=Helios 16=

>The spittoon rang out through the town as your Taffy Tobaccy lands in it.  
>You sat with your feet propped up on the railing outside The Applebarrel.
>They didn't really have a sheriff's office here, and you did most of your thinking at the bar anyway.
>It was the day after your meeting with Cadence.
>You had spent the entire night thinking about what she said afterwards...
>"Perhaps I don't need to?" And said with that smile of hers.
>She had been talking about you and Celestia, if there was any mutual love between the two of you.
>You admit, you cared about Celestia, and you were worried about her not using a bodyguard.
>But still...
>Your SOULS were linked, that was weird even by your standards.
>And you slept with a horse who raised the sun.
>You had spent the entire evening just sitting on your bed, trying to figure out what your tipping point was.
>Would you go back if you realized you were wrong?
>What if the griffins attacked again?
>Or Blueblood got out?
>Would you need to save face?
>Would Celestia even take you back?
>You lean back in your chair and blow a raspberry.
>This was harder than it was last night...
>The rapid sound of someone galloping down the street caught your eye, it was Saloon Scalper.
>He looked nervous...
>"Changelings! Out back by tha' General Store!"
>Oh hell!

-Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckPfk3Lu8PU-
>You dash down the main road to the general store.
>Peeking through the window you see Mayor Buckington and Tornado Dancer staring down a trio of Changelings.
>They couldn't take them on their own, you were the only one who knew how to fight in this town.
>Not to mention it was your job.
>You hop up on the railing outside the store and pull yourself onto the roof.
>They were talking.
>"Where is it!? Where do you keep it!?" They asked with their flanged voiced.
>"What in tarnation are you talkin' 'r you talkin' about!?" Tornado shouted.
>You heard what you assumed was a grunt from another Changeling. "They don't know! I say we turn this town upside down to find that reservoir!"
>Not on your bloody watch.
"Here's your reservoir!"

>You leap off the roof of the store, hoping that the sun behind you will give you an advantage.
>Fist meats exoskeleton as you land in front of the first Changeling, the other two looking on in surprise.
>You turn back to Buckington and Tornado.[spoiler][/spoiler] "Go! Get out of here!"
>The two stallions ran off as the other changelings lunged at you.
>You sidestep and grab it by its horn.
>The Changeling spins around and around as you pivot on your foot, eventually flying through the air and hitting the side of the general store with a loud "WHAP!" when you let go.
>The third Changeling jumped onto your back as the first one recovered and latched on to your leg.
>You lifted and stomped your foot rhythmically, hoping to catch the first Changeling under your boot.
>At the same time, you yanked and pulled the Changeling on your back off, it's hooves wrapped around your neck tight.
>The Changeling was finally caught underneath your stomping boot, sending teeth and spittle onto the ground.
>At the same time, you reversed the headlock the last conscious Changeling had, putting him in a sleeper hold so he could join his fellows.
>His limp body hits the ground and you look around.
"Huh. Not too bad for being out of practice."

>Two of the Changelings were over your shoulders as you dragged the other one along the ground.
>You had started to book it once you heard them waking up, you were gonna make it to the edge of town just in time.
>They flopped over the ground near the hills as they regained consciousness.
"Howdy."
>The lead Changeling was the first to his feet, instantly taking in his surroundings before glaring at you.
"Why were ya'll in my town?"
>Silence.
>You spit.
"Whatever. Show up again and I won't be bringing you back here, least not alive."
>The other two Changelings get to their feet and begin sniffing at the air.
>"This guy is the reservoir! We can take him here!" One said.
>"Be my guest. I don't want to get stomped again!" Said the other.
>Okay...
"Reservoir?"
>The Changelings stop their bickering and glare up at you, their anger barely contained.
>That was creepy...how they did that in unison...
>These Changelings were pretty creepy in general. They seemed to always move in unison and they were constantly drooling some translucent liquid.
>The lead one stepped forward, only coming up to your calf.
>"We Changelings feed on love, as you are no doubt aware."
>You nod.
>"The three of us abandoned out hive after Queen Chrysalis' failed attempt at the Equestrian throne. We came to this place on the scent of a mass of love the likes of which none of us had ever seen...and it seems that you are the source of that love, biped." He said.
>You...?
>A love repository...?
"Uh...love for who?"
>The three of them close their eyes for a moment. "We...cannot tell. All we see when we look into your heart is a rather blinding light."
>That...didn't make your day any easier.

>The sun was high in the sky as you sat back out front of The Applebarrel.
>You had your feet planted on the ground and your chin in your hand, lost in thought.
>So...apparently you loved Celestia.
>...The mare who linked her mind with you and let all of her overwhelming affection in...
>Uhg.
>The bar doors open up and a familiar stallion trots out.
>"Hey Anonymous,...Y'all okay?" Braeburn asked.
>You keep your gaze affixed straight ahead.[spoiler][/spoiler] "Hey Brae. Just thinking."
>"What about?"
>...
"...Remember the reason I told you I came here?"
>Braeburn's face falls a bit. "About that wizard? And your soul?"
"Yeah..."
>Braeburn knew that someone who loved you bound your souls and scared you off.
>What he didn't know was that it was Celestia.
>"Well what's up?"
"I...think I love her."
>Braeburn's smile explodes. "Well shoot Anon! That's great news!
"But what about..."
>You point to your head.
"That?"
>Braeburn scrunches his face. "...Does that matter?"
>Wot?
"What."
>"Well...Yeah. It's pretty obvious you care, and that she cares, and if you both care and both feel it then it's just a big ball of care aint it?"
>That was...certainly a unique way of looking at it.
"But...am I still me? If the link is going and stuff?"
>Braeburn shifts on his hooves. "I didn't know ya before ya came here Anon. Do YOU think you're the same guy?"
>You felt like you sat there for an eternity.
"I...don't know."
>"Well...I think you should go to her Anon..." Braeburn turns and trots away. "Y'all won't feel any better till ya do."

>You were on the train.
>The scenery outside was speeding by too fast to see.
>On the horizon the sun was beginning to inch its way down.
>Your mind wandered back, way back.
>About how melancholy you had been these last few weeks.
>You thought it was just because of how mad the situation was when you left, not because of heartache.
>Uhg. You had uprooted your life over this mindlink...
>Life in Canterlot was one of chaotic routine, one with friends and warmth and direction.
>Even when you were new to the guard, your day was always comfortably scheduled to the second.
>But all that had changed with Celestia...
>Suddenly your days could be spent either walking around the city or on diplomatic missions to Zevera.
>And suddenly your training got put more to use. The Princess had many enemies.
>You sigh and lean back.
>It was hard for you to imagine your Equestrian life without Celestia.
>She had been a constant. From when you first appeared here and she deemed you safe to when you had left for Appleoosa.
>Even in the guard there wasn't a day you didn't see her around the castle or performing her sun spell.
>You cherished those memories.
>But...
>Was that simply devotion talking? Or was it affection?
>You sigh against your seat.
>You don't know anymore...
>What did Celestia say she was doing? "Going with what felt right?"
>Can't hurt...

>You stood just inside the castle gates.
>It was past dark now.
>You had...no idea what you were doing...
>...Fuck.
>You slide your hands in your pockets and start walking.
>You walk and walk until you find yourself in the castle gardens.
>Up above you on the side of the castle hung Celestia's balcony.
>The place where she rose and lowered the sun every day.
>You knew that balcony well, you saw it almost as much as she did.
>Any plans you had to make this right didn't seem to amount to much...
>You sat down on a nearby bench and tried something...
>Reaching out with your link to see what you could feel.
>There was...
>Sadness...the crushing sadness that came with loss.
>Following that came the inky blackness of depression brought on by helplessness
>You felt terrible for causing that feeling.
>Dammit, all of this was your fault.
>The blackness gave way to the cool blue of...intrigue?
>"...Anon?"
>Shit.

-Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPdNFZ-p7hQ-
>You opened your eyes just in time to see Celestia jump off her balcony and land some feet away from you in the garden.
>"W-what are you doing here?" She asked wide eyed.
>You scrambled to your feet.
"I...decided to come back."
>Celestia cants her head to the side as a smile tugs at her mouth.
>"Why? I-I thought you had made your choice..."
"I thought about it...our "situation" that is."
>Felt a bit awkward, either from the link or just yourself.
>You didn't really care...not after all the crap recently.
>Celestia trotted over to you, talking the entire way.
>"Anonymous I understand why you left an-"
>Your words come pouring out as well.
"I shouldn't have left like I did, it was stupid an-"
>"Telling you how I felt right after the other news-"
"Stupid and immature of me."
>The both of you snap your mouths shut.
>Celestia clears her throat.
>"We seem to be..."
"Tripping over each other."
>The silence stretches from here to Appleoosa.
>You flex your fingers at your side.
>Celestia shuffles on her hooves a bit.
"I-"
>...
>Oh...
"Fuck it."
>You gently place your hands on Celestia's face and pull her close, satiating the hunger for her velvety lips you had felt since you saw her.

>The two of you stand unmoving save for your mouths for a while.
>When it's finally decided that you want to breathe more than kiss, you break away from each other.
>Wow...
>That felt...
>Good.
>And not just because of the link, even if that was nice too.
"I enjoyed that..."
>Celestia's cheeks take on a rose hue. "Likewise Anon..." She said with a smile.
>Well...
"...Now what?"
>You admit you were at a loss here.
>Celestia continued to stare at you with eyes unblinking. "I...don't know Anon..."
"I guess...we could do what you want?"
>Celestia almost barreled over your words, leaning her head forward. "Anon, I have everything I've wanted for a while now." She said faster than you have ever heard.
>Heh...that was pretty cute.
>You looked around the garden as the moon moved across the sky.
"We should probably avoid being seen. Is your room-"
>A bright white light took your vision from you, returning it to show Celestia's room greeting you.
>The Sun Princess hadn't moved an inch, her face still almost brushing up against yours.
"-an option?"
>You meet Celestia's eyes again...
>...And the two of you stand there together.
>You felt...apprehensive, the both of you.
>You may have to wing this again.
>Your hand on Celestia's chin, you guide your mouths together once more.
>The kiss before had been one of hunger, the result of not seeing each other for so long.
>This kiss was far more tender. Celestia and your lips in constant motion as you both tried to take as much of the other in as you could.
>You break again in the harsh shadows of the fireplace.
"Shall I stay with you tonight your majesty?"
>Celestia flicks her wing and sends a rush of air to the fireplace, extinguishing it.
>Heh...
"As you wish."