her melodic voice, and they came to watch her mesmerizing dancing, but no one stayed to be friends with her. They only wanted her to show off her looks and talents.  

One day, the bird grew tired of being alone. “I’m going to go find someone who doesn’t care about my feathers, or my voice, or my dance!!” She cried, flying far away from the forest. 

She flew away from the rustling trees. 

She flew past the grassy plains.

She flew during the day, she flew during the night.

She flew during rain, and she flew during snow.

Eventually, she found somewhere new. 

She had arrived on a rocky beach somewhere far, far away from the forest, the ocean churning slowly with the cold breeze blowing over it. 

The bird paused, looking around. “Hello…? Is anyone here?” She chirped into the open air.

…No one responded. 

Suddenly, the bird realized just how far she had flown. She was lost. She started to cry, hiding her face in her wings. “Oh dear, I’ve gotten lost! Now I’ll be all alone… forever!!”

However, her crying was stopped by a quiet voice from nearby the ocean. “You’re not alone…”

The bird stopped, hopping down the rocks to look for the source of the voice. “Hello? Who’s there?”

“I’ll be your friend.” The voice responded. 

“You… You will?” The bird stammered. “But… you haven’t even seen me yet! How can you be friends with me?”

“I don’t need to see you to know that you need a friend.” The voice spoke again.

The bird perked up. “Oh… I’d love to have you as my friend! But… can I please see you?”

“Oh, of course!” The voice chimed. 

A small sparkling came from the ocean, as a tiny fish poked its head out of the water. Its scales were just as beautiful as the bird’s!

“Oh, my!” The bird exclaimed. “You’re a fish! And you’re so beautiful!”

“Indeed I am!” The fish nodded. “But that shouldn’t matter much. We’re friends now, right?”

The bird paused. “Really? Even after seeing what I look like? You don’t want to see my feathers shine, or listen to me sing, or see me dance?”

“I’m sure all of those things are really nice,” The fish swam around happily. “But you don’t have to show me. After all, you’re lost, right? I want to help get you home, first!”

“Oh!” The bird perked up, remembering how far from home she was. “But… it’s so far away from here… Will we ever see each other again?”

The fish nodded. “Of course, dear! No matter how far away we are from each other, I’ll always love you.”

The fish led the bird along the shore, heading back to the forest where the bird came from. Once the bird was home, she chirped happily. “Thank you so much, fish! I promise I’ll visit again someday!”

“I look forward to it! Farewell for now!”

And so, ever since that day, whenever the bird grew tired of her fame, she would visit the fish by the ocean and happily talk the day away.

The end~.

The Rammits all wiggled and cried out, waving their paws after Ally went silent, recognizing that the story had come to an end. Marle gave a quiet cheer as well, the story having touched her heart.

Maybe I can learn a thing or two from that story… despite there being such a wide space between Ally and I… both in our origins and power… she still wishes to be friends with me despite all of it. She really sees me for me, and not for what I can do… Just like how the fish saw the bird, ehehe~... Maybe things will work out after all!

However, she was brought out of her thoughts as Ally’s voice called to her. “Still here, little one? Ehehe, you must’ve really liked the story~.”

Marle flinched slightly, realizing the rest of the Rammit crowd had started moving on, hopping along the path. Oh dear-!! I’ve been singled out… I-I can’t run at this point… what do I do?!

“Oh, don’t be scared… Here,” Ally extended her hand out to Marle, giving a soft smile. “It’s okay… I won’t hurt you.”

Hesitating, Marle swayed from side to side, nervously glancing back and forth from Ally’s face to her palm. However, her worries began to ease as Ally’s voice echoed into her heart. “It’s okay.” “I won’t hurt you.” “Don’t be scared.” 

Eventually, Marle drew in a deep breath and gingerly placed her paws on Ally’s palm. Ally quietly rubbed her thumbs over the jelly-like limbs, giggling softly. “That’s right~... Easy does it~...” Just as Marle began to relax, Ally scooped her soft, gentle hands beneath Marle’s Rammit body, lifting her up and placing her in Ally’s lap. 

Ohhh, goodness… Marle would be blushing like mad if she was still in her normal body. She felt Ally’s warmth surround her, her body becoming a soft bed of love. 

Ally gently rubbed her hands across Marle’s head and back, embracing the small form that Marle had turned herself into, sharing soft amounts of love with her.

It didn’t take long for Marle to flatten down, relaxing and closing her eyes as she practically melted into Ally’s embrace, sighing happily and dreamily. Is this what it’s like to experience her love directly…? It’s so much stronger than even the incredible amounts she offered me for my conflict against Squares… It’s so soft, so warm, and I just feel so… so… full. Full of love and light~... I could lay here for hours~... It was unlike anything Marle had ever felt before. No heated mattress, no weighted blankets, nor no soft fabric could ever capture the same level of comfort Marle felt in Ally’s arms.

The warmth of Ally’s body was like cradling pure, gentle sunshine… Her soft, yet firm embrace felt like being supported by the mossy trunk of a guarding tree… Her scent was an enamoring mix of the fragrance of the forest and its plants, a faint, wholesome trace of smoke from firewood, and whiffs of the same warm, welcoming scent that freshly baked bread or cookies gave off… Finally, there was her heartbeat. It was nearly impossible to describe how it made Marle feel listening to it and feeling it, but it was so steady and strong, beating to a slow rhythm as if intending to be the metronome leading an elegant dance between their souls. With every beat, it sent another slow wave of love throughout her body, seeping into Marle like a rising tide, indulging every part of her comfort… 

Ally's voice interrupted her dreamy thoughts with a soft giggle. "You're quite the cuddler! Pretty warm, too, for a Blue Rammit~. But I must be on my way now." Her hands scooped Marle up yet again, setting her back onto the grass. "I hope we can meet again someday, little one~!!" She stood up, sauntering off with melodic humming as she carried her storybook beneath her arm. 

Marle was left behind, utterly stunned. She then flattened herself against the grass, giggling uncontrollably. 

She loves me… She really loves me!!!