Work Text:
“How was that meownster so impawssibly powerful!?” Rudy exclaimed, standing behind Rosella with his paws in fists at his sides. The palico’s tail lashed back and forth behind him. “Is there a chance that really was Aenshin? The cause of the encroachment?” He looked up towards the princess, feeling almost certain that if anyone here may have an answer, it would be her. If anyone could hear the monster’s voice, understand what it may truly be, she would probably be the first to figure it out. At least, that's what he thought.
Rosella was silent, eyes fully focused on the fallen Arkveld that lay before them. The fight had been intense, sweat trickled down her neck, and she was positive that Rayne had to be far more exhausted than she was. His fireball had been their saving grace in that fight.
She took a few steps closer to the monster, taking a deep breath and releasing it in a slow exhale. This wasn't Aenshin, she was certain of it. This was a powerful monster, one she had never encountered before, but.. “No.. this isn't Aenshin.” She stated firmly. She wasn't sure what it was, but it couldn't be-
“Right you are!” A voice called out over the crater, and Rosella felt her heart freeze to a halt deep within her chest. She knew that voice, she'd grown up with that voice, spent countless nights with that voice, fallen in love with that-
Her eyes widened, and she would direct her gaze to the voice’s source, expecting this to be another trick of her mind. She wasn't a fool, Simon was gone, he was dead, she had to let him go, to move forward, to save everyone-
Her Canyne; Forest, would rush up from where he had stood with the rangers, growling and barking. Rayne rushed forward as well, moving closer to where Rosella currently stood, tail lashing behind him, ready for another fight.
“That beast's a pale imitation.” The voice continued. A tight coil constricted within Rosella’s chest as she watched a figure walk onto the rock overlooking the crater. They were dressed in cold blues, blacks, and purples, a heavy contrast from the soft beige and teal she'd grown to associate that voice with. His amber eyes caught a glimpse of her green ones, but their eyes didn't meet for long.
She heard the gasps of her fellow rangers, of Rudy beside her- and knew she couldn't be seeing things. If all of them were seeing it too, this had to be real, he.. he had to be-
There Simon stood, real and breathing and alive. He was dressed in armor that didn't suit him, yet the warmth in his eyes matched her memory perfectly. He looked towards her with all the same softness that he used to, but something was dreadfully wrong.
Simon took a deep breath, and Rosella didn't know it, but he was terrified. He had rehearsed this moment over and over in his mind on the way here, how he would face her, talk to her, convince her- now he had to do it for real, he had to pull it off. One slip up and everything would be for naught, one tug of his heartstrings and he would be running into her arms, he had to focus. Even if it broke her heart, broke his heart, broke everything that they were.
In the end, if he could save everyone, save her, then it would still be worth it.
Yet still, the warm softness that he felt upon the sight of her was all-consuming. His heart stuttered at the vision of her, wearing armor he hadn't seen on her before. She looked beautiful, and for a split moment, he forgot his mission. “It’s good to see you again, Rosella.”
He glanced towards the other rangers, narrowed his eyes, and looked right back at her. This wasn't about them, this was about her. Rosella and Rayne, they were who he had been sent after, who he had to convince, no one else mattered.
Even if he'd missed them too.
He didn't recognize the smaller beast that stood by her side, and found himself curiously glancing its way. He squinted his eyes, before refocusing back to the princess. He didn't have time to be wondering about something new.
Rosella stepped forward, her body feeling both heavy and weightless all at once. Her grief came tumbling back in waves, mixed in with the sheer relief of seeing him standing before her. Her throat felt tight, breathing quickly became difficult. Forest barked behind her; most likely trying to get her attention, but he was quickly shushed by Rudy.
“You're.. you're alive.” Her voice stuttered as she spoke, and she would breathe in a quick gasp after her words escaped her. The urge to cry was strong, powerful, overwhelming, but the confusion that filled her at the sight of him was stronger than her desire to hold him. Why was he wearing that? What was he doing here? How long had he been okay for, what had happened to him after the blast, and just how did he survive that?
Simon raised his hand to his chest, frowning as he glanced towards the crater floor. Now came the hard part, explaining himself. He had to be vague, get out the important details and save the rest for the people who already knew. He clenched his hand into a fist, took a breath, and flicked his gaze back to her. “Vermeil nursed me back to health.” He admitted, an image of that cold, dark room in the castle flashed into his mind, and he bit his lip, hoping it would go away quickly.
Rosella stared at him, mouth slightly agape from shock. Vermeil? Vermeil had nursed him back to health? Vermeil was the reason she had lost him to begin with!
She quickly looked back towards Eleanor, and the two Princesses exchanged gazes of utter confusion. Rosella knew well enough by now that Eleanor had nothing to do with this, but the Vermeilian Princess looked apologetic all the same. She trusted Eleanor now, trusted her with her life, and Rosella owed her so, so much. She was certain the two would talk about this later; Eleanor already looked as if she was deep in her thoughts, most likely trying to figure out if Clarissa was involved.
Rosella shook her head, turning to look back at Simon. The mere image of him filled her with so many overwhelming emotions, her breath hitched, she was beginning to feel sick. “Just.. why?”
“Why what?” Simon replied swiftly, hands held at his sides and gaze firm. Millions of thoughts swirled in his head despite his outward demeanor. I know what you're going to say, Why did you lie to me? Why did you die for me? Why didn't you-
“Why.. why didn't you tell me who you really were?” She snapped, taking a step forward with her hands in fists at her sides. She didn't want to be angry with him, and in all honesty, she wasn't truly. She felt more betrayed than anything. However, those feelings of betrayal were bubbling up in her throat, swiftly turning into frustration.
There it was. Focus. Remember the plan. “I've been an agent of Vermeil for years.” His breath caught in his throat, yet his stern expression never wavered, it was a miracle he hadn't begun to cry yet. “Just tell the Azurian Princess I was a spy?” Admit I was betraying my best friend? “How would that go?” Terribly, I'm sure.
“Is that why you got close to me?” She asked, was I nothing to you? “Was I just a target to you? Nothing more? Truly?” Her voice wavered as she spoke. She took another step forward; hands starting to tremble, heart beating hard in her chest.
You were so much more. “That’s right.” Bile threatened to spill from his throat at the lie. You mean everything to me. His heart caught in his throat, and he forced himself to go stiff, just to try and prevent himself from shaking.
“Don't lie to me!” She snapped, “I know you! Or.. or I thought I did.” Did I ever truly know you at all, Simon? “If it wasn't real.. Why would you tell me about the Sacrosanctum? Why.. why would you..”
Please don't bring it up. Simon’s eye twitched, stress beginning to wash over him in violent rocky waves. Please don't bring it up, please just- please don't-
“Why would you tell me you loved me?” She snapped, Rudy gasped behind her, being the only other one aware of Simon's declaration back in Azuria. With the fireball mere seconds away from engulfing them both, he had confessed that he loved her, before paying the ultimate price to keep her safe.
..or so she thought.
“Was that a lie too? Just wanted to get under my skin? Get real close, break my heart and fake your death-”
“It wasn't fake!” He snapped, losing his composure. “It.. they.. I don't..” he shook his head, screwing his eyes shut. “It doesn't matter now.” Please let it go.
“Oh yeah? What doesn't matter?” She stepped forward, anger boiling up in her throat. “Your death, or what you said? If you've been an agent of Vermeil all this time, if I was worthless to you, what possessed you to say that? To protect me? To try and save me? To put yourself in harm's way for your worthless target-” tell me the truth, stop lying to me.
“Rosella!” He hissed, fists shaking at his sides. “We can't do this right now.” I'm sorry, I'm sorry Rose, I'm sorry-
“Oh yeah? Is that so?” She glared up at him, “I mourned you, grieved you so deeply it made me sick, and this is how you act when I see you again? You're alive, I thought you were dead, my best friend, gone for the rest of my-”
“Rosella!” He repeated, taking one step forward on the rock platform, “Please.”
She ignored him. “And you wanted me to know everything, didn't you?! About my mother!? And about Aenshin! You never acted like a spy, you never acted like you had their best interests in mind, you acted like you cared for me! And my mother- you two traveled together, didn't you?” She took a deep breath, voice evening out into that wavering tone from before. Her eyes started to water, and she raised a hand to wipe her tears away.
“What happened to her, Simon?” She lowered her hand, gazing up at him with pleading eyes, no sign of the rage that fueled her mere moments ago, just a desperate need for some kind of answer.
Simon sighed, staring blankly towards the crater floor. How do I tell her? He was silent for a few moments. She deserves to know. No use hiding it. Solemnly, he began to speak. “Amara sh- ..she's gone.”
Rosella gasped, eyes widening. It felt as if the air had left her lungs. Gone? As in-
“It was here that Aenshin took her life.” False venom began to seep into his tone, he had to get this over with, she needed to understand. He lifted his hand to his mouth, took a sharp breath, and let out a shrill whistle. Forgive me, Rose.
The screech of a Rathalos echoed over the Sacrosanctum, and an armored wyvern would descend from the air. His wings sliced through the sky, and the opposite Skyscale would descend next to Simon, landing on the ground and digging his claws into the crystal covered earth. His tail lashed behind him, and he glared towards the Princess.. and his brother.
Simon leapt from the platform, landing next to the same Rathalos that had proved to be his undoing back in Azuria. His Rathalos. He stood up, glancing towards Kit- his companion, before he quickly looked away. He could never find the strength within him to look the Rathalos in the eyes.
Rosella could only stare in shock, stunned into utter silence. It made sense. Amara had crossed the Meridian with the other Skyscale in tow, and if she'd traveled with Simon, that would explain how he had managed to bond with the Rathalos. What didn't make sense, was it being battle bound. Surely that hadn't been Simon's decision? He wouldn't..
She shook her head, rushing forward and stopping a few feet away from Simon and the other Rathalos. Rayne rushed to join her, tail lashing as he stood beside her, head slightly tilted towards her body, partly blocking her from Simon’s vision.
“Your Highness!” Rudy shouted behind her, and Rosella would turn back, putting forth her hand and giving him a silent command, stay back. Forest shuffled back to stand next to Rudy, taking her gesture as a direct order. The Canyne’s paw moved out in front of Rudy, blocking the Palico from moving any closer.
Rosella turned her gaze back to Simon, and her mind began to spin. It was only a matter of seconds before she could barely register that the others were even still there. It was just the two of them and the Skyscales now. No one else.
Rayne snarled by her side, and she would reach out a hand and rest it on his scales, both to try and calm him- and to ground herself. Rayne being by her side filled her with an unmatched level of confidence, something she desperately needed to get her through this.
Simon remained steadfast, despite everything within him threatening to crumble. “If you've learned this much about Aenshin, then I presume you know what happened here two hundred years ago.” He glanced towards Kit, eyes quickly flicking away, looking back at the Princess and her powerful companion. “And of the twin Rathalos at the heart of it all.” Please understand, please listen.
Kit’s head shook beside him, and a low rumbling growl escaped from the wyvern’s throat. Simon's perception of the beast was blurred by the battle binding, he wasn't sure if the anger his friend felt was from the corrupted crystal, or from himself.
..was he truly still friends with Kit?
Simon took a step forward, outstretching his hand and gesturing towards the beast that stood at his side. “These monsters possess unimaginable power.” Please listen. “If we work together, Aenshin wouldn't stand a chance against us.”
He's lost his mind. Rosella glared towards her friend, hands balled in fists in her sides. She had no time to truly process the news of her mother, no time to focus on the tears that had already started to fall. A slight shudder coursed through her, but she stood her ground, blinking away the dampness in her eyes. What happened to him? Where's the Simon I knew? What have they done to him?
Simon did his best to ignore the look on her face, to ignore the tightness in his chest. Focus. He took a step forward, holding out his hand for her to take. “So join me, Rosella. Join me and let's defeat Aenshin.” Please, please listen. “If we do.. we can stop living in fear of the encroachment, and at long last Azuria and Vermeil.. can come to an accord!”
She stared back at him, an unreadable expression on her face that struck Simon with immense fear. Please. Please just trust me, we can fix this, please listen.
Rosella took one step forward, glanced over at Rayne, and then shook her head, turning back to Simon, gazing sorrowfully at her friend. “No, Simon. I refuse.”
He slowly lowered his hand, grief stricken at her response. Why couldn't you just listen, I don't want to hurt you. He took a sharp breath, staring back at her. “But why?” He asked, unsure what his question truly even meant. Why don't you trust me? Why do you refuse? Why don't you understand?
She shook her head again, “You know the answer to that, Simon. Rayne is not a weapon, and I will never see him as such.” She glanced towards her Rathalos companion, and he looked back at her with a trusting gaze. A small purr rumbled from his throat, and she knew she'd made the right choice. No matter what Simon meant to her, Rayne would never be a tool of war, not for her, or for anyone else.
She looked back towards Simon, “Don't you get it? You, of all people, should get it.” She tilted her head slightly, gaze growing soft, against her better judgement. “Simon, we don't have to-”
She paused. He was staring at the ground, hand slowly balling into a fist at his side. His Rathalos took a step forward, tail lashing behind him and wings beginning to stretch outward. She took a few steps back, moving closer to Rayne and keeping her eyes on Simon. Just before she could open her mouth to speak again, he let out a furious sound and began running forward, jumping onto the back of his Rathalos as the wyvern flew alongside him, with the two now rushing towards her and Rayne.
Damnit. She rushed to get on Rayne’s back, and her companion let out a shrill screech, leaping to the air and flying towards his brother the moment he registered that she was properly in the saddle. The two Rathalos would rush past one another, flying up into the air and twirling into the sky.
“Aenshin must be stopped!” Simon shouted, I won't hurt you, I can't, please listen, please understand. He leaned forward in the saddle, and Kit let out a shrill screech, it almost sounded like a noise of agreement, but Simon wasn't in the space to confirm or deny it.
Rayna rushed forward, wings slicing through the air, with Simon and his Rathalos hot on his tail. He growled in frustration, he always hated being chased.
“The last Rathalos twins- they were battle bound and corrupted into weapons of war!” Rosella shouted back, leaning over her shoulder to look back at Simon. “That's where the power you crave so badly came from! Can't you see that!?”
“It’s not that I crave that power!” He snapped, correcting her without thinking, defending himself in a battle he was almost certain he would not win. She was stubborn, hot-headed, and steadfast in her beliefs. If she didn't trust him when he tried to talk to her on the ground, what good would this do? Please, please please please just change your mind. “It's what we need! Can't you see that!?”
The two Rathalos would continue to ascend into the air, with Kit in fast pursuit of Rayne, not letting up. As they increased in altitude, the two spun under and over each other, it was almost starting to feel like a deadly dance.
“And even back then, it wasn't enough to bring Aenshin down! What good will it do us to try that again?” Rosella exclaimed, hands gripping the handlebars of her saddle so tightly that they had begun to ache. Rayne halted in the air for a second, wings flapping frantically as he tried to maneuver away from Kit.
Kit continued his pursuit, never letting up in speed or distance for long. “But this time we will!” Simon shouted, “You're not even considering it!” Am I in the wrong?
No, we need this. He took a shuddering breath, glad that she wouldn't see it.
“And my mother!? Did she agree!?” Rosella snapped, eyes narrowed. Before she could say anything else, Rayne let out another frustrated growl. The Rathalos would rush forward, turn in the air, and descend down towards Simon and his Rathalos. A shrill roar echoed from his throat, and he would stretch out his talons and slam one set into Kit’s chest, noticeably smacking them against the metal of the wyvern’s armor. Rayne struggled with Kit in the air, before pushing off of his brother and continuing down towards the ground, letting out another screech as he left.
Rosella reached out her hand and placed it on Rayne’s scales, he was just as aggravated by all of this as she was, if not even more than her. “Good job,” she praised. Rayne let out a rumbling sound in response. He didn't sound too thrilled.
Simon let out a grunt as the two left, pulling at the handles of Kit’s saddle to try and readjust them both. He huffed and gasped in air, not getting any time to process that she had just attacked him. A sharp sheen sounded off as the spikes in Kit’s armor began to glow a vibrant hue. The wyvern’s horn and eyes began to glow as well, with flames beginning to burn and burst from the beast’s jaws.
Simon tried to yank at the handles of the saddle, to get a hold of his monster, but it was no use. Kit was preparing a fireball, and he was aiming it directly at Rosella and Rayne. No, no no no, no! He yanked harder as Kit’s jaws began to open, wings beating violently at his sides. “Damnit, no!” I can't hurt her, please please I can't-
Kit pulled his wings back and slammed them forward, rapidly descending after his brother, chasing him down. Simon continued to try and get a hold of him, struggling and pushing himself to his limit. fuck, fuck fuck- no, damnit no- this can't be how it ends this can't be how- no no no-
Rosella looked behind her, disbelief coursing through her at the sight of Simon chasing her down. Of all the people she had considered would want to hunt after her like this, he was never on that list. She looked down towards the ground, the rangers were all still down there- Kora, Gaul, Ogden, Thea, Eleanor, Rudy, even Forest- all of them were in danger, not just her and Rayne. Either the fireball would hit her, and they would slam into the ground below, possibly crashing right into her friends- or it would miss, possibly hitting the rangers instead. Countless other scenarios rushed through her mind all at once, she had to act.
Focus. She screwed her eyes shut, and for just a moment- she felt as if she was in perfect sync with her companion. She pulled on the handles, and Rayne would turn back to face his brother. Horrifying shrill roars echoed from the other Rathalos, all of which were halted as a blast of energy burst out from Rayne and his glowing horn. It slammed into Simon and Kit, causing the man to lose his balance and nearly fly from the saddle, while his Rathalos began to rapidly descend towards the ground.
Rosella’s eyes widened and a gasp escaped her, her death grip on the handles only worsened. She pushed forward, and Rayne would let out a screech and rush down after the two. His wings flapped hard at his sides, and Rosella couldn't help but remember the last time she'd chased after Simon as he fell through the air like this. Was it happening again? She shook her head, she couldn't think about that now.
Simon managed to get back into the saddle just in time to notice the strange state the battle binding spikes were in, bright orange light burst around where they embedded into the armor. His eyes widened, and a near breathless question escaped him. “..what the..?” Kit growled beneath him, but it sounded different than the other times, Simon couldn't pinpoint why, not right now at least, not in the state he was in, the state they were both in.
As the two Rathalos descended further towards the ground, they would meet eyes for just one single moment. Kit would abruptly screech afterwards, seemingly catching himself and beating his wings hard enough to keep the two from slamming into the crater.
Simon took a few seconds to catch his breath, eyes darting to look at the rangers. He couldn't decipher their expressions- not right now- but guilt coursed through him all the same. He could've gotten them killed, all of them.
He shook his head, screwing his eyes shut. He'd lost this battle, and he couldn't stay here. He couldn't stay and risk hurting any of them, hurting her. He tugged the handles, and Kit would turn and fly off into the distance, with the two swiftly disappearing into the clouds.
Rayne would slowly descend and land on the crystal coated earth, with Rosella nearly tumbling off of him. She fell to her knees, shuddering and shaking as she stared at the ground beneath her. He was gone again, he was gone and she wasn't sure she'd ever get him back. He was alive, breathing, out there, but could she ever get through to him again?
Her heart ached within her chest, and her breathing quickly became erratic. She slowly lifted one hand to her chest, balling it into a fist soon after. “..Simon..”
Rayne rumbled beside her, nudging her with his head, over and over, until she finally stood on her feet. He rumbled again, stepping closer to her and nudging his head against her hand. She slowly placed it onto his scales, looking at the ground, even as the rangers caught up to her.
“So Simon's still kicking, huh?” Gaul huffed.
“And he was a Vermeilian spy all this time!” Rudy added on. “I can't believe it! Of all the people-”
“Wait.” Eleanor interrupted, stepping forward and glaring back at the two. Rudy quickly went silent, while Gaul crossed his arms. Kora shook her head beside them. Thea was looking at Rosella with nothing but concern in her gaze, while Ogden was looking up at the sky, trying to see if he could spot Simon in the distance.
Eleanor then turned back to Rosella, eyes soft and voice even softer. “Hey.” She took a breath, “So, what now?”
Rosella gazed back at Eleanor, relieved that she had settled the group. She was glad nothing had happened to the rangers, to Rudy, to Eleanor- she never would've forgiven herself if they had gotten hurt due to something that was between her and Simon.
A boom was heard in the sky above, and Ogden quickly pointed towards a flash of color off in the clouds, everyone's eyes looked towards it.
“..we return to Azuria.” Rosella stated firmly, hands in fists at her sides. She couldn't dwell on what had happened between her and Simon right now. She couldn't dwell on the loss of her mother, not right now, not when lives were at stake. She had to move forward.
..It's what Amara would've done.
Despite her firm decision, as the journey back to Azuria quickly began, Rosella couldn't help but tremble as they walked out of the Sacrosanctum. Even with all of the rangers, Rudy, Rayne, and Forest all at her side..
..she had never felt more vulnerable.