Four Little Princes

Bedtime

Finally it was time for the four little princes to go to bed. There was a nursery wing in the castle with more than enough bedrooms and little toddler beds for the quadruplets to each have their own room, and they were all close to Zarc's wing, so he could easily check on them if he felt the need. That being said, Zarc had no intention of letting his little ones be left alone in their rooms. He didn't want to risk someone coming into the castle in the middle of the night and hurting or stealing his precious children.

And so, the king decided to assign a few shadow creatures to guard the little princes as they slept. Each of his boys had taken a shine to some of the shadow creatures.

Yuto seemed to be fascinated with the Phantom Knights, which Zarc found interesting since young children were often spooked by them. Zarc found his eldest quadruplet in his new room with Dark Rebellion, demanding uppies from Dusty Robe. The Phantom Knight obliged, picking the young eggplant up and bouncing him.

It seemed the Phantom Knights were already quite attached to Yuto, quite delighted that the toddler wasn't afraid of them. Yuto squealed happily and hugged Dusty Robe. Then he saw Zarc, and made grabby hands for him. "Daddy! Wook! Ghost! I wike ghost! Boo!" he squealed.

"I can see that," Zarc chuckled as Dusty Robe handed the little eggplant to him. "And I think the ghosts like you too!"

"Yay!" Yuto squealed, clapping his hands. Zarc smiled and set him down in his new bed. "The ghosts are going to watch over you while you sleep, and keep you safe. Okay?"

"Okay, Daddy!" Yuto said, yawning adorably. Ragged Glove patted his little eggplant head and tucked him in. Then, Zarc kissed Yuto's forehead. "Goodnight, Yuto!"

"Goodnight, Daddy!" Yuto said, snuggling into his bed and closing his eyes. Zarc smiled and went to put the rest of his sons to bed.

* * *

Yuri was already in bed, listening to Starve Venom read him a bedtime story. The Predator Plants were standing guard around the young cabbage-head's bed, ready to eat any intruders who dared try to lay a finger on their young charge.

"...And they all lived happily ever after, the end!" Starve Venom was just finishing the story as Zarc walked into the room. Yuri yawned and snuggled into his blankets. His amethyst eyes sleepily fell on the king as he approached the bed.

"Daddy," Yuri said sleepily. "Daddy wook." He pointed at the shadow creatures around him. "Gawden."

"Yes, this garden will keep you safe while you sleep," Zarc promised. "They won't let anyone hurt you."

"Good gawden," Yuri murmured, closing his eyes sleepily. Fly Hell shuffled closer and pulled the blankets up to the young prince's chin with its hand-like leaves. As the plant moved back into its original position, Zarc leaned down and kissed Yuri's forehead. "Goodnight, Yuri!"

Yuri didn't respond, and Zarc could tell from his breathing that he was already fast asleep. Smiling, Zarc left the room. Two down, two to go.

* * *

Yugo was much more of a challenge to put to bed, still full of energy and running around. The Speedroids appeared to be trying to tire him out, playing a game of chase with him. Yugo was squealing and shrieking happily as Taketomborg chased him around the room.

Clear Wing was keeping an eye on things, as some of the Speedroids did have blades and other things that might be a danger to the young toddler. Fortunately those Speedroids were keeping some distance from the little blunana, making sure to stay a little out of reach if he started to chase them, and keeping a good distance if they were the ones chasing him.

Zarc chuckled when he saw Yugo starting to run out of energy. All of a sudden he flopped down onto his stomach on the rug in the middle of the room, yawning. Taketomborg carefully picked him up and carried him over to his bed, setting him down gently and tucking him in.

"Not... sweepy..." Yugo protested, but it was obvious that he was struggling to keep his eyes open. Zarc smiled down at Yugo and kissed his forehead. "Don't worry, Yugo," he said. "The Speedroids will watch over you while you sleep."

"No sweep..." Yugo mumbled, his eyes now fully closed. He was quiet for a moment before starting to snore softly. Zarc chuckled. "Goodnight, Yugo!"

He left the room, smiling softly. Now there was just one more little one to put to bed.

* * *

Yuya, of course, had already formed a strong fondness for the Entermates, who were trying to put him to bed along with Odd-Eyes. The little tomato was very reluctant to go to sleep, looking very sad.

"What's wrong, my little one?" Zarc asked him when he saw his sad little tomato. Yuya crossed his arms and pouted. "No sweep! Scawy!"

"Scary?" Zarc asked, confused. He looked around the room. "What's scary?"

"Scawy dweams!" Yuya said, looking sadly up at his daddy. At this, all of the Entermates made soft sounds of sympathy.

"It's okay, Yuya!" Zarc promised him. "You see all these Entermates?" Yuya nodded, looking up at all the brightly colored and very child-friendly shadow creatures. He seemed to calm a little as he looked at them. Zarc smiled. "They're going to protect you while you sleep. They won't let anyone or anything hurt you. And if you have scary dreams, they'll chase all those dreams away and hug you and snuggle you until you can sleep again!"

"Pwomise?" Yuya asked, looking up at his daddy with big eyes. Zarc hugged him. "Promise! Now, can you try to sleep for me, dear?"

Yuya nodded, slowly laying down in his bed. Timegazer Magician tucked him in, and the young prince clutched his hand tightly. Timegazer held the tiny hand gently, trying to comfort the tiny tomato. Zarc kissed Yuya's forehead and smiled down at him. "Goodnight, Yuya!"

"Goodnight, Daddy," Yuya said softly, already half asleep.