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Nov 5, 2021

Metamorphosis

A human girl afflicted by a terrible curse arrives at a peculiar town, barely hanging in there. The kind efforts of a stranger are what is able to save her, and though she loses so much in the process, she gains a lot as well.

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Everything hurts.

She's been adrift for so long.

There's no fight left in her, but she can't bring herself to care anymore. She knows… she knows there is something she is supposed to stay alive for, but she can no longer remember what it was, and she no longer has the energy to even try. All she can do is breathe in and breathe out.

In... and out.

It feels like inhaling needles. Her throat is much too damaged, having passed through so many worlds not meant for human lungs. Filled with toxic air or in the most frightening cases, nearly no air at all. On one too many occasions now, she's been hurled inside seas, and the panic of drowning has made her pass out. Sometimes they've been dimensions much too hot or much too cold. She shivers at the thought, at the flashes of pain, always too rapid to comprehend, always too slow to pass without harming her. The instinct to try and see them coming has been long since repressed. With every new jump she shuts her eyes tightly, lest they be damaged by harsh light or fumes in the air again. And she wishes for the shift, but dreads it all the same. Wanting to get somewhere safer, but fearing going somewhere worse.

But it matters not whether she wishes it, it happens all the same. And every time she thinks she's ready for it, and every time she is wrong.

It's painful. It is so painful.

And then it's happening again, and she begs for it to stop, to just let her stay, just let her lie in this one place, but whatever is dragging her has no mercy. It feels like both halves of her body are being ripped apart, one force pulling in one direction while another pulls right the opposite way. She clenches her teeth, trying not to scream. And suddenly one force wins, and she's violently thrown forward.

The landing is rough.

She collides against a hard floor. She tenses waiting for whatever it is this time, but no new pain comes her way. She doesn't dare open her eyes, but the air is clean and it brings some relief to her burning throat.

Breathe in, she tells herself. Breathe out.

Slowly what is left of her senses gives her some information. The floor is cold, but smooth, and by far the most relieving surface she's been on for a while. There is soft lighting, she can tell through her shut eyelids. There are sounds around her, but her hearing has also been damaged by the shifts and she can't tell what they mean. Fear rises in her when they come closer, but suddenly they go away even faster than they approached. And she's left in silence. It's the most peaceful she's felt for a long time. She focuses on her breathing to ignore her aching body.

In and out. In... and out. In… and… out…

She only realizes she almost passed out when new sounds startle her into alertness. And… is it? But no… could it be? Voices. Yes, voices! She can't understand them, they sound muffled even right at her side, but she's been alone for so long that the sound makes her tear up. And she knows she won't live, but stars above, she at least won't die alone.

And out of nowhere... one voice. She can hear it crystal clear and though she's never heard it before, it soothes her. It belongs to someone older, a man, that's all she can tell from it alone. She is so caught up in the fact that she can hear it, that she misses what it says, but she doesn't care at all. And she wants to open her eyes, to try and see who this stranger that can miraculously bypass her failing ears is, but a familiar yank, right where her heart is, tells her she's about to jump again and she wants to scream, to beg them to help her stay.

"Step back, all of you!" Commands the man's voice, "Do not touch her, the curse could be passed onto you! Let me take care of this, you go do as I told you!"

She can feel it now, the pull, and she's not sure she can go through this again even once more and please just make it stop…!

And it does.

A flicker of warmth starts in her chest and before she knows it, it expands to the rest of her body, driving away the cold she had forgotten had seized her entire being. The forces trying to rip her being apart vanish, and the relief makes a nearly inaudible hoarse sob escape her.

Stillness… and then a very light pressure on her hair, and she realizes it must be a hand. And when was the last time she had contact with anyone? The loneliness she's been through hits her all at once, and her chest heaves with more silent sobs as tears escape her closed eyes.

"It's ok, my dear. It is going to be ok…" the voice comforts her. "We'll take you to my home, and we can treat you there, yes?"

She can't answer, no matter how much she wants to. She can't so much as nod, but she believes this man, and she's grateful. She is so, so grateful.

And she feels… peace. For once she feels like she doesn't need to be tensed up for the worst, she doesn't need to be alert, she can just… rest. Yes, she wants to rest…

"No, no, my dear" the voice gently chides her. "You need to stay awake"

Awake? But why…? She's so tired…

"Please. I can help you, but I need you to stay awake…"

She doesn't know if there's anything more impossible than that at the moment, but she makes the effort. She really does make the effort. And what a monumental effort it is, it's almost tiring by itself, but she focuses on what happens around her to achieve it. She feels herself being lifted and laid down on something soft and gosh, that just makes it even harder to stay awake as the man wants. But she doesn't give up. And perhaps it's bizarre to want to not disappoint this stranger as she is on the brink of unconsciousness, but she's going to cling to the glimmer of hope she's been granted with everything she has, little as it may be.

And it must be very little, for she doesn't recall when they started carrying her away, and then when they stopped moving again.

She does notice when the relief sets in. The pain isn't gone, but it has been reduced so much that she can actually ignore it. Her ears don't feel like they might burst, and her eyes, though tired, don't feel one blink away from failing completely. The light is dimmer, she realizes, and she wonders if she is indoors. There's also something on top of her, possibly a blanket. It's cozy. She wonders if she's actually dreaming. She hopes she never wakes up to her previous reality if it's the case.

Then she hears the voice of the man approaching again, and when had he gone away in the first place?

"... I'm sorry, dear girl…" he says. His voice is tinged with sadness. "There… isn't much I can do for you now… I didn't realize the extent of- of the damage..."

She's confused at that. This is the best she's felt in… well, in the short period she is able to remember. She feels like she doesn't need to be afraid anymore. Like she can rest...

"... It's alright…" The man puts his hand on top of her head again. It's calming. She feels herself start to drift. "...You can… you can go on now… you don't have to fight anymore…" His words are gentle, and yet they're filled with grief.

She can tell he's unhappy, but she really wants to do as he says. Go to sleep… stop fighting… it doesn't hurt anymore. She won't be hurled anywhere again. No more fear, no more… fighting…

An image flashes for half a second in her mind. A smile. A smile that is so very dear to her. A smile she can't bear not to see again.

She inhales sharply, startling the hand away from her head.

No. No, she can't let go. She can't... She has to live! She wants to live! Her fists clench on the blanket as she wills her body to keep going no matter what. She made a promise. There is something she has to do, she doesn't know what, but she has to do it.

"Young one?" The man whispers in surprise. He sounds dumbfounded.

What comes out of her mouth in response isn't even close to a word at first, but determined she tries again.

"...e...a..se…" she takes several gulps of air. "...pl..ease…"

"What… what is it? I'll… I'll do whatever I can..." The man says solemnly

"...I w..a.nt… to live…"

"...I… " the voice hesitates. "I don't…"

"...please…" she begs him and speaking nearly exhausts what energy she had. She can't hear anything for a moment and she's afraid that the man has left her alone, but then there's movement by her side and he speaks once more.

"...there might be a way…"

She manages to slightly tilt her head at his words.

"...it's risky, dear girl. I can't guarantee we'll succeed and even if we do, you might not-"

"Please"

A sigh.

"Very well. I must make this clear, however. Your body is beyond anything I can do to help. Your soul will be safe and stay, at the cost of your current physical form."

It's hard to focus on what he is saying. Even his voice is starting to sound muffled and she knows there's not much time, so not really getting what he means by that last part, she nods as she can. All she knows is that she has a promise to fulfill. A promise she can't afford to break.

He must sense her desperation, because he speaks no more. She perceives him moving about in the room.

"... Ancestors, lend me your guidance…" she hears him mutter.

And then she feels a tug. A tug in her chest and for one horrifying fraction of a second she fears she's being pulled away to another place again, but she quickly realizes the feeling is different and the panic subsides. It feels… like floating. Like the room around her is slowly fading away and all that's left is a gentle weightlessness. There truly is no pain now. Pain? Had she been feeling pain at all? She can't remember. She can't think much at all, but she doesn't mind. A drowsiness gets a hold of her, and this time she doesn't fight it.

Yes. Everything will be fine.

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When she wakes up again, she's disoriented. The room she is in is sort of dim. Her vision comes to her slowly. Her hearing does as well. She first wonders where she is. As she gathers herself together, she realizes what she actually wants to know the most is… who is she? She attempts to move, but all she manages is to fall on her side. She groans in grogginess, and her voice startles her enough to clear her mind. It sounds… off. She can't tell how, it's her voice, but it's as if it echoed in her ears somehow. The size of the room around her also takes her by surprise. It looks like a studio of some sort, but she realizes she's looking at it from a small stand within it. A small stand she perfectly fits in. It feels wrong, but… she can't remember being any other size at all. It's disconcerting.

"Oh ho! Are you awake?" Asks a voice behind her. It sounds familiar. Yes. She thinks… she can trust this voice. She tries to turn and see the one who speaks, but she once again fails at balancing herself.

"I… um…" she's at a loss of what to even say.

"Easy there, my dear. You don't want to exert yourself so soon" says the man, before stepping in front of her. She shouldn't be surprised that he's a giant to her, given the size of the place, but she can't help but gape at him. She feels diminute. But she isn't afraid. His presence is actually comforting, even though she knows this is the first time she is seeing this man. Aside from his golden eyes, a ridiculously long white mustache is the only visible feature on his face, which is shadowed by the hooded cloak he wears.

"W-where… I mean, who-?" The words get caught in her throat, not knowing which ones she should say first.

"I know, I know. You have lots of questions. But first things first" he says firmly, though not unkindly. "How are you feeling? Does anything hurt?"

"I…" she focuses a little. "N-no… no, I feel fine… weird, but fine…"

"That's certainly good to hear" he nods, and she can tell his shoulders relax at her answer. "But then why do you lie sideways like that?"

"Ummm….." she feels herself grow embarrassed. How to even explain this? "...I… I can't… I don't know how to… move very well…?"

But the man doesn't poke fun at her for such a weird admission, he only nods in understanding.

"Ah, of course. You are not yet used to this new form. The wings must be throwing you off your balance, aren't they?."

"...W-wings?"

She has wings? Although… did she ever not have them?

"Oh dear… you really just have come to, have you not?" He says sympathetically. He reaches out and gently nudges what she supposes is her wing, and helps her upright. Once in that position, she is sort of able to stop herself from wobbling over. She doesn't know how… she's not supporting herself with anything. She's just… hovering over the cushion she woke up on. She feels like she should, but she doesn't know why. She doesn't remember having anything to do so with.

"I… I'm so confused…" she admits meekly. "Who… what am I?"

The man brings a chair closer and sits across from her.

"Hmm, currently, you are what is known as a Pixl. A fairy of sorts." He answers.

A fairy? Yeah, she knows what a fairy is but… Wait.

"Umm, did- did you say 'currently'? What… do you mean by that?"

He leans back in surprise. "Oh. Oh, you poor girl." He sighs. "I had hoped you had retained at least some memories…"

"I… what?"

The man shakes his head. "Perhaps that is best left explained until you have recovered some of your strength." He says, more to himself. "Yes, I do believe that's for the best. For now, I think we should start small. And well, introductions are long past overdue, don't you think?"

"Uh… I- I guess so?" At this point she can only let the strange man carry this conversation. There's so much happening right now that she can't for a moment pause and think about each new bit of information for too long.

"I'll start if you don't mind," he says gently. "My name is Merlon, and I specialize in the study of ancient magical texts"

"Magical? Are you… a wizard of some kind?" She asks.

"Indeed!" He exclaims proudly. "But before we get sidetracked by my profession, I would like to know your name as well"

"Oh, I'm…" she pauses, drawing a blank. "...I… I can't… remember..."

"Ah… so your memory is truly gone for good. What to do..." Merlon closes his eyes in thought.

The room falls into an awkward silence, as they both are left to choose their next words. She has so many questions, but… suddenly she is feeling rather drained again and her mind is getting slightly foggy.

"Um, Merlon?" She says quietly.

"Yes?"

"Would you… mind if I sleep some more? I'm very tired..."

At that Merlon stands from his chair.

"Not at all, not at all!" He assures jovially. "You need all the rest you can get. In fact, I'll leave you be so you can do so. If you need anything, just call for me, I'll be nearby at all times"

"I… I see... Thank you…"

"No need, dear girl, I know we have much to talk about, but for now let yourself just rest, yes? There will be time for the rest"

She almost misses that last part, before once again she lets unconsciousness claim her.

Staying awake takes a couple of tries after that. But as promised, Merlon stays by her side, and each time she feels herself able to last longer between naps. Merlon seems ecstatic when he notes it as well, and he makes sure she takes small but significant steps to recovery. And she gathers it is recovery what she's going through at least, though she doesn't really remember from what. Merlon insists that perhaps that conversation will be too taxing for her condition, so he gently stirs them towards more casual conversation. He tells her about the town they're in, Flipside, he calls it. Not the biggest place and she's surprised how… vertical it seems in its structure. She is pretty sure she's used to towns extending horizontally, but then again she couldn't name any. Then he tells her about Flipside being between dimensions and she can't even wrap her head around the concept. He chuckles good-naturedly when she admits this and tells her only by studying his whole life about it did he understand it himself.

Merlon is nice, she decides. She likes talking with him. Or well, hear him talk. She hasn't much to say just yet. Not that Merlon pressures her to, and in fact he gives her a good excuse not to when he starts bringing her some food. He says she doesn't truly need it, but that it might aid her if not in body then in spirit. And honestly, he's right. Even small snacks that he brings her are far too big for her to finish, but they are delicious and she feels energized afterwards. Merlon speaks fondly of the chef who makes them. She wonders about her. She wonders about the town in general really. That's when, based on what he's told her, she starts to ask questions. He always answers in kind, describing the lively people that inhabit the peculiar town.

It makes her want to see it. She wants to see it all.

And so she tells him she wants to start trying to move on her own. He asks her several times if she's really up to it, and that they will have to take it slow for her sake, but she is determined and Merlon seems pleased in the end.

Flying is… hard. The first attempt is embarrassing enough that had it not been her only hope of moving by herself, she wouldn't try it again. She hasn't quite gotten used to wings, or even her general body shape. Merlon brings a small mirror so she can see herself and try to get familiar with what moves and how. She lets out a gasp when she first sees herself. Merlon had told her she was a fairy, but she wasn't prepared to see a rainbow butterfly. It feels… strange. But not bad. Like there is more to her than what the mirror shows. After all, she's upright, but sees no legs. In fact, it seems more like she's in the shape of a butterfly rather than a butterfly itself. She prefers not to think too hard about it. Trying to clear her mind, she focuses on the reflection and tries different movements. Merlon patiently works with her through it, and when she thinks she has the basic motion she bats her wings hard.

...It pushes her up in the air unexpectedly and with a panicked yelp she stumbles off the cushioned stand.

Merlon is quick to catch her, but in spite of her embarrassment at losing control so fast, he praises her for a great first attempt, returning her to the stand.

It takes two days for her to be able to give two consecutive flaps in the air. It takes double that to find the coordination to maintain herself in one place. After that, though, she learns fast. Merlon watches with what she's sure is pride in his eyes as she learns to move forward. The day she manages to make a small loop in the air, the old wizard cheers and insists they celebrate. She finds herself excited, as it's the first time they'll go outside. Merlon plans to take her to Saffron's, and she can't wait to see all that which Merlon has told her about. She wants to meet everyone.

"Oh, I am certain they all want to meet you too!" He says cheerfully, walking towards the door so they can leave. "Flipside doesn't usually get many visitors, you see."

A sudden thought stops her in her tracks though.

"Um… Merlon? There's a problem…"

"Oh? Have you changed your mind?" He asks neutrally. "It's alright if you do not feel ready yet, my dear."

"No, no… I- I do, I just…" she sighs. "Uh, usually for introducing oneself, one would need a… a name, no?"

Merlon's expression softens at that. "Ahhh, I see, I see. You are quite right."

"...I can't remember…"

Merlon offers his hand and she rests on it. "Hmmm… you did not carry any items that identified you when you arrived, I'm afraid."

"... perhaps it's time to… to tell me what happened? Maybe it… it might help me remember..." she says hesitantly. She's strong enough to know now, though she's afraid of the answer.

"Yes… perhaps it is time" Merlon nods. "There isn't that much to it, though. You appeared out of nowhere on Flipside's tower, and the one who found you came looking for me when they saw the state you were in. As soon as I saw you it became clear you had been cursed…"

"C-cursed?!" A shiver goes through her form. Merlon gives her a sympathetic look.

"Yes, cursed. By strong magic too. A curse powered by hate, undoubtedly." He continues, closing his eyes in thought. "You were forced to wander through dimensions, and it had taken its toll on your body. A human body."

"Human…" She tries to focus and imagine herself as a human. She draws a blank.

"Your condition was… I must be blunt, it was critical. But you…" his voice wavers, and he clears his throat before continuing. "You were fighting so hard. You wanted to live with every fiber of your being. I offered you the only desperate option I could think of…"

"To… turn me into a Pixl. And I… I accepted, correct?"

"Indeed. I was hoping some of your past self would remain in your new form, but so far it seems it hasn't been the case. My apologies…"

"......" This is all… wow. She doesn't know how to start processing it all. "It's… it's fine. Thank you, Merlon. Thank you for saving my life…"

He shakes his head. "Had you not fought so hard, it would not have worked. You did a lot of it, you know. This is magic that has not been used in thousands of years"

His words warm her heart a bit through the very vast array of emotions plaguing her right now.

"I… I try at least, heh…" A thought occurred to her. "Merlon, why is it magic that isn't commonly used? If it can save lives…"

"Ah, I- Well, you see…" And she's taken aback by just how abashed he sounds, how he averts his eyes. "Hrrmmm, transforming bodies is not a process to be taken lightly, my dear! The risks are great even knowing what you are doing and er well, there is also the matter…"

"The… matter?"

He sighs. "The matter that… well, you must know, Pixls are artificially made and creating new Pixls was sort of... forbidden a long time ago by my people"

"F-forbidden? Oh no…" she gets a sinking feeling. "Please don't tell me you'll get in trouble for… for helping me…"

"Oh, no, no! You mustn't worry about that!" He quickly assures. "The exact existing Pixls are scattered around the worlds and even a lot of the descendants of my people are not versed in the details of history. And in any case, the Ancients have long dispersed to even be called a unified community. Those of us that are used to interacting with each other do tend to stick to the rules established by our ancestors, however, so it still feels like a rather bold move on my part, you understand…"

She regards him silently for a moment. And then she can't help it. She starts to laugh. Harder than she has since arriving. Merlon gives her a questioning look.

"S-sorry, sorry" she says through her giggles. "It's just that, looking at you, the last thing I would think of is 'rebellious'"

Merlon blinks and then chuckles along. "Indeed, you wouldn't, huh? Ho ho, but I had my moments during my youth, I'll tell you!"

"You will have to tell me sometime, heh"

"That can be arranged! But for now, I think we've gotten sidetracked. Has any of this helped you recall your name?" He asks.

Oh, right. She thinks for a moment. Aaaaaand nothing. She sighs.

"No… not in the slightest…"

"Hmmm, well, It's a shame, even if not really unexpected."

"...But I need a name…"

"Would you like to choose one? You are getting a new start, so a new name might just go right along with it." He suggests, setting her on the stand and going to his shelves to get a book.

"Just... like that?" It seems a little weird for something important.

"It needn't be permanent. Should you feel it does not truly reflect who you are, you can always change it later. I promise no one will give you a hard time for it." Merlon says as he looks for something in the tome in his hands.

"I don't know… there's so many to pick from…"

"Ah, here it is!" Merlon exclaims in victory. She looks at him curiously as he brings over the book. He shows her an image in it that pictures what she can only guess are other kinds of Pixls. There are a lot.

"Uh, what?"

"You see, while the number of existing Pixls currently is quite reduced, there are some core abilities that the originals held. This book specifies some characteristics that describe the abilities held by each Pixl, and going by it, I might have an idea of which one you have. And well, a name to fit that ability might just be what you need to decide, or at the very least it might help reduce the options”.

She looks at the Pixls in awe. A lot of them look as frail as she herself feels, but these are ancient creatures praised for their power. It humbles her a little.

"What… what do you think my power is…?"

"Hmmm, according to this text, the Pixl I'm thinking about was made to aid with her knowledge about the enemy and surroundings, though her name has been lost to time…'"

"Knowledge… and what kind of name would fit such a power I wonder…"

She doesn't have much time to think about it before Merlon comes up with an answer. "How about Tippi?"

She lets out a soft laugh. "A bit on the nose, no?"

"Oh ho ho! Perhaps, but most Pixls do follow that pattern. It made it easier to distinguish them by their abilities."

"Tippi…" she repeats it. It sounds nice. If not her true name, perhaps as a nickname. "Is it really ok? I don't know if I can do the name justice. I don't feel particularly powerful….."

"Oh, the power is within you without a doubt." Merlon nods, putting the book away. "But one step at a time, alright?"

"....I do like it…" she says bashfully.

"Then Tippi you shall be!" Merlon declares with a smile in his eyes.

She feels happy. She has a name now. And while she knows it will take some time to think of herself as Tippi, she's very glad she can now introduce herself as anyone else would. Having agreed on her name, the two of them finally head out towards Saffron's place. Tippi quickly discovers she is rather shy around the peculiar people around town, and that flying long distances is a challenge still. But with Merlon taking care of most conversations, and the top of his hood as a place to rest when needed, she enjoys her first tour of Flipside thoroughly. She can definitely see herself being happy in this town.

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"You knew it wouldn't be that easy, Tippi. Getting frustrated at yourself won't help matters."

Tippi sighs. "You're right, Merlon…. I just… I wished it wasn't that hard…"

It's been months now, and Tippi had finally wanted to venture into the whole thing about her powers. She had figured something like learning about people couldn't be so complicated… she was wrong. In order to do so, she basically needs to disassemble her entire being and surround the target with the pieces. Merlon tries to guide her, but no Pixl before her was made without the knowledge of how to do what they were created for. No Pixl ever needed actual training for what comes naturally to them. Tippi has no such instinct, and the idea of letting herself basically come apart is terrifying. But she is a Pixl now, and she wants to be useful. She wants to repay Merlon for his kindness, and the only way in this form might just be to learn how to use it. Merlon has assured her that not much tends to happen in their little town, but Tippi herself was proof that there could be exceptions. The next time something dire happens, she wants to be ready and pass on the aid she was granted.

And thus, here they are. Tippi trying to learn how to think of herself as more malleable, and Merlon trying to make sure she doesn't strain herself in the process. They are practicing on a common Squiglet. It poses no real threat, and it was easy to find. Besides, it feels less invasive than asking someone from the town. The little creature just walks back and forth between two rows of blocks Merlon put in its path, so it won't go anywhere soon. Although it might just drop dead from boredom, Tippi thinks, since she can't seem to make anything happen. At all.

She flies around the Squiglet trying to decipher its secrets but to no avail. The creature remains as much of a mystery to her as when she first saw it.

"...This isn't going anywhere…." She laments.

"Do not get discouraged, Tippi." Merlon shakes his head. "I am quite sure you are very capable of it. You just need to find the right angle to tackle the problem. Perhaps you just need an approach that helps you picture it better."

Tippi flies to him and roosts on his head. "What do you have in mind…?"

"Hmm, Pixls need a clear objective to activate their powers, so a visualization exercise might be in order. Now close your eyes."

"...Ok…"

"Good, now. The Squiglet isn't particularly dangerous, but so are many things that can still cause harm" She feels him move forward a little. "Now, imagine there's a boy from the town"

Tippi tries to picture one of the kids, easily picking one of them for the scenario Merlon is creating.

"One day, he decides the town is way too quiet for him and he will have an adventure when his parents aren't looking. He sneaks out of the safety of his house when he deems the moment appropriate."

Tippi can clearly imagine him jumping out of the window or something of the sort, and then running along trying to appear inconspicuous.

"Suddenly, the boy finds himself in the outskirts of town. He has never been there and he thinks it's not so bad at first. But then, oh, he sees a tiny pink creature walking right at him. Of course, it's not so tiny to him and the kid freezes. He wants to get away from it, but he is already imagining all sorts of scenarios in which the monster suddenly runs after him or grows really pointy teeth."

Tippi can't help but giggle at that. The Squiglet is bigger than she is, but she is unable to put scary teeth in its passive looking little face.

"Please focus, dear girl" Merlon gently chides her.

"Right, right…"

"Alright, so the monster keeps advancing, and the child is completely stuck in place, as any little kid would be when confronted with something unknown without any visible support around. Oh, but lucky day! You just so happen to run across the scene. You try to calm the boy down, but it quickly becomes apparent he needs a more extensive explanation so he understands that while he is not in any real danger, he should still try to avoid provoking it. The monster spots the child and stops for a moment, making him tense." Merlon carefully grabs her and holds her in front of him. "Now open your eyes, Tippi! Identify this creature which frightens the child so!"

Taking a deep breath and trying to keep the kid in mind, she does as Merlon asks. The Squiglet is right in front of her, and she focuses on the fact that 'the boy' needs to know about it. And then… then she feels something happening. The world gets slightly dimmer around the creature, like suddenly it's in a spotlight. Time slows down to almost a halt and a red glow envelops the Squiglet. As it starts, it's almost easy to let herself be guided by the feeling of her power working. She starts to talk.

"This is… a Squiglet. It's a small little creature that-"

She stops short when she notices the small colorful triangles surrounding the creature. Those… those are part of herself, she realizes with a start. The realization spooks her out of it and her body snaps back so suddenly it throws her back against Merlon. He's quick to catch her before she falls.

"That's it! That's it, Tippi!" He praises. "Oh, you almost had it, my dear!"

"...I… I did?" She shakes her head, which visually translates as her wiggling her antennae. "I won't lie… it's a very strange feeling…"

"That's to be expected…" Merlon nods. "I myself cannot imagine what it must be like, but I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that you were on the right track."

Tippi looks at the Squiglet once again. "I guess… It's just weird. Like an out of body experience...."

"Oh, I can see how that might be the case, yes." He says, letting her fly out of his hands again. "In fact, that is what it is exactly, so getting used to it will take some time. But you nearly achieved it flawlessly! You should be proud!"

She chuckles, feeling a little better about it. Merlon certainly seems proud, himself.

"Thank you, Merlon. I'll definitely try to do it correctly… in time…"

"But I think that's quite enough for today, don't you?" Merlon removes one of the blocks and the Squiglet is finally free to roam away from them. It hops once before it quickly forgets about its temporary jailers and goes do whatever it is Squiglets do out there.

"Yeah… I'm a bit tired to tell the truth…" Tippi admits. "But I think… I think I get it. I think I can get better at it."

"I expected nothing less from you." Merlon says pleased. "Now let's head back home, yes? I shall get us something to eat and we can make plans for future practices…"

She suddenly realizes she's touched by what Merlon said. Home. He considers it her home as well. She's… happy about it. She had worried about taking advantage of Merlon's generosity, but knowing he welcomes her so under his roof puts her at ease.

"Tippi?" Merlon calls her from the few steps he had walked before noticing she hadn't followed.

"Oh, sorry… I got a little distracted… let's go." She says flying "Are you going to buy double the portion of your meal under the excuse of giving it to me, even though it would be too big for me and you'll just end up eating most of it again?"

"Wh-what? Tippi, these accusations!" Merlon chuckles.

"I can see the truth, remember?"

"Huh? Don't tell me you actually did just use your ability on me!" Merlon says taken by surprise.

"No… but your answer just told me I'm right..." Tippi laughs, and after a couple of blinks Merlon does as well.

They joke all the way back, and Tippi allows herself to fly ahead and tease Merlon about being slow to catch up. When they cross the doorway, Tippi is glad to be home.

----------------------------

"Tippi? What seems to be the matter?"

Merlon's question makes her stop in her tracks where she's flying. She turns to look at him. When had he sat down to read?

"Uh… what?"

"You have been rather... restless." He says, closing his current book. "You didn't really react when I arrived either. And now you have been flying in circles around the room for half an hour. If you'd like to go for some fresh air, all you need to do is ask"

"Oh… uh, no, no…" she actually doesn't think she can handle being outside right now. There's too much in her head.

Merlon regards her with his head tilted.

"Tippi… is something wrong? Whatever it is, I will listen if you feel the need to share your thoughts." And his voice is so full of genuine concern that she winces internally for making him worry.

"I…" Where to start? "I… don't know. I don't know, Merlon. I've been feeling… weird…"

Merlon offers his hand and with a weary sigh she lands softly on it.

"How so?"

"Well, it's just… I feel like there is something really important that I've forgotten. And I guess… that's to be expected, right? My whole life is gone…" she looks away from him, her sight roaming the house without really looking at anything. "But… it feels like it is more than that… Like there is something… in particular… something I wanted to do, but… but now I don't know what it is. It was important. ...It was very important…" Her wings droop at the thought. "..........It…… feels like… like I failed someone…. And… and I've been wondering about some other stuff too..."

"Oh, Tippi… you have a lot in your mind, young one." Merlon turns his hand so she's looking back at him again, and an earnest expression on his face greets her. "What else is it that is bothering you?"

She doesn't need a mirror to see the colors of her wings dim along with her mood.

"Merlon… why would… someone curse me...?" Her voice comes out way frailer than she would have liked, but she doesn't have the drive to try and sound strong.

"Tippi…" Merlon's tone is soft. "You mustn't blame yourself. We have no way to know…"

"But… what if I did something… what if it's because I didn't do what I'm feeling I forgot. What if- I… I don't know…"

"No, Tippi." Merlon says, and the firmness with which he does it is surprising. "This curse… it was an incredibly cruel display of powerful magic. To be cursed to wander between dimensions without any control or training…" he shudders. "I would not wish such a fate upon my worst enemy. Whoever did this, their heart must have been filled with an important amount of hate. I cannot see any other way to pull this kind of magic..."

"...but then why?" She asks, feeling choked up. "Whatever did I do…? Who... would loathe me this much..."

"..." Merlon shakes his head. "I'm sorry Tippi. I cannot say for certain. There is no way to know whether you did something to incite someone's fury… or whether the attack on your person was unprovoked. But I can tell you that there are not many offenses that would guarantee this sort of retribution. Whoever did this must have been a being of great power, and I don't see how a human could have elicited this kind of response from such a being…"

Tippi only sighs. She doesn't really like what this might mean. She either did something terrible enough for someone to want her to suffer a very painful death… or she was just someone trying to live their life only to be torn away from it without good reason…

Merlon regards her for a moment, before standing up.

"Let me show you something, my dear"

"Hm?" Tippi takes off from Merlon's hand and looks at him confused as he pulls a book from his shelf. "...What is it…?"

"I want to show you a couple of things in fact. Now this," he says, showing her the cover of the white book that has a star in the center. "Is a very ancient and crucial text, called the Light Prognosticus"

"Prog… nosticus?"

"Indeed." He nods sagely. "You see, my people have long studied the prophetic field. We have dedicated a great deal of our time and energy to spotting malicious prophecies and creating a plan of action to counter them."

Merlon fetches a small crystal ball from a drawer and holds it in front of him before he softly blows on its surface. The ball starts glowing. In the blink of an eye, Merlon's house is filled with projected images. Patterns with lines and glyphs Tippi doesn't understand. The lines connect and branch and some even loop on themselves. She's mesmerized by the sight.

"What is all this?" She asks after flying around the room, looking at them carefully.

"This is a very basic map of the course of some events brought about by the prophecies. As you can see, nothing is truly linear. Many factors affect how things will go, and sometimes the possibilities are just too many to predict." He points at a cluster of lines, so crowded it looks like a dandelion. "This map does not even include the prophecies covered in the Light Prognosticus…"

"Merlon, I mean... this is incredible and all but… what does it have to do with what we were talking about…?" Tippi asks, fluttering closer to him once more.

"Everything! And nothing at all, at the same time!" He chuckles. "What I mean to show you with this, is that even though there are many questions left unanswered both within the past and future, everything is connected in a way. Fate brought you here, Tippi. Was it for you to get the help you needed? Was it because you have a greater purpose? None can know for certain. Perhaps it is for you to decide. The reason you were attacked might remain a mystery forever, or perhaps you'll find out eventually. All you can do is decide what to do from now on. If you fear you did something bad enough that led someone to place a curse on you, you can decide to be the best person you can be from now on. Should you think you were wronged unjustly, you can choose to focus on healing from the experience and use your knowledge for the future. Learn from the past, and aim for a brighter future. Always. And for what it’s worth, it is already a little brighter, since with your arrival… I gained a friend."

"I… Merlon…" Tippi can't bring herself to say more for a moment, afraid she might burst into tears right then and there. She takes a shaky breath. "I- I'll… I'll never be able to thank you enough… for everything you've done. You saved my life… you allowed me to stay here… you continue to help me everyday… Thank you. Just- just thank you."

"Oh, but you have already done much for me in return! It has been nice having someone to converse frequently with, and you have got me going out way more often than I used to, which I admit, I should be better about at my age. The routine in this little town can become very repetitive if you let it, you know? So your addition has certainly livened up the place!"

Tippi lets out a watery laugh. "... I'm glad you are my friend too, Merlon… That, at the very least, is a good thing that resulted from all this. I'm lucky you were able to undo the curse"

"Oh! That reminds me of the second thing I wanted to show you." Merlon puts away the crystal ball and turns once again towards her. "As you recall, the Light Prognosticus is the collective effort of the ancients to fight against sombre predictions. Well… a specific group of sombre predictions to be precise… it's a long story I shall not bother you with" he shakes his hand dismissively in the air. "But it resulted in the creation of… this!"

Merlon extends his arms under his cloak and a shining aura suddenly fills the room. Tippi flies backwards in awe as the air starts to ripple above Merlon's head, and an object in the shape of a heart is summoned. It shimmers and changes color, and it's one of the most beautiful things she's ever seen. She flies a little higher to take a look at it. It's presence fills her with peace. It also feels… strangely familiar. It almost feels like home.

"What… what is it?" She asks, slightly out of breath.

"This, Tippi, is what we call a Pure Heart." Merlon explains. "It was created out of the very essence of love, and one day, we hope it might help against a great evil."

"I… I can't help but feel like… like I've come across it before, but…"

"Oh, that might be because you have! Although you were not conscious to witness it."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"When we found you, I knew I had to act with haste." He says, closing his eyes while remembering. "But the curse was a powerful one, and I lacked the time to come up with the counter. I identified it immediately as powered by pure hate, so to counter it, I brought out the Pure Heart. Of course, I could not just use its power, not only because it isn't my place to, but because it's a treasure meant for a very important purpose. However, the influence of its presence alone was sufficient to start to dissolve the curse, and I could take care of the rest from that point on."

"I… I see…" or at least she thinks so. "It must be very powerful to be able to undo it just like that…"

"That it is." Merlon puts the heart away with a flick of his hand. "It's the pure unadulterated love for existence itself. The strongest hate could not ever hope to rival its power."

"Incredible…" Tippi goes to land on the usual stand. "So… I was able to be saved because there were people in the past that cared that much about the world… it's a bit strange to think about…"

"Oh, but it isn't really." Merlon says, as he puts away the Light Prognosticus as well. "Is this not how life usually goes? Someone wishes to solve a problem, usually to help a loved one. Due to their drive they create a wonderful advancement, and it is then implemented in the lives of many people. The desire to help one person benefits all of us in the long run. Everyone is priceless in that regard."

"...heh, yes. Yes, I think you're right." She can agree with that. She hopes one day she will be able to help someone who needs it, just as Merlon helped her.

"But on that note… are you feeling any better, Tippi?"

"Oh, I-" With a deep breath, she realizes the anxiousness has gone, and though she still desires to know what happened that ended with her here, she can say it's not filling her with the dread it was before. "Yes. I am… Thank you for being patient with me, Merlon…"

"No need to thank me, not at all. Speaking with you is a joy, I assure you." He says, and even with his expression hidden by the hood, she can tell he is smiling. She feels like smiling as well. "But I do believe that is enough philosophy for one day, don't you? What say you we go for a nice walk? I believe our local artist is having an exhibition today!"

She's a bit tired to tell the truth, but she knows she can get away with hitching a ride on Merlon's head if she needs it, and perhaps it's for the best that she distracts herself for a little while. She accepts the offer, and they both head out into the afternoon chill.

-----------------------------

Life in Flipside is good. Peaceful, uneventful, and after such a rough new start, Tippi is thankful for it. She still sometimes feels like she needs to remember something important, but she has come to terms with the fact that it might be lost forever. She can't help but feel a great sadness at the thought though.

She has made a lot of progress, however. A year has passed, and she has gotten much better at her Pixl abilities. She can now analyze the little monsters around town with ease, and even some of the townsfolk have volunteered to help her practice on more complex beings. Merlon was also delighted when she had informed him that she thought she saw an object that wasn't there before when trying to analyze someone. It meant she soon would be able to dip into magic as a more active participant, by making cloaked objects visible once again. Tippi is slightly amused at how excited Merlon is to be able to teach her new stuff, but she'd be lying if she said she wasn't looking forward to it. If she can't know her past self, she can at least try to know her current self as much as possible.

Half a year later, she's able to unravel even the trickiest spells Merlon can come up with to hide all sorts of things. He is bursting with pride when she easily handles a bit of a treasure hunting game he set up for her. And well, so is she. She is very confident in her skills now and for once she can call herself a Pixl through and through.

One day, though, Merlon has an odd request.

"Tippi…"

She knows that tone, and she internally smiles. "Have something else for me to find?"

"Er… sort of." The fact that he seems unsure makes her pause. "I have had a theory for a while now, and I just need to know if I'm right."

"Of, course, Merlon. I'll help however I can…"

He sighs and stays silent for a long moment. Almost hesitant.

"Tippi. I've hidden the Pure Heart somewhere in Flipside. I want you to find it."

"Th-the Pure Heart? Why?!" Tippi is incredulous. That seems like something way too valuable to just use as training for a newbie Pixl.

"I assure you, it is completely safe. I'll explain soon enough, but for now, please do your best to find it."

And he seems so serious about it, that Tippi can't even think to refuse. There is something going on, she just knows it.

She has never taken anything so seriously since waking up that first day. Merlon follows closely as she looks for the heart. Their usual chatter is absent, and all there is left is the silence as Tippi focuses. She has no idea how she is supposed to find it. She's used to scanning the area to reveal small hidden objects, but not just outright looking for her objective without being pointed to a general section. She's going completely blind now. She uses her power all throughout the first floor, with no results. Merlon doesn't seem to be paying much attention, lost in thought. That tells her she's probably not very close. She wonders what this is all about. He's never asked this kind of thing before. Perhaps he suspects she has a new power? But why not tell her if that's the case…? Trying to clear her head, she focuses on trying to find a solution. Maybe she needs to feel for its power. She knows what it's like after all. Putting away any thoughts about scanning her surroundings, she closes her eyes. She thinks of the warmth and the peace that emanate from the Pure Heart.

She feels a weak pulse to her right. With a gasp she opens her eyes and faces that direction. Merlon is now looking at her with rapt attention.

She starts guiding herself through those weird pulses in the air. She barely even pays her surroundings any mind as she goes. Merlon follows silently.

She arrives at a brown stone pillar.

"H-here…"

"Outstanding…" Merlon breathes out. It's hard for her to parse whether he is happy or not. He steps in front of it and sure enough, the Pure Heart emerges from the side of the structure. He puts it away. He doesn't turn to face her.

"Merlon… what is the matter…? Why so much mystery…?" She asks quietly.

His shoulders slump. Tippi is starting to get worried.

"....Merlon?"

"Tippi… there is something we must talk about. Let's head back and I will tell you everything."

The way back feels so much longer than the search for the Pure Heart.

When they're at Merlon's house once more, he doesn't speak right away. He rummages around his possessions and comes back to her wielding a book she recognizes. The Light Prognosticus.

His expression looks somber.

"...Tippi. Remember when I told you fate brought you here?" He starts.

"Uh… y-yes?"

"Well… there might be even more to that than we thought…" He opens the Prognosticus and looks through the pages. "...I have found some information that is… concerning, to say the least."

"Merlon, what is happening? ... what's wrong?" Tippi says starting to get really worried.

"..." Merlon frowns at the book. "We might be closer to a disastrous event than I thought possible. You better land for this, my dear. It's a long story…"

And so Merlon tells her of a prophecy. A tale of destruction, put into motion by the Chaos Heart. It shakes her right to her core. He tells her of the original Purity Heart, built to counter the threat to all life, and he tells her of a Hero. A hero that will be the last hope for everything and everyone in existence. Tippi shudders. She can't quite imagine any of it being real, being possible. She thinks of the couples in town, some of which have just had their first children. She thinks of the shop owners, and the town artist, and the beautiful structures in town. Of all the history in it. She thinks of Merlon's cozy house and his kind heart. For everything to just end…? But she knows Merlon wouldn't lie about this, so even if it's hard to grasp, she takes it with the gravity it merits.

He then tells her there have been signs. Signs that things are getting set into motion. Nothing concrete, or directly related to the prophecy. But signs that are spoken of in the Prognosticus, and should be heeded.

"The Light Prognosticus, though written as a force of good, has its limitations. My ancestors did their best, but the future came as abstract concepts. That combined with the ancient language makes it hard to decipher with any amount of certainty. Often, its passages only become clear when the events described are already happening. Truly, having a detailed description of the hero is more than we could have hoped for..."

"...Merlon…"

"I know, I know." He says with a sigh. "I haven't explained about my earlier request." He starts to pace slowly around the room. "Tippi… a passage of the Prognosticus mentions a guide… someone that shall aid the hero to uncover the secrets of the world and help warm them about the dangers ahead. A guide… able to locate the remaining Pure Hearts."

His last words take a minute to truly process, and the implications make her glad Merlon had asked her to not be in the air.

"Wait… wait! You… you mean… me?!"

The solemn expression he gives her is all the answer she needs. "But… but Merlon, I… how can it be me? I'm- I mean I'm not-"

"Be at ease, Tippi" Merlon says softly. "I suspect it is you… but the book doesn't mention a Pixl, which is rather odd. Pixls have been around for a long time, so surely the Ancients would have included such a detail. Perhaps this means that there are various candidates. I don't mean to thrust a whole new responsibility onto you, not to mention one as heavy as this one. But I would be remiss not to at least inform you of the chance that you might play an important part in the future…"

"I… I don't even know what to say…" the air suddenly seems so much heavier right now.

"You don't need to say anything just yet. You must think it over. It still might not end being you. But I will urge you, if you decide that you would be willing to take this upon your shoulders, to start studying the Light Prognosticus along with me. And learning the language of the Ancients might be a good idea as well…"

"...."

"I know. It's a lot. But we have time still." Merlon looks at the Light Prognosticus and places it down silently. Carefully. "Consider it, my dear. I will respect your decision either way. The stars know you have been through a lot already. Throwing more at you so soon doesn't seem very fair…"

"I… I will…" she says, not really looking at him now. Merlon nods and takes his leave, letting her alone with her thoughts.

It takes a month of mulling it over. She's afraid. She really is. Merlon doesn't pressure her for an answer in the meantime. It's after she comes back from a flight around town one day that she finally informs him of her decision. He smiles at her and asks if she's sure. She confirms it.

Her studies and further training with her powers start soon after. Time passes by in a blur until they're informed about the destruction of the world where the Dark Prognosticus was last located and they redouble their efforts. A couple of years go by, making them confident that they have enough time to prepare... And then a terrible tremor shakes the whole town of Flipside. Merlon and Tippi hurry out in alarm.

A hole, made of darkness, has been torn in the sky.

She’s filled with dread. But this is the moment she has been preparing for. She focuses and reaches for her power.

“Merlon...” she says quietly. “I think I can track the Hero down...”

------------------------------------------

And there it is! I’ve been back into a Super Paper Mario mood lately, and decided to write this since inspiration hit hard. rewatching a LP of the game I noticed how much Merlon cared for Tippi, and decided that I definitedly wanted to explore that in a fic! I hope you like it and thank you for reading until the end! Also please do let me know what you think!

(I’ll also upload this over on AO3 in a bit)

#super paper mario #spm #tippi #Merlon #my fanfics #my spm fanfics #a found family can be an old wizard and a rainbow butterfly