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.”