auroraexpress | Origin Star Finale: Session 2

Who: explorers
When: Day 54, noon
Where: The Final Island

[At nearly noon, Thyme's airship returns from the island with the first session's explorers. Everyone receives a chain message:

Time for round two. If you want to go, gather up.

Those who wish to go looking for the second totem can now board the airship. It waits around 20 minutes -- long enough for a quick break for those who are going twice in a row -- but then heads off again with its new crew. Along the way, everyone gets a lecture:]

Okay, for everyone who missed it the last time, here are the rules:

You're not looking for a monster to beat up. You're looking for a totem, that you'll have to deactivate by showing positive emotions. Any creatures you meet on the way can also be beaten with good feelings. Some can be killed, but that's not purifying the soul, so try to avoid it.

[When you arrive, it's at a damp sea cave. The airship hovers over the water, leaving you access to the only viable ground -- a narrow, salt-crusted stairway leading up into a tower.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ She flinches from the wave of anger, felt even if not physically so. Like there's a guard up so high and she continues to place brick upon brick of that tower, as though it will somehow protect her. But building the wall higher isn't going to get her out.

She's anxious... she wants to help because surely no one wants to stay locked up like this.

She presses her hand firmly against the stone. ]

You're incredible. I can feel how strong your will is. Not wanting to give in... fighting because you--- you know that this place doesn't have a right to trap you.

[ But underneath the anger and bustle... she's afraid. ]

I want to help. You're strong and a fighter-- that's exactly why I know you can get out of there. But sometimes... sometimes strength comes from realizing that depending on someone else, asking for help-- that's not a weakness. That's strength. When you recognize what you need and act on it, that's brave.

[The dark figure almost seems to preen with that anger.] Well, of course I am! I'm the most incredible pony there is. And this place is going to rue the day it decided to mess with me! Malice, the Prince, whatever took what's mine is going to PAY.

[There's a flare of fire, a hoof almost reaching to grab this girl, leave her here while she could destroy-]

[But this place also wants that?]

[How annoying!]

But I certainly don't need anyone. People saying we need each other is just people who were fooled or the ones keeping people down and out of the way.

But I need it. I'm too weak to stop this on my own. I can't brute force my way out. This isn't me, this isn't ME and I don't want this. I never wanted this. Why do I want to hurt people? Why can't I just trust them?

Everyone keeps talking about friends and I don't know why I can't believe it, but it still-it still-

[The warmth keeps growing inside Chiharu. Not controlling her, not forcing feelings like this place does, but instead bolstering the positive feelings she's already feeling.]

[It offers strength, it offers understanding because even if Solar Flare herself seems confused, uncertain, afraid]

[This warmth knows and it believes and trusts and it wants Chiharu to win and offers the power it can so she can fight as long as she accepts it.]

[And she just might notice the necklace around Solar Flare's neck is starting to glow, pulse, in time with her own heartbeat.]

[ She's not sure why, but she feels heartened, warmth growing in her chest like a small light that pulses and grows. She smiles gently, her hands remaining in place. ]

Trusting people can be scary. There's always a risk... the fear that you'll be let down or things won't turn out. But if you don't ever take that leap, you'll never fully understand how special you are. That you're important to others, that even if you don't realize it, there will be people out there who can see all the wonderful things about you, and who won't turn their back. You just have to be brave enough to allow yourself.

[ It can be scary, but... so is being alone, or living while thinking that there's no one in the world who might be on your side if you'd just let them in. ]

I won't go anywhere without you. I'm right here-- let's work together. I just know that if the two of us put our minds to it, we'll be able to defeat this barrier and so many other obstacles, too! Because we'll be working side by side.

Of course I'm special! I'm amazing!

Without my magic, am I anything at all?

I'm the most important pony around. I'll become a princess, I'll change worlds!

Everyone keeps saying we can be friends. That I matter without having to provide anything. That relationships doesn't mean having to be of some use.

I don'-

[And the fiery, angry red pony is still ranting, blasting at her mirrory prison in anger. But even as she's talking, it's like she been put on mute.]

[But for Chiharu, there's another sight, of a girl with amber skin, and golden wings wrapped around her, curled up, looking at her with fearful, but hopeful eyes.]

You really wouldn't turn your back on me? Even though...even though there's a person like this inside me? [Glancing back at the angry, fiery pony.]

I promise!

[ There's nothing but earnest sincerity. She won't leave her here and she absolutely refuses to turn her back on her, now more than ever. Everyone has a part of themselves that they don't want others to see. It isn't easy to face those parts of oneself but she doesn't believe for one moment that she doesn't deserve friendship, comfort, safety, and a person she can reach out to depend on when she isn't feeling strong herself.

Maybe Chiharu doesn't understand all of this, how it's come to be, but in the end, that doesn't matter right now. There's a girl in front of her who's scared, lonely, and willing to take a chance on her. And Chiharu refuses to let her down. ]

I won't ever turn my back on you. And I'm not leaving without you, either. Let's be friends. I want to get to know you more. And as for what we're facing right now, we'll overcome this together, no matter what!

....

[That warmth pulses more. Growing stronger, warm and comforting.]

A friend....a friend would be nice.

[And she finally reaches out to take Chiharu's hand.]

[And as she does, colorful shoots out from the ghostly image of the girl, wrapping around the pony, and snapping the two figures together, the dark energy dissipating, a brief image of the girl there, with pony ears, and brilliant wings.]

[And then there's just Solar Flare, now human girl, holding Chiharu's hand.]

[And while there's anger and rage still there, a desire to pull her through.]

[She just wants this to be done more.]

[ Chiharu's hand is firm and she smiles brightly once she's reached for her. Hands tightening gently upon her own, Chiharu pulls her gently through the wall-- before wrapping her arms around her in a warm hug. ]

You made it. I knew you could.

[Hope you're real ready for that hug, Chiharu.]

[Because her knees are gonna give out from under her because that was A LOT.]

Sweet Celestia, that was....

[ THUMP. Well, she'll sort of just collapse down with her. But that's okay. Her arms tighten. ]

It's okay, because it's over now. You did it. You managed to pull yourself out!

I didn't though.

You were the one who pulled me out.

That isn't true at all!

[ Not even a little. She pulls back, but just so that the two can face one another. ]

You're the one who reached out. There's no way I could have pulled you through if you hadn't been willing to let me.

[She shakes her head.] You're the one who convinced me to do so.

It was you who did it.

[And she offers a small smile.] So...thank you.

Not at all...!

[ She doesn't think she did anything quite so amazing but she's just glad that they were able to pull others out of that situation. ]

My name is Chiharu. It's wonderful to meet you, and I'm so glad that you're okay now.

You're really too humble.

[TAKE HER GRATITUDE, GOSH.]

I'm Solar Flare.

Origin Star Finale: Session 2

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