Ryuji was lead to his guest chambers by one of the guards after dinner was served and consumed. Once he got into his room, the stepped out of Hydroid once again to get comfortable on the bed that looked pretty tempting to lay out on and sprawl. Finding out he had gone through time and taking on another Hydroid shadow that almost killed both the rulers of Equestria. So much for getting some time off to himself. But at the same time, he was more than happy to have made sure that things went right and that his time wouldn’t be changed when he made it back. Well, not drastically anyway. However, his interactions with both Celestia and another important item this night would change his own fate in the time that he will return to.

He falls face first onto the bed and crawls up it in a lazy fashion. Resting the side of his face into the soft, plush pillow that seemed to never lose its coolness. This was a very, very nice pillow indeed. He lets out a soft sigh and begins to slowly doze off into a light slumber when a knock at his door was heard. He opens his eyes and looks at the white and gold trimmed door as he sat up on the bed. He was a bit annoyed that his sleep was interrupted right when he started, but he could look that over.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me. May...I come in, Sir?”

“Um...I suppose, princess.”

Sir? He saves her life and all the sudden she is regarding him as ‘Sir’? He simply did what was right. No need to be so formal. But then again, this isn’t the same Celestia he knows. The one who is all friendly and on a more closer basis than the one back in his time. The door opens as the young sun princess wanders in her a rather fetching nightgown that hugged her young curves rather nicely. It seemed even though she was in her early teens, the filly was developing quite nicely. Ryuji watched her move toward the bed and plop down on the edge. She slides her legs to the right side of her body as she turns to face him. He sat across from her with his legs crossed over each other with his hands resting on his knees. He noticed Celestia’s gaze lock onto his own eyes. She seemed rather...entranced by them.

“Is..everything alright, princess? Was there something you wanted to speak to me about?”

She blushed lightly as she fidgeted with her hands that laid on top of her lap. It was good to see that the Celestia he knew was just like this in her filly years. It was...rather adorable to say the least. She finally gets the courage to speak with him about Hydroid. Asking him what it was and how he was able to control it. Giving the same explanation he gave her older self seemed to be the right route, but for some reason, the filly seemed rather...enthralled by the explanation more rather than her older self did.Perhaps it was because, at this age, things like that seemed more awe-inspiring and amazing that they did for a thousand-year-old immortal mare.

“So..you and he can become one and take on your enemies?”

“That is the general idea, yes.”

“That’s really amazing, Sir! Who knew that a being without magic could do such a thing!”

“You know, you don’t have to call me ‘Sir’. Feel free to call me Ryuji. That is my name after all. No need to be so formal.”

He said offering her a smile of reassurance. She blushed lightly as she was told she could call him by his real name. She had almost forgotten the real reason why she had come to see him this night. It took nearly all her nerve to say what she was about to say. But being a young filly who had her life saved by such a heroic and in her mind, handsome being. She felt as if this male was the one she wanted to be with and even marry when she got older. Fairytale books of noble knights saving princesses are most certainly in her collection of literature.

“Ryuji. I really like that name. It suits a fine warrior such as yourself. A warrior who selflessly put himself in danger to save two fillies he didn’t even know. I...I really admire your courage and your noble nature from what you have shown me. Therefore, it is only fitting that I choose you as my husband to be. Somepony like you...deserves to have a princess at his side who will make sure to show you proper affection and love. Especially with how selfless you are.Will you choose me as well?”

Ryuji had a tough choice to make here at this very moment. It was just like when her older self confessed her feeling to him on that day he got out of the medical wing. But this situation was different. This was the younger Celestia. And he knew that in the more youthful state of mind, one wrong decision could cause trouble. He had to find a way out of this without upsetting her.

“Y-you want me as your future husband..? Surely you are kidding. I mean I am no pony. And I am certainly sure there is somepony out there way more deserving of your devoted love and loyalty.”

He was hoping this was working. Being humble about the whole situation, however, made the filly more determined and sat her mind on the idea of him being the right one, pony or not. She crawls toward him and takes his hands into hers with a assured gaze in ehr eyes. She shook her head lightly and smiled warmly at him.

“Oh no...I know you are the one for me, Ryuji. And the more I think about us being together, the more I want to know about you. I...believe it is fate that you and I are to end up as a couple when I am of age. After all, you aren’t that much older than I from what I can tell.”

This may be it, she didn’t know that he was actually over a thousand years old. This may get him out of this situation! He looks down and away from her, pretending to feel bad for what he was about to tell her.

“Well, the thing is...I am much much older than you think I am. It’s a rather long story. But suffice to say that I am literally over a thousand years old.”

He went on to explain his whole story to her just as he did with the older Celestia. Thinking this would get him out of the sticky situation he was in no but, to no avail. The filly simply just could think of a future without him now. It was as if fate had brought the two immortal beings together. But fate wasn’t exactly in a rather generous mood to bring these two together like this. Another force is intervening it seemed. One who did not appreciate what the fates have been trying to do. Ryuji could see the hopefulness in Celestia’s eyes as she gazed into his. Her hands holding onto his in such a loving manner. It was almost too cute to resist. There was something about this younger Celestia that Ryuji adored. But he couldn’t quite figure it out. He decided to hell with it. He will play along to keep her smiling. It’s not like she’d remember this a thousand years down the road….right?

“If,..you truly feel that I am deserving of such a gift. Then I accept your proposal. I shall be your husband to be when you are of age. But for now, now is not that time to think of such things. Marriage shouldn’t be on your mind right now. Being a filly and having fun while you are still young should be your number one priority.”

Ryuji had no idea of what he had just sat in motion with those very words. As of now, his own timeline was shifting and changing from this one small decision of accepting her offer. Even if it was to simply play along with her youthful wishes. She gave him a big smile and leaped forward wrapping her arms around him in a big hug and squeezed him as tight as she could. Ryuji hesitantly returned the hug and chuckled with a slight bit of nervousness.

“E-easy there. No need to get overly excited.”

“Oh but on the contrary my fiance...this is truly a momentous evening indeed! I am betrothed to someone as brave and lovely as you are. I couldn’t be any happier!”

Ryuji sudden realized that he may have taken this more lightly than she had. And if he was to go back on his word...that could spell disaster for both of them. All the poor tenno could do was lay in the bed he had just made for himself...literally and figuratively.

“Now that we are engaged, you can call me Tia, and I can call you Ryu!”

She seemed so very happy with this outcome. Ryuji could tell by the sparkle in her eyes, the blush on her face and the way her tail swished behind her. But finally after a while longer. She bids her new fiance good night as she had to be up early to raise the sun. She even sneaks a quick peck on his cheek before running out with an adorable giggle. Ryuji placed a hand on his cheek and fell back onto his bed with a sigh and light groan.

“What have I just gotten myself into?”

Ryuji woke from his slumber a few hours later to something bright shining into his window. He sat up and rubbed his eyes and gazed at the floating orb that seemed to shine nearly as bright as the sun. Was it morning already? He gets up and makes his way over to the balcony and watches the ligh5t drift away from him a bit. He steps back and watches it approach him slightly, then steps forward again to once again see it drift away. Did it want him to follow it? He could call his ship, but then that would draw attention to pretty much the whole castle. And the drop below lead to the city. His warframe can survive long drops but, not THAT long. Ryuji disappears and walks back out onto the balcony inside Hydroid and jumps up onto the balcony railing. And just as if the light could read his mind, it transforms into a swirling gateway. Ryuji could make out some kind of..glowing tree on the other side. He leaps forward into the portal and vanishes, the light doing so right after he entered. He comes out in the middle of a forest opening that was surrounded by..walls of rock? His gaze shifts left and right as he slowly and cautiously walked forward. The only source of light that was keeping the area lit was this one tree that was sitting in the middle of the whole place. The tree itself didn’t seem like it was made of wood. It gave off a magical, bright glow and it looked like bright precious stones hang long its branches. As Ryuji inched closer and closer, a soft echoing female voice spoke to him. It sounded rather ethereal.

“Leave your steel vessel there, warrior of the void. Only your true self may walk upon this ground.”

Ryuji was hesitant in stepping outside of Hydroid, but he did comply and step out onto the rather soft and fertile ground that the tree stood upon. As he drew closer to the tree, he felt something rather...strange within him. Something profound and indelible that resonated with him here. This is a feeling he had never felt before and it put him on edge.

“Do not be afraid, Ryuji. I have brought you here for a reason. A reason you will surely understand.”

Was this the tree that was speaking to him?! Or was it something...or someone else entirely? He felt the urge to back away from the tree, but at the same time, the irresistible urge to approach it. Like a siren’s song calling out to him, beckoning him to his pending demise. Thankfully, the voice in question did not have ill intentions such as this.

“What have you brought me here for that could be so important as to involve me? Why even me? I have already dealt with enough today. First I am taken back in time to save the rulers of Equestria. Then I stupidly agree to be one of those very pony’s future husband. And now I have been brought before a strange magical tree and a voice from where I cannot see the source.”

“Oh, believe me, Ryuji. I have seen how your presence here has caused ripples in both the past, present, and future. After all, I am the creator of this world. However, I cannot directly interfere with what the fates are doing. Though I have watched them and you. And I must say I do not appreciate what they are trying to do. It is the reason why you are here Ryuji. Every being and creature in my world has a preordained destiny I have sat out for them since their birth. Even the rulers of this land themselves. But you, you truly have free will here in this world. And that is exactly what I needed here. A wild card. A rogue element to venture into the needed timeline to prevent the fates from causing trouble just as they did here yesterday. You are a ‘fateless one’.”

Ryuji put a hand up and pushes it forward in a stopping motion. Clearly, this idea did not sit well with at the moment and he was more than a little upset about it. However, the voice in question did expect this from him.

“You mean to tell me that you nearly killed me by dragging my ship through a wormhole and caused a crash landing that severely injured me because you can’t solve your universe’s problems on your own?! Am I just some pawn to you in your little game between yourself and these fuckers who are trying to kill me at every turn?!”

He was furious. Even going as far as to drawing his sword and advancing towards the tree in a threatening manner. Of course, he knew that stabbing and cutting at a tree wasn’t really going to accomplish anything much. But the source of the voice could see that Ryuji was ready to attack the first living creature that made an appearance before him.

“I don’t know what kind of game you and these fates are playing. But I will not be your pawn nor anyone else’s! This is MY life! And I will not be jerked around anymore!”

He couldn’t resist the urge to stab something anymore, he takes his sword and thrusts it straight into the middle of the tree, the blade piercing more than three-quarters of the way into its trunk.However, when he tried to pull it out, it wouldn’t budge. The sword suddenly started to emit a watery blue glow and swirled around its hilt and took hold of Ryuji’s hand and slowly started to coil up his arm. He struggled and fought against this..thing that was holding him The blade itself vanished after a moment as the strange light coiled further up his right arm all the way to just under his shoulder.

“Wh-what is this?! What are doing to me?!”

He said as he continued to struggle until he was finally released. He fell backward onto his side and quickly made his way to his feet. He took one look at his right arm and could see that the same watery blue light continued to swirl around his entire right arm. Eventually seeing his sword form into a rather ghostly, but still solid blade that gave off the same light.

“You may not be my pawn, Ryuji. But you are in my world. And you know very well, that I know you will always do the right thing. Even if it means sacrificing the few to protect the many. With that element now fully infused into your body and soul. You belong in this world. But still, maintain your free will.”

“Element…? What do you mean?”

“You now possess the element of Guardianship. Your protective nature and both your strong mental and soon to be physical fortitude make you into a worthy holder of this element. I cannot tell you how to wield this element for it is you that controls its power. Your free will is rather….unbreakable. So the path you choose will determine its nature further down the line. But just because you belong here now, doesn’t mean the fates will stop hunting you. Your presence here is still rather...unorthodox and your technology is not welcomed either. So as long as you draw breath, you will be hunted by them. But now that you belong here, the chances of them finding you have dropped to extremely low levels. Now that you have what I needed to give you, you must return to your own time. And I will be the one to send you back just as I have brought you here. Starswirl is a rather accomplished wizard. But you need to get back as soon as possible. I shall send both you, your steel vessel and your ships back in the same place as well. All I ask...is that you do right by those who care for you, Ryuji.”

Before he could say anything else, he vanished from sight. Having been returned to his own time in the world and placed back onto his ship in his bed..as if it was all just a long and elaborate dream. However, when Ryuji returns to Equestria and Canterlot. He will find that things have truly changed for him.

Author's Note

Fun fact, this inspiration from this story actually came from the game that I also chose the music from in this chapter. It is definitely a wonderful game and you should play it. or just watch a playthrough if you don't want to :P

May the darkness grant you peace.