Chapter Text
As soon as they pull Philza away, Tommy makes his way outside. Ignoring all of the curious noises that follow him as he steps out of the palace entrance into the warm glow of Hardcore. Tilting his head up to look at the clouds that look ready to burst with more rain.
The world smells and feels damp but he doesn't care. He keeps walking until he reaches the edge of the steps and his only obstacle is the stupid ice floor.
He sits down on the last step and takes a deep breath. Both hands coming up in a prayer motion around his nose and mouth as he just...processes.
He's not alone for long. Hearing quick footsteps and buzzing and then the nervous 'vwoop' of Ranboo.
"Cover yourself idiot! You're going to get burned!"
"Is Tommy okay?"
"He won't be if you get burned!"
There's a lot of shuffling and he hears Ranboo teleport away and then back. Then a familiar setup sits around him. Two on either side. All staring at him and waiting for something.
"I'm okay." He tells them and part of him wonders how much of it is a lie. He's not crying so he's not knee deep in the lying but he knows it's not entirely true. He can tell because his fingers tingle like they're coming out of numbness.
"Are you sure?" Fundy asked, tail swishing nervously behind him. "...you just...uh...you just told grandza...in his dead brother's voice...that you loved him and stuff."
"That's kind of weird." Ranboo admits.
"Not pog." Tubbo adds.
Purpled huffed and rolled his eyes. "And you've been fighting with the guy for a while. I would hate to pretend I cared about someone I was fighting with." Tommy isn't sure how to process that if he's honest.
Which is why he's outside.
Getting fresh air and far enough away from all of the royals and the staff and just letting himself breathe. He reaches both hands up into his hair. Letting himself fall silent as he ran fingers across his scalp.
And when he closes his eyes, he's suddenly not there.
He's on Earth, back at the base, facing down Punz with a gun pointed at him.
He jolts out of the memory, silently gasping. Startling the group around him and automatically reaching out to grasp Purpled's hand. Just a reminder that he's not actually there.
He's still on Hardcore and his feral baby isn't dying at the hands of a scared older merces.
Purpled's hand isn't furry, it isn't struggling to maintain a form for a fight. It's human skin that just feels slightly off. Something no one would notice unless they've spent their entire lives touching human skin.
He focuses on that, turning the thought over and over in his head. Wondering if all merces have this flaw or if it's because Purpled is a baby still learning mastery over his trickery. He hasn't grabbed Punz enough to know.
Punz isn't here.
Punz is off following Dream around like a puppy on Tommy's orders because Philza was too busy to argue with it and Wilbur and Techno gave the go ahead. Punz hasn't even been on hardcore since then.
He's safe, they're safe.
It feels like ages before he fully tunes back into his surroundings and to the worried questions of his friends. Before he finally clues in to why that happened to him and despite the horror of it all, he jumps to his feet with a grin.
It can only mean one thing.
He lets go of Purpled and starts running. Slipping and sliding on the stupid ice stuff and almost crawling his way to the edge. Everyone following him with confused shouts.
Ranboo helped him up once he hit the grass, asking him something but he ignores him with a quick wave to say thanks and he keeps running.
He blinks again and he's in a dark place, warm and swaddled tight in what feels like a bunch of feathers. Staring up at a thatched ceiling where all sorts of golden rune like writing spreads across it.
He hears a soft coo, sees a pale hand laced with feathers and with thick silver claws reach for him and a face fills his vision. Blurry but human like save for a few features he can't quite make out and a large red orb floating above them.
He blinks back to reality to realize he hasn't stopped running and the others are still calling out to him. Keeping easy pace with his slow speed as he sprints through the surrounding area and towards the large open grassy field behind Flowerfall.
Somehow managing not to bump into the plants or any other strange adornments creating the beautiful palace landscape.
He trips at some point however which almost made everyone crash into him in the process.
Ranboo practically screeching like he thought Tommy died while Tubbo laughed at his expense. He's quick to get back on his feet however and he keeps heading to that one spot. It's a long run, he should probably find a better solution.
He blinks again and he's strapped down to a table.
He's struggling at his binds as he tries to scream but all that comes out are wordless breathy wails like someone was strangling a chicken. A man in a blue smock grabbing a mask and drawing it closer and closer to his face as his panic increases.
He blinks again and he's running.
Able to see his destination now with almost nothing but the untamed wild grass to stop him.
He blinks again and he's flying through space, being chased by someone.
It feels like a game rather than a hunt, with him spinning in place like he's dancing. Spreading his arms out to catch his assailant and they both tumble about. A high pitched giggly laugh bursting forth from the bundle in his grasp.
He blinks again and he's running.
Stumbling but catching himself before he faceplants like before. Fundy begging him to slow down because he's not used to running.
He blinks again and he's drinking water from a leaking pipe outside of a gas station that refused to let him get some from the fountain.
He's used to the treatment, used to the stares. Of people who think he can just magically obtain a job and a better life if he put in a little more 'effort'. They judge him for trying to survive instead of helping him.
Because somehow him surviving is a blemish on their thriving.
He blinks again and finally he's on the crest of the large field. Stopping to catch his breath and let those following him catch up. Purpled slows to a stop in front of him and trots back, hands in his hoodie pocket.
A curious expression on his face and body tense as if he was waiting for the explosion. When he's at Tommy's side, he tilts his head up in the direction the human was now looking.
Tommy can't see her. He's trying to find the point where the distant stars barely visible through the bright clouds fade.
Ranboo is wheezing like he hasn't run like this in ages as he soon falls into place with them, Fundy and Tubbo coming up on the rear before they all practically collapse on the grass.
"What was that?!" Fundy demanded once he caught his breath. "Why did you suddenly go running?! Why are we so far away from the palace?! Is this a human thing?!"
"Are you doing the running thing again? I mean, the running from stuff. Not...this running."
"Seriously, Tommy?! Is this an emotional outburst?! I hate running!"
"Should I get Foolish-g or Ponk?"
Tommy ignores all of their concerns and keeps his head turned up to look at the sky. Smiling to himself the moment he finally spots it. It helps that she moves, no doubt finally noticing that he noticed.
And sure enough, he hears her voice.
Star from above, you are not afraid now.
He feels his cheeks start to hurt from how much he's smiling as the other four around him jump. All of them whirling around to try and find the source of the voice. They scream a moment later when that large claw breaks the atmosphere and crashes down onto the land in front of them.
Purpled jumped in front of Tommy as the rest of Kristin graced their presence. Giant glowing eyes practically a spotlight on them. She gives them all a moment to enjoy her amazing visage and then she takes that vaguely human shaped form like before.
Cascading down in a twisting shadow until her cloaked feet touch the grass. Every bit of her as radiant as before. She lands far more gentle, quieter, and her veil shimmers in the light of the golden sky.
Still looming but just as pretty as last time.
Tommy steps around Purpled when the merces freezes up and raises his hand, "Kristin!"
"Tommy!" She sends out a feeling of joy, dousing them all in her emotions. Making him feel giddy as he stopped short in front of her and craned his neck to look up.
Her hands, covered by those long sleeves, reach out and take hold of his. Gentle but cold to the touch as she pulls him that last bit of the way forward. As if they were more than acquaintances and more like long lost family.
She tucks him right against her stomach and hugs him just as any human would.
"Blessed am I, my world remains intact." She says and he's heard that phrase enough times to know it means 'welcome home' or some shit.
He quickly hugged her back. He can't help it. Her love and joy is so overwhelming that he's nearly crying from it. Feeling like he's missed her more than anything else in the universe.
"THIS IS KRISTIN?!"
Tommy glanced back at the group behind him, slowly pulling out of the hug. Fundy having been the fastest to recover from his shock though he had toppled over like the rest of them.
Purpled was still frozen in a stance ready to fight. Eyes darting between Tommy and Kristin's veil as if he was debating who to go after first.
Ranboo and Tubbo looked ready to run but also slightly impressed. Their mouths open in a silent gasp. Ranboo looked more awed than Tubbo, one hand to his mouth.
Fundy slowly sat up, position much like a dog, ears perked forward with curiosity even if his tail was bristled. Then he kind of processed what Tommy had said before about her and his ears flicked back.
All of his fur stood on end then, making him look far fluffier as he sputtered and orange paint splattered against the ground.
"SHE IS WITH MY GRANDFATHER?!"
Kristin's emotion quickly switched to delight and amusement. One sleeve coming up to her veil as she turned her gaze over the group and then slowly looked back at Tommy. Letting him go and chuckling, "Have you spoken lies, Tommy?"
"I would never." Tommy lied right then and there, still grinning. He then reached out, pointing to each of them to introduce them. "That's Fundy, Wilbur's son. Tubbo, Ranboo, and this is Purpled."
He reached out after he introduced the merces. Gently wrapping his fingers around the feral baby's wrist. A silent promise that they're safe as he pulled.
Purpled hesitated, gaze never leaving the towering form of Kristin now, but eventually relented and came up beside Tommy. The human could feel the merces shaking slightly, could feel the silver fur starting to form underneath his grasp.
He ignored it, because Purpled understood actions more than words.
He then half-bowed in front of the Voidwalker instead as he introduced her. "This is Kristin. Philza is totally in love with her."
The amusement just grew tenfold, almost overpowering. It had many of them cracking smiles and barely suppressing laughter.
"Pog, I've never met a female Voidwalker." Tubbo finally spoke, his wings fluttering anxiously as he gathered himself up enough to stand and eventually float. Running a hand over his antenna in clearly a nervous gesture. "...Finders doesn't do your size justice! They say you're normally over 12 fooms! That doesn't seem real!"
Tommy still doesn't know what a foom is.
Kristin let the melliferian flutter around her shoulders. Almost too high compared to how far normally Tubbo would go. She tilted her head in each direction he went as if studying him as well.
"And your kind is not done any justice as well." She said, eventually offering up one of her cloaked hands for him to rest. Like a princess letting a bird land on a finger. "One of millions and yet you glow so bright."
Tubbo's fluff seemed to get fluffier as he grinned. "Actually, we're in the billions now! When's the last time you read the census?"
Kristin tilted her head. "The universe has a census now?"
Her question just made Tubbo laugh.
Ranboo was the next to recover, shaking as he got to his feet. Drawing arms close to his body and his posture hunkering down as if he was trying to hide.
Ranboo was too tall to hide.
"You...you could move a planet." He whispered, clearly not what he meant to say as he looked ashamed in the next second. About to stammer out apologies had Kristin not sent out a wave of reassurance.
"I would not, unless asked." She said and Ranboo just nodded dumbly. "You are quite beautiful," She added not even a blink later, making the enderian flush brightly. "You are born of the void. My kin. I am pleased to see your species thrive. To see you able to join me here."
The enderian muttered quick thank-yous. Only interrupted in the gratitude as Tubbo jumped down to land on his shoulders and nearly took them both back to the ground.
Then Kristin looked to Fundy and warmth filled them. A bit of delight mixed in with love and admiration. The phantox letting out the softest squeaks as he stood to greet her proper. "And you, I have wanted to meet you for all of your time. You are every bit as wonderful as Philza described. A star, glimmering."
Tommy can't help but smile at that. Mixing his own joy with hers because he knows these idiots need to hear these things occasionally. Yet when he turns to look at the phantox with his shit eating grin, Fundy looks almost...unnerved.
He wants to ask but Kristin turns her attention to Purpled instead.
"And you, a fascinating species. I am not capable of observing your planet because of the quarantine but you are a burning light as well." Her joy died down softly into something more impressed?
Proud?
"Strong and willing to protect those around you with it."
Purpled quickly looked away, ducking his head down against Tommy's shoulder. Clearly trying to hide his embarrassment but this was an open field with nowhere to go. It was an adorable act that had Tubbo cooing and Tommy just grinning to himself.
"Oh? Did I offend?" Her emotions told everyone she didn't even believe that herself. Just teasing the little feral baby who seemed to get more embarrassed by the second.
"So, you're really in love with Phil?" Tubbo dared to ask, somehow saving Purpled from further attention. Two sets of hands on his hips as he stared up at the voidwalker and the other two crossing over his chest. "Don't get me wrong, great choice. An exalted one! We were just discussing all the benefits but...he's kind of a rotting jelly, isn't he?"
Ranboo immediately hissed, tail smacking the bee boy upside the head. "Tubbo!"
"Oh I can say it! He tried to steal Tommy's voice earlier! At least I haven't punched him yet!"
"He's literally in mourning! I agree, he's an idiot but we shouldn't badmouth him to his love interest!" Almost immediately after blurting this out, Ranboo covered his mouth with both hands. Realizing his mistake too late as Tubbo burst into laughter and Kristin's amusement filtered out again. "...I am so sorry."
Kristin shook her head, her veil shimmering in the low lighting. "Have no regrets, my kin. Love does not fade so instantly with such talk. If I did not wish to hear of Philza's flaws then I would have a hollow affection. A starless one."
Okay...they kind of lost him.
Tommy raised his hand, "What's that mean?"
And Tubbo is the one to answer him, "She's saying she doesn't care if we talk bad about him! She still likes him."
"Oh." That made sense.
Kristin chuckled. "And it is nothing I haven't heard before. No mate is perfect. Even one who crafted the universe." After a moment of hesitation, she moved to sit. Folding legs underneath herself and her robe spilled out like a huge blanket on the ground. Her tail curling over it as her wings settled.
It was a silent invitation for all of them to do the same.
Tommy has to practically drag Purpled down with him. Letting the baby hide behind him though the merces occasionally peeked around his shoulder.
"What made you fall in love with him?" Tubbo asked again, practically invasive. Tommy was starting to think bee boy was really nosy. "Was it the money?!"
"We of the void have no use for money."
"What?! But Bad-Boy-Halo runs a bakery!"
...that was Bad's full name? Tommy was so going to tease the alien about this later. Now he knew why it was shortened and why Bad had said it doesn't translate well.
"It is true," Kristin hums and it sounds beautiful. A musical note that makes Tommy think of bells ringing in a foggy morning. "but that was a choice taken for the sake of his child. Money is practical to those who settle. Perhaps in the future I will be bothered with it."
"Pollen, I forgot Sapnap is his hatchling."
"Well, you don't see many blazeborns outside of the Netheroid." Ranboo had dared to scoot closer. Taking a spot beside Tubbo and letting the shorter alien lean on him. "I had never seen one in vision until Sapnap."
Tommy thought about the conversation he had had in the pet room. Of people looking at Sapnap like he's some sort of...experiment. The only one in the palace.
Tubbo huffed and fluttered his wings. "The same could be said for melliferian." He pointed out, raising one hand. "I'm just as rare! None of us leave the planet to do studies like me!"
Kristin sent out another wave of pride and they all looked to her. Watching as the dragon's tail slowly wagged. "Then you do the universe a kindness." She said, "The most beautiful stars have no competition." She then gestured out with one hand. "And I see only sparks."
Oh yeah, they all kind of were a rare thing weren't they?
A human...or avian. Whatever you wanted to call Tommy he was pretty much the only one until recently.
A merces, one of only two to leave the entire planet.
An enderian with a rare color who managed to leave his fancy planet.
A melliferian who was smart as fuck and a scientist.
And a phantox in a business field!
Tommy glanced over at Fundy, making sure the guy was still with them. He had been oddly quiet since Kristin first addressed him. Sitting down when prompted but far enough away from all of them.
Picking at the grass with ears laid back and not daring to look up.
Something was wrong.
Tommy wanted to say something but he was once again stopped by the conversation moving on.
"To answer your question," Kristin began, "I found affection in Philza for our conversations."
"Even when he yells?" Ranboo smacked Tubbo again.
"Yes, he can be passionate."
That was an understatement.
"And many a time, he can be brash and unaware of others."
Once again, understatement.
Kristin chuckled, "But I also find joy in that. In how he is unapologetically headstrong in his directions. I cannot control what comes of it but the stars in his eyes shine brightest when he never stops."
"What do you mean?" Tommy dares to ask.
"The first time Philza obtained his hatchlings...he spoke of them to me in joy." Kristin tilted her head back, to look up at the stars. Her veil not revealing her face. Night was starting to approach and more of the stars were visible now. It created a pretty contrast against her coverings. "So worried to leave the nest and leave them even if they were adults when we could finally meet again."
"Yet every word spoken, excited."
Tommy blinked...and he found himself somewhere else. Though this time it didn't feel like somewhere anyone could control. No sense of deja vu.
He didn't feel like himself anymore. More like a passenger through someone else's eyes.
And standing before him in this very field was the very rooster butt they were talking about. All bright smiles and wide eyes with his stupid hat and robe. Pacing about on his talons as he spoke with wild hand and wing gestures.
"-should see them, Kristin! Wonderful stars! Both of them! The way Technoblade speaks! So young but so brilliant! He keeps begging me for the opportunity to protect our universe! A chance to prove himself! I never even suggested it! He brought it up himself! I see him train every cycle in secret! He works so hard!"
"And Wilbur! Wilbur has stolen all my paperwork when he thinks I'm not looking! I know what he's doing, of course I do but I let him! Because he lights up when he reads it all! You can see his mind working in ways no one can comprehend! Absorbing every detail and then at dinner he pretends to bring up issues to address them!"
He stops suddenly, laughing. "But their talents are just the down! Wilbur sings like a roderia! Techno makes these beautiful crafts out of bone! Their laughter is the most beautiful thing to listen to while I work!"
"When Techno gets nervous, he stomps at me and his ears flick. It's the cutest thing! And when Wilbur gets bored he preens my feathers! I never taught him how! He learned! Just to do it! Ah! Did I tell you Techno can read in 15 languages?! Oh! What about Wilbur's writing? Did I tell you about that?"
Tommy blinks and the world fades back into reality.
Purpled is clutching him almost too tight, almost enough to crack bones.
And everyone around him slowly breathes as well.
"What...was that...?" Tubbo dared to ask, now hovering off the ground again. It seemed to be a reflex when he was startled.
Ranboo shook his head, nervously running hands through his hair. Looking like he was trying to ground himself. "You...you showed us the past, right?"
"That was-THAT WAS A MEMORY?! OF YOURS?!"
"Were you not aware that we of the void can do such things?" Kristin asked, tilting her head. "It is how stories are told in a space where many cannot speak." Some of them let out sighs of relief at the explanation.
And Tommy stared down at his hands.
It was weird...well, of course it was weird. To see someone else's memories as your own. Yet something else felt weird about it, like he's been in that position before. Not a passenger but instead looking down at Phil as the man spoke.
Tommy's not sure why the feeling is so striking to him.
He raised his hand to ask if they could see more. Hoping to find the answer in it.
A blink later and they're in a familiar position. Towering over Philza as he speaks but he's no longer excitedly pacing. Instead sat down in the grass with no doubt Kristin at his side, gaze turned upwards towards the stars above.
No hat and robe this time however, instead he's got all of his shiny stuff on. As if he just came out of a meeting and had rushed over to talk to her.
His face holds a familiar look on it. Sad, grieving.
Bags under his eyes.
Tommy briefly wonders how long ago this memory was before he finally hears what the bird is saying.
"-fell into my tail again." He cracks the briefest of smiles. "I keep telling that hatchling he's going to end up braided in it but still he seeks me out for every nap." He chuckled, wiping at his eyes. "...Wilbur made such a beautiful star."
"I can't wait to see what he grows into."
"Oh my are we discussing Fundy again?" A new voice joined the meeting as Bad came flying over. Gently landing in the grass and taking up a seat as if he had been there the entire time. "I'm sorry I'm late, Sapnap simply refused to let me out of the nest."
The voidwalker leaned in somewhat and sighed, "Of which I should drag you into." He reached out and Phil groaned softly like a scolded child. "When was the last time you slept? I keep telling you that Wilbur will be alright!"
"He keeps saying he has work to do." Kristin ratted out the rooster butt immediately. Amused as Philza shot her a look and Bad sputtered in annoyance. "Yet here he is, speaking to us."
"I'm not tired." The avian lies so blatantly. Not even trying to hide it.
"You say that every single time you speak of Fundy. He is your favorite subject when exhausted."
"Of course, he gives me energy." Philza chuckled, the softest of smiles on his features. "He's helping me through this. Running around like nothing happened. Running to me the moment he sees me. He demands I send for your sweets and for flights around the palace."
He shook his head. "Don't tell my sons...but I think of all my stars, he is my favorite."
Tommy didn't even get a chance to blink. Forcefully yanked out of the memory by the sound of a sharp sniffle that cut through everything like a knife. So jarring in comparison that it almost made him sick to hear it.
When he world swirls back into place, he quickly pats his own eyes to make sure they're not soaked with tears. Just to remember that yeah...he can't make those noises before he checks on Purpled.
The merces isn't looking at him however, he's looking at Fundy which Tommy realizes a second too late is the source of the crying.
The phantox is curled in on himself, clutching his shirt in an iron grip as the tears and the paint roll off of him like a flood. The entire ground beneath him a vibrant orange puddle that shows he's been at this for a while before he made the sound.
"Fundy...?"
The call from Ranboo seems to snap him out of his wound tight state. Yelping as he scrambled to fix his appearance. Rubbing fruitlessly at his eyes as he curled his tail around himself and just got even more paint on his fur.
"S-sorry!" He yelled, stumbling over the word. "Sorry! Sorry-I..."
Kristin's concern radiates out and it just seems to make the tears worse.
Tommy can relate.
He pats Purpled once, to silently ask the merces to let him go and he makes his way over. Not caring if he winds up covered in paint as a result. It doesn't take long for the others to join. "What's wrong, big man?"
Fundy shook his head as if trying to deny he wasn't a blubbering mess. "It's nothing!"
"It clearly is something." Tubbo huffed, "Come on, you can tell us! We're not going to judge you! Was it something in the memory? Do you need me to punch Phil? I got a lot of reasons to punch him, what's one more?"
"It's just...I can't believe grandpa said that about me."
It's such a weird thing to tumble out of Fundy's mouth that Tommy almost feels like the phantox slapped him in the face instead. Of course Phil said that, he loves Fundy! He loves all of his family! Even when he's being a big stupid crybaby.
Tubbo's the one to let out a surprised shout. "What?! Why?! Philza loves you!" Echoing Tommy's own thoughts that he can't spell out fast enough.
Fundy gave up on his eyes, splaying his paws out as he barked. "I know! But...but could you believe the creator of the universe, the guy who runs everything and keeps us alive, the one who has a billion jobs to do would spend his spare time talking about you?! And clearly he was dealing with a lot in that moment! More than usual! And he didn't talk about it! He talked about me!"
They all grew quiet with that.
And really, Tommy understood what Fundy was saying. He couldn't believe it himself when others cared about him. Still barely processing that Purpled actually wanted hugs and wasn't trying to stab him.
Okay maybe the feral baby still wanted to stab him but hugs won out in those moments and he was thankful for it.
"Was that universe not made for you?"
All heads whip around to stare at the veiled voidwalker in shock.
Her emotions are on display of course. Radiating confusion and not any sign she was lying or pulling a prank. But her words manage to make the sobs cut off with a sharp confused whistle and Tommy can't even begin to process what she means.
Those emotions quickly shift however when she realizes how confused they all are. Quickly dampening down into a frustrated tone and her letting out a sigh. "Phil." She chides the rooster even when he isn't here to hear it. "I am going to assume that he did not teach you any of this."
"What do you mean...?" Fundy dared to ask. "...I...I was born after the universe was created! I don't-the-it can't be made for me!"
She sighed again, louder. Which Tommy thought was kind of funny. He's seen her giggly and kind and even shocked but never looking ready to chew someone out.
Still, he thinks he knows where this is going.
So he lifts his hand and says, "The big man sucks at explaining things." His statement is echoed by nods of those beside him. "I had to practically beg for him to tell me anything about the death cry."
"...death cry?" Kristin tilted her head, the frustration quickly melting into confusion again. "What is...a death cry?"
"That scream thing he does."
When she still seemed confused, Ranboo stepped in. "It is something his species is known for. Uh...well, aside from...creating everything." He awkwardly chirped and Tubbo snorted beside him. "It...it sounds like death."
"And it kills stuff!"
"Yeah! Tommy used it and killed a lot of humans!"
He really wishes they wouldn't bring that up. Shaking his head to try and fight back the tears threatening to form. "Yeah it kills stuff." He continued on, pretending like nothing happened even if the voices in his head said otherwise. "But...when I listen to it, I hear his emotions and stuff."
"What?!" The four aliens around him demanded. Fundy leaning in and completely forgetting his own problems as he perked up in fascination. "You can hear the death cry?! Is it a language?!"
Tommy can only shrug. "I guess? Well...we didn't talk with it but..." He thinks about it a moment longer. Trying to find the right words to describe it. "...it's like an explosion. When you finally leave the nest."
It's something they all understand at least. All of them but Kristin who sits there quietly and lets them talk. Tommy swears she's staring at him in particular even if he can't see her eyes. And part of him wants her to stop, so he brings them all back to the subject at hand.
Ha.
Hand.
"So yeah, Phil doesn't tell us shit. What do you mean about the universe being made for Fundy?"
With attention back on her, she stops staring.
"The universe is made for all of you."
"Oh, not just Fundy?"
Kristin shook her head slowly. Her hands are folded in her lap and they can see her fingers twitch under the sleeves. She seemed to be silently debating how much to tell them before she sighed again.
"For many orbits, I have told Philza to reach out and talk to others."
"So he's always been like this?" Tubbo asked.
Kristin chuckled. "Yes. Though I know he does not wish to be. He loves strong and vibrant. He desires to hold those around him closer. He is quick to make promises but quick to grow afraid of his own promises."
"Such as telling a human he is chosen."
Phil looked at Tommy...and wanted him. Wanted him to stay, wanted him to grow close. Wanted to love him.
Tommy has felt that plenty of times. Wanting to hold onto people he's met in brief and never let go but knowing there was no real place for him there. Scared when the affection returns such as aliens going out of their way to listen to him and help him.
So happy just to be in his presence.
"He wants to see all of you glow, bright as the stars. But he's afraid of the moment you hit your peak."
Stars die.
Phil doesn't.
Tommy nodded in vague understanding. He's pretty sure he knows where this is going. "So...Phil made the universe so we all aren't lonely?"
Kristin radiated a warmth unmatched by any sun.
"No, not Philza."
And suddenly before any of them can react Kristin erupts. Her glowing eyes visible behind her veil as black tendrils snake out from under her robes. Encircling them all and soon twisting around their bodies. Clutching them tight in an almost unbearable squeeze.
They begin to turn red in color as her mouth becomes visible as well, a glowing white abyss.
Her voice is deep, other wordly, and Tommy realizes what's coming.
IN THE BEGINNING...THERE WAS NOTHING...
He blinks...and he's gone.
Surrounded by just as she said, nothing. No sense of self left in him as he just feels floaty. He doesn't feel his limbs and he doesn't have the urge to breathe or blink but his brain is still processing.
It feels just like the moment Purpled predicted his future as a voidwalker. Losing track of time so abruptly that he wonders where he'll wake up next. Who he will be when whatever Kristin is showing him ends.
Jarred out of those thoughts as the nothing around him suddenly collides in an array of blinding light and beautiful colors. Almost too much for his brain to even comprehend even if he can't shut his eyes to stop it.
It reminds him of how voidwalkers are born. In the center of a supernova and a blackhole. Only this time it's reversed. A blackhole with a terrifyingly beautiful epicenter. Curling in on itself in a rapid rate.
He wonders if this memory is sped up or if this was how it happened in real time.
But eventually the lights conform into a shape. A glowing familiar body with two legs, two arms.
A human.
A human born of the void.
Yet just as quickly as they are formed they are changing again, the colors dancing across their skin forming into wings on their back and hair that cascades past their feet. Hands become claws and their lower half quickly becomes that of a centaur.
Forming talons and a beautifully long tail.
It doesn't stop however.
Feathers form in patches, each more colorful than the last. Framing their face and weaving up into their hair like a crown. Two large ones perking up like rabbit ears and then curving back over like horns.
Their arms become covered in the feathers and soon they form extra wings dotting along their back. Several sets that made sense of how a long centaur body could fly. Eventually stopping short of the long tail and spilling out like a skirt.
Their anatomy starts to shift a little too, quickly becoming feminine until they opened their eyes and Tommy could see all of the colors in them as well.
They looked like a female fancy Philza. An avian of a different breed.
They smiled, posed like a goddess hovering before Tommy. A bright glow right where a human heart would be. Just as blinding as the start of all of this before.
WE CALLED HER MANY THINGS
BUT THE NAME WE SPEAK OF THE MOST
IS
PRIME
Tommy feels like that name is wrong.
He doesn't know why but it makes his brain speak up in protest. Wanting to kick and scream and throw a tantrum over Kristin getting it wrong. The avian before him is many things but more than Prime.
Before all else, she was...
She was Mumza.