Dragonfire: Celestia

Epilogue - Part One

Everything was dark. It was cold…and empty. A mindless sleep. But then…something began to stir. Like water rising…and her eyes began to open. Albedo found herself in a bed. Her bed, to be exact. She was in her room. She looked around slowly, still half asleep. She looked off to her left, towards Asami’s bed. She wasn’t in it, suggesting she was off doing her maidly duties somewhere. Albedo’s eyes widened. Was this another memory? Was the Dreamweaver back?! She frantically looked around, until her eyes landed on a familiar face! Then…a fluffy paw slapped her on her own! It definitely wasn’t a dream. Just for good measure, she was slapped again! Lily’s face flooded her vision, widened eyes and tongue dangling. It was simultaneously the cutest, and scariest thing Albedo had ever seen. She sat up slowly, and hugged Lily. It felt like she had just woken from a nightmare. Only the nightmare was very real. She lied back down, and Lily snuggled up against her side. Only a moment later, she jolted up! “Kei!” She exclaimed! She practically jumped out of bed, running towards the closet! However, she tripped over something on the floor, landing on her face!

She stood up, and looked at the culprit. It was a white button up, one she did not own. “For the Head Maid, Asami really is messy when I’m not around…” She said. She stood back up, and swiftly got dressed. She threw on a white tank top, and black slacks. She slipped on white bunny slippers, and rushed to the door! She threw it open, and found someone waiting just outside! It was Nosferatu! She was wearing her tracksuit again…for some reason. She must have really loved running track. She was holding a bouquet of roses, which she swiftly hid behind her back. Albedo looked down at her curiously. “O-Oh…well, if it isn’t General Albedo! How long has it been, I wonder? Since we last saw each-” Albedo interrupted her by squeezing past her! She turned around, dumbfounded! “Sorry kid, I gotta go!” Albedo exclaimed, running down the hall! Nosferatu looked down at the bouquet of roses, mouth agape. Her eye twitched back and forth, and she threw them on the ground! “You know every mess you make is one I have to clean up, right?” A Voice asked. She slowly turned around, finding Asami right behind her! “A-Asami…funny I should run into you. You know…I actually hand picked those roses for-” She was interrupted once more as Albedo rushed in front of her! She hugged Asami tightly!

“Asami!” She exclaimed! Asami returned the hug gently. “Albedo…you’re awake…” She said, “I told you I’d be back before you even noticed I was gone…” Albedo responded, “You lied…I missed you as soon as you left, silly.” Asami said. Nosferatu cleared her throat. “Well well, if it isn’t General Albedo. How long has it been since we last met?” She asked. Albedo turned around to face her, looking into her eyes. “Um…who are you?” She asked. Nosferatu let out an annoyed Vampire sound. “Take a guess.” She answered, “Hmm…are you one of Chichi-Chichi’s friends?” Albedo asked, “No. Well…actually yeah…now that I think about it.” Nosferatu answered, “Oh…I see! I totally remember you! Want a lollipop?” Albedo asked, “Just because I’m a short person doesn’t mean I’m a child!” Nosferatu exclaimed. Albedo leaned over to whisper to Asami. “Um…I think this gremlin is mad at me.” She whispered. Asami facepalmed. Nosferatu held her hand out, forming a puddle of darkness in front of Albedo! A stepping stool arose from within! Nosferatu stepped up onto it so she could look her in the eyes, before slapping her! She then stepped down, and walked away! “The gremlin is definitely mad at me…” Albedo said.

Asami simply let out a laugh. “I’m glad to have you back, Albedo.” She said. Albedo’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you calling me by name?” She asked, “Oh, I forgot to tell you…uh…you might want to sit down for this.” Asami answered. Albedo nodded, and they returned to their room. They sat down at the table, and Asami filled her in on all that had happened while she was away. After the lab, she and Nosferatu made the issues public. The citizens of Celestia became aware of the corruption, and a lot of the problems at hand were resolved. Asami was given emergency powers as the temporary Acting Grandmaster, and she used those powers to stop all attacks on the Snakes. Eventually, Damian and the others brought her and Kei back to Celestia, alongside Vaani. With the knowledge of the lab, and hearing what happened in the field, Asami and Vaani established peace. The conflict was truly over… “Okay, okay…but I’m still stuck on the lab! So you found an underground laboratory, met a naked bird lady, and then fought a werewolf?! What are the odds of that?!” Albedo asked, laughing at the ridiculousness of the tale, “Laugh all you want, but I’d like to hear about how you fought a seemingly immortal Snake woman in a bikini.” Asami said, also laughing. In spite of the horrible events they had gone through, they were able to share a laugh about them. It felt as if nothing had changed in the time they were away from each other. After a few tales of Albedo’s time in the field, the laughing settled a bit.